SINCE 1891
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD Thursday, March 12, 2020
VOLUME CLV, ISSUE 35
SPORTS
Ivy League cancels sports due to COVID-19 Ivy League presidents cancel athletic events for remainder of academic year
UNIVERSITY NEWS
$5.4 million in aid issued to R.I. to combat COVID-19 R.I. currently has five known cases of coronavirus, operating in state of emergency
BY RANDI RICHARDSON SENIOR STAFF WRITER The Ivy League presidents released a joint statement Wednesday afternoon unanimously announcing the cancellation of all spring athletic practices and competitions for the remainder of the academic year in an effort to combat the quickly spreading coronavirus. “I think everyone feels terribly, (especially) for the seniors,” said Director of Athletics Jack Hayes. “We want to do what we can to be supportive (of the athletes) and assist them in any way we can,” he added. This announcement comes on the heels of a March 10 email to the University community stating that “attendance for athletic events (would) be
BROWNDAILYHERALD.COM
BY COREY GELB-BICKNELL SENIOR STAFF WRITER
COURTESY OF BROWN UNIVERSITY / HERALD
All Ivy League universities agreed to cancel remaining spring athletic events as a result of the recent coronavirus pandemic. restricted to team members, coaches, essential staff and three invited guests per team member,” Provost Richard Locke P’18 wrote. He added that outof-season sports are prohibited from practicing.
The Ivy League’s cancellation of athletics does not extend to winter sports currently in postseason — neither to teams or individual student
SEE LEAGUE PAGE 3
In an effort to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, Rhode Island is receiving $4.9 million in supplemental aid as part of an $8.3 billion spending package issued by the Trump Administration, which comes in addition to a $500,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to a press release published on the website of Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). The Rhode Island Department of Health will use some of the aid to address the state’s shortage of coro-
navirus testing kits and protective equipment for doctors and nurses, including masks, gowns and goggles, according to a statement by Gov. Gina Raimondo. Another portion of the aid will contribute to funding a 24/7 hotline for medical questions about coronavirus and self-quarantining, she added. The money will also go toward vaccine development, monitoring travelers, data management and funding for local governments to protect their communities, according to the press release. On Tuesday, just one day after Raimondo declared a state of emergency in Rhode Island, the World Health Organization labelled the coronavirus a pandemic, according to The Boston Globe. “Congress did what they should
SEE RI PAGE 6
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Three University students test negative for COVID-19 Not all pending tests, isolations will be formally announced BY MAIA ROSENFELD METRO EDITOR
All three Brown students who were tested for COVID-19 earlier this week tested negative, according to a community-wide email sent Wednesday morning from Division of Campus Life
results, will remain in isolation based on the recommendation of state health officials, according to the email written by Eric Estes, vice president for campus life, and Dr. Vanessa Britto MS’96,
Although Estes and Britto wrote that the University would not formally announce “all isolations or pending tests,” it will inform the community if any test results are positive for the
campus,” more University community members may be isolated and tested as the virus continues to spread, the email read. “This is nonetheless positive news
officials. The students, who have been in isolation pending the outcome of their test
associate vice president for campus life and executive director for health and wellness.
virus. “While there are no presumed or confirmed COVID-19 cases on our
for these students and for the health of the entire Brown community,” Estes and Britto wrote.
