Thursday, March 21, 2024

THE BROWN DAILY HER ALD

41 protesters in Brown Divest Coalition put on academic probation after sit-in

Student protestors from both groups claim these discrepancies are escalatory and aimed at deterring future demonstrations.

20 JFCN students required to submit paper on divestment policy

BY OWEN DAHLKAMP AND RYAN DOHERTY UNIVERSITY NEWS AND SCIENCE AND RESEARCH EDITORS

The 41 students affiliated with Brown divest coalition who were arrested at a dec. 11 sit-in were placed on university probation on March 6 following disciplinary hearings with the university, marking an escalated university response to the second sit-in for divestment this academic year.

The students were placed on probation following “administrative review meetings,”

CAMPUS

which have potential disciplinary consequences. as a part of their probation terms, each of the 41 students must submit a personal values statement or create informational material about Brown’s protest policy.

The twenty students participating in a previous Nov. 8 sit-in under the student group Jews for ceasefire Now were not put on academic probation but were asked to write a 10-page paper on the university’s divestment procedures either individually or as a group.

Both sit-ins called on President christina

Paxson P’19 P’Md’20 to divest from companies tied to “Israeli military occupation” and support a ceasefire in the ongoing war between Israel and hamas.

according to Bdc spokespeople, the university claimed the 41 students violated three student conduct codes, including “failure to

Nine tour guides sign resignation letter

Tour guides sent mass letter sent to Admissions Office leadership

BY DANA RICHIE SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Nine tour guides — seven seniors and two juniors — jointly resigned via a letter sent to dean of undergraduate admission Logan Powell on Monday.

The resignation comes more than a week after a group of roughly three dozen tour guides, joined by 150 student supporters, picketed on Waterman street in support of Janek schaller ’24. schaller was demoted from his position and later resigned in early February after sending a slack message to staffers, which acknowledged plans from divestment demonstrators to disrupt tours and said he “cooperated with other organizers” to allow for “tour disruptions to happen in a safe and controlled manner.”

Logan Powell, Brown’s associate provost for enrollment and dean of undergraduate admission, did not share whether the resignation would disrupt tours or whether the admissions Office will hire new tour guides in response.

The letter cited schaller’s demotion and the university’s subsequent communication to guides — which stated that “individualized negative experiences is not part of the mission or purpose of the tours” — as reasons for the resignation.

The resignation letter cites a portion of the latter phrase, characterizing it as part of a “pattern of suppression” for tour guides.

“a letter from the Office on February 23rd

informed guides that ‘individualized negative experiences’ have no place on tours,” the letter reads.

Logan Powell, Brown’s associate provost for enrollment and dean of undergraduate admission, wrote in an email to The herald that the students’ characterization of the statement was “inaccurate,” emphasizing the language used in the full quote.

“No college is perfect, but our goal is to allow visitors to experience Brown on their own terms and to leave them with a positive impression of the many strengths of the

Brown community,” he wrote. “Not only did we commit to clarifying the guidance in the meeting we held, we sent a follow up message that clearly states that we trust and empower all guides to share their authentic stories.”

“Most of the reasons the former guides articulated for their resignations are not related to the tour guide program, or to the Office of college admission, in any way,” he added. “We are grateful for their work on behalf of our office and respect their decision to step away from their role as university representatives.”

The letter also mentions the university’s response to student demonstrations related to the war in Israel and Palestine, objecting to the arrest of 61 students that participated in sit-ins for divestment within university hall.

Tour guides have been organizing since schaller’s resignation in early February, according to resigning tour guide caroline sassan ’24. Then, organizers were contemplating a mass resignation, but they opted to work toward a strike instead. The organizing tour guides decided to pivot from a strike to

comply,” “unauthorized entry or use of space” and “violations of law.” When on probation, “any incidents that occur during that time will be scrutinized more heavily and sanctioned more seriously,” according to the student conduct Office.

all 41 students pleaded not guilty to “willful trespassing within school buildings” at arraignments on Feb. 12 and Feb. 14, The herald previously reported. at a March faculty meeting, Paxson reaffirmed the university’s plans to pursue charges.

student protestors from both groups claim these discrepancies are escalatory and aimed at deterring future demonstrations.

“Brown’s student conduct process involves an individualized assessment of each case and the circumstances surrounding the alleged conduct code violations,” university

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TIFFaNy dING / hEraLd

spokesperson Brian clark wrote in an email to The herald. “It also considers the cumulative impact of repeated disruptions to the university community and operations.”

Following the shooting of hisham awartani ’25 and two other Palestinian students in Vermont, the university dropped criminal charges against the 20 students affiliated with JFcN. Paxson previously stated that the decision was made to “take the level of tension and upsetness down a notch” on campus. clark declined to comment more specifically on the disciplinary proceedings, citing federal privacy law.

disciplinary administrative review versus non-disciplinary expectation meeting

On Nov. 27, students affiliated with JFcN received a letter informing them of

BUCC discusses admissions, Sidechat

Summary deck, must be 3 lines / summary deck, must be 3 lines

BY KATE BUTTS AND TALIA LEVINE SENIOR STAFF WRITERS

On Wednesday, the Brown university community council — which consists of representatives from university administration, students, faculty, staff and alumni — held a public meeting to discuss sidechat moderation and recommendations from the ad hoc committee on admissions Policies.

student attendees mostly included members of students for Educational Equity and the Graduate student Labor Organization. Throughout the meeting, some demonstrators displayed signs that read “legacy = privilege” and “leave legacy behind.”

Provost Francis doyle III presented recommendations released in early March by the admissions committee. The group recommended that the university reinstate its standardized testing requirements, maintain an early decision admission policy and continue examining preference for applicants with family connections, The herald previously reported.

“It’s really important to point out … this is happening at a moment where there’s a backdrop in the nation,” doyle said. “We had the supreme court decision on race-conscious admissions, we have a national dialogue going on right now about the requirements around testing, saTs, the national conversation around access and equity in admissions processes and generally a lack of trust in higher ed.”

doyle added that the committee exclusively focused on data within Brown during their

deliberations.

When discussing the decision to retain early decision, doyle said the committee found it “an attractive policy for students, consistent with peer practices,” adding that it “really contributes to our ability to enroll a class that’s diverse and highly qualified.”

associate Provost for Enrollment and dean of undergraduate admission Logan Powell spoke about Early decision results for the class of 2028. due to the supreme court ruling on affirmative action, Powell shared that while students still submitted race data in their common application, officers “had to suppress race and ethnicity codes.”

a decade ago, 10% of the incoming class was first-generation, Powell noted. This past year, 19% of the early cohort alone is first-generation. “That’s an all-time high for us,” Powell said, adding that 14% of the early decision applicant pool were first-generation.

addressing the common criticism that early decision disadvantages lower-income students, Powell said that “the level of generosity … (in financial aid) is available in early decision and regular decision in the same way.”

“There’s no financial disincentive in applying early decision, and for a student who applies early decision and says the aid is not sufficient, we go back and forth,” Powell added.

Powell added that if Brown is not able to close the “affordability gap,” the university would consider releasing a student from their early decision contract.

doyle then presented the decision to reinstate test scores.

he explained a new communications campaign, “testing in context,” which advertises

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1 Court filings reveal hazing, physical abuse in UMD fraternities

While a cease and desist order for all university of Maryland Interfraternity council and Panhellinic association fraternities and sororities has been lifted, five fraternities are still under investigation. so far, court filings have revealed physical abuse, alcohol abuse and force-feeding.

2 At Penn, professor and five alums barred from entering Russia

a university of Pennsylvania professor and five alumni join the list of 227 americans banned from entering russia. The move from russia comes as a response to the banned Pennsylvanians’ support for anti-russian policy in Washington.

3 Columbia begins offering medication abortion service on campus

columbia health and student health on haven, two locations that serve columbia students, began offering the services on Monday without a formal announcement. Very few private universities in the united states offer such services on-campus.

Editors’

Note: Clarifying

and updating op-ed submission criteria

Over the past few months, The herald has received a multitude of op-ed submissions responding to current campus and community dialogue. In light of this, we want to clarify and update some basic guidelines for op-ed submissions.

One of the primary goals of our Opinions section is to highlight individual voices and perspectives concerning campus events. But in the past several months, we have published several op-eds including lists of signatories, co-signers, co-authors or organizational affiliations in addition to bylined authors. While we recognize the appeal of demonstrating additional support or for the opinions articulated in op-ed submissions, this practice represents a departure from the original purpose of an op-ed: to platform individual opinions related to the most pertinent issues in our community. Moving forward, we will not be accepting additional signatories in op-eds or other opinion content, nor will we accept submissions that speak on behalf of organizations rather than individuals. We will continue to publish op-eds authored by between one and five contributors.

another mission of the op-ed section is to enable campus discourse both within and outside of The herald. Our Opinions section publishes op-ed bylines with an email address for readers to directly send feedback and responses privately, as opposed to submitting a Letter to the Editor for publication. Moving forward, we will formally require all op-ed contributions to include an email address to direct responses.

We’d also like to clarify our existing submission guide-

lines. We receive a high volume of submissions and are unable to publish every op-ed we receive. We are more likely to publish your op-ed if it is pertinent to current issues in the community and provides a perspective original to our opinions section. While we recognize the value of mission statements and open letters in articulating a group’s views, op-eds are not public statements — rather, they propose a thesis that is supported by evidence and articulated logically and truthfully. While The herald will never publish an altered version of an op-ed without the express permission of the author, we will often suggest edits to improve clarity, structure and accuracy. and we reserve the right not to publish an op-ed that contains false information or fails to meet our standards for quality and accuracy. as always, The herald is committed to publishing a diversity of ideological viewpoints, and the opinions expressed in op-eds do not necessarily reflect the views of herald staffers or leadership.

To our op-ed contributors and readers, thank you for contributing to vital campus dialogue. We appreciate your engagement with The herald, and we look forward to receiving your submissions and feedback.

Editors’ notes are written by the 134th Editorial Board: Neil Mehta ’25, Julia Vaz ’25, Charlie Clynes ’25, Kathy Wang ’25 and Finn Kirkpatrick ’25. This letter was written in collaboration with The Herald’s opinions chief, Alissa Simon ’25.

PROBATION FROM PAGE 1

a “non-disciplinary expectation meeting,” according to documents reviewed by The herald. The 20 students were split into four groups “to have conversations about our sit-in and our responsibilities in the Brown community,” JFcN spokesperson sam stewart ’24 said.

On Jan. 26, Bdc-affiliated students were asked to have one-on-one “administrative review meetings” with assistant deans that had potential disciplinary consequences. When the students asked for group non-disciplinary expectation meetings, the Office of student conduct and community standards denied their requests, according to emails reviewed by The herald.

“Oscss has considered your request and determined that the circumstances are different from the case you referenced, including a larger disruptive impact on the university community and communication from the university about potential disciplinary consequences,” the email reads.

Prior to the university hall’s closing, Pax-

TOUR:

a rally less than an hour before it was announced at noon on March 8.

a ccording to resigned tour guide shazain ahmed Khan ’24, the signed tour guides were still “fed up” with the university’s administration.

as one of the 41 students involved in the Brown divestment coalition who were arrested for demonstrating, sassan added that it was “especially dissonant to be working for the university while they’re actively pressing charges against me.”

The letter also included specific grievances with tour guiding, namely the lack of “codified protections for free speech on tours.” In an email titled “Tour Guidance & Performance Policy” sent to all active tour guides on Feb. 23, admissions Office staff stated specific instructions for tour guides that included instructions not to “joke about a particular department, person or

son informed the 41 students in a letter they could be subjected to “arrest, criminal charges and review per the university’s conduct procedures,” The herald previously reported.

university spokesperson Brian clark previously told The herald that “the university fully expects to recommend more significant criminal misdemeanor charges for any future incidents after the dec. 11 sit-in.”

When informing the students that they were to undergo the student disciplinary process, the university communicated that they were considering holding the group responsible for “disruption of university activities.” according to Bdc members, the university ultimately found they were not responsible for this particular charge.

“We took every step we could while we were inside university hall to not be disruptive,” said Isabella Garo ’24, a Bdc spokesperson.

Bdc also requested to have lawyers present during their disciplinary proceedings given their ongoing criminal investigation, according to Garo and spokesperson Kate Kuli

building on campus,” “joke about aspects of campus life that you may not be involved with,” “critique or call out a single member of the Brown community” or “comment in a critical manner on admission practices.”

Grace Jarell ’24, one of the resigning tour guides, said these guidelines took “the humanity out of the tours.”

The admissions officers clarified their guidance in a follow-up email sent to active guides on March 14, instructing them to discuss their “authentic experiences in a way that places them in a broader context, highlights available resources and leaves visitors with a generally positive impression,” but the resigning tour guides were not satisfied with this response.

“The Office has resisted all attempts at true dialogue around the ways in which we are permitted to speak about our personal experiences,” the letter read.

BUCC:

’25. The university’s student conduct procedures for disciplinary proceedings state that “students may retain legal counsel for advice outside our process, however attorneys may not participate in any aspect of the process.”

