Oct. 9, 2013

95th year • Issue 9

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

LGBTQ students discuss coming out COMMUNITY / 9 »

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Serving the University of Toledo community since 1919 STUDENT GOVERNMENT

INSIDE

Campus smoking ban?

Student Government to release online survey Oct. 14 about banning smoking campuswide

By Samuel Derkin and Sohan Mutha

Associate News Editor and Staff Reporter

Faculty Senate discusses planned $13.2M renovations A decision to spend money from UT’s reserves to renovate campus amenties sparks discussion.

NEWS / 3 »

A Student Government-sponsored online survey, starting Oct. 14 and ending Oct. 28, is attempting to gather student response regarding a proposed university wide smoking ban.

Available through students’ myUT portals, the survey asks students to consider extending the Health Science Campus’ smoking prohibition over to UT’s

main campus and Scott Park campus.

“What we want to do is test how comfortable the student body is with the idea of this survey,” said SG senator Michael Peachock, who proposed the initiative. He believes that a uniform smoking policy across the university will be beneficial.

“People are obviously going to feel very strongly about it depending on which side they’re on, so we’re really trying to take the

opinion of the student body into account,” Peachock said.

According to Peachock, a legislation will be drafted and brought forth to the senate floor if the survey response is in favor of the proposed ban. It will be dropped if the survey receives a majority of negative responses.

To raise awareness for the survey, SG will be promoting it via social media and Table Tuesdays.

SG President Emily Kramp said that she and other members of

GAMING

See Smoking / 8 »

CAMPUS SAFETY

Weatherspoon and Drummond ready to make an impact Two junior transfers, redshirted last year due to NCAA regulations, are ready to make their presence felt on the basketball court.

SPORTS / 4 »

“

SG will be personally encouraging students around campus to take the online survey.

Many students have already weighed in with their opinions, with wild variations.

Third-year recreational therapy student Lauren Morrow said that she supports the ban.

“It affects other people too, second-hand smoke is pretty bad for you,” she said. “You have to

‘Not On My Watch’ pushes campus safety

By Becky Wittkofske Staff Reporter

“Whether you believe it or not, most students don’t use condoms, and more importantly they don’t think about the risks they are taking.”

PARIS BLACK “An STD test is one you want to fail” OPINION / 6 »

Celebrating the freedom to read The University of Toledo’s annual Banned Books Week Vigil is Thursday.

COMMUNITY / 11 »

NIC

OLE BADIK / IC

Every semester has a different plot that the players get involved in. This year’s storyline has three main characters that will be revealed throughout the game by paying close attention to mini missions, Winters said.

During these missions, humans will have to look out for more than the standard zombies. They will need to keep their eyes peeled for zombies called “tanks” that can take more damage than a regular zombie, “spitters” that can throw infected Nerf footballs and “walkers” that fixate on one human at a time and have to be blasted twice in order to be defeated.

In honor of Crime Prevention Month, the University of Toledo will offer programs, presentations, and activities for students to learn about crime prevention techniques and how to stay safe.

UT’s Not On My Watch, a studentJEFF NEWTON centered UT Chief of Police initiative and one of the running organizers of through Not On My Watch October, was set up by the Anti-Bullying Task Force, Residence Life and the University of Toledo Police Department.

The program started on Oct. 5 with a Kickoff Tailgate in the Rec Center, and will continue until Oct. 30.

Presentations will cover topics such as healthy relationship boundaries, travel safety tips and A.L.I.C.E. training, which teaches individuals how to handle situations involving a potentially active shooter.

“Students are our primary audience, but at the same time [Not On My Watch] is certainly not limited to students,” said UT Chief of Police Jeff Newton. “I think education and preventative measures are something everyone can benefit from.”

Lisa Kovach, member of the Anti-Bullying Task Force and associate professor of educational psychology, said the focus of Not On My Watch is to educate about safety and some of the tools students have at their disposal as well as encourage safer student practices.

See oUTbreak / 8 »

See Safety / 8 »

COURTESY OF TAYLER WINTERS

Participants in a past oUTbreak game are pictured near Bowman-Oddy. The sixth semiannual oUTbreak game starts Oct. 11.

Nerf blasters, students and zombies: Oh my!

Students roleplay zombie apocalypse for sixth semiannual oUTbreak game

By Angela Peluso Staff Reporter

University of Toledo students will be struggling to stay human when they take part in the sixth semiannual event of oUTbreak starting Oct. 11.

During this weeklong event, students use Nerf blasters and balled-up socks to roleplay surviving a mock zombie apocalypse on campus.

Attracting over 150 students, the event is sponsored by UT BASH and coordinated by UT Ad-Hoc. “I’m a big fan of zombies, and I’m doing it to interact with other people,” said Ryan Booker, a first-year majoring in mechanical engineering.

The players are distinguished by the placement of their yellow bandanas. Humans are distinguished by sporting the bandana on their arm, while zombies are identified with the bandana tied around their head.

During the game, humans and zombies can find game admins wearing blue bandanas.

Students wearing red bandanas are the game’s moderators to keep the game fair and safe.

Helpers can be found wearing green bandanas.

All players start out as humans with the exception of one player who starts as the “original zombie.” The original zombie’s identity is unknown and is not required to wear a bandana for the first 24 hours of the game. This allows the original zombie to tag humans, which then turns them into zombies.

Humans can use Nerf blasters and arm themselves with clean balled-up socks to hold off the zombies. If a zombie is hit by one of the projectiles, they are stunned for 15 minutes. For those 15 minutes, the zombie has to take off their bandana and cannot attack any of the humans. If a zombie tags a human, they become a member of the walking dead.

“We use a lot of common sense,” said head oUTbreak coordinator Shane Winters. “We want people to have fun, but we want people to be safe while they’re doing it.”

As the game heightens, the storyline created by Winters and his daughter Tayler Winters deepens and mini missions arise.

“It’s a great social experience and you get to meet so many people and make tons of friends.”

TAYLER WINTERS Ad-Hoc president and oUTbreak organizer

2 | The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, October 9, 2013

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Homecoming coronation

NICOLE BADIK / IC

Homecoming queen Melanie Muñoz watches as Jangus Whitner crowns Gavin Dailey homecoming king. The coronation took place during halftime of the football game in the Glass Bowl on Oct. 5. Look for more homecoming week pictures on the Independent Collegian’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ICollegian.

This week in UT history 35 years ago: ”It can be a lonely and scary thing coming out.” This quote was from a University of Toledo professor discussing the challenges of a homosexual admitting to himself and the world that he is gay. The professor was one of 20 persons who attended a planning session for the forming of a UT gay organization Thursday night.

50 years ago: The new Snyder Memorial Building, which will house the College of Education, various educational teaching and testing facilities, two seminar rooms, the university bookstore, graduate division and a computer center, will be open for occupancy by the spring semester. It is the first building on campus to be completely air conditioned.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

How has the government shutdown affected you?

STUDENT GROUP OF THE WEEK

Blue Key National Honor Society

“It doesn’t affect me directly, at least not yet. It’s definitely entertainment though.”

Erika Frank

First-year Criminal justice

Purpose: Blue Key exists on campus to uphold the

traditions of the university. As 13 of the top leaders on campus, we are to serve as mentors to the rest of the university community.

Leaders: President: Andrew O’Donnel, vice president: Eric Croak, treasurer: Carter Bayer, secretary: Chelsea Rosfeld Upcoming events: Songfest on March 29 Learn more: To learn more email Andrew O’Donnel at andrew.odonnel2@rockets.utoledo.edu

“Some of the health care might affect me.”

Tiffany Pitts

Fourth-year Marketing, information systems and organizational leadership and management

Would your group like to be featured as the IC’s Student Group of the Week? Email Morgan Rinckey at mrinckey@independentcollegian.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 Danielle Gamble

Business Manager Jennah Romansky

News Samantha Rhodes, editor Samuel Derkin, assoc. editor

Advertising Scott Bridell, manager Vamshi Anupindi, Xochitl Guel and Lucas Wall, account executives Haley Musser, graphic designer

Sports Jay Skebba, editor Blake Bacho, assoc. editor Community Amanda Eggert, editor Veralucia Mendoza, assoc. editor Opinion Morgan Rinckey, editor Photography Jackie Kellett, director Nicole Badik, assoc. director Copy desk Lauren Gilbert, copy editor

“It affects me because this is the kind of event that should affect people’s voting decisions.”

Allison Griffiths

Third-year Civil engineering

Distribution Jennah Romansky, manager Ryan Wiant, team leader Operations Michael Gonyea, manager COLLEGIAN MEDIA FOUNDATION Adviser Erik Gable The Independent Collegian is published by the Collegian Media Foundation, a private, not-forprofit corporation. © 2013

“I really have no opinion about it. I really don’t watch the news, and my parents still support me.”

Danielle Sturwole

Third-year Chemistry and chemical engineering

NEWS Follow us onTwitter @TheICToledo

IN BRIEF

UPTD seeks 2 in connection with thefts

The UT Police Department is attempting to locate two people who may have information about thefts from locker rooms at the Student Recreation Center on the Main Campus and at the YMCA on the Health CHRISTOPHER LOONEY Science Campus.

