Issue 12-07-16

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

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98th year • Issue 16

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ADMINISTRATION

EDUCATION

UT considers plan to switch to a 15-week semester

Colleges work together to create new minor in sustainability

By Emily Lorton Staff Reporter

The University of Toledo Faculty Senate is currently debating switching from a 16-week semester to a 15week semester. According the to Faculty Senate presentation, the aim of altering UT’s calendar is to improve degree time, align with other four-year institutions, expand time for students to strengthen finances and enhance opportunity for faculty research and scholarship.

A number of surrounding schools currently have a 15-week semes-

ter, including Ohio State University, Miami University, Ohio University and Cleveland State University, among others. However, a majority of these schools do not have a fall break, which is something UT may also have to give up.

“I definitely think that more people would appreciate a shorter semester; it gives people more time to spend with their family,” said Brooke Pickles, first-year biology major.

“The negative side to a shorter semester would See Semester / 4 »

By Maryam Jawaid Staff Reporter

RACHEL NEARHOOF / IC

Jacob Curcio, first-year Pharmacy major, studies on the first floor of Carlson Library during the last week of classes.

POLITICS

Faculty hosts meeting to discuss effects of Presidential election

By Meg Perry Staff Reporter

The first of a series of post-election forums held by the University of Toledo College of Law was held Thursday, Dec. 1. The forum offered perspective on, and analysis of the 2016 election cycle and results.

Speakers included Jeff Broxmeyer and Jetsabe Caceres, who are both professors of political science; Sharon Barnes, professor of women and gender studies; and Ben Davis and Rebecca Zietlow, professors in the College of Law. After the speakers, the forum was then opened up to the floor, where students, staff and members of the community voiced their opinions concerning the election.

The first speaker of the night, Davis, explained in his speech “Come to Auschwitz” that although this may be the first time that youth are experiencing fear because of a certain political power, this type of conduct has been seen before for many.

“Power yields only to power.

You have to organize yourself with regards to matters to try to address those kinds of difficult situations

that you do not agree with,” Davis said.“With regards to the election, people will probably say, particularly people who are happy with the result, that you need to get over it.

No one can tell you when to get over these things.”

“With regards to the election, people will probably say, particularly people who are happy with the result, that you need to get over it. No one can tell you when to get over these things.”

BEN DAVIS College of Law Professor

Sharon Barnes’s speech, titled “Patriarchal Smack Down of 2016,” included concepts from the field of women and gender studies, applying them to the campaign for the elec-

tion, then offering remarks on where to go from here. Barnes gave several examples of how often Trump uses objectification as the way to interface with women. “‘Trump that Bitch’ is purely misogynous. It’s not about Hillary Clinton, it’s not about even calling her a name. It is simply calling her a bitch for having the gall to run for president,” Barnes said.

Barnes explained that many gains have been made by women in the past decade, and that in this election, there was a backlash against these gains. She explained the importance of recognizing this as backlash and referring to it as so.

As comments opened up to the floor, one attendee explained the troubling “dumbing-down” of America over the past thirty years deliberately, thereby creating a space for someone such as Trump to step into.

She said, “We all know that knowledge is power. It is up to us to wield our knowledge as a weapon against ignorance, which is the basis of hate.

It is up to us to keep facts alive.”

See Election / 4 »

The College of Business and Innovation is planning on housing a sustainability minor starting in the fall semester of 2017. However, the introduction of this minor is the product of a combined effort between several colleges, including the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, the College of Engineering, the College of Business and Innovation as well as the Jesup Scott Honors College.

According to Joseph T. Cooper, Assistant Professor at the College of Business and Innovation, the College of Business was chosen to host the minor because it had lenient guidelines regarding the number of credits a potential minor requires. The plan is for the sustainability minor to have 15 credit hours, while other colleges, such as the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, require minors to have at least 21 hours.

“The College of Business was willing and able to take that on, and we have the resources to just help manage that minor moving forward,” said Cooper. “We were able to house a minor with that many credits in the college of business.”

The university had gauged the level of student interest by sending out a survey at the end of the spring semester of 2016.

Three hundred and seventy-four students responded, saying that they would be interested in a sustainability minor.

“We sent out a survey last spring and we were surprised at the number of

responses that we got,” said Andrew Solocha, associate professor at the College of Business and Innovation. “We’re talking about right before graduation we sent this out and we had 380-something responses.”

“The College of Business was willing and able to take that on and we have the resources to just help manage that minor moving forward.”

ANDREW SOLOCHA Associate Professor

According to Andy Jorgenson, associate professor of chemistry and environmental sciences at the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, faculty from the involved colleges have been working together to devise the structure of the minor. New classes See Sustainability / 4 »

ENVIRONMENT

SG passes legislation in support of divesting from companies who use fossil fuels

By Jessica Harker Editor-in-Chief

The University of Toledo’s Student Government passed a new piece of legislation Tuesday, Nov. 29 that approved the plan to have the University of Toledo divest from all connections with companies that use fossil fuels. According to Amal Mohamed, President

of Student Government, the vote passed with a count of 17-7, with two senators choosing to abstain.

