The Bruins had five players score double digits en route to an 86-64 blowout against Creighton to advance to their third-straight Sweet 16.

Spoiler Warning for Season 2 of “This Is Us.”

Milo Ventimiglia as Jack Pearson and Mandy Moore as Rebecca Pearson. (Photo by NBC/Ron Batzdorff)

When one thinks about the power of television, NBC’s “This Is Us” should be a series that comes to mind due to its ability to connect with audiences in a way that feels personal and real. This was apparent when the show first premiered back in 2016, but the recently-wrapped Season 2 only builds upon that and becomes one of the most relatable and emotional stories to air on television recently. Not only does this season deliver in terms of story, it stands as one of the strongest acting ensembles to hit the small-screen.

Family dramas are nothing new to television, but “This Is Us” feels fresh and unlike anything else. A huge reason for this is the dynamic between the characters, something that viewers can relate to and feel connected to. Sure, this is still a fictional story, but their problems and highpoints are what ordinary people go through on a daily basis; Randall’s anxiety, Kevin’s alcoholism and Kate’s body image issues are all real life struggles that when portrayed like they are in “This Is Us,” make people feel less alone. And then there’s the death of Jack (which is finally explained in Season 2), which that adds even more brutal realism to the series as grief, trauma and guilt are put on full display and shown through the eyes of the Pearson family.

Justin Hartley as Kevin Pearson. (Photo by NBC/Ron Batzdorff)

Speaking of Jack’s death, it does open up a bit of an issue with the series in that the build up to it and the general mystery surrounding it feels somewhat gimmicky. By the time the moment finally rolls around mid-season, viewers have been aware of his demise for some time and have basically mourned him several times over. The series has done big mysteries and this season introduces even more, which do take away some of the simplicity and charm of the story itself. Hopefully “This Is Us” sticks to its roots and strays away from becoming a “gotcha!” show where viewers tune in to see nothing but plot twists. That being said, the quality of storytelling make it clear that this is likely to not happen anytime soon as the focus still seems to be on the characters.

What Season 2 of “This Is Us” does it add additional layers to each of the characters. Kevin is a perfect example of this in that the reasoning for his selfish persona is explained and given context via flashbacks to his childhood and teen years; this also helps to explain his current alcoholism and spiraling mental state. Kate’s difficulty talking about her father is also explored through the events leading up to his death, showing why she feels so much grief and responsibility for what happened. Randall also has significant developments as he and Beth take in a young foster child named Deja, who has her own issues that the show also explores. The reason this series connects with people so much is that it has this ability to tell the stories of the characters in a way that feels extremely personal and realistic; life isn’t easy to get through or understand, and “This Is Us” makes that clear with the stories that it presents.

Susan Kelechi Watson as Beth Pearson, Lyric Ross as Deja and Sterling K. Brown as Randall Pearson. (Photo credit: Photo by NBC/Ron Batzdorff)

Quite possibly the best aspect of “This Is Us” is the incredible performances from what is likely the best ensemble on television at the moment. Literally every member of the cast is consistently great, and the series gives everyone their own individual moment to shine. Sterling K. Brown is a masterclass in his portrayal of Randall, perfectly blending his dad humor with the seriousness and emotions of his struggle with anxiety and being a foster parent. Susan Kelechi Watson is an underrated gem, pulling a ton of punches in her performance as Beth and hitting so many hilarious humor notes. Justin Hartley really proves himself to be a remarkable performer as Kevin this season, specifically in the heartbreaking episode “Number One.”Milo Ventimiglia also deserves praise for making viewers so attached to his character of Jack before ripping him away. However, the absolute standout of this season is Mandy Moore, who gives quite possibly the best depiction of shock and grief in recent memory; all of her material in “Super Bowl Sunday” showcases her absolute raw talent as Rebecca.

Jack, Rebecca, Kate, Randall, Kevin, etc. feel real because they are us and we are them. Season 1 of “This Is Us” introduced us to the characters and Season 2 makes us fall in love with them even more. The interwoven relationships make the stories feel richer and more tangible than many other stories that are similar to this. Each episode feels full of life and serves to teach viewers more about the fascinating life of the Pearson family and its members, but also one’s own life. This is the type of series that can go on for many years, because of the growth and expansion of the story, as demonstrated this season with the introduction of the future timeline. In terms of acting and writing, “This Is Us” is the very definition of what television should be. It’s a carefully crafted drama that takes its time and doesn’t stray away from tough subjects; that’s more of what we need on television right now.

