Spring2012 Issue 38

Sports, B1

Arts & Life, B4

Rockets continue quest for second straight WNIT title

Students storm the silver screen

Independent Collegian IC The

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Serving the University of Toledo since 1919

www.IndependentCollegian.com 92nd year Issue 38

Gold/Harbin ticket drops out of election

By Vincent D. Scebbi Managing Editor

Max Gold said he will no longer pursue the office of Student Government President.

In a letter sent to the Independent Collegian, Gold said his decision is due to “circumstances beyond control.”

“I understand not all of you will agree with this decision but in this current state of affairs we have been unable to make strides necessary for change, which is unfortunate, however we will be unwavering in our support for the students of UT,” Gold said in the letter.

Gold was found in violation of the SG Election Board Rules and disqualified from the race last week, according

to an email sent out by SG Election Board Chair Aaron Dau. He and his running mate Ken Harbin did not participate in Tuesday’s Presid e n t i a l debates.

Sources close to the Independent Collegian said Gold appealed the decision but they could neither confirm nor deny if the disqualification stood.

Dau declined any further comment in regards to the

conduct board hearing.

According to Gold, he and Harbin endorse the Nancy Ngo and Patrick Richardson ticket for April’s election.

“I only ask from you, that whoever we decide to support please stand behind us as I feel the truest form of inspiration we can leave is by our duties done here as leaders and whoever we formally support I know in my heart of hearts they will embody that idea of inspiration,” Gold Gold said.

Gold refused to comment further on the situation.

— Gold, Page A2

Admin seek feedback on evaluation app

By IC Staff

Administrators are looking for feedback at next week’s Student Government meeting about a new application which will allow students to better voice their opinions.

A new smartphone app is being developed by Human Resources and Talent Development which, according to a presentation created by HR, will allow students to evaluate university employees and faculty at will. The app will also provide students with links to news resources, UT updates and UT information.

SG President Matt Rubin

received information this designed to be a “universal Tuesday and shared the initial evaluation” system that is details at that unique because evening’s StuUnlike the evalua- it not only rates dent Senate tions now, which are faculty but advimeeting. He used for administrative sors and staff as said adminis- purposes and assessments well. trators are “Unlike the concerning tenure, these scheduled to e v aluations present at the evaluations are built more now, which are around student next meeting satisfaction. used for adminso they can istrative purgive students Matt Rubin poses and asmore infor- President, sessments conmation and Student Government cerning tenure, take suggesthese evaluations to imtions are built more around prove the app.

Rubin said the app is

“

”

— Evaluate, Page A2

Photos courtesy of Jameela Abdullah

‘Stop drinking Syrians’ Blood’ Students staged a silent demonstration to raise awareness on the conflict in Syria on Tuesday in Centennial Mall. (top left) UT student Alaa Kanan sits next to a picture and the bloody “body” of a famous singer from Homs, Syria who was killed. (top right) Students Shahrazad Hamdah and Sarah Fatemi hold a sign calling for Syrian President Bashar-al Assad to “stop drinking Syrians’ blood.” (middle right) UT student Mohamad Kanan acts as a Syrian soldier who is using force against a civilian who is trying to pray. (bottom left) Jameela Abdullah holds the Syrian flag with the word “freedom” printed on it. (bottom right) UT students Eyad Jaara and Moath Elhady portray a Syrian civilian mourning over a family member who was killed by soldiers.

Over 1,100 volunteers to participate in Big Event ‘Stop Street Harassment’

By Megan Vollmer IC Staff Writer

Students will say thank you to the surrounding neighborhoods, organizations and businesses by doing various community service projects during The Big Event this Saturday.

The Big Event is a day-long community service project which pairs UT students with organizations like Cherry Street Mission, Toledo Food Bank and Toledo Botanical Garden to perform a day’s worth of charity. Some students are also asked to perform acts of service in the surrounding residential community. “[Students] complete various projects that include anything from painting, to mulching, to just playing with kids for a day,” said Daniel Janisz, operations director for the event.

Over 1,100 volunteers, the majority of whom are students, are signed up to participate this year. Janisz said this includes students from Greek organizations, sports teams, service organizations and Student Government.

“All of our colleges are represented,” Janisz said. “The list is so long, it is truly amazing to see everyone helping out.”

Student Government Vice President Jordan Maddocks said he loved his previous involvement with The Big Event, which included

working at the Toledo Botanical Garden.

“I had a lot of fun because they mix up registered groups with others, so I got to meet people, talk to them, enjoy their company and make a difference at the same time.”

The slogan for the event is “One Big Day, One Big Thanks.” Janisz said the event is a way to say “thank you” to the community for housing UT and its students.

“We got to talk to the community members and improve not only the image of college students, but the image of UT,” Maddocks said.

Mary Page Dalrymple, director of the event, said activities for this year will include picking up in the neighborhood behind Palmer Hall and Nitchske Auditorium because many students reside there and litter accumulates heavily in the area.

At last year’s event, Kevin Day, event manager for the Big Event, volunteered at Cherry Street Mission and repainted their office, organized their shelves and worked in their garden.

“Those people that work at Cherry Street devote their lives to helping others – rarely do they get recognized for their work, thanked or helped,” Day said.

Dalrymple said there is a lot of planning which goes into an event like this. She said they started planning this year’s event in September by connecting with

By Josh Egler IC Staff Writer

Smile,” was created to raise awareness of street harassment and ways to stop it.

