THE STUDENT
LIFE
The student newspaper of the Claremont Colleges since 1889 CLAREMONT, CA
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
VOL. CXXXI NO. 9
PITZER PRESIDENT DECRIES MOTION TO SUSPEND ISRAEL STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM
Students, faculty split on decision; joint council to vote next semester HAIDEE CLAUER Suspending Pitzer College’s study abroad program with the University of Haifa in Israel would be a “major blow” to the college, Pitzer President Melvin Oliver said in a Pitzer College Council meeting Nov. 29. The Council, a student and faculty governance board, is expected to vote on the motion at its next meeting next semester. According to the bylaws of the Council, the vote will be taken as a recommendation to the president of the college, who will make the final decision on whether to suspend the study abroad program. Historically, these decisions are usually aligned with the recommendation, according to Pitzer Student Senate member Isaiah Kramer PZ ’20. The Council’s discussion followed a Nov. 8 Pitzer faculty meeting vote, in which two motions encouraging the college to boycott Israeli products and the study abroad program were adopted. The second motion was later reviewed by the Faculty Executive Committee, which decided to bring it before the College Council for discussion due to contradictions over which committee was supposed to handle the study abroad motion. The motion calls for a suspension of the University of Haifa program until “the Israeli state ends its restrictions on entry to Israel based on ancestry and/or political speech,” and ends discrimination in granting visas to exchange students at Palestinian
CHLOE ORTIZ • THE STUDENT LIFE
Pitzer College Council hosted a meeting Nov. 29 to discuss whether to suspend Pitzer’s study abroad program at the University of Haifa in Israel.
versus Israeli universities, according to a Claremont Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) blog post. Oliver opened the discussion with a speech opposing the faculty motion, saying it would provide “paltry support for Palestinian rights” and would “foolishly alienate a large population” of the school’s community. Anthropology professor Dan
Segal, who brought forward both motions at the faculty meeting, disagreed. Segal, a faculty representative on Pitzer’s Study Abroad and International Programs Committee, said Palestinian responses to the motion were “overwhelmingly positive” and that “Palestinians don’t agree with President Oliver that this is paltry support.”
Pitzer College and Scripps College student governments are expanding their funding options to fund a variety of gender-affirming actions for transgender, intersex, and non-binary students, according to then-Pitzer Student Senate Treasurer Jessica Miao PZ ’21 and Scripps Associated Students President Irene Yi SC ’19. Pitzer Senate Budget Committee now offers up to three hundred dollars per student toward gender affirming processes including “therapy, a legal name change, hormone replacement therapy, surgery, or any other gender-affirming process,” Miao wrote in an email to the Pitzer student body. Miao wrote that the students applying for funds must fill out a request form before attending a Budget Committee meeting themselves or by seeing a proxy. Only Miao and the vice president of finance will know the identity of those who made the requests. The SAS board voted Nov. 11 to expand Funding Advisory Committee funding to pay for genderaffirming processes and fees for Scripps students, Yi wrote in an email sent to Scripps students Nov. 29. The FAC will fund up to $300 per student. The funding is available for
“non-medical fees including, but not limited to, legal name changes, transportation, accommodations, etc,” Yi wrote. “However, each case will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to best support each student’s individual needs.” The request form is available on SAS’ website. Harvey Mudd College’s organization THEY/THEM will be renewing their funding options for this school year, according to an email Carrie Saada HM ’19 sent to the student body Oct. 24. Students are eligible for up to $200 to fund non-medical gender transition related expenses. Kim Nykanen, executive assistant in the Division of Student Affairs at Mudd, processes funding requests. “It’s really important for students who are already marginalized and already have to constantly work to correct other people for their gender or their name and have to constantly validate themselves and put all this work in just so other people will respect their lives and experiences.” Yi said. “It’s so much on their plate already. If there’s anything we can do to lighten their load and to provide any help that we can, that’s the least that we can do.” Pitzer Senate President Shivani Kavuluru PZ ’19 said their vote to
Eric Gofen PO ’19 has never missed a snack. Every Sunday through Wednesday between snack’s designated hours of 10-11 p.m., Gofen can be found munching on classics like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or nachos at Pomona College’s Frary Dining Hall.
More than a regular, Gofen’s consistent attendance has reigned him “the king of snack,” according to a comment by Annie Price PO ’20 in the public Facebook group “What’s at Snack.” However, Frary began frequently cancelling the late-night tradition this semester. According to the Pomona Dining Services General Manager, Jose Martinez,
http://tsl.news
See HAIFA page 2
snack has been cancelled about 10 times this semester, one-eighth of all free snack nights. “We have been experiencing a big shortage of staff,” Martinez wrote in an email to TSL. He attributes this shortage to a myriad of issues, including medical, disability, sick days, and open
See SNACK page 2
ANOUSHKA SAMEER • THE STUDENT LIFE
Pomona Snack has been cancelled multiple times this semester due to major staffing shortages.
OPINIONS
Have you been to Ramen Lounge in the Village yet? Stephanie Du SC ’21 talks to owner Mark Perone and chef Leo Dinglasan about Ramen Lounge’s focus on Asian fusion, and reviews the contemporary restaurant’s ramen dishes and steamed buns. Read more on page 3.
Follow TSL on the web.
BECKY HOVING
expand the Budget Committee bylaws should have happened sooner. “We need to be a lot more proactive in our allyship because this entire thing started really because a trans student spoke up in Student Senate and said we need to do better,” Kavuluru said. Funding for Pitzer ’s and Scripps’ trans community is currently from their funding boards, but they hope to potentially pull money from the reserve fund or elsewhere in order to have money set aside specifically for the purpose of supporting marginalized groups. “One of the biggest faults in how our college and the consortium reacted [to the trans memo] was by not reacting at all,” Kavuluru said. “It was dead silent, and I think that was the first mistake that all of us made. Not only do we support these communities, but we are actually going to put our money where our mouth is.” Yi said that SAS’ actions reflect a natural step in supporting students. “If our school and our student body clai[m] to be really in support of [marginalized groups], and have these as a part of our values, we should step up and make sure that our actions reflect this,” Yi said.
LIFE AND STYLE
in spring 2016, according to Segal. “[The suspension of the Haifa program] is in fact completely necessary given Pitzer ’s stated commitment to social justice,” Segal said. “Right now is when it is controversial, right now is when it will have the most impact, and doing the right thing is often hard.” Oliver argued against singling out the Haifa study abroad pro-
Pomona frequently cancels snack, concerns students
Pitzer, Scripps student governments offer funding for gender-affirming processes EMILY KUHN
A major faculty voice in the discussion, Segal said he and other faculty members had attempted to bring the motions forward for two years, and that “various inappropriate delays were imposed to block the debate because they were so controversial.” Eleven students have participated in the University of Haifa program since 2007, most recently
gram from others. “Why would we not suspend our program with China? Or take our longest standing program in Nepal where the Pitzer in Nepal program has been run for over 40 years. During that time they have had a bloody civil war that killed 19,000 people,” Oliver asked. “Why Israel?” Kramer and Claire Wengrod PZ ’19 are two of the Pitzer Student Senate members who proposed a resolution condemning the faculty’s motion to suspend the program. The resolution, which failed to pass an official vote without quorum present in a Nov. 18 Senate meeting, will face a revote in the upcoming meeting Dec. 2. “The Pitzer College Student Senate denounces the Faculty’s desire to suspend the study abroad program at the University of Haifa and the Faculty’s decision to act unilaterally without regard to Student Voice, which constitutes an abuse of power and rebuke of Pitzer’s tradition of shared governance,” the resolution states. In an email sent to Segal as well as numerous students, faculty, and staff, Kramer wrote, “I have a career after Pitzer College, and I do not want to be handcuffed to your anti-Israel political agenda.” Kramer said the faculty meeting was “very controversial,” and that half the faculty had left before the study abroad motion was introduced, which occurred past the scheduled duration of the meeting.
SPORTS
“Unfortunately, the Stalinist adage that a single death is a tragedy, while a million is a mere statistic, holds,” writes Christopher Salazar PZ ’21. “Khashoggi risked his life to speak against the Saudi Arabian government, to criticize its role in the war in Yemen. Yet, with the tragedy of his forfeited life, comes a new hope.” Read more on page 7.
thestudentlife
@TSLnews
PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER.
A strong defense and a few early season adjustments helped the CMS football team find success during the 2018 season, and led them to winning their first SCIAC title in 31 years. Read more on page 8.
@TSLnews
NEWS................................1 LIFE & STYLE.....................3 OPINIONS........................5 SPORTS.............................8
NEWS PAGE 2
NOVEMBER 30, 2018
THE STUDENT LIFE
Residential Vibrancy Initiative revamps social life at Scripps LANEY POPE This year, a new Residential Vibrancy Initiative is redefining party culture at Scripps College, which was previously known as a quiet campus at the 5Cs. The initiative is focused on strengthening community among Scripps students, Assistant Dean and Director of Campus Life Brenda Ice wrote in an email to TSL. The initiative has created a community coordinator position in addition to the residential advisors. The community coordinator’s focus is in event programming and helping students connect, rather than in enforcing rules. Ice wrote that the initiative was a response to student complaints regarding “the lack of connectedness to Scripps beyond academics.” The new initiative is an effort to “shift the culture and attitude of our students by encouraging them to connect with folks beyond their room or friend group,” she wrote. The Residential Vibrancy Initiative has attempted to make dorm life more fun and community oriented, which has decreased the number of students taking the party to other campuses, Antara Anand SC ’19 said. Ally To SC ’19, who was an RA both last year and this year, said there was a tangible shift in how RAs handled parties at Scripps. “Last year we weren’t sure if we were supposed to be shutting down parties or doing noise complaints, so sometimes [the noise complaints] were [handled by an RA] if they felt comfortable,” she said. As there are only six RAs this year, they “take a much less handson approach when it comes to parties,” To said. During residential life staff training before school began, RAs and CCs were asked to help make the community more vibrant and lively, To said. “To us, vibrancy means that people … can communicate with each other,” she said. During residence hall meetings at the beginning of the semester, RAs and CCs told students to change the way they handle noise concerns, said community coordinator Tova Levine SC ’21. “In the past when anyone had a noise complaint, they would immediately call [Campus Safety], and get everything shut down,”
HAIFA: Oliver worries Israel is being singled out Continued from Page 1
TALIA BERNSTIEN • THE STUDENT LIFE
This year, Scripps College has seen a shift in student attitudes regarding the school’s party culture. A more party-friendly atmosphere has emerged due to new Campus Life initiatives.
she said. This year, students were encouraged to address the noisemaker directly. This initial dorm meeting discouraged “sham[ing] other residents into being so quiet,” Levine said. Scripps students said they have noticed a shift in the campus culture. In past years, Scripps was very strict about parties and noise, Anand said. This led students to “think Scripps is a dry campus which it never has been,” she added. At the beginning of this semester, Anand and her friends decided to throw a party on a Saturday night. “We were so surprised that no one shut us down,” she said. “It’s really nice to see my fellow upperclassmen friends feeling ownership of our space.” The changing attitudes toward consumption are not completely new this year, SAS president Irene Yi SC ’19 said. During her first-year and sophomore year, Yi said she was a member of the Alcohol Ad Hoc Committee that collaborated with the administration, deans, and other student representatives to change Scripps’ policy on alcohol. Yi said that formerly, if a student is hosting people in their room, the host couldn’t be the
one drinking. The committee agreed this policy was illogical and changed it in spring 2016. New practices surrounding parties, consumption, and noise are being implemented for the first time this year. Yi said the change “has been a very gradual thing, but it has become very observable this year.” Scripps students say the cultural shift has brought more nonScripps students to campus to socialize. In September, there was a “Queer Kegger,” or “Quegger,” thrown on Scripps’ campus, she said. “Students from across the 5Cs came, and it was a very comfortable and safe event that probably would have been shut down in years past,” Levine said. SAS has also contributed by throwing an unofficial 1-C party called “Diva Dance,” according to Yi. At Diva Dance, SAS played music and raffled diva cups. Despite the largely positive reaction to the vibrancy initiative, some students prefer the old, quiet Scripps. “We want people to feel comfortable to have fun in their space and to know their neighbors and do things together,” RA Giovanna Perricone SC ’19 said. “I think a lot of people do choose Scripps for its
calm atmosphere, so it’s kind of hard to shift a culture when some people liked it the way it was, and I think you’re always going to have that.” Anand believes that the vibrancy initiative is important to students, not because it is rebranding Scripps as a “party school,” but because it had allowed students to celebrate the campus community at Scripps. “It’s really nice to bring people on our home turf after three years of going off campus [and] bring a community that we’ve built over three years to our house,” Anand said. As an upperclassman, Anand said it was frustrating to see the patterns of off-campus drinking and subsequent binge drinking at pre-games continue in the grades below her. At non-Scripps parties, it’s more likely that students “don’t know what they’re drinking [and] they might lose their friends,” she said. “It just creates a lot of unsafe situations.” Without the fear of being shut down or leaving campus to pre-game, Anand said Scripps is now a “safer environment for consumption … and we can have fun on our own terms and create community in that way.”
