1-24-2019

Page 1

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL, 2

SAVE THE FISH, 5

BARRY BONDS, 9

ARIZONA AT AGGANIS, 10

BU welcomes the early decision class of 2023.

Ruth Thurstan gave a seminar on declining marine ecosystems and fisheries.

A baseball legend continues to be snubbed from admission to the Hall of Fame.

Men’s hockey will play two games against Arizona State Friday and Saturday.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Shutdown impacts BU researchers, students

VIGUNTHAAN THARMARAJAH/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

The Bunker Hill Monument, a Boston National Historic Park, is closed due to the partial federal government shutdown.

BY MIA CATHELL

DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

The United States’ partial government shutdown, which began on Dec. 22, 2018, has halted numerous academic opportunities across Boston University, an institution that receives federal funding. Jennifer Grodsky, BU’s vice president for federal relations, wrote in an email that a number of university faculty and students have been affected by shuttered federal agencies. “BU researchers who are awaiting word on whether they have won federally-funded research

grants from federal agencies like the National Science Foundation and NASA, which are currently closed, are also impacted,” Grodsky wrote. Students participating in internships based in Washington, D.C., such as at the U.S. Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency, cannot begin until the federal departments reopen, Grodsky wrote. “If the shutdown continues,” Grodsky wrote, “federal science agencies will delay their peer review of research proposals and will struggle to address the back-

log of research grant applications when they reopen.” This will lead to delays in awarding new grants, which BU faculty and students rely on to conduct their scientific work, Grodsky wrote. Masha Kamenetska, an assistant professor of chemistry and physics, is conducting research to measure the electron conductivity of DNA molecules. She said her funding is still active during the shutdown, as it was allocated in the budget earlier this month, but that a grant she submitted for review is being put on hold by the NSF.

“Delaying and shutting down all these federal agencies is not good for anyone and certainly is not good for science,” Kamenetska said. Additionally, Kamenetska said that she proposed Monday to purchase an optical tweezer, a scientific instrument that uses a laser beam to manipulate small particles, for the science department to be shared among professors. If approved, the project would begin to receive funding in July, but with the delay in the shutdown, the starting date is unknown. “All of this throws delays and uncertainty into our work,” Kamenetska said. Although this is only a partial shutdown, Grodsky wrote that she was worried about the consequences of its record length, which has now lasted for 33 days. “There was a 16-day government shutdown in 2013, which unfortunately took scientific agencies months to recover from,” Grodsky wrote. “While this shutdown is partial – many agencies are still operational – it is unprecedented in its length. I am very worried that even when the affected agencies reopen, it will take quite some time for their operations to return to normal.” R. Glynn Holt, an associate professor of mechanical engineering, said NSF asked him to serve as an investigator on a panel that reviews proposals in his field. The day-long event was scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., this Friday. However, Holt said the panel was canceled due to travel issues and websites being CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

YEAR XLVII. VOLUME XCVI. ISSUE I

Government workers get early benefits BY NATALIE PATRICK

DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

In light of the partial federal government shutdown, the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance began issuing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for the month of February early to eligible employees that are not being paid. Brooke Karanovich, director of communications at the DTA, wrote in an email that 93 percent of SNAP clients at the DTA received their benefits early. “Due to the partial government shutdown,” Karanovich wrote, “the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) issued February SNAP benefits early between January 17 and January 20 to the vast majority of SNAP households.” Karanovich also wrote that the SNAP benefits that were issued early must last until the end of February, as clients will not be receiving another payment for the month. A Jan. 17 press release from the DTA stated that the U.S. Department of Agriculture funds SNAP benefits. A USDA press release published on Jan. 8 instructed states to give out the SNAP benefits for February before Jan. 20. One in nine Massachusetts residents received benefits from the SNAP program, according to DTA’s release. New applicants and cases

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Class explores urban issues Boston Common to receive $28 million BY DAMIAN WALSH

DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Boston University students in the Kilachand Honors College will have the opportunity to make a difference in communities across the state in a new global health program called MetroBridge this year. MetroBridge was created by the BU’s Initiative on Cities and seeks to make connections between university classrooms and the wider world to solve real public health crises, according to their website. Emily Robbins, the program manager for MetroBridge, wrote in an email that the program was created in order to give students a way to have an impact on Boston-area communities outside of campus. “MetroBridge was created in response to two pressing needs— one is that students are eager to impact their local communities and apply the skills they’re learn-

ing to real-world situations, and the other is that cities are always looking for new solutions to big challenges,” Robbins wrote in an email. The program has projects across Massachusetts in seven cities and towns including Chelsea, New Bedford and Providence. The scope and nature of these projects varies from exploring homelessness and housing insecurity to analyzing the effects of airplane noise congestion. “Our goal is that MetroBridge will not only have a positive impact on the local governments we work with, but also help students understand how the skills they’re building can be applied in the real world,” Robins wrote. Cities could use MetroBridge in different ways, such as to uncover new policy ideas, survey residents to better understand CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

BY JULIA SULLIVAN

DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Boston Mayor Martin Walsh announced plans Jan. 17 to allocate $28 million for improvements to the Boston Common, the oldest park in the United States. The funds for the project were generated by the recent sale of the Winthrop Square Garage in Boston’s Financial District, a space which will be turned into a building. Liz Vizza, executive director of the Friends of the Public Garden — an advocacy group that cares for the Common — said in addition to the $28 million that has been directed toward improvements for the Common, Franklin Park will also be granted $28 million. Additional money from the sale of the garage will also be allocated for public housing projects, Vizza said. “If this money is coming to the park, we need to do a master plan so that the money can be thoughtfully

SERENA YU/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Boston Mayor Martin Walsh announced Jan. 17 that $28 million will be granted to improve the Boston Common.

and comprehensively used for the best future of the Common, and it needs to be a robust public process,” Vizza said. Though the Winthrop Square Garage lot has been sold, Vizza said she is concerned about the impact the new building would have on the sur-

rounding greenery. “We opposed it because we didn’t want to have the threat and the impact of shadows on the turf and the trees,” Vizza said. There are two state laws that were put into place in the 1990s to CONTINUED ON PAGE 4


2 NEWS

BU welcomes early decision 2023 students BY CHLOE MCKIM JEPSEN DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Boston University accepted a currently undisclosed number of students through the university’s early decision program in December. BU spokesperson Colin Riley said that although statistics for the incoming ED class have not yet been released, there are certain attributes that the 2023 applicants all share and attributes that BU admissions specifically looked for. “We look at students in their entirety,” Riley said. “We are not hoping that students just come here and expect to be taught. We want them to become full participants in their education and contributing to their education and the education of others.” Riley said that applying early decision is a “serious commitment.” “They have decided that BU and the city of Boston is the place that they decide to spend their next four years,” he said. Thomas Durand, a high school senior from Rhode Island, was one of the students accepted into the early decision program. From the moment he first stepped onto Boston University’s campus, he said he knew it was the school for him. “I love Boston, I think it’s a great place,” Durand said. “I’m from Rhode Island, so I grew up going [into Boston]. The university itself was very exceptional and impressive to me.” Durand said he was interested in BU’s computer engineering program, which he found diverse in terms of the disciplines it explores. He said he also plans on joining BU’s ROTC program as a member of the Air Force. His acceptance into the class of 2023 came unexpectedly early, he said, on a gloomy Friday afternoon at the end of a long week. “I saw a post from the BU Admissions that said, ‘Congratulations Early Decision applicants, your decisions are ready,’ and I had a mini heart attack,” he said. “I saw my decision and was very surprised — I jumped up and told my parents.” Riley said that more than anything else, a visit to BU’s campus can be vital in deciding whether or not a

crime logs BY JEN RACOOSIN

DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

The following reports were taken from the Boston University Police Department crime logs from Jan. 17–21.

Suspicious person reported near Danielsen BUPD received an anonymous tip about an individual with a hammer in his pocket looking into car windows at 12:51 p.m. on Jan. 17 near 512 Beacon St. Officers checked the area but could not find the individual.

Lyft fight near Hotel Commonwealth The Boston Police Department reported a fight in a Lyft rideshare at 1:02 a.m. Sunday in front of 500 Commonwealth Ave. BPD handled the incident.