The legislation, which was created by the group Fossil Free Toledo, a student-run anti-fossil fuels activism group, was proposed to Student Government as the first step in getting approval from the university to stop the

Corrections: In last week’s edition of the Independent Collegian, there were factual errors discovered in the editorial titled “New Communication major raises more questions.” To read the updated version of this story visit Independentcollegian.com.

use of these fuels.

According to their Facebook page, the goal of the organization is “as a student-run group, FFT seeks to promote environmental justice and mitigate the destructive effects of fossil fuel emissions by campaigning the University of Toledo to divest from the fossil fuel industry and maintain sustainable investment practices.”

The authors of the legislation included Farouk Abu Alhana, Parth Patel, Abigail Dunegan, Shayan Parsai and Nicholas Parodi.

The legislation provided clear arguments for the divestment, citing the university’s own Uni-

“

versity Sustainability Policy “in which it emphasizes the university’s commitment to ‘enhance university sustainability efforts, including but not limited to energy efficiency and sustainability in all capital projects, renovation projects, and operations and maintenance within budgetary constraints’.”

According to Mohamed, the effects of the legislation passing in SG will be minimum, but allow the group to show support for Fossil Free Toledo and their overall plan.

“The organization, Fossil Free Toledo, is going to continue to

INSIDE

“I didn’t counter the attacks; I stood there and took it. This left me heartbroken, debilitated and depressed.”

Boys drop to Green Bay in fourth overtime finish SPORTS / 6 »

ALEXIS NIESZCZUR I won’t be the victim anymore OPINION / 3 »

UT Concert Chorale COMMUNITY / 5 »

meet and speak with administration in order to see what steps they need to take next,” Mohamed wrote. “The legislation passing was essentially just Student Government showing their support for the movement.”

There was a lot of debate during the meeting, before the legislation was passed. According to Vice President of Student Government Cameron Forsythe, five senators spoke out against the legislation including Cody Spoon, Jared Enoch, Jimmy Russell, Andy Taylor and himself.

See Legislation / 4 »

“

“It’s that time of year again: students stress out over final projects and exams and then suddenly and blessedly, it’s all over.”

EDITORIAL How to Survive Your Holiday Break OPINION / 3 »

2

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News Morgan Kovacs, editor Sports Sam Williams, editor Community Emily Jackson, co-editor Amber Thomas, co-editor

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OPINION

The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, December 7, 2016 | 3

Send letters to the editor to Editor@independentcollegian.com

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EDITORIAL BOARD

Jessica Harker Morgan Kovacs Philemon Abayateye Emily Schnipke 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.

EDITORIAL

How to survive your holiday break

It’s that time of year again: Students stress out over final projects and exams and then, suddenly and blessedly, it’s all over. The semester ends and allows for a small reprieve from daily life before the spring term begins. The holiday break is a sigh of relief for many students, and they get to head home for a few short weeks. We at the IC wish you all a happy holiday, but we also want to leave you with a few tips on how to survive your winter break at home.

1. Don’t pick fights with your siblings. We all know that holiday break is one of the few times during the semester in which you see your younger siblings. Don’t spend your break angry with your siblings for getting into your room while you’re away. It’s time for you to spend as much time as possible with them before they grow up to be teenagers and adults. Gross.

Don’t spend your break angry with your siblings for getting into your room while you’re away. It’s time for you to spend as much time as possible with them...

2. Let your mom do your laundry. All of it. You

know that that huge pile of laundry isn’t going to magically do itself over break. Bring all of it home and let your mom (or dad) do it for you. That is one washing machine that doesn’t take quarters. In the same note, strip your bed and bring all that home to wash too. Your sheets and blankets probably haven’t been washed since school started (gross, we know), so it’s a good time to freshen those up as well.

3. Make a schedule of what you want to get done over break. It’s the same story every year: You get home,

full of expectations of what you’ll do over break, but you only end up watching Netflix from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. and sleeping the rest of the day. Make a schedule of what you want to do: Go out with friends from high school or college, finish your Christmas shopping or even be proactive and file your 2017-2018 FAFSA. If you have a list, you will get stuff done and won’t feel like your break was wasted.

4. Take time to absorb in your hometown. Graduation suddenly doesn’t seem that far away. Whether you know exactly what you’ll be doing after college graduation or not, use your holiday break to get reunited with your hometown. You might not be going back home during next summer because of an internship or a study abroad.

Go visit all of your old favorite hangouts and eat at your favorite restaurants. Chill with your parents. Play with your pet. Absorb that feeling of home because you might not have it again for a while.

5. Leave your room. Don’t spend all of break watching Stranger Things in your room by yourself. Also, it might feel like you need a week’s worth of sleep right now, but don’t sleep your break away. Go play Monopoly with your Mom. Let your dad finally teach your how to cook his world-famous Mexican lasagna. Take your siblings to the movies. It might be tempting to lock yourself away from the world for three weeks, but you’ll have a much better time outside in the real world.

6. Pretend to like your presents, even the white socks from great-aunt Ruth. It’s like one of our favor-

ite Vine videos. The kid opens a wrapped avocado, puts on a brave face and thanks his mom for giving him an avocado. That’s exactly what your go-to plan should be.

