022719

STUDENT GOVERNMENT PASSES INTERNAL FOIA RESOLUTION

FEBRUARY 27, 2019 EIGHTH WEEK VOL. 131, ISSUE 30

PAGE 5

Alums Lightfoot and Preckwinkle to Face Off

MAYOR (R) Lori Lightfoot Toni Preckwinkle Bill Daley Willie Wilson Susana Mendoza

18% 16% 15% 11% 9%

Only the top five candidates are shown.

FOURTH Sophia King* Ebony Lucas

66% 34%

FIFTH (R) Leslie Hairston* William Calloway Gabriel Piemonte

49% 27% 24%

20TH (R)

Toni Preckwinkle speaks to media after voting. Lori Lightfoot and Bill Daley speak at results parties. pete grieve, alexandra nisenoff, and charlie kolodzie

Leslie Hairston Headed to Runoff With Will Calloway

Sophia King Re-Elected in the Fourth Ward

Jeanette Taylor and Nicole Johnson Finish on Top in 20th

The five-term incumbent will face activist Calloway in April. Gabriel Piemonte, who came in third, said, “Will and I have worked together to get Leslie under 50%... We’ve achieved the main goal, which is that she’s in a runoff.” PAGE 3

Fourth Ward Alderman King won over challenger Ebony Lucas. This marks King’s second victory over Lucas: The two faced off in a 2017 special election, when Lucas won a small share of the vote. PAGE 4

The hotly contested 20th Ward Aldermanic race will head to a runoff between community organizer Taylor and educator Johnson. “I never wanted to be a sister against a sister,” Taylor said. PAGE 4

Jeanette Taylor Nicole Johnson Kevin Bailey Maya Hodari Andre Smith

29% 22% 17% 10% 8%

Only the top five candidates are shown.

CITY CLERK Anna Valencia*

100%

CITY TREASURER (R) Melissa Conyears-Ervin Ameya Pawar Peter Gariepy

44% 42% 14%

* Incumbent (R) Runoff grey city: In the Changing

Rorty: How to Fight A Rigged System

MODA Shows off Unconvetional Glamor

PAGE 8

PAGE 11

PAGE 13

Financial Aid Landscape, Pell Grants Hold Steady

Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/chicagomaroon and follow @chicagomaroon on Instagram and Twitter to get the latest updates on campus news.

chicagomaroon.com

THE CHICAGO MAROON — FEBRUARY 27, 2019

2

Lori Lightfoot (J.D. ’89) and Toni Preckwinkle A.B. ’69, A.M. ’77) Head to Historic Runoff for Mayor of Chicago

Toni Preckwinkle arrives to cast her ballot Tuesday morning in the Fourth Ward at Beulah Shoesmith Elementary School. pete grieve This article is by DIMITRIY LEKSANOV , CHARLIE KOLODZIEJ , PRANATHI POSA , and ELAINE CHEN Lori Lightfoot (J.D. ’89) and Toni Preckwinkle (A.B. ’69, A.M. ’77) will head to a runoff election for Chicago mayor in April, after they beat out 12 other candidates in one of the largest fields in the city’s history. Bill Daley, the brother of political heavyweight and former mayor Richard M. Daley, came in third place. As of midnight, with 96.62 percent of precincts counted, Lightfoot received 17.49 percent of the vote, while Preckwinkle received 14.76 percent of the vote. The election is already historic: Regardless of which candidate emerges as the ultimate winner, Chicago will see its first Black female mayor. Lightfoot, who led a task force that issued a blistering report on Chicago police on matters of race, would also be Chicago’s first openly lesbian mayor. Preckwinkle cast her ballot near campus Tuesday morning, at Beulah Shoesmith Elementary School on East

50th Street. Lightfoot voted early. Lightfoot pulled ahead in the final days of the race, tying with Preckwinkle and Daley in a poll conducted this past weekend. “So what do you think of us now?” Lightfoot asked a cheering crowd of supporters late Tuesday night. The Preckwinkle-Lightfoot runoff marks a dramatic change from early polling conducted in December: Preckwinkle and Mendoza were the top two candidates, with 21 percent and 16 percent, respectively, followed by Bill Daley with 9 percent. Lightfoot emerged as the frontrunner within a few hours of polls closing. Spirits at her campaign party in River North were high as results trickled in throughout the night. UChicago graduate student Frank Schmitt, a volunteer on Lightfoot’s campaign, said at Tuesday night’s party that he believes that voters picked Lightfoot because in a field of 14 candidates “everyone really has a chance to win.” Ann Taylor, an attorney who is a close

friend of Lightfoot’s partner, said on Tuesday night that the Sun-Times’s endorsement, the small donations, and “not being beholden to big money” contributed to Lightfoot’s recent rise in the polls. Supporters at Preckwinkle’s campaign party in Kenwood were relaxed and optimistic. A long-time volunteer for Preckwinkle’s campaign expressed happiness that she was in the runoff, stating that she believed Preckwinkle “would bring good change to Chicago.” Robert Peters, senator of Illinois’s 13th district, reflected on the work that Preckwinkle did as Fourth Ward Alderman. “We have an opportunity to elect someone who is a proven progressive [who] knows the struggle of Chicagoans,” he said. The Cook County Commissioner for the first district, Brandon Johnson, roused the crowd, proclaiming that Preckwinkle is “someone that’s going to make sure Chicago is affordable.” He also mentioned Preckwinkle’s fight for workers’ rights. Preckwinkle has received

backing from several prominent labor groups, including the Chicago Teachers Union and the Service Employees International Union. Bridget Gainer, Cook County Commissioner for the 10th district, spoke of the historic nature of this election, and expressed happiness that the city’s next mayor will be a woman. She added that voting for Preckwinkle was for her “an opportunity to choose a woman who has always put Chicago first.” Preckwinkle stepped up to the podium to an ecstatic crowd, but remained measured in her response: “It’s clear we’re at a defining moment in our city’s history,” she said. “But the challenges that our city faces are not simply ideological. It’s not enough to say Chicago is at a crossroads. We need to fight.” She ended her speech to more chanting from her supporters. “I will work hard as your mayor, but I need your help. This is our moment.” Daley’s loss marks the second time that a member of the Daley family has come in third in a mayoral race, as Daley’s brother, Richard, placed third in the 1983 Democratic primary. In his concession speech, Daley expressed gratitude toward his brother in particular, calling him “a person who dedicated 22 years of his life to this city.” Daley also thanked investor Ken Griffin, who pledged $2 million to the campaign, and the Plumbers Local 130 for their contributions. Daley raised dramatically more campaign funds than any other candidate in the race. Toward the end of his speech, Daley touched on his campaign funds, saying, “I am very proud of this campaign…. Every dime we raised, we reported.” Billy Wang, an engineer who began volunteering for Daley following a campaign event in Chinatown, said that he supported Daley for his experience as United States Secretary of Commerce. “If more people get jobs, the crime will go down,” said Wang, who also called Daley “a very good manager of the economy.” On his motivation for volunteering, Wang said, “It’s from my heart.”

THE CHICAGO MAROON — FEBRUARY 27, 2019

3

Hairston Headed to Runoff Against Calloway in Fifth Ward

Incumbent Leslie Hairston speaks to media on election night. sophia corning BY CAROLINE KUBZANSKY and JACK CRUZ-ALVAREZ Grey City Editor and News Reporter In the race for alderman of the Fifth Ward, Leslie Hairston emerged with 49 percent of the vote and William Calloway with 27 percent of the vote, necessitating a runoff on April 2. Hairston’s opponents were Calloway, a community organizer, and former Hyde Park Herald editor Gabriel Piemonte, who emerged with 24 percent of the vote as of 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Challenger Gabriel Piemonte said his goal was a race in which less than 50 percent of the vote went to Hairston, to trigger a runoff. He said he would be “heartbroken” to not oppose Hairston in a runoff. When he spoke to The Maroon, Piemonte and Calloway differed by 180 votes. However, Piemonte also said he wouldn’t automatically challenge the outcome if he placed third in the race, and would only do so if there was a difference of fewer than 25 votes between him and Calloway. “Will and I have worked together to get Leslie under 50 percent. If I lose and I’m in third, and Will runs, then you’re disappointed, of course. But

we’ve achieved the main goal, which is that she’s in a runoff,” he said. “I would not engage in a challenge that somehow prevented that from happening.” An alumna of the University of Chicago Lab Schools, Hairston has represented the Fifth Ward since 1999. At a recent aldermanic forum, Calloway argued that Fifth Ward money and resources are heavily allocated to Hyde Park, leaving behind South Shore

neighborhoods that are “starving to death.” At her campaign party on Tuesday night, Hairston stressed her previous experience and accomplishments as proof that Fifth Ward residents should reelect her. “I have been a solid leader for this community since day one,” she said. In her time as alderman, Hairston has overseen a number of development projects, including the founding of Comer Children’s Hospital, the $162 million renovation of South Lake Shore Drive, and a skating rink on the Midway. “I’ve got the knowledge, I’ve got the drive, I’ve got the determination to make things happen when everybody says it can’t happen,” Hairston said on Tuesday night. “I’ve done that with the Starbucks, I’ve done that with the grocery store, I’ve done that with the Stony Island Arts bank, I’ve done that with the Sophy hotel in Hyde Park, I’ve done that with almost every project I’ve had to do.” Hairston opposes a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) between South Side community groups and the Obama Center, currently slated to arrive in Jackson Park in 2021. She is against the rent-control element of the CBA on the grounds that residents who live in two-bedroom apartments do not

Gabriel Piemonte came in third after receiving several major endorsements. sophia corning

currently pay full price, but has said that she is open to collaborating with organizers.

