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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016
EX-SOFTBALL PLAYER SUES KSU FOR ALLEGED RAPE COVER-UP
Stephen Means, Ian Flickinger, Jimmy Miller Sports Editor, Senior Editor, Managing Editor Former Kent State softball player Lauren Kesterson filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Kent State and former softball coach Karen Linder, alleging Kesterson was raped by Linder’s son, a then-varsity baseball player, and athletic department officials covered up the alleged incident. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court, charges the university and Karen Linder as violating Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. The suit also alleges university staff members, including Athletic Director Joel Nielsen, knew of the rape and failed to follow university policy in investigating the allegation. The lawsuit further claims Lauren Kesterson reported her coach’s cover up to former Deputy Title IX coordinator Erin Barton. The lawsuit says Barton explained she had spoken to and met with Nielsen, who had “intervened and prevented the filing of a formal complaint.” Lauren Kesterson also alleges Karen Linder pressured her not to report the incident. The university responded to the allegations, saying, “When we are formally served with the complaint, we will answer accordingly. The University is strongly committed to title IX, and we take these matters very seriously. We follow all policies and procedures related to title IX, taking measures above and beyond what is required to ensure all students, staff, and faculty are aware of their rights and responsibilities,” said university spokesman Eric Mansfield. Both Kent State’s athletic department and Jennifer O’Connell, director of Kent State’s Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services, referred to Mansfield for comment on the lawsuit. Subodh Chandra, a Cleveland-area attorney representing Lauren Kesterson, said Kesterson first came to his office last fall. “Everyone in our office (whom she) spoke with was deeply concerned and saddened by what she experienced,” Chandra said.
Timeline of Events Dec. 7, 2012 Tucker Linder allegedly rapes Lauren Kesterson
May 2014
Lauren Kesterson tells Coach Karen Linder about alleged rape
May 2014
Photo courtesy of Kent State Athletics
Chandra said his office reached out to the university’s Office of General Counsel in an attempt to resolve the matter, but the university refused. He also said he requested a meeting with Kent State’s Board of Trustees
In the suit, Lauren Kesterson alleges Tucker Linder, Karen Linder’s son and a a freshman baseball player at the time of the alleged incident, raped her during the fall of their freshman year at Kent State. The suit says “they had developed a friendship” and “had engaged in minor intimacies” during the fall semester before the alleged incident. The incident allegedly happened Dec. 7, 2012, when Tucker Linder called Lauren Kesterson and asked her to meet him at his dorm, and they walked back to her dorm. The suit alleges SUBODH CHANDRA Tucker Linder appeared to LAUREN KESTERSON’S ATTORNEY be intoxicated and Lauren Kesterson had not been drinking. Chairman Dennis Eckart, but has not They again “engaged in minor received a response. intimacies” and Lauren Kesterson “Around this country, there has “consented to this behavior.” Howbeen a virtual epidemic of similar ever, the suit says that Tucker Linder instances of higher educational insti- pressured her to have sex and “unlike tutions failing to follow Title IX or during their previous encounter, Mr. honor the equal protection clause, Linder did not stop when Ms. Kesterand Kent State is Ms. Kesterson’s son stopped consenting.” institution, and she believes it should The suit also says Lauren Kesterbe held accountable,” Chandra said. son told Tucker Linder, who was 6’5” “Not only to protect herself, but to and 210 pounds at the time, “at least protect others.” ten times” that she didn’t want to have
Around this country, there has been a virtual epidemic of similar instances of higher educational institutions failing to follow Title IX...
sex and unsuccessfully tried to push him away. Tucker Linder ignored her, the suit alleges, and raped her. According to section 5-16.2 of the University Policy Register, consent is defined as “the voluntary, unambiguous agreement to participate in an act, the nature of which is known to and understood by the consenter. Consent may be given verbally or nonverbally and may be withdrawn at any time before completion of the act.” The suit says Lauren Kesterson didn’t report it to the police because she was “fearful of what pressuring charges against her coach’s son would mean for her opportunity to play softball.” Lauren Kesterson “tried her best to move past it on her own,” the suit says, but she struggled to attend classes and struggled at softball practice because the baseball and softball teams practice in close proximity. “Being around softball meant being around her rapist,” the suit said. Lauren Kesterson and her boyfriend went to a party Tucker Linder also attended in September 2013. Linder, who was intoxicated, told Lauren Kesterson’s boyfriend, “Just so you know: I f-ed your girl,” according to the lawsuit.
Lauren Kesterson files Title IX complaint against Karen Linder
Aug. 25, 2015
Title IX complaint is not filed
Aug. 28, 2015 Karen Linder resigns
Feb. 9, 2016 Federal civil lawsuit filed
See:
- Twitter’s reaction - An extended timeline
‘Prince of Pan-Africanism’ brings controversy to KIVA Cameron Gorman, Itzzy Leon, Nicholas Garisto General Assignment Reporter, Diversity Reporter, Diversity Reporter
Karl Schneider Administration Reporter
kschne21@kent.edu
Aug. 24, 2015
SEE COVER-UP / PAGE 2
Juvenile suspect from Ryan Place homicide could be tried as adult Prosecutors filed a motion to have the 17-year-old Ryan Place homicide suspect tried as an adult. The suspect, Stow resident Ty Kremling, is alleged to have been involved in the Sunday night shooting of Nicholas Massa, a Kent State freshman. A Portage County Juvenile Court records clerk confirmed the prosecutor filed a motion Tuesday for Rule 30. The prosecutor must prove probable cause, then a judge will make a ruling. Kremling will appear again in court on March 4. Kremling was a student at Stow-Munroe Falls High School, according to a statement on Facebook from the school. Two Stow minors were also questioned about the incident but not arrested, the statement said.
Lauren Kesterson files Title IX complaint saying she was raped, but Karen Linder did not report assault to university
Aaron Self / The Kent Stater Kent State students held a vigil Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, at Manchester Field for Nick Massa, a freshman managerial marketing major who was shot and killed at Ryan Place Apartments on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016.
