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.

A season that opened with a top 10 national ranking for USC men’s basketball, with talks of a potential Final Four berth, ended Monday night in the second round of the National Invitational Tournament.

Sunny Dong | Daily Trojan

In a contest that came down to the final seconds, USC fell to visiting Western Kentucky in front of a Southern California home crowd at the Galen Center, 79-75.

A basket from WKU senior forward Justin Johnson gave the Hilltoppers a 76-73 lead with one minute remaining in regulation.

USC sophomore forward Nick Rakocevic’s late basket cut the WKU lead to 76-75 with 53 seconds to play.

A free throw from Johnson, who finished with a game-high 23 points (8-for-14 FG), put the Hilltoppers ahead 77-75 with 33 seconds remaining.

On the ensuing USC possession, freshman forward Jordan Usher airballed the potential go-ahead 3-pointer with 24 seconds left in play.

The Hilltoppers proceeded to put the nail in USC’s coffin with a dunk from WKU graduate student forward Dwight Coleby with 11 seconds remaining. Coleby’s late slam put the Trojans behind, 79-75.

“It was a weird kind of game for our team, having so many players missing on our team,” USC head coach Andy Enfield said. “Western Kentucky played very, very well tonight. But we’re focused on all that we did accomplish this season.”

For the second consecutive game, USC was without its leading scorer, junior forward Chimezie Metu (15.7 PPG this season). Metu, who was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team this season, has elected to sit out of NIT games to avoid injury before the upcoming NBA Draft.

Despite not playing, Metu was in the general audience at the Galen Center, seated behind the USC bench.

“After speaking with administration and looking at policies, [it wouldn’t have been] possible for Metu to sit on the bench with the team as an inactive player,” Enfield said. “It was his decision [not to play in NIT]. And we respect him as a student-athlete. He’s given our program three fantastic seasons.”

USC’s biggest struggles Monday night may have came from the charity stripe, as the Trojans finished the game shooting 8-for-19 (42.1 percent) from the free-throw line. In completely opposite fashion, WKU hit 16 of its 17 free throw attempts (94.1 percent) against the Trojans.

“Yeah, we were terrible [at the free-throw line tonight] … that made a big difference in the game,” Enfield said.

It was a pair of free throws from WKU graduate student guard Darius Thompson that gave the Hilltoppers a 74-72 lead they would not relinquish with just over two minutes remaining in regulation.

After a layup from senior guard Jordan McLaughlin, USC led by 6 points with just under six minutes remaining,  67-61. McLaughlin concluded his illustrious USC career by recording a double-double Monday night; as he scored 13 points (6-for-13 FG) and collected 14 assists.

Rakocevic also recorded a double-double against the Hilltoppers. Despite being left out of the starting lineup, Rakocevic gave the Trojans an 11-point (5-for-7 FG), 10-rebound effort off the bench.

USC senior guard Elijah Stewart also put together a strong performance in what was his final game as a Trojan. Stewart, who concludes his USC career with the most 3-point field goals in USC history, finished Monday’s game with a team-high 20 points (8-for-13 FG).

Stewart hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds of the third quarter to cut the Trojans’ then-deficit to 59-58 entering the final quarter of play. His last game with USC saw him hit 4-of-7 shots from beyond the arc.

A 12-3 run from WKU in the third quarter gave the Hilltoppers their largest lead of the game at 57-50.

The Trojans trailed the Hilltoppers at the halftime break, 40-39. A three-minute scoring drought in the second quarter from USC gave way to a 9-0 WKU run that gave the Hilltoppers a 38-35 lead with two minutes left in the half.

Stewart was tied for the game-high in scoring at the half with 12 points (5-for-9 FG). Stewart scored 10 points in the first quarter.

“It’s the end of a chapter in [some of our] lives … we’re going to miss it,” said Stewart after his final game as a Trojan. “We gave USC the best four years of our lives, and now it’s time to go be grown ups.”

Western Kentucky shot a combined 17-for-28 (60.7 percent) from the field in the first half.