When your uncle Steven hands you a present shaped like a book and you open it to see Fifty Shades of Grey, just grin and thank him. Be kind. You’ll get nowhere if you act immature in front of your family members.

Leave your room. Don’t spend all of break watching Stranger Things in your room by yourself. Also, it might feel like you need a week’s worth of sleep right now, but don’t sleep your break away.

7. Don’t talk about politics. Just don’t do it. Even if

you know exactly who everyone voted for, just keep your opinions to yourself. Don’t ruin your family ties over something that will just be changed in four short years. If you find yourself struggling to relate to your liberal uncle or being grilled by your conservative cousin, go hide in the kitchen. Help cook the food. Volunteer to sit at the kiddy table for this family holiday. It’ll make your life so much better.

8. Get into the holiday experience. It doesn’t matter if you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or something else entirely; go ahead and get really into the holiday. Drink eggnog, light the menorah and dance the days away. Even if you aren’t religious, embrace your inner Cindy Lou Who and not the Grinch. The holidays are a time to be with family and celebrate the happiness in our lives. Aim for that and you’ll be golden.

In the end, it doesn’t matter if you follow this list or not.

All that matters is that you spend your break doing what you love and not spending it stressing about school. So take a step back, chill and do what you do best.

OPINION

The price we pay to be accepted and relevant We are told to strive for success, and with success comes a sense of relevance. But what is the price to remain relevant?

I don’t mean the Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg or Barack Obama type of relevance, although that’s great too. I’m talking about that desire to be loved, to be respected or to be appreciated by our classmates, friends, family and perhaps by society.

As we prepare to kiss 2016 goodbye and welcome the splendor and promise of a new year, I thought it would help to have this conversation with someone.

As students, we join sororities and professional groups. We also become friends with certain people, all in the hope of creating connections that would benefit us one day. Then eventually we start our careers, move to better neighborhoods and become members of exclusive societies. Soon, we realize that relationships with some family and friends who could not make it up the social and economic ladder are no longer useful to us.

We start seeing less of them.

Somehow, we convince ourselves that these choices work well with our desire to be relevant. But relevant for who? What is the cost to ourselves, our friends and to our societies?

I had opportunity to listen to a podcast my friend Janet sent me this weekend. It was a great

PHILEMON ABAYATEYE OPINION EDITOR

chance to reflect on my life and to see just how much I had to sacrifice in order to remain relevant and in people’s “good books.” Once upon a time, I smiled at someone who consistently told me I was worthless only to leave his presence and nurse my tears. There was a time

self-confidence and agreed to live a life created by this unhealthy desire to be liked. I forgot I didn’t need anybody’s validation in order to be who I’m made to be. I would always tell myself that if only I can do this one thing to make the next person happy, then he‘d like me. I forgot that my happiness and relevance did not depend on anyone liking me or hating me.

But I’m glad I know better today. I am happy that I no longer make apologies for my actions because, unlike in my earlier years, I’m no longer craving to be loved or accepted or noticed. I’m no longer putting up with idiocy just to be loved. I have long embraced my personal value and not waiting on anyone to validate it. I choose what

Somehow, we convince ourselves that these choices work well with our desire to be relevant. But relevant for who? What is the cost to ourselves, our friends and to our societies? when all I cared about was to make others happy, even if that meant withholding my own pain. Well, I probably still do that today.

Unfortunately, I spent important years of my development just trying to please people and to win their acceptance. I accepted the dumbing-down of my value, shattering of my

I do without much concern about what others may think. This is not to say that I go out doing crazy stuff with impunity. Yet, most importantly, I’m not looking for friendships that I don’t need in the first place or fighting for spots in people’s lives. Being alone is not a curse; it can

I am happy that I no longer make apologies for my actions because, unlike in my earlier years, I’m no longer craving to be loved or accepted or noticed.

I’m no longer putting up with idiocy just to be loved. be a blessing in disguise.

My happiness and relevance does not come from whether people like me or not.

So as you prepare to take account of your achievements and make plans for 2017, I just encourage you to not let anyone belittle you, because you don’t need anyone’s approval to be you. By all means, be appropriate in what you do and care about people’s feelings, but don’t do it with the wrong motivations. Do it because, deep down, you feel that is what you want to do. Don’t compromise on believing that you’re valuable.

Love yourself. Do good.

Be happy. You’re already relevant even if the world doesn’t see it in you.

Philemon Abayateye is a Ph.D student in the Department of Geography and Planning and the IC’s Opinion Editor.

OPINION

I won’t take the blame anymore From the girl whose automatic response is “I’m sorry” even when it’s not my fault, who doesn’t honk even when you cut me off and who won’t stand up for myself when I’m blatantly being disrespected: I’m telling you that it’s time to toughen up.

Ever had an experience that leaves you questioning if you can do anything right? Ever felt so beaten down that you start to forget your worth? I had an experi-

ALEXIS NIESZCZUR IC COLUMNIST

Instead of letting it go or really analyzing the situation, I let it eat at me. I started to believe what had been told to me. I greeted each day with an “I’m useless anyway” attitude and didn’t see a point in trying. With that attitude, I let the person who disrespected me win. I let their words have their intended effect.

ence this past summer that left me feeling this way. I was lied to, disrespected and made to feel that I wasn’t even capable of completing simple tasks. I didn’t counter the attacks;

I stood there and took it.

