The Observer, Volume LV, Issue 16, 01/26/24

News: The Exponent, Baldwin Wallace University’s student newspaper, faces funding cuts (pg. 2)

The Case Western Reserve

Observer

Friday, January 26, 2024 Volume LV, Issue 16 Est. 1969

NEWS

Fairfax Market opens near Cleveland Clinic Darcy Chew Copy Editor On Jan. 16, a 40,000-squarefoot market opened near the Cleveland Clinic’s main campus. Named after the neighborhood it’s located in, Fairfax Market is a joint project between Meijer, the City of Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic, the Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation and Fairmount Properties.

Its collaborators hope to provide the nearby community with fresh and convenient food—a welcome addition to the surrounding Case Western Reserve University community.

Students at CWRU have often complained about the lack of accessible and affordable groceries in the vicinity of campus: Plum Market is often expensive and limited in its selection; Dave’s Market, which used to be situated on Cedar Hill, closed in 2022 and Costco Wholesale is a 30-minute drive from campus.

Fairfax Market has been in development for years. The original idea was born in 2018 in response to a community conversation about the residents’ needs, and they officially broke ground in December 2021.

As the goal of this market is to become the Fairfax community’s neighborhood grocery store, the store is diverse in its amenities.

One of its most prominent features in various press releases is its part-

nership with local vendors. With 150 vendors, Fairfax Market offers over 2,000 local products, ranging from spices and homemade frozen soups to beauty care products and paper flowers. The market also contains a highly anticipated international food section. Spanning an entire wall, the 104-foot section features flavors from various regions of the globe, including the Middle East, East Asia, South Asia and Latin America.

The Residence Hall Association (RHA) is planning to help students with transportation to Fairfax Market for those without cars. Alex Nelson, RHA’s vice president of residential experience, comments on his new initiative that will be assigned during RHA’s next general body meeting.

“We’re trying to organize a shuttle right now for the Fairfax Market. We think it’s going to be once a week, probably every Saturday like the Target one, but we’ll put out different times, so you can still go to both,” he said.

Before the arrival and implementation of the shuttles, students can take a Safe Ride within its operating hours or take the local transit lines to nearby stations within walking distance.

Located at 2190 E. 105th St., Fairfax Market is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fairfax Market also has a 90-minute free parking structure and an on-site pickup service available for its customers.

The newly-opened Fairfax Market, located on E. 105th Street, offers an abundance of grocery selections for surrounding communities, including CWRU students. Clay Preusch/The Observer

NEWS

Integrated bachelor’s/master’s program returns after hiatus Zachary Treseler News Editor

Lucas Yang/The Observer

Case Western Reserve University’s combined bachelor’s/master’s programs are open for admission, after the Faculty Senate voted to create a new combined program last semester. This comes after the original Integrated Graduate Studies (IGS) programs suspended their admissions in the fall 2023 semester, in response to changes made by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) regarding the number of credits that can be double-counted.

The original IGS program allowed students to earn an advanced degree in addition to their bachelor’s, in either four or five years, without having to formally re-apply to graduate school.

The new combined program replaces all the previous combined bachelor’s and master’s programs, except those in medicine, dentistry and law, which are not regulated by the state of Ohio. This new program only allows nine credit hours to double-count across all disciplines.

The university claims that the

original programs have not “been discontinued.” According to the university, this new program will address confusion by bringing all the BA/MA, BS/MS and BA and professional degrees into one centralized place.

“It also allows students to apply for whatever master’s program they are interested in, which wasn’t possible under the old rules. More students will now be able to combine their bachelor’s and master’s degrees,” the university said.

The previous IGS programs allowed students to use a large portion of the master’s degree credits for their undergraduate degree.

This allowed many students to graduate within four years. With the new, stricter regulations, students are expected to spend extra time to complete their degrees.

To apply, students need to have completed 75 credit hours and have two semesters of undergrad remaining before graduation.

Many of the application simplifications, such as not having to take a graduate school exam, still apply.

Continue reading on page 2

News

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, January 26, 2024 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 16

Integrated program returns from page 1 It is important to note that students who matriculated before the summer 2022 can participate in the former IGS program. The Faculty Senate successfully grandfathered them in and the university says this will allow those students who have previously changed their plans, due

to IGS’ temporary shutdown, to continue earning their combined degree.

The university said the new combined degree requirements only exist because of changes the state of Ohio made in 2022.

Though, many students stress the annoyance with the current system.

A computer science student expressed frustration with “a lack of transparency with the department about the possibility of a withdrawal.”

“The university should’ve made it clear to applicants that such changes were being discussed,” they said.

“Additionally, there was not much

information disseminated by the school after [the original suspension] was announced.”

CWRU told The Observer that these changes will be communicated with students when information about the combined programs are fully updated.

The Exponent, Baldwin Wallace University’s student newspaper, faces funding cuts Staff members call for support to continue print publication Timothy Kill Contributing Writer The Exponent, Baldwin Wallace University’s student-led newspaper, faces losing support from Baldwin Wallace University for the print edition of their newspaper.

The editors of the paper learned of the potential cut to their operations through a screenshot of a redacted email sent to the club’s advisor. The email stated that university officials wanted to meet with the editorial board of The Exponent to discuss moving strictly to online publication if the cost of printing could not be covered by ads, donations and student fees.

Members of The Exponent’s editorial board met with university officials on Jan. 8. Alexis Watkins, executive art director of The Exponent and a senior at Baldwin Wallace, left the meeting without much assurance as to the future of the paper. Watkins stated that The Exponent was not given a savings goal or timeline for when changes to the paper’s funding would be altered.

However, Baldwin Wallace’s board of directors is meeting on Jan. 26 to discuss the university’s budget.

The loss of the print edition of The Exponent is tied to the $20 million deficit accumulated by the university between July 2022 and June 2023. The deficit was first reported

by The Exponent.

If the university were to no longer financially support the print edition of The Exponent, the organization would need to fund its own printing and collaborate with local printing companies to decrease printing prices. Watkins explained that the organization began to work on developing the business side of the paper in previous semesters but did not realize that university support was no longer an option.

Simon Skoutas, executive editor of The Exponent, stated that community members are surprised by

Baldwin Wallace University’s beloved student newspaper, The Exponent, turns to the community for support as their print edition faces an uncertain future due to financial deficits.

Courtesy of Baldwin Wallace University the possibility of losing an important campus institution. Speaking on the significance of The Exponent, Skoutas stated, “it’s a huge part of professional development, and will really harm our staff.”

