Wednesday, September 10, 2014
96th year • Issue 4
UT lets down the students OPINION / 4 » Serving the University of Toledo community since 1919
INSIDE
TITLE IX
Title IX complaint filed The survivor’s journey through UT’s sexual assault system By Amanda Pitrof
UT hits the road Toledo heads to Cincinnati for their first away contest. Junior QB Phillip Ely is out for the season due to an ACL injury. SPORTS / 5 »
Phishing for students The latest form of phishing, or social engineering, seems to target both students and staff via email the past few months. Find out what you need to know to avoid being a victim. NEWS / 3 »
Rocket Fanatic Week: a real tradition we can be proud of The week of events around campus begins Tuesday Sept. 16 at noon in the Centennial Mall with a car bash.
“ COMMUNITY / 8 »
“What is different is that I can see the reactions in people’s faces when I first begin to speak or respond to them and they hear my stutter.”
DUSTIN JARRETT What it’s like to be a new student with a stutter OPINION / 4 »
Fifty years of WOW UT’s department of theatre and film is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary with the Toledo community Sept. 19-21. COMMUNITY / 7 »
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News Editor
A federal Title IX complaint was filed against the University of Toledo by a former student who was sexually assaulted by another student. The former student and survivor, who wishes to remain anonymous, began the process Apr. 8, 2014, by reporting the incident. She spoke with a small group of UT’s staff — Dean of Students Tamika Mitchell, Student Conduct Officer Mary Martinez and the survivor’s advocate who is also a UT counselor — to explain what happened, and to decide which route she wanted to take. The survivor decided to go through UT’s judiciary system, which she said began with them sending an email to the perpetrator. The email informed him what he was accused of and that after talking with him, they would decide if there was enough evidence to go through with the hearing. The hearing, which was May 13, 2014, was described by the survivor as being a bit like a conference call. She said the perpetrator was in another room and had to call in. Both the survivor and the perpetrator were interviewed by the Student Conduct Hearing Board. “He was found responsible for violating the student code of conduct policy and for violation of sexual assault, or sexual misconduct, on the premises of noncon-
sensual sex,” the survivor said. Separately from the SCHB hearing, the survivor said she and the perpetrator were also interviewed by Kevin West, senior director of faculty relations and inclusion officer as well as UT’s Title IX investigator, and Melissa Auberle, labor relations compliance specialist. The survivor recalls the interviews with West and Auberle to be “very biased.” “They would ask leading questions, and then they would try to ask the same question but in a different way to see if I would not answer it the same way,” she said. “They did not take into consideration the symptoms of Rape Trauma Syndrome I was experiencing.” West and Auberle found the perpetrator responsible, just like the SCHB, and agreed with their punishment for him. His sanction consisted of 10 hours of sexual assault education, a $25 fine, and one year of disciplinary probation. The survivor said she appealed this to Kaye Patten Wallace, and that “they upped his sanctions to suspension for one year along with his previous sanction.” The perpetrator’s sanctions were reduced back to what they were originally when he appealed the increase in his punishment. The survivor was not allowed to re-appeal. “I don’t understand how you can make the statement that my rape was not severe enough to
Title IX
What is Title IX? The relevant portion of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states that: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
suspend my rapist,” she said. Following the interviews with West and Auberle and the hearing with the SCHB, West wrote a 19page report about the incident. His report, while finding the perpetrator responsible, also found the perpetrator more credible than the survivor because his story did not change at all and hers did. The perpetrator was interviewed once, and the survivor was interviewed three times. West’s report also said the survivor was able to remember too clearly the chronological order of what happened the night she was attack because she was drunk. According to a recent article published online by the Blade, “In the last page of the 19-page report, Mr. West wrote that the rape was a ‘nonconsensual sexual
UT safety dinner held to discuss sexual assault options and advocacy program By Amanda Pitrof News Editor
A campus safety dinner was held by university officials on Monday, Sept. 9 in light of the recent Title IX sexual assault case. Kaye Patten Wallace, senior vice president for student affairs, prefaced the presentations with an explanation of the purpose of this dinner. “We’re here this evening because it’s important to me that we want to reiterate first of all the University of Toledo’s commitment to sexual assault safety and awareness.” Patten Wallace said. “Also, to your safety overall. And we wanted most importantly to make sure that you are aware of all the resources that are available to you should you or someone you know become a sexual assault victim.” She then introduced Stanley Edwards, director of the university counseling center, who spoke partially about the Sexual Assault Education and Prevention Program that is in place to offer help to and advocacy for survivors as well as to educate students about sexual assault. “We have three trained sexual assault advocates,” Edwards said. “A sexual assault advocate is there to provide support for each student who becomes a victim of sexual assault.” Edwards said the goal is to train four or See Dinner / 3 »
See Title IX / 3 »
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Naganathan visits first Student Government meeting of year
HONORS LECTURE SERIES
Controversial lecturer set to speak at UT Sept. 15 By Torrie Jadlocki Staff Reporter
ANDREA HARRIS / IC
Interim president Nagi Naganathan speaks at the SG meeting on Sept. 9, introducing himself to students and giving them his professional background. SG president Clayton Notestine also discussed SG’s upcoming plans for the year. By Joshuah Hampton Staff Reporter
Student Government kicked off its first meeting of the school year on Sept. 9 with its first senate meeting. SG President Clayton Notestine gave a “State of UTSG” report and reminded the attendees of the state of UT’s administration, with a new interim president and provost, director of the recreation center, director of food service and also about the presidential search. Notestine also reviewed the recent campus safety dinner, and said SG did not end its involvement in sexual assault awareness issues at that dinner. He said the problem was not just a women’s or men’s issue, but a “Rockets issue” that affects everyone at UT. Notestine said he met with the director of the Carlson Library and a representative from the Provost’s Office to discuss library operating hours. He said there would be no change to the
current schedule of closing all floors — even the first floor — at midnight, citing the fact that it takes several staffers to keep the library open. However, all floors of the library will be open 24 hours for two weeks around midterms and finals. UT Interim President Nagi Naganathan also spoke at the meeting. He said his goal for enrollment is to “Get one, keep one,” that is, to both enroll incoming freshmen and retain more returning students. “If every student gave one other person an application for UT, the power and connections we would create would be amazing,” he said. Naganathan also spoke about the Title IX grievance recently filed against UT. “As a campus, our goal ... is having zero incidents,” he said. “Where it happens is really the culture. We all have to work together; we cannot be bystanders [and] look away.” SG Vice President Ali Eltatawy
spoke about the upcoming Rocket Fanatics week, which he said is a week of events on campus to increase spirit and fun on campus. Eltatawy also said a “big push” SG wants is to increase involvement in student organizations. Notestine opened the business portion of the meeting by introducing the “standing rules,” a set of policies about senator conduct at meetings in addition to the parliamentary rules of order. The senate votes to approve these rules every year. A formal discussion should occur next week, Notestine said. Notestine then introduced the “SG Strategic Plan,” a formal declaration to the public of what the senate wants to do “to make Student Government better.” The plan lists several goals for SG across three areas of interest: outreach, future improvement within the senate itself, and “outpacing” other student governments See Meeting / 3 »
Controversial politician Karl Rove will speak Sept. 15 as part of the Jesup Scott Honors College Lecture series. The lecture will take place at Doermann Theater at 7 p.m. and admission is free. Rove was a senior advisor for former President George W. Bush, and also aided as his campaign strategist. From 2004 to 2007, he also served as deputy chief of staff. However, many feel that Rove and his past make him an inadequate candidate for the lecture series. “I do not agree with Karl Rove politically, but he was a main player during the George W. Bush administration, and so he will draw a big crowd,” said Paulette Kilmer, a professor in the communication department. “I think bringing speakers who represent a range of views to campus enlightens all of us. Just as I doubt any liberal ever brainwashes students, I doubt Karl Rove will indoctrinate recruits for the Right Wing.” Some people are highly opposed to the lecture and have gone so far as to create a petition on Change.org to have the lecture cancelled. The petition, started by an individual with the pseudonym ‘UT Alum’, currently has 211 electronic signatures. “The University’s validation of Karl Rove’s policies and practices sets a poor example for students and the community alike of the kind of ethical and moral standards we expect from one of our city’s most vital cultural leaders,” states the petition. Many of the supporters of the petition call Rove a “war criminal” and “demeaning to the university.” Not all who oppose the lecture feel this way, however. “Students are not clay waiting for someone to shape their minds,” Kilmer said. “College students are adults who can think for themselves, and let others do the same.”
