SINCE 1891
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017
VOLUME CLII, ISSUE 84
Shakespeare on the Green presents ‘Macbeth’ Modern twist on classic Shakespeare play sets Macbeth in context of McCarthy era By KATHERINE BENNETT CONTRIBUTING WRITER
For their fall play this year, Shakespeare on the Green will present a rendition of Shakespeare’s famous “Macbeth.” Though the play retains its original dialogue, this performance will include a more modern twist seen through a unique lens. “We’ve set it during the McCarthy era,” said Noelle Austin ’18, the show’s assistant director. “There are a lot of themes about appearance and maintaining the personal and public persona, themes of anxiety and claustrophobia. … These themes are very enduring across eras; what’s relevant in Shakespeare’s time is relevant when you get to communism, … the ’50s and the American mindset all the way to today.” The play focuses on Macbeth’s choices and the reasoning behind them, said Grant MacFaddin ’19, director of the play. “Usually (he’s) touted as … ambitious and he has this tragic downfall,
ART & CULTURE
but what we want to do is take that a bit further; why does Macbeth feel like he has to be ambitious, why does he feel like this is something that somebody in his position should do?” “ The play i s h e av i ly implicated in themes of gender, power and selfaw are n e s s ,” said Emma Radmilovic ’18, the play’s executive producer. “Our ‘Macbeth’ translates these themes metaphorically and physically onto the stage, using interpretive moments to depict a world that is slightly outside of reality.” Though Shakespeare on the Green stages a fall production every year, it does not always fall on Family Weekend. But the director » See MACBETH, page 4
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Family Weekend tradition steeped in food, arts, culture
FALL
Past weekends have been host to mischief, bonding By ETHEL RENIA ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
Un s e a sonably w a r m weather and a tightlypacked schedule featuring sports, theater, food and more will greet families visiting Providence this weekend. Family Weekend provides an occasion for PIA MILEAF-PATEL / HERALD students to spend time with their families and an opportunity for the student body as a whole to take a much-needed break from the relentless pace of midterm season. Though it is unclear when the very
G U I DE
first Family Weekend occurred, a previous edition of The Herald published Dec. 5, 1952 reported that Joseph Thomas of the 1954 Class Council “suggested that the class project be some sort of parent’s day with the purpose of giving fathers and mothers of undergraduates the opportunity to become better acquainted with Brown.” For the next five decades, Family Weekend has been a staple of each academic year. The tradition kicked off under the name “Freshman Parents Day” and was reserved for freshman “parents and their sons,” according to an issue of The Herald published Oct. 24, 1963. The day revolved around a luncheon, a football game against the University of Rhode Island and a series of seminars discussing humanities, social sciences, science, mathematics and engineering. Freshman Parents Day expanded to a weekend for sophomore and junior parents in 1972. “We are planning a total weekend — panels, art, sports — that will appeal to the majority of parents and students with all kinds of tastes,” said Development Officer Jack Mastroianni , according to an edition of The Herald published March 20, 1972. But 1972’s iteration of Family Weekend would not go smoothly, as pacifist and anti-war movements inspired » See FAMILY, page 6
Virtual reality systems facilitate research, education Researchers visualize data, environments, motion on large scale in new VR theater By JACKSON WELLS SENIOR STAFF WRITER
University researchers can now walk on the surface of the moon, analyze the footprints of a dinosaur and study molecular structure — all in the same place, thanks to the YURT, the new virtual reality theater at the Center for Computation and Visualization. The YURT is one of CCV’s two virtual reality systems. The second — the Cave Automatic Virtual Environment — is a cube-like structure that has seven projectors, two each on three of the sides and one on the bottom. The YURT, built after the CAVE, was developed to be much larger and more advanced than its predecessor. “If seven projectors is cool, then 70 projectors would be 10 times as cool,” said Tom Sgouros, manager of the Virtual Reality Lab, in describing the thought
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INSIDE
process behind the YURT’s inception. The YURT is comprised of 145 mirrors that reflect transmissions from the 69 projectors that surround it. It uses 20 computers and 1.3 miles of video cable. The 2 million dollar-machine was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, Sgouros said. To experience the virtual reality, the user dons a headpiece equipped with motion-capture technology and walks into the center of the YURT, which is enclosed by screens. Motion capture sensors inside read the placement of the user, which in turn allows the system to adjust the roughly 100 millionpixel projections on the screens to the user’s position. This highly advanced virtual reality system opens up many new possibilities in the field of research, Sgouros said. For example, the YURT can project the surface of Mars. Where before scientists could look at contour maps to deductively discover where there were cliffs on the Martian surface, they can now use virtual reality to see it in a much more intuitive and accessible way, Sgouros said. Canyons that are believed to have been shaped by water can also be studied in this way, he noted.
JACKSON WELLS / HERALD
The YURT is surrounded by mirrors, which reflect projections onto the screens that surround the person inside. The projections conjured could be the surface of the moon, footprints of a dinosaur or a molecular structure. Using this virtual reality medium of analysis, the question “Is there water?” is replaced with “Where is the water?” according to Sgouros. The work conducted by paleontologist Stephen Gatesy concerning analysis
of dinosaur footprints also stands to benefit from this technology. The fluiddynamic model of mud that the YURT can display will allow for a better view and therefore understanding of how dinosaurs walked, Sgouros said.