This left me heartbroken, debilitated and depressed.

Instead of letting it go or really analyzing the situation, I let it eat at me. I started to believe what had been told to me. I greeted

each day with an “I’m useless anyway” attitude and didn’t see a point in trying. With that attitude, I let the person who disrespected me win. I let their words have their intended effect.

After weeks of harboring these feelings and feeling sorry for myself, I finally confided in friends who helped to set the record straight. I realized that I wasn’t the things that this person had tried to convince me that I was. I realized that I couldn’t let others define my worth; only I had the power to do this. This was the day that I let these feelings go and from that day on, things began to change.

No longer did I feel obligated to sit and take others’ criticisms. No longer was I the butt of the joke.

I’ll honk my horn every now and again and I may even say “It’s okay” instead of “I’m sorry.” I no longer feel like a pushover; rather, I feel empowered. I know myself and my worth and I won’t let that be compromised again.

Looking forward to the New Year, I challenge you to stop blaming yourself.

Surely, none of us are perfect but sometimes it really isn’t you, it’s them

— and don’t let ‘them’ get you down. Stop taking the fall for others. Stop compromising your worth and making excuses for yourself. You are worth it.

When you’re having a bad day, remember all the good that you have influenced in the world.

Remember all the blessings you have and all the people who love and care about you. Don’t let the bad boss, poor friend, jealous coworker or whoever it may be question your integrity. Next year is a new slate and start believing that it’s not always you.

Alexis Nieszczur is a PharmD student in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Looking forward to the New Year, I challenge you to stop blaming yourself. Surely, none of us are perfect but sometimes it really isn’t you, it’s them — and don’t let ‘them’ get you down.

4

| The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Sustainability

Relay for Life UT students participated in Relay for Life on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the UT Rec Center.

Relay for Life is an event held to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

(Top Right) Tony Slone, cancer survivor, cuts the honorary ribbon on the survivor lap during opening ceremony. (Middle) Student parake in an impromptu Macarena at four a.m.

(Bottom) Students clap during the survivor lap.

SAVANNAH JOSLIN / IC

SAVANNAH JOSLIN / IC

SAVANNAH JOSLIN / IC

Legislation from page 1

“Other engineering students, as well as the authors of the legislation argued that, historically, divestments have never impacted co-op opportunities.”

AMAL MOHAMED Student Government President

Some concerns that were raised during the meeting by these senators were possible issues with engineering students who would be attempting to do co-ops with the companies the university plans to divest from.

“Some engineers expressed fear that perhaps companies which we divest from will no longer offer co-op oppor-

Election from page 1

Another participant commented on how the majority of Americans are angry, alienated, divided and have great fear and concerns. He noted the great commonality of concern embodied in many Americans, and suggested a future forum centered around the common struggle America is facing, and where that fear stems from.

He continued and said, “A lot of people feel that America has not been on the right course for a long time, and this did not begin with Trump winning. Polarization and division have been a trend.

This fear and anger is what

tunities to the engineering students. However, other engineering students, as well as the authors of the legislation argued that, historically, divestments have never impacted co-op opportunities for students,” Mohamed wrote.

Nadeen Sarsour was the only senator who spoke out in support of the legislation during the meeting.

Mohamed wrote that the next step would be for the student organization who presented the legislation to present to UT administration.

“We can expect to see the group of students that pro-

“It was refreshing to see how we as a community can address what can be touchy topics in a very professional manner. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to each speaker’s stance, and I look forward...”

CAITIE JOHNSON Third -year Women and Gender Studies Major

most of us have in common here; we may be divided by everything else, but we have

posed the legislation make moves in order to convince the university to divest from companies that are being irresponsible in terms of sustainability,” Mohamed wrote.

According to their Facebook page, Fossil Free Toledo plans to take their plan to the University of Toledo Board of Trustees.

“We also plan to reach out to faculty and the student body to rally support behind our campaign,” their Facebook page stated.

that in common.”

Caitie Johnson, a thirdyear women and gender studies major who attended, explained that she was interested in the event because it was an opportunity to learn more about the presidentelect and how he managed to win the election.

“It was refreshing to see how we as a community can address what can be touchy topics in a very professional manner,” Johnson said. “I thoroughly enjoyed listening to each speaker’s stance, and I look forward to attending future forums.”

For more information about upcoming forums, contact Renee Heberle of political science or Liat Ben-Moshe of disabilities studies.

from page 1

including “Sustainable Living” from the College of Engineering and “Sustainable Business Practices” from the College of Business will be offered. The sustainability minor will consist of four required core classes, as well as an elective.

“Students have to take four required classes and an elective, and the elective should be in another college, so they get a broader perspective,” said Cooper.

Many institutions across the country already have sustainability majors and minors so, according to Jorgenson, the sustainability minor is expected

Semester

from page 1

be students having a more condense workload.”

Some students seem to think that one less week will not change the stress of the semester.