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| The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, September 10, 2014
CAMPUS DIGEST Facebook.com/ICollegian
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STUDENT GROUP OF THE WEEK
UT Tuners
Purpose: The main purpose of the organization is to professionally gather the community of car enthusiasts together from the University of Toledo. We are here to have fun while promoting a safe and open-minded atmosphere. Leaders: Hunter Rawson; VP: Nick LaForce; secretary Cassy Ward; treasurer: Jason Gorges; founder Bong Encarnacion. Upcoming events: We will be hosting a car show that is open to everyone to show their car and view others cars Oct. 19 starting at noon until 4:00 p.m. in the Rocket Hall parking lot. Learn more: UT Tuners or email hlrawson@gmail.com.
The Independent Collegian staff Visit us at Carlson Library, Suite 1057 Write to us at 2801 W. Bancroft St., Mail Stop 530 Toledo, OH 43606 Contact the editor at editor@independentcollegian.com Advertise by emailing sales@independentcollegian.com Phone: 419-530-7788 Fax: 419-530-7770 EDITORIAL BUSINESS Editor-in-Chief Advertising Amanda Eggert Zachary Hartenburg, sales manager Managing Editor Peter Lindau and Samantha Rhodes William Woodson, News account executives Amanda Pitrof, editor Haley Musser, graphic designer Sports Distribution Blake Bacho, editor Mandi Jung, manager Robert Hearons, assoc. editor Operations Community Michael Gonyea, manager Alexandria Saba, editor COLLEGIAN MEDIA FOUNDATION Opinion General Manager Morgan Rinckey, editor Danielle Gamble Photography The Independent Collegian is published by the Collegian Frances Bradford, director Media Foundation, a private, not-for-profit corporation. Lauren Lonsway, assoc. director Š 2014 Alex Campos, director of sports photography Copy desk Lauren Gilbert, copy editor Jared Hightower, copy editor
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IN BRIEF
Race for a Cause to be held Sept. 13
The annual Race for a Cause will be held Saturday, Sept. 13, at 8:30 a.m. on the Health Science Campus. This is the race’s second year and it’s hosted by the Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Information packet pickup will start at 7:30 a.m. outside Mulford Library. Individuals may register online ahead of time for a $23 registration fee; they also have the option to pay $25 registration the day of the event. Teams of four or more can register for $18 per person. Individuals can register at active.com/toledo-oh/ running/races/race-for-acause-2014. A 3K walk will also be held. Registration for the walk is available online for $15 per person or $11 per person for teams of four or more. All proceeds will be donated to the Sparrows Nest, a local charity. Parking will be available on the day of the event in Lot 44 in front of the Collier Building.
Submissions being accepted for 2014 Ottawa River Photography Contest Are you a student interested in photography and the Ottawa River? The President’s Commission on the River is sponsoring the 2014 UT Ottawa River Photography Contest. Photographers of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to enter the contest; both cell phone photos and professional images will be accepted. Students are limited to a maximum of three separate photo entries. Digital manipulation and use of Photoshop should be limited to basic light and color correction. Entries should include a high-resolution JPEG image of the Ottawa River on Main Campus and can focus on scenic views, wildlife, nature, people or any river-related topic or theme. A panel of photography and Ottawa River experts will judge the entries. Decisions of the judges will be final. Entries must be received by 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15. Gift cards will be awarded for first through third place. Email photos, along with student name, Rocket ID and phone number, to Patrick Lawrence, chair of the President’s Commission on the River, at patrick. lawrence@utoledo.edu. Awards will be presented Friday, Sept. 19, at noon at the Student River Plaza, located between the Student Union and Carlson Library, as part of Celebrate Our River Week.
Presidential search open forums The university will host open forums to allow community members to share their opinions on what traits and characteristics the next UT president should possess. Forums will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 10 and 11, on Main and Health Science campuses: - Sept. 10: 10 a.m. — Driscoll Alumni Center Board Room, Main Campus - Sept. 10: 3 p.m. — Faculty Club, Radisson Hotel, Health Science Campus - Sept. 11: 10:30 a.m. — Faculty Club, Radisson Hotel, HSC - Sept. 11: 3 p.m. — SU Room 2591, Main Campus
Wednesday, September 10, 2014 | The Independent Collegian |
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Presidential Search Update Stay tuned for our upcoming story about the presidential search status, which will be published online Friday, Sept. 12. The story will provide the details of the search as well as the changing of positions in upper administration this year.
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SCAM
Phishing for students Protecting against unwanted scam emails
Katelyn Montgomery Staff Reporter
Of all the technology that has come about over the last ten years, the Internet is one tool many believe to have mastered. Nowadays, looking out for viruses and scams is something we do without thinking. But what happens when the scammers get just as clever as we are? Unfortunately, scammers, using their technique known as phishing, are evolving and, according to UT News, are doing so by targeting the University of Toledo and other college campuses all over the United States. The latest form of phishing, or social engineering, seems to target both students and staff via email the past few months. Director of Internal Audit Dave Cutri said a phishing scam can take multiple forms. “It’s usually defined as an email that you’ll get from someone pretending to be who they’re not.” Cutri said. Cutri said they often pretend to be the IT department claiming there is an upgrade taking place and they need a username and password to do the updates.
Matthew Junod, UT’s information security officer and manager, added that often phishing scams related to UT are from sources overseas pretending to be the financial department or offering a job. Phishing scams are not new to the online world — or Toledo. “At UT, we receive over one million spam messages a day that we block,” Junod said. “In the last 24 hours we received and blocked 1.1 million messages.” Although this scheme is common to campus, UT officials are working hard to stop the situation, according to Junod. While UT encounters over one million spam messages a day, over 800,000 of those are not seen because there are filters set up to detect patterns in the scams. Cutri — on behalf of the IT department — said they are always updating security to protect students here. “We are in a constant state of readiness,” Cutri said. “As the phishers get smarter, we tend to get smarter as well.” Cutri suggests one way students can help protect themselves is to take a look at the IP address. Many of
SAMANTHA RHODES / IC
these scams come from overseas, so the address look different. “Based on the number [in the IP address], you can figure out geographic location. A certain series of numbers means it’s from the United States, a certain series of numbers means it’s from China, et cetra,” Cutri said. If the format or grammar of an email seems unlike traditional emails sent by the University of Toledo, Junod said IT can take a look at the IP address and relieve any concerns about unfamiliar emails. He urged this action in order to get accurate numbers on how many scams students see. While this is encouraged, students do not always need to go to IT for help every time an unfamiliar email comes by. Aimee Portala, a print and digital
CAREER SERVICES
Meeting
Resume-building workshop to take place on Sept. 17 George Wechter Staff Reporter
A résumé-building workshop with be held Sept. 17 by the Center for Experiential Learning and Career Development and the College of Graduate Studies. The workshop will be held in the Student Union room 3018 from 2-3 p.m. The workshop is open to graduate students who need help fine-tuning their résumés. Those who attend can learn the important parts of a résumé and what to include to make them stand out as the best option. Attendees will learn what the parts of a cover letter
Title IX from page 1
encounter which is not serious enough to warrant the extreme punishment [the victim] has requested.’ (Expulsion.) Because the suspect had a ‘relatively clean criminal record [he] is not a danger to the University community,’ the report states.” In addition to the hearing and interviews with West and Auberle, the survivor said she attempted to create a case with the UT Police Department. UTPD told her because the rape happened off-campus, she would have to report to the Toledo Police Department instead. She filed with TPD and obtained a civil protection order against him; when she decided to take her case to court, TPD did not contact her until weeks after she first spoke with them. The survivor said “because the University of
Dinner
from page 1
five more advocates this fall. Kevin West, senior director faculty relations and inclusion officer and Title IX investigator, presented next, speaking about the processes and options available to a student who has been sexually assaulted. “When, in fact, a student is a victim of sexual assault, obviously their educational experience has been challenged by that event,” West said, expressing that there are steps in place to change classes and housing if they are necessary to improving the student’s feeling of safety and ability to learn.
