theweathervane.org
September 26, 2019
THE
WEATHER VANE
VOL. 66 No. 3
E ASTE R N M E NNONI TE U NI V E R SI TY’ S STU DE NT NE W SPAPE R SI NC E 1 9 39
STUDENTS CALL FOR CLIMATE ACTION
Allison Shelly
Seniors Andy King and Emma Yoder speak to students, staff, and community members attending EMU’s climate strike last Thursday. EMU’s climate strike was just one of many held around the world on the same day, including one downtown for all of Harrisonburg.
OFF-CAMPUS NEWS: EMU HOLDS CLIMATE STRIKE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY BEGINS Clara Weybright, Contributing Writer
Adam Moyer, Sports Editor
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced on Tuesday that the House of Representatives has launched a formal impeachment inquiry into President Trump. As of Wednesday, 217 of 235 House Democrats and zero of 137 House Republicans support the inquiry, according to NBC News. An impeachment inquiry is the first step in considering whether to remove a sitting president from office. CBS news explains: “Congress can open an impeachment inquiry in the House Judiciary Committee to investigate whether impeachment is called for. The committee can then recommend that the full House vote on articles of impeachment.” For months, House Democrats have considered an impeachment inquiry NEWS & FEATURE
Continued on Page 2
First-year Olivia Beiler walked out in the middle of her Spanish class on Friday, September 20th at 1:30 p.m. She was joined by nearly 120 students on campus, and millions of students worldwide, calling for political and social action in addressing climate change. The on-campus strike was initiated and organized by sophomore Wade Banks. He first approached the Creation Care Council, a committee comprised of faculty, staff, and student leaders, which meets every month. The council supported his decision to organize an oncampus strike separate from a broader Harrisonburg City student strike planned for earlier in the afternoon. “[When Wade approached us], our overwhelming feeling was, ‘this is awesome, we need to do this, and Creation Care Council is glad to talk about this,’” said Chemistry Professor and Chair of the Creation Care
REVIEW
SPORTS
over the findings of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, but new revelations of a whistleblower’s complaint concerning unrelated behavior by Trump broke the dam. Until late Wednesday, the Trump administration had blocked Congress from attaining the complaint, but some of its content became public through various news reports throughout the past week. In a July phone call, Trump is alleged to have personally pressured Ukraine’s new president, Volodymyr Zelensky, into investigating Trump’s political opponent Joe Biden. Further, Trump withheld nearly $400 million in congressionallyapproved military aid to Ukraine in the days leading up to the phone conversation, according to the Washington Post. Democrats have alleged that Trump leveraged
GREEN DOT
AD ASTRA
FIELD HOCKEY
The Green Dot program educates people on the warning signs of abuse and sexual assault.
Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, whose past space movie work includes “Interstellar,” brings us deep, clean colors...
“There were ups and downs, and we went through the game, and we did our best. There are some things we need to work on.”
Council Dr. Laurie Yoder. “When students start getting involved, [these issues] become higher profile. Five faculty members who have been saying the same thing for years and years don’t have the same influence as a group of students who are ground-swelling—that’s why we’re so excited to support students,” she added. Students gathered that afternoon for nearly half an hour on the steps of Thomas Plaza. The strike featured speeches from Banks and Earthkeepers copresidents and seniors Andy King and Emma Yoder. Banks noted the diversity of students ranging from firstyears to seniors, across disciplines and club involvement. He specifically noted the presence of student presidents from Student Government Association, Black Student Alliance, Latino Student Alliance, Earthkeepers, Sustainable Food Initiative, Engineers for a Sustainable World, and the new Sexual Assault Awareness club formed just this year.
“[The big task] was getting the word out…but through our little sustainability network and our social network, too, we were able to reach people,” Banks said. For many students, this was a first glimpse into student sustainability initiatives and the university’s history with sustainability. “It was a good way to learn more about what our campus is doing for climate change because you hear [EMU] say ‘Oh, we’re sustainable,’ but what do they mean by that? Tell us what you’re doing,” Beiler said. While a part of a broader global movement of students striking for climate change, EMU’s student strike was focused more specifically on the 2015 Climate Action Plan—a proposal put in place by former President Loren Swartzentruber. The plan details a path towards carbon neutrality by 2035, committing to 20% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020. Since the plan was signed into action, though, university-
OPINION
CANVAS
PINK TAX
While our society is debatably equal in that everyone has the same basic rights, it is not equitable in that we do not all begin on a level playing field.
Continued on Page 3
DOLLY SODS
This week’s Canvas page features photography by sophomore Isaac Alderfer from the Dolly Sods Wilderness in West Virginia.
2
September 26, 2019
theweathervane.org
NEWS & FEATURE T h e We a t h e r Va n e
GREEN DOT TRAINING INSPIRES NEW BIT CLUB Jessica Chisolm, Canvas Editor
Green Dot Bystander Training has inspired a new organization on EMU’s campus. The Green Dot program educates people on the warning signs of abuse and sexual assault. Chosen faculty, students, and all Community Advisors received the training. The unique name “Green Dot” comes from the idea that green dots are positive behaviors and safe spaces. Red dots are dangerous places and choices to do harm. This includes sexual assault, domestic abuse, stalking, catcalling, etc.
BIT (Bystander Intervention Training) is the current name of EMU’s young organization, although it may change soon. BIT is not directly part of Green Dot, but it hopes to teach and inform just as effectively on a wider scale. BIT was initiated by sophomore Anna Paetkau and currently consists of five members. Paetkau began emailing faculty proposing the club over the summer. Despite the club’s small size, Paetkau and its other members already have a clear idea of what BIT’s goals are. BIT will strive to create more green dots on campus, eliminate the existing red dots,
educate students about what healthy relationships look like, and extend bystander training to the greater student body. “Right now there are three main focuses of the club: ... bystander training/ culture reformation ... healthy relationships/healthy sex [and] spreading awareness for resources that EMU already possesses,” Paetkau said. Paetkau attended a Green Dot training session before the Fall 2019 semester began. She is currently working with other members of BIT to build a training curriculum for students. She expects students leading the club to be officially trained.