Will Calloway is an activist. sophia corning Hairston responded to questioning about her position on the CBA with her Neighborhood Stabilization Plan, unveiled in January 2019, which uses bonds to support sustainable development in the ward. “I’ve been working on the neighborhood stabilization plan. I’m going to continue to work on that. The goal here is not to displace anybody,” she said. “The goal here is to create funding, create ways to create businesses because we all know that’s how stronger communities are built.” Despite Hairston’s denial of a CBA, over 88 percent of residents who voted in the fifth precinct of the Fifth Ward voted in support of passing of a CBA ordinance in a nonbinding referendum. Addressing the possibility of a runoff, Hairston said, “I’m gonna do my work. I believe in the people. I have served the people well, and I’m going to continue to work hard.” Hairston had breakfast on election day with mayoral candidate Toni Preckwinkle and Fourth Ward Alderman Sophia King.

THE CHICAGO MAROON — FEBRUARY 27, 2019

4

Nicole Johnson and Jeanette Taylor Head to Runoff in 20th BY ISHA JAIN and ALEX DALTON News Reporters The race for 20th Ward Alderman will head to a runoff following a close finish between community organizer Jeanette Taylor and educator Nicole Johnson, who received 29 percent and 22 percent of the vote respectively. Runoff elections occur when no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote. “It feels bittersweet,” Taylor told The Maroon, because “I’m going to be in a runoff against Nicole Johnson, and I never wanted to be a sister against a sister.” Still, she added, she’s mostly excited. “We are going to get somebody who is going to stand up and fight, and it just will really push the envelope for what happens in Chicago now,” she said. Both Johnson and Taylor are newcomers to city government, as opposed to other candidates who ran for 20th Ward alderman such as Kevin Bailey, 20th Ward Democratic committeeman, and Maya Hodari, a director of development at the Chicago Housing Authority who was endorsed by the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times. Duane Clayton, a member of Johnson’s campaign and a Chicago Public Schools teacher, said that one reason candidates such as Johnson and Taylor received so much support in the ward is because “we need people who are not in politics, who are not the status quo. Johnson’s slogan is ‘We deserve better,’ and that is why I think people like her are doing so well.” Third-year Elias Oakes, who represented campus organization UChicago Student Action at the Taylor event, echoed the sentiment. “Many voters feel incredibly disconnected. Even candidates

who are nominally Democratic are really just serving the interests of people with money and exploiting the system,” he said. “The ward knows that they’re not going to stand with the community, and that is why outsider candidates and candidates really coming from this community are gaining so much support.” Julia Attie, another thirdyear UChicago Student Action member, cited the fact that Taylor has “taken on the University of Chicago admin” as another source of her appeal. Taylor has been among the most vocal advocates for a Community Benefits Agreement for the Obama Presidential Center, which the University has so far refused to sign. Candis Castillo, Taylor’s campaign manager, described Taylor in opposition to Johnson, saying that Johnson “asks everyone to donate. We do not. We do not get donations from people who harm our community.” Johnson indirectly invoked Taylor, saying, “I’m going up against—and I have already gone up against—people that are two times my age, have two or three times more experience than I had, had a whole lot of union money. I still got up every day and committed to it every single morning.” Taylor beat out Johnson as the candidate with the most campaign funds in the race, thanks in large part to sizeable contributions from the Chicago Teachers Union, Service Employees International Union, Chicago Federation of Labor, and the Teamsters. “I feel like I saw Nicole out as much as she saw me out,” Taylor said, “and it was one of the reasons why I don’t think she challenged me, because she saw me doing the work.” The runoff election will be held on April 2, 2019.

Jeanette Taylor (top) and Nicole Johnson (bottom, middle) celebrate on Tuesday. alex dalton and isha jain

Sophia King Re-Elected in the Fourth DEEPTI SAILAPPAN Managing Editor-Elect Fourth Ward Alderman Sophia King wins over challenger Ebony Lucas. This will be King’s second victory over Lucas: The two faced off in a 2017 special election in which former president Barack Obama endorsed King. King earned 66 percent of votes to contender Ebony Lucas’s 34 percent, as of 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday. After the surprise resignation of Will Burns, King was

appointed to her current seat by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in April 2016. Burns left to work for Airbnb. The former president of Kenwood Park Advisory Council, King is also a cofounder of Ariel Community Academy in the North Kenwood/Oakland area and the founder of Harriet’s Daughters, a nonprofit professional women’s group that aims to increase the employment and wealth of Black Americans. She has pushed for a number of parliamentary changes

that would create a stronger City Council, more independent of mayoral control, as well as a rule that would require aldermen to disclose conflicts of interest when abstaining from votes. King also successfully advocated for a task force to examine expansions of mental health services in Chicago, following the closure of half of the city’s facilities in 2012. She also spearheaded the renaming of a major road after pioneering Black female journalist Ida B. Wells.

THE CHICAGO MAROON — FEBRUARY 27, 2019

5

Voters Show Overwhelming Support for CBA Ordinance BY ELAINE CHEN and MILES BURTON

Deputy Editor-in-Chief-Elect and News Editor In a nonbinding referendum, voters in wards in and around the forthcoming Obama Presidential Center (OPC) in Jackson Park voted overwhelmingly in support of a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) ordinance for the OPC. A CBA ordinance would obligate the OPC’s developers, including the City of Chicago, Obama Foundation, and the University of Chicago, to guarantee certain benefits to residents near the

OPC, including affordable housing, a property tax freeze, and funding for jobs in the area. About 88 percent of voters in the fifth precinct of the Fifth Ward and from 80 percent and 90 percent in the first, 22nd, and 23rd precincts in the 20th Ward voted in support of the referendum. The CBA Coalition submitted a petition in November to get the referendum on the ballot. The referendum is nonbinding, meaning that even though voters have voted in support of it, City Council is not legally required to pass the ordinance or even consider it on the floor. However, if aldermen

of the wards in and around the OPC support a CBA ordinance, they could bring the ordinance to the floor. Among the aldermanic candidates to face off in runoff elections for the Fifth and 20th Wards, one of them has not expressed support for a CBA ordinance. Leslie Hairston, incumbent alderman of the Fifth Ward, who narrowly failed to avoid a runoff election with 49 percent of the vote, has consistently refused to support a CBA ordinance, saying that she has instead developed a neighborhood stabilization plan. Community organizer William Callowy , who will face Hairston

in the runoff, has expressed support for a CBA ordinance. Jeanette Taylor and Nicole Johnson, the two candidates to face off in a runoff for 20th Ward alderman, have also strongly supported a CBA ordinance. At an Obama Foundation town hall last February, former president Barack Obama opposed a CBA, saying any potential agreement would fail to include all community members. “If we sign with one, two, or five organizations, they’re not representing everybody on the South Side. Next thing you know, you’ve got 40 or 50 organizations—all wanting to be decision

makers. We’re not going to do that,” he said. The Obama Foundation currently plans to start construction on the OPC this year, but the Foundation is facing several hurdles before it breaks ground. The environmental advocacy group Protect Our Parks has filed a lawsuit against the City and Chicago Park District, claiming that the OPC’s construction on Jackson Park is an “illegal grab” of public land. Construction of the OPC also faces a federal review process because Jackson Park is included on the National Register of Historic Places.

Pawar, Conyears-Ervin to Run Off DEEPTI SAILAPPAN Managing Editor-Elect Melissa Conyears-Ervin, State Representative for the 10th District, will face 47th Ward Alderman Ameya Pawar (S.M. ’09, A.M. ’16) in an April 2 runoff election for Chicago treasurer. Conyears-Ervin leads with 44 percent of the vote, compared to Pawar’s 42 percent, as of 2 a.m. on Wednesday. Both camps said around 8:40 p.m. that they expect a runoff. Pawar added that he plans to launch the second round of his campaign on Wednesday morning. This election marks the first contested race for treasurer since 1999, with three candidates vying for the vacancy left by Kurt Summers’s departure. The third candidate, certified public accountant Peter Gariepy, trailed with 14.08 percent on Tuesday night. As representative for the 10th District, which includes much of Chicago’s West Side, Conyears-Ervin has sponsored bills addressing Illinois school code, progressive income taxes, sex-

ual misconduct issues, criminal justice reform, and support for working parents. Conyears-Ervin’s platform stresses the need for financial accountability and transparency; she intends to conduct audits of Chicago Public Schools and other sister agencies of the City, which include the Chicago Transit Authority and Chicago Park District. She also hopes to release reports on finances in a centralized web portal. Conyears-Ervin also plans to bring the functions of several government entities, such as the City’s Office of Financial Analysis, under the jurisdiction of the treasurer. She has described Pawar’s proposal for a municipal public bank as a “powerful tool” to keep private banks in check, but one that needs more thorough vetting. Both the Tribune and SunTimes endorsed Pawar, who proposes a progressive platform that includes a citywide universal basic income and a public bank. He advocates for a Chicago version of U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s “Green

New Deal” that would push the city toward more environmentally friendly investments. Pawar has said he also intends to create an Office of Economic Empowerment “to address, reform, and educate on the issues that are most central to economic stability.” Pawar gave himself a twoterm limit in his current seat as 47th Ward alderman. He had a short run for Illinois governor in early 2017, citing the financial barriers to entry of one of the most expensive races in history as the reason he dropped out. During his tenure as alderman, Pawar spearheaded legislation that guaranteed paid sick leave, raised the minimum wage, and combated wage theft. In September 2018, after Pawar introduced a resolution calling for a program that would pay 1,000 families $500 per month, Mayor Rahm Emanuel appointed him to a task force addressing whether to implement universal basic income in Chicago.

