The Daily Northwestern — September 30, 2026

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 4 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT / Reel Thoughts

“The Love Hypothesis” brings realistic chemistry

AUDIO / The Weekly

D65 community meetings, faculty unionization rally, Ryan Field

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OPINION / Instagram

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NU vs. PSU

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Most expensive stadium in college football opens Friday with highly anticipated Penn State matchup By KAMRAN NIA & YONI ZACKS

the daily northwestern

Pat Ryan Jr. (Kellogg ’97, Pritzker ’97) sat just outside the student section of Northwestern’s new Ryan Field, ready to field yet another batch of reporter questions about his family’s $875 million crown jewel. But the grounds crew was painting incorrect outlines on the field, so he briefly rushed away from the interview to fix it. Ryan’s world has been consumed by the stadium’s opening for more than two years.

Leading the design, construction and development of college football’s most expensive venue, he has spent most of his waking time in Evanston as construction crews rush to put the final touches. “You can’t appreciate it all in one experience,” Ryan told The Daily. “Everything is what I think we dreamt of and I’d hoped for.” Built on the same site as the former, now-demolished Ryan Field, once known as Dyche Stadium, the privately funded venue takes a unique approach to college football. Instead of adding seats,like Nebraska did for its $600 million Memorial Stadium renovation,

or Florida’s $1.5 billion Ben Hill Griffin Stadium renovation, the new venue cuts seating from 47,500 to 35,000 while expanding amenities throughout. ”There’s no benches for the many, skyboxes for the few here,” Ryan said. “Everybody has a great experience. Everybody has a premium experience.” Ryan Field will open Friday for the Wildcats’ (2-1, 0-1 Big Ten) game against Penn State for the centennial of the opening of the original Dyche Stadium on Oct. 2, 1926, which became Ryan Field in 1997. NU will become the first power conference team to open a new stadium since Baylor

started playing at McLane Stadium in 2014. A signature feature of the stadium is the Wildcat Wall, a standing-only student section that was modeled after European soccer supporters’ sections. Students can kick their feet against the wall behind them to make as much noise as possible. There is nowhere for them to sit, only railings to lean on. Ryan said the student section is “exactly what (he) expected.” “To be on the field and see how close the fans are, those things are really powerful,” Ryan said.

» See FIELD, page 8

Data centers NU rape, stalking reports jump Evanston campus offenses increase in annual security findings draw criticism Act. Conducted by the University Compliance Office in collaboration multimedia managing editor with various University departments and local police forces, it proContent warning: This article vides crime statistics for all six NU contains discussions of sexual assault locations — Evanston, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, Washington and violence. Rape, dating violence and and Qatar. The document showed that stalking offenses increased on Northwestern’s Evanston campus reported rape cases in Evanston in 2025, breaking with a larger pat- more than doubled from four to tern of reduced crime compared nine, with reported cases of stalking to 2024. increasing from eight to 14. The Annual Security and Fire B:10.25" Reported cases of dating vioSafety Report, sent out Sept. 24, lence multiplied by six, from five is created in compliance with theT:10" to 30, though it was noted that 1990 Jeanne Clery Campus Safety S:9.75"“twenty-two of the 30 total reports By LIAM BARRETT

Residents call for moratorium at City Council

By MAX TURETZKY

assistant city editor

Evanston residents condemned a proposed data center during City Council’s Monday night meeting. Lark Management, a local property management firm,

submitted a zoning application to the city on Sept. 16 for a “computer processing center” at the site of a vacant industrial building in the 2nd Ward, just blocks away from Evanston Township High School. The Daily obtained an overview of the proposal through a Freedom of Information Act request Monday morning. In the proposal, Lark Management claimed the data center

» See COUNCIL, page 13

Daily file photo by Audrey Pachuta Reported rape cases in Evanston more than doubled from four to nine.

of dating violence came from one report describing events over time.”

» See REPORT, page 15

2 THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

AROUND TOWN

Residents, city officials tour Waste Transfer Station By ALLISON KUESTER

copy chief

Clad in yellow vests and Waste Management branded hard hats, residents and city officials began their second round of tours of the Church Street Waste Transfer Station on Friday morning. The waste transfer station, situated between the 5th and 2nd Wards, first opened its gates for community tours earlier this month. Led by Alds. Krissie Harris (2nd) and Bobby Burns (5th), the goal of the tours has been to increase operational transparency after years of concerns from residents. For decades, residents in the wards’ historically Black communities have protested the sounds and smells emitted by the waste transfer station. Across both tours, more than 50 residents have visited the facility, according to Waste Management officials. Burns said that the tours demystified much of how the waste transfer station operates. “What I noticed during the first tour is that the operation is very straightforward and simple — I think more than people may imagine,” Burns said. Matthew McGurn, area director of recycling operations for Waste Management, explained during the tour that the station is a “clean floor facility,” meaning trash is dropped off and picked up on the same day. Garbage trucks are weighed before they enter the transfer station and inspected to ensure the trash passes regulations, he said. Then, the solid waste is dumped onto the facility floor and swept into trucks throughout the day to be transported to landfills outside of Evanston. “I think there’s a mystery maybe of what we do here, and this is just an opportunity to show what we do,” McGurn said. “I think it’s a pretty simple process, where we take your municipal solid waste or trash, and then the same day it’s brought here, we make sure it gets out to the landfill.” Waste Management officials said that the facility is usually only at about 30% capacity during the day, with around 30 semi-trucks coming in and out of the station daily. Residents from nearby wards came into the tours ready with questions. Janet Alexander Davis, a 5th Ward resident and the co-chair of Environmental

Justice Evanston, voiced concerns about garbage trucks idling on the streets, which result in noise in the neighborhood. Waste Management officials said that their team tracks how long the company’s vehicles idle for. But they also noted many of the garbage trucks entering and exiting the facility are not Waste Management trucks, meaning they are harder to track. However, Lisa Disbrow, director of government and public affairs at Waste Management, told residents to contact the company if they see trucks idling or have any other issues associated with the facility. The facility’s phone line takes complaints

from residents and responds within 24 hours. “Call our number. We can’t fix anything if we’re not aware,” Disbrow said. “We care.” While grateful for the tours’ transparency, Burns said he wanted the team to look into possible changes to further reduce the facility’s impacts on residents. He recommended that Waste Management explore installing a vacuum filter to keep odors inside the building and soundproof the walls to reduce noise. Burns also noted that he was investigating what the waste transfer station’s path forward would look like, especially considering the facility would

not have been approved under today’s regulations. State officials, not the city, control the permits for the Evanston Waste Transfer Station. Although Illinois prohibits new waste transfer facilities within 1,000 feet of a residential area, the station on Church Street has remained because the amendment doesn’t retroactively apply to facilities built before January 1988. Burns said that more information regarding the city’s long-term plan for the Evanston Waste Transfer Station will be released “in the coming months.” a.kuester@dailynorthwestern.com

Allison Kuester/The Daily Northwestern Matthew McGurn, area director of recycling operations for Waste Management, explained the station’s “clean floor facility” process, meaning the trash is dropped off and picked up the same day.

JUST A SHORT STROLL FROM CAMPUS

2026

The ALLISON DAVIS Lecture Series

Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly

Mutual Comradeship Against McCarthyism: Radical Black Women and the Fight for Liberation in the 1950s

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This talk will examine how radical Black women and their organizations practiced mutual comradeship to weather state and racial repression during the McCarthy Era. Mutual comradeship can be understood as radical African descendants’ practices of anticapitalist and antiracist solidarity at the intersection of struggle on behalf of the racialized, colonized, and oppressed and protracted antiradical state repression. Its foundations are collaboration, reciprocal care, and learning in community rooted in organizing, movement building, collective-self-defense, and guerrilla scholarship. Women, including Louise Thompson Patterson, Dorothy Hunton, Vicki Garvin, Claudia Jones, and the founders of the Sojourners for Truth and Justice employed this affective and political practice of love-as-radical-responsibility to guide their activism and organizing, and to help bridge strategic unity and productive conflict in the process of envisioning and striving to build a world beyond racial capitalism and imperialism— and to weather institutionalized backlash such work engenders. Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly is an Associate Professor of African American Studies at Wayne State University, as a Black Studies Scholar of political theory, political economy, and intellectual History. She is currently a Scholar-in-Residence at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, where she is completing her book project, Mutual Comradeship: The Ethical Practice of Radical Blackness. She is the author of Black Scare/Red Scare: Theorizing Capitalist Racism in the United States, the co-author of W.E.B. Du Bois: A Life in American History, and the co-editor of Organize, Fight, Win: Black Communist Women’s Political Writings and of Reproducing Domination: On the Caribbean Postcolonial State. Dr. Burden-Stelly’s writings appear in peer-reviewed journals including Small Axe, Souls, Du Bois Review, Socialism & Democracy, International Journal of Africana Studies, CLR James Journal, and American Communist History. Additionally, she has published numerous edited collection chapters, and has earned several research grants and fellowships. In addition to being a productive scholar, Dr. Burden-Stelly is also a public intellectual and a member of Black Alliance for Peace and the Anti-Imperialist Scholars Collective.

Tuesday, October 6, 2026 • 4:00p.m. Harris Hall•108 Leopold Room•1881 Sheridan Road•Northwestern University

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The Allison Davis Lecture Series is sponsored by Weinberg College and the Edith Kreeger Wolf Endowment.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

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ON CAMPUS

Free Wellness Kiosk opens in Norris By CLARA B. FREETH

assistant campus editor

Aimed at making essential health and personal care products more available, a Wellness Kiosk opened Monday night on the underground level of Norris University Center. “Some of us come from places where we’ve never had conversations about sex,” said Weinberg junior and Sexual Health and Assault Peer Educators Co-Director Theo Mize. “So when you try to think of using these resources, even buying condoms can be really intimidating.” This sentiment is part of the reason why SHAPE partnered with the Center for Student Advocacy & Wellness and the Associated Student Government to provide sexual health products to students in an easy-to-use, free vending machine, Mize said. The machine offers Plan B, Narcan, various condoms, condom sizing kits, pregnancy tests, lubricant and menstrual products — all free with the scan of a Wildcard. Since Norris is open on weekends, the machine will provide “meaningful” access to products that were previously inaccessible outside business hours, Mize added. Doses of Plan B and boxes of Narcan can only be claimed once per person per day, while all other products can be claimed up to five times each day. Transaction data is solely used to limit access to Northwestern community members and prevent overuse, according to the University’s Student Affairs website. Weinberg junior Reshma Toolsie, SHAPE’s events director, said she hopes the kiosk will ease students’ stress around sexual wellness. “I don’t know if it’s stigma or taboo, but sometimes students feel a little bit uncomfortable going out of their way to purchase these kinds of things,” Toolsie said. “I feel like having the vending machine — it’s very accessible, and there’s very low stakes, low pressure.” To use the machine, students can scan the barcode on the back of their Wildcard, holding the card lower than attendees initially expected. Then, they can use the touch screen on the right side of

the machine to enter the desired product number and select “Check Out.” The machine may be temporarily unable to interpret the barcodes on older or worn-down Wildcards. Students will soon be able to directly type their ID numbers into the machine’s keypad. Communication senior Saniya Tillis said she attended the event to see on-campus resources firsthand.

“Especially for incoming freshmen, people who are living on campus for the first time and having new experiences, it’s really cool to have vending machines like this on campus that people can access and use, make sure that they’re staying safe and just (have) control over their own choices,” Tillis said. c.freeth@dailynorthwestern.com

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spc-compshop@northwestern.edu The Daily Northwestern is printed each Wednesday during the academic year, except vacation periods, the two weeks preceding them and once during August, by Students Publishing Co., Inc. of Northwestern University, 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208. All news is published 24/7 online at Dailynorthwestern.com. First copy of The Daily is free, additional copies are 50 cents. All material published herein, except advertising or where indicated otherwise, is Copyright 2026 The Daily Northwestern and protected under the “work made for hire” and “periodical publication” clauses of copyright law. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Daily Northwestern, 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208. Subscriptions are $100 for the academic year. The Daily Northwestern is not responsible for more than one incorrect ad insertion.

