MILLIONAIRE TAX Murphy’s proposal is a lofty
goal, but important for debate SEE OPINIONS, PAGE 6
ART VS. FASHION The Jacquemus nano bag toes
the line between visual art and fashion SEE INSIDE BEAT, PAGE 8
WRESTLING The conference tournament will include 10 Knights this weekend
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Rutgers faculty union begins vote for official strike authorization BRENDAN BRIGHTMAN NEWS EDITOR
A vote for an official strike authorization for all faculty and graduate workers in the American Association of University Professors and American Federation of Teachers (AAUP-AFT) began yesterday, said Deepa Kumar, president of AAUP-AFT and associate professor in the Department of
Journalism and Media Studies, to The Daily Targum. A strike would aim to shut down all classes and disrupt the normal functioning of the University, Kumar said. “Their vote will determine whether our elected leadership is authorized to call a job action, up to and including a strike, if we do not start to make serious gains at bargaining,” Kumar said. “It’s
been a full year, and management remains intransigent on key issues of equal pay for equal work, job security and salary increases that keep pace with the increasing cost of living.” The union hopes a strike will also resolve several other issues, such as the current lack of gender and race equity in hiring, salaries SEE AUTHORIZATION ON PAGE 4
Molloy participates in town hall, talks budget oversight JAKE MCGOWAN CORRESPONDENT
Deepa Kumar, the president of AAUP-AFT and an associate professor at Rutgers. YOUTUBE
CNN analyst speaks at U. Access Week JAIMIN GANDHI CONTRIBUTING WRITER
On Wednesday night, the Office of Student Access and Educational Equity hosted the James Dickson Carr Lecture Series, featuring guest speaker Laura Coates, a legal analyst for CNN and radio show host. The lecture, which was part of the annual Access Week at the University, involved a variety of speakers. Each year, there is a different theme for the event. Sabrina Riddick, the senior program coordinator, began the lecture by introducing this year’s theme: Equity. She said Coates was chosen as the prime speaker on the theme because she was an attorney for the federal government, so she had experience with advocating for rights.
SEE SPORTS, BACK
Jakora Holman, the director of Planning and Operations, said another reason why Coates was invited was to help students engage in activism. The office also wanted to honor the legacy of James Dickson Carr, the first Black graduate from Rutgers. The next speaker was James H. Whitney III, the assistant vice chancellor for Undergraduate Academic Affairs. He said this year was the sixth annual celebration of the James Dickson Carr Lecture Series. “We know the history that Rutgers has been dealing with over the years as we reckon with our past dealing with slavery and the oppression and circumstances that surround that and now Rutgers is moving forward to deal with that past,” he said. SEE ANALYST ON PAGE 5
Laura Coates, a legal analyst for CNN and radio show host, came to Rutgers to discuss topics such as pigeonholing, activism and taking a stand during her speech. VIVEK VIDYARTHI
Rutgers University Student Assembly (RUSA) held a town hall featuring Chancellor of Rutgers— New Brunswick Christopher Molloy yesterday at the Student Activities Center. Molloy said his role is a mixture of executive vice president and dean of the University, while his main duty as chancellor is to manage the $2 billion budget for the New Brunswick campus. “The main thing I have to do, is manage a $2 billion budget, and the schools that roll up to that budget, and a whole variety of other things. We work closely with the central budgeting office that reports to the president,” Molloy said. His office works closely with the central budgeting office that reports to University President Robert L. Barchi and the University continues to receive strong support from the state government, Molloy said. This budget oversight includes what he said was the low pay, and lack of healthcare for part-time lecturers (PTL) is a result of the supply and demand, as well as economic markets, Molloy said. “I know people, I’ve had colleagues that have been PTLs in the past, and I understand that the amount that people are paid for courses is not something you can live on. If they don’t want to do this, they need to get another job. There are probably other people who can SEE OVERSIGHT ON PAGE 4
Student helps NASA find, study new exoplanets JACOB TURCHI CONTRIBUTING WRITER
A graduate student at Rutgers is currently interning with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to help analyze exoplanets, or planets that orbit stars outside of the solar system. Pedro Cesar Lopes Gerum, a doctoral student in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, said he first heard about the internship from a friend, who had also interned for NASA. “He told me all about his experience and thought that I would
be the best person to apply,” Lopes Gerum said. “So I did that, I sent in my application and thought it was at least worth a shot, it’s a once-in-alifetime thing, really.” From a young age, he said that he always had an interest in space and its possibilities, as well as science in general. He was initially unsure if what he was studying would apply at NASA, but learned that they had a department in data science that was in line with his expertise. As data has become easier to collect and study, more industries, SEE EXOPLANETS ON PAGE 5
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has become increasingly interested in data analysis as data has become easier to collect and study. This includes studying exoplanets to determine patterns and develop theories about their contents. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
VOLUME 151, ISSUE 25 • UNIVERSITY ... 3 • OPINIONS ... 6 • INSIDE BEAT... 8• DIVERSIONS ... 9 • SPORTS ... BACK
March 8, 2019
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Campus Calendar FRIDAY 3/08 Department of Human Ecology presents “Book Talk: Immigration, Diversity and Student Journeys to Higher Education” from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Cook Student Center on Cook campus. This event is free and open to the public. Rutgers Recreation Department presents “Lemon Squeezer Hike” from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Cook Douglass Recreation Center on Cook campus. This event requires registration. Rutgers Gardens presents “Cooks’ Market — Winter Farm Market” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rutgers Gardens on Cook campus. This event is free and open to the public. SATURDAY 3/09 Mason Gross School of the Arts presents “Rutgers Symphony Orchestra” at 7:30 p.m. at Nicholas Music Center on Douglass campus. This event is $5 for students. Rutgers Athletics presents “Men’s Lacrosse vs. Princeton” at 1 p.m. at Hale Center and HighPoint.com Stadium on Busch campus. This event is
free for students, but requires a ticket. SUNDAY 3/10 Rutgers Recreation Department presents “Bike at the Beach” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cook Douglass Recreation Center on Cook campus. This event requires registration. The Catholic Center presents “Roman Catholic Mass” from 11 a.m. to noon at Catholic Center on the College Avenue campus. This event is free and open to the public. MONDAY 3/11 Department of Genetics and Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey present “Genetic Seminar Series with speaker Dr. Mar y Mullins” from noon to 1 p.m. at Life Sciences Building on Busch campus. This event is free and open to the public. Rutgers University Libraries presents “Data Mining: Regression and Classification with Python” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Librar y of Science and Medicine on Busch campus. This event is free and open to the public.
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March 8, 2019
UNIVERSITY
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Researchers developing new microbe protections DAVIN TAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Inspired by the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, researchers at Rutgers have been developing plasma sanitizers based on paper, which can have implications toward the future of antimicrobial protection. The sanitizers involve metallized paper, which is composed of coated plant fibers, a thin layer of aluminum and an insulating polymer, or synthetic substance, on top, said Aaron Mazzeo, a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. “Metallized paper is a commercially available material. Often, it’s the shiny material that you see on a beverage or even a can of beans, and then they print on top of it so it’s a metallized, glossy-looking paper,” he said. The research team, composed of graduate students and professors from both the Department of Plant Biology and the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, would use a laser to remove some of the metal. They would then put electrical “traces” into the metallized paper.
