Jan. 9 Online Issue

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

94th year • Issue 17

MAC play to start for Rockets / 6 Serving the University of Toledo since 1919

Inside

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Student Affairs

UT eliminates substance abuse prevention position

By Lindsay Mahaney Staff Reporter

Gradkowski’s set to open this weekend /8

On Friday, Alexis Blavos was told her job would no longer exist.

This means UT no longer has an Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Prevention Specialist, a position Blavos held for just under

three years. It follows the elimination of two other key positions in the division of student affairs this academic year.

The position won’t be officially eliminated until April 3, and Dean of Students Michele Martinez said other facets of the university are

being reorganized to adjust.

“We do have this position until the beginning of April,” she said.

“So it really is most of the semester and we’re going to be trying to figure out how to do things differently.”

Blavos’ job involves teaching

students about alcohol and drug related issues, including holding presentations, planning substancefree events, collaborating with student organizations and overseeing substance-abuse protocols like of

See Layoff / 3

Crime

Curriculum

Three-year degree track offered to UT students

Reflecting on December’s stabbing death at UT /4 Women’s track runs a bit slower at WMU / 6

By Nell Tirone Staff Reporter

When police responded to the call, they found Littleton in front of the residence hall.

They then found Galat dead behind the building.

Galat died due to several stab wounds to both sides of his neck, said Diane ScalaBarnett, a Lucas County deputy coroner.

She said the weapon struck Galat’s jugular, resulting in a “tremendous amount of blood lost in a short amount of time.”

Scala-Barnett said Galat also had defensive wounds on his hands, which are caused when a victim tries to shield themselves from an attack or grab the weapon.

The only remaining part of the coroner’s investigation is a toxicology report, which will not be finished for at least a few more weeks.

Patten Wallace said

Starting next fall, incoming freshmen will be offered a chance to earn a bachelor’s degree in three years instead of four.

The option is to be offered at all Ohio universities and intends to help students save money by reducing time spent in school as well as allow them to enter the career world sooner, according to an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education published last September.

The article also said the option is expected to encourage degree completion rates, which currently stand at only 56 percent in Ohio public universities.

Current students will not be able to transfer into this new program.

The 24 undergraduate programs of the College of Language, Literature, and Social Sciences will be offering this program next fall, but that will change to 60 percent of all undergraduate degree programs

by June 2014.

Rather than condense the normal program by making cuts, the program is instead set at an accelerated pace, relying on eight week courses for general education, allowing the student to focus more on the required courses for their major.

“The three year degree is the same as a four year degree with the same requirements and same number of credit hours; it is a different pathway to the same degree,” said Dean of LLSS Jamie Barlowe in an email. “It is optional and does not replace four-year (or longer) degree programs.”

See Stabbing / 3

See Degree / 3

A look at this semester’s installment of ‘Crib Notes’ / 8

In brief Search for new dean down to two The national search for the new dean of the Honors College has been narrowed down to two candidates.

Lakeesha Ransom, spoke at an open forum yesterday and Stephanie deLuse will speak at an open forum on Tuesday at 11 a.m. until noon in Student Union Building Room 2591.

Main Campus Provost Scott Scarborough said a decision will be made soon after the forums.

“We are eager to start implementing our new vision for the honors college and a selection of a permanent dean is critical to bring that to life,” Scarborough said in an email.

Ransom is a visiting professor at Assumption University of Thailand and teaches entrepreneurship and customer relationship management. She is a principal at Mariposa Global and consults with Fortune 200 companies about strategic management.

DeLuse is an honors faculty fellow and principal lecturer for Barrett, the honors college at Arizona State University.

“I am excited about the finalists that the committee has brought forward, each brings to the table a skill set that makes them highly attractive for this position,” Scarborough said. “I’m anxious to receive feedback from the campus community on each.”

The current interim dean is Patsy Komuniecki. The former dean, Tom Barden, stepped down at the end of the last semester and will retire from UT in May.

Blavos

Bob Taylor / IC

UT President Lloyd Jacobs (center) fields a question during yesterday’s town hall meeting in the Trimble Lounge of the Student Union Building. The meeting primarily focused on the Dec. 19 incident in Horton International House that led to the death of Josaih Galat.

Campus reacts to stabbing death

By Michael Gammo Staff Reporter

Bob Taylor / IC

Sean Coyle, a senior majoring in chemical engineering, asks a questions during yesterday’s town hall meeting.

Administrators addressed questions from students and the general public Tuesday about the Dec. 19 stabbing incident that left one student dead and another seriously injured.

In a town hall meeting at the Student Union Building’s Trimble Lounge, President Lloyd Jacobs, Police Chief Jeff Newton and Kaye Patten Wallace, vice president for the student experience, fielded questions from audience members and those watching the live-streaming discussion online about the incident that occurred at Horton International House.

Both Josiah Galat, 20, of Mansfield, Ohio and Erik Littleton, 19, of Detroit were engineering students living in Academic House during the fall semester.

administration

New college, faculty changes part of Scarborough’s plan for next five years

By Danielle Gamble News Editor

Main Campus Provost Scott Scarborough unveiled his five-year plan for the university last month, which lists several changes to the how the University of Toledo supports students, faculty, staff and administrators.

Scarborough said details of the plan will take shape once the university creates several “implementation teams” around each issue to develop

action plans and discuss attract more students and funding requirements. better serve the students who “That’s the thing are already here. about these strategic The plan includes plans – you never several large-scale know which part is gochanges, such as ofing to be the big part,” fering more internhe said. “You think you ship opportunities know, but the better for students, creatway to look at it is to ing a College of plant a lot of seeds and Communication, Scarborough see what sprouts.” developing entry Scarborough said the “portals” for new plan creates a “system of students, expanding online higher education” and should resources,

rethinking teaching practices and developing a new faculty hiring plan.

Internship opportunities

One of Scarborough’s answers to engaging students is “experiential learning” by increasing opportunities for students to engage in things like studying abroad, internships, service learning and undergraduate research.

Scarborough said UT is doing “pretty well” in stressing applied learning in certain programs such as engineering, however, that has not translated throughout every academic program.

Scarborough said the university will be partnering with Digerati, a Michigan software developing company that will build a program to help students find See Plan / 3

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

rocket digest Follow us on Twitter @TheICToledo

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Next Week’s Question: What was your favorite winter blockbuster film?

Question of the week

What are you doing to prepare for the new semester?

Courtesy of the University of Toledo

Rocky wins Capital One write-in vote University of Toledo mascot Rocky the Rocket won this season’s write-in vote to compete in next season’s Capital One Mascot Challenge. The participant receiving the most votes is awarded a $20,000 scholarship toward the school’s mascot program.

I am organizing myself with a planner and planning for spring break to give myself something to look forward to.

Kristen Fischer

Senior Health Science

Student group of the week

I reviewed all my course materials and printed my syllabi.

Troy Crowell Junior English

The UT Spanish Club Purpose: To enhance the knowledge and use of the Spanish language and create further awareness of the department of foreign languages.

Leaders: Brenden Vanover, President; Cheyanne Burns, Vice President; Ariel Scaccia, Secretary; Andrew Pavelka, Treasurer; Caitlyn Witt, Historian History: The University of Toledo Spanish Club began in the Fall 2012 Semester.

Upcoming events: Meetings are held every other Wed. (unless otherwise notified) at 5 p.m. in the Memorial Field House Room 2440 How to learn more: Email the group at UToledoSpanishClub@gmail.com, visit them on Facebook at UToledo Spanish Club or follow them on Twitter @UToledoSpanishClub Would your group like to be featured as The Independent Collegian’s Student Group of the Week? Email Nate Pentecost at npentecost@independentcollegian.com.

This week in UT history 75 years ago: The university’s only professor emeritus is dead. William McK. Reed, founder of the division of pharmacy 33 years previously, died in his home Dec. 26 following a heart attack.

50 years ago: A hot second-half offensive performance on the part of the University of Toledo Rockets gave Coach

Eddie Melvin and his cagers a 60-56 victory over rival Bowling Green State University Wednesday night before a spirited partisan crowd of 3,800 in the UT Field House.

10 years ago: The planned renovations for the Student Union Building this summer will be relocating the Candy Counter and putting a coffee bar in its current location.