Israel Gole, a staff writer at The Exponent, spoke of the difference between physical and digital media. “The print edition is valued a lot,” they said. “I feel like having us just be a digital-only news source would inhibit our role, especially in the Berea community.”

Gole is not the only member of the staff that feels the mission of The Exponent is inhibited by the potential loss of the print edition.

Watkins emphasized the impor-

tance of the paper’s role within the Baldwin Wallace University community. Watkins said that students complete The Exponent’s crossword puzzles and some professors distribute print copies of the paper in class.

Recently, The Exponent began to distribute the paper to various cafes outside of campus, including Generations Senior Living of Berea, a local senior care facility. Watkins explained that The Exponent recently began sending reporters to Berea City Council meetings and covering many local issues. The close-knit community was a reason why Watkins decided to attend Baldwin Wallace, and she feels as

though that sense of community may be lost with the discontinuation of the print edition of The Exponent.

While the future is uncertain for The Exponent, the staff is still looking to the greater community for support. The Exponent is currently holding a donation drive to raise money to continue their print publication. “The Berea and Cleveland communities are close, both Baldwin Wallace and Case are small, private schools,” Watkins said regarding why Case Western Reserve University students should support The Exponent. “Our type of connection is similar, and it is important to band together.”

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Life

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, January 26, 2024 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 16

“Saltburn” is a rambunctious drama, for better or for worse Kethan Srinivasan Staff Writer It has become quite clear that Emerald Fennell has a passion for the fiercely provocative. Judging by her past work on the second season of “Killing Eve” and her 2020 film debut, “Promising Young Woman,” Fennell’s latest entry for the 2023 film season was bound to turn more heads, particularly if those heads belong to the chronically online crowds fawning over the latest heartthrobs of the year.

And it is safe to say that said latest entry, “Saltburn,” certainly appeals to the crowds who thrive on shock factors, aesthetics and cast member celebrity. However, the same can’t be said for those who crave a bit more substance from the insanity that is the film’s screenplay.

Set in the mid-2000s, “Saltburn” is a morbid yet comedic thriller centered around a first-year University of Oxford scholarship student named Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan). His perceived lower-class roots and Merseyside accent makes him stick out like a sore thumb and cause him to be thoroughly avoided by his peers. Despite such alienation, he finds himself drawn to Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), who is the spitting image of perfection in Oliver’s eyes.

This distant admiration quickly turns into a close friendship, and Felix invites Oliver to spend the summer at his family’s manor in the British countryside, a grand estate that does

not hesitate to showcase its affluence in excess. Montages of sun-kissed 20year olds living in the lap of luxury ensue, while further behind the scenes, Oliver’s fascination with Felix, his wealth and his gratingly eccentric family and friends sets off a grim sequence of events.

So what exactly is there to like about “Saltburn”? At first glance, the film is inexplicably gorgeous, largely due to its cinematography and setting. Whether on the Oxford campus, the local pub or even the eponymous estate where the film takes place, every inch of scenery is vibrant with color and majestic from the ground to the air, thanks to the work of cinematographer Linus Sandgren. Fennell also credits Sandgren for the decision to shoot in a 4:3 aspect ratio, of which she said, “It gives you the impression of peeping in, and that’s kind of what this is. It’s a doll’s house and we’re all kind of peeping in, scrabbling to get in.”

A handful of individual performances are also worth mentioning: the vanity-obsessed Lady Elspeth Catton (Rosamund Pike) who irritates as much as she entertains with droll dialogue; Carey Mulligan’s cameo as a pitiful houseguest and the distraught and damaged Venetia Catton (Alison Oliver) who eyes Oliver’s closeness to Felix with caution.

Sadly, performances and cinematography are no good if they can’t be held together by a well-handled story, and likewise a concrete theme or commentary. In fact, this is perhaps the biggest problem with “Saltburn”—

Despite the initial shock factor of Emerald Fennell’s new thriller comedy “Saltburn,” the beautiful cinematography fails to obscure the lack of depth to the story. Courtesy of Amazon Studios there isn’t much left to the imagination to set it apart from the other films and stories it seeks to evoke, such as “The Talented Mr. Ripley.” The perceived class-disparity narrative that seems to play out in the first act becomes muddled by Oliver and his, to put it mildly, unhealthy fixation with a boy and his family. The film takes this obsession to the point where Oliver violently turns on all of Saltburn’s residents, making the self-absorbed wealthy family seem more worthy of sympathy, while Oliver becomes the undeserving and evil cretin that his posh classmates always made him out to be. It’s a predictable final twist that diminishes the script’s potential.

Why was such a strange choice made, then? Could it have to do with Fennell’s own background aligning with that of the Cattons because of her Eton-educated jeweler father and her

own Oxford education? Is she choosing to not provide commentary on the nuance of the class divide because she herself belongs to that world? That is up to the viewers to decide for themselves. What is definitive for many, however, is the story’s heavy reliance on outlandish sequences, such as the ones involving a bathtub and a grave, to carry the story to a lukewarm ending, leaving very little to the imagination compared to the stories that inspired it.

The longer “Saltburn” sits in your mind after digesting the story, the more you wonder if it was worth your time. It becomes less clear whether the story has a clear motive or really anything to show for itself, and more clear that its shock factor and good looks exist not just for your entertainment, but also to be the next addition to someone’s vision board.

Close your eyes and count to 10: “Wonka” entertains with elaborate scenes and compelling characters Téa Tamburo News Editor Willy Wonka existed in popular culture long before his introduction in “Wonka.” The audience’s first introduction to his character was through Roald Dahl’s 1964 best-seller “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” which was the basis for the 1971 classic movie, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” “Wonka” is set as a prequel to this movie, turning back the clock to showcase how Wonka overcame obstacles to become a renowned chocolate maestro. The film, which premiered in December 2023 and was directed by Paul King, welcomes viewers to a world of pure imagination.

Keeping in mind that, as his mother told him, “every good thing in this world started with a dream,” “Wonka” features elaborate musical scenes, high-comic caricatures and, of course, plenty of nods to the original movie.

The aim of the prequel’s story is to show how Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) went from dreaming of owning a chocolate shop to scouring exotic landscapes for ingredients, and eventually beating the Chocolate Cartel at their own corrupt game.

After failing to read the fine print, Wonka is scammed by Bleacher (Tom Davis) and Mrs. Scrubitt (Olivia Colman), who run a boarding house and

laundry. There, he and the other hostages are forced to work off their enormous debts one bedsheet at a time.