The surface would thus not be completely conductive to electricity, but instead have distinct regions that are conductive. These specific regions are then able to create plasma when a highenough electricity is applied. By using flexible materials such as paper, Mazzeo said it could mark a potential path toward devices that could be inserted into locations or even be worn as a patch by people. Another benefit of using paper is its low cost and low impact on the environment, because the generators required to put traces in the metallized paper do not require fuel or added chemicals. “They use the air around us. They do require high-voltage electricity, but it’s not like you have to fill a little alcohol patch or something for it to be to be able to deactivate the bacteria,” Mazzeo said. He also added that the paper was porous, meaning it had holes where air could pass through. A possible advantage of a porous material may be that the plasma could be fueled more efficiently, he said. The production of plasma is important because it can be a promising and effective way to kill microbes or undesirable bacteria such as E. coli.
The plasma has been reported to sanitize at least 99 percent of bacteria, but the goal is to sterilize more than 99.9 percent, which requires more microbes to be deactivated. As a result, the team is also currently conducting tests on how to kill spores, or bacteria in a dormant state. “Spore formation, in simple terms, is a survival strategy of organisms in unfavorable conditions. Spore-forming organisms are resistant to common sterilization treatments such as heat, chemicals, radiation, osmosis and desiccation,” said Ramendra Pal, a postdoctoral associate in the research group. “The resistance of spores in food leads to spoilage and foodborne diseases.” Pal said while the exact mechanism for how cold plasma deactivated bacteria was unclear, factors such as UV radiation and reactive species created in cold plasma work together to deactivate them. The research may be used for food preservation and sanitization. Pal said the hope is to develop plasma generators that can sanitize a fruit or vegetable and, with enough progress, self-sanitized food packaging. “The second direction will lead to wearable patches that generate
Aaron Mazzeo, a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, said paper was a useful material for his research because it was flexible and inexpensive. RUTGERS.EDU plasma to kill wound bacteria. This approach can treat both acute and chronic wounds, and reduce hospital stays by bringing parts of the treatment home,” Pal said. Despite the breakthroughs and progress made over the years, Mazzeo said his team still has more research to complete.
“We’re still doing work. We still don’t know the full impact or capabilities. It’s science. We do something kind of interesting, and we try to figure out what the end application will be, but the production of the plasma is potentially an effective way to kill microbes,” Mazzeo said.
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March 8, 2019
AUTHORIZATION University Athletics has been subsidized $193M since 2012 CONTINUED FROM FRONT
and retention, as well as a raise to teaching and graduate assistants. Kumar said they have not seen a raise in many years and deserve a substantial increase that comes up to pace with inflation. “Our faculty believe Rutgers is for education, not profit,” Kumar said. “A strike would aim to compel management to stop treating our students like an ATM by charging them exorbitant fees that are 10 to 15 times the Big Ten average. A strike would aim to force management to stop trying to impose a roboscheduling system on all of us that would lead to students and faculty having class schedules that ignore child care, health, research, work and other concerns.”
Dory Devlin, senior director of University news and media relations, said that agreements have been reached with five of Rutgers’ labor unions, which have generally given 3-percent raises to members. These agreements cover approximately 25 percent of the University’s unionized workforce. “We are continuing to negotiate in good faith and on a regular basis with the remaining unions,” Devlin said. University President Robert L. Barchi, in an interview with the Targum, said it is unacceptable that academics have been budgetarily supplementing athletics. Once Rutgers is a full-equity partner in the Big Ten in 2020, the return on the investment will balance out the past budget restraints.
OVERSIGHT Molloy says Rutgers needs to recruit more out-of-state students CONTINUED FROM FRONT
fill the role, so it’s sort of like supply and demand,” Molloy said. Going forward, the University additionally needs to focus on its career services, Molloy said. “Regarding the student experience, although we have good work going on in career services, I really think that there’s more to do with career services, in terms of how they interact with the schools, how they work with the professional schools in terms of providing counseling and opportunity for students to get internships,” Molloy said.
The University also hopes to improve its public prominence, and improve the online interfaces it uses, Molloy said. “The websites for Rutgers are not good enough. They’ve never been very good. We do crisis management communication, but we don’t talk enough about the great things at this University,” Molloy said. Molloy also spoke on the importance of the Big Ten conference for the University, in terms of academics and research, as well as for job prospects for graduates. He said that there is a large amount of academic sharing between the schools.
“And we will be in a situation where athletics is on a ship in its own bottom basically,” Barchi said. “Hopefully, it won’t be too many years before there is a surplus from athletics that goes back into academics. As it does in many, not all, academic peers.” Athletics has been subsidized $193 million since 2012, according to the AAUP-AFT website.
has made from his presidential reserve funds. “Those dollars, $7 million this year alone, have resulted in the hiring of somewhere between 40 to 50 faculty in the past two years,” Barchi said. “The problem is they’re being recruited away when they get to be assistant or associate professors.” The AAUP-AFT’s Gender and Race Equity committee found that
“Hopefully, it won’t be too many years before there is a surplus from athletics that goes back into academics. As it does in many, not all, academic peers.” ROBERT L. BARCHI University President
Addressing minority hiring, Barchi said this has been one of his highest priorities. He committed $22 million of his presidential reserves to a multiyear program, which is the single biggest commitment he
the percentage of Black faculty has decreased from 5.4 percent in 1997 to 4.2 percent in 2017, according to its website. The percentages of Latinx and Asian faculty have risen during the same time period.
The University needs more outof-state students, Molloy said, who pay higher tuition in order to keep in-state tuition low, similar to how the University of Michigan operates. “Quite frankly, we do need some more out-of-state students, that can afford to pay the tuition here, so we can keep the New
Furthermore, the University does not want to continue to grow its class size, despite Fall 2018 being the largest class in the history of the University. Molloy said the New Brunswick campus is almost filled. Nabil Adam, former vice chancellor for Research and
“We should include students where we can. I think there’s a mandate to try to do that better, and I certainly am open to that mandate.” CHRISTOPHER MOLLOY Chancellor of Rutgers—New Brunswick
Jersey tuition low. Schools like the University of Michigan have 45 percent out-of-state students. They pay three times Michigan’s in-state rate,” Molloy said.
Collaborations at Rutgers University—Newark, was accused of sexual assault in November of 2017, The Daily Targum reported last month.
Additionally, the committee found that in 2017, 20 percent of distinguished professors and 30 percent of full-time professors were female. The gender balance between assistant and associate professors were both approximately 50 percent, according to its website. Kumar said that a strike is something the union would like to avoid, but it is also a powerful tool to compel Barchi’s administration to recognize that Rutgers works because the faculty in AAUP-AFT do. “Our students are the top priority for us. If we decide to strike it’s because faculty and grads feel that there is a much greater harm being done to our students and our ability to continue to provide a quality education by not striking,” Kumar said. “Management’s refusal to bargain over and resolve basic issues is what may force students to lose a few days of class.”
Molloy spoke on potential future actions against him. “I believe in zero tolerance for sexual harassment and sexual abuse. There needs to be more work and better training at this University about this for faculty, staff and administrators. That being said, with respect to this particular gentleman, this is a personnel matter that I really can’t comment on,” Molloy said. Molloy also spoke about allowing students to become more involved in the administration of the University. “We should include students where we can. I think there’s a mandate to try to do that better, and I certainly am open to that mandate. But, administratively, things work at the speed of business. We have to move fast, and it’s not like we can afford to have a 500-person exercise,” Molloy said.
