THE VERMONT
CYNIC Jan. 15, 2019
vtcynic.com
Government shutdown
Skiing and the environment
If the government shutdown continues, funding for University research could stall.
As winters become warmer, Vermont’s most profitable industry is threatened.
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Civic engagement 3 / Wellness Environment 4 / Roma 5
Opioids on Campus With no consensus, a problem goes unchecked Sawyer Loftus swloftus@uvm.edu
Sarah came to UVM ready to start the next chapter of her life. As the daughter of a heroin addict, she knew the dangers of the drug. But to her surprise, opioids followed her to campus. The scope of the opioid problem is not clear at UVM, but the experts are in agreement that substances like heroin are present on UVM’s campus. Within the past decade, one UVM student has died of a heroin overdose: then junior William Gates in 2009. Nationwide, opioids, including pills and substances like heroin, have gotten recent attention as more states declare health-related emergencies. During one of her first nights at UVM, Sarah — whose name has ben changed to protect her privacy — and some new friends from her dorm went out to an off-campus party where she first saw heroin in college. “[My friends] were all freaked out and they were like, ‘oh, is that coke?’” Sarah said. “And the guy [a UVM student] was like, ‘no, it’s not coke.’ These girls didn’t even know you could snort heroin.” While experts at UVM can’t provide a clear picture of how the opioid crisis impacts UVM,
Sarah, who became addicted to heroin here, said it’s a growing presence. “Now it’s in the dorms,” Sarah said. “I would say we have a problem, definitely, and if anything, I think it’s getting worse.” After that intial encounter with heroin, it was “very casually” talked about and done in front of her on campus as her friend groups changed, Sarah said. After breaking her shoulder during her first year, she developed an addiction to Oxycodone, Morphine and Percocet prescribed to her by doctors at the UVM Medical Center, Sarah said. “Pills got expensive, UVM Medical Center started cracking down and Percocet wasn’t doing it for me,” Sarah said. “But heroin’s cheap, so it was easy enough just to connect to the old people I knew at UVM who I knew were on it.” For Sarah, linking up with dealers was simple, and her main suppliers were housed on UVM’s campus, she said. “Most of my dealers started migrating out towards Trinity to be honest, towards the ‘backfive’, specifically,” Sarah said. “I found a few out on Redstone, but not as much. It was mostly the Trinity back-five.” Director of Residential Life Rafael Rodriguez did not pro-
Community Voices Dr. Harry Chen Director, Center for Health and Wellbeing
“It is a problem still, it still exists and is something that warrants a deep look.”
Christine Johnson Executive Director, Chittenden County Opioid Alliance
“Its game of inches and I don’t want to lose in a game of inches if somebody is dying in front of me.”
Amy Boyd Austin Director, Catamount Recovery Program
“We’re never going to be able to control how people choose to cope with life.”
Photo Illustration by ALEK FLEURY
Opioids, pills and substances like heroin, have gotten national attention as more and more states declare health-related emergencies. Experts are in agreement that substances like heroin are present on UVM’s campus. vide comment by time of publication. For those who work at UVM with students in recovery from addiction or substance use-disorder, Sarah’s story isn’t surprising. Amy Boyd Austin, the director of the Catamount Recovery Program, said that heroin and other opioids are present on UVM’s campus and in the community. “Opiates are definitely here,” Boyd Austin said. “In the Catamount Recovery Program, more than 50 percent of our students have used opiates. “I think that colleges kind of like to think of themselves as untouchable,” Boyd Austin said. “But of course we have people using opioids and we all need to be aware.” Dr. Harry Chen is the executive director of the Center for Health and Wellbeing and the public health officer at the University of Vermont. Opioids are a relatively small problem at UVM, he said, but they still require attention. “It still exists and is something that warrants a deep look,” he said. Before coming to UVM, Chen led Vermont’s efforts to curb a potential opioid epidemic as the state health commissioner under former Gov. Peter Shumlin, he said. During his time with the state, Chen helped design and implement the state’s actions against opioids, he said. UVM police services does not
