Daily Kent Stater | January 11, 2011 by The Kent Stater

DAILY KENT STATER Tuesday, January 11, 2011 • The independent student newspaper of Kent State University • Weather: Snow, HI 26, LO 21

LATEST UPDATES AT KENTWIRED.COM

Lefton establishes university-wide hiring freeze Budget concerns haults new hires Anna Staver

astaver@kent.edu Daily Kent Stater Budget concerns led President Lester Lefton to announce a university-wide ban on new hires for

the foreseeable future. “As a preliminary step we had to move in this direction because we don’t know what is going to happen (in Columbus),” Lefton said to Faculty Senate. “As we know more we can review our policies and make better decisions.” Lefton announced the hiring freeze at the end of the fall semester in an e-mail to faculty and staff. In the e-mail and in his remarks to Faculty Senate yesterday, Lefton cited concerns over Ohio’s budget

shortfall — currently projected to be between $8 billion and $10 billion as one of the reasons for this freeze. He said another motivation for the preemptive measure was the uncertainty over Governor John Kasich’s new administration and what budget cuts will be made in higher education. “I wish I could say I had an inside track or crystal ball,” Lefton said to Faculty Senate yesterday about his ability to discern the new governor’s position on higher

education funding. “We are facing a new normal, and business as usual cannot continue,” Lefton said. The blanket ban on new hires does allow exceptions for what Lefton calls “mission-critical” hires. Shortly after the freeze was announced, Kent State revealed the new head football coach for the Golden Flashes. Lefton said at Faculty Senate that over the next year and a half he will also continue with plans to

hire people to help professors who have questions or issues regarding distance-learning technologies. Currently, there is a search committee that is continuing in its efforts to hire a new vice president of Graduate Studies. Mack Hassler, faculty senate chair, said that in the days after the hiring freeze was announced, Provost Robert G. Frank contacted the Committee on Administrative Officers to see what should be done about the search

for the new Vice president. “It will be an expensive hire,” Hassler said. “We think it’s economically viable because that position will generate more income.” The committee and the provost’s office petitioned for the hiring process to continue during the freeze. “We talked to them about it,” Frank said. “This is a key role and we were so far along in the search process that it made sense to keep going.” See FREEZE, Page 4

Heated talks lead to Provost walk out Disagreement spurs Frank’s departure Britni Williams

Bwilli61@kent.edu Daily Kent Stater After a heated conversation, members of the Provost’s Office left the Faculty Senate meeting Monday. Provost Robert Frank, followed by other members of his office, left the meeting after a heated exchange with Faculty Senator Donald White over a policy that provides a procedure to hire distinguished academic ranks — faculty with special recognition. NIKOLAS KOLENICH | DAILY KENT STATER

Benjamin Lentz pulls his clothes from the dryer at Laundry 101, located across from Pulp on state Route 59, on Monday. Laundry 101 is the only Laundromat in Kent with a full bar, pool tables and multiple big-screen TVs.

Getting clean in Kent Kent Laundromats offer alternatives to residence hall laundry machines

LAUNDRY 101

CAMPUS COIN

ON CAMPUS

Washers: $1.75 - $4.50

Washers: $1.25

Washers: $2.50

Dryers: 25 cents for 6 min.

Dryers: 25 cents for 8-15 min.

Dryers: Free

On Site Staff: Yes

On Site Staff: No

Wi-Fi: Yes

Wi-Fi: No

Wi-Fi: Yes for most

Julie Sickel

Change Machine: accepts all bills

Change Machine: accepts only $1 bills

Daily Kent Stater

Additional Services: Drop-off laundry service

Additional Services: None

Laundry Card: can be refilled at residence desks

Extra Amenities: Bar, snack area, study area, arcade games, pool tables, televisions, separate gender bathrooms, ATM

Extra Amenities: Beverage vending machines, unisex bathroom, detergent available

jsickel@kent.edu For students whose moms don’t swing by Kent every weekend to pick up and drop off laundry, the task of getting clothes clean can be a daunting one. The more laundry stacks up, as it tends to do, the more money students can wind up spending. Students both on and off campus have many different options around Kent to get their clothes clean. One place to do laundry off campus is Laundry 101, located in the Acme plaza off state Route 59. Laundry 101 is affiliated with 101 Bottles and is Kent’s only Laundromat-bar combination. “I can sit down and have a beer while I wait for my laundry,” said Marty Cook, sophomore pre-nursing major. “I can walk to Acme or get some Chinese. Sheetz is right across the street. It’s just a great location. Laundry isn’t exactly the most entertaining thing.” In addition to the in-house bar and snack area, Laundry 101 offers other entertainment like free Wi-Fi, pool tables, televisions and arcade games. “The staff is great, and I love the quad loaders,” Cook said. “I usually put off laundry, and this way I can get most of my laundry in a couple loads instead of five or six.” Washers at Laundry 101 cost

between $1.75 and $4.50 depending on the size of the machine, and dryers cost 25 cents for 6 minutes. “(Laundry 101) is pricey, but that’s expected in a college area,” said Eric French, senior accounting and finance major. “I’ve never been in (Campus Coin Laundry) before; it just looks sketchy.” Campus Coin Laundry is located just up the road from Laundry 101, off East Main Street in the Penn Station Plaza. Campus Coin is owned and managed by Bruno’s Authentic Pizza, which is in the same plaza. “I like going (to Campus Coin) because it’s inexpensive, and I don’t see a lot of people when I’m here,” said Amy Hawkins, junior history major. Washers cost $1.25, and a quarter will buy 8 to 15 minutes of drying time, depending on the dryer. Campus Coin doesn’t have an on-site staff, but patrons can go to Bruno’s Pizza for assistance or dollar bills for the change machine. Like Laundry 101, Campus Coin is in a location that allows patrons to stay entertained. Students can

get food at Bruno’s Pizza or Penn Station, buy beer at 101 Bottles or browse DVDs at The Exchange. “It’s your basic Laundromat, and it’s really not as bad as it looks,” Hawkins said. In order to do laundry on campus, students need a university laundry card. Laundry card machines are located at each residence desk and do not accept $1 bills. Washers in campus laundry rooms cost $2.50 per load and drying is free. But even with free drying, students still find the cost of laundry pricey on campus. Kyle Little, sophomore pre-nursing major, said she combines her washing with her roommate’s each week in order to save money. Chris Baldwin, junior theatre studies major, goes to more extreme measures to save money on laundry. “I’m a bit of a cheapskate. What I’ve been doing is I go to a Laundromat and I wash my clothes for less money, and then I throw them in my bag and dry them for free on campus. It probably only saves me 2 or 3 dollars