Editor’s Note: Story in“For men, I hope it makes cludes vulgarity. them realize how bad it is; for Over 80 percent of women, girls, to speak out and not norlesbian, gay, bisexual, transgen- malize harassment,” she said. der and questioning people “The problem is with people worldwide will face gender- who stare [and] girls being unbased street harassment at some sure of intentions [of the point in their lives, and Jasmine harasser].”

Gordon wants to stop it.

The main goal of the event is “It needs to be talked about,” two-fold. The first part is to elimGordon, a seinate harassnior majoring in ment on camsocial work This is a real issue pus and in the said. and it deserves to be city. The second In honor of taken seriously. We want part is to eduAnti-Street Hacate men and rassment Week, everyone involved in creat- women on ways UT United 4 Re- ing a campus and commu- to recognize and spect and Nonnity free of harassment. stop harassment violence will as it happens. host “Hey Baby, Docis said Smile: Stopping Diane Docis this is to ensure Coordinator, Street Harass- Sexual Assault Education and victims can live ment” today at Prevention Program free of 6:30 p.m. in the harassment.

Student Union Building.

“This is a real issue and it deAnti-Street Harassment Week serves to be taken seriously. We is a national event created to want everyone involved in creatdraw attention to the problems ing a campus and community of and solutions to street free of harassment,” she said. harassment.

The event will discuss street Diane Docis, coordinator of harassment on a personal and the event and of the Sexual As- global level. sault Education and Prevention “The event will include inforProgram, said street harassment mation about street harassment is anything which is degrading, — what it is, who it affects, what including sexual comments, cat- its impact is,” Docis said. “We’ll calls, leering, whistling at a girl, also talk about what people can public masturbation or even do about it, especially as byassault. stander-allies, including men, “It’s a form of gender violence and hear about some of the and it’s a human rights violation and it needs to stop” Docis said.

— Anti-harassment, Page A2 Gordon said “Hey Baby,

“

Photo courtesy of the University of Toledo

During The Big Event this Saturday, students will spend the whole day doing community service for local organizations and businesses.

organizations and residents to serve. She said there was a lot of outreach this year with students willing to participate and also with local businesses’ sponsorships.

She said students also benefit from the event because it is a way to get involved with UT and the community.

“Through The Big Event I would also like to see community relationships form between the university and residents, as well as the university and various service organizations that help the less fortunate in Toledo and the surrounding areas,” Janisz said.

He said seeing how happy

people were to be helped with simple tasks truly moved him.

He wants The Big Event to be a standing tradition at UT and become bigger and more successful each year.

“The Big Event truly has the ability to leave a lasting impression on everyone — it left an impression on me that I will never forget, and I hope that others have a similar experience,” Janisz said.

Participants are scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. on campus where they will break into groups, listen to words of encouragement from various speakers and then head off to different sites to perform diverse acts of service.

”

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The

Independent Collegian

SG tickets debate platform issues

By Vincent D. Scebbi Managing Editor

Parking, student-centeredness and participation were among the issues discussed by Student Government Presidential tickets in two separate debates Tuesday.

While the matinee debate at 1 p.m. in the Student Union Building South Lounge involved only the presidential candidates and was hosted by SG, the second debate at 7 p.m. in the Ingman Room involved the full tickets and was hosted by the Independent Collegian.

To help enhance the voice for student organizations on campus, President and Vice Presidential ticket Nancy Ngo and Patrick Richardson said they would advocate for each student organization to have a vote in Student Senate.

Presidential candidate Paulette Bongratz suggested a system where all organizations would attend workshops and learn to utilize available resources. She said she would also advocate for collaboration between different student groups.

“We want to make sure small

Evaluate From Page A1 student satisfaction,” he said.

“It’s more of a developmental tool than an academic one.”

While the project is still in the early stages, Rubin said it should reach full development in time for the upcoming Rocket Launch this summer.

Rubin said he believes the product idea is aligned with what students want.

“It’s exciting to see that

Anti-harassment From Page A1 amazing activism going on globally.”

A video titled, “Sh-t Men Say to Men Who Say Sh-t to Women on the Street” will be played to help men understand what they can do to combat harassment.

“Hey Baby, Smile” dates back to over a year ago, after Docis and UTURN put on a brown bag event in which women from all walks of life could talk.

Many talked of the street harassment they went through on

Gold From Page A1 The following is the letter written by Gold.

“Friends, Students and Fellow Supporters, Over the course of just a few months I have spoken with hundreds of students about their issues and their problems. They have truly inspired me, and by empowering these student voices, there is no limit to what the University of Toledo can achieve.

I am grateful for all who contribute to making UT the vibrant, diverse place that I call home. My dream of running for Student Government president has been a long time coming, but it was kept alive by that driving force

organizations can learn what they have available on campus,” Bongratz said.

Presidential candidate Heather Engle and her running mate Brent Teall also said they would advocate for student organizations to work together to host big events on campus.

“If student organizations are collaborating with each other, they can put on bigger events, have larger attendance and students will see more events,” Engle said.

Engle and Teall said they want to expand SG’s “Whatcha Want” initiative to help bring student concerns to the administration through social media outlets like Twitter.

