The Tufts Daily - Monday, February 1, 2021

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VOLUME LXXXI, ISSUE 1

INDEPENDENT

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T HE T UFTS DAILY

MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, MASS.

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MONDAY, FEBURARY 1, 2021

Tufts will not take action in response to Faculty votes to extend SJP, TREE referenda exceptional pass/fail policy amid student support

by Aditya Acharya Contributing Writer

(SOPHIE DOLAN/ THE TUFTS DAILY)

The academic quad is pictured.

by Alexander Janoff Deputy News Editor

After two referenda questions passed in the Tufts Community Union fall 2020 special election, Patrick Collins, executive director of media relations, released a statement announcing that the university would not be taking action in response to the referenda.

The referenda, proposed

by Tufts Students for Justice in Palestine and Tufts for a Racially Equitable Endowment, passed in an election open to the entire student body. According to TCU’s Elections Commission, the level of voter turnout was higher than in any other special election in Tufts history, with 42% of the student body voting.

SJP’s referendum called for the demilitarization of the Tufts

University Police Department and passed with 68% of voters in favor. TREE’s referendum called for Tufts to divest from corporations that profit off of the private prison system and passed with 88% of voters in favor.

Collins said that because TCU referenda are non-binding and conducted independently of Tufts’ administration, the university will not be taking action.

He said the SJP referendum mischaracterized the university’s approach to policing and public safety.

“As stated previously, we believe the SJP-sponsored referendum was misinformed and factually incorrect,” Collins wrote in an email to the Daily. “The choice presented to students was unfair and inaccurate, effectively asking them to denounce a pro-

gram because of its affiliation with Israel or be perceived as supportive of militarizing the TUPD.” Members of SJP, however, rejected the assertion that the trip in question was not militaristic. They said that part of the discrepancy comes from a recent rebranding of the trip by the Anti-Defamation League to a ‘leadership seminar.”

“We can see there was a change in itinerary and name which the university is now latching onto to claim the trip did not include a military component,” the members, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of their safety, wrote in an email to the Daily.

SJP cites previous Tufts Daily reporting from 2018 as the basis for the wording of their referendum. see REFERENDA, page 2

Tufts begins Phase 1 vaccinations for health care workers, first responders

by Peri Barest Assistant News Editor

Tufts began vaccinating members of the community included in Phase 1 of the Massachusetts COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan on Jan. 6.

“Our plan, which is being developed with the input of a committee with representation from all Tufts’ schools, will prioritize health and safety, follow guidance from public health authorities and be equitable in its treatment of the many constituencies within our community,” University Infection Control Health Director Michael Jordan wrote in an email to the Daily.

According to the Massachusetts vaccine distribution timeline, clinical and non-clinical health care workers and first responders engaged in direct and COVID-19-facing care are eligible for vaccines in Phase 1, which began in December 2020 and goes until February 2021.

Most were vaccinated at Tufts Medical Center, including patient-facing medical and dental students, faculty and staff; patient-facing occupational therapy students; Health Service staff; Counseling and Mental Health Services staff; and COVID19 surveillance testing support staff, according to Jordan.

Jordan noted that first responders, including Tufts

Emergency Medical Services employees, Tufts University Police Department officers and Tufts University Public Safety dispatchers, received vaccines from the cities of Somerville and Worcester. Others were vaccinated at state-sponsored clinics.

He said that although the vaccine will decrease the chances of contracting the virus and likely make symptoms less severe, it cannot guarantee complete protection.

“Regardless of vaccination status, the university will continue to require everyone to comply with routine COVID-19 survelance testing and protocols for

Faculty members from the Schools of Arts and Sciences and Engineering voted to extend the exceptional pass/fail (EP/F) policy to the spring 2021 semester in a meeting on Dec. 18.

Jennifer Stephan, dean of academic advising and undergraduate studies at the School of Engineering, and the five associate deans of undergraduate advising, announced this extension in an email to undergraduate students on Jan. 19.

The email noted that the EP/F policy is unlikely to be implemented in subsequent semesters. It also outlined a set of details about the policy, such as the letter grades that constitute a pass versus a fail, the deadline to opt into EP/F grading, and the irreversible nature of doing so for a certain course.

Stephan and Carmen Lowe, dean of undergraduate studies, provided further explanation for the purpose of the policy and its timeliness during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have continued the exceptional grading policy in Fall 2020 because of concerns about the unpredictable nature of the health and economic crises posed by the pandemic, time-zone differences endured by virtual students, and the worsening of inequities in the way in which the pandemic is disproportionally impacting some populations,” they wrote in an email to the Daily.

According to Stephan and Lowe, university administrators and deans were excluded from the vote on the extension of the EP/F policy.

“Neither the provost nor President Monaco were involved

in voting for the outcome that was adopted by the faculty,” they said. “Only full-time faculty in [the Schools of Arts and Sciences and Engineering] are permitted to vote.”

They said that most students took letter grades for all their classes last semester, adding that the policy should not be used as a fail-safe by students who face greater challenges this semester.

“Students who are facing serious personal, family, and health crises (including mental health conditions) should also avoid relying entirely on EP/F grading and instead consider existing options such as medical leave and personal leave,” Stephan and Lowe said.

They also cited data from the fall semester that highlights some of the drawbacks of the policy.

“There is also some concern about students responding to short-term anxiety about GPA, opting into EP grading to cover up perfectly good grades of B or C, and then facing negative repercussions later when applying for opportunities such as internships, study abroad, and graduate/professional school,” they said.

Stephan and Lowe also said that faculty noticed a drop in the quality of student work and effort compared to semesters during which the policy was not implemented.

“Faculty observed that some students do not take the class seriously, slack off in attendance and effort, and do not participate or support their classmates very well in group conversations and group projects,” Stephan and Lowe said. see POLICY, page 2

(SEOHYUN SHIM / THE TUFTS DAILY ARCHIVES)

see VACCINATIONS, page 3

A Tufts student considers dropping a course at Tisch Library.