CHANGES TO CHEATING POLICY TABLED Faculty Senate members did not vote on a new cheating policy as previously planned. The policy was tabled because of a concern about faculty’s rights to apply sanctions. Vice Chair Linda Williams said the way the cheating and plagiarism policy stands now, students caught plagiarizing go through two channels: judicial affairs and academics. The proposed change would streamline this operation, Williams said. Under the proposed policy, Williams said, students would have to meet with an academic hearing board, which would consist of two faculty members and one student. The faculty members would ideally be from a sister discipline from the department in which the offense was committed. The student would be of the same academic standing, either an undergraduate or graduate student. Williams said the policy also adds another academic sanction. The three academic sanctions that are currently used are the student can redo the assignment, fails the assignment or fails the class based on the professor’s judgment. The new academic sanction would be “plagiarism school”, Williams said. It is supposed to help students learn what plagiarism is , and why it’s important to not do it. This new option is intended for students who professors feel didn’t plagiarize on purpose.

Additional Services: Laundry in a Flash Extra Amenities: N/A

a week, but what can you do?” For students who aren’t necessarily looking to save money but would like help with their laundry, there’s Laundry in a Flash. Run by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation, the service allows students to sign up online to have their clothes washed for them. “It’s been a very successful program,” said Chris Lintner, junior entrepreneurship major and CEO of Laundry in a Flash. “We’re reaching revenue goals we never thought we would.” A semester (14 weeks) of laundry done through Laundry in a Flash costs $229 with prorated costs for those who sign up later in the semester. Students who sign up for the program receive a key to pick up and drop off their laundry at their assigned location as well as a 17-pound laundry bag, which is a little bit less than double what you would get in the machines at the dorms, Lintner said. Julie Sickel is a news corresspondent.

Frank’s office rewrote the proposed University Policy and Procedures Regarding Distinguished Academic Ranks that the Professional Standards Committee submitted previously. White said that most of the proposed policy had been changed. “There were 38 words out of a two and a half page document that were left unchanged,” White said. White also said the Provost’s Office was attempting to override the committee’s ability to write policy. In response, Frank called White’s remarks “inappropriate.” After further intense exchange, Frank left with his staff. The discussion continued, but they made no decision regarding the policy. See PROVOST, Page 4

– Britni Williams

New ambassador strives to impact students, university Thornton evaluates success mid-term Daniel Moore

dmoore63@kent.edu Daily Kent Stater Last August, Andre “Thunder” Thornton was named President Lester Lefton’s first ambassador for the 20102011 academic year. Halfway through his term, he said he feels he has made an impact. “My goal was certainly to promote Kent State, to offer my support to the diversity program and talk about ways in which we can increase, devel-

op and grow to engage the student in a meani n g f u l w a y, ” Thornton said. He said he has made both an internal and external impact on the university. THORNTON His internal impact, he said, is that he uses “some of the experiences as a businessman and entrepreneur to engage kids and faculty on very meaningful life experience.” To promote Kent State outside of the students and faculty, he said he really tries “to grow awareness on the benefits of Kent State and the opportunities it affords our young people.” See AMBASSADOR, Page 4

Page 2 | Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Daily Kent Stater

TODAY’S EVENTS

DAILY KENT STATER

n Coffee Corner When: 10 a.m. Where: Student Center Cyber Café

n Zoology-Conservation

meeting When: 7 p.m. Where: Student Center Room 310C

n Kent

n h2o

n Fellowship

n College

Church Prayer meeting When: 1 p.m. Where: Student Center Room 312

of Christian Athletes Bible Study When: 8 p.m. Where: Student Center Room 320

Interhall Council meeting When: 7 p.m. Where: Student Center Governance Chambers

240 Franklin Hall Kent State University Kent, Ohio 44242 NewSroom 330-672-2584 Editor Regina Garcia Cano rgarcia1@kent.edu Managing editor Josh Johnston jjohns64@kent.edu

of Nursing meeting When: 1:30 p.m. Where: Kiva

Managing editor Kelly Byer kbyer@kent.edu

News

SPORTS

Assigning editors

Sports editor

Lydia Coutré

Have an event you want to see here? Send it to lcoutre@kent.edu by Thursday the week before.

Cody Erbacher

lcoutre@kent.edu

cerbache@kent.edu

Emily Inverso

K e n t W i r e d . co m

trogers@kent.edu

Students prevented from returning home due to bad weather Daily Kent Stater Many students were ready for break from the stress they endured throughout last semester. The only things left for them to do were to take their final exams. But the weather that soon appeared put a halt to many student and faculty plans. Last semester, school was canceled for the first time in at least 30 years during finals week (as far back as could be found on record), said Greg Jarvie, vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. A total of 22 inches of snow fell on Dec. 13 and 14, according to the National Weather Service. Exams on those days were pushed to the following week on Dec. 20 and 21. Many professors were very accommodating to students and did what they could to give students a chance to make up their final without it interfering with their plans. However, some students did not have that benefit. Samantha Tallon, sophomore fashion design major, had to spend many days on campus waiting to take her postponed exam. “My professor didn’t offer any alternatives for a makeup exam,” Tallon wrote in an e-mail. “In fact, he didn’t

KENTWIRED.COM Go online to take a poll on whether the snow affected you in your finals week.