Students, family gather to mourn loss of Kent student Taylor Kerns Parking and Transportation Reporter Students, family and friends hugged and shared encouraging words Tuesday night as a large crowd gathered on Manchester Field to remember Nicholas Massa, the 18-year-old freshman who was shot and killed Sunday. S o b s ro s e f ro m t h e crowd as candles were lit and Massa’s friends and family spoke. Massa was enjoying his time at Kent
State, his friends said. “I'd never seen Nick so happy as he was to be here at Kent,” said Jackie Massa, Nick's mother. Massa’s sister, Jess, said Nick was popular and generally well-liked. “He was just a fun-loving kid and meant no harm to anybody,” she said. The Massa family expressed gratitude for the vigil and the support they’ve received from the Kent State community. “Nick loves you all right now,” Joe Massa, the vic-
tim's father, said. After statements from loved ones, the crowd sang along as “Amazing Grace'”played. A moment of silence followed. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist the Massa family in handling Nick Massa’s funeral expenses. Massa’s brothers in Alpha Tau Omega urged the gathering to donate to the fund and share the page. More than $12,000 has been raised so far. tkerns@kent.edu
Learning disability psychologist Umar Johnson, known both for his outspoken views on black oppression and polarizing comments on the gay and feminist communities, received questions and criticism before and after he spoke at the KIVA on Monday night. His appearance was organized by the Kent State student group L.O.C.K.S., which hoped to focus on Johnson’s history as a proponent of panAfricanism rather than his inflammatory remarks. A concerned coalition of
students attempting to raise awareness of Johnson’s presence and its implications on the integrity and views of the university gathered outside the KIVA to demonstrate. Students lined the walkway that led into the KIVA shortly before 7 p.m., when Johnson was set to begin his speech. Several held signs proclaiming opposition to his stance against the gay community. “We feel that the controversial opinions and values of Dr. Umar Johnson contradict the values (of) Kent State and the campus culture that we try and build here,” said Drew Canfield, vice president of PRIDE! Kent.
SEE UMAR / PAGE 4
Clint Datchuk / The Kent Stater Protestors line up outside the KIVA to show their opposition to Umar Johnson speaking at Kent State on Monday Feb. 8, 2016.
Page 2 | Wednesday, February 10, 2016
The Kent
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The Kent Stater
Sanders, Trump take New Hampshire Calvin Woodward Associated Press Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders powered to victory in the New Hampshire primary Tuesday, avenging their Iowa losses to keep the mad scramble of the 2016 presidential campaign alive with dozens of contests to come. Sanders, the independent socialist senator challenging Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, and Trump, the political neophyte, billionaire and provocateur of the Republican race, tapped New Hampshire's occasional indulgence in political insurgencies to prevail in the nation's second election for the nomination. Together they are would-be slayers of the political establishment, and a loss for either one would have been potentially devastating to their hopes.
As it is, Sanders, from Vermont, moves on to tougher t e r r i t o r y i n S o u t h C a ro l i na, where Clinton has been favored and where a racially diverse population serves up an electorate that looks more like America than rural, small-town and mostly white Iowa and New Hampshire. Trump, too, will be tested on whether he can run a truly national campaign, despite preference polls that find him on top, and whether he can unleash the organizational skills needed to slog toward the nomination state by state.
THE MAINSTREAMERS
Marco Rubio, John Kasich, Jeb Bush and Chris Christie struggled over who among them could consolidate the support of moderate or establishmentminded Republicans and rise
up to be the prime challenger to Trump and Cruz, winner of the Iowa caucuses. Until his famously flustered debate performance, Rubio was seen as the man on the move, probably not able to defeat Trump in New Hampshire but with a strong chance to outdistance other rivals and perhaps drive some from the race. Among Democrats, Clinton's 2008 win in New Hampshire set her back on course after a dispiriting third-place finish in the Iowa caucuses, won by Barack Obama on his way to the presidency. This time, she fell short in New Hampshire after an unsatisfying hair's-breadth win in Iowa. Associated Press writers Alex Sanz, Holly Ramer and Philip Marcelo in New Hampshire contributed to this report.
complaint. However, the next day Barton said no complaint would be filed because Nielsen Ex-softball player sues... had “intervened to prevent the filing of a formal complaint,” according to the suit. Instead, Barton and Nielsen would conThis encounter led to her reliving the alleged duct a “surprise interview” with Karen incident, causing nightmares and flashbacks. Linder. Lauren Kesterson began confiding in her The suit states Kesterson got the impresfriends and parents around September 2013. sion from Barton that Nielsen’s motivation In mid-May 2014, Karen Linder asked was to keep the matter as quiet as possible Lauren Kesterson at an end-of-season exit and prevent informing his superiors about interview if she had been sexually assaultwhat had happened under his watch. ed. Karen Linder asked Lauren Kesterson, Three days later, Karen Linder resigned. “It wasn’t my son, was it?” In an interview with the Record-Courier, she The suit says Lauren Kesterson hesitated said it was time for her to “move in another to answer, fearing that she’d lose her oppordirection because the world of athletics has tunity to participate in the program. changed.” The suit says when Lauren Kesterson “When I first started coaching, kids did acknowledge Tucker Linder was the wanted to play, and they looked at you as alleged rapist, Karen Linder began crying a leader,” she said in the interview. “If you and apologized. told kids to do something, they would do The suit states Karen Linder asked who it because they trusted that it was going to else knew of the alleged claim and said, “I help them get better. Now when you tell a would appreciate if you would not tell anykid to do something, some of them need body else.” three reasons why they need to do it this The suit said Lauren Kesterson felt she had way. It’s a world of entitlement, and I’ve to remain silent in order to stay on the team. struggled with that.” Karen Linder told Kesteron her son was Kesterson believed Karen Linder blamed struggling and said she “would handle this her for the resignation, according to the suit. and do whatever she could to help,” accordThe suit said “a climate of hostility” existing to the lawsuit. ed toward Kesterson from teammates and Linder reported a rape of another softball others close to the softball program. Interim player days before Lauren Kesterson came coach Eric Oakley told the team, “Anyone to her to tell her about her own alleged who said anything bad about Coach Linder incident. In this case, the suit alleges Karen would be off the team. He emphasized that Linder followed proper reporting procethere would be ‘no warnings given.’ ” dure, including escorting the student to the The suit also said Oakley was aware of university’s Office of Sexual and RelationKesterson’s complaint, although it was supship Violence Support Services and reportposed to be a confiing the incident dential complaint. to Janet Kittell, A c c o r d senior women’s ing to the suit, administrator O’Connell, Kesand a deputy Title terson’s assigned IX coordinator. Title IX advocate “Coach Linder and director of the knew exactly university’s SRVSS how to handle a office, confirmed rape allegation,” Oakley was aware the lawsuit says. of Lauren Kester“She just chose to son’s report. ignore the policy According and the law in Ms. to the suit, LauKesterson’s case.” FEDERAL CIVIL LAWSUIT FILED TUESDAY r e n Kesterson Karen Linder attempted to set never mentioned up a meeting with the alleged rape her Title IX coordinator, Loretta Shields, of Lauren Kesterson again and “generally acted with extreme indifference toward but was denied. “Ms. O’Connell told Ms. Kesterson that Kesterson throughout the 2014-15 acaMs. Shields could not help Ms. Kesterson demic year,” according to the suit. and would not meet with her,” the suit says. In spring 2015, Karen Linder moved KesIn early September 2015, Lauren Kesterson from shortstop, her preferred position terson met with Nielsen about Oakley where she had played for the past two seabeing aware of her complaint and asked sons, to second base. Nielsen to assure that Tucker Linder According to the suit, Kesterson would remain off campus. became emotional during practice one According to the suit, “Mr. Nielsen said day. Karen Linder told her, “I hope you that Kent State would not take any steps to understand that you can’t act like that in prevent Ms. Kesterson’s rapist from coming a practice or game setting.” on to campus.” The suit says on or about Aug. 24, 2015, Kesterson, and her twin sister, Chloe, Kesterson filed a Title IX complaint against who was also a softball player, decided to Linder for failing to report the complaint. leave the team at that point. Kesterson met with Barton, the deputy coorAccording to the lawsuit, Karen Linder dinator for Title IX in the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Department respon- continued to spend time with the team and sible for conducting interviews regarding use facilities for privates lessons throughout the fall 2015 season. the Title IX complaint. The lawsuit says Lauren Kesterson is The Title IX coordinator is responsible for overseeing the implementation of Title suing for full compensatory damages, both IX regulations and any Title IX-related inves- economic and non-economic, including tigations, according to section 5-16.2 of the “damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, humiliation, University Policy Register. The suit says during their meeting, Bar- and inconvenience that Ms. Kesterson has ton said, “We are going to make this right,” suffered and is reasonably certain to suffer and would file a formal complaint and non- in the future,” and punitive damages, along contact orders against Karen Linder and with attorneys’ fees. Mansfield, the university spokesperson, Tucker Linder. Barton said once she filed the formal said the university has not yet received a complaint against Karen Linder, Nielsen and copy of the lawsuit. From Page 1
COVER-UP
Coach Linder knew exactly how to handle a rape allegation. She just chose to ignore the policy and the law in Ms. Kesterson’s case.
those ranking above him in the university administration would receive a copy of the
Emily Mills and Ty Sugick contributed reporting.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 | Page 3
The Kent Stater
Opinion
SUBMISSIONS
EDITORIAL BOARD Editor: Emily Mills Managing Editor: Jimmy Miller Senior Editor: Ian Flickinger Opinion Editor: Skye McEowen Sports Editor: Stephen Means
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THE OPINION PAGE IS AN OUTLET FOR OUR COMMUNITY’S VARIED OPINIONS.
DREW SHENEMAN’S VIEW
On Kent State plans to quadruple university endowment in 2016 Caleigh Marten Administration Reporter
Josh Haner/NYT Bernie Sanders at the Democratic debate on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015, in Las Vegas.
Kent State’s endowment is currently around $118 million — the highest it’s ever been, said Jeff McLain, vice president for institutional advancement — and the university has plans to quadruple it.
Riccardo Savi / Sipa USA Donald Trump at the Venetian in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015
Visit KentWired.com for the rest of this article.
Students balance schedules to fulfill scholarship restrictions
Cheers&Jeers Cheers to ... the three missing Stark county boys found safe after an Amber Alert was issued in Canal Fulton, Ohio.
Karl Schneider Administrative Reporter Scholarship recipients at Kent State may be at risk of losing award funding due to restrictions set by donors. Some donors designate scholarships to students at specific campuses. Last year, Kent State offered $1 billion in scholarships to about 45,000 potential incoming freshmen, according to Mark Evans, director of Student Financial Aid. Of those students who actually enrolled at Kent State, about 80 percent receive some financial aid, Evans said. Kent State has eight campuses, each with their own scholarship programs. Private donors fund some of the scholarships at each campus, Evans said. These donors may want that money spent on students going to those specific campuses. “At the Kent campus, the majority of our merit-based scholarships are really to high school direct to college students to have that four-year, on-campus experience,” Evans said. “Therefore, the Kent campus is funding those scholarships, so it would make sense, in a budget model, for that tuition to go to that same institution that’s funding that scholarship.” According to Kent State’s website, many scholarships require that the recipient enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours at the main campus. If a main campus student wants to take online coursework at a regional campus and retain their award, they need to take the required 12 credit hours at the main campus and additional hours at a regional campus, or forgo their award money. Anna Hofer, a senior hospitality major, was recently at risk of losing a scholarship. She was awarded a Trustee scholarship last semester and had scheduled nine credit hours at Kent State’s main campus. She had planned on taking two or three classes online through Kent State’s Stark campus. One of Hofer’s sorority sisters recently had trouble with scholarships and warned that she may lose the money, Hofer said. “I ended up calling the financial aid office and they told me that, with the trustee scholarship, the requirements were to take a full load before you can take classes over at the regional campuses,” Hofer said. Hofer ended up rearranging her class schedule to accompany the scholarship requirements. As a result, she had to adjust her work schedule to accompany the on-campus classes she was now required to take. “It made it harder for me to work as many hours as I would have like to,” she said. “Being a college student and trying to pay for things, you know, I’d like my schedule to be more flexible.” Associate Director of Financial Aid Anissa Strickland said the financial aid office sends students with scholarships reminders of eligibility requirements. “If we have a student who has a Kent campus scholarship and who is not taking 12 hours at the Kent campus, we start sending them emails in November and December for the spring term,” Strickland said. “I think, in some situations, students register for some courses and they’re not catching that this is a regional campus course.” Strickland likened the notification process to emptying a big bucket. “When we start the notification process, we have this big bucket of students who are not (taking) 12 hours at the Kent campus,” she said. “And through our communications, we send them a couple notices and then a final, ‘Hey, we’re really going to cancel your scholarship’ email before we actually do it.” Each time the financial aid office runs those reports, the bucket gets smaller and smaller as students modify their course schedules. “By the end of the day … the ones where there is mixed enrollment (students just missing the eligibility), I’d say it’s less than 100, probably less than 50 a semester,” Strickland said. Students who enroll primarily at regional campuses are affected by the scholarship restrictions in the same way as students at the main campus. Andrea Dale, a scholarship and financial aid coordinator at Kent State’s Stark campus, believes some of the reasoning behind the scholarship gap is the difference in regional campus tuition. Dale, as well as Evans, also mentioned that donors are able to specify what campus the students receiving a scholarship are able to attend. “The Kent scholarship dollars tend to be a lot higher than at the regional campus,” Dale said. “Some of (the scholarships) are given by donors who want the students who have those credit hours at the Stark branch.” Some of the scholarships don’t have to be given to students at one specific campus, Strickland said. Some scholarships have minimum credit hour requirements, not necessarily fulltime enrollment. “There are foundation scholarships where a donor requires some to be an accounting major,” Evans said. “They have their criteria that we have to follow and we have hundreds of foundation scholarships that we have to adhere to the wishes of the donor.” kschne21@kent.edu
