Wednesday, March 27, 2013
94th year • Issue 27
Toledo continues run for WNIT crown / 6 Serving the University of Toledo since 1919
Inside
Graduate studies
Faculty say provost’s plan will hurt grad programs By Nell Tirone Staff Reporter
Student artists display work in capstone exhibit / 9
www.IndependentCollegian.com
The University of Toledo Graduate Council is expressing their concerns about the survival of the university’s graduate programs. A letter was sent to President Lloyd Jacobs, Main Campus Provost Scott Scarborough and Health Science Campus Chancellor Jeffery Gold this month, stating the
proposed workload policy and new class size requirements would “ultimately damage research and graduate education” at UT. “Graduate students account for almost one in five students and the university earns almost double the subsidy and tuition from the typical graduate student than it does from an undergraduate,” the letter read. “Members of the Graduate
Council perceive the proposed workload as a threat to the reputation, income, and survivability of the University.” The current policy states that all tenured and tenuretrack faculty members must have at least 12 semester credit hours for each semester. It also requires at least 30 undergraduate students and at least 15 graduate students
per class. Scarborough said faculty workload increases reflect issues that universities across Ohio are going through, not just at UT. “I think those involved in graduate education are worried about the impact … as universities struggle to kind of balance their budgets,” Scarborough said. See Grad studies / 8
Student Government Elections
Faculty leaders air concerns about changes to Senate’s constitution /3 Former WXUT DJ’s comment about rape reflects bigger problem / 4
In brief UT Anime Society to finish spring film series Students can still catch the final few episodes of the shows featured in UT Anime Society’s spring anime series. The group meets on alternating Thursday and Friday nights at 6 p.m. in Student Union Room 1503. The viewings scheduled for Thursday night are “Higashi no Eden,” “Black Lagoon,” “Princess Princess” and “Ebiten.” The viewings scheduled for Friday night are “Darker then Black,” “Hachimitsu to Clover,” “Toradora,” “Princess Tutu” and “Strawberry Panic.” For a detailed schedule, visit utanime.com.
UT to host Prison Week Reform in the prison system will be highlighted during Prison Week starting Monday, April 8. University of Toledo faculty and local community members will host lectures, discussions and presentations at different locations around campus, including the Student Union and McQuade Law Auditorium. The event will culminate in a meeting inside the Toledo Correctional Institution. The week is sponsored by Toledoans for Prison Awareness. For a complete schedule or more information about Prison Week, visit tinyurl.com/ prisonweek.
Bob taylor / IC
Students listen as both Student Government presidential tickets discuss their plans to help improve student retention and “Rocket Pride” at Tuesday’s first ticket debate of the year.
Candidates detail plans at ticket debate By Josh Egler Staff Reporter
The Independent Collegian held the second annual Student Government Presidential Ticket Debate on Monday where the candidates debated issues ranging from Rocket Pride to diversity. The debate started with both tickets promoting their platforms. The Emily Kramp and Lauren Jencen ticket’s platform includes plans to “construct and renovate” UT, make SG more transparent, promote Rocket Pride and improve the student experience on campus. The Chris Dykyj and Nikeya Wilson ticket’s platform includes improving advising and student life, as well as increasing Rocket
Pride and creating more “real world experiences” for students. The Kramp-Jencen ticket has, as part of their platform, a resolution to give every business that offers student discounts a rocket logo as a means to promote Rocket Pride and make chains and local businesses more accessible for the students. “We would like to somehow post it, make it accessible to students so students know what businesses offer student discounts,” Jencen said. Kramp added that the program will, “advertise on the storefronts so people will see that it offers student discounts. See Debate / 8
lindsay sraj / IC
Presidential candidate Emily Kramp (left) and her running mate Lauren Jencen.
lindsay sraj / IC
Crime
Drugs involved in December on-campus stabbing, coroner says By Danielle Gamble and Lindsay Mahaney
Editor-in-Chief and News Editor
A synthetic drug was involved in the Dec. 19 stabbing death of Josiah Galat on the University of Toledo’s campus, according to the Lucas County Coroner’s office. Dr. James Patrick, a coroner from the office, confirmed today that a hallucinogenic drug named 25iNBOMe, or 25i, was found in Galat’s system. Senior engineering major Galat died of multiple stab wounds to the neck while staying at UT’s Horton International House residence hall over winter break. Erik Littleton, 19, who was also an engineering student at the time, was hospitalized after the incident and later returned to his home in Detroit. Chief of Police Jeff Newton said at this time no charges have been filed against Littleton and the investigation is still active and ongoing. Police have taken into account 25i was found in Galat’s system. “If you do a little research on the drug, you’ll find it’s caused quite a bit of problems across the country,” he said. According to the Erowid Center, an organization which provides information on psychoactive substances, 25i can be ingested in multiple ways, including smoking and dissolving drug tags under the tongue. The drug has been compared to LSD, and symptoms can include increased heart rate, unusual body sensations, confusion, euphoria, nausea, fear and panic. Alexis Blavos, outgoing director of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Prevention Program, said there was “no way the students could have known what was going to happen” in the December incident because of the natural unpredictability of synthetic drugs. Though she has never heard of this specific drug before, Blavos said that’s common with “designer drugs.”
Presidential candidate Chris Dykyj and his running mate Nikeya Wilson.
See Drugs / 8
Student Leadership
Applications available for student Board of Trustees representative By Jayme Mersing Staff Reporter
Students interested in influencing university policy can apply to be a student member of the University of Toledo Board of Trustees for the 2013-2015 term. Brittney Brown, current student trustee and a senior marketing major, said others should get involved with the board because “it’s nice to see what is really happening” with UT rather than relying on “biased rumors.” “This is one of the most influential positions for students attending
UT,” Brown said. “By being on the board, it’s a very different experience to see the major decisions being made that impact the entire university.” Kaye Patten Wallace, vice president for the student experience, said in an email that students should apply if they are “eligible and a hard working student.” She also stressed that candidates do not have to be members of Student Government. Even though student trustees do not have an official board vote, they
attend all public board meetings. Student trustees must attend all board meetings and will be appointed to another committee within the board. They will be required to report the information discussed at the committee meetings to SG Senate. Applications are available now under the “About UT” tab on the UT home page. The applications are due to Dean of Students Tamika Dobbins on April 1 at noon in the Student Union’s Office for the Student Experience, room 2521.
Requirements Students interested in becoming a Board of Trustees representative must: n Have 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA n Be enrolled full time n Have attended UT for three semesters as a full-time student n Have a clean conduct record with the university n Be a registered Ohio voter n Submit an application by April 1 at noon to the Student Union’s Office for the Student Experience, room 2521