The Kent Stater - January 17, 2017

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@kentwired KentWired.com TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

Ohio schools go smoke-free MaryAnn Willoughby, a picture framer, assists a high school student with knitting on a loom during the Hillel MLK Day of Service on Monday. Alexander Wadley / The Kent Stater

Students spend MLK Day giving Emma Keating Assigning Editor

Photo courtesy of Bob Christy

Jimmy Miller and Samantha Ickes Editor and Contributor Colleges and universities have implemented smoking bans on campuses across the country.

According to the Ohio Department of Higher Education, 25 Ohio schools have recently declared their campuses as either smoke-free or tobacco-free, and eight schools are considering or transitioning to a smoke-free campus.

In 2012, the Ohio Board of Regents unanimously passed a resolution recommending that Ohio’s colleges and university trustees ban the use of tobacco products campus-wide. Tobaccofree policies would include banning the use of e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco and vaporizers.

“I think the overall message was we want everybody to live longer, healthier lives, and [we want to] do whatever we can to help that,” said Jeff Robinson, director of communications for the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Though the tobacco-free policy was not mandatory for Ohio schools and universities, many chose to pass these initiatives including

Cuyahoga Community College, Kent State and Cleveland State University.

Tri-C enacted a “breathe free” policy last August, which bans the use of any tobacco products while on campus grounds. The policy also affected regional campuses.

“Colleges are either going smoke-free or tobacco-free, and we know from a health perspective that it’s not just cigarettes that can pose a danger,” said Meghan Estes, Tri-C director of Health and Wellness. “We went tobacco-free because, first and foremost, it’s the right thing to do. We would be joining close to 1,500 other colleges and universities across the U.S. who are doing this.”

The Tri-C Board of Trustees unanimously approved the policy in May “to support a healthy environment for students, staff and visitors at the college,” according to the Breathe Free Tri-C webpage.

The new policy also prohibits students and faculty to smoke in their personal vehicles, which Estes said has been a challenge for the university.

Estes said the campus made the decision to go tobacco-free after receiving a $5,000 grant from Truth Initiative, a nonprofit public health organization. Tri-C used the grant to spread awareness of the new policy, purchase signs and to participate in the American Cancer Society’s annual Great American Smokeout held in November, which encourages people to stop smoking.

Each school implementing these policies have worked on their own timetable, Robinson said. Some adopted the policy to be effective immediately while others took between six months to a year to start.

Tri-C board members discussed the policy for a year before putting it into effect. During this time, Estes said the university conducted student and staff surveys. Overall, Estes said the students and faculty supported the initiative.

“We had very good response from both employees and students,” Estes said. “For the students who responded and the employees, people were strongly in favor of the college going tobacco-free.”

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Kent State's Hillel held an all-day series of service opportunities for those interested in giving back to the community.

The university’s Office of Civic Engagement and Education partnered with Hillel to host the annual Day of Caring, allowing students to choose how they want to volunteer.

Beginning early in the morning and lasting into the afternoon, Hillel organized a "day on" — instead of a "day off" — to "serve the needs of others and (model) what Dr. King stood for," according to the event's information page.

Alex Simmons, a senior managerial marketing major, volunteered for the second year in a row.

She knit hats for Knitting For Those In Need, an organization that provides hats, scarves, and other knitted items for homeless individuals.

“You spend your day off doing something nice, you know?” Simmons said. “You start your semester off on a positive note.”

Diane Baldridge, who created Knitting For Those In Need while she was a student in 2010, said this organization has touched the lives of many.

“One year when I was a student still, a fellow student came up and he said, ‘I really appreciate what you guys are doing. I can’t tell you how much it means to me. I was homeless. I know what this is like,’” she said.

Alexandra Brown, a junior nutrition major who came back a second year to help host the day’s events, said the MLK Day of Service changed her entire career path.

SEE MLK / PAGE 2

Holley pre-trial set for Wednesday

SEE SMOKE / PAGE 2

New workout facility to open in Tri-Towers Andrew Atkins Assigning Editor The new on-campus recreation center at Kent State is opening on the second floor of the Tri-Towers Rotunda today.

The facility is part of a larger renovation that includes a new tutoring classroom and a new, larger laundry room.

Brian Hellwig, assistant director of residential communities, said the laundry room will serve as a centralized location for Tri-Tower residents to do laundry.

On-campus residents will have exclusive access to the workout space, which will be open seven days a week.

On Mondays through Thursdays the facility will be open from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m, according to Kimberly

Rufra, senior associate director of Recreational Services.

The space is meant to be a more casual alternative for students who may find the main Rec Center overwhelming, Rufra said.

Steven Langdon, marketing coordinator for the Department of Recreational Services, encourages students to use the space as a judgment free-zone while doing laundry.