“I think overall the idea is great because many students would love a shorter semester and longer breaks,” said Alyssa Fussell, third-year special education major. “It would be an adjustment for the students, but seems to be something that I would be in favor of.”

Lisa Bollman, academic advisor in the communication department, said that a shorter semester would help students who tend to lose focus throughout the semester.

“Some professors do not follow the exam week schedule and give their exam the week before during normal class time so it’s basically like some of us have a 15 week semester anyways,” said Taylor Burchfield, first-year communication major.

According to the 15week presentation, if UT switches to shorter semes-

to receive a strong student response at the University of Toledo, as well. It is expected for the minor to be finalized by early February 2017, at the latest.

“Sustainability minors and majors are very common at hundreds of other schools.

We’re a little late to the game, to tell you the truth,” said Jorgenson. “In fact, what we hope for, within two years, our goal is to have a major in sustainability.”

According to Solocha, businesses have started to value sustainability in their projects, since sustainability is becoming related to long-term financial success. Therefore, it is essential to produce students with a working background in sustainters, it is possible that class times will switch from 50 minutes to 55 minutes and 75 minutes to 80 minutes.

This way, students will still spend roughly the same amount of time in classes.

“I feel like we are crunched for time as it is, but also it would help getting school out

“Our goal is to have a major in sustainability.”

ANDY JORGENSON Professor of Chemistry and Enviromenal Science

ability.

“If you go to work in a business, they want to make sure the business is efficient in terms of sustainability,” said Jorgenson. “Because being sustainable means that you’re spending less money on things, better use of electricity, better use of vehicles, better use of all sorts of things.

It’s an economic as well as an environmental consideration.”

of the way for a longer break. I just think it would be impossible to have kids work, study and be involved for only 15 weeks,” Taylor Deblair, firstyear nursing student.

For more information on the proposal, visit the faculty senate page on the UT website.

The King is hiring!

Tony Packo’s

wants YOU!

Wednesday, December 7, 2016 | The Independent Collegian |

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CHOIR

Thursday, Dec. 8 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Cast Pop-up Exhibition

Do you enjoy looking at artwork and have a creative side you would like to explore? Join the Concepts in Art Studio and Theory course (C.A.S.T) students in their one-night exhibition of artwork created by students in the art department.

Thursday, Dec. 8 7 p.m.

UTJazz Holiday Concert Enjoy your favorite holiday hits performed in unique jazz styles from classic to contemporary. This event will take place at the Doermann Theater in University Hall and will be performed by the UTJazz ensembles.

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students & seniors.

Thursday, Dec. 8 7:30 p.m.

Theater PerformanceFlower School

Attend a free performance that explores the underground, womb-like world where imaginary flowers live before they bloom above the ground! Created by students, this performance features songs, movements and text to make you ponder who you are and where you come from. The event will take place at the Center for Performing Arts’ Studio Theatre.

Thursday, Dec. 8 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception Are you a Catholic student or worker on the Health Science Campus? Well you are more than welcome to join the Newman club in a mass to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception!

Friday, Dec. 9 7 a.m.

French Film Series: Madmoiselle Chambon Do you enjoy watching super dramatic French films? If you just answered yes, then you have to attend this film series presented by the French Program.

Admission is free and will take place at Haigh Auditorium at the Center for the Visual Arts.

Friday, Dec. 9 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Music Therapy Winter Concert If you are a crazy music fanatic, then feel free to attend the winter concert featuring Christmas music. This event is hosted by the Vocal Remedy and Docapella and will be held in the Health Education Building, room 110.

Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 10-11 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fall Pick Up Come out and support Nightingales Harvest, a food bank for cancer patients, during an afternoon of community service. Rake leaves, gather vegetable plants from the organic garden, or clean out and reorganize a room! But wait; there’s more! Soup and beverages will be offered if you participate for four hours. This event will take place at The Lutheran Church of Our Savior.

COURTESY OF THE UT CHOIR

UT Choir performs at Toledo Museum of Art

By Anna Glore Staff Reporter

If you need a break from studying this weekend, the University of Toledo’s Concert Chorale has just the event for you.

The choir will be performing the musical works of German composer, Hugo Distler, Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. in the Toledo Museum of Art’s Great Gallery.

“These beautiful a capella works are two highlights from Distler’s catalogue, and are excellent representatives of the ‘New German Church Music,’ which rose to prominence in the early 1900s.”

BRADLEY PIERSON UT Choral Director

UT’s choral director, Bradley Pierson, said that he believes the Great Gallery is a perfect location for a concert.

“It truly is a world class mu-

seum. We are honored to have the opportunity to perform there,” Pierson said. “Beyond that, this is music that I am very passionate about, and I know that the choir has grown to love it as well.”

The choir has performed several selections from Distler’s “Totentanz” (Dance of Death) and “Die Weihnachtsgeschichte” (“The Christmas Story”) in other concerts these past few months and will do so once again at the concert.

“These beautiful a capella works are two highlights from Distler’s catalogue, and are excellent representatives of the ‘New German Church Music,’ which rose to prominence in the early 1900s,” said Pierson. “Heavily influenced by the music of the Renaissance and Early Baroque, Distler utilizes exciting rhythmic part-writing to accentuate these sacred texts.”

