The Vanderbilt Hustler 12-3-14

vanderbilthustler WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

VOL. 126, ISS. 32

WWW.VANDERBILTHUSTLER.COM

‘HANDS UP, DON’T SHOOT’ Student demonstrations seek to bring the spirit of Ferguson protests to Vanderbilt, expanding discourse about racial tensions on campus SEE PAGE 10

LIFE

Making ‘No-Shave November’ count Vanderbilt’s chapter of Kappa Sigma uses No-Shave November to support one of their own and the fight against cancer

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SPORTS

Football: senior send-off Vanderbilt says farewell to the winningest class in its football program history after a disappointing 3-9 season

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BOSLEY JARRETT / THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER

CAMPUS

Returning to Greek row A look at fraternity turnover in light of some chapters’ recolonizing in coming semesters PAGE 2

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WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 3, 2014

campus Returning to Greek row: fraternity recolonization

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“You see people that say, ‘Enough is enough, we’re going to take a stand.’ And I’m excited about how radicalized college students have become.”

COURTNEY BRYANT, GRADUATE STUDENT IN RELIGION DEPARTMENT

A look at the culture of fraternity turnover in light of Pike’s and other fraternities’ return to campus in coming semesters

By ALEX MONTESANTOS News reporter --------------------

Representatives from the Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) national organization will arrive on Vanderbilt’s campus this spring seeking to start anew by assembling its founding pledge class.

Pike will return to campus after voluntarily relinquishing their charter due to financial struggles in 2011.

Pike’s suspension and return is not an isolated incident, but rather represents a historical pattern of different fraternities receiving suspensions and returning according to an agreement with the national organization after the last of its members graduate.

In fall 2015, Kappa Alpha (KA) will undergo the same process when it returns to campus after the organization was suspended in 2012 for risk management violations. Phi Kappa Sigma will return in spring 2016 after a suspension for hazing and property destruction in 2010.

KA will return to the house where Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) currently resides, and Fiji, Pike and Phi Kappa Sigma will not have exclusive residential facilities, but the reservable multipurpose house at 208 24th Ave. will be available to them for chapter use.

“Generally speaking, recolonization efforts will include a series of open recruitment events and information sessions, the solicitation of recommendations by other students and organizations on campus, and individual interviews and meetings between interested students and the national organization’s representatives that will determine someone’s membership in the organization,” said Kristin Torrey, director of Greek life.

Rather than being evaluated for membership by existing members as established fraternities operate, members of the colonizing fraternities will be recruited and offered membership by the representatives of the national organizations.

These new fraternities will be met with additional support and guidance from the Office of Greek Life as they form their organizations. Torrey said national organizations frequently reach out to her because Vanderbilt is an attractive institution to have chapters.

“If a national organization does not have a chapter represented at Vanderbilt, they likely think we are a great target school. Our students are intelligent, talented, we have shown great promise in our commitment to community service and philanthropy, etc.,” Torrey said.

The Office of Greek Life provides support for returning fraternities in a number of ways.

“We have the opportunity to guide these new groups in modeling their structures by using information and best prac-

vanderbilthustler STAFF

TYLER BISHOP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BOSLEY JARRETT / THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER

Members of Interfraternity Council (IFC) fraternities gather to sign the Inclusivity Agreement, a commitment to embrace diversity in chapters, on Nov. 5. In the coming semesters, several fraternities plan to recolonize and join the Vanderbilt IFC. tices from other chapters in the community that we have seen are very successful,” Torrey said.

Torrey said there is a national trend of campuses’ fraternities being suspended and reinstated once the last of the members have graduated, calling the turnover Vanderbilt has seen “typical.”

She added that while she would “love if we could be more consistent about keeping all our chapters here, this would require all chapters to commit to upholding the values of the

KELLY HALOM — NEWS EDITOR PRIYANKA ARIBINDI — LIFE EDITOR MOLLY CORN — OPINION EDITOR ALLISON MAST — SPORTS EDITOR SAARA ASIKAINEN — MANAGING EDITOR KARA SHERRER — WEB EDITOR SOPHIE TO — CHIEF COPY EDITOR

university and their national organization.”

“Organizations have left our community because they failed to meet the community’s standards, by either Vanderbilt University or their national organization,” Torrey said. “Until everyone — and by everyone I mean all members of the chapter — clearly understands that their actions and behavior can reflect on their chapter, and on the community as a whole, and act accordingly, this could continue to happen.”

BOSLEY JARRETT — PHOTO DIRECTOR JENNA WENGLER — ART DIRECTOR PHIL DANTA — CHIEF WEB DEVELOPER MADDIE HUGHES — FEATURES EDITOR ANGELICA LASALA — SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR ALLIE GROSS — ASST. NEWS EDITOR BEN WEINRIB — ASST. SPORTS EDITOR MATT LIEBERSON — ASST. LIFE EDITOR KAREN CHAN — ASST. ART DIRECTOR

— continued on PAGE 4 DESIGNERS

COPY EDITORS

ZACH BERKOWITZ ZOE SHANCER KATHY ZHOU ALEXA BRAHME HAN DEWAN AADITI NAIK CHRISTOPH SPROUL

ALEXIS BANKS ANDREA BLATT RACHAEL GRAHAM BRITTANY SHAAR KATHY YUAN

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WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 3, 2014

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WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 3, 2014

—continued from PAGE 2 She noted that chapters with more alumni support and guidance tend to remain on campus longer and avoid suspension.

According to Torrey, new organizations can bring in people who hadn’t considered getting involved with Greek life before. She attributes students’ enthusiasm for colonizing new chapters to the high caliber of Vanderbilt students who want to seek out new opportunities for leadership and innovation.

“If you look at the nature of Vanderbilt students — of high-performing, innovative student leaders — there is an enthusiasm for the creation of something new,” Torrey said.

“Fundamentally, it is about the student that says, ‘I want to start a new fraternity. I want to create my own thing. I want to be involved in creating what the culture will be in this organization,’ as opposed to jumping into a previously existing group.”

This is certainly true of sophomore Matt Baker, who is interested in recolonizing Pike and has been in talks with

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the national organization and the Office of Greek Life. After going through IFC fraternity recruitment his freshman year and in the fall, Baker said he observed aspects of fraternity life that he wanted to change, so when he heard about the recolonization of Pike and KA, he scheduled a meeting with the Office of Greek Life to learn more.

“I looked at the whole Greek system, and decided that I wanted to have a larger part than a lot of people do in their respective fraternities,” Baker said. “A good amount of my friends are involved in Greek life, and just from what I’ve seen, it seems like they don’t really have a lot of power in their own fraternities in making decisions and just really controlling everything that goes on.” He felt that the best option would be to become a founding father of a new fraternity that he could really make his own.

Baker cited the recruitment process as an example of something he wanted to change and to take ownership of in colonizing a new fraternity. He said during this year’s fall recruitment, he felt that a lot of fraternity members didn’t take enough interest in the process of meeting potential new members.