Check out Clara B. Freeth/The Daily Northwestern The Wellness Kiosk is located on the underground level of Norris University Center and is free to all students.

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A & E

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

Illustration by Olivia Ma Ph.D. candidate Olive Smith and Professor Adam Carlesen spark a fake dating plot.

‘The Love Hypothesis’ brings realistic chemistry By ALDEN FARROW

arts and entertainment editor

If there’s one thing audiences can’t seem to get enough of, it’s BookTok’s favorite trope: fake dating. After the success of “Off Campus,” Prime Video is back with another romance book adaptation comprised of hot people on a college campus. “The Love Hypothesis” was released on Sept. 23, adapted from author Ali Hazelwood’s 2021 TikTok sensation book. The movie, based at Stanford University, features “Riverdale” star Lili Reinhart as Ph.D. candidate Olive Smith, who finds herself in a fake dating situation with professor Adam Carlsen (Tom Bateman). Their “relationship” began with Smith impulsively grabbing Carlsen’s face — while he was

drinking from a water fountain — to kiss him. Following the highly unprofessional display, the two organize a “fake dating” situation for their mutual benefit. Smith attempts to prove to her best friend Anh (Rachel Marsh), that she’s over the man Anh is potentially interested in — whom Smith once had a crush on. Carlsen must prove to Stanford he has a relationship so his research grant will be renewed. I was pleasantly surprised that, unlike other fake dating situations, Smith is not selfishly motivated to begin their facade. It’s nice to see a new take on the trope, as Smith puts wwher best friend’s potential happiness over her own. Also, both parties seemed more cautious about entering this agreement, rather than obviously being attracted to each other and using the fake relationship to spark something deeper. As expected, the inevitable time spent together

led to a more real attraction, but their initial hesitation and “slow burn” made the ending feel too rushed. I respected the time spent watching their relationship blossom, but I would’ve also appreciated equal attention to them as a couple. Another refreshing aspect of “The Love Hypothesis” was both leads’ inherent awkwardness. Through stuttering and hesitation, they made a fake dating situation as realistic and relatable as it could be to a normal audience. Somehow, I never cringed at how awkward they were, but instead felt seen. Even though the plot was very focused on the two together, the film is one of the few rom-coms I’ve seen with a woman in a scientific field, who is steadfastly more committed to her work than a relationship. What sets this movie apart from the copious counterparts is its leading lady — Reinhart has yet to get her flowers in the rom-com field, and

this film may be her moment. She has an Emma Stone-esque awkward, yet charming comedic timing that is always endearing. Leading up to the film’s release, she stepped out in looks inspired by other rom-com leads, placing herself in the space she would soon shine in. “The Love Hypothesis” is hopefully just the beginning of many romantic roles to come. While romance book adaptations don’t seem to be slowing down, I appreciate the new realistic direction they are moving in. “The Love Hypothesis” manages to stand on its own, with its female lead excelling in the male-dominated research field and unwilling to be credited for anything beyond her own merit. I can’t wait to see more focused female leads that reflect realistic romantic situations. a.farrow@dailynorthwestern.com

Taylor Swift’s ‘The Encore’ repeats past mistakes By LUCY VAN MEIR

reporter

Taylor Swift ’s “The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore” is the extension of “The Life of a Showgirl” that we didn’t need. I was hopeful for this next round of work after the last release of “I Knew It, I Knew You,” but the wordiness and talk-singing that overwhelmed her most recent album remained. What I had hoped was a fluke is now threatening to become a motif of the singer’s future work. After the mixed reviews of “The Life of a Showgirl” and Swift ’s marriage to Travis Kelce, these tracks were her first real chance to establish what her future music will look like. All it did was confirm that her new sound is here to stay, whether we like it or not. “Patient Zero” has the most interesting premise compared to “Cleveland!” and “Pink Clouding” but it is weighted down by Swift’s new overly lyrical style. The lyrics are “classic Taylor,” and the track wouldn’t be out of place on “The Tortured Poets Department,” but the dense bridge completely unbalances the song and distracts from any of its merits. The telling sign of new-era Swift seems to be long-winded lyrics and narration-style singing, both of which “Patient Zero” suffers from. It feels like an idea from eras ago that she translated to her new sound, but before, it was better.

“Pink Clouding” is nothing overly offensive, but it’s not remarkable either. Guilty, apologetic Swift is one of my favorite variants — think “Back to December” or “The Great War” — but the song lacked the emotional depth I was hoping for. “Cleveland!”, at its core, was everything I didn’t love about “The Life of a Showgirl.” Swift’s way of depicting her and Kelce’s happy relationship appears to be overly sugary lyrics that lack the nuance we’ve previously seen from her. “You only need to find one person in this entire world/Who doesn’t find you completely insufferable,” feels shallow compared to the lyricism we know she’s capable of. And most lyrics weren’t even about “the love of (her) life.” The song spends more time addressing haters and listing random critiques — like people saying she’s a bad dancer — than celebrating her love. It’s like she couldn’t decide whether to use the airtime to be happy about her new partner or respond to haters. I would rather have a corny, insufferably happy song telling us more about their relationship than the same comeback-style writing we’ve seen so frequently. Then there is “Babylon,” which is by far my favorite of the four. The acoustic guitar and introspective lyrics remind me exactly why I spend so much of my time listening to her. It’s what Swift does best: storytelling. The vocals are simple but tender,

Illustration Charlotte Nagel Taylor Swift released four additional songs as an “Encore” to “The Life of a Showgirl.”

and we get to hear her really sing, rather than the orating she’s been so fond of lately. The song is transportive and vulnerable in a way the other three songs, and most of the nondeluxe “Showgirl,” struggled to be. She’s not

cramming another snarky joke or football reference into the next line; she’s just letting the story breathe, and us with it. lucyvanmeir2029@u.northwestern.edu

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

5

‘Topdog/Underdog’ play is intimate, explosive By EDWARD SIMON CRUZ

senior staffer

The play “Topdog/Underdog” opens on a man named Booth sitting in his room, shuffling three cards and imploring the audience to “watch me close, watch me close now.” His voice bounces as he explains the difference between “winners” and “losers” and demonstrates the three-card monte, which appears to be another card trick but is actually a setup for a scam. Donning red, green and black Jordans, he pivots suavely on one foot, overconfident in his ability to dupe anyone who tests him. The game of three-card monte stands in for the game of life, and an intimate two-man show builds into a grandiose tragedy. Through Nov. 1, the tragedy is playing out on the Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s Chicago stage under the direction of Kenny Leon. Playwright Suzan-Lori Parks earned a Pulitzer Prize for “Topdog/Underdog” in 2002, and a Broadway revival won a Tony Award in 2023. Through its Steppenwolf run, “Topdog/Underdog” has justified its place in the pantheon of great American plays with its compellingly explosive representation of two Black men whose lives are about to implode. Like in many great tragedies, there’s hefty servings of uproarious comedy, thanks to the constant clapbacks and wordplay in Parks’ script. Namir Smallwood as Booth and Glenn Davis as his brother, Lincoln, speak about women, work and family with a vulgarity and lyrical flow suitable for both slam poetry and scamming. They bond with each other partially through insults, and after a life defined by parental abandonment and poverty, they speak knowing what it’s like to lie and be lied to. As a good poet or liar would, they left me

questioning just enough to ultimately convince me of their honesty. Lincoln and Booth bear those names because it was their father’s “idea of a joke.” It’s a sick joke — who would name one son after a U.S. president and the other after his assassin? Parks’ dialogue revels in dark humor that sometimes crosses into absurdity yet somehow remains sharp, like when Lincoln reveals his job of dressing in whiteface, impersonating his namesake and letting people “shoot” him for fun. His boss contemplates replacing him with a wax dummy, in a sobering reminder of how often America places Black people in demeaning jobs, only to cast them aside altogether. And each performer displays moments of great physical comedy that left me and many others in the audience in fits. As Booth, Smallwood begins one scene dancing around his apartment to James Brown’s “Get Up Offa That Thing” as he removes an oversized coat to reveal formalwear and stolen items hidden around his body. Another scene ends with Davis as Lincoln, wiggling and screaming on the ground as he reenacts Lincoln’s dying moments. This over-the-top demonstration, as with other moments in the play, masks something much deeper: the desperation to secure a stable life at any cost. The play’s second act sneaks up on you as jokes are swapped out for dramatic reveals. Like a well-played hustle, the play builds the tension so smoothly that, even though I was watching closely, I didn’t notice the shift from comedy to tragedy until it was too late. After a long scene of escalating tension, one character revels in the other’s gloominess when he jests, “I’m not laughing at you, bro. I’m just laughing.” The breaking point comes minutes later, sending the show to a fitting, if abrupt, conclusion. In some parts of the show, red and blue lights filter through the window in Booth’s room, resembling

Photo courtesy of Michael Brosilow Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s production of “Topdog/Underdog” runs through Nov. 1.

police lights. At times, the room itself becomes illuminated in red and blue, matching the colors of the U.S. flag. It serves as a reminder of everything that happened after the original John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincoln: Just as America lost a symbol of freedom and tried to reconstruct

itself then, these two men — and millions more — have attempted to reconstruct their lives knowing their freedom can fall away at any moment. e.cruz@dailynorthwestern.com

‘Primetime’ opens the curtain, but keeps us out By ALLISON KUESTER

copy chief

Content warning: This story contains mentions of sexual abuse. This review contains spoilers. The year is 2006. You walk into the living room to see your mom watching Dateline NBC. Chris Hansen’s voice echoes as he coldly interrogates a man during the primetime showing of “To Catch a Predator.” “Primetime,” A24’s newest film, explores the eerie moments before the camera starts rolling for the popular yet divisive network TV show, which featured adults posing as teenagers trying to catch men in the act of sexually abusing minors. The movie opens with Robert Pattinson’s irking rendition of Hansen, characterized by warped smiles and

intense vocal shifts, rehearsing his script in front of a mirror before the cameras cut to decoy minor Del (Phoebe Bridgers) greeting a predator on set. “To Catch a Predator” aired from 2004-2007. The show became a part of the zeitgeist, featured in a parody Conan O’Brien performed at the Emmys in 2006 and last year’s documentary “Predators,” which included interviews with Hansen himself. The new film, directed by Lance Oppenheim, had the opportunity to delve into Hansen’s undoing while confronting questions of fame and ethics, but it sadly faltered when looking beyond the surface of finger-wagging critiques. In the film, Hansen and his producer, Andie Bender (Merritt Wever), embark on a hungry search for a “whale” of a predator to capture America’s attention after studio executives announce they’ll be competing with the drama series “Lost” for the primetime spot on television.