The thefts occurred over the past couple of weeks in the men’s locker ANTONIO L. rooms RUSSELL where locked lockers were entered and wallets, IDs, credit cards and cash were taken.

Police are seeking Christopher Looney, 19, of Toledo, described as 6 feet 6 inches tall and 205 pounds and Antonio L. Russell,19, of Toledo, described as 5 feet 7 inches tall and 170 pounds.

If you see or have any information related to these individuals, please contact UTPD at 419-5302600.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013 | The Independent Collegian |

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FACULTY SENATE

$13M for renovations sparks faculty questions

By Lindsay Mahaney Staff Reporter

After the Board of Trustees approved over $13 million to renovate campus amenities, University of Toledo Faculty Senate members discussed the relevancy of the decision at an October 8 meeting.

Mary Humphrys, executive senate committee member, said the UT Board of Trustees Finance and Audit committee approved $13.2 million of capital spending from the university reserve to remodel the Kobacker Center, establish radio surgery — surgery without the use of knives — at the hospital, remodeling Scott and Tucker halls for honors college housing, upgrading the emergency generators in the hospital, upgrading the boilers in Savage Arena and Memorial Field House and renovate the east ramp parking deck.

Also included in the budget are funds to demolish Carter Hall, though Humphrys said that the details surrounding that decision are yet to be determined.

When senators questioned what would happen to the area where Carter Hall is currently located, Humphrys said there are plans to turn the space into additional baseball and soccer fields for students.

Humphrys also said the finance and audit committee discussed a

third party potentially putting in apartments at the former Dowd Nash White residence hall location.

“Currently UT has available on campus 3,592 beds for student housing, and this semester we’re at 81 percent capacity.” Humphrys said.

Student housing became the focus of the conversation as senate members questioned the need for additional on-campus residencies.

“Our capacity is only 81 percent this semester; why are we building more dorms?” asked senate member Sara Lundquist, chair of the English department. “Why does honors need more dorms?”

Humphrys said that she believed it was the plan to create an “honors village” in the area around MacKinnon Hall.

Senate member Scott Molitor, an associate bio-engineering professor, asked why the university was bringing more student-housing competition on campus if residence halls are under-occupied.

Lynne Hammer, an education professor and senate member, said she disagreed with the possibility of the university allowing a for-profit company to build student housing on campus.

“I think we need to start taking a stand in saying that as a university we are not in the services of providing a

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

UT College Democrats host event to meet local candidates

By Alexandria Saba Staff Reporter

Students can meet several local political candidates on Oct. 11 as the University of Toledo’s College Democrats host Meet the Candidates on Friday at 6 p.m. in the Student Union auditorium.

The event will be open to all UT students and the community, and is meant to serve as a chance to meet and learn more about some of the candidates running in this year’s local election.

KAITLYN FILZER According President of UT to Kaitlyn College Democrats Filzer, president of UT College Democrats, the candidates will give short speeches and then there will be a meet and greet session, where students can ask the candidates questions and get to know them better.

Benjamin Lynn, vice president of College Democrats, said in an email interview that the group invited every local democratic elected official, as well as may-

oral candidates Mike Bell and D. Michael Collins, both of whom identify as independents.

Filzer said she is very excited for the event.

“Being a political science student and the president of the College Democrats, I still don’t know everything there is to know about each of these candidates, and I think we can always learn more and be more informed,” Filzer said.

“I encourage UT students to attend and find out more about each of them.”

Lynn also believes that learning more about each of the candidates is an important step in the voting process.

“The event is important because it gives the voters the opportunity to learn more about the candidates and therefore make a better informed decision come election time,” Lynn said.

Filzer said the objective of the UT College Democrats is to raise political awareness on campus and advance liberal ideals.

“We traditionally have helped out with campaigns, we discuss political happenings, and look for other ways to get involved in the political arena,” said Filzer.

Austin Serna, the UT College Democrats membership director

“UT students should attend the event because, if elected, these candidates will have the power to make major decisions in the Toledo area.”

NICOLE BADIK / IC

Linda Rouillard, faculty senate president, discusses the Board of Trustees’ decision to approve over $13 million to renovate campus amenities.

profit for other companies while we are languished in our own budget,” she said.

Humphrys explained the new housing would still be under the rules of UT; just the “day-to-day tasks” would be overseen by the third-party company.

“Provost Scarborough made a point of saying that this will decrease the risk for the university,” said Mike Dowd, senate and executive committee member.

“All the rules and regulations that are in place in the dorms, on campus, will be in place in this new housing,” Dowd said.

Dowd suggested inviting Scarborough to a senate meeting to give a presentation about the plans.

In other news: • Faculty Senate has been charged by the provost to assess general education courses this fall semester and decide if they satisfy state requirements.

• The Senate discussed UT’s potential plan to revive and add new associate degrees. The senate will research how many students are currently in the degree programs to determine if it would be beneficial to make changes to the degrees and give their recommendations.

Silent Witness Project

KAITLYN FILZER UT College Democrats, President

and creator of the event, said in a phone interview that the event is meant to “boost our attendance rate“ and to “get UT students and the community more involved .”

Lynn feels that students should attend because it is important for young adults to have an understanding of how America’s democracy functions.

Filzer agreed and said that students should want to learn more about the candidates who could, in turn, make decisions that would affect students if they were elected.

“UT students should attend the event because, if elected, these candidates will have the power to make major decisions in the Toledo area,” Filzer said. “Especially students that are local voters should know what these candidates stand for so that they can make informed decisions in voting.”

NICOLE BADIK / IC

The University of Toledo community honored and remembered those affected by domestic violence on Oct. 8 in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The Silent Witness Project used life-sized silhouettes as solemn displays to commemorate victims of abuse on Oct. 8 on the steps outside of the Student Union. The silhouette displays, each with its own brief description, served as memorials to girls and women whose lives were ended abruptly and violently at the hands of a husband, ex-husband, partner or stalker.

A Survivor Vigil concluded the day’s events at 6 p.m. to honor survivors and remember those who have lost their lives to domestic violence.

The Domestic Violence Awareness Month events are coordinated by the UT Sexual Assault Education and Prevention Program.

4

| The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, October 9, 2013

SPORTS Follow us on Twitter @IC_Sports

IN BRIEF

Toledo-Navy kickoff moved, to be televised nationally

UT’s football game with Navy Saturday, Oct. 19, is now scheduled to begin at noon instead of 7 p.m.

The game will also be shown nationally on ESPNews.

Two captains named for women’s basketball Head women’s basketball coach Tricia Cullop announced Tuesday that senior guard Andola Dortch and junior forward Inma Zanoguera will be UT’s co-captains for the 2013-14 season.

Selections were made based on a vote by the players.

Dortch averaged 10.7 points and 3.5 assists per game a year ago. Zanoguera averaged 10.2 points and 5.6 rebounds.

Women take home 12th at XC meet The University of Toledo women’s cross country team finished in 12th place at the Paul Short Run on Saturday, Oct. 5, a race featuring five nationally ranked teams. UT lost two of its runners to heat exhaustion during the race, but managed to finish strong.

Junior Brooke Tullis finished 49th overall with a time of 21:25 in the 6K race, setting the pace for the rest of the Rockets.

Juniors Megan Wright, Megan Gaysunas and Liz Weiler also finished within the top 100, finishing 76th, 80th, and 86th respectively.

“The women’s race was really tough for us,” head coach Linh Nguyen said in a UT statement.

“We had to make a last minute decision to sit MacKenzie (Chojnacky) because of sickness and then we lost both Priscilla (Timmons) and Sharon (Morgan) during the race to heat exhaustion.

I’m proud of the women and the way they fought and executed the race plan. Brooke and Megan (Wright) stepped up and helped lead the team when we needed it.”

Kerin named semifinalist for Campbell trophy Senior Zac Kerin has been named a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation’s Campbell Trophy, awarded annually to the nation’s top scholar-athlete.

Kerin, a 6-5, 300-pound center, carries a 3.6 grade-point average in civil engineering. He is a two-time AllMAC player who earned Academic All-MAC and Academic All-District honors in 2012.

Candidates for the Campbell Trophy must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.

Volleyball team in action against IPFW Tuesday night Looking for the result of Tuesday’s volleyball match at IPFW? Visit @IC_Sports on Twitter for the final score.

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ADMINISTRATION

O’Brien signs extension through 2021 UT’s athletic director has overseen success on and off the field

By Jay Skebba Sports Editor

Mike O’Brien has sat in the University of Toledo’s athletic director chair since 2002 and recently inked a contract extension to remain there a while longer, UT announced Wednesday, Oct. 2.

The 60-year old, who began his twelfth year at Toledo this fall, is now signed through July 2021.

“I would like to thank [President] Lloyd Jacobs and the Board of Trustees for the support they have shown not only to me, but to the entire athletics program during my tenure,” O’Brien said in a press release. “I have had the good fortune to be surrounded by incredible student-athletes, coaches and staff who are committed to helping make the University of Toledo such a vital part of our community.”