see substances like heroin and other opioids as a big problem on campus, Deputy Chief Tim Bilodeau said. UVM police officers do carry Narcan, an opioid overdose reversal device that uses the drug naloxone, that has saved numerous lives around the country, Bilodeau said. UVM Police did not provide exact statistics for Narcan use. Boyd Austin has looked into getting Resident Advisors trained in Narcan use and providing kits in residence halls, but has been met with pushback since UVM’s insurance structure doesn’t allow for RAs to carry naloxone, she said. UVM student health services began offering naloxone anonymously to students for free within the past year, but Boyd Austin would like to see it more widely available. Chen does not think naloxone needs to be more widely distributed at UVM, he said. “I called UVM police and the average response time on campus is 90 seconds, so your time is better spent dialing 911,” he said. After getting clean through the Catamount Recovery Program, Sarah became a Resident Advisor. One of her residents was trying to kick opioids. When Sarah went to her boss and asked for Narcan, she was told she didn’t need it because heroin and other opioids weren’t in the residence halls, she said. She said she now always has
Narcan on her. Christine Johnson, the executive director for the Chittenden County Opioid Alliance, said that to her it’s simple: Narcan needs to be everywhere. “I think it should be in every residence hall [and] common areas,” Johnson said. “I just think it should be anywhere and everywhere.” Chen said he still is not prepared to make a change to University procedures. “I just don’t know that it’d be of benefit to provide [Narcan] in mass in the dorms,” Chen said. “Certainly, if somebody wants to do it individually, that’s their prerogative.” Without a clear picture it can be difficult to develop a plan of action around opioids on campus, but to Boyd Austin, the most reasonable conversation would be about harm reduction, she said, to get people aware and break down the stigma. “We’re never going to be able to control how people choose to cope with life,” Boyd Austin said. “And if nobody ever talks about it, then how difficult would it be to tell a professor or counselor, I am using an opioid and I’m afraid I might OD.” Catamount Recovery Program Information: To contact CRP, email recoverycommunity@uvm.edu or call (802)-656-0236. CRP is located in Living Well on the first floor of the Davis Center.
NEWS
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The Vermont Cynic
Jan. 15, 2019
Research funding halts in shutdown Lindsay Freed lafreed@uvm.edu
Research at UVM will go unfunded if the government shutdown continues, but financial aid is unaffected. The closure of certain federal departments and agencies that provide grants could slow down research at the University, said Wendy Koenig, UVM director of federal and state relations. “[The shutdown] impedes people from getting new money, and it impedes researchers from being able to communicate with those agencies … until the shutdown is over,” Koenig said. Funding from federal departments and agencies that has already been distributed can still be used despite the shutdown, she said. “These changes have not yet produced detrimental effects, but some are getting closer and closer to being problematic the longer the shutdown continues,” said Richard Galbraith, vice president for institutional research at UVM. Affected agencies that fund research at UVM include the National Science Foundation, Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Galbraith said. The National Institute of Health, which provides a large portion of UVM’s federally-funded research, has not been affected by the shutdown, he said. The Department of Education has not been directly affected by the shutdown, and the
LINDSAY FREED/The Vermont Cynic
The United States Capitol Building located in Washington D.C. is home to the United States Congress. The current shutdown of certain federal departments and agencies could slow down research at UVM, but financial aid remains unaffected. processing of federal aid applications is running smoothly, according to a DOE spokesman. DOE had its budget approved by President Donald Trump in September 2018. The partial shutdown, which is in its fourth week, started Dec. 22 when Congress was unable to pass spending legislation due to disagreement over Trump’s proposed wall for the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump has said the wall is
necessary, referring to the illegal crossings at the southern border as a humanitarian and national security crisis, according to recent tweets by the President. Junior Sam Donnelly, president of the UVM College Democrats, said Trump is justifying the shutdown by using “blatant lies.” “To me, the unfortunate irony is that important academic programs are being postponed
while misinformation and racism is being promoted,” Donnelly said. Vermont Rep. Peter Welch said his highest priority is reopening the government and that his office is ready to help affected Vermonters in the meantime. “It is appalling that President Trump is holding hostage the American people for billions of dollars to build an unnecessary border wall,” Welch
said. “Hundreds of thousands of federal employees are working without pay or furloughed without pay.” The House of Representatives has now passed two bills to reopen the government, but neither has been voted on by the Senate. This is the second time the government has partially shutdown under the Trump administration; the first shutdown occurred Jan. 20-22, 2018.
