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Clint Datchuk / The Kent Stater Computer engineering major Madhur Malhotra from the University of Pittsburgh, camps out on his sleeping bag while working on his team’s project in Rockwell Hall library on Jan. 30, 2016 as part of the Fashion/Tech Hackathon.
The Fashion School at Kent State University partnered with Kent State’s LaunchNET and the Fashion School’s TechStyleLAB to host the third annual Fashion/ Tech Hackathon from Jan. 29 to Jan. 31 in Rockwell Hall. More than 150 students, 87 of which were first-time hackers, competed in teams to create new and innovative products. Of those students, there was an equal ratio of men to women, according to Angela Wische, a senior Fashion Hackathon Volunteer. The Hackathon is a way for students to come together to create new pieces of wearable technology and network with new people. “A Hackathon is where new and original ideas are created mainly through the technology community, but what the Fashion Hackathon does, is it creates a merge between the two in order to have new innovative ideas in the retail environment and in general,” Wische said. J.R. Campbell, director of the Fashion School, was involved with the creation of the Fashion School’s TechStyleLAB, which provided materials to hackers during the competition. “When I first started here at the school as a director, one of the things I did was start to create the TechStyleLAB. The idea there was really just to bring all of the different digitally driven technologies that we can use in the context of fashion into one
@kentwired KentWired.com
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2016
Fashion/Tech Hackathon showcases innovative thinking
Ile-Ife Okantah, Taylor Pierce Fashion Reporters
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place and see what we can come up with,” estly, you come here and it’s all weekend, Campbell said. and you just learn so much,” Haley said. The teams of students worked together This year’s Hackathon event featured an for 36 hours to create a new product to option for participants to use a 3D printer. present at the end of the weekend. 3D printing has been taking the world Fashion design students Brandon Yar- by storm since Charles Hull invented the chuk and Joseph Barnett from Kent State machine in 1984. It is a whole new way of helped to create a heated jacket targeted at manufacturing in the fashion world. outdoor athletes that helps them train, but Campbell was enthusiastic about can also be worn for recreational use. integrating the printer in this year ’s Yarchuk said the Hackathon is an inter- Hackathon. esting way for fashion and technology to come together. “I like to see the two polar opposite ends of things,” Yarchuk said. “You have the artists and the design aspect and then the very technical aspect, and the fact that they can combine to create products that are actually utilitarian is something that’s fascinating to me.” Mary Jo Haley, a junior fashion merchandising major, was involved with the creation of a sustainability website and app. Clint Datchuk / The Kent Stater She said the Hack- Alana Erwin and Sam Nosenzo’s thermal ‘Sno’ jacket uses bluetooth athon is an event with sensors and accelerometers to alert authorities in the event the a creative environment. wearer were to get into an accident. The group was one of four to win “The Hackathon prizes from sponsors at the Kent Hackathon on the weekend of Jan. is so much fun, hon- 29, 2016 at Rockwell Hall.
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Hockey wins pair of close home contests SEE ARTICLE ON PAGE 6
Construction materials monitored for hazards Olivia Minnier Administration Reporter With the recent construction efforts and pursuit to improve existing buildings on campus, members of the Kent State community may be concerned about coming into contact with harmful building materials such as asbestos. The Environmental Health and Safety department, as well as University Facilities Management, work together to make sure students, faculty and staff are protected from risks and are properly informed about any concerns regarding asbestos and harmful materials. If students have a concern, they can request information from the department. “We just have a standing program that we will share information based on the request of the student,” said Roy Christian, the director of University Facilities Management at Kent State. Asbestos is a heat resistant, fibrous material that occurs in rock and soil. It was often used in buildings constructed prior to the mid 1970’s when the EPA passed a series of bans on certain products that contained asbestos. Not all products that contain asbestos are currently banned by the EPA, but the regulation does ban all new uses, meaning manufacturers cannot add it in products that haven’t historically contained it. It can also be found in vinyl floor tile, roofing shingles and other industrial materials. Asbestos exposure is linked to lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer found in the lining of the lungs, chest, abdomen and heart. To be considered exposed, the fibers have to be released into the air during a disturbance to the material, such as construction work. “We don’t want to sensationalize or make it more than it is because it is better to not do anything with it at times,” said Christian. Dennis Baden, director of Environmental Health and Safety also expressed that members of the Kent State community have no reason to be worried about an exposure risk from some of the older buildings on campus. “Any of our buildings that contain asbestos, we are now aware of where they are, so we manage those. As long as they are intact, they represent absolutely no risk to any building occupants, visitors, students or anything like that.” The primary group at risk of having an exposure are