The YURT will also create a more intuitive presentation of exploratory data analysis in medicine, he added. There are a number of students working on projects with researchers » See YURT, page 4
WEATHER
THURSDAY, OC TOBER 12, 2017
NEWS Karen Kroul’s new exhibit ‘Topographies of Wonder’ on display in Granoff Center
NEWS Though new NLRB could halt grad student unionization, U., SUGSE stance remains stagnant
COMMENTARY Okin ’19: Though pressure to be “chill” is prevalent, it is misguided, counterproductive
COMMENTARY Vilsan ’19: The technological addiction that many students face negatively affects education
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ARTS & CULTURE PAGE 2 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
‘Topographies of Wonder’ highlights beautiful aesthetics, good intentions New watercolor exhibit at Granoff instills messages of multiculturalism, change in viewers
reminiscent of the giant, geometric, now-ubiquitous murals that Keith Haring painted around the world in the ’80s. But rather than painting the side of a building that pedestrians will simply pass by, Kroul paints watercolors on paper for gallery walls that By JACOB ALABAB-MOSER demand a scrupulous eye for detail CONTRIBUTING WRITER from its viewers. She said she hopes Dynamic, effusive and vibrant, wa- for audiences to experience the ditercolorist Keren Kroul’s exhibition chotomy of space, between close and “Topographies of Wonder” first made far, just as she does while painting its home at Granoff Center for the the pieces. Creative Arts last Thursday. The ex“When I work on these pieces, hibition is one of a lucky select few physically, I’m standing really, really chosen from nearly 300 submissions close; I’m working with tiny brushes, to be housed in the Atrium and Cohen and it’s all watercolor,” Kroul said. “To Galleries for the Brown Arts Initia- really see it, I have to step back. So tive’s inaugural 2017-18 season, said there’s this constant push-and-pull.” Program Manager Sophia LaCavaKroul’s art is the logical fruition Bohanan. After the Initiative issued an of her remarkably colorful and global open call nationwide for exhibitions life. Born in Israel and of Israeli and last December, the review commit- Argentinian descent, the artist lived tee unanimously decided to include in Israel, Mexico and later Costa Rica Kroul’s show, LaCava-Bohanan add- before attending college in the United ed. “Everyone came to the table with States, where she has resided since. Keren as one of their top choices.” With its seemingly infinite amount For those visiting the exhibit, it’s of smaller shapes that create a coher not difficult to see why “Topographies ent whole, “Topographies of Wonder” of Wonder” survived the scrutiny of takes on the story of Kroul’s unique, the committee. Upon first glance, the kaleidoscopic identity that comes viewer experiences a visceral reaction from the multiculturalism and multo the four paneled works on display. tilingualism of her upbringing, where The vibrant color palettes — each a she switched between English, Spanmosaic of warm and cool tones — are ish and Hebrew to effectively comintensified by the works’ massive scale, municate with her family. “I grew up evoking sensations of playful joy in always feeling like wherever I was, I the audience. really wasn’t from there,” Kroul said. For some, the exhibition may be “So when I started making this work,
KAITLYN LEW / HERLAD
Karen Kroul’s “Topographies of Wonder” exhibition is on display in the Granoff Center for the Creative Arts. While it evokes many different emotions for onlookers, it is also reminiscent of Kroul’s multicultural identity. I was very consciously thinking about … how I’m always trying to (bring) together all these different parts of who I think I am into one.” This theme of unity composed of disparate pieces echoes the goal of the arts initiative, which aims to invite various groups to view “Topographies of Wonder” and the other exhibits it has planned. While the initiative primarily exists to benefit students
through an engagement with the arts, Managing Director Anne Bergeron said she desires to see its audience expand beyond the University and act as a cultural resource for anyone to use. “For the first time we are being very intentional about reaching out and letting the campus and local community know when these exhibitions are on view,” she said. Bergeron and LaCava-Bohanan agree that the
change has already begun to take place, as LaCava-Bohanan said she has “seen so many community members walk in and just see the work.” While “Topographies of Wonder” might appear sufficiently pleasing at a distance, viewers should move up close to unearth the meticulous detail produced by the hand of the artist. “Topographies of Wonder” is on view until Nov. 5 at the Atrium Gallery.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017 • PAGE 3
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
SUGSE, U. maintain position on unionization after new NLRB nomination Opportunity for graduate student unionization may disappear under new NLRB leadership By CINDY ZENG SENIOR STAFF WRITER
The National Labor Relations Board voted in a 3-1 decision to overturn the 2004 Brown University decision that graduate students at private universities were ineligible to unionize with the verdict regarding Columbia students Aug. 23, 2016. But the window of opportunity for graduate students unionization, which has been a contentious issue at the University for more than a decade, may be closing as President Trump’s latest nominee to the NLRB William Emmanuel gives the NLRB a Republican majority. This raises the possibility of yet another reversal of this decision in the coming years. The University of Chicago filed a motion Sept. 22 to stay the unionization election of its graduate students, which is scheduled for October 17-18, the Chicago Maroon reported. This motion would postpone the unionization of graduate students due to two requests the NLRB received to review their 2016 decision. One was made by Boston College and the other by the University of Chicago.
MATTHEW BROWNSWORD / HERALD
“I would not want to speculate on decisions made at another university, as every institution is different and may be driven by factors which are not relevant to our community,” wrote Dean of the Graduate School Andrew G. Campbell in an email to The Herald. “With respect to the recent Senate confirmation of a member to the NLRB, the position of the University remains unchanged. We respect the recent NLRB decision and will comply with the law.” The Herald previously reported that Campbell said the University
believed the decision to unionize should be made by eligible graduate students free of intimidation within an open and informed environment. Members of Stand Up for Graduate Student Employees will continue to operate with the expectation that the University will abide by the NLRB’s 2016 ruling, wrote Katherine Thompson GS, a member of Stand Up for Graduate Student Employees, in an email to The Herald. “SUGSE expects that the administration will abide by the statement they made in response to the Columbia
decision in August 2016, saying that they recognize as law the NLRB’s ruling that graduate students are also employees and thus have the right to bargain collectively,” Thompson wrote. SUGSE has support in every department on campus, and will “continue to organize and advocate for a union that will allow grad students to have a meaningful voice in their working conditions,” Thompson wrote. SUSGE is optimistic about its future activism. “With supporters in every department and division on campus, we
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continue to organize and advocate for a union that will allow grad workers to have a meaningful voice in their working conditions,” Thompson wrote. SUSGE’s website does not indicate any signs of a card campaign in the near future. The group is hoping to advocate through methods such as one-on-one meetings to “contractually guarantee essential benefits the University already provides, such as health and dental insurance, and ensuring that grad workers are involved in any decisions to alter those benefits,” Thompson wrote.