Tate Stricklin and his VP running mate Victoria Delly proposed a park-and-ride system that would allow commuter students to park off-campus in designated parking lots in the surrounding area and take a bus to UT. “We’re thinking this will alleviate some of the stress and save students about $125 a semester for a parking pass,” Stricklin said. “The shuttle loops would be relatively close to campus, so time consumed

Kevin Thome/ IC

The Student Government tickets addressed parking, student centeredness and student apathy at Tuesday’s debates. in the shuttle would basically equate the time I spend looking for a parking space each morning.”

Engle and Teall said they would push for a bike share program on campus as well as more game-day shuttle bussing for students.

Bongratz said there is ample parking available since there are more spots available than passes that are distributed.

She said a solution to the program would be encouraging students to walk more on campus.

almost everything we’ve been working on in SG this year was pretty much encapsulated in this one application,” he said.

Rubin said with a constant stream of feedback directly from students, the university can only progress positively.

“It comes down to accountability,” he said. “In any organization, including the university, if you improve your level of accountability you can improve your results.”

A similar app is also being developed by the Information

Technology department, which according to a draft of the development plan includes many of the same features as the HR app. However, Rubin said neither department realized this duplication until they asked SG members for input.

“It’s great that student leaders were able to identify this crossover and save the university a lot of time and resources,” he said “It shows the versatility and the willingness of SG to affect change at every level.”

campus and in Toledo. Some said they were first harassed when they were young girls.

After Docis heard this discussion, she knew something had to be done, so she decided to plan a follow-up event. This idea soon became “Hey Baby, Smile.” It took several months to plan, but Docis thinks it will be worth it.

“We want this program to provide a forum for sharing stories, but also provide options for action,” she said.

Anti-Street Harassment Week is an event created by the Stop Street Harassment organization

founded by Holly Kearl in 2008.

The event was originally known as Anti-Street Harassment Day, which took place the first day of spring. The date was symbolic of a day when women and LGBTQ people should be able to walk the streets without fear of being harassed by men.

To learn more about UTURN and Anti-Street Harassment week, go to their Twitter feed @ utoledoUTURN or go to the Student Union Building, Room 1511. For more information on the Stop Street Harassment Organization go to their website at stopstreetharassment.org.

that was the UT students. Although these recent weeks have been truly wonderful and a time I will always cherish, they have not been without hardship. Due to circumstances beyond control, and with great sadness, I will no longer be pursuing the office of student government president. I understand not all of you will agree with this decision but in this current state of affairs we have been unable to make strides necessary for change, which is unfortunate, however we will be unwavering in our support for the students of UT. Our passion and support will not ever dwindle for this University or its students and we will always be there to represent them. The involvement of our campaign will continue to act as a beacon for student issues and I with my running mate pledge that

we will never cease to be a voice for students at our Fair University of Toledo.

I only ask from you, that whoever we decide to support please stand behind us as I feel the truest form of inspiration we can leave is by our duties done here as leaders and whoever we formally support I know in my heart of hearts they will embody that idea of inspiration. And let me say this, I feel that student government is and should be founded upon the notion “Of the Students, By the Students and For the Students.”

To my Fair Toledo, I love you and to my Fellow Students I empower you. For now we will turn that spotlight on you and your time has come.

Your Fellow Rocket, Maxwell Gold”

During the second debate, Ngo was criticized for not being involved in SG before deciding to run for president.

“I lived with the students [as a Resident Adviser] and I understand what the students are going through,” Ngo said in response. “I’ve seen it all, I’ve been there, I live there. So even though I do not have Student Government background, Student Government’s main point is to be there for the students and I am here for the students and I know what the students need.”

Thursday, March 22, 2012

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

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- in our opinion -

Online student evaluations for the responses to be typed.

With a direct online survey evaluation, the amount of work required of departmental secretaries is significantly reduced. Also, student workers temporarily hired to deal with the influx of work would be unnecessary, further saving money for the university.

Truthfully, this electronic alternative may be just the thing this university needs to bring more credibility to its green pursuits.

There are not only electronic surveys available but also customizable, online surveys which are entirely free. In addition to being more cost effective than the wasteful paper alternative, the amount of work put in to process evaluations would nearly vanish.

Rather than students physically writing something on an evaluation sheet – which has to be turned in and then compiled and typed by a secretary or staff worker – a student could simply type a response that will go directly into a database made available to professors and instructors. Furthermore, if an electronic online format were used, the statistics would be instantly visible to all those who need it.

It may be argued that making it an online/ electronic survey might bog down UT’s system, but with so many students on Facebook, streaming Netflix, and using Blackboard for educational purposes, it would seem the system handles roughly the same traffic throughout each semester.

In fact, maybe UT could do away entirely with an antiquated paper system and do all of its evaluations online. UT would save money and become “greener.”

So, if it’s more affordable, easier and greener, why not do it?

More and more, UT students and the public are bombarded with the message that UT is a “green” campus.

UT takes pride in being a campus dedicated to green. It boasts on its website that it is the national leader in solar energy research and the only university in the country to commit an entire campus to advancing renewable, alternative and sustainable energies.

UT even has a strategic plan to pursue its green ambitions. What is notably missing from this plan is something so utterly simple and practical it seems odd not to look into and enact: Why does UT still use paper for course evaluations?

UT prides itself on having Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified buildings, and it tries to push for more green initiatives and grant funds. Why on earth would we as a university choose to be so hypocritical that we willingly choose and call for substantial amounts of paper which ultimately becomes waste when it is completely unnecessary? The notion of all-paper evaluations is counterproductive to say the least, within the context of a green campus.