During his tenure, several athletic programs have had high levels of success.

The football team has appeared in six bowl games, winning the GMAC bowl in the 2005 season and the Military Bowl in 2011. O’Brien hired Tim Beckman as head coach in 2009, now coaching at Illinois in the same capacity.

O’Brien has scheduled non-conference football games with powers such as Boise State, Cincinnati, Florida, Miami (FL) and Ohio State, among others.

The men’s basketball team has competed in two National Invitational Tournaments and tied for first in the MAC West last season. On the women’s side, the Rockets have advanced to five WNITs and won the tournament in 2011.

See O’Brien / 5 »

IC FILE PHOTO

Toledo AD Mike O’Brien (left) presents head football coach Matt Campbell with a football commemorating his first Rocket victory. Campbell is one of several successful coaches O’Brien has hired in his 12-year tenure.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Transfers Weatherspoon and Drummond ready to make an impact for the Rockets

By Blake Bacho

Associate Sports Editor

As the University of Toledo men’s basketball team readies itself for a new season, junior guard Justin Drummond and junior forward J.D. Weatherspoon admit the offseason has been a very long one.

Both players are transfer students who were forced to redshirt last season due to NCAA regulations. Neither has played in a game as a Rocket — a fact you definitely don’t need to remind them about.

“It most definitely is a hard experience just knowing that you [can’t] help your team out and win games,” Weatherspoon said. “Me and Drummond were able to practice but at the same time we weren’t able to be in the game and that was frustrating for both of us. We knew we just had to wait our turn and work on our weaknesses for next year.”

The redshirt process is one most fans of college sports have heard of, but that few fully grasp. For the players who participate, it means a second chance to play the sports they love — but the price is a year of their eligibility.

“You are used to playing,” Drummond explained. “You play two years and then you don’t play for a year and that year seems like forever, because you’re always used to playing. I didn’t really look at

NICOLE BADIK / IC

Junior guard J.D. Weatherspoon (left) and junior forward Justin Drummond (right) will finally get to play for the Rockets this season after sitting out 2012-13 after transferring from other Division-I schools. The two actually played against each other in the 2011 NCAA Tournament with their former teams.

the negatives, I just focused on the positives — coming here and getting better and not trying to waste any days.

“A lot of guys don’t get the opportunity to get better and keep their eligibility, so it was definitely a blessing in disguise for me and I took total advantage of it and have

gotten better.”

With a quick glance at each of these players’ past college ball experiences, it’s easy to find yourself wondering how they ended up in Toledo.

Weatherspoon, a native of Columbus, Ohio, spent two years at Ohio State, playing in 25 games during his sopho-

more year and helping the Buckeyes make it to the Final Four.

“It was a bigger environment of course, coming from Ohio State,” Weatherspoon said. “But at the same time it is still great support here and great people and that is what it is all about.”

Drummond also played two years at his former college, Loyola (MD), before coming to Toledo. During his second season he was named the MAAC Sixth Player of the Year, and he and the Greyhounds won the MAAC Championship.

“I just wanted a new feel,” See Transfers / 5 »

SOCCER

Toledo falls to Buffalo, rallies to beat Akron

By Marcus Dodson Sports Reporter

Detmer wins player of the week award For the third time this season, junior kicker Jeremiah Detmer has been named MAC West special teams player of the week. He made two field goals against Western Michigan and seven of his nine kickoffs were touchbacks.

JACKIE KELLETT / IC

Senior Rachel MacLeod chases after a loose ball against Buffalo Friday, Oct. 4, at Scott Park. MacLeod scored her MAC-leading ninth goal two days later against Akron.

The University of Toledo women’s soccer team grasped their first Mid-American Conference win of the season against Akron on Sunday after falling short to Buffalo on Friday.

The Rockets defeated the Zips 1-0 at a rainy and muddy Scott Park field on Sunday.

Senior tri-captain Rachel MacLeod blasted home the only goal of the day for either side.

MacLeod received a pass from teammate Emily Tustin along the right side of the field and in a flash found herself at the top of the Zips’ penalty box. She then fought off a couple UA defenders before firing a low hard shot from roughly 18 yards out that glanced off the far post and rolled into the back of the net in the 70th minute.

“She has tremendous natural ability and pace; she has gotten stronger mentally and she thinks the game faster which allows her to be so successful in what she does,” said head coach Brad Evans.

Macleod has been a scoring machine since her freshman year at UT and is in the top five for most goals scored in a career. With the goal on Sunday, she now leads the MAC with nine goals on this season, putting her in a tie for 29th in the country.

Sophomore goalie Sam Tiongson was able to keep the scoring at 1-0 with five saves from between the pipes.

Tiongson also earned her second shutout of the season.

The previous one came against Youngstown State in the third game of the season.

“Since her freshmen year, Sam has become a better shot blocker and her reaction time has improved,” Evans said.

“She needs to keep developing on becoming more consistent. That’s the main focus area for her.”

The Rockets’ defense, which has been somewhat of a problem this year, gave up eight shots and conceded only one corner kick. They improved to 4-8 (1-3 MAC) on the season.

Toledo suffered their third straight conference loss and fourth straight loss on Friday against Buffalo (4-4-2, 1-2).

The Bulls snapped a previous eight-game losing streak against the Rockets.

UB jumped out to an early lead with a goal coming in the 15th minute from Megan Giesen, her first goal of the season. The midfielder fired a left-footed shot just outside the reach of Tiongson. Buffalo wasted little time, getting another goal in the 22nd See Rallies / 5 »

Wednesday, October 9, 2013 | The Independent Collegian |

O’Brien

VOLLEYBALL

UT tops Ball State, Akron

By Austin Henry Sports Reporter

The University of Toledo Rockets improved to a 9-8 overall record this weekend with victories over MAC West Division leader Ball State (29-27, 25-21, 20-25, 25-19) and Akron (25-20, 25-17, 25-20).

Toledo managed to snap the cardinals 11 game win streak, and senior Lauren Rafdal managed a careerhigh 28 kills — only two kills shy of the UT record.

Senior middle blocker Dakota Harkins and senior outside hitter Jordan Kielty each recorded double-digit kills. Senior setter Adria Pryor led the Rockets’ offense with 55 assists and a career-high seven blocks.

UT came back from a 10-7 deficit in the opening set, taking a 20-16 lead.

Toledo eventually extended their lead to 23-19, only to let the Cardinals even the match at 24 all. Kills from Pryor and Kielty ended the match in the Rockets’ favor.

Toledo carried their momentum into the second set, only for BSU to rally and even the score at 17. The Cardinals took their first lead of the set at 19-18 following a Toledo attack error,

Rallies from page 4

minute. Karen McMahon found herself unmarked from 30 yards out and placed a shot over Tiongson’s head that landed just underneath the post in the back of the net.

That was the 15th first half goal the Rockets have surrendered this season.

“It begins with coaching and us making sure we are prepared effectively to start a game and try and put the players in a position to be successful,” Evans said.

However, after intermission UT gained control of the game but failed on multiple opportunities. The majority

but UT quickly regained control with three straight points. Rafdal finished the set with two kills.

The Rockets started off great in the third set, taking a 5-3 lead before the Cardinals scored five straight points to take it back. Ball State continued to score, managing an eight-point cushion before UT cut the difference to 21-17.

Unfortunately for Toledo, it wasn’t enough. BSU was able to hold on and win the set.

In the fourth set, UT never trailed after a 7-3 margin.

The Rockets extended their lead to 23-15 and Rafdal ended the set with a kill.

“We played our game the whole time; energy was great, and we had a calmness about us which is a little weird for us,” Rafdal said. “We watched film on them all week so we knew what to expect. They don’t have many weak areas.”

The Rockets carried their first impressive performance of the weekend into Saturday’s match against the Akron Zips with a 3-0 sweep (25-20, 2517, 25-20) at Savage Arena.

Rafdal set the pace for UT with a career-best performance for a second-straight match, tallying up a .500 attack percentage, 17 kills

and only one attack error out of 32 attempts. Frazer (.714, 5-0-7) and Harkins (.467, 7-0-15) also aided in the victory as the Rockets racked up a season-best .299 hitting mark.

Toledo’s Ellen Hays led the defense with 14 digs with some assistance from Frazer who had a team-high three blocks at the net.

The final set stayed close until UT scored six unanswered points to take a 24-19 lead, preventing the possibility of an Akron comeback.

“They were such a disciplined team, and we had to wait our turn and wait to execute,” head coach Greg Smith said after the game.

“The girls did a great job carrying out the game plan, so kudos to them. Our main focus was just getting a better court chemistry, and get our rhythm going in our offense and defense.”

This weekend’s performance landed Rafdal the MAC West Division Offensive player of the week award.

The Rockets’ next home match is on Friday Oct. 11th at 7 p.m. in Savage Arena, where they will face MAC opponent Northern Illinois.

of their chances came off of corner kicks — they attempted 11 in the game.

