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Students, professors evaluate LSA Race and Ethnicity course requirement
Faculty look to adjust R&E classes to address post-election political climate, review occurred in earliest days of presidential campaign MAYA GOLDMAN Daily Staff Reporter
LSA junior Ryan Gillcrist, academic affairs committee chair for LSA Student Government, has taken three Race and Ethnicity classes before this semester, but he said the one he is enrolled in right now feels a little different than the others. “When I took classes first year and second year … I mainly thought about issues of racism
and intolerance in the context of the courses themselves,” Gillcrist said. “But I think that, especially in this political climate, I’ve started to think of the classes more in the context of the present.” The current national and campus climate in wake of actions by President Donald Trump which have draw focus on issues relating to race and ethnicity. Both this semester and last, the University of Michigan has faced racist and anti-Semitic posters across
campus and emails sent to students in multiple academic programs. Before, anti-Muslim chalkings covered the Diag. In response to these issues, many students and faculty think the LSA Race and Ethnicity requirement — which has its roots in helping to solve similar situations — plays an important role in easing political tensions on campus this semester. “I wonder what would’ve been going on if this was happening a year later.” Created in 1990 in response
to demands from the student group Black Action Movement III, the Race and Ethnicity requirement has long been used to address complex social issues at the University. Since its conception, all LSA students have been required to take at least one R&E class before graduating, although many, like Gillcrist, end up taking several. The requirement was reviewed for the second time in its history during the 20152016 school year. The review committee, led by Angela
Dillard, LSA associate dean of undergraduate education, took a critical look at the requirement and the way it contributes to students’ education. The committee made several recommendations, including smaller discussion sections for large R&E lectures. “We periodically review all our degree requirements,” Dillard said. “For years, R&E has kind of been on the list of things to do. I had a huge interest in it, and the time seemed right.”
The review of the requirement occurred in the earliest days of the presidential campaign, before the University community knew how the outcome of the election would impact issues of race and ethnicity on campus. However, review committee member Holly Peters-Golden — who teaches Introduction to Anthropology 101, one of the most popular classes students take to fulfill the requirement — does not believe the See REQUIREMENT, Page 3
SACUA implements new transgender First clinic Mackinac for prostate bathroom policy, outlines GEO demand Center sues
RESEARCH
ADMINISTRATION
cancer to open at UM
Committee agrees all students can use bathroom of their gender identity
Center will more regularly screen male patients for genetic predispositions
The Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs met Monday evening to discuss working rights of graduate students on visas and the University of Michigan’s policy on transgender bathroom rights. The committee was joined by Interim Provost Paul Courant and John Ware, president of the Graduate Employees’ Organization at the University, who reached out to SACUA for support in the GEO’s fight for increased working rights. The conversation began with a statement from Ware, asking for support from SACUA in his organization’s negotiations with Human Resources at the University for a new threeyear contract. The GEO’s principal concern has to do with the number of hours graduate student instructors are permitted to work each week. As Ware explained to SACUA, students on certain visas — including the F-1 visa, which 30 percent of graduate students are on — can work a maximum of 20 paid hours per week during the academic term. “The important issue is the f luctuations,” Ware said. “Typically, how that happens is there’s some more intense
ERIN DOHERTY Daily Staff Reporter
In recent years, researchers have discovered certain genetic mutations are now linked with serious diseases in men, including prostate cancer. These genetic mutations, referred to as BRCA1 and BRCA2, were previously thought solely to increase a patient’s risk of breast cancer. This recent discovery has prompted doctors at Michigan Medicine, formerly the University of Michigan Health System, and specifically urological surgeon Todd Morgan, to develop the Prostate Cancer Risk Clinic — the first of its kind. In 2012, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a group of national experts that gives recommendations about clinical preventive services, gave the existing prostate cancer screening a grade D. “The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against prostatespecific antigen (PSA)-based screening for prostate cancer,” the recommendation read, advising against the blood test See CENTER, Page 3
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MAYA GOLDMAN Daily Staff Reporter
period of work during the term. For example, there’s an exam, some assignment due, and there’s a desire for that to be graded and turned around quickly, so there’s some work to do in the week following that. And that presents a problem for international GSIs, because our current contract allows their supervisors to ask them to work in a way which puts
them in violation of their visas.” According to Ware, the GEO would like this 20-hour restriction to be applied to all GSIs, not only those on visas. The committee broke into a discussion of whether it was fair to extend the regulation to all GSIs. David Wright, SACUA member and Ross School of Business professor, began by expressing his
worries about the policy. “I’m always a little concerned when we impose a regulation on everyone that only affects 30 percent,” Wright said. “By definition, we’ll be putting a constraint on the 70 percent which can’t work in their favor, because unregulated is always better than regulated.” Ware responded to Wright’s See BATHROOM, Page 3
MATT VAILLIENCOURT/Daily
SACUA members are joined by Rob Sellers, Vice Provost for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, in the Fleming Administration Building on Monday.
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Vol. CXXVII, No. 39 ©2017 The Michigan Daily
for delayed FOIA reply
Claims University failed to respond to requests in due time, seeks penalties DYLAN LACROIX Daily Staff Reporter
Last week, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy filed a lawsuit against the University of Michigan regarding the state’s Freedom of Information Act, claiming the University failed to provide the documents requested within due time. On Nov. 16, Derek Draplin, a reporter with the Mackinac Center’s Michigan Capitol Confidential media outlet, issued the request on behalf of the nonprofit Michigan corporation to release University President Mark Schlissel’s emails containing the word “Trump” from July 1 to Nov. 16 of 2016. In the aftermath of the presidential election, Schlissel released a statement endorsing University-sponsored events that aimed to provide resources and information for students who felt heavily impacted by the election results to gather and share ideas. One event was a vigil at which Schlissel spoke, encouraging advocacy among those who did not support the election results. See LAWSUIT, Page 3
NEWS.........................2 OPINION.....................4 ARTS......................6
SUDOKU.....................2 CLASSIFIEDS...............6 SPORTS....................7
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2 — Tuesday, March 7, 2017
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ON THE DAILY: LED LIGHTS SPARK CONTROVERSY Although the Ford Field LED display and LED streetlights in Detroit were heralded as achievements of innovation and safety, the light pollution they produce could cause the city some problems. The LED streetlights, which were installed in December, were described by Mayor Mike Duggan as a “sign of hope” for the city’s rebirth, but despite all the attention they received, little conversation surrounded their adverse effects. One of the more perceptible losses, starry nights, has been disheartening for many, including Charles Nielsen, president of the University Lowbrow Astronomers Club in Ann Arbor. “There would have been a time that even in downtown Ann Arbor, you would have been able to see the Milky Way,” Nielsen said in an interview with the Detroit Free Press. “You have to get to a fairly dark site now to see it.” The light pollution could have ecological effects as well, as evidence
suggests that large-scale deaths in bird and insect populations have occurred because of the influx of blue-toned light. Additionally, the internal clock of the human body needs darkness to function, but the prevalence of screens and LED fixtures makes darkness is a rarity. John Barentine, program manager for the International Dark Sky Association, told the Detroit Free Press, these large-scale changes are not unprecedented. “Like in many other ways, as humanity, we have caused great, landscape-scale changes to the world, particularly in the last century or so,” Barentine said. “One of the ways is, we’ve fundamentally altered the nighttime landscape through the use of artificial light. That has so many impacts, and it goes beyond just being able to see stars in the night sky.” The Ford Field light display, which cast a purple glow in the Detroit sky, faced many complaints about light pollution, prompting a petition that received over 1,200
signatures. The chief complaint was that the multi-million dollar display was not productive, causing major light pollution with no benefit other than its aesthetics. The light show was dimmed down in response. Christopher Kyba, a scientist at the German Research Center for Geoscience in Potsdam, told the
Detroit Free Press the goal of decreasing light pollution is simply to make it productive. “The goal with all of these things is not to make things dark; it’s to have the right light, in the right place, at the right time,” Kyba said. - CARLY RYAN
Mitchell Hirsch @mitchellhirsch2 They moved the grabage can in the second floor ugli bathroom a few feet and that’s way too drastic of a change for me
SENIOR PERFORMANCE
Darren Criss @DarrenCriss Was in 3 different airports & in each one-ran into a huge crew of @UMich ppl. Which is exactly why I rock this when I trvael. #GoBlue
JOSHUA HAN/Daily School of Music, Theatre and Dance senior Eric Rothacker performs “If You Should Go” by William Grant Still in the Moore Building on Monday.
CAMPUS EVENTS & NOTES A Newly Discovered 1790 Detroit Map WHAT: Brian Dunnigan, curator of maps at the Clements Library, will analyze and discuss a recent library acquisition of a manuscript plan of Detroit. WHO: William Clements Library WHEN: Noon to 1:30 p.m. WHERE: William Clements Library
Banner Ballads: The Many Lyrics of “The Star-Spangled Banner”
WHAT: Musicologist and Prof. Mark Clague will discuss the different lyrics associated with “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the anthem’s history. WHO: Gerald R. Ford Library WHEN: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. WHERE: Gerald R. Ford Library
Air Pollution and Autism: Causal or Confounded?
UM Slam Poetry Presents: A Crosstown Classic
WHAT: Marc Weisskopf, associate professor at Harvard’s School of Public Health, will discuss his work on air pollution and autism. WHO: Center for Midlife Science WHEN: Noon to 1 p.m. WHERE: School of Public Health, Room 1755
WHAT: Members of CUPSI teams from the University and EMU will perform their newest work in this slam poetry collboration. WHO: Center for Campus Involvement WHEN: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. WHERE: Michigan Union Ballroom
Of Cheese and Curds in China
Politics, Policy and Poverty in Brazil
WHAT: Chinse Studies Prof. Miranda Brown will discuss the biological and cultural factors that have cause cheese to be left out of the typical Chinese diet. WHO: Center for Chinese Studies WHEN: Noon to 1 p.m. WHERE: School of Social Work, Room 1636
WHAT: Postdoctoral fellow Elizabeth Kaknes will discuss her research on anti-poverty policy and economic inequality in Brazil. WHO: Weiser Center for Emerging Democracies WHEN: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. WHERE: School of Social Work 1636
KATRINA SOURINE For the Daily
Over 50 students and faculty gathered Monday afternoon at the University of Michigan International Institute for a panel discussing the struggle between democracy and corruption, as well as climate change, in the Maldive Islands and worldwide. Before the event began, the documentary “The Island President,” which explored thenPresident Mohamed Nasheed’s struggle against the political powers and the rising sea levels in the Maldives, was screened. Nasheed came to Ann Arbor as a featured speaker, explaining his ongoing aspirations as a political activist for human rights and combating climate change. The panel began by detailing his
SHOPPING ON A BUDGET.
puzzle by sudokusyndication.com
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that awk week where you know who did/didn’t go on spring break based on level of tan.