The Independent Collegian Staff

Visit us at Carlson Library Suite 1057 Write to us at 2801 W. Bancroft St. Mail Stop 530 Toledo, OH Contact the editor at editor@independentcollegian.com Phone: 419-530-7788 Fax: 419-530-7770 BUSINESS EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief Vincent D. Scebbi

Circulation Manager Lindsay Mahaney

Managing Editor Nate Pentecost

Sales Representative Eddie Miller

News Editor Danielle Gamble

Ad Designer Adrielle Henry

Rocket Life Editor Russell Axon

Collegian Media Foundation

Sports Editor Jay Skebba

Adviser Erik Gable

Opinion Editor Zachary R. Dehm

The Independent Collegian is published by the Collegian Media Foundation, a private, not-for-profit corporation. ©2012

Director of Photography Bob Taylor Copy Editor Jasmine Townsend

I took my placement tests and got enrolled in all of my classes so now I’m just settling in.

Haidr Aobhrany Freshman Business

I want to utilize the tutoring center more often and start studying instead of going out.

Batoul Ismail

Freshman Nursing

I made an eightstep list for success that I have hung on my wall.

Markus Beck

Freshman Civil Engineering

Wednesday, January 9, 2013 | The Independent Collegian |

Degree from page 1

Barlowe said the students will need to be well prepared and motivated in order to succeed.

Stabbing from page 1

Littleton, who was in critical condition at ProMedica Toledo Hospital, has been released and is now recovering at home.

Administrators said neither student had any prior criminal record, and the incident was described as uncharacteristic for both of them.

Responding to a question about a third person who was arrested that night for disorderly conduct, Newton said that person was at IHouse earlier and had been visiting the two men in their room, but left before the

Plan from page 1

“internships that lead to jobs.” He said the program will focus on finding midto small-sized organizations, especially those that like to hire their interns, and matching them to students.

“Engineering and business, which already have pretty strong programs, they usually have relationships with very large employers,” he said. “What this is going to do, which is something the faculty picked up on before even I did, is this will help humanities’ students.”

College of Communication

Scarborough’s plan includes removing the Communication Department from the College of Language, Literature and Social Science and creating an entirely new College of Communication.

Paul Fritz, the chair of the communication department, said other universities around the country have communication colleges, and he believes a UT college of communication will allow students to use more technology in class and encourage instructors to dialogue about strong curriculum.

He said he has felt very included in the development of the current plan.

“I’m really in favor of it, because it grew out of communication with other faculty members and provosts, so it’s kind of a grass roots thing,” Fritz said.

While a timeline and other details are still in the works, Fritz said he has volunteered to be on the committee that will oversee this process.

“One of the things we’ll do in the implementation process is figure out is how to find the resources to implement this plan,” he said.

Portals

The proposed portals are “support structures” that students will enter into as soon as they enroll at the university. Scarborough said they will function more like departments than colleges, and he wants to see a different portal for well-prepared students, under-prepared and average students, online students and adult students.

“The idea is that all of the students coming into the university would come through one of these portals and then, after they declare a major, that portal college would follow the student from beginning to end,” he said. “They’ll be sticking with the student, even if they change their major, such that the advisor is getting you a degree plan that will get you to completion in the shortest amount of time.

Scarborough said new structuring will make accountability clearer at the administrative level, and will help students receive a more consistent experience.

“The reason you want them to stay with the student from beginning to end is because you want these colleges to be thinking about the educational experience that is unique to this type of

Though the program is offered to all incoming students, it is geared more for students who scored well on placement exams or earned college credit prior to attending UT.

Student Government President Paulette Bongratz helped work with Main Campus Provost Scott Scarborough to help increase the appeal of the new program.

stabbing occurred and was Chief Newton said he was not involved in the incident. satisfied with the UT alert Patten Wallace said the system, which was used to university has assigned three notify students about 40 counselors to help students minutes after the incident of A-House and I-House occurred, although he wishdeal with their reaces the alerts could be tions to the event. sent out faster.

During the meetSean Coyle, a seing, students asked nior in chemical enabout the incident itgineering who atself as well as the eftended the meeting, fectiveness of the UT said the response alert system, overall was too delayed.

Galat campus safety, possiAdministrators ble security changes said they are discussing and the issue of weapons on some security changes, such campus. Questions came as increasing the number of both from students attendcameras on campus and liming the meeting and from iting the hours that resithose sending in comments dence hall entrances are and questions online. open.

student, whether it’s appropriate and whether it’s accomplishing the objectives you would want accomplished,” he said.

Underprepared students

While Scarborough said he wants to stress growing UT’s percentage of highachieving students, he also wants to balance the resources provided to those who are underprepared.

The Board of Regents suggested universities begin helping underprepared students as part of their mission, and Scarborough’s plan includes those ideas.

He said the term “underprepared student” doesn’t just mean remedial students – it also includes students who are prepared for college but are behind on only one or two academic areas. Scarborough said he will push more assessments like placement testing and grade comparisons that will help distinguish those students.

“The university right now serves a large portion of the population that shows a certain amount of unpreparedness when they first arrive.

That will always be an important part of our mission, and we want to serve those students better,” he said.

Online resources

Scarborough said he would like to develop the universities online offerings to “expand beyond even our local geography.”

He said the new system, tentatively named UT XNET, would support all of the other colleges and their use of academic technology, similarly to how UT’s current system operates.

UT currently has the highest distance-learning enrollment rate of the 14 major state-supported universities in Ohio, according to a 2011 distance-learning enrollment report of the OHTECH Division of Student Services.

“The student who is part on campus and part online and you get them engaging in the university in both dimensions, the purpose of the UTXNET is helping to support that,” he said.

“That’s where I think it’s going to have the biggest and most immediate impact.”

Linda Rouillard, professor of French, said she is most concerned with the aspects of the plan that highlight competency-based learning, which assigns credit to students based on skill levels rather than hours spent in the class room.

“There are lots of ways you can fudge this,” she said.

“I think you can end up watering down what students need to learn. Online learning doesn’t have to be competency based. It’s not that one needs the other, it’s that he’s combined the two.”

Rouillard said online learning has still not been perfected, and that UT should be careful while seeking to expand their online offerings.

But that’s not the only change. Scarborough said he wants UT to fill a “niche market” of college

experiences which includes a large offering of fully online degree. It’s a concept the university began to pursue this year when they offered their first batch of totally online degrees, but Scarborough is envisioning something much bigger for the “pure online student.”

“We have to think about in the future, those who are adult students, parents, people who work, located somewhere in rural Ohio, and the only way you can get a degree is by using a pure online experience,” he said. “We may not have it now, but we want to see where do we start to see if we can do this.”

Teaching practices

“If you engage students at higher levels of learning, they retain more – I think that’s something we’ve known for a while,” Scarborough said.

“The idea would be in all of our academic programs to have, minimal, at least one component of those.”

Another proposal that both he and President Lloyd Jacobs have mentioned for several months now are “flipped classrooms.” The idea is to ask students to listen to lectures as homework and use class time to do things they would normally do for homework, like work on group projects.

Scarborough said he remembers the first time he realized the benefits of a flipped classroom.

Before starting the first class of his first day at UT, a student asked Scarborough if his lecture slides were online. Scarborough told him they were.

“Next thing I know, he’s flipped open his computer and he’s not even listening to me anymore,” Scarborough said. “Because he knows that he’ll just pull it down if he’s having trouble with the homework. That’s why when I first heard about the flipped classroom idea, I said oh, yeah – that’s what I have to do if I want anything meaningful to happen in class anymore.”

Scarborough said how teachers implement this more hands-on approach will vary widely between subjects and teaching styles, but he believes minimizing the traditional, formal lecture style of instruction is good.

“It’ll be up to the professor to decide what they can create in the classroom that will really enhance learning,” he said.

Rouillard said she was impressed by Scarborough’s desire to seek advice from faculty, although she is very cautious about the implementation of many aspects of the plan.

“I think it’s going to depend on the subject matter; it can’t be a one size fits all solution,” she said. “I have heard from one colleague, quite recently actually, that’s been doing that and it’s something that’s been working quite well for him.”

Overall, Rouillard said the students will ultimately decide how much they want to learn.

“I think for some students, it will be the same problem that they still have with doing assignments outside of class,” she said.

“They’re still going to have

“By offering these threeyear programs, it’s a fast track to then be able to continue onto a higher degree,” Bongratz said.

Newton said knives are not currently allowed on campus, and the weapon that was used during this incident was in violation. The panel said the administration is investigating heightening consequences for violating campus weapon policies.

Coyle said he does not agree with further restrictions.

“I think a knife is a tool not necessarily a weapon and it doesn’t bother me that some people carry them,” Coyle said.

News Editor Danielle Gamble contributed to this story.

to watch the video, and the question is going to be will they take the time to do it.”

Faculty

Scarborough said there is a national trend in higher education that includes fewer tenure-track faculty who are given help through teaching assistants, and more classes are being taught by non-tenured instructors.