Screaming heard at Alltown market COURTESY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Boston University accepted a number of students that has yet to be released through BU’s early decision program in December.

student wants to apply early decision to BU. “It could also be that they had some interaction with students at BU or students that they knew that had enrolled at BU who they knew through their high schools or their family or friends,” Riley said. Geneve Lau, a co-coordinator of the College of Communication’s student ambassador program and a sophomore in COM, said she believes BU’s increasing popularity is a factor in how many people decide to apply. “BU is becoming more and more popular, so a lot of students are attracted to that,” she said, “and they also know that the BU Hub is a new curriculum, so that’s also attractive to a lot of students.” More and more Lau said she sees students applying who have done prior research about the university and have specific questions about its programs. “BU is taking steps to advance education, so there’s definitely a lot of students who come in asking about that,” she said. “A lot of people have been looking at BU for a while they

have visited before or they know someone, so they’ll ask about particular experiences.” Navika Reddy, a 17-year-old student from Hyderabad, India, was also among those who applied and was accepted into the BU Class of 2023 early decision in the Questrom School of Business. “I’m excited to take part in the academic clubs and networking opportunities it provides me with,” Reddy said. “I believe that BU cultivates the spirit of learning and will equip me with the necessary skills needed to succeed and create memories that will last a lifetime.” Like Durand, Reddy said she was thrilled to find out she was accepted to BU. “When I got my acceptance, it was the best feeling ever,” she said. “It made me realize that all my hard work paid off, and I’m just so excited to see what BU has in store for me fall 2019.” High school senior Kenzie Morris, of Massachusetts, will join class of 2023 and also said she was

excited to take advantage of the networking opportunities BU offers when she gets to campus in the fall. “I am really excited to be in the BU community because it is so diverse, from the students to the alumni network,” she said. “A lot of the opportunities that I want to do connect to the BU alumni, so they can provide students with those opportunities as well.” BU was also the only school that offered Morris a program for her desired path of study, she said. “I want to go into the business and entertainment world, and BU is one of the only places that offers an L.A. program,” she said. “A lot of the entertainment executives who come from Holywood went to BU.” Most of all, Morris said, she felt welcomed by the BU community. “Even since I’m accepted, a lot of people who are going with me next year seem to have that same pride for the BU community,” she said. “Everyone is so different, but at the same time you can get along and find various overlapping interests.”

Federal funding halted for BU researchers’ projects SHUTDOWN, FROM PAGE 1 shut down, which render the proposals inaccessible. Several years ago, Holt started a company called Levisonics, which has developed a method to monitor blood coagulation in real-time for patients. Just before the shutdown, he said that he was notified by the NSF that Levisonics was recommended to receive funding from a Small Business Technology Transfer grant. “Recommended for funding does not mean awarded,” Holt said. “And then the shutdown happened, so now

CAMPUS

we can’t plan. Plans to allocate funding are now on hold, including kickoff meetings, bootcamps and hiring.” BU spokesperson Colin Riley said that although BU doesn’t deal directly with the federal government, the shutdown is beginning to affect state and local municipalities. “When there’s a shutdown of this magnitude, it has a ripple effect,” Riley said. “I think everyone is affected in some way, but some much more than others.” At this point, Riley added, he does not think any financial assistance to students would be affected

by the shutdown. Amelia Wolff, a freshman in the College of Communication, said she was disappointed with the conflict in Washington. “I think it’s disappointing that they can’t find a way to work together, but I also think that holding the government hostage while you try to make a political point is just childish,” Wolff said. Lauren Mister, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, said she has friends whose parents work in government offices in Maryland. Some are working with-

out pay, she said, and some can’t go to work at all. “It hurts so many more Americans than it does anybody else,” Mister said. “So, for me, it’s really just anti-American.” Troy Gallerani, a CAS junior, said that he thinks that the shutdown will end with one side giving in. “I think someone needs to concede at some point,” Gallerani said. “It will be have to be on the part of the Democrats. The personality of the president, he is very stubborn. The way that he negotiates is that he doesn’t.”

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An individual called BPD to report hearing a female voice screaming at 1:39 a.m. Sunday near 510 Park Drive. BUPD officers searched the area but did not find the party inside or outside the building.

Motor vehicle accident near Pardee Center A Facilities Management and Planning supervisor reported at 4:07 p.m. Sunday that a vehicle parked in the rear of 67 Bay State Road was hit by a pole from Storrow Drive. The pole was removed from the vehicle, and the Massachusetts State Police took a report on the accident.

CITY

crime logs BY JULIA SULLIVAN

DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

The following crime reports were taken from the Boston Police Department crime logs from Jan. 17–20.

Missing man with dementia found At 5:54 p.m. Thursday, a woman reported that her husband, who has dementia, went for a walk on Commonwealth Avenue at 4 p.m. and had not returned. At 7:52 p.m., the man was found by police walking in the area of 1993 Commonwealth Ave. and was reunited with his wife.

Hit and run in Allston A victim’s car was hit in the rear by a car moving at a substantial speed at 4 p.m. Thursday at Cambridge and Windom Streets, causing the bumper on the victim’s car to be torn off. The driver of the car then fled the scene and had not yet been located.

Car purchase fraud A suspect tried to pick up a car he claimed his girlfriend had purchased and used false identification at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Honda dealership at 1186 Commonwealth Ave. The suspect was found to have a previous warrant for his arrest and was taken into custody.


NEWS 3

Baker proposes $75 million for climate change preparedness BY JULIA SULLIVAN

DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito announced plans to invest in new climate adaptation programs in the face of a changing climate Friday. They filed the administration’s Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Wednesday. Baker’s administration is proposing to dedicate $75 million in 2020 to prepare Massachusetts communities to withstand the changing climate. This $75 million, if approved, would be used “for a substantial and sustained investment to protect Massachusetts’ residents,

communities, economy, and infrastructure,” according to the press release. Citing more than $600 million that has been used over the years to fight the adverse effects of climate change, Baker said in the release that this new proposal will build on past monetary aid. “Over the last four years, we have increasingly witnessed the effects that climate change has on communities and infrastructure across the Commonwealth,” Baker said in the release. “… The investments we make today are critical to ensure cities and towns are prepared to face the challenges of tomorrow.” The money for this invest-

ment will be supported from a “modest increase in the excise on real estate transfers.” This increase is expected to amount to $137 million on an annual basis for the Global Warming Solutions Trust Fund. David Timmons, an associate professor of economics at UMass Boston, said he has doubt in how sufficient the $75 million for climate adaptation programs in the Commonwealth will be. “It’s clear that Boston has much work to do to prepare for climate change,” Timmons said. “An allocation of $75 million is clearly not enough to cover the costs.” Timmons said he doubts

MIKE DESOCIO/ DFP FILE

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito announced budget plans for 2020 for new climate programs.

the $75 million will be enough because of a past proposal for a possible harbor f lood protection barrier that had an estimated cost of nearly $12 billion. He said he thought the cost for this barrier makes the $75 million allocated for climate adaptation pale in comparison. However, he said he did acknowledge past legislation Baker’s administration has created in efforts to combat climate change, specifically a previous piece of legislation Baker signed in August 2018 that authorized more than $2.4 billion to be used for investments that would protect Massachusetts from the impacts of climate change. Though whether or not the currently allocated $75 million is adequate is debated, Adriana Massie, 19, of Somerville, said she thinks the reality of climate change is something that should be addressed. “I think [Baker’s budget] is a good step,” Massie said. “At least someone is acknowledging that climate change is a thing and knows that eventually it’s going to affect us.” Massie said she recalled a map estimate of Boston that displayed the potential future impact of climate change on Boston, and the prediction showed that results of a changing climate may wage a severe impact later. The map showed the effects of melting ice caps, she said, and instilled in her an urgency.

“Boston was one of the cities that’s going to get heavily impacted from f looding, so it might be later on in the future,” Massie said. Stephen Wampole, 53, of South Boston, said he thought the $75 million does not feel adequate for Massachusetts to adapt to climate change, but said he questions if any amount is enough. “I think staying the course would be good,” Wampole said. “I just don’t think financially it’s too doable.” Ca roly n Sovet, 71, of Rehoboth, said while she does approve of Baker and Polito’s action regarding climate change in the state, she thinks there should be more clarity concerning what exactly will happen with the proposed funding. “I’d like to know exactly, exactly, what he’s going to do with the money,” Sovet said. “I’m a liberal, but I like him. … I think he gets it about climate issues.” Damage already done to the planet will make some climate change irrevocable, she said, and no longer something to fight, but something to adapt to. However, she said the state should both fight and adapt to climate change anyway. “We’re at a point — the damage has been done,” Sovet said. “So we have to adapt to it, but we also have to think about how to prevent any further climate change, which is going to be really hard.”

Federal employees face food insecurity in wake of shutdown BENEFITS, FROM PAGE 1 approved since the issuance of February benefits will be processed by DTA, according to the release. “However, because of the partial federal government shutdown, funding for those whose SNAP cases are approved during this time is subject to availability of federal funds,” the press release stated. Project Bread, an organization that works to prevent hunger in Massachusetts, is working to connect families impacted by the government shutdown with food banks and screening citizens for the SNAP program benefits, according to Project Bread President Erin McAleer. McAleer said since the government shutdown began, the organization has had an increased amount of residents seek aid. “Our food source hotline is answering calls from furloughed workers who are frankly just really stressed out,” McAleer said. “They want to be working, they’re out of work, they never thought they would be having to be going to a food pantry or calling us to find food resources.” McAleer said that as furloughed workers are turning toward need-based food aid, SNAP and other organizations are not able to keep up with the demand.