“This Is Us” is currently available to stream on Hulu. 

“The cost of silence is just too heavy,” ESPN sports journalist Jemele Hill said as she encouraged audience members to participate in activism and political discourse during College Council’s (CC) 18th annual State of Race address.

Hill, a senior correspondent and columnist for ESPN, addressed about 43 people on March 8 at CC’s final event of Social Justice Week at the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Administration Building (WHSCAB) Auditorium.

Hill came under public scrutiny in September 2017 after she referred to President Donald J. Trump as “a white supremacist” in a series of tweets. ESPN later suspended Hill for two weeks in October 2017 when she used Twitter to call for boycotts against the Dallas Cowboys after owner Jerry Jones told his team they would not play if they were disrespectful to the American flag. After her suspension, Hill changed positions at ESPN from being a “SportsCenter” anchor to a writer for “The Undefeated,” a website that focuses on the interplay between sports, race and culture.

Hill said that she regrets using social media to make comments about Trump and that it put her “SportsCenter” co-host Michael Smith in an uncomfortable position.

“While I don’t take back what I said, I would’ve found another way to do it,” Hill said in an interview with the Wheel. “Maybe if it was a part of an actual conversation, it would’ve allowed for the nuance of what I was saying to be understood [better].”

During her speech, Hill discussed race and social justice issues in sports and broader race and gender inequality issues in society, urging the audience to stay optimistic while fighting for social progress.

Hill mentioned a friend’s advice to try bringing people closer 10 percent at a time because it is difficult for significant social change to take effect suddenly.

She used former President Barack Obama’s elections into office and activist Martin Luther King Jr.’s advancements of civil rights as evidence that progress is often met with emotional resistance. When those two leaders made steps forward, some people disparaged them.

In her interview with the Wheel, Hill applauded the younger generation’s fight for social justice, referring to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students’ efforts that have spurred a nationwide movement for gun control reform in wake of the Feb. 14 high school shooting in Parkland, Fla.

“[The younger generations] need to show us the way,” Hill said. “It was amazing because these were young people who had a plan of action and were prepared to speak.”

Hill also said it is most important for people to be optimistic when pushing for social activism and change.

“I noticed by it being a tricky political climate that people feel pessimistic about what our future can be,” Hill said. “I feel optimistic because of the activation I see on a daily basis … I really expect this to have a trickle down effect for generations.”

CC Vice President of Programming Julian Pradeep (19C) said that CC chose Hill due to the way that she connects race, culture and sports, bringing light to issues that some other journalists have not.

“She brought a different perspective on race and politics,” Pradeep said. “She [brought] the aspect of sports that attracted people to the event and also allowed [us] to have this conversation in a different way.”

The theme for this year’s Social Justice Week was “Bringing in the Margins,” according to Pradeep.

Past keynote speakers include former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Sasheer Zamata and Emmy-award winning director Spike Lee.

The event was originally planned for Feb. 22 but was rescheduled to March 8 after Hill encountered a scheduling conflict, the Wheel reported Feb. 28.

“The turnout was a little less [than expected] because the event was rescheduled,” Pradeep said. “I’m still very pleased with the people who did come and took something away from [the event] … I saw people of all different cultures and races come together and learn from an amazing speaker.”

Karissa Kang (21C) told the Wheel that she thought that Hill’s speech was meaningful due to its emphasis on encouraging dialogue on difficult political and social debates.

“Though I do not agree with all of Jemele Hill’s political positions, I do absolutely and staunchly agree with her opinion that people of opposing views must speak with earnest intent to each other about difficult things,” Kang wrote in a March 13 email to the Wheel. “Now that I’m at college, I’m realizing the importance of intellectual diversity, so I’m very glad that Ms. Hill urged us all to engage our peers across political divides.”

The post Jemele Hill Urges Political Activism Among Youth appeared first on The Emory Wheel.

Update at 1:55 p.m.: University of Oregon President Michael Schill sent an email to campus earlier this afternoon addressing these incidents. “There is nothing more important than the safety and well-being of our students,” Schill wrote. “We are writing to share information about the steps we are taking to address off-campus safety, and to urge everyone on campus to take care of each other.”

Schill wrote that the UOPD is working closely with the Eugene Police Department so that both departments can share information and tactics. UOPD is also working with the Oregon Department of Justice to install neighborhood cameras this week. 

Two University of Oregon students were the victims of serious crimes near the UO Campus, according to an email announcement sent out by UO Police Department Monday night.