“Come up in your pj’s and work out,” he said.

The facility resulted from a collaboration between Recreational Services and Residence Services, Rufra said. Both services are within the Division of Student Affairs. Residence Services provided the space, Rufra said, and Recreational Services provided the equipment and staff of about 15-20 new student staff members.

Recreational Services also purchased about 75 new machines for the space, Langdon said.

For now, Rufra said she is waiting to see how the new facility is received before they make any changes and that Recreational Services wants to “make sure we’re doing everything we can to make the facility accessible for all.”

In a poll on KentWired’s Twitter page, 72 percent of 288 people responding said they felt the facility would be more convenient. Twentyeight percent said they’d rather go to the main Rec center.

In a reply to the poll, Twitter use @AmandaLCYork wrote that they believe the new facility would be a positive.

“Considering the rec is the size of an LA fitness for a whole school + residents of Kent we needed this,” she wrote.

There will be a grand opening at 12:30 p.m. and the space will be open immediately after. aatkins5@kent.edu

Brand-new workout machines are ready to be used in the newly-constructed recreation center in the Tri-Tower Rotunda on Monday. Aaron Self / The Kent Stater

Nate Holley, a former Kent State senior football player, awaits his arraignment at the Portage County Municipal Court in Ravenna on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016. Henry Palatella / The Kent Stater

Henry Palattella Sports Editor Former Kent State football star Hate Holley’s trial will officially begin this Wednesday with the pre-trial hearing.

Holley was arrested Nov. 4 on a charge of firstdegree kidnapping, which had allegedly happened the night before. The state initially wanted Holley’s bail to be $100,000, but Judge Barbara Oswick of the Portage County Court of Common Pleas lowered it to $50,000 due to Holley’s strong ties within his community, his achievements in school and because it was his first run-in with the law.

Holley alleged kidnapped an unnamed female Kent State student and held her against her will at the Campus Pointe apartments, according to the Portage County Sheriff’s office.

It was at this point that Holley was put on a GPS monitor, and was also required to report to Oriana House, an alcohol and chemical dependency treatment center, in Akron. Holley was told

by Oswick that he was to have no contact with the alleged victim.

Holley was then supplemental indicated on Dec. 31 on a charge of felonious assault — a second-degree felony — and a charge for which Holley appeared before Portage County Common Pleas Court Judge Laurie Pittman on January 10.

It was at this hearing that Pittman granted the removal of Holley’s GPS so he could go to Minnesota to train for the NFL combine. Holley must notify the state of Ohio 48 hours before his return to the state so the victim can be notified.

Pittman also stressed the importance of the nocontact obligation, as Holley and the victim been in contact through text messaging and Snapchat, which she did because she was concerned of what would happen if she did not keep in contact with Holley, per the prosecution.

Holley’s trial is set to start on Jan. 24. hpalatte@kent.edu

Page 2 | Tuesday, January 17, 2017

The Kent Stater

From Page 1

SMOKE Ohio schools go smoke-free The University of Akron has considered a ban on smoking but has not passed the policy. The current smoking policy complies with Chapter 3794 of the Ohio Revised Code, which states smoking is prohibited in public places, places of employment and enclosed areas. Akron’s policy also prohibits smoking within 25 feet of a building entrance.

Kristine Kraft, director of Medical Assisting Technology and Healthcare Simulation Technology, said more than half of Akron’s student population went against the smoke-free policy and wanted smoking to be permitted outdoors.

Kraft said 82 percent of respondents believed tobacco use on campus did not negatively affect their attitude toward Akron. Although 59 percent of students said tobacco use should be regulated, 50 percent believed some nicotine products such as smokeless tobacco, vaporizers and e-cigarettes should be allowed outdoors in specified locations.

While the university was unable to implement the new policy in September 2014, Kraft said the University Council recommended a new policy to the President Scott Scarborough in April 2016.

“With the progress of the current policy recommendation, we are hopeful to have this policy passed soon and work with campus partners to support healthy From Page 1

MLK Students spend MLK Day giving “At first I wanted to do sports nutritions, but after this I want to do community nutrition,” Brown said.

“People are living in impoverished areas and food deserts. So I want to help those areas, and helping those that are suffering verses helping those who are already well off.

Brown said that volunteering has enabled her to talk to more people and be more open-minded.

“Some people have gone through different experiences (that) makes them look at (volunteering) differently,” Brown said. “And hearing their background

and active lifestyles around this policy,” Kraft said. “I feel this cause is being supported on campus with our health professionals, as well as those in the surrounding community.”

Kent State adopted a new tobacco-free policy last July, which will go into effect July 2017.