Wonka is in good company with his fellow tenants Abacus (Jim Carter), Lottie (Rakhee Thakrar), Piper (Natasha Rothwell), Mr. Chucklesworth (Rich Fulcher) and Noodle (Calah Lane). Despite these obstacles, Wonka perseveres in making and selling chocolate with the help of his fellow multitalented tenants. Noodle becomes Wonka’s taste-tester, business partner and close friend, showcasing a softer, more human side of Wonka that’s not apparent in the 1971 film.

Although the movie is titled “Wonka,” Noodle plays almost an equally important role. Both orphans for different reasons, Wonka and Noodle are drawn to each other and have to trust one another to survive the boarding house. After agreeing to be business partners, Wonka promises to help her pay her debts to Bleacher and Mrs. Scrubitt, a promise we see him overcome obstacles to keep. Noodle’s identity as an orphan is unfortunately used as a plot device, but the main motif in “Wonka” is still family.

Wonka carries with him the last chocolate bar his mother made—a Wonka bar—in hopes of seeing her again when he achieves his chocolate-making dreams. Additionally, his tenants’ teamwork drives Wonka’s chocolate success and brings Noodle a sense of

Prequel to the 1971 classic, “Wonka” expands on the whimsical character of Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) by showcasing his rise to becoming the iconic chocolatier. Courtesy of Warner Bros belonging.

Harkening back to the “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” “Wonka” incorporates aspects of the original film’s quintessential soundtrack and sets. The soundtrack overall is a good fit for the movie’s aesthetic; however, it lacks the long-term memorability the original 1971 soundtrack has. In terms of set design callbacks, Wonka’s store opening features a chocolate river and oversized candies that have whimsical effects—a nod to candies such as the Everlasting Gobstoppers and Fizzy Lifting Drinks in “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Fac-

tory.”

Expanding upon the original movie, Wonka is presented not only as a chocolatier, but also as somewhat of a magician. Through his chocolatemaking travel kit, which is practically a desk-sized chocolate factory, and the fantasy-like adventures he goes on with Noodle, “Wonka” adds a sense of mythical wonder and humanity to the previously-known character. “Wonka” is as ​​inscrutable and whimsical as the titular character himself, perfectly capturing his personality while giving its audience a clear path to how he reached chocolate-making iconacy.

Fun

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, January 26, 2024 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 16

Sudoku

Weekly Horoscope The signs as Cleveland grocery stores

Easy

Medium

Hard

Very Hard

Aquarius Meïjer Pisces Heinen's Aries Kroger Taurus Giant Eagle Gemini Plum Market Cancer Whole Foods Leo Marc's Virgo Dave's Supermarket Libra Gas USA Scorpio Circle Convenience

Overheard CWRU

Compilation of out-of-pocket things heard across campus

"Case students don't know how to eat."

"You've gotta be some type of insane to understand physics."

"Every time I walk up the elephant steps my lungs get dangerously close to collapsing."

"My Bio 216's professors biceps are so large I actually can't focus in class."

"These freshmen are mean."

"My navigator told me to drop out."

"Case needs to start performing pysch tests before admitting students."

Sagittarius Fairfax Market

"I constantly feel like I'm being filmed for a social experiment on this campus."

"Every empty table at Tink I walk up to reminds me that every kid at this school doesn't know how to properly f*cking eat."

Capricorn Murray Hill Market Tyler Vu /The Observer

Fun 5

observer.case.edu

ACROSS 1 Greek god carrying one old musical instrument 4 Row involving head of great big cat 7 Near thrilling sensation overwhelming a wonderful singer 8 Gathered sheep to exercise 9 Pictures of a couple initially ready to board ship 12 Were any out of order one week after Christmas?

14 Partner brushing off back of the rug 15 Realistic word that one anagrammed 17 Heading west say, daughter accompanies short odd duck 18 Some don't appear available DOWN 1 Write piece about island seabird 2 Fish's point of view 3 Pass brewed cup o' tea 4 Metal part of fork lacking finish 5 Fertilizer put back on one month in summer 6 Oriole regularly producing eggs 10 Naval weapon ordepot at sea

Crossword

What We've Been Listening To Smile Like You Mean It Killers Elizabeth McHugh

Catalina Rosalia

Lexy Jensen

The Rifle's Spiral The Shins Clay Preusch

Ex Girlfriend Melina KB

Zachary Treseler

Don't You Forget About Me Simple Minds 11 Draw topless in an excited state -that's saucy!

13 Thrilled with love and got married 14 Value rising in retirement

15 Guy scratching bottom is useless 16 Garment periodically seen in Thebes

Tyler Vu

I'm Jealous Labyrinth

Anjali Bhuthpur

Aria Math C418 Elie Aoun

Sexy Avantika

Shivangi Nanda

Ex-Factor Ms. Lauryn Hill Shejuti Wahed

Say Hello 2 Heaven Temple of the Dog Beau Bilinovich

The Adults Are Talking The Strokes Jack Loomis

Praising You (ft. Fatboy Slim) Rita Ora Puneet Bansal

It's Everyday Bro Jake Paul Bowen Zhang

illicit affairs Taylor Swift

Auden Koetters

A Cautionary Tale Auli'i Cravalho, Jaquel Spivey Darcy Chew

6 Fun

Friday, January 26, 2024

Word Search: Words that start with "P"

Pan Pant Pat Paint Pen Penguin Petrol

Pick Pest Parrot Pencil Paper Pear Painful

Parliament Paragraph Parade Palm Package Paraphrase Parent

Panel Puzzle Picallo Pandowdy Palavers Pagurian

Photos of the Week

Clay Preusch/The Observer

Puneet Bansal/The Observer

Téa Tamburo/The Observer

Auden Koetters/The Observer

Shivangi Nanda/The Observer

Shivangi Nanda/The Observer

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Fun 7

Opinion

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, January 26, 2024 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 16

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and it deserves our attention Jessica Kwasny Staff Writer Human trafficking is an unpleasant topic, one that few are eager to discuss. However, avoiding the subject only allows it to persist in silence.

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and it is as good a time as any to inform ourselves about the reality of the issue so that we can combat it from every possible angle.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security defines human trafficking as “the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act.” As this definition notes, this type of abuse is not only limited to sexual exploitation but also includes forced labor, in which victims are compelled to provide work against their will. Globally, it is estimated that 27.6 million people are being trafficked at any given time, with these activities collectively yielding $150 billion in illegal revenue each year. It is no exaggeration that human trafficking is a modern form of slavery, alive and functioning on an enormous scale.

