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Dune, Part Two

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Journalist, GU Graduate Swisher Talks Internet, AI, Reporting on Technology Caleigh Keating Events Desk Editor

Technology journalist Kara Swisher (SFS ’84) stressed the dangers of the internet and reminisced about the excitement of reporting on the rise of the internet in a conversation that Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service (SFS) hosted March 14 in Gaston Hall. Swisher, the editor-at-large for New York Magazine and a host of the outlet’s podcasts “On With Kara Swisher” and “Pivot,” detailed her time covering the early days of the internet — particularly AOL, the subject of her first two books — before many other journalists reported on it. Swisher said AOL’s rise to prominence drew public attention to the internet and made being a journalist at the time novel. “Nobody was writing about this,” Swisher said at the event. “And nobody knew about AOL for sure, except when you had an outage. It was a huge moment. And I thought it was a big moment because

everyone lost their minds.” Swisher has covered the internet and the technology industry for over 30 years, having served as a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times and written for the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post. Her third book, “Burn Book: A Tech Love Story,” came out in February. Steve Case, a co-founder of AOL, who moderated the conversation, said Swisher’s commitment to covering technology and the internet since its early days is admirable. “Kara was one of the first reporters to recognize the transformative power of the Internet — as a reporter in D.C. no less,” Case wrote to The Hoya. “Kara is singular in her ability to investigate power and hold the industry to task, but also recognize that critique of technology has to be balanced with the promise and hope that it will serve to keep us healthier, safer, and more connected.”

GUHOYAS

Senior guard Kelsey Ransom dribbles past UConn guard Ashlynn Shade in transition. Ransom, who averaged 11.5 points, 5 assists and 2 steals throughout the Big East tournament, was named to the all-tournament team.

Hoyas Reach First-Ever Big East Final Oliver Ni and Daniel Greilsheimer Senior Sports Editors

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Kara Swisher (SFS ’84) spoke with AOL co-founder Steve Case at the School of Foreign Service event. See SWISHER, A7

fter a relentless march to their first-ever Big East tournament championship appearance, the Georgetown University women’s basketball team finally ran into a team they had no answer for. The Hoyas (22-11, 9-9 Big East) suffered a 78-42 defeat to No. 10 University of Connecticut (295, 18-0 Big East) March 11. The Huskies’ fourth consecutive conference title ended what had

been a Cinderella run for the Hoyas, who vastly outperformed their 10th-place projection in the preseason Big East Coaches’ Poll. Head Coach Darnell Haney said while the team had hoped for a different outcome, he was proud of how hard the team fought. “I’m so proud to be associated with these people, associated with these young women who put their hearts and souls on the line for this university, for our staff and for me,” Haney told The Hoya in a postgame press conference. The sixth-seeded Hoyas survived

a long journey to reach the championship, beating Xavier (1-27, 0-18 Big East), St. John’s (17-14, 11-7 Big East) and No. 23 Creighton (25-5, 15-3 Big East) at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on consecutive nights from March 8 to March 10. Graduate forward and captain Graceann Bennett said the team’s goal all season was to play in the Monday night tournament final game. “This is an unprecedented thing for the program to be playing here, but it was not unprecedented in our minds,” Bennett told The Hoya. “These are our expectations.

These are our standards. This is what we’re repeating to each other every single day. This is the culture we’re building,” Bennett added. Both teams entered the game struggling with key injuries. The Hoyas lost junior forward Brianna Scott the previous night to a right leg injury, while the Huskies only had seven players available, just one of whom was a forward or center. Yet UConn tipped off with ruthless efficiency, distributing the ball with ease until the perfect shot See WBB, A10

Federal Bill Brings GU Prisons And Justice Initiative Funding Aamir Jamil

GUSA Desk Editor

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A potential ban on TikTok that the House of Representatives passed March 13 would end some Georgetown students’ content creation on the app.

