The Vanderbilt Hustler 9-17-14

vanderbilthustler WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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VOL. 126, ISS. 22

Turn lights up the

From selfies to hit singles, Lights on the Lawn returns to campus — with a six-figure goal SEE PAGE 8

OPINION

Bridging the gap Columnist Dalton Autrey weighs in on how fundamental value differences impede dialogue among opposing ideologies PAGE 6

CAMPUS

‘I Am Unbeatable’ Photographer Donna Ferrato’s exhibit ‘I Am Unbeatable,’ which documents issues of domestic violence, debuts at the Vanderbilt Fine Arts Gallery

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SPORTS

COLUMN: Turning a blind eye

An alleged January campus rape raises questions about whether Division I football culture turns a blind eye to the mistreatment of women PAGE 14 BOSLEY JARRETT / THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER

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campus

CAMPUS UPDATE 37.26 tons of cardboard were recycled during the two-week move-in period, which is up 5 percent from 2013 and a new record high. This averages to about 11 pounds for each undergraduate student.

ANDREA GEORGE, DIRECTOR OF THE SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OFFICE

BOSLEY JARRETT / THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER

Art patrons attend the opening of Donna Ferrato’s “I Am Unbeatable” in the Vanderbilt Fine Arts Gallery on Sept. 12, 2014.

Art exhibit on campus tells stories of domestic violence Vanderbilt Fine Arts Gallery’s newest exhibit “I Am Unbeatable — Documenting and Celebrating Stories of Empowerment: Photographs by Donna Ferrato” aims to share the experiences of those who have encountered domestic violence

By ELLEN DEMENT News reporter --------------------

Images of domestic violence survivors will be presented in the Vanderbilt Fine Arts Gallery this semester through its newest exhibit, “I Am Unbeatable — Documenting and Celebrating Stories of Empowerment: Photographs by Donna Ferrato.”

The exhibit is presented in conjunction with the Class of 2018 Commons Reading, “Salvage the Bones,” and is sponsored by several campus resources, including Project Safe and the Curb Center, as well as Thistle Farms, a residential program and social enterprise in Nashville for women who have survived addiction, prostitution and trafficking.

Becca Stevens, chaplain at St. Augustine’s Chapel at Vanderbilt University and founder and director of Thistle Farms, said that art like Ferrato’s plays an integral role in combating sexual assault and domestic violence.

“I’m happy to put our name to it, because I believe the power of both sexual assault and domestic violence lessens as the stories are told. As women reclaim their voices and communities come together, the abusive nature of violence against women lessens. That’s why I’m sponsoring it,” Stevens said.

Ferrato began photographing domestic violence in the 1980s. After witnessing an altercation between a wealthy couple she was photographing, she started an independent

campaign to document domestic violence through photography. Over the next decade, Ferrato visited shelters, police stations and hospitals to capture issues of domestic violence, publishing a book of her photos called “Living with the Enemy” in 1994.

“I Am Unbeatable” shows some of the black and white images from “Living with the Enemy” that mainly portray images of abuse victims. The exhibit also includes newer works of a series entitled “Sarah’s World” that include color images of Sarah Augusta, a survivor of domestic abuse from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In addition to the color images, the exhibit shows a brief documentary telling Sarah’s story.

“We hope to literally give voice to this woman’s struggle to free herself and her children from a life of abuse,” said Joseph Mella, director of the Fine Arts Gallery and curator of “I Am Unbeatable.”

At the opening on Friday, Ferrato expanded on her relationship to Augusta, noting that they have been in contact since Augusta was a teenager. Augusta entered into an abusive relationship when she was 13, having two children by the age of 16. After she left her abuser in her 20s, Augusta reached out to Ferrato. Ferrato moved in with Augusta then, photographing her and her two sons.

“I really believe that if the world could look at women and see what they had gone through and understand their real trauma, and hear their real stories, that we had a chance to change the way people think,” Ferrato said. By photographing women who left their abusers, Ferrato said that she seeks

to empower abused women to do the same.

The Vanderbilt Fine Arts Gallery is the first museum to display Ferrato’s work. Ferrato said that Joseph Mella, the curator of the exhibit, was integral to her deciding to allow Vanderbilt to display these images. “(He was) the first curator who really understood the positive impact that ‘I Am Unbeatable’ can have on the student body of one of the most prestigious universities in the country, Vanderbilt,” Ferrato said.

Stevens said that Vanderbilt’s support for initiatives like “I Am Unbeatable” and Thistle Farms allows the university to “be a light.” “Vanderbilt does not want to be known as a campus that tolerates domestic violence, and sexual violence, in any way. We want to be known as a community that loves women, that respects women and holds them up,” Stevens said.

In conjunction with the exhibit, Thistle Farms will hold a talk and book signing with Sheryl WuDunn, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Half the Sky,” on Oct. 13. It will be held in the Vanderbilt Student Life Center at 5 p.m. The Vanderbilt Fine Arts Gallery will remain open until 5 p.m. for that event.

The gallery, which is free and open to the public, is located in Cohen Memorial Hall, and is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday through Friday, and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. The exhibit will be on display from Sept. 12 to Dec. 4.

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Fall Weekend of Service observes International Day of Peace

By KELLY HALOM News editor --------------------

Originally established in commemoration of 9/11, Vanderbilt’s annual Fall Weekend of Service will be reflecting on global peace this year as it relates to the United Nations’ International Day of Peace.

Programmed by the Office of Active Citizenship and Service (OACS), the Fall Weekend of Service falls on the same weekend as the International Day of Peace, which was declared by the U.N. General Assembly to be “a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations.”

Erika Larson, program coordinator for OACS, said that this year the office has aimed to think more intentionally about the relationship between 9/11 and the International Day of Peace.

“I think it’s a wonderful new interpretation of the weekend of service,” said Clive Mentzel, director of OACS. “Through service, we are ultimately trying to aim for, as some of our objectives, a peaceful harmonious coexistence with all people.”

Larson said that this year has presented countless conflicts and controversies, citing the challenges faced in Syria and Ferguson among others.

“Far too often, violence seems like the automatic response rather than the last resort, so we’ve been toying with the idea of 11 actions moving towards peace,” Larson said.

In conjunction with various other offices on campus, such as the Vanderbilt Interfaith Council and Vanderbilt International Relations Association, OACS has created a social me-

dia campaign calling students to action to promote peace.

Each day between 9/11 and the International Day of Peace, one office has promoted an action moving toward peace on Facebook.

This campaign will culminate in the International Day of Peace reflection session, which will be sponsored by OACS. The event will take place on The Commons Center South Patio from 4 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Part of the event will be spent reflecting on the service done over the weekend and will also include a talk given by Linda Ragsdale, a peace educator who runs the Nashville-based nonprofit The Peace Dragon.

Students will also reflect on what they can do to contribute to a more peaceful society.

Nearly 30 campus groups have organized service projects this weekend, and Larson predicts that 200-400 students will take part in the Fall Weekend of Service.

“The weekend of service is a catalyst for many folk to kind of get into service and to experience service, and for folk who have been supportive for a long time to continue doing that as well,” Mentzel said.

He said that OACS is continuously striving to connect the needs of the community with the needs of students.