communication specialist at UT, said she doesn’t remember the spam being a huge issue. “Even as a student, I remember getting emails about it saying, ‘Hey, don’t click on these things,’ but I don’t ever remember it being a big issue aside from ‘Be aware,’” Portala said. “Nothing has changed that much.” For concerns about being victimized by an email scam, students and staff may call the IT Help Desk at 419-530-2400. The help desk may also be reached by email at ITHELPDESK@utoledo.edu, on their website at http://ithelp.utoledo.edu, or at one of the walk-in centers offered on Main Campus and the Health Science Campus.
are, what to include, and what to avoid. The common problems found on résumés will be addressed as well as how to avoid them. Attendees will receive tips on how to be more professional in an interview and on the proper way to dress. There will be more workshops over the next couple months that graduate students may attend, including a workshop for cover letters in October and a second résumé-building workshop in November. To learn more about these events, contact the Center for Experiential Learning and Career Development at 419-530-4341.
Toledo didn’t support me academically, I had to transfer to the University of Cincinnati in order to graduate in order to move and actually accept the position I was offered overseas,” and when she told TPD she was not in the area, they told her to come in and talk to them when she was in Toledo. Because she was focused on trying to graduate, the survivor said she could not make it back, and instead called TPD to ask if she could talk to them over the phone to start her case. She said she was told not to call them unless she was in Toledo. TPD eventually contacted her advocate, advising the survivor to close the case because she would be moving abroad and would have to be subpoena-ed back, and it wouldn’t be for a set period of time. The survivor said she would be flying back and forth over and over between the two countries, which she
said would not be healthy for her, so she closed the case. Her case within UT’s judiciary board is also closed now. “The university is just as guilty as my rapist. Moreover, they are just as guilty of promoting the rape epidemic and rape culture we’re living in,” the survivor said. “Until the University of Toledo believes rape is more severe than plagiarism, they will continue to fail victims. Rapists will continue to be a part of the campus and the university will be a welcoming host.” She felt the whole process with UT and how her case was handled was “ridiculous,” so she submitted a Title IX complaint. It is up to the federal department of education to decide whether or not to launch an investigation. If they decide to go through with the investigation, the survivor said both she and UT will be contacted, and it will be made public.
“Our goal is to try to make sure that all students feel safe,” West said, “but also particularly for female students, that their educational experience is not hampered in any way by these events. That’s why it’s so important that we’re able to put those accommodations in place as soon as possible.” UT’s Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Jeff Newton followed West, calling sexual assault one of the most difficult crimes to deal with on campus. Despite being hard to deal with, Newton was very clear on UTPD’s stance on the issue. “[Sexual assault] is not allowed. It’s against the law. It’s a crime,” Newton said.
To allow police assistance in sexual assault issues, Newton said he hopes to create a culture where students report any and all incidences to UTPD. “I’ll be working out a revision of the sexual assault policy that will hopefully come soon,” Newton said. “We’re working with many stakeholders to make sure that we cover all the areas.”
“[Sexual assault] is not allowed. It’s against the law. It’s a crime.” JEFF NEWTON Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police
from page 1
associations at other schools. Notestine said the plan also included the goal to have a full body of 40 elected senators, the maximum number of seats in SG, for the 51st Session next academic year. SG concluded the business portion of the meeting by passing a resolution to “establish a fifteen-minute time limit”w for use of the piano in the Student Union Trimble Lounge between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Notestine said the resolution would make the Lounge a place more conducive to studying and socializing. He said the building managers and Ask Rocky representatives would probably be responsible for enforcing the policy. When Senator Sam Duling
asked if any music students had to use the piano for music classes, Eltatawy said students could utilize the piano studios in the Center for Performing Arts.
“We don’t want to tell people they can’t play the piano.” BEN LYNN SG senator
Senator Ben Lynn said students should be permitted to play as long as they want because the piano is in a public space. “We don’t want to tell people they can’t play the piano,” he said. He motioned to change the resolution to a recommendation rather than a requirement, but did not receive a second. The resolution passed by acclamation.
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| The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, September 10, 2014
OPINION Send letters to the editor to Editor@independentcollegian.com
EDITORIAL BOARD
Colleen Anderson Amanda Eggert Amanda Pitrof Samantha Rhodes
Jared Hightower Morgan Rinckey
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
UT lets down the students The University of Toledo has to change the way it handles sexual assault.
Imagine that you’ve just gone through something so horrific that it consumes every second of your day. The whole world looks different, and no matter what, your attention is derailed by unwanted memories. You’re struggling with what to do — even if you were forced to relive this awful experience, who would listen? Is it worth the risk, knowing they might be too busy for you? Or worse, might not believe you at all? You worry to yourself, with a sickening feeling of doubt, that you might be called a liar, or you might be dismissed altogether. You’ve just imagined the life of a rape victim at the University of Toledo. No one deserves to be alone after a traumatic event in their life, especially one of a sexual nature. The second that a rape victim feels like they are not free to seek help, something is already wrong. It isn’t the victim’s job to have an exhaustive knowledge on what to do next. The responsibility is with others — in this case, the university — to make it known, without question, that any sexual assault victim has a safe haven. And when it comes to fulfilling this responsibility, we believe our university has failed. As if it wasn’t enough for the survivor who filed the Title IX charges to It isn’t the victim’s speak out while trying job to have to recover from the rape, she was submitted to the an exhaustive taxing, lengthy process knowledge on of being interrogated what to do next. by Kevin West, Title IX investigator. Instead of The responsibility interviewing her in a fair is with others — manner, West mishanin this case, the dled the case according to his own description of university — to events. make it known, Several times, the survivor was asked details without question, concerning her previthat any sexual ous relationship with the assault victim has accused assailant; these details were not only a safe haven. irrelevant, but served to imply that past experiences nullify the absolute right to say no to sex at any time. To top it all off, he attempted to discredit her as being inconsistent, while the perpetrator was not; ignoring, of course, the fact that the survivor was interviewed three times, and the accused, once. The survivor has already beaten the odds in speaking out; not all survivors are able to do the same. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, one in four college women will be raped, but only five percent of these rapes will be reported. The obstacles in her path that she was forced to overcome in order to have her voice heard are not only a testament to her bravery, but a failing on the part of the university. The survivor herself stated that she did not find the advocates at the university helpful to her and was forced to seek outside help at the YWCA and the University of Cincinnati counseling center. In the past, UT had a resource that was more beneficial: an official coordinator for the Sexual Assault Education and Prevention Program, whose full-time job was specifically to handle all things related to the program. When the previous coordinator left, no one was hired to take her place, and many of her duties fell to overtaxed staff members who already had full-time jobs. An advocate loses their effectiveness when they cannot devote 100 percent of their time to those who are seeking their help. Instead of shoving the duties from person to person, a full-time coordinator and advocate needs to be reinstated. We could speak about how the punishment assigned to the perpetrator cannot, in any sense of the word, be qualified as fair or just in comparison to his crime. However, to do so would be once again drawing attention to the punishment, which you can read about in any number of articles recently published on the case. The punishment is only a symptom of an already diseased process; the point is that there is a survivor who tried to reach out to the university, and the university failed them. The point is that the university’s system is broken, and needs to be repaired. The new changes in our administration present the university with an opportunity and a responsibility. Interim President Nagi Naganathan, along with every single employee, has a chance to make improvements to the way sexual assault is handled here on campus, to examine the university’s policies and make the necessary reforms to ensure that sexual assault prevention is a priority, not an afterthought. Considering the way this case was mishandled, it’s easy to respond with anger, and to direct it at those who were deeply involved in the case. However, people like Kevin West are not the only ones to blame. They are not anomalies, but examples of the true victims of this case. They are victims of a society that encourages the idea that it is easier to ignore and dismiss sexual assault than to face it as the monstrosity that it is, and to take steps to change it. Instead of pointing fingers and buying into the tactics society uses to sweep the true issue of sexual assault under the rug, we should focus on the person whose voice matters most: the survivor.