Vice President of Student Affairs Shay Little said the university purposely built a year gap between the adoption of the policy and its implementation as part of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation.

Little said the year will allow the university to spread awareness of the new policy and to begin the policy at the beginning of a new academic year.

Kent State discussed becoming a smoke- and tobacco-free campus as early as three years ago. The university established a task force to discuss issues surrounding adopting a new policy such as the use of e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco on campus. A variety of surveys were also given to students and staff.

“All those things really propelled the discussion forward, and we felt that recommending this policy to the Board of Trustees … actually would be a key stepping point in changing our campus culture to one of health,” Little said.

Mandy Burkett, chief of the Ohio Department of Health’s tobacco program, said the tobacco program has three key components: prevent youth initiative, increase quitting and protect people from secondhand smoke exposure.

Burkett said while there is an overall decrease in tobacco use among adult populations in the U.S., there

has been an increase in college-age students between 18 years and 24 years of age.

“During my tenure here we are really increasing emphasis in promoting tobacco-free policies in college campuses because there’s a lot of evidence base that tells us that the adoption of these types of policies have a three-fold effect on tobacco use in the college-age students,” Burkett said.

She also said the Department of Health is in the midst of developing a toolkit for schools to use as guidelines on how to enact a new smoking policy. Burkett said the bottom-up approach is the most successful because it allows students to voice their opinions on the policies.

“Personally, I think the biggest benefit is the decrease in initiation of smoking of young people because this is one of the strongest preventive things we can do,” Burkett said. “Smoking and the exposure to the chemicals and the toxins from smoking are related to damage of every single organ in the body and many, if not all, of chronic health conditions.”

According to the CDC, 99 percent of smokers tried tobacco before age 26. Burkett said if smoking in college-age students can be prevented through a smoking ban policy, it would be unlikely these students would become smokers after graduation.

“That’s really going to be the health impact of smoking and tobacco-related diseases are currently the single most preventable cause of death in the United States,” Burkett said. “This is an important issue for us to take on and to focus on.”

story makes me look at it differently too.”

Marissa Stephens, a junior managerial marketing major, also helped host the day’s events.

“I know I want to give back and help those around me, and give what I have,” Stephens said. “If you can give a few hours a day that could be enough.”

Stephens volunteers with POWERCorps every year, an organization that provides recreational activities and support to adults living with disabilities.

“It’s shaped who I am today ... the person I want to be, and the person I hope other people want to be,” she said.

Kiera Drymalski, a senior business management major, has volunteered with POWERCorps for four years in a row. She said the volunteering experience is like no other.

You get to see your impact right away,” Drymalski said. “Other people, you know, they box clothes for Goodwill or they help serve food to people and that’s what a lot of people think as typical service. A lot of people don’t think it as just hanging out with someone and making a really big impact on their life.”

Rose Wilson, who works for POWERCorps, said that members of the group love coming to Kent State and being with other young adults.

“They have to be 18 to come to PowerCore, and some of them are still in their little shell,” Wilson said.

“And then to see them come out here ... They really blossom.”

jmill231@kent.edu and sickes5@kent.edu

ekeatin2@kent.edu

The

Kent

Stater 240 FRANKLIN HALL KENT STATE UNIVERSITY KENT, OHIO 44242 Newsroom 330-672-2584 EDITOR

Jimmy Miller jmill231@kent.edu

MANAGING EDITOR

Alex Delaney-Gesing adelane3@kent.edu

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Karl Schneider kschne21@kent.edu

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Ray Padilla rpadill2@kent.edu

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McKenzie Jean-Phillipe mjphillipe@kent.edu

OPINION EDITOR

Lucas Misera lmisera@kent.edu

SPORTS EDITOR

Henry Palattella hpalatte@kent.edu

GENERAL ASSIGNMENT EDITOR

May 4 named as National Historic Landmark

Jenna Kuczkowski jkuczkowski@kent.edu

ASSIGNING EDITORS

Lydia Taylor ltaylor49@kent.edu Emma Keating ekeatin2@kent.edu Andrew Atkins aatkins5@kent.edu Jack Kopanski jkopansk@kent.edu Rachel Stevenson rsteve15@kent.edu

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Greg Maibach of Sterling, Ohio, observes the May 4 Memorial on May 3, 2016 before the candlelight vigil. Clint Datchuk / The Kent Stater

Lydia Taylor Assigning Editor The site of May 4 on Kent State’s main campus is now registered as a National Historic Landmark, The U.S. Department of the Interior announced Wednesday.

Laura Davis, a founder of the May 4 Visitors Center and an English professor at Kent State, prepared a nomination alongside colleagues for the site to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The nomination was accepted in 2010.

