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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016
Gymnastics team paints the rock in support of Warren Dan Armelli Sports Reporter
Photo courtesy of Twitter
When Kent State President Beverly Warren announced she had breast cancer on April 7, the university's gymnastics team knew its job. “We were all just talking in the gym and (later) in the locker room after we heard about this,” said Samantha Gordon, a junior gymnast. “It was just a mutual decision like, ‘We need to do something.’ " Painting the rock on front campus in preparation for the MAC Championships has been a tradition for the team. This year, however, the team painted the rock pink and white to symbolize
breast cancer, in honor of Warren. “On campus, (the rock) is sort of a focal point,” said Craig Ballard, assistant coach of the gymnastics team. “We thought, ‘What better place to show our support for Dr. Warren than the rock?’ Everybody drives by it. Everybody sees it.” The team’s picture with the rock, which currently sports "#BevStrong” and a pink ribbon for breast cancer, is the team’s avatar on its Twitter page. When Ballard heard the announcement almost two weeks ago, he quickly responded. Ballard sent out the first tweet with #BevStrong from the gym-
nastics team’s Twitter. “Breast cancer and breast cancer awareness is really important to our program, so it’s always kind of in your mind somewhere,” he said. Each year, the gymnastics team holds a “Flip for the Cure” meet to raise awareness for breast cancer, wearing pink leotards. “I know we felt more motivated to make a bigger deal within our team because we do (Flip for the Cure), and we support curing breast cancer overall,” Gordon said. “We figured, ‘Who better to help than the president?’”
SEE ROCK / PAGE 2
Learning at all ages
Starting college at 13 years old Continuing education at age 73
Eslah Attar / The Kent Stater Vlas Zyrianov, a 13-year-old student, in the library on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. Zyrianov is taking six credit hours this semester.
Olivia Minnier Administration Reporter Vlas Zyrianov walks across the Kent State campus in the shadows of the students walking along the Esplanade. He waited in the lobby of the 12-floor building, dressed in a business casual attire — a striking combination of adult and child as he fumbles with the Chinese textbook in his briefcase. Zyrianov has taken an interest in computer programing, aviation and international relations. Though he hasn’t figured out what he wants to major in, he hopes to maybe declare one — by high school. At just 13, Zyrianov is already finishing his second semester of college coursework. “So far I’m not 100 percent decided, maybe double major, but I’m guessing so far computer science, I want to do something like that,” Zyrianov said, his Russian accent seeping through the syllables. Both of his parents were very encouraging when he decided to start the application process
for College Credit Plus at the end of 6th grade. College Credit Plus is a program through the Ohio Department of Education that allows students in grades 7-12 to take college coursework while enrolled in a public or participating private school. Universities admit students based on their college readiness in certain subjects. “My dad is pretty smart; he helped me do this whole thing. I would classify him as a walking encyclopedia,” Zyrianov said. “You can ask him pretty much anything.” A current 7th-grader at Stanton Middle School in Kent, Zyrianov is the school’s first student to enroll in the program, said the middle school’s principal, Anthony Horton. “We’ve had many good conversations with him and his parents to make sure the program was a good fit, and so far it has worked out great,” Horton said. Zyrianov said his school has been supportive through the whole process. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of them,” he said.
SEE THIRTEEN / PAGE 2
Eslah Attar / The Kent Stater Calvin Carstensen, a 73-year-old student, sits in the Student Center on Monday, April 18, 2016. Carstensen has been taking courses consistently every year as a senior guest student since 2000.
Olivia Minnier Administration Reporter Calvin Carstensen sits inside The Hub of the Kent State Student Center skimming through the latest issue of TIME Magazine. At 73, with a birthday coming up, Carstensen is enrolled in the Senior Guest Program at Kent State, which allows Ohio residents 60 years and older to attend regular classes on a tuition-free basis. Despite the fact he lives alone, Carstensen said that he wouldn’t change anything with his life. “I’m happy with how things are,” Carstensen said. He became interested in the senior program during his time in graduate school, when he became involved in community education. After retiring in 2000, he decided to come back to school. “I’ve been in this ever since, and it’s been great,” he said. In Fall 2013, Carstensen enrolled in The History of Costume taught by Catherine Leslie, an associate professor of fashion merchandising. He enjoyed the course, so he signed up for Leslie’s Fashion Fundamentals course. Leslie
said the personal interest he took in her was a welcome surprise from usual student behavior. “Not only was he interested in what we were learning about,” she said, “he was interested in me.” Leslie said Carstensen was a model student, always arriving early and sitting in the front row. He frequently contributed and opened up the floor for class discussion. “Sometimes he would share with the class his observations,” Leslie said. “I thought that was really cool, from a teaching standpoint.” She said Carstensen is skilled at connecting different people in his life, with him introducing her to a number of people in the community. “We get caught in our own bubbles, and he is like a bridge,” she said. Carstensen has been involved with the aeronautics program at Kent State, coaching the flight team for four years. He is now a judge for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association. “There’s no one who ever began flight training after age 65; they never made it to full licensure, but you’re looking at him,” he said.
SEE SEVENTY-THREE / PAGE 2
FLASHFEST 2016
Kent USG announces FlashFest schedule Kent Stater Staff Report
Kent State’s Undergraduate Student Government announced the schedule for Thursday’s FlashFest. Chase Rice, 3OH!3, Jon Langston and Lacy Cavailer will perform on the Student Green. Wiz Khalifa, Chevy Woods and DJ Boshane will perform in the M.A.C. Center.
Photos courtesy of Twitter
Map courtesy of USG
Page 2 | Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Kasich names new Freddie Gray, one year later: What has changed in Baltimore? Kent State trustee Karl Schneider Administration Reporter
Lloyd Fox / Baltimore Sun Protesters march in Baltimore after the announcement of a hung jury in the trial of Officer William Porter in the Freddie Gray case, on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015.
reached a settlement awarding his relatives a $6.4 million settlement.