www.IndependentCollegian.com COMMENTARY
What it’s like to be a new student with a stutter
“Hello. My name is D... D... D...” for who I really was, made speaking I would generally let out a sigh or a in high school easier than speaking grunt at this point. “D... D... sorry. I am here at college. D... D... Dustin!” This is a greeting that What is interesting to note is that many of the people I have met at I’m not afraid of being here, the University of Toledo and I’m not afraid of receive. meeting new people. I Am I nervous? No. think the biggest threat Am I afraid? No. is my own past faults. I have a stutter. You would not I have stuttered know it by meetever since I was ing me now, but seven years old. I in my high school have made substantial years, I was extremely progress over the years introverted and selfwith coping with and occupied (somewhat managing my stutter. because of my stutThe strange thing is ter). When I came to that in all my years, college, I made the saying my own first resolve to be outgoing name has never given and act as an extrovert. IC COLUMNIST me as much trouble as So far, as I’ve reached it does now. the end of my third week here, I have Is it the fear of meeting new people? found this experiment to be amazingly Is it being in a new place? It could be successful. I have already made more all, or none of these factors. It could friends and joined more clubs like The be a mix of emotions, plus the fact Way Campus Ministry, Toledo Campus that I’m now in an environment in Ministry and Quidditch, which is more which I am the authoritative adult in than I could have hoped. my life, and as such I don’t have any Given everything that I have said, wiggle room when it comes to talking I re-approach my opening question: to others. “What’s it like being a new student Throughout time, I’ve had to learn with a stutter?” As I go through the to work through my stutter and not days as a new student, I have to face attempt to avoid it. Being on camadapting to a new lifestyle, a new pus, which is where I am receivway of approaching classes and a ing therapy to manage my stutter, new way of handling interactions constantly reminds me of the fact with new people. I face a lot of the that I am here on my own basis, same questions and fears that most whereas in high school, I had friends new students face, and that is the or teachers who could look out for simple truth of it. me and have my back if I was havWhat is different is that I can see ing a bad day of stuttering. The fact the reactions in people’s faces when that I was surrounded by those who I first begin to speak or respond to knew about my stutter and knew me them and they hear my stutter. What
DUSTIN JARRETT
As I go through the days as a new student, I have to face adapting to a new lifestyle, a new way of approaching classes and a new way of handling interactions with new people. sets things apart this time around is that because I now often initiate conversations and because students can tell that I have a firm grasp on what I intend to say, the shock of my stutter seems to subside quickly. Why is this important? I’m not seen as being “mentally-challenged” as some may have thought otherwise. That is what it’s like being a new student with a stutter. Bearing this in mind, I think, perhaps, the reason I’m having difficulty with my own name, is because I’m not used to having to worry about saying it. My unconscious mind can tell there is something different and it doesn’t know how to react to it. All in all, the main point that I want to get across to other new students is this: I have a stutter. I am a new student. There are many reasons to be afraid of college life and of other students, but if you put yourself out there, regardless of these flaws or fears, you’ll find that you can enjoy your time at the University of Toledo. You can find friends and relationships that are positive and even inspirational. Go out there and enjoy the time you have. Dustin Jarrett is a first-year majoring in speech language pathology.
COMMENTARY
Don’t spend your new experiences on old mistakes Have you ever been talking to someI bumped up my credit hours at one so intently that you didn’t listen to school. I sold my time and energy a word they said? You knew they were cheap, and it flew off the shelves. probably pouring out their soul to you, But I kept telling myself, “I’m OK. in what was no doubt, an unexI can do this, I’ll just cut back pected bout in wisdom. on my sleep.” And I Through the course said, “Yes,” to another of your conversation assignment. “I’m OK. I you were most likely can do this; all I need rapt with attention, to do is just cut one clinging to the words of these classes, take pouring out of the a nap in my car, buy speaker’s mouth. They something cheap at probably looked deep McDonalds and then into your eyes and said stay up all night workthe only phrase that you ing on this paper.” now can remember. That mental pep talk “You should learn was usually followed by from my mistakes.” a long string of profanBut let’s be honest. ity and rationalizing You probably didn’t. I that I could always beg IC COLUMNIST know how this goes. for more time on my I’ve been on the listening end of many assignments. similar conversations. Parents, God As I entered the 2014 spring bless their hearts, are always spouting semester, I was exhausted, depressed off these cautionary tales that both and desperate to become more orgaparties know won’t be heeded. We as nized. But I still couldn’t remember people are kind of dumb like that; Lord what my dad had been talking about knows I am. that night. So I started the new At the beginning of the last fall semester with the brand new job semester my dad sat me down at our of news editor. I was tired, yes, but kitchen table and started a conexcited for the challenge. I ignored versation with, “You should learn my internal whispers of caution. I from my mistakes.” My father then brushed it aside, chalking them up launched into a story that I only to one of my many insecurities and now can remember. He told me anxieties. about when he was in college and One week in and I was over my invincible and how he over-comhead. Three weeks and I was on firstmitted himself to a variety of causes name bases with the late-night staff and jobs. The result was incredibly at Taco Bell. After four months I was taxing for him and he ended up broke, my nerves were a raw, bloody doing none of his many responsibili- mess and my depression had taken ties well. “OK dad,” I replied and to sub-leasing a room in my mind to promptly forgot everything he said. constant anxiety. If we fast-forward the movie that Then, one night, after an all-too-comis my life, you would see within mon sleeplessness, I found a note buried a few short seconds, I piled on in my desk that read, “Pace yourself.” It responsibility after responsibility. was in my dad’s handwriting. I started a new job as a reporter, I wish I could say that I turned
SAMUEL DERKIN
everything around then. I wish with all of my heart that I didn’t have to write this next sentence. But I didn’t listen. I finished up the semester emotionally battered from selfinflicted choices. At the beginning of the summer I was the proud owner of 50 extra pounds, close to no trust with my professors, cracked trust with my friends and family, numerous bad habits and a bank account that I could laugh at if I had any energy left. And then, only then, did I begin to see what my dad was talking about. What he meant when he said, “Pace yourself.” What he meant when he said that he spread himself so thin that he couldn’t do anything well. I remembered, only when I had done the same. It was after I remembered, after I saw, that I could begin to rebuild what I had torn down. And let me tell you. It’s hard. Really hard. It’s hurt my pride to step down from news editor, but I was thrilled to know that the woman taking my place was better suited for the job. It’s hurt my pride to cut back on classes, but I’m excited to do them well. I hate taking the time to eat healthy, but I feel better. I’m still not there. I know that I have a long way to go on this path of healing. But I’ve started. And I know that if I pace myself, I can make it. My friends, I know this is a story you may not remember until you can relate to it. But I implore you, as so many, I’m sure, have before me. Pace yourself. Learn from my mistakes. This time in our lives is brimming with possibilities. Don’t spend your new experiences on old mistakes. Samuel Derkin is a fourth-year double majoring in English and communication, and is a former news editor at The Independent Collegian.