METRO
ARTS & CULTURE
Impulse Dance Company Tiara Mack ’16 runs for State Senate In Senate run, U. captivates audiences alum aims to increase Student hip-hop group performs annual show, titled ‘Reign,’ expresses vibrant style BY CHANIKARN KOVAVISARACH SENIOR STAFF WRITER Raucous cheers and applause echoed through Alumnae Hall as Impulse Dance Company’s 17th annual showcase came to a close Sunday night. Presenting the theme of “Reign,” the company performed over 20 dances over the weekend of March 6-8. Dazzling and upbeat, the performance showcased the talent of Impulse members, who have been practicing since last fall. The group’s vibrant style measured up to their founding sentiment as “a forum for dancers to share their passion,” according to Impulse’s
website. Audience members appreciated the brilliance of Impulse’s passionate dancing. “I was blown away,” said Daphne Maniatis ’23. “After every dance, I was like ‘Oh, this is my favorite,’ and then the next one would be even more incredible.” “Reign” opened with a full cast performance, and continued with numerous group and solo pieces and closed with another full cast piece. From grime to K-pop, this year’s dances were choreographed to a variety of musical genres, and costumes and lighting came together to grant each dance its own distinct aesthetic. In addition to the performances by Impulse members, the shows on Friday and Saturday also included dancers from the “Elements” workshop. The workshop is hosted by Impulse during
SEE IMPULSE PAGE 6
minimum wage, switch to renewable energy BY KATIE CHEN SENIOR STAFF WRITER As soon as Tiara Mack ’16 starts talking about Rhode Island, it is obvious that she not only loves, but also knows this state: She knows the people who live here, the issues they face on a daily basis, what they need for healthy, thriving communities — and how their current government is failing them. When asked about why she is running for State Senate, Mack referenced a sticker that said “Don’t get angry, get elected,” which is exactly what she intends to do when primaries for District 6 open on Sept. 8, 2020. Mack spoke to The Herald about her personal reasons to run for state senate and discussed her priorities related to minimum wage, renewable
COURTESY OF TIARA MACK
Alum Tierra Mack ’16 campagins for Rhode Island Senate in the District 6 primaries, which will open on Sept. 8, 2020. energy, representative government and reproductive rights. One of the issues that matters most to Mack is creating a minimum wage off of which people can actually live.
News
News
News
Commentary
Phi Beta Kappa members speak to significance, barriers of initiation fee Page 2
UCS discusses COVID-19 in light of rising student concern around virus Page 3
SEASI to propose increased U. support in departmental representation Page 4
Aman ’20: U. should hold coaches to higher standard, prioritize athlete health Page 7
Mack’s platform calls for an increase of the current $10.50 minimum wage to $15 — but she believes that in
SEE MACK PAGE 4
TODAY
TOMORROW
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THE BROWN DAILY HERALD | NEWS
Thursday, March 12, 2020
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Phi Beta Kappa honor society inductees discuss $135 initiation fee Students express concern that fee could pose financial barrier to entering society BY CAROLINE NASH STAFF WRITER Admission to one of the nation’s most prestigious honor societies comes with a hefty price tag. University juniors and seniors elected to the Rhode Island Alpha chapter of Phi Beta Kappa are asked to pay a one-time initiation fee in order to officially accept an invitation. This year, some junior electees were surprised that they would have to pay a $135 fee to accept their invitation to the honor society. On Feb. 12, 2020, 40 members of the class of 2021 were elected to the University’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter, The Herald previously reported. Students were notified of the fee in a document attached to their email invitation. In addition to other steps on how to register with the national chapter, the document states that students have the option to either pay the fee online or by check. “Please keep in mind you are not considered an official member until you have paid the fee,” the document states. Anne Wise, the director of the National Arts & Sciences Initiative at the
Phi Beta Kappa Society, wrote in an email to The Herald that the fee is a combination of the “lifetime fee” that the national office requires and a chapter fee. Chapter fee “expenses include the costs of hosting an induction ceremony, providing membership certificates, offering a reception to honor new inductees and Phi Beta Kappa events on campus during the year,” Wise wrote. But Wise added that chapters should try to keep these expenses low: “We encourage the colleges or universities that shelter our chapters to help defray these expenditures so that the cost of joining is not a burden for students,” she wrote. Some benefits students receive in return for paying the fee include membership in local alumni associations, alumni newsletters and access to The American Scholar academic journal, according to the national chapter website. “My first reaction to seeing it, I think in part because of the fee was … it’s just a money grab,” said Finch Collins ’21. “Even if (the invitation) is nice, it would be just paying for a credential.” Mary Dong ’21 was also surprised by the fee because she felt most academic honors usually award a scholarship or some other benefit instead of having the recipients pay for their entrance into the society. Ultimately, Dong and Collins researched the society and con-