THE CHICAGO MAROON — FEBRUARY 27, 2019

6

SG Passes Internal FOIA Resolution BY JUSTIN SMITH Maroon Staff

Student Government (SG) Assembly passed a bill allowing students to request SG records and discussed the Graduate Council’s preliminary plans to form an independent governing council at the SG Assembly meeting on Monday. The SG Assembly also approved the creation of an adhoc committee focusing on accessibility for students with disabilities on campus, and approved the restructuring of the Campus Committee on Sustainability as a standing committee.

At the meeting, Student Government unanimously passed the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), a bill establishing public access of SG records as well as the ability for students to request information from SG. Prior to the introduction of the FOIA on Monday, SG did not formally allow students to access bills, statutes, and resolutions passed by SG, College Council, or Graduate Council. SG did not previously publish formal executive orders, directives, guidelines, or funding decisions issued by the Executive Slate. According to David Liang, Class of 2022 representative and sponsor of the bill, “No-

body knows what Student Government is up to. I don’t even know what I’m up to sometimes because there’s nowhere to find laws and decisions we’ve made in the past. This promotes transparency in Student Government.” The FOIA establishes a section of the SG website where students will be able to view all additions to the legislative and executive records of SG, which will be implemented in the next few days. The legislative record will consist of all bills, statutes, and resolutions enacted by the Assembly, the College Council, and the Graduate Council. The executive record will consist of all executive

orders, directives, guidelines, and funding decisions issued by the Executive Slate, Executive Committee, and any standing Student Government committees. Only policies enacted by SG are covered under the FOIA. Information that cannot be shared due to federal, state, or local laws, as well as information that violates University of Chicago policy, will be withheld. Students may also petition SG for additional information regarding current or past legislative or executive records, which must be made available to the petitioners CONTINUED ON PG. 7

BLM Co-Founder Aims to Organize, Not Entertain, at Kent Lecture BY AVIVA WALDMAN News Reporter

The Organization of Black Students (OBS) welcomed Black Lives Matter (BLM) cofounder Patrisse Cullors to Mandel Hall on Thursday night for their annual George E. Kent Lecture. The conversation was moderated by political science professor Cathy Cohen. The discussion focused on Cullors’s development as an activist, her role in Black Lives Matter, and her current work fighting mass incarceration in Los Angeles. Cullors, a community organizer, is best known as one of the three co-founders of the BLM movement, alongside Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi. She also has deep roots in community organizing in Los Angeles and works with organizations like MomsRising and JusticeLA to address issues such as maternal mortality and mass incarceration. Cullors recently published a book, When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir. OBS referenced Cullors’s multifaceted perspective as a key factor in their decision, in a statement to The Maroon. “Patrisse Cullors occupies a special place in [the BLM] movement as not only a co-founder but also as a queer Black woman. This allows her to offer valuable insights and provide an intersectional framework of discourse that hasn’t been seen in this way before. We fell in love with how Patrisse speaks after listening

to several of her talks and interviews. It’s almost as if she’s painting a picture with her words, and we wanted to share that with everyone.” Cullors opened by discussing her work within the past month fighting a $3.5 billion jail construction project in Los Angeles County. The County Board of Supervisors struck down the project after 15 years of activist work. Addressing the students in the audience, she emphasized the importance of joining or building an organizational infrastructure. Cullors told audience members that her intention in speaking was to engage more young people in the movement. “I’m not that interested in having you all see me as entertainment,” Cullors said. “My interest and my sole goal is to organize you.” Discussing the genesis of BLM, Cullors relayed an anecdote of a rally held in the predominantly white Beverly Hills neighborhood soon after George Zimmerman was acquitted of Trayvon Martin’s death, at which helicopter police appeared. Cullors recounted seeing the helicopters and addressing the white passersby. “I say to them ‘Look at this, you see this helicopter? This is what we live with every single day,’” Cullors said. “Imagine what that does to your psyche, your spirit, your DNA. It was one of the first moments I could articulate the impact of mass persecution on me.” The conversation with Cohen also touched on the importance of Cullors’s

The discussion featured BLM activists Patrice Cullors and moderator Cathy Cohen matthew lee

insistence that Black Lives Matter focuses on Black lives specifically, and the significance of the movement being founded by three women, two of whom identify as queer. “I remember when people would learn, ‘Oh you’re one of the co-founders? I thought it was a man who did that,’” Cullors said. “As if women don’t create things all the time. As if women aren’t the social architects of whole movements. I think what I started to learn as we became more visible and people started to identify us more was that Black women have actually always been at the helm of social movements…. Our role is a breakaway from patriarchy and is a breakaway from

what has historically been seen as ‘Black men fight for civil rights and us women wait for them.’” Prompted by Cohen, Cullors spoke to the current political moment, saying that the White House administration represented a “dying” white regime and pointing out the position its consistent opposition to BLM places activists in. “We have an interesting opportunity where we don’t have to be moderate,” Cullors said. “We get to actually call for everything we want and I think it’s best that we do that…. In these moments where it’s this polarized we actually have an opportunity.”

THE CHICAGO MAROON — FEBRUARY 27, 2019

7

SG: Committees on Disability and Accessibility, Sustainability CONTINUED FROM PG. 6

within 120 hours of making a request. Students can petition for information by contacting Natalie Jusko at sg-vp-administration@uchicago.edu. SG also unanimously passed a resolution presented by Student Body Vice President Malay Trivedi to create the Student Accessibility and Disability Advocacy Committee, an ad-hoc committee intended to evaluate the resources available to students with disabilities on campus. The committee will report to Student Government, and advocate for relevant changes on campus that could benefit the community. The committee will consist of five or more members. Members will include both students with disabilities and allies, from the College and Graduate divisions. The committee will not be allocated any funds from SG. Class of 2021 representative Alexi Levi

and Eugene Han, the chair and vice chair of the Committee on Campus Sustainability (CCS), presented a resolution to restructure their committee from an ad-hoc committee to a permanent SG standing committee. The CCS currently organizes the Sustainability Czar Pilot Program along with University Housing, the Clean Up in Hyde Park event on Earth Day, and hosts speakers and forums on campus relating to sustainability. The CCS claimed that standing committee status would demonstrate SG’s support for campus sustainability, and give the CCS greater autonomy in regard to events, partnerships, and RSO allocations related to campus sustainability. SG representatives against the restructuring of CCS cited the potential for additional allocations of funds from other SG initiatives once CCS is restructured as their rational behind their dissent.

The bill restructuring the Committee on Campus Sustainability as a standing SG committee passed with 13 votes for, five votes against, and two abstentions. The SG Assembly also discussed the possible restructuring of SG, and the potential withdrawal of the Graduate Council from Student Government. The Graduate Council, along with the Executive Slate, supported future plans for the Graduate Council to create a separate but equal governing body, meaning that the Graduate Council will no longer be a part of SG. This proposition was primarily due to concerns about scheduling and representation. Graduate Council representatives said they have a difficult time attending meetings due to commitments outside of the University, especially during the summer when graduate students may have full-time jobs or internships. The Graduate Council

representatives also addressed disproportionate representation between the different schools, citing the fact that, for example, both the 3,000-student Booth School and 700-student Law School have two representatives each. According to the Graduate Council representatives, most other institutions have separate undergraduate and graduate student governments. Representatives said that despite the University’s “[pride in] being quirky, this may be one instance where we may want to be like other peer institutions.” If the Graduate Council gains independence, it plans to increase representation to balance out this discrepancy, and plans to decrease the number of meetings to accommodate the busy schedules of graduate student representatives.