“The question is am I okay with it? No. Is it reality? Yes. Will we probably have to deal with that reality? Yes,” he said.

Scarborough said he believes future tenured positions will be reserved for “teacher scholars” and those focused on research, while the majority of teaching positions will be filled by those with “a more balanced portfolio.”

He said he wants redefine the “pecking order” in higher education that he said leaves lecturers and part-time instructors at the bottom.

He proposes a system that will separate tenured and tenure-track faculty from assistant, associate and full “professors of practice.”

“With the way the world is changing, we need a career path that is more attractive to that professor that gets more excited about what’s happening in the classroom than anything else,” Scarborough said.

Rouillard said she doesn’t believe offering renewable contracts or changing instructor titles is the final answer.

Rouillard said this decision “does not speak to valuing teaching.” A part time instructor earns $750 an hour per a credit taught, and she believes increasing that number will be the true answer to retaining good faculty.

“This plan does not make up for not hiring tenuretrack professors,” she said.

“That’s where we should be investing. We should be investing in people who know that the university is as committed to them as they are to the institution.”

How to make it work

When talking about creating a budget for this plan, Scarborough believes “it’s an art, not a science. You’re always balancing the bias to keep tuition and fees as low as possible with being able to provide the resources to students so they can have the best educational experience that they need and want.”

With the university under a budget crunch, almost every aspect of Scarborough’s plan involves spending money.

“Some people could ask how can we even think about spending money right now.

Well, it’s because if you don’t spend money, in the future you’re going to have to cut even more,” he said. “It’s not an ‘either-or’ option – it’s an ‘and’ you’re looking for.”

Still, he said the coming years will be fiscally challenging.

“Any good administrator is going to look to the administration first to find ways to cut spending… but I’m afraid the numbers are so challenging this time that everyone’s going to have to be involved in reprioritizing,” he said.

Layoff from page 1

the medical amnesty policy.

“Presentations are really important… but think about the last time someone came in and did a presentation and then you walked out and said, ‘That doesn’t really apply to me,’” Blavos said. “When we implement policies like the medical amnesty policy, now we’ve given you an opportunity to say, ‘I’m scared but I want to help my friend, let me stand up and do something to make a difference.’”

Erica Hughes, a graduate student studying public health who worked for Blavos in student affairs, said the elimination of Blavos’ position is “a tragedy.”

“If you think of all the statistics and you think of everything, especially recently, that happened with all the violence and all the alcohol and drugs on campus, it is a very much needed position on campus,” Hughes said.

Martinez said even though people who work in student affairs are more, the loss of any team member has an equal affect on student life.

“I think there are a lot of people here on campus for students, it’s not just the division of student affairs,” Martinez said. “It’s much broader than that. Students are touched by a lot of different areas.”

President Lloyd Jacobs said substance-abuse education can be delivered in different ways more cost-effective for the university.

“Everything speaks to the budget crunch,” Jacobs said.

“We have been living in a detrimental budget situation for a decade. Everything we do is in the reflection of those budgetary changes.”

Jacobs said alcohol is a serious issue in universities that requires attention, and he is “deeply committed” to addressing it.

“There’s always pros and cons to any personnel change, any organizational change,” Jacobs said. “All I can say is that personnel changes in no way reflect a lessening of our commitment.”

Blavos, who said she works up to 60 hours a week, said the loss of her position could cause over half of her area’s

3

current programs to be cut because “no one will be available to run them.”

With the loss earlier this year of Jeff Witt, former assistant dean of students, and Dale Pelz, former retention specialist, Blavos said the students could suffer from the lack of faculty.

“I’m disappointed that they’re taking this service away from students,” Blavos said. “In order to help students it has to be done the right way, otherwise it could potentially make things worse.”

Hughes said other positions at UT that are less beneficial to students should be cut before the positions from the student affairs.

“I think students will definitely lose some services as a result of this because you’re missing somebody that’s very student-centered,” said Hughes. “They need to look at the university as a whole as opposed to just cutting from student services because the university needs to be there for the students.”

According to Martinez, student affairs is developing a plan to provide alcohol and drug education to students.

“We’ll probably be using a peer education model,” Martinez said. “Peers will be educated to go and educate their other peers about these issues.”

Peer mentoring is a group of students who are taught how to educate their peers through activities like acting out scenes or leading large group discussions. According to Martinez, UT’s mentoring group will focus on the dangers of alcohol, drugs and sexual assault.

Kaye Patten Wallace, vice president for the student experience, said through a spokesman that the peer-mentoring group will work with the division of student affairs and the counseling center.

As for Blavos, she plans to finish getting a Ph.D. and wants students to know that she is “doing fine.”

“Sometimes things that happen you think are going to be bad, but they end up better for you,” Blavos said. “I’ve lived a lot of life. When I’m given bad news I know I’m going to be fine because I’ve had bad news before.”

News Editor Danielle Gamble contributed to this story.

4 | The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, January 9, 2013

OPINION Send letters to the editor to Editor@IndependentCollegian.com

www.IndependentCollegian.com

Editorial Board Vincent D. Scebbi: Editor-in-Chief Nate Pentecost: Managing Editor Zachary R. Dehm: Opinion Editor Danielle Gamble: News Editor editorial

There is still an underlying issue Three year degree track programs will not fix problem of Bachelor’s degrees taking longer.

The University of Toledo will introduce a new three year degree track for certain programs, starting in the College of Language, Literature and Social Sciences, moving onto other colleges. However, the benefits of this program for UT are not, at this point, clear.

It is not clear that this program will help students who want to finish with less debt. While those students will be able to move on to the workforce or graduate school sooner, at UT they will likely incur an analogous amount of student debt since they will not be taking less courses. The majority of students are commuters and their tuition will not be reduced as they will pay the same amount per credit hour.

It is not clear that this program would actually be helping any students with resources they don’t currently have. The requirements of the program in terms of credits doesn’t appear to be different than for a four year degree. The only difference is the pressure to finish the degree quickly, taking a high number of credits per semester and working over the summer.

Students who want to graduate in three years don’t need this program in order to do so. If the new program just involves amping up one’s courseload and working through the summer, any student can do this on their own. In fact, in terms of marketability, it will be more marketable for a student to be able to say they earned a four year degree in three years.

If a student wants to graduate in three years, they shouldn’t be pressured to agree to do so by the UT administration, they should just do it. It’s something they can do on their own without the university spending money to promote it.

Additionally, in light of the statistics showing that the majority of UT students finish in around six years, why not improve the programs already in place? Why it is taking so long for students to get a four year degree?

Perhaps the university needs to address some other underlying issue such as poor advising to struggling students, improving student preparedness for the course curriculum to prevent failing, and informing students from the start of the requirements of their program.

Starting an efficient streamlined three year degree program may be an innovative way to make it seem like UT is fixing the problem of completing a four year degree in six; however, it may be a false solution for a much deeper problem.

University handled incident professionally Shouldn’t stop with investigation, but continue with prevention and healing The Dec. 19 stabbing incident on campus, in which Josiah Galat was killed and Erik Littleton severely injured, shocked and saddened our community and brought stress and fear to the university. In the aftermath, we must examine two questions: how has the university handled this incident, and could the university have prevented it?

All in all, the IC editorial staff believes the university has done well in keeping the community informed on this situation through conferences, press releases and updates to the UT website. They’ve managed to balance keeping the community informed with respecting the privacy of the victims.

However, some students have expressed well-reasoned concerns about the speed of the UT Alerts system. The alert went out to students about 40 minutes after this violent and potentially dangerous event occurred. According to UTPD Chief Newton, there’s not a lot that could have been done about getting the message out sooner. While that may be true, we believe there should be an evaluation of the alert system to see if there is any way to speed report times. At this point, looking forward is the best that UTPD can do.

The second question is harder to answer, especially since we still know little about what led up to the events that night. Perhaps it was unpreventable. Perhaps there was some way it could have been caught. Until more details are discovered, it’s simply too soon to tell. The only thing we can be sure about is that it was tragic and UT should work to make sure it never happens here again.

With that in mind, there is another question: where should the university go from here?

The university needs to continue investigating the causes, both small- and large-scale.

However much we may want to put this tragedy behind us, the police investigation must not be the end of the discussion.

If we are able to discover any deeper causes, the UT administration should ask if there are any ways they can be addressed.

In the end, we hope that everyone involved will learn from this tragic experience. While we believe the administration has had the best intentions at heart throughout this painful process, they shouldn’t relax now – they should strive for ever-improving communication as the story develops.

We encourage anyone affected by this event to seek help in coping. Three counselors are available right now in residence halls and the resident advisers were given special training over break to help students cope with this event. Additionally, free counseling services are always available for students at the Counseling Center in Rocket Hall Room 1810.