“We are a conduit. We literally are a service and we ought to be a central service for students, faculty and staff, and the community. So if the community has a need, they ought to bring it here, and if you want to do service and you don’t know where you want to do service, you ought to be able to come here,” Mentzel said.

For more information about the Fall Weekend of Service or to sign up for a service project, visit: http://www.vanderbilt. edu/oacs.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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AROUND CAMPUS Fall Weekend of Service site leaders reflect on service “We get out into the community and we serve ice cream to people who don’t have much to look forward to in their lives, who have been through a lot, and are normally used to people looking at them for what they’re lacking rather than what they have to offer.”

-Stephanie Kipniss, HOME “I think that we are called to love our neighbor and that that’s both a local and a global thing and that we have a responsibility to care for our neighbor when we have something that they don’t have.” -Charlotte Gill, Blood: Water Mission “I just think it’s a great way to improve reasoning and planning and problem-solving. It’s a very good thing for these kids to be learning and I enjoy the game itself, and so I enjoy teaching it. And it feels good to give back, like other people did for me.” -Bren Davis, Chess Matters “We just spend time with the veterans that are there. A lot of people who are patients, they don’t have their family there, they come in from other states and other cities. Some of them are older, some of them have injuries that don’t allow them to leave the hospital and they don’t get to see a lot of people. They really enjoy it when we just come in and listen.” -Shae Earl, Are You M.A.D.?

—Interviews by Alex Griffin and Gabrielle Timm

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CAMPUS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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WATTER FOR SAHEL

Senior Anna Watt carries a large yellow diesel can around campus, raising funds to bring clean water to the Sahel region of Africa BOSLEY JARRETT/ THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER

Senior Anna Watt carries a 50-pound jerrycan to raise awareness for global water scarcity. A jerrycan is a fuel container used by many people in developing countries to collect water.

many people are living in that community,” Watt said.

According to Watt, charity: water also has local partners to build and maintain its water projects. Domestic members of the charity: water team then manage relationships with these international partners and make regular trips to the region to track progress.

“The actual implementation is done by people who are experts in how to do it best, so in that way charity: water exists to help people help other people,” Watt said.

One of charity: water’s main goals is to never objectify the people it is serving. Members attempt to publicize the life-changing power of bringing water rather than the destitution and hardship that precede this need, according to Watt.

“We always talk about internally communicating opportunity, not guilt,” Watt said.

“My goal with this has not been to make all of Vanderbilt sad and feel so sorry for these people … I wanted it to be something that I could share with people (to show) the incredible potential there is here to really change things.”

Both charity: water and Watt have used social media to promote the water crisis as a solvable problem that can be exciting to combat. In order to generate buzz for her fundraiser, Watt has used Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For instance, Watt posted a picture of herself sitting at a table in her kitchen across from her jerrycan as if on a date with it, and during her second week carrying the can she posted live updates of what she and her jerrycan were doing, from attending class to going to meetings.

Watt said that her attention to social media is a reflection of the communication strategies used by charity: water. According to Watt, charity: water does all of its marketing online; it was the first nonprofit to reach 1 million Twitter followers and the first nonprofit to be on Instagram.

Watt said that one of charity: water’s mantras is “The craziest thing you can do is nothing,” promoting the idea that in light of the reality of the issue, the craziest thing one could do is sit and let it happen.

“Throughout this campaign, there have been times where I have felt absolutely crazy,” Watt said. “Why in the world did I decide it was a good idea to carry a 50-pound jug everywhere I go? But I’m happy to look crazy if it gets people talking and if it gets people engaged in this issue.”

The website associated with Watt’s cause is http://my.charitywater.org/watter.

having to collect water and come home, which then takes away time they could be investing in their kids or starting their own businesses.” charity: water has existed for eight years and has helped 4.4 million people in 22 countries, according to its website. The organization launches a new campaign every September, focusing on a different region of the world. This year’s project aims to bring water to Mali and Niger in an area called the Sahel region, which is just south of the Sahara desert. According to Watt, the average temperature in this region is 110 degrees, and the land is extremely barren. “(The water crisis) affects safety for people collecting the water, sanitation, opportunity to do other kinds of work; it affects economic growth,” Watt said. “Just every aspect of their development is tied back to the water issue.”

Watt is attempting to raise $10,000 for her campaign in order to help a community in the Sahel region. She is about halfway to her goal and notes that she has received a very

positive response from the student body as she carried her jerrycan around campus.

“It’s been extremely exciting and extremely encouraging to see how people have responded to it,” Watt said. “People I don’t know stop and ask if they can carry it and want to know what I’m doing. I explain the charity: water story to people, and people have been very excited to be involved.”

Watt said that she believes charity: water is a unique and worthy cause because of the three main tenets on which it acts: the 100 percent model, transparency and the use of local partners. charity: water’s 100 percent model refers to the fact that 100 percent of donations go toward the cause for which they were donated.

Transparency is also integral to charity: water’s mission, according to Watt, as the organization proves every water project it takes part in by using photos and GPS coordinates on Google Maps.

“When the project has been implemented, donors get a report back with pictures of the project and information about exactly how

800 million

3.6%

2,282

40 billion

people worldwide do not have access to clean water

of the global disease burden can be prevented by improving water supply, sanitation and hygiene

people have started campaigns through charity: water to raise money for the Sahel region

hours every day are spent by people in Africa walking to collect water

By ZOE SHANCER News reporter --------------------

Carrying a large yellow plastic diesel can around campus, senior Anna Watt has spent the month of September bringing attention to worldwide water scarcity. Weighing 50 pounds when filled with water, Watt’s jug is a jerrycan, a container used by people in developing countries to collect water.

Through this demonstration, senior Anna Watt is raising money for “charity: water,” a nonprofit organization for which she interned this summer in New York City.

According to Watt, charity: water aims to help end the global water crisis — the fact that one in nine people, approximately 800 million people worldwide, don’t have access to clean water.

“It’s an issue that affects women particularly because it’s considered a woman’s job to collect water,” Watt said. “So women spend hours and hours a day, often alone,

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

opinion

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Considering for a moment that those we disagree with are not somehow crazy, or ignorant, or callous — and that they may have some genuine morals at stake — opens up the potential for mutual understanding.”

DALTON AUTREY

Bridging the gap Humility and empathy may be the keys to social and political compromise

T DALTON AUTREY is a senior in the College of Arts and Science. He can be reached at dalton.h.autrey@ vanderbilt.edu.

his is not in reaction to anything that has happened at Vanderbilt recently. No, it’s much larger than that. There’s simply too much incivility and too little common decency in our political discussions. Too often we find ourselves thinking that the other side is hateful or intolerant, too blind to see the full measure of their actions and beliefs. Even those who claim to be tolerant of or open to other worldviews often really mean only those similar to their own. We all know the stereotypes: Liberals tend to think of conservatives as bigoted, closedminded authoritarians. On the other hand, conservatives liken liberals to immoral, chaotic bleeding hearts and hippies. Clearly these — like all other stereotypes — get in the way

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

of meaningful discussion, but I’d like to suggest that a more insidious problem beyond the generalizations themselves is at the root of the issue.