New event center will be named after major donors Sophia Venturo sventuro@uvm.edu
UVM’s new $95 million event center will be named after the project’s leading donors. The University announced that Richard and Deb Tarrant donated $15 million to a new multipurpose facility, according to a Dec. 18 press release. The Tarrants’ gift is the largest capital gift in UVM’s history and makes them its second largest donors ever, according to the press release. The facility, named the Tarrant Event Center, is set to begin construction in early 2019. The space is intended to serve as a hub for athletic and social engagement as well as a recruitment tool for prospective student athletes, UVM Foundation CEO Shane Jacobson said. Plans for the project include a restoration of Gutterson Fieldhouse, development of arenas for basketball teams and the remodelling of Patrick Gym as a fitness center for all
students. The Tarrants made the lead donation after the UVM Foundation identified a $15 million expense needed to bankroll the project and tied it to an opportunity to name the facility, Jacobson said. The project is expected to cost $95 million in total. Thirty million dollars will come from donations and $5 million will be deferred maintenance, Jacobson said. The remaining $60 million will be long term debt that the University will pay off over a 35-year period, Jacobson said. The University will also consult with SGA to establish a student fee for the facility, UVM Communications Director Enrique Corredera stated in a Jan. 11 email to the Cynic. Some students feel uneasy about the cost of attracting new students. “I feel that the University is just attempting to recruit new student athletes,” first-year Lily Gold said. “It makes me worry
Photo source: UVM
The Tarrant Event Center, named after the project’s leading donors, is set to begin construction in early 2019. Richard and Deb Tarrant donated $15 million to the new multipurpose facility. about what the long term costs for everyone else will be.” Sophomore Megan Richardson said she thinks such a big budget could be put to other uses. “I feel like $95 million is a ton of money that could be used for other things like increasing
diversity and fixing up the humanities buildings,” she said. Other students feel as though the current athletic center is due for an upgrade. “Certain parts of the facility area are a little small,” senior Michael Greenberg said. “It’s tough getting a a workout
in when it’s crowded.” The Tarrants have made several donations to UVM in the past, including to the UVM Cancer Center and the College of Education and Social Sciences. Robert and Helen Larner remain UVM’s biggest donors, having given the University over $100 million in their lifetimes, according to a September 2016 Burlington Free Press article. The Tarrants have a strong connection to the University and their most recent gift is a way to give back, Jacobson said. Richard Tarrant is an alumnus of Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont, where he played basketball before founding the health care technology company IDX Systems Corp. Tarrant is also a former member of the UVM board of trustees and all three of his sons were varsity athletes at UVM. Deb Tarrant is a retired financial manager.
The Vermont Cynic
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EXECUTIVE Editor-in-Chief Greta Bjornson editorinchief@vtcynic.com Managing Editor Ben Elfland newsroom@vtcynic.com Operations Manager Sorrel Galantowicz operations@vtcynic.com
EDITORIAL Copy Chief Sophia Knappertz copy@vtcynic.com Culture Bridget Higdon cynicculture@gmail.com Features Caroline Slack cynicfeatures@gmail.com News George Seibold news@vtcynic.com Opinion Mills Sparkman opinion@vtcynic.com Podcasts Chloe Chaobal vtcynicpodcasts@gmail.com Sports Sabrina Hood sports@vtcynic.com Video Jordan Mitchell video@vtcynic.com Web Connor Allan web@vtcynic.com Social Media Peter Hibbeler socialcyniceditor@gmail.com
Staff Editorial
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t the date of publication of this article, the government will have been shut down for 25 days. That means 25 days that one third of federal workers have gone without pay. The shutdown is the result of a political disagreement over funds demanded by President Trump for his border wall. And although those who have lost pay — including those working for the Transportation Security Administration and the Food and Drug Administration, among many others — are among the most directly impacted by the shutdown, the situation affects us all. Even in what can often feel like the bubble of university life, this is not an issue that can be ignored, even by the least politically inclined. The lost income of federal employees, for instance, means less spending. As of Jan. 11, the United States economy had already lost $3.6 billion dollars, according to a U.S. News World Report article from the same day. In the past, government shutdowns have threatened the status of students relying on financial aid to fund their education. The elimination of financial aid is not an imminent threat in the current shutdown because the U.S. Department of Education is already fully funded, according to a Jan. 11 Chicago Tribune article. If the shutdown contin-
Layout Kyra Chevalier layout@vtcynic.com Photo Alek Fleury photo@vtcynic.com Assistant Editors Henry Mitchell (Opinion), Allie O’Connor (Culture), David Cabrera (Podcasts), Nickie Morris (Sports), Sawyer Loftus (News), Lee Hughes (News), Sam Litra (Photo), Liv Marshall (Copy)
Faculty Adviser Chris Evans crevans@uvm.edu
HOLLY COUGHLAN
ues, as President Trump has warned it might, this could change. Regardless, the shutdown impacts each of us in some way, shape or form. Hunger Free Vermont, an organization funded by Vermont’s Department for Children, has been working with the Student Government Association to help alleviate food insecurity in the UVM community. Food insecurity is a widespread issue that impacts as much as 25 percent of students. Those receiving 3SquaresVT benefits, or food stamps, will be forced to meet rushed deadlines, receive food stamps earlier and budget accordingly, according to a Jan. 11 email
from SGA President Ethan Foley. The fallout from the current government shutdown is a perfect representation of the greater fallout that could come if the nation continues to be uncompromisingly divided. Students who travel between school and home by airplane may be stranded during breaks should TSA workers cease to work in certain airports. This has already begun to happen around the country, according to a Jan. 11 New York Times article. Furthermore, the pressure the shutdown places on taxpayers and the threat it poses toward the stability of those relying on government adds to the
strain already felt by UVM students and their families. The government shutdown not only threatens those who help keep the U.S. up and running. It threatens the nation as a whole and deserves to be treated as such.