Students Protest Trustee’s Involvement in Yemen War BY DARCY KUANG News Reporter

Eleven students from UChicago Socialists, Graduate Students United, and UChicago Student Action staged a protest against trustee James Crown’s involvement in the Yemen War at a broomball match between Alper House and Crown House last Tuesday night. Crown attended the game along with Dean John Boyer. Protestor Julia Attie, a third-year student in the College and member of UCSA, told The Maroon that the students organized the protest because Crown is the lead director of the board and major shareholder of General Dynamics Corporation, the sixth-largest defense contractor in the world. General Dynamics has sold billions of dollars’ worth of weapons to the Saudi-led coalition to attack Yemen. Protestors cited an August 2018 airstrike that killed 44 children as a reason for the demonstration. A piece of a bomb manufactured by General Dynamics was found near the site of the airstrike. According to Attie, the students chose to protest during the Alper-Crown broomball match due to Crown’s anticipated appearance. “We really wanted to take this opportunity because Crown rarely ap-

pears on campus and this is his first public appearance at UChicago since the tragedy that happened last August,” she said. The protest included chants like “you can lie, you can hide, you support genocide,” and “make it loud, make it clear, war criminals aren’t welcomed here.” “It is really frustrating that no one seems to pay attention to what is going on,” said fourth-year and UChicago Socialists member Everette Pelzman. Attie told The Maroon that the protestors intended to deliver a message to Crown. “I think he should feel shame for what he did in Yemen,” said Attie. Pelzman echoed similar sentiments, saying, “I came here to protest because I want Crown to know that he has blood on his hands.” Crown seemed to engage in watching the game and did not react much to the protest. The protestors said they hope that the University administration will address Crown’s complicity in the war in Yemen, because of his deep ties to the University as a longtime trustee. “Just because someone donated a lot of money to the school does not mean we will blindly celebrate their legacy,” Attie said.When asked about what action the administration should take,

Students came to a broomball game to protest Crown’s involvement in weapons manufacturing. julia attie Pelzman called for the removal of Crown from the Board. Minutes after the protest began, the dean-on-call approached the protestors with concerns about disrupting the game. “The dean-on-call said that he’d hate to see UCPD getting involved,” said Attie, “but as far as we are concerned, we are not breaking any campus regulations.” During the protest, one Crown House resident who was watching the game shouted “shut up” at the protestors and attempt-

ed to stop them from chanting. Another anonymous Crown House resident at the game told The Maroon that she heard the chanting but did not know what they were protesting for. Several of the protestors told The Maroon they planned to attend a teach-in by professor Shireen Al-Adeimi on the war in Yemen, and stressed their hope that the event will raise awareness on campus about Yemen’s humanitarian crisis. The event occurred on Friday.

THE CHICAGO MAROON — FEBRUARY 27, 2019

8

In a Changing Financial Landscape, Pell Grants Hold Steady Grey City Navigates the World of Federal Financial Aid at UChicago BY MALLORY MOORE Grey City Reporter

“Think of the student budget like a bucket,” Jennifer Delaney said before pausing. A visiting associate professor at the Harris School of Public Policy and an expert in higher education policy and student financial aid, Delaney backtracked frequently to condense and prioritize information, doing her best to explain the role of Pell Grants in 2019. In her lightfilled, clean-lined office, Delaney weighed her words carefully, as if trying to figure out how to convey the intricacies of her field of study within such limited time. “Think of the student budget like a bucket. You put the federal money in first and then state money. You always do grants, and then loans, and then if there are local things or scholarships…then the institutional aid.” As she spoke, her words poured out faster, the bucket quickly filling. Though money from many sources comprises a student’s final financial aid package, federal aid and, more specifically, Pell Grants, represent the foundation of the package. Unlike federal loans, grants are a form of aid in which one is awarded a sum of money and not expected to pay it back. The Pell Grant program, funded by the federal government, is the “largest source of grants for postsecondary education,” supporting more than 7 million students nationwide in 2017–2018, according to a report by the Center on Budget and Poli-

alvin shi

cy Priorities (CBPP). 647 of those students attend the University of Chicago, based on data available on College Navigator, a website maintained by the Department of Education’s National Center of Education Statistics. In 2017–2018, 32 percent of all undergraduate students received Pell funding nationwide as reported by the College Board. The majority of Pell recipients attend public institutions, accounting for more than 75 percent of Pell spending. Comparatively, 11 percent of the University of Chicago’s undergraduate population

receives Pell grants, according to data available on College Navigator. This percentage is also lower in comparison to other highly selective institutions. When comparing shares of Pell-eligible freshmen at highly ranked schools, The Washington Post found in 2015 that all of the Ivy League institutions, with the exception of Brown University, had higher shares of Pell-eligible firstyear students than the University of Chicago. The CBPP reported that the Pell Grant program is “very well

targeted to the neediest students, providing the largest awards to the lowest-income students.” As a result of the need-based nature of the Pell Grant program, it is frequently used as a measure of a college’s socioeconomic diversity. In the past five years, both The Washington Post and The New York Times have published charts and indexes to measure higher education institutions’ economic diversity, based, in part, on the number of students receiving Pell Grants. In order to qualify for a Pell Grant, an individual must be pursuing their first undergraduate degree and have “exceptional financial need” as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Financial need refers to the difference between the cost in attendance and the expected family contribution, calculated by congressionally mandated formulas in the Higher Education Act. According to the Department of Education, these formulas “take into account such indicators of financial strength as income, assets, and family size.” Delaney confirmed that “the biggest drivers [of eligibility] are income and family size” but also cautioned, “it’s crazy complicated how needs analysis works.” These types of “yes but” statements became a staple of our conversation as we delved into the intricacies of the Pell funding and awarding system. For example, she explained later, “Pell expenditures have been increasing over time,

but the purchasing power hasn’t been keeping pace with tuition increases,” demonstrating the complexity of funding Pell. Notably, not everyone who qualifies for a Pell Grant receives the maximum amount, which in 2017–2018, was $6,095. Eligibility for Pell works like a graduated system; depending on income, students can be awarded anywhere from around $600 to the maximum. Delaney explained this system, saying, “Pell is a highly targeted means-tested program. So basically low-income folks are qualifying for Pell. It changes a little bit each year with where exactly those thresholds are, and within Pell there are steps.” While the only eligibility criteria for Pell relate to economic factors, a report by the CBPP shows that Pell often supports other groups underrepresented in higher education. The report noted that “Comparing the 41 percent of students who receive Pell to non-recipient students in the 2011­–12 academic year (the most recent year for which data are available) shows that Pell students are more likely to be older, a member of a racial or ethnic minority group, financially independent, and a first-generation college student, and more likely to attend school full time and throughout the academic year.” In recent years, students typically qualify for Pell if they have a family income of below $50,000, according to U.S. News. Most Pell recipients, however, have a family income of less than $20,000.

THE CHICAGO MAROON — FEBRUARY 27, 2019

9

Pell Grants Are Just One Piece of a Complex Monetary Puzzle While acknowledging some exceptions, Delaney further explained that, if a student’s family income is low enough to not pay taxes, that student will typically qualify for the maximum award. According to the Department of Education’s end of year report, in 2016–2017, 27 percent of recipients received the maximum grant. At the University of Chicago, the average Pell award amount for students enrolled in the college during the 2016–2017 year was $4,367, about $300 higher than the national average Pell Grant during this period. This statistic reflects a national trend. Though nonprofit private institutions have the smallest percentage of Pell recipients, the average Pell award at these institutions tends to be larger than the overall national average, which takes into account both public and private institutions. However, even the maximum Pell amount covers only a small portion of the cost of attendance. The total cost of attending the College in 2018–2019 is estimated at $77,331 by the Office of Financial Aid and includes tuition, room and board, and other personal expenses. The maximum Pell amount of $6,095 covers less than 8 percent of that cost. Nationwide, the maximum Pell Grant amount has also not kept up with the rising cost of tuition at higher education institutions, both public and private. Once adjusted for inflation, the maximum as of 2017–2018 was only 5 percent higher than it was in the 1970s. This fact means that, today, “Pell covers just 29 percent of the average costs of tuition, fees, room, and board at public four-year colleges, its lowest level in more than 40 years and far below the 79 percent it covered in 1975,” according to the CBPP. The average cost of college in the United States as of 2015–2016 was $22,432, ranging from an average

cost of $16,757 at public institutions to an average of $39,011 at private nonprofit institutions. In response, many private institutions, including UChicago, have developed and expanded institutional aid programs to close this gap. The maximum Pell Grant amount changes over time, often in response to economic conditions, because it is legislated by Congress. Delaney shared that the Pell Grant program operates as “quasi-entitlement program…. It’s allowed to run deficits. Very little of the federal budget is allowed to do that. It just means that everyone who applies and is eligible for Pell will get an award each year.” All the students who meet Pell’s financial need criteria in a given year are guaranteed aid from the program, meaning that Pell costs to the government are mandatory spending, unlike the FBI or other government bureaus, which operate on a discretionary budget. Spending on Pell is more similar to entitlement programs such as Medicare or Social Security than federal departments such as the Department of Education, which has a limited budget set each year. At the same time, the program also requires annual appropriations from Congress, meaning that the government funding allocated to the program must be designated and passed each year. This hybrid nature of mandatory and discretionary funding makes the Pell Grant program unique, and it means that Congress can underfund or overfund the program if they estimate costs incorrectly. If Congress underfunds the program in a given year, the Department of Education typically borrows funds from the next year’s appropriations or runs a deficit. On the flipside, if there is a surplus in funds, these funds carry-over to fund the program in the next year, helping safeguard against deficits.

