Thursday, February 6, 2014

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Vol. 124, Issue 37

Casey Bocklet, Marcy Bowdren and Chris LaPierre prepare for the beginning of Virginia’s spring sports season this week.

Photo courtesy from left: Marshall Bronfin, Virginia Athletics, Jenna Truong

Spring season preview Women’s Lacrosse

Women’s Softball

Men’s Lacrosse

Robert Elder

Matthew Wurzburger Associate Editor

Senior Associate Editor

he Virginia women's lacrosse team opens up its season this weekend against Northwestern as players strive for another appearance in the NCAA tournament.

Despite a late surge into the NCAA tournament for the 18th consecutive season, Virginia’s 2013 season was still largely disappointing by the team’s standards. The Cavaliers finished just 11-10, including 1-4 in the conference, and dropped several heartbreakers, losing four games by just a single goal.

The Cavaliers finished the season on a positive note, however, upsetting Duke in the first round of the ACC tournament before falling to Maryland, eventual ACC champions.

Virginia then advanced to the quarterfinals in the NCAA tournament, nearly eliminating an eight-

irginia softball kicks off its season this weekend at the USC Upstate Tournament in Spartanburg, S.C. The 2014 edition of Cavalier softball looks and feels much different than the team which took to the diamond last year, and five games spread throughout the three-day tournament will go a long way in determining the team’s identity.

Head coach Blake Miller will begin his first season at Virginia after serving three years as the top assistant coach at Oregon, where he focused heavily on hitting.

During his time at Eugene, the Ducks made it to three NCAA Super Regionals, including a trip to the College World Series in 2012. In addition to his prowess at coaching high-powered offenses, Miller is known for the passion he brings to the game.

“He loves what he does, and he comes out fired up,”

fter a disappointing 2013 season, the Virginia men’s lacrosse team is ready to get back out onto the field and restore its winning reputation. Ranked in the top 10 nationally in all four major preseason polls, the Cavaliers are aiming for nothing short of an eighth NCAA title.

The Cavaliers began last season with the hope of mirroring the results of the 2011 squad, which brought Virginia its seventh national title. Through the first four games, this goal seemed attainable — probable, even — with Virginia easily ripping through its early opponents.

Disaster struck for the team, however, when star senior midfielder Chris LaPierre’s nicked-up knee turned out to be a season-ending injury that crippled the traditionally stout Cavalier defense. As a result, Virginia’s shot at a return to the championship quickly faded, and

see W LACROSSE, page 33

see SOFTBALL, page 43

see M LACROSSE, page 43

Associate Editor

T

V

Ryan Taylor

A

The Cavalier Daily

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Brogdon, Cavs down Eagles

sports

Men’s basketball posts eighth double-digit ACC victory, improves to 9-1 in conference Michael Eilbacher Associate Editor

Porter Dickie | The Cavalier Daily

Justin Anderson put up 11 points, four rebounds and four assists before fouling out. VIrginia and Boston College combined for 51 total fouls on the night.

Coming off an emotional win against No. 25 Pittsburgh, the No. 20 Virginia men’s basketball team faced a possible letdown game against Boston College Wednesday night. A late Eagles rally cut a 21-point lead to just six with less than a minute to play, but the Cavaliers hung on for a 77-67 win.

Redshirt sophomore guard Malcolm Brogdon had 17 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists — his first career double-double — to lead the Cavaliers, who won their sixth straight game and their ninth conference game overall. Despite the shaky ending, the game proved relatively easy for Virginia, which led by double digits for the majority of play.

“Forty-six percent of [Boston College's] shots are threes, and you always have to be ready, because they spread you with four guards and run a ball-screen,” coach Tony

Bennett said. “... We were pretty sharp at it the majority of the game, but then at the end when they started to dribble hand-off …That was discouraging because in the timeouts, we were saying finish strong defensively. A couple more stops and we’d be in a good spot and we could not do that.”

Boston College (6-16, 2-7 ACC) came out of the gate fast only to quickly fade. The Eagles took a 3-2 lead with just more than a minute into the game, but Virginia (18-5, 9-1 ACC) promptly went on an 182 run to go up 20-5 and seize control. Boston College would not lead again.

Brogdon paced the team early on, scoring nine points in the first half to share the team lead with fellow sophomore guard Justin Anderson. Brogdon has been stellar since ACC play began, scoring in double digits in each of the team’s 10 conference games. Virginia led 40-21 at halftime, looking as dominant as they have for the past two weeks.

“I feel like we came out ready to play,” Brogdon said. “We played pretty well, but not really well. We did not play our best basketball tonight, but we played well enough to win the game by a considerable amount, if we hadn’t let up at the end.”

Brogdon finished the game just three assists short of a triple-double and has recently taken the mantle from senior guard Joe Harris as the team’s leading scorer. His emergence as a potent offensive threat has both changed the complexity of the Cavalier attack and taken pressure off of Harris. To Brogdon’s teammates, his talented play has not come as a surprise.

“He is a winner,” Anderson said.

“He can do everything: he can run the ball, pass the ball, score. His ball handling is great, and his hands are massive. He has a tremendous feel for the game, control over the ball,

see M BBALL, page 4

David Stern: Littlefinger of the NBA Perhaps unfairly, I consider the cunning manipulator from the “Game of Thrones” series a proxy to David Stern. The longtime NBA commissioner lacks Petyr Baelish’s brazen amorality, but resembles him in that he leans on a supreme intellect and a ruthless devotion to his goals to foster an aura of intimidation that belies his 5-foot-7-inch stature.

I would call what drives Stern some form of the Napoleon complex, except Stern would definitely kick Bonaparte’s derriere in collective bargaining negotiations. Love or loathe Stern and Littlefinger, you have to respect their importance.

In a transition buried last weekend by the Super Bowl hype machine and college basketball’s becoming more ludicrous than the last 30 minutes of “American Psycho,” Stern relinquished control of the league he helped build into a multi-billion dollar empire during 30 years at the helm. By most quantitative measures, his reign counts as a resounding success, one that saw player salaries jump from an average of $330,000 to $5 million and the game grow from a niche American sport to a global powerhouse. In qualitative terms, his legacy is more muddled.

For an exhaustive account of Stern’s tenure, refer to David Aldridge’s excellent oral history on NBA.com or Tom Ziller’s highlight reel at SB Nation. What follows here is a discussion of how his term as commissioner shaped our genera-

tion’s relationship to sports today. shaped the way our generation unMore than anything else, Stern’s derstands sports. Take Michael Jorcareer is defined by his unyielding dan, the easiest example but certainquest to market the NBA experi- ly not the only one. Jordan seemed ence as a ubiquitous consumption to live on a separate but somehow good, a product with appeal to as attainable plane of existence. By diverse an audience as possible by combining preternatural skill with highlighting the star power of its an alluring charisma and unprecplayers. His NBA became necessary edented commercial exposure, he thought-fodder for all athletes and rendered athletic pre-eminence sports fans. both a superhuman Though the league quality and an achievhas changed radically able goal. Bestowed upon since Stern assumed a handpicked few, it was control in 1984, he an honor earned through never really stopped hard work nonetheless. trying to fix the most Even while we marveled pressing problem that that Jordan was accomconfronted him upon plishing the impossible, succeeding Larry our constant interaction O’Brien. He had to with him as a person take a league beset by FRITZ METZINGER — a shrugging, tonguerumors of drug use wagging, Hanes-wearing Sports Columnist and a steady underbald dude — offered a current of racism and faint glimmer of hope make it palatable for a world audi- that we too could be Like Mike in ence. whatever sport or discipline we Again, the evidence tells us he chose. Though not universally liked, pulled it off. From the Magic John- perhaps, Jordan did seem universon-Larry Bird rivalry to the Jordan sally relatable. era to the Yao-driven Asian exploStern’s relentless emphasis on sion to LeBron, Stern’s league has enhancing the NBA’s brand played gained worldwide traction by stress- an invaluable role in establishing the ing a simple but powerful mantra: basketball star as someone for an “These players are freaking amaz- inner-city kid or a suburban brat or ing, and you should pay money to an adult from Shanghai to appreciexperience them in any way pos- ate and consider. sible.”

It also rendered him a tyrant.

I admit my evidence for this is Because nearly all his actions mostly anecdotal. But I contend that stemmed from his desire to maxithis transformation of the league mize the league’s appeal, the integinto a stage for its brightest stars rity of the game has too often taken

a backseat to selling tickets, jerseys and airtime to a diverse audience.

This helps explain why Stern came down hard on recreational drugs in the 1980s — banning players such as Micheal Ray Richardson for life — to counter criticism of the league’s culture, but has implemented a performance-enhancing drug policy with all the stringent enforcement of the legal drinking age on Boy’s Bid Night.

It accounts for why he treated shoddy officiating with a shrug and empty rhetoric for more than two decades, and still employs mopes such as Joey Crawford and Bennett Salvatore.

Even his pioneering campaigns in educating people about HIV, introducing the game to other nations and building the WNBA — noble undertakings at face value — can be cynically characterized as ploys to protect Magic Johnson’s transcendent star-power and cater to new customers. Throw in errant crusades such as the dress code and his penchant for doling out fines and punishments without real hope of appeal, and a villainous portrait of Stern emerges. He was a capitalist who dedicated his energy to optimizing his product as he saw fit, often disregarding dissenting opinions and moral reservations.

Still, though a bully in many ways, calling him the evil mastermind of the NBA distorts his impact. He did not engineer Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in a lab.

He did not bless MJ with an almost

sociopathic competitive streak. He did not slip a young Yao Ming human growth hormone to ensure he would develop into a 7-foot-6-inch beast. And he certainly had no hand in developing this current crop of superstars — LeBron, Kevin Durant, and Chris Paul among a few — into an absurdly talented but thoroughly decent-seeming group of league ambassadors.

For all his effectiveness as a micromanager, Stern’s most important contribution to the world of sport is as an exhibitionist. By focusing on the superstar, he highlighted basketball’s function as compelling human drama — the most intimate expression of the interplay of physicality, intellect and emotion which governs all sports. Not everyone likes Stern’s NBA. But people from everywhere feel some way about its players.

Whether you cherished the beautiful aspects of Stern’s tenure, detested its grotesque elements or struggled to reconcile the conflict between the two, the little commissioner’s league remains worth thinking and talking about for anyone remotely interested in sports.

