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The independent newspaper of Washington University in St. Louis since 1878 VOLUME 148, NO. 3

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026

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Professor accused of sexual misconduct sues WashU for ‘anti-male bias’

ANNA CALVO | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Associate Professor Jonathan Barnes sued the University, alleging a biased Title IX investigation into allegations of sexual harrassment in 2024. TANVI GORRE MANAGING NEWS EDITOR

Editor’s note: This article contains discussion of sexual misconduct. Resources and helplines can be found at the end of the article. Associate Professor of Chemistry Jonathan Barnes filed a lawsuit in the St. Louis County Circuit Court on Sept. 1, accusing WashU of acting with “anti-male bias” in the 2024 investigation into allegations that he inappropriately touched students. Barnes currently faces three class C misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree assault in St. Louis County. The case is pending and scheduled to be heard on Sept. 15. The lawsuit continues Barnes’ two-year legal battle, which began on Dec. 2, 2024, when a student in Barnes’ organic chemistry class filed a Title IX case. The case, recorded by WashU Police Department Officer Jeri Hokamp,

alleged that Barnes squeezed a student’s shoulders and placed his hands on her lower back. The complaint also states Barnes touched the back of another student’s thighs and placed his hand on top of hers during one-on-one office hours. Two months prior, several students took to Sidechat, an anonymous student social media platform, to accuse Barnes of sexual misconduct. Barnes’ latest suit claims the alleged touching outlined in the Title IX case were “ordinary academic interactions,” which Barnes characterized as “supportive mentoring.” He said although there was physical touch, it was not sexual. Barnes’ suit also says WashU conducted a biased investigation, stating the University’s report included all of the student accusations and excluded seven of 13 witnesses who testified in Barnes’ favor. Additionally, the legal document alleges that the University

restricted Barnes’ teaching privileges before he could respond to the claims. Sexual misconduct allegations against Barnes first emerged in November 2024, after the Instagram account @metoo_ washu made a post claiming that an unnamed chemistry professor had harassed students. The account then identified Barnes in a subsequent post. Student Life and Inside Higher Ed named Barnes in coverage of the allegations in the following week. Barnes denied the claims and told Inside Higher Ed in December 2024 that the social media discourse would result in a biased investigation. “I have already been lambasted on social media without having any formal allegations to respond to,” Barnes said to Inside Higher Ed. “No matter if a formal complaint is ever brought against me, I have already been judged guilty in the

court of social media. I will not be able to receive a fair and unbiased investigation.” Christopher Combs, the attorney representing Barnes in his misdemeanor case, said in December 2024 that the Title IX case was unfounded. “This is the most bogus Title IX I’ve ever seen,” Combs said to Inside Higher Ed. In June 2025, Barnes sued the @metoo_washu creator for their posts about the allegations. The Instagram page has not posted since May 27, 2025. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the suit against @metoo_washu is scheduled to be heard this November. Kevin Dolley, Barnes’ current attorney for his suit against WashU, did not respond to a request to comment. Associate Vice Chancellor for University Communications Kedra Tolson said the University does not comment on pending litigation.

The Sexual Assault and Rape Anonymous Helpline (S.A.R.A.H) provides confidential and anonymous support and can be reached at 314-935-8080 24 /7 during the fall and spring academic semesters. There are counselors at the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Center, located in Seigle Hall, Suite 435, available confidentially to any University student. The office can be reached at 314-935-3445 or by email at rsvpcenter@wustl. edu. The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached at 1-800656-4673 or via online chat at https://hotline.rainn.org/online 24/7. To reach Title IX, students can contact Title IX Coordinator Jessica Kennedy at 314-935-3118 or go to the Title IX Office in Umrath Hall 001.

Of the items compared, Paws & Go charges an average of 2.5 times more than Schnucks for the exact same product. Not all students are happy with the redesign and new prices. “It hasn’t improved anything. It’s about the same or worse,” said sophomore Ilan Kliman. “It’s frustrating to see my money go away so fast.” The fresh foods offered in Paws & Go have some of the most significant price differences for individual items. For example, a banana costs 0.99 meal points while the same banana costs an average of $0.19 from Schnucks. After converting the Paws & Go price to dollars, the price of the Paws banana is nearly 7 times more than that of the Schnucks banana. Other significant upcharges include bell peppers (5 times the price) and eggs (4 times the price). Additionally, price differences for Frito-Lay chips (over 7.2 times the price), Bobo’s PB&J snacks (over 6.2 times the price), and Kellogg’s bars (approximately 4.5 times the price) are sizable. Immaculate Baking Cinnamon Rolls, Rao’s Marinara Sauce, and Multi-Grain Cheerios had the biggest markup in prices of $15, $15.58, and $13.69 each. Only four items were found to be cheaper when compared to Schnucks. It should be noted that some items at Paws & Go are sold in individual packaging, compared to a box at Schnucks. For example, Builders Bars are sold individually at Paws & Go and as part of a six-pack at Schnucks. For fair comparison, the

price per individual item (e.g., one protein bar) was used, not the overall cost of the entire pack. This mostly affects the data observed in the “bars” section of items. Additionally, some produce items are sold by the pound at Schnucks, so the average weight of those products was used for our calculations. For example, we treated an apple’s weight as one-third of a pound to calculate its price in comparison to the amount charged at Paws & Go. De La Roche said the changes to

Paws & Go were part of a rebrand aimed at recreating a market experience, specifically referencing Straub’s and Whole Foods. “We’ve taken the approach to have a lighter feel with the fresh fruit, fresh produce, the local program, the spotlight on kosher, obviously, and the special dietary options,” De La Roche said. More than 50 items sold at Paws & Go were not found at Schnucks. These include local vendors like Hank’s Cheesecakes and kosher

speciality items like J&J Dairy products, among others. Some students found the change positive. “They’re supporting local businesses this year,” said sophomore Annie Chen. “I feel like I should shop here more often because of that.” Other students emphasized appreciation for the quality of products offered at Paws & Go.