Last year, Professor Jonathan Haidt, author of “The Righteous Mind,” delivered a speech on that book in the Benton Chapel. The central thesis asserts that descriptively, conservatives and liberals have different moral foundations, and that normatively, we ought to try to bridge the gap empathetically to understand what values are at stake for those on the other pole. Haidt and his colleagues have identified five key moral foundations: care, fairness, loyalty, authority and sanctity. Research conducted indicated that while liberals prioritized the first two (and put very little stock in

the others) in the series, conservatives held each of the five in relatively equal regard. These findings are not merely interesting from a pure speculative nature or valuable for their explanatory power — they provide crucial hints as to how we should discuss politics with those whose views disagree with ours.

Without summarizing the book — which I highly recommend you read — we should be able to at least imagine the tremendous value of this insight. Considering for a moment that those we disagree with are not somehow crazy, or ignorant, or callous — and that they may have some genuine morals at stake — opens up the potential for mutual understanding. One would think that I’m stating the obvious, but any

The Vanderbilt Hustler Opinion page aims to stimulate discussion in the Vanderbilt community. In that spirit, columnists, guest columnists and authors of letters to the editor are expected to provide logical argument to back their views. Unreasonable arguments, arguments in bad faith or arguments in vain between columnists have no place in The Hustler and will not be published. The Hustler welcomes reader viewpoints and offers three methods of expression: letters to the editor, guest columns and feedback on vanderbilthustler.com.

The views expressed in lead editorials reflect the majority of opinion among The Hustler’s editorial board and may be supposed to represent the opinion of The Vanderbilt Hustler at the time of publication. They are not necessarily representative of any individual member.

Letters must be submitted either in person by the author to The Hustler office or via email to opinion@vanderbilthustler.com. Letters via email should come from a Vanderbilt email address where the identity of the sender is clear. With rare exception, all letters must be received by 2 p.m. on the Sunday prior to publication. The editor

look at social media or participation in a conversation about these sensitive subjects reveals that we are not behaving this way at all. Yet, a little humility and empathy may open up new solutions that pay deference to the moral concerns of each side; at the least, they can bring about more understanding and humanity.

Applying this in practice takes time to adjust. Given that what’s at stake are the livelihoods of others, the wellbeing of the entire society and, for many, even good or evil, it’s no surprise that emotions get inflamed when disagreements occur.

For many individuals, such solutions or approaches to political subjects deeply resonate with that person’s sense of identity and purpose. Indeed, it is because of the inarguable attachment to and value of these beliefs that a proper, empathetic approach is invaluable. Let’s admit it, though: Too often in political discourse, we are simply lying in wait, looking for any gap in logic (or simply in how they word it) in order to beat down the other person’s belief. We frankly care more that we are right than what values are at stake for them. We all too conveniently forget that, like us, they have the best in mind for society and its individuals.

The next time you talk politics with someone who does not share your beliefs and attitudes, consider not only what they believe, but why it matters to them. Very often you will find that, even if it does not sway your ultimate opinion, there is something they value that your belief may not take due consideration of.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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The ugly head of bigotry Religious intolerance made an appearance on Wednesday night in D.C.

S

HILLARY ROSENJACK is a senior in the College of Arts and Science. She can be reached at hillary.a.rosenjack@ vanderbilt.edu.

enator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) was booed off stage at a sold-out gala after making comments about how Middle Eastern Christians have no greater ally than Israel. The conference included representatives from countries around the Middle East where violence against religious minorities is rampant.

According to a conference attendee, Ted Cruz had heard that the audience included a wide array from more than 10 different countries and included Hezbollah supporters and others with antiSemitic views. Knowing such, he wanted to make a point, and he seemed to be trying to expose the true nature of the conference hosts.

He started his speech by saying, “Tonight we are all united in defense of Christians. Tonight we are all united in defense of Jews. Tonight we are all united in defense of people of good faith who are standing together against those who would persecute and murder those who dare to disagree with their religious teachings.”

The Daily Caller reports that Cruz, ignoring those calling for him to leave, emphatically stated that “those who hate Jews hate Christians.

If those in this room will not recognize that, then my heart weeps. If you hate the Jewish people,

you are not reflecting the teachings of Christ. And the very same people who persecute and murder Christians right now, who crucify Christians, who behead children, are the very same people who target Jews for their faith, for the same reason.”

Yes, Israel is a powerful nation, much more powerful than vulnerable religious minorities forced to leave their homes for fear of torture and death.

Cruz himself commented after the event that Americans have been far too silent on the plight of these persecuted peoples. Wouldn’t it be reasonable to say, however, that the declaration of ISIS to “kill the barbaric Jews” along with the constant threat of Hezbollah to the north and Hamas to the south, both of whom hold a deep desire to destroy Israel, create a constant state of fear that deserves just as much support?

The vocal minority of Christians at the conference expressed their distaste for Cruz’s comments, and the left has made strong accusations as well. In a post on the Maddow Blog, Steve Benen claimed that Ted Cruz’s actions were insensitive and self-serving, meant to boost his pro-Israel stance at the expense of the Middle Eastern Christians at the conference. Did he ever think to point out that the work of bigotry, anti-Semitism and

refusal to see the plight of others are the epitome of insensitivity and self-service?

As Cruz said, “Religious bigotry is a cancer with many manifestations. ISIS, al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas and their state sponsors like Syria and Iran, are all engaged in a vicious genocidal campaign to destroy religious minorities in the Middle East.” We could take a lesson from Senator Cruz, regardless of political affiliation. Persecuted Christians in the Middle East deserve our support.

The horrors they are facing are absolutely uncalled for, and the reasonings for the attacks stem from hatred and religious intolerance. No one, regardless of their convictions, should experience such constant fear and violence. We have turned a deaf ear to these people for far too long, and we should rejoice that they are now being heard. If you are going to support them, however, refrain from bigoted actions and opinions opposed to the teachings of Christ. Relief for one group should not come at the expense of other persecuted peoples, especially not with the toxic voice of antiSemitism.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

life

GUEST LETTER

All of the lights on the lawn A message from Joseph Holmes and Collin Labak, Lights on the Lawn co-chairs What began as a creative measure to help provide the means for a Vanderbilt student who had been tragically injured to return to campus, the Lights on the Lawn concert has evolved into a major programming event on Vanderbilt’s campus. While the initial concert achieved its goal three years ago, the event continues to seek ways in which to educate the Vanderbilt community as well as stay true to its philanthropic roots to give back to the local Nashville community.

The goal of Lights on the Lawn has always been to put forth a great show for a fantastic cause. Last year, the second annual Lights on the Lawn dedicated its funds to the Mary Parrish Center, a nonprofit organization that provides two years of living accommodations and therapeutic support to survivors — and their family members — who are victims of sexual and domestic violence. Upon adopting the event as an IFC community philanthropic event in fall 2013, the leadership of the IFC community committed to maintain a partnership with the Mary Parrish Center. Last year, the benefit concert raised more than $55,000, enough financial support to cover rent costs for its tenants for a full year. This year we hope to double that number. The goal is to raise enough money to enable the director of the Mary Parrish Center, Valerie Wynn, to put a down payment toward the purchase of the property so that we may help in ensuring the safety of its tenants for many years to come.