Jeers to ... the hashtag #BoycottBeyonce after the singer released her new “Formation” music video, highlighting the African-American community.
It’s time to give up on ‘Johnny Football’ Matt Poe Columnist Throughout the state, and especially in Northeast Ohio, it won’t take you long to find someone wearing Johnny Manziel gear. Stroll through just about any campus for 15 minutes and you’ll eventually find some poor sap sporting a “Johnny Football” jersey. If you see this person, do the following: Douse the shirt in gasoline (after you’ve removed it from them, obviously) and set it ablaze in the nearest trash can. You’ll be doing them and the rest of us a favor. Why? Because it’s time we laid “Johnny Football” and his subsequent support to rest. The soon-to-be unemployed quarterback has provided enough head-scratching incidents that an entire book could be written about his antics. I’m grateful no one has done so yet because it would be a waste of time for both writer and reader. The most recent incident in a storied career off the field involves Manziel allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend and allegedly threatening to kill her and himself. Her attorney claims Manziel hit her so hard, he ruptured her eardrum. Manziel says the incident never happened. It doesn’t take much to write a column about Johnny Manziel. There have been hundreds of columns written about the guy to the point that I’m declaring this the be-all, end-all of Manziel columns; there isn’t much more to be said about him, except the following. For starters, I’m amazed at how much the public and media have continued to call his lunatic actions “antics.” It’s time we start calling it behavior and see him for who he really is: a self-entitled schmuck. Even Ray Rice, whose actions I don’t defend, has shown remorse and attempted to turn his situation into a teaching lesson for both NFL players and others. Manziel? Not so much as a public apology or any ownership of the countless decisions he’s made, the latest being the worst. Even after this latest incident with his ex-girlfriend we still haven’t begun to label Manziel as anything more than a punk or jerk. How many columns have you read about Cam Newton and his refusal to answer questions from the media after the Super Bowl loss? I defended Newton last week in my column, and then he displayed an unbelievable lack of maturity post-Super Bowl. Even then, his actions aren’t on par with Manziel’s. Yet the Newton columns are flowing in and the Manziel ones are few and far between. It’s time the sports world and Cleveland fans laid Johnny Football in his grave. They may have already done so after recent reports that the team intends to release him in March, another causality in the long line of unsuccessful Browns quarterbacks. Johnny Manziel, on the other hand, needs help. It’s easy and somewhat dangerous to play the role of armchair therapist as I’m doing, but Manziel more than likely has serious addiction problems he needs to address. But like many of the people who struggle with addiction, he needs to help himself before others can, and from the public’s perspective, he has yet to do that, reportedly refusing to reenter rehab. I loved watching him play at Texas A&M when he seemingly broke SEC records weekly. Even then he did some questionable, suspect things then, his recent actions take the cake. Manziel’s father was recently quoted as saying, “I truly believe if they can’t get him help, he won’t live to see his 24th birthday.” Come this December when Manziel will be 24, maybe he’ll have figured it out off the field because that’s the only way he’ll ever figure it out on the field. As for me, I hope “Johnny Football” doesn’t live that long, but I certainly hope Johnny Manziel does. Even if you won’t discard his jersey, leave it in the closet until he does something worthy of wearing it. mpoe3@kent.edu
OUR VIEW
Sexual assault allegations abound nationwide
With what seems like an influx of sexual assault cases involving universities and their corresponding athletic departments, we continue to seek the answer to a nationally polarizing question:
How do we prevent campus sexual assaults? The first instance that comes to mind is the recently dropped Florida State University (FSU) case against former quarterback Jameis Winston. Winston was accused of sexually assaulting and raping a female student in Dec. 2012. The case went through two federal investigations and one student conduct hearing — all of them cleared Winston of the charges against him. However, CNN reported on Jan. 26 that FSU paid the accuser $950,000 to drop court cases that “would have left FSU fighting over the past rather than looking toward its very bright future,” said James Thrasher, FSU’s president. The second of these cases was brought to the world’s attention on Feb. 2 by an ESPN investigation that said Baylor University covered up students’ sexual assault and rape allegations. The accusers, all females, said they were the victim of crimes, with cases going back as far as 2009. Their cries for help fell on deaf ears at the university. “They didn’t just not respond; they responded by turning me away and telling me that it was not possible for me to receive help from them,” one woman told ESPN Outside the Lines about her experience with university officials after she said she was raped by a student athlete. One of the assailants, former Baylor football player Tevin Elliott, was convicted in 2014 on two counts of sexual assault, according to an ESPN article on Feb. 2. The most recent sexual assault coverup allegation came out Tuesday night when The Tennessean reported six women filed federal lawsuits against the Univer-
sity of Tennessee based on allegations of allowing student athletes to commit sexual assaults. The one that hits home the most is the alleged sexual assault cover-up by Kent State’s Athletic Department that arose Tuesday. A former softball player sued the university and its former softball coach, claiming the coach’s son sexually assaulted her and that the coach allegedly pressured her not to report the incident. These four cases all popped up in the national spotlight within the past couple of years, which makes one wonder how many more of these cases exist and how close we are to stopping these abhorrent incidents. The answer might be closer than we think. As of Sept. 23, 2015, the U.S. Department of Education is investigating more than 167 complaints against 141 institutions for their handling of sexual violence investigations. We don’t know if there’s a pattern behind university action or inaction through all of these incidents, particularly as details about the alleged sexual assault on our campus and its handling are made public. However, we know there is a common thread in that someone is being hurt, whether it be the victim or the accused’s reputation if these cases are found to be inaccurate. We don’t know what the next steps are to stop sexual assault, but we do know that something different has to be done. We implore the growing number of universities and even their athletic departments to continue to explore new options for preventing sexual assault.