Garo expressed concern for potential self-incrimination in these meetings: “I could respond to something just wanting to be honest and wanting to actually talk to the dean about my actions, which is the point of these meetings, and I might be accidentally incriminating myself in a criminal justice proceeding,” Garo said.

clark did not address whether these discussions could be used in criminal proceedings.

Value statements, divestment policies papers

Following their university hearings, both JFcN and Bdc were given a set of educational terms to meet. The student conduct Procedures states that administrative reviewers or hearing officers can “assign terms designed to ensure responsible behavior and the well-being of the university community.”

that Brown considers “the background and circumstance” of applicants and looks at test scores in the context of their school environment. doyle also noted that as a result of test-optional policies, Brown’s reported median score is greatly inflated.

In the decision to reinstate test scores, Brown outlined limited exceptions to the requirement.

“We will permit very rare cases, I would say wartorn regions like ukraine, for example, where students aren’t able to get to a testing site when we will have alternatives for them to be able to submit materials,” doyle said.

The meeting then shifted to a discussion around the third, unresolved part of the recommendation: the use of preferential treatment in the admissions process toward children of alumni and the children of faculty and staff.

“We really were wrestling with competing values in this case … Questions of unearned access, equity and admissions advantage, versus building lifelong affinity to this institution, versus building intergenerational community (and) generating very loyal supporters to enable the work that we do here,” doyle said.

Bucc members criticized the admissions policies and their potential impact on diversity, equity and inclusion.

President christina Paxson P’19 P’Md’20 opened

On Feb. 29, JFcN protestors were “required to write a (10 page) paper that explains how the university gathers information relevant to a divestment request, the complex factors to be weighed in a decision-making process, and the implementation of decisions related to divestment” to be submitted either individually or as a group, according to disciplinary documents reviewed by The herald.

On March 6, Bdc-affiliated students were given the choice to write a minimum 500word statement outlining “the university’s values and how they were at odds with (the students’) behavior” a statement outlining how their behavior was at odds with their values or create informational material regarding the university’s protest policy, according to Kuli.

Both student groups were instructed that they could not justify their actions or the actions of others in the statements, according to Bdc spokespeople and a letter sent to JFcN.

Garo expressed frustration with these terms. “you’re asking me to write a personal

up questions to the audience. students for Educational Equity co-President Nick Lee ’26 criticized the decision to maintain legacy admissions until further consideration. sofia Barnett ’25, a former herald section editor, criticized the decision to reinstate the testing requirement.

Earlier in the day, sEE hosted a rally with a few dozen attendees, at which they distributed a petition to end legacy admissions that now has over 500 signatures, according to Lee.

Bucc also discussed regulation of sidechat, the social media platform that allows students within Brown’s community to post anonymously. co-directors of the undergraduate council of students’ Polling committee Jay Philbrick ’24.5 and Emily hong ’26 presented findings from a ucs poll sent on Jan. 19 to the student body, asking for opinions on content that users encountered on sidechat.

They described their “four step process” for polling, during which they “(went) through sourcing, drafting, sampling, and then analysis and communications.” But the poll was conducted on short notice, and the students expressed regret at their small sample size of 140.

Philbrick said that the vast majority of respondents feel that they have witnessed instances of discrimination on the app.

General Managers

Benjamin Moshes Alex Zhou

Sales Director

Samantha Sinensky

Finance Director Mason Mead

value statement, explaining how my values are at odds with what I did,” Garo said. “They weren’t — that’s why I did them.”

Kuli wrote about her previous coursework at Brown that explored civil disobedience, citing past readings that influenced the development of her personal values.

“My actions were in alignment with things that I (learned) and personal values that I developed during my time here,” she said. “The way that I understand … the relationship between this university and my personal values and myself has changed.”

“Brown’s policies make clear that protest is a necessary and acceptable means of expression on campus, and the university maintains safeguards for determining time, place and manner to ensure that protests don’t interfere with the normal functions of the university,” clark wrote in an email to The herald.

JFcN has publicly expressed support for Bdc, calling on the university to “treat these students from Bdc equally to those from JFcN and immediately drop all charges.”

ucs aimed to communicate to the Brown community the potential harm that sidechat poses and advocated for more careful monitoring of the platform, he added. 35% of respondents agreed that the app would benefit from expanded monitoring.

Bucc and the Brown administration critiqued the poll’s methodology and sample size. They also raised concerns about selection bias in the sample and whether the phrasing of questions was appropriately neutral.

Philbrick admitted that different students have “different propensity to respond to the survey,” which could sway the results.

Members of the council expressed fears that making any decisions based on inaccurate data could have harmful effects on the community. ucs assured Bucc that their polls underwent rigorous editing to protect neutrality, even though they agreed that the small sample size was not ideal. The council also noted that harassment on social media has long been an issue for college campuses.

Vice President for Marketing communications and content strategy carly Kite Lapinski also presented the ways that sidechat moderates its content. any post reported to the platform by users is reviewed and moderators determine “whether the content should be removed and will remove violating content.”

Submissions: The Brown Daily Herald publishes submissions in the form of op-eds and letters to the

Op-eds are typically between 600 and 900 words and advance a clear argument related to a topic of campus discourse. You can submit op-eds to opinions@browndailyherald.com.

Letters to the editor should be around 250 words and respond to an article or column that has appeared in The Herald, or critique or commend The Herald’s editorial decisions. You can submit letters to the editor to letters@browndailyherald.com.

Submissions undergo multiple rounds of editing. These rounds of editing generally take place over the course of one evening, and you may have to respond to edits late in the evening. If you know you will be unable to do so, please mention that in your email, and we will do our best to work with you.

Submissions can build on reporting from The Herald, reporting elsewhere, official statements from the University or other groups and other reputable sources, but they cannot break news or contain information that The Herald cannot verify. Because we cannot publish unsubstantiated information, failure to provide appropriate sources may mean we have to modify or remove unverified claims.

The Herald will not publish anonymous submissions or submissions authored by organizations. Leaders of student organizations can be identified as such but cannot write under the byline of their organization.

The Herald cannot publish all submissions it receives and reserves the right to edit all submissions. All submissions to The Herald cannot have been previously published elsewhere (in print or online — including personal blogs and social media) and must be exclusive

METRO

Business owners react to I-195 Washington Bridge demolition announcement

Demolition, reconstruction projected to finish March 2026

BY SANAI RASHID SENIOR STAFF WRITER

On March 14, Gov. dan McKee announced that the I-195 Washington Bridge, which was partially shut down due to structural concerns last december, will now be demolished and rebuilt entirely. The bridge allows drivers coming from Providence to travel to the east side of Providence and access seekonk, Massachusetts.

according to a report released that same day by McNary, Bergeron & Johannesen — a third-party construction firm hired by McKee to inspect the bridge — closing the bridge was “the right and responsible decision.” The report further recommended that the bridge be replaced.

Following its closure in december, the bridge’s infrastructure began to be inspected. On Jan. 23, rhode Island department of Transportation director Peter alviti said that the Washington Bridge may need to be torn down and completely rebuilt. But at that time, updates surrounding the bridge’s condition were still pending as engineering firms continued their investigations.

according to the March 14 report, it will take between 18 and 24 months to completely demolish and reconstruct the bridge. The process is set to begin this summer, with a projected completion for March 2026.

INFRASTRUCTURE

rhode Island business owners, who have experienced economic loss due to the bridge’s closure, have expressed doubt about what lies ahead. The congestion, traffic and delays caused by the partial closure have hurt businesses on the east side of Providence that rely on patrons traveling across the bridge from Providence and further west.

“We were up 200% (in revenue) coming out of (the cOVId-19 pandemic). Everything was going really well and we were on track to have our largest december ever,” said Jessica Leach, owner of Opt Eyewear Boutique in Wayland square. On “dec. 11, all of a sudden, everything came to a screeching halt.”

asher schofield, co-owner of souvenir shop Frog & Toad, mentioned that the number of customers at the store’s east side location had “definitely reduced” after

the bridge’s closure when he spoke with The herald in January.

Now, with the bridge’s confirmed demolition, schofield is unsure of what comes next.

“It’s just a bit of a mystery,” he said in a March interview with The herald. “It’s really hard to find the metrics to gauge what will happen (with revenue) since January and February are already a slower time of year for retail.”

“all of my evidence is more anecdotal and experiential — it hasn’t been good business for anybody,” schofield added.

In d ecember 2023, the u s small Business administration encouraged businesses in Providence, Bristol and Kent counties to apply for low-interest, longterm Economic Injury disaster Loans to alleviate the economic impact caused by the bridge’s closure.

Nine hundred and fifty-one businesses applied and $586,200 in loans were approved as of March 7 for businesses in those counties, as well as businesses in Bristol county, Massachusetts and Windham county, connecticut, the rhode Island current reported.

as of Feb. 29, the sBa had approved 158 applications, which made up 51% of all loan applications at the time.

“sBa is offering low-interest, longterm loans. I’ve already got those. I still don’t really want any more of them,” schofield said.

Leach and schofield expressed the need for increased support from elected officials.

“We have heard nothing from our local representatives in this area,” said Leach. “No one’s come out. Not one person.”

On Tuesday, u s. Transportation sec-

retary Pete Buttigieg visited rhode Island and toured the Washington Bridge with McKee and alviti to address the timeline and fiscal costs associated with reconstruction.

McKee estimated that repairing the bridge would cost $250 million to $300 million, The Providence Journal reported. The funding for the bridge would involve a mix of federal and state funds.

“Our objective here is not to take funding away from rhode Island,” Buttigieg said to reporters on the bridge, “it is to make sure rhode Island is getting the funding that it needs to meet this acute issue and all of the other projects that still need to be done.”

schofield expressed skepticism of the state’s promises. But rhode Islanders “are scrappy, and we’re survivors and we help out our neighbors,” he said.

Mayor Brett Smiley signs city ordinance for carbon-neutral city buildings

NaT

resources.

BY MAYA KELLY SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Providence Mayor Brett smiley signed a municipal ordinance last week which will require all city-owned buildings to go carbon neutral by 2040. The law “marks Providence’s commitment to fostering a healthier environment and enhancing the quality of life for its residents,” according to an email from Press secretary Josh Estrella.

The city owns 122 buildings, 43 of which are public schools. Officials say they aim to eliminate the use of fossil fuels and on-site combustion in these spaces, which total 5.9 million square feet across all of the city’s buildings. The shift

includes the adoption of 100% renewable energy consumption, electric hot water heating and sustainable heating and cooling systems.

“By signing this ordinance, we are committing to build a more sustainable future for our community,” Estrella wrote. The smiley administration is currently pursuing a series of energy audits to identify the weaknesses in the energy use of city-owned buildings, according to Mike roles, executive director of climate Jobs rhode Island. From that, “they’ll be able to put together the actual budget,” he said.

In september 2023, the Providence city council passed a resolution declaring Providence the country’s first “climate Jobs city,” The herald previously reported. The resolution outlines municipal goals for sustainability, climate literacy and healthy neighborhoods, among others.

The new ordinance marks the first of

many measures that the resolution had previously pledged to pass in partnership with the climate Jobs organization.

roles said that passing the first ordinance wasn’t easy, but “it helps that the Providence city council already had an appetite for it.”

according to roles, the new ordinance “further aligns the city’s policy and priorities” with the 2019 Providence climate Justice Plan. The plan provides a framework to assist the city in reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 — a goal set in an executive order signed by former Mayor Jorge Elorza in 2016.

Providence has secured both state and federal funding to make the improvements, according to Estrella. This includes $10 million through the united states Treasury’s capital Fund, as well as $1.2 million Energy Building Fund through the rhode Island Infrastructure Bank and the state’s Office of Energy

While not all city-owned buildings are fit for heat pump technology and other energy-efficient improvements, “ future technologies and a cleaner electric grid will assist the city in creating carbon neutral buildings across its entire portfolio,” Estrella wrote. he pointed out that many of Providence’s historical buildings have successfully transitioned from wood to coal to oil and then to natural gas, which “demonstrates just how adaptive buildings are.”

While the ordinance is an exciting step, “the process is as important as the product,” roles said. according to Erica hammond, a field director for climate Jobs rhode Island, the process of passing this ordinance “ensured that working-class people were at the decision-making tables.” This meant speaking with community members, communicating with labor

raLd

unions and holding a public hearing, she said.

“We move at the pace of trust,” roles said. “If we don’t earn that trust, we can’t move forward.”

While the signing of the ordinance feels like “a weight off their shoulders,” hammond said, “the hard work starts now.” The city must now put together cost plans and budget allocations and focus on focus on implementation, she added.

But for both hammond and roles, this ordinance is just the first step for Providence to become the promised “climate Jobs city.”

“It’s a good moment to look back and celebrate, while also moving ahead to new victories,” roles said.

This article originally appeared online at browndailyherald.com on March 19, 2024.