Those performing in the concert say that although it is a lot of work, it is worth it.

“We meet every day of the week for an hour to make music together, but we are expected to spend time with the “physical” music on our own time,” said Meridian Prall, a

vocal performance major and choral member. “Concert Chorale is a lot of work, but it just makes it that

“Concert Chorale is a lot of work, but it just makes it that more rewarding to be a part of this ensemble. To prepare for concerts, such as that in the Great Gallery, we work to improve the expressive qualities of the music in class.”

MERIDIAN PRALL Choral Member

more rewarding to be a part of this ensemble. To prepare for concerts, such as that in the Great Gallery, we work to improve the expressive qualities of the music in class.”

Prall also said that the music for this particular concert was difficult to learn.

“This concert in particular is a bit nerve-racking due to the difficulty of

THEATER

THEATER

The Phantom of the Opera

By Areeba Shah Staff Reporter

Over 140 million people in 35 different countries and in 166 cities around the world have heard the sounds of The Phantom of the Opera, and it has finally come to make its debut in Toledo.

Performed by a cast and orchestra of 52 members, with iconic songs like “Music of the Night,” “All I Ask Of You,” and “Masquerade,” this production is one that fans of all ages can enjoy.

Katie Travis, who plays Christine Daaé, encourages fans to come watch the show.

Born and raised in Bay City, Michigan, Katie drove with her parents to Toronto to see The Phantom of the Opera at just four years old, which was her very first show. Instantly, she fell in love with the music and was easily drawn to the story. From there, it became her dream to become a part of the show, which has now turned into a reality.

“For the first time in 29 years, they’ve taken a new approach at the story that everyone knows and loves,” Travis said. “This production is a little bit more relatable and more realistic. It’s a young woman trying to figure out a person who she wants to date and where her career is going.”

Inspired by a hauntingly beautiful love story, Andrew Lloyd Webber translated French writer Gaston Leroux’s novel into a musical of the same name. The musical takes place in 1911, inside the Paris Opera House where the Phantom, a disfigured musical genius falls in love with a young but very talented soprano, Christine Daaé.

Performer Derrick Davis describes his experience play-

the music, but I also look forward to it for this reason,” said Prall. “To me, nothing is more gratifying than learning a crazy hard piece and performing it at a level at which I can be proud.”

Another singer, and third-year vocal music education major, Nathaniel Krebs, said that for this concert, the most important part is making sure that the audience is engaged.

“Beyond learning the music, this concert, and others like it, require the choir to be able to communicate this text to an American audience, when most of them do not speak German,” Krebs said.

“Being able to communicate a foreign language, to really make sure they can understand the emotion behind it, is what will be working the hardest on.”

Pierson encourages everyone to attend the concert.

“For students who are maybe unfamiliar with choral music, this is a great opportunity to support your peers and to see what our ensembles are all about,” said Pierson.

“I think choir sometimes is a bit of a mystery to those who have never sung in one. We hope that students will come out and join us for this free concert, as a way to show some Rocket pride.”

ing the Phantom as amazing, a dream come true and overwhelming on so many levels.

“Joining a company of such kind, loving and accepting individuals that work together to make a beautiful, beautiful product is just a bit of heaven on earth,” Davis said.

Not only did the rehearsals for the show last as long as five weeks, but the process of building the chandelier was

“For the first time in 29 years, they’ve taken a new approach at the story that everyone knows and loves.”

KATIE TRAVIS Actress

also hectic and took a total of four weeks. Davis believes that the reason why the show has stood the test of time is because the character of the Phantom is so relatable to each and every person.

He suggests that one thing we can all learn from his character is that “as humans, we often overexaggerate our differences and that really at our core there are so many things that are similar that unite us.” The Phantom of the Opera has won the 1986 Olivier award, along with seven 1988 Tony Awards, including best musical, best actor and actress featured in a musical.

The show will be presented in the Stranahan Theater from Dec. 7-11. For more information and specific showtimes, please visit www.stranahantheater.org.

AIDS Gala

Event hosted to shine a light on global epidemic

By Tabitha Jackson Staff Reporter

More than 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV, and 1 in 8 people who have HIV don’t even know they have it.

Educating the public about HIV and AIDS is crucial to help fight the disease.

Every year the African People’s Association, in collaboration with the University of Toledo’s Student National Pharmaceutical Association, hosts an AIDS Awareness Gala in honor of World AIDS Day. The African People’s Association is inspired to help bring awareness to HIV and AIDS. The epidemic is even more prevalent in African countries where medical supplies and education about the virus is scarce.

This year, the seventh annual AIDS Awareness Gala took place on Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Union Auditorium.

Nnenna Kalu, president of African People’s Association, said it is important for people to be educated about the virus.

“There are many misconceptions about HIV, so it is important that people are educated,” Kalu said. “It is also important that people know that those living with the virus are normal people. They aren’t going to show signs or anything. They shouldn’t be treated differently.”

The gala began with entertainment from a gospel choir, the dance group Charisma and a solo from student Aadilah Elamin.

