September 17, 2014

the davidsonian

SEPTEMBER 17, 2014 VOL. 106 ISSUE 1

The Independent Student Newspaper of Davidson College since 1914

Changes to meal plan cause uproar President debates the merits of mandating a 90-block plan MATT LANDINI & JOSEPHINE CANNELL News Editor & Staff Writer

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he start of the 2014 academic year ushered in substantial changes for the Davidson community – starting with significant alterations to the student meal plan. As freshmen arrived on campus, the administration announced that students in the class of 2018 (and onwards) would be required to purchase a college meal plan. Davidson College’s Dining Services promotes the meal plan as, “convenient, worry-free dining at a variety of facilities located on campus. With a plan, meals are prepaid, so students don’t have to worry about The policy was having cash on hand. Students to be implesimply use their mented regardCatCard at any of the campus less of dissent dining facilities – discussion of to purchase a meal.” eliminating the Currently, mandatory meal Dining Services plan was off the offers four distinct meal plan table. options – the cheapest of which costs students roughly $2,400 annually. In comparison, the most expensive meal plan costs approximately $6,300 a year. Students are now required to purchase the cheaper “90-block” plan – with the option to upgrade to larger plans. In addressing the students, Quillen expressly cited the decision as part of a larger effort to promote healthy food options, better nutrition, accommodate students with varying schedules (namely athletes), and aid students with dietary restrictions and requirements. Quillen suggests that mandating the meal plan will aid in financing such efforts. The mandate greatly increases the cost of a Davidson education. This growth in cost follows

NEWS College partnership with Red Ventures creates jobs for future Davidson grads. 2 Bystander training seeks to educate campus about sexual assault prevention. 2

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LIVING DAVIDSON Documentary features last year’s Education Scholars. 4

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MEAL PLAN | Page 3

Inside

Grammy-nominated Afroman highlights weekend options. 5 PERSPECTIVES Davidson - stop asking me for money! 7 Writers (and illustrators) voice concern about the new meal plan policy. 6,8 THE YOWL Quillen gives in to the Yak. 9 Staff reactcs to new mandatory meal plan. 9 SPORTS Athletes adjust to transition to the Atlantic 10. 10 Students swarm into Commons for dinner. Photo by Michelle Wan.

Staff writer provides commentary about Adrian Peterson’s child abuse charge. 11

Lula Bell closure threatens ninety-year tradition President announces closure of Lula Bell Laundry at the end of the 2015 semester JORDAN SISKIND-WEISS Staff Writer

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or prospective Davidson College students, the seemingly innocuous, one-story brick building which houses the Lula Bell Laundry service has long since punctuated college tours. As colleges and universities across the country strive to differentiate themselves from one another, this ninety-year-old institution has consistently proven to be one of a kind. Last May, the administration’s decision to close the laundry service caused an uproar across Davidson’s campus. Many students were shocked and angered to receive the abrupt email notifying them of the plan to terminate the program in May of 2015, while others accepted the decision as a logical progression in modernizing the school. In her original email, President Quillen explained that, “as Davidson College reimagines the liberal arts experience for our students, we are aligning our resources to meet our educational priorities.” Nonetheless, many students were left wondering what fueled such an important decision. What does the college plan to do with the building that will soon be vacant? And, more

importantly, what will happen to the Lula Bell staff that the students know so well? While, in the last few years, the President’s Executive Board has periodically debated the merits of closing the laundry service, the decision to terminate the program was not solidified until spring of 2014. The group took four months to fully work through the logistics of their decision before they notified the Lula Bell staff – and the student body. Richard Terry, Director of Auxiliary Services, elaborated on the President’s decision.“With all the other needs, new initiatives, internships, smart classrooms, all of the things that we have to continue to advance in, it has become increasingly difficult to justify providing this service that is really an outlier,” Terry said. “It made more sense, ultimately, to re-direct that money toward other needs on campus. That is it, short and sweet.” The school’s justification for closing Lula Bell not only highlights the strategic re-modeling of the college’s budget, but it also stresses how frequently students used the service. Terry expanded on student involvement, saying, “over the years, there has been a fairly consistent amount of about 1,000 to 1,100 students who have been regular users…Here we were using

Glenda Cheney loads washers in Lula Bell. Photo courtesy of Diedra Laird funds for a service that was only being used by 55 to 60% of the student body.” According to Edith Bultman — a friend and welcoming face to many students — who runs the cashier at Lula Bell, knowledge of the Executive Board’s decision did not come as a surprise.

“My reaction, to be quite frank, I wasn’t shocked or anything, but my first thought was ‘would we be able to find other jobs on campus?’ ” Bultman said.

LAUNDRY | Page 2

News

Davidson and Red Ventures forge new partnership South Charlotte marketing company hopes to hire about 18 new graduates annually members of the company and the Davidson alumni who are now employees. The headquarters include multiple buildings; the newest, ast Monday, Davidson College and Red 180,000 sq. foot building houses 1,000 employVentures, a marketing and sales company ees and includes a basketball court, bowling alin Fort Mill, South Carolina, announced ley, spin room, amphitheater and a yoga studio. a 10-year partnership aimed to provide more During the tour and reception, Elias, Quillen career opportunities for Davidson students. and Davidson alumni spoke about the shared The technology-driven company partners culture between Davidson and Red Ventures. with outside brands, such as Verizon and Elias described his company as having a “workDirecTV, to improve the entire sales process in-progress mindset” and “a culture of learning.” from when a customer first becomes interested Elias hopes that his company can serve as “one in a potential product to the finalized sale. Data of the most meaningful stops of your [a stuanalytics inform each step, allowing analysts to dent’s] career.” Quillen commented on how the customize the marketing and pitches according company can be a “launching pad” for budding to the customer type. entrepreneurs. Red Ventures hopes to hire around 18 DaAlumni agreed that both Davidson and Red vidson students annually, although this number Ventures have allowed them to take ownership may change from year to year. The company also of their work. Within five months of starting plans to bring in several interns each summer work, Jaime Dybuncio ’13 presented his idea from Davidson. to Elias and other leaders within the company. This partnership comes after Red Ventures’ Dybuncio commented that his Economics’ thesis support for the new Harry L. Vance Athletic presentation in Center, which front of his Dawill include a vidson professors Red Ventures prepared him for Athletic Club this later work for hospitalexperience. ity and team When asked meeting how well Davidson space. prepared them for Currently, working at Red three memVentures, alumni bers of the testified to how class of 2014, well-equipped six members they were for the of the class of problem-solving 2013, three aspects of their members of work. With the the class of more technical The President enjoys dinner with Elias and other leaders 2012 and one aspects, such as of the College at the Red Ventures headquarters in Fort member of knowledge of Mill, South Carolina. Photo by Addie Balenger. the class of Excel, however, 2011 work alumni saw a gap at Red Ventures. These alumni work across the in their preparation. company in different divisions as digital marketIn addition to hiring Davidson students, Red ing analysts, strategic analysts and web copy ediVentures hopes to establish other connections tors. Shannon McFayden ‘82, the leadership and with the College as well, such as potentially human capital advisor, also attended Davidson. coming to campus for programs like an Excel To celebrate the partnership last Monday, a workshop to help fill the technological gap in delegation from Davidson, including President preparation cited by alumni. Carol Quillen, Vice President Wendy Raymond, “[Davidson students] have a lot to gain in an Dean of Students Tom Shandley and Kathy Bray, environment like this,” Elias said. “We’re going to men’s and women’s basketball coaches Bob McK- do all we can to make you successful here.” illop and Michelle Savage, as well as representa“People at Davidson and Red Ventures are tives from career services, the Economics and extremely smart, but also have this level of Math departments and other branches of the individuality,” McFayden said. “It’s about being college, visited the company’s site. smart to make a difference. It’s about being who Greeted by Ric Elias, CEO of Red Ventures, you are.” the delegation toured the headquarters and then enjoyed a reception with Elias, other senior

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ADDIE BALENGER Co-Editor-in-Chief

Laundry service closing soon Continued from page 1 Ganelle Bradford, another longtime employee at Lula Bell, reacted differently. “I tried to process it for a while…I heard it for a lot of years but I didn’t really think it would actually happen,” she said. Unlike Ms. Bultman and other staff members, Ms. Bradford plans to retire after the termination of the service at the end of the academic year. For the Lula Bell employees who would like to remain on campus, the administration is working to find open positions – although this search has proven to be more difficult than expected. Unlike the laundry service itself, most departments are closed for the summer when classes are not in session. Again Terry explains, “one of the challenges is that while we have a lot of positions on campus, and there is a decent amount of turnover, a lot of that turnover is

in part-time jobs…full-time jobs, those don’t become open as often.” Terry clarified that there is a system in place to support Lula Bell employees as they undergo this transition. In May 2015, employees who are without work or who take a lower paying position on campus will receive a severance package. The size of their severance will be in accordance with the number of years that they have worked for the college. “[The students] have so much positive energy…[Davidson] is a place I would like to stay,” said Ms. Bulman. Like the Lula Bell employees, the administration is hopeful that by May 2015, enough full-time positions will be available for employees who wish to stay on campus. Ms. Bulman admitted that, “at one time I was downcast and thinking all sorts of things, but now I think that if I am to move forward, I have to be positive.”

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Notice from Campus Police: Please note that bicycles left on campus over the summer were colOHFWHG E\ WKH 3XEOLF 6DIHW\ RIÀFH 7KH ELF\FOHV DUH LQ WKH FXVWRG\ RI the Police Department and will be stored for an additional 30 days following this notice. If you left your bicycle on campus over the summer and believe that it could have been picked up by Public Safety, SOHDVH VWRS E\ RXU RIÀFH LQ WKH EDVHPHQW RI 7RPOLQVRQ 5HVLGHQFH Hall to claim your property. You will be required to provide a detailed description of your bicycle and will need to provide supporting documentation to claim your bike (i.e. serial number or purchase receipt). If bicycles are not claimed within the 30 day time period they will be disposed of. Thank you.

