Monday, September 23, 2019 I Vol. 116 Iss. 9 AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER • SERVING THE GW COMMUNITY SINCE 1904 WWW.GWHATCHET.COM What’s inside Opinions Culture Sports The editorial board Baked & Wired and What to expect from critiques LeBlanc’s Georgetown Cupcake go women’s soccer as it new pillars guiding head to head in a battle for embarks on its conference strategic plan the best cupcake slate Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Enrollment decrease could boost rankings, decrease revenues: experts ZACH SCHONFELD move will cost the University ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR revenue from tuition. Cordes’ unoffi cial fi nancial estimates Reducing the under- presented at the senate meet- graduate student population ing showed that GW will ex- could increase selectivity and perience about a $9.2 million impact GW’s fi nances, offi - revenue gap in academic year cials and experts said. 2020-21 resulting from the Under University Presi- reduction in enrollment and dent Thomas LeBlanc’s direc- the transition to a fl oating tu- tion, offi cials plan to enroll ition model. 2,110 new undergraduates The gap will grow to $37.5 – a decrease of about 17.3 million by academic year percent – in the Class of 2024 2023-24, according to Cordes’ as part of a multiple-year estimates. plan to reduce enrollment He said the estimates by about 20 percent, accord- could change, especially as ing to a budget presentation offi cials consider proposals to at a Faculty Senate meeting attract a greater share of sci- this month. Offi cials said the ence, technology, engineer- decision comes ahead of an ing and math majors to enroll anticipated nationwide drop through increased fi nancial in college enrollment, but the aid. LeBlanc said at the town change will reduce GW’s rev- hall that administrators plan enues. to increase the share of STEM ALEXANDER WELLING | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR “During my fi rst year students from about 19 per- Former SA Sen. André Gonzales, CCAS-U, and SA President SJ Matthews are spearheading an effort to explore renaming the Colonials moniker. here at GW, I listened to you, cent to about 30 percent of the and together we developed undergraduate body. our aspirations,” LeBlanc “From having fewer un- SA leaders lay groundwork for task force to said at a town hall meeting dergraduates and also to get earlier this month. “We came to the 30 percent target on together in town halls and STEM majors, we might need change Colonials moniker many meetings with faculty, to increase fi nancial aid to staff , students, alumni and attract them,” Cordes said. LIZZIE MINTZ position as the SA’s pro tennial in 2021. “We need to make sure trustees. And I can sum up in “Competition is going to be CONTRIBUTING NEWS EDITOR tempore Sunday to serve as “Right now, we are in that we are, No. 1, honoring three words the feedback that fi erce for that pool of stu- the SA’s director of legacy such a unique and impera- the legacy of this Univer- I heard from all of you: ‘bet- dents.” Student leaders are dou- review, will chair the task tive time where we can sity, but also honoring the ter, not bigger.’” LeBlanc has continually bling down on eff orts to force, Gonzales said. The make this type of change legacy that current students LeBlanc said the reduc- advocated for increasing the change the Colonials nick- vice president for diversity because we are at this bi- want this University to tion will help offi cials off er a proportion of students pur- name. and inclusion, the vice pres- centennial,” he said. “We have,” Gonzales said. better undergraduate experi- suing STEM-related degrees Student Association ident for public aff airs, the are able to say that this is Matthews, the SA presi- ence – one of his four pillars to reach parity with the Uni- President SJ Matthews fi led vice president for student the legacy that we want this dent, said she will present guiding the University’s next versity’s peer institutions. an executive order Sunday activities and the director University to have.” a report to the Board of strategic plan – by prioritiz- “I’m confi dent there are calling for the creation of of student advocacy will Students launched a pe- Trustees in May that will ing quality over quantity. a lot of avenues to allow us the “Colonial Moniker Task also serve on the task force, tition in April 2018 calling outline alternatives for the GW has stretched its resourc- to be a stronger place with a Force,” a fi ve-student com- according to the order. on the University to ditch Colonials moniker that the es with the growing under- smaller student body with mittee that will research The order states that the Colonials moniker. In task force will spend the graduate population, he said. more emphasis on STEM,” monikers to replace the Co- the SA should appoint four February, a panel includ- academic year researching. Full-time, on-campus LeBlanc said in an interview lonial, adding to an ongo- senators to the task force, ing two sociology profes- She said the SA Senate has undergraduate enrollment this month. “We’re not trying ing student push to change one of whom is required to sors and a former ambas- up to the next three meet- grew by about 13.8 percent to be [the California Institute the nickname. Student lead- be a graduate senator. sador to the ings to codify the task force. between 2013 and 2018, ac- of Technology], but more ers said they are building About 54 percent of discussed the merits of the Matthews said she cording to institutional data. emphasis on STEM than we off of the momentum from students approved a refer- nickname. wants the task force to cre- GW enrolled its largest fresh- have today.” this spring when just more endum last spring calling Gonzales said he hopes ate a survey or hold com- man class in at least 10 years He added that the cost than half of voting students on the University to swap the task force can continue munity forums to collect in 2018. estimates could “wildly” backed the name change. the Colonials moniker for meeting with students, data on who supports the change as plans are solidi- “I ran for student body a less “off ensive” name, alumni and administrators change and compile the in- Revenue impacts fi e d . president to hear the needs but offi cials have not taken – like offi cials from the Of- formation in a report to the Joseph Cordes, a profes- Jay Halfond, a professor and the wants of the stu- a position on whether they fi ce of Diversity, Equity and board. She added that she sor of economics and the of the practice of continuing dent body, and it is my job support the switch. Community Engagement hopes the board will take Faculty Senate’s fi scal plan- and distance education at to make sure our students Gonzales said the Uni- and the Offi ce of Alumni “strong action” to change ning and budgeting commit- Boston University, said the feel included everywhere versity has the opportunity Relations – throughout the the name after reviewing tee chair, said the enrollment enrollment decrease could on this campus,” Matthews to hold a “unique conver- year. In previous conversa- the task force’s report. drop will improve GW’s col- have a wide range of eff ects, said. “We have a portion of sation” with students, offi - tions, he said offi cials and lege rankings placement and from a decrease in expendi- the student body who are cials and alumni refl ecting alumni have been “hesi- GWHATCHET.COM provide offi cials with room to tures to cuts to student ser- off ended by the moniker. on the school’s history and tant to move forward” be- maneuver the enrollment cap vices like advisers and fi nan- for leaders’ plans We have to change it.” to alleviate students’ “dis- cause the referendum only enshrined in an agreement cial aid staff . André Gonzales, who comfort” with the moniker passed by a slim margin in H to advocate for the between GW and the District. stepped down from his as GW approaches its bicen- the spring. nickname change. But he added that the See ENROLLMENT Page 3 LeBlanc joins three local university presidents in push for D.C. statehood LIA DEGROOT federal research grants. and Jordan expressing their ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR LeBlanc announced at support, because many of a town hall meeting earlier their students and alumni University President this month that research is who still live in the District Thomas LeBlanc joined one of the pillars of his stra- aren’t represented in Con- three D.C. college presidents tegic plan. gress. Wednesday in advocating for “We have long been Each D.C. councilmem- D.C. statehood leading up to crucial partners with the ber – except Ward 3 Coun- the fi rst congressional hear- government in this work,” cilmember Mary Cheh and ing on the issue in 25 years. LeBlanc said in the letter. Ward 2 Councilmember Jack The four presidents wrote “However, our lack of repre- Evans, who is the subject of letters to the House of Rep- sentation at the federal level an ongoing ethics investi- resentatives’ Committee on stifl es this progress and our gations by the Council and Oversight and Reform to ability to contribute solutions the FBI – and Mayor Bowser push for statehood in light to our country’s most diffi - testifi ed at the hearing, The of the committee’s hearing cult challenges.” Washington Post reported Thursday, during which the Del. Eleanor Holmes Nor- Thursday. committee heard testimony ton, D-D.C., represents D.C. Jordan moved to sub- from D.C. councilmembers as a nonvoting member of poena Evans, citing his ongo- and Mayor Muriel Bowser. Congress but can serve and ing ethics investigation, but The presidents argued that vote on committees. In Janu- Norton, D-D.C., said Evans’ D.C. statehood would allow ary, Norton and 155 cospon- ethical issues are not relevant their institutions to use con- sors introduced H.R. 51, a bill to the D.C. statehood hear- gressional representation to that would make D.C. a state. ing. The House will hold a obtain federal grants for re- A Gallup poll released separate hearing to discuss ARIELLE BADER | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR search. this summer found that most the investigations, The Post University President Thomas LeBlanc and other local college presidents announced their support for the movement to LeBlanc addressed his U.S. citizens reject D.C. state- reported. make D.C. a state. letter to committee chair- hood. Norton said in a July Ryan McDevitt, the di- “momentous step” to achiev- Mayor Muriel Bowser and District residents, including man Rep. Elijah Cummings, statement that scarce support rector of federal government ing representation for the Congresswoman Eleanor Georgetown alumni, a voice D-Md. and Rep. Jim Jordan, for statehood reinforces the relations, said LeBlanc and 700,000 District residents Holmes Norton. We thank in all federal matters instead R-Ohio – the ranking mem- idea that many citizens are several D.C. university presi- who are not fully represent- them for their dedication on of only what the D.C. Council ber, or most senior Republi- not aware of the District’s dents discussed supporting ed in Congress. this issue and are confi dent and Norton preside over. can member of the commit- lack of congressional repre- statehood leading up to the “We are hopeful this they will continue to advance tee. LeBlanc said in the letter sentation. hearing. McDevitt said he hearing will help raise the its progress.” GWHATCHET.COM that D.C. statehood would ex- Presidents from George- is “pleased” that other uni- issue with people who previ- for why other pand the breadth of research town, American and Trin- versities expressed support ously had not given it much President John DeGioia said university presidents the University could conduct ity Washington universities alongside GW. thought,” McDevitt said. in his letter that the House H endorsed statehood. because GW could request wrote letters to Cummings He said the hearing was a “This is a top priority for hearing on the bill would give ANCHOR YOURSELF HERE. STUDIO, 1 & 2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS NOW LEASING STAY IN THE ROW