With the loss, USC finished the 2017-18 season with a 24-12 record overall (12-6 in  Pac-12 play). This season was USC’s third-consecutive with 20-plus victories. Over the past three seasons, USC has won a combined 71 games (the most in a three-year stretch in program history).

The Trojans’ second-place finish in the Pac-12 regular season standings was the highest conference finish in program history since 2002.

Over the offseason, the Trojans will deal with several key losses in their personnel. The losses will include vital seniors such as McLaughlin and Stewart, and almost certainly Metu. A young core and returning contributors for USC will look to keep the momentum of this program going forward in a positive direction.

“Well now, it’s the job of the next group of guys to step up and keep the winning going for our program,” Enfield said. “I can’t say enough about the upperclassmen we’ve had on our team. They came to USC when our program was rebuilding, and they have been the reason our program has [had so much success] the past three years.”

The post The Fall of Troy: A season of missed expectations appeared first on Daily Trojan.

Boston —March 20, 2018—Cengage, an education and technology company, and Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED), a leading provider of educational products and services solutions for higher education and K-12 institutions, today announced that beginning in August, Cengage Unlimited subscriptions will be offered at Barnes & Noble Education’s 1,480 campus stores and their school branded e-commerce sites through its Barnes & Noble College and MBS Textbook Exchange subsidiaries.

Announced this past December, a Cengage Unlimited subscription gives students access to all the company’s digital higher education course materials—more than 22,000 products across 70 disciplines and more than 675 courses—for $119.99 a semester (or $179.99 for 1 year, $239.99 for 2 years), no matter how many Cengage materials they use.  Students using the world-class digital platforms have the option of free print rentals, paying only a $7.99 shipping fee.

“We have a strong relationship with Barnes & Noble Education rooted in a shared dedication to improving the student experience. Together we are expanding options for students seeking more affordable learning materials,” said Todd Markson, Chief Strategy Officer, Cengage. “Our partnership on Cengage Unlimited helps to ensure this compelling and affordable subscription service to our full catalog of high quality learning materials will get in the hands of as many students as possible.”

“At Barnes & Noble College, we aim to support students and faculty by ensuring they have all of the tools they need to succeed in the classroom,” said Patrick Haze, Vice President, Course Materials, Barnes & Noble College. “We are pleased to grow our offerings to now provide the millions of students and faculty we serve with even greater access to affordable, accessible course materials.”

“As a valued partner for schools nationwide, we understand the important role affordable course materials play in driving student success. We look forward to further expanding the robust selection of learning materials we offer with Cengage Unlimited,” said Bill Dampier, Executive Vice President, MBS Textbook Exchange.

Cengage and Barnes & Noble Education will leverage their digital integration technology to seamlessly deliver Cengage digital products and Cengage Unlimited to students. Cengage digital products are also available through Barnes & Noble College’s First Day™ inclusive access program, ensuring that students have materials readily available at the start of class.

Following other recent partnership announcements, this agreement highlights the continued momentum towards making Cengage Unlimited, the first of its kind affordable subscription service, accessible to all students wherever they are.

For more information, visit Cengage.com/Unlimited.

About Cengage
Cengage is the education and technology company built for learners. As the largest US-based provider of teaching and learning materials for higher ed, we offer valuable options at affordable price points. Our industry-leading initiatives include Cengage Unlimited, the first-of-its-kind all-access digital subscription service.  We embrace innovation to create learning experiences that build confidence and momentum toward the future students want. Headquartered in Boston, Cengage also serves K-12, library and workforce training markets around the world. Visit us at www.cengage.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

About Barnes & Noble Education, Inc.
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED), a leading provider of educational products and services solutions for higher education and K-12 institutions, enhances the academic and social purpose of educational institutions. Through its Barnes & Noble College and MBS subsidiaries, Barnes & Noble Education operates 1,480 physical and virtual bookstores and serves more than 6 million students and faculty, and offers a suite of digital software, content and services including direct-to-student study tools. The Company also operates one of the largest textbook wholesale distribution channels in the United States. Barnes & Noble Education acts as a strategic partner to drive student success, provide value and support to students and faculty, and create loyalty and improve retention, while supporting the financial goals of our college and university partners.