New bystander training program for students and staff Program aims to educate community about sexual assault prevention

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BILLY KASKAY Guest Writer

tarting this semester, a new bystander intervention training program, aimed at educating the community about interfering safely and cautiously to prevent sexual assault, will go into effect and will be open to all students and staff. Strategies to inform community members regarding rape and harassment have been a major concern for years, but the administration continues to strive to generate interest in the topic and teach others about the severity of sexual assault cases and what can be done to prevent these attacks. Georgia Ringle, Health and Substance Abuse Educator, credits David Lisak, a prominent clinical psychologist who studies violence and rape on college campuses with providing clear inspiration for the program. Lisak delivered a lecture on campus last fall, and he suggested funding an intervention training project – the next logical step in the process of combating sexual assault. Thanks to funding from an alumnus, Ringle and Kathy Bray, Associate Dean of Student Life, are working with one another to adapt the University of New Hampshire’s “Bringing in the Bystander” training program to gear it specifically toward the Davidson community. “I knew that ‘Bringing in the Bystander’ from the University of New Hampshire was the most respected research-based, evidence-based program out there,” Ringle said. “Kathy and I contacted them and brought them in, and we just went through an eight-hour training September 7th with a select group of people that are dedicated to doing the trainings once they’ve been trained.” Both Ringle and Bray currently act as mediators between students who are victims of sexual assault and their many options for assistance. They help victims cope with the assault and guide them along the path to continued help. They might make referrals or have one-on-one discussions with the student, yet they are also focused on analyzing larger trends, and they pay close attention to related cases on campus, as many assailants are repeat offenders. The new program is a prevention program, and they expect that it will be effective. Thirty-five students and faculty members attended the initial training. Ringle and Bray said it was difficult to make decisions concerning who those few would be. They contacted the Student Government Association, the Women’s Action Committee, the Rape Awareness Committee, Queers & Allies, the athletic department, Patterson Court and the student health

advisors to look for nominations from peers. The faculty members were chosen based on their interest in the overall discussion of sexual assault on campus and their passion for improving the student experience. “The main message of the training is that addressing sexual misconduct is a community responsibility,” Bray said. “The program empowers people to step in when they see a potentially risky situation unfolding. And it empowers them by giving them the skills to step in in an effective way and the information they need to recognize that something risky is in fact happening.” Ringle says that the initial training has been completed, and after an internal rehearsal the program will open up to the campus community. She says to look for dates and enrollment options soon, both around campus on fliers and posters and in the Crier e-mail in the coming weeks. Sessions will be led by those that attended the initial training. It is a possibility that training will become a required program for members of Patterson Court, with a 60 percent attendance rate for each house as a probable goal. “I’m trying to go for the high-risk areas, […] even if we don’t get all of the house, if 60 percent is trained, they have their eyes open,” Ringle said. “Requiring things isn’t always the best, but sometimes it brings in the numbers.” “I think the word will get out that it’s an engaging, interesting program,” Ringle continued, “and you all live and work here and socialize here, so it’s really important. You’ll see the benefit.” Bray and Ringle are excited about other potential future student health-focused initiatives that they hope to begin on campus. They are assisting with a student-led men’s discussion group to explore men’s attitudes toward women and other males. The “Realizing Your Risk” session of Davidson 101 educates new students about risky behaviors. This year the sessions featured talks from student health advisors and an eight-minute video entitled “Who Are You?” The video illustrated what can occur when bystanders step in and what might happen if they don’t, generating thought and discussion among first-year students. Bray also spoke of national initiatives to increase awareness and reduce incidents of sexual assault and said that the new program falls in line with the changes that are occurring within Congress and among other college communities around the country. She credits brave individuals from all over for standing up and identifying wrongs, and Ringle mentioned the importance of social media in connecting students from different college campuses. They see a clear goal that is becoming even more plausible: a respectful and aware student body and a safe and welcoming campus for all.

News

Dear Readers, If you have been wondering where your weekly newspaper has gone, we thank you for your patience. We are excited to present the brand new Davidsonian to our community. You may have noticed some changes to our newspaper. We decided to begin the second century of the Davidsonian’s publication with a clean and crisp look, presented in full color. From this week on, we will be publishing a new issue of the paper every other Wednesday. In the coming days, we also will be launching a brand new website at www.davidsonian.com. Between publication weeks, check our website for the most up-to-date campus news and sports. We hope this new model will allow us to bring the Davidson College community the latest news stories as quickly as possible. :H KRSH \RX HQMR\ WKH ÀUVW LVVXH RI WKH 'DYLGVRQLDQ IRU

Sincerely, The Davidsonian staff

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crime log 9/11 9/11

Larceny Misdemeanor (bicycle) at Watts. Undergoing further investigation. Larceny misdemeanor/obtaining property by false identity theft in Commons. Undergoing further investigation.

9/12 9/13 9/14 9/14 9/14 9/14

Found property in Tomlinson. Inactive case. Underage consumption in Belk. Dean referral. Public urination at Armfield. Dean referral. Underage consumption/giving fictitious information to officer at Armfield. Dean referral. Public urination at Armfield. Dean referral. Underage consumption/throwing a beer can at general area of students at Armfield. Dean referral.

Meal plan requirement applies to class of 2018 and on Continued from page 1 steady increases in the past several years. At Vail Commons, a single meal swipe is currently equivalent to $12.25 for students. When the class of 2015 first walked into Commons as freshmen, a meal swipe was $11.75. On September 4, in conjunction with the announcement, Hance Auditorium filled with students for the first Student Government Association (SGA) meeting of the year – the focus of which quickly became debating the new meal plan policy. In promoting discourse about the plan, the SGA opened the floor to questions for all interested parties. President Quillen joined a panel consisting of Richard Terry, Director of Auxiliary Services, and Tom Shandley, the Dean of Students, to respond directly to students. Before handing the floor over to Quillen, Terry, and Shandley, Zi Yang ’16, Student Body President, asked for a brief show of hands. “Who,” Yang asked, “in this room is a member of the Class of 2018?” Around five or six students raised their hands. Yang followed up without hesitation: “Who in this room is a member of a Patterson Court association?” The vast majority of remaining students raised their hands. In acknowledging Patterson Court Council’s (PCC’s) presence at the discussion, Quillen quickly affirmed that she wants to implement the new policy in a way that benefits all members of the Davidson community. She also confirmed, however, that the policy was to be implemented regardless of dissent – discussion of eliminating the mandatory meal plan was off the table. Quillen continued by saying that the administration is keen on banding together to find the best way of making the transition. Quillen called on the student body to use their “large and capacious brains to help us make this work.” According to Terry, the change in the meal plan policy is a business decision for the college, aimed at ensuring a steady stream of revenue for Vail Commons. Terry also added that the consistent revenue will allow Davidson Dining Services to continue to provide high caliber food services and accommodate for diverse taste profiles and dietary needs. Terry and Quillen both stipulate that many of Davidson’s peer institutions require their upperclassmen to purchase a meal plan simply for the economics of it. In doing so such institutions provide high quality dining that Davidson must, in turn, compete with. With guaranteed revenue from the entire student body, Davidson can maintain the current standard of eating while ensuring a living wage for Davidson’s employees. Students, however, are still concerned. First, many students questioned how this policy will influence financial inclusivity — that is to say, whether or not a required meal plan could, in

the long run, be the difference between prospective students deciding on whether or not to choose Davidson, particularly when looking at scholarships. Quillen doubted this effect, arguing that the cost of a meal plan is factored in when estimating the financial aid average. Additionally, if every student purchases a meal plan, then the cost of the meal plan is unlikely to go up. Quillen admitted, however, that she is not particularly knowledgeable on how student financial aid works out for students. Other students argued about how the changes in meal plan will affect Patterson Court membership. With the additional cost of a meal plan, would other students view Patterson Court members as elite? Is this a deliberate step in eliminating Patterson Court? Will Patterson Court still remain accessible to students? What about the chefs at the different organizations? Quillen stated, “[I] think the Greek community adds an enormous amount to Davidson, and I am not trying to get rid of it.” That being said, the cost of paying for a meal plan through Dining Services – in addition to a meal plan with a Patterson Court organization and national dues for fraternities – is substantial. Quillen suggested that the administration could help lessen food costs within organizations. However, Emily Griffin ’15, President of Rusk Eating House, raised concerns about such a proposal. Griffin pointed out that the cost of a 90-meal plan, which averages out to roughly 5 meals a week, is about the same as the dues a sophomore member of Rusk would owe for 10 meals in the house per week. Griffin asked an important question - where was the additional money going? According to Terry, all of the money raised funnels directly into Dining Services. In regards to the potential divide between Patterson Court affiliated and nonaffiliated students, neither Quillen nor Terry have a solution. Rather, they suggested that the organizations work internally to bring down costs associated with being a member of a Patterson Court Organization. Courtney McCullers ’17 further questioned the job security of chefs working for the various PCOs. Terry urged students not to view the policy as dues plus an additional $1,000 a semester. Terry also suggested that the houses’ chefs might be better off as college employees. Implementation served as both a buzzword and a crutch during the SGA discussion. The question of how to implement the policy prompted Riley League ’18 to ask, “Don’t you think you should have thought about how you were going to implement the policy before you made it?” Quillen responded bluntly, “I don’t know the best way to implement it. You do. I want the implementation of this to be done by

the people who are affected by it.” Suggestions on how to implement the policy included: allowing fraternities and eating houses to pool their meal swipes, letting PCO members use their swipes in their houses, and giving seniors a chance to cook their own food by using meal swipes in exchange for ingredients from

Commons. Ultimately, implementation of the new meal plan is being left to the students – with the administration taking a step back after enforcing the mandate.

living davidson

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September 17, 2014

Middle-Eastern Scholar speaks on the irreconcilable Gaza conflict in eye-opening lecture +.45%*-/6%78/0/%&0.97.5%":%;886<%&.5382%(.==8>%?82%;8-5@3=%85%(82.3A5%*.=40385/

