Volume 120 Issue 14 Friday, January 15, 2016
Muskingum community checks-out new Library Martin Kurtz Orbit Media Reporter
After a semester delay, the Roberta A. Smith Library officially opened Jan. 10 at 1 p.m. for students to find their classrooms. The building opened after two years of construction. The Education Department and most of the Education classes are housed on the top floor of the Library. Cutting edge technology and new services are available to students in the new building. There are six collaboration stations in the Library, where groups Martin Kurtz/ Black & Magenta of up to six students can connect Muskingum University Students spend time in the Roberta A. Smith Library Colloquium Center on the their laptops, tablets, or smartfirst day of classes for the Spring 2016 semester. phones to one of the several tele-
vision screens. Students can also use an app to connect or through the use of a URL link. Linda Hatfield, Reference Instruction Librarian, said that students will be able to work on PowerPoints or documents and edit them in front of their groups. “It’s just a really powerful tool for creativity and collaboration for students,” said Hatfield. “I think it’s really exciting. You can also have a camera and be taking pictures and put that right up there [on the screen].” Another new addition to the library is the use of Student Reference Assistants. See NEW LIBRARY, On Page 2
Zicha reassigned, hunt for successor underway Students to help out on day off Chris Morgan Sports Editor
For the first time in 29 years, changes are coming at the top of the Muskingum University Volleyball Program. Following a demeanor assault charge in October 2015, Elizabeth Zicha will no longer serve as the head coach of the team. Zicha has accepted a new position as the Special Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Vice President for Graduate and Continuing Studies, according to a statement by the Muskingum University Public Relations Office. The search for Zicha’s successor as head coach is underway. Athletic Director Larry Shank said the position has been publicized through online advertisements in the NCAA market and through sending official letters
to 165 colleges and universities around the country. “We are looking for someone who wants to build upon what the [volleyball] program has done the last two years,” said Shank. “We want someone who will bring excitement, enthusiasm, and will represent this institution with professionalism.” According to Shank, applications for the open coaching position were accepted, with the pool of candidates being narrowed down to seven in December. Those seven applicants were then interviewed by telephone over winter break. Shank believes that the committee had a good pool of candidates after reviewing all of the applications for the position. Through the phone interviews, the pool was narrowed down to three candidates to move on to the next stage of interviews. The
three remaining applicants were then brought to campus the week Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service of Dec. 28 to tour the University and to have face-to-face interviews with Shank and the rest of the search committee. “They were brought onto campus, one [candidate] per day, to really see the whole picture,” said Shank. Shank said that the search committee met on Saturday, Jan. 9 to narrow down the search to one final candidate who was brought back to campus during the week of Jan. 11 to meet with President Anne C. Steele. Shank said the committee hopes to name Zicha’s successor by Jan. 18, with the new coach beginning work on Feb. 1. The new coach will take over coaching responsibilities from InBlack & Magenta Archive terim Head Coach Kari Winters, On January 19, 2015, Muskingum students spent their day-off of who led the team after Zicha was classes helping out around the community and look to do it again this year. See the full story on Page 3. placed on leave in October.