SPORTS Follow us on Twitter @IC_Sports
IN BRIEF
Rockets take part in SEAL training for third straight season University of Toledo head men’s basketball coach Tod Kowalczyk has once again enlisted heavy-duty help to prepare the Rockets for their upcoming season. Toledo began their third straight year of training under former Navy Seal John McGuire and his SEAL Team Physical Training organization this week. McGuire put the team through a mixture of physical and mental endurance drills, each one designed to place extreme importance on communication and leadership. “We’ve learned and grown so much as individuals and as a program since beginning to work with John and the SEAL organization,” said Toledo head coach Tod Kowalczyk. “It’s really helped our guys improve their leadership abilities and overall mental toughness. We’ve become a much tougher team over the last few seasons and that’s what it takes to win championships.” The Rockets’ SEAL training will continue through Wednesday in the Fetterman Training Center. Toledo’s women’s basketball team is also taking part in a SEAL Team Training Inc. program this week.
Detmer named MAC West Division Special Teams Player of the Week For the seventh time in his career, Toledo senior placekicker Jeremiah Detmer has been awarded the Mid-American Conference West Division Special Teams Player of the Week. Detmer received the award for his performance against Missouri on September 6, when he went 1-of-2 on field goal attempts and sent 4-of-5 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks against the Tigers. Detmer was a firstteam All-MAC player in 2013 and he was named MAC Special Teams Player of the Year last season as well.
Toledo football’s contest againt Cincinnati to be covered by IC Sports When the University of Toledo travels to Cincinnati on Friday to take on the Bearcats, the IC staff will be along for the ride. Sports Editor Blake Bacho will be covering the game, and livetweeting the action. To read his game story, visit us at www. independentcollegian. com/sports.
Rockets versus Ball State set for 7 p.m. kickoff in Glass Bowl The Rockets finally know when to show up for their home game against Ball State. Kickoff time for Toledo’s home matchup with the Cardinals has been set for 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, the team announced Monday. Toledo fell to their Mid-American Conference West Division opponents 31-24 last year at Ball State. The Rockets will be returning home to battle the Cardinals this season following their road game against Cincinnati this Friday.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014 | The Independent Collegian |
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Weekly Launch Want breaking Toledo football news the very moment it happens? Be sure to visit our site, www.independentcollegian.com/sports and check out our new feature, Weekly Launch, each Monday, to find out what coach Campbell and his players said during the weekly press meeting.
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FOOTBALL PREVIEW
UT hits the road
COMMENTARY
BLAKE BACHO
SPORTS EDITOR
IC FILE PHOTO
The Rockets travel to Cincinnati this week to take on the Bearcats in Toledo’s first road game of the season. UT’s kickoff against UC is set for Friday at 7 p.m. at the Cincinnati Bengals’ Paul Brown Stadium, UC’s 2014 home field.
Toledo heading to Cincinnati for first away contest, junior QB Phillip Ely out for season By Blake Bacho Sports Editor
Toledo’s quarterback competition has officially been reopened. This time, however, the battle is between two signal callers instead of three. The Rockets (1-1) have lost junior QB Phillip Ely to a season-ending ACL tear sustained during last Saturday’s 49-24 loss to Missouri. Toledo head coach Matt Campbell said he will name the new starting quarterback before the upcoming Friday night matchup against Cincinnati. Sophomore Logan Woodside and redshirt freshman Michael Julian are the candidates for the position and are expected to split first team reps during practice this week. “I feel horrible for [Ely],” said senior center Greg Mancz, “He’s a great guy, great friend and he’s doing a great job so far being the levelheaded leader for the offense. I hope he gets healthy and gets through surgery as quick as possible. “It’s hard for him, but the good news is we have two guys who have been taking snaps with him. I’ve taken plenty of snaps with Logan, I’ve taken plenty of snaps with
Mike and so the good news is there is lots of camaraderie already there. I have the utmost confidence that they are going to come in there and play to the best of their ability.”
If you go What: UT football game against Cincinnati Where: The Cincinnati Bengals’ Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati When: Friday, September 12, at 7 p.m. Television: ESPNU Radio: Rocket Radio Network Prediction: UT rallies around new QB for a victory, Final Score: UT: 28 UC: 21
Toledo faces a tough challenge starting a new number under center against a Bearcat team that finished 9-4 last season. That mountain is even steeper considering that the Rockets have no game film to study for this upcoming matchup. Cincinnati’s matchup against Toledo will be the Bearcats’
season opener, with UC having drawn back-to-back byes over the first two weeks of their schedule. It is Cincinnati’s second year in the new American Athletic Conference as well as their second with Tommy Tuberville as head coach. “It’s awkward,” admitted Campbell when asked about preparing for this contest. “Especially when you know they have a new defensive coordinator and certainly sounds like potentially a new quarterback in the game. “I think what you can prepare for is what you know, and what you know is their foundation. They are a really skilled football team that, quite honestly, might be as good as what we saw last week from a skilled receiver standpoint. They are certainly a team with some confidence after a 9-4 football season last year.” Mancz echoed his coach’s statements about Cincinnati, comparing the preparation for this game to the work done during opening week. “You can look at the players that have played,” he said. “That’s something we have started to do is look at that.
It presents a different challenge, but two weeks ago we did the same thing. We are going to go at them the best we can and try to prepare for everything that they could possibly have.” Whatever the Bearcats have will be more than enough for Toledo to contend with Friday night, as many players remain from the ranked squad which visited the Glass Bowl two seasons ago. “I feel like our coaches have done a very good job in evaluating [Cincinnati],” said junior cornerback Chris Dukes. “[They’ve been] evaluating those guys, studying them and seeing what things they like to do from last season and the last time we played them. A bunch of those guys are still there that played back then.” The Rockets earned a 29-23 victory against that Cincinnati squad without UT’s offense scoring a single touchdown. Toledo leaned on their defense, as well as kicker Jeremiah Detmer, to lead them to a home victory over the Bearcats. Even though this rematch will be played in Cincinnati, See Road / 6 »
FOOTBALL
Sophomore wide receiver Jones is focused on game, not distractions By Robert Hearons Associate Sports Editor
On game days, it’s all business for University of Toledo sophomore wide receiver Corey Jones. On his off days? Well, it’s all business then, too. A four-star recruit coming out of high school, Jones stepped onto campus last fall as Scout.com’s 41st ranked wide receiver recruit in the country. But high expectations and pressure are familiar to the Pennsylvania native. According to Jones, he doesn’t feel the pressure or hear the hype, but instead files it all away into one category: distractions. “I’m trying to avoid the distractions and really just worry about football,” Jones said. “Really, I just want to progress and make myself better and also contribute to the team.” After racking up over 2,000 all-purpose yards during his junior season at Penn Hills High School, Jones received offers from a host of Power Five conference schools — the likes of Miami, West
Virginia, Maryland, Kansas and Cincinnati included. All-expense paid vacations to some of the nation’s top universities during your senior year of high school, trips where, in some circumstances, the programs’ highest paid employees are explaining to you just why you’re so special and offering you free rides through their programs — all of that could turn anyone’s head. It’s not hard to see why so many talented athletes coming out of high school fall off the map after a year away from home. Too much of a good thing is one way of putting it — too much exposure at once. More so than anything though, Jones seeks to become a leader on the football field, progress from a personal level and avoid the distractions and expectations that come with being a highly touted high school recruit and much hyped offensive weapon. His patience, work ethic and progression as a football player have paid off with a starting spot as Toledo’s punt and kick returner. “Any spot that you can
win as a starter is an honor,” Jones said of the position.