For those interested, BIT will meet next Tuesday at 8 p.m. in room 001 of the Science Center (formerly room 055). After that, it will meet every other Tuesday at the same time and place. BIT will be the first long-term sexual assault prevention event and organization that is student-led. Last year, in addition to the week-long sexual assault prevention event Take Back the Night, EMU’s administration hosted two separate convocation break out groups: “How Do I Relationship?” about healthy and unhealthy relationships, and “The Mask We Live In,” about toxic masculinity.
Senior Gabby McMillon did a research project on the lack of engagement around this issue. She has been active in other sexual assault prevention events on campus, including Take Back the Night, and has now connected with Paetkau through BIT. “I don’t think engagement is widespread ... I don’t feel like it’s a sustained thing people care about,” McMillon said. BIT hopes to engage students not only through club meetings, but also more convocation breakout discussions and campus talks throughout the year. It strives to bring long-term student and faculty engagement to this matter.
does confirm what news outlets have reported: Trump asked the Ukranian president to investigate Biden. The memorandum shows Trump telling Zelensky that he would have the U.S. Attorney General and his personal lawyer reach out to Ukraine about an investigation. “I will have Mr. Giuliani give you a call, and I am also going to have Attorney General Barr call, and we will get to the bottom of it. I’m sure you will figure it out,” Trump said, according to the memorandum. There is no evidence of wrongdoing by Biden. According to multiple reports, the phone call is only one component of the whistleblower’s complaint.
The impeachment inquiry comes amidst months-long investigations by House Democrats into the redacted findings of Mueller’s investigation. These findings laid out conduct by Trump and members of his campaign relevant to Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. The report shows Trump welcomed Russia’s interference in 2016 and tried to severely limit and end Mueller’s investigation. Ten examples of possible obstruction of justice were enumerated in the report. From the beginning, Mueller never considered charging Trump with a crime due to a Department of Justice statute barring a sitting president form being indicted.
Mueller instead collected the evidence and left it to Congress to decide whether to move forward with impeachment. Asked during a public hearing in July whether the president could be charged with a crime after he left office, Mueller replied, “Yes.” The White House has blocked many of the House Democrats’ attempts to hear testimony from key witnesses, and several ongoing investigations are being played out in court. It remains unknown whether the House inquiry will focus solely on the Ukraine revelations or whether it will also involve Mueller’s findings. Article 2, section 4 of the U.S. constitution says the president
“shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” The constitution’s founders did not define these terms, leaving them for Congress to interpret. The announcement of an impeachment inquiry has already lit a political firestorm on Capitol Hill, and the process is expected to drag on for months. For Trump to be removed from office, a simple majority vote in the House is needed to recommend articles of impeachment to the Senate. 67 senators would need to vote to convict and remove Trump. Currently, none of the 53 Republican senators support impeachment.
the importance of this event. “We have many commendments for this community for their hospitality and genuinity,” Kayembe said. “For the past six years, we have been hosting a food festival as a way of saying ‘thank you for opening your doors to us,’ and ‘thank you for giving us a chance to pursue our dreams.’” First-year and ISO member Skyler Washington’s impression of the event was that it demonstrated EMU’s community-centered atmosphere. “It brings togetherness, and it gives everyone insight on
specific heritages and cultures,” she said. Junior Anisa Leonard was appreciative yet emphasized the importance of being aware at events like this. “It’s great that we have this festival, but one thing that participants are not always mindful of, that they should be, is the difference between cultural celebration and cultural appropriation,” Leonard said. “I feel like oftentimes students will represent cultures that are not necessarily their own and maybe
appropriate that culture for other reasons.” Leonard is Kenyan by blood, but doesn’t “wear Kenyan clothes, because when I wear Kenyan clothes I am taken less seriously. When we see other people wearing clothes from another culture, they can show passion and appreciation, but they are not really taking into consideration the colonial aspects and the power dynamics that go into that.” Senior Donaldo Lleshi emceed the event, giving directions to people and announcing the winners of the
festival: the Ethiopian volunteer chefs. Junior DJ Joshua Gomez played music from a variety of different cultures. Some participants were there because of their interest in a specific culture. “I went on cross cultural last summer to Paraguay and I really enjoyed it. I wanted to share a part of that with everyone today,” senior Melissa Kinkaid said. “It’s great to bring all these different cultures and experiences that people have had and give [them] an opportunity to share that with people.”
HOUSE LAUNCHES IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY
Continued from Page 1
military aid to extort Ukraine’s government into investigating his political opponent. On Tuesday, Trump announced that the full transcript of his conversation with Zelensky would be made public. But Wednesday morning, the White House released only a memorandum of the conversation between Trump and Zelensky. The five-page memorandum can be viewed in full online. It states in a footnote that it “is not a verbatim transcript of a discussion” and that “a number of factors can affect the accuracy of the record.” The memorandum, however,
FOOD FESTIVAL CELEBRATES LOCAL DIVERSITY
Fatimah Subhi, Staff Writer
EMU hosted its sixth annual International Food Festival last Friday, organized by the International Student Organization (ISO) as a way to celebrate the diverse culture within EMU’s community. The day started with the centering of different national flags around Thomas Plaza. At 5 p.m., all the vendors and volunteer chefs gathered to set up their tables. Senior and ISO copresident Paul Kayembe emphasized
Students enjoy their meals on the steps while others check out the stands available at the annual International Food Festival.