FEATURES / page 4

ARTS / page 5

OPINION / page 7

Students, professors remember late professor Kenny as pioneer in environmental studies

Fashion takes a lead role in US presidential inauguration

Letter from the Editor in Chief: Spring preview

NEWS

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FEATURES

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ARTS & POP CULTURE

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FUN & GAMES

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OPINION

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SPORTS

BACK

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THE TUFTS DAILY | News | MONDAY, FEBURARY 1, 2021

THE TUFTS DAILY Megan Szostak Editor in Chief

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Tufts claims referenda to be inaccurate, says they mischaracterize the university REFERENDA

continued from page 1 “The language of our referendum is based on the Tufts Daily article which references the [Anti-Defamation League] website at the time,” SJP said. “[ The wording] accurately describes the militarized trip that Kevin Maguire went on in December of 2017.”

According to SJP, law enforcement seminars hosted in Israel put police officers in direct contact with Israeli military officials, which they claim contributed to a normalization of police militarization among members of TUPD. “It is undeniable that the TUPD Chief training with police and military officials known for violent suppression tactics and occupation contributes to an environment where militarization is normalized,” SJP said.

“This process of normalization is incredibly dangerous since on these trips, officers can further internalize racist rhetoric that allows them to view POC students as threats.”

They cited a Seattle Times article on the subject from 2017 as further evidence.

“The seminar brought together members of law enforcement of every level from throughout New England to learn from senior Israeli intelligence, police and military officials about the latest methods of preventing terrorism,” the article said.

Collins maintained the university’s stance, restating that the referendum conveyed misinformation about the 2017 seminar to the student body.

“Contrary to descriptions offered by the referendum’s sponsors, the seminar was a sharing of lessons and information about preparing and responding to terrorism, an unfortunate fact of life for which all police departments, including university police departments, must prepare,” Collins said. “In no way did the program endorse police brutality or racial profiling, and in fact rejected them.”

According to SJP, Tufts is not giving these issues the time they deserve.

“Rather than addressing the reality of TUPD’s militarization

and listening to the thousands of [student] voices — particularly the Black and Brown students most affected by police violence — and taking accountability, Tufts’ administration is making disproven claims to prioritize public appearance over their own students’ safety,” SJP said.

However, Collins stated that the university is currently undergoing a review of its public safety procedures that was initiated last year to determine how to best implement campus policing moving forward.

“As part of the University’s commitment to the effort of ensuring that Tufts is an anti-racist institution, President Monaco last year launched five workstreams, one of which was charged with benchmarking best practices of how other universities manage policing on their campuses and asking critical questions about the power dynamics of policing at Tufts,” Collins said.

Collins reported that each workstream will publish its findings and recommendations once they conclude their work.

Collins also announced that the university will not be taking action in response to TREE’s referendum, which called for Tufts to divest from companies that profit off of the private prison system.

“The referendum on private prison divestment also was non-binding and was conducted by the student body independent of the university’s administration; the university will not be taking action in response to the vote’s outcome,” Collins said.

Collins stated that, like the SJP referendum, the TREE referendum was misinformed. He said Tufts holds no direct investments in private prisons, but rather is only exposed to them through commingled funds.

Commingled funds, which make up the majority of Tufts’ investments, are managed by third parties and therefore are not customizable by Tufts.

“When the university last reviewed its detailed holdings through commingled funds earlier this year, the university’s exposure to private prisons through commingled funds

was less than 0.01% of the total portfolio,” Collins said. “Tufts is unable to dictate which securities are held in these pools.”

Gabe Reyes and Molly Gould, members of TREE, acknowledged that Tufts’ investment in private prisons is held in a commingled fund, but are still pushing for Tufts to have no investment — either direct or indirect — in the private prison system.

“Tufts’ total return pool owns approximately $72,000 in private prison investments, which is represented by a single private prison stock that is part of a commingled fund,” Reyes and Gould wrote in an email to the Daily. “These are the funds that prompted TREE to propose our referendum … We still demand the removal of the $72,000 which Tufts does have invested in private prisons.”

According to Reyes, a junior, any investment in the private prison system is problematic, and Tufts ought to remove itself completely from any investments that profit off of the private prison system, no matter how small.

“Regardless, $72,000 is a substantial amount of money for which Tufts is responsible, as it enables [profit-making] from the abuse and exploitation of human beings, and BIPOC and poor folks in particular,” Reyes said. “Considering that the administration has been proclaiming its commitment to being an anti-racist institution, pulling out of these indirect holdings would be a necessary step in achieving that goal.”

Collins said the proper path for TREE to take when it comes to evaluating Tufts’ investments would be the creation of a Responsible Investment Advisory Group, instead of the passage of a referendum.

“If approved for creation, the [Responsible Investment Advisory Group] may raise and study concerns surrounding potential social impact caused by the investing activities in question and provide advisory recommendations on such issues to the Investment Committee, a subcommittee of the Trustees’ Administration and Finance Committee,”

Collins said. “The process provides students with a reliable mechanism to raise concerns to the attention of trustees.”

Reyes said TREE is interested in taking this path.

“TREE is planning to form a [Responsible Investment Advisory Group]in the near future,” Reyes said. “We also want to push the university to engage in positive investment, such as investing in Black and Indigenous communities of color, only working with ethical brokers in the future, and diverting funds generated from the endowment towards other anti-racist efforts.”

Representatives from both TREE and SJP announced that while they were disheartened by the university’s lack of action to the passage of their referenda, they said this inaction was not unexpected.

“Although we hoped Tufts would act promptly on the referendum results, this is an outcome we anticipated,” Reyes said. “These results … will still better enable our demands [to] be met in the future.”

Despite the administration’s inaction and the non-binding nature of TCU referenda and resolutions, Reyes sees engagement in student government as a crucial first step in accomplishing their goals as a student group.

“We believe that referenda and resolutions are important in that they bring to light major issues that affect the student body and subsequently enable us to express our desires for the university to act,” Reyes said.

Similarly, SJP believes while referenda and resolutions do not force the university to act, they still place pressure on the administration by disclosing the general opinion of the Tufts community.

“Regardless of whether the [administration] ignores resolutions, referendums, or other student initiatives, students will continue to organize together for justice and empower each other,” SJP said. “The purpose of the referendum reaches far beyond Tufts’ campus, it shows the public the opinion of university students.”

