The Hoya: February 27, 2015

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY’S NEWSPAPER OF RECORD SINCE 1920 thehoya.com

Georgetown University • Washington, D.C. Vol. 96, No. 37, © 2015

FridAY, February 27, 2015

ARTS IN FLUX

The department of performing arts has received national accolades, despite funding challenges.

COMMENTARY Transferring to Georgetown elicits challenging, yet valuable questions.

BIG APPLE BATTLE The men’s basketball team heads to Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

OPINION, A3

SPORTS, B10

GUIDE, B1

Diversity Initiative Advances

Faculty to consider core curricula amendment in March

Emily Tu

Hoya Staff Writer

File Photo: Michelle Xu/The HoYA

The voter-approved Initiative 71, providing for the legal use of marijuana in the District of Columbia, took effect Thursday at midnight.

Midnight in DC: Cannabis Legalized Margaret Heftler & Kshithij Shrinath Hoya Staff Writers

Despite displeasure from members of Congress, marijuana legalization took effect in Washington, D.C., at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. The sale of marijuana remains illegal.

Having passed with 69 percent of the vote in November’s election, the measure faced a 30-day congressional review period, beginning Jan. 13. Its expiration at midnight paved the way for implementation.

Initiative 71 permits individuals who are 21 years of age to possess up to two ounces of marijuana, freely give up to one ounce to another person who must also be at least 21 years of age, and use marijuana in private spaces.

The Last Campaign for Academic Reform and the Provost’s Committee for Diversity are advocating for a diversity course requirement in the core curriculum of all four undergraduate schools, to be implemented in fall 2015.

According to the student-run LCAR’s platform, the two-course “Diversity, Power and Privilege” cross-list requirement would enable students to engage critically with issues of race, class, sexual identity, immigration status, gender and gender identity, and disability and ability within a safe classroom space.

A petition calling for the requirement was distributed to students by LCAR beginning Feb. 23, and it has already obtained over 800 signatures.

LCAR began campaigning for the requirement in December 2014 with the creation of a proposal through a committee beneath the See CAMPAIGN, A6

Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) and Metropolitan Police Department Chief of Police Cathy L. Lanier clarified in a press advisory Thursday that restaurants and private clubs do not constitute private spaces, emphasizing that the substance could only be used in private homes. The operation of vehicles under the influence of marijuana is still unlawful as well. “[Initiative 71] does not allow for the sale of marijuana, the use of marijuana in public spaces, the use of marijuana by juveniles,” Bowser said at a press conference Wednesday.

Additionally, marijuana possession remains illegal on federal property, approximately 25 percent of the land in the District,

FILE PHOTO: ERICK CASTRO FOR THE HOYA

Demonstrations this past week drew attention to the campaign for the addition of a diversity requirement to the core curriculum.

FACTS and Figures Over 800 signatures received on petition supporting the diversity core requirement Over 80 currently existing courses could potentially fulfill the requirement Some courses: THEO 057, “Hindu Religious Tradition”; HUMW 011, “Fame: Harlem Renaissance Celebrity”; PHIL 129, “Ethics: Global Justice”

57 members on the Main Campus Executive Faculty (2 of which are student representatives) February 2014: student diversity group beneath the Provost’s office began working on a

draft for diversity requirement proposal

March 27: the date of Main Campus Executive Faculty meeting where members will vote on diversity course requirement

See MARIJUANA, A7

FEATURED

GUSAEndorses Disability Cultural Center

GUIDE Dance Expression

Tom Garzillo Hoya Staff Writer

The Black Movements Dance Theatre spring showcase is scheduled for this weekend.

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Georgetown University Student Association President Trevor Tezel (SFS ’15) and Vice President Omika Jikaria (SFS ’15) announced their administration’s support for the creation of a Disability Cultural Center, a project led by GUSA Undersecretary for Disability Affairs Lydia Brown (COL ’15), on Feb. 23.

“The DCC will serve as a resource for students with disabilities and their allies, and will coordinate programming to educate the Georgetown community on topics such as disability rights

“We felt that a press release would be the appropriate way to highlight our support and bring attention to the proposal.”

OMIKA JIKARIA (SFS ’15) GUSA Vice President

activism, disability cultures and disability public policy,” a GUSA press release dated Feb. 23 said.

Although Brown released her proposal for the creation of the DCC in August 2012, Jikaria said that the GUSA press release will serve to catalyze Brown’s recent concentrated campaign.

“GUSA has always been in support of the creation of the Disability Cultural Center,” Jikaria wrote in an email. “As Lydia conducts a more concentrated campaign right now, we felt that a press release would be the appropriate way to highlight our support and bring attention to the proposal.”

Brown said that the Tezel-Jikaria administration, as well as the two previous GUSA executive administrations, supported her proposal, but that this week’s endorsement comes at a time of great change within the university.

“Trevor and Omika have been working with me See CENTER, A6 Newsroom: (202) 687-3415 Business: (202) 687-3947

NEWS College Prep

The Institute for College Preparation guides underprivileged D.C. students.

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COURTESY GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY

Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the emir of Qatar, spoke at Gaston Hall on Thursday. Student protests against labor practices followed his appearance.

The U.S. Afghan Women’s Council appointed Rula Ghani as honorary co-chair.

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Emir Outlines Qatari Role in Middle East Kelsey Quackenbush Special to The Hoya

His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, emir of the State of Qatar, discussed the Arab Spring, education reform and Qatar’s political role in the Middle East with University President John J. DeGioia on Thursday in Gaston Hall.

The event was met with protest from a group of seven students against Qatar’s labor system, who stood up after the emir had left the stage, chanting, “Georgetown is undermining its core Jesuit values by

condoning and benefiting from this system that neglects the dignity and human rights of these workers.”

The group also protested in Healy Circle, a free speech zone, after the event and were told to leave multiple times by Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Jeanne Lord, who cited safety concerns.

Lord did not respond to request for comment by press time.

Al Thani, 34, the youngest head of state in the Arab region, assumed rule after his father’s 2013 abdication. He came to

Published Tuesdays and Fridays Published Tuesdays and Fridays

NEWS Afghan First Lady

Sports Big East Bound

The indoor track and field team will aim to topple Villanova for the championship title.

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See QATAR, A6 Send Story Ideas and Tips to news@thehoya.com

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OPINION

THE HOYA

Friday, February 27, 2015

THE VERDICT Founded January 14, 1920

EDITORIALS

DC’s Right to Light Federalism — the revered principle of our government, as old as any other — is at constant risk of being undermined.

Thursday witnessed the newest challenge to this system as the legalization of marijuana in Washington, D.C. was formally implemented at 12:01 a.m.

Following in the footsteps of voters in Washington state and Colorado, voters in D.C. approved the legalization of marijuana in the District by a margin of 38 percent in last November’s elections.

This initiative abolished any penalty for consuming, possessing or producing the drug, but it upheld strict legal penalties for those who buy or sell the drug. The initiative was set to become law unless it was rejected by a congressional review within 30 legislative days.

The legal deadline has passed, but the newly enacted law remains in unnecessarily precarious standing. Arguments against legalizing marijuana are not without validity, and congressional Republicans are certainly entitled to their opinions on the matter.

In December, for example, they made an attempt to block the initiative, but managed only to prevent further legalization efforts from taking effect.

But, since the deadline for review has passed with no congressional action, continued harassment the District’s government about legalization brings the issue beyond marijuana and calls into question the rights of D.C.’s voters.

The decision to legalize marijuana

by D.C.’s citizens is no different than one made by the citizens of any state — the residents voted to approve a measure at their local level of the federal government.

Those in favor of blocking the law, especially through bullying and intimidation, are therefore implicitly counteracting the same principles of local governmental fidelity that many of them also champion.

If the federal government is justified in interfering with D.C.’s adoption of a law that has been approved, then no political principle is stopping it from interfering in the law-making autonomy granted to states.

Congressional lawmakers need to understand this and refocus the debate on how best to implement the law to minimize associated problems and maximize efficacy. Their failure to do so thus far represents a failure to protect one of our most important principles: federalism.

While most Georgetown students have already settled in this semester, a new period of acclimation has just begun for two students in particular.

Georgetown University Student Association President-elect Joe Luther (COL ’16) and Vice President-elect Connor Rohan (COL ’16) are moving from a life propagating humor to an environment that has often lacked such a quality.

While the new leadership duo learns the ropes of GUSA, Luther and Rohan must remember to remain relatively serious.

The student body — and this editorial board — enjoyed their satirical campaign and honestly believed them to be best for the job. Satire should continue to be a tool that connects students to GUSA, but it is important to maintain a balance.

The good news is that the new executives are off to a good start.

It is encouraging to see that GUSA veteran Abbey McNaughton (COL ’16) has been named chief of staff to provide the pair with the GUSA experience that they lack.

Because they were the only portion of their platform that were not satiri-

cal, it is critical for the executives to follow through on their mental and sexual health proposals.

They also have a responsibility to delineate other policies such as those regarding the campus plan and neighborhood relations that the student body can rally behind; they should articulate clear stances on a wide range of issues that the campaign overlooked.

Although part of Luther and Rohan’s initial charm was their limited interaction with GUSA before running for executive, they should continue to look in the direction of GUSA experience to fill their cabinet.

McNaughton is a good start, and a Luther-Rohan administration with a substantial number of students familiar with GUSA’s inner workings would be well poised for success. Nevertheless, Luther and Rohan would do well not to shy too far away from their roots. Their humor, was, after all, what won them the presidency.

Seriously addressing the same opaqueness they criticized during their campaign is sure to move GUSA beyond its obscurity, but it will be important for the two to strike a balance.

C C C

Coincidence? I Think Pot ... — D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser wore a decidedly snappy green suit on the day that the District’s marijuana legalization initiative took effect.

Nothing But Net — The Federal Communications Commission ruled in favor of net neutrality, a policy that regulates Internet service providers as public utilities. This means that cable companies and Internet providers cannot give some consumers faster or slower service based on cost.

Scream Queen — Lady Gaga confirmed via Twitter that she will appear in the newest season of Ryan Murphy’s supernatural horror series, “American Horror Story,” subtitled “Hotel.”

EDITORIAL CARTOON by Michelle Xu

No Laughing Matter

This week on

Be sure to check Chatter, The Hoya’s online opinion section, throughout the week for additional opinion pieces.

Lauren gros (COL ’18) reflects on the importance of human unity and good science in vaccines: The defeat of these viruses and bacteria — before they can be allowed to manifest, reproduce and mutate within our bodies — is also what makes the eradication of disease possible when a community of people agree to unite against a disease by all getting their vaccination shots...Vaccines should not pit people against each other. They should be a collective defense all human beings take to defend our species against foreign invaders. We had nearly won the war against diseases like the measles, but due to our internal qualms, the disease has returned from near eradication.

“

Keep Calm, Study On As spring break approaches with winter firmly entrenched in Washington, D.C., midterms are here to provide some seasonal reliability. A time of stress, tears and late-night coffee binges in Lau, it is difficult to contemplate an end to these trials; but take heart, young Hoyas, for hope — and your GPA — are not yet lost.

Realistically, it may be a bit late in the game to give advice for planning ahead that might have any real effect, besides irritating some more procrastination-prone readers.

Instead, here are some coping mechanisms to keep in mind while you weather the final days until spring break: Although the stress of getting through the review material for a test or reaching a paper’s minimum word count may seem all-consuming, it is important to periodically take a step back, breathe deeply and appreciate how lucky we all are to be suffering together at one of the greatest universities in the country.

Carolyn Maguire, Executive Editor Alexander Brown, Managing Editor Jess Kelham-Hohler, Online Editor Katherine Richardson, Campus News Editor Kshithij Shrinath, City News Editor Kara Avanceña, Sports Editor Hannah Kaufman, Guide Editor Jinwoo Chong, Opinion Editor Daniel Smith, Photography Editor Shannon Hou, Layout Editor Zack Saravay, Copy Chief Emily Min, Blog Editor Molly Simio, Multimedia Editor

Editorial Board

Jinwoo Chong, Chair

Madison Ashley, Kit Clemente, Francisco Collantes, Ed Crotty, Johnny Verhovek

You may feel like you need to grab that third Leo’s brownie and wash it down with chocolate milk just to get through your stressful day. You don’t.

Maybe grab some unripe Leo’s fruit.

It might not seem like the tastiest option, but if your vitamin-starved, caffeine-dependent body could thank you, it probably would.

It’s also beneficial to your mental and physical health to find the time for some nice, refreshing exercise. You could take a run to the monuments, or possibly to the nearest snack machine.

Alternatively, you could make the trip to Yates and play some basketball, lift weights or pedal monotonously on a stationary bike while watching silent TVs with subtitles.

Hopefully at least some of this advice is helpful. Although midterms are one of the least enjoyable parts of the Georgetown experience, remember that they will all be over before you know it.

Then, when everything’s over, you can get excited for finals.

[ CHATTER ]

Find this and more at

thehoya.com/chatter Corrections

A previous version of “Disability Compliance Draws Scrutiny,” (The Hoya, A1, Feb. 24) stated that Lydia Brown (COL ’15) works at the Academic Resource Center, that the four plaintiffs in the Harvard-MIT case were students of the university, and that the Writing Center was affiliated with the Academic Resource Center. Lydia Brown does not, in fact, work at the center, the four plaintiffs in the Harvard -MIT case were members of the public trying to access online courses, and the Writing Center is not affiliated with the ARC. A previous version of “Teach Diversity Now,” (The Hoya, A2, Feb. 24) and “Cartoon Sparks Ire, Dialogue,” (The Hoya, A1, Feb. 24) stated that The Hoya’s racially controversial April Fools issue was published in 2008. The issue was published in 2009.

A previous version of “2 Runners Break Program Records,” (The Hoya, A9, Feb. 24) stated that Billy Ledder was a senior. The story has been updated to reflect his status as a graduate student.