With so much of UT’s infrastructure online, it seems silly not to have evaluations online as well. Granted, an excuse may be that it is cost ineffective, or the time and energy involved to do so would put too much pressure on the network. These excuses seem to be little more than that -excuses.

At any one time there are approximately 20,000 students enrolled at UT. This means in a normal academic year when evaluations are administered once a semester, approximately 40,000 evaluations are completed, submitted and sent to departmental offices

Student Government softly mutter to one another with disgust about the lack of research or validity to a piece of legislation. Leaders in SG have voiced their concern over this problem, but other senators remain unaware.

With this dichotomy in mind, there are questions that need to be asked but can only be answered by members of SG: • Before passing initiatives off to the executive branch, can SG senators take more individual initiative in seeking answers to student questions, including approaching administrators?

• While SG has passed legislation that fully represents the ideas and voice of the student body, can they be more prudent and thorough in researching these topics?

• If each piece of legislation represents the full power of the student voice, what does the overuse or improper use of it do? Does it diminish the importance of its use?

• If the student voice is used but no results are garnered from the use, has it been used at all?

• And at the end of the day, the most important question remains: Has the student experience been improved?

The student voice is like a wave in the ocean. Eventually it can sweep through obstacles and create paths toward change, but it must first begin with energy.

Coming up with good ideas, listening to the needs of your constituents, showing concern and compassion for a fellow student’s problems – while these qualities are admirable, necessary and often present in UTSG, they are not the sole components of leadership.

True leadership begins and ends with action

The student voice is like a wave in the ocean. Usually it is small, slowly eating away at the toughest of rocks and eventually leaving behind yards of sand. But sometimes − if the conditions are right − it becomes a wall of force, sweeping through obstacles and creating the swiftest route to change.

While UT students have fought for rights on an individual level, many of their ideas are often funneled through Student Government, a body made up of leaders who are supposed to amplify opinion and polish the path our ideas shape. At UT, the proper use of the student voice is a hot topic that has bubbled up as the election of a new student body president draws near.

SG’s mission is help each student achieve “ the best possible education, proper representation, and proactive advocacy,” according to their constitution. But students all over campus would like to know: are members of SG trying to follow these policies?

We at the IC believe they are. With the best intentions in mind, these student leaders are attempting to make our campus better by advocating for student rights.

But while we acknowledge these lofty goals, we believe there is question that is asked much less than necessary: How is SG trying to benefit students?

The key to change often utilized by SG senators is legislation, which includes bills and resolutions. These serious actions are presented to the senate for members to question and debate. Healthy debate and well-developed questions allow the shortcomings of legislation to shine through, creating stronger support for the student voice. However, senators too often sit quietly, voicing no questions or opinions, or

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Islam Awareness Week UT students will participate in the internationally practiced mission Islam Awareness Week (IAW) next week.

Beginning in the 1990s, Muslims across the United States, Canada, Britain and New Zealand spend one week every year to raise p u b l i c awareness about their faith.

Reem Subei The U.S. and Canadian Muslim Students Association, or MSA National, describes IAW on their website as a project advocating a unified message of Islam on college campuses to promote a correct understanding of Islam. This is partly achieved by bridging the gaps between the different faith communities on campuses and through promoting the true values of Islamic teaching. While some view this week as an opportunity to “achieve greater understanding between us all by promoting communication and new relationships,” others place greater emphasis on dispelling misconceptions surrounding Islam in the modern world.

Every year for IAW, MSA National presents a different theme derived from a core Islamic value. This concept creates a unified goal for the series of events during this week. The students then ex-

plore the theme through discussions, presentations, lectures and film screenings.

This year’s theme will be based on a verse from the Quran, “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another.”

(Quran: 49:13)

“

This helps people of different faiths see how Muslims are similar yet different from them.

”

“Muslims see this verse as a reference to the equality of mankind in all its factions, placing the differences amongst them as further motives for community outreach and mutual understanding,” said Omar Subei, president of UTMSA. MSA will kick off the week on Monday by setting up tables in the South Lounge of the Student Union Building and will continue to do so throughout the week.

The first major event, “Holy Powwow”, is an open discussion among people of different faiths. Moderated by representative scholars from the Muslim community, students of all faiths are encouraged to offer queries and engage in small group discussions on various topics regarding Islam. The event is Monday, March 26, in the Student Union Ingman

Room from 6 to 8 p.m. and will conclude with a free dinner.

The topic of the second event is “Unveiling Shariah.”

Sheikh Siraj Wahhaj, president of the Muslim Alliance in North America, and Dr. Benjamin Davis, associate professor of law, will examine Islamic Laws and their applications in North American culture, followed by a Q-and-A format.

Drinks and refreshments will be served. Sheikh Siraj Wahhaj is a nationally recognized speaker who is the Imam of Al-Taqwa Mosque in Brooklyn, NY. The panel discussion is scheduled for next Thursday, March 29, at the UT Law Center Auditorium from 6 to 8 p.m.

Finally, UTMSA will conclude IAW on Friday with a their traditional Friday Prayer from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Horton International House Multipurpose Room on the sixth floor.

Students will have the opportunity to observe the weekly Friday prayer and sermon performed by Muslims around the world.

“This helps people of different faiths see how Muslims are similar and yet different from them. Jews can compare it to Sabbath, while Christians can compare it to their Sunday prayers at church,” said MSA Education Chair Farouk Abu Alhana.