Juliet Linderman Associated Press When Freddie Gray died April 19, 2015, and riots erupted, Baltimore and its residents were forced to confront issues that had plagued them for decades, community leader Ericka Alston said. "I think for Baltimore as a community, that day really changed our lives forever," said Alston, who founded Kids Safe Zone in a poor, crime-ridden neighborhood just blocks from where Gray was arrested. Gray's death — a week after he was injured in a police transport van — became a focal point in the national debate over police treatment of African-Americans. When the smoke cleared, Baltimore looked much the same: Debris from rioting was hauled off, but blocks of dilapidated homes still stood vacant. Violence continued. And the city still has a pervasive problem of economic disparity, a lack of job opportunities for young black men and a dearth of resources for disenfranchised children. But change has been cropping up. The police commissioner was fired, and the department is rolling out body cameras. Community activism, advocacy and grassroots organizing are more visible throughout Baltimore. Criminal cases against the officers charged in Gray's death are progressing. Here's a look at what has changed — and what hasn't — in the year since Gray's death.
Political landscape
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake fired police Commissioner Anthony Batts in July and replaced him with his deputy, Kevin Davis. But two months later, after criticism about her performance during the unrest — she placed the city under a 10 p.m. curfew — Rawlings-Blake announced she wouldn't seek re-election. Political hopefuls from Baltimore and beyond flooded the zone: More than 29 signed up to run. Police reform is center stage in the campaign, with candidates invoking Gray's name to tout policy change. Among them: DeRay Mckesson, who gained national attention for his role in the Black Lives Matter movement, wants to establish a program of community first-responders to de-escalate situations between residents and police. But the two front-runners of the race are familiar names: Catherine Pugh is a state senator and former member of Baltimore City Council. She spent one year in the Maryland General Assembly before she was elected to the Senate. And Sheila Dixon is a former mayor who resigned after she was convicted of stealing gift cards meant for underprivileged children.
Court cases
Six officers are charged in Gray's death. None of the cases has been resolved. William Porter was tried first. The case ended in mistrial when the jury couldn't unanimously agree on any of the charges: manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office. That delayed the remaining trials. Lawyers squabbled over whether Porter could be forced to testify against the others while awaiting retrial. Ultimately, Maryland's highest court ruled that he could. The trials resume next month. In September, Gray's family and the city From Page 1
SEVENTY-THREE Continuing education... Ben Satyshur, aviation safety program manager at Kent State, said he met Carstensen in 2008 and that Carstensen has been very involved with the program — even after he quit coaching the flight team. “All of the girls and guys think of him as a part of the team,” Satyshur said. Satsyshur said Carstensen is very intelligent and always focuses on giving back to the program, even purchasing the flagship plane for the
Laws and practices
The police department is preparing to roll out a body-camera program to outfit every patrol officer with a device in May. The program, however, was in the works before Gray died. Other changes came about after his death. Recruits undergo mandatory communityengagement training, and the department is deploying full-time patrol officers to walk the most crime-ridden neighborhoods. This month, the Maryland legislature passed a police accountability bill, the product of months of work by a panel convened after Gray's death. The bill changes policies on how police are hired, trained and disciplined and places a greater emphasis on recruiting from minority communities. Doug Mayer, a spokesman for Gov. Larry Hogan, says the governor is reviewing the bill. On the federal level, the Department of Justice opened an investigation into the police department for allegations of excessive force and unlawful stops. Findings will probably be published this year.
Crime
The summer after Gray's death saw the highest rate of bloodshed since Baltimore police began keeping track of homicides in 1972: In July alone, 45 people were killed. By year's end, the city recorded 344 homicides and more than 600 nonfatal shootings. Some attributed the spike to officers abandoning their posts in the wake of charges in the Gray case. In July, Commissioner Davis announced the formation of the War Room, a collaborative effort among the police department and more than a dozen local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, to identify repeat offenders and "top trigger-pullers." Now, about four months into 2016, Davis points out that gun arrests are up 52 percent from last year.
Activists, advocates
Since Gray's death, several community groups have emerged, particularly in West Baltimore. The Kids Safe Zone was founded in an old laundromat as a place for children with nowhere else to go to spend the day. One year later, the center has expanded and has new program space. Additionally, the 300 Men March, an organization dedicated to empowering young men in Baltimore, is opening a community space on the city's East Side. The group marched to Washington, D.C., in August. And Safe Streets, which works to reduce violence by connecting with both victims and perpetrators in neighborhoods, opened an outpost in West Baltimore, Gray's neighborhood. Safe Streets aims to moderate conflicts on the streets before they turn deadly. Alston, of Kids Safe Zone, said the unrest galvanized organizations to do more for their communities instead of waiting for the city to help. "What the uprising did? I wouldn't be in a position to offer the services that I do had that not happened," she said.
aeronautics program. While he has been actively involved in the academic world, when he was younger, Carstensen struggled throughout grade school and high school with his grades — caused in large part by his dyslexia. “Through my teenage years … I was well below average,” he said. In college, he said he did not perform well, but ultimately attended West Virginia Wesleyan College. He chose to major in physics, largely so that he would not have to read much. “I thought that would minimize my need to read, and I didn’t do very well, ” he said. Carstensen enrolled in the Evelyn Wood School of Reading Dynamics, an online speed-read-
From Page 1
THIRTEEN Starting college at 13 years old Like many other incoming college students, Zyrianov took the ACT to determine if he was ready for college. Getting a composite score of 24 on the test allowed him to take Elementary Chinese I and II and introductory computer science courses. Nicolle Di Domenico, a freshman physics major and Zyrianov’s classmate, said she was surprised by how
ing program, and learned how to read properly using his hands. During his time in graduate school at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, he learned German. After graduating, he decided to teach physics in Germany. “All the physics I ever taught was stuff I learned on my own,” Carstensen said. “My degree was worthless.” Carstensen said he wants to continue taking classes as a senior guest as long as he’s able and has already scheduled his classes for this fall. “I’m really happy doing this, and I have no plans to be stopping,” he said.