Daniella Van Fleet, from the Ryan White Foundation, gave her speech on HIV and AIDS. She discussed common myths and gave facts relating to HIV and AIDS, as well as steps to prevent contracting the virus.

Free HIV testing was also offered at the gala.

After Van Fleet’s speech, someone who had tested positive for HIV shared her testimonial. She discussed how she contracted the virus and how her life has changed after finding out she had HIV. The speaker also discussed the importance of preventing the virus.

“It is also important that people know that those living with the virus are normal people. They aren’t going to show signs or anything. They shouldn’t be treated differently.”

NNENNA KALU African People’s Association President

Barbara Aidoo, treasurer of African People’s Association, said the gala not only helps to educate students about HIV and learn prevention methods but also donates money to a great cause.

“The money we get from ticket sales is all donated to the Ryan White Foundation. The foundation helps support AIDS patients,” Aidoo said.

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program was named after Ryan White, who was diagnosed with AIDS at age 13 after a blood transfusion in 1984. After Ryan’s death in 1990, Congress passed a legislation called the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act. The Ryan White Program at the University of Toledo Medical Center offers high quality and comprehensive HIV/ AIDS care services through a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Hawa Seck, event coordinator of African People’s Association, said her favorite part of the gala was when Daniella Van Fleet gave her speech.

“There were a lot of things I didn’t know about HIV that I learned from her,” Seck said.

“She gives information on how to prevent yourself from getting HIV and many facts about the virus that I was unaware of.”

For more information on the prevention of HIV and AIDS and free HIV testing, contact the University of Toledo Ruppert Health Center at 419-383-6843.

6

| The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, December 7, 2016

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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Rockets blow past Flames and Crusaders

By Jackson Rogers Staff Reporter

Over the weekend, the University of Toledo women’s basketball team defeated the University of Illinois in Chicago, Illinois, 79-51 on Thursday and Madonna University 99-47 on Sunday. The wins improved the Rocket record to 5-1 this season.

“We were tested early in both games,” said head coach Tricia Cullop. “I thought that UIC and Madonna gave us good fights, and for that I’m glad. We need to be put into situations where we need to learn from it and I thought we did, and I thought in the second half that our depth and pace of play really paid off.”

Against UIC, second-year Mikaela Boyd led the UT offense with 16 points, eight assists and four steals. Boyd’s performance also included a 50 percent (6-of-12) shooting percentage from the field, which resulted in her fifth game where she scored in double digits.

Helping in the Rocket offensive attack were secondyear Olivia Cunningham, who scored 14 points, and fourth-year Janice Monakana, who scored 10 points.

Toledo as a team shot 48.5 percent (32-66) from the field and had 43 rebounds.

The Rockets established a physical presence, scoring 48 of of their 79 points from the paint. Their defense held UIC to only a 35.8 (19-of 53) shooting percentage in the game. UT also forced 32 turnovers and capitalized, scoring 31 points off of turnovers.

The game started out slow for the Rockets as they trailed 16-12 after the first quarter, shooting just 3-of-18 from the field in the span. The women came out in the second quarter, outscoring UIC 14-0 to take a 26-16 lead with 6:39 left in the first half. UT hit six of their first seven shots during the run.

The Rockets went into halftime with a 39-30 advan-

“We need to be put into situations where we need to learn from it and I thought we did, and I thought in the second half that our depth and pace of play really paid off.”

TRICIA CULLOP Women’s Basketball Head Coach

tage and never left their lead drop to seven in the half. UT scored the first 10 points of the second half and ended up having a 69-35 lead at the end of the third quarter, outscoring the Flames 25-5. The Rockets let their lead drop a little in the fourth quarter, but still cruised until the end the game with a 28-point win.

Against Madonna, third-year Jay-Ann BravioHarriott led the Rockets in scoring with 20 points, a season high. She knocked down six of eight shots from three-point range.

“I felt really comfortable,” Bravio-Harriott said.

“Me and Halee went up earlier to get some shots up and I just felt good then, and then we’ve just been working a lot individually in practice on our shooting, and the fact that my teammates had confidence in me to pass the ball a lot kinda helped.

But yeah, today I felt really good.”

Other notable Rocket scorers were Monakana, with nine points, and first-year Mariella Santucci, with 12 points. Toledo shot a team total of 54.7 percent from the floor, with a 61.9 shooting percentage from three-point range. They then again held the advantage in the paint, scoring 36 points compared to Madonna’s 16.

Madonna took an early 19-16 lead with 1:51 left in the first quarter off of eight points from third-year Becca Sabol. UT answered back in the second quarter with three straight three-pointers from Barvo-Harriott, giving the Rockets a 30-21 lead with 7:28 left to go in the half. Toledo scored eight of the last nine points to close out the half with a 47-29 advantage.

The game got out of hand with two threes from Bravo-Harriott, increasing the lead to 61-37 at the 6:05 mark in the third quarter.

UT ended up coasting for the rest of the game, ending the score at 99-47.

“We were glad to get the win,” Cullop said. “This game was scheduled because we had a tournament game cancelled and we had to pick up a game, so we’re very fortunate to play a game during a lull, and you don’t want to get complacent.”

The Women Rockets will next play on Friday, Dec. 9, against in-state foe Dayton. The game is set for tip-off at 11 a.m. at the University of Dayton Arena.

