November 12, 2014

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The University of Maryland’s Independent Student Newspaper

W E D N E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 1 2 , 2 01 4

University sexual assault reports on the rise By Rokia Hassanein @rokiahass Staff writer Reports of forcible sex offenses at this university spiked in the last few years, according to new federal data, which advocates and officials attribute to a nationwide trend of greater resources and awareness rather than increased violence.

This university had a total of 19 reported sex offenses on the campus in 2013, compared to nine in 2012 and four in 2011, according to the data. The U.S. Education Department and the FBI define a forcible sex offense as “any sexual act directed against another person, forcibly and/or against that person’s will; or not forcibly or against the person’s will where the victim is incapable of giving consent.”

These data, presented by the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool from the Education Department’s Office of Postsecondary Education, reflect similar increases at other universities. Reports of forcible sex offenses increased at 22 of 42 flagship universities in the country, while 16 saw decreases and four had no change, according to The Washington Post.

Catherine Carroll, this university’s Title IX director, said this increase means more survivors are speaking out. She added that the university’s new interim sexual misconduct policy and procedures will encourage them to do so. Under the new procedures, survivors can choose not to see the person they are bringing charges against during adjudication, and no cross-

examinations can occur. “The procedure will make it easier for them to participate and share their story,” Carroll said. “It’s more victim-friendly because it gives them more control.” There has been a surge in national attention to campus sexual assault after the Education Department announced See assault, Page 2

IN CELEBRATION OF SERVICE

Domain waiting list encourages city officials

City, university officials honor local veterans in annual ceremony

Competitive spaces could be sign of city’s growth potential By Eleanor Mueller @eleanor_mueller Staff writer The waiting list for recently op ene d apa r t m e nt b u i ld i n g Domain College Park could be a sign of future prosperity for College Park, officials said. T he Doma i n repor ted that almost all of its 256 units have been leased this fall, to a mix of university faculty members, students and professionals not affiliated with the university. “We don’t have a ny apa rtments available right now,” said Beede Haile, a “move-in specialist” employed in Domain’s leasing office. “After we filled up, people realized we’re becoming a student town, which some aren’t happy with, but they’re happy with the community and with our service and the fact that there’s more people.” The fact that Domain, which opened in June 2013, has filled its rooms will look appealing to potential developers, according to Michael Stiefvater, College Park’s economic development coordinator. When constructed, Domain was the first nonstudent See domain, Page 3

the college park veterans memorial on Route 1 was the site of a ceremony honoring local veterans yesterday. The event featured city officials and residents showing their support. By Darcy Costello @dctello Senior staff writer On Veterans Day last year, Allison Davis drove past the College Park Veterans Memorial while the ceremony was taking place and decided that next year, she would be there. She sent a n em a i l to the A merica n Legion, confirming the date and time, and

when the clock reached 11 a.m. yesterday, she and her fiance sat in the 130-person crowd as College Park Mayor Andy Fellows and keynote speaker Lt. Col. Charles D. Vollmer honored veterans. Davis’ fiance, Ben Hancock, served in the United States Marine Corps for six years, and she wanted to celebrate him and all those who came before him. “Since being with Ben, I’ve really been made

Annual panel tackles racism in professional level sports

Closing marks third failed venture in space By Morgan Eichensehr @MEichensehr Staff writer

ESPN commentator michael wilbon (left) speaks at the annual Shirley Povich Symposium in Riggs Alumni Center last night. This year’s panel discussion focused on racism in sports. stephanie natoli/the diamondback

Though the sports world has made significant progress in the treatment and perception of people of all races, more can still be done, a panel of sports journalists and experts said last night at the ninth annual Shirley Povich Symposium. “Let’s not always pat sports on the back,” university journalism professor and panelist Kevin Blackistone warned an audience of about

400 gathered in the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center. This year’s event on “Racism & Sports: How Far Have We Really Come?” featured a five-member panel, including ESPN’s Michael Wilbon, Scott Van Pelt and Kara Lawson. Damion Thomas, the only panelist not affiliated with the broadcast network, is the sports curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History.

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aware of cultural military traditions. It’s opened my eyes to a lot of things,” Davis said. “I have an enormous amount of respect for veterans. This ceremony is a good way to pay tribute to the past and the future of our military.” The annual ceremony drew political officials and community members to the memorial, as well as local veterans, who were See veterans, Page 2

Dining Service to close North Campus 251 Express shop

Despite milestones, experts say issues persist By Brittany Cheng @thedbk For The Diamondback

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Topics included racism in the industry and how it affects the sports business, the use of the “N-word” and how it compares to the term “Redskins,” and how Ray Rice’s race might have contributed to him becoming what Blackistone called the “face of domestic violence.” One m a i n poi nt was t he u nintended consequences of racial See povich, Page 2

Because of low sales and a lack of customers, 251 Express, the take-out counter in the 251 North dining hall, will close after Thanksgiving break. The shop, which Michael Dunkelberg, chairman of the Residence Hall Association’s Dining Services Advisory Board, called a “savior for unused 251 North swipes” before its February launch, failed to meet expectations. Before 251 Express’ inception, many North Campus residents complained they did not have time to go to the all-you-care-to-eat dining hall to use their allotted weekly swipe, said Dunkelberg,

a sophomore bioengineering major. Students lose their swipe, valued at $18, after each Friday. “Dining Services believed that a take-out option would be invaluable to those students who are always on the run,” Dunkelberg said. He said the 251 Express launch originally wasn’t advertised because DSAB members and Dining Services representatives believed workers would be overwhelmed by the rush of students taking advantage of the new dining station. “We could not have been more wrong,” Dunkelberg said. “Even after months of advertising, the number of customers per day at 251 Express is only in the single digits.” Rob Fa hey, chef a nd genera l manager of 251 North, said the station’s failure disappointed him. See 251, Page 3

SPORTS

OPINION

PUTTING PENN STATE IN THE PAST

GUEST COLUMN: Dying without dignity

The Terrapins football team is shifting its focus to Saturday night’s game against Michigan State at Byrd Stadium P. 8

Contentious laws assume some lives aren’t worth protecting P. 4

DIVERSIONS

CLASSIC DEPP OR MISSTEP AFTER MISSTEP Does Johnny Depp’s fame match his acting skills? P. 6


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