Chancellor Christopher J. Molloy said during the Rutgers University Student Assembly town hall that his main role is to manage a $2 billion budget, and that he works closely with the central budgeting office to accomplish that. RUTGERS.EDU
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March 8, 2019
ANALYST Coates broadens call to action for democracy to apply to children CONTINUED FROM FRONT
A student speaker at the event was Javier Stirling, a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore. He said it was important for people to step out of their comfort zone, and that if figures like Paul Robeson and Carr stayed in their comfort zone, then the bar for Black students would not have been raised for scholars like himself at the University. “We just don’t have the choice to sit on issues that matter. Paul Robeson and James Dickson Carr carried this obligation, when they were here at our very institution, at Rutgers University, that when they were enrolled,” Stirling said. The final speaker for the series was Coates, who said during her speech that the idea of taking a stand for something and not being contained by his identity was one of the most significant accomplishments of Robeson. “Whether I am or whether I am not, does nothing to take my constitutional rights,” she said. She also discussed the idea of pigeonholing, which is when a person is automatically categorized. She said that when people pigeonholed another individual, it was one of the most “profound” lessons the individual could learn in their life. “Here are the only things you must believe, here are the only principles that you must despise and here are the only things you will champion for and there’s no way to diverge from that,” she said.
She said Robeson’s silence was also “profound,” because his refusal to be one identity and his call to action for democracy translated into activism. Coates broadened this idea to apply to children, and said when they are asked what they want to be when they grow up, it is an
opportunity for them to not reduce their passions but showcase what they stand for. “The idea to reduce your passions, activism and the core person is one thing you must reject if you truly will become a champion. A champion of all of the causes that you know defines all of you,” she said. Shifting to activism, she said it was not only about following a hashtag and marching for a cause. Action was needed, and could be done in terms of policies to bring about change. She also compared protests from the past and present.
“The idea to reduce your passions, activism and the core person is one thing you must reject if you truly will become a champion.” LAURA COATES Legal Analyst for CNN
“The ideas of looking at a complex between the forms of protest that have been successful in the past and those that seem archaic and are not productive now, is a conversation that needs to take place,” Coates said. She acknowledged though that there were many things people are focused on, each require time and devotion. Some areas required multiple perspectives. “Therefore, it is important to acknowledge that you cannot do everything, but what you’re really passionate about,” she said.
Coates was invited to speak at Rutgers partly because the University wanted to help students engage in activism, as well as honor the legacy of James Dickson Carr, the first Black graduate. VIVEK VIDYARTHI
EXOPLANETS Lopes Gerum is working to make old algorithms more effective when used in observations CONTINUED FROM FRONT
including NASA, have become interested in data analysis. “This department seemed to need help … so I took this position,” Lopes Gerum said. “I would be looking at data to decipher its meanings and hopefully use it in a productive way in the future.” He works to analyze exoplanets using telescopes, observing factors such as the shifting brightness of stars. These shifts in brightness were caused by exoplanets crossing in front of the stars, which can dim them. From this data, he can determine patterns and develop theories about the contents of these exoplanets, as well as develop algorithms to better understand them. In the past, there have been similar methods to obser ve exoplanets, but Lopes Gerum is working with the old algorithms to make them more effective. “We are looking at this algorithm and we’re seeing what kind of flaws it had and if there is any way to overcome these flaws and if there is any way to improve them, to take in more and more information and avoid misprocessing,” he said.
Lopes Gerum recognized that his position was different in comparison to those that NASA typically offers. “This internship isn’t really a common thing, and I am aware of that as most people who do get to intern with NASA just do more civil work as opposed to what I get to do,” he said. “However, I have some hope that there is a future for me because of other interns that have then been hired fulltime, so I’m in high hopes.” His ultimate goal for the internship, though, is to have something tangible that he can show as a token of his work, whether it be a publication or more efficient algorithm for studying exoplanets. On a personal level, he said he also wants to learn as much as he can from some of the most intelligent people in the scientific field. “This has all been a personal development in a sense. I’ve been able to get a lot out of this experience,” Lopes Gerum said. “It helped me to understand that you can do what you love for a living, like all the people here at NASA. You can see it in the way they work and behave, even if I don’t get a job here at NASA I still want to find a job that makes me this happy.”
Pedro Cesar Lopes Gerum, a doctoral student in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, is working as an intern, helping the National Aeronautics and Space Administration analyze exoplanets. RUTGERS.EDU
OPINIONS
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March 8, 2019
‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ addresses #MeToo
T
his week on my column, I reprise my title as a “Brooklyn NineNine” fan as I write my second ANJALI SHAH article on the show, discussing its most recent episode: “He Said, She Said.” Written by Lang Fisher and serving as cast member Stephanie Beatriz’s directorial debut, the eighth episode of the sixth season of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” — its first season since being saved from cancellation by NBC — took on the daunting task of tackling #MeToo through the lens of a female New York Police Department (NYPD) detective without sacrificing the comedy. Despite dissecting everything from cold-blooded murder to racial profiling, for a detective show based in Brooklyn, the show has deliberately avoided issues like rape and sexual assault ... until now. Just in its existence, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” is socially progressive. Its main ensemble subverts toxic tropes with ease and casually consists of two Black men and two Latinas. But as the show has grown into itself, the writers have made an active and noteworthy effort to subtly discuss longstanding issues both within the NYPD and beyond. While weaving serious, contemporary issues into a show that is predominantly meant to be funny is a bit of a mixed bag, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” is able to do so successfully. Its comedy is based on kindness, authenticity and respect. Jokes are never made at the expense of disenfranchised minority groups, but instead are made in good faith. Still, I, like many other fans, felt apprehensive at the thought of my favorite show trying to portray an extremely controversial, complex and emotionallyfraught issue in a 22-minute sitcom episode. There are far too many ways to get it wrong, and only a small fraction of ways to get it right. And yet, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” managed to get it right by allowing itself to create a conversation rather than a moralistic lesson. In “He Said, She Said,” married couple and NYPD colleagues Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) and Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero) partner together for a case that involves investment banker, Seth (Jonathan Chase), who had his penis broken by his female employee, Keri (Briga Heelan), who claims it was self-defense in the face of sexual assault. While Keri maintains that Seth attacked her, Seth tells a completely different story, calling Keri “crazy,” while touting his so-called feminism. Instead of getting bogged down by issues such as believing women, the episode chose to focus on honestly acknowledging the complexities that women must navigate when coming forward with sexual assault allegations. While Jack and Amy believed her and sought justice, Keri considered taking a $2.4 million settlement in exchange for dropping the charges simply because she knew that the only evidence is her word against his, which she pessimistically believed would not be enough to convict Seth. She was not wrong to think so. Out of every 1,000 rape cases, 995 perpetrators will walk free, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). The situation pit Amy against Detective Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz). Both are proud feminists, but at opposite ends of the issue. While Amy urged Keri to forego the settlement and pursue the case further, Rosa implored Amy to consider what is best for Keri. While ensuring justice is important, so is maintaining Keri’s integrity, which would ultimately be lost if they find no evidence or in a public trial where her name is dragged through the mud. Rosa deftly said, “Even if she wins, she still loses.” The episode ended on a bittersweet note — While they were able to find enough evidence through a male colleague who wanted Seth to be convicted so he could take his job, Keri still had to quit her own because her career and social life at the company was irreparable. Still, Keri concluded that if she had to do it all again, she would. What is particularly noteworthy in this episode is the way it skillfully handles male ally-ship through the show’s protagonist. When Jake noted that women have it incredibly hard in finance, his wife took him on a journey through the microaggressions she faces daily when they are together. As the episode progresses, Amy revealed why this case was so personal to her. She herself had been sexually harassed by her former captain, who claimed it was payment for “preferential treatment.” Instead of making it about himself, he simply said, “Every time I think I understand how bad it is, it’s just way worse than I imagined,” to which Amy said, “This kind of stuff has happened to literally every woman I know. I just wanted to help make it better for this one woman.” In a perfectly poignant moment brilliantly showcasing Fumero’s dramatic acting chops, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” reminded us that men can be a part of the conversation in a healthy way, as long as they are willing to listen and learn first. As a show that carefully treads the line between a cute workplace sitcom and socially woke commentary, this episode was an ambitious and successful undertaking of yet another social issue, saying more about sexual assault than any hour-long drama could. But, first and foremost, “He Said, She Said” spoke to the idea that episodes about sexual assault should not have to be special, separate entities that spark intriguing, but temporary conversations. They should be everyday discussions we all take an active role in, despite how uncomfortable and unnerving it may be to dissect. Most importantly, the episode closed with Rosa saying, “Two steps forward, one step back is still one step forward.” Winning can be bittersweet, but “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” asks us to keep trying anyway. Because the system needs work, and we are the only ones that can fix it.
