Monday, October 5, 2020 I Vol. 117 Iss. 9 INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER • SERVING THE GW COMMUNITY SINCE 1904 WWW.GWHATCHET.COM What’s inside Opinions Culture Sports The editorial Learn about how sex Revisit the 1956 football board calls for the workers have adapted team’s pursuit of its first reinstatement of the their jobs during the national ranking and Sun Pass/No Pass option. pandemic. Bowl. Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Faculty Senate Most graduate, committee undergraduate recommends students support LeBlanc censure fall pass/fail ZACH SCHONFELD CONTRIBUTING NEWS EDITOR policy: officials

The Faculty Senate’s appoint- ISHANI CHETTRI ment, salary and promotion policies REPORTER committee recommended late last week that senators censure Univer- JAYDE LYON sity President Thomas LeBlanc for REPORTER his hiring of Heather Swain. The senate directed the ASPP Officials said the majority of un- committee last month to obtain a dergraduate and graduate students “full and complete accounting” of support adopting Pass/No Pass or the Swain hiring process from LeB- Credit/No Credit policies this fall. lanc in private, amid concerns he FILE PHOTO BY ALEXANDER WELLING | SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER University spokesperson Crys- may not be able to legally share de- Board of Trustees Chair Grace Speights reaffirmed her support for University President Thomas LeBlanc and tal Nosal said 96 percent of under- tails publicly, and advise the senate characterized the SA’s push for a no-donate pledge as “incomprehensible” at a Board meeting Friday. graduate students and 82 percent of if they should vote to censure LeB- graduate students indicated support lanc. LeBlanc answered all the com- for the respective policies in a sur- mittee members’ questions during a TRUSTEES BACK LEBLANC vey sent out two weeks ago. She said private meeting on Sept. 25 and pro- if the pass/fail or Credit/No Credit posed a standard vetting process for policy were to be implemented this vice presidential hires that includes Speights affirms support for LeBlanc fall, the parameters for students faculty input, according to a com- to select that option would need to mittee report made public late last amid SA’s call for resignation change from its implementation last week. semester, when anyone could opt out LeBlanc has apologized for hiring ZACH SCHONFELD ership and praised his deci- siveness” at GW, and she of a letter grade. Swain, who rescinded her offer to CONTRIBUTING NEWS EDITOR sions to allow those unable to encouraged student collabo- “Even with your successes in on- serve as the University’s vice presi- return home to continue liv- ration with LeBlanc. line learning, we understand that dent for communications and mar- Board of Trustees Chair ing on campus, avoid a Uni- Brookins said in an in- you are facing challenges during this keting following widespread criti- Grace Speights defended versity-wide salary cut and terview that LeBlanc and unprecedented time, and we want cism for her role in the Larry Nassar University President Thomas move the semester online. administrators have already you to know that we are always here case at Michigan State University. LeBlanc at a Board meeting “Leading a dynamic, di- created division and a “frac- to support you and listen to your LeBlanc’s proposed vetting pro- Friday, sparring with the verse University community tured relationship” with thoughts about how the semester is cess, which will be discussed at the Student Association presi- with many differing and members of the University progressing,” Provost Brian Blake senate meeting Friday, states that dent over his executive order strong opinions is challeng- community. said in an email to students about officials will consult the senate’s calling for LeBlanc’s resigna- ing in the best of times, and “It has been documented the pass/fail policy. executive committee on all future tion. these have been among the in different speeches that Nosal said officials have received vice presidential hires. The execu- SA President Howard most difficult, challenging I have given, in different “hundreds of responses” to the sur- tive committee will also nominate Brookins’ order called on times we have ever faced,” clashes with the administra- veys that were sent out last month. a faculty representative to sit on the the University community she said. “The Board of Trust- tion,” he said. “I would like She said officials have considered search committee. to suspend donations to GW ees appreciates and supports to point out that the Student whether implementing the pass/fail Outside firms involved in the until LeBlanc is replaced, and the outstanding work you Association is trying to unite or Credit/No Credit policy this fall search will vet candidates through the SA Senate subsequent- and your leadership team the GW community because will address the challenges to “good contacting references and examin- ly passed two resolutions have done to navigate cir- most students agree on this academic performance” during the ing news articles and social media, Wednesday supporting LeB- cumstances unlike any we issue. Students do not feel COVID-19 pandemic. the proposal states. LeBlanc said lanc’s resignation while ab- have ever experienced be- that President LeBlanc is the “The conditions and course prep- last month the University came to rogating Brookins’ demand fore.” best fit for this University.” aration leading up to the remote fall “an agreement” and did not pay any to halt donations to all GW Speights added that At the senate meeting semester were different than the money to the outside search firm funds. Speights lauded LeB- Brookins’ executive order, Wednesday, senators asked course preparation that took place used to hire Swain. lanc’s leadership throughout which cited GW’s low alum- Brookins to sign a new ex- in the middle of the spring semester, Members of the University’s the meeting, marking her ni giving rate compared to ecutive order specifying that when we went remote very sudden- search committee will also conduct first public statement - ad its peers, left out key phil- members of the GW commu- ly,” Nosal said in an email. reference checks, and a “trusted dressing hundreds of faculty, anthropic accomplishments, nity should cease donations She added that more than 300 third party” will vet candidates staff and students’ demands like high total fundraising to the President’s Fund for professors took part in workshops through criminal record, civil case, for new leadership. levels since LeBlanc’s arrival Excellence, a discretionary to help them navigate technology credit, degree verification and driv- “As someone charged at GW. Donors have commit- fund overseen by LeBlanc, over the summer, and administra- er’s license checks as permitted by with leading a group dedi- ted more than $57 million rather than call for a blanket tors have implemented “significant law in addition to press and social cated to promoting the gen- toward student aid during no-donate pledge. software and technology enhance- media searches. eral welfare of students, LeBlanc’s first three years at After speaking with SA ments” to improve online learning. The University president will encouraging a no-donate the University, she said. senators, Brookins said the Following the move to online personally contact the last two presi- pledge is just incomprehen- “I’m most disappointed pledge has been updated to classes in March, officials imple- dents or leaders for whom all finalist sible to me and is just not because both the executive only discourage donations mented an optional pass/fail policy candidates worked before making something I would expect order and the resolution con- to the GW general fund to for undergraduate students. Faculty an offer, the proposal states. a leader in your position to tain a number of inaccurate avoid the effort affecting- fi said they did not change how they The ASPP committee endorsed do,” Speights told Brookins and misleading statements,” nancial aid levels. conducted classes despite the switch the vetting proposal, and the full during the meeting. Speights said. to remote learning. senate is set to debate the censure Speights said LeBlanc has Speights said recent SA resolution Friday. demonstrated “strong” lead- actions have caused “divi- See LEBLANC Page 2 See FALL Page 3 Disproportionate access to resources creates health disparities: experts

SEJAL GOVINDARAO Ward 2’s 1,000 positive communities experience REPORTER cases are the second-lowest disproportionate access to Positive COVID-19 cases in D.C. by ward number of positive cases of transportation and grocery The majority-White area any ward, just below Ward stores, another reason why around GW has sustained 3, which logged 770 cases the virus has hit those com- one of the lowest coronavi- as of Sunday, according to munities particularly hard. rus death rates among D.C.’s the website. Foggy Bottom He said government of- neighborhoods, especially has tracked about 100 posi- ficials have taken strides to compared to other areas of tive cases as of Sunday, plac- mitigate these disparities by the city that are majority ing the neighborhood in the prohibiting evictions and of- Black. bottom 10 neighborhoods in fering support for businesses The city’s coronavirus terms of positive coronavi- who have been hurt finan- case data shows that a quar- rus cases, the data show. cially amid the pandemic. ter people who have died Ward 4 has been hit the “We’ve provided more from COVID-19 have been hardest with COVID-19 and more and more personal Black, despite making up cases, logging almost 3,000 protective equipment, the just less than half of the city’s positive cases as of Sunday, PPE, for essential workers in population. District officials according to the website. the city,” Grosso said. “We’ve and public health experts Wards 5, 7 and 8 recorded also tried to keep businesses said the pandemic is un- just more than 2,000 cases from closing by supporting equally hitting marginalized each by Sunday, the website them. We’ve also prohibited communities because they indicates. evictions.” face disproportionate ac- Grosso said Black and La- The Council passed a cess to essential services like tino residents tend to work complete eviction ban late health care and education. in essential services, like last month, preventing “It’s not an easy thing health care and food service, landlords from ending rent when you think about all which have remained open agreements. of the realities that poor throughout the pandemic. Grosso said some mar- people face simply because He said city officials have ginalized communities tend they are poor, economically directed resources, like per- to lack trust in the health poor,” At-large D.C. Council sonal protective equipment care system, which he said member David Grosso said. and small business support, could be a result of not hav- “This is not easily solvable. to essential workers in the ing the educational resourc- The COVID emergency has city. es to navigate the system. actually kind of ripped off He added that many He said city officials have the band-aid and shown us residents of color live in high publicized public health in- all what the reality is for so density housing units, like formation through emails, many of our poor residents.” apartments and public hous- newsletters and social media The majority of cases are ing, that could lead to an platforms, but it’s still an up- concentrated in the north- increased risk of coming in hill battle to build trust and ILENA PENG | CONTRIBUTING WEB DEVELOPER eastern, southeastern and contact with the virus. connect residents with a pri- southwestern parts of the “They have to show up to mary care physician. ment of Health, said Mayor public health issues through- data, according to a New city, where Black residents work, and they are our gro- “We also know that the Muriel Bowser is working on out the United States and York Times report from this make up half or more of the cery line workers and work- education of folks has been private sector partnerships, government officials should summer. The same report population. Black residents ing in our hospitals and oth- something that we have like a new Howard Univer- take strides to address the revealed that nationwide, constitute just over half of to- er places where they couldn’t not fully accomplished, and sity hospital and a GW-run issue when devising solu- Black and Latino residents tal positive COVID-19 cases actually isolate themselves there’s huge disparities in hospital at the St. Elizabeth’s tions to the coronavirus pan- are three times more likely in the District, and Hispanic away from the virus like our our achievements at educa- campus in Southeast D.C., demic. to contract the virus than residents comprise about a more affluent White resi- tion and that lack of educa- which aim to improve equity Cities like Milwaukee White residents. quarter of city-wide cases, dents who tend to have more tion,” Grosso said. throughout the District. and New York have seen according to the District’s office jobs too,” Grosso said. Alison Reeves, a spokes- Public health experts said similar racial disparities COVID-19 website. He said marginalized person for the D.C. Depart- racism is deeply rooted in in their coronavirus case See COVID-19 Page 3 October 5, 2020 • Page 2 NEWS THE GW HATCHET

THIS WEEK’S P&P LIVE: PETE BUTTIGIEG - “TRUST: AMERICA’S WHAT DID WE LEARN ABOUT NEWS AND PRO- EVENTS BEST CHANCE” TEST IN SUMMER 2020? Oct. 5 • 8 p.m. EDT • Free Oct. 8 • 6 p.m. EDT • Free Politics and Prose Bookstore will offer the first 100 GW stu- Join a panel of experts from CNN, the Los Angeles Times dents who RSVP free admission to a conversation with the and more to discuss the critical role media have played in former presidential candidate about his new book, “TRUST.” the way protests are covered, organized and discussed.

