Full Issue (4-25-18)

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

99th year • Issue 29

THE INDEPENDENT

Replacing Rocky with Shrek / 4 »

C LLEGIAN

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Serving the University of Toledo community since 1919

“ INSIDE

“Larry Pratt denied all claims that black Americans faced oppression by claiming that they needed only to follow the example of the Deacons for Defense”

SPEECH

DISCUSSION

The debate on Free Speech continues

MEAGAN O’HARA/ IC

President Sharon Gaber speaks at the State of the University Address April 18 in University Hall where she discusses UT’s growth and her third year as president.

ANONYMOUS Letter to the Editor OPINION / 3 »

BRYCE BUYAKIE/ IC

Third-year environmental science major Randy Thomas discusses how to get students involved in conversations during UT’s Free Speech dialogue April 24 in SU Ingman room.

By Bryce Buyakie News Editor

Student veterans lead flag retirement ceremony

“

NEWS / 4 »

“If you haven’t been paying attention recently, UT has had some issues with racism, sexism and censorship on campus,”

EMILY SCHNIPKE Less forums, more action OPINION / 3 »

After a month of forums centered around topics surrounding freedom of speech, diversity and inclusion, UT held a follow-up roundtable discussion in response to students’ First Amendment concerns after the March 22 townhall, said Sammy Spann, dean of students.

Administrators including Spann, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion Willie McKether and Vice President for Student Affairs Philip Cockrell asked students how to best handle “uncomfortable” speech and topics.

“We need to be exposed to different topics,” said Randy Thomas, third-year environmental science major. “In most classes, I’m just recollecting information I’m taught; I want to come to my own conclusion.”

Students should be exposed to this information in the classroom, at discussions like the forums seen in April and at events around campus, Thomas said.

Specifically, Thomas wants to see a combination of events that allow students to debate, express themselves and have more intimate discussions with administrators.

The College Democrats’ decision to put up a banner in March depicting President Donald Trump with a Ku Klux Klan hood that said, “Join the College Democrats” sparked the monthlong discussion about the First Amendment on campus.

In reaction to the banner, President Sharon Gaber sent a letter to the UT community saying she was disappointed in the banner, but explained the decision to leave the banner up was a matter of freedom of speech.

“The reason is that The University of Toledo respects the First Amendment rights of our students, faculty and staff,” Gaber said in her letter. “While we may

not always agree with the way individuals or organizations choose to express their views, we must respect their freedom to do so.”

Lee Strang, professor of law at UT, said the First Amendment protected the banner, and that there are only four instances where speech is not protected by the Constitution – incitement, true threats, fighting words and harassment.

The banner did not fall under any of these categories, because it did not cause physical or mental harm and was not “severe or offensive” enough to warrant its removal, he said.

The “free speech battle” that resulted from the College Democrats’ banner is not new to universities, said Sam Nelson, chairman of the Political Science and Public Administration Department at UT. “The current moment [of this debate] is not new, but it has different elements,” Nelson said.

Social media is a new dynamic that results in “Twitter Outrage Syndrome,” which allows individuals to react immediately and emotionally, he said.

Not everyone can make it to these forums, and not everyone who participates influences the student body, Thomas said.

“We need to [get] those who have power on campus and those who have an impact on students such as Resident Life, Greek Life and Student Government,” he said.

To get students to discuss “uncomfortable” topics, Thomas said the administration should encourage students to be uncomfortable.

Sydney Jones, president of the College Democrats, suggested adding on to the orientation program first-year students must take.

“It would be called Unpacking Your Bias,” Jones said. “Everyone has bias, and we have to acknowledge that.”

Gaber shares rocket pride

By Olivia Rodriguez Staff Reporter

UT’s recent partnership with TARTA, program affordability and a tuition guarantee program were among the many points Sharon Gaber cited in her State of the University Address on April 18 as “successes” during her third year as UT’s president.

She also described how the university needs to grow in order to compete with other institutions.

“I am energized by our researchers’ accomplishments, and the knowledge they are sharing with the world.”

SHARON GABER UT President

“The strategic plan lays out five priorities, first improving student success, second reaching national prominence in research, scholarship and creative activities, third cultivating a culture of excellence, fourth building and maintaining a strong financial base,” Gaber said. “Fifth strengthening our reputation and community engagement.”

“Our primary goal is to help students succeed and that means for them to graduate and pursue meaningful lives and successful careers,” Gaber said.

“While they’re here, we owe them an excellent education, a supportive and inclusive environment, and opportunities for hands on learning through co-ops, internships, study abroad and other experiential learning activities.”

Gaber also announced two programs to make UT more affordable.

“Our tuition guaranteed program means they will pay the same tuition and general fees from their first day of school to graduation, four years later,” she said.

“Our digital course content program provides students a digital version of their class materials at a significant costsavings. This is to combat the high price of textbooks paying up to $300 less.”

With the $6 million renovation of Carlson Library completed, the library has seen a 40 percent increase in foot traffic.

“We estimate that three million people have come through the doors this year,” Gaber said.

Recently, UT and TARTA partnered to become the transportation provider in addition to the UT bus system.

Students and employees can show their Rocket IDs to use TARTA buses to go anywhere in the city for no charge.

Phillip “Flapp” Cockrell joined the student affairs division as the vice president, Gaber said.

“He set up a positive service, oriented and dedicated to serving our students, which includes snacks and popcorn in his office.”

To work more closely with counseling services and make student support services more available, the Title IX office was moved from Scott Park to the Main Campus in Snyder Memorial. She said this is to make these services more accessible, she said.

“We have received 233 research awards and $41 million in external research,” Gaber said. “I am energized by our researchers’ accomplishments, and the knowledge they are sharing with the world.”

A tight budget and tricky financial stability are not new to UT, but Gaber believes the university is in a better place.