In an email to the student body, Pitzer Student Senate also said the resolution “eliminates student learning opportunities.” Lea Kayali PO ’19, a member of SJP, studied for three months on a tourist visa in the West Bank, but was unable to receive a student visa or legal credits for her studies. “That language [of the Student Senate resolution] when I read it felt, put blatantly, pretty dishonest,” Kayali said. “Students that are trying to study in Palestine, students of Palestinian backgrounds, students that hold passports in many different Arab states — all of those students already are being denied equal opportunity of education.” Kramer said: “[T]he concept about [limited] entry for Middle Eastern students is complete bullshit. It’s simply an unfounded concept.” He said only students who “have called for the destruction of the state of Israel or the denial of its right to exist” may be placed on a watch-list and interrogated upon entry to the country.” In a statement to Haaretz, the University of Haifa said “while we support the values of freedom of speech and academic freedom, we oppose the BDS movement against Israel as well as boycotts targeting any individual or institution on the basis of nationality, ethnicity, religion, race, gender, or other discriminatory factor.” In fact, the university said Israel’s commitment to an open and inclusive society “is no more evident than on the University of Haifa campus.” All four of the other Claremont Colleges currently have study abroad programs in Israel, according to their study abroad websites. All schools but Pomona College partner directly with the University of Haifa. Though no Pitzer students have historically been blocked from entry to the program, Segal worried that Israel’s increasingly restrictive 2017 entry laws would
block “any of our SJP students, any students that have spoken in favor of [Boycott, Divest, Sanction Israel (BDS)] — which is not speaking in favor of violence.” He also pointed to an instance this fall in which a University of Florida student was temporarily detained while trying to participate in a similar study abroad program. Concerns over the University of Haifa study abroad program were brought into focus last fall when a joint student and faculty Pitzer Working Group on Israel-Palestine organized surveys, panels, and town halls relating to BDS and the study abroad program.
“
Why would we not suspend our program with China? Or take our longest standing program in Nepal where the Pitzer in Nepal program has been run for over 40 years. During that time they have had a bloody civil war that killed 19,000 people. - Pitzer President Melvin Oliver
”
The group’s final recommendations did not outline a clear plan on how to proceed with the study abroad program or BDS budget motions, citing a need for “further discussion and additional education about the conflict.” The group also expressed a desire for better understanding of other programs that deal with potentially comparable discriminatory practices at the border.
SNACK: Overworked staff, loss of community discussed Continued from Page 1
Claremont McKenna College address appears in FBI investigation Vice President of Student Affairs Sharon Basso forwarded an email Nov. 16 to Claremont McKenna College students concerning the appearance of one of CMC’s addresses in a FBI investigation of Cesar Sayoc. In late October, Sayoc was arrested and accused of sending packages with suspected explosives to CNN, former President Barack Obama, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. According to the forwarded email originally sent by CMC Director of Safety Brian Weir, “The FBI made it clear their notification was a matter of procedure, and that there is no material risk or threat to CMC posed by Mr. Sayoc based on this information.” Sharon Basso, the vice president of student affairs at CMC, wrote in the email: “This notification is meant to reassure you that there is no threat, and to take this opportunity to remind you to continue to use good judgement and take proper safety precautions, including being alert.” — Elinor Aspegren, Becky Hoving
E. coli outbreak prompts destruction of romaine lettuce in 5C dining halls “All Claremont College Dining Halls were directed to remove and destroy all Romaine lettuce and will not be serving Romaine until CDC’s investigation is complete,” according to a Campus Safety notification sent out Nov. 20. The Campus Safety notification advised students to visit Student Health Services if symptoms of an E. coli infection appear and to sanitize drawers and shelves in refrigerators in which Romaine was stored. — Becky Hoving
Harvey Mudd College encourages composting on campus Harvey Mudd College has introduced composting bins on campus after the State of California mandated all entities that produce more than four cubic yards per week of organic waste must sort and recycle the waste. Custodial staff have placed brown table-top bins in kitchens and break rooms across campus, which are solely dedicated to food waste, according to Sustainability Program Manager Louis Spanias. “Custodial staff will empty bins in the academic and administrative areas of campus, but students are responsible for emptying any and all tabletop compost bins into the larger compost totes (yellow totes with brown lids) outside each of the dorms,” he wrote in an email to Harvey Mudd students. California disposes of approximately 30 million tons of waste in landfills each year, of which more than 30 percent could be used for compost, according to California’s Waste Characterization Study.
positions. According to Martinez, the shortage has lead to “almost 20 percent absenteeism in a given day,” totaling 16-20 absent employees, vastly decreasing the availability of staff to work snack. Martinez also noted that in past years, Pomona has cancelled snack extremely infrequently. A snack regular, Gofen emphasized the importance of snack as a non-academic space for community gathering. “Snack is a Pomona event that breeds genuine connections,” he said. “I feel like there’s a real community among the snack regulars, and it’s nice to see them and enjoy a small meal. I even bring board games sometimes.” However, Martinez wrote that Pomona Dining Services
has more service hours than any other dining hall, since Frary meal times can be up to an hour longer than other dining halls. “Some staff are working 120 to 140 hours in a two-week pay period,” Martinez wrote, noting that a typical two-week pay period is 80 hours, but some employees voluntarily work overtime. “Being forced to close snack due to labor shortage is not [the] best practice,” Martinez wrote. “But staff really appreciate that we make sure they’re not overworked, stressed or put in a situation where safety [is] not considered priority.” Daniela Nicole Sada PO ’19 said it’s important to acknowledge the long hours that the dining hall staff spend at Pomona to work snack and that working overtime isn’t always feasible. “Maybe [dining hall staff] have family to tend to, or just had a long day or week and
don’t want to stay for several more hours to feed students an extra snack on top of other daily meals,” Sada wrote in a message to TSL. “I imagine that snack is much more time-intensive than most students imagine; there’s the preparation of the snack, the actual snack period, and the cleanup afterward.” In past years, snack was held from 10:30-11:30 p.m., but shifted a half hour earlier this semester to improve worker conditions. Pomona Dining Services plans to hire two new cooks this week, according to Martinez. With two new additions to the staff, Martinez hopes to resume snack by Dec. 2. “We still have a lot of people out, and with the flu season happening, we are experiencing more than usual call outs,” he wrote. “Cancellations would stop if we can get at least half of the staff back that are on medical by this week.”
Corrections In an article about a recent 7C sexual assault survey, it was incorrectly stated that almost nine percent of undergraduate students reported experiencing incidents of sexual assault and nearly four percent of students suspected they had but were not sure, instead of 15 percent and six percent respectively. The article has also been updated to include that the sexual assault survey had a 25 percent response rate across the consortium. The season preview for the CMS men’s and women’s basketball teams incorrectly stated that Kailee Severt CM ’18 was the only graduating senior from last year’s women’s team. Michelle Lanterman HM ’18 also graduated. A courtesy photo from a #MeToo Survivors’ March was misattributed to TSL photographer Talia Bernstein. The photo was courtesy of Flikr account GGAADD. An incorrect graphic was used for the opinions piece teased on the front page. In an issue 7 article about wilderness first aid training, the Emergency Response Team 4 service requirement was incorrectly defined as mandatory emergency response participation rather than being on a mailing list for optional response participation.
— Elinor Aspegren
TSL regrets this error.
LIFE & STYLE THE STUDENT LIFE
NOVEMBER 30, 2018 FILM COLUMN
PAGE 3
FOOD COLUMN
‘Roma’: The film New Ramentics: Ramen Lounge takes on of the year that you Asian fusion with fresh, local ingredients won’t see in theaters STEPHANIE DU
JULIA READ • THE STUDENT LIFE
BEN HAFETZ I saw “Roma” in a sold out 3:20 p.m. showing at the IFC Theater in New York City and was floored by the film. However, most of those who see writer/director Alfonso Cuarón’s newest masterpiece will not see it in a theater, but instead stream it on Netflix. Why was I able to see the Netflix masterpiece in theaters? Well, Netflix really wants an Oscar and is willing to go against their entire business model to get one. This winter, Netflix will have a limited release of three films in theaters in order to qualify for the Academy Awards. These films are “Outlaw King” (bad), “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” (very good), and the focus of this review: “Roma.” In terms of profit, the idea of releasing movies “exclusive” to Netflix in a theater, where nonsubscribers can go and see them, seems like an outright nonsensical move. However, Netflix’s goal is larger than short-term gains in profit. If they want to be taken seriously as a movie studio, they need to gain some amount of traditional prestige, and the fastest way to do that is to win an Oscar. This poses an interesting choice to viewers: They can see a film for free in the comfort of their own home, provided that they have access to a Netflix account, or they can pay to see the film the way the filmmaker intended — in a theater. As interesting as the discussion of Netflix films and the future of theatrical releases is, the most important facet of the movie business remains the films themselves, and “Roma” is, above all else, a truly exceptional film. It is a technical marvel that creates genuine awe and beautiful empathy throughout its entirety. “Roma” tells the story of Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), a live-in housekeeper of an upper middleclass family, who struggles with an unplanned pregnancy, against the backdrop of a rising fascist movement in Mexico City in 1970s. Cuarón’s use of Spanish and grounded storytelling, after venturing into the fantasy and science fiction of his last three films — “Children of Men,” “Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban,” and “Gravity” — is a welcome return to Cuarón’s roots and his first film, “Y Tu Mamá También.” It is clear that Cuarón has a unique eye and love for his home of Mexico City. In his sweeping tracking shots of the characters
walking and running through the city and countryside of Mexico City, Cuarón demonstrates his technical mastery — the camera seems to glide in and out of impossible areas. These shots are some of the most breathtaking images to air on screen. Cuarón also managed to create individual stories, taking place for mere seconds, as the moving frame follows the protagonist. These small stories and moments, which have nothing to do with the film’s narrative, enable Cuarón to create a fully breathing world for the audience. H o we ve r, t h e b e a u t y o f “Roma” is not only present in its astonishing tracking shots and world building. In fact, the truly moving moments come during scenes between characters where the camera remains immovable. Cuarón made the choice to film all the dialogue in one take, with all characters sharing the frame in conversation, unlike the typical shot-reverse-shot form. By doing this, he creates a type of immersion where the audience feels they are eavesdropping into the conversions of real people, dealing with real problems. Cuarón’s unconventional shooting makes the emotional gut punches of the film land harder than anything I have seen in a long time. “Roma” is the type of movie that is both relevant and timeless, and should be rewarded at every chance it gets. It is the perfect combination of a masterful director using creative techniques in service of storytelling. All the elements of the film seamlessly combine to create something truly special. Simply put, “Roma” is a masterpiece. I am glad I saw “Roma” in a theater; it provided the perfect setting to be wowed and fully immersed in the characters and the world Cuarón has crafted. However, I do not think a theater showing was necessary to see how truly amazing the film is. The biggest takeaway from the theater and the streaming release of “Roma” is that everyone should see the film — in any way they can. 5/5 Ben Hafetz is a media studies and politics double major at Pitzer College. He likes to not only see movies, but also tell his friends why they should or should not like certain ones.