attentive he is in their elementary Chinese II class. She said he always asks questions and seems to learn the material very quickly, she said. “He is smart, but I also feel he’s humble,” Di Domenico said. Students in the class learn the Chinese words for residence hall, cafeteria or dining hall and others, Di Domenico said — words that might not be applicable to Zyrianov because of his unique status. “He can’t really use the words in daily life,” she said. Julia Levashina, Zyrianov’s mother, has never considered her son especially advanced compared to his peers.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich filled the vacant position in Kent State’s Board of Trustees on Monday. Robin Kilbride replaced Emilio Ferrara, whose term as a Kent State trustee expired in May 2015. The board had also lost member Richard Marsh earlier this year after he died at 65. Kilbride’s appointment ends May 2024. Photo courtesy of Kent State “ We w e l c o m e University Robin to our board,” said Dennis Eckart, chair of the Kent State board, in a university email. “Her financial and business experience will be a real plus and we look forward to her longtime engagement with Kent State.” Kilbride is the president and chairman of the board at Smithers-Oasis, a company based in Kent that manufactures floristry products. The company is known for its global distribution of floristry and water-absorbing foam, first manufactured in 1954. Kilbride joined Smithers-Oasis as a financial analyst in 1983 and, working through the ranks, was named chief financial officer in 2001. She later became CEO and president in 2011. kschne21@kent.edu
Kent State beats Akron in RecycleMania competition
The Kent Stater
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Stater 240 FRANKLIN HALL KENT STATE UNIVERSITY KENT, OHIO 44242 Newsroom 330-672-2584 EDITOR
Veterans Club hosts food drive
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The Veterans Club is hosting its third annual food drive April 19 to 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Student Center. The non-perishables donated during the food drive will be given to the Freedom House in Ravenna. According to its website, “Freedom House exists to provide emergency shelter to those veterans in a housing crisis, while also providing support advocacy and referrals to encourage self sufficiency and movement towards permanent housing.” Ryan Lewand, president of the Veterans Club, said he is excited and has high expectations for the food drive.
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Cheers to ... Dallas volunteers helping the homeless of “Tent City,” a camp under I-45, relocate to a shelter or receive sponsors due to the city planing to shut the camp down.
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Jeers to ... two rival construction firms in China clashing, resulting in bulldozers battling in the street Monday.
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ROCK
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Gymnastics team paints the rock in support... Gordon said she’s been impressed with all the support she and her teammates have seen outside of the gymnastics team as well. “I think (the support throughout campus) has been a great thing,” she said. “You can tell everyone really cares about how she’s doing and what she’s done for the school. It’s been very inspiring to see how much everyone cares about her.” Ballard said he is proud of the way the university has shown its support for Warren. “To see the outpouring of support for ...Warren has been awesome,” he said. “Hopefully, her fight and her successfulness against this disease (will bring) more awareness to the issue. By doing that — if our support helps her in some way — then we’re happy to do it, and we’re glad to see it brought to the forefront again.” darmell1@kent.edu She said she has never heard about any of Zyrianov’s friends taking an interest in learning new concepts like her son. “I think playing is the only activity Vlas’ friends do, thus that is what they do when they meet,” Levashina said. “I have never heard that they read any books, travel outside of the state, learn something interesting or get skills in anything.” For fun, Zyrianov flexes his computer science knowledge by creating programs for practice. His latest creation is a text-frequency analysis software that can count the words of different documents at once, compare them and import them into a program like Excel.
Editor: Emily Mills Managing Editor: Jimmy Miller Senior Editor: Ian Flickinger Opinion Editor: Skye McEowen Sports Editor: Stephen Means
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Kent State beat the University of Akron in this year's RecycleMania, retaining possession of the “Braggin’ Wheel” for the fifth year in a row. RecycleMania is an annual, eight-week national competition held from the beginning of February to the beginning of April. Melanie Knowles, Kent State’s manager of sustainability, said, “This year, Kent State ranked 77 out of 269 in the competition, with 15.22 pounds per person on campus diverted from a landfill.” In comparison, Akron ranked 214 out of 269, with 4.95 pounds per person diverted from the landfill. Engleman Hall won the on-campus housing competition by recycling the most, with Lake/Olson Hall coming in second. Engleman will receive $200 for programming, and Lake/Olson Hall will receive a tree-planting ceremony in front of the hall. Chris Tankersley, assistant director of Residence Services, said he was pleased with the level of participation from students and staff during RecycleMania this year. “Shred-Mania drew a lot of participation and also our 'Get Caught Green-Handed' event went very well," he said. "The students sent us pictures of them holding recycled cups and mugs."
To her and the rest of his family, he has always been a normal child. She said she feels other children advance at a slower pace than they should. “I worry that other children advance very slow, especially in mathematics, sciences, history and literature, due to the lack of opportunities they have, as well as the hurdles for education created by games and the internet,” Levashina said. Even so, Levashina said Zyrianov has many friends who play games online together on a site called Steam or chat through Skype, meeting up at either his home or another place about once a month.
