THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF TUFTS UNIVERSITY EST. 1980 THE TUFTS DAILY VOLUME LXXIX, ISSUE 35

MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, MASS. Sunday, April 5, 2020 tuftsdaily.com Following opposition to virtual Research, teaching assistants ceremony, Tufts to reschedule continue work as university commencement suspends on-campus research by Rebecca Barker it clear an in-person event, even if delayed to by Natasha Mayor the time comes; we are being as proactive as Executive Copy Editor a safer, more appropriate time, was needed in News Editor possible,” Genco said. order to properly recognize the achievements Genco noted that, although all research is APRIL 1 — In an abrupt departure from the of graduates across the university,” Executive MARCH 30 — The Tufts research commu- impacted by this policy change, a few essential administration’s previous decision, University Director of Media Relations Patrick Collins nity has suspended all nonessential on-cam- activities are still continuing. President Anthony Monaco announced that wrote in an email to the Daily. pus research activities in accordance with new “These activities are defined as those that an in-person commencement will be post- Monaco made the decision to delay com- guidelines outlined in a March 19 email from the are absolutely necessary to maintain facilities poned until the danger of the COVID-19 pan- mencement rather than hold a virtual ceremo- Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR) as or irreplaceable research assets, such as: essen- demic subsides. ny after deliberating with trustees, the provost of March 20 at 5 p.m. tial care for animals or plants; maintenance of The Tufts community initially received an and other members of the university leader- The new measures have been taken in a equipment that cannot be shut down or main- email on March 26 notifying members of the ship, according to Collins. concerted effort to minimize opportunities for tained remotely, such as liquid N2 tanks and Class of 2020 that commencement would only “Both decisions were made with a great transmission of COVID-19, Vice Provost for shared computational networks or servers; and take place virtually this year, due to the increas- deal of deliberation and consideration, Research Caroline Genco explained. responding to a laboratory or freezer emergen- ing danger of the virus. Four days later the Tufts and I am grateful for the time and thought “The decision to suspend non-essential cy,” Genco said. administration reversed course, deciding to that many people put into the messages research activities on campus was based on the She added that sponsor agencies have been hold an in-person commencement ceremony they sent to us to express their opinions,” University’s commitment to reducing the com- understanding throughout these developments at a later date, according to Monaco’s email sent Monaco wrote in an email to the Daily. munity spread of COVID-19 and the resulting and that she expects the university to have con- to the Tufts community on Monday. “Even though Commencement might not need for social distancing,” Genco wrote in an tinued funding support. The initial announcement was met with happen as scheduled, I am confident that — email to the Daily. “We are waiting for the details of the initial an outpouring of anger and disapproval at the right time — we’ll be able to honor the Genco explained that the restrictions will stimulus package, but we are expecting funding from members of the Class of 2020 as well class of 2020 in a manner that they deserve impact all university-related research. She added support for both new and ongoing projects,” as others in the community, including a peti- and in a way that is worthy of this important that many research activities were still being Genco said. tion to reschedule commencement that had moment in their lives.” carried on remotely and that the OVPR is not yet Simin Meydani, director of the Nutritional amassed more than 4,800 signatures as of While the administration does not yet know able to predict when normal research activities Immunology Team at the Jean Mayer Human Tuesday morning. when commencement for the Class of 2020 can resume. Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA), “We received many thoughtful comments “In the meantime, my office is thinking from graduates and their families that made see COMMENCEMENT, page 2 about how to ramp-up research activities when see RESEARCH, page 2 TCU Senate budgeting, elections to continue by Alicia Zou TCU President, as well as all positions in the TCU Student Government. Losing this face-to-face funding pool which will be accessed in the Contributing Writer Senate and Judiciary and Committee on Student aspect of our promotion plan may make it upcoming school year. The supplementa- Life (CSL). more difficult to get students to run for avail- ry funds transferred to the FIRST Resource APRIL 1 — Elections for the Tufts Community Elections for positions in the TCU Senate and able seats,” Zachem, a sophomore, wrote in Center’s Unexpected Hardship Fund for Union (TCU) Senate and other student govern- Judiciary and CSL will occur from April 15 to 16 an email to the Daily. “In the same vein, being Student Needs are separate from student ment positions will begin this month as sched- and for TCU President from April 23 to 24. on-campus was helpful to candidates’ cam- group budgets but still originate from the stu- uled. The student organization budgeting pro- The elections will take place over 48-hour paigns. While they previously utilized tools dent activity fee, according to Lee. cess, however, will now continue online, accord- voting windows, again through Voatz, the like postering across campus and speaking Lee believes that this method of relocating ing to TCU Treasurer Sharif Hamidi. online voting platform criticized earlier this at the Candidates Forum to promote their TCU funding was most efficient and achieved TCU Senate hopes to complete the student year by researchers at the Massachusetts candidacies and inform students about their the same goal. group budgets by the end of the semester so Institute of Technology (MIT) for glaring platforms, they will now only be able to use “[The money] is still coming from the stu- student groups will have access to their budgets security weaknesses. online tools to achieve the same effect.” dent activities, so students should feel … rest in the fall, according to TCU President Shannon While CSL and TCU Senate and Judiciary Lee explained that TCU Senate will no assured that their money was going to some- Lee. Lee, a senior, added that when reviewing candidates will not be able to share their goals longer hold regular meetings for the remain- thing that I think we all agree is important and the budgets, TCU Senate intends to be more through a candidate’s forum, as in previous elec- der of the semester due to the suspension of that they cared about,” Lee said. “I don’t think flexible with their budgeting decisions due to the tions, ECOM promised that it will make other resolutions, which require participation and that there’s any difference really whether or unusual circumstances and plans to focus on options available. For the presidential candi- community engagement that an online sys- not it came from the student group budgets student needs for the rest of the semester. dates, ECOM will post a recording of a ques- tem would hinder. or our supplementary funding pool because “Completing this year’s budgeting process, tion-and-answer session with the candidates to Lee explained that TCU Senate also post- … [the money] would have gone to student and supporting students during this challenging the Tufts ECOM Facebook page. poned the Students for Justice of Palestine programming anyway.” period remain our top priorities for the time ECOM Chair Matt Zachem noted that this (SJP) referendum on Tufts University Police Initially, TCU Senate transferred $50,000 to being,” Hamidi, a junior, said. election cycle away from campus will be more Department’s (TUPD) training with Israeli the Hardship Fund, which was quickly deplet- TCU’s Election Commission (ECOM) difficult for both ECOM and candidates. military to the fall at her own suggestion. ed to pay for international flights. The remain- announced on its Facebook page that this “We relied on events like tabling in the According to Lee, the postponement was ing funds contributed to storage costs, work- month’s elections will proceed as planned, [Mayer] Campus Center and hosting a GIM made to ensure participation in the SJP ref- study payments and FIRST Center’s reserved during which undergraduates will elect the next to engage students about running for a seat in erendum when students return to campus, funds for future medical costs in case of sick- since at least 900 people would need to vote in ness, according to Lee. order for it to pass. In order to continue with student group No further supplementary funding activities in the fall as usual, TCU Senate has requests will be heard this semester, since the reached the limit of their donations but Lee TCU Senate has transferred almost all of the hopes that the university can contribute more student group supplementary funds, totaling to support students. $100,000, to FIRST Center’s Hardship Fund, “On my end, I’ve been really pushing the according to Lee. Lee added that this decision university to be dedicating its own resourc- was made to preserve student budgets in es into the FIRST Center’s Hardship Fund response to student groups’ wish to donate because at the moment, it’s all been donations unused funding from their budgets to help and TCU Senate’s budget, and I don’t know if students with financial difficulty. that’s really right. I think the university needs To maintain funding for student groups, to be putting its own money behind this. The TCU Senate announced on its Facebook page problem is obviously, they’re paying for a lot ALEXANDER THOMPSON / THE TUFTS DAILY Tufts Community Union Senate holds its regular meeting in the Sophia Gordon Multipurpose that it moved unused funds from student of other stuff like prorating housing and meal Room on Feb. 9. organizations’ budgets to a supplementary plans,” Lee said.

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THE TUFTS DAILY Seniors praise administration decision to delay Ryan Shaffer Editor in Chief commencement EDITORIAL Alex Viveros COMMENCEMENT Nathan Kyn continued from page 1 Managing Editors Tys Sweeney Associate Editor will occur, Collins added that the university will Robert Kaplan Executive News Editor take cues from public health officials to deter- Alejandra Carrillo Deputy News Editor Connor Dale News Editors mine when it is safe to hold large in-person Abbie Gruskin Natasha Mayor gatherings again. Matt McGovern Sara Renkert Many students were grateful that the uni- Anton Shenk versity had listened to their concerns. Seohyun Shim Daniel Weinstein “In some respects, many of us [felt] that we Maddie Aitken Assistant News Editors Carolina Espinal would rather be mailed a diploma than try to Alex Janoff Renner Kwittken feign happiness at a virtual commencement,” Bella Maharaj senior Mike Kenler wrote in an electronic mes- Stephanie Rifkin Sarah Sandlow sage to the Daily. “I am so grateful that our Elli Sol Strich RACHEL HARTMAN / THE TUFTS DAILY ARCHIVES school has listened to our frustrations with a The steps on President’s Lawn are pictured on Oct. 13, 2018. Amelia Becker Executive Features Editor virtual commencement. I think everyone let Sid Anand Features Editors Jessie Newman out a sigh of relief that we will still be able to in-person commencement will finally give nice heart-to-heart with them,” she said. “I Sean Ong Michael Shames maintain some sort of normalcy in the future. us all something positive to look forward told them I would really give anything to Fina Short Maddie Aitken Assistant Features Editors At the very least, we will get a proper goodbye to,” Sethi wrote in an electronic message be doing something as simple as walking Claire Fraise to our college experience.” to the Daily. home with my friends from a long night of Jillian Collins Evelyn McClure Senior Anahita Sethi emphasized how the She noted, however, that while having an studying at Tisch.” Marc Weisglass administration’s decision to postpone com- in-person ceremony will allow for some clo- In-person senior week events have also Ryan Eggers Executive Arts Editor mencement can encourage students amid sure of her college experience, many aspects been cancelled, according to an email sent Tommy Gillespie Arts Editors Sam Heyman the coronavirus pandemic. of her senior spring are unobtainable. to the Class of 2020 from the Tufts University Danny Klain Tuna Margalit “I am beyond appreciative of the admin- “There are still so many things on my Social Collective (TUSC) on March 27. TUSC Christopher Panella istration’s decision to postpone graduation. college bucket list that I will never get to announced plans for “virtual offerings specif- Yas Salon Colette Smith For me, the scariest part of this pandemic is do. I spent my last night at Tufts visiting my ically for the Class of 2020” put together by a Megan Szostak Geoffrey Tobia the uncertainty — it terrifies me not know- freshman year dorm. I ran into some first- new subgroup, called “Tufts University Social Devina Bhalla Assistant Arts Editor ing how and when it will all finally end. An years that were packing up and had a really Distancing.” Hannah Harris Executive Opinion Editor Amulya Mutnuri Senior Editorialists Priya Padhye Liz Shelbred Teaching assistants aid in transition to online learning, Allie Birger Editorialists Paloma Delgado Mason Goldberg some research continues remotely Milli Lu Emily Nadler Eileen Ong RESEARCH Michael Wilkinson continued from page 1 Caroline Wolinsky Carys Kong Editorial Cartoonists Annabel Nied Julia Zweifach corroborated Genco’s statement about Valeria Velasquez funding. Jake Freudberg Executive Sports Editor “For example, the Gates Foundation, with Julia Atkins Sports Editors Liam Finnegan whom we have a grant ourselves, we have let Aiden Herrod Savannah Mastrangelo them know that this is what is happening. They David Meyer were very understanding and supportive of the Haley Rich Noah Stancroff situation,” Meydani said. “I think most funding Delaney Tantillo Sam Weidner agencies are going to understand that this is a Arpan Barua Assistant Sports Editors Jacob Dreyer situation that is not under anyone’s control.” Matthew Goguen Meydani said she was more concerned Henry Gorelik Pranav Jain about the impact this may have on students’ Ananda Kao research timelines as they work towards gradua- Sruthi Kocherlakota CHRISTINE LEE / THE TUFTS DAILY ARCHIVES Helen Thomas-McLean tion, as well as the potential impact on younger Jason Schwartz Joshua Kritzer, associate professor of chemistry, and Jennifer Pace, postdoctoral scholar in Eric Spencer professors. chemistry, conduct research in the Pearson Chemical Laboratory on Oct. 24, 2018. Austin Clementi Executive Investigative Editor “One thing that does worry me a bit is that, if Elie Levine Executive Audio Editor the situation continues for a long time, what its samples so they’ll be ready to go when I get School of Law and Diplomacy, said they will