BNED companies include: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC, MBS Textbook Exchange, LLC, BNED LoudCloud, LLC, Student Brands, LLC, and Promoversity, LLC. General information on Barnes & Noble Education may be obtained by visiting the Company’s corporate website: www.bned.com. 

###

Media Contacts:
Lindsay Stanley
Cengage
203-965-8634
lindsay.stanley@cengage.com

Carolyn Brown
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc.
908-991-2967
cbrown@bned.com

Two weeks ago, after a spike in armed robberies around campus, McKenna Sheridan started working on implementing a rideshare system for her sorority to make sure that no girl walks home by herself at night.

The rideshare system is named Alpha Chi Uber, although this may change depending on whether or not they receive copyright usage from Uber.

Sheridan, the vice president for AXΩ’s risk management, said that they “needed something to happen,” after the recent increase in incidents around campus.

“If anyone needs anything, they’re there for you,” said Kourtynie Farasyn, a freshman member of AXΩ.

The day after one of AXΩ’s members said she was attacked, Sheridan started the process of building a rideshare system for the sorority. Sheridan keeps a running spreadsheet of drivers who volunteer for certain hours each day.

The rideshare system officially operates Thursday, Friday and Saturday, during whatever hours drivers volunteer for, and is open to any AXΩ member.

Sheridan created a closed Facebook page where drivers post their hours each night and girls can ask for rides. Recently, drivers started volunteering on nights during the week, and not just the official operational nights.

“Some drivers will stick to certain hours and say they’re going to be done at 1 a.m., while other drivers know that they’re going to be pulling all-nighters,” Sheridan said.

According to Farasyn, there’s a google document for every week to sign up as a volunteer driver. For just signing up with their phone number as an emergency contact, girls can earn one hour of community service, even if they end up not driving anyone.

March 8 started the first test week for Alpha Chi Uber, where 30-40 rides were given by 15 volunteer drivers, according to Sheridan.

Because it was coming up on dead week when the program started, Sheridan expects numbers to go up once spring term starts.

“One of the important parts of this system is educating [the] girls that it’s not safe to walk home alone,” Sheridan said.

Sheridan started creating “Alpha Chi Uber Kits,” for the volunteer drivers. These are small baskets for drivers to take with them when they start their night.

Kits include water bottles, gum, fruit snacks, candy, wet wipes and saltines. Drivers are given these kits to make the riders’ time more enjoyable.

This term, the drivers are paying out of pocket for gas, but Sheridan says that next term she will start doing a raffle every week for one or two drivers to win a gas gift card.

After the test weekend, Sheridan posted a survey on the Facebook page asking the girls if they felt that the rideshare system made a difference in their safety that weekend.

“100 percent of the girls that replied felt it made a difference,” Sheridan said.

“I do believe that it has increased our safety because people post on our page all the time about being able to drive or needing a ride,” Farasyn said. “That’s why it works so well.”

The post Alpha Chi Uber helps members not walk around alone appeared first on Emerald Media.

On Wednesday, Police Chief Jeffrey Baker conducted a webcast to answer questions submitted by students concerning campus safety.

Baker was joined by Dean of Students Christine Reed Davis and Student Body President Tracey Allsbrook.

The webcast follows multiple incidents at the university, including an armed robbery outside 0f the Student Union in February and a hit-and-run that resulted in a shooting near Lot 27 at the edge of campus on March 3. No one was injured. On March 12, police were also informed of a student who threatened to “shoot up” the school. That student has since been removed from campus. Earlier in the month, on March 9, a sexual assault occured on a walkway near campus heading towards Campus Walk Apartments.

During the live stream, Baker discussed safety measures taken by university police to prevent incidents from occurring.

“Although we’ve had some alarming incidents recently, violent crime is really rare on campus,” Baker said.