“On our first Day of Giving we raised nearly $454,000 in 36 hours,” Gaber said. “For our largest gift to the university ever, Well Tower donated real estate valued at over $30 million.”

She also described the need to recruit qualified faculty and staff, a problem she said faces many universities.

“We need to recruit top faculty and staff to provide the excellent education our students deserve and we need to do that in modern facilities aided with the latest technology to attract the best students,” Gaber said.

As Gaber’s parting thoughts, she spoke about Rocket pride. “We are Toledo’s university, we need to stop apologizing for the fact that we are accessible to many students in Toledo who might not have an opportunity to attend college if we were not here,” said Gaber.

“We have received 233 research awards and $41 million in external research.”

SHARON GABER UT President

TRANSPORTATION

Students give tips for finals

“

NEWS / 5 »

“There is something beautiful about hearing people share their story..”

AREEBA SHAH Fighting the bias, seeking the truth

COMMUNITY/ 6 »

TARTA to take over bus services at UT

By Gabrielle Huff Staff Reporter

UT is overhauling the bus system that many students use to go from campus to campus.

The agreement was signed April 16 and will replace UT buses with the city wide transit agency – TARTA. The first TARTA buses will appear during the second summer semester session beginning June 25. They will be fully operational with all routes by the start of the fall semester, said James Gee, TARTA general manager.

“It really stemmed from the students, who wanted the greater connectivity with the rest of Toledo,” Gee said.

UT students and faculty will be able to ride all

TARTA routes for free during the school year with their Rocket ID cards.

According to the contract, students will have no reductions in services, only various enhancements, Gee said. One of which is additional routes from UT’s campus to the Toledo Art Museum.

“Since we’re more connected, now we have the ability to visit parts of Toledo that people from out of state have never had the chance to see,” second-year international business and professional sales major Darius Valdez said.

“We’ll be able to take trips to the zoo, art museum and Franklin Park Mall with much more ease and frequency.”

Student Government Presi-

dent Jimmy Russell agreed.

“One of the main reasons that we prioritized this is that we felt that if students have to live on campus, they need a way to get out into the community if they didn’t have a car to experience all of Toledo,” Russell said.

Student Government has advocated for the partnership with TARTA for about a year now and is ecstatic an agreement has been reached, Russell said.

“We’re happy to be able to have pushed for such a monumental change on campus that’s going to help so many students,” he said.

According to TARTA’s website, UT expects to save around $2 million dollars through the

contract with TARTA. “We’re able to save UT money on purchasing vehicles because we have access to federal and state grants for purchasing them,” Gee said.

He added that there are some redundant services, such as UT’s and TARTA’s individual routes from campus to the Franklin Park Mall that will be consolidated to save money.

The contract will last for 10 years with two possible five-year extensions, but TARTA hopes to continue its partnership with

UT indefinitely, Gee said.

TARTA also plans to continue employing UT students as bus drivers, Gee said.

“We listened to our student leaders who asked us to expand bus services to enhance access to off-campus experiences and we recognize the importance of UT being a leader in connecting to the broader community,” said Larry Kelley, UT executive vice president for finance and administration, and chief financial officer in a TARTA press release.

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OPINION

Wednesday, April 25, 2018 | The Independent Collegian |

Send letters to the editor to Editor@independentcollegian.com

EDITORIAL BOARD

Kristen Buchler Emily Schnipke

Bryce Buyakie Areeba Shah

Samantha Gerlach Sam Williams

Editorials appearing on this page represent the consensus view of the editorial staff. Columns and letters to the editor reflect the opinions of their authors, not those of The Independent Collegian.

www.IndependentCollegian.com COMMENTARY

Less forums, more action

EDITORIAL

Don’t stress

As the spring semester winds to a close, students across campus are preparing, studying and, perhaps, panicking in anticipation of finals.

But, just because deadlines continue to approach with increasing rapidity, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to finish the semester strong. Here are some of the Independent Collegian’s best tips and techniques to survive and thrive during finals.

1.) Start early: It’s always a smart idea to start preparing early, no matter if your final isn’t until next Friday. If you wait until 2 a.m. on the day of to start studying when the exam starts at 8 a.m., chances are that you aren’t going to do very well.

Not only will it be difficult to retain information in a compressed time period, but you’ll also be trying to function on little to no sleep; no matter how many cups of coffee you chug, it’s no replacement for a good night’s rest.

2.) Take care of your body: While it can be tempting to reach for carbs and sugar as your stress level rises,

Cheetos and ice cream won’t be the long-term fuel that you need.

Budget your time so that you can actually sit down at a table and have a meal instead of subsisting on junk food for the next two weeks, even if you’ve been doing it all semester and haven’t collapsed yet.

Use study breaks to eat healthy snacks, including fruits and veggies, and drink water to sustain energy. If you’re feeling particularly motivated, get outside and go walking, biking or set up a hammock between a couple of trees.

Toledo may be welcoming spring a month late, but make the most out the nice weather before it disappears again.

3.) Use campus resources: You probably pay a lot of money to attend this university, so you might as well get the most bang for your buck.

Many resources exist on campus that not all students are aware of or don’t use to their advantage. Two examples are the Writing Center and the Learning Enhancement Center, both located in the basement of Carlson Library.

Students can visit the Writing Center by appointment or during walk-in hours, Monday through Friday from noon to 3 p.m. The LEC does not require appointments, but be sure to check the schedule online to know when tutoring takes place for specific subjects.

4.) Be aware of end-of-semester events: Many organizations around campus host events to try to help students combat finals stress.

For example, swing by the UT Rec Center tomorrow, April 26, from 8 to 10 p.m., and participate in activities such as yoga, Zumba and adult mural coloring to take your mind off of essays, projects and exams (just for a little while!).

Keep tabs on UT social media for any other de-stress events that you can attend.