We, men of the Vanderbilt Greek community, with the support of the Vanderbilt Programming Board (VPB) and Vanderbilt Student Government (VSG), believe wholeheartedly in raising awareness in the Vanderbilt community about power-based personal violence. We hope that Lights on the Lawn not only signifies our commitment to improving the treatment of women on this campus and in the surrounding community but also promotes the education of others about this issue that in some way affects each and every one of us. This is our driving purpose in building the relationship between ourselves and the Mary Parrish Center; this partnership cuts to the roots of the conviction that we, men of the Greek community, care about the issue of domestic and sexual violence because we have a great deal of respect for every individual in our community. We hope that Lights on the Lawn can be an impetus of change for how our campus views sexual and domestic violence. We hope you will support us in this effort.

The Lights on the Lawn 2014 concert is an event open to all Vanderbilt students, faculty and staff as well as members of the local Nashville community. The concert will be located on Alumni Lawn on Friday, Sept. 19 and will feature The Chainsmokers and Sound Remedy. We look forward to having the student body out on Alumni Lawn for what looks to be not only a great concert but a great step toward combating domestic and sexual violence.

specialfea

Lights on the

The third annual benefit concert engages d

Q&Awith Lights’ s JULIA COLE

JAMES TATUM / THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER

STUDENT REACTIONS TO THE LINEUP

‘‘

To be honest, I only recognize The Chainsmokers, but I’m still going. It’s gonna be fun.

’’

—Amna Asad, first-year

By MATT LIEBERSON

Vanderb Michael Music ab Vanderbilt Hustler: What have you been working on recently? songwri doing to Julia Cole: I am at the studio right now actually, over in Bellevue. I’m writing with Chuck Cannon and Lari White, who have excited t worked with people like Toby Keith. We’ve been working on producing a new EP that we wrote over the summer, doing pre- VH: How production. I also had two singles that recently went on iTunes, especial MP: It fe “Bad Influence” and “Sweetheart.” That’s been really exciting. to play, e started a VH: How does it feel to be playing something of this scale at Raskin, s Vandy?

JC: It’s definitely fun to combine my student life with my music started i world. I rarely get to combine the two, and it’s often really sepa- for a cau rate since music can take me off campus sometimes. It’s always Center t exciting to play on campus for the student body.

VH: How MP: Ted VH:What’s your set looking like for LOTL in particular? and I thi JC: I’ll be playing for about an hour. It’s gonna be mostly originals and a few covers, and I have a full band. Michael (Pollack) a lot of f together is coming on for a few songs in the middle of the set. It should so he wa be a lot of fun to play with him. killer. He VH:Have you ever opened for somebody like The ChainsmokVH: Hav ers?

JC: I’ve opened for a lot of people, but it’s usually not someone MP: Not time tog like techno-dance. I’m hoping to play their remixes of songs of the se just in transition between sets, but I’m really excited. I haven’t some co opened for anyone like them before.

Asst. life editor --------------------

‘‘

I don’t really know much about the lineup.

I know Chainsmokers’ one song. I really just like to go for the experience of it and because it goes to a good cause.

—Gaby Newell, junior

’’

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

ature

e Lawn 2014

different facets of the student body

Luke Moretti returns to Vanderbilt after Lights on the Lawn 2012 raised money for the rehabilitation equipment he needed in Nashville.

student openers

bilt Hustler: What have you been working on recently? l Pollack: I just signed a deal with Warner/Chappell bout three or four weeks ago. I have been doing a lot of iting so I can go record with them soon. I haven’t been oo much performing though because of that, so I’m to get back on stage.

Lights guide Moretti home

MICHAEL POLLACK

Life reporter --------------------

w did you and Julia connect for the opening set? ddy Nass, who is running the event this year, asked Julia is summer if we would do it. He knew we both have friends and fans on campus, so he wanted us to put r something to open the show. We only have an hour, anted to see if we could do something together. She’s er voice is awesome. It’s gonna be a really cool set.

ve you ever played with Julia before? t until last week when we rehearsed. This’ll be our first gether. I’m coming on for a few songs in the middle et. We’re gonna do some originals, but we want to do overs to get people to sing along.

‘‘

’’

—Colleen Gruendel, first-year

After the success of the inaugural Lights on the Lawn, the original benefactor Luke Moretti returns to Vanderbilt

By ANNA BUTRICO

w does it feel to play something this big at Vanderbilt, lly with the ties to your fraternity? eels great. I’m excited to get in front of the campus especially at an event like Lights on the Lawn. It was a few years ago by one of my fraternity brothers, Teddy so to be involved with something that someone I know is great. It’s always good to see the campus get together use, especially such a good one like the Mary Parrish this year.

I don’t really know any of the bands playing, but it sounds good.

BOSLEY JARRETT / THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER

DANIEL DUBOIS / VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY

‘‘

I think it’s great.

I’m pretty excited about The Chainsmokers; they’ve really broke through over the summer.

—Eric Reilly, junior

’’

BOSLEY JARRETT / THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER

Without Lights on the Lawn 2012, now-junior Luke Moretti would not be at Vanderbilt today.

Just a few months prior, Moretti’s main preoccupations were picking a major — he decided on neuroscience — playing club soccer and pledging his fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi. However, when a diving accident in April of that year left him paralyzed, he found that Nashville lacked the rehabilitation equipment he needed — a problem that prompted other students to organize the inaugural Lights on the Lawn benefit concert.

“I just wouldn’t be able to come back here because there wasn’t any rehab facility in the area,” Moretti said. “I would’ve been forced to maybe go to school more locally and do rehab back near home (in Scarsdale, New York). Without Lights on the Lawn I wouldn’t be able to do rehab here.”

Moretti, who is “age-wise a senior, but class-wise a junior,” took a year off after his accident to focus on rehabilitation, specifically the improvement and revival of his motor skills. The funds raised through Lights on the Lawn 2012 were enough to buy supplemental equipment to assist in his therapy at the Bill Wilkerson Center, which allowed him to return to Nashville in 2013 to finish his education at Vanderbilt. Now that he’s back on campus, Moretti is able to concentrate on both therapy and education. “School is a priority, but rehab is the No. 1 priority,” he said.

“We were going to go initially for a treadmill … but we got an RT300 leg bike, which basically is a stim bike which you can ride and put the stim on and it moves the legs,” Moretti said.

Thanks to these machines, Moretti reports great progress in his rehabilitation. “I’ve actually progressed enough that I can walk without any of that harness-based treadmill. I’m just using a walker at therapy now and am trying to increase my distance, and increase my speed,” he said.

Moretti was excited about returning to Vanderbilt, but there was some anxiousness as to the logistics of navigating campus. “It’s been great to be back. It was a little bit of worry to return; you know, maybe things wouldn’t work out. But not one thing has gone wrong,” he said.

Even now, reflecting on the success of the concert, Moretti is surprised. “I don’t think that anyone thought (Lights on the Lawn) would turn out as well as it did, but that was unbelievable,” he said.

“I think it’s great. Any type of fundraiser that gets this big is obviously great. I’m glad that it could’ve started around me, but I like that it built into something more.”

