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Ann Arbor, Michigan
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SEXUAL ASSAULT
SAPAC, ‘U’ respond to group’s list of demands Schlissel calls for improvement in handling of sexual assaults on campus By EMMA KERR Daily Staff Reporter
CHARLES KOWALEC/Daily
Engineering senior Emma Backman receives an award at the 1000 Pitches Award Ceremony in the Michigan Union Ballroom on Monday.
Finalists named in seventh 1,000 Pitches competition Organization narrows 4,500 contest applicants to nine projects
nine Monday. The University has been 1000 Pitches’ vanguard since the organization was established on campus seven years ago. The entrepreneurial contest has also made its way to Penn State University’s campus, but its national scope did not fully evolve until this past year when 1KP found a home away from home at four additional institutions. The organization has received more than 7,500 pitches in total this year, nearly 4,500 of which came from the University.
By HILLARY CRAWFORD Daily Staff Reporter
1000 Pitches, one of eight projects directed by the entrepreneurial organization MPowered, narrowed a pool of nearly 4,500 University student pitches to just
Nine winners received prize money to support their ideas. Students can pitch ideas as an individual or as a group. Each individual is allowed up to three pitches which last anywhere from 30 seconds to three minutes. Student groups, some of which have competed in other competitions such as optiMize, participate to gain additional funding. Additionally, some individuals are required to participate by courses such as the Ross School of Business’s Entrepreneurship Hour.
The categories for the competition were Environment, Health, Consumer Products & Small Businesses, U-Provements, Education, Web & Software, Tech & Hardware, Mobile Apps and Research. A sports category was also sponsored by Bizdom, a startup accelerator in Detroit. Some winning ideas included biodegradable isolation gowns, an automated washer and dryer system that to the audience’s delight also folds clothes and an app that tracks the nearest doctor in thirdSee PITCHES, Page 3
On Oct. 28, students crossing the Diag would have seen something beside the block ‘M’. That morning, an anonymous group spray-painted slogans reading “Expel rapists” and “Rape happens here,” and published a list of seven demands calling for change in how the University approaches sexual assault on campus. The group’s demands touched on issues beyond the University’s Student Sexual Misconduct Policy, addressing preventative measures, staff and faculty training as well as sexual assault in Greek life and the athletic community. According to University officials, however, some of these demands have already been or are in the process of being met. First demand: Unified training system, including threat of disenrollment.
CAMPUS LIFE
ANN ARBOR
Council talks open records, speaking time City approves resolution to consider FOIA policy changes By JACK TURMAN Daily Staff Reporter
The Ann Arbor City Council voted on several resolutions at its meeting Monday, including the adoption of revised Council rules and protocols for releasing public documents under the Freedom of Information Act. Resolution to adopt revised Council rules Councilmembers passed a resolution to revise multiple Council rules, including those governing limitations on speaking times. The final resolution included several amendments that were successfully tacked onto the original proposal. Councilmember Jack Eaton (D–Ward 4) proposed an amendment, which passed with six votes, to eliminate a section of the rules that cap councilmembers’ speaking time at 25 minutes. Eaton argued the cap is unnecessary. “It’s pointless to try to stifle debate to arbitrary time limits,” he said. “We should all be more respectful of each other’s time.” Councilmember Chuck
WEATHER TOMORROW
Warpehoski (D–Ward 5) opposed the amendment, but not because he disagreed with Eaton’s proposal. Warpehoski said he would like to give the current time limit a try and evaluate its effectiveness. Similar to Warpehoski’s position, Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor (D) said the time limit was manageable. “I think this would be a mechanism that staff could easily take care of,” Taylor said. “They could do so in a nonjudgmental manner. They would communicate that to me. They would communicate to the councilmember.” However, Councilmember Stephen Kunselman (D–Ward 3) supported the amendment because he said the time limit infringes on his role as a representative. “I was elected twice on behalf of constituents,” he said. “To stifle (debate) as a representative of constituents, I think it is not democratic.” Along with Eaton’s amendment, Warpehoski proposed an amendment, which the Council also passed, to limit councilmembers’ speaking time on a given question to three minutes the first time and three minutes the second time. The previous rule allowed councilmembers to speak five minutes the first time and three minutes the second time.
HI: 37 LO: 30
Resolution to revise FOIA policy See COUNCIL, Page 3
The first demand called for the creation of a unified training system for incoming students before they come to campus, including the punishment of disenrollment if this training is not completed. The University currently administers educational programs to new students such as AlcoholEdu, an online alcohol training program that indirectly addresses sexual assault prevention, and Relationship Remix, which encourages positive relationships and educates students about consent. However, there are currently no consequences for failing to complete either program. These programs were created in part by SAPAC, which provides preventative education as well as support for sexual assault survivors. SAPAC’s effectiveness on campus has come under criticism following a Washington Post report citing the University as having the third-largest number of reported forcible sex offenses on campus in the nation. SAPAC Director Holly Rider-Milkovich said this first demand has already been met in part by the University, and the See DEMANDS, Page 3
Blood Battle encourages new rivalry week goal OSU, ‘U’ competed to increase number of organ, bone marrow donors By RACHEL PREMACK Daily News Editor
SAM MOUSIGIAN/Daily
English Prof. Laura Kasischke speaks at the Author’s Forum in the Hatcher Graduate Library Gallery Room on Monday.
Professor debuts new book of poems in front of crowd Panel discussion examines poet’s voice, meaning behind pieces By EMMA KINERY Daily Staff Reporter
An author and a poet, English Prof. Laura Kasischke wears many literary hats, often simultaneously. On Monday night, she spoke at Hatcher Graduate Library on a panel with poet Megan Levad, assistant director of the Helen Zell Writers’ Program, to debut her new book of poems, “The Infinitesimals.”
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At the event, Kasischke read her poems “Maid in the Moorway,” “Mushrooms” and “At the End of the Text a Small Bestial Form.” Kasischke also had Levad read her own poem “Bullying.” The audience of about 30 people was composed of community members and students. LSA senior Bennet Johnson, who had read Kasischke’s book in his English 424 advanced poetry workshop, said hearing the poems aloud gave him a different take on them. “In general, her voice on the page, for me at least, was somewhat different because I get so absorbed into her figurative language and I have to stop and think about it, whereas when
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you hear her read it you kind of are pushed a little bit more through it,” Johnson said. “… For me hearing it, I enjoyed it more than when I read it on the page.” While her poems are full of vivid figurative language, Kasischke emphasized her use of rhymes, repetition and mystery during the talk. “I like rhyme and I like repetition. It has to be what inspired me in the first place,” she said during the panel discussion. “A good rhyme, same with repetition, there’s just something really spooky about it.” Kasischke said when she feels a poem is not her “most brilliant utterance,” she will See POEMS, Page 3
Vol. CXXIV, No. 34 ©2014 The Michigan Daily michigandaily.com
Three life-saving donation challenges concluded last weekend with victories for Wolverines and Buckeyes alike. The challenges included encouraging students to donate blood and sign up to be organ and bone marrow donors as well. This year, Ohio State University won the Blood Battle, a 33-yearold tradition in which each school encourages students to donate blood in the weeks leading up to their contentious football showdown. Ohio State collected 2,414 pints of blood, while the University collected 2,298, according to a University press release. “It allows students a convenient place to donate, and, by playing off the athletic rivalry, the Blood Battle gives students incentive to donate,” said LSA senior Sam Rea, an executive officer of Blood Drives United. The University has won the Blood Battle each year since 2008, except for this year and 2012. “Although we didn’t win the competition, it was incredibly See RIVALRY, Page 3
NEWS.........................2 SUDOKU.....................2 OPINION.....................4
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News
2 — Tuesday, December 2, 2014
MONDAY: This Week in History
TUESDAY: Professor Profiles Professor Profiles
WEDNESDAY: In Other Ivory Towers Before You Were Here
THURSDAY: Alumni CampusProfiles Clubs
Music prof. continues to perform
What inspired you to study American pop music and culture? I guess growing up during the time I did, which was in the
early ’60s with the folk and blues revival, and people like (Bob) Dylan and the Beatles making their mark, really inspired me both as a performer and later as an academic to take the whole concept of an American popular culture seriously. It was evident to me that what was happening in a cultural perspective was going to be really important in a historical perspective. How was your experience as the founding curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? That’s a loaded question. My experience as the founding curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was both interesting and
FRIDAY: Photos of the Photos theWeek Week
O N S TA G E
ROCK AND ROLL
Bruce Conforth is a professor of American music culture at the University. Before starting a career in teaching, Conforth performed as a jazz musician with numerous bands and toured across the nation. In 1991, Conforth became the first curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, where he worked with renowned American song artists such as Johnny Cash, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin.
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What is the most rewarding part of being a performer?
WHAT: History Prof. Michael Puett will discuss indigenous theories concerning ritual in the classical Chinese tradition. WHO: Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies WHEN: Today from noon to 1 p.m. WHERE: School of Social Work, Room 1636
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Men’s swim team celebrates BY TED JAMES
Swimmers from last year’s Big Ten championship team, coaches and alumni dined and shared stories in preparation for the winter championships.
Finance talk
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WHAT: This seminar will outline basic financial principles for students who are in or aspire to be in managerial roles. WHO: Human Resources Development WHEN: Today from 8:30 a.m. to noon. WHERE: Administrative Services Building
WHAT: Male students of color are invited to talk about their experiences and the role race has played in determining their college path. WHEN: Today from noon to 1:30 p.m. WHO: Our Mission: My Brothers organization WHERE: Michigan Union, CSG Chambers
WHAT: Jimmy Chin, a National Geographic photographer and one of the few people to ski on Mt. Everest, will discuss his life as an adventurer. WHO: School of Natural Resources and Environment WHEN: Today from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. WHERE: Rackham Graduate School Auditorium
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Engineering senior Deepak Kumar, vice president of Maize Mirchi, sings during a performance in the Michigan Union Ballroom on Monday.
THREE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW TODAY
Biochem seminar WHAT: A visting professor will discuss CTP synthetase and enzyme regulation. WHO: Department of Biological Chemistry WHEN: Today from noon to 1 p.m. WHERE: Medical Science Unit II, North Lecture Hall
“Eleven Dean’s speaker Ross lecture WHAT: Kohl Gill, CEO and Years” lecture series founder of LaborVoices, will WHAT: Artist Jen Davis will discuss her exhibit, a collection of self-portraits that chronicle her body over time and explore modern beauty standards. WHO: Institute for the Humanities WHEN: Today from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. WHERE: 202 S. Thayer St., Osterman Common Room
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eye-opening. I got to see the music business up close and personal from the inside, got to meet virtually all of my idols, but also begin to really see how much of a business popular music is.