Finals week always brings stress, but do your best to stay focused and not let a hefty to-do list intimidate you.

If you’ve got the drive and determination to succeed, you’ll do just fine.

Good luck, Rockets!

EMILY SCHNIPKE

MANAGING EDITOR

These last few weeks of my college career have been a whirlwind. So much has changed during the spring semester, and I’m not quite sure yet how we will move on from this.

If you haven’t been paying attention recently, UT has had some issues with racism, sexism and censorship on campus. The IC has covered these events consistently, but even more has been going on in the background. Students have received death threats — on social media and even in person.

Students of all groups are joining to talk about the issues plaguing our nation and the aftershocks. A series of forums — one even being held by the IC — have been working toward a solution.

But what’s the solution? How do we bridge the massive divide between our ideologies?

At the first forum held by UT, almost immediately after the College Democrats’ banner of President Donald Trump in a poorly drawn KKK hat was torn down, students expressed their opinions and concerns. To me, these concerns had nothing to do with the actual issue the Dems were trying to talk about (the president and racism), but instead with what free speech is on our campus.

Let me tell you straight up: UT is a public university and everyone has the

right to free speech. There is a HUGE difference between what is free and what is hate/inflammatory speech.

I don’t think we should even be talking about free speech, but what do I know? It’s not like I’m a journalist who deals with this all the time.

But just to clear it up real quick: The banner falls under free speech. Young Americans for Liberty’s banner, currently hanging in the union and taunting students with the slogan “Will you tear this sign down too?” also falls under free speech.

Students being harassed for their skin tone, their religion or even their lack of makeup — as seen on Twitter yesterday — is hateful, messed up and just proves my point that there is a huge gap between the students on campus.

I don’t know how to explain to you that you should care about other people.

Let me say that again: There’s so much hate on this campus that people are unaware of. I can’t even begin to figure how to explain why you shouldn’t put others down or disrespect just because of their race or religion or gender.

Comments made on campus these last few weeks really have struck me as hateful and very hurtful. Statements such as, “I don’t see color” or “I have black friends” or even when one very brave student was shot down by a prominent student at a forum with the words, “I don’t believe you,” after she told a personal story.

I’m not afraid to say I’m very liberal in my views. I’ve been on this campus for four years, and I’ve been surrounded by too much culture and happiness not to be.

There are so many great people on this campus belonging to all sorts of groups. I believe in women’s rights, minority rights, LGBT+ rights and so much more.

I’m tired of having diversity and inclusion conversations. If you don’t understand the basics by now, I have to assume you don’t want to understand.

For the student group chairman

who stood at the first forum and said he thinks we need more diversity of thought on campus instead of talking about actual diversity issues, that is a huge cop-out, and you should be ashamed of yourself.

Any student on this campus, white or not, that thinks we don’t have a race issue is oblivious and needs to take a reality check.

In the time I’ve been here, some students tried to set up a White Student Union. I laughed at the thought when it happened because their reasoning was beyond ridiculous. It sounded childish. They wanted the group only because the Black Student Union was the largest group on campus and they felt outnumbered.

Do you know why that group never became an actual thing? Both students who were trying to start it got into a fight where they accused the other of being a KKK Klansman. The group was never going to be anything more than a front for racism and white supremacy.

I don’t get offended at white people jokes even though I’m white because I can recognize that white people as a whole have systematically oppressed POC in America, which is where I live. Also, I’m not a snowflake who wildly throws things out of proportion when it offends me (i.e. students who got so angry at the banner that had no words on it.)

Let’s talk about uncomfortable things. That is the real reason I keep going to these forums. I don’t go to hear one opinion being loudly shouted out above the other. I enjoy discourse.

UT and the students aren’t engaging in positive discourse. Until it becomes less of a fight between the left and the right — which shouldn’t have anything to do with racist attitudes — we will never solve the issues plaguing our campus.

Let’s put our finger-pointing aside and solve the real problems.

Emily Schnipke is a fourth-year communication major.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Campus free speech: damaging remarks from Pratt Dear Editor, I am writing this letter to the IC to address some of the events forgotten from Larry Pratt’s speech on campus, as invited by the UT chapter of Young Americans for Liberty.

In response to the allegations that the College Democrats’ banner hindered inclusivity on campus, I would say that Larry Pratt and the comments he made were far more damaging.

When Pratt was confronted with a question about the origins of why there was a need for the Second Amendment in the first place and then a very personal story was told about the student’s struggle with suicide, Mr. Pratt responded with a less than professional response, which discouraged me from sharing a similar experience.

My freshman year, I would have taken any chance to end my life, and the fact that UT is

a gun-free zone prevented my access to those weapons, saving me. This man’s response to that same story was, “Let me reassure you, if you really wanted to end your life, you would have,” then implied that the student that shared his story did not have the heart to kill himself by talking about his “moral makeup.”

He did not stop there. He then went on to list ways that this student could have killed himself without a gun, recommending pills, rope, a knife and exhaust.

This response, aside from being hurtful, made me want to avoid sharing my story to back up this student’s claim of a common experience. Not to mention, after this student had asked his question, the person in front of me was laughing.

This creates a far less inclusive campus than a banner hung in the Student Union criticizing the views of the president. The speaker

COMMENTARY

The final stretch

RILEY CLIFTON IC COLUMNIST

The end of the spring semester is a very conflicting time between immense stress and utter excitement.

We can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Our upcoming assignments are dwindling down and summer break is right around the corner. There’s just one major thing between us and four months of leisure: final exams.

For some, final exams can make or break a passing grade, hence the immense stress. It doesn’t help that these important examinations happen at the same time students reach an all-time low in self-motivation.

At this point in the semester

we have passed the withdrawal date and have no choice but to push through the course in the best of our abilities.