Under Stern’s watch, basketball stars became both larger than life and familiar — people to revere, emulate, revile or simply discuss. His league showcased sport not only as a mode of entertainment or recreational activity, but as a pathway to a form of immortality any of us could theoretically reach.

Love it or loathe it, you have to respect the NBA’s importance.

SPORTS

Thursday, February 6, 2014

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Monday night ice It’s Monday night. A handful of people are milling about the Main Street Arena lobby. Some head to the bar, while others congregate around the ice. Two men carefully prep the ice and line up equipment along the edges of the rink. Finally, once the ice is deemed ready, everyone wearing snow boots, boat shoes and sneakers steps onto the ice for the big event: curling.

Curling has been an Olympic sport since its official addition to the 1998 Nagano program. Details of the sport remain obscure to many, with public knowledge mostly limited to the iconic brooms or signature pants worn

by Norwegian team members in 2010. But those present at the Main Street Arena Monday night would tell you otherwise.

The Arena has long been home to skating in Charlottesville, but management changes in the summer of 2010 introduced a new curling league, which now contains 24 teams and has exploded in popularity. This year, more than 200 people signed up for a mere

96 spots — a league record, Arena the hack, and stay upright long manager Will van der Linde said. enough to heave that godforsaken Players in the league range from piece of granite — which, by the ages 12 to 75. way, comes from one of two quarThanks to the generosity of ries in Scotland and is therefore Curl Me Maybe, a team comprised more exclusive than even the most of second-year graduate students elite of fraternities here at U.Va. — in the Darden School, across the ice. Now this journalist can attest comes the sweeping that curling is really, re— no big deal, you ally, really hard. sweep your kitchen The goal of curling floor every once in a seems fairly obvious: while, right?

Step 1: Slide rock across Wrong. Effective the ice. Step 2: sweep sweeping can keep the ice so that the rock a stone going for a lands on a bull’s-eye. good 20 yards, but Step 3: Win. However, effective sweeping those particular rocks — comes from years of KERRY MITCHELL called stones — weigh experience, training, Sports Columnist 42 pounds each, and and — wait for it — they don’t like to go cardio. And, while exactly where they’re you’re at it, don’t fall intended. Just sliding — proper over and split your head open on deemed "throwing" — those stones the ice, okay? requires a degree of balance that Strategy also plays a huge role the less coordinated among us may in curling — they don’t call it never achieve. “chess on ice” for nothing. Since So you’ve figured out how to each team will throw eight stones push off the starting block, called in alternating turns, curling teams

must anticipate moves — whether it be to try for a scoring rock, to clog up the lane, or to take out an opponent’s stone — well in advance.

Not that any of that is ever guaranteed to go your way.

“We had all eight stones in the house,” player Gary Kriebel said of his worst curling memory, “But we didn’t have hammer, which means the last rock, and the other team dropped one right on the button.

That negated all eight of ours. They got that one to make the playoffs and we were out.”

So, let’s recap. Curling is fun.

Curling is frustrating. Everyone can curl. Few can be good at it.

Those few will soon take their talents to the bonspiel — that’s a curling tournament for you common folk — in Sochi, and they will make it look easy.

Meanwhile, in Charlottesville, the Main Street Arena crowd will watch with privileged knowledge in hand. After all, they know how difficult every single move on the ice is. But, having spent their Mon-

days curling in good spirits with good company, they also know just what elite competitors get out of hours spent on the ice.

“It’s wildly hard,” Kriebel said, “but it’s wildly fun.”

Refreshments don’t hurt, either.

Ice does a splendid job of keeping a beer cold while one is occupied with another activity, like curling.

“It’s curling tradition that the winning team buys the losing team a drink after the match,” Kriebel said.

With teams like Rolling Stones, Harbingers of Broom, and collective favorite Three Men Are Sweeping With My Wife, the lucky 96 curlers enjoy the sport in a lowpressure, social atmosphere. While some participants from Canada and the upper Midwestern states have considerable experience, many are first-timers on the ice.

Still, they insist that skill is unimportant.

“Everybody can figure out how to curl,” van de Linde said. “It’s a blast. Some people really get into it.”

W LACROSSE Virginia seeks to maintain late-2013 momentum Continued from page 1 goal deficit to pull the comeback against North Carolina, who would later edge out Maryland for the national championship.

The momentum built from such a strong finish to last season has coach Julie Myers confident in this year’s team.

“I think we did build a lot of momentum going into the postseason last year,” Myers said. “Really starting at the end of April, we got players healthy and they got their energy and their mojo going. We’ve got all the right pieces in place and the right players, so we’re looking forward to getting this year started.”

The Cavaliers will return the majority of their offensive firepower this season, especially on attack. Returning players account for 193 of the 220 goals scored last year — almost 88 percent. Bringing back that kind of experience

and production bodes well for a team seeking its sixth conference and fourth national title.

On the attack unit, the leader will be junior Casey Bocklet, who led Virginia in goals with 44, assists with 23 and points with 67 last season. She earned third team All-American honors for her efforts, and has been named to the preseason All-ACC team — the only Cavalier on the list. The Cavaliers also return their next two scoring leaders, senior Ashlee Warner and junior Courtney Swan.

“I think that’s a key this year,” Bocklet said. “For most of us, last year was our first year playing [together]. I think this year, everyone on the attack is a threat and no one’s scared to go to the goal.

That’s pretty deadly if you’re playing against us, so it should be really fun and exciting for us.”

Defensively, Virginia will have to make several adjustments, with Megan Dunleavy, a former captain, All-ACC selection and

Tewaaraton finalist, graduating after last season. She leaves a large hole both in production and in leadership in the middle of the Cavalier defense.

Meanwhile senior Liz Colgan will replace graduated Kim Kolarik in goal. Colgan gained valuable experience last season, starting seven games while Kolarik recovered from a broken hand, but will face the challenge of orchestrating the Cavalier defense on a daily basis. Myers, however, does not see this turnover as an impediment to success.

“Obviously Megan [Dunleavy] and Kim [Kolarik] were two big anchors for our defense, but I do think that we’ve had a whole fall and a preseason to get ready,” Myers said. “It’s nice to have that fall to really put the pieces in place, and Liz has definitely done a nice job tending the net. We’re excited to see how it all comes together.”

Virginia boasts the No. 3 freshman class this season, according to Inside Lacrosse Magazine.

Four of the class’ seven members were ranked as top-25 recruits.

Myers expects early contributions from the heralded first years.

“Maggie Preas is going to be a standout defender,” Myers said.

“Her game is far and away beyond her years. She’s a great shutdown defender and a great anticipative defender. Posey Valis is going to help us on the midfield as well as Sarah Crowley. Three of our firstyear kids right out of the gate are going to be main contributors for us, and the others I don’t think are too far behind.”

The ACC schedule will not get any easier this season, especially with the addition of former Big East team powerhouse Syracuse to the conference. Despite Virginia’s No. 8 ranking in the preseason poll, they have been selected to finish fifth in the ACC behind North Carolina, Maryland, Syracuse and Duke, respectively.

“It’s crazy how tough the conference is, but I think it’s only going to make us play better,” Bock-

let said. “I think when you play against tougher teams, it elevates your play that much more. It’s going to help us and definitely help when we’re going down the line at the end of the season into tournament play.”

Last Saturday, in the final preparations for the opener, Virginia scrimmaged Navy in Charlottesville. Although treated as a practice without official statistics, the Cavaliers dominated the Midshipmen in all facets of the game.

The performance will likely give Virginia confidence as it opens the season Sunday against No. 4 Northwestern. The Cavaliers fell to the Wildcats, 11-6, last season, but Virginia is riding high after a successful offseason and is anxious for the official commencement of the season.

“We’re excited,” Bocklet said.

“Just playing Navy gave us that confidence that we need, that we are a strong team and we can compete. We’re just looking to stick it to them.”

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SPORTS

The Cavalier Daily

SOFTBALL Season brings new coach, new players for rebounding team Continued from page 1 sophomore pitcher Aimee Chapdelaine said. “Because of his intensity we come ready and excited to play every day.”

Miller’s coaching philosophy exemplifies this inner fire. He said he wants a team which takes big cuts, hits the ball far and swipes as many bags as possible. In short, Miller wants the opposing team to feel pressured at all times.

“We’re going to swing and be aggressive,” Miller said. “We will steal constantly. I’m not worried about running ourselves out of innings.

Our talent base allows us to put on pressure and force mistakes.”

Miller’s arrival coincides with the Cavaliers’ desperate need for a revamped offense. Virginia has posted a sub-.500 conference record in each of the previous three seasons, includ-

ing a 4-17 mark in 2013. Much of last year’s woes could be attributed to their anemic offense — the Cavaliers scored 3.59 runs per game and hit a very meager .236 as a team.

Virginia also lost five seniors at the end of 2013, all of whom contributed to the team significantly.

Among the departed players are Kristen Hawkins, the team leader in doubles, Taylor Williams, second in stolen bases and pitcher Melanie Mitchell, who owned the Virginia career record in every major pitching category. Replacing any of these individual players — let alone the whole of them — poses a pointed challenge. Fortunately, the cupboard was not left completely bare.

The Cavaliers have several returners who were cogs for the team last year, including senior second baseman Marcy Bowdren, who led the team in hits, runs scored, batting average and total bases. Bowdren

directs the team both vocally and by example, keeping her teammates energized on the field both from second base and behind the plate.

Last season, Bowdren was one of the most efficient hitters in the nation, putting together a 12-game hitting streak while remaining the sixthtoughest hitter to strike out in the country.

Another key contributor will be senior third baseman Karli Johnson.

Johnson led the team in in slugging percentage, runs batted in and home runs. Splitting her time last season between first base and designated hitter, Johnson received a big boost in playing time between 2012 and 2013, starting in six times as many games.

She certainly proved she earned the field time, with her five home runs, 24 RBIs and .490 slugging percentage all becoming team-bests.

Even with the returning talent, Virginia will rely on its new players

to produce from the very first game.

Miller is throwing his five freshmen immediately into action and expects them to play a significant part this season.

“It’s a smaller team, so they will have to step up right now,” Miller said. “They are going to be everyday starters, so they have to mature a lot faster.”

With Mitchell’s departure, Chapdelaine is charged with replacing one of the greatest pitchers in Virginia history. Chapdelaine started 16 games for the Cavaliers last season and made relief appearances in five other contests. The right hander accrued a 5-10 record with a 4.85 earned run average in only 92.1 innings as a freshman. Chapdelaine knows she has a tall task ahead of her, and realizes she must step up and pitch better in 2014.