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY Former College Republicans Chair Carolyn Hall resigned from her position amid impeach- ment charges over an inquiry into misappropriation of organization membership dues. NewsOctober 5, 2020 • Page 2 October 2, 1994 Officials pause culture initiative, end Disney Institute partnership

ZACH SCHONFELD improvements. like an internal portal for CONTRIBUTING NEWS Almost six months faculty and staff. EDITOR later, officials partnered As the groups were with the Disney Institute making recommenda- Officials are paus- – a professional develop- tions, administrators fi- ing University President ment company under the nalized a new culture Thomas LeBlanc’s strate- umbrella of the Disney “framework,” consisting gic initiative to improve corporation – to examine of a common purpose institutional culture and GW’s employee culture statement, seven Univer- have ended GW’s partner- through a survey to fac- sity-wide values and three ship with the Disney Insti- ulty and staff and focus- ranked-service priorities: tute. group interviews. The safety, care and efficiency. Soon after arriving at initial partnership’s cost Officials held in-person GW in August 2017, LeB- was estimated at roughly training sessions open to lanc identified improv- $300,000, which LeBlanc all faculty and staff last ing institutional culture said demonstrated the fall to introduce the frame- as one of his five top pri- importance of the issue to work. orities as University presi- him. Officials asked employ- dent. University spokes- “I would start with the ees in managerial roles to FILE PHOTO BY LILLIAN BAUTISTA | SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR person Crystal Nosal said question, ‘do we believe at attend a training in Sep- Public health school researchers have used federal funding to strengthen the country’s response to administrators decided to GW, culture’s an impor- tember of 2019 delivered COVID-19 and study its effects. end the Disney partner- tant issue?’” LeBlanc said by the Disney Institute, ship and pause the ini- when officials announced while all other employees tiative as a result of the the partnership. “Well, were encouraged to attend Milken has taken in $2 million in COVID-19 pandemic, but everybody I’ve talked to a training later that fall the “service priorities” of said yes. Students said yes. facilitated by a team of 25 grants to study COVID-19 safety and care developed Staff said yes. Faculty said faculty and staff, known through the initiative con- yes. Alumni said yes. The as Our GW Service Am- tinue to guide officials’ trustees said yes.” bassadors. RACHEL ANNEX and June 1. The proposals Georgetown University, said decision-making. But after the employee The trainings were met STAFF WRITER were subject to an unusu- Georgetown had an expedit- Officials also began survey’s release, some with mixed reviews from ally quick approval process ed application process for in- “preliminary” discussions began raising concerns faculty, some of whom TESSA CONRADY and an eight-page limit, ac- ternal funding and received with Gallup earlier this about its effectiveness, had previously expressed REPORTER cording to the University’s 30 proposals for research year to continue surveying adding that the survey frustrations with the research website. within a week after they no- employees, but Nosal said was “generic.” partnership, saying it was Researchers in the Lynn Goldman, the dean tified faculty of the fund. the discussions are halted In January 2019, LeB- conceived as if GW was a Milken Institute School of of the public health school, Levi said because fund- due to the pandemic. lanc said the nearly 3,000 corporation rather than a Public Health have received said Milken officials have ing from government in- LeBlanc began tak- employee responses to university. Officials have more than $2 million in been evaluating research stitutions is already set in ing steps to improve em- the Disney assessment stressed that GW leader- grants from the National proposals to determine how stone, university layoffs and ployee morale in 2018 by enabled administrators to ship is leading the culture Institutes of Health to fund many resources they need to funding cuts for faculty are giving employees the full pinpoint four top culture initiative, and the Disney COVID-19 research through- conduct their work. the only factors that might week off between Christ- issues: inconsistent leader- Institute has only provid- out the pandemic. “As public health re- financially inhibit research. mas and New Years Day ship, inefficient commu- ed guidance and support. Since the start of the searchers, we broadly frame “If you have unfunded and revamping employee nication, poor service cul- “It is important to note health crisis, Milken re- our work around all phases faculty – the university gives orientation. ture and lack of employee that while the University searchers have been using of pandemic preparedness you money for travel, to go to “When President LeB- appreciation. utilized guidance from grants they’ve received to response – identifying ac- scientific meetings, for this lanc first came to GW, he The next month, of- the Disney Institute, the develop at-home COVID-19 tions to protect health prior or that – that’s affected, but heard repeatedly about ficials announced they culture initiative was a tests and launch clinical tri- to, during and in the period otherwise, research in most the need to address what would extend GW’s con- GW initiative led by a als for a potential vaccine. of recovery from a pandemic universities is really funded many in our community tract with the Disney In- leadership team of faculty Milken officials said the or any other disaster,” she by external grants, not inter- viewed as a transactional stitute for their guidance and staff,” said Nosal, the school’s public health re- said in an email. “We look nal grants, including George culture that was chal- in mending the four top University spokesperson. searchers engage in a variety broadly at many factors, in- Washington,” Levi said. lenging to navigate for issues identified through The total cost of the of disciplines, like epidemi- cluding biological, social, Levi said Georgetown’s our students, faculty and the assessment. partnership between the ology and biostatistics, that behavioral and environmen- COVID-19 research has not staff, and that negatively Administrators subse- Disney Institute and GW play a role in the solutions to tal, that can be important in come at the expense of other affected the student expe- quently created four cross- remains unknown. Nosal the pandemic. preventing diseases like CO- areas of research at least for rience,” Nosal said in an functional work teams, declined to say how much Adnan Hyder, the senior VID-19.” now. He said if research- email. “Addressing these which each consisted of GW has paid the Disney associate dean for research at Goldman said Milken’s funding institutions like the challenges was the objec- 10 faculty, staff and ad- Institute. the public health school, said Office of Research Excel- NIH do not see increases tive of the culture initia- ministrators, to manage The move to end the in addition to the funding lence tracks potential re- in their budgets, funding tive.” the issue areas. Officials Disney partnership comes already received from the search projects and notifies for COVID-19 research will She declined to say said the work teams made as hundreds of faculty, NIH, “millions more” appli- faculty of any project that eventually cut into oppor- when the partnership con- “wide-ranging” recom- staff and students have cations for federal funding may be a good fit for them. tunities for research in other cluded. mendations, including im- signed petitions and state- are under review. He added She said the most successful fields. Administrators started mediate changes like free ments in recent weeks that several institutes within opportunities for research- “Within NIH or other meeting regularly in April employee access to the Le- calling for LeBlanc’s res- the school have directed ers have been when they can funding agencies, some- 2018 to define the current rner Health and Wellness ignation, with many citing their existing resources to use research to better under- times they put money into culture of GW and find Center during summer the partnership in their support COVID-19 research. stand the pandemic and ap- COVID-19 research, and if short-term and long-term 2019 to long-term efforts rationale. “In many cases, COV- ply knowledge to address a their overall budget does ID-19 research aims to bet- specific problem. not increase, that comes at ter understand the virus, the “For example, some the expense of other areas, way it is spread, how it trig- projects aim to better un- which is really dangerous,” gers severe illness and how derstand a disease like CO- Levi said. we can prevent it,” Hyder VID-19 or pave the way for Meredeth Cole, the com- said in an email. “The goal a treatment or vaccine,” she munications manager for the of such research ultimately said. “Others aim to address Office of the Vice President is to prevent adverse health a problem, such as the lack for Research at the Univer- effects from this virus.” of personal protective equip- sity of Virginia, said UVA’s Using funds allocated ment for frontline health grant proposal process has to the public health school, care workers.” also been accelerated to researchers have invested Academic research ex- more rapidly address CO- time in a variety of public perts said many universi- VID-19. She said UVA has health issues regarding the ties have accelerated their awarded nearly $3 million pandemic, like investigat- research proposal processes in grants in a significantly ing the connection between to prioritize addressing the more “rapid” manner than COVID-19 mortality and coronavirus pandemic. De- the typical funding process. obesity and administering spite universities’ larger “Seeing problems and a health care worker survey budget cuts, they said aca- coming up with solutions, about experiences respond- demic research teams have and not in a way that’s ‘How ing to the pandemic. remained largely unaffected much money can we make GW has also set aside an by cutbacks, given that di- off of this?’ but ‘How can internal fund for research rect research funding has we share with others?’” she that offered researchers primarily come from gov- said. “And I think the gener- grants between $5,000 and ernment institutions. osity between academics has $25,000, which they could Moshe Levi, the in- been tremendous during the FILE PHOTO BY SOPHIA YOUNG | CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITOR apply to between April 17 terim dean for research at pandemic.” The University paused its culture initiative and ended its partnership with the Disney Institute. LeBlanc acknowledges Half of all undergraduate, third of graduate rising tensions students used spring pass/fail policy: officials YANKUN ZHAO March that undergradu- which, if any, grades to re- out a survey to undergradu- From Page 1 LeBlanc’s resignation, declined STAFF WRITER ates would be able to take place with a P or NP,” she ates and graduate students to comment. SA Executive Vice “most” classes as pass/fail said in an email. “In addi- two weeks ago for feedback President Brandon Hill did not Officials said just more after moving all classes to tion, the criteria for making on whether officials should “Students, staff, faculty and return a request for comment. than half of all undergradu- an online format. GW Law the dean’s list was relaxed implement the policy again alumni are the lifeblood of this At the Board meeting, ates and nearly a third of all officials also moved all for spring 2020.” this semester, and officials University,” Brookins said. “I LeBlanc acknowledged ris- graduate students took at classes to the Credit/No She said officials saw said the majority of un- value the opinions of the true ing tensions, adding that he least one class last semester Credit format last semes- a “sharp increase” in the dergraduate and graduate stakeholders of the University will continue to look for areas as Pass/No Pass or Credit/ ter, and Nosal said officials number of students who students support adopting much higher than any dona- of agreement and engage stu- No Credit. from the School of Medi- were eligible for the dean’s pass/fail and Credit/No tion because the reputation of dents, faculty, staff and alumni. University spokesper- cine and Health Sciences list last semester, which she credit policies this fall. the University stems from the “I know for some in our son Crystal Nosal said 50.8 continued to assign