Administrators see a drop in student work ethic with EP/F policy

POLICY

continued from page 1 They further articulated that slacking off is most detrimental to students enrolled in sequential courses of study, including STEM and language courses.

Leading up to the Dec. 18 faculty vote, the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate convened in its last meeting of the semester on Dec. 6 to discuss a resolution brought forth by several senators regarding the EP/F policy. They deemed it necessary to bring up an EP/F resolution during this meeting to emphasize the over-

whelming student support for the policy.

TCU Parliamentarian Taylor Lewis articulated its necessity to show concerned faculty members that students are united behind the continuation of the EP/F policy, citing that 93% of students demonstrated their support for the continuation of the policy in a fall 2020 student feedback survey.

“The idea behind this resolution is to … communicate that support in a clear and concise way for faculty … so that the representatives in [faculty] meet-

ings can point to it and say, ‘TCU Senate voted overwhelmingly for the continuation of exceptional pass/fail. This is what the student body wants,’” Lewis, a senior, said.

Professor of Mathematics Fulton Gonzalez noted that he did not see a shift in his Calculus III students’ performance this past semester with the exception of one student out of about 90.

“The exam medians were almost the same as they were before pass/fail went into effect, as well as for the assignments,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said he believes that the policy was appropriate to implement during the 2020–21 academic year.

“It acts as a sort of pressure relief valve for students … who may have issues to deal with during the pandemic, such as internet connectivity and various other things like that,” Gonzalez said. “It’s really hard to anticipate … the issues and the problems that individual students might have dealing with the learning modalities that we have … For this academic year, I think this was an absolute necessity.”

News

MONDAY, FEBURARY 1, 2021 | News | THE TUFTS DAILY

3

Mass. general public may recieve vaccine in mid-April, state officials say VACCINATIONS

continued from page 1 physical distancing, wearing of face masks, hand hygiene, contract tracing/quarantine and isolation,” Jordan said.

Interim Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Gerard “Chip” Coletta said the vaccination process was simple due to TUPD’s partnership with local health departments.

“When the process for vaccinations started getting ramped up and they were talking about [vaccinating] first responders, they mandated that it be handled through the various municipal health departments,” he said. “We were able to piggyback on the Somerville process.”

Emily Brower, director of operations for TEMS, received the vaccine at the Somerville Fire Department among local first responders. She said it was nice to see others doing similar work in the community.

“I was really excited to have a chance to get it and to be protected in that way while we work and serve the Tufts community,” Brower, a junior, said.

Coletta said he was lucky to have a smooth vaccination process.

“It was quick,” Coletta said.

“The thing that took the longest was the waiting 15 to 20 minutes to make sure that there were no side effects or any issues [after] receiving the vaccine.”

While the process was easy for him, Coletta acknowledged the hurdles involved with a large-scale vaccine rollout.

“Once they take them out of refrigeration, they have to use them…If people don’t show up, then the vaccine is going to waste,” he said.

Brower said that as far as she knows, everyone on TEMS who is eligible to receive the vaccine will get it.

“We’re actually making it essentially a requirement for people on TEMS to receive it so that we can continue to operate and work at full force and no one gets sick or potentially faces any unnecessary risks as we continue to work,” she said.

According to Brower, it is important both for logistical and safety reasons that members of TEMS get vaccinated.

“We try to run 24 hours [a day] seven days a week having coverage, so if you pull one person out of the puzzle it really affects our operations,” she said.

While TUPD did not mandate that everyone be vaccinated, Coletta said approximately 75% of those eligible have received or plan to receive the vaccine.

Similar to TEMS, TUPD’s shift-style operation and interaction with the community makes vaccinations crucial, according to Coletta.

“If we lose an officer or several officers to someone testing positive and then others have to quarantine because of a close contact, then we can’t staff our shifts, and it impacts public safety,” Coletta said.

“By the nature of their business, [ TUPD officers] interact with students, they interact with community members.”

(BEN KIM / THE TUFTS DAILY ARCHIVES)

Two TUPD officers chat outside of the TUPD office at Dowling Hall.

Phase 2 of Massachusetts’ Vaccine Distribution Timeline, which spans February and March 2021, prioritizes individuals aged 75 and older. Following them are individuals aged 65 and older; those with two or more comorbidities; workers in fields such as early education, K-12 education, grocery, utility, food services and sanitation; and individuals with one comorbidity.

Jordan said that the state projects beginning to vaccinate the general public during Phase 3 in mid-April, although the timeline is subject to change.

“Tufts will follow the state’s phases and, as a result, the majority of our student community would be eligible to receive the vaccine in Phase 3,” Jordan said. “We are currently contemplating a policy that, in accordance with state guidance, will strongly encourage vaccination but not require it.”

Brower said that despite the slow start to vaccinations nationwide, she hopes everyone gets the vaccine once it is available to them in order to protect the community.

“The vaccine is getting rolled out slowly simply

because there is not enough supply of it across the nation, but I think once we reach the level where we can vaccinate everyone, I would strongly encourage people to do it, ” she said. “On TEMS…our work is in protecting the community health, and part of that is that everyone who is healthy enough and can get the vaccine should eventually try to do so because as members of the community we have a responsibility to protect people who can’t necessarily protect themselves in that way.”

In Photos: Winter Break

(MENGQI IRINA WANG / THE TUFTS DAILY)

(MENGQI IRINA WANG / THE TUFTS DAILY)

A couple is pictured watching the sun set in San Francisco on Jan. 16.

A street mural in Houston is pictured on Jan. 6.

(NICOLE GARAY / THE TUFTS DAILY)

Crawford Trail is pictured near the summit of Mount Pierce on the morning of Jan. 10.

(SOPHIE DOLAN / THE TUFTS DAILY)

The Tufts cannon is painted with the words ‘HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021.’

4 Monday, February 1, 2021

Features

tuftsdaily.com

Late chemistry professor Jonathan Kenny leaves lasting impact on environmental studies and his students

by Kayla Butera Features Editor

Jonathan Kenny, an environmental chemistry expert and chemistry professor, died unexpectedly on Dec. 9 at the age of 67, according to an email sent to the Tufts community.