“I feel like I can fill that role [as a No. 1 starter],” Chapdelaine said.

“I know that I can go out every day and give 110 percent. Being on the mound, it is comforting to know that I have 11 other girls behind me.”

Another grueling season will await Virginia in the coming months. The Cavaliers compete in three weekend tournaments before jumping into ACC action on the road against NC State March 1. Conference play will be challenging yet again. Off the ACC squads, currently only No. 12 Florida State is ranked, but NC State, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Syracuse and North Carolina all received votes in the last poll.

Still, Miller said if the Cavaliers can expand their offensive production the way he wants them to, their season is looking bright.

“We are absolutely killing the ball right now,” Miller said. “Obviously there is a difference between batting practice and live pitching, but we are committed to hitting.”

M LACROSSE LaPierre return offers Cavaliers hope of winning season Continued from page 1 the team dropped seven of its last nine games. The Cavaliers finished with a 7-8 record — the first losing season for the program since 2004.

“It was tough,” LaPierre said.

“I’m definitely one of those guys who likes to be a leader of the team. I like to lead by example on the field.”

Luckily the All-American was granted a medical hardship waiver and is back for a fifth year to help Virginia make another run at the title. In addition to LaPierre, Virginia returns eight other athletes that were a part of the 2011 National Championship squad. This experience will undoubtedly play an integral role in determining the team’s success this year.

“The interesting part of this sport, as opposed to football and basketball, is that barely any of these

guys are on full scholarships,” coach Dom Starsia said. “You can tell these guys didn’t come back here just to spin their wheels. They’ve experienced something special and they want to get that done again.”

In addition to the immense experience the Cavaliers boast, the coaching staff has also brought in a phenomenal recruiting class, highlighted by freshman midfielder Zed Williams. Williams, the No. 4 recruit in the country, enters Charlottesville with high expectations — the Irving, N.Y. native shattered numerous records at the high school level, eclipsing the national record for career goals with 444.

Starsia and company also managed to bring in a highly touted prospect on the defensive side of the field — senior Lynchburg College transfer Joseph Lisicky. The powerful defenseman was the NCAA Division III Preseason Player of the Year a season ago before being side-

lined with a foot injury, and promises to shore up the already staunch Virginia backline.

“He’s a physical force, so you can understand why he was such a dominating player at that level,” Starsia said. “He has given us another weapon on the field and he will be someone you see out there early in the season getting some opportunities.”

While the Cavaliers are unquestionably loaded with talent, their upcoming season remains flagged by a bit of uncertainty. Most pressingly, Virginia must iron out its goaltending situation — a major struggle last year which has yet to be fully resolved. If Sunday’s scrimmage against Navy is any indication, freshman Matt Barrett and junior Rhody Heller are the frontrunners for the job. It was announced Wednesday afternoon Barrett would start in goal for the first game of the season, though this does not guarantee he has definitively won the position.

“There are some question marks going into the season,” Starsia said.

“We weren’t good enough in goal last year, so that’s something we’re going to keep an eye on early. I feel good, but it’s certainly something we will have to watch.”

The team faces a grueling schedule this season that will force it to perform at the highest level each and every week. Eight of the Cavaliers’ 14 opponents in their 2014 campaign are ranked in the preseason top-20, with all six ACC teams currently ranked in the top-10 nationally. No. 8 Virginia is at the bottom of this list.

Unfortunately for Virginia, there will be little time to prepare for the daunting slate ahead. The season opener pits the Cavaliers against No. 12 Loyola, who moved from the ECAC to the Patriot League during the offseason. The Greyhounds — the 2012 National Champions — are coming off a similarly heartbreaking year, which came to an end in a dou-

ble overtime loss to Duke in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

“They won the championship a few years ago, and while they did lose a few guys that were a part of their run the past two years, they’re still a very experienced team,” LaPierre said. “Coach always says, ‘There are no big games,’ but when you open the season against someone like Loyola, you definitely have to get going in gear a little bit sooner.”

Regardless of the challenges Virginia faces at present and down the road, the team is confident it can return the program to its past glory.

With a team chock-full of talent, that goal is certainly attainable.

“You come to Virginia and you expect to win championships,” LaPierre said. “Everyone realizes we have to get back to our winning ways. I think we’ll do that this year.”

The Cavaliers’ quest for an eighth national title begins Thursday at 7 p.m. at Klöckner Stadium.

M BASKETBALL Late BC rally falls short, Virginia extends win streak to six Continued from page 2 and his defense is getting better every game.”

Virginia extended their lead early in the second half, going up by more than 20 points on an ACC opponent for the seventh time in the team’s nine wins. Boston College’s defense is among the worst in the conference — the Eagles had given up an average of 75 points per game entering Wednesday, the highest in the ACC — and Virginia worked to exploit this weakness, shooting 48.2 percent in the game.

The game’s second half was

littered with fouls: three players fouled out between the teams and two others had four fouls. Fiftyone total fouls were called in the game, 23 on Virginia and 28 on Boston College. Both Harris and sophomore center Mike Tobey picked up two fouls early, and were subsequently limited in minutes.

Harris played 22 minutes, while Tobey played just seven.

Foul trouble forced Virginia to rely on their bench players, who readily stepped up. Sophomore forwards Anthony Gill and Evan Nolte both had solid games, scoring 13 and nine points respectively. Nolte especially has seen his minutes cut lately, and he was

happy to see increased play.

“I’m just trying to come off the bench and do what I can for the team,” Nolte said. “It’s pretty difficult if you’re sitting for 30 minutes to come into the game, but you just try to stay ready. You just try to have in your head that you shoot every shot the same, and if you come in a little cold you try to not shoot your first catch, but try to get rhythm and get a couple passes.”

Up 71-52 with 4:47 to play in the second half, Virginia looked primed to cruise to another huge win, but a 15-2 run by the Eagles cut the game to just six points at 73-67. Boston College forced its way back on the strength of its

three-point shooting — the Eagles were just 2-12 from behind the arc in the first half, but improved to 7-for-15 after the break.

“Boston College did a good job, and their coach did a good job,” Bennett said. “Those guys kept fighting, and they’re dangerous because they’re so spread out. It shouldn’t have gotten to that place if we had taken care of business, but it did. We kind of managed to get the right guys to the line at the end.”

Virginia would seal the game with four free throws to win 77-67 and continue their stunning ACC success. The Cavaliers’ 9-1 ACC start is the team’s best since 1981-

82, and the win was the team’s 14th straight ACC home win, the second-longest such streak in team history.

The team now heads to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech. The game will be a homecoming of sorts for Brogdon and Nolte — both of whom hail from Georgia — but also a chance to continue the team’s stellar play.

“I’m glad to go home,” Brogdon said. “I didn’t play there last year — I was sitting out. I played there my freshman year [and] it was a good experience. I just want to go there and win, though. Nothing changes.”

Thursday, February 6, 2014

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Batten seeks new faculty

news

Committee begins multi-year international search for economics, public analysis professors Jordan Bower Associate Editor

Akash Khungar| The Cavalier Daily

The Batten School, above, recently launched a search for two new faculty members. Ideal candidates would have a strong research background, Batten School Associate Dean Christopher Ruhm said.

The Batten School has begun a multi-year, international search for new faculty members in the fields of economics and policy analysis, two of the school’s core subjects.

Following its founding in 2007, the Batten School was forced to rely heavily on faculty members from other schools in the University to teach courses. Since then, 14 full-time faculty members have been added, with a goal of reaching 18 to 20 members after the current hiring season.

Batten School Dean Harry Harding, who became the first faculty member budgeted to the Batten School in 2009, said this search reflects the emphasis the school places on developing its own faculty.

“Hiring our own faculty has been a very important process ever since [the school’s founding], and we have two searches going on this year,” Harding said. “One for someone who has a degree in Eco-

nomics and can teach the economic analysis of public policy, and the other is someone who is more generally a specialist in public policy and policy analysis.”

The Batten School began advertising the position on the University's website, and they are forming a search committee of faculty from various disciplines.

“The search committee reviews all of the applications that come in, and it selects a group to come to Grounds for interviews," Harding said. "While at Grounds, the candidates give two talks, one of which is before faculty and one of which is before students, and [they] speak with a number of faculty members.”

After vetting candidates, the committee will make official recommendations, which are then voted on by Batten faculty and sent to a number of people for approval, including the Board of Visitors.

Candidates from various backgrounds are being considered, including experts in public programs, social insurance programs, health policy, environmental pol-

icy and political policy. Potential faculty that could assist in graduate student project-based courses are also being considered.

Batten School Associate Dean Christopher Ruhm said the committee is looking at candidates' research potential and their ability to fit in at the University. “[The Batten School] has special needs, and we want … people who are at the top of their fields," Ruhm said. "But we also want to think in terms of policies and [faculty who can] communicate to our students about key policy questions.”

Harding added they will look for candidates who are engaged with the policy community and have a “globalized outlook.”

Ruhm said space constraints are a general issue at the Batten School, but these constraints are not thought to be a pressing issue in the hiring process.

“We know the people we are looking to hire this year [and] where they will go,” Ruhm said. “As we move forward though, space will be an issue.”

Boys’ Bid Night sees fewer hospitalizations

New Inter-Fraternity Council regulations ban use of hard liquor; highly visible Handprint Project discourages sexual misconduct during festivities Maddy Weingast Associate Editor

s's'New pledge classes filled up as male students received bids throughout the day from various fraternity chapters around Grounds. Houses up and down Rugby Road hosted parties to welcome new members.

Last year more than 10 University students went to the emergency room from alcohol-related incidents in the time during and following IFC Recruitment, resulting in stricter recruitment regulations this year imposed by both the Inter-Fraternity and Inter-Sorority Councils.

The IFC prohibited hard liquor at any house or event this year during the recruitment process, inlcuding Bid Day. The council further mandated six or more brothers must be sober at all events. Boys' Bid Night parties were not permitted to begin before 9 p.m. and were required to end by 2 a.m.

Quantitative data on drinking incidents is “tricky,” Director of Student Health Chris Holstege said. “It’s hard to know. You can’t tell if it’s because of Boys'

Bid Night, [or] if they’re locals or students. These days there is drinking that goes on every weekend.”