Paws & Go charging 2.5 times more than Schnucks post-redesign JAKE ISENBERG SELINA SON SCENE EDITOR NEWS EDITOR

Paws & Go, the convenience store located on the South 40, opened the new school year with an inventory overhaul and price hikes, with some items topping $26 when converted to dollars. Colloquially known as Paws, the store serves as a grocery store for many first-year and sophomore students housed on the South 40. Director of Dining Services Tiffany De La Roche said the cost of food at Paws & Go was “not necessarily too high.” Student Life investigated the cost of food at Paws & Go to determine the validity of student concerns over price. To do so, the Schnucks supermarket location on Clayton Road was used as a reference. The store is a 20-minute walk from the South 40, or a nine-minute bus ride on the South Campus Shuttle from Mallinckrodt Bus Plaza. Of the 167 items researched at Paws, 107 of those are for sale at both Schnucks and Paws & Go. A student on the Gold Plan pays $1.31 for every meal point they receive. For the following calculations, each meal point cost was multiplied by 1.31 to determine the price in dollars. Students on the Platinum Plan pay slightly less at $1.21 per meal point, while others pay even more with $1.39 per meal point on the Silver Plan and $1.55 per meal point on the Off-Campus Plan.

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2 STUDENT LIFE

PAWS

from page 1 “They seem to have very lovely, fresh, and healthy options. I’m excited to explore more, too,” said first-year Britta Nilsson. “I was surprised they have a bunch of whole wheat breads and whatnot.” Not all students share the concern over high prices emphasized by students like

TANVI GORRE & COBY RINKE | MANAGING NEWS EDITORS | NEWS@STUDLIFE.COM

THURSDAY, SEPT 10, 2026

Kliman. “I have heard that it’s a little overpriced, but it is OK because it’s kind of like an airport where you don’t really have anywhere else to go,” Nilsson said. In response to students’ concerns, Dining Services noted that several items in Paws & Go — like pomegranates in a cup — are more convenient than those found at grocery stores. “We have certain observations or assumptions on

our end about what a firstyear experience is,” said Raven Lumpkins, director of strategic initiatives and communication for University Services. “We’re not assuming you all are coming with steak knives and different types of setup to cut open things, so we’re also thinking about it from a convenience standpoint.” De La Roche affirmed Lumpkins’ statement. “I didn’t consider the price impact that it may feel like for

students. I looked at the convenience of it,” De La Roche said. De La Roche continued by emphasizing the distinct operational structure of WashU and the University’s weaker bargaining power in comparison to larger chains like Schnucks or Whole Foods. “Those producers have a lot more buying power, and they’re able to do things differently than we would be able to do from our standpoint,” De La Roche said. “When it

comes to discounts and when it comes to different things that they receive, we don’t always receive that, and so we have to price appropriately based on those.” Lumpkins said the operational logistics of Paws & Go also play a factor. “We are not operating on the same models,” Lumpkins said. “That includes how we staff, how many hours we’re able to be open, all the decisions that we are making for the entire service of dining.”

Dining Services encouraged students to submit feedback about the changes to Paws & Go through a form on their website. “Especially in these first 40 days, we need to know what [your] experience is,” Lumpkins said. “I’m not saying drag us through the mud, but I am saying definitely give us the feedback so that we can make the adjustments and find the right product for you all.”

‘Oh, how are you doing?’ and really cared,” said Megan Baldridge, a professor of molecular microbiology and co-director of the Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis graduate training program. Reed’s smile was a recurring memory among her mentors, who reminisced about her quiet but empathetic presence. “Even if things were stressful or other people were stressed out … she would bring that inner calmness and inner confidence and just peacefulness with her,” said Baldridge. “And she would also share that with her friends and with the faculty she worked with.” Baldridge described her as someone who “left you feeling a little bit brighter, a little bit happier after I would run into her.” Reed’s warmth also shaped the way she interacted with newer members of the program. Skeath remembered her active role in welcoming incoming graduate students. “We had a welcoming event for new first-year grad students coming in. She just made sure to go around and kind of touch base with all the new students, and there were many,” said Skeath. “Just to make sure that they knew that she and everyone else in the

program were there for them.” She also had an interest in women’s health and rotated with Andrew L. Kau, an Associate Professor in the Department of Allergy and Immunology, who studies the topic. “She was very excited about science, very focused on becoming a scientist,” said Kau. Beyond her research, Reed

was interested in subjects like cancer therapeutics and longterm impacts of her work. Baldridge recalled how engaging her regular meetings with Reed were. “She was just really intrigued by a wide variety of possibilities,” said Baldridge. “It was really fun to talk to her because she would get really excited and interested.” Reed’s commitment to

mentorship will continue through the Kennedy Reed Memorial Summer Program Scholarship, established by WashU, which sponsors two undergraduates from Alcorn State University, Reed’s alma mater, to participate in WashU’s summer research programs. Additionally, WashU posthumously awarded her doctoral degree, honoring her

as Dr. Kennedy K. Reed, and will publish her research. A memorial service was held at New Jerusalem Church in Jackson, Mississippi, on Aug. 15. WashU Medicine’s Student Health Services can be contacted at (314) 3623523, where their Wellbeing Counseling service is available for WashU Medical Students.