“I felt like I wanted to be a lot more involved in that than just a typical member of another fraternity,” Baker said. “I just felt like I wanted to change or create an entirely new system for a fraternity, just one that’s a lot more personal than what I’ve seen so far.”

Although new chapters have the potential to bring in members who may not have previously considered going Greek, Torrey said fraternity involvement remains pretty constant between 41 and 46 percent because of the consistent cycle of fraternities being suspended and reinstated.

Torrey emphasized that she feels the ongoing changes to Greek life chapters are positive because all of the new members can build the organization from the ground up.

“New life in the Greek community is positive because it challenges old ways of doing, and it provides more creativity and innovation to make the community better. It fosters new ideas, and brings about people who are more willing to challenge the status quo and do something different,” Torrey said.

—Assistant News Editor Allie Gross contributed to this report.

Timeline of fraternity turnover on campus 2006-07: Gain ΣΝ, ΦΔΘ Lose ΚΣ

2004-05: Gain BXΘ, KAΨ, ΣΦE

2008-09: Gain ΚΣ Lose ΣΦΕ

2007-08: Gain ΣΛΓ

2010-11: Gain ΦΓΔ

2012-13: Gain ΔΤΔ

2014-15: Gain ΠΚΑ

2009-10: Gain ΦΔΘ, ΔΛΦ Lose ΦΚΨ, ΛΘΦ, ΦΚΣ

2011-12: Gain ΦΚΨ Lose ΠΚΑ, ΖΒΤ, ΚΑ

2013-14: Gain ΖΒΤ Lose ΑΤΩ, ΛΧΑ, ΔΛΦ

2017-18: Gain AΦA, ΛΧΑ

2015-16: Gain ΦΚΣ, KA = upcoming changes DATA PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE OF GREEK LIFE

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WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 3, 2014

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Safer partying to combat sexual assault New student organization, Party With Consent, founded to bring a fresh perspective to stopping campus sexual violence

By COLLIER BOWLING News reporter --------------------

The Vanderbilt chapter of Party With Consent seeks to fight rape culture and sexual assault on campus by making partying safer.

Party With Consent is a national student initiative started in 2012 at Colby College by student Jon Kalin, who aimed to prevent sexual assaults on college campuses.

According to Julia Ordog, president and co-founder of the Vanderbilt chapter of Party With Consent, the group sought to establish a diverse leadership team by including both male and female students involved in a wide variety of campus organizations.

“The goal is to reform rape culture on college campuses and change the environment around partying,” Ordog said.

“People consider it something taboo to talk about, but it is happening, so let’s talk about it, make it a positive dialogue and guide the conversation somewhere that’s going to effect positive change.”

Party With Consent was co-founded by Tara Keil, Kristen Brady, Nick Sparkman, David Brandon and Harry Garrett.

The organization emphasizes four primary aspects in its structure: dialogue, education, branding and events, with the goal of reaching the entire student body in an engaging manner. By utilizing dialogue and education, the organization strives to start conversations on college campuses about

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Julia Ordog is the co-founder and president of Party With Consent. the prevalence of sexual assaults.

To that end, Party With Consent will collaborate with the Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center and the Project Safe Center to hold events and workshops in the spring that host guest speakers, such as Kalin, the Party with Consent founder. Such events will be hosted during times that Party With Consent feels it is particularly pertinent to spread its message — such as “Black Week,” the week following Greek bids that is notorious for partying.

Party With Consent seeks to reach an audience broader than those currently engaged with existing initiatives, rather

than “preaching to the choir,” according to Ordog.

By following the two other organizational aspects — branding and events — Party With Consent hopes to make itself accessible to all college students.

“We are going to throw parties with consent, which are normal parties but everyone is united in knowing that it is a safe place,” Ordog said. “The point of the parties is to highlight that partying and sexual assault are not inexorably linked — people can, and should be able to, party and have fun without fear. Also, we have buttons, stickers, T-shirts and whatnot so that the message stays fresh on people’s minds.”

Given that it is new both to Vanderbilt and as a national organization, Ordog feels that Party With Consent will provide a creative opportunity for members of the Vanderbilt community to engage in the fight against sexual assault on college campuses.

“The beauty is that because we are a new organization and the national organization is so young, it can go in any direction that we want it to,” Ordog said. “Anyone who has an idea, we’d love to hear it and figure out how to do something with that.”

Students interested in Party With Consent can email Julia Ordog at julia.m.ordog@vanderbilt.edu or join the organization’s page on Anchor Link. Meeting times have not yet been established, but Party With Consent will start having weekly or biweekly meetings in the spring 2015 semester.

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WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 3, 2014

life

GO DO

THIS

Rand’s Annual Holiday Celebration Wednesday, Dec. 3, 5-8 p.m.

Rand’s annual celebration of the holidays has become a tradition at Vanderbilt. Anticipated year-round, the fare includes an elaborate display of cheeses, special entrees, festive beverages, a meat-carving station and an extensive spread of desserts, presented in the elaborately decorated hall with live entertainment. With a swipe on the meal plan for all you can eat, this event is as good a deal as it is a festive fete.

No-Shave November

AFTER

Vanderbilt’s chapter of Kappa Sigma used No-Shave November as a philanthropic effort to raise money for the American Cancer Society while offering support for one of their own, a three-time survivor of Hodgkin’s lymphoma

By PRIYANKA ARIBINDI Life editor --------------------

Yik Yak rumors have it that the brothers of Vanderbilt’s chapter of Kappa Sigma are readily identified by their matching black hoodies, but for the month of November, the group had something else in common — their facial hair.

Over the past month, the vast majority of the house, organized by senior Andrew Brash, pledged to participate in No-Shave November. Instead of embracing the title without the philanthropic component of the tradition like many college students who participate, the chapter used this effort to benefit a cause close to home.

Austin Wortley, a sophomore brother of the fraternity, entered Vanderbilt with the class of 2016, but side effects from a stem cell transplant he underwent while in remission from his third recurrence of Hodgkin’s lymphoma kept him home for the 2013-14 school year.

According to Brash, donations for NoShave November “usually go to prostate cancer or other men’s health (issues), but because … (Wortley) suffered from Hodgkin’s lymphoma and just came back to school, we wanted to do something to honor him.”

Channeling the popularity of growing out scruff with No-Shave November’s philanthropic intent proved to be very successful both within the chapter and with their donors. Over the month of No-

vember, the fraternity raised more than $5,400 for the American Cancer Society.

According to Mikail Siddiki, the chapter’s president, what’s especially effective about this approach as opposed to typical philanthropy efforts is its simplicity.

“We can do it without any issue,” he said. “We don’t have to worry about logistics.”

Brash agrees, saying that the chapter got behind the idea easily because “it’s something fun and it’s not something that we have to go and market in person to other chapters — it’s something you can do all online.”

This ease translated into the vast majority of the chapter’s participation, even for those who don’t grow facial hair as easily.