Mallika Sen, Editor-in-Chief

Brian Carden, General Manager

Toby Hung Deputy Campus News Editor Andrew Wallender Deputy Campus News Editor Kristen Fedor Deputy City News Editor Elizabeth Cavacos Deputy Sports Editor Tyler Park Deputy Sports Editor Andrew May Sports Blog Editor Michael Fiedorowicz Deputy Guide Editor Gianna Pisano Deputy Guide Edtior Daniel Almeida Deputy Opinion Editor Parth Shah Deputy Opinion Editor Sarah Kim Opinion Blog Editor Isabel Binamira Deputy Photography Editor Dan Gannon Deputy Photography Editor Julia Hennrikus Deputy Photography Editor Cleo Fan Deputy Layout Editor Elana Richmond Deputy Layout Editor Matthew Trunko Deputy Layout Editor Katherine Cienkus Deputy Copy Editor Becca Saltzman Deputy Copy Editor Gabi Hasson Deputy Copy Editor Reza Baghaee Deputy Multimedia Editor

Jason Yoffe, Director of Accounting Brenna Muldrow, Director of Corporate Development Genie Douglass, Director of Marketing Ellen Zamsky, Director of Human Resources Lena Duffield, Director of Sales Matthew De Silva, Director of Technology Laura Tonnessen Monika Patel Sean Choksi Kevin Wilson Joseph Scudiero Tessa Guiv Kristen Chapey Natalia Vasquez Caroline Gelinne Sarah Hannigan Gregory Saydah William Lowery Casandra Schwartz Zoe Park

National Accounts Manager Local Accounts Manager Accounts Manager Treasury Manager Operations Manager Alumni Relations Manager Market Research Manager Public Relations Manager Personnel Manager Organizational Development Manager Local Advertisements Manager National Advertisements Manager Systems Manager Web Manager

Contributing Editors & Consultants

Sam Abrams, Katy Berk, Zoe Bertrand, David Chardack, Nick DeLessio, Robert DePaolo, Ben Germano, TM Gibbons-Neff, Michal Grabias, Chris Grivas, Allie Hillsbery, Emma Hinchliffe, Emma Holland, Penny Hung, Nicole Jarvis, Sheena Karkal, Hanaa Khadraoui, Natasha Khan, Lindsay Lee, Charlie Lowe, Hunter Main, Jackie McCadden, Suzanne Monyak, KP Pielmeier, Eitan Sayag, Katherine Seder, Sharanya Sriram, Sean Sullivan, Natasha Thomson, Kevin Tian, Laura Wagner, Emory Wellman, Christina Wing, Michelle Xu, Janet Zhu

Board of Directors

Sheena Karkal, Chair

Brian Carden, David Chardack, Lindsay Lee, Mallika Sen, Zach Singer, Laura Wagner Letter to the Editor & Viewpoint Policies The Hoya welcomes letters and viewpoints from our readers and will print as many as possible. To be eligible for publication, letters should specifically address a recent campus issue or Hoya story. Letters should not exceed 300 words.

Viewpoints are always welcome from all members of the Georgetown community on any topic, but priority will be given to relevant campus issues. Viewpoint submissions should be between 600-800 words. The Hoya retains all rights to all published submissions.

Send all submissions to: opinion@thehoya. com.

Letters and viewpoints are due Sunday at 5 p.m. for Tuesday’s issue and Wednesday at 5 p.m. for Friday’s issue. The Hoya reserves the right to reject letters or viewpoints and edit for length, style, clarity and accuracy. The Hoya further reserves the right to write headlines and select illustrations to accompany letters and viewpoints.

Corrections & Clarifications If you have a comment or question about the fairness or accuracy of a story, contact Executive Editor Carolyn Maguire at (908) 447-1445 or email executive@thehoya.com.

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OPINION

Friday, February 27, 2015

The Right Corner

THE HOYA

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VIEWPOINT • DiSanto

When You Get Into College (Again) Mallory Carr

Increase Opportunity, Not Wages N

o one should be treated better than the people that feed us. As much as Georgetown students love to complain about Leo’s, as freshmen and sophomores we bond over shared meals at our beloved O’Donovan’s on the Waterfront. Upperclassmen not lucky enough to be SEALs (or, “Seniors Eating At Leo’s,” for those not in the know) reminisce about partaking in the most sacred of all Georgetown traditions — Chicken Finger Thursday. The people that work to make these valuable experiences possible deserve our utmost respect.

However, respecting the people that work hard day in and day out to serve our university community does not necessarily mean supporting minimum wage laws or the so-called “living wage.”

Despite all of the good intentions behind proposals such as these, the unintended consequences from them would likely do more harm than good.

Policies and legislation that aim to mandate higher wages ostensibly for the sake of workers usually result in overall lower employment and fewer hours worked as companies have to find other places to cut costs.

Additionally, they lead to greater inflation as prices have to rise to pay for the higher salaries.

As a result, low-wage workers do not enjoy a real increase in income because goods become more expensive.

San Francisco is one of a handful of cities providing a real-time example of how this plays out as it begins to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. While still only two months into the first phase of the five-year wage hike, one business has already almost faced a shutdown.

Borderland Books pays its employees the minimum and is facing a 39 percent payroll increase over the next five years. Given the obstacles it faced from such an increase in expenses, it was scheduled to close its doors in March before fundraisers provided a temporary reprieve. Nevertheless, relying on public donations is not a long-term business strategy and will not be enough to prevent reduced growth in minimum wage sectors and further job losses.

The policies proposed in the petition currently circling regarding Aramark, although a hyper-local issue, would similarly have tangible consequences for students and workers. These proposals aim to increase workers’ benefits

Students should not interfere in the workers’ process just so they can pat themselves on the back, feeling as if they helped to accomplish something without initiating any real change. packages, resulting in the same effects as wage hikes.

As The Hoya published last week, the petition supports, “a 40-hour paid work week, an increase in health care benefits, the protection of immigrant workers, anti-discrimination rules and greater involvement in food sustainability discussions on campus.”

It remains unclear how, exactly, food sustainability discussions play into the way workers are treated or compensated, but, regardless, it is a provision like the others that would raise costs.

At Leo’s, Hoya Court and other Aramark-run establishments, instituting these changes could mean less staffing and higher prices for meal plans that many students are already struggling to pay for.

As the saying goes, not all that glitters is gold. Students’ desire to involve themselves in the contract negotiation process comes from a noble and well-intentioned place. However, Aramark employees at Georgetown already have a union and collective bargaining rights. As Karen Cutler, Director of Corporate Communications for Aramark, said via email, “the wages and benefits for our employees at Georgetown are agreed to by the union and set by the collective bargaining agreement.”

Students should not interfere in the workers’ process just so they can pat themselves on the back, feeling as if they helped to accomplish something without initiating any real change.

Advocating for initiatives that expand low-wage workers’ opportunities and ability to climb the ladder to the middle class, such as by easing occupational licensure requirements and improving public school education, would be a more efficient use of students’ energy.

Cutler noted that Aramark itself provides “a variety of benefits, including health care benefits and training opportunities for our employees” that help to enhance opportunities.

Whether at the macro level of cities or on our own campus, poverty cannot be mandated away through wage hikes.

Given the damaging effects that come from minimum wage laws such as less employment and inflation, policies that aim to make earning low wages a temporary state of life would better serve workers.

Instead of wishful thinking or advocating the seemingly simple solution, comprehensive reforms are needed to improve the lives of lowwage workers and expand the middle class.

Mallory Carr is a senior in the College. The Right Corner appears every other Friday.

I

t gives me great pleasure to inform you that the Committee on Admissions has voted to accept your application for transfer admission to Georgetown University.”

Admittedly, this was a sentence I never thought I’d hear. After nearly three years, two applications, six essays, four letters of recommendation, two interviews, three rejection letters, and a freshman year at The Catholic University of America, I had finally gotten into Georgetown.

It took all of three seconds to decide I would become a transfer member of the Class of 2017. I had won the intellectual equivalent of an Oscar, and my deposit was sent off to the Hilltop faster than I could consider the gravity of what I was deciding to do.

When I decided to come to Georgetown, I thought not about what I was leaving behind, but all that I stood to gain. I was flooded with the unadulterated relief and pride that comes with achieving a goal that had been 19 years in the making.

It wasn’t until after the whirlwind that was New Student Orientation, convocation, my first week of classes, the SAC fair, club applications and club rejections, that the dust finally settled and reality hit me. For the first time I considered the fact that I was at a top university (that had rejected me before), enrolled in six classes (that I had not the faintest idea how to succeed in), and knew no one (at a school where everyone seemed to be connected).

It didn’t take me long to realize that I was a Dan Humphrey-level outsider in the hallowed Hoya

Because Georgetown had been my dream, I never thought about what I would do when I actually got here. I had finally made it, but now what?

Hilltop of insiders. Although this was unnerving, my satisfaction of simply making it to Georgetown seemed to carry me though these secondary doubts.

In my experience, the hardest part about transferring has not

VIEWPOINT • Nicholls

To Save the Earth, Save the Oceans

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ew people are immune to the mesmerizing spell of the ocean. Its rhythmic ebbs and flows draw you in, and keep you enthralled with otherworldly landscapes.

Coral reefs dot the seafloor like brushstrokes in impressionist paintings with millions of free-floating microorganisms building shells and limestone skeletons. The delicate ecological balance at the core of these ecosystems rivals even the most beautiful Monets.

The dynamic community includes everything from single-celled organisms to the world’s largest animals, whales and sharks.

I’ve been lucky to have the opportunity to experience the underwater world, scuba diving and snorkeling frequently off the shores of Florida and Barbados. I have been able to see wonderful arrays of marine colors and life.

Yet as I watch turtles and rays gliding through the water, I notice that the reef below them is dying.

It becomes clearer each day that these wonderful undersea landscapes are in danger. I see that most large predators are gone and there is little in the reefs where I dive that resembles a pristine ecosystem.

I am reminded every time I walk on a beach that the Caribbean Monk Seal was driven to extinction before I even had the chance to see one.

Although it remains foreign to some, the sea is the origin of life on earth. It served as a nursery for all life on this planet, and now continues to work as this planet’s life support system.

It provides half the oxygen we breathe, absorbs much of the carbon dioxide we produce, regulates the global climate and more. In short, the ocean makes life possible. Yet we treat it with contempt.

We have become too efficient at taking fish out of it; so much so that ecologist Garrett Hardin, in his 1968 work “The Tragedy of the Commons.” noted overfishing to the point of near-extinction to illustrate overexploitation Only 10 percent of the life that once roamed the ocean is left. Seawater is becoming more acidic than it has been in millions of years, and there are huge expanses

of the sea that are devoid of oxygen due to nutrient pollution and eutrophication (the enrichment of an ecosystem by chemical nutrients).

It is time for us to take responsibility for our ocean — one of the last frontiers of our planet where there is still no governance. Not only to keep it healthy, but because everything from our climate to the world economy, and even the survival of the human race, depends on it.

It is the main source of protein for over 1 billion people and a source of livelihood for many more. It literally produces the air we breathe.

Beyond that, any effective mitigating action against climate change must heavily rely on the ocean. Coral reefs, producing limestone skeletons, provide far more permanent carbon storage than forests. They also shelter shores from heavy storms and provide a base (as nursery or feeding grounds) for 25 percent of all ocean life.

The ocean’s impor tance to humans — economic, nutritional and meteorological — is impossible to ignore. It requires immediate recognition and a drastic change in the way we treat the sea.

We want to educate and inspire our generation to take the lead and make a change.

We can each make a difference with small scale projects and changes in our lifestyles (using less plastic, for example), and history has shown that with proper stewardship, ecosystems can be incredibly resilient.

Although 90 percent of the ocean’s large fish are gone and 75 percent of coral reefs dead, what’s left gives me hope, because protected areas and good regulation have restored abundance to many places.

Feeding the world and protecting coastal communities from rising sea levels — two great challenges of our century — will be far easier if we take care of our oceans first.

We should take action because we can protect some of the most beautiful ecosystems on earth, and while we’re at it, improve the lives of millions as well.

Today, only 10 percent of the life that once roamed the world’s oceans remains. It is time for us to take responsibility for our oceans.

SEbastian Nicholls is a junior in the School of Foreign Service and chief of staff of the Sustainable Oceans Alliance.

been starting over, nor adjusting socially and academically. For me, the scariest part of the transferring was the degree of self-discovery that this process demanded of me. Georgetown had been my dream, and because it had been the goal I was

working toward for so long, I never took the time to think about what I would do when I actually got here.

In my first weeks, I was faced with a question I had never crossed my mind: I had made it to Georgetown, but now what?

For the first time I forced myself to ask: What do I want to do and what kind of person do I want to be? It seemed that everything I had done up until this point was in order to get me into Georgetown. But now that I was here, I realized that I needed to ask myself two much harder questions: what do I really want to do with my life, and how do I want to do it?

Although I do not have a full answer to either of these questions (and whole-heartedly feel that no 20-year-old should), I believe that the most transformative part of the process has been the ability to even ask the questions. Although my decision to transfer to Georgetown has not been without its challenges, there isn’t a day that goes by that I am unhappy that I made the decision to be a Hoya. Overall, the transfer process has reminded me that although there is immense satisfaction in achieving my goals, I can learn just as much through the process it takes to get there.

It may have taken me an extra year to make it to the Hilltop, but now that I am here I am fully ready to enjoy the view, looking forward to unfolding all that is up next.

Bianca DiSanto is a sophomore in the McDonough School of Business.

HOYA HISTORIAN

For Disabled Students, The Struggle Continues

W

riting about the history of signs include braille. For blind studisability at Georgetown dents seeking a group study room, is hard because for most Midnight Mug, a carrel, the Writing of the university’s history, nobody Center, most bathrooms or an elevareported on the issue. Documents tor, not even raised lettering signals are scarce any time before the last their destination. decade. And yet disabled students, Disabled students have become faculty, staff and visitors doubtlessly more organized and vocal in rearrived at the Hilltop before coverage cent years. In 2011, students and of the difficulties they faced existed. faculty hosted a large-scale forum, Primary sources pick up their DiversABILITY. As part of the forum, story around 2002, 10 years after the students with disabilities, includinitial implementation of the Amer- ing 14 Georgetown students and icans with Disabilities Act. That three from Gallaudet, wrote and year, a group of students — mostly performed a play about their exstudents with mobility impair- periences with disability —“Visible ments — met with administrators to Impact”— that compiled vignettes of express concern that the university self-reflection and moments of pubwas failing to meet lic ridicule. its requirements In the same year, under the act. the University revised Constant elevator its Medical Leave malfunctions, obof Absence (MLOA) structed paths and policy in the wake of other obstacles a formal complaint frustrated these filed with the Departstudents’ ability to ment of Education’s participate as full Office of Civil Rights.