This year’s Lights on the Lawn concert will be held on Sept. 19. Proceeds will benefit the Mary Parrish Center and MPC Transitional (Therapeutic) Housing Program.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

LIFE

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Tavern

The Hustler's picks

Located just beyond campus in Midtown, Tavern has long been synonymous with brunch, but its savory choices are good options for lunch and dinner as well. Part of the MStreet Entertainment Group that has also produced Virago and Whiskey Kitchen, Tavern presents a variety of cuisines, ranging from international dishes to gourmet comfort food, so there are options for everyone. The interior of the restaurant, at once open and secluded, pleasantly balances a modern and retro feel — combining a decor of fairy lights, vintage signs and photographs with metal and brick walls. It also boasts large TV screens and a spacious bar fit for any sports enthusiast.

Cheeseburgers

Celebrate National Cheeseburger Day on Thursday, Sept.

18 with The Hustler’s favorite takes on this tried and true classic By Karen Sova, Life reporter Burger Republic

With a top 50 national burger rating from Zagat, Burger Republic is no stranger to hype. In fact, the original Burger Republic, located in Lenox Village, acquired so many accolades that its owners decided to open this location in the Gulch. At the entrance, the restaurant exudes simplicity with a logo that features a fist gripping a burger and the slogan “defend quality,” which is prominently declared throughout the restaurant. This eatery keeps it simple in terms of its focus — burgers, shakes and beers.

You will, however, find an array of appetizers and several salads as well.

Though burgers occupy most of the menu, you will have a variety to choose from due to the inventive accoutrements, ranging from indulgent to classic. Drink enthusiasts will be happy to find more than 20 beers on tap and a selection of hand-spun, spiked milkshakes.

Hustler’s pick: the Tennessee Burger. This burger, which secured the Zagat rating, combines sweet and savory flavors with a soft and crunchy texture. Nestled in a brioche bun, this Jack Daniel’s honey-glazed, black Angus beef patty is grilled to perfection and topped with a smorgasbord of fixings that include smoked ketchup, American cheese, maple-basted Benton’s bacon and crispy onions. Skip the fries on the side and opt for the specialty tater tots instead.

Hustler’s pick: the Tavern Burger. Made with beef rib eye and filet and served on a meltaway bun with traditional garnishes, this burger is the perfected version of a simple classic. To celebrate National Cheeseburger Day, opt to add the ever-so-patriotic American cheese, and even though they’re billed as “Belgian” fries, Tavern’s thinly sliced potatoes are perfect to finish things off.

Hermitage Cafe

Photos by KAREN SOVA THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER

Situated just south of downtown, the Hermitage Cafe offers your traditional diner fare with a side of Americana and service as sweet as its iced tea.

This no-frills, cash-only cafe occupies a small unassuming white building, serving up food between the odd hours of 10 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., making it the perfect spot for post-bar munchies. The establishment’s classic look is solidified with dozens of signed photos of long-forgotten musicians lining the wall, which is also where you will find the menu and illustrations of ‘50s movie stars. You can seat yourself at one of the handful of tables or at the counter, which will afford you a view of the cooks flipping patties and eggs on their flat-top grill.

Hustler’s pick: the Cheeseburger. Served for just $2.50, this quintessential version of the American classic comes simply garnished with American cheese, iceberg lettuce, tomato slices, pickles and grilled onions on a white bun, perfectly proportioned for lunch or a late-night snack. If you’re looking for bells and whistles, this isn’t the place, but you will find some of the best downhome cooking and most charming service in town.

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5 party essentials for your year on Greek Row

Now that everyone’s welcome to revel in the themes that take over fraternity houses each weekend, here are a few essential items to tone down the difficulty of dressing up By Priyanka Aribindi, Life editor

1.

A fracket.

The parties here don’t stop because the temperature drops, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer from the cold on your trek to Greek Row. Enter the “frat-jacket.” Bundle up in a cheap but distinctive jacket or zip-up for your walk or Vandy Van wait, and find a hiding spot at your final destination to stash it until you head back home.

2.

Sneakers.

3.

American anything.

These sneakers should be a lot of things, but nice is definitely not one of them. Make sure they’re comfortable, worn with socks if you’re blister-prone and/or into hygiene, cheap and preferably dark in color, because after a few minutes on a frat dance floor, they won’t look the same as they did at the beginning of the night. As tempting as open-toed shoes might be on the warmer weekends, just remember how much you like having 10 toenails.

If there’s something that every fraternity can agree on, it’s most definitely the “America” theme. None of them could go an entire year without an event centered on American patriotism, and why would they want to — attendance is basically your civic duty. Investing in something red, white and blue, star-spangled or otherwise unmistakably American is never a bad idea, especially considering that there’s a use for them at least every two or three weekends.

SYLVANA LEWIN/ THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER

4.

A hair tie.

5.

A fanny pack.

Doesn’t matter how cold it is outside — with fraternity houses the size they are at Vanderbilt, body heat gets even the most dismal party feeling toasty pretty quickly. Ladies (and gentlemen?) can stay cool with an impromptu updo — just make sure you don’t take wearing a ponytail to mean that you’re now allowed to whip it back and forth.

We’ve all done it — gone into a party with a phone and Commodore Card in hand, only to find five minutes later that the two are nowhere to be found.

Open pockets aren’t the most conducive to keeping things on your person, and with leggings season approaching, we won’t even have the benefit of those for much longer. Grab a fanny pack in neon or camo, and chances are you’re good to go for at least one of the night’s themes.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

sports SEC POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 3 Each week, I rank the teams in the SEC 1-14. This week, South Carolina puts the SEC East back up for grabs, teams 7-12 are more or less interchangeable and Derek Mason (barely) gets his first win.

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

1. No. 3 Alabama The Crimson Tide continued to roll this week against Southern Miss.

Nick Saban’s team looks good heading into its first SEC matchup next week against Florida.

THE BIG STAT Number of true and redshirt freshmen who have appeared for Vanderbilt in football games this season, the most for any Division I team

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COLUMN

Signs of progress in sloppy win

2. No. 5 Auburn With the Georgia loss, Auburn moves back up to #2 after a bye week.

3. No. 6 Texas A&M Far away from Atlantic City, New Jersey in College Station, Texas, it was Rice that took the beating on Saturday. It’s still early, and the Aggies certainly have issues on defense, but what if A&M won the SEC with Kenny Hill? What if this year’s team makes it further than it ever did with Johnny Football at the helm? These are the kinds of lofty questions that make college football season such a joy to watch, and I for one can’t wait to see what happens.

4. No. 8 LSU The Tigers shut down LouisianaMonroe in a 31-point shutout as Les Miles continues to find ways to win using a conservative offense behind a stellar defense that has only allowed points in one of its three games thus far.

5. No. 13 Georgia Every year I watch Georgia-South Carolina hoping that the Crazy Georgia Fan will make another appearance (look him up on YouTube if you don’t know what I’m referring to). I didn’t see him this year, but I know that, wherever he was Saturday, he was painted from head to toe in white, cheering on the Dawgs and cursing Spurrier’s name.

6. No. 14 South Carolina It would be Spurrier, though, who had the last laugh in this year’s showdown between the Gamecocks and the Bulldogs. Behind a strong performance by quarterback Dylan Thompson and a late goal-line stand, South Carolina put itself right back in the hunt for the SEC East title following lackluster showings in its first two games. I still give the slight edge to Georgia in the overall power rankings though.