As the weather begins to warm up, it’s easy to get stuck in the summer mindset of relaxation rather than cramming for your finals.

Classes begin to get harder to attend and our focus is absent.

Although finals aren’t a determination of passing and failing for everyone, many students are trying to simply maintain the same strongwilled attitude to preserve their grades until the everlasting semester comes to an end.

Though I am not familiar with the feeling myself, I can only imagine how the upcoming graduates are reacting to their concluding semester of school.

This final stretch isn’t only between them and summer relaxation but the start of their future careers. I wish the best of luck for all the students at UT as we wrap up the end of this spring semester.

Remember to finish just as strong as you began; the end is near.

Riley Clifton is a second-year communication major.

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also had the nerve to tell the audience, “You protect that light switch with a gun,” after an audience member accidentally turned out the lights leaning against the wall.

Then, the audience member was so rudely pushed out the room by a man who walked all the way from the front row on the other side of the room.

I would like to know how that is providing an inclusive environment. Larry Pratt also made a claim that black people are responsible for crime, claiming the incarceration rates were indicative of the perpetrators of crime.

And to support my argument that his belief is a racist one, he also denied the concept that criminal activity was more likely based on socioeconomic status, in which black Americans disproportionately occupy the lower levels, the result of historical systemic oppression.

Larry Pratt denied all claims that black Americans faced oppression by claiming that they needed only to follow the example of the Deacons for Defense. Lastly, I was upset by a statement made by a community member in the audience telling a speaker in the audience that he needed “to go to an insane asylum.”

That comment did not provide an inclusive environment for any person in the audience.

This man being on campus did nothing to promote inclusivity. He personally attacked speakers in the audience, and audience members attacked people asking questions critical of the invited speaker.

I fail to see how this event was any more “inclusive” than a banner with POTUS’ true beliefs on display, and why President Gaber felt the need to send a campus-wide email for one and not the other.

—Anonymous UT student

COMMENTARY

How childhood has changed

SAMAR AYOUB IC COLUMNIST

Twenty-five years. It’s been 25 years since a group of young baseball players took the field. After all, that’s what summers were for in those days. To spend every waking moment with your friends, perfecting batting skills. Because let’s be honest – no one wants to be accused of playing ball like a girl.

You STILL don’t know what iconic 90s movie I’m referring to…you’re killin’ me, Smalls!

“The Sandlot” is a classic: a movie loaded up with hysterical catch-phrases and a plot so simple and pure, that it’s physically impossible to not fall in love with it. The boys’ adventures were inspirational, making any person watching want to spend his/her summers in the same way.

Plus, what girl can deny they had a crush extremely good-looking Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez?

I think we should all take a moment, step back and compare the children of those days (or even our times) to the children of today. As any other child, summers were definitely something to look forward to – no projects, no tests and beautiful weather.

Most notably, it was the best time to play with the other neighborhood children. Growing up in the early 2000s, the houses surrounding mine were all families that had kids our age.

As eager children, my siblings and I became friends with the others pretty fast, and the rest was history. Playing hide-and-go-seek, bouncing on the trampoline and even putting together our own baseball team has always been something I’ve remembered fondly.

Looking at kids of today, on the other hand…that’s a different story.

I honestly feel bad for children growing up in today’s society – I really do. Because they will never have any idea what it’s like to truly be a child, to have the imagination that most of us had growing up.

They’ll never feel the anxiety of calling their friends on the landline, and to be answered by their parents and have them inform you that they’re eating dinner. Worst of all though, they will never experience the thrill of making their own sandlot.

I’m using “The Sandlot” as a symbol here. With the extreme advancement of technology, children don’t even get a chance to, well, be a child! They don’t have as nearly as much fun as we used to, or may not be nearly as social due to their relationship with their phones.

It’s just sad.

If a movie like “The Sandlot” came out today, it would be filled with 10-year-olds who look like they’re 25 and who would be glued to their cell phones, Snapchatting and Instagramming every moment of the summer.

What happened to the innocence of being a kid that “The Sandlot” so beautifully exemplified? I will forever be thankful that my childhood was at a time before computers were rampant, and if you wanted to call someone when you were out of the house, you had to use a pay phone.

No matter how old you are, “The Sandlot” will undeniably put a smile on your face. I can definitely vouch for that.

In fact, I still have the VHS tape at my house, and watch it at least once every summer – it’s a necessity to celebrate the end of the school year.

“The Sandlot” and all its characters will forever be thought of as a legend. And as the Great Bambino once said, “Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.”

Samar Ayoub is a third-year student majoring in biology.

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Bryce Buyakie / IC

Student Veterans of America burn American Flags shredded into strips by color April 19 in a ceremony that respectfully disposed of the flag. SVA partnered with UT to hold the public ceremony. The flags burned were dropped off by Toledo area residents at several locations around the city.

By Kenny Kruse and Chris McCormick Staff Reporters

The University of Toledo’s Student Veterans of America held a flag retirement ceremony on the front steps of the Student Union last Thursday.

Spectators witnessed student members of the armed forces demonstrate the proper way to dispose of flags that have fallen into disuse and neglect.

Veronica Mora, national outreach coordinator at Veterans Matter, set the tone for the ceremony as she took the podium to introduce the participating officers.

“Before you are student veterans of this university that have answered our nation’s call to service,” Mora said. “Our ranks are as diverse as America itself.”

During the flag-folding ceremony, Mora reminded the audience that the day’s proceedings also served to remember former First Lady Barbara Bush, as well as the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing that occurred on April 19, 1995.

The SVA’s Facebook page shows the flags were prepped days before the ceremony. To prep the flags for retirement, the red and white stripes were separated from each other. The blue union is then separated from the red and white stripes. The colors are then burned but separate.

Before the collected colors were burned in the ceremony, SVA members folded a flag 13 times. Each fold represented a symbol and was placed in the burn barrel.