JENNA MANTO/ DFP FILE

The Massachusetts State House. The state has released SNAP benefits for the month of February early to SNAP clients furloughed during the partial federal government shutdown.

“We at Project Bread are going to do everything that we can to connect individuals to food resources in community, and we know a lot of these food pantries and food banks are raising more money to try to fill the need,” McAleer said. “But it’s just unrealistic to expect the emergency food system to be able to fulfill this need.” Project Bread is advocating for government leaders to find a solution to end the shutdown as

quickly as possible, McAleer said. “What we are doing is really urging the U.S. Senate to take up the legislations already passed by the House that re-opens the government while they debate the immigration issue,” McAleer said. McAleer said Project Bread is encouraging Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker to discuss the matter with Republican Party members in the U.S. Senate and explain the need to reopen the government for the sake of federal

workers. “Given that we have a Republican governor here in Massachusetts,” McAleer said, “I think we have an opportunity for him to leverage his position in the Republican Governors Association to help guide our country out of it.” McAleer said the new f lux of citizens needing aid will strain Project Bread. The organization only has enough resources to provide aid

for citizens in need until the beginning of March, she said. If the government is still shutdown then, she said, government workers will go hungry. “It’s going to dry out,” McAleer said. “And because of this temper tantrum from the president, we are facing a food crisis. A man made food crisis.” Mara Heng, 22, of Fenway, said she thinks the government shutdown is unnecessary and “messed up.” “It definitely is a one-sided thing,” Heng said, “not thinking of the consequences it has on other people.” Olivia Burgos, 21, of Allston, said she thinks it is heartbreaking that government workers are not being paid during the shutdown and how it is affecting their lives. “I just don’t support it, and people out there need these government jobs, and they’re not getting paid, and they’re struggling very, very much for it,” Burgos said. Kyle Jordan, 23, of Fenway, said he thinks it is disgraceful that government workers are having to face food insecurity and thinks the government should reopen. “It is one of the most stupendously idiotic things I’ve seen in my entire life,” Jordan said. “It is a waste of everybody’s time in general. I think it’s a disgrace.”


4 NEWS

MetroBridge program engages KHC students in public health URBAN ISSUES, FROM PAGE 1

MADDIE MALHOTRA/ DFP FILE

Boston University’s Initiative on Cities building on Bay State Road. The IoC created a program called MetroBridge to get students involved in local urban health issues.

their needs and priorities or analyze data sets to help drive decision making, Robbins wrote. Students in the program work on city’s projects as class assignments while working directly with local government leaders during the semester. “In this way, we are empowering students to tackle real-world issues while also helping city leaders confront key urban challenges,” she wrote. Carrie Preston, a professor of English in KHC who is involved in the program, wrote in an email that MetroBridge is an exciting opportunity for students to use their creativity to help communities. “We often keep them behind their books and computers, saying that they will make a difference later,” Preston wrote. “I think that is a misuse of their talents.” Preston wrote that she hopes the MetroBridge program will be eye-opening for students and help them understand that global health is all around them. “I hope they feel empowered to find solutions that could actually be enacted,” she wrote.

Urban issues should be important to students, Preston wrote, because “city issues are OUR issues.” David Glick, the faculty director for MetroBridge, wrote in an email that the program benefits all who are involved. “I think matching students and classes with local government projects … will enable all of us that work with the program to help our colleagues help their students by trying new class models, and to hopefully be part of making an impact on local policy,” Glick wrote. He added that programs like MetroBridge help fulfill the needs of local governments that can be under-resourced and that these municipalities benefit from the quality of work produced by the faculty and students involved. For these reasons, Glick wrote, the work of programs like MetroBridge is more likely to be valued by the cities with which they partner. BU Spokesperson Colin Riley said that BU has always had a strong relationship with cities. “It’s in our DNA to have that relationship, that anything that

is in the interest of the city is something we’re in support of,” Riley said. R i le y s a id t h at t he MetroBridge program is one of many opportunities BU students have to partner with cities and grow the university’s positive relationship with them. BU’s Initiative on Cities is a long-standing program, he said, that has helped cities find solutions to their problems and improve the services they provide to their citizens. Marie Alameida, a sophomore at the College of Arts and Sciences, said she believed it was important for students to be involved in their communities. “I think it’s good for students to reach out to the community no matter what,” Alameida said. “I think it just kind of allows them to understand what’s going on around them.” CAS freshman Matt O’Rourke said he thought the MetroBridge program sounded interesting. “It sounds like a great opportunity to get out of the classroom and do something for our city that we live in,” he said.

Profit from sale of Winthrop Square lot funds park changes COMMON, FROM PAGE 1

maintain a balance between the development and protection of open spaces, Vizza said. She explained one law protects the Common from excessive shadows created by surrounding buildings and the other protects the Boston Public Garden. “For decades since those laws were put in place there’s been a thoughtful balance between development and preservation of sunlight in the park to be able to have healthy turf and trees,” Vizza said. These laws were amended in order to allow for the sale of the Winthrop Square Garage in July 2017, but she said the effects of this sale on the Common is her worry

because she is concerned it might set a bad example for the future. “It sets a precedent for future mayors and future developers to say, ‘OK, they amended the shadow laws in 2017, we can amend that again because we have a really good project, and it’s going to reap really good benefits for the city, it’s just a little more shadow,’” Vizza said. Ryan Woods, the deputy commissioner of Boston Parks and Recreation, said many things need improvement and refurbishment in the Common — in particular, power upgrades. “In order to freeze the Frog Pond every year, we are renting a chiller because the infrastructure under the Frog Pond does not work,”

Snow covers the Boston Common after the winter storm over the weekend of Jan. 18.

Woods said. “You can see when they string Christmas lights every year the cords going from tree to tree, so there definitely needs to be electrical upgrades.” Lon Chaifetz, 66, of Back Bay, said he thinks there should be aesthetic improvements made to the Common. “It always seems kind of plain and shabby compared to the Public Garden,” Chaifetz said. “Not that I expect swan boats or as many blooming flowers and prettiness, but it could definitely be fixed up, that’s for sure.” David Timmons, an associate professor of economics at UMass Boston, said he thinks the lackluster appearance of the Common is likely

due to heavy use and tourism, not a lack of maintenance. “Too many people using a green area can definitely cause damage, whether those people are local or tourists,” Timmons said. “For example, excessive foot traffic can kill grass and compact soil around tree roots.” Anastasia Hatcher, 31, of the South End, said she thinks the $28 million from the sale of the Winthrop Square Garage will lead to gentrification. “That’s what’s happening all over,” Hatcher said. “Empty lots — not even empty lots — businesses being forced out for high rents, residents being forced out for high rents.” Hatcher said that although

the Common could stand to be improved, she thinks $28 million is too much to be allocating when there are other potential places to benefit from the money, such as homeless shelters, the public school system or more affordable housing. “I don’t think it’s $28 million worth,” Hatcher said. “I don’t think all the money should go towards that.” Mel Mackin, 25, of Jamaica Plain, said she supports the improvements to the Common. “While the cosmetic and aesthetic appearance of the Common doesn’t seem like a priority or a priority on the scale of $28 million,” Mackin said, “I understand why that park is being redone to preserve it.”

SERENA YU/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF


SCIENCE

FEATURES 5

Lecturer discusses ocean conservation through historical lens BY SARAH READDEAN DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

For years, marine ecosystems have been declining. This alarming trend is affecting fisheries from Massachusetts shorelines to seas across the world. Researcher Ruth Thurstan offered a historical approach to ocean conser vation strategies in a seminar Friday at Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future. Thurstan, a lecturer in biosciences at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, specializes in marine historical ecology. When introducing the seminar, Cynthia Barakatt, associate director of the Pardee Center, explained that marine historical ecology is an interdisciplinary approach to understanding how marine and coastal ecosystems may have looked and functioned in the past and how they have been altered over time as a result of human interaction. Thurstan said she has also always loved history, and that

her student advisor in graduate school, University of York professor and author Callum Roberts, “was really interested in the history of the changing oceans.” She read and was greatly inf luenced by his book, “The Unnatural History of the Sea,” she said “I was utterly hooked,” she said. Thurstan is the co-chair of the Working Group on the History of Fish and Fisheries, one of the many working groups of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Once a year, the group of professionals of ICES ranging from historians to ecologists come together to look at the patterns and drivers of change in ecological systems in order to properly inform policymakers, according to the lecturer. Barakatt said Thurstan’s work reflected the ideals of the Pardee Center. “A major goal of the Center is not only to do scholarly research, but to make it accessible to deci-