On the evening of March 17, a student said he was walking to Tom’s Market on 19th and Agate Street when he was grabbed by an unknown man, dragged into a car, driven to an unknown location and then sexually assaulted. The suspect, who was described as a thinly built, 6 feet 2 inches to 6 feet 4 inches white male wearing a black hoodie, black pants, and a black bandana, fled on foot. The survivor provided no description of the driver.

The second incident occurred on the afternoon of March 15. The victim was a UO student walking on 15th Avenue between Alder and Kincaid. The student said she was approached by three men speaking Spanish; one of them pushed her up against a car while the other two tried to cut the straps of her backpacks with knives. After pulling out her phone and telling the men she called the police, the suspects fled.

According to the email, the student described the first suspect as white, around 25 years old and about 6 feet tall with a lean build. He had blond collar-length hair, was clean shaven and had brown or hazel eyes. He was wearing a red Columbia jacket and an Oregon baseball hat.

The email described the second suspect as a 28 to 30 year old Hispanic man weighing about 280 pounds and wearing a blue-striped shirt. The knife he used had a six-inch fixed blade with blue electrical tape on the handle.

The third suspect was described as a 28 to 30 year old Hispanic man wearing a white tank top and using a pocket knife. The email described him as taller than 6 feet with a medium build. The suspect had dark black hair in a short ponytail, was clean shaven, and had brown eyes

The post Two UO students victims of recent crimes near campus appeared first on Emerald Media.

Throughout last Wednesday night’s multimedia performance at the Rhode Island School of Design Auditorium entitled “Qyrq Qyz,” the composition of the stage shifted: The only set piece, a black mountain of fabric, was deconstructed and the performers rearranged positions and formations to the beat of the music. The blend of layered voices and instruments created a hypnotic effect, luring the audience, which ranged from young children to adults, into its story.

The project, presented by the Rhode Island nonprofit FirstWorks, the Aga Khan Music Initiative and the Provost’s Office at RISD, was the culmination of two to three years of research and collaboration between its director, Uzbek filmmaker Saodat Ismailova, and contemporary composer Dmitri Yanov-Yanovsky. Following the epic story of “Qyrq Qyz” — Turkic for forty girls — the performance told the centuries-old tale of 40 female warriors on a quest to protect their land, sounds and images of Central Asia.

“It’s about female empowerment,” Ismailova said, adding that she hopes this timely piece speaks to the audience in addition to the young female performers she directed. “I really hope that this project will give them a motivation and a belief that they should continue to develop their individuality and express themselves in their art,” as well as proving to the performers “that the woman has a capacity not only to devote herself to a family and children but also have her own individual voice,” Ismailova said.

Broken into four parts — earth, air, water and fire — the piece combined traditional music with contemporary film and movement. By creating a performative representation of the story, Ismailova was able to present the narrative to wider audiences, she said.

The film, which was silent during all but a few moments, was projected on a screen behind the performers. The bright colors and light often juxtaposed the darkened stage, the set piece and the simple, black costumes — which strayed from the traditional style and color of such a performance, Ismailova said. “It’s a rethinking of tradition,” she added.

Certain images — a blooming white flower, a white horse, stacked colorful mats —  appeared throughout the performance, their symbolic meaning shifting as the tension in the plot grew, ultimately reaching their final form at the resolution.

While the telling of epic poems such as “Qyrq Qyz” remains a vibrant tradition in Central Asia, the last orator of “Qyrq Qyz” passed away in 2004, freezing the story and its tradition in its transcription from 1938, Ismailova explained. Inspired by the story, Ismailova challenged herself with determining what contemporary elements, such as “image, sound, movement, theatrical light and a composer,” could add to the performance, she said.

Theodore Levin, professor of music at Dartmouth, co-produced the project alongside the Aga Khan Music Initiative. “It’s a production of sublime beauty and … artistic imagination,” Levin said, adding that “‘Qyrq Qyz’ is at once ancient and very contemporary,” making it an example of how “the boundlessness of tradition (can) inspire contemporary artistic creativity.”

The Aga Khan Music Initiative is a cultural development program that works with local musicians in Central Asia and other regions of the world to “revitalize their musical traditions in the post-Soviet era and develop them further into contemporary languages of art,” Levin said. Ismailova had worked with the Initiative in the past, creating nine documentary films on the traditional music of Central Asia. This piece was inspired by a shorter work of film she created on the same topic, which led the Aga Khan Music Initiative to commission Ismailova to combine film with traditional music.