Manny Peralta
theweathervane.org
September 26, 2019
NEWS & FEATURE T h e We a t h e r Va n e
3
EMU CLIMATE STRIKE SPARKS CONVERSATION Continued from Page 1
wide emissions have significantly increased. The plan contained significant detail: meatless Mondays in the cafeteria, purchasing carbon offsets for cross-cultural air travel, and installation of more solar arrays. “Faculty and staff put tremendous energy into finding data on our energy outputs, discovering where we needed improvements and generating ideas to achieve our goal of climate neutrality,” Emma Yoder said in her speech. “There has not been a lot of publicity, not been a lot of talk about [the Climate Action Plan] since it was signed,” Dr. Yoder said, but added, “[The Creation Care Council] talks about it at every single meeting.” While quick to express gratitude over faculty and staff support for climate action, King and Yoder are among a vocal group of students sharing concerns over the current administration’s lack of significant action regarding carbon neutrality. “It is important that we hold our current administration accountable to the pledges they have made. At a time like this where they’ve failed to put forth any effort
to reaching climate goals, we must demand action,” King said in his speech. While President Susan Schultz Huxman was out of the office during the strike, she noted that Provost Fred Kniss was notified, and supportive of, the event. In response to student concerns, Huxman said, “Perhaps we should promote, in a more coordinated way, what we are doing each year.” Huxman noted several university-wide investments in greater sustainability. Perhaps most prominent is the university’s significant financial investment in the Center of Sustainable Climate Solutions, a partnership among EMU, Goshen College, and Mennonite Central Committee. Banks is EMU’s current student ambassador for the Center. Huxman also cited university efforts towards reducing energy usage through a microgrid project, tracking carbon and nitrogen footprints. First-year Merry Yirga saw the climate strike as a chance to participate in broader student action – action for an issue that she cares about. “If you say you believe in something or stand for something, you should put an effort into doing something about it,” she said.
“Whether it’s going to a climate strike or something else…every opportunity you get, [you take it]; you can’t just stand there and watch other people fight for it.” In response to students who express concerns about the university’s activity surrounding climate change, President Huxman added, “I’d encourage students [...] to express [their] ideas to our new student representative — Leah Wenger — who serves on the Steering Committee of the EMU Strategic Plan. What’s in the strat plan gets focused attention!” Towards the end of the strike, several community members marched from the downtown strike to campus. Earl Martin, a member of Shalom Mennonite Congregation and local activist, was curious about EMU’s student strike and decided to visit. “We’re here to totally support students who are rising up and letting their voices be heard,” Martin said, adding, “[I bring] cheers of encouragement and support […] what we’re seeing is that students are really taking the lead now in terms of shifting consciousness and conscience on this issue. I’m so heartened by all of this energy.” Martin noted that he “thinks about [his] grandchildren” and how much he loves them when he
ULTIMATE FRISBEE CLUB LOOKS TO COMPETE Kate Szambecki, Co-Editor in Chief
On any given Monday or Friday night, after all EMU hockey and soccer practices are over, a group of dedicated students can be found under the fluorescent lights of the EMU turf field playing Ultimate Frisbee. While a staple of college activities, Ultimate Frisbee has not always been such a success at EMU, but thanks to the initiative taken by a select few, the club has been reformed and revitalized this year. It didn’t happen out of nowhere. “At the beginning of the year it was a lot of talking to people about it—at the clubs and organizations fair we had a table,” said first-year Ethan Spicher, one of the co-captains and proponents for the club. “Other than that, it’s been spreading by word of mouth. I think a lot of it is people being really passionate about it and then talking to other people.” Spicher played Ultimate in high school and wanted to continue in college, so when there was an Ultimate event early in the school year, he went. There, he talked to Chemistry Professor Matthew Siderhurst and several students interested in playing Ultimate regularly. Now that he is co-captaining the club, Spicher has been trying to get people involved, organizing time to play,
and securing a time on the turf. Along with Spicher, sophomore Theo Yoder and senior Andrew Peltier are also co-captains. Peltier has been a part of the club all four years of his time at EMU, but this year has been the most successful by far. His sophomore and junior year Ultimate Frisbee Club was actually disbanded. “I think it’s the first-years,” Peltier said, about why the club has been so successful this year. “There’s a core group of 10 or 12 of them that show up constantly and that has encouraged a lot of other classes to come out knowing that there will be a core group.” The club also has a GroupMe that they use to communicate—which Spicher and Yoder are in charge of. “Ethan and Theo are more in charge of the operation side,” Peltier said. I’ve been there as someone who knows the hoops— I’ve been through club processes before.” Something Yoder is really excited about is the potential of playing competitively. After the overwhelming interest in the club, the captains have been talking about taking the next step. “When we met with [Athletic Director] Dave King he was into the idea of EMU having a team,” Yoder said. “We’re trying to see who’s interested and then get a good group to play competitively.”
While the team is working towards this goal, Yoder noted, “We still really want new people to come and have a good time. The main goal of this club is to expose people to the underrated sport of Ultimate Frisbee.” This club has been an unexpected highlight for Yoder this fall. “It’s such a release to go out under the lights on the turf and play with a great group of people,” Yoder said. “It’s very therapeutic.” Ultimate Frisbee Club can be found on the EMU turf field on Monday and Friday evenings. For more information, contact Spicher, Yoder, or Peltier.
Sophomore Wade Banks and seniors Emma Yoder and Andy King pose together, celebrating a successfully planned climate strike.
supports protests like the one oncampus. Although she and Martin are separated by nearly two generations, Skyler Davis, a first-year, is also thinking about climate change and her future children as she strikes. “I want to look back on my past and know that this was what I spent my time doing,” Davis said. “I don’t want to look at possible children that I have and say that I didn’t stand up for this and I didn’t do anything for their future.” This is not the first time that
Allison Shelly
first-years Beiler, Davis, and Yirga have participated in a strike. All three of them joined national student strikes while they were still in high school in protest of school gun violence. However, this was an opportunity for them to see EMU student action in the flesh. “The whole point of college is to make something with yourself and to do something with yourself,” Davis said. “So [this strike] really was a “why not?” experience. I want to look back on it and say, ‘Yeah, I did that. I made history.’”