sion makers,” Barakatt said in an interview. Marine ecosystems have changed immensely over time, Thurstan said in her talk. She explained “shifting baselines syndrome,” in which each generation remembers a different ecosystem as being natural, potentially blinding different generations from seeing environmenta l destruction and its full extent. “Huge changes can occur over the course of one person’s lifetime,” she said. After receiving her doctorate in environmental economics and management from the University of York in the UK, Thurstan spent four years at the University of Queensland in Australia for a postdoctoral fellowship. It was here that she pored through approximately 500 newspaper reports, dating back to the late 1800s, and compiled the information into trends showing the estimated population size of snapper fish in fisheries and their catch rates, she said in the talk. “For me, the main point of the

research was just to inform people … that the state and health of our oceans is not static,” she said in an interview. “Once we know what the state of the oceans are like, we as a whole can start making informed decisions.” According to Thurstan’s research, by the 2000s, there was an 89 percent decline in the the number of fish caught by fisherman per hour. She said fisheries exploit populations of fish. According to a 2015 report by the World Wildlife Fund, there was a 49 percent decrease in global marine life populations from 1970 to 2012. The study examined trends in 1,234 species of aquatic birds, fish, mammals and reptiles. The WWF report stated that a variety of human activities have contributed to this decline, including overfishing, coastal development and pollution. The lecturer said that consumers can educate themselves on and advocate for the different fish that are sustainable to eat by “asking questions of restaurants

and supermarkets about what they are doing to sell more sustainable fish.” Thurstan said she is now interested in looking at trends of marine ecosystem services using a historical ecological approach. In an interview, she said humans gain various services, such as food, recreational activities and spiritual wellbeing, from an ecosystem. Thurstan’s work, Barakatt said, is “a really good example of the importance of interdisciplinary research.” Barakatt added that interdisciplinary work is important, and that academics need to be more open to it. Rebecca Fuhrmann, a freshman studying anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences, is from a coastal town in Maryland. Her community largely depends on the Chesapeake Bay as a hub for fishing oysters and crab, she said. “When you overfish and you take away from local fishermen … you detriment an entire style of life,” she said. “It’s detrimental to the earth and to the people.”

COMMUNITY

WBUR CitySpace debuts Sunday, looks to upcoming events BY ERIN TSANG

DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Regular commuters to and from Boston University’s West Campus may have noticed that the old Landry’s Bicycles’ location was recently replaced by a new office space. The location that once featured bicycle-lined walls has transformed into the modern-looking space that is WBUR’s newest extension, CitySpace. Amy Macdonald, WBUR’s director of community engagement, said the space is intended to help the station grow. CitySpace, located at 890 Commonwealth Ave., first debuts Sunday and opens to the public Thursday, Feb. 28. “CitySpace is WBUR’s most recent effort to expand beyond radio broadcast and reach a broader audience,” Macdonald said. According to WBUR’s website, the news station first went on-air in 1950 as a station licensed to Boston University. Initially, the station was run by a staff comprised of students, amateurs and volunteers, but throughout the 1960s, the station grew increasingly established and later switched to mainly distributing radio news. Today, WBUR broadcasts coverage of local, national and international news from multiple news outlets such as NPR, Public Radio International and BBC, as stated on its website. Every week, the station serves approximately 500,000 people regionally and 7 million people nationally, making it one of the most widely listened to pub-

lic radio stations in the United States. Macdonald said WBUR has spent the past five years raising $16 million to build this space. Once WBUR raised sufficient funds and BU approved of the plans, the year-long construction of the venue commenced. Construction extended all throughout 2018, and was completed January 2019. “I like to refer to CitySpace as the 92nd Street Y of Boston, … [which] in New York is a campus,” Macdonald said. “We strive to be a mini version of that. They are open during the day with family programs, they have classes, they appeal to all age groups and different interests, and that’s really what I’m aiming for.” A recent WBUR article detailed the space’s “range of state-of -the-art equipment,” which includes a 16 foot wide, high definition screen, robotic cameras and lighting and large windows that permit pedestrians walking past to see the hydraulic stage. This equipment will allow WBUR to facilitate dialogue and live-person analysis on subjects such as politics, the environment, life sciences, education and arts and culture, according to the article, and serve 30,000 people per year with 200 events. Macdonald said one of the goals of CitySpace is to bring people from around the Boston area together by working with several schools, especially BU. “We have a partnership with BU’s Questrom Business School and Harvard’s business school

about how businesses need to step up in the age of climate change and change policy and come up with solutions,” Macdonald said. Although CitySpace does not officially open to the public until February, Macdonald said WBUR has big plans for the new venue, including a children’s podcast festival and an appearance by Margaret Atwood, author of “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Hadley Hopkins, a junior in the College of Communication, said she was proud of WBUR’s roots. “I think that’s really cool that they are returning to where it was

founded,” Hopkins said. “And I can see this being a great opportunity for COM students.” COM junior Sachi Dulai said the space could have an especially beneficial impact on specific COM majors. “I definitely think that there could be cool internships, maybe more so specifically for film and TV students and possibly journalism,” Dulai said. “The close proximity to campus would make it easier for COM students to integrate internships more into their schedules.” CitySpace will be open during the spring semester and the sum-

mer, Macdonald said, and will hire interns and volunteers. Both interns and volunteers are invited to help program their website or share any ideas they have for WBUR, she said. Macdonald said CitySpace plans on taking advantage of such student interest by hosting events geared toward journalism. “As a matter of fact, one of the first things we are doing before we open to the public is something called The Next Edition, which is a college student journalism conference,” Macdonald said. “It’s journalism students from BU, Emmerson, Tufts and Harvard.”

VIGUNTHAAN THARMARAJAH/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

WBUR’s newest expansion is called CitySpace, located on Commonwealth Avenue on Boston University’s West Campus.


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FEATURES 7

BUSINESS

BUild Lab teaches college entrepreneurs at pitch deck workshop BY LAUREN RICHARDS DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Students, alumni and community members sat attentive with laptops open in the BUild Lab IDG Capital Student Innovation Center Wednesday morning as presenters offered insight for building pitch decks. The threehour workshop was hands-on and taught the audience how to raise funds for their businesses. The Capital Net work, a non-profit that mentors entrepreneurs, and instructors from Innovate@BU and Plano and Simple came together to present the Pitch Deck Workshop and help entrepreneurs capture the attention of, and win, investors. Ia n Mashiter, ma naging director of the BUild Lab and senior lecturer at the Questrom School of Business, said pitch decks are a vital tool for startups. “It’s an overview about the problems you’re solving, the product you’re making, how you’re going to make money, and how this is a great opportunity for investors to invest in,” Mashiter said. “A pitch deck comes from an entrepreneur trying to make sales when they’re presenting to investors in order to raise money or presenting in a competition to win a prize.” Executive Director for The Capital Network, Marie Meslin, said there are various programs reviewing and analyzing pitch decks, there were few that taught how to build one. Recognizing that need, the nonprofit orga-

nization began hosting events within the community, Meslin said. “We co-host. We put the programs together, and then we work with people from the community to help teach it so everybody who comes really has the perspective of the investors,” Meslin said. “We’ve started programming at Suffolk University, we’ve done programming with UMass, Lowell, Babson, we’ve worked with Brandeis — we’ve worked with a bunch of different universities.” The Capital Network has also started programming at Boston University. “What we’ve seen is a lot of students with a passion about building their own businesses, so that’s been really great,” Meslin said. “We offered a discount to students, and after that we’ve seen a lot of creative businesses come out of some of the universities.” The hands-on program ran through 12 slides packed with information. As the slides were presented, attendees worked on their own pitches. Each individual was equipped with an online workbook so they could follow along with the content and apply it to their own pitch. Mashiter said the presentation contains material that people trying to raise money should address in a pitch. He talked the audience through half of the slides, answering questions throughout. “What we’re presenting is a sort of hands-on workshop,”

LAUREN RICHARDS/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Ian Mashiter, managing director of the BUild Lab IDG Capital Student Innovation Center, presents Wednesday morning on building pitch decks at the BUild Lab.

Mashiter said. “The idea [was] for them to come out with the first draft of a pitch deck.” Linda Plano, principal and founder of Plano and Simple, presented the other half. Plano and Simple is an organization that helps entrepreneurs with their startups and pitches. Plano and Simple also offers mentoring, coaching and training in addition to workshops. “The stuff that we’re doing is not rocket science,” Plano said. “I’ve hosted over 700 programs the last decade, and every country I have been to — [despite] all the free information that’s out

there — runs into the same types of problems.” Plano’s programs usually run the span of a day, and she said the content compressed into the three-hour session Wednesday stayed true to her methods on building pitch decks. “The best part for me is [seeing] my entrepreneurs at the beginning of a workshop and knowing that if they apply this concept with vision and clarity and hard work, they will have the best pitch for their business that they’ve ever had,” Plano said. “I get to watch that happen over the course of a day or two. We [did]

the same thing in a really compressed format, and I think that we [were] successful in helping people.” The Pitch Deck Workshop was one of many events the BUild Lab puts on during the year, and the lab plans to continue having this workshop twice a year — once during the fall semester and once in the spring, Meslin said. “I think it’s really great to be able to help very serious entrepreneurs who are trying to raise money,” Mashiter said. “It’s been really gratifying to think that we helped them a little bit along the journey.”