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r. Steven Cook, Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, opened his lecture with a few jokes—riffing on his Long Island upbringing, poking fun at the trademark student move of avoiding front row seating at all cost—before quickly diving into the much more serious topic at hand: the conflict in Gaza. Though at times tempering the mood with tongue-in-cheek comments and humorous asides, Dr. Cook spoke with an insistence and a confidence that communicated his bleak message clearly. The dynamic and engaging nature of his presence on stage was both attention-grabbing—all attendees seemed to be engrossed—and oddly entertaining. I left with bizarrely concurrent feelings of having enjoyed the lecture, while also finding my (albeit idealistic) faith in the human capacity for understanding and conflict resolution profoundly shaken. The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, asserts Dr. Cook, is an implicitly irreconcilable one, far beyond the capacity of peace processes. The situation has reached an impasse brought about by an intense belief in respective ideologies and further aggravated by the government leaders’ intense desire to stay in power. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu cannot concede to Palestinian demands because of the desire to

States, the struggle between Israelis and Palesmaintain ideological integrity and, perhaps tinians has reached a level of quasi-sensationmore importantly, because it would bring alism. It is down his a polarizing government. issue, which On both draws on sides, it is this intense intersection of beliefs and core demands feelings of based on loyalty. For respective, this reason, contradictthe conflict ing beliefs, in Gaza apcomplicated pears across by politicians’ the forefront appetite for of Ameripower, that can news. has led to a Though stalemate. The not directly future of the involved, the conflict is to United States be deterhas definiely mined, but Dr. played a role Cook foresees in influcontinued viencing the olence as both frame of the sides grapple conflict globto attain and ally, and that maintain narrative—of power over Israel as the other. the victim, Here in as righthe United &0.97.5%;886%/9.4635A%35%07.%B3==C%(4D3=C%,4==.2C:% !"#$#%&'%(")*%!*+,-":

teous and deserving—persists in our national view of the issue. It is certainly a question of politics, but one inextricably intertwined with questions of history, morality, and, perhaps most influentially, of group identity creation and cognizance. While not debunking Israel’s cause in its entirety, Dr. Cook hoped to convey a more realistic picture of the situation in Gaza by discussing the transgressions on both sides. He ultimately arrived at a dismal conclusion: there is no peaceful way out. At the beginning of the lecture, Dr. Cook warned his listeners that his intention was provocation—he aimed to be a “myth slayer,” and he knew his message was incitingly dim. As the floor was opened to a question and answer session, there was an air of impassioned reaction in many of the questions posed. In his responses, he held firm with his realistic understanding of the conflict, and the lecture ended on an unnervingly certain note. I walked out of the Lilly Gallery with the less-than-nuanced question of “so, what now?” reverberating in my mind. If there is no plausible political solution—no peace process, no coming to a resolution—what does that mean for Israelis and Palestinians (and Americans and every other nationality) as humans, as co-habitants of the planet? It implies a disconcertingly absolutist worldview, one to which Dr. Cook—in all of his informed realism—could not provide even a glimpse of an answer.

Spiral Bound Documentary Addresses a Call for Action

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he first campus screening of Spiral Bound, a documentary promoting the arts in schools, took place behind the doors of Duke Family Performance Hall last Thursday evening. With fliers picketed all over campus, the screening was popular and well attended upon my entrance. Seated around me was a dynamic mix of faculty, students, and members of the town of Davidson. Unbeknown to me during the viewing, I later found out that many of the film’s stars were seated amongst the crowd, enjoying their first look at the documentary. The film began with an analysis of nationwide cuts in public schools’ arts programs. Dismal statistics set a somber tone of desperation that relayed the necessity of change. Numbers ran across the screen, displaying the 8300 dropouts per day and 1.5 million dropouts per year across the country. Featured in the documentary was Davidson College President, Carol Quillen, who commented on the need for change: “Our democracy cannot be sustained without every kid having access to a higher education.” The film’s protagonists, a group of eight creative high school students, described one horrific teacher-student story after another. The most memorable of those occurrences was that of a female student whose teacher forced her to squat in a seating position and balance two books in her hand if she answered a question wrong. This image conjured a vivid degradation that stuck with me throughout the film. Together the eight students represented the Arts and Science Council of Charlotte

(ASC), an initiative to restore arts and science programs in Charlotte area public schools. Inspired by Bill Strickland, the president of the Pittsburg based non-profit Manchester Bidwell Corporation, the students track their lives in Studio 345, a local outreach and after-school program. At Studio 345, students hone their digital media, photography, music, and printmaking skills, amongst many art and science initiatives. with the ability to pursue what makes them hap-

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Maddie Smith ’15 described how well the film “got our message across” and how “amazing” it was to be a part of the process. The screening provided Maddie and her mentee Dustyn an opportunity to reunite and reflect on their journey together. With a closing song, written and performed by Studio 345 students, the documentary ends with the lyrics, “I refuse to be spiral bound.”

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py, students at Studio 345 are given trememndous personal leeway and choice in their studies. Alongside the ASC, Davidson College Education Scholars spent the summer of 2013 in education workshops developing this activism for arts education. Together, the students from the ASC and the Education Scholars, traveled to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. to promote their agenda: pushing forward arts legislation in public schools. The documentary details the two groups’ adventures together, which ultimately led to their heartwarming friendships. From ropes courses with Davidson Outdoors to a formative, historic bus ride of Charlotte, both sets of students, despite a high school and college divide, blended together as one group of activists. At the end of the screening, friends were reconnected and the overwhelming feeling of success that emanated from the Spiral Bound.

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Living Davidson

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Professor Lawing showcases her piano mastery in Tyler-Tallman Hall recital J-/3@%928?.//82%0245/9820/%7.2%4-F3.5@.%35%Y0-F.%9.2?82D45@. Z";)N%G$,$ &04??%1230.2

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his past weekend on Sunday, September 14th Professor Cynthia Lawing gave a wonderful piano recital for free in the Tyler-Tallman Hall on campus. The performance featured several études from composers Alexander Scriabin and Sergei Rachmaninoff. An étude is typically a short, considerably difficult, instrumental composition written for skillful musicians with any given instrument. Before beginning the recital, Lawing explained to the audience that each étude is a “beautiful representation of a picture,” and that these pictures could range from “a cold, desolate landscape to Red Riding Hood.” She encouraged audience members to let their imaginations run and decide for themselves what image the music was painting. From the very moment Lawing first took her seat at the piano the audience was mesmerized by her ability. Beginning with three opuses from Études-tableaux by Rachmaninoff, Lawing demonstrated her expertise from the very start of the program. She has performed recitals in Chile, Hong Kong, Netherlands, China, Germany and Taiwan in the past three years alone. Her mastery of the piano illuminated her entertaining performance. In watching Lawing, one sees how natural the piano seems to be for her;

almost as though the piano is an extension of her own fingers. Lawing jumped flawlessly from one position to the other across the piano like a skimmer skating across the surface of a lake. Following the first three pieces, Lawing went backstage for a brief moment before returning to perform études by Scriabin. In taking a minute to address the audience, she explained that Scriabin’s compositions tend to have cross-rhythms. This indicates that some of the pieces have a different meter in the right hand and the left. She then proceeded to perform Scriabin’s Étude in C-sharp Minor, Op. 2, No.1 followed by Études, Op. 8, No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11, 12. These pieces exemplified Lawing’s incredible control and determination. In No. 1 in C-sharp Minor, the right hand plays in groups of threes while the left maintains in two. The rhythm styles were noticeable enough to a trained ear and performed beautifully. Lawing executed the contrasting rhythms in a way that made the two work harmoniously as opposed to an abrasive difference. Following this set of Scriabin’s études was another exercise, Opus 56, Number 4. This piece was very different from the others in that it was extremely staccato and only lasted rougly thirty seconds. Nevertheless, Lawing’s interpretation was incredible. Her ability to move across the keys of the piano was staggering. Throughout the recital’s episodes, it became obvious that nothing could separate her frwom the music at that very moment.

Afroman lights up Davidson’s campus

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ate in the summer, KA started dreaming up plans of having a big name musical act play the KA veranda early in the fall. When we decided on going after Afroman, our excitement couldn’t be checked and the work began. We had an opportunity to make this into one of the biggest events of the fall semester, and we didn’t take that lightly. We met with Erica Urban, the new PCC Advisor and the Campus Police Chief, Todd Sigler, to make sure everything ran smoothly and safely. Ru$k Eating House got on board for the concert and helped sponsor the event. A fence was erected around the veranda, where we originally intended to have the stage and the audience on the lawn. Mother nature had different ideas, bringing pounding and unpredictable rainstorms all weekend. The brothers eventually decided to move the concert inside where students packed the main room and veranda of the KA house to watch The Davidson Generals, Jeremiah Evans, Azalea Tang and

eventually The Afroman himself. Afroman’s personality and charisma couldn’t be beat, as he went through his hits, cracking jokes and interacting with the crowd. He made a surprise appearance before the show at F, to do a little filming for a new video he’s working on, and he stayed late at KA to take pictures with the crowd and crack more jokes. I think everyone was surprised at how approachable Afroman was, a crowd pleaser and a true professional. For KA, we wanted to raise the standard of what PCC can do with the houses we are so lucky to have. We saw the concerts that SAE and the BSC did during the spring semester last year, and thought we could bring something similar to the fall semester that is decidedly lacking on larger events compared to the spring, with Frolics and PCC formals. Having musical acts play at the PCC houses should become more frequent, as music is a realistic avenue to bring non PCC students down the hill and to the houses as well as allowing more intermixing of PCC organizations at their own events.