Matthew Quallen members in our The complaint came community. from a student who, Our labyrinfor reasons related to thine and undea disability, took a volrequipped campus untary medical leave inflicted regular of absence. humiliation on Both the univerthese students. sity and CAPS identify When Jen Howitt certain advantages (SFS ’05) entered to a voluntary MLOA. Georgetown’s MLOAs can allow stuthen-dining hall in dents to focus on their New South, a set of health or well-being, stairs required her without the burden to enter through an emergency exit. of schoolwork; they can allow stuEach time she went to eat, she trig- dents to leave the university without gered the door’s alarm, announcing disrupting their continued eligibilher disability to the entire building. ity for scholarship and financial Sometimes, these humiliations aid. Some students, however, have metamorphosed into dangers. In alleged they were tricked or coerced 2005, a gas leak forced the evacu- into taking MLOAs. Others allege ation of White Gravenor Hall. As they were prevented from returning students began to evacuate, they to campus after taking them. discovered the elevator was malWhen the student prepared to refunctioning. Most students diverted turn to campus, Georgetown began to the stairs, but one student, who to set requirements — requirements relied on a wheelchair for mobility, unclear at the time the student was trapped. agreed to take an MLOA. As the stuUltimately, nearby students car- dent began to attempt to meet reried her from the building. But she quirements, the university stalled. should have been able to rely on Leave voluntarily initiated became the elevator. She and other students leave involuntarily extended. with mobility impairments had by Solutions to these problems have then regularly agitated for more reg- been slow in arriving. But in the ular elevator maintenance. But, as it fall of 2012, dozens of students and often does, the university dragged its faculty came together to plan a profeet. posal for a disability cultural center.

This story didn’t end in 2005 any Spearheaded by Lydia Brown (COL more than it began in 2002. In 2008, ’15), the proposal gained the enstudents voiced identical complaints dorsement of the GUSA executive in campus media. And all disabled last week. students — not just students with Lydia Brown has become somemobility impairments — continue thing of a public face at Georgetown to struggle for an accessible George- for issues related to disability and town. neurodiversity.

Despite the university’s ongoing But Lydia will graduate. A disabilinsistence that it adheres to the min- ity cultural center, however, offers imum legal standard set forward an opportunity to institutionalize in the ADA, obvious accessibility and extend the work of disabled orproblems persist. Tight corners on6 ganizers. For a community that has Leavey 5 restrict wheelchairs. Many only recently gained the attention of of the university’s spaces lack braille our campus community, such a resignage or have braille signage, but source would be essential. place it above doorframes — well out of many students’ reach.

Matthew Quallen is a junior in the On Lau 2, only a stairwell, single School of Foreign Service. Hoya Hisbathroom, and two “staff only” torian appears every other Friday.

The fight for an accessible Georgetown didn’t end in 2005 any more than it began in 2002.

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NEWS

THE HOYA

PAGE FOUR

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

INSIDE THIS ISSUE H*yas for Choice hosted a sexual health panel on Monday evening on contraception and more. See story on A8.

Your news — from every corner of The Hoya.

IN FOCUS

verbatim

PIZZA FRAT

“

The gun lobby doesn’t know what college life is like. We do. There are really great things ... [and] negative sides.”

Georgetown Against Gun Violence Co-Founder Sarah Clements (COL ’18) on new gun laws. Story on A5.

from

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ISABEL BINAMIRA/THE HOYA

Craig Levites (COL ’17), left, Jon O’Neill (COL ’17), center, and Jack Dudley (COL ’17) hosted the first interest meeting for Pi Zeta Alpha, a co-ed group which calls itself a fraternity dedicated to the love of pizza.

4E’S GUIDE TO DATING APPS Thanks to the age of technology, there’s a world of apps out there to help you deal with college dating. 4E’s done the testing for you. blog.thehoya.com

Afghan First Lady Joins Council Institute Guides Students On Path to College LUCY PASH

Hoya Staff Writer

The Georgetown U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council recently appointed first lady of Afghanistan Rula Ghani as its newest honorary co-chair, who will serve alongside former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former U.S. first lady Laura Bush.

The USAWC was founded in 2002 as part of the U.S. State Department as an initiative between former U.S. President George W. Bush and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, but moved to Georgetown in 2008. It strives to develop the education, health, financial standing and leadership of Afghan women and children by seeking public and private resources and creating partnerships that will support them.

Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security and USAWC member Melanne Verveer said that Ghani would offer a new perspective to the council.

“It is terrific to have Mrs. Ghani on the council, as the council is enriched

by Afghan participation,” Verveer wrote in an email to THE HOYA. “In the past, Afghan officials have served on the council. Mrs. Ghani brings an important perspective on what kinds of support would be most useful, and she was actively engaged in our recent meeting that Mrs. Bush hosted in Texas.”

Likewise, University President John J. DeGioia said that Ghani would be essential in forming a more inclusive community for the GIWPS. “Mrs. Ghani’s inspirational leader-

ship [on behalf of women’s issues] reflects a deep conviction that a more inclusive society is a stronger one — a belief at the heart of the work of the GIWPS and the USAWC here at Georgetown,” DeGioia said on the university website.

USAWC Vice Chair and Director of the Medical Center Phyllis Magrab echoed Verveer’s enthusiasm about Ghani joining the council. In particular, Magrab believes that Ghani has a genuine concern for women living in rural Afghanistan.

“She is very concerned about the most marginalized populations of Afghanistan, particularly the women in rural areas. When many of these programs come to be, they happen in the big cities, but they never reach the small villages and the women that are struggling in those villages,” Magrab said. “She believes that we should be training women in the villages to be teachers and healthcare workers, that we should be developing community centers in the small villages. She is a wonderful role model for women in Afghanistan.”

Magrab agreed that Ghani brings equilibrium to the council, as the other two honorary chairs were both previously U.S. first ladies.

“Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Clinton are both former first ladies, so it provides a nice symmetry to have the same kind of visibility and recognition in Afghanistan that we have here in the United States,” Magrab said.

Ghani, who grew up in Lebanon, received two master Lebanonnice sym-

FILE PHOTO: CHRIS BIEN/THE HOYA

Afghan First Lady Rula Ghani, not pictured, will join the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council, which features Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush.

litical studies and journalism from the American University of Beirut and Columbia University, respectively. Her children with Karzai were also born in the U.S. Other USAWC members include University President John J. DeGioia and U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Catherine Russell.

The Afghan co-chairs include Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs Salahuddin Rabbani and Afghan Minister for Women Affairs Husn Banu Ghazanfar.

The council’s other members are made up of government leaders, professors, members of the private sector and philanthropists.

Since its founding, the USAWC has embarked on various projects to ameliorate living conditions and increase opportunities for Afghan women. For instance, the council initiated The Rising Afghan Women Leaders Initiative on the School of Foreign Service’s campus in Doha, Qatar, which cultivated the personal and professional leadership skills of 22 Afghan women leaders and six Georgetown University students.

In addition, through other projects such as the Ayenda Foundation, The Grossman Burn Foundation and Afghan Women Leader’s Connect, the USAWC provides scholarships, employment, medical care and leadership training for Afghan women. These organizations have also set up day-care centers, taught computer skills, provided medical services, offered business and voter education training and supplied direct financial support.

As the council continues to tackle issues that Afghan women currently face, it seeks to find solutions to pressing issues such as literacy, education and health.

“Literacy is a very big issue for women, and girl’s education is a huge issue.

Now, a large percentage of girls are in school, whereas in 2002, hardly any girls were in school. Once women are educated, you have the idea of women starting businesses and being entrepreneurial. At the time when the council was started, Afghanistan had next to the worst maternal survival rate and also very low child survival rate, with an age period of 0-5. Burns were also a serious problem because women burned themselves cooking,” Magrab said.

As the U.S. and Afghan members of the USAWC have built a strong collaborative relationship, they have been able to efficiently identify the urgent needs of Afghan women.

“The Afghan co-chairs have been very instrumental in helping us to determine what kinds of needs there are in Afghanistan. We work closely with the Afghan government to find out what kinds of needs there are that some of our members might be interested in building projects around,” Magrab said.

MAUREEN TABET Hoya Staff Writer

Applying to college is a daunting process for all high-school students, but for over 20 years, Georgetown’s Institute for College Preparation has helped underprivileged students in Ward 7 maneuver the process and find their way to college.

Originally named the Schiff Scholars, the program was founded in 1989 through a grant from the biology department to get students in lower-income areas into the biomedical sciences.

The institute offers intensive preparation for students, who enter the curriculum in the seventh grade and continue through their high-school graduation.

Ninety-seven percent of the students in the institute matriculate to college, with 100 percent of those in the class of 2013 having postsecondary options.

ICP Executive Director Charlene Brown-McKenzie explained the mission of the institute as rooted in its outreach to younger students.

“We look at access and success for the poorest and neediest students of the city. How we do our work is really about early college awareness. Preparing young people for college and success is not just something you can do at the tenth or eleventh grade,” Brown-McKenzie said.

Currently, the ICP invites students from Kelly Miller and Sousa Middle Schools in Ward 7. At both schools, 99 percent of students are on free or reduced lunch.

“We talk about the war on poverty, and that’s really where we look at this educational pipeline and look at college success and college attainment as an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty in the District,” Brown-McKenzie said.

Students are invited to apply for the program if they attend one of the two middle schools and participated in Kids2College, a six-week program for sixth-graders that involves a large number of Georgetown undergraduates who teach a collegeawareness program for sixth graders.

The institute’s students come to Georgetown’s campus every Saturday and for eight weeks over the summer for enhanced learning and tutoring. Around 125 students throughout all years participate in the Saturday Academy.

The ICP currently partners with multiple student groups on campus, including the GU Minority Health Initiative that is looking at health disparities in the city. Additionally, the GU Math and Science HandsOn Enrichment group works with ICP students for math and science tutoring.

“It’s been great, over the last few years, to have other university student groups come and participate with our students and our families,” Brown-McKenzie said.

Eight ICP participants have graduated from the university so far, though the in-

stitute does not serve as a pipeline to the university. The first graduate was English major DeAngelo Rorie (COL ’00).

“I am absolutely certain that without the Schiff program, I would not have gotten into Georgetown,” Rorie said. “I think one of the key things is that the program afforded us opportunities to be exposed to things beyond our neighborhood.”

Rorie now serves as the director of youth services at United Planning Organization, which leads outreach to lowincome residents in the District. Rorie said his experience with the ICP partly inspired him to follow this career path.

“Many of these young people hailed from similar backgrounds, and I was a story of success,” Rorie said. “My existence at Georgetown highlighted the fact that you, too, could come from these circumstances, endure the same strife and make your way through a school like Georgetown.”

The initiative aims to address inadequacies that students experience at schools in the District, which had a highschool graduation of 64 percent, among the lowest rates in the country. In 2013, only 53 percent of low-income students in the District graduated on time.

“Here in the District, many of our schools don’t adequately prepare young people for a school like Georgetown, academically. So much is left up to the school systems, and the education that many young people are getting in the District is not on par or comparable to what many of Georgetown’s enrollees receive,” Rorie said.

Brown-McKenzie said the initiative attempts to provide the opportunities of the average Georgetown student. One particular experience recently added to the ICP was study abroad. In August 2013, the ICP took ninth and tenth grade students on a trip to South Africa, offering the students a global education.

Director of Partnerships and Community Engagement Brenda Atkinson-Willoughby explained how the initiative’s work affects families as well.

“Students and their families, who start out with a vague understanding of the college process, have learned and continue to learn the value of early college planning,” Atkinson-Willoughby wrote in an email. “We often see families who have enrolled younger siblings in ICP and parents who enroll or return to college.”

The initiative continues to evolve, according to Brown-Mackenzie, adapting to national changes in college accessibility.

“This is an exciting time, as we continue to grow and pay attention to what’s happening nationally around college access and success, and how we can be a leader in the work about academic preparation, social and emotional development of our young people,” BrownMcKenzie said.

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friday, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

THE HOYA

A5

SAC Considers Funding Change

Student Debt Repayment Modified

Gaia Mattiace

Income-based repayment, which provides students with more flexibility in handling student debt, is becoming an increasingly popular option for repaying student loans, decreasing the emphasis on timeliness and provides greater opportunity to work in nonprofit or other service fields upon graduation.

Under income-based debt repayments, loans are paid back in increments based on the level of a person’s income. Through an executive order issued June 9, President Barack Obama made such repayments the cornerstone of student loan reform, allowing all federal loan borrowers to cap their

But the new system would simply allocate funds and allow the club to use them for The Student Activities events at their discretion.

Commission is considering The proposed system would altering its club budget al- retain safeguards for ensurlocation process by provid- ing groups use their funding ing clubs with tiered-access wisely by taking into considlump sums, a change that eration how many events the they hope to institute next group actually held in decidsemester. ing their budget for the next SAC is still working on the semester. wording of the proposition, The proposed changes have which will be further dis- already been receiving supcussed at its next meeting on port from clubs, according to March 2. A decision regard- Maytnier. ing budgeting will have to be “Over 30 organizations reached by the end of March have responded and the feedto institute the change by back has been largely favornext semester. able toward the proposed sysAccording to SAC Vice tem,” Maytnier said. “Based Chair Barry Goldsmith (MSB on many of the comments, ’17), the idea for the change I think organization leadin budget allocation has been ers see the proposed system in the works for some time, as a way of simplifying the though it was only this year budgeting process while also that SAC members really pur- granting more flexibility to sued the plan. groups.”

“The idea has been floating Animalia Vice President around for several years now, Casey Nolan (COL ’17) said but until this past year noth- that she would prefer this ing was ever really done to ex- type of tiered funding. plore it in any detail,” Gold“While I can’t anticipate smith said.“I give Connor and the exact effects of the plan, the rest of the commission as someone who’s had to plan the utmost credit for really budgets for clubs for the upgoing above and beyond to coming semester, I prefer the come up with reforms that tiered access to benefits in will greatly benefit our stu- that it doesn’t force people dent organizations on cam- to anticipate every event pus.” that they’re going to have According to SAC Chair throughout the semester,” Connor Maytnier (COL ’17), Nolan said. “While SAC does the current application allow for some flexibility in process has a series of steps planning events during the that can be cumbersome for semester itself, I think it’s groups involved in apply- easier for people to allocate ing for funding. To receive money as they wish with a money, a club must estimate block plan.” the numbers of events it will Goldsmith emphasized host for the semester and how these changes come with the number of attendees the the continued prosperity of events will attract. student groups in mind.

