Tuesday, September 18, 2018

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THE BROWN DAILY HERALD TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018

VOLUME CLII, ISSUE 64

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Improv festival delivers laughs “Joy + Justice” builds

community through art CSREA annual exhibition emphasizes necessity of joy in social justice pursuits, daily life

By ELISE RYAN SENIOR STAFF WRITER

ANNABELLE WOODWARD / HERALD

AS220 gathered improvisers last weekend at the Providence Improv Festival, which began in 2004. The festival has grown to feature both local and internationally-based comedy groups.

National, local groups convene at fifteenth annual AS220 event for three days of comedy

By ANNABELLE WOODWARD SENIOR STAFF WRITER

This past weekend, improvisers from Montreal, Providence and other cit-

ies came together at AS220 for three laugh-packed days of performances, workshops and celebratory festivities at the Providence Improv Festival. P!F brings big-name headliners like the Upright Citizens Brigade’s Women and Men team and North Coast Improv to perform alongside local groups of varying narrative focuses and skill levels.

The festival tradition began in

2004 as an informal showcase for the local improv groups Improv Jones, Speed of Thought Players and Unexpected Company.

In setting up the festival, “we wanted to show (the community) how fun and great improv is, not only for those who want to perform but for people who want to open up and engage with the world in a new way,” » See FESTIVAL, page 4

Last Thursday, the Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in America hosted the opening of “Joy + Justice,” a new exhibit that celebrates the Center’s upcoming programs and events.

In a letter posted and distributed at the front of the exhibit, Tricia Rose, the director of CSREA, wrote that the exhibit was curated with artists whose works “capture the nuanced means by which joy is made just, and justice is fueled by the hope and possibility that joy represents.”

The theme of “Joy + Justice” resonated with Kaila Johnson ’19, a student assistant at CSREA. “I feel like it is really exhausting being a person of color and also just studying issues of social justice and doing work with social justice,” Johnson said, and added that CSREA holds that finding joy within battles for social justice, moments of oppression and in daily life

is necessary for overall well-being.

“We believe that you can get more work done in organizing, in studying (and) in existing if you do have that balance,” Johnson said.

The exhibit features 38 works of art created by 22 artists from around the world, some of whom are Brown alums.

Among the works, one wall in a back room of CSREA displays multiple renditions of hands. Bursting with vibrant colors, John Viet-Triet Hoa Nguyen’s “Band Together” is a graphic representation of hands locked together in a powerful grip.

“Never Let Me Go II,” by Nadja, an elegant black line drawing of two hands that reach up and cross in a tight grasp, is displayed next to “Band Together.” Other pieces include a series of black and white photographs

by Pilar Vergara and colorful, abstract portraits by Luanne Redeye.

Stéphanie Larrieux, associate director of CSREA, said that she appreciates the “way that (the pieces) all speak to each other and really … carry the theme forward.” Larrieux curated the exhibit with Caitlin Scott, outreach coordinator and executive assistant for CSREA, and Alex » See JOY, page 4

FeldmanHall Lab demystifies human behavior Social psychology lab emphasizes interdisciplinary approach, collaboration

By CHRIS SCHUTTE SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Altruism, empathy and morality are typically thought of as abstract ideals, but Oriel FeldmanHall, assistant professor of cognitive, linguistic and psychological sciences, breaks these topics down scientifically.

In an effort to better understand human behavior, her lab studies concepts at the intersection of social psychology, behavioral economics and neuroscience.

FeldmanHall’s team has studied topics such as the formation of empathy and morality, friendship development, social interactions and numerous others, FeldmanHall said.

Though the team picks topics of scientific interest, the concepts are also pertinent to the general population, not just the scientific

INSIDE

community. Empathy and morality have broad appeal as individuals seek to improve themselves, said Joseph Heffner GS, a lab member.

Historically, topics like these have been thought of as immeasurable, but models of human behavior and cognition being developed by the team are seeking to overturn that long-held belief, said former Lab Manager JaeYoung Son GS. For example, the lab devised an experiment in which an individual must shock someone several times in order to keep a sum of money as a means of studying costly altruism — deciding whether or not to help someone if it costs you money — FeldmanHall said.