PHOTO BY BOSLEY JARRETT / THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER

Redshirt freshman linebacker Jonathan Wynn (49) celebrates a defensive score during the game against UMass at Dudley Field. The Commodores came back to defeat the Minutemen 34-31.

Mason understands the strengths and weaknesses of his new team, shows confidence in the right players

By PATRICK BURR Sports reporter --------------------

In the past two seasons, the matchups against the University of Massachusetts Minutemen have provided the Commodores a welcome distraction from the exacting demands of a potent SEC schedule; the Commodores’ on-field performance for much of Saturday’s game, however, confirmed that dominating one of college football’s perennial cellar-dwellers at Vanderbilt Stadium is a task that, at present, proves easier dreamed than done. At times, the team appeared simultaneously hapless and hopeless in its efforts to halt the UMass charge, pressing spectators into deep thought as to whether the program’s recent bowl wins — earned by a group capable of playing with vigor, vim and consistency — all belonged to some dangerous phantasmagoria, from which the collective fanbase had only just awoken.

Yet Derek Mason’s men resurrected themselves from the ashes of a ruinous first 45 minutes, and, on the heels of a dominant fourth quarter, emerged victorious from Saturday’s barnburner.

“We created opportunities for ourselves and gave ourselves opportunities to win,” Coach Mason said. “I saw a lot of will and desire from the team today. When things didn't go well, they fought.”

The final frame certainly imbued the downtrodden team and its suffering supporters with a newfound optimism. The defense, short-staffed in the absence of co-captain Kyle Woestmann, who was removed from the game after a firstquarter injury, and nose tackle Vince Taylor, who experienced a knee problem during warmups, nevertheless brought the UMass attack to its knees, forcing three successive three-and-outs, one of which ended in a blocked punt that outside linebacker Stephen Weatherly returned for a touchdown.

Later, wide receiver CJ Duncan’s acrobatic catch set up running back Ralph Webb’s game-winning, four-yard touchdown run — a fitting cap to his 26-carry, 116-yard performance.

“I’d say it was a good day,” Webb said.

Through his dependence on redshirt freshman Webb, Mason strongly implied the primacy of his offense’s run game over its aerial threat — though trailing for most of the game, forty of the team’s 63 offensive snaps were rushes. In his postgame press

conference, he relayed as much: “Even when everyone wants us to throw, we needed to stick with our plan (of running the ball), and it paid dividends for us,” he intoned in his trademark, barking whisper.

Patton Robinette, who reestablished himself at quarterback after unceremoniously losing the job in the season opener against Temple, accounted for six of those carries, on which he gained 35 yards and scored a touchdown.

“I like (running the ball),” he said. “It gets me in the flow of the game.” This hardnosed strategy allowed Vanderbilt to keep possession for more than 17 minutes in the first half, despite never holding a lead.

But the day did not pass without giving birth to myriad questions: One particularly has to wonder at the burning of Wade Freebeck’s redshirt eligibility — though thanks to Robinette’s spirited ascendance back into the starting role, it could end up a small blight on an otherwise-inspiring day.

If, however, the redshirt sophomore falters, the decision to start the true freshman looks suspect at best; why would a program preparing for a healthy future potentially waste a year of stability at the most influential position on the field?

Looking beyond speculative frustrations, though, and focusing on the meritocratic manner in which Robinette regained his spot under center, provides the fans with valuable insight into the Mason-era model of success.

THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER ◆ WWW.VANDERBILTHUSTLER.COM While his predecessor relied on electricity and a gift of gab to jumpstart a talented group of veterans, Mason, a first-year coach with many first-year players thrust into starting roles, tends to take a more grounded, metered tack.

Importantly, Mason acknowledges the significance of now, while noting the necessary requirements of any developmental process. “(Wins) are tough to come by,” he said after Saturday’s hard-fought triumph.

“These guys grew up today.”

If the two coaches were stocks, Franklin would profile as volatile; Mason, however, represents the coveted, yet sometimes too-quickly judged long-term investment.

A steady approach naturally opens itself up to more scrutiny than a wild and careening one, based simply on the longer time frame needed for it to bear fruit. There is, of course, no substitute for an immediate mark in the wins column, but on which would you rather stake the legacy of your program?

For a prosperous example of this approach, look no further than Duke’s David Cutcliffe. At Ole Miss and Tennessee, respectively, he reared Eli and Peyton Manning, yet it took six years of hard work for his Blue Devils to win more than three conference games, six full years to right a ship rife with holes, leaking from years of disgrace.

Similar to Cutcliffe, Mason mentored a Super Bowl Champion, Richard Sherman, during his time at Stanford; the outspoken Seahawks cornerback recently told The Tennessean that Mason “taught (him) how to play the game.”

The Vanderbilt program, some seem to forget, sat in as dire a situation as Duke’s quite recently. In 2011, Franklin’s first year, the Commodores finished the regular

season at 6-6 — a notable achievement, in that it represented the school’s second Bowl appearance since 1982. This was done, however, with the services of five players who are currently or have recently been on an NFL roster, players whom he did not recruit.

So as you take your respective seat in the horseshoe-shaped bleachers around Vanderbilt Stadium, remember that though this year’s struggles may be difficult to endure, the long-term aims of a burgeoning college football powerhouse are nevertheless being served.

The exodus of an accomplished graduating class and the shifting of an entire coaching staff ensured this season would be, comparatively speaking, a lesson in rebuilding.

The feast is not yet on the table, and ugly moments, such as UMass’s fake punt-touchdown, or the 31 points the Commodores allowed in the first 34 minutes, will test the resolve of many as the team develops.

The few tangible positives from this “lean year” may come in small doses, such as a forced turnover against a national powerhouse, or in giftwrapped ineptitude, a la Saturday, when the Minutemen’s pitifully taken 22-yard field goal miss put a weak stamp on Vanderbilt’s first victory of the season. Yet as long as these little triumphs remain noticeably present, all worry and impatience can be taken with a grain of salt. Take comfort in recent examples of loyalty leading to profit, both at Vanderbilt and elsewhere, and have no doubt — the wait for satiety, however long that proves to be, is worth it. The search for success is sometimes a sloppy one — but in the end, the (black and) gold pans out.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

SEC POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 3 CONTINUED 7. No. 10 Ole Miss Ole Miss could easily be ranked higher had it faced stronger competition in its first three games. Regardless, the team remains undefeated. The Rebels cut down on mistakes in their rout of LouisianaLafayette on Saturday. Bo Wallace and the offense look great, and Hugh Freeze has his young defense looking better than ever. Watch out for Ole Miss.

8. No. 18 Mizzou Same story for Mizzou as Ole Miss. The Tigers beat UCF 38-10 and look good, but still have a lot to prove considering their strength of schedule thus far.

9. Florida Props for coming up with the win, but going into triple overtime against Kentucky won’t earn the Gators any style points. Tough to tell so far if 2014 Florida will be more like 2012 or 2013.

10. Mississippi State Redshirt sophomore quarterback Patton Robinette (4) celebrates a score the first half of the game against UMass at Dudley Field. Below, true freshman quarterback Wade Freebeck (12) starts his first career game for the Commodores.

Freebeck was replaced by Robinette at the begining of the second quarter during Vanderbilt’s 34-31 win over UMass at Dudley Field.