the maintenance staff, who may perform tasks disturbing the material. “The permissible exposure limit for asbestos is .1 fibers per cubic centimeter for eight hours,” Baden said. During training workers are taught about health hazards, and how to find information on what materials contain asbestos. “All maintenance employees at the university have asbestos awareness training,” said Baden. When it comes to daily maintenance of the buildings, steps are also taken to make sure employees who may not actively disturb the materials are protected. “Some of the older buildings, first of all, you’ve got to be aware of the surroundings, what’s on the units, whether there’s any material that you have to deal with carefully,” Christian said. “As they age, they don’t age gracefully, so we have to be careful how we go about doing things.” Another concern that can come with a building environment is mold, a fungus that occurs from any damp or decaying organic substance. While there are many types of mold that can become present in an indoor environment, the variety that causes the most concern is Stachybotrys chartarum or black mold, which can release harmful toxins into the air. “That’s one of those things where you’ve got a perfect room, and all of a sudden you’ve got mold and you’ve got to deal with it,” said Christian. At the university, the procedure for mold removal depends on how severe the problem is. If isolated to a small area, maintenance staff will clean the affected surface thoroughly, said Baden. If the area is large, maintenance contacts the Environmental Health and Safety office. Both Facility and the Department of Environmental Health and Safety make sure the process is clean for construction workers. Christian said that if asbestos is present in a building that is being remodeled, a certified contractor is hired to remove it and sends the material to an approved landfill to be disposed of. Christine Havice, director for the School of Art, said that with the new Center for the Visual Arts building, built from both Van Dusen Hall and the old heating plant for the university, had the asbestos in them abated before the building process took off. She also said that the new building is to be a LEED certified silver building when it is completed. Havice expressed this is a huge improvement from where universities used to be as far as building upkeep is concerned. “Universities went through a period where there wasn’t much money being dedicated to building or even maintenance,” said Havice. If students or faculty members have an issue with mold, water damage or any concerns about the buildings on campus, they are encouraged to call the maintenance department, Baden said. “By all means if someone wants to call me directly, that’s fine, at Environmental Health and Safety and we will investigate it as well. But I think your first (step) normally, for issues like mold and other things, would be to contact the maintenance department first.” ominnier@kent.edu
Max McCarty / The Kent Stater Kent State forward Jake Hainline celebrates after he scores a goal against Oswego State on Friday, Jan. 29, 2016.
Page 2 | Monday, February 1, 2016
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Monday, February 1, 2016 | Page 3
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Along the Vltava River, the Charles Bridge and the castle on the top left can be seen in Prague.
Jesse Gettemy Diversity Reporter Antioch’s University’s Comparative Women’s and Gender Studies in Europe (WGSE) program is currently accepting applications for fall 2016. If passionate about women’s studies, gender or sexuality issues, students should take advantage of the opportunity and apply as From Page 1
TECH Fashion/Tech Hackathon... “Three dimensional printing has all types of implications as you start thinking about it in the fashion industry as a whole,” Campbell said. “There is a lot of potential for doing very customized buttons, zippers, closures, components of garments and things that can be customized for preference or performance.” According to digitaltrends. com, 3D printing is simply making a physical object from a virtual model. It’s very much like laser ink printers, except the 3D printer uses various substances, usually forms of plastic, to print layers on top of each other to create a three dimensional form. “This will definitely make things more accessible for people to be able to design their own things,” said Carrie Hadley, a digital science major. “It will also speed up the process
soon as possible. The WGSE program is a full-semester, undergraduate program in WGS and successful participants earn 16 credit hours in Women’s and Gender Studies. The WGSE program participants study feminist and queer theory, feminist methodology and European-situated feminisms while traveling to Berlin, Germany; Prague, Czech Republic; Krakow, Poland;
Utrecht, Netherlands and perhaps Istanbul, Turkey (depending on its current political situation). Additionally, each student develops and carries out a self-designed independent research project on a topic of their choice, such as LGBTQ issues, reproductive rights, queer youth support organizations, feminist/queer art and immigration issues. Participating in the program
also gives students an opportunity to attend lectures and take seminars with prominent feminist and queer scholars and activists. Activists, including Rosi Braidotti, a continental feminist philosopher from Utrecht; Laura Merritt, a sexworker activist from Berlin; Julia Ehrt, a member of the European Transgender Council; Rebecca Gomperts, founder of Women on Waves from
Amsterdam; Dagmar Schultz, German director of "Audre Lorde: The Berlin Years" and many others. The program is considered an opportunity to establish contacts with WGS students and feminist and queer activists from all over Europe. Applications are due by March 30.