THE PROGRESSIVE’S HOT TAKE
Anjali Shah is a Rutgers Business School sophomore, contemplating her primary major but minoring in political science and philosophy. Her column, “The Progressive’s Hot Take,” runs on alternate Fridays.
UNIVERSAL UCLICK
EDITORIAL
Bold tax reform proposal changes debate Gov. Murphy’s tax policy reflects shifting national discourse
B
rinksmanship over taxes and the state budget brought New Jersey within inches of a state government shutdown last year. Gov. Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), after winning a decisive victory on a progressive platform, looked to fulfill his campaign promise of raising the marginal tax rate on those who make $1 million in a year. Party divisions forced Murphy to compromise in the final hour, settling on a budget proposal that raised “the income tax to 10.75 percent on those earning over $5 million and taxes businesses making more than $1 million at a new rate of 11.5 percent, up from the current 9 percent, but phases that increase out over four years,” according to NJ Advance Media. With the state’s financial problems left unsolved, Murphy is once again putting the proposal forward to set the threshold for the marginal tax rate of 10.75 percent on the first dollar over $1 million and the specter of potential state government shutdown looms large once more. The proposal is estimated to bring in a tax revenue of $447 million for New Jersey, which would go toward financing “K-12 education, pre-kindergarten, government worker pensions, transit, community college and help for the working poor,” according to NJ Advance Media. Approximately 39,000 taxpayers — 20,000 of which are residents — would have to contribute to state funds under the tax proposal, an increase from the 1,760 taxpayers who are now paying more under the current $5 million threshold. With state assembly elections slowly approaching, Senate Democratic leaders have not indicated a shift in position since last year’s negotiations. A major difference between this year and last is the national context of progressive taxation. The debate over income inequality and this nation’s undermined middle-class has gripped the Democratic Party, forcing politicians to not only announce their commitment to reviving economic mobility, but also to actually propose policies that allow for investments in the middle and lower-class. In his announcement of the proposal on Tuesday, Murphy said, “Those at the very top are shouldering less and less of their fair share of the tax burden. That’s the opposite of tax fairness. Let’s work together to apply the millionaire’s tax to every millionaire. By doing so, we can do more to relieve the burden on middle-class taxpayers and senior citizens who are
taking it on the chin from the (President Donald J.) Trump administration’s tax scam.” Whether it be Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-N.Y.) marginal tax rate on those with an income exceeding $10 million, or Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s (D-Mass.) ultra-wealth tax of 2 percent on a household’s assets more than $50 million, or New Jersey’s very own Sen. Cory Booker’s (D-N.J.) focus on estates worth more than $10 million, the conversation has tilted and the starting point of our national debate over how much the ultra-wealthy should contribute to the public has moved. Roughly 75 percent of Americans favor higher taxes for the ultra-wealthy. An Eagleton Institute of Politics poll in 2017 found that nearly two-thirds of state residents favored a tax on those with an income exceeding $1 million. Those who consider increasing taxes at the top as a curtailment of economic growth would often rather see tax breaks in the hope that investments would then increase and the general improvement in the economy would raise everyone up. In line with this contention and with the hope of bringing businesses to the state, New Jersey has provided nearly $11 billion in tax credits to companies: The string attached being increased or retained levels of employment. An audit of the program released this past January found that “in a small sample of the roughly 400 companies that have received tax breaks since 2005, for example, 1 in 5 jobs reported to have been created or retained could not be verified. One unnamed company received $29 million in tax breaks even as its employment level dropped,” according to NJ Advance Media. Murphy’s tax reform sets our discourse off at a lofty level that will allow for the middle class of the state to receive the emboldening benefits that result from confronting income inequality in America. A higher marginal tax rate on those with a reported income exceeding $1 million will not rip away their comfortable lives as millionaires in America. The vast majority of Americans do not survive off of a passive income, nor do they or will they receive an income of $1 million in a year. While the discord between the governor and State Senate leaders will most likely end in a compromise, the lexicon of tax policy still shifts and the Overton window of acceptable and sensible policy moves to favor progressive tax reform.
The Daily Targum’s editorials represent the views of the majority of the 151st editorial board. Columns, cartoons and letters do not necessarily reflect the views of the Targum Publishing Company or its staff.
March 8, 2019
Opinions Page 7
Traditionally feminine roles are not inherently oppressive CONSERVATIVE ACROSS THE AISLE GIANA CASTELLI
W
hat is the image of the woman in 2019? Defiant, loud and unafraid to speak her mind. “The Handmaid’s Tale” is perhaps the crowning jewel that epitomizes the consciousness of the modern American woman. It portrays a dystopian future where women are forced into servitude by both a Christian patriarchy that rules the country and a matriarchy that is satisfied with its role as “servants.” The handmaids are meant to act as “midwives” who assist their masters’ wives in conceiving a child. In the television adaptation, the story branches off from the book’s original ending and the handmaids slowly begin to rise up to reclaim their identity as women. While a gross misrepresentation of Christianity, “The Handmaid’s Tale” speaks to the mind of most modern liberal women. The portrayal of strong and robust female leads typically displays traditionally masculine characteristics: Physical prowess, a competitive spirit, aggression and stoicism. Women who are more feminine are often framed as products of their time or stuck in a compromising lot in life in which they must be liberated by a wiser and more confident woman.
The implication here is that the qualities that are traditionally associated with women — gentleness and compassion — are weak. If a woman is not loud, strong or aggressive, she is not considered confident. The only way for a woman to become confident is to become her oppressor: A man. Not all feminists subscribe to this philosophy, of course, but this idea is churned out by the media’s portrayal of women through television and movies quite robustly. It gives the impression to young girls that their kindness and tenderness is
through marrying Prince Charming. This critique often fails to consider that Cinderella was subjugated by her stepmother and two stepsisters into a role of servitude and was treated like a secondclass person. Despite this, Cinderella made the best out of her situation and always acted kindly to her family, even when they did not deserve it. Her desire to go to the royal ball was to have a good time, not to get a man. The story rewards her for her kindness and perseverance with a happy ending, which happened to be marriage.