This behavior is difficult to analyze, as it is hard to study experimentally, she added. By conducting an experiment with real world consequences, a hypothetical ideal can be scientifically tested.

The lab also undertook a separate experiment analyzing costly punishment: By observing whether or not subjects intervened as a third party when they witnessed an individual

wronging another person, the team identified reputation as the driving factor behind people’s actions, Heffner said.

Another study on empathy and networking showed that more often than not, people who exhibited more empathy were at the center of their respective social networks, said William Lee GS, a member of the lab.

A separate publication by the lab studied how degrees of uncertainty influence risk taking and decisionmaking pertaining to helping and trusting others, as uncertainty influences most social decisions, said Lab Manager Logan Bickel.

The lab’s focus is rooted in FeldmanHall’s deep interest in the study of social psychology and behavior.

“What could be better about waking up every morning, thinking about why humans do the things they do and trying to find the answer to those things?” she said. While the lab began two years ago with just FeldmanHall, she was quickly joined by Son and Heffner. The new lab began to grow » See LAB, page 3

COURTESY OF BROWN UNIVERSITY

Oriel FeldmanHall, assistant professor of cognitive, linguistic and psychological sciences, encourages debate and collaboration in her lab.

WEATHER

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018

NEWS Roundup: Crimes reported to Department of Public Safety in early September

ARTS & CULTURE Roundup: Providence arts events this week include readings, screenings, performances

COMMENTARY Mulligan ’19: University should create separate housing option for students with cats

COMMENTARY Johnson ’20: College slumps provide opportunities for personal growth

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NEWS

PAGE 2 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018

THE BROWN DAILY HERALD

Crime Log

BY EDUARD MUÑOZ-SUÑÉ, UNIVERSITY NEWS EDITOR The following summary includes all major incidents reported to the Department of Public Safety between Sept. 4 and Sept. 10. The Providence Police Department also responds to incidents occurring off campus. DPS does not divulge information on cases that are currently under investigation by the department, PPD or the Office of Student Life. DPS maintains a daily log of all shift activity and general service calls, which can be viewed during business hours at its headquarters located at 75 Charlesfield St.

Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018

A University student reported to DPS that his apartment on Charlesfield Street had been broken into sometime between late May and early September. An Epson WF-2750 printer, a bottle of cologne and two HDMI cables were stolen, valued at approximately $100, $60 and $50 respectively. The perpetrator also stole $30 in quarters from the apartment.

Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018

Earlier this month, a University student reported that her bicycle had been taken from a rack outside of the Sharpe Refectory. It was unclear in the report whether the Blue Huffy Mountain Bicycle, valued at $65, had been secured with a lock before it went missing.

Friday, Sept. 7, 2018

A University professor reported that someone had stolen 14 textbooks owned by the University from a classroom at Kassar House, a mathematics building located at 151 Thayer St. The mathematics textbooks were collectively worth approximately $650.

Monday, Sept. 10, 2018

A University student reported to DPS that his bicycle had been taken from a rack outside Vartan Gregorian Quad, located near Josiah’s. The Diamondback Mountain Bicycle, valued at approximately $200, had been secured with a cable lock before it was stolen.

LILLY NGUYEN / HERALD

Among the items reported stolen to the Department of Public Safety between Sept. 4 and Sept. 10 were two bicycles, a bottle of cologne, $30 in quarters and 14 mathematics textbooks.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018 • PAGE 3

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Arts & Culture Roundup

BY CONNOR SULLIVAN, ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

Point Street Readings The next iteration of the storied Point Street Readings series, headed and curated by bibliophile and Providence radio DJ Robin Kall, will take place at the Alchemy bookstore tonight. Writers performing include Nova Ren Suma, Suzanne Matson, Blair Hurley, Delia Owens and Professor of Political Science Corey Brettschnieder. The event, in partnership with the Brown University Bookstore, will have copies of the authors’ works available for purchase and signing. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

“La Haine” Screening Join members of the Brown Center for Language Studies for a screening of the seminal, heavily stylized French film “La Haine.”