The final étude, Scriabin’s Opus 42, No. 5 was a much more robust piece with big block chords and running notes. Lawing excelled at her piano bench, mastering the exercise with such grandeur and power that dominated the stage. A phenomenal delivery, Lawing said she had chosen to leave the audience on a “happy” note (pun intended). Overall, Cynthia Lawing’s recital, Rachmaninoff and Scriabin, was a magnificent program. The atmosphere in Tyler-Tallman made the performance extremely relaxed and personal while Lawing’s passion permeated the hall. Her expertise showed through with the immense control and ease at the piano that she entertained. The show ended with a well-deserved standing ovation from the the audience. Lawing teaches applied music lessons at Davidson College both for Non-Credit and Credit. She also regularly performs internationally with her husband, William Lawing, Estes Millner Professor of Music at Davidson College. The next faculty performance is the Sibelius & Strauss 150th Anniversary Concert on Sunday, October 19 at 3pm. O28?.//82%;C50734%B4>35A:%3#4+$)2'%!"#$#:%

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perspectives

page 6 September 17, 2014

Perspectives unveiled WILL WEISGERBER

S

ince becoming Perspectives editor last year I’ve received many questions about what I do. The number of questions has only increased now that the paper is going through some drastic changes this year. Many students are wary of the editing process, and we can’t have that. Anyone can write for Perspectives, so I want everyone to feel comfortable doing so. Here, I layout what I do as editor and what I expect of my writers: 1. Article Parameters: Perspectives articles should be between 600 and 800 words. If this length is an issue, let me know and we can work something out. Also, if you have an idea for an article, give me a heads up so that I can plan ahead. Articles should be opinion pieces and it is encouraged that they tie-in to the Davidson community somehow, but the latter is not required. Please include a short title for your article; otherwise I’ll come up with one for you. 2.

Submission:

Once you’ve written your article, please email it to me as an attachment. Include your class year, major and hometown because this information will appear at the end of your article. The paper is no longer coming out every week, so it will appear in front of your door every other Wednesday. That being said, first drafts are due to me before midnight on the Saturday before the issue comes out. This will give me plenty of time to edit the articles and return them to you for approval and revision. 3.

Editing:

I will read over and edit all the articles

that are submitted to me. I will edit for grammar, facts, dates and names, but I will not change your content or voice. Edits will be made using the Review tools in Microsoft Word and will be sent back to you in an attachment. Remember, my edits are simply suggestions. You are not required to make the changes that I offer. Once you send your article back to me, I will read over it again, make sure there aren’t any further issues that need to be addressed, and then put it into the paper. 4. Other things to be aware of: As I mentioned before, The Davidsonian is changing quite a bit this year. There will be a lot of trial and error over the next few weeks. For example, Perspectives is going to include headshots of its writers. If you have a good picture you want to use, you may send it with your article, or we can always arrange to have one taken. Writers who are uncomfortable with including a photo are not required to do so. So there you have it. I hope this clears some things up and makes writing an article seem less intimidating. Writing articles is a lot of fun; just ask anyone who’s done it. Please be aware that these parameters only apply to Perspectives. Other sections may have different policies for their writers. If you have any questions, please contact me via email or Facebook message. I’m always willing to meet with people who have questions or are interested in writing.

Will Weisgerber ’16 is a biology major, anthropology minor from Westminster, Maryland. Please contact him at wiweisgerber@davidson.edu

the davidsonian staff editors-in-chief

news editor LD editor

Addie Balenger Jonathan Marchuk Michelle Wan Matt Landini &DWKHULQH 2·'RQQHOO

perspectives editor

Will Weisgerber

yowl editor

Charles Pennell

sports editors

0LNH '·$QGUHD Ethan Faust

photographer

Shea Parikh

media editor

Ned Ukrop

business manager

Katy Boyle

circulation manager

Ricki Hollins

Tife Odumosu ’17 is undeclared from Lagos, Nigeria. Please contact him at boodumosu@davidson.edu

America: Nation or name? CATHERINE SCHMIDT

A

few days after I returned home from a six-week venture through southern Chile, I got into a debate with my older sister during dinner. I had spent my summer living with a Mapuche, or people indigenous to Chile, family and not only was I (am I) slightly oversensitive to indigenous rights, but I was also hyperaware of the American obsession with ourselves. This awakening is common among those returning from abroad and is occasionally called culture shock. The fight began when my sister criticized my newly developed habit of drying my clothes on hangers in the backyard. When asked why she disapproved of my clever use of the free, clean energy of the sun, she responded, “Because we live in America.” To which I snarkily retorted, “Which one?” And so, the debate began. The first time I learned that people not from the United States of America were annoyed when we call ourselves American and our country America, was in the fall of 2013 while studying abroad in Chile. While perusing Facebook, I came across an article my Chilean friend posted, written by a representative of an organization that focuses on these diction-sensitive issues. After further investigation, I learned that there are large social movements that seek to change the way citizens of the United States perceive their own country. Although I read about this movement in Spanish, there are similar websites in English, such as the aptly named, http://www. usaisnotamerica.com. While perhaps this website is not the most intellectually stimulating, its intentions are blatant. My second exposure to this sort of rhetoric was when a Chilean friend posted on his Facebook wall for Thanksgiving: “Happy thanks giving to all my Estadounidense friends, no digo

American porque claramente América es mucho más que sólo USA” (which in English means, “I don’t call them American friends because clearly America is much more than only the USA”). When I asked him to explain this, he informed me that to say that America is synonymous with the USA is to say that the people living in South America are not also American. Despite our heated argument, my sister had a point. In Spanish, the United States of America is called los Estados Unidos, and the people who inhabit this place are called “estadounidense”. However, in English the country is called the United States and its inhabitants are called “American”. We do not call ourselves “United Stateans”. To say we are from America is technically wrong, or rather, lacks specificity. But to say, “I am American,” is correct. Although nations as far north as Canada and as far south as Chile encapsulate the Americas, and can say they are American (if they are referring to the continent), only citizens of the USA can refer to their nation and continent as the same entity. In our eyes and speech, we are American and everyone else is a citizen of their native country. There is no single solution. I raised this issue with my Chilean friends, but the very people put off by this “pretentiousness” didn’t know what we should call ourselves if not American. It is important for other countries to recognize that nationalistic attitudes are often a product of cultural and linguistic differences. However, this does not justify an arrogant worldview. Americans need to maintain a holistic mindset that acknowledges that there is an entire world that exists outside of the United States that is independent yet interconnected with us. Catherine Schmidt ’15 is an environmental studies major from Brightwaters, New York. Please contact her at caschmidt@davidson.edu

Perspectives

page 7 Davidsonian.com

Davidson, stop asking me for money I

JOHN EUN

t did not take long for Davidson to exceed my expectations. Before first-year orientation, I never set foot on the campus, let alone in North Carolina. All I knew about the school was based on the then-horrendous website and various review sites. The website and the review sites, however, did not tell me what kind of community I would find. Thanks to the attention paid to the first-year halls, my transition to college (and the US) felt seamless, and many of my first-year hallmates (4th Rich!) are still my closest friends. Likewise, it did not take long for Davidson to start asking me for money after graduation. Before I even earned my first paycheck, I received an email asking me to make a gift. I promptly managed my email preferences to no longer receive any emails asking me to donate, but in a couple of weeks, I received a letter asking for a donation. What’s the problem? Why do I not just give $1 to my alma mater? I am discontent because it is hypocritical for Davidson to encourage its graduates to live a life of leadership and service and then nag us for donations in just a few months. If Davidson believes in the reasons they need the money, they should reevaluate how they ask for it. You may enter finance or consulting (and we need some of us to become leaders in such industries), but in most fields—whether it’s arts, research, non-profit, government or education— your first job out of college does not pay very

much. You make the necessary financial sacrifice because you are passionate about the field and want to make an impact. But when you start your first job, it’s like moving into your first-year hall; you have to make various purchases, except your parents are not paying for your lamp or futon. You may have to start paying off college loans. You may even need to buy a car. You are probably learning to manage your budget like a toddler learning to walk. To all this, consider that many of us are in graduate or professional schools. Consider that some of us do not have stable employment yet. No wonder we collectively feel no differently from young alumni of most schools when we are asked for donations. I do not want to undermine the impact that a small gift could make. After four years, I know what the Trust is, the impact it can have, and the need for increased awareness and funding. Although I did not receive a dollar from the Trust, I know I indirectly benefitted from it. I also know the Trust is not Davidson’s only reason for needing donations. Although I was relentlessly nagged about the senior class gift, I waited until I got employed and then promptly made a gift (that was more than $1) to the Davidson Research Initiative. I sincerely hope to financially support the Davidson Research Initiative in the (near or far) future. Even after graduation, I seek to be part of the causes that I have supported since college (e.g., International Jus-

“

tice Mission and their fight against modern-day slavery and human trafficking), and I give cheerfully. My monthly donations are not much, but I know they can make a difference. There is honor in cheerful giving. In contrast, I do not think it would be honorable for me to reluctantly make a small gift to my alma mater. I am skeptical of my alma mater’s obsession with the alumni-giving rate. If I donate early so that the nagging stops, am I supporting the College’s mission or reinforcing their strategy? If a significant portion of the gifts consist of “reluctant gifts” from alumni who were simply tired of the nagging, is there honor in the statistic? I say no. When the College, which upholds a very honorable mission, seems so unconfident as to repeatedly ask the recent graduates for donations to the point of annoyance, it is not honorable. When the College, which is truly beloved, seems so inconsiderate of the initial circumstances of the recent graduates, it breaks my heart. Davidson is different from other colleges; no, we are one of a kind. I am truly grateful for my past experiences as a student and the opportunities I will have as an alumnus. However, that is why I (or rather, my parents) paid the tuition: to have the experiences and opportunities I would not have had with cheaper alternatives. The time will come when I give back to Davidson willingly, even cheerfully, but right now I am

I do not think it would be honorable for me to reluctantly make a small gift to my alma mater.