Delaney pointed to a spike in the number of recipients in the years following 2008 to illustrate this. “During the recession, more people were qualifying for Pell, and more of whose who qualified were more low-income, so they were qualifying for larger award amounts,” she said. This trend resulted in government expenditure on Pell exceeding the congressionally allocated funding. In a 2017 report by CBPP, the authors noted that when “large Pell funding shortfalls emerged, President Obama and Congress increased funding and also restricted eligibility to lower costs.”A student’s eligibility can change even if their financial situation does not. This limitation is echoed in the Department of Education’s End of Year Report from 2017. It states that “The Federal Pell Grant is distinguished from other financial assistance in that all students meeting certain criteria are guaranteed aid, with the amount of aid determined by financial need, enrollment level, and educational cost. However, because of limited funding, the program is not a true entitlement, as benefits may be reduced from those anticipated under a fully-funded system.” Nevertheless, at the University of Chicago, federal assistance represents only a small portion of financial aid. The majority of a student’s financial aid package is composed of institutional grants and scholarships. For example, in 2016, the most recent data available on College Navigator, 58 percent of the incoming first-year class received institutional grant or scholarship aid of some form, with the average award being approximately $36,000.With the combination of federal, state, and institutional aid, the University claims to meet full demonstrated need. After a student receives both

federal and institutional aid, however, Delaney noted that there ca still be a gap. In the data available on College Navigator, this phenomenon was reflected by the number that full-time incoming students in 2016 in the income bracket of $0–$30,000 paid a net price of $3,620 after receiving their aid. The University’s Financial Aid Office responded to a request for comment with a statement discussing ways to close the gap between aid packages and the cost of tuition: “The expected payment to the University by College students from low-income families is close to zero. The expenses listed on sites like College Navigator include books, travel, and incidental costs—which are not charged directly by the University. Such costs typically are covered by part-time work during the school year or summer jobs. These opportunities allow students to earn money to cover school expenses or use as they see fit, often while gaining valuable professional experience.” In recent years, the University has also undertaken a variety of initiatives to increase the socioeconomic diversity of the student body. In 2014, an article in The New York Times stated that UChicago “has not made as big of a commitment to economic diversity as most top colleges.” In the intervening years since, the University has finished phasing in a no-loan policy, meaning that no student entering the college is expected to take out a loan as part of their financial aid package. This fact is particularly pertinent for Pell Grant recipients, who are more than twice as likely to have student loans on a national level, according to The Institute for College Access and Success. At UChicago, any student recipient of Pell also qualifies for the Odyssey Scholarship program, which provides support

for low-income students and first-generation students and has steadily expanded since its inception in 2007. As most Pell recipients have a family income of under $50,000, they qualify for the program. Students selected for the program typically have a family income of below $90,000. The UChicago Empower Initiative, which launched this past fall, aims at providing support and removing obstacles in the admissions process. On its website, the Office of Admissions stated that the initiative’s goal is “to increase access to UChicago by expanding access for first-generation and rural students, enhancing financial support for those who serve our communities, and enabling student agency and ownership in the college admissions process.” In part, it includes a commitment that students with a family income of less than $60,000, thus encompassing Pell eligible students, will have tuition, fees, as well as room and board covered by financial aid. Both James Nondorf, dean of admissions, and John Boyer, dean of the College, were quoted on the website and emphasized the importance of the UChicago Empower Initiative in increasing access for low-income students and expanding socioeconomic diversity at the University. As quoted on the website for the Office of Admissions, Boyer said, “Throughout the past century, UChicago has considered a broad diversity of cultural perspectives and academic merit without regard to socioeconomic class to be fundamental—as exemplified by our Odyssey Scholarship Program, Jeff Metcalf Internship Program, and No Barriers offerings that enable outstanding students of all backgrounds to enjoy a UChicago education.” Pell plays just one part in this goal.

THE CHICAGO MAROON — FEBRUARY 27, 2019

10

VIEWPOINTS

The Mysteries of Post-Grad Life The Transition Out of College and Into the Working World Is Daunting, and Little Reliable Information About Post-Grad Outcomes Is Available

NATALIE DENBY

There are few things more disorienting to a Millennial or Gen Zer than discovering that something’s not on Google. It feels like a betrayal to a generation that kind of expects to find the neighborhood cats on social media (I’m looking at you, Nestor) or catch serial killers through Ancestry.com. So I just assumed that, if I

wanted to know about student outcomes at different colleges, the information would be out there, somewhere. And as a fourth-year, that information has become salient again: This entire year has been a stretch of whiplash, alternating between periods of quiet senioritis and job-search pandemonium. The variation in what people are doing is aston-

Pete Grieve, Editor-in-Chief Euirim Choi, Editor-in-Chief Katie Akin, Managing Editor Lee Harris, Editor-in-Chief-Elect Elaine Chen, Deputy Editor-in-Chief-Elect Deepti Sailappan, Managing Editor-Elect Peng-Peng Liu, Chief Production Officer The Maroon Editorial Board consists of the editors-in-chief and editors of The Maroon.

NEWS

COPY

Deepti Sailappan, editor Camille Kirsch, editor Lee Harris, editor Jason Lalljee, editor Tony Brooks, editor Elaine Chen, editor

Patrick Lou, copy chief Katrina Lee, copy chief Mohammed Bashier, copy chief Kuba Sokolowski, copy chief Olivia Shao, copy chief

VIEWPOINTS

Caroline Kubzansky, editor Anant Matai, deputy editor

ARTS

Antonia Salisbury, chief financial officer Michael Vetter, chief financial officer-elect Alex Chung, director of development

Cole Martin, editor Meera Santhanam, editor

Brooke Nagler, editor Zoe Bean, editor Perri Wilson, editor SPORTS

Audrey Mason, editor DESIGN

Jessica Xia, head designer Sinduri Soundararajan, design associate Ray Davies-Van Voorhis, design associate

GREY CITY

BUSINESS

Editor-in-Chief: Editor@ChicagoMaroon.com Newsroom Phone: (312) 918-8023 Business Phone: (408) 806-8381 For advertising inquiries, please contact Ads@ChicagoMaroon.com or (408) 806-8381. Circulation: 2,500. © 2019 The Chicago Maroon Ida Noyes Hall / 1212 East 59th Street Chicago, IL 60637

ishing—from committing themselves to more school (voluntarily! On purpose!), to consulting, to even more consulting. There are also differences in students’ timelines: Some are grappling with the pressing issue of which industry they should work in, while others have moved on to those equally pressing issues of decor, like which succulent will look best in their cubicle. It’s impossible to watch this scramble and not wonder what’s happening, and how UChicago fourth-years compare to those at different schools. Which is why I found myself trying to figure out what the average graduate from UChicago is actually up to. I didn’t think this was a very stalker-ish effort (it’s not like I’m trying to reverse engineer anyone’s starting paycheck), but apparently it’s beyond the pale. As it turns out, there’s relatively little detailed information to be found. You can, for instance, find graduation rates, average annual costs, and median salaries on College Scorecard. For the University of Chicago, that’s a 93 percent graduation rate, an average annual cost of $19,510, and a median salary of $68,100, 10 years after entering the school. But even this isn’t very illuminating—College Scorecard has removed the national median lines it once provided for a quick comparison. For students considering predatory institutions (think of the particularly low-quality, for-profit colleges) with abysmal graduation rates, sky-high costs, or low salaries, that missing line is a serious problem. There are plenty of people out there who might not realize that a 60 percent graduation rate is only me-

diocre and anything less than 30 percent is appalling, and plenty of institutions are eager to capitalize on that ignorance. Unsurprisingly, the decision to scrap the national median markers led to an immediate backlash. But even for those of you cyber-stalking top-tier schools, you could be forgiven for concluding that College Scorecard’s pretty, graphic-filled pages are telling you nothing at all. That median salary information? It’s gathered 10 years after students enter their universities; if you’re an undergrad who graduates on time, that’s six years after you’ve left. You might think that six years post-graduation is a reasonable time to check in on salaries (and for many institutions, it probably is), but a quick look at our university’s website tells you that some 85 percent of UChicago students are attending or have gone to graduate school within five years of graduation. A large portion of the student body is back in school, or just out of school again, at College Scorecard’s 10-year mark. Reporting median salaries at this time alone might tell you a lot, or it might tell you absolutely nothing. And don’t bother trying to break down salary information or grad school attendance rates to a more granular level; that data isn’t available on College Scorecard yet, though the Department of Education has promised to introduce within-institution salary data by program at some undisclosed date. Detailed salary information by major is technically already available—but its accuracy is the subject of contention, because these measures tend to rely on small samples of self-reporting alumni. Attempts to produce detailed, actionable measures of

the return on investment for different colleges have been bogged down by those issues. When universities do release their own information (check out UChicago’s Class of 2017 outcomes report as an example), it tends to be carefully curated. Granted, some of the report is fascinating: 33 percent of the Class of 2017 went into “financial services and other business,” and another 12 percent are in consulting. But some of it is less helpful. As an example of how the most mundane facts can be spun, check out this very comforting reassurance that “during their first year, every Class of 2017 student received an assigned career adviser.” That’s right—“received.” Not “met.” That’s front and center and bolded. If you want to peer into the black box of higher education outcomes, this sort of report isn’t the place. I’m not suggesting that a promotional brochure is the place for full transparency and extreme detail. But sites like College Scorecard are supposed to make students’ choices less opaque, not opaque-but-with-charts. Students deserve to have information they can easily access and actually use. That’s not to say that most students do or should make their choices on the basis of expected salary alone; if this were a primary motivation, we’d all be finance bros. But for students weighing their options, expected outcomes are often very relevant, and general intuition about what a degree might lead you to (which grad schools, what salaries, which companies?) just doesn’t cut it. Tons of students are weighing their options—remember those few months in your first year CONTINUED ON PG. 11

THE CHICAGO MAROON — FEBRUARY 27, 2019

11

“Better information...is an issue worth caring about” CONTINUED FROM PG. 10

when you probably cycled through every major in the course catalog, and then considered a few that don’t actually exist, just for good measure? Colleges are teeming with students who have already changed their minds about what they’re doing, and

are going to change their minds again. The tools students do have aren’t always sufficient to make informed choices. They certainly aren’t enough for students who view their degree as a primarily financial investment. There’s evidence that students at less-selective institutions

in particular are more likely to see college as a quick route to a relatively high-paying job. For those students who do see college primarily as a financial investment, good information on expected student outcomes is absolutely critical—but we don’t really have it yet. That’s a shame. Better

information may not be a glamorous thing to rally around; nevertheless, as a key component of how students make tremendously important decisions, it’s an issue worth caring about. Natalie Denby is a fourth-year in the College.