Originally released in 1995, the monochrome film’s narrative concerns the poverty, racial tensions and police brutality faced by three inhabitants of a French housing project. The event serves as the inaugural screening of the Center for Language Studies’ newly created series, “Foreign Flicks Presents.” The movie will play at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday in Metcalf Auditorium.

“¿Se Aculilló? | La sutura tierna”

COURTESY OF BROWN UNIVERSITY

“¿Se Aculilló? | La sutura tierna” is the third installment of an exhibition series that will appear at both the Granoff Center for the Creative Arts on campus and in the Resident Gallery at AS220 in downtown Providence.

» LAB, from page 1 and decided to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to its work, pulling from disparate literature and fields. “(It) speaks to how open-minded we all are and how eager we are to adopt state-of-the-art techniques,” Son said.

The lab maintains a culture in which argument is allowed and even encouraged, if it means promoting progress, Son said. “(The lab is) an open book, a blank slate. … We’re allowed to have scientific disagreements with one another but fashion them into productive and interesting debates about things that can move the field forward,” he added. The multidisciplinary approach fosters more well-rounded answers to the topics at hand, Bickel said.

The lab has since grown to between 10 to 15 members, including undergraduates, and encourages an environment in which students from

many disciplines come together to answer questions about social interactions, FeldmanHall said. “I think some of the best science happens on the fringes,” she added. “If you can cherry pick the beautiful things … from lots of different spaces and merge them together, then you can have a fruitful avenue forward.”

“That’s the key to science,” Lee said. “If you surround yourself with people who have all sorts of ideas, you can test them and determine whose intuition is right.” A multidisciplinary approach may make things muddy at times due to contrasting viewpoints, but it forces everyone to break down information so that researchers from diverse disciplines can all add to the discussion. “We all have to speak the same language when we all don’t speak the same language,” he added.

The FeldmanHall lab is now conducting studies on political polarization and the influence of inequality

on decision making, among other investigations. Their work on political polarization will examine the way people from different political backgrounds view the same footage.

Lee’s upcoming thesis explores social foraging, a topic that analyzes people’s tendency to gauge the utility of social situations, such as when to leave their job or their romantic relationships, and what influences those decisions to be made earlier or later, he said. The team purposefully focuses on topics relevant to the public and encourages other researchers to consider how “their own areas of study can complement and also be informed by the work (we) are doing,” Son said.

“I feel very lucky that I have the lab that I do,” FeldmanHall said. “I am surrounded with people who are all much smarter than I am, and so I am continually learning from my students, and that is the greatest gift.”

The Granoff Center for the Creative Arts will play host to a number of performances put on by Athena Washburn, Aretha Busby, Kei Soares Cobb, Orlando Hernández, Farah Figuereo, Doménica Garcia and Rebelené. These performances come to audiences as part of “¿Se Aculilló? | La sutura tierna,” the third installment of a multi-media exhibition series that will appear in both Granoff and the Resident Gallery at AS220 this month. The exhibit, whose name roughly expresses the sentiment “Are you scared? The tender suture,” features art and accompanying performances that coalesce around the theme of a shared Latinx/Latine identity, according to a press release written by the exhibition’s curators, Benjamin Lundberg Torres Sánchez and Kat Chavez. Sponsored by AS220 and the Brown Arts Initiative, the performances will begin at 7:00 p.m. Thursday.

Machines with Magnets Show Catch rapper Iris Creamer and experimental bands La Neve, Light Beams, Space Heater and Algiers at the Pawtucket venue Machines with Magnets Friday. Partially funded by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, the concert bill will couple some of Providence’s most active artists with headlining band Algiers. The show welcomes all ages and will kick off at 7:45 p.m.

NEWS

PAGE 4 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018

» JOY, from page 1 Parker-Guerrero GS, a CSREA curatorial fellow. “Even the media that is represented is rather diverse, so we really tried to curate works that spoke to that inclusivity,” Larrieux said.

Larrieux added that the exhibit fits with the Center’s overall belief that art has the ability to both move and challenge people. “Art is definitely a way in which people can engage with new ideas,” she said.

Johnson emphasized that CSREA does not only have speaker events

» FESTIVAL, from page 1 said Tim Thibodeau, P!F’s producer and artistic director.