He emphasized that UNC Charlotte is a public campus and that having people who aren’t affiliated with the university on the premises is common. In some cases, incidents on campus don’t involve students. At a Student Government Association Senate meeting on Thursday, Baker revealed that 90 percent of crimes committed on campus are done by non-students.

To protect students, officers are strategically placed throughout campus to patrol areas around the clock and keep an eye out for suspicious activity.

Because of recent events, some students submitted questions regarding the university’s plan of action in the event of an active shooter. Baker explained that officers on campus go through active shooter training when the university is closed. Student organizations can also request to have law enforcement train them.

“Nothing is more important to us than the safety and security of our students, faculty and staff,” said Baker.

Students also submitted multiple questions about how the addition of the light rail stop will impact campus safety.

The police chief explained that the light rail has a contract with the security company G4S Secure Solutions, which allows for armed officers to keep watch over things. In addition to that, there are numerous high-resolution cameras placed inside the trains and at the light rail stops. Law enforcement officers are also stationed at every stop along the rail line.

A few of the questions also dealt with student’s safety after hours. Baker urged students to take precautions when moving about campus during late hours, including walking in groups and in well-lit areas.

Baker also addressed student’s concern with security in parking decks. There are no security cameras in the decks on campus, however Baker explained that there is almost no crime in parking decks. According to him, the number of vehicle break-ins has dropped dramatically in the last few years.

Throughout the stream, Baker highlighted the importance of the LiveSafe app, a tool that students can use to contact campus law enforcement directly. The app has features like police escort requests and an anonymous tip line for reporting suspicious activity. It also contains a GPS tracking system so that police can locate users in the event of an emergency.

ERIE, PA (March 19, 2018) – How do we prevent war? How great a price are we willing to pay for peace? Can we use the lessons learned throughout history to extend peace into tomorrow? The Price of Peace: A Personal Exploration by Johan Norberg, which will be airing early April, investigates the use of […]

James Finney | Assistant A&E Editor

With a name like O’Connor, it’s no surprise that the team of foodies and brewmasters at Norfolk’s most humble brewery pulled out all the stops for their St. Patrick’s Day celebration and 7th-year anniversary. Sipping … Read More

The post St. Patrick’s Day at O’Connor Brewing appeared first on Mace & Crown.

ERIE, PA (March 19, 2018) – How do we prevent war? How great a price are we willing to pay for peace? Can we use the lessons learned throughout history to extend peace into tomorrow? The Price of Peace: A Personal Exploration by Johan Norberg, which will be airing early April, investigates the use of deterrence and appeasement in an era of rogue nations and nuclear proliferation. Check local listings for station, time and additional airings.

The one-hour documentary examines turning-point historical events to reveal hard-learned lessons – not only for the U.S., but for other cultures and countries as well, including:
● an examination of the present day situation in Korea not only through the lens of North Korea’s current nuclear capabilities and cross-border saber rattling, but also with a cautionary tale of 1976 Korea Tree Incident from Brian Bishop, Major General, U.S. Air Force (RET) and former Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Command and U.S. Forces Korea and others who were there;
● delving into the human side of the equation, including a vivid interview with the son of Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov, the Russian commander widely credited with averting World War III in 1983;
● interviews with Falkland citizens and Sir Max Hastings, author and journalist about Argentina’s ill-conceived invasion of the Falkland Islands;
● linking together such diverse topics as pre-World War II Europe, where British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain proudly declares to a cheering crowd in 1938 that the Munich Agreement meant “peace for our time,” to the Masai tribe of East Africa and their use of deterrence to protect cattle, and thus their society.

Victor Davis Hanson, author of Seductions of Appeasement, serves as a historical analyst through several incidents, such as the Falklands War, detailing conditions necessary to maintain peace and precisely identifying instabilities that can quickly escalate a peaceful situation to armed combat. Highly respected military, history and foreign policy experts offer insights, as well.

Free To Choose Media Executive Editor Johan Norberg asks the difficult question of what is the price society is willing to pay for peace?

