SINCE 1891
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017
VOLUME CLII, ISSUE 37
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Former Prime Minister David Cameron sits down with The Herald One-on-one interview focuses on British referendum, global rise of isolationism By JACKSON CHAIKEN SPORTS EDITOR
Former Prime Minster of the United Kingdom David Cameron came to the University Monday to deliver the Ogden Memorial Lecture at the Pizzitola Center. Prior to his lecture, the former Prime Minsiter sat down with The Herald for an exclusive interview touching on isolationism in global politics, Britain’s independence referendum, how technological increases will affect politics and more. The Herald: With the referendum vote last summer and the election of President Trump this fall, there has been a trend towards isolationism in the political arena. Do you think this trend will continue or reverse itself as its ramifications become more clear? Cameron: I think that will depend on what the mainstream politicians do. If, as I hope, they recognize that you’ve got to deal with the underlying
causes of the populism that we see — if they deal with those causes — those parties can win again, and we can keep moving forward with a sort of, sensible, moderate, liberal globalization. But we have to address the people left behind economically — make sure they are benefitting from globalization and trade. We also have to address people’s concerns about the excessive levels of immigration and concerns about, in the case of Europe, the Euro not working. If we deal with these things then these changes are reversible, but if we don’t, we’ll see more even more of the events that we saw in 2016. If people’s concerns aren’t dealt with … you could see one of these quite extreme parties winning power. … It’s not healthy having the situation where, for instance in France, as many as 40 percent or more would consider voting for a party like the Front National. The reason people are doing it is not that 40 percent of French people are racist or xenophobic, it’s just that they are angry that the problems they encounter — high unemployment, wages not rising, frustrations with the European Union, frustrations with the Euro — aren’t being properly addressed. The mainstream parties have to address
ELI WHITE / HERALD
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2016, delivered the Ogden Memorial Lecture on Monday. He was interviewed before his talk by Herald sports editor Jackson Chaiken. them and deal with these problems. Otherwise … we’ll see more of this. What factors brought Britain to the point of a referendum? We joined the European Union in 1972, and it changed a huge amount over the subsequent 40 years. It had
powers granted to it treaty after treaty, and there was a frustration that there had not been a referendum after 1975. I felt, as an opposition leader, I wanted there to be referendums on these treaties. It was a train coming down the track, and what brought it about was a sense that this organization had
changed and the people hadn’t been given a say. I also felt it was poisoning British politics that referendums had been promised but not delivered. So I thought better … you know, it’s decision time, let’s decide either to stay in this organization with our special status » See CAMERON, page 3
Grammy-winning composer Depts. release new DDIAP spring courses New courses focus on performs in jazz concert Brown Jazz Band opens for Monty Alexander, Brown Arts Initiative funds three-day stay By ETHAN ROSENBERG CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Monty Alexander, a Grammy award winning composer, showed off his creative and eclectic jazz style at the 30th Annual Eric Adam Brudner ’84 Memorial Concert in Salomon Hall March 18. His band, the Harlem Kingston Express, played a setlist incorporating a range of pieces that featured genres from traditional jazz to modern reggae. The Brown Jazz Band opened the performance before ceding the stage. Alexander joined the band onstage for one number, soloing alongside Alex Han ’17. “The Jazz Band is a 20-piece big band that plays a wide range of styles from the swing of the 1930s to newer stuff that has just been written in the last couple years,” said trumpeter Yale Friend ’19. “(The band) has given me
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great opportunities. It’s amazing to be part of a group that plays incredible music,” Friend added. Robert Lee ’17, vocalist for the band, said that the group, which represents the “pinnacle” of his music career, “provides a level of musicianship that I haven’t experienced anywhere else.” Bassist Amanda Beaudoin ’17 said she appreciates the diverse approaches each member brings to jazz. “Most of the people in the band aren’t music majors. Everyone comes from so many different parts of Brown and they all just love music and love jazz.” The event — the most recent installment of the Memorial Concert Series — was part of Monty Alexander’s three-day residency at Brown. Primarily funded by the Brown Arts Initiative and the Brudner ’84 Memorial Concert Fund, in association with various departments at Brown, the series afforded students the opportunity to work directly with Alexander during classes in the Music Department. Onstage, Brown Jazz Band director Matthew McGarrell, who has attended all 30 Brudner ’84 memorial » See JAZZ , page 2
history of non-Western music, race, gender in STEM fields, immigration By MIA PATTILLO SENIOR STAFF WRITER
As the University’s academic departments released their own departmental diversity and inclusion action plans last fall, many mentioned new spring courses intended to build upon the goals set forth in the University’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan to increase faculty and student diversity both within individual departments and campus wide. ECON 0170: “Essential Mathematics for Economics,” is one of those classes. Anna Aizer, professor of economics who helped develop and implement the DDIAP, said the course aims to foster the inclusion of students from under-resourced schools who may not be able to use high school Advanced Placement credit for the math requirement. “We didn’t want to be turning off any students, particularly those who simply hadn’t had AP access,” Aizer said. In an attempt to alleviate this issue,
LAURA FELENSTEIN/HERALD
the new math class focuses much more on applied math to make it “easier to understand underlying concepts with examples that are relevant to social sciences,” she said. An economics professor teaches the course rather than a math professor, and the content is
more accessible to economics concentrators, she added. The economics department also added a class that focuses on immigration, ECON 1570: “The Economics of Latin America,” which serves as a » See COURSES, page 2
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TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017
NEWS UCS initiative features U. staff members on Celebrating Staff at Brown Facebook page
NEWS Former British Prime Minister David Cameron discusses populism, nationalism in lecture
LETTER Steele ’18, Akasaka ’18, Srinivasan ’19, Volpicello ’18: We do not seek Herald endorsement
