October 10, 2018

The Times-Delphic Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018

Volume 138, No. 7

www.timesdelphic.com

Feature: a sky full of lights Ashley Delarm Staff Writer ashley.delarm@drake.edu @ashleymd161

THE LUMINARIUM exhibit, brought to the community by the Des Moines Performing Arts Center, created a life-sized kaleidoscope effect via light and color.

PHOTO BY ASHLEY DELARM | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Drake partners with local community colleges Max Brown Staff Writer max.brown@drake.edu @maxbrown

Drake University signed an articulation agreement, effective immediately on Sept. 4th, with all Iowa community colleges regarding the transfer of associate’s degrees. Any student with at least 60 semester credits, an associate’s degree from any Iowa community college and a minimum 2.0 GPA, will be able to enter Drake with all of their general education requirements fulfilled. This move differs from Drake’s previous transfer credit policy, wherein all classes were evaluated on a case to case basis.

Deputy Provost Keith Summerville pitched the idea of an articulation agreement last spring.

“In either February or March, I went and discussed with the faculty senate the opportunity we had to articulate an A.A. or A.S. degree with the general requirements,” Summerville said. “They appointed a working group of the associate Deans from all the colleges and schools.”

The working group then wrote an agreement and pitched the proposal to the faculty senate for a yea/nay vote in April 2018, which passed.

Summerville’s goal with the

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articulation agreement is to make Drake a primary destination for Iowa transfer students.

“In my mind, if you’re going to transfer and go to a private school in the state of Iowa, this should be your premier choice,” Summerville said.

He estimates that a little over 10 percent of the undergraduate class of Drake is made up of transfer students, with an entering class of about 750 students containing 107 transfers. He says that it is desirable to grow that number.

Transfer student Matt Vickers supports the school’s decision, saying that it will help alleviate the financial burden of many students.

“I am glad to see that they recognize that as long as the credits that people are transferring in with them are from reputable institutions that would not make a farce of the value of the AOI’s provided here at Drake,” Vickers said. “They should not be in the business of forcing students to pay exorbitant amounts of money for classes that they have already taken.”

Beginning a career at a community college and transferring to a four-year school is a decision often made due to the cost of college. In addition to creating the articulation agreement, Summerville and others at Drake are taking other actions to establish and maintain relationships between

Drake and community colleges.

“I went on the road for a while last winter and spring and met with Provosts and Deans at various Iowa community colleges,” Summerville said. “Other associate Deans have engaged [Des Moines Area Community College] in particular and developed pathways.”

Pathways are recommended courses in community colleges meant to streamline the transfer process. Summerville emphasized the importance of community college pathways as a complement to the articulation agreement.

“A pathway is a recommended set of classes that a student take in the major, because a blanket articulation doesn’t do anything with regards to how you earn credits for your major,” Summerville said.

“A blanket is just the general education requirements.”

Drake currently has several pathways for a variety of majors at DMACC. He said that it wouldn’t be possible to expand the articulation agreement without first determining if there is enough transfer interest in a certain area to make it worthwhile.

“I’m not sure that, let’s say, we’d come up with one for Normandale Community College, that’s in Minnesota,” Summerville said. “ I don’t know that we’d get that many students out of there, I’d

have to run some numbers and look at some data to identify whether that’s valuable for us or not.”

Vickers stated that the program should apply to all students.

“As long as they can verify that the quality of the classes is up to whatever standards are arbitrarily set, I think that it is only fair to allow students to receive credit for classes that they have already taken,” Vickers said.

Summerville stresses the importance of using every method possible to build and maintain relations with community colleges.

He states that they are just as important as high schools for zones of recruitment.

“I think we’ve got to be very intentional about it, like we would be intentional about building relationships with high schools that are high achieving and likely to generate applicants to come to Drake,” Summerville said. “We need to treat community colleges the same way.”

Summerville said the agreement may increase transfers.

“The year before we did our blanket articulation, we had 72 full time transfer students come to Drake, and this year, the number is 106,” Sumerville said. “I think the short-term results almost speak for themselves: that this is making Drake a very attractive place.”