NEWS
PAGE 4 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
UCS holds ideation session, brainstorms plans for year UCS President Steele ’18 announces new source of funding for tampon distribution initiative By EDUARD MUÑOZ-SUÑÉ SENIOR STAFF WRITER
The Undergraduate Council of Students held an “ideation” session in its weekly general body meeting Wednesday night, as the group’s committees begin to create goals and plans for the year. UCS president Chelse-Amoy Steele ’18 also announced several changes to the organization’s tampon initiative. Since September 2016, UCS members have distributed tampons and pads in non-residential men’s, women’s and gender-neutral restrooms as part of an initiative led by former UCS president Viet Nguyen ’17. For the past year, the plan has been funded by UCS through funds allocated by the Undergraduate Finance Board. The Office of the President is currently funding the initiative, Steele said. The initiative will cost approximately a few thousand dollars per semester, Steele told The Herald. The funding will be provided “on a temporary basis, for this semester only,” wrote Brian Clark, director of news and editorial development, in an email to The Herald, adding that it will come from UFunds, “a centralized source of funding created as a mechanism for supporting student activities with a cohesive approach, rather than individual requests going to a wide range of different offices.” Steele also announced that UCS will source the tampons from a different company called Tampon Tribe, which produces tampons and pads made from organic materials. The group’s tampons are made to “the best natural international certified organic standards” and are produced without plastic, according to the company’s website.
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President of the Undergraduate Council of Students Chelse-Amoy Steele ’18 announced changes to the tampon iniative started by her predecessor Viet Nguyen ’17, which will be funded by UFunds. However, hygiene products will continue to be distributed by members of UCS, Steele said. She asked for volunteers — both from UCS and the general student body — to distribute tampons and pads two times per week to designated restrooms. Next semester, Steele said, she hopes that distribution will be operated by the facilities department beginning in the spring. UCS will need to collect data on the usage of the distributed tampons so Facilities Management can create its own system of distribution. “Half of the institutionalization is currently happening,” Steele said, referring to her goal of having the University finance and distribute the tampons. UCS has not yet distributed tampons this semester, but the group will begin distributing tampons and pads next week, Steele said. In the ideation session, UCS general body members dispersed into four smaller groups to brainstorm ideas for four of UCS’s committees: campus life, academic affairs, student activities and student wellness. Some, but not all, of
the committees have held their first internal meetings in the past week. “What are all the projects that (committees) are going to be working on for this upcoming year? What is going to be prioritized out of this list? And what is the person going to be working on? That is the goal for the end of this meeting,” said Steele. After the session, chairs presented the results to the general body. Camila Pelsinger ’20, the chair of the committee on campus life, announced that Sara Kutcher ’20 will be the group’s “Dining Services liaison” and will look into creating an app that will incorporate information from Bon Appétit. “Another of our first big tasks will be creating water stations across campus in residential halls and in gyms that don’t have water stations,” Pelsinger added. Mar Weiss ’20, chair of the committee of academic affairs, discussed ideas such as “expanding the writing center’s accessibility.” She also mentioned ideas such as improving the communication of academic departments, as well as developing a
research fair so that students can better know what research opportunities exist for them. Chair of Student Activities William Zhou ’20 mentioned ideas such as a survey for club presidents and a booth at the activities fair about how to start a club. He also expressed a desire to “clean up club applications to make them shorter” and to make the descriptions of clubs posted on the BearSync portal “more efficient and more comprehensive,” he said. Chair of Student Wellness Sharon Zeldin ’20 brought up “insurance coaching,” a concept that would have insurance experts sit down with students to explain their insurance coverage. Zeldin also raised the need to increase accessibility to Counseling and Psychological Services and Student and Employee Accessibility Services. Steele also announced that any members who miss more than three general body meetings without valid excuses will be made to gather an additional 100 signatures in order to rejoin UCS as a general body member.
» YURT, from page 1 using the YURT, Sgouros noted. Active projects include a medical study and the creation of a program that allows users to build their own robots. Researchers are also taking advantage of the YURT’s unique ability to visualize phenomena ranging from star births and supernovas to four-dimensional objects. Virtual reality can also help to make students more engaged with learning, said Adam Blumenthal, a virtual reality artist-in-residence who produces interactive media. Using the technology at the Granoff Center for the Creative Arts, he worked on a for-the-classroom recreation of the Gaspee Affair, a 17th century event in Narragansett Bay that is often considered the first act of war by colonists in the events leading to the Revolutionary War. Virtual reality technology has advanced greatly since Blumenthal was first introduced to it in 1990. He experienced it initially as it was emerging from military labs at NASA and was “blown away by the potential.” It was too early at the time for virtual reality to be used outside of these developmental settings, so he had to wait while it “incubated” until it was usable in places such as the CCV. The main benefit of these largescale virtual reality systems as compared to headset systems — like the HTC Vive and the Oculus Rift — is the collaboration they foster, said Sam Fulcomer, associate director of systems at the CCV. The success of CCV technology is central to the future of high-performance computing at the University, he said, adding that in the future, scientific visualization using virtual reality could receive unified and widespread support considering the abilities of display technology. It could also see wider use in laboratory settings, particularly due to the increased usage of head-mounting displays, Fulcomer added.