“Some people who can’t grow beards did it as a joke for a little bit, and eventually either their girlfriends or their parents were like, ‘Here’s $100, please shave your face because you look terrible,’” Siddiki said.

But for those who do regularly sport scruff, the fundraising element encouraged them to experiment with different styles. According to Siddiki, members of the chapter had fun with it, styling their facial hair in unique ways. “(One brother) shaved a monkey tail into his face — it wraps below the chin and up around and over the mustache.”

The brothers frequently posted photos of these unique stylings and the progress of their facial hair over the course of the month to Facebook along with the link

BEFORE

Zander Vartanian, 2016 PHOTOS BY BOSLEY JARRETT / THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER

to the fundraising page, generating both attention and donations that allowed the chapter to far surpass its original goals.

“Our initial goal was $1,000, and that was exceeded really quickly, so we kept raising it by $500 and then $1,000 and then finally just set the bar at $5,000,” Brash said. “I think that this was just the smallest (the fundraiser) will ever be.”

The chapter is happy to have made such a large impact, and as Brash said, a lot of their efforts have been motivated

by Wortley’s return to campus this year.

His initial diagnosis took place in 2010 when he was a junior in high school, and after a few months in remission, the cancer returned just before his senior

year. He had been in remission before coming to Vanderbilt, but it returned for a third time during his freshmen year when cancer cells were found in his lungs. Following their removal, he received his second stem cell transplant in the summer of 2013, but bad reactions to the transplant kept him at home for what would have originally been his sophomore year.

“When I first got out of my transplant, I had nothing bad and they thought ... maybe I would be back for second semester (in early 2014),” Wortley said.

However, negative side effects following the transplant caught up to him quickly, impacting his capabilities.

THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER u WWW.VANDERBILTHUSTLER.COM “Things got so bad that I could barely even talk to the people who were in the room with me in the hospital,” Wortley said. “I didn’t want to have conversations because it was mentally straining, and when I did make contact with people it was sparse and barely made me feel good. That kind of added a depth to it that people didn’t realize.”

“It was good that I had a goal — that I wanted to get back to school,” he said.

“But sometimes it was tough because when things were bad, you didn’t know what the time frame (would be).”

By February of 2014 Wortley knew he wouldn’t even be able to visit Vanderbilt, but at that point he wasn’t sure he’d be able to attend school the next year either.

However, he recovered in time to return this August.

“It’s actually really nice (being back),” he said, even if he isn’t technically a junior anymore. “They actually just changed it back (to sophomore on YES) — it was kind of rough.”

The difficult part, he said, is not being able to do the things he could before.

Though he is in remission, he still has to be aware of many factors, and his fraternity has tried to offer support.

“They had always been asking me (about doing something related to the cause) … especially when I got sick last year, but I think this was a good mix of things because it’s not necessarily about me,” he said. By raising money for the

AFTER

WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 3, 2014

AFTER

BEFORE

Mikail Siddiki, 2016 American Cancer Society, donors to Kappa Sigma’s fundraiser contribute to combating many types of cancers.

Wortley thinks that the beards were an especially effective way to keep the purpose of the fundraiser in mind throughout the month. “Whereas you’re not always thinking about (other fundraising efforts) all the time, for guys, if you wake up and look in the mirror and there’s a beard, you’re like, ‘Oh, right — this is

AFTER

BEFORE

Andrew Brash, 2015 what I’m doing,’” he said.

He is happy to see the participation and support that the effort has received so far.

“I thought it was really cool that there was so much support from guys from the chapter,” he said. “It wasn’t just another fundraising thing where everybody’s obliged to either raise $20 or give $20 — guys actually wanted to do it.”

Brash echoes the chapter’s enthusi-

BEFORE

Scott Feder, 2015 asm: “I think it’s nice for (Wortley) to know that being in a fraternity is more than just partying and all that — it’s actually people supporting him, so I hope that he feels that way.”

To donate to Kappa Sigma’s fundraiser benefiting the American Cancer Society, visit their page — No Shave November — on GiveForward.

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LIFE

WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 3, 2014

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Your guide to gift-giving in Nashville

Find gifts for everyone on your list at these local shopping spots By Virginia Norder, Life reporter Pangaea

Country Music Hall of Fame Store

Kernels Popcorn

H. Audrey

Vanderbilt Bookstore

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GOOGLE MAPS

For those with friends who are on the eclectic side, Hillsboro’s Pangaea is a shop with everything from trendy clothing to unique gifts. With clothing and jewelry from brands like Free People and Lucca Couture, Pangaea has a versatile selection of gifts for your girlfriend (platonic or otherwise), sister or mom.

Check out the Country Music Hall of Fame Store for a true Nashville gift. From autographed items to apparel to the latest music releases, there is something in this store for anyone looking for some evidence that you actually do leave campus. The store has some great box sets from country legends like Johnny Cash, as well as the usual Country Music Hall of Fame shot glasses and T-shirts.

Kernels Gourmet Popcorn Shop, located off Gallatin Avenue, has some great sweet treats for the holidays. More importantly, you can snack on some yourself.

Kernels sells popcorn by the tin: 1 gallon for $18, 2 gallons for $32 and 3.5 gallons for $60. Flavors range from butter to caramel to the more exotic vanilla cinnamon. You can order online if you have no time to leave the library during finals.

Looking to splurge on a girlfriend? With more than 25 designer labels and celebrity clients like Sheryl Crow, Gwyneth Paltrow and Taylor Swift, H. Audrey over in Green Hills is where to go. Nothing will cost under $100, but the experience of shopping among the rich and famous may impress as much as the shopping itself.

Who says holiday shopping need take you off campus? Some of the best gifts may be waiting for you right in Barnes & Noble. If you’re buying gifts for a sports fan, pick up a baseball National Championship T-shirt. A Vanderbilt mug is also a great gift for any coffee drinkers.

Vanderbilt Barnes & Noble also carries silk ties. The best part is that these are all available with Commodore Cash, so your parents are really buying their own gifts.

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The Hustler’s picks: Hot chocolate

Winter is coming … and bringing finals week with it. But if anything can make hitting the books on a cold winter day a little more pleasant, it’s a warm cup of hot chocolate served up at some of Nashville’s coziest cafes. The Hustler has narrowed it down to three top spots that complement their cocoas with comfortable ambiences to help you battle the books By Emma Witherington, Life reporter

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The Bang Candy Company Cafe Known for its homemade marshmallows, The Bang Candy Company has made a name for itself in the market for sweets. The Cafe prides itself on creating sweets made only from the finest quality ingredients, serving up an assorted range of imaginative marshmallow flavors (even an “orange ginger cinnamon” marshmallow), in addition to other indulgent baked goods and drinks.

PHOTO COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM USER LINDSEYMXO

The Hustler’s pick: The Bang Candy Company’s commitment to uniqueness and quality certainly hits its mark with their hot chocolate. They concoct their own hot cocoa mix, stirred with whole milk for a silky finish. The final product is, of course, topped with one of their specialty marshmallows and a finishing touch of whipped cream if you so choose (and you should).