The Price of Peace is a production of Free To Choose Media. Kip Perry is producer and co-director. Elan Bentov is writer/co-director/camera. Thomas Skinner and Bob Chitester are executive producers. A trailer for the documentary can be found at www.thepriceofpeacefilm.com.

Major funding for The Price of Peace is provided by Robert and Marion Oster and L.E. Phillips Family Foundation. Additional funding was provided by Sarah Scaife Foundation and The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, Inc.

About Johan Norberg
International commentator Johan Norberg is an author, presenter and editor whose focus is globalization, entrepreneurship, and individual liberty. He is the executive editor at Free To Choose Media and a senior fellow at the Cato Institute. He has authored several books, including his newest, Progress: Ten Reasons to Look Forward to the Future. His book In Defense of Global Capitalism, originally published in Swedish in 2001, has since been published in over twenty different countries. Norberg’s articles and opinion pieces appear regularly in both Swedish and international newspapers, and he is a regular commentator and contributor on television and radio around the world.

About Free To Choose Media
Free To Choose Media produces thought-provoking public television programs and series, offering non-partisan, powerful stories that advocate for the well-being of every individual, as well as vibrant, fresh perspectives on a range of vital global and national issues. For more than 30 years, the Free To Choose production teams have traveled the world to explore topics such as the economic roots of the Arab Spring and the inspiring stories of entrepreneurs raising themselves and their communities out of poverty, and a look at how innovation and new technologies may be the answer to the world’s growing energy needs. Headquartered in Erie, PA, Free To Choose Media is a television production initiative of Free To Choose Network, a global media company. For more information, visit the website at www.FreeToChooseMedia.org.

About WTTW Chicago
WTTW Chicago presents a wide array of ground-breaking content for the national public media system, with series and specials on education, politics, public affairs, science, business, arts and entertainment, health, and religion. WTTW Chicago’s landmark series include Soundstage, featuring concerts by top pop and rock artists in an intimate concert setting; the popular cooking series, MEXICO — One Plate at a Time with Rick Bayless; and the new animated series Nature Cat, a co-production with Chicago’s Spiffy Pictures which premiered nationwide in November 2015. WTTW Chicago has also served as the national presenting station for such programs as 1916 – The Irish Rebellion, inCommon with Mike Leonard, Curious Traveler, Dream of Italy, Islands Without Cars, Speakeasy, Vintage, the educational children’s properties Mission to Planet 429 and UMIGO, the award-winning children’s series WordWorld, and many others. For more information, please visit wttw.com/national.

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Media Contact
Marjory Hawkins
(512) 838-6324
mhawkins@hawkinspr.com

Spoiler Warning for Season 8, Episode 12 of “The Walking Dead,” as well as all episodes of the previous seasons. Certain spoilers from the graphic novel series will also be discussed.

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes. (Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC)

When “The Walking Dead” gets crazy, it gets insane. While the “All Out War” story arc may be dragging a bit, this episode proves that the show is at its best when it mixes strong character development and interactions with intense action. This is the best episode of Season 8 and is a prime example of “The Walking Dead” done right. Rick and Negan finally come face-to-face as Maggie explores a new mystery that presents itself, all the while Simon plots to take over control of the Saviors. With a battle raging on, the seeds are planted for an expansive future that will carry the story forward for years to come.

The cliffhanger of the previous episode teased Negan’s new element of eliminating his enemies: biological warfare. “The Key” begins with a sequence showing the Saviors at the Sanctuary preparing their weapons by dipping them in walker guts and blood. Dwight is welcomed home by Negan in an awkward conversation that showcases the slight uneasiness that Dwight clearly feels about his place among the Saviors. With the weapons armed and ready, Simon and Dwight lead the forces out…but Negan decides to tag along in his own car with Lucille, who has been bloodied up herself. While the specifics of just how exactly the “walker-infected” weapons will work, it’s clear that Negan is totally excited at the prospect of Rick’s group being caught off guard by this new tactic. The question remains of whether it will work or not as characters have previously been shown to get walker blood into wounds with no consequences. Will a plot hole be opened up if this method winds up being successful?