EDITORIAL 127th Editorial Board: Herald responds to UCS/UFB candidate letter
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UCS launches staff appreciation Facebook page Initiative aims to express student gratitude, improve student-staff relationship By ROSE SHEEHAN SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Launched by the Undergraduate Council of Students at the end of February, the Celebrating Staff at Brown Facebook page highlights University staff members “who we interact with and who keep the University running” as part of an effort to show staff appreciation, said UCS treasurer Yuzuka Akasaka ’18. The project is also meant to “enhance student relationships” with staff members and ensure that students treat staff with gratitude and respect, said Yvonne Diabene ’19, UCS communications director and chair and organizer of the initiative. In the 2016 Staff Climate Survey, only 70 percent of respondents felt they were treated with respect by students. “Because one experience with a student can shape (a staff member’s) opinion of all students … a positive experience where they see that students want to highlight them (and) want to know about them” is powerful, Diabene added. The Facebook page helps students get to know staff members beyond the “cursory interactions” that take place in dining halls or on shuttle rides, Akasaka said. The inspiration for Celebrating Staff at Brown came when UCS President Viet Nguyen ’17 encountered Georgetown University’s Unsung Heroes Facebook
» JAZZ, from page 1 concerts, thanked the Brudner family for their ongoing support. Opening the concert, the Brown Jazz Band played “a range of styles. Starting with a swing chart written by Toshiko Akiyoshi, moving all the way to a Duke Ellington Classic ‘Cotton Tails,’” Friend said. Alexander joined the band for one number, enthralling the audience and soloing on the piano
» COURSES, from page 1 “timely class with a lot of important implications for the political situations today,” Aizer said. The class looks at Latin Americans in the United States both theoretically and empirically to discuss “discrimination, the importance of networks and issues of documentation” as they pertain to immigrants, said Pedro Dal Bó, associate professor of economics and instructor of the course. “It’s important to have this space, (to give) Latin Americans the attention they deserve considering their magnitude in the (United States),” Dal Bó said. He added that he hoped the class will appeal to not only Hispanics but also people of other ethnicities,
page and suggested pursuing a similar initiative at Brown, Diabene said. The staff members initially profiled were chosen because they are known by many students, but UCS has now posted a nomination form on the Facebook page for community members to recommend staff to be interviewed, she added. The council formulated a set of 10 interview questions designed “to be broad enough that they would elicit stories of (staff members’) own personal experiences,” Diabene said, adding that she and other UCS members currently conduct the interviews. “I ask them about students: Is there any memorable experience you’ve had with a student … (or) something about Brown students that you particularly like or don’t like,” she added. After an interview has been completed, Diabene or another UCS member listens to the recording and selects portions that best represent the staff member or elicit surprise or emotion, she said. Diabene tries to include a section focused on the staff member’s experience of growing up, as well as the story of how they got to Brown, their experience working at the University and their advice for students, she added. With staff members’ permission, their profiles will be posted alongside their photos on the Facebook page, Diabene said. Students sent Gail McCarthy, a Brown University Dining Services cashier, a link to the Facebook post of her profile, which currently has 1,500 likes, McCarthy said. “It made me feel very pleased, very humble, because I know
Gail McCarthy, a staff member of Brown University Dining Services, was featured on Celebrating Staff at Brown, garnering 1,500 likes. The page has a form for students to nominate staff for future profiles. there (are) a lot of good workers,” she project overseen by a UCS member. member may be able to conduct their added. One short-term goal is to begin releas- interview in a different language, DiaLuke Francis, a staff member in ing two profiles per week instead of one, bene said. The council is also considering Brown University Mail Services, said she added. translating the 10 interview questions seeing his profile made him feel appreci“One of my goals is to set up a solid into multiple languages, she added. ated by students. committee of people” to conduct the The Staff Advisory Council helped “For me, it was great because I saw interviews and create profiles faster, Dia- UCS organize Celebrating Staff at Brown that students care about the workers, and bene said. The staff nomination form and hold a staff appreciation lunch as it’s a good thing to know that the students also asks respondents if they would like a launch event for the Facebook page, notice what we do for (them),” said Jose to help conduct interviews themselves, Diabene said. The launch coincided with Barros, a BUDS cashier. she added. Brown Employee Appreciation and RecAkasaka said that she hopes CelebratIf a staff member does not feel ognition Month, which goes from late ing Staff at Brown will be a permanent comfortable speaking English, a UCS January to late February, Akasaka said.
alongside Alex Chan ’17, who was visibly captivated. “Alexander just brings so much joy to his playing — it’s infectious,” Friend said. Monty Alexander’s 2011 Album Harlem Kingston Express: LIVE was nominated for Best Reggae Album at the 2012 Grammy Awards . Following the concert, he reminded the crowd that he has recorded 75 albums, the last of which came out this year. His performance, featuring the Harlem
Kingston Express, blended jazz, reggae and swing. The musicians hailed from Haiti, Jamaica and Long Island. All the group members played multiple solos that prompted considerable applause from the audience. Watching from the second floor balcony, members of the Brown Jazz Band couldn’t contain their excitement at seeing the music legends play. “They are just unbelievable — the level of musicianship is spectacular
and top notch,” Friend said. Beaudoin was “so excited to see (Alexander) play, particularly with the whole band.” The Brown Jazz Band was especially excited to see his genre-blending approach to music, Friend added. “I think he and his group are a great example of how jazz can be integrated into other styles and still be relevant.” Alexander rehearsed with the band in the days before the concert,
offering them advice and providing insight into the music industry. “Thursday night, he took a solo on a tune we were playing, and everyone was just completely mesmerized by it. Everyone was playing at a higher level than before just because he carries our level up,” Friend said. Echoing his bandmate, Lee said Alexander told the group, “If the audience doesn’t want to jump up and dance, you aren’t doing it right.”
