September 11, 2025 Student LIfe Newspaper, WashU in St. Louis by WashUStudentLife

SAVE ME, SCENE! Got opps? Here’s how to avoid them. (Scene, pg 3)

PROGRAM CUTS A student reacts to the end of the teacher education program. (Forum, pg 5)

Justice Sonia Sotomayor speaks about hope, her mother, and Supreme Court disagreements

When Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor walked onstage Wednesday evening at the Athletic Center, she received a standing ovation from 3,000 studnets, professors, St. Louis residents, and local elementary school classes. The justice, dressed in a bright red blouse and matching Nike Jordans, was there to talk about her new children’s book with Chancellor Andrew Martin, but the conversation soon turned to her work on the Supreme Court.

The book, “Just Shine! How to Be a Better You,” tells a story inspired by her mother’s “ability to help people see their own brilliance.” The book teaches that by listening, helping, and seeking to understand those around us we can “help others shine more brightly.”

“We should do things out of love, and not the expectation that it has to be returned. I wrote this book in the hopes … that we can make a better world if we show love in positive ways,” Sotomayor said.

As the event progressed, the discussion morphed into how Sotomayor has applied these lessons from her mother to her work on the U.S. Supreme Court.

“I go into my rooms, especially the one I work at, and I listen to people I disagree with. … I remind myself constantly of my mother saying there’s good in every person, in every person with whom I disagree,” she said.

Many of these disagreements are between Sotomayor — considered to be a liberal justice — and Justice Clarence Thomas, who is considered one of the Court’s more conservative justices.

SEE SOTOMAYOR, PAGE 2

Chancellor Martin discusses DEI, finances, plans for new dorm building, and more in Q&A

RILEY

SYDNEY TRAN

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

In a Q&A with Student Life this Tuesday, WashU Chancellor Andrew Martin revealed that the University is planning to build a new dormitory on campus. Martin also reaffirmed the school’s commitment to financial responsibility and diversity of perspectives and backgrounds during a time of political uncertainty for universities.

Martin shared that WashU intends to build a new dormitory building as the University works toward a long-term goal of having all first-year and sophomore students live on the South 40. Last year, the University worked with Clayton city government to change the zoning on the South 40. The new regulations grant the University more flexibility to build out housing in the area. Though Martin declined to provide further details on the new building, he said more information will be shared with the community in the coming academic year. Additionally, Martin added that there are no finalized plans for Fontbonne’s campus, which the University acquired in 2024. However, the University is considering using the land to house students.

“The demand for students to live on the campus is up, up, up, and so too is the demand to live on some of our off-campus properties as well,” Martin said. “So

Chancellor Martin said that he is approaching the 2025-26 school year with a mindset focused on “opportunity.”

Fontbonne provides us some really interesting opportunities there, but we’ve got a lot of planning to do, and we’ve got to get to a point that we understand what the financial model looks like going forward.”

Alongside the new dormitory building, Martin mentioned the new career center being built on the corner of Skinker Boulevard and Forsyth Boulevard, which is slated to open in 2027. He also shared that the University is interested in building a Center for Healthy Excellence, which would act as a centralized resource for student wellness. Martin described both of these endeavors as “investments around the student experience.”

Martin reaffirmed that other capital projects, such as the construction of Riney Hall and the renovation of Mudd Field, will be halted for the foreseeable future

SATURDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Football shuts out Rhodes in season opener. (Sports, pg 8)

six ArtSci departments, including AFAS, WGSS, and Education

ALIZA LUBITZ

WashU’s College of Arts & Sciences is forming a new task force to consider the reorganization or combination of what are currently six separate departments: African and African American Studies (AFAS); Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS); Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies (JIMES); Education; Global Studies; and American Culture Studies (AMCS).

The task force, titled “Social Transformation,” will hold its first meeting next week and intends to release its recommendations regarding the proposed restructuring by mid-March.

Led by co-chairs Shanti Parikh, Chair of AFAS, and Stephanie Kirk, Director of the Center for the Humanities, the group was created by Dean Feng Sheng Hu of Arts & Sciences and includes representatives from each affected department. Additionally, three professors will advise the group, serving as liaisons between the committee and administrators.

Dean Hu declined to comment for this article, and Chancellor Andrew Martin said it was “not on [his] radar.”

The task force was not created with a predetermined outcome in mind, and the group is exploring various organizational structures, such as creating one interdisciplinary department that contains the six smaller departments or some combination of them. Kirk and Parikh both wrote to Student Life that no final decisions have been made about the future configuration of the departments at this time.

The work of the task force is not expected to prevent currently enrolled students from completing the degree programs that they are already pursuing.

the students. These are all separate fields.”

Andrew Butler, professor of Education and Psychological & Brain Sciences, noted that smaller departments often face heavy administrative workloads that limit faculty’s ability to teach.

“Faculty are here to do research, to teach, and when you are burdened with lots of administrative stuff, you can’t do as much,” Butler said. “I think it’s also a way to think about how we could help by reorganizing the administrative structures to free faculty to do the things that they’re really committed [to doing].”

He stated that departments that are too small can be unsustainable, creating risks if faculty members leave and the department is unable to support its students.

Additionally, the creation of the task force comes amid broader pressures faced by WashU and other universities, including heightened scrutiny of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programming and cuts to federal funding. Parikh wrote that this national backdrop complicates the work of the task force.

“The timing of this initiative is one of its biggest challenges, as it comes during a national climate where universities are under political attack, WashU is being portrayed as capitulating or reinventing itself, and there are explicit national efforts to suppress or defund the very kinds of questions and knowledge that fields like Black Studies and Women’s Studies have long advanced,” Parikh wrote.

Marlon Bailey, a professor in the AFAS and WGSS departments, emphasized the distinction between the DEI initiatives targeted by Trump and the academic departments under consideration for restructuring.

“These programs do not do diversity, equity, inclusion. And that’s no shade to DEI, but we are intellectual, scholarly, pedagogical departments and units. We produce knowledge,” Bailey said.

due to financial uncertainty.

“I have no idea on timeline,” Martin said. “Until we know what the new model for federal research funding looks like … we’re not going to be doing a lot of investing in a new academic building.”