Ramen — a delicious bowl of noodles in savory broth — is loved by many. Now, those in Claremont can enjoy it as well, at a restaurant with a fresh take on the delicious meal. Originated in Japan, ramen has made a large mark in the food industry in the United States. Personally, ramen has always been one of my favorite foods. I grew up eating ramen in China, Japan, and now California. So when I heard about the new ramen restaurant, Ramen Lounge, opening in the Claremont Village, I knew nothing could stop me from trying it. I sat down for an interview with owner Mark Perone and chef Leo Dinglasan in the small restaurant, illuminated by cascading string lights. Perone is also the owner of Union on Yale, an American restaurant in the Village. Dinglasan cooks at both Union and Ramen Lounge. They had discussed opening a new restaurant for a year and a half, Perone said, and agreed that they would serve ramen. However, instead of traditional ramen, they decided on fusion ramen to make it “a little more casual, a little more contemporary.” Dinglasan elaborated on the choice to serve fusion, saying they wanted “to stay authentic to who [they] are, and not to what the cuisine is.” While their restaurant is inspired by Japanese food, they are not looking to be authentically Japanese. Rather, Perone and
Dinglasan want to take advantage of the different flavors and ingredients California has, and use those ingredients to make their food delicious to their standards. “This is truly fusion food,” Dinglasan said. “We use traditional techniques, but we use ingredients that are local to us.” Both Dinglasan and Perone are from Southern California, the birthplace of Asian fusion. Southern California itself, Dinglasan described, “is the melting pot of culture.” Both embrace fusing styles of food from the variety of cultures that exist in the area. For example, they are currently working to develop a brisket ramen that is a combination of Korean and Japanese cuisines. “We want to provide an experience where the things we do [are] incomparable to everyone else,” Dinglasan said. “We use techniques that no other Japanese restaurants are using.” Ramen Lounge’s name is characteristic of who they want to be. When Perone and his team bought the property, it came with a bar and liquor license. Perone wanted to create a space that felt like a casual club, where people can relax while enjoying great food and drinks. Ramen Lounge, unlike most of the restaurants in the Village, closes at midnight, and the team is considering extending their hours later, to accommodate the ‘casual club’ atmosphere. Furthermore, because the majority of restaurants in the area close around 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., Ramen Lounge wants to accommodate all the people working in the Village as well as college
students. “Around here, by 9 [p.m.] to 10 [p.m.], everything closes, and you’re forced to eat McDonalds and fast food places that aren’t necessarily good or what you want,” Dinglasan said. “It’s nice to have another option.” Ramen Lounge is always looking to expand their menu, but they want the public’s opinion on what dishes to add. Dinglasan said he has cooked at Union for six or seven years and has learned that the Claremont community is “fiercely dedicated to the things they like on the menu”; because of this, “the menu is going to grow and evolve as far as the customers want it to.” “There are a lot of things we’re working on, but we want to make sure the public is ready for it,” Dinglasan added. Perone recommended the restaurant’s steamed buns, filled with chicken katsu or pork belly. The pork belly dish came in a pair, with each soft bun held in place by a samurai sword. The pork was soft and succulent, and the umami of the meat was well balanced with the tangy sauce and pickled red onion. The tonkotsu was a must-try for me. The broth was rich and creamy, while the pork was less traditional than usual. Instead of a soft pork belly, you get a piece of braised pork with a crispy exterior. It definitely had an interesting texture and flavor. For a lighter option, the shio ramen hits the spot. It also happened to be Dinglasan’s favorite. Fresh noodles sat in a combina-
tion of chicken and dashi broth, topped with fresh vegetables and pork belly. The spicy option had a kick of spice that instantly warmed me up. What impressed me the most was the freshness of the ingredients. For both ramen dishes, colorful vegetables were arranged neatly across the noodles, including corn, bok choy, and green onions. The freshness elevated the dish, both in presentation and taste. Ramen is a dish that never fails to delight and warm my heart. Ramen Lounge’s take on Asian fusion ramen is no exception. It’s unique, authentic to its philosophy, and comfortingly delicious. For those searching for a unique take on traditional Asian food, Ramen Lounge does not disappoint. Stephanie Du is a biology major at Scripps College. Her hobbies include cooking, traveling, and eating all kinds of foods.
COURTESY OF RAMEN LOUNGE
Tonkotsu ramen from Ramen Lounge, a new restaurant in the Claremont Village.
SCIENCE COLUMN
Teacher, student, and researcher: Susanna Barrett is a combination of all three CAITLYN FICK
Susanna Barrett SC ’19 has always been interested in DNA. This love developed at a young age, when Barrett was able to engage in DNA research as a high school student.
Now a senior at Scripps College, Barrett has spent her time on campus working on her biochemistry major, in addition to doing research. Her love of DNA drew her to associate professor of chemistry Aaron Leconte’s lab at the W.M. Keck Science Department, where she is heav-
CHLOE ORTIZ • THE STUDENT LIFE
Susanna Barrett SC ’19 has been working in professor of chemistry Aaron Leconte’s lab at the Keck Science Center and has recently taken a step back from her research to focus on helping new students.
ily involved. Leconte’s lab works to characterize DNA polymerases, enzymes that help extend DNA during replication. These enzymes are significant, due to low error rates and their ability to work rapidly. This semester, Leconte is on sabbatical and Barrett has taken on a new role in the lab. “I kind of take a step back from my own research and focus more on teaching new students, which is traditionally [Leconte’s] role,” she said. As a senior member in the lab group, and someone who had shown interest in teaching, Leconte assigned Barrett and a few other members leadership roles while he was away, which has allowed the lab to continue to operate in his absence. Barrett stated that part of her job is “to teach new students the techniques that our lab uses, and then kind of prepare them to take on their own individual projects this summer.” This will allow for a smooth transition when Leconte comes back, as these students will have the tools to work on their own independent projects over the summer. Barrett has also done research off campus. Last summer she worked in Sarah Slavoff’s lab at Yale University, where she investigated a specific protein involved in the degradation of RNA. Degradation of RNA is a very important process, as it can regulate mutations that can ultimately contribute to the creation of certain autoimmune
diseases and neurological diseases in individuals. This particular protein, DCP2, was the main focus of Barrett’s research this summer. As someone who has always been interested in research, Barrett is currently applying to graduate school and has spent hours reading papers to familiarize herself with different research projects and programs she may be interested in. In this process, she has been exposed to more science than ever before, much of which she didn’t know existed. While this was an exciting process for her, she noted that she is most excited about “the ability to run [her] own very long-term project that [she] essentially sees from start to finish.” Barrett has worked in Leconte’s lab since the fall of 2016, and the project she works on has been ongoing since she started. Graduate school would give her the chance to start something completely new. Additionally, she explained that graduate school will give her the chance to be very creative in the science that she does, while letting her collaborate with other researchers who are experts in their fields. Hoping to go into academia after graduating from Scripps and eventually graduate school, Barrett will likely continue teaching and doing research, emulating the role of both instructor and scientist. Caitlyn Fick is a chemistry major at Scripps College. She enjoys mountains, trees, water, and dogs.
BOOK COLUMN
Oh God, not another bookmark: The six most awful gifts a reader can get SAMANTHA RESNICK Reading is not often thought of as a particularly risky passion. Sure, you can argue that it expands your mind to dangerously new heights or that books are addictive. But overall, it’s a safer choice than, let’s say, skydiving, or training poisonous snakes, or recreating “Die Hard” car chase scenes. That being said, when the holiday season comes around and everyone emerges from Thanksgiving feasts dazed and confused, only to realize, “oh no, oh no, I still have to figure out gifts,” well — it can be dangerous to be known as a reader. I don’t mean dangerous because people assume you carry a library in your backpack, or can recite the full works of Shakespeare on command, or have no life except the one between the sheets (sheets of paper, I mean). No, the problem with friends and family knowing you love reading is that when it comes to holiday gift-giving, they have a tendency to latch onto this fact like it’s their dying salvation. This leads to some disastrously awful gifts, which are,
for some reason, never actually books. Here are the six worst ones: *Exclusive* Book Club Invitation — This holiday, you are given the chance, nay, the privilege of attending your grandmother’s bimonthly, feminist book club called “Madame (b)Ovaries,” which meets every other Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. in the bingo room of her retirement home. Their January book of the month? “Fifty Shades of Grey.” The complete trilogy. Bedazzled Bookmark — Yes, that’s right, readers might act like they only care about a book’s content and not its appearance, but your aunt Olga (the one that always treats singing “Happy Birthday” like it’s her solo at Carnegie Hall) knows that secretly what you’ve been lusting after is a bejeweled, neon pink bookmark with more bling on it than a Tiffany’s store. She even had it engraved with your initials. Because, you know, the real reason you carry that heavy book around is to show off your bookmark collection, right? Framed Jane Austen Quote — One of those artsy posters with three different types of cursive
font on it, featuring a famous Jane Austen quote that’s been slightly misquoted, like, “There is no charm equal to the tenderness of love” or “Those who do not complain are never forgiven.” The perfect addition to your tastefully decorated dorm room. It’s like something a 55-year-old suburban housewife might have bought in the home décor section of Target. Stuffed Author — Your family members are some of the people closest to you. And so they know that what you, a 20-year-old college student double majoring in anthropology and gender studies, really want is a plushie version of a famous dead, male, white author, like F. Scott Fitzgerald or Mark Twain. Book-Inspired Perfume Set — Everyone knows that readers find nothing sexier than the smell of musty, old manuscripts or a dusty, used bookstore. Obviously the next logical step would be to assume that readers themselves also want to smell this way. And so, I give you the book-inspired perfume set. My favorite is “Scent No. 4: Shakespeare’s Quill Ink.”
Book-Turned-Cacti Pot — This one hurts me to the bone. It’s one of those DIY craft projects you see on Pinterest boards, where the middle of a book is carved out to create a space for a cacti to go. For readers, the written word is near-holy, so the idea of destroying a book for an art project is blasphemous. It’s like Martha Stewart met the book destroyers in “Fahrenheit 451,” but instead of the book burning, it’s cut up to make a cactus holder. As a reader, I’ve never seen anything more horrifying (except maybe the time my sister used my copy of “Lolita” as a coaster). There’s a famous quote by a still-alive old white author, Garrison Keillor, about books and gifts that goes, “A book is a gift you can open again and again.” This might be true of actual books, but when it comes to book-inspired gifts like the ones above, I think the world would be a better place if no one had to open these gifts ever again. Samantha Resnick is a senior at Pomona College. She likes reading words, and sometimes, she likes writing them, too.