NEW LIBRARY Continued from Page 1 Students who are trained to answer basic directional questions about the Library as well as how to use the main Library website and OhioLink can be found at one of the three Library reference desks in the building. When the Library was open for a tour in October, Sheila Ellenberger, Director of the Roberta A. Smith Library, said her favorite part was seeing the students’ reactions, specifically citing students that found places they were really looking forward to using. “It was really fun for me to listen to the students and see the amazement in their eyes when they walked into this beautiful building and saw how richly it’s furnished and the beauty of the building and architecture,” said Ellenberger. After two years of being in a temporary, two room Library on the main floor of Cambridge Hall, Hatfield said that she and the
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, New Concord residents were able to view the hotel for the first Martin Kurtz time and give their reactions to the Orbit Media Reporter newest addition to the village. “People were really surprised at how beautiful and how modern the hotel is,” said Best. “I don’t think they were expecting that in a small town like New Concord. They were pleasantly surprised.” Joe Corll, Senior The 76-room hotel also in“I was here for the old Licludes a guest laundry space that brary, and I mean it was a Library, is free of charge, a conference but having this facility here is just room that can be rented, a workleaps and bound beyond where it out room, a pool and whirlpool, used to be.” and an outdoor patio area with gas fire pits. After the November New Concord ballot The Wallhouse Hotel was also approved for a permit for a hotel bar. They do not have the permit in hand, but the plans call for a small movable bar that Marcus Correa, Senior would be able to be brought out “I’m really impressed. This on special occasions or at the reis probably the most updated quest of guests. building here on campus from the “It is a family hotel so we would looks of it and it’s well designed.” never want it to be night club-ish or heavy laden with booze, that’s not what we’re about,” said Best. “It’ll be a very classy, nice rollLindsey Kreamer out type station to bring out when Arts & Entertainment Editor we have the need for it.” The Wallhouse has four differThe Wallhouse Hotel opened ent sizes for their rooms starting at its doors for business on Dec. 18 the largest that is a Queen Premiat a ribbon cutting ceremony at- um Suite and the smallest that is tended by the owners, New Con- the King Deluxe Room. The hotel cord Village officials, and resi- also includes handicap accessible dents of the Village. rooms for people who need them. “The opening was a real cele- Walk-ins were accepted when bration,” said Hotel Director, Me- they opened. lissa Best. “We had all of our staff Editorial Staff Brenna Busby on board helping us clean, going Editor-in-Chief up and down the steps and scrub- Assignment Editor Christine Holmes A&E Editor Lindsey Kreamer bing the floors and scrubbing the Sports Editor Chris Morgan walls. They had a labor of love Copy Editor Kayla Rausch Lindsey Kreamer/ Black & Magenta and they worked very hard to get Aaron Eno The Wallouse Hotel features a pool and whirlpool space for guests to to that point and open up, it was a Circulation Manager Faculty Advisor Lisa Marshall real happy time.” enjoy year-round while staying at the hotel.
On the Quad
rest of the Library staff are happy about the move. “We have this wonderful, beautiful, technology driven space that will provide the resources for students,” said Hatfield. “They can do their research and have a comfortable place to study and collaborate with each other.” Hatfield also said that the students who have come in are excited about having a new space to spend time in between classes. She predicted that it will become a place where students can come in and get some of their homework done. “I think it will become the university center,” said Hatfield. “I think this will become the heart of the campus now not just for research, but also for socializing and collaborating as well.” The Roberta A. Smith Library will be open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays.
Local hotel opens for business during holiday season
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But people started making reservations in back in August 2015. The Wallhouse Hotel is currently offering deals to Muskingum and Guersney County residents for a $116 stay a night (plus tax) through the month of January, which Best said is comparable to the AAA discount. “We’ve had, at a minimal, several dozen [reservations],” said Best. “Many of them are local New Concord people who are taking advantage of that special and they’re coming in to see what this is like. They’re bringing their children into swim.” There is also a possibility of future development in the land that is commonly referred to as Garland Commons, after Garland Ruble, the owner of the hotel and the land around the hotel. Ruble has the final call on which businesses set up shop, but site plans for any construction must first go through the New Concord Village Council Planning Commission.
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Ohio Theatre Alliance offers unique opportunity um to offer,” said President of OTA, Jerry Martin. Martin said that most of the students who will take advantage of this opportunity have been committed to their craft for a long time, and looking to take the next steps in their theater careers. Students audition for opportunities in acting, singing and dancing. They also have interviews for various postions involving production jobs. Christine Holmes/ Black & Magenta Possibilities for the aspiring Visitors Katherine Jones and Ryan Leach look at the callback board students come from the many during 2015 OTA auditions and interviews. businesses that make the trip to Brenna Busby Actors and technician workers New Concord for the OTA interEditor-in-Chief travel from across the country for views and auditions. Businesses such as different a 90 second audition in the Sandra The Ohio Theatre Alliance Wolfe Thompson Theatre or for theatre programs and a large va(OTA) will be hosting auditions an interview. riety of companies like the Great and interviews at Muskingum “It’s just an opportunity that I Lakes Theatre Company, which is University Jan. 16-17. think is pretty neat for Musking- based out of Cleveland.