OPINION

Taylor Rogers

Finals week snowstorm disrupted holiday plans

acrumm@kent.edu

llsowsk@kent.edu

kpetrysz@kent.edu

Nicole Stempak

Amanda Crumm

Lance Lysowski

Kelly Petryszyn

Go to KentWired.com to see the interactive entertainment calendar. The calendar covers entertainment events on campus and in the city of Kent.

even communicate through e-mail what would happen after exams were canceled. This caused quite a bit of confusion among the 150-plus students in the class.” The inconvenience of scheduling finals affected professors as well. Biology professor Gail C. Fraizer had to cancel her holiday trip due to the rescheduling. “Our trip to Florida was canceled as we expected grades could not be compiled till Dec. 26 (and would have missed our window for the trip),” Fraizer wrote in an e-mail. Fraizer said she e-mailed all 150 students and determined that most could fit in their makeup exams on Thursday. “But it required a rolling exam schedule with myself and proctors in the room from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.” Other professors were willing to work around students’ schedules in their own way. Richard Mangrum, assistant flight training professor, understood the students had obligations with work or family and did his best to reschedule his exams. Mangrum allowed his students to take one-on-one exams in his office. His students were also able to take their exams on Vista, and a few students waited for the rescheduled time. Sociology professor Timothy J. Owens made his students’ final the average of their three best quizzes and added ten points. A snow advisory was put in place for Monday, advising that if students didn’t have to be out driving, they shouldn’t be. “When inclimate weather is occur-

Assistant sports editor

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Opinion editor

Rabab Al-Sharif

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Jessica White

Visuals

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Photo editor

Copy desk chief

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Kentwired editor

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Features Features/ALL editor

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ALL design editor

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FILE PHOTO BY RACHEL KILROY | DAILY KENT STATER

Cars tread carefully on Main Street as the snow falls in early December. Many students’ travel plans were postponed or canceled due to snowstorms over winter break. ring, the number one factor the university has is obviously safety of the students that are traveling in, and the faculty and staff,” Jarvie said. “We realize we have students that come in from quite a distance, so that’s the number one indicator.” Jarvie said it is ultimately Gregg Floyd, vice president of Finance and Administration, that officially makes the decision to close the university, but he has several other staff members’ input helping him make that decision, including Jarvie. Police and state troopers kept them up to date with weather reports. Jarvie said he thinks they definitely made the right decision to close the university during finals week. “The bottom line is, if someone

got hurt, or even worse, killed, is it worth forcing people to come in for finals?” Jarvie said. Jarvie said they understand and apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused. “But we cannot take into consideration and worry about a student missing a flight to vacation, versus possibly someone getting hurt coming to campus,” he said. Officials try and make the decision early to notify as many people as they can. “This is not about worrying about someone going on vacation. This is worrying about the safety of everybody,” he said. Amanda Crumm is a news correspondent.

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Student media 330-672-2586 Manager Lori Cantor 330-672-0887, lcantor@kent.edu Advertising manager

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330-672-6306, tbongior@kent.edu Production manager Chris Sharron 330-672-0886, csharron@kent.edu Business officer Norma Young 330-672-0884, njyoung1@kent.edu

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CORRECTIONS Kent Interhall Council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Because of incorrect information from Kent State’s Virtual Event Management System, the campus calendar on Page 2 of Monday’s Stater contained a different time. Freshman Marie Case, a member of Kent State’s gymnastics team, performed a routine on the balance beam during Sunday’s opening meet. Because of an editor’s error, a photo credit on Page 8 of Monday’s Stater indicated otherwise. The photo was taken by Megann Galehouse.

Winter weather creates hazardous conditions throughout campus Icy roads prove unsafe for faculty and students Maura Zurick

mzurick@kent.edu Daily Kent Stater Winter weather conditions can make driving to campus and walking to classes dangerous for students and faculty. Chris Kowalski, sophomore accounting major, said the winter conditions were certainly hazardous for him on Dec. 5 when he fell. “I was walking on a small paved hill by the side of Van Deusen Hall that leads down into the Art Building’s rear parking lot,” Kowalski said. “I slipped on ice and slid down the hill about five feet on my right leg, breaking both my tibia and fibula in the process.” Parking Services and Campus Environment and Operations will keep trying to make the parking lots, sidewalks and some roads leading to campus safer for stu-

dents and faculty by continuing to plow and pile snow. Larry Emling, manager of Parking Services, said that Parking Services doesn’t guarantee that campus walkways and parking lots will not be slippery. Parking Services is responsible for only the parking lots on campus. They hire contractors from a company, Naragon, to pile and plow snow in the lots, but they are not responsible for salting the lots. Emling said that they usually have 15 or 20 snow vehicles clearing the lots. Campus Environment and Operations parking maintenance is in charge of salting the drive isles in the parking lots. Parking maintenance also salts the area around each emergency phones on campus and helps to dig students’ cars out of snow. Heather White, manager of Campus Environment and Operations, said, “Sometimes it’s really hard to keep up with the winter conditions. We have two full-time and two part-time staff members and we have to make sure the lots, sidewalks and some campus roads are clear. We are going to keep trying our hardest to clear the snow

and ice. We are also going to be available more on the weekends.” The rock salt used to salt most of campus will not be effective if it is lower than 17 degrees outside. Campus Environment and Operations uses Magic-O, a form of salt that can eliminate black ice but it is very expensive, White said. “Last semester, we had at least one person working all day,” White said. “One week we had two employees put in 25 hours of overtime each. I want people to be aware that we are out there working and we have people shoveling eight hours a day.” Emling said students and faculty should wear appropriate shoes and boots during the winter months. Kowalski had his own suggestions about how Kent State could keep the sidewalks safer this semester. “I feel as though some prevention could have come from more lighting that covers every walkway on campus and better salting in a timely fashion,” Kowalski said. Maura Zurick is the safety reporter.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011 | Page 3

OPINION

Daily Kent Stater

The Opinion Page is an outlet for our community’s varied opinions. Submit letters to: Letters to the Editor Daily Kent Stater 240 Franklin Hall/KSU Kent, Ohio 44242 ■ stater@kent.edu Subject: Letters to the Editor ■ Fax: 330-672-5064 ■ Be sure to include your phone number.

ABOUT THE OPINION PAGE The Stater hopes to encourage lively debate about the issues of the day on the Opinion Page. Opinions on this page are the authors’ and not necessarily endorsed by the Stater or its editors. Readers are encouraged to participate through letters to the editor and guest columns. Submissions become property of the Stater and may be edited for mechanics, Associated Press style and length without notice. Letters should not exceed 350 words and guest columns should not exceed 550 words.

DKS EDITORIAL BOARD Regina Garcia Cano Editor Josh Johnston Managing editor Rabab Al-Sharif Forum editor

Laura Lofgren Features team leader/ALL editor Lydia Coutre Assigning editor

FAMOUS QUOTE

our

SUMMARY: Faculty Senate needs to vote soon on the proposed new cheating policy to have a more fair learning environment.