Staff editorials officially reflect the views of the Vermont Cynic. Signed opinion pieces and columns do not necessarily do so. The Cynic accepts letters in response to anything you see printed as well as any issues of interest in the community. Please limit letters to 350 words. The Cynic reserves the right to edit letters for length and grammar. Please send letters to opinion@ vtcynic.com.
Stay engaged in politics by listening to the other side Charlotte Malling cmalling@uvm. edu
Illustrations Holly Coughlan illustrations@vtcynic.com
ADVISING
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Governmental actions affect us all
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OPINION
Jan. 15, 2019
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lection season has ended, and the freshman Congresspeople have been sworn in. Whether you voted for them or not, they're laying out plans for the issues on which they’ve been campaigning. The sense of political urgency this past season set historical records, with 49 percent of eligible voters turning out for midterms, according to a November 2018 NPR article. The incoming congressional class is the most diverse in sex, race and religion to date, with the first female Muslim Americans and Native Americans, as well as the record number of 40 incoming women and 20 people of color. However, we must face the reality that U.S. politics remain deeply polarized. Call me a
HOLLY COUGHLAN
moderate, but I believe the key to addressing this toxic divide is to start listening to those we disagree with to understand, not to respond. As your social media turns to regularly scheduled programming, I urge you to stay tuned into what those holding office are up to, newly elected and incumbents alike. Inform yourself of current issues being debated across the
political spectrum by listening to a wide range of voices offering different perspectives. Read a conservative paper, listen to a liberal podcast or watch that non-partisan documentary. This will enable people to step outside of their ideological bubbles and take on a more critical worldview. Most take the first step of advocacy in the form of sharing political posts on social media
and attending local rallies. The next is taking the time to educate yourself on issues and finding meaningful ways to address them in your own life, such as volunteering toward local causes or calling your representatives with concerns. Political engagement is also civic education, as we must focus on helping people understand how our government functions and what role they can play in it. This is especially important with marginalized populations, as equal resources toward education and activism give rise to a much-needed platform for their voices to be heard. So stay engaged by staying informed. Your role as a private citizen in our nation’s political system doesn’t end with you bubbling in a ballot, rather, it’s only the beginning. Charlotte Malling is a senior anthropology major. She has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2019.
OPINION
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The Vermont Cynic
Jan. 15, 2019
Medical amnesty faces conflict in WE Jackson Schilling jschill1@uvm.edu
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n December of 2018, CBS This Morning released a segment on UVM’s Wellness Environment. The segment praises the Wellness Environment for its ability to create a safer environment in a school that is notorious for partying. According to the segment, students in WE see improved GPAs and reduced binge drinking in comparison to students living outside of WE. This is promising in a time when many college students frequently abuse alcohol and other substances. However, WE has a major flaw that is endangering students. According to the WE code, the housing program has a strict policy that removes students from their dorm if they are found under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This may inadvertently cause an intoxicated student to not return to their dorm after a party to avoid the risk of being kicked out of WE. A student who fears returning to their dorm that night and stays somewhere else could put themselves in danger of assault. While this is not the inten-
HOLLY COUGHLAN
tion of the policy, it can be a result. According to the WE code, the program honors the UVM Medical Amnesty Program, meaning that if you enter your dorm intoxicated to the point of needing medical assistance, you will not face consequences. For WE, this means you will not be removed from your dorm. The problem is that if stu-
dents in WE go out and have too much to drink, they may not feel comfortable asking for medical assistance, or even remember the Medical Amnesty Program while inebriated. To avoid consequences, they may stay out and put themselves at risk. According to a 2018 study from Dr. Amie L. Haas, a clinical psychologist at Palo Alto University, medical amnesty
policies found modest increases in reporting emergencies to residential staff. Haas stated that additional research is needed to show if these policies reduce harmful drinking. The increase in reporting emergencies is great for student safety and shows that these medical amnesty policies can be successful. I am in no way against the
Wellness Environment, and I believe that the program has overall been very successful. However, as this program develops, it is important to continue to prioritize student safety above all else. Jackson Schilling is a sophomore environmental science major. He has been writing for the Cynic since
fall 2018.