The Red Bicycle Tucked away in Germantown, The Red Bicycle might just become your new favorite secret spot to study. Although it’s known mainly as a crepe shop featuring more than 40 different crepe creations, this cafe offers a variety of specialty beverages to complement their sweet treats. With an interior decked out in funky decor typical of Nashville, the ambience is just as cozy as the booths.

CREMA

Featuring several small tables and a distinct coffee aroma, Crema makes for another ideal hidden study spot. What’s more is that this little cafe prides itself on fostering strong relationships with the farmers who produce their ingredients, maintaining a high standard for quality and ethical production. So as you sit and enjoy Crema’s traditional coffeehouse vibe, you can know that each sip you take comes from a high-quality and socially responsible source.

The Hustler’s pick: On top of social responsibility, according to Buzzfeed, Crema offers the No. 2 best hot chocolate in the world! For all you chocoholics out there, you surely won’t be disappointed by Crema’s rich blend of thick, dark Askinosie chocolate and steamed milk — filled with flavor, this hearty mug of goodness does not fall short of its ranking.

WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 3, 2014

PHOTO COURTESY OF EMMA WITHERINGTON

The Hustler’s pick: Swirled with mocha and vanilla syrups, The Red Bicycle’s hot chocolate offers a unique flavor. With undertones of coffee flavoring, the delectable blend leaves a slightly bitter aftertaste, underscoring the sweetness of the chocolate. Paired with one of their crepes (we recommend the Nutella), the caffeine and chocolate combo will power you through even the worst of your textbooks.

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WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 3, 2014

specialfeature

PHOTOS BY BOSLEY JARRETT/ THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER

Vanderbilt divinity student Robles leads a chant at the ‘Hands Up, Don’t Shoot’ protest in front of Central Library on Dec. 1.

‘Hands up, don’t shoot’

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Students stand in solidarity with Ferguson efforts

by Tyler Bishop, Editor-in-chief

undreds of students lined the wall of Rand Terrace as well as Library, Wilson and The Commons Center lawns Monday at noon, standing in solidarity with the “Black Lives Matter” movement. The demonstration was one of many events planned on campus this week following protests, riots and national conversations about race and police brutality originally sparked by a Missouri grand jury’s decision to not prosecute a police officer in the deadly shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown.

“There were a hundred people out here on pretty quick notice, and I think that that is indicative of a growing sense of frustration and concern on the part of students and our nation about our justice system,” said Courtney Bryant, a student in the graduate department of religion.

This week’s events are being organized by Vanderbilt Students in Solidarity (VSS), a coalition of groups seeking to raise awareness about how Ferguson connects to Vanderbilt. Activism and dialogue on race at Vanderbilt, however, are not new.

Race at Vanderbilt Despite a clearly articulated administrative desire to make campus genuinely diverse, a host of students continually express frustration and anger with the status quo on race at Vanderbilt. The frustration stems from a number of different sources, ranging from structural inadequacies in the university to daily interactions among students.

Asher Kolieboi, currently a third-year masters student in the Divinity School, has witnessed this tension at a number of different colleges, either as a student or staff

member. “I’ve never been at a school where I felt like black students feel comfortable,” he said.

Kolieboi, who is from Ferguson and participated in protests there last week, also said Vanderbilt is not exempt from systemic issues like racism and racial profiling.

“I’ve been stopped a number of times by VUPD and asked to show multiple forms of ID,” he said.

Beyond structural problems within the university, evidence of racism — both overt and hidden — has been brought to light by Vanderbilt students. Racially charged anonymous comments make their way onto Yik Yak. Microaggressions on campus, many of which have been brought to light by Hidden Dores, continually frustrate many students. And socio-economic barriers inevitably segregate students based on the cost of certain spheres of campus involvement, such as Greek life and community service trips.

Some efforts, such as internal scholarships created by some organizations, are attempting to bridge this socio-economic gap. And Vanderbilt Student Government (VSG) is working on an initiative called “Experience Vanderbilt,” which would establish funds for students who would otherwise be unable to participate in costly extracurricular activities.

Dean of Students Mark Bandas, who has worked at Vanderbilt for more than 30 years, said he has witnessed the development of a more welcoming environment for marginalized students. “I also recognize we must do more to fully realize the value of inclusivity in our community and nation.”

His office, along with the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center (BCC), is

THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER u WWW.VANDERBILTHUSTLER.COM sponsoring the demonstrations this week, and frequently supports multicultural campus events.

But many still feel that the university can do more. Akailah Jenkins, senior and president of the Vanderbilt chapter of the NAACP, authored a letter published on vanderbilthustler.com titled “Black lives don’t matter at Vanderbilt.” She captured a sentiment supported by a number of students: “Black lives do not matter to you, Vanderbilt — your reputation does. As long as you look like you’re putting forth a genuine effort, that’s all that matters. You can continue to take part in your own systems of injustice and privilege and not critically think twice about it,” she wrote. “And that, sadly, shows that there is far more work to be done than an email or a few sponsored events can even hope to address.”

When asked how he would respond to students who feel this way, Dean Bandas said, “I am saddened that anyone might hold this belief and would welcome a discussion about why they feel this way.

At Vanderbilt, we believe that ‘all lives matter’ and we are committed to creating a community in which all of our students feel valued and that provides opportunities for all students.”

On top of these ongoing conversations about the current state of diversity and race at Vanderbilt, campus is seeing an increased level of activism alongside the growing national dialogue.

“

Courtney Bryant leads a group of students and staff during a demonstration outside Central Library.

It can happen anywhere — it has happened everywhere.

We have to think beyond one community — beyond Ferguson, beyond just Vanderbilt, beyond Nashville.

‘Bring Ferguson to Vanderbilt’ Kolieboi said that the Ferguson resistance — which has led demonstrations and protests of racialized police violence in the of wake of the events in Ferguson — wants to emphasize that what happened in Ferguson is not an isolated incident.

“We need to stop thinking of Vanderbilt as an island and look beyond the Magnolia curtain,” he said. “It can happen anywhere — it has happened everywhere. We have to think beyond one community — beyond Ferguson, beyond just Vanderbilt, beyond Nashville.”

Jenkins also said that it is important for demonstrations and events to make clear how the issues being protested in Ferguson and elsewhere are relevant to the Vanderbilt community.

“People don’t really care until an issue connects to them,” she said. “This is not a Mike Brown and Darren Wilson issue. It’s not.

It’s a structural issue. The issue is every single 28 hours, an unarmed black male is killed by police or vigilantes. It’s not about black people vs. white people. It’s about the fact that black people are disproportionately killed by the police.”

Kolieboi noted that the problem with police brutality is particularly relevant for Vanderbilt because VUPD officers are armed. “There are plenty of college police forces that do not have guns, and we are one of those that do have guns.”