cluded that it was worth it to pay the fee. “The consensus on the internet was that (Phi Beta Kappa) is probably worth it in the long run for the future benefits,” Dong said. For Dong, the benefits of joining the society included access to an alumni network and future job opportunties. Although Viknesh Kasthuri ’21 decided that Phi Beta Kappa was worth the fee, he was unsure about its purpose, besides maintaining the chapter. Financial aid resources were not explicitly mentioned in the Rhode Island Alpha chapter’s invitation document, including no explicit instructions for students for whom the fee would be a financial burden. Wise said that there are approximately 70 chapters within Phi Beta Kappa who cover all or part of the membership fees, or specifically pay for students who need financial aid. Most students felt the fee did not deter them from joining but recognized that it could be a financial barrier, and felt that the University should pay for it or offer need-based resources. “I think Brown should cover it. I am fortunate to be in a position where paying it is not an inconvenience, but I know a lot of people that would be making very tough decisions for this,” Collins said. Dong assumed that some Phi Beta Kappa alumni would be in a position to donate funds to offset the fee, and
she wished that the Brown chapter was more transparent about the purpose of the fee and what the funds support in the organization. “I also would assume that a lot of Phi Beta Kappa members have gone on to become very successful and I’m sure they donate back to the society, so I’m just not super sure what this fee is exactly for and I feel like more transparency might actually be helpful,” Dong said. Other schools take a similar approach to Brown and do not pay for Phi Beta Kappa fees, but some offer more explicit programs and resources for students who lack the funds to pay the initiation fee. According to George Levesque, the secretary for the Yale chapter and associate dean of Yale College, “At Yale, elected students pay the membership fee … but we offer to pay the fee for anyone who receives Yale financial aid or who otherwise demonstrates a financial hardship,” he wrote in an email to The Herald. Logan Stewart McCarty, a Harvard Phi Beta Kappa chapter officer and the director of Physical Sciences Education, expressed clearly that Harvard’s chapter is separate from the university and, therefore, Harvard does not pay for the fee. “It is certainly an honor for students to be elected, but Harvard has always felt that it is not their role to subsidize students’ memberships in private orga-
nizations,” McCarty wrote in an email to The Herald. “Although I think there’s a reasonable argument that Harvard could help subsidize (Phi Beta Kappa) memberships for students based on financial need, I also appreciate their argument that it is a separate, private organization.” For the Harvard chapter’s most recent election, McCarty believed the total fee was $115. Although Harvard does not pay for fees, McCarty wrote that some alumni cover the cost for new members. Harvard’s chapter has “some generous alumni who have offered to pay the fee for students who identify that it represents a financial hardship — typically these are students on full financial aid, with no family contribution,” McCarty said. “This is done privately through the (Phi Beta Kappa) chapter, and doesn’t involve any funding from Harvard.” The national chapter ultimately wants any elected students to be able to join and hopes chapters provide financial aid for those who need it, Wise wrote. “Many of (the Phi Beta Kappa) chapters do not have the operating budget to pay for student fees, which is why (the national chapter) encourage(s) chapters and institutions to collaborate with each other and with us to identify strategies for ensuring that cost is not a barrier to membership,” Wise said.
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Thursday, March 12, 2020
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD | NEWS
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UNIVERSITY NEWS
UCS talks potential impacts of COVID-19 on students General body raises concerns about potential suspension of in-person classes BY JACK BORRIS SENIOR STAFF WRITER At its general body meeting on March 11, The Undergraduate Council of Students sent an email to Provost Richard Locke P’18 and Vice President for Campus Life Eric Estes expressing concerns about possible actions the University could undertake in line with peer institutions, according to UCS President William Zhou ’20. Brown and Dartmouth are the only members of the Ivy League that, by press time, have not announced the suspension of in-person classes in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. The University has already taken several measures in response to the pandemic, including suspending all Brown-sponsored domestic travel, restricting gatherings of more than 100 people and canceling all on-campus admissions tours and events, The Herald previously reported. Zhou asked members of the general body to break into small groups to discuss the hypothetical situation in which coursework moves online and the University sends students home. With educational institutions across the country suspending in-person classes in response to COVID-19, students have begun discussions on campus around