“[I] play fast and with a lot of emotion, that’s what I do. I play with a lot of emotion so when I’m out there I’m giving 110 percent.” COREY JONES Sophomore receiver
The only thing Jones seems hungry for is football — Mid-American Conference Championship football, to be specific — and, although humble, Toledo’s sophomore receiver is confident in his ability to help the Rockets reach their end goals this season. UT junior wide receiver Alonzo Russell said confidence and pride are attributes that Jones has improved a great deal on, and something Russell is trying to get the
whole team to improve upon. “You have to take pride in [your abilities],” Russell said. “At the end of the day, your name is on that route, your name is on that catch, good or bad, so you might as well take pride.” Jones appreciates any advice received from Russell, who he now considers a member of his extended family. “Everybody on the team, we look at each other as brothers,” Jones explained. “I look at [Russell] as an older brother with experience. Anything that I have trouble with I usually ask him.” Jones isn’t having any trouble adjusting to the college game, even with all its speed bumps and hurdles. He caught his first collegiate touchdown pass during Toledo’s 2014 season opener against New Hampshire, finishing the game with 78 receiving yards and that score. “[I] play fast and with a lot of emotion, that’s what I do,” Jones said. “I play with a lot of emotion so when I’m out there I’m giving 110 percent.” For him, everything else is just a distraction.
Ely set the bar for UT’s signal callers Phillip Ely knew he was hurt one play earlier than anyone else did last Saturday against Missouri. Well, that isn’t totally true. His coach had a feeling something was wrong, asking the junior transfer from the University of Alabama if he needed to come out when Ely came to the sidelines late in the third quarter after having his knee twisted during a run. The Florida native just shrugged the offer away. He wanted one last play. “I had called a timeout and kept asking him ‘Are you OK, do you want to come out of the game?’” recalled UT head coach Matt Campbell. “He said ‘No, I’m fine.’” Ely insisted on going in for one last snap, at which point his already shredded ACL gave out completely as he dropped back to pass, sending him to the turf for a nine-yard loss. He couldn’t have known for sure at the time that it was the end of his season, but he still shrugged off what must have been excruciating pain to give his team one last effort. It wasn’t pretty, and it wasn’t effective, but at least it was one last play. “[That night at the hospital] I said ‘Well, why’d you take that one last snap?’ and he said ‘I wanted to get that one more play in, I thought I could help us,’” Campbell said. “That’s the type of kid he is. “He’s a tough guy and he really did a great job in my opinion of setting the bar of what a quarterback should look like in our football program. Now we’ve got two guys right now that are ready to continue that level of excellence.” Those two guys — sophomore Logan Woodside and redshirt freshman Michael Julian — will compete this week for the starting gig that is now up for grabs. I’m sure neither one of them wanted another chance at the job to come like this, but now that it is here the team can’t afford for them to dwell on the hows and whys. It is the here and now that needs to matter. The Rockets are 1-1 and have lost the best man for the job, but the next man up needs to be just as good, and just as willing to give that one last play to his teammates. The sample size is small when examining Ely. His season stats will officially read 41-of-68 passing, 541 yards, four touchdowns and one interception and his collegiate experience prior to Toledo isn’t enough to scratch a highlight from. But the Rockets’ signal caller showed something important and intangible during his time on Glass Bowl turf: a good quarterback is always willing to give that one last play to his teammates. One of Toledo’s remaining signal callers will have to show that they aren’t just the runner up if the Rockets want See Ely / 6 »
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| The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, September 10, 2014
CLASSIFIEDS To place a classified ad, call 419-530-7788 or email classifieds@independentcollegian.com. Ads must be received by 5 p.m. Monday.
FOR RENT EXECUTIVE TOWERS OFFER STUDIO'S, 1 AND 2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS. Please call Executive Towers today located at 1920 Collingwood Toledo, Ohio 43604. 419-243-8128 ! We have sun deck, secure entrance, 24 hour fitness center, swimming pool, free wi-fi room on site laundry. We also offer short term leases so come check us out today! UT shuttle bus comes right in front of the apartment complex. Please call for a tour! Email etohleasing@monarchinvestment.com ROOM AVAILABLE IN OLDE TOWNE UNIVERSITY SQUARE APARTMENTS Room available in a 3br/3bath apartment. Fully furnished and includes basic cable, water, sewer, and trash. Share common living space with two female
students. Available for immediate move in. Would be willing to pay 1st months rent after lease has been taken over. Please contact me at 513-706-9196 for additional information. Email pdonna305@aol. com
HELP WANTED ENERGY BROKERS WANTED www.myteamvision.com. Call Bob, 419-508-4012. HELP WANTED Small Toledo based medical marketing & surgical company looking to have iOS app developed for pharmaceutical sales training (Iphone/Ipad). If you can program current outline to completion and iOS launch, this would be a great resume builder in addition to making money. Qualified candidate can email HGAPharmacyConsultants@gmail.com. Please
communicate your current abilities and background. SALES/OFFICE ASSISTANT Part-time, Four Days including Saturdays. Apply In Person with Resume. Broer-Freeman Jewelers 4328 West Central Avenue broerfreeman@aol.com 419-536-5272 TEAM LEADER KIDS UNLIMITED IS AN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM THAT SERVES IN THE TOLEDO AREA. WE ARE IN SEARCH OF CANDIDATES THAT WANT TO HELP STUDENTS ( K-8 GRADE) ACHIEVE ACADEMIC SUCCESS, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND SELF DISCIPLINE.. HOURS ARE 2:00- 6:00 MONDAY THRU FRIDAY. NEED TO HIRE ASAP. PLEASE EMAIL RESUME Email brafac@kidsunlimitedtoledo.org
Road
Ely
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it might still be considered a home game for Dukes and Mancz, who are both from the area and will have plenty of familiar faces attending the game. The Bearcats are playing all of their 2014 home games at the Cincinnati Bengals’ Paul Brown Stadium while UC’s Nippert Stadium undergoes renovation. “Pretty much my entire family has, in some way, shape or form, already gotten tickets,” Mancz said. “I have lots of aunts and uncles on either side and they are all using their Bengals’ tickets to get tickets for Paul Brown. It’s really neat to play back home and I am looking forward to the opportunity.” It’s an opportunity Mancz will share with a veteran offensive line, but also one they will all face with a new quarterback standing behind them. And that last part is perfectly fine with Mancz. “Before the season, I was asked ‘Which one do you like most?’” he said. “I said I liked all of them. They’re all quarterbacks and luckily all I have to do is snap to them. I’m excited to get back out there with both of them this week.” Toledo kicks off against Cincinnati at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12. The game will be televised on ESPNU.
to keep their chances at a Mid-American Conference title alive. Now, for all I know, Friday could be the day when either Woodside or Julian proves that Campbell and his staff made the wrong mistake choosing Ely to be the starter. It could happen, and it wouldn’t be completely surprising considering Julian’s athleticism and Woodside’s prior game experience. But the qualities Ely possesses, the skills that will again make him a dangerous competitor next season, are about more than speed and playing time. Though it may sound cheesy, a starting quarterback has to want it. He needs to simply need that win more than the guys on the other side of the ball. Campbell was right — Ely did set the bar for what a Toledo quarterback should be all about. He gave all of his teammates, specifically the two who he shares a meeting room with, a standard and a precedent that they will have to match if they want to be ready for the rest of the season. Ely did all that by falling to the ground for a nineyard loss on a play that should never have even happened. It wasn’t pretty, and only time will tell if it was actually helpful. But it was still one last play.