“A lot of people don’t

The Independent Collegian Staff

know you have to separate the colors when retiring a flag and burn them separately,” said Erica Loroff, president of the UT Chapter of SVA. The United States Flag Code, Title 4, Section 8k, and FlagsUSA.com says “Flag Retirement” is the term used to define the proper, dignified way of destroying United States flags that are no longer fit to serve the nation, preferably burning them. The flag code says anyone can perform the retirement and there is not one official ceremony required or recommended.

“Honoring those who have fallen that have paid the ultimate sacrifice, but for the ones who are still out there every day, wheth-

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Replacing Rocky with Shrek

See Honor / 5 »

Meagan O’Hara

Director of Photography

On April 24, the official Twitter of the University of Toledo tweeted, “If this gets 500k retweets we’ll change our mascot to Shrek” with a photo of Shrek attached.

The tweet had an immediate response and went viral, with over 90,000 retweets and a slew of comments within only a few hours. The tweet has since been deleted, but not without leaving a large impression on the Twitter community.

The tweet caused Twitter to create a moment around the new mascot, which gathered over 1,500 likes in four hours.

Many Twitter users also suggested other changes UT could make around campus to focus on a more Shrek-friendly campus.

Twitter user @mikeFAIL tweeted “will you rename all the stadiums ‘the swamp’ so the crowd can chant ‘get out of our swamp’/’get out of my swamp’ at the opposing team?”

Loving Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Another Twitter user @CourtneyPay_ said that UT should change the fight song to All Star by the San Jose band Smash Mouth, the iconic song in Shrek.

Continuing with the Shrek jokes, @ MichaelJonesAU presented the idea of bringing out a live donkey to the sidelines of football games.

Many comments also included how the university could run into trouble with DreamWorks by not consulting them before sending out the tweet.

Different media outlets including USA Today have since reported on the tweet.

“We are definitely not changing the school mascot to Shrek,” said Christine Billau, UT spokesperson, to USA Today.

“The tweet was meant to be fun but it caused to much of a distraction.”

According to the University of Toledo’s Twitter, Rocky had become jealous and deleted the chance for Shrek to become the new mascot.

Meagan O’Hara / IC

OFF-CAMPUS LIVING AS CLOSE AS IT GETS!

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Members of Oatmeal Cookie Raisin Lovers met for the first time on April 6. “Captain” Reese Kendall, first-year chemical engineering major, held the meeting in the President’s Hall Multi-Purpose Room. Eleven people turned up to show their support and love of oatmeal raise cookies. During the meeting, various brands and recipes of the cookies were discussed. To gain VIP membership, one must bring cookies.

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IN BRIEF

Three distinguished university lecturers named

The UT Board of Trustees approved and recognized three new Distinguished University Lecturers on April 16: Amy O’Donnell of the College of Business and Innovation; Sherry Tripepi in the School of Social Justice in the College of Health and Human Services; and Sara Yaklin of the College of Arts and Letters.

UT, NOAA research team to host town hall The University of Toledo and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will host a public forum at 8 p.m.

Thursday, April 26, at the WGTE Public Media studio, 1270 S. Detroit Ave. in Toledo, surrounding the prevention of invasive species in the Great Lakes.

Art on the Mall accepting applications Looking to showcase creative work in the 26th annual Art on the Mall at The University of Toledo? Monday, April 30, is the deadline to apply. Applications are available online.

UT student awarded Goldwater Scholarship Nathan Szymanski, a third-year physics student was awarded the Goldwater Scholarship, “one of the oldest and most prestigious national scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics in the United States, [that] seeks to identify and support college sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise of becoming [the] nation’s next generation of research leaders...”

Szymanski, is one of 211 students in the United States chosen to receive $7,500 annually for tuition, books and housing for the remainder of their undergraduate experience.

The Blade to host town hall meetings on Thursday The Toledo Blade will host two town halls on Thursday surrounding school safety and area infant mortality rates.

“School Violence: A Search for Solutions” begins at 7 p.m. at Owens Community College’s Veterans Hall.

“Changing Minds and Changing Lives: Your ZIP code should not determine your health,” begins at 6 p.m. at Bowsher High School, 2200 Arlington Ave.

Tiana Sarsour / IC

ADVICE

Students give tips for finals

By Ben Morse

Associate News Editor

Finals week: a patchwork of research paper deadlines, lengthy study-guides, thick stacks of flash cards and emptied Starbucks cups scattered around Carlson Library.

For Derick Trong, a second-year bioengineering major, it “is here pretty fast” and he’s “pretty stressed.”

“You can be doing great in a class and a final can totally change that,” Trong wrote.

Markus Owens, secondyear criminal justice major, echoed that sentiment.

“If your teacher never posts grades on Blackboard…if you still don’t understand the curriculum…when you’re going to school and trying to balance a job…it can be very stressful,” Owens wrote.

Stress, whether due in part to time consuming class pre-

Honor

from page 4

er here at home or overseas offering their time to serve their country is the best way to respect the flag,” said Sergeant David Lopez.

For Loroff, disrespecting the flag goes beyond mistreating or disposing it in the wrong way.

“Stepping on the flag, dragging it, laying it on the ground, having it fall off a surface, are ways people disrespect the flag,” Loroff said. “Other issues occur at sporting events during the National Anthem, such as not saluting or having the right hand over the heart, taking off a hat, or even stand-

paredness or exams themselves, can be detrimental to an individual’s well-being.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, test anxiety can manifest itself both physically and emotionally.

Physiological symptoms range from headaches and nausea to rapid heartbeat and light-headedness while psychological tolls includes feelings of anger, helplessness, difficulty concentrating and a spike in comparative anxiety.

To help students maneuver the ins-and-outs of finals week and avoid some of the negative repercussions surrounding performance, UT provides each student with a success coach.