VIEW

A request for a stronger cheating policy

esterday, Faculty Senate postponed the vote on the administrative policy regarding cheating and plagiarism.

of right and wrong, the university needs to choose a policy that will best catch and punish cheaters. As the policy works now, if a student cheats in a math class, a science class and an English class, there is no documentation of the repeat offenses. Under the new reform, paperwork will be filed for each offense to allow the university to see patterns and take action. Students shouldn’t be able to slide under the radar by pulling the same stunt in each class. It is conniving and childish. People need to stop using cheating as a crutch. There aren’t tests in the job market for you to look at over your coworker’s shoulder.

If passed, the new policy will streamline the consequences students face for cheating and will more efficiently punish repeat offenders. We hope the Senate does not push this back any further and votes to pass the reform. It is infuriating to know that students can receive the same degree by cheating their way through courses, when others may retake a class several times until they can fairly pass it. It is completely unjust, especially considering we are all adults and should have enough morals to know better. But because some don’t have such a sense

It cheapens the entire educational experience to have students who spend countless hours studying and preparing for their tests receive the same grade as someone who has done nothing to learn. We are paying to get an education here. It is a waste if you are skirting around actually gaining any knowledge from your time here. Please, Faculty Senate, level the playing field and make this fair for all students. Pass the reform at your next meeting.

The above editorial is the consensus opinion of the Daily Kent Stater editorial board whose members are listed to the left.

DREW SHENEMAN’S VIEW

“A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.” — George Bernard Shaw

■

DID YOU KNOW? On Jan. 11, 1908, U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt declares the massive Grand Canyon in northwestern Arizona a national monument. — Source: history.com

Flashes fate Jody Michael When I was younger, I would watch the college football bowl games on television and imagine a day in the near future when Kent State would be in one. I’ve lived in Portage County my entire life, so Kent State has always been my local team. Now that the Flashes have gone 38 years without a bowl invitation, I don’t even consider it anymore. On Dec. 20, Kent State hired Darrell Hazell to be its new head football coach. Hazell said in his introductory press conference that he wants the team to be known for winning instead of losing. Winning seasons would put the Flashes in nationally televised bowl games, which leads to more exposure and possibly getting better recruits. Having said that, the more I learn about how the NCAA’s bowl system works, the less I want to see Kent State fall into its scam. Let’s imagine a future with a Flashes bowl game, shall we? Let’s face it; our football team won’t be in a glamorous, high profile bowl game anytime soon. Our conference’s affiliated bowls are in less-attractive locations like Detroit, Boise, Idaho, and Mobile, Ala. When a team accepts a bowl game invitation, the bowl typically requires the team to purchase about 10,000 tickets that the school can then sell to students, families and other fans. Kent State did average 15,000 fans at its home football games this season, but the number who would be able and willing to go to a bowl game in Boise, Idaho, or Mobile, Ala., would undoubtedly be lower. Why? For one thing, the bowl selections don’t come until two weeks before the end of the fall semester, when most students already have travel and flight plans for winter break. Plus, students wouldn’t get in for free. If you went to a game this year, you probably noticed about half of the student section would leave the game at halftime, so I wouldn’t count on them shelling out a few hundred bucks for a bowl game. Not only would the athletic department almost certainly lose money on tickets, it would also have to add travel and lodging costs for the team, meaning an even bigger loss. The schools receive some of the bowl game’s revenue but nowhere near all of it. Oftentimes, the bowls keep more than half

the revenue for themselves. We can’t expect bowl revenues to cover the aforementioned losses, especially if attendance is meager. How do I know a Kent State bowl game would have such negative effects? Well, Sports Illustrated recently reported on college football’s postseason profiteering, and this is exactly what happened to fellow MidAmerican Conference school Western Michigan University. In 2008, the Broncos played i n t h e Te x a s B o w l , w h i c h required the athletic department to purchase 11,000 tickets for the game in Houston. It sold just 548 of those tickets, resulting in a $462,535 loss, which doesn’t even include travel and lodging. That’s no fluke. Last season, Ohio State received only $2.2 million of more than $37 million in total revenue from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. That didn’t even cover team expenditures and unsold tickets, which meant a $75,597 loss. In 2009, Virginia Tech only sold 3,342 of its 17,500 tickets to the Orange Bowl in Miami, and the school lost $1.77 million. If our athletic department loses money on the bowl game, it will need to make up for that loss somehow. We shouldn’t expect the university to cut spending to account for the loss when it can just increase tuition. If going to a bowl game means losing hundreds of thousands of dollars when our university already faces huge deficits, I don’t think it’s worth going. That’s not the fault of Hazell or anyone in the athletic department. The NCAA is responsible for this and needs to undergo major bowl reform, including a playoff system that actually makes bowl games financially beneficial for colleges. Until then, I wish Coach Hazell the best of luck in continuing the Flashes’ tradition of five-win football seasons. Jody Michael is a sophomore broadcast journalism major and columnist for the Daily Kent Stater. You can contact him at jmicha10@kent.edu.

HEY YOU! WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US?

A gift of wilderness When most Americans hear the words “public lands”, they think of our national parks or national forests or perhaps even our national wildlife refuges. Yet, what might surprise them is that the largest category of our publicly owned land is administered by a little-known agency, the Bureau of Land Management, with a big mandate — taking care of 400,000 square miles, an area nearly four times the size of Colorado, on behalf of all Americans. These sweeping lands stretch across 12 states including Alaska, and though relatively unknown compared to parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite, Mount Rushmore or the Grand Canyon, their very vastness represents a resource of enormous importance to us — a diverse trove of wild treasures. Happy Canyon in the archeologically rich lands near Canyonlands National Park in Utah is such a place. So too are the towering sequoias in the Milk Ranch/ Case Mountains of California or the desert of Otero Mesa in southern New Mexico, which stretches from horizon to horizon. Forty years ago, a blue ribbon commission studied these lands and found some spots so magnificent they could be national parks, national monuments or wilderness areas. Yet, the study also noted a serious problem: much of this terrain had never been examined to formally determine opportunities for conservation. The commission recommended, “a comprehensive inventory of these public