The heart of the film is aspiring actor and “Rent” fanatic Dan Plum (Skyler Gisondo), who, in an effort to get his union card, is unwittingly hired to play a decoy minor in the show. Plum, more so than this somewhat fictionalized Hansen, wrestles with understanding his role: Is he an entertainer? Victim? Activist? Mimicker of sexual abuse? His dilemma is accompanied by a flourishing old Hollywood style score by Ari Balouzian. The fictionalized biopic is full of addictively nostalgic switches in video style, moving from the colorful hues characteristic of the rest of Oppenheim’s filmography — including “Some Kind of Heaven” and the upcoming Elizabeth Holmes documentary “You Can See Everything” — to the 2000s camera style of the original show. While a visually stunning watch, the leading performance left me unmoved. Pattinson crafts Hansen into a high-strung and

mildly crazed empty shell. Though he did elicit the occasional laugh, his moments of “vulnerability” failed to let us into the TV star’s tormented mind. “Primetime’s” Hansen didn’t — or couldn’t — dig up the answers to the many questions left in the wake of “To Catch a Predator.” The stars of the show were really Wever and Gisondo. They portrayed characters whose faith in Hansen’s self-proclaimed goal of “cleansing the world of an ancient evil” eventually left them burnt. Wever was hilarious and enthralling as she slipped from gum-smacking producer to concerned and powerless. And Gisondo captured me with his subtle shifts in heart as we watched his character ebb and flow between passion for his new role and concern about whether what he’s doing is right. a.kuester@dailynorthwestern.com

New art center exhibit explores mental health By BENJAMIN FOGLER

assistant arts & entertainment editor

The lobby of the Evanston Art Center is full of secrets laid bare in its latest exhibit, “Whispers in the Dark.” The exhibition, which had its opening reception Sunday, features the work of seven creators using a variety of artistic mediums. The pieces examine mental health and taboo topics, often utilizing macabre imagery. When entering the lobby gallery, attendees will see several paintings, including “The Magician Longs wto See” by artist Tiffany Grove. Grove used fluorescent and metallic acrylic paints to portray what she described as a “battered” young woman who was “doom-spiralling.” The portrait, Grove said, was about losing oneself in past trauma. “I hope a takeaway from this piece … is knowing to take care of yourself when you’re trying to take care of others,” Grove said. “Whispers in the Dark” was curated by Chicago-based artist Azul Alberto Nogueron. They said the exhibition began with the idea of “being secretive about things from the history of your past.” This theme is especially prevalent in a series of abstract self-portraits by artist Matilda Brumbaugh, three of which are on display in the show. The first two pieces depict emaciated figures drinking cabernet and being physically connected to their reflections. Brumbaugh said these pieces, which were completed before she transitioned, were

indicative of her “repressed” identity at that time. Her final piece, titled “Unto Eternity,” was completed in 2025, after she transitioned. Using oil paint pen and pastel, Brumbaugh illustrates another emaciated figure, this one wearing earrings and high heels. The piece also features Christian iconography — the figure holds the apple of knowledge, which has been bitten into, and it has a halo around its head. “‘Unto Eternity’ is really about self-liberation,” Brumbaugh said. “You really do in many ways have to forsake this idea that other people have of you in order to be you.” “Whispers in the Dark” is the third and final of Nogueron’s exhibitions as the current COMPASS Resident of the Evanston Art Center. The COMPASS residency is reserved for emerging curators to highlight underrepresented or marginalized artists and explore current social issues. Nogueron’s previous exhibitions at the Evanston Art Center dealt with themes of queer identity, spirituality and disillusionment with the American dream. With “Whispers in the Dark,” Nogueron said they hoped to bring awareness to mental health struggles. “I want there to be even more conversation about (mental health), especially in the gallery setting,” Nogueron said. “All the works here really speak to me as an artist, because it feels like it highlights a lot of the things I struggled with growing up.” The pieces in the exhibition put topics that can be difficult to discuss on full display. Artist Ricky Terrell, whose paintings “Journal Entry No. 2” and “Journal Entry No. 4” confront the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her

Benjamin Fogler/The Daily Northwestern The Evanston Art Center’s newest exhibit explores mental health and secrecy.

mental health, said she hopes her work will humanize these experiences for viewers at the exhibition. “These are pieces that I’ve done a couple years ago,” Terrell said. “I’m just grateful for the opportunity to exhibit my work in a new space.”

“Whispers in the Dark” will be on display in the Evanston Art Center’s Lobby Gallery until Nov. 1. Evanston Art Center is free and open to the public seven days a week. b.fogler@dailynorthwestern.com

6 THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

Report on pro-Palestinian speech suppression cites NU By EMILY DISSANAYAKE

diversity & inclusion editor

The American Civil Liberties Union and Amnesty International USA released a 317-page report on Sept.23, documenting how the federal government and universities across the country — including Northwestern — have censored pro-Palestinian speech and activism. The report, titled “Student Speech Under Attack: Suppression of Pro-Palestine Speech and Dissent on Campus,” follows a two-year investigation into 46 public and 34 private universities and colleges. The report also lists instances in which the Trump administration pressured several universities to accept “overly broad agreements” that limited free speech, particularly following the 2024 pro-Palestininan encampment movement. Under the “Terminations and Suspensions of Faculty” section, the report specifically cites NU’s suspension and termination of former Medill Prof. Steven Thrasher, who participated in the 2024 pro-Palestinian encampment on Deering Meadow. The report details NU’s investigations into Thrasher over his support for student protestors and views on journalistic integrity. The University conducted two investigations into Thrasher’s conduct. In the initial investigation, an ad hoc committee did not find cause for his suspension. In the second case, the University alleged Thrasher failed to follow instructions by Northwestern University Police Department officers to leave the encampment. In March 2025, Thrasher was denied promotion and tenure. In June, Thrasher filed a lawsuit against NU, suing the University for breach of employment contract, retaliation against speech protected by the First Amendment and discrimination based on his race, sexual orientation and support of Palestinians. In a statement to The Daily, Thrasher said he is glad the report was written and is grateful that his case was mentioned. “Universities are meant to be sites of robust inquiry and expression about the important matters of our time, and no issue in 2024 was more important than the genocide in Gaza,” Thrasher

Daily file photo by Cayla Labgold-Carroll The report calls on schools across the country to ensure students can exercise their rights without fear or intimidation.

said. “Any university ought to be ashamed for punishing students and faculty for speaking about this crime against humanity. But given the killing of nearly 300 journalists in Palestine, it is especially egregious that journalism students and faculty have been punished at Northwestern.” In a Monday statement to The Daily, a University spokesperson wrote that Thrasher was informed that his bid of tenure was denied, resulting in the non-renewal of his appointment. The spokesperson added NU takes the tenure process “very seriously and adhered to the rules that govern that independent process.” “The University has full confidence in the recommendation and decision-making process of our Medill faculty and dean, respectively,” the spokesperson wrote. The spokesperson did not explicitly reference the report in their statement. Under the “Banning of Student Organizations and Censorship of Pro-Palestinian Speech” section, the report also references NU’s removal of

a banner criticizing Israel and Hillel put up by NU’s chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace near The Arch in April. The banner, which read “Israel is committing Scholasticide” and “Hillel and Birthright lie,” was taken down two hours after it was installed. The report cites an April statement from a University spokesperson to The Daily that claimed NU removed the banner because it “did not identify the sponsoring organization on its face and did not align with the specific event or activity described in the reservation.” The report also mentions how JVP members told The Daily that other banners near The Arch that didn’t comply with University regulations for banners had not been removed. In a statement to The Daily, a spokesperson from JVP said it was good to see the ACLU and Amnesty International USA “studying the terrible suppression of pro-Palestinian speech that has gone on for years in this nation’s universities.” “We know Northwestern is nowhere near

the only university purposefully silencing antiZionist speech, and the removal of our banner was a small symptom of the larger trend of investment in genocide and death among institutions of higher education in this country,” the spokesperson wrote. In a Monday statement to The Daily, a University spokesperson wrote JVP’s banner was removed because it “did not identify the sponsoring student organization, nor did it align with the event described in the related reservation request.” The spokesperson said both are required by University rules. The report also lists several examples of federal pressure on universities, including federal investigations into “widespread antisemitic harassment” in February 2025 at NU and four other universities. It also references how the Trump administration froze over $790 million in federal funds from the University in April 2025. The report details settlements between universities and the Trump administration, including NU’s agreement with the administration to restore federal funding in November 2025. Under the agreement, the University agreed to pay $75 million to the federal government and revoke the 2024 Deering Meadow Agreement between pro-Palestinian protestors and NU. The report ends with several recommendations for colleges and universities, calling on them to take all possible measures to ensure students can exercise their rights without fear or intimidation and to ensure that students have “ample channels for expression” on campus. It also argues universities should not call on law enforcement to disperse peaceful student protests and that law enforcement should be used only as a last resort. “We urge universities and college administrators to resist the temptation to silence students or faculty members because powerful voices deem their views offensive,” the report stated. “Instead, we urge them to defend the university’s core mission of encouraging debate, fostering free-flowing inquiry, and preparing the future leaders of our pluralistic society to tolerate even profound differences of opinion.” e.dissanayake@dailynorthwestern.com

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

7

The Daily Northwestern

GameDay

ryan FIELD OPENING DAY

NORTHWESTERN VS. PENN STATE Alex Boyko/The Daily Northwestern

8 THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

FIELD

From page 1

Student tickets were in such high demand for the opener that Ryan said the stadium ended up using partially obstructed “concert-only” seats to fulfill the 5,000 claimed student tickets. Braun announced Monday that aside from student tickets, the game was sold out. “My hope is that they show up and feel like not only they are part of the team,” Braun said, “but they’re part of our success on the field.” Days after speaking to students at a Ryan Field welcome event, Braun said words cannot do the new stadium “justice.” The team practiced there and went through the game-day motions Sunday to ensure they had the familiarity advantage over Penn State, Braun said. When they actually practiced, Braun said the team pumped crowd noise through the speakers. The newly extended coach also emphasized the home field advantage the new stadium gives NU. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an entire football program and athletic department,” Braun said, “to open up a facility that I would say is the best football stadium in the world.” The new stadium has a lounge dedicated to visiting recruits. It features large digital photos of NFL first-round-selected ’Cats Peter Skoronski, Greg Newsome II, and Rashawn Slater, among others. It also has a list of all of NU’s All-Americans and NFL alumni posted on the wall. The buzz around NU’s program is palpable as just this week, Braun’s nearly 24-minute midweek press conference Monday featured more reporters than usual. Several national media outlets are sending journalists to Friday’s contest. It all relates to a greater vision for the ’Cats program — one that involves Big Ten Championship victories. Braun said he typically seeks out players who believe NU can achieve such a feat, but perhaps the team should aim even higher in the future. “That stadium is reflective of winning a national championship,” Braun said, “and Xuan Day Tran/The Daily Northwestern that speaks louder than words.”

Alex Boyko/The Daily Northwestern

Alex Boyko/The Daily Northwestern

Alex Boyko/The Daily Northwestern

Ryan said the stadium was built with students and the greater NU community in mind. As “Chicago’s Big Ten Stadium,” he said it emphasizes one of the Windy City’s signature features: the food. Headlined by Evanston and Chicago favorites, $5 menu and “The Great Chicago Food Festival,” 200,000 square feet of plazas with green space and tables welcome fans onto the stadium grounds. The stadium sets aside space for James Beard Award-winning restaurants and renowned chefs to set up pavilions with full kitchens. Holiday markets and other festivities are also possible. At Ryan Field, there will also be up to six concerts a year starting in 2027, and Evanston Township High School will face rival New Trier there in October. Ryan Field takes a professional approach to stadium design by providing every spectator a cup holder and seatbacks, among other features. Ryan shrugs off comparisons to professional stadiums, pointing to the “easter eggs” throughout the space, from nods to the purple line to programs from years past plastered on the walls to large photos honoring all of NU’s athletic teams. “It’s very Northwestern,” Ryan said. “You can see, looking at the team pictures there, every one of the varsity sports has a moment here. You’d never mistake that for an NFL stadium.” After speaking with The Daily, Ryan stuck around for a bit of small talk, but there wasn’t much time. A private event was taking place in one of the premium clubs, and he had to swiftly depart. He is finally able to show off the venue that took over two years to build. “On the one hand, it’s everything that we envision,” Ryan said. “On the other hand, it’s way cooler to see it come to life.” k.nia@dailynorthwestern.com