ARTS

Live mural tackles national gun violence at Isabella Stewart Gardner BY SHANEY SZE

DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

The voice of Martin Luther King Jr. reverberated throughout the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum’s courtyard as excerpts of his speeches played as part of the museum’s 2019 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. The Civil Rights Movement leader’s legacy was honored Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Attendees engaged in discussions about progress as artists put King’s words to jazz music and explored the spectrum of views on guns in America in an installation. Rhea Vedro, director of community engagement at the museum, said the organizers aimed to address contemporary subjects at the Day of Service. “The museum does take a stance around diversity, access and inclusion,” Vedro said. “We want to be a museum for all people that’s relevant to our time and does grapple with difficult issues.” On the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, the ISG admitted the public for free and held community service projects and performances throughout the day. French artist JR presented a

performance piece titled, “JR X TIME.” The live video-mural, created by JR in collaboration with TIME Magazine, is a cross-country traveling art installation that illustrates gun violence and views toward guns in America. “JR X TIME” showcases 245 Americans and their views on gun control translated into a multimedia illustration. Uniting the First and Second Amendment, it showcases the accounts of mothers and hunters, U.S. Representatives and shooting survivors. Adrian Kombe, a mechanical engineering student at Northeastern University, attended the ISG’s Day of Service and said he thought the mural effectively honored the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. “The audience members were able to create discourse amongst each other about something that is usually feigned away from,” Kombe said. “I think it’s important to commemorate MLK by allowing access to education in museums throughout the country.” Anita Knopov, a fourth-year medical student at the Boston University School of Medicine, said she is interested in educating herself about racial disparity related to

gun violence and that this interest attracted her to ISG’s event along with a desire to be involved with the issue. “One of the things to be involved with is to go to the talks that are usually public and are available to people, and learn in that sense,” Knopov said. In 2017, nearly 40,000 people were fatally shot, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of the deaths caused by firearms in 2017, 60 percent, or approximately 24,000 of the almost 40,000, were a result of suicide, according to data from the CDC. BU students can take the first steps in advocacy and policy change by getting involved on their own campus, Knopov said. “The School of Public Health holds a lot of different events in terms of advocacy-oriented events,” Knopov said. “If you’re not interested in research, there are still ways to communicate with policy makers and to learn what kind of issues are worth communicating.” Vedro said the ISG pulls people from polarized situations together through a variety of events throughout the year. Previous ones included

NICOLAS TEPPER/ DFP FILE

Local artists and museumgoers gathered at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Monday to honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.

a memorial for Freddie Gray and Code Listen, a musical performance that told and reflected on intertwining stories of police, teens and mothers of victims of homicide. The Day of Service is an initiative to continue Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by allowing the voices of different communities to be heard and for the public to listen and learn, Vedro said. Michael Ulrich, an assistant professor at the BU School of Public

Health, has conducted research on gun violence and spoke on a panel for an SPH community forum on gun violence March 2018. “[Gun violence] is going to be fixed by bringing people who have been the perpetrators or victims of gun violence together,” Ulrich said, “putting people who have different views and different experiences in the same room and learning from each other is going to be a critical way to address this issue.”


8 OPINION

EDITORIAL

Baker’s proposed cellphone bill will make Mass. safer Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker reignited a long-debated topic this week by proposing to ban handheld cellphone use while driving. Current law in the Commonwealth bans handheld cellphone use for school bus drivers, passenger bus drivers and drivers younger than 18 years old. In 16 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, people drive under a handheld cellphone use ban. This is a vital safety issue that spans across party, class and race. There are countless stories of people getting severely injured or dying because someone used their cellphone while on the road. Baker previously opposed efforts to ban handheld cellphone use while driving in the state. However, in 2017, he rightly changed his mind by asserting that hands-free technology had become more affordable and that distracted driving was a serious safety issue. And his change of mind is backed up by data. The National Safety Council has plans to lobby all 50 state governments to ban both handheld and hands-free cellphone use, as well as texting while driving. Janet Froetscher, president and chief executive officer of the NSC, cited to ABC News a study by the Harvard Center of Risk Analysis that found cellphone use while driving accounts for approximately six percent of crashes each year in the United States. That means that in total each year, Froetscher said, 636,000 crashes, 330,000 injuries, 12,000 serious injuries and 2,600 deaths are caused by phone use while driving.

Moreover, a different Harvard study estimated the cost figure for cellphone use while driving to total about $43 billion per year. Previous efforts to ban handheld cellphone use on the road were unsuccessful in Massachusetts largely due to concerns over the potential for racial bias in enforcing the policy on the road. Former Democratic state representative Byron Rushing said he opposed prior proposals because he believed they did not adequately require police to collect data about traffic enforcement to determine if racial bias occurred. Baker’s current proposal does not address concerns in line with Rushing’s that people of color could be unfairly treated by the police when pulled over. With any type of infraction, there is the potential for racial bias in its enforcement. Police officers may inherently — whether subconsciously or consciously — racially profile people to some extent. But there exists already many ways that a police officer could pull someone over for a minor driving infraction.

It is important that the Legislature pass a bill that includes a database to track the race and socioeconomic status of who is pulled over and charged with violating a phone use law. This step must be taken to mitigate the possibility of racial profiling. Baker’s proposal would allow drivers to use their phones in emergencies, a vague definition which will almost certainly end up being enforced at the discretion of an individual officer. This could lead to further racial profiling in the enforcement of the policy, as cops in whiter, wealthier suburbs may be more likely to let things slide. Concerns over racial profiling, though, should still not prevent the underpinnings of a basic safety concern from becoming law in the state of Massachusetts. The government’s priority ought to be to protect the lives of all individuals. Under the proposed bill, drivers could not touch electronic devices for any purpose other than “a single tap or swipe to activate, deactivate, or initiate hands-free mode.” The first offense would carry a $100 fine, a second offense would cost $250, and all future offenses would cost $500 if

obtained within six years of the first offense. Moreover, the third offense would cause an insurance surcharge. People should pull over if they have to use their phones. However, in practice, the chances of getting pulled over for this charge are low. How often is a police officer able to see through your window? The initial fine should be higher because, in reality, a $100 fine is not enough of a deterrent for enough people. Baker should increase the amount of the fine in his proposal. Moreover, the second time you are caught using your cell-phone should require an insurance surcharge. Cellphone use while driving is at its heart an ambiguous issue. But under current Massachusetts law, where texting while driving is illegal but other on-screen activities are not, there is even more room for uncertainty. Beacon Hill must do its part to mitigate the high costs of cellphone use while driving. Safety is paramount. Of course, that also means viewing a cellphone while driving from a dashboard mount — or even better, not at all.

B

eacon Hill must do its part to mitigate the high costs of cellphone use while driving. Safety is paramount. Of course, that also means viewing a cellphone while driving from a dashboard mount — or even better, not at all.

CROSSWORD

This week’s crossword puzzle is brought to you by Alana Stern COURTESY OF MIRROREYES.COM / CROSSWORD ANSWERS AVAILABLE ON https://dfpress.co/2B0Ed4N

DOWN

ACROSS 1. Hurried 5. A badger 10. Cummerbund 14. Prefix meaning 1000 15. Soup server 16. Blind (poker) 17. Flood 19. Den 20. Muck 21. Portents 22. Valleys 23. Taxonomic group 25. Foe 27. Terminate 28. Adored 31. Utilizing 34. Pueblo brick 35. Nigerian tribesman 36. Lease 37. Expels 38. Kiss 39. Petrol 40. Gather 41. Indications 42. Male rulers

44. Tall hill 45. Awkward 46. Panes of glass in buildings 50. Attended 52. Flip over 54. 7 in Roman numerals 55. Arab chieftain 56. Two-edged sword 58. Little dent 59. Female ruff 60. Away from the wind 61. Jittery 62. Daisylike bloom 63. Sleep in a convenient place

1. Examines hastily 2. Cover girl 3. Avoid 4. Put clothing on 5. Found fault 6. Charges per unit 7. Norse god 8. Termination of operations 9. Barbie’s beau 10. Highly seasoned fatty sausage 11. Examining 12. Anagram of “Ties” 13. Not his 18. Accomplishing 22. Expunge 24. 1/100th of a dollar 26. Anagram of “Snob” 28. Anagram of “Aside” 29. Black, in poetry 30. Canines 31. Desire

32. Where two pieces meet 33. Stimulating 34. Openings 37. Swill 38. A region of SE Pakistan 40. Alumnus 41. Dispatches 43. Power 44. It holds papers 46. Interlace 47. Convex molding 48. Filaments 49. Factions 50. Formally surrender 51. Between 53. He writes in verse 56. Brassiere 57. Roll of bills

Shaun Robinson, Editor-in-Chief Diana Leane, Managing Editor t h e i n d e p e n d e n t s t u d e n t n e w s pa p e r a t b o s t o n u n i v e r s i t y

47th year | Volume 96 | Issue 1

Audrey Martin, Campus Editor

Max Berman, Editorial Page Editor

Chloe Qin, Layout Editor

The Daily Free Press (ISSN 1094-7337) is printed Thursdays during the academic year except during vacation and exam periods by Back Bay Publishing Co., Inc., a nonprofit corporation operated by Boston University students. No content can be reproduced without the permission of Back Bay Publishing Co., Inc. Copyright © 2019 Back Bay Publishing Co., Inc. All rights reserved.