KATIE ERICKSON • THE STUDENT LIFE
LIFE & STYLE THE STUDENT LIFE
PAGE 4 HUMANITIES COLUMN
STUDY ABROAD COLUMN
Sarah Lewis on three traits of creative success: Mastery, privation, and grit BLAKE PLANTE In 1926, Shadrack Emanuel Lee was in the 11th grade at a public school in Brooklyn and wanted to know why his textbooks presented the concept of “excellence” in only one way. He wanted to know where African Americans were, where Latinos and indigenous Native Americans were — “where the whole world was” — in this history. The answer his history teacher gave him was that “African Americans in particular had done nothing to merit inclusion.” He didn’t accept that as an answer, so he kept asking and was expelled. He never went back to high school or college, but instead became a painter and a jazz musician. Sarah Lewis teaches the topics that Lee, her grandfather, was expelled for asking about. Now an assistant professor at Harvard University, Lewis has served on Obama’s Art Policy Committee, and came to Pomona College, courtesy of the Humanities Studio, to speak on the gift of failure and the search for mastery. “I wanted to know why his images were so deeply inclusive,” she told the audience, discussing her grandfather’s work. “I came to understand that he was creating the very world that he hoped to see
IAN POVEDA • THE STUDENT LIFE
Sarah Lewis, author of The Rise: Creativity, the Gift of Failure and the Search for Mastery, spoke at Pomona courtesy of the Humanities Studio on Nov. 15th.
in those history books.” Lewis’ book, “The Rise,” surfaced from her observation that many of us don’t fit inside the expected model of excellence. She was interested in the lives of creative individuals who had “overcome improbable foundations” and concluded that those foundations “were indispensible pathways for their iconic rises.” Lewis shared that the individuals she interviewed and studied (artists, entrepreneurs, activists, and public servants) had three traits in common. The first was that these individuals were focused on mastery rather than success. She defined mastery as knowing that success means nothing if you can’t do it successively. Mastery involves being attentive to the gap between where you are and where you want to be. To this end, Lewis noted that a powerful motivator is nearly — but not quite — succeeding. Olympic silver medalists, for instance, tend to be less satisfied than bronze medalists, because being second makes them attentive to just how close they were to being first. They “often dwell on what could have been,” identifying precisely, and in granular detail, what they need to do to improve. Lewis referred to Paul Cézanne, who signed less than ninety percent of his paintings because they didn’t meet his goal of “realizing nature.” She asserted that the sense of nearly succeeding catalyzed and propelled the rest of Cezanne’s work. Franz Kafka, not fully satisfied with his writing, asked for all his manuscripts to be burned after his death. Michelangelo, Lewis said, had a prayer that summarized this sense of reaching for more: “Lord, grant that I desire more than I can accomplish.” Andre Geim won an Ig Nobel Prize (awarded to scientists whose work is outlandish so that it first makes you laugh, and then makes you think) for levitating a frog with magnets. He had discovered that, with the proper magnet, anything that contains water could resist gravity to a certain extent. Later, he discovered the “twodimensional” semimetal graphene by using a pencil and scotch tape,
for which he received the Nobel Prize. Geim encourages adventure and play in his work; “I don’t research,” he said, “I only search.” Taking the example of Andre Geim, Lewis encouraged cultivating time to be a deliberate amateur, to ask the questions one wouldn’t usually for fear of being considered outlandish or in-erudite. This safe environment for experimentation provides a certain sense of privation, Lewis’ second recommendation. She explained that she came to “underst[and] the importance of privacy for overcoming the way failure can prevent creative ideas from emerging” by studying “The Black List” — which emerged when Franklin Leonard asked which screenplays filmmakers “secretly loved, but weren’t funded yet, and certainly wouldn’t be in theatres the coming year.” The list, first released anonymously, revealed that the screenplays that “people had confessed to love in private” were “screenplays that in public they were deriding.” Many of the screenplays, like “Lars and the Real Girl” and “The King’s Speech,” were difficult to publicly advocate for. Scripts that were quirky and unusual were often publicly framed as failures. In the years since, “half of the awards for best original screenplay have been awarded to scripts from the black list.” Often, the impact of a crowd “can deaden our willingness to state the unusual.” The Asch line experiment is just one empirical example of how the majority of people will conform, against their initial instincts, at least once when surrounded by others answering the same question, while some may conform every time. What creativity needs, Lewis said, “is an embryonic state” — a state where the mind will block the idea of failure from “permeating the mind’s eye.” Charles Limb and Allen Braun at Johns Hopkins University found that in a state of musical improvisation, the mind’s inner critic is suppressed; the mind is experiencing privation. Lewis told a story of a first-year student at the University of Texas at Austin going to a dance in 1931, where he was struck by the power
of a trumpet player he’d never heard before: Louis Armstrong. The student felt he was hearing a lyricism that “he knew must come from a kind of genius.” He decided in that moment that “because all this was coming from Armstrong, segregation must be wrong.” He became one of the lawyers for Brown vs. Board of Education, helped outlaw segregation in the United States, and went on to teach at Columbia University and Yale University, where he would hold an Armstrong listening night every year. “How many movements began,” Lewis riffed, “when a work of art with deep aesthetic force so shifted someone’s notions of the world that they became a leader for justice?” The third trait, Lewis said, was grit — the resisting of distractions “not only over the course of years but over decades.” Grit is a portable skill: “What you’re developing in one domain of your life, you can transfer to another domain.” “Grit,” she said, “is best learned by studying the arts; it’s one of the few places we see this kind of malleable shift take place.” It is creativity, she loosely connected, that “prevents the pursuit of success from becoming dysfunctional persistence.” “What stories of failure propel you?” Lewis intimated. “My hope is that the work you are doing … can benefit from the stories that we are often too embarrassed or shy to discuss [that] truly propel our journeys.” By the end, Lewis no longer called failure “failure,” but “so-called failure,” which, she believes, “we need another term to describe.” She explained this was “because ultimately when we talk about the gift of failure, we are speaking about something as natural as the seasons — that moment when what looks like an eternal winter eventually, naturally, does, inevitably, become spring.” Blake Plante PO ’19 is an English major. He is most commonly spotted scribbling into an all-weather notebook at all events.
ADVICE COLUMN
Ask Addison: On navigating friendships, making the first move, and more Q: “A few of my close friends have recently started experimenting with hard drugs. Although they’ve invited me to join them each time, I’ve always declined because I’ve had bad experiences with drugs in the past. I don’t think I have a right to express an opinion on their choices, but a lot of our time spent together now revolves around them planning to get drugs and joking about their last highs. I value each of their friendships deeply, but I’m starting to feel left out and even a bit annoyed at the lightheartedness with which they approach the topic. How do I maintain my friendships and truly respect their choices without compromising my own values?” Friendship is a two-way street. It’s fantastic that you value your relationship with each one of them, but it’s also important that they feel the same way. In order to find that out, communication is essential, as it’s the basis of any real friendship. You should approach your friends, and let them know how you feel. Tell them that you enjoy hanging out with them, but that their drug use is starting to bother you for the reasons you just stated, such as feeling left out. While doing so, express your care for them so that they don’t get the wrong impression. After that conversation, let the chips fall where they may. You’re taking the time to choose them, but don’t be hurt if they temporarily choose their relationship with drugs over you. This may not be a reflection of their feelings toward you; sometimes, substances can provide people with a false sense of comfort only they can overcome in time and/or through tribulation. No matter the reason or the result, know that you did your part in the friendship and move forward in whatever way you think works best for you. College life is all about growth, and as I’ve told other students who have written in, people don’t always grow together. *** Q: “I’m a leader of a club and we’ve recently gone through applications and interviews for new members. One of my best friends
NOVEMBER 30, 2018
applied, but her application wasn’t very strong and she didn’t seem confident during the interview. Our board decided to reject her, but I’m uncomfortable with the social situation going forward because three of our other best friends are also in the same club and we will definitely be talking/planning/ doing activities that she won’t be a part of. She’s also a very prideful person and I know she will be hurt. Any advice on how to handle this?” That’s a tough situation. First, I just want to give you props for being a solid friend and caring about her feelings. Even though she’s not in the club with the rest of you, it’s important that you all make separate time to spend with her so that she still feels valued and cared for. That will mean much more to her than being a part of any club. Also, don’t let her rejection from the club be the elephant in the room. Tell her that you all know it’s tough that she didn’t make it, but you still love hanging out with her and are going to make a concentrated effort to do so. You can’t change the rejection nor how she responds to it. All you can do is minimize her feelings by making her feel like the special friend she is, regardless of any club status.
a chance, so don’t be shy.
Q: “Hey Addison, thank you for your column. I’m a huge fan! My boyfriend and I have been together for a few months now. He’s shorter than me (5’2”) and it’s only recently started becoming a problem for him. He’s asked me to stop wearing heels because it only makes him feel “worse.” I’ve told him it’s not a big deal, but he says I shouldn’t be wearing them anyways. He’s even posted on Facebook about the role of heels in upholding toxic masculinity which I feel like is to pressure me to stop. I just think he should let me make my own choice.”
he already felt bad about himself before you, and frankly, it’s not your job to fix him. Since you care, I would recommend talking to him openly for the two of you to better understand each other. Let him know about how it’s making you feel. Speak positivity into his life in an attempt to empower him so that he can begin to feel good about himself. If and when that happens, he won’t care about you wearing heels because his mind will be focused on how fly his girl is. Heels are sexy and empowering, so keep on rocking them as long as you like how they make you feel! Always make your own choices, and if your boyfriend still doesn’t support you, maybe it’s not meant to be.
Thanks for the kind comments, love! So, it sounds to me like your boyfriend needs a few shots of confidence. Sorry, not sorry. If your heels make him feel worse,
Ask Addison is an anonymous advice column regarding relationships, college life, and everything in-between. Submit questions to askcolumn@tsl.news.
***
*** Q: “There’s this girl I really like, and we always have good conversations when we see each other at parties. However, whenever I see her during the week and talk to her, she always reintroduces herself to me like we’ve never met. What should I do?” From my thoughts, she’s either intoxicated when you two talk at parties, super shy, or playing games. I don’t know about you, but I’m not one for guessing, so I would call her on it and break the ice. Next time she reintroduces herself, smile and playfully ask her how many times she plans on doing that. Tell her you remember her name from the first time you two met because you enjoy talking to her and would like to get to know her outside of parties. Ask her when she’s available to hang out and get her number at that moment! You can’t figure it out without taking
NINA POTISCHMAN • THE STUDENT LIFE
The incomplete guide to study abroad applications
NATALIE BAUER • THE STUDENT LIFE
MARC ROD Study abroad application deadlines for next fall are coming up (very soon for some of you, a bit more in the future for others). If you’re thinking about studying abroad next fall — or next spring, for that matter — and you don’t know when the deadline is, check now. That’s my first piece of advice. Applying can be stressful, but this list of tips, tricks, and advice, pulled from my own experience applying for my program (and my friends’ experiences to a more limited extent), will hopefully help ease the way. 1. Start early I started looking at study abroad programs more than a year before I was scheduled to leave, during the summer before my sophomore year. This was probably too early, but I was glad to have had a tentative idea of where I wanted to apply before the stress of school began anew. Looking at my application well ahead of time also helped me begin to think about and plan what I wanted to write for my essays. For Pomona, I had two, totaling around 1,000 words. Having a rough idea of my plans also allowed me to sign up for an appointment with the Pomona study abroad office just after they opened up, before the office was completely booked. Starting early also gave me a chance to ask the professors who I wanted to write my recommendations early, giving them plenty of time to complete them without rushing. If you’re applying for study abroad next year, start thinking now about which professors you think might write the best recommendations for you, and ask them sooner rather than later. If you are planning on applying to a program that your school has not pre-approved, you will face an earlier petition deadline, so starting in advance will be particularly helpful. That said, if you have not yet started your application for next fall, it may not be too late, depending on your school’s deadline. Get started as soon as you can. 2. Gather information Talk to as many people as you can about the program. Talk to your study abroad office, talk to representatives from the program, do research about the program and your host city, and most importantly, talk to people who have previously been on the program, especially those who have been recently. Talking to a Pomona student who had previously attended the program was a critical factor in my choice of where to go. Hearing about her best experiences and memories from the program — as well as the low points and her dislikes — helped me make my decision. Students will also be your best resource for knowing whether there are hidden problems with prospective programs, which may steer you away from those and push you to find other options. 3. Think carefully about what you want from your program When choosing your program, think about what your goals and interests are. Are you looking to practice a language? Explore a foreign culture? Experience a different learning environment? There are a multitude of programs available, and being aware of your specific goals can help you decide
on one. I had studied abroad during summer programs in Spanish-speaking countries and have studied Spanish since second grade, but was looking for a different experience for my semester abroad. For this reason — and others — I settled on an English language program focusing intently on my major, international relations, rather than one in Spanish with a broader range of courses available. 4. Pay attention to the prerequisites Some programs, particularly language programs, will have some prerequisites. Another reason I chose not to sign up for some of the pre-approved Spanish language programs is that I did not plan to take a Spanish course last spring, which the programs required. Although course selection has already occurred, if you are planning on studying abroad next fall and have not done so yet, check to see whether there are any course perquisites you need to fulfill. It may not be too late to PERM into a class that fulfills requirements. 5. Don’t stress about the number of applications you are allowed to submit As someone who applied to about 15 colleges and around 100 separate internship positions last summer, I was stressed when I found out that Pomona would only allow me to apply to one study abroad program per semester. Although some of the 5Cs allow students to apply to more than one program, many keep the number very low. If you are like me, you might be nervous about this, but you really shouldn’t be. Especially for school approved programs, barring any significant issues with your GPA or disciplinary record, you will likely be admitted to your program of choice with little issue. I have not spoken to anyone at the 5Cs who was rejected from a program they applied to. If your study abroad office says you don’t need a backup, then you don’t. Pomona’s application was also much more stringent than my program’s. Pomona’s application involved several essays and in-depth questions. My program required me to do little more than fill in my GPA, upload my transcript, and provide other personal details. 6. Expect lots of paperwork However much paperwork you’re expecting, expect more. Study abroad requires massive amounts of paperwork: health forms, academic planning forms, course approval forms, housing forms, visa forms in some cases, and more. And after you’re accepted, there’s more still. The best way to handle the paperwork is to make sure you’re staying aware of the due dates for each form, what you need to do to, and who you need to contact to complete them. 7. If you want to study abroad both semesters, plan well ahead Although I am only studying abroad for one semester, some friends will be abroad this spring as well. I have heard from them that this requires meetings with the study abroad office, more advanced planning to complete spring applications while abroad, and forms that need to be completed before you leave. 8. Relax, and get excited! Study abroad involves a lot of preparation, but it all pays off in the end. You will get into your program and get to go abroad, so get excited! Marc Rod is an international relations major at Pomona College, studying the European Union in Freiburg, Germany. Fittingly, he enjoys travel and journalism.