“Once we got that confirmation, my colleagues and I decided to move forward with putting in a nomination for the site to be a national landmark, which it the highest kind of landmark there is,” Davis said. “We wanted people to know of the significance of the events that happened here.”

The process began in 2012 when the Ohio Historic Preservation office sent a letter of inquiry to the National Landmark office about naming the site as a national landmark. Davis said the National Landmark office responded in 2013 and showed enthusiasm about the nomination

for landmark status.

“Most national historic landmark nominations need to meet the requirement that the landmark must be 50 years old,” Davis said, “but since the nomination for the May 4 site made a strong case of national significance, it was approved before its 50th anniversary in 2020.”

Davis said that toward the end of her retirement, she was worried the history of May 4 wasn’t as accessible to those who would come to visit campus and drive around, wandering the grounds.

With the site being announced as a national

ads@ksustudentmedia.com

landmark, Davis hopes it will attract those who want to learn about the history and make it more attainable.

“It’s exciting to see that this history is being recognized and its significance is being recognized,” Davis said. “Telling the story of May 4 is something that we should be doing. It’s our job to tell this story of what happened here. Even though decades have gone by since the shootings, it’s a story that continues to have meaning to people today.” ltaylo49@kent.edu

Tuesday, January 17, 2017 | Page 3

The Kent Stater

Opinion

SUBMISSIONS

EDITORIAL BOARD

The Stater hopes to encourage lively debate about the issues of the day on the Opinion Page. Opinions on this page are the authors’ and not necessarily en­dorsed by the Stater or its editors. Readers are encouraged to participate through letters to the editor (email them to jmill231@kent.edu) and guest columns. Submissions become pro­­perty of the Stater and are subject to editing without notice.

Opinion Editor: Lucas Misera Senior Editor: Karl Schneider Diversity Editor: McKenzie Jean-Phillipe Sports Editor: Henry Palattella Assigning Editor: Jack Kopanski

THE OPINION PAGE IS AN OUTLET FOR OUR COMMUNITY’S VARIED VIEWS.

JOSEPH MCGRELLIS’ VIEW

On Stypinski wins first career allaround title at Ohio State Quad Henry Palattella Sports Editor The year 2016 proved to be a momentous 12 months for Rachel Stypinski, as the junior member of Kent State’s gymnastic team was named to the first-all MAC team and MAC gymnast of the year.

All of these achievements were done without her winning an all-around title at a meet. That drought is no more, as Stypinski used three top two finishes to help secure the all-around title at The Ohio State University quad meet on Saturday.

See full article on KentWired.com.

Cheers&Jeers Cheers to … the start of the spring semester.

Jeers to … the ensuing homework associated with the start of yet another semester.

I stand with Planned Parenthood Bobbie Szabo Columnist I stand with Planned Parenthood, and that is not going to change.

Politicians seem to have a knack for flinging logical fallacies around about reproductive health issues: “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways of shutting that whole thing down,” said former Representative Todd Akin. “The incidence of pregnancy resulting from rape are very low,” said Representative Trent Franks. “The problem that I have with Planned Parenthood is the abortion situation. It is like an abortion factory, frankly,” said President-elect Donald Trump. “Planned Parenthood isn’t purely a ‘healthcare provider’ any more than a heroin dealer is a community pharmacist,” said Mike Huckabee.

Republicans are determined to ultimately shut down all Planned Parenthoods throughout the country because of the wildly overestimated relationship between the health care provider and abortions.

While Planned Parenthood does offer abortions to patients in need and is, in fact, the largest provider of abortions in the country, abortions only account for around 3 percent of the organization’s yearly patient treatments. STI Treatment and Testing (42 percent), Contraception (34 percent), Education/ Other Health Services (11 percent) and even Cancer Screening and Prevention (9 percent) are all provided significantly more frequently than abortions.

The current push to “defund” Planned Parenthood is not only inaccurate in its reasoning, but it’s also incredibly misleading.

Removing patients’ access to Planned Parenthood does not prevent the use of federal funding for abortion, because Medicaid and other federal funds are already restricted from being used to pay for abortions. Thus, the people who lose access are not those seeking abortions, but are those who need to be tested for HIV or cancer or need birth control and are unable to receive such important services elsewhere.

In one-fifth of its locations, Planned Parenthood is the only health care provider within the community, so ridding the nation of Planned Parenthood will create health care deserts.

But even the communities with multiple health care providers would suffer should Planned Parenthood disappear, as other providers simply could not handle the influx of new patients; they do not have the capacity or offer the same services to do so.

Supporting its downfall because it provides abortions is supporting the loss of imperative healthcare for 2.5 million Americans, some of whom will die without its services.