“The desire for women to get married, have children or become housewives is frowned upon because it does not conform directly with the modern perception of a woman ... This kind of empowerment, driven by anger and spite, is lauded and admirable. ” wrong and should be corrected — that if you possess any of these qualities, you are not strong. The Marian image of a woman is reviled and condemned by feminists, especially in the media. The most cited example is the Disney classic “Cinderella.” Viewing it through a feminist critique, “Cinderella” tells the story of a poor servant woman who finds true fulfillment and happiness
The desire for women to get married, have children or become housewives is frowned upon because it does not conform directly with the modern perception of a woman. Women are expected to desire something more — a lucrative career in which she slaves away defies all those who told her she could not make it. This kind of empowerment, driven by anger and spite, is lauded and admirable. A woman no
longer does it for herself, but for the praise and validation from others. She becomes in love with love. A woman is wasting her potential for greatness if she desires to settle down with her children. Is this how a woman should be? How a budding feminist should think? If a woman is in charge of her own destiny, why does there seem to be exceptions to this rule? Should a woman not embrace her femininity, and reject it? The modern woman has more opportunities, and she should be grateful for those who fought before her. Yet, when she decides to raise a family, she is seen as ungrateful. I acknowledge that this is not what a majority of feminists think. For example, Roxane Gay wrote an essay discussing this guilt of association: “Feminism (Plural).” Yet many feminists do very little to rectify this situation and correct this misconception. Feminism already has a tainted name, whether feminists like it or not, so it is imperative for them to reclaim their dignity while they still have the chance. Is this a call for all women to become housewives, or to abandon their dreams and aspirations? No, I think that would be an absurd assumption. It is simply a reminder to check where your motivations lie. Giana Castelli is a School of Arts and Sciences junior majoring in political science. Her column, “Conservative Across the Aisle,” runs on alternate Fridays.
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March 8, 2019
Shockingly small nano bag questions limits of fashion CLARISSA GORDON CORRESPONDENT
When flashy becomes fashionable and “logomania” floods our feeds, French designer Simon Porte Jacquemus stands out in a social media era where Fendi monogram prints and chunky Balenciaga trainers dominate. The designer clearly takes a cheeky, satirical approach to fashion, and has achieved a sort of notoriety for it. Take his Summer 2018 oversized sun hat, for example, that helped put his eponymous brand’s name on the map. His Chiquito bag, big enough to carry a phone and keys but no wallet, quickly became an “it bag” in Hollywood, toted by Kim Kardashian West, Rihanna and Priyanka Chopra, just to name a few. And in February, the designer pushed the question of functional to a new limit at Paris Fashion Week (PFW) when nano versions of the bag dangled from models’ index fingers. It’s not clear if this fit-for-a-doll purse is available for purchase to the public, but considering it probably is only capable of holding loose change, we’re not sure if anyone plans on trying. That is, if no one views the purse as something they’d rather use decoratively. The bag holds
next to nothing, but is still fashionable. It represents the designer’s trendy pocketbook, but also is a parody of current pop culture and the mini bag trend, in true Andy Warhol or Jeff Koons fashion. Always posting for a reaction, we wouldn’t put it past Kardashian West if she was photographed carrying a nano Chiquito. Which then raises the question: Where do we draw the line between functional fashion and high art?
“It's an expression, a symbol, a satire, but it could never carry out the necessary functions of a traditional purse.” After all, fashion itself is widely considered an art in its own right. Norman Norell, one of America’s most renowned fashion and costume designers, can be quoted as saying, “The best fashion is worthy of the name, 'Art.'” People go to school to study fashion in the same way they’d perfect their hand in visual art or graphic design, and fashion programs are often
housed in the same institutions as visual art programs. Museums present countless exhibitions celebrating fashion and clothing design — the Metropolitan Museum of Art hosts one of the biggest nights in fashion, after all. Much of the couture we see grace the runways every year is hardly practical. Instead, designers often use Fashion Week as a platform to showcase their creative talents and vision, hoping to end up archived in books and museums one day. Evidently, the line is now blurry. But when you place the word “functional” into the equation, the nano Chiquito is pushing toward visual art. It’s an expression, a symbol, a satire, but it could never carry out the necessary functions of a traditional purse. But when the tables are turned, who’s to say iconic luxury goods like the Hermes Birkin Bag or Louis Vuitton trunk luggage aren’t works of art, as functional as they are? Thierry Hermes started his legacy manufacturing high-quality harnesses and bridles for the carriage trade, and Vuitton wanted to make lightweight, easy-to-stack luggage. Fashion houses who got their starts in functionality eventually became household names for their timeless masterpieces. Surely this is what Norell meant.
In the case of Hermes and Vuitton, there is no line. Jacquemus’s nano bag lacks the practicality of other iconic leather goods, but this is not a new concept in the world of fashion. If art is a form of expression, then so is fashion, and to “wear”
the nano bag with pride exudes both a literacy in style and a good sense of humor. Some people enjoy realist art, while others prefer abstract, and if you relate more with the latter, then perhaps Jacquemus should be an inspiration.
The emergence of the nano bag, courtesy of Jacquemus, has left utilitarian notions of fashion in the dust. At this size, the best purpose for this purse is to make a statement. TWITTER
Subgenres move music industry, creating new traditions BREANA OMANA CORRESPONDENT
of today. Here’s a list of some of the most popular subgenres of music:
Just as music is the lifeblood of culture, subgenres are similarly the lifeblood of the music industry. Umbrella genres of music, such as hip-hop and rock, have influenced hundreds of subgenres in which artists fall into different niches and explore different styles. For decades, these subgenres have served as industry milestones, responsible for some of the greatest chart-toppers and artists
While punk, the child of rock music, made a name for itself in the mid-1970s, it was originally used to describe the garage musicians of the 60s. This subgenre was founded by amateur musicians who played harder and faster than the classic rock legends of their time. Punk music was infused with political lyrics and gave way to raucous shows.
PUNK
It was loud and angry, born out of frustration with the failures of the utopian ideals that imbued 60s activism. In a few short years, we went from The Beatles telling us “All You Need Is Love” to Black Flag saying “We are tired of your abuse / Try to stop us, it's no use.” Top Artists: Bad Brains, Minor Threat, The Clash
TRAP
Trap music, the descendant of hip-hop, made an appearance in
the 90s, springing out of the Atlanta rap scene. We can recognize a trap track “by its beat — stuttering kick drums, hi-hats, 808s and oodles of synthesizers,” according to ThoughtCo. In addition, unlike hiphop, lyrics revolve entirely around “trappin'.” Trap music is rhyming about a “lifestyle of dealing, pimping and hustling," according to XXL. Artists like UGK, 8Ball and OutKast paved the way for artists like T.I. and Gucci Mane with their use of the TR-808 drum machine, a sound synonymous with the genre. This subgenre continues to make an impact in music, going from the influenced to the influencer and birthing some of the greatest hits of our time. Top Artists: T.I., Gucci Mane, Future, Young Thug
DUB
Bad Brains is one of the most prominent punk bands in history, and they're also loved for their eclectic mix of reggae and dub music. TWITTER
Dub can be best described as a reggae remix. This subgenre, born in Jamaica, manipulated classic reggae sounds with mixing boards to create dub. Dub most notably uses and remixes songs, using the B-side of existing songs. It also highlights instruments, creating a new and unique sound. Legends like Osborne “King Tubby” Ruddock, Lee “Scratch” Perry and Errol Thompson can be considered pioneers of dub, as they reinvented reggae by cutting and mixing songs and sounds. The music and sound of artists like Kanye West, Skrillex and Avicii all have traces
of dub in them, decades after this subgenre arose from reggae. Top Artists: Lee “Scratch” Perry, Mad Professor, Bill Laswell
HOUSE
House music all started in Chicago’s Southside in 1977, emerging from the ashes of disco. One of the influencers of house music, Frankie Knuckles, mixed old disco classics and new Eurobeat pop, birthing the genre that has since taken on a name for itself. House music can best be characterized by “repetitive 4/4 beats, off-beat hi-hat cymbals, synthesized baselines and kick drums on every beat,” according to Diffen. In addition, house music takes advantage of drum machines, synthesizers and turntables to create that recognizable, house sound. This provocative, get-up-anddance genre has left our feet thumping and bodies aching to dance for decades, with songs like Madonna’s “Vogue” or Frankie Knuckle’s “Your Love,” serving as iconic accomplishments of house. Top Artists: Daft Punk, Madonna, Swedish House Mafia Subgenres, with endless evidence, prove to be just as important in the music industry as larger, umbrella genres of music. From punk to house, subgenres have created timeless bangers that we will continue to dance to and celebrate until the end of time.