Student Life also followed up with Martin regarding previous statements about the University’s finances he made during a meeting with Student Union (SU) on Sept. 2. At that meeting, Martin shared that three of WashU’s eight schools are running a deficit. When asked by Student Life to identify the three schools, the chancellor declined. He added that the University is working closely with the deans of each school to balance their budgets.

SEE MARTIN, PAGE 2

“This is a serious, complicated undertaking, and it would not be wellreceived by the faculty, students, and staff if this is rushed through without the sufficient amount of input, engagement, and involvement from folks directly impacted.”

Parikh wrote to Student Life that the stated aim of the task force is to “explore how smaller units can be better supported by reducing administrative burdens, fostering innovation, and strengthening visibility.” She said that administrators cited the relatively small size of the six departments and their overlapping focuses on social and cultural issues as another reason for grouping them together.

AMCS Academic Coordinator Karen Skinner disagreed with the idea that the departments have shared academic focuses.

“This is not an academic choice,” Skinner said. “It is not based on the field and how we operate and how universities have operated since the ‘60s and ‘70s, and it is totally unclear how this is going to serve

Bailey added that faculty in AFAS have expressed feelings of “concern, fear, and unsafety” when told about the reconfiguration plans. Similarly, Skinner said that the potential reconfiguration has “created a culture of fear and immense stress.”

“I have so much grief, I’ve been crying about it, because what is our future?” Skinner said. “All the plans that we have for this year, our strategic plans are all suspended and in flux because we have no idea what this is going to look like.”

SEE DEPARTMENTS, PAGE 2

Justice Sotomayor and Chancellor Martin speak in the WashU Athletic Center.

BRI NITSBERG | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR

New study pods among updates to Olin Library

In addition to other changes at Olin Library this semester, three glass-enclosed study “pods” have been installed on the first floor to provide soundproof environments for students working individually or in pairs.

According to WashU Libraries’ 2024 impact report, of the total visitors counted in library public spaces, around one-third studied in collaborative spaces and nearly two-thirds studied in quiet spaces. The new, quiet pods reflect an overall trend in the libraries’ usage.

Paul McArthur, Director of Space Planning & Projects for the University libraries, led the installation of the new spaces in collaboration with campus architects and WashU Furniture & Design Services.

McArthur rearranged the furniture on Olin’s first floor to take advantage of “dead” space in front of the help desk and accommodate the pods. The new pods are equipped with ventilation, lights, outlets, and motion sensors. One pod is a standing desk and the other two have seating.

According to McArthur, the pods were purposefully

sourced from a local business.

“The pods are made by a company called Oasis Berco. They’re in St. Louis on the south side,” McArthur said.

McArthur added that he wanted to install multiple models in order to gauge student reactions to each type of pod.

First-year Flora Lu said she usually goes to the East Asian Library but anticipates using the pods in Olin because they’re soundproof.

“I think it will be pretty

SOTOMAYOR

from page 1

“We disagree more than any other two justices,” Sotomayor said. “Yet Clarence Thomas knows the name of virtually every employee in the building, and he cares so deeply that he knows when someone in the building is suffering some difficulty, a parent has died, a child is sick. … Not a lot of people do that.”

MARTIN

from page 1

“Each school has handled this in slightly different ways, and some schools had to cut a little deeper than others,” Martin said. “But what we’ve instructed each of our deans to do is to get to a scenario where revenues outpace expenses within the next three years.”

“Now you’re going to say to me, … ‘How could he believe what he believes?’ Well, I can’t answer. I think most of the time he’s wrong,” she said. “[But when] my stepfather died, the first flowers that arrived in my mother’s home were from Clarence Thomas.”

helpful, like if I have some classes online, and I also like watching some videos. I won’t interrupt others, and I also won’t be interrupted by others,” Lu said.

Lydia Golitz, a graduate student, said she appreciated that the booths are private and conveniently located on campus.

“My schedule this term is sort of all over the place, so having a place I can go for special appointments, like therapy or things that wouldn’t otherwise be good

Nevertheless, she said she has struggled with some of the court’s past decisions.

“I can’t escape the frustration or sometimes the anger. It’s inherent in feeling as I do on occasion, that the answers that are being given are wrong by the court,” she said. “I don’t share [these emotions] with others, because this is my burden to bear, but I don’t deny them within myself.”

When asked what gave her hope in her job, Sotomayor

to do in a shared space or outside, has been super helpful,” she said.

Golitz used the two-person pod and plans to try out the other models.

“I would use the standing one,” Golitz said. “It reminds me of a phone booth … but I think that’s kind of cool.”

If the pods prove to be popular, McArthur said he is “very open” to adding more in the future.

Olin Library staff is measuring the success of the pods. Once an hour every

referenced a case in Supreme Court history where perseverance was needed.

“You live in the town of one of the most infamous decisions in Supreme Court history, the Dred Scott case,” Sotomayor told the audience. “Dred took his case to the Supreme Court twice. He lost.”

However, she emphasized that even though Scott wasn’t able to witness the case’s lasting impacts, it was not

hour for the duration of their shift, students on staff count the number of people in each library space, McArthur said.

McArthur shared internal data that puts this task in perspective: last semester, Olin’s hourly headcounts totalled over 480,000 library visitors.

The decision to install the pods stemmed partly from staff members’ observations that study rooms with six seats were often being used by a single person at a time. If people working alone choose to use the pods

the end of the fight for civil rights.

“He never did live long enough to appreciate that he helped the civil rights movement by struggling. He got us the 13th Amendment, ending slavery in the United States,” she said.

She ended her discussion of the Dred Scott case, and her talk at WashU, by rallying her audience to continue fighting for justice.

“It took another 100

instead, group study spaces will free up.

Kimberly Singer — Director of Communications for WashU Libraries — also cited student feedback from the Libraries Student Advisory Group (LSAG) as a significant reason for the change.

Meetings with LSAG have resulted in other ongoing changes to the library.

“One of the big things we heard at the end of last year and from this last group was more wellness-based activities, or … a study break or brain break,” Singer said.