Keeping the faith PABLO ZEVALLOS

W

e live in pessimistic times. Our economy is growing and adding jobs, but consumer confidence is falling. The last few years comprise the only time in the history of public opinion in which people don’t expect to do as well as their parents. Once-vaunted pillars of our society, like newspapers and the health care system, now engender much more suspicion than trust. Nowhere is the mood more sour than in our discussion of race. The deaths of two black men—Eric Garner in New York City and Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri—at the hands of white police officers have fanned the flames in this dialogue as hot as they have been in at least twenty years. The photographs from the protests in Ferguson evoke images of the Civil Rights Movement of fifty years ago. Whether it’s the advent of new technologies that increase our awareness— such as the camera phone that recorded Garner’s interrogation and the apparent chokehold that killed him, or the networks and websites that made it go viral—or something else entirely, something feels different about our collective response to these deaths compared to similar ones in the recent past. Within this response has

“

come, in many quarters, a new wave of cynicism from those angered by these injustices. In these quarters, I have seen posts, tweets, and articles arguing that America’s harsh racial history is one that should be self-evident to everyone in our society. I’ve read arguments that the compassion of those who don’t see it must necessarily be inadequate. I’ve read arguments that those of us who are of color should not have to explain our arguments or why we feel the way we do. I’ve read arguments that these deaths and the police’s tactics toward Ferguson’s protesters show why we should not participate in or count on the political process to deliver for us. This is a response we cannot afford to have. Surely, we need to continue to identify and describe the dynamics of our society. We do need to study how slavery, Jim Crow, redlining, and other practices delayed the accumulation of wealth and political power for blacks and other people of color. We do need to remember the disparities in the criminal justice system and the associations that begot them. We need to continue exploring these structures. I do not propose sugarcoating reality or history. But, in our dialogue, we need to break through. And we can’t allow our frustration or the facts to discourage us or put us above sharing our story. We need to work ever harder to do so. We can’t expect to rely solely on academic terms like “structural racism” and “oppression” to tell our stories and persuade

Nowhere is the mood more sour than in our discussion of race.

“

others. We need to bring those terms to life. We can’t stop at ranting and confrontation. We need to continue to embrace and invite in just the way we seek to be embraced and invited in full to the American social fabric. We must also continue to organize our own communities. The clearest way to quantify our civic participation is at the ballot box. Voter ID laws, the repeal of early voting, and inconvenient polling hours are serious obstacles, and even so, we have done a much better job of turnout in presidential elections. But in municipal elections, turnout numbers are mired in the low double-digits. So much policy on education, housing, and policing emerges at the local level, and we can’t skip that round of the policy debate. Assuming that our votes don’t really count won’t do. Bemoaning the imperfections of politicians and the political system alone won’t do. Taking ownership of our role in solving our problems through the civic process—that will do. On their face, these may seem like heavy burdens for people who have already borne too many. Yet no movement for rights and equality has succeeded without greater unity around not only common goals but also a common way forward. I do not write to say that there shouldn’t be debate, for debate is healthy. I do not write to say that no one is doing anything right now, for we ought to be grateful for the tireless efforts of today’s leaders. I write instead inspired by someone I

hesitant. I suggest possible changes in mindset. The College should not seek a single donation of five, ten, or twenty dollars from alumni, but instead, seek alumni to become lifelong donors, regardless of the year-to-year amount. The change must begin with the senior class gift. How much of the yearly senior class gifts are one-dollar bills given to the senior class gift agents at the doors of the senior apartments? How is that different from giving money to a person begging for money on the streets? It is the motive or the thought behind giving that matters, not the act. Senior class gift agents should seek to build a sense of solidarity and gratitude in their classmates, not of obligation or reluctance. Moreover, instead of the alumni-giving rate, we should use a metric that better reflects the alumni’s genuine support. The College should report the average percentage of alumni’s income that is donated. It should not be too difficult to follow-up on donations or to ask alumni to list their income as well as the amount of donation. Which is more compelling: a billionaire who donates $100,000, or a teacher who donates five percent of his or her salary to the College (the US median is 4.7 percent of discretionary income)? Maybe five is not as marketable as sixty, but at Davidson, did we not already choose the honorable GPA over the marketable GPA? John Eun ’14 was a public health major from Seoul, Korea. Please contact him at joeun14@alumni.davidson.edu

met this summer who is engaging in the civil rights fight in a different way. He is teaching entrepreneurship skills to lowincome communities and communities of color and told me something I will never forget, despite my differences of opinion with him: “Are we in this only to make a point, or are we in this to make change?” Making that change is what our efforts are about. And we cannot only work around our institutions, stodgy and antiquated as they sometimes may seem. We can’t allow the way these institutions work to embitter and discourage us. We need to make them better. We need to engage. We need to remember that all of us have more in common than what sets us apart. We would do well to heed the words of a civil rights leader of an earlier time, the pastor and Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.: “Keep the faith, baby.” It is our turn to keep that faith even in these cynical times, to remember that we are best when we go forward together, never leaving anybody behind, to the never-failing promise of a brighter future tomorrow.

We need to engage. We need to remember that all of us have more in common than what sets us apart.

Pablo Zevallos ’16 is a political science major from New York, New York. Please contact him at pazevallos@davidson.edu

Perspectives

page 8 September, 17 2014

Blowing bubbles: What this summer taught me about Davidson W

DANNY GUENTHER

e’ve all heard quite a bit about the Real World. For some of us, like myself, this phrase hints at the disconnect between the world I inhabit and the strange and faraway world of tax returns, mortgages, and, of course, doing your own laundry (sorry Classes of ’16 and beyond). For many of us, painful life experiences have ensured that the line between the Real World and the current world is far blurrier than others. As Davidson students, however, we often treat everything outside of our bubble with a hefty dose of anxiety. When we put so much effort into our education, what can we expect in return? This question is both relevant and troubling for Davidson students. I can vouch for how frustrating it can be when I tell people from outside of Davidson I am a history major and am immediately asked, “So…do you want to be a teacher…?” We have all experienced this line of questioning in some form or another, and just as it is annoying, it is also somewhat unsettling. Almost all of us will go on to work in a field that does not directly relate

to our major. This summer, serving as a ministry fellow at Green Street United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, I was immersed in the Real World to a degree I hadn’t been before. Methodism’s founder, John Wesley had been a social activist, crossing socio-economic boundaries to minister to poor parishioners in a highly gentrified English society, and he later penned a series of tracts condemning slavery on humanitarian grounds. Green Street is very active in upholding Wesley’s legacy. In a time when white, black and Hispanic churchgoers mostly avoid each other on Sunday mornings, and many individuals who do not identify as heterosexual avoid church entirely, my supervising pastor—named Kelly—has engaged with the community to create a congregation in which all those who attend coexist as a truly happy congregational family regardless of their race or sexual orientation. Together, we joined the Moral Monday movement in standing up to the state legislature, provided food and clothing for numerous impoverished Winston-Salemites, and held a fundraiser that made almost 20,000 dollars for an affiliated nonprofit organization.

Keep Commons competitive AUSTIN GRAY

Dear President Quillen,

R

egarding the coming “Meal Plan Mandate,” there is still much explaining to be done. Just last year you were conferring at the White House on the topic of affordability, but now you are raising costs? Requiring hundreds of students who currently do just fine without meal plan to spend $1,200 on 90 Commons meals is market distorting, wasteful, and disenfranchising. Many students have good reasons for eating elsewhere, such as the affordable and personable nature of cooking or of a PCC meal plan. For this year’s freshmen class and beyond, being required to spend $1,200 on a Commons meal plan will be a major factor in deciding whether or not they want to join a Patterson Court organization. Many students who cook for themselves, especially students with kitchens who live off campus or in Martin Court apartments, will also be hurt financially. In SAE, I pay $900 in dues and $1250 in meal plan for my ten meals (that’s Sunday dinner through Friday lunch, no breakfast). At $2,150 total, this plan comes in at a similar price as the ten meals per week plan at commons, $2,260. However, most PCC students simply cook, eat out, and otherwise fend for themselves on weekends, spending much less money than they would ($1,200) on the five additional meals of the 90 block. Additionally, most students would strongly prefer not to eat every weekend meal in Commons. While expenses vary per person, one student without any meal plan called cooking all his meals “cheaper than Commons by a long shot.” Someone with a PCC meal plan would be spending $3,350 while someone on Commons would be spending $2,800 (respectively for fifteen and fourteen meals). This Commons mandate makes it far more expensive for students to participate in PCC organizations and seems ridiculous since PCC students can pay $1,250 for ten meals per week while this proposed $1,200 tax would get us half of that. Obviously this problem doesn’t affect me, it only affects this year’s freshmen and beyond, but it will drive many students away from making a choice they otherwise would have. Your policy does to consumer choice what Vladimir Putin has recently done to international law: tramples all over it. In an ideal world, money would not be a factor influencing a student’s decision about his or her social life in college. The school has financial aid, as do the PCC houses, taking much of this pressure off

of many students. However, this Commons mandate would still doubtlessly influence the decision making process, with regards to recruitment, of many, many students. At least a plurality of affiliated students pay meal plan and dues out of their own pocket and this additional $1,200 will act as a significant deterrent to every future class. By making PCC so much more expensive, this mandate makes PCC dues and meal plan suddenly look like an expensive luxury, which they are not. Additionally, many PCC organizations already face recruitment and budget concerns; falling recruitment and revenues could possibly drive some houses to close their doors. Making Commons and Davidson affordable for all students is a goal we all share. I find it hard to believe that the best way to fix Commons' budget problems is requiring more students to purchase their meals there. If PCC houses and individuals can provide themselves with food so cheaply, there is no way that Commons must be so expensive. Why, for instance, would we be paying $13.33 per meal in the 90 block to purchase a $9.50 breakfast or a $12.25 lunch or dinner? With the current setup, it would be cheaper for a student to purchase every meal individually, rather than through a meal plan. Something is simply wrong here. Some of the goals you laid out are admirable, but they still do not justify Common’s absurd expense. In SAE, we provide vegetarian and kosher meals for those who need them; we often have food from local farms; we draw on a global taste profile with Chinese, Italian, and Arab cuisines as just a few examples. Not only that, but PCC kitchens are open around the clock. Houses and individuals accomplish everything that you have laid out as essential for Commons. We do all this on a thrifty, efficient budget. There is no doubt in my mind that the root of Commons’ profligacy is in the supply side. I wish now that, when on SGA last year, I had tried to join the committee overseeing the recent evaluation of Commons. During my time as kitchen manager of SAE, I learned a lot from our cook, Jen, about cutting costs and keeping meals nutritional and affordable. In improving the quality of Commons, please look to wise people like Jen or to others with experience in cutting costs, instead of to a committee of SGA bureaucrats. Please let students choose where they find their meals, be it in their own kitchen, on Patterson Court, or at Commons. Overall, please lower costs instead of taxing us! Austin Gray ’16 is an economics major from Lakeville, Connecticut. Please contact him at augray@davidson.edu