The parents of Michael Brown have heavily supported an initiative to increase the accountability of police by requiring body cameras to be worn by officers. Jenkins — and many others at Vanderbilt — agree. “Fundamentally, police still need to wear cameras. Because if they did, we would know what happened that day,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins said that VSS will continue to discuss systemic inequities related to race through a series of events called Ferguson Fridays and will update students on these and other events through their Facebook page.

”

WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 3, 2014

More than 100 students raised their hands to protest police brutality at Rand Wall on Monday.

—News Editor Kelly Halom contributed to this report Vanderbilt Students in Solidarity can be found on Facebook at https://facebook.com/VanderbiltStudentsInSolidarity.

The protests in front of Central Library and Rand were held simultaneously with others on The Commons Center and Wilson lawns.

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opinion Less than human

QUOTE OF THE DAY “The irrational hysteria over inclusive holiday language isn’t actually about the sanctity of the holidays — it’s about the larger backlash against political correctness.”

MOLLY CORN

The alarming consequences of the normalization of objectification AADITI NAIK is a first-year in the College of Arts and Science. She can be reached at aaditi.g.naik@ vanderbilt.edu.

I

hear it every day on campus: “Check out that ass.” “Oh my God, those abs.”

Notice the lack of personal pronouns. They are not just missing; they have been removed to facilitate the dissociation of a human being from his or her body parts. Stripping the person of his or her humanity also removes the guilt we feel about gaping at that person’s body. Yet this dissociation is something we do unconsciously; it has become so normalized that we no longer even notice we’re doing it.

Why am I drawing attention to something that does not even exist in our consciousness? It is because the choice of pronoun we make does matter. The consequences are far-reaching.

Recently, Rolling Stone published an article entitled “A Rape on Campus,” which detailed the alleged gang rape of a first-year, Jackie, by seven men, while two others watched. For some of the alleged perpetrators, the assault was tied to their inclusion in the fraternity. The article recounts how after the attack, Jackie’s friends debated whether to take her to the hospital since reporting the incident might have affected their chances of rushing the fraternity. Two years later, the alleged perpetrators still have not been confronted. Though there were many aspects of this horrifying story that left me reeling after reading the article, I particularly remember asking myself, “How could anyone be so inhuman as to carry out such a heinous crime?”

When I went back to the article the next day, however, one quote jumped out at me. The article said that right before the sexual assault began, when Jackie found herself being physically attacked, she remembers hearing someone say, “Grab its motherfucking leg.” Not “her,” but “it.”

vanderbilthustler EDITORIAL BOARD TYLER BISHOP, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF editor@vanderbilthustler.com

KELLY HALOM

PRIYANKA ARIBINDI

NEWS EDITOR news@vanderbilthustler.com

LIFE EDITOR life@vanderbilthustler.com

MOLLY CORN

ALLISON MAST

OPINION EDITOR opinion@vanderbilthustler. com

SPORTS EDITOR sports@vanderbilthustler.com

‘‘

Stripping the person of his or her humanity also removes the guilt we feel about gaping at that person’s body.

’’

According to Jackie, this marked the moment when she realized what was about to happen to her. This quote also helped me to answer my question: The alleged perpetrators were able to carry out this crime, in part, because they had dehumanized their victim. They reduced Jackie to an object, a thing to be used for their pleasure. In doing so, they were able to neatly take away all her emotions, rights and needs. The problem was not that they were unaware of the basic rights every human is entitled to; it was that they convinced themselves that they were not dealing with a human being.

Because of this blatant objectification, the men allegedly responsible for this crime never even felt any remorse. In their eyes, their actions were not criminal because the victim was not a human being. According to the article, two weeks after the assault, Jackie ran into one of her alleged attackers, her co-worker. He thanked her, telling her he “had a great time that night.” Jackie quit her job and

did not go to any classes for the rest of the week.

The brutality of the alleged attack, its role in the initiation of a brother into a fraternity, the unwillingness of Jackie’s friends to take her to the hospital, the university’s lack of concern in the matter — these elements of the incident reveal very serious and disturbing systemic problems that need to be addressed.

However, I am addressing the objectification involved because it is something that is not just specific to a small group of people. It is something we are all guilty of, something that is part of an atmosphere in which crimes like this one can occur. When we normalize the reduction of a human being to a body part or a function, without thinking about the implications, we foster a culture and a mindset where it is okay to treat others as less than human.

I am as guilty of it as anyone else, but it is time to stop. We need to make the unconscious conscious. We need to check ourselves and the people around us every time we lose sight of the humanity in others. As stated through the title of a recent nationwide initiative, which was also sponsored by our own VSG, “It’s on us.”

And that extends to the things we say, not just the things we do. Words have power; it is time we use that power to address what we can individually fix to prevent atrocities like this one.

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The myth of the ‘PC police’

Backlash against inclusivity is a result of systemic privilege

T MOLLY CORN is a senior in the College of Arts and Science and the Opinion editor. She can be reached at molly.e.corn@ vanderbilt.edu.

ypical of this time of year, Fox News is claiming that the “PC police” are out of control and “trying to take Christmas out of the holidays.”

The newscasters support this claim by pointing to the fact that some Massachusetts schools changed the official name of the break that occurs in December from “Christmas Break” to “Holiday Break.” This is nothing new; last December, Bill O’Reilly asked viewers why they tolerate “anti-Christmas madness.”

Another Fox News zealot even wrote a book entitled “The War On Christmas: How the Liberal Plot to Ban the Sacred Christian Holiday Is Worse Than You Thought.” The summary of the book claims that “ACLU lawyers, professional atheists and Christian haters” are forcing Christians behind closed doors to celebrate their holidays in a fear of “angry protests, threats, and bruised feelings.” Somehow, despite the abundance of Christmas trees in the malls, the airwave domination of Christmas music and the fact that Christmas is the only religious holiday that makes it onto the list of federal holidays, some are still concerned that Christmas is under attack.

The reality in the United States is that religious demographics are changing. According to a survey conducted by Pew Research Center, more than one in four U.S. adults have changed their religious affiliation in their lifetime; that number rises to almost half if you count those who have switched between denominations of Protestantism. Christian denomi-

nations had the most significant losses — particularly Baptists and Catholics, who lost a combined 10 percent of their affiliation. The most significant gain was for unaffiliated, which had a net gain of 8.8 percent; followed by nondenominational Christian, which gained 3 percent; and nonspecific Protestant, which gained 1.5 percent. All other gains were less than 1 percent. With these changing demographics, it is fitting that traditions should be changing in the United States and should be celebrating this new diversity.

The idea that Christmas should be privileged over other holidays is, first and foremost, one of entitlement. As students, many of us haven’t yet faced a salaried job with a set number of floating personal and sick days per year. But as we enter the “real” world in the near future, any person who celebrates Christmas will probably be happy to find that they do not need to use one of their limited number of days off to celebrate. Because the calendar is already de facto synchronized with their religious preference, Christians get to save their precious free days for another time. Someone celebrating Rosh Hashanah or Ramadan is not afforded the same privilege.