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NSeptemberews 23, 2019 • Page 2 CRIME LOG TRAFFIC ACCIDENT: HIT AND RUN Academic Center Garage Unknown – Unknown Open Case A woman unaffiliated with the University reported to the GW Police Department that she observed a scratch on the hood of her vehicle after she parked on the second floor of the garage. Case open CREDIT CARD FRAUD Marvin Center (GW Bookstore) Unknown – Unknown Closed Case A man unaffiliated with GW reported that someone attempted to purchase merchandise in the GW Bookstore using his debit card that he had lost. After noticing the purchase, the man filed an online report with the Metro- Protesters with Fridays for Future demonstrate outside of the U.S. Capitol building Friday. politan Police Department. Referred to MPD ATTEMPTED FRAUD/THEFT II/FROM BUILDING Median starting salary for recent graduates rose 2109 G St. 9/12/2019 – 10:10 a.m. about 4 percent last year Closed Case A female faculty member reported to GWPD “Although I have con- that someone stole her debit and credit cards cerns with some of the fac- from her wallet. The suspect attempted to tors that U.S. News takes place two fraudulent charges on the woman’s into account as part of their debit card and one on her credit card. ranking, educating and No suspects or witnesses graduating students who are eligible to receive a Pell TRAFFIC ACCIDENT: HIT AND RUN Grant is a good proxy of the extent that an institution is Public Property on Campus (19th Street) a vehicle for social mobil- 9/13/2019 – 12:23 a.m. ity,” Maltzman said in an Closed Case email. A male Safe Ride driver reported that a Maltzman said the Uni- vehicle traveling south on 19th Street struck versity is working to im- his Safe Ride van and tore off the van’s side prove its social mobility mirror. The Safe Ride driver reported that the rank by making changes driver did not stop and fled the scene. to the financial office, like No identifiable subject working with students to submit paperwork efficient- ly to reduce the number of ASSAULT ON A POLICE OFFICER/ audits. Students were as- ASSAULT WITH A DANGEROUS signed a financial aid advis- er after officials overhauled WEAPON/WEAPONS VIOLATION the office earlier this year. Public Property on Campus (23rd and I “While we have made streets) progress and GW is an eco- 9/13/2019 – 12:55 p.m. nomically more diverse in- Closed Case JACK FONSECA | CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITOR stitution today than it once GWPD officers responded to an MPD report Provost Forrest Maltzman said the University is taking steps to boost the number of low-income students after GW was, the ranking within that a man unaffiliated with GW was in placed No. 322 for social mobility in U.S. News and World Report. the U.S. News social mobil- ity category highlights that possession of a prohibited weapon inside AMY LIU by the National Association peer school to top GW in there is more we can do,” he a vehicle in front of JBKO Hall. The man STAFF WRITER of Colleges and Employers. the category. said. assaulted an MPD officer who was trying to Tom Brinkley, the execu- University President Cliff Brown, an associ- apprehend him. MPD officers arrested the While graduates are tive director of the Student Thomas LeBlanc cautioned ate professor of sociology subject for felony assault on a police officer earning higher median Professional Development students last year about in- at the University of New while armed, carrying a pistol without a salaries than last year, the Center at Elon University, ternship culture, citing the Hampshire, said social license and assault with a dangerous weapon, University ranked lower said the fact that there are number of freshmen who mobility indicates officials’ according to an MPD report. MPD officers than more than half of its more entry-level jobs than prioritize internships and ability to help students un- transported the subject to the Second District peer schools in graduating there are qualified students forgo existing opportuni- lock talents “regardless of police station for processing. low-income students. interested in working those ties at the University, like their background.” Subject arrested The University ranked jobs forces companies to in- research. He said universities high among its peer insti- crease the wages they offer. Neil Burton, the execu- that want to rank high on tutions for internship and “There’s a high demand tive director of the Center social mobility should en- BURGLARY II/NON-FORCIBLE co-ops but ranked in the on entry-level college tal- for Career and Professional roll higher proportions of Smith Center bottom half of its peers ent, so companies are hav- Development at Clemson students from economi- 9/14/2019 – 3:45 a.m. for social mobility – two ing to pay more to get more, University, said a high cally disadvantaged back- Closed Case new categories included and a lot of jobs are going ranking for internships grounds and ensure the A man unaffiliated with GW broke into the in the 2020 Best Colleges unfilled right now,” he said. could indicate to employers success of those students Rankings from U.S. News “A student who tells you that graduates leave GW in terms of grades, gradua- Smith Center and stole a control console and World Report. Higher they can’t find a job today with solid work exposure. tion rates and job placement that had the words “buff and blue” on it. education experts said that is either not looking or not “Universities that have upon graduation. The subject fled the scene and committed a while widespread partici- looking correctly because a pretty high ranking, em- “To improve social mo- second burglary at the fire department on pation in internships can there are jobs out there for ployers would be seeking bility, universities need campus, where MPD officers arrested him for make graduates more de- students.” out their graduates at a to reach out to students burglary and transported him to the Second sirable to employers, an Brinkley said adminis- pretty high level because who might otherwise not District police station for processing. increased median starting trators can improve their those graduates are coming be able to attend college,” Subject arrested salary is part of a broader professional development out with those professional Brown said in an email. economic trend. programs by reaching out experiences,” Burton said. “Financial obstacles that The University fell seven to faculty and staff for po- poorer families face can be BURGLARY I/FORCIBLE spots to No. 70 in the most tential job opportunities, Low social mobility addressed through grants, 2119 G St. (Fire Department: Engine 23) recent rankings, the lowest increasing the career cen- U.S. News and World scholarships or low-interest 9/14/2019 – 4:05 a.m. of all its peer schools. This ter’s engagement with stu- Report’s social mobility loans.” Closed Case year is the second in which dents and improving the ranking, a new category in About 70 percent of GW MPD officers discovered that a non-GW the University dropped internship opportunities this year’s list, measures students come from fami- affiliated man broke into the fire department seven places in the ranking, available to students. how well colleges gradu- lies in the top 20 percent through a side door and stole a remote leaving GW at its lowest “If you do the things ate low-income students by of median family income, spot in more than a decade. you’re supposed to do, examining the difference according to a New York control to the fire department’s garage door. Ed Gillis, the interim then rankings will come,” in graduation rates for Pell Times report from 2017. MPD officers learned that the subject had vice provost for enrollment he said. “That’s a result of Grant recipients and non- The median family income stolen a console from the Smith Center 20 and student success, said in just doing good work. If a Pell recipients. of a GW student is about minutes earlier, arrested the subject and a University release earlier school tries to get a ranking GW clocked in at No. $182,200. transported him to the Second District police this month that there are just for the sake of a rank- 322 nationally, placing at The University’s six- station for processing. “many ways” to measure ing, then that’s the wrong ninth among its 12 peer year graduation rate for Pell Subject arrested GW’s strengths and chal- path.” institutions. GW ranked recipients was 78 percent, lenges beyond rankings. ahead of the University of compared to 83 percent for UNLAWFUL ENTRY The overall rankings are Internships and co- Pittsburgh at No. 335, Wake the entire student body. determined by examin- ops Forest University at No. 360 Brown said administra- ing 15 metrics, including The report places GW and Tulane University at tors should provide Pell 9/14/2019 – 1:38 p.m. graduation rate, financial at No. 16 for the best coop- No. 365. recipients with additional Closed Case aid and standardized test erative education and in- Provost Forrest resources to help them suc- GWPD officers responded to Fulbright Hall scores of admits. ternship programs based Maltzman said the rank- ceed because students re- for a report that a woman not affiliated with “It is important to re- on how much universities ings used data from the ceiving these grants often GW was inside the residence hall. GWPD member that rankings are “encourage students to ap- 2012 Pell Grant program, hold jobs while studying, uncovered footage from a security camera just one of many ways for ply what they’re learning adding that GW’s first- increasing their workload. video showing that the woman followed a students and families to de- in the classroom out in the time and overall Pell rate “These students may termine what institution is real world.” increased by 3 percentage be under greater pressure female student into the residence hall. GWPD the best fit for them,” Gillis The ranking was based points to 15 percent by fall to work while in college or officers arrested the woman and issued her said in the release. entirely on a peer assess- of 2018. may struggle to buy their a bar notice. MPD officers responded to the ment survey distributed to He added that adminis- books each semester,” he scene and transported the woman to the Median salary college presidents, provosts trators have taken measures said. “However, students Second District police station. increase and admissions deans, ac- to enroll more economically who use Pell Grants may Subject arrested The median starting cording to the report’s web- diverse classes in the years also be less well prepared salary for recent graduates site. Each participant was since. Officials have set out to succeed in college given hit $56,500, an increase of asked to nominate up to 15 on recruitment trips to tar- the possibility that their – Compiled by Kateryna Stepanenko about 4.3 percent from last schools in the category. get students from histori- prior schooling was not as year. The figure is about GW ranked second cally marginalized commu- strong as the educational $6,500 more than the aver- among its peer schools in nities. The undergraduate opportunities available to age starting salary for 2018 the category. Northeastern student population was middle and upper-class graduates, according to a University, which ranked the most diverse in recent families who did not re- report published last year No. 1 overall, was the only memory last academic year. ceive Pell Grants.” THE GW HATCHET NEWS September 23, 2019 • Page 3 More than a third of SA Senate vacant one month into semester LIZZIE MINTZ for different reasons. ing the first SA meeting CONTRIBUTING NEWS EDITOR “It’s up to each person of the year that he felt “a on how much they want little morally obligated” to The Student Associa- to dedicate to the Student serve as a senator after he tion Senate is facing the Association,” he said. “I received enough write-in highest number of vacan- don’t by any means want votes for the seat. cies in at least three years someone to prioritize the He said his time in the by this time in the aca- Student Association Sen- SA, where he continually demic year. ate over their studies or attended meetings, re- Six senators have re- their own health.” inforced his ideas about signed from the SA per- Gonzales said the gov- the SA’s inability to make manently or to take on a ernance and nominations change because he felt new role in the organiza- committee is forwarding that senators were not ac- tion since August, leav- nine applications to the SA complishing projects or ing the organization with Senate for consideration at tasks. 