WHAT: Professors from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music will hold a workshop on Chinese musical instruments. WHO: Confucius Institute WHEN:7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. WHERE: East Quad, Keene Auditorium
Andrew D. Martin @ProfADM
Race and the Though Pictures of the Caucasus
Welcome back to campus, Wolverines! I know you missed me.
WHAT: The Caucasian racial indentity will be examined uusing photographs of Circassia. WHO: Department for Afroamerican and African Studies WHEN: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. WHERE: Rackham Graduate School, West Conference Room
420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1327 www.michigandaily.com
50 students gather for lecture featuring President Mohamed Nasheed loyal to the former president. He shared with the crowd that he plans to run for president again in 2018. Nasheed’s lawyer, Jared Genser, a UM Law School alum, has been heavily involved with human rights. In particular, his organization, Freedom Now, has worked to free prisoners of conscience who hold politically charged views. Their paths crossed while Nasheed was imprisoned in the Maldives — Genser worked on his case and aided in his eventual release in 2016 to the United Kingdom, where Nasheed was granted asylum and medical treatment. “Having been involved with this work for more than 16 years, what I find most remarkable is that freedom is a universal value across all cultures,” he said. Panel member Rebecca Hardin, associate professor in the School of Natural Resources and Environment, praised Nasheed’s motives for activism. She stated his life changed her own perspective as an American citizen, emphasizing the growing relevance of Nasheed’s case to in political atmosphere of the United States today. “We are listening to you in some ways as a mentor,” she said. “I think that changes the energy that we can find between where you are sitting, where you’ve been, your journey and the one that many of us now feel that we are beginning in earnest for the first time in our own country and its relationships pulling away from multilateralism.” The top of climate change dominated the remainder of the panel discussion, with a distinct emphasis on the connection between Nasheed’s work in the Maldives and the methods he uses to battle climate change globally.
lucy @lucymcmanaman
Musical Exchanges: Shanghai and Ann Arbor
Former Maladives President speaks for political freedom, climate change experience, including his chaotic administration and numerous arrests. His most recent arrest, which has lasted thirteen years and resulted in his seeking asylum in order to escape the authoritarian political regime in the Maldives, is due to his involvement with politics. “There is a lot of work to do before we can start living a more happy life in the Maldives,” he said, explaining how his more democratic views were challenged and then later used against him by his rivals. “I just couldn’t confess. And I couldn’t capitulate. I couldn’t give myself to the state.” Nasheed became the first democratically-elected president of the Maldives in 2008, after his consistent work in peaceful activism against the government. He was forced to resign and was put in prison in 2012 after a coup by a group of individuals that was
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REQUIREMENT From Page 1 committee would have changed its recommendations if it could have foreseen the impact of the election. “I really don’t think that was on our radar screen when we were doing this,” PetersGolden said. “I wonder what would’ve been going on if this was happening a year later. But we didn’t need this particular election to get those of us on the committee to think about how there are all sorts of things going on. One of the things that is important in 101 is to look at the fact that these issues are not new issues.” “You’re not asking them to agree or disagree with it, but simply understand it.” Aside from the presentation of issues surrounding race and ethnicity, some think the reason R&E classes can help ease tension is the platform for discussion they provide. American Culture Prof. Matthew Countryman is on leave this school year, but he has regularly taught R&E classes in the past. According to Countryman, each R&E class has two aspects: first, the introduction to information,
BATHROOM From Page 1 comments, by stating the GEO felt applying the restrictions to only international students would actually be more detrimental to the rest of the GSI community. “I think actually that, if we impose the regulation only on the 30 percent, that’s to the disadvantage of the 70 percent, because the additional work in peak periods will be shifted onto them,” Ware said. Courant spoke up next, voicing his own concerns for how the new regulations would affect undergraduate students. “Just speaking as a humble schoolteacher, I’m a little worried about the effect of all of this on the undergraduates who are taking these courses, because the natural rhythm of the course is not that there’s an equal amount of work to be done on the instruction side every week,” Courant said. The committee did not come to a decision on whether or not to support the GEO’s desire to create a 20-hour-per-week maximum for all GSIs, feeling they did not have enough
CENTER From Page 1 that had been used to screen for prostate cancer. The USPSTF recommendation took prostate cancer screening out of the hands of primary care physicians, causing a drop in overall screenings for prostate cancer. This reality frightened Morgan and others in the medical field who worked specifically with patients with the disease “A lot of us who take care of men with prostate cancer got really worried that this could lead to a significant rise in prostate cancer and men dying of (it),” Morgan said. “So there’s been a lot of thought about what we can do to prevent that from happening.” His eventual solution was to create the Prostate Cancer Risk Clinic at Michigan Medicine, which will open on March 15, to regularly screen patients with a genetic predisposition to the BRCA mutation or any other mutation that increases the risk of prostate cancer. Three doctors will work at the clinic. The PCRC’s website lists the cancer-related mutations which should prompt the scheduling of an appointment with the clinic. Besides the BRCA mutation, the clinic recommends that patients who tested positive for Lynch syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome and a host of other mutations should schedule an appointment. “The PCRC is intended for men with these mutations in order to initiate an individualized
and second, a discussion about how that information relates to the students’ lives. “There’s some information about what race is and what it isn’t, what the role that it’s played historically in American society, and the intellectual condition of racial inquiry,” Countryman said. “You’re not asking them to agree or disagree with it, but simply understand it. The second aspect is to then have students share with each other their own ideas and perspectives and hear from people other than themselves to understand how … differences in identity shape different experiences within the U.S. and our culture.” Countryman said the discussions do not always come naturally to his students, but once they’ve made it past the initial awkwardness, he and his students find them rewarding. “In all the classes, when it goes well it’s really the most exciting teaching I do,” he said. “Race is sort of the ultimate taboo. Students are nervous to talk … (But) when they feel like there’s an environment where there isn’t a wrong thing to say, but rather the opportunity to share with one another, there’s a real desire to understand and to think about what it
News means to grow up in Detroit versus the U.P. versus southern California.” In addition to helping students learn to better understand their classmates, LSA senior Marjai Kamara, who also served on the R&E review committee, thinks part of the reason R&E can have so much impact on the University community is the way it utilizes the safe space of the classroom. “Most people have been in school for a long time and they know how classes navigate,” she said. “I think it’s a relatively OK, safe-ish space for people, so hopefully engaging with those ideas and things in a classroom can be a good place to start thinking and engaging with them in the first place.” “By itself, the requirement doesn’t do anything but put people in seats.” Others are broaching the political topics of R&E classes in a subtler way. American Studies Prof. Sandra Gunning has taught American Culture 201 for years, but, like Gillcrist, found herself approaching the class in a different way this semester. “I find myself since the election being even more cautious,” Gunning said. “In other American culture courses
time to fully discuss the issue and draft a statement. They did, however, recognize this issue as one that prevails all throughout academia, and is not unique to the University. The conversation then turned to a discussion of what should be included in the University’s policy on transgender bathroom laws. Committee members discussed whether the University should focus on creating more unisex bathrooms or issue a statement saying students, faculty and staff are free to use whichever bathroom matches their gender identity. SACUA member SilkeMaria Weineck, a professor of German studies and comparative literature, stressed the importance of supporting the transgender members of the University community by issuing a formal statement. “I’d be very happy in a world where all bathrooms are unisex, but I think we’re not quite there yet, and I think for those members of our community who are transgender, it would mean a great deal to have an official statement from the University saying ‘use whatever damn
bathroom you want,’ ” Weineck said. “I think our current practice is use whatever … bathroom you want, but that’s how we act, and I think to put it in writing would be a good thing to do.” The topic was tabled while the committee dealt with other administrative matters. When they returned to the issue at the end of the meeting, members brought up the statement issued by Oberlin College, supporting students’ choices to use the bathroom of their choice. Wright felt the committee should adopt the language used by Oberlin in its policy, and the rest of the members agreed. “I’m surprised we don’t have a policy, frankly, and one way to do it … is to essentially adopt the Oberlin language here,” Wright said. “Just make the policy that all members of the campus community are free to use the restroom that is consistent with their gender identity.” SACUA made slight modifications to the language used by Oberlin, but unanimously agreed on a policy that allows all members of the campus community to use the bathroom of the gender with which they identify.
prostate cancer screening plan and follow-up care,” the clinic’s website reads. One area that doctors are still working on is ensuring men know to get tested for the specified mutations. “Recommendations are totally
patients with known mutations, to honing recommendations to see which men should get the genetic condition,” Morgan said. Clinics exist around the country to work with patients with the BRCA mutation to mitigate the risks of breast cancer. The PCRC, however, will be the first clinic with the sole goal of helping men between the ages of 35 and 70 without a prior diagnosis of prostate cancer but with a mutation putting them at risk. If a patient is found to have a prostate cancer-related mutation, they will receive screening every year to reduce the risk of late diagnosis. “The goal is primarily to detect more aggressive prostate cancers earlier when they are more treatable,” Morgan said. Morgan hopes early detection and follow-up care will lower the death rate of prostate cancer, which is currently the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the United States. In addition to annual screenings, men will be asked to discuss with their doctors anything that might be putting them at a greater risk of developing the cancer. Morgan said he and his team are confident the creation of this clinic is an effective step in working to reduce late diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer. The opening of the Prostate Cancer Risk Clinic at Michigan Medicine will allow for an increased prevention for prostate cancer, in turn preventing deaths.