Mike Matz Guest columnist lands, to identify all such areas ... and they should be assigned a priority for protection” until lasting conservation decisions could be made by Congress. Four decades later, this work is only now just beginning to safeguard what is left. On Dec. 23, Americans received a wonderful holiday present when Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, along with BLM Director Bob Abbey, issued a historic directive that reaffirms the ability of the BLM to determine if there are public lands with wilderness characteristics, including ecological, scenic, recreational, educational and scientific values. The bureau is to make this scientific assessment and planning analysis available to the American people, who will then have the opportunity to become involved in the process by which decisions are made affecting lands all of us own. Because it’s so important for us to participate, and for our country to protect wilderness areas for future generations of Americans, this order was designated “high priority” and the secretary told the BLM to report back to him by the end of June. Hardly typical of such legal documents, Salazar’s order includes inspirational phrases explaining that these lands with wilderness characteristics “provide visitors with rare

opportunities for solitude and personal reflection,” noting that “many people and communities value these lands for hunting and fishing, observing wildlife, hiking, and other non-motorized and non-mechanized recreational uses.” The order further stresses: “Managing an area to protect its wilderness characteristics provides unique opportunities and benefits for present and future generations that may otherwise be irreparably lost.” This new policy is a win for the public at large, for our leaders and for local residents. It means that, from onthe-ground planning that engages people in nearby communities, all the way to the halls of Congress, everyone will have better information to make improved decisions about the fate of the wild places. Now the public can take into proper consideration all the resource values at stake, including the option of preserving some wonderful new wilderness areas. Now it is incumbent upon us as Americans to carry the torch, and make sure our children can enjoy the clean water, scenic views and recreational activities just as we have had the opportunity to do. The revised approach to the largest segment of our public lands will give us that chance. Mike Matz is the director of the Pew Campaign for America’s Wilderness. Content was made available by MCTCampus.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A world without Christianity Dear Editor, Recently I was walking to one of my classes at Kent State University when I saw a PARTA bus with a sign proclaiming, “Imagine a World Without Religion.” As I walked up the hill, I did start to imagine a world without religion. Since I am a Christian, I particularly thought of a world without Christianity. I imagined a world that was very primitive, since Robert Grosseteste (c. 1175-1253), a Franciscan bishop and first chancellor of Oxford, first proposed the inductive scientific method. After that, little matters since that method is the basis of all true scientific discoveries. But we could mention another Franciscan monk, William of Ockham, 12801349, who contributed a principle that we now call “Ockham’s razor,” which is often stated as, “the simplest explanation is usually correct.” God in his complexity is also ultimate simplicity, so it follows that the creator God would leave a rather simple world as evidence of his creative power and genius. That is not to mention Copernicus, who

stated what is implicit in the Bible: namely, a heliocentric model of the galaxy. Galileo, who first used a telescope; Blaise Pascal, who pioneered the science of probability; Johannes Kepler who coined the phrase “Thinking God’s thoughts after Him,” who studied nature in order to uncover the laws of God; Isaac Newton, who discovered the law of gravity and invented calculus. I imagined a world starving because Gregor Mendel, a monk from Moravia who is considered the father of genetics, did not make his discoveries in that field. Without his discoveries, millions would be starving without the selective breeding of cattle, the genetic improvements on crops like rice and so on. I imagined a world full of people dying of diseases we now know are preventable thanks to Louis Pasteur, whose research led to the processes of pasteurization and sterilization and numerous vaccines. Remember George Washington Carver? His research in peanuts led to over 300 byproducts — can anybody say “peanut but-

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ter”? — and on sweet potatoes led to over 100 byproducts. His 1939 Roosevelt Medal award read, in part, “To a scientist humbly seeking the guidance of God. . . .” Imagine a world without those famous first responders to disaster, the Red Cross, since a Christian named Henry Dunant founded it. There would be no nurses either, since Florence Nightingale was no doubt moved by the compassion of her Christian faith. Imagine all the homeless and hungry that would not be fed and housed by the Salvation Army, as well as the many local homeless shelters, many of which are church-sponsored. I imagined a world where human life had little to no value, since Christianity has valued all human life from conception to natural death.

— Pastor Kent G. Wartick

For the full version of this letter to the editor, refer to KentWired.com.

Page 4 | Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Daily Kent Stater From Page 1

POLICE BLOTTER

Lefton establishes university-wide hiring...

The blotter is a record of charges filed by the police. The listings do not represent convictions or reflect guilt. It is the Daily Kent Stater’s policy to publish on-campus and off campus arrests, charges and incidents of interest to the public.

FREEZE

REMEMBERING ALEXANDER STEBBINS

Hassler said he expected that the only exceptions to the hiring freeze would be important leaders at the top who are expected to generate more money than cost. He said he didn’t think that Lefton’s freeze would have a very noticeable effect on students or faculty. “It doesn’t mean the work stops when there are vacancies,” Hassler said. “It just means some people will work harder.” Most of the faculty that Hassler said he spoke to told him they were comfortable with the president’s decision. He said people understood that the economic future of the university is a little bit up in the air at the moment. The process for applying to hire a new faculty member hasn’t changed because departments already have to request permission from their deans, who in turn request permission from the provost’s office, Hassler said. “The freeze just announces ahead of time that the answer is going to be no,” Hassler said. “It’s the kind of general ‘no’ answer that should be expected during these economic times.” EDDIE OLSCHANSKY | DAILY KENT STATER

Students, faculty, family members and friends of Alexander Stebbins, former Kent State student and Tau Kappa Epsilon member, gather around the rock on front campus for a candlelight vigil on Monday. Stebbins died on Dec. 26.

From Page 1

Heated talks lead to Provost walk out

New ambassador strives to impact students, university

PROVOST Senate Chair Mack Hassler conducted the conversation in the absence of Frank. “It is unfortunate that the Provost hasn’t remained to hear this discussion,” Hassler said. The committee completed the first version of the policy in February 2010 said Deborah Smith, chair of the Professional Standards Committee. “Our Professional Standards Committee has worked at some length to draft policy language on the appointments of distinguished ranks,” Hassler said. “We have had some differences with the Provost over language.” The Provost and the Faculty Senate had another tense discussion over a separate policy in November 2010 concerning the hiring of an associate provost. Britni Williams is the academics reporter.