19 vacant seats – about the organization’s biweek- Diamond launched 44 percent of the senate. ly meeting Monday night. a last-minute bid for the Some members who re- He said roughly 53 stu- SA’s top post two days be- cently resigned said they dents – including 11 grad- fore students could begin left their positions because uate students – applied for voting with a promise to of the time commitment senate vacancies, first-year abolish the organization. expected of them. senate seats or committee But Diamond, who likely “This is a year that aid positions, while seven forced the first runoff elec- IAN SAVILLE | PHOTOGRAPHER we’re trying to get a lot students applied for the tion for SA president in The closure in front of GW Hillel's building is one of 333 sidewalk obstructions on the Campus. done, and the commit- student engagement com- seven years, lost the elec- ment is high and you can mittee. tion after capturing about feel that from everybody Gonzales said seven 33 percent of the vote. GW one of D.C. neighborhoods with else in the room, that the undergraduate and seven “It reinforced my no- commitment to this body graduate seats need to be tions of the SA being es- is really high,” SA Execu- filled. The senate must ap- sentially just smoke and most sidewalk obstructions tive Vice President Amy prove an additional three mirrors where it looks like Martin said. “So students undergraduate and two they’re doing something KATERYNA STEPANENKO & who cannot navigate disrupt- town D.C. LIA DEGROOT who maybe feel they graduate students to serve and there’s not much get- ed sidewalks. In interviews, more than can’t match that are just in first-year senate posi- STAFF WRITERS ting done,” Diamond said “Some of those sorts of 10 Foggy Bottom residents recognizing that it would tions, he said. after he resigned. things I received complaints said cars have almost hit them be better for them to step “What I’ll say is, I think Robert Yassky, a for- GW ranks in the top 25 about,” Kennedy said. “We try while they crossed the street down.” that for undergrad seats, mer SA undergraduate percent among District neigh- to address them as they come because the construction to Last academic year, the we did a pretty good job at senator for the School of borhoods for the most side- up.” the GW Hillel building and SA Senate kicked off the advertising seats and try- Business who resigned walk obstructions, according ANC Commissioner De- 2100 Pennsylvania Ave. block year with only four vacant ing to solicit applicants,” during the first SA meet- to a Greater Greater Wash- trick Campbell said Boston crosswalks. seats – the fewest number he said. “But there’s al- ing of the year, said in an ington analysis released last Properties’ construction proj- Grant Cohen, a sophomore of empty seats in at least ways improvements to be email that he enjoyed his week. ect at 2100 Pennsylvania Ave. who lives in Amsterdam Hall, three years. In 2017, the made, and I think that this “short time” in the organi- The Foggy Bottom campus has disrupted his commute said the construction project body experienced 11 va- year we’ve seen an exten- zation representing busi- is ridden with 333 sidewalk from The President apartment has added time to his com- cancies. sive conversation occur ness school students. He obstructions, ranking No. 28 complex on I Street. But he mute because he can no lon- Former senators Ar- around how we’re reach- declined to comment on out of 111 neighborhoods in said Boston Properties’ agree- ger use the crosswalk on 23rd man Hussain, Caroline ing out to grad students.” why he left the SA. D.C. for issues ranging from a ment to add enhancements to and H streets. He said the Beason, Justin Diamond, Martin said vacancies “It was an honor to be crack in the road to construc- the neighborhood is worth re- construction managers could Robert Yassky, Julian Tay- can impact the organiza- elected and develop rela- tion, the analysis states. Com- directing his route. have closed off a section of H lor and André Gonzales tion’s ability to reach quo- tionships with students munity members said closed- Boston Properties will re- Street for pedestrians to cross have resigned from the rum – the minimum num- who are passionate about off sidewalks have forced vamp sections of campus, like through to prevent students SA Senate since August. ber of senators needed to the betterment of the Uni- them to walk in the street and Pennsylvania Avenue and the from crossing in the middle of Hussain did not return a hold a meeting. She said versity as a whole,” he risk being hit by cars. crosswalk by Whole Foods, in the street. request for comment, and having fewer senators also said. “I believe it would be Sidewalks are blocked off the next few years as part of its “It’s just inconvenient,” Beason declined to com- gives more responsibility best for me to refrain from on H and 23rd streets while agreement with the Universi- Cohen said. “I just wish there ment. to current senators who any further comment at the GW Hillel building is un- ty to redevelop 2100 Pennsyl- was a sidewalk there to walk André Gonzales, the need to pick up the slack this time.” der construction, and outside vania Ave. and the Residences across. It would be a lot safer, SA Senate’s former pro of vacant seats. Taylor, a former SA of 2100 Pennsylvania Ave., on the Avenue apartment but hopefully the Hillel build- tempore who oversaw the “The more voices that graduate senator for the which Boston Properties is de- complex. ing will be done soon.” body’s governance and are in a room, the better Columbian College of Arts molishing and redeveloping “It poses a small incon- Heather Harper, a junior nominations committee we work,” she said. “The and Sciences who left his into a commercial property. venience,” Campbell said. living in Amsterdam Hall, during the vacancy pro- whole point of our body is position in August, said in The 1900 block of H Street “However, what Boston Prop- said she has to cross the sec- cess this fall, left his sen- to be representative of the an email that he resigned has been closed off for six erties and GW plan to bring I tion of H Street in front of ate post Sunday to head entire student body, and if because he does not have years because of an ongoing think is going to be much bet- Amsterdam instead of using the Colonial Moniker Task we’re missing voices, then time to balance the com- construction project at the In- ter.” the sidewalk and “hope” that Force, a new committee in we’re not being represen- mitment as he pursues a ternational Monetary Fund. University spokeswoman no cars will come. the executive cabinet. tative.” master’s degree in public The block is set to open again Crystal Nosal said the Uni- “You have to step out into He said it is “really dif- Justin Diamond, a policy and works full time. in the next few weeks, senior versity has heard “minor con- cars and then look and hope ficult to nail down” why former senator represent- “I had no qualms with and Advisory Neighborhood cerns” from residents about that no cars are coming,” senators choose to resign ing the Elliott School of the senate,” he said. “I en- GW’s sidewalk closures. She Commissioner James Harnett Harper said. “It’s really been because each senator may International Affairs, said joyed my time in the orga- declined to say what concerns announced at a Foggy Bottom sort of concerning.” choose to leave their post after his resignation dur- nization.” and West End ANC meeting officials have heard about She added that the closed- Wednesday. campus sidewalk obstruc- off sidewalk has added time to ANC Commissioner Pat- tions. her daily commute to class. rick Kennedy said some resi- “With each closure, the “I wish that they would dents have complained to the University works extensively have just shut down the ANC about construction ar- with its construction teams lefthand lane that’s facing eas where project managers to limit these occurrences, as Amsterdam and Hillel and in- closed off sidewalks without well as with University stake- stead just made it a pedestrian creating a pedestrian walk- holders and neighborhood lane – that way we could walk way on the street. leaders to mitigate any poten- without interruption,” Harper Kennedy said the ANC tial impacts,” Nosal said in an said. contacts either the District De- email. “This includes outreach Brittany Thomas, a resi- partment of Transportation or when a closure is confirmed dent at The President apart- construction project managers as well as updates throughout ment complex next to 2100 if residents complain about a the closure.” Pennsylvania Ave., said she certain sidewalk closure. He She said several closures feels unsafe crossing the street said project managers can within the campus plan with her daughter because the find solutions to residents’ boundaries are not a result construction project prevents complaints more efficiently of University construction them from crossing at the than if ANC members bring but the result of construction crosswalk. the issues straight to DDOT, by other bodies, like the U.S. “When you’re walking, because managers are more Department of State and the when you’re about to cross frequently in contact with World Bank. Nosal added that there, you can’t see what’s construction projects. Greater Greater Washington’s coming,” Thomas said. “In Kennedy said he most analysis shows that the rates order for you to actually see commonly receives com- of sidewalk construction on what’s coming, you have to campus are lower than in ar- ARIELLE BADER | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR plaints from elder residents physically step out into the Six resignations this fall have left the Student Association Senate with about a third of its body unfilled. and people with disabilities eas near campus and in down- whole street.” Cut in enrollment will enable officials to 'rethink' the Vern: LeBlanc Halfond said other perts have forecasted a sig- From Page 1 prominent private univer- nificant drop in the college- sities, including Boston going population in the next “The key question is University, have decreased 10 to 15 years as a result of a how GW plans to make up the size of recent freshman recent decline in birth rates for the lost revenue – will classes to reduce their ad- in the United States. there be more professional missions rates and advance master’s enrollments, more in college rankings. But as The future of the Vern online distance learning, more universities join in At the town hall earlier more international stu- the trend, GW’s individual this month, LeBlanc said dents, more part-time adult action may not actually the enrollment decrease learners?” Halfond said in cause the school to move will create an “important an email. “These are the up in rankings, he said. opportunity” for officials typical strategies ambitious The University fell sev- to “rethink” the Mount universities pursue to sus- en spots to No. 70 in the Vernon Campus, since tain their revenues while most recent U.S. News and “roughly half” of students they increase their selectiv- World Report rankings, living there aren’t satisfied. ity.” the second year in a row in Under current zon- Britt Brockman, the which GW dropped seven ing regulations, GW is re- chairman of the Univer- places in the rankings. The quired to house 80 percent sity of Kentucky’s Board of University is now at its low- of students on campus. Trustees, said the change est spot in more than a de- LeBlanc said the Univer- will coincide with a pro- cade. sity will not legally need jected national decline in “If everyone tries to to house students on the enrollment and added that advance in the rankings, Vern after the enrollment he would “only suspect” no one is likely to – so this decrease. that change is a “good” might be more of a defen- “The beauty of it is it idea. sive move for GW, as well now raises the question, HATCHET FILE PHOTO BY ALEXANDER WELLING | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR “If a purposeful deci- as an anticipation of ex- ‘OK, now we don’t have University President Thomas LeBlanc said reducing undergraduate enrollment emphasizes quality over quantity. sion has been made by pected national declines in any requirements, we have your institution, to shrink the number of 18-year-olds no limits, what should we adviser in West Hall who conversation with students Vernon Campus and to re- what has otherwise been a in the decade ahead,” he do?’” LeBlanc said at the attended the town hall, before making any major ally own the experience,” rising enrollment, I suspect said. town hall. “I think that’s a said LeBlanc’s comments decision. Kusma said. “And what there’s a darn good reason College enrollment has great thought exercise, and have raised a lot of ques- “I think the Vern teams I would hate to see is the that your president would fallen for eight consecutive I’m looking forward to it. I tions from his residents over the past several years University look at the ste- do that,” Brockman said. years, according to a Nation- don’t have a great answer about the Vern’s future. He have made a much more reotypes and the percep- al Student Clearinghouse to it.” added that he hopes offi- concerted effort to focus on tions of the Vern and make Increasing selectivity Research Center report. Ex- Tyler Kusma, a resident cials have a comprehensive the positives of the Mount a judgment based on that.” September 23, 2019 • Page 4 NEWS THE GW HATCHET Student organization aims to address social issues using VR technology SAMANTHA SERAFIN or speak with similar of the semester, every- REPORTER groups to Looking Glass one will have enough of on other campuses to re- a foundation to take it in A group of students cruit hackathon partici- their own directions,” she is launching an organi- pants. said. “Next semester, we zation to teach students “The purpose of this want to do more of the how to solve social issues hackathon is to bring to- design business aspect of using virtual reality. gether creative ideas on it, which is implement- Looking Glass, which how to use the emerging ing a project that you can registered as an organi- technology of virtual re- make.” zation in March but held ality in bringing aware- Junior Alex Broaddus, its first meeting earlier ness or contributing to the organization’s vice this month, will use vir- the solution of a social president, said Looking tual reality technology issue,” she said. “There Glass differs from other to simulate real-life ex- is no guideline or limit to student organizations be- periences to find solu- what people may come up cause the group encour- tions to social issues like with as solutions.” ages members to come in homelessness, members Sophomore Jamie with some skillsets and said. Kaitlin Santiago, the Horowitz, the group’s experience in subjects group’s president, said treasurer, said the orga- like design or program- the organization aims to nization held a few infor- ming. bolster students’ virtual mal meetings last semester Broaddus said the reality skills, which she to gauge interest for the group encourages stu- said is lacking on campus dents who might not have CAMILLE DESANTO | PHOTOGRAPHER group. Starting this fall, for