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“So far, none of them are published,” he said. “Maybe in the future sometime.” Zyrianov’s also traveled extensively in and out of the country, visiting his family in Russia, as well as trips to China, Jamaica and Scotland. He hopes to visit Crimea and Donetsk, Ukraine, in the future. Zyrianov plans on continuing with College Credit Plus through high school. “You can learn some stuff that wouldn’t be previously available,” Zyrianov said. “I really like this opportunity.” ominnier@kent.edu
Browns trading back is the way to go Ty Sugick Columnist With the Los Angeles Rams trading up to the No. 1 spot in the upcoming NFL draft, it’s no mystery they gave away multiple picks for either quarterbacks Jared Goff or Carson Wentz. The issue for the Cleveland Browns is now this: Do they select the quarterback not taken by the Rams, draft a lineman to avoid the media criticism or trade back? All options will come with great doubt from fans. But then again, in Cleveland, the fans hate every first-round selection because it’s usually a bust waiting to happen. Let’s say the Rams select Goff and we follow the fan base trend, which is pointing toward selecting Wentz. But selecting a quarterback in the first round means the organization sees fit he is able to start the first game of the 2016 season. However, in most opinions, neither of the two are NFL-ready quarterbacks. When flipping the switch, the other option for the Browns is a deal that would ship Joe Thomas — an aging, All-Pro left tackle — to another team in exchange for another first-round draft pick. The Browns would then select Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil and attack other positions later. The idea of Cleveland playing it safe and drafting a lineman would only make the Dawg Pound more irate, as this move has become the team’s favorite cop-out when they’re afraid of taking a chance on a skilled guy. The Browns are in quite a predicament everyone is aware Robert Griffin III is not the quarterback of the future; nobody even knows if his body will be able to handle a rigorous full NFL season. Drafting a quarterback of the future at No. 2 can be reassuring, but also adds pressure to the young gunslinger if he does not start week one, as we all saw with Johnny Manziel. The best bet to make everyone happy and for all front-office guys to hold onto their jobs for another year is to trade back. Trading back gives the Browns time to let both top quarterbacks be drafted before having the opportunity to take them. Trading back also would give the team a chance to stockpile more picks to help out in the many other areas of need. It also puts the team in the perfect position to make a run at Ole Miss receiver Laquon Treadwell. Forget Treadwell’s lackluster pro day numbers; he provides a unique skill-set to win jump balls and be an offensive game changer. He is also a true No. 1 receiver and would set the Browns’ offensive roster up to be much like the Bengals’ roster head coach Hue Jackson to the playoffs last season. Treadwell would be the perfect compromise for Cleveland fans and the team’s front office. Why? Because he can make plays and have a chance to make a notable difference on day one. tsugick@kent.edu
OUR VIEW Kasich chooses advice over answers Republican presidential candidate John Kasich found himself again in hot water after presenting his solution to college sexual assault at a town hall in Watertown, New York, on April 15. A female college student asked Kasich how he would help her “feel safer and more secure regarding sexual violence, harassment and rape” as president. Kasich began by listing the initiatives Ohio has governor, but then wanted to offer her some personal advice: “ ... Don’t go to parties where there is a lot of alcohol.” This comes after the much-maligned Kasich angered voters in February by telling a crowd in Virginia that many women “left their kitchens” to help him win his first term as an Ohio Senator. The latest comments have left him no better off — the Buckeye state governor has faced backlash from Planned Parenthood and the Democratic National Committee, among others. Kasich defended his stance during an interview with CNN on Sunday, saying he wasn’t implying victims of sexual assault were to
blame, only that alcohol “obscures the ability of people to seek justice” after an attack. Truthfully, his statement is correct: A 2007 study for the National Institute of Justice found 89 percent reported drinking alcohol, and 82 percent reported being drunk before their victimization. And college parties frequently feature drinking. The issue is not in his research. In fact, Ohio is one of the few states to set aside money to collect data and educate colleges on how to respond to sexual assault. Even Scott Berkowitz, president of the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, or RAINN, said Kasich’s done the work to “back it up,” according to an article from Cincinnati.com. The point is not that Kasich’s statistics are flawed or illogical — it’s in his delivery. Kasich chose the route of victim-blaming by doling out advice on how females should avoid parties and drinking instead of proposing a real solution: teaching men to respect women. The above editorial is the consensus opinion of The Kent Stater editorial board, whose names are listed above.
Climate change science is irrefutable: Deniers should be accountable Tribune News Service Guest Column Most of us recognize the value of science in dealing with complex problems that pose significant risks to public health and well-being. Thus we expect reputable science to be reported and used in helping us make difficult policy choices, such as what to do about climate change. Scientific findings and associated uncertainties should be scrutinized carefully and debated vigorously within the scientific community and among the public. However, denying the best scientific evidence we have is neither smart nor safe. It could lead to greater societal harm than if we had taken sensible action when reliable knowledge was first available. Dismissal of well-established climate science has parallels to decades of debate over tobacco use and its effects on health. Tobacco companies long denied any causal relation between smoking and disease even when their own studies showed the opposite to be true. Similarly, some fossil fuel companies for decades publicly rejected established climate science and the role of burning fossil fuels in anthropogenic climate change while their internal studies confirmed both. The tobacco companies eventually paid a steep price for their actions. In 1999, the Justice Department filed a civil lawsuit against them, charging that they “engaged in and executed” a “massive 50-year scheme to defraud the public, including consumers of cigarettes,” in violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO. Specifically, the lawsuit said the companies engaged in a conspiracy to launch a public relations campaign challenging scientific evidence that demonstrated the health risks of smoking at the same time that their own research confirmed smoking’s danger. The tobacco companies lost the suit. The federal courts found them in violation of RICO, in particular for fraudulently covering up scientific evidence of health risks linked to smoking. The courts rejected the tobacco companies’ argument that their statements were protected under the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech.