since “it’s impossible to understand the United States without understanding one of the main minority groups.” In the music department, the class MUSC 0570: “Jazz and Pop Harmony” is now offered as an alternative to MUSC 0560: “Theory of Tonal Music” to cater to students with musical interests other than Western classical, according to the DDIAP. This includes those studying computer music and multimedia, jazz, pop, rock and ethnomusicology, said Matthew McGarrell, senior lecturer in music who coteaches the new theory class. MUSC 0560 may pose a “hurdle to those studying ethnomusicology or computer music who haven’t played an instrument,” McGarrell said. But this new alternative course
can replace only the second half of a year-long music theory sequence. The department said it would continue to evaluate its curriculum and has considered several courses of action regarding the first semester theory course, such as offering an alternative theory course or disregarding the music theory requirement altogether, McGarrell said. “The idea that these (pieces of Western music) have to be elevated” has now been mostly “discredited,” he said. The music department is also considering other measures to increase diversity and inclusion, such as drawing more women and people of color toward its male-dominated computer music and multimedia track.
“Jazz music is of African origin,” but we have very few students who come from that background, McGarrell said. With the new class APMA 1910: “Race and Gender in the Scientific Community,” STEM departments have also prioritized diversity and inclusion. Originally developed by a group of undergraduates as a Group Independent Study Project, the course uses literature and statistics to discuss the role of underrepresented groups, said Bjorn Sandstede, professor of applied mathematics who teaches the course. Nicole Kaufmann ’18, a student in the class, stressed the importance of a sense of inclusion in a mostly maledominated field. “This class really made me feel like I was coming home
because I was with a lot of women and other minorities in STEM,” Kaufmann said. An Phan ’19, another student in the class, said she hopes that the course reaches students beyond those from historically underrepresented groups and educates those in positions of power and “aren’t as aware of these issues.” “We talk a lot about white cis males, and we don’t have a single white cis male in the class,” Phan said. “Bjorn is incredible,” Kaufmann said. “As a white man in a position of power in a STEM field, he knows that it’s important to teach this course and learn from it, and he does everything he can to make (students from HUGs) feel welcome,” she added.
MARIANA MCMURDOCK / HERALD
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TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017 • PAGE 3
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
David Cameron discusses international rise of populism Former UK prime minister talks Brexit, terrorism, foreign aid, international relations By JACKSON CHAIKEN SPORTS EDITOR
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom David Cameron delivered a lecture Monday in the latest iteration of the Ogden Lectureship. The lecture, titled “Contemporary Global Challenges: Where Do We Go From Here?,” focused on a recent trend of populist, nationalist events — the United Kingdom’s referendum vote to leave the European Union and President Trump’s election, specifically — and the underlying causes behind them and the next steps necessary to reverse the trend. “Not being Prime Minister has some compensation,” Cameron said, taking the stage after an introduction from Christina Paxson P’19. “I don’t have to listen to (Trump’s) wiretaps,” he joked, before angling his humor towards the Brown community, pointing out Britain has “never had a nudity festival in the House of Commons” and tracing the roots of post-truth politics and fake news to former Professor of Psychoceramics Josiah Carberry. But the lecture quickly took a serious turn. “The benefits of globalization are still plain to see,” Cameron said. But a serious “course correction” is needed, he added. Two main reasons behind recent political movements are economic and cultural, he said. Too many people have been left behind economically — a rising tide has not lifted all boats, he said. Culturally, Cameron cited a pace of change too fast for some people to keep up with.
» CAMERON, from page 1 or to leave and form a new relationship with the European Union from the outside. That’s not the choice I made, but it’s the choice the people made, and we’ve got to make that work. So the issue, really, behind the referendum was just a sense that this was something the people ultimately should decide. What is your biggest accomplishment and regret in six years as Prime Minister? I think the biggest task I had was the turning around of the economy after the economic crisis of 2007, 2008. When I became Prime Minister, ... (we had) the biggest budget deficit ... virtually anywhere in the world, the economy wasn’t growing effectively, unemployment was too high. We cut the deficit by two-thirds, we created 1,000 jobs for every day I was in power over the six years, we turned around Britain’s economic performance. By the end it was, for
“If we don’t address the problem of people left behind economically, they will fall prey to the far left, and socially, the far right,” Cameron said. He added that responsible capitalism — characterized by tax, trade and transparency — will make globalization better and fairer for all involved. As Cameron shifted from the underlying causes behind the current political climate to the future, he extolled the necessity to “remake arguments all over again for values we have.” Free trade and the growth of world trade have not made countries poor, they have made them rich, he said. After Trump’s election, it is arguments like this that need to be remade, he said. America will not be made “great again by making Eastern Europe weak again,” Cameron said, speaking on the need to support NATO. Lastly, Cameron discussed how populist movements have forced discussion on foreign aid out of the dialogue and focused more on terrorism. “Aid and development have a vital part to play in tackling poverty,” Cameron said, noting that arguments in favor of foreign aid are “going out of fashion.” Cameron listed the clear benefits of aid — Britain’s contributions allowed 70 million children to be vaccinated — but also emphasized the security advantages of supporting foreign aid, as the “consequences of global poverty affect all of us.” Instead of decreasing foreign aid, there needs to be more “focus on what makes nations fail and what makes them succeed” when determining foreign aid, he said. Talk of terrorism has come more into fashion, Cameron said. “Terror has claimed lives of people from almost every country,” he said. But we “shouldn’t emphasize the two years in a row, the fastest growing country in the G7. I think that was the most important achievement; that was the job we were elected above all to do. But there are other things I am proud of that will take longer to shine through. One of those is the education reforms. We set up free schools in the U.K., and they are going to be a really important part of the improved educational landscape in the U.K. And then individual things like gay marriage: As a Conservative Prime Minister, that was a quite a feat to take that through and get it on the Statute Book, and I think now everyone accepts it was a sensible move. The biggest regret you have is — in that daily battle you have to fight between the short-term political fights with the media, the press, your opponents in parliament and the daily problems. I think every prime minister would look back and wish they spent more time on the long-term challenges than on the short-term political fight,