While it is true that this issue is a worldwide problem, it is important to not get so caught up in the big picture that we neglect the offenses that occur in our own communities. The U.S., despite being a nation that mar-

kets itself as a land of freedom and independence, is a hub for human trafficking, with more than 17,500 people trafficked into the country each year. In 2021, the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline received 10,359 reports of trafficking cases, with 291 cases being identified in Ohio alone—and yet these numbers do not even reflect the countless number of cases that were never reported.

In fact, the hidden, underreported nature of human trafficking is one factor that makes it so difficult to take down. For one, traffickers often threaten to harm their victims should they attempt to flee or report their situation. Victims may fear losing access to basic needs such as food and a place to live if they try to escape.

Others may feel shame in coming forward or may even be so effectively manipulated by traffickers that they do not recognize they are being exploited. Those who are undocumented in a country often fear deportation and face language barriers. In other words, the reasons victims and survivors do not speak out are numerous and complex, making it essential that we as a community know how to identify and support victims as best we can.

Spotting human trafficking is not only challenging because traffickers are skilled at keeping their activities undercover but also because by-

standers tend to hold misconceptions about what trafficking looks like. For instance, while the majority of trafficking victims are female, males can be victims as well. The LGBTQIA+ community is also frequently overlooked as a vulnerable population, suffering from even greater rates of underreporting and stigmatization.

Another myth is that human trafficking always involves kidnapping by a stranger. Although it may occasionally occur this way, it is also common for traffickers to target people whom they already know. Once again, education and awareness are necessary to ensure these misconceptions don’t prevent us from stopping human trafficking.

I want to highlight one myth in particular: the false notion that pornography can be neatly separated from human trafficking. Considering that a 2017 study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior journal found that 76.5% of surveyed college students access sexual entertainment online, this idea is worth discussing. Not only is sexual abuse widespread in both the production and distribution of porn, but it is also impossible for viewers to determine if the porn they are watching is consensual. Even sites which claim to prohibit non-consensual content, such as Pornhub, consistently fail to uphold this standard. With the porn industry taking in an estimated $97

billion per year, the minutes and dollars spent on it are no small matter.

College students deserve to be aware of the close connection between pornography and human trafficking.

The full extent of the human trafficking issue and comprehensive education on how to help victims cannot possibly be contained in this article alone. We need to go a step further in educating ourselves and our peers about what we can do to stop human trafficking where we are right now.

There are opportunities to do so both on campus and online: On Jan. 31, the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women is hosting a discussion panel to provide education on human trafficking in the college campus setting.

Registration details can be found on CampusGroups. One to One Fitness Center is offering self-defense classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, which include training on situational awareness. Online, the Polaris Project and the U.S. Department of State’s website are good places to look for information.

Turning a blind eye to human trafficking does a disservice to its victims and to our communities at large. Such a complex issue requires us to unite against it and to listen to the voices of those who have suffered at its hands. It is worth setting aside some time to equip ourselves with the knowledge and skills to put an end to human trafficking.

Starbucks: Brewing controversy instead of coffee Salsabeel Salem Staff Writer I am a chronic coffee drinker.

My day starts with a freshly brewed 20-ounce cup of black coffee that I make from the comfort of my dorm.

It’s the perfect amount of caffeine to get me through the morning. My second cup is typically a flavored iced latte that serves as my leisure sipping cup.

If I happen to stumble upon another coffee opportunity, or imminent deadlines and exams pressure me into indulging, cups three and four may make an appearance. However, recently my coffee habits have been forced to change. Starbucks, the global leader in the coffee industry, has been declared a boycott target, forcing millions of coffee drinkers worldwide to source their coffee from elsewhere. And you should, too.

For context, the Israel-Palestine conflict is a protracted and deeply rooted geopolitical struggle primarily centered around territorial disputes and competing national aspirations in the Middle East. In October 2023, war broke out, drawing attention from the entire world. Leaders and companies from diverse backgrounds took to social media to share their opinions on the matter, including the group Starbucks Workers United.

On the platform X, formerly known

as Twitter, Starbucks Workers United made a post in solidarity with Palestine with a picture of the Palestinian political extremist group Hamas tearing down a fence on the Gaza Strip. Starbucks responded with a forceful statement strongly condemning the group’s views, which resulted in a double lawsuit from both parties. Consumers interpreted the message as a means of censoring the Starbucks Workers Union, implying that Starbucks supports Israel. As a result, consumers are boycotting, and it’s working.

In response to the boycott, Starbucks has been scrambling to make amends with its customers, offering promotional deals such as 50% off all drinks on Thursdays. This kind of incentivization is rare for a company that prides itself on serving the upper-business class. In an attempt to reverse the damage, CEO Laxman Narasimhan released a statement claiming that “[o]ur stance is clear. We stand for humanity.” Despite Narasimhan’s efforts, this statement backfired for the company. Distancing itself from the pro-Palestine Union further angered supporters of Palestine, reinforcing the boycott which has now contributed to a 9% drop in share price since November.

Starbucks’ pathetic attempt to reestablish customer loyalty proves that boycotting works. However, a boycott is only effective if everyone contrib-

utes to the cause. As the genocide in Palestine approaches a death toll of almost 30,000, with the majority being women and children, it is becoming increasingly important for the world to keep its eyes on Palestine.

Through small actions such as spreading awareness through social media and correcting misconstrued propaganda, regular people like us students at Case Western Reserve University can have a voice, speaking for the Palestinians who have been silenced by Israeli occupation. We need to start with each one of us adopting the social responsibility to fight for Palestine and reflecting that in our actions—starting with boycotting.

Luckily, the CWRU community provides a plethora of alternatives for us coffee addicts to get a fix. For those living in the North Residential Village, cozy coffee shops such as The Coffee House provide a welcoming environment for students to grab a hot latte and study in a rustic environment. If you happen to be on the go on Euclid Avenue, you can stop by Odd Dog Coffee, a cute food truck partnered with the Museum of Contemporary Art. Blue Sky Brews and Algebra Tea House do an excellent job serving Southside residents with their inviting atmosphere and chill study environment. Phoenix Coffee Co. in Coventry is also a great option if you happen to be shopping for the day at Avalon Exchange. And

of course, my personal favorite for coffee on the meal plan, Cafe on the Quad, is a phenomenal option, with their iced white chocolate latte being my personal favorite.

Still not satisfied? Make it yourself!