Cowles Commons in downtown Des Moines was taken over by the “Albesila” Luminarium from Sept. 28 to Oct. 7. Created by a company based in Nottingham, England, “Architects of Air”. The exhibit, brought in by the Des Moines Performing Arts Center, was made up of 27 eggshaped domes, immersing its visitors in radiant sound, light and color by creating a lifesized kaleidoscope effect.

“Albesila” was built in 2017 at the Nottingham Workshop by cutting and gluing plastic together by hand. Since 1992, the company has made more than 22 luminaria, and visited 43 countries. In 2016, Architects of Air brought “Arboria”, another luminarium from their company, to Des Moines, and were inspired by the turnout and so they returned this year.

“The colored material is a thin PVC material that allows the sunlight to come through, which creates the colors inside,” Laine Goerner said.

Goerner is a representative of Architects of Air and described the inspiration of the Luminarium as coming from “Cathedrals, Islamic types of Art, and also shapes of nature, so this particular project is what we’d call a tree.”

Making up the tree were small domes, connecting hallways and one main dome.

Each was immersed in a different color and was intended to create a feeling of swimming in light and color. The biggest dome in the Albesila was the main dome. Significantly bigger than the egg-shaped domes, the main dome featured patterns on the fabric of the walls and a projected geometric pattern spanning the entire length of the ceiling. The dome was silent aside from the music within the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 >>

Quad utilizes reusable dishware Taryn Ripple Contributing Writer taryn.ripple@drake.edu

Quad Creek Cafe, one of two dining options on campus, serves meals in paper carry out containers, making it a quick and easy dining option. Unfortunately, disposable dishes, while convenient, are not environmentally friendly. There has been effort in the past by introducing the compost bins.

However, a new development at Quad has eliminated a part of the source of dining hall waste.

As of Tuesday, Sept. 25, Chef’s Corner offers reusable dishes and silverware for students who dine in, significantly cutting down on the amount of waste generated by the disposable carry out dishes.

This new adjustment promotes environmental awareness and “going green”. The shift to reusable dishware has been met with positive reception by many students and other members of the Drake community.

The amount of unnecessary waste that people produce is a relevant issue for many. According

to the Simmons National Consumer Survey, more than 224 million Americans have used disposable dishes and utensils so far this year.

That means that about 70 percent of the population contributes to the production of what many claim is one of the largest sources of waste in the world.

One study from Networx shows that switching to reusable dishware is beneficial in more areas than eco-friendliness. In addition to greatly reducing the amount of waste produced and decreasing carbon footprint sizes, reusable dishes proved to be financially advantageous and washing them was only slightly time-consuming.

Drake Environmental Action League (DEAL) is an on-campus organization that is committed to promoting and advancing environmental awareness and sustainability. The members of the club aim to protect the environment and challenge themselves to find new ways to go green and help the planet. Quad’s recent change in dishware elicited a positive reaction from many members of the Drake community, particularly those who do work with DEAL.

First-year DEAL member Ella Field weighed in with her thoughts on the importance of environmental awareness and expressed her appreciation for the Chef’s Corner’s switch to reusable dishware.

“Nothing exists without the environment,” Field said. “It supplies all our resources and is key to our health and supporting living beings. With the new dishes in Quad, I can be eco-friendly and generate less waste.”

According to Gabby LeFevre, co-president of DEAL, the switch is a good step in the direction of

environmental awareness. “The best thing for the environment is to reduce in general,” LeFevre said.

LeFevre stated that many of the students who order at Quad eat their food there, which makes serving the meals in disposable containers seem wasteful.

“It only makes sense to use reusable plates when you dine in,” LeFevre said.

LeFevre also shared some of her own tips on being more eco-friendly. She suggests that the most effective way to help the environment is to simply be mindful.

REUSABLE DISHWARE is being used at Quad instead of disposable containers. PHOTO BY DANIEL HELMEE | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

02 | Features

Oct. 10, 2018

Features Professional fraternity fundraises for St.Jude with all-nighter

PHOTO BY CARSON REICHARDT

Kim Bates Staff Writer kim.bates@drake.edu @kimbates

Humans of

Carson Reichardt Online Content Editor carson.reichardt@drake.edu @carsonjsr1998

Leadership comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s informal, like a mentor offering advice to a young apprentice. In other cases, it’s much more explicit. Presidents, professors, and coaches are all people who are put into positions that provide them with explicit power over others. Another example in the latter category: senator.