I still think I’m a performer. I think teaching is a performance. So to me, the most rewarding part of being a performer is being able to share something new with your audience, whether it’s an audience to come to listen to music or an audience of students who come to listen to your lectures. –ALLANA AKHTAR
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discuss how workers drive supply chain transparency with cell phones. WHO: Kohl Gill WHEN: Today from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. WHERE: Ross School of Business
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The Simon Weisenthal Center discovered that the world’s most wanted Nazi died in Syria in 2010. The criminal, Alois Brunner, was responsible for sending 128,500 Jews to death camps, The Times of Israel reported Sunday.
2
The Michigan men’s basketball team faces Syracuse on Tuesday night in a rematch of the 2013 Final Four. Just three Wolverines, including Spike Albrecht, remain from that year’s team >> FOR MORE, SEE SPORTS, PG. 7
3
A congressional staffer has resigned from her post following her Facebook post criticizing Sasha and Malia Obama for their appearance at the annual presidential turkey pardoning, The Washington Post reported.
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Extremists kill at least seven in Nigeria attacks Two state capitals targeted by supposed Islamic extermists BAUCHI, Nigeria (AP) — Suspected Islamic extremists struck in two state capitals in northeastern Nigeria on Monday, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens with a double bombing at a crowded market and an attack on a police base. Around 30 extremists were also killed in clashes with security forces, police said. The attacks were the latest in a week of violence linked to Islamic militants that has killed more than 170 people in northern Nigeria. Police spokesman Gideon Jubrin said at least five people were killed at a market in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state where two female suicide bombers also killed 70 people a week
ago. A vigilante official said two young female suicide bombers were also responsible for Monday’s blasts and that they had recovered their bodies along with those of six victims. Hospital officials said they were treating more than 40 people with serious injuries. The vigilante and hospital officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to give information to reporters. In Damaturu, the provincial capital of Yobe state some 135 kilometers (85 miles) west of Maiduguri, extremists destroyed several buildings and killed at least two doctors when they stormed the residential quarters at the general hospital, according to the Hospitals Management Board. Three other doctors were abducted. Police there said the attackers drove State Security Service agents from their offices but
were repelled, and about 30 terrorists were killed when they tried to take over Yobe Government House, where there is a military armory. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the Maiduguri blasts but people blamed Boko Haram, the Islamic extremist group that has carried out many such attacks in a 5-year insurgency that has killed thousands and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes. Bala Dauda, a trader at the market there, said rescue workers were evacuating the dead and wounded from the site. “I have seen very many victims dripping with blood, others with parts of their bodies dismembered by the blasts,” Dauda told The Associated Press by telephone. After the explosions, young men in vigilante groups barricaded some Maiduguri roads to try to ensure safety in the city. These community defense groups and security forces are accused of summary executions and other rights abuses of people they believe are extremists. In Damaturu, explosions and gunfire erupted before dawn Monday causing some residents to flee into the bush and others to cower in their homes. The militants targeted a rapid-response police base on the outskirts of Damaturu, said resident Garba Musa. “It has been burned down completely,” he said. Police said the attackers also destroyed multiple buildings at the Yobe state university, while the Defense Ministry headquarters said a fighter jet was repelling the attackers. A helicopter gunship was hovering over the town. Witnesses said the aircraft drove the fighters out of Damaturu, strafing and bombing. “We don’t know where to hide, the shooting is all over ... We are running for our lives,” said resident Musa Abbas.
KIN CHEUNG/AP
Police officers throw a pro-democracy protester on the main road outside government headquarters in Hong Kong.
Taiwan, Hong Kong a challenge for China’s Xi Voters turn out to support Dem. Progressive Party
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — An electoral pummeling for Taiwan’s pro-Beijing ruling party and a new spike in pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong have delivered a reality check to Chinese President Xi Jinping just when he was riding a wave of high-profile diplomacy. Xi’s message of a better economic future by joining forces with Beijing rather than aligning against it doesn’t seem to be working with the electorate in Taiwan, where voters turned out in droves over the weekend to support the chief opposition Democratic Progressive Party in local elections. The DPP advocates more distance between Taiwan and China and taps into concerns many Taiwanese have over any eventual unification with authoritarian Beijing. Likewise, Xi’s message is not working with the Hong Kong protesters, who clashed with police early Monday as they tried to surround government
headquarters to revitalize their flagging movement in the face of Beijing’s intransigence on democratic reforms. The Hong Kong protests reminded Taiwanese voters of what Taiwan could become in the event of unification with China, said Kweibo Huang, associate professor of diplomacy at National Chengchi University in Taipei. “Hong Kong consolidated Taiwan voter worries about relations with mainland China,” Huang said. The DPP won seven of nine races for mayors and county chiefs, delivering a major setback to the ruling Nationalist Party, which advocates greater economic integration across the Taiwan Strait. That poses a complex challenge for Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to take control of the island by force if necessary. The poll results build on months of opposition among the young and middle class to Taiwanese President Ma Yingjeou’s steps to further reduce economic barriers between the sides and propel them toward talks on political unification.
Concerns in Hong Kong that the economic rise of mainland China marginalizes the former British colony also are high among the pro-democracy protesters there. Likewise in Taiwan, many residents fear the island’s economy could be swallowed up by China, flooding its labor market to keep wages low as living costs rise. “Ma Ying-jeou’s policies don’t seem to be producing a trickle-down effect. Voters had the feeling that, today Hong Kong, tomorrow Taiwan,” said Joseph Cheng, an expert on Chinese politics at City university of Hong Kong. Beijing has limited room to adjust to changes in Taiwan and Hong Kong, given its fears of stoking pro-democracy sentiment at home and its longestablished positions on the two territories. It has long pushed for Taiwan to accept the “one country, two systems” policy it negotiated for Hong Kong when it was returned by Britain in 1997, which allows the city some autonomy and a separate economic and judicial system, but places it firmly under Beijing’s ultimate authority.
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DEMANDS From Page 1 threat of disenrollment is unnecessary given the number of students who already participate in the training process. “We already do have a mandatory, unified training that is happening before they come to campus,” Rider-Milkovich said. “Every student at our university has an opportunity to participate in online training. We have very high participation rates for undergraduate students; nearly 99 percent participation in that online course.” While participation rates for the broad online training program may be high, only about 5,000 students participated in the focused, peer-run Relationship Remix in 2014. These programs are open to all students, but are primarily intended for those living in residence halls. In 2014, the University admitted about 6,500 freshmen, suggesting that a substantial portion of students did not take part in Relationship Remix. Second Demand: Require a definition of consent in sororities and fraternities The anonymous group included a demand addressing sexual assault by members of Greek life institutions, asking that a definition of consent be posted in common areas of sorority and fraternity houses. In a November interview with The Michigan Daily, University President Mark Schlissel said such a demand would be difficult for the University to implement. “It’s a tough thing to target this specific subset of our community and tell them what they have to say to their guests at their private establishments,” he said. According to results from the National College Health Assessment administered by the University Health Services last February, individuals involved in Greek life are at a higher risk for instances of sexual assault as well as non-physical violence. Three percent of fraternity and sorority members reported having sex without giving consent in the past year, compared to 1 percent of non-Greek undergraduates, according to the report. Despite Schlissel’s reservations, Panhellenic Association President Sarah Blegen, an LSA senior, said she hopes to promote discussions of sexual assault within chapters, adding that the Interfraternity Council would be open to requiring houses to post definitions of consent in common areas. “I’ve talked to Tommy Wydra, the president of the Interfraternity Council, and I think it’s a brilliant idea,” Blegen said. “We know we could meet that demand, no problem, and that’s just a great idea in general that is easy to incorporate into any social events we have.” With the end of the semester approaching, Blegen said she would make the recommendation to the incoming council president during the Winter 2015 semester.
PITCHES From Page 1 world nations. LSA freshman Sam Vetromile presented the winning pitch for the mobile app Voice with the help of four other team members. He said the app is a platform for microblogging that encourages students to voice their opinions and read those of others. Vetromile said he hopes Voice launches successfully from the University in a way similar to Facebook’s spread from Harvard University. University President Mark Schlissel opened the ceremony and put a spotlight on the University’s quickly growing innovation culture. He described the student body’s enthusiastic sharing of ideas as well as the intention to use those ideas to better the world as overwhelming, and
POEMS From Page 1 rely more heavily on repetition and rhyme as her literary tools. Levad said she enjoys the mystery in Kasischke’s poems and how she often switch-
SAPAC student volunteer Katelyn Maddock, an LSA senior, said while it is important to consider where sexual assault occurs on campus, isolating groups such as athletes and members of Greek life is not helpful to addressing the larger issue. “I think these demands are valid concerns,” Maddock said. “I don’t think anyone should discount them, but isolating Greek life and athletes as being the problem isn’t fair, because those are only a fraction of our campus. We need to focus on everyone — the entire student body. Perpetrators come from all different backgrounds and all different walks of life, so I don’t think targeting those communities alone will remove the problem.”
News ual Misconduct Policy allows for the “permanent separation,” or expulsion, of individuals found guilty of violations of the policy, following results of a University review panel. While survivors of sexual assault may provide input to the panel, they do not make the final decision about whether or not the accused party is expelled. The policy also states that the accused perpetrator is assumed to be innocent unless sufficient evidence is presented to the panel proving his or her violations. Schlissel said he agrees with the current policy as it regards this particular issue, citing this demand as one of the two he took issue with — the other being the second demand imposing specific requirements on fraternities and sororities. “The survivors of assault ask that they have, in effect, the rights to determine results and the punishment, and I think that is way tougher,” Schlissel said. “I think that the University has to retain the right to develop policies and find ways to ensure the safety of survivors — the physical and psychological safety of survivors — but to define what the University must do in hypothetical future circumstances is tough to do.” SAPAC student volunteer Laura Meyer, an LSA senior, said she believes there is no single change that could be made that would significantly decrease occurrences of sexual assault on campus. “It’s not like we can change one policy and make a difference,” Meyer said. “It’s a cultural problem, and sexual violence is just normalized within the culture so we do a lot already just to combat that.”
individuals with the appropriate qualifications, interacts with and helps survivors. “On our professional staff, we have four permanent staff that can do advocacy and all of that work,” Maddock said. “Having that many people, we could always have more. Having more people on hand to support survivors would really be helpful, because at our survivor center, I think having more people available would help them get the best care possible, and we are trying to do that now with the limited resources we have.”