Remembering Kennedy Reed SELINA SON NEWS EDITOR

Kennedy Reed, a fourthyear PhD candidate in the Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences at WashU School of Medicine, died in a car accident in St. Louis on Tuesday, Aug. 4. She was 26 years old. Born in Hinds County, Mississippi, Reed came to St. Louis to pursue a doctorate in molecular microbiology and microbial pathogenesis. Reed primarily focused on microbiota, an environment composed of microorganisms, and how it can affect human health. Reed is remembered by her mentors and peers as a supportive, curious scientist whose warmth left an impression on those around her. “She’s an incredibly kind, compassionate, giving, generous person who really tried to help others,” said Jim Skeath, co-director of Next Generation of Science Scholars (NGSS). Her generosity was reflected in the little gestures between Reed and those who worked with her. “Whenever you would see her, she would always have a big smile and was always very sincere and just be like,

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIANA BYNDLOSS Kennedy Reed presents research from her time in the NIH PREP program on how immune system changes impact crypt hyperplasia.

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FORUM DION HINES | MANAGING FORUM EDITOR | FORUM@STUDLIFE.COM

STUDENT LIFE 3

Starting the semester with gratitude

Be a fool for love while you’re still young

RIVER ALSALIHI

DION HINES

FORUM EDITOR

At WashU, I find it easy to take many wonderful things for granted and even to start complaining about them. I don’t think this is just a me problem. The same way you might reach for “It’s so cold” or “I’m so tired” in an awkward pause with an acquaintance, it can become instinctual to bond with fellow students over a perceived shared misery. I propose we spend the beginning of this semester reminding ourselves of how good we have it in many senses. It is great to develop a genuine criticism of university policy or social issues that impact our student body and St. Louis as a whole, as the Forum section of our newspaper demonstrates. But we must not wander around blindfolded, grabbing at whatever our hand touches and shouting,

“This is a problem!” I do my fair share of ranting about easily surmountable obstacles, but I can get better at catching myself when I’m needlessly focusing on “the bad.” If we express gratitude for all that we’re blessed to have, we can redirect our passion to advocating for meaningful change. Here are a few gratitudes of mine to get your own reflection started: • Dining: We have so many options! We have restaurants from St. Louis on our very campus taking our built-in meal points! We have such kind dining workers! Not all schools take daily eating beyond refried beans, frozen pizza, and slop. • Dorms: I have heard multiple professors cite the Tempur-Pedic mattresses in jokes about the WashU student experience. Generally, the rooms are quite large, and cleaning staff

clean bathrooms weekly. Functioning AC is a privilege, as well. • Studying something I love: Staring down the homework list for Labor Day weekend already has me weary, but these readings and assignments will ultimately contribute to a database of some of the most interesting knowledge I have. • Caring and cool friends: I have surrounded myself with supportive people who want to grow and enjoy life together. • My wardrobe, which is sufficient: I can go look for something new and exciting, but I have enough. • Finding amazing music, both years and years after it’s come out and right when it’s released. Student bands especially! • U City Farmer’s Market. • Strawberry shortcake ice cream bars. Your turn!

MANAGING FORUM EDITOR

I’m writing this column the day before I drive roughly 10 hours from St. Louis to Hammond, Louisiana, to visit someone I’ve been “seeing” — not really dating but more than just fooling around — since the summer. Ever since I booked the car, I’ve doubted whether or not I can stand behind this decision. This person and I aren’t exclusive. We aren’t official. I have no clue whether or not this situation will last past this month or the next. But I like this person. I wouldn’t say that I’ve fallen head over heels, but I love their company. And I’m willing to drive those 10 or so hours to have them in my company again. I understand that I’m making an underdeveloped-frontal-lobe-having decision, but I only have so much time left to drive 10 hours across the country

We’ve got to try and relax WILL WASHKO STAFF WRITER

Last week, my friends asked me if I wanted to drive up to Mid America Adventure (formerly Six Flags St. Louis) to celebrate a first week well done. That probably wasn’t the most logical idea. I’m terrified of heights and high speeds, and I had a stunning amount of homework due that Monday. So obviously, I said yes. As my stomach began to sink towards my feet during a top hat turn, my mind was racing as well. Between black-outs and flashes of utter terror, I began to wonder about a problem set I hadn’t yet started. Would I be able to fit it in between all of my readings? Could I finally use GradeScope without suffering an apoplectic fit? Eventually, it sunk in that, even under enough G-forces to turn me into a fine paste, I was still thinking about the work I had due the next week. That probably wasn’t healthy, I thought, while the world spun around me. I hadn’t come to the park to think about homework; I had come to have fun, to spend time with my friends, and to make memories that will stay with me after I’ve forgotten all the math I’ve learned in college (which will hopefully be later and not sooner).