Another benefit is the chance to build toward joining the acting profession’s labor union. “All of these young people are anxious to get interviews with them because they get the points toward joining the Actor’s Equity,” said Martin. Philip and Betsey Caldwell Hall is where the interviews and auditions takes place. The producers sit in the theatre and wait while the actors spend time warming up in the Fine Television Studio. The Muskingum auditions are the first of three hurdles for the students auditioning. The next round will be held in Boston, Massachusetts in February and the final auditions will be in Atlanta, Georgia in March. After the Muskingum Audi-
tions each participant will receive a link to a video of his or her audition/interview before the next round in February. Martin views this as an advantage for anyone looking to prepare him or herself before the next audition or interview. OTA also offers something that the other two auditions do not, immediate feedback. A professional theatre worker helps to critique the performances and performers on the spot following every audition. “[The immediate response] is a very popular and very unique part of these auditions,” said Martin. The auditions and interviews at Muskingum University are part of the North Central Regional Audition process. They have been held at Muskingum since 2005.
Muskingum University gives back on Martin Luther King Jr. Day Christine Holmes Assignment Editor Muskingum University is joining the nation in a day of service to honor Martin Luther King Jr. The University shows official recognition of the holiday by granting the day off of classes to students on Monday, Jan. 18. However, many Muskies will be going to work for the community on this day instead. Faculty and staff members are helping to lead the event as well as volunteer alongside students. Any student on campus can participate in the day of service, but spots are limited. The goal this year is to have 150 students sign up for the day of service, according to event co-
ordinator and Director of Greek Life, Stacey Allan. “This is an event for all of our Muskies [students and faculty] on campus and so it’s nice to see that Muskies outside of Greek Life want to do service and give back to the community,” said Allan. Organizations or individuals can sign up to participate in the event and are then separated into different groups in order to work with people who they may not know. “We like to split [the volunteers] up, get them to interact with people they may not have interacted with before and help build a more cohesive community on campus,” said Allan. Allan said the idea of learning about people’s differences was part of Dr. King’s purpose.
She said the day of service gives people the chance to “appreciate each other and embrace each other.” The student groups will help among 15 and 20 local organizations in need. There are new volunterring opportunities this year that are available to those participating. Among some of the newer volunteer opportunities this year is with the Stone Academy located in the area Putnam Historic District in Zanesville. According to the National Park Service website, the Stone Academy is one of the oldest settlements in the state of Ohio. The website also says that the Stone Academy played an important role with abolition and the
Underground Railroad. Students assigned to this location will help the group change out exhibits. “I think it [the Stone Academy] will be really cool for some history majors who are interested in that,” said Allan. Students who are musically inclined could also have a unique volunteering opportunity. They will have the chance to sing and play music for an elderly resident who has put in a special request to learn how to “Whip/ Nae Nae,” a dance that goes to the song “Watch Me” by Silento that has gone viral. Some past volunteer locations have included places such as different food banks, animal shelters, nursing homes, and oth-
er similar organizations in and around New Concord. Students do not receive payment for their services during the day of service. “I think truly [that] when they sign up for this, they’re not looking for anything,” said Allan. “They’re really just wanting to help the community and that’s great to see.” The MLK Jr. Day of Service will begin with a breakfast and presentation in the Walter K. Chess Center before volunteers disseminate and begin their individual assignments. This is the third year that Muskingum University and its various organizatins have participated in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
Indoor track and field season begins strong, teams look to build momentum Lindsey Kreamer Arts & Entertainment Editor Mens and Womens Indoor Track and Field at Muskingum University started off the season with a meet at Mount Union on Saturday Dec. 5. Due to the timing of the first meet a lot of the runners that would typically compete did not because they were coming out of another fall sport. “That meet is kind of a reward for the kids that worked hard all through the fall,” said Head Coach Jacob Gleason. “The cross country kids didn’t compete because they were still recovering [along with] the football and soccer kids so it was kind of a half squad.”