Kenny began his journey in Tufts’ chemistry department in 1981 following a postdoctoral fellowship at Wesleyan University, according to a university press release. Prior to this, he received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a concentration in mathematics from the University of Notre Dame and a doctorate in physical chemistry from the University of Chicago. “[Kenny] felt at home in an academic environment, where his intellect and ideas were valued and where he could contribute,” his former student Thien Khuu (A’18) wrote in an email to the Daily.

“His input was invaluable, his passion ever present, and his willingness to roll up his sleeves and help was so appreciated.”

And contribute, he did. Among other projects, Kenny researched the uses of fluorescence-based methods to combat environmental problems and studied the environmental sensing of groundwater contaminants and dissolved sediment trends in natural water.

His work was featured in publications like The Journal of Physical Chemistry, Water, and Analytical Chemistry.

Kenny also collaborated frequently with Ann Rappaport, a senior lecturer in the Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning. Having worked on hazardous waste problems on the state government level, Rappaport knew there was an urgent need for innovative detection methods to shape government policy and prosecute those responsible for contamination. Kenny developed technologies to improve the detection of contaminants in groundwater.

“His work was a great example of scientific inquiry that both advanced knowledge in the field and could help reduce peoples’ exposure to harmful pollutants in drinking water,” Rappaport wrote in an email to the Daily.

“We worked well together—it was rewarding and enjoyable.”

Kenny was also involved with the Tufts Institute of the Environment, the Environmental Studies Program and Tufts Environmental Literacy Institute, according to Colin Orians, professor of biology and director of environmental studies at Tufts.

Kenny’s extensive participation “showed a level of passion for the environment that was unequaled at Tufts,” Orians wrote in an email to the Daily.

Tufts Institute of the Environment, Tufts Environmental Literacy Institute and the Office of Sustainability released a joint statement celebrating Kenny’s long list of accomplishments in the environmental studies community.

In the 1990s, Tufts pioneered the Environmental Literacy Institute, which Kenny was involved in. The program was designed to “bring together faculty across the university to read, think, discuss and experience [the] environment and then modify an existing course or plan a new course,” Rappaport said. The program’s success extended to research collaborations and social connections across campus.

Over the last decade, Kenny and Orians also worked closely to strengthen the Environmental Studies Program.

“His input was invaluable, his passion ever present, and his willingness to roll up his sleeves and help was so appreciated,” Orians said. “Jonathan was an interdisciplinary thinker who strove to use his chemistry and science training to reduce the environmental impact of Tufts and the larger society.” Rappaport echoed Orian’s sentiments.

“Jonathan embraced the idea of weaving sustainability into all aspects of teaching and learning as well as university operations,” she said.

During Kenny’s nearly 40 years at Tufts, he captivated undergradu-

COURTESY ANNA MILLER VIA TUFTS UNIVERSITY

Jonathan Kenny, professor of chemistry who died unexpectedly on Dec. 9, is pictured. ate and graduate students through his physical and environmental chemistry courses. Passionate about stymieing climate change, he and Rappaport co-taught a course, Telling the Climate Justice Story, which explored climate justice issues such as pipeline constructions. “It was a fantastic course that had a huge impact on the students,” Orians said.

“As co-teacher, I learned that [Kenny] thrived on complexity and took the view that more is almost always better,” Rappaport said.

In need of teaching assistance for their course, instead of choosing one applicant, Kenny chose three.

Furthermore, Kenny enlisted the help of his oldest son, Timothy, to craft an advertisement for the course that mimicked a movie trailer. “The trailer’s over the top, dramatic music, outrageous images and tongue in cheek humor really signaled Jonathan’s commitment to nurturing creativity,” Rappaport said.

The final student presentations for the course were a celebratory fair of their own. Emulating the Academy Awards, Kenny and Rappaport — respectively dressed in a white linen suit and a beaded gown — made their entrance as hosts at the Granoff Music Center.

There, participants were honored with live music performed

by Professor of Music John McDonald and flutist Elizabeth Erenberg.

In addition to his teaching and research, Kenny was an adviser for chemistry majors. As a mentor to those who participated in his research, Kenny’s friendships with students blossomed outside the scope of chemistry. He made an effort to reach beyond the classroom walls to get to know students and guide them along their paths.

One such former student and friend is Thien Khuu (A’18), now a Ph.D. candidate studying chemistry at Yale University, who met Kenny in his Physical Chemistry II class.

During an office hours appointment, Kenny spoke to Khuu about his love of writing and said it had been one of his life goals to improve science communication with the public, Khuu said.

Khuu was a double major in chemistry and English, and while he spoke with Kenny, the professor revealed his admiration for a book — “Krazy Kat” (1988) — written by Khuu’s English adviser, Jay Cantor. Kenny later went on to serve as an adviser to Khuu’s Experimental College course about science communication.

He was also a member of Khuu’s Senior Honors Thesis Committee and wrote a letter of recommendation for him when he was applying to graduate school.

Before writing the letter of recommendation, Kenny wanted to get to know Khuu better. Kenny set up an initial lunch meeting,

and the two continued to meet monthly at Hotung Café or the Mayer Campus Center. During their lunches, they would discuss their personal lives, aspirations and hobbies, which included their shared appreciation for writing and chemistry. As a token of gratitude, Khuu later gifted Kenny a signed copy of “Krazy Kat.” Kenny extended an accepting and empathetic attitude toward his students, according to Khuu. “[He taught me that] I don’t have to fit in any mold to be a scientist, I can just be myself; and being inclusive in science as well as in life is important, no matter who you are,” Khuu said. “No professor ever told me something that personal, and I really appreciated his trust and friendship.”

Kenny encouraged students to follow their passions at and beyond Tufts. “He was proud of students who engaged in civil disobedience to promote climate justice, he supported divestment from fossil fuels and he used his gifts to advance sustainability at Tufts and beyond,” Rappaport said.

According to Kenny’s obituary in the Rutland Herald, he leaves behind his wife of 44 years, Anne Foley, and their five children.