To be clear, the issue wasn’t that I had remembered my homework, or that I had cared about completing it: the problem was that my work was invading my time away from academics. I felt guilty about trying to have fun, and it’s only in writing this that I realize how ridiculous that sounds. Every single choice or event in a person’s life cannot be evaluated purely by how productive you will be, or how close you will come to some future goal. You have to take time for yourself. We live in a society that is increasingly becoming obsessed with social, physical, and economic optimization. Every choice we make is weighed against a different, “better” decision on social media. Furthermore, as WashU students, we are constantly surrounded by smart, incredibly driven people, and our school’s culture reflects that. Everybody here seems to belong to a million clubs, have a million different leadership roles, and still managed to excel in chem lab. There is a very good reason we are the “Scholar-Athletes” and not the “Athlete-Scholars.” As a result, when these two worlds of over-optimization and college life come together, it is easy to feel like you’re falling behind or not taking full advantage of your education. For many

people (including myself), every moment not spent Claude-coding, LinkedInheadshot-maxxing or rotting in Olin can feel like it’s being wasted. In actuality, you are probably wasting very little of your time (except when you’re doomscrolling, which is a different problem). Moments of reflection and relaxation rarely feel as though they are building to something larger like research and academics do, but they are. What’s the point of being successful if you hate your life? We’re all sick to death of hearing about “holistic” well-being from Student Life, but I think the idea behind it has a lot of merit. Taking time for yourself is essential

Amelia Spencer Special Issues Editor

Sara Gelrud Sophie Schwartz Jake Isenberg Elle Ludwin Scene Editors

for you as a human being, and it can look different for everyone. I probably wouldn’t recommend substance abuse or general danger seeking, but everyone is going to make their own choices. I would personally recommend roller coasters, just to put into perspective that there are things scarier than a Canvas notification (like a 200-foot free fall). I’m also not suggesting you take leave from academics entirely or devote yourself to some grand philosophical or artistic ideal. Though, if you did do that, you would probably be the first ever student at WashU to take on a reasonable workload.

just to see my boo thang until my days are consumed by the dreaded obligations of adulthood. Thus, in my admittedly romantic view of time, it’s important for us to join the chain of fools and be suckers for love while we still have time to make the memories that come with being in love or simply just enjoying how someone makes you feel. This isn’t to say to completely lose all sense of self. As with all issues of the heart, it’s important to stay smart and protect yourself, whether that means setting firm communication boundaries or leaving your situation nonexclusive

until the time is “right.” But we must also find the balance between guarding ourselves and embracing intimacy in order for us to enjoy the affection we deserve.

ANNA DORSEY | STAFF ILLUSTRATOR

CAPTION CONTEST 9/10 WINNERS

ANNA DORSEY | STAFF ILLUSTRATOR First Place: OUT OF MY WAY MORTAL!!!! YOUR EXISTENCE IS BUT AN OBSTACLE TO MY QUEST FOR THE SPEED OF SOUND!!!! - Okorie Agwu, Current WashU Student Second Place: Physics 670: Auradynamics - Leo Penny, Current WashU Student Third Place: Anywhere but the bike path. - Mark Kimmel, Current WashU Student

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VOLUME 148, NO. 3 Laurel Wang Lewis Rand Editors-in-Chief editor@studlife.com Tanvi Gorre Coby Rinke Managing News Editors news@studlife.com Hannah La Porte Managing Scene Editor scene@studlife.com Dion Hines Managing Forum Editor forum@studlife.com Hannah Much Managing Sports Editor sports@studlife.com Kate Westfall Managing Design Editor designers@studlife.com

Ava Giere Managing Chief of Copy copy@studlife.com Lucia Thomas Managing Illustration Editor Isabella Diaz-Mira Managing Photo Editor photo@studlife.com Reeya Sharma Managing Social Media Editor Quinn Moore Managing Newsletter Editor emailedition@studlife.com Alan Knight Managing Multimedia Editor

River Alsalihi Kate Theerman Rodriguez Lyn Wilkins Maddie Morgan Leilani Billups Forum Editors Eliza Stulman Bee Austin Harper Nix Ben Ollendorff Sports Editors Kate Matthews Kat Ziwot Social Media Editors Jack Yang Senior Web Editor

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4 STUDENT LIFE

SCENE

HANNAH LA PORTE | MANAGING SCENE EDITOR | SCENE@STUDLIFE.COM

or class participation, and you are terrified of public speaking. Maybe it was supposed to be an easy STEM class, but in reality it is much harder. Truthfully, school is supposed to push you out of your comfort zone. You should attempt difficult things and learn from them, especially if they are not easy. Even classes that have nothing to do with your chosen career path or major can teach you something

useful. So take the challenge and make the most of it. The most obvious cause for regret is often difficult to talk about: You don’t like the professor. It is probably not personal, but no matter how hard you try with the content or the format or the class environment, you just can’t get past the instructor. However, you can still learn from people you dislike. If you find the class difficult or their lectures boring, you can engage with other elements of the course to try to get the most out of it. If you truly don’t like your instructor, you will gain one of the most valuable things a human can have: something to complain about. Endless whining about some wicked figure might become the most entertaining part of your day. It might seem wrong to admit, but complaining is fun, and you can absolutely get a lot from a class that makes you suffer. You might still feel like