Wesley’s reformist instincts stemmed out of his belief in the value of each individual he encountered, regardless of race, class or creed. Kelly upheld this component of Wesley’s legacy by reminding the whole church staff that “Every person sitting in the pews is sitting in their own pool of tears.” All of Kelly’s work as a pastor, from his care visits to his sermons, was meant to reach each person present with a message of empowerment. Kelly’s attitude towards his work is just one of the things that makes him an excellent pastor. So when I had my turn to deliver a sermon, I did so before a congregation accustomed to excellence. To be told afterwards that my sermon had been powerful and uplifting to those in church that day was a tremendously humbling experience. What does all this have to do with Davidson? In many ways, the success I experienced this summer at Green Street was not the result of a moment of inspiration, but the culmination of the previous three years. Davidson teaches us a lot more than the nuances of the scientific world around us, or the language of another country, or the concept of the social contract. Davidson also provides us with other invaluable lessons. Davidson teaches us

how to understand the reality we observe and how to communicate that to other people. Davidson also teaches us to value the world around us in its totality, to respect and value both similarities and differences, and to find a way to work together to build a better world. In May 2015, my time in the Davidson bubble will come to an end, and I will probably go on to graduate level ministerial training. But regardless of whether you are a senior or a freshman, studying for the MCAT or trying to survive Writing 101, and regardless of whether or not you have any idea of what you will do after Davidson, you have a bright future ahead. I know it is somewhat ironic for me to say this, as someone without a diploma, but I also know that I will move into the Real World prepared to make a difference. So the next time you get asked what you will do with your degree in the future, the answer “I’m going to be a leader” is a perfectly valid one. Danny Guenther ’15 is a history major from Arlington, Virginia. Please contact him at daguenther@davidson.edu

Not just about food CAROLINE EY

A

s a result of the events over the past week, the topic of “Mandatory Meal Plan” has become an argument affecting all corners of Davidson College’s campus – with ripples that spread further than I assume were originally intended. Although the new policy does not impact the current members of PCOs, the immense level of concern was evident in this week’s PCC meeting. As a diverse community of eating houses, fraternities and sororities, Patterson Court came together with a overwhelmingly grim outlook of the impact of the new meal plan policy. Mandating a meal plan for the students of the Class of 2018 and beyond would undoubtedly devastate the past, present and future members of the Davidson community. To some, the issue of food and where one eats may seem trivial – but to many students, including those who belong to PCO’s, our meals represent more than just food. Eating at “the house” represents a transition into the community and creates a bond that breaks down the barriers of social groups and class years. Ever since my sophomore year, I have looked forward to eating at the house every day. My Eating House provides me with a sense of community that simply could never exist at a place like Commons, where I feel more as though I have entered a mess hall than my own kitchen. Requiring all students have a 90-block meal plan would have an irreparable impact on all PCOs, as it would make all meals offered by these organizations obsolete and excessive. A mandatory meal plan would practically double the cost of meals for students during the semester (approx. $1100 for my organization), a cost that is unmanageable for many. Within my organization we have a number of members who require financial assistance from the house, and adding to that financial burden would negatively impact our membership. Several members have come forward saying they would not belong to our organization if the obligatory meal plan were put in place. This new policy creates a socio-economic barrier for PCOs, where membership would be limited predominantly to people of means. Davidson has often upheld its commitment as a community of inclusivity – and this new financial liability would serve as a division between those who can afford to belong to PCOs and those who cannot . If the attempt is to unify the “up-the-hill” and “downthe-hill” lives, it missed the mark. As the amount of people requiring financial assistance increases,

the already challenging budget restrictions of running a house would magnify, to a point that I fear about the future for PCOs as a whole. I can honestly say that my experiences as an Eating House member have shaped who I am at Davidson. Before self-selection my freshman year, I didn’t understand what Eating Houses were. I just thought that a bunch of girls hung out at a house and had a party or two. That is only the smallest fraction of the story. The best friends I have today are a direct result of sitting down at a table in the house with people I had never spent time with before. Across a series of lunches, dinners and random snack times I have come to know this group of marvelous women, many of whom I never would have met if I had continued sitting with the same group of people every day at Commons and never been forced to go outside of my comfort zone. Eating at the house represented a “right of passage” of sorts, where Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors all sat together without pretense and simply embarked on the most human of endeavors – conversation. While eating at the house, I feel as if I found my niche within Davidson, that I belonged to something bigger than myself. If eating ceases to be a part of belonging to an eating house, the most significant part of membership would disappear. Had this mandate been considered with the consent, knowledge or input of the Patterson Court Community, I can say with certainty that we would have a different outcome. Considering that over 50% of Davidson students belong to PCOs, it does not seem like an ideal move on the part of the administration. Enforcing policies without the input of students creates a divide between students and the administration, which forges a society based on power, and directly undermines the Davidson community we all know and love. I have a deep amount of respect for the administration, but I don’t believe that this policy is the best avenue to create a sustainable model of Dining Services at Davidson. Over my four years here, I have seen the Davidson community come together over a variety of issues, and this issue seems to be no different in my eyes. This is a real policy with real consequences, and now is the time to consider the ramifications of its institution. As a policy that has a significant and potentially destructive impact, it must be considered and debated within the Davidson community as a whole. Students want to have input into our school’s policies, so I encourage you to voice your opinion and make sure it is heard. Caroline Ey ’15 is a political science major from Dayton, Ohio. Please contact her at caey@davidson.edu

THE FIRST ONE This bar

HAS A DIAMOND IN IT

NFL Deepens P.R. Nightmare When It Relocates Jaguars to Islamic State

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Quillen on Meal Plan, “Hope You Like Quinoa, Losers”

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Raccoons, Coyotes, Skunks Join Other Degenerates At F

Page Dumpster

Union Board Holds CrewCutMan Concert, Singer of “But Then I Got My Work Done” & “Mott’s 45”

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“Ego Stroking” Still Technically Illegal According to North Carolina Law

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Defeated Man Eats Pizza With Knife & Fork In Union Cafe

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Glum Surfer Misunderstands “Record Highs for California Residents This Month”

THE DAVIDSONIAN

Yowl 2.0

Quillen Bows to Mounting Yik Yak Pressure, Resigns Post Bowing to a barrage of criticism about the mandatory meal plan on the popular social media app “Yik Yak,” President Quillen announced Tueesday that she would give in to the hundreds of anonymous toilet jokes calling for her resignation. The app, which allows users to post comments to a locationbased forum, has served as a base from which the student body has attacked Quillen’s new policies. One user, who wished to remain anonymous, called the barrage against the president a revolution. “It’s pretty sick,” he said, “I just blame her for random stuff and everyone agrees with me.” As it turns out, Carol Quillen noticed the anger students directed at her, and had had enough, choosing to resign from her position this morning. “F**k it,” she said as she left her house this morning, “I’m f**kin’ done with this shit.” She could not be reached for further comment. “Carol has been an avid Yik Yak user for months,” said Tom Shandley, the Dean of Students at Davidson. “She enjoyed Yaking back when times were simple. We all did. Now, Yik Yak’s taken a dark turn against her.” Quillen has been blamed for a wide range of offenses, from the lack of two-ply toilet paper on campus to the weak water pressure in the school’s water fountains. “The worst part is that Carol’s so addicted she can’t stop checking the app,” Shandley continued, wiping a tear from his eye, “Visiting your favorite stall just isn’t the same without trying to simultaneously score some Yakarma. That’s all been ruined for her.”

Page Bummer Dude

Judge Declares DNA Evidence “Pretty Gross”

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Declining Population of Wild Paw Printers Worries Conservationists

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A YooHoo, A Snickers and A Lottery Ticket

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Davidson Weatherman Predicts 100% Chance of Misplaced Nostalgia, Vomit For Homecoming Weekend

Pages Are Meaningless

Your Davidson Honor Section

Editor: Charles Pennell Writers: Paul “On Time” Henderson Jonathan “J-Chuk” Marchuk Dasmind Nezgownskiy *remember to check sp

Note: The Yowl is a satirical supplement to The Davidsonian. Hence, nothing in it

Like many well-intentioned leaders before her, Quillen was brought down by her blind ambition and the American people’s insatiable appetite for up-votes. As a result of her sudden departure, the student body took to Yik Yak in celebration, with one user pointing out that he “couldn’t believe this was a result of everyone being bored while taking a s**t.” The post received three upvotes. The comment, “Screw you d**khead,” is believed to be from Quillen herself, though this remains unconfirmed. As of now, Yik Yak’s traffic has decreased dramatically, with most of the comments focusing on how Commons breakfast is “the real MVP.” Our anonymous user said, “Yeah, it kind of sucks now.”

Freshman Reinvents Self As Not-Awful Person with Help of Consumer Goods On Monday, incoming freshman David Cowall announced his plans to reinvent himself as an individual who was not morally reprehensible in every conceivable category, which he plans to do primarily by acquiring the right kinds of possessions. With a slew of graduation gifts and recent Amazon purchases, Cowall fully believes that he will emerge from a fog of selfish, cynical, deceptive behavior as a morally upstanding individual. “I’ll admit, back in high school I was a pretty shitty human being: jealous, petty, boring, prone to outbursts of violent rage, but with my fresh start at college, I’ve decided to become a new, better person. Step one: a bangin’ pair of Chacos.” On move-in day Cowall was seen in the stairwell using a halfrolled poster of Bob Marley smoking a J to comunicate to strangers his sudden love for reggae. “I only found Marley’s music recently, but it’s become a key part of the new, ethical me,” said Cowall while his eleven-year-old brother struggled up the stairs with his mini-fridge. “While his songs preach peace and I preach grabbing everything you can from the weak and powerless, I find that the discrepancy “Back in high school everyone thought doesn’t stop me from using his image as a I was a xenophobe because I beat up bland stand-in for a that exchange student when he refused personality or a moral to try a bite of my Big Mac,” said the code.” Whereas earlier freshman, “but see, throw on these Cowall based his personality on the pillars transparent, horn-rimmed spectacles of selfishness, incomand suddenly I’m a kindhearted globepetence, and utter disrespect for his elders, trotter.” in college he plans for Frisbee, skinny jeans, and a Macbook Pro to form the central tenets of his being. “Back in high school everyone thought I was a xenophobe because I beat up that foreign exchange student when he refused to try a bite of my Big Mac,” said Cowall, “but see, throw on these transparent, horn-rimmed spectacles and suddenly I’m a kindhearted globe-trotter. Throw on a knit beanie and -- bang -- I think I might be eligible for a Nobel Prize.” Tragically, Cowall’s attempt to re-define himself as a good person came to an end a few hours later when someone said the glasses ‘reminded them of their late uncle,’ after which Cowall called them a pussy, punched them in the gut, and fled the area.