“The timing of runs and the ability to attack in the air are key on corners, and Buffalo had a couple girls who were really good when it came to defending those,” Evans said.

In the 68th minute after Toledo had a good scoring opportunity, the Bulls countered with great defense that led to another score. Thanks to a funny bounce that saw the ball go over Tiongson’s head, the ball rolled into the back of the net to give Buffalo a 3-0 cushion.

Toledo refused to be shut out and found a way to cash in on a late penalty kick from

Junior Meghan Topolewski in the 87th minute.

UT’s next four games are on the road, which may not be the worst thing for Evans’ team at this point in the year.

“There’s advantages to being out of town,” he said.

“They are a good group to be around, with great energy. And it is always magnified when you are on the road and teams become closer when you have weekend trips to different schools.”

The Rockets will take on the Central Michigan Chippewas on Friday, Oct. 11, and then travel down I-75 south to take on rival Bowling Green on Sunday, Oct. 13.

from page 4

UT has captured 25 league titles in eight different sports during O’Brien’s time as AD. He’s hired the likes of Tod Kowalczyk (men’s basketball) and Tricia Cullop (women’s basketball), who have both excelled and improved the state of their respective programs.

“With all Mike has accomplished, I am so impressed by his drive and desire to continue to excel and to inspire those around him to greater effort and achievement,” Jacobs said in a press release. “The University of Toledo and the Mid-American Conference are the beneficiaries.”

Athletes have also had success away from competition.

Toledo won the 2011-2012 Cartwright Award, given annually to the athletic program with the highest degree of excellence in academics, athletics and

Transfers from page 4

Drummond said. “Toledo showed me a lot of love. This arena here and these facilities here and the support they had here is something that I didn’t know mid-major schools had, so when I came here it was like a perfect environment.”

Like Weatherspoon at OSU, Drummond and the Greyhounds also went to the NCAA tournament during his sophomore season.

It was actually Weatherspoon’s Buckeyes who cut their trip short, defeating Loyola 78-59 in the first round.

“We played them and unfortunately they won because they had [Jared] Sullinger and we couldn’t stop him,” Drummond said. “But yeah, me and J.D. played each other. I didn’t know he was going to try to come here at first but I saw him and shook hands and when I found out he was going to come here we clicked really quick.”

Both players also clicked quickly with the rest of the men on the roster, something that head coach Tod Kowalczyk attributes to their overall

5

citizenship in the conference.

Over the past nine semesters, UT student-athletes have had an overall grade-point average above 3.1 and won the MAC’s Institutional Academic Achievement Award in 2011-12 and 2012-13, given to the school with the highest GPA among athletes.

“Throughout his tenure, O’Brien has elevated the Toledo Rockets onto the national stage, while prioritizing the ‘student’ in our student-athletes,” Jacobs said.

“Guided by his leadership, our student-athletes have achieved unprecedented athletic and academic excellence.

Our community can be very proud of its athletics program under Mike’s leadership.”

O’Brien has also spearheaded several efforts to improve the school’s athletic facilities.

In 2010, UT unveiled the brand new Fetterman Training Center next to Savage

Arena, a project with a price tag of about $9 million. The facility houses a 100-yard practice field for several sports, a regulation size basketball/volleyball court and other amenities.

Savage Arena received significant upgrades in 2008 to the tune of $30 million. A brand new basketball court was put in along with new suites, club seats and scoreboard, among other improvements.

Renovation is set to begin this winter on Larimer Athletic Complex, UT’s football facility.

“While we recognize there is still much work to be done in the growth of our program, we can be very proud of what we have achieved over the last decade, athletically, in the classroom and in the community,” O’Brien said. “I look forward to leading the Rockets as we strive to reach new heights in the future.”

personalities.

“I wanted guys that are going to add value to our chemistry, add value to our basketball culture,” he said.

“They are both very likeable guys, great locker room guys.

I am just very proud of how far both guys have come.

“We do our homework.

We make sure that they are our kind of guys, our kind of students and people that will represent our institution the right way.”

Each athlete brings different things to the table for Toledo. Weatherspoon, at 6-6, 215 pounds, is expected to be an impressive rebounding presence for the Rockets, while Drummond, 6-4, 187, is an all-around scorer.

Due to the two players’ previous experiences on the court, as well as Toledo’s offseason trip to Greece for a series of exhibition games, Drummond and Weatherspoon have acquired a fresh perspective on their own abilities, as well as those of each other.

“Drummond brings another offensive threat,” Weatherspoon explained. “He can shoot that midrange real good and he is working on his

three ball as well. Drummond can also drive and penetrate real well. His only weakness is post passing, but me being a good post passer I can help him out. Other than that, he is coming along real well.”

It is Weatherspoon’s athleticism that Drummond sees as the true threat to be utilized by the Rockets.

“J.D. is a freak athlete,” he explained. “He has God’s gift as far as athleticism. J.D. is a hell of a player, great inside game; he is very bouncy and he is an athletic freak. We think he is going to be a great asset.”

The Rockets and Kowalczyk hope to utilize both players’ skills this upcoming season, as they attempt to make a run at the Mid-American Conference Championship. And while the redshirt year was a long one for both Drummond and Weatherspoon, their new coach sees the period as time well spent.

“When you redshirt someone after they have played college ball, I think it is even more beneficial because they have been through it,” Kowalczyk said. “They’ve been through a season; they know what it takes and how hard you need to play.”

6

| The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, October 9, 2013

OPINION

Like us at Facebook.com/ICollegian

Follow us on Twitter @TheICToledo

www.IndependentCollegian.com

EDITORIAL BOARD

Danielle Gamble Editor-in-Chief

Morgan Rinckey Opinion Editor

Samantha Rhodes News Editor

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.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Why we ran the ‘yoga pants’ piece

“I don’t have a weird-shaped butt.”

That was my loudest thought last week the first time I read through Jackie Kellett’s column titled, “Yoga pants: I don’t care how comfy they are, just don’t.” It was Oct. 1 at around 5 p.m. in The Independent Collegian office as our editorial staff bustled about, trying to get the paper to bed.

It wasn’t the type of piece I’d expected to see cross my desk that night — a biting, smug satire indicting women across campus for wearing one of our generation’s trendiest clothing items. My mind immediately split in two: one side demanded the article be yanked for its sheer controversy; the other side yowled at the idea of silencing a student’s right to free speech.

But after a few more read-throughs and a couple of word changes, I pushed the controversy out of my mind. “It’s just a satire,” I thought. “This is too obvious, too crass to not be taken any other way.”

I made a mistake.

And, in light of Jackie’s words and the public’s indignation, I’d like an opportuniEDITOR-IN-CHIEF ty to clear the proverbial air.

First, please know the column was meant to be satirical, and to be more specific, hugely exaggerated. Satire is supposed to be a tool that hides social commentary in humor and hyperbole. And though you could make a case that Jackie’s column was more blunt than witty, it was meant to induce chuckles — not resentment or anger.

That being said, I don’t mean to make excuses for the effect of the column. To those who were truly offended, we at the IC sincerely apologize. Our content is meant to stimulate healthy dialogue, not provoke or insult for provocation’s sake.

Now, if I were you, I’d probably be a little skeptical. “Sure you weren’t just looking for a reaction. That’s why you had a column encouraging thong-wearing and ridiculing muffin tops.”

Well, straw man, to that I would say, “Yes, I personally like to read edgy and satirical material, especially in our newspaper. That’s because I love the idea of college media — you get to inspire discussion about topics that you can’t touch in high school and might be nervous to publish in a professional setting. We are a literary laboratory.”

But putting that debate aside, there is a problem that I’ve yet to address, and the true reason behind the writing of this column. We did not follow through with part of our organization’s mission statement — the part where our staff holds ourselves to “high standards of honesty, reliability, accuracy and transparency, even if the results are unpopular or inconvenient.”

What should have happened that night was a conversation between the editorial management staff. We should have turned our chairs around, read the column out loud to the group and discussed the merit of the piece. Yes, it would have been inconvenient because breaking pace, even for 10 minutes, is difficult to recover from on deadline night. But that shouldn’t have mattered, and I shouldn’t have let the rush of the night stop the appropriate process from happening.

In a retrospective conversation the following Friday, our editors finally held the debate we should have had Tuesday. We had a very honest and thorough discussion; some of the editors were very disappointed in the article’s content, while others thoroughly enjoyed it. At the end of the talk, we came to a consensus that even though we probably would have still run the column, we would have been more scrupulous about editing, and would have better labeled the work as a satire.

Of course, hindsight is 20/20, and talking about what should have happened doesn’t change the reality. But I do want to reassure our audience that we don’t create the paper in a vacuum. We heard your feedback, we recognize and acknowledge our missteps, and we will do better.

As always, feel free to email me at editor@independentcollegian.com, or call the office at 419-530-7788. Or, if you prefer to chat face-to-face or want to meet the staff, remember that the door to Suite 1057 in Carlson Library is always open.

Danielle Gamble is a fifth-year double majoring in communication and music, and the editor-in-chief of The Independent Collegian.