WIKIME

The demolition and reconstruction of the Washington Bridge is predicted to take between

Closures hit R.I. nursing homes amid staff shortages, experts share potential solutions

Low Medicaid reimbursements contributed to financial challenges

BY JAANU RAMESH SENIOR STAFF WRITER

In 2020, the nursing home hallworth house closed its doors permanently. according to cEO stephanie Igoe, hallworth house struggled due to its admission of more patients with complex conditions and Medicaid beneficiaries, which decreased the reimbursements provided for the highly specialized care of the facility.

amid challenges related to Medicaid reimbursements and labor shortages, other nursing homes like the late hallworth house have shut down across the state in recent years. since 2020, six nursing homes have closed statewide, forcing the relocation of more than 100 residents, according to Governor dan McKee.

But not all nursing homes have fared the same: Bethany home of rhode Island, which Igoe also oversees, is fully staffed, she told The herald. she attributed the facility’s success to its admission of patients with fewer complications and access to Medicare or private insurance, which have higher reimbursement rates of providers. across the country, nursing homes with more vulnerable patients — including those of minority identities or lower income backgrounds — continue to face staffing challenges after faring worse through the cOVId-19 pandemic.

HEALTH

according to Elizabeth White, assistant professor of health services, policy and practice at Brown, these staffing challenges have always plagued the field.

“This was a vulnerable workforce even before the pandemic, with staffing shortages and high turnover rates,” White explained, who worked as a long-term care nurse before her academic career. “The pandemic just made all of that worse.”

In 2021, McKee passed a law requiring monetary penalties to be paid by nursing homes that did not meet minimum staff numbers. he suspended the mandate — which was never enforced — late last year because of the industry’s labor shortages.

according to White, models of care in nursing homes, which differ from those in other healthcare settings like hospi-

tals, also contribute to staffing shortages. unlike hospital nurses, care providers in nursing homes could be responsible for dozens of patients during their shifts, she explained.

Kathleen heren, lead ombudsman for the rhode Island state Long Term care Ombudsman Program, wrote in an email to The herald that families agonize over placing relatives in nursing homes. staffing ratios in nursing homes are at the forefront of families’ minds, she added.

heren believes that a “staffing mandate nationally is a great idea if homes could find staff,” but if the state staffing mandate went into effect today, “few homes” would meet requirements.

d ue to the downsizing of nursing homes, heren’s office at the nonprofit

r .I. alliance for Better Long-Term care is currently relocating residents. The challenges currently facing nursing homes disproportionately impacts residents of color, low-income residents and those with disabilities, she wrote.

heren and Igoe both pointed to low Medicaid reimbursements as a contributor to nursing home closures.

“I couldn’t keep staff (at hallworth house) no matter what I did,” Igoe told The herald. “Not necessarily because of (cOVId-19), but because of low reimbursement from Medicaid. We simply ran out of money.”

For heren, increasing the Medicaid rate for nursing homes may ease the facilities’ challenges, along with higher wages and more opportunities.

KENdra EasTEP / hEraLd

according to White, better pay and opportunities for nurses, along with “strong organizational leadership,” could also help improve nursing home staffing.

But, in the long term, nursing homes may need to explore entirely new models of care, White added, pointing to the Green house model, which establishes smaller scale facilities and emphasizes self-sufficiency and community, as an example.

“There’s work around really innovative solutions out there, but these are very, very complex issues,” White said.

This article originally appeared online at browndailyherald.com on March 18, 2024.

State Senate unveils 25-bill healthcare accessibility package

Package addresses consumer protection, provider availability

BY TOM LI METRO EDITOR

On March 5, leaders of the rhode Island senate unveiled the rhode Island holistic Enhancement and access Legislation for Total health Initiative, a 25-bill legislation package seeking to improve “health care access and affordability in rhode Island,” according to a rhode Island General assembly press release.

The legislation package was announced by state senate President dominick ruggerio (d-North Providence, Providence) and state senate Majority Leader ryan Pearson (d-cumberland, Lincoln), alongside several members of the rhode Island senate committee on health and human services.

c haired by s enator Joshua Miller (d-cranston, Providence), the committee includes committee secretary senator Pamela Lauria (d-Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) — a full-time nurse practitioner — and committee member senator alana diMario (d-North Kingstown, Narragansett, New shoreham), who also works as a mental health counselor.

at a press conference announcing the bill package, ruggerio stated that “few issues are as important as healthcare, and right now, our healthcare system is in critical condition.”

“healthcare absolutely must be accessible and affordable for all rhode Islanders,” ruggerio added. “For too many people in

our state, care is too expensive or too difficult to get.”

In a 2022 rhode Island department of health survey, 7.8% of polled rhode Islanders responded that they “needed to see a doctor but could not because of cost” within the last 12 months. additionally, 4.9% of survey respondents said they were uninsured.

Pearson stated in the press release that the hEaLTh Initiative intends to address “the many intertwined factors that impact the healthcare system.” The bills “will have a real impact (on) improving the health of our health care system, containing costs for providers and consumers, and improving access to care,” he added.

The hEaLTh Initiative addresses these “intertwined factors” by organizing the 25 bills into four pillars: consumer protection, provider availability and care quality, cost containment and health system financial stability.

Lauria said, in an interview with The herald, that the difference pillars helped limit the package’s scope to most urgent

needs. “There are other needs inside healthcare, but these just felt like good places that we could tackle and actually get stuff done,” she said.

In the category of consumer protection, proposed senate Bill 2714 would require all hospitals to screen uninsured patients for Medicare and Medicaid eligibility, while senate Bill 2712 would expand state-level medical debt forgiveness programs. additionally, senate Bill 2710 seeks to establish a new cap on medical debt interest rates to increase access to healthcare services.

To support the pillar of provider availability and care quality, senate Bill 2717 establishes the Medical Primary c are scholarship Program, which funds a 4-year scholarship for those studying to become primary care physicians, nurse practitioners or physician assistants.

This category also features a variety of interstate compacts for health professions, which streamline healthcare worker licensing processes and enable licensed professionals to practice in other compact member-states.

To address cost containment, senate Bill 2719, for example, proposes the creation of a drug affordability commission tasked with evaluating new medications prior to distribution in the state. The proposed commission examines these medications based on affordability and sets a lower, statewide price for the medication if the costs are deemed unaffordable.

Finally, in the pillar of health system financial stability, senate Bill 2725 expressly prohibits pharmaceutical manufacturers from discriminating against entities of the 340B drug Pricing Program, where medical facilities that treat low-income patients are eligible for discounted prescription medication.

according to Lauria, the initial idea for a healthcare-related bill package arose in september 2023, after she and diMario attended the health costs seminar hosted by the National conference of state Legislatures. “We came away from that with ideas on some good legislation to help with some medical debt protections and consumer protections,” she said.

as the legislative session started in January, they presented their ideas to Pearson as a package of five bills. But the conversation soon expanded to other bills senators planned to propose.

We “realized that some of these (pieces of) legislation came into focus as something of a larger package,” Lauria said. “so then, (we) just brought together what a lot of different senators were working on and that’s where the 25 bills came from.”

Lauria also highlighted how statewide stakeholders contributed to the hEaLTh

Initiative through the Task Force for Primary care Workforce development as part of care Transformation collaborative rhode Island. additional collaborators include the rhode Island Office of the health Insurance commissioner and south county hospital.

Early last year, cTc-r .I. convened the task force and brought together representatives of primary care training programs at Brown, the university of rhode Island, salve regina university and Johnson and Wales university. The task force also includes pediatric care specialists and representatives of hasbro children’s hospital. according to Lauria, two of the bills introduced in the package — senate Bill 2717 and senate Bill 2716 — came from the task force’s deliberations in the summer of 2023.

The various bills included in the hEaLTh initiative are set to be heard in committee. Lauria noted that the bills were filed in a variety of rhode Island senate committees, including the senate committee on health and human services, the senate committee on commerce and the senate committee on Finance.

“healthcare is an extremely complex policy area — the details can be daunting, and consensus can be difficult to reach,” Miller said at the press conference. “I am grateful to senate leadership, the members of the health and human services committee, the staff members and stakeholders who support and inform our work and my colleagues for their efforts to advance this initiative.”

This article originally appeared online at browndailyherald.com on March 18, 2024.

GYMANSTICS

‘Fight and Resilience’: Brown Gymnastics’s journey to the GEC championships

Bears will compete in annual championship on Saturday in New Haven

BY COPER HERMAN SENIOR STAFF WRITER

The Brown gymnastics team (13-13, 7-7 GEc) will be under the spotlight one last time this season on saturday night in New haven, where yale will host the GEc championships in the John J. Lee amphitheater.

after scoring a season-high National Qualifying score of 194.020 — the sec ond-highest in program history — the Bears have earned the No. 3 seed and will compete against yale, West c GEc regular-season champion Penn.

“The fight and resilience of this team this year has been inspiring to me,” wrote head coach Brittany harris. “ have had some ups and downs throughout preseason and even during the season, that is when this team really comes together, leans in, and supports one another whole heartedly.”

“Whether it’s putting to gether routines, getting them ready, or helping to break into lineups, everyone is doing what they can for a successful season,” harris added. “That’s all you can ask for as a coach.”

Brown’s performance this season has been spearheaded by Julia Bedell ’25 — this year’s Ivy classic Floor champion and

WOMEN’S LACROSSE

three-time GEc specialist of the Week.

“We are peaking at the right time and I truly believe we have the potential to walk away GEc champions this weekend,” Bedell wrote.

“although our team has had some obstacles along the way, we have become closer than ever because of it,” Bedell wrote. “Growth is experienced more in adversity than constant success. I am really proud of the team as we are building and preparing for conference championships.”

Playoff prospects did not always appear promising for the Bears. On Feb. 17, Brown Gymnastics — challenged by injuries and a lack of depth — had lost their last four

season due to cOVId, and then lost her sophomore season due to a severe knee injury which “forever changed (her) as a gymnast and an athlete,” she wrote.

Through it all, Farrell fought hard and remained determined, eventually scoring a 9.850 and earning GEc Newcomer of the Week in her collegiate debut against yale last January.

“(Because of my injury,) I’ve migrated back to just doing bars, but I feel so lucky and so proud of myself that my hard work was able to pay off and I got the experiences I wanted,” Farrell wrote.

Beyond her talent on the mat, Farrell is also a leader for the young Brown team.

or lost,” she added.

While Brown’s squad has largely relied on returners such as Bedell and Farrell to contribute, they have been helped tremendously by freshmen, too. Lindsey yang ’27 was named GEc Newcomer of the Week after scoring a 9.850 on both beam and floor at Long Island on Feb. 17.

“The grit and resilience within this team is unmatched and I have seen girls step up into new roles,” yang wrote.

“My favorite part of the season was traveling to new places and competing with the team. On these trips, we were able to become closer as a team and create lifetime memories,” she added.

GEc. Bedell (Vault & Floor) and angela Xing ’24 (Vault) received First-Team allGEc honors, while sophia dewar ’26 (Vault & Floor), Farrell (Bars), Lauren McKeown ’24 (Bars), Liza Marcus ’26 (Beam), Xing (Beam) and Maya davis ’25 (Floor) earned second-Team all-GEc honors.

The team now awaits the GEc championships, which will kick off at 6 p.m. on saturday and will be streamed on EsPN+.

“Our focus this week is to improve each routine by half a tenth. as a team, we have been focusing on little details like form, handstands and sticking our landings,” harris wrote.

“When this team is locked in our ‘bear den’ and having fun, they perform their best gymnastics,” she added. “If we do that, there is no limit to what this championship can offer us, and I’m excited to

OF ZON cs

Women’s lacrosse drops UMass Lowell, continuing strong season

Mia Mascone ’24 dominates, wins Ivy Offensive Player of the Week for third time

BY DENNIS CAREY SPORTS EDITOR

This weekend, the No. 22-ranked women’s lacrosse team (6-2, 0-1 Ivy League) continued their blazing hot start to the season, notching a home win against the university of Massachusetts Lowell (8-1) at stevenson-Pincince Field. after the Bears’ heartbreaking loss to No. 5 Notre dame (6-2) during the midweek matches, they flipped the script to bring together a late, come-from-behind rally to take down the river hawks.

Entering the game undefeated, the river hawks were not going to be a pushover for head coach Katrina dowd’s rejuvenated Bears team. But after a hard-to-swallow midweek loss, the Bears only had one thing on their mind: redemption.

In a game led by Mia Mascone ’24 — the team leader in offense with 53 points on the season — Bruno’s offense was firing on all cylinders. Mascone’s phenomenal offensive play in the matches against Lowell and Notre dame earned her her third Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week award on Monday.

Eager for possession, the Bears won 24 of the 33 draw controls, dealing them dominant control during the match.

Mascone fired in six goals and assisted on three more, putting her now in the all-time top 10 for points earned in Bears

program history, totaling 137.

“I didn’t know I did that! I am just really excited for our next game at columbia and keeping the focus on getting better as a team,” Mascone wrote in an email to The herald.

annie Burton ’25 — who is second on the team for points — and Julia Ford ’24 grabbed two goals each, while Leah caputo ’24.5 finished the match with a hat trick.

“Offensively, our coaches have done a great job keeping things simple and clearly

the field,” Mascone wrote. “It’s been a lot of fun to play for and learn from them.”

While the Bears would win the day, they started lackadaisical, conceding to the river hawks twice within the first three minutes of play. But by five minutes into the game, goals from Mascone and Burton put Bruno right back into contention.