Fifth Demand: Giving survivors the option to have perpetrators expelled At this time, the Student Sex-
Sixth Demand: Increased support for survivors SAPAC offers a variety of options for survivors, but this demand asserts that these options are insufficient and are not widely advertised. Rider-Milkovich said she hopes to hear from students what exactly is missing from SAPAC’s current program, but said many of the resources that students might want are already in place. “I think there are a lot of resources SAPAC does offer that students just don’t know about,” she said. “We always need to be talking to survivors about what ways you would feel supported effectively.” SAPAC has also expressed interest in exploring continuing education programs for students beyond the training they receive during their first year at the University. Rider-Milkovich said SAPAC’s research indicates the impact of the messages conveyed to incoming students begins to diminish after their first year on campus. As a student volunteer, Maddock said she focuses on providing education and preventative measures for students on campus, adding that SAPAC’s professional staff, which includes a handful of
Seventh Demand: Recognition of student voices The final demand called for all student perspectives to be included in conversations about sexual assault, including those from underrepresented communities on campus. Students have some impact on the types of programs administered to incoming students in the form of Relationship Remix, which is at its core a peer-based program. Paid staff members oversee the Relationship Remix programs, and student volunteers can discuss their concerns and ideas, which are reviewed by SAPAC staff members. This demand suggests a need for SAPAC staff and the voices being heard to adequately represent different communities on campus. SAPAC student volunteers have yet to see any action in response to these demands. Meyer said some of the demands she read seemed unreasonable, and while she said SAPAC is continually striving to improve, none of the improvements she mentioned were related to the suggestions made by this anonymous group. “I don’t know who was involved, but if I remember correctly, taking steps like that, small things, to make a difference, I think the University should consider student ideas like that,” Meyer said. “I don’t think all of them are reasonable, but I think the University should consider taking small steps like that.” Schlissel calls for better education about services available University President Mark Schlissel responded to the protest during a Nov. 4 interview with The Michigan Daily, emphasizing the need for improved procedures regarding the handling of sexual assault on campus. Schlissel added that the University needs to commit to better informing the public about progress in this area. While he applauded the passion of the group responsible for the list of demands, Schlissel said he felt the ways those students chose to convey their thoughts and ideas were not conducive to developing a dialogue about the subject of sexual assault on campus. “The one thing I will object to, which drives me a little nutty, is framing things as demands,” Schlissel said. “I think that makes it really difficult to have discussions.”
applauded the thousands who have taken the initiative. “This entrepreneurial spirit was one of the reasons I was so attracted to the University of Michigan,” Schlissel said. “I want the University of Michigan to be a place where people aren’t afraid to take chances. We have all the right ingredients to make the University of Michigan a working lab of entrepreneurship.” LSA junior Saif Jilani judges the pitches and often interacts with judges from other participating schools. Though the different universities do not compete against one another, he said they follow the same judging guidelines. “We provide them with a judging rubric so that judging is done in a pretty objective manner and effort is made so that every school judges pitches in a similar way,” Jilani said. LSA sophomore Yianni Kon-
torousis, one of three directors of 1KP, said the competition is unique in that it is eight weeks long and takes an interdisciplinary approach. He added that impacting students from coast to coast is the major initiative behind the 1KP’s expansion. “Our ultimate goal is to create a network of entrepreneurs across the nation,” Kontorousis said. “Getting these five schools on board is the first step.” As the year goes on, the MPowered projects become increasingly specialized, and Kontorousis said the hope is that the 1KP winners continue participating in other projects in the future to help their ideas evolve into functioning business models. A large portion of the event took an interactive approach as attendees rotated from one “workshop” station to the next. A different entrepreneurial
organization ran each station. They included social innovation group optiMize, crash course convention group Miscellania and Makeathon, a weekend event that teaches students to turn their ideas into physical prototypes. Pillar Technology, an Ann Arbor business consulting company, also participated in the event by leading a station and sponsoring a winner. Engineering senior Ben Alberts has pitched an idea each year of his college career and made it to the final round of 90 pitches each year. “It’s really good to have a collaborative space where you can talk about your ideas and get advice,” Alberts said. “Really when a lot of people come here, they just have this idea and they don’t really know the next steps and this gives you the resources if you really want to take your idea forward.”
es points of view at the end. Kasischke responded by saying when she does not think she has the ability to summarize her poem as part of its ending, she sometimes chooses to leave it open-ended. Kasischke also discussed some of the events in her life
that have influenced her writing, most notably the death of her father. Though his death inspired several of her poems about grief, she said she strived to add literary elements that would add a degree of mystery to her writing and camouflage some of its more personal details.
LSA junior Stephanie Choi said attending the discussion provided a unique opportunity to interact with literary texts. “I thought that it was very enlightening and that it was very nice to hear an actual poet’s perspective on her own work.”
Third Demand: Equal treatment of athletes and non-athletes This call to action follows the University’s permanent separation of former Michigan kicker Brendan Gibbons for violating the University’s Student Sexual Misconduct Policy. The decision to permanently separate Gibbons from the University came nearly four years after the incident in question, which is reportedly occurred Nov. 22, 2009. The current policy states, “In all cases, the University will respond to the report in a prompt, thorough, procedurally fair, and effective manner. Upon receipt of a report, the University will strive to complete its review within sixty (60) calendar days.” While the policy does apply for cases in which this timeline cannot be met, questions regarding this case quickly swirled around campus. After news surfaced of the time gap between the date of the incident and that of Gibbons’ separation — during which he continued to play for the University’s football team — one anonymous individual or group of individuals hung a sign from Mason Hall with the words “This administration defends rapists.” Fourth Demand: Increased training for DPS, faculty, and staff Beginning this week, the University implemented a new online training system for new faculty and staff addressing a variety of personal health and protection issues, including sexual assault. The training program was first used this year to service graduate student instructors, and it is now being expanded to all faculty and staff. “All incoming staff and faculty will be receiving an online training as well about a range of these issues,” Rider-Milkovich said. “SAPAC also provides training to faculty and staff, to housing security officers, to RAs and hall directors, and all of those complement the work that have been from the Office of Institutional Equity.”
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RIVALRY From Page 1A close,” Rea said. “The goal of the competition is to save the most lives possible. It was still a very large success because of the students, faculty and community members who took the time to volunteer and donate.” Blood Drives United, the American Red Cross Southeastern Michigan Blood Services and the University’s Washtenaw County American Red Cross Club supported Blood Battle at the University this year. They encouraged donations by ensuring convenient donation locations and short wait times, as well as by distributing T-shirts and gift cards to local restaurants. More than 30 drives occurred from Nov. 4 to Nov. 27. According to Rea, Blood Drives United said a single blood donation can save up to three lives. To date, Blood Battle donations have saved as many as 630,000 lives. Every two seconds, a patient in the United States needs a blood transfusion. The schools’ duel extended to encouraging registrations to become an organ donor or a bone marrow donor. The University won both of these competitions. In Michigan, 85,803 joined the organ donor list through the Wolverine vs. Buckeye Challenge for Life, compared to 41,946 in Ohio. Jennifer Tislerics, special events and partnerships coordinator at Gift of Life Michigan, an organ donor-focused nonprofit, said every state resident who signs up is counted in the challenge. This year marks the fifth consecutive
COUNCIL From Page 1 Councilmembers Sabra Briere (D–Ward 1), Sumi Kailasapthy (D–Ward 1) and Eaton sponsored a successful resolution to direct City Administrator Steve Powers to revise the city’s Freedom of Information Act policy, which provides a guide to making records available to the public. In early 2013, Powers provided revisions to the city’s policy regarding release of public documents. Along with these revisions, Dave Askins, former editor of The Ann Arbor Chronicle, which no longer publishes, provided feedback to the draft revisions in 2013. Along with its efforts to revise the policy, the Michigan Legislature considered multiple amendments to the Michigan FOIA during 2013 and 2014, but no changes were adopted as law. “In keeping with the Republican legislature, they didn’t really accomplish anything on those points,” Eaton said. “I think it’s time for us to revisit our FOIA policies.” The city resolution permits Powers to “renew his efforts” to revise the release of public documents, with the aim of increasing transparency. Some members have expressed interest in a policy that would waive fees for the media, appoint a FOIA officer for the city and the Council and create a process through which denials of FOIA requests can be appealed. During the public commentary
time the University has won the challenge, which was established in 2006. “We decided it would be a good use of this rivalry to help save lives,” Tislerics said. Wolverines For Life — a student group that partners with Gift of Life Michigan, the University of Michigan Health System, the Michigan Eye-Bank and others — promoted the challenges. Organ donation efforts often extend beyond campus. For example, Tislerics said the University library system began to host donor registration days at its buildings. This initiative later spread to other college and public libraries throughout the state. “We love working with U of M,” Tislerics said. “Between the health system, student groups and Athletic Department, everyone has been so supportive of saving lives.” While 79 people receive organ transplants every day, 150 are added daily to the waiting list in need of kidneys, hearts, lungs and other vital organs. Hundreds of these surgeries are performed at UMHS each year. The third challenge was the Marrow Matchup, which enlisted 130 new bone marrow donors through the University and 58 through Ohio State. Marrow donations ensure those afflicted with leukemia, lymphoma and other blood diseases can find a cure. More than 10,000 patients seek a bone marrow match each year. Few similar competitions exist nationwide. Tislerics said the Michigan-Ohio State competition is the sole inter-state organ donor competition in the country.
portion of the meeting, Ann Arbor resident Katherine Wilkerson discussed the fatal shooting of Aura Rosser by Ann Arbor police on Nov. 9 and argued that the Ann Arbor Police Department was not entirely transparent in the aftermath. “Now, 22 days after its awful occurrence, the continuing secrecy surrounding this homicide is an affront to the people and to principles of democracy and justice,” Wilkerson said. Wilkerson cited the fact that in the Ferguson, Mo. incident, Darren Wilson, the police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown, a Black, allegedly unarmed teenager, was identified six days after the shooting. “The standard excuse for concealing the identities of cops that kill citizens is for the safety of the cops,” Wilkerson said. “Michigan’s Freedom of Information law allows that, but only supported by substantial justification and explanation, not merely by conclusive reassertions.” Even though Wilkerson said she knows Michigan’s FOIA law can conceal the identity of a police officer with justification and explanatory support, she asked the Council what such justification exists for not identifying the officer in this particular case. “What substantial justification and explanation exists to maintain the secrecy of the officers involved in the killing of Rosser?” Wilkerson said. “Is this what Chief (John) Seto means when he touts the importance of community to us as the police?”
Opinion
Page 4 — Tuesday, December 2, 2014
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Unsigned editorials reflect the official position of the Daily’s editorial board. All other signed articles and illustrations represent solely the views of their authors.