The above editorial is the consensus opinion of The Kent Stater editorial board, whose names are listed above.
Men’s basketball missing its X-factor Ty Sugick Columnist Kent State men’s basketball suffered a major setback during its Jan. 29 road game against Ohio, when senior guard Xavier Pollard went down with a foot injury in the first half of the game. Pollard later found his season was over due to a fracture in his foot. Since the loss of Pollard, the Flashes have been winless; they’ve managed to slip from first place in the Mid-American Conference all the way down to third place in the past week. This season, Pollard appeared in 21 games, starting in seven. Pollard was second on the team in minutes per game at 25.5 minutes and second in scoring with 12.2 points per game. He currently leads the team in three-point percentage at 38.5 and with three assists per game. It seems as if the team has struggled to light the spark in the backcourt since Pollard’s abrupt exit to the season. No one has really stepped up yet to fill Pollard’s shoes. Notable freshmen Jaylin Walker is hurt as well and will most likely have to be the fill-in for Pollard when he returns. Since the loss of Pollard, the team hasn’t shown the will to step up and defend the perimeter, which has been a problem for the Flashes all season. The offense seems to be stagnant, with a lot of one-on-one ball instead of moving it around and getting to the hoop, like the guards on this team are clearly capable of doing. The backcourt has relied heavily on 5’11” redshirt junior guard Kellon Thomas, whi plays hard and is reluctant to take the ball to the rim. At times, though, his height prohibits him to be a major threat at the rim. If Kent State wants a real chance at being a MAC Tournament contender, they must defend the perimeter and find ways to get guards open and score the ball. This team will need to rely on more than Jimmy Hall in order to win. It will take a team effort, and it starts with the guard play. tsugick@kent.edu
Page 4 | Wednesday, February 10, 2016
The Kent Stater
Kent State Stark food pantry assists students in need
Photo courtesy of Student Leadership and Activities Board The Student Leadership and Activities Board (SLAB) at Kent State Stark started a food pantry to help students, faculty and staff.
Justin Niedenthal Social Services Reporter Kent State Stark’s new student-run food pantry helps both traditional and nontraditional students by providing supplementary goods free of charge. The food pantry at the regional campus began as a student initiative organized by the Student Leadership and Activities Board (SLAB) and is currently serving students, faculty and staff. “Through our research, we found that 15.9 percent of people in Stark County are food insecure,” said April Arbogast, a junior communication studies major and SLAB member. “We also found that personal hygiene products are not covered by food stamps, and not everyone in Stark County has access to things like soap or feminine hygiene products.” Arbogast brought the idea to SLAB in Oct. 2015. By November, the food pantry was up and running. To date, the pantry has serviced 60 individuals. Students in need of the pantry’s services are typically traditional students ranging from ages 18 to 23. However, there are exceptions, and in some cases, the students receiving aid are also parents with dependents at home. “We had one student who recently moved into an apartment and only ate ramen noodles for the first week," Aborgast said. "We were like, 'Please come eat something besides ramen.' " Students are allowed 12 food items and three personal items a week from the pantry. “It is great to be able to provide, on campus, extra food and hygiene items, instead of having to send students that are in need off-campus,"
said Madison Hoenes, a junior nursing major. "Some of these students do not have access to consistent transportation, and it means a lot to them to have resources right down the hall." Hoenes, a member of SLAB, is one of the students on the board responsible for the administrative and day-to-day aspects of the food pantry. “The hat is tipped to the SLAB members and their advisor," said Interfaith Campus Director and Minister Michael Gleason. "They saw a need in their community and decided to do something." Gleason works with students in need by providing them anything from clothing vouchers to bus passes, but what he found through his work was that many students simply need food. “A lot of students can’t believe we can give them so much, and that makes them skeptical to take the full amount of items they are allowed,” said Neal Dingies, a senior music technology major and SLAB member. Students can choose to come back each week or can visit as needed. SLAB tracks attendance by using an anonymous survey asking if it is their first time at the food pantry. “The pantry is not to replace food stamps or government assistance, but if you need a few things to supplement yourself for the week, then we can definitely help,” Hoenes said. Baby wipes, diapers and toilet paper are the hardest items to keep in stock . The food pantry accepts non-perishable food items and new hygiene items as well as monetary donations. Donations can be made at Kent Stark’s Campus Center. jniedent@kent.edu
Technology challenges the traditional fitness model Gabrielle Gentile Recreation and Fitness Reporter
Dallas Trescher holds a photo of herself with her father Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016.