» MACBETH, from page 1
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chooses the timing of the production, and putting on the show during Family Weekend allows parents to watch their kids act while avoiding cold winter weather, MacFaddin said. “It makes it a better experience for everybody.” As a student-run group, Shakespeare on the Green has been putting on shows since 1997. “Shakespeare on the Green came along to fill the niches that weren’t being served,” MacFaddin said. “It filled that void of Shakespeare on campus and also site-specific theater.” The group also offers a shorter time commitment to those who cannot devote as much time to theater, opening up the plays to more students. “We have always been committed to being an inclusive and safe environment for all students,” Radmilovic said. “We have had the joy of seeing our community grow significantly in the last four years to become a thriving theater community.” In the performance, audience members can expect an in-depth experience. “The show has a lot of movement,” Austin said. “The choreography has some tango, it has some contemporary, it has some fun modern movement.” “It’s a very intimate performance,” said MacFaddin. “It’s a relatively small audience, and it’s a pretty tight space so a lot of people can expect to get up close and personal with the experience
TIFFANY DING / HERALD
Shakespeare on the Green’s 2017 rendition of “Macbeth” brings a modern twist to the classic play, setting it during the McCarthy era. of the performance.” The show is set to take place in Lot 29, located at 8 Fones Alley, Friday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 15, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are free
for the public and can be obtained on the Shakespeare on the Green Facebook page or at the door. In the case of inclement weather, the production’s rain site will be posted on its Facebook event page.
NEWS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017 • PAGE 5
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
DPS annual security report shows fluctuations in crime rates To capture true crime trends, DPS seeks data from confidential student resources CAPS, SHARE By MELANIE PINCUS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Department of Public Safety released its Annual Security Report, which documents crime trends on campus for 2016, in a communitywide email Sept. 29. This year’s report reported higher numbers of rape, dating violence and hate crimes, while burglary has continued to decrease. According to the security report, there were higher reports of dating violence and rapes in 2016 compared to 2015. Title IX Program Officer Rene Davis said higher reported incidences of dating violence and stalking may indicate that students have a broader understanding of sexual violence and are thus able to identify when it happens. External factors like last year’s presidential election could also influence reporting rates for sexual violence. “For some individuals, it might have a closeting effect where they might say, ‘You know what, if this could happen at this level, (then for) my small story, no one’s going to take it seriously,’” Davis said. She added that conversely, the election may also encourage people to want “to shine a light on this.” DPS also responded to more hate crimes last year. In 2015, there were three hate crimes reported under the Clery Act, the law that requires universities to compile an annual crime report. Last year, there were nine. The Clery Act defines a hate crime as any crime where “the victim was intentionally selected because of the
MATTHEW BROWNSWORD / HERALD
perpetrator’s actual or perceived bias regarding: race, religion, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin and/or disability.” “We did have a substantial amount of bias markings and writings on campus buildings and whiteboards on campus, so that (increase) would be the result of that,” Porter said. Changes in the reported numbers of some crimes might not necessarily reflect an increase in the actual number of incidents, said Chief of Police Mark Porter. Under the Clery Act, only incidents that occur in certain geographical zones are reported, so this fluctuation could demonstrate an increase in number of reported incidents within specific geographical zones rather than the overall area. Clery reporting environments
include any properties owned or controlled by the University, public properties nearby and off-campus sites affiliated with the University, according to the Higher Education Compliance Alliance’s website. Though DPS may be receiving the same amount of reports, several reports may not have been counted for the report because they did not occur in the areas specified by the Clery Act. One of the primary functions of the security report is to encourage reporting for typically underreported crimes and then address the issues that the data reflect, Porter said. Nationally, 80 percent of sexual assaults are unreported, according to the National Research Council. To make the report as comprehensive as possible, DPS gathers statistics
about crimes like rape, dating violence and stalking not only from designated “Campus Security Authorities” — people who are federally mandated under the Clery Act to report to DPS — but also from confidential resources like Counseling and Psychological Services and Sexual Harassment and Assault Resources and Education. “We encourage more reporting even though they’re not mandated, because we think it gives us a much more comprehensive number. … It also allows for and encourages a climate of reporting instead of not reporting,” Porter said. “We’ve always thought that when our numbers are low that they were also … underreported,” Porter said. All information provided to DPS by CAPS and SHARE remains
anonymous, said Assistant Director of CAPS Laura Sobik and SHARE advocate Alana Sacks. “We participate by completing a form that identifies the type of violence without including any names or specific locations to not conflict with patient confidentiality,” Sacks wrote in an email to The Herald. Campus Security Authorities and confidential resources fill out the same incident report form to provide information to DPS. Portions of the form that ask for the victim’s name and phone number may be left blank, Davis said. Communication between DPS and staff who serve Campus Security Authorities within the athletics department is strong, according to Deputy Director of Athletics Colin Sullivan. Athletics contains a number of employees who act as Campus Security Authorities. “I think there’s a good process, and it’s just about creating a safe and comfortable environment,” Sullivan said. The Title IX Office also has a strong partnership with DPS, Davis said. “I think when individuals go directly to (DPS), they make sure that they loop me in so that the student is receiving all sorts of care,” Davis said. “When I have individuals come forward to me, but they’re not ready to report, I see (DPS) as a partner that I would try to get a student to connect to them to talk about safety planning,” she added. As DPS monitors the trends in the security report, Porter said he remains confident in DPS’s ability to keep the community safe. Any reduction in crime “is a tribute to the amount of uniformed officers out on patrol,” Porter said. “Overall, Brown continues to be a very safe campus.”