After enduring two elections, Sarah Hutchinson has become the first-year senator of the 32nd session of student senate. Beating four other candidates to make it to a runoff election against Sydnei Washington, Hutchinson had to prepare for another week of campaigning to earn the position.

“It was a good experience, and it really taught me a lot about how to manage my time and organize my life, but after it was announced

I have always been passionate about Drake because I think it is an amazing campus and there’s also lots that can be done to improve it. that there would be a runoff, I felt so burnt-out,” Hutchinson said.

“It wasn’t that I thought I wasn’t going to get it, because I was determined to. I like to speak things into existence. I like to say ‘oh, if I want to get this, I’m going to stay positive and get it.’ I didn’t think I wanted to continue campaigning because I was so tired with it. But here I am!”

The new senator’s “passion”

for Drake began early and was a contributing factor in her decision to run.

“Honestly, it was sort of an impulse decision,” Hutchinson said. “I’ve always been passionate about Drake because I think it’s an amazing campus, and there’s lots that can be done to improve it.”Hutchinson also said she loves the school, and would like to be part of making that change happen.

Running on a platform of fostering inclusivity, promoting social and academic success, and making sure people’s mental health is in good standing.

“Thinking about my experience in high school, I want to help people who are like that in college, who are hesitant about joining things and don’t really feel like they have the ability to because they’re so shy,” Hutchinson said.

“I want them to know they have a voice here on campus, that people care about them and that people are listening to them.”

Hutchinson also offered some guidance on building new support systems at college. “Find at least one person you can go to and not worry with,” Hutchinson said.“I know that’s hard for first-years; nobody knows anyone. We’re all in the same boat, but it also means we have a lot in common. We’re all looking to have someone to go to, get help from, and relax with.”

While now a member of student senate, Hutchinson hasn’t ruled out the possibility of involving herself in elections outside of Drake.

“I’ve always wanted to do something involved in politics,” Hutchinson said.

“My dream job—and I know it’s unrealistic— would be to be the President of the United States. That’s something I think would be a really amazing thing to do with my life.”

Hutchinson is also open to pursuing political office at the local level, such as as a member of a school board.

“Getting involved with local politics is really important because that’s where it affects you the most,” Hutchinson said. “We all should have a say in what happens in our everyday life, and we all should be pursuing those opportunities. It’s important to make the society that you’re living in the best in can be for everybody.”

Social fraternities and sororities participate in several philanthropic events and professional fraternities are no exception. On Nov. 16-17, Phi Delta Chi, a co-ed professional pharmacy fraternity, will host ‘Up till Dawn’ a philanthropic event to raise awareness for St. Jude Children’s hospital. The event will be held in Olmsted.

Phi Delta Chi began in 1883 and came to Drake University in December of 1921. The fraternity participates in many fundraising activities. Having its first event in 2013, Up till Dawn is the main philanthropic event that Phi Delta Chi coordinates.

“All Phi Delta Chi chapters support St. Jude, but we’re, maybe, one of the only chapters that does Up Til Dawn,” said Katelyn Phillips said, a second-year pharmacy student. “We started doing the Mailing for Omission, but it developed into wanting to do something bigger and involve more students on campus.”

All Drake students are

welcome to participate in this event; this is not limited to Phi Delta Chi members. Admission is fundraising $100 or more. On average, 200 or more students’ sign up, but about 135 students participate. There are several activities during this event. Food, drinks and coffee are supplied along with competitive games and discussion about St. Jude Children’s hospital.

“Every year [the three competitive games] change, but we aren’t allowed to give them out because they’re a surprise,” said Jill Chambers, a second-year pharmacy student. “There are artistic events and athletic events, so this can appeal to everyone.”