How to Fight a Rigged System The University Is Committed to Free Discourse—That Means Discussions of Oil Money, Trustees, and Gentrification Are Fair Game

RUBY RORTY

“Money doesn’t talk, it swears” might be my favorite Bob Dylan lyric. It’s from “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding),” a gem from the acoustic side of Bringing It All Back Home, his 1965 studio album. That line always makes me think of UChicago: the money here, and what it says to (or cusses at) people who stop to listen. We at this institution collectively benefit from a lot of oil money. I know that’s stating the obvious; we all sweated through a sunset convocation in Rockefeller Chapel, and John D. himself famously called UChicago “the best investment” he ever made. His oily fingerprints are all over campus, his money cemented in our

school’s physical and intellectual foundation. But he’s not the only one. You know the examples all too well: The school itself invests an unknown amount in fossil fuels (in 2015, University President Robert Zimmer said he didn’t know just how much), while its wealthy trustees draw controversy for their ties to various controversial organizations. Dean John Boyer acknowledged in 2016 that many of the school’s wealthiest donors (think Bernie DelGiorno, Jeff Metcalf, and Byron Trott) are fraternity alumni who “feel very...protective of that,” although he denies that this financial interest impacts the administration’s controversial aversion to fraternity regulation. The school’s history of gentrification in Hyde Park—a history enabled entirely by UChicago’s massive wealth—speaks for itself. Donations from wealthy benefactors, and

Jacques Manjarrez

the ways that money informs UChicago’s corporate actions, are fundamental to the school’s identity and thus concern everyone here. I can already hear the arthritic creaking of the fingers of lonely UChicago dads in the comments section, critiquing another liberal columnist with no gratitude for the school that provides her with virtually endless resources and opportunities. But I’m driven to write this column—and all my columns criticizing the administration and its decisions—out of appreciation for this school and its values. To me, the emphasis UChicago places on discourse and free speech exemplifies a key responsibility on the part of those who benefit from this institution to actively critique UChicago in the interest of bettering it over time. Is that not the best way to honor this University’s professed love of discourse? There is a tendency to think of UChicago’s culture—more distinct and self-consciously quirky than that of many of our peer institutions—as unchangeable, set in gothic stone. But in fact, schools like ours develop character over centuries, and our story is still being written. As research universities go, UChicago is an adolescent. The College has been around half as long as Princeton, for a mere third of Harvard’s history. The people who walk its halls, stand at its lecterns, and sign off on its budget are neither passive inheritors of a 19th-century legacy nor executors of Rockefeller’s will. We cannot change the history of this school, but by calling out injustices of the present, and refusing to shut up when told, we can shape its future. That’s why I applaud activism on the part of students like those who protested trustee James Crown’s involvement in the war in Yemen at a broomball match last Tuesday. One of the protestors, Julia

Attie, said, “It is really frustrating that no one seems to pay attention to what is going on.” We can all relate to this kind of feeling when an issue we care about is ignored, but it’s particularly poignant when applied to the actions of the school we attend. In an academic environment as fast-paced and intense as UChicago’s, it is tempting to tune out global, national, and local politics in favor of the next item on your todo list—I know I’ve done it. But it is worth taking time out of our busy schedules to acknowledge the enormous financial role our school plays in these politics, to assess the causes our tuition tacitly supports, and to recognize the role we have in shaping the school and its culture. We can’t manage the school’s funds, change the administration’s politics, or easily remove trustees, but we can choose resistance over acceptance. In other words, the money that changes hands at UChicago is the business of everyone who attends this university. I would like to use my column this week to thank the students and professors who strive to bring those dealings to light, protest those they deem unjust, and otherwise enact the University’s commitment to free speech, particularly in those situations when the school itself remains silent. For the rest of us, it’s time to think about the role we play on campus, and the role we could play. Complain to your friends over coffee, but then write an op-ed, run for Student Government, and vote locally to help counteract gentrification our school has helped perpetuate. Make a series of spicy memes that bring attention to misbehavior on the part of the school administration. Whatever your thing is, use it to make this school an institution you’re prouder to attend. Ruby Rorty is a first-year in the College.

THE CHICAGO MAROON — FEBRUARY 27, 2019

12

ARTS

The Folk Festival Triumphantly Returns to Mandel Hall BY JOSHUA VILLERS Arts Reporter

The 59th Annual UChicago Folk Festival was held in Mandel Hall from February 15 to 16. Featuring two nights of live performances and a day of workshops, the event featured a geographically and culturally diverse array of folk musicians and artistry. The UChicago Folklore Society was founded in the early 1950s and has dedicated itself to running the annual Folk Festival since 1961. The first decade of Folk Festivals hosted a number of now-renowned folk music icons, such as the New Lost City Ramblers, the Stanley Brothers, Elizabeth Cotton, and Willie Dixon. Situated in the heart of the 1960s nationwide folk music revival, the first few festivals were also extremely popular. The New York Times covered the first festival, praising the “tap-roots, tradition, authenticity, and non-commercial” characteristics at the weekend’s “three long evening programs.” Attendance has declined from the festival’s heyday in the ’60s, however, with the festival’s number of nights decreasing from three to two. For this year, the first night of the

program began with a short bagpipe procession by a member of the City of Chicago Pipe Band. Then old-time band Steam Machine took the stage. During their performance, the four-member group played a variety of Midwestern and Appalachian folk classics. The band members jokingly referred to themselves as being somewhat “pan-Midwest”—many of the members have come from or played across the Midwest, whereas others hailed from the South and Appalachia. Returning trio T’Monde played both nights to perform a number of Cajun songs—some sung in Louisiana French, some in English—punctuated by the group’s instrumental combination of accordion, guitar, and fiddle. The songs evoked the social and cultural environment of colonial Louisiana, with titles like “J’ai vu Lucille” and “Tite Fille de la Campagne.” The festival also featured a performance by Elmore James Jr., son of the late blues legend Elmore James, and his blues band. The group played a number of southern blues classics, incorporating blues musical traditions stemming from regions of Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia.

The Price Sisters, an Ohioan bluegrass duo, closed out both nights. The fiddle, mandolin, and vocal harmonization of the sisters, Leanna and Lauren Price, were accompanied by band members on guitar, banjo, and upright bass. The group performed both bluegrass classics as well as original songs from their most recent album, A Heart Never Knows. The 1920s jazz band, the Fat Babies, played on the second day of the festival. The seven-piece musical ensemble cultivated traditional 1920s aesthetics while peppering in a modern flare to the jazz classics. Beyond American music, the Chicago Klezmer Ensemble presented Klezmer music, a unique musical tradition of Eastern European Ashkenazi Jewish communities, on the first night. The Ensemble is considered a pioneering group in the late-20th-century revival of the artform, with their recordings frequently referenced in academic circles as being some of the best in the field. The duo of Jimmy Keane and Pat Broaders also appeared as Bohola, performing a variety of both traditional and more modern Irish folk music. The festival also featured daytime

workshops on the its second day, including dances, family activities, and jam sessions. Some of these were led by the performing groups, like a session on Cajun Dance with T’Monde, or a discussion on bluegrass music with the Price Sisters. Other events ranged from a crash course on playing the hurdygurdy to harmony sessions for the curious, as well as more straightforward performances for those entertained by the prior night’s music. Authenticity and enthusiasm for the folk artform remain staples of the festival on part of both the organizers and the attendees. Folklore Society co-presidents took to the stage in the interludes between performances to field Folk Festival trivia for a chance to enter poster and T-shirt raffles, with a number of attendees showing impressive knowledge of some of the earliest festivals. The volunteer-driven festival, to this day, focuses on the art and aesthetic appeal of folk music traditions, rather than commercial appeal of profit margins that unfortunately predominates the music industry. This focus on authenticity has sustained the festival thus far, with its 60th anniversary next year a testament to that success.