Since then, the number of performers has “at least quadrupled,” and the festival has become one of the most beloved community events of the year, with “nearly every show sold out,” Thibodeau said. The festival has also accrued a number of generous sponsors, including Wage House, the Providence Improv Guild, Motif Magazine and the Pawtucket Credit Union.

Thibodeau added that even as the festival grows in size, the talent of the local groups measures up to national groups. “The headliners like North Coast (Improv) are above-andbeyond amazing,” but the groups that continue to return are “very talented.”

The Providence improv community is “very robust” and “engaged in the local community” according to Providence Improv Guild member Emily Levesque-Gottlieb. Outside of performing and practicing, members organize group cemetery cleanups and volunteer at food banks. The

THE BROWN DAILY HERALD

and lectures but also tries to build a community within the undergraduate population. “Most events have something to do with issues of oppression, race and ethnicity,” she said. “But we want to set the groundwork this year to have an underlying emphasis on community-building, support and joy within those spaces of study.”

In the exhibition letter, Rose defined the exhibition’s joy as “a choice to love in spite of hate; to be hopeful in the face of hopelessness; to connect with each other when walls and wars force us apart.”

group donated the proceeds of its Family Friendly Show on Saturday to the Manton Avenue Project, a nonprofit that pairs grade-school children with adult actors and playwrights to help them write their own plays.

Organizing the three-day festival takes nine months and poses some difficulties. Eric Fulford, a coordinator for the festival and performer with Jackpot!, a team within the Providence Improv Guild, said that organizing the festival can be “a bit like wrangling cats,” citing performers’ “flighty” tendencies. “Keeping them in one place at a given time is the main challenge,” Fulford said.

Still, Fulford says the payoff is more than worthwhile: “I love getting to see different types of improv and different takes on forms and games that we’re all familiar with.”

“There’s a reason why a lot of the groups from outside the state want to keep coming back,” said Thibodeau.

“A lot of them say it’s their favorite festival. It’s not about making money for us, it’s about celebrating what we do and making it a big party for everyone.”

COURTESY OF THE CENTER FOR RACE AND ETHNICITY IN AMERICA

The new exhibit at the Center for Race and Ethnicity in America, which will be up until Spring 2019, contains 38 pieces from 22 artists. This piece, “Self Portrait” is by Luanne Redeye, an artist currently based in New Mexico.

TODAY

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018 • PAGE 5

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With Shopping Period coming to a close, the hunt for a new study spot begins as students prepare to settle into their permanent class schedules for the semester.

Q U O T E O F T H E D AY

“I think some of the best science happens on the fringes. If you can cherry pick the beautiful things … from lots of different spaces and merge them together,

”

then you can have a fruitful avenue forward. crossword

— Oriel FeldmanHall, assistant professor of cognitive, linguistic and psychological science

See LAB on FRONT.

CORRECTION An earlier version of a Sept. 17 Herald article, “Swearer Center, UConn to foster leadership skills in Southeast Asian fellows,” stated that names of YEASLI fellows would be released at a later date. In fact, Laura Garbes, graduate fellow and coordinator for YSEALI, stated that the names of fellows would be shared with The Herald at a later date. The Herald regrets the error.

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Wellness at Brown: Positive Psychology 12:00 PM Petteruti Lounge

Effective Interviewing: 12:00 PM CareerLAB

Women’s Soccer vs UMass Lowell 7:00 PM Stevenson-Pincince Field

Telescope Observing Night 8:00 PM Ladd Observatory

TOMORROW Developing a Weekly Study Schedule 12:00 PM J. Walter Wilson, 203

Signs of Satan in Iran 4:30 PM Watson Institute, Joukowsky Forum

Creating a Medical Education App 5:30 PM Medical Education Building (Alpert)

Lars von Trier Film Screening 6:00 PM Sidney Frank Hall, Marcuvitz Auditorium

COMMENTARY PAGE 6 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018

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COMMENTARY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018 • PAGE 7

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Charting your way out of the slump CHANEL JOHNSON opinions columnist According to a 2012 survey conducted by the consulting firm Ruffalo Noel Levitz, a quarter of college sophomores reported that they are not energized by their classes or do not feel at home on their campus. These results are possibly due to a phenomenon called the sophomore slump — a time when sophomores experience a period of confusion and uncertainty — though “slumping” can occur at any time. Most students at Brown have experienced a time when they have had low levels of academic achievement and felt indecisive about their goals and future. While slumping during any year in college can be overwhelming, people can shift their perspective during unpredictable moments in their lives. Uncertainty gives people autonomy over how they can shape their own lives and provides an opportunity to allow them to grow as individuals when faced with new types of challenges.