There are a handful of recommendations that are still out there, but nothing that is broadly accepted vague still,” Morgan said. “There are a handful of recommendations that are still out there, but nothing that is broadly accepted.” Morgan explained that patients who know they have Lynch syndrome, who have sisters or mothers with a history of ovarian, breast or pancreatic cancer or who have brothers or fathers who were diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer will be more likely to go to genetic clinics to be tested. Morgan and his team are still working on ways to create more specific guidelines to encourage patients to receive genetic tests. “Over time we expect to move from just taking care of these
with majority white students, people are like ‘my friend who supports Trump is feeling victimized,’ so I don’t want people to feel alienated in any way. Before, I would play news clips to explain something, but now I don’t even bother with that. We still see clips but I try to find other examples from just basic culture. And I have never used the word ‘Trump’ — I don’t intend to.” Gunning feels the point of her class — and of the requirement — is to present students with information about race and ethnicity and let them come to their own conclusions. She focuses on teaching the issues rather than the positions anyone holds about them. “If taught properly and if taught self-consciously, where you make it clear that it’s not a brainwashing session … it can help students think more clearly and with more information about whatever the hot-button issues are,” she said. “For example, I was teaching (about how racial categories are a cultural construction) and one of the (Graduate Student Instructors) reported that they had a student say ‘I’m not ready yet to let go of those racial categories.’ To me, that means the course succeeded. I don’t
LAWSUIT From Page 1 Schlissel’s public response to the contentious 2016 election cycle was received by overwhelming backlash from over 380 students and alumni who signed a petition condemning the University’s response to President Donald Trump’s victory, claiming that the University was “perpetuating a hateful climate that makes students feel ashamed for voting for Donald Trump.” The requested emails would have provided insight into Schlissel’s actions and the details of the University’s response to the emotionally charged election cycle. In a news release by the Mackinac Center, John Mozena, vice president for marketing and communications, expressed how Schissel’s response was problematic. “In his professional role as head of a public university, President Schlissel took a very public stance against PresidentElect Trump and the people who elected him,” Mozena said. “Our CapCon team was interested in learning more about the decision-making process that led to the actions taken by this public university and its employee, and filed the FOIA request accordingly.” Michigan’s open records law requires government agencies and public institutions such as the University, to respond to requests within five business days. However, through a series of articles in the FOIA that permit and outline circumstances for the deferment
Tuesday, March 7, 2017 — 3
need to have them say ‘yes, you’re right,’ I just need to have them think about it.” Still others see the role of the requirement as much more of a starting point. Because R&E classes are required of all LSA students, not everyone comes to them with the same mindset. Countryman stressed the role of the R&E requirement as a portal to other conversations and actions, rather than a complete solution. “By itself, the requirement doesn’t do anything but put people in seats,” Countryman said. “But it gives us the opportunity to create educational spaces that allow for a more in-depth exploration of these issues than the comments section of the newspaper or wherever else.” “There are absolutely connections people can make.” Faculty involved in Race and Ethnicity classes recognizes they are not perfect, and still have a long way to go. According to Dillard, the recommendations made by the review committee are still in the process of being implemented, but budgetary constraints prevent some of them from happening. “Trying to decrease the (discussion) section sizes is
enormously expensive, and we don’t know how in the world we can pay for it across the board,” Dillard said. “So we’re running a few experiments in American culture and trying to figure out how to do that on a budget.” Other people would like more resources to help students and teachers digest the sometimes unpleasant topics these classes include, or stricter guidelines on what the classes should cover. While Dillard said no one wanted to abolish the requirement at the time of the review, she also conceded that changes will need to be made. Through his position as an officer in LSA SG, Gillcrist has tackled many of the issues surrounding R&E firsthand. But to him, regardless of the changes to come — or the changes in the ways people approach their topics — the role of R&E classes in this political climate remains important and constant. “There are a lot of students who haven’t seen certain perspectives before, and I think that through the R&E requirement, they’re able to,” he said. “I think that there are absolutely connections people can make, and see how people in the past have addressed issues related to intolerance.”
of requests, the request kept getting delayed. In an email written by University FOIA Specialist Shannon Molen, the initial response to the request stated that, due to the high number of appeals, the FOIA Office cannot respond within the fiveday period as required by the FOIA and referenced a clause in the act that permits a 10-day extension to respond to requests and ensured the response would be delivered on or before Dec. 12. On the final day of the extension, Patricia Sellinger, chief Freedom of Information officer, responded to the reporter in a letter outlining the $126 total cost for the request and a good-faith deposit of half the total amount, as allotted by clauses in the FOIA, in order to complete the request. She also issued a new estimate of four weeks to complete the request once the deposit was cashed. Through several emails inquiring about the status of his request, Draplin was first given an estimate of completion by Jan. 24. Draplin was given a later estimate of within 10 days, being told again the office was processing a high volume of requests and could not meet its original estimate to process in late January. On the final day of the latest estimate, a letter by Sellinger requested the remainder of the total fees in order to complete the request and issue the four emails found to match his request. When the final payment was processed by the University on Feb. 23, the Mackinac Center still received no documents per its request. After announcing the lawsuit
on March 2, the Mackinac Center received the documents, a few days after the University processed the payment, containing four of Schlissel’s emails in the mail. Since the University’s FOIA Office took 106 days to provide the emails, however, the Mackinac Center is still pursuing the lawsuit. In a news release issued by the Mackinac Center, Patrick Wright, director of the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation, discussed the nature of the lawsuit and quoted Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh in doing so. “To borrow a phrase from the University of Michigan’s football coach, the Mackinac Center will fight for governmental transparency ‘with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind,’ ” Wright said. “The documents are important, but at this point, it’s really about the delay. People and the press have a right to information no matter how embarrassing or inconvenient it might be to the public officials involved.” Wright also reasoned the simplicity required thereof to perform the tasks requested by the FOIA Office. “This was a simple request,” Wright said. “Any of us could find the relevant documents in 30 seconds with a simple word search in our sent email folder. There is no reason it should take over 100 days for the University of Michigan to follow the law.” University spokesman Rick Fitzgerald issued an updated statement regarding the situation iterating the University has done nothing wrong.
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Opinion
4 — Tuesday, March 7, 2017
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
ANU ROY-CHAUDHURY | COLUMN
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MICHAEL SUGERMAN | COLUMN
I
Moving forward
’ve been having a lot of of what it means to handle conversations lately about our own finances responsibly. what I’m going to do after I overdrew a debit card for I graduate. At this the first time point, my response and learned to is like a reflex: “I’m regularly check not sure where I’m bank statements to working yet, but I’m make sure I have applying to entryenough funds before level production jobs mindlessly spending at broadcast news on things I don’t networks in New need. York City.” If I had a We had to wash nickel for every time our own dishes I said some rough instead of letting MICHAEL iteration of that SUGERMAN them pile up in the sentence, I’d have a sink (cough, Casey, lot of unused nickels cough). We had to do our lying around my house. (Why own grocery shopping and cook are nickels still a currency?) our own meals instead of swiping Slowly, though, my into dining halls. This was huge. conversations about life after It’s become a meaningful ritual graduation are becoming less in our house, and few things are hypothetical. Spring Break more satisfying than parading our marks the semester’s halfway brown bags full of provisions up point — and just a few days the steps. I recently made a joke ago, I officially applied for to Casey that our elation when graduation. The end is near we return from Trader Joe’s must (cue stomach ulcer), and parallel the emotions of hunterthough I feel ready to get out gatherers returning with animal there, work and embrace life as carcasses and vegetables. a member of the so-called “real world,” I’m also suffering from crippling waves of nostalgia and anxiety. I’ve been trying to figure out when Ann Arbor became a second home and not just the city where I take classes. I think it started when I agreed to live with my roommates — Matt and Casey — toward the beginning of sophomore year. Matt’s nursing rotations and course load made it virtually impossible for him to come tour houses, so Casey and I resorted to walking the streets We started going to Mr. of Kerrytown, going door to Stadium Coin Laundry & Dry door and asking students to Cleaning to wash our clothes, see their homes. That’s how we because our unit doesn’t have found the place we live now. We a washer or dryer. I learned saw it once. There wasn’t even a that detergent pods are best “For Rent” sign out front. It was put at the bottom of a topjust lucky. When we put down loading washing machine the deposit, Matt hadn’t even — otherwise they might not seen the apartment. disintegrate properly and The promise of living in could inconveniently leave our house junior year got sticky residue on my clothes. the “home” vibe rolling at an Ultimately, I learned that otherwise difficult time. I’ve liquid detergent is superior to written about this before — its pod cousin. sophomore year was hard for Living in Kerrytown me. I felt isolated. I couldn’t meant strolling around the find the motivation to do neighborhood and exploring practically anything. I didn’t the areas where not only like the classes I was taking. I students but also real Ann felt trapped in my dorm, where Arbor residents live. We I had to enter a code to use the constantly take walks — one bathroom. Without a doubt, friend recently compared us I reveled in the support of to 65-year-old men. One of our friendships when everything favorite routes, among others: else was so frustrating. I meander down to Depot Street appreciated that there were near the train tracks, across people who I cared about and from the dog park (yup, there’s who cared about me right back. a dog park), through the human That helped. park, past Casey’s Tavern (a But Ann Arbor really started real place, we have coasters), to feel more like a home when back up Main Street and we moved into our house. around toward our home again. We gained a great deal of I suppose Ann Arbor started responsibility, the three of us. feeling even more like home We had to pay rent, electricity once the novelty of each bills and cable bills. It was household activity gave way the first time any of us had to to established routines. Doing do that. Since then, we’ve all chores in our home is like gained a better understanding clockwork now. Our collective
Slowly, though, my conversations about life after graduation are becoming less hypothetical.
comfort while cooking in the kitchen has made it fun to invite friends (whether it’s one or 14) over for dinner. Our trips to the laundromat are reliably three hours on the dot; it’s not infrequent that we head over to Benny’s Family Dining for solid diner food while our clothes are in the dryer, and it’s common knowledge at this point that I take the longest to fold afterward (I’m very particular). Ann Arbor feels like home because it’s not foreign anymore. I’ve talked with my dad, a University of Michigan alum, about this before. You can probably imagine where you grew up in great detail. What does your block look like? I bet you can see every house. How do you get to your best friend’s place? You could recount the exact routes and street names, imagine the scenery. What does home smell like? It’s hard to describe, but you know it. We all do. When I first got here, I couldn’t answer those questions about Ann Arbor. But now that this experience is coming to a close, I’ve come to realize that whenever I’m not here, my vision of Ann Arbor is as crisp and precise as my vision of home back in Los Angeles. Now, I have the same fears I had when I left home for Michigan in 2013. Previous concerns about not going to school with my best friends have been replaced with the knowledge that I’m not going to work in the same city as many of those who are part of my Ann Arbor family — they’ll be spread all over the country. I’m likely not going to live in the city where I grew up, and I have mixed feelings about continuing to live so far away from my family. I still don’t have long-term certainty about what my future has in store, nor do most of us. And all of this is compounded by the fact that in a month and a half, I won’t have official, schoolsanctioned breaks to reliably convene with the people I care about in a central location. The things that I do in a workplace are going to start having consequences beyond a letter grade and grade point average. So, it’s all going to test whether or not this experiment of living on my own with two buddies in a funky little subdivided apartment in Kerrytown as a student was successful preparation. One of my grandparents calls this kind of thing a “passage.” It’s like growing pains between an old phase and a new one, and though it’s not comfortable, it’s necessary. All things considered, then, I’m ready and raring to get out there into a world beyond this college campus. But I’ll miss it dearly.