How the hotel industry can hurt developing countries
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tudents coming back from winter break vacations don’t realize their impact on developing countries might be worse than they expected. The hotel and tourism industries are known for overusing fresh water, preventing local residents from accessing reliable water sources. Developing countries need hotel and tourism establishments to generate foreign exchange, increase job opportunities and gain economic independence. When there is more demand for tourism in an area, it’s likely there will be greater economic gain. And the better amenities that hotels can provide for guests, the more tourists want to stay at these hotels. Because some of these countries struggle to combat severe fluctuations, they are more vulnerable to sudden changes. A large-scale hotel, such as Marriott Los Suenos in Cos-
ta Rica, also brings in negative ecological, social and economic consequences into these countries. Establishing large hotels creates environmental damage including, but not limited to: pollution, deforestation, destruction of natural wildlife habitats, excessive litter and increased consumption of re-
sources. According to a 2017 case study done by Dr. Rita Puig of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, hotels consume more resources than the average local community member to provide for guests and maintain luxury amenities. In Puig’s case study on Coastland Hotels in Spain, golf
courses contributed to 87 percent of hotel water consumption and swimming pools 35 percent. Guests’ water consumption rates are also about 116 gallons per day, double the average local demand. Areas where hotels are built face these harsh impacts firsthand as resource supply decreases. This causes more frequent water shortages, and those who can’t afford to keep up with the high prices of water and are forced to do without. When private property is purchased by a hotel company, the hotel is given the same rights to the land as any other. The only limit is how much of these resources are available in the natural environment. More than 200,000 residents in metropolitan areas of Costa Rica are facing water rationing between six to twelve hours per day, according to a Feb. 20 Tico Times article. Forty-nine thousand residents in areas south of the capital in Desamparados and Alajuelita will also face high rationing of more than twelve hours per day. To continue economic
growth without harmful effects on the environment and people, we need to find a balance. Strict controls on hotel developments can improve efficiency and maintain consistent economic growth. There are some solutions to prevent hotels from using up all the resources, such as caps on certain environmental assets. Caps can stop hotels from consuming too much of one resource. If they exceed limits, a large fee is tacked on by the host country’s government. Volunteer financial incentive programs can initiate a push towards renewable energy such as personal tax deductions on solar panels and certificates for achieving high standards in sustainable tourism activity. There are still many undiscovered solutions, but with one step at a time, hotels will be forced to manage water use, which will allow everyone to have access to plenty of water. Colleen Ward is a senior natural resources planning major. She has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2019.
The Vermont Cynic
Jan. 15, 2019
CULTURE
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“Roma:” a film fit for the big screen Cynic Cineaste Hunter McKenzie hmmckenz@ uvm.edu
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should admit that before I sat down to watch “Roma,” I knew almost nothing about it. I knew that it was a Spanish language film. I knew that it was in black and white. I also vaguely knew of the soft controversy surrounding the film’s distributor, Netflix, that made it available both on its streaming service and in select theaters. Some film insiders are suspicious that the growing popularity of Netflix releases will be the death of independent cinema, arguing that the small, non-superhero films deserve a space on the big screen too, not just confined to televisions and iPhones. So when I got this assignment, I knew that many people were demanding that “Roma” be experienced in theaters. Here is what “Roma” is about: Set in 1970, the film follows Cleo, a maid who lives in Mexico City. The middle class family she works for is dealing with the temporary departure of their father. Cleo’s life is disrupted when she finds out that she is pregnant. Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, whose last effort earned him an Oscar for Best Director for the
HOLLY COUGHLAN space film “Gravity,” “Roma” is the clear-eyed and patiently observed kind of film that is possible with personal, skillful filmmaking. It’s a period piece. A political and social observation. A tender portrait of a country, a family and a woman in turmoil. And it weaves itself together almost naturally, miracuously. In the first seconds, soapy water washes over the tile of the family’s garage as Cleo cleans it, and it sets the entire rhythm of the film, a composed and peaceful quality running
throughout. Cuaron, who also wrote, shot and edited the film, gives us scenes in long, uninterrupted shots. The camera slowly swings back and forth as characters engage with their environments. It is meditative, even in the moments of graphic violence and devastation. Cuaron, who has said the story is loosely autobiographical, delivers a personal work of art. “Roma” also gives us two of the best film characters of
2018: Cleo and Sofia. Embodying the quiet will and fierce love and strength of many women we all know, Yalitza Aparicio is magnificent as Cleo. She devastates and lifts you. And Marina de Tavira as Sofia, the mother, electrifies from beginning to end. She’s constantly twisting your judgements and expectations of her: furious, selfish and fraught with betrayal in one moment, deeply regretful and despairing the next, but ultimately strongwilled, sensitive and protective