One coach, Shawna Babula, views finals week as “the most stressful time window of the semester.” ing up.”

During the ceremony, time was taken to observe the recent death of former First Lady Barbara Bush and the 23rd anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.

Nearly 150 flags were collected from UT and around the community.

“Other issues occur at sporting events during the National Anthem...”

ERICA LOROFF UT SVA Chapter President

Talking economics

New Starbucks Coffee kiosk coming to UTMC A new coffee kiosk, set to serve the whole line of Starbucks beverages will open in the UT Medical Center.

According to a press release, the new coffee service will replace Caffeini’s, which has served the hospital for years. The service will be open later and on the weekends. The hours of operations will be from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily.

MIKE MILLER / IC

Students line up at Starbucks around midday to get their daily caffeine fix. A new Starbucks is set to open next year on the second floor of Carlson Library.

So, she suggests, starting “with a plan,” adding, “that anxiety kicks in when you’re swirling around without any concrete steps to help the situation. Invest a few minutes and build an exam study schedule for the next few weeks.”

And if students have tired of the academic preparation,

Babula suggests other skills including, “brain breaks,” mindfulness, posture readjustment and deep breathing techniques.

For some students, finals week is not a stressful experience; it is a means to an end, a “your hard work has paid off ” pat on the back and another step toward graduation.

“I’m excited not to have 50 thousand things running through my head at all times and a constant checklist in my mind,” wrote Torrie Zeigler, a second-year recreational therapy major.

“I know that two stressful weeks means three months of relaxation.”

FINALS No matter what your study style is, we have a space for you!

FIRST FLOOR – SOCIALIZE AND STUDY Computers, printers and convenient study spaces Social spaces to meet with friends SECOND FLOOR – COLLABORATE AND STUDY Active learning spaces designed for group study THIRD & FOURTH FLOORS – RESPECT THE QUIET Quiet study spaces, individual and group study rooms FIFTH FLOOR – SILENCE PLEASE Ultra-quiet study zone Feeling stressed? Visit the “Relaxation Station” in Room 1005 during Finals Week. Enjoy puzzles, coloring sheets and games. Test your knowledge in the Star Wars Film Trivia Contest, Wednesday May 2 at 12:30pm. Prizes for winners!

~EXTENDED HOURS~

BRYCE BUYAKIE / IC

Howard Beatty, member of the Foundation for Economic Education, discusses the differences between socialism and capitalism. He cited theories and history about both economic systems, comparing American and Western captialism to authoritative styles of socialism, such as communism.

Friday, April 27

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Saturday, April 28

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Sunday, April 29 through Friday May 4

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Like us at Facebook.com/ICollegian COMMENTARY

Journalism: Fighting the bias, seeking the truth

With our instant access to internet, we have millions of resources at our disposal, yet it feels like we’re the least informed generation. For our lack of knowledge, we resort to blaming biased media, or one of my personal favorite President Donald Trump coined phrases, the “fake news.”

People often say that journalism has lost its credibility and ironically uncovers anything but the truth; yet I refuse to believe the true essence of journalism is dead.

I believe the true essence of journalism is not dead but lost. It’s been lost for a while now, and it’s up to future journalists to bring it back and really ask themselves the question: Why are they doing what they are doing? Is it fame? Is it money? Is it acceptance? Or maybe there’s something much deeper, within each of them, pushing them to seek the truth.

Because when you truly think about it, proper journalism is about uncovering the truth, no matter how risky, real and dangerous it may be. It’s about bringing issues to light and making individuals ask questions.

While we’re all human beings and have the right to our own opinions, journalists have the rightful duty of separating themselves from their stories and uncovering the truth, and there are journalists who do just that.

Oscar winning movie, “Spotlight,” is based on a true story of the Boston Globe exposing the Catholic Church for covering up the scandal of child molestation. In 1986, the Associated Press published stories revealing the Reagan administration’s secret support for Nicaragua’s Contras, later known as the Iran-Contra scandal.

Alabama’s Tuscaloosa News reporters risked their lives covering a deadly tornado during a power outage. Twenty-four-yearold Sara Ganim from the Harrisburg Patriot-News was the first to bring attention to the child molestation allegations against former Penn State assistant football coach, Jerry Sandusky.

In their article “The iEconomy,” The New York Times uncovers deadly conditions under which Chinese workers assemble iPhones and iPads, bringing attention to labor trafficking.

These are all examples of great stories told by great journalists, who all played a major role in changing the course of history. These are brave individuals who sometimes even go as far as risking their lives to uncover the truth.

There are war photographers, journalists who are often incarcerated, sometimes even tortured and they take all these risks for nothing, but their passion, love and commitment to their jobs.

These are individuals who dedicate their lives to getting to the bottom of the truth. They are heroes who are rarely appreciated and

AREEBA SHAH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

awarded.

I’m not oblivious to the fact that biased news does exist and, as human beings, it’s simply in our nature to be biased, but even when a journalist is doing their job to the best of their abilities, they are still biased.

While you can strip away preconceived notions, false judgements and a onesided perspective, what you can’t strip away are feelings, thoughts and ideas. Those are our intrinsic human values that make us who we are as individuals.

Because of our unique experiences, it’s inevitable for us to have opinions and as a result, a bias. There are stories that connect with us on a personal level, making us emotional and that is okay, just as long as our bias doesn’t get into our stories.

As contradictory as that may sound, what I mean is, while reporters may have a bias, they cannot allow it to creep into their stories.

They should not see a story from a one-sided perspective; therefore, they should not report it from a onesided perspective.

To stir away from their conscious or unconscious bias, they must make an effort to confirm their stories are well-researched and supported with facts and

But this is what news is there for. It is there to challenge us and allow us to see the world in different perspectives.