Anne Marie Burke Executive Photo Editors impact will be in terms of the ability of the young back,” she said. continue to be employed. Nicole Garay faculty to get their tenure on time,” Meydani Mientkiewicz explained that nobody is going Rowe and Welchert work for the political Aidan Chang Staff Photographer Patrick Milewski said. “This is something that universities, includ- into the lab anymore, except one person who is science department and said they will continue Alexander Thompson Menqi Irina Wang ing Tufts, are taking into consideration and are performing an essential maintenance task. aiding with their respective classes, although having discussions about it, and we’ll see what “We have one instrument that every once in the format of their teaching has changed out Stephanie Hoechst Executive Video Editors Caleb Martin-Rosenthal solutions they come up with.” a while we need to add liquid nitrogen to it to of necessity. Meydani said that her own work at the keep our cell stocks frozen, so we have permis- Rowe is a teaching assistant for PS142 and PRODUCTION HNRCA has been impacted, including an ongo- sion to have one person go in once a week and noted that it has become more difficult to Kristina Marchand Production Director ing clinical trial and a couple of animal studies. top that off,” she said. engage with students virtually. “That’s a loss because resources were spent Despite the obvious disappointments of hav- “I’m really glad that this happened later in the Sam Russo Executive Layout Editors and time was spent in enrolling those subjects, ing to discontinue many research activities, all semester so that at least I got to know students Kevin Zhang Daniel Montoya Layout Editors and we were almost close to the finish line,” researchers interviewed for this article under- prior to moving online,” Rowe said. “I think it Isabella Montoya Alice Yoon Meydani said. “Although I have to say that with lined the importance of undertaking measures would have been really really difficult to get to the true heroic efforts of people in my lab, we’ve to limit person-to-person interactions. know people and have the kind of rapport that Aidan Menchaca Executive Graphics Editor been able to minimize the loss of valuable infor- “I think it’s all done to keep our health at the we have now had this happened significantly mation from the animal studies.” best possible state,” Mientkiewicz said. “I think earlier in the semester.” Rebecca Barker Executive Copy Editors Jillian Rolnick Meydani noted even if someone wanted to that Tufts and specifically our department has She is also a research assistant for Professor Anna Hirshman Copy Editors David Levitsky go do work in the laboratories without any per- colmmunicated really well with all of this and Karen Jacobsen and noted that research prog- Hannah Wells son-to-person contact, much of the necessary we feel really supported in that way. I support the ress has been somewhat impeded by the lack of Abigail Zielinski Cole Wolk infrastructure for that work is no longer in place decision and I think that it was a good decision in-person meetings. Brendan Hartnett Assistant Copy Editors Sophie Elia since the new policy came into effect. to make for our department.” “It’s an adjustment for everybody and as Yiyun Tom Guan Makenna Law Kaley Mientkiewicz, a graduate research Meydani echoed this sentiment and added we get into it, our processing speeds in terms Grace Prendergast assistant at the Kritzer Lab, said that most of her that the situation is ever-changing. of getting through work are all a little slower,” Mariel Priven Kate Seklir workload has now transitioned to activities she “The good thing is that all the guidelines Rowe said. “Things have slowed down a bit, but Ethan Steinberg Rae Sun can do remotely. that are developed by either national or inter- they’ll pick back up once we get back into the Russell Yip “Because I can’t be in the lab, I’ve switched national agencies or by universities or by a swing of things.” Sam Chung Executive Online Editor more fully to doing a lot of reading and writing school, are all living guidelines and they update Welchert, who is a teaching assistant for PS61 and any data processing that I can do on the them as new information becomes available,” said he has been having conversations with his Julian Perry Executive Social Media Editors computer,” Mientkiewicz, a fifth-year graduate Meydani said. “I’m sure that as soon as it’s students to figure out how best to make Zoom Michelle Roitgarts student in the chemistry department, said. possible for all of us to go back and start our recitations interactive. He said he is impressed Luke Allocco Outreach Coordinators She added that she was able to effectively research, we will be able to do that.” by how the undergraduate students have han- Alexis Serino shut down some experiments for the time being Graduate teaching assistants dled all the changes. BUSINESS without losing too much data. In terms of the employment status of grad- “I tried to put myself in their shoes when I “I was in the middle of experiments that uate teaching assistants, Kelsey Rowe and was a freshman or sophomore in college and Jonah Zwillinger Executive Business Director have pausing points in them so I was able Matthew Welchert, first-year Master of Arts in how I would have dealt with this, and I think to stop my research at a point and freeze Law and Diplomacy candidates at The Fletcher they’ve been really impressive,” Welchert said. Features 3 Sunday, April 5, 2020 tuftsdaily.com Tufts Global Education to overhaul Ghana program, implement interim plan for fall 2020 by Ethan Steinberg Contributing Writer

MARCH 30 — In many ways, the Tufts- in-Ghana program offers students a unique study abroad experience. Students have the opportunity to live and learn with local Ghanaians, to take weekend excursions to sites of historical and cul- tural significance and to hone their sense of independence as they navigate an aca- demic system that’s substantially different from the one in Medford. It affords an opportunity to enjoy summer-like weath- er while their New England counterparts brace themselves for winter and most of all, the program provides students with an eye-opening, growth-inducing experience of Ghanaian culture. Through the program, students from Tufts have studied at the University of Ghana, a premier institution locat- ed just outside the nation’s capital. Introduced in 1996, the Tufts-in-Ghana program has since served many stu- VIA WIKIPEDIA COMMONS dents well. One of those students is The University of Ghana campus is pictured. senior Adaeze Dikko, a senior who stud- ied in Ghana in the fall of 2018. Feb. 20. There, faculty from Tufts Global Of course, it will take some time to Dikko recalls that the experience, like “I really, really loved my experience Education informed the applicants that implement these changes. Ghosh expects any other study abroad, was challeng- abroad … there’s not a day that goes by they were planning to overhaul the Tufts- the revamped program to be ready for the ing in the fact that it is difficult to learn that I don’t yearn to be back” Dikko said. in-Ghana program. 2020–21 academic year. In the meantime, in a new context. For Dikko, the expe- “It was a really, really crucial time in my “[The faculty] said that there had been she and her colleagues are working with rience of the 2018 fall cohort “wasn’t life, and I was so lucky to have spent it in some past issues with the program and students who applied for fall 2020 to cus- difficult in ways that could have been Ghana with my cohort, which is such an how the program ran [this past] fall” tomize an interim plan. better facilitated by Tufts-in-Ghana … amazing and supportive group.” McPherson said. According to McPherson, the faculty It’s not supposed to be a hand-holding Dikko cites the cohort as one of the Concerns about housing, academics at the Feb. 20 meeting mentioned that, experience.” reasons behind the positive experience. and safety were cited as reasons that neces- in the interim, students might live with Nonetheless, Dikko emphasized that “We’re all still really close. Every time sitated change, according to McPherson. host families instead of in on-campus the program is not a “one-size-fits-all,” and we get together, we’re just yearning for In an email to the Daily, Senior Director of hostels. Moreover, they may take classes that the overall experience, as well as the Ghana,” Dikko said. Study Abroad and Global Education Mala with fellow international students at the issues that arise, vary with each cohort. Unfortunately, the program hasn’t Ghosh confirmed this. School for International Training’s center Given the circumstances, applicants worked for everyone. Between 1996 and “We have decided to redesign the pro- in Ghana, and not through the University to Tufts-in-Ghana were allowed to sub- 2000, at least four Tufts students were gram in order to meet the academic, cul- of Ghana. These are some of the reasons mit an application to another Tufts pro- sexually assaulted while studying at the tural, and professional development goals why McPherson decided to withdraw her gram abroad, even though the deadline University of Ghana, according to a previ- of our current student population,” Ghosh application. had passed. ous article in the Daily. Included in these wrote. “We are working with a variety of “I wanted to be really immersed in For McPherson, the situation itself was four cases was a violent incident of rape stakeholders to innovate a robust, inten- the university with actual Ghanaian stu- more upsetting than the way that it was in the spring of 2000 which prompted the tional experience by strengthening ties to dents and professors,” McPherson said. handled by Tufts. former Vice President of Arts, Sciences, academic departments at the University “I also had some reservations about the “I think they pretty much handled it and Technology Mel Bernstein to suspend of Ghana, enhancing cultural excursions, homestay. I was thinking, ‘Okay, here’s my the best that they could,” McPherson said. the program. and integrating internship opportunities.” day. I go and I take classes with all Tufts or Over the next year, Tufts Global After deciding to add an extensive In the past, the program’s resident international students and then I go back Education plans to include an array pre-departure meeting and hiring addi- director, Kweku Bilson, has led a 10-day to my host family.’ [I would] never actually of voices, including some from the tional faculty to oversee the program, orientation for students after they arrive in get to meet the students from the country Tufts community and others from the administrators decided to reinstate it for Ghana. He conducts lessons on the local that [were my] own age.” University of Ghana, in order to ensure the 2002–03 academic year. culture, its history and means of keeping For Dikko, living in the International that the changes to the program will be On Feb. 12, applicants to the Tufts-in- safe, according to a brochure from Tufts Students Hostel was one of the more pow- effective. Ghana program for fall 2020 received an Global Education. erful aspects of the program. “[Being in “As always, our goal is to offer email informing them of a mandatory This orientation, along with “pre-de- the hostel], that’s how you’re meeting peo- our study abroad students a trans- meeting that was to be held the fol- parture preparation,” “student support ple, that’s how you’re finding out what’s formative experience that will help lowing week. According to sophomore services” and housing, are some of the going on in the city, that’s how you’re them build skills and enable them to Iman McPherson, an applicant, the meet- program’s features that will be considered tapping into actually living in [Ghana’s engage with the world around them,” ing was conducted in Dowling Hall on for improvement, according to Ghosh. capital] Accra,” Dikko said. Ghosh wrote. Arts faculty innovate in wake of transition to remote learning, miss community of in-person classes by Olivia King the world and confined to their individ- students in their classes to figure out dif- For dance classes, the solutions are Contributing Writer ual homes? ferent creative solutions, like how about also varied. Renata Celichowska, direc- According to Heather Nathans, chair you film your monologue on your phone tor of dance, originally held synchro- APRIL 2 — From drawing to dance, the- of the Department of Theatre, Dance, and and then we’ll get to see it that way.” nous Zoom classes but quickly changed atre to music, the arts play an important Performance Studies, the answer is to Individual theatre capstone projects the format of her course in response to role in the Tufts community. In addition evolve. Instead of performing a traditional have also had to change their goals. student feedback. to student clubs and performance groups, play, students and professors have worked “I think every individual project is “It seems like a lot of people want a Tufts offers students a space to explore, together to develop alternatives. figuring out how it could continue,” drop-in class, so now I’m planning to do grow and express themselves artistically “Acting classes, for example, can’t do Nathans said. “Some say, can I write a a Zoom meeting that people can drop through formal instruction. [multi-partner] scene work at this point reflection on what I was able to create into,” Celichowska said “I’m not taking However, the recent transition to because we have folks in different time up to this point? Or, if I’d been going to attendance, people just come if it’s good remote learning amid the COVID-19 pan- zones, and of course, we have to be mind- direct a show, can I do it as a podcast? for their own sanity and then I’ll record demic has severely impacted arts cours- ful that not everyone has good internet Can I do it as a radio play? And then that Zoom meeting. Then students who es. How do you rehearse a play when access or computers,” Nathans said. “I how can we [the faculty advisors] eval- your scenemates are scattered around think everyone is trying to work with the uate that?” see INNOVATE, page 4 4 THE TUFTS DAILY | Features | Sunday, April 5, 2020 tuftsdaily.com Arts departments organize to provide resources to students, lament loss of in- person connections