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What we need to hear
his holiday weekend made for some of the most bizarre television I can ever remember. There was Thanksgiving and all its traditional cheer, but this year, football and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade were sandwiched by the morning and evening news where reports were still rolling in from Ferguson, Missouri — the town that pulled the floorboards TYLER up from small-town America SCOTT and exposed the unstable foundation of social change, a rot that had set in long before the shooting of Michael Brown happened. Rarely do ideas questioning the status quo live to be anything more than interesting dorm room conversation. The voices of protest and progressivism are often sufficiently discredited. For a country with a rich history of popular protest, demonstrations to inspire new thought and change carry remarkably little weight, and are always accompanied by harsh criticism. Situations like Ferguson only reinforce the notion that social protests are nothing but mindless angry mobs when they turn violent, and peaceful protests get drowned out by media scrutiny from whichever end of the political spectrum they’re offending. Rarely does it seem like an organized effort to bring about change actually makes an impact. Popular forms of protest are outdated, and occur so often that they have become white noise playing underneath the beat of social issues. Government and the rich can open up discussion about change and make it happen, but it’s much harder to do so from the bottom up. It’s hard to imagine a movement that would grip the attention of Americans today like past protests have. Vietnam, the Civil Rights Movement — they both feel like they had something more than Ferguson, where the outbreak of violence only created a public outcry for it all to end and to return to the exact same life we
had before Michael Brown was shot. We are forced to address the issues of discrimination and inequality that we are trying to convince ourselves don’t exist — a conversation that may have gone somewhere were it not for all of the rioting, vandalism and brutality. What would it take to get a protest to cause real change, and not just contribute to the madness? There’s no clear leader of a movement like Martin Luther King, Jr.’s historical guidance during the 1960s. Hollywood, artists and musicians seem a world apart from current events, except to offer more criticism. Wealth disparity is already a problem, and it seems the working class is at risk of losing its voice, too. Until people find the right way to channel their message, the next serious social issue will simply repeat the same cycle. Ferguson will eventually go away (though it will probably be remembered as one of the most depressing reflections of humanity in recent years), but more opportunities will come to provide the stage for a movement. If anything good is to come out of Ferguson, let it be that we learned from it. No one should criticize a protest that targets racism, but no one should defend rioting and vandalism. There’s no question about whether social change is really needed or if racism is still an issue. Thousands of people taking to streets across the country speak to this, but the argument isn’t being presented like it should be. To make light of a serious issue, most protesters are like having a friend who’s terrible at telling jokes. When someone is moved to protest, or tell a joke, they believe they can contribute. But even the best one-liners are ruined if the timing is off or the situation isn’t right. There’s a recipe for every good social interaction. It takes the changing of a few variables to elevate a forgettable experience to one that resonates with an entire nation. It’s no different with Ferguson or any other protest. Before we take to the streets, we should figure out exactly what America needs to hear. — Tyler Scott can be reached at tylscott@umich.edu.
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS Edvinas Berzanskis, Devin Eggert, David Harris, Rachel John, Jordyn Kay, Aarica Marsh, Megan McDonald, Victoria Noble, Michael Paul, Allison Raeck, Melissa Scholke, Michael Schramm, Matthew Seligman, Mary Kate Winn, Jenny Wang, Daniel Wang, Derek Wolfe
SUNDAI JOHNSON | MICHIGAN IN COLOR
Letter to the revolutionaries
This piece was originally posted on Facebook in reaction to the grand jury’s decision that Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson would not be indicted in the death of teenager Michael Brown. It has since been revised for publication in The Michigan Daily. I am usually not one to use Facebook as a platform to share my own voice. I might repost things I find funny or exciting, artistic and beautiful, reassuring. Repost about issues that are relevant and important that reflect my thinking and beliefs, but when it comes to my own voice on this particular platform, I have been silent. But tonight, on this grave night, when my hands and heart tremble, there is no other time that might merit a greater reason to speak out than this. We all know what happened months ago. We all know what happened tonight. We are all reacting in some capacity. I’m thankful for the voices that resonate with my own, the words I can snap to. It reminds me that I am not alone, that we are not alone. That we matter. And while I am hurt and angered by those voices that are dead set that this man is innocent, that this circumstance is not about race, these arguments are irrelevant to the matter and not only is there no room to discuss this, there is negative room to discuss this. Then there are those who believe they are not reacting at all. Those who have the power and privilege to look away. I would just like to say that your passivity might be the biggest reaction of them all. Neutrality is the greatest threat to a world that might one day be just and free to all. This silence perpetuates a system in which accountability and responsibility are not required and tells those who believe that this is anything less than a tragedy that they are right. There is no more room for passivity and complacency. There is no ‘neutral’ where human rights are concerned, only responsibility. This is not the time to police and criticize the reactions of a people beaten and broken down by a system in a country and society built on their backs and their blood. And please spare me arguments about how slavery is irrelevant. The institution of slavery helped
create a system where Black bodies are seen as subhuman and where unlawful Black death is justified, rewarded and upheld socially, institutionally and politically. This is the mess slavery — and the violent distorted thinking and bloody actions that produced it — made. We’ll stop talking about it when its residual effects are cleaned up. Tonight I am ill with sadness and trauma. I believed that maybe we might have made it a little farther than we’d come before. I am pained to admit that I was sorely mistaken and am now perplexed by this massive question of where we go from here. What do we do now? I may — we may — have been wrong in thinking our justice system would move away from its haunting history and surprise us with hope for the future, but I believe I am right about one thing: This time is different. The difference not being in a system that consistently fails us — but the difference being in a people tired of being failed. We have changed; we are the difference; we have the power to be the change. This cannot be put to bed. They wanted us to forget but we cannot allow them to bury us, to bury this. We must keep organizing, keep speaking, yelling, screaming, until we are heard. Marching, stomping, pounding, shaking the ground until the system has no choice but to break. And by we I mean all. This is not a Black issue; this is a human issue, as all violations of human rights are. We did not enslave ourselves. We need just as many bodies that helped get us here to help us get free. I live by this always and I will say it a dozen times over: “The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion” —Albert Camus I will be a rebellion. I will be a revolution. I hope y’all will join me. Michigan in Color is the Daily’s opinion section designated as a space for and by students of color at the University of Michigan. To contribute your voice or find out more about MiC, e-mail michiganincolor@umich.edu.
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The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
The next social injustice
’ve never fully understood football. I don’t know if it was for lack of interest or because it just seemed too complicated, but I admittedly never tried to comprehend it. I don’t mean the mechanics of the game (although I’m a little hazy on those details, too), I mean the MAURA phenomenon LEVINE of American football: the reason we play it (i.e. obsess over it) as an American society despite its proven dangers. It’s like smoking cigarettes. We know it’s bad and it just might kill us, but people choose to gamble and do it anyway because it feels good. Just for writing this position people will label me too-girly-to-understand. Perhaps that is true. But yet again the liberal banner exulting the dangers of football must be raised and repeated, for otherwise I fear the imminent decay of our society into a caveman world of oblivion. Let’s start with the most recent, horrifying football news. On Sunday afternoon Ohio State football player Kosta Karageorge was found dead. He reportedly shot himself in the head after suffering numerous concussions thanks in part to his beloved sport, football. Right before he was last seen, he texted his mom, “I am sorry if I am an embarrassment but these concussions have my head all f***ed up.” Karageorge was a walk-on to the Ohio State football team after having wrestled for three years. CNN reported his death with an opening line of, “The rough sports he loved may have
helped to do Kosta Karageorge in at age 22.” This simple, matter-of-fact statement is about as hype a repercussion as his death may receive. There will be no riots or protests for Karageorge. There will be no Ferguson fury. We have accepted as an American society that the pleasure we derive from watching young men hurl themselves at one another across a field of grass is worth more than the death of a few or the brain injury of hundreds. In fact, we teach our little boys that strong, able, successful men play football. We turn a blind eye to the casualties as we continue to pour money and effort into a sport that does nothing for the good of mankind. Michael Brown, the victim of the Ferguson shooting, was 18. His needless death has been protested for months and has brought this country damn near to its knees. It’s all you hear about when you turn on the news. That’s because of what it stands for. Brown’s death stands for the injustice and the racism that still plague our society. He’s a cause people can rally around. But what about Karageorge? What does his mom feel like? He was only four years older than Brown. He died needlessly, too. No one is protesting for him. Yes, he will receive welldeserved candlelight vigils and a school-wide grievance, but will anyone question the institution of football? Will anyone research the statistics of how many football athletes are injured or die from concussions? Will anyone cry for an end to this constant violence like they did in Ferguson? I’ll just go ahead and take a guess. No. And here we find ourselves back to the slippery slope that is former Athletic Director Dave Brandon and the University of Michigan football
program. Why, you may ask, do we refuse to question football and why do we refuse to make our players safer? Money. Yes, we’re a society that will do anything for money. Dave Brandon himself made $850,000 in 2013 while working at the University. That made him the highest-paid employee of the University. So somewhere, someone decided that Michigan football, with all of its concussions and sexual abuse scandals, was more important than the University cancer researcher with a Ph.D. on North Campus who spends over 12 hours a day in a lab trying to find a cure for breast cancer. But that is neither here nor there. Money, then, is what drives this train. While people run to burn things down and throw rocks at policemen over the death of Michael Brown, they leave NFL football playing on the TV at home, forgetting that the Super Bowl represents the single largest human trafficking incident in the United States each year. People rush off to protest violence, while supporting violence (without even knowing it). Here’s the boys-will-be-boys part I really don’t understand: we’re letting football and all of its atrocities fly because we find it relaxing to watch young men break each other’s legs and tackle one another to the ground? I think I missed something. Perhaps in another 50 years Ferguson will be a story of the distant past. People will rejoice in a newfound equality between all races. Football, then, will be the next injustice and violent theme we protest in this country. One can only hope. — Maura Levine can be reached at mtoval@umich.edu.