Downtown Happenings •
•
•
•
Creative Art Workshop is hosting a hands-on workshop to create decorative pieces for the kitchen. The workshop is open now until Saturday, Oct. 5. Step-by-step instructions will be provided in order to prepare and stain wood, nail the wood together, and instal hooks. All materials are included for the price of $30 per person. Restless Moons Brewing is hosting X2 Comedy Night Thurday Sept. 26 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Out of town and local comedians will be performing clean comedy for all ages at no cost. Christopher Cantrell, Adeline Turner, Percy Johnson, and KD the Comic will be performing. Three Notch’d Valley Collab House is hosting Bend & Brews yoga sessions on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Sessions are $10 and include an hour long class followed by a pint of beer. Yoga mats will be available first come, first serve. Coffee from Shenandoah Joe and bagels from Mr. J’s will be provided. The annual Harrisonburg International Festival is this Saturday, Sept. 28 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m in Downtown Harrisonburg. The event is perfect for all ages at no cost with food and crafts available for purchase.
SGA Updates Tonight was our first meeting with full senate and UC 211/212 was buzzing with ideas and excitement about the new year. In addition to approving Sustainable Food Initiative’s new constitution, SGA also spent time in our three subcommittees, which are forums, finance and outreach. Forum committee spent time brainstorming various forum topics for the coming year and reflecting on last year’s topics like brand changing and school restructuring. Outreach committee discussed content for the TV outside of the caf, the best way to get the word out to students in mass, and created a brand new snapchat (@emusga). Lastly, finance committee talked about the logistics of hearing various funding requests, and took an in-depth look into our budget. Does your club need more funding? Do you want to create a club? What forums do you want to see happen? Did you add SGA on snapchat? What are pressing issues on campus? As always, SGA takes seriously its duty to represent all students, so we value your input on all matters. Be sure to talk to your senators, send an email or better yet, come observe a meeting.
theweathervane.org
September 26, 2019
4
REVIEW T h e We a t h e r Va n e
AD ASTRA FILM IS COMPLEX AND ENGAGING Silas Clymer, Co-Editor in Chief
“Ad Astra,” directed by James Gray, had me enthralled for its full two hours. It lives up to its name, which means “to the stars” (as many Astral Society members here on campus are probably aware), by taking viewers on a journey towards our solar system’s edge. Why would we need another space movie, you ask? While it certainly embraces that genre, the film finds ways to set itself apart. As it explores outward across vast expanses of space, “Ad Astra” also ventures deep within the reaches of the human psyche, and the focus is on a fascinating main character. Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) is an astronaut with a reputation for never letting his heart rate exceed 80 b.p.m. Roy’s personality is unveiled to us through a combination of psychological examination interviews, dialogue, and narrated thoughts. He is reserved, calculating, and keenly aware of his own tendency to withdraw from
emotion, something that has led to a separation with his wife. In addition, Roy is the son of a famous space explorer (Tommy Lee Jones) believed to have made it as far as Neptune, and who has been missing for years. This is no “Star Wars,” but the distance between father and son, both physical and emotional, adds another tormented layer of the human condition to empathize within the story. Pitt takes this performance seriously, and it shows. It’s hard to imagine anyone else as Roy because of all the nuanced mannerisms that Pitt makes his own. Particular facial expression and curious voice inflections seem to capture the details of the character, conveying his complicated humanity quite well, in ways that words cannot. It is clear that a lot of intention went into the role. The visuals and music do not disappoint. Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, whose past space movie work includes “Interstellar,” brings us deep, clean colors in beautiful shots from across the
planets, balancing them nicely with moments of stressful movement and slower narrations by Roy. The score, composed by Max Richter, adds a great minimalistic ambience to the experience. The imagined environment of outer space was so immersive that, after I rose from the position that I had been in for the entire movie, I felt as if I were exiting a craft that had just landed. Imagine if those hours became days, weeks, or months. “Ad Astra” also pursues a realistic setting in which its characters reside. The film claims to be in the near future, where stations have taken deeper root on the moon and mars. Despite the years, not much seems to have changed, as tragic accidents still happen, and people still kill each other over resources, whether on Earth or elsewhere. The movie does a good job of examining human longing for discovery and expansion while juxtaposing it with the hostility of space and its effect on people, which, in turn, reflects a subtly optimistic view of Earth. By the end, we are left
decorated, as most pubs are. Vintage advertisements and grainy family photos dotted the walls along with Irish “proverbs,” most of which pertained to beer. Light fixtures, which appeared in the fashion of street lamps, hung
along the walls and over the high top tables and booths. As I sipped an Irish coffee, I chatted with my delightful server, who told me that Trivia nights were every Wednesday, and though it was slow then, they were
20th Century Fox
Astronaut Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) faces the challenges of space exploration while also dealing with issues in his life on Earth.
with the impression that perhaps the title of the film is not its true focus after all. I could see some people having trouble appreciating this movie for two main reasons. One is that they have trouble relating to Roy. The other is that they go in expecting a
film similar to “Interstellar.” To both of these, I can only say that “Ad Astra” and its characters are certainly more cerebral in nature, and it takes slightly more patience to enjoy their complexities, the questions they raise, and the unique tone they create. This film is worth the time.
CORGAN’S PUBLICK HOUSE COZY, TRADITIONAL
Amanda Hergenrather, Staff Writer
Nestled between the former Peace, Love, and Little Donuts and Greens and Grains Cafe, Corgan’s Publick House offers a warm and inviting Irish atmosphere to any patrons coming through, whether a rowdy crowd of JMU students testing their smarts on trivia night or regulars looking for Guinness and chips to share over a soccer game. I came to Corgan’s on a Wednesday afternoon. The two TVs above the bar showed the same soccer game, and only one booth was occupied. Van Morrison crooned over the speaker system as the host, who doubled as my server, led me to a high top table against the royal blue back wall of the restaurant. Colorful soccer banners over the windows let in a softer light than would otherwise have come from the glaring sun outside. Corgan’s was modestly
Corgan’s Publick House
Corgan’s Publick House offers a variety of comfort food and popular weekly trivia nights.