Steven Ogg as Simon and Austin Amelio as Dwight. (Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC)

Rick and Michonne arrive at the Hilltop and once again, the rest of the group’s reactions are mostly glossed over. There’s really no scenes of Maggie, Carol, or anyone else coming to their comfort or paying their respects, a recurring issue wherein several of the main character just don’t interact; this was a huge missed opportunity to have an amazing conversation about the shared losses between Maggie and Rick. Nonetheless, there is a touching reunion between Rick and Judith that allows the viewers and characters to breathe for a moment. At the Hilltop cemetery, Rick takes a moment to spend time with Glenn and Abraham before Daryl arrives and opens up his regret for going rogue at the Sanctuary. This is one of the best moments in the episode as the bond between Rick and Daryl is shown fully with both checking in on each other’s well-being and planning to move forward together; Rick acknowledges the fact that Daryl is responsible for getting Judith and the rest of the Alexandrians to the Hilltop safely. They also decide to head out and search for any signs of Negan and the Saviors, along with the scouts that Maggie has placed nearby. The dynamic between these two characters is never tiresome to watch as they both understand and care for each other in a way that transcends friendship; they are brothers, through and through.

While traveling, Simon picks Dwight’s brain about Negan’s current leadership style in the war. Viewers are fully aware that the trust between Negan and his right hand man is dwindling fast, but Dwight isn’t yet privy to that information. Simon mentions that Negan isn’t hard enough on the communities, noting that Rick, Maggie and Ezekiel adapt and fight back. While driving through a town, Simon spots a vehicle speeding through an alleyway on a collision course with the Savior caravan; he doesn’t mention it and the driver is revealed to be Rick, who slams into Negan’s car, going rogue from his own mission with Daryl. Both Dwight and Simon pretend to be worried as Rick chases after Negan in a “Fast and the Furious”-style high speed pursuit. Without his fearless leader present, Simon decides to barricade the Saviors in an area while he and Dwight go after Negan, leaving Arat in charge while he’s gone. The scene cuts to the aftermath of the car crash, where both Negan and Rick seem to have collided and lost control of their vehicles. However, the chase is only just beginning as Rick exits his car and fires several rounds from his rifle at Negan, forcing him into a building. While it is a bit odd that the actual crash wasn’t shown, the intensity of the moment is enough to forgive this minor quip. Rick and Negan facing each other in a multi-stage battle is just too epic to fully convey.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan. (Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC)

The showdown between Rick and Negan in the Mid-Season Finale was somewhat of a letdown due to the fact that it felt slightly rushed, but this episode allows the fight between the two leaders to be a major event within the story. After a few near-hits between the two men, Negan ends up at the top of a staircase and Rick ends up out of ammo…but he still has his hatchet, which he throws and misses. Negan falls from the top of the staircase to the ground floor of the building as walkers flood the entrance, losing Lucille in the process. In the darkness, Rick and Negan taunt each other, bringing up the other’s failures in leadership as they hunt one another; this scene is reminiscent to the scenes between Andrea and The Governor at the warehouse in Season 3’s “Prey.” Rick ultimately locates Lucille and uses Glenn’s lighter to set her on fire, letting Negan know that he will allow him to say a final goodbye to her with a kiss. The two physically brawl as Rick slams several walkers with inflamed Lucille, creating an additional threat as the undead burn. Negan ultimately escapes and Rick chases after him, but the tyrant is nowhere to be found. Fast-forward to the shocking final scene where it is revealed that Jadis has captured Negan and is now driving him somewhere (this is a “TWD” cliffhanger done right). This long-awaited battle is definitely a thrill that also progresses the plot forward as Rick drops the bombshell that Simon killed all of the Scavengers, something that Negan is disappointed to learn. Andrew Lincoln and Jeffrey Dean Morgan are always fantastic on their own, but they are a powerhouse of a duo when together.