In response to the advisory group’s comments, Olin Library added a community puzzle to the help desk, and Singer is working on expanding the availability of popular literature, not just academic texts. The library has recently granted students access to Libby, an e-book and audiobook lending service for popular books. Additional changes to Olin include expanded hours on Fridays and Saturdays and new two-person seating on the second and third floors. Singer emphasized that student needs are the library team’s priority.

“We really want to try to accommodate the students the best that we can.”

years [from Dred Scott] until Brown v. Board of Education. … Many cases were lost in those 100 years, and many cases are being lost now,” she said. “But we don’t have a right to give up. We don’t have a right to sit on our hands. Nothing comes without sacrifice. But I know we have heroes among us, and every one of us has the capacity, in small or big ways, to be heroes. That’s what gives me hope.”

Martin also discussed WashU’s commitment to its diversity initiatives in the face of pressure from the Trump administration. He said that the recently created Inclusive Excellence Advisory Committee is reviewing programs to ensure that programs are in compliance with the law, but that the University remains committed to its values and its students.

community it possibly could be.”

He pointed out that WashU has not renamed the Center for Diversity and Inclusion.

“Our institutional commitments remain the same. We believe that a diverse student body and a diverse faculty and a diverse staff is a good thing, that diversity of perspective, diversity of background, makes us the richest intellectual

“Unlike some universities, which would have renamed their ‘Center for Diversity [and] Inclusion’ the ‘Belonging Center’ or something, we still have the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, which is an important part of our community building and an important part of student success.”

Despite the various

challenges WashU is facing, such as the endowment tax increase and cuts to federal funding, Martin said he maintains an optimistic mindset for this upcoming year.

“This year is an opportunity, in a way that’s not going to be terribly visible to students, to really change the way in which we run the business of the University,” Martin said. “The better tha we can do with that is going to free up more resources for our core academic mission and for student support.”

DEPARTMENTS

from page 1

Butler clarified that this proposition is not being labeled as a cost-saving measure since many of the smaller departments already have shared staff for tasks like human resources and finances.

“In a way, we have a lot of the things that would be cost-saving already in place, so I don’t think that this reorganization would achieve a substantial amount of financial benefit for Arts & Sciences, which is what makes me buy into the idea that this really is about … how you free faculty up to be their best selves,” Butler said.

As the University considers different configurations, Kirk and WGSS Chair Diana O’Brien are looking to learn from New York University’s (NYU) Department of Social and Cultural Analysis. NYU created this department in

2005 as a consolidation of five existing programs and currently includes majors in Africana Studies, American Studies, Asian/Pacific/ American Studies, Latino Studies, Gender & Sexuality Studies, and Urban Studies.

“We plan to talk to members of this [department] and see what we can learn from them — what has worked, what has been challenging, things like that,” Kirk wrote.

“But of course, the most important aspect we need to focus on is understanding the distinct needs of each of these programs and departments here at WashU.”

Several faculty members mentioned the need to incorporate input from affected students and faculty members into the task force’s recommendations.

“This is a serious, complicated undertaking, and it

would not be well-received by the faculty, students, and staff if this is rushed through without the sufficient amount of input, engagement, and involvement from folks directly impacted,” Bailey said.

Bailey added that the perspectives of untenured faculty, in particular, must be taken into account, as they “feel the most vulnerable” at this time. Further, Butler said that he wants to listen to feedback from affected students and faculty and ensure that it is reflected in the task force’s recommendations.

“It’s not just us deciding things. It’s each of us, who is on the task force, being a liaison to our community ... so that everybody here in this community feels like they have a say in what’s happening.” Additional reporting by Astrid

Burns.

Students use the new study pods on the first floor of Olin Library.

JUSTIN ROSENBLATT | CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

BRI NITSBERG | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR Chancellor Andrew Martin speaks during his fall 2024 Q&A with Student Life on Sept. 9.

SCENE

Three weeks into the year, students are back and busy, connecting with friends, loved ones, and the clubs they left behind in the spring. Unfortunately, it is unavoidable that while reconnecting with those we love, we’ll run into those we don’t. Shocking as it may be, we writers at Student Life are not just journalists: we’re people, too. And we know the pain of running into old nemeses who are roaming about. We, like you, have learned to share this campus with those we may not favor.

So, armed with experience and the agony of failed friendships, relationships, and situationships of all kinds, I bring to you a guide on how to avoid said grievously disdained peers on campus, and what to do when you cannot. For your reading pleasure and convenience, I will offer this advice to you in list form, starting with people you simply dislike and ending with those whom you cannot bear to spend even a moment with.

First up are those with whom you just don’t jive.

This may be someone who’s wronged you in a minor way, who makes your skin crawl, or even a mutual friend whom you dislike. This is normal!

When living, working, and sharing a community with 8,000 other people of similar age, we aren’t going to get along with all of them. So if you’re dreading finding yourself in an extended conversation that is oh-so awkward, or are walking by someone who seems like they are slowing down to chat … this is what I suggest:

Headphones and earbuds are your friend.

Whether you pretend you’re immersed in a podcast, a heated conversation, or just lost in your music, it’s a good way to suggest you’re otherwise occupied without having to say anything of the sort. Rushing to class or a meeting is a similarly great excuse. Overall, the best move with these situations is to divert and move on. Think of yourself as a slippery eel and the pavement outside Olin Library as the sea — just slide on past them.

Genuinely though, the best way to best someone is with maturity. Smile and

wave or stop to say hi, but keep it brief, and be civil. By taking the high road, you can easily make someone’s day just a bit more bearable — and there is power in that. Next is group two: past lovers. Now, these relationships need not have ended poorly for just the sight of their face to incite humiliation. Frankly, it is just awkward to see someone who knows you in an intimate context on your way to Spanish at eight in the morning, or when you’re in your pajamas, hunched over a bowl of soup, eating dinner alone (true story). There is no real solution to this, especially if you are living on campus. Looking your worst at times is unavoidable when the dining halls, laundry room, and gym are extensions of your home. There are two paths here: either you attempt to look your best at all times so you can’t be caught in a poor moment, or you get really familiar with the hiding spots around populated areas. That table obscured by bushes? It might as well have your name written on it.