NICHOLAS RAJA | VIEWPOINT
A new approach to student mental health concerns The weekend of Nov. 14, 35 University students from across campus came together at the Colombiere Conference and Retreat Center in Clarkston, Michigan to receive training as group leaders in anticipation of next semester’s kickoff of the Wolverine Support Network, a University-wide initiative to promote student mental health and wellness. I will add, as a caveat, that I will be working as one of these group leaders myself. According to its mission statement, the WSN aims to become “the first sustainable peer to peer led structure at the University of Michigan.” This network will provide another way for students who are struggling with issues impacting their mental well-being to express their concerns and generate catharsis. It’s important to note that WSN will be available to all University students, and participants need not have been formally diagnosed with a mental health condition. The program’s inception originated with Public Policy senior Bobby Dishell, current CSG president, as one of the key components of his and LSA junior Meagan Shokar’s 2014 Make Michigan campaign platform. Both he and Shokar felt that the issue of student mental health was not being given adequate attention, and indeed, data collected by the University seem to support such a conclusion. A College Student Mental Health Survey conducted by the University’s Counseling and Psychological Services in 2010 reported several striking statistics. Of the 2,358 students surveyed, approximately one in four noted that mental health issues had caused problems in their academics. Thirteen percent admitted to having inflicted non-suicidal self-injury, and 40.3 percent had been impacted in some way by a traumatic event, with females, LGB individuals (no data were reported for students identifying as transgender or queer), Latin@s, African-Americans and multiracial individuals experiencing the highest prevalence of traumatic experience. Furthermore, 74 percent of participants voiced general concern about their ability to succeed academically, and 73 percent expressed some level of dissatisfaction with their weight. Despite their high prevalence among college students, mental health conditions continue to be heavily stigmatized in the United States as a whole. In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that “only 25 percent of adults with mental health symptoms believed that people are caring and sympathetic to persons with mental illness,” suggesting
that there exists a profound fear of the judgment or ostracism that may result from being diagnosed with mental health symptoms. This stigma is what the Wolverine Support Network hopes to erase from the University campus. “I see … a place where all niches of campus come to create a new culture of the University,” said one WSN group leader. Beginning in January 2015, interested students will be placed in groups of 12 to 15 of their peers, along with a pair of student leaders. Throughout the semester these groups will meet weekly to confidentially address and support the varying needs of their members. Students will be placed with students they’ve never met, in an attempt to allow free speech without fear of judgment from their friends. It’s not therapy, and it’s not counseling. It’s a safe space for University students to gather together with others who come from a diversity of backgrounds, in order to share their struggles, their triumphs or any issue that they would like to address. Furthermore, every other Friday, members of all groups will participate in a large group activity, so that people have the opportunity to get to know other members of the WSN in a fun and relaxing setting. Activities may include anything from group yoga sessions or guided meditation to outings to different venues around Ann Arbor. The network has been months in the making and remains an ever-evolving entity. As part of the leader retreat, student leaders were encouraged to critically examine the structure of the program, to create together something that would become an integral part of University culture moving into the future. As a participant in the weekend, I found it to be a transformative experience, and I think many of my co-leaders would say the same. Another WSN group leader said, “It will provide a home away from home for people who are struggling.” In order to build trust among those in attendance, the first night was dedicated to getting to know one another and sharing thoughts about or our connections to mental health. I was deeply moved by the experiences of my peers, many of whom have been impacted in some way by traumatic or painful experiences, including suicide, abuse, depression and anxiety, among many others. Equally moving were the stories of those who, despite no apparent connection to mental health issues in their lives, felt so passionately about the topic and believed so strongly in the mission
of the Wolverine Support Network. “It’ll become a great community through which students can meet new people and bounce ideas off of one another in a safe, inclusive, and action-oriented environment.” – WSN group leader The entirety of Saturday was spent on leader education. Experts from CAPS, the University’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center, Wolverine Wellness and University Housing’s Diversity Education program gave lectures on a wide range of topics. As a group, we learned about the prevalence of depression and anxiety on college campuses, and how to recognize signs that a person might be contemplating suicide. We received instruction on how to best provide support to survivors of sexual assault and how to make them aware of the numerous resources available to them on campus. Additionally, we were taught about the ways in which substance abuse can impact student life and how to maintain a comfortable environment for individuals of every race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, age and religion. Though our education was, of course, not exhaustive, it provided a solid framework from which to proceed. Furthermore, it was emphasized that we were not mental health professionals and should be prepared to direct students to appropriate campus resources. Leaders will continue to receive training on a variety of health topics throughout the semester. “It will aid in de-stigmatizing mental health” – WSN group leader Sunday was spent working as a group to define what we really wanted the Wolverine Support Network to become. I found that everyone had a unique vision for the future of the initiative. The most common themes focused on simply creating a community, one where everyone on campus would feel safe, included and valued, and one that would continue to develop and change just like our diverse student body. That afternoon, 35 people who had been strangers less than 72 hours before stepped off the bus by the Union as friends, energized and optimistic about the future of mental health at the University. If you or anyone you know might be interested in joining a WSN group next semester, please feel free to sign up at http://bit.ly/ WSNMember or direct any questions to wsndirectors@umich.edu because, as we all know too well, life happens. Nicholas Raja is an LSA junior.
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Arts
FILM REVIEW
‘Horrible Bosses 2’ a mediocre sequel
Tuesday, December 2, 2014 — 5
CONFERENCE CALL
Follow-up to successful comedy falls short of original By CONRAD FOREMAN Daily Arts Writer
While “Horrible Bosses 2” doesn’t exceed expectations, it’s at least passable. In the follow-up C to the 2011 success Horrible “Horrible Bosses 2 Bosses,” Nick (Jason Rave 20 and Quality 16 Bateman, “Bad Words”), Warner Bros. Kurt (Jason Sudeikis, “We’re the Millers”) and Dale (Charlie Day, “Going the Distance”) once again find themselves on the raw end of a business deal. Though they have freed themselves from their tormenting bosses, the trio’s venture into self-employment seems destined to end in disaster when a super-wealthy businessman (Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”) reneges on his deal to fund the group’s patented product. This time around, murder won’t do the trick; so Nick, Kurt and Dale kidnap their foe’s son (Chris Pine, “Star Trek”), intending to hold him for a handsome ransom. The plot weaves its way through encounters with familiar faces from the first film, creating a scenario in which the gang must seek advice from Nick’s imprisoned former boss (Kevin Spacey, “American Beauty”), as well as fan favorite, “Motherfucker” Jones (Jamie Foxx, “Django Unchained”). In
WARNER BROS.
Christoph Waltz. Telling it like it is. What’s new?
WARNER BROS.
A nightmare dressed like a daydream.
order to pull off the kidnapping, the trio sets out to steal laughing gas from Dale’s old office, which leads to a raunchy and openminded encounter between Nick and Dale’s former boss, an insatiable sex-addict portrayed by Jennifer Aniston (“We’re the Millers”). While certainly forced for the sake of bringing back as many characters as possible, these run-ins with the first film’s villains and accomplices account for many laughs, especially in any dealings with “Motherfucker” Jones. The film skates over some important plot points, like the details of the business deals that led to the group’s impending demise. That’s to be expected, but delivering that segment of the story via montage with Macklemore’s “Can’t Hold Us” pumping though theaters’ speakers feels rushed and out-ofplace, a lazy delivery of exposition. Though the film relies on a formulaic structure, “Horrible Bosses 2” takes unexpected risks
with many of its jokes. During the opening sequence at a local news station, the boys promote Nick-Kurt-Dale, which sounds awfully a lot like a certain racial slur. The film attempts racial humor throughout, beyond just the shock-value of the N-word, though results are hit-and-miss. Some moments in the film leave one wondering how many writers it took to pull this crap out of the toilet, such as when Kurt and Dale partake in silhouetted oral sex, an age-old gag carried out with more creativity in the second and third “Austin Powers” movies. Not without its flaws, “Horrible Bosses 2” resides right in the middle of the pack — it’s not a sequel that had to be made, nor is it one that surpasses its predecessor — but the film employs great comedic talent around an entertaining premise and should make fans of the first film laugh, at least a few times. No major complaints here, unless this leads to “Horrible Bosses 3.”
STYLE NOTEBOOK
Supporting the ‘look good, feel good’ mantra By CAROLINE FILIPS Daily Arts Writer
I’m an ardent supporter of the “look good, feel good” mantra, and “dress well, test well” is a close second, or at least … it used to be. Though I may have planned a few outfit/accessory combinations the night before I took the ACT in high school (convinced the mysticism of the right clothing combinations brought me to the University) the motivation to look effortlessly put-together becomes more difficult to muster in college and I often find myself sporting last night’s pajamas when I take my exams. I surely don’t feel my best when my friends can’t tell if they’re eating lunch with an undercover bag lady or their friend who aspires to eventually cultivate a yuppie lifestyle — complete with a perfectly tailored Bergdorf Goodman wardrobe. Perhaps it’s easier to express how you feel on the outside than explain how the stress of two exams catalyzed an existential crisis, resulting in your surrender to sweatpants. So has the confidence I used to draw from clothing faded throughout my limited college career? Absolutely. I quickly succumbed to a new lethargic lifestyle, constant hunger for anything that can be delivered directly to my bedside and productivity contrasted by equal amounts of laziness. And because of that, I no longer considered my outward appearance a priority. Yet I yearned for that lost confidence, that feeling of knowing I used to dress somewhat decently and ref lecting it in my mood. Though it may not be apparent in my everyday outfit choices, I still believe in the immeasurable confidence
that comes from dressing well. Perhaps it’s pretentious, superstitious even, to place such a high value on the power of clothes beyond the obvious social advantages. However, I rely on aesthetically pleasing attire to contrast my frivolous nature (so people take me seriously, like, just a little bit). I attribute some of a person’s conf idence to the power of a structured exterior, and I don’t f ind this to merely be a personal belief, but a media trend that extends far beyond me.
Clothing and mood are undeniably interconnected. Let’s examine Andy Sachs, played by Anne Hathaway in “The Devil Wears Prada.” In the beginning she’s the epitome of everything fashion isn’t — unkempt, badly dressed, while also blithely unaware of the fashion industry’s doyen interviewing her, Miranda Priestley (Meryl Streep, “Aug ust: Osage County”). Yet after fairy godfather Nigel’s (Stanley Tucci, “Easy A”) harsh yet sage advice on how to thrive rather than be defeated by the cutthroat realities of the industry, combined with his access to the closet of Runway magazine, Andy is morphed into an icon in her own right. Her fashionable ascent endows her with the confidence and poise to face all adversity she encounters (i.e. when Emily makes fun of her, she retaliates with Chanel boots), and she’s soon run-
ning the show that is Runway magazine. That’s the power of clothes, their powers turn you into a #GirlBoss, which takes you to Paris even though you’re not the editor’s first assistant … and Gisele compliments you at work. Just look at Miranda, terrif ying any and everyone in her path of chicness, fueled by the confidence of clothes. Even the inspiration for the film came from the stories of the most confident and well-dressed woman at Condé Nast, at Vog ue, in the world — the elusive, forever unapproachable, goddess who makes f lip phones OK: Anna Wintour. Her existence is a spectacle, consisting of Blahnik and Birkins … but most importantly, she’s a woman in charge of what many regard as the fashion bible, and she runs the show looking immaculately polished, and why? Because simply appearing well dressed sig nifies one’s importance, and being aware of this when you’re looking fresh is lethal. Clothing and mood are undeniably interconnected, as any shopaholic can attest. As evidenced by any powerful woman of the 21st century, it’s as if appearing à la mode whenever possible is essential to success. More often than not, first ladies have become fashion icons, as they accentuate their place in the public eye with a ref ined exterior. Hillar y will never betray her beloved rainbow of pantsuits, as they have become integ ral part of her identit y, and a symbol of her enormous ambition. So why af ter taking 45 minutes to get all dressed up and make it to the club do Beyoncé and average college students alike feel as if we can run the world? Because we look like we can.