Pembroke field to be transformed into dance floor for annual event Fourth annual ANOCH will host a semi-formal dance on Pembroke Field Saturday night By ELIZABETH TOLEDANO SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Saturday evening, after parents retire for the night, Pembroke Field will transform into a dance floor. This year, for the fourth time, A Night on College Hill — cosponsored by the
ART & CULTURE
Greek Council, the Student Activities Board and the Class Board — will bring a semi-formal dance party to campus. The event, which offers live music, a dessert bar and a photo booth, brings together students from all class years for a respite from Family Weekend activities. The dance originally commemorated Brown’s 250th anniversary. It is free and open to all students with a Brown ID, each of which can bring a guest. ANOCH was an immediate hit four years ago and is quickly becoming one of the school’s most popular traditions. People have already been in touch
with the Class Board, anxiously inquiring about whether ANOCH will be happening this year, said Dana Le ’18, Class Board senior co-president. This year, the event will feature KiwiiSour, a student band that recently played at Gigs on the Grass, as well as a DJ. “The quality of music that Brown students can produce … is amazing,” said Le. ANOCH is “a really cool event to start the year” said Meghan Hershkowitz ’19. She attended the dance her freshman and sophomore years and plans to attend this weekend as well. She remembers getting ready with her friends for the event as a freshman. We
“did the whole thing,” she said. “I think my favorite part is dressing up with all your friends,” she added. The guidelines for semi-formal dress are loose and students are encouraged to wear whatever feels comfortable to the event. “We usually don’t have semi-formal events for the whole school,” Le said. The dance caters to “anyone that enjoys music.” ANOCH offers an opportunity to students who are not involved in Greek Life to attend a dance, she added. The event is expected to attract more than 4,500 people this year, mostly undergraduate students. “It attracts people from all across Brown,” said
Hershkowitz. At the event, students can meet people from their classes that they don’t know, she added. “There aren’t a lot of events on campus that bring the entire student body together,” said Jacquelyn Ingrassia ’19. This Family Weekend, before winter descends, ANOCH will provide one of the few final opportunities to spend the night enjoying the weather outside. The dance is expected to bring thousands of underclassmen onto Pembroke Field, creating a unique chance to celebrate being a part of Brown’s campus. ANOCH will take place Saturday evening between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m.
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NEWS
PAGE 6 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
Dean of Harvard Kennedy School discusses economic inequality Elmendorf ’s potential solutions include education, job training to remedy inequality in US By JONATHAN DOUGLAS SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Douglas Elmendorf, dean of Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, discussed economic inequality in a lecture titled “Make America Fair Again,” sponsored by the economics department as part of its “Economics in the Real World” lecture series. Elmendorf — who served as the director of the Congressional Budget Office from 2009 to 2015 — began his lecture by discussing what he believes to be the biggest problem in the country today. People have lost confidence in the economic system because of unfair practices, Elmendorf said. They have lost confidence for three main reasons: They are wrong about basic facts, they believe economic reforms have helped everyone but them and the economic system has failed to serve low- and middle-income Americans. Elmendorf dismissed the first two claims, instead choosing to focus on how to remedy the disparity between low-, middle- and high-income individuals. Elmendorf highlighted what he believes to be the six most important ways to restore economic equality: empowering people through education and training, improving the enjoyment of low-income jobs, buffering the effects of globalization and immigration, continuing public support for low- and middle-income families, increasing
» FAMILY, from page 1 students from all backgrounds to stage a massive anti-Vietnam War protest. A day before 1972’s April Parents Weekend, “one quarter of the Brown student body voted … for a ‘cessation and transformation’ of normal University activities,” according to a Herald article published April 21, 1972. The war protests extended to Parents’ Weekend, where “parents (had) chances to question students about recent campus anti-war activity,” according to The Herald the next day. “Students sometimes mistakenly assume that the great unwashed need to come on the campus to consider the war, when, in fact, it is not a new subject to most parents,” Robert Reichley, then the associate vice-president for university relations, told The Herald at the time. But not every year can be as dramatic as 1972. A light-hearted crisis
TIFFANY DING / HERALD
In his lecture, “Make America Fair Again,” Douglas Elmendorf addresses the large gap betweem low-, middle-, and high- income individuals. He discussed six ways the issue should be addressed in order to solve it. investment in infrastructure and supporting regulatory policies that reign in businesses. Through education and training, Elmendorf hopes individuals will be better prepared for a rapidly changing economy and will possess the skills needed for the modern economy. At the same time, improving the quality of life for employees in low-paying jobs will keep workers satisfied and increase the quality of their work. Though he still believes that globalization and immigration help raise the long-term economic prospects of the country, he acknowledges that in the short term, many workers are
harmed by these changes. Elmendorf advocated for a slowing of changes to better transition workers to these adjustments. Along the same lines, he called for continued public support for low- and middle-income families, especially while workers struggle to adjust to changes. Elmendorf advocated for increased spending for infrastructure because it would create short-term jobs for lowincome workers and would improve transportation for workers across the country, especially low-income families that cannot turn to other sources of transportation. In his final prescription, Elmendorf called for
in 1973 comprised pranksters putting up posters around campus advertising a made-up lecture titled “‘A Humanistic Approach to Oralgenital Relations,’ (which) was to be offered at 11 a.m. in Wilson 108 by Rev. William R. Coffin of Swarthmore Divinity School,” according to an article in The Herald published October 16 1973. When 20 first-year parents and a large number of undergraduates attempted to attend the lecture, they found that Wilson 108 could hold only about six people and the room was being “occupied by a football coach going over his plays with his backfield,” according to the article. It was later revealed that not only did William R. Coffin not exist, but Swarthmore College did not have a divinity school. After the posters were rapidly brought down by administrators, they “reappeared almost as rapidly,” according to the article. In 1974, the great Parents’ Weekend
fiasco boiled down to a production mishap, when the Brownbrokers, a student-run theatre group, had to cancel a student-written musical they had prepared for the parents. “Though the Brownbrokers have produced original student musicals since 1953, the script selected for production this spring, Georg S, was cancelled when there were only 20 auditions for 24 roles,” wrote Steve Root in The Herald published April 24 1974. Throughout the decades, Parents’ Weekend has unfailingly stood for three things: football games, musical and theatrical entertainment provided by various student groups and free food. So, as the weekend rolls around and the mean age on campus jumps up dramatically, students can kick back, throw midtermrelated caution to the wind and enjoy a nice meal that doesn’t come out of a to-go box.