of her family. A large aspect of this film is class and gender. Both constructs do their best to distinguish us from one another, which often means they separate us. They force those from opposing experiences and levels of privilege to consider each other as just that: other. “Roma” topples this. The film shows us that though resources and boundaries often divides us, every human goes through loss, guilt and restlessness. We’re better off using our capacity to be compassionate with one another to endure, to do good, to be good. It is here, I suppose, that I should admit that I did watch “Roma” from my living room and not in the theaters. I feel very foolish; so much of the film’s resonance and spectacle earns its place on the big screen. This so-called “Cynic Cineaste” could give you a long list of self-serving defenses that explain why I didn’t just walk down the street to the Roxy and buy the damn ticket. But, I encourage you not to make my mistake. Go see it on the biggest screen possible. But even if it’s only viewed from your palm, “Roma” feels important, almost necessary, to experience. It will engulf you, and then it will motivate you. Hunter McKenzie is a senior English major. He has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2018.
Animated “Spider-Man” swings into triumph Allie O’Connor aoconno8@uvm. edu
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’ve seen a lot of Spider-Man movies. Probably one too many Spider-Man movies. After a while, they kind of bleed together. That being said, Tobey Maguire was not a bad SpiderMan. Neither was Andrew Garfield. Tom Holland appears to be a youthful, hilarious mix of a great Spider-Man and a great Peter Parker, with future movies on the horizon. The upswing of SpiderMan’s on-screen popularity continues: “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse” is now not only one of my favorite animated movies of all time, but also my favorite SpiderMan movie. One of the latest entries into an oversaturated genre, the Golden Globe winner is a striking exercise in storytelling that matches its bold,
captivating animation style. The idea behind the film — several realities coming into one, several versions of one superhero meeting — is not new. However, this film feels as original as a comic book movie could possibly be. Miles Morales, voiced by Shameik Moore, is a Brooklynborn teenager who is faced with taking on the mantle of Spider-Man. However, he’s quite different than the Peter Parker we all know and love. Throughout the movie, we are reminded of the inexperience and his insecurities that surround his identity as New York City’s newest wall crawler. We see Miles struggle alongside several other experienced web-slingers. We see him fail, we see him let himself and his friends down and we see him get kicked to the ground. We also see him get up. Over and over again. The beauty of Miles’ character is that for not even one second are we allowed to forget that he’s utterly
human. It’s easy to see heroes as something more than ourselves, so Miles’ resilience and dedication to both his superhero identity and his humanity is something I appreciated. Alongside him is Peter B. Parker, voiced by Jake Johnson, and Gwen Stacy, voiced by Hailee Steinfeld, who are the first to mentor Miles on how to be Spider-Man. Johnson gives us the Spider-Man we didn’t know we wanted — the downtrodden, cynical Spider-Man from a different dimension than Miles. He’s been the hero for too long and is starting to feel it. His character is a nice change of pace in a genre where hyper-dedicated, overly campy superheroes are around every corner. Read the rest online at vtcynic.com/spiderman
Allie O’Connor is a sophomore English major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2017.
SOPHIE SPENCER
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The Vermont Cynic
Jan. 15, 2019
Warming Winter Climate change threatens Vermont skiing Nina Loutchko nloutchk@uvm.edu
Warmer winters mean less time scraping ice off your car in the morning and fewer fears of falling on icy sidewalks while shuffling to class. But for skiers, snowboarders or anyone who enjoys the snowy season, warmer winters threaten the very thing that keeps them outside: snow. Warm temperatures and inconsistent snowfall jeopardize Vermont’s successful ski industry. In recent years, the state has experienced great unpredictability in its snowfall, and the decreased snow cover has propelled ski areas to innovate. Ski resorts offset the lack of consistent snowfall and temperatures through artificial snowmaking, a system that forces water and pressurized air through snow guns at night when temperatures drop below freezing. Snowmaking has become essential to keep skiers and snowboarders on the slopes. Introduced to Vermont in the 1960s, snowmaking was first used to extend the ski season, but now serves to keeps the industry afloat. “Snowmaking is an important enterprise. It keeps the economic viability of our resorts intact,” said UVM Professor and Geography Department Chair Beverley Wemple. “We can’t run the resorts and have a viable ski industry on just natural snow because our winters are so variable.” With rapidly warming winters, snowmaking is only a short-term fix. It’s uncertain how much longer ski areas can rely on this technology because even snowmaking depends on temperatures below zero. Climate Central, an organization researching and reporting on the changing climate, released a report in November 2017 that found Burlington to have the highest winter average warming rate in the nation, trailed by Mankato and Minneapolis, Minnesota. According to the same Climate Central report, Burlington winters have been warming at an average rate of more than 1 degree Fahrenheit per decade. Since 1970, the Burlington area’s average winter temperature has increased by 7 degrees Fahrenheit.