There is art in storytelling. opposing views.

While it’s the responsibility of journalists to live up to the high standards we hold them accountable for, it’s also our duty as human beings to open ourselves to other ideas. Often people who resort to calling the whole field of journalism biased are also people who dislike news that confronts their ideas, questions their opinions and makes them think outside the comforts of their minds.

But this is what news is there for. It is there to challenge us and allow us to see the world in different

perspectives. There is art in storytelling.

Often, we are afraid of what we don’t know, so when we disagree with something, instinctually, we don’t like it. However, this type of mindset is the core of why so many problems even exist today.

If we never take the risk to step outside of our own shoes, how are we going to see the reality of the world?

Essentially, words and ideas have power. The power to challenge, influence and form the foundation of society.

If we don’t make an effort to engage in a conversation with someone who has an opposing view, then we will never grow.

Similarly, if we don’t allow journalists to present a different perspective of a story, how are we going to grow?

We see the world in its relation to us and that type of mentality is what contributes to the downfall of a society.

Instead, we need to see the world in its relation to everyone around us.

Our own bias tends to get in the way of the real truth. So, when the news does its job of displaying real facts and seeks to uncover the truth, it opens our eyes to the real world.

We need journalism more than we know. In the same respect, we need to open ourselves to differing opinions to open our minds.

We can’t allow our false judgements to get in the way. If we set aside our own opinions for a second and really listen to an opposing view, then maybe there’s a chance our eyes may open and our worlds can change.

There is something so powerful about engaging in a meaningful conversation with someone. This is so underrated. It all starts with having the openness to listen and understand where the opposing view is coming from.

So, when you come across a story that makes you question something you’ve known your whole life, or something that encourages you to start a discussion, then the journalist has done their job. That’s what journalism is there for.

Applying the same practice to conversing with people has the same affect. We are surrounded by opinions every day, but really how many of us make an effort to engage in a conversation with someone who has a different view than us?

This is exactly where the problem lies. If we don’t open ourselves to differing views or talk to people who think differently than us, then we will never grow as individuals.

Our preconceived notions and stereotypes will continue to exist. As individuals we are bound to disagree with each other, but as individuals we should also be okay with that.

We see the world in its relation to us and that type of mentality is what contributes to the downfall of a society.

Instead, we need to see the world in its relation to everyone around us.

Our own bias tends to get in the way of the real truth. So, when the news does its job of displaying real facts and seeks to uncover the truth, it opens our eyes to the real world.

Instead of being intimidated by opposing views, we should have the courage to question why we believe certain things are the way they are. Instead of discrediting news sources, making instant judgements and false assumptions, if we instead, took the time to listen and educate ourselves, we would learn from each other’s ideas. And then, maybe, we would realize we’re more

connected than we know.

So, as much as we need journalists to uncover the truth, we also need to open our minds and expand our horizons. However, in retrospect, it’s also our job to do our research and not take things at surface level. I urge you to go deeper and get to the bottom of the truth.

Often, people don’t understand the power words and ideas can have, but

journalists who love their jobs, do. And those are journalists who are truly making a difference in the world. They are going above and beyond, uncovering the truth.

While there are biased journalists who aren’t faithful to their jobs, there are also individuals who care very deeply for the work they do and for this reason, I believe the true essence of journalism is not dead. And for as long as the faithful journalists stick to their values and do their jobs, the true essence of journalism will continue to exist and persist in defying boundaries.

There is something beautiful about hearing people share their story with an openness to change your mind, but there is something powerful about being there, in that moment, to let them.

Areeba Shah is a thirdyear media communication major.

CALENDAR Circle K International - general meeting Wednesday, April 25 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in SU 2579

Spectrum - weekly meeting Thursday, April 26 from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. in SU 2591

HPFPA Blood Drive Thursday, April 26 from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. in President’s Hall

Mud Hens vs. Bats Friday, April 27 at 7:05 p.m. at Fifth Third Field

Turning Point USA weekly meeting Thursday, April 26 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in SU 2591 UT Tuners - weekly meeting Thursday, April 26 from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. in Rocket Hall 1542

Saturday, April 28 at 1:00 p.m. at the Front Street Inn Urban Birding II: Swan Creek Metropark Sunday April 29 at 8:00 a.m. at Swan Creek Preserve Metropark Ballroom dance lessons Sunday, April 29 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. in the Student Union Ingman Room

End of the Semester LAN Party Friday, April 27 from 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. in SU 3020 Workshop: Embroidery 101 Saturday, April 28 at 3:00 p.m. at Handmade Toledo

Impact - weekly meeting Tuesday, May 1 from 7:30 8:30 p.m. in SU 3020

Saturday 8-Ball Pool Tournament

WHERE

FRESH & FAST MEET ®

ORGANIZATION

Golden Key makes a comeback IC Staff

Looking to give back while getting involved on campus?

Then you might be interested in Golden Key. According to the organization’s website, The Golden Key International Honor Society is the world’s largest collegiate honor society. Membership is by invitation only and applies to the topperforming students in all fields of study, based

solely on their academic achievements.

The website says the three pillars of Golden Key are academics, leadership, and service.

According to the website, Golden Key was founded by Jim Lewis on November 29, 1977 at Georgia State University.

Vice President for Golden Key Collins Imoh said that it was started at UT on May 11, 1988.

Rupesh Boddapati,

Membership Director of Golden Key and first year bioengineering major, said Golden Key wants to bring awareness to the organization after it, “went into oblivion.”

Imoh said that it’s been in just the last few years that Golden Key has started gaining new members and recognition.

“If you’re about, “service,” then Golden Key is the place for you,” Imoh said.

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BASEBALL

Rockets take Eastern Michigan series in three Kenny Kruse Staff Reporter

UT’s baseball team (14-22, 8-7 MAC) battled the Spring Arbor Cougars (22-20, 12-8 WHAC) and the Eastern Michigan Eagles (14-22, 8-7 MAC) at Scott Park last week.