This episode really dives deep in the mindsets of Simon and Dwight. As mentioned previously, Simon begins dropping hints to Dwight about his distaste for Negan recently, but he really pushes things further as he questions whether or not there is any sense of rebellion in Dwight. Obviously, Dwight has to maintain his cover, but he does let Simon know that he has felt burned (pun intended) by some of Negan’s choices, particularly those relating to Sherry. They eventually come across the crash site and Simon proposes that they end their search and tell everyone that Negan is dead, something that Dwight decides to go along with, not fully aware of the situation playing out with Rick. In a sequence that is just damn beautiful and aesthetically-pleasing, Dwight tosses a lit cigarette onto the spilled gasoline of the crash, setting off an explosion and symbolically solidifying his acceptance of Simon’s plan. These two characters have such a fascinating dynamic and it is only furthered when you realize that they are basically fighting for the same thing at this point, even if their overall goals are different. Just as a side-note, this scene features a walker that is fully nude, a first for the series and a fun display of Greg Nicotero and his team’s creativity; this was something that was announced prior and wasn’t focused on much in the actual episode, but it’s always exciting when fresh ideas are brought to life in the show.

Lauren Cohan as Maggie Rhee and Jayne Atkinson as Georgie. (Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC)

“The Key” opens up a plethora of new story avenues with a single introduction. At the Hilltop, Rosita and Maggie have a conversation about moving forward after loss (a rewarding scene considering these two characters have rarely ever interacted before), but spot a recently-placed stake of crates just near the tree ridge. They bring them in and read a note that is attached, offering up a trade if they place food and vinyl records in the crates and meet at coordinates they have marked. Both Maggie and Enid express their concern that this is a trap, but Michonne offers up a different take and links it to her gut feeling to trust Aaron back in Season 5 when he offered to bring them to Alexandria. They ultimately decide to seek out the mystery, but Maggie makes it clear that they will be prepared in case it goes wrong. Trust is a tricky thing in the apocalypse and this dilemma is one that is present almost constantly, but this offer feels different right off the bat. Maggie, Michonne and Enid drive to the meet point, where a van is parked and two women stand guard. A feeling of uncertainty, much like the arrival at Alexandria, is present as a woman dressed cleanly and professionally steps out of the van and introduces herself as Georgie (Jayne Atkinson). Evoking a look and demeanor similar to that of Deanna, the mysterious leader explains that she has an offer for Maggie and the Hilltop. While Deanna turned out to be a saving grace, viewers know that just because someone seems kind, it doesn’t mean they actually are; Dawn, Gareth and Mary are just a few examples.

The character of Georgie is jarring and slightly off-putting initially as she announces that she has knowledge to trade, that of which she has shared with many others. Rosita appears and holds the trio at gunpoint as she and Enid pat down the women and search for weapons. Maggie and Enid both shut down all of Georgie’s offers to trade this knowledge for the records and food, but Michonne steps in and tries to change their mind. Maggie announces that the group will be brought back to the Hilltop as hostages until they can figure out what to do. In her office, Maggie talks with Michonne about the offer and Enid arrives to share her take; she’s wrought with emotion as she goes up against Michonne, who mentions Carl and his wish to work with others, noting the fact that Siddiq was brought into the fold and is now a valuable member of the community. Michonne manages to convince Maggie to take the deal and they meet with Georgie, who decides to only take the records and instead give the Hilltop a significant amount of food; she also hands over the knowledge, which is a large book of instructions for constructing windmills, aqueducts and other useful infrastructure. Georgie tells Maggie that she can see that they are good people and that the Hilltop will be a large and vibrant community one day; she will return at some point, not necessarily soon, to further their relationship and provide more information about where she comes from. Obviously, viewers have been conditioned into being distrustful of new faces, but it is hard to not be curious as to what exactly Georgie is all about.