LEAGUE FROM PAGE 1 athletes — and instead delegates the choice on whether or not to continue to each institution, according to the Ivy League joint statement. This decision has produced mixed reviews from the University community. “I’m understanding and conscientious of the bigger issue at hand,” said Kia McNeill, head coach of the women’s soccer team, after scheduled postseason workouts were canceled. “What are you going to do about it? Better safe than sorry,” she added. The men’s basketball team did not qualify for the Ivy League tournament, which the league canceled Tuesday. But the team did plan to play in a non-NCAA postseason tournament. “Our season is over,” said Men’s Basketball Head Coach Mike Martin ’04, confirming that Brown decided not to continue with postseason play. He expressed disappointment over the inability to continue a winning season, but he and the team “understand the decision and are in total support.” One anonymous source within the athletic department who requested anonymity out of fear for personal and professional repercussions said that many coaches viewed the decision as “too drastic” and “rash.” The source within the athletic department cited the World Health Organization officially labeling the coronavirus a pandemic as a key reason why the universities moved so “shortsightedly.” The source also suspected that Harvard’s recent decision to ask students not to return from spring break pressured the rest of the Ivy League to respond similarly. Sydney Scott ’22, a track and field athlete, wrote in an email to The Herald that the University can’t do “much else
the possibility of being sent home indefinitely. “We are committed to taking all necessary steps to protect the safety and well-being of the Brown community,” wrote Locke and Estes in an email sent to the student body Wednesday morning announcing the negative results of three students tested for COVID-19 earlier this week. “The best policy is transparency,” Chair of Student Activities Alex Song ’20 said. “I think that a lot of fear and uncertainty is due to people not knowing what’s going on or what the administration is thinking.” If the University asks students to leave campus, “there should be some sort of compensation for their housing and meal plan,” First-Year Representative Zane Ruzicka ’23 said. “We would like to hear the administration say that they’re taking into consideration seniors’ graduation as well,” he added. Chair of Student Wellness Shivani Nishar ’20 also voiced worries about the potential impacts of University action on student life. “Students still have midterms scheduled and are still expected to study and take those exams, even though they might have to pack up and leave,” she said. Nishar also discussed additional circumstances that would complicate student plans in response to the University’s decision. “A lot of issues stem from the cost of everything and how that’ll fall on the students,” she said. “What about students who rely on their
to help us other than to allow us to have the chance to compete or at the very least continue to train.” Scott said that the team is not allowed to have official practices, and the varsity weight room is closed. “None of the athletes had a say in this decision and as far as I know, the majority of other schools outside of the Ivy League have not canceled their spring athletic seasons,” Scott wrote. “At the moment such a big decision doesn’t seem necessary when so much is at stake for the athletes,” she added. “We were all completely devastated and angry when our coaches told us the news,” softball player Ivy Hobson ’22 said. “It’s one thing to have your season canceled, but it’s another to have it canceled with no notice or closure. It absolutely sucks,” Hobson added. “All our hard work disappeared in a second. I appreciate the concern for our safety, but right now my heart is broken.” A senior student athlete who requested anonymity out of fear of personal and professional repercussions commented, “the fact that we got canceled so quickly after the WHO labelled COVID-19 a pandemic shows how little Brown and the Ivy League care about sports, and how they just want to cover their own skin.” The source went on to say there are a number of schools across the country that have “gone online but still have sports, so it feels really drastic.” The source added that athletes are “really sad” and feel “betrayed by the fact that eight presidents, who never even come to sporting events, had the last say on our (athletic) careers.” Hayes said he “can understand everybody’s frustration,” but added that he does not know “what will happen in the coming days at other institutions.”
DANIELLE EMERSON / HERALD
Among student concerns raised in the UCS meeting circling the COVID-19 pandemic, members discussed measures to support campus safety and increase transparency in communication. jobs on campus for income, or students who have abusive families and cannot go home?” In addition, Nishar noted the circumstances of students currently abroad, noting that many of those attending universities without academic continuity have been forced to postpone their graduation dates by a semester. Because many professors have begun transitioning classes to virtual video conferencing in anticipation
of University action, members of the general body also questioned the impact of time zones on online learning, the variation in home internet quality across the student body and the logistics of dealing with rental textbooks at the end of the semester. Also at the meeting, Chair of Campus Life Zanagee Artis ’22 presented a letter from the Brown chapter of the national organization Every Vote Counts. The letter, which the organization asked UCS to sign, will be
sent to large employers in the United States, urging them to offer paid leave for employees on Election Day in November. The Council passed the motion to sign the letter with a simple majority vote. Co-Appointments Chairs Sam Caplan ’22 and Eamon McKeever ’22 presented an amendment to the Council’s bylaws to appoint UCS representatives to University committees. The amendment passed with a simple majority when put to a vote.