letter said was a result of changes “There is agreement people within and the experi- community, there have been percent of undergraduate grades. like the pass/fail and Cred- among the provost, deans ence that they have.” strong disagreements with the students and 31.2 percent Nosal said the remain- it/No Credit option and a and faculty that faculty The senate resolution asks actions that we have taken and of graduate students took der of students who did more “relaxed” criteria to should continue to be officials to include student, with me personally,” LeBlanc at least one class as pass/ not receive a pass or credit opt in to the pass/fail policy. mindful of the continuing faculty and staff representa- said at the meeting. “Being on fail or Credit/No Credit. grade who requested to She said 47.4 percent of difficulties presented by the tives on the search committee a college campus with diverse She said 96 percent of take a class as pass/fail or students made the Dean’s coronavirus, taking care to for a new University president. opinions, that’s not surprising. courses taken pass/fail by Credit/No Credit received List in spring 2020 com- be flexible, supportive and Some faculty raised concerns What I can tell you is that since undergraduates resulted a “combination” of no pass pared to 25.9 percent in understanding in working about representation on the I came here three years ago, I in course grades of “P” grades, incompletes and spring 2019. From fall 2018 with students who want search committee during LeB- have focused my energy every and 87.6 percent of courses withdrawals. to fall 2019, the percentage to remove a grade, request lanc’s hiring process. day listening to everyone in taken Credit/No Credit by “In spring 2020, students of students who made the additional time to satisfy SA Sen. Gabriel Young, our community and striving to graduate students resulted were afforded the oppor- Dean’s List increased by 0.8 course requirements or take CCAS-U and a sponsor of the do what is best for this Univer- in course grades of “CR.” tunity to see their grades percentage points, she said. a leave of absence,” Nosal senate’s resolution calling for sity.” Officials announced in and then pick-and-choose Provost Brian Blake sent said. THE GW HATCHET NEWS October 5, 2020 • Page 3 Teaching assistants struggle to find work-life balance during pandemic SAMANTHA SERAFIN other TAs in the anthro- lectures since they are STAFF WRITER pology department have unable to ask questions implemented similar strat- in class. He said he’s Teaching assistants egies to ease the teachers’ been working closely are experimenting with workload outside of teach- with the course’s profes- platforms like WebEx and ing hours. sor to ensure the section Blackboard Collaborate “We want to be there, runs smoothly and every to keep their students en- we want to support you, student is following the gaged with lessons during we want to answer your course. the remote semester. questions, but we also He said international Half a dozen teach- have to take a step back students in his class watch ing assistants who have and realize that we don’t his recorded discussion worked as instructors in have to be available all the section and then email a past semesters said they time,” she said. written response to an as- have “completely” read- Senior Abigail Sepich, signed question about a justed their approach to a TA for Introduction to discussion topic. teaching to help students International Business, He said the course’s learn and stay engaged said her role as a TA has professor is requiring while conducting sessions become more “adminis- students to participate in entirely virtual. TAs said trative” because her dis- each discussion section to PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY GABRIELLE RHOADS | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER they miss having personal cussion section is strictly receive full participation Students say administrators mischaracterized the University's partnership with Grubhub, which they say was interactions with their stu- for review of the material credit so students are en- advertised as free delivery but comes with several fees and restrictions. dents and are struggling to taught in class. She said gaged in his section. He maintain a healthy “work- when she was a TA last said the policy incentiv- life balance” because of semester, she was actively izes students to ask ques- On-campus students struggle to the extra assistance their involved in lectures by tions, but students may students need to navigate taking attendance, record- be participating more be- their classes virtually. ing students’ participation cause they can’t talk to the afford ‘contactless’ delivery services Second-year gradu- and answering questions. professor directly. JARROD WARDWELL ery option allows students be best fitted to do that job,” he ate student Marianna Now that her section is “Now, somebody al- ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR to use their GWorld to meal said. Fotakos, a TA for Socio- not mandatory to attend, ways has a question – we prep with “bulk family style Although the Univer- cultural Anthropology, Sepich said her tasks are run past the end of class,” When junior Diing Man- proteins” and sides without sity’s website promotes the said she has had difficulty focused on setting up on- Bedrij-Arpa said. separating her TA respon- yang tested positive for CO- a subscription to the com- Grubhub program as offering line sessions and helping Third-year graduate sibilities from her person- VID-19 in early July, she de- pany’s service, according to contact-free delivery, keeping students with technical student Michael Kaplan, al life and struggles to set pended on the University’s GW Dining’s website. The six feet apart from delivery issues. a TA for Foundations of boundaries with students food delivery service to scrape Whole Foods delivery service drivers is more complicated Sepich said she doesn’t Anthropological Thought, who contact her outside of together meals while she was lets students fill out an online than advertised, Zidouemba mind her new role but said said he wishes there was office hours. she is not a “tech expert” better communication isolated in South Hall. order form before deciding to said. Since drivers don’t have She said she finds her- After ordering delivery pick up groceries or get deliv- access to residence halls, the and feels less qualified to between administrators self tuned into her com- help students with techni- and TAs about the Uni- straight to South Hall four ery free of charge, the website only spot to drop off meals is puter answering students’ times when she was sick and states. outside the front door, where cal issues than the course versity’s Zoom licensing emails nearly “every material itself. She said restrictions and whether more than 10 times when she Each delivery service man- Zidouemba said someone hour,” adding that her in- was living on campus during ages its own COVID-19 health once almost stole his meal administrators offered TAs have access to their person teaching was more courses for TAs on navi- own premium account. the summer, Manyang real- and safety protocol with sani- moments before he stepped engaging and she could ized she was paying upward tation, personal protective outside. gating Blackboard Collab- He said he doesn’t know if dedicate more time to an- orate Ultra throughout the TAs have the same access of $30 for most meals and equipment requirements and To ensure he receives each swering questions. could no longer afford the contact-free handoffs to pre- meal he pays for, he said he summer, but it covered the to Zoom as professors so “We’re all in this to- platform’s basics, which he has been using Black- service. Since the fall semes- vent the spread of the corona- has to walk outside and physi- gether,” Fotakos said. “So ter began, she’s only ordered virus, Nosal said. cally grab his food from the she had already learned. board Collaborate to hold I think that there’s a lot of “Before I would say it his discussion sessions. delivery twice and picked up She added that officials driver. understanding on every- groceries herself, struggling to who are updating students Zidouemba said he’s re- was a lot more of a teach- Kaplan said Collabo- one’s part with each other, ing role,” Sepich said. pay off the costs she says are about GWorld delivery ser- sorted to purchasing food in rate only allows him to trying to understand and “Now, it’s a lot more like too expensive for a regular vices during the pandemic are person from Whole Foods and see a few students’ faces, be compassionate, because being an administrative which makes it harder dining plan. “pleased” with the reception local restaurants, where he I think everyone’s strug- assistant.” to gauge if students are The University partnered from students on campus. feels comfortable during the gling with it. It’s not just Second-year graduate engaged and paying at- with Grubhub this summer to Junior Christian Zidouem- pandemic as long as everyone students – it’s everyone. student Christiaan Bed- tention. He said he is still offer students free delivery for ba, who lives in South Hall and wears PPE and keeps safe dis- It’s a big learning curve.” rij-Arpa, a TA for Intro- “unfamiliar” with many a year through each student’s studies international business tance from each other. Fotakos said she sepa- duction to International of the students in his dis- GET accounts. But students and international affairs, said Sophomore Emily Mos- rates her students into Politics, said students cussion sections because living on campus this fall said he wasn’t previously familiar ley, who transferred to GW breakout groups on We- attending his discus- he is unable to see their despite the convenience of the with the Whole Foods and this fall and studies interna- bEx during discussion sions ask more “techni- faces. service, officials have mischar- Healthy Fresh delivery op- tional affairs, said she picks sections and encourages cal” questions relating “It’s hard to feel like acterized the costs of buying tions but ordered nine meals up groceries every week from them to communicate to terms mentioned in you’re speaking into a food through the program, re- from Grubhub last month. Whole Foods, allowing her to with each other and form the textbook or in the void when you can’t see stricting them from ordering He said Grubhub would meal prep without shopping study circles. She said professor’s pre-recorded anyone,” Kaplan said. meals cheaper than $20 and add a $10 delivery fee for most through the entire store. Mos- attaching pricey delivery fees. orders, and if he wanted to use ley said she can grab her gro- “If I had an option, I would the app to purchase two meals ceries in a few minutes near have been doing delivery, but in one day, he would often be the checkout area, which is it’s too expensive,” Manyang paying $60. Zidouemba said sanitized. said. “So I have to go in person he’s since stopped ordering Since she can stock up to buy whatever I need.” Grubhub delivery because the supplies from Whole Foods, University spokesperson attached fees were too expen- Mosley said she avoids order- Crystal Nosal said officials sive. ing from Grubhub more than organized delivery programs Zidouemba said officials once a week, where she often through partnerships with should better communicate pays $6 in delivery fees for Grubhub, Whole Foods and the new delivery programs each meal. Mosley said load- Healthy Fresh Meals to offer so more students on campus ing her GWorld card onto the students safe dining access would be inclined to use them. delivery app makes payments when they’re isolated on cam- He said site coordinators who simple, but she hasn’t noticed pus. have maintained close contact any discount despite GW’s GW added Healthy Fresh with students living on cam- claims stating that delivery Meals, which delivers pre- pus this fall should send in- would be free. cooked meals, to its selection formation about the delivery “I haven’t noticed any of GWorld vendors two years programs to the residents they massive discount or anything ago before starting delivery supervise. that I’m saving, and especially partnerships with Grubhub “That would be the best when delivery is something and Whole Foods this sum- way because they’ve been like $6, you don’t get a ton of SOPHIA YOUNG | CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITOR mer. doing a lot of reaching out to savings off of Grubhub-ing Teaching assistants say the pandemic has led to a reimagining of their role from a teaching one The Healthy Fresh deliv- students so I think they would one meal,” she said. to an administrative one