DANIELLE GAMBLE

COMMENTARY

An STD test is one you want to fail It’s the morning after you went to the Sound disgusting? It is! club and you wake up next to the guy STDs are not what they used to be. from the bar who bought you those five It’s more common to hear someone has shots of Patron. You can’t herpes or gonorrhea than remember his name. You chlamydia on the Univerglance over at your clothes sity of Toledo’s campus. on the floor then over at Students have become his naked body curled comfortable with feeling up on the other end of like having an STD is the bed. The only things normal, maybe because running through your the STD rate between mind are, “What if he the ages of 14-24 conhas an STD,” or “Did he tinues to rise in Ohio. In use a condom?” Yet, it’s Toledo, it might be from too late to wonder. the lack of common sense I read in an article once the youth seem to use. that said, “Always make It’s like STDs are nothsexual decisions on a ing more than a rumor IC COLUMNIST sober mind and after a lot used to embarrass and of thought.” But let’s be humiliate someone on real — in college, you’ll make drunken social networks or behind their backs. It’s decisions. And what’s even more real are all fun and games — until you’re the one the consequences that follow. sitting in the doctor’s office after being Sex seems like a topic nobody wants diagnosed with an incurable disease. to talk about, but everybody wants to be You think you’re so invincible, that it involved in; how often do you think the can’t happen to you. You thought wrong. person you’ve slept with or are sleepUT’s campus is only so big; the person ing with uses protection? Whether you you may be having sex with could also believe it or not, most students don’t use be having sex with the person sitting two condoms, and more importantly they seats behind you in English class. They don’t think about the risks they are taking. might have a disease they got from a one In the heat of the moment, releasing that night stand four months ago, but don’t built-up stress from midterms seems most know they have it. Being naïve about the important, and those red bumps hiding in health risk of your personal decisions certain places go unnoticed. seems to be a trend these days. Students

PARIS BLACK

are highly unaware of what diseases really linger around campus.

What happens behind closed doors will not always stay there. You may think the guy you’ve been talking to for a few months is so great, and you have sex with him. Then things don’t work out and months later he’s telling people you gave him a disease, when in actuality he gave it to you.

If abstinence is not your thing, that’s fine. The next best thing is to protect yourself and people you have sex with by using a condom. They’re everywhere.

If you can’t afford them, the University of Toledo Medical Center has them for free.

And don’t think the question, “Do you have a sexually transmitted disease?” is the answer to your problems.

Sometimes people don’t know they have one. Or, they could easily lie.

Trust appears to be the furthest option to use when it comes down to protecting yourself on campus. And if you ever need to ask yourself that question, UT has many options for testing and contraceptives that impact students’ decisions to have sex. How often do you use personal time to get tested for STDs or HIV? My opinion may not matter to you, but the opinion of a doctor might. Get tested!

Paris Black is a fourth-year majoring in English.

COMMENTARY

The shutdown and UT students

How can the government shut down? one more year. The Senate didn’t agree It’s the government. It ran through the with this, and the House wouldn’t pass the American Civil War when the country resolution without it. was separated geographiBoom — government cally and politically. Again, shutdown. the county is separated by Every time I talk to politics and no one wants someone about the to compromise. And, as shutdown, they are college students, I don’t sure that it will end think we realize the efsoon. It hopefully will fect it has on us. because even ConFrom what I’ve gress doesn’t want the learned from the news country to be vulnerand the Vlogbrothers on able and divided. But Youtube, the shutdown was how long will it take for caused by the Demothis to be solved? crats and Republicans in The longer it takes, Congress not being able to more lives will be affectagree on The Affordable ed. My life hasn’t changed Care Act (aka Obamacare). yet, but it will if Congress OPINION EDITOR Republicans are not findoesn’t pull itself together. ished trying to stop this from happening.

I receive the Pell Grant, which is governSen. Ted Cruz actually read ‘Green Eggs ment-funded. On the FASFA website they and Ham’ as he denounced the ACA dursay there will be, “limited impact to the ing his 21-hour filibuster. federal student aid application (FAFSA) But the shutdown didn’t start until the process, to the delivery of federal student budget had to be finalized. The budget aid, or to the federal student loan repayhadn’t been agreed upon, so a continuing ment functions.” This is awesome because resolution that would maintain the old I was freaking out about possibly not budget for a few more weeks was supbeing able to pay for college. posed to be passed. However, the House But then I did more research and I of Representatives added a clause to their freaked myself out again. According to resolution holding off on the ACA for Forbes magazine, if the shutdown contin-

MORGAN RINCKEY

ues for months, students will feel it in the total amount of their financial aid.

Then in last week’s “President’s Message,” Diane Miller, the University of Toledo’s associate vice president of federal relations, said that financial aid will be provided for this semester because the contracts were finalized over a year ago. But she agrees that next semester is still questionable.

Well, now I’m scared again. I don’t want to take out loans to pay for college.

I won’t be the only one with fewer grants if the shutdown continues; universities won’t get as many grants either. Research grants that haven’t been finalized won’t go into effect.

I’m nervous for myself as well as the country. More and more people are being furloughed and not getting paid. Many resources like the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, which helps mothers buy healthy foods, are not being funded.

I don’t have the solution, but I hope Congress can turn the government shutdown around. The shutdown affects everyone, and it needs to stop while the damage can still be undone.

Morgan Rinckey is a first-year double majoring in English and communication, and is the Opinion editor of The Independent Collegian.

COMMENTARY

Striding through the semester with fall festivities remaining semester, and make it fly Well guys, we’ve made it halfway by. Not only do we have these breaks, through the semester. We are in but we have some fun week eight, which events coming up too. means the peak of First and foremost fall weather, football in my brain is Relay and classes There is a for Life. It is super lot going on for the exciting — one of rest of the semester, my favorite events although maybe not of the fall semester. as high-strung as This year, it is Dec. the first half.

6-7, which is the first Now that we are on weekend in December. the flip side of the seI highly recommend mester, it’s all smooth sailing from here. We that all of you particihave a quick jaunt pate in it. I know that I until Veteran’s Day, love participating. where we have one day Then, we have the off; and then Thanksrest of the football IC COLUMNIST giving Break, for three games too. Those days off. These breaks will chop up the are always a blast. Our next one is

MICHAEL BAKER

home against Navy, our last nonconference game.

We also have fall colors, sweaters and sweatshirts, jeans and walks in the park to look forward to. They’re all great parts of fall that September didn’t offer us with the unseasonably warm weather. Before the month of October is over, make sure you hit up a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, an apple orchard or a hayride. You can’t miss these quintessential fall activities. Places like Fleitz Farm, the Butterfly House and MacQueens Apple Orchard and Cider Mill are all great places to go.

It’s perfect for dates with that special someone, or for group fun.

Homecoming just finished, and I have a few shout-outs to give.

First, a round of applause for the Homecoming Commission: Jenni-

fer Solanics, the 2013 Homecoming Commissioner, did a fantastic job of making the 90th homecoming anniversary memorable. For those of you who missed it, there was a zip line. Yes, you read that right: people and mascots were flying over Centennial Mall. Not only that, but Jennifer cultivated a great group of people that worked around her: Clarie Barbao, Lindsey Hahn, Mikaela Kucera, Shane Burgess, myself and the others that I didn’t mention. You all did a great job; we made it to the end.

Also getting a shout out is Brittany Graham, who shepherded us through everything. She wore many hats, and all very well. For us, she was the Office of Student Involvement Director.

Finally, Dr. Sammy Spann, assistant provost, who was our friend and

mentor through the entire process.

Everyone already knew he was awesome, but these two weeks really cemented the fact. Blue Key also did a great job with the parade, so kudos to them as well. So I hope you all enjoyed homecoming, and look forward to Homecoming 2014.

Clearly, the Rocket community has been rocking it up to this point, but we are only halfway through. Don’t think that we get to slack just because we are over the hill. Classes and the activities planned by student organizations are still in full swing. Visit capitalonebowl. com to vote for Rocky and push the University of Toledo to the top. We can do this! I want to wish everyone a great week.

Michael Baker is a fourth-year majoring in biology.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013 | The Independent Collegian |

PUZZLES

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To place a classified ad, go to independentcollegian.com and click on the “Classifieds” tab.

You can also call 419-530-7788 or email classifieds@independentcollegian.com. Ads must be received by 5 p.m. Monday. Please read your ad on the first day of publication and call immediately if there are any errors; we accept responsibility only for the first day of publication.

All classified ads must be prepaid with a check or credit card.

THEME: NURSERY RHYMES

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35. Aphrodite’s son 37. Email folder 39. “Fear of Flying” author, ____ Jong 40. Swing seat?

41. Levy of 1/10th of something 43. Bypass 44. Painter’s helper 46. Mystery writer, ____ Paretsky 47. Ready to serve 48. Relating to nose 50. Gang’s domain 52. “Dear” one 53. *”A ____ Old Owl” 55. Tennis shot 57. *Muffet’s seat 60. Reflexive me 63. Pilaff, to some 64. Gold of “Entourage” 66. Queen’s headdress 68. Declare invalid 69. H+, e.g.