“In the “Our main current priority in system, making these groups changes is to must be improve the extremely system from detailed, the student listing groups’ perspecific spective,” p r i c e s Goldsmith and estisaid. “Right mated atnow they altendance most have numbers,” to jump M ay t n i e r through said. hoops of buTo remreaucracy Connor Maytnier (COL ’17) edy this to get their Student Activities Commission Chair problem, funding, but SAC has we believe devised a new and improved the proposed changes will budgeting allocation process greatly lessen those hurdles that would reduce the num- and make it easier on our ber of steps and eliminate groups.” other difficulties posed by Associate Director of Stuthe current system. The new dent Engagement Amanda system would provide fund- Carlton, SAC’s adviser, said ing to groups by evaluating she had no opinion on the their needs and placing them budget structure change, but in one of 10 tiers. The tier will that she continuously seeks be determined by a variety of to support the aims of SAC factors, including a rough members. outline on what activities a “I don’t necessarily have club plans to organize. an opinion to share on the The tier of the club would topic,” Carlton said. “As the also be determined by other advisor to SAC, I regularly factors including a club’s encourage them to consider number of members, past different methods by which funding and current num- to accomplish their goals and ber of events, among other meet the needs of their conthings. stituent groups, while also Once the tier level of the ensuring that they are seekgroup is confirmed, the ing multiple perspectives on group will have control over the methods they are considhow the money is divided up ering before a final decision for events and usage. is made.”

“Groups would then reThe change comes at a time ceive a lump sum of money when SAC is struggling with for the semester,” Maytnier funding cuts. said. “They would have the “Over the past few semesfreedom to portion it out as ters, we have had scale cuts they wish across the semes- that have been substantial ter’s events.” challenges for our organizaThe new budgeting system tions,” Maytnier said. “For would further alter the previ- example, the scale cut this ous system by changing the semester is 71.8 percent and event cancellation or modi- last semester’s was 63.7 perfication process and the cur- cent.” rent penalties that SAC imMaytnier said that SAC is poses for these deviations. always concerned with the Under the system that SAC best way to provide clubs currently uses, groups wish- with the funds they need, ing to cancel or move an event even though demand will that has already been allocat- constantly exceed the supply ed funds must submit a form of funds. and wait for SAC to vote. SAC “At the end of the day, members want to change the SAC realizes that requests system so that clubs can de- will always outnumber our cide when and how to use the resources,” Maytnier said. funds given to them, so that “This past semester, we reevery cancellation and modi- ceived $350,000 in requests fication does not have to go and had only $150,000 to althrough a SAC vote. locate. Despite this, SAC also “Funding will be deter- realizes that we can work to mined based on a general out- make the budget allocation line of events, not a detailed system more simplistic, efevent-by-event model,” Mayt- ficient, and equitable for all nier said. groups.”

According to Maytnier, the Maytnier said that the current system also enforces change is more about makpenalties based on whether ing the process easier for the or not an event authorization students than changing the form was submitted, which amount of funding itself. can often lead to mistakes “While we can’t make more and confusion. If the form is money fall from the sky, SAC not submitted by the club for does have the ability to simsome reason, the group is pe- plify its processes,” Maytnier nalized by the current system. said.

Special to The Hoya

“Groups would then receive a lump sum of money for the semester. ... They would have the freedom to portion it out.”

Kristen Fedor Hoya Staff Writer

“Income-based repayment options ... give additional flexibility to student borrowers.”

Colin Seeberger Young Invincibles Press Secretary

monthly payments at 10 percent of their discretionary income. Additionally, loans are forgiven after 20 years, and those working in the public sector are able to have the debts cleared after just 10 years.

Young Invincibles, a D.C. based organization geared at promoting the interests of 18 to 34 year olds, contributed to a detailed report on incomebased repayment in partnership with the Gates Foundation. In their conclusion, the organization advocated for the federal government to make income-based repayment the default system for student loans.

Young Invincibles Press Secretary Colin Seeberger explained that this system of debt repayment provides students with more options after they graduate.

“Income-based repayment options simply give additional flexibility to student borrowers by allowing them to repay less in the early years of their careers and more as they ascend the career ladder and their salaries increase,” Seeberger wrote in an email.

Anthony Carnevale, director and research professor of the McCourt School of Public Policy’s Center on Education and the Workforce, echoed Seeberger’s emphasis on diversifying a graduate’s employment options.

“It’s really matter of giving students choices. By and large, income-based

repayment allows people to make choices in their careers that aren’t necessarily tied to their need to pay back their loan,” Carnevale said.

Carnevale added that income-based repayment allows graduates to enter nonprofit work or focus on service without having to worry as much about the status of their loans. This aligns with Georgetown’s commitment to encouraging students in service.

“This idea is consistent with Georgetown’s emphasis on service. It says that service gets special treatment, which it already does, but it would make it more so,” Carnevale said. “If you do not-for-profit work teaching, become a doctor, go to rural Idaho, we’re going to forgive your loans.”

Opposition to the rise of incomebased debt repayment derives from the fact that the federal government may incur losses by forgiving student debt. It is currently estimated that the government is poised to make $108 billion from interest payments on student loans over the next 10 years.

However, Carnevale said the possible changes will not come with government expenditure, but rather, with how the government will predict future profits.

“Mostly, the objections to this I find pretty thin. I think generally people think income based repayment is an option that students should have. The big question then is should it be the default? Should it be where everybody starts?” Carnevale said.

He added that he believes most politicians would agree in favor of income-based repayment, but that government dysfunction could be to blame for the lack of progress on this front.

“In a Democratic Congress, I suspect it would move. In a Republican Congress, less likely, but not totally unlikely, because it’s just one way to help people pay off college and to make sure the college education they got has labor market value, which most politicians would agree is a priority,” Carnevale said. “There is some sophistication — not a whole lot — required to legislate on a question like this, and that sophistication is just not there in our political system anymore.”

Although income-based repayment is not the default system, the number of people switching to income-based debt repayment plans has increased considerably in recent years. According to Carnevale, roughly 12 percent of people holding loans today are on an income-based repayment plan, compared with the 3 to 4 percent around five years ago.

Seeberger said it is increasingly popular, especially for college students, to pursue income-based repayment for

their loans as awareness of the option grows.

“Pegging student loan repayment to income is gaining popularity as more borrowers learn about the option.

Many borrowers have told us that enrolling in an income-based plan has allowed them to pursue their career interests and avoid moving back in with a parent,” Seeberger wrote.

“We’ve also seen advocates and the administration dedicate more attention and resources to getting the word out about these plans.”

Despite the potential for incomebased repayment to alleviate some issues of student debt — with The Upshot, the data-driven blog for The New York Times, recently hailing the payment plan as a possible solution to the student loan crisis — Seeberger and Carnevale agreed that the high cost of education remains the largest problem for universities.

“Ultimately we would like to see the government make the possibility of graduating from college without a mountain of debt a reality again,” Seeberger wrote. “We have to move beyond debt management and get to the root of the problem — the soaring cost of college and inadequate support for students.”

Carnevale said that as it becomes easier to pay back debt, universities could simultaneously increase their tuitions.

“The more money we put into higher ed, the higher the prices go. If we give higher ed $400 billion, they’ll spend $410. If we give them $410, they’ll spend $420,” Carnevale said.

“This does not constrain cost. This just

“[It] allows people to make choices in their careers that aren’t ... tied to their need to pay back their loan.”

ANTHONY CARNEVALE Director of the Center on Education and the Workforce

constrains debt, which just allows cost to go up.”

Though income-based repayment helps students with debt, Carnevale said it does not fully address the problem.

“I think in the end, it is part of the package in the higher education reform, but it’s not the whole package because it doesn’t do anything to restrain costs. Arguably, it increases costs,” Carnevale said.

Concealed Carry on Campuses Considered Sarah Fisher Hoya Staff Writer

Legislation to permit concealed firearms on college campuses is currently being considered in 10 states, with gun rights advocates arguing that such laws would reduce sexual assault.

Bills to allow guns on college campuses are currently being considered in Florida, Nevada, Indiana, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming.

A committee of the Florida State Senate passed a bill legalizing firearms on college campuses Feb. 19, though the bill still must be passed by the full Senate. State Representative Dennis K. Baxley defended the legislation on the basis of preventing sexual assault.

“If you’ve got a person that’s raped because you wouldn’t let them carry a firearm to defend themselves, I think you’re responsible,” Baxley said during a House subcommittee meeting, according to The New York Times.

Sixteen states currently forbid firearms on campuses, according to data from the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Twenty-four states allow individual schools to decide, while 10 states already permit guns on campus.

While it does not allow firearms on college campuses, Washington, D.C.’s ban on concealed carry of firearms was overturned in July. Legislation passed by the D.C. Council in response to the federal court decision imposed stringent requirements on the licensing process and prevented the carrying of firearms in government buildings, schools and public transportation.

Although D.C. allows conceal and carry, it does not affect university policy, according to Emma Iannini (SFS ’16), president and co-founder of Georgetown Against Gun Violence, a student organization formed in February.

“I have talked to administrators who are experts on campus safety, and they all say the same thing. Here at Georgetown we have leadership who know that there is nothing to be gained by adding more guns to campus,” Iannini said.

The university’s Code of Student Conduct includes the “possession or use of any potentially dangerous object or weapon, including … firearms” as a conduct violation to be adjudicat-

ed by the Office of Student Conduct.

GAGV Vice President and Co-Founder Sarah Clements (COL ’18) explained that the debate over allowing firearms at universities began in the wake of several shootings on college campuses, most notably the shooting at Virginia Tech University in April 2007.

“Even though most, if not all, of the survivors and victims’ family members of Virginia Tech advocated against campus carry in the wake of that shooting, there were some people who said, well, the only logical thing that could have prevented this was if somebody in that room had a gun,” Clements said. “From there the NRA really uses it as a ploy to sell more firearms and to try and reach out to a demographic that they re-

“[With] times of depression and high tension ... to put a gun in those situations is completely dangerous and completely illogical.”

Sarah Clements (COL ’18) Georgetown Against Gun Violence Vice President and Co-Founder

ally desperately need, which is young people.”

Iannini noted that the bills circulating around the country would force public universities into actions they would otherwise be reluctant to take.

“Public universities who are reliant on funding from these same state legislatures could literally be under fire from this,” Iannini said. “They are the ones who would be forced to follow the letter of the law passed by the legislature and either be encouraged or forced to allow students and administrators, people who really shouldn’t be armed, running around campus.”

Clements added that allowing firearms on college campuses would amplify existing dangers in student life.

“The gun lobby doesn’t know what college life is like. We do. There are really great things about college, but there are also negative sides like

drinking on the weekends and sometimes drug use,” Clements said. “A lot of times of depression and high tension and high-stress situations almost constantly: to put a gun, a firearm, in those situations is completely dangerous and completely illogical.”

While lawmakers are pointing to sexual assault prevention as the reason driving gun liberalization, Sexual Assault Peer Adviser Nora West (SFS ’15) said that concealed weapons would not address the sexual assault problem.

“Regardless of issues with students properly using weapons … 90 percent of college sexual assaults are committed by acquaintances,” West said. “[It is] unlikely that students would be carrying around their weapon at all times and using it against an acquaintance.”

West added that this proposed solution to sexual assault emphasizes the need for potential victims to take action, rather than addressing the perpetrator of the crime.

“It places the responsibly with the victims to defend themselves rather than directly blaming the perpetrators and simultaneously lets campus police off the hook as the ones who should be able to protect all students in the event of a potential violent crime,” West said. “It creates yet another opportunity for the survivor to be blamed for their perpetrator’s actions.”

Although Georgetown University College Republicans Chair Amber Athey (COL ’16) agreed with West on the issue of sexual assault, she said that conceal and carry would not necessarily be a bad thing for all universities.

“Many factors are involved in creating and maintaining an atmosphere of safety and security on college campuses; one specific policy is not going to be relevant for all types of universities. While concealed carry may be a suitable complement to other security measures on one campus, it may not make sense for another,” Athey said.

West said she felt that there were more effective solutions to the problem of sexual assault than allowing guns to be carried on campus. “[We should focus on] education and outreach resulting in bystander intervention,” West said.

Hoya Staff Writers Emma Rizk and Lucy Prout contributed reporting.

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THE HOYA

Friday, February 27, 2015

Diversity Requirement Proposed Al Thani’s Visit Incites Protest CAMPAIGN, from A1

Black House. The group works with, but is separate from, the Provost’s Committee for Diversity, which was formally institutionalized in February 2014, and is made up of select students, faculty and administrators. Vice Provost for Education Randall Bass, who has been heavily involved with students on the committee, said he is supportive of this initiative.

“A university’s core curriculum is one way that it communicates its values to incoming students,” Bass wrote in an email.

“I believe deeply in expanding and modifying our core so that engaging difference and diversity is part of that communication.”

Although Provost Robert Groves did not respond to requests for comment on the issue, Bass said Groves is supportive.

“The provost is also very committed to the idea,” Bass wrote. “Of course, he believes that it has to be a requirement that is in synch with faculty across the main campus and makes sense for the curriculum.”

A History of Diversity Advocacy In 2009, University President John J. DeGioia launched a Main Campus Initiative on Diversity and Inclusiveness in response to a series of bias-related incidents on campus. The Initiative released recommendations for improving campus inclusiveness in May 2010, including a proposal to implement a diversity requirement. The proposal was not passed through the university’s faculty approval process, and a requirement was not established.

The then-University Provost James O’Donnell said that of all of the President’s Initiative’s goals at the time, the requirement would be the most difficult to achieve.

“Here is where enthusiasm and academic time run up against each other,” O’Donnell said (The Hoya, “Provost Discusses Diversity Initiative Progress,” April 23, 2010). “Other issues of curriculum and general education requirements are complicated, and there are other things people are interested in seeing us advance and do. It is going to take some time.”

In November 2012, students re-introduced the push for a diversity requirement with the creation of the Cura Personalis Initiative. The entirely student-led group aimed to create a cultural and ethnic studies center, strengthen academic courses in minority and ethnic studies and grow support for mentorship and scholarships for minorities on campus.

“A student could go through Georgetown never taking a class [that is] not based on either the United States or Europe. Georgetown is very much behind its peer institution[s] in terms of the breadth of its academics,” Initiative member Carly Rosenfield (COL ’14) said (The Hoya, “New Initiative to Address Diversity,” Nov. 13, 2012).

In December 2013, students encouraged campus-wide discussion about diversity issues with #BBGU, a hashtag part of a Twitter protest. The hashtag, which signifies Being Black at Georgetown University, provided an online forum for students of color to discuss their Georgetown experiences. The university supported the movement, posting tweets on its Facebook page. In a Feb. 3 article in The Hoya, Groves cited the #BBGU movement as a catalyst for the creation of his committee (The Hoya, “#BBGU Prompts Discussion,” Feb. 3).

Most recently, a cartoon in the Georgetown Voice published Feb. 19 depicting a black student and a female student being beaten in a horse costume sparked campus-wide discussion about racism and misogyny. Students organized a town hall discussion and demonstration to share ideas and educate others about different student experiences on campus.