Michael Sugerman can be reached at mrsugs@umich.edu.
CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONVERSATION Readers are encouraged to submit letters to the editor and op-eds. Letters should be fewer than 300 words while op-eds should be 550 to 850 words. Send the writer’s full name and University affiliation to tothedaily@michigandaily.com.
A
Trump v. transparency
buzz from my phone unconventional at least. While the used to mean a new press may not always have the best text message or email relationship with the government, notification, but these past administrations days every time I kept it cordial with reach for my phone the press corps. The I am greeted with a new president and news alert,. where his administration, the name Donald continuing the trend Trump never fails of unconventionality, to be included. Since have taken White the inauguration, the House-press relations Trump administration in a new direction. ANU has been closely Two weeks ago, reported, its each ROY-CHAUDHURY the strained relations and every move culminated in the serving as the centerpiece of barring of certain news outlets daily headlines, both domestic from a White House briefing. and international. Every day The act was uncalled for and, of the 45th presidency means in my opinion, un-presidential. a slew of new stories depicting While left-leaning publications the continued unconventionality may be more critical of the of the country’s leader. In other administration and thus be an words, every day feels like we’re unfavorable attendance for waiting to see what Trump does Trump, the exclusion extended next, and we can depend on the to more conservative publications press to always keep us updated. as well. This marks a highly Yet, given his personality, he isn’t unconventional approach to public taking this too well. relations in the White House. The question of government Simply dubbing any news that is transparency has long been a unfavorable or tainting as “fake” question without an answer. How is not only a sure sign of disregard much does the public get to know? for the First Amendment, but a How much should the public sign of weakness. know? How much do we actually This defensive stance on the know? Holding political leaders press is not a warranted one, and and administrations accountable as Trump continues his war on for their actions is only possible the press, his credibility as a strong when we actually get to see their and truthful leader disintegrates. actions. Yet, our power in lifting I will admit, the press has been the veil on the government can more frequent in their reporting only go so far. Instead, the news is of the new presidency than in our vital way of being and staying past presidencies, but the fear and informed, making sure our leaders uncertainty of the people who take responsibility for their followed the news about Trump actions. Those who have power to from the campaign trail into the make change, both good and bad, White House means we need the have people and communities to press now more than ever. answer to. The arrival of a Trump In the past month, Trump has administration has recently shown he isn’t slow to get to work. threatened that idea. The New York Times published an What began as an irritability insightful infographic grouping with The New York Times, the administration’s recent Trump’s dislike of the press — or actions on a scale from abnormal rather dislike of his bad press — to normal and important to not has escalated. After a series of important. Not surprisingly, the tweets referring to reputable news majority of events were rated as organizations as “FAKE NEWS” abnormal and important. (It is also and a disastrous White House important to note these ratings Press briefing, it is safe to say that were conducted by panelists the Trump-press relationship is across the ideological spectrum.)
The presidency’s willingness to make important and widespread change means a higher need for transparency from the people but a likely unwillingness from the administration to provide it. The Trump administration’s barring of news corps from a briefing and his own deeming of press as the enemy of the American people threatens the institution that fights for government transparency. There already exists a disconnect between people and the government, but turning on the news, picking up the paper or reading articles online is what lessens that disconnect. If we are not informed, we cannot hold our leaders accountable. If Trump continues actions which undermine the means of informing the people, he is actively working against a more transparent government. While Trump’s difficult relationship with the press started during his campaign, now as a president with ample power, his relationship with the press is not just between the press and him, but the American people as well. The lens we see our government through is only enhanced and made clearer by a strong and willful press corps. Sure, the constant coverage of the Trump administration can be annoying and the daily news alerts or shared articles on Facebook are getting old; however, Trump’s rhetoric against the press means being informed and seeking accountability is more important now than ever. It also means supporting the journalists who are, despite adversity, seeking the truth by any means possible. The new administration’s straying from political norms has manifested as actions that compromise basic tenets of people’s relationships with their officials. Trump’s war on the press — his thorough and daily dissatisfaction with reporting — is only a sign of the weakness of this administration and, more importantly, works against true government transparency.
Anu Roy-Chaudhury can be reached at anuroy@umich.edu.
MICHIGAN IN COLOR
W
Pay students for diversity labor
e are a coalition of organizations committed to transforming the University of Michigan campus climate through policy change. We believe that the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategic planning initiative will fail without financial investments into the infrastructure for DEI work: The current policy of expecting free labor from marginalized people undermines the integrity of the entire DEI campus enterprise. Since the DEI strategic plans were released last fall, the University has repeatedly declared its aspirations for a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive campus environment. However, a recent decision by the University conflicts with this vision. In December 2016, the Graduate Employees’ Organization, the labor union representing Graduate Student Instructors and Graduate Student Staff Assistants, put forth a proposal to the University to create paid DEI positions for graduate students within each school unit. As part of negotiations for its labor contract, GEO proposed hiring at least one DEI GSSA per school unit at a 20-hours-a-week appointment, with additional positions at larger schools such as LSA and Engineering. These GSSA roles would substantially increase the capacity of each school unit to implement their DEI plans, and officially place value on the diversity labor and expertise contributed by graduate students. Moreover, GSSA positions dedicated to DEI work would lift much of the labor burden off of students, faculty and staff who have historically done this work on a voluntary basis. Paid GSSA positions would make it possible for the University to be proactive on campus climate issues, rather than reactive, and institutionalize DEI labor as core to campus operations. In February, the University rejected that proposal. As part of negotiation proceedings between GEO and Academic
Human Resources, HR flatly rejected GEO’s proposal to fund GSSA positions for DEI labor in each campus unit. This concerns undergraduate students, graduate students, staff and faculty alike. It sends a message to our communities that the University does not place a high value on DEI labor if it is unwilling to pay for it. Recent campus events ranging from racist and anti-Semitic emails to white supremacist fliers have made it abundantly clear that now more than ever the University needs to take proactive measures and ensure that each school unit has the capacity to respond to acts of hate efficiently and effectively. Without paid DEI positions as part of the University infrastructure, school units will continue to struggle when responding to such incidents as they arise. We call on the University to meaningfully integrate DEI labor into the structure of our institution by hiring and paying students to support the implementation of DEI plans. We specifically declare our endorsement of GEO’s proposal to create paid DEI graduate student staff positions. In doing so, we join the more than 900 students, faculty and staff who have signed a petition in support of the proposal. Several of our organizations have previously described the need for fair compensation for diversity labor and the importance of investing in human resources in order to address inequalities in the distribution of diversity labor on campus. There is clear and broad support for the creation of paid DEI positions. Hiring GSSAs across school units would substantially increase staff capacity to implement DEI strategic plans. Most campus units have formed working groups and committees to begin the work of developing and implementing such plans. These advisory committees serve an important role in overseeing progress, but they are not equipped to carry out the day-to-day tasks involved in actual implementation. Those who serve on the
committees do so voluntarily, and on top of their existing job duties, academic workload or both. Meetings held once a month or once a semester are not enough to promote systemic change within any campus unit. These facts coupled with the high turnover rate most committees experience, as students and faculty move on to serve other needs, can make DEI committees ineffective. Expecting school units to adhere to aggressive implementation timelines in the absence of paid staff dedicated to doing this work is both unrealistic and unsustainable. By hiring graduate students to support implementation activities, GEO’s proposal addresses the widespread capacity issues faced by diversity initiatives across campus. Creating paid DEI positions would also harness valuable student expertise that has yet to be utilized through formal mechanisms. Students at the University have been successfully organizing around issues of race, gender and class for a long time. Leaders from across our organizations are routinely tapped as “on-the-ground” experts by administrators and asked to engage in diversity labor because of their knowledge of power dynamics and systems of oppression as they apply to University settings. In fact, many school-specific DEI plans tout the successes of student-led DEI efforts as their own. However, these students have largely engaged in diversity labor through informal channels, providing their recommendations on an unpaid basis to school officials who have limited expertise on issues related to race and inequality. Deans and chairs overwhelmingly hail from socially privileged groups and have not been tested on their qualifications to implement DEI plans effectively.