Vandy Fanatics aims to create ‘SEC environment’

By ALEC LINDNER News reporter --------------------

One thing separating Vanderbilt from many of its peer institutions is its place in an elite athletics conference — the SEC. Vandy Fanatics, a division of the Vanderbilt Programming Board (VPB), is a studentrun organization with the goal of increasing student attendance and excitement for athletic events.

“It’s really important for people to know that we are trying to create an SEC environment on our campus,” said Vandy Fanatics co-chair Micah Parks.

Vandy Fanatics has been a part of Vanderbilt’s athletic culture for years, but last spring it ramped up efforts to accomplish this goal.

For every home football game, Vandy Fanatics now shuts down all of Kensington Avenue for tailgating, organizing live music, free food and prize giveaways. It is also the organization responsible for distributing student tickets every Friday.

Outside of football, the group focuses on increasing attendance at baseball and basketball games as well as promoting

“spotlight games” for varsity sports with smaller crowds.

Parks said Vandy Fanatics works to promote these sports to keep student enthusiasm for athletics high year-round, since sports like basketball and baseball have far more games. The co-chairs say the organization has achieved much success thus far in this effort.

“Last year, there was a 300 percent (increase) of student attendance at our sporting events,” Parks said. “We had the most card swipes of any student organizations — over 18,000,” added co-chair Casey Musicant.

Vandy Fanatics is one of six committees under VPB, and it works primarily with the athletics marketing department and its director Steve Walsh, who help fund Fanatics events and initiatives. “We have a great relationship with them,” Musicant said.

Vandy Fanatics also sponsored the LP Field tailgate for the Ole Miss football game on Sept. 6. The co-chairs said the game was a particular source of success for Vandy Fanatics.

“Just having all the students together at such a great tailgating experience was something we were proud of,” Musicant

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said.

Accordingly, Vandy Fanatics will try to use that experience as a guide for the future: They have bought 10 tents for use at student tailgates, which they hope to rent out to student organizations for future tailgates. They said reception for these efforts has been positive.

“Since the LP field game we have had — I would say — three times the interest from student orgs in working with us,” Parks said. They hope to capitalize on that excitement to bring the experience of the LP Field tailgate to tailgates on campus.

Vandy Fanatics stresses that its biggest overall goal is to help students get what they want out of Vanderbilt sporting events.

“We are advocating for the students. We are trying to make the ticket distribution easier for them. If they liked the LP Field environment, we are trying to bring that to campus,” Parks said.

Musicant added that they try to be a very open committee.

“We want to work with the students and make their experience as great as it can possibly be,” she said.

Blew out another no-name team, so we still have no idea how legit Mississippi State is.

11. Arkansas It’s hard not to bump up a team like the Razorbacks, who have manhandled every team they have played thus far — this week, beating Texas Tech 49-28 after rushing for seven touchdowns against the Red Raiders. Again, strength of schedule prevents Arkansas from jumping one of the teams above it in the power rankings.

12. Kentucky This is not an unimpressive 2-1 Wildcats football team. They took it to Florida in the Swamp before falling in triple overtime. Kentucky will not be an easy out for the rest of the SEC this year.

13. Tennessee Gotta love how ESPN promoted Tennessee vs. Oklahoma all week as a game that might be competitive just because it was the one broadcasting the game. The state of college football in the state of Tennessee has never been bleaker.

14. Vanderbilt Despite burning a redshirt for no apparent reason, giving up a touchdown on a fake punt and just barely avoiding overtime thanks to one of the worst field goal attempts this writer can remember, we’re 1-0 this week, y’all. ATFD.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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COLUMN

Turning a blind eye

An alleged January campus rape raises questions about whether Division I football culture turns a blind eye to the mistreatment of women

By CALLIE MEISEL Sports reporter --------------------

Trigger warning: This content deals with an alleged account of sexual assault and may be triggering to some readers.

I didn’t know her very well, but she lived on my hall on Commons. Her posture and stride reflected a level of confidence that few college-aged women possess, which I assume stemmed from her ability to somehow earn a 4.0 GPA while taking classes like metaphysics and chemistry — and still enjoy the thrills of social life in college.

It seemed, however, that something had upset her careful balance after she joined a sorority. Her confident manner transformed into a sulk, and she often had tears streaming down her cheeks. I thought that maybe she didn’t like her sorority, or that her boyfriend had broken up with her.

But then she disappeared completely.

Despite her efforts to keep the incident a secret, I found out what happened to my hallmate: She was allegedly raped — twice — and had left campus to receive the necessary help.

My hallmate said that within just one week, a current Vanderbilt football player and a former Vanderbilt football recruit had raped her. When she escaped from her aggressors and came back to her room after the second incident, her roommate and friends walked into the room to find her scratched up, shivering and crying on the tile floor.

An official affiliated with Vanderbilt called the police almost immediately after both incidents, and an ambulance arrived shortly after to take her to the hospital. After the second time she was allegedly sexually assaulted, my hallmate was questioned by police, which she said traumatized her with fear. She said that she felt like her 10 hours in the hospital were a blur, but she told the police everything — from her alleged attackers’ names to how she was grabbed, how she escaped the situations and how she almost ended up freezing outside.

She said the police stopped questioning her once they realized she was having difficulty breathing. The officer then told her that he would close the case for now, but he gave her his card in case she wanted to reopen it.

Conversations with individuals close to the situation and records on the VUPD crime log in January reflect the time frame and scenario that my hallmate said she described to police.

My hallmate explained that after returning to her dorm room, she could not bear the thought of leaving it. She eventually got in touch with someone at the PCC, a doctor and a social worker — all of whom diagnosed her

with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and tried to help her work through the traumatizing event.

These professionals suggested that my hallmate take the semester off from school, which she was originally reluctant to do. But she explained that when it reached the point where she could not leave her dorm room without being struck with terror, she knew what she had to do next. Her experiences proved too stressful, too painful, too frightening, too disturbing and too scarring for her to finish her semester at Vanderbilt.

But my hallmate — who returned to campus this semester — was not the only one affected by this incident. In addition to her family, many of her peers have been negatively affected by it. Her roommate said that she also suffered through several sleepless nights because of PTSD, and her mother flew in to Nashville to comfort her and set her up with a therapist. The few students at Vanderbilt who know about the incident no longer feel safe on campus — myself included.

Why? Because he still walks around campus with other Vanderbilt students. He still eats in the same dining halls. He still enjoys spending time with his friends. And he still plays on the football team while the Vanderbilt community cheers it on.

It’s disturbing to think that my hallmate’s alleged sexual assault occurred less than a year after the alleged June 2013 rape involving four former football players. Each is awaiting trial on charges of aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery, but they are currently out on bond. Although the suspects all pleaded not guilty, Vanderbilt suspended them indefinitely.

Former Vanderbilt wide receiver Chris Boyd was also involved in the June incident. He pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal intent to be an accessory after the fact, and he will testify against his four former teammates who have been accused of rape. Although Boyd was suspended from the football team, he remained a Vanderbilt student on a football scholarship until he left Vanderbilt in May. The issue at hand here is a blatant lack of morals and a profound disrespect for women.