Levin, who has studied Central Asian music for 45 years, still considers himself a student, learning from the performers as he witnesses and discusses their tradition, techniques and “their own creative trajectories,” he explained. “For me it’s like really doing a kind of field work,” Levin said.

The performance was the first of three in the FirstWorks Frontier Series. FirstWorks is “dedicated to connecting art with audiences,” said Kathleen Pletcher, FirstWorks’ founder and executive artistic director. “Our whole idea is that we build our community, … (and) we build the fabric of Rhode Island, through world-class performing arts,” Pletcher added. 

The series continued at the RISD Auditorium Sunday March 18, with a performance by Venezuelan singer Betsayda Machado. The final presentation of the series, a theatrical cinematic portrayal of a coming-of-age story, titled “Lula Del Ray,” will be presented at the Moses Brown School Woodman Family Community and Performance Center on April 7.

Missing child in Berkeley located, according to Berkeley Police alert

Google Maps /Creative Commons

Updated 03/20/2018: this article has been updated to include information from a second Nixle alert.

Formerly missing 8-year-old child Duncaan Burdick has now been found, according to a Nixle alert released by Berkeley Police Department Tuesday afternoon.

The first Nixle alert said Burdick was last seen Tuesday about 1:30 p.m. near Malcolm X Elementary School while heading northbound on King Street. He is described in the alert as a white male with curly blond hair and blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a blue Tyrannosaurus rex hoodie, khaki pants and black rain boots.

A second Nixle alert was released about an hour after the first, and said Burdick had been found.

Check back for updates.

Contact Sakura Cannestra and Sydney Fix at newsdesk@dailycal.org.

The Daily Californian

It is crucial, from the first meeting, to ask questions about the file to examine the answers provided by the lawyer. You should also verify that the lawyer correctly responds to the inquiries of the client, with accessible and reassuring language. Additionally, some reputable lawyers do not hesitate to ask their assistants or trainees to work on some secondary files, with sometimes unpleasant results.

For example, if a client is the victim of an accident, a lawyer should take all the necessary steps to acquire for the client adequate compensation for the damage to the client and to control the offers of indemnities in accordance with the current jurisprudence. The amount to pay should also be fixed by agreement between lawyer and client. You must entrust your file to a lawyer who enjoys the full trust of their clients. Also, listen to his arguments because he advises you and acts in your interest.

However, if the circumstances are urgent or if your file is straightforward (which is very rare), the lawyer can tell you what the first steps to take to protect your interests are. One chooses his lawyer according to the matter to be treated. Also, it is not uncommon for reputable lawyers to fall behind in their work and ask less experienced staff to assist them.

Another criterion of choice may be the geographical location of the law firm in relation to the client’s home. Remember, there are still many isolated lawyers outside the big cities where the lawyer has the difficult task of having to master a lot of different matters. Defining your needs is also determining your budget. Also, before the courts, lawyers can usually plead a case everywhere in the US, whatever their bar of origin.

Remember that your lawyer defends your rights and offers you the best solution for your situation. From this point of view, it should be pointed out that the choice of a suitable lawyer depends on the problem you are facing. You can, therefore, consult with them for any legal question.

The rates of a lawyer can be by the hour worked, or fixed price and a lawyer should communicate with you clearly from the beginning of the procedure approximately how much it will cost you. To choose a lawyer, it is wise to question one that has a specialization suited to your case. All clients and future clients of a lawyer, therefore, have a vested interest in what a lawyer can or can not do.

Therefore, the lawyer who has defended your neighbor for his divorce may not be as competent to carry out your personal injury claim. You should also be aware that a personal injury claim will take a lot of time (sometimes years) and that your nerves will be put to the test (especially when using postponements or appeals). Also, towards the end of the 20th century, legal texts and legislative amendments multiplied.

Therefore, you should find a lawyer that knows all the different laws that will relate to your case. Remember, it all depends on how you compare lawyers and your selection criteria. If a family member, friend or colleague recommends a lawyer, you are more likely to make a good choice.

On the other hand, you should never choose a lawyer on the sole advice of a third party. There are many lawyers of all ages who will, competently, seek only the best outcome for their clients. Therefore, observe how a lawyer responds to you.

A lawyer must be open and attentive. This attentiveness guarantees the quality of the relationship based on mutual trust and transparency without which the lawyer cannot adequately defend the interests of the client. On the other hand, these criteria are not a guarantee of success.