INNOVATE year, the Shostakovich Fifth Symphony,” of just being together as a community Jankowsky has also been working to continued from page 3 Jankowsky said, referring to Dmitri online,” Celichowska said. “It’s really secure equipment for music students. To Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 in D minor. helping in this instance.” continue with some type of instruction, might not be able to make that particular The Tufts community showed up to Nathans echoed this sentiment. several music courses require that stu- time can just turn it on and participate as support one another during the final week “What I appreciate is that folks are try- dents have keyboards, and so the depart- they can.” on campus. When the orchestra held its ing to continue to connect and to make ment bought and shipped keyboards to Celichowska’s meetings are also in final performance, people turned out in sure that everyone’s okay because it’s each student that needed them, even addition to other remote learning materi- full force. such a tight-knit community,” Nathans shipping one to a student who returned als, such as pre-recorded videos and links “Normally with these rehearsals in said “We spend so much time together home to West Africa. to external resources. Distler [Performance] Hall, there’s a full that it’s weird and disorienting to not be “We had to reach out to many different Other dance classes are altering their stage but it’s an empty hall, no one is in with everyone.” vendors because some of them couldn’t content more significantly. the seats,” Jankowsky said. “When I went The arts, in addition to experiencing ship internationally,” Jankowsky said. “We “Some of the classes are taking advan- in there [for the final rehearsal], there strong support from students and faculty, finally found one, but they were in New tage of this time to go more theoretical, must have been 200 students and faculty have also been bolstered by administra- York and were shutting down in 24 hours.” looking at the aesthetic form of the genre there listening to this performance. It got a tive assistance. The department did manage to obtain and how it’s developed over time, in addi- standing ovation at the end and there was “The administration, Nancy Bauer, and ship a keyboard to that student so tion to perhaps encouraging people to do not a dry eye in that recital hall.” [dean of the School of the Museum of that they could continue to participate in their warm-ups at home and so forth,” Theatre groups also came together in Fine Arts and dean of academic affairs for the class. Celichowska said. final performances. Arts and Sciences], everybody is just being Such resourcefulness has been found Studio art courses, which already often “The cast of Sweeney Todd, when they so incredibly supportive, and so it’s nice throughout the arts departments, and focus on both theory and practice, have knew it was our last night of rehearsal, to know that we’re really in it together,” indeed all of Tufts. also continued to meet remotely. Studio they sang through the whole show, just so Carter said. “Everybody looked at what resourc- Art Coordinator Patrick Carter holds syn- that they could say, we sang through the In planning for the transition, the es they had and tried to say, ‘How can chronous Zoom meetings with his class. whole show,” Nathans said. Tufts administration reached out to each I share my resources with somebody Students were able to take their materials The sense of community that each arts department to assess their needs. that might need them?’” Nathans, who home, and therefore can continue to work. discipline cultivates is what arts faculty “The deans reached out to all the has been very impressed by the kind- However, according to Carter, the learn- fear most about losing to remote learning. department chairs and asked, ‘What ness and generosity of the Tufts com- ing environment is quite different online. For Carter, being in the studio itself are the opportunities you see? What are munity, said. “Our work in the studio is quite hands- is an important component of the class some of the challenges you see?’ I think Arts professors are also viewing the on,” Carter said. “There’s something very that’s now missing. they wanted to be aware before they sudden shift to remote learning as an tactile. In a single moment there’s some- “I think what I miss most is working finalized things so that they knew what opportunity to grow. thing quite spontaneous that might hap- in the studio and being in that physical they should be prepared to support,” “I really looked at this as an opportu- pen, all sorts of interactive things.” space, communal space, because making Nathans said. nity to push my versatility and [comfort Such in-person, impromptu interac- art in my classes at this point in time is a Nathans cited support from James with] technological advancements, online tions can no longer happen due to the communal thing,” Carter said. Glaser, dean of the School of Arts and and so forth,” Celichowska said. “I do transition to remote learning. Face-to-face interactions in art class- Sciences. think that this is going to help us contin- Carter is planning more changes to the es are valuable both for the professor “We had a great meeting with Dean ue to take more advantage of what’s out class format to try compensate for the lost to provide immediate feedback and for Glaser,” Nathans said. “He asked lots of there in terms of remote access and online connection. students to receive help in overcoming questions, and I know that he took that resources.” “I may have to break the group down artistic obstacles. information into [the deans’] meetings.” In his studio arts classes, Carter is con- into small groups. That way we can indi- “I miss that inspiring space to encour- The administration responded by sidering continuing some of his current vidualize things,” Carter said. age people in the moment when they’re quickly acting to meet each depart- remote practices — even after the pan- The music department too faces sig- discouraged, to make people feel like ment’s needs. demic is over. nificant struggles because of the move making a mistake is not a negative thing, Nathans, who worked closely with “It might be really nice then when to remote learning. Richard Jankowsky, it’s a positive thing because you’re human. librarians for one of her seminars, has everything returns to normal to have chair of the Department of Music, said The studio space makes a lot of sense to been in contact with them throughout the an open session on Zoom to invite that most courses are still meeting and students who feel like they’re a little frus- transition, and the librarians have main- people to talk, to keep an informal line the music department has worked hard trated and they need a little lift or a push tained heavy involvement in her class. of communication open rather than to ensure students have access to instru- in another direction,” Carter said. “One Tufts Technology Services (TTS) has email,” Carter said. “You can say, we’ll ments at home. enriching thing about the studio is that also collaborated with arts faculty to be open for an optional Zoom session In addition, many music groups environment of curiosity, and that’s one secure different software and tech- while we’re in the process of something held performances right before depart- particular thing that I miss.” nology to aid in their online classes. or on break.” ing campus. Celichowska is now working to try to Nathans expressed gratitude for that For Celichowska, the crisis has also “Some of our ensembles used their maintain the community that she had support. made her even more strongly value dance. final rehearsal that week as a final perfor- built in her dance classes. “I want to give a shout out to both “While I recognize what a sobering mance,” Jankowsky said. “Normally their “I’m trying to create our communi- the library, which has been amaz- moment we’re all in, I also recognize that final performance is a concert at the end ty, to preserve our community, which ing, and then also to Tufts Technology celebrating movement and life and joy is of the semester, but they used that final is I think one of the most valuable Services,” Nathans said. “TTS got so, so vital, and that’s a way that we can rehearsal as a kind of send-off.” aspects of dance in a college setting,” licenses for different platforms that contribute when we participate in dance,” For example, Tufts Symphony Orchestra Celichowska said. “We are communal would normally cost individuals a lot Celichowska said. used its final rehearsal as a chance to play animals in dance and it has so many of money. They went ahead and got And Nathans concurs. together one last time. benefits.” licenses to a lot of software so that “That to me is the silver lining, the “Our orchestra — realizing that even Celichowska also believes that continu- people who needed to finish making really passionate determination on the if they attempted to do their rehearsals ing classes virtually has positively impact- film projects like our dance and cam- part of all of our Tufts artists, on the online, which would be impossible, it ed students. era students or [film and media stud- part of artists around the world, to say would not be the same — decided to play “I’ve seen a lot of students who are ies] students, would be able to do that we’re still here. We’re going to make art,” one of the group’s favorite pieces from this really struggling, and I’ve seen the power without a big cost.” Nathans said. Language departments, faculty adapt to online learning by Kayla Butera Coordinator Marta Rosso-O’Laughlin “On March 9, I was informed by my forms [were],” Palou wrote in an email Staff Writer had a scheduled WebEx workshop for the department that I needed to start imple- to the Daily. Romance Studies Department on March 25. menting a plan for the Arabic program Rania Belhadj Yahia, a French TA, com- “Therefore, we were already trying in the event the university decided to mented on the support from professors APRIL 3 — COVID-19 and the tran- to envision changes to syllabi, to con- transition to remote learning. As you during this adjustment. sition to online learning has shaken up tent delivery and so forth in the ‘what if’ know, by Tuesday March 10, the univer- “Colleagues at the department academic life for many students. Some mode,” Levy-Konesky wrote in an email sity confirmed this,” Arabic professor took me under their wings and made classes may have had an easier transi- to the Daily. Rana Abdul-Aziz wrote in an email to sure that I could work on Canvas and tion to online learning based on their Chair of Romance Studies the Daily. Zoom,” Yahia wrote in an email to the nature, while it was a bit harder for others. Department Pedro Palou noted that Since the announcement on March Daily. “One of them was beyond love- Language departments, which are heavily some professors in the romance stud- 10 to transition to online learning, the ly to take on the little free time she based on discussion, have had to reroute ies department were already experts in language departments have worked tire- has got to give me tutoring of Zoom how their classes function. WebEx, as French and Spanish classes lessly to train professors to use online and to give me a bunch of good pieces Preparation for switching to online are offered online during the summer platforms. of advice.” classes varied between language and professors were piloting an online “We actually had ‘practice’ classes Not only did professors need to receive departments. Spanish course this spring. with students before returning to classes training for online classes, but they also According to Spanish professor In the Arabic department, preparation and ‘mock’ classes between four profes- Nancy Levy-Konesky, Spanish Language was a bit different. sors to check how robust … both plat- see LANGUAGE CLASSES, page 5 Features Sunday, April 5, 2020 | Features | THE TUFTS DAILY 5 Sense of normalcy provided through language classes LANGUAGE CLASSES “For example, in a normal class, when continued from page 4 I make the rounds between groups during activities, I usually can focus on a few had to adjust their syllabi and make their groups simultaneously and get to hear material online-friendly. more of the conversation and thoughts,” “I, therefore, spent most of my Abdul-Aziz wrote. “Online, in breakout Spring break … readapting the syl- rooms, I only know what is happening in labus and creating some new mate- that one room.” rial, among which [included] really Language teachers are trying to detailed [PowerPoint] and pdf docu- make the transition between in-person ments for the students,” Yahia wrote. and online classrooms as smooth as it So far, online classes have present- can be, beyond adapting class material. ed both problems and successes for Abdul-Aziz said that the Arabic pro- professors. gram wanted to focus on making stu- Levy-Konesky had issues with dents feel comfortable and acknowledge WebEx, and is now switching to Zoom. the mutual difficult circumstances. “A few students who could hop “I had my intermediate-level stu- on easily last Monday when I held dents share their new routine and practice classes could not get on talk about how it has impacted them once classes began, and needed to negatively, along with any silver lin- ALEXIS SERINO / THE TUFTS DAILY ARCHIVES use their cell phones. In addition, at ings,” Abdul-Aziz wrote. “Language The Olin Center is pictured on Nov. 27, 2018. times our screens freeze, or the audio is all about making connections and is not clear. Additionally, I could not interpersonal communication, and I According to Levy-Konesky, lan- strong friendly relationship — and see all of my students at once,” Levy- think the virtual class was able to guage classes have also helped stu- I miss seeing them every week,” Konesky wrote. accomplish this.” dents feel more at ease. Yahia wrote. Since her classes are very interac- Connections between professors “My students seemed to be happy to As to what Levy-Konesky will miss tive and require active student par- and students continue, even with be together, to see each other, to use most about in person classes, she ticipation, she noted these issues greater geographical distances sepa- their Spanish skills, and maybe to forget wrote, “EVERYTHING! I miss walk- are “not acceptable.” However, Levy- rating them. for an hour their concerns and worries,” ing around the room and overhearing Konesky is optimistic about some of “I told them that I am just an email Levy-Konesky wrote. their discussions, I miss talking to the features Zoom offers, including away if they ever want or need to ask It’s not only students that miss nor- them before and after class, I miss breakout rooms. a question or talk because the least we mal campus life, but also teachers. bringing them chocolates and other Abdul-Aziz noted that while break- can do when there’s so much chaos all “I was lucky enough to have fan- goodies. I miss everything that goes out rooms are helpful, Zoom is still around the world is be there for each tastic students in my recitation — on in a classroom that can’t be repli- not the same as regular class. other,” Yahia wrote. some with whom I have developed a cated online.”

Alexis Serino more months to brace myself for The best friends’ porch and talk about life express my gratitude for Tufts, my col- Medford Mom Real World™, two more months to find and love and all of the risks we hope we’ll lege experience and the friends I found a way to say goodbye to the place I’ve take someday. I wake up wanting to have along the way. called home for four years. I was forced one more day at Tufts, one more day to This column can still be all of those Tiny beautiful to uproot my life, move out of my dorm get an oat milk latte from the Rez and things, despite the new reality I find and cram two months’ worth of good- sit on Tisch Roof and think about “High myself in. things byes and “lasts” in 72 hours. School Musical 3” (2008) and what it In re-reading “Tiny Beautiful Things,” It was emotionally and mental- means to let go. None of these things are I found a quote that I had underlined MARCH 31 — In times of sadness, dark- ly taxing, but also kind of beautiful, currently within reach: They are the tiny, the first time I read it: “Let yourself be ness and confusion, I often cling to the because nothing else mattered to me beautiful things I’ve taken for granted. gutted. Let it open you. Start here.” comforting words of my favorite author, in those 72 hours. Not schoolwork, not Like everyone else, I’m still trying to This whole experience — one riddled Cheryl Strayed. Her book “Tiny Beautiful job applications, not anything else: make sense of all that’s happened, try- with loss, grief and seemingly endless Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear It was all about telling the people at ing to find ways to make peace with the goodbyes — has absolutely gutted me. Sugar” (2012) is my own personal bible, Tufts whom I love that I love them, that cards I’ve been dealt. I don’t know if I’ll But it’s also opened me up in ways and I found myself skimming through it I’ll miss them dearly and that they’ll ever find the clarity and closure that I that I hadn’t been before: I find myself nearly every day of the week of March 9, always take up such an enormous part long for. But here’s what I do know: reaching almost constantly in the direc- when I found out I only had a few days to of my heart. A thing I love was taken away from tion of love, connection, gratitude and say goodbye to Tufts and my college expe- Even now in quarantine, I don’t wake me much too soon. for those tiny, beautiful moments that rience as I knew it. up stressed about any of the trivial wor- I am lucky to have loved something make up a good life. To say that was the hardest and ries that normally riddled my 21-year- so much, and, in the words of Winnie I guess the rest starts here. strangest week of my life is an under- old life. I wake up wanting to hug my the Pooh, to have something that makes statement of the highest degree. I loved ones, to hold my mother’s hand saying goodbye so hard. Alexis Serino is a senior studying Polit- thought I had two more months to and to hug my father. I wake up wanting This column was supposed to be a ical Science and Spanish. Alexis can be start letting go of my college years, two to sprint back to campus, to sit on my way for me to slowly say goodbye to and reached at [email protected].