Fall pass/fail policy should be adjusted for special circumstances: experts

From Page 1 leaves of absence are grams, graduate funding question of when GW at New York University, definitely more challeng- available to assist stu- opportunities and certain would revert back to its said the transition to on- ing but not going as far as dents who are concerned internships. normal grading policy. line classes last spring you did last spring,” Mar- GW Law officials an- about course perfor- “We have also heard Students launched a saw “abrupt and often cus said. nounced in March that mance. from schools and colleges petition last week urg- dramatic dislocation” for Maximilian Schuster, law students would take “There is agreement that the student experi- ing officials to extend students who were forced an assistant professor of all their courses for the among the provost, deans ence in courses some- the pass/fail policy to the to move out on short no- practice in the Depart- spring semester on a and faculty that faculty times was negatively af- fall semester due to the tice and faculty who were ment of Education Foun- Credit/No Credit grad- should continue to be fected due to students “tremendous challenges” forced to teach online for dations, Organizations ing scale, with a notation mindful of the continu- who had chosen P/NP students have faced this the first time. and Policy at the Univer- placed on transcripts in- ing difficulties presented CR/NC putting in less ef- year. The petition, which “At that point, there sity of Pittsburgh, said dicating that administra- by the coronavirus, tak- fort, which became espe- has garnered more than was a significant move- while the letter grade sys- tors made the decision ing care to be flexible, cially noticeable in group 300 signatures, states ment to say that all cours- tem offers specific com- for public health reasons. supportive and under- projects,” she said. that the policy would al- es should become pass/ ments on a student’s per- Nosal said School of Med- standing in working with Nosal said schools and low accommodations to fail for everyone,” Mar- formance in a class, the icine and Health Sciences students who want to colleges have communi- be made during “unprec- cus said in an email. pass/fail system doesn’t officials continued to as- remove a grade, request cated that there are “po- edented times.” She said regardless provide students with sign letter grades. additional time to satisfy tential challenges to eq- Higher education ex- of the policies and pro- the same individual feed- She said more than course requirements or uity” and complications perts said if the pass/fail cedures that will be im- back. half of all undergradu- take a leave of absence,” with the implementation policy is implemented plemented for students’ “As I think about the ates and nearly a third of Nosal said. of the pass/fail and Cred- this semester, it should grades this semester, fall semester and know- all graduate students took Nosal said there might it/No Credit policy this be adjusted to address the most students will not ing that every student is at least one class as pass/ be “longer-term implica- year that could lead to varying circumstances benefit from having “a going to be in unique and fail or Credit/No Credit tions” for students who “inconsistencies” across students are facing this few of pass/fails” on their different circumstances in the spring. have transcripts with programs and grading fall. transcripts for purposes based on where they are Nosal added that poli- multiple semesters of scales. Ann Marcus, a profes- like graduate school. situated, I don’t know if cies like undergraduate binary grades because She said if officials sor of higher education “I would favor a taking a one-size-fits-all academic forgiveness, regular letter grades are decide to implement the and the director of the compromise – relaxing approach is necessarily incomplete grades and traditionally required for policy this semester, they Steinhardt Institute of deadlines with the un- the best course of action competitive graduate pro- would face a logistical Higher Education Policy derstanding that life is forward,” Schuster said. COVID-19 racial disparities are a 'systemic' issue, experts say care system because they to be fixable overnight,” Camara Jones, the for- issue. nities of color would also From Page 1 have historically lacked Dominguez said. “It’s a mer president of the Amer- She said paid sick leave, help reduce public health access to health care and multi-pronged issue from ican Public Health Asso- a universal basic income disparities. Tyan Dominguez, a clinical faced disparities in quality the longstanding history, ciation, said the national and a living minimum “There’s no basis in the professor of social work at of care based on race. and I think it’s going to response to the pandemic wage would help mitigate human genome for racial the University of Southern “These are systemic is- take a multi-pronged ap- has been focused on medi- disparities in public health subspeciation,” Jones said. California, said margin- sues, it’s not a silver bul- proach and consistency in cal care, when pandemic outcomes. She said invest- “We know it’s not a gene, alized communities tend let solution and it’s not what responses are within response officials should ing in housing, green spac- but it’s not even our choic- to lack trust in the health something that is going the system.” treat it as a public health es and schools for commu- es.” THE GW HATCHET NEWS October 5, 2020 • Page 4 Enrollment in student health insurance drops slightly amid pandemic MIRANDA NAZZARO REPORTER the CHC website. Students of care that I get from my can waive the University other doctors is much better Enrollment in GW’s stu- health plan if their individu- and it’s much more conve- dent health insurance plan al or family coverage fulfills nient,” Ami said. dropped slightly this aca- GW’s requirements, the web- More than a dozen stu- demic year as most students site states. dents said last fall that they took classes off campus for Officials implemented a experienced poor quality of the semester. mandatory insurance policy care and long wait times at University spokesperson in 2018 to reduce the overall the CHC, which led them Crystal Nosal said 9,278 stu- cost of student health insur- to receive delayed prescrip- dents waived the compre- ance and make the program tions and left them unable hensive Aetna student health more accessible for students. to access mental health re- plan compared to about 8,800 Students who chose to sources. students last fall, an increase waive the University plan Junior Caroline McGin- of about 5 percent this year this fall after enrolling last nis said she has chosen the and slight drop from 2018. year said the combination University plan the past two Nosal said this year’s data of virtual telehealth op- years because her family’s is not a “one-to-one” com- tions available through their plan was not accepted in parison to last year because home insurance and a lack of D.C., but she’s since switched online classes have changed trust in the CHC’s services to her family’s plan because some students’ means of ac- prompted them to opt out. it offers telehealth options. cessing health insurance. Junior Liora Ami said she “I would have re-en- “As an example, inter- waived the student plan af- rolled in it if life was nor- national students who are ter two years of enrollment mal because even though it SIDNEY LEE | GRAPHICS EDITOR required to have a domestic- because she can access tele- was really slow, it was really based insurance plan while health options outside of the convenient to get testing for reap the same benefits while university plan if they are no founder of ACASignups. living in the United States CHC. She said she previous- infections really quickly,” they’re home. longer on a family plan be- net, which tracks enrollment were able to opt out of the ly enrolled in the Universi- McGinnis said. “One of the benefits of cause a standalone plan can in the Affordable Care Act Aetna insurance and con- ty’s plan because she lived in Health insurance experts a university plan usually be expensive. – said students should typi- tinue with their country- D.C. and could easily access said enrollment in the health means there’s an on site clin- Aetna offers student cally choose a health care based insurance provider if the health center in person. care plan may have dropped ic of some kind, where you plans for $2,180 annually for plan with as wide a network they remained in their home Ami said using her fam- because students’ home can just go,” she said. “It’s mandatory enrollment and of care providers as pos- country while taking classes ily’s insurance also appealed health insurance is more ac- convenient when you’re liv- $3,330 annually for volun- sible when deciding between this fall virtually,” she said in to her because she can see cessible while they are away ing on campus.” tary enrollment, according plans. He said students are an email. the same doctor each time from campus. Bergthold said all stu- to Aetna’s benefits summary likely choosing plans this The Colonial Health Cen- instead of meeting with a Linda Bergthold, a for- dents must be on an insur- for GW students. year that are closer to where ter automatically enrolls all different CHC staff member mer senior consultant at the ance plan, whether it be a “It’s not like a year ago they reside, which is likely undergraduate, medical, on- with each visit. consulting company Watson university or individual when your biggest concern why GW health care insur- campus nursing, health sci- “I didn’t really have Wyatt Worldwide, said liv- plan, to ensure they’re cov- might have been being in ance enrollment dipped. ence and international stu- a doctor I could go to my ing in close proximity to an ered if they contract a virus a car accident or getting an “The D.C. network dents holding a J1 or F1 visa freshman and sophomore on-campus health clinic is like COVID-19. She said stu- STD,” Bergthold said. “Now, doesn’t do any good if you’re in the University’s health year, but now that it’s mainly an “advantage” of a univer- dents should consider the it’s living or dying.” in Michigan if you get sick or insurance plan, according to transitioned online, the level sity plan, but students can’t costs of an individual and Charles Gaba – the injured,” Gabs said. SA Senate graduate seat applications hit record high

LAUREN SFORZA of the governance and tors, in conjunction with STAFF WRITER nominations committee the newly established are holding interviews graduate caucus, will cre- MAKENA ROBERTS throughout October to ate a better platform for all CONTRIBUTING NEWS confirm the remaining va- of the University’s gradu- EDITOR cancies in the senate that ate students. have now been converted “You know that they’re The Student Associa- to graduate-at-large posi- passionate about these is- tion Senate received a re- tions instead of school- sues, and you know that cord number of graduate specific seats. After 30 they actually came here to student senator applica- class days of a vacancy in make change,” he said. tions this year. a school specific seat, the Rastgoo said graduate The governance and seat becomes an at-large students may have been nominations committee position, according to SA compelled to apply to the received 21 applications bylaws. SA because they did not this fall for specific school SA Sen. Jovawn Mc- receive a tuition discount seats – the most the sen- Neil, ESIA-U and a mem- for the virtual fall semes- SIDNEY LEE | GRAPHICS EDITOR ate has received in recent ber of the governance and ter as undergraduate stu- memory. Senators said nominations committee, dents did. SA graduate more graduate students said the flexibility of on- student applications went may have applied for these line class allows them live after officials said they D.C. traffic deaths rise in 2020, seats because they can to tune into virtual sen- didn’t plan to increase tu- more easily access online ate meetings, driving an ition for graduate students impeding plans for zero-death goal meetings and push for a increase in applications. this academic year, ac- graduate tuition discount Without the commute to cording to an email sent to JARROD WARDWELL should contact their dis- the street pedestrians typical- this fall. work and school every graduate students. ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR trict police station if they see ly dominate. The study found “We are getting specif- day, graduate students Rastgoo said he con- speeding or reckless drivers drivers often roll through the ic input from those schools have more opportunities sidered “diversity and per- and continue to be aware of H Street crossing area, and that we usually don’t to participate in student spective” from applicants The District hopes to elim- sidewalk and traffic signs. many pedestrians cross the get senators from about organizations like the SA, like international and first- inate all traffic deaths by 2024, “MPD continues to enforce street without using the cross- what’s going on and about he said. generation students when but recent traffic safety trends all traffic laws in the District of walk. the issues that they are fac- “Remote allows us conducting interviews for aren’t pointing in the right di- Columbia,” she said. The ANC has also ap- ing,” said SA Sen. Thomas to do a lot more in terms the vacant positions. rection. Senior James Harnett, the proved plans over the past Falcigno, CPS-G and the of connectivity,” McNeil “Through the SA, I D.C. has seen 29 people chair of the Foggy Bottom and two years for the District De- chair of the governance said. “They’re reaching out think they are a power- killed in traffic-related deaths West End Advisory Neigh- partment of Transportation to and nominations commit- to everyone because we’re ful group that has a lot of so far this year, marking a borhood Commission, said install bike lanes on Pennsyl- tee. “And that’s a really all in different places, and great ideas and have a to- 53 percent increase from 19 commuters are more likely vania Avenue, 20th and 21st great thing for the Student we’re all just in our crib tally different perspective deaths at this time last year, to drive their own cars dur- streets and G Street. Bike lane Association to make sure online and come together than undergraduate stu- according to the Metropolitan ing the pandemic instead of construction on 20th, 21st and we have people on the at these meetings and not dents do,” Rastgoo said. Police Department. City of- riding public transportation, G streets will begin by the end ground, telling us what’s have to worry about any “Getting more passionate ficials said the pandemic has which many fear could be a of the fall, and commissioners happening in the schools other aspects, like people graduate students on the driven the fatality upsurge, as leading spreader of the coro- voted last month to request that we usually don’t get who are commuters or SA is just a great thing, widespread self-isolation has navirus. officials launch the Pennsyl- senators from.” who lived off campus or and I’m glad that that has minimized traffic and cleared Harnett said he’s doubtful vania Avenue project “imme- Senators selected eight were grad students.” happened this year.” roads caused more drivers to the city will achieve its main diately.” of the 21 applicants to The SA has a history SA Sen. Connor Houn- speed on city streets. goal of the Vision Zero Initia- Harnett said city officials pitch their interest in the of low representation of shell, MISPH-G and a “Across the country, seri- tive, to eliminate all traffic need to offer free Metro ac- SA at a meeting last week, graduate students, and newly confirmed sena- ous and fatal injury traffic deaths by 2024, so long as city cess – which students have and the senate confirmed many SA graduate senate tor, said the controversies crashes have increased due officials do not invest more demanded for years – and five of those applicants. seats are often left vacant. in the hiring of Heather in part to less traffic on the money in traffic safety mea- circulate more Metrobuses The senate approved SA senators estab- Swain and “insensitive” roads,” MPD spokesperson sures. He said “more people in hopes of removing drivers Antonio Navarello to rep- lished the first-ever gradu- statements from Univer- Alaina Gertz said in an email. are going to die” if the D.C. from the cars that have el- resent the School of Nurs- ate student caucus late last sity President Thomas “This allows for increased government doesn’t invest evated traffic fatalities to new ing, Megan Freeman for month. LeBlanc could have con- speed by many vehicle opera- more money in the Vision levels in recent years. the Graduate School of SA Sen. Edward Rast- tributed to the uptick in tors. As speed increases, the Zero bill passed last month. “Our opportunity in this Education and Human goo, ESIA-U and the vice graduate advocacy in seriousness of a traffic crash The D.C. Council voted to moment is to recognize we Development and Mus- chair of the governance the SA. He said during increases.” implement a package of traffic need to redesign our streets to tafa Emin Oktay for the and nominations commit- a pandemic when many This year’s traffic accidents safety measures, like requir- prioritize the folks that aren’t School of Engineering and tee, said the increase in graduate students have have claimed the lives of eight ing sidewalks to be installed in two-ton death machines Applied Science. Caroline graduate student involve- lost full-time jobs and are drivers, six passengers, nine on both sides of all roads and and that we need to protect Fuss and Connor Houn- ment will “diversify the supporting families, offi- pedestrians and six people removing “right on red” turns the folks that are dying at the shell were also chosen as voices” in the senate be- cials should provide more riding a motorcycle or all- from stops near pedestrian- hands of drivers,” he said. Milken Institute School of cause the senate has had support for their graduate terrain vehicle, according to heavy areas. Traffic safety expert Brian Public Health representa- less graduate participation students – like expand- MPD data. “It’s not going to happen,” Pfeifer – a former research tives. in recent years. He said the ing the tuition decrease to Gertz said this year’s num- Harnett said. “It’s a fairy tale engineer at the University of Falcigno said members appointed graduate sena- graduate students. bers, which are on track to sur- to assume that we’re on track Nebraska and the president pass the city’s highest yearly to end traffic fatalities and se- and CEO of Quality Forensic death count of 36 in 2018, are rious injuries by 2024. Anyone Engineering, an engineering part of a trend that’s spread who tells you that is lying. It’s and accident reconstruction across the country during the simply not true.” firm – said he’s seen traffic- ac pandemic. The increase also Harnett and other com- cidents become “more severe” sets back D.C.’s Vision Zero missioners on the Foggy Bot- during the pandemic as emp- Initiative – the city’s goal to tom and West End ANC have ty roadways have encouraged wipe out all traffic-related funded two neighborhood speeding. deaths and serious injuries by studies in recent years – one He said eliminating traffic 2024. on Washington Circle and one deaths by 2024 is “very lofty,” She said local drivers are on H Street – to strengthen but it sets the right motive to “strongly encouraged” to traffic safety near campus. cut fatalities as much as pos- drive within the posted speed The ANC’s Washington sible. limit and follow all traffic Circle study ushered city of- Pfeifer said D.C. officials laws. Safe driving during the ficials to install a traffic island should condense police pres- pandemic has been a prior- at the circle’s intersection with ence along city streets to let ity for District officials during 23rd Street last year where drivers know they’ll be pun- the pandemic – Mayor Mu- cars had previously failed to ished for speeding and risk- riel Bowser lowered the city’s stop for pedestrians crossing ing more deaths during the default speed limit on “local the street. pandemic. He said stronger roads” in June from 25 to 20 The ANC launched its law enforcement would yield miles per hour and identified $5,000 H Street study last June “immediate results,” but leg- a network of “Slow Streets” in hopes of facilitating Bows- islative action – like roadway that cover 20 miles across the er’s Vision Zero Initiative redesign or modifying road FILE PHOTO BY GRACE HROMIN | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR city. and identifying changes that signs – would help address Student Association Sen. Thomas Falcigno, CPS-G, said the higher number of applications from Gertz said pedestrians could enhance the safety of the city’s long-term goal. graduate students this year might be linked to the absence of a graduate tuition reduction. October 5, 2020 • Page 5 NEWS THE GW HATCHET