Read more and see a full list of contributors at MichiganDaily.com
Arts
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
ARTIST INTERVIEW
Tuesday, March 7, 2017 — 5
FILM REVIEW
SALVATORE DIGOIA/DAILY
UNIVERSAL PICTURES
A Conversation with Kodie Shane: Jordan Peele laudably directs sharp, Preparing for SXSW & a big year thrilling and hysterical ‘Get Out’ On the heels of hit mixtape ‘Big Trouble Little Jupiter,’ Kodie Shane ruminated over her career, present & future SALVATORE DIGIOIA Daily Arts Writer
Kodie Shane is just eighteen years-old — while she is seasoned enough to remember owning a Walkman and the self-titled Ashanti album on CD, she is still young enough for Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter IV to be the first album she paid for with her own money. Nowadays, Shane pays for a lot with her own money. “I’m about to go get me two iPhone Pluses ‘cause these too small,” she says, holding three recent models of the Apple smartphone, her eyes constantly switching from screen to screen, while sitting backstage at the Loving Touch in Ferndale, MI, where we had a chance to chat during the tailend of the tour for her Zero Gravity EP. Kodie Shane is tinier than you’d expect in person — small enough that “tiny” truly seems like a fitting word — but she has grand dreams and a roaring personality, a combination that she expects to grant her a long career in “modeling, movies, (and) clothes.” 2016 was a breakout year for the hip-hop diva, as her connection with Lil Yachty’s Sailing Team proved fruitful for both parties through the success of their collaborative song “Sad.” As Shane explains, 2017 is set to be even bigger. Kodie Shane is wearing a blacked out sweatsuit while we chat, having come straight off her tour bus and hardly had time to orient herself to the night’s venue, but her sneakers say Saint Laurent — she still walks like a full-f ledged pop princess. Here are some excerpts from our conversation, which have been re-arranged for clarity: *** First and foremost, how’s the tour been? Super lit actually. Way more lit than I thought, so, I’m excited. How much longer are you going to be going around? Detroit, Chicago, Oakland and LA, then we’re done. So, like a week. What has been the most fun thing about going on tour so far? I like seeing different people everywhere. I think it’s amazing how there are so many people in the world that look different. Do you think that moving from Atlanta to Chicago (during your childhood) affected your sound at all? Obviously hip-hop has a locality element to it. I never know what to say
when people ask me if a certain state inf luenced my music. I don’t feel like Atlanta makes me make this type of music; I don’t feel like Chicago makes me make this type. I’m just making music. I’m not really thinking about it any type of way — I’m just putting it out. If I go record in New York, it will probably make me feel different when I’m recording. It will probably give me a different energy. But just because I’m from Chicago doesn’t mean I’m going to make Chicago music. You know what I’m saying? Just ‘cause I move to Atlanta doesn’t mean I’m gonna start making different music. If I go to LA and record, it will probably give me a different energy than when I record in New York, but it doesn’t mean I’m about to go make an LA song. Where I’m from has nothing to do with the music I’m making, but I definitely think if I go to different cities, I can get different vibes and stuff like that. Is there a particular city right now that you’ve been having a lot of fun creating in? I actually never even have time to record in different cities when I’m there, but I love LA. What are your next plans as far as projects go? I’m working on my album right now, so I don’t really want to say too much about that ‘cause I don’t want to give it away, but that’s pretty much it. It’s album time right now. Mentally, has that been different at all than your previous work? Album? Yeah. I kind of want to make, like, some bigger music I think. That’s the word I’ve been using, but every time I use that word nobody gets it. I just want to try to make some bigger songs. I’m recording all the time. I’m actually having, like, withdrawals right now ‘cause I haven’t recorded since we’ve been on tour. Hopefully I can get some studio time in LA. Do you have any ideas that you have always wished you could enact that — now the you’re being put in a position where anything is possible — you’re excited to finally carry out? Nah, anything I wanted to do, I just did, so if I want to make a pop song, I just do it. I want to do movies, or modeling. That’s something I always wanted to do. I’m not about to be doing just any movie (though). Like, it’s got to be a fire movie. I got to be like, ‘Damn, if I’m not in that movie, I still want to see it!’ You know what I’m saying? I’m not doing a low budget movie. It’s got to hit all the-
aters at once. A blockbuster? A blockbuster! I need a blockbuster. I’m not going straight to Netf lix. Even though that’s beasty, though. I’m just saying. For real: Modeling; Movies; Clothes. The whole thing. You design? I mean, I will. I read online that Coach K [who manages Gucci Mane and Young Thug] and you had a sort of musical relationship. Did he mentor you? A lot of people inspire me, but I never really had a mentor. I just knew (Coach) when I was younger. He knew my producer — Matty P. I definitely feel like people have helped me out — I’ll never take that away from anybody. I’ll always give the credit, like, (Lil) Yachty helped me, Coach helped me. Nobody ever, like, taught me how to do anything. Yachty could be like: “I took her on tour! That’s my little sister.” But he could never be like: “I taught her what she knows.” You know what I’m saying? N*ggas ain’t teach me nothing. What are your plans for the summer? Turn up even more. South By Southwest, all of that. You’ve been before? South By? Yeah, but this year is about to be my turnt up year. Last year was a really good year for me. This year I’m turnt up. Wait until you see what stages I’m doing. Hell yeah. I’m excited to see. You gon’ be — N*ggas gon’ be like — DAAAANG she lit! Nothing little this year. All big shit this year. Big shit this year. Big stuff this year. Big things this year. Big ‘tings this year. Nothing little. No little South By Southwest stages. No little money. No little nothing. I’m about to go get me two iPhone Pluses ‘cause these (smaller sized ones are) too small. What are you gonna do after the tour, when you finally have some time to just kick it? I’ll probably not be doing nothing for a week once we get off tour, then I’m going straight to, I don’t know — I got too much shit going on. I got so much going on, bruh! I like Hulu. What do you watch on Hulu? “Clarence.” I like cartoons. The colors keep me going. Well, I guess you’ll just have to turn up extra hard on your birthday this year then. I’ll be nineteen, I probably won’t do nothing this year. I’ll probably go to dinner this year. I’ll probably be able to pay for it now. My people. Dat way. The family way.
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Comedian Jordan Peele tackles pertinent issues of race and society in horror, balancing comedy, fear and commentary count the strength of the leads though. Daniel Kaluuya Daily Arts Writer (“Sicario”) is absolutely commanding in the lead performance as Chris, a Black man A young African-American who goes with his white man walks down an idyl- girlfriend to visit her family lic street in the middle of upstate. In the beginning, it the night and is a mostly underfinds himself stated perfor“Get Out” followed by a mance made up of Rave Cinemas, white car blastChris’s ticks as he ing polka music. Goodrich Quality 16 deals with a near“Get Out” opens constant barrage Universal Pictures with this gem of unintentional of a scene, and racism. As the plot like the opener thickens, Kaluuya of any great film, it encapsu- transforms Chris into more of lates everything the audience a classic horror protagonist, needs to know about what will desperate in his quest for surfollow. It’s foreboding, creepy, vival and able to communicate funny, uncomfortable and the depths of his character’s Jordan Peele (“Key & Peele”) inner thoughts with little more directs the hell out of it. than a glance. “Get Out” is so well-roundProps must also go to Braded that it’s hard to nail down ley Whitford (“The Cabin in exactly what the star aspect of the Woods”) for turning on the thing is. In his directorial a dime between affable and debut, Peele shoots the afore- creepy. Lil Rey Howery (“The mentioned scene in a single Carmichael Show”) nearly gut-twisting shot whose f luid runs away with the entire motion and point-of-view styl- movie, though, in a comedic ings bring to mind horror clas- performance that lands the sics like “Halloween” and more laughs every time. “Get Out” is contemporary films like “The classified as a horror-comedy, Conjuring.” For a first time and Howery allows Peele to director, he has an astonish- bring his already clear-cut talingly assured hand. Even the ents as a renowned funnyman smallest of camera movements to the screen without detractduring an otherwise peaceful ing from the thrills. dialogue scene are immediIt is worth noting that while ately disquieting. The use of “Get Out” has been marketsound, especially in its some- ed as a horror film first and times sudden absence, adds foremost, it operates more as to the deeply uncomfortable a psychological thriller than atmosphere that he spends the anything else. There is little in entire runtime cultivating. the way of classic “scares” here, It’s impossible to dis- and while Peele’s commitment JEREMIAH VANDERHELM
to creating an unnerving mood for his film is admirable, the pacing does tend to drag at certain points. Still, Peele is a confident storyteller, as evidenced by the series of reveals that dot the film, peeling back the layers of the plot while simultaneously adding new ones to the subtext. Some of these twists work better than others; they all land, but where one in particular is foreshadowed throughout the movie and should prove enjoyable during the inevitable repeat viewings, others feel much more sudden and even borderline silly. It’s certainly not enough to ruin or even really dampen the experience, but there were stronger directions to take the story that would have had the same thematic effect. All of this, even the f laws, adds up to a deeply uncomfortable, unsettling movie experience, and that’s the point. Peele clearly wanted to create a film that confronted and deconstructed the racism pervasive in modern society, and on that level, “Get Out” is a resounding success. It’s in the dialogue, the little racist pokes that add up to something more sinister over time. It’s in the performances, the effect that even the most unintentional jabs have on the characters and the audience. And nowhere is it more evident than in the direction, the lens through which we are forced to watch and reckon with the myriad modern prejudices that many still face today.
MUSIC REVIEW
‘Drunk’ is a charming, wacky release ful in this reunion. Thundercat cheeks a resonating sentiment Daily Arts Writer (“At the end of it all / Nobody wants to drink alone”) and, of course, Lamar does his shit. Thundercat has never been one At times the project seems like for the spotlight. Born Stephen it’s operating drunkenly, or maybe Bruner, the (nearly) all-purpose tripped out, or maybe both. “Capmusician has made a career out tain Stupido” lives on ever-changof complementation, whether ing tempo and irrational dialogue it be with similarly-acclaimed — “I feel weird / Comb your beard, producer Flying brush your teeth Drunk Lotus or even / Still feel weird / Kendrick Lamar. Beat your meat, go Thundercat His own first two to sleep” — but it Brainfeeder studio albums, works. ThunderThe Golden Age of cat has showed us Apocalypse (2011) and Apocalypse before how to embrace and utilize (2013), were both promising, and the weird (see: “Wesley’s Theory,” Drunk, released Feb. 24, continues the first track on Lamar’s Butterthe solid streak. fly) and in “Jameel’s Space Ride,” Its 23-track length, which at an otherwise provocative track, first can be mistaken as intimi- he intertwines spontaneity with dating, is soon realized to be an actual implication, squeezing in extended trip; a palpable weird- an assertive “Fuck yeah” without ness ushers the listener along with regard for stricture. an unrushed walk-in-the-park The looseness of the album type feel, if that walk in the park should not be confused for a lack was an intergalactic ride through of cohesion; Drunk thrives on the the funk-infused Thunder Galaxy. melodic agreement from track to Still, Drunk feeds on features track. It’s refreshing, really, to be — “Show You the Way” arguably part of this prolonged adventure wins the entire album, bolstered without ever feeling overworked, by surprise appearances from or stale, or even bored. Each Michael McDonald and Kenny track brings with it an unfamilLoggins, while the potent “Walk iar sound, albeit one that lends On By” immediately follows with itself accordingly to the feel of the a Kendrick Lamar verse. The pair- album. ing that gave To Pimp a Butterfly If not taking itself seriously is its iconic sound is just as power- the ethos behind this release, a JOEY SCHUMAN
Wiz Khalifa verse seems very fitting. Wiz does his shit too, which is OK, because this is a track, and an album, about cheekily doing things — love things, groove things, rebellious things, things of the like — with an air of buoyancy. Hence, Wiz, and hence, “Drink Dat.” It has become a signature for Thundercat, this buddy-buddy
At times the project seems like it’s operating drunkenly, or maybe tripped out, or maybe both
style of both swerve and sometimes subtle commiseration. Drunk, grounded in its undertones of R&B, soul, and funk, creates an aura of obscurity. It proves that, sometimes, the lines need to be blurred.