There was no noticeable increase in the number of students treated for alcohol-related problems, Holstege said. Removing hard liquor from the event may have contributed to the decrease of alcohol-related incidents surrounding Boys' Bid Night, he said.

“The hard liquor is very tricky because people don’t realize the alcohol content in that as opposed to beer," Holstege said.

"Hard liquor is where people get into trouble most often.”

Many sororities and fraternities scheduled mandatory dinners at the start of the night, or assigned pledges a buddy for the night to ensure their safety.

After previous Boys' Bid Nights saw increased reporting to the University Sexual Misconduct Board, this year's events were also coupled with an anti-sexual assault campaign the Handprint Project, which was co-sponsored by the IFC, One Less, One-in-Four, Democracy for America and the Honor Committee.

“The campaign was all over social media,” said fourth-year College student Karina Carlson, who worked on the campaign.

“You couldn’t go on Facebook without seeing someone’s profile picture or cover photo of the

handprint. Most people knew [about it].”

Each fraternity on Grounds displayed a banner on Boys' Bid Night with the brothers' handprints, representing their commitment to bystander interven-

tion.

“The banners served as a visual representation and reminder of commitment to the Handprint Project’s mission and to visually show support,” Carlson said.

Kelsey Grant| The Cavalier Daily

Fraternities hoisted large banners to the fronts of their houses Saturday night as part of the Handprint Project’s efforts to curb sexual assault and increase bystander intervention.

6

NEWS

The Cavalier Daily

BOV member to donate $4 million U.Va. alumnus John Griffin to give challenge grant to support new low-income students Jiaer Zhuang and Brendan Rogers Senior Writers

The University announced on Monday that Board of Visitors member and alumnus John Griffin has granted a $4 million challenge grant to support financial aid at the University beginning next academic year.

John Griffin, a 1985 graduate of the McIntyre School of Commerce, will match donations up to $4 million, for a potential total of $8 million to fund financial aid at the University. The first $2 million will go toward a scholarship called the Blue Ridge Scholarship for students entering the Class of 2018. Of the $2 million, $500,000 will fund members of the class for each of their four years at the University, Dean of

Admissions Greg Roberts said.

“This need-based scholarship will decrease the amount a student would need to pay for college, so we hope this will allow us to enroll students who otherwise might not enroll,” Roberts said.

“We also hope it helps us enroll a more diverse class of students.”

University spokesperson McGregor McCance added that a student’s other qualifications (in addition to financial need) would be taken into account when assigning scholarships.

“The real specific criteria for the scholarship will be led by the department of admissions,” McCance said.

The remaining $6 million will be added to an endowment fund to support scholarships for students entering the University, which will allow the University to offer better financial aid pack-

ages to students in years to come, Roberts said.

“Mr. Griffin’s generous gift will allow us to enhance the aid packages of students who otherwise might not choose to attend the University,” Roberts said.

“The scholarship would reduce a student’s loan or work study allotment in their aid package.”

Griffin serves as President of investment firm Blue Ridge Capital in New York, and also sits on the University’s Board of Visitors.

“In my meetings with him he has expressed a strong interest in helping students with financial need afford to attend the University,” Roberts said.

“I think Mr. Griffin is a supporter of the university’s goals in trying to provide aid to those who need it,” McCance said.

Courtesy University of Virginia

Griffin, above, who graduated from the Commerce School in 1985, will match donatations to University financial aid up to $4 million.

Donate to the Cavalier Daily distribution box campaign @ http://igg.me/at/cavalierdaily

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NEWS

Thursday, February 6, 2014

7

Virginia legislators to tackle standardized testing reform Both chambers examining bills which would cut number of Standards of Learning tests students complete, allow for alternate testing methods Kathleen Smith Associate Editor

State legislature tackles standardized testing reform

By Kathleen Smith

Several pieces of legislation aimed at scaling back Standards of Learning test requirements for Virginia public schools have been gaining traction in Richmond recently.

SOL exams seek to offer a rough benchmark for student achievement in reading, math, science and social sciences, but the exams face much criticism from teachers, parents and students.

Christian Braunlich, a member of the State Board of Education, said the various bills seek to accomplish a number of different goals, including changing test content and limiting the number of tests students have to take.

“There were generally a bunch that wanted to reduce the number of SOL tests, a bunch that wanted to offer expedited SOL exams, and

some that wanted [to make exams] portfolio based,” Braunlich said.

Portfolio based exams, in which students are assessed through a body of work versus a single test, would replace the traditional assessments.

On Tuesday, Senate Bill 636, which reduces the number of SOL tests offered by 25 percent, was approved 37-2 by the upper chamber.

House Bill 930, which also limits the number of SOLs taken by students, advanced out of the House Education Committee Wednesday. “[HB 930] is probably the one gaining the most traction in the House,” Braunlich said. “To a large extent, it would reduce the number of SOL tests and would create a system by which localities would be able to create and administer an alternative assessment in some areas where SOL tests are not being given anymore.”

The bill would eliminate all elementary and middle school history and social science tests, with the exception of Virginia Studies, said Charles Pyle, a Virginia Department of Education spokesperson.

The bill would also eliminate the fifth-grade writing and the thirdgrade science SOL tests.

Braunlich said there is a lot of basis for reducing the number of SOL exams students are required to take.

“The reality is that, midway through the school year, half the class is bored and half the class is struggling,” he said. “You have teachers that become crazy concerned about whether their kids pass the SOL exam so they test them over and over again. Then parents complain there are too many tests, so now there’s a proposal to reduce SOL tests by 25 percent.”

In addition to high expectations from teachers, schools also demand high test scores from students.

“School accreditation ratings reflect student achievement on SOL tests and other approved assessments in all four content areas,” Pyle said in an e-mail.

In the past few years the Department of Education has worked to introduce more challenging exams

in mathematics, science, reading and writing. The new tests, which are administered online, “reflected revised content standards adopted by the Board of Education to ensure that Virginia public school students are prepared for the challenges of the first year of college or meaningful entry-level employment when they graduate from high school,” Pyle said.

Braunlich, however, said that better reform can still be made.

“I think the most important reform we possibly could do would be to begin moving more quickly towards computer adaptive testing so that as a student takes a test, the test would adapt to their level,” he said.

Computer adaptive tests, also known as tailored tests, are continuously adjusted to the level of each individual examinee. Though Braunlich acknowledged funding constraints for such technology, he still supports this type of advancement in the school setting.

“In a perfect world, [computer adaptive tests] would allow us to test a student when that student

felt [he/she] knew the material, and once [he’s/she’s] done it, can move on to something else,” he said.

Virginia is unusual in regards to state-sanctioned standardized testing in that it administers more than are required by the federal government. Though most states require students to take about 17 standardized tests, the state of Virginia requires students to take 34.

Additionally, Virginia is one of the few states to offer tests in writing and the social sciences.

“If you take a look at Virginia writing, we’ve been increasing on the SAT and that’s because we offer a writing test that’s not given in other states,” Braunlich said.

“That’s one of the reasons why Virginia consistently ranks in top 10.”

The bills, however, have a few hurdles to leap before they can become realities.

“You have to understand, writing legislation in Virginia is a moving target and [legislators] are constantly making changes to [the bills] up to the last minute,” Braunlich said.

Hingeley advocates equal pay for public defenders, prosecutors

Public defender calls for Charlottesville, Albemarle County to subsidize employee salaries; prosecutor salaries already subsidized by municipalitites Leopold Spohngellert Associate Editor

Charlottesville public defender James Hingeley appeared before City Council this week to advocate for local subsidies to the salaries of public defenders, who earn significantly less than their state prosecutor counterparts.

The wage gap is a due to subsidies provided by both Charlottesville and Albemarle County to prosecutors but not to public defenders. In a November letter to Ann Mallek, chair of the Albemarle Board of Supervisors, Hingeley said that local prosecutors earn 25 percent more than public defenders.

Hingeley said he believes that Albemarle county public defenders deserve equal pay to local prosecutors.

“We’re not asking for our pay to be measured against the standard of private practice,” Hingeley said.

“We’re just looking at another public service agency, the prosecutors, that do the same kind of work that we do, just on the other side of the courtroom.”

Public defenders offer legal services when the defendant in a criminal case cannot afford a lawyer, whereas public prosecutors argue on behalf of the government.

Commonwealth Attorney Dave

Chapman said the issue was less to do with the wage gap between prosecutors and defenders, and more a problem of low salaries for both types of employees at the local level compared to their federal and private counterparts.

Comparing public defenders and prosecutors is like “comparing apples and oranges,” Chapman said, and is therefore not an ideal way to determine how public defenders should be compensated.

“There’s no direct comparison that’s possible; these are really quite different jobs,” Chapman said.

“Both the commonwealth of Virginia and the localities need to fund these positions in the way in which they should be funded.”

According to figures compiled

by Hingeley, there is a $152,931 pay gap between prosecutors and public defenders in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Based on caseload statistics, Hingeley said he recommend the county pay $74,049 and Charlottesville pay $78,882 in order to close the gap.

Hingeley brought a similar proposal to the localities last year, but failed to see his requests implemented into the final budgets, despite support from public officials.

“Last year the members of the Board of Supervisors and the members of City Council believed that achieving pay equity was a good

thing,” he said. “I’m hoping for this ecution rather than the defense, before the Albemarle Board of Suyear that they will continue to be- though both serve the community pervisors to state his case in the lieve that it is a good idea and that in different ways. next week. The Albemarle budget they will work hard to find the nec“[Public defenders] protect will be released Feb. 24 and the essary funding.” the community’s right to have fair Charlottesville budget will be reThe wage gap between the pub- trial and confidence in the justice leased March 8. lic defenders’ office and private lo- system,” Hingeley said. “We’re rep“The key decisions about the cal and federal law offices has af- resenting our clients but we’re also budget are being made right now,” fected recruitment and retention representing the public interest in a he said. “This ought to be a priority. of talented lawyers, Hingeley said. broad sense.”

They should work hard at coming One public defender worked with Hingeley said he hopes to speak up with the funding.”

Hingeley for six years without a raise before leaving for a position at the University of Richmond.

Prosecutor position Average Salary “Any time % Difference Average Salary Public Defender position you lose somebody who has got Commonwealth Attorney good experi$ 154,424 ence and is a Public Defender $ 127,442 talented perDeputy Commonwealth Attorney $ 108,131 son you have to replace Deputy Public Defender $ 84,266 them with a Assistant Commonwealth Attorney $ 66,353 beginner and Assistant Public Defender $ 51,555 start all over,” he said.