of prototyping new things like smart watches.” Three students from Case Western Reserve University, including electrical engineering major Derrik Best, took full advantage of the 3D printer during the Hackathon. Their team wanted to create a prototype for a self-tightening shoe. However, once arriving at Rockwell Hall they realized that there was not a mannequin’s foot for them to work with. Best said he wanted people who may have mobility issues to easily be able to slide on their shoe using gesture control to tighten or loosen it. “The idea is that we want to create a shoe that is as easy to put on as a slipper, but when tightened up…it can provide the support of a walking shoe,” Best said. “Besides being able to market it simply for the novelty, there is also a need within people with certain disabilities or mobility issues who need help to put their shoes on and off.” The Hackathon provides
students the opportunity to create products that could help improve consumers’ lives. “We wanted to create something that had a real purpose, and wasn’t just pretty to look at, something that had a purpose and could be used by people to help people,” said Chase Halbeck, a student from Case Western Reserve University. With such an innovative idea, it proved very problematic for the team to be left without a model foot to work with. This is where Michael Nelson from Kent State’s LaunchNET program stepped in. Nelson was working at the Hackathon as the manager for one of the 3D printers in the building. He suggested the team find a 3D picture of a foot on the Internet to upload onto the printer and convert into a model foot. “The print for the foot took maybe five hours,” Nelson said. “It was a women’s size 8 foot so that’s a lot of plastic… but it cost probably $5 in plastic. The only downside is how long it took.” The 3D printer came in
handy for many other groups too. Nelson shared a sample of chain mail he and another group printed, as well as samples of closures a group printed for a dress. The Hackathon showed how 3D printing is going to be a prominent piece of technology throughout the future of fashion. “It leads to more sustainable design and production, and less consumption,” Campbell said. “It’s a huge change on the prevailing business models that exist right now. It will potentially hve a huge impact on the economy.” To conclude the event, awards were presented the final day of the competition from 1 to 2 p.m. This year the prizes were awarded in four categories: Creation of a New Technology, Advancement of an Existing Technology, Use of Technology in Creating New Fashion Products and Tech Advancement of the Retail Experience. For the Creation of a New Technology category, Team Mirror Mirror won for invent-
ing a smart mirror that allows consumers to virtually try on pieces of clothing from various stores. In the Advancement of an Existing Technology category, Team All Time won for inventing memorable technology pieces, which included a watch for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Kent State University President, Dr. Beverly Warren, attended the Hackathon for a second year in a row and spent time viewing students’ final project submissions. “I’ve said it many times, I really think Kent State University students, we want them to be job creators, and we want them to be the innovators and creators of tomorrow,” Warren said. “This gives everyone a chance even while they’re still studying, to have prototypes of technology they can market. I really like that, and I think all of the learning experience is fabulous.” iokantah@kent.edu and tpierce9@kent.edu
Jacob Ruffo Student Life Reporter
Amani Williams / The Kent Stater USG senators take a vote on a student's individual conference request during a meeting on Wednesday Jan. 27, 2016. Students and organizations can submit requests to the USG Allocations Committee to receive funding to attend conferences.
“I like to check and see if the syllabus is there before the first day of class anyway, so I would definitely check to see what I would have to do in a class while signing up,” Ware said. “I’ve had classes where the work load ends up being more than the workload for my major classes. If I could check while signing up I would avoid those,” he added. Cannon said he believes having early access to a syllabus would assist students in more ways than one. “Getting the syllabus the first day
Beauty of Data exhibit to open at MuseLab Kimberly Laferty Libraries Reporter Kent State's School of Library and Information Science is set to open a data exhibit this Thursday, located on the third floor of the University Library. Kiersten F. Latham, Ph.D., MuseLab director and SLIS assistant professor, joined with library and information science graduate students Mitch Sumner and Corina Iannaggi. They asked for visualizations from researchers, and had a goal to find examples of data and together, make something beautiful. According to the press release, sub-
mitted visualizations are in 2-D, 3-D and are from researchers of Kent State who work in different fields of study. Some of these fields include anthropology, biological sciences, visual communication design and fashion. Exhibit highlights include a digital knit scarf, colorful chapter opener images from a mathematics dictionary and a canoe paddle and bailer traditionally crafted from the Solomon Islands. The reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday with brief remarks at 6 p.m. The event is open to the public and free of charge. klaferty@kent.edu
can be somewhat of a financial burden,” Cannon said. “When I only have three days to get a textbook, I don’t really have time to shop around for the cheapest option. It’s also a huge stressor.” Undergraduate students were not the only ones showing support for the resolution. Geography department grad appointee, Johnathon Kirk agrees with the resolution. “In general, I think it would be a good idea for the students because they could see what to expect,” Kirk said. Kirk said he would have appreciat-
ed having such a service when he was an undergraduate student, “For sure I would have looked.” He didn’t seem to mind having to upload the syllabus. “From my standpoint, if you have to do it, you have to do it. Students already get a brief description of the course, but now they can get a full breakdown..It might prevent first week drops. Either way these could be good things because they can get the most interested students in the class and keep them here.” jruffo@kent.edu
Kent Stage hosts annual short film festival Alexis Amato Business and Neighborhood Reporter Standing Rock Cultural Arts held its 13th annual short film festival on Saturday at the Kent Stage. The festival showcases short films from around the world, as well as local ones. “We invite artists who we think are innovative and exciting in the world of film and video,” said Jeff Ingram, co-founder and executive director of Standing Rock. Even though they are short, the
message in each film was not lost on the audience. “The first few were a little strange, but the one about Syrian refugees really got to me,” said Alexander Kamczyc, a junior journalism major. “It started off so innocent, but then they focused on the panic and craziness of it all.” Others enjoyed some of the quirkier films. “The ‘This Film Is Especially For You’ one was so cool,” said Hana Barkowitz, a sophomore public relations major. “I didn’t really get the story in it, but the colors and
Cheers&Jeers
jgettemy@kent.edu
USG to vote on making syllabus available before scheduling Kent State’s Undergraduate Student Government recently proposed a resolution to make a version of a class’s syllabus available when searching for classes. Recently, Ohio State’s USG voted on a very similar resolution. “We wrote up a resolution similar to theirs and had a first reading at our last meeting. Why reinvent the wheel?” Said Brian Cannon, Kent State’s Executive Director of USG. Cannon said that other universities’ USG's were in the process of enacting similar policies, stating that there is communication between USG leaders, allowing them to exchange ideas while putting subtle tweaks on the bill for their respective universities. “Basically, we want it so when you look up and register for courses, a little tab would drop down and have the syllabus (for the class),” Cannon said. The decision passed with a unanimous vote at The Ohio State University. “There is no question in my mind it will pass. All students I’ve talked to, like students just around the Student Center and other student government members, and they’re all for it,” Cannon said. Students’ reactions, such as freshman political science major Chazz Ware, would back up his sentiment.