At the demonstration, students passed around the diversity course requirement

petition.

“This is what coming together looks like,” organizer Kimberly Blair (COL ’15) said during the demonstration. “I want to stand today in solidarity with each other. … We’re trying to create unity and consciousness so that you can put yourself in somebody else’s shoes while you’re here at Georgetown.”

LCAR Proposal Provost’s Committee’s Academic SubCommittee co-chair and LCAR member Esiwahomi Ozemebhoya (COL ’15) emphasized that the campaign does not aim to add courses to the existing curriculum. According to a fact sheet compiled

by LCAR and posted on the group’s Facebook page, over 80 courses have already been identified that could potentially fulfill the requirement. Some classes on the list include “Hindu Religious Traditions,” “Fame: Harlem Renaissance Celebrity” and “Ethics: Global Justice.” The courses fulfill a theology, humanities and writing and ethics requirement, respectively in the core curriculum.

“What’s new about our approach is that we’ve created a two-course overlay,” Ozemebhoya said. “A class can double count for two different disciplines and also engage these five learning goals that we’ve created, which aim to engage with the ideas of power and privilege and provide a reflective component for students.”

LCAR member Dan Zager (COL ’18) stressed the importance of instituting a diversity requirement in the context of the social, political and economic environment surrounding the Georgetown community.

“Currently there’s no requirement in the curriculum that allows students to really analyze the different positions in society,” Zager said. “It’s still obvious that depending on how you identify, you have a certain type of social capital — whether it’s through gender, race, ethnicity or religion. What we’re trying to do with the requirement is to study how society allows for this inequality. Through that, we can better connect not only within the university community but also with the wider community outside the campus.”

The results of the Provost’s Committee’s research into the implementation of the requirement have yielded promising results, indicating that students will be able to complete the requirement within their first two years, according to Ozemebhoya.

Ozemebhoya added that instituting the requirement could influence the outlook of future students regarding administrative change.

“I think that it could give students hope about changing things within the university,” Ozemebhoya said. “Students currently don’t have a say in what the core curriculum looks like. It’s not mobile or malleable, as education and learning are supposed to be — it’s not changing with the times. I would hope that students would be able to have more of a stake, to hold the university responsible for what they’re required to learn.”

MCEF Consideration In February 2014, student committee beneath the Black House began working to draft an official proposal of the requirement, which they presented to administration in early December. This proposal, which has been adopted and edited by the members of the diversity committee, will be presented to the Main Campus Executive Faculty March 27.

The proposal must pass with a majority vote in the MCEF, before being sent to the university board of directors for final approval. The MCEF is comprised of 57 faculty members from each Georgetown school, and any vote requires a minimum of 29 votes to reach a majority.

The MCEF is a legislative body comprised of representatives from each academic unit of the main campus, includ-

ing department, program, faculty senate and student representatives. The two students currently on the MCEF are Kathryn Crewdson (SFS ’15) and Sonya Nasim (NHS ’16). The body works to determine, create and implement academic policy for the university’s main campus.

According to Bass, the board seems receptive and interested in making this change.

“They know it is coming and are likewise supportive,” Bass wrote. “There are also many dimensions of the actual implementation that need to be worked through in order to integrate into advising, degree audits, integration into the bulletin, etc. That will take time.”

Zager said that if the vote passes the initial MCEF vote, students can immediately begin work on implementation.

“If the MCEF votes yes, we can start taking steps to work with the university registrar,” Zager said. “We will start cross-listing classes that could be vetted as diversity courses and be considered a part of the requirement.”

Professor Mark Rom, who represents the McCourt School of Public Policy in the MCEF, expressed support for a focus on diversity, but did not explicitly state support for the proposal itself.

“I fully support the concept that Georgetown should be highly attentive to issues of diversity, whether regarding the student body or the course curriculum,” Rom wrote in an email to The Hoya. “I have not yet seen the proposal for a diversity course requirement and will give it my fullest attention when I do. That, together with the discussion at the MCEF, will determine my judgment on this matter.”

Professor Lioudmila Fedorova, representative for the department of Slavic languages in the MCEF, echoed Rom’s views.

“There is no doubt that MCEF will and does support the spirit of the policy,” Fedorova wrote in an email. “But such a major change has profound effects on each department and the curriculum in general, and a clear procedure of approving certain courses for this requirement should be established. It is not enough to just vote yes. The task is to work out the details of the policy.”

LCAR and the Provost’s Committee have contacted a student groups on campus to gauge support and gather feedback. LCAR will also host a town hall March 5 to provide an open forum for dialogue regarding the proposal.

“The administration wants this to be done as quietly as possible,” Ozemebhoya said. “But I don’t think that something as major as this should be done quietly — it should happen with students knowing about it and having an opinion about it.

Whether it’s negative or positive, we want to hear from you.”

Ricardo L. Ortiz, associate professor of U.S. Latino literature and culture, one of several faculty members who helped draft the proposal, explained that the conversation facilitated by this campaign could have a long-lasting impact.

“I would be delighted if it is approved,” Ortiz said. “But if it’s not, I feel it would be a step in the right direction. It won’t feel to me like we’ve wasted our energy or our effort, because it’s still an important conversation for Georgetown to have with itself. I don’t think it would be the last time something like this would come up around questions of what I feel are the urgent demands that diversity puts on the world today.”

Many Jesuit colleges and pier institutions have already established diversity requirements, including Boston College, Loyola University Chicago, Dartmouth College, Brown University and Yale University.

“Georgetown is kind of playing catchup here,” Ozemebhoya said. “I think that the way it handles this situation will say a lot about the future of the university and our place in academia. This diversity core requirement is a long time coming.”

QATAR, from A1 campus after visiting the White House to meet with President Barack Obama on Tuesday. DeGioia welcomed Al Thani and addressed the strong commercial, educational, scientific and technological ties that the United States shares with Qatar.

“One of the youngest heads of state in the world, the emir began his service after his father Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani stepped down. Since becoming emir in June 2013 he has provided steady leadership in a region often beset by turbulence,” DeGioia said.

Before Al Thani’s visit to the United States, he visited Salman, the new King of Saudi Arabia in Saudi Arabia. Al Thani discussed that he believes it is Saudi Arabia’s role to try to solve the problems that exist in the region.

“For us as a small country in the Gulf, Saudi Arabia is the most important country to have a good relationship with,” Al Thani said.

“I am confident that King Salman and the people aiding him as well, especially the second generation aiding him, I am confident that they will do a good job … and that they will do their best.”

On Feb. 24, The New York Times published Al Thani’s op-ed, “Qatar’s message to Obama.” In it, he wrote about the necessity to take action against the terrorist groups that are continuing to gain power in the Middle East and beyond as well as tyrants that refuse to share power.

“Addressing the root causes of terrorism will require a deeper, longer-term and more strategic approach to the problem. It will require political leaders to have the courage to negotiate pluralistic, inclusive, power-sharing solutions to regional disputes. And it will require that tyrants be held to account,” Al Thani wrote.

He echoed this sentiment in the discussion.

“We have to identity and see the real cause of those terrorist movements,” Al Thani said. “When the Syrian people stood up against Bashar al-Assad asking for freedom, dignity. you can go back, and you can check. All of them were youth asking for dignity and freedom, and there wasn’t any terrorist movement. We said that from day one. If Bashar al-Assad doesn’t find a solution … we will be facing a terrorist movement...If we don’t find a solution we will be dealing with real terrorist groups that nobody can control.”

During the event, Al Thani spoke about the Arab Spring and the necessity of engaging the youth who began those movements and bringing their voices to the table of discussion.

“You have to give them hope for the future,” he said. “We should never tie terrorism with our religion, terrorism doesn’t have a religion … Hope is the most important thing we should give.”

The Arab Spring, a series of revolutionary demonstrations, protests and riots, began December 2010.

Since January 2015, rulers have been forced from power in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen. Al Thani also expressed concern with the United States’ involvement in the region.

“I’ll be honest with you — we shouldn’t only be depending on America. [We] Arab countries, we should do our own work, and then we should ask the Americans if we need help to help us solve our problems,” Al Thani said.

The British-educated Al Thani spoke about Qatar’s focus on reforming education as well as Qatar’s role in stabilizing the region.

“We start with what we did internally, the reforms that we did internally,” he said. “We concentrated a lot on education. We believe that education is the thing that we should do best at home.

So that is why we invited six of the best American universities in Doha.”

Al Thani and DeGioia’s discussion was followed by a questionand-answer session with the audience, and one student asked the Amir about Qatar’s bid for the 2022 World Cup. “It’s bad to say that the race was between Qatar and America, to hold the World Cup of 2022, and I know that you guys, people here were very upset that how could this small country beat this great country, and I think you should believe … that you can lose sometimes,” Al Thani joked.

Callie Flanagan (COL ’17) attended the event and said she was impressed by the relevance of Al Thani’s discussion on education.

“I was really impressed. … I thought he talked about issues that were relevant especially to the university. He talked a lot about education, which for me personally is very interesting, and as a university it is really important that he talked about that,” Flanagan said. “One of the most interesting things he said was when he was talking about how the cause of terrorism is hopelessness, and I was very impressed with his stance towards that.”

Not all students were equally satisfied with Al Thani’s discussion. The student protesters, who stood up at the end of the event to a confused audience, cited displeasure with Qatar’s labor system.

“We’re just a group of concerned students; we’re not affiliated with any of the groups on campus,” Françoise Farrell (COL ’17), a protestor, said. “But basically the issue is that the Kafala system is a system of labor that Qatar uses, and basically it’s called the sponsor system, and so in order to be a migrant worker working in Qatar you have to be sponsored by your employer … so you’ll get sponsored, and then you’ll come over, then they will take your passport and confiscate your work visa.”

The protest moved outside to Healy Circle, where the students held up a sign that read “SFS-Q Exploits Migrant Workers, ModernDay Slavery is Not A Jesuit Value! #WorkerSolidarity.”

Lord approached the group multiple times and told them to leave, but since Healy Circle is, in fact, a designated free speech zone, the students did not leave.

“She is telling us that we are not allowed to be here and that we need to leave and that it’s inappropriate for us to be protesting this, but this is a free speech zone, and so technically I don’t think they can do anything,” Farrell said.

Campaign for Disability Cultural Center Bolstered CENTER, from A1 their entire term on disability issues and have always supported a DCC,” Brown wrote in an email.

“We’re releasing the announcement now because we’re on the cusp of the next opportunity for student advocacy in the matter planning process, and believe that recent events and dialogue around disability have pushed the DCC issue to the forefront. Essentially we feel this is the best possible time to reinvigorate advocacy on this particular issue.”

Brown said that this center is a necessary addition to the university community.

“It’s very important to have a DCC because we need to be able to have safe spaces for communities that experience societal and historical underrepresentation or marginalization,” Brown said.

The proposal for the DCC was first introduced by Brown in August 2012, and calls for the creation of social, educational, academic and supportive programs for the Georgetown disability community, in addition to increased disability rights activism and advocacy.

Through the center, disabled students would have access to leadership development training, professional networking opportunities and peer mentoring programs. The DCC would work with D.C.-based

disability organizations and facilitate access to research and scholarship on disability in public policy and government.

Furthermore, the DCC would promote the inclusion of disability studies curriculum, scholarship, research and teaching throughout the university. The proposal also advocates for partnership between the DCC and other student groups to create “a more accessible, equitable, inclusive and diverse Georgetown,” according to Brown’s proposal.

If the DCC is created, Georgetown will be the fourth university in the world to have a cultural center devoted to disabled students, joining Syracuse University, the University of Minnesota and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

“The DCC will provide a physical space for disabled students and allies to have conversations around this identity, provide various programming around disability topics and to act as a resource for disabled students,” Tezel said. “Without a DCC, or equivalent institution on campus, students like myself will not be able to leave Georgetown with the same learned understanding of the diversity within our community.”

Tezel added that his stance on disability issues has changed since he was introduced to Brown while serving as deputy chief of staff under Nate Tisa’s (SFS ’14) administration.

“When I originally came to Georgetown, I viewed disability issues as ones that required accommodations, treatment and nothing else,” Tezel said. “Meeting Lydia Brown and learning more about the disability justice movement has allowed me to appreciate disabilities as an issue of diversity. … Lydia really challenged me to think critically about issues surrounding the disabled community.”

The DCC would be a universityfunded administrative office, managed by a full-time staff director and other paid staff. It would initially be housed under Student Affairs, though the proposal supports the creation of a central Office on Diversity and Inclusion, according to Brown.

The proposal names several possible locations for the center, including the Leavey Center or the Healey Family Student Center.

“I think it could be achieved within five years, which allows enough time to look for staff and to look for space,” Brown said. “It might start with a very small budget and a single person in a small office somewhere, and in five years at the end of that time, there’s more of a space for people to actually physically go instead of one tiny office.”

Both Tezel and Brown spoke about the importance of hiring an access coordinator.

Tezel said that this coordinator is necessary to control and man-

age the accommodations resources important to the disability community at Georgetown.

“This person would coordinate in order to ensure that reasonable accommodations can be made at any university event, whether it be sponsored by a student group, an academic department or an administrative office,” Tezel said.

Brown said that the Academic Resource Center is understaffed and underfunded, and that an access coordinator is needed to ensure that funding will be available to groups that need accommodations.

The ARC currently provides support for students with Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, chronic health conditions and psychological disabilities. It conforms to the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and provides services including accommodated testing, assistive technology, medical housing, Communication Access Realtime Translation and interpreting for coursework, note taking services, and FM audio systems.

“I feel that there is an urgent need for the creation of this center because people with disabilities at Georgetown don’t have the kind of institutional support that we deserve,” Brown said.

Brown said that she has been disappointed by a lack of adminis-

trative support for the DCC. It has been over two and a half years since the DCC was first proposed, but Brown said administrators have only offered “non-committal vague statements without committing to any kind of concrete plan or timeline.”

Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Todd Olson said that he, in fact, hopes to engage with this idea further in the future.

“As administrators, we are committed to exploring these issues in depth, both through current staff who work with our students, and through the Disability Justice Working Group,” Olson wrote in an email. “This group includes students, administrators and faculty, and has been discussing a range of issues about student needs, the physical environment [and] educational needs for the campus community.”