regulatory business policies with the goal of limiting monopolies, increasing competition and generally supporting consumers. Despite his support of these policies, Elmendorf does not foresee them coming into effect in the near future due to political infighting and the policymaking weakness of the Trump administration, he said. Many of these policies were hampered during the Obama administration due to partisan fighting over specific details, he added, and these fights have continued to hamper overall progress. Furthermore, the Trump administration’s inexperience prevents it from using the right
mechanisms to confront economic inequality, despite Trump’s populist campaign, which hinged upon rectifying inequality. After his lecture, Elmendorf fielded questions from the audience, largely focusing on the effectiveness of his proposed policies and the political realities that hinder them from being implemented. Elmendorf acknowledged that job training may not be successful for every worker, but will be successful in general, according to various economic research. When asked why these policies have been unsuccessful thus far, Elmendorf highlighted the press’s failure to successfully defend proven economic tactics, as well as the inability of the Clinton campaign to market economic reforms in a way that resonated with the wider population. Though he does not foresee his proposed economic policies coming to fruition in the near future, Elmendorf is optimistic in the long run. Politicians will eventually end their squabbling over details and future presidential administrations will be better policymakers, he said. Attendees had mixed reactions to Elmendorf ’s talk. Many audience members pushed him in the question-and-answer session, saying that he largely copied points from former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton that had been political failures. Anna Bogdanok ’21 said that his talk was “relevant, but basic” and failed to sufficiently dive into the complexity of economic inequality. Emily Sauter ’19 agreed with Bogdanok, but added that “it’s hard to address such a huge swath of details in a short talk. He can’t be as thorough as you’d want.”
HERALD FILE PHOTO
In 1972, students stalled Family Weekend activities of University activities to object to the United States’ involvement in Vietnam.
TODAY
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017 • PAGE 7
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
stop and go, students
menu SATELLITE DINING ANDREWS COMMONS
Pizza: Barbeque Bam Bam, Spicy 5-Cheese and Garlic, Meatball, Provolone, Rosemary JOSIAH’S
BLUE ROOM
Chicken Alfredo Bowl, Mushroom Swiss Burger, Quesadilla Station
Soup: Chicken Artichoke Florentine, Turkey Chili
DINING HALLS SHARPE REFECTORY LUNCH
DINNER
BBQ Rubbed Pulled Pork, Paprika Potatoes, Cheese Tortellini Provencal, Date Bars
Baked Chicken, Grilled Montreal Chicken, Calypso Pork Loin, Cajun Apple Cake
VERNEY-WOOLLEY LUNCH
DINNER
Ancho Chili Pulled Pork, Carne Asada, BBQ Beef Sandwich, Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chili Spiced Roast Vegetables, BBQ Navy Pea Beans, Nachos, Brazilian Style Chocolate Cake
sudoku
GUS REED / HERALD
Stoplights hang along the busy streets that connect Brown to downtown Providence, allowing students, professors and administrators navigate the web of one-way streets inevitably leading to their destination. RELEASE DATE– Saturday, March 3, 2012
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle c rNorris o s sandwJoyce o rNichols d Lewis Edited by Rich
ACROSS 1 Gift giver’s request, perhaps 8 Pop choices 15 Hematite or limonite 16 Roadside come-on 17 Italian town where Napoleon defeated the Austrians 18 Rubber of myth 19 Loss of the ability to read 20 Mil. rank 21 Puckered, say 22 Party lines? 24 Code subject 25 Fit 28 2000 Gere title role 29 It’s quite a stretch 30 Sources of legumes? 33 Where a mask may be worn 36 One who makes you sweat 38 Reg. 39 Gotten out of control 40 Couples can break it 41 Preserve, in a way 42 Work 43 Menu fowl 46 Martin who won an Oscar for his 1994 Lugosi portrayal 48 They never get off the ground 49 Show 50 Like some cat collars 54 “You’re better off not knowing” 56 Sites of some clashes 57 Performer 58 Tricking, in a way 59 Uses as a basis 60 Dangerous fliers DOWN 1 Bedsheet material
2 Magnitogorsk’s river 3 Flew 4 More than, with “of” 5 “Pagliacci” clown 6 Designation on a driver’s license, perhaps 7 Start of colonialism? 8 Gets from the field 9 One may be close 10 Letters in the Loop 11 “Shoot!” 12 Shelf 13 One of the fire signs 14 Ships 20 Stock holder 23 [I’ve heard that one too often] 24 “If I __ so myself ...” 25 BlackBerry buys 26 It might be pickled 27 Pig product 29 Some messengers
31 Two-time Masters champ 32 Peck of TV’s “10 Things I Hate About You” 33 Small cut 34 Arequipa’s land 35 Combative deity 37 “Might want to rethink that” 40 It’s usually a little sticky
43 Shingle material 44 Strong emozione 45 Equivocates 46 Compare 47 High home 49 In the matter of 51 Staying power 52 “Symphony in Black” artist 53 Brit. decorations 55 Long-eared critter 56 Deli order
Q U O T E O F T H E D AY
“I was very consciously thinking about ... how I’m always trying to (bring) together all of these different parts of
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who I think I am.