you can’t do it — that this class is just going to run you dry and leave you wrecked, tired, and with a lower GPA. You might put on a brave face and try your hardest and still fail, and that is okay. There are fail-safes, like setting the class to pass/fail, withdrawing, or simply asking for help. Professors, TAs, and administrators are often far more willing to help than you might expect. Reach out and ask for advice, extensions, or tutoring, and you might be surprised by the kindness of others. Finding yourself in an illfitting class is intimidating and stressful, but the way you handle it can change everything. Your attitude and approach can make a potentially dreadful experience positive. There may be factors that feel out of your control, but change what you can and everything will be alright.

highlighting the artist’s strengths despite its weak beginning. She starts by asking her listener to “step into the scene,” speaking through nearly the entire first verse as the track grows louder. Then, Cyrus switches the melody, setting off a seductive chorus with the lines, “And I don’t wanna change your mind,” reminiscent of a Cyndi Lauper song. Her first verse weakens the quality of the song, dropping nonsense lyrics about partying to lead into the chorus.

She repeats “The kids don’t wanna dance,” with a slightly distorted electronic voice, before picking up the pace for the second verse. The spoken bridge is robotic, leading to the final minute of a chorus full of thrilling repetition. The song feels like Madonna’s “Vogue”, or maybe a lost Lady Gaga project. While the overall production may be overly reliant on the current retro-fever, the final product is fun, snappy, and enjoyable. However, once the beat drops, Cyrus truly

finds her rhythm, creating something that feels novel and classic at the same time.

Dear Scene, I am in a class that I regret signing up for and now I don’t know what to do. The add/drop deadline was last week so I can’t drop it, but I am really worried it will cause unnecessary stress or tank my GPA. Please help!

— Kindly, Regretfully Registered NICOLE BACKAL STAFF WRITER

Dear Regretfully Registered, While two weeks may seem like ample time to shop for classes, the September add/drop deadline can sneak up on even the most prepared student. Regret may set in for a plethora of reasons, most of them inconsequential as they lead to the same result: being

stuck in the wrong class. You could mope around the rest of the semester, defeated by whatever makes this class a wrong fit, and let it become worse with every lecture. Or, assuming you want to avoid that, here are a few tips from your older, more weathered peers. The most important thing is an attitude makeover. Maybe the class seems too hard, the professor too strict, or your classmates too sour.

Well, forget all of those things and start fresh. Replace that doubt with confidence, no matter how unearned, and act like you have everything together. Pretending is half the job, so just focus on being as optimistic as humanly possible and your chances of enjoying your experience will increase significantly. Sometimes, the challenge is more than just a matter of attitude. Maybe the class is focused on oral presentations

Miley Cyrus delivers a slowburn song release for her Atlantic Records debut Scene is excited to debut “Scene Says!”. Each week, we will highlight our opinions on new releases across film, literature, music, television, and more. Want to sound in the know about the latest hit TV show? Unsure which new album or movie to check out while procrastinating? “Scene Says!” will

certainly have bold opinions about the best of culture. Check back each week to discover a candid perspective on the latest, greatest, and most contentious releases! Have a recommendation for what we should review or recently released your own work? Email us at scene@ studlife.com.

NICOLE BACKAL STAFF WRITER

Miley Cyrus steps back into the scene with a sultry, nostalgic single. “Bass Persuades,” released Sept. 3, is a medley of 1980s beats and Max Martin-era production,

THURSDAY, SEPT 10, 2026

REID KELLERMANN | STAFF ILLUSTRATOR

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STUDENT LIFE 5

HANNAH LA PORTE | MANAGING SCENE EDITOR | SCENE@STUDLIFE.COM

THURSDAY, SEPT 10, 2026

Lattes, lunch, and a twist of TikTok: The Collins Farms story SOPHIE SCHWARTZ SCENE EDITOR

Whether she’s grilling up the fan-favorite buffalo chicken panini, brewing cereal milk lattes, leading the team of employees behind the counter, cueing the next song to uplift students after class, or filming TikToks, Sophie Gianaris is the heart of the Collins Farms operation. As the founder and owner of Collins Farms, Gianaris works long hours perfecting each stylistic and culinary element of the on-campus cafe, all while interacting with students and crafting an ideal hangout spot. Collins Farms, a breakfast and lunch cafe, was founded in 2021 by Gianaris and her mother in their hometown of Edwardsville, Illinois, 18 miles east of St. Louis. Gianaris sought to elevate the local dining scene by incorporating an aesthetic touch into all elements of the restaurant, with a focus on playful patterns, fun designs, and bright colors. “We travel a lot, so we always appreciate going to places that have cute restaurants, cute drinks, and cute coffees. It’s not just about the food; it’s about the entire experience,” Gianaris said.