Also, make sure you have a written proposal for the billing method: fees, time spent, etc. Remember, a lawyer must not be an acquaintance or a friend. Also, your lawyer should have a personality that you like. If at the first appointment you know that you do not like the lawyer, it is needless to say: you should then change your lawyer.

Update 7:19 p.m.: Frontier Fiesta announced on its Facebook page to be on the look out to win meet-and-greet passes with Jeremih. The concert is free to the general public.

7:00 p.m. R&B singer-songwriter Jeremih will headline Frontier Fiesta’s 2018 concert at 10 p.m. Saturday on the main stage, the Student Program Board announced Monday evening on Twitter.

Jeremey Felton, whose stage name is Jeremih, is best known for the songs “Oui”, “Don’t Tell ‘Em” and “Birthday Sex.” The concert is expected to last for one hour and will cap off the end of Frontier Fiesta.

Jeremih’s latest album “Late Nights” released in 2015, and the singer is working on another album titled “Later That Night.”

DRAM performed at Frontier Fiesta 2017. Frontier Fiesta is the University of Houston’s oldest tradition. First held in 1940, it is now one of the most anticipated events each spring semester, featuring an entire weekend of variety shows, carnival booths, student performers, a cook-off and scholarship awards.

news@thedailycougar.com

—
“R&B singer Jeremih to headline Frontier Fiesta 2018” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Before 2016, the Bruins had made the Sweet 16 just three times.

Now, they’ll be heading there for the third time in the last three seasons.

No. 3-seeded UCLA women’s basketball (26-7) took down No. 11-seeded Creighton (19-13) at 86-64 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to advance to the regional semifinals in Kansas City, Missouri.

After missing their first field goal, the Bruins hit their next six shots, leading to a 13-0 run that would put them in the driver’s seat for the rest of the game.

Senior guard Jordin Canada led the charge for the Bruins, scoring 21 points on 6-of-7 shooting and 9-of-10 from the line. She never attempted a 3-pointer, but excelled as a distributor and rebounder, racking up 8 assists and 6 boards in her final appearance in Pauley Pavilion.

“The things we accomplished here, it all came back to me walking off the court,” Canada said. “Being able to get a win in our last home game here ever is just a great feeling, it’s something I really can’t describe. It was just awesome.”

Canada only missed two shots all night – one from the field and another from the charity stripe – to lead the Bruins with 21 points in Monday's contest. (Kristie-Valerie Hoang/Assistant Photo editor)

On top of the near-perfect performance from Canada, UCLA’s offensive attack was well-balanced, as five Bruins finished the night in double digits. As a team, they shot 48 percent from the field, an improvement over their 45 percent performance when they played the Blue Jays in November.

In that meeting, the Bruins won by just nine, and were behind by nine at one point in the first half. This time, they led Creighton for just over 38 of the game’s 40 minutes.

Junior transfer guard Japreece Dean provided a spark off the bench, scoring 16 points and sinking four triples. This was Dean’s first season as a Bruin, and she said she’s ready to make an impact on a championship-level team.

“This is my first time even going to the tournament, so I just feel blessed,” Dean said. “I just think this is a good opportunity for us to make history.”

Even redshirt junior guard Chrissy Baird, who made just one field goal all season, knocked down a three to join the scoring party.

UCLA’s stifling defense ran the full-court press for the first three quarters, forcing 18 turnovers that led to 29 points, while also tallying four blocks. Five of the team’s 12 steals came courtesy of Canada, above her Pac-12 leading average of 3.2 per game.

“We didn’t have that the other night, on Saturday … we weren’t able to dictate on the defensive end,” Canada said. “We played to our identity … and made it hard for them to get into a rhythm.”

The Bruins led by a wide margin on the boards as well, pulling down 37 rebounds as opposed to the Blue Jays’ 27. Their 15 offensive rebounds led to 16 second-chance points, four of which came from senior forward Monique Billings. The Lisa Leslie Award finalist tallied 9 boards – four of which came on the offensive end – to go along with her 15 points.

UCLA is now the only No. 3 seed remaining in the tournament after an upset-ridden weekend in the other regions. The Bruins will take on No. 2-seeded Texas on Friday night in Kansas City, following the Longhorns’ defeat of No. 7-seeded Arizona State earlier Monday. UCLA lost to Texas in the Sweet 16 two years ago, but coach Cori Close assured that her team has a real chance to move on to the Elite 8 this year.

“If you can get to a regional, get a neutral site, I think anyone has an opportunity,” Close said. “The seed numbers are really out the window at this point.”