CRIME LOG SNAPSHOT PHEBE GROSSER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER THREATS TO DO BODILY HARM Public Property On Campus (2100 Block of G Street) 9/26/2020 – 11:45 a.m. Open Case A male student reported that an un- known male subject threatened to beat him at the intersection before leaving in his vehicle. GW Police Department of- ficers canvassed the areas with negative findings. Case open. THEFT II/FROM BUILDING Mitchell Hall (7-Eleven) 9/26/2020 – 12:02 p.m. Open Case GWPD officers responded to a report of theft in 7-Eleven. Upon arrival, officers contacted a female complainant who reported that two unknown men stole a case of water and a bag of ice. Offic- ers canvassed the area with negative findings. Case open. DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY/ VANDALISM Public Property On Campus (900 Block The group Covid Survivors for Change lined up 20,000 empty chairs on the Ellipse outside the White House Saturday to pay tribute to the 200,000 of 23rd Street) Americans who died from COVID-19. 9/26/2020 – 8:38 p.m. Closed Case GWPD officers responded to a report of a trash can fire. When officers- ar Performing arts groups try out new platforms for rived at the scene, D.C. Fire and Emer- gency Medical Services responders had rehearsals, events already extinguished the fire. Officials later discovered that the fire was set TIFFANY GARCIA some other fun things in perform at events this semes- ing WebEx to hold classes on intentionally by an unknown subject. ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR store for potential members ter, but we hope that having topics like strength, stretch- Shortly after, GWPD officers arrested a in the future to get to know online rehearsals every other ing and yoga, which require male subject. Metropolitan Police De- Performing arts student our personality as a group,” week, exciting social media less space than choreography. partment officers arrived on scene and organizations are trading in Guen said in an email. opportunities for members She said the group has been dance studios and stages for Senior Raagini Chandra, such as dance TikToks and holding classes throughout transported the subject to the Second living rooms and bedrooms. the business director for GW virtual bonding events will the summer, like a class fun- District police station. A dozen student leaders Subject arrested. Pitches, said the a cappella help recreate the welcoming, draiser for Black Lives Matter, in performing arts student group is creating a TikTok family-like environment we and will host virtual shows organizations like GW receSs where members post clips of have on campus,” Kabira said where students record their SIMPLE ASSAULT (DOMESTIC and Generic Theatre Compa- their favorite songs from past in an email. dances to create video perfor- VIOLENCE), DESTRUCTION OF ny said they’ve adjusted their performances for interested Senior Moss Woodbury, mances. PROPERTY/VANDALISM fall performances and re- members to duet and to con- the president of receSs, said “It’s really based on what hearsals to Zoom, WebEx and nect prospects with current the comedy group has had people want to be doing right Off Campus TikTok or postponed them members. She said the group difficulty practicing improv now and how comfortable Unknown – Unknown to the spring in light of the will connect with interested “quite as well” online be- they feel, but we’re still hold- Closed Case remote semester. Some said students through general cause students can’t bounce ing virtual shows this semes- A female faculty member reported recruiting new talent is “dif- body meetings and social off of each other. He said the ter so there will be weekly that a female student had her laptop ficult” because of time differ- events like happy hours and group has decreased their rehearsals for everyone par- destroyed and might be experiencing ences and schedule conflicts, game nights. meetings from four times to ticipating, and we have class- domestic violence. The faculty member prompting them to push au- Instead of using the Mar- twice a week and will instead es every week,” Wolber said. ditions to the spring. vin Center, District House work on writing sketches and Juliette Ghaffari, one of stated the student did not want to file a Senior Abby Guen, the or residence halls to meet, holding workshops to walk the musical directors for GW police report. Referred to the Title IX Office. vice president of the a cappel- student leaders said they’ve students through sketch writ- Pitches, said their treasurer la group GW MotherFunk- adapted to Zoom and WebEx ing and improv for potential bought 14 microphones the ers, said all six GW a cappella and have experimented with new members. organization shipped to URINATING OR DEFECATING groups are not holding audi- new rehearsal settings. He said the virtual im- members, a Zoom premium IN PUBLIC tions this semester because Junior Jasmine Kabira, the prov will be “definitely hard- channel and the audio work- University Yard recorded auditions would not president and co-captain of er” to walk students through station program Logic with showcase someone’s vocal GW Naach, said members of but said sketch writing over funds from the Student Asso- 9/28/2020 – 3:06 p.m. abilities and personality as the Bollywood dance group Zoom has worked well where ciation. She said instead of re- Open Case well as in person. She said the traditionally learn one large students can share a docu- hearsing in person, members An anonymous female complainant organization is using social routine they perform at the ment online and brainstorm will submit videos of them reported that an unknown male subject media more than in the past end of the semester in Kogan altogether. singing a part of a chosen had exposed his genitals and urinated to maintain interest among Plaza but are instead teach- “We’re focusing on writ- song that the two directors in public. prospects and promote their ing a new dance each practice ing sketches rather than do- will compile into one video Case open. album “Nexus Iconoclash” for fun. She said the group ing improv,” Woodbury said to share on their social media. on Spotify and Apple Music. decided not to focus on one in an email. “We’re also really “Hopefully by the end of “We have been posting routine because of the dif- good friends with each other the semester, we have a cou- lots of fun and engaging ficulty for members to teach, so it’s not difficult.” ple songs put out probably on –Compiled by Kateryna Stepanenko things on our Instagram, @ memorize and polish dances Senior Nicole Wolber, the our YouTube but also across gwfunkers, like ‘guess the through online practices. president of GW Balance, said various platforms and social member’ games and have “We unfortunately cannot the dance group has been us- media sites,” Ghaffari said. Capital Bikeshare celebrates 10 years in D.C. JARROD WARDWELL unveiling a selection of 100 stations ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR in the District that would together hold about 1,100 bikes. District De- Docked bicycle service Capital partment of Transportation officials Bikeshare notched a decade of ser- selected three sites for Capital Bike- vice in D.C. late last month. share stations on campus – one at City officials have installed five the existing station in front of GW Capital Bikeshare stations with 60 Hospital, another station at 1959 E bike docks across the Foggy Bot- St. and a third outside The Shops at tom Campus amid station expan- 2000 Penn. sions, the debut of electric bikes and the rollout of student discounts Expanding stations in the decade-long development of Over the years, D.C. officials and the program, which began Sept. neighborhood leaders have worked 20, 2010. University spokesperson to expand Capital Bikeshare’s pres- Crystal Nosal said the system has ence around GW’s campus, both in created new ways of commuting to Foggy Bottom and near the Mount and around campus, adding that Vernon Campus. officials hope to continue work- City officials installed a bike- ing with students and community sharing station with 16 bike slots in members to expand student access front of Duques Hall in 2017. to the program in the future. A year later, Capital Bikeshare “D.C. government’s bicycle opened another station with 16 master plan notes many benefits docks near the Vern. Students said of enhancing convenient access to at the time that the new addition bicycle-sharing services to the GW provided better access to a method community, including addressing of transportation than the Mount the region’s primary source of air Vernon Express. pollution by decreasing congestion The Foggy Bottom and West for roads, easing burdens on crowd- End Advisory Neighborhood Com- ed popular local transit services mission continued the push for FILE PHOTO BY KATE CARPENTER | PHOTOGRAPHER and increasing equitable, healthy Capital Bikeshare’s steady expan- Last year, the District Department of Transportation and GW reached an agreement that allows students to access a Capital and affordable transportation op- sion last year. ANC commissioners Bikeshare annual membership for $25. tions,” she said in an email. passed a resolution pressing the Capital Bikeshare officials did D.C. government to add more bikes not return a request for comment. to stations on campus. Bikeshare and the D.C. government options including its partnership ship has climbed from about 1,200 Here’s how today’s network of to implement the discounted stu- with Capital Bikeshare,” she said. in 2010 to more than 26,500 today, Capital Bikeshare stations came to System upgrades dent membership service. She said City officials introduced anoth- and 27 million trips have covered campus: City officials have discovered officials have since worked to locate er upgrade to Capital Bikeshare in 150 million miles. More than 600 new ways to enhance Capital Bike- spots for additional Capital Bike- summer 2019 when Lyft launched stations and 5,000 bikes line city Bike-sharing begins share in more recent years. share stations near campus through a new feature that allows users to streets throughout the D.C.-area. Capital Bikeshare was preceded DDOT officials created a $25 talks with DDOT leadership, stu- rent public bikes through their ac- Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a by a similar program called Smart- student pass last year that offered dents and community members. count. press release last month that Capi- Bike DC, which launched in 2008 students at D.C.-area universities Much of Capital Bikeshare’s City officials started rolling out tal Bikeshare has upheld a “crucial with 120 bikes and 10 stations, one one year of discounted access to the progress in Foggy Bottom has been electric bikes this summer after a part of our transportation network” located just outside of the GW Hos- Capital Bikeshare system. While a product of the University’s focus yearlong mechanical issue kept the as officials remain hopeful for the pital. About 1,600 people joined as regular membership would cost on students and sustainability, No- e-bikes off city streets. program’s continuing success in the members within its first two years, $85, officials signed the deal last sal said. future. according to the Capital Bikeshare August to give students better bike “In response to feedback from The future of Capital “We look forward to the next de- website. access for the entire academic year. student leadership, to enhance the Bikeshare cade of building out and expanding District officials initiated the Nosal said officials began dis- student experience and also work During a difficult time for trans- the Capital Bikeshare system to give Capital Bikeshare program in 2010 cussing the discount plan with the toward GW’s sustainability goals, portation, Capital Bikeshare’s num- even more riders a sustainable way through a partnership with city Student Association in 2017 and the University has implemented bers outline a more encouraging to travel through neighborhoods, officials from Arlington, Virginia, met with planners from Capital numerous alternate transportation pre-pandemic backdrop. Member- the city and the region,” she said. WHAT THE UNIVERSITY WON'T TALK ABOUT THIS WEEK The cost of the University’s partnership with the Disney Institute. p. 2