Cast of ‘Horrible Bosses’ talks new film Bateman, Day and Sudekis discuss making the sequel By REBECCA LERNER Daily Arts Writer
Despite receiving mediocre reviews, “Horrible Bosses” seeks to be anything but horrible. And the film’s leading trio hope moviegoers think the same. In a recent conference call The Michigan Daily attended, Jason Bateman (“This is Where I Leave You”), Charlie Day (“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”) and Jason Sudeikis (“We’re the Millers”) discussed their anticipation for the sequel to their wildly successful “Horrible Bosses.” The first installment focused on the three friends hoping to solve their unfortunate work situations with an extreme solution: killing each other’s bosses. The raucous comedy performed well critically and financially, but is that enough to warrant a sequel? The stars of the film think so. In the call, they acknowledged the huge financial incentive for a second film, since “Horrible Bosses” grossed about $210 million worldwide. “You get asked to do sequels when it makes enough money
to warrant it, ” Bateman said. “(We were all) certainly open to it … we had such a good time doing the first one.” Day elaborated on the considerations they made to to endure the sequel would be worth it. “Creatively, I think we got it to a place where it made sense for us to do it.” Day said. The sequel certainly has the groundwork for the same raunchy excellence of the first movie. There are some familiar faces, with Jennifer Aniston (“We’re the Millers”) and Jamie Foxx (“Django Unchained”) reprising their roles as sexcrazed dentist Dr. Julia Harris and murder consultant Dean “Motherfucker” Jones, respectively. But the stars’ excitement stemmed from the expansion of the cast to include new villains Chris Pine (“Star Trek Into Darkness”) and twotime Oscar winner Christoph Waltz (“Django Unchained”). “It’s pretty cool when you can class (a comedy) up with some Oscar winners.” Bateman said. “It becomes a really nice balanced cocktail.” Sudeikis said, it’s “flattering” for actors to join the series due to the success of the first film. Beyond additions to the cast, Sean Andrew, who directed Sudeikis in “We’re the Millers” took the directorial role over
Seth Gordon, the first film’s director. “Him and his writing partner, John Morris, are … two of the best … scriptwriters, comic writers in … Hollywood right now,” Sudeikis said. “The film got a little more stylized … and it fits the story,” Day agreed. And for Bateman he’s yet to work with a horrible boss, despite his fictional experiences then. “I’m waiting for a real son of a bitch to come my way. I’m prepped,” said Jason Bateman on if he had ever had a horrible boss. Although he neglected to name anyone specific, with “Horrible Bosses 2,” he’s had plenty of fictional experience with them. These actors are wellversed with the cynicism of the American public and did their best to make a film that would match the expectations moviegoers would have of the funny trio. “We didn’t want to make a film that was not at least as good as the first film, and we worked really, really hard to attempt to do that,” Bateman said. “I expect people to be skeptical and I hope that they’re pleasantly surprised,” Day added. “(I’m) hopeful that they’re really going to like it.”
MUSIC NOTEBOOK
In defense of the saxophone and its revival in pop music By CARLY SNIDER Daily Arts Writer
Take a moment and imagine the coolest, most jam-worthy instrument you can think of. Is it a hard-rocking electric guitar? A piano? Drums, possibly? For me, it might have to be the saxophone. Yes, saxophone, as in that Kenny G guy. In the past, the saxophone has been reserved for background music at stuffy dinner parties or the soundtrack to torturous car rides with parents who refuse to change the radio station from the smooth jazz station. But with its incorporation into more modern music, the stigma of the saxophone is slowly being erased. Pop artists such as Katy Perry, Jason Derulo, Lady Gaga and Pitbull have all featured the saxophone on some of their most successful tracks, with Kenny G himself making a cameo in Perry’s “Last Friday Night.” The millennials have embraced the sax. Using new editing techniques to change or enhance the sound, listeners may not even be aware of the real instrumentation behind some of their favorite hits. Oftentimes the sax replaces what used to be the entirely electronic drop or bridge to the song. Working with the same medium, comparing Pitbull’s party anthem “Fireball” to
anything relating to a smoky jazz club is still almost entirely out of the question. These variations just go to show the versatility of the instrument. While more popular artists still shy away from blatant saxophone use, some groups embrace, and ultimately benefit, from it. One of my favorite songs ends with a lengthy saxophone solo. The song, M83’s “Midnight City,” is one of the last places you would expect any kind of raw instrumentation as the group’s sound is almost entirely electronic and processed. The element of the surprise gives the instrument its strength. Its sound is similar to that produced by synthesizers, but far more raw and powerful.
The sax has escaped its elevator music reputation. Going in the opposite direction, more EDM-based groups have started to manipulate the instrument to fit their sound — most notably, Big Gigantic. The Colorado-based duo uses saxophone and drums in their
tracks to give them a more jazz/ hip-hop sound that sets them apart from other electronic artists. Initially, listeners may not realize the main melody is coming from a saxophone; it is so processed and blends so well with the other elements. However, there are standout moments in which the instrumentation is obvious. One of the coolest elements of this combination is seeing the group perform live. For the most part, EDM shows consist of a DJ standing on stage pressing play on his or her computer, accompanied by fancy f lashing lights. With Big Gigantic, there is more of an actual performance as front man Lalli plays the instrument on stage. You get all the benefits of a sick light show on top of the excitement of live music. With all of its new uses, the saxophone has escaped its stereotypical place among elevator music and Michael Bublé holiday CDs. It has transcended its original genre and become something much more versatile. While it may never reach the rock/pop status of drums or guitar, its place in popular culture gives hope for other instrumental changes in the future. Who knows what will come next — maybe Drake’s next album will feature heavy f lute. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Arts
6 — Tuesday, December 2, 2014
COMMUNITY & CULTURE COLUMN
Kim Kardashian and the art of the nude 2
014 has truly been a fascinating year for conversations about the naked female body. We’ve seen the digital #FreeTheNipple movement, which protests the restrictions social media platforms like Instagram put on photos KATHLEEN that expose breasts, while DAVIS leaving topless male photos untouched. We’ve seen the massive hacking of female celebrity nude photos and the angry backlash that followed their release online. We’ve also seen the nude Kim Kardashian Paper Magazine photoshoot, which threatened to #BreakTheInternet, and almost succeeded, given the debate between supporters and detractors of the photos that exploded from every corner of the web. While bloggers, fans and journalists all tried to decipher the meaning and intention behind the photographs shot by JeanPaul Goude, one question brought up by multiple sources grabbed my attention: Are the naked Kim Kardashian photos art? And if so — or if not — where is the line between nudity as art and nudity as tasteless? We’ve had a few weeks to digest how Kim broke the Internet, and life has carried on normally for the most part. For those who have not yet seen the NSFW photos, they’re a cheeky recreation of the same photographer’s controversial and semi-iconic “Champagne Incident.” The 1982 photograph featured a young Black model pouring an exploding bottle of champagne perfectly over her head and into the a glass she has balanced on her ass. While Kim
K is clothed in her recreation of the photo, the other three photos in the spread show her in various stages of undress, culminating in a full-frontal shot and the photo that launched a thousand memes: Kim looking over her shoulder and completely exposing her famous derrière. As Paper Magazine intended, the Internet exploded. It’s also important to mention that Paper Mag is not a pornographic magazine, but one focused on art, fashion and alternative music. The history of naked bodies in art is a fascinating subject. Walk into any seasoned art museum and you’re bound to see a collection of genitals that, in any other context, would shock any man, woman or child. Yet I’ve never seen a “18+” sign in front of a Rodin or a Botticelli. Artists of nudes of any medium are considered some of the most highly regarded in history, and there’s absolutely no question that they should be. The amount of work and sheer genius that goes into a piece of art at the scale of a Donatello sculpture or “The Birth of Venus” is mind bending. We see Michelangelo’s David and don’t think he was a pervy guy; we think of him as an incredibly talented sculptor who still influences sculpture to this day. (I, on the other hand, saw David in the Art Institute of Chicago at the ripe age of five or six, and was left with years of questions about male anatomy and potential topics for adult therapy.) Modern and contemporary art have also taken advantage of the beauty of the human body, but most often the results don’t have the same impact as classical nudes. Why? Perhaps the idea of timelessness in the marble and canvases add to the argument that Renaissance artists were the peak of nudes in art. However, that argument hasn’t stopped
contemporary artists from creating some beautiful pieces of art featuring butts that wouldn’t necessarily offend your grandma. Nudity in photography is an entirely different can of worms, but one that is crucial to conversations about what is considered modern art. The line between whether a photo of a naked woman is artistic or pornographic is dependent on a myriad of factors, like artistic credibility, lighting and poses, which oftentimes are so subjective to the viewer that the conversation becomes defunct. It’s totally plausible to look at a nude photograph and appreciate it for its artistic credibility. It’s also possible that the photo was meant for pornographic purposes. If a photo can be both, is it possible that there’s no distinction? Do we feel scandalized by Kim Kardashian’s bare butt because we feel like we know her after years of “Keeping up with the Kardashians” and countless tabloid covers? Possibly. I like the Paper Magazine photoshoot. I like how Kim looks directly at the camera as to assert her dominance over the situation instead of seeming passive. And the article that accompanies the pictures portrays Kim as smart and savvy, master of her self-created digital world. Paper Mag. wants you to know that Kim Kardashian knows what you think of her. In fact, she’s very aware. Now she wants to break your Internet. I’m not sure if there will ever be a consensus about the artistic credibility of the Paper Magazine photos, but I can confirm one thing: Whether she meant to or not, Kim opened up an interesting conversation about nudity in art, and now she has my attention. Davis is keeping up with tasteful nudes everywhere. To join her, e-mail katjacqu@umich.edu.
Classifieds RELEASE DATE– Tuesday, December 2, 2014
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ALBUM REVIEW
COLUMBIA
Simon says “Clench your teeth.”