Both of Bruno’s first two goals came immediately after free-position shot attempts. Free-position shots became a pervasive issue for the Lowell backline, who

on-goal attempts.

after two more Lowell goals put Bruno under the talons of the river hawks, a goal from caputo opened the floodgates. The game quickly became a parade of Bruno shots; two more goals from caputo and one each from carly camphausen ’24.5, Burton and Mascone put the Bears up 8-4. Lowell scored one more time but was in a bad position coming out of the Bears’ late rout.

When a free-position shot from Mascone found its way into the back of the net, it looked like all the momentum, scoring and glory was destined for Bruno. But almost immediately, the Bears’ offense stalled out, and the river hawks capitalized. The Bears could not finish any of their chances in the second quarter, while Lowell carved the defense to shreds, scoring three and reaching grabbing range of Bruno’s seemingly dominant lead. Bruno didn’t manage to pick it back up in the third quarter either. Lowell scored three times to take an 11-9 lead. Bruno scrambled together a goal from the free position with about five minutes to play to get back within one. Just as Bears fans breathed their of relief, Lowell took the point back bringing the lead back to two.

“Lacrosse is a game of runs,” Mascone wrote. “I think we tried to just play our game regardless of the time on the clock or the score on the board. But, of course, when it’s the fourth quarter you need to make plays and a lot of our players understood that.” and understand they did. after back-

to-back quarters in which they only scored once, Bruno put together a five-goal quarter to steal back their victory.

The Bears got back within the reach of Lowell with a Ford goal to open the fourth.

Mascone went on to tie it, then turned around 40 seconds later, scored again and took the lead for the Bears. a goal by Greta criqui ’25 gave the Bears a little bit of breathing room, stretching their advantage to two goals at 14-12.

In the final minutes of the game, the river hawks traded goals with the Bears, holding onto the same deficit, and Bruno prepared for an intense end to the game. The river hawks took one back and the Bears looked to be in a bit of trouble. With 1:42 to play, Lowell won the draw control and drove hard at Bruno’s defense. Passing around quickly, they found an attacker on the right side of the net. Knowing that low shots had slipped goalie claire Mahoney ’26 more than once today, Lowell fired low and Bears fans held their breath. From the edge of their seats, 337 lacrosse fans watched Mahoney drop down and make a clutch save that likely won the game for the Bears.

dowd called two timeouts at the end of the game to help with the clearance effort, and at the final whistle, Bruno handed Lowell their first loss of the season. Brown looks to continue this momentum into Ivy League play against columbia this saturday in New york. The event will be streamed live on EsPN+.

This article originally appeared online at browndailyherald.com on March 19, 2024.

Second-year Head Coach Brittany Harris has guided this season’s squad through trials and tribulations.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Brutal buzzer-beater keeps Brown from March Madness

Bears fall to Yale 62-61 in Ivy Championship to end postseason run

BY LINUS LAWRENCE SPORTS EDITOR

For a moment, Brown could taste the Ivy championship. up 60-54 with just 27 seconds to play, they could almost touch the trophy and see their name on Ncaa Tournament brackets.

But when the clock hit zero and the

of playing in March Madness.

The Bears started the season 6-17, stole the last spot in Ivy Madness in a surprise upset, pulled off a stunning takedown of top-seeded Princeton and fought back to seize the lead over second-seeded yale in the second half of the championship. But they faltered in the final minute of a valiantly hard-fought game, surrendering a brutal buzzer-beater to bring their seven-game win streak and improbable postseason run to a close.

“I’m heartbroken for my team, my players,” said an emotional coach Mike Martin ’04 following the loss. “I feel like I let them down in the last minute of the game. after a great win or a hard loss, you’re always thinking about how to respond, what’s next, and obviously there’s a lot in front of our people, but not this team (and)

“We grew so much throughout the oach Martin added. “We fought like crazy all game. We put ourselves in a position (to win).”

fter a defense-dominated first half, Bruno trailed the Bulldogs 26-22. The Bears, who the previous day cited their size and physicality as a pivotal factor in their win over Princeton, were getting outrebounded 21-19 and outscored in the paint 14-8. By the end of the game, yale had five different players with at least five rebounds, including First-Team all-Ivy election and tournament MVP danny Wolf, who was responsible for thirteen.

The two teams remained locked in a tense back-and-forth battle coming

EsT y OF BrOWN aThLETIcs

The Bears were hurt down the stretch by critical missed free throws, shooting 6-for-12 from the line in the second half including 1-for-4 in the final, fateful twenty-seven seconds.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

out of the break. Just when yale would appear to pull away with the lead, Brown would claw back, hanging in the game despite not holding the lead since the fifth minute of play. at the ten minute mark, Brown finally broke through, going on a 10-2 run led by Malachi Ndur ’24 and Kalu anya ’26 to take a lead which held until the literal last second.

“I felt so good only being down four at halftime given how we played,” Martin said. “I don’t think it was a huge adjustment (in the second half) other than just guys settling in a little bit, not rushing shots, playing off two feet in the paint, (and) taking what the defense gives them.”

Kino Lilly Jr. ’25, a First Team all-Ivy selection who led the league in scoring, followed up his 29-point performance on saturday with 21 points, including three triples. anya finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, while star Nana Owusu-anane ’25 — struggling playing for the second consecutive day — was picked up by Ndur, who in his final game as a Bear racked up 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.

The Bears were hurt down the stretch by critical missed free throws, shooting 6-for-12 from the line in the second half including 1-for-4 in the final, fateful twenty-seven seconds. Two of those free throws were missed by Ndur.

“he played so well,” Martin said of Ndur. “Offensive rebounding, passing, finishing, defense … he has way more to do” with the game’s first thirty-nine minutes than the final one, Martin added.

With Brown clinging to a one-point, 61-60 lead, the Bulldogs had nine seconds to put a shot up. as the clock hit five, Wolf passed the ball to defensive star Bez Mbeng at the top of the key. Mbeng drove towards the point, diverting Kino Lilly

Jr., Lyndel Erold ’25, and Owusu-anane towards him.

Preventing a basket for two more sec onds was all the Bears needed to represent the Ivy League in the N

But with under two seconds to go, Mbeng bounced the ball to a wide-open Matt Knowling, who was standing directly next to the hoop. With no time to waste, Knowling flicked the ball up. er sounded, the ball glanced the rim, dropped into the net and landed in front of a stunned Brown group.

Owusu- a nane bent forward with his hands on his knees. Erold sat on the court staring towards the basket. Lesburt stood on the bench with his hands on his head. Ndur held his jersey over his face.

“I was confident the entire game. and that didn’t change until the final play,” Martin said. “I didn’t get ahead of myself. None of the players did. But we were confident, and we believed.”

Martin said he regretted not having called a timeout to “organize our defense a little better.”

While the brutal buzzer-beater will surely be rattling in the minds of fans and players alike through the spring and summer, the season overall has represented a major step forward for Brown men’s basketball. The 2023-2024 season was Brown’s first time advancing to the Ivy Tournament since its inception in 2017, and just Brown’s third time with a winning record in conference play since 2003-2004 — when Mike Martin was still a player.

The page now turns towards the

Bruno will face off against Yale tomorrow in Ivy League championship

BY LINUS LAWRENCE SPORTS EDITOR

In Brown men’s basketball’s introductory press conference at Ivy Madness yesterday afternoon — ahead of the semifinal game against a heavily favored, reigning champion Princeton squad — star Kino Lilly Jr. ’25 said, “I don’t think we’re the underdogs.”

It turns out his confidence was not misplaced.

The Bears stunned Princeton saturday with a 90-81 upset victory at Levien Gymnasium in New york. after starting the season 6-17, Brown is now one win from earning their first appearance in March Madness since 1986. The Bears will play yale for the Ivy title tomorrow at noon.

“Our guys played so confident. They played so loose. They played like the team we thought we were back in august,” head coach Mike Martin ’04 said after the win. “It’s taken us a long time to get to where we are now. It’s been a hard season — a lot of struggles, a lot of challenges, a lot of really hard losses. But when you go through those experiences, if you can stay with it and stay connected and continue to believe, it’s only gonna make you that much better.”

The Bears were led by the dynamic duo of Lilly Jr. and Nana Owusu-anane ’25, both of whom recorded double-doubles in the biggest game of their collegiate careers. Lilly Jr., the league’s top scorer and three-point shooter, racked up 27 points and 10 assists. Owusu-anane — who ranks top five in the league in points, rebounds, blocks, and steals — tallied 19 points and 15 rebounds, firing up his teammates and the crowd in the process.

“(Kino’s) just so steady. he does not get rattled. he’s got such a great demeanor,” coach Martin said. “But then Nana complements him being our emotional leader.”

a J Lesburt ’26 and Kalu anya ’26 also racked up double-digit points for Bruno, with 15 and 13, respectively. anya, Owusu-anane, and Malchi Ndur ’24 allowed Brown to leverage their physicality over the Princeton offense.

“We have kind of a size advantage on them,” Owusu-ananae explained. “Me, Kalu and (Malachi) just wanted to come in (and) assert our physical dominance from the start.”

“That’s how we’ve recruited,” Martin said. “We’ve really prioritized versatility, physicality, the ability to be a great defensive team and rebounding team.”

While the Bears out-rebounded the Tigers 42-32, their offense shot 56% from the field — a lethal combination which even Princeton couldn’t overcome. combined,

2024-2025 season,

tire starting five of nya, nane and lexander Lesburt Jr. ’26 will return for revenge. Brown will host next year’s Ivy Madness at the Pizzitola sports center, giving the Bears a homecourt advantage should they make the tournament for a second straight year.

“I think what we learned is that when we play to our identity and we believe we’re as cohesive and connected as any group out there, we can do some pretty special things,” Martin said. “We were pretty darn close to seeing our name on TV (during the) selection show. Going forward, we’ll grow from this and we’ll learn from this experience.”

“Even in November and december and January, when we were really struggling, I’ve loved every minute of this team,” Martin said.

This article originally appeared online at browndailyherald.com on March 17, 2024.

One game from March Madness: Men’s basketball shocks Princeton in 90-81 win

Lilly Jr. and Owusu-anane shot 17 for 26.

“We’re instilling confidence in each other,” Lilly Jr. said of the team’s momentum, which has built over a seven-game winning streak. “The coaches are instilling confidence in us. We came out making shots.”

Both teams, in fact, came out making shots. The Bears and Tigers went back and forth early, with 18 of the first 24 points scored from three-point range.

Brown surged to end the first half, going on a 13-3 run and bringing the score to 44-31. Bruno expanded their lead to twenty points early in the second half, as tensions built and dueling chants fought for volume in the packed playoff atmosphere.

“The energy was amazing, man,” anya said. “That energy definitely helped us on the court, kept us high intensity, kept us going, and it means a lot.”

On the court, the Bears were putting on a show, with Owusu-anane and anya dunking, Lilly Jr. and Lesburt connecting and Princeton uncharacteristically struggling to score.

at the start of the second half, Martin described the team as “playing together, sharing the ball, shooting with confidence and getting stop after stop after stop.”

“From everyone playing on the court to everyone on the bench, you could see everyone was super involved and super excited for the team,” Lesburt said.

But as Princeton began to apply ex-

treme pressure to Brown’s offense in the backcourt, forcing turnovers and limiting time on the shot clock, they finally crept up the scoreboard. The Tigers roared all the way back to a three-point, 84-81 deficit with 45 seconds remaining.

Martin called Princeton a challenging opponent because they don’t “beat themselves” on the court. “They don’t miss free throws, they don’t turn it over,” he said.

But Brown held on, making most of their free throws when fouled and keeping Princeton from getting easy looks.

“It got a little too close at the end, man,” Martin said to chuck les in the press room. “I didn’t like it being a one-possession game.”

“We work on it during practice, dealing with those moments of adversity,” gers’ run. “We knew they were gonna fight back and they were gonna make a run, but (we) just stayed composed, stayed true to our principles and got the win.”

The Bears’ Ivy League onship Game against broadcast on E on EsPN+. While celebrations for the unexpected win continue among Bears fans and the tantalizing pros pect of playing in March Madness

looms large, the team remained focused on their

Playing in March Madness is “definitely our goal — it’s our dream, obviously,” nane said. “But we know that there’s still a task at hand.”

“We came here to get two (wins),” Martin said.

“Tomorrow’s gonna be an unbelievable challenge.” s for the Bears’ approach, Lesburt assured the team will stick to the same script followed throughout their incredible second-half winning

“We go in, we’re prepared, and we have full belief in ourselves and in one another,” he said. “I think if we do that, no

This article originally appeared online at browndailyherald.com

The Bears and Tigers went back-and-forth early, with 18 of the first 24 points scored from three-

ISSUE 7

Letter from the Editor

Dear Readers,

Spring is here! Or rather, the marker of spring for those of us too deep in the academic trenches to enjoy the past few sunny days on the Main Green: spring break! Finally we can all take a moment to relax, travel, or just get caught back up on work. I personally will be traveling to Chicago to visit my younger sister, who is currently a college sophomore. While I’m crashing on her apartment couch, I expect to be transported back to a simpler time. What was I even doing sophomore year? I honestly couldn’t tell you. Definitely not worrying about networking and career opportunities, like I am now. Perhaps back then I had an enthusiastic joy and a bright outlook on the world. Ah, the innocence of youth! Hopefully I will emerge from this week with a fresh perspective on both the past and the ever-looming future. I would also settle for just a decently normal sleep schedule.