DIVERSIONS
March 8, 2019
Mark Tatulli Horoscopes
Lio
Page 9 Eugenia Last
Happy Birthday: Keep your plans a secret to avoid interference. Personal changes can be made as long as you do the research and plan your actions skillfully. Leave nothing to chance, and be willing to adapt along the way. This is a year that needs to be planned before you share or take on something new. Preparation is essential. Your numbers are 6, 17, 21, 26, 30, 37, 48.
Over The Hedge
T. Lewis and M. Fry
Non Sequitur
Wiley
Pearls Before Swine
Stephan Pastis
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Concentrate on tying up loose ends so you can head into a fun-filled weekend. A kind or romantic gesture will help you keep the peace and avoid an emotional situation that could escalate into an unwanted argument. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Communication is golden. Say what’s on your mind, and get to the bottom of any situation that could cause problems for you at home or with someone you love. Being frank, consistent and cooperative will encourage good results. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Inconsistency will be your downfall. Don’t second-guess what you are doing. Preparation and organization should help see you through any unexpected changes that come your way. Trust in your ability and skills, and finish what you start. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Consider what’s good and what’s not in your life, then do something about it. Striving to make your world a better place will encourage you to do better. Don’t let anger take over when change is what’s required. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Self-improvement projects are featured. Whether it’s a change in direction, hobbies, educational pursuits or where you live, do what feels right and not what others are pressuring you to do. You will feel good about the decision you make. 4 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take action, do your job and work toward your goal. Refuse to let anyone interfere. If you want to be successful, be responsible for your actions. Letting someone else take over will lead to disappointment. Believe in and trust yourself. 5 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Explore new possibilities and revisit old ideas. Mixing the old with the new will lead to a perfect mix. Success will be yours if you follow your intuition and proceed with your plans. Don’t let your emotions hinder your progress. 2 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Make the most with what you’ve got. If you want to make a change, get the approval of those affected by the decision you make first, or you will face an emotional situation that can stifle your plans. 2 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t let anger get the better of you. Channel your energy into something that counts, and be the one to make a positive difference in your community. Use your charm to create a romantic scenario to please someone you love. 5 stars VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You can get a lot done if you are resourceful. Call on people you know you can trust, and make the most out of whatever situation you face. Personal challenges should not include risks that could result in physical mishaps. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You’ll need leverage if you want to win an argument. Consider not disputing what someone does or says, and choose to walk away and focus on self-improvement. Protect against insult and injury, and keep the peace. Offer love. 4 stars PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Personal alterations should be carefully considered. Make sure your plans are solid before you venture down a path that could leave you feeling regret. A matter concerning a legal, financial or medical issue will show signs of instability. 3 stars
©2018 By Eugenia Last distributed by Universal Uclick
Universal Crossword ACROSS
59 “Duck Dynasty” network
1 TED Talk platform
60 Poetic word before “long”
6 Respectful guys?
61 Gathering clouds, to some
10 Doctrine name suffix
62 Photographer Adams
13 Punch server 14 “Mighty” Mudville batter
DOWN
15 “Murder, ___ Wrote”
1 Not taut
16 *NBA legend Kareem
2 It’s set before dinner
18 *Quarrel
3 Software accessory
19 Liquid lump
4 Excessive supplies
20 Edit
5 Electric fish
21 Psychologist Jung
6 Fencing sword
22 *Clinton-era independent counsel
7 Book ID
24 *Small birds with big eyes
8 Data display
26 “Have you ___ wool?”
9 Turk. neighbor
27 Ear-related
10 Descendant of Jacob
28 Battlefield attendants
11 Word with “story” or “straw”
32 Star sign?
12 Whimpers
35 Move sneakily
14 Mid-size Toyota
36 Yorkie sound
17 Pants with a bootcut style
43 Remove, as a beard
37 Brief fight
21 Bordeaux red wine
44 Mrs. Fields, for one
38 Exchanged rumors
23 More tasteless
45 Rouse
40 Playful ocean mammals
25 Struggle hard (with)
46 Aired again
41 Looks closely
27 Egyptian viper
47 Cooks too long
42 “2001” computer
28 Flavor enhancer initials
48 Undermine
43 *Mall pizza chain
29 “Don’t Bring Me Down” grp.
49 Connecting peg
45 *Squishy mattress
30 Markedly unalike
52 Sweetheart
50 Rodgers and ___
31 Newspaper extra
55 Frat bud
51 Shiny finish
32 First ___ kit
56 Small battery
53 Continental capital
33 Bering, e.g.: Abbr.
54 Wanted poster abbr.
34 Boxing wins, briefly
55 Native American peace symbol
36 “I do”
in each pair of starred answers
39 Code sequence
57 Livestock doc
40 Like Quaker products
58 Untangle
42 Nut-producing tree
Yesterday’s Solution
Yesterday’s Solution
Page 10
March 8, 2019
Spotlight Knight Arella Guirantes JACKSON THOMPSON & ALEX FABUGAIS-INABA SPORTS EDITOR & CORRESPONDENT
As the proverb goes, the grass is always greener on the other side. For sophomore guard Arella Guirantes, it took traveling nearly 2,000 miles southwest to realize the endearment that comes with playing close to home. Guirantes’s story begins in Long Island, New York, as the daughter of basketball coaches, Rob and Demetria Guirantes. In her words, she grew up in a “basketball family.” “It was just natural for me to pick up a basketball because I was just always around it and I first started to play when I was 8 or 9 years old,” Guirantes said. Her family heritage lent itself to an eminent high school career as a standout at Bellport High School, scoring more than 2,000 points and being selected to the New York State Sportswriters Association (NYSSWA) All-State First Team her senior year. She was rated the No. 44 player in the nation coming out of high school and in 2016 made the decision to take her talents to the Longhorn state to play for Marlene Stollings at Texas Tech. Guirantes earned a bid to the Puerto Rican national team after a first season in which she was second on the team in scoring as a freshman, but for her, the success she saw on the court was overshadowed by a feeling of misplacement and homesickness. “Texas is a huge culture shock for a person who’s from New York, so I wasn’t really used to it. I wasn’t used to the South. It was fun, but I wanted to be closer to home,” Guirantes said. In September 2017, the announcement was made that the Long Island native would be returning to the tri-state area to join the Rutgers women’s basketball team. Guirantes made her debut as a Scarlet Knight Nov. 6 at the Rutgers Athletic Center (RAC) against Saint Francis. The season opener marked her return to the court and her first under the leadership of head coach C. Vivian Stringer. Her presence on the team was announced with 14 points in a 96-52 win. The blowout win would be the first entry in one of the most historic and emotionally turbulent seasons in the history of the program, a season Guirantes would play a central role in by its end. Now close to home, and in attending distance of her parents, Guirantes would take the court for Stringer’s 1,000th career win against Central Connecticut on Nov. 13, a serendipitous moment for the team, the state and Black women at large. Her first season on the Banks would be one on a team that went on a 10-game winning streak to the top of the conference standings, the first the program has seen since joining the Big Ten. “I enjoy the culture here. It is really competitive, every aspect of it,” Guirantes said. “It keeps me on my toes at all times. It keeps