Ross Sonnenblick “I’m IR and Africana Studies, and my if the outcome initially may not always Merlain-Moffatt is not yet a nota- From seniors to citizens concentration within IR is a regional seem positive.” ble philanthropist. She has not yet concentration, which is Africa,” she said. The 100th anniversary of the Tufts defended her thesis, and the top Hard conversations Before the coronavirus sent her back Africana Center happens to coincide search result for her name connects to her native South Florida, she lived in with the Class of 2020’s 50th reunion, to the website for Tufts Admissions. MARCH 30 — Senior spring to social secu- Capen House and called it home. and by the time Merlain-Moffatt Nonetheless, her expectations leave rity. On the hill to over the hill. Graduation to “I feel like Capen House, the Africana returns to campus to celebrate those her undaunted. … grandchildren? Here’s what seniors have Center, in many ways has been the cen- occasions, she intends to have estab- “There are things I’m not concerned to say before all is said and done. ter of my Tufts experience. It’s given me lished a prodigious reputation for about,” she said. “I know I’ll be happy, Kella Merlain-Moffatt knows who she a community; it’s forced me to have a lot herself. She anticipates that the top I know I’ll be impactful, I know I’m des- is. Her mother, and the world, often of hard conversations,” she said. search result for her name will read: tined for greatness.” ask her to assess her identities. At this Now, Merlain-Moffatt initiates those “Kella Merlain-Moffatt: Philanthropist, Correction: A previous version of this point, months from her would-be grad- discussions herself. Earlier this year, Founder, Diplomat.” column included several errors. A previ- uation, she asserted, “I’m Ghanaian- she approached one of her classmates “One of the things that I’d really like ous version said Merlain-Moffatt lived Haitian-American, or Haitian- after he made a remark that stood out to to do in the future is to open up an arts in the Africana Center, which should Ghanaian-American. The order really her for its racial and sexist implications. education center that focuses on civic have read Capen House. The column doesn’t matter.” He responded with defensive anger, but engagement for underprivileged youth,” references an incident where Merlain- With her senior thesis, Merlain-Moffatt she remained calm and requested just she said. Moffatt spoke with a peer after he made is attempting to answer some lingering to explain her perspective. She gave him Merlain-Moffatt believes in the a remark that stood out to her for its questions: “Why is it that people who are his distance, and later, he messaged her, power of words, and she hopes that racial and sexist implications. Merlain- technically Latin American [particularly “If you want to talk, we can talk.” her socially-aware, creative program Moffatt did not in fact speak with this those from Belize, Brazil, and Haiti] don’t They never talked. will encourage its participants to use peer. The column has been updated to identify with being Latinx, and what are On that occasion, Merlain-Moffatt their voices. reflect these changes. The Daily regrets the things that are keeping them from decided not to pursue the matter any “I think there is something about this error. being a part of it?” further. Reflecting on the situation, she having a legacy that extends past you … Merlain-Moffatt continues to explore said, “You have to choose your battles. I see that being an opportunity to really Ross Sonnenblick is a senior studying her Afro-Latinidad, both in her studies All the times I have chosen to have that start new conversations and dialogues,” psychology. Ross can be reached at ross. and in her very house. fight, I’ve found it to be worth it, even she said of her prospective life’s work. [email protected]. 6 ARTS&LIVING tuftsdaily.com Sunday, April 5, 2020 Take Care: How to work and learn from home by Christopher Panella ordinary. Some of us excel by mimick- While it’s not silence, white noise is sim- you should make your Zoom area as Arts Editor ing the same schedule we had just a ilar to silence in that it helps you cancel comfortable as possible. Whether it’s a few weeks ago on campus. Some stu- any distractions and just focus on the temporary space — a family computer MARCH 30 — Who thought that our dents thrive better by replicating the task at hand. — or your laptop in your room, make anthem for our current school situation caffeine-induced stress of finishing a 3. Take breaks and get sunlight and the area ready for learning and working. — online classes, working from home — paper in the Tisch Library Reading Room fresh air when you can. It’s also important to keep in mind that would come from Fifth Harmony? But at 1:30 a.m. Whatever worked for you at At Tufts, we didn’t even have to think not all of us have video-ready Zoom unlike “Work From Home” (2016) — its Tufts might work for you now. But it’s about stepping outside to enjoy some locations in our houses; there are back- biggest song? Regardless, it’s not very important to note that we all most likely nature. It was built into our schedules, ground noises and images, weird light- good — it’s not as easy as Fifth Harmony need to alter our learning methods to happening without us even knowing it. ing and connection issues. At this point, makes it sound. Not everyone can work our new surroundings. Some students’ Now, we’re all stuck inside our homes don’t take those problems too seriously. from home, ladies! schedules changed the moment they with no agenda and nowhere to go. It You didn’t know you’d be finishing the There’s so much to consider when got home — they might suddenly be can be so easy to stay inside all day, but semester online —there’s no need to we talk about our current situations. As caretakers, babysitters or having to do you need to step outside every so often be concerned right now about how the in-person learning shifts to the virtual jobs to make up for lost on-campus to enjoy some fresh air and look at a tree. lighting looks in your Zoom lecture. world, how do we bring ourselves to job income. Regardless of your situa- Even if it’s just a walk around the block 5. Celebrate the small victories. We actually attend — and pay attention to tion, make time for homework when you or a lean against your front door, give need them now more than ever! — our classes? It seems almost cruel to can. And be honest with yourself about your body a break. This could be espe- I consider small victories to be every- have to work and learn while processing getting that work done — we’re in the cially useful while doing coursework, thing from getting out of bed and putting the stress of a pandemic. And those of us middle of a pandemic and no one feels but it could also come with exercising; if on clean clothes to actually attending who came back to welcoming homes are productive. you’re feeling stuck inside, go for a run! my Zoom lecture. It’s frankly impossible lucky; for some Tufts students, leaving 2. Set a space — even if it’s tempo- Or do some jumping jacks! If your fami- to focus on schoolwork right now, which campus meant leaving safety and acces- rary — that’s yours! ly’s driving you crazy, take a walk outside means that any time we actually spend sibility. How do those students cope with If you have your own room to work in and enjoy some alone time. Or run to the studying, doing homework or attending these changes? that’s got a desk and is quiet when you end of the street and scream at the top of class is commendable. Again, we’re in In this “Take Care” article, I wanted need it to be, you lucked out. We have it your lungs! It’s important to keep some the middle of a pandemic; our usual to talk about ways to make this strange best; we can work when we want, how sort of connection to the world around school stress is now coupled with plenty learning experience a little bit easier. we want. But working from your home’s us, even as everything’s closed and the of other anxieties about family, the state Hopefully, these tips are varied enough common spaces is a much different pro- streets look like a ghost town. of the world, health, our futures and to provide some sort of assistance to all cess. Dining room tables and kitchen 4. If you have to Zoom into class, do when this will all be over. Don’t be too students finishing this semester online. counters are certainly not ideal places whatever you need to do. hard on yourself — if you can even think It would be ignorant — and incorrect — to work. But there are ways to make We can only be expected to do so about school during a time like this, then to assume that any given student has a these spaces a little more productive, much now that the internet is our new good job. Celebrate with small things: a quiet room to work in, a computer with even if it’s just for a couple of hours. way of learning. For those of us who quick dance party to your favorite song internet to work from and the time to Find time when you can be in these have synchronous class meetings, there’s or a snack. Keep yourself connected with dedicate to their coursework. locations relatively undisturbed. If you a lot to consider when it comes to being your friends as much as you can. Those 1. Block out time during the day to can’t, headphones can do wonders to on Zoom. Not everyone owns their own phone calls and FaceTimes could be do your coursework — at whatever time block out household noise. Maybe you’re computer or can reserve a quiet room really great ways to refresh and reener- works for you! not the type to listen to music while you all to themselves for classes. And then gize. Most of all, give yourself time and Setting a schedule and sticking to work — weird flex, but okay — and you there are time zones and internet access. space to adjust to all of this. We’re living it is important to feeling some sort of need silence. There are plenty of apps So many issues come into play when we in strange times. You’re allowed to feel normalcy during a time that’s far from and websites with white noise channels. talk about online learning. That’s why strange about it. Dua Lipa’s ‘Future Nostalgia’ is pop music escape by Christopher Panella song “New Rules” (2017). Thankfully, are sure to be playing at Club Café it sticks out like a sore thumb on Arts Editor Lipa’s kept going with the good parts once this pandemic passes. No, it’s “Future Nostalgia.” Why this song? of her debut — danceable singles — chock-full of bangers ready for danc- And this isn’t to say that Lipa should MARCH 30 — Picture this: it’s 9:30 and ignored the throwaway songs ing. “Don’t Start Now,” the album’s just stick to making radio-friendly p.m. on a Friday night. Normally, you’d that made it feel clunky. With “Future lead single, is great. “Physical” is pop songs; questioning “Boys Will be getting all dressed up in some thrift- Nostalgia,” it’s back-to-back hits pure adrenaline. “Pretty Please” and Be Boys” isn’t an attempt to corner ed clothes to go pregame with some (well, “Boys Will Be Boys” feels out- “Break My Heart” are funky. It’s all Lipa into making one genre of music friends — and maybe that cute boy you of-place, but we’ll discuss that later). quick — nearly every song is under (although the song is also soni- like — before you go to a basement There’s some incredible energy on four minutes — and wonderful. cally not very good — it feels like party or a club. But thanks to recent this album that’s reminiscent of pre- Everyone say, “thank you Miss Lipa!” it’s missing something, like it was events, you’re stuck in your childhood vious pop queens (Kylie Minogue, She released the pop music you’ve all hastily finished). Nor is it an aim to bedroom, already in your pajamas — Nelly Furtado, Madonna). And Lipa’s been screaming for. downplay the song’s message. But the ones you’ve been wearing for the cluing us in on the album’s connec- And we should celebrate that! It’s it is a venture to understand why past three days — and looking through tion to the pop of the past — with the great to listen to an album that’s “Future Nostalgia” ends on such an Netflix for a movie to watch. Everyone’s title “Future Nostalgia,” it’s impos- obviously been carefully crafted. It’s oddly placed note. gone to bed and you’re thinking of sible not to put Lipa in line with Lipa’s show — there are no features And with “Boys Will Be Boys,” breaking into the five-dollar wine. those larger-than-life stars. She’s put — and that makes “Future Nostalgia” there’s something left to be desired It’s safe to say we’re living in herself in that position. And it cer- feel focused and smart. She has at the end of “Future Nostalgia.” It unprecedented, terrifying times. We tainly pays off. “Future Nostalgia” is seamlessly woven together disco, calls into question whether the song all have our various ways of coping, a seasoned pop sound not unlike the dance-pop and 80s pop (especial- is out-of-place or just plain bad. Does but thankfully, Dua Lipa’s provided a disco of Minogue and the sexy pop of ly on “Cool”) to create something “Future Nostalgia” really need “Boys fool-proof way to ignore our current Furtado and Madonna. familiar and fun. And while we cer- Will Be Boys” to be good? The answer situations. After “Future Nostalgia” Lipa sounds more mature on tainly will enjoy listening to “Future seems to be no; just because Lipa (2020) leaked this past week, Lipa “Levitating” and “Hallucinate” than Nostalgia,” Lipa probably had more doesn’t sing soaring ballads about released the album early, hoping the some pop artists sound albums into their fun making it. Lipa’s plenty flirta- various issues doesn’t mean that new music would bring some joy to careers. It’s easy to point to these two tious and honest on most tracks, “Future Nostalgia” isn’t exploring listeners everywhere. The decision tracks — they’re the album’s best — and with lyrics about former lovers and complex ideas and themes. brought one of 2020’s best releases they’re absolutely perfect. “Hallucinate” new lovers and dancing with lovers. But thankfully, “Future Nostalgia” to the hands of fans who are sure- is especially delicious. It’s the song that That sex drive peaks on “Good in has too much going for it to be ruined ly going stir-crazy and climbing the you hear from the club bathroom and Bed,” which features a line about by one confusing track. It’s pop that’s walls. Especially in our current situa- sprint to the dance floor for, not unlike “good pipe in the moonlight” that’s indebted to genres and styles before tions, “Future Nostalgia” is the sweet- Ariana Grande’s “Into You” (2015) and just too iconic to ignore. it, but still exists on its own terms. It’ll est of escapes. Rihanna and Calvin Harris’ “This Is What But the album’s cohesiveness be a post-coronavirus party staple, so The last times we heard from Lipa, You Came For” (2016). Those songs were feels broken by its ending track, learn the lyrics now. But for now, it’s she was collaborating with Calvin a fun rush; “Hallucinate” feels particu- “Boys Will Be Boys.” It’s meant to the fun dance escape we all need. It Harris on “One Kiss” (2017) and with larly euphoric. be an empowering anthem fighting confirms Lipa’s ability to make more Silk City on “Electricity” (2018). She’s But with only 11 tracks, “Future against sexism and sexual harass- than just a handful of good singles; become a household name with her Nostalgia” doesn’t waste time just ment. And while it might justify she’s a full-fledged pop star we should self-entitled debut and the explosive highlighting the two songs that its existence on any other album, all be paying attention to. tuftsdaily.com Sunday, April 5, 2020 | Arts & Living | THE TUFTS DAILY 7 ‘And Then We Danced’ hampers its own triumphs by Tommy Gillespie After watching “And Then We Danced,” Arts Editor the idea that Georgian traditions are being insulted seems absurd. Akin and his fel- MARCH 31 — “There is no sex in low filmmakers clearly hold the nation’s Georgian dance,” a stern instructor tells culture in high esteem, and their film jux- protagonist Merab (Levan Gelbakhiani) in taposes the budding connection between an early scene of “And Then We Danced” Merab and Irakli with both men’s cellular (2019). This directive, barked out when the links to their own heritage. This famil- young dancer imbues his movements with iar burden weighs on Merab in particu- a bit too much personality for the rigid lar, who comes from a lineage of revered strictures of masculinity required by the folk dancers, including his ne’er-do-well nation’s rich folk tradition, strikes a dis- brother David (Giorgi Tsereteli). Akin’s film tinctly ironic tone for viewers of Swedish- reaches brilliance in its ability to portray Georgian writer-director Levan Akin’s the love between the men at its center as drama. As quickly as instructor Aleko a logical and foreseeable outcome of their (Kakha Gogidze) moves to stifle Merab’s creative souls, forged intimately in their infectious energy, a new male dancer cultural landscape. With each close-up of (Bachi Valishvili) enters the studio, catch- Merab’s legs thumping rapidly along the ing Merab’s eye. When they embark on a floor and each shaking thud as he falls, taboo affair, their single-minded pursuit Akin and cinematographer Lisabi Fridell of artistic excellence in Georgia’s famous remove another barrier between Merab’s folk tradition unfurls their various facades attraction to Irakli and his pursuit of artis- in enchanting and unexpected ways. tic excellence. “And Then We Danced” finds its best Yet, “And Then We Danced” is just as apt moments on this balance beam — seek- to fritter this thematic wealth away in the ing common ground for both the nation’s next moment. For each of its transcendent unique cultural tapestry and its contem- sequences, like its mesmerizing depic- porary challenges. Its folly comes when, tion of a group of the country’s famed perhaps flabbergasted by the wealth polyphonic singers, it offers up a poor- of meaning it uncovers, it inexplicably ly-developed character like Merab’s long- throws these triumphs off Tbilisi’s pictur- time partner and vague girlfriend, who esque cliffs. fades away as quickly as she’s introduced, We should not be surprised that a film only to resurface with unearned gravitas that gives equal consideration to both later on. Nowhere is this frustration more time-immemorial traditions and a dis- evident than the film’s cinematic high tinctly modern take on sexuality hits a point: as their friends sleep at a country- few bumps along the road. “And Then We side birthday retreat, Merab, shirtless in Danced,” from the movement it depicts to the amber light, dances before Irakli to the quality of its narrative structure to the Robyn’s “Honey” (2018) (an inch-perfect events surrounding the film’s premiere in addition to the soundtrack). Gelbakhiani’s its home country, is nothing if not volatile. delicately-crafted motion bewitches us. After its premiere at Cannes Film Festival Just as he draws closer, as the scene reach- last May, threats of violent protests greet- es the moment of greatest potential, we ed the film’s screenings when it came back cut away before Irakli can arise, as if the VIA IMDB to Georgia, with right-wing ultranational- movie has started awake from a dream. A promotional poster for “And Then We Danced” (2019) is pictured. ist and pro-Russian factions branding the “And Then We Danced” has huge aspi- film as “against Georgian and Christian rations. With Gelbhakiani deftly guiding though, Akin seems to forget these lofty of tradition, love and the creative process. traditions.” The threats forced the govern- us emotionally through a fraught intima- aims, treading in thin characterization When compared to the scenery surround- ment to intervene to ensure safety at the tion of queer life in a deeply traditional and cliched story beats. In the love affair it ing it, however, this searing journey must screenings, with Akin publicly lambasting nation, the film, at times, finds some- depicts, “And Then We Danced” achieves stand en pointe, teetering without any the threats as “absurd.” thing wholly breathtaking. In other places, a profound meditation on the paradoxes narrative support.