ELI WHITE / HERALD
David Cameron addressed the University as part of the 94th Stephen A. Ogden Jr. ‘60 Memorial Lecture. Previous lecturers included His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Juan Manuel Santos, the president of Colombia. connection between terrorism and extreme Islam.” Acknowledging that defeating terrorism will require many forms of action, including military action, Cameron stressed the need to stand with moderate Muslims and support their efforts to combat extremist Islam. This did not sit well with some audience members. “Many moderates do not even see groups like the Islamic State as Islamic,” said Rakan Aboneaj ’19, adding that he felt uneasy from some of Cameron’s comments. Moving to the question and answer portion of the lecture, Paxson delivered questions submitted by students and faculty members. A question submitted by Mark Blyth, professor of political science and international and public affairs, asked about the changes from 2010 to 2015 that made Brexit possible. In response, Cameron outlined some failures of the European Union — the
Eurozone and a lack of inner borders between states with no external border — that fed the pro-Brexit movement. “Emotional arguments are very, very powerful,” Cameron said. Cameron also responded to a question that criticized the impact of the International Monetary Fund and foreign aid on the countries receiving it. Aid spent on programs that saved lives, such as vaccinations and antimalaria bed-nets, can be justified, Cameron said. “These countries want and need our help,” he said, adding that there is a need to help poorer countries build functioning parts of the state. He added that if we care about the poorest in those countries, we have to take a risk in providing aid. Cameron also defended the independence referendum in one question. “When dealing with questions
about constitutions, it’s right to have a referendum,” he said. Adding that leaving the European Union does not mean the United Kingdom is leaving Europe, he stressed the need to find a relationship with the European Union that works. Finally, Cameron extolled the virtues of a life in the political arena. “There is nothing more satisfying, interesting and compelling than public service,” he said. Cameron’s lecture was part of the Ogden Lecture Series, which has brought past speakers such as the Dalai Lama and Richard C. Holbrooke ’62, former assistant secretary of state for European and Canadian affairs and chief negotiator for the Dayton Peace Accord in Bosnia, along with many other influential speakers who are involved with international politics.
and I don’t think I am any different. But the truth is you have to do both. But, in the end, the things you look back on with pride are the long-term changes not the short-term punch-ups.
be this huge opportunity to facilitate economic transformations between these people, transfer money more effectively and with less cost and for people to have the opportunity for property rights and honest business relationships by using blockchain technology. We also have a new thing, which is dev tech — the technology being used in development to try to help the poorest people in the poorest countries have a better life. Now, whether that is using satellite technology to improve crop yields or whether it is using blockchain technology to get money to disadvantaged people or whether it is using modern technology to cut out corruption because people are paid digitally rather than in cash, it seems to me there is a huge opportunity to use the technology to tackle the problem of global inequality.
in global affairs and technology to learn to collaborate productively? My strong advice would be to get stuck in, whether that be getting involved in student politics or local politics or joining a political party. Actually, it is a very exciting time to get involved because all of the arguments that had become rather standard — let’s support free trade, let’s support representative democracy, let’s believe in the root of law, let’s stand up for NATO, let’s try to enhance global institutions like the U.N. — all of these arguments have suddenly become quite contentious. I mean, your president doesn’t agree with all of them. So instead of these arguments being things that we all accept and get on with the rest of our lives thinking, ‘Well they’re okay,’ actually these are things we have to fight for over and over again. … That’s a good thing for young people interested in politics is that the arguments are never over, the battle is never truly won. So it’s a good time to get stuck in.
How do you think blockchain and the increases in technology as a whole will effect governments and their citizens around the world? The U.S. is obviously the leader in tech, but in financial technology the U.K. has a really interesting opportunity because you’ve got our financial center, the City of London, and our tech center, Tech City, so geographically close together that I think we’ve got an opportunity in this very exciting market. Now where blockchain, and, for that matter, bitcoin, go, who knows? All that I do know is that the opportunities and the potential is very exciting, particularly in an area I am particularly concerned about, which is how you help the most vulnerable people in the most vulnerable states. It seems to
What recommendations do you have for young people interested
NEWS
PAGE 4 • TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
Applicants to the class of
2021
60% 40%
Students from
145 nations
Languages represented:
32,699
117
applications
2016
PLME
’17
’18
’19
Graphics by Laura Felenstein Text by Sarah Wang
’20
’21
17%
Less than 100 applicants
The University received a total of 32,699 applications for the class of 2021, according to Dean of Admission Logan Powell. The number of applicants increased from last year’s applicant pool, which saw 32,280 students seek admission to the University for the class of 2020.
500 - 1000
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68%
ants lic
100 - 500
Perc en
class of
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This year’s applicant pool was “remarkably consistent with where we’ve been in previous years across nearly every demographic category we consider,” Powell said. The University did see an increase in its Brown-RISD dual degree applicants, with 30 percent more students seeking admission to the program than last year, according to Powell. But the number of Brown-RISD applicants is similar to the number of applicants seen in the past. “The last two years’ (the number of BrownRISD applicants) were a little bit low so where we are this year with Brown-RISD applicants is actually similar to where we were four years ago,” Powell said. Regular decision results will be available on March 30 for the class of 2021.