OPINIONS NOVEMBER 30, 2018
THE STUDENT LIFE ARIEL SO Editor-in-Chief MEGHAN BOBROWSKY Managing Editor HANK SNOWDON Managing Editor
JAIMIE DING, News Editor OLIVIA TRUESDALE, News Editor SAMUEL BRESLOW, Senior News Adviser BECKY HOVING, News Associate NATALIE GOULD, Life & Style Editor MAYA KLEIMAN, Life & Style Editor MABEL LUI, Life & Style Associate DONNIE DENOME, Opinions Editor ANIKKA VILLEGAS, Opinions Editor KELLAN GRANT, Sports Editor NOAH SHAPIRO, Sports Editor BERGEN CARLOSS, Video Editor EMILY PUGH, Podcast Editor SAFIA HASSAN, Business Manager ANGELA TRAN, Business Manager OWEN WANG, Business Associate MAYA ZHOU, Communications Director WHITNEY WACHTEL, Web Developer AMBER CHONG, Copy Chief
The Student Life, the oldest college newspaper in Southern California, is produced and managed by students of the Claremont Colleges and published weekly. The Editorial Board consists of the editor-in-chief and two managing editors. Aside from the editorial, the views expressed in the Opinions section do not necessarily reflect the views of TSL. Email letters, questions, concerns, and tips to editor@tsl.news, advertising inquiries to ads@tsl.news, and print subscription inquiries to subscriptions@tsl.news.
BROOKE SPARKS, ADITYA GANDHI, LAUREN KOENIG, JAMIE REID, NADYA SIRINGO, Copy Editors CASSIE WANG, Production Editor JAMES KARSTEN, Senior Design Editor MADELINE MCCLUSKEY, Design Consultant QUIN FRALEY, News Designer HELENA ONG, Life & Style Designer SHAY LARI-HOSAIN, Opinions Designer JILLIAN BATIUK, Sports Designer CHRISTOPHER HU, Distribution Manager MEGHAN JOYCE, Graphics Editor CHLOE ORTIZ, Photo Manager TALIA BERNSTEIN, Photo Editor ALICE SHINN, Social Media Manager MAX OBER, Social Media Associate GRACE OZONOFF-RICHEY, Development Manager JULIANA ROMEO, Development Manager
TSL welcomes letters to the editor, which can be submitted by mail, email, or in person at Walker Hall 101 of Pomona College. Letters must be under 400 words (although when an issue is particularly salient, we reserve the right to allow letters to run at a longer length) and submitted by 4 p.m. Wednesday of the week of publication. We reserve the right to decline publication of submitted letters and will not accept anonymous letters, letters containing profanity, factually inaccurate letters, or letters making personal attacks. TSL also reserves the right to edit for spelling, punctuation and grammar. Letters may be signed by a maximum of three people. All letters become the property of TSL and may not be reprinted without prior permission from the Editorial Board.
Single copies of TSL are free and may be obtained at newsstands around campus. Multiple copies may be purchased for 47 cents per copy with prior approval by contacting editor@tsl.news. Newspaper theft is a crime; perpetrators may be subject to disciplinary action as well as civil and/or criminal prosecution.
TSL SAYS
PAGE 5
THE STUDENT LIFE
A man of many talents Hank Snowdon, Ant Assassin
Romaine calm REMOVE AND DESTROY
So many ants They’re literally all over
Salads just aren’t the same They’ve lost their signature crunch
It finally rained! Class is cancelled due to extreme weather conditions
December is tomorrow Christmas music non-stop
Wrong precipitation “It’s [not] raining men.”
Mariah Carey overload All I want for Christmas is to stop hearing this song
Numbers are a somewhat effective measurement of health and shouldn’t be ignored in service of a minority JENSEN STEADY CW: Mentions of eating disorders On Nov. 8, TSL published an opinion article titled “Diet culture hurts students, silences those in recovery.” While I agree with some of the writers’ claims, such as Los Angeles being a “notoriously imagefocused place” where weight loss and physical appearance are marketed as dominant measurements of beauty, the main message of the opinion was factually inaccurate. Although diet culture, in reference to a culture that promotes beauty standards linked to dieting, may be prevalent at the 5Cs, the Health and Wellness Fair put on by Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Recreation was in no way trying to promote diet as a means to achieve beauty. The conversation CMS Recreation is trying to partake in is one about physical health, not mental health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just under 40 percent of adults were classified as obese in 2016. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, obesity can lead to heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Being overweight is scientifically proven to be unhealthy and can lead to a variety of dangerous conditions and diseases. The article argues that the body fat composition test, one of the main highlights of the fair, “brings attention to how central weight and numerical markers are in our conversations surrounding health.” Of course numerical markers are used for physical health. Usually when one goes to the doctor for any reason, they are first weighed, their height is measured, and their blood pressure is taken. These quantitative measurements mean something, otherwise doctors would not take them. Levels of iron and other vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, etc., are all measured in a quantitative way
and can be directly linked to fatigue and other symptoms. The article continues: “While these measurements might be important for athletes, numbers and weighing oneself can be incredibly triggering for people in recovery or anyone who has struggled with disordered eating and exercise habits.” Claiming that only athletes want to weigh themselves and know numerical facts about their own physical bodies degrades the issue to an oversimplified black-and-white version. There are people from every walk of life, from professional football players to professional couch potatoes, that care about their body and want tools to be available to help them get started or continue along their path of health and fitness. The most confusing piece is the claim that “this information is not in any way an indicator of health.” Although weight or Body Mass Index measurements may be crude (although still an indicator, no matter how inaccurate), a body fat composition test that directly measures percentage of weight due to excess body fat is undoubtedly a decent measurement of health. Body fat composition and health do not have a direct relationship for everyone, but there is generally a direct relationship that can be drawn showing those who have higher body fat are generally more unhealthy and those with lower body fat are generally more healthy. Also, the statement “... [w]hile these measurements might be important for athletes…” is confusing. Numerical measurements of health can’t be important at all for athletes if they don’t show anything about their actual health (as the article seems to claim). If we follow the logic that these measurements can be important for athletes, this means that numerical measurements do have intrinsic value related to health. If these measurements are useful for athletes in determining how well they will perform by giving information about physical health, then it logically follows that these measurements can tell us relevant physical information
about anyone. Athletes are just humans, after all. Physical and mental health are inextricably linked. I do recognize that numerical measurements can be triggering for people with various eating disorders, and I sincerely empathize with those people. But the idea that the damage caused to one’s mental health from the possibility of knowing various numerical measurements about one’s own body outweighs the benefit this knowledge provides to people actually wanting to improve their physical health is unreasonable. There are significantly more people without eating disorders than those who are known with, and catering to the minority at the expense of the majority is an illogical allocation of effort. You have the right to not be tested for body fat and not know the numerical information pertaining to your health. You also have the right to seek out resources and advocate that institutions supply more resources to support the ability of students with eating disorders to be protected. You do not have the right to take away or however slightly diminish the ability to get tested from other people. If the Health and Wellness Fair was not advertised to students, then no one would know that opportunity was present and that would void the purpose of the opportunity in the first place. Society can’t pragmatically protect every single individual group from knowledge that may be harmful, and more importantly we don’t have a moral obligation to, unless that knowledge is false. The opportunity to test one’s own body composition, a relatively scientifically accurate method of measuring one’s physical health, is exactly that: an opportunity. Take it or leave it, but you can’t try to get rid of it to the detriment of everyone that wants to use it. Jensen Steady CM ’22 is from Santa Barbara, CA, and is interested in studying economics and government. He can be found reading, writing, and playing a little guitar in his free time.
The Claremont Colleges can do better when it comes to HIV harm reduction DONNIE TC DENOME We’re fast approaching December, and specifically, World AIDS Day on Dec. 1. While we should absolutely celebrate the progress medicine and society have made in the last year toward controlling the spread of and eventually curing HIV, we still have a ways to go — even and especially on campus. The state of HIV-preventative care and treatment at the 7Cs remains much the same as healthcare in general here: understaffed, underfunded, and under-resourced. Student Health Services have long wait times for appointments because they have few providers and no money to hire more.
“
It is vital going forward that the
Claremont Colleges devote resources to
developing better HIV prevention care on campus. Like many other types of specialized care, it is lacking on campus but, unlike other care,
“
the resources for training providers are abundant.
For college students, HIV is often depicted as something ubiquitous, nefarious, and yet not that much of a problem. This is possibly because, nearly 40 years after AIDS-related illnesses were reported in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report by providers at University of California, Los Angeles, HIV isn’t depicted as that big of a deal anymore. It’s no longer a death sentence. T h i s s i m p l y i s n ’t r e a l i t y, though. Diagnoses remain steady among young people with 8,451 youth aged 13-24 diagnosed in 2016. Those numbers only reflect the number of diagnoses; the CDC estimates that one in seven
people living with HIV don’t know they are. Given that HIV and AIDS are still prevalent, and AIDS can still kill, it would make sense to use all prevention methods available. But this isn’t the case in Claremont. Since the beginning of the AIDS crisis, education and safer sex materials have been two of the best options to prevent the spread of the virus. People who don’t know what HIV is aren’t very likely to get tested or know their status. Among people who are aware of HIV, providing barrier methods for sex cuts the rate of transmission by 90-95 percent. Barrier methods, though they’ve been touted as the best method of prevention since the ’80s, are no longer the only (or maybe even best) option. HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an antiviral pill that HIV-negative people can take to reduce their risk of contracting the virus. Taken correctly, it can reduce one’s risk of infection by 92 percent. There are downsides to PrEP. Since the only FDA-approved medication for PrEP, Truvada (the brand name for the muchless catchy tenofovir and emtricitabine), is still on-patent, its maker, Gilead Sciences, can charge $1,600 a month for it. Most health insurance plans, including SHIP, will cover PrEP. But, there’s still a bigger hurdle: finding a doctor who will prescribe it. Student Health Services doesn’t prescribe PrEP, instead advising students to use barriers, get tested with every new sexual partner, or remain abstinent. None of these are terrible suggestions, and I can see why SHS makes them. They’re still not enough. This problem goes beyond SHS. It’s also a problem for the Claremont Colleges, who could give SHS the funding they would need to train all their providers on how to prescribe PrEP. If all providers undergo training on how to screen for high-risk sexual behaviors and perform HIV testing, this seems like a logical next step. Yet, the funding just isn’t there. While students could go off campus to a provider like Planned Parenthood, SHIP won’t cover non-emergency care within 25 miles of campus unless the student gets a referral from SHS first. Compared to the time, energy,
ANIKKA SOPHIA VILLEGAS • THE STUDENT LIFE
and monetary costs of other steps to accessing PrEP, this is relatively benign. But, it still takes up time from the student and provider that could be spent doing something more productive. I doubt I could get Aetna to change its policies on care referrals (though they’ve contacted me before when I’ve complained about their policies, so let’s see what happens). I am more confident in my abilities to exact smaller change: getting the colleges to fund PrEP training so that if a student and SHS provider are going to spend 30 minutes discussing PrEP, the student can walk out of it with a set of lab orders and a prescription. The costs could be minimal, too, if SHS opted for online provider trainings, such as the one on HIV and PrEP run by the Infectious Diseases Education and
Assessment program through the University of Washington. Such trainings offer continuing education credits for healthcare providers. While there are other factors in prescribing PrEP, such as offering the necessary STI and liver function tests to measure eligibility, these are tests SHS already offers. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health offers HIV prevention services, including PrEP prescriptions and help paying PrEP copays. But, the closest provider listed on their directory is Planned Parenthood in Pomona. For students who don’t have a car and may be hesitant to ask a friend or get a rideshare to Planned Parenthood or another sexual health clinic, this care is practically inaccessible. It is vital going forward that
the Claremont Colleges devote resources to developing better HIV prevention care on campus. Like many other types of specialized care, it is lacking on campus but, unlike other care, the resources for training providers are abundant. Moreover, once providers are trained, PrEP is fairly easy to screen for and provide. It requires little more than a medical history interview and some simple blood and urine tests. None of these are insurmountable challenges, although the fact that PrEP has not been implemented at the 7Cs is indicative of a larger healthcare issue. I worry that, even though the steps to implement PrEP care are simple, SHS is already so overworked and underfunded that it won’t be able to take on the extra burden. Regardless of the exact finan-
cial and time burden PrEP care could place on SHS, World AIDS Day provides the 7Cs with another opportunity to pledge more money and space to SHS, along with similar resources like Health Education Outreach, Monsour Counseling, and campus-specific Peer Health Educator groups. It’s not enough for the Claremont Colleges to say they support student health and wellness. They need to do more. We’re closing in on 40 years of AIDS in LA County. We’ve come so far in terms of educating about, preventing, and treating HIV, but we still have so far to go. Donnie TC Denome PZ ’20, CGU ’21 is a 4+1 Bachelors/Masters public health major from Sunnyvale, CA. This World AIDS Day, they’d like to remind everyone that Gaétan Dugas was not Patient Zero in the HIV crisis.