Contrary to the popular conception of the start of freshman year as a new beginning, one theory suggests that this “beginning” is actually the ending of the lives and identity that freshmen had prior to college. From there on, the theory suggests, students move into a “neutral zone”, gathering information about themselves and enjoying the random exploration of different opportunities in college. It isn’t until the students evaluate their purposes and priorities that they experience a new beginning with a new sense of self. This is why, compared to their first year, most students in their sophomore year are more focused on gaining new

insight into their relationships, future and personal identity.

While it is common for people to feel uncertainty during their second year as a result of this period of personal examination, almost everyone goes through some kind of slump at multiple points in their college career. There are some freshmen who have to deal with imposter syndrome and wonder whether they really belong at Brown. Many people in sophomore year have the impending deadline of declaring their concentration. Some juniors network and fly all over the country during recruiting season in order to get a summer internship that can lead to a full-time of-

that the stakes shouldn’t be too high to make people feel anxious about these uncertainties. While it can be overwhelming to make decisions that do have high stakes like a potential salary or grad school, it’s best for students to shift their perspective to consider the unknown rewards they can possibly reap in this time. This time of uncertainty can open doors to new experiences, meeting new people and learning lessons about themselves and the world. As a result, students will have a better understanding of their purpose and values right now and of how they can incorporate this into their lives in order to feel more fulfilled.

While uncertainty can give a student more in-

While “slumping” during college can be overwhelming, people can shift their perspective during unpredictable moments in their lives. fer — and some have no interest in that process at all. And all seniors have to decide what their postgrad plans will be. This is not to mention the other personal matters that affect students regardless of their year: outgrowing and developing friendships and relationships, taking care of their mental health, changes in their financial situations and so on.

Even though slumping in college can be difficult and exhausting while handling a busy schedule, it can give students the opportunity to be more motivated in taking new risks. Ayelet Fishbach, a behavioral science and marketing professor at the University of Chicago, found that people feel more excited and work harder on tasks for which the size of the reward is uncertain. The only catch is

dependence to define their own path, that does not mean the person has to suffer during this unpredictable time since that may only hinder their mental health more. For some people, mindfulness and meditation, even through an app, may help them embrace ambiguity and stay present in their life. For others, this anxious time could be an opportunity to truly take advantage of the resources here at Brown and make an impact on campus. In a major study known as the StradaGallup Alumni survey, 100,000 American college graduates of all ages were questioned about their college experiences to see if there was a connection between what students did on campus and their level of fulfillment today. While they found that attending a highly selective college like Brown does

not foretell greater satisfaction, they did find that establishing a great connection with a mentor, taking on a sustained academic project or playing a significant part in a campus organization primarily contributed to their fulfillment. Getting close to a professor or having a mentor in a campus organization can help students have a better sense of their lives and goals. In addition, students can engage in research or write an academic paper within a department that motivates them to discover new information and find topics that spark their interest. Finally, students can engage in leadership positions in campus organizations to contribute to campus and improve the Brown environment for future generations.

Even though these suggestions can help any student while they are in a slump, it’s important to note that the student must be genuinely interested in these types of activities if they choose to do them. A student doing these activities for the sake of avoidance of uncomfortable feelings or with a closed mind may not get the reflection and clarity they want right now. However, students having open minds, accepting the ambiguity of redefining their social engagement on campus, defining their career goals and developing their purpose can help them navigate the frustrating but crucial time in their lives to develop their own individuality.

Chanel Johnson ’20 was slumping last week, but she’s okay now. She can be reached at chanel_johnson@brown.edu.

Please send responses to this opinion to letters@browndailyherald.com and other op-eds to opinions@browndailyherald. com.