Is there a parallel to current controversies over climate change science? Some members of Congress say there is, and they have asked the Justice Department to pursue charges under RICO against major fossil fuel companies for knowingly deceiving the public — and investors — about the dangers of climate change when their own studies showed the reality of the threat. Attorney General Loretta Lynch has referred the matter to the FBI for study. In addition, in late March, more than a dozen state attorneys general meeting in New York also said they would “aggressively” investigate whether fossil fuel companies misled the public and investors about the risks of climate change. Several state attorneys general already have initiated such investigations under consumer and investor protection laws. Some ask whether such inquiries should be limited to fossil fuel companies. What about extending the liability, they say, to certain think tanks and advocacy groups? Some such groups have been heavily funded by the fossil fuel industry and have misrepresented climate change risks to the public. That might be a tougher sell, given rights to free speech, but it could be given consideration. The Obama administration and other nations finally are acting on climate change. But their responses are modest in light of the challenges faced, and they will need to be supplemented over time with more effective initiatives. Will the public support tougher policies? Recent polls show worry about climate change is now at an eight-year high. However, climate change remains a low salience issue, and the public is poorly informed about its causes and impacts. There also is no sense of urgency about taking action, including the widely endorsed setting of a price on carbon. Our current limited policies reflect a history of science denial by fossil fuel companies and others that have sown confusion and weakened public support for doing more. Those who intentionally misled the public about climate change should be held accountable.
SNL’s heroin skit is crude, honest and sadly funny Matt Poe Columnist Before you decide to stop reading this column because I called a skit about heroin funny, let me explain. Last week’s episode of Saturday Night Live contained a skit called “Heroin AM,” which depicted a faux, over-the-counter dose of heroin that could be bought in capsule form. The skit played out like so many drug commercials we see: “Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and anxiety. Who cares; I feel great, and you will too!” says pretty much every actor in those drug commercials. Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who hosted the SNL episode and starred in the skit, said something similar while in character. I walk a very thin line with this column. It will probably upset some people. But I think what SNL did was pretty bold, sad, cringeworthy, honest and funny. And it made me look at heroin and opiates in a different way. Just about every place and every person in America has been affected by heroin in one way or another. For residents of Ohio, the chances of this are even greater: Ohio had more than an 18 percent increase in heroin overdoses from 2013 to 2014, according to the CDC. Only seven states during that time period had higher percentage increases. Whether you’ve lived in Ohio for just a few years or your whole life, you’ve seen heroin’s trickledown effects firsthand. But let’s get back to the SNL skit because everyone knows how bad heroin is. SNL received a lot of backlash for the skit. For the people who are outraged and pissed off, I understand why. However, I think what SNL was trying to do was not to make fun of heroin or people who struggle with addiction, but rather show two significant aspects of heroin and drugs that often go without discussion. The first is how “big pharmacy” and drug companies can so easily push opiates and painkillers onto people, so much so that many people do not realize how addicted they have become. Oxycodone, Percocet and Vicodin, just to name a few, all have similar effects as heroin on the brain. After all, they’re opiates. For some — when the kick of the painkillers subsides — they need something stronger, like heroin. One in 15 people who take non-medical prescription pain relievers will try heroin within the next 10 years, according to drugabuse.gov. Think about that: That is staggering. I think that’s one message SNL is sending: how easy it is to get hooked and stay hooked on opiates. The second message I think SNL intended to send was to help put a face on the people addicted to heroin. Most of us have some typical caricature of what we think a heroin addict looks like: strung-out, frail, skeleton-like and unkempt. But for many who have a heroin addiction, they can be highly functional people who aren’t inept at hiding their tendencies. They’re siblings, parents, friends, colleagues and neighbors; regular, everyday people who you may never know have a problem until it’s too late. Often, we don’t think about it that way. Lastly, before I get called insensitive or something worse that I can’t put in print, I’d advise you to go watch the skit. Some will find it to be in bad taste, but I guarantee you will laugh at certain parts. That’s because people like Dreyfus, Beck Bennett, Taran Killam and Bobby Moynihan are talented comedians. They can make just about anything funny. They and the writers at SNL are putting heroin under a different microscope and have forced us to talk about it, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. mpoe3@kent.edu
Page 4 | Wednesday, April 20, 2016
The Kent Stater
A look at Ohio House proposal to legalize medical marijuana Julie Carr Smyth AP Statehouse Correspondent Polling is now consistently showing a strong majority of Ohioans favor the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes, inspiring a steady stream of ballot proposals that would lift the state's current prohibition. With that as a backdrop, the Republican-led Ohio House has offered a bill that legalizes medical marijuana and put on a fast track. The goal is to get something into law by summer, before any November vote asking voters to amend a program into Ohio's constitution. A look at the issue: Legislative history Former state lawmaker Bob Hagan, a Youngstown Democrat, introduced medical marijuana legislation each session starting around 2005. He continued the effort as both a state senator and state representative. One year, displaying his sense of humor, Hagan tacked on a "joint resolution" to his perennial offering. The bills never went anywhere. Hagan told reporters that some Republican colleagues in the GOPcontrolled legislature favored the idea but looked upon it as political suicide. That landscape has changed as 24 states have legalized medical marijuana and it's become increasingly accepted by the public. The new bill State Rep. Stephen Huffman, a doctor and Tipp City Republican, introduced a 66-page medical marijuana legalization bill April 14. It would allow doctors certified by the commission to recommend edibles, patches, plant material and oils. Home growing would be prohibited. The bill establishes a nine-member Medical Marijuana Control Commission to create rules for cultivating, distributing, dispensing and taxing cannabis as well as regulation of the program. The legislation allows communities to opt out of hosting dispensaries and pro-
Randall Benton / Sacramento Bee / TNS Marijuana grower Basil McMahon with his crop in Grass Valley, California, on November 12, 2015.