ON THE SIDEWALK with Amanda Hergenrather
“A cactus, just chillin’ in the desert. ” -Chris Simmons, sophomore
“A lavender plant on a rocky cliff by the ocean.” -Lindy Magness, seminary graduate student
anticipating a crowd of students come evening. Trivia nights at Corgan’s go on between 9 and 11p.m., and first place takes home a $25 gift card. It was happy hour, so my appetizer of poutine, a new menu item, was only $6. It arrived steaming and aromatic, the smokey Montreal seasoning shining through the gravy and mozzarella cheese that coated shoestring fries. The plate of poutine was big enough for two; I only managed half the portion presented to me. Following my fries was the Frank J. burger, cooked to a rosycentered medium rare, dripping with pepper jack cheese, and topped with crispy bacon and a chipotle mayonnaise. The burger was somewhat lacking in flavor, a disappointment considering the ingredients, but it was cooked to perfection. What was advertised as pepper jack I could not imagine was anything but monterey jack,
a similarly named but starkly different, milder cheese. The chipotle mayonnaise left even more to be desired, heavy on the mayonnaise, easy on the chipotle. Though the burger held promise, the meats overpowered the herbs and spices which had held the potential to make a good burger into a great one. My burger was paired with house-made chips, which my server revealed were made daily in the restaurant, the russet potato slices soaked in a vinegary mix before hitting the fryer. The resulting chips were salty, slightly sweet, and crunchy despite their dark brown, almost burnt appearance. Made in house and unique in flavor, the chips may have stolen the show if that poutine had not been so delectable, though they had little issue outshining the burger they came alongside. Visit Corgan’s Publick House at 865 Port Republic Rd. for a fun night of trivia or a discounted meal at happy hour.
“If you were a plant, what kind would you be, and where would you grow?”
“A Central American palm tree by the beach.” -Fabiana Espinal, counseling graduate student
“(My middle name is Rose, so) a rose in a garden with vegetables.” -Stephanie Kniss, sophomore
theweathervane.org
September 26, 2019
5
SPORTS T h e We a t h e r Va n e
FIELD HOCKEY LOSES 2-1 AT HOME TO GOUCHER Adam Moyer, Sports Editor
Hoping to secure an even 4-4 record, EMU’s field hockey women were left disappointed Tuesday after an intense match against Goucher College resulted in a 2-1 loss. A fourth-quarter score by Goucher handed EMU their fifth loss of the season, their fourth defeat by only one goal. The Royals’ lone score came from a penalty corner five minutes into the game. Sophomore Morgan Tricarico inbounded the ball from
the left corner mark to junior Lauren Hartzler. Hartzler whipped a low shot which deflected off the goalie’s boot back outside the box to the left side. Senior Madeline Mast recovered the ball and delivered a low, bouncing pass toward the goal. Waiting in front of Goucher’s goalkeeper, first-year Julianna Ghally flicked the ball into the air with her stick and chipped it over Goucher’s goalie into the cage. With 90 seconds left in the first quarter, Goucher leveled the score from a penalty corner on the other end. A shot from a Goucher player
on the right of the field side was bounced off the ground in the box by another player from Goucher. The ball slipped away from both sophomore Morgan Tricario and first-year goalkeeper Ann Ghally, and a third Goucher player awaited an open shot in front of the net. A shove in the back late in the second quarter cost Goucher’s Caroline Doll a green card and awarded a penalty corner to EMU. On the corner, sophomore Brandy Troutman nearly scored after maneuvering around a Goucher defender, but a great save from
Jeremy Blain
Above: EMU’s first-year Morgan Tricarico dribbles away from a Goucher defender. Tricarico has had 3 goals and 3 assists in her first seven collegiate games.
Jeremy Blain
Goucher’s goalkeeper kept the teams deadlocked heading into halftime. With nine minutes left in the game, Goucher secured what would be the game-winner. A shot from the middle of the field was deflected by Ann Ghally out to the right, where first-year Keely Mitchell would lose a scrum to Goucher’s Meghan Oakes. Oakes made a move around Mitchell and Mast, slicing a shot from right to left past EMU’s goalkeeper for the score. EMU’s goal-scorer Julianna Ghally says this is a game the Royals should have won. “We could have easily beat them, but there are things we need to change,” she said after the contest. She noted that EMU and Goucher are similar teams skill-wise, but that Goucher’s communication and stick skills are what separated the two teams on Tuesday. “It was really intense,” Ghally added. “We came out believing we were going to win and that we were going to be positive the entire way. There were ups and downs, and we went through the game, and we did our best. There are some things we need to work on.”
Head Coach Ashley Kishorn gave a nod to the team’s chemistry development so far this season, but she wants to see improvement in the midfield moving forward and stressed that the team needs to find ways to put the ball in the back of the cage in close games. “I think we have started to make things connect on the field, but we just haven’t figured out how to execute and finish in our games,” Kishorn said. “We’re just looking for somebody to want to step up and score and take control of the game.” Kishorn echoed Ghally’s sentiment that EMU should be standing at 4-4. “We actually did pretty well and dominated the game,” she said. “We just need to figure out how to put it away.” Senior Hannah Nichols says the group needs to focus on developing team unity. “We just need to harmonize when we’re out there playing,” said Nichols. “Hopefully in the coming weeks we’re able to relieve ourselves of these expectations and recognize that all 11 of us want to be out there together and play as a team.”