Finally, we wish comfort to those affected by this incident and extend our deepest sympathies to the Galat family for the loss of a brother and son.

commentary

Gun law reform is a must for safety’s sake Olivia Engel. Age 6. She was known over the use of guns. Therefore, enforcing for her “infectious giggle” and her love a stricter set of regulations so everyday to sail the seas with her grandfather.

Americans cannot gain as easy access to Dylan Hockley. Age 6. He had a love guns as they do now may in turn reduce for trampolines, spaghetti with garlic the quantity of gun-related crimes. bread and the color purple.

Creating restrictions on guns would Grace McDonnell. Age have a beneficial effect 7. She enjoyed beaches on humanity. There are and lighthouses. a variety of reasons as to These children, along why civilian possession IC Columnist with 17 others and six feof handguns should be male adults, will always be restricted. For one, the remembered as the victims of the Sandy amount of massacres like the school Hook Massacre, the second most deadly shootings would be reduced. The Virschool shooting behind Virginia Tech in ginia Tech and Sandy Hook Massacre 2007. This school shooting sparked an were the two most tragic and deadliest abundant amount of outrage from disschool shootings in history. If restrictressed parents, teachers and adults tions on gun use had been suggested in around the country. earlier years, these school shootings Due to evidence shown through this may have been non-existent. And if horrid massacre, gun control in the Unit- not, the number of fatalities would ed States should be restricted. have been significantly lower.

The implicatios of guns have become If stricter gun laws were put into effect, prevalent throughout our nation. Acthen lunatics, bullied school kids and discording to the National Institute of Jusgruntled workers may not create mass tice, nearly 500,000 people were victims casualties out of their own rage. of firearm crimes in 2005 alone. LikeThere is also an abundance of risks wise, most of these murders were comthat accompany the use of guns. For exmitted by handguns, as they are so easi- ample, gun ownership of an individual ly accessible to the American public. It’s in a family, whether legal or not, may also inferred that most violent crimes turn into a dangerous situation. There involve the use of handguns. are always accidents to consider when Many individuals are beginning to discussing guns. Children may have a change their insights on guns. For exhigher risk of getting a hold of the guns. ample, after the Sandy Hook Massacre, However, the children are not to blame; USA Today polled 58 percent of rethey are only children. And with chilspondents are now in favor of stricter dren, curiosity kills the cat. Children gun laws. This is up from 43 percent of that are curious as to why their father individuals in Oct. 2011. may carry around a handheld gun or a Sandy Hook gave people a wake up call rifle may result in a deadly accident.

Yasmine Ayoub

Implementing stricter gun control would mean that less children would die because of a costly mistake.

The enforcement of gun control would allow a community as a whole to feel much safer about their lives.

Individuals would become aware that those who do have possession of a gun are suitable candidates. There would be lower theft rates because individuals who are creating the crime would not have anything to threaten a family with.

In addition, the amount of suicides may decrease. The reason – when guns are available, it’s much easier to act immediately without fully thinking about the negative effects of taking your own life.

The Virginia Tech and Sandy Hook Massacre were devastating. Innocent lives were lost: lives of young adults who were trying to finish college and live in the real world, lives of children who haven’t had a chance to do much with their lives at all.

Shootings, especially in schools, are always tragic to witness or hear about on the television. However, with regulations on guns, the nation may experience a decrease in deaths and crimes that were once due to shootings.

When guns have more restrictions, the only individuals handling them would be certified. Given the benefits, one can’t debate the necessity of federal firearm restriction laws.

Yasmine Ayoub is a doctoral student in pharmacy

commentary

Humanities major turned to health profession Nearly all humanity majors have been undergraduate degree was English and asked the dreaded question: “What are protested with exclamations like, “I you planning to do with your degree?” didn’t even know that was an option.”

It’s usually preceded by an awkward New high school graduates are encourpoker face on the asker’s part when you aged to seek a degree that the economy is announced that you were indeed major- demanding, such as mathematics, sciing in English (my final ence, health care and/or college major), Art Histotechnology. However, it’s ry or another liberal arts a mistake to disregard Alumni Columnist intensive degree. the values of a degree in While there may not the humanities field. I be the job offers that engineering or know that my skills in reading, writing health care majors might receive before and literature will certainly aid me in my their graduations, humanity majors career as a parmacist. As a result of my have an enormous array of post-college education, I can effectively communicate experiences and careers available to with my future patients. Humanities mathem. jors with the right prerequisites can apply There seems to be a general stigma atfor any type of graduate program. They tached to attaining a degree in the huoffer fresh, innovative backgrounds that manities. Perhaps, this is even exacerbated these programs actually desire. by the economic struggles our country exWhat many college students need to perienced in the past decade. This, along realize is that a humanities degree has no with a mix of educational interests, caused traditional path after graduation. You me a great deal of confusion when choosdon’t automatically have to go on to being my undergraduate major. I initially ap- come a teacher should you attain a deplied to schools as an English major, as I gree in English. There are a multitude of had always loved reading, writing and dis- options available to you, and they all desecting literature. Then, I chose pharmacy pend on where your interests lie. You can and the University of Toledo because I have a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and had an equal love for the sciences and, go on to get a graduate degree in acduring high school, worked as a pharmacounting, nursing or law. You can incorcy technician, which further piqued my porate your undergraduate degree with a interest in the field. graduate degree to work in a specific area While at UT, I found that I couldn’t of your career field. resist my desire to study literature and Humanities majors can go on to bemade english my major of choice. come lawyers, doctors, pharmacists, However, instead of abandoning my CEOs, teachers, professors, managers, love for the sciences, I finished my preprofessional organizers, community leadrequisites for pharmacy school and, afers, actors and so much more. The opter graduating from UT in the spring of tions are literally endless. The trick is 2012 with a degree in English, I matricsimple. Know what you’re interested in, ulated into The Ohio State University’s apply that to your choice of a graduate School of Pharmacy this past fall. Some program or occupation, and let the sky of my fellow interviewees’ jaws dropped be your limit. As cliché as it may sound, in shock when they heard that my study what you love. It doesn’t have to be

Bryant Kaufman

the exact thing that you end up doing. I’ll admit that I was somewhat influenced into my current pursuits by a desire to have a comfortable lifestyle and job security, but don’t let that be the only reason you choose a major, and certainly don’t let it dissuade you from studying what you are passionate about.

Regardless of your passions in life, UT is a place where you can explore your options. Success is measured not by your degree, your salary or even your grades (though good ones certainly help), but by the zeal you exercise and the effort you put into your education and your career. Understanding yourself and what you love to learn about is all it takes to accomplish your goals.

Finally, and at the risk of sounding incredibly overstated, there’s often more than one facet to a young college student.

Students, in general, are often pushed and pulled in a million directions and yet told that they must adhere to one degree that will ‘define’ them for the rest of their adult lives. It’s essential to remember that it’s an education, not a degree, that will accompany a student further into his or her life. And it’s the many passions that a student exhibits, rather than a single one, which will truly determine the path of that student’s future.

Just remember that your degree can take you virtually anywhere you want to go, even if your destination is a bit unconventional in respect to your degree.

I’ll close with a bit of wisdom from Robert Frost: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference.”

Bryant Kaufman, 12, is a doctoral student in pharmacy at The Ohio State University.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013 | The Independent Collegian |

letter to the editor

The layoff of Blavos was a huge mistake Recently due to budget cuts, one of UT’s finest, Alexis Blavos, was laid off from her position. For those of you who do not know, Lexi is the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Prevention specialist, but that may not be how you’ve seen her. Lexi is all over campus most times of the day, whether it’s setting up for a prevention fair she has organized, training people for new positions with an alcohol and drug training, writing grants or setting up for Rocket Landing tailgates. And it doesn’t stop there.

I personally had the pleasure and honor to work with Lexi this summer as I interned in her office as many public health students have. I know first-hand that her job requires intelligence, leadership and organization, which she displays greatly. Another intern and I were struggling to keep up with her daily work schedule attending meetings, doing presentations, working

on research on our campus population of alcohol and drug usage and more. Clearly this position is an enormous commitment and certainly not anyone can do it.

This was a huge mistake made by the UT administration. If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Lexi, I encourage you to do so. Not only has she been a role model, mentor and one of my ”UT Moms,”, she truly cares about the students. She knows so many of us (by name) and strives to make this university better and most importantly better for the students. If UT truly cares about a ”student-centered” university, then this was literally the worst move they could have possibly made.

Not only is she one of the most hardworking people I’ve ever met, but she is extremely knowledgeable and even nationally known (Gamman of the Year in 2006, multiple presentations at national conferences and more).