Paralegal/Administration Assistant $ 46,243 Hi n g e l e y Office Manager said in some $ 42,692 cases the comLegal Assistant/Administrative Secretary $ 38,693 munity symSecretary pathizes with $ 28,950 Data courtesy James Hingeley the state pros-

Salaries ofSalaries Prosecuters vs. of Prosecutors

Public Defenders vs. Public Defenders

21.17% 28.32% 30.77% 8.32% 33.65%

O

The Cavalier Daily

LEAD EDITORIAL

Ten proof not fool proof

opinion

A lack of incidents on the most recent bid night does not mean the University’s alcohol problems are absolved

Comment of the day “The rivalry [with Virginia Tech] seemed trivial after April 2007.

The rivalry still exists but it became much more civil because it seemed stupid to get so worked up over sports after such a tragic event.”

“MaxMan1313” responding to Jared Fogel’s Jan. 30 column, “Revitalize the rivalry.”

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Write it down.

Join the Opinion section.

Or send a guest editorial to opinion@ cavalierdaily.com

New IFC regulations this year prohibited hard liquor during the entirety of rush and restricted the timespan for parties on Boys’ Bid Night. According to Director of Student Health Chris Holstege, the hard liquor ban may have helped decrease the number of alcohol related incidents over the weekend.

Last year, more than 10 students were hospitalized for alcohol-related problems during recruitment. Looking at overall trends, it seems as though that year was an anomaly. But the IFC still instituted new measures to prevent any further incidents.

But focusing on just one celebratory week of one specific community neglects to examine the larger culture of drinking present at the University and many other colleges. Fraternities are not the only organizations whose members have been sent to the hospital during their parties. A notable example is the hospitalization of four members of U-Guides last October.

It is easy to scrutinize — and even criticize — Greek organi-

zations. Their very existence is contingent upon exclusionary processes, and they keep their rituals hidden from the rest of the world. But fraternities and sororities enrich the University, and to only focus on their flaws and indiscretions obscures our vision. There is almost certainly information about all University communities — not just the Greek one — that we are missing.

We don’t actually know if the rate of alcohol consumption is much higher in Greek organizations than it is among the general population of the University. Even if it is, it is unclear whether Greek culture fosters such activity, or students who are more inclined to drink in the first place are also more inclined to pledge. Both factors could multiply together to produce the results. Additionally, if we are only measuring by the number of hospitalizations, we likely do not get an accurate picture. There have undoubtedly been incidents when a person was intoxicated enough for an ambulance to be called, but it

was not. We don’t know about these situations, and even if we do hear rumors, the incidence is hard to quantify.

Because the IFC has the power to establish and enforce regulations in order to prevent serious injuries from occurring, Greek organizations may even be less likely than other CIOs to experience problems with excessive drinking. Additionally, many individual fraternities or sororities will take their own precautions, like having a mandatory dinner before bid night or assigning an older member to make sure a younger one stays safe. The sense of community that they share perhaps makes them more likely to look after each other.

But still, the IFC’s new precautionary measures were only enacted for this year because of the gross irresponsibility that took place last January. Public scrutiny, punishment or new regulations only happen when the situation becomes bad enough to seriously harm someone, at least in a way that the rest of the community will find out

about. Essentially, there is only a change when the damage has already been done.

We need to alter our thinking and focus on preventing these incidents before they happen. A decrease in hospitalizations on bid night should not be taken as an indication that we are out of the woods — that we can just stop here. As Holstege said, “These days there is drinking that goes on every weekend,” not just the first of February.

We must apply a higher level of scrutiny to the University community as a whole. Phrases like, “it’s only alcoholism after college” are casually tossed around far too often. Refraining from seeking medical help for fear of getting in trouble is still a common practice. We need to look not just at specific organizations and specific instances, but to collectively examine our attitudes about drinking and ask ourselves whether or not we are taking its dangers seriously enough. As they say, “It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.” Let’s not wait until it’s too late.

THE CAVALIER DAILY CAVALIER DAILY STAFF Editor-in-chief Rebecca Lim, @rebecca_lim Managing Editor Andrew Elliott, @andrewc_elliott Executive Editor Katherine Ripley, @katherineripley Operations Manager Lianne Provenzano, @lianneprovenz Chief Financial Officer Peter Simonsen, @peetabread Assistant Managing Editors Kelly Kaler, @kelly_kaler Julia Horowitz, @juliakhorowitz (S.A.) Harper Dodd (S.A.) Kathryn Fink (S.A.) Tiffany Hwang (S.A.) Thrisha Potluri (S.A.) Mitchell Wellman

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8

OPINION

Thursday, February 6, 2014

9

De-thorning the STEMs The University should do more to foster interest in science and math-related courses Opinion Columnist

Preparing American students for STEM fields — that is, subjects falling under the categories of science, technology, engineering and math—has become a major preoccupation for the Department of Education. Currently, only 16 percent of high school seniors are both interested in a STEM career and considered proficient in mathematics. Given the rapid increase in STEM jobs estimated for the next decade, American high schools need additional help in order to raise interest in and train students for STEM fields. There are programs at the University that may offer such educational opportunities.

Admittedly, the aforementioned 16 percent statistic may not accurately portray the dearth of students who will ultimately enter a STEM field. College is a time for academic exploration, and many students may find themselves more drawn towards math and science than they anticipated. That being said, my experience as a science student has demonstrated that most students who are pursuing science at the University were interested in STEM disciplines before ar-

riving on Grounds. One does not apply to the engineering school if he or she is not interested in math and science. And taking one of the notoriously challenging introductory science classes in the College seems more likely to deter someone from developing a newfound fascination with

“

Alex Yahanda

Letting students establish a baseline attraction towards science without the pressure of a cutthroat science class may show some that science is fascinating and worth studying.”

science. Indeed, I have seen more people driven away from science by the University’s introductory biology, physics or chemistry classes than I have seen brought towards those subjects.

What, then, can be done to foster more interest in STEM disciplines? As a small step, the University could begin offering more science classes that may

be appealing to students who are not sold on a STEM career.

An example is the popular How Things Work class taught in the physics department. This course theoretically offers a nice alternative for those who want to become better versed in science while not having to compete with pre-med or other pre-professional students in the more populous introductory classes— even though it is frequently used as an easy way to fulfill the College’s science requirement. Letting students establish a baseline attraction towards science without the pressure of a cutthroat science class may show some that science is fascinating and worth studying.

Offering more entry-level science classes at the University, though, will only do so much, and it would be unreasonable to anticipate a spike in STEM majors because of classes that seek to lure people towards science.

STEM majors would still have to devote most of their schedules to science and math, which requires harder upper-level courses. The University may successfully increase students’ openness to science, but may not boost interest enough to inspire those students pursue science as a career. Instead, the University should try

to promote STEM education to those students who are not yet in college.

This semester, I am volunteering at Monticello High School as part of an independent study biology course. The course is comprised of several other science students, and is offered for credit. We are assisting high school students who have expressed interest in STEM fields.

We mentor them through their classroom learning as well as help shepherd them through research projects. The biology department officially sanctions the program, a decision that more science departments at the University should emulate.

Programs like this one are a two-way street: college students do their best to teach high school students and in turn learn from those students how best to foster an understanding and love of science. As any scientist knows, being able to teach, explain and communicate ideas and findings is an integral part of scientific education. It makes sense that this volunteering opportunity is for credit, as we students are learning a practical, real-world application of our knowledge that is not taught in the classroom. In fact, similar programs in chemistry, physics

or math could also operate along the same lines.

The University already has community service outlets through which students can tutor others in science and math.

But to my knowledge, no other program offered in the core science or math departments allows students to teach science by placing them in a high school classroom. The allure of earning class credit in this and potential future courses could result in more students being available to assist high schoolers. Even if the students that we are teaching will not attend the University — or attend college at all — having college students who are pursuing STEM careers associating with students who are considering those fields can only foster interest in math and science. More programs should be created to bring college and high school students together. The earlier that interest in science and math can be solidified, the more we can increase the number of students who will enter STEM fields.

Alex Yahanda is an Opinion columnist for the Cavalier Daily.

His columns run Wednesdays.

A protest with precedent The right of attorneys general to challenge laws they find unconstitutional is well-established Opinion Columnist

Recently, Attorney General Mark Herring has come under fire from Republican members of the General Assembly and the chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia for announcing his intent not to defend Virginia’s current same-sex marriage ban.

Under the guise of defending the Constitution, gay marriage opponents are criticizing Herring’s decision and claiming that he is not living up to his job title. But this criticism is grossly unfair; it is within Herring’s rights to determine the constitutionality of a law and to prioritize which laws to enforce and defend.

William J. Howell, the Republican Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, claimed he was concerned about Herring’s decision and “the dangerous

precedent it sets with regard to the rule of law.” But this precedent, dangerous or not, has already been set by Herring’s predecessor Ken Cuccinelli. During Cuccinelli’s term as attorney general, he chose not to defend a law that would allow the state to take control of deteriorating schools. His spokesman said this was because Cuccinelli found the law unconstitutional. At the national level, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has chosen not to enforce federal marijuana laws in states that have legalized marijuana, and he even discussed this decision here at the University.

Clearly grappling with constitutionality and prioritizing issues is nothing new for an attorney general; if anything, Herring is just following in others’ footsteps.

Herring’s right to ignore unconstitutional state laws is even backed by Supreme Court jus-

tices. So why are we so fervently debating Herring’s decision?

The obvious answer is that gay marriage is still controversial, and its opponents are threatened by the potential overruling of the same-sex marriage ban.

But masking personal opposition

legality of an issue. That is a far more dangerous precedent to set than the one they accuse Herring of setting.

In contrast to these opponents, Herring is not simply declaring a law unconstitutional because he doesn’t agree with it; he has evaluated whether or not the ban conflicts with the U.S. Constitution, and in his expert legal opinion, it does. Herring points out in a recent op-ed for the Clearly grappling with constitutionality and Richmond Times that there is little attempt prioritizing issues is nothing new for an refute his opinion attorney general; if anything, Herring is just to on the constitutionalfollowing in others’ footsteps.” ity of the law, but only to challenge whether with legalese does a disservice to or not there is a precedent for the very issue of constitutional- his disagreement with it (which ity. These opponents are letting we know there is). This in itself their political philosophies over- indicates a personal bias against whelm their ability to reason the him and/or gay marriage.