— Reem Subei is an IC columnist and a first year law student

Not an average spring break This spring break I went on a service trip to Managua, Nicaragua, sponsored by the Honors College. We worked at a school equivalent to a ghetto.

We spent our time building benches, planting trees, and playing with the local children. It was a fantastic trip, but I feel like I didn’t make any lasting Braeden changes.

U n d e rGilchrist s t a n d i n g poverty intellectually through stats and demographics is very different from experiencing it firsthand.

Many people literally live in dumps, mining for recyclable materials to sell. We have all seen those “Save the Children” commercials showing impoverished children in third world countries, asking for a small donation which can change lives; I met those children, but their issues are more subtle and sophisticated than 50 cent donations.

Every country has its own experience of poverty. The poverty I saw in Nicaragua is different from U.S. poverty. The U.S. has people living on the streets but we expect them to know basics things. We have entire communities that were formerly lumber or mining towns with no economic future. America has many issues which still need to be worked out, but at least social safety nets exist to help people back on their feet.

Resources are not the defining factor in an economy. Nicaragua has amazing agriculture resources due to its geography and volcanic activity which

replenishes the soil, yet it’s still one of the poorest countries in our hemisphere.

Taiwan has a booming economy despite lacking natural resources because they import natural resources from other countries. They have invested in education so people know how to import raw materials and transform them into goods which other countries want to pay for.

“

Imagine your life if school ended in the sixth grade, and then you had to find good work.

”

In many areas of Nicaragua, kindergarten through sixth grade is the educational norm.

The schools provide meals to students every day as an incentive to attend. Unfortunately, few children move on to secondary school because they lack the transportation to get there, even in urban areas.

Imagine your life if school ended in sixth grade, and then you had to find good work.

Taiwan would not be capable of the high tech gizmos that drive its economy with this kind of educational system. All any country has to do is provide better education and it will be lifted out of poverty. Great!

But not that easy.

As much as we like to complain about U.S. bureaucracy and cronyism, America has its act together in some ways. Nicaragua has worse corruption – President Daniel Ortega changed the Nicaraguan constitution so he could remain in power for indefinite terms.

It’s not certain that the millions of dollars we give to Nicaragua ever reaches its citizens.

Tracking the money is a labor intensive process which requires the cooperation of the recipients. It’s unlikely to see an uprising of impoverished Nicaraguans any time soon. The people are only two decades removed from a civil war and too fatigued to fight.

Nicaragua’s largest exports are agricultural; the people know how to work the land, but what incentive does a poor farmer have to be more productive if the institution in place will have some well-connected member of the elite show up and claim the spoils?

The poor have no incentive to invest in land or business, resulting in poor citizens and a poor country.

Throwing money at a country will not create an inclusive regime. It may be better to trust third party regulations when governments fail the people.

Organizations such as “Fair Trade” ensure higher wages for exporters as well as higher social and environmental standards.

Americans are in a position to help Nicaragua and similar countries by paying a quarter more for coffee or a pound of bananas in order to support Fair Trade goods.

My experience made several issues more apparent in my life at home and around the world.

Whenever I’m able I will try to invest in people. Hopefully, my spring break helped some Nicaraguan children think beyond their surroundings and start demanding more opportunities.

— Braeden Gilchrist is an IC columnist and a senior majoring in mechanical engineering

“

At this point you treasure every second you’re still allowed to play because there are a lot of teams sitting at home right now.

Tricia Cullop UT Head Coach

Section B

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www.IndependentCollegian.com

Sports

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

1

Joe Mehling – Editor

Rockets continue quest for second straight WNIT title

By Nate Pentecost Assistant Sports Editor

Vincent D. Scebbi/IC

Sophomore Andola Dortch continues to play stingy defense but has contributed 12.5 points per game in the WNIT to help UT.

Monday the Lady Rockets disposed of Cincinnati (16-16) in a 72-51 blowout that was propelled by a career night from senior guard Courtney Ingersoll. Virginia Commonwealth’s first two games of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament suggest that tonight’s showdown will be considerably closer.

The Rams (19-14) reached the third round of the tournament by way of overtime wins that were sparked by outstanding performances by a pair of seniors. If Toledo (239) hopes to come away victorious this evening they will need to key in on that duo, the nation’s leading rebounder and eighth leading scorer Courtney Hurt (22.2 ppg and 13 rpg) and her teammate Andrea Barbour. That is, of course, a task that is easier said than done. “(Hurt) is a beast going to the boards,” Cullop said. “She can score inside or out, she’s got good range, she can score off the dribble. She’s got a lot of good things to her game and she’s a kid that could play at a higher level.”

Hurt and Barbour imposed their will on Bowling Green and St. Joseph’s, averaging nearly 25 points each and accounting for almost 70 percent of Virginia Commonwealth’s points. The only Rams to reach double figures in either contest, Hurt and Barbour are also leading the team in rebounds in the WNIT, averaging 14 and 9.5, respectively.

“Obviously (Hurt) is going to attract a lot of attention from us defensively,” Cullop said. “A lot of things that they’re running, the ball goes through her and if she’s not involved then Barbour usually

is. We have to make sure we know where those two kids are at all times.”

The Rockets will counter with a defense which allowed the second least amount of points in Mid-American Conference (56.4 ppg) and features the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in Andola Dortch. At 12.5 points per game in the WNIT, Dortch has also been a steady contributor for a balanced offensive attack that has seen four players reach double figures in the tournament.