PUZZLES THEME: AMERICAN FOLKLORE
ACROSS 1. PayPal money 6. “La” precursor 9. Japanese restaurant staple 13. Spasm of pain 14. Romanian money 15. Where one reaction is oxidation and reverse is reduction 16. Portend a good or bad outcome 17. Ash container 18. Anoint 19. *Clyde’s crime partner 21. Ubiquitous protein 23. *Do it to create a tunnel like John Henry 24. Discarded cards in cribbage 25. Diminish 28. Jessica of “Dark Angel” 30. Last in octad 35. “Frog and ____ Are Friends” 37. Used to row 39. “And Then _____ Were None” 40. *Paul Bunyan did it to his axe? 41. Double-reed instruments 43. Enthusiasm 44. Montezuma, e.g. 46. Eurozone money 47. Arabic for commander 48. Nervous system component 50. First king of Israelites 52. *Br’er Rabbit is more this than Br’er Fox 53. Sommelier’s domain 55. Additionally 57. Drag one’s feet 61. *Halloween prowlers 64. Collectible in a cabinet 65. Court 67. Brownish gray 69. Resembling wings 70. “To ___ is human ...” 71. Encourage 72. *Br’er rabbit fought with a sticky one of these 73. Levi’s competitor 74. What the defense does? DOWN 1. Pilot’s announcement, acr. 2. Fish of the carp family 3. Mythological ship 4. “The hills are alive with the _____ of music...” 5. Lifting injury 6. Swerve
7. “___ the land of the free ...” 8. _____eclipse 9. Waiter’s handout 10. Footnote word 11. Musical composition for one, pl. 12. Friends of #29 Down 15. *Br’er trickster 20. Icy hut 22. Rest in state 24. Paint the town red 25. *Revolutionary Allen 26. Drunkard’s downfall 27. African language 29. *Blue Ox 31. Clarified butter 32. Steers 33. Hiker’s path 34. *Steel-driving man 36. Hunted ruminant 38. Evening in Italy 42. *Where “Uncle Remus” tales took place 45. *Pecos Bill, e.g. 49. Goose egg 51. Plunderer 54. Handrail post 56. “August: _____
Last Week’s Puzzle Solved
County” 57. Healing sign 58. Maui dance 59. Kuwaiti, e.g. 60. Boggy 61. *Blood’s partner in Halloween tales
62. Yanks 63. Dalmatian mark 66. Bonanza find 68. Lt.’s inferior, in the Navy
Last week’s solution
Wednesday, September 10, 2014 | The Independent Collegian |
COMMUNITY Follow us on Twitter @TheICToledo
IN BRIEF
UT Quidditch team seeks players
The UT Quidditch team is looking for players for their upcoming season. The co-ed team travels across the Midwest to compete. More information can be found on the team’s Facebook page at facebook. com/toledo.quidditch or on their Twitter page @ UT_Quidditch. For more information regarding the team and joining, contact Hisham Abad at quidditch@utoledo.edu.
New fitness program launches at UT RocketWalk Boot Camp, a free fitness program, launched Monday, Sept. 8. The program is a result of collaboration between the UT Center for Successful Aging and Rocket Wellness. The free fitness program is open to all University of Toledo employees. Classes will be held Monday and Wednesday at noon at the University Parks Trail between Rocket Hall and the Student Medical Center. Classes will continue on a regular basis until Thanksgiving. Classes will accommodate beginner, intermediate and advanced fitness levels. Optional strength exercises will be offered at the end of some classes. A free T-shirt will be given to all participants who begin taking classes in September. For more information, contact Darci Ault at darlene.ault@utoledo.edu.
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DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND FILM
Fifty years of WOW UT’s department of theatre and film is celebrating 50 years with the Toledo community Sept. 19-21 By Joe Heidenescher Staff Reporter
“We are one of the best kept secrets of Toledo, not just of Toledo, but of this whole area.” This is how Irene Alby, associate theatre lecturer, describes the University of Toledo’s theatre department. UT’s department of theatre and film is celebrating its 50-year milestone with a weekend bash Sept. 19-21. Anyone who has been involved with the department from the past 50 years is invited to attend. Since its inception in 1964, the department of theatre and film has seen name changes, a new building and numerous professors; however, one thing remains the same, the department’s continuous collaboration with the Toledo community. Madonna DuVal, former department secretary, served under the tenure of Chairman Bernie Coyne when the department began. DuVal said programs like Summerstage, High School Student’s Day and Theatre in the Schools were great interactions with the Toledo community. Summerstage “is where the department hired two professional actors from New York to work with the students, who were also paid, to put on first class theatre productions for the entire Toledo community during the summer, in the early 80’s,” said DuVal. Events like Summerstage also retain special memories for DuVal. “Of course if it were not for Summerstage, I would not have met my husband, Herb DuVal,” DuVal said. “He was hired the summer of 1981, I followed him to New York in 1982, and we were married in 1983.” Since that time, however, DuVal said those programs have stopped, but the department’s connection to the Toledo community has not, Alby said. Alby said since she and her husband, Cornel Gabara, began work at UT in 2004, they have collaborated with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra and founded the Glacity Theatre Collective, a Toledo based theatre company. Alby also said there are a handful of opportuni-
COURTESY OF ANGELA RIDDEL
Last year’s performance of the musical “Cabaret” took its audience inside a German nightclub to make them feel as if they were actually part of the show. Sean Koogan, a senior majoring in film, theatre and communication, said theatre is about taking risks. Director Irene Alby said the department has “established a reputation for doing really interesting work.”
ties to see student productions. “We have a lot of events: 24-hour plays, four plays a year, screenings, guest artists,” Alby said. “Anyone can get involved; you don’t have to be a major to get involved with what we do.” Kate Abu-Absi, a UT theatre alum of 1993, said involvement with theatrical arts is what changes lives. “When I started at UT I had no background in theatre whatsoever,” Abu-Absi said. “I really and truly fell into it. I think that it was the thing that saved me, I don’t know that I would have graduated even, because I was sort of aimless and all of the sudden it was my home for the years that I was here on campus.” Abu-Absi is now the Director of the UT Arts Living Learning Community where she encourages
students to participate in the performing arts, and experience she describes as “amazing.” “I’ve watched the students here have the same experience,” Abu-Absi said. “I’ve had the opportunity to know all of these students going through the program and watching it transform them.”Abu-Absi said the size of the department makes it easier for students to get involved, and Gina Gass, a fifth-year theatre and film major, agrees. Gass said she was able to work tech crew on a performance her first year at UT. She has since had the opportunity to work tech and be on the stage. “It’s intense being a part of theatre,” Gass said. See Theatre / 8 »
FASHION
Speak your style this school year
It takes seven seconds to make a strong first impression. So it begs the question, what does your style say about you? Style can be defined on how it represents the inner you. Take five minutes and think about what your signature look consists of. What’s your staple beauty product, your favorite clothing item and accessory that completes the whole look?