Chambers, Phillips and the Phi Delta Chi fraternity have been working on this fundraiser since April 2018. Chambers and Phillips are the Co- Chair members for the event. Chambers has participated once and has been on the Executive Board of Phi Delta Chi, planning it ever since. “[They might have] a strategy game,” Chambers said. “One year they did real life Hungry Hungry Hippos...Sometimes we will have fun little stuff. Last year we had a family feud type game and

last year we had a lip-syncing challenge.”

St. Jude Children’s Hospital is a research hospital that explores and treats diseases in children, primarily focusing on childhood cancer. The hospital attempts to find cures and medicine to prevent illness. This facility has eight locations in the United States.

The St. Jude Children’s Hospital’s mission statement is “No child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay.”

“It’s one of the biggest events on campus that we do as a fundraiser and St. Jude, in general, is the best place,” Phillips said. “Any family that goes there never has to pay a bill for treatment, housing, food, travel to get to the hospital, so all the money we are raising goes straight to those families to make sure they don’t get any bills.”

“I am very excited for Up till Dawn,” said Ali Goldensoph, a first-year. “Especially because it will be my first time participating.

I am excited to share my Fraternity with everyone at Drake and to fundraise for the children and families who rely on St. Jude for their medical treatment. It truly is a wonderful cause.”

Games, food and Islamic kissing rocks art Jaelyn Lentz Contributing Writer jaelyn.lentz@drake.edu @jaelyn.lentz

Despite averse weather conditions, students, staff and alumni attended the annual Kissing Rock event Thursday night.

Couples and singles came out in swathes to celebrate Drake’s longstanding tradition with food and games. The Kissing Rock event is centered around the physical rock that replaced the Chancellor’s Elm in the 1960s.

“The thought behind it is if you kiss on the rock you’ll have everlasting love,” said Hannah Albrecht, Vice President of Traditions for the Student Alumni Association.

The night kicked off with a game of jeopardy between a team of Drake staff and a team of Drake Alumni, covering everything from love songs to romantic comedies.

The alumni won after stealing a question when the Drake staff were unable to correctly answer.

The next event was the most anticipated for many. It was time for the couple games tournament.

Hannah Albrecht expressed her excitement for the games.

“We celebrate our love of Drake and love for each other by coming out and playing couples games,” Albrecht said.

Couples who signed up prior to the event competed in five different games to see who would be considered #ultimatecouplegoals.

Couples were eliminated as they lost the challenges.

The first game consisted of the couples running around in circles to music until it stopped. When the music stopped, two body parts would be yelled out by the game moderator and the couple would

have to find each other and put the two body parts together.

The next game was a relay where one partner would have to carry a lifesaver on a straw in their mouth across to their other partner. They would then move the lifesaver to their partner’s straw without using their hands.

The third game was pictionary between partners followed by trivia. When it was down to two final couples, they began to play “The Newlywed Game,” where each person was asked a question and they had to guess what their partner’s answer would be.

In the end, Ravyn Anderson, a first-year at Drake, and her boyfriend Austin Hall, won the couples tournament.

On top of these events, the popular live mascot, Griff, made an appearance. He posed for pictures at the photo booth and even gave out a few smooches on the kissing rock. Ashly Frazier, a first-year, was one of the lucky individuals who was on the receiving end of a Griff kiss.

“Honestly, my favorite part was getting a kiss from Griff,” Frazier said.

First-year student Taylor Bahr, reflected on her experience at the event.

“As a first-year, I didn’t really know what to expect when going to the kissing rock event,” Bahr said. “It was really fun to be part of a Drake tradition for the first time and I enjoyed the event as a whole.”

The event concluded with performances from Drake’s acapella groups, Fermata the Blue and the Brocal Chords. Both groups maintained the mood of the night by singing love songs as the night came to a close.

TWO STUDENTS KISSING on the iconic rock on Oct 4. PHOTO BY JAELYN LENTZ | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

inspires Des Moines exhibit >> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

fabric of the walls and a projected geometric pattern spanning the entire length of the ceiling.

The dome was silent aside from the music within the exhibit, as people could be seen standing, sitting and lying down to take in the ambiance.

“We really aim to have all accessibilities since all ages of people come through so it’s not specifically for one type of person,” Laine explaned. “It’s really for everybody which is really what’s so great about it as a piece of art, is that everyone can get in and experience it.”