Peter Lindblom entire situation was chaotic to say the explore a faltering relationship with similar- (“Jesus, Etc.,” “Ashes of American Flags” least, but luckily for the band, the music ly open-ended lyrics, describing what seems and “Poor Places” to name a few), any dis- Oldies But Goodies shone through. to be a drinking problem and his deeply cussion of “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” would The alt-country sound of its first three conflicted feelings about his lover. The song not be complete without mentioning ‘Yankee Hotel albums is apparent, but “Yankee Hotel is a complicated listen for the audience, as its last song, “Reservations.” Returning Foxtrot” is a brilliant, experimental prod- it is transparently sad and dark, yet it also to exploring a relationship, Tweedy sings Foxtrot’ uct of a multitude of sounds and musical ends with Tweedy singing “I’m the man who about how he struggles to make sense of genres. There are shades of psychedelic loves you” (which happens to be the title of so many aspects of his life, but one thing APRIL 3 — In June of 2001, Wilco pre- rock; at times a folk influence is distin- another track on the album). In many ways, he knows for sure is his love. The song sented its newly finished album to its guishable, and of course, the peculiar but “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart” is an brings the work full circle, as it examines record company, Reprise Records, and was fascinating radio transmissions that are accurate depiction of the nature of relation- a relationship in the way that “I Am Trying promptly dropped from the label. Time sprinkled in throughout. Wilco proved that ships on some level: complicated, messy, to Break Your Heart” does, but this time in Warner had recently merged with America while it represented a throwback to the but filled with love. an undoubtedly more optimistic way. The Online and wanted to cut costs with its rock music from decades earlier in some Beyond the somber opener there last lyrics that fade away with the track record companies, which included Reprise ways, it was also more than capable of forg- are more upbeat tracks, one of which is are memorable and heartwarming: “I’ve Records. As a result, all it took was for one ing a new path for itself in the music world. “Heavy Metal Drummer.” Telling a story got reservations / About so many things important person in the company to dis- From the very beginning of the record, about a young girl who “fell in love with / But not about you.” So simple but so like the album, and that person happened lead singer Jeff Tweedy’s impeccable song- the drummer,” the song’s simple melodic profound. Hopefully, in a time where we to be interim President David Kahne. writing is on full display with the opening structure is a much-needed change-of- are all quarantining either alone or with On April 23, 2002, Wilco finally released track, “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.” The pace for an album filled with sophisticat- friends or family, everyone feels they can “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” with Nonesuch first few lines are strange to say the least: “I ed motifs and musical complexities. The say those same words to someone import- Records, but all of its fans had heard it by am an American aquarium drinker / I assas- whole experience oozes nostalgia for lost ant in their life. that point. Before signing with the new sin down the avenue.” What Tweedy exactly teenage years, with lyrics such as “I miss record company, the band had upload- means with those lyrics is up for debate, the innocence I’ve known.” Peter Lindblom is a sophomore study- ed the album to its website amid all the but they are undeniably intriguing. Tweedy While there are certainly plenty of other ing international relations. Peter can be uncertainty regarding its release. The continues in the first person and goes on to notable tracks that are worth exploring reached at [email protected]. 8 THE TUFTS DAILY | Arts & Living | Sunday, April 5, 2020 tuftsdaily.com ‘The Glass Hotel’: An examination of disasters large and small by Peter Lam — her romanticism that is so prevalent tuftsdaily.com Contributing Writer in “Station’s Eleven” is toned down in “The Glass Hotel” — but as always in APRIL 3 — With the coronavirus mov- her writing, she has a way of capturing ing rapidly around the world, it feels the truth of her character’s perspectives both eerie and well-timed to be review- that feels both original and completely ing Emily St. John Mandel’s work. Of the genuine (for example, in one particular- author’s past four books, her last was ly impressive passage, she draws a bril- “Station Eleven” (2014), a novel about the liant connection between a shipping devastation of the world following a flu executive and a psychic). She is at her pandemic (Mandel herself has advocated best when she delves into the perspec- to wait a few months before picking it tives of Vincent and Alkaitis especially; up). Her most recent work is also rele- there’s a deft awareness in her descrip- vant, given this country’s current eco- tions of how money changes one’s worl- nomic outlook: “The Glass Hotel” (2020) dview and security. Vincent becomes a shifts gears to a story about financial citizen of the “kingdom of money,” and collapse during the 2008 financial crisis. grows to understand the way that the Mandel works in the mode of the rich can move through society with the disaster, examining the collapse of confidence that nothing will ever hurt orders which were previously taken for them; this is only exacerbated by her granted. In “Station Eleven,” this was the proximity to Alkaitis, who, in spite of collapse of society in the wake of mass the Ponzi scheme he runs, has a certain death in a pandemic; in her latest novel, belief that nothing will go wrong. “The Glass Hotel,” the disasters are on Throughout, the novel’s structure a smaller scale, but are given the same pulls the reader in: Mandel plays with close consideration that they are in her time a great deal, unafraid to boldly previous works. In “The Glass Hotel,” foreshadow plot details while refusing we follow Vincent, a bartender at a to give final details until the exact hotel where her half-brother also works. right moment in the text. The result is One night, vandalism appears scrawled a book that feels precisely and inten- on the glass wall of the lobby: Why don’t tionally woven, as Mandel brings in you swallow broken glass? That same earlier characters and details at spe- night, Vincent meets the hotel’s owner, cific moments to advance the plot Jonathan Alkaitis, and a year later, she and build illuminating connections is living with him, masquerading as his between characters. Yet, as engaging wife in public. Yet, crimes are taking as this is, it also ends up pulling the place in this new world of Manhattan: reader away from the full impact that Alkaitis is an investor at the center of the story can have. The story is a bril- a Ponzi scheme, which includes the liant meditation on what it means savings of both financial giants and his to be faced with a disaster, but the personal family and friends. Mandel structure’s effect feels less like fit- builds an intricate story in which she ting puzzle pieces together to get a pays close attention to small details whole picture and more like watching that turn out to be important later, all a magic trick take place; the result is while probing how people react when impressive, but there’s a lack of emo- VIA AMAZON faced with crises that threaten their tional resonance that the book needs The cover of “The Glass Hotel” (2020) by Emily St. John Mandel is pictured. existence. to fully grip the reader. Mandel’s need Mandel’s prose is the most impres- to constantly push the plot forward This is not to say that the novel is ing down, it becomes clear that Mandel sive part of the novel, showing that ends up decentering the story a little unsatisfying or overly contrived; whatever knows how to craft a page-turner that’s she’s equally adept within the fantas- too much, and as a result at the book’s “The Glass Hotel” lacks in resonance, it difficult to put down. The end result is a tical world of “Station Eleven” (2014) closure, in spite of seeing each char- more than makes up for in its suspense novel that takes readers on a wild jour- as she is in the telling of a financial acter’s full arc, we aren’t as attached to that grips the reader. Especially once the ney, alternatively thrilling and puzzling — scandal. It’s not a one-to-one match them as we could be. crimes of the novel all start to come crash- which for me, is almost enough. Opinion 9 tuftsdaily.com Sunday, April 5, 2020

