96th year • Issue27
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Good deeds meet good looks at 47th Black Student Union fashion show / 4 » www.IndependentCollegian.com
Serving the University of Toledo community since 1919
INSIDE
STUDENT CONDUCT
Disciplinary action announced in Pi Kappa Phi assault case By Joe Hiedenescher
students and UT employees, the University has identified sanctions for the fraternity and six individuals found responsible for violations of the UT Student Code of Conduct,” wrote President Sharon Gaber in a campuswide email. The panel found that UT’s chapter of Pi Kappa Phi and six UT students violated the Student Code of Conduct by not adhering to the prohibition of harassment, verbal abuse, physical abuse, intimidation and any other conduct that threatens student safety. However, the students’ misconduct is not being labeled as racially
News Editor
UT picks up first MAC victory After a 5-game losing streak, UT picked up a 3-to-2 win. SPORTS / 7 »
‘Rhythms of Africa’ night The African People’s Association is hosting an event to educate students on their culture.
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The University of Toledo administration officially sanctioned six students and the UT chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity for violations of the Student Code of Conduct. This announcement came after a two-month Division of Student Affairs investigation looking into events that happened at the Pi Kappa Phi off-campus house on Jan. 24. “After interviews with nearly four-dozen individuals who attended the party, administrative hearings and hearings before a diverse panel of
EDITORIAL Provost a Hsu in OPINION / 3 »
UT drops series against Buffalo UT’s softball team suffered three losses in their games against Buffalo.
Student Government elections
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ALEXIS NIEZCUR Adopt, don’t shop, for pets OPINION / 3 »
MORE ONLINE
San Jose dean chosen as new UT provost By Carl Macaulay Staff Reporter
By Colleen Anderson Managing Editor
Amal Mohamed, president Cameron Forsythe, vice president
Ian Michalak, president Dakota Ulcher, vice president
After last year’s automatic victory for the single Spoon–Michalak ticket, this year’s Student Government elections feature two tickets running to lead the organization next year, with voting taking place from April 11-14. One ticket consists of current SG Vice President Ian Michalak, whose running mate is SG Recording Secretary Dakota Ulrich. Their opponents are SG External Affairs Chair Amal Mohamed for president her running mate, Cameron Forsythe, chair of the campus affairs committee.
Michalak and Ulrich Michalak and Ulrich both said their strength lies in their experience, as both of them have been members of student government for three years. According to Michalak, this experience is what sets them apart from their opposition. “I believe our experience is definitely something that stands out. I believe we’ve been in for a very long time, I believe that we know a lot of people, we have a
lot of connections, and I think that definitely sets us apart,” he said. Ulrich said her experience with SG helped her learn more about UT’s campus, and her time on SG’s steering committee — which sets the senatorial agenda — has given her new insight in the organization. “Once you’re in SG, you notice a lot more things on campus you didn’t notice before, and you kind of have the
SPORTS / 4 »
“Until all the shelters are empty and no animal has to be senselessly euthanized, urge everyone you know to adopt their next furry family member from the local shelter.”
See Assault / 6 »
RACHAEL NEARHOOF / IC
Christian Nopper, a second-year communications major and Pi Kappa Phi member, stands outside of the oncampus fraternity house after the decision was made to impose sanctions against the fraternity.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
COMMUNITY / 4 »
“Any university should aim to both encourage excellence and provide support, and UT is no different.”
motivated despite initial accusations. Gaber said UT would not reveal the identity of the six students, but said alleged victim Rayshawn Watkins was not one of the students found in violation. The UT chapter of Pi Kappa Phi will be on disciplinary probation until May 31, 2017. This will bar them from social events until then and prohibit the admission of new members until January 2017. All fraternity members will also have to attend antibullying training and alcohol
See Michalak and Ulrich / 6 »
Mohamed and Forsythe Mohamed and Forsythe are both newer to SG than their opposition, but both are committee chairs within the organization. Both are also members of additional organizations outside of SG, which Mohamed and Forsythe said adds to their qualifications for the position. “Both of us are currently on steering … so we definitely have the experience within Student Government to
know how that runs and how that functions, but I also think we have something else to give outside of student government,” Mohamed said. Forsythe also said his experience both inside and outside of SG will be an asset to him if he is elected. He said the combination of the previous leadership roles he has held will benefit him in the election. “I have a lot of experience in a lot of different leadership outlets … See Mohamed and Forsythe / 6 »
Andrew Hsu will become the provost of the University of Toledo if he receives approval from the Board of Trustees at their July 1 meeting. “Part of what you need in a provost is someone who can lead but also someone who can listen, because being able to lead also means you can listen to others and hear what the issues are,” said UT President Sharon Gaber. “[Hsu] is a good listener and a good leader.” Hsu was one of three finalists for the position, including University of Arkansas Vice Chancellor Charles Robinson; Christopher McCord, a dean at Northern Illinois University and Donald Siegel, a dean at the University of Albany. “Dr. Hsu really emerged as a leader amongst them and the campus gravitated around him,” said Gaber. “I am excited for him to join the Rocket family.” The provost position includes overseeing academic practices across all campuses as well as working closely with faculty. Jamie Barlowe, dean of the College of Language, Literature and Social Sciences, thinks Hsu will fit that role well. “Dr. Hsu’s research and leadership experience, his advocacy for students and faculty, and his unwavering commitment to student success and to diversity clearly complement President Gaber’s goals for the University of Toledo,” Barlowe said... Finish reading this piece online at www.IndependentCollegian. com
MUSIC COMPETITION
Millennial Music
97th annual Songfest competition invites student groups to sing and dance to pop culture throwbacks from early 2000s By Emily Jackson Staff Reporter
Flash back 16 years ago to the turn of the century, when TRL was the best thing on television and you messaged your friends on AIM. This year’s Songfest will bring UT students back in time in a ‘Throwback to Millennial Pop Culture.’ Students will bring back life to turn-of-the-century hits including “So What” by P!nk, “Tik Tok” by Ke$ha and “Pon de Replay” by Rihanna. Since 1937, Songfest has had students singing and dancing to raise funds for certain philanthropic organizations. Presented by Blue Key National Honor Fraternity and Mortar Board National Honor Society, it’s
an opportunity for students to get involved, participate in tradition, and partake in a little friendly competition while collectively benefiting the city of Toledo. There will be three different competitions: women’s, men’s and co-ed. Each team is composed of students belonging to academic, Greek, religious or other university organizations. Each division will be judged based on choreography, execution of the performance and vocal quality. The organization with the most points will walk away with the first place trophy for its division. “I would say the best part of placing is the pride and
satisfaction of seeing all our hard work pay off,” said Nichole Ochs, a previous Songfest participant and director for the past three years. This year, Ochs has been chosen as one of the
two emcees that will host Songfest. “While I am sad that I cannot perform this year,” Ochs said, “it is so rewarding to be able to help the directors and participants create beautiful,
powerful performances that UT students will remember and cherish for years to come.” Alex Wisniewski, the other emcee for 2016 Songfest, says he was also previously See Songfest / 6 »
CURTIS LANE / IC
Student groups have been participating in Songfest since it originated in 1937. The 2016 competition will feature three sub-divisions including men’s, women’s, and co-ed teams. Proceeds will directly support the Daughter Project organization.