In post- this week, our writers are also looking at things with fresh perspectives. Our Feature writer explores her relationship with photography through the lens of a Susan Sontag essay. In Narrative, one writer takes a closer look at four-leaf clovers and the manic-pixie-dream-girl trope and the other reflects on her familiarity with her native language, Korean. This week for A&C, one writer reviews the La Solar music festival and our other writer shares lessons she has learned from her older sister. In Lifestyle, one writer shares his new love for Everett-Poland and the other gives us a guide to suits. The crossword this week will have you reconsidering acronyms you thought you knew.

In the next few days, we will all embark on separate adventures for the upcoming break (or settle down for a relaxing break in Providence). If you find yourself with some extra time—in between flights, maybe, or on a rainy day—pick up a copy of post-. Maybe it will inspire you to view things in your life from a new angle. If nothing else, our writers’ lovely words will help time fly by.

Eleanor Peters Copy Chief

“My morning skinny was so good today I thought about taking nudes.”

“I don’t care I can hang out with my grandkids on acid.”

1. Providence, RI

places to go for

2. The North Pole

3. My bedroom ;)

4. SciLi 11th floor

5. Miami, Ohio

6. Bottom of the Mariana Trench

7. Arrakis

8. Saturn by SZA

9. North Dakota

10. The pool on the roof of the Ratty

“Just like Chester, my sister and I slipped glass hearts—our mother’s kisses—into the outermost pockets of our backpacks to hold close when home seemed too far.”

“Even so, there must be some long-hidden part of her that longs to be up, bobbing and buoyant with lungs full of fresh air, as there is within me.”

—Mack Ford, “Longing Upward” 3.25.22

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Joe Maffa

FEATURE

Managing Editor

Klara Davidson-Schmich

Section Editors

Addie Marin

Elaina Bayard

ARTS & CULTURE

Managing Editor

Elijah Puente

Section Editors Christine Tsu

Emilie Guan

NARRATIVE

Managing Editor

Katheryne Gonzalez

SOCIAL MEDIA

HEAD EDITORS

Kelsey Cooper

Tabitha Grandolfo

LAYOUT CHIEF

Gray Martens

Guan ’27: The test-optional admission debate isn’t

since the supreme court ruled affirmative action programs unconstitutional in June 2023, the college admission process has found itself under near-constant scrutiny by commentators. still, few issues have stirred more controversy than the single question college admissions offices across the country are currently answering for themselves: whether to return to pre-cOVId standardized testing requirements or permanently suspend them.

as important as this question is for promoting equity, I often feel that the entire debate on this subject is rather overblown. The fundamental question that drives this debate is whether class diversity increases or decreases as a result of this policy, yet I see no reason why this policy could prompt such a change. colleges and universities have already voiced their support for diversity in college admissions — as seen in the aftermath of the students for Fair admissions v. harvard ruling. If anything, the supreme court ruling would have been the catalyst for wholesale change in the admissions process.

Most of the controversy stems from the fact that experts are split on whether test-optional policies increase or decrease diversity in college classes. Many claim that testing requirements disadvantage low-income and minority students because they cannot afford access to expensive test preparation classes, while other studies show the exact opposite effect to be true.

Even the Ivy League itself is split on this question. dartmouth, yale and Brown have all announced that test scores will be required from next

year’s admissions cycle onward. The remaining five institutions have suspended their testing requirements for further review.

at times, this debate around testing policies has transcended the realm of college applications and become yet another front in america’s culture

as consequential as we think

question, and the ensuing heated debate has made the entire issue appear more important than it frankly is.

I am doubtful that the reinstatement of testing requirements will fundamentally change the composition of collegiate classes in the near or distant

I am doubtful that the reinstatement of testing requirements will fundamentally change the composition of collegiate classes in the near or distant future.

war. conservative commentators have lampooned test-optional policies, comparing them to the diversity and inclusion programs they oppose. The demographic divide between supporters and opponents of these policies can’t be more clear, as the herald spring 2024 poll showed. Minority, first-generation, and activist-oriented students are far more likely to approve of test-optional policies, reflecting the same demographic divide seen in many contemporary issues. It appears both sides alike have already decided for themselves the answer to this

future. Many colleges, including all eight Ivy League institutions, are explicitly committed to ensuring diversity in their classes even in the face of legal challenges. harvard, for example, replaced its supplemental application question with a list of short essays that prompted more reflection on the applicants’ experiences in life tied to race — rather than asking for applicants’ racial identities explicitly — to better align with the supreme court ruling.

Most importantly, colleges did not note a significant change in student demographics after im-

plementing test-optional policies, so if the initial change did not lead to demographic shifts, why would the reverse not hold? Though inequity in admissions is a longstanding issue, minority students with below-average test scores have earned admission to prestigious colleges for years before the pandemic because colleges have already shifted toward more holistic admissions policies that consider factors such as socioeconomic background, extracurriculars, family circumstances, in addition to test scores. We have much work ahead of us to ensure true equity in college admissions, but the test score question is besides the point in this respect; admissions offices now consider so many factors that standardized testing alone cannot make or break an application.

college admissions are such a controversial subject today because they symbolize the battle for social mobility and equality in this country. The nature of the process is therefore well-deserving of prolonged debate. yet on the subject of testing requirements, there is no need to continue beating a dead horse. There are far more pressing matters on college admissions, from financial aid policies to legacy admissions, that are more worthy of our attention.

Lucas Guan ’27 can be reached at lucas_guan@brown. edu. Please send responses to this column to letters@ browndailyherald.com and op-eds to opinions@browndailyherald.com

Chang ’27: What’s with all the cheaters in CS?

When I first came to Brown last fall, it felt as if everyone and their mother was a computer science concentrator. sure, some people were pursuing economics, but for the most part, computer science seemed to be the new trend among students. Last year, it was the most completed concentration among Brown undergraduates. While it’s great that Brown has a thriving computer science community, we need to address the cheating epidemic that has come to define the discipline.

When I say that the cs department has a cheating problem, I am not saying that the field is corrupted. I’m a computer science student myself, and I have not witnessed any cheating incidents firsthand. however, there is still a vast amount of cases of cheating to merit concern. Last semester, one of my cs professors called out over twenty cases of cheating on a homework assignment. Though it can be tempting to blame this behavior on a student’s faulty morals or laziness, such a simplistic explanation fails to engage with the root of the problem. The issue of academic dishonesty in cs must be analyzed not merely as a moral failing, but as the result of students diving into a difficult field for external rewards.

students are more likely to cheat in courses they don’t enjoy. It’s a rather intuitive idea that has been

borne out by research in the field of educational psychology. The Open curriculum should theoretically counteract this motive — if students have free rein over their courses, wouldn’t they choose courses they enjoy? Based on personal experience, the Open curriculum does indeed have this effect for

The issue of academic dishonesty in CS must be analyzed not merely as a moral failing, but as the result of students diving into a difficult field for external rewards.

fields students are intrinsically motivated to pursue. Foreign languages are an excellent example of this. No student at Brown is under the illusion that taking, say, French will land them a wildly lucrative career. students who take foreign languages are generally there because they enjoy learning them.

unfortunately, cs comes with a slew of extrinsic motivators that predispose students who don’t particularly like the field to enter it anyway. a prominent reason driving the nationwide surge in cs concentrators is the perception that such a degree will secure a well-paying job. Notwithstanding the fact that students probably won’t land that cushy job at Google if they had to cheat their way through an introductory cs course, it’s understandable why students anxious about their future would be attracted to a field that promises a lucrative career post-graduation. But, as any student studying cs knows, the

work is notoriously frustrating. I know of no other field where students are actively encouraged to hold one-sided conversations with inanimate rubber duckies as a way of getting through problem sets. That is why when students who, to put it bluntly, are only in it for the money, thrust themselves into a notoriously complex field of study, the result is a sizable subset succumbing to the temptation to take the easy way out. are these factors true for all cs cheaters? Probably not. I’m sure that there exists a contingent of cheaters who ape their work from chatGPT out of pure laziness. But those individuals don’t negate the external factors pushing disinterested students into the field. The first step to eliminating academic dishonesty in cs is to acknowledge these factors. Introductory cs courses need to confront this issue early on to ensure that those who remain love the material enough to not try to cheat their way to a paycheck.

Victor Chang ’27 can be reached at victor_a_chang@ brown.edu. Please send responses to this opinion to letters@browndailyherald.com and other op-eds to opinions@browndailyherald.com.

College Curriculum Council approves new CS concentration requirements

New requirements strengthen foundations for 1000-level courses

BY REBEKAH REST CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The college curriculum council approved new computer science concentration requirements in a meeting on Feb. 27 that will take effect in fall 2024. The new requirements aim to provide students with more flexibility in the degree program and common foundations for upper-level courses, as well as respond to growing trends in artificial intelligence, according to administrators.

While current students can choose to pursue either the previous or new requirements, students who choose to concentrate in cs beginning fall 2024 will be required to follow the new curriculum.

according to a summary of the requirements sent to all cs students on March 5, the revisions will require both a .B. and sc.B. candidates to satisfy an introductory math foundations course and one intermediate foundations course in each of three new areas: algorithms & Theory, aI and systems.

With the new requirements, the department aims to provide students with a stronger common foundation and reduce repeated content between the 1000-level courses, according to Kathi Fisler, research professor of cs and the co-director of the cs undergraduate program.

Because different students take different intermediate courses after cscI 0200: “Program design with data structures and algorithms,” every 1000-level course instructor had to teach any intermediate-level content that wasn’t included in cscI 0200, Fisler explained. This resulted in the same basic concepts being taught across multi-

h rhEE / hEraLd

The new requirements aim to provide more flexibility in the degree program and common foundations for upper level courses, as well as respond to growing trends in artificial intelligence.

ple courses, especially in aI and machine learning, she added.

The new intermediate courses also alleviate pressure on cscI 0200 instructors to quickly cover all necessary content for 1000-level courses, Fisler said. “We want everybody to go into the (1000-level courses) with a really solid foundation of content, so that the (1000-level courses) can be the best they can be,” she said.

Over the next few years, students will be able to satisfy the intermediate foundation requirements with a variety of existing and new courses, Fisler said. Eventually, the course offerings will be narrowed down to a few standardized courses.

cscI 0500: “data structures, algorithms and Intractability: an Introduction” — a course that will satisfy the new algorithms foundation requirement — is being taught for the first time this semester by Professor of computer science Philip Klein.

Klein wrote in an email to The herald that he believes the additional foundational material is a “beneficial change” that will allow cscI 0500, which he designed, to delve “deeper into how and why the algo-

rithms work the way they do.”

“The notion of an algorithms course at this level is not novel,” Klein added. “Many of our peer institutions require their cs majors to take such a course.”

according to the summary, pathways for all concentrators will no longer be required. currently, sc.B. candidates must complete two pathways — two pairs of “thematically related 1000-level courses.” a .B. candidates must complete one pair.

“We want to make the requirements more flexible and easier for everybody to navigate,” Fisler said. caps on course enrollment and changes in course offerings due to professor sabbaticals had posed challenges for students to complete their intended pathways, Fisler explained. under the previous requirements, a .B. and sc.B. students could only count two and four cs-related arts, humanities or policy courses to their degree, respectively. This course count will be reduced by one for both degree types to maintain the curricula’s technical rigor, according to Fisler. recent demand for aI skills in the job market further propelled the new changes.

“The idea that everybody should (take) an introductory course in aI as part of being an educated computer scientist (is) blindingly obvious now,” Fisler said.

Klein highlighted the evolving landscape in the field of computer science, including the potential for large language models to replace humans in writing basic code.

“The cs department aims to produce not coders but full-fledged computer scientists — people with the training and the insight to address challenging and complicated problems using computation,” Klein added.

The revisions process for new course requirements started about two years ago, according to Fisler. The department gathered information about peer institutions’ degree requirements, surveyed faculty about prerequisites and analyzed registrar data on course enrollments, she said.

a small committee of five cs professors analyzed those findings to draft different proposals that were then presented at department-wide meetings for feedback, Fisler added. The first version of the proposed

requirements was announced last October and underwent further revisions through negotiations with the college curriculum council until its approval last month.

under the new requirements, all concentrators — including a .B. candidates, who were previously exempt — will be required to complete a capstone course, according to the summary. For a .B. candidates, the changes result in an increase in the number of requirements from nine to 10 courses. For sc.B. candidates, the course count remains at 15.

Ilana Nguyen ’26, a sc.B. candidate in computer science, welcomed the addition of the foundations classes, noting that they will provide a “better bridge” to the 1000-level classes and make future course decisions in the aI field less “overwhelming.”