Gianaris created Collins Farms from a blank slate. Despite her lack of experience as a restaurateur, Gianaris’ passion as a small business owner and her desire to bring a sense of flair to the restaurant scene inspired her to establish the popular lunch spot. “I had no idea how to run a business or even cook. If you have a dream and you don’t really have experience doing it, you definitely can [do it] because I’m here doing it,” Gianaris said. Hoping to elevate the chic cafe, Gianaris applied to a St. Louis-based outreach program looking for local vendors to partner with the WashU retail dining program. In 2023, Gianaris and her mom officially moved Collins Farms to AnheuserBusch Hall. Its popularity skyrocketed immediately, and the cafe began receiving hundreds of orders from students daily. This past summer, Collins Farms relocated to the Schnuck Pavilion to meet its growing demand. “Collins Farms was expanding so fast that we needed a space that had a lot more seating and allowed me to use my creativity to expand the restaurant,” Gianaris said. The heart of any good

restaurant is grounded in its recipes. Gianaris curates the menu by making seasonal changes that keep it relatable to current culinary trends and the needs of the student body. “It’s all in my head. I’ll see things that inspire me, like other restaurants. … A lot of TikToks … [and] tons of Pinterest. Tons of random stuff that just pops in my head that I think sounds good,” Gianaris said. Aside from the tasty eats Collins Farms delivers to students during prime lunch hours, the cafe is also known for its decorative elements. Behind the shades of pink, flowery and farm-inspired wallpaper, customized cups, and other Instagram-worthy decor is Gianaris’ love for aesthetics and art. “I work with a girl that I found two years ago. I wanted somebody that was an actual artist. I give her the vision. It takes like two weeks to go back and forth, and then she draws it all up and then blows the design up. She drew the hills and all the stuff on the back wall. She draws all the T-shirts [and] pretty much everything,” Gianaris said. The experience of handdrawn decor and creative menu items is not just limited to the students that visit

MAC MOTZ | PHOTO EDITOR Students wait inside Collins Farms for their food during the lunch rush.

MAC MOTZ | PHOTO EDITOR Collins Farms owner Sophie Gianaris prepares the Dot Cake Latte. Collins Farms. Through TikTok, Gianaris has created a platform that highlights her experience as a small-business owner and showcases the restaurant to the greater public. Giannais’s most popular video, which has garnered over 20,000 views, shows a day in the life of running the cafe. “I obviously love TikTok. I found myself scrolling all the time watching other people and business owners. I wanted people to see how hard [running a business] actually is and how hard people work,” Gianaris said. Nonetheless, the best part of Gianaris’ TikTok platform is that it gives students a familiar face to recognize on campus. “I love content creation, and I love keeping up with the trends and relating to students. I think it’s a great way to connect with the student body. I talk through TikTok or become friends with people through TikTok. This way, the restaurant stays young and intertwined with all the students, from freshmen to seniors,” Gianaris said. Gianaris’s double passion in content creation and smallbusiness ownership parallels the character of the student body. At a school where

students pursue multiple majors in hopes of connecting them through career aspirations, Gianaris serves as an example of the ability to bridge ambitions. “You don’t have to just focus on one or the other. There’s time for both. I obviously love marketing and being creative. It’s kind of like my most favorite thing about owning a restaurant,” Gianaris said. As Collins Farms continues to grow both its physical and online presence, Gianaris hopes the student body will remain inspired by the cafe’s roots. Every success story has to start from somewhere. “You should chase your dreams because it can happen. I never thought we’d

Crush or Cover ACROSS 1 It beats 5-Down in a common hand game 6 "Defying Gravity" singer Cynthia 7 Gin's partner, in a drink 8 Grime 9 Fitting

PUZZLE Mania Meetings Sundays at 11 a.m. puzzlemaster@studlife.com

Where in WashU? Where on campus is this?

Glass Half-Full

DOWN 1 5x5 crosswords 2 "Sorry, there's no time for that in my schedule" 3 Voice above a bass 5 Carvey who impersonated Joe Biden and Elon Musk on "S.N.L." 7 Embroider

MAC MOTZ | PHOTO EDITOR

Crossword by Vinisha Tripathi, Edited by Rena Cohen

DOWN 1 Animal companion 2 Sweet smell 3 ___ girl (e.g. Marilyn Monroe) 4 Kick out of a house 5 It beats "scissors" in a common hand game

ACROSS 1 Univ. two T stops away from Harvard 4 Like many summer drinks 6 Grandmas 8 Hole-___ (golfer's feat) 9 One might come with a drink

Last week’s answer: Lee Hall

have the amount of customers we have now, or I’d have the relationships with my staff or the students that I meet. We call it the Collins family. I just try to make it the most fun work environment.” From the coffee machines behind the counter at Collins Farms to the TikTok feeds of WashU students, Gianaris has cemented her restaurant as one of the most popular dining options on campus. Gianaris’s creativity and hard work shine through every detail. Next time you see Gianaris on campus or online, remember that exploring your passions and taking risks might just be the best decision you ever make. And obviously, don’t forget to say hi.

Rena Cohen 1

ILLUSTRATION

6 STUDENT LIFE

LUCIA THOMAS | MANAGING ILLUSTRATION EDITOR | ILLUSTRATION@STUDLIFE.COM

This year, the Illustration section is excited to debut “Ethical AI,” a new weekly illustration game! Each week, we will take silly, innovative, or absurd prompt submissions from the WashU community and turn them into creative drawings.

THURSDAY, SEPT 10, 2026

Submit your prompts here!