AC/DC rocks, doesn’t bust on new album Australian band’s sixteenth release shows vitality By MICHAEL FLYNN Daily Arts Writer
AC/DC has had a rough year, to say the least. Not only has the band had to contend with losing its long time B rhythm g uitarist Malcolm Young to dementia, AC/DC but now drummer Columbia Phil Rudd faces charges for drug possession, leaving his future in question. But the Australian hard rockers have responded the only way they know how: by going to the studio and making good out of bad through music. The result is Rock or Bust, an energetic album that doesn’t bring any new f lavors to the AC/DC sound or contain any standout tracks, but
Rock or Bust
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ACROSS 1 Netherlands export 5 “500” initials on Wall Street 10 Important time periods 14 Outfielder Crisp nicknamed for a cereal box character 15 Acting award 16 Night in Nantes 17 Modest abode 19 Armory supply 20 Galena or hematite 21 Currier’s partner 22 One in a congregation 24 Winnebago owner, briefly 25 Defendant in a defamation case 26 More orderly 29 Weak 30 Grads 31 Tusked porcine animals 32 Spot for rest and relaxation 35 Gimlet fruit 36 Urge forward 37 Help to withdraw 38 Neighbor of Isr. 39 Attorney general under Reagan 40 Map out 41 Seize, as a chance 43 Grab greedily 44 __ City: Oz locale 46 Tiny energy source 47 Title for Bovary and Butterfly 48 Landed 49 ROTC school near D.C. 52 Good buds 53 Windblown desert plant 56 To be, to Bizet 57 Prop for Picasso 58 Inland Asian sea 59 Like Easter eggs 60 Gin berries 61 Lock maker
DOWN 1 Reverberate 2 Sullen 3 Top 4 Unruly group 5 In any way 6 Peter of Peter and Gordon 7 Cpls. and sgts. 8 Aswan or Hoover 9 Opening night showing 10 Tooth cover 11 Folding feature of an old roadster 12 Actress Anouk 13 Put away for the future 18 Exists 23 Recedes to the sea 24 Hoarfrost 25 Sailor’s time off 26 Hard to believe, as a story 27 Nastase of tennis 28 Hogwarts headmaster 29 Force unfairly (on) 31 Naan, for example 33 Jardin du Luxembourg, par exemple
34 Lit. collection 36 Seriously reduces 37 “Kapow!” cousin 39 Respectful address 40 100 bucks 42 Wiped off the board 43 Motion picture frames 44 Fix firmly
45 Title role that won Borgnine a 15Across 46 “Tiny Alice” dramatist Edward 48 “Are not” retort 49 Wang known for wedding gowns 50 Supper, e.g. 51 Out of a job 54 Delta rival: Abbr. 55 Method
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nevertheless showcases the band’s vitality and ability to soldier on through tough times. The name of the game for AC/DC has always been consistency, and this holds true on Rock or Bust. Rather than try to dabble in contemporary styles, the group has again stuck with the tried-and-true formula of power chords, nimble singlenote riffs, Ang us Young ’s searing g uitar solos and irreverent party-time lyrics delivered by the husky-voiced Brian Johnson. The creative well has dried a bit (as it does when any band passes its 40th year), meaning there are no songs on Rock or Bust on par with classics such as “Highway to Hell” or “Back in Black.” There are no instantly recognizable riffs and the predominantly midtempo songs blend together. But what the tracks lack in originality, they make up for in volume, energ y and fun, and with each one clocking under four minutes, the album works perfectly as a quick jolt of musical adrenaline — the musical equivalent of black coffee. The group does not explicitly mention the Young ’s struggle or delinquent Rudd in lyrical form, but there are subtle nods to the trying times that have colored the album’s production. The cheery major-key romp “Rock the Blues Away” has a tinge of melancholy, as the narrator takes solace in his car, his friends and his girl to try and forget his troubles. The slow, groov y “Hard Times” is the closest thing Rock or Bust has to a mission statement, featuring a lyrical call for downtrodden folks everywhere to rise above their circumstances (plus some of the dirtiest lead g uitar that Ang us Young has ever played.) The album’s title track affirms the band’s belief that their commitment to rock ‘n’ roll will help them overcome present and future challenges: “In rock we trust / It’s rock or bust.” Elsewhere on the record, the band fully embraces the sex and violence rock is known for, from the very direct carnality of “Rock the House” to the juvenile humor of “Emission Control,” from the menace and doom of “Dogs of War” to the defiant F-you to mortality of “Play Ball,” the album’s lead single. The album’s greatest streng th is not in its individual
songs, but its classic AC/DC sound. New rhythm g uitarist Stevie Young has mastered his retired uncle Malcolm’s sound and technique, establishing himself as a capable replacement, and the veterans of the band are in top form. Malcolm Young ’s presence is strong on the record ( he holds co-writing credit on all eleven tracks), as is the rhythm section of Phil Rudd and bassist Cliff Williams (Rudd completed his parts before his legal troubles began). Producer Brendan O’Brien eschews studio reverb and effects, preferring an unpolished production approach that allows the grit and spirit of the performances to shine through. Each cut captures the camaraderie and sense of fun that the band members share, proving that AC/DC is no standard-issue corporate rock band, but a family: a band of brothers bonded by music. This familial bond has kept the band from getting too personal with its music, out of respect for the privacy of Young and Rudd. As such, the lyrical content is superficial — had AC/DC featured more explicit references to its struggles, the album certainly would have been more emotionally gripping, and would have displayed a never-before-heard sensitive side of the band. But AC/DC’s mission has always been to provide entertainment, not to tug on people’s heartstrings. Plus, exploiting the suffering of Young and Rudd for commercial and artistic purposes would be cheap and disrespectful. While this impersonality makes for a weaker album, it shows that the group has something that is often overlooked in the rock world: integrity. Most rock bands don’t make it past 10 years of life, so it’s a wonder AC/DC has survived this long. The group’s future is undoubtedly uncertain, but if Rock or Bust turns out to be its final album, it will be a fine capstone to over 40 years of rocking and rolling. It is a derivative album, a retread of ideas that the band has been recycling since day one. But it is also a raucous celebration of life, and most importantly, it is a rock album that sounds incredibly good. When faced with the decision to rock or to bust, AC/DC have chosen once again to rock. Ang us, Malcolm, Stevie, Brian, Cliff, Phil … we salute you.
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Sports
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Tuesday, December 2, 2014 — 7
Final Four rematch: ‘M’ welcomes ’Cuse By LEV FACHER Daily Sports Editor
Though the Michigan men’s basketball team last faced Syracuse less than two years ago, just three players on the current roster were there to take part. The game, of course, was the 2013 National Semifinal, an action-packed precursor to then-freshman guard Spike Albrecht’s national comingout party two nights later against Louisville. Albrecht, now a junior, played sparingly in the game. But he managed to make a lasting impression, shooting 2-for-2 from 3-point range in front of 75,350 fans at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, helping the Wolverines to a 61-56 win. “Game experience is the only way you’re really going to get used to that sort of situation,” Albrecht said. “But we want to take good shots and good 3’s. We don’t want to just be jacking, just because we’re settling.” Though Albrecht played just five minutes in the game, he and junior guard Caris LeVert — also of 2012’s Fresh Five class — have found lessons that they can pass on to the younger players who have yet to deal with Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim’s formidable 2-3 zone. “It definitely helps, just being there and being on the big stage — that was a big game, so we had a lot of pressure on us,” Albrecht said. “At the end of the day, you don’t want to go out there and look foolish. You want to go out there and know what you’re doing and be ready to execute.” The accuracy from long range helped fellow point
guard Trey Burke break down the Orange’s tenacious ‘D’ by extending its defensive formation outward and spreading it thin in the middle, leaving room for Mitch McGary to shoot, drive and distribute from the top of the key. Ultimately, it was McGary who made the difference against Syracuse. In the midst of a breakout tournament that elevated him, too, to national prominence, McGary’s presence in the middle was the key in overcoming the notoriously tricky defensive alignment. McGary finished with 12 rebounds — five on the offensive end — along with 10
“Once you get used to (the zone), you have to try and attack it.” points, six assists and two blocks. But McGary and his production, obviously, can’t help the Wolverines now. LeVert said that though Michigan has options, he isn’t yet sure who’s capable of being the center-court presence capable of draining a 10-foot jumper, driving for a layup or dishing to the corner in search of an uncontested 3-pointer. “I don’t know yet,” LeVert said. “We’ll see. We have a lot of guys capable of passing the ball in the middle and knocking down that shot, so we’ll look at our different options.” Albrecht’s noteworthy entrance notwithstanding, it was LeVert who made the biggest impact against Syra-
cuse in the Final Four among players on the current roster. LeVert played 21 minutes and scored eight points off the bench for the Wolverines. LeVert was also credited with an assist on a play that might have been the season’s high point. With six seconds remaining and Michigan leading 59-56, Tim Hardaway Jr. saved a ball from going out of bounds along the Michigan baseline, and the ball wound up in LeVert’s hands. It didn’t stay there for long, as LeVert found forward Jordan Morgan on an outlet pass. Morgan dunked it through with two seconds remaining, sealing the Wolverines’ trip to the National Championship Game. “I think that was a pretty cool moment,” Levert said. “The J-Mo dunk, the finish and how we ran on the court and celebrated.” Despite the formidable zone, which he described as “like any other zone, except for it’s just longer and a lot quicker,” LeVert turned the ball over just once. “It took a couple possessions to get used to it, but once you get used to it, you have to try to attack it in any way you can,” LeVert said. “We’ve been watching some film of that zone, and we’ll watch more.” Syracuse, also, has seen remarkable turnover since the 2013 showdown. But senior forward Rakeem Christmas, then a sophomore, played a substantial role in the game for the Orange — he started and played 23 minutes, brought down five rebounds and scored five points. “It’s going to be difficult because that’s where all our youth is,” Beilein said of Michigan’s tough defensive task in
the post. “(Christmas) has been around for a little bit and has really evolved into a true low-post presence. So that’s going to be a tough one.” Beyond not knowing who can play in the middle or defend the low post, an injury to sophomore guard Derrick Walton Jr. has cast a shadow over Michigan’s outlook in the backcourt. Walton didn’t practice Sunday, and Beilein said he could decide his status during Monday’s practice or even close to game time
Tuesday. But LeVert said the amount of time he spent at point guard in practice recently has been “about the same, maybe a little bit more.” Despite the precautions being taken in case Walton can’t play, LeVert said, “Derrick is getting better.” An interesting possibility for Beilein, however, is playing multiple low-post players simultaneously, a look he hasn’t tried out this season. With freshman forward Ricky Doyle’s recent emergence as a
bona fide offensive presence, he could spend time alongside redshirt freshman Mark Donnal — or even senior forward Max Bielfeldt — around the key. “They’re going to learn a lot about playing lowpost defense at a very young
and a redshirt year is being considered, Beilein announced. “That would be another thing we’d look at,” Beilein said. “Obviously, we don’t have to do that until we do that.