R O L A N D H IG H

COMMENTARY THE BROWN DAILY HERALD

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018

A housing paw-posal CAROLINE MULLIGAN opinions columnist Certain dorms at Brown are designated as quiet spaces. Certain dorms are sub-free. There’s Environmental Housing and International Housing and, as announced last semester, there are plans to build a somewhat nebulously-defined “wellness dorm.”

So, to expand on these offerings, hear me out: Cat. Housing.

Or Pet Housing, I guess, but that name implies that I’m also in support of allowing dog-specific dorms, a point which I’ll address later. Birds, guinea pigs and other small animals that don’t bring up as many allergen concerns should be allowed in all dorms, though that’s an argument for another column. And “Animal Housing” just bears unfortunate connotations that the University would probably prefer to avoid, so “Cat Housing” it shall be.

I envision one of the residential halls that is composed primarily of suites or apartments, such as Graduate Center or Young Orchard, as a site dedicated for students to keep rabbits, ferrets and especially cats with them on campus. Rooms that share an enclosed common area offer a

safe way for these animals to roam around, providing more space than a 100-square-foot single. The resident who brings the pet would be its primary caretaker, taking on the duty of making sure it is cared for during the school year as well as on breaks.

Students would have to sign contracts agreeing to take responsibility incurred for any damage that their pet might cause, a step no different from Brown’s pre-existing policy that makes students pay for any harm en-

should not be required to live only in Cat Housing, as that would single them out from students who do not require such feline accommodations.

That said, Cat Housing would actually represent a victory for mental health advocates. There is strong evidence for a link between having an animal companion and improved emotional wellbeing. Moreover, if a student wishes to have an animal with them right now, they must first jump through the hoops of explain-

knowledged through its Heavy Petting program, in which animals are brought to campus during particularly trying times such as finals and midterms. But, as has been written about before, Heavy Petting creates conditions that may place stress on the animals, an issue that can be avoided by creating a stable living environment.

In fact, as a recent Boston Globe article points out, many animals undergo considerable emotional challenges when a student leaves for college. Cat

There is strong evidence for a link between having an animal companion and improved emotional wellbeing. acted upon their dorms.

Detractors of this proposal will, of course, immediately point to students with allergies. However, this ignores the reality that there are already students on Brown’s campus who, for various reasons, have received permission to have animals with them.

An allergic student could enter a residence hall without knowing that they may be exposed to the dander that sets them off. Cat Housing would minimize that issue, though not eliminate it — ­ students who have documented emotional support animals

ing their condition to the University and proving that it is severe enough to warrant exemption from regular pet-free policies. Having dorms designated as animal-friendly would give students the option to have their pets nearby without having to go through the drawn-out, emotionally exhausting process of displaying their mental illnesses for administrative approval.

Even for students without prior mental health concerns, animals provide a break from the daily stresses of life, something Brown has tacitly ac-

Housing, then, might benefit both person and pet.

Though I know from firsthand experience that cats are capable of missing their people, I acknowledge that the Globe column’s canine-centric approach is somewhat tangential to my Cat Housing proposal, as I don’t believe a college is the best environment for a dog. A student busy with academics, work, extracurricular activities and all the other responsibilities of life at Brown would likely have little time to walk or take a dog out to do its business — problems avoided

with cats. There are other issues with dogs too, like noise pollution; think about how many times you’ve heard your neighbor’s dog bark. Now consider how many times you’ve heard their cat meow. Sure, people in the same building might hear a cat in the suite below or above them, but complaining about that when you choose to live in Cat Housing is like signing up to Environmental Housing and then getting upset when you smell the compost pile out back. Finally, students seeking to hang out with a dog need only wait around on the Main Green until one of President Christina Paxson’s P’19 poodles appears. Cats are considerably harder to access.

Brown has long prided itself on being a progressive institution. The formation of Cat Housing, through its implications for human health and animal rights, will keep it deserving of that label. So come on, Brown — let the cats out of the bag, and into the (designated) dorms.

Caroline Mulligan ’19 can be reached at caroline_mulligan@ brown.edu ­— send cat photos!

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