Unfortunately, this problem is bigger than Vanderbilt. The widespread occurrences of alleged rape scandals involving Division I football players raises a question: Could it be that the collegiate football culture as a whole is largely accountable for the problem?

At several Division I universities, it seems that many students and university administrators idolize football players not only for their athletic prowess, but also for the publicity and money that the football programs bring to the universities. Most students simply

venerate the football players, but the universities often give players concrete benefits, including physical, nutritional and educational accommodations. I would argue that by granting athletes unique privileges and advantages, however, universities are further inflating the players’ egos. Some universities even separate student athletes by building separate housing and cafeterias.

Essentially, many Division I football programs treat their players like kings, and, consequently, ingrain into their players’ minds the idea that they are superior to the rest of the student body.

To be sure, I want to make clear that the vast majority of Division I football players are not morally bankrupt, but it seems that too many of their teammates do not share the same standards.

It seems that this Division I football culture contributes to the breeding of players who dehumanize women. I’ve frequently heard about male athletes glorifying “hooking up” with as many women as possible. Many players even tease teammates who are in committed relationships for being “soft” or less masculine. In other words, some of these young men view women as objects that are merely ornaments to further bolster their image, as opposed to caring for and respecting them.

As a result of the tendency to give players special treatment that fosters a mindset that devalues women, these Division I football programs create an environment that can condone, or at a minimum, turn a blind eye to the mistreatment of women.

Although Vanderbilt has proven willing to directly address rape incidents of which the university is aware, many universities perpetuate this type of behavior either by going to great lengths to keep the public from finding out about scandals or by brushing the scandals under the rug.

In December 2012, for instance, a young woman accused Florida State University quarterback, Jameis Winston, of sexual assaulting her. Instead of conducting a thorough and prompt investigation, as Title IX and other statutes require, the police delayed investigations while Winston continued to play in his 2012 and 2013 seasons.

As a result of his stellar performance and an undefeated season in 2013, Winston was nominated as a Heisman Trophy finalist, though the case about his alleged sexual assault had not yet been closed. Just days before the ACC Championship and a week before the Heisman Trophy ceremony, however, the victim decided not to press charges against Winston for unknown reasons. Despite these questionable circumstances, the Heisman Trophy Trust representatives still honored Winston as the winner of college football’s

most prestigious award.

Although one is innocent until proven otherwise, it seems that FSU — and the Tallahassee Police Department — focused its efforts toward ensuring that its star quarterback would be able to play for as long as possible rather than ensuring the safety of the victim. At most universities, looking past sexual assault charges would be publically condemned, but the football culture found a way to overshadow the dilemma. Without uproar over rape scandals, it appears that some athletes may not think twice before breaking the law.

Some within the Division I collegiate football community seem to have a tendency to choose to protect the reputations of their programs over the well-being of their female students. Why? Money.

Strong Division I football programs mean big money for universities. They generate a lot of revenue through advertising, selling tickets, fundraising and much more. Tainting the reputations of their football teams hurts them economically, as fewer people will choose to spend their money on tickets, football gear and advertising. Even worse, a tainted reputation might deter students from applying to these universities, especially young women and their families who fear for their safety.

Many universities with Division I football programs have not done nearly enough to protect their female students, in part because they do not foster an environment in which women feel comfortable voicing their concerns. Whether they’re embarrassed or afraid of public reactions, victims generally choose to keep quiet about the scandal or ask the university to keep it a secret.

The football culture is just one of many factors that goes into creating the larger problematic culture of sexual violence, but until it changes, too many young women will continue to be at risk of falling victim to this terrible crime.

Editor’s note: When inquired about the cases referenced in this column, the university returned no comment, as it is limited by both the law and university policy from providing information specific to individual cases. Cases of reported sexual misconduct are investigated by the Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Disabilities Services Department and adjudicated by the Office of Student Accountability, Community Standards, & Academic Integrity. The Vanderbilt Hustler does not name victims of sexual violence without their expressed consent. The Vanderbilt Hustler does not endorse the opinion expressed in this column.

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Commodore wide receiver finds home away from home in Nashville Former Cardinal Chandler Dorrell makes the move to Vanderbilt with new position, old faces By Josh Hamburger, Sports reporter Although the distance traveled may have been far, several of the faces have remained the same for Chandler Dorrell. The cornerbackturned-wide-receiver transferred from Stanford all the way to Vanderbilt with plenty of acquaintances to reconnect with. His then-defensivecoordinator Derek Mason also made this trek to serve as head coach, accompanied by graduate tight end Davis Dudchock.

However, another even more important tie led this promising player to shed the cardinal and white and suit up in the Vanderbilt black and gold. His father, Karl Dorrell, left a position with the Houston Texans to reconnect with Mason. The two had met at Northern Arizona, where Mason played cornerback and Karl served as the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach.

Chandler, with a wide grin, noted about his father, “I’ve always dreamt of playing for him … it’s about as meaningful as you can imagine.”

Karl now serves as Vanderbilt’s offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and primary offensive play caller. For both Dorrells, the transition has been made smooth with the help of existing relationships with several key people.

As a recent transfer, Chandler spent the last season, including the spring of this year, at

Stanford as a scout team cornerback. A onceexplosive wide receiver from the highly touted St. Thomas Aquinas High School, he made the move to defense at Stanford out of necessity.

Mason had recruited Chandler as a cornerback out of high school even though it was a position he had really never played. After passing up several small-school football scholarships, he walked onto the team in a completely new position.

“Coming out of high school, I always felt like I worked too hard academically to go to a subpar academic school for football,” he said.

Vanderbilt now inherits a hardworking athlete who made a great name for himself on the scout team. Accumulating two Scout Team Defensive Player of the Week awards, he has come off an impressive spring, highlighted by a pick six in Stanford’s Cardinal and White Spring Game.

After losing the top three receiving targets from last season, including all-time SEC receiving yards leader Jordan Matthews, the 6-foot Dorrell seems to fit into the mix as a plausible option. With a couple of sophomores being the most veteran receivers on the team, Coach Dorrell explained, “That position (wide receiver) is going to be played by a committee because

PHOTO COURTESY OF STANFORDPHOTO.COM

April 12, 2014: Chandler Dorrell at the Stanford Cardinal and White Spring Game at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif. there’s no one that’s really established, so we’re position. just going to rotate guys and keep guys fresh.”

Karl noted about his repositioning, “I think The absence of many veteran starters will when he gets used to the timing and his routes, provide openings to allow for Chandler to make and footwork and things like that, like he’s been an impact at the position, along with Karl’s doing each and everyday, he’ll be able to be a instituting the pass-friendly West Coast offense. pretty good contributor for us and help us move As a two-time state champion in high school, the football.”

Chandler looks to bring a winning attitude to However, after coming from Stanford and the team and contribute beyond wide receiver now playing under his father, he should be and to special teams as a role player. able to adjust smoothly into this new team and Chandler is eligible to play immediately, compete for playing time over the course of the even after transferring from Stanford this year season. Chandler Dorrell enters his first year at as the NCAA granted him this eligibility earlier Vanderbilt with a unique situation — playing in the summer. His ability to practice and play under Mason again and living out the dream of right away allows him to get accustomed to playing under his own father.

Vanderbilt’s system and his former wide receiver

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