FROM GWHATCHET.COM/OPINIONS “Irrespective of partisan fighting, the reality is that it’s time to move forward with a Supreme Opinions Court nomination.” October 5, 2020 • Page 6 —JACK ELBAUM ON 10/1/20 Professors should lighten up the workload in light of pandemic

here has not been a of assessments must too. more challenging Professors need to con- time to focus on col- tinue to offer expected Tlege studies in the United page counts on papers, States since the Vietnam but they must understand War, where students had that students are dealing to learn despite wide- with a variety of personal spread protests about the issues, from poor WiFi war and amid the civil to a lack of a quiet work rights movement. Now, space to ailing family we’re facing four ma- members. Not to mention jor crises: political, eco- some students could face nomic, social and envi- distractions from other ronmental. Our country jobs or younger siblings. and its college students In other words, if a stu- are beating back authori- dent turns in six pages on tarianism, dealing with a minimum seven-page extreme unemployment assignment, understand levels, combating racial that was the best work injustices and fleeing they could produce, and from wildfires and hur- an additional page likely ricanes. would have been filled with fluff. Extending in- Matthew Zachary class compassion to larg- Columnist er assignments will go a long way toward keeping everyone that much more focused on their studies Completing dozens and sane. of calculus problems or As students across the reading hundreds of text- Cartoon by Hannah Thacker world continue to adjust book pages feels super- to remote working and fluous to the happenings Although a petition compassion as students a student to retain the de- class or group discus- learning, college commu- in the world around us, to reinstate the Pass/ work through difficul- tails of 500-plus pages in sions. Often the big as- nities like GW are no ex- and professors should No Pass policy is in the ties, and my classmates all their classes, let alone signment for class that ception. We must contin- lighten the academic bur- works, there is no guar- have reciprocated when regurgitate it on papers week was 40 to 50 pages ue to work together to get den accordingly. Some antee that administrators technological challenges and other assessments. of reading – plenty more through this, and reduc- ways to reduce the work- will do the bare mini- arise for professors. Even in the best of times manageable than 100 – ing the academic stress load are straightforward, mum to support us in our It is time for profes- this expectation is ques- and the class benefited both on students and fac- like reducing the amount distance-learning envi- sors to extend that same tionable – in the time of from the lighter course ulty will help to ensure of out-of-class busywork. ronment. As such, stu- compassion beyond the COVID-19 and remote load. Plus, given the in- everyone’s wellbeing. We Other ways, like keeping dents have no recourse classroom. Not only have learning, it is laughable. creased likelihood stu- are all human, and we the syllabus updated so but to turn to professors many students expressed While there should dents will be able to com- must be able to rely on the class has a solid flow, and ask for leniency. difficulties accessing ma- be less breadth of work, plete their work, students our communities to sup- require more work in the We’re facing technical is- terials on Blackboard, but this should be replaced may be more willing to port us in this frighten- short-term for professors, sues and merely can’t rep- some have struggled as by more in-depth discus- contribute to class dis- ing, difficult time. but in the long run stu- licate the in-person expe- their classes require more sion. The courses I have cussions if they feel bet- –Matthew Zachary, a dents will remain more rience quite as well. My than 100 pages of read- enjoyed and learned the ter prepared. senior majoring in Latin engaged. To put it simply, professors this semester ing a week. It’s too much. most so far this semester As smaller assign- American studies, is a less is more this semester. have shown kindness and There is no way to expect have all centered around ments decrease, the length columnist.

Administrators should extend Pass/ Op-ed: A no-donate pledge hurts No Pass policy to fall semester students, not the University

STAFF EDITORIAL imply put, a no-do- line but from students’ University’s top leaders nate pledge hurts pockets. back. Students are now taking their best, students may feel dent body. And if officials students, not the A donation withheld I understand and their classes from all across the as if they are having to teach are concerned that pass/fail SUniversity. from a scholarship fund share the frustrations country – all while navigating themselves – which defeats classes would set students During more than means a low-income of those that created the COVID-19 pandemic’s ef- the purpose of class time and back from graduate school three years working at or first-generation stu- and signed this pledge. fects on their work, families lecture hours. It’s too much to acceptances, they can make GW’s student call cen- dent cannot attend GW. I am in my seventh and and friends. All the while, stu- expect students to spend how- the policy optional as they’ve ter, I asked thousands A donation withheld likely last year as a stu- dents are expected to achieve ever many hours in class, then done in the spring. of alumni to donate from The Store means dent. It is clear GW’s optimal grades as though the even more time drowning in Despite these many up- to GW. In the process a student cannot eat a most senior leadership, health crisis hasn’t seeped into assignments or readings to sides – and fervent support of raising more than proper meal. A dona- including Universi- our academic lives. That is a understand the lesson. Throw for the policy by students – $35,000, I saw first- tion withheld from an ty President Thomas frivolous expectation and can poor WiFi or a job in the mix administrators has been loath hand how donations emergency assistance LeBlanc and the Board absolutely be changed. and students simply cannot to make the swap. To be fair, from members of the fund means a student of Trustees, have failed Officials decided last learn to the best of their abil- their concerns are valid at University community cannot fly home last- us. But them failing spring that students and pro- ity. face value. Administrators are absolutely necessa- minute to be with a sick us is not a reason for fessors were facing enough The policy would redound mainly worry that imple- ry for the success of our family member. It is us to fail ourselves. hardship and allowed classes to faculty’s benefit as well. menting Pass/No Pass could community. not a hypothetical that In fact, their failure is to be taken on an optional Professors are under immense dissuade both students and student access, support even more of a reason Pass/No Pass basis. The pol- pressure to do the impossible: faculty from putting in the Sebastian Weinmann and resources are lost for members of the GW icy helped alleviate burdens build a virtual environment appropriate amount of work. Student Association when donations are low community – especial- brought on by the pandemic conducive to student success But this concern is probably senator and are gained when ly alumni who are less when it first hit D.C., but since with limited time and re- overblown. Students would donations are high. impacted by their irre- then, things have arguably sources. The reality is that vir- still have to work to pass The editorial board sponsible and incom- gotten worse. Some students tual learning is a contingency, their classes – this would not and Student Associati- passionate decisions – have needed to pick up extra not an alternative, and expect- be a Brownie points system The pledge does not on President Howard to step up and support work, care for family mem- ing both faculty and students and hard work would still “hit GW where it hurts,” Brookins’ executive or- those still struggling to bers or younger siblings who to perform at their highest lev- be expected. What would be as The Hatchet Edito- der claimed the pledge be seen and heard. are also learning from home el during a pandemic is unre- disincentivized, though, is rial Board erroneously won’t be effect ive u n less After the pledge or face learning setbacks that alistic. A Pass/No Pass option students spinning themselves claims. Donations to people sign on. The sad was announced, I not make it harder to stare at a would let professors focus into a whirlwind of stress GW can be designated irony is that the more only proudly continu- computer screen for hours. on conveying material and about turning a C+ into a B- with extreme specifici- people who follow the ed but also increased Professors are not only ensuring students’ learning, while dealing with a hellish ty. As a re- my monthly do- out of their element in teach- rather than forcing them to pandemic. sult, most nation to causes ing classes online, but they rely on graded assignments. Many top-echelon schools donations Simply put, a no-donate on campus I care need to do much more work to This is especially relevant for that GW often seeks to emu- b y p a s s pledge hurts students, not about. I urge all make their courses accessible fine arts and laboratory class- late have announced Pass/No GW’s wal- the University. members of the for everyone. Officials may es, which are even harder to Pass policies for this semes- let and go GW community say that professors had more replicate over Zoom. It would ter, namely many of the Ivy directly to to donate to stu- time to prepare for this transi- also insulate students from League schools and the Uni- st udents. dent-centric cau- tion, but that doesn’t change having their grades suffer versity of California system. Donors don’t usually editorial board’s well- ses such as the GW Ca- the fact that our environment from poor instructional qual- Since only a few of GW’s peer give to operations bud- intentioned but logical- res Student Assistance simply is not conducive to ity that may not be anybody’s schools, Tufts, Georgetown gets or the President’s ly-flawed call to action, Fund, The Store, the learning. fault. and New York universities, Fund for Excellence the more effective the Multicultural Student The University needs to Adopting the policy is have made the option avail- – which would actual- pledge will be at hur- Services Center or any extend the Pass/No Pass and also a completely costless way able, GW has the potential to ly hurt the president’s ting our most vulnerab- of the hundreds of stu- Credit/No Credit policies to for the University to improve lead its peers in implementing wallet – but rather to le student populations. dent organizations and this fall. Students are pay- student morale and feelings Pass/No Pass for the semester. need-based scholar- This tangible detriment dozens of need-based ing for an education, not the toward the University. The Implementing optional ships, assistance funds, to students is why the scholarships that go to grades attached to it, and they relationship between admin- Pass/No Pass for the fall se- student organizations SA Senate overwhel- students. shouldn’t feel unfair pressure istrators and the GW com- mester would be, at the very and resources that sup- mingly voted in favor It is students, not the to succeed when the odds are munity right now could be least, a humane gesture that port under-privileged of abrogating Brookins’ University, who cannot stacked against them. charitably described as frayed lets students and faculty and marginalized executive order that in- afford to lose donations Switching to a pass/fail – students and faculty have know that GW cares. At best, student populations. cluded a University-wi- at this unprecedented grading scale could both repeatedly expressed a lack of it would be a saving grace for When donations are de, no-donation pledge. time. ease the pressure on students confidence in the administra- students and faculty who are withdrawn or withheld Brookins has since –Sebastian Wein- and improve in-class perfor- tion. Acceding to the pleas of legitimately suffering right from these crucially clarified the pledge to mann, a third-year law mance. Many students uti- students and implementing now. The pandemic era is lob- important causes, the encourage people to student, is a Student As- lized the policy in the spring, Pass/No Pass would redound bing brick after brick at col- University does not withhold donations sociation senator, member showing its popularity and to administrators’ benefit, as lege kids right now – making supplement them. The to the president’s of- of the Student Bar need among students. While the gesture could win back life just a little easier for them money just disappears fice, a much more - ef Association and Class professors are attempting some good will with the stu- would go a long way. – not from GW’s bottom fective way to set the of 2018 graduate.