Once through the tent-like door, Luminarium really seemed to be suitable for all demographics.

Kids could be seen running and laughing, adults slowly walking and observing, and people of all ages sitting, looking up, and taking in their surroundings.

The event asked for volunteers to sell tickets, monitor the activity inside the Luminarium, and explain the history behind the Luminarium and how it works.

The Performing Arts Center had a great number of volunteers to help guide people through the experience.

Savanna Bous, a first-year student here at Drake, went to the Luminarium with her family over parent’s weekend.

“The atmosphere in it was very surreal because everywhere you looked there was color,” Bous said.

“I felt like a kid again because it was very awe striking and almost felt like being in a spaceship with all the odd connected domes.”

The exhibit was open from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, as the color effects could only be visable when the sun was shining. Even with the limited operation hours, Albesila really brought a surge of color to Des Moines.

Oct. 10, 2018

03 | Sports

Sports Wide receiver obtains second multi-touchdown game of 2018 Bulldogs improve to 3-1, 2-0 in PFL due to high-performing offense and “stifling” defense JD Pelegrino Sports Editor john.pelegrino@drake.edu @jddontdrop

To begin their two-game homestand, the Drake Bulldogs (31, 2-0) hosted the Butler Bulldogs (3-2, 1-1) for both homecoming and family weekend. This meeting marks the 26th time Butler and Drake have gone head-to-head.

Coming into Saturday’s game, Drake led the series 18-7. Drake has been efficient this season, carrying the upper hand on most opponents with a powerful passing offense and defense that has looked the best it has in years.

Drake’s defense forced punts on the first two Butler drives, giving up only 34 yards. Drake’s wide receiver said that this only seems fitting due to his team’s motto for the year: “blue collar.” On Drake’s second drive of the game, in a miscommunication between quarterback Grant Kraemer and running back Cross Robinson, the handoff was fumbled and then recovered by redshirt-senior defensive lineman Matt Hawkins.

Once again, Drake’s defense held the Butler offense to a threeand-out on the following drive for a net loss of 8 yards. Drake’s offensive spark was ignited on their third offensive possession.

Kraemer put together a productive drive, beginning with a 15-yard pass to wide receiver Devin Cates to the Drake 28-yard line.

On the next, first down,

When [Kraemer] transferred here, I was like the fourthstring receiver, and when he came in he was the fourth-string quarterback, so just getting that early chemistry developing really helped build our friendship. sophomore running back Braeden Hartwig rushed for 8 yards, setting Kraemer up to complete another

WIDE RECEIVER Steven Doran checks with the sideline referee to make sure he’s not across the line of scrimmage on a Drake offensive play. Doran led the team in yards receiving and touchdowns receiving on Saturday with 81 yards and 2 touchdowns. Drake beat Butler 36-6. PHOTO BY JD PELEGRINO | SPORTS EDITOR

15-yard pass, but this time to wide receiver Mitch McFarlane. The drive concluded with a broken play resulting in a touchdown. Kraemer dropped back and surveyed the field, not finding any open receiver.

He was hit by a couple of Butler defenders, but withered his way through the defense, remaining in the pocket. At the last second before taking a hit, he saw his 6-foot-5-inch tight end Zach DeLeon, who had his man beat.

Kraemer let the ball fly as it soared 42 yards where DeLeon pulled the ball in the Butler end zone.

Followed by a Danny Donley PAT, Drake established a 7-0 lead.

Drake’s Hunter White kicked the ball off to Butler where the drive began on the Butler 22-yard line. It was at this point when the Drake defense began to do what they have done all season: force turnovers.

On the first play of the drive, Butler quarterback Will Marty launched the ball 25 yards to one of his receivers near the Drake sideline.

Fifth-year senior defensive back for Drake, Jabari Butler, had been playing tight coverage and was all over the receiver. After being interfered with by the Butler receiver, J. Butler, as he was being tackled, managed to pull the ball in for Drake’s first interception of the game.