We are fortunate enough to have access to coffee makers, K-cups and a plethora of different coffee grounds and syrups. Thus, if you can’t find a favorite place around campus to pick up a cup, design your own.

Still not satisfied? Then quit coffee!

Though it may be a long time until I come around to achieving this feat, I highly recommend it for people who are looking to wean off caffeine and source their energy from elsewhere.

Research shows that establishing a good, consistent sleep schedule with a minimum of seven hours of sleep a night can boost your mood and provide you with more energy for the day.

Working out, especially early in the morning, has shown to have similar health benefits.

Ultimately, it’s up to us to support Palestine in any way we can. If the United Nations refuses to intervene, we must. Through boycotting Starbucks, we can share our support for Palestine, ensuring that our actions reflect our moral responsibility to fight injustice. So take this as a sign to try a new local coffee shop. Feed your addiction, but do so ethically. Stay caffeinated, CWRU.

Opinion 9

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BookTok or BookToxic?

How BookTok is taking the joy out of reading Katharina Staehr Staff Writer With little to do over winter break, I turned to avid reading to fight off my boredom. And indeed, I was entertained by the bubbling BookTok community, only to find Sally Rooney’s “Normal People” quickly slide onto my digital bookshelf. The book recommendation came from a BookTok staple video format: “Books I would sell my soul to read again for the first time,” the camera panning across manicured hands revealing book covers that enveloped ostentatious, sticky tabbed insides.

More so than finding joy within the novel itself, I was amused by the cringe of the trend: overly enthusiastic book lovers displaying

their perfectly curated shelf of unread books and frequent references to people’s 2024 reading goals.

The same shallow reviews praise the author’s writing as “raw” and “authentic,” and you often see meticulously annotated pages adorned with colorful sticky tabs.

No later did I realize that in BookTok culture reading is held to excessive beauty standards—a commercialized beauty pageant at best, where the actual joy of reading will most definitely not win first prize, or any prize at all for that matter.

Within the past few years, bookobsessed TikTok users and influencers have conglomerated on the so-called BookTok community, which boasts 179 billion views, making it among the largest communities on the app. Publishing houses and authors have every

The Case Western Reserve Observer Established in 1969 by the undergraduate students of Case Western Reserve University

Shivangi Nanda Executive Editor & Publisher PRINT Elie Aoun Director of Print Téa Tamburo News Editor Zachary Treseler News Editor Kate Gordon Life Editor Beau Bilinovich Opinion Editor Puneet Bansal Sports Editor Lexy Jensen Development Editor Darcy Chew Copy Editor Sarah Karkoff Copy Editor Sahar Kapasi Copy Editor DIGITAL MEDIA Joce Ortiz Director of Digital Media Nandana Vinod Social Media Manager Aambar Agarwal Social Media Editor Shejuti Wahed Social Media Content Creator & Video Editor Clay Preusch Photo Editor Noah Henriques Web Editor

reason to welcome the growing swarm of BookTokers: According to Forbes, the U.S. print book market was up 9% in 2021; print sales for young adult fiction grew by almost 31% the same year. In 2022, the BookTok-famous novel “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover outsold the bible by 2.3 million copies. Meanwhile, Hoover landed herself a spot on Time Magazine’s list of the “The 100 Most Influential People of 2023.”

Likewise, BookTok is increasing readership among the public. A 2023 poll conducted among TikTok users in the United States showed that 48% of users were reading more because of the influence of BookTok. Yet, as much as BookTok is a driving force in the publishing industry—spawning best-sellers left and right while welcoming new readers along the way—it has swamped reading in senseless commercialism. Bookstores now have entire bays dedicated to books marketed with the sign “as seen on TikTok.” BookTokers receive loads of books from publishers to artfully show off on their platforms, but that never reappear on the channel. Nonetheless, people hop onto the bandwagon: They want to be in on “what everybody is talking about.” Really, they want to be able to say they have read a lot of books because that is equated with “knowing things.”

And when you “know things” you are granted a generous stake in cultural capital. Who would refuse the titles of being “well-versed,” “cultured” and “literary?”

Books showered with praise on BookTok seem to follow common tropes: women lusting after hardto-get men, enemies to lovers, morally gray villains and right person, wrong time. BookTok often challenges us to explore our reading preferences, just as I was lured into reading Sally Rooney’s romance novel “Normal People,” which I or-

dinarily would never have picked up because I am a diehard fan of historical fiction. Upon finishing the story, I caught myself questioning: Did I read the book for the sake of having a stake in the BookTok community, or because I genuinely enjoyed the process of reading it?

Considering I gave it a poor review, it was probably the former. I realized, then, that this is the inherent nature of BookTok; in its community, the act of “being a reader” has bullied out the act of reading itself, along with the readers who genuinely enjoy reading for the quality and pleasure it adds to their life.

BookTok transcends its sheer popularity, pervading our personal space. It is no longer just some community on a social media platform—it’s a lifestyle. Procuring a massive book collection organized by color, extensively highlighting “sentimental” book quotes in all colors of the rainbow or touting oneself a “certified bookworm” are some of the few qualities that have become a stand-in for many BookTokers’ personalities—personalities that wrap every one of their over 300 books in brown paper, or encourage wearing a “cute fit” to read more or re-tab their books because they stick out too much. This raises the question: Is there even any time left for actually reading?

Granted, BookTok might be a great place to start for a new reader unsure how to navigate the vast landscape of literature. But they should be warned not to let the aesthetic thumbnails and the prospect of being a “cultured reader” get to them. In the same vein, we should all be reminded that we should read not for the sake of meeting a certain standard—unless, perhaps, it’s for English class—or to battle out some beauty competition. We should read entirely for ourselves. It is the only way we can preserve the beauty of reading in a world concerned with everything but.

DESIGN Auden Koetters Director of Design Anjali Bhuthpur Layout Designer Bowen Zhang Layout Designer Elizabeth McHugh Layout Designer Lucas Yang Graphic Designer Tyler Vu Graphic Designer BUSINESS Khushali Desai Director of Business Operations Jack Loomis Business Manager Ava Gallegos Business Manager Sophia Ran Distribution Manager Cayley Ng Distribution Manager The Observer is the weekly undergraduate student newspaper of Case Western Reserve University. Established in 1969, The Observer reports news affecting students and provides an editorial forum for the university community. Unsigned editorials are typically written by the opinion editor but reflect the majority opinion of the senior editorial staff. Opinion columns are the views of their writers and not necessarily of The Observer staff. For advertising information, contact The Observer via e-mail at observer@case. edu.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR should be e-mailed to observer@case.edu or submitted on our website at observer.case.edu. Letters can be mailed to Thwing Center 11111 Euclid Avenue, Suite 01, Cleveland, Ohio 44106. For policy and guidelines related to the submission of Letters to the Editor, refer to observer.case.edu/submit-a-letter.