SUDHEER KUPPILLI / IC

Center Sophie Reecher goes up for a basket against Madonna University.

FOOTBALL

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Rockets Football is headed to Raycom Media Camellia Bowl

Boys drop to Green Bay in fourth overtime finish

By Sam Williams Sports Editor

After a successful 9-3 season, the University of Toledo has been invited to a bowl game for the sixth year in a row. This year, the Rockets will head to Montgomery, Alabama to take on the Appalachian State Mountaineers.

This is the first time the two teams have ever faced each other, but there will be some familiar faces on the opposing side for head coach Jason Candle and other UT players.

The Mountaineers are coached

by Scott Satterfield, who was an assistant coach for the Rockets in 2009 under Tim Beckman.

Also on that staff was the Rockets’ current head Coach Jason Candle. Candle was the receiver and tight end coach while Satterfield was coaching quarterbacks for Toledo.

“We were here on Coach Beckman’s original staff in 2009 together and we’ve been in contact ever since and have been able to stay in touch,” Candle said. “It will be really fun to have a week down there and compete with those guys. Scott’s a great person and a great man, and I have a lot of respect for him. We’ve talked and we talk regularly and certainly it will be a fun game.”

This game will be a good chance for the Rockets to have their second 10-win season in a row and also to send the seniors out of the program with a win.

“We were pretty excited when we found out,” fourth-year defensive end John Stepec said. “It’s one more shot to get this game and win 10 games in back-toback seasons.

It will be huge for us. It’s just about going down there with the team and having a good time and seeing all that Alabama has to offer us and just being around the guys and having a good time. That’s all I care about. This could be the last

“It will be really fun to have a week down there and compete with those guys.”

JASON CANDLE Football Head Coach

game that I play in, as well as some of the other seniors, so I just want to go out there and play as hard we can and get this win.”

The two teams will face off on Dec. 17 in Montgomery, Alabama, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN at 5:30 p.m.

RACHEL NEARHOOF / IC

Following a touchdown, offensive lineman Storm Norton hoists wide receiver Jon’vea Johnson into the air against Ohio.

By Justice Sunderland Staff Reporter

The Toledo men’s basketball team played in their fourth overtime game of the season on Saturday as they fell to Green Bay 78-77. With the loss, the Rockets fall to 3-5 on the season.

Fourth-year forward Steve Taylor Jr. led the way for UT with his sixth double-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high five assists, along with help from fellow fourthyear guard Jon Jon Williams, who scored 20 points in 37 minutes.

Green Bay had four players in double figures, including fourthyear guard Charles Cooper, who led the way with 18 points. Toledo outrebounded the Phoenix 40-36 but committed three more turnovers.

UT held the lead for a majority of the first half. Williams helped them get out to a fast start with seven early points and an offensive rebound that resulted in a Taylor Jr. three-pointer.

Green Bay cut the lead to just one with nine minutes left in the first half, but second-year forward Nick Navigato answered right back with a three ball. With four minutes left in the first half, Toledo found themselves ahead by nine after a couple of layups by Taylor Jr. Both teams went cold until the final minute of the half. The Phoenix scored the last four points of the half, including a layup with five seconds left to cut the halftime deficit to six, 36-30. Williams scored 12 points in the first half to set the pace for the Rockets as Taylor Jr. added nine points, five rebounds and three assists.

The teams traded buckets to begin the second half. With 14:28 left in the game, Green Bay cut the lead to 43-40 on a three by Kerem Kanter, the lowest it had been since halfway through the first half.

The Phoenix captured their first lead of the game (47-46) with 11 minutes remaining on a layup from

Kanter. Both teams traded the lead until second-year guard Jaelen Sanford made a three-pointer to put UT ahead 55-51.

The Phoenix responded with five straight points to take back a onepoint lead until Williams knocked down a three to put UT ahead by two. Williams and Taylor Jr. took over down the stretch for the Rockets, scoring nine straight points.

Toledo found themselves up four with 1:30 remaining in the game. A turnover by Sanford led to a Green Bay layup. The Phoenix called a timeout with 13 seconds remaining. They rebounded the ball and Kanted hit another clutch shot with six seconds on the clock to tie the game at 66.

UT had one final chance, but the ball was stolen by Turner Botz.

Green Bay struck first in the overtime period, but it didn’t take long for UT to respond. With two minutes remaining, Sanford knocked down a triple to put Toledo ahead 74-72. On the next possession, Navigato committed a foul, sending Cooper to the line, where he made one and missed one so that the UT lead stayed at one.

A turnover by Taylor Jr. led to a layup by the Phoenix to take a 77-76 lead with just 44 seconds left. On the next possession, Cooper fouled Navigato, who split the free throws to tie things up.

Williams committed a foul that sent Green Bay to the free throw line for two shots with just six seconds remaining. Khalil Small hit the first and missed the second, but UT was out of timeouts and was unable to get a shot off to try and win the game, and they fell 78-77. The Rockets are now 1-3 in overtime games this season.

The midnight blue and gold remain home for their next game as they take on Detroit Mercy at Savage Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 7. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.