me humble, and I always have to work hard. There’s not a day off.” That culture was tested in the final third of the season. All of a sudden the team found itself in free fall, losing 4 out of 5 games, not even being competitive. The team’s standing as one of the best in the country and the favorite in the Big Ten was fading rapidly. The mounting losses were made worse by the dismissal of a pair of key players and an eventual health related leave by Stringer. With a thinning roster and the absence of their legendary coach, the team found themselves on the brink with three games left before the postseason. The role of Guirantes was now critical as a leading guard on the team’s starting five, and it would be under the guidance of the second head coach in her first Rutgers season. Assistant coach Tim Eatman took the reigns in place of Stringer with three critical games left in the season. Under Eatman’s leadership the Knights finished strong, with Guirantes leading the charge in three straight victories. Against a Minnesota team with an identical record, she put the best performance of her collegiate career with 27 points in a senior night comeback victory. “They’re really important and great leaders,” Guirantes said of her coaches. “We trust them and they trust us. They do their job well, and we can’t really question it. Coach Eatman has really stepped up and taken the load off Coach Stringer. We’re proud of him.” Rutgers clinched the third seed and a double-bye in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament after coming back from down 16 points on the road against Ohio State and under Eatman’s leadership will head into the postseason off the momentum of a three-game win streak. In the midst of the drama and spoils of her first season as a Knight, Guirantes has still upheld the academic standard of a champion student athlete as she was named to the Big Ten Academic Honor Roll following the end of the regular season. On a roster that has suffered key losses, the role of Guirantes has suddenly drastically emphasized just in time for when the games start to matter most, all in her first season in the Big Ten. Only time will tell if she can rise to the challenge and pressure of that role the way she has over the past three games. “The little things add up and we haven’t taken that into consideration in the past and that’s probably why we’ve had so many mishaps and the experiences we’ve had,” Guirantes said. “We’re just emphasizing togetherness ... Everybody has to step up or take a load off and I think we’re just coming together into who we really are. We’ve hit rock bottom, so there’s nowhere to go but up.” For updates on the Rutgers men’s track and field team, follow @TargumSports on Twitter.
Page 11
March 8, 2019
CHAMPIONSHIPS Ashnault has potential to be 2nd 3-time conference champion in program history CONTINUED FROM BACK as it is considered the premier wrestling conference in the entire countr y. This year is no dif ferent, as 5 of the top 10 seeds will look to defend a Big Ten title from last season. Also, Penn State leads the field with four top-seeded wrestlers. Expect the Knights to push through at least five wrestlers to continue their streak of representation at the national tournament.
Fans should expect Ashnault and Suriano to advance to the national tournament with a possibility of sending Gravina, No. 10 graduate student 157-pounder John Van Brill , Lipari and No. 9 sophomore 174-pounder Joseph Grello. Of course, others not mentioned can qualify, but their road to Pittsburgh is a tough one starting in Minneapolis. For updates on the Rutgers wrestling team, follow @TargumSports on Twitter.
SEASON Knights travel to Birmingham, AL for last indoor meet of 2018-2019 season CONTINUED FROM BACK the season like this, it should put Rutgers in a confident position going into the NCAA Championships this weekend. Some of these top finishes came from a sweep in the 200-meter dash with a win from senior Izaiah Brown with a school and meet record time of 20.75. In second place, freshman Antonio Tarantino nabbed a personal record of 21.05, while sophomore Taj Burgess followed behind with another personal record of 21.14.
Brown was also able to clinch his four th Big Ten 400-meter dash title, which leaves him in good standing heading into the NCAA Championships, since the Big Ten has such impressive competition. Competitively, Brown has two Hawkeyes on his trail. Junior Karayme Bartley and senior Mar’yea Harris nabbed second and third respectively in the men’s 400 meter, and they trailed by less than a second. Brown also has fellow Knight to look out for: Sophomore Taj Burgess. All three of these athletes
FINALE Win against Hoosiers gives Knights Big Ten Tournament bye despite home loss CONTINUED FROM BACK erupted in the second half and scored 14 points on 6-8 shooting. This comes after Harper Jr. had a career high the game beforehand against then-No. 22 Iowa on the road, where he scored 27 points and helped knock the Hawkeyes out of the AP Top 25. Oh, and these two guys have another three years left on the Banks.
YOUR SCARLET LEADER
Junior for ward Eugene Omoruyi had his four th 20-point outing for Rutgers Wednesday night, almost single-handedly keeping the Knights alive in the first half with 11 points, and
continuing that ef for t in the second with another 12 points to finish the night with 23. Omoruyi was a clutch from the free throw line, going 9-11 and hitting them during moments that mattered most. He was all over the court in general for the night, grabbing seven boards, blocking two shots and stealing the ball once, too. Look for him to continue being a No. 1 option for Rutgers once the Tournament begins and even into next season.
WHERE THE KNIGHTS STAND
As of yesterday afternoon, the Knights sit at the No. 10seed sweet spot and still hold a shot at getting a first round bye. All they have to do is get a win
No. 12 true freshman 165-pounder Stephan Glasgow will compete in his first postseason matches this weekend. CURSTINE GUEVARRA / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER / FEBRUARY 2019
were selected for the All-East 200-meter dash. Rutgers also had 11 other athletes named All-East performers in various events. Both the 4x400 meters and 4x800 meters were selected as well as several individuals in long, high and triple jump. The Knights’ 4x400 meters team was able to capture a fourthplace finish in the Big Ten Championships, following behind Purdue in third place, the Buckeyes in second and Iowa in first. Rutgers was recently able to get the school record for the 4x400 meters with a time of 3:04.67, so the NCAA Championships could possibly push them to beat it once again. Freshman long jumper A’Nan Bridgett has made a significant impact on the team. Bridgett finished third at the IC4A Championships
with a jump of 7.26 meters. He also jumped 7.27 at the Big Ten Championships for third place. This season, he has finished top four at every meet, with the exception of the Clemson Tiger Paw Invite. With such an impressive first year, it will be interesting to see how his future on the Banks pans out. Bridgett will be competing against senior Elijah Lucy from Nebraska, who jumped 7.67 meters at the Big Ten Championships and nabbed first place. He will also be going up against senior Dajuan Seward from Ohio State, who edged out Bridgett for second place at the same meet with a jump of 7.36. Another jumper to look out for is junior Tobi Tella, who claimed his second IC4A Championship title. This year, Tella won the long jump with a leap of 7.34 meters,
and back in 2018, he claimed the triple jump title. While he didn’t claim a spot on the podium at the Big Ten Championships, freshman Kamron Kobolak was able to finish fifth at the Princeton Invitational in shot put with a throw of 15.44 meters. Kobolak has a bright future with the Knights, and he has half a season left in his freshman year to improve more. Rutgers’ indoor season comes to a close this weekend. Keep up with Brown’s final indoor meet, where he could help the Knights to more podium wins. While Rutgers travels the furthest distance for a meet this season, there is a lot to take in, when going against teams across the country. For updates on the Rutgers men’s track and field team, follow @TargumSports on Twitter.