Clearly UT has restructuring to do, but removing the most beneficial prevention program we have on campus is ludicrous. Her programs

literally have changed students’ outlook on drugs and alcohol and most importantly, saved students’ lives. Can you imagine all the lives saved based on the Red Watch Band Training Program? Or even the Medical Amnesty Policy? Just think.

She has made these changes in a little less than three years of working here. Lexi has graciously taken on the tremendous task of preventing the destruction of students’ behavior and, based on the statistics from surveys within her department, her presence has improved the health of our students drastically.

In conclusion, I am deeply saddened and disappointed in UT for this decision. I don’t think the administration realizes how much of a necessity Lexi is to students, faculty and staff here at UT. Lexi is a joy to work with, an excellent friend and a beautiful person inside and out. I hope that she finds a position somewhere where she is appreciated and valued for all of her amazing attributes.

— Karen Grajczyk, senior majoring in public health

COmmentary

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Low expectations of a class can be overcome Don’t get me wrong, I love I suppose the phrase “enjoyUT. I think it’s a fine school. able class” is a very subjective I’ve had some great classes term. What I mean isn’t that with great prothe class is always fessors, but also fun and games, but some that that it’s overall an weren’t so great. enriching experiI’ve been thinkence. After thinkIC Columnist ing lately about ing a long time what makes a class enjoyable about why I’ve enjoyed certain and worthwhile and I’d like to classes and not others, I beshare a couple of my ideas. lieve the biggest factor is the First, someone might have professor’s enthusiasm. An enthe idea that a class will only thusiastic professor makes lecbe interesting to those who ture something I look forward are already interested in the to rather than dread. Enthusicourse’s subject. I hope most asm is also very contagious students will have a counter and can make students interexample to this idea; this is ested in a subject they never supposed to be one purpose cared about before. of elective classes. Personally, Enthusiasm is great at grabas a math and physics major, bing a student’s attention, but I wasn’t particularly interest- what makes a class an envied in sociology. But upon ronment where students can taking a sociology elective, I learn and grow? Looking back found myself engrossed with at the classes I believe I’ve acthe subject as I listened actually learned the most in, I tively to the lectures. can say that their professors On the other hand, one had the highest standards. I might also suppose that any believe I always should have class on the topic of a student’s the obligation to myself to exinterest will be an intriguing ert my best effort in every one. I suspect that like myself, class, although admittedly this this hasn’t always been true for doesn’t always happen. But many students. I’ve had some sometimes, a professor comes math classes that were just ex- along who shows me that I ceptional and some that were can actually do more than not so much. I think that what I thought was my best. while students’ interest in a As I near the end of my time subject plays a large role in here at UT, these classes are what they receive from a class, the ones I will always rememI think there are larger factors ber fondest. that make an enjoyable class.

To conclude, I have a

Luke Kwiatkowski

few exhortations.

First, if you’re a professor reading this, please let your enthusiasm be present in the classroom. Although, strictly speaking, your job doesn’t require you to motivate students, realize that you have a captive audience and you may as well do your best to make the class interesting. You don’t have to do anything fancy; simply allow yourself to be fully present in the class you’re teaching and let your fascination with the subject shine.

Also, if you don’t have clear expectations for the class, your class probably won’t meet them. Although setting high standards for the class will inevitably leave some students behind, it will further motivate those students who work hard and will teach them more about their ability to learn.

Fellow students, if you’re in a difficult class, just do your best. Even if you don’t get an “A” in a hard class, you’ll probably learn more in a class you worked hard in to get a “B” than an easy “A.” And if you have an enthusiastic professor, don’t be afraid to indulge in their spirit. You might come to love a new subject you never before cared about.

Luke Kwiatkowski is a senior studying physics and mathematics.

COmmentary

Make 2013 everything it can be

Hello, my fellow students, even starts. I’ll tell my friends and welcome to a brand new and family, “I just won’t have year and semester back at time. I need to be able to foschool. It seems like the holicus.” But every semester, I’ve day break is pulled through. I’ve shorter every pushed myself to year and like earn that 3.7 GPA IC Columnist only yesterday and to persevere. we were cramming for a final This is the point in my life exam or presentation to end where I just have to push a litanother crazy fall semester. tle further to get to the finish But now, it’s back to the winter line. I’m in the home stretch. and spring months where the My final semester as a sebitter cold of Toledo slowly nior marks another chapter in melts into a mild, yet unpremy life that requires my faith dictable spring season. to know everything will work This year’s holiday break out as it should. I saw my was a very memorable one. boyfriend and his friends do Last week, I moved for the so this fall when they applied very first time into an apartfor jobs during their final sement with a friend. It took mester. At times, I could tell me almost four days to move they were frustrated with the 75 percent of my belongings multitude of interviews and from my old room to my new resumes clouding their schedroom. Now, I buy my own ules. But eventually, they all groceries, make dinner and found what they were looking pay bills. I’m officially on my for ­— a job, and a reassurown with my new roommate ance that their hard work in ­— except for the occasional college paid off. trip home to do laundry.

Now, it’s my turn. During This transition to a new the next few months, I’ll be living arrangement only dispushing myself with writing tracted me from the horrifymy thesis, passing my classing semester I have coming es, finishing my work projup, which will include lots of ects and searching for a job hours at work as a marketing ... oh, and not to mention intern, taking five classes as a actually having a life. senior, graduating from colDespite my complaining, lege and hopefully finding a I’m actually excited to gradufull-time job. It’s exciting to ate. It’s sad to say, but school think about, but it’s also terri- is actually my life. I’ve been bly intimidating. an academic achiever for as Every semester, I seem to long as I can remember. It’s think it’ll be difficult before it actually a bit scary thinking I

Megan Gross

won’t have to go to class in four months. I’ll have so much free time ... well, not really, but school does take up lots of our time.

A new year and new semester is a chance to start over — a clean slate and a new beginning. I’m sure most of you don’t make New Year’s resolutions any more, but if you had to think of one, what would it be? What’s something you want to see happen in your life this year? It can be an academic goal, a professional goal or even something in your personal life. It’s all about what you want to achieve and where you want to see yourself in 2013.

With the supposed “end of the world” far behind us, 2013 is open for many possibilities and milestones, and mine will be my college graduation and stepping into the real world. I’m sure it won’t be the only milestone I have for 2013, but it’s the biggest one I know of so far.

I look forward to many crazy and happy memories this semester and this year, and I hope yours is filled with just as many milestones and wonderful memories. Say goodbye to 2012 and hello to 2013 and prepare for an exciting year.

Megan Gross is a senior majoring in marketing and minoring in communications.

5

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Fill out an application at the Driscoll Alumni Center , Room 2024, located at the corner of Bancroft and University Hills Blvd. The deadline to apply is Thursday, January 17th, by 12pm.

Questions? Call the Phonathon Program at 419.530.4402.

Mystery Shoppers needed to perform work for a top tier marketing research company by visiting designated local places of business (banks, gas stations, restaurants, etc.) and evaluating customer service, product quality and store presentations to receive up to $35 per completed mystery shop! For more information and to submit a profile, visit us at: www.maritzmysteryshopping.com.

Lost & Found Lost Iraqi passport: Aso Rasool. If found, contact 419-764-1559.

Last issue’s solutions

THEME: WINTER FUN ACROSS 1. Mt. Everest, McKinley and such 6. Cleopatra’s cause of death 9. Crack in a lip 13. *Hot toddy, e.g.

14. Former Chinese communist leader 15. Glowed or beamed 16. Pronouncements 17. “___ to Joy” 18. Bird of prey weapon 19. Hungarian composer Bela ______ 21. *Popular winter sculpture 23. Thus far 24. Greenish blue 25. Former refrigerant 28. *A snow____ is one for trekking on snow 30. Astronomer’s sighting 35. Miners’ bounty, pl.

37. One who “____ on the safe side” 39. Start eating!

40. Heaven’s Gate, e.g.

41. 1:3, e.g.

43. Captured in fun 44. “Well-_____ machine” 46. Falls behind 47. Like tiny print 48. Like number 1 to hydrogen 50. Cuzco valley empire 52. Jack Kerouac’s Paradise 53. Pottery oven 55. Everybody or everything 57. *_______ break 61. Done after a trip 64. Wombs 65. Gas station abbreviation 67. Florida Key, e.g.