Haley Lerner, City Editor

Gabriela Hutchings, Photo Editor

Ananya Panchal, Multimedia Editor

Sam Drysdale, Features Editor

Michal Shvimer, Blog Editor

Shakti Rovner, Office Manager

Nick Telesmanic, Sports Editor


OPINION 9

MODERN MUSINGS:

COLUMNS

BURKE’S BULLY PULPIT:

Dear Netflix: Be the future of cinema and preserve its past

BY AUSMA PALMER COLUMNIST

Netflix started creating original content with the series “House of Cards” in 2013. Since then, it has steadily increased its output of Netflix Originals. Now, they perpetuate throughout the service — and with seemingly new releases every week, there is always some Netflix Original going viral on Twitter. The huge number of shows and movies that Netflix produces provides film and television creators with great opportunities to make content and to reach a wider audience. Netflix has become the platform of choice for directors whose films are not considered mainstream or are deemed not profitable enough for wide release in movie theaters. Even legendary American director Martin Scorsese will be releasing his next film on Netflix. It is commendable that in this way, Netflix has enabled filmmakers to reach an even larger audience and to create films that may otherwise not get made. At the same time, though, the service seems to have forgotten that quality comes before quantity, and the mass production of so many Netflix Originals means that there is a lot of garbage being produced. The lack of quality in Netflix Original films can be largely attributed to the service’s obsession with producing content geared for social media. Their most recent hit, “Bird Box,” that, despite the buzz, only has a 62 percent on the movie rating site Rotten Tomatoes, prompted memes that flooded everyone’s Twitter feed. That is, until their newly released show “You” became the next most popular thing, and said memes were replaced by posts with the hashtag #YouOnNetflix. Creating films with the sole purpose of getting a hashtag trending for about, at most, a week, defeats the idea of cinema as an art form and instead makes it a money-making scheme. Of course, cinema has always been about making money to some extent, but it’s concerning for the future of cinema when your entire platform is designed around such an idea. Netflix’s obsession with viewership numbers and their strange refusal to release offi-

Forget the steroid use, Bonds deserves to be in the Hall of Fame

cial numbers — sticking instead to memeified tweets about how many people watched what that can in no way be verified — also proves this money is their sole goal. With a new Netflix Original seemingly popping up every other week, the service ensures that its consumers quickly move onto the next new thing. Netflix’s business model ensures that consumers will never run out of content, but it also means that the content that is being consumed is not as high quality — many users don’t even bother to watch Netflix Originals. Once a viewer is sucked into the show, they are more likely to finish it as quickly as possible. This concept further drives Netflix’s immense output of new original series, because viewers are now watching shows that took months to make in the span of a weekend. Netflix can’t possibly leave its users with nothing to watch, and so this mass production of content continues. Instead of mass producing content that is only average at best with the sole intent of making it the most-tweeted-about topic on the internet, Netflix could be bringing a more selective, high quality and worthwhile selection of cinema to so many people. The service plays a crucial role in the world of modern cinema simply because it is accessible to such a massive audience, and its subscribers undoubtedly have more diverse tastes than those at Netflix assume. Therefore, the service should start to stream more classic and foreign films, particularly those from the 20th century. In comparison to other streaming services, Netflix has far fewer classic films — fewer than 200 of the films they offer were made before 1990. Entire decades of cinema history are being lost in streaming sites, and as the leading streaming service, Netflix could easily incorporate classic films into their offerings and attract an entirely new audience to their platform. If Netflix wants to become the true leader of movie streaming and modern cinema — which it certainly has taken steps toward by producing films and shows with diverse casts and production teams — then it should also make an effort to preserve the history of cinema. This means offering a wider selection of films that include films from the earliest eras of filmmaking from all continents. With the streaming service Filmstruck, the former leader in classic and foreign cinema, shutting down just last November, Netflix has a huge opportunity to pick up where they left off. There will doubtless be some that will argue this isn’t the type of media that fits the Netflix brand, and maybe on some level, they’re right. But I also know that there is a whole community of film lovers who would be thrilled to see these types of movies on the platform, and I am certain there are Netflix users who are just searching for something more worthwhile to watch.

INTERROBANG

BY PATRICK BURKE COLUMNIST

Barry Bonds was my favorite baseball player growing up. When he got accused of taking steroids toward the end of his career, I was bummed out. It was an unfortunate decision that he didn’t have to make. Yet he felt pressure from those around him — during the “steroids era” — to take the drugs in an effort to ensure his ticket to the Hall of Fame. But his ticket was already punched. Barry Bonds absolutely did not need to take steroids to get into the Hall of Fame. If his career ended before his 2000 season, he would have been a first-ballot guy. He missed 60 games in 1999. Maybe this is what inspired him to turn to steroids. Whatever the case may be, steroid-era players belong in the Hall of Fame because they made baseball something it hasn’t been since the early 2000s: genuinely fun. Watching games were unreal. Bonds hit 73 home runs in 2001! The top six seasons with the most home runs in MLB history came between 1998 and 2001. That’s not a coincidence. Steroids made baseball into a video game, and like it or not, molded millions of kids into baseball fans. I’m not advocating for the legalization of steroids, although I would love to see a beefed-up Aaron Judge. I’m trying to make the point that this era of baseball happened. It’s stupid to not acknowledge the guys who made the game so great. Mike Piazza, Jeff Bag well and Ivan Rodriguez are all in Cooperstown. All of those guys had steroid rumors follow them throughout their careers. Piazza is arguably the greatest hitting catcher of all time, but he very likely took steroids. Why is this fair? I don’t think it’s right. The only silver lining in this scenario is how Bonds has handled getting snubbed year after year. He seems to take every decision with grace, doing almost the exact opposite thing that Pete Rose has. This might be a conversation for another time, but Pete Rose betting

on his own team is fine with me, and he should absolutely be in the Hall of Fame like other legends. I would like to think that Bonds understands that he should have 100 percent, unequivocally been voted into Cooperstown his first year. He knows that his steroid use was stupid now, but the impact that he had on the game was something that would be criminal to forget. If we’re electing owners and people like Candy Cummings, who played for two years in the 1800s, then I think one of my favorite players — Barr y Bonds, clearly — should have more than the 75 percent vote needed to be inaugurated into Cooperstown. Candy Cummings only played in two seasons, going 21-22 with a 2.78 ERA. Why is he in the Hall, you ask? Apparently, he invented the curveball, which is such an outrageous claim I don’t even want to hear it. The 2019 MLB Hall of Fame class included Mariano Rivera, Roy Halladay, Mike Mussina and Edgar Martinez. The class wasn’t a particularly strong one, but it was a fun one. Rivera became the first person to be unanimously selected, which speaks to the stubbornness and irrationality of the voting process. Rivera was an amazing player, but Babe Ruth was better, and he didn’t get chosen unanimously! One final name I would like to bring up is Bill Conlin. Conlin was the recipient of the 2011 J.G. Taylor Spink Award, meaning that he has a place in the Hall of Fame thanks to his long, illustrious career as a sportswriter. However, Conlin is an accused child molester. He wasn’t able to be charged because the statute of limitations had expired. It’s absolutely backward that the Hall of Fame looks the other way whenever his name is brought up. How does he, a now rightfully forgotten journalist, have a place in history and Barry Bonds doesn’t? Steroids are far less severe than child molestation. We can surely all agree with that. The bottom line of my rant is this: don’t exclude people from being rewarded for their rightful achievement. Put Shoeless Joe in, put Bonds in, put Rose in! All of those guys are more well-known than half of the current Hall of Fame players. Once again, the Baseball Writers of America who vote on who deserves the prestigious recognition could not step down from their ridiculously high pedestal to take a look around and realize what Bonds did for the game. Save the “baseball purity” stuff, and do what’s right. How many times do I have to say this?

The internet has spent the past month trying, and failing, to complete the “Bird Box” challenge. We here at the ol’ Free Press want to know — what challenge would BU student groups totally fail at?