OPINIONS PAGE 6
NOVEMBER 30, 2018
THE STUDENT LIFE
It’s time to stop calling things ‘politically correct’ Intellectual uniformity fails Pomona College CHRISTOPHER MURDY
MEGHAN JOYCE • THE STUDENT LIFE
Political correctness is destroying this country — but not in the way you think. It isn’t the principles of political correctness that are impeding dialogue and change, but the name itself. “Political correctness,” as a term, implies division. It assigns common courtesy and politeness a spot on the political spectrum. It seems to refer to a covering up or a watering down. Its name is reminiscent of the effects of Wite-Out correction fluid on a paper rife with grammatical errors — as if it is something that hides the unsavory truth with a false coat of purity. But perhaps the biggest problem with the term political correctness is that no one is able to agree on what exactly it means. In both conservative and liberal circles, political correctness is often seen as something bad or extreme. This misconception swells from a lack of universal understanding about what political correctness entails. For conservatives, political c o r r e c t n e s s i s e q u i va l e n t t o censorship. For some liberals, it means taking care to hold your tongue. And for everyone, it seems to be a problem. More in Common is a self-described “international initiative to build societies and communities that are stronger, more united, and
more resilient to the increasing threats of polarization and social division.” In October, the organization released the results of a study called Hidden Tribes: A Study of America’s Polarized Landscape. The study surveyed 8,000 Americans from diverse backgrounds and varying political views to find out more about the issues that divide the United States.
“
Calling cruelty politically incorrect
is a weak argument against it. It almost supports the
cruelty and gives it a pass. It’s coded as ‘this individual shouldn’t have said that
“
EAMON MORRIS
horrible thing, but to some extent, that horrible thing is correct.’
Of the 8,000 interviewees, a majority called political correctness a “problem in society.” In defense of the term, More in Common failed to define what they meant by political cor-
rectness. Given how the media coverage of the term is often negative, it’s understandable that the majority of those surveyed would call in a problem based solely off the negative context in which the term most often appears. Influential Conservative provocateur Ben Shapiro has repeatedly attacked political correctness. He’s even used the aforementioned study as evidence of why it’s bad. What made Donald Trump’s campaign so popular was how many perceived it as “politically incorrect.” He called political correctness a “big problem” in the United States during the 2015 Republican candidate debate. Fox News has negatively covered it, and a Washington Post writer labeled it a major weakness of the Democratic Party prior to the midterms. It’s a rare day when political correctness is praised, so it’s completely understandable that those surveyed called it a problem. If progressives truly want a society that’s inclusive and thoughtful, we need to take the step to stop calling politeness and common courtesy “political correctness.” Similarly, we need to stop calling statements that are crude and offensive “politically incorrect.” When we label rhetoric that is racist, sexist, transphobic,
homophobic, and/or xenophobic as politically incorrect, we are implying to some extent, in some context, that it is correct. That is unacceptable. The addition of the word “politically” to the front of correct/incorrect seems to say that the statement we are describing is only correct or incorrect in a political forum. Calling a racist statement politically incorrect is basically the same thing as labeling it something improper to say but acceptable to believe Calling cruelty politically incorrect is a weak argument against it. It almost supports the cruelty and gives it a pass. It’s coded as “this individual shouldn’t have said that horrible thing, but to some extent, that horrible thing is correct.” When you combat offensive and incorrect statements by calling them politically incorrect, you’re complicit in a culture that allows bigotry to slide under the radar. Witnesses of bigoted behavior are directly responsible for labeling it as such. The second you start lying to yourself about what constitutes bigotry is the same second you stop fighting for change. Eamon Morris PZ ‘22 is from Orange, CA. His blood type is black coffee.
The student bodies of many colleges today look more like America as a whole than ever before, and Pomona College has every reason to boast about its relative success. Recently ranked as the most diverse undergraduate institution in America by Niche, Pomona has attracted ethnically diverse students from all 50 states and around the world. Despite these important measures of diversity, one glaring aspect of our campus remains incredibly homogenous: political thought. Earlier this year, Gallup polled the Pomona community, and its results suggest the campus has become an echo chamber. Only three percent of students identify as “conservative,” while 77 percent of students identify as either “liberal” or “very liberal.” Beyond this overarching question, half of Pomona students and 37 percent of faculty feel that the college should “prohibit certain speech or expression of viewpoints.” When asked whether “they feel comfortable sharing ideas/opinions in class that are probably held by a minority of people,” 42 percent of Pomona students disagreed. First, Pomona students simply don’t tend to interact with people who have different viewpoints on campus or in the classroom. Second, the small percentage of students who do hold these minority opinions feel uncomfortable, or unable to express themselves or to engage in debate. This creates a dangerous situation where conservatives become viewed as a distant ‘other’ because they have no active voice on campus. In reality, they represent a large portion of the nation. When conservatives at Pomona and other college campuses become marginalized, only the most extreme voices have the confidence to speak out. Average conservatives hide their political views in an attempt to blend in and avoid being stigmatized. We see President Donald Trump’s tweets, and without having conservative students or faculty rebutting them, many come to feel that all conservatives must surely agree with them. Policy proposals both on campus and in politics become stronger with debate and diverse input. If people fear opposition or challenge to their viewpoints, then perhaps they have far less faith in their own convictions than they care to admit. The outside world simply does not look like Pomona in terms of political thought. If we spend four years interacting with people who generally think the same way, this does not prepare us for the free exchange of ideas present in every industry. If we don’t have to defend our opinions against any opposing voices during college, we will be illequipped to do so in the real world. Self-described progressive Nicholas Kristof writes in The New York Times that, “when perspectives are unrepresented in discussions, when some kinds of thinkers aren’t at the table, classrooms become echo chambers rather than sounding boards — and we all lose.”
When people regard all conservatives as uneducated, gun-toting Southerners, they don’t realize this stereotype can be just as offensive as the ones we often assail. “Some people think the people who voted for Trump are racists and sexists and homophobes and deplorable folks. I don’t agree, because I’ve been there.” No, this isn’t coming from a conservative academic or pundit. That was Bernie Sanders. We have to return to a place in society where we disagree with the opposition but do not deem them evil, and this problem certainly exists on both sides of the aisle. When one part of the country labels the other part as wicked, everybody loses. It becomes even easier to think that way and vilify the opposition when they become these abstract figures seen only on Twitter and TV. When one’s debating a roommate, professor, or friend, they soon realize that disagreement has the potential to be healthy. This discussion, though, is not widely happening at Pomona today. Only about 50 percent of students polled last year felt comfortable “having conversations with people whose views differ from your own.” As long as discussion remains respectful, there should be absolutely no reason to fear dialogue. Regardless of whether the average professor or classmate actually stifles debate and disagreement, that has become the perception held by conservative students. Only about 20 percent of conservative or moderate students feel comfortable expressing their political views with fellow students, and only 35 percent feel comfortable doing so with their professors. Combatting this issue creates a stronger community, not a weaker one. It allows students to differ from the mainstream, fostering individualism and diversity of thought. We can’t correct these issues by simply bringing more conservatives students and faculty to campus. If we were to do that under the current climate, it would just foster further polarization. The issue lies deeper. We have to change the culture that prevents people from sharing their opinions. The Pomona task force that commissioned the Gallup survey sought out the best ways for the college to foster free speech in a safe, respectful environment. In their findings, they recommended that, among other proposals, Pomona create a first-year course on Intergroup Dialogue. Pomona ought to implement this proposal, as it has great potential. If incoming first-years were to learn how to respectfully express themselves, how to engage in debate, and how to accept criticism, this could go a long way in helping Pomona students feel comfortable articulating themselves without fear of judgement or condemnation. If we truly value tolerance and respect as a campus, then we ought to lead by example and think long and hard the next time we rush to judge those around us. Christopher Murdy PO ’22 is an intended International Relations major from Lido Beach, NY. He’s starting to think the Southern California weather makes up for the inferior beaches.
Jasper’s Crossword: Ups & Downs
JASPER DAVIDOFF • THE STUDENT LIFE
ACROSS 1. Goes to the bathroom and gets in line? 12. “I ____ sorry.” 13. Current 13-across reader 14. Bullets, informally 15. Field where the Mets play 16. Certain malady, or 5C improv group 17. Record speeds 18. What happens sometime after I take off 20. Google Maps or Lyft stat 22. World energy policy org. 23. Conforms and commences? 26. ___-haw 27. Road restriction: ___turn 28. Perjure yourself 29. Attempt a black diamond 30. Beavers’ creation 31. Knot 32. Hampton or Holiday 33. Power distribution unit, to engineers 36. Dons and destroys? 40. Airport tower occupant 41. Unknown, for now
42. Malicious firebuilding 43. “Thx 2” alternative spelling 45. Computer systems like IBM’s Watson 47. End in ____ 48. Arabic ruler 49. Vampiric animal 50. Red Sox Hall-of-Famer whose career batting average ties with Billy H. 51. Boulders and buns? DOWN 1. Placate 2. Voltaire’s love 3. Type of tax GOP calls the “death tax” 4. Cares, in Cannes 5. Research univ. based in Greenwich Village 6. How a professor’s email address ends 7. Resigns 8. Van Gogh lost one 9. One who calls a ball or strike 10. The Lego Movie protagonist Brickowski 11. Whose Cubs jersey number was 21 when he hit his 600th home run
19. Like the memes in “Meme Queens of the 5cs” 21. Donald Glover’s comedy series 24. “There’s ___ in team!” 25. Ability to hit a target 29. Paul McCartney’s title 30. The ultimate tabletop roleplaying game, for short 31. Method of executing a strategy 32. Cuisine of saag and paneer 33. Colors like lavender and periwinkle 34. Android Lollipop OS, to insiders 35. College rankings juggernaut 36. Substance which may or may not itself be wet 37. Prefix concerning the history of words 38. Ethiopian capital Addis _____ 39. Greek muse of love poetry 44. Penguin noise 46. Part of PST
OPINIONS NOVEMBER 30, 2018
PAGE 7
THE STUDENT LIFE
Pitzer should suspend its study abroad Congress must fill the void in President Trump’s moral absence program at the University of Haifa SEAN BURKE
Recently, various members of the Pitzer College faculty pushed for a motion that would end the institution’s study abroad program at the University of Haifa. This moratorium, if enacted, would remain in effect until “(a) the Israeli state ends its restrictions on entry to Israel based on ancestry and/or political speech and (b) the Israeli state adopts policies granting visas for exchanges to Palestinian universities on a fully equal basis as it does to Israeli universities.” I have neither the space nor the credentials to present an accurate history of the Israeli-Palestine conflict here, so I will make no such attempt. I will simply say that ignorance on our parts is no excuse, and considering the entire history of the conflict and our roles in it as Americans will surely not hinder the path to peace, but will only illuminate it. To that end, I would encourage you to reach out to many of the activists on campus who seek nothing but a just peace in the Levant. As my friends who are unfortunate enough to be exposed to my political rants will confirm, I am much more critical of countries like Saudi Arabia and the United States than I am of Israel. If we had an exchange program with some college in Riyadh or shudders Liberty University, you can bet there’d be an op-ed piece. And it’d be a hell of a lot snarkier than this one. (“Wouldn’t it be a shame if Ted Nugent won an all-expensespaid one-way trip to the Turkish EMMA LI • THE STUDENT LIFE
CHRISTOPHER SALAZAR President Donald Trump backpedaled on his promise to punish Saudi Arabia for the murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In his stead, Congress will have to provide the moral leadership the president lamely failed to deliver. The irony of the message Trump broadcast to the world after he dismissed the abhorrent killing of Khashoggi — due to geopolitical and economic concerns — is that American vigor depends on Saudi largess.