Kenny’s actions and passions illustrate his kind and forward-thinking spirit which uplifted students and fellow faculty members while working toward a better future.

Arts & Pop Culture

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Monday, February 1, 2021

2021 US presidential inauguration fashion recap

by Colette Smith Arts Editor

In the midst of recent political drama, there was cause for excitement for another important reason. The first and second families and other attendees of the 2021 U.S. presidential inauguration pulled out all of the stops when it came to their fashion.

With high media attention, every fashion choice was intentional.

The attendees succeeded in looking amazing and used their wardrobes to send messages.

The first family is showing all the early signs of having some of the next great fashion icons, perhaps with the lasting influence of someone like Jackie Kennedy Onassis, John F. Kennedy’s wife.

President Joe Biden kept his look traditional in a Ralph Lauren blue, single-breasted suit under a navy wool coat. Dr. Jill Biden’s outfit was similarly traditional and safe, but it did not feel dated because of the sparkly detailing, fur panels on the coat and turquoise color.

The first lady stunned in a matching sparkly cerulean tweed jacket and coat from Alexandra O’Neill of the New York label Markarian, a female-founded fashion label.

She walked the line between modesty and still managing to feel modern perfectly. In addition to the heads of the first family, the grandchildren of the president and first lady also wowed.

The granddaughters all went for monochromatic looks but distinguished themselves by choosing different colors. The monochromatic looks succeeded in looking coordinated, but there was still

some individual flair, like Maisy Biden’s choice of Air Jordans compared to Natalie Biden’s tall suede boots. If we are lucky, we will get to see more looks from the young Bidens over the coming years.

The members of the second family also did not disappoint. Ella Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris’ stepdaughter, wore the most unique inauguration outfit (not including Lady Gaga, as she is in a separate league of individuality) and Twitter responded accordingly with adoration for her unique coat. Her Miu Miu frock stood out for its plaid pattern with unique orange crystals adorning the shoulders. Under the stunning coat, Emhoff wore a Batsheva dress. While Emhoff’s outfit was unique, her stepmother, Vice President Harris, took the necessarily more modest route.

Her vibrant purple outfit featured a coordinating dress with a long overcoat and a pair of classic black pumps. Taking advantage of the heightened media attention, Vice President Harris chose to highlight black-owned businesses. She selected an outfit created by Black fashion designer Christopher John Rogers. Additionally, the striking purple of the coat and dress carried a deeper meaning. Vice President Harris wore the color as a possible nod to Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress and someone who Harris noted has been an inspiration for her. By Harris’ side, Douglas Emhoff, the second gentleman of the United States, wore a charcoal Ralph Lauren suit with a dark overcoat. While the outfit was nothing exceptional, it was a clas-

sic look and it looked nice next to the real star of the show: Madam Vice President Kamala Harris.

Michelle Obama wowed as usual in a burgundy and plum look from Sergio Hudson. The coordinated turtleneck, bootcut pants and coat exuded authority and elegance. Similar to Vice President Harris, Michelle Obama spotlighted a Black designer, as she has done many times before. The next great fashion moment came from Lady Gaga. While the internet had a lot to say about the singer’s dress, namely that it appeared she was emerging from The Hunger Games universe, this actually felt like a very tame look for Gaga. It was extraordinarily extravagant when you compare it to the more muted silhouettes around her, but when you compare it to some of her past looks, it was quite understated. Remember the meat dress? The voluminous Schiaparelli inauguration gown, designed as a love letter to America, maintained Gaga’s trademark flair and drama but felt very fitting for such a formal event because of its plain fabric and stiff structure. Next, Amanda Gorman was impossible to miss, stunning with both her poetry and amazing fashion choices. Yet, a deeper look revealed an impeccable outfit that showed Gorman’s youthfulness while still being very refined and elegant. The Miuccia Prada yellow coat that Gorman accessorized with a red satin Prada headband looked brilliant and was unique, but avoided being too overthe-top that it would distract from her poem.

The unanimous fashion winner of the day was Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in his Burton coat

COURTESY WIKIPEDIA COMMONS

President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden waving at the 2021 presidential inauguration are pictured. and knitted mittens. He looked like he could have been on the sideline of his grandkid’s soccer game, under the Harry Potter sorting hat or on a ski lift just as easily as the historic Inauguration of the 46th President of the United States.

These are all situations that he was edited into after a photo of him went viral. There is something to be said about the power that this universality holds and this ability to transcend made it the most important look. In addition to the aesthetic prowess, the attention to Sanders’ outfit has raised money for some great causes. As of Jan. 27, the senator brought in $1.8 million

dollars for Meals on Wheels from selling merchandise featuring his outfit. Additionally, the Vermont teacher who gifted Bernie the iconic gloves are now auctioning off a similar pair in partnership with the LGTBQ+ youth organization, Outright Vermont.

Overall, the excitement of Inauguration Day was elevated by some great fashion moments.

For such a formal event, it was good to see unique looks that balanced tradition with individuality perfectly. It will be intriguing to see the future looks that come from the first and second families in the next four years.

With the pen as her sword, Taylor Swift continues to sharpen ‘Evermore’

by Jack Clohisy

Contributing Writer

As Taylor Swift proved in “Folklore” (2020), she is the ultimate wordsmith. Crafting up stories of love triangles, childhood memories and failed relationships, Swift provided the lockeddown world with tales to keep it entertained. However, Swift was not done. Unbeknownst to the public until December 2020, “Folklore” had a sister, and her name is “Evermore” (2020).

A bittersweet take on the sorrow and yearning seen months earlier, “Evermore” promises better days than those of “Folklore.”

Swift dives deeper into herself and pulls from her ever-expansive imagination to bring forth her most creative project yet. It would be unjust to assess the beauty of “Evermore” without acknowledging the influences from her older sister. What “Folklore” started, “Evermore” expands upon.

Leading off with “Willow,” Swift’s “Evermore” leads us back into the forest, swooning, “Life was a willow and it bent right to your wind.” Just like on her “Folklore” lead single “Cardigan,”

COURTESY WIKIPEDIA COMMONS

The cover of Taylor Swift’s album “Evermore” (2020) is pictured.