“At this point you treasure every second you’re still allowed to play because there are a lot of teams sitting at home right now,” Cullop said.

“Our team has taken on the philosophy of making the most of every moment they have left.”

It was junior forward Kyle Baumgartner who took advantage of the opportunity given to her in Toledo’s 59-49 opening round win over Detroit.

The junior forward came off the bench to pour in a teamhigh 18 points and grabbed a game-best 13 rebounds (9.5 rpg this tournament).

Ingersoll stole the show in the second round with a career-best 24 points (17 ppg in the WNIT), downing 8-of-11 shots from the field, including a career-high six three-pointers. Fellow All-MAC honoree Yolanda Richardson added 14 points off the bench and tied Baumgartner with a gamehigh 6 rebounds.

With nine-consecutive WNIT wins under their belt, the Rockets have a chance to be one of the last eight teams in the tournament for the second-straight season. As it has been the case throughout the WNIT winning streak, Toledo will have the luxury of playing at Savage Arena against the Rams.

UT escapes home opener with 3-2 win over Oakland

Courtsey of UT Athletics

Senior center fielder Ben Hammer drove in the game winning run in the bottom of the ninth yesterday.

By Joe Mehling Sports Editor

File photo by Nick Kneer

Making Plays­­and NFL plans Former Rocket standout Desmond Marrow will travel to Houston to try out for the Texans.

Tied 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded, senior CF Ben Hammer delivered a shot to the left field wall to score the game winning run for the Rockets yesterday afternoon.

Toledo opened the ninth inning with a one out walk from freshman Dan Zuchowski followed by a single by senior Matt Delewski to put runners

on first and third. After another walk from the Oakland pitcher to junior Tyler Grogg, senior Joe Corfman was able to make contact but reached base on a fielder’s choice, eliminating the run at home.

Freshman reliever Andrew Mara was credited with the victory in one scoreless innings of work and added one strikeout.

The Rockets used five total pitchers to outlast Oakland

yesterday afternoon with sophomore Ryan Wilkinson making his third start of the season. The lefty threw 5.2 innings allowing just two runs (one earned) on four hits with three strikeouts in a no-decision.

The Rockets open MidAmerican Conference play with a three game series against Ohio tomorrow at Scott Park. Opening pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m.

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

Toledo splits games with Student and Fan giveaways Wright State at Scott Park for WNIT game tonight!

• FREE T-shirts and pizza to the first 500 students. T-Shirt and pizza will be available in West Lobby under the Wall of Champions • Chance to win $200! (We will give out $100 to one student in the first half and another $100 to a different student in the second half).

• Big head contest. We want to see how creative the students can be and who can bring the biggest and most interesting big head to the game on Thursday night. To win a $50 gift card to the Rocket Shop

File photo by Jason Mack

UT made a quick pit stop at Scott Park yesterday before heading out for an eight game road trip.

By IC Staff

The University of Toledo’s softball team split a doubleheader with Horizon League foe Wright State yesterday afternoon. UT topped the Raiders 5-2 in the first game before falling 5-4 in the

second.

Freshman Casi Rohr picked up the win for the Rockets, going all seven inning and allowing two earned runs on six hits with three strikeouts and four walks. Krystian DeWitt was credited with the loss,

giving up five runs (four earned) on 11 hits with five strikeouts and one walk.

The Rockets return to action next Wednesday, March 28, in South Bend, Ind. to take on Norte Dame at 4 p.m. It will be the first of eight road games.

Ukazoo From Page B4 poetry.

Taking just a step past those took me to the non-fiction section featuring biographies and books about academia, cooking, business advice and sports.

I found the children’s section located in the back of the store, complete with an entrance in the shape of a tunnel to entertain the little ones on their journey through the “zoo.”

In the center of the entire operation, free coffee is offered to anyone interested.

As if the great selection isn’t enough, Ukazoo offers great prices as well. The cost per book ranges from just $1.49 to $5.99 for a used book. To

Showcase From Page B4 out of 225 films for the National Film Festival for Talented Youth in Seattle. She will attend the festival in April and is “so excited to be going and to network with other filmmakers.”

Katie Martin, senior film major and president of UTFVS, said, “It gives the community a chance to see the type of work we’re creating and a chance to enjoy

this

space is

available for

rent.

419-534-2438

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Thursday, March 22, 2012 sweeten the pot, the store has an iron clad deal: Buy three used books and get a fourth free. This deal, coupled with their buyback book policy, makes the Ukazoo experience even better.

Ukazoo is much more than just a used book store, though — it is a place for local talent to express themselves. Decorating the walls are several pieces of artwork painted by local artists which are available for purchase.

In addition, the bookstore hosts events for local literary communities. The UT Writer’s Guild and “The Mill,” a creative writing magazine founded and published by UT graduate students, have each hosted events at the store, including an open mic opportunity for emerging artists to present their short

stories and poetry. Ukazoo supports the magazine and the Guild, and both organizations are looking forward to hosting more events at the “zoo.”

Although I was only at Ukazoo for a short time, I quickly became hooked in its literary grip. The great service, amazing, complete selection and unbeatable prices strike my fancy, and like the One Ring of Mordor, pull me closer and closer.

Akin to the nature of animals, the books call out to all generations. This is one “zoo” I will definitely visit again.