CGS: Tying both shoes

Questrom: Quitting nicotine

ENG: Getting REM sleep

BU Bus: Showing up

Sargent: Eating GMOs

South Campus: Shoveling snow

CFA: Making a living

StuVi 1: Staying dry

FreeP: Turning on the heat


10 SPORTS

Men’s hockey to face No. 17 Arizona State Friday and Saturday BY LIAM O’ BRIEN

DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Having lost just once in the last seven games, the Boston University hockey team has started its climb back into the national polls. Despite not having to leave Massachusetts until Feb. 15, the Terriers (9-9-3, 8-5-2 Hockey East) will be tested over the next few weeks. A Beanpot rematch with eighth-ranked Northeastern University is sandwiched by a

home-and-home series against second-ranked UMass Amherst in the first eight days of February. Additionally, the squad will have its hands full with two home contests against No. 17 Arizona State University Friday and Saturday night at Agganis Arena. This Sun Devils (16-9-1) team is much different than the one the Terriers swept a year ago. Last season, BU beat Arizona State by a combined 12-3 over two games. The Sun Devils won

power play goals in a 7-2 home just one of their subsequent six win over Merrimack College games after enduring the sweep Monday afternoon, this should and went on to finish the season make for an enticing affair. with an 8-21-5 record. “Special teams is a huge facThis year, Arizona State has tor, so it was big to get our turned it around. They boast a power play going, especially stout defense, ranking 15th in the conference-wise,” Terrier senior nation with 2.38 goals yielded per for ward Ryan Cloonan said. game. The Sun Devils’ penalty “Hopefully, we can carry that into killing unit leaves the ice withthe future.” out allowing a goal 85.3 percent Arizona State has had success of the time, good for 10th-best on the East Coast this season. nationally. In November, they beat Penn Considering BU scored three

Ryan Cloonan in a game against Yale University in 2016. Cloonan scored two goals versus Merrimack Saturday.

MADDIE MALHOTRA/ DFP FILE

State University, currently the 15th-ranked team in the country, with a 4-3 overtime win in University Park, Pennsylvania. Two weeks later, they traveled to Allston and escaped Harvard’s Bright-Landry Hockey Center with a 3-2 overtime win over the Crimson in the second game of a two-night series. In early December, they ventured east again and swept Princeton University in New Jersey. A rizona State’s journeys eastward have not been perfect, as they are coming off a pair of losses at 12th-ranked Cornell University on Jan.11 and 12. Offensively, the Sun Devils rank 17th in the country with an average of 3.12 goals per game. For ward Johnny Walker is the primary source of offense for the Sun Devils. He finished 2017-18 second in the country in freshman goal scoring with 17 tallies, and he has already eclipsed that mark in his second season in college. Walker leads the country with 19 goals and is the only player on his team with more than 10. He also ranks 10th in the country in points with 27 and is the only Sun Devil with more than 20 points. If you’re going to the game, Walker is the guy to keep your eye on. The Terriers will seek to limit Walker and build on the momentum they garnered in Monday’s win over Merrimack. “It was a good win,” BU head coach Albie O’Connell said. “We picked it up and got better and better.”

Men’s basketball takes tough loss against American University BY DYLAN WOODS

DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Boston University men’s basketball was unable to get revenge on American University in a 66-70 defeat at Case Gym Wednesday. The Terriers (9-11, 2-5 Patriot League) were on familiar terms with the Eagles (9-9, 3-4 Patriot League), having played them three weeks ago to begin conference play. In that game, American point guard Sa’eed Nelson and forward Sam Iorio combined for more than 50 points in an 86-74 win for the Eagles in Washington D.C. This time around, the venue changed but the end result stayed the same. “I feel for the guys, we’ve been struggling,” BU head coach Joe Jones said. “I thought the g uys battled, and they fought, we just have to get ourselves over the hump.” American jumped out to a 19-7 lead in the first eight minutes of the game, but the Terriers went on a 15-3 run to take the lead themselves. In that stretch, junior for ward Max Mahoney had five points and sophomore guard Javante McCoy made a three to give BU a 22-21 lead. McCoy went down hard early in the game after converting a layup and stayed down while holding his head and neck area. He returned to the game after the next timeout

and did not seem to be hampered go, and the Terriers were able to cut by injury. it to four with 1:37 left. Mahoney At the end of the f irst ha lf, continued his strong play over to American led 35-31. Once again, the second half, cleaning up misses Mahoney led the team with 11 points and scoring down low to finish at the break and five rebounds. with 24 points and 13 rebounds, his W hen t he Ter r ier s sta l led on fourth double-double of the year. offense, they had Mahoney to throw However, Nelson ended any the ball to. More often than not, hope of a comeback. He came up he beat his defenders in the post with deflections on the next two for a bucket. possessions, which resulted in two The story of the first half was turnovers for BU and more points American’s star point guard Sa’eed for the Eagles. Turnovers were a Nelson. Nelson was all over the problem all night for the Terriers, floor, leading the Eagles in every as they had 18 in total. facet of the game with 10 points, “The turnovers [were] the diffive assists, four rebounds and three ference in the game,” Jones said. steals at halftime. “We didn’t take care of the ball. If Nelson’s defense and energy was we execute down the stretch, then a problem all night for BU. we have a chance to win the game.” “He [scored] in transition, he When the dust cleared, Nelson got some off turnovers, he’s a very had scored 26 points, dished out six good player,” Jones said. “The turn- assists and registered five steals, all overs and him scoring in the open game highs for either team. court were big. He’s explosive, he’s With the loss, BU has now quick.” dropped three stra ight confer The Patriot League preseason ence games after starting 1-2. Up player of the year single-handedly next, they have a road game against stopped a BU comeback in the Lehigh University, who is tied for second half. After the Terriers second in the Patriot League, and held a brief lead in the beginning two games versus College of the of the frame, Nelson converted Holy Cross. on back-to-back and-ones at the “This has been a really tough rim, giving the Eagles a lead they stretch for us,” Jones said. “We wouldn’t give up. have to move on and get our mojo American stretched their lead back, our confidence back. … We out to nine with seven minutes to have it in us.”

MADDIE MALHOTRA/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Sophomore forward Max Mahoney tallied his fourth double-dobule of the season in a 66-70 loss versus American Wednesday.


SPORTS 11

Women’s hockey to play Merrimack in final home game BY NICK TELESMANIC DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

A fter cr uising th roug h last weekend with a series sweep against the Col lege of the Holy Cross, Boston University Women’s Hockey will play a home-away series this w e e k e n d a g a i n s t Me r r i m a c k College. Heading into the series, the Terriers are riding a f ive-game winning streak, which is the longest active win streak in the nation. BU collected a win against the Universit y of Maine, t wo wins against Providence College and the weekend sweep against Holy Cross. In BU’s two wins against Holy Cross last weekend, a total of 11 goals were scored — four Friday and seven Saturday. Highlighting these goals were season scoring openers from senior forward Mary Grace Kelley and freshman defender Alex Allan. During Saturday’s game, junior f o r w a r d t r i - c a p t a i n Na t a s z a Tarnowski lit the lamp twice in the first period. Senior defender Reagan Rust also tallied a goal in the opening frame, as well as an assist from a power play goal by junior forward Deziray De Sousa. BU head coach Brian Durocher said he believes that a key to his team’s streak is seeing contribution from a variety of players. “It’s nice to see a bunch of differ-

ent people scoring goals,” Durocher said. “There’s no question that there are multiple people starting to put the puck in the net not named Davis or Compher.” S o p h o m o r e f o r w a r d Je s s e Compher and tri-captain redshirt junior forward Sammy Davis are in first and second respectively for goals scored this season. Together, they sum for 39 percent of the team’s goals. Durocher said he believes that the contribution of the second, third and fourth lines of the team have a twofold benefit. It allowed the starting line of players to rest and replenish their stamina, he said, and the solid performance from these lines builds the team’s confidence. Merrimack Col lege (14-8-3 , 10-7-1 Hockey East) is coming off a weekend series sweep of their own, defeating Maine t wice at home in Lawler Rink Friday and Saturday. They tallied three goals in each of these wins. Merrimack goaltender Sa ma ntha R idgewel l was solid that weekend, shutting out the Maine Black Bears Friday and only allowing one goal Saturday. BU has a solid goaltender of their own in sophomore goaltender Corinne Schroeder. Schroeder has received three Hockey East defensive player of the week awards

JUSTIN HAWK/ DFP FILE

Junior forward Natasza Tarnowski in a game against the University of New Hampshire. Tarnowski scored two goals against Merrimack College Saturday.

this season, and hasn’t given up more than three goals in a game since Nov. 27. “[S c h r o e d er ’s] b e en h i g h l y consistent this year,” Durocher said. “There really hasn’t been any hiccups.” Wit h i n t h a t s p a n of t i m e , Schroeder gave up three goals in only one game, which was on the road against Providence College.

Friday’s game will be the last regular season game the Terriers will play at Walter Brown Arena. Their last two games of the regular season will be on the road — the following series game at Merrimack and one final game at the University of Vermont Feb. 1. Durocher said he believes it is important to play well in these last three games in order to put

the team into a good position for the NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey Tournament in February. “If we ta ke it one shift, one period and one game at a time,” Durocher said, “who knows how ma ny ga mes we ca n w in dow n the end of the year — and maybe even put ourselves in a good position when it comes to the NCAA [tournament].”