EDITORIAL Tufts must reflect on past and future needs of international students amidst crises event, Tufts must emphasize the impor- university’s March 10 email, Carlos Aroca ing to throughout the COVID-19 crisis, APRIL 1 — On the evening of March 10, tance of their international populations Fernandez, an exchange student who the ORLL should have, and should in our student body received an email that by ensuring the administration’s proper lived in the Spanish house, was denied a the future, consider international stu- outlined the university’s response to the attention to this valuable community in housing extension from the ORLL, lead- dents in conjunction with the needs of spread of COVID-19. However necessary, the future. ing to his quick arrangement to move our Massachusetts and global commu- this action decimated the normalcy of Tufts’ handling of the circumstance off-campus only to then receive the nities — and if the university was truly college life, giving students living on cam- posed extensive problems for internation- email announcing the cancellation of the unable to house international students, pus only six days to pack their belongings al students. In addition to the pressing Global Education program. Further, as they should have immediately connected and move out of their homes; with chang- time constraints and burdensome expens- Aroca Fernadez experienced first-hand, them to resources or students looking to ing travel restrictions and midterms com- es that complicated travel arrangements the delayed communication from the sublet their off-campus housing. pounding already, this announcement for many students, international students Tufts administration only exacerbated the The university should have addressed peaked student stress. In an attempt to had to take into account international already persistent stress of exchange stu- the similarly unanticipated impacts on curb some of this upheaval, the university travel restrictions as well as the outbreak dents in this time. exchange students as well, for students’ reassured the community in the email that status in their home countries. In the Thus, the Tufts administration should visas were canceled as a result of the “students who are unable to return to their university’s email regarding its COVID-19 have taken greater measures to ensure move to distance learning. Because of permanent residences at this time due to plans, Tufts announced that all students the security of its international students the exchange program’s discontinuation, travel restrictions or other significant con- must desert campus by the afternoon of and must maintain the safety of these stu- students were left with no choice but to straints will be allowed to remain in the March 16, unless granted extended stay by dents in the future. In order to allow a lon- return to their respective countries on dormitories.” the ORLL. While some international stu- ger, more stable adjustment period, Tufts very short notice, regardless of their coun- Despite this effort to mitigate anxiet- dents could return home quickly, others should have given students at least a week tries’ safety status. ies, Tufts did not succeed in doing so, for faced much hardship as a consequence of and a half to move out and mandated mid- We acknowledge the sudden nature of a series of decisions forced community the university’s deficits. term rescheduling. While many professors this crisis that affected both the admin- members, in particular international and Sophomore Lyanna Abdul-Rahman, a canceled class and pushed back exams istration and students. However, this sit- exchange students, to deal with unneces- student from Singapore, was among the on their own accord, some professors uation must serve as a wake-up call for sary uncertainty and distress. The afore- many left scrambling the week of the still expected distressed students to com- the university to implement improved mentioned positive intention of housing announcement. She planned to stay on plete midterms and coursework on top strategic procedures to ensure that its was immediately overshadowed by the campus over spring break, but she did of arranging travel accommodations and international student populations are Office of Residential Life and Learning’s not receive clear instructions from Tufts’ moving out. While this adjustment would not affected so adversely again. Further, (ORLL) rejecting many requests for administration about the new policy until have helped all students, international Tufts should set, and release, a state- extended stay; Tufts received 590 applica- it was too late. After reaching out to three students would have especially benefited ment on their policies regarding dorm tions for on-campus housing and only 301 people from TMA, Abdul-Rahman did not considering the extreme nature of moving stay extensions, specifying that inter- of those students were granted a chance to receive housing. out, shipping items and traveling back to national community members in press- stay on-campus, leaving nearly 49% of stu- “I wish they had given us more time far-away homes. Abdul-Rahman echoed ing situations can remain on-campus. dents who applied for on-campus housing to figure things out,” she said. Luckily, a this concern. In order to ensure this effort’s success, without a place to live. Unfortunately, friend of a friend allowed her to move in; “If they had given us a week to figure the university should also compile a these rejections included many interna- however, the university’s denial led to the things out, I think most people living list of those willing to offer emergency tional and exchange students, severely need for last-minute stressful arrange- around the area would have gone home off-campus housing. A committee and limiting their options to purchasing an ments on top of the unavoidable incerti- early, and then the people who are still fund could help organize this necessary expensive international flight home amid tude of the situation. behind would have had time to fig- action that, although especially imper- daily changes to travel restrictions or Exchange students also faced extensive ure out what they were doing,” Abdul- ative in this time, would prove helpful scrambling to find off-campus housing difficulties as a result of the university’s Rahman said. for emergency international situations on their own. Tufts student organizations, decision to suspend the Global Education Beyond exacerbating these unfortu- both on a community and individual such as Tufts Mutual Aid (TMA), as well program as students in this program were nate move-out and academic situations, basis in the future. On a wider scale, as the FIRST Center, stepped in to fill the informed that the “exchange student pro- the compounded anxieties caused by the implementing a secondary public pro- void left by the university and help peers gram will close effective March 20, 2020, housing crisis proved unnecessary, for cedure that specifies the scale of crises with last-minute housing and travel plans. with the expectation that students would Tufts has over 25 residence halls, leaving warranting midterm rescheduling would Despite the difficult decision to send stu- depart the U.S. by that date. However, more than enough room for students in hold professors accountable to changing dents home amidst unprecedented cir- the cancellation of the exchange program need. Although we commend President midterm dates if faced with a commu- cumstances and time restrictions, Tufts contradicted the university’s earlier pub- Monaco’s dormitory to patient-housing nity-wide or individual crisis like that should have provided more extensive sup- lic statements, which asserted that the reconfiguration, this effort is compati- caused by COVID-19. In this form, the port to its international and exchange visa status of international students would ble with fully addressing student needs university expresses its commitment to students in the early days of the crisis. As remain unaffected by the transition to given this ample dormitory space. When all students regardless of where they our community moves forward from this online learning. After the release of the deciding who to grant on-campus hous- reside across our globe.

The Tufts Daily is a nonprofit, independent newspaper, published Monday through Friday during the academic year, and distributed free to the Tufts community. The content of letters, advertisements, signed columns, cartoons and graphics does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Tufts Daily editorial board. EDITORIALS Editorials represent the position of The Tufts Daily. Individual editors are not necessarily responsible for, or in agreement with, the policies and editorials of The Tufts Daily. OP-EDS The Op-Ed section of The Tufts Daily, an open forum for campus editorial commentary, is printed Monday through Thursday. The Daily welcomes submissions from all members of the Tufts community; the opinions expressed in the Op-Ed section do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Daily itself. Opinion articles on campus, national and international issues should be 600 to 1,200 words in length and submit- ted to [email protected]. The editors reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, space and length. All material is subject to editorial discretion and is not guaranteed to appear in the Daily. Authors must submit their telephone numbers and day-of availability for editing questions. ADVERTISING All advertising copy is subject to the approval of the Editor-in-Chief, Executive Board and Executive Business Director. 10 THE TUFTS DAILY | Opinion | Sunday, April 5, 2020 tuftsdaily.com OP-ED Tufts can do better than virtual commencement

HANNAH KAHN next. It carries emotional importance for once we know it is safe to bring people its own image, it should take cues from the individual and the family. No matter together again.” He continued, “By then, their peer institutions and postpone. MARCH 30 — We knew that our in-per- how heartily we sing our alma mater on we will be eager not just to celebrate our Let me be clear: We know there are son graduation was not going to happen Zoom, or how gorgeous our virtual diplo- graduating students, but also to recognize much bigger issues right now than wheth- on May 17 as planned. I, along with the mas are, this sentimental significance and acknowledge the sacrifices that so er or not to postpone graduation. But as fellow members of the Class of 2020, have cannot be conveyed through a screen. It many have made to ensure the well-being students experiencing a transitional peri- known that pretty much since the uni- can only occur when we come together. of our community.” Tufts, which tries to od that was scary enough without a glob- versity informed us that classes would In their email to the Tufts community emulate Harvard on many other fronts, al pandemic, we’re looking for normalcy be held online for the remainder of the on Thursday, March 26, administrators should start with this message. where we can get it and something com- semester. Without realizing, we attended made no mention of plans for an in-per- If nothing else, Tufts should consid- munal to look forward to down the road. our last seminars, played our last games, son celebration. The described attempt er that cancelling our graduation is not Every time I’ve called my grandparents went to our last rehearsals and club meet- to “design a unique and participatory in its best interest as an institution. The over the past year, they sign off with some ings, ate our last Kosher Deli chicken salad virtual experience that will capture the Tufts Class of 2020 is ablaze on social version of, “And we can’t wait for your grad- sandwiches and drank our last Medford spirit, positivity and fun of a traditional media, sharing its frustration along with uation!” For my grandpa, who is 92, having Fogs. We’ve already had to process that commencement ceremony” is completely a petition that has amassed over 4,000 family gatherings like this on the calendar college as we knew it was over. unrealistic. I think we can all agree that a signatures in less than two days. We are keeps him going. That’s to say, this decision But of course, it makes sense. Graduation giant FaceTime cannot approximate an reaching out to alumni, asking them to affects more than just Tufts students; it’s a should not take place in May. We cannot in-person graduation. This totally under- remember their graduation and the senior big deal for families, too. It’s heartbreaking plan for families and friends to fly in from mines the emotional role this ceremony spring leading up to it. There is a whole for students and families who have never around the world in less than two months, serves for students and families. class of students leaving Tufts on a sour lost sight of how big a deal it is to gradu- to congregate hundreds of people on our Our generation is frequently criticized — note, whose opinions matter to former ate from a school like Tufts, particularly campus. It wouldn’t be safe, and it’s not and rightfully so — for spending too much students and potential donors, and who first generation students and other students the priority right now. It’s not clear how the time on screens. We are often met with pleas could be donors ourselves. who’ve overcome a lot to get here. They coronavirus pandemic will play out, but it to be present and to connect with each other Additionally, prospective students deserve to wear a cap and gown, to walk is almost certainly going to get worse here offline. Now, we are saying you were right — choosing between Tufts and other similarly across the stage, to come together with their in America. The last thing Tufts should do is and if we are asking you for the chance to selective universities may see this com- friends and family for a moment that they’ll put students and their loved ones in danger. come together in-person, you should listen. mencement decision as a bad look for our look back on for the rest of their lives. But a virtual commencement, with no Tufts should follow the lead of the sev- university. Schools like Brown University, We understand that an in-person cer- plans of postponing the real one? Tufts eral other colleges that have promised Cornell University, University of Michigan, emony may not happen soon, and that’s can do better. their students an in-person celebration, Duke University and others have all cho- okay. We are willing to wait. The reason we Commencement, yes, has a logisti- with the date to be determined. Harvard sen to postpone. Others like Harvard and are so angry is because Tufts, and the people cal purpose. It’s about getting you the University president Lawrence Bacow the University of Pennsylvania have gone we’ve met here, mean the world to us. We diploma, the precious piece of paper that emailed students on Friday, March 20, with a virtual ceremony and a tentative should at least get to say a proper goodbye. means your time here is done, you satis- that they will hold a virtual ceremony on-campus celebration down the road. Disclaimer: Hannah Kahn is a former fied the requirements, you Did The Thing. “to award degrees so that everyone will Most NESCAC schools are still making their executive opinion editor and executive This procedural aspect of commencement graduate as expected.” However, Bacow decision on commencement, but of the audio editor at the Daily. can be satisfied online. Fine. admitted that “no virtual gathering can ones that have, Tufts is alone in cancelling But graduation is also a milestone, a possibly match the splendor of our usual graduation without mention of a future Hannah Kahn is a senior studying English. moment in time that allows us to demar- festivities,” then committed to “host an in-person event. This may garner bad press Hannah can be reached at hannah. cate college from whatever might come in-person celebration sometime later, for the university. If Tufts wants to protect [email protected].

Riya Matta social media users play a constant the Tufts administration’s lacking spread the virus. Jokes along the lines Shades of Gray game of jump-rope. And while the response and treatment of students, of “my ____ is cancelled because question of what is and is not okay mock of Zoom lectures and make someone in China decided to eat a to joke or meme about is certainly light of the challenges that uniquely bat” perpetuate this stereotype and Joking ethically an ever-present one, the spread of affect Tufts or college students during fear of Asian-Americans — a stereo- APRIL 3 — I am a wholeheart- the coronavirus has given rise to an this difficult time. But since not every type that can have sometimes severe ed believer in absurd, even morbid onslaught of jokes and memes that corner of the internet resembles consequences. humor. As someone who’s experienced are seemingly spreading as fast as the TMQQ, a platform where offensive As proven by TMQQ, many jokes a fair amount of tragedy and death, I virus itself. content is moderated and all posts and memes related to the coronavirus know as well as anyone that humor Like most of my peers, I have taken are subject to accountability by your do, in fact, demonstrate how, wheth- is perhaps the best antidepressant great comfort in laughing at these peers, there are also a number of er mundane, self-deprecating or just available to us, especially as college jokes, even feeling relieved at times deeply offensive, xenophobic, racist absurd, comedy, in all its forms, students — it is certainly far cheaper to see my experience and feelings and tone-deaf jokes that come at builds communities around laughter. and more accessible than actual ther- expressed in meme form and val- the expense of others — specifically And through a combination of tact, apy — and is undeniably a powerful idated by others experiencing the towards the Asian community right respect and empathy, there are plen- coping mechanism when done right. same thing as me. In a time where now. They undercut and disregard the ty of ways to create funny, relatable In today’s internet culture, how- social-distancing and self-isolation severity of the situation and can have and relevant content without making ever, with the prevalence of social have given way to boredom, frus- dire consequences for those affected. heartless jabs at widespread suffering media platforms for jokes and memes tration and loneliness, these memes As the number of coronavirus and laughing at the expense of a vul- — dedicated Facebook groups, and jokes allow me and my peers cases has risen, so has the amount nerable population. Instagram pages and TikToks — “done an invaluable sense of companion- of hate against members of the Asian right” has become extremely sub- ship. Memes and jokes, such as some community; the anti-Chinese senti- Riya Matta is a first-year who has not yet jective and the line between humor- that can be found on Tufts Memes ment grows, conceivably borne from declared a major. Riya can be reached at ous and offensive is one with which for Quirky Queens (TMQQ), criticize the false belief that Asians carry and [email protected].