Jeremy Blain
Jeremy Blain
Above photos: First-year Julianna Ghally scores against Goucher. She scooped a pass from senior Madeline Mast and hit the ball in the air a second time over Goucher’s goalkeeper and two defenders. “I thought it didn’t go in, or I thought I didn’t make it, so that was a cool goal,” Ghally said after the game. The score was her second of the season.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: HANNAH JOHNSON
Bri Miller, Contributing Writer
Sophomore Hannah Johnson was excited to begin her second season on the women’s volleyball team. Last year, Johnson led the team with 201 kills, despite missing 10 matches due to injury. She prepared differently this season by placing more emphasis on injury prevention. “I struggled with an ongoing shin injury last season,” she explained, “so I wanted to train over the summer in order to be healthier this year.” By training in moderation, she was able to focus on single leg strengthening, which helps prevent shin injuries. The results have shown for Johnson individually, which has also triggered differences for the team.
After winning only three matches before October last fall, the Royals were off to their best start this millennium at 7-2. Johnson plays a vital role on the team, averaging 2.88 kills and 5.38 digs per set in a pair of wins last week. Part of that was a career high of 25 digs in a win against Mary Baldwin. “It feels amazing to start out 7-2,” she said, “and there is a noticeable improvement on the team from last season.” On the season, Johnson is sixth in the ODAC in kills per set and 12th in digs per set. Knowing that other teams are aware of Johnson’s strengths and weaknesses, she stays focused and continues to be a powerhouse within the conference. “As we approach ODAC play, she will continue to be a go-to hitter for us,” said Coach Carrie Bert, “and her improved defensive reading has
resulted in some impressive dig numbers.” As a player, Johnson continues to grow and become more comfortable on the court. “I have confidence in myself and my team that we have what it takes to be successful,” Johnson added. She has stepped into more of a leadership role, filling any spot. In her two seasons as a Royal, Johnson is the only player on the team to play all the way around. “It’s been great to see her play more relaxed and interact more freely with teammates, all while still finding great success on the court,” Coach Bert explained. Johnson is a competitor at all times and has set a goal to make it past the first round of the ODAC Tournament.
Sophomore Hannah Johnson leads the women’s vollyeball team in kills (139) and digs (153).
Eric Ocaranza
theweathervane.org
September 26, 2019
6
OPINION T h e We a t h e r Va n e
EDITORIAL: CLIMATE AWARENESS ISN’T ENOUGH
Silas Clymer, Co-Editor in Chief
Awareness concerning climate change seems to be gathering momentum both on and off campus. Most notably, this past Friday brought with it climate strikes in locations all over the globe, including downtown Harrisonburg and our very own Thomas Plaza. However, it is sometimes difficult for me to ascertain whether all of this awareness is leading to substantial action or not, and I often struggle to come to terms with skepticism towards the power of a movement. There are enough pitfalls along the path to leading an environmentally just life as an individual, let alone society, that some healthy cynicism is understandable, but can that attitude actually help anything?
It clearly seems to become unhealthy and unconstructive when it produces the same exact result as what it criticizes: an absolute lack of action. Still, there is a case to be made for moderated doubt in our true measure of progress—the kind of disbelief that reminds us that awareness alone is not enough and that there is still so much work to be done. Cynicism can be valuable in moving change forward when it helps people to recognize those pitfalls to progress and react to them accordingly. This leads me to the example of Greta Thunberg, an influential 16-year-old activist who gets credit for sparking climate strikes all over the world. Thunberg has spoken to many people in power boldly and bluntly about the rising threats of climate change, the science behind the problems and possible solutions, and the urgency of making those solutions happen. Her message is powerful, partly because she seems to be growing more and more frustrated, which makes her words more scathing. It’s somewhat of a paradox, because her frustration is pointed towards people who are giving her the wrong kind of attention. Last Monday, she spoke to world leaders at the UN Climate
Action Summit in New York. “We will be watching you,” she starts. The audience laughs, and right away, Thunberg looks disappointed and furious. Are they truly taking her message seriously? Or are they simply humored or delighted to see a spunky young girl stand up to higher authorities? “This is all wrong,” she goes on. “I shouldn’t be here. I should be in school, on the other side of the ocean. Yet you all come to us young people for hope. How dare you!” She’s right, and she doesn’t aim to be a beacon of hope, but rather a straightforward communicator of the facts. “You say you hear us, and that you understand the urgency. But no matter how sad or angry I am, I do not want to believe that. Because if you really understood the situation, and still kept on failing to act, then you would be evil, and that I refuse to believe.” We should all feel challenged by this statement. Our quest for more hope and more information may end up as just another way to give ourselves a perpetual excuse that enough isn’t yet known about the issue of climate change to face it with everything we have. I like to compare the growing awareness of climate change to the process of writing a novel (though this analogy could apply to any
BE MINDFUL ABOUT PHONES
Brynn Yoder, Copy Editor
Most of us have one constant companion with us. It sticks to us more than the most loyal friend, and when we lose it, the anxiety caused by the event can be comparable to losing a friend. Phones have taken over our lives. Is this a bad thing? Maybe. I am not here to present an answer to this question. Instead, I want to take a stab at diagnosing how our phones can affect both our social and academic lives. Our phones also find a way of being a necessity and not just a luxury. How many of you have found yourself sitting around a table eating where one person spent the majority of the meal on their phone? I am not innocent when it comes to using my phone during social events. Despite this, I believe it is a problem. If I spend an entire meal on my phone, what are the other people around the table supposed to think?