“
Unfortunately, the Stalinist adage
that a single death is a
tragedy, while a million
is a mere statistic, holds. Khashoggi risked his life to speak against the Saudi Arabian government, to criticize its role in the war
“
in Yemen. Yet, with the tragedy of his forfeited life, comes a new hope.
Evidently, money talks. And that’s what makes America great — a proclivity to betray the Statue of Liberty’s enjoinder of “The New Colossus,” where the Mother of Exiles commands reprieve for the “huddled masses yearning to
breathe free.” In no uncertain terms, democracy’s lifeline is the freedom to express ideas — objectionable or otherwise. The United States, if it stands for anything fundamental and redeeming, it’s for freedom of expression. Not surprisingly, the president’s weakness angered Democrats and Republicans, and re-ignited a disposition to shun infirmity. At least the legislative branch is not without the courage to reprimand or defend what’s right. Here, it’s obvious why the president’s inaction drew ire from Congress. In a recent statement about Saudi Arabia and Khashoggi, Trump confessed to the world’s hazards, carving a space for Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s innocence. Maybe the prince was involved. Then again, perhaps not. Unfortunately, the Central Intelligence Agency’s evidence was less than guaranteed. So, Trump declined the corroboration that linked King Salman’s impetuous heir to the slain journalist. Besides, the Middle Eastern country is the United States’ favored military arms purchaser and key to maintaining oil’s recent price drop. Of course, there’s a faint chance that Iranian sales of the commodity and increased domestic production may be possible factors. Never mind the president’s misguided confidence in Riyadh’s pledge to buy American weapons or the ease of finding a new supplier in either Russia or China. Clearly, the White House is remiss of expert analysis. Or, more tragically, the grey matter beneath the Trump’s wheat chaff-colored hair (toupee?) loathes acumen. Satire aside, the president’s
embassy?”) Israel-Palestine is, rightfully, an extraordinarily charged issue on both college campuses and in real life alike. I haven’t quite figured out the calculations of how the right-wing in America has become so unwaveringly pro-Israel while simultaneously increasingly antisemitic. But if you’re willing to make the mental gymnastics required to believe that women should be put on trial for having an abortion while also believing that a 12-year-old holding a toy gun deserved to be murdered by the police, I suppose you can be induced to think a lot of things. State propaganda be like that. Non-violent resistance has a rich legacy in this country. I think back on Dr. Martin Luther King’s march on Washington in 1963, the Bread and Roses strike in Lawrence, MA (which my late great-grandmother used to tell stories about), and Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to stand for the national anthem. These are radiant examples of autonomous individuals standing up for themselves and their aggrieved neighbors. With the exception of toppling democratically elected governments in Central America, there is nothing quite as American as peaceably making one’s voice heard. I do not see this Pitzer motion as a coup. I see it as merely a coalition of concerned citizens who wish to make the world a more equitable place. Furthermore, I will not sit here and pretend like I know what it is like to be a Palestinian or an Israeli. What I do know as a Pitzer student is
when a group of the most educated and worldly people in the entire nation feel there is an injustice to be rectified, we should listen to their voices and allow ourselves to be part of the solution. That’s why we should support this motion. This is not about singling out one particular country out of all the 194 that aren’t Iceland. The truth is, dearest reader, I don’t care for governments or nation-states all that much. I care about people, and it’s clear to me that’s what this whole issue is about. At this stage in the unraveling of global capitalism, no governing body could be bothered to give a flying ballsack about the people it is charged with the role of protecting: not Netanyahu’s cabinet, not the PA, not even the current administration of neo-fascists carting America toward its inglorious denouement at an ever-hastening speed. I want Hamas to stop firing rockets at Israeli citizens. I want the Likud party to stop the illegal settlements on occupied territory. I want all traces of antisemitism, especially after the horrific attack in Pittsburgh, purged from the world. I want Islamophobia eliminated, too. I don’t know of any reasonable person who doesn’t want these things. If these are overtly political sentiments and are tantamount to be “pushing an agenda,” then so be it. We all want world peace. But unless we’re willing to give, it’s not going to happen. Sean Burke PZ ’21 would like to thank not only God, but also Jello Biafra.
Weekly Comic
luxuries don’t often include simple decisions. But, frankly, there was far too much focus on the wrong details. Sure, America and Saudi Arabia are willing beneficiaries of geopolitical and economic ties. Still, ally or not, all that matters is a dissenting reporter was killed and dismembered (by all credible accounts) in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. This kowtowing to the Saudi regime for unprincipled reasons signals Trump’s impotence and America’s fall from her Promethean platform. And this cannot continue. Fortunately, Congress recognizes that forsaking Khashoggi is to abandon the First Amendment’s sanctity. Troublingly, Trump’s tenure has been a campaign of delegitimization, to make an enemy of the fourth estate. The disturbing parallel between Khashoggi’s dismembered fate and the president’s lackluster response, is how severed America is from its animating values. Unfortunately, the Stalinist adage that a single death is a tragedy, while a million is a mere statistic, holds. Khashoggi risked his life to speak against the Saudi Arabian government, to criticize its role in the war in Yemen. Yet, with the tragedy of his forfeited life, comes a new hope. Congressional support to end the war in Yemen is gaining traction in light of this debacle, just as Congress is waking up to their responsibility to do what Trump would not: provide moral authority. The important facet here concerns whether Congress will rise to the occasion. Because, if they don’t, their failure is also ours. Christopher Salazar PZ ’20 is a philosophy major from La Verne, CA. He’s not one to proselytize, but he believes whiskey on the rocks is sacrilege.
ASHLEY HSIEH • THE STUDENT LIFE
I’m an environmentalist, and I’m pro-local fracking CHLOE ORTIZ I was the president of my high school environmental club. When I said I wouldn’t be attending an anti-fracking march we had been invited to because I was pro-local fracking, half of the club members refused to speak to me for the rest of the month. I’m aware of the valid objections to my argument, and I spent a lot of time considering counterarguments. But, I still believe people should think twice before getting in their cars to dutifully drive to an anti-fracking protest. I’ll put the outline of my argument right off the bat. I’m prolocal fracking for the following three reasons. One, NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) syndrome. If counties ban fracking but maintain the same rate of fossil fuel consumption, it just means the oil is coming from someone else’s community. This phenomenon exacerbates social inequality. Tw o , e x p o s u r e p r o m p t s change. It’s a lot harder for people
to continue with traditional fossil fuel consumption when they have to see its effects with their own eyes. Local fracking would encourage people to seek and innovate alternative forms of transportation and consumption, therefore making it better for the environment in the long term. Three, energy independence means fewer international wars. Much of the political instability in the Middle East is tied to the oil industry and the United States’ involvement in it. I’m from Santa Cruz, California, a city on the Monterey Bay. It’s beautiful. There is incredible diversity of biological wildlife and geographical features. The natural beauty of the area has also attracted wealth: The 2016 average household incomes in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties were $68,511 and $77,613, respectively, according to DataUSA, compared to the average U.S. household income of $55,322. According to CBS San Francisco, the land surrounding the
Monterey Bay holds a potential 14 billion barrels of oil that could be extracted via hydraulic fracturing. In the 2016 elections, Monterey County Measure Z proposed a ban on fracking. When it passed, Monterey County became the first oil-producing county in California to ban fracking and expansion of risky oil operations. Proponents of the measure took the stance that a ban on fracking was a prioritization of environmental and public health over corporate profit. The opponents of the measure (funded primarily by Chevron and Aera Energy) spent over $5.5 million dollars trying to convince voters of their argument that Measure Z would put hundreds of local jobs and millions of dollars in local revenue at risk. While this is a valid argument, I believe the opponents could have used an even more compelling argument: that a ban on local fracking perpetuates fossil fuel use and exacerbates the injustices of its consequences. If all the counties that can af-
ford to take the time and money to campaign for bans on fracking do so, then the only counties left with fracking facilities will be those counties that can’t afford to stop them. Most of America’s poorest towns today are those stuck with the remnants of the toxic industrial era of the early 20th century. Wealthier counties are also more likely to be heavier car users than that of public transportation. If we continue to be dependent on fossil fuels but force other communities to pay the price of the environmental destruction, it comes with the implication that some people’s health is more important than others’ and that the land they live on is more important than other land. As long as we are dependent on fossil fuels, we should also be forced to witness the direct effects of our dependence. If Monterey residents had to look at a huge hydraulic fracturing drill in the middle of the sparkling blue bay on their way to work, they might think twice before buying another SUV. If the
time and effort that was put into a ban on fracking was instead put into demanding better bike paths and an electric train system, I think we would be headed in a much better direction. History has repeatedly shown that people begin to act and demand change when problems are dragged out from under the rug into the open. As a photojournalist, I know visual exposure of ugly problems has the power to prompt major shifts in public sentiment and enact direct policy changes. If Americans are so opposed to having hydraulic fracturing on our own soil, we will continue to play a major role in the extraction of oil from countries in the Middle East. History has shown us that the more the United States is involved in foreign affairs, the more conflicts and casualties seem to arise, as well as a rise in antiMuslim hate and fear. Many people will argue it would be better to ban fracking everywhere first, then work on non-fossil-fuel solutions. I agree
it’s scary to welcome the destruction of the beautiful land I know and love, and with only the hope that doing so will move people to action. I also believe that a price has to be paid for the consumptionheavy lifestyle we have been living. I’d rather pay that price myself than force someone else to do it for me. So here’s my call to action: Next time you see that email from your local oh-so-earnest Sierra Club chapter inviting you to support an anti-fracking campaign in your city, try speaking up about your concerns. Ask the challenging questions that are easier to ignore. I can guarantee people will get angry or dismiss you, but that’s a small price to pay for standing up for what you really believe in. Be courageous. Feel the ground shake beneath your feet. Chloe Ortiz PZ ’21 is majoring in Environmental Justice and Corporate Finance.