70. Leaf-eating moth 71. Stop depending on 72. Food coloring, e.g.

73. Set to zero DOWN 1. Elmer to Bugs 2. “Terrible” czar 3. Reality TV star Spelling 4. Walk clumsily 5. Middle-earth dweller 6. *Nursery rhymes audience, sing.

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Last Week’s Puzzle Solved

deity 60. Part of colliery 61. Falls behind 62. “____ at last!”

7

63. It has pads and claws 65. Cowboy Rogers 67. Product of creativity

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Great Employment Opportunity for: Special Education/ Social Work/Psychology Majors. RMS of Ohio is looking for Part time employees $8.75. hr. Day time and weekend availability needed to work with adults with Mental Retardation in an Adult Day Program setting. Assist with social activities, community outings, meal preparation and basic hygiene. Evening and weekend availability needed to work with adults with Mental Retardation in Residential Settings throughout Toledo area. Assist with meals, home maintenance, shopping, medical appointments, and community outings. Requirements---18+ years old, high school diploma or GED, valid driver's license, proof of auto insurance, clean driving record and clean criminal background check. Interested applicants can apply online at www.teamrms.com (northwest region) or at the office 1446 Reynolds Rd., Suite 100, Maumee, OH

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NOTICES BEWARE OF JOB SCAMS The Independent Collegian will not knowingly accept fraudulent advertising. However, readers should exercise

judgment when responding to classified ads. According to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, job seekers should be wary of any job opportunity that requires any kind of upfront payment, or involves unrealistic claims or highpressure sales tactics. More information is available by calling the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 800-282-0515.

8

| The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, October 9, 2013

oUTbreak from page 1

Winters said in the past oUTbreak has drawn between 100-300 people, the majority being freshmen.

Shane Winters said oUTbreak is a way to promote Ad-Hoc like other campus organizations.

Humans won for the first time in campus history last year, and Shane Winters said he is looking forward to the outcome of the event this year.

“It’s a great social experience and you get to meet so many people and make tons of friends,” said Tayler Winters, second-year and president of Ad-Hoc. Students who want to participate in the event are required to attend a safety

and rule meeting. The safety meetings are at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, and Thursday, Oct. 10, at 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the Student Union, Room 1505.

At the safety meeting, students are told there is no tolerance for Nerf blasters indoors or for blasting them from buildings, streets, parking lots and within 10 feet of all doors.

“UT is kind to let us play this game, which is why we have Rule Zero. Don’t try to find loopholes in our rules, because nobody wants to be that guy,” Winters said.

The game begins Friday, Oct. 11, at 8 a.m. and finishes Oct. 18 in the evening with a final showdown between humans and zombies.

Safety

from page 1

“We need to educate our students on the fact that we have an anti-bullying task force; the fact that they can report bullying and other crimes anonymously; that they can text tips; that the life path is out there; that if they are in danger on campus walking alone, they can with just the touch of a button reach a 24/7 call center and also notify key individuals they preprogrammed into their contact list,” Kovach said.

According to Kovach, each week of October is filled with events from a different participating group. The first week is sponsored by UTPD and the Office of Student Conduct, followed by Res Life on the second week. The

Smoking

from page 1

take that into account.”

Ifeanyichukwu Iwelunmor, a second-year computer engineering student, agreed.

“I know you want to smoke but you can do it on your own time,” Iwelumnor said.

“I’m not trying to get killed by cancer, so I do mind when people smoke on campus.”

Garrett Rowell, a fourthyear student majoring in electrical engineering and computer science technology, feels that the ban should not

Coming out

from page 9

He remembered his response with a laugh. “And I’m like, ‘Well, you can pardon my foot up your ass.’”

However, Will began the coming out process well before he could curse; he said he first began to realize he was gay around age 5.

One day, Will was with his friend Cory, watching a TV show that featured two men getting married. When Will’s dad came in the room, Will announced that he and his friend “we’re going to get married.’”

Will laughed as he recalled his dad’s reaction.

“And he’s like ‘All right,

third week is sponsored by the Office of Student Involvement and the Office of Student Experiences. The fourth and final week is a product of the Counseling Center.

During the third week of October, You’ve Been Got and UT Alert and Lifeline will be active in residence halls. Students will have the opportunity to sign up with UT Alert and Lifeline, which sends alert texts to their mobile phones.

You’ve Been Got is an activity designed to promote student safety in residence halls.

“If you ‘get got’ on campus, it’s just a little sign put on your door that says, ‘Hey, we noticed that your door was left unlocked and that your things were left lying out — this could possibly jeopardize your safety,’ ” Kovach said.

Cheyanne Dye, a first-year film major, said she wants to participate because she thinks Not On My Watch is a good idea.

“There are probably a lot of people on campus that don’t understand campus can be a dangerous place,” she said. “I think it is important to stay safe, especially as a freshman female.”

Newton believes feeling safe on campus allows students, faculty and many others to focus on what they feel is important and have confidence that allows for the successful accomplishment of education.

“Everything else is compromised if you don’t feel safe in your environment,” Newton said.

“We aren’t out to waste your time.”

However, some students

simply don’t have the time or motivation to attend Not On My Watch events.

“Yes, campus safety is important,” said Reza Rahimi, a first-year engineering major.

“The target audience is the people who most likely won’t attend. I’d be surprised if someone who parties and drinks a lot goes to that.”

Newton said while the focus of Not On My Watch is safety, he wants everyone to still have a satisfying and memorable college experience.

“Everyone is safer and they have a better experience at the university and that they are not a victim of a crime, be it a property or some other crime, that could compromise a positive college experience,” said Newton. “That is really the end goal.”

be passed and would be ineffective regardless.

“I can understand if you don’t want to smoke; it’s a personal choice. I think limiting us to here [designated smoking areas] is enough,” said Rowell. “I respect people’s opinion of smoking. They don’t like it, they don’t want to be around it…

But I think, if you do ban it campus wide, people are still going to; they will find places to smoke.”

Sam Federman, a thirdyear physics major, said he doesn’t support the smoking

ban because UT has already invested money in the smoking huts.

“I don’t understand what the issue with it is, or why they would ban it on campus,” said Federman. “… To take that away from them is severely limiting.”

Bruce Hong, a fourthyear pharmacy student, said smoking cigarettes is an integral part of culture for people from Asia and the MiddleEast and to ban smoking would be “like going against a culture.”

Hong said that smok-

ers should be considered a minority and should be protected.

“As long as it’s legal, we should have the right to make our own decisions,” Hong said.

Peachock said that enforcing the ban may be difficult, but in time, he hopes it will blend with UT’s culture.

“It may not be enforced that well at first, but I think that it should be a part of an overall cultural change within the university,” he said. “And yes, it will take time.”

that’s fine.’”

“She’s my friend and she’s But it wasn’t fine with my lover,” he remembered Will, at least not at first. He thinking. “Why isn’t this started dating at age 14, but working? This relationship only women. is perfect.

Ultimately, he LGBTQA History She’s a great said, he was person.

Month events involved with “And there’s To see a complete list 14 women and just one part of LGBTQA History Month had sex with missing, and events, go to tinyurl.com/ three of them I think that’s UT-LGBTQA. by the time he me.” reached his Now, Will second year at UT. said he’s received a lot of love The moment it finally and understanding from his clicked that something was friends and family, and is wrong, he said, happened enjoying the sixth week with thanks to the last woman he his new boyfriend. was with. After a tear-filled “My life has gone from conversation in Carlson Liwhat it’s ‘supposed to be’ brary, she confessed that she to what I want it to be,” he felt like he didn’t love her. said.

Sophie Sophie Miller can’t keep track of the times she’s come out.

“I kind of came out multiple times because it was hard for my mom to get the idea of it,” she said with a sad smile.

Miller, a third-year majoring in nursing, said she started questioning her sexuality in seventh grade.

She said she wasn’t thinking about girls, but she also “wasn’t excited about boy stuff.” She decided to go to her mom for advice.

“Mom, I just don’t know what that means,” she remembers saying.

The reply? “Well, you’re not gay.”

“That was scary,” Miller said, “because I was like ‘Well, apparently you can’t be gay in this family.’ I don’t even have to use the word and all of a sudden my mom’s like ‘just for the record, that’s never an option.”

Though Miller said her brother, father and stepmother are accepting of her lesbianism, her mother still struggles. But even though Miller describes her mom as her “best friend,” that doesn’t mean Miller is quiet about her orientation.

“It took me a long time to realize that just because it’s not an option in my mom’s head for me, doesn’t mean it’s not a reality,” she said.

That reality was still something Miller said she struggled to consolidate with her Christianity, which she ranks as the No. 1 priority in her life.

“That was a big struggle for me, because growing up I had always learned ‘being gay is a sin, and being gay and being Christian are never going to mix. You’re not born that way, so you choose to be that way and it’s sinful.’

“But I did some research on my own and read the Bible for myself, and there’s definitely scripture in there that is obviously against homosexual relationships, but I think people misinterpret it quite a bit, because it’s referring to homosexuals that are raping one another, and they leave that out when they preach that it’s wrong.”