“We’ll take a long, hard look and see if we need him.” Though on paper the move spreads age,” MichiBeilein gan thinsaid of ner at the Donnal forward and Doyle. position, it might not have “With Syramuch of a long-term impact on cuse playing the season. Wilson hadn’t been 100 percent playing substantial minutes zone, (using and struggled two forwards at when he once) is more of did, avera possibility than aging normal.” just 0.4 points in INJURY UPDATE: D.J. 4.8 minWilson will be sidelined for utes per “maybe three to four weeks,” game.
Dwyer redeems himself vs. RPI Wolverines greet MEN’S LACROSSE
By JEREMY SUMMITT Daily Sports Editor
With 4:41 remaining in the Michigan hockey team’s game against Rensselaer on Saturday, fifth-year senior goaltender Luke Dwyer made his entry into the crease. Yost Ice Arena erupted as he skated from the bench to the goal frame. Dwyer, a third-string goaltender and a former walkon, doesn’t get to play much, especially when he’s behind two goaltenders capable of starting on most teams in the country. But this was Dwyer’s moment, and it didn’t come without pressure. Though the Wolverines held a 6-0 lead over the Engineers, they were searching for their first shutout since Nov. 22, 2013. Dwyer had had his first opportunity to impress his hometown fans once before, but nothing went as planned. *** Just less than a year ago, on Dec. 5, 2013, Dwyer made his first-ever appearance in a Michigan sweater during an exhibition game against the United States Under-18 National Team Development Program. With less than three minutes left in regulation, Dwyer made the same entrance he did Saturday night. Yost cheered, his teammates smiled and tapped their sticks on the boards. It was all shaping up to be a special evening for Dwyer, a lifelong resident of Ann Arbor. Michigan was leading 4-2, and there really wasn’t a weight of demand on Dwyer’s shoulders. Just stand tall between the pipes for 180 seconds and call it a night. “That was something the captains talked to (Michigan coach) Red (Berenson) at the beginning of the week, about getting him in if we had a lead,” said former Michigan forward Alex Guptill at the time. His friends playing in front of him seemed to already have the win deep in their pocket. The U.S. NTDP made things interesting,
though, netting a goal with 52 seconds remaining. Fans became uneasy, shifting in their seats. Berenson wasn’t pleased with conceding a late goal. He never is. Then, 28 seconds later, a Michigan player and a member of the U.S. NTDP both bumped into Dwyer. A puck was rising, coming toward the Wolverine net. It was a save Dwyer would make nine times out of 10 in practice. But the contact from the two players in the crease pushed Dwyer to the side, and he was forced to scramble back into position. Before he could, a seemingly harmless backdoor pass ended up in the back of the net. It was a 4-4 game. Yost was silent. The players were left in shock. Just 2:43 into the overtime session, Michigan conceded a third unanswered goal. It lost, 5-4, and all three goals were conceded after Dwyer came in, ready for his shining moment. “I’ve got a sick feeling in my stomach right now for us to blow that lead for him,” Guptill said. “It’s pretty bad. Dwyer is the definition of a Michigan Man; he’s worked out really hard and earned every opportunity out there.” ***
That’s why Saturday’s game was a shot at redemption. A few gracious minutes awarded to Dwyer, a guy who, according to Berenson, “does everything right and cares about the team like it’s his own family.” It was Dwyer’s chance to put his first — and only — appearance aside and build a different legacy with the block ‘M’ on his chest. And it was a chance for the rest of his team to fight like hell to make sure another cherished moment wasn’t tarnished. “I was obviously extremely excited to be in. Excited, nervous, a wide range of emotions,” Dwyer said. He was tested immediately. Dwyer made a nice save with
young teammate 14-year-old with thrombosis joins class of 2023 By ERIN DRABICKI For the Daily
ALLISON FARRAND/Daily
Luke Dwyer had a forgettable debut last year but redeemed himself Saturday.
his right pad, behind a screen, to keep the shutout intact with 3:12 remaining in the game. Time couldn’t tick quickly enough. With the puck at the right point, Dwyer took his angle to brace for a powerful shot. The RPI defenseman wound up. Dwyer was ready for it. But out of nowhere, sophomore defenseman Michael Downing lunged in front of the shooter, taking a slapshot directly to the head. As one of the most instrumental pieces of the defensive corps, Downing made a sacrifice he didn’t have to make. But he felt it was necessary. After all, that was for Dwyer. “It’s one of those things where, I mean, I’ll do anything for him,” Downing said. “Obviously, I’ll do it for all three goalies, but it’s different when Luke comes in cause he’s a fifth-year senior walk-on.” RPI won a faceoff in the Wolverines’ zone with seven seconds left but couldn’t put a shot on net. The puck trickled to the corner until time expired.
Dwyer had redeemed himself, and so had his teammates. “He’s one of the hardestworking guys and best team guys I’ve ever been around,” said sophomore forward JT Compher. “For him to be in the game and be out there, you guys all saw our effort; it’s like we were up one goal at the end of the Stanley Cup.” Dwyer had to wait nearly a year to cleanse the 5-4 heartbreaker from his memory, one Guptill hoped Dwyer would be able to “look back at someday and laugh at.” Dwyer says he isn’t able to laugh about it yet. For a long time, Dwyer beat himself up over the loss. He had 359 days to dwell on his first appearance before getting another chance at redemption. “I’m sure one day I’ll look back and laugh, and say ‘Why the hell was I taking it so seriously?’ ” Dwyer said. His second chance might have been his last, but at least Saturday’s performance will be one Dwyer can look back on and smile about.
Signing day is the day high school athletes dream of. It’s a significant milestone when an athlete picks where he or she will play in college. Only a select number actually get the privilege to sign a National Letter of Intent and continue their athletic careers. And Nov. 24, 14-year-old Brendan Randolph of Plymouth became one of them when he joined the Michigan men’s lacrosse team’s class of 2023. Randolph was born with a sagittal sinus venous thrombosis, which caused permanent damage to his brain. The condition causes intractable epilepsy. Persistent seizures — ranging from 35 to 40 a month — have been a part of Randolph’s life for the last five-and-a-half years. Despite developmental and speech delays, Randolph is still able to go to school at Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy. And thanks to the organization Team IMPACT, a non-profit that works to improve quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses, Randolph was “drafted” to Michigan. Children of Team IMPACT become official members of the teams, starting at signing day and ending at graduation. The children attend practices, games and social events where they can form life-changing relationships. Founded in 2011,
the organization has influenced the lives of more than 570 children and 20,000 studentathletes at 270 institutions throughout the country. The men’s lacrosse team is no stranger to giving back. Following the 2013 season, it earned the Rachael Townsend Award for the Michigan team with the most community service hours. Additionally, this is the second project of its kind in two years that the team has been involved with. In 2013, it adopted Miles Root, who was suffering from brain cancer, through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. Drafting Randolph is just another act of service that gives the Wolverines an opportunity to make a difference. Randolph’s signing day began with team lifting and conditioning practice. He then signed his letter of intent in the Crisler Center media room. His audience included his parents, JoAnne and Chris, the team and Michigan coach John Paul. Following the official commitment, a press conference added to the excitement. Randolph was given a team helmet, stick, cleats and a practice pinnie with the No. 5 on it, his favorite number. “We are so pleased to welcome Brendan to the Michigan lacrosse family,” Paul said at the press conference. “His teammates and coaches are excited to have him join us as we work to build an elite program.” Signing day is always significant for athletes, and thanks to the men’s lacrosse team, it became even more meaningful to Randolph.
“(We) are excited to have him join us.”
Sports
8 — Tuesday, December 2, 2014
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Reports: Hoke decision today Hackett to meet with Hoke before 3 p.m. this afternoon By MAX COHEN Daily Sports Editor
RUBY WALLAU/Daily
Interim Athletic Director Jim Hackett is the sole determiner of Hoke’s fate.
“We have a football coach who has had a long history of being a good coach. He knows we’re not where we need to be right now.” Jim Hackett on Nov. 22
celebrate the holidays
When Brady Hoke walked through the lobby of Schembechler Hall at about 11:45 a.m. Monday morning, speculation about his job status swirled in the outside world. But Hoke still seemed focused on coaching football. A group of his players stood conversing in the entryway to the building, and Hoke made sure to ask them if they’d had the chance to watch game film yet. According to reports from Sam Webb of Scout.com, Tuesday will have a different feel for Hoke. He will meet with Interim Athletic Director Jim Hackett before speaking with his team at 3 p.m. during a previously scheduled meeting. According to Webb, it is expected that a decision on Hoke’s future at Michigan will be decided when the coach meets with Hackett. ESPN.com later corroborated Webb’s report. When Hackett spoke with media before the Wolverines’ game against Maryland on Nov. 22, he said he would conduct an evaluation of the football program at the “end of the season,” but declined to offer up further details as to when exactly that evaluation process would take place. A Michigan spokesperson could not confirm to the Daily the meeting between Hackett and Hoke. If Hoke is relieved of his duties Tuesday, Michigan will owe him a buyout of $3 million. If the decision to let him go comes after Jan. 1, the buyout drops to $2 million.
PAUL SHERMAN/Daily
Michigan football coach Brady Hoke will learn his fate in a meeting with Jim Hackett today, per Scout.com’s Sam Webb.
The meeting will come three days after the end of the 2014 football season in which the Wolverines went 5-7 in Hoke’s fourth year leading the program. After winning the Sugar Bowl and going 11-2 in Hoke’s first season, his teams have regressed each year. After Saturday’s loss to Ohio State, Hoke offered few details about his job status. “What I know is I’m going to be the football coach at Michigan,” Hoke said. “It’s what I know right now.” He’ll know more tomorrow. IN OTHER NEWS: According to reports from multiple media outlets, redshirt sophomore running back Drake Johnson tore his anterior cruciate ligament after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter of Saturday’s game. Johnson missed the 2013 season
recovering from the same injury. Seven Wolverines earned AllBig Ten honors Monday night. Fifth-year senior linebacker Jake Ryan led the way and was voted first team All-Big Ten by the league’s coaches and media. Junior wide receiver Devin Funchess was voted secondteam all-conference by the league’s coaches and honorable mention by the media. Senior defensive end Brennen Beyer, redshirt junior cornerback Blake Countess, fifth-year senior punter Will Hagerup and senior cornerback Raymon Taylor received honorablemention recognition. Devin Gardner was Michigan’s Sportsmanship Award honoree.
This is a developing story Check MichiganDaily.com throughout the day for updates
BY THE NUMBERS Coach Brady Hoke
31-20
Record as Michigan’s head coach. The Wolverines won just five games in 2014 and failed to reach a bowl.
$3 million
Buyout if Michigan fires him before Jan. 1. That day, it drops to $2 million.
2
Wins over Michigan State and Ohio State in his four-year tenure.
11
Wins in his first year at Michigan. The Wolverines won the Sugar Bowl over Virginia Tech.