“I saw the ball come out of [Marty’s] hands,” Butler said. “I just knew I had to make a play on

How the rest of the PFL is doing: 1. Drake

3-1

2-0

6. Marist

1-4

1-1

2. San diego

3-2

2-0

7. Stetson

3-1

1-1

3. Davidson

5-1

2-1

8. Jacksonville 1-3

0-2

4. Dayton

3-3

2-1

9. Morehead St. 1-4

0-2

5. Butler

3-2

1-1

10. Valparaiso

0-2

0-5

Coming Up: Drake Football Schedule Oct. 13

vs. Stetson @ Drake Stadium 1 p.m.

Oct. 20

vs. Dayton @ Dayton 12 p.m.

Oct. 27

vs. Valparaiso @ Valparaiso 1 p.m.

Nov. 3

vs. San Diego @ Drake Stadium 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 10

vs. Marist @ Drake Stadium 1 p.m.

Nov. 17

vs. Morehead State @ Morehead State TBA

it. I saw it go up and I knew I only had one hand to get it with the left, so I just tried to go for it.”

As Butler spoke to the grit of the Drake defense, members of the Drake team shouted “JB’s a freak!” referencing his ability to pull in the one-handed interception. Butler credited the defensive success this season back to the summer workouts before the season. Butler explained that the defense held themselves to a high standard even in 7-on-7s.

Both Bulldog offenses exchanged punts before Drake safety Will Warner added another interception to his 2018 resume.

Warner returned the interception 45 yards to the Butler 3-yard line.

Kraemer and the offense jogged onto the field for a one-play drive resulting in a Hartwig touchdown run.

At the end of the first half, the Bulldogs led 14-0. Throughout the second half, Drake scored three touchdowns, one by RB Hartwig and two by WR Steven Doran.

Doran was the most efficient receiver against Butler hauling in four receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Doran leads the team in scoring with six touchdowns receiving, yards (389), and yards per game averaging nearly 100 yards per game (97.2).

“When he transferred here, I was like the fourth-string receiver, and when he came in he was

the fourth-string quarterback, so just getting that early chemistry developing really helped build our friendship,” Doran said. “He’s a great guy, and if I can keep building that friendship, it obviously that translates to [the field].”

Doran jokingly credited his onthe-field success with Kraemer due to their girlfriends living together.

“It helps that our girlfriends live in the same house, so I’ve been seeing him for a while,” Doran said.

The first Butler touchdown of the game did not come until Drake had already put the game away.

After the second Doran touchdown, Drake led 34-0. With eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, Butler QB Will Marty threw for the lone Butler score, connecting with WR Stephen Dennis. The Butler and Drake special teams units lined up for a routine PAT kick. Drake blocked the kick and linebacker Zac Rujawitz returned it all the way to the opposing end zone for two points.

By the end of the game, the Drake defense had recorded 2 interceptions, 1 punt block and a PAT block for 2 points. Drake’s defense has been enforcing turnovers all season and limiting opposing offenses to just 19 points across the last three games.

“We’re big on turnover margins,” Butler said. “If we get three plus takeaways in a game,

the percentages for us to win a game are higher. We try to preach takeaways.”

Drake’s defense has 5 interceptions already this season by four different defensemen.

Aside from the takeaways, Drake’s defense has established a solid rush defense, sacking opposing QBs 12 times totaling losses of 86 yards.

They have recorded 29 tackles for a loss, pushing opposing offenses back 116 yards through the season so far. If Butler had to describe the defense in one word, he said it would be “stifling,” because every time they line up, they make opposing offenses earn it, whether it be on the ground or through the air.

Kraemer now has 12 touchdowns across the same three-game span. Against Butler, Kraemer completed 17 of 26 passes for three touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Drake Bulldogs are riding a three-game winning streak with the win against Butler at home.

Next week, Drake hosts Stetson (31, 1-1) at Drake Stadium. Stetson has beat Marist and lost to the University of San Diego in the PFL this season. Saturday will mark the fourth time Drake and Stetson have played each other, Drake leads the series 3-0. The game begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13.