“The Key” is exactly what “The Walking Dead” should be. There is whirlwind action that balances perfectly with rich character development and interactions between major players. By utilizing the majority of the main cast, this episode feels full and accomplishes a ton. It’s also just plain refreshing to have certain characters talk to one another like Rick/Daryl, Maggie/Michonne, and Rick/Negan, especially since many of them are regularly separated. Greg Nicotero’s directing and the writing of Corey Reed and Channing Powell deserves absolute praise; this episode features a significant amount of realistic dialogue, something that has been taken over at times by overly-poetic monologues that don’t always fit. The performances from Andrew Lincoln, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, Steven Ogg and Katelyn Nacon also help to make this episode stand out. The further expansion of “The Walking Dead” Universe is thrilling and opens up a world of possibilities for the future of the show and the franchise as a whole. Fans are already speculating that Georgie belongs to a community called the Commonwealth, which is part of the “New World Order” arc of the comics, beginning in Issue 175; if this is the case, this introduction may serve as a tease and Georgie may not be seen again for quite some time. Could she and her guards be who Rick saw flying in the helicopter earlier this season? What does Jadis have planned for Negan? Will the Saviors launch their attack on the Hilltop?

Be sure to tune into “The Walking Dead” next Sunday at 9 p.m. on AMC.

Among old belt-buckles, wooden furniture, yard appliances and music records, I found gold at a yard sale: a copy of Life Magazine from Sept. 15, 1947. It’s brimming with history, a time capsule of what life was like almost 71 years ago. So begins “Life in 1947,” a series discussing the fascinating differences between our world now and the world we left behind. First up: women’s work.

Like the magazines of our day, this magazine contains more advertisements than articles. The advertisements reveal more about 1947 society than the articles themselves, in a way. While articles are reflections of the unique, advertisements speak to the mundane and everyday lives of ordinary people.

As I was thumbing through page after page of advertisements for coffee, shampoo, liquor and brassieres, I started to notice a trend. Advertisements for household appliances, clothing, bedding and similar items were generally geared towards a specific audience: women.

This full-page color-printed advertisement features a smartly-dressed woman and a young girl I assume is her daughter, who is bringing a stick of margarine over to the cart with excitement. The wording below asks questions like, “Why do youngsters like it?” and “Can I use it for cooking, too?” supplied with answers to prove the worth of margarine as an alternative for butter.

Geared toward women, this advertisement reinforces their role as cooks and caretakers of children. With these visuals and words, the advertisement points to the female’s role in the kitchen, assuring her use of margarine will improve her cooking and mothering.

This next advertisement begins with large, bold words informing the reader that, “Here’s what women say they want most in a vacuum cleaner!” followed by six quotes from women about their vacuuming desires. There’s a lot to unpack here.

This advertisement implies women will be using the vacuum to clean the house, so it’s catering to her desires.

The first woman requests a vacuum that is “light in weight,” so she is able to carry it around. This insinuates the physical weakness of the female sex.

The second woman discusses her need to keep the house clean despite her three small children. Like the margarine advertisement, this puts the woman at home to take care of the children.

The fifth woman says, “My husband wants me to have a machine that will stand up!” She is placed in subservience, complying with the desires of her husband.

A vacuum that is lightweight, cleans well and “stands up?” That seems like a pretty good vacuum to me. However, the way General Electric chose to market their vacuum cleaners to women in the house suggests certain societal norms about the role of the woman during this time.

This last advertisement for Hotpoint Appliances practically spells it out.

The massive two-page color advertisement features predominantly female figures pointing out various household appliances. Two women marvel over a dishwasher. Another woman points out an ironing station. Another woman proudly displays her washing machine.

By placing women as the primary figures in this advertisement, Hotpoint suggests women will be the ones using these household appliances.

Based on the advertisements in this 1947 copy of Life Magazine, women held certain roles in the world. They were the cooks, the housekeepers and the caretakers. I saw barely a mention of women in other careers outside of the home.

Although I had some faint sense of how restricted the women’s world was in decades past, these advertisements brought that reality to life. It was shocking. I needed this reminder of how lucky I am to live in a day and age where I can go to college and pursue any career I desire.

It’s not to say that there is anything shameful about being a housewife. It is incredibly difficult work, but being able to work in the home or in the professional world should be a choice every woman is allowed to make for herself.

letters@chronicle.utah.edu

@TheChrony

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