Quite simply, Christians are not being persecuted for their religious backgrounds. The irrational hysteria over inclusive holiday language isn’t actually about the sanctity of the holidays — it’s about the larger backlash against political correctness. Politi-

cal correctness is simply the expectation of civil dialogue, free from pejorative slurs toward minorities or oppositional viewpoints. It is not a violation of free speech: In fact, a new study conducted at Cornell University shows just the opposite, and that political correctness can actually boost workplace productivity.

Today some conservative pundits claim that political correctness is destroying corporate America.

Others claim that it is causing people to avoid all discussion around diversity for fear of being labeled prejudiced for accidentally using incorrect language.

The solution to this lack of dialogue is quite simple — if you don’t know how someone wishes to be identified, ask (respectfully).

The “Happy Holidays” vs. “Merry Christmas” debate epitomizes the trend of fear-mongering among people who are so accustomed to their own privilege that they see inclusivity or diversity as both a threat and an attack. The concept of being offended by the phrase “Happy Holidays” is ridiculous; this phrase has by no means banned Christmas or excluded it from the holiday season. Christmas is a holiday, as are the New Year, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Thanksgiving. Furthermore, the reality is that most people are celebrating more than one of those holidays, so calling it the holiday season instead of the “Christmas” season might even be more accurate.

Outsourcing injustice

Partnership with Aramark is unethical and harmful to the university’s reputation MEREDITH VITALE is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Science. She can be reached at meredith.o.vitale@ vanderbilt.edu.

T

hirty-five part and full-time employees working for Vanderbilt Plant Operations saw their jobs eliminated in October in favor of outsourcing the third-shift work to Aramark Corporation. A quick Google search reveals that the outsourcing of custodial jobs is a trend working its way through schools across the country. Contract labor may work as cost savings for the school administration, but the custodial staff pays the real price — the loss of their jobs and the threat to their livelihoods.

Vanderbilt’s decision to outsource the work came with claims of high turnover in night-shift positions.

According to the university, partnering with Aramark allows Vanderbilt to “provide a high and consistent level of service during this shift.” However, Aramark is a corporation with a less-than-stellar reputation in regard to its service and its treatment of employees.

Chicago public schools recently privatized janitorial services and signed a multimillion-dollar contract with Aramark. But only a few weeks into the school year, many people, including Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, spoke out against the filthy conditions in the schools. Complaints reported mouse droppings and dead rodents, and cited difficulty in communicating their needs with the outside company. That same week, Aramark laid off 400 janitorial employees, demonstrating the lack of job security for the employees of the private company. Aramark has developed a reputation of providing unreliable services and poor treatment of its employees. Thus, it is harmful

‘‘

Aramark is a corporation with a lessthan-stellar reputation in regard to its service and its treatment of employees.

’’

to Vanderbilt’s reputation to be associated with this company.

It is also notable that these layoffs come while Vanderbilt is currently in contract renegotiations with the Vanderbilt employees’ union. This may be seen as an aggressive move on Vanderbilt’s part, flexing its muscles and showing employees how easily they can be replaced. The choice to privatize the third shift can be seen as strategic, as these employees work from 11 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. Unless you’ve been in Rand during the late hours of the night, you may not realize that it is now being maintained by Aramark employees in red T-shirts instead of Vanderbilt staff. The switch is not exactly transparent for Vanderbilt students, fac-

ulty and alumni, but the remaining members of the housekeeping staff are certainly aware of the change.

Regardless of whether outsourcing the third shift is a scare tactic or is merely functioning as cost savings, first- and second-shift housekeeping staff have reason to fear for their jobs. At a university that requires all students to sign an honor code in order to “promote and secure an atmosphere of dignity and trust,” this move seems to be in direct violation of that esteemed integrity.

Vanderbilt is concerned about how the cost of housekeeping affects its bottom line, but the real bottom line we should all be concerned about is this: Custodial staff are just as important as any other staff on campus, and those employees deserve the same amount of respect as everyone else. That means the Vanderbilt administration cannot wield its pen and lay off 35 people from jobs that are not truly being eliminated. By treating housekeeping staff as replaceable, Vanderbilt is detracting from a job that is essential to the function of the university and dehumanizing the people who dedicate themselves to these jobs.

Anyone who feels they are a part of the Vanderbilt family should be appalled that the university is representing us in this way and demand to see this action revoked. It is necessary for Vanderbilt to reinstate the laid-off employees and conduct itself in a way that respects employee livelihood and job security, just as any upstanding employer is expected to do.

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sports SEC POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 14 Each week, I rank the teams in the SEC 1-14. This week, anything can happen in rivalry games, the Tide are who we thought they were and Mizzou weirdly wins the SEC East for the second straight year.

By ANTHONY TRIPODORO Sports reporter --------------------

1. No. 1 Alabama If you thought Amari Cooper’s knee injury sustained during the Western Carolina game would spell trouble for Alabama, you were wrong. His three-touchdown, 224-yard day propelled the Tide past Auburn in this year’s Iron Bowl, sending Alabama to the SEC Championship. On one play, Lane Kiffin even put his arms up in the air to celebrate a touchdown before the ball was thrown after seeing Cooper breaking free. Through all of the chaos that ensued in the SEC West this season — from both Mississippi teams playing their best seasons in recent memory to Auburn’s luck running out to Texas A&M being a disappointment — the safe bet ended up winning the division, just like everyone originally thought. Nick Saban won’t come out on top every year, but it never makes sense to predict he won’t.

2. No. 10 Mississippi State The Bulldogs will not go to the SEC Championship or to the inaugural College Football Playoff, but, even after losing to Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl, they put together the best season in school history and were consistently the most exciting team to watch this season.

3. No. 14 Mizzou Somehow, some way, the Tigers finished with the best record in the SEC East by surviving against Arkansas. Mizzou will drop back down to where they belong in the polls once they lose in the SEC Championship though, so rest assured.

4. No. 13 Ole Miss This year’s Mississippi Queen is Ole Miss.

Despite a disappointing second half of the season, the Rebels claimed victory in the Egg Bowl over rival Mississippi State and have momentum heading into bowl season.

THE BIG STAT Number of tackles made by redshirt freshman linebacker Nigel Bowden this season

Senior send-off Looking back at the football team’s class of 2015, the winningest class in school history

By ALLISON MAST Sports editor --------------------

OFFENSE

Hunter Bowman (FB) The Savannah, Georgia native walked on to the team his freshman year, participating in spring drills as a fullback. Over the next three years, Bowman served as a practice squad linebacker and helped the offense prepare for games.

Andrew Bridges (OL) After using his freshman year to gain muscle, Bridges began making solid contributions to the offensive line. He continued to show mobility and strong technique throughout his career, even receiving time at tight end in short-yardage situations.

Ryan Brockway (OL) Brockway played for Chapman University for two years before transferring to Vanderbilt and walking on to the team as an offensive lineman.