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10 Opinion

Friday, January 26, 2024

Finding the magic in Hallmark movies Snehal Choudhury Staff Writer This past winter break, I finally had the chance to catch up on plenty of much-needed, stress-free sleep and mentally recover from a very grueling third semester. But more importantly, our family continued a long-standing tradition of watching oodles of Hallmark movies around Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. Many nights, after my mom had a hard day at work, we sat on the couch and powered through a movie or two, spending precious time together. Initially, I was incredibly confused as to why my mom, along with millions of other viewers, loved tuning in to this kitsch every year.

If I did sit through a movie, it was typically for the sake of hate-watching and poking holes in the movies’ plots.

Over the years, as I matured and the production quality of Hallmark movies drastically improved, they started to grow on me. While these movies are far from perfect and some ridicule is merited, they do have some positive attributes.

It bothered me that, for the longest time, Hallmark movies always played it relatively safe. That is, they never made movies that seriously addressed realworld issues that many average Americans face. The closest they ever got was adding in a deceased or injured parent or a person who dealt with the aftermath of a bad relationship. While those are common issues people experience, that only scratches the surface and undermines these movies’ relatability.

More problematically, these movies often fell short in representing the diversity of American society. Many times, I couldn’t identify with any characters on-screen because their identities were disparate from mine or they didn’t face similar challenges in life. It made these movies forgettable and hard to enjoy.

Fortunately, in recent years, Hallmark has made improvements by including a wider variety of characters in a positive light, particularly those of color and from the LGBTQIA+ community. They’ve also made efforts to tackle meaningful societal topics such as adoption and autism in their movies, which has significantly improved my viewing experience.

One notable example is “Romance in Style.” The movie follows a plus-sized fashion designer who advocates for a dying clothing magazine to include plus-sized fashion to reach a far wider reader base. For an industry that prioritizes starring skinny people, it was refreshing to see a movie featuring someone who didn’t look like a super-

Tyler Vu/The Observer model. Unlike older movies, this movie took a direct shot at the lack of body inclusivity in the fashion industry. But for the first time, I felt seen and heard with this movie; just like the main character, I’ve had struggles with my weight and feeling beautiful in my own body. To see someone like her portrayed in such a positive and empowering light made the movie unforgettable. These recent changes are a step in the right direction, and have only made Hallmark movies more enticing for me to watch.

However, Hallmark still has a ways to go—they could always improve their on-screen representation. And personally, I don’t always appreciate how cheesy and predictable their movies are.

Sometimes it’s boring that two people will always inevitably meet in the most unexpected way and fall in love, and ev-

ery single problem will miraculously get resolved in a two-hour time slot. And seriously, they could take a break from certain tropes and storylines; for one, not every movie has to have a character whose parent is deceased or have two people fall in love—what’s wrong with just being really good friends sometimes?

On the flip side, the predictable happy ending and impractical storylines are what makes Hallmark movies so alluring. Let’s face it, the real world can be less than ideal sometimes. Life seems so fast and complicated. On top of the stress of college, many of us are cognizant of ongoing issues such as climate change, women’s rights and the outcome of the 2024 election. Plus, in the real world, problems aren’t solved so easily and bureaucracy often gets in the

way. It is easy to feel discouraged that anything will change for the better.

To me and others, Hallmark movies are perfect because they give us a temporary utopian escape from all of the unlikeable aspects of the real world.

We are forced to relax and focus on the positives because in the Hallmark universe everything always ends well. It is truly heartwarming and joyful to watch two people trust each other and fall in love while families grow stronger under adversity. Whenever I feel that nothing is going right, these movies challenge my pessimism and serve as a stark reminder that good outcomes are not always beyond the possible.

So next winter break, odds are high that I’ll be on the couch with my parents, enjoying more fantastic Hallmark movies.

EDITORIAL

Finding your place in student life Editorial Board Coming back to school after a monthlong break can be a drastic transition.

Having to get back on track and navigate a new schedule can throw us all for a loop. For Case Western Reserve University’s spring admits, this transition can be even more jarring. There are, however, ways we can all stay engaged and active now that we’re back in school.

First, CWRU offers a plethora of wonderful and exciting student organizations and clubs to engage in. The Student Activities Fair (SAF) took place this Thursday, allowing all interested students the opportunity to explore the diverse areas of student involvement.

There are organizations such as CWRU Film Society, which offers movie showings every Friday and Saturday through-

out the semester. CWRU Footlighters provides students the opportunity to engage in their love of musical theater.

Their musical this year is “9 to 5,” based on the 1980 movie starring Dolly Parton. There are also academic clubs such as the Case Rocket Team, which participates in student rocket-building competitions. And of course, there’s us, The Observer, which is always welcome to new and interested students.

This list is certainly not exhaustive.

CWRU has many more organizations to offer—and even if you weren’t able to make it to the SAF, you can still sign up for clubs throughout the year. Visit their websites or browse CWRU’s listing of its student organizations on CampusGroups.

Additionally, the winter weather at the start of this semester can challenge our ability to get engaged on campus.

But that doesn’t have to stop us from making the most of the weeks ahead.

There’s nothing wrong with staying in with your friends or roommates and watching a movie or catching up on a show you’ve been binging. These can act as relaxing moments when you can enjoy a shared interest with the people you care about. As we move further along in the semester and face increasing academic challenges, these simple moments can help keep us motivated and allow us to live in the present moment. If you’re itching for competition, consider learning a new board game or even joining CWRU’s Tabletop Empire, which is dedicated to tabletop games such as Warhammer 40,000 and Catan. Card games are another college staple—Euchre is certainly a midwestern favorite.

Getting engaged can also mean exploring your own hobbies, or even de-

veloping new ones. If you’re a writer, pick up a pen or pencil and a piece of paper and write that story you’ve had in your mind that wants to get out. If you’re musically inclined and have an instrument that you haven’t played in a while, pick it up again. Learn some new songs on guitar or piano, or try writing your own. CWRU is home to a vibrant musical community and is right next to Severance Music Center; there are bound to be plenty of students who are as excited about music as you are.

No matter your interests and how you express your hobbies, there are many ways to get involved on campus.