Editor’s Note: This Letter to the Editor is in response to a Technique consensus. The rideshare bill offered unlimited $1 rides from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. seven days a week in the immediate Tech area. The three rides for $1 mentioned below are for commuters, cover a larger area and are only a flat discount. The pilot was not meant to limit students to those three rides.

Two weeks ago, the Graduate Student Senate (GSS) failed a RideShare bill, which would’ve spent $100,000 of Student Activity Fees (SAF) to fund a 6-8 week pilot that would subsidize students to take three $1 UberPool rides. GSS recognizes and shares in the struggles of Tech’s transportation services. However, contrary to the Technique’s editorial opinion that graduate senators were “playing politics,” GSS acted in the best interests of the student body by failing the bill.

First, and foremost, GSS did not consider the RideShare bill a responsible use of SAF. GSS was concerned using fees paid by both undergraduate and graduate students to pay for institutional structural improvements that should be funded elsewhere would set a problematic precedent. The bill’s proponents could not answer what alternative fundraising efforts undertaken before seeking SAF funding. Despite proponents’ emotional appeals, there was a troubling lack of evidence the bill would actually improve Tech’s student community.

One of SGA’s core responsibilities is to properly vet and assess each bill it receives. GSS was eager to learn about the proposal, determine whether its intended goals were reachable, and help facilitate a responsible use of SAF. Yet, nearly all details of the bill were hidden behind a non-disclosure agreement, rendering GSS unable to fulfill its core obligation to Tech students. Except for initial involvement in creating a boundary map last September, Graduate SGA was never consulted in the planning of this program. Bill proponents claimed most of the proposal was composed less than a week before the bill was introduced, but that it must also be passed immediately. It’s unfortunate the Technique chose to accuse senators of “playing politics,” rather than acknowledge GSS was not adequately included in drafting a proposal with major implications for graduate students — who represent 47 percent of the student body. It is irresponsible for SGA to approve a funding request without due diligence and whose details are obscured behind so thick a veil of secrecy.

Neither GSS nor UHR were given an assessment of how Stingerette could be improved before substituting a free service for a questionable, for-profit rideshare partnership. No details were provided on alternatives considered or why rideshare is the sole or best option. Perhaps, this $100,000 might be sufficient to improve Stingerette, or pay drivers to revive the defunct GOTCHA-ride? Beyond this, siphoning students off of Stingerette could give the administration justification for abandoning or giving up on improving Stingerette. Without sufficient transparency or a review of the potential consequences of adopting a new program, GSS was not comfortable subsidizing a for-profit company we have little control over to expand its Atlanta market share.

While the issue of student safety was brought forth as one reason to support the pilot, there is no data-driven reason to believe a rideshare partnership would improve the safety, security, or comfort of Tech students. This is especially true as one’s rider experience is significantly shaped by gender, race, and perceived sexuality. Although the Technique argued a rideshare partnership could give students “an alternative to waiting outside,” students can already call a rideshare service if they wish. No data was provided on how many Tech students currently avoid using Uber or Lyft late night because of the cost, raising the question of how impactful the pilot would be.

Although the Technique argued the “Stingerette also has the authority to kick students out of vans for whatever reason drivers deem appropriate,” they failed to recognize rideshare drivers can also kick out, investigate, or ban riders who engage in offensive or inappropriate behavior. Stingerette drivers report riders to OSI when they are in violation of the student code of conduct, which all students ought to follow. Beyond this, the bill raised data security questions, such as “who would own data collected on students?” and “does the proposed rideshare company already have data they could provide at no or a lower cost to assess the impact of a rideshare program?”

On the argument for the pilot as a data collection mechanism, it was constructed in a way that forced excessive bias into the data, such as limiting the program to three rides per student. If the purpose of the pilot is to collect reliable and valid data for institutional groups, it must be constructed in scientifically rigorous manner, and paid for by the institute. It is wrong to use SAF to pay to collect data for the Institute. If the pilot was meant to assess if rideshare reduces Clery Act offenses, then it’d be foolish to cap the number of rides per student.

It’s a shame the Technique neither reported accurate details of the proposed bill, GSS deliberations, or reached out to any GSS members before making assumptions about “a number of student legislators.” It is presumptuous for a publication with an entirely undergraduate staff, which neither regularly attends GSS nor covers graduate issues, to claim to know graduate needs better than elected graduate senators. SGA is a representative democracy, and GSS embodies the voice of Tech’s 13,798 graduate students. Through individual and community outreach with the graduate student body, GSS found constituents overwhelmingly and definitively negative about this bill.