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THE BROWN DAILY HERALD | NEWS
Thursday, March 12, 2020
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Students work toward Southeast Asian Studies representation in academia SEASI proposal seeks to increase classes offered, create more tenuretrack positions BY JESSICA TROUBH CONTRIBUTING WRITER The Southeast Asian Studies Initiative is in the process of submitting a proposal that would increase institutional support for the study of Southeast Asia at the University. A student-led project, SEASI began in 2016 with the goal of creating academic infrastructure that would enable Brown students to study and engage with Southeast Asia and its diasporas. Brown currently has no tenure-track positions dedicated to Southeast Asian Studies, according to SEASI member Nicole Yow Wei ’21. In 2005, 2006 and 2011, history courses were offered — each for a different class on the Vietnam War — and an English course on Southeast Asian literature was offered in 2003 and 2005, The Herald previously reported. More recently, the University has run three courses on Southeast Asia between Spring 2019 and Spring 2020.
MACK FROM PAGE 1
LITERARY ARTS PRIZES 2020
the long run, a livable minimum wage must be even higher than $15. “Fifteen is a great start, but when you work it out it is $30,000 a year. And when you say (it in) those terms, it’s actually not that liveable,” she said. Especially as the effects of climate change already impact local communities, Mack also wants to address environmental justice. “Rhode Island is facing some of the largest impacts of the climate crisis. We’re losing shoreline every single year and there are some communities that have the highest rates of asthma in our country,” Mack explained. Mack is committed not only to making sure that the state transitions to renewable energy by 2030, but that the shift is realistic, accessible and affordable for all. She would prioritize
SEASI wrote the proposal in fall 2019, outlining a number of goals such as increased classes and gaining tenure-track positions for faculty members for Southeast Asian Studies in the hopes of gaining institutional recognition and creating lasting change at Brown. “Southeast Asian Studies is a giant lacuna” at Brown, Yow Wei said. “It’s frustrating trying to get an undergraduate education that has a global focus, or that aims for global understanding, when you can’t study many parts of the world,” she added. Yow Wei also noted that “if you consider yourself a specialist in any region of the world, there are probably connections to Southeast Asia. So … it’s also really important to consider … Southeast Asia when thinking about other regions or general themes in the world.” These sentiments were echoed by SEASI member Thedoe Nyunt ’22. “Southeast Asian Studies is so inherently interdisciplinary, and it fits in well with Brown’s emphasis on interdisciplinary learning,” he said. “It just has to get here.” “It’s very hard to maintain your heritage so far away from home, and there are just so few resources to do so here,” said Nyunt. “In high school, I just ac-
cepted that I wasn’t going to understand anything about my people or culture. I can’t speak to my relatives that well … I haven’t had opportunities to really invest in my understanding. So, Southeast Asian Studies for a diasporic member is largely about maintaining heritage and understanding family — and also just being a more informed citizen.” Provost Richard Locke P ’18 wrote in an email to The Herald that “proposals for academic programs must come from members of the Brown faculty and their respective departments.” He added that “this is a faculty matter, not something the administration can do on its own.”
SEASI members have been working hard to get faculty members on board with increased representation and have been encouraging interaction between students and faculty within the Southeast Asian Studies community. SEASI has discussed their goals with faculty members in previous semesters, but one of their main goals for the spring is to hold community forums for both students and faculty to collaborate and discuss what students want to study, SEASI member Lavanya Sathyamurthy ’22 said. SEASI also plans to host “spotlight lunches” with faculty, as well as an annual undergrad-
uate research exhibition for students to showcase Southeast Asian Studies work they have done, Nyunt said. Cindy Nguyen, a postdoctoral fellow with the History department and the Cogut Institute for the Humanities, teaches HIST 1962E: “Print and Power in Modern Southeast Asia,” the only Southeast Asian Studies course currently being offered by the University. She has been actively involved with SEASI and the proposal. “Because there isn’t really institutional support for Southeast Asian Studies, and there aren’t many other Southeast Asian courses offered besides my own, the onus kind of falls upon me to set this foundational knowledge about Southeast Asia,” said Nguyen. “This makes it really hard, because there are so many complex ways of understanding Southeast Asia.” “I almost feel like SEASI is taking on the labors that a department should — hosting events, writing grants and proposals,” Nyunt said. According to Sathyamurthy, if SEASI’s work is successful, this weight will ideally be taken off the shoulders of students and individual faculty members and placed on the institution. “The whole point of SEASI is for there not to be SEASI anymore,” she said.