I stand with Planned Parenthood because I believe all people have a right to health care. I stand with Planned Parenthood because I know this is not an attack on abortion—it is an attack on marginalized communities. I stand with Planned Parenthood because I know the rhetoric from the right is downright wrong.

I stand with Planned Parenthood because it is obviously the right thing to do. bszabo@kent.edu

Cancer Screening/Prevention (9%) Education/Other Health (11%)

Contraception (34%)

Other (1%)

Abortions (3%)

STI Treatment/ Testing (42%)

Information provided by Planned Parenthood

OUR VIEW

Student journalists bear burden of fake news

As President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration approaches, journalism has been through the wringer. In the latest attack against the printing press, a slew of websites have been peddling made-up stories dressed in legitimate clothing. These fake news stories have helped media critics turn up the volume on their diatribes and put the industry on the chopping block — a worrying development for the future of a free press.

As journalists-in-training, we are taught how to be diligent while reporting. Each piece of information must be verified, no matter how trustworthy the source may seem. The professors at Kent State’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication have prepared us to be wary of what people say to us and the documents we review.

Professors have even been known to say, “If your mother tells you she loves you, ask your father.”

In other words, be skeptical.

Social media companies such as Facebook have already started talking of monitoring which sites they feel post fake news.

This runs dangerously close to a chilling of

the First Amendment and a curtailing of the free flow of information online.

While we should not agree with the philosophies of fake news outlets, we can’t try to quell the speech of others online. What is needed is a much easier, less intrusive solution to the problem of fake news.

JMC’s journalists-to-be are taught how important it is to be media literate, but this tenacity at critical thought needs to expand into the entire student body.

It is up to you, the news media consumer, to consume news online with caution. What is the URL of the original source? Is it legitimate and credible site? What agendas does the site serve? Who is this writer and what other material has he or she written?

This skill is far above the partisan bickering seen on most Facebook feeds. It needs to be embedded in news consumers’ habits, no matter what side of the aisle they want to toss their hat.

The above editorial is the consensus opinion of The Kent Stater editorial board, whose names are listed above.

Politics are hard to follow (but you should try anyway) Nicholas Hunter Columnist Last semester, I took on my first job, writing on this very page — mostly — about politics. I have no shortage of opinions about the past year in politics, especially regarding President-elect Donald Trump.

But since the election has come and passed, opinion sections have transitioned from detailing the many reasons why Trump could never win to how it was that he won, and all the things he will do wrong.

But after over two months of Trump remaining the president-elect, with only days until his inauguration, the conversation hasn’t remained focused on what is happening now.

In large part, that’s because politics are confusing and complex, and as Trump’s move into the presidency becomes tangible, it isn’t as simple as espousing theory on his next move.

His moves are happening right now.

Beyond his tweets about Alec “not funny” Baldwin, “Hillary flunky” Meryl Streep and the “failing” New York Times, Trump is making a lot happen.

He is currently pushing for quick confirmation of his heavily criticized cabinet picks — a move made by President Barack Obama, among many recent presidents — to allow Trump to take action as soon as he officially takes office.

Trump’s appointee for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, is known to currently have over $500 million in assets invested in China and Russia, which is seen by many as a major conflict of interest. Also, his pick for attorney general, Jeff Sessions, has a history of accused racism, and at one point

has called the ACLU and NAACP “unAmerican.”

This is just the tip of the iceberg: nearly every pick Trump has made either has some sort of checkered past or conflicts of interest regarding the position for which they have been nominated.

And despite this controversy, due to a Republican-majority Senate (who confirms presidential appointees) and deep partisan lines, they will likely all be confirmed with little fanfare. Nobody on the Republican side is willing to openly criticize these questionable and, frankly, worrisome nominations. This sends a message to many people (including Republican citizens) that no real issue exists. In the realm of international politics, another story is developing.

An intelligence briefing was released on Jan. 6 detailing Russia’s hacking of the Democratic National Committee.

In the report, this statement was made: “Russian efforts to influence the 2016 US presidential election represent the most recent expression of Moscow’s longstanding desire to undermine the US-led liberal democratic order, but these activities demonstrated a significant escalation in directness, level of activity, and scope of effort compared to previous operations.”

The report also stated that “Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election,” and that “the Russian Government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump.” nhunter6@kent.edu

NFL owners continue display of greed with relocation Matt Poe Columnist After a series of pitiful blowout games during Wild Card Weekend, the divisional round provided some genuine drama in the NFL ahead of championship Sunday, highlighted by Green Bay’s thrilling win over Dallas via a last second field goal.

Anytime Dallas loses, we all win.

For a league that continually faces criticism and scrutiny, through much of their own doing, it’s nice to finally be able to give the NFL a pat on the back for — what’s that? The Chargers are moving to Los Angeles?