69. Turf, as opposed to surf 70. Unagi 71. *Heard on sleigh ride?

72. Cab blower 73. *Snow falls from it 74. Irregularly notched DOWN 1. Sum it up 2. Where a baby goes 3. Maryland Institute College of Art 4. Diary note 5. *Used for gliding 6. In a frenzy 7. “___ but true” 8. Literature in metrical form 9. Tobacco mouthful 10. River islet 11. Dwarf buffalo 12. In the Ivy League

15. Pitted peach, e.g.

20. Not the same one 22. Indian restaurant staple 24. Feeling no doubt 25. *Hot treat 26. *Ingredient in infamous cake 27. Played by Yo-Yo Ma 29. Kind of surgeon 31. Marty McFly’s antagonist 32. Tangerinegrapefruit hybrid, pl.

33. Tarzan’s swing rope 34. *Snow impression 36. Kind of cell 38. *Capricorn or Aquarius, e.g.

42. Extinct Italic language 45. Tiny antelope 49. Result of Truman’s National Security Act of 1947 51. *Kind of skiing 54. Ancient Greeks’ harps

Last Puzzle Solved

56. Lightsaber beam 57. Be quiet!

58. “The Simpsons” palindrome 59. Malicious look 60. Ayatollah’s home 61. Pre-swan state?

62. Greek muse of history 63. Party casks 66. Expresses mild alarm or surprise 68. “___ End” by The Doors

6 | The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, January 9, 2013

sports Follow us on Twitter @IC_Sports

in brief Campbell on a recruiting roll The Toledo football program picked up three more commitments over the holiday season.

Defensive tackle Rob Zimmerman (Dec. 19), athlete Delando Johnson (Dec. 28) and running back Kareem Hunt (Jan. 4) all pledged to play at Toledo recently, according to Rivals.

Zimmerman — transfer from Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kan. — is rated three stars by Rivals and was able to sign a National Letter of Intent due to his junior college status.

Johnson (Towson, Mary.) is also a three-star prospect and held offers from several schools including Illinois, Ohio and Boston College. He is expected to play safety for the Rockets.

Hunt (Willoughby, Ohio) picked UT over many other schools, most notably Minnesota, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

Toledo has 18 known commitments in the class of 2013 and should have room for one or two more.

National Signing Day is Feb. 6.

Fatinikun seeks additional year UT has filed a petition to the NCAA asking them to grant senior defensive end T.J. Fatinikun a fifth year of eligibility, according to a report from the Toledo Blade.

Fatinikun is citing medical hardship after suffering season-ending injuries in each of the last two years.

He played in six games before injuring his elbow in 2011 and just five before tearing his Achilles in 2012.

Men’s basketball begin MAC play tonight Head coach Tod Kowalczyk and the Rockets (47) will open Mid-American Conference play tonight when they travel to Kent State to take on the Golden Flashes (9-5).

Tonight’s matchup will feature the league’s two leading scorers.

Junior Rian Pearson has been rock-solid all season for the Rockets, averaging 19.2 PPG in his second season after transferring from UW-Green Bay. He is also averaging 6.4 rebounds per game, eighth-best in the conference.

Kent State is led by senior forward Chris Evans, who averages 16.5 a game. Evans is pulling down 7.6 RPG, third in the MAC. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Memorial A & C Center.

Toledo golfer to compete for Team Ireland UT men’s golfer Chris Selfridge was chosen Monday to represent Team Ireland in a pair of events next month against other top amateurs from around the world.

The sophomore from Castledawson, Northern Ireland will play in the South Africa 10 Nations Cup at Kingswood Golf Club Feb. 6-9.

He will then compete in the South African Amateur Stoke Play event at Oubaii Golf Club Feb. 12-15.

“This is an unbelievable opportunity for Chris to represent his country,” said UT golf coach Jamie Broce. “He had a great fall semester both on the course and in the classroom, and this is a great reward for his hard work.”

Selfridge won the MAC’s Freshman of the Year award and captured his first college tournament title at the Georgetown Intercollegiate, UT’s final event of the 2011 season.

www.IndependentCollegian.com

Women’s basketball

Rockets riding 11-game winning streak, begin MAC play Thursday

By Jay Skebba Sports Editor

The University of Toledo isn’t listed in either top 25 women’s poll, but that could be changing shortly.

The Rockets are in the midst of an 11-game winning streak and have a 12-1 record to boast as they begin conference play Thursday night.

Head coach Tricia Cullop’s players will be well-rested, as they wrap up a 10-day layoff.

“We gave them the weekend off this past weekend, but if you ask them, practices have been pretty normal as far as length and intensity,” she said. “It’s been a bit longer of a break, but I think it’s given us a chance to finetune things.”

It would appear not much needs to be corrected.

UT’s only setback of the season occurred back on Nov. 14 when they dropped a tough 79-76 decision at Dayton after holding a lead in the second half. The Flyers started the year 12-0 before getting drilled 65-40 at Bowling Green Dec. 30 and were ranked as high as 14th in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

Cullop and the Rockets have been firing on all cylinders since.

Their win streak includes an impressive 82-71, comefrom-behind victory on the road at Marquette, along with four in-season tournament crowns.

Those tournament experiences are already paying dividends for the Rockets.

“In a short amount of time, you’ve got to be able to adapt to a different style of play and know how to defend it,” Cullop said. “I feel like our players have gotten better and better at taking some instruction and applying it in a short amount of time.”

Not only did those tournaments improve the team on

file photo by vincent d. scebbi / IC

Senior guard Naama Shafir’s return from an ACL injury that ended her 2011-12 season has been a big reason for UT’s success. The Rockets look to make it an even dozen wins in a row tomorrow night when they host CMU.

the court, it also brought them closer together away from it.

Two were played away from home in Reno, Nev. and Atlanta, Ga. Cullop stated spending a few days on the road as a team brought a closely knit group even closer.

“I’m a big believer that if your team truly cares about each other off the court, a lot of things on the court take care of themselves,” Cullop said. “We really do have strong team chemistry and I think that’s played a big part in our success.”

And as far as being left out of the rankings despite so much success, don’t expect the Rockets to pay much attention.

“There’s not a whole lot that we can do about that,” Cullop said. “The most

track and field

Women’s team falls short at W. Michigan Courtesy of Toledo Athletics

The Toledo women’s track and field team fell to Western Michigan in the Ice Breaker dual meet on Saturday at WMU’s Read Fieldhouse.

The Rockets could only gather 55 points while the Broncos won 11 of the 14 events for a total of 92 points.

UT earned most of its points in the distance events, led by junior Kaylin Belair and freshman Brooke Tullis who topped the Mid-American Conference list by finishing first and second in the mile with converted times of 4:57 and 4:58, respectively. They were followed by freshman Liz Weiler in third with a time of 5:11.84.

“Overall it is a nice start to the year,” UT Director of Track and Field Kevin Hadsell said. It’s very early and we have some hard work ahead to win our first conference championship.”

Belair and Tullis also took second and fourth place in the 800-meter with times of 2:17.57 and 2:21.19, respectively.

UT took second and fifth place in the 3,000-meter run with redshirt freshman Sharon Morgan finishing second with a mark of 10:38.02. Freshman Stephanie Ingraham took fifth with a time of 10:48.08.

Junior Amber Brown had

strong performances in the 60-meter and 200-meter dash.

Brown won the 60-meter in just over seven seconds, while breaking the previous UT record of 7.66 held by Amanda Kaverman (‘11). Brown also took third in the 200-meter with a final mark of 25.62.

Freshman Lexis Willliams finished third (7.94) in the 60-meter dash and fourth (25.69) in the 200-meter. Also, freshman Ciara Dickerson placed fifth in the 200-meter with a time of 26.14.

UT took second place in the 400-meter and the long jump events as well. Junior Sarah Woodrum finished second in the 400-meter with a final time of 58.28, and senior Kiah Douglas leaped 18 feet , one inch in the long jump. Douglas also claimed third place in the triple jump after jumping 35 feet, 10 inches. Fellow senior Kate Bollin jumped one inch shy of her for fourth place.

Junior Jillian Sledge was the only Rocket to run the 60-meter hurdles and she finished third overall with a time of 9.02.

Freshman Alexa Jarrett won her first-collegiate pole vault competition with a jump of 11 feet.

Toledo will compete next Saturday in Bowling Green at the BGSU Opener.

important thing is that we stay focused on what we can control. I’m a big believer that if you take care of the little things, big things happen.”

The preseason MAC favorites are peaking at the right time as they gear up for conference play, which brings its own challenges.

One huge factor that bodes well for the Rockets is having senior guard Naama Shafir this season.

Shafir was set to leave the program after her senior season last year. However, a torn ACL in early November 2011 forced her to miss the remainder of the year.