Subverting Gender and Experimenting with Structure, MODA Shows Off Unconventional Glamor BY JADE YAN Arts Reporter

Atelier MODA, the University of Chicago’s annual fashion show, took place on Friday evening. The show featured the clothing designs of 20 students from all years and included a performance by campus dance troupe UChicago Maya. The event was held at Theater on the Lake, a restored 1920s-era building by Lake Michigan. Last year’s venue, The Geraghty, was an industrial space with concrete f loors, exposed steel ceil-

ing bars, and incongruously elaborate bathrooms. In contrast to The Geraghty, which felt almost too big—with a raised runway in the center of a vast and otherwise empty room—the Theater on the Lake provided a much more coherent setting to this year’s show. There was a bar and seating area at one end of the room, which offered guests a definitive space to congregate before the show began. This year’s runway was level with the ground, and ran almost the length of the room. The floor-level runway al-

lowed for the audience to appreciate the designs in detail, being able to observe things like makeup and jewelry, as well as the pieces as a whole. It also heightened the dynamism and drama of the performances by placing the audience in line with—almost in the middle of— the action. However, this blurred line was complicated by the standing audience spots, which made for a messy blend of the audience and the acts. The runway was split by a chandelier-tree hybrid, hung with strands of crystals; UChicago Maya’s glittering diamante

crop tops fit in well as they gave a performance that was strikingly energetic for such a narrow space. The designs and models that followed exhibited not only the creativity but also the technical skill of the various designers in the show. The variety of textures and colors brimmed with each outfit. Louis Levin’s sleek silk designs were given an edge with chainmail and metal piping. This effect was increased by the raw edges of the silk. Pule Nkopane’s white shirt and trouser combiCONTINUED ON PG. 14

THE CHICAGO MAROON — FEBRUARY 27, 2019

MODA Photo Essay: 2019

photos by alexandra nisenoff

13

THE CHICAGO MAROON — FEBRUARY 27, 2019

14

“[MODA] showcases the exciting side of UChicago street style, be it ironic or not.” CONTINUED FROM PG. 12

nations were particularly striking in terms of the contrast between sheer gauze shirt and opaque white trousers. Nkopane also questioned subtly-gendered fashion by dressing his male model with high waisted trousers and a cropped open jacket. Vivian Liu and Michael Zhu both used Japanese-inspired f loral patterns in their creations: Liu played on the half-length sleeve style of a kimono, while Zhu experimented with a stylistically modern use of the patterns in his cropped puff-sleeve shirt. Unlike the other groups of designs, which could be tied together through unifying ma-

terial or stylistic elements, Zhu’s designs varied hugely, and even included a relatively faithful rendition of a track and field uniform, complete with competitor number. Designs with more experimental elements included Andrew Chang’s outlandish leather shoulder pads, with safety pins dangling from the edges, as well as a short black dress designed by Caroline Mejia which, upon releasing the strings holding up the folds of material, was transformed into another, much longer dress with a gold silk skirt. Although this was compelling, the dress arguably had greater appeal in its shorter form with its weight and hoop-like

structure. Sophie Harding-Jackson’s designs also exhibited a range of materials, but the pieces could all be connected by an impressive use of ruching. There was a dress of red and cream gauze, sewn onto a flesh-colored base, which achieved a very intestinal effect. The gauze hung off the puffy base, adding to its shapelessness, but structural clarity was maintained by the sharp definition of the neckline. Harding-Jackson’s pinstriped trousers exhibited similarly ruched knees, which lent a visual of soft folds to trousers that are traditionally sharply creased. In addition to giving students who

may not be visual arts majors an outside opportunity to learn how to make clothes they may have been imagining for several years, MODA also showcases the exciting side of UChicago street style, be it ironic or not. Some of this year’s selection of audience outfits included a combination of clashing floral patterns, pink satin shoes paired with bright blue lipstick, and a good amount of patent leather. Faux fur, bucket hats, and fanny packs were also present. The way in which Atelier MODA brings this “wear what you want” sentiment to the surface is both important and rare at this university.

Dean’s Men Delivers an Intriguing Take on the Scottish Play BY KENJIRO LEE Arts Reporter

Oh Macbeth. Good ol’ Macbeth. Good ol’ Macky Bee. (Of course, I refer to the name of the title character. I don’t plan on referring to the show the Dean’s Men put up as anything other than the Scottish Play for the sake of theatrical tradition and superstition.) Shakespeare’s Scottish Play is perhaps one of his most well-known tragedies, the classic tale of Scottish general Macbeth and his wife Lady Macbeth’s schemes to become the rulers of Scotland. It is a tale of murder and conspiracy in which friends, foes, wives, and children are murdered if they stand in Macbeth’s way, yet the guilt of their schemes comes back to haunt them. The play is shrouded in superstition—few theater people dare say its title within the confines of a theatrical space, and legends whisper of the production’s curse, damned by the coven from which Shakespeare stole the infamous “Double, double toil and trouble” chant. The Dean’s Men’s production of the Scottish Play, charmingly directed by Sam Sobel, suffered some of the weaknesses common to performing Shake-

speare’s original texts in contemporary settings. With no disrespect to the actors’ abilities, it can be difficult to understand Shakespearean English, and their delivery was at times muddled, producing more of a vague idea of what their words meant. Other deliveries were great, with the deadpan tones of certain lines garnering laughs. During last quarter’s production of Measure for Measure audience members were given a summary of the show as a helpful supplement to the occasionally difficult-to-understand text; I think most people are familiar enough with the Scottish Play that such a resource wasn’t necessary, but there were points in the night where I felt I could use some help. That being said, at most points the actors’ performances truly dazzled. Highlights included Isabella Hurtado’s chilling Lady Macbeth, with her performance of the “Out, damned spot” monologue fully catching the attention of the entire room. Katie Bevil’s performance as the unfortunate Banquo offered a nicely clear understanding of Banquo as a character; the heel-turn later in the show as the Doctor amused the audience immensely. Among the minor characters, praise must be given to Cole

Meldorf for his Donalbain, Fleance, Son, and Young Siward, roles which are all heavy on the death and dying front. It was an interesting choice to split the Porter into two characters, played by Claire Schultz and Ege Atila, who garnered some well-deserved laughs in the famous “Knock knock” scene. Where this production flourished was in its design. Costumes by Mireille Farjo ably set the characters apart, which was especially helpful as several of the actors played multiple roles. In terms of lighting and sound design, in the first act of the show it felt as though sound and lights were not being utilized to their full capabilities. In certain scenes, like Macbeth’s phantom dagger or his initial encounter with the Witches, those tools were not amplifying the actors’ performances as strongly as they could. But things really ramped up in Act II with Macbeth’s second encounter with the witches. This was hands-down the best scene of this production, in part thanks to the excellent performances by the witches (Schultz, Atila, and Belen Edwards), Sadie Seddon-Stettler’s horror-struck performance as Macbeth, and Bevil’s two-part contribution—both as a voiceover for the Apparitions and in a physical performance as Banquo’s

specter. Lights by Casey McKenna and sound by Luke Giacalone created the haunting atmosphere the scene needed, with the addition of incredible projections by Ezra Feldman that augmented the supernatural power of this sequence. This was, in all seriousness, the best version of this sequence I’ve ever seen, executed in a spectacular way I have never witnessed prior to this rendition of the Scottish Play—hats off to Sam Sobel. Additional praise has to be given to Jamie Macpherson’s fight choreography, which had me gasping during the final duel between Macbeth and Macduff (Jonathan Rufino). Overall, I thought this production was a little rough around the edges in terms of line delivery and full utilization of the staging and technical elements. But as I’ve come to expect from the Dean’s Men, they put on a truly unique spin of Shakespeare’s texts that set it apart from other previous productions. This was, in the end, a well-done production of the Scottish Play, one that I will not easily forget. And hopefully, the Dean’s Men aren’t forever cursed from putting on this play. (If so, it was nice knowing all of you.)

THE CHICAGO MAROON — FEBRUARY 27, 2019

15

SPORTS Lacrosse Kills Inaugural Game Wrestlers Qualify for NCAAs BY BRINDA RAO Sports Reporter

UChicago’s varsity women’s lacrosse team dominated in its inaugural game. Coming into the game, no player on the team had any prior experience in a DIII varsity game. Furthermore, the team is made of a majority of first-year players. Going into the game, some might have expected it to be a test for the women’s lacrosse team. This was no test. This game was a victory lap. Conquering DePauw with an impressive 18–4 victory, the lacrosse team showed both fans and the competition that it is not a force to be messed with. Energy on and off the field was extremely high for this game. Playing at their home turf on UChicago’s Stagg Field, the team had the opportunity to show off their hard work to parents and peers. They dominated right from the start, scoring three goals within the first four minutes of the game. Practice this past week built up to the game. After five months of lift sessions and scrimmages, the players completed their regiment with daily practices. Firstyear midfielder Ali Sheehy explained, “We were all very focused in practice this week. I think we were all a little nervous ahead of the game because we have spent so much time preparing for it. I mean, ever since the start of the season, ‘February 23 vs. DePauw’ was on our minds. But I think yesterday we used that nervous feeling and all of the preparation, led by our coaches, that we have had, to our advantage to motivate ourselves, to play fast but smart.” The game itself was an epic feat. The Maroons gave DePauw no concessions, taking 18 of the 23 draw controls, attempting 31 shots on goal, and snagging 23 turnovers. First-year midfielder Karina Schulze led the Maroons in their impressive victory, scoring eight goals. The midfield line booked it up and down the field throughout the game, keeping up a consistently powerful display throughout the game. This was complemented by the intense energy of the defense line and fire work of the attackers. First-year defenders Lauren Zhang and Kathleen Harrigan hounded DePauw, ensuring that the Maroons continued to

command the field. The game reflected the fantastic chemistry between players on the team. Captain Jane Jozefowicz reflected, “It felt pretty surreal. The athletic department promoted the event, and family members traveled from all across the country to be here. The weather conditions were pretty brutal, but we kept a brave face and maintained a good attitude from start to finish. It was so rewarding to see all of our hard work pay off. I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of this inaugural class of female athletes. We have an amazing coaching staff, a dedicated bench of players, and a love of the game. I am excited to see what else we can accomplish this season! Needless to say, ‘herstory’ is being made.” With this success, the lacrosse team has created a dynamic and exciting energy. Going forward they will have two games a week, giving them ample time and opportunity to put this energy to use. Sheehy explained, “Overall, we are all extremely happy that we were able to win and not only start our season, but our program, on a positive note.” UChicago’s varsity women’s lacrosse team will play Calvin College on Saturday, March 2 at 1 p.m.