Yes, the NFL announced last week that the artist formerly known as the San Diego Chargers would be relocating to Los Angeles to accompany the Rams in an attempt to seize the barrel of money that is the San Diego market, leaving the team’s fans devastated. For a city that went over two decades without a professional football team, Los Angeles suddenly finds itself boasting two teams that are — shall we say — bad.

The move comes after Chargers President Dean Spanos — the son of the franchise’s owner, Alex Spanos — continually attempted to secure public funds to help construct a new stadium in the San Diego area.

San Diego residents voted against the use of public funds to build the stadium time and time again, leading Spanos and company to skip town and take the team with them.

Poor guy. I’m sure he was just as devastated to see the team leave as the generations of Chargers fans who have invested portions of their personal lives in support of what has traditionally been a subpar team fielding a bad product.

Strange, but you never seem to see good teams simply pack up and decide to settle their team elsewhere.

Oh, and I haven’t even mentioned yet: the Oakland Raiders are about to file for relocation to Las Vegas! A team with historic roots formerly in Los Angeles and currently to Oakland has decided that they, too, believe the grass is greener elsewhere and owner Mark Davis has his sights set on Sin City.

Coincidentally, the Raiders home stadium, the Oakland Coliseum, is one of the biggest dumps in professional sports. So, instead of providing private funds to build a new stadium in Oakland and keep the team for one of the most passionate fan bases in sports, the Vegas stadium project will use $750 million in hotel revenue taxes to help fund it.

The NFL and its owners are continuing a remarkable display of greed and reckless personal gain, leaving fans to suffer and mend broken hearts over the departure of their respective teams. Sports are not life and death, I know; fans of the Chargers and Raiders will survive.

But think about the amount of time and money that sports fans invest in teams from such a young age, and how often we stick with the teams we choose throughout our lifetimes. Just ask any Browns fan who was alive when the team moved to Baltimore how it affected them, or ask them what they think of former owner Art Modell; it’s not something that just disappears over time.

As always, you and I will both continue to watch the NFL because we are mindless sheep following the shepherd that is our nation’s most beloved sport.

The NFL won’t let any loyalties or longstanding support from a community stand between them and making another quick buck. Don’t let them tell you otherwise. mpoe3@kent.edu

Page 4 | Tuesday, January 17, 2017

The Kent Stater

Wick Poetry Center co-founder leaves behind legacy Madeline Zupko General Assignment Reporter Walter Wick, co-founder of Kent State’s Wick Poetry Center, passed away last month on Christmas morning after his recent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer at the age of 85.

The Wick Poetry Center, located in the May Prentice building at the edge of campus along the Esplanade, is a center that “engages emerging and established poets and poetry audiences through readings, publications, workshops, and scholarship opportunities on a local, regional, and national level,” according to its website.

Walter and his brother Robert Wick founded the poetry center in 1984.

Robert said the idea for the center came about when his son passed away in a car accident in 1973; exactly seven years later to the day that Walter’s son passed away in a car accident.

“I had received some insurance money and I didn’t know what do with it. I felt like I needed to do something … so I contacted someone about a scholarship,” Robert said. “Wick Poetry would not have occurred in the way that it did if it weren’t for my brother.”

David Hassler, director of the Wick Poetry Center, said he believes that the center has evolved into one of the best at Kent State. Through Walter ’s generosity, the center has been able to offer an abundance of opportunities to the community to connect with their passions — both financially and logistically — to help them develop as writers and find their own meaningful voice.

“My brother was a wonderfully generous human being; He was a person who was willing to share his good fortune in all respects,” Robert said, “whether it’s his scholarships or someone on the side of the road.”

The Wick brothers were able to take the “tragic loss” of their sons and, in turn, transform the heartache into something beneficial for the community, according to Hassler.

Hassler said that the brothers were a real source of inspiration for the center and himself because of their passionate belief in the mission of the Wick Poetry Center.

“One of (Walter’s) greatest joys was to see the way the poetry center was bringing poetry to all people in new and innovative ways and using poetry as a way to break out of their own skins and engage with

themselves in new ways and also with others,” Hassler said. “Walter was most excited that poetry was a way for one person to speak with the inner voice of another.”

Robert, also a sculptor, said poetry is not his go-to genre.

“I am not a poetry reader, but my son was quite pretentious; He was failing school but reading Aristotle and (Franz) Kafka,” Robert said.

According to Robert, his brother Walter not only started the poetry center for their sons, but also for his own love of poetry.

“Walter Wick was a phenomenal man — a kind of renaissance man,” Hassler said.

Hassler said Walter had an “encyclopedia-like knowledge,” and was an avid reader.