Another time that phones seem to find their way into our hands is when we are bored. If I could count the times I have pulled my phone out when I was bored, it would be in the thousands. If I had to estimate, I do it about ten times a day. That’s 3,650 times a year and 365,000 times in one hundred years, and that is only including when I pull my phone out when I am bored. I pull out my phone to play a quick game of solitaire, check my email, or do one of the other multitudes of things we do with our phones. This is the nature of this generation. We grasp for our phones out of habit. If I lose my phone I wonder, “How will I ever connect with the world again?” This thought process is a paradox. We can use our phones to both plug into the world or disconnect from it. The second issue my phone presents is that it is such a perfect procrastination tool. I pull out my phone and tell myself, “Just one more game of Spider Solitaire and I will do my homework.” This thought process leads me down a dark and stormy path. I hope none of you have ever gone down the dark and stormy path of procrastination—it is not fun. Trust me. Phones have also become something every parent feels their son or daughter will eventually need. While this is not a flawed thought process, the main
purpose for the parent giving a phone to the child is so that the child can communicate with the parent. As the child of a parent who handed me an iPhone at the age of twelve, I can say I had anything but communication in mind. I knew that phone was going to be a gaming device through and through. Was a phone a necessity? In this generation, probably. Was an iPhone a necessity? Probably not. With the shrinking market of ‘dumb’ phones and the growing market of smartphones, I have to wonder what the purpose of this development is. My only explanation for this is that the smartphone developers want our phones to take control of our lives. They want us to pull out our phones every time we think we feel it buzz. As I said before, I am as guilty of this as anyone. I am certain I pull out my phone more than 3,650 times a year. The solution I give for this does not solve the problem or even begin to get at the root of the problem. It is the solution I give to myself and to those who are willing to listen. In order to take back control of our lives, we must be mindful. Mindful about when I take my phone out and why I take my phone out. Maybe most importantly, do I even remember taking my phone out?
personal project). There is a fine line to tread when deciding how much of your writing goals to share with others. Telling people that you have started a book could provide healthy accountability, for you now have the expectations of others pushing you towards the finished product. The danger is that this sharing could also bring you a false sense of accomplishment. You’ve told people that you’re writing, so they may now see you as a writer, whether or not you yet have something to show for it, and that can just as easily kill motivation. Likewise, our movements, our strikes, and our messages all add pressure and accountability, for we know what needs to be done, but if we feel good enough
from participating that we stop there, then so will change. Again, the last thing that I want to do is diminish the value of raising awareness and motivation; successes on that front are huge for humankind. Awareness is the reason I am writing this editorial, and it is the reason the Weather Vane does what it does. However, we have to be careful that the positive rush that words of climate action progress bring us do not cloud the importance of taking next steps with our own lifestyles, our own households, and our own gas tanks. The question is not whether EMU can maintain our momentum but what we will do with it.
We Want Your Letters! Did a Weather Vane article resonate with or frustrate you? If so, write a letter to the editor! We enjoy hearing your responses, and the more student voices we can include, the better. If you feel that one or more particular sides of an issue are not receiving adequate attention from the campus community, tell us about it in an opinion article of your own and send it to wvane@emu.edu. Or just send us feedback—no printing required. The editors reserve the right to edit letters for clarity and space.
Editors in Chief Silas Clymer Kate Szambecki Front Page Editor News & Feature Editor Review Editor Sports Editor Opinion Editor Canvas Editor
Abigail Berry Jenna Lile Erin Beidler Adam Moyer Rachael Brenneman Jessica Chisolm
Managing Editor Anali North Martin Copy Editors Lorien Myers Brynn Yoder Amanda Hergenrather Photography Editor Web Manager Business Manager Circulation Manager Faculty Adviser
Ignacio Ocaranza Allison Shelly Douglas Nester Fatimah Subhi Kirsten Beachy
The Weather Vane is published weekly by undergraduate students of Eastern Mennonite University. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the university or its affiliates.
theweathervane.org
September 26, 2019
7
OPINION T h e We a t h e r Va n e
STUDENTS SUSTAIN WHILE ADMIN STAGNATES
Andy King, Contributing Writer
It is clear that our administration is not prioritizing sustainability on this campus, in spite of it being foundational to EMU’s core beliefs. Even as the first critical deadline in our climate action plan looms, we are not seeing any effort to reduce our carbon emissions. The efforts that we are seeing are coming from grassroots movements within the student body and faculty/staff. Yes, when our sustainable projects are shown to have a financial net gain, they are supported, but this should not be the only scenario where administration steps up to the plate. Our leaders should be doing just that, leading by example and providing opportunities for students to use our energy and passion to make this university a more sustainable and just place. Now, let me give you a few examples of what I’m talking
about. Let’s start with the last project that was pioneered by our administration. In 2010, nearly a decade ago, EMU installed solar panels on Sadie Hartzler library. Generating 100KW, it was the largest commercial array in the state, which is fantastic. However, to quote the EMU website’s description of the array, it was “a step in the right direction, toward relying on renewable, non-polluting energy sources.” A first step. So what steps has EMU taken since then to continue this movement? A greywater system in 2012 and a climate action plan signed by the previous cabinet in 2015. Do you want to know what I saw when looking for sustainable actions after this? Nothing. Nothing that didn’t come from students, faculty, or staff. What I have seen EMU do in my time here is install three 500KW natural gas generators, continue to drive a fleet of diesel powered vehicles, let our sustainability coordinator go, and hire a president who can’t even tell me what sustainability means. I don’t know about you, but as someone who is existentially concerned about the fate of our planet, watching EMU fail to deliver on its promises, while marketing itself as “encouraging sustainable living long before green became trendy,” makes me want to re-evaluate my reasons
for coming here. I feel the same worry as David Lapp Jost, one of EMU’s donors, who said this in response to the natural gas generator installation: “I have to say, it’s disappointing to me to see EMU investing what must be vast sums in what is effectively a natural gas power plant. Aren’t we concerned about climate change? Aren’t we concerned about the theft of indigenous land (Standing Rock), the desolation of farmland, and the iron-fisted rule of energy companies that extract natural gas? “Aren’t we concerned about the reality that natural gas producers pour money into the war chests of establishment and particularly right-wing politicians that have no interest in a positive climate future? “This seems like an investment that is locking EMU into an unsustainable and irresponsible power source for decades. Perhaps it’s slightly better than coal-fired Dominion energy, and I’m open to the idea that this could be a money saver, but really, why not more solar?” In response, David was directed to a student initiated solar installation, a project motivated by EMU’s failure to deliver on a second solar array. As it turns out, David was already well aware of its existence, as he was the kick off donor for the student solar project.