Nguyen also appreciated the increased flexibility granted by the removal of pathways in the concentration. she intends to take advantage of the new requirements, but they won’t significantly alter her course plans, she said.

saketh dhulipalla ’26, who is a joint cs-Economics concentrator, thought the “slightly bigger focus on aI (made) logical sense” considering the technology’s growth in the market.

dhulipalla, who is currently planning to pursue the old requirements, said he felt “neutral” about the changes. he appreciated the flexibility for current students to continue pursuing the old requirements.

“The challenge for a Brown cs student is not getting through our courses; it is absorbing the material from our courses deeply enough that they can fluidly think across the courses,” Klein wrote in a message to the herald.

This article originally appeared online at browndailyherald.com on March 17, 2024.

KENNET

Fashion@Brown launches biggest annual runway show to date

Friday night brought an outstanding showcase of innovation and design

BY ROSE FARMAN-FARMA STAFF WRITER

Last Friday night, more than 400 people swarmed to davol square to attend one of the university’s most anticipated events of the year: Fashion@Brown’s annual runway show — their largest one to date.

The show has always drawn excitement from students, but this year’s spectacle achieved an unparalleled scale and scope. Over 30 designers and 100 models

REVIEW

came together to work with the organization’s more than 600 members and 12 teams to produce a showcase of fashion and fun.

F@B President Ellie Karniadakis ’24 highlighted how this year’s runway expanded beyond its past scope, as Brown and r I sd collaborated for the first time with yale and Parsons. “Innovation happens when there is collaboration,” Karniadakis said, noting how excited she was to “feature their designs in our show” and “expand F@B’s reach to a greater audience.”

The evening began with a shock as the runway’s first models, wearing collections from yale and Parsons designers, emerged in all-black, full-body clothing that covered their faces entirely.

a s the night went on, the audience witnessed an outstanding array of designs and styles. Ball gowns were followed by students in altered Brown sports kits while capes, veils, bonnets and electronically illuminated dresses all came together to create a dream-like explosion of color and creativity.

designers employed a variety of props — ranging from disco balls to umbrellas — that complimented the outfits. chloe

c how ’26’s collection in particular used a prop with every design to illustrate her theme of superstitions, including a girl in a green dress holding a knit fourleaf clover and another model in copper holding a penny.

Perhaps the most memorable moment of the show was when one model had not one, not two, but four outfit changes throughout his walk, eliciting loud gasps and laughs as he was left wearing hardly anything but a pair of red underwear reading “forever alone.”

Lola Byrd ’27, who attended the show, said that Nora cowett ’24’s collection was her favorite, particularly liking “her use of shape and fit.”

c owett’s collection, “a muse yeux” playfully experimented with form, shape and pattern combinations, incorporating layering, purples and greens. One of the

most “ready to wear” collections of the show, it demonstrated c owett’s desire to “make things that people will actually want to wear and contribute positively to their lives and self-image.”

cowett, who makes all of her designs herself — turning “her room into half bedroom, half studio” — explained how,

for this collection, she “really wanted to get rid of the seriousness and bring the joy and fun back into fashion that I feel like I’ve over-complicated maybe in my own life.”

another collection that was undoubtedly a crowd favorite was senior director of design at F@B Phoebe d ragseth ’24’s

‘Blanc Noir.’

student attendee alexa Moses ’27 said she “loved the architecture of her clothing,” which speaks to d ragseth’s goal to “bridge (her) degree in mathematics with (her) love of fashion design.”

dragseth recently participated in February’s New york Fashion Week, which pushed her to “pivot her collection” in new directions by “adding in five pieces all tied to geometry and multidimensional spaces.”

Like c owett, this was d ragseth’s fourth time showcasing her work. The graduating senior described how, for her last contribution to the runway show, she wanted to touch upon the anxieties students feel about “having no idea what the future will hold.”

h er entirely black-and-white collection plays upon the expectation that “after four years of school, everything will become clear” and experiments with “becoming okay with uncertainty.”

“This is the biggest show we’ve ever done, and it sold out in like 15 seconds,” d ragseth said, expressing her pride at how much the club had accomplished throughout her four years at Brown.

While the talent of the designers was what was primarily on display, the show also required extensive logistical planning to make everything run smoothly.

Karniadakis stressed how “hundreds and thousands of hours (were) put into making the show.”

Events d irector Mia d ominguez ’27 explained that “we had to find all the models, do dress rehearsals, coordinate all the hair and makeup, book the venue, meet with fire marshals, put up chairs, lighting, drapery — all that stuff,” she said.

d espite this, d ominguez emphasized how rewarding it was to see how “when everything came together with music, lights and the energy of the space, all the models really came into that confidence and owned the runway, just having fun and looking fierce up there.”

“I know a lot of design schools spend

cOurTEsy OF GLENN WaNG

Over 30 designers and 100 models came together to work with the organization’s more than 600 members and 12 teams to produce a showcase of fashion and fun.

two years working on their senior collection, and a lot of times, they don’t even get a runway show,” d ragseth said. “and we have a sold-out show — that’s huge!” cowett and dragseth’s designs can be viewed on Instagram at @bynoracowett and @dragsethdesigns, respectively.

This article originally appeared online at browndailyherald.com on March 18, 2024.

‘The Crime Is Mine’ finds a place in America’s social landscape

French comedy film bridges feminist dialogue, laugh-out-loud humor

BY CAVAN AGATONE STAFF WRITER

François Ozon’s crime-comedy “The crime is Mine” does not break obvious genre molds of French cinema, but still proves itself relevant to an american audience. The film, featured in this year’s Providence French and Francophone Film Festival, is exceptionally well-done.

set in 1930s Paris, “The crime Is Mine” tells the story of two roommates: aspiring actress Madeleine (Nadia Tereszkiewicz) and lawyer Pauline (rebecca Marder). When Madeline is wrongfully accused of murder, Pauline steps in to defend her in court.

In an interview with Variety, Ozon described the film as echoing “what’s been happening in the last few years in the Western world with a new wave of feminism.” despite the film being set nearly 100 years in the past, it feels relevant in today’s social landscape.

Beyond its feminist themes and its sharp,

wacky comedy, in a day and age where a majority of americans are living paycheck to paycheck, the film asks viewers a difficult question: Would the stigma of pretending to be the supposed culprit of a high-profile crime, even if in self-defense, be worth freedom from financial burden?

Madeleine finds herself facing exactly this dilemma after a notable theater producer attempts to sexually assault her and is found dead shortly after her escape. during Madeleine’s initial questioning, Pauline, friendturned-lawyer, suggests that Madeleine falsely admit to the crime in hopes that she is acquit-

ted by claiming self-defense.

But the commentary, also applicable to the american justice system, is continued in the film’s comedic portrayal of media sensationalism. Madeleine’s highly publicized trial turns her into an overnight superstar thanks to Pauline’s scripted testimonies and arguments

focusing on the unfair plight of working-class single women in 20th-century France. Given the recent media frenzy surrounding depp v. heard, the film doesn’t feel far-fetched. yet through its heavy thematic layers and frequently dark subject matter, “The crime Is Mine” still delights viewers through the juxtaposition of its time period with a modern approach to the comedy genre. The quick-witted deliveries of Tereszkiewicz and Marder bring the characters of Madeleine and Pauline to life. Many of the film’s gags — notably, the subplot of Pauline’s crush on Madeleine — are in touch with the genre of internet humor often seen in 2024.

similar to feminist comedy films like Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” “The crime Is Mine” tells a heartwarming story of the sisterhood between two women struggling to establish themselves in a world that is not on their side. Beyond its depths of comedic social commentary, the unlikely victories of Madeleine and Pauline make it a must watch.

This article originally appeared online at browndailyherald.com on March 18, 2024.

“The Crime Is Mine” tells a heartwarming story of the sisterhood between two women struggling to establish themselves in a world that is not on their side.

& CULTURE

‘Love Lies Bleeding’ offers shock, thrill in twisted story

Film blends violence, romance in bold tale about female bodybuilders

BY GABRIELLA WRIGHTEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

If you’re looking for something to watch on your next movie night, “Love Lies Bleeding” is the perfect pick. rose Glass’s 2024 romance thriller follows Lou (Kristen stewart) and Jackie (Katy O’Brien) in a “Thelma and Louise”-esque crime story as they commit and cover up a series of gruesome murders after falling in love and getting tangled in violent schemes.

The film opens in a gym, rotating between close-ups of glimmering muscles and motivational posters. Jackie’s dream of becoming a professional bodybuilder is the catalyst for the plot, but the visuals are what truly stand out in this first scene. Every shot pops with vibrant colors and shimmering mirror reflections, showcasing one of the film’s greatest strengths: its blend of violence and beauty, making it impossible for the viewer to look away even in its gruesomest moments.

Beyond the film’s stunning visuals, stewart’s performance commands attention from beginning to end. Lou and Jackie first meet under the harsh lights of their

REVIEW

gym’s parking lot in a classic cinematic moment. swelling music and not-at-all subtle eye contact announce their romance to come.

This lack of subtlety also characterizes the greatest strength of stewart’s performance. Even in the smallest moments, like when she makes pancakes in the morning,

stewart’s facial expressions reveal her every thought. her unrelenting expressions serve as perfect plot devices, nearly — and sometimes fully — exposing her and Jackie’s crimes at every stop of their journey.

But the film’s storytelling lacks the vulnerability and straightforwardness of stewart’s acting. underneath the main

murder plot is a twisted backstory: Lou’s father (menacingly played by Ed harris) is a well-known criminal wanted by the FBI. Lou was once integral to her father’s criminal operations, which is revealed through interpretive flashbacks, with hazy visions of the two firing guns under dark red lights. While visually appealing, this

artistic approach at times detracts from the film’s main plot.

despite moments of narrative confusion, the film’s subversion of conventions adds to its overall charm. Moments of magical realism add intrigue and fascination to the story, such as Jackie’s veins and muscles taking on a living, monstrous quality. But those are brief and not fully realized until the film’s climax.

Even so, “Love Lies Bleeding” packs a punch. The plot, for the most part, is fairly predictable, but its most important moments — and murders — are boldly delivered. While extreme violence runs rampant in the film, what makes “Love Lies Bleeding” different from most thrillers is its heart. O’Brian’s real-life bodybuilding experience brings authenticity to Jackie’s story, making her downfall all the more devastating to watch.

O’Brian and stewart inject a tale of violence, abuse and heartbreak with chemistry and love. Because of their bold emotions and Glass’s stunning visuals, it’s hard not to react out loud to what unfolds in “Love Lies Bleeding.” This larger-than-life film should be watched on the biggest screen possible.

This article originally appeared online at browndailyherald.com on March 17, 2024.

‘One Day’ presents deeply moving story of romance and heartbreak

BY MANAV MUSUNURU CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Many people have had that one person that they just cannot seem to move on from. No matter how hard they try, their thoughts seem to drift into reminders of a coveted past. These feelings of hopeless romance and missed opportunities — often felt while reminiscing on past crushes and relationships — are the defining themes of the series “One d ay,” released on Netflix Feb. 8.

Following a chance encounter during their graduation ball at the u niversity of Edinburgh, Emma Morley (a mbika Mod) and d exter Mayhew (Leo Woodall) spend one night together on July 15, 1988. d exter, characterized by Emma as a playboy, is mesmerized by her nature. d uring their night together, Emma rejects the prospect of sex and instead makes conversation with d exter. The next day, the two exchange numbers before going their separate ways for the summer holidays.

Throughout the 14 episodes, viewers witness the relationship between Emma and d exter ebb and flow as the series follows their respective lives over 20 years. Each episode centers around the events of the same date, July 15, each in a different year.

Viewers watch as Emma initially struggles to pursue a career in writing, while d exter attempts to figure out his goals in life — much to the chagrin of his parents. The viewers don’t see them again until 1990 when they both settle down in London to pursue their respective careers and begin lives of their own. a fter a brief encounter ends in a heated argument, they lose touch

again before reuniting several years later at a mutual friend’s wedding, restarting the uncertain cycle of their back-andforth relationship.

The limited series is the second adaptation of d avid Nicholls’s 2009 book of the same name. The first adaptation, a film released in 2011, starred a nne hathaway and Jim sturgess as Emma and d exter, respectively. u nlike the movie, however, the series is not limited by its runtime and is able to translate more of Emma and d exter’s story to the screen.

a lthough the series only focuses on the day July 15, viewers are still given extensive glimpses into the lives of Emma and d exter. Moments that feel insignificant at first are shown to have

lasting implications for the relationship in the long run. The series is masterfully crafted in that way: it foreshadows enough for viewers to have a sense of what will happen, but leaves the central plotline — Emma and d exter’s relationship — tumultuous and unpredictable. By stretching out its unpredictability, “One d ay” captivates viewers by showcasing the numerous adventures, experiences and journeys Emma and d exter endure before they are reunited with one another.

The show embraces the mundane, depicting characters struggling in the workplace and dealing with affairs and complex feelings of grief — giving them all a sense of relatability. Emma strug -

gles with her relationship with Ian (Jonny Weldon), during which she continues to have feelings for d exter, all while engaging in a workplace affair with her boss, Mr. Godalming (Mark r owley). Meanwhile, d exter tries to process his mother’s (Essie d avid) deteriorating health and the infidelity in his own relationship. It is almost too easy for one to insert themselves in the places of either Emma or d exter.