Alex Boyko/The Daily Northwestern

Alex Boyko/The Daily Northwestern

Alex Boyko/The Daily Northwestern

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

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Opponent’s last time out: Penn State loses at home By ANDREW LITTLE

gameday editor

Penn State entered its last matchup ranked No. 13 in the AP Poll, hosting Wisconsin on Saturday. The Nittany Lions (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) struggled offensively, and the Badgers (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) pulled off a 24-20 upset at Beaver Stadium. The loss dropped Penn State out of the top 25, and gives the Nittany Lions something extra to prove entering their Friday matchup against Northwestern. Quarterback Rocco Becht was 12-for-29 with 114 passing yards and an interception. The fourth-year starter followed coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State to Penn State this offseason, one of 24 Iowa State transfers now on the Nittany Lions’ roster. In Campbell’s first Big Ten matchup, Penn State gave up 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, including a 72-yard go-ahead touchdown pass. Penn State’s defense had been strong for most of the game, intercepting Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph three times including a secondquarter pick six. As the game progressed and the offense had four consecutive drives end in three-and-outs, the Nittany Lions unraveled and allowed the Badgers to pull off the comeback victory. In three non-conference games to start the year, the Nittany Lions allowed a combined 22 points. Penn State’s offense was missing leading receiver Koby Howard, who is expected to miss extended time with injury. In his absence, the Nittany Lions leaned on running back James Peoples, wide receiver Chase Sowell and tight end Benjamin Brahmer. Still without Howard, Penn State will be

Daily file photo by Alex Boyko Northwestern last faced off against Indiana on Friday in Bloomington, Indiana.

looking to get Becht back on track Friday against NU. Peoples, along with running backs Carson

Hansen, Quinton Martin Jr. and Cam Wallace, form a multifaceted rushing attack that could give the Wildcats (2-1, 0-1 Big Ten) trouble Friday after

the ’Cats allowed 271 rushing yards to Indiana. a.little@dailynorthwestern.com

O-line prepares for season without Oratokhai By ANDREW LITTLE

gameday editor

Redshirt sophomore Ezomo Oratokhai, one of Northwestern’s two returning starters on the

offensive line, will miss the rest of the season after suffering a lower body injury in the team’s 41-7 win over Colorado on Sept. 19. Oratokhai earned All-Big Ten Honorable mention honors last season. He missed NU’s season opener against South Dakota State with an undisclosed

Josh Singer/The Daily Northwestern Redshirt sophomore guard Dennis Rahouski, wearing number 71, has started two games in place of injured redshirt.

injury before exiting in the first quarter against Colorado. He did not travel with the team to then-No. 5 Indiana on Friday, where the ’Cats lost 29-23 against the defending national champions. “Mo’s one of the players who has the strongest voice,” graduate student offensive tackle Deuce McGuire told The Daily on Tuesday. “When he talks, everyone listens. He’s super intense, one of the hardest workers in the program so seeing him go down is a huge blow.” Redshirt sophomore guard Dennis Rahouski has started two games at left guard in place of Oratokhai. Offensive line coach Tim Drevno said Tuesday he is satisfied with how Rahouski has stepped up and shown improvement early in the season. He added that “things are still up in the air” with who will start Friday against Penn State. Graduate student center Jackson Carsello is now the only returning starter left on NU’s line. McGuire said Carsello’s presence as a veteran leader means “everything” for the unit. “Jackson, he’s the man in the middle,” McGuire said. “He’s the voice of the room. When he talks, we follow his lead. Jackson’s one of the most important people, not only in the O-line room, but also in the program as a whole.” Redshirt junior offensive tackle Grant Seagren played 12 games for Oklahoma State last year without allowing a sack and has started all three games for the ’Cats at left tackle so far this season. The starting members on the right side of NU’s offensive line are in their first years playing significant

snaps. McGuire has stepped in as the starting right tackle in his fifth year with the ’Cats, while redshirt sophomore Idrys Cotton has emerged as the starting right guard. Redshirt junior Anthony Birsa, who has filled in at center for Carsello at times, and redshirt junior Arkel Anugwom, an Alabama transfer, are among the players who could also slide into the rotation. Pre-snap penalties have plagued NU through three games, and the team as a whole has 26 penalties through them. Drevno said the offensive line has been focusing on cleaning those up in practice, and McGuire said limiting penalties requires getting all five starters “on the same page.” The ’Cats averaged 203 rushing yards in their first two games, but fell to just 32 against Indiana. NU has already dealt with adversity and lineup changes this season from mid-game injuries in its first two games. After Carsello exited the South Dakota State game with an apparent neck injury, the ’Cats outscored their opponent 24-9. When Oratokhai was carted off early against Colorado, NU once again came together and pulled away, scoring on three of its next four possessions. “I think it’s a testament to this brotherhood and how close we are that we’re able to rally for our brother that went down in those situations,” Carsello said. a.little@dailynorthwestern.com

Northwestern vs. PENN STATE | Series history: 6-16 POINTS PER GAME

POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME

TOTAL YARDS PER GAME

PASSING YARDS PER GAME

32.7 VS 36.8

I8 VS I4

4I5 VS 427.3

269 VS 243.8

RUSHING YARDS PER GAME

TOTAL YARDS ALLOWED PER GAME

PASSING YARDS ALLOWED PER GAME

RUSHING YARDS ALLOWED PER GAME

I46 VS I83.5

4I7.3 VS 239.5

2I8 VS I26.3

I99.3 VS II3.3

PENALTIES PER GAME

TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL

PENALTY YARDS PER GAME

SACKS PER GAME

8.7 VS 4.8

+4 VS +6

59.3 VS 44

I.7 VS I.5

10 THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

Updates on NU’s upcoming Big Ten opponents By ANDREW LITTLE and ALEX BOYKO

the daily northwestern

Conference play is underway in the Big Ten as college football enters its midseason. How did Northwestern’s upcoming opponents fare this past weekend? Here are the latest stories in the Big Ten that could affect the Wildcats: Michigan State: Running back Cam Edwards out for the season The Spartans (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) hosted Nebraska on Saturday, losing 31-13. More costly, running back Cam Edwards injured his knee in the loss and will miss the rest of the season. Edwards had 304 rushing yards, the eighth most in the Big Ten. His absence puts even more pressure on quarterback Alessio Milivojevic, who has three touchdowns and three interceptions through four games. NU travels to Michigan State on Oct. 17.

No. 15 Oregon: Ducks (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) defeat No. 18 USC, quarterback Dante Moore exits with concussion

the conference, led by a rushing attack averaging 215.5 yards per game. NU hosts Iowa on Nov. 7.

Oregon defeated rival USC on the road Saturday in a statement 41-27 win, but not without its setbacks. All-Big Ten quarterback Dante Moore exited the game with a concussion after a controversial targeting play. Backup quarterback Dylan Raiola operated the offense well, but the Ducks hope to get their star signal caller back soon as they work to overcome a slow start to the season. NU travels to Oregon on Oct. 31.

No. 5 Ohio State: Buckeyes (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) roll in Big Ten opener

No. 14 Iowa: Hawkeyes (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) win last-second stunner at Michigan NU will likely get a chance to host a ranked team when Iowa comes to Ryan Field on Nov. 7 for the ’Cats’ next home Big Ten matchup. The Hawkeyes pulled off a remarkable comeback win at Michigan on Saturday, driving 91 yards down the field for a game-winning touchdown. Now, Iowa is positioned to contend at the top of

After a heavyweight bout with now-No. 1 Texas dethroned Ohio State from the AP Poll’s top spot, the Buckeyes wasted no time licking their wounds ahead of a conference play. Quarterback Julian Sayin completed 75% of his passes in the Buckeyes’ 42-19 win over Illinois, connecting with wide receiver Jeremiah Smith for four touchdowns to further build Smith’s Heisman campaign. NU travels to Ohio State on Nov. 14. Minnesota: Golden Gophers (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) get back in win column at Washington Coach P.J. Fleck’s Minnesota team got off to an underwhelming start, losing 38-13 at home to Mississippi State in Week 2, but earned a promising win Saturday. Traveling through multiple time

zones, the Golden Gophers went on the road and ended Washington’s undefeated start to the season. Quarterback Drake Lindsey, who had four touchdowns last season against NU, had another impressive game for Minnesota with three touchdowns against the Huskies. NU travels to Minnesota on Nov. 21. Illinois: Fighting Illini (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) fire defense coordinator after blowout loss Facing the Buckeyes’ offense is a tall task for any defense in the Big Ten, but the Fighting Illini’s 42-19 loss on national television proved too hard to overlook for coach Bret Bielema. Bielema announced that the team would be parting ways with former defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck four games into his tenure in Champaign. Illinois’ defense had previously allowed 31 points in its home-opening loss to Duke and 23 to UAB the week prior. NU hosts Illinois on Nov. 28. a.little@dailynorthwestern.com a.boyko@u.northwestern.edu

Alex Boyko/The Daily Northwestern

Alex Boyko/The Daily Northwestern

Josh Singer/The Daily Northwestern

Josh Singer/The Daily Northwestern

NU just falls short against then-No. 5 Indiana By KAMRAN NIA

senior staffer

Senior quarterback Aidan Chiles appeared to dislocate a finger early in the second half against then-No. 5, now No. 6 Indiana. Northwestern needed its signal caller to work magic while trailing the defending national champions, but he had to exit the game for a critical red-zone play. NU ran the ball, and on the sideline, a trainer worked quickly to wrap Chiles’ hand in a towel and pop his finger back in. The next down, Chiles floated a pass to senior wide receiver Griffin Wilde on 4th-and-goal for the Wildcats’ (2-1, 0-1 Big Ten) first touchdown against the Hoosiers (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten). Chiles and the ’Cats displayed their resilience and level with similarly extraordinary moments in an early-season litmus test against Indiana, even as they fell short in a 29-23 loss. It was a belief-inducing result for an NU team that entered as nearly three-touchdown underdogs and trailed 12-0 at halftime. “If you don’t believe that we can play with anyone in the country,” coach David Braun said, “not just play with, but beat anyone in the country, you’re not looking at the same game.” When the ’Cats began their first offensive series against Indiana with a fumbled snap for a safety, the game seemed headed exactly where the majority of analysts predicted: severe defeat for NU. The Hoosier faithful responded to a midweek call from coach Curt Cignetti to arrive early, and their noise rattled the ’Cats’ offense. NU mustered just three more plays the rest of the first quarter and totaled four drives in a scoreless first half. But Chiles and the ’Cats didn’t let up as the

Michigan State transfer preached calmness at halftime, leading to a more communicative offense. In the second half, NU scored three touchdowns and cut the deficit to two points in the fourth quarter. Chiles finished with 293 yards on 22-for-29 passing and three total touchdowns, delivering most of his production in the second half. He connected with Wilde twice in the end zone and found redshirt sophomore tight end Luke Dehnicke, who caught seven passes for 140 yards, for critical gains. No other NU pass catcher hauled in more than three throws. Chiles exhausted every option to prolong NU’s chances, frequently shuffling behind the line of scrimmage to extend plays before launching a pass beyond the sticks. Trailing 12-0 early in the third quarter, he evaded three defenders in the backfield before scrapping his way to a first down on a 3rd-and-13 in the ’Cats’ own half of the field. Chiles even scored on his own rush with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, punching in a 7-yard touchdown to cut the margin to 22-20 after the extra point. Graduate student linebacker Braydon Brus said Chiles took a leadership role at halftime to rally the offense, which subsequently came out hot. “It was just great to see him take over,” Brus said. “Not only as a player, but a leader too, and kind of lead that charge.” But ultimately, a facemask penalty by redshirt sophomore linebacker Matthew Smith on a 3rd-and-19 stop opened the door for a gut-punching touchdown to put the Hoosiers up two scores. Chiles said NU was “too excited” to play Indiana, which contributed to the team’s sluggish start, marred by penalties and other miscues. The ’Cats’ comeback showed their

potential, but they had set themselves just too far behind. “I had to calm down,” Chiles said. “I was so excited. I knew this game was winnable, and it’s a great opportunity coming in against the defending national champions and showing that we can beat them.” Heading into a matchup with nowunranked Penn State on Friday to open the

new $875 million Ryan Field, NU will need to calm itself down quickly despite the monumental moment for the program. “Calm is contagious,” Chiles said, “and if we come out and be calm, then we’re going to play calm. We’re going to execute how we know how.”