Justin Niedenthal “Volunteering a lot of the time is about meeting the people who have answered this call or mission to serve those in need everyday and when you make yourself of service you show your true colors and the love of humanity shows through you...I would recommend anybody going on a volunteer trip,” said Kendra Moylet, a junior fashion merchandising major. Moylet participated in one of Kent State’s alternate spring break options last year and enjoyed her experience so much that she is planning her own volunteer trip for this year. See the extended article on KentWired.com.
the music were so pretty.” T h e o rg a n i z a t i o n a c c e p t s submissions year round and invites a number of film and video artists. Standing Rock also offers workshops, Youth Theater, fundraising benefits and a community art gallery. Their vision, stated at their website, is to nourish the spirit of creativity by providing art and educational activities that allow children and the general public to explore the arts. aamato@kent.edu
Cheers to ... Mattel for revealing a new line of Barbie dolls Thursday featuring a range of body types, including tall, petite and curvy.
Jeers to ... An Uber driver being charged with a DUI after being found driving drunk Thursday morning in Chicago.
Professional athletes should be professional Jacob Ruffo Columnist
OUR VIEW
More power to acceptance and education
Last week, the Kent Stater published an
Twitter, 24-hour sports channels and TMZ are but a few options we regular folk have when it comes to following a pro athlete’s every move. Because of this, it is absolutely imperative for professional athletes to be as good off the court as they are on it. Recently, the careers of some pretty big-name athletes were severely altered by activities they engaged in off-the-clock. Many Northeast Ohio sports fans know Johnny Manziel’s off-the-field history: The latest chapter of the “Johnny Football” saga took place in the beginning of January, and saw him miss practice due to a concussion, then miss concussion protocol on the following Sunday. The protocol takes place at the stadium, mind you, the same stadium where the Cleveland Browns played a game. Soon after, rumors circulated regarding a mysterious familiar looking party animal named “Billy” hanging out in Las Vegas the very same day. This has seemingly led to the Browns giving up entirely on their former first-round pick. Let’s keep in mind, Manziel won the Heisman Trophy at Texas A&M University, started for the Browns and already showed flashes of brilliance, but his off-the-field hijinks were finally too much. Both the new head coach and front office have publicly discussed plans to move on from the Johnny Football era of Browns football. Just this month, Los Angeles Clippers basketball forward Blake Griffin broke his hand and will be out four to six weeks. He sustained this injury by punching a team staff member in the face. The altercation occurred in a Toronto restaurant. Griffin and assistant equipment manager Matias Testi got into an argument inside the restaurant. The argument lead to Griffin punching him. When Testi attempted to leave the establishment, Griffin followed him outside and punched him again. It’s likely the staff member did something to provoke this. Griffin is not some violent lunatic who hits random people for no reason. He is a superstar in the NBA, and he is now injured. With him out, the Clippers are fighting for a position in the Western Conference playoffs. According to ESPN, Griffin “could face league discipline.” Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and head coach Doc Rivers issued a statement saying: “This conduct has no place in our organization.” There have even been rumors suggesting Griffin should be traded. Griffin has been an All-Star, Dunk Contest winner, Kia commercial staple and NBA 2K cover boy, but all he is for now is a giant idiot who cost his team four to six weeks without having a superstar in the rotation. The people who watch ESPN and follow sports accounts on Twitter are merciless. They are savages who love watching these pro athletes - who are 20 to 30-year-old human beings - mess up. They’re predators waiting for the slightest mistake to pounce on in order to make themselves feel better. Even if you’re doing everything right, people will still find a reason to complain about you - just ask poor Cam Newton, the Carolina Panthers’ quarterback. jruffo@kent.edu
Really, this tells us that people are
article entitled “Kent gets kinky,” which
becoming more comfortable in their own
focused on K.I.N.K. Kent State, a registered
skin. They are not only forming and join-
club at the university. The group discusses BDSM and alternative lifestyles, with discussion focusing more on safety and education about said topics. The club provides a community for those already involved in the lifestyle — for a variety of different reasons — or those who are just curious. We believe if you have the drive to form a club about something you’re passionate about, more power to you. In a way this raises the question: How are modern views on sexuality changing? In a broader sense, what about alternative lifestyles? As we’ve seen in the article, K.I.N.K.