ABBY HU | CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR

LUKE PASSWATER | CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR

Very well-dressed pigeon conducting an orchestra of fish.

An orca as a piano with a vase of flowers on top.

- Amelia Spencer, Current WashU Student

- River Alsalihi, Current WashU Student

Comic corner ALEXANDRA BUCKINGHAM | CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR

Man climbing up a tree but the trees are actually asparagus and are about to be eaten. - Lucia Thomas, Current WashU Student

ALIANA THOMPSON | STAFF ILLUSTRATOR

DALE SON | CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR

NINA NDONWI | CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR

A lion eating a plate of spaghetti like from ELF. - Hannah La Porte, Current WashU Student

ELLA SKYE HEISEL | STAFF ILLUSTRATOR

LIAM THOMAS MCMANAMAN | STAFF ILLUSTRATOR

THURSDAY, SEPT 10, 2026

SPORTS HANNAH MUCH | MANAGING SPORTS EDITOR | SPORTS@STUDLIFE.COM

STUDENT LIFE 7

No. 16 WashU volleyball dominates in three of four games on opening weekend BEE AUSTIN

SPORTS EDITOR

Last season, WashU women’s volleyball ended their NCAA run with a straight set loss. This season, the Bears began with three straight set wins. This past weekend, No. 16 WashU women’s volleyball hosted the WashU Bear Invite, winning three of their first four matches. They swept Wheaton College, Bowdoin College, and University of California, Santa Cruz in three sets, but fell to No. 24 St. Olaf College in a closely contested five-set match. A year ago, WashU women’s volleyball established themselves as a team to watch. The Bears finished as the University Athletic Association (UAA) runner-up and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III tournament, where their season ended with a 3-0 loss to the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh. That was the Bears’ first time making it past the second round since 2016, and they are determined to go even further this season. “I hope getting a taste of that success fuels us for this season and helps our returners to mentor our first-years,” Head Coach Vannessa Walby wrote in a statement to Student Life. The WashU Bear Invite was the first glimpse at whether this year’s group can continue their momentum. Walby thinks they can.

“I think [the NCAA run] was a positive step forward for our program and one I hope we can build off of this season,” Walby wrote. The Bears’ 3-0 wins this weekend showed their determination and ability. Sophomore Nia Jones provided a consistent offensive and defensive presence throughout the tournament. Jones, who recorded 204 kills and 105 blocks last season, contributed multiple attacks and blocks in all four matches. Her experience was especially valuable in the five-set battle against St. Olaf, demonstrating the Bears’ ability to stay composed in tight matches. The St. Olaf match was the tournament’s defining test. After taking the first set 26-24, the Bears dropped the next two before forcing a fourth set with another 26-24 win. WashU led early in the final set, but St. Olaf answered and held on for a 16-14 victory. “I liked seeing how gritty we got in pressure situations and that we weren’t nervous to take big swings,” Walby wrote in a statement to Student Life. This upcoming weekend, the Bears will travel to Atlanta to play in the East-West Classic, where they will face some tough competition: No. 8 Colby College, No. 18 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges, and No. 4 East Texas Baptist University. They hope to carry their momentum forward into the rest of the season.

ALEX CHEN | CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Senior Naya Ohuabunwa had 10 kills against St. Olaf this weekend.

MATEO KAHOUN | CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Sophomore Avery Reed tosses the ball to serve.

Football steamrolls Rhodes College 73-0 in season opener ASHER DARLING BEN OLLENDORFF CONTRIBUTING WRITER SPORTS EDITOR

On the team’s first offensive play of the season, WashU senior quarterback Levi Moore hit senior wide receiver Drew Bomar for a 47-yard touchdown. The Bears scored 10 more times in their season opener, cruising past Rhodes College 73-0, the third-highest scoring output in program history. “We decided [that] on the first play of the game if we had good field position, we would take a shot [downfield],” Moore said. “It was a great feeling and just a really strong start to

the game and the season.” The Bears scored touchdowns on their next six offensive drives, one of which was set up by an interception from senior linebacker Joy Chane. By halftime, WashU led Rhodes 49-0. Moore went 10-for-14 with 212 passing yards while accounting for five total touchdowns — three through the air and two on the ground. With the game already decided, Moore did not play in the second half. WashU’s defense

also held strong. First-year safety Gavin Conjar led the team with five solo tackles in his college debut. The Bears finished with 617 total yards of offense, while holding Rhodes to just 165 yards. “We’ve got a shutout board hanging in our locker room that has years of shutouts on there,” Head Coach Aaron Keen said. “It’s something that our team takes a great deal of pride in. To add

another shutout to that board is a big deal for our program.” Even with most of their starters out of the game, the Bears outscored Rhodes 24-0 in the second half. According to Keen, all 65 players who traveled with the team got a chance to play. WashU shut out Rhodes 49-0 last year, but Keen wasn’t satisfied with how his team closed that game. “The year before, we didn’t necessarily play great football in the second half,” Keen said. “We kind of muddled through it and didn’t leave the

field with a great feeling of our roster. This year, I thought everybody who touched the field played some really good football and executed well.” Coming off an 8-3 season in 2025, the Bears are hoping to make a statement in their new conference, the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). The switch means WashU’s schedule will be filled with new teams, some of which are at the top of the D-III standings. One of those teams is No. 13 DePauw University, which WashU hosts in its home opener on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. It’s been

14 years since the Bears played the Tigers, a team that reached the third round of the NCAA D-III tournament last year. “The quality play is going to have to be outstanding on our end,” Keen said. “This will be a tremendous battle between two really good football teams. It’s exciting for us to have that type of opportunity in our first home game.” Moore said the team is ready for the challenge. “We have the ability and the talent to win and compete with DePauw,” he said. “So I’m really excited to be able to face them and really show what our team can do and just how good we really are.”