Arts
6 — Tuesday, March 7, 2017
FINALE REVIEW
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
CONCERT REVIEW
NBC
‘Timeless’ finale leaves open many enticing possibilities for next season ing the location of the Rittenhouse summit, they must rely Daily Arts Writer on familial ties to take down Rittenhouse. More specifically, Lucy’s grandfather, whom they After a successful season track back to a ‘50s era gay bar. punctuated by moderate reviews The conversation that ensues and a decent following, NBC’s displays the best of “Timeless,” time-travelling drama “Time- which is a message of hope and less” may have love. The moments reached the end that are shared “Timeless” of a chapter, between Lucy and though it has her grandfather are Season 1 Finale yet to close the emotional moments NBC book. The sole that really click. fact that “TimeIn the same Mondays at 10:00 less” draws upon manner, many p.m. historical events moments are hitonly proves the and-miss, such as extent to which they can take those between Rufus and his the drama. Paired with the fact injured girlfriend Jiya (Clauthat co-producer Eric Kripke is dia Doumit, “Losing in Love”). not one for short seasons, fans Though the Lifeboat is typicalcan expect “Timeless” to be ly meant for three passengers, in for the long-haul. So, with Rufus’s injury persuades Jiya to a finale that thrived on twists join the gang on their blast to the and cliff-hangers, what makes past. Soon after, she begins to “Timeless” different than other experience the uncharted side series of this nature? effects of wormhole travel via The finale began in the pres- violent seizures and bloodshot ent, as the Lifeboat returns to eyes. There are moments in this treat Rufus (Malcolm Barrett, performance where the couple is “War on Everyone”) from a gun- perhaps over-playing their roles, shot wound before promptly and yet a silent speech between returning to the past — Wash- the two shows a tender moment ington, D.C. in 1954, to be pre- and is just another aspect that cise. However, when Lucy “Timeless” proves it is spec(Claudia Doumit, “All My Chil- tacular at pulling off. Perhaps if dren”) and Wyatt (Matt Lanter, “Timeless” realizes its strengths “Star Wars Rebels”) are framed whilst addressing its weaknessas Soviet spies by Flynn (Goran es with the cliched romance, Višnjić, “ER”), who blackmailed these romances can withstand Senator McCarthy into disclos- the test of time. Later on in the MEGAN MITHCELL
Classifieds
episode, another seizure from Jiya, which seemingly pulls her between the ‘50s and present day, proves that “Timeless” has only touched the surface of longstanding effects of time travel. Despite the overall success of the finale, the episode was still decently rushed for the amount of material on the agenda. For example, Lucy and Wyatt’s final confrontation with Flynn feels a little rushed and the last few moments of the series deserved more time than the air time allowed. As Lucy returns home to her mother to express her desire to save her younger sister in the past, she uncovers an ugly truth — to Lucy’s horror, her mother is a member of the Rittenhouse, a fact which makes Lucy practically “Rittenhouse royalty.” In a moment where there are few words, the actresses work the facial expressions and wordless dialogue with a believable ease. Though there are many questions still up in the air as to the fate of the time-travelling team, the show’s creators are confident (perhaps even prematurely so) that viewers will be able to follow the Lifeboat onwards to season two of the series. Until then, “Timeless” should consider keeping its weaknesses from affecting its strengths and drawing from the moments that truly make “Timeless” a memorable and historically interesting drama series.
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RELEASE DATE– Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle
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ACROSS 1 Concrete support rod 6 Aptly named Olympic sprinter Usain __ 10 1980s model that saved Chrysler from financial ruin 14 Outwit, as a police tail 15 Slushy drink brand 16 “Here comes trouble!” 17 *Source of money for Medicare 19 Garden tool 20 River to the Seine 21 Five-spots 22 Pull a fast one on 23 Cut with scissors 24 *Serving-mombreakfast-in-bed occasion 28 Tied up in knots 30 Land bordering Suisse 31 Rodeo skill 36 Exited, with “out” 37 *Asian plant named for the shape of its pink and white flowers 41 Tragic fate 42 Signify 43 Ready if needed 45 Rises dramatically 50 *Local hoosegow 55 Russian river 56 Wee bit 57 This, in Tijuana 58 Fey of “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” 59 Fishing supply 61 Rest ... or, literally, what the last word of the answers to starred clues can do 63 Ice formation 64 E pluribus __ 65 Archery practice facility 66 Snorkeling gear 67 Dosage amts. 68 Joins a poker game
DOWN 1 Share on Facebook, as a friend’s picture 2 “Seinfeld” regular 3 Joins a poker game 4 TV spot sellers 5 Old Olds creation 6 “The Hobbit” hero 7 Four pairs 8 Dog lead 9 __-Mex cuisine 10 “Seven Samurai” director Akira 11 L.A. Times publishing family name 12 Just fine 13 Baseball scoreboard letters 18 Flee 22 Dated PC monitor 25 Four pairs 26 “It __ over till it’s over”: Berra 27 Up to now 29 Before, in odes 32 “Hard to believe, but ... ” 33 Baked dessert 34 Homey lodging
35 Park __: airport facility 37 U2 lead singer 38 Phrasing style 39 Issues (from) 40 Sushi fish 41 Medic 44 Inc., in the U.K. 46 Beat to the finish line 47 “Murder on the __ Express”
48 Get by 49 Quenches 51 Denim trousers 52 Invite to the penthouse 53 To-do list bullets 54 Mauna __ 59 Favorite pal, in texts 60 __ Baba 61 Preteen king 62 Bikini half
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HBO
Vanessa Carlton keeps things both honest and relevant at The Ark show Singer conveyed no hesitance in her roles as a musician and an activist, showing off both artistry and commentary LAURA DZUBAY Daily Arts Writer
Last February 23rd at the Ark, it was clear what song Vanessa Carlton was going to open with even before she started playing it. She said that she was going to perform this one first — “just to let this ship sail” — and immediately people in the audience started clapping and cheering, knowing that Carlton’s 2002 hit, “A Thousand Miles,” was about to follow. Some artists will save their most popular songs for later in the show, just to keep the audience guessing, but I admired Carlton’s approach, getting it out of the way. It actually cleared the air and allowed her to go full speed ahead with performances of some of her more recent work, a lot of which I personally found more musically interesting than “A Thousand Miles.” Carlton has an organic voice that comes across as sharp and sweet at the same time. It’s melodic and smooth, but it also can have a bit of an edge, and her range is nothing to question, either. Listening to her unique voice, it sounded like it was coming less from any strong outer inf luences, and more from years of her own personal experience crafting it. Add to that her distinctive songwriting and piano-playing skills, and it isn’t hard to tell why so many of the people at the Ark that night were so excited to see her. A couple of them called out requests at different times, and just from listening to some of the things the people around me were saying, I could tell that many of them were serious about Carlton. Some had driven to Ann Arbor from out of town to see her perform, and many had already seen her shows in the past. After “A Thousand Miles,”
Carlton did a few more songs that the crowd recognized and applauded — “Carousel,” “Fairweather Friend” — before moving into work from her newest album, Liberman. According to Carlton, the album was named after her family’s original surname, which was changed by her grandfather earlier in the twentieth century. While she was performing these songs, she had a painting of her grandfather’s projected onto the wall behind her, featuring three women dancing in what looks like a sort of ritual. The women were all based on the same model, which inspired Carlton, as she said it looked like the woman was “in a ritual with herself.” It was interesting to hear the stories that Carlton would tell to introduce each song. In addition to her family’s history with the name “Liberman,” she had songs that referenced or addressed people in her life, such as an ex (“Fairweather Friend”), her daughter Sidney (“River”), and her husband (“I Don’t Want to Be a Bride”). One song, “Annie,” was dedicated to a young girl Carlton met through the Make-a-Wish Foundation many years ago, who since then has continued to battle cancer and recently celebrated her quinceanera. Carlton also used some of her songs to focus on current social and political issues. She dedicated her performance of “Who’s To Say” to “all of us, because we’re all human beings,” but prefaced it with an address to anyone in the LGBTQ community, which seemed to resonate with a lot of the people in the crowd. Later on in the night, she performed another song, “Marching Line,” in memory of last year’s Paris attack. It was clear, both from the song itself and from the way that Carlton was talking about it, that this was an event that had greatly affected her emotionally, and she referred to art
as a “church” and a “sacred space” that people could use to try to somehow come to terms with even the most devastating events. Carlton’s accompanying instrumentalist took some of these social concerns into a place of action at the end of the show. He announced to the audience before the last song that while Carlton was signing merchandise, he would be sitting at a table with stamped, ready-to-go postcards that audience members could address to their representatives. He had printed out the addresses of Governor Rick Snyder (R-MI), US Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and US Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), along with many of their stances on political issues, such as the environment and same-sex marriage. Many audience members took him up on this after the show, including myself. Throughout the show, he had been a terrific talent, switching easily and often between instruments like the violin and the guitar, and it was refreshing to see him and Carlton using their artistic platform to propel people toward concrete changes. It’s one thing to suggest that people write to their representatives, but it’s another thing to print out those representatives’ information and put stamped postcards and pens in people’s hands. Rather than leaving the stage at the end and then coming back out for an encore, Carlton simply stayed out, telling the audience beforehand that this would be their last song. I had never really seen that done at a concert before, and it struck me as fitting that Carlton was finishing her show on the same note that she had started it: She was refreshingly honest, and to the benefit of both herself and her audience, she was doing this her own way.
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Sports
Tuesday, March 7, 2017 — 7
Michigan’s bullpen taking shape behind Lamb, Lehmann JACOB SHAMES Daily Sports Writer
Jackson Lamb has experienced plenty during his three-plus years at Michigan. As a freshman in 2014, he appeared primarily as an outfielder, making 29 starts. Moving to pitcher full-time the next season, he pitched just 17.2 innings combined as injuries sidelined him for long stretches of time. Lamb’s talent has never been in question. Standing an imposing 6-foot-6 and possessing a powerful fastball, he recorded a 1.50 earned-run average and 10.1 strikeouts per game over his first three seasons, albeit in limited playing time, and was drafted in the 35th round of the MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals last summer. But until this year, he had yet to carve out a steady role in the Wolverines’ bullpen. So on Saturday, when Lamb took the mound inheriting two baserunners with two outs in the eighth inning facing Southern California third baseman Adalberto Carrillo, who had already homered in the game, it was a new role for the senior right-hander. But according to Michigan coach Erik Bakich, it’s not a role he’s unprepared for. “He pitches with a lot of passion and conviction,” Bakich said. “His mindset is a good fit for the closer role, and he likes being in those situations.” Lamb would go on to strike out Carrillo and retire the side in the ninth inning to close out the Trojans and record his second save of the season, further asserting himself in the late-inning role he has seemed destined to fill. In 6.2 innings this season, he has struck out three and has yet to allow a run, and has prompted Bakich to call him a closer “on a mission”. In a way, Lamb’s career as a whole has been a microcosm of Michigan’s bullpen this season.
FILE PHOTO/Daily
Senior right-hander Keith Lehmann has had a tumultuous career due to injuries, but has recently emerged as an anchor of the Wolverines’ emergent bullpen.