Possible Congress TikTok Ban Threatens Hoya Influencers Kate Hwang and Aamir Jamil Graduate Desk Editor and GUSA Desk Editor

A congressional bill that could ban TikTok may mean a drop in revenue and a loss of opportunities for content creators at Georgetown University. The House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill March 13 that would require TikTok’s parent company ByteDance to sell TikTok within six months or have the app banned from all U.S. devices if the bill makes it through the Senate and becomes law. 170 million Americans are on TikTok, including around two-thirds of teenagers, with many using the

app as a source of income. Grace Rivers (CAS ’24), a content creator on the app, said a potential ban on TikTok disheartened her. “I am very privileged to make money on the platform, yet the constant threat of a ban makes this income precarious,” Rivers wrote to The Hoya. “For me personally, I will continue to create as usual, but there is always the looming thought that each post could be my last.” Full disclosure: Grace Rivers (CAS ’24) formerly served as a Hoya columnist. Joey Trigiani (MSB ’26), another content creator, said he was not as worried about the ban, as he uses TikTok as a part-time method to supplement his income. “A ban wouldn’t affect my creation or income too much

as I post on TikTok as more of a side hustle,” Trigiani wrote to The Hoya. “However, I recognize that some people rely solely on TikTok for their income. I think a ban would be very difficult for small businesses and brands that reside mainly on the app.” Caroline Timoney (CAS ’23), a part-time content creator, said TikTok’s unique algorithm allows her to reach audiences that other apps do not. “I still think the TikTok algorithm is really unique and has an ability to reach new people and it has a level of specificity that I don’t think even Instagram with reels has,” Timoney told The Hoya. See TIKTOK, A7

The Georgetown University Prisons and Justice Initiative (PJI) is set to receive $963,000 from congressionally directed spending allocated by a set of six government spending bills that President Joe Biden signed March 9. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) added the funding as an earmark, a provision inserted into a spending bill that allocates funding to a specific recipient. Part of the Justice Assistance Grant Pro-

gram, the funding is dedicated to establishing programs for currently incarcerated individuals. Norton said she was proud to secure the funding for PJI to help incarcerated and previously incarcerated citizens reintegrate into society and provide them with employment opportunities. “I am very pleased to get that $963,000 for PJI,” Norton told The Hoya. “The money of course is going to go for higher education opportunities for reentry support that transforms the lives of those affected by our criminal justice system.

The grant will be very important and we expect it to do a lot.” Marc Howard, a professor of government and law and the director of PJI, said the funding will allow the initiative to expand its reentry, prison education and workforce development programs that provide opportunities for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. “This substantial allocation marks a tremendous success for PJI, empowering us to broaden and enrich programs providing education, employment, and mentorship for D.C.’s See PJI, A7

MARYLAND PRISON GEORGETOWN WEBSITE

The Georgetown University Prisons and Justice Initiative (PJI) will receive $963,000 in federal funding, allowing the organization to expand its prison education and reentry programs.

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SPORTS

Luck of the Irish Georgetown’s Irish American Society will mark St. Patrick’s Day with an Irish dance showcase. A8

Standardize Research

Dune Just Fine

Men’s Basketball Blown Out

Despite sophomore guard Jayden Epps’ 30 points, the Hoyas lost 74-56 to Providence in the Big East tournament’s first round. A12

Students Against Starbucks

Deep Dialogue

‘Ricky Stanicky’

New Home, Same Wins

Student organizers paused their efforts after the coffee chain announced it would engage with union negotiators.

The Editorial Board urges Georgetown to create a research database and simplify students’ search for opportunities.

Inspired by her Catholic faith, Riley Talbot (CAS ’25) encourages students to be vulnerable and ask tough questions.

Andre Albrecht (SFS ’27) praises Denis Villeneuve’s Dune Part Two, featuring a compelling plot and star-studded cast.

Jasmine Criqui (CAS ’26) joins a gaggle of student reporters to interview John Cena and Zac Efron about their latest film.

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Georgetown’s baseball team swept Cornell in a March 10 doubleheader, scoring 44 runs across two routs of the Big Red.

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