on the road over Indiana, a team that just beat then-No. 19 Wisconsin and then-No. 6 Michigan State on its home floor. the Hoosiers also defeated the Fighting Illini 92-74 last night. No matter what happens on Saturday against Indiana (164, 7-12) and no matter where it ends up in the Big Ten Tournament bracket, Rutgers has shown heavy improvement over the last season. The RAC is now a scar y place to play for incoming opponents. The Knights themselves have taken strides for ward under the guidance of Pikiell and the main nucleus of the team is intact for next season. Also, the addition of the incoming recruiting class and now-eligible transfer students. Rutgers will certainly be a team to watch next season countrywide. For updates on the Rutgers men’s basketball team, follow @TargumSports on Twitter
Junior forward Eugene Omoruyi is averaging a team-high 13.5 points per game. He had 23 points in Wednesday’s home finale. GARRETT STEFFE / ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR / MARCH 2019
TWITTER: @TargumSports WEBSITE: DailyTargum.com/section/sports
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY—NEW BRUNSWICK
SPORTS
What looked like a near guarantee now looks like steep hill to climb when it comes to the Rutgers men’s basketball team’s chances of getting a first-round bye in next week’s Big Ten Tournament. The Scarlet Knights (14-15, 7-12) entered Wednesday night’s matchup against Penn State needing to win just 1 of their last 2 games to secure the bye, and the senior night home finale against the Nittany Lions (13-17, 6-13) looked like the easiest way to secure it. But, Rutgers faltered early on and dug itself into a first half hole it just couldn’t get itself out of — not that it didn’t try its hardest in the second half. After being outscored 37-19 in the first 20 minutes, the Knights stormed back to make it a 1-point game with 1:35 to play, but couldn’t get the final bucket to fall on the last possession of the game to ultimately fall, 66-65. Here are four takeaways from the home finale at the Rutgers Athletic Center (RAC):
ZERO FOR ZERO
In one of the most surprising displays all season, sophomore guard Geo Baker scored 0 points for just the second time in his career, on 0-10 shooting from the field and 0-7 shooting from behind the 3-point line. Though Baker is usually a focal point of an opposing defense’s scouting report ahead of a matchup, it just seemed that Baker didn’t have his shot that night.
FRESHMAN SAVIORS
The Knights were unable to get all the way back from their 18-point halftime deficit, but they did manage to outscore the Lions 46-29 in the second half, in large part due to the play of the true freshmen duo of guard Caleb McConnell and forward Ron Harper Jr. McConnell scored 8 of his 12 points in the second half, including two big-time 3-pointers that kept Penn State from running away with it late in the game. After being shut out in the first half like 3 of the other 5 star ters, Harper Jr. SEE FINALE ON PAGE 11
No. 1 graduate student 149-pounder Anthony Ashnault compiled a 23-0 record this season in his last year at Rutgers. CURSTINE GUEVARRA / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER / FEBRUARY 2019
Knights’ starters to wrestle in Big Ten Championships CORRESPONDENT
MEN’S TRACK NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Rutgers will conclude indoor season in Birmingham, AL DELANEY ZUBRICK STAFF WRITER
SEE SEASON ON PAGE 11
ONLINE AT DAILYTARGUM.COM
He couldn’t get anything to fall. Neither could most of Rutgers in the first half, combining for a rough 25 percent shooting from the field and 0, — yes, 0 — percent from 3-point range. Baker was still given good graces from head coach Steve Pikiell to take a go-ahead step back 3-point shot from the top of the key — a shot that has become a signature move for Baker in crunch time — but this time around it was blocked, as Penn State must have watched Baker’s tape enough to know what was coming. Baker scored 0 points late in the season last year as well, but was able to shake off the slump to have a very strong showing in the Big Ten Tournament. With the Knights looking to grab that first-round bye this weekend against Indiana, hopefully, for Rutgers, he can shake things off a bit earlier this time around.
MATTHEW HOWE
Today and tomorrow, the Rutgers men’s track and field team will be traveling to Birmingham, Alabama for the NCAA Championships. This will be the last indoor meet of the season before the Scarlet Knights head into their outdoor season. They remain unranked for the remainder of the indoor season. While the top team in the nation is No. 1 Arkansas, the top team in the Big Ten is No. 4 Ohio State. After the IC4A Indoor Championships, Rutgers placed second with five event titles and 11 places in the top three. The Knights were able to rack up 93 points, which were the most in program history. With an end to
— Sophomore guard Arella Guirantes
WRESTLING BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
RU travels to Indiana for imperative season finale CORRESPONDENT
“Texas is a huge culture shock for a person who’s from New York, so I wasn’t really used to it. I wasn’t used to the South.”
FRIDAY MARCH 8, 2019
MEN’S BASKETBALL RU-INDIANA
COBY GREEN
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Senior Izaiah Brown won the 400-meter dash at the Big Ten Championships for the fourth time in his career, a program record. THE DAILY TARGUM / JANUARY 2016
head coach of the tennis team, and the Knights visit Towson, Md. to take on the Tigers in their fourth away match of the season this afternoon. Rutgers heads into this one after defeating Buffalo 5-2 last Friday afternoon.
SEE CHAMPIONSHIPS ON PAGE 11
KNIGHTS SCHEDULE
EXTRA POINT
HILARY RITCHIE,
This weekend, the Rutgers wrestling team will travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota to compete in the 2019 Big Ten Championships. All 10 wrestlers will compete for the No. 18 Scarlet Knights (12-6, 5-4) each looking to punch their ticket to the national tournament in Pittsburgh, which is in two weeks. Rutgers has one top-seeded wrestler, and that of course is No. 1 graduate student 149-pounder Anthony Ashnault. This season, Ashnault has had a perfect 23-0 record and is the top-ranked wrestler in the country in his weight class. Ashnault is a previous two-time Big Ten champion, and will look to become the Knights’ first-ever three-time conference champion with a title this weekend. In its entire histor y, Rutgers has only one other three-time conference champion: Emil Perona, who secured three Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) individual titles from 1950-1952. If Ashnault qualifies for the national tournament, he’ll become the fifth fourtime national tournament qualifier in the Knights’ program histor y. Joining him in the feat could also be No. 9 graduate student 184-pounder Nick Gravina, who will
look to also qualify for the fourth time in his career this weekend. Another feat Ashnault can accomplish this weekend is tying Mike McHugh (1986-1989) for the most wins in Rutgers program history at 117. He is just three wins shy of reaching the mark. One of the most difficult weight classes at the tournament will be the 133-pound weight class. No. 3 junior 133-pounder Nick Suriano will look to avenge earlier season losses to the two top seeds, No. 1 Stevan Micic of Michigan and No. 2 Austin DeSanto of Iowa. There are four Knights who will be competing in the Big Ten Championships for the first time in their careers. No. 9 seed junior 141-pounder Peter Lipari, No. 13 seed sophomore 125-pounder Shane Metzler, No. 12 true freshman 165-pounder Stephan Glasgow and unseeded junior heavyweight Christian Colucci. If Rutgers can qualify five or more wrestlers to the national tournament, it will be the fifth consecutive season under head coach Scott Goodale that it has sent at least five representatives to that tournament. Ever y year, the Big Ten Championships showcase the best wrestlers in the countr y ahead of the national tournament,
NHL SCORES
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Big Ten Tournament
Today, TBD, Indianapolis, Ind.
Florida Boston
3 4
WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD
NCAA Championships
Today, All Day, Birmingham, Ala.
Columbus Pittsburgh
0 3
SOFTBALL
Buccaneer Classic
Today, 11 a.m., Johnson City, Tenn.
NY Islanders Ottawa
4 2