— Karen Kroul, creator of “Topographies of Wonder”
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:
See topographies on page 2. CORRECTION A previous version of an article titled “‘Gigs on the Grass’ promotes homegrown student music” published Oct. 11, 2017, referred to Pia Struzzieri ’18 as the president of CCB 2018. In fact, she is the vice-president of CCB 2018. The Herald regrets the error.
xwordeditor@aol.com
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Intro LaTeX Workshop 12:00 P.M. Science Center, 3rd floor
Women in Cybersecurity Panel 12:00 P.M. CIT, 227
Simhat Torah Celebration 7:15 P.M. Hillel
Concert: Pa’lo Monte 7:30 P.M. Granoff Center
TOMORROW Talk: Dr. Ariel Rubkin 12:00 P.M. CIT, 368
Family Weekend Open House 2:00 P.M. J Walter Wilson, Room 440
Brown Meditation Community Sit 4:00 P.M. Manning Chapel
Family Weekend Jazz Band Concert 9:00 P.M. Grant Recital Hall
COMMENTARY PAGE 8 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
Brown Eats If your family is coming this weekend, it’s not too hard to find a place to grab food if you want to skip the Ratty. Here is our take on some of the hottest spots around campus: Meeting Street Cafe Meeting Street is a classic place to bring your family for breakfast on a Sunday morning (or really any time of day, since breakfast is served all day). On the corner of Meeting Street and Thayer Street, the cafe has an authentic diner atmosphere that can’t be beat on College Hill. Come for the eggs benedict and pancakes, stay for the monster-sized cookies. The Duck and Bunny This restaurant is as cozy as it sounds. Nestled away on Thayer’s quirky sister, Wickenden Street, the Duck and Bunny is best known for its cupcakes and teas but will surprise you with a seasonal breakfast treat that is not to miss. Three Sisters Okay, okay — Three Sisters is more than 10 minutes away by foot, but you can impress your parents with your new RIPTA skills by taking the 1 down to Hope Street. Order a breakfast sandwich or their delicious smoothies. And the best thing on the menu? Ice cream, obviously. Try the mint flavor, which tastes like real mint — not syrup. Milk Money Head off of Wickenden to find this rustic-modern brunch spot. Order the pulled pork hash, or the delicious cold brew coffee. You’ll thank us. Olga’s You’ll find this little garden cafe down in the Jewelry District. Order breakfast underneath the sinewy branches of an oak tree. Olga’s feels like eating breakfast in the backyard you wish you had. Den Den A staple in College Hill dining, Den Den offers a fusion of Japanese and Korean foods. A branch of the restaurant solely devoted to fried chicken is located just off Thayer, but a few minutes’ walk will bring you to the original Den Den. Surrounded by steaming gyoza and kimchi pancakes, you’ll find options to please everyone.
P IA M I L E A F- PAT E L
Coffee Exchange Get your caffeine fix at this local joint. If you head over early enough, you’ll be able to catch the morning crowd and hang out with locals gathering in caffeinated circles. Recommended: the Tuxedo, a swirl of dark and white chocolate mocha that’ll be sure to satisfy your taste buds. Ellie’s Bakery Head downtown to Ellie’s, the cutest little bakery/coffee shop in Providence. This Parisian-themed bakery is tucked into a corner of Kennedy Plaza and serves up delicious macarons, pastries and home-made tea and coffee-based drinks. Seating is limited but on sunny days you can enjoy the warm weather with an almond croissant and a lavender-vanilla latte. East Side Pockets This highly-rated restaurant is located right on Thayer Street, offering a wide variety of pockets, wraps and subs. Favorites include the restaurant’s falafel, and there are many sides to pick from — including more classic options like french fries and onion rings.
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COMMENTARY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017 • PAGE 9
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
Chill culture isn’t cool REBECCA OKIN staff columnist
What creature tends to seek a mate in the winter, welcomes any offering of free carbs and has mastered appearing calm on the surface while actually struggling to keep up? If you guessed a duck, you are correct. If you guessed a Brown student, you are also correct. According to the logic of the “Duck Syndrome,” which was coined at Stanford but exists in a number of colleges, many of us students take pride in appearing to smoothly glide on the surface. Not studying for a test or sleeping through class, for example, are too often seen as badges of honor. But like ducks, we are actually propelled through our weeks on College Hill by a frenzied paddling underneath the water. I don’t expect this to be true for everyone — some people are naturally calm, cool and collected. As a fairly uptight person myself, I always try to surround myself with these types of individuals. For those of us who relate to that furious paddling in some form (whether we choose to conceal it below the surface or not), we are probably also aware of what, besides the water, we are really clashing against: a culture of chill.
Unfortunately, anyone who writes an article about chill has none to speak of. But here’s the thing: Chill as a desirable trait is bogus. In fact, the current social obsession with obtaining chill is not only counterproductive, but also both arbitrary and misguided.
Massey points out that we find ourselves competing in the “Blasé Olympics,” where more points are awarded to appearing disinterested than to any display of genuine emotion. As a consistent perpetrator of both the “Double Text” and the “Over Analysis,” I can attest to the moments of
nature to promote a false appearance of “I literally don’t care?” In fact, pursuing this supposedly calming thing is actually the source of many freakouts. In contrast to what one may expect, the time and energy spent pursuing chill often has the reverse effect.
The current social obsession with obtaining chill is not only counterproductive, but is also both arbitrary and misguided.
This manifestation of “Duck Syndrome” is not limited to academics — it is pervasive in almost all aspects of student life. In a 2015 article outlining the emergence of this obsession with chill, writer Alana Massey comments on the pervasiveness of the social phenomenon in perhaps its most prevalent realm: our romantic lives.
internal conflict where pursuing the cooler approach feels more socially acceptable than going with my natural instinct and responding immediately with excessive emojis. Yet whenever I participate in this ritual, I invariably find myself in the pits of frustration. Why am I trying so hard to dismiss my naturally eager
The premium we place on being chill is also artificial, and its only real impact is to call out people who aren’t. Chill should be used to describe the personalities of the calmer individuals among us and nothing else. Because rather than being some objective to reach, it is merely a neutral personality trait that we’ve placed
on a pedestal. Unlike being kind, considerate or friendly, being chill does not provide any inherent social benefit. Like owning a pet or being tall, possessing the chill factor is arbitrary. Indeed, the fact that being chill has morphed into a social necessity only excludes others, particularly those who are naturally less chill. So here’s my suggestion: Let’s stop placing value in always appearing aloof. Those who are suffering from the burden of chill culture must constantly check their actions to conform to this culture. While maintaining a facade of coolness can seem fulfilling, the energy it takes to achieve this chill leads to regret and frustration. In reality, ducks have no chill. Their webbed feet don’t hold any nerves. This results in an inability to feel how cold the water actually is. Yet we students feel the stress of studying or the hazards of hook-up culture. But we can and should remove the burden of trying to act chill. Rather than stressing out over pretending to be someone we’re not, we should recognize that the deference we give to being chill is artificial and inappropriate. Instead, let’s recognize that chill is a neutral personality trait.