After mulling over her decision, she eventually decided to apply for a fifth year of eligibility, something Cullop is certainly glad she received from the NCAA. “You always want to take a

positive out of an obstacle,” she said. “Last year — even though it was difficult to play without her — what really helped is a lot of our other players had to step up and grow and get better, and they did.”

Shafir’s 12.8 points and 5.4 assists per game are team highs as she has paired with junior Andola Dortch (10.8 PPG, 3.7 ASP) to form what is likely the MAC’s best backcourt. That would not have happened had Shafir not decided to come back for one last shot at a MAC Tournament title and NCAA Tournament appearance, something that UT hasn’t accomplished since 2001.

UT begins their conference slate tomorrow night when they host Central Michigan.

The Chippewas (6-7) love to play up-tempo and have no

problem making it a highscoring affair.

“They’re one of the most athletic teams in our league,” Cullop said. “They run the dribble drive offense, they’re going to shoot a lot of threes and they love to shoot early in the shot clock.”

Just three days later, UT will travel to Bowling Green to take on the 9-4 Falcons who are coming off that 25-point throttling of Dayton.

As usual, Cullop expects the rival Falcons to provide both a great challenge and atmosphere.

“They’re a team that you have to consistently prepare for because they have a lot of tradition and their players expect to win,” she said. “It’s always fun to go play in a hostile environment and see how your team responds.”

Rockets defeated in Potato Bowl

courtesy of dan miller / ut athletics

Freshman linebacker Trent Voss tackles Utah State running back Kerwyn Williams during the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Dec. 15 in Boise, Idaho. The No. 18 Aggies beat the Rockets 41-15 and outscored them 28-9 in the fourth. Williams ran for 235 yards and three touchdowns.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013 | The Independent Collegian | 7

Bob Taylor / IC

Gradkowski’s was still under construction when The Independent Collegian visited in mid-December. Now completed, co-owner Mike Graber said the restaurant will feature a warm, friendly atmosphere with nine 55-inch flat screen televisions and a wall of fame filled with signed photos of Toledo athletes and celebrities.

Restaurant from page 8

Gradkowski hopes his restaurant will not only draw students, faculty and staff, but those in surrounding communities, such as Ottawa Hills, Sylvania and Maumee.

The Pittsburgh native and his wife Miranda met at UT and recently bought a house in Maumee where they reside in the NFL offseason.

“I had a great experience at college and the city of Toledo was so good to me,” Gradkowski said. “[Miranda and I] enjoyed it so much so we just wanted to call Toledo our home. Especially with the restaurant going up on campus, we couldn’t be more excited about how everything has worked out.”

Neither party recalls who approached who, but Matt Schroeder, vice president of real estate and business development at the UT Foundation is confident the venture will benefit both Gradkowski and the Toledo community.

Series from page 8

Residence hall directors have a special incentive this year: the hall director with the most student attendance at the end of the semester will win a special prize.

The 2013 spring semester Crib Notes schedule is as follows: “Lighten Up: Getting Results with your New Year’s Resolutions,” hosted

by Darci Ault, Thursday, Jan. 10, 7 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center.

“Healthy Brains — The Science of Alcohol Consumption,” hosted by Youssef Sari, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 6:30 p.m. at Ottawa East, Multipurpose Room.

“In Search of Lost Times — How Music and Literature Can Define You,” hosted by Jim Zubricky, Thursday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m. at Carter Residence Hall, Carter Huddle.

Role from page 8

Performing Arts Holly Monsos serves as Glacity’s executive director; Vice Provost for Academic Program Development Benjamin Pryor co-founded the theatre company; Chair of the Theatre and Film Department James Hill has designed sets, sounds and lights for many Glacity productions; and Lingan brought on Toledo film and theatre alumus Megan Aherne as the assistant artistic director.

Lingan said content separates the two theatre entities.

“There are some kinds of work that I could do at Glacity that I would probably not attempt to do in the UT Department of Theatre and Film. So GTC is a great outlet for doing the sort of work

“It’s really an opportunity not only by returns but also ancillary benefits of the stuto not only showcase the dent experience and how a collegian and professional tenant like Gradkowski’s helps sports through a restaurant, but over the next decade and other tenants with ancillary business, spillover, or ripple beyond, it could really become integrated into the UT effect, if you want to call it that,” Schroeder said. way of life, the UT family, Gradkowski’s was origiand become the go-to venue, nally slated to open in Aufor all things university-regust, but the restaurant’s lated,” Schroeder said. partners and The Gate“We’ve really hit developers felt way Project is currently on all cylinders at that construcwould home to this restaurant, so tion have to be Barnes & rushed in orNobles, Great I’m really excited der to meet Clips, Jimmy to give back and the deadline.

John’s, Rice help make it a With the resBlvd., Startaurant’s new bucks, Wire- place everyone opening date less Zone, can enjoy.” and his return Yogurt U. Bruce Gradkowski to Toledo for and the Lofts UT Alum, the offseason at Gateway.

Co-owner of Gradkowski’s quickly apThree empty proaching, spots remain Gradkowski is excited to in the development, but according to Schroeder negoti- join in the buzz surrounding his business. ations have been wrapped “I’ll be there pretty much up for two of them. He beevery day, on campus and enlieves the addition of Gradkowski’s will help other busi- joying the atmosphere,” Gradkowski said. “I’ll be communesses on the storefront.

“It was a decision generated nicating with the people that “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Oprah,” hosted by Michele Martinez, Monday, Jan. 28, 7 p.m. at Crossings Residence Hall, Multipurpose Room.

“It’s Time to Get Your Search On! New ideas for web surfing,” hosted by Tom Atwood, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 6 p.m. Location to be determined.

“Bullying at the College Level / UT Anti-Bullying Task Force,” hosted by Lisa Kovach, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 6 p.m. at International House, Multipurpose Room.

“A Visit with the Woolf Pack — Petting Awesome Friendly Dogs,” hosted by Deanna Woolf, Thursday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. at Carter Residence Hall, Carter Huddle.

“Study Abroad: Open your Mind and Explore the World!” hosted by Michelle Ploeger, Thursday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m. Location to be determined.

“The Pleasures of Running,” hosted by Amelia Acuna, Wednesday, March 13, 6 p.m. at Ottawa East, Multipurpose Room.

“Under the Influence of Your Parents and Their Music,” hosted by John Adams, Monday, March 18, 7 p.m. at the Crossings Residence Hall, Multipurpose Room.

“Diversity Awareness,” hosted by Emily Hardcastle, Monday, March 25, 7:30 p.m. at McComas Village.

House to be determined.

“4 Kids, 3 Vans and 23,000 Miles of Fun,” hosted by Martin Ohlinger, Wednesday, March 27, 7 p.m. Location to be determined.

A yet-to-be-announced topic, hosted by Monica Holiday, Monday, April 8, 6 p.m. at the Crossings Residence Hall, Multipurpose Room.

“The Benefits of Quieting One’s Mind Through Meditation and Yoga,” hosted by Yoga Mike, Wednesday, April 10, 6 p.m. at Parks Tower.

Information provided by Jennifer Rockwood, director of the First Year Experience.

that I would not get to do otherwise,” he said. However, he described the atmosphere as “very similar in both places.”

collaboration is very free and open. My colleagues in both GTC and UT are wonderful to work with!”

Lingan has worked on productions in both the U.S. and Canada, but credited his 15 years of theatre experience in New York City as great prep work for his new role at Glacity. He added that his jobs at the university and Glacity compliment each other very well.

“My position [at UT] keeps me working constantly as a theatre director, and by practicing my art I am more prepared to think holistically about the practice of theatre in GTC,” he said.

Glacity Theatre Collective will perform “Circle Mirror Transformation” Jan. 17-19 and 24-26 at St. Paul’s Methodist Church. All shows will start at 8 p.m.

“There are some kinds of work that I could do at Glacity that I would probably not attempt to do in the UT Department of Theatre and Film.”

Edmund Lingan Assistant Theatre Professor, Glacity Artistic Director

“At both GTC and the UT Department of Theatre and Film (and I emphasize here that GTC is not affiliated with the UT Department of Theatre and Film) the

made this happen and that’s the community of Toledo, the University of Toledo and everyone who has been there through my career. I look forward to getting in contact with the people that have been University of Toledo lovers for years.”

Gradkowski still has close ties to neighboring Pennsylvania, and with his younger brother Gino now playing center for the Baltimore Ravens, there is plenty of room for the former Rocket to expand the Gradkowski brand if this venture goes well. Like every good quarterback though, he is concentrating on the task at hand.

“This is going to be the main operating base and hopefully there will be many more in the future. I’ll get my brother involved and maybe put one in Pittsburgh next,” Gradkowski said. “But right now we’re focused on the one at the university because Toledo is my home. We’ve really hit on all cylinders at this restaurant, so I’m really excited to give back and help make it a place everyone can enjoy.”