NORTHWESTERN SCHEDULE

Gameday Staff

10.02 vs. Penn State 10.10 vs. Ball State 10.17 @ Michigan State 10.24 vs. Rutgers 10.31 @ Oregon 11.07 vs. Iowa 11.14 @ Ohio State 11.21 @ Minesota 11.28 vs. Illinois

k.nia@dailynorthwestern.com

GAMEDAY EDITOR Andrew Little WRITERS Alex Boyko Aanya Gupta Kamran Nia Yoni Zacks Gameday is a publication of Students Publishing Co. A two-page issue is published on the Wednesday prior to Northwestern road games and a longer issue is usually published on the Wednesday prior to Northwestern home games. All material is © 2026 Students Publishing Co. Questions or comments should be sent c/o Gameday Editor Andrew Little, 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

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D65 board reviews ‘disheartening’ proficiency gaps By JORDAN BALOUSEK

assistant city editor

The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Board of Education reviewed the district’s annual Achievement and Accountability Report and heard an update on its superintendent search Monday night. During public comment, community members also advocated to preserve the Joseph E. Hill Early Childhood Education Center and called for greater transparency surrounding the district’s upcoming budget cuts. Earlier this month, the district announced it will close two schools and cut about $20 million from its fiscal year 2028 budget. The district will adopt a comprehensive financial approach to address its financial crisis, striving for long-term financial stability. The board will consider proposed budget reductions during its Oct. 13 meeting and take action to advance its final financial sustainability package in November. “We all understand the financial situation that we find ourselves in, and I think we’re past the point of you really needing to convince the community that we need to do something,” District 65 parent Scot Campbell said during public comment. “When we come to Oct. 13, I think that what you will need to do is you will need to come prepared to defend the plan with data and with a vision.” Later in the meeting, the board unanimously approved the district’s fiscal year 2027 budget — but not without hesitation. During the board’s Aug. 31 meeting, Chief Financial Officer Eric Miller projected the finalized budget would end the year with a $5.1 million operating deficit and fall short of the district’s self-imposed policy to set aside at least a quarter of its annual operating costs as cash on hand. “We are not in the spirit of our 25% days cash on hand, but I am voting for this budget, straight up out of confidence in Dr. Witherspoon and the cabinet,” Board member Andrew Wymer said. Board analyzes ‘disheartening’ student achievement gaps Assistant Superintendent of Performance Management and Accountability Stacy Beardsley walked through the district’s 2025-26 Achievement and

JordanJosh Balousek/The Singer/TheDaily Daily Northwestern Northwestern District 65 will host four community engagement meetings in71, latehas October totwo guide AlmainAdvisory superintendent Redshirt sophomore guard Dennis Rahouski, wearing number started games place ofGroup’s injured redshirt search.

Accountability Report, which highlighted several disparities in academic achievements and disciplinary actions. According to state-mandated Illinois Assessment of Readiness standards, 67.5% of district students are proficient in English language arts, and more than half of students are proficient in math — both improvements from last school year. While 77% of white students reached math proficiency, only 19% of Black students, 16% of English language learners and 19% of students with Individualized Education Programs reached the same benchmark. “This performance of math for Black kids is not acceptable,” Board President Nichole Pinkard said. “(It) shouldn’t be acceptable for families, shouldn’t be acceptable for anyone. And you’ve got to own that — own it — to get to change.” Board member Maria Opdycke said she believes the story of racial disparities in District 65 “has not changed,” urging the board to consider cutting programs that have not improved academic achievement rates. Board Vice President Chris Van Nostrand said the district’s baseline for academic growth and achievement should not be calculated using data from the COVID-19 pandemic. Board member Mya Wilkins said it is “disheartening” that the district’s focus has shifted away from

student success while navigating its budget crisis. “We just really need to get through this budget situation so that we can get to a sustainable place and put our focus back where it belongs, which is on the students and on student outcomes,” Wilkins said. The report also found that District 65 disproportionately disciplines students with IEPs, Black students and low-income students — groups that experience 52%, 71% and 73% of suspensions, respectively. “I was disheartened being a Black man from Evanston, looking at the numbers that we have right now,” said Bryon Harris, the district’s director of climate and safety. “But with the team that I’m working with, I’m hopeful because we’re actually having this conversation, and we’re actually looking at solutions.” Superintendent search emphasizes community input The board also received an update on Alma Advisory Group’s search for the district’s next superintendent. Alma CEO Monica Santana Rosen said the group hopes to finish its search in early 2027 following community engagement, including a survey, focus groups and four community engagement meetings. Three of the community meetings will be hosted from 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 20, 21 and 22 at Chute Middle School, Foster Elementary School and Nichols

Middle School, respectively. The final meeting will occur virtually on Oct. 28 — the time has yet to be announced. The board reviewed draft questions that will guide the meetings. They ranged from asking parents what keeps them “up at night” regarding District 65, to asking parents what “skills or experiences” they think the superintendent needs to be most successful. Board members stressed the importance of hearing from diverse stakeholders during the community engagement process. “I really want to hear from the entire Evanston community,” Board member Patricia S. Anderson said. “From all wards, all socioeconomic (statuses), all ethnicities. So that’s what I’m looking for. Because the person that will be coming to lead us is really going to be representing the whole community.” Parents voice support for JEH During public comment, several educators from JEHhighlighted programs offered at the preschool building, specifically for students with IEPs or those receiving bilingual education or special services. Their comments come after some community members’ informally suggested closing JEH and moving preschool services into elementary school buildings during a series of community meetings last week. District 65 parent Elizabeth Ceballos said her three children benefited from JEH programming. “How incredible it is to have a school with therapists, specialized teachers that love, support and help our students grow,” Ceballos said. “How incredible that my children are strengthening their home language, becoming truly biliterate.” Julian Sotnick, an educator at Evanston Township High School, said his son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at an early age, qualifying for JEH services that proved “invaluable.” Sotnick said his son is now in college and will graduate in December. “For families like mine, the services my son received at JEH are not an abstract budget item,” he said. “They literally changed the trajectory of my son’s life. Every family in Evanston deserves the same opportunity.” j.balousek@dailynorthwestern.com

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12 THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

OPINION

Join the online conversation at www.dailynorthwestern.com

Craig: Protecting promise of Head Start in communities

CARA CRAIG

OP-ED CONTRIBUTER

The Department of Health and Human Services published a notice Aug. 7 that would rescind current Head Start performance standards in their entirety and replace them with a substantially shorter set of requirements. Head Start is a federally funded program that serves our country’s most vulnerable children from prenatal to kindergarten, and their families. Our main goal is to prepare them for kindergarten, but the wraparound services we provide benefit the entire family. If finalized, this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, “Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs,” would significantly change Head Start by eliminating many of the standards that currently ensure programs provide high-quality, comprehensive services to children and families. One of the most impactful moments I have witnessed in my 32-year career in education, including five with Head Start, happened recently at a family event called a “socialization.” Socializations provide opportunities for whole families to share a meal, engage in a developmental activity and create a community with other families. At one of these events, two preteen girls, who both had younger siblings in the program, were completing a puzzle together. The younger of the two,

about 11 years old, said, “Kids make fun of my hijab at school. Do they ever do that to you?” The older girl validated what the younger one was saying and shared her experience of being teased because she was viewed as different. She explained that talking to her teacher about it had helped. They continued talking for more than 30 minutes as they worked on the puzzle. It may not seem like a spectacular moment, but this organic, supportive conversation happened because Head Start created space for it. For a young girl growing up fairly isolated from other Muslim families, attending a school where a hijab is something to tease someone about, this kind of connection is everything. In its 2025 Annual Report, Childcare Network of Evanston states that 85% of Head Start families are either “living below the poverty line or qualify for public assistance,” and 85% of the families have a home language other than English. To accommodate the many languages spoken, we have interpreters and translating earbuds to make communication and connection possible. When people from all of these different cultures come together, it is a beautiful experience of sharing and community. I was recently in a focus group facilitated by the Illinois Head Start Association to discuss the impact the proposed guidelines will have on our programs. We discussed the fact that all federal regulations that addressed the home-based program, including instructional activities implemented during home visits, curriculum, staff support and group socializations would be cut.

This means funds will be reduced and families will have fewer opportunities to connect. Home visitors will also be required to have more families on their caseload, which will reduce the impact of the program because it will diminish individualized care, time spent supporting a family and closeness of relationships. Funding for the interpreters and translators would also be eliminated. The proposal also states instruction must be given in English in Head Start programs, and if a child does not speak English, there must be a priority to teach the language. However, some educators agree that instruction is more fruitful when children learn concepts in both their home language and English. A child’s home language is not a barrier to overcome. It is an asset to build upon. Children can learn English while also maintaining their home language, culture, identity, and connection to their families. Doing away with it will mean the welcome and validation that families feel in the program will be erased. About 60% of children enrolled in Illinois Head Start and Early Head Start programs are dual language learners, IHSA Executive Director Laurie Morrison-Frichtl told WTTW in August. As standards are lowered, funds for programs like Head Start will also decrease, and the safety net that has helped generations of families flourish will be taken away. For over 60 years, Head Start has supported America’s most vulnerable families and empowered them in parenting, nutrition, physical and mental

health, education, resources and job training. The program is meant to prepare young children for kindergarten. Head Start is effective: students who previously participated in the program had increased graduation rates, according to 2016 research published by The Hamilton Project. Head Start also has a “13.7% annual rate of return for high-quality early childhood education,” according to its website. This is a look at just two of the hundreds of standards the proposed guidelines have put on the chopping block. The current standards have been developed by experts in the field of education and proven effective through the success rates of the program. If the standards are removed, so will the opportunities for two young girls to experience belonging over a puzzle and find value in who they are. The proposed changes are not yet final. The public has an opportunity to submit comments on the proposal until Oct. 6 on the HHS website. Cara Craig is an education specialist at the Childcare Network of Evanston. She can be contacted at craigc@childcarenetworkofevanston.org. If you would like to respond publicly to this op-ed, send a Letter to the Editor to opinion@dailynorthwestern.com. The views expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect the views of all staff members of The Daily Northwestern.

Frater: Do you have the time to ask and not just look it up?

IVY FRATER

JOKE WALK

When I was a child, I assumed that the qualifications for being a full-grown adult were owning a watch and an outfit that you wear day and night. For reference, I watched a lot of Project Runway, so obviously Tim Gunn was my spiritual guide, and he was always emphasizing the importance of owning a blazer that works for both a meeting with your boss and after-work drinks with the girls. Most importantly, being grown up meant that people expected you to know things, including the time. I thought I was going to be constantly approached by businessmen running to their next meetings desperately in search of someone — anyone — with a watch, and lost tourists begging me to point them in the right direction. At 19, as I slowly inch closer to real adulthood, I still don’t own a blazer, much less one I could wear to happy hour. And much to my chagrin, no stranger has ever asked me, “Do

you have the time?” I’ve only been asked for directions a couple of times, and at each and every opportunity, I have failed at the task. Truthfully, I can’t even tell which direction is north without using my phone. I’ve been slowly coming to the realization that my devices are ruining my life, my chances of interacting socially with strangers and all my expectations about adulthood. I feel as if I’ve been scammed — my phone can do everything, and because of this, I’m slowly becoming stupider and more isolated from those around me. How is it that I’ve never found a book using the Dewey Decimal System? How have I never embarked on a road trip with a comically large map in hand? How am I supposed to have a meet-cute when everyone on the train has their AirPods in? And why would anyone ever ask for the time when they have an exact by-the-second answer at their fingertips? The other day, I needed to measure something, and instead of grabbing a ruler, I opened up the measure app on my phone. Last month, I was babysitting a seven-year-old and instead of counting to 30 in a game of hide-and-seek,

she asked Alexa to set a timer for her. I nearly burst into tears when I saw a guy at the Cubs game open up ChatGPT to ask a question about some obscure baseball rule, instead of turning to ask the plethora of old men next to him, at least one of whom I know would’ve had an answer. So, I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands, channel my inner Luddite, swear off my devices and just start asking people things. Yes, I could tap my phone and immediately know the exact minute and second, but isn’t it more fun to ask someone for the time? I know exactly how to get to Kresge Hall, but hey, maybe I’ll ask someone for directions tomorrow just for the hell of it. I’ve noticed recently that I’m so starved of interactions with strangers that I have a tendency to extend every simple conversation way longer than necessary. On a recent trip to the dining hall, a first-year asked me where I got my bowl of strawberries. Instead of curtly responding with a “There,” I pointed and led them over to the section before wistfully whispering, “They’re over here. Every Saturday.”