The California native’s contributions made a large impact on the practice squad units despite his defensive background.

Davis Dudchock (80) steps out of the tunnel with the rest of the team at the start of their game against South Carolina this season. The Commodores lost 48-34.

Davis Dudchock (TE)

Josh Grady (WR)

Joe Townsend (OL)

The current Vanderbilt graduate student earned a degree from Stanford last spring. In his final year of eligibility, Dudchock had 17 catches for 261 yards. His best game came against Florida when he had five receptions and 83 receiving yards.

Grady, who was recruited as a quarterback, ended up playing a bigger role as a wide receiver during his time at Vanderbilt. In 2012, he had seven catches for 89 yards and six rushes for 23 yards. An injury shortened his junior season, but he returned for six games this year.

At the center position, Townsend has been a crucial member of the offensive line for the past three seasons. His blocking prowess paved the way for strong rushing seasons for Zac Stacy and Ralph Webb. He was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week in October 2012.

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Alex Grecco (WR)

5. No. 15 Georgia The thriller of the day was not the Iron Bowl but Georgia vs. Georgia Tech, which ended in a Georgia go-ahead score followed by a 53-yard Georgia Tech field goal to send the game to overtime, where Hutson Mason threw an interception to cost the Bulldogs the game. In a way, though, the loss is fitting because had Georgia won, it would have finished with the same overall record as Mizzou and still lost the SEC East crown by virtue of a weaker in-conference record. I say “fitting” because, if both teams had finished 10-2, with Georgia having beaten Mizzou head-to-head, not a single person could have made the argument that Mizzou was a better team than Georgia.

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Wide receiver Josh Grady runs with the ball in last season’s victory over Presbyterian.

Dillon van der Wal (TE)

The practice squad wide receiver, in addition to helping the team prepare for games, participates on the club rugby team. Grecco was also a member of the 2013 Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Van der Wal appeared in every game after the season opener as a true freshman. In a 2013 matchup against Florida, he earned his first career start. This season, he had two catches for 24 yards. His 12 yards per reception average is good for sixth on the team.

Joseph Hoffman (FB)

Trey Wilkins (WR)

The former high school quarterback walked on to the team early in the 2012 season and has served as a practice squad fullback ever since. In addition to his effort on the practice field, Hoffman has impressed in the classroom, earning a spot on the 2013 SEC Honor Roll.

After a semester at Harding University, Wilkins transferred to Vanderbilt , where he received game time at wide receiver and on special teams.

He had seven receptions this season for 66 yards.

Three of these catches came against UMass.

Derek King (RB)

6. No. 20 Auburn Alabama beat Auburn this time, but the 2013 Iron Bowl still happened, and no amount of Nick Saban national championships can ever take that away.

— continued on PAGE 16

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Local native King originally played defensive back. In 2012, he expanded his role to include special teams before becoming a running back for his last two seasons. King provided the Commodores with some much-needed depth at the running back position.

Kellen Williams (FB) In his first year on the team, Williams earned Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year honors from the coaching staff. He lived up to his potential, eventually making appearances in every game. In his breakout junior season, he made 20 tackles and defended two passes.

— continued on PAGE 16

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SPORTS

WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 3, 2014 SEC POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 14 CONTINUED 7. No. 23 LSU

Texas A&M vs. LSU ended in a questionable missed call by the refs, but LSU played well enough to deserve to win and finish their season a very respectable 8-4. Also, be sure to check out the highlight of Leonard Fournette murdering a defender in the second quarter. He is going to be amazing next year.

8. Texas A&M Johnny Manziel took over for Brian Hoyer during the Browns game on Sunday against the Bills and rushed for a touchdown on his first drive, throwing up the money sign in celebration.

9. Arkansas After beating LSU and Ole Miss 37-0 in its previous two games, the Razorbacks fell to Maty Mauk and Mizzou, which lends the Tigers some credibility in my opinion. At 6-6, Arkansas will inevitably be snubbed by the bowl selection committee and blow out whomever they end up playing.

10. Tennessee I personally am tired of hearing jokes about the level of intelligence of UT students and grads after coming back this weekend to watch the game, and I’m willing to bet you are too by now, so I’m not going to include one here.

Just kidding — UT students have been trying to come up with something that rhymes with “orange” for years, which is impossible because they can’t read.

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— continued from PAGE 14

DEFENSE

Barron Dixon (DL) In 2011, Dixon was one of only five true freshmen who received game time. He played in all 13 games in both 2012 and 2013. Over the course of his career, he posted 80 tackles, 29 of which he collected during his senior season.

Josh Gregory (S) Gregory joined the practice squad in 2011 as a defensive back and went on to see action in only one game in 2012. However, he became a crucial member of special teams during the next two seasons, even recording two tackles against UAB.

Casey Hughes (OLB) West Point transfer Hughes showed versatility as a reserve linebacker, totaling 27 tackles over his three-year career. In a 2012 matchup against Wake Forest, he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown, becoming the first Commodore to do so since 2010.

Alex Hysong (DB) Hysong joined the team as a defensive back on the practice squad and displayed a strong work ethic on and off the field. In April 2013, he and former women’s basketball player Tiffany Clarke were named Student-Athletes of the Month.

Jimmy Stewart (OLB) Stewart, who spent his freshman year adding bulk to his frame, was a consistent member of defensive rotations. In three years of play, he had 26 tackles (16 solo), 3.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for a loss.

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Kyle Woestmann (92) after the loss to Ole Miss at LP Field this season.

Vince Taylor (DL) The senior from Hattiesburg had an outstanding career as a member of the defensive line. He made 87 tackles in 50 games, 43 of which were unassisted. Three fumble recoveries are another impressive part of Taylor’s resume.

Kyle Woestmann (OLB) Woestmann has been a vocal leader and model student athlete during his time at Vanderbilt. In addition to collecting 100 tackles and earning SEC Honor Roll every year, he helped keep the team together during the tumultuous coaching change.

TOP CAREER TACKLERS SOLO ASST. TOTAL

BARRON DIXON

35

45

80

VINCE TAYLOR

43

44

87

KYLE WOESTMANN

58

42

100

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SPORTS

WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 3, 2014

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SEC POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 14 CONTINUED 11. Florida Will Muschamp was like a student in senior year these past two weeks — totally checked-out. Win or lose, he didn’t give a damn.

A 52-3 win over Eastern Kentucky was nice, but boy, would it have been sweet if he had stuck it to Jameis Winston and Jimbo Fisher in his last game as a head coach. Florida State will lose to Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship and miss out on the College Football Playoff, by the way.

12. South Carolina The 2014 Gamecocks: unranked in the end-of-season polls but No. 1 in disappointment (doesn’t matter that they finished bowl-eligible).

13. Kentucky After a narrow loss to Louisville, the Wildcats finished 5-7 and failed to qualify for a bowl game. Upon this realization, the players channeled Sam Smith, singing “I know I’m not the only one…”

14. Vanderbilt Baseball season is just around the corner!

Andrew East (34) in Vanderbilt’s 17-13 loss to South Carolina in 2012.