those interested in the Group members said they will use the software OpenSight to teach students about VR technology. she said Looking Glass previously used VR tech- technology. members will meet once nology to get involved be- Virtual reality is a want to learn – just come, program either started together to use VR tech- a week to practice using cause group leaders will computer technology that learn and build yourself their own campus vir- nology to mitigate a so- Unity – a development teach the basic elements places its users in an en- here.” tual reality organization cial issue, like female platform for virtual reality. of VR. vironment that simulates Santiago, a senior, said or they were a part of the reproductive rights or “It’s very much what “GW has many stu- real-world experiences, she took a VR internship one on their campus,” she homelessness. people want to do,” she dent orgs geared toward according to development three years ago where she said. “It was the commu- She said Looking said. “If they come to us all majors, but there are company Cygnis Media. learned how to program nal spirit for emerging Glass plans to work with with ideas, we’ll run with only a few technical orgs “I’m really interested and design in virtual re- technology that made me George Hacks – a 24-hour it,” she said. on campus and most of in having a VR startup, ality and how to market want to foster a similar student-led innovation Horowitz said the them are geared toward so I wanted a place where virtual reality to a non- community on campus competition – to learn group recruited new students in STEM ma- I could go to gain skills technical audience. She here at GW.” about hackathons the members at the student jors,” he said. “Creating from each area to assist said she formed Looking Santiago said the group has held in the past organization fair, and and marketing VR expe- me in my own career,” Glass at GW because she group plans to host the and how the organization about 20 students attend- riences is something that Santiago said. “I want to couldn’t find a student University’s first virtual recruited participants. ed Looking Glass’ first all majors can contribute be able to give that to oth- organization on campus reality “hackathon” this She said the group meeting of the year ear- to as there’s technical, er students and tell them that focused on VR. spring, during which will poster on D.C. col- lier this month. artistic and business ele- it doesn’t matter what you “Other students in the D.C. students will work lege campuses and email “Hopefully by the end ments to it.” Green GW joins ‘Global Climate Strike’ for first time

SHANNON MALLARD GW Instagram. ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR “It’s more of a community feeling when you go with all Members of Green GW par- these people, and we’re having ticipated for the first time in the people who all share the same “Global Climate Strike” as part interest in the same goals that of a group effort to engage in we want to strike for this, be- more environmental activism. cause we want to have a better Green GW joined other stu- future,” she said. dent organizations Friday at Junior Riya Gavaskar, the co- the second-ever Global Climate president of Green GW and a for- Strike, part of the student-led mer Hatchet reporter, said part “Fridays for Future” protest of the group’s decision to partic- movement to push governments ipate in the climate strike came across the globe to take deci- from Green GW members’ inter- sive action on climate change. est in engaging in more environ- Members of Green GW said their mental activism. She said Green participation in the protest dem- GW aims to incorporate every- MAANSI SRIVASTAVA | PHOTOGRAPHER onstrates their solidarity with one’s interests into the programs Sara Rosenbaum, a professor of public health, is one of 15 faculty challenging a Trump administration rule that younger climate activists and the organization promotes. makes access to health care more difficult for those without a green card. engages their members in more Gavaskar said Green GW environmental activism efforts. members are older than many of “As a college student, you the young climate activists at the Faculty challenge Trump's rule barring don’t usually feel like you can vanguard of the Fridays for Fu- have these opportunities to ture movement, but she and oth- make some sort of difference er members wanted to contribute green card access or to get your voice out there,” to protesting efforts, given that sophomore Dharma Gonzalez- climate change will affect them SHANNON MALLARD Using two benefits in one month million members of immigrant Ferrette, the co-president of in the future too. ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR counts as receiving two months families could lose or avoid sign- Green GW, said. “Climate change isn’t some- of benefits, according to the law ing up for Medicaid insurance She said 16-year-old climate thing that’s just going to affect Twenty-one faculty members center. each year. activist Greta Thunberg – who them, and they are going to un- signed onto a court brief disput- Rosenbaum said the public He said declining Medicaid led the Fridays for Future move- fortunately experience a lot of ing a rule set by the Trump ad- charge rule presents a “major” enrollment could increase the ment – inspired her and other the severe consequences of inac- ministration that denies green threat to public health. She said number of deaths by 1,300 to 4,000 Green GW members to take part tion – but it’s our responsibility cards to immigrants deemed the rule discourages immi- each year among uninsured indi- in the protests and advocate for as well,” she said. likely to use public health ben- grants from seeking health care viduals with diseases like diabe- environmental policy change. Senior Jarryd Rauch, the senior efits. services they qualify for under tes, heart disease and cancer. Amnesty International adviser for Green GW, said the or- The brief – filed Sept. 10 – U.S. law, like Medicaid and the “I hope that the evidence pre- awarded Thunberg and members ganization invited other student challenges the Trump admin- Supplemental Nutrition Assis- sented in my declaration and in of the Fridays for Future move- organizations in addition to en- istration’s “public charge” rule, tance Program, which provides the amicus brief helps the courts ment the 2019 Ambassador of vironmentally oriented organiza- which gives the government food-purchasing assistance to understand why the rule should Conscience Award at an event in tions because climate change will greater latitude to reject green low-income people. be stopped,” he said. Monday. eventually affect everyone. cards for prospective immi- Rosenbaum said the rule Immigration law experts said At the march, protesters “The climate crisis is going to grants who are deemed likely could discourage immigrants the amicus curiae brief likely will chanted phrases like “Use your affect all of us eventually, and to depend on government aid, with green cards from seeking not prompt government officials power” and “Show me what de- probably sooner rather than lat- like Medicaid, food stamps out health care and nutrition ser- to reverse the public charge rule. mocracy looks like” and held er,” he said. “We just wanted to and housing assistance. Faculty vices because they could believe They added that misinformation signs reading “What part of ex- give everyone the chance to get and immigration law experts they do not have access to care about which immigrant popula- istential crisis don’t you get?” involved in this strike, regard- said the brief likely won’t strike even after obtaining the card. tions the rule affects still persists and “Act now, or we will all be less of their political affiliation down the rule, but they hope Twenty-one faculty members in immigrant communities. climate refugees.” The protesters and regardless of what they do that health care professionals signed onto the brief, including Veronica Thronson, a clinical began the strike at John Marshall on campus.” can mitigate misinformation 14 in the Milken Institute School professor of law and the director Park and marched to the U.S. Rauch said Green GW pre- about who the rule effects: im- of Public Health, three in the of the immigration law clinic at Capitol. viously focused on educating migrants without green cards. School of Medicine and Health Michigan State University, said “We wanted all our mem- members about how to adopt “It persuasively argues the Sciences – including one mem- the public charge rule only af- bers and all the new members sustainable lifestyle practices. problem of the threat, with an ber of the Medical Faculty Asso- fects immigrants in the process to be able to have a chance to do He said he wants to emphasize incredible array of deans and ciates – and four in the School of of applying for green cards. something a little bigger than the importance of assuming an scholars speaking in a strong, Nursing. Thronson said previous versions just coming to the general body activist role in advocating for unified voice,” Sara Rosenbaum, “They also are potentially pe- of the rule included stipulations meeting,” Gonzalez-Ferrette stronger environmental policies a professor of health law and nalized, most shockingly, if they that revoked green cards for im- said. in addition to encouraging sus- policy who signed onto the brief, use health care for medical con- migrants who already had legal Green GW hosted an event tainable living. said in an email. ditions,” she said. permanent status. in Kogan Plaza earlier Friday “We also want to take a more Ken Cuccinelli, the acting di- In May, six public health fac- But she said widespread mis- morning that featured speak- active role in getting our com- rector of U.S. Citizenship and Im- ulty signed onto an amicus cur- information about whom the ers, like Rabbi Dan Epstein from munity involved with push- migration Services, announced iae brief to challenge a federal rule affects will scare residents GW Hillel and students from ing leaders to act on what we’re the rule at a White House press court decision that allowed the who already have green cards organizations like GW College educating,” Rauch said. “That’s briefing Aug. 12, saying the rule state of New Hampshire to re- into not using public benefits for Democrats, who talked about the something new for our org this will require immigrants to be- quire residents to work 25 hours fear they may lose their legal per- importance of environmental ac- year that we’re definitely lean- come more “self-sufficient.” a week to qualify for Medicaid manent status. tivism, according to the Green ing more into.” “We certainly expect people insurance. “There are so many catego- of any income to be able to stand Leighton Ku, a professor of ries of people who are not be- on their own two feet,” Cuccinel- health policy and management, ing affected by this rule, and we li said at the press briefing. said he did not sign onto the brief should definitely ensure that if The rule classifies immi- because he is serving as an expert people need medical care that grants who utilize public gov- witness for plaintiffs involved in they should be able to go look for ernment assistance programs as three lawsuits – two in New York it,” Thronson said. “public charges.” The U.S. De- and one in California – challeng- Luvia Quiñones, the health partment of Homeland Security ing the public charge rule. policy director at the Illinois Co- officially implemented the pub- “My role was to document alition for Immigrant and Refu- lic charge rule Aug. 14, and the the harm that would occur for gee Rights, said the brief – along rule will go into effect Oct. 15. members of immigrant families, with pending congressional bills If the proposed rule goes into as well as the harm to health and public commentary about effect, immigrants who use one care providers and state and lo- the rule – may be enough to pro- or more of a now-expanded set cal governments that would be long the period before the rule of public benefits for a total of 12 caused by the federal govern- takes effect. months within a 36-month pe- ment’s regulation,” he said in an “Many of us do have high riod will be classified as “public email. hopes that we could stall it – we charges,” posing a barrier to at- Ku said he determined, after may not be able to completely taining legal permanent resident reviewing evidence from the Ur- stop it, but I think stall it,” Qui- status for low-income immi- ban Institute, Centers for Disease ñones said. TYARA ESTRADA | PHOTOGRAPHER grants, according to a National Control and the U.S. Department –Ed Prestera and Ilena Peng Members of the environmental organization Green GW marched in the global strike for Immigrant Law Center release. of State, that an estimated 1 to 3.2 contributed reporting. climate Friday. THE GW HATCHET NEWS September 23, 2019 • Page 5 Researchers develop database of microbes inhabiting healthy human gut SHANNON MALLARD leader in the Michigan ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Microbiome Project at the University of Michigan, A research team com- said the profile could help piled a database of organ- researchers artificially ma- isms that inhabit a healthy nipulate the composition of human gut, a move that