The Wolverines possess a deep stable of skilled relievers, and while they have had several huge moments, they have still suffered from inconsistency. This was exemplified in late blown leads against Seton Hall during the opening weekend and in a near-collapse against Creighton during the Jack Gifford Tournament last week. Bakich believes that this is not due to any issues with talent, but is more a product of the necessary process of nailing down clearer roles for the relievers early in the season. “We’ve gotten a lot of good looks in certain situations from various people and feel comfortable with some of our relievers in multiple roles,”
ON SOFTBALL
Time to adjust MARK CALCAGNO Daily Sports Writer
T
wo weeks ago at the ACC/ Big Ten Challenge, the Michigan softball team’s 10 home runs made it seem as if the opening weekend’s poor run production against No. 2 Florida and No. 25 UCF was just a fluke, an inevitable early-season hiccup in a cold-weather school’s path to another strong season. But the team has averaged just 1.8 runs per game in eight contests — three of which were shutouts — against ranked opponents this season. It would be easy to blame the offensive ineptitude on the graduation of two of the most proficient hitters in program history. Sierra Romero, the 2016 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, and Sierra Lawrence, who batted .429 with 11 home runs and 45 RBI last season, are both gone from the core of a lineup that averaged over seven runs per game. “(Romero) is a huge loss, but I got over it in September,” Hutchins said. “She’s gone; she was great. That’s team 39 — my only focus is on Team 40. I’m not going to talk about Sierra Romero and say what a great career she had. My team is not focused on her, she’s irrelevant.” While Romero might be gone in Hutchins’ mind, her returning players have yet to pick up the slack; the underproduction of returning players is also a culprit of the offensive struggles endured by the Wolverines thus far. Getting shutout by No. 22 Baylor in the Judi Garman Classic last weekend demonstrated how far the team is from that slugging bombardment, as Michigan struck out six times and collected just two hits against the Bears. A combined two runs against No. 7 UCLA and No. 20 Arizona State the next day offered another microcosm of the offensive struggles Michigan has endured. Junior first baseman and pitcher Tera Blanco’s average has dropped 180 points, while senior
infielder Lindsay Montemarano is hitting under .250 — a steep drop from the adequate .323 of last season. In 2016, not a single Wolverine starter batted under the .310 mark. This year, three Wolverines have averages under .275. There is still plenty of time to turn the season around, but if the current trend is any indication, the production will not match that of last season. Senior outfielder Kelly Christner, hitting .500 with four home runs and 20 RBI, bucks the trend. She launched three home runs in a single visit to North Carolina State in that ACC/Big Ten Challenge. But despite that monstrous weekend in Raleigh, the team’s power is also lacking; Michigan averages just .84 home runs per game in comparison to the 2016 mean of nearly 1.5 blasts per contest. As the Wolverines needed to find a second option behind senior right-hander Megan Betsa, Blanco has emerged in the circle with nine starts and a 2.61 earned-run average. While conventional thought points to a drop-off in offensive production that comes with added pitching responsibility, Hutchins didn’t believe Blanco’s bat would be affected. “I don’t think (pitching and the loss of offensive production) has to go hand-in-hand,” Hutchins said. “She spent most of the preseason pitching, but she was first-team All-American because of her bat.” But Blanco’s .224 batting average says otherwise. Instead of being the consistent presence she was last season, Blanco has struggled to be the run-producing force expected from her role in the middle of the Michigan order. To have the success the Wolverines hoped to have, Blanco and returning players must prove that Romero’s absence is irrelevant to them, too. That’s the only way Michigan will prove that the outburst of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge wasn’t just a fluke.
Bakich said. “It’s just going to be trimming those roles down so they can get comfortable in those roles and have the most success in them.” The USC game also saw a crucial performance from senior right-hander Keith Lehmann, a senior whose career has mirrored Lamb’s in many ways. By the end of his freshman season, Lehmann had become one of Michigan’s most consistent pitchers, recording a 2.91 ERA in 49.1 innings,
and began his sophomore season as the Wolverines’ No. 2 starter. But tightness in his forearm gradually decreased his effectiveness, and in turn his playing time, to the point where it became necessary to shut him down. “It’s been an interesting year and a half for him, and I know it’s been frustrating for him,” Bakich said. “He tried to come back last year and pitch in some certain spots, but he just wasn’t ready, so we gave him some time off. If he’s healthy he’s going to be a weapon for
“If he’s healthy he’s going to be a weapon for us”
us in the bullpen and a huge asset.” After the time off, Lehmann has turned back the clock to begin this season, replicating his successes as a freshman. His talent and experience came through for the Wolverines against the Trojans. After allowing a bases-loading walk in the seventh inning and quickly surrendering a 3-0 count to pinch-hitter John Thomas, Lehmann buckled down and struck out Thomas to preserve the Wolverines’ threerun lead. “To have (Lamb and Lehmann) in the game in the eighth and ninth was a big deal,” Bakich said. “Number one because they’re healthy, and
number two because they’re seniors. They have good stuff and they showed their veteran experience in the bullpen and were able to hold the lead in a close game. They’re doing a really good job of performing in pressure situations.” Another key performance out of Michigan’s bullpen this weekend came from another pitcher who is still searching for a defined role. Junior Alec Rennard began the season as the Wolverines’ No. 2 starter, but was replaced in that role over spring break by junior Ryan Nutof. But Rennard still was able to display what Bakich called his “winner’s mentality” against San Diego, as he entered in relief of starter Michael Hendrickson and retired nine straight batters, struck out three and earned the save on Sunday. And it hasn’t just been the upperclassmen who have made an impact. Freshman left-hander Tommy Henry has clearly earned the trust of the coaching staff, making several appearances in highleverage situations this season and logging a 1.08 ERA and 12 strikeouts. While it was his throwing error that allowed UCLA to score the winning run Friday, Henry showed poise in keeping the game scoreless throughout the seventh and eighth innings. Through 12 games of Michigan’s season, it is clear that the team possesses a wealth of experience, an aggressive offense and strong starting pitching. The bullpen, however, has been up-and-down, mirroring the careers of Lamb and Lehmann themselves. But just as Lamb and Lehmann have found roles for their talent to shine through in relief, the bullpen as a whole continues to take shape, which may give the Wolverines the necessary ingredient for their aspirations to come into play.
Big Ten hockey roundup: One more week With a final weekend of Big Ten play remaining, the Wolverines sit in secondto-last in the conference standings, looking to play spoiler at Joe Louis Arena LANEY BYLER
Daily Sports Editor
Less than a year ago, members of the Michigan hockey team gathered around a Big Ten Tournament trophy at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. Laden in championship hats and bold smiles, the team celebrated one of the most iconic moments of its season as it celebrated its place at the top of a six-team conference. In nine days, those same six hockey teams will gather at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit to battle it out for a Big Ten Tournament title. For the past three years, a different team has left the ice with the championship trophy. In 2014 it was Wisconsin leaving Xcel as champions with a 5-4 overtime win over Ohio State. In 2015, Minnesota knocked out Michigan with a 4-2 decision at Joe Louis to claim the tournament title, complementing its second Big Ten regular-season championship. Last year, the tables turned in favor of the Wolverines. Michigan avenged its loss to the Golden Gophers the year before with a 5-3 win, celebrating its first-ever Big Ten Championship in hockey. But the rosters have changed, and those standings that once placed the Wolverines near the top are long gone. Currently, after splitting a series with No. 5 Minnesota, Michigan sits second-to-last in the Big Ten, only falling in front of Michigan State. The Spartans sit on the bottom rung of the Big Ten ladder with just 11 points. They are stuck with a 3-132 conference record and an overall record of 7-22-3. The Wolverines haven’t fared much better, though, with a .278 win percentage and 16 points. They do have one additional conference win (and one fewer
loss) with a conference and overall record of 4-12-2 and 11-18-3, respectively. Boasting the best record in the Big Ten are, again, the Golden Gophers. Under the instruction of Don Lucia — the program’s head coach for the past 18 years — Minnesota has recorded 13 wins against Big Ten teams this season. Saddled with a .722 win percentage and 39 points, the Golden Gophers have only lost to three conference teams, including a single loss to Michigan and two to both Wisconsin and Ohio
State. The Golden Gophers have recorded an impressive 22-102 overall record and a .676 win percentage, and currently have 131 goals scored with 96 goals against. Just trailing Minnesota is Wisconsin, which has an almost identical Big Ten win-loss record as the Golden Gophers, save a single win and additional loss. The Badgers feature a .667-win percentage and 36 points, and a 19-12-1 overall record. The third and fourth spots of the Big Ten standings are occupied by Penn State and Ohio
After that, it’s anyone’s game at Joe Louis Arena
State, respectively. The Nittany Lions are only in their fifth season as an NCAA Division I ice hockey team, yet they have managed to land at No. 11 in the USCHO poll. Penn State has the second-highest overall record among Big Ten teams at 21-9-2, but comes in at third in the Big Ten with 31 points. Ohio State ranks fourth with 29 points and a 9-8-1 Big Ten record. After dropping a single game to Michigan two weeks ago, the Buckeyes fell from No. 11 to No. 15 in the poll, but still sit in the middle of the Big Ten standings. But another week of conference play still remains, and each team has one last chance to give itself a push before hitting the Big Ten Tournament. After that, it’s anyone’s game in Joe Louis Arena.
CLAIRE MEINGAST/Daily
Michigan coach Red Berenson and the Wolverines have two games left before beginning the Big Ten Tournament.