04 | Commentary

Oct. 10, 2018

Commentary

Aftermath of the hearing Sexual misconduct is defined as any misconduct of a sexual nature that is of lesser offense than felony sexual assault. A similar story regarding Bill Cosby’s sexual assaults from the past concluded not too long ago as well. While his celebrity status brought massive followings and interest in the case, it was a case that has most likely been heard before. The actions Kavanaugh is accused of is not something that is unprecedented.

With that being said, this case should be looked upon with unbiased opinions.

I’m sure the women who have decided to come forward did not do so because Kavanaugh identifies as conservative. They did so because it is a common belief that any man

Jordan Brockway Contibuting Writer jordan.brockway@drake.edu @J_Brock77

This past week has endured an explosion of stories, hearings and emotions. Supreme Court Justice Nominee Brett Kavanaugh is currently occupied with a sexual misconduct accusation from more than 30 years ago. The controversy has prolonged the difficult decision of voting on one of the most influential judiciary members. Obviously, there will be disagreements based on political party and numerous other factors but I think this case should be looked at outside of simple politics.

DR. CHRISTINE BLASEY FORD testified against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

who could commit such a terrible act against another human being should not be placed into a position of power. The Supreme Court supersedes all other courts in the nation, giving them the power to determine any outcome regardless of what federal or state legislature decides. The members of such a body should be: respected, integrable, unbiased and an overall positive contributor to this society.

Sexual misconduct or assault is an extremely sensitive topic, and can lead to national uprisings similar to what we are seeing this week. The “#IBelieveHer and #IBelieveHim” campaigns have divided an already split nation even more. The reality of the fact is as follows, the details of this case will never be concrete.

Only the parties involved have a chance to enlighten society, and remembering fine details from 30 years ago is challenging.

Unfortunately, a decision on this case will result in pain for one of the parties involved regardless. I firmly believe that the reason why this case became a reality is due to the nomination for Supreme Court. Had Kavanaugh not been nominated for this position, this allegation would likely have never happened. Had the accusation been made relatively sooner, there is a possibility Kavanaugh may never have made it this far.

I encourage any survivor of sexual misconduct to speak up.

I know it can be challenging with fears of being discredited or embarrassed, but the story deserves to be heard. The first focus should be getting the necessary help you need in order to ensure that life moves on. I do not favor either side in this case, but I cannot help to think about what this case would be like if it was not dealing with politics. The judicial system is hilariously making questionable decisions regarding a case that could directly affect their system.

Jaelyn Lentz Contributing Writer jaelyn.lentz@drake.edu @jaelynlentz

There was no oxygen left in the news atmosphere after Thursday, Sept. 27, when Dr. Christine Blasey Ford testified during Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s congressional hearing. The congressional hearing inundated the news as the nation watched with bated breath to see what would happen as the Senate Judiciary committee squared off.

No one knew the outcome for President Trump’s second United States Supreme Court nominee after Dr. Ford came forward with sexual assault allegations against him.

Before Thursday, it was easy to dehumanize the allegations.

We didn’t have a face to put to the allegations. It was easy to slate as political swing to take down Judge Kavanaugh. That all changed during the hearing. It was a jarring turn to see the woman who this had happened to. She wasn’t just a name on a set of allegations, she was a person.

“I am here not because I want to be,” Ford said when opening her testimony. “I am terrified. I am here because I believe it is my civic duty to tell you what happened to me.”

In that moment, survivors of sexual impropriety knew. She was where so many of them never wanted to be. She stood up even though the consequences against her would be detrimental. Dr. Christine Blasey Ford stood in front of that dais of senators, eyes closed, swearing to tell the truth and became a symbol of power within the survivor community.

It’s part of the reason that I take so much issue with people who say that Dr. Ford and other survivors who come forward against prominent aggressors are

just looking for their 15 minutes of fame. It isn’t fame. For them it’s hell.

They are put under a microscope.

Their trauma is examined from every angle. Their past actions and attitudes are scrutinized to the highest degree. The invasion of privacy, the criticism, the pain of coming forward negates any alleged political gain. Those who come forth with sexual misconduct allegations against those in power expose the most private parts of themselves to the harsh light of public judgement.