tects from liability employers who want to maintain drugfree workplaces. A select committee was starting work on the measure Tuesday. It wants to get the bill to the Senate by month's end and to the governor's desk before summer. What federal law says Marijuana is still classified as a dangerous illegal narcotic under federal law. The Ohio legislation would urge the federal government to reduce that classification, which other states have also called for. The legislation creates a safe haven for financial institutions that loan money to marijuanarelated businesses, a provision that addresses complications experienced by other states as a result of the federal law. Support A broad coalition of business, labor, law enforcement, pro-medical marijuana and health organizations is getting behind the House measure. A legislative task force appointed by Republican Speaker Cliff Rosenberger heard nearly 24 hours of testimony that state Rep. Kirk Schuring, its chairman, said is incorporated into the House legislation. Backers of the bill believe changing Ohio law — as opposed to the state constitution — is a superior route to legalization because tweaks can more easily be made to the program as lessons are learned. Rules and
regulations for the program would also be run through a public rule-making process over about a year's time. Opposition The Medical Marijuana Project, a national organization campaigning for a constitutional amendment this fall that would legalize medical marijuana in Ohio, said it has no intention of dropping its effort and signing on to the House process. The group points out the long history of legalization bills that went nowhere. The organization said it employs some of the nation's top experts on marijuana law and its Ohio proposal incorporates the best aspects of medicinal marijuana programs around the country. The Ohio State Medical Association, the state's largest physician-led group, also opposes the bill. Its members favor marijuana-derived medicines that have been tested in clinical trials. The bill's chances With the backing of Rosenberger, this bill will definitely clear his chamber. Its fate in the Senate is less clear. Senate President Keith Faber has reserved the right of his chamber to change — or outright reject — the legalization of medical marijuana. Republican Gov. John Kasich, who is running for president, has also been noncommittal thus far.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016 | Page 5
The Kent Stater
Diversity council introduced during Kent Talks
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.
Stephanie Martoccia Diversity Reporter Students raised their concerns about diversity on campus at the fourth session of Kent Talks on Monday night with the newly founded Student Diversity Action Council Board (SDAC), a student version of the already existing University Diversity Action Council. “It (Kent Talks) was formed to create a platform that might be about the platform of civil discourse,” said Kelvin Berry, director of economic development and community relations. “Civil discourse simply put is this: That is to promote a conversation about the things that are uncomfortable or maybe we all don’t agree on so we can listen to each other, listen to another perspective and some point in time, create change.” The event served as a forum for SDAC to introduce itself and listen to the students’ concern. It was also streamed to Kent State’s regional campuses to include all students in the conversation. The board is made up of 11 students divided into three committees: outreach, reports, and communication. SDAC was created as an outlet for students to voice their concerns to administration about the climate on campus. Students brought up concerns of cultural appropriation, faculty sensitivity, student ignorance, openness to learn about each other’s differences
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HOROSCOPE
RAY’S = GREAT FOOD
Nathan Shively / The Kent Stater Kelvin Berry, moderator for the Kent Talks event, addresses a question asked by a member of the audience on Monday, April 18, 2016.
and many other topics. “I think people were very honest about coming out and talking about the problems that they’ve had on campus,” said Matthew Chernesky, leader of the SDAC board and junior political science major. “I think that by sharing their stories, we were able to have a constructive dialogue about the changes that we can make on this campus.” The crowd, composed of undergraduate and graduate students, shared stories of what made them uncomfortable while the SDAC board took notes in preparation to create initiatives. Because it is a newly formed organization, plans will not be complete until the fall semester. “I loved seeing the different perspectives of the students because it wasn’t just one voice,” said Beatrice Cahill-Camden, a SDAC board
member, “I think I am used to hearing a particular group of students, whether it's people in my gender or my race.” Cahill-Camden said she felt the event was beneficial because, "people came out from all different parts of campus who are different in what they study and what is important to them." After the session, SDAC board members agreed that they are confident and excited about the future, but there is a lot of work to be done. “ I f e l t e m p o w e re d b y tonight," Chernesky said. “I think that it has given us a lot of great ideas about policy implementations or recommendations that we can make, so I am very confident that all of the stories we heard will be able to be used in the future conversations that SDAC has.” smartocc@kent.edu
Trump triumphs in New York; Clinton, Sanders vie for victory
HOLY COW, STOP THE WAR NOW! Best anti-war fall editorial: $1,000.04 Best pro-war ditto: $19.70 Freshmen only, winners based on pro and con response letters to editor. Submit by 11/24/16 John Paul Kusnir class of 1970 Vietnam 1968-69
Build your resume! Young Explorers Aurora and Twinsburg are looking for part-time and full-time teachers. 330-562-5588 Send resume to lissette@youngexplorerschildcare.com Need a job with a great fun and exciting company, we have flexible hours full and part-time. Make $10 while you train. We have contests and motivational activities each month. We want students that need to make extra cash. Please send resume to larinda@weknowdish. com or call 330-298-2800. We are located at 110.5 E Main St. Ravenna, OH 44266 BELLACINO’S PIZZA AND GRINDERS Looking for kitchen help, must be available on weekends, close to campus, free break food. Apply at Bellacino’s 3657 Fishcreek Rd. Stow, OH 44224. 330-678-3000 Lawn maintenance company seeks FT/PT employee. Must have valid Ohio drivers license 4 points or less and reliable transportation, please call 330-688-3389 Mayfield Sand Ridge Club is looking for dependable, hardworking seasonal employees to work on the golf course. Email Chad at cyotter@msrcc.com or call at 440-226-9051 for more information. FT/PT enthusiastic retail sales position. Adobe Business Catalyst Software exp needed. Apply within Stow Sports 3774 Fishcreek Road Stow or davida4184@aol.com
Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times / TNS Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times / TNS Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at a rally in Long Island City on Monday, April speaks at a rally for women at the Hilton Hotel in 18, 2016. Manhattan on Monday, April 18, 2016.