the microbiome to improve experts say will help medi- human health. He said re- cal professionals under- searchers are investigating stand how microbes facili- how to facilitate the growth tate bodily functions and of beneficial bacteria in the cause disease. microbiome, which can po- The profile found that tentially help people main- 157 microbial organisms tain a healthy weight and live in the healthy human act as a treatment for Type gut and compose part of 2 diabetes. the human gut’s micro- Schmidt added that eat- biome – a community of ing fiber-rich foods, like bacteria, viruses and fungi potatoes and rice, may that facilitate intestinal contribute to the growth processes like digestion. of bacteria essential to the Human microbiome ex- function of the healthy gut. perts said knowing which “The bigger effect is by microbes reside in the eating certain foods, you’re healthy human gut helps favoring the growth of cer- researchers pinpoint ab- tain bacteria that are al- normalities in the gut that ready there,” Schmidt said. could indicate gastrointes- Joseph Petrosino, a pro- tinal health issues. fessor in the Baylor College Charles Hadley King, of Medicine, said clini- a senior research associate cians can use the database in the School of Medicine FILE PHOTO BY ALEXANDER WELLING | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Researchers at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences released a study with a list of common bacteria found in a healthy human's gut. to diagnose their patients, and Health Sciences and but the resource must be a an author of the study, said “comprehensive” represen- he organized the project netically sequenced 48 fe- bacterial species found in ent in the human gut, which that are usually present in tation of the microbiome and developed the group’s cal samples from 16 healthy the human gut, the release may help researchers eas- the healthy human gut al- to be an effective tool. He data sequencing system. individuals in the D.C. states. King said the re- ily identify disease-causing lows researchers to more said the types of bacteria He said the database of area, according to a release search team will continue deviations from the normal easily identify disease- present in a healthy micro- healthy human gut bacte- on the medical school web- to analyze fecal samples to makeup of the microbiome. causing abnormalities in biome differ across regions ria will help researchers site. The researchers also further broaden the pro- Giovanni Widmer, a what organisms are pres- and demographics. recognize disease-causing examined 50 fecal samples file to include more of the professor in the depart- ent in the microbiome, “Understanding what shifts in the types of or- taken from the Human microbes that inhabit the ment of infectious disease which can serve as the makes a healthy micro- ganisms present in the mi- Microbiome Project, a Na- healthy human gut. and global health at Tufts foundation for future re- biome in one part of the crobiome. tional Institutes of Health King added that several University, said the organ- search on treatment for world, or in a limited de- “This knowledge base research initiative aimed at organizations, like the Na- isms living in the gut fa- gastrointestinal disease. mographic, doesn’t neces- and reporting template improving understanding tional Science Foundation cilitate processes that our “If you want to study sarily mean that the same aids in quantifying shifts of the microbiome, accord- and the McCormick Genom- bodies cannot perform certain diseases that are bacteria will be required in gut microbes and re- ing to the release. ic and Proteomic Center, themselves, like breaking related to the microbiome, for health in other parts of lating them to human The team found that 84 funded the team’s research. down and digesting cel- you want to know, ‘What the world or for all demo- health,” King said in an organisms were present Human microbiome ex- lulose – a chemical sub- does that healthy micro- graphics,” Petrosino said email. “We need to under- in all samples included in perts said the profile will stance found in vegetables biome look like?’ – so that in an email. “But meth- stand what is healthy to the study, indicating the provide a “baseline” repre- like celery. you can compare it to a dis- ods and standards to help understand disease.” number of microbes that sentation of what species and He said documenting eased one,” Widmer said. serve as foundations for The research team ge- comprise the “core” of genera of microbes are pres- the types of microbial life Thomas Schmidt, a lab this type of profile devel- Law school officials launch two new courses to expand practical learning JARED GANS committee convened amid closely with instructors who ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR rising challenges, like declin- actively work in the field on ing enrollment and low job real cases. Law school officials placement, for law schools “Law becomes concrete, are working to expand the nationally. not abstract, and working school’s offerings to provide Hammond said the law with clients helps the stu- students more opportunities school debuted two new dents see the impact of their to practice law before they courses this semester: Fun- strategizing on behalf of the graduate. damentals of Lawyering and client,” Schwartz said in an Five years after launch- Legislation and Regulation. email. ing a planning committee to They said Fundamentals Andrew Benjamin, an af- improve the school’s hands- of Lawyering is a six-credit, filiate professor of law and on learning experiences, law two-semester-long course for clinical professor of psy- school officials have launched first-year law students that chology at the University two new “fundamentals” teaches research, writing and of Washington, said he ad- courses for law students and legal analysis “through a pro- vocates for practical clinical updated several courses to fessional lens” and includes programming for law stu- include more “practical and a focus on the lawyer-client dents because students learn ARIELLE BADER | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR experiential” learning for relationship. Legislation and the most about how the law GWIKS faculty will bring together experts on North Korea's economy in a conference Friday. students. Leaders said the Regulation gives students a works when they directly changes will further prepare “Washingtonian perspective” interact with clients. He said students for their careers by on practicing law by teaching students participating in law Faculty to host annual conference demonstrating how law is topics like oversight of admin- clinics learn most effectively practiced in the real world. istrative agencies, according to through close work with their Emily Hammond, the law the law school’s website. instructors. on North Korean economic issues school’s Jeffrey and Martha They declined to specify He added that clinics can Kohn senior associate dean what changes were made to help students get a better ILENA PENG cuss about the North Ko- for academic affairs, said of- other courses to incorporate sense of which areas of law strategies. She said the CONTRIBUTING NEWS EDITOR rean economy because ficials continuously work to more practical education op- they are passionate about forum will promote re- this opens up a whole new update the content of law portunities. studying or practicing after search and understanding discussion of other fields courses and provide more Law professors said graduation. The GW Institute for of North Korea’s “multi- and also how North Korea opportunities for students boosting exposure to expe- “People are able to build Korean Studies is launch- layered” economy while could evolve,” she said. to gain practical experience. riential, clinical education in their sense of competence by ing an annual conference encouraging Korean and Kim said Elliott School They said law school admin- courses, a trend across law engaging in a clinic in an area to spotlight economic is- American scholars to ex- Dean Reuben Brigety and istrators have engaged in “a schools nationwide, will give of law that they think they sues in North Korea. change ideas. KDIS Dean Jong-Il You at number of teaching work- students more “real-world” might be interested in,” he Institute faculty and “Such academic re- the event will debut a part- shops” to learn more about experience in law before they said. staff will host a daylong search and exchange with nership between the two how to increase the number graduate so they can develop Donald Beskind, a profes- event Friday that will in- policymakers is especially schools that will involve of opportunities. skills that law firms want in sor of the practice of law at clude a keynote address important in an era of mul- collaborative research and “These enhancements will their employees. Duke University, said gradu- by a former U.S. ambas- tiple sanctions on North potentially exchanging better prepare our students for Michael Schwartz, an as- ating law students should sador to South Korea and Korea and policy debates faculty and students be- success in today’s legal profes- sociate professor of law and be “practice-ready” when three panels on facets of of whether and how to use tween the schools. sion and position them to be- the director of the Disabil- they enter the workforce and North Korea’s economy. sanctions relief or tighten- Kim added that the come leaders in the field both ity Rights Clinic at Syracuse learn more in school than law GWIKS Director Jisoo ing to advance denuclear- conference cost about nationally and globally,” they University, said increasing theory. Kim said the conference, ization talks with North $20,000 and was funded said in an email. hands-on opportunities “The ability to interview, co-hosted with the South Korea,” Arrington said in through a KDIS grant. Officials formed a 15-per- could lead to a jump in appli- the ability to analyze, the abil- Korean graduate school an email. She said the grant, which son committee composed of cations to law schools, which ity to produce writing that’s KDI School of Policy and Young-Key Kim-Ren- GWIKS received in April, faculty, associate deans and had been declining nation- useful in practice, the abil- Management, will bring aud, a professor emeritus is an annual grant that a student five years ago to ally for several years before ity to develop relationships together experts on North of Korean language and will fund four programs, increase the number of expe- increasing for the past two with clients, the ability to be Korean economic policies culture and international including the North Ko- riential learning opportuni- years. He said students are on your feet and present in – a subject that has re- affairs, said the North Ko- rea Economic Forum and ties for law students and to more encouraged to apply various forums – all of these ceived less attention than rean economy is of “great the institute’s North Korea better train faculty to prepare what they learn to real-life things are critical for law- the nation’s nuclear and international interest” as program. students for their careers. The situations when they work yers,” Beskind said. security issues. Jong-un attempts to re- “The idea is to basically Yonho Kim, the as- duce the nation’s poverty fill the gap in Washing- sociate director of the rate. Most workers in the ton related to discussions institute, said conference country earn about $2 to about North Korea and participants will delve $3 a month, according to gain more knowledge of into North Korean leader the anti-poverty organiza- the field,” Kim said. Kim Jong-un’s economic tion Global Citizen. Kim said the members development strategies She said “total igno- of the institute, housed un- and the turbulence of the rance” and mistrust of der the Elliott School of In- economy following Unit- North Korea has limited ternational Affairs, began ed Nations sanctions im- productive conversations planning the conference in posed on the country in between the United States June. Faculty met to decide 2016 and 2017. and North Korea, a feeling on the event’s themes and “The conference, co- organizers aim to com- devised a list of experts to organized by GWIKS and bat by humanizing North invite, she said. KDIS, will be a unique op- Koreans through a discus- The conference is an portunity for the public sion of what citizens in the extension of the institute’s to understand the current country experience. North Korea Economic North Korean economy in “The conference will Forum, a series of closed a holistic way,” he said. demonstrate people’s suf- monthly meetings with Celeste Arrington, the fering and human resil- experts on the North Ko- Korea Foundation assis- ience in spite of the dire rean economy that aims tant professor of political economic situation in to create a space to discuss science and international North Korea, and how the country’s economy affairs, will moderate an most of them are ordinary and the impact of econom- event at the conference human beings like us, not ic sanctions. about the role of economic some kind of four-horned CAMILLE DESANTO | PHOTOGRAPHER “We also think that it policies and market ef- monsters,” Kim-Renaud Law school officials are adding more experiential-based learning to the school's curriculum. is very important to dis- ficiency in the country’s said. WHAT THE UNIVERSITY WON'T TALK ABOUT THIS WEEK What complaints officials have heard about sidewalk obstructions on. p 3