Aaron Self / The Kent Stater
Kent State student reflects on organ donation to father Lauryn Rosinski Nursing Reporter Valentine’s Day pops into many people's minds when they think of Feb. 14. But the date also signifies National Donor Day, which for one Kent State student represents something life-changing. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Donor Day was started by the Saturn Corporation and its United Auto Workers partners in order to celebrate those who have donated organs, tissues, platelets, marrow and blood. The day is also used to spread awareness to others about donating. While most remember giving valentines to their loved ones, some remember giving a piece of themselves to another person. One person is Dallas Trescher, a senior political science and history major. “I think … (donation) is important and an important option for people to have, but I also think it takes the right person to be able to go through it,” Trescher said. “I don’t think it’s something you go in half-heartedly about; it’s a lifelong commitment.” In May 2013, Trescher donated her kidney to her father, Charles Lawrence Trescher. He had experienced kidney failure due to an amputation below the knee. “(I’m) not saying … he never took care of it (his health), but he definitely took care of his family more,” Trescher said. Trescher said the two had a very close bond. “I grew up with him every day making me breakfast, being there … picking me up from school … coaching any sports team I wanted to do, being a ‘Girl Scout dad’ … He just took on that more stay-at-home, parental role,” Trescher said. “My dad was one of those guys that … I could … tell him anything and he would listen, (and) not care how annoying I was or anything like that.” During her senior year of high school, Trescher’s father reached the renal failure stage. Because of this, she and her family went to a “kidney workshop” at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in order to explore their options for organ donation. After ruling out a transplant list, Trescher, her brother and her sister had their blood tested to see if any of them were a match to their father. Trescher and her brother were matches. “My siblings lived in far other states, so I was like, ‘You know what? I’m going to do it,’ ” Trescher said. “My thought process was, ‘My dad has done everything for me, so I’m going to do whatever I can for him.’ He became sick when I was very young, and I kind of had to switch into that parental role for him. I was that support system for my dad, no matter what, and I wanted to be … the one that could save him.” Although the close bond with her father played a huge role in Trescher’s decision, Laura Roch, a senior human development and family studies major and friend of Trescher, believes her friend’s selflessness played a part as well. “Obviously, you want to save your dad’s life, but it had to be hard to undergo that surgery and risk your own life,” Roch said. “She would give any part of her if it would benefit
or help someone else.” Trescher said she was not worried about the surgical procedure. Her worries were directed toward her father. “I wasn’t nervous about not waking up … I was nervous for my dad,” Trescher said. “I was nervous that if he did receive it, he would always feel in debt to me, and I would never want that.” After more than a year of physical tests, blood tests and cultures, Trescher donated her kidney to her father the summer before her sophomore year of college. Trescher said the organ donation procedure is different than what most people expect. “It’s not like the whole movie thing where they (the doctors) just lay you side-by-side. Mine (Trescher’s kidney) was in kind of a ‘holding cell,’ waiting for my dad to be prepped,” Trescher said. “The weird thing about donation is when you donate a kidney, you can go home the next day." Unfortunately, more than a month after the transplant, Trescher’s father rejected the organ. This is not a rare occurrence. According to the National Kidney Foundation, 7 percent of kidney transplants fail within a year, and 17 percent fail within three years. “Whether it’s to a stranger, whether it’s to your father, you just have to know … that it (an organ transplant) couldn’t work,” Trescher said. Trescher’s father and their family decided against another transplant because of the risks of surgery. They decided to continue with dialysis. After Thanksgiving break, Trescher returned to Kent State. At 4 a.m., she received a call from her mother. Her father’s blood pressure was not high enough to support dialysis, and he went into septic shock. He died Dec. 3, 2013, as Trescher was driving from Kent to Pittsburgh. “That was the worst part about the whole thing … not losing my dad, but not being there to hold his hand when it happened,” Trescher said. Trescher feels the people she has met and the organizations she has been involved with at Kent State helped her after the death of her father. “I was able to come back to school and be open … be welcomed with open arms,” Trescher said. “Laura (Roch) was a huge part of that.” Although her organ was rejected, Trescher is still proud to have been an organ donor. “I’m proud that I did it (the transplant),” Trescher said. “I’m proud that I was able to attempt to help my dad (as) more than just a support system for him.” Trescher feels organ donations are important, as long as the organ donor understands the sacrifice they are making. Roch said she feels that, although she has never donated an organ, everyone should register to be a donor. “I think it (National Donor Day) is on Valentine’s Day because Valentine’s Day is all about love and caring and being selfless,” Roch said. “That’s what organ donation is. It’s the selfless love and care for someone who you may not have met, but you can change their world.” To become an organ donor, register with the state organ donor registry or sign up to be an organ donor when applying for a driver's license. lrosinsk@kent.edu
When Krista Zolton finishes a workout, she knows how many calories she burned and how long she worked out, along with a log of all her previous workouts and food diary entries. Zolton, a junior fashion merchandising major, is one of the growing number of college students using health and fitness-related phone applications to track their fitness levels. According to Flurry mobile analytics, health and fitness app use grew 62 percent from Dec. 2013 to June 2014. Zolton started using the fitness app MyFitnessPal when she was a senior in high school as a way to break into the fitness scene. “It is really nice to have an app that tracks my nutrition, foods, exercise and even gives me workout ideas. I love how MyFitnessPal is all-inclusive. It's much easier than switching between apps in order to track everything you want to track,” Zolton said. “It's also nice because it's right on your phone, and I think most people use their phone for music when working out.” Kent State Student Recreation and Wellness Center Fitness Coordinator Ben Cope said he believes health and fitness apps are here to stay. “They will absolutely stand the test of time,” Cope said. “The popularity will only get bigger and bigger, and the technology is going to become more and more progressive.” According to the Pew Research Center ’s report “Mobile Health 2012,” 24 percent of people from ages 18 to 29 have health or fitness apps on their phones. Cope said part of the popularity of fitness apps among students stems from convenience. Scott Pedersen, a freshman digital media production major, found new uses for the personal training app InstantFitness. “I normally use the fitness app at the rec center, but lately I have been just using it in my dorm room because I don’t have the time to get to the rec,” Pedersen said. Pedersen said he likes using InstantFitness because of how customizable it is. “The app has a bunch of pre-set workouts, so you can really find what works for you and switch it up when you get used to the same