Now, Miller and her girlfriend, who plans to be a Lutheran youth pastor, have been together 9 months.

“Once you fully embrace who you are, and you’re OK with where you are in life and who you are and who you’re with, then it doesn’t really matter what anyone else thinks,” she said. “It’s tough; there are days that are really tough, especially with my mom. But I think it’s up to everyone individually to surround themselves with people that support them for whoever they are.”

COMMUNITY Follow us on Twitter @IC_Arts

CALENDAR

Wednesday, Oct. 9

12 p.m. -- Conflict Resolution Workshop, learn better ways to deal with conflict and how to handle situations that result in anger, sponsored by the Counseling Center; Student Union 3016.

6 p.m. -- UT Jazz special guest Chuck Owen, a distinguished professor of jazz studies at University of South Florida, will present his new recording and speak on the process of composing and orchestrating; Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall.

Thursday, Oct. 10 11 a.m. -- National Depression Awareness Day, learn more about depression and what you can do to help combat the symptoms of depression; Trimble Lounge.

Friday, Oct. 11 4 p.m. -- Jazz Meet the Artists: “The Auction Project”, New York alto saxophonist David Bixler and pianist Arturo O’Farrill, musical partners in the Chico O’Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, will perform; Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall.

IN BRIEF UT Piano Series to open with Jill Dawe Pianist Jill Dawe will open the 2013-2014 Dorothy MacKenzie Price Piano Series Oct. 12-13 with an exciting program featuring the music of Robert Schumann, Claude Debussy and Modest Mussorgsky.

Dawe will present a master class on Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. and hold a recital on Oct. 13 at 3 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public, and will be held in the UT Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall.

Upcoming projects include a performance of Bartok’s Third Piano Concerto; recording the piano music of Steven Rydberg; and developing “song projects” with various singer-actors in the Twin Cities region.

Dawe has performed as a soloist and as a chamber musician in Canada, England, South America and the United States and has taught on the faculties of the Chautauqua Institution, Oberlin Conservatory, and Lenoir-Rhyne College before joining the music faculty of Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minn.

Contact Michael Boyd at 419-530-2183 for more information.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013 | The Independent Collegian | 9

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LGBTQA HISTORY MONTH

COMING OUT PROUD

By Danielle Gamble Editor-in-Chief

“Coming out” is a very common phrase in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and asexual (LGBTQA) community. The phrase is so much a part of the community that National Coming Out Day was started in the late ‘80s, and Oct. 11 will mark its 25th anniversary.

The two words encapsulate a complex, highly individual experience that those of non-heterosexual orientation go through. In order to get a better understanding of this rite of passage, we asked six UT students who identify as non-hetero a series of questions that started out with one: “When did you come out?”

Alex It wasn’t until he was stationed in Baghadad, Iraq, that Alex Powell began to come to terms with his bisexuality. After a 12-plus hour day, he got back to his trailer around 8 or 9 p.m., but he couldn’t go to sleep.

“I remember that night, just walking around and praying and crying,” he said. “And I wanted to call my mom and I wanted to call my dad, and I had the resources to, but I just couldn’t bring myself at that point to call and talk to anybody. I really didn’t have anybody to talk to.”

Powell, an academic junior and first-year transfer student majoring in paralegal studies, joined the military when he was 18, the same age he married his wife. At the time he was wandering through the Baghadad night, a city he served in for 15 months, he was newly separated from his wife with three little girls at home.

He was also trying to deal with his first boyfriend, a member of his division that he referred to as a “battle buddy.”

“He just didn’t know what he wanted and I’ve never been one to not really know what I want,” he said. “And just being in limbo with him really was hard on me, because it was the first time that I really had feelings for a person of the [same] sex,” he said.

It’s been a difficult journey for Powell to get to where he is now. He was retired in 2009 from the Army after suffering brain trauma when his truck was hit by a roadside bomb. But more than his injuries, Powell said his experiences as a military paralegal affected his outlook on life.

As part of his job, Powell was asked to investigate all 40 deaths of the soldiers in his brigade, as well as two kidnappings.

“When you deal with death on a daily basis like that, with all the graphic details that come with it, it makes you rethink your life and how you spend your life,” he said. “It basically boils down to happiness.

Do you want to live a life that you’re not happy every day? Or do you want to live a life that you’re just pleasing everybody else? And I chose to live a life in which I would be happy.”

Now, Powell is 28, divorced, a confirmed bisexual and in the second year of a gay relationship. He’s really happy where he is, because being bisexual means, “Whoever I end up in a relationship with is who I end up in a relationship with.”

“Some people don’t understand it,” Powell said. “Some people think

IC FILE PHOTO

Students attend the Spectrum UT Halloween Ball last October. This year the event will take place Oct. 31 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Student Union Room 2582 as part of the LGBTQA history month.

it’s being greedy, but to me it’s not if you’re honest and you don’t try to hide who you are to other people who may come into your life.”

Melissa Melissa Brodsky came out for the first time about halfway through second grade.

“I had a best friend, and I was just like ‘you know, I like her,’” she said. “And it turned out to be a ‘like’ like, which is what you would say in second grade, I guess.”

With a lifetime of Catholic upbringing to contend with, Brodsky’s instinct was to hide from being a lesbian. To face rejection, especially at such a young age, was unthinkable.

“I just realized automatically that I should not be feeling that way and that it was wrong,” she said.

But as she grew older and continued to feel different, she decided to tell, including her mom. At first, she was afraid of the rejection she’d face at the two Catholic, all-girl high schools she attended. But she was pleasantly surprised to find support, and her first girlfriend.

“I would say coming out to yourself is more of a realization of who you are; it’s finally understanding what makes you yourself,” she said. “But coming out to the community is telling everyone that you’ve found what makes you unique or independent or different from everyone else.”

But once she started to go public, not everyone was so accepting ­— like the children who began to taunt her little brother in sixth grade.

“He got a lot of backlash for it anyway once people found out,” she said, her eyes crinkled. “Someone actually threatened to kill him.”

“When my mom found out that this happened, she told me that I wasn’t allowed to act gay anymore, because she thought that was why my brother was threatened.”

But now, in her second year as a bioengineering major, Brodsky is “extremely” out — she’s the vice president of UT Spectrum , and her backpack is covered in buttons with phrases like, “When did you choose heterosexuality?” and “We the people; that means all of us,” stamped across them.

Jared Jared was sure he was gay the summer before his junior year of high school. It was his first relationship with a girl.

“After a month of dating, I was like ‘Yeah — yeah, I’m gay,’” he said with a big laugh.

But way before then, he was suspicious.

“Looking back, I’d kind of always known I was gay,” he said. “The acceptance and coming out to my close friends kind of happened at the same time, but the thinking of it happened a long time before that.”

But the knowing and accepting were two different things for Jared, a secondyear chemical engineering major who asked for his last name to be withheld.

Around his freshman year of high school, Jared told a friend about his sexuality. The process halted there because Jared “wasn’t sure this was how I really felt,” and it took about four years before he was sure enough to share his orientation.

Even now, Jared doesn’t consider himself “out publicly,” because he hasn’t told many people back home. He’s only talked to his mother, who he said isn’t very happy about it.

Jared said his mom wants his grandmother to know, but Jared and his mom agree that he’s not going to tell his grandfather.

“It just wouldn’t be productive to tell him,” he said quickly. “It would cause more issues than it would solve.”

But even though not everyone knows he’s gay, Jared doesn’t feel like he’s holding anything back.

“I don’t hide myself and I don’t feel like I have to hide myself,” he said. “The people around me accept me for who I am whether they know I’m gay or not, so how I act around people, I don’t change that whether they know I’m gay or not.”

Emily Emily Hickey described coming out as “a long process, that I think I’m still somewhat going through.”

Hickey said she didn’t start considering that she was a lesbian until about 2009 as she approached the end of her undergraduate career at UT.

She’s still here, working as a graduate assistant in office of assessment, accreditation and program review Hickey said her hesitation had to do with lack of education. She remembers secretly reading magazines and books about the gay community: anything to “visualize what it would means.”

After doing some research and meeting her first girlfriend (who she met at a Catholic spiritual retreat), Hickey began to come to terms with her sexual identity.

Now, Hickey serves as an LGBTQ advocate and an active member of the community. She helped to organize the Toledo Pride parade for three years, and writes advocacy pieces for the Toledo Free Press.

But she has regrets. First, waiting so long to come out.

“My understanding when I was in high school was that if I accepted the fact that I was a lesbian, it meant that everything else in my life had to go away,” she said. “I didn’t know that those two could be together.”

Second, she regrets coming out not as a lesbian, but a “just bisexual.”

“It still gave them an idea that I could still be with a man. And I think by doing that I did myself a huge disservice, because I think I made it even more difficult for those that are in the bisexual community, that legitimately do identify as bisexual because they have feelings for both sexes.

“It did them a disservice,” Hickey said, looking at the wall of her office.

“I did it the wrong way.”

Will Even though Will came out to himself two years ago and to his friends a year and a half ago, he counts from when he outed himself to his family: six months ago.