In all honesty, seeing past partners can be very

painful, regardless of how the relationship concluded. Leaning on those who love you — so you don’t have to face exes alone and to commiserate — is a good way to avoid worsening any relationships. Overall, take care of yourself, be gentle and forgiving, and have some grace if the process of moving on and healing isn’t linear. Last are those who have caused you genuine pain or suffering. Whether they were maliciously or accidentally cruel, if these peers dropped off the face of the earth, all you would feel is relief. Maybe they fill you with terror or just rage, and you imagine egging them every time you pass each other in the DUC. My advice for these is to lean into what feels good. If what you need is to whisper to your companion how upset they make you feel, go for it! If, instead, it’s to avoid contact with a fervor or swerve around them in crowds, that’s okay too. For some advice that’s a bit more tangible, there are groups on campus that can help you place your anger or grief. Uncle Joe’s and S.A.R.A.H.’s helplines are peer resources created

to support you. If you are looking for something more long-term, they can connect you to therapy services in or outside WashU. Further, the RSVP Center provides counseling and can support you in switching out of a class if needed, depending on the circumstances. You are never alone in your feelings; this community is here to encourage and bolster you. Rely on it. Overall, college can sometimes feel like a merciless social experiment, toying with you via insularity and humiliating twists of

fate. As painful, embarrassing, and inciting of anger as this can be, know that we are all here alongside you. Try to take some joy in it, revel in the irony or dark hilarity of your situation, and hold a competition to see who has the worst opp. Trust that with time, the discomfort will fade. You are capable and competent, and your opps will crumble before you. Go forth and be merry!

Your Friend, Scene

OLIVIA SALINGER STAFF WRITER

A review of the new Saturday brunch menu at Ibby’s

GRIEVE SENIOR SCENE EDITOR

After a long week full of classes, activities, and late nights, Saturday mornings offer a chance to relax, recharge, and sleep in. And if your weekend reset could use some pancakes with a side of club music, look no further than Ibby’s Bistro.

This past Saturday, Sept. 6, Ibby’s launched a brand-new brunch menu called “Saturday Morning Magic” ahead of the restaurant’s grand opening for the semester on Sept. 8. This occasion comes as part of a surge of dining changes aimed at improving the campus dining experience (including the increased hours pilot this week).

To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this event. I think many WashU students would agree that, while Ibby’s food is pretty good for campus dining, off-campus food tends to be better, so a brand new menu could have left much to be desired. On top of that, the vague advertising (an Instagram post on Thursday, a small sign outside the restaurant, and a slide on the dining services TV, all with minimal information) shrouded the event in mystery.

Despite the ambiguity, almost every table was filled on Saturday morning. Bright light streamed through the windows as the DJ played 2010s hits over boisterous conversation and clinking cutlery. Students helped themselves to a vast array of appetizers that covered the bar area. The cheery vibes were matched by the restaurant staff, who delightedly brought out the newly-created dishes that made up the multi-course feast.

Unlike Ibby’s normal lunch and dinner menus, the brunch menu charges a flat rate of $18.95 per person. This includes the appetizers, an entree, and a dessert — a pretty good deal, if you ask me. The appetizer spread included fresh berries, sliced melons, an assortment of pastries and bagels, and some savory small plates: heirloom tomato bruschetta on crispy, garlicky bread; smoked salmon deviled eggs; and, my favorite, a roasted beet salad with cucumbers, citrus, and balsamic. It was clear that these small plates were thoughtfully curated, with impressively high-end presentation and a perfect balance of fresh ingredients and salty-savory flavors. The entrees were equally impressive, with options including a croque

monsieur, shakshuka, tiramisu French toast, bacon and kale strata, and an Arabian grilled flank steak. Again, the attention to detail made the meal feel very high-end. The shakshuka was served in its own mini cast-iron skillet and came with a generous sprinkle of feta on top, the French toast was topped with both mascarpone mousse and coffee whipped cream, and most dishes came with a small side salad that added a nice touch of freshness.

The standout dish, in my opinion, was the Arabian grilled flank steak: in addition to being cooked to a perfect medium-rare, the steak was sliced and layered on top of a slice of crusty bread, drizzled with a minced herb and garlic chimichurri, and topped with a perfectly poached egg. The dish was filling, but the portion size was suitable, even with the other courses.

As if that wasn’t enough already, the dessert options included bread pudding, pound cake, and assorted cookies. Although the options were slim compared to the other courses, the desserts rounded out the meal with a sweet finish. My favorite was the bread pudding, made even better with baked-in berries and a velvety vanilla

cream. Throughout the entire experience, my only complaints were that there wasn’t a brunch drink menu and that for those with dietary restrictions, the only vegan options were the fruit and beet salad.

Walking into the DUC on a Saturday morning, I was definitely not expecting to be greeted with such

Crashing out at the NASCAR Enjoy Illinois 300

SCENE EDITOR

The World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, is just minutes east of St. Louis and about a 13-mile drive from campus. Despite its proximity to WashU, the track is a completely different world from the manicured greens of the University. Pulling off I-55 on a cool Saturday evening led to dusty paths looping around the track, where bored volunteers in neon orange tees and curling mullets waved us through to a giant gravel lot. The sun was just beginning to set over “I Heart Hot Moms” and “Let’s Go Brandon” flags flown in a stack above rows of parked campers. We stood at attention just outside the bag check lanes as the national anthem was belted out over the speaker system and a formation of planes swooped low over the crowd.

Originally built as the St. Louis International Raceway in 1967, the track was forced to close in 2010 due to financial difficulties. Under new management, the raceway was reopened a year later as Gateway Motorsports Park and was later renamed to World Wide Technology Raceway. It has since expanded to host the NTT IndyCar Series, NHRA Drag Racing Series, Formula Drift, the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, and, annually since 2022, the Enjoy Illinois 300, a NASCAR Cup Series event.

Inside, State Farm offered a make-your-ownbobblehead booth across from a blue and white striped Zyn kiosk (unfortunately, no free samples to be found there). Idling food trucks served up batches of fried Oreos and slung

pitchers of frozen margaritas, while vendors hawked dripping bottles of Busch Light up and down the aluminum bleachers.