AMBASSADOR Thornton has spoken at five Kent State events over the past semester, most recently at fall commencement last month, Fashaad Crawford, the assistant vice president for strategic planning, assessment and research management, wrote in an e-mail. Crawford said the newly created ambassador position is part of the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Its purpose is to showcase local, distinguished minorities and to share their professional knowledge and experience with Kent State students and faculty. In addition to working parttime as ambassador, Thornton has continued as president and

CEO of ASW Global in Mogadore, which is one of the largest minority-owned businesses in Ohio. Crawford cites this experience as one of the unique qualities that Thornton is able to bring. “He has over 20 years of experience in entrepreneurial ventures,” Crawford said. “He also has exceptional leadership skills and a passionate commitment to diversity and inclusion.” Not all students have heard of Thornton, however, but some say they welcome the idea of an ambassador for diversity. Jackson McGreevy, a junior aeronautics major, said the ambassador’s job seems like a necessary one. “Kent is very diverse,” he said. “We obviously have a lot of international students here.” This spring, Thornton has tentative plans to meet with KSU student athletes, give a keynote speech at the Minority Leadership Conference and con-

tinue to speak at any alumni and diversity events on campus. But Thornton said the job isn’t about simply scheduling events. “I’ve enjoyed the job, but I don’t consider it a job,” Thornton said. “It’s an opportunity to engage each other in a meaningful way. How can majority and minority students be better prepared?” He said this question—and, thus, his ambassadorship—is important because as a university, you are continually growing. The application process for Thornton’s successor begins this spring and, by the end of the semester, an ad hoc committee will choose a candidate nominated by letters of recommendation. Thornton would not be eligible for a second term for at least five years. Daniel Moore is the diversity reporter.

Anna Staver is the administrative reporter

CITY MONDAY n Joshua M. Houser, 21, of Ridgeville

was arrested for drunken driving and carrying a concealed weapon at the 1300 block of Theatre Drive. n Jacob M. Lepoidevin, 26, of Tallmadge was arrested for disorderly conduct at Chestnut-Grove.

SATURDAY n Donley B. Stretch, 20, of Oakdale,

Pa., was arrested for underage drinking at the 300 block of East Summit Street. n Jacob H. Stein, 19, of Oakdale, Pa., was arrested for underage drinking at the 300 block of East Summit Street. n Cory J. Culligan, 23, of Hudson, was arrested for drunken driving at the intersection of Cuyahoga Street and Randall Drive. n Leonard J. Armstrong, 48, of Ravenna was arrested for petty theft and possession of drug paraphernalia at the 1200 block of Anita Drive. n Noel C. Everett, 38, was arrested for petty theft at the 800 block of Silver Meadows Drive.

Daily Kent Stater

Tuesday, January 11, 2011 | Page 5

CLASSIFIEDS

For information about placing a Display ad please call our offices at 330-672-2586 or visit us at 205 Franklin Hall, Kent State University. Our office hours are from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Classified ads can be placed by FAX at ( 330) 672-4880, over the phone at (330) 672-2586 or by e-mail at ksuads@yahoo.com. If you fax or e-mail an ad, please be sure to include run dates, payment info and a way for us to contact you.

www.KentNewsNet.com

Rent Looking for part-time assembly work, must be VERY MANUALLY DEXTEROUS, speed and quality are emphasized. $8/hour. Apply in person. No phone calls. 315 Gougler Avenue in Kent. CSR/New Accountant Specialist needed at in-bound Dish Satellite Call center. Hiring part-time evening shift. Great commission with hourly base. Located in downtown Ravenna. Please apply or send resumes at 1101/2 Main St. Ravenna, OH 44266. 330-298-9280 ext 204 or E-mail larinda@weknowdish.com Kent State student needs tutor for basic math course. 440-231-6466 or 440-350-9963 Now hiring full-time college students! If you are a student who wants to gain useful job experience in a professional, fun work environment, consider working at the PhoneCenter. We offer flexible scheduling for students, evening and weekend work, and pay $8/ hour with the opportunity to earn bonuses. For an application and/or further information, contact Tricia at phonecenter@kent.edu or leave a message at 330-672-0404 today! Now Hiring! Make $12 or more per hour. Work afternoons and evenings. Cuyahoga Falls 330-926-0499 High end tanning salons now hiring part & full time. Flexible hours. Minutes from KSU. 2 locations. Apply in person 9349 S.R. 43, Streetsboro or 1632 Norton Road, Stow. Servers wanted: Freeway Lanes of Solon is aggressively hiring energetic and motivated servers. The harder you work, the more money you will make. Nights/Weekends. Flexible hours. Apply in person: 33185 Bain Bridge Road in Solon. Drivers: CDL-A. 2 yrs experience. O/Ops - 80% loads & accessorials 100% Fuel Sur Company Top pay/ benefits+bonuses Weekly settlements Badger Express 800-972-0084 x111/127

Buyer Beware! We make every effort to screen for fraudulent advertising, however, we cannot guarantee the veracity of the advertisers and their messages in this section. It is important for consumers to respond to any advertisement with the utmost caution.

LUXURY 4-BEDROOM large, clean, all appliances + FREE washer/dryer. 330-714-0819

ROOMMATE NEEDED SPRING SEMESTER in nice 4 bedroom twinplex with three graduate guys. $400 all inclusive. 5 minute drive to KSU. Free Washer/Dryer. 330-7140819 Room Available Now. 1 block from campus. 224 South Willow Street. $350/mo. Includes ALL utilities incl. cable and internet. Non-Smoking House. Chris Myers 330-678-6984 Whitehall East Town Homes AKA “The New Town Homes” Whitehall Blvd. off Summit Now taking apps for Fall 2011 *5b/3ba *All Appliances Included *Dishwasher, Washer, Dryer *Lighted Parking *Many units with all newer flooring Rent plans starting at $290/person/ month Ask about the all-inclusive plans Call or text 330-990-4019 w w w. w h i t e h a l l - e a s t . c o m