workout,” Pedersen said. “It’s fast and simple and helps you stay consistent with it.” Cope said while fitness apps are growing in popularity, especially among younger demographics, he does not see them replacing gyms or personal trainers. “I think they actually increase attendance at the rec center,” Cope said. “The more knowledge people have about health and fitness, the more invested they are in the idea of working out.” Cope also said that, while apps are making it easier and more convenient for the average person to become interested in fitness, there are not the same safety nets in place at home and they can be potentially dangerous without proper direction. “I think that sometimes focusing on tracking or logging can interfere with my workout. I catch myself trying to meet a goal so much that I forget to listen to my body and I end up hurting later on,” Zolton said. “It almost starts to feel like an exercise checklist instead of just doing something good for your body.” If students are working out alone, Cope encourages them to get a physical before they start using a personal training app to avoid injury and help identify underlying medical conditions. Zolton started using the fitness apps MyFitnessPal and MapMyRun as an introduction to the health and fitness world but has now integrated it into her daily life. “I just focus on being healthy and staying active because I'm so busy with school, work, volunteering and extracurricular groups,” Zolton said. “I think that the most important thing is just to try being healthy because if being skinny is your goal, it's going to lead to some bad choices nutrition-wise and in all honesty, you really owe yourself and your body more than that.” Cope also said the future of fitness technology might be something far more special than personal fitness trackers on mobile devices and tablets. “Who knows, the way technology is moving, in 10 years, people will probably have virtual personal trainers working with them in their living rooms,” Cope said.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 | Page 5
The Kent Stater
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‘Prince of ... “I don’t anticipate things getting out of hand. We’re just here to show our support for an inclusive campus culture and our opinion against the values and beliefs of ... Johnson.” Jordin Manning, a freshman zoology major and member of the LGBTQ community, asked Johnson about the issues surrounding the treatment of women. “With the Black Lives Matter movement arising, how do you feel about the three sapphic women founders being invalidated, as well as the women in the movement in terms of white supremacy and misogyny?” Manning asked. “I do not support same sex relationships,” Johnson said. “However, I do not hate anyone who practices it.” Johnson continued after applause from the audience. “In my spiritual, cosmological principles and in my study of African culture, there is almost, there is none, absolutely none, evidence of any traditional African society that ever condoned, accepted or allowed the open practice of same-sex relationships,” he said. Johnson said no one would be able to find an African society that allowed the practice of a same-sex relationship, repeatedly saying he does not hate anyone and he is free to
By Nancy Black Today’s Birthday (02/10/16). Community efforts pay exponentially this year. Springtime profits (after 3/8) lead to new directions in your travels and studies (after 3/23), before two years of educational exploration (beginning 9/9). A cash influx (after 9/1) shifts your financial perspective (after 9/16). Collaborate for what you love. 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 6. If you find yourself second-guessing or with self-doubt, take quiet time to sort it out. Limitations could chafe. Examine opportunities and options. An intensely creative moment flowers naturally. Love blossoms through communication.
BLISS
Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is an 8. Ask friends for their view before making big decisions. They see your blind spots. Make no assumptions ... check your data twice. Make sure you have the latest changes. Balance professional and social obligations. Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is a 9. Finish the job on time and on budget. Urgent last-minute changes could keep you late. Consider possible roadblocks to avoid them. Brevity is the heart of elegance. Don’t let them see you sweat. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is a 7. Travel appeals. If you can’t go, explore through the experience of another. Don’t over-extend. Find ways to conserve resources. Will a digital conference or chat suffice? Be careful and thorough to advance. Organize well. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 9. Do the research, for a better bargain. Organize your moves and follow the plan. Relax. It’s a good time to buy and sell. Gain and stash resources. Your partner can help. Promises made now keep.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is an 8. You’re surrounded by love. Don’t rush into anything. There’s plenty of money, but none to waste. Pay attention to your partner. Collaborate creatively. Invent how you can each contribute. Romance sparks. Find what you need. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is a 7. Old assumptions are challenged. In a potential clash with authority, use your own good sense. Show respect and compassion. Your work benefits from social networking. Invite people over. Learn useful new tricks from friends. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is a 7. Practice your latest tricks. You’re especially creative. Family fun and games entertain, sparking brilliant ideas when least expected. Relax and play. Explore and discover. Someone finds your enthusiasm quite attractive.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is an 8. Research and writing projects come together. Ignore gossip. It can come back to bite. Tempers are short. Follow the money trail. If confused, go back to basics. Build and create over strong foundations. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 9. Provide excellent service and it pays. Demand for your work is rising. Don’t try new tricks yet. Keep others on task, and make sure the bases are covered. Gathering with loved ones is highly recommended. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is an 8. Finish a tough job before going out. An elder has some pertinent instructions. Take on the challenge. Defer gratification for now. Your work is earning admiration. Invest in efficiency. Stay out of somebody else’s argument.
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CROSSWORD
Clint Datchuk / The Kent Stater Umar Johnson speaks on pan-Africanism and addresses his controversial views regarding homosexuality during his speech at the KIVA on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016.