The students that were able to compete were rewarded with some great performances according to Gleason. “We had eight guys qualify for conference and about seven girls qualify for conference and a couple school records with [sophomore] Darrell Briggs and [first year] Hailey Ferguson setting school records in the hurtles and the dash,” said Gleason. “So all and all a pretty good start.” This year’s Mens Indoor Track team is a mixture of first year and returning runners with the upperclassmen helping to set the pace for the team. “Those upperclassman that have done a great job for us for a long time, guys like [senior] Chris
Lardie in jumps, [sophomore] Jeffrey Burkholder in the throws, [junior] Andre Buffington in the throws,” said Gleason. They also have new runners. “We have a new first year Darren McCaughan from Meadowbrook in the jumps that we’re excited about, with Darrell Briggs doing his thing in the hurtles, he’s off to a great start,” said Gleason. The womens team features the same kind of mixture along the entirety of the roster. “For the women, Hailey Ferguson is as advertised, she’s a very legit sprinter for us so we’re very excited about her,” said Gleason. “Coach Addy is doing a great job with our jumps, we had a whole bunch of high jumpers that per-
After the most recent reports concerning Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel, one Chris Morgan thing is known Sports Editor for sure. Cleveland must move on from Manziel as soon as possible. A report from USA Today stated that Manziel was seen in Las Vegas over the final weekend of the NFL season, rather than being in Cleveland with his teammates prior to their season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 3. That piece of the puzzle has yet to be confirmed. What is known is that Manziel failed to report to the team facility that day to meet with the training staff for a check up on his concussion symptoms. No one knows the reason behind why he didn’t show, but it raises the question,
was Manziel really in Nevada the night before if he didn’t show for an easy check up? The whole scenario has raised many eyebrows around the sports world, including those of fellow Cleveland athlete, LeBron James. James’ agency has officially ended their relationship with Manziel as a result of the situation, adding to the amount of people giving up on the former Texas A&M quarterback. With so many fans and other athletes losing hope in Manziel, it’s time for the entire city of Cleveland to do the same. It’s quite simple really; Johnny Manziel does not care about playing professional football. If he did care, he wouldn’t be out partying during the season. He wouldn’t be attracting all of this off the field attention to him. He would be doing what he needs to do to be a successful NFL QB, but apparently being the best football
player he can be isn’t very high on his list of priorities. Many fans thought he had finally turned that corner in the offseason when he checked himself into rehab to try to finally get the help he clearly needs. Obviously, rehab didn’t teach Manziel much, if anything. The fact of the matter is, the risk outweighs any possible reward for Manziel, but let’s be real, there isn’t that much reward to begin with in his case. Manziel had almost an abysmal 1:1 touchdown to interception ratio in the 2015 season, throwing seven touchdowns to five interceptions. He’s been proven to be prone to fumbling, which increases his turnover margin even more. If Manziel doesn’t want to put in the effort, then the Browns need to move on. Perhaps the team considers using the second pick of the NFL Draft on a player that will do that.
Captain’s Quarters, Cleveland must move on from Manziel
formed really well, [such as first years] Kimberly Taylor, Michelle Gaggiano, Morganne Byers, and Reannah Martin in the pole vault.” With the first meet out of the way, Gleason looks forward to adding in the other half of the team at the next meet. “Now we can get everybody else back into the fold here in the next couple of weeks and see how the distance kids perform and how those guys that were playing fall sports are doing,” said Gleason. “We’re excited to get started.” A lot of the distance runners that will be running for the indoor track team are also from the cross-country team. “All of these [women and men] that had a great cross country sea-
son, we expect the same [performance] out of them come track season,” said Gleason. The warm weather allowed the team to have more outdoor practices which helps with training since Muskingum does not have an indoor track facility. “Last year was really tough on our group, and I think that hindered our ability to perform well particularly at the end of the indoor season,” said Gleason. “Hopefully, the weather holds out this year and we’ll get a couple of good weeks of training in there and see what we can do.” The Indoor Track Team’s next meet will be on Jan. 15 for a tri-meet at Ohio Wesleyan with Mount Vernon Nazarene at 4 p.m.
Muskie Basketball Recap Winter Break Dec. 19
Mens
@ Ohio Northern
90-87
X X
69-60
Dec. 19
Womens
vs. Ohio Northern
66-51
Dec. 21
Womens
vs. Wooster
Dec. 28
Womens
@ Hiram
59-56 82-68
Dec. 30
Womens
@ Bethany (W.V.)
Jan. 2
Womens
vs. Carnegie Mellon
Jan. 6
Mens
vs. Case Western
Jan. 9
Mens
vs. John Carroll
78-63
X X X X
106-101 97-91
Jan. 9
65-62
Womens
@ John Carroll
Lindsey Grafe/ Black & Magenta