I’m not even sure if that was true — I just kind of felt like saying it. Regardless, they weren’t as enthused about the fruit as I was, likely because they had no idea about the rarity of strawberries in the dining halls yet. The conversation came to an immediate end after my response, but I still patted myself on the back for sharing this essential tip with the next generation. One of these days, one of my unnecessary questions is going to lead to a budding friendship; I just know it — it’s only a matter of time. Ivy Frater is a Medill sophomore and author of “Joke Walk.” She can be contacted at i.frater@ dailynorthwestern.com. If you would like to respond publicly to this op-ed, send a Letter to the Editor to opinion@dailynorthwestern.com. The views expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect the views of all staff members of The Daily Northwestern.

Slotkin: Be normal, say hello, or at least smile at people SYLVIE SLOTKIN

COMMUNAL SHOWER THOUGHTS

After enjoying happy hour one night this summer with two of my closest friends from high school, we decided to grab dinner. We weren’t in the mood to be waited on, so we went to one of the new trendy corporate slop-bowl places by the bar, which is where I saw a girl from Northwestern I am not friends with. As soon as I saw her, I made a point to stand so that I wasn’t facing her, hoping to avoid eye contact. If she thought I didn’t see her, I maintain

plausible deniability, but to see each other and not say hi — or at least smile — is beyond awkward. I didn’t have much reason to say hi to her — we aren’t friends. Frankly, I don’t even really know her. But we’ve followed each other on Instagram since senior year of high school and have had at least one conversation in our time at NU, and I sort of think it’s weird that we both had the instinct to act like we didn’t see each other. I haven’t been actively thinking about this moment all summer, of course. But now that we’re back at school, I’ve been reminded several times that as far as the NU way goes, how we behaved that day was actually pretty normal. It seems the norm here is to avoid acknowledging someone you know in public unless you

The Daily Northwestern Volume 147, Issue 3

Editor in Chief Anavi Prakash Print Managing Editors Marissa Fernandez Jonah McClure Sophie Baker Jack Baker Creative Director Cayla Labgold-Carroll

Multimedia Managing Editors Liam Barrett Siri Reddy Josh Singer Opinion Editor Ivy Frater Assistant Opinion Editor Josie Belfer

absolutely have to. Why do we behave like this? Why do we walk on Sheridan Road with blinders on? Why do we find a seat in lectures far away from the kid who lived on our floor freshman year? I don’t think it took me this long to realize how unfriendly we are, but it still kind of feels like a revelation. Sure, we’re all competing with each other for jobs and internships and whatnot, but I don’t think that means we have to ignore each other. And I’m not saying people should start saying hello to everyone like they do in beach towns, just people we actually know. Assuming everyone is obsessed with being cool, it’s so much cooler to be confident enough to look someone in the eye and ask them how

they’ve been than to look at the ground. I guess I’ll have to be the one to start this revolution, a sacrifice I’m willing to make, assuming people follow suit. Let that be my legacy — that I made my peers a little nicer. And one day in the near future, when I inevitably see a fellow alum in a fast-casual dining spot in my hometown, I hope I’m self-assured enough to say hi, or at least smile. Sylvie Slotkin is a Medill senior and author of “Communal Shower Thoughts.” She can be contacted at sylvieslotkin2027@u.northwestern.edu. If you would like to respond publicly to this op-ed, send a Letter to the Editor to opinion@dailynorthwestern.com. The views expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect the views of all staff members of The Daily Northwestern.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR may be sent to 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, via fax at 847-491-9905, via e-mail to opinion@dailynorthwestern.com or by dropping a letter in the box outside THE DAILY office. Letters have the following requirements: • Should be typed and double-spaced • Should include the author’s name, signature, school, class and phone number. • Should be fewer than 800 words They will be checked for authenticity and may be edited for length, clarity, style and grammar. Letters, columns and cartoons contain the opinion of the authors, not Students Publishing Co. Inc. Submissions signed by more than three people must include at least one and no more than three names designated to represent the group.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

COUNCIL From page 1

would be housed entirely within the property’s existing 19,660-square-foot structure and be a “permitted continuation of industrial use at this site.” The data center proposal faces stiff opposition from residents, councilmembers and Mayor Daniel Biss, who has called for a data center moratorium. City staff determined the project is not permissi-

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Daily file photo by Tia Bethke Lark Management submitted a zoning application to the city for a “computer processing center” in the 2nd Ward.

ble under current zoning rules in a Monday news release. “Because the initial application was limited, we have requested additional information from the applicant,” City Manager Luke Stowe said Monday night. “Pending those details, establishing this type of use would likely require a text amendment to our city code, which means there’s effectively a de facto moratorium in place for now.” During public comment, community members opposed the data center and called on councilmembers to impose a moratorium on data centers in the city. Ninth Ward resident Michael Courier spoke about the need to “slow down” the rapid rollout of data centers across the country. “Big problems often start off small,” Courier said. “And we should not view this data center in isolation because there are already more than 100 data centers in Cook County, with even more being planned.” Ninth Ward resident Paula Scholl, a member of the city’s Environment Board, also spoke in favor of a moratorium.

Storie urged councilmembers to consider residents’ opinions at every stage of the process. “Not only are there environmental consequences, but there are severe economic consequences for the businesses and residents in this neighborhood,” Storie said. m.turetzky@dailynorthwestern.com

Setting the record straight An article published in last week’s paper titled “NU 90th in free speech ranking” misstated the name of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. A piece published in last week’s paper titled “Introducing our Fall 2026 Opinion Columnists” misstated the name of column Communal Shower Thoughts. The Daily regrets these errors.

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RAGE 2024 ELECTION COVE

Trump poised for historic win By NICOLE MARKUS and

ber 6, 2024

Earlier Monday, the Environment Board sent a letter to all nine councilmembers requesting a moratorium on data centers until local environmental safeguards could be established, Scholl said. Second Ward resident Melinda Storie, who said she lives across the street from the site of the proposed data center, told City Council she was “quite concerned” about the proposal, which she said could open the door to further data center development in the future.

unities since 1881

tern The Daily Northwes Serving the Northwester

Pictured: Brenda Barrie. Photo by Hugo Hentoff

Chicago Sun-Times

preferred Northwestern students election, The Harris in this year’s duate Daily’s first poll of undergra students showed. who said Among NU students “likely” to or they were “very likely” Harris vote in the general election, ge points. led Trump by 84 percentawith a votOnly one in 20 students would vote ing preference said they

Trump for Trump. victory Former president Donald tial The AP called Trump’sGeorgia, presiden Carolina and is poised to win the states, data from the in North election, according to two of seven battleground Day, t on Election Associated Press. showed before midnigh Early data from the night cantly narrowing Harris’ path to winning wall” signifi t the former presiden presidency to the “blue performance the of Michigan, Wisconsin and outpacing his 2020 with key states as Harris underperformed states. Pennsylvania. Harkey in that and clear phics voter demogra But it became rs at the Trump addressed supportePalm ris would not be able to secure in West and in turn, the presiTrump Headquarters 1:30 a.m., three states, Pennsylvania Beach, Florida, just before dency. The AP called at 1:30 a.m. claiming victory. Trump for n America co-chair “I want to thank the Cedric Richmond, the n, nary honor campaig extraordi alz the for Harris-W people president of the at Howof being elected your 47tht,” Trump announced to supporters not and your 45th presidenfighting for ard University that Harris would and be said. “Every day I will my body.” address the crowd as planned in the election you with every breath would instead speak on also ) (R-Ohio . morning Sen. JD Vance Trump’s results in theans took control of the addressed the crowd, calling greatest Republic reported projected victory “the history of Senate as well, the AP the t. political comeback in shortly before midnigh America.”

Students worry as results roll in

WAY OFF COURSE

ssment. some dining workers for hara Students and staff report and misconduct continues. t, even innocen Compass transfers them — as nts her Compas s’ comme

making transparency about g for when they startedFor example, ortable. complaint process, includin and sexual uncomf ered thinkin g it allegations of abuse , Com- she rememb her a harassment. In additionemploy - was odd when he called while pass quietly shifted uct to “beautif ul Nubian queen” of miscond her table. by accused ees walked he menstory makContent warning: This racism. differen t facilitie s on several The cook did not deny and ts about Yaa and tions sexual harassment Yaa occasions. erson ing the commen said he wanted McCor mick junior but A Compa ss spokesp friend her on s tears in transfer ge them” and said returned to her dorm grabbing told The Daily these avoid “to encouras misconstrued his Feb. 11. She recalled spend- are not an attempt to - the student and a tub of ice cream under her disciplinary action or terminato words. day effort te the lewd,” he ing the rest of tion, but “a delibera a fair and “There was nothing to make things situation in covers. accused resolve the manner.” Howeve r, said. “I don’t sayrtable.” le Three days later, Yaa worker of equitab s are frequen t enough them uncomfo actions an Allison dining hall But the employee’s ent in transfer dining workers said became more explicit as Fall a pattern of sexual harassm some that report Her come to view employpassed, Yaa said. a written complaint. sexualiz ing they have into their workplace Quarter 2023Yaa was waiting for detailed a series of Once, while ons that ees moved n. comments and interacti to serve her food, he with suspicio cook the as moved gloss of her spanned months. Workers saw getting of commented on the “The shift in the natureents one step closer to getting fired, lips. Then, he asked her to walk put Allison employ ee als around the divider separati ng (the employee’s) complim me have as one often, these individu and him hugging to give him a kiss on uneasin ess it. But fired, at least not until them and recalled . caused me much wrote in were not been moved several the cheek, she nt, Yaa wrote and discomf ort,” Yaa In her complai to go they had abusive behavio rs asked She nt. And the complai cook asked for a kiss fear of ret- times. his employees that the by a pseudonym for often followed the s, several jokingly. But combined with Yaa ts, location ribution from the worker. prior string of commenuncomcom- to their new Compas s Group, the est- workers told The Daily. said she began to feel the f--- is the point?” fortable in the cook’s presence. pany that runs Northw the “What placed say anyone Foster-Walker Comern’s food service, “It’s either he doesn’t somee, who after receiv- asked employe say hall does he employee on leave dining if for thing, or g to din- plex crazy,” Yaa ing the report, accordin with asked to remain anonymous thing, it’s something retribution from manage- said. ing hall workers familiar filing, Yaa fear of the quarremove the abusive the situatio n. After Yaa spent the rest of er him ment. “You so she can go abuse Eats here said she didn’t encount avoiding Allison’s Pure . She she began person What problem ter in Allison again, and station whenever possible who there. other people? to feel comfortable diningseeing does that solve?” recruited friends she said before But later, she recalled MOD would scout out Allison at ’ if they working e shocked text a just ‘I was the employe meals and send her ity CenAnd when she did Pizza in Norris Universcame as a cook. the saw a filed hall, she grabbed ter. His reappearance no one The employ ee Yaa at visit the dining stations and shock, she said, because g to complaint against was a cook food from the other returnin had told her he was was work- the Pure Eats station in Allison, took it to go to avoid the cook. arly cooks hand food to diners work. And since she On occasio n, particul floor above where glass divider. For Yaa, the biting ing in Norris just a the cold grew more halls it dif- over a with one of when dining the restaurant, she found food also often came and walks to farther Yaa found him. ts. g, ficult to avoid ed is the cook’s commen Yaa grew less appealin on “I don’t know if blindsid “But They started out small, her herself spendin g money said. ent about avoid going the right word,” Yaa delivery services to ent said. A complim pretty transpar was how I about like, then it’s to Allison. some- skin. Another and I’d opened up about to talk she looked that day. d thing that was difficult » See IN FOCUS,, page 8 Yaa’s friend, who requesteon a lot more.” retributi of expected I fear so for about, is not anonymity Allison cook, recalled Yaa’s experie nce with and from the . unique. Intervie ws from over receiving similar remarks the written complai nts For months, Yaa viewed and dining a dozen student s a lack of hall employees reveal