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RELEASED “WONDER,” A SINGLE BY SHAWN MENDES CultureOctober 5, 2020 • Page 7 THIS WEEK: Alumna, advocate discusses sex work during pandemic ANNA BOONE and food infrastructure, coupled CULTURE EDITOR with the severe lack of jobs and housing guarantee in D.C.,” De- When the COVID-19 pandemic crimNow DC wrote. “During this hit the District, one recent graduate, crisis, organizations like HIPS and a sex worker, said she was fortunate No Justice No Pride have provided enough to add a couple new clients cash assistance, housing, health – but not everyone in the industry care and more to people in the sex was as lucky. trade, including victims and survi- For cisgender, White or light- vors of sex trafficking, despite the skinned women like herself, the lack of government intervention or alumna, who spoke under the con- support.” dition of anonymity to protect her The alumna said trans women privacy, said mainstream sites like and women of color were forced Seeking Arrangement have helped off of a sex worker site called garner clients and pocket about Backpage when President Donald $2,000 per month. But she said her Trump made the website illegal in skin color and gender identity gives 2018. She said women of color and her an advantage on mainstream trans women of color who relied websites, while sex workers of color on the website to find work were and trans sex workers are con- sent “back into the streets” to solicit strained to more dangerous means business in public. of finding work on “the street.” She said when sex workers “A lot of girls can’t ask for what have to rely on business from “the I ask for because they’re either trans streets,” they are more likely to en- or they’re a person of color that isn’t counter violence, mainly from po- light-skinned,” she said. “There’s a lice officers. whole number of issues.” “The violence is usually with Sex workers like the recent police officers that will humiliate graduate have relied on their in- them and ask them for random dependent contract work to stay searches, ask them to open their employed during the health crisis. bags, throw everything that’s in But the alumna said the pandemic their bags on the floor, get violent GABRIELLE RHOADS | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER has exposed the violence and lack with them because transphobia and The alumna said she uses Seeking Arrangement to find clients but many other sex workers struggle to find work through the of government resources women of the whole bit,” she said. same platform. color and trans sex workers face in Aside from police violence and nomic privilege and “conventional affected by the pandemic because take for granted,” she said. “It’s re- the industry, prompting advocacy the lessened base of men looking attractiveness” is more challenging they’re predisposed to marginal- ally scary to have to go on the radar organizations to ramp up their fight for sex workers in public because during the pandemic. She added ization. sometimes when you come from a to decriminalize sex work. of the pandemic, the alumna added that generally finding work has “When you hit economic down- criminalized form of economic in- A bill to decriminalize sex work that sex workers are finding the turned entirely online, which can turns, that’s always impacting come.” has not garnered enough support streets and clubs where they could be difficult for people who don’t people of color and trans folks more D’Adamo added that decrimi- for the D.C. Council to hold a vote, normally find clients are quiet or have stable housing, WiFi or elec- because the structural marginal- nalizing sex work would help al- but groups like DecrimNow DC closing. tronic resources. ization is just really reaffirmed,” leviate the fear of working in the and HIPS DC, which stands for “They’re not doing too great to “Clubs were closing down, in- D ’Ad a m o s a i d . industry, especially during a health Helping Individual Prostitutes Sur- be honest because they’re mainly person places that were indoors D’Adamo said sex workers can’t crisis when they need added finan- vive, are pushing for a bill to pass. doing in-person work right now where people could engage in sex rely on financial support from the cial support. Advocates said the pandemic has and it’s a lot more difficult, that’s for work were also closing down,” she government, through food stamps “Everyone is dealing with these left sex workers in D.C. more vul- sure,” she said. said. “When you also had stay-at- and unemployment checks, as massive crises at the core of our be- nerable than before as they can’t Kate D’Adamo, a community home orders, that meant that you other low-income workers because ing,” she said. “All decriminaliza- formally apply for financial support organizer for sex workers who can’t have strolls, you can’t go and their work is considered illegal. tion would do was make sure that from the District government. partners with Reframe Health and meet people.” “Sex workers often don’t even those marginalized people are not “The COVID-19 global pandem- Justice, said soliciting sex work for She said women of color and have access to the same support also worried about getting arrested ic is exposing the lack of health care people who don’t have the eco- trans sex workers are negatively systems that a lot of other workers and thrown in jail on top of that.” Kennedy Center, Heist collaboration postponed

CLARA DUHON Entertainment Pilot,” which STAFF WRITER allows six venues to host live entertainment, including the The Kennedy Center post- Kennedy Center. Kennedy poned the opening night of Center staff said the Heist a pop-up collaboration with pop-up was “misreported” Heist due to public health as being a participant in this concerns. program. Heist, a nightclub and John Falcicchio, Bowser’s lounge in Dupont Circle, and chief of staff, told Washing- the Kennedy Center planned ton City Paper that in an ef- to host about 360 attendees on fort to operate as a restaurant the rooftop of the performing under Phase Two reopening arts venue every Saturday. guidelines instead of a venue, Neither Heist nor the Ken- the pop-up would not include nedy Center has shared when live entertainment. they will host the new open- Live entertainment ven- ing night, which was origi- ues are already struggling in nally scheduled for Saturday. the District, and Phase Three “The Kennedy Center has doesn’t indicate whether they determined the opening of can reopen anytime soon. the HEIST pop-up, an out- While other bars can open door rental event, will not outdoor set-ups, Heist’s side- take place this weekend [Oct. walk was not wide enough to SOPHIA YOUNG | CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITOR 3] to allow for further evalua- become an outdoor “streat- Law student Ethan Shuchart built a website to connect students looking for work to parents and residents in D.C. in need of some tion and to ensure such gath- ery” – an outdoor seating extra help amid the pandemic. erings meet our building’s venue that takes up a portion health and safety standards of the street – Heist staff told as well as respect the city’s Washington City Paper. Recent alumnus creates babysitting network latest reopening guidelines,” The originally scheduled the Kennedy Center told opening night sold out in 15 Washington City Paper. minutes after the tickets went for D.C. students and families The two venues may have live, according to a Heist put off the opening date to Instagram post. The night- DIEGO MENDOZA connect. seven other kindergarteners during determine whether Heist is club pop-up was originally CONTRIBUTING CULTURE EDITOR Parents and guardians can the school week. considered a restaurant un- planned as a weekly event, browse through the profiles of stu- She works inside Crawford’s ga- der the District’s Phase Two and tickets for each Saturday Knowing he and his peers were dents interested in child care on rage, which morphed into a tempo- reopening guidelines, which event were slated to go live entering a disastrous COVID-19 job the website. The students’ profiles rary classroom fit with computers, is subject to different safety each Tuesday morning. market, a law student developed an include their preferred age group school supplies and desks. Cantrell guidelines than entertain- Attendees could purchase online service for D.C.-area students to work with, the type of services said her main responsibilities in- ment venues, according to tables ranging from $240 for to connect with local families look- they’re willing to offer and their clude helping students with in-class DC Eater. Gatherings of more “VIP” level tables to their ing for babysitters. contact information. activities, leading games and proj- than 50 people are prohibited most expensive option of a Ethan Schuchart, a GW alumnus Interested families can decide ects during the children’s breaks under Phase Two regulations, $1,000 minimum. Alcoholic who graduated with a bachelor’s on the job description, what type of and tutoring students who need ex- but restaurants are allowed to drinks, snack trays, desserts degree in law this spring, founded COVID-19 precautions the caregiver tra help on assignments. remain open as long as they and single-use mixers were Students for Students DC, which must undertake to work with chil- Cantrell added that because operate at half capacity. available for attendees to pur- more than 90 undergraduate and dren and negotiate wages with the many of the children’s parents are The announcement of the chase. graduate students have used since student, he said. essential workers, all adults agreed collaboration came shortly The Kennedy Center and its launch over the summer. He said When he’s not in classes, that the children and helpers should after rolling out Mayor Mu- Heist did not return requests the service aims to help students Schuchart said he nannies a 1-year- wear masks in Crawford’s house, riel Bowser’s “Phase Two Live for comment. looking for work during the pan- old in the area for 12 hours every which the kids have followed. demic and assist families living in week. Besides basic tasks like pro- “I think I was surprised a little bit the District who are dealing with viding snacks and changing the by how aware they were [about CO- the added pressure of online school toddler’s diaper, Schuchart said he VID],” she said. “They understand for their children. has been taking the toddler to the why they have to wear them – they “I know COVID has not only park and playing around the the understand not to share germs.” impacted these families being able house. Crawford said the site helped to send kids to school, but it has af- He said students interested in her get a better idea of what kind fected work opportunities for [col- featuring themselves on the website of service each student could offer lege] students,” Schuchart said. should contact him directly to get through their individual profiles. When he nannied for D.C. fami- started by using his email found on She added that she’s recommended lies while an undergraduate at GW the website. the site to other parents in the area last academic year, Schuchart said Claire Cantrell, a 2020 alumna, who are looking for babysitters and he was “overwhelmed” by babysit- said she used the site because she tutors. ting requests from families when wanted to reconnect with her pas- Crawford said she ultimately D.C. schools announced an entirely sion of working with children while chose Cantrell because she is avail- digital semester. she searches for a permanent post- able every day and can speak Span- Schuchart posted an interest graduation job. Within 24 hours of ish, which helps her communicate form on Overheard at GW that 200 posting her profile online, she was with the kids. ILENA PENG | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER students responded to, prompting connected by Kate Crawford, a “We’ve been really impressed – The planned collaboration between Dupont Circle nightclub Heist and the him to build a website where inter- mother who was looking for an as- she has a really good manner with Kennedy Center has been postponed to comply with D.C.’s Phase Two ested students and families could sistant to supervise her child and the kids,” Crawford said. reopening guidelines. GAMES OF THE PAST MEN’S SWIMMING AND SAILING DIVING at the Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta at FIU Fall Classic Oct. 10, 2018 Oct. 7, 2017 Sailing secured one runner-up and two The Colonials finished 20 points shy first-place finishes, good for second of first place Grand Canyon. overall. NUMBER The percentage of A-10 Most Outstanding Performer awards won by a GW SportsOctober 5, 2020 • Page 8 swimmer on the men’s team since 1995. CRUNCH 44 Fall check-in: Swimming and diving prepare for ‘uncertain’ season start BELLE LONG held at various facilities, from October through late CONTRIBUTING SPORTS including the Smith November in a normal EDITOR Center, the Mount Vernon season, players typically Campus and the St. compete to gear up for the With fall sports delayed James sports complex in A-10 Championships in the until the spring semester, The Springfield, Virginia. winter, Thomas said. He Hatchet is checking in with Thomas said 30 of said athletes won’t make head coaches from affected the 52 rostered student- up for the lost competition programs to gain insight on athletes across the men’s time in the winter because how each team is handling and women’s programs it conflicts with the height the pause on competition. are back in D.C. for the of competition season. Check back each week for new semester. He said athletes “If we were to pack installments. who didn’t return to our schedule in January, campus are training with competing every week Despite an uncertain competitive club teams at or weekend, it might be a competition timeline, the home, and he regularly detriment,” he said. swimming and diving checks in with their club Thomas said the programs are relying on coaches each week. A-10 championships are team culture to maintain He added that the team “tentatively” slated for its focus on the year ahead. is hosting multiple team usual February time slot, When the Atlantic meetings each week, one but nothing is set in stone. 10 postponed fall play, at 8 a.m. and another at 3 The women’s program the men’s and women’s p.m., to stay in touch with nabbed their first A-10 swimming and diving student-athletes dealing crown last season, and squads lost competition with time differences. the men’s squad captured FILE PHOTO BY ZACH BRIEN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER experience. Head coach Some athletes are residing three championships in A little more than half of the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams are in D.C. for practice, Brian Thomas said just on the West Coast, the last four years. which is held at several facilities. more than half of the in various European “At this point, we’re squads are back in D.C. countries, Australia and still a little unsure as to next June, he said. “a lot of interest” from possible to avoid injury and preparing for an Singapore. when we’re going to be Some swimming other conferences about and follow the return to unknown start date to the Although swimming able to compete,” Thomas and diving programs setting up nonconference athletics guidelines. 2020-21 season. and diving is a winter said. in conferences like the competitions. “We just have to Like most programs, sport, the teams typically Despite the uncertainty, Southeastern Conference The two squads held think about it logistically swimmers and divers begin competing in early Thomas said his players and the Big Ten, which their last competition and put it together step restarted in-person October. Last season, GW have had no problem opted to continue with in March. Thomas said by step,” Thomas said. practices using GW opened play in the FIU staying motivated. Some fall competition to some taking a six-month break “Literally, how are we facilities. To maintain Fall Classic Oct. 4. are gearing up for the degree, have already from the pool is unusual, going to walk on to the adequate social distancing, Throughout the fall U.S. Olympic trials, which returned to the pool. but he and his staff are pool deck and make it Thomas said practices are schedule, which lasts have been postponed until Thomas said he’s received trying to act as safely as safe?” Women’s basketball alumna debuts podcast on athletes off the court