GUSA President-elect Joe Luther (COL ’16) said that his administration will continue to work with Brown and support the creation of the DCC. “Dialogue about this issue has too often been on the periphery of Georgetown and it is our hope that the DCC can change that,” Luther said. “We will continue to work with disability rights advocates in the coming year to make Georgetown a place which is inclusive and welcoming to all.”

news

FRIday, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

THE HOYA

A7

Foreign Language Course Exchange Evolves in 4th Year Enrollment Declines Andrew Wallender Hoya Staff Writer

Amy Char

Special to The Hoya

The Modern Language Association released a report that surveyed 2,435 two- and four-year institutions’ foreign language course enrollment, revealing a 6.7 percent decline in foreign language course enrollments in universities around the country. According to French Department Chair Andrew Sobanet, who also serves as the convener for the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Georgetown saw a 4.8 percent drop in foreign language enrollment during the same time period.

Sobanet pointed to the interest of Georgetown students in global affairs as a mitigating factor against the national trend.

“Foreign languages are at the core of Georgetown’s educational mission as a global, studentcentered research university,” Sobanet wrote in an email. “The study of language, cultures and literature affords students a rare opportunity for dedicated mentoring from faculty, intellectual and personal growth and a deep appreciation of cultural differences.”

While the total number of foreign language enrollments decreased between 2009 and 2013, languages such as Korean, American Sign Language and Chinese increased in popularity.

Additionally, Georgetown College Associate Dean Sue Lorenson noted that Arabic enrollments increased after the events of Sept. 11, while Russian enrollments have increased recently, pointing to political tensions in the Caucasus region as a possible explanation. Despite the decline in enrollment, there are still more Russian majors in the class of 2015 than there are biochemistry or physics majors.

“Trends in language study are intricately tied to immigration patterns, political uprisings, economic booms and crises, and cultural shifts,” Lorenson wrote in an email. “Georgetown students are savvy and often internationally focused, and we’ve seen language enrollments ​wax and wane as the world changes.”

According to Lorenson, there are 3,470 enrollments in language courses this semester.

Thirty-eight percent of those enrollments are in lower-level courses, which are courses at or below the level required to meet the College’s language requirement.

On the other hand, 62 percent of the enrollments are in upper-level courses, which Lorenson said makes Georgetown unique, as language enrollments are typically concentrated at the introductory level at many universities.

SFS Associate Dean Emily Zenick said that the dean’s office strongly encourages SFS students to pursue foreign language study after passing the language proficiency exam.

“It’s not ‘proficiency’ on a transcript that proves you speak a language,” Zenick wrote in an email. “If your last language class taken is in the first year and you take no others, what can you really claim about ‘proficiency’ at the time of graduation?”

Despite the apparent relative popularity of

BERLIN CHANG/THE HOYA

Georgetown is unique for its proportion of students in advanced language levels. foreign language study compared to other universities, Dean of the College Chester Gillis said the decline in the number of students majoring in foreign languages was likely a consequence of the financial crisis in 2008, resulting in more students choosing to major in economics and science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines.

“These choices may be dictated by students themselves,” Gillis said. “They may be dictated by parents and families that are suggesting these particular majors, thinking that they will lead to gainful employment more quickly or more easily. Or more lucrative employment, perhaps, and that may or may not be true.”

Lorenson wrote that there was a measurable drop in the number of humanities majors, which includes foreign language majors, between 2012 and 2013. These graduating classes were comprised of students who began college in 2008.

According to the National Association of College and Employers, foreign language majors have the highest starting salary among humanities majors.

With the marketable skill of bilingualism and the experience of studying abroad, which is a requirement for most language majors, foreign language majors distinguish themselves from other job candidates, according to Lorensen.

In light of globalization, Gillis said that most large companies are multinational who might want to hire candidates who understand different cultures.

“I think if we are educating global citizens, which we are at Georgetown, we have a responsibility to educate them in the full domain of that,” Gillis said. “There’s a significant benefit to this in your career and your life when you can translate between cultures. … [Languages] provide a window to another world, just the way biology perhaps provides a window to another world in the biological sciences.”

The Fourth Annual Walsh Exchange, one of the only undergraduate international relations research conferences in the country, will be held at Georgetown and various locations around D.C. the weekend of April 10-12. The conference will feature a keynote address from World Bank Managing Director and CFO Bertrand Badre.

The conference is housed within the School of Foreign Service and is sponsored by the SFS Dean’s Office, the Mortara Center for International Studies, the Lecture Fund, Students of Georgetown, Inc. and the Georgetown University Student Association.

This year’s conference will feature a number of improvements over prior years, including programming beyond Georgetown’s campus and an increased representation of students from schools other than those located in the District, according to Director of Events Lizzy Tse (SFS ’17).

“Last year’s feedback after the conference was that there was not enough programming outside of the conference for the participants,” Tse said. “There wasn’t enough stuff for them to do, essentially. So this year, a major new focus is developing the outof-conference programming.”

As part of this year’s new programming, participants will visit the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a local think tank, where students will have a chance to speak with policy analysts and researchers.

Walsh Exchange Chair Sidharth Sharma (SFS ’16) said that the program organizers are also considering a monuments tour and river cruise in addition to networking events.

“I’m excited for it,” Director of Marketing and Media Garrett Williams (MSB ’18) said. “I think

there are a lot of cool things with the speakers themselves, but also the programming as a whole. We’re going to try to utilize the area we’re in as much as possible. I really do think it’s going to be a great weekend.”

The main focus of the conference is to give undergraduates a chance to get a first taste of presenting research outside the context of the classroom, according to Sharma. The conference will include three student panels held in the McGhee Library, located on the third floor of the Intercultural Center.

“We just want a creative space where undergraduates can have the opportunity to shape the way that we talk about international relations,” Sharma said.

“A lot of times when you think of research, it’s usually with graduate students or undergraduates who are working on a thesis or paper for class. We want them to think outside of that … to get them thinking about the broader implication of what they’re working on.”

Five papers were already accepted by conference organizers as part of an early acceptance process. The research topics range from the Middle East postArab Spring to Russia to AsiaPacific security.

Sharma said that he is anticipating about 12 presenters in all, half from Georgetown and half from other schools.

The majority of early submissions were from non-Georgetown students, a first for the program, according to Williams.

“It’s weird because normally we have mostly Georgetown [submissions] and a few others, but this year we’ve really had a lot of external papers and were still working on getting our Georgetown numbers up,” Williams said.

A major stumbling block for Walsh Exchange organizers has been publicizing the conference

and convincing undergraduates to submit their research, often 20 to 50 pages long.

“That’s actually the biggest challenge, I think, is just getting people,” Sharma said. “It’s hard to get them to submit [research] because there’s this stigma.”

But each year the Walsh Exchange continues to grow. This year’s early application process saw applications from schools that the event organizers did not even advertise to.

Other goals that the steering committee has are doubling audience attendance and increasing communication with conference alumni.

This year’s Walsh Exchange Steering Committee is made up of seven individuals, two of whom are freshman. Sharma said that he wants to create a long-term sense of continuity within the steering committee.

“We’re trying to build an institutional memory,” Sharma said.

“I think a lot of times you have a lot of upperclassmen who then graduate, and then it’s hard to pass on how we do things. So I think it’s good to have freshmen on the team.”

Conference alumni over the years have ended up working at places ranging from think tanks to the White House, according to Sharma.

Students wishing to present research at the conference must submit their applications by March 1.

Tse said that the conference is a great starting point for any undergraduate even remotely interested in a career involving research.

“This is a chance for undergraduates to really showcase their research, get that first paper out there or make that first presentation if they’re serious about going into a specific field of research,” Tse said. “It’s just their first go at wanting to publish something.”

Weed Use Allowed; Sale Illegal MARIJUANA, from A1 including the National Mall.

Metropolitan Police Department officers have undergone training to ready themselves to respond in accordance with the new legislation. According to Lanier, new protocols will only differ slightly from those implemented last July when D.C. decriminalized marijuana.

“It’s not some major change or shift in what the officers do under decriminalization,” Lanier said at the Wednesday conference. “We’ve been working on this for a while. … Our officers are going to be fully prepared for 12:01.”

Prior to legalization, marijuana possession and private use of less than one ounce was considered a civil offense with a fine of $25, while public use would result in a jail sentence of up to 60 days. Before decriminalization in July, possession and use resulted in a criminal offense that could be punished by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Zack Pesavento (SFS ’08), press officer for the D.C. Cannabis Campaign, which led the campaign in favor of Initiative 71, said that legalization would lead to fewer race-related arrests in D.C. “Really, what we’re doing is putting an end to marijuana prohibition that has disrupted thousands of people’s lives not only here in the District but all over the country,” Pesavento said.

“The biggest change is we’re going to stop seeing a system that’s really just been used to target low income and minority communities here in the District.”

Congressional Drama

The District’s efforts to legalize have received scrutiny and backlash from certain members of Congress.

In its omnibus spending bill passed in December, Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) included a policy rider that prevents the District from “enacting” any law that legalizes marijuana.

Bowser and the D.C. Council, along with Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), argued that the initiative was self-enacting when approved by voters, and thus legalization was ratified before the passage of the rider.

“We are of the same view that the initiative was enacted at the point that the voters voted and the board certified the results.

Since the handling of legislation falls to the legislative branch … I sent the legislation to Congress as a requirement of law,” D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) said at the press conference. “I had no choice but to do so.”

Mendelson sent the initiative to Congress, which reviews all

legislation passed by the District, on Jan. 13. Over the past 30 days that Congress was in session, members of Congress had the opportunity to prevent the initiative’s implementation by introducing disapproval motions which would have to be passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives and subsequently signed by President Barack Obama. No such motions were introduced.

Still, members of Congress were alarmed by D.C.’s move to legalize. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (RUtah), chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent a letter to Bowser on Tuesday that said any move to implement the initiative would be “in knowing and willful violation of the law.”

Attorney General for the District of Columbia Karl Racine disagreed with Chaffetz’s interpretation.

“Every single representation that the mayor has made and the representations that Councilmember Mendelson has made are correct,” Racine said.

“The Initiative 71, in the Attorney General office’s view, is law.”

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) also each released statements supporting the District’s interpretation of the omnibus bill.

Bowser encouraged Congress to allow D.C. to proceed with legalization, noting that people around the country would be observing the strained relationship between the District and Congress.

“For Americans wondering why we’re being treated differently than Colorado, than Alaska, this demonstrates our relationship with Congress,” Bowser said. “We encourage Congress not to be so concerned with what seven out of 10 residents said should be the law in the District of Columbia.”

According to The Washington Post, Harris and Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), who chairs the subcommittee in charge of District affairs, did not heed Bowser’s pleas, warning local officials that legalization would jeopardize funds for other District programs, as Congress retains the authority to approve D.C.’s budget. Harris also implored Attorney General Eric Holder to prosecute officials for implementing the law.

“Me being in jail wouldn’t be a good thing,” Bowser said in response.

Marijuana Sale

Initiative 71, notably, does not permit the sale of marijuana, only allowing the drug to be obtained by growing plants or re-

ceiving it as a gift. Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large) had introduced a bill in October to implement a tax-and-regulate system in preparation for legalization, but the policy rider in the omnibus prevented further discussion about such a system.

“The appropriations rider that passed Congress in December does appear to present an obstacle to further action by the D.C council on marijuana related policies,” Pesavento said. “It appears that the congressional obstruction has at least temporarily halted progress on that front.”

Although the sale of marijuana itself is still illegal, supporters of Initiative 71 believe the marijuana industry can still grow. Comfytree Enterprises, which promotes and supports marijuana-related business, is hosting a “Cannabis Academy, Expo and Job Fair” Saturday and Sunday in Capitol Hill to teach people how to take advantage of the “green rush.”

“You are able to set up a business that is financially benefitting from gifting and donating cannabis,” Bowen said. “Things like cannabis clubs: a cannabis collective where you’re able to charge a membership fee for the group you belong to, and they happen to gift you cannabis as part of that membership. That is something that people can do.”

Bowen said that the lack of government regulation could allow an increased number of small businesses to enter the market, allowing the economic benefits of marijuana to trickle down.

“Most of the time, the state is rolling out the program, and there’s a handful of dispensaries and a handful of cultivation centers that are controlling it,” Bowen said. “They also a lot of the time make it so cost prohibitive that small business owners, the middle class, women, AfricanAmericans and others who are generally marginalized in mainstream markets are not able to participate on the same level. …

So what a home-grow situation does is that it evens the playing field a little bit.”

Despite the publicity around the issue, Pesavento said that Initiative 71 would not result in a huge cultural change in D.C., a sentiment echoed by local officials.

“People are fed up, they’re tired of the arrests. … That’s the biggest change you’re going to see from this going forward,” Pesavento said. “There are people who will start to grow a few plants at home and people will be able to share marijuana with their friends but there’s not going to be a very dramatic change, at least right now.”

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THE HOYA

friday, February 27, 2015

Panel Discusses Sexual Health Georgetown Public Library Closes From Water Damage

Emma Rizk

Hoya Staff Writer

H*yas for Choice convened a panel of representatives from Georgetown Health Education Services, Planned Parenthood Metropolitan Washington and Advocates for Youth to discuss sexual health resources on Georgetown’s campus Monday night.

The panel was composed of PPMW Legislative Affairs Organizer Michelle Woods, PPMW Sexual Health Educator Blanca Torres, Advocates for Youth international policy analyst Amanda Keifer and Director of Georgetown Health Education Services Carol Day. Day discussed the flaws of the Student Health Clinic run by Medstar in St. Mary’s, including long wait times and Georgetown’s religious affiliation affecting its type of care.

“Student Health will even prescribe birth control pills, but not primarily only for contraception,” Day said.

“Under the Affordable Care Act you have a right to have these services anywhere, including under Georgetown.

But our hospital, because they’re Catholic, some people will do it, some people won’t.”

Grace brought up the concern of students who feel the need to misrepresent their medical requirements in order to obtain birth control.

“If you’re not honest then they can’t really help you as much as they could help you if you were totally honest,” Day said. “You’re not going to surprise them with anything … they’re not making judgments like you think they are.”

Torres was adamant that if students feel judged, they should seek care elsewhere.

“I can understand being afraid of feeling judged when they might not prescribe you birth control because you want it for preventing pregnancy,” Torres said. “However if you’re going to a doctor, and you’re having those feelings, find another doctor, don’t be intimidated by the insurance process.”

Woods outlined the Hobby Lobby Supreme Court case and how it has affected women across the country.

Last June, Hobby Lobby, an Evangelical Christian corporation, challenged the Affordable Care Act and the Supreme Court ruled that corporations have religious freedom to disregard the contraceptive mandate. This has huge implications for many companies and their employees who can be denied access to intrauterine devices, the morning after pill and other forms of birth control.