Spring Arbor

SA took a 2-0 lead in the third inning.

The Rockets responded with a run, trailing 2-1, later in the inning. Dalton Bollinger, fourth-

year infielder, ripped an RBI double down the left field line.

Another pair of runs were scored in the fourth for the Cougars, extending their lead, 4-1.

UT tacked on another run in the same inning, 4-2. Michael Ryan, second-year catcher, line drived an RBI double to left field.

The Cougars added another run, 5-2, in the fifth inning.

Toledo’s bats came alive in the seventh as a quartet of runs scored to take a 6-5 lead. Trace

Hatfield, first-year infielder, doubled up the center to score two runs as bases were loaded. Ryan singled, scoring another run.

Casey Gose, fourth-year infielder, perfected a bunt squeeze to bring in another run.

SA added a trio of runs in the eighth, 8-6, to retake the lead and defeat the Rockets. The Cougars collected three hits and two errors while UT collected nine hits and two errors.

EMU-Game 1

The Eagles got on the scoreboard with a run in the second inning to take a 1-0 lead.

UT tied the game in the third, 1-1. Brad Boss, fourth-year fielder, creamed a home run ball over the right field wall. Boss has six home runs this season.

During the sixth inning, EMU tacked on another run to retake the lead, 2-1.

Toledo responded in the seventh with another run to tie the game again, 2-2. Hatfield hit his

first collegiate home run over the left field wall.

UT’s pitching held the Eagles scoreless for the remainder of the game, holding them to six hits.

The ninth inning came, and the Rockets rallied to defeat EMU in the series opener with a walkoff, 3-2. Chris Meyers, first-year infielder, scored the winning run as a throwing error was made to first base on the sac-bunt from Ryan. The Rockets collected See Baseball / 8 »

8 | The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, April 25, 2018 Baseball from page 1

seven hits.

Nate Haugh, third-year right-handed pitcher, (1-3) was given the win.

Game 2

Eastern scored a trio of runs in the first inning and an additional pair in the sixth, taking a 5-0 lead.

The Eagle’s pitching held Toledo scoreless for the first five innings.

UT came alive in the sixth, scoring a pair of runs to trail 5-2. Corey Tipton, fifth-year catcher, crushed a two-run triple off the left field wall.

Another run came in the eighth inning for the Rockets, trailing 5-3. Zach Schwartzenberger, firstyear outfielder, pinched hit and collected an RBI single, allowing AJ Montoya, fourth-year outfielder/ catcher, to score.

EMU tacked on an insurance run, 6-3, in the ninth to take game two from Toledo. The Eagles collected eight hits to the Rockets’ 12.

Game 3

The Eagles jumped out early to take a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

Toledo matched the run later in the inning to tie, 1-1. Montoya hit an RBI single to left field, bringing home third-year outfielder, Ross Adolph.

Eastern regained the lead in the third and tacked on a pair of runs in the fourth inning, leading 4-1.

UT matched the two runs in the fourth, trailing 4-3.

Hatfield’s sac-fly and Bollinger’s single brought the runs in.

EMU tallied another run in the sixth inning, 5-3, and the Rockets’ pitching would not allow them to score for the remainder of the game.

The Eagles collected eight hits and two errors.

Like the series opener, the Rocket offense came alive late in the game. Four runs scored in the seventh and two more in the eighth, taking a 9-5 victory on 12 hits.

Bollinger hit his first home run of the year in the seventh, Ryan reached base on a sac-bunt to score Montoya, Meyers scored on a wild pitch and Boss’ sacfly scored Ryan.

Meyers’ double scored Adolph in the eighth and Ryan’s double scored Meyers.

The midnight blue and gold continue the season at Michigan State, today, April 25, at 3 p.m., before hosting the Kent State Golden Flashes this weekend. First pitches against the Golden Flashes are 3 p.m. on Friday, April 27, and 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29.

IC FILE

Fourth-year outfielder AJ Montoya connects on Sunday, April 8 against Ohio University.

SOFTBALL

Toledo tops Western Michigan

By Adam Jacobs Staff Reporter

It was an excellent and historic weekend for the Rockets in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as the Rockets knocked off MAC west rivals Western Michigan twice in three games.

The first match of the weekend took place Friday, April 20, and it did not go the way the Rockets envisioned. In fact, it did not go the way many people envisioned it to go.

The result was a 14-inning barn burner that ended in a Bronco victory. Part of the historical weekend came during this game when thirdyear pitcher Heather Webb struck out a career high nine batters. She would be given the loss, however.

Going into the doubleheader the next day, the

Rockets would look to avenge the loss given to them the day before.

They would do just that in the first game of the doubleheader.

First-year Bailey Curry had history on her mind going into this game; she was one home run away from tying the Rocket single-season record for home runs, and she would get her home run.

Her home run helped propel the Rockets to a 3-0 victory.

The home run record has not been tied or broken since 1990, putting Curry in the record books. Third-year Kailey Minarchick would get the victory for the Rockets, her 16th of the season.

In the third and final installment of the weekend, the offense of the Rockets would find their rhythm. The Rockets

would go off for eight runs, aided by a home run from fourth-year Sam Shoewalter, and 10 hits overall by the team.

With the two wins over the weekend, the Rockets achieved 30 wins in a season for the first time since 1995, giving the Rockets another historical anecdote for the weekend.

Head coach Kristen Butler was proud of her team’s effort but reiterated the team’s ultimate seasonal goals have yet to be met. “We still have two more goals for the season and those are 15 conference wins and to win the MAC Tournament,” said Butler.

The Rockets will travel to Michigan again this upcoming weekend for a three-game series against Central Michigan.