“

Dani Bernstein

Critics of Herring’s decision should be glad that this ban will have its day in court. If they really believe this law is constitutional, that belief will shortly be affirmed. Herring has taken all the steps befitting his title to refute this law, and he is fulfilling his oath to protect the Virginia and U.S. Constitutions, as well as to represent the interests of the people of Virginia. As Herring said in his op-ed, the attorney general is not a passive position: he or she “is elected to set the state’s legal position and speak on its behalf.” This is precisely what we expect when we cast our votes for attorney general, and this is precisely what Herring is doing.

Dani Bernstein is a Senior Associate Opinion editor for The Cavalier Daily. Her columns run Tuesdays.

10

OPINION

The Cavalier Daily

The merit of Morris

University students should support legislation which would allow professional counsel to protect their civil rights Guest Viewpoint

Students in Virginia’s public colleges and universities routinely face lengthy suspensions and expulsions if found responsible for serious charges of criminal activity in on-grounds hearings.

Despite the gravity of the charges and the life-long consequences that may result, most of Virginia institutions deny accused students the right to hire and be represented by an attorney. That unfair dynamic will change if the legislature enacts HB 1123.

The Cavalier Daily recently ran an editorial opposing this common-sense bill, but the arguments lack merit.

The managing board opposed the bill in part because it exempts students facing academic charges — like dishonesty or plagiarism — from its coverage. The managing board notes that the consequences in those cases are equally severe. While it is true that the consequences may be similar if a student is found responsible

for academic charges like cheat- cuit court the power to reverse a ing or plagiarism, courts have decision to expel a student is to historically and correctly found force the University to take back that educators — not lawyers and a student who has been deterjudges — are best equipped to mined by his peers to be unwelrecognize cheating and to set academic standards.

The same cannot be said when a panel is deciding whether a student is guilty of serious misconduct If universities throughout the state were prolike aggravated viding adequate due process protections in susor sexual assault.

The severity of the pension and expulsion hearings, HB 1123 might sanction is an im- not be necessary. But that is not the case.” portant factor, but the competency of the deciding panel is equally important. The legisla- come in their community.” tion properly accounts for this First things first: Even withdistinction. out this legislation, Section 1983 Another argument The Cava- of the Civil Rights Act allows stulier Daily asserted against this dents to sue in federal court for bill is equally misplaced. Ac- due process violations. To date, cording to the managing board, courts have largely deferred to “Students have the power to university decisions, except for decide who they want and who instances when the student has they don’t want to be members of demonstrated that the institutheir community. To give a cir- tion’s findings were arbitrary,

“

Joseph Cohn

capricious or otherwise contrary to law. HB 1123 would simply codify that this is the appropriate standard and make clear that in addition to federal court, the student could also choose to bring his or her action in state court.

But setting aside the legal point, students at public universities should not be empowered to decide “who they want and who they don’t want to be members of their community” when those decisions are made based on the viewpoints of the student in question or when that decision is the result of an unreliable process. The First Amendment and the various amendments that provide for due process unequivocally prohibit that.

If universities throughout the state were providing adequate due process protections in suspension and expulsion hearings, HB 1123 might not be necessary.

But that is not the case. Not only are institutions forbidding accused students from having attorney representation, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), where I work,

has received credible reports that some institutions are turning the transcripts of the hearings over to prosecutors.

Remember, anything a student says in campus hearings is admissible in criminal courts.

Without a lawyer, students are unknowingly waiving their Fifth Amendment rights. A student representative does not have sufficient expertise to recognize where essential rights are implicated. They are not an adequate substitute for a licensed attorney.

Students at the University should support this bill, and — whether it passes or not — demand the right to hire counsel for on-campus hearings. Until they are afforded this right, University students will continue to be subject to procedures that place their educations and futures up to gamble.

Joseph Cohn is the Legislative and Policy Director for the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education.

Ahead of the curve

The University is making admirable and extensive efforts to address the problem of sexual misconduct Opinion Columnist

Recently, The Cavalier Daily published an editorial discussing President Obama’s task force on college sexual assault, which he announced almost two weeks ago. The editorial argues that in order to address the roots of sexual misconduct, we need to focus on its complex causes, not just the appropriate methods of response. While the editorial offers a fair critique of the task force’s strengths and limitations, I suggest the solution is nearer to us than the managing board suspects. The University’s upcoming national conference on sexual misconduct exemplifies a new standard of dialogue on this complex issue.

The goals of Obama’s task force include providing colleges with practices for preventing and responding to sexual assault, as well as making sure these institutions fulfill their legal obligations. Other objectives include raising the level of federal transparency in these matters and fostering teamwork among federal agencies addressing campus sexual violence.

But sexual misconduct is a complex, emotionally charged issue; its causes and effects expand beyond perpetrators and victims.

We have to do more than ensure that University officials and law enforcement are responding to sexual misconduct in a proper manner — we must also examine the social and cultural features of the college environment that make sexual assault such a widespread problem.

Months before Obama’s task force was announced, University President Teresa Sullivan and Vice President for Student Affairs Pat Lampkin began planning a national conference focused on sexual assault on college campuses: “Dialogue at U.Va.: Sexual Misconduct Among College Students” will take place in mid-February. It will include more than 200 legal specialists, student affairs professionals, student leaders and college presidents, among others.

The goal of the conference, Sullivan wrote on the its website, is to “launch a national discussion among higher education communities on the complexities surrounding sexual misconduct among college students” using a “multifaceted lens, including

individual, cultural, social, and The conference will accomlegal perspectives.” plish this goal in an unprecThe conference promises to edented manner and encourage address the problem of campus college presidents to take more sexual assault with the kind of responsibility for the sexual mismultidisciplinary approach the conduct that occurs on campuses managing board called for in its across the U.S. Its “Panel of Presieditorial. An array of experts — dents” will include the presidents including lawyers, administra- of Amherst College, University tors, psychiatrists, anthropolo- of California at Los Angeles, gists and artists — will introduce Dartmouth College and the Unidifferent viewpoints into one versity of North Carolina at Chaconference. pel Hill, to This enname a few. ables parSuch highticipants profile fignot only to ures speakthink more ing on the holistically issue at the about the same cona f t e r m at h ference as Campus sex crimes — which often of sexual the Univerm i s c o n - degenerate into questions of ‘he said, she sity’s own duct but said’ — are especially difficult to prevent, s t u d e n t to uncover leaders enaddress and litigate.” the psychocourages a logical and more open sociocultural factors that make and productive exchange. a college community vulnerable Sullivan says she believes colto sexual assault. But such efforts lege presidents should lead the must not limit themselves to dry way in reforming campus social academic or legal exercises. To norms surrounding sexual misbe effective, they must engage conduct. Her insistence is strikmultiple levels of the University ing given recent criticism over community — students as well as the way colleges and universities professors and administrators. handle sexual assault. In the last

“

George Knaysi

three years, several high-profile universities have faced accusations that their officials have tried to cover up sexual misconduct at the schools. The University’s conference moves to restore some of this damaged trust.

Sexual misconduct is often shrouded in stigma. Campus sex crimes — which often degenerate into questions of “he said, she said” — are especially difficult to prevent, address and litigate. The upcoming conference offers a new legitimacy to sexual crimes. The event’s scope demonstrates that higher-education leaders across the U.S. take campus sexual assault seriously.

While sexual misconduct is by no means a new issue in college communities, the quality and degree of acknowledgement is unprecedented. The conference promises to be more than a symbolic act. It seems poised to raise the standards for how students and administrators discuss campus sexual assault.

George Knaysi is an Opinion columnist for The Cavalier Daily.

His columns run Tuesdays.

OPINION

Thursday, February 6, 2014

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It may be morning again in America President Obama was right to adopt a hopeful tone in his State of the Union address.

Opinion Columnist

President Obama’s recent State of the Union address conveyed a sense of optimism in America. “Today in America,” he began, “a teacher spent extra time with a student who needed it…an entrepreneur flipped on the lights…and a farmer prepared for the spring.” The audience applauded in approval as Obama went on to suggest that these idealistic pictures are, in fact, accurate representations of America in 2014. “America’s graduation rate,” Obama announced, “is at its highest level in more than three decades.” The entrepreneur represents “the more than 8 million new jobs our businesses have created over the past four years.” And the farmer preparing for spring is a reminder that America just experienced “the strongest five-year stretch of farm exports in our history.”

Is this sort of “morning in America” optimism justified? After all, a late 2013 poll found that 79 percent of American adults believe it was better to have been a child when they were young. And we as Americans have very little trust in our elected representatives — Congress’ approval

rating begins 2014 at a whopping 13 percent.

In many ways, the optimism is premature. But I would argue that from a domestic viewpoint (this column will not attempt to deal with our frustratingly complex foreign policy), the United States is at its strongest since the start of the Obama presidency.

The economy, according to a recent New York Times article, is “finally showing some momentum.”

Unemployment is down to just 6.7 percent, compared to the high mark of 10 percent near the outset of Obama’s presidency. And in a surprising turn, the last six months of 2013 saw the strongest second-half performance in a decade, spurred on by a rise in consumer spending.

American education also seems to be performing well. As mentioned above, high school graduation rates are at their highest in three decades.

And early education, too, finally seems to be getting its due. Obama heartily endorsed widespread pre-K programs in his State of the Union, committing himself to creating “a coalition of elected officials, business leaders, and philanthropists willing to help more kids access the high-quality pre-K they need.” Assuming that

Obama will follow through on his promise, and that states, in a manner similar to New Jersey, will follow suit in expanding this vital educational stage, education in America is also looking up.

There is more good news: America has reduced its dependence on for-

lems which threaten its future progress and which must be addressed before the success Obama alluded to in his speech can be fully realized. Unemployment, for instance, remains well above the 4.9 percent rate that President George W. Bush saw in the 5th year of his Presidency. And the federal debt remains an issue. While Obama did mention that he has begun to cut yearly deficits — which were somewhat inflated due to automatic spending kicked in by the recession — the United But this optimism must be cautious, for the States continues to dole out benefits at an unsusUnited States still faces several long-term rate. Entitlement structural problems which threaten its future tainable reform remains a longprogress and which must be addressed before term project, and inthe success Obama alluded to in his speech creasingly, it appears that Obama is reluctant to can be fully realized.” touch this project in the remainder of his term. eign oil, has began adding manufacThe short-term political cycles turing jobs for the first time since the are also wrought with danger. Every 1990s, and has reclaimed its position debt ceiling increase vote in Congress — from China, nonetheless — as the — the next one will occur later this number one ranked country to invest month — invites another round of in the world. crippling political standoff between But this optimism must be cau- Republicans and Democrats with tious, for the United States still faces the potential to bring the economy several long-term structural prob- to its knees, as it did during the 16-

“

John Connolly

day federal government shutdown last fall. Partisan rancor has seeped into portions of government unaccustomed to political fighting. Routine appointments are held up in the name of partisanship, threatening the workings of the government that are vital to the overall workings of the country. Consistently, both parties have played a role in this gridlock, choosing staunch partisanship over cooperation and compromise.