Will, a fourth-year pharmacy major who asked for his last name to be withheld, remembered telling his sister first as an “experiment” before telling his mom, then dad.

“It’s a sin but it’s no worse than stealing,” he remembered his sister saying.

“So like, you can be pardoned for it.”

See Coming out / 8 »

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| The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, October 9, 2013 FASHION

Falling into Fabulous: 5 essentials for autumn

ISIS DARKS FASHION EDITOR

It is officially fall. In the morning I need gloves, I can’t leave the house with short sleeves and, worst of all, I have small asthma attacks when I walk to class as cold air fills my lungs. I’ve even brought out the turtlenecks. Autumn has definitely hit me out of nowhere, even though I knew it would be here eventually.

I at least thought there would be a slight transition — not sub-zero temperatures in the morning that require earmuffs.

It’s time to exchange summer wear for fall/winter clothing and prepare for the unsympathetic weather changes that will be right around the corner. Here are five essential items that will carry you through the fall transition into winter fabulously.

Flannels Flannels are ideal unisex items that provide warmth without being overbearing. For men, a flannel doesn’t require much effort and can be thrown on with a pair of jeans.

When you wake up fifteen minutes before class starts, you’ll feel at ease when you make it on time looking presentable. Flannels worn on men give off a clean, rugged I-can-fix-things look. Catch the eye of that person of interest with your Paul Bunion demeanor by grabbing a flannel from the Andersons, Walmart or by thrift shopping.

You’ll spend no more than $10!

For women, there is not a more perfect time than this to dig into your boyfriend’s or male friend’s closet and grab his flannel to pull off a laid back, grunge fit. Flannels provide multiple purposes, from lounge wear for when you are staying in for the weekends,

MORGAN RINCKEY / IC

University of Toledo students Jared Robinson and Chante Jackson show off one of the fall’s fashion essentials, flannel. Robinson wears a blue and green patterned flannel complete with dark wash jeans while Jackson wears a pink and blue fitted flannel with light wash jeans.

to a convenient Halloweekends date ensemble. You can also find fitted flannels that come in feminine colors like hot pink or lilac. If you’re looking to shop online, try Tillys.com, which has great fall flannels that are even equipped with hoods. Walmart also has a good selection of inexpensive flannels for women; I found one for as low as $5!

Cardigans For men and women, cardigans are an essential that you can wear during any occasion. Since it’s early in the fall season, a cardigan may be your “jacket,” and you can easily stay warm by layering it with a button-up or a long sleeved shirt.

For a casual look, wear a denim button-up underneath. Women, make a cardigan your highlighting accessory by wearing brighter colors (light green, teal, or fire hydrant red). Men, pull off your casual look by pairing denim with stripes or dark colors (maroon, navy, or black).

Bring cardigans into the workplace by combining pinstripe/

solid color button up with dress pants or a pencil length skirt and a cardigan. Your outfit will say “I’m ready to work” while keeping you warm and fashionable. Forever 21 and H&M have a variety of cardigans for men and women to choose from. You can keep it neutral or go bright under $20.

Boots Someone once asked me, “When is the best time to bring out my boots?” Now! I actually like to wear boots during every season, but boots are essential for fall because as it starts to get colder, you’ll be protected from the rain and snow.

Women, opt for a combat boot and a knee length boot. Combat boots can be worn with causal outfits while knee length can serve as a dressier boot for a nice date or at work. Hold on to your femininity by wearing knee length boots with longer skirts or skater dresses. Quality is key, so when you purchase your boots, try a department store like Dillard’s. As the holiday season approaches, they will have sales that

will lower the prices of expensive brands. You’ll find long-lasting footwear at a low price.

Men, having a black pair of boots and a brown pair of boots are all you need to get you through the fall/winter season.

Black combats like Doc Marten are a good quality that last long through harsh circumstances.

Timberland boots are also popular, and will compliment khakis, army fatigue, and even black pants. These can be found at a store like Finishline or online at DrJays.com and Karmaloop.com.

Scarves Scarves are a win/win accessory. They function as a statement piece if you choose to wear bright colors or print and keep your neck warm. For men, a black or grey scarf can add sophistication to your look, especially with your cardigan. You don’t necessarily need to tie it, just let it drape around your neck. Until it is winter, scarves can be a thinner fabric. They should be enough to keep you warm and not make you

feel like you’re sweltering.

Charlotte Russe is my number one place to find scarves. They constantly have deals and scarves on sale at an average of $5-7. For men, places like H&M and Forever 21 carry scarves, but you’ll have a better selection at a department store like J.C. Penney.

Tights Tights can also be the focus point of a fall outfit. Wearing a solid color dress with bright or print tights can draw attention to your legs and is a way to get compliments. There are also thicker tights made especially for colder weather, and will go great with those knee-high boots. Online websites like Nastygal.com have fun crazy prints that can be a little pricey, but Ebay.com also has inexpensive, simpler prints that start at $0.99. I purchased a nice pair of ombre tights from Ebay, though I have yet to see a pair in store.

Isis Darks is a fourth-year majoring in marketing and has a blog at TheNaiive.com.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013 | The Independent Collegian | CAMPUS EVENTS

University of Toledo community to celebrate Banned Books Week

By Samantha Rhodes News Editor

Harry Potter, Fifty Shades of Grey, Twilight, The Hunger Games, and To Kill a Mockingbird: all books that have been either banned or challenged. Also, books being celebrated this week by the University of Toledo community.

Oct. 10 marks the 16th anniversary of UT Banned Books Week Vigil.

According to Paulette D. Kilmer, the UT Banned Books committee coordinator, the vigil has two purposes: to celebrate the first amendment and to provide students with a learning experience.

The vigil will take place from 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. on the fifth floor of the Carlson Library near the Canaday Center.

Twenty-minute presentations will be given

by UT faculty, staff and Toledo area residents about the right the right to read and think freely. Some of the speakers will include Toledo Free Press staff writer Brigitta Burks, Toledo author Warren Woodbury and communication major Torrie Jadlocki.

Glenn Sheldon, committee member and honors professor of humanities, said the presentations provide “a great range of topics that depict the history of banned books and banned ideas” and he hopes that the attendees will take away something new.

Kilmer said that the presentations are semi-controversial yet fun because they are supposed to be thought provoking.

“The reason people give presentations is to inspire thought and later discussion, to try to get people to think about things,” Kilmer said.

“It isn’t to convince anybody particularly of any point of view, it’s just to open our eyes. I learn a lot every time, too, and it’s amazing to me.”

One thing Kilmer elaborated on that “opened her eyes” was the groups of angry people who used box cutters to destroy Harry Potter books when the series was at its height of popularity. Kilmer said that even though occurrences like these aren’t common, people will still try to tell you what to read, regardless of the First Amendment.

“If a book is truly without merit, eventually, no one will read it because it isn’t good or interesting or whatever and it will fall out of publication anyway,” Kilmer said. “It should be a marketplace of ideas, because who’s going to decide what’s appropriate for the rest of us?

Who has that power and what gives someone the right to do that? How does anyone know what someone else should be reading?”

Both Kilmer and Sheldon said they value free expression as a crucial element of democracy.

“It may seem cliché to say this, but without history, we are doomed to repeat our past mistakes,” Sheldon said. “Censorship in a democracy is a real danger to democracy.”

Arjun Sabharwal, committee member and digital initiatives librarian, said that censorship is a global issue and writers are still persecuted in various places around the world for what they believe.

“We still have some places where authors are genuinely afraid for their lives if they want to publish something,” Sabharwal said.

Sheldon said students should care about the event because, regardless of the medium, the idea of freedom is still an important issue for students.

“With technology, the notion of ‘the book’ is morphing,” Sheldon said. “But in its generic sense, it is still a text of ideas, whether printed or electronic or on CDs or iTunes or whatever. Ask [students] if they care what songs they are allowed to download or what films they are allowed to stream, and the response you will get is the same as banning books.

“Again, it comes down to freedom. Our students will be the nation’s future leaders, and I believe many of them understand that there must be multiple voices out there, multiple perspectives, particularly in this new global world that we are all citizens of.”

Sabharwal said, despite the many global issues at hand, the focus of this event is on the students here at UT. “It’s all about censorship and the freedom, so they should not feel bad or targets of any criticism for reading anything that they want,” Sabharwal said. “And at the same time, they should also feel the freedom to share or learn something. There is always something to learn from a book. If you focus on the little negative things, you basically miss the entire picture.”

Kilmer said it’s essential students don’t take for granted their right to read and think freely.

“We overlook it because for us, it’s as natural as pouring a drink of water,” Kilmer said.

Kilmer hopes that students who attend the event will leave with a sense of gratitude for the first amendment.

“I’d really like them to take away a smile,” Kilmer said. “Maybe they will understand the vital role that thinking and reading freely play in our society and culture.”

And with a laugh, Kilmer also urged students to leave with plenty of free bookmarks.

Free snacks will be provided during the event at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Door prizes and banned books will be given away every half hour between presentations.

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| The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, October 9, 2013