“The overall picture moving forward is how do we access women’s rights and women’s health … if corporations and companies have more rights than women?” Woods said.

Keifer, who does opposition re-

Sarah Fisher Hoya Staff Writer

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Panelists discussed contraception, sexual health, the student health center and reproductive rights at an event on Monday night. search for Advocacy Youth, discussed how the Hobby Lobby case has implications for LGBTQ rights as well.

She said that although there are differences between the pro-choice and the pro-LGBTQ rights movements, the two should join forces to advocate for sexual rights.

“Reproductive rights, bodily autonomy, bodily integrity — all those things are rolled into one very important narrative, and that is what we get to do what we want with our bodies,” Keifer said.

Since 2010, when many tea party candidates came into Congress, more anti-choice legislation has been passed than ever before in the United States. The biggest barriers to access of sexual health resources are parental consent laws, mandatory ultrasound laws, and a 24-hour waiting period with counseling before an abortion.

These laws, all aimed at preventing abortions, exist in several states, including Virginia. In both Virginia and D.C., as well as across the country, public funding cannot go to an abortion other than when a women’s life is in danger, rape or incest are involved.

But the movement to provide sexual health resources has had some victories, according to Woods.

“We’ve been decreasing unintended pregnancies across the nation, even with these crazy laws, and a lot of that is access to contraceptives and reproductive health care,” Woods said.

Torres discussed the important steps student should be taking in regard to their own sexual health. She urged students to ask for five tests on a regular basis: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis. According to her, specificity is key when talking to a doctor, as is getting tested

for those STDs regardless of symptoms and sexual orientation.

“Providers will make assumptions based on your age, your race, your gender, your sexual identity to decide what tests you should be tested for,” Torres said. “But in reality, if you are sexually active you are at risk for STDs.” According to a Georgetown survey conducted every two years, the top two sexually transmitted diseases on campus are herpes and chlamydia.

Keifer stressed the need for young adults to advocate for themselves when it comes to their sexual health.

“As young people who are empowered and hopefully have knowledge … you need to take that knowledge into the office,” Keifer said. “Make sure you are being your own agent and ask the questions you feel like really get at your specific needs.”

Annie Mason (NHS ’18) said she came to the talk to learn more about on-campus sexual health resources. “[I came] to hear the dynamic from health [education] on campus…just kind of wondering from a feminist pro-choice standpoint what resources are offered to me on campus and how open health [education] is to providing resources to students … in terms of reproductive health and sexual health,” Mason said.

Tevin Simard (COL ’18) also said he came to the panel to gain a better understanding of the sexual health resources on campus, a topic not often openly discussed at a Jesuit university.

“The reason I came out here today was to get more information on sexual health resources on campus and also in the D.C. Metropolitan area, only because those resources aren’t very well advertised due to the Catholic nature of our institution,” Simard said.

Provost Supports Research Ashwin Puri

Special to The Hoya

The Office of the Provost announced on Feb. 18 a pilot program that serves to allocate funds to undergraduate students of all four Georgetown schools with the purpose of expanding research efforts through conference presentations, publications or performances.

The Provost Undergraduate Research Presentation Awards will provide up to $500 to student applicants who endeavor to share their research with the greater professional or scholarly community for travel, hotel fees and registration or publication costs.

An initiative spearheaded by Vice Provost for Education Randall Bass and Vice Provost for Research Janet Mann, the awards will serve as a way to assure no student is barred from presenting their research due to financial constraints.

Students may apply for the awards through an online application with a faculty letter of support and the winners will be selected by members of the Provost Undergraduate Research Council, which is comprised of Groves, Mann and undergraduate students and faculty members. Applications are due Feb. 27 and April 15.

According to Mann, many Georgetown students complete incredibly detailed and creative research projects but are not necessarily appreciated outside of the Georgetown community.

PURPAS plans to solve that dilemma.

“Many undergraduate students are heavily involved in research and creative activities on campus either independently or in collaboration with faculty and other students. Much of the work is very high quality and deserves to be seen outside of the Georgetown community,” Mann said.

“Georgetown undergraduates are capable and talented, but sheer labor is also essential for bringing that work to fruition for public or scholarly consumption.”

According to Mann, the

awards will help offset the expensive burden that presenting research may have, but will also motivate students to further expand their research efforts and to set the bar high in terms of publication venues.

In addition to benefiting students through encouraging them to present to the highest levels of academia, Mann emphasized the benefits of having the Research Award on a student’s scholarly record. “[Students] not only have the PURPAS to put on their resume, but also the conference presentation, publication or performance,” Mann said. “It helps motivate the student to follow through on their work and achieve at a higher level.”

According to Mann, funding for the awards is a result of alumni outreach efforts advocated by Vice Provost Bass for a trial period of one year with the hopeful conclusion of a permanent fund for PURPAS. “Vice Provost Bass has been engaged with our alumni and many are particularly interested in supporting student research activities,” Mann said.

According to Bass, PURPAS is a result of the realization that potential funding should be available to all students, not just those who are able to find it through various means.

“Every year a few students come knocking on various doors for funding,” Bass said. “As Vice Provost Mann and I were talking about this over the last year, it struck us that we should just make this a regular opportunity open for all students, less ad hoc and not just rewarding the few students to find their way to funding sources,” Bass said.

While Mann encouraged all prospective applicants to apply, she especially endorsed applicants who view their research with personal significance and promote its importance on a broader scale.

“We are most interested in seeing applications that demonstrate the importance of the work to the student and hopefully, to the larger community,” Mann said. “It is a terrific learn-

ing experience to create a scholarly or artistic product for the community outside of Georgetown.”

In conjunction with PURPAS, Bass also said he wants to see additional undergraduate research in the years to come.

“Over the next five to 10 years, we hope more and more undergraduates will have the opportunity to do original research either individually or collaboratively,” Bass said. “We would love it if students and faculty would come to see this kind of opportunity to present or publish as just part of the landscape of undergraduate education.”

Prospective applicant Nicole Mansour (NHS ’18) said he heavily values the inception of the PURPAS program and sees it as an initial step in encouraging additional students to become more involved with on-campus research efforts.

“The new Provost’s Research Presentation Awards provides students with the opportunity to pursue research regardless of financial means,” Mansour said.

“In the NHS as well as Georgetown as a whole, much is learned in the traditional classroom, but with this research award, people can expand their learning experience to include hands-on learning outside the classroom and foster creativity without tight financial constraints.” Mansour said.

Jason Petty (SFS ’17), who hopes to present his research on agriculture and gainful employment in Lesotho at other universities and science conferences, said that he believes the awards will encourage students to share their research with others.

“I think the Provost’s Office offering to assist paying for research can only expand the curricular and enrichment opportunities available for students,” Petty said. “Students ought to be able to present their research and body of work, which takes considerable time to accumulate, and the Provost Office is taking steps to ensure that financial barriers do not inhibit such an incredible opportunity.

I think it’s fantastic and hopefully students take advantage of it.”

The Georgetown Neighborhood Library sustained water damage in its historic Peabody Room Feb. 13 after a sprinkler pipe burst.

The water affected the walls of the first and second floors of the library, as well as the Peabody Room, which is housed on the third floor. The room, which is the only separate collection on local history in a neighborhood library, houses a rare collection of District artifacts, including books, maps, photographs, letters, scrapbooks and clippings dating back to the 18th century relating to the people and places of Georgetown. The library, which is part of the D.C. Public Library system, is located at 3260 R Street NW. “Fortunately, there has been minimal damage to the historic collections of the Peabody Room,” the library said in a statement. “The few items in the room that were damaged have been moved to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library to be treated by library staff.”

While the MLK Library — the central location of the D.C. Public Library system which is located in Gallery Place — will treat the books, all of the damaged items will be treated and eventually returned to the Georgetown Neighborhood Library, though no timetable has been set for the reparations.

The library is currently closed for approximately three weeks so that repairs can be made to the building to reduce the risk of mold but will likely be reopened around March 9. While the library is closed, holds and other patron services will be available through the Palisades Library at 4901 V St. NW.

Georgetown University will offer assistance to the public library as need, according to University Librarian Artemis Kirk.

“We of course will offer to assist that library as they might wish, but I understand that their damaged collections have already been transported to the conservation lab of the main DCPL branch,” Kirk said.

Lauinger Library previously housed the Georgetown Neighborhood Library collections after the public library was victim to a fire in 2007 that damaged the building and destroyed some of the its rare books but left many of the photos untouched.

“Our University Archivist Lynn Conway offered access to our many thousands of photos of the surrounding Georgetown area to the public library.

We also offered access to Lauinger Library to any residents of the neighborhood,” Kirk said.

Kirk said the library remains open to the public while the neighborhood library undergoes renovation and reconstruction.

“All the public are still welcome,” Kirk said.

Matt Martin (COL ’16), who works at the circulation desk at Lauinger Library, noted that the various libraries in Georgetown have a synergistic relationship.

“I’d say that with all of Georgetown’s many libraries there’s plenty of books here at Georgetown to use,” Martin said.

“I’m glad that we have the Georgetown Public Library because it’s a great place to study off campus if the library space is too overutilized for your taste, or if you want a book that Lau doesn’t happen to have.”

SARAH LOBER FOR THE HOYA

The Georgetown Neighborhood Library sustained water damage from a burst sprinkler pipe, causing it to close temporarily for repairs.

Business & tech

Friday, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

THE HOYA

A9

Hilltoss Adds Smoothies; Considers Extending Hours SMOOTHIES, from A10 wheatgrass, goji powder, spirulina and Emergen-C. With smoothies added to the menu, The Hilltoss’ management has started planning its next project — introducing acai bowls to the menu.

The management plans to include a frozen yogurt-style toppings bar so that students can choose from a variety of toppings for the acai bowls. The directors hope to begin serving acai bowls in the next few weeks to encourage students to go to The Hilltoss for breakfast.

“We’re hoping to really capture the breakfast crowd with our pastries, our coffee and the acai bowls,” Mitchell said.

In addition to adding new items to the menu, the restaurant’s management is considering other options to increase its operations, including extending its hours of operation to include weekends.

Currently, the Hilltoss is only open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Incoming Director of The Hilltoss Cedric Lewis (MSB ’16) said that extending the hours of operation is a long-term goal for the restaurant.

“Currently, our staff is not big enough for us to be open on weekends,” Lewis said. “In the coming semesters, we are looking to extend our hours as we grow with our staff, whether that be for weekday hours, for breakfast or later evening hours, or whether that’s becoming open on Saturday and Sunday. Its something that’s not set in stone yet, but it’s a goal for the future.”

The management is seeking student feedback as it continues to make plans for the future.

“If anyone comes into the store and has an idea to add, something about one of our smoothies or another recipe, we have a suggestion box,” Mitchell said. “We really love when customers write down what

FILE PHOTO: MICHELLE XU/THE HOYA

The Hilltoss, which opened in November and was The Corp’s first new storefront since Hoya Snaxa opened in 2000, added six new smoothies to its menu and is considering extending its hours of operation. Management said the storefront has thus far been financially successful. they think, and then we implement it. We’ve actually implemented a ton of those. One customer wanted us to sell soup. So then, in a few weeks, we offered soup.”

Mitchell said that he hopes The Hilltoss will continue to provide for the specific needs of students.

“The model of The Corp is students serving students,” Lewis said.

shape of the future

Technology Holds Key to Food Worries CHISHOLM, from A10 nant field usage blankets pesticides, leading to nitrate pollution and insect mutation. Simply put, we have the planet in checkmate.

Bleak as it seems, we are flourishing relative to our ancestors, and the ratio of the population working in agriculture has plummeted from 90 percent to 1 percent in the last 200 years. But with a blooming population that only plans to take deeper root in the earth, I fear prospects of starving not only ourselves, but the environment as well.

Growing lately is a new branch of biotechnology, where we are fortifying our existing plants to be more abundant, more succulent and sturdier organisms. But depending on the person, genetically modified organisms can either be a fearful suggestion or a delicately nuanced one.

Unlike so many other advances in science, to investigate this unknown, we must ingest it. Unsurprisingly, this notion doesn’t agree with everyone.

Yet, genetic modification of crops is a practice that began centuries ago, and GMOs are proliferating and pollinating among our groceries already.

Attempts are made to subvert the logic behind genetic modification of organisms, and many are successful. Google the ubiquitous acronym “GMO,” contemplate the tone of each headline presented to you and you may understand how barren this frontier seems to the modern consumer.

Sprouting along with this stigma is the push for organic crop production, spurred by an appetite for plants in their natural state and flavor. Fallacious, however, is the pursuit of true purity: Wild-type bananas, for instance, were heavily seeded until we began processes of artificial selection and horizontal gene transfer. The issue of “organic” is a stance on a spectrum, not a binary, and thus it is a premium paid to move away from further tampering, not to reverse it.

If our wariness of genetic modification is a distrust of modern methods of gene splicing, I may give credence to such an argument when I see a peer-reviewed study on how current gene modification is empirically different from more dated techniques. None yet exists.

Still, there is no panacea for this weed-like spread of the anti-GMO

stigma, and I somehow doubt the PR ability of companies like Monsanto to reverse the plague. The only salvation for the science of genetic modification of crops is to endure years of scrutiny and to sow our modified oats carefully, with an unbroken focus on the future.

As ever, we are still hungry for more, so I cull the possibility of vertical farming.

Modern agricultural methods of crop production are essentially scaled and refined versions of ancient techniques, originating from Mendelian cross-breeding to produce desirable traits. Other than that, we seem to have simply extrapolated two-dimensionally.

Unprecedented is the so-called “hydroponicum,” or soilless, highrise greenhouse, so the idea stands with one leg in our imaginations and the other in oblivion.

Innovation requires imagination, so suspend disbelief while I describe a glass skyscraper composed of disks stacked in a vertebral column, slowly swiveling for light like the nastic movements of a flower.

Translucent, though undeniably green, it encloses rotating beds of plant life afloat in nutrient solutions. True to the nature of Nature, it is teeming with cyclicality, and it even purifies its own water.

All of these technologies exist, though not in concert. I am convinced they would make beautiful harmony. The greatest asset of all is that vertical farms could sprout up in the very center of the city, providing produce freshly and locally and circumventing the need for long stretches of fossil-exhausting transit.

Doubtless, such an invention taxes more than just one’s imagination. The vertical farm is not without its costs, as regulating the structure’s temperature and facilities would require a herculean amount of electricity. Whether these costs are obviated by the lack of transit is a question that can only be accurately answered closer to the stage of application, but I assume the unfortunate scenario in which vertical farming is costlier than predicted.