It struck a nerve with me. To stand in front of the nation and recount one of the worst things that ever happened to you while the world calls you a liar is an incredible show of strength. Dr. Christine Blasey Ford showed the world what courage looks like that day. She answered all of the questions and kept her composure even though she received death threats for speaking out. Her life has become an example for why women don’t speak out when they are sexually assaulted.

Social media platforms were flooded with messages of support and solidarity. Survivors posted #WhyIDidntReport with the reasons they had been discouraged from reporting.

To all of the survivors out there, I believe you. It’s been a hard week.

Remember to take care of yourself and reach out to those around you if you need help.

Campus Resources: Drake Public Safety (515) 271-2222 Violence Intervention Partner (515) 512-2972 Drake University Counseling Center (515) 271-3864 Polk County Crisis and Advocacy (515) 286-3600 Crisis Observation Center (515) 282-5742

Kanye West: amusing, a little bit sick or both?

Max Brown Staff Writer max.brown@drake.edu @maxbrown

Kanye West has had a busy 2018. From declaring in May that slavery “sounds like a choice,” to creating a mind-bending bizarre Roblox-themed music video with Lil Pump in September, to last week, proclaiming over Twitter that the 13th amendment, which prohibits slavery, should be abolished.

This is nothing new for the 41-year-old rapper. Perhaps his first brush with media infamy occurred in 2005, when he declared during a Hurricane Katrina benefit concert that then-President George W. Bush “doesn’t care about black people.” West also drew the ire of Barack Obama, being derided as a “jackass” by the former president for interrupting Taylor Swift’s

acceptance speech for Best Female Video at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. During the incident, West took the microphone from Swift to praise Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” video, which he believed should have won the award.

Speaking of presidents, West again made headlines in 2018 for his outspoken support of President Trump, one of few celebrities to publicly endorse the controversial leader and virtually the only prominent rapper to do so. On Sept.

30, West tweeted what appeared to be praises of the Trump agenda while wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat.

“This represents good and America becoming whole again,” West said. “We will no longer outsource to other countries. We build factories here in America and create jobs. We will provide jobs for all who are free from prisons as we abolish the 13th amendment. Message sent with

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love.” He followed this up with an SNL appearance on Sept. 30 where he began a pro-Trump rant after cameras cut off.

The 13th amendment, which prohibits slavery, was passed in 1865. The incident quickly drew wide shock and outrage, especially as it came not long after his declaration that “slavery was a choice.” Other figures in the rap community have come forward to defend the statement, claiming that West was referring to the practice of over-incarceration in the U.S. as a means of finding cheap labor. The 13th amendment does allow for involuntary servitude in prisons, so it is feasible that this is what West meant.

Whatever the mass media makes of him, West is evidently secure in his legacy: in 2008, he declared that “I realize that my place and position in history is that I will go down as the voice of this generation, of this decade, I will be

the loudest voice.”

In 2015, he stormed the stage while Beck, an american singer and songwriter, was accepting a Grammy for album of the year, later declaring that Beck should have “respect(ed) artistry” and “given his award to Beyonce.”

In 2016, in one of his most controversial remarks, he asserted the innocence of Bill Cosby, who was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison last month for sexual assault, at a point when public opinion was turning decisively against the disgraced comedian.

At the time, Cosby was accused of having drugged and assaulted as many as 50 women over several decades.

Kanye’s antics have long been a laughingstock of the media, but they lie above a very real, troubled history. He has claimed to use antidepressants and described many symptoms of depression and anxiety in his music. In November

of 2016, he allowed himself to be committed to the UCLA Medical Center after a paranoid onstage rant about fellow rapper Jay-Z hiring hitmen to kill him. West said that he was also struggling with an opiate disorder at the time of the incident. In 2018, West claimed to have bipolar disorder and suicidal thoughts.

This isn’t to say that we aren’t allowed to be amused by celebrity antics. The fact is, statements like West’s naturally open themselves up to humor, as baffled people attempt to derive meaning from his incongruent actions. But it’s important to remember that sometimes these “antics” can provide a warning sign that all is not well. Try to look past his egocentrism for a second, look past the memes and the public outbursts.

At the end of the day, Kanye West is someone who needs help.

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