Added to Mandatory Meal Plan: Faculty, Staff, Raccoons, Residents of Davidson, Greater Charlotte Area On August 29, [former] Davidson College President Carol Quillen (or PQuillz as she used to be affectionately known) decreed that starting next year, all faculty and staff will be required to purchase a 90-block meal plan from the school. Citing a wide variety of reasons Quillen & Co. believe that this move will improve campus dining for all parties associated, as forcing all staff to buy a mealplan will increase revenue for commons. Some of these improvements will include: t “A broader taste profile as more and more staff come to Davidson from all over the globe.” Since Davidson professors, administrators and the formerly employed laundry staff all come from different places around the country and globe, they will expect different food that Commons might not serve. By making them buy a meal plan, we can ensure they eat American cuisine 99% of the time and then one day a semester we can cook food from their country in a worse fashion than they probably could themselves. t “A multitude of dietary requirements and wishes – gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, nut allergies, pescatarianism, etc.” Everyone knows that the best way to deal with severe food allergies is to force someone to eat in an environment where they have no control over their food’s preparation. Why let them cook with their own food products and utensils when a small peanut dust slip-up could cause a fatal episode of anaphylaxis? And you know those pescatarians -- they’re not happy without the choice be-

tween salmon, halibut and mahi mahi. t “Staff who require less traditional dining hours…” This way, if a staff member cannot meet the time slot of the slightly extended meal plan time, their meal plan goes to waste. Why let people eat whenever they want, when you can tack an extra 15 minutes to the end of common’s dining hours. Changes in meal plan has staff members everywhere cheering. “I already pay upwards of $50,000 for working here,” stated one IT worker. “Why wouldn’t I want to pay more for food that I could prepare for myself, in the comfort of my own home, at a more convenient time for me, without seeing half the school staff, for half the price? ...Why wouldn’t I?” Still another professor replied, “I don’t live on campus, so driving to campus, parking in Satellite and walking to Commons and back to eat is something I’m greatly looking forward to doing 90 times a semester.” One Athropology Professor begged to go on the record stating, “I’ve tried different kinds of rice from all over the world. I can confrim that without a doubt Commons’ wild, steamed and fried are the best I’ve ever had. I can eat crunchy and dry rice 90 times a semester easy.” Most excited of all was Quillen, who states that she eats in Commons all the time. “I definitely don’t eat most of my meals in the President’s House or order Domino’s Chicken Buffalo Pizza every other day,” she emphatically stated. “You will definitely see me down at Commons at least 90 times this semester. Definitely.”

sports

Page 10 September 17, 2014

Making the transition to the Atlantic 10 Player loyalty Davidson athletes will face tougher competition and more travel AUSTIN NEWSOME

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Guest Writer

n what Davidson Men’s Basketball Head Coach Bob McKillop called a “big-league leap,” Davidson now finds itself in a new conference, the Atlantic 10. Many athletes have expressed both excitement and feelings of added pressure in joining the new conference. Swimmer Cam Bard ’16 summed it up in one word: “excitement.” “Nothing improves performance in the pool like racing against better opponents,” he added. The announcement that Davidson would be leaving its long time home of the Southern Conference and joining schools such as George Washington, the Universtiy of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University seemed to have sparked a flame of new change. Since the announcement of our conference change, major moves by the college include the impending closure of Lula Bell Laundry Services and drastic changes to the meal plan. All are changes that will seemingly carry long-term economic benefits, but many have begun to question whether it is worth abandoning so many long-standing traditions. While the Atlantic 10 is undoubtedly a well respected conference - sending six of their conference’s teams to last year’s NCAA Basketball Tournament - many student athletes have thought about the toll such extensive travelling will take not only on academics, but also on many other areas. “A big concern is inefficient travelling,” said Rachel Piles ’17, a member of the Women’s Basketball team. “Our schedule sets up some of our away games to where we have to basically go to the same place, which is far away, on two different occasions.” Davidson workloads are tough enough as is, but now our players will be doing homework on longer bus rides and even longer flights. Some may say that’s just the nature of being a student athlete, but is the extensive travelling worth it? President Carol Quillen seems to believe so. Upon announcing the move more than a year ago, she said, “The Atlantic 10 is comprised of academically strong institutions located in areas where Davidson has a presence and seeks greater visibility.” Whether or not you agree with the change, you can’t refute her point that this will offer Davidson fresh visibility. The northeast is a gold mine not only for elite athletes of all sports but also for intellectu-

als. Prospective students from the northeast, who are surrounded by Ivy League schools, may take greater notice of Davidson because of this move. Because basketball is Davidson’s most popular sport, changing to a more competitive conference will benefit the program and aid the recruiting process. Davidson will now extend further into the northeast for recruiting, possibly looking at recruits that previously would have seemed out of reach. And being on TV more often will help prospects around the country take notice of the Wildcat program. More exposure means more recruits, and more recruits means a bigger selection of future Wildcats. Women’s Basketball player Dakota Dukes ’16 said, “I think we’ll continue to recruit bigger, faster, stronger girls thanks to the conference change.” So are we joining a more elite conference? Academically, and by the numbers, yes. The At-

lantic 10 ranks second among all Division I conferences for graduation success rates, with 90 percent of student athletes graduating in 2012. Athletically, Davidson has competed in the top ranks of the Southern Conference consistently throughout the years, and perhaps it is time for a change. Those who oppose this transition may point back to tradition and to the value of remaining in the conference in which we spread our roots. Proponents of change focus on the expansion of both interest in and applications to Davidson, asserting that these will give way to growth both financially and academically. I argue simply that we stand with our Wildcat student athletes, who represent us in ways that we may never fully understand. Whether they take the court in Belk Arena, or all the way in Kingston, RI to play the URI Rams, our voices cheering them on should never be any quieter than before.

The magic of the October sports world When the leaves turn, the action across the country heats up Emma Johnson Senior Staff Writer

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he leaves change color, the days are crisp and cool, and the meals are full of apples and pumpkins and cinnamon. There is a lot to look forward to about October, but some of the most exciting things that happen in the tenth month of the year are in the sports world. Yes, yes, I know it is only September, but in my opinion it is never too early to get excited for October sports. October is the only month in which each of America’s major professional sports leagues is in season. Baseball, football, hockey and basketball – all have games going on in this magical month. Baseball season is coming to a close, football is a month in, and the others are just beginning, so the excitement is there all month long. About 200 games will be played in October between about 122 different teams with hundreds of thousands of people tuning it to watch in person, on TV or online. Baseball takes much of the spotlight as the postseason makes each game an adventure. Throughout my years of following baseball, I have seen heartbreaking losses as teams crumble under the pressure, singular moments of spectacular triumphs that make all the fans your friends and extraordinary stories of how faith in a team or a player can keep a city strong. Baseball is never boring in October. This year promises to be just as exciting. Some lower budget teams like the Orioles, Na-

tionals and Royals have built strong clubhouses over the years and look to battle it out with traditional powerhouses. Don’t count the rest of the teams out yet, though – baseball is never static. As the season comes to a close, every game is important and every moment crucial. Even if you are not a baseball fan, it is still easy to get excited in October with shows of team support, renewed game intensity and wild celebrations following a favorite team win. While the summer months are dominated by baseball and only baseball, October also ushers in some of the other major league favorites with new seasons, new predictions and a whole lot of excitement. Can RGIII pull through for the Redskins this year as they try to finally live up to their hype? Can the Seahawks return strong after winning the Super Bowl last year? How many of the big-name quarterbacks will actually live up to the millions of dollars they are getting paid this season? These are just a few football related questions that will be on many a fan’s mind as the season starts really rolling. By the time October rolls around, we will see which are the teams to beat for the remainder of the season and how everyone’s fantasy team is shaping up. While baseball is commonly called America’s pastime, the NFL season draws tens of thousands of people per game, as people fill up gigantic stadiums and follow their fantasy teams online. Additionally, while hockey and basketball will just be beginning, it is a time for fans to once again become vocal after an offseason of silence. So, get excited for October! While I am al-

ways over the moon for baseball—and for the Orioles in particular—I find great pleasure in sports of every variety. The atmosphere is one that is found in few other places: strangers come together in support of a single team in a way that creates a family within a few hours and a dedication that extends throughout a lifetime. Find a team that values what you value, find fellow fans and enjoy the excitement, suspense and all the magic that surrounds it.

in the modern game How much does loyalty matter? R. THOMAS CHAFIN

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Staff Writer

s an avid Jacksonville Jaguars fan, I have clung to any shred of positivity that the football gods have thrown my way. For the past five years, that shining light has been the diminutive running back Maurice Jones-Drew. In a team full of disappointment and despair, he provided the spark that kept our fandom alive. The national media built Jones-Drew into a superhero in its effort to find anyway to write about the small market franchise of the Jaguars. He was our very own “Pocket Hercules” in the words of Deion Sanders. He was the player plastered on game tickets, and his pixelated face spanned collectors’ cups. Then, over one offseason, his contract expired and the Raiders signed him. Our savior had forsaken us, and even worse, no one cared. As fans, we cannot forget that that our favorite athletes are just a contract away from leaving the teams they have served for years. Athletes are paid to sacrifice their bodies for public entertainment. For the majority of these athletes, the specific crowd that they are entertaining doesn’t matter. While the media associates the greats with specific teams (i.e. Jordan with the Bulls, Marino with the Dolphins), it is these greats who have the privilege to pick and choose where they play. Deals that big budget teams regularly make show that players follow the money. This does not mean that athletes do not care for the team that they are playing for—obviously they hope for the success of the organization they represent—but how long can that loyalty last? Most players hop from team to team hoping to make enough of an impact to make the roster. All of this is done with the knowledge that they can be cut or traded on any given day. There are countless stories of players learning they have been traded through social media or television. It is hard to expect the players to be as emotionally invested as the fans when their stints on a team are so ephemeral. Fan loyalty is a concept that has died progressively with the tech boom, which has provided fantasy football accessories and endless SportsCenter updates. Now, it appears that athlete loyalty may be on the way out as well. There is no more infamous a case of player disloyalty than that of LeBron James. When the homegrown Ohio superstar left the Cavaliers for the Miami Heat, jerseys were burned, death threats were made and twitter exploded. LeBron was Brutus, Judas and Benedict Arnold rolled into one. Believers in player loyalty would be quick to point out that LeBron has decided to rejoin his hometown Cavaliers. $42.2 million in two years doesn’t hurt either.