Although the Enjoy Illinois 300 is the second race in the Round of 16 in the NASCAR playoffs, the field was packed with drivers. While only the initial 16 qualifiers are eligible for the final championship, 36 cars idled in the pit lane as crews in matching jumpsuits fussed around their stalls, making last-minute adjustments before the race. This was my first professional racing experience beyond the explosive viewing of this summer’s “F1” movie. I can’t offer you too much in terms of sports coverage beyond reporting that Connor Zilisch, No. 88 for Trackhouse Racing, led the pack during Saturday night’s Xfinity Series race (you might have seen a clip of the 19-yearold falling out of his car

after celebrating a win at Watkins Glen in August), while Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 11, Denny Hamlin, finished first in the NASCAR Cup Series Sunday afternoon. That being said, this is one sport that doesn’t require too complicated of a mechanical breakdown — cars go fast, and the fastest one wins.

If you’re planning to go, bring ear protection or buy it on-site. Contrary to conventional seating, tickets are better the higher up you go, which allows you to see more of the track (not to mention stay further away from the roar of the cars as they pass). Although the grounds aren’t too expansive, expect to do a good amount of walking, so leave the pleather Target cowboy boots at home. Besides a few minor skirmishes, the race itself was straightforward. While drivers in their cars certainly had a far livelier experience,

the crowd was content to sit back and enjoy the evening, rising to their feet to wave drivers off with each reset and returning to endlessly refreshing Snapchat in the interim.

Maybe it was the exhaust fumes or the unctuous potato-based amalgamation turning in my stomach, but there’s something hypnotic about watching racecars go peeling around the 1.25mile track for a stunning 160 laps (that’s 200 miles, for those of you mathematically minded). Even for a NASCAR newbie clearly out of her depth and generally out of place in such a crowd, it was easy to get swept up in the rush.

NASCAR is a distinctly American experience. In Illinois, the event may not necessarily be considered southern or rural (terms we often use as epithets for “conservative”), but it’s not an outing generally analogous with the

an energetic atmosphere, complete with a DJ and an elaborate, multi-course meal. In fact, I would venture to say this experience was by far the best I’ve ever had at Ibby’s. I will certainly be fighting for a reservation when the next brunch date comes around and wishing that Ibby’s had Saturday brunch every weekend. Whether recovering from a Friday night out or fueling up for a grueling weekend of homework, the food and the vibes will certainly not disappoint.

WashU crowd. Mentioning my weekend plans elicited a couple of raised eyebrows. Just this week, comedian Druski parodied NASCAR’s viewership with a whiteface skit that garnered significant controversy.

If I felt an air of alienation from the populace inside, it certainly wasn’t one of exclusion. Within a sea of denim and authentically distressed Carhartt, MAGA merchandise (two shirts, one classic red hat worn at a jaunty angle) made for far, far rarer spottings than Dale Jr. racing jackets. We were lightly heckled by a group of old men who had obviously had a few too many, but only in the way that old men who have had a few too many like to mess with pretty girls taking Instagram pictures with pretty sunsets. I don’t want this to be a gawking sort of report by

Ibby’s Bistro will be offering brunch seatings three more times this semester: Oct. 11, Nov. 1, and Dec. 6. Reservations can be made on the dining services website.

an intruder, nor a “noble savage” narrative of the purer pleasures of a simpler folk. Nor do I want to obfuscate the very real and grave issues with NASCAR. There are clear political overtones to events like this one, and though the organization has made commitments to growing the sport to include more diverse audiences, many of their actions have been too slow, too late. You’re more than welcome to speak with your dollar against an organization that didn’t ban the flying of the Confederate flag until 2020, or has accepted naming sponsorships from the NRA. The crowd, though, was fairly representative of St. Louis and Middle America as a whole, if not suburban Clayton. Families dragged bumbling toddlers out of oversized trucks, while grandparents clinked cold Michelob Ultras from the stands. The “Things to Do” section of the World Wide Technology Raceway website suggests fans explore St. Louis by topping off their visits to the Arch and the city zoo with a ride on the “world’s meanest mechanical bull” at PBR and breaking bread at the downtown Hooters. And honestly — who doesn’t like a mean mechanical bull?

For as much political division and unease exists in this country, there is also a commonality in the simple pleasures we seek. Everyone there was looking for a Saturday-night thrill in the form of speedy cars and fried fairground fare. At the end of the night, the Enjoy Illinois 300 ended right where it began. But for those few hours, NASCAR united us in something distinctly allAmerican: the drive to ride harder, live louder, and burn brighter, together.

ELIZABETH

An Ibby’s employee plates the heirloom tomato bruschetta, one of the several appetizers offered at Ibby’s brunch.

LAUREL WANG SENIOR

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LAUREL WANG | SENIOR SCENE EDITOR

Reflections on perfection (or, yet another self-help article)

The other night, I was on the phone with a friend from Back Home. It had been a couple weeks since I had reached out — this university consumes my time like it needs the hours to live — so she took it upon herself to call. The past few months or so have been a transitional period for both of us, so we talked about what we usually talk about: being overwhelmed twentysomethings.

“It feels like I just can’t keep with everything happening in my life, you know? With school and family stuff and these dumb*ss boys, like…”

“Right?! It feels like so many things just happen at once, and I’m expected to just know how to handle it all. I’m just expected to know what I’m doing when there are grown folks that don’t know what they’re doing.”

“Dude, we’re so young. Like… I’m practically a baby. I mean, I just don’t know anything.”

To that comment, I could only nod. Though I’m sure she didn’t mean to, she was speaking for both of us. She was right; I just don’t know anything. But there are still times when I expect myself to

know everything, despite the fact that it’s okay to not have all of the answers.

My mother fell ill the last couple of weeks I was Back Home. I’ve always known her to be a strong lady, both in physicality and spirit, so it was difficult seeing her bedridden, hearing her groan in pain when she tried to sit up, watching her grit her teeth. I tended to her throughout the day and took over the household duties that usually fell upon her. “I’m gonna miss my nurse when he goes off to school,” she would say genuinely, with eyes so soft I wondered why she ever had to ache.