Rebecca Okin ’19 can be reached at rebecca_okin@brown.edu.
How tech undermines our education FABIANA VILSAN staff columnist
It’s no secret that, in this current age of rapid technological progress, the attention spans of young people are taking a hit. We check our phones every five minutes, prefer our news in the form of 140-characters and never dare to venture past the second page of a Google search. We’ve grown used to finding very specific pieces of information in a short amount of time. Unlike previous generations, few of us have had to sift through old books in a library for a research project or can remember the last time we read a book cover-to-cover. With new and exciting job prospects and online academic resources, college students in particular are most aware of the many benefits that technology has brought them. But the convenience and access to knowledge made possible by our gadgets have come with an unexpected cost: our declining ability to focus on a single task for a prolonged period of time. I must admit, maybe our parents were onto something whenever they told us about their time in school, free of the technological distractions we’re faced with today. Shorter attention spans, induced by our technological addictions, can actually harm our long-term well-being by compromising the liberal arts education that we’re all at Brown to receive. A new study from Microsoft warns that the average human today boasts the attention span of a goldfish: a crisp eight seconds. Those multiple open tabs have finally caught up to us, and we’re now finding it difficult to filter out unnecessary distractions and remain focused
on the task at hand. We want everything right here and right now, but things outside of the technological realm — like our educations — don’t work that way. A quick glimpse around a lecture hall will bring you face-to-face with numerous Facebook pages and Buzzfeed articles as opposed to the lecture notes professors are hoping their students are typing. Distraction during a lecture is inevitable, and checking on one of your open tabs mid-lecture can seem
also making it harder for themselves to be patient with their academic challenges. What we dismissively label as “distractions” are signals of a deteriorating ability to do the independent thinking expected of serious students and scholars. Indeed, our shorter attention spans are harming our potential to fully achieve the goal of a liberal arts education: sustained engagement with material that may initially be complicated and hard to understand. Ac-
Shorter attention spans, induced by our technological addictions, can actually harm our longterm well-being by compromising the liberal arts education that we’re all at Brown to receive.
harmless. But on a practical level, those multiple tabs are evidence that our ever-shrinking attention spans can seriously hurt our ability to absorb information from non-digital sources, from something as elementary as a regular lecture. That’s a considerable waste of our Ivy League education — and our minds. With their short attention spans, students accustomed to getting their answers through a Google search in between lecture slides are
cording to some educators, our over-reliance on quick solutions and quick transitions between tabs is hampering our ability to stick with compelling material long enough to become inspired and develop original ideas. At Brown, we have some of the world’s foremost intellectual minds and numerous academic resources within our reach. It would simply be a pity to let ourselves lose our creativity and the true power of our liberal arts education to the
convenience of rote internet searches. Facing an increasing number of computer screens in their classrooms, teachers and professors across the world often feel compelled to integrate high-tech tools into their lesson plans. This accomodation of young people’s technological habits may have an adverse effect on their ability to engage with the material. Many teachers who employ digital tools in the classroom note that the “Wikipedia Problem” — students prefer to search for an answer online instead of deriving it themselves — is becoming more and more prevalent in their schools as the proliferation of technology continues. The digitization of the classroom may be playing a role in conditioning students to expect quick solutions for their problems instead of disciplining them to engage with new and creative ideas. I don’t know what the answer to our shrinking attention spans is, and it isn’t clear how we can best salvage our liberal arts education in an increasingly tech-driven world. But I know that throwing more media into a classroom isn’t going to solve the problem. Perhaps we ought to relearn the values instilled in previous generations and approach the latest technological fads with a dose of skepticism. At college, we shouldn’t be allowed or encouraged to retreat to the safety of our devices. Rather we should be learning how to remain tenacious and committed in the face of academic difficulties.
Fabiana Vilsan ’19 can be reached at fabiana_vilsan@brown.edu.
NEWS
PAGE 10 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017
Family Weekend
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
Open House in the
Sidney E. Frank DIGITAL STUDIO and the
PATRICK MA DIGITAL SCHOLARSHIP LAB Saturday, October 14, 2017 • 10 am – 12 pm First Floor, Rockefeller Library (10 Prospect Street)
Brown University Health Services Family Weekend
Open House
Friday (October 13th) 2-5pm $QGUHZV +RXVH %URZQ 6W &RUQHU RI %URZQ DQG &KDUOHVÀHOG VWUHHWV Take a tour of the building and our ambulance. Meet staff from and learn about Nursing, Pharmacy, Primary Medical Care, Counseling and Psychological Services, X-Ray, Emergency Medical Services, BWell Health Promotion, Administration and Insurance. Bring your questions and curiosity!
NEWS
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017 • PAGE 11
NEWS THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017
CENTER FOR
Physician Assistant Studies
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2017 Registration: 4:45 p.m. / Presentation begins promptly at 5 p.m. RSVP: 401-598-4558. Space is limited. Location: 35 Claverick Street, Providence, Rhode Island GPS address: 157 Clifford Street, Providence
Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.
17-01-295 10/17
OPEN HOUSE
The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Physician Assistant Studies Program sponsored by Johnson & Wales University.