Samantha Karam Columnist
legitimacy of a mental disorder, contributing to a greater stigma surrounding mental health. The Mayo Clinic has a plethora of information surrounding the stigma associated with mental health. Listed on Mayo’s website are the effects of negative attention for those affected, and the list is extensive. Whether it’s becoming more introverted, facing tougher conditions in the workplace or feeling less motivated to seek help, negative attention can take a devastating toll on somebody who may already be struggling. Bell Let’s Talk Day is the most effective way of raising awareness for one primary reason: it forces people to talk. For 24 hours, the public unleashes a flood of positivity for those who might be affected or are afraid to seek help. Making mental health taboo only contributes to the stigma, so more open conversation will undoubtedly help the cause. As much as we talk about fighting cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses, adding mental health to the conversation will prove to be beneficial. Rather than shaming those who suffer from a disorder because of it appearing strange or complicated, society needs to remind these individuals that they are surrounded by a community willing to fight the illness alongside them. Bell Let’s Talk Day is an excellent start to breaking the stigma, but we each need to make an effort to talk about mental health more than once a year.
Even before his presidential candidacy, Donald Trump has made viewers uncomfortable with his comments: During an interview on The View in 2006, Trump made a comment about his daughter’s nice figure and went on to say, “I’ve said that if Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps, I would be dating her.” Though he has a supportive following, it’s impossible to ignore the fact Trump’s big mouth has led to a notoriety that’s hard to match. His embarrassing words give comedians and media outlets many opportunities to get creative with how they mock him. Publishers of one tabloid in particular didn’t hold back. The Philadelphia Daily News published a controversial cover at the end of 2015. The cover showed Trump with his arm extended at a 45-degree angle. The photo was captioned, “The New Furor.” Now, I know it’s a tabloid, but The Philadelphia Daily News might have been onto something. The labeling of Trump as a modern-day Hitler has gained popularity. There are charts and cartoons floating all over the Internet supporting this idea. Dozens of articles have been written about the subject, but one in particular, stood out to me. Published in The New Yorker, it’s titled, “Trump: The Man, the Meme” by Ian Crouch. In his article, Crouch talks about how common it is for Americans to compare politicians to Hitler online. Trump isn’t the only presidential candidate that has been “Hitlerized.” According to Crouch’s article, “Hillary Clinton has been reimagined as ‘Hitlary,’... Before that, it was George W. Bush who was Hitler.” Crouch references Godwin’s Law, which states, according to The New Yorker article, “every argument will eventually devolve into one side referring to the other as Nazis.” Apparently, it’s human nature for us to create Hitler comparisons and the Internet allows us to do so without any restrictions. I disagree with most of what Trump says. I can’t imagine how someone with his blatant rudeness could handle foreign policy in an effective and peaceful way. I hate how he talks about Muslims and immigrants. However, there’s a chance he could be our next president. These comparisons to Hitler, no matter how justified with charts, aren’t being taken as seriously as they should. This analogy is more than a joke, but I don’t think people really understand what they say when they use it. First off, this overused comparison takes away from the gravity of what happened during the Holocaust and, ironically, Crouch said, Americans don’t see the potential threat Trump causes because the Hitler comparison is viewed as more of a joke than a legitimate possibility. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in September 2015, comedian Norm Macdonald said, “I was reading that in Germany and Hitler times, everybody was making fun of Hitler. Every cartoon was against Hitler, there were comedy troupes doing sketches about Hitler being an idiot with a stupid mustache and what a stupid little idiot he was. ” Memes and GIFs depict Trump with a tiny moustache and swastikas, but what those memes don’t do is show how close Trump is to being the new face of our country. If he really is a modern-day Hitler, it’s going to take a lot more than stupid jokes to keep him out of power.
lmisera@kent.edu
skaram3@kent.edu
ing a group that discusses something they enjoy or are curious about, but the group also serves as an educational tool to make sure that anyone who is curious in actually participating in BDSM does it safely and securely. Overall, we think it’s important that clubs like these exist, in order to provide a supportive community for those interested in exploring and discussing a lifestyle not normally looked at. The above editorial is the consensus opinion of The Kent Stater editorial board, whose names
isn’t just about sex.
are listed above.