Ukazoo Books is located at 830 N. Westwood Ave., between Dorr Street and Nebraska Avenue. It’s open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.

what we’ve worked so hard on.”

Tickets will be available both at the door and Friday in the Student Union Building across from the bookstore. Prices are $3 per student, $5 general admission and free for film majors.

The purchase of a ticket will also enter attendees into a raffle. Prizes include a pass to the Ann Arbor Film Festival, movie tickets and gift cards. Winners will be announced at the reception in Room 1039

ofthe CPA. With cinematic décor and nostalgic entertainment, this event will be perfect for photos. There will be music by frugal trumpeter Alex Scheer and food and beverages courtesy of the local businesses Olga’s Kitchen, Hooters, Bakery Unlimited and Michael’s Café and Bakery.

Both events will allow fellow students’ artwork and progress to be displayed and appreciated at their best.

Mural From Page B4 Eastern and tap dancing, Lang certainly had a lot to work with.

“The different kinds of dances must have been really, really attractive to Michael. It gave him an opportunity to do all different types of dance,” Geiger said.

The contemporary ballet follows the afterlife of famous dancers Vaslav Nijinsky, Anna Pavlova, Ruth St. Denis and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson.

Nijinsky, a Russian dancer and choreographer, was known as the “God of Dance” and often excited his crowd with incredible gravity-defying leaps and bounds amidst his performances. He was diagnosed later in life with schizophrenia, so Geiger conceptualized him in the mural as a paranoid character by hiding him behind a chalkboard.

Pavlova was an incredible Russian ballerina famous for her classical performance of “The Dying Swan,” and she adorns a swan costume in

the mural.

St. Denis was a dancer inspired by Eastern culture, movement and spirituality.

She is painted wearing a lavish peach toned oriental dress studded with gold beads and dangling turquoise jewels. An elaborate jeweled crown sits atop her head.

The American tap dancer Bill “Mr. Bojangles” Robinson is perhaps the most famous of the four characters.

Bojangles became wellknown for his “stair dance” debut and performing alongside Shirley Temple in multiple films.

After having sat in on multiple rehearsals and the ballet preview, Geiger said he was beyond pleased.

“The painting provided a small launching pad. [Lang’s] built a really wonderful construct from there and I just think it’s fabulous,” he said.

“People will be amazed at the sophistication and the level of expertise.”

Geiger said he was in awe of the young dancers, marveling at their sheer talent.

While Geiger admitted the

entire performing cast had him thoroughly impressed, two cast members specifically caught his eye.

“Kate Bostleman [is] just wonderful. When I saw her, she blew me away. Then I saw Rebekah Paul ... she has a rare talent,” he said.

Geiger said he holds the art of dancing in the highest regards and confessed he was brought to tears after viewing the first rehearsal.

“It really kind of made me think God gave us dance so we could get to know him better somehow,” he said.

“It’s just spectacular.”

Geiger said he hopes to continue the cycle of inspiration between Lang and him.

“I might like to put together a show of some artwork down the road based on what I’ve seen,” he said.

“If These Walls Could Dance” will be performed by The Toledo Ballet at the Valentine Theatre tomorrow and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the box office or at http:// www.valentinetheatre.com.

Section

B

www.IndependentCollegian.com Around town

March 22 March 28 Thursday

Hudson Gallery — The Group of Nine Exhibit is the fifth in a continuing series of stimulating exhibits showcasing the artwork of nine local artists. It runs at 5645 N. Main St. Sylvania from 10am. to 6pm.

Friday Firenation Glass Studio & Gallery — Live glassblowing demonstrations by Robert Geyer, assistant professor at BGSU, Matt Paskiet and friends. Light food and beverage served. The event is free and open to the public from 7 to 10pm. at 7166 Front St., Holland.

Saturday Franciscan Center at Lourdes — WAVE holds their celebration of women festival — an indoor exhibi-

Arts and Life

By Megan Aherne IC Staff Writer

Student filmmakers, playwrights, screenwriters and performers will exhibit their talents in two events this weekend.

Tomorrow evening is for the writers, and Saturday hosts the filmmakers.

Friday night’s first annual New Writers Festival is an opportunity for students of playwriting and screenwriting courses to create 10-minute pieces involving three characters for submission to a faculty jury. Actors from the theatre department will read the two screenplays and three plays chosen.

Junior film major Jerod Nawrocki’s screenplay “Thieves” was selected to be read at the festival.

Nawrocki said his story “highlights two young and deviant teenagers who are abruptly introduced to the harsh reality of the criminal world they find so glamorous.”

Additionally, Nawrocki’s screenplays, “Impulse” and “The Dead Fox,” were

other creative expressions from 10

The Valentine Theatre in Downtown Toledo has hosted an array of incredibly vivid and eclectic theatrical performances and will soon feature a ballet inspired by a mural within its own walls.

The ballet, titled “If These Walls Could Dance,” was created by the Toledo Ballet faculty member Michael Lang. Also serving as the play’s director and choreographer, Lang was inspired by artist Paul Geiger’s mural in the Valentine.

In a large room behind a wall of windows towers Geiger’s 68 foot long by ten-foot tall mural of different performers, all of whom played at the Valentine between 1895 to 1917.

The mural boasts an array of over 50 characters, from actresses Ethel Barrymore and Fanny Brice, to more well-known performers such as Will Rogers and Houdini.