SPORTS PAGE 8
NOVEMBER 30, 2018
THE STUDENT LIFE
CMS FOOTBALL
‘One play at a time’: The mindset behind Stag football’s first SCIAC title in 31 years HANK SNOWDON
“One play at a time” is a common mantra of many teams — the idea being that focusing on the present, rather than long-term goals, leads to more success. For the Claremont-MuddScripps football team, fully adopting this mindset finally pushed them over the hump, as they won their first SCIAC title in 31 years in 2018. Mark Odin, the CMS defensive coordinator, brought the mentality to the team years ago. However, it was never fully emphasized by the team’s leadership until this season. “He says it every year,” captain LB Mitchell Allan CM ’19 said. “What was different this year is that the team’s leadership was willing to enforce that mentality.” OL Brian Wahl CM ’19 added: “Instead of focusing on winning the SCIAC Championship or going to the playoffs, we turned it around and focused on ‘one play.’ By focusing on the small picture, we believed it would add up to the big picture.” The Stags entered 2018 in a 31year SCIAC title drought, dating back to 1987. They almost broke the streak twice in 2015 and 2016, but finished second both seasons. The start of the season didn’t give Stag fans much hope that the conference title drought would end; they began the year 1-2 following losses at Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran. However, a much-needed
bye week allowed the Stags to refocus before entering SCIAC play two weeks later against La Verne. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say that we had to move some puzzle pieces around on defense and offense (in the bye week) to find the right fits,” Allan said. CMS looked like an entirely new team in their first SCIAC game, and four passing touchdowns by QB Jake Norville CM ’21, who returned from injury, propelled them to a 37-24 win. After the victory, the Stags began to roll and rattled off six straight conference wins. One constant emerged during the winning streak: stifling defense. Despite starting only two seniors on defense, the Stags held opponents to a suffocating 13.5 points per game during the stretch. “Defensively, we had a little mean streak about us,” DL Torben Deese CM ’22 said. “We wanted to beat people up and have fun.” The winning streak was capped off by back-to-back home victories, both historic affairs. The first, a 34-21 win over Whittier Oct. 27, saw a re-writing of the CMS record books. Running back Garrett Cheadle HM ’20 rushed for 274 yards on only 22 carries, settling the single-game CMS rushing record. He also reached the 1,000 yard rushing plateau on the season, becoming the first CMS running back to do so since 2002. “It was something that, 30 years
from now, I’ll be able to look back and say ‘I remember that game. I remember that moment,’” Allan said. While Cheadle’s on-field accomplishments carried the Stags all season, his teammates emphasized his demeanor off the field. “He’s an amazing athlete, but what people don’t know about him is how much better of a person he is,” Allan said. “He is always holding his head high, he is always happy, he is always smiling, and he is always leading by example.” The following week, the Stags took on Chapman in their final home game, with a chance to clinch a share of the coveted conference title. The Stags led Redlands by one game in the SCIAC at the time, with only two weeks remaining in the conference slate. They held the potential tiebreaker after defeating Redlands Oct. 13, so a win over the Bulldogs would give them an NCAA berth — the first in program history. The CMS defense had arguably their best game of the season, holding the high-powered Panther offense to 175 yards, after they entered averaging 431 yards per game. The defense led the Stags to a 16-9 win, which clinched the conference — and NCAA berth — on CMS’ Senior Day. “To be able to do that in front of a home crowd … was really important,” Allan said. “As a senior,
working from the bottom all the way up, it’s a really special thing to finally do my senior year.” Heading into their final SCIAC game of the season, CMS had hopes of completing an undefeated conference schedule with a win over Sixth Street rival Pomona-Pitzer. However, an injury to Cheadle in the first quarter immediately changed their outlook. They fought for the rest of the contest, but eventually fell 24-19, unable to formulate a potent offensive attack without their star halfback. Following the loss, the Stags drew Whitworth in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but would still be playing without Cheadle. CMS fell 48-6 in Spokane, once again stifled with limited offensive ability. “You hate to see [Cheadle’s injury] in the last two games,” Wahl said. “But it’s alright. At that point, he had helped secure us a SCIAC Championship.” Winning the SCIAC and reaching the NCAA Tournament were clearly the goals for the program entering the year, even though they were more focused on taking it “one play at a time.” “This is the ultimate goal, to win a SCIAC Championship,” Wahl said. The title is the finishing touch on a rebuild head coach Kyle Sweeney has orchestrated since he took over eight seasons ago. “I think he’s done great things for
Sagehens beat No. 4 Whitman in double overtime thriller
TIMOTHY LIU • THE STUDENT LIFE
Garrett Cheadle HM ’20 looks to cut upfield against Cal Lutheran Oct. 6.
the program in terms of changing the culture. … The kind of players he brings in want to work together to win and have a similar mindset,” Wahl said. “For me, from coming in as a [first-year] and looking up at the seniors, and now as a senior looking down, I think there’s been a great culture shift.” Wahl added that in Claremont, the shift has been two-fold; both the players and coaches have made adjustments. “In terms of coaching, they’re more approachable and have a better understanding of the CMS athletes that we are,” he explained.
TA’S TIMEOUT
A solution to meaningless international friendlies? The UEFA Nations League
NOAH SHAPIRO
DANNY TA
On Saturday, Nov. 24, in the midst of Thanksgiving break, the Pomona-Pitzer men’s basketball team (4-0) pulled off one of the biggest wins in program history. It took double overtime for the Sagehens to take down the Whitman Blues (4-1) at Voelkel Gymnasium, in the final game of the Wells Classic, an event that brought teams from outside the region to Claremont. Whitman entered the game as the No. 4 team in the nation, fresh off an 84-75 win over the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags (2-2) the day before. The Blues were the team that knocked CMS out of the NCAA Tournament last year on their way to the Elite Eight, ending CMS’ historic 17game win streak. Both the Sagehens and the Blues entered the game undefeated, and the game was competitive from the opening tip. The first half ended with a bang: A breakaway dunk by Alex Preston PO ’21 with six seconds left was followed by a buzzer beating three from Whitman’s Joey Hewitt, giving the visitors a 43-41 lead at the break. The second half was just as competitive as the first, and the game went back and forth the whole way. The Sagehens were able to build a slim lead late, and went up six with just 36 seconds remaining, thanks to two clutch
This past summer, the largest sporting event in the world brought together millions of people, as the 2018 FIFA World Cup showed us all how national pride impacts football’s biggest stage. However, those who watch football regularly know that international football is not always played at the highest level, when the stakes aren’t as high. The international break is a period in which regularly scheduled club football is halted in order for players to represent their national teams. While some international breaks consist of qualifying matches for major tournaments like the World Cup, most consist of meaningless friendlies. International friendlies are typically far less exciting than competitive club matches. On top of that, players jeopardize their fitness ahead of an important run of club games. Sometimes the break can even ruin a club’s momentum during a season’s pivotal period. To combat the dull nature of meaningless international friendlies, the Union of European Football Associations implemented the UEFA Nations League, a biennial football competition involving the 55 men’s national teams of UEFA. While the UEFA Nations League does not fix the problem of injuries or the teams’ momentum being ruined, it does provide fans with competitive football in an exciting tournament format as opposed to random, pointless matches. With a new competition comes a new format, so let’s try to understand how this all works. The 55 national teams are split into four leagues labeled A, B, C, and D based on their UEFA coefficient, which is essentially a measure of how strong a team is. The strongest nations are placed in League A, while the weakest are placed in League D. Each league consists of four groups of three or four teams. Group winners in Leagues B, C, and D are promoted to the league above. Nations who finish last in their group in Leagues A and B are relegated to the league below. Now, this is where it gets complicated, so bear with me. Because there is an uneven amount of UEFA members, there is one group in League C that consists of three teams and three groups that consist of four teams. In the groups with four teams, the nations who finish last are obviously relegated to League D. However, the worst third-placed team throughout the four groups in League C is also relegated to League D. I could go on and on about the specifics of determining the worst third-placed team,
PHOTO COURTESY OF P-P ATHLETICS
The Pomona-Pitzer men’s basketball team beat Whitman in double overtime Nov. 24.
free throws from Preston, who finished with 22 points and eight rebounds. However, the Blues finished off regulation with back-to-back three-pointers from Jack Stewart, the second one coming with eight seconds remaining, to send the game to overtime. The teams continued to trade baskets in the first overtime, with six lead changes and four ties in the five-minute period. Down three with 14 seconds to go, the Sagehens opted to go for a quick score followed by an intentional foul. After Daniel Rosenbaum PO ’19 hit a layup to cut it to one, P-P fouled, hoping the Blues would miss a free throw. However, Whitman knocked down the pair, putting the Sagehens back down three with only six seconds left.
CMS Athlete of the Week Women’s Basketball Gloria Bates CM ‘20 Anaheim, CA Bates helped spark the CMS offense, scoring 16 points in their win against the College of New Jersey Nov. 24. Bates was 7-12 from the field to go along with five rebounds and three assists. The Athenas would go on to win the game 87-52, their highest scoring performance of the season by a large margin. Bates also proved to be an important piece on the defensive end for CMS, ultimately finishing the game with two steals in the contest. The Athenas will look to continue their winning streak this weekend when they battle Chapman at home Dec. 1.
Coming out of a timeout, P-P executed a beautifully drawn up inbounds play designed to get the ball to Rosenbaum, who finished the game with 25 points. The pass soared across the court from the sideline to the far corner, where the senior nailed a three from right in front of the bench to send the game to double overtime. Early in the second overtime, Micah Elan PZ ’20 took over for the Sagehens, scoring seven straight points to cap off a huge night. Elan finished with 38 points, six rebounds, and six assists, including six threes and only one turnover in a game-leading 43 minutes of action. Thirty-eight points was a career high for Elan, whose performance earned him SCIAC Athlete of the Week honors. The Sagehens went up by as
many as six in the second overtime, but the Blues still had a chance to tie the game late. Down three in the final seconds, the ball was kicked out to Darne Duckett who appeared to be open at the top of the key, but his shot was blocked at the buzzer by Jack Boyle PZ ’20. The win was the first in PP’s history over an opponent ranked in the top five. Coupled with an undefeated start, the upset was enough to earn the Sagehens the No. 25 spot in the most recent national rankings. The Sagehens will travel to St. Louis Nov. 30 for the Lopata Classic. They then face off against the defending SCIAC Champion Stags at CMS the following Thursday.
https://files.slack.com/files-pri/TCR1Y6JUV-FEH907ABY/ elan_ad_hoc.jpg https://files.slack.com/files-pri/TCR1Y6JUVFEH907ABY/elan_ad_hoc.jpg
P-P Athlete of the Week
Men’s Basketball Micah Elan PZ ‘20 San Francisco, CA Elan was instrumental in the Sagehens’ double overtime victory over No. 4 Whitman College Nov. 24. He led Pomona-Pitzer’s squad with 38 points, while also adding six assists and six rebounds to his statline. Elan’s efforts in the team’s victory helped the Sagehens crack the top-25 rankings and also earned him multiple individual awards, including SCIAC athlete of the week and D3hoops.com Team of the Week honors. The Sagehens will be back in action this weekend as they travel to St. Louis for the 35th Annual Lopata Classic.
“As players, there’s a more ‘all-inthis-together’ relationship, where all the players are playing together, and there’s a lot less selfishness and individual attitudes.” Allan added that the team’s mentality has shifted markedly since the seniors arrived four years ago, and that it ultimately paid off. “The culture change has been absolutely substantial,” he said. “When we first got here, it was like, ‘Hey we’re a good football team, let’s win games, but let’s have fun because we’re college kids.’ But now, it’s like, ‘We’re here, let’s work hard, and win a championship.’”
but in short, it is based on their competitive record in the group matches. The four group winners from League A qualify for the UEFA Nations League finals, which consist of two semi-finals matches, a third-place match, and a final to determine the UEFA Nations League Champion. Winning the UEFA Nations League tournament is a great achievement in its own right, but there are other reasons why a nation would want to bring their best players and do well. The new UEFA Nations League will serve as a backdoor route of qualification for the largest European footballing event: the European Championships. In 2020, the European Championships will involve 24 teams for the second time. Qualification will consist of 10 groups. Twenty out of the 24 teams will qualify for the final tournament through the group stages of qualification, by finishing in either first or second place in their respective groups. The remaining four teams will be decided in a playoff format involving the 16 group winners of the 2018-2019 UEFA Nations League. If the group winner has already qualified, which is likely to be the case in League A, then the next best team in their respective league or if needed be, the league below, will be given the opportunity. Consequently, in the case that League A does not have enough unqualified teams for a playoff tournament, teams from League B who have not qualified will be able to take the remaining slot(s). It is important to note that each league has a playoff path of its own, meaning that one nation in Leagues A, B, C, and D, respectively, will be able to qualify for the 2020 Euros. This is especially great news for the minnows of UEFA in League D. The UEFA Nations League guarantees that there will be at least one debutant in the next European Championships. Clearly, the UEFA Nations League is bringing a new dynamic to international football. It’s raising the stakes of each and every game, while providing football fanatics with the entertainment we enjoy from club football. What more could we possibly ask for? MEGHAN JOYCE • THE STUDENT LIFE