Breaking the stigma Lucas Misera Columnist Last week, CanaBell Let’s Talk, a multiyear charity program dedicated to mental health, ran its annual promotion to raise money for mental health awareness. By donating five cents every time a call, text or tweet mentioned the program, Bell Let’s Talk raised over $6 million for mental health studies and charities across Canada. It’s a welcomed first step in ending the stigma surrounding mental illness, but there’s much more work to be done. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, there’s approximately an 18 percent chance that an adult in the United States will suffer from some disorder, while 4 percent of Americans will suffer from a condition powerful enough to affect that individual’s functionality and lifestyle. In 2013, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention released a list of the leading causes of death, with self-harm being 10th on the list. Mental illness is shockingly prevalent in the U.S. today, but many often diminish the severity of such conditions. To be clear, these conditions are physiologically or biologically driven, making them as “real” as any physical ailment. The brain’s complexity has left much to be understood about how we mentally function, but it’s becoming clear as science advances that many mental illnesses are a result of how we are individually wired. Despite a growing understanding of how our bodies function, many feel shame over such conditions. Phrases such as “it’s all in your head” or “get over it” diminish the
Nazi Trump memes and their opposite effect
Page 4 | Monday, February 1, 2016
The Kent Stater
Ohio continues to be pivotal in race to White House
Ben Kindel Political Correspondent
Today’s Iowa caucus signifies a beginning to the election season. Any time from now until March 15, the crowd of candidates will focus their attention on what they can do for Ohio. Doing so may be more important than you may think. “Ohio is a swing state and it has, over the last couple of decades, been very close to predicting national elections,” said Vernon Sykes, an associate professor of political science as well as a former state legislator. “It is a very diverse state and it kind of represents the diversity in the country; it’s a microcosm of the United States." Ohio’s large population and 18 electoral votes makes the state an appealing target for presidential hopefuls. Ohio’s value proved to be true in the latest election in 2012. We would most likely be voting on whether or not to reelect Mitt Romney if he had not lost Ohio to President Obama. According to Sykes, a candidate must be willing to put extensive resources into campaigning to win Ohio. “Because it is a large state, it has several media markets, so it requires tens of millions of dollars to run an effective campaign both on the ground and in the airwaves," Sykes said. Focusing on some of the major issues that Ohioans care about is key, according to Sykes.
“Of course jobs, anything that has to do with economic development is going to get the attention of the public,” Sykes said. “It is estimated that one out of eight jobs in Ohio is related to the auto industry, and the auto industry is on a resurgence. That can be very positive for Democratic candidates because the Obama administration has gotten credit for the auto industry.” Another issue that can give Democratic candidates an edge in Ohio is support of Medicaid and Medicare. “Medicaid expansion has been effective in this state as one of the states that has adapted it,” Sykes said. Sykes said that he believes this issue could help Ohio Gov. John Kasich gain an edge going into the general election. “Kasich, being a Republican conservative, promoted it against the wishes of the Republican legislature,” he said. “That can help him in the more liberal standpoint, but could possibly hurt him in a primary (by) being distinguished as a conservative (who) supported Medicare expansion.” Sykes added that Kasich has an excellent chance of winning Ohio, but that he may struggle getting past the primary election. Generally in primaries, Sykes said, the most polarized candidates tend to succeed. In contrast, Kasich has been labeled by some as a moderate. “He is the heavyweight champion of politics in Ohio," Sykes said. bkindel1@kent.edu
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Husted acts on ballot problem Antibiotics create ‘superbugs’ when misused
Ben Kindel Political Correspondent Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted responded Friday to reports of mishandling over 800 absentee ballots. It was reported Nov. 18 in the Akron Beacon Journal that many ballots had been received by the Summit County Board of Elections late and were therefore thrown out. Husted faults the United States Post Office with this issue, stating that the ballots lacked the postmark needed for them to be accurately tallied. Even though he identified this issue, Husted said he was unable to take any steps to amend the situation due to state law preventing the ballots to be counted without post-marking. Husted authorized the use of barcode scanners Friday, which will help prevent an issue similar to this from happening in the future. In his statewide directive, Husted stated that, “This policy is consistent with the spirit of the law and common sense dictates that we should use technology to count every ballot we can." Husted reiterated his devotion to making sure that every voter gets their vote counted. However, the risk of absentee ballots not being counted
Monday, February 1, 2016 | Page 5
The Kent Stater
THE PLACE IS RAY’S Anyone can run for Undergraduate Student Government (USG) you should too! USG CANDIDATE APPLICATIONS FOR 2016-17 ACADEMIC YEAR www.kentstateusg.com/ Questions? Contact Brandon Stephens, Election Commissioner, bsteph13@kent.edu Deadline Friday, February 12, 2016
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Photo courtesy of Twitter Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted
is still a possibility in Ohio.
In the 2014 elections, 20.6 percent of voters in
Ohio elected to vote absentee, according to data collected by the Ohio Secretary of State’s office.