FROM GWHATCHET.COM/OPINIONS “Sororities should not think of the ban as a consequence. They should consider it an opportunity to repair systemic problems within Panhel.” OpinionsSeptember 23, 2019 • Page 6 — EDITORIAL BOARD ON 9/16/19 University must take fall in rankings seriously or the second year in value of college rankings a row, GW’s ranking is controversial, they still dropped in the U.S. give current and prospec- FNews & World Report tive students a sense of list of best national uni- the quality of the insti- versities. The University tution they choose to at- fell another seven places tend. down the list, from No. 63 The reputation of a in 2018 to No. 70 this year. college is important to families that consider col- lege a major investment Marc Chaaban for their children. Rank- ings may not matter to Columnist every family, but GW is an expensive school that is only getting pricier, Although the trend and how it measures up does not affect students’ to other schools matters. day-to-day lives, the Families could choose to school’s consecutive send their student to one drop impacts its reputa- of GW’s peer institutions tion. The decline also ap- that rank higher on the peared in The Wall Street rankings because they Journal and Forbes rank- did not have the same ings, suggesting that the drops as GW. Officials drop is also not based on need to ensure families the judgement of one list. know why GW fell in the But more concerning is listing and prove that the the largely dismissive re- University is worth the sponse from officials after price tag. GW fell again. Adminis- Rankings may not be trators said rankings are Cartoon by Jeanne Franchesca Dela Cruz important to everyone, one of many factors that but they do provide many prospective students use and state how it plans to to previous years. stitution. Rightly or not, concerned by the Univer- students with an idea of to determine if a school rise back up. College rankings lists applicants and students sity’s historic drop-off in their school’s reputation. is right for them, but they GW now sits 13 spots are often criticized for en- take rankings into con- the rankings. GW needs to lay out a did not say how they plan below its closest peer couraging shallow opin- sideration when they set- Administrators are plan to curb the down- to reverse the trend and school, none of which ions of schools and tend- tle on a school. not wrong when they ward slide, to continue pointed instead to where have dramatically fallen ing to favor historically But students are not say rankings are just one attracting applicants GW climbed in rankings, down the list. The Uni- prestigious universities. the only ones who care factor of many that pro- and to assuage current like in graduation and versity now needs to Despite the constant criti- about rankings – admin- spective students should students. Although the retention rates. Officials work harder to prove cism of these lists, both istrators care too. In 2012, use when considering drop is not ideal, officials had a similar response that it is worthy of be- prospective and current GW inflated admissions schools. Research has could at least be OK with last year, explaining the ing compared to 12 other students still pay atten- data and lied about hav- shown that college rank- admitting the Universi- rationale for the rankings well-regarded institu- tion to the rankings. ing a need-blind policy. ings are not an effective ty’s shortcoming and let instead of saying how tions like Boston and Prospective students use Prior to the two incidents, way to decide if a school students know they are they plan to address the Syracuse universities. them to weigh schools GW consistently sat is a good fit for an appli- working to get better. shift. Instead of shrug- The University cannot they are considering, around the No. 50 spot cant. Other findings show —Marc Chaaban, a sopho- ging off the issue at hand, continue to drop as its while current students for more than a decade. that college prestige does more majoring in political GW must be open about schools of comparison use lists to confirm that Although officials loath not mean better employ- science, is an opinions its backslide in rankings stay in similar standings they chose the right in- to admit it, they too are ment outcomes. While the writer.

Medical school’s lack of diversity LeBlanc’s new pillars must be perpetuates health care issues better defined

he School of Medi- ways to address issues tentionally – by racial in- STAFF EDITORIAL cine and Health of inequality as students equalities in health care. Sciences received enter the field. Educating students on Two years ago, Uni- and recruit outstand- LeBlanc should have pre- Ta subpar report on its ra- Hospitals across the the issues will help them versity President Thomas ing faculty – these are sented thought-out tasks cial diversity, equity and country have had re- navigate patient rela- LeBlanc stepped into GW no-brainers. But LeBlanc for committees to under- inclusion efforts earlier search conducted about tionships and improve with five main goals: im- needs to state what about stand their responsibili- this month. health care inequities the quality of care given prove the student expe- these areas of the Univer- ties when he announced Hannah Thacker between races, show- to everyone – regardless rience, research, philan- sity he needs to improve. that several groups would ing that lack of repre- of race. thropy and constituent Without explanation, LeB- spearhead the goals. Contributing Opinions sentation and historical The school should engagement, medical en- lanc’s plan does not give LeBlanc may have in- Editor power dynamics lead also consider the ben- terprise and institutional students any new infor- troduced his plan intend- to unequal treatment efits of hiring a more culture. But he shook mation. ing to open a broader of patients. The report diverse group of medi- things up again last week, The pillars are vague conversation about the The medical school showed that the medical cal school faculty. In- announcing his new- enough that the GW com- University’s overarch- earned a B- on its racial school has inadequate cluding more diverse est initiatives – graduate munity cannot track ing initiatives. His pil- diversity, equity and in- racial representation, faculty will increase education, undergradu- whether or not the Uni- lars could be purposely clusion efforts on the ba- which could result in the perspectives being ate education, faculty and versity is meeting them. vague because he wants sis of 14 different metrics, issues down the road if taught about health care research – with little indi- Determining if the Uni- students, staff and fac- like whether the school students are not initially practices and ways to cation of where his initial versity has made strides in ulty to pinpoint areas of promotes racist or white exposed to a diverse aca- interact with patients of goals left off. improving undergraduate improvement and brain- supremacist individuals demic environment. The different cultural and Everything officials education or faculty will storm ways to bolster and if the demograph- medical school’s first racial backgrounds. In- have done over the past be difficult because there each aspect of GW. But ics of students and fac- goal should be to recruit creased perspectives year, from naming a head is no goalpost. LeBlanc introducing a broad over- ulty adequately reflect students from all walks among staff, along with of the student experience should lay out more spe- view of his goals with no the U.S. population’s of life to strive for a more an updated curriculum, to conducting a survey cific areas about research, concrete details makes the racial diversity. The re- diverse workforce. will provide medical to evaluate institutional faculty and undergradu- plan seem rushed and un- port card showed that The report also states students with a deeper culture, has tied back to ate and graduate experi- defined. the school does not pro- that medical school stu- understanding of their his first five initiatives. ence to demonstrate how Committees are mak- portionately represent dents could face issues roles in communities of Administrators have also he will address each goal. ing a commitment to stu- black, Native American interacting with patients color and how they can added more common Laying out pointed goals, dents and faculty to ad- and Latino communities of different backgrounds provide services equally spaces around campus like setting a number of re- equately investigate how in faculty and students because they lack educa- for those communities. and launched a website to search grants the Univer- to improve each pillar and and that the Colonials tion on racial issues in the Although D.C. is al- track the initiatives to en- sity wants to obtain, would fix areas of campus that moniker that hangs in field. The medical school’s ready a diverse place, sure the GW community help students and faculty are broken. Their com- the school’s rooms and shortcomings could per- many individuals in knew the status of every see LeBlanc’s vision actu- mitment to the groups hallways is offensive to petuate issues that are the University will not goal. ally come to fruition. means they need to be some students. already prevalent in the encounter the different But his newest plans LeBlanc also did not transparent and be able The report card dem- health care industry be- types of communities lack depth and only update students and fac- to clearly communicate onstrates the type of cause students are not they may serve until vaguely carry on the areas ulty on the status of pre- with the GW community school aspiring medical receiving enough educa- they leave the school to of improvement he vowed vious initiatives before about what their progress professionals will soon tion on racial problems in either work or complete to address two years back. rolling out the new pillars. is. Committee members leave to enter a field with the field. Medical school their residency. The Uni- Aside from creating com- LeBlanc said the five ini- should be open about the pre-existing issues relat- students should be given versity needs to make mittees tasked with brain- tiatives were the founda- feedback they receive to ing to racial inequality. classes focused on these real changes to ensure storming suggestions tion for the new pillars, address each pillar and The health care system inequalities to spread that students will be pre- to improve each area, but some of the old goals, provide updates about in the United States is awareness of the issues pared to provide qual- LeBlanc himself did not like philanthropy, institu- their findings and goals plagued with racism before students trade in ity health care no matter map out specific plans for tional culture and medical throughout the academic that sometimes leads to their caps and gowns for where they end up. meeting his next pillars. enterprise, were left out. year. They should outline unfair health care for white coats. If students Diversity is not just a LeBlanc needs to clarify It is unfair to move in an- their goals and expec- people of different races. are at least aware of health box to check off, the Uni- the role of the committees other direction when stu- tations and ensure that There have been count- care inequalities, they can versity should seek im- and lay out specific plans dents, faculty and staff do those goals are accessible less stories of patients form better relationships provements in the way it to improve each of the pil- not know the state of his for all to see so the com- who have been ignored with patients they handle teaches racial inequality lars to show students and initial goals. mittees can be held ac- or misdiagnosed for from all different racial to its faculty and stu- faculty his intended direc- Each of the new pil- countable by students and illnesses because of ra- backgrounds. dents and in its curricu- tion for GW. lars is headed by com- faculty. cial and cultural differ- The mandatory lum to prepare students His pillars used vague mittees involving faculty Achieving LeBlanc’s ences between patients course could teach stu- for communities they language to describe im- members, students and four new pillars will be and their doctors. The dents about the history will serve. provements to every as- officials. But the groups difficult to assess, fix and medical school needs behind many modern —Hannah Thacker, pect of the University. seem to lack information quantify. Students and to adequately educate medicines and proce- a sophomore majoring in Officials would obviously on their jobs, saying they faculty deserve better its students and faculty dures and how medical political communication, is want to improve the un- are excited to serve on the than his half-baked plan on the racist history of practices are influenced the contributing opinions dergraduate and graduate committees but not stat- that may not yield satis- health care and present – intentionally and unin- editor. experience, boost research ing their responsibilities. factory results.