By Nancy Black Today’s birthday (01/11/11) If you have a map, use it. If the map doesn’t work, find a set of colored markers and make your own. Decide where you want to go, have a good time, take time to smell the roses and bring a friend along for the ride. That person will remind you to look at your map when you lose focus. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is a 7. It’s a good day to get on a bike and ride the trails, or take a walk somewhere gorgeous. The world’s calling you to move around outdoors.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is an 8. Don’t get bogged down in the details or ask for favors right now. Wait until later to decide on a big purchase. Keep an eye on the big picture.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 6. Don’t try a new method or theory now. Watch where you’re going. Be careful not to miss an important household obligation. Follow the plan.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Today is a 9. Don’t try to run away from a tough job. It’s not worth arguing about it, either. Keep your space clean and organized, and just do it. You’ll be glad.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is a 6. There may be tension regarding love and money. You can handle it. Don’t make hasty decisions. A new idea needs more preparation to work. Take your time.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) Today is a 7. You don’t need to grant a loved one’s expensive request. Disruptions at home can cause distractions and even chaos at work. Call a time out to think it over.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is an 8. The budget doesn’t add up. Worrying would be futile. Look for where to cut, and find something you can easily live without. Don’t borrow or lend today.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 7. There could be a mechanical or communication breakdown. Don’t gamble with money. Take your risks in love. Explain your motives and spend time in the sun with friends.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is an 8. Be creative. Abandon your preconceived ideas about something (or someone). If you allow things to show up like mysteries, they often reveal hidden treasure.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 7. Completion leads to satisfaction, even if it doesn’t seem to work out at first. You’re in charge. Finish up all the loose ends, and speculate on what’s next. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 5. Wait until the matter’s settled before you discuss it further. All may not transpire as expected, and characters may switch roles. You’ll be glad you kept quiet. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is an 8. Consider the consequences of actions. You’re currently in the eye of the storm. When the dust clears, you may collect unexpected benefits.

6 Bedroom House - Excellent location 1 yr lease 1600/mo. +utilities. Fall 2011. Call Ramon 330-671-2384 1 Bdrm Apartment, private great location to KSU. 400/mo + gas & electric. Available Jan. 2011. Ramon 330-671-2384 NO WATER BILL! NO GAS BILL! 4&5 bedroom duplex available for Fall 2011 Near campus and bus route Starting at $350/month per bedroom Call Sweeney: 330-267-9336 Shrewsberry Rentals 4 and 6 bedrooms. 4 bedrooms $1475. 6 bedrooms $2,100. Trash, sewer, and recycling paid. 330-221-2881 Ravenna Township: 1bdrm house. Nice, clean and quiet. No pets. No yardwork. $490/month. 330-2977882 Kent: 2 bdrm twinplex near campus, 721 Mae Street, $600+utilities and Security deposit. 330-633-2229. Newer 4/5 bdrm duplex, flat screen TV, W/D, Air, Sun deck, close to campus, yard & firepit. $1240-$1500/ month. Website http://web.me.com/ allen291. Cell 216-536-3958. Email allen291@me.com Kent near downtown and campus 2 bedroom apartment, all utilities paid except electric, $350/bedroom + security deposit. (330) 676-9440 Fall: 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom homes for rent. Close to campus. Great shape. 330-903-0987

All real estate advertised herin is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” State and local laws forbid discrimination based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. If you feel you have been wrongfully denied housing or discriminated against, call the FHAA at 330-253-2450 for more information.

horoscope

Efficiency and 1 bdrm apartments available now. Heat included! Call 330-678-0746 Hurry!!! Efficiency apartments still left. Call 330-678-0123 $100 OFF 1ST MONTH’S RENT Kent: 2-3 bdrm spacious apt. move in now Call 330-678-0823 Now Leasing for Fall. Kent 6-8 bedroom houses. Close to campus. 330-626-5910. UNIVERSITY TOWNHOMES, 4 or 5 bedroom, 2.5 bath, A/C, Washer & Dryer, available in Fall 2011. Rent as low as $340 per month per bedroom ALL inclusive to cover all utilities except cable/internet. 440-552-5840. djerina@aol.com

Rent

University Townhome Roommate needed for spring semester with four girls. $285/month, all inclusive except cable/internet. 440-552-584o. djerina@aol.com

SAVE $$$ Leasing for Fall, beautiful, newly redecorated, 2 bedroom apartment. FREE gas, water and trash. $275/ student. 330-687-6122.

4/5 bedroom house available June 1st. 2 kitchens, 2 bathrooms, wash/dryer, 2 car-garage, covered front porch, new carpet and paint. $1500+utilities 330-8024000 ksuhouses@neo.rr.com

NOW LEASING FOR FALL 5,4,2,1 bedroom Houses. Efficiency. Good Location Near KSU. Call 330-734-8350

Now Leasing for Fall 3 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom, Beautiful, Newly Redecorated twinplexes, 1 Block from KSU, 330-687-6122

For 2011-12: One Month Free Close to Campus 2 huge apartments, licensed, private parking, large yard, large front porch. 4 bedroom $1400/$350 each. 4/5 bedroom $1500, $300-$375 each. (330) 6263957

Available now, clean, spacious, 2BR, 1.5BA, no pets, go to www. lincolnwoodrentals.com or call 330835-7737.

Now Leasing for Fall, a beautiful newer condo, 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath, double car garage, central air, backyard deck with great view. $375/ student. 330-687-6122

Kent- Quiet 1, 2&3 bedroom. $525, $590, $780. 330-677-5577 WHITEHALL EAST TOWNHOMES 4/5 bedrooms, 3 bath CONDO. AFFORDABLE rent options including no hassle utilities included plan. Newly renovated, all appliances included, lighted parking, private lighted entrances, on the Campus Loop bus line, near student rec center. Starting at $365/month. 330.689.8888 www.whitehalleast.com

3 BR - 2 Bath spacious duplex Olympus Drive - off Loop Close to Campus - $800 419357-4897 jgfrederick78@yahoo. com 2 BR - 2 Bath spacious duplex Olympus Drive- off Loop Close to Campus - $720 419-357-4897 jgfrederick78@yahoo. com

Kent 2/3 bedroom - heat, water, and trash included. $575/$700. 330-4729671.

One or two roommates needed to share condo immediately. Rent starting at $285/month. 330.689.8888 www.whitehalleast.com

Page 6 | Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Daily Kent Stater

YOUR LIFE Features editor: Laura Lofgren • E-mail: llofgren@kent.edu

PHOTOS BY EDDIE OLSCHANSKY | DAILY KENT STATER

David Wilson, Kent State alumnus proudly displays a small gift given to him by a family friend on his first official day of business at his new design studio, Downpour Creative. Wilson keeps this “success” magnet on his desk hoping it sets the tone for his first year in business.