8 | The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, January 9, 2013

rocket life Follow us on Twitter @IC_Arts

calendar

www.IndependentCollegian.com

Alumni

Wednesday 11 a.m.: Student Activities Fair, Ingman Room, Student Union Building.

5 p.m.: The Meeting of Moral Responsibility, hosted by The Young Americans for Liberty, room 2562, Student Union Building.

Thursday 4 p.m.: Lecture, Luminescent Manipulation of Sunlight for Photovoltaic Cells, by Crhis Giebink from The Pennsylvania State University Department of Electrical Engineering, room 1005, McMaster Hall.

FRIDAY 9 a.m.: Exhibit, The Nexus: Exploring the Link Between Art and Science, Main Gallery, Center for Visual Arts.

MONDAY 4 p.m.: LGBTQA Support Group, room 2579, Student Union Building.

7 p.m.: Meet The Greeks, hosted by National Pan-Hellenic Council, auditorium, Student Union Building.

Tuesday 4:30 p.m.: Meeting, Building a Professional You: Financial Management, hosted by The Women’s Student Development Network, room 3100, Stranahan Hall North.

7 p.m.: Lecture, The History of Islam in Toledo, part of Common Dialog Day and MLK Untiy Week, room 2591, Student Union Building.

releases Comics Repossessed #1 of 4,

by JM Ringuet. Published

by Image. Available Wednesday.

Superior Spider-Man #1, by Dan Slott and Ryan Stegman. Published

by Marvel. Available Wednesday.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Secret History of the Foot Clan #1 of 4, by Mateus Santolouco and Chris Burnham. Published by IDW. Available Wednesday.

Wonder Woman Vol. 1: Blood, by Brian Azarello and Cliff Chiang.

Published by Marvel.

Available Wednesday.

MOVIES Gangster Squad, starring Sean Penn, Josh Brolin and Ryan Gosling.

Out Friday.

A Haunted House, starring Marlon Wayans and Essence Atkins. Out Friday.

Struck By Lighting, starring Chris Colfer and Rebel Wilson. Limited release Friday.

Zero Dark Thirty, starring Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton and Mark Strong. Wide release Friday.

BOOKS The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green.

Available Tuesday.

My Beloved World, by Sonia Sotomayor. Available Tuesday.

Private: #1 Suspect,

by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. Available Tuesday.

Standing in Another Man’s Grave, by Ian Rankin. Available Tuesday.

CDs Alter Egos, by Sean Lennon. Available Tuesday.

CRMNL HYGNE, by Criminal Hygiene. Available Tuesday Goldenheart, by Dawn Richard. Available Tuesday.

Mystical Weapons, by Mystical Weapons. Available Tuesday.

More online For further coverage, breaking news and entertainment reviews, follow the IC Rocket Life on Twitter and Facebook and check the IC’s website.

COOKING AT HOME

Bob Taylor / IC

Former UT standout returns to open restaurant on campus

By Nate Pentecost Managing Editor

Three storied years as the University of Toledo’s starting quarterback propelled Bruce Gradkowski to his on-going NFL career. Now, the Rockets football legend is returning to his adopted home with a new business venture.

The latest establishment to hit UT’s Gateway Project, Gradkowski’s, a sportsthemed bar and grill, is set to open its doors to the public Friday, Jan. 11.

“It’s honestly a dream come true to know that the university has worked with us to make this happen,” Gradkowski said.

“To think that I can give back to the university and bring something cool to the community is great. I think we’re in a great location for the nearby areas to enjoy and it means so much to me that we can all share in it together.”

The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback is partnering in the venture with Mike Graber, a former managing partner at Biaggi’s in Levis Commons, and Singh Grewal, part owner of Arnie’s at Levis.

Graber, who has participated in opening over 25 restaurants, is in charge of day-to-day operations, while Grewal, a Toledo football player during the

’90s, was instrumental in the restaurant’s design.

Gradkowski is, of course, the figurehead of the operation but according to Graber, the signal caller is interested in educating himself in all aspects of the restaurant.

“He’s going to be a spokesman in our commercials [and] he’ll be on our website, but he wants to learn the business as well,” Graber said of Gradkowski, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business marketing and management in 2005. “He’s trying to set himself up for life after football so he’s asking a million questions [because] he’s never had anything to do with the restaurant business before.”

The menu is American with an Italian influence, a nod to Gradkowski’s heritage. Dishes will be freshly prepared and made-fromscratch, including over a dozen appetizers, hand-cut steaks, select pastas, specialty pizzas, high-end burgers and desserts.

“Our food is cooked with love,” Gradkowski said with a laugh. “It’s not always going to stay the same, we’re going to change, but it’s going to be food that isn’t often around the area that people will be able to come and enjoy. We’re really

going to have it all and I’m excited to bring that to campus.”

Far more than the college bar some anticipated when the project was first announced, Gradkowski’s will also have an extensive wine list, chosen from small, carefully tended vineyards in Italy, California, Oregon and Ohio among other locations.

Handcrafted specialty beers will be on tap and prohibition cocktails with a contemporary twist will also be available. Despite some of the more upscale dishes and drinks, Graber reiterated that items “are going to be priced where everyone’s able to enjoy them.”

The atmosphere will be cozy, featuring natural woods, detailed stonework, and warm, neutral colors. The restaurant’s “UT Hall of Fame” wall will tout signed photographs of UT players and local celebrities, while its media wall will boast nine 55-inch flat screen televisions.

“The beauty of it is on a Friday or Saturday night when you go out with your wife or on a date, nobody wants you staring at the game, so we can hit a button and turn that wall into a beautiful fireplace or a winter wonderland scheme, for example” Graber explained.

“It’s going to be very cool.”

See Restaurant / 7

Photo Courtesy of Joseph Herr / Toledo Free Press

Now an NFL quarterback, Toledo alum Bruce Gradkowski will open his namesake restaurant Friday at the University of Toledo’s Gateway project. Gradkowski’s will feature American-Italian food and an extensive wine list.

Theatre

Campus Life

Professor brings innovation and experience to new role in local theatre company

Unique topics, prizes highlight spring ‘Crib Notes’ series

By Russell Axon Rocket Life Editor

Edmund Lingan, assistant professor of theatre, was recently appointed as the artistic director for the Glacity Theatre Collective.

“The primary responsibility of the artistic director is to enhance the overall artistic quality of the work that the company does,” Lingan said in an email interview.

He has been with the company since 2007. He was nominated after the previous artistic director, Cornel Gabara, stepped down to focus on acting and directing.

Lingan also retained his position as Glacity’s dramaturg, who functions like a consultant or researcher for a theatre company. He also plans to act in and possibly direct future productions.

Glacity was founded in 2007 with the goal of producing and showcasing “more experimental, nontraditional” works at various venues, while providing local theatre talent professional opportunities close to home, according to the company’s website.

Lingan wants to continue this tradition.

“I have been very impressed with GTC’s dedication to producing interesting works that people in this area would otherwise not likely get to see,” he said.

Glacity’s upcoming show is “Circle Mirror Transformation,” a play about five individuals connecting with one another through theatre and improv games.

Written by Annie Baker, it was voted one of 2009’s top ten plays by “The New York Times.”

With his film and theatre background, Lingan said he brings a lot of energy to the position and that he plans to expand Glacity’s repertoire and presence.

“The idea I am most excited about is that of maintaining the sort of quality work we do, and, at the same time, adding to that a wider range of artistic activities that move beyond traditional theatre and creater broader opportunities for collaborating with Toledo artists,” he said. “By continuing and broadening our line of work, I think opportunities for innovation will emerge.”

By IC Staff

Photo Courtesy of Angela Riddel

Edmund Lingan, assistant professor for the theatre department, was appointed as Glacity Theatre Collective’s artistic director in December.

Lingan’s other plans for the company include increasing their visibility, establishing a permanent location and recruiting more members.

Although Glacity and UT’s theatre and film department are not professionally connected, there is

some overlap of their respective community members.

Gabara is an associate professor of film and theatre at the university; Associate Dean for the College of Visual and See Role / 7

Unique topics and raffle prizes highlight this semester’s “Crib Notes Lecture Series.”

“Crib Notes” is a lecture discussion series where UT faculty and administration members speak in the residence halls about personally selected, non-academic topics. The discussions are open to both commuter and oncampus students.

Discussions typically run for 45 minutes and food will be served at each program.

Additionally, raffle drawings will be held at each program. Prizes include gift cards for films, theater shows, food and beauty salons.

See Series / 7