bkindel1@kent.edu
Gary Reyes / Bay Area News Group
Lauryn Rosinski Public Health and Podiatry Reporter When college students start to feel a cold or flu coming on, they should not run to their doctors for an antibiotic. In fact, doctors, healthcare professionals and public health professors say it might make things worse. Antibiotics are important in the treatment of bacterial infections; however, there are several misconceptions about them. For instance, many believe that antibiotics can treat viral infections, such as colds and flus, according to Shirley Hemminger, an associate lecturer in the College of Nursing. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a statement on Nov. 16 that informed the public this was not the case. “What a lot of people have are viral infections, and antibiotics don’t work for viral infections,” Hemminger said. “The common cold, the runny noses and things that we get this time of year are, by and large, viral-type infections, as opposed to bacterial infections, which would need to be treated by antibiotics.” This misuse of antibiotics for viral infections could potentially cause problems for users. According to professors from the College of Public Health, antibiotics not only destroy the unhealthy bacteria inside our bodies, they can destroy healthy bacteria, too. “You have to think of your body as an ecosystem. It has many different species that live in it,” said Tara Smith, an associate professor in the College of Public Health's epidemiology/biostatistics department. “Whenever you take an antibiotic, you kill off some of that, so you can allow other things to flourish.” Other problems can occur from the misuse of antibiotics, such as bacteria developing a resistance to these antibiotics, said Bhavin Mistry, assistant professor of Pharmacy Practice at the Northeast Ohio Medical School. “For my students, I use the analogy of a toolbox … if the bacteria is resistant to antibiotics, it will have a specific ‘tool’ to defend itself,” Mistry said. “Over time, they collect more and more ‘tools’ and bacteria are rather promiscuous and
will share their information [tools] with other bacteria.” This is what creates the antibiotic resistant “superbugs,” and Resistance to bacteria-killing antibiotics fuels these stubborn illnesses. “We are getting to the point where superbugs are resistant to all antibiotics, and we have nothing else,” Mistry said. Although these superbugs are resistant to antibiotics, the strongest offense anyone can have against these illnesses is the body’s immune system, according to Mistry. “The body still has to do all the heavy lifting,” said Mistry. What can people do to build their immune system and protect themselves from resistant bacteria and superbugs? Mistry and Hemminger stress the importance of having patients listen to their doctors and avoid asking for and receiving prescriptions for unneeded antibiotics. Patients should allow their bodies to heal on their own. “Sometimes you just have to ride it out,” Hemminger said. “Just rest … your body wants sleep; it needs sleep.” Hemminger added that it is also important for people to focus on their nutrition and get adequate hydration. Christopher Woolverton, a professor of environmental health sciences for the College of Public Health, specializes in infectious disease microbiology. He believes people can handle diseases before they arise. “If you can prevent getting an infection from the get-go, you won’t need the antibiotic,” Woolverton said. “Handwashing is probably the best preventative measure you could take to help stem the infectious process.” Woolverton wished to emphasize one final point: No age group is immune to bacterial infections; therefore, antibiotics are still useful. “College students still have that super hero mentality,” Woolverton said. “We try to teach them that … you are susceptible, and you are just as susceptible as anyone else when it comes to bacteria.”
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. 4 BEDROOM CONDO Super nice, large deck, garage, free washer/dryer Avail. summer or fall. 330-714-0819 Leasing for fall, newer 5 bedroom 2 bathroom house. Huge private yard, large deck, close to campus $1550/mo. Call or Text Mike 330-554-3976 3 Bedroom Houses for Fall 330-547-1212 Kent 2 & 3 bedroom apartments. Air, appliances, carpet, heat and water paid. No pets or Section 8. $650 and $810. 330-677-5577
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HOROSCOPE By Nancy Black Today’s Birthday (02/01/16). Collaborate for change this year. Spring eclipses (3/8, 3/23) provide a lucrative surge and direction changes. A financial growth phase shifts toward two years of travels and studies (after 9/9). Autumn eclipses (9/1, 9/16) incite a windfall to your shared and personal accounts. Contributions return multiplied.
To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.
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Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is an 8 -- Stay focused to expand your territory. Imagine a project completed. Resist the urge to splurge. A hidden danger could arise. If it goes against your grain, turn it down. Lies are revealed. Notice your dreams.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 9 -- Focus on family interactions. Find ways to support each other. Work interferes with play. Try and try again. Dig deeper for a solution. Find a hidden treasure. No splurging. Enjoy simple comfort foods together.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 7 -- A roadblock or unexpected expense stalls the action. Stick to the truth. Don’t jump to conclusions. Pay bills before buying treats. Take it slow and easy. Practice frugality. You won’t have to defer gratification forever.
Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 7 -- Move quickly to grab an opportunity. You can make it happen together. Someone interesting has your attention. Hold on to your money. Good things are worth waiting for. Commit to an inspiring future. Make a bold declaration.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 7 -- Clean up messes. Others want fast action, but you’d better slow down or risk an accident. Accept another’s generosity graciously. Provide leadership. Take decisive action. Send someone else ahead. Following through pays well.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is an 8 -- Assume responsibility. Address an uncomfortable situation head on. Begin a fresh page. Emotions could run high. Stand in compassion, for yourself and others. Listen to another view. Judge not. Get much needed rest.
Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is an 8 -- Put energy into work today, despite chaos. Provide excellent service. There’s an opportunity to advance. The more you learn the better you look. Track sales closely. Verify the investment of time and money before compromising.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is a 9 -- If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. Work takes precedence. Increasing productivity gives you more time off afterwards. Avoid gossip or controversy. Don’t gamble or rely upon fantasy. Pay bills. Explore streets you seldom visit.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 7 -- Old assumptions are challenged. Strike out in a new direction. Make a creative plan. Get tools and supplies together. Do the jobs that pay best first. Peace and quiet soothes short tempers. Apply artistic touches.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is an 8 -- Full speed ahead to meet a deadline. A rush job pre-empts scheduled programming. Work quickly, but carefully. Avoid provoking jealousies. The neighborhood provides what you need. Friends keep you headed in the right direction.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 9 -- Teamwork leads to victory. Concentrate intently. Expand in the direction of least resistance. Toss out the superfluous. Consult with experts, friends and family. Children have a fresh perspective. Bring a dream image into your external environment.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is a 9 -- Tap hidden assets. Make the changes you’ve been contemplating. Don’t run away from it, despite strong impulse. Don’t get talked out of what you want. Say what you’ve been holding back. Take bold action.