SPECIAL TEAMS

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Andrew East (SN)

Taylor Hudson (P)

Team captain East redshirted his freshman year to gain strength but has handled all snapping duties ever since. In addition to mastering the basics of his position, East has collected 13 tackles on punt coverage and has also caught a 35-yard pass on fourth-and-long.

After not seeing the field in his first two years as a walk-on punter, Hudson took over the punting responsibilities in 2013. He averaged 42.9 yards per punt, good for seventh in the SEC. This season, he split time with Colby Cooke and also served as holder.

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WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 3, 2014

SPORTS

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Tennessee reclaims state in tight game After defeating the Volunteers in two consecutive seasons, the Commodores fall by a touchdown, ending the season winless in conference play

By JOSH HAMBURGER Sports reporter --------------------

The first play of the game was an omen of sorts. Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs threw on first down and was picked off by Torren McGaster. However, a questionable roughing the passer call on Kyle Woestmann negated the play that could have given Vanderbilt momentum. It highlighted Vanderbilt’s inability to capitalize on all of its positive gains during Senior Day. In front of a sold-out crowd of more than 40,000 decorated with what seemed like a majority of orange, Tennessee jumped to a quick lead after a 76-yard punt return off of a line drive punt, one of many Vanderbilt special teams woes. On their next drive, Tennessee tacked on a field goal to take a 10-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, after the staunch Vanderbilt defense stuffed them

near the end zone. Tennessee had been moving the ball well on offense, but the Vanderbilt defense was making plays at the right times in what was arguably their bestplayed game of the season.

During the first and early second quarters, Head Coach Derek Mason gave opportunities to both Johnny McCrary and Patton Robinette.

“I wanted to get both of those guys a chance early to get the jitters out and feel the excitement of this game and let those things pass,” said Mason.

Neither quarterback looked comfortable in the pocket, but Mason ultimately stuck with Robinette after McCrary was picked off on an extremely errant throw in the end zone. The decision to stick with Robinette was one that seemed to be the right choice — especially with last year’s game against Tennessee in mind.

Though McCrary’s interception seemed to be a game changer, McGaster came up big again with an interception that stood.

Already in Tennessee territory, Robinette led the offense only six yards, but a Tommy Openshaw 36-yard field goal put the Commodores within a touchdown. A three-andout for Tennessee, highlighted by an Adam Butler sack, on the following drive gave Vanderbilt the ball on their own 12-yard line.

With a long field ahead, Robinette looked much more confident in the pocket than

he had on past drives. In only nine plays, Robinette led the offense on an 88-yard drive to tie the game at 10-10. He found a wide open Steven Scheu for a 36-yard touchdown, which finally gave Vanderbilt the score they so desperately needed.

The ensuing kickoff gave Tennessee the ball at their own 6-yard line. However, Dobbs led the offense 94 yards down the field, capitalizing on a third down defensive pass interference in the end zone. With 1:29 left in the half, Tennessee took back the lead and the crowd.

To start the second half, Darrius Sims muffed the return and gave Vanderbilt the ball at the 9-yard line, which only seemed to foreshadow how the game would end. On Vanderbilt’s next drive, Robinette was picked off after the play was reviewed. Tennessee took this turnover and turned it into points, taking a 14-point lead late into the quarter.

Vanderbilt seemed to be far out of it by this point, but Ralph Webb bulldozed over several Volunteer defenders and into the end zone to cut the lead to seven on the following drive.

McGaster intercepted Dobbs for the second time, but Robinette reciprocated the action only two plays later, and the Commodores struggled throughout the fourth quarter. On their final drive, with just more than 20 seconds left, Robinette’s pass sailed just out of reach of Trey Wilkins, and Tennessee took back the state.

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Quarterback Patton Robinette (4) walks off the field after failing to convert on fourth down late in the fourth quarter in Saturday’s 24-17 loss to Tennessee.

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Commodores tested in Thanksgiving tournament

By ROBBIE WEINSTEIN Sports reporter --------------------

Vanderbilt’s men’s basketball team traveled to Brooklyn over Thanksgiving break to participate in the Barclays Center Classic. After a disappointing loss to Rutgers on Friday, the Commodores bounced back the next day to defeat LaSalle and finish 1-1 in the tournament. The Commodores got a chance to test themselves against tougher competition — as the BCC represented a major step up from what had been the seventh-weakest schedule in college basketball through the Commodores’ first four games.

How it happened Vanderbilt opened the BCC against a Rutgers team that was unanimously selected to finish last in the Big Ten in the conference’s preseason media poll. In what should have been an easy win, the Commodores held Rutgers to 39 percent shooting while

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Forward Luke Kornet dribbles the ball up the court in the 83-56 victory over Trevecca Nazarene. shooting 48 percent themselves, but allowed the Scarlet Knights to rack up 18 offensive rebounds. Vanderbilt’s starting frontcourt finished with a total of only six defensive rebounds, and the Commodores’ young backcourt intermittently struggled to defend Rutgers star Myles Mack. The result was a 68-65 loss after Vandy failed to find Damian Jones in the post down two with 15 seconds left. Jones finished with 23 points.

After a poor performance against Rutgers,

Vanderbilt flashed some of their potential against a solid LaSalle team that had pushed No. 8 Virginia the previous night. Freshman point guard Shelton Mitchell was benched in favor of fellow freshman Wade Baldwin IV, and Damian Jones dominated once again with 16 points and seven rebounds. Vanderbilt held a 10-point lead at halftime, and Riley LaChance scored all 14 of his points in the second half as Vanderbilt controlled much of the game.

WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 3, 2014

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What it means As far as Vanderbilt’s postseason chances go, the loss to Rutgers likely will look worse and worse as the season goes on and the Scarlet Knights pile up losses in the Big Ten. The loss also deprived the Commodores of a boost in strength of schedule that a matchup with Virginia would have provided. Vanderbilt’s weak non-conference schedule will become a major albatross if the Commodores are able to stay in contention for an NCAA at-large bid late into the SEC schedule. Vandy will have to eliminate poor performances like that against Rutgers if they hope to approach the 20-win mark, and much greater consistency will be needed if the Commodores are to get anywhere near an at-large bid.

Damian Jones continues to play at a much higher level than any other player on the Commodores’ roster, although sophomore forward Luke Kornet continued his great start to the year offensively. Jones’ performance in Brooklyn against teams of legitimate size suggests that his early dominance this season may be here to stay. The sophomore center has shown increased awareness on both ends of the court this year and as a result has increased his assists and steals per game by considerable amounts. Jones has shown a much more fluid stroke at the free throw line, shooting 65 percent from the stripe compared to 55 percent last year.

Whether Jones can maintain his impressive statistics for a full season remains to be seen, but if he is able to do so, Jones has a great chance to be recognized as a top-10 NBA prospect by the end of his sophomore year.

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WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 3, 2014

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