So, in comparison, what have students done? We have created a 79KW student solar installation led by Earthkeepers, a solar powered golf cart designed and built by Engineers for a Sustainable World, fresh produce freely provided to students every week by the Sustainable Food Initiative, a productive greenhouse, a compost system, an electricity producing bike, solar powered chicken coops, rainwater collection, clotheslines, water spigots, student bike rentals, and the list goes on. It is clear that EMU students care about the impact their actions have on the environment and that we are dedicated to getting these projects finished. Our administration, on the other hand, sees these efforts as something that they can capitalize on as a marketing tool. But it is time they realized that we are not a marketing ploy. If they refuse to help, then we refuse to cater to their whims. These projects are about more than gaining new students. They are about leaving a positive mark on this campus and community. But we must take responsibility too. As we enter into our first Climate Action Plan benchmark year, it is of extreme importance that we as students continue to live into our sustainable commitments, as 40% of the electricity used by EMU is used by its students. This means
maybe not bringing your minifridge to campus, or hanging your clothes to dry instead of using a dryer. We play a large role in the impact that EMU has on our world. It is equally important that we hold our current administration accountable to the pledges they have made. At a time like this when they’ve failed to put forth any effort to reach climate goals, we must demand action. I call on my fellow students, faculty, staff, donors, and community members to pressure this administration to meet the goal of carbon neutrality by 2035. Our best tool is our combined voices and our ability to disrupt the status quo. To my administration, we want to work with you on this, but we’re tired of fighting an uphill battle. We need to see more time, and funds devoted to climate justice and sustainable efforts. We need to see that you care. Because together, we have the power to make change happen. I’d like to end with a quote from Bell Hooks, a prominent social justice warrior. “I will not have my life narrowed down. I will not bow down to somebody else’s whim or to someone else’s ignorance.” I think I speak for us all when I say that we will not have our lives narrowed down. We will not bow down to somebody else’s whim or to someone else’s ignorance.
have conversations on the subject comes mostly from our societal aversion to discussing hygiene with the opposite sex. It is viewed as the responsibility of females to educate each other and males to do the same. However, this mindset makes it more likely that men do not recognize the existence of a pink tax and are even less likely to see it as an issue, leaving half of the population neutral on finding a solution. The reason I continue to refer to the pink tax as a problem requiring a solution is that, while it is equal to have everyone pay for their own hygiene problems, it is not equitable, as there is no male equivalent fee. The only thing that arguably both sexes pay for is birth control in that condoms are the main form of male birth control. This being said, condoms are freely available in a number of spaces as anyone who attended the Pride festivities last week can attest to. Thus, even this point is made moot to anyone stating that this is a fair equivalence between the sexes. I digress, because there is no “blue tax”—to stick with the stereotypical male and female colors—the issue remains: why should women be forced to spend their hard-earned money
on something that they have no control over? While our society is debatably equal in that everyone has the same basic rights, it is not equitable in that we do not all begin on a level
playing field. Women begin life with not only societal and other economic barriers (that I will not attempt to dive into in this short piece) but with a set of monthly fees as
well. Those fees could be erased by the simple act of having public services that provide free pads and tampons, or, god forbid, having feminine hygiene actually be covered by healthcare.
PINK TAX CREATES ECONOMIC HYGIENE BARRIER
Thoreau Zehr, Staff Writer
In discussing my previous editorial on vision with my sister, an interesting phenomenon known as the pink tax was brought to my attention. For those like me who had not encountered the term before, it is referring to the money women must spend on tampons, pads, birth control and other feminine products. This is a sum of money that men are not subject to pay, thus the description of pink tax, a tax for being female. I was surprised that I had not heard of or recognized this reality, considering the general discourse surrounding inequality/inequity within EMU. Also, because the existence of this tax effects half of the population, it should be something that is addressed openly. I believe the hesitancy to
WEATHER REPORT STORM CLOUDS
SUNBEAMS • •
•
• • •
After two weeks our printer is finally working again! Who knew all it took was our firstborn child? Monday was the first day of fall. Finally, it’s time for sweater weather and the obligatory pumpkin spice and apple cider. When otters sleep, they hold hands so they don’t drift away from each other. Gosh, I wish that were me. David Berry himself is a staff member at our school. How did this blessing come to us? We have a new set of SGA senators. Time to sell our souls to 13 new tyrants. Send in your art for the canvas page! An entire page, just for you!
•
• • • • • •
The world is still spinning toward certain doom. At least you won’t have to worry about the rest of the world’s problems. Like climate change. Homework is edging out all our time to watch Netflix. How rude. Humans have killed the oldest animal alive. Rest in peace Ming the clam at 507 years old. Too bad none of us will ever be as talented as David Berry. He definitely has his 10,000 hours. Midterms are three weeks away. But so is Fall Break! No word in the English language rhymes with month. Runth. My cup runth over. Take that, English. Hurricane Karen is incoming on the US east coast. A literal storm cloud!
theweathervane.org
September 26, 2019
8
CANVAS T h e We a t h e r Va n e
For a Conservation Biology class field experience, a student group led by Jim Yoder spent three days and two nights backcountry camping in Dolly Sods, W.Va. to learn firsthand about the value and reality of wilderness and the importance of its protection. These images document our time spent eating together around a fire, hiking through bogs and cedar forest, and actively observing the oldest continuously running bird banding station in the country. - Sophomore Isaac Alderfer
Isaac Alderfer