Julie Pace and Jonathan Lemire Associated Press Front-runners Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton swept to victory with ease in Tuesday’s New York primary, with Trump bouncing back from a difficult stretch in the Republican campaign and Clinton pushing closer to locking up the Democratic nomination. Trump’s victory was a psychological boost for his campaign, though the impact on his path to the GOP nomination was to be determined by the number of delegates he secured. He seemed headed to capture more than 50 percent of the vote, putting him in a strong position to win most of New York’s 95 delegates, an impressive haul. A confident Trump declared that it was “impossible” for his rivals to catch him. “We don’t have much of a race anymore,” he said during a victory rally in the lobby of the Manhattan tower bearing his name. He peppered his brash remarks with more references to the economy and other policy proposals than normal, reflecting the influence of a new team of advisers seeking to professionalize his campaign. Clinton’s triumph padded her delegate lead over rival Bernie Sanders and strengthened her claim to the Democratic nomination that eluded her eight years ago. Clinton’s campaign is eager to turn toward the general election and heal
wounds with Sanders’ enthusiastic supporters. With 247 delegates at stake, Clinton picked up at least 104 while Sanders gained at least 85. Many remained to be allocated, pending final vote tallies. Exit polls suggested Democrats were ready to rally around whoever the party nominates. Nearly 7 in 10 Sanders supporters in New York said that they would definitely or probably vote for Clinton if she is the party’s pick. The nominating contests will stay centered in the Northeast in the coming days, with Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania all holding contests next week. Sanders spent Tuesday in Pennsylvania, as did Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, Trump’s closest rival. Trump leads the GOP race with 756 delegates, ahead of Cruz with 559 and Ohio Gov. John Kasich with 144. Securing the GOP nomination requires 1,237. Among Democrats, Clinton now has 1,862 delegates to Sanders’ 1,161. Those totals include both pledged delegates from primaries and caucuses and superdelegates, the party insiders who can back the candidate of their choice regardless of how their state votes. It takes 2,383 to win the Democratic nomination. AP writers Thomas Beaumont, Lisa Lerer, Julie Bykowicz, Emily Swanson and Steve Peoples contributed to this report.
Summer Employment. Kent Health Department Mosquito Control Program. $10/HR, 24 hours per week. May 16-September 2. Primarily outdoor daytime work. Some evening work may be required. Send email of interest with résumé to: j.smith@kent-ohio.org
Available August 1st. 1 bedroom apartment, great location - 1 block from campus. Large bedroom, full kitchen with appliances. Park steps from your door. $450/ mo. Includes all utilities. Sorry no pets. Call or text 330-607-2569
By Nancy Black
All real estate advertised herein 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. For Rent Fall Semester 5 bedroom, Newly Remodeled, 2.5 baths, washer, dryer, dishwasher included. 1 year leases available. Call 330-646-5669 or 330-770-2197 for more details. KENT RENTALS 4 and 5 bedroom houses starting at $1000. Call Rich 330-697-5170. Available Summer. 2BR, 1.5BA. No pets, go to www.blacksquirrelrentals.com or call 330-835-7737.
Today’s Birthday (04/20/16) Play full out this year. Take time for family and romance after 5/9. Invest for the future after 8/13. A two-year work boom begins 9/9. Family windfalls and new love after 9/1 lead to group changes after 9/16. Create from your heart. 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. Provide well for family. Follow the rules exactly for fine results. Keep expenses down. Don’t take on more than you can do by the deadline. Others are impressed.
BLISS
Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is an 8. Continue providing leadership. Postpone travel and romance until pressing matters get resolved. Practical action gets the desired result. Use reliable methods and ingredients. If stuck, read the manual.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 7. Wait and consider a while longer. A mess may be required. Don’t let it destroy your domestic tranquility. Strengthen support structures. Make careful preparations for changes at home.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 6. Things are not as they seem. Seek out a peaceful spot for introspective productivity. What looks weak may be actually strong. Don’t make assumptions. Take a wider view on changes. Meditate.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is an 8. Take action only when fully prepared. Communication is key. Motivate your team, especially stubborn holdouts. Listen to considerations. Make your point clear. Wait until everyone’s on board.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 7. Consider consequences of group actions before taking them. Don’t spend more than you’re likely to get. Steer clear of arguments and conflict. Keep things practical and simple.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is a 5. Chop wood, carry water and harvest what you can. Draw upon history for solutions. You can get what you need. Avoid risky footing, or stepping on anyone else.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is an 8. You’re gaining influence (and cash flow). Travel’s a good possibility, maybe for business or studies. Keep to a tight budget. Research before buying. Wear the right shoes for the activity.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 6. It could seem like you’re in the eye of the storm. Review plans for stability. An elder offers sound advice. Keep your tone respectful, despite frustration. Avoid favoritism or gossip. Reinforce structures.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 6. Go ahead and take a first step. Try a new recreational activity before buying all that equipment. Pay off debts as quickly as you can. Self-discipline pays nice dividends.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 6. Avoid controversy. You’re in tune with a distant loved one. Clean, sort and organize. There are hidden treasures in your stack of stuff. Have patience with a personal endeavor. Rediscover what you have.
Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is a 6. The more you complete, the better you look. Money saved is money earned. Avoid chaos or confusion and take it easy. Disagreements and misunderstandings spark easily. Don’t stir things up.
DOT GAME
Available for Fall Huge 4 and 5 bedroom units in great condition. Deck/patio, large yard, washer/dryer hook up. Starting at $1240 includes water and trash. Call or text (330) 612-4057 Kent 2 & 3 bedroom apartments. Air, appliances, carpet, heat and water paid. No pets or Section 8. $650 and $810. 330-677-5577 Kent 1168/ 1170 Morris Street a 4 bedroom and 3/4 bedroom triplex $420. per person plus G/E/W laundry hookup, stove, frig, air conditioning 535 North Water B 2 bedroom $375. plus G/E/W great location 503,527,529 Lake Street spacious 2 bedroom townhouse $400. plus G/E basement, stove, frig, washer, dryer Jack Kohl Realty,LLC Contact Ryan Poland at 330-6774722 x 5345 www.jkohlre.com
SUDOKU
Available Fall! 2 bedroom luxury condo, 1 block from Kent State campus, a full kitchen, large living room, large dining room, washer/ dryer, off street parking, no pets, $840, will not respond to texts or emails. Call John 330-328-1084 3 bedroom, 1 bath, $700/month. Pet-friendly. 330-687-3449 2 BR, 1.5 bath, close to campus $840 + electric per month www.oakhavenkent.com or 330-957-3083
UNPLANNED PREGNANCY? Are you looking for a wonderful home and future for your child? We have been looking to share our love and lives with a child. Perhaps we are looking for each other. Kent State Graduate Please call 1-888-34-ADOPT code: 91704
Available for Summer 2016: 1 bedroom with attached private bath in a 3-person suite of males. Close to campus. Pool, laundry in unit, furnished. For more information contact ssmit147@kent.edu.