Awkwardly Chic Those two words, awkward and chic, definitely describe who I am, and my style brings out the confidence that my awkward self has a hard time doing. Hello everyone, my name is Autumn and, yes, I’m awkward, but I’m confident in my own skin and what I wear brings this out. I love simplicity. Clean, simple, yet edgy is everything that I look for when I make my outfits. So, let’s talk about my signature look. My staple beauty product is a bold lipstick, particularly Rebel by MAC. I wear this pretty much every day because it’s the perfect berry shade that doesn’t dry my lips and wears all day with little re-applying. My go-to clothing piece is anything that is
high-waisted. This includes: jeans, skirts and trousers. High-waisted pieces enhance my figure by accentuating my waist and making me appear taller. My absolute favorite are highwaisted jeans because they can be dressed either up or down; which means I can wear them with any top and it will still be chic. My go-to accessory is either my dainty, gold cross chain that was my grandmother’s or plain, gold earrings. I prefer gold jewelry over silver because it brings out the warmth in my skin. Also, sentimental pieces are special because they mean something and hold memories that other items can’t do. My style doesn’t scream awkward, but it doesn’t necessarily have to. I want my style to come across as being confident and chic with some edge and when you get to know me, you’ll figure out that I am awkwardly chic.
Undefined There’s no signature look for me. Some people just know me as Teddi — the girl that dresses well. I like to dip and dabble into some of everything until I figure out what looks right for me. I dress how I feel that day.
My favorite color is green, so I usually incorporate it somewhere even if it’s just the smallest detail, like my eyeliner. There are a few items you’ll see me in the most, though: relaxed lounge pants, shift dresses and long cardigans. The versatility of these items are what I enjoy the most about them. They can be casual or they can be dressy, and they can be found in so FASHION COLUMNIST FASHION COLUMNIST many different colors, prints and textures. balance. So, I either do a bold eye with a I generally buy my clothes from H&M, Urban natural-colored lip, or a bold lip with naturalOutfitters or Pac Sun. Being an active student toned eye shadows. My go-to lip products are on campus, I’m usually on campus just about Revlon’s “Black Cherry” lipstick and MAC’s all day between classes and events for different “Sinnamon” lipgloss. organizations, so I like to be able to keep the Next week, we’ll be asking you what same outfit I have on all day. your style is, your staple pieces and if your As far as makeup, I always make sure there’s outfits scream “you.”
AUTUMN BAKER
TEDDI COVINGTON
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| The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, September 10, 2014
STUDENTS WEEK
Rocket Fanatic Week activities aim to inspire school spirit By Alexandria Saba Community Editor
Did you know that we have a letter signed by Benjamin Franklin here at the University of Toledo? “It’s at the top of the library,” said Ali Eltatawy, Student Government vice president. “These are people that you never would expect, but we do have a lot of history here.” Rocket Fanatic Week is about making UT history fun for students and inspiring a sense of tradition in students. “Right now it’s sometimes considered cool to hate UT,” Notestine said. “Which makes no sense because we are one of the coolest schools out there, and I’m not just saying that as student body president.” Some of the groups involved in Rocket Fanatic Week include Student Government, Blue Key, Blue Crew, Latino Student Union, Black Student Union and some sororities and fraternities. “Most of it is just meant to be fun because we know that if we just put up a bunch of poster boards that have old black and white pictures of UT, nobody will give a damn,” Notestine said. According to Eltatawy, this is a week created solely by the students and for the students. “Throughout the week, we are going to be having scavenger hunts — you can win iPads, you can win a seat on a couch at the game or other prizes like T-shirts and giveaways throughout the week,” Eltatawy said.
Theatre from page 7
“You have to come in with an open mind and heart, but the professors are the most caring, dedicated, focused people that, from day one, teach you how to be professional and make the right connections to lead their students into the real world with full confidence.” According Abu-Absi, the professors are what set the theatre and film department apart. “I looked up to my professors so much, I mean, they walked on water,” AbuAbsi said. Alby said the faculty gives students a “bicoastal experience.” Many faculty members come from professional venues in New York and Los Angeles. “What we do is prep you for cities like New York and LA,” Alby said. “We
There will be poster boards around Centennial Mall and in the front entrances of major buildings around campus so that people can learn about UT and basic history about each building, Notestine said. “Not many people know that the [Memorial] Field House was actually the athletics center of campus, that all the athletics happened at the Field House,” Eltatawy said. “Now it’s a beautiful structure, but nobody knows the history of it.” A lot of the activities during the week are long-standing traditions. “It’s all stuff purely out of the UT handbook. It’s the stuff that student organizations have always done; we just decided to do it all in one week.,” Notestine said. “We’re not competing against each other, we’re all working towards it.” The week starts Tuesday, Sept. 16 at noon in the Centennial Mall with a car bash. There will also be free snacks, games, giveaways, pedal car races and golf cart tours of campus. “The golf cart tours are going to be unconventional tours of the university,” Eltatawy said. “We’re going to give [students] some really cool facts, like the Rocket being pointed toward the center of BG’s field. Stuff that’s a little more personal.” “I’m really excited to drive a golf cart,” Notestine chimed in. Wednesday is about UT’s athletic history. “We’re going to have something called a bubble soccer world cup,” Eltatawy said.
do things like colorblind casting, like they do in the big cities, we take on shows that talk about themes that a lot of other departments wouldn’t tackle, we’re willing to take risks on stage and be political on stage.” The Department of Theatre and Film 50 Years of WOW celebration will be held at the Center for Per-
forming Arts. There will be live performances, food and the department founder Bernie Coyne. Alby said the department has been a collective effort with many people and they can all agree on one thing. “We have established a reputation for doing really interesting work,” she said.
“We’re working with the International Student Association and CISP to try and get soccer teams together for next week.” Teams will be made up of four players. There will be prizes for the winning teams, along with music and refreshments.
“It’s all stuff purely out of the UT handbook. It’s the stuff that student organizations have always done; we just decided to do it all in one week.” CLAYTON NOTESTINE Student Government President
Along with bubble soccer, there will be a “tech bash” at 2 p.m. on the engineering campus by Palmer, where students are invited to smash old computers and printers Notestine added that it’s all going to be “ridiculous in a fantastic sort of way.” After the tech bash, Blue Key will host a slide show of history at the bottom of the Parks Tower hill. On Thursday, the Greek community will host an event in McComas Village explaining Greek values. Later that evening at 7 p.m., a bonfire will be held at the Alumni Pavilion.
“We’re just going to be challenging alumni to come out, tell their story, talk to students, really make some connections,” Eltatawy said. “You have the chance to go out there and talk to people who’ve walked in your shoes before.” Eltatawy added jokingly he would “love to see Dr. Nagi playing Wii on the projector screen, too. That’s what I’m hoping for.” ROTC will host a festival on Friday, Sept. 19. There will be a paintball shooting range at the bottom of Parks Tower Hill pointed at the Ball State mascot. “We’ve got a Ball State mascot and we’re going to have him stuffed, basically like a punching bag and students can go and shoot it with a paintball gun,” Eltatawy said. “We’re going to have another pedal car race, a zip line and an obstacle course.” To round up the week, there will be a pep rally before Saturday’s game. “We’re going to have a grassroots-type pep rally, put on by the students for the students, that whole idea,” Eltatawy said. The pep rally will include a truck with a microphone and speakers attached to the back, the players and cheerleaders, WXUT playing music and a T-shirt cannon. “There’s a lot of free stuff, lot of good times, lot of history, lots of things you can do, so we’re trying to make it big,” Eltatawy said. “If it works out this year, hopefully somebody will take the torch next year and it’ll become a real tradition we can be proud of.”