Behind the Glass: Journalists and Twitter: Is there a line?

BY LAURA GUERRIERO COLUMNIST

With the All-Star break upon the NHL, it’s time to discuss a topic that seemingly never lacks a supply of drama — professional journalists and Twitter. With the advent of Twitter, it’s possible to post your innermost thoughts for the whole world to see in 280 characters or less. That can become very dangerous when holding a position of power, both literally and figuratively. When learning about operating social media from the standpoint of a professional journalist, professors often tell students to avoid posting their opinions on issues, especially controversial ones. Instead, professors will instruct students to post consistent, accurate information on whatever topic they are covering while having some kind of a personality that will resonate with readers enough to make them come back to your page or work. But what determines the difference between a journalist posting an opinion that is part of the “Twitter personality” followers

come back to and posting opinions that are frowned upon for being deemed problematic? And who decides these opinions are problematic? On Jan. 4, Carolina Hurricanes beat reporter Sara Civian quote retweeted a news story about how a woman in a vegetative state was raped and gave birth. Her caption read “The male species disgusts me.” Her tweet received 68 responses. Many responded with reactions similar to hers, wondering how an individual could do such a thing. Conversely, many others called her tweet sexist, and some even asked if her employers would approve of her tweeting it. One person tweeted directly at the hockey section of her employer, The Athletic, asking them to fire Civian.

Sure, arguments can be made for and against her tweeting such an opinionated statement, but despite not knowing her personally, it can be assumed that she didn’t actually mean she hates every single man that ever has and will exist, as some claimed in an attempt to argue with her statement. This just brings up a more important point in the world of Twitter and journalism: Where is this “line” journalists are accused of crossing, and who determines when it is crossed? Here’s a broad fact: all journalists are people, too, and they all have opinions. Some choose to conceal their opinions more than others, but they still exist. Twitter has provided journalists with a platform to share more of their own opinions, and so it has become much more normal to see

when scrolling through a timeline. directed at female reporters. But readers and followers draw These loosely constructed lines their own lines regarding what can change in the matter of hours, they believe a journalist should whether prompted by outside facand shouldn’t say on Twitter when tors or not. an opinion they read makes them Taking all of this into considuncomfortable. eration, that then leads to another That’s what makes the rela- important question: What can be tionship between journalists done about this, and should anyand Twitter that much more thing be done? complicated. Sure, employers can prevent Each “line” that is drawn is their journalists from posting any based solely off of each individual and all opinion, but with such follower’s beliefs. What a person restrictive rules, what’s the point believes one journalist can say may in each reporter having his or her not be the same for another jour- own personal Twitter account? nalist he or she follows. This may also exclude freelance I don’t think I have ever seen journalists who are not consissomeone tweet at a male NHL tently contributing to one specific reporter stating that he doesn’t publication. know anything about the sport In a way, journalists sharing and shouldn’t be talking about it their opinions can be very importbecause he’s a man, yet I have seen ant. People want to follow those countless tweets of that nature that think similarly to them, and having someone that shares similar viewpoints no matter what the topic is can be an important tactic for expanding and maintaining a following. At the same time, people love drama. Twitter is a hotbed for feuds and passionate opinion-tweeting, like the time Kanye West f looded timelines with a long stream of tweets. Drama, without a doubt, attracts attention. Whether that’s good or bad attention depends on the situation, but it is still a good way to attract more eyes to your page. With The Athletic being only 3 years old, reporters that post opinions others may take issue with could be a different way for ILLUSTRATION BY SARAH SILBIGER/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF the sports news subscription site The ability to freely express your thoughts on Twitter is a privilege that should not be abused when you are working as a professional journalist. to increase its following.


“Those [big wins] are really key because we can reflect on those and know that we beat good teams.” ­ Women’s hockey head coach Brian — Durocher on success against highly regarded opponents. p.11

Sports Thursday, January 24, 2019

“The turnovers [were] the difference in the game. We didn’t take care of the ball.” ­— Men’s basketball head coach Joe Jones on their 66-70 loss against American University p.10

Notebook: Women’s hockey formula for success in 2nd half BY NICK TELESMANIC DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

There was no easy way to determine how Boston University women’s hockey would perform in their 2018-19 campaign. On one hand, BU got redshirt junior Sammy Davis back after she was sidelined with an injury through all of the 2017-18 season. On the other hand, the team lost key leaders in alumni for wards Rebecca Leslie and Natalie Flynn and alumna defender Alexis Miller. New pieces needed to be put in place, and new leaders needed to step up. The Terriers were stif led at home in their first game of the season, suffering a 0-5 loss against Nor theaster n Un iversit y. T he Huskies got the best of BU’s defensive line, and the Terriers could not generate offensive momentum. “You want to play well, whether it’s in your building or against a good opponent, and I don’t think anyone was happy with [the result],” BU head coach Brian Durocher said on Oct. 5 about this loss. Sour losses like this one became a trend for the Terriers, with five of their next six games being either ties or losses by one goal. After MAISE MANSFIELD-GREENWALD/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF those six games, the Terriers sat Sophomore forward Jesse Compher celebrates a goal against the University of Vermont on Nov. 17. Compher and redshirt junior tri-captain Sammy Davis are the two leading scorers for the Terriers. at at 1-3-3 on the season. part of the formula to the Terriers’ her freshman year to her sopho- Jan. 10 and 11. However, the Terriers went on that Compher a nd Dav is were the largest offensive juggernauts success, it wouldn’t be fair if the more year. “Those [big wins] are really key to win seven of their next nine in the first 15 games of the season. three-time Hockey East defensive “I think she had a good [freshbecause we can ref lect on those games, lifting them well outside of “[D a v i s a nd C om pher] c a r player of the week wasn’t part of man] year, but I think there was and know that we beat good teams,” .500. Now sitting at 13-6-5 and 3rd ried the load in the early going,” it as well. just a couple of time when goals Durocher said. “That’s something place in Hockey East, here is how Durocher said. “Now, in the last If it has to be one adjective to snuck in that she didn’t want in,” they’re going to think back on in the Terriers managed to brighten five, six or seven games, there’s describe sophomore goaltender Durocher said. “This year, if a [playoff games].” a dimming season. Davis and Compher lead the been multiple people chipping in.” Corinne Schroeder, given all the puck goes in [that she didn’t want Streaky does it I n t e r m s o f c o m p e t i n g , awards she’s won and all the games in], it hasn’t bothered her at all.” After that frustrating 1-3-3 start charge Durocher believes that the duo she’s kept the Terriers in, the adjecBashing the Bullies to the Terriers’ season, the Terriers Tri-captain and junior redshirt competes hard both in practice tive that would be consistent. A n important aspect of the managed to string together wins forward Sammy Davis and sophoand in games, and this attitude From Nov. 27 to today, she has Terriers managing to turn their and get themselves over the .500 more Jesse Compher lead the team — along with their positive pernot conceded more than three season around was being able to hump. in goals. Davis has 15 goals, and These w ins mostly ca me in Compher has 13. Together, they sonalities — is a positive influence goals — and she’s only given up beat up on some of the h ig h ly on the team. th ree during one ga me in th is regarded teams on their schedule. groups. From Nov. 27 to Dec. 8, the contribute for 39 percent of the “Their attitudes and their styles span. Other than that, Schroeder W h i l e D u r o c h e r s a i d i n Terriers had a win streak of five team’s goals. permeate throughout the team,” has limited teams to t wo goals November that he considered games, and they are currently on Durocher said he believes that Durocher said. “There’s a lot of or fewer in the span, giving the Boston College to be a tough oppoanother five-game winning streak. Compher and Davis set a good people following their lead, and Terriers plenty of opportunities nent, the Terriers still managed to “When we were 1-3-3, I still felt example for the team in two ways: that’s not always the case with to stay alive and win games. win two out of their three games like that we had played … good they set the bar in offensive proyour most prolific scorers.” Durocher said he believes the against the Eagles. hockey games,” Durocher said. duction, and they set the bar in Stonewall Schroeder key to Schroeder’s success has BU also swept No. 8 providence “Finally, we’ve gotten some results how hard they compete. While offensive production is been a change in attitude from during a home-away weekend series that we’ve wanted.” Offensively, Durocher sa id

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BOTTOM LINE FRIDAY, JAN. 25

Women’s hockey will play their last home game against Merrimack College at Walter Brown Arena, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, JAN. 25

SATURDAY, JAN. 26

Men’s Hockey willl play their first game against No. 17/15 Arizona state University at Agganis Arena, 7:30 p.m.

Men’s hockey will play against No. 17/15 Arizona State University at Agganis Arena, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, JAN. 26

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 30

The Boston Celtics will host the

Men’s basketball will play against

Golden State Warriors at TD Garden,

College of the Holy Cross at Case

8:30 p.m.

Gym, 7 p.m.


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