“We’ve evolved in a way as humans, ultimately to share our more propounding thoughts and the most meaningful thoughts of our minds,” Hassler said.

“Walter’s passion and his life in itself is almost like a book that we’re still reading.”

“From a personal standpoint, I had the best brother in the world,” Robert said.

“No one could have had a better brother …

He was a gift from heaven, and he blessed my life; Our love transcended.” mzupko1@kent.edu

Walter Wick, co-founder of Kent State’s Wick Poetry Center. Photo courtesy of Wick Communications

Honors College searches for new dean Software, coding bootcamp Nicholas Hunter General Assignment Reporter

Economics Department Chair Donald Williams.

Photo courtesy of Kent State University

Kent State’s Office of the Provost recently announced that the university is accepting applications for a new, permanent dean of the Honors College. Leading the search is Todd Diacon, Kent State’s vice president of academic affairs and provost.

The position was officially vacated in 2012 by current Economics Department Chair Donald Williams, who left the position to take a year-long sabbatical in Luxembourg. He later returned to Kent State to teach, according to a university statement in June 2012.

In Williams’ place, Kent State geology professor Donald Palmer was named interim dean.

Though he was initially supposed to hold the position for one year while a permanent dean was hired, Palmer has served as interim dean for the past 3.5 years.

A separate statement from the Office of the Provost, describes the job duties of the future dean as “(providing) strategic leadership to advance the mission, operations, and programs of the college, building on the strong legacy of the past, while charting a course for an exciting and transformative journey over the next decade.”

Applications for the position will be accepted until Jan. 20. No information is currently available on when a new dean will be named. nhunter@kent.edu

announced for KSU students Cameron Hoover General Assignment Reporter An online software program has partnered with Kent State and four other universities to offer online software development and coding bootcamps to its students.

Called Software Guild, the company is an “intensive, fast-paced apprenticeship program,” according to its website, where students learn programing languages such as JAVA and .NET/C# — two of the most sought after programing skills among employers.

The online courses are designed to help Kent State students prepare for entry-level positions in software development and coding. These boot camp-style courses cost around $12,000 and are typically taken part-time over the course of 10 months.

The Software Guild graduated more than 400 students in 2016, according to the company’s website; which also advertises that 95 percent of their graduates get jobs in their field within 90 days of graduation from the boot camp.

Although the courses are being pitched as a supplemental learning tool for current Kent State students, Kent State computer science professor Jonathan Maletic believes these online courses would be better suited for alumni who want to expand their skill set.

“If someone had only a little background in programming and wanted to augment their skill set to move into the technology field, this type of online course offering could be a reasonable option,” Maletic said.

Maletic believes that these sort of online courses wouldn’t appeal to a seasoned computer sciences student or graduate at Kent State due to the difference in course design.

“If a computer sciences major wanted to learn C# or Java, they would just pick up a book and figure it out in a week or so, seeing as they already have the necessary background,” he said.

Cheng-Chang Lu, also a computer science professor at Kent State, agreed with Maletic. He

said that at Kent State, all aspects of computer science are taught, including programing, which he said is just one of the many tools of the trade.

“While you can learn a great deal about programming through a short bootcamp, the best way to learn about all facets of computer science would be through Kent State’s four-year program,” Lu said.

In order to be accepted to the Software Guild’s programming bootcamps, applicants must pass a general aptitude test and demonstrate basic programming knowledge.

Lu sees this as a great avenue to get more students and alumni involved in not only computer sciences as a whole, but also in Kent State’s computer science department as well.

“I don’t see Software Guild as competition, but rather as another tool to help Kent State students and alums market themselves in a growing market,” Lu said. “For juniors and seniors, an introduction to (a) computer sciences course at Kent State would greatly help them pass the Software Guild’s aptitude tests before heading to these online bootcamps.”

While he doesn’t recommend the course for computer sciences majors or graduates, Maletic said he believes the online bootcamp from the Software Guild could lay a foundation for students and alumni to market themselves for potential employment.

In addition to being a resume builder, Maletic said the bootcamp could also be good for growth in the local economy.

“If the course is popular and people enroll, it would help Kent State as an institution with an income stream. Outreach and continuing education are part of the university’s mission,” Maletic said. “But it is also beneficial to alumni who take the course and the economic development of Northeast Ohio by continuing to educate the workforce.”

The online software development and coding bootcamps are expected to launch at Kent State sometime in 2017. choove14@kent.edu

Tuesday, January 17, 2017 | Page 5

The Kent Stater

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Page 6 | Tuesday, January 17, 2017

The Kent Stater

Sports

SPORTS EDITOR: HENRY PALATTELLA // HPALATTE@KENT.EDU

Turnovers plague Kent State early in MAC play Nick Buzzelli Sports Reporter After the men’s basketball team dropped its second straight MAC game and fell to 1-2 overall in league play on Jan. 10, head coach Rob Senderoff continually emphasized his team’s main relapse — turnovers — during his postgame press conference following the 74-70 overtime loss to Northern Illinois University.