44%
24% 9% 11%
26%
7%
<1%
1% American Indian or Alaska native
Asian
Black or African American
Hispanic or Latinx White
12%
17%
International
28%
28%
Physical sciences
Social sciences
Other
5%
Academic interests Humanities Life & medical sciences *Less than one percent interdisciplinary
Undecided
TODAY
TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017 • PAGE 5
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
menu
cameron reps bruno
SATELLITE DINING ANDREWS COMMONS
Pizza: Spinach and Feta, Pepperoni, Bacon Chicken Ranch JOSIAH’S
BLUE ROOM
Asian Salad, Pizzadilla, Spicy Chicken, Jambalaya
Turkey Sausage and Kale Soup, Three Bean Chili
DINING HALLS SHARPE REFECTORY LUNCH
DINNER
Chicken Gumbo Soup, Turkey Sandwiches, Zucchini with Corn and Tomatoes, Sugar Cookies
Split Pea Soup, Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie, Seafood Cavatelli, Honey Bun Cake
VERNEY-WOOLLEY LUNCH
DINNER
Split Pea Soup with Ham, BBQ Beef Sandwich, Vegetable Strudel, Sugar Cookies
Vegetable Bean Stew, Roast Turkey with Sauce, Roasted Veggio Olio, Pound Cake
sudoku
crossword
NICK DENTAMARO / HERALD
President Christina Paxson P’19 gave former British Prime Minister David Cameron a gift after his lecture Monday. Cameron spoke on the state of the U.K. following Brexit and steps the country can take to move forward.
Q U O T E O F T H E D AY
“(Britain has) never had a nudity festival in the House of Commons.” — David Cameron, former British Prime Minister
See david cameron on page 3.
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The Dialogue: Voices from Trump and Syria 12:00 P.M. J. Walter Wilson, 440
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Locked Out of Learning: Education in Prison 5:00 P.M. List Art Center, 120 The Nightly Room 9:00 P.M. Campus Center, 229
TOMORROW History in the Age of Trump Teach-In 4:00 P.M. Science Center, 3rd floor
Navigating the Queer Spectrum 12:00 P.M. Chancellors Dining Room
Vinyasa Yoga 6:00 P.M. Hillel, Winnick Chapel
Free Trade in the Era of Trump 7:00 P.M. Salomon Center, 001
COMMENTARY PAGE 6 • TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
EDITORIAL
BDH endorsement for UCS/UFB candidates
Toward a better Herald
To the Editor:
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e will not be seeking an endorsement from The Brown Daily Herald given The Herald’s history with people of color and marginalized groups on campus. Through disregarding Native communities at Brown by giving a platform for racist messaging in the name of the “freedom of expression,” exploiting narratives of students of color and low-income students and misconstruing and falsely manufacturing narratives by inaccurately quoting students on important issues, The Herald has misused the trust of marginalized communities, and therefore validation through an endorsement by The Herald would not align with our mission to support students of color at Brown. We believe that by actively engaging and listening to marginalized communities within Brown, The Herald can do better to help make the concerns and ideas of these groups
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visible. We look forward to seeing that change occur in the near future in a way that acknowledges the harm that has been done in the past and actively works to restore relationships with marginalized communities moving forward without furthering the labor The Herald has put on communities of color to repair their relationships with students. As potential future student representatives, we look forward to working as liaisons as The Herald opens up lines of communication to begin this process.
very year during the spring semester, The Herald endorses candidates for contested Undergraduate Council of Students and Undergraduate Finance Board executive positions. Endorsements are typically made after the editorial board meets with the candidates to discuss their respective ideas and platforms. This year, because several candidates refused to seek endorsement from The Herald, we will not endorse any UCS or UFB candidates. We want to acknowledge the pain The Herald has caused marginalized communities, particularly through the racist columns that were published in fall 2015 and want to highlight steps that The Herald has taken to repair our relationships with the Brown community and ensure accurate and fair content. We have looked internally and reflected on our role as a teaching organization, where students learn how to run a newspaper and help the campus become more informed and engaged. We understand that we do not truly fulfill our mission if our staff does not reflect the diversity of the student body. We acknowledge this internal problem and wish to also shed light on some of the efforts we have made in the past three semesters to make The Herald more diverse and inclusive. In spring 2016, The Herald overhauled the opinions section to remedy the process that led to the publication
In Solidarity, Chelse-Amoy Steele ’18, UCS presidential candidate; Naveen Srinivasan ’19, UCS vice presidential candidate; Yuzuka Akasaka ’18, UFB Chair candidate; Alex Volpicello ’18, former UCS vice presidential candidate
editorial car toon
of fall 2015’s racist op-eds. Where oped contributors and staff columnists used to have their pieces edited online, not in the presence of an opinions editors, contributors to our opinions section now come into the office to have their piece edited in person. In fall 2016, The Herald also introduced a diversity and inclusion advocate role. Now in its second semester, the role is currently filled by two of our section editors who have reached out to various student groups of color on campus and advocate for students of color who work for The Herald by facilitating internal discussions. The Herald has also held a series of workshops within the past year, including ones run by the Brown Center for Students of Color, Sarah Doyle Women’s Center, Social Justice Peer Educators and Counseling and Psychological Services. To ensure that we accurately cover all communities on campus, participation in these workshops was mandatory for staff members who write and edit our articles. We understand The Herald has so much more work to do. But when the candidates say that The Herald is “exploiting narratives of students of color and low-income students,” and “misconstruing and falsely manufacturing narratives,” they erase the work of countless staff members — and most poignantly our staff members who are themselves students of color and lowincome students — who make these
narratives visible in our paper every day. Students of color, low-income students and students of all marginalized identities deserve a voice in our paper — to be heard not only by their peers who read The Herald, but also by alums and administrators who stay informed about campus concerns through our paper. We believe that our coverage this semester has demonstrated care for the issues that these students face. Our revamped opinions section has also worked to start conversations about important campus issues. We encourage you, our readers, to follow our coverage daily and hold us accountable when you do not see articles or columns that fairly represent the Brown community. We have also reached out to the candidates to begin a conversation with them. With our past in mind, we affirm and support the work our entire staff has done to bring The Herald to where it is today. We continue to dedicate ourselves to pushing a more inclusive Herald forward. Editorials are written by The Herald’s editorial board: Lauren Aratani ’18, Matt Brownsword ’18, Rebecca Ellis ’18 and Kate Talerico ’18. Send responses to letters@browndailyherald.com.