BEN GANZ | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Sophomore Avery Lazard dives over the defender last season.

8 STUDENT LIFE

HANNAH MUCH | MANAGING SPORTS EDITOR | SPORTS@STUDLIFE.COM

THURSDAY, SEPT 10, 2026

Weekend recap:

Bears go undefeated in season’s first road games While most Americans enjoyed a relaxing Labor Day weekend, the Bears went to work on the road, bringing home seven wins and one draw. Here’s a recap of the soccer, cross country, and golf matches you might have missed!

leaders were junior forward Olivia Clemons with three goals, while senior forward Julia Moore and sophomore midfielder Monica MoralesMartinez both tied with two. Junior forward Cami Colpitts led the Bears with two assists. This week, the Bears will travel to play Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology on Thursday, Sept. 10 and will celebrate Senior Day at home against Elmhurst University on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Women’s soccer

Men’s soccer

And the streak continues! The No. 1 women’s soccer team shut out Westminster College 11-0 and Simpson College 7-0 on the road on Sept. 4 and 6, respectively, advancing to a 3-0 record this season. The team’s new Division I transfer from Saint Louis University, junior midfielder Emily Fox, scored the first goal of the weekend. Fox scored her second goal as a Bear during Sunday’s game, putting WashU on the board once again. The weekend’s scoring

After winning 5-0 in their home opener, the No. 14 men’s team looked poised for a dominant road trip. However, the squad’s matches against North Park University on Sept. 5 and Elmhurst University on Sept. 7 proved more challenging than expected, tying the Vikings 1-1 in the first game and just edging out the Bluejays 3-2 in the second. The North Park Vikings were dominant from the start, getting their first shot off at the 1:25 mark. Less than 15 minutes later, they scored

ROMAN PETERSON ELIZA STULMAN STAFF WRITER SPORTS EDITOR

off a 40-yard pass. The Bears tried to respond, and after four shots, sophomore defender Hale Fernandez found an opening, putting his team on the board with less than a minute left in the first half. Neither the Bears nor the Vikings could find the back of the net again. In Monday’s game against Elmhurst University, the Bears’ offense produced many opportunities to score, outnumbering the Bluejays in shots 22-4. Yet, Elmhurst was the first team to score. The Bluejays already had two goals when the Bears finally got on the board in the 69th minute with a goal from sophomore defender Wole Adeoye. Roughly three minutes later, sophomore midfielder Daniel Kochen scored to equalize. With less than 10 minutes left, WashU drew a foul in the middle of the field right outside the box. Senior midfielder Colin Link took the free kick, which soared over the wall of Elmhurst players and into the back of the net to give the Bears a 3-2 lead. The men’s team returns home to play Hanover College on Friday, Sept. 11 and Rhodes College on Sunday, Sept. 13.

BEN GANZ | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Sophomore Miles Newman controls the ball along the sideline in a game last fall.

BRI NITSBERG | STUDENT LIFE Junior Olivia Clemons scored three goals over the weekend.

Cross country On Sept. 5, the WashU men’s and women’s cross country teams opened their seasons in emphatic fashion, as they swept the Gabby Reuveni Invitational in Edwardsville, Illinois, with first-place finishes in both races. The No. 10 women’s cross country team took home the victory in a tightly contested four-team meet. Junior Lucinda Laughlin led the way with a third-place finish in a time of 19:16. The Bears packed the top 10, with sophomore Taylor Buese, first-year Lucy Luetkemeyer, sophomore Lucy Peterson, and sophomore Leah Sekulich claiming sixth through ninth place, respectively. In the end, every finish proved to be crucial, as WashU finished in first place with 29 points — just one ahead of Maryville’s 30 points. The No. 17 men’s cross country team put on an astonishing performance, claiming victory in the seventeam meet by a wide margin.

The first Bear to cross the finish line was junior Sean Green, who claimed fourth place, clocking in at 16:40.2. Green was the first of an unbelievable nine-straight Bears finishers, all crossing the finish line within a halfsecond of each other. The display of teamwork landed the Bears in first place, with 25 points. Following impressive victories in their first races of the season, the men’s and women’s cross country teams will now have two weeks to prepare for their next meet, the Jim McNichols Invitational in Terre Haute, Indiana on Sept. 19.

Golf The women’s golf team followed the early-season winning trend across WashU athletics as they opened their season with a victory at Denison University’s Lynn Schweizer Invitational on Sept. 5-6. The Bears finished the twoday tournament with a score of 603, edging out RandolphMacon College by a singular stroke to claim the title. They entered the final round tied for first after shooting a 298 on Saturday, before pulling away on Sunday.

drink. dine. play.

WEEKLY BAR, RESTAURANT AND FUN GUIDE