She told me not to worry for her — she’s her Father’s child; she is protected. But I am of the flesh, meaning peace doesn’t come so easily. I worried for her when I was Back Home, and I worry for her while I’m here. And I have berated myself over that worry, over that premeditated grief, because I expect myself to know how to navigate this time. I expect myself to know how to cope with these feelings. I expect myself to already have the answers.

My mother has been doing better, though she still experiences waves of aches. I’ve been calling her a lot, since the semester has already

brought its challenges and shifts or whatever else you want to call them. I’ve been calling my sister, too, with her being my best friend and all. Both of them have had the pleasure of hearing my lamentations about being overwhelmed and a twentysomething and far away from home and most of my friends being abroad and feeling alone and experiencing hurt and… and…

And about how I’m so frustrated with myself for even being hurt. For even being lonely. For even experiencing conflicting emotions. Or worry. Or anger. Or feeling overwhelmed. Because why am I even so worried in the first place? Why am I even so hurt? Why am I so hung up over things in the past? Why can’t I just let go? All of the things I’ve experienced, all of the therapy I’ve had, and here I am just crying and worrying. Have I not learned to process these emotions better?

“You’re human, D,” my sister stated, “ It’s okay to feel what you’re feeling. You’re not a bad person for having these emotions.”

But the thing is, I know that. Why am I forgetting that? Why am I acting like I don’t know that?

“Stop being so hard on yourself,” said my mother.

“Everyone needs a reminder sometimes. You’re bullying yourself for having feelings. You’re hurt and overwhelmed, and that’s OK. Be gracious with yourself.”

From talking with WashU folks, it seems like a lot of students feel the pressure to be perfect. To have all the answers. To understand the

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reading the first go-’round. To write the perfect essay in the first draft. To know how to effortlessly balance school and family and friends and fun and mess and heartbreak and weird times. I wrote this article to be a reminder — overwhelmed twentysomething to overwhelmed probably-twentysomething — that you don’t have to have all of the answers. You don’t have to be perfect. You won’t have all of the answers; you’ll never be perfect. No one expects you to know it all or to be perfect. None of us know anything, so have that grace — yes, with others, but especially with yourself.

WashU cuts teacher education program when our country needs quality teachers most

The National Center for Education Statistics has released its Nation’s Report Card for 2025, and the results are devastating. The data confirms that learning loss from COVID-19

was not a temporary dip, but a long-term crisis. For instance, in 2024, only 22% of high school seniors were proficient in math, and only 35% were proficient in reading. Since the pre-pandemic years, chronic absenteeism is significantly higher, and both math and science scores for fourth and eighth graders have declined. These struggles coincide with a nationwide teacher shortage that has left districts scrambling to staff their classrooms, especially in high-need subjects such as math, science, and special education. America’s education system is in crisis, and with the rapid spread of artificial intelligence in classrooms,

the challenges ahead are only mounting.

Yet at the moment when the nation needs quality teachers most, WashU has chosen to eliminate its teacher education program. In an August email, the Education Department at WashU informed students that, “due to ongoing challenges and budgetary constraints,” the department will be discontinuing its teacher education programs for students entering WashU in fall 2025 and beyond.

WashU may point to the increase in federal taxes on wealthy endowments in order to explain this change. However, with an endowment exceeding $11 billion, it remains among the wealthiest universities in the nation. Invoking “budgetary constraints” is not a necessity but rather a choice that reflects misplaced priorities.

This decision is especially troubling because it is rare for a student to come to WashU with the intention of

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becoming a teacher. Many WashU teacher education students discover their calling to teach only after participating in the liberal education WashU provides. Earning a teaching certification is a tangible incentive for students who find a desire to teach.

Without such an incentive, it will be harder to attract potential future teachers to the department’s Educational Studies major, which does not grant students a teaching certificate.

Additionally, having students who aspire to be teachers is beneficial for everyone’s education. If we are only surrounded by future lawyers, doctors, engineers, and consultants, our campus will lose vital diversity of thought. What makes WashU great is the diversity of interests and passions among its students.

As a student majoring in Political Science and Educational Studies with plans to work in criminal justice education reform, I have

grown significantly from taking classes alongside teacher education students. I have been able to view issues from new perspectives, and as a result, I have developed meaningfully as a person. Future students will lose this benefit. By cutting off this pathway, WashU risks narrowing the diversity of thought on campus and depriving the country of precisely the kind of teachers it urgently needs. Chancellor Andrew Martin declared in his 2025 State of the University Address that “at WashU, we believe that leadership is not reserved only for those who hold formal roles or positions of status. Rather, each person has the capacity to lead.” The Nation’s Report Card makes clear that America’s students are falling behind at historic levels. If WashU truly believes each person has the capacity to lead, then it must lead where it matters most, preparing the next generation of teachers. Anything less is not leadership. It is abandonment.

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WashU clubs, break down your barriers to entry

The Activities Fair on Aug. 29 presented students with incredible opportunities: preprofessional law, medicine, and business fraternities; literary and fashion magazines; dance and a cappella groups; mock trial; and so much more.

We’re lucky to go to a school where we have numerous high-quality, interesting, and informative clubs and activities. Many of us in our college applications wrote about those we were most excited to be a part of. On campus, however, we’re faced with the reality that the organizations we mused about may require another set of prerequisites altogether.

WashU clubs need to be less exclusive. A number of clubs put up barriers to entry, whether it be a three-day audition process, an application that’s reminiscent of the Common App, or requirements for an extensive portfolio. Exclusivity forces students to stay in their comfort zone with the activities they already know how to do well. Barriers dampen a crucial aspect of college: learning new things and finding new passions. We should have access to extracurriculars other than those we are already familiar with.

Often, in order to apply to clubs, prospective members are expected to have the skills that clubs should be teaching them to develop. Student organizations should provide members with the toolbox they need to succeed within their community. Activities need to meet students where they’re at, whether that be supporting an already advanced member or a complete novice.

Granted, some clubs are inherently exclusive. Club

sports teams, for example, can often only field so many members and therefore will recruit those most qualified. However, many clubs promote exclusivity just for the sake of exclusivity.

As WashU students, we understand that scarcity can signal prestige. It’s not surprising that our clubs’ acceptance policies reflect a larger campus culture often interested in image, status, and excellence. Nonetheless, when joining a club, one should consider: Is it a good club because it’s hard

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to get into or because of the community it offers, the skills it teaches, and the opportunities it creates?