This sense of realism, compounded by the performances of Mod and Woodall, is part of what makes “One d ay” so compelling. In one particular scene, viewers can sense the immense sadness and disappointment in d exter’s expressions and voice as he lies about having

tonsillitis to escape further despair before a dinner with Jean-Pierre (Edouard c hény), Emma’s new French boyfriend.

In such scenes, viewers feel as if they are watching real interactions between two people, rather than actors reading off a script. authentic moments, like the one described above, occur numerous times throughout the series in a variety of locations: parks, fancy dinners and even over phone calls. a lthough these situations are unique to Emma and d exter, audiences are still easily able to reminisce on times when they experienced the same emotions as the two protagonists.

Emma Morley, a character who is white in both the book and the movie, is portrayed by Mod, an actress of Indian descent, in the series. This choice is interesting, as “One d ay” never shows Emma’s family on-screen and Emma seldom mentions them herself. u nlike numerous other series and movies, however, the absence of overt cultural references is a breath of fresh air in “One d ay.” The series shows that characters of color do not always have to be defined by their ethnicity — the events that happened to Emma can happen to anyone, regardless of their cultural background.

With a total runtime of just under seven hours, “One d ay” is the perfect weekend binge. The nuanced characters of Emma and d exter, coupled with their entertaining yet relatable lives, make for an accurate portrayal of young adult qualms. The imperfect story of their perfect romance is unforgettable and the final episodes of the series will move and impact viewers, reminding them that romance and life are equally unpredictable.

This article originally appeared online at browndailyherald.com on March 19, 2024.

Moments of magical realism add intrigue and fascination to “Love Lies Bleeding”’s exciting plot.

Limited series on Netflix is second adaptation of book by David Nicholls

NETFLIX

“One Day” embraces the mundane, depicting characters struggling with everyday complications, giving them a sense of relatability.

Meet the Brown researcher who wants to help sequence all potential RNA modifications

Professor Juan Alfonzo started the project during COVID-19

BY AKSHAY AMESUR CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In 2020, Juan alfonzo, a professor of molecular biology, cell biology and biochemistry, began a project out of “pure cOVId boredom.”

Now, that project may become the largest scientific undertaking since the human Genome Project, according to Mukesh K. Jain, dean of medicine and biological sciences and senior Vice President for health affairs.

alfonzo, a world-renowned rNa biologist who came to Brown in 2023, aims to better understand rNa and its modifications. To do so, alfonzo and his colleagues are working to lay the groundwork for sequencing all human rNa and its potential modifications as part of an ad hoc committee in the National academies of science, Engineering and Medicine, in which he is a member.

The NasEM committee’s stated objective is to “assess the scientific and technological breakthroughs, workforce and infrastructure needs to sequence and ultimately understand the roles rNa modifications play in biological processes and disease.”

The committee plans to highlight the best strategies for developing new rNa sequencing methods. Its findings will be released on Thursday, followed by several congressional briefings.

What does science say about RNA?

rNa, or ribonucleic acid, is a molecule that helps translate information from organisms’ genes into proteins, one of the major building blocks of all living things. rNa comes in several variants which all have specialized roles in cells.

Modifications to the chemical structure of rNa have become a major component of modern health innovation. cOVId-19 messenger rNa vaccines, more commonly known as mrNa vaccines, rely on modified rNa alfonzo called these modifications a “game changer” for human health.

rNa is often modified in nature in order to function correctly. Incorrect or missing modifications can have serious impacts on the molecules’ functions, which make them an important subject in medicine.

as alfonzo explains, “If you don’t know that a modification exists … you will never know what to target.”

still, scientists don’t exactly understand the effects of all rNa modifications.

In the case of vaccines, “the rNa that they inject into you is modified” at several places, alfonzo said, “but no one knows which (modification) is doing the trick.” That being said, scientists have proven that they are effective and safe, he noted.

alfonzo says that the NasEM report will inform congress that rNa sequencing research is of “sufficient relevance” and should be a national priority.

Where did the committee start?

On a saturday in 2020, alfonzo was “sitting at home, just doing nothing” when he received an email from Vivian cheung, a professor at the university of Michigan who specializes in rNa research.

according to alfonzo, cheung asked if he, like her, was concerned by the lack of effective technologies available to map rNa and its modifications. In agreement, alfonzo, cheung and several colleagues published an article in Nature Genetics that reviewed the state of rNa mapping technologies and called for innovation in the field. alfonzo attributed cheung’s efforts as pivotal to the creation of the NasEM committee.

currently, rNa can be indirectly sequenced through three main methods: sequencing by synthesis, mass spectrometry and nanopore sequencing. While sequencing by synthesis can be relatively accurate, it can only detect a small portion of rNa modifications.

Mass spectrometry, which alfonzo describes as the “gold standard,” is highly accurate but

can only be used for small strands of rNa, making it “technically challenging.” Nanopore sequencing, a newer technique, can sequence long strands of rNa, but it is very error-prone.

as a result, the National academies of sciences committee set out to understand which existing technologies can be used to better sequence rNa and its modifications and how those technologies can fail. The group states that it will ultimately “develop a roadmap for achieving direct sequencing of modifications of rNa,” which would allow researchers to accurately unlock the rNa code.

The committee will also assess a wide variety of other research inputs for rNa analysis — such as computing capacity, data storage and public policy — to effectively evaluate the scientific, technological and infrastructure improvements needed to achieve rNa research goals. The report has been predominantly supported by funding from the Warren alpert Foundation of rhode Island and the National Institutes of health, Jain explained.

at the same time, an international initiative known as the rNome Project sets out to map every rNa in the human body and all of its possible modifications. Its goal is to create a collection of molecules known as the epitranscriptome.

If the team achieves its goals, the catalog of the rNa epitranscriptome can help produce new diagnostic tools to detect disease, revolutionize our understanding of the human body and ultimately cure illnesses, said Jessica Brown, one of alfonzo’s former graduate students and research collaborators.

according to a recent university press

release, that process will likely be “bigger, more expensive and more daunting than the human Genome Project.”

“you have to think big!” alfonzo says.

The rNome Project’s first international meeting was held this January at Brown’s Warren alpert Medical school and convened rNa experts from around the globe. The group set out to “strategize on key scientific issues, including which human cells should be sequenced first, the need for technology development, informatics and databases for rNa sequences and the need to establish rNa standards,” Jain noted.

Jessica Brown describes the rNome project as a “gigantic challenge,” noting that sequencing rNa modifications is particularly difficult. Because modifications can be added on to rNa in layers and each layer can interact with the preceding layer, scientists must be able to capture the modified rNa molecules at the correct points in time to understand the order in which modifications are added, she said.

Though the impacts of rNa research are well understood today, they were ignored for decades, says alfonzo, who first became interested in rNa while studying at Indiana university, Bloomington. an undergraduate student from Venezuela, alfonzo explained that studying science helped him with his immigration visa, enabling him to continue studying in the country. as a result, alfonzo worked as a research technician in a former professor’s lab. There, he had his own project studying viruses and eventually began his Phd in the lab. It was at this time that alfonzo met renowned rNa biologist Norman Pace, whose lab was in the same building as alfonzo’s.

alfonzo explains that Pace’s “largerthan-life personality” and passion for rNa got him excited about the field, leading him to undertake post-doctoral study on rNa editing in organisms called trypanosomes in Professor Larry simpson’s lab at the university of california at Los angeles. “That was really the beginning of rNa editing for me,” alfonzo said.

at simpson’s lab, alfonzo came across a hypothesis that transfer rNa, known as trNa, was modified by editing inside the cell. alfonzo explained that in the early years of rNa research, rNa modifications were largely deemed “unimportant” by the scientific community. Though the trNa modification hypothesis was “completely beyond the lab’s interest,” alfonzo found it interesting and decided to test the theory while simpson was on

vacation. To simpson’s disbelief, alfonzo was able to prove the hypothesis and then completely switched his scientific focus to rNa

Throughout his early years of research, alfonzo recalled his colleagues saying that he was “wasting his time.. But when it was later found that mrNa modifications were associated with disease, the rNa modifications that alfonzo studied “became the next big thing.” While human health is an important research application, alfonzo said his own end goal for research is not to produce therapies, but rather to better understand rNa itself.

“science builds on grains of sand,” alfonzo said.

alfonzo’s recruitment to Brown is part of the university’s broader push toward rNa research. he joined the university in 2023 to head the new Brown rNa center. having previously served as director of The Ohio state university center for rNa Biology, alfonzo said he developed a vision for rNa research at Brown that involves attracting the top rNa researchers and facilitating collaborations between their research labs. When “you toss (scientists) in a bowl and mix them … they’ll come up with some good stuff!” he said.

“I like science to be collaborative,” he added. reflecting on this interdisciplinary drive, alfonzo’s own lab combines cell biology, cell imaging, molecular biology and biochemistry to achieve its research objectives.

While the Osu center for rNa Biology housed around 45 rNa research labs, alfonzo calculates that when he was recruited, Brown had roughly eight rNa research labs. alfonzo said he thinks the university needs to build at least 14 rNa research labs to achieve its goals, and is in the process of bringing in six new faculty to Brown to achieve this.

alfonzo envisions the center as an interdisciplinary hub for rNa research that “anybody who’s interested … can be part of” regardless of their background. at the center, alfonzo hopes to attract researchers who study all aspects of rNa, not just modification, to develop comprehensive insights. The center will initially operate out of Brown’s dyer 225 building, which it will share with the university’s center on the Biology of aging.

Jessica Brown described alfonzo’s creative, application-based teaching methods as “eye-opening,” adding that alfonzo is “an outstanding scientist” and “definitely a wellpicked person” for the job.

This article originally appeared online at browndailyherald.com on March 19, 2024.

Student groups plan trip to New York for 2024 total solar eclipse viewing

BY CLAIRE SONG SENIOR STAFF WRITER

The Brown Outing club and astronomy club

Trip

alexis Ortega Gs said

compared to Providence which will experience 91.9% coverage. The partial eclipse will begin at 11:42 a.m. EsT, and the total eclipse will begin at 12:38 p.m. EsT.

“We planned this event to enrich Brown’s

student body, providing opportunities for engagement and education,” samuel Ferraro ’25, the co-treasurer of the astronomy club, wrote in an email to The herald. “a solar eclipse like this is a rare event and having one occur so close to campus presents a unique chance for students to witness a once-in-a-lifetime

astronomical event.”

Ferraro said that the clubs wanted to bring more students onto the trip, but were unable to because renting a bus was too expensive. Instead, a team of volunteer student drivers will help transport the students.

Ortega said the drive up to rochester will

take five to six hours. he says the students plan to spend the night “camping style,” then head to the university of rochester for a joint viewing event.

students not chosen for the lottery will still have the opportunity to view the solar eclipse on the Main Green where the Brown Physics department and the Nasa rhode Island space Grant consortium will host a viewing event. The groups will provide telescopes and a safe viewing opportunity on-campus, according to Ortega. Improper viewing of the eclipse may result in permanent eye damage or “eclipse blindness,” impacting central and color vision.

Ortega added that there may be some “weird effects” occurring during the eclipse. Viewers will be able to see a “ring of fire” around the sun as the only visible part of the sun will be the corona — the outermost part of the sun’s atmosphere. The event’s specialized telescopes will allow viewers to see “little solar flares” that are typically not visible to

the naked eye.

Viewers may also experience a sudden drop in temperature, with most places seeing a drop of around five to ten degrees Fahrenheit. Observers may also notice a stark change in animal behavior, as critters may become confused by the sudden darkness in the middle of the day.

“I just really want to experience such a rare event,” Ferraro wrote. after the solar eclipse this year, another full eclipse will not be visible in the contingent united states until august 2044.

“anyone can get something out of an event like this,” Ferraro wrote. “The massive ball of fire that’s been with you since day one is about to disappear for a bit — that’s pretty cool. No matter who you are, I guarantee you won’t regret taking a look at the eclipse.”

This article originally appeared online at browndailyherald.com on March 19, 2024.

JENNIFEr chEN / hEraLd

Astronomy, Outing club plan trip for first total eclipse since 2017

Brown just went universal need-blind. What does that mean?

The Herald looks at Dartmouth’s admissions data for possible implications

BY HADLEY CARR SENIOR STAFF WRITER

On Jan. 25, Brown officially announced plans to become the eighth u s. college to offer need-blind admissions to international students.

The new policy may lead to a decrease in Brown’s acceptance rate, according to sara harberson, a former associate dean of admissions at the university of Pennsylvania and founder of the private college counseling service application Nation.

Brown “will be admitting some highneed (low-income) international students in regular decision who presumably will get offers from other elite colleges that have been need-blind (for international students) for a long time,” harberson wrote.