Sports
8 — Tuesday, March 7, 2017
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Walton dominates in Lincoln, earns Big Ten honors KEVIN SANTO
Managing Sports Editor
LINCOLN — Amid a nearly perfect game, there was a moment Sunday night when Michigan’s half-court set was launched into disarray. It was certainly a rare case in Lincoln, as the Wolverines dismantled the Cornhuskers in front of a crowd of 14,071. Michigan’s 36-point victory marked Nebraska’s worst losing margin at home in the 121-year existence of the program. But it happened nonetheless, largely because Derrick Walton Jr. was playing too well. The play blew up because Michigan coach John Beilein had called one play. Walton had called another. Half the team followed its coach’s orders, the other half followed its senior guard’s lead. But given all the issues that plagued Michigan early in its season, there were worse things that could have happened for the Wolverines as they rounded out their regular season. “That’s a good problem to have right now,” Beilein said. “That was Trey Burke-like out there, the way (Walton) just controlled the tempo.” The Trey Burke comparison — it has followed Walton for four years now. He has never embraced it. Neither have his teammates. And Beilein hasn’t either. Except there was one big difference Sunday night. This time, when Beilein drew the comparison himself, it was about what Walton is, not what the Michigan fan base has, arguably unrealistically, wanted him to be. As the Wolverines prepared to board the bus to the airport, Pinnacle Bank Arena had long been emptied. The only people that remained in the stands were the custodians, cleaning up the final traces of what had been a long game for the Nebraska basketball team. And then there was a small conglomerate of maize and blue
standing at the end of one of the arena’s tunnels. That’s where Walton stood, talking to the members of families that had made the trip to Lincoln, basking in the aura of what had been one hell of a night. He was all smiles, and rightfully so. Michigan capped off its Big Ten season with a win that looked like the Wolverines were playing against their scout team. And boy did it get ugly. Walton was the concertmaster of it all, finishing with 18 points on 5-for-10 shooting and 16 assists to break the single-game assist record held by Gary Grant since 1987. The performance earned him a nod as the Co-Big Ten Player of the Week. “It means a lot to me,” Walton said of etching his name into the program record book. “I’m a guy who loves to make other people better. So to see my guys happy
making shots and me being the guy as one of the reasons why is a great feeling.” It’s been a season in which saying Walton is helping his team would be an understatement. Over the Wolverines’ seven-game stretch in the month of February, Walton averaged 17.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists while notching two double-doubles and leading Michigan to a 5-2 record that could have just as easily been a perfect 7-0. As Beilein described, if it were football, his senior guard would be calling half of the plays out of the huddle. Quite simply, Walton has been playing like a man who knows that his days are numbered, and that the number of those days are largely dependent on his own performance. Sunday night was the pinnacle of that.
Roughly two weeks ago, Beilein stood at the podium in a state of retrospection. He admitted that he didn’t think there was someone on Michigan’s roster that he could give the ball to and tell them to go get themselves a bucket. He used to have two players like that. He recalled the 2012-13 season, when he had the freedom to let Burke and Mitch McGary dictate games in their closing minutes. For the majority of this season, Beilein didn’t have that option. On Sunday night, that may have changed. In the bowels of Pinnacle Bank Arena, as he was reminded of his comments about the Wolverines’ lack of a go-to scorer in light of what Walton had just done to the Cornhuskers, a grin cracked over his face and he had five words that said it all. “It looked like it tonight.”
BRANDON CARNEY Daily Sports Writer
Derrick Walton Jr. will leave Michigan with the honor of being named one of the Big Ten’s best players. The senior guard was announced as a member of the 2016-17 second team All-Big Ten, averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game through the regular season. While he consistently led the Wolverines in scoring and assists all season long, Walton’s form picked up in conference play, where his leadership both on and off the court helped Michigan close out the Big Ten regular season on a high note. Walton finished in the top-10 of individual conference scoring, assists, free-throw percentage, 3-point percentage and defensive
AMELIA CACCHIONE/Daily
Senior guard Derrick Walton Jr. capped off the regular season with 18 points and 16 assists against the Cornhuskers, leading Michigan to a road victory in Lincoln.
rebounding. The senior’s impact helped Michigan finish with a 10-8 Big Ten record and win six of its final eight conference games. Walton finished the conference season earning four double-doubles, scoring 20-plus points in six outings and picking up two Big Ten player of the Week honors along the way. The senior guard also became the first Wolverine player and just the 13th in Big Ten history to record over 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 400 assists in his career. Purdue forward Caleb Swanigan, Wisconsin forward Ethan Happ, Iowa guard Peter Jok, Maryland guard Melo Trimble and Minnesota guard Nate Mason were all selected to the first team All-Big Ten over Walton. Walton is joined by Michigan State forward Miles Bridges, Illinois forward Malcolm Hill, Northwestern guard Bryant McIntosh, Wisconsin guard Bronson Koenig (coaches selection) and Nebraska guard Tai Webster (media selection) on the conference’s all-second team. Senior guard Zak Irvin and sophomore forward Moritz Wagner also earned All-Big Ten honorable mentions. Irvin and Wagner finished as the Wolverines’ second and third highest scorers, averaging 12.6 and 12.4 points per game, respectively. Wagner finished with the conference’s sixth highest field goal percentage, while Irvin led the Big Ten in minutes played. In addition to his allconference honors, Walton was named co-Big Ten Player of the Week following the Wolverines’ loss at Northwestern and win against Nebraska. The senior averaged 16.5 points and 11 assists across both games and now is the sole owner of Michigan’s single-game assist record after earning 16 helpers against the Cornhuskers on Sunday.
Peppers confident in ability at Combine Wolverines await WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Tournament fate ETHAN WOLFE Daily Sports Writer
Typically, a team in the position that the Michigan women’s basketball team is in would be grateful. The Wolverines are a presumed lock for their first NCAA Tournament berth in four seasons, after being selected for the Women’s National Invitational Tournament the past three years. With a program record-tying 22 wins thus far, Michigan’s season is obviously nothing to belittle. But for the Wolverines, a state of uncertainty exists as they are left searching for more. On Feb. 15, with four games remaining on their schedule plus the Big Ten Tournament to play in, they needed just two more wins to claim sole possession of the all-time program record for victories in a season. Yet, their 1-4 jog to the finish line has put that goal on hold. Once projected as high as a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament, a solid end to the regular season could have given Michigan a top-16 seed nationally, and with it, a chance for home games come tournament time. But it couldn’t hold on, and are now focused on resiliency rather than riding momentum. “So down the stretch here we’ve had the tough part of our schedule, and obviously we have to regroup from that moving forward,” said Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico. “I think a couple of days, obviously, off will get the kids a break and get them fresh again.” With no regular season games remaining and one week before the selection show, the
Wolverines can do nothing but practice and twiddle their thumbs until their fate is revealed. ESPN predicts Michigan as one of the last four teams in the tournament as a 10-seed in the Stockton, Calif. regional. The Wolverines have shown their volatility on the court, and it is difficult to count them out of any first round game. But their sluggish Big Ten finish has left much to be desired and brought back previously-unanswered questions about their game plan. Its second loss to Michigan State this year — in neutral territory at the Big Ten Tournament — surely left a sour taste for Michigan. But it also inspired a yearning to bounce back. “I think some of these losses are good for us,” said junior guard Katelynn Flaherty after the Wolverines’ loss to the Spartans on Mar. 3. “Coach says it kind of puts a fire in us. It’s definitely disappointing to lose (against Michigan State) after coming off the past couple of games where we haven’t performed like we would have. But we’re definitely determined especially after losing this game.” Added Barnes Arico: “Our kids will bounce back. They still have an opportunity to be a part of the best team that’s ever been at Michigan. And I think that’s really important to (seniors) Siera (Thompson) and Danielle (Williams) to leave that legacy behind. “So I know that they’re going to go out fighting and that we are going to regroup. And if we get selected... it will be the first time anyone on our team has ever been in the NCAA Tournament.”
“I think some of these losses are good for us”
ORION SANG
Daily Sports Editor
It has been a busy few days in Indianapolis for former Michigan football players. While their season may have ended a couple months ago in a 33-32 loss to Florida State in the Orange Bowl, these ex-Wolverines have been participating at the NFL Combine — an event which, in this day and age, carries close to as much importance as on-field production does. Michigan sent 14 players — the most of any college team — to the invitation-only combine. For a week, players from across the country underwent testing (both physical and mental) under the close examination of NFL front office executives, coaches and scouts. The combine is an arduous, uniquely-designed job interview where a good showing can result in a prospect skyrocketing up draft boards. On the other hand, any sort of slip-up is scrutinized and can negatively affect a player’s position in April’s NFL Draft. For the 12 Wolverines who participated in the physical drills (former tight end Jake Butt and cornerback Jeremy Clark sat out while undergoing rehabilitation for injuries suffered during the season), the results were mixed. Some, like former defensive lineman Taco Charlton, posted eye-popping numbers, while others tested on the lower end of their position groups. Yet there may not have been another Michigan player who was watched more than Jabrill Peppers, a fitting outcome considering all the hoopla the former athlete generated in his three years in Ann Arbor. Peppers — a do-it-all Heisman finalist who played in all three phases of the game — had a particularly intensive combine, testing with both the linebackers and defensive backs on consecutive days. His is a special case; while Peppers spent most of his time as
a linebacker for the Wolverines last season, carving out a role as a knifing, penetrating run defender and edge-setter, NFL prognosticators have debated which position he will play once he reaches the league. One of the bigger questions entering the combine was whether Peppers will stick inside the box or become a safety. The other side of the ball is not out of the question, either. NFL.com’s Chase Goodbread tweeted two days ago that a couple teams “have asked” Peppers about playing running back or slot receiver. But while Peppers did play some offense last year, mostly in a wildcat formation, the most likely scenario is that he sticks on defense — after all, he played the bulk of his snaps as a Wolverine there. Peppers began his career as a defensive back, moving into a role as a nickel defender under former defensive coordinator DJ Durkin. In his first year as a starter, he displayed a penchant for disrupting wide receiver screens and providing run support from the secondary, while also playing a decent
amount of pass coverage (of which results were mixed). Then, when Durkin left and was replaced by Don Brown, Peppers moved even closer to the line. Designated as the SAM linebacker, he took on even more of an attacking role — blitzing often — and played even fewer snaps in coverage. It is a testament to Peppers’ athleticism that, amidst this positional uncertainty, he has remained in the first round in most draft projections — although that uncertainty may have been cleared up at the combine. Peppers himself was quoted at the combine Saturday as saying he is a safety, and his physical measurements would imply the same. At just under 5-foot-11 and 213 pounds with an arm length of 30 and ¾ inches, Peppers ranks in the third, zeroth and eighth percentiles amongst linebackers, respectively, according to mockdraftable. com. His 40-yard dash, 10-yard split and broad jump were all tops amongst linebackers at the combine, but his size
may preclude a shift to the secondary, where his speed and agility still rank close to the top. And though the question of which position Peppers will play at the next level may have a definite answer, a move back to safety may give way to additional queries. His coverage skills will certainly be among them; according to Pro Football Focus, Peppers gave up 58 receptions to opposing receivers in 93 targets over his three seasons at Michigan. Scouts may point to his lack of experience shadowing receivers and tight ends and advise their teams to opt for safer choices in players who have roamed the defensive backfield for the entirety of their careers. None of this, though, appears to have outwardly affected Peppers. “The bottom line is, I’m a ball player, and I’m a hell of a ball player,” Peppers said to assorted members of the media on Saturday. “I intend to run fast, I intend to look smooth, doing whatever it is that I’m asked to do. After a couple of interviews, I think these coaches pretty much know what they’re going to get.”
CLAIRE ABDO/Daily
Former Wolverine Jabrill Peppers quieted concerns about his positional identity at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.