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COMMENTARY TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017 • PAGE 7
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
Thayer Street — A fond memory EMILY MILLER staff columnist Thayer Street was once a mecca for distinctive family-owned businesses, catering to the needs and tastes of the students and residents of College Hill. Turn-of-the-century clapboard homes painted in bright colors stocked clothes from the far corners of the world, while the aromas from immigrant-owned restaurants competed for the opportunity to broaden the palates of students from here, there and everywhere. How many of those students would see their first Dashiki or taste souvlaki for the first time while at college? Thayer Street represented the quintessential college mercantile community, a place to learn and enjoy new and different experiences. But demographics of businesses across the United States have changed. Where a corner pizza shop once thrived, a Dominos now sits; that wonderful old sub shop has become a Subway. The distinctive boutique that sold the trendiest British “originals” is now a Lulu Lemon. And so it goes on Thayer. The colorful make-up on the street-faces of those Victorian dames can no longer hide their age. Empty buildings
and closing signs mix uncomfortably with the ersatz stucco bearing the logos of all-too-familiar chains. I am not in any way disparaging these recognizable names: Chipotle, Johnny Rockets and Starbucks create an enclave of Providence dining choices for even the pickiest of palates. And who could argue that the variety and prices at a CVS store are better than they were at the old E. P. Anthony’s Apothecary? The
sociated with airports and hospitals, and the late-night staple Nice Slice will soon meet the same fate. One need only look at the periphery of Harvard Square to recognize an unfortunate truth: It would be naive to think that Thayer would buck a nationwide trend. The economics of retail mercantilism pull too strongly from the mom and pop ideals of yesterday. Chain stores are not only more capable of paying higher rent as
same is true for the food and merchandise sold. While conformity may lead to brand recognition or assure a certain level of quality, it may not blend with the characteristic individuality of Thayer. The changing demographics of Thayer go beyond restaurants and clothing stores. In 2013, nine oncegracious houses were demolished to make way for a square, unadorned brick edifice developed by a family
As Brown students and Providence residents for at least a few years, we must be aware and mindful of the current state of Thayer, its changing scene and its repercussions on us, Providence and its residents.
corpse of that store, which once offered handmade chocolates scooped from handsome glass-covered walnut display cases, is now buried under the Chipotle at the corner of Angell Street and Thayer. These replications of stores, from Peoria to Phoenix, come at great cost to the culture of Thayer and its local businesses. And the trend continues: Even some of the most recognizable names are being cannibalized to make way for “trendier” versions of the same ilk. Gone is Au Bon Pain, a chain too-often as-
highly credit-rated tenants, but their leases also allow building owners to borrow more against their property. This “leverage” permits the owners to expand their holdings and acquire more property. As they say, “He who pays the piper calls the tune.” In exchange for paying the bills, the chains require uniformity in their locations. To develop and maintain their “goodwill,” stores must be easily recognizable, and thus their store exteriors, interior layout and decor must conform to a prototype. The
of Brown alums who saw a more efficient use for the land. But while these luxury apartments at 257 Thayer may improve living arrangements for some, their location — commandeering a single lot from Thayer — has left an entire block of the street with a movie-set façade. Yes, this building is sleeker and far from an eye-sore. But one can’t help but wonder when the movie set too will be taken down in the name of the gentrification of Thayer Street. As Brown students and Provi-
dence residents for at least a few years, we must be mindful of the changing state of Thayer and its repercussions on us, Providence and its residents. Must Thayer Street conform? Must you conform to these changes? Once the eccentric texture of Thayer is gone, it will not be recreated — ever. Its quintessential college environment will be lost to growing consumer metropolitanism, looking identical to cookie-cutter establishments in thousands of cities. Shouldn’t we try to keep Thayer one of a kind? So next time you want to get a burrito, a cup of coffee or a shirt, think about shopping at a local store, preferably one that has not torn apart an older building and replaced it with the universal visions of far-off corporate design teams. Thayer should not be lost to the whims of consumerism or become the ghost of a disappearing past. Let’s all do our best to keep Thayer Street the site of some of our fondest and most unique memories at Brown.
Emily Miller ’19 can be found enjoying Nice Slice while it’s still around. She can be reached at emily_miller@brown.edu.
Nice Slice: Death by parking meter ANDREW FRIEDMAN staff columnist Nice Slice announced Wednesday that it will be closing its Thayer Street location April 15. The news was disappointing for me, in part because I have many fond memories of late weekend nights spent at Nice Slice. I am still coming to terms with the fact that members of the class of 2021 will probably never know that Nice Slice ever existed, despite the fact that I spent most of my Saturday nights last year on the concrete steps outside their door, eating pizza with friends from my freshman unit. But what is more disappointing to me than my newfound nostalgia is the fact that the reasons for its closing were so predictable and so preventable. The Herald article reporting on Nice Slice’s closing cites a raise in property price and the addition of parking meters on Thayer Street as the major forces behind the move. About the parking meters, Nice Slice owner Al Read said, “We’ve never recovered from this construction project. Our business has declined over the past five years.” Other Thayer Street businesses have expressed similar concerns: in a recent Providence Journal article, Avon Cinema’s owner claimed that “anti-business” parking meters are “driving away customers and destroying small businesses” on Thayer Street and that “the situation continues to deteriorate.”