In many ways, Obama is correct in indicating that Americans do have reason to be optimistic as we stumble into 2014. But that optimism, and the excitement about imminent legislation regarding universal pre-K and immigration reform, among other topics, should be tempered by the thought that the unemployment is higher than it should be, that partisan bickering has the ability to bring the economy to the brink of collapse, and crucially, that the United States spends money at an unsustainable rate. Optimistic we should be. But we should be cautious as well.

John Conolly is an Opinion columnist for The Cavalier Daily. His columns run Thursdays.

Ninety-nine problems and race is one

The gentrification of hip-hop indicates that our culture does not value minority perspectives and opinions Opinion Columnist

Twitter was ablaze with righteous indignation after Macklemore snatched all three hip-hop Grammys from his fellow nominees. That Macklemore — a white, middleclass suburbanite from Seattle who achieved commercial success without going through any traditional hip-hop channels — swept the category suggests that Grammy voters were at best ignorant of artistic merit or at worst racist. Especially slighted was Kendrick Lamar, whose “Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City” won plaudits as perhaps the greatest rap album of the past decade. Macklemore’s win, however, was far from a fluke. Instead of being an aberration from traditional norms, Macklemore’s victory was a culmination of the thirty-year whitewashing and gentrification of hip hop.

Since the commercial explosion of rap, beginning roughly with Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic,” record and marketing executives have made a conscious decision to water down political and artistic radicalism in order to

appeal to a predominantly suburban needed to promote artists who could audience. Voices like Chuck D, who plausibly lay claim to sharing the griturged his audience to “Fight the ty narratives of the American underPower,” have been marginalized in class. Gangsta rap had its excesses, favor of artists like Snoop Dogg who but artists like Drake have paved the focus more on a hedonic lifestyle. way for a world in which an artist like Even Dr. Dre, the architect of the Macklemore can be successful. A forsonic shift between the two, moved mer upper middle-class child TV star from songs about creative expression from Canada, Drake inaugurated the and police brutality with his band beginning of rap’s post-credibility N.W.A. to more party-focused lyri- era. While he has certainly produced cal content as a solo artist. This is not artistically brilliant albums like “Take to say that no great mainstream records were made after 1993, as albums like “The Chronic” are as sonically invigorating today as when they were There’s nothing wrong with an artist of any genre released, but artists focusing on creating accessible music; it becomes like Dr. Dre dem- problematic when an artist like Macklemore gains onstrate the lyrical at an artist like Kendrick Lamar’s expense.” compromises made in order to expand hip hop’s cultural reach.

Care,” Drake’s lyrical concerns focus As the genre has become more more on his own hyper-individualisand more a part of the fabric of main- tic experience as a wealthy celebrity stream American culture, its de-po- than on any kind of broader political liticization has continued apace. La- commentary. Over two decades after bel executives decided that in order Public Enemy’s “It Takes A Nation of to sell records, they no longer even Millions To Hold Us Back,” Mackl-

“

Gary Whisnant

emore’s album title “The Heist” is especially symbolic. There’s nothing wrong with an artist of any genre focusing on creating accessible music; it becomes problematic when an artist like Macklemore gains at an artist like Kendrick Lamar’s expense.

Albums like Kendrick’s and Kanye West’s “Yeezus” continue to perform fairly well on the charts, but a lack of radio exposure prevents their searing indictments of contemporary America from saturating pop culture. It’s easy to dismiss the Grammys as being irrelevant, which in an artistic sense they certainly are, but at the same time they signal what the dominant culture values.

While Macklemore can’t be faulted for championing gay rights in “Same Love,” Kanye West started critiquing homophobia as early as 2005 and received little recognition for it in the mainstream press. When the Grammys refuse to even nominate Kanye’s masterworks “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” or “Yeezus” for Album of the Year, they’re signaling that cultural power brokers don’t value progressive statements when made by African-American artists.

This is not to say that the Grammy

voters are motivated by simple racism. More broadly, the Grammys reward commercial success over artistic innovation. Innovative rappers and artists who make conscious efforts to challenge their listeners tend to be particularly disadvantaged by this bias.

In 2013, Macklemore’s massive commercial success coincided with zero black artists topping the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for the first time in recent memory. This is a sea change from 2004, when every Number One Hit featured an African-American musician. In the following decade, entertainment executives have decided they can co-opt the aesthetics and sonics of hip-hop without including artists who can authentically lay claim to its cultural heritage. To paraphrase the Notorious B.I.G., the more money that hiphop has generated, the more problematic the representation of hip-hop in popular culture has become.

Gray Whisnant is an Opinion columnist for The Cavalier Daily. His columns run Wednesdays.

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37 Leave ___ (do permanent damage) 38 Excluding 40 Some pods 44 How sausage links are connected 45 Locks 49 About 60% of the world’s inhabitants

BY STEPHEN ROWE

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A&E arts & entertainment

‘Cults’ worth joining

Latest C’ville stop from dreamy pop group a standout set Millicent Usoro Senior Writer

On a very chilly Thursday night last week, the floor of the Jefferson quickly filled in anticipation as the Cults, a mirthful indie pop band from New York, prepared to take the stage.

The duo caught the attention of countless major music blogs in 2010 when they posted “Cults 7'',” a three-song EP, on their Bandcamp website.

Cults’ critically acclaimed

self-titled debut launched the group into the indie mainstream.

But as the band’s prominence rose, the romantic relationship that blossomed for four years between members Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion fell apart. “Static,” the underrated yet strong follow-up to “Cults,” is at times lonely and alienating, despite the pair’s insistence that it was not a breakup album.

GEMS opened for the group.

The duo of University alumni from Washington, D.C. formed in 2012 and has already received attention for their handcrafted,

Courtesy Tuscon Weekly

ethereal synth-pop melodies.

Declared one of the bands to watch for in 2014 by Hype Machine and BuzzFeed — which dubbed them “the best next band you’ve never heard” — GEMS’ haunting songs were an unexpectedly appropriate contrast to the main event.

Lindsay Pitt’s soaring vocals coupled with foggy melodies is reminiscent of Goldfrapp’s “Black Cherry” or Beach House’s signature dream pop sound.

Standout tracks from their set were “Sinking Stone” and an impressive cover of Seal’s “Don’t

Cry.” The duo has masterfully embraced the combination of electronic hip-hop beats and synthpop, creating a surprisingly pleasing, murky atmosphere.

Cults' arrival brought wide cheers from the crowd. Madeline Follin swayed in her signature Urban Outfitter-esque printed flare skirt, and opened with “High Road.” Follin’s honey-sweet yet melancholy voice makes her an excellent live vocalist, and her tone meshes nicely with the band’s sour and bitter lyrics about heartbreak and love.

The set was a harmonious

mix of songs from both of the duo's albums. Full of hope and longing for love, lyrics such as “I don’t think I can make it / Oh, you’re the one” (from “I Can Hardly Make You Mine”) paired with bubbly, shoegaze melodies displayed in “Always Forever” showcased Follin’s remarkable vocal range.

Cults’ performance showed the band’s growing confidence and crisper signature sound. Despite being clouded in allusions to the duo’s breakup, the band’s gooey pop songs prevail in the face of their personal hardships.

Courtesy of the-numbers.com

94 minutes of ‘Awkward’ Latest Zac Efron film is simply unremarkable Jamie Shalvey Senior Associate Editor

After watching the promotion for “That Awkward Moment,” starring Zac Efron and up-and-coming stars Michael B. Jordan and Miles Teller, I felt compelled to see what exactly was so awkward about the story of three 20-somethings living in New York City. As it turns out, the awkwardness isn’t found in the storyline, but in how it is told. Awkward timing, awkward performances and awkward

scene changes are the only aspects of the film that give the title its meaning.

Efron plays Jason, an attractive book cover designer with a different girl for every night of the week. He and his best friends, Mikey (Jordan) and Daniel (Teller), are all having problems with relationships — or the lack thereof. Mikey has just gotten a divorce from his cheating wife.

In order to convince him to get back into the dating scene, Jason and Daniel make a pact that as long as Mikey stays single, they will too.

This effort doesn’t go very far, as

Jason meets Ellie, a quirky blonde with a not-at-all cliché love for books and a tendency to get her way. Of course, the two fall for each other, and Jason ponders whether or not he should abandon his player attitude and commit to just one girl.

“That Awkward Moment” follows the same line as numerous rom-coms, but even still it falters in comparison to most. One-liners and gags that are supposed to be funny are poorly timed and barely merited a giggle from the audience, and the plot clearly lacked direction or focus. Once the movie ended, I was left wondering why things happened the way they did, and — more importantly — why I sat through the whole thing.

Most disappointing is the seemingly lost potential of Teller and Jor-

dan, who have shown an impressive talent in their earlier films.

Teller made his premiere in 2011’s “Footloose” and shone as an alcoholic high school student in last summer’s “The Spectacular Now.” Jordan received massive critical praise for his performance in “Fruitvale Station,” also released last summer. Even Efron has given much better performances than this — he is at his best in “Hairspray” and other similar films where he doesn’t have to prove he can handle mature content.

Ultimately, the film was a flop.

Despite intense promotional efforts, the sheer nothingness of the film will drive audiences away. Unlike so-badthey’re-good movies, “That Awkward Moment” isn’t even a guilty pleasure.

Steer clear of the film and save yourself an awkward 94 minutes.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Print Preview Fralin hosts work, illustrious legacy of lithographer Jasper Johns

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Madison DeLuca Associate Editor

Print is everywhere — it spells out the Bodo’s menu board, constitutes the reading assignments spat out by HP Deskjets everywhere and fills the pages of The Cavalier Daily print editions appearing in distribution boxes every Monday and Thursday. Few people give the process of printmaking much attention because of its ubiquity. Few people, that is, besides Jasper Johns.