By COLE REYNOLDS and

JERRY WU

daily senior staffers le277 /@jerrwu @charcole2 @charco

this year immigra nts earlier for everyturned into a joke really body but it felt really, to just be scary in the moment just norlike, ‘Oh, now that’s using people these mal to paint nizing language.’” dehuma KOSO a red By NINETH KANIESKI Coming from Utah, feel daily senior staffers it can state, Madsen said matter. like her vote doesn’t always conresults r, she said she As the election students Howeve s — tinued to trail in, many anxiety votes in local election . express ed fear and of the where change is more possible ions , Madabout the implicat between Ahead of the election to presidential election Harris sen said she has been tryingway as a Vice President Kamala avoid watching the newsanxiety. Donald t Presiden election and former to relieve her feel evening. e stakes of the election “It’s Trump on Tuesday “Th ore McCor mick sophom high,” Madsen said. her biggest really having it so close, you Lucy Madsen said year’s elec- just hard who’s actually ahead.” anxiety about this ental can’t see Andrew tion is related to environm Weinberg freshman mental ed policies. As an environsaid she Onema said he is concern of increasengineering major, she about the possibility and after may Trump that during is concern ed mental ing violence. roll back the Environ election the g elec, affectin Protect ion Agency ts. Onema said while this voted has prospec he job one first her future found tion is the d She added she has con- in, he is scared about increase very Trump’s rhetoric to be come- polarization in politics. be after cerning, especial ly “I feel like there might liffe called either end of or dian Tony Hinchc island backlash on of whichPuerto Rico a “floatingrally. protest on either end of garbage” at a Trumped by the ever candidate wins,” Onema of “I’m really concern is hap- said. “I do think back to some as 6 dehuma nization that(Trump) the larger protests on Jan. 14 | Sports 16 pening in a lot of thesaid. “The 14 12 | Classifieds & Puzzles campaign,” Madsen Haitian » See VOTING ANXIETY, page 10 | Arts & Entertainment 4 | In-Focus 8 | Opinion whole talking about Campus 3 | Election Around Town 2 | On INSIDE: Recycle Me

Potential for seconds Trump term cause anxiety, fear at NU

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14 THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

Los latinos de Evanston cuentan sus historias Por ISADORA URIO FERNANDES y MARISA GUERRA ECHEVERRIA

el diario northwestern

Este artículo ha sido traducido por Marisa Guerra Echeverria. Cada domingo, Ernesto Rodriguez Carreño se reunía con su familia para ayudarles en la cocina. Como el mayor de seis hijos, le ayudaba a sus hermanos a preparar la comida. Solo comían cuando todos los miembros de la familia estaban sentados juntos en la mesa. Habiendo crecido en Santa Gertrudis, un pueblo chico en Oaxaca, México, Carreño platicó que no se dio cuenta del valor cultural de esos momentos, Ahora, viviendo en Evanston y dirigiendo El Molcajete Sauces, un negocio inspirado en las recetas que aprendió de su familia, dice entender la importancia de los momentos en familia para su identidad como mexicano. Carreño compartió su testimonio junto con Celia Carlino, una defensora de compromisos para las familias bilingües, y Paula CofresiSilverstein, autora del libro “Bomba Spirit: Life Journeys of a Brown Island Girl”, en el Evanston History Center el domingo por la noche. Nuestras Historias en Evanston fue un evento bilingüe presentado por Evanston Latinos y el Evanston History Center. El evento animó a los residentes a compartir sus historias creando comunidad en Evanston. Desde el 2025 aproximadamente el 12,3 por ciento de los residentes de Evanston se identifican como hispanos o latinos, según la Oficina del Censo. “Si estamos viviendo en esta comunidad, navegándola, haciendo compras aquí y llevando a nuestros hijos a la escuela, este espacio también nos pertenece”, comentó

Ricardo Villalobos, el director ejecutivo de Evanston Latinos y el moderador del evento. Silverstein, quien se mudó de Nueva York a Evanston en 1985, compartió el sentir de Villalobos. Añadió que siente que la comunidad

“Vivimos en una colonia de doctores, abogados y gente de Northwestern, y somos invisibles”, comentó. Por eso, Silverstein explica, pensó que “nunca iba a poder” crear un sentido de comu-

Foto cortesía de Krista Fabian DeCastro Desde 2025, aproximadamente el 12,3 por ciento de los residentes de Evanston se identifican como hispanos o latinos.

latina no es bien recibida siempre. Como residente de Linden Square, que, según ella, no tiene representación latina, Silverstein dice que sus vecinos nunca la invitan a cenar a ella y a su esposo.

nidad. En su lugar, ella y su marido empezaron a convivir con otros latinos a través de eventos comunitarios en Evanston. De manera similar, Carlino tuvo que luchar para encontrar comunidad cuando emigró

de Lima, Perú, a su colonia en “Skevanston” hace 23 años. En la escuela de sus hijos, Carlino encontró una oportunidad de participar en su comunidad local. Mientras asistía a eventos escolares, dijo que aprendió sobre el mes de la herencia hispana y sobre cómo podría apoyar a otros latinos que viven en el North Shore. “Creo que cuando interactuamos, creamos nuevas conexiones y aprendemos de nuestras raíces. Podemos crecer juntos”, ella dijo. Como el único latino que vive en su edificio, Carreño comentó que recibió el apoyo de sus vecinos cuando llegaron agentes del Servicio de Control de Inmigración y Aduanas, o ICE por sus siglas en inglés, a la ciudad. Agregó que incidentes recientes, específicamente el incidente en el que un ciudadano estadounidense fue detenido por ICE el 17 de septiembre, sirven como un recordatorio importante de la solidaridad que existe entre la comunidad latina de Evanston. “Oímos seguido de ICE, pero no es nuestra única realidad”, explicó Carreño. “Y queremos superar eso. ICE no nos define”. En su discurso final, Villalobos recordó la larga historia de los latinos en Evanston y enfatizó la importancia de apreciar “tanta historia”. La mejor forma de activismo local, según Villalobos, es dejar que los latinos cuenten sus propias historias en español e inglés. “A final de cuentas, no importa de donde vengamos. Sino, lo importante es cómo nos tratamos entre nosotros”, dijo Carreño. “Entonces, para mí es bien importante y es una oportunidad muy grande, que tengo ahorita, ser latino y estar en Evanston, y decir aquí estamos”. eldiario@dailynorthwestern.com isadorafernandes2029@u.northwestern.edu

WEEKLY CROSSWORD ACROSS

DOWN

1. Mickey’s quacking companion 6. Animated scientist, and grandfather of Morty 9. Indefinitely long period of time, in England 10. Ancestor in German 11. Behind bars, for a year or longer 12. One who colors cloth 15. Dietary staple of many barnyard animals 16. Mai ___, beachy cocktail made of rum, Curaçao liquor, orgeat syrup and lime juice 17. Quick little kiss on the cheek 18. Hebrew name for Passover 20. Third largest Hawaiian island, home to Honolulu 21. Chemical compound aluminum nitride, abbr. 23. “Ready or ___…” 24. Specialized medical profession focused on the study, diagnosis, and treatment of the ear 27. Exclamations after a breakthrough 29. “Geaux Tigers!” is their motto 30. U.S. dept. housing the Office of the Attorney General 32. Brother of Thor and Norse god of mischief 33. Gunslinging smuggler, and companion of Chewbacca 36. Recording, abbr. 37. London School of Economics 38. Prominent Japanese manufacturer of underwater photography and video equipment 40. An insincere way to ask someone to prom 43. Term used to describe the people and products of the Indian diaspora 44. What a groom might be wearing to say “I do,” in short 45. Palindromic nickname for Vivian 47. Taiwanese electronics manufacturer which is the world’s fifth-largest personal computer vendor 48. Famous tune by Vanilla Ice 50. 2025 NBA Champions, abbr. 51. __ Turner, American singer and song writer known as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” 52. Award that recognizes excellence on Broadway; or Iron Man’s identity behind the mask 53. Marvel Comics motorcyclist whose body is consumed by hellfire

1. Wolverine’s costar in 2024 superhero film 2. Lymphangioleiomyomatosis, abbr. 3. Removal from office 4. Famously, the explorer? 5. Bringing together for a shared goal 6. Large, flightless birds native to South America 7. Despite his fear of snakes, this action hero famously was trapped in a well filled with them in his first film 8. Dark ___, or another one of Bruce Wayne’s aliases 10. “Up the ____,” or increase the stakes 11. One of the largest cities in Siberia, named for the Irkut River 13. Vote in favor of a motion 14. Used by dolphins, whales, and bats to search for prey 19. SIN, ___ and TAN 22. Scottish lake 25. Yes, in Paris 26. Stack of Japanese currency 27. Without further ___ .... 28. Like Thanksgiving, Easter, or Christmas 31. Second studio album by American musician Phoebe Bridgers, featuring tracks like “Garden Song” and “Kyoto” 32. Sibling rock duo best known for its 1999 hit “Steal My Sunshine” 34. Aware of 35. Household staffer 36. Vehicle for interstellar travel; or quippy rodent member of the Guardians of the Galaxy 39. Home of the Buckeyes 41. ___ Barnes, The Winter Soldier 42. CEO or board member 46. Crayfish and insect-eating bird revered as sacred in Ancient Egypt 49. Next test for law school graduates

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

15

ETHS celebrates homecoming weekend with 5K By JULIE WONG

the daily northwestern

Evanston Township High School kicked off its homecoming weekend with the firstever Homecoming Hustle 5K Walk & Run on Sunday. The race, a loop beginning at Lazier Field before stretching northeast along North McCormick Boulevard, was hosted by the Alumni Relations Office for ETHS and open to all students, parents, alumni, staff and community members. Attendees showed off their school spirit by wearing ETHS race T-shirts while warming up. ETHS parents Pam Malone and Michelle Press said they signed up for the race in hopes of meeting more Wildkit parents. “There’s a lot of alumni in Evanston, which is great, so it is already a good network, but I think this just makes it even better,” Press said. Participant Michele Rogers serves as co-founder of the nonprofit ETHS Foundation, which raises funding for campus renovations and expands educational opportunities through projects that aren’t funded by the district. While the 5K was a community-building event rather than a fundraiser, Rogers said it was a fun way to reconnect with people she hadn’t seen in a while. Rogers credited Nichole Boyd, director of alumni relations at ETHS, with coming up with the idea for a Wildkit 5K. Boyd announced the countdown for the race, which began at 8:00 a.m. Ben Kogan, an ETHS parent and avid runner, said the race was a chance to support both

REPORT

From page 1

Reported cases of arson, domestic violence, aggravated assault, hate crimes and all tracked forms of theft were down from last year’s data. Reported fatal crimes and statutory rape remained at zero, as has been the case for the past three years. Not all reported sex offenses rose; fondling, after jumping from two to 12 in

ETHS’ first Homecoming Hustle 5K Walk & Run brought together parents, students and alumni.

the school and the city’s running community. “I’m in the Evanston Running Club, so I wanted to participate in one of our local events here,” Kogan said. “Although it’s not associated directly with the Evanston Running Club, it’s a local race. I’ve seen some of our Evanston Running Club members here as well, so we try to take part in local events that are in the neighborhood and support the local community.”