There are benign intentions behind the exclusivity of student organizations. Often, club leaders want to ensure that members will be fully committed to the activity. However, this discourages students from exploring multiple clubs. Rather than screening out new members through an extensive application, clubs should let students try the activity and decide for

themselves whether they want to continue. A student’s commitment over the course of a few months is a far greater indicator of dedication than an application.

Funds for these groups come largely from the students themselves, who pay 1% of our tuition to fund clubs and activities ($682 in the 2025-2026 school year). Students deserve access to the opportunities they are paying for.

To the exclusive club leader, open your clubs up to students

who have zero experience with the goal of teaching them the skillset your organization requires.

To the students still navigating the club application process, acceptances, and rejections, be patient with yourself. If you didn’t get into the clubs you wanted these past two weeks, it’s OK! It will often take you on a new path that becomes even more rewarding. Perhaps consider joining StudLife — no previous experience is needed! Staff

ANAELDA RAMOS | MANAGING ILLUSTRATION EDITOR

SPORTS

No. 1 women’s soccer stays undefeated, beats Calvin and Rose-Hulman

making it a 1-0 game.

Calvin University is no stranger to the No. 1 WashU women’s soccer team. Since 2008, the team has met 10 times. In 2023, the Bears defeated Calvin 4-1 to earn a slot in the Elite Eight. In 2024, WashU’s 0-0 draw with Calvin was one of two draws in the Bears’ otherwise perfect season.

On Sept. 5, the Bears faced off against the Knights for the third consecutive year. But the No. 25 team in the country looked completely outmatched as WashU shut out Calvin 2-0. Two days later, the Bears dominated Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to continue their four-game shutout streak to start the season.

Head coach Jim Conlon praised his team’s work ethic after the win against Calvin.

“We know Calvin was going to be a really good team and we just wanted to play our game,” Conlon said. “We wanted to really enjoy the process that they have been working so hard for and play to their abilities.”

The Bears quickly got momentum in the first half. Just 11 minutes into the match, junior Sophie Viscovich assisted senior Ella Koleno to score first,

“Sophie and I locked eyes and I knew what she was intending to do,” Koleno said. “And it was a good heads-up play, I’d say, on her part. It was awesome to put them [Calvin] under right away and pressure them hard.”

After the first goal, the Bears put up another six shots for the next 14 minutes, three landing on goal but blocked by Calvin’s goalkeeper. The silence was lifted at the 25-minute mark when senior Grace Ehlert scored off a corner kick to increase WashU’s lead to 2-0.

“The two goal lead was huge for our momentum,” Ehlert said. “After we score a goal, we want to continue to keep high pressure and put another opponent under again. I think it just gave us some extra confidence and we never get complacent with just one goal.”

For the rest of the first half, the Bears continued to apply force on Calvin’s goalkeeper, adding another five shots to the stat sheet.

In the second half, the Bears ramped up their shot attempts but unfortunately couldn’t find an opening.

Sophomore Olivia Clemons kept putting offensive pressure on the goalie, tallying six shots, four on net. Calvin ultimately held Clemons off the scoresheet, the first time in five games that she did

not score, dating back to last season.

As the match played on, the Bears were able to keep Calvin off the scoresheet, ending the game with a 2-0 win. Sophomore Kassidy Lanthier started in goal for the Bears. After splitting duties with sophomore Suzie Green and junior Charlotte Shapiro in the first two games of the season, Lanthier was in the net for all 90 minutes against Calvin, revealing the strong goalkeeper depth of the Bears roster.

“I think we just got to stay with our focus and try to put balls that are productive,” Conlon said after the game. “Whether those are passes or shots on goal, but I thought we did a good job today.”

On Sunday, WashU honored its five seniors before their game against RoseHulman. WashU quickly dominated possession and stayed on their attacking half for most of the first half. Despite having early possession and many opportunities, the Bears were unable to capitalize on the early momentum. The Bears had 15 shots, three of which were on goal, but were not able to get on the scoreboard in the first half. Multiple shots soared over the crossbar. The Bears still dominated the half, with good ball movement. WashU approached the

second half differently.

“I thought we were much more purposeful with our passes,” Conlon said. “RoseHulman did a good job defensively at creating tight spaces, so we had to try and find the right little pockets to play in. I think the girls had a much more effective second half than the first half.”

The Bears were finally able to score in the 67th minute. Ehlert dribbled up the field and laid the ball off to junior Madi Foley who whipped the ball into the upper corner, putting WashU up 1-0. The goal was Foley’s first of the season.

Less than three minutes later, a handball was called on the Fightin’ Engineers in

their box, giving the Bears a penalty kick. Ehlert took the kick and placed the ball perfectly in the bottom right corner of the net, bringing the score to 2-0.

The Bears’ scoring streak continued when Viscovich dribbled up and launched a shot from far outside of the box into the upper corner of the goal.

Just minutes later, Ehlert dribbled around the goalkeeper and put the ball in the back of the net again, bringing the score to 4-0. This was her sixth goal of the season. Ehlert had an impressive performance on her senior day, shooting five times, scoring twice, and getting an assist.

Not only did the Bears

shut out the Fightin’ Engineers, the defense did not even allow them to take a single shot on goal. Green played all 90 minutes in goal, but the sophomore netminder barely faced any action.

“I think it was a great team effort and win, and everyone fought really hard,” Foley said. “We really got to honor our seniors and all the efforts that they put in this program for the past four years.”

The Bears will travel to Naperville, Illinois on Friday, Sept. 12, to play North Central College. They will stay on the road to play Trine University on Sunday, Sept. 14.

Men’s soccer rebounds to a winning weekend against Elmhurst and Illinois College

scoresheet in the first half.

The WashU men’s soccer team had their start to the season disrupted by injuries to key players and thus needed to quickly develop chemistry with new players. The growing pains were evident last weekend with a tough defeat to Westminster College. With a week to learn from the loss, the Bears came out of this weekend with two wins, beating Elmhurst University 2-0 on Friday, Sept. 5 and Illinois College 2-1 on Sunday, Sept. 7.