“making sure families have an option to get their own smart grid, especially when they transition to green and renewable sources, but also making sure families can have access to a program or something where they can purchase electric vehicles. Because we can say it’s great that all vehicles have to be electric by 2040, 2050, but then when you think about … what family can actually afford a Tesla, what family can actually afford a Chevy Bolt?” Mack added. A member of the grassroots Rhode Island Political Cooperative, has decided to not take any money or donations from fossil fuel companies and PAC lobbyists. “It … has made politics not about the people and more about the organizations. The more money you take from the corporation, the more you’re going to listen to corporations over the people. With a grassroots-funded political campaign, my campaign is
going to be funded by the people … who believe that I am going to be a difference whether they live here or in another state,” Mack said. Mack also champions reproductive rights. She started teaching sexual education in Providence public schools as a college sophomore and is now on the board of the Women’s Health & Education Fund. In addition to supporting the Rhode Island Parentage Act before its passage, she continues to work toward “making sure that everyone in our state can afford access to reproductive health services, whether that’s contraception or abortion,” she added. Mack, who identifies as queer, also wanted to run against her more socially conservative incumbent in an effort to stand up for all communities. “He has said discriminatory things against the LGBTQ community,” Mack said, citing his discrimination against LGBTQ peo-
ple as one of her motivations to run. Mack is not alone in thinking that the current government is not comprehensively representative. “We want to change the face of the Rhode Island government to reflect the people, and we want to inspire leaders who are in office right now or to elect officials who are going to work on behalf of all Rhode Islanders,” Mycala McKay, an organizer with Sunrise Providence, which will wait until March to endorse candidates. Co-Chair of the Rhode Island Political Cooperative Matt Brown echoes Mack’s concern about the shortcomings of the current government and supports her campaign. “We have a state government populated largely by politicians who are in the pockets of corporations and the wealthy who fund their campaigns. The main priority for a long time has been to serve the interests of
large corporations and the wealthiest (people) with all kinds of tax breaks and giveaways, while ignoring the lives, the challenges and the reality of working people across the state,” he said. According to Brown, while the government is giving luxury handouts to condo developers, public school buildings are collapsing. As politicians accept donations from fossil fuel industries, pollution is adversely affecting communities and causing Providence to have the third-highest asthma prevalence of any city in the country. While tax breaks are being granted to out-of-state corporations, the affordable housing crisis is projected to worsen. For Mack, being a good state senator isn’t about being perfect: “It’s about being someone who is going to make a difference and honor the fact that all people should have rights and access to life,” Mack said.
SUMMER ZHANG / HERALD
The Literary Arts Department is sponsoring the following prizes for the Brown community
Academy of American Poets Prize: For the best poem (up to 10 pages). Open to all Brown students. Kim Ann Arstark Memorial Awards: For the best poem or poems (up to 20 pages) written in celebration of life. Open to all Brown students. Mark Baumer Prizes for Language Art: For the best works in language art (any media). Open to Brown students. A discrete Mark Baumer Prize is open to university staff and information about this will be shared under separate cover. Feldman Prizes in Fiction: For the best story or stories (up to 20 pages). Open to all Brown students. Beth Lisa Feldman Prize in Children’s Literature: For best story or stories for children four to eight years old (up to 50 pages). Open to all Brown students (and may be a collaboration). Frances Mason Harris ’26 Prizes: For a book-length manuscript of poetry or prose fiction by a currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate woman. John Hawkes Prize in Fiction: This contest honors the memory of John Hawkes, the internationally-recognized author and dedicated professor of creative writing at Brown University. The contest is open to all students currently enrolled in the Graduate Program in Literary Arts. The submission must be a work of fiction (up to 50 pages). Edwin Honig Memorial Prizes in Poetry: Honoring the memory of Edwin Honig — poet, translator and founder of the Literary Arts Department at Brown University (up to 10 pages). Open to all Brown students. Keith and Rosmarie Waldrop Prizes for Innovative Writing: For literary work, any genre, that best exemplifies the spirit of innovation found in the writings and translations of Keith and Rosmarie Waldrop (up to 15 pages). Open to all Brown students. DEADLINE: 11:59 PM ON 15 MARCH. ALL APPLICATIONS ARE COMPLETED ONLINE. TO APPLY VISIT: BROWN.EDU/CW THEN GO TO: LITERARY ARTS PRIZE ENTRY 2020