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THE DANIEL CAESAR LIZZO CHEAT CODES SCENE Echostage The Anthem Echostage Sept. 24 • $69 Sept. 26 • $185 Sept. 28 • Free Known for his mellow Flutist and queen of The electronic DJ trio will R&B tunes, Caesar will self-love Lizzo will perform perform Saturday at this perform Tuesday. Thursday. 21+ event. RELEASED CultureSeptember 23, 2019 • Page 7 THIS WEEK: ‘SUNSHINE KITTY,’ AN ALBUM BY TOVE LO Thousands participate in ‘Global Climate Strike’ ERIC LEE | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Nero Bar & Lounge owner plans to remodel basement into ‘elegant’ speakeasy

ZEINA MOHAMMED ment will hold roughly 25 successful speakeasy REPORTER to 30 people. should feel like a place “In a space like ours, someone stumbles upon The basement of Nero an eclectic lounge, we by accident, he said. Bar & Lounge is used have to create something “And you will just be for extra storage. But the quite unique in order for like, ‘Wait, what, why am space will soon be trans- people to want to explore I here?’” he said. “The formed into a speakeasy the basement,” Bhalla dishwasher is doing his with Greek-Roman in- said. thing. Cooks are cooking. spired furniture and el- The interior of the cur- And then you’re walking egant cocktails. rent bar and lounge is just through all of that, and The Italian-Indian fu- as colorful as the Roman you open the door and sion lounge located at emperor it was named you see this really fancy SARAH URTZ | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR 1323 Connecticut Ave. after, boasting shades bar in there.” Nearby cupcake staples Georgetown Cupcake and Baked & Wired both shine in different aspects of NW is nestled in a crowd of plum wines and olive The speakeasy will be flavor and presentation. of Dupont Circle estab- greens. But Bhalla said accessible from two hid- lishments like Madhat- he wants to make the den entrances through ter and The Gryphon speakeasy “much more the bar, he said. Bhalla DC. Nero Bar & Lounge elegant” than the rest of said he is looking into an Two sweet shops face off for owner Vik Bhalla said he the Nero Bar & Lounge app in which visitors can was inspired to build a dress code and decora- obtain a secret password speakeasy three months tions, and the menu will when they make a reser- best red velvet cupcake ago after visiting The include high-end cock- vation. The password will Gibson – a prohibition- tails and small bites. allow them entry into the SIDNEY LEE the cake. stead of the presentation. inspired bar on 14th “For someone to actu- underground bar to cre- CULTURE EDITOR The red velvet cupcakes Street – and has been ally go down, the cock- ate an aura of secrecy. Frosting are topped with small, sil- planning its construction tails have to be really Bhalla said he intends One is a nationally ac- A frosting can make or ver edible pearls, adding ever since. phenomenal,” he said. to make the speakeasy claimed cupcake shop. The break a cupcake, and the an endearing touch to an “Personally I enjoy “The food has to be dif- only accessible to those other is a local bakery fa- two cupcake shops were otherwise simple look. The speakeasies, I’ve been to ferent, very little food. with reservations in or- vorite. But there’s one that tasked with perfecting a semi-transparent parch- a few, and I really love The food would be may- der to keep numbers low comes out on top in presen- red velvet cream cheese ment paper wrapper holds them,” Bhalla said. “So be 10 percent of what we and the space seemingly tation, price and flavor. frosting. Baked & Wired the cake and unfolds into a I was like, ‘Let’s try and do. We will have caviar under wraps. Anyone Baked & Wired, located claims to top its red velvet square shape. The frosting see what we can do.’” there, we’ll have oysters, can make a reservation, at 1052 Thomas Jefferson cupcakes with a “heap of is also spread evenly on top Bhalla said he wanted stuff like that.” but the dress code will St., and Georgetown Cup- cream cheese frosting,” of the tall cake with no dis- to take advantage of the Keeping with the bar’s be fancier than the bar’s cake, located at 3301 M St., while Georgetown Cup- tinct shape or swirl. empty basement space Greco-Roman theme, the “business casual feel,” he are both nestled blocks cake says its frosting is va- Georgetown Cupcake and create a more “el- speakeasy will be named said. apart from each other along nilla cream cheese. focuses on presentation. egant” atmosphere to Zeno after the Eastern Ro- The speakeasy is slat- the brick-paved streets of Baked & Wired’s frost- The decoration is kept the otherwise casual bar man emperor. The theme ed to open Nov. 15. Bhalla Georgetown and boast a ing had notes of cream simple with a small red and lounge in Nero Bar will inspire the cocktails, is currently in the stages wide selection of gourmet cheese, but it was sweeter fondant heart topping the & Lounge. Bhalla met served in Roman-style of designing and furnish- cupcakes. We tasted a bite than a typical cream cheese smooth, white frosting. The with an architect about a glasses with intricate ing the room, he said. of each stop’s classic red frosting. The frosting was frosting is neatly piped into month and a half ago and Greek-Roman designs. “It will be an experi- velvet cupcake to find out lathered on top of the cake a circle, leaving a small rim obtained a liquor license Bhalla added that he ence,” Bhalla said. “They which sweet wears the in no particular shape or between the frosting and and electrical permit to wants the space to “feel will see fire in the drinks, crown. spiral, but the consistency the edge of the cupcake. A move forward with con- like a secret that got out” they will see some crazi- was thick and balanced. brown cupcake wrapper struction, he said. Once and will hide the en- ness, the bartender going Cake The cupcake’s frosting-to- hugs the cake. the speakeasy is set, he trance to the speakeasy crazy. It will be presented Both cakes shared the cake ratio was slightly off, Verdict: Georgetown Cup- said the converted base- behind the kitchen. Any in a very different way.” classic dark red color and a with frosting taking over cake’s neat and simple decora- chocolate-vanilla taste. the flavor of the rest of the tion. Baked & Wired’s cup- cake. cake was a happy medium Georgetown Cupcake’s Bang for your buck of dense and light and vanilla cream cheese frost- When it comes to sweets fluffy. The cake was moist, ing was balanced with the in the District, they aren’t with only a faint choco- rest of the cake. The flavor cheap. late taste compared to the was what I expected and Baked & Wired’s red shop’s more chocolate- wanted in a cream cheese velvet cupcake retails for heavy options like “Choco- frosting – sweet, but not $4.10, while Georgetown late Doom.” The batter is sweet enough to overpower Cupcake’s red velvet cup- made with a dash of choco- the cake flavor. The white cake cost $3.50. While late and vanilla, according frosting was neatly piped Georgetown Cupcake’s to Baked & Wired’s website. in a smooth dome on top sweet is only 60 cents Georgetown Cupcake’s of the cake, and the texture cheaper, it is nearly half red velvet cake shared a was smoother than Baked the size of Baked & Wired’s similar mixed chocolate & Wired’s frosting. cupcake. and vanilla flavor to Baked Verdict: Georgetown Cupcake Baked & Wired’s cup- & Wired’s rendition, but kept it classic with enough cakes are notable for their the outer edges of the cake cream cheese flavor. height and are even called were dry. The outside of the “cakecups” on its menu cake appeared and tasted Presentation because of their relatively stale even though I tasted Presentation and deco- large size. While George- the cupcake minutes after ration are the cupcake’s town Cupcake’s cupcakes the shop opened. Despite first impression to a cus- are of the standard size, its shortcomings, the over- tomer. you’ll find the better deal at all cake was fluffy and the Baked & Wired keep its Baked & Wired.. center of the cupcake was decorations to a minimum, Verdict: Baked & Wired’s large TYARA ESTRADA | PHOTOGRAPHER moist. focusing more on the size cupcakes will give you the Vikram Bhalla, the owner of Dupont Circle’s Nero Bar & Louge, said his new speakeasy will be Verdict: Baked & Wired takes and flavor of the cake in- most for your money. located in the basement of the joint. GAMES OF THE WEEK WOMEN’S SOCCER VOLLEYBALL vs. Fordham vs. George Mason Thursday | 3 p.m. Saturday | 5 p.m. The Colonials take on the Volleyball looks to snap a Rams for their second two-game losing streak in its conference matchup of the conference opener against season. the Patriots. September 23, 2019 • Page 8 NUMBER Volleyball’s hitting percentage on the season, the lowest of Sports CRUNCH 14.6 all Atlantic 10 teams Men’s soccer receives first team mental health training EMILY MAISE said. disorders.” He added that SPORTS EDITOR Counseling and Psycho- Hennelly aims to educate logical Services at the Colo- all coaches and most of the Men’s soccer is trying to nial Health Center provides athletic department staff in incorporate mental health individual and group coun- the course by the start of next education into its off-field seling services, substance spring semester. training. abuse and mental health se- In addition to the discus- The team is the first in the ries and trainings. The CHC sion, men’s soccer attended a District to receive a certifica- also provides information on 90-minute session on stress tion in mental health training suicide prevention, resources management and self care. from Let’s Empower, Advo- and hotlines and mental Senior defender Reese Moore cate, and Do last week. Play- health assessments. said the team learned breath- ers said the experience helped Jones said the services ing exercises to combat the them understand avenues to provided by the University stress associated with bal- reduce stress, identify warn- could include more student- ancing athletics, his course ing signs of mental illness and athlete specific resources, load and his social life. find proper ways to seek help like sports psychologists. “I have bad anxiety and through team-based and Uni- “If there were poten- I get stressed out a lot, and versity resources. tially other areas where our I could never really seem to Kyrah Altman, the co- guys could pursue, specifi- find exactly what it was to founder, executive director cally knowing the additional calm myself down,” Moore and chief executive officer stresses in their lives as an said. “I’m going to try and of LEAD and a 2019 gradu- athlete, then I think that will use some of these breath- ate, said the training focused be great outside of what’s ing practices that have really on spreading awareness of currently offered now in made me feel relaxed over mental illness symptoms ERIC LEE | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER GW’s counseling center,” the past few days.” and provided players with The men’s