Swift employs her literary prowess on “Willow,” pushing back the branches into the dizzying wonder that is “Evermore.”

On the second track, “Champagne problems,” an image of a failed proposal takes center stage. “Sometimes you just don’t know the answer/’Til someone’s on their knees and asks you,” Swift laments. In true “Folklore” style, “Evermore” carries over the burden of a love lost.

The palette of this album is expansive and vibrant. “Gold rush” evokes a dreamy, idyl-

lic serenity. Its companion on “Folklore,” “Mirrorball,” was more representative of Swift’s fears as a musician out of the spotlight. “Gold rush” takes that spotlight and shines it on someone with the admiration Swift craved for on “Mirrorball.” “‘Tis the damn season” reflects on a hometown love that finds its way back into her mind. The track fits right in Swift’s discography with her breakup track “Back to December” from “Speak Now” (2010). “Tolerate it” challenges “My tears ricochet” as Swift’s

best fifth track between the sister albums. In the former, Swift digs, “I know my love should be celebrated/But you tolerate it.”

Swift pleads for an answer: does he love her, or is their love dead?

Teaming up with sister-trio HAIM, Swift confronts infidelity on “No body, no crime.”

With country influences, Swift returns to her roots with this track. The seventh track, “Happiness,” is bittersweet and full of reminiscence.

“Dorothea” spotlights a distanced love, but Swift reassures, “…if you’re ever tired of being known for who you know/You know, you’ll always know me.”

On “Marjorie,” the song’s namesake has passed, but Swift sings, “What died didn’t stay dead/ You’re alive, you’re alive in my head.” Marjorie Finlay was Swift’s grandmother who died in 2003, further emphasizing Swift’s commitment to personal detail on the album.

Like “Champagne problems,” Swift presents a broken relationship on “Coney island.” Lost and confused, Swift grapples with the decline of the romance. “Ivy” centers on a forbidden love. She gushes, “Oh, I can’t/Stop you

putting roots in my dreamland.”

A true highlight on the album, “Ivy” adds flair.

In “Cowboy like me,” Swift presents an adventurous love.

Her storytelling is flawless, and Swift demonstrates her ability to create scenarios on each track so different from one another. The next track, “Long story short,” tells of a failed love. The “bad times” do not define Swift, so she exclaims, “Long story short, I survived.” Swift, who has experienced her fair share of heartbreak and betrayal, minimizes the struggle and focuses on the positive.

In “Closure,” a former lover attempts to check in on her, but Swift strikes, singing, “I’m fine with my spite/And my tears.”

Swift enlists Bon Iver on the closing, titular track “Evermore,” as she did on “Exile” — the fourth track on “Folklore”. In contrast to “Exile,” Bon Iver makes use of his falsetto in the same backand-forth torment with Swift.

She acknowledges the trouble love goes through at times, and closes, “I had a feeling so peculiar/This pain wouldn’t be for/ Evermore.” A fitting end to the album, there is closure.

6

THE TUFTS DAILY | Fun & Games | MONDAY, FEBURARY 1, 2021

F& G

tuftsdaily.com LATE NIGHT AT THE DAILY Megan: “One time, during break, I accidentally took a nap.”

Fun & Games

SUDOKU

LINDA C. BLACK ASTROLOGY

Aquarius (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Your charm and charisma shine with Venus in your sign this month. Pursue personal passions and delights. Share love and compassion. Step onstage and smile.

SEARCHING FOR HEADLINES...

Difficulty Level: The first day of school scaries.

From Dec. 11, 2020 Solutions

CROSSWORD

tuftsdaily.com

Opinion

7 MONDAY, FEBURARY 1, 2021

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR IN CHIEF

Looking back and looking forward Welcome back students, faculty and staff! My name is Megan Szostak, and I am the Editor in Chief of The Tufts Daily this spring. Like those of you returning to campus, I have spent the last several days in arrival quarantine, basking in the final moments of winter break and getting ready to don a pair of blue-light glasses for the Zoom-filled months to come. I would like to use this letter both as a means to formally introduce myself and to inform you of how our paper will be reporting on our community and serving you this semester. Through efforts being made across all of our Editorial, Production and Business departments, we remain committed to producing quality, daily content despite any obstacles that might come our way.

Last semester, the Daily was able to continue with our — albeit often virtual — cycle of daily production, and we served our community as best we could. Our fall semester was set against one of the most turbu-

lent backdrops in recent history, and many of us were deeply affected. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread and affected the Tufts community, we reported on the university’s efforts to keep the community safe, while also addressing what needed to change through op-eds and editorials. In November, this country saw Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Kamala D. Harris emerge democratically victorious in the 59th U.S. Presidential Election; many Tufts students engaged with this election through voting, poll working and phone banking. Movements for racial justice in the United States, such as the Black Lives Matter movement, have played prominent roles in this country and in public and political discourse over the past several months.

Reporters at the Daily had the opportunity to cover several Tufts groups — such as Tufts Action Group and Another Tufts is Possible — that engaged in advocacy last semester and identified both the university’s successes and shortfalls in its response to racial injustice.

This spring, our commitment to covering timely, essential and poignant issues affecting our community will not waver. We strive to be inclusive of all members of our community in our reporting, to rely greatly on our readers for feedback on how we can improve in our reporting and management and to consider both inclusivity and intentionality to be of the utmost importance in our publication and operation. If there is something that you believe we can improve upon, we encourage you to contact us directly; if you would like to directly respond to any of our published content, we encourage you to submit a Letter to the Editor.

As for our Editorial department, in a continuation of an initiative pioneered by last semester’s Managing Board, you will see the return of special editions of the Daily, which, providing public health guidelines permit, will be printed and distributed to a number of on-campus locations.

Our first special edition of the semester will be released on

Feb. 25 and will celebrate the Daily’s 41st anniversary. “Daily Week” has traditionally been a celebratory week at our newspaper, where we look back to our past and celebrate our progress, and look to the future and make plans of action to improve our reporting and management.