While the year is still new and there are many more months ahead of us before the semester ends, let’s all find ways to get engaged in student life. There’s a place for all of us; you just have to find yours.

Sports

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, January 26, 2024 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 16

Men’s basketball defeats Emory, Rochester to improve to 15-1 Paola Van der Linden Costello Staff Writer

Case Western Reserve University’s men’s basketball team traveled last weekend, securing two more wins for the team and improving to a 4-1 conference record and 15-1 overall. They faced No. 22 ranked Emory University on Friday, Jan. 19 and University of Rochester on Sunday, Jan. 21. This Spartan team, currently ranked No. 2 in D3hoops.com Top 25, keeps impressing us on the court.

Friday night against Emory was a big moment for third-year guard Sam Trunley, who scored 33 points and made 8 3-pointers. With this, Trunley registered a career high and matched the program record for number of 3-pointers made in a game, achieved by former graduate student guard Mitch Prendergast.

This was also the highest number of points by a Spartan player since 2017. Trunley shot 9-16 from the field, 8-13 from beyond the arc and 7-10 from the free throw line. Graduate student guard Anthony Mazzeo added 25 points to the game and graduate student forward Colin Kahl had his first double-double of the season with a career high of 15 rebounds and 13 points. Fourth-year forward Ian Elam added 8 points to the scoreboard. The team shot 43.5% from the field goal range and 43.3% from beyond the arc.

Although the Spartans secured a win against Emory, the game was not an easy feat. The first points scored by a Spartan was Mazzeo’s first 3-pointer of the night, giving the team a 1 point lead 2:30 into the first half. The Eagles quickly reciprocated and took the lead going on a 7-2 run which gave them their largest lead of the night. The

On Jan. 19, CWRU’s men’s basketball team faced off against Emory, winning 90-86. During the game, third-year guard Sam Trunley scored a career high of 33 points.

Courtesy of Tim Phillis/CWRU Athletics Spartans were quick to respond and after a defensive rebound and consecutive layup by graduate student guard Richie Manigault, the game was tied 20-20. 9 points by Trunley after 3 3-pointers as well as a jump shot by Mazzeo and a 3-pointer by third-year forward Umar Rashid, left CWRU leading by 12 with 5:51 left in the first half.

With consistent gameplay, they were able to maintain this double digit lead and were up by 11 going into halftime.

Emory needed a good run in

order to catch up to the Spartans, and that is what they did in the second half. They managed to cut the Spartan lead to 4 with 16:18 left in the game and then down to 1 with 14:13 on the clock. However, the Spartans quickly matched their energy and went on a 17-8 run which gave them a 10-point lead. Despite relentless effort from the Eagles to match the score, they were unable to take the lead. With 1:19 seconds left they had managed to get it down to a one possession game but Mazzeo’s jumper with 29 seconds

left on the clock had the team back to a 4-point lead and this secured the 90-86 win for CWRU. This team then traveled to Rochester to face the Yellowjackets on their home court. This was another close game which ended with the Spartans up on top. Rashid had his fourth double-double of the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Trunley added 23 points and 4 rebounds and Mazzeo had 13 points.

The team shot 44.4% overall and 29.2% from the 3-point line. The Spartan bench added 37 points compared to Rochester’s 11 points.

The Spartans obtained their first lead of the night with a layup

by Rashid two minutes into the game, and they were able to maintain it for the majority of the first half. Back-to-back 3-point shots

by Rashid and graduate student guard Preston Maccoux gave the Spartans the largest lead of this first half, leading by 7. The Yellowjackets responded and established their largest lead of the first half with 1:53 left in the half, but the Spartans were quick to match that effort. With a 6-0 run, the Spartans were leading the score into the second half.

The Spartans never lost the lead in the second half but found themselves in a tight spot after the Yellowjackets managed to trim down a double-digit lead with a little over a minute left to play. However, a turnover by Rochester with 35 seconds left gave CWRU possession again which helped the team convert 2 points. With only seven seconds left, Rochester was unable to turn this to their favor and gave the Spartans the 75-73 victory.

The team will travel again to face the University of Chicago on Friday, Jan. 26 at 8:30 p.m. and the Washington University in St. Louis on Sunday, March 28 at 1 p.m.

Women’s basketball goes 0-2 over weekend, drops to 8-8 Puneet Bansal Sports Editor

Conference play continues to be a challenge for the Case Western Reserve University women’s basketball team. The Spartans fell to Emory University 55-61 on Jan. 19 and to the University of Rochester 62-82 on Jan. 21. CWRU now stands at an overall record of 8-8 and an underwhelming 1-4 record for their University Athletic Association record.

The Spartans opened the Emory game on fire, going on a 10-1 run to take a 10-3 lead following a made 3-pointer from graduate student forward Kate Montgomery. CWRU ended the first quarter with an 1814 lead, but the Eagles amped up their effort to tie the score at 25-25 with less than six minutes left in the half. The Spartans remained right behind Emory but multiple defensive errors allowed the Eagles to take a 36-27 lead into halftime.

Emory continued to roll in the second half and extended their lead to 44-33. The Spartans did not back down and tightened up their defense in the fourth quarter to cut their deficit to 40-44 following a 3-pointer from first-year guard Mya Hartjes. With just under five minutes left, fourth-year forward Kayla Characklis hit back-to-back layups for the 51-50 score. Characklis went on a tear, scoring 10 straight points to put the Spartans in front for the first time since the first quarter.

However, the 55-52 CWRU lead did not faze the Eagles. Emory scored on the very next possession and hit a couple free throws to regain a 1-point lead. The Spartans were unable to respond, and Emory finished the game with a 6-point lead.

The Spartans shot better than Emory (38% to 32.3% overall, 35.3% to 11.8% from the 3-point line) but were destroyed on the offensive rebounds (8 to the Eagles’ 20), which translated to a 16-3 advantage in second-chance points for

Emory.

Fourth-year Characklis led all scorers with 20 points after shooting 10-of-19 overall, 6-of-10 free 3-point range to go along with 3 assists and 4 rebounds. Hartjes finished with a career high 14 points, including a career best 4 3-pointers along with 3 rebounds and 3 assists.

Characklis came out roaring against Rochester, scoring 8 of the first 10 points for CWRU to give them the 10-6 lead halfway through the first quarter. Unfortunately, the YellowJackets found their rhythm and pulled together an impressive 12-0 run for the 18-10 lead. Hartjes and fourth-year guard Sarah Mitchell trimmed Rochester’s lead to 2117 with a 3-pointer and a few free throws, respectively, by the end of the first quarter. Third-year guard/ forward Lucy Vanderbeck opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer to bring CWRU within a point, but the Spartan defense couldn’t hold off the YellowJackets, who ended the half with a 7-0 run for the 44-32

lead heading into halftime.