Matt Rice away with the nomination, most likely by a center or to the right. McGovern ran on the party, including Alexandria Ocasio- larger margin than Hillary Clinton did over ending the war in Vietnam and institut- Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Primary Colors Sanders in 2016 considering Clinton had a ing a universal basic income in 1972, on one issue, Joe Biden himself. smaller lead over Sanders at this time four moving the party significantly to the This election is unlike any other. years ago than Biden does today. left for a time. Carter brought the party With Donald Trump in the White House, The staying power But to all the progressives in the party, to the center in 1976, holding beliefs primary contests being postponed and this is not a cause for despair. Bernie on deficit reduction and religious faith. a pandemic sinking global markets, of Bernie Sanders Sanders is a generation-defining can- The party arguably swung to the right in there is not a single political commen- didate like Bill Clinton in the 1990s or 1992 when Bill Clinton highlighted his tator from the New York Times to the MARCH 31 — Once again, Bernie Gene McCarthy in the 1960s. Obviously, tough-on-crime record. Tufts Daily who can definitively say Sanders will not be the Democratic Party’s I’m biased because I voted for Sanders For better, Bernie fits the mold of they know what is going to happen. The nominee for President of the United States. in the Massachusetts primary earlier a generation-defining candidate, mov- only thing that can be said for certain is As of today, Sanders has won 914 pledged this month, but this is a political opinion ing the party to the left on healthcare, that Senator Bernie Sanders — the sep- delegates, while former Vice President Joe piece so I can be as biased as I want. foreign policy, labor and education. tuagenarian Jewish democratic social- Biden has won 1,217 of the 1,991 dele- Despite whatever qualms you may Though it is not wholly evident yet, ist from Vermont — has changed the gates needed to clinch the nomination. have with his policies, his campaign Sanders has inspired my generation Democratic Party for good — and in my The last major primary Sanders won staff, the “Bernie Bros” or Sanders him- more than any other candidate, and my opinion, for the better. was California on March 3. He has lost self, he has changed the Democratic generation’s first president will most Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Party for the better. Every few election likely have a policy platform akin to Michigan, Mississippi, Washington, Florida cycles, one candidate has the oppor- Sanders’ than that of Barack Obama. Matt Rice is a junior studying political and Illinois to Biden. By any rational or tunity to lead the Democrats in a new Sanders’ policy platform has been science. Matt can be reached at matthew. mathematical standard, Biden will walk direction whether that be to the left, the adopted by notably younger figures in [email protected]. tuftsdaily.com Sunday, April 5, 2020 | Sports | THE TUFTS DAILY 11

Alex Sharp a cloudy 50 degree October night in front strikes and the Rangers were one strike away The Rangers elected to intentionally walk Game Day of an electric capacity crowd at Saint Louis’ from the World Series trophy. Feliz delivered a Pujols, putting runners on first and second Busch stadium. fastball and Freese drilled it to right field. The and bringing Berkman to the plate. Three The Rangers led 7–4 going into the bot- ball snuck over the glove of Nelson Cruz and pitches later the count was one ball and two Remembering tom of the ninth inning and called upon caromed off the wall. As Cruz chased after it, strikes, and the Rangers were again just a their hard-throwing closer Neftali Feliz to Pujols and Berkman crossed the plate, tying strike away. Berkman laid off an inside fast- a classic face the heart of the Cardinals’ loaded line- the game at seven. Feliz got Yadier Molina ball and whacked the next pitch into center up. Feliz began the inning with a strikeout of to fly to right and the game went into extras. field to score Jay, making the score 9–9. APRIL 3 — With temperatures increasing, second baseman Ryan Theriot on a high 98 In the top of the 10th inning, Rangers After the Rangers failed to score off the grass slowly becoming greener and the sun mph fastball. shortstop Elvis Andrus singled to center off Cardinals reliever Jake Westrbook in the top staying up later, spring is officially upon us. Albert Pujols, who had hit .299 with 37 Cardinals reliever Jason Motte. Rangers star of the 11th, Freese led off the bottom half of There’s only one thing missing: baseball. home runs in the regular season, came to and reigning American League MVP Josh the inning. After working a full count against Last Thursday should’ve been opening day. the plate. Pujols had been held hitless by the Hamilton dug in — and as Joe Buck noted on Rangers pitcher Mark Lowe, Freese crushed a I celebrated by sitting in a rocking chair on my Rangers since a monster five-hit three-ho- the broadcast “remember Hamilton has not fastball over the center field fence. front porch reminiscing about little league mer performance in Game Three. Feliz deliv- gone deep yet in the postseason.” On the first Joe Buck yelled “we will see you tomor- with a bag of sunflower seeds in one hand and ered a first-pitch fastball low in the zone and pitch Hamilton ripped a homer to right field row,” and Busch Stadium went bananas. a glove and ball in the other. It’s been tough Pujols turned on it, lining the ball into the gap to give the Rangers a 9–7 lead. The Cardinals Twice the Cardinals were down to their without sports these past few weeks, but if in left center field for a stand-up double. retired the rest of the Rangers without allow- final out and twice they were down to their there’s a silver lining, it’s that all the sports Cardinals cleanup man Lance Berkman ing any further damage. final strike. And they won. channels have been re-airing classic games, came to the plate as the tying run and drew The Cardinals began the bottom of the “The way we’ve been playing lately you reminding us why we love sports so much. a four-pitch walk. After falling behind 2–0 to 10th with consecutive singles from Jon Jay expect to come back like this. This is a good In honor of baseball season, it’s time to Allen Craig, Feliz rallied and struck him out and Daniel Descalso before pitcher Kyle feeling and I’m pumped we’re playing tomor- throw it back to Game Six of the 2011 World looking on a nasty breaking ball. Lohse advanced them to second and third row,” Freese said after the game. Series between the Texas Rangers and Saint With the Rangers one out away from with a perfect sacrifice bunt. Theriot ground- And in Game Seven, the Cardinals defeat- Louis Cardinals. their first World Series championship David ed out to third, scoring Descalso to make ed the Rangers 6–2 to win the World Series. With the Rangers leading the series three Freese stepped into the batters box. It was his the score 9–8, while once again putting the Alex Sharp is a first-year who has not yet games to two, the Cardinals were on the first career at-bat against the Rangers’ closer. Rangers an out away from the World Series declared a major. Alex can be reached at brink of elimination. The game was held on Moments later the count was one ball two championship. [email protected]. Tufts alum reflects on NFL career

WALDRON is just everyone being on the same page name is one to watch heading into the high, not get too low and be that steady influ- continued from page 13 and everyone having a clear understand- 2020 season. ence on our offense,” Waldron said. body has been a really helpful thing along ing of what their role is within the team,” “Tyler’s just been a guy that’s consistently The idea of collaborating with and my journey as a coach,” Waldron said. Waldron said. done the right thing every single day he’s come relating to countless people from all dif- Vision and communication are huge Waldron’s position within the orga- into the building,” Waldron said. “He’s been ferent backgrounds rings true from the in the NFL, Waldron said. Something as nization has allowed him to work with that guy who’s been working hard, a key con- regular season through the offseason, seemingly trivial as communication can some special players. His work as a tight tributor every down that he’s been in there.” and at the center of it all is Waldron’s make all the difference in the NFL world, ends coach in the 2017 season had him Waldron’s work as quarterbacks coach genuine passion for football, cultivated as evidenced by the success of Los Angeles directly coaching recent breakout and this past season also had him working at none other than Ellis Oval. That pas- in contrast to the more chaotic organiza- fantasy football darling Tyler Higbee. closely with none other than Los Angeles sion has been harnessed by Waldron’s tions like Jacksonville or Cleveland. Higbee’s success in the 2019 stat sheets franchise star quarterback Jared Goff. genuine approach to his players and the “I’ve been lucky to be with a lot of great is evidence aplenty for his work ethic “[Goff] has been able to come in with that game, and Los Angeles is a better foot- franchises, and the common theme there under the Rams coaching staff, and his level head every single week, and not get too ball team for it. 12 THE TUFTS DAILY | Sports | Sunday, April 5, 2020 tuftsdaily.com ‘Coronanomics’ and basketball by Arnav Sacheti other leagues in terms of financial impact. tive bargaining agreement stipulates that the running of the game, including trans- Staff Writer Teams in the league have around 20 games “players lose about 1.08 percent of their portation and parking. left in their regular seasons, plus the play- salary for every game missed in the event Collectively, these employees and busi- APRIL 3 — Congratulations! You are now offs, and are drawing out hope to be able of catastrophic circumstances, including nesses involved in a game’s supply chain three weeks into the unprecedented no to finish their seasons at some point. If epidemics,” according to FivethirtyEight stand to lose tens of millions of dollars, sports era, and are still alive and thriving. At they are not able to finish without fans, the editor Neil Paine. contributing to growing unemployment least that’s what we hope. For the average league would lose about $350 to $450 mil- Although 1.08% may seem like a small numbers. Possibly on a more striking sports consumer like you and I, the coro- lion in ticket revenues, not including the number, especially in terms of the mil- note, especially in this public health cri- navirus has rocked the athletically oriented playoffs, according to data accumulated by lions of dollars that players already make sis, is that while working, many of these side of us into a frenzy. We suddenly have sports economist Rodney Fort. in salaries, there is still a growing worry employees are guaranteed health insur- no idea what to do with our time, but we In addition, digital broadcasting poses among players regarding managing their ance with their labor unions, and now can still take solace in watching highlights, a larger issue. Far more fans watch games finances. even that is uncertain. game reruns and even online versions of on TV and through other streaming ser- Carmelo Anthony, an NBA veteran who In spite of the myriad of economic woes the games, like the Phoenix Suns of the vices than they do live, and for this rea- experienced the financial impacts of the that face the NBA and all sports, there are NBA are doing, all while maintaining opti- son, the NBA gets a huge chunk of its 2011 NBA lockout, which caused players a few silver linings that I hope we can take mism for play to resume. yearly revenue of $8 billion from broad- to lose an average of $220 million from away from this situation. First, this crisis For the supply side of the industry, how- casting. In theory, a lot of this revenue their salaries, addressed the potential has caused the sports community to come ever, which involves the players, teams, is guaranteed through unbreakable con- financial impacts of the coronavirus. together, shedding away our differences in leagues and TV broadcasters, among oth- tracts with broadcasting companies such “It forces us as athletes to educate the face of a larger foe. Players such as ers, the future seems less certain, and as ESPN, ABC and TNT. However, in the ourselves on financial literacy, what it Giannis Antentokounmpo, Zion Williamson the present is dire. Even as the pandemic event of an “act of God” such as this pan- means to save money, what it means to and Kevin Love have all given money to help was gaining steam, many American sports demic, the broadcasting companies do start portfolios. This is that time because arena workers and team employees. leagues waited to shut down or postpone have a right to abstain from paying all or this just happened. Nobody knew this In addition, with a larger reliance on seasons. They instead tried to find ways to part of these funds under what is legally was going to happen,” Anthony said on technology, maybe we will see innovations play games without fans so that the max- known as “force majeure.” Millions of Portland Trail Blazers teammate C.J. in the way sports are presented. Some of imum amount of revenue could still be dollars could potentially be lost from McCollum’s podcast, Pull Up with C.J. these possibilities could include a heavier generated while ensuring optimal safety. these billion-dollar deals. McCollum (2018–). league reliance on NBA 2K and potentially However, after NBA player Rudy Gobert of All of this potentially lost money not Unlike the 2011 NBA lockout, which even virtual reality products. This could the Utah Jazz tested positive for the virus only affects the league, but also the peo- players generally knew about well in create more jobs and increase potential on March 11, the NBA suspended its sea- ple to whom the money trickles down to. advance, this shutdown came abruptly, revenue streams for sports, causing more son. This act was followed in domino-like Players stand to make less money in future so players didn’t necessarily have time to money to be made than ever. succession by all major American sports seasons if the league has to reduce yearly plan. Far more than the players, however, Finally, when sports do come back, and leagues in a matter of 48 hours. salary cap increases. In addition, if the sea- this fact strongly affects the many teams they definitely will, they will come back Despite being a frontrunner in this mat- son is unable to be finished or the games and arena employees, as well as the many with a vengeance, and nobody will take ter, the NBA will be on the same footing as are played without fans, the NBA’s collec- businesses that are indirectly involved in them for granted any longer.