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Thursday, March 12, 2020
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD | TODAY
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S U D O KU
Intersectional Sex Worker Organizing 10:30 A.M. Sarah Doyle Center
Trans Inclusive Storytelling Workshop 12:00 P.M. 88 Benevolent Street
Emily Drumsta — The Arabic Novel 12:00 P.M. Watson Institute
Phil Kaye ’10 Performance 7:30 P.M. Metcalf Auditorium
TOMORROW Feminist Teacher Gathering 12:00 P.M. Sarah Doyle Center
Public Health Wellness: Health and Fitness Workshop 2:00 P.M. 121 S. Main Street
Rhode Island Women’s Health Summit 4:45 P.M. Alpert Medical School
SASA Culture Show 6:30 P.M. Salomon DECI
Q U OTE OF TH E DAY
“It definitely feels like a knee-jerk reaction where there could have been less dramatic, intermediary steps.” —Peter Litsky ’20 SEE LEAGUE FRONT PAGE
C ORRECTI ON A previous version of the March 10 article, “UCS project to grant 24/7 swipe access to Bear’s Lair,” stated that after 6 p.m., the space was only accessible to those living in the Graduate Center and Vartan Gregorian Quandrangle A and B. In fact, after 7 p.m., the space was only accessible to those living in the Graduate Center and Vartan Gregorian Quandrangle A and B. The Herald regrets the error.
CR O S SWO R D
A previous version of the March 11 article, “ACCRIP releases recommendation to divest,” mistakenly stated that committee member Sara Cunningham ’06 said that ACCRIP should look at each of the companies on the UN’s list and decide if the University should divest from them on a case-by-case basis. In fact, Cunningham did not say that. The Herald regrets the error.
B LO OM-B ERT
VICTORIA YIN / HERALD
The spring sun filters its way into the Building for Environmental Research and Teaching, illuminating the tangerine petals and deep green leaves of the still-blooming flower below.
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THE BROWN DAILY HERALD | COMMENTARY
RI FROM PAGE 1
Thursday, March 12, 2020
have done. They acted, and they acted quickly,” Raimondo said. “Time is the most important asset right now.” The number of known coronavirus cases rose from three to five in Rhode Island Tuesday, according to WPRI. Raimondo believes the Ocean State’s proactive response is a necessary precaution as that number continues to
she said. “I hope we never get there. But we want to be ready if we (do).” Whitehouse believes the aid will provide a “significant boost” to the preventative measures already being taken, according to a statement sent to The Herald. He wrote that “bipartisan, bicameral negotiations have moved with urgency” to provide appropriate funding and resources. In the press release, Rep. Jim Lan-
rise. She said that countries like Italy provide a warning to Rhode Island, as they were “overwhelmed too quickly” with new cases. “We’re putting in place a robust response in case we get to a place where we’re starting to have to test 100-200 people a day,”
gevin (D-RI) said that the funding comes at a “critical time,” but believes preventative measures cannot end here. “I’ll continue to advocate with my Congressional colleagues for adequate resources to confront this crisis,” he said.
COURTESY OF TIFFANY YIM
This year’s performance was titled “Reign.” The show, which was accompanied by energetic music ranging from trap music to K-Pop, featured highly varied choreography by the thirty-one members.
IMPULSE FROM PAGE 1
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fall semester, and it welcomes dancers of all levels of experience in six biweekly meetings. This year’s company consisted of 31 members who performed 16 group pieces with 7 interludes. The first of these interludes was performed by Megan Gessner ’20, a “Tapperlude” that showcased Gessner’s impressive skill as she tap-danced without music. In contrast to the Tapperlude, “Reign on your Parade” featured the new members of Impulse dancing to “Dreams, Fairytales, Fantasies” by A$AP Ferg featuring Brent Faiyaz and “Outro: Ego” by BTS. It preceded a performance
that was dedicated to the seniors leaving the company. Living up to the regal theme, several dances ended with members holding their hands in the air just above their heads, posing as though they had just put on crowns. The theme of “Reign” came together after all the pieces had been choreographed and finalized, according to Publicity Chair Tiffany Yim, a RISD student. She worked alongside fellow Publicity Chair Chandler Carr ’22. “We’re in charge of creating the whole theme,” Yim said, “We do consult the rest of E-board and the rest of the members but it’s ultimately our
decision.” Yim noted that the theme was not intended to be heavily connected to the dances. “After we came up with the photoshoot idea of royalty, we wanted a name (for the show) that went along,” she added. “(The dances) didn’t influence that much.” Previous years’ themes include “Vanity” and “Cake,” and each was similarly promoted through a themed photoshoot and multiple short video clips of select dances on the group’s Facebook event page. “I can’t wait to see the show next year,” said Maniatis. “Impulse is full of amazing people, and I’m excited for what they’ll perform next.”