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lrosinski@kent.edu Nick Garisto contributed reporting to this article.
BREWSTER ROCKIT
CROSSWORD
Page 6 | Monday, February 1, 2016
The Kent Stater
Sports
SPORTS EDITOR: STEPHEN MEANS // SMEANS2@KENT.EDU
Gymnastics edges Western Hockey sweeps weekend opponent Michigan on the road Bri Figley Sports Reporter The Kent State Hockey Club fought through heavy penalties and improved their record to 15-12 after two wins this past weekend against Oswego State University (10-7-2) and Robert Morris University (15-7-4). Coach Jim Underwood hopes to improve the team’s game to prepare for stronger opponents next weekend. “Overall I think our effort on both ends of the ice needs to be reevaluated over the next week
because this kind of effort for next weekend’s game is going to have a different result,” Underwood said. The Flashes beat the Lakers 4-3 Friday night. Saturday night’s game against the Colonials was much more aggressive, ending with the Flashes winning 4-2 after a great deal of time in the penalty box from both teams. Kent State will face University of Michigan-Dearborn (17-6) this Friday and Saturday night at the Kent State Ice Arena at 7:30 p.m.
Elise Kogelnik Sports Reporter
Kent State's gymnastics team (2-1, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) found victory in Kalamazoo on Sunday against Western Michigan University, bringing them one step closer to consistency both home and away. Coach Brice Biggin said the team needed a win on the road. “We need to keep gaining bfigley2@kent.edu confidence so we can start competing away like we do at home," Biggin said. "We are home this weekend, however, and that’s certainly a place where the girls have done very well." The team got off to a shaky start on the uneven bars, but outperformed Western Michigan with a score of 48.475-47.950. Sophomore Ali Marrero led the Flashes in this event with a score of 9.775, putting her just Aaron Self / The Kent Stater Sophomore Chance Taylor takes a shot on the goalie from Robert Mor- behind first place, junior Jessie Peszek of the Broncos, who ris University with junior TJ West assisting on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016. scored 9.800 for Western MichiKent State won 4-2.
Women’s golfer to pursue next level Eric Conway Sports Reporter A member of women’s Kent State golf team is preparing to take her playing to the next level: the Ladies Professional Golf Association. Senior Taylor Kim is currently practicing for the upcoming golf season and preparing to take the LPGA examination to become a professional golfer. The examinations begin in late August 2016. Kim, a communications major, has been a member of the Kent State golf team for three years. Prior to playing for the Flashes, she attended the University of Texas. Kim described her three years with
the team as one of the favorite times of her life. Golf is a sport that runs in her family. Her father is a professional golf instructor and her sister plays competitively. Kim stated that her father has been supportive since Kim first started golfing at age 13, and motivated her to compete in the junior golf league. Coach Greg Robertson joined the team the same time Kim transferred to Kent State. He saw tremendous growth in her over the last three years. Robertson said that Kim has evolved into a good team leader and always works hard. Robertson is confident in Kim and the rest
gan. This is the only event Kent State scored higher in as a team. The Flashes moved on to vault, where they scored 48.475 points. They were ahead of the Broncos as they moved on to the floor exercise. Junior Skyelee Lamano's floor routine earned the Flashes second place in the floor exercise with a score of 9.850. A few falls on beam created a tighter gap between Kent State and Western Michigan in the fourth rotation. Marrero had a strong performance following three falls by senior Nicolle Eastman. “Overall, I think the atmosphere was good. We kept up the noise and had fun," Marrero said. "Toward the end, it got a little shaky, but we brought it back and I think we ended it really well." The Flashes will to be back at the M.A.C. Center at 2 p.m. on Alex Ledet / The Kent Stater Current junior Skyelee Lamano during her floor routine at a home meet Sunday. ekogelnik@kent.edu
against Central Michigan last year. The Flashes lost the meet 195.325 to 196.400. Feb. 15, 2015.
of the women golfers because of the great team environment. One of the lessons he teaches is to have fun whenever they are together, whether they are practicing at Kent State or on the road going to tournaments. “Golf is mental, and all attitude,” Robertson said. He reminds his team to remain positive during practices and tournaments. Although Kim plans to take the LPGA professional examination, she does not plan to make changes to the way she practices. “I haven’t thought any different,” Kim said. “I had a good year last year. All of this makes me nervous, but it’s exciting.” According to the LPGA, there are three tournament stages Kim will have to compete against other top players in the country. Each tourna-
ment has a different par score, which makes the qualifying tournament highly competitive. Kim gave words of encouragement to her younger teammates and other young women pursuing the goal of becoming a professional. “Have fun. Don’t rush. Enjoy.” econway8@kent.edu
Courtesy of Kent State Athletics