ALEK FLEURY/The Vermont Cynic
Skiers flock to the lift as it snows at Jay Peak Jan. 9. With rapidly warming winters, snowfall like this is becoming more inconsistent and resorts are uncertain how their snowmaking abilities can keep up. “It’s been hard, especially seeing so much snow come down, getting really excited, and within a week, having it all be gone,” said senior Maria Kissel, Ski and Snowboard Club’s Clubhaus Manager. With higher seasonal temperatures, Vermont’s natural snow cover is diminishing. According to data collected in Vermont by the National Centers for Environmental Information, the average number of days with at least one inch of snow cover has been decreasing since 1963. Out of 20 ski areas in Vermont, 18 use some degree of snowmaking. Lyndon Outing Club, located in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, is one of two alpine ski areas that relies on all natural snow. “We have been considering going to snowmaking because it would be very helpful to us,” a spokesperson for the ski area stated via Facebook message. “But at the moment, we just don’t have the money to do it.” For many mountain resorts, snowmaking has become a multimillion-dollar investment. According to Killington’s website, the resort’s snowmaking system delivers 10 million gallons of water per day to more than 250 snow guns, which can cover 60 acres with 12 inches of fresh snow every 24 hours under
ideal conditions. The Vermont Ski Area Association reports that Stowe and Sugarbush have spent a combined $15 million in snowmaking improvements within the past five years. Stowe now boasts 83 percent snowmaking coverage, while Sugarbush maintains 70 percent across Mt. Ellen and Lincoln Peak. “It’s not fun to ski on but it’s better than nothing,” junior Sadye Goldfarb said. “It’s frustrating because people come to Vermont as their East Coast ski spot and they expect to have all this great powder, but they just get that crunchy fake snow.” Despite the inconsistent snow conditions of the 20172018 winter season, the VSAA stated that 3.97 million skiers visited last winter, a slight increase from the season prior. “The warming winters concern me because I think a big reason people often come to UVM is skiing,” Goldfarb said. “It’s really disheartening because a lot of Vermont’s tourism comes from skiing and I feel like that won’t be sustainable in the future.” Vermont businesses generate over $1 billion in revenue from winter tourism and recreation, according to Vermont’s state website. “Businesses that depend on tourism and recreation are starting to rethink their long-term
plans, anticipating a warmer and wetter state,” the website states. When it comes to selling season passes to UVM students, Kissel says the Ski and Snowboard Club hasn’t had any issues. “Everyone’s kind of in the same boat. When conditions are bad, people understand. They make the best of what they can,” she said. For now, Vermonters and UVM students are taking advantage of the recent snowfall and heading out to the slopes. “That’s kind of the fun of Vermont, you never know, and it forces you to learn,” Kissel said. “I’ve heard people out West even say that if you can ride Vermont, you can ride anywhere.” If the trends of warming winters and inconsistent snowfall continue, and there’s strong evidence that they will, Vermonters need to start planning for the future. While ski areas across the Green Mountains are making the best of advanced technologies, snowmaking is only a short-term fix to the changing climate. Note: The 2018 U.S. temperature data and analysis from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been delayed due to the government shutdown.