disagree with the lifestyles of others. “My problem with the LGBTQ movement is they have created an atmosphere where if you disagree with their lifestyle, you are automatically branded as a hater and destroyer of them,” he said. Johnson discussed the issues he sees with the Black Lives Matter movement and his views on it, saying he has not personally met the founders of the movement, but he is concerned with the way they are running it. “There is an intentional movement to confuse the black struggle with the gay struggle and because the founders of Black Lives Matter are of an alternative lifestyle, it is my hope, and I do not know this, it is my hope that they do not allow themselves in any way, shape or form to be used as that origin that seeks to come
HOROSCOPE
FALL 1 and 2 bedroom unit. 424 College St. Call David, (330) 903-0987
From Page 1
UMAR
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into the black community and inject LGBT(Q) forcefully in an effort to confuse young people about what exactly black power movement actually means,” Johnson said. “Homosexuals were never systematically dehumanized. If they were, show me where. Homosexuals will never be systematically dehumanized. They were never ever considered not to be people. Their struggle is not ours.” At the end of Johnson’s response, Manning said he did not answer her question. “He answered what I wanted to know about his stand on homophobic comments, but he didn’t exactly answer my questions,” she said. “It just seemed like he was making a bunch of disclaimers on what his views weren’t, and I just wanted my question answered.” cgorman2@kent.edu, ileon@ kent.edu, ngaristo@kent.edu
BREWSTER ROCKIT
Page 6 | Wednesday, February 10, 2016
The Kent Stater
Sports
SPORTS EDITOR: STEPHEN MEANS // SMEANS2@KENT.EDU
Hall adjusts as Flashes fight through injuries
Stephen Means Sports Editor
Two weeks ago, the Kent State men’s basketball team (15-8, 6-4 Mid-American Conference) sat atop the MAC, riding a five-game winning streak. The Flashes have done a complete 180 after losing vital players in their backcourt and dropped their last three games before winning Tuesday night. “Obviously we were a little bit healthier 10 days ago,” Coach Rob Senderoff said. “The mindset's the same; we still have to come out and perform.” The losing streak started in Athens, Ohio, with a 72-61 loss to Ohio University, but the team also lost senior guard Xavier Pollard to a fractured foot. Freshman guard Jaylin Walker also suffered a foot injury during practice and is out indefinitely. “Xavier was our leader,” senior center Khaliq Spicer said. "He was a big key because he got us going, so that’s something that’s hard to replace.” Pollard is second on the team in scoring averaging 12.2 points, while Walker is averaging 7.8 points. For redshirt junior Jimmy Hall, the injuries mean he must provide more opportunities, not for himself, but for his teammates. Hall's in a new position in his basketball
career. For the first time, he’s the team leader. Last season, his first season playing with the Flashes, he was Kent State's best player. This year is different. Two of the top four leading scorers are now injured, and everything runs through Hall. It has taken time for him to adjust to his newfound role, and he’s learning how to balance getting others involved. “It’s been a time adjusting,” Hall said. “In the early part of the season, I was struggling a little bit, but I’m starting to find my way.” Senderoff referred to Hall as being a “point forward” saying that, for him, it’s about upping his assist totals. “I think the biggest thing Jimmy has to do is he has to create more opportunities for other guys,” Senderoff said. “He’s played great the last month of the year, but we need to get him getting other guys some shots.” Kent State has seven games remaining in the regular season, including two games against rival Akron, and currently sit third in the MAC East. Hall may have to be the catalyst for the Flashes, but it will take a team effort to get the season back on track. “Other players have to step up,” Hall said. smeans2@kent.edu
Clint Datchuk / The Kent Stater Senior forward Chris Ortiz slams back the offensive rebound during the second half of the game against Northern Illinois at the M.A.C. Center on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. The Golden Flashes won, 75-74.
Basketball snaps three-game skid Zac Sommer Sports Reporter Senior center Khaliq Spicer recorded 17
points, seven rebounds and one game-saving
Cancer finished with 13 points and six
rebounds, while redshirt junior forward Jimmy
Hall recorded his fifth double-double this sea-
son, scoring 11 points and grabbing 12 rebounds
block with 20 seconds remaining in the sec-
in Tuesday night’s victory.
ball team (16-8, 7-4 Mid-American Conference)
Deon Edwin both contributed to the win. Thom-
(16-8, 5-6 MAC) Tuesday.
points, four rebounds and four steals.
Ortiz came to my help and once he put it up, I
deroff said. “I’m proud of the guys for finding
After leading the Huskies 73-64 with 1:25 left,
first half was great, and then the second half, we
a 10-0 run to take a 74-73 lead with 15 seconds
the game out better. Some days (we) might be
ond half to give the Kent State men’s basket-
Redshirt junior guards Kellon Thomas and
a 75-74 win over Northern Illinois University
as finished with 11 points, and Edwin tallied nine
“My heart was beating,” Spicer said. “Chris
“It was a great win for us,” Coach Rob Sen-
just got happy and ... threw it.”
a way to get this one done. The defense in the
the Flashes allowed Northern Illinois to go on
started to score. Obviously, we could’ve closed
remaining in the game.
Graduate student guard Galal Cancer hit two
free throws after driving toward the hoop and drawing a foul with seven seconds left on the clock, Clint Datchuk / The Kent Stater Redshirt junior Jimmy Hall prepares to drive the ball to the rim against the Northern Illinois defender. The Golden Flashes beat the Huskies, 75-74, on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016 at the M.A.C. Center.
to make a play aggressive at the rim.”
giving the Flashes a 75-74 win over the Huskies.
“I glanced over to the bench, and coach was
telling me to attack,” Cancer said. “I was trying
upset about it, but not today ... we are going to be happy about it and move on to the next one.” Kent State heads back on the road this week-
end as they look to take on Eastern Michigan
University (11-12, 3-7 MAC) Saturday, with tipoff set for noon.
zsommer@kent.edu
Flashes continue strong season with win at Match Play Challenge Eric Conway Sports Reporter Kent State’s women’s golfers pushed through rough weather conditions and ended their day with a win at Match Play Challenge. The team slipped past Northern Illinois University 3-2 in the semifinals and defeated Eastern Michigan University in the final round, 4-1. Junior Wad Phaewchimplee finished her semifinal round 2 up, senior Josée Doyon and senior Amira Alexander ended 4 and 3. Freshman Michaela Finn and senior Taylor Kim fell short, both ending 1 down. Coach Greg Robertson said the conditions worsened in the afternoon.
The rainy weather did not stop the Flashes against EMU, with Doyon ending 2 up, Finn 6 and 5, Kim 6 and 3 and Phaewchimplee 6 and 3. Karyn Lee Ping from EMU beat Alexander in a 1-and-1 decision, grabbing her team’s only victory in the final round. Robertson said he is happy with the team’s performance and hopes it continues to improve upon its fall season. “We missed a few putts in the morning,” Robertson said. “But we were able to bounce back. It was amazing to see great golf from NIU and EMU.” econway8@kent.edu
Clint Datchuk / The Kent Stater Senior Josée Doyon and junior Maddy Mullins practice at the Kent State Golf Course on Feb. 3, 2016.