Rosary Cathedral — Mozart’s Requiem

performed

by

Bowling

Green’s Philharmonic Orchestra and The University Choral Society begins at 7:30 p.m.

Monday B-Bop Records — The grand reopening of Toledo’s oldest record store at 137 N. Michigan St., Toledo. It’s a creative place for meetings, coffee and tea, artwork and film screenings.

selected for review by Yale Udoff, a screenwriter best known for his mystery classic “Bad Timing: A Sensual Obsession.”

Between each piece, theatre students who attended the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival will perform selected scenes for the Irene Ryan Acting Competition.

“I think the audience will be impressed at the quality of material and the performances that they see,” said Edmund Lingan, assistant professor of theatre and the events’ coordinator.

Admission to the festival is free, and it will commence at 7:30 p.m. in the Center Theatre of the Center for Performing Arts.

“People should attend the New Writers Festival because it will allow them to see a sampling of some of the finest screenwriting and playwriting talent that we have here at UT, and they will also get to see these fine

works performed by excellent student actors from the UT Department of Theatre and Film,” Lingan said.

Saturday night’s Film Showcase, organized by the University of Toledo Film/Video Society, is the largest event of the year in the department. Filmmakers are encouraged to submit any of their work from inside or outside class to a faculty jury. Selected entries will be screened in the Center Theatre of the CPA. The showcase primarily features final projects from the courses required of production film majors — Film I, Video I, Film II, Video II and Optical Printing.

Film I students produce a three to five minute surreal film shot on 16 mm film.

Sophomore film/video production major Kim Sanchez’s Film I final project “Static” will be featured in the showcase.

It was recently selected

Waltzing through walls

By Christine Hombrink For the IC

Sunday

Page

B4

Caitlin Arthurs – Editor

Students storm the silver screen

tion and sale of fine arts, crafts and

a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Geiger was given creative license to design anything he could dream up, and from his imagination emerged a pack of hybrid entertainers which took a year-and-a-half to research and another three years to paint.

After Lang’s success with “Museum of Dreams,” a ballet inspired by works from Toledo Museum of Art collections, Lang was inspired to create this dance using four dancers depicted in Geiger’s mural.

Gieger said the ballet’s storyline is a two-act play broken into four parts. “[The actors’] ghosts still linger here, and so they are kind of reliving their past roles here at the theater,” he said.

Each of the performers has their own unique story to tell, intricately interpreted and elegantly choreographed by Lang.

With the diverse forms of classical ballet, traditional

— Showcase, Page B3

Diane Woodring / IC

Leila Elhilal, Katie Martin and Matt Sauter are part of the UT Film/ Video Society, who organizes the annual Film Showcase.

A new kind of ‘zoo’ A new “zoo” opened in To- tables featuring the new book ledo, but instead of animals, selections. Past the initial exthis location feacitement of this, tures fantasies, however, is where mysteries, rothe real treasure mances and lies. science-fictions.

As I entered the Ukazoo Books large building, I is a wonderland found myself surfor those who rounded by thoulove books — essands of books. pecially a dorky I was like a bookworm like child in a candy

By Benjamin Lynn myself. store with unlimIn the front, IC Staff Writer ited options and customers are greeted by a large sweet tooth. Unsure of

my craving, I began to explore the shelves.

With the valuable assistance of the employees who greeted me at the door, I soon discovered the “zoo” which was all around me.

Along the outside walls are works of fiction, ranging from the science-fiction epic “Dune” to the literary classic “Dante’s Inferno” and everything in between, including romance, horror, mystery and — Ukazoo, Page B3

— Mural, Page B3 Emily Gessner/ IC

Tuesday

Ukazoo is Toledo’s new used bookstore located near campus at 830 N. Westwood Ave.

Valentine Theatre — Limitless

From pen to paper

Dance Company and the studio of Alison Reny present a dance performance unlike any other at 7:00 p.m.

Submissions from student literary artists

Tickets are $11 for adults and $6 for

Send any form of creative writing to carthurs@independentcollegian.com to be featured in the Arts and Life section.

The Romans road...

Paved with my friend Robin’s small and smooth, flat stones …

Each one of ‘ems got some immortal reason fer savin’; A baby’s gooey cake – An ice cream face, and the bigger kids Are celebratin’ too, with Scooby Doo pictured On paper hats and plates, And mommy-Robin’s “grown-up” friends Are singin’ “Happy Birthday Robin’s little baby” And then some who know the secrets Of Robin’s Michigan-French-Trapper marries Potawatamee Indian girl blood line …that someone who knows, gives Robin a little stone ta mark the day…

Like the trip to Petosky where she found and Indian rock That was like a face…

She knit it was a sacred rock, and she threw it back in the water Like an apology…

Like the morning of her cancer surgery Where we passed around a small flat rock, Signed by everyone who could be there, Like, “this is your get well card, injun’ girl…”

students and seniors.

Wednesday Bar 145 ­­— Piano Wars every Wednesday at 5305 Monroe St.

By Jim O’Fahey, a senior individualized major

Photo Courtesy of Toledo Ballet

Vaslav Nijinsky will be one of the four dancers from Paul Geiger’s mural portrayed in “If These Walls Could Dance.”

The Independent Collegian is not responsible for any mistakes, grammatical or otherwise, in the weekly “From Pen to Paper” submissions. Out of respect for the writers and their work, we do not edit or change their words. We trust that what is submitted is in the form that the author intended.