Kent State alumni create downpour of art, music Nicole Aikens

naikens@kent.edu Daily Kent Stater A light blue building inconspicuously sits on Lake Street, only the sign that reads “Downpour Creative” just above the door gives any indication of the torrent of art being produced inside. Two Kent State alumni, David Wilson and Gabe Swarts, opened the dual design and recording studio in December 2010. Wilson, who graduated in 2009 as a visual communication design major, runs the design side under the Downpour Creative name, and Swarts runs his recording studio, Engine Room Recording. Wilson, 26, and Swarts, 30, met through the local music scene. Wilson has been in a band since he was 15 years old, and in 2005, Swarts joined Wilson’s metal band that now goes by the name Dog Days. That band is the reason Swarts started recording music in the first place. “Honestly, this all came out of wanting to do everything ourselves

for our band,” Swarts said. Now, the duo is working toward having an accessible studio demanded by local bands. Ideally, Swarts would record and mix the album, and Wilson would design the album art for every band to come into the studio. “We want to do stuff for the local Kent scene, and we want it to be cheap, and we want it to be good,” Swarts said. And they are both adamant about it being very good. “It’s not like a factory house where it’s like, ‘We can do it all,’” Wilson said. He doesn’t try to produce music, and Swarts doesn’t try to do design. They both do their own thing, and they both do it well. Although there’s a recording studio in his building, Wilson’s projects aren’t solely album artwork. He is currently designing the second issue of his “zine,” All Teeth, producing a rap video for a local musician, illustrating a graphic novel for a friend and finding as many other jobs as possible while working another full-time job at the Kent State Ice Arena. “I’m full time (at the Ice Arena), and I try to be full time here,” Wilson said. “Hopefully, as time goes on, things will progress to more jobs and more jobs and more jobs, and I can cut back hours there and finally just make a switch.” Swarts, on the other hand, enjoys having his teaching job in the day then coming to the studio at night. “It’s so hard to make a living doing recording now, I just don’t think there would ever

be a high demand for me to quit (teaching),” Swarts said. After graduating with a master’s degree in history in 2006, Swarts got a job at Hudson High School. He says it’s the perfect job for him because he always has evenings, breaks and summers off to work at the studio and travel with the band. “I love my job teaching, but the benefits were there from the beginning,” Swarts said. It isn’t always easy finding jobs, but Wilson does everything he can to work toward the goal of only working in design. He uses his website to try to pull in some clients, he actively searches for jobs, and he relies on the relationships he has made to bring some work as well. “I don’t think there’s a formula to finding jobs. Half luck, half hard work,” Wilson said. “I think one of the hardest things for me is trying to convince people they need good design. People think they can do it on Word and stuff like that, and it’s like, ‘Well, yeah, it’s done, but it doesn’t mean it’s effective.’” Wilson said his favorite kind of project is anything with a concept. “I like being at the beginning stages of design and being able to talk to the client about kind of like an art direction thing. The worst jobs are ‘Here, we need a Photoshop monkey,’” Wilson said. Wilson said he dreams of working at MTV, HBO, Showtime, ESPN The Magazine, The New Yorker or any place he thinks “allows creativity to flow.” And he wants to do it all, from illustrating to designing intro credits for

television shows. “It could be a detriment, but my mind is all over the place. I want to do video, film, posters, screen-printing, illustrations, design,” Wilson said. Wilson admits that he can’t be the best at every art discipline, so that’s where his friends come into play. “For me, it’s kind of the idea sells the product, and then you get people on board who are in with the idea or what you want to do, and you make it happen.” You don’t have to look far to find someone who sings Wilson’s praises. In fact, you only have to look down the hall of the studio. “He’s amazingly talented,” Swarts said. “I’m OK, but he’s there.” The overall goal at Downpour Creative is to create a space where locals can come for good, affordable design and music production. “We’re trying to record our friends and other bands we play with and give them opportunities for good recording and design,” Swarts said. Wilson and Swarts make those opportunities for others by spending all their free time in the studio. They both come straight from work to the studio, and Wilson said the only time he’s not there is when he’s sleeping or working at the Ice Arena. To some, all the time spent doing their jobs may seem excessive or even insane, but Wilson said, “I think you have to be insane to be good at what you do.” Nicole Aikens is the assistant features editor.

Gabe Swarts, Kent State alumnus, opened Engine Room Recording, a recording studio in downtown Kent on Lake Street. Swarts shares his workspace with the singer of his band Dog Days, David Wilson.

In December, David Wilson, Kent State alumnus, opened his own design studio in downtown Kent on Lake Street where he is working on various projects including a graphic novel, T-shirts and band-related artwork. He shares his building with band mate and friend Gabe Swarts.

Kent State alumnus stars in new NBC drama “The Cape” Anil Kumar cites influence of Kent State education on badass acting career Kaylee Remington kremingt@kent.edu Daily Kent Stater Being a badass is something that Anil Kumar has wanted to be, but it is something he needed for his role. The Kent State alumnus is acting in the NBC drama “The Cape.” The premiere was Sunday at 9 p.m., but its normal time slot will be Mondays at 9 p.m. The show is about a good cop who was framed for a lot of the corruption in the city. He fakes his own death to come

back to his family as his son’s favorite comic book character, The Cape. “It’s (the show) about him trying to get back to his family and have this new persona,” Kumar said. Kumar ’s role is shown at the Carnival of Crime, where his character, Ruvi, is an undercover bank robber. The cop is introduced to the Carnival of Crime in the pilot episode. “We teach him a skill in conjunction with The Cape,” Kumar said. He said The Cape doesn’t have any superpowers in the show, just heightened skills.

“We’re good/bad guys,” Kumar said. The Carnival of Crime welcomes the cop, but Kumar ’s character, Ruvi, is the most unwilling mentor of the group. In the pilot, Ruvi is standoffish to the cop at first, but messes around with him a little to get comfortable. “Ruvi is very dangerous,” Kumar said. “He is much more badder-ass than I could be.” Kumar is thankful for the opportunity NBC gave him. He said the show wouldn’t have been possible without the great production team. “They’re so talented and really good at what they do,” he said. Kumar works with actors David Lyons, James Frain, Jennifer Ferrin, Keith David and Summer Glau.

Kumar was a psychology major when he attended Kent State, but he also took a lot of literature classes. “I became inspired to act from my Shakespeare class,” Kumar said. He said he made every mistake an actor could make but was cast in “The Tempest” as a member of the chorus. After graduating from Kent State in 1992, he took a year off to see family in India and then went to the Professional Actor Training Program at Rutgers University. Kumar said he misses the people who influenced him the most at Kent, but he doesn’t miss having to shovel snow in Ohio. Kaylee Reminton is a features correspondent.