Matt Goguen this news. Ever since the 2011 champi- would leave a gaping hole in the Bruins tion: Daniel Vladar, Maxime Lagace, Kyle Keeping up with the 617 onship season, Bostonians have pointed roster. However, the Bruins have a cou- Keyser and Jeremy Swayman. Scouts and their fingers at Rask each time the Bruins ple of options with how to handle this analysts are giving praise to the Bruins’ fail to bring the Stanley Cup back to situation. goaltender prospect depth and the Bruins Examining Beantown. Sign Rask to a one-year “prove-it” deal: coaching staff are comfortable with any of Although some playoff losses were part- Following the 2020–21 season, the the four between the pipes. Currently, 6′ 5″ Tuukka Rask’s ly due to Rask’s playoff nerves, he certainly Bruins will have a couple of players that Daniel Vladar seems slated for the start- wasn’t to blame for the latest choke job are due to hit the market, with David ing role after posting absurd numbers in hazy future last season. During the 2019 playoffs, Rask Krejci and Ondrej Kase as the most nota- the AHL with a 1.79 GAA and a .936 save ranked fourth in save percentage (.934) ble. In total, the Bruins will have five free percentage. MARCH 30 — The bad news contin- and third in goals against average (2.02) agents during the summer of 2021, giving The Bruins have two solid options ues to pile up for Boston sports fans. among qualifying goaltenders. It’s worth the front office some wiggle room in the following the 2020–21 season. Ideally, First reported by the Boston Globe’s Matt noting that both statistics were higher salary cap. Additionally, Bruins stalwart the front office would hope to see Rask Porter, Tuukka Rask has hinted at a retire- than Jordan Bennington of the Blues, who Patrice Bergeron will have one more year for a couple more years as the Bruins’ ment following the termination of his shut down the Bruins during the Stanley left on his contract — he becomes a free all-star core hopes to bring more cham- current contract, which ends after the Cup Finals. agent after the 2021–22 season. If the pionship seasons to Causeway Street. 2020–21 season. Additionally, Rask was having a Bruins want to gear up for one more cup And for the Rask critics who can’t wait When asked about his future work- Vezina Trophy caliber year this season run with their core, it’s best if they sign to see him retire, read the statistics. load, Rask said: “I have one year left in before it was suspended, ranking sec- Rask to a one-year contract with a salary Rask is an elite goaltender and has left the contract, so we’ll see if I even play.” ond in save percentage (.929) and first that benefits both sides. a strong legacy in Boston, even without Rask’s statement about his NHL future in goals against average (2.12). In short, Dip into the farm system: a Stanley Cup. is unclear, as he doesn’t clarify whether Rask is a near-elite goaltender who has The Bruins currently have four goalten- Matt Goguen is a first-year who has not or not he will return. Some sports fans, been the backbone for the Bruins for ders in their farm system that are willing yet declared a major. Matt can be reached ones I like to call Rask critics, rejoiced at a handful of years and his departure to rise to the starting goaltender posi- at [email protected].

Henry Gorelik core by focusing on the middle and back The Broncos also added center Graham for star pass-rushers Joey Bosa and Melvin Off the Gridiron end of his defense during free agency. Glasnow from the Lions, who will be Ingram. With a lockdown secondary and a By adding strong safety Jeff Heath and important in creating a cohesive offensive disruptive front, the Chargers appear to be cornerback Eli Apple, the Raiders have line that can keep Drew Lock upright. just a linebacker away from having one of The sneaky added some legitimate talent to their sec- The upgrade to the offensive line will also the best defenses in the NFL. ondary. The additions of linebackers Cory support another Denver signing, former The Chargers also addressed their winners of NFL Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski will be even Chargers’ running back Melvin Gordon. The porous offensive line by flipping Russell more important for the Raiders. Coming Broncos benefitted from Gordon’s botched Okung for the more talented Trai Turner free agency from the Los Angeles Rams, Littleton’s contract holdout and were able to sign and signing Green Bay’s longtime right provides excellent pass coverage in either him to a relatively cheap contract despite tackle Brian Bulaga. In Turner, the Chargers APRIL 3 — While the headlines of free man or zone. With the Raiders, Kwiatkoski him being just one season removed from are acquiring a younger and more dynam- agency were stolen by Tom Brady sign- gets his chance to the heart and soul of an incredible season. Pairing Gordon with ic offensive lineman while Bulaga, despite ing with the Buccaneers, the Cardinals this defense after being blocked by Danny current running back Phillip Lindsay gives his injury history, brings experience and robbing the Texans by landing DeAndre Trevathan in Chicago. Through these Denver a dangerous lightning and thunder leadership to the unit. Currently, these Hopkins, the Eagles rescuing Darius defensive upgrades, the Raiders are begin- combination in the backfield. With these investments in the offensive linew are Slay from the Lions and the Dolphins ning to enter the playoff conversation. additions, don’t be too surprised if Denver going to be protecting quarterback Tyrod making Byron Jones the league’s highest Denver Broncos rides its defense and an ascending Lock into Taylor. But I think the commitment to the paid corner, several teams made quieter Joe Flacco’s demise and Drew Lock’s a wild-card spot. offensive line could indicate the Chargers’ moves that will pay serious dividends strong end to the season signal the end Los Angeles Chargers intentions of drafting a quarterback, during the season. of Denver Broncos’ general manager Despite deciding to part ways with whether that is Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Las Vegas Raiders John Elway’s patterned pursuit for a tall Phillip Rivers, the Los Angeles Chargers Herbert. After going 7–9 last season, the Raiders quarterback. addressed the weaknesses within their Either way, the subtle upgrades made are starting to show some life in the second Elway traded a fourth-round draft pick squad. They were able to poach standout by the Raiders, Broncos and Chargers year of the Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock for Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye, who corner Chris Harris from the division rival make the AFC West, which already has the regime. They got great contributions from will join safety Justin Simmons to give Broncos, adding him to a secondary that defending Super Bowl Champions, one of rookies Josh Jacobs, Clelin Ferrell and the Broncos a very talented secondary. already includes safety Derwin James and the most competitive divisions in football. Maxx Crosby, showing that they have a Elway also traded a late round draft pick corner Casey Hayward. developing young core as they relocate to for Titans’ defensive tackle Jurrell Casey, They also added veteran defensive Henry Gorelik is a first-year who has Las Vegas. Mayock, the general manager, who will look to be disruptive on defense tackle Linval Joseph to slow down oppo- not yet declared a major. Henry can be decided to add some pieces to this young alongside Bradley Chubb and Von Miller. nents’ running backs and provide support reached at [email protected]. Sports 13 Sunday, April 5, 2020 tuftsdaily.com From Jumbo to Ram: Waldron takes experience from Tufts to NFL by Aiden Herrod Unless they won the Super Bowl, every Sports Editor team is gripped by what it could have done better. APRIL 2 — When the stadium lights shut “It’s still that desire to improve and that off and the players hang up their cleats for desire to figure out what we can do better,” the offseason, there are still plenty of coach- Waldron said. “How can we help our team es and executives working tirelessly to deliv- to win that one more game?” er the fine-tuned product that is the NFL. For all the trials and tribulations that come For one team, the Los Angeles Rams, with coaching in the NFL, Waldron holds the a key contributor to the year-round grind rewarding parts of the job above all else. is none other than Tufts University alum “As a coach, one of the most exciting Shane Waldron (A’02). parts of the year is watching the guys grow VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Waldron is the passing game coordi- The Los Angeles Rams logo is pictured. together and really turn into a team,” nator for the Rams, working closely with Waldron said. “It’s a full time gig, and it’s a esteemed head coach Sean McVay and to as many people as you can, you’re of the Redskins. When McVay was hired in lot of fun doing it.” other offensive minds on the staff to put trying to apply to every job you can. And Los Angeles in 2017, Waldron went with him. Ever since that fateful 2017 season when together what is widely regarded as one of once you’re there, it’s all about doing the By this point, Waldron had the position of Waldron and McVay went to Los Angeles, the strongest offenses in football. best you can at the job you’re in.” an NFL assistant coach, a position that carries the Rams have been one of the top teams All of that got started in Waldron’s college Waldron was able to land an opportu- one of the highest honors and heaviest work- in the NFL, especially in terms of offen- days, playing football for the Jumbos as a nity with the New England Patriots, where loads in the sport of football. But Waldron has sive coaching and firepower. Waldron has tight end and long snapper under coach Bill he worked in various capacities as an always been up for the challenge. been an instrumental part of that success, Samko, who stepped down in 2010. intern and assistant. It was there that he “People always ask me, what do you do working as both the tight ends coach and “I enjoyed all the friendships and bonds decided what his calling was. in the offseason?” Waldron said. “But it’s a the quarterbacks coach in past seasons, as I formed there,” Waldron said about Tufts. “After my initial experience with full time job. You go from coaching during well as his current position of pass game “Coach Samko was a great mentor to me, New England, I knew I wanted to be a the season, then a transition into where coordinator. and I still stay in touch with him to this day.” coach,” he said. we’re at now, where you’re evaluating the Waldron tracks a lot of his success and After graduating, Waldron knew he That turned into a long and fruitful jour- college players.” love for coaching back to the skills he wanted to continue to be around football, ney through multiple organizations at the While players and fans may bask in learned at Tufts. but he was not sure if that would be as high school and collegiate levels, as well as a some lengthy bouts of downtime, Waldron “Being at Tufts, just that ability to devel- a coach or in a front office position. He stint back with the Patriots, before Waldron is in the office day in and day out. The NFL op relationships and friendships with peo- anchored his efforts with a genuine pas- landed with the Washington Redskins as an represents a unique coaching challenge ple from all different walks of life … When sion for the game of football. offensive quality control coach in 2016. It in its immense turnover. This contributes you get into the coaching profession, that “Once you finish up [college], it’s like was there where Waldron worked on the to the yearlong grind that coaches face, ability to communicate and relate to every- anything else, you’re fishing with a net,” staff of a certain little-known coach named studying countless teams and matchups Waldron said. “You’re trying to reach out Sean McVay, then the offensive coordinator while also fine-tuning a 53-man roster. see WALDRON, page 11 Dezotell hired as men’s soccer coach by Jake Freudberg Executive Sports Editor

MARCH 30 — The men’s soccer team has a new coach at the helm, as Kyle Dezotell was recently hired as the head coach of one of the country’s top Div. III teams and the reigning national champions. Dezotell comes to Tufts with 16 years of experience as a head coach at the Div. III level, with stints at Johnson State College (2004–05), Norwich University (2006–15), Manhattanville College (2016) and, most recently, Ithaca College (2017–19). At Ithaca, Dezotell led the Bombers to their best season in program history in 2018, with a 14–2–2 record that brought the team to the Liberty League championship. In the 2019 sea- son, his team finished ranked No. 23 in the United Soccer Coaches Div. III rankings and earned a spot in the NCAA tournament, defeat- ing Keene State College in the first round before losing to eventual runner-up Amherst. “Kyle’s experience, track record of success and reputation within the coaching community really stood out, but in the end, it was his vision for our men’s soccer program, his commitment to academic achievement, mentoring and EVAN SLACK / THE TUFTS DAILY ARCHIVES developing student-athletes, and his alignment Junior forward Mati Cano crosses the ball into the box during Tufts 4-0 win over Colby on Sept. 21, 2019. with our core values that made Kyle the obvious choice for us,” Director of Athletics John Morris “What the program has done and what His first weeks as a Jumbo have certainly been “When you’re going through the interview said in an Athletics Department press release. coach Shapiro was able to do was mildly absurd, what Dezotell could best describe as “interesting,” process and such, you don’t envision your first Dezotell — who played at Middlebury, but that’s certainly the goal,” Dezotell said. “I fully with the current global coronavirus pandemic team meeting being online, but that’s how we where he still holds the record for most career expect and intend to have the program in a posi- closing college campuses across the U.S., includ- did it,” Dezotell said. goals scored — inherits one of the top pro- tion to compete for NESCAC championships ing Tufts. His hire was announced by the Athletics So far, Dezotell has mainly focused on get- grams in all of Div. III. Under the leadership of and NCAA championships for every year now Department just two days after University ting to know the team and supporting them coach Josh Shapiro, who was hired in January forward just like the last six or seven.” President Anthony Monaco announced in a through this unprecedented time. Soccer can by Div. I Harvard University, Tufts won four The Vermont native also pointed to other March 10 email that classes were moving online take a back seat for now, he said. NCAA national championships in the span factors aside from the program’s success that and residence halls were closing. “I’m just really trying to connect with the of six years, including in the past two seasons. drew him to Tufts: his appreciation of the Dezotell emphasized that everyone is deal- guys in a lot of ways,” Dezotell said. “I’m just The Jumbos also won two NESCAC champi- NESCAC as well as the opportunity to move ing with their own unique challenges because trying to immediately give them that support.” onships in 2017 and 2019. his family back to New England. of the pandemic. Because of the situation, And when life eventually returns to nor- The Jumbos’ recent dominance attracted “To do all that and also become the head Dezotell has not had the opportunity to meet mal, Dezotell is ready. him to the open position, Dezotell explained, coach of the number one soccer program with the team in person, but like so many “To become the head coach of the best team and he looks forward to taking on the chal- in the country was kind of a no-brainer,” other people, he has been in touch through in the country is an honor,” Dezotell said. “It’s lenge of continuing that success. Dezotell said. Zoom, a web-conferencing tool. something I really look forward to and I’m eager.”