But this setback hasn’t been isolated to one game in particular. After knocking off Ball State University via a 31-31 performance from the free throw line on Jan. 3, the Flashes’ productive play tapered off and the number of turnovers committed continually rose in its following three contests.

“You can’t win games with 23 turnovers, you just can’t consistently. Earlier in the season we were having four turnovers in a game, eight turnovers in a game. 21 against Ohio, 23 tonight,” Senderoff said after the NIU game.

“These numbers are staggeringly bad for us to be able to win. We got to fix it.”

Although Kent State coughed up the ball an average of 13.3 times per game during its nonconference schedule, that number increased to approximately 18 in its first four league games.

And the 23 turnovers committed at home against the Huskies is tied with two other MAC teams for the most in a single league game this season.

Six times this year, Kent State has had more assists than turnovers in a game — including a season-low four turnovers against Niagara University on Dec. 7 — but following the Ohio game, in which the Flashes had nearly two turnovers for every assist, the unforced errors have been adding up.

“I feel, right now, we’re hanging our heads still from the last loss in Ohio. And we need to just leave that in the past and focus on what’s right in front of us, try to kind of create a system instead of just getting lost in the system and get the win because that’s all it comes down to,” said redshirt senior Deon Edwin, who had four assists and one turnover against Northern Illi-

nois. “Nobody wants to cheer for losers. Everybody wants to cheer for winners.”

However, part of the reason why MAC teams have had early defensive success against Kent State can also be attributed to the familiarity these programs – that play one another once, or in some instances twice, per season – have with the players in their league. Because of this, opponents are aware of player and team weaknesses and try to exploit them.

Recently, redshirt senior Jimmy Hall, the Flashes’ leading scorer averaging 16.8 points per game, has had difficulty in the low post whenever he is double-teamed. Against Northern Illinois, Hall was doubled for a majority of his 31 minutes on the court and committed four turnovers while shooting 1-6 from the field.

In the following game, though, a 92-88 loss at Western Michigan University, Hall tallied 24 points, but committed three turnovers while only recording one assist.

“They’re converging on (Hall) and he’s got to move the ball and get it on the second one when there’s rotations because the first game in the league he had five assists, zero turnovers,” Senderoff said. “It’s tough to double him when he’s passing the ball so well but when he’s not, it’s just getting harder and harder for him. And it will continue if he doesn’t move the ball.”

Correcting his team’s turnover woes is something Senderoff said he will try to accomplish moving forward, especially with a four-game stretch at the end of the month that features games against Buffalo University, Toledo University, Northern Illinois and Central Michigan University, which is led by Marcus Keene — a Youngstown State University transfer who is the top scorer in the nation, averaging 29.3 points per game.

“It certainly seems like we’re trying to do too much individually,” he said. “That’s what I see and we got to fix that. Trust each other more. We’re turning the ball over too much, trying to do too much individually and that’s across the board.” nbuzzel1@kent.edu

Kent State sophomore guard Alexa Golden lays the ball against Northern Illinois University sophomore forward Renee Sladek at the M.A.C. Center on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2016. Kent State blew a 10-point fourth quarter lead to lose 97-98.

Nate Manley / The Kent Stater

Winter break sports recap Former Flashes prove their worth during NFL playoffs Henry Palattella Sports Editor

Kent State registered senior forward Jimmy Hall gets tied up by Ball State University defenders at the M.A.C. Center on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2016. The Flashes lost, 100-90. Clint Datchuk / The Kent Stater

The beginning of the spring semester is the tangible embodiment of a fresh start full of new opportunities. This rings true for the mentalities of Kent State's on-campus sports teams. Some teams went into the winter break with momentum that they have since lost, while others limped into the break, but have since made advancements.

Football: While Kent State's football team hasn’t taken the field since October, that doesn’t mean the Flashes haven’t been in the news. On the current student side, senior defensive back Najee Murray played in the Tropical Bowl this past Sunday. But this break wasn’t just about current members of the football team, as several former Flashes have made their mark in the NFL playoffs as well.

Former Kent State quarterback Julian Edelman once again showed why he’s New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s favorite receiver, as he amassed 137 yards on eight receptions in the Patriots' 34-16 win over the Houston Texans.

Former Flash James Harrison left his imprint on the Steelers' wild-card victory over the Dolphins, as he recorded a big strip sack that halted a Dolphins drive that was deep in Steeler territory. Former Flash Roosevelt