The YellowJackets dominated for the rest of the game, with their largest lead of the game coming at 23 points in the fourth quarter before winning the game with a 20-point lead.

Rochester held the advantage in the shooting stats (47.8% to 33.3% overall, 26.3% to 25% from beyond the arc). Again, the Spartans were outplayed on second-chance points (7 to 24) and points off turnovers (9 to 18).

Characklis had another brilliant game, matching her career high in points with 22 on 9-of-16 shooting to go with 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Mitchell contributed 8 points and led CWRU with 7 rebounds along with 4 assists and 4 steals.

The Spartans will conclude their four-game road trip across the UAA conference against the University of Chicago on Jan. 26 and against Washington University in St. Louis on Jan. 28.

12 Sports

Friday, January 26, 2024

NFL divisional round provides entertainment-filled weekend Tanishka Mhaskar Staff Writer

The divisional round of the 2024 NFL playoffs featured top-tier kicker drama, the Baltimore Ravens continuing to be the scariest team still alive, a new chapter in the BillsChiefs rivalry, special appearances from Taylor Swift and Jason Kelce and the City of Detroit living out a dream season.

Last weekend’s games started with the young, revamped Houston Texans led by rookie of the year favorite quarterback C.J. Stroud playing the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens.

The game started out competitively, with the Texans’ defense and special teams making big marks early, aided by a punt return touchdown from Texans wide receiver Steven Sims.

Both offenses struggled to score in the first half, but Baltimore pulled away after the break, with their offense finding their groove. Probable NFL MVP and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson finished the day with 4 touchdowns total, 2 on the ground and 2 through the air, while the Ravens’ defense smothered the high-powered Texans’ offense, holding them to just 213 total yards. The Texans failed to score a single offensive touchdown. The Ravens are

back in their first AFC Championship game since they won the Super Bowl during the 2013 season.

The NFC’s top-seeded San Francisco 49ers hosted the Green Bay Packers, who found their postAaron Rodgers identity late in the season, leading them to win four of their final six games and sneak into the playoffs as the seventh seed. The Packers routed the Dallas Cowboys in the wild-card round on Jan. 14 and played a competitive game with the 49ers.

In the pouring rain, the game started out slowly on offense; the score at halftime was 7-6 for the 49ers. After the break, the dramatics shot up. Packers quarterback Jordan Love found wide receiver Bo Melton for a 19-yard score, but 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey responded for the 49ers to retake the lead. Their lead lasted for all of two minutes as Love hit tight end Tucker Kraft in the endzone and made a 2-point conversion to running back Aaron Jones. A second McCaffrey touchdown and field goal from kicker Jake Moody put the 49ers up 24-21. The Packers had the ball with under two minutes left to drive for the game-tying field goal, but Love’s pass was intercepted by 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw, sending the 49ers to their second NFC Champi-

After a close game, the San Francisco 49ers won 24-21 against the Green Bay Packers, securing themselves a spot in their second NFC Championship in a row.

Courtesy of Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports

Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (left) scores the final touchdown for the Detroit Lions, sending them to their first NFC Championship in over 30 years. Courtesy of Nic Antaya/Getty Images onship in a row.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield had a statement win at home on wild-card weekend, beating the reigning NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles 32-9.

They traveled to Motown to take on the NFL’s “feel-good” Detroit Lions who just won their first playoff game in over thirty years. The Lions won the NFC North for the first time ever and hosted their first playoff games in Detroit since the 1990s, so the city was fired up like none other.

It was a tie game 17-17 until the fourth quarter when the Lions pulled away, with touchdowns from rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs and All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Quarterback Mayfield responded with a touchdown to wide receiver Mike Evans to cut the score to 31-23 after a failed two-point completion, but it was the dream team Lions who would advance to their first NFC Championship since the 1991 season.

The final game of the divisional round was in Western New York as the Buffalo Bills hosted the Kansas City Chiefs, who were playing in their first ever road playoff game in the Patrick Mahomes era. This rivalry has put the Bills Mafia through a lot over the years, but the loss this time might just be the most harrow-

ing of them all.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen playing tremendous football. In the fourth quarter, the Chiefs took a 27-24 lead after a rushing touchdown from running back Isiah Pacheco. Then, in a feelgood movie fashion, the Bills faked a punt in their own territory with safety Damar Hamlin, but the trick play failed. The Chiefs were inches away from extending their lead, but wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. fumbled at the goal line, so due to the controversial touchback rule, it was Buffalo’s ball. A few plays later, Kansas City knocked the ball out of Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen’s arms but the Bills were able to recover.

This eventually led to a Tyler Bass 44-yard field goal attempt to tie the game. Bass’ kick sailed wide right in heartbreaking déjà vu fashion. The Chiefs advanced to their sixth AFC Championship in a row since the Mahomes era began, and the Bills are left wondering: if not now, then when?

The conference championships will be held this Sunday, Jan. 28.

The Chiefs and Ravens will face off in Baltimore for the AFC title at 3 p.m. followed by the NFC game between the Lions and the 49ers in Santa Clara, California at 6:30 p.m.

Women’s Basketball

Swimming and Diving

CWRU at UChicago (1/26) CWRU at WashU (1/28) CWRU vs UChicago (2/1 , 5:30 p.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium)

CWRU vs Oberlin (1/27 , 1 p.m., Veale Natatorium) CWRU at Kenyon (2/3)

Scores and Upcoming Games

Wrestling

Dr. Si Ostrach Duals CWRU vs Waynesburg (1/20) W 27-19 CWRU vs Albion (1/20) - L 17-27 CWRU vs St. John Fisher (1/20) W 20-19

Men’s Basketball

CWRU at Emory (1/19) - W 90-86 CWRU at Rochester (1/21) - W 75-73

CWRU at UChicago (1/26) CWRU at WashU (1/28) CWRU at Pete Willson Invite (1/26-27) CWRU vs UChicago (2/1 , 7:30 p.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium) CWRU at Penn State Behrend (2/1)

CWRU at Emory (1/19) - L 55-61 CWRU at SUNY Geneseo (1/20) Men’s team: W 162-136 CWRU at Rochester (1/21) - L 62-82 Women’s team: W 187.5-112.5