The Vermont Cynic
Jan. 15, 2019
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SPORTS
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The Vermont Cynic
Jan. 15, 2019
New recruits prepare to hit the field Ashley Miller amille68@uvm.edu
The men’s lacrosse team ended 2018 with a successful 12-4 record, said Chris Fiefs, men’s lacrosse head coach. The 2019 team is preparing for their spring season with new recruits and intentions of reaching the America East Championship, according to UVM athletics. Last year, the Catamounts were nationally ranked and concluded the spring season at No. 3 in America East, according to UVM athletics. This season, the team would like to continue this momentum, Fiefs said. “I feel like we’re on pace to pick up where we left off with our continuous growth on the field this fall,” he said. “We have a great chance to be very competitive within our conference.” This year, the team welcomed fourteen new players to the roster. Junior attackman Ben French believes the recruits will help the line-up be more agile this season. “All the first-years are looking really strong, especially the McConvey brothers,” French said, referring to first-years Jonathan and Thomas McConvey. A large portion of the fall preseason is dedicated to assessing the new talent on the field and how they perform in competitive situations, Fiefs said. “With a lot of young guys fighting for starting spots, it has been a constant evaluation everyday,” he said. “Hopefully, we
HENRY ROOD/The Vermont Cynic
Junior Nick Washuta attempts to make a save in last year’s 14-7 win against the University of Massachusetts Lowell. The team is striving to continue their success from last season, finishing with a 12-4 record and concluding the season ranked at No. 3 in America East. can learn more about ourselves and how they’ll fit in during our Hofstra and Syracuse scrimmages before the season starts.” Along with assimilating the new recruits, the team has been working to improve areas of their play in which Fiefs feels they were deficient in last year, he said. “Turnovers are definitely the biggest thing we’ve been working on,” Fiefs said.
In addition to daily practices this fall, the team has been hitting the gym in preparation for the spring, French said. Senior defenseman Andrew Simeon believes that his teammates have sustained a strong focus this fall. Their off-field workouts have been particularly successful due to the players’ high goals for the spring, he said. The team is looking to have
an undefeated season at home like last year, he said. “We’re also looking to compete in the America East Championship and then following that, hopefully looking at a chance for the NCAA title,” Simeon said. Simeon, along with his fellow seniors, has been in two America East Championships in the past four years playing for UVM, falling short in both
games, according to UVM athletics. “I would love to win the championship as a senior,” he said. “That would be a great legacy to leave for the class and our 2019 team.” The Catamounts will play 13 season games this spring, beginning with a Feb. 1 trip to the University of Utah.
Beginning ski season dispels the winter month blues Lindsay Freed lafreed@uvm. edu
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inters in Vermont can be rough, with daily temperatures fluctuating between cold and colder. One of the best ways to deal with the winter blues is find a way to make the season more fun. There are plenty of options to choose from, including ice hockey, bobsledding, ice skating and even competitive ice sculpting. My winter sport of choice is skiing, a thrilling, downhill sport that’s kept me outdoors all winter long for 19 years. The great thing about skiing (and snowboarding) in Vermont is that there are a wide variety of ski hills to choose from — ranging from highend resorts like Stowe to family-owned mountains like
Bolton. No matter how long you’ve been skiing or how confident you are in your ability to make it down the mountain alive, it’s possible to find something that suits you. Senior Mac Rogers’ mountain of choice is Smuggler’s Notch Resort, which shares Mt. Mansfield with Stowe. Rogers, who also works as ski patrol, said he goes to Smuggs because it’s where he grew up. “Smuggs is a very ‘locals’ type mountain,” he said. “You get a very local vibe from it. Its ski culture is really cool.” Ski culture at Smuggs is more about having fun than being the best skier or snowboarder, Rogers said. “It’s going up for a few runs, then stopping at 10:30 or 11 to go to the parking lot and have a beer, going back out [and then] barbecuing and hanging out,” he said. “It’s not just about the skiing.” Junior Kyle King, a snow-
MILLS SPARKMAN boarder who goes to Sugarbush Resort, also cited the culture as one of his favorite parts of the sport. “Everyone’s happy to be out there together and wants to be having a good time,” King said. King is the snowboard sponsorship coordinator for the Ski and Snowboard Club.
For me, ski culture is what has kept me coming back to the sport again and again as well. I’ve had fascinating conversations with strangers while stuck on a chair lift or trying to find a seat in the crowded dining hall at Sugarbush, my personal favorite mountain. Of course, as fun as ski-
ing is, it can also be a dangerous sport if you aren’t keeping yourself in control or wearing proper protection. Rogers stressed the importance of staying in control and knowing your limits. More accidents happen because skiers and snowboarders gte injured in the woods or with each other, he said. “A general fall is not a big deal, especially if you’re not going really fast,” Rogers said. “But when you lose control and start hitting other things, that’s when bad stuff happens.” So, if you’re looking for a great way to get outdoors this winter, check out the worldclass Ski and Snowboard Club right here in UVM’s backyard. The Clubhaus is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Lindsay Freed is a senior majoring in political science and geography. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2015.