BREWSTER ROCKIT
CROSSWORD
Page 6 | Wednesday, April 20, 2016
The Kent Stater
Sports
SPORTS EDITOR: STEPHEN MEANS // SMEANS2@KENT.EDU
Women's basketball names new head coach Stephen Means Sports Reporter Kent State officially announced Tuesday Todd S t a r k e y, f o r m e r a s s i s t a n t coach of Indiana University's women's basketball as head coach of the Kent State women's basketball team. Starkey is the sixth head coach in the university's history. "It's truly an exciting time for our women's basketball program as we welcome Todd Starkey to the Golden Flashes family as the next women's basketball head coach," Athletic Direc-
tor Joel Nielsen said in a press release. "We are excited to bring his competitive spirit and experience to Kent State University." Starkey helped Indiana reach its fifth NCAA tournament appearance and win its first tournament game since 1983. Prior to coaching at Indiana, Starkey was the head coach at Division II Lenoir-Ryne University in North Carolina, where he was named Division II coach of the year in 2008-09. The Flashes parted ways with former head coach Danielle O'Banion following a 6-23 season. smeans2@kent.edu
Zach Harley Sports Reporter
Courtesy of Twitter
Johnny Manziel violence case to go to grand jury Thursday Nomaan Merchant Associated Press A Dallas grand jury is scheduled to consider this week whether to charge troubled NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel with attacking his exgirlfriend in a January incident. Prosecutors will present the Manziel case to a grand jury Thursday, said Brittany Dunn, a spokeswoman for the Dallas County district attorney. The grand jury could announce an indictment as soon as Monday. Police originally presented a misdemeanor assault case to prosecutors. That charge carries a maximum punishment of one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Manziel, a former Cleveland Browns quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner at Texas A&M, is accused of hitting his ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley so hard that she temporarily lost hearing in one ear. Crowley requested and was granted a protective order against the 23-year-old quarterback that prevents him from seeing her for two years. She says she and Manziel had a confrontation in a Dallas hotel room, which continued downstairs at the valet station. She said he forced her into a car and a valet ignored her pleas for help. The two drove to where her car was parked in front of a Dallas bar, she said in an affidavit. She accused Manziel of getting into the driver's seat and beginning to drive. She says when she tried to jump out of the car, Manziel stopped, dragged her back into the car and hit her.
MAC names players of week
Police said they have spoken to Crowley, interviewed several other witnesses and reviewed medical records. But they did not arrest Manziel, instead taking the unusual step of asking the district attorney's office to present the case to a grand jury. It's not yet clear whether Manziel or Crowley will testify before the grand jury this week. The district attorney's office and lawyers for both Manziel and Crowley did not immediately respond to questions. Manziel was cut by the Browns in March after two tumultuous seasons marked by inconsistent play and off-the-field headlines about his partying and drinking, including one stint in rehab. His future in the NFL is uncertain at best and might be nonexistent without a second stint in treatment that two agents have demanded. The first one, Erik Burkhardt, cut ties with Manziel after last season. Burkhardt's replacement, Drew Rosenhaus, dropped Manziel on Tuesday. In the little time Manziel spent on the field for the Browns the past two seasons, he didn't have much impact. He passed for 1,675 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions in 14 games. And his admission after his rookie season that he didn't spend enough time preparing will be another factor in any team's decision to pick up Manziel. Cleveland delayed the quarterback's release for two days trying to find a trade partner, but Manziel's value has declined since his days as a dynamic playmaker with the Aggies.
The Kent State baseball team made headlines this week as junior pitcher Andy Ravel and junior infielder Conner Simonetti both earned MidAmerican Conference player of the week awards for the first time each in the 2016 season. During one of the three weekend games, Ravel tossed six scoreless innings recording eight strikeouts. He allowed only two runs. Saturday’s start was Ravel’s second great start in a row, with the first of the two coming last weekend against the University of Toledo, where the junior flamethrower allowed two runs. One of the runs was earned with nine hits allowed. On the season, Ravel has struggled to contain the opposing batters. But his last two outings have shown exactly why he is the Flashes’ No. 2 starter: even though he allows hits — they
Samantha Karam / The Kent Stater Junior Andy Ravel pitches during the first of two games against the University of Toledo on Sunday, April 10, 2016.
almost never cross home plate. Simonetti, the other award-winner for the Flashes, has torn it up all seasonlong by leading Kent State with nine home runs. Over the weekend Simonetti proved that he’s a huge bat for this line-up, going 6-for-14 and adding on eight more runs batted-in to his season total of 30. The junior slugger from New York also added three more home runs to his season total with two on Sunday and one on Friday. Simonetti and Ravel both helped the Flashes continue their success in the MAC, totaling their conference record to 9-3 on the season. Ravel’s next start will come Saturday when the Flashes drive down to Athens for a three-game set against the Ohio University Bobcats, who currently sit at 16-19 with a 5-7 conference record. zharley@kent.edu
Samantha Karam / The Kent Stater Junior Conner Simonetti walks off the field after hitting a home run in the first of two games against the University of Toledo on Sunday, April 10, 2016.