Johns, born in Georgia and raised in South Carolina, began exploring his interest in symbols, images and icons after settling in New York in the 1950s.

Expressing himself primarily through lithography and painting, Johns played an integral role in the Neo-Dada and Pop Art movements of the late 20th

century.

Currently on display at the Fralin Museum of Art, “Jasper Johns: Early Prints from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation” presents selections of Johns’ various prints and paintings. He distorts and manipulates everyday symbols like bull’s eye targets, numbers and cans of ale to inspire viewers to contemplate the meaning behind commonplace objects.

In “Two Maps I,” Johns presents a fantastically blurred interpretation of the cartographic United States, where swaths of bright red, yellow and blue paint force the viewer to reimagine the typical U.S. map.

Johns’ use of prints, a somewhat untapped medium in the art world, underscores his willingness to highlight the significance of the ordinary. After working with the Universal

Limited Art Editions in his early career, Johns eventually became proficient at producing lead reliefs with an embossing press in the 1960s.

His series of black and white prints titled “0-9” produced in 1963 underscore his experimentation with lithography. The prints show a series of smudged black digits printed on white paper, elevating the numbers to a place of artistic and aesthetic significance.

Furthermore, Johns’ art fascinates due to his fluency in the language of irony. His works “The Critic Sees” and “The Critic Smiles” subvert reality in a dissonant “Twilight Zone” fashion.

The pieces feature mouths in place of eyes and teeth in place of toothbrush bristles — an eerie twist on Johns’ appropriation of symbols. Through his art, Johns questions how amateur and professional reviewers should par-

15

ticipate in the analysis of their favorite (or least favorite) works.

Whether or not viewers decode his cloudy enigmas and veiled symbolism, Johns has been supremely successful as an artist. In 2010, President Barack Obama bestowed him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

“Jasper Johns’ work, playing off familiar images, has transfixed people around the world,” Obama said. “Johns pushed the boundaries of what art could be and challenged others to test their own assumptions. He didn’t do it for fame, he didn’t do it for success — although he earned both.”

Head to the Fralin Museum of Art until May 19 to survey Johns’ work for yourself and see if you become transfixed by his interpretation of the ordinary as extraordinary.

Courtesy tourvideos

‘Fraternizing’ with Logan Vath A&E previews up-and-coming artist’s intimate performance at Eunoia Courtesy Logan Vath Band Camp

Jacqueline Justice Senior Writer

From his humble beginnings in small-town Nebraska, singersongwriter Logan Vath began his music career shortly after leaving the Navy by performing in coffee shops and at open-mic nights across Norfolk, Va. Vath's journey to the Virginia coastline increased his dedication to his music, though he has been performing since high school.

“I've always been a bit of a ham, so winding up in situations in front of people was pretty normal growing up,” he said.

Though Vath is a long way from

home, he says the community he has found in Virginia is a big inspiration for his work.

“I'm most influenced by other writers within the community, and have been trying to keep up with them and what they do,” he said.

Vath maintains he won’t ever forget his Nebraskan roots. He describes his hometown in his song “This Far From Home” with the lyrics, “Ain’t it like Nebraska to bleed when you ache / Replace what’s been missing when there’s none left to take.”

Vath’s combination of charming wit, unreserved honesty and soulful tunes makes him a refreshing newcomer to the

scene. His personality certainly shines through his music — Vath’s first “big hit” was not a heartfelt ballad, but rather a humorous caricature of dating in the Navy.

“The Fraternization Song” showcases not only Vath’s musical talent, but also his surprising ability to make a playful — if slightly inappropriate — song endearing. With lines like, “We'll use the motion of the ocean to lose some promotions / But it sure beats laying in the rack utilizing the lotion,” the song is sure to make you laugh, or at the very least chuckle.

Vath also sees a future in his composition of “cheesy” songs.

“I would love to write a cheesy

pop song with Billy Joel, but I probably wouldn't be able to function — since I'd be hanging out with Billy Joel and all,” he said.

Despite his forays into comical tunes, Vath also has quite a few serious songs, posing earnest lyrics of hope and doubt on his most recent record, “Better Man or Ghost.” On the song “Top Shelf ” Vath hints to deep philosophical questions with a youthful candor, crooning, “Prayer, my darling, it ain't just for the faithful — it's for the broken down people that we see and be in the streets and all the times that are happening in between.”

Vath's humility is readily apparent in conversation.

“My only real goal is to be sustainable through music and [to] keep writing songs that I'm proud to have in the world,” he said. “And I want a garden and a nice little house back in the Midwest that I spend time at when not on the road, where I can work and write and be close to my family.”

Logan will be playing Friday, Feb. 7 at one of Charlottesville’s hidden venues — Eunoia’s The Garden — just a stone’s throw from Nau Hall. Fans of Vath’s combination of humor, sagacity and thought-provoking lyrics should also watch his video “Another Year Down,” played from a New York rooftop.

16

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Cavalier Daily

A bad nut Robin Yeh Associate Editor

Courtesy IMDB

Sizing up

Animated filmmakers walk a fine line, one that requires delicately balancing the entertainment of young target audiences and older viewers. It is this line which separates beloved films like “Madagascar,” “Finding Nemo” and “Cars” from their mediocre counterparts: “The Wild,” “Shark Tale” and “Planes."

Unfortunately, new animated feature “The Nut Job” falls in the latter category, with its thin plot, unlikable characters and cheap jokes solidifying its place as one of the worst animated films in years.

“The Nut Job” follows Surly (voiced

by Will Arnett), a stubborn squirrel whose egotistical actions isolate him from other park creatures. In an attempt to steal nuts from a local street vendor, he accidentally burns the creatures' remaining food supply and is subsequently exiled to the city by the park’s authoritarian leader, Raccoon (Liam Neeson).

After a desperate search for nourishment, Surly devises a plan to rob Maury’s Nut Shop, which turns out to

Despite familiar talent, latest furry flick is tough to crack

be a front as part of a mob's bank robbery plans.

Yet before his plan even begins, Surly’s silent sidekick, Buddy the rat, jumpstarts a brief dance number to Psy’s “Gangnam Style.” I wish I was kidding.

And if you’re not already itching for the film’s immediate termination, the squirrel’s useless posse of moles, groundhogs and a shrill pug named Precious (Maya Rudolph) will soon prompt you to question both their intentions and your decision to watch the movie.

Guided by a level-headed squirrel named Andie (Katherine Heigl), the creatures embark on an action-packed adventure which, interestingly enough, features little actual action.

Objectively, an animated movie about squirrels is not a terrible premise.

After all, Disney Pixar’s “Ratatouille” succeeds in turning household rats into compassionate, humanized creatures, so it’s not a far-fetched idea to personify their outdoor equivalent. “The Nut Job,” however, features irritating characters whose star-studded voices can’t offset their immature comedic jabs.

Surly is selfish, rude and bigheaded with little evolution throughout the

film. Even more frustrating is Grayson (Brendan Fraser), the park “hero” whose overly confident, vapid attitude is brought center-stage through incompetent and oblivious remarks. Andie is more likable, but her character is ultimately bland and unmemorable.

The film’s shortcomings, however, aren’t solely attributed to its pesky characters. The plot also falls through, with underdeveloped storylines and distracting action scenes which complicate the narrative to the point of absurdity.

As perhaps should be expected, there’s little room for thorough character development when every five minutes a gang of animals attempts to break into a car, a house or a basement. By the time the film introduces an unimpressive plot twist, the audience’s investment is long gone.

There were perhaps parts of the film which stood out above the messy plot and thin characters — but then the cast danced with an animated version of Psy himself as the end credits rolled, and those moments are quickly forgotten.

Ultimately, "The Nut Job" fails to offer anything more than a host of bad nut-puns.

Sophomore LP from Young the Giant shows clear, though polarizing, growth spurt

Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Riley Panko Senior Writer

Three years ago, my friend received two tickets to see a relatively unknown indie band, Young the Giant. I tagged along, and I was surprisingly impressed by what I saw.

Young the Giant’s first album provided a refreshing taste of atmospheric pop-rock that stood out in an increasingly crowded indie music market. The success of their two breakout singles, “Cough Syrup” and “My Body,” brought the band a moderate amount of fame, and this January they returned with their second album, “Mind Over Matter.”

Unfortunately, this album suf-

fers from the all-too-common sophomore slump. The band has moved toward a more pompous, synth-filled rock style, severing them from the quieter, reflective qualities that once made them unique.

The first single, “It’s About Time,” is an angst-ridden, grinding tune suited more to the Hot Topic crowd. The band’s label, Fueled by Ramen, is famous for representing “emo-pop” artists, including Paramore, Fall Out Boy and Panic! at the Disco.

Young the Giant seemed to be an outsider from this crowd — until now.

Their second single, “Crystallized,” recalls the band’s original

style, with swirling guitar riffs and a calmer mood. But the song’s positive elements are masqueraded by an unnecessary use of synthesizer — a common problem on the album. The title track, “Mind Over Matter,” uses an excessive amount of dramatic violins and electronic effects.

Lead singer Sameer Gadhia’s distinctive voice remains a major contributor to Young the Giant’ success. He has an impressive range and a soothing timbre. Too often, though, the album sends him soaring to the top of his range with pounding drums and grinding guitar riffs in the background.

Ironically, the versatility and depth of his vocals shine through

best on the album’s quietest track: “Firelight.” This song is undoubtedly the highlight of the album, featuring only Gadhia’s voice, a guitar, simple percussion and light synth effects. It recalls everything I loved about the first album, while still pushing their style in a new direction. Had the rest of the album matched the style of this song, it would have been an impressive sophomore comeback.

The second half of “Mind Over Matter” follows a calmer pattern, but many of the tunes start to blend together as an unfortunate consequence of this theme. Notable highlights include “Camera” — the lyrical story of two lovers who have fallen apart, narrated by a compila-

tion of haunting organ music and harmonies — and “Eros” — one with catchy Vampire Weekendesque guitar riffs. Despite these few noteworthy tracks, I found myself anxiously awaiting the end of the album.

“Mind Over Matter” is Young the Giant’s attempt to be a new Muse, following the increasingly popular trend of arena-style rock.

When I first saw the band in a small, local venue, they managed to maintain an intimacy with the audience — even at their loudest.

They appeared distinctly in their element. The album lacks much of that personal quality, a change which I predict will turn away much of their original fan base.