Coming up next will be an edition reflecting on the year since students were first sent home last March. While this year has not been easy, “COVID-19 at Tufts: The Year in Review” will highlight the remarkable resilience of our community and recognize the innumerous groups and individuals on our campus that have acted as “lights on our Hill” during this time.

In April, we will celebrate those who were accepted to Tufts as a part of the Class of 2025 in a “Jumbo Month” special edition — a variation on the annual “Jumbo Days” which, in a typical year, are held in April to welcome the newest class to our campus.

This edition of the Daily will shine a spotlight on the Class of 2025 and feature Tufts-

related content to inform incoming first-years about our university. Our semester and our special edition series will conclude with our annual Commencement issue, which will honor the Class of 2021.

As for our operations, the Daily will continue to run in a manner modified to strictly adhere to COVID-19 guidelines given to us by the university and by the state. Our printing schedule and distribution practices have been adapted accordingly, and our production process will, for the time being, be conducted virtually on our Discord server.

I am immensely proud of and grateful to all who have worked so hard to keep the Daily running during this tumultuous time. To our entire staff: thank you for your commitment to upholding our role of being “where you read it first” for all things Tufts — I revel in the opportunity to spend this semester with you.

Pax et Lux, Megan Szostak Editor in Chief, Spring 2021

VIEWPOINTS

Tumultuous transfer of power highlights urgency of renewing commitment to democracy, mobilizing new administration

by Paloma Delgado Opinion Editor

On Jan. 20, Joseph R. Biden Jr. was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. In his inaugural address, Biden made a plea for unity and called for the restoration of democratic norms.

This inauguration encompassed several firsts.

Government officials, presidential families and new administration appointees made their way to the U.S. Capitol Building, surrounded by razor wire fences and National Guard troops, all while wearing masks and sitting six feet apart.

The last few turbulent weeks and the devastating past year have made this transfer of power all the more symbolic and nerve-wracking. The inauguration occurred against the backdrop of a pandemic that has taken the lives of hundreds of thousands of American citizens, the outgoing president’s repeated refusal to concede a fair and democratic election, an ongoing impeachment trial and a domestic terrorist attack at the Capitol ignited by lies spewed by the Trump movement that exhibited the festering, pervasive presence of white supremacy in the United States.

But this was also a unique,

historic moment. Vice President Kamala Harris is the first woman, person of color and person of Black and South Asian descent to serve in the role. Democrats gained control of the Senate with newly elected Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, the first Black and Jewish senators from Georgia.

As we celebrate these momentous firsts in this nation’s history, we must also come to terms with the reality that this country faces — and that Biden must confront — as he enters the White House.

The events of Jan. 6 — an insurrection led by Trump supporters who claimed a fraudulent election — were not only a direct assault on a government building, but on this nation’s democracy. Maskless terrorists waving Confederate flags and flaunting antisemitic attire took selfies as they broke windows and destroyed federal property. The ease with which these white supremacists were able to breach the Capitol was not only terrifying, but deliberate.

As politicians from both sides of the political aisle proclaimed how these acts that unfolded in our nation’s capital did not represent our country or ideals as Americans, others have pointed to this nation’s long history of

white supremacy, violence and intimidation, confronting the ugly truths and structures that have always been present in American society. Not only was it on full display with this attack, unfiltered and unabashed for the world to see, but it; it was ushered in through the doors.

The negligence of the U.S. Capitol Police, along with the direct participation of officers, some of whom took pictures with rioters as others offered guidance through the complex, is a testament to the links between white supremacy and policing in this country.

As we witness this crisis triggered by racism and bigotry unfold, we are also seeing the devastation and havoc wreaked by a pandemic that was crudely mismanaged and ignored.

Already, President Biden has signed a number of executive orders and actions to address the COVID-19 pandemic, including enforcing a mask mandate on federal property, increasing vaccination supplies and requiring international travelers to provide proof of a negative test before entering the United States. Additionally, in an attempt to stabilize the economy and assist those hit hardest, Biden will increase federal food assistance, streamline the delivery of stimulus checks and has

proposed a $1.9 trillion relief plan to Congress.

Equally important is the response to a number of other pressing issues, including climate change, immigration and the discriminatory policies of the Trump administration. The Biden administration has rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, lifted the ban that prohibited most transgender people from joining the military, repealed the infamous ‘Muslim ban’ that barred thousands of immigrants from entering the country, undone Trump’s expansion of immigration enforcement and halted construction on the border wall.

These changes are all vital in protecting the rights and dignity of citizens and non-citizens alike, prioritizing the wellbeing of future generations and ensuring families are not torn apart.

Nonetheless, the actions of the Biden administration cannot reverse the pain that has been inflicted on countless communities and the precedent set by cruelty and indifference.

We can celebrate the strides Biden has made already — the historic moments and the progressive policies that will better the lives of countless Americans — while remaining critical and insistent on the changes we

want to see. Biden’s presidency is a large step in the right direction, but we must acknowledge that the fight is far from over.

As Tufts students, many of us have been extremely vocal in expressing our beliefs and tackling the issues we feel most impassioned about, not only because of how they affect us, but because of how they impact those most vulnerable.

As students, we know white supremacy, climate change, racial discrimination, COVID-19 and transphobia are not myths or aspects of a radical leftist agenda; They are realities that harm those who have borne the effects of these systems throughout history.

Making calls for unity and recognizing the harm that has been inflicted on countless American lives is one piece of the puzzle.

Overturning the destructive policies of the Trump administration is another piece. But this puzzle is far from complete. It will take more than these next four years to repair the damage that has been wrought. We must push for policies that lead us toward a safer and more equitable future.

Paloma Delgado is a sophomore who has not yet declared a major. Paloma can be reached at paloma.delgado@tufts.edu.

8 MONDAY, FEBURARY 1, 2021

Sports

tuftsdaily.com

Tufts athletes ask for spring season, NESCAC waits to make decision

COURTESY WIKIPEDIA COMMONS

A NESCAC plaque is pictured.

by Jake Freudberg Sports Editor

After nearly a year of being sidelined, Tufts student-athletes want their sports back.

In a letter to President Anthony Monaco and the NESCAC executive committee, the Tufts Student-Athlete Advisory Committee executive board requested to play spring sports.