soccer team discusses strategy during a game. The team was the first to participate in a mental health Jones said. Moore said every team plans to follow in the case of training last week. Athletic department should go through a simi- a crisis, which could take the experts, like sports psycholo- new athletes after two years,” Head coach Craig Jones, spokesman Eric Detweiler lar training because being a form of a panic attack or sui- gists, to tailor the training Altman said. “We want the who scheduled the training said Chris Hennelly, the as- student-athlete adds another cidal thoughts. toward student-athletes. Alt- entire team to have the re- for his team, said players and sociate athletic director of layer of stress to college life. “Instead of just waiting man said players discussed sources to respond and to coaches find themselves as student-athlete health, well- “People are thinking for something to escalate or common mental health is- help one another.” “first responders” to mental being and performance, has about the future, people are symptoms of mental illness to sues, like anxiety, among She added individual stu- health challenges. He said begun emailing student- thinking about their sport become worse and worse, we student-athletes during the dent-athletes who completed forming a foundation of what athletes with tips on mental if you’re a student-athlete, instead identify early signs two-and-a-half-hour-long the training will receive a mental illness warning signs health awareness. and then obviously focus- and symptoms of a mental training. monthly newsletter centered look like will help the team Detweiler said Hennelly ing on school as well and illness or substance use dis- Altman said the certifi- around educational and care for one other. trained about 60 coaches and social life, so there’s a lot order and get the people the cation lasts for two years to sport-focused mental health “To have an idea how to athletic department staff in going on,” Moore said. “Ev- support that they need for encourage programs to go resources. Team members deal with that, then passing mental health first aid, which eryone should be aware of faster and more effective re- through the training again will also gain access to we- that on to the professionals aims to educate trainees to techniques and things that covery,” Altman said. and ensure new players ex- binars specializing on topics who do this on a daily basis, “identify, understand and can help you through times She added that LEAD perience the training. like self care and stress man- that’s kind of the main thing I respond to signs of mental when you’re stressed or hav- works alongside industry “There are going to be agement, Altman said. wanted to get out of it,” Jones illnesses and substance use ing a hard time.”

IN BRIEF

Men’s soccer kicks off A-10 play with double overtime loss

Men’s soccer dropped its Atlantic 10 opener to Rhode Is- land in a physical overtime duel Saturday. The Rams (3–2–2, 1–0 A-10) edged out the Colonials (2– 4–1, 0–1 A-10) 1–0 after scoring off a rebound in the second overtime to win the game. GW hammered just three of its 16 shots on goal, while Rhode Island launched eight of its 13 shots on goal. “Both teams came to battle and there was a battle until the last kick of the game,” head coach Craig Jones said. “We knew it was going to go that way and once it goes into over- time, you either make one mistake or one good player is go- ing to win you the game. Unfortunately for us, it was a mis- take today.” ARIELLE BADER | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Senior goalkeeper Noah Lubin started between the pipes, Women’s soccer has lost one game against nonconference foes since the season started. making his first appearance in goal for the Colonials. He was tested early, nabbing his first save two minutes into the game. He collected seven on the night. Women’s soccer ends nonconference Two minutes later, graduate student midfielder and for- ward Sandro Weber returned the favor, firing a rocket to- slate, sets sights on A-10 ward the net. Rhode Island redshirt junior goalkeeper Stefan Schimdt leaped, pushing the ball over the crossbar and keep- ROMAN BOBEK squad needs to practice firing ference play last year and ing the game knotted at zero. REPORTER more balls on net to increase finished the season 10–8–1 The Colonials outshot their conference foe 8–7 in the first its shot on goal percentage. with six wins and four losses frame, but they struggled to get players at the end of crosses Women’s soccer entered its “It’s no secret to anyone against conference foes. The into the box. Senior defender Colin Anderson said the team Atlantic 10 slate with just one and I think we don’t take it to squad dropped its A-10 tour- played well and bounced back after losing 4–1 against UMBC loss against nonconference our advantage. We have a cou- nament quarterfinal matchup competition. ple of open feet and we would to VCU 3–2 to close out the Tuesday. The Colonials (5–1–2, 1–0 rather pass it off. We’re soccer season. “The guys were competing really well and we had chanc- A-10) stepped into A-10 play players, we just have to take In its first conference es to score,” Anderson said. “We just need to capitalize on riding a two-game win streak shots and see what happens,” matchup of the season Sunday, those a little better.” after downing Bucknell and McCormick said. the squad toppled La Salle 3–1. The team concluded the half tied with the Rams at 0–0. UMBC on Sept. 15 and 19. She added that the team Junior defender Allie Nornes, The second half mimicked the first frame, with both teams Head coach Michelle Demko has focused on player commu- freshman midfielder Isabelle remaining deadlocked at 0–0. The physicality increased on and players said their noncon- nication to fortify the defense Eskay and Pareja found the the field, with the Rams and Colonials racking up a com- ference schedule gave them a and prevent runs in between back of the net. The squad bined 20 fouls. chance to bolster their finish at the defenders, not just on the pelted seven of its 17 shots on the net and sharpen their de- counterattack. net. The squad failed to put a shot on goal in the second half. fense for conference play. The squad added four Demko said the Colonials’ In the last five minutes of the frame, GW played with a re- “Everything is preparing transfers this season, includ- nonconference experience will newed sense of urgency, sending several balls into the box. you for conference,” redshirt ing Sorkenn and Machi, red- prepare the team for the high The ball remained outside of the net, and at the end of regu- senior defender Megan McCor- shirt sophomore forward level of physicality present in lation, the teams were scoreless and went into overtime. mick said. “The more you play Sammy Neyman and mid- the A-10 and produce better In the first overtime, Lubin scooped up an early chance by together, the more you learn fielder Anyssa Ibrahim. Ney- results. the Rams, keeping the Colonials alive. GW had a chance of what people on your team are man notched two assists on “Bucknell was a physical its own two minutes later when a cross lofted to Weber, giv- like and the better you’re go- the year, while Ibrahim netted team,” Demko said. “Wil- ing him a free header in the box. The ball, lacking power and ing to do. Conference is crunch her first goal in a GW uniform liam and Mary, also incred- direction, trickled into Schmidt’s hands. time and it’s coming up.” Thursday against UMBC. ibly physical. Having to battle Through seven noncon- Sorkenn said she wanted to against some of the elements The stalemate finally broke in the second half of overtime ference games, the Colonials up her level of play and become that we’re going to see in when Lubin bobbled a centered ball by the Rams, causing the have amassed 17 goals and a team leader after transferring conference, I think it’s always ball to land favorably in the path of junior forward Filippo 150 shots, 85 of which were on into the program from Miami. good if we can get some of that Tamburini for an easy tap-in finish. Jones said the Rams took frame. The Colonials rank No. In addition to leading the team under our belt.” their chance in overtime, while the Colonials failed to take 1 in the A-10 in shots on goal in assists, Sorkenn tops the The squad knotted two advantage of their opportunity to end the game with a win. and in shots on goal per game squad in shots (20) and is tied draws against Maryland and “That’s the difference in the game, winning games and with 10.63. for third with nine shots on Towson Sept. 8 and Sept. 12, losing games, that we haven’t quite got that killer instinct to Sophomore midfielder goal in her seven starts. respectively. Both matches find the net,” Jones said. Maria Pareja leads the charge, “Coming from playing at went into double overtime, In a physical match, GW fired off 16 shots throughout the netting five goals this season such a high level at Miami, I which Demko said forced the on a team-leading 15 shots on knew I had to step up here and team to “dig deep” and adapt game and committed 20 fouls. The Rams tacked on 18 of their goal. Redshirt sophomore for- I want to lead this program,” to changing game plans. own fouls and 13 shots. Anderson said the Colonials are cre- ward Rachel Sorkenn tabbed a Sorkenn said. The Colonials are outshoot- ating strong scoring opportunities but are missing the final team-leading four assists. Sorkenn added that the ing their opponents 150 to 76 finish to put the ball between the pipes. Redshirt freshman goal- team should improve its tran- but have only scored six more “We’re putting those balls in there and those balls are keeper Tamaki Machi has ac- sition to defense and change goals on the season. Demko good, most of them are really good,” Anderson said. “It’s cumulated 32 saves. She trans- the points of attack to catch said the team sometimes lets just having someone make that run and anticipating that ball ferred into the program last opponents off guard. its opponents score without where it’s going to be and just going through with it.” January and has started every “We always talk about the earning the goal, an area of im- The Colonials are back in action Tuesday against Villano- game between the pipes for small details, like giving a provement for the squad. the Colonials. ball up and then turning and “It’s definitely going to be va on the road. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. The team takes an average them getting a shot off – that’s something where nobody can of nearly 19 shots per game not acceptable,” Sorkenn said. overlook you or their oppo- and holds a .567 shot on goal “Just getting the small details nents,” Demko said. —Roman Bobek percentage, ranking second and following the game plan.” The Colonials return to ac- behind VCU’s nearly 22 shots The squad tabbed a 4–3–1 tion at home against Fordham per game. McCormick said the record heading into con- Thursday at 3 p.m.