“If Brown offers better financial aid to international students, then (the students’) likelihood to enroll may be higher than it currently is,” she added. “When yield increases, the college doesn’t have to admit as many students to (fully) enroll the class.”

d ean of admissions Logan Powell noted that there are two factors changing the admissions process for the class of 2029: a return to standardized testing and need-blind admissions for international students. “It is still too early to speculate about the admit rate given that one of those two important factors is still to be determined,” he wrote in an email to The herald.

The herald took a look at dartmouth’s admissions data to examine the potential implications of Brown’s new admissions policy.

In 2008, d artmouth implemented need-blind admissions for international students of the class of 2012. The policy was reversed in 2015 due to a lack of financial resources, according to The dartmouth.

In the early 2000s, dartmouth tended to accept between one-fifth and one-sixth of applicants. after the 2008 policy change, the acceptance rate dipped to 9.44% in 2010. But when the school reversed needblind international admissions in 2015, its acceptance rate rose to 10.5% for the class of 2020, with 2,176 students admitted.

In 2022, dartmouth again implemented need-blind admissions for international students, starting with the class of 2026.

since then, the college has had “consistent record-high numbers of international

students apply to dartmouth,” Lee coffin, dartmouth’s vice provost for enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid, wrote in an email to The herald.

The number of international applicants also increased significantly when dartmouth went need-blind in 2008. In 2007, 1,974 international students applied to dartmouth; the number jumped to 2,678 in 2008.

at dartmouth, first-year aryanna ram said that need-blind admissions were a “game-changer.”

“Not that many schools are internationally need blind,” she said. “so if you require substantial financial aid as an international, there are limited options.”

harberson said shifting to a need-blind

policy for international applicants will likely change the geographical composition of admitted international students, but will likely not affect the overall percentage of international students in the admitted pool of students because colleges typically limit this proportion. Penn, for instance, limited international students to between 11-13% of the admitted class when harberson worked in its admissions office, she said. according to Powell, Brown has “no artificial caps” on admitted students.

“Our expectation is that the international student body will become more socioeconomically diverse, but that the share of international students within the total undergraduate population will remain similar to recent years,” Powell said.

approximately 11% of Brown’s class of 2027 admitted applicants were international students, The herald previously reported.

From 2017 to 2021 — the years before dartmouth’s return to international needblind admissions — 11-15% of the admitted classes consisted of international students. after the shift to universal need-blind admissions, the percentage of international students admitted in 2022 remained at 15%, the upper bound of this range.

at Brown, President christina Paxson P’19 P’Md’20 has placed a large emphasis on how universal need-blind admissions will benefit the composition of the undergraduate population.

“The university is at its very best when we welcome and support students from the widest possible range of backgrounds, experiences and viewpoints, who learn from each other on campus and generate new understandings and insights in an increasingly complex world,” Paxson said in the Jan. 25 statement announcing the admissions policy change. currently, the majority of international students in Brown’s undergraduate population are from china, canada, India or south Korea.

“It’s definitely a really big step in the right direction,” anaya Kaul ’25, who coleads students for Educational Equity, wrote in an email to The herald. “hopefully this diversifies the pool of applicants and admits which will only add to the Brown community.”

“Making Brown an affordable choice for extraordinarily talented international students from every income level is nothing short of transformational,” Paxson said in the Jan. 25 press release.

This article originally appeared online at browndailyherald.com on March 17, 2024.

Speakers at Brown China Summit reflect on future of China-related issues

BY JAMES MA

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

This year’s Brown china summit — an annual conference that brings experts from different fields and backgrounds to engage in discussions on china-related issues — took place this weekend at the stephen robert ’62 hall.

The summit revolved around the theme of “Forward Focus” and included five panels on technology, international relations, cross-cultural challenges, sustainability and other topics. all panels took place in person.

according to Patrick anders ’25, Brown china summit’s head of finance and logistics, the theme of “Forward Focus” was chosen partly because of summit members’ interest in the future of the u s.-china relations given recent political moments, such as the elections in Taiwan.

When selecting panelists, co-President Michael Ling ’25 said that the summit prioritized “in-person engagement” and a diverse group of speakers.

anders highlighted the summit’s wide audience as “a platform of open dialogue.” according to him, the event is “good for anyone interested in u s.-china relations and global affairs.”

On saturday, following opening re-

Topics included AI, U.S.-China relations, Taiwan, Southeast Asia MaX rOBINsON / hEraLd

The summit revolved around the theme of “Forward Focus” and included panels on technology, international relations, cross-cultural challenges, among other topics.

marks, the summit began with three panels: “a Technological-cultural Tapestry: aI, artistry and authorship,” “south East asia: Opportunity and strategic cooperation” and “across the strait: historical and contemporary Perspectives.”

The other panels, which took place on sunday, were titled “Navigating cross-cul-

tural c hallenges: c hinese s uccess in america” and “Ecological civilization: at the Intersection of Policy, Business and Philosophy.”

The panelists expressed a wide range of opinions throughout the event. during “south East asia: Opportunity and strategic cooperation,” Prashanth Parameswaran,

the founder of the asEaN Wonk Newsletter and a fellow at the Wilson center’s asia Program, spoke on the relationship between southeast asian countries and china. she believes that southeast asian countries “won’t simply pick a side between the u s. and china,” instead acting as a “cooperating regional bloc.”

alice Ba, a professor at the university of delaware, pointed to a world order of “multilateralism and multi-polarization” with southeast asian countries “playing a more prominent role,” instead of “a bipolarized order” dominated by the u s. and china. during “across the strait: historical and contemporary Perspectives,” dean chen, a professor at ramapo college in New Jersey, predicted that either President Joe Biden or former President donald Trump will approach the Taiwan issue in a “pro-Taiwan fashion” in the near future. he added that the u s. is “bounded by national interest.”

Fengsuo Zhou, a former student leader during the 1989 Tiananmen square protests and an executive director of human rights china, said that he believes Taiwan to be the “leading democracy in asia. he asserted that the u s. should defend Taiwan “without any ambiguity.”

carmen Johnson ’24, an Economics and East asian studies concentrator and a first-time attendee of the summit, said that she learned a lot about u s china relations, including how Taiwan contributed to such tensions. she also learned about ways southeast asian countries could “cooperate and become an economic powerhouse in a multi-polarized world.”

“I learned much more from the panelists than I had expected,” Johnson said.

This article originally appeared online at browndailyherald.com on March 17, 2024.

122 MD students receive residency matches, demonstration held at ceremony

Students

for

BY ANISHA KUMAR AND CLAIRE SONG UNIVERSITY NEWS EDITOR AND SENIOR STAFF WRITER

122 students at the Warren alpert Medical school matched into nationwide residency programs, with 23 receiving offers at Brown and 16 at harvard.

The medical students gathered on Friday for Match day at the Warren alpert Medical school to find out where they had matched for residency. during the historic balloon drop at noon, demonstrators simultaneously dropped six 12-foot banners with names of over 400 health care workers that have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the war between Israel and hamas on Oct. 7. The banners also read “ceasefire Now!” and “Free Palestine!”

The demonstration was organized by Brown Med for Palestine, a medical student group. Warren alpert medical students, Brown undergraduates and members of external organizations such as the rhode Island coalition for Palestinian Liberation all participated in the demonstration, according to Ella satish Md’25, a member of BM4P.

Prior to the balloon drop, dean of Medicine and Biological sciences Mukesh Jain gave a speech congratulating the class of 2024.

“remember one thing: No matter what is in that red envelope, no matter where life takes you next, the outcome does not define you,” Jain said. “you’re more than ready for anything that awaits you in that red envelope.”

director of career development alex

Morang then led the countdown to noon as medical students lined up underneath an american flag to receive the envelopes containing their match results.

uche Onwunaka Md’24, a member of BM4P, opened her match day results with the rest of the class of 2024. she matched with Boston university Medical center for emergency medicine — her top choice.

“I had a moment of cognitive dissonance where it’s like, ‘Oh, I’m opening this letter, and I’m so excited.’ But at the same time … there are people who have lost their lives doing this job,” Onwunaka said, referencing the health care workers killed in Gaza. “and that’s really heartbreaking. so we wanted to take a moment to remember them too,” she added.

Onwunaka and satish said the organizers decided to demonstrate at Match day because it is the medical school’s most publicized event.

representatives from BM4P also sent a

letter to the medical school’s administration reiterating demands previously stated in a Nov. 3 letter. according to a copy of the letter reviewed by The herald, over 146 signatories requested the school to publicly condemn “the violence and destruction against the health care system that the Israeli state is inflicting against Palestine,” to provide direct monetary aid to “support our international colleagues” and open an “investigation into the current policies and economic relationships held by Brown … which continue to perpetuate violence and human rights violations against the Palestinian people.”

The letter cited data from the united Nations Office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs. as of March 12, 348 health workers have been killed in the conflict and only 12 of 36 hospitals in Gaza remain partially functional, the Ocha reported.

Other sources, such as the health-

care Workers Watch Palestine initiative, point to 458 health care workers killed as of March 11.

“In (medical) school and medicine, we’re taught to remove ourselves … we should be neutral, or we should not be self-disclosing,” satish said. “But … solidarity is something that’s costly. you give something of yourself.”

“If we’re gonna practice medical neutrality, it needs to come from a place of advocating for the marginalized, the people who are not part of the conversation,” Onwunaka added. “There seems to be an exception when it comes to Palestine, and that’s what we’re trying to highlight with this demonstration.”

assistant dean of Biomedical communications Kris cambra confirmed in an email to The herald “that the leadership of the Medical school received a letter from a group of students presenting their demands in November and dean Jain and senior associate dean star hampton met with the students involved at that time to discuss their concerns.”

In response to students’ claims, cambra wrote that “The Medical school values direct dialogue and engagement with members of our community rather than responding indirectly through news media or other channels.”

Jain told The herald that he noticed the demonstrations, and the posters were a reminder that “even on a happy day, members of our community are deeply impacted by events happening in our world right now.”

When asked if demonstrators would be held to any disciplinary action, Jain said the decision would be based upon whether the actions were within Brown’s policies on posters and banners.

“We were prepared for (any repercussions) because we felt like it mattered

more to hold space for the people who have been killed, who are our colleagues,” Onwunaka said.

a fter the balloons and banners dropped, students celebrated their matches and filled out residency signs declaring their program and specialty.

according to the data published on the school’s website, 27 students matched for internal medicine, the most popular specialty this year. There were 14 matches to emergency medicine and nine to obstetrics/ gynecology, the second and third most popular specialties, respectively.

Other students matched into residency programs far from Providence. yang Lin Md’24 matched into his first choice at the university of southern california’s Keck school of Medicine for general surgery.

“I looked at (my reults) and it was my number one choice and I was so, so happy honestly,” Lin said. “It was everything I hoped for, and it was great to have my family and friends around to celebrate with me.” he added that he did not notice the demonstration.

Josh Goldenberg Md’24 matched in psychiatry at Beth Israel deaconess Medical center in Boston.

“I was elated,” Goldenberg said. “There’s no feeling quite like opening up that envelope and seeing what the next few years are going to have in store.”

“My hopes for these students going forward is that they flourish wherever they go,” Jain said. “We have poured everything we have into preparing them to be physicians over the past four years … They are ready for any challenges and I just wish them great success in this next phase of their careers.”

Pharmacy now offers a prescription take back service for any community members looking to dispose of unused or expired medications.

The program was first announced in a mid-February Today@Brown message. s tudents and staff can either return their medication directly to a pharmacist or use a new disposal kiosk located on the lower level of s ternlicht c ommons.

Previously, students relied on similar programs in place at local retail pharmacies, according to a ssociate Vice President for c ampus Life and s tudent s ervices and Executive d irector for h ealth and Wellness Vanessa Britto M s c’96. “We felt there was a need for a clear, recognizable and safe mechanism for Brown students to access medication disposal,” she wrote in an email to The h erald.

Britto also noted that the idea for the initiative pre-dates the pharmacy’s relocation from a ndrews h ouse, and that once the move was finalized, “it felt important to revisit the issue and explore the logistics around its implementation.”

The service seeks to prevent envi -

KaIOLENa TacaZON/ hEraLd Students and staff can either hand over their medication to a pharmacist or use the new disposal kiosk located on the lower level of Sternlicht Commons.

ronmental damage while simultaneously reducing the likelihood of medication misuse, according to Britto.

Improper medication disposal “may inadvertently cause harm to others, (including) pets, or contaminate local environmental and water resources,” she wrote.

Professor of Environment, s ociety and s ociology s cott Frickel explained that certain medications can disrupt crucial environmental systems.

“Birth control pills that enter the environment through sewer systems can expose wildlife to estrogens that can impair endocrine systems, animal fertility and fetal development,” he wrote in an email to The h erald.

Britto added that the program “may also contribute to diminishing the growing risk of prescription drug misuse or abuse.”

Prescriptions, vitamins, ointments, patches, over-the-counter medications and even pet medications are accepted at the kiosk. The program does not accept needles, inhalers, aerosol cans, thermometers, lotions/liquids or hydrogen peroxide, according to the program’s information page.

When asked whether more kiosks would be launched in the future at other locations around campus, Britto wrote that the Brown Pharmacy is “committed to reassessing after a year or so.”

BY MAYA NELSON SENIOR STAFF WRITER The Brown