SUMMER ZHANG / HERALD
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Thursday, March 12, 2020
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD | COMMENTARY
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The University should hold coaches accountable REBECCA AMAN ’20 STAFF COLUMNIST
On Feb. 24, The Herald reported that seven former players on the women’s basketball team alleged that their coach Sarah Behn “repeatedly made remarks about players’ weights, used language that they described as vulgar and singled out players for criticism.” The article also detailed the ways in which players and parents attempted to report this behavior to the University. Three players spoke separately to Carolan Norris, the senior associate director of athletics for student-athlete services, but felt these conversations did not make a difference. One parent submitted multiple complaints to Director of Athletics Jack Hayes; by the time the article was published, Hayes didn’t even respond to the parent’s most recent email. From this article, two issues become clear. First, there is no standard, well-publicized way to report coaches’ misconduct if it falls outside of Title IX. Second, the University does not appear to have a mechanism to hold coaches accountable and protect players from abusive behavior. In an op-ed published in The Herald, Kerrissa Heffernan argued that criticism of Behn
is biased, as male coaches don’t face the same scrutiny. Heffernan does not to seem to see a problem with Behn’s behavior, describing her coaching style as “direct and corrective.” But we cannot dismiss the real grievances of players, nor should we excuse Behn’s behavior as simply “direct.” The solution to potential bias shouldn’t be to let Behn off the hook. Instead,
“The University needs to start prioritizing players’ wellbeing.”
the University should hold all coaches to a higher standard. The University needs to start prioritizing player’s well-being. To do so, it should create a well-publicized way to report misconduct and then hold coaches accountable for their behavior. When I was a member of the women’s crew
team fall 2017, we were required to attend a meeting where administrators informed us of University policy concerning hazing and Title IX rules. The Univeristy has clear policies on these issues because hazing is illegal under Rhode Island law, and because Title IX rules are informed by federal regulation. In this meeting, we learned about resources available to report hazing and Title IX violations; we also were warned about the steep consequences the University would impose if we engaged in hazing. But we didn’t learn how to report other kinds of misconduct. For example, what mechanisms are in place for a team that is required to practice beyond the 20-hour-a-week limit mandated by NCAA rules (which I know happens at this school from my own experience and that of others)? The University also doesn’t have a well-publicized procedure to report coaches for pressuring students to train through injuries, or for using abusive or demeaning language. While I know I haven’t been actively involved on a Brown sports team in a few years, I suspect misconduct procedures have not changed. When it comes to the coach-athlete relationship, coaches hold all the cards — the only recourse players have is to quit. But quitting a sport isn’t easy, especially when most of your friends are on the team. I know this from per-
sonal experience: Quitting the crew team was one of the hardest decisions I’ve made during my time here at Brown. The University needs to create a way to hold coaches accountable, so students aren’t forced out of the sports they love. Furthermore, the University should track the number of students who quit every sport, and potentially investigate teams where an unusually high number of students have quit. Brown takes reports of alleged student misconduct, like hazing, very seriously. Most recently, Brown conducted a thorough investigation and ultimately suspended the men’s swimming and diving team for spring 2018, and canceled their competitions during fall 2018. But when it comes to coaches’ behavior, the University doesn’t pay much heed to students’ and parents’ concerns. The University should strive to create a student body that is happy, healthy and ready to learn. This means ensuring Brown employees — including coaches — are treating students with respect and holding them accountable if they don’t. Rebecca Aman ’20 can be reached at rebecca_aman@brown.edu. Please send responses to this opinion to letters@browndailyherald.com and op-eds to opinions@browndailyherald.com.
Opinions pieces published in The Herald — which include columns, op-eds , letters to the editor and editorials — are written independently of news coverage.
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THE BROWN DAILY HERALD | NEWS
Thursday, March 12, 2020