Davidson Volleyball hosted the Wildcat Classic this past weekend and begins Atlantic 10 play at the end of the month. Catch some of the action in Belk Arena. Photo by Shea Parikh.

Sports

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USA wins the World Cup

Mike Krzyzewski’s squad dominates yet again STEPHEN PACHECO Staff Writer

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NFL Commisioner Roger Goodell has been put under the microscope for his recent decisions regarding punishments for domestic violence issues. Photo from Getty Images.

The NFL turns its back

Goodell drops the ball on domestic violence ALEX SALVATIERRA Staff Writer

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his past week, Adrian Peterson, perhaps one of the greatest football players of our generation, was arrested on charges of child abuse. He is the most recent in a slew of NFL athletes who have committed domestic abuses in the past few weeks. According to the media, he struck his four-year-old son with a “switch,” which according to Peterson is a thin tree branch commonly used to punish children and a punishment he suffered during his own childhood. He defended his actions by saying that it was a usual means of discipline in the South, a claim defended by fellow Southerner and prominent athlete, Charles Barkley. Despite their best efforts to normalize child abuse, using the “how I grew up” argument cannot and should not serve as justification for inflicting cuts and scratches on small children. This same logic was used to excuse Michael Vick for dog fighting: Vick argued that he grew up with that tradition and that he didn’t know any better. NFL commentator and former quarterback Boomer Esiason addressed the situation in a similar way, saying, “I think Adrian Peterson is in a well of trouble and he should pay a significant price. I don’t give a damn how he grew up.” This is precisely the stance the NFL should take in light of the recent violence that has plagued NFL players and the trivialized nature of the crimes committed. No matter how angry the national community is with the patterns of violence, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell refuses to act assertively against violence and abuse. Goodell’s stance trickles down to owners as Adrian Peterson has now been reinstated to the Vikings roster and is available for their game this week. Due to this ongoing indifference to player offenses, it seems important to make an example of both Peterson and Ray Rice, another NFL star who has been condemned by the sports community in light of his recent actions. The NFL is the most-watched sports league in America and is popular among children who desire nothing more than to emulate the athletic exploits of their heroes. Prior to his recent misconduct, Rice had cultivated an image as a good Samaritan among children’s communities going so far as to start the Ray Rice Charitable Fund for the express purpose of inspiring children to pursue their dreams through football camps, rallies and school visits. He gave talks at schools, bringing awareness to the dangerous consequences of bullying in the wake of a student suicide. He was quoted as saying, “You can be a hero to someone who is bullied, just by being their friend.” This image as opponent of the bully is difficult to reconcile with that of the man who knocked his wife unconscious and then at-

tempted to paint it as self-defense. Of course, as is commonplace, Rice was only placed on indefinite suspension from the league with the option to appeal his verdict. Ray Rice seemed to be a good guy in the league, elevating himself both on and off the field, but his recent exploits fuel the continuing pattern of players perpetrating domestic crimes with little to no serious backlash. The 49ers’ Ray McDonald has remained on the active roster this week even though there is an ongoing investigation into potential charges of domestic abuse. The team administrators assert that they are giving their athlete “due process” which is fair, but it is very possible that he inflicted severe injuries and is going to play a football game as though nothing happened. Meanwhile, the 49ers suspended one of their radio personalities for two games in the wake of comments making light of the recent domestic abuse cases. If that doesn’t indicate partiality in favor of famous, public figures like athletes then I don’t know what will. The fact that the 49ers have refused to back down in the face of widespread pressure to deactivate or suspend McDonald implies that these players are above the law and continue to receive virtually no reproof. In an even more extreme situation, Greg Hardy of the Carolina Panthers was found guilty on charges of domestic violence in relation to an altercation with a girlfriend in May. That’s right, he was found guilty, but he remains active on the roster as the team undertakes what head coach Ron Rivera calls, “due diligence.” As has been indicated by the enduring trend of committing violence crimes, it is inexcusable to continue to allow leading athletes to be seemingly above the law in winning acquittal or receiving a petty sentence in cases ranging from the infamous OJ Simpson murder trial to Michael Vick’s dogfighting wrist-slap. While Simpson managed to feign complete innocence in the face of a mountain of evidence claiming double homicide, Vick was lightly castigated for the drowning, electrocution and execution of upwards of 30 dogs. Yes, each specific case should be judged on its own merits, however, the main conclusion from these events is that a renewed effort should be made to diminish the presence of domestic abuse. This is even more important in regard to athletes and the influential position they wield in the public spotlight. Unfortunately for us, athletes have come to accept the reality in our society that if they are “sorry” and repent for their actions people will downplay their crimes as long as they promise to pack the stadiums and thrill TV audiences. We, as the patrons of these sports, must step back and evaluate these athletes objectively and critically so that they do not continue to receive the legal privileges that the normal, everyday citizen does not.

oo young, too inexperienced and too uncoachable.” “No defense, no leadership and no superstar at the helm.” “Plagued by injuries, devoid of superstars and poorly selected.” “They’re going to get torched by Spain’s big men, exquisite ball movement, and smothering defense.” Reporters, analysts, and fans made all of these comments prior to Team USA’s participation in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain. The FIBA World Cup is almost always a lose-lose situation for the United States. Beginning and ending right around the time NFL and NCAA football seasons are just starting up, not many people pay attention to these games, unless the United States loses. Winning is not celebrated—it is simply expected. Could this be the year that Team USA lets us down and loses to Spain, thus calling into question our up-and-coming superstars? Between Kevin Durant’s decision to opt out, Paul George’s gruesome leg injury, curious roster choices and lack of experience up front, Team USA looked like they may have been doomed from the start. “The first national team in history to win every game by over 20 points.” “11 of 16 from beyond the arc at halftime in the championship game.” “Eight players in double figures in the championship game.” “The 2014 FIBA World Cup Champions.” Reporters, analysts, and fans made all of these comments after Team USA’s resounding victory. How much of a difference two weeks can make. Team USA did not simply avoid an embarrassing loss—Spain failed to advance past a mediocre French team—but dominated the entire tournament. All the pre-tournament questions seem ridiculous now after Team USA’s perfect 9-0 record and 129-92 championship game victory over Serbia. Kyrie Irving emerged as the new face of Team USA basketball—squashing any speculation of leadership problems as he shot a lights-out 61% from deep to go along with 12 points and four assists a game, a team-high 24 minutes pergame and Tournament MVP honors. I can imagine Lebron James and Kevin Love sitting at home after watching Kyrie dominate the tournament, clearing out a space on their mantle for the Larry O’Brien trophy. Irving leaves this tournament with the largest gains, both in experience and in image. Close behind were the backcourt duo of Kenneth Faried and DeMarcus Cousins. When training camp began, there were already rumors that these two players would be among the first cut from the team, both having

had major coaching, composure and maturity issues in the past. They not only made the team, but they emerged as two of the stronger players of the entire tournament. Faried and Cousins shot an incredible 64% and 70% respectively from the field for the tournament. Faried lef the team in efficiency (17.8) and rebounds per game (7.8) while also picking up an All-Tournament Team nod along with Irving. Both Faried and Cousins are gems on franchises filled with turmoil, but this tournament may have just been the spark they needed to emerge as superstars in their own right. Additionally, James Harden boasted an impressive tournament resume, leading the team in scoring at just over 14 a game and showing leadership over this young group. While Anthony Davis wasn’t able to dominate in the way many expected, he still showed that he is capable of being a top-five player in the NBA. Warriors’ superstar and Davidson alum Steph Curry demonstrated outstanding leadership and maturity throughout the tournament, proving to be a valuable asset behind the arc despite early shooting struggles. It is hard to believe that Curry, at 26, is the second oldest member of the squad and one of only four players with prior international experience. Finally, two of the biggest question marks heading into the tournament—Derrick Rose and Klay Thompson—were able to hold their own. Rose showed that the explosiveness, speed and slashing ability that earned him the 2011 NBA MVP award have not escaped him after two straight injury-filled years. While he shot a woeful 25% from the floor and received limited minutes, he was still able to show moments of brilliance that reminded everyone just how good of a player he was before the injury. Thompson averaged 13 points a game (second highest on the team) on a solid 52% from the floor while logging an impressive 23 minutes per-game (also second highest on the team). Overall, Team USA had a successful and unexpectedly dominant run in the 2014 FIBA World Cup tournament, showing not only that they are still the best national team in the world, but also that a new batch of young superstars are ready to take over the NBA. The FIBA World Cup provided a valuable experience for younger stars to gain leadership abilities and participate in a winning tradition. And as Team USA bit down on their gold medals, threw their hands in the air, and performed an impromptu synchronized rendition of the Shmoney dance while confetti shot through the air all around them on the champion’s podium, the rest of the world simply had to sit back and remember that the United States still dominates the center of the basketball world.

’Cats Photo of the Week

Maggie Boyd ’17 drives past a Georgia Southern defender in a 0-0 draw on Sunday. Women’s Soccer currently stands at 3-4-1. Photo by Shea Parikh.

The Davidsonian est. 1914

Davidson embarks on journey into the Atlantic 10

Lucy Pidcock â&#x20AC;&#x2122;16 Photo by Shea Parikh

September 17, 2014