ETHS parent Gloria Supit said she was grateful for the opportunities the school provided to bring alumni and students together. “We’ve been here for four years now,” Supit said. “And I’ve been loving the city and all the community events that they’re doing.” After the 5K’s initial countdown, participants eagerly raced through the orange and blue starting line arch, running past the ETHS

cheerleading team and others in the crowd cheering them on. “This is also their first time doing the 5K, and as you can see there’s a lot of excitement,” Supit said. “So I think this is a really good activity to do. The weather is nice, so it feels like the perfect time and perfect activity to do.”

2024, declined slightly to 10. The Northwestern Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance Annual Report for the 202425 academic year showed a 4.5% increase in Title IX and sexual misconduct complaints. The bump is once again in defiance of a broader 17.3% reduction in overall complaint reports at the University, from 688 the previous year to 569, which was largely driven by discrimination and harassment complaints dropping by 28%.

There was a single weapons law violation that resulted in a referral for disciplinary action, compared to zero in the 2025 and 2024 reports. Most reported crimes for the University’s Chicago campus either remained stagnant or declined, though reported cases of dating violence and stalking increased from two to 12 and one to three, respectively. Hate crimes for Chicago were up from zero in 2024, driven by two instances of vandalism characterized by race. NU’s Miami, San Francisco,

Washington and Qatar locations reported no crimes, continuing years-long streaks reported in a previous Daily analysis. The University’s Evanston campus suffered no fires in residential buildings, continuing a break from tradition that began in 2024. The report has recorded 65 such incidents since 2008, when the University began releasing fire safety data, but with only four occurring since 2019.

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Julie Wong/The Daily Northwestern

juliewong2028@u.northwestern.edu

l.barrett@dailynorthwestern.com

16 THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

SPORTS BASKETBALL

4-star Jeremiah Profit first commit in class of 2027 By AANYA GUPTA

sports editor

Jeremiah Profit, Northwestern’s first commitment in the class of 2027, splashed national headlines as the highest-ranked recruit in Wildcat program history. Profit, a 6-foot-5, 180-pound small forward, announced his commitment to NU via X on Tuesday.

247Sports ranked Profit at No. 61 overall and the No. 15 small forward in the class of 2027. Profit chose the ’Cats over Stanford, Saint Mary’s, Arizona State, Creighton and Boston College. He visited NU this weekend, following visits to Stanford and Creighton. This is the third straight year the ’Cats have brought in a new highest ever-ranked recruit to the program. In 2024, former NU forward Tre Singleton, ranked No.

93, became the highest ever-ranked recruit to join the program. The following year, freshman guard Jayden Hodge, ranked No. 64 in the class of 2026, claimed the program record. The small forward averaged 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game for Gamepoint on the adidas 3SSB AAU circuit. Profit will conclude his high school career at Rancho Christian High School in Temecula,

California. “I decided to commit to Northwestern because it felt like the best fit for me on and off the court,” Profit told Rivals. “I really believe in what coach (Chris) Collins and the coaching staff are building, and I felt like I could come in and make an impact.” a.gupta@dailynorthwestern.com

VOLLEYBALL

Dignan can’t rescue Wildcats in 0-3 loss to UCLA By ISAIAH STEINBERG

senior staffer

Northwestern trailed by a set and clung to a 3-2 lead in the second when UCLA middle blocker Marianna Singletary tipped a ball into the gap between three Wildcats (7-6, 0-2 Big Ten). NU freshman setter Ellie Stiernagle and freshman middle blocker Hayley Schaaf converged from the front row, but sophomore libero Lauren Dignan got there first, diving from the back row to dig the ball directly into the latter.

With a chopping motion of her right hand, Schaaf sent the ball looping low back toward where Dignan still lay on the floor. Dignan quickly rolled onto her back and kicked the ball over the net, backwards, with her right foot. “I was like, ‘I’m just gonna get it,’” Dignan told The Daily postgame. “Then I got a touch on it, and then Hayley (Schaaf). I used to play soccer growing up, so I’m pretty comfortable with my feet. Honestly, in my head, I was like, ‘f–k it — no one’s getting this, so I’m gonna get it.’ So I just kicked it over.” Later, midway through the third set, Dignan made a diving save that sailed over the net, landing

James Frazier-Wilson/The Daily Northwestern Sophomore libero Lauren Dignan said she will remember her bicycle kick save against UCLA on Saturday.

at the feet of an unprepared Bruins (10-3, 1-1 Big Ten) defender, marking the libero’s second kill of the season. Despite Dignan’s deftness, the ’Cats broadly struggled on defense — especially blocking and passing — as NU ultimately fell to UCLA in three straight sets, each ending 20-25. Coach Tim Nollan told The Daily postgame that defense begins with a well-placed serve. The ’Cats only scored 25.8% on its serves, compared to 39.7% for UCLA. NU placed third in the Big Ten in aces last season but currently ranks 15th of 18 teams. The Bruins, meanwhile, successfully targeted senior libero Gigi Navarrete, generating three of their five aces off her reception errors. Freshman middle blocker Maya Stillwell racked up four total blocks, but the ’Cats didn’t record a single solo block. Dignan and UCLA outside hitter Ava Utterback led all players with 10 digs each. Still, the Bruins outdug NU 45 to 33 despite the ’Cats taking more swings throughout the match. “We have to defend better,” Nollan said postgame. “We can’t allow them to have 19 kills and 17 kills in the first two sets. It’s just too hard to overcome that.” NU’s offensive production proved more successful. Junior outside hitter Mara Štiglic tied UCLA middle blocker Brooke Harwood to lead all players with 14 kills. Sophomore outside hitter Bella Bullington added 11 but logged a team-high five total errors. Still, the Bruins’ hitting efficiency outpaced the ’Cats. Even with 14 kills, Harwood hit a match-high .684. Singletary, with 10 kills, hit .500. Štiglic and Bullington only managed .256 and .212, respectively. Five UCLA attackers recorded at least six kills, compared to three of NU’s players, including senior outside hitter Campbell Paris. The ’Cats were unable to consistently focus on shutting down one opponent

attacker in the same way the visitors occasionally triple-teamed Štiglic. NU tied the Bruins five times in the first set but never pulled ahead. Štiglic set the stage with a salvo of kills, but two early Navarrete errors helped UCLA build a cushion. The ’Cats battled back to 14-14 following a stretch of offensive magic from Paris and Bullington, but NU errors later in the set and a four-point run led by Singletary put the trajectory of the set clearly in favor of the away team. The second set was the most promising for the ’Cats. They built a 12-7 lead — their largest of the match — off a string of four Štiglic kills. Over the next few plays, they allowed the Bruins to claw back via strong hitting efficiency and the match’s sole solo block on a net joust won by Singletary. UCLA never fell behind again in that set, closing it out on a setter dump kill by setter Kate Duffey. In the third set, NU’s hitting deflated to .171 — the lowest mark of the match by either team. It also committed five service errors, each coming from a different player. The ’Cats mounted an offensive campaign midway through, including Schaaf’s connections with Stiernagle and freshman setter Kaitlyn Bodnar, but the Bruins ran the margin back out and won the match on an Utterback kill. Looking ahead to NU’s faceoff with No. 15 Minnesota on Thursday, Dignan said her team will need to focus on playing to win, rather than on playing not to lose. “We just need to be, simply put, ballers,” Dignan said. “We just need to ball out and get touches on everything. We know how to do it, but we just have to have that grit and that fire in us.” i.steinberg@dailynorthwestern.com

FIELD HOCKEY

NU defeats Michigan State to start conference play By ALISANDE JAISERRISINGH

assistant sports editor

Northwestern kicked off conference play with a win against Michigan State at home Friday afternoon. Following a 3-0 weekend in which they secured wins over Stanford, UC Berkeley and UC Davis, the Wildcats (10-0, 1-0 Big Ten) beat the Spartans (4-5,0-2 Big Ten) for a 14th time. The ’Cats got off to a prolific start in the first quarter, scoring two goals within 14 minutes.

Fifth-year forward Aerin Krys slid in a pass to sophomore midfielder Jessica Freedman who seamlessly scored through the legs of Michigan State goalkeeper Lola Munoz de Verger for NU’s first goal. The Spartans looked to get on the board with a penalty corner with under three minutes left in the first quarter. Junior goalkeeper Juliana Boon deflected the ball off her pads, marking her first of five saves over the course of the contest. Responding quickly, the ’Cats took a 2-0 advantage with senior forward Ashley Sessa

finding the open space for a reverse chip. In a well-executed play in the second quarter, senior midfielder and leading scorer Ilse Tromp extended the lead with a flick shot off a hook pass from freshman back Bree Moffett. To mark the midfielder’s second game with more than one goal this season, Tromp scored off a penalty corner in a deceptive play framed by Krys and Freedman. NU’s unrelenting offense continued late in the fourth quarter, with junior midfielder Sol Martinez adding another stroke to the stat sheet. Initially ruled out, the goal was allowed

upon review. Just under two minutes later, junior midfielder Nadia Nemeth scored off a redirect from senior forward Olivia Bent-Cole for the sixth and final goal. The shutout was a record-setting game for the ’Cats, outshooting the Spartans 35-6 to set a season high. NU will look to continue its undefeated season as the team travels to play Ohio State on the road Friday. alisandejaiserrisingh2029@u.northwestern.edu

SOCCER

’Cats continue win streak after beating Indiana By KATIE WHITAKER

copy editor

Northwestern took down Indiana with a two-goal shutout Sunday at Martin Stadium. The win extended streaks for both teams. The Wildcats (5-4-3, 3-1-1 Big Ten) remain undefeated by conference opponents in their last seven Big Ten home games, and the Hoosiers (4-6-1, 1-4-0 Big Ten) lost their fourth match in a row this season. Though both NU and Indiana played aggressively, posting three and seven shots in the first half, respectively, Indiana quickly racked up six fouls and three offsides, which aided the ’Cats in dominating possession. Following four saves by sophomore goalkeeper Nyamma Nelson, the half ended scoreless.

Senior forward Megan Norkett took three corner kicks in the first ten minutes of the second half, but the ’Cats failed to convert from the set pieces. After Norkett fouled Indiana defender Blair Satterfield and was subsequently fouled by Hoosier defender Grace Hamm, she was replaced by freshman midfielder Camryn Freeman, who has seen limited game time due to injury and illness. Moments later, Freeman shot the ball cleanly into the top right corner for NU’s first goal of the game. The goal caught Indiana’s defense off-guard as the assist from senior forward Keira Wagner deflected off a Hoosier first, which gave Freeman the opportunity to dash forward and score. Indiana coach Josh Rife quickly challenged the goal. “I looked to the sideline to see if I was off or not,” Freeman said later of her first career goal for the ’Cats.

“Obviously, I got questioned, but I wasn’t, so I was just in shock after that, and I was just like, ‘No way.’” The challenge was unsuccessful, and NU took the lead. Play resumed for the next 16 minutes, with both teams exchanging shots. In the 76th minute, Indiana defender Olivia Albert slide-tackled Freeman to give the ’Cats a free kick. Freeman delivered the set piece to junior midfielder/ forward Alex Fallon, who drew three defenders on her way towards Indiana’s goal. This left Freeman wide open. Fallon set her up to launch a shot past Indiana goalkeeper Dani Jacobson to the bottom right corner for her second goal of the game and her career. The strategy was an intentional adjustment, coach Michael Moynihan said after the game. “We wanted to really be proactive in finding pockets and kind of manipulating the spaces and trying to

drag their defenders out of position,” Moynihan said. With a two-goal cushion and only 13 minutes left, the ’Cats played with more confidence, holding the Hoosiers to their own defensive third for the most part. Nelson dove to save Indiana’s final shot of the game in the 81st minute. Moynihan said he was proud of Freeman and her impact on the game, which marked the conclusion of a stretch of home games that helped the team build “momentum and confidence.” “Now we go into a huge road game and (we’re) really looking forward to it,” Moynihan said. NU will travel to face Ohio State on Saturday, kicking off at 4 p.m. CDT. k.whitaker@dailynorthwestern.com