Even then, if we are not to innovate, then our only other option is to eat crow.

With an impending food crisis, we must explore new technologies, including vertical farming and genetically modified organisms, to ensure food sustainability.

Celeste Chisholm is a senior in the College. SHAPE OF THE FUTURE appears every month.

“Whenever we have a chance to further adapt to what students want, we want to know what it is, and we want to make it happen.”

Magdalene Economou (COL ’17) said that the prospect of The Hilltoss opening on weekends is an attractive one.

“I go to [The] Hilltoss at least twice a week and try different sal-

ads and drinks. Everything is so yummy,” Economou said. “I just wish they were open on weekends because [O’Donovan Hall] doesn’t have very good weekend options.”

However, some students said that several items on the menu, including the smoothies, are slightly overpriced.

“They have great salads and pro-

vide a good alternative to food and snacks on campus, but it’s a tad overpriced,” James Abate (SFS ’17) said.

“My smoothie was totally [delicious]. It tasted very healthy,” Cassidy Sachs said (COL ’17). “I got [the Ashram]. It was pretty satisfying, but I’ll probably never pay seven dollars for one again.”

Andreasen Reflects on Career ANDREASEN, from A10 nourished to begin with, in an environment that is very toxic, very prone to diseases, for them to get sick and get diarrhea, [which] very often can lead to death because they simply, in a sense, drain all the important liquids in their body.

So, very early on, some things that I have dealt with were how to get mothers to rehydrate kids when they have severe diarrhea in very poor countries. You are talking about, in a sense, a consumer behavior consuming a product that is, in this case, rehydration solutions.

Could you briefly explain the solution that you came up with for that?

Well, part of it is just reaching the families and to some extent using people, in a sense — role models

in the communities who are doing this kind of behavior so people will see that it is a good thing to do, but it also has sanctions by opinion leaders in the community. Of course, the opinion-leader concept is one that has a long history in marketing and is used by lots of marketers to promote their product.

How do you think Georgetown or the McDonough School of Business has supported or contributed to your success?

They have provided me with greatly interesting students who constantly challenge my ideas, they provide me with opportunities to teach courses around these subjects, which are usually called social marketing or social enterprise.

The whole area of social enterprise is one that the business school has grown dramatically and brought in

a lot of other people like [Georgetown Social Enterprise Director] Bill Novelli to promote this whole area.

Georgetown has been both supportive of me individually and has seen the benefits including the broad area of social enterprise as something that it ought to participate in, to support and to make as part of its offerings in the business school.

After all these years researching this topic, what would your main takeaway be from your study of marketing outside of this business context for theses social purposes and nonprofits?

I think not only my main takeaway, but the one I hope others appreciate, is that concepts developed in marketing in the commercial sector can be extremely valuable in promoting social behaviors around the world that need addressing.

GSEI Explores Niger Delta Region NIGER, from A10 challenges.”

Rankine-Galloway noted that GSEI, which has been committed to strengthening relations between the public and private sectors, would contribute an academically grounded perspective to NDPI’s work.

“It’s very much in keeping with what we focus on at GSEI, which is public-private partnerships. That can really be used to the best effect,” Rankine-Galloway said. “So, you’re talking about Chevron and NDPI, but you’re also talking about the work that we do, how we can put together academia and corporations.”

According to NDPI Project Director Dennis Flemming, the overlap between the work of the two organizations and the academically based partnership diversifies the initiative’s pre-established connections with organizations already doing work in Nigeria.

“If you’re going to do development work, particularly if the private sector is going to fund the development work, it should do so with a diverse range of partners,” Flemming said. “In the case of Georgetown, given the focus of the Global Social Enterprise Initative, we felt that there was a lot of overlaps with what we’re doing with the Niger Delta Partnership Initiative.”

Throughout the upcoming year, the partnership will focus on increasing advocacy for issues that plague the Niger Delta region and examining innovative approaches to solving these problems. Together, GSEI and NDPI plan to publish articles, case studies and other reports.

Flemming said these studies reflect both the issues posed in the Niger Delta region and NDPI as a model for the larger questions of corporate social investment.

“It’s really about the learning elements, about looking at the model, and then there’s kind of an advocacy element as well. Taking that learning and sharing that with others in a way that in one way might lead to new partnerships for NDPI and for Georgetown,” Flemming said.

Rankine-Galloway echoed Flem-

“What this partnership will look like will probably change [with] what we discover about each other.”

Dennis Flemming NDPI Project Director

ming, emphasizing the mutual benefits of the partnership.

“We’re both bringing things to each other. It’s a very collaborative agreement, more so than one helping the other out,” RankineGalloway said.

Flemming added that he thinks the equal partnership will evolve over time.

“A lot of times, partners go into the partnerships with some initial expectations and just leave it at that, rather than exploring what they can do together. I think that’s kind of the exciting unknown of this partnership,” Flemming said. “Over time, what this partnership will look like will

probably change [with] what we discover about each other..”

Prior to the official partnership announcement, NDPI board members attended the inaugural Niger Delta Development Forum in October, held at the MSB. Rankine-Galloway said the meeting addressed some of the issues the partnership will examine as well as how to improve public-private sector relationships.

“The key to what we talked about, more than anything else, was the need for corporations to start speaking non-profit language,” Rankine-Galloway said.

“We talked a lot about how to strengthen that collaboration.”

Douglas Lim (GRD ’16), an MBA candidate and member of the GSEI Student Leader team who assisted with preparations for the forum, explained his interest in the partnership, which is based in promoting good governance for corporations.

“I believe it is important for businesses to look at the double bottom line and aspire to make financial returns for themselves as well as positively impact the communities surrounding them,” Lim wrote in an email. “I am excited that I have already gotten to be a part of this new partnership.”

Rankine-Galloway emphasized that moving forward, the partnership will look to further increase student engagement, including hopes to hire a Georgetown student intern for NDPI this summer.

“We’re always looking for ways that students can get an up-close view at what the dean of the business school really wants, which is giving students exposure to the world beyond the walls of academia,” Rankine-Galloway said.

Business & Tech FRIDAY, february 27, 2015

business bits Stanton Leaders Series Continues

On Wednesday, it was announced that W. Thomas York Jr., the global head of Goldman Sachs’ Private Wealth Management, will speak at Georgetown on March 18. York’s talk, which is sponsored by the Stanton Distinguished Leaders Series at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, is entitled “Technology Will Not Replace the Human: A Discussion on the Private Wealth Industry and Career Opportunities.” York previously served as co-head of Goldman Sachs’ Private Wealth Management Europe in London and currently serves on the board of directors of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship.

Farber Criticizes Broadband Service Regulations

David Farber spoke out against the Federal Communications Commission’s attempts to regulate broadband service at a panel hosted by the Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy at the McDonough School of Business on Feb. 24.

Farber is a computer science professor at Heinz College and a member of the Internet Hall of Fame, which recognizes its inductees for their service in the advancement of the Internet. Farber’s concerns stemmed from the fact that net neutrality could have long-term consequences that are currently unknowable, such as future regulations that restrict Internet content.

In contrast, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has aggressively defended his agency’s new proposal to regulate broadband service as a utility by explaining that built-in limitations would make future overreaches impossible.

Entrepreneur Initiative Holds Evening of Social Innovation

Daniel Kuenzi, an evening MBA student at the McDonough School of Business, won the pitch competition at the Georgetown Evening of Social Innovation sponsored by the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative. The victory was as a result of his business “Local Roots Farms,” which uses empty shipping containers to grow vegetables. Local Roots Farms could provide citizens living in desert areas fresh produce or farmers an area to grow food during droughts. His pitch beat out 12 others and has been recognized nationally by “Smithsonian Magazine.”

SARAH LOBER FOR THE HOYA

The Hilltoss, the newest storefront of The Corp that opened in November, added six smoothies to its menu, which currently features salads.

According to management, the storefront is considering adding acai bowls and extending its hours in the coming months.

The Hilltoss Debuts 6 Smoothies Anna Riley

Special to The Hoya

The Hilltoss, Students of Georgetown, Inc.’s newest storefront in the Healey Family Student Center, began serving smoothies last Wednesday and is exploring serving acai bowls as well as extending its hours.

The smoothie selection includes six signature flavors, including a classic protein shake called the Rock to a strawberrybanana shake called the Eloise,

which has been the most popular choice. The Rock costs $6, three smoothies including the Eloise cost $6.50 and the two other drinks cost $7.

According to outgoing Director of The Hilltoss Dana Mitchell (MSB ’15), revenue has already increased since the addition of smoothies to the menu.

“Our profit margins are in line with industry averages,” Mitchell said. “We’ve been very happy with the continued success of our salad operation, and since the

SHAPE OF THE FUTURE

Hoya Staff Writer

Impact Investing Grows in Popularity

Melissa L. Bradley, professor of practice at the McDonough School of Business, explained in an interview at Find-MBA.com that impact investing is growing in popularity.

First pioneered by Goldman Sachs, impact investing is a form of investment in business that has a social purpose and turns a profit. She teaches an elective, investing for impact, which is routinely overenrolled because of an overabundance of interest.

Bradley explained that with growing awareness of environmental problems, more opportunities for jobs allow citizens to make an impact.

Celeste Chisholm

Eating Our FutureWithout Innovation A

gronomics has grown on me.

Cultivating this science of soil management and the production of field crops into a sustainable and matured art is often an unrecognized necessity. Conservation of land and water is a component of humanity’s grand schema, but as of now, there is not an existential threat in place to redirect the typical business decision.

But, modern society is quickly running out of space to grow more crops, and even worse, we are running out of ethical excuses to seize untouched land for new agricultural pursuits.

Crops harvested today are largely monocultures of the same organism, reaped only to be replaced the next year. These methods provide reliability but contribute significantly to erosion. Our stag-

ie brand smoothies served in The Corp’s coffee brewing storefronts, Uncommon Grounds, More Uncommon Grounds and Midnight Mug, are handmade in The Hilltoss with fresh ingredients.

The Ipanema smoothie, for example, is made with coconut milk, coconut water, Greek yogurt, coconut meat, pineapple and agave, while the Ashram smoothie is made with orange juice, pineapples, strawberries, See SMOOTHIES, A9

Andreasen Wins Award Toby Hung

MSB Hosts Charity Tournament At Yates Field House

On Feb. 14 and 15, the McDonough School of Business hosted the Annual Ultimate 4 Tournament at Yates Field House. This year, teams representing 14 business schools from across the country participated, including two teams from Georgetown.

Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business team won the tournament, which was put on to raise money for charity. For the fifth year in a row, Horton’s Kids, which organizes health programs for underprivileged schools in Ward 8, received funds from the event. Over the tournament’s 25-year lifespan, over $250,000 has been raised for charity.

introduction of smoothies, we’ve seen our revenue increase about 16 percent.”

The upper management team created the smoothie recipes based on trial and error.

“Myself and the upper management team had a couple days of testing where we would go to grocery stores, grab all of our ingredients, then just play around with our blenders and try a variety of flavors,” Mitchell said.

The smoothies, which are different from premade Mr. Smooth-

McDonough School of Business professor of marketing Alan Andreasen received the 2015 William L. Wilkie Marketing for a Better World Award from the American Marketing Association Foundation on Feb. 14. The award recognizes leaders in marketing who have contributed to improvements in the application of marketing around the world. Throughout his career, Andreasen has worked with nonprofits including the World Bank, American Cancer Society, AARP, USAID, American Red Cross and public health programs in Egypt, Thailand, Colombia and Bangladesh. The professor, who will retire later this year, reflected on his career using marketing in a socially conscious manner.

Well, first of all, congratulations on receiving the Wilkie Award. This Q&A will serve

to inform students about your work and the recognition you have received. So how do you feel about receiving the award?

I am very grateful that it came at this point in my career. I am about to retire from Georgetown and having the American Marketing Association recognize my lifetime contributions in [marketing]. I have focused on this, so it is very gratifying.

What are the main interests you have focused on in your study of marketing over the years?

The main thing I have focused is, how do concepts, ideas and approaches serve the interests of social issues? Both dealing with problems of polar consumerism in the United States and dealing with the problems that aren’t necessarily market-place problems but where marketing ideas can apply around the

world in such areas as child diarrhea, rings of population, problems of other kinds such as HIV/AIDS, which show that marketing ideas can get people to do things like protect themselves against AIDS, or get appropriate medicines, or send their daughters to school and so on: where marketing ideas can promote these desirable behaviors.

How have you yourself, outside the classroom, applied your studies of marketing to your real-life experiences as a marketing consultant?

I have gone around the world and advised a lot of programs about social problems including, early on, how to get mothers in Africa to rehydrate their kids, who are experiencing diarrhea. It might seem like a simple problem, but apparently it was the case that kids who are underSee ANDREASEN, A9

See CHISHOLM, A9

Partnership Explores Niger Delta Kristen Fedor

velop partnerships with stakeholder communities to develop solutions to the problems facing the region.

Promoting economic growth and addressing GSEI Associate Director Natalia Rankineconflict in the Niger Delta in a socially respon- Galloway said NDPI’s connections to Chevron is sible manner will be the focus of a new George- one of its main appeals as a partner, citing its town partnership, announced emphasis on corporate social Feb. 6. enterprise.

The partnership pairs the “What that grant is about, Georgetown Social Enterprise and what starting NDPI is Initiative at the McDonough about, is about making this School of Business with the kind of systematic change in Niger Delta Partnership Initiathe lives of their employees in tive. The two will collaborate the region, in the economic in research and field work, instability of the Niger Delta recluding potential internship gion, and really making an opportunities for students, to investment in the ecosystem Natalia Rankine-Galloway promote their respective misthat surrounds where they do GSEI Associate Director sions with a focus on corpobusiness,” Rankine-Galloway rate social responsibility. said. “There are so many social The Niger Delta region is ripe for this focus ripple effects to the investment they’re putting on social responsibility; according to NDPI’s in, and that’s really what interests GSEI. We’re website, petroleum accounts for 75 percent of not denying that business needs to make monthe region’s export revenues, yet 70 percent ey, but there’s a way that you can make money of the population still lives in poverty. NDPI, that is in harmony with working on societal which was formed in 2010 after receiving a $50 million investment from Chevron, aims to deSee NIGER, A9 Hoya Staff Writer

“There are so many social ripple effects to the investment.”

COURTESY ALAN ANDREASEN

Professor of marketing Alan Andreasen was awarded the William L. Wilkie Marketing for a Better World Award for his work finding socially responsible uses for marketing.