WashU vs. Elmhurst

WashU dominated play against Elmhurst in their home opener, though the Bears struggled to find the

While the Bears fired seven shots on the Bluejays’ goalkeeper, Elmhurst made just one save. Neither team broke the ice until the 78th minute, when first-year defender Miles Newman swung a cross into the box.

The pass found junior mid-

fielder Colin Link, who broke the scoreless tie with his first goal of the season.

“It really was a team goal,” Link said. “We built the ball all the way out of the back and Miles just put in a perfect ball.”

Just five minutes later, the Elmhurst keeper saved Link’s second goal attempt of the game. However, the rebound landed at junior forward Ethan Wirtschafter’s feet, and the Bears’ leading goal-scorer deposited it in the net for an insurance goal.

The Bears’ backline

of Newman and juniors

Quentin Gomez, Carter Sasser, and Nik Avillo held the Bluejays to just one shot, allowing junior goalkeeper Cal L’Hommedieu to go the entire match without needing to make a save. Head coach Andrew Bordelon credited the defense with leading the team to the bounce-back victory.

“We ask a lot of those guys. It’s a tough position to play the way we want to play,” Bordelon said. “They have to be great leaders. They have to be good aerially. It’s really a crucial position to how we want to perform.”

WashU vs. Illinois College

On Sunday, the team traveled two hours north to take on Illinois College,

where the Bears won 2-1.

Once again, the first half of the game ended scoreless despite sustained pressure from the Bears. WashU had 14 shots to the Blueboys’ three, but could not find the back of the net. After the break, Gomez opened the scoring after just four minutes, getting on the end of first-year Sebastian Valdes’s corner to drive a header into the bottom corner. Gomez, despite being a defender, has two goals after the team’s first three games and is tied for the team lead in shots on goal. However, the Bears conceded a penalty five minutes later. With Illinois College through on goal, Newman slid to prevent a cross and easy tap-in for

the Blueboys. The ball hit Newman’s arm and there was no hesitation from the referee to call a penalty.

L’Hommedieu guessed the right way, but the penalty slid into the bottom right corner.

Bordelon praised his team’s resilient mentality after conceding a penalty.

“Giving away the penalty against the run of play, it can be easy to drop your head,” he wrote. “A big part in the game of soccer is dealing with hard moments and things that don’t go your way … There are things we still need to continue to improve but that mentality will carry us far this season.”

The Bears got off nine shots over the next 20 minutes before Link scored in the 80th minute. Two Illinois College players clashed into each other, sending the ball towards the goal, letting Link collect the ball before easily rounding the keeper to slot in the eventual game-winner. In the first four games of the season, WashU has outshot their opponents 90-21. Besides their 2-1 loss to Westminster College last weekend, men’s soccer dominantly won their other three games of the season. The Bears travel to Memphis to face Rhodes College on Friday, Sept. 12, before returning home to face North Park University on Tuesday, Sept. 16.

ANNA KWOK | CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Sophomore Cami Colpitts and WashU women’s soccer have yet to concede a goal this season.

JUSTIN ROSENBLATT | CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Senior Zach Susee wins a battle against an Elmhurst defender.

JUSTIN ROSENBLATT | CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Juniors Carter Sasser and Nik Avillo are half of the Bears’ dominant backline.

Under the lights, football rampages Rhodes in season opener

When former head coach Larry Kindbom was at the helm of WashU football, he instituted a “shutout board” in the locker room. The concept is simple: Every time the Bears win without giving up a point, the game gets written on the board.

The shutout board dates back to the days when current head coach Aaron Keen was the Bears’ starting quarterback. On Saturday, Sept. 6, Keen led his team to a shutout win for the second time as head coach, adding his name to the board with a 49-0 win over Rhodes College.

“We take a lot of pride in getting a shutout, because it’s a team deal,” Keen said. “I’m really happy for all of our players that we got the reward of a shutout, and now we get to add another one to the board.”

The Bears came out firing. Junior quarterback Levi Moore drove the WashU offense downfield on the opening drive, after the defense forced a Rhodes punt. After a long drive, senior running back Fred Ware found the end zone for the first WashU score of the season. WashU forced a threeand-out on the Lynx’s next

immediate possession. On the next play, Moore unleashed a deep ball to junior receiver Makael Carter, giving WashU the ball at the 3-yard line. Moore capitalized on the opportunity for his second rushing touchdown of the game. In his first season as the Bears’ starting quarterback, Moore showed off his talents both on the ground and in the air, throwing for 117 yards and rushing for 65.

“I thought [Moore] played outstanding football from the jump, and he executed really well, early in the game,” Keen said. “Our opponents have to defend him and do things a little bit differently, and that makes the rest of our offense a lot better.”

By the end of the first quarter, WashU boasted a three-score lead. On the first play of the second quarter, senior defensive back Ryan Schmadtke recorded an interception, and Moore connected with Carter to bring the score to 28-0 on the next Bears drive. Moore and Ware both recorded rushing touchdowns of their own in the second frame, and at the half, WashU had doubled their lead.

“We have a lot of readoption plays that either me or Levi [Moore] can swing,” Ware said. “With

half, sophomore quarterback Alexander Singh connected with first-year receiver Avery Lazard for a touchdown. While it was the last score of the game for either side, Keen credited his younger players for adding their mark to the dominating victory.

“It’s a really great opportunity for our younger guys to run our offense, and they’re going to grow a lot from it,” he said.

WashU football had not played a night game under the Francis Olympic Field lights since the 2021 season. WashU also boasted the largest attendance for a game outside of Parent and Family Weekend since the 2019 season. The crowd of over 2,000 included 1,200 students, many of whom were drawn to the game by dueling promotions by

University on Sept. 20. Their next home game, on Sept. 27, will be against Division III’s defending national champions, North Central College. While it’s still early in the season, Keen hopes that the Bears can carry the energy and momentum from the shutout win into the next few weeks.

“The biggest improvement you make as a football team is from week one to week two. We’re fortunate, because we have a bye week here, so it’s really week one to week three,” Keen said. “So we’ll have practices where we’ll get better in all phases of the game, and that time is going to be really valuable.”