BY ALISON GILL Sports Reporter

The University of Chicago wrestling team traveled to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for the Upper Midwest Regional Championships. The Maroons earned a fifthplace finish among the 17 teams and saw first-year Ben Sarasin and third-year Kyle Peisker advance to the National Championships in March. Sarasin punched his ticket to the national tournament with a regional title in the 174-pound bracket, becoming the first Maroon wrestler to win a regional championship since 2015. It was an impressive performance by the rookie as he went a perfect 4–0. After reaching the semifinals behind two decisive wins, Sarsin faced his toughest test in Augsburg’s third-year Tanner Vassar. In a tight match, Sarasin eventually emerged with a grueling 11–9 decision to advance to the title match and to clinch his spot in Nationals. The firstyear faced off against fellow first-year Jaritt Shinhoster of UW–Whitewater. Sarasin captured the Regional title when Shinhoster lost by medical forfeit. Sarasin hopes to follow his strong debut

UPCOMING GAMES

SPORT

Track & Field Women’s Diving Women’s Basketball Women’s Tennis Women’s Lacrosse Baseball

OPPONENT

Carthage Qualifier NCAA Regionals Oglethorpe MIT Calvin Transylvania

DAY

Friday Friday Friday Friday Saturday Saturday

TIME 3 p.m. 2 p.m. ET TBA 9 a.m. 1 p.m. 3 p.m.

SCOREBOARD SPORT

Track & Field Women’s Lacrosse Wrestling Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball

W/L W W W L L

OPPONENT UAA Champs DePauw NCAA Regionals Wash U Wash U

SCORE 2nd of 7 18–4 5th of 17 81–63 67–52

season with an impressive and competitive outing on the national stage. “Winning a big tournament is always nice because it validates your training and effort in the room. It lets you know that you’ve been doing it right. I’m really excited to compete in Roanoke for a national title. There will be some great battles and some big moments—those are exactly why I wrestle,” Sarasin said. Peisker will join his Maroon teammate at the national tournament. He earned his bid with a third-place finish in the 184-pound bracket, narrowly grabbing a coveted top-three place. The top seed in his bracket, Peisker advanced to the semifinals after a firstround bye and 11–1 major decision victory. In the semifinals, UW–Whitewater’s Nick Stencel edged out Peisker, 15–11. With a ticket to nationals still in play, Peisker responded by beating Reed Williams of UW–La Crosse in the consolation semifinals. In an even third place match, Peisker would eventually emerge victorious by the narrowest of margins. Competing against Wheaton’s Isaac Odell, the back-and-forth match came down to the wire. In the end, Peisker’s 7–6 victory proved just enough to get the Maroon to the NCAA Championships. Overall, seven wrestlers placed in the top eight over the weekend. Thirdyear Steve Bonsall and first-year Cole Reimer finished fourth in their brackets, barely missing out on a bid to Nationals. Third-year Kahlan Lee-Lermer, fourth-year Pat Mulkerin, and second-year Chaise Hauck rounded out the Maroon point scorers. This will be the first time at Nationals for both Sarasin and Peisker. Peisker, who sits at 32–5 on the year, and Sarsin, at 29–6, will both be competitive and considered contenders for the National title, looking to join Peter Wang (A.B. ’92), as the only Maroons to win an individual championship. The NCA A Championships runs from March 8 to 9 in Roanoke, VA.

THE CHICAGO MAROON — FEBRUARY 27, 2019

16

Track and Field Flies High and Fast at UAA Championships BY JOSHUA PARKS Sports Reporter

The University of Chicago’s track and field teams captured seven event titles and 20 individual top-three finishes at the UAA Championships in Waltham, Massachusetts, this weekend, en route to top-three finishes for both the men’s and women’s squads. First-place performers on the women’s team included first-year Isabel Maletich in the Long Jump (5.62 meters), third-year Claire Brockway in the 5,000-meter (17:41.41), first-year Kaitlyn Van Baalen in the 800-meter (2:16.21), and third-year Laura Darcey in the high jump (1.68 meters). The Maroons women’s 4x400 team of first-years Meg Fitzpatrick and Kaela Jolibois, third-year Mary Martin and fourth-year Emma Koether also came away with the crown, outpacing Wash U by two

seconds to conclude the weekend’s running events. In a remarkable showing, the women finished with 155 points on the weekend, good enough for second overall behind No. 1 Wash U. On the men’s side, the Maroons were paced by third-year Alexander Scott in the weight throw (16.25 meters) and second-year Ryan Cutter in the 3,000-meter (8:25.89), both capturing event titles. Cutter was also the runner-up in the 5,000-meter on Saturday, adding to his hardware on the weekend. The men’s 4x400 team of first-year Dillon O’Loughlin, third-years Tyson Miller and Elliot Paintsil, and fourth-year Ben Chaimberg closed the weekend on a high note for the Maroons, garnering a third-place finish in the final event. The strong showing tallied 98 points over the weekend, securing a third-place finish for the men’s team behind runner-up

Wash U and UAA Champion Carnegie Mellon. Asked about the team’s effort this weekend, third-year Elliott Paintsil said, “I felt as if both the men and the women competed at a very high level this weekend and left everything out there on the track, runway, and thrower’s circle. It was really awesome to see everyone get around and cheer each other on, especially because there are some events you don’t get the time to watch during regular season meets, which I think only adds to the amazing performances from Saturday and Sunday.” With respect to this weekend’s qualifier, Paintsil added, “Looking forward to this weekend, we have a couple of people that are right on the bubble for qualifying for the national meet or are on the outside looking in. So, I feel as a team, the overall goal is to get as many people as possible into the national

The seniors celebrate their last season. courtesy of uchicago athletics meet. This is a very special group we have right now and I think with all the work we’ve been putting in since October we can definitely make some moves this weekend.” The Maroons travel to Wart-

burg and Carthage this weekend for their final qualifiers of the indoor season. The meet at Carthage kicks off Friday at 3 p.m.

Wash U Defeats Both Men’s and Women’s Basketball BY CAMILLE AGUILAR Sports Reporter

This past Saturday, the UChicago men’s and women’s basketball teams traveled to the Gateway City to represent the school against their athletic rival Wash U. Earlier in the season, the Maroon men matched up once again with the Bears coming out victorious 88–80. Last year, the Maroons lost once to the Bears by a point and won later by nine. This year, with a roster full of fresh-faced players, Wash U lacks the same veteran presence the UChicago team bolsters. In fact, last year’s Wash U roster boasted seven fourth-year players, while this year a mere one. These numbers perhaps speak to the victory of the Maroons when they first met with the Bears in early January. Last game, the Maroon men saw big performances from sec-

ond-year Dominic Laravie as well as third-year Jordan Baum, with the former contributing 24 points, and the latter contributing eight rebounds and 11 assists. Across the board, the Maroons swept their rivals in every category except field goal percentage and points in the paint. The last time the Maroon ladies met Wash U, the outcome was unfavorable. Still, fourth-year Olariche Obi led the team with her 17 points and eight rebounds. Knowing coach Sain-Conache to be a fan of quick transitions, practice came into play in the game. The Maroons led in points off turnovers as well as doubling the Bear’s modest seven second-chance shots. Heading into the match-up, the Bears were 17–8 overall and 10–4 in the league. The dynamic of the other team had clearly shifted, though it remained to be seen until the standout performance from second-year Jack Nolan. The Bears

also stepped up in all the categories the Maroons had beat them in before. From the outset, the Bears took the lead offensively. Fourthyear Noah Karras has the first opportunity for the Maroons to put them on the board; however, he missed the opportunity, causing possession to fall back into the hands of the eager Bears. Luckily, following a series of missed opportunities on the home team’s behalf, the Bears called a time out. At this point, the game turned around for Karras and the remainder of the Maroons. The significance of their early time out spoke loud and clear throughout the game. The Maroons posed a severe threat to the Bears, and the Bears were anxious. The Maroons held their rank over the slow-moving Bears from the moment Karras came out of the time out and landed his first three in the last three minutes of the half. Within a period of a minute,

the Bears landed a three, the Maroons turned over the ball, and coach Mike McGrath replaced four of the starting five. For the remainder of the half and the game, the Bears reversed their fortunes. Of the 32 times players scored in the second half, only 12 were made by the Maroons. Moreover, a third of their shots were made through foul shot attempts. Outshot and out-hustled in the second half, the Maroon men fell to Wash U, 81–63. As for the ladies, the outcome was likewise not fortuitous. With the game high of 13 points coming from third-year Mia Farrell, the Maroons were beat across the board. With no fastbreak points, about half the number of second chance points and almost a third of the points from players coming off the bench, the ladies found themselves neck and neck until about the 12-minute mark. With eight minutes remaining in the half,

Wash U player Madeline Homily scored and altered the trajectory of the game. From that point until the very end, the Bears maintained their edge. While both teams took hard losses that day, it certainly did not damper the mood of our athletic stars. Speaking on the game, fourth-year Jamie Kockenmeister said, “It was definitely disappointing because we were looking forward to beating Wash U, especially after the loss earlier in the season. But I think the game shows that we have grown a lot over the season and were able to make the corrections that we were unable to do last time which is a positive thing.” Moving forward, Kockenmeister said, “We have a renewed focus and passion, we still believe that this is a very special group that can achieve a lot and I think we’re going to hold onto that for the rest of the season.”