ALEC RICH that means a lot to me so that tionships with the younger STAFF WRITER I’m engaged?’ I think that I players. Maund was also a found it with this podcast.” force on the court, leading Former women’s basket- Originally looking to the team in scoring with 11.1 ball graduate student for- hand in just three episodes points per game while shoot- ward Alexandra Maund is for the class, Maund said she ing at a 50.4 percent clip from trying to get rid of the stigma is now hoping to complete the floor. that athletes are just baskets at least 10 for her capstone, Inspired by social jus- and statistics through a pod- and she currently plans to tice movements across the cast she debuted last month. continue the podcast after country and in professional Maund launched the graduating. basketball leagues, Maund “Baskets and Brains” pod- The podcast includes in- said she is also looking for cast as part of her capstone terviews with athletes and ways to include discussions project in the School of Me- coaches, like former Utah around race and equity in her PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY SABRINA GODIN | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR dia and Public Affairs’ mas- track and field runner and podcast. She said she wants Less than a decade before the Board of Trustees voted to shutter GW’s football team, the program ter’s in media and strategic current sports dietician Elise to follow in the footsteps of won its first and only Sun Bowl game. communication program. McVicar and Wake Forest NBA and WNBA players by She said she hopes to shed assistant women’s basket- using her platform to make a light on coaches and athletes ball coach Melissa D’Amico. difference for and serve oth- Top GW sports moments: Football for more than their sporting Maund and McVicar dis- ers who are “disenfranchised abilities through the podcast cussed McVicar’s time as a and overlooked.” by discussing their interests student-athlete and her new “Seeing that some of my stomps Texas Western in Sun Bowl and hobbies outside sports. role as a nutritionist and di- role models and people who “We’re not dumb,” WILL MARGERUM AP top 25 with a No. 17 intercepted three passes etician. On D’Amico’s epi- I watched growing up try STAFF WRITER Maund said. “Our ability to sode, they talked about how and make a difference for ranking. from quarterbacks Bob play sports does not dictate she found her passion for others has definitely influ- William and Mary Laraba and Bob Forrest. our ability to think or speak coaching and love for service enced my love of talking to In lieu of fall sports, was the Colonials’ next The Colonials came out on issues or exist in this with play BOLD. these athletes and hearing we’re dusting off the victim. GW escaped up empty on its first few country, and I wanted to find One of Maund’s most about what it is that they history books and taking with a 16–14 victory drives, failing to score a way to make that the core recent interviews was with love,” Maund said. a look back on 10 of the that launched the team deep in Miners’ territory. of my capstone project.” women’s basketball assis- Maund said she uses the best GW sports moments, to its highest ranking in They eventually broke Maund said she got in- tant coach Kevin DeMille, app Anchor and her phone ever. Here’s to hoping some program history at No. through with less than spiration for the podcast who spoke about coaching to conduct and record inter- old-fashioned nostalgia 14. a minute to play in after stumbling onto a 2018 women’s athletics and his in- views. She uploads the near- can keep us going until the GW suffered its the first quarter, when video of Fox News host Lau- volvement in sports as a gay ly weekly podcast on mul- restart. only loss of the season quarterback Ray Looney ra Ingraham. Ingraham told man. tiple streaming platforms in its ensuing game hit All-Conference wide NBA star LeBron James to She added that interview- like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, No. 8: Football against West Virginia. receiver Paul Thompson “shut up and dribble,” fol- ing DeMille, who served as a Google Podcasts and Pocket captures Sun Bowl The Colonials’ offense for a 30-yard touchdown. lowing critical comments he mentor to her on and off the Casts. She also runs Insta- win sputtered as the The game was on a made about President Don- court during her time with gram and Twitter accounts Football capped Mountaineers ran out knife’s edge at 7–0 in ald Trump’s leadership and the team, was a “special” for her podcast. a record-breaking with a 14–0 win that once the third quarter when rhetoric. opportunity because of the Maund said those inter- campaign by defeating again tossed GW from the Miners took them She said the clip, which bond they created in her year ested in nominating some- Texas Western at its first the national rankings. into the red zone. GW angers her to this day, led her with the women’s basketball one for the podcast can also and only Sun Bowl game After being shut out halfback Ted Colna came to conduct interviews that program. reach out to basketandbrain- on Jan. 1, 1957. by West Virginia, GW up big to preserve the allow athletes to speak their “He was willing to help [email protected]. The Colonials, led responded by putting shutout, intercepting minds and share their per- me, even though I’m not She added that she’s by head coach Eugene spectives about topics out- up its second-most Forrest at the Colonials’ even his player anymore,” learned a great deal about “Bo” Sherman, ended points of the season 23-yard line. side sports. Maund said. “That really other people in her life the year with a program- “I thought, ‘Well, poli- against Richmond. The Colna’s pick put the speaks to not just him as a through the three interviews best 8-1-1 record. The Colonials’ 32–6 win in ball back in the hands tics can be how an athlete person and as a coach, but she’s conducted so far. team finished third in their final home game of of GW’s offense, which feels about what’s going GW women’s coaches and “This podcast has shown the Southern Conference the year restored them to made no mistakes. on around them,’” Maund women’s athletics being me that there’s so much to the said. “‘Politics can be what with a No. 17 AP national No. 18 nationally. Fullback Claude Austin, there for their players even people in our lives,” Maund ranking. they feel about something after they’ve gone on to oth- said. “There are so many lay- In the last game of the eventual most like George Floyd or the de- A strong rushing the regular season, GW valuable player of the er things and have moved on ers to who we are as people attack, which featured bates that we had last night. and graduated.” and sometimes you have to topped The Citadel 20– game, ripped a 47-yard future NFL running back How do I find a way to ask Maund took on a lead- dig with intention to get that 0. The win boosted the run down to the Miner’s athletes about how they feel ership role at the start of out, but it’s such a rewarding Mike Sommer, was the Colonials one spot in the 18-yard line as the and bring it into something last season to develop rela- experience.” basis for GW’s success. national rankings and quarter ended. Seven players ran for earned them a trip to the Running back Pete more than 170 yards on Sun Bowl. Spera, GW’s leading the year while the team GW became the first rusher during the regular attempted just 8.7 passes nationally ranked team season, punched the ball per game, completing to play in a Sun Bowl, into the end zone from 35.9 percent of them. but the squad opened three yards out early in The Colonials started as 14-point underdogs the fourth quarter to seal the season with three to Texas Western at its the victory. straight wins. GW dealt home stadium, Kidd Sherman left the Miami University in Field. team in 1959 after a 1-8 Ohio its only loss of the The Miners, who campaign. Sommer was season with a 7–6 victory had lost just one game, drafted 16th overall in to open the year. A 10–0 featured a high-powered the 1958 NFL Draft by shutout over Furman offense that scored at the then-Washington and a 13–7 win against least 50 points in three Redskins. He played on Hardin-Simmons earned games that year. Future both sides of the ball and GW a No. 16 national Pro Football Hall of Fame retired in 1963. ranking heading into a inductee and Super Bowl The Colonials played clash with Boston. III champion running their final game on A 20–20 tie with the back Don Maynard had Thanksgiving Day in Terriers pushed GW out 662 all-purpose yards in 1966, losing 16-7 against of the national rankings, what would be his final Villanova. Then-GW but the Colonials year at Texas Western. President Dr. Lloyd would bounce back the GW’s defense set the Elliott said the program following week. A 40–14 tone, holding Maynard lost $254,000 that year FILE PHOTO BY ARIELLE BADER | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR win over VMI got GW and the Miners scoreless. and the Board of Trustees A 2018 video of Fox News host Laura Ingraham telling NBA star LeBron James to “shut up and dribble” back in the win column The Colonials recovered voted to discontinue it pushed one alumna to start a podcast to highlight athletes off the court. and returned it to the three fumbles and Jan. 19, 1967.