The letter cited the ongoing negative impact of the COVID19 pandemic on the “emotional well-being” of student-athletes as the primary reason for the administration to consider permitting spring athletics.

If the spring 2021 season were to be canceled, student-athletes who play spring sports would lose two consecutive seasons, which would be “detrimental to the mental health” of these student-athletes in particular, the letter said. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the NESCAC to cancel the spring 2020, fall 2020 and winter 2020–21 seasons.

The letter was written in advance of a NESCAC executive

Matt Goguen Keeping up with the 617

The confusing Boston Bruins

P

rior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Boston Bruins were playing some of their best hockey in recent years. Their offense was firing on all cylinders, their core defensive pairs seemed unstoppable and Tuukka Rask was playing like a Vezina-caliber goaltender. However, once the NHL restarted the 2019-20 season in the Canadian bubble, the Bruins seemed lost. After surviving a playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, they were

meeting last week, when administrators from member schools were meeting to discuss plans for the spring.

The NESCAC announced on Wednesday that it is continuing to evaluate the possibility of a spring season, but that “conditions will need to improve significantly” for a season to take place. A spring season would also likely be shorter than usual due to academic calendar changes at member schools, the announcement said.

Wesleyan’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee published a similar letter, which inspired Tufts’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee to make a statement, according to Casey Maggiore, a member of the Tufts Student-Athlete Advisory Committee executive board and a graduate student on the softball team.

Screenshots of the Tufts letter circulated on social media after the Tufts Student-Athlete Advisory Committee shared it on its Instagram account.

Maggiore explained that while the reaction was mostly posi-

tive, there was some backlash because the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee executive board wrote the letter without consulting all student-athletes.

But the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee executive board felt they had to move quickly because they saw Wesleyan’s letter only two days before the NESCAC meeting.

“We had to decide what to do on a very short timeline,” Maggiore said. “In any other case, we always open it up to the floor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee body to vote on it. But in this case, we were under the impression that we had no time to [write the letter before the NESCAC meeting].”

Maggiore also clarified that the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee executive board understands the severity of the pandemic and wasn’t trying to make any unrealistic demands.

“We’re looking for a happy medium and that’s what we tried to convey in this letter,” Maggiore said. “We’re just trying to play under the safest con-

ditions possible, but we also respect that if we can’t, it’s a pretty serious situation.”

Director of Athletics John Morris, reached via email, said he understood the motivation for the letter.

“We encourage our student-athletes to be engaged community members and speak up constructively and respectfully when they feel strongly about something. Because the opportunity to practice and compete is such an important part of their educational experience here at Tufts, it’s understandable that our student-athletes are advocating for a chance to play this spring,” Morris wrote.

COVID-19 cases in the NESCAC’s region will need to drop for spring sports to occur.

The Tufts Student-Athlete Advisory Committee letter also said that the “risk of spreading COVID-19 is minimized”

by Tufts’ testing protocols and other regulations, but previous email communications from Tufts Student Life and university medical officials have suggested

that the frequent testing should not be misconstrued as “protection from COVID spread.”

The testing protocol does give university officials a good chance at identifying transmission of COVID-19 early, though, which could be a necessary safety measure for intercollegiate athletics to occur.

While most athletics have continued this school year at the NCAA Div. I level, most Div. III conferences have decided to cancel conference play in the fall and winter seasons. Tufts permitted teams to practice and work out with some restrictions in the fall until cases on campus spiked in mid-November.

The NESCAC plans to make a final decision by late February or early March, Wednesday’s announcement said. In the meantime, Tufts student-athletes will hope that they can get back on the field — in any capacity.

“They’re doing the best that they can for us,” Maggiore said about the administration. “We know that they’re fighting for us as well.”

dismantled by the juggernaut Tampa Bay Lightning and exited early from the Toronto bubble.

A season destined for a Stanley Cup trophy once again ended in a disappointing defeat.

The offseason led to even more confusion and doubts about the Bruins’ talent heading into the shortened 2020-21 season. After essentially giving away Torey Krug to the St. Louis Blues, the Bruins made a crucial signing with Craig Smith, who is a highly regarded goal scorer in today’s NHL. Losing defensive stalwart and Bruin legend Zdeno Chara to the Washington Capitals also stung, even though his skill level in recent years was similar to that of a men’s league player with two knee replacements (we’ll still miss you Z).

Through the first three games of the season, the Bruins’ offense was downright atrocious; they had zero 5-on-5 goals and managed to net only three goals (in two games) against the mediocre New Jersey Devils. In a 56-game season, a minor scoring slump has a larger effect on the standings than in a normal year, and the Bruins just seemed lifeless in the offensive zone. It wasn’t as if there was no effort by the Bruins’ forwards; They were mostly making costly mistakes on the blue line and not getting direct shots to the net. Luckily, the Bruins quickly snapped out of their slump and posted 21 goals over their next five games.

Although their offense was tough to watch, their defense and goaltending was nothing short of spectacular. Bruins fans were

skeptical about Rask heading into this season after his abrupt departure from the bubble, but he stifled all doubts after looking in mid-season shape during the first quarter of the season.

Additionally, even after losing Krug and Chara, the Bruins defense is outperforming expectations; Jakub Zboril, Jeremy Lauzon and Connor Clifton are becoming regulars in the lineup and playing like seasoned veterans. Although the offensive production is still lacking, their physical defensive play is only benefiting the squad.

Although the Bruins finally figured out their offensive demons, the question of if they’re able to compete with the perennial title favorites, i.e. the Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals, still

remains. David Pastrnak returning after offseason hip surgery is an added bonus, but they cannot make bonehead mistakes down the stretch. Rask needs to block out the critics and focus on his game mentally, and head coach Bruce Cassidy needs to solidify his lineup in the next couple of weeks. As always during this pandemic, staying healthy is crucial to the Bruins’ title run. However, I still do not have complete faith in this hockey team. If the Bruins gain more offensive production from their defense and develop their third line, another disappointing finish might be in the near future.

Matt Goguen is a sophomore who has not yet declared a major. Matt can be reached at matthew.goguen@tufts.edu.