Thayer Street parking meters arrived in late 2015, around the same time that the Thayer Street District Management Authority (effectively a Thayer Street chamber of commerce sponsored by the Providence Department of Planning & Development) began improving the street’s sidewalks and installed BigBelly solar trash compactors. Mayor Jorge Elorza proposed parking meters as a way to cover a 2 percent year-over-year spending increase in his 2015 budget proposal without increasing “broad-
Elorza temporarily nullified his own measure, offering free parking at metered spaces across the city from the end of November to December last year. Parking meters — like Thayer’s CALTHA53, which generated $37,100 in revenue last year — were implemented as a solution to “free up parking space(s) for new customers” while bolstering the city’s tax base. But the loss of the social capital that local businesses bring to College Hill is certainly not worth the arguably insig-
National chains make Thayer Street look more like a bland, interchangeable suburban intersection than a legitimate college commercial district.
based” taxes. While the TSDMA’s urban design-based improvements to Thayer Street were well-received, Elorza’s parking meters were, and remain, despised. The Providence Journal even pronounced that Elorza “killed businesses with parking meters.” Many Thayer Street businesses — including Nice Slice — created and signed a petition, deftly titled “Remove Parking Meters From Thayer Street District — NOW!” The parking meters were so poorly received that
nificant extra dollars in tax revenue, especially when the city’s approved operating budget is sitting at a healthy $717.95 million, up $23 million from two years ago. Parking meters have inevitably led to the demise of a number of Thayer Street restaurants, including SnoTea Café and Skewers, with Nice Slice being the latest victim. Generally this has been followed by consolidation by competing businesses, like Baja’s opening Baja’s Taqueria in
Skewer’s former location. Often the companies that move in are national chains: Kung Fu Tea (which boasts 107 locations nationwide) moved into SnoTea Café’s former store. We will witness by CHLOE, a Manhattan chain, move into a space vacated by Au Bon Pain in just a few months. Often, these chains do well precisely because they aren’t local. As Read said, “They come in and they pose as being local and independent-minded, but they’ve got big advertising budgets, and it’s hard to compete with that.” As a local business, it’s especially hard to compete with national chains in a market plagued by parking meters and greedy landlords. Considering the success of other chains on Thayer Street — Starbucks, Chipotle, most recently Insomnia Cookies — I have no doubt that another national chain will swiftly fill the void left by Nice Slice’s departure. But the Brown community will be the worse for it. National chains make Thayer Street look more like a bland, interchangeable suburban intersection than a legitimate college commercial district. Elorza, by tactlessly skewing the market in their favor, is giving chains a leg up. I can only hope that Brown students have the moral conscience to nullify his mistakes, but so far, we have been patronizing stores and restaurants in accordance with the size of their advertising budgets. And that just put Nice Slice out of business.
Andrew Friedman ’19 can be reached at andrew_friedman@brown.edu.
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NEWS THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017
Brain Fair brings new voices into field of neuroscience Brown Brain Bee sees 800 attendees, hosts fair for labs, students groups, advocacy organizations By JACKSON WELLS STAFF WRITER
The 2017 Brown Brain Fair saw people of many different ages and interests come together with a single purpose — to learn about the brain. More specifically, they came to Sayles Hall March 19 to hear about different aspects of the brain’s anatomy, applications and recent research advancements. The Brain Fair — organized by Brown Brain Bee, an undergraduate student group — was the “keystone event” of Brain Week Rhode Island, said Oliver Tang ’19, Brown Brain Bee’s undergraduate volunteers coordinator. It was free and open to anyone who was interested in attending. The booths were hosted by a variety of laboratories, student groups and advocacy organizations. Groups that attended included VENlab, which offered people the chance to experience virtual reality; the Rhode Island Consortium for Autism Research and Treatment; students from Cranston High School East, who brought
an electroencephalogram, allowing people to see their brain waves; BrainGate, which demonstrated the applications of a brain-computer interface and the NeuroMotion lab, which displayed the brain’s function in muscle activity and action coordination. Other topics covered included cognition and optical illusions. Tang said one of the goals of the event was to bring in new voices to the field of neuroscience. Teaching neuroscience is one of the easiest ways to get kids interested in science education, due to the vast amount of untapped potential in brain research, he added. The Brown Brain Bee looked to improve upon the first Brown Brain Fair, which took place last year. A number of student groups from different grade levels attended, ranging from those who have just started elementary school to those who are close to graduating from college, said Carin Papendorp ’17, a cohead coordinator. “Nearly 800 people attended this year, about 200 more than last year,” said Mackenzie Woodburn ’17, a cohead coordinator. “This brought a wide variety of ages, but we really increased the number of families and children who attended this year.” While gaining exposure for the Brain Bee last year was difficult, news of this
year’s fair was largely spread by wordof-mouth from those who attended last year, Papendorp said. The Brain Fair won “Best Student Event” at the Student Activities Center in 2016, and the organization was hoping to build on that momentum, Tang said. He added that a number of other institutions, such as the University of Rhode Island, are beginning to hold their own brain fairs this year. Tang said the organizers are always trying to brainstorm new ideas for events at the Brain Fair. “Our pinnacle lecture for this week came from Ella Sacks, a MacArthur Fellow,” he said. “The fact that we were able to get a MacArthur fellow at this year’s event to talk about her experience with schizophrenia was really momentous to us and the evolution of the Brain Fair.” Papendorp said she hopes younger people leave the event with a newfound interest in neuroscience and excited about problems that still need to be solved in the field. She added she believes everyone can learn to appreciate how complex the brain is and how to protect it. Tang hopes people will leave with an understanding that neuroscience is a very human discipline with human applications. “One thing that I am always
KAITLYN LEW / HERALD
Brain Week Rhode Island featured its “keystone event” Sunday, which included a quizbowl competition, informational booths and lectures. personally excited about for the Brain Fair is spurring undergraduate involvement in neuroscience research.” In addition to the Brain Fair, the Brown Brain Bee hosts a number of events relating to the brain, such as the Brown Brain Bee Competition, a quiz bowl-style competition for high school
students designed to test their knowledge of neuroscience. The Bee saw its fifth competition this February. The organization also holds weekly neuroscience classes in order to prepare these students for the competition, as well as a number of activities to further promote interest in neuroscience.
LACROSSE TEAMMATES
Pro lacrosse team reunites two men’s lacrosse alums Tills ’16, Kelly ’16 compete together again on Outlaws, a Major League Lacrosse team By CAL BARASH-DAVID SENIOR STAFF WRITER
For Bailey Tills ’16 and Jack Kelly ’16, the five months from April to August are comprised of working two jobs, and they are on the clock seven days a week. Most Fridays during this time, Tills leaves his technology sales job in San Francisco and catches a flight to Denver. On the opposite side of the country, Kelly departs his financial services consulting job in New York City, flying west to the Rocky Mountains. They land in Denver and go immediately to a 9 p.m. practice. The following morning, they wake up, have a walkthrough and play a game in front of thousands of fans. The former Brown men’s lacrosse standouts from last year’s semifinal team then fly home Sunday night and get some rest — they have work the next morning. This is the life of a Major League Lacrosse player for the Denver Outlaws. After four-year careers at Brown that included a trip to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament in their senior season, Tills and Kelly were reunited at the professional level. Kelly was drafted March 2016 at the start of his senior season. Following the Bears’ semifinal loss to Maryland and the two seniors’ graduation, Tills received a text from Outlaws Assistant General Manager Jon Cohen asking him to join the team. Tills jumped at the opportunity to further his lacrosse career and play with a friend. He was on the practice squad for a week before joining the team for the final eight games of the season. As a child growing up in Denver, Tills
remembers being 12 or 13 years old when the Outlaws became a team. From then on, he knew he wanted to be a professional lacrosse player. Kelly grew up on West Islip, Long Island, a place he describes as “a big lacrosse town.” Having played lacrosse since kindergarten or first grade, he was a serious fan from a young age. “I’d go to the Final Four pretty much every year with all my family and friends,” Kelly said. “Then, when I knew that there was a pro league, I obviously said that’s something I wanted to do.” When he was drafted, there was no doubt in his mind that he wanted to continue his lacrosse career. “For me, it was an automatic yes. It was something I really wanted to do, and I’m fortunate enough to be able to play,” Kelly said. Both Tills, an attackman, and Kelly, a goalie, had successful careers at Brown, leading the Bears to an Ivy League regular season title in their final year. Kelly had an especially illustrious collegiate career. A captain his junior and senior years, Kelly was a two-time firstteam All-Ivy selection and a two-time All-New England selection. He was also a United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association first-team All-American his senior year. Kelly’s success translated to the professional level, as he was named Rookie of the Year for his efforts in net for the Outlaws — the first goalie to earn the award. The MLL game is faster paced due to a 60-second shot clock, but that has not fazed either player. Both gave credit to former Brown Offensive Coordinator Sean Kirwin’s fast-paced style of play for helping to prepare them for the next level. In the MLL, “the rules are a little bit different,” Tills said. “There’s a two point shot, and there’s a 60 second shot clock, so it’s a lot faster paced than normal college lacrosse. But the fact that we played fast at
COURTESY OF DENVER OUTLAWS
Bailey Tills ‘16 and Jack Kelly ‘16 played together on Brown Lacrosse before graduating into professional ranks. During season, the two both juggle team practices with full-time jobs in tech and consulting, respectively. Brown last year really helped make that transition smooth,” he added. In addition to the pace of play, the competition is fiercer in the pros. College players “can shoot it really fast, or they can shoot it a little slower and really place the ball. Only really the best guys can do both,” Kelly said. “But everybody in the MLL is that guy. … They were the All-American who can rip the ball and place it in the corners.” Despite the transition, both immediately found success on the Outlaws, featuring on an MLL Championship run last August. “Ending 2016 on a win — on a high note with one of my best friends — was probably … the most memorable part of it all,” Tills said. In Denver, the Brown duo gets to play in Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium, the home of the Denver Broncos. The team’s Fourth of July game packs the stands, regularly drawing about 30,000 fans.
“To be honest with you, I’d rather play on (Stevenson-Pincince Field) any day of the week,” Tills said. “We had the best fans at Brown.” Now, Tills is a fan himself. “I try to watch every game on the Ivy League Network,” he said. While they are flying around the country during the summer months, Kelly and Tills often get to play against some familiar faces and old friends. Brendan Caputo ’16 and John YozzoScapperrota ’16 play for the Charlotte Hounds, Will Gural ’16 plays for the Florida Launch and Kylor Bellistri ’16 plays for the Boston Cannons. While Major League Lacrosse is far from the most popular professional sport, Kelly and Tills see it growing. “I definitely think if people got to watch it a little more and understood the rules, they’d really fall in love with the fast-paced, high-scoring, (physical game),” Tills said. Tills and Kelly want to be a part of the
growth, but keeping a job in the MLL is not as easy as keeping their desk jobs. The fact there are only nine teams, and the admiration that fans have for young players who are fresh out of college, can yield brief careers in the League, Tills said. There is “a pretty high turnover rate in the MLL,” Tills added. “I would love to play as long as I can.” Kelly agrees. “At this point in time, I’m going to play until my body gives out,” he said. In less than a month, the two secondyear players will trot out onto the milehigh grass for training camp. While they will be wearing orange and black, they are bonded by their time in a Brown uniform. “Bailey’s one of my best friends, so it’s great to go out there and have a familiar face right away,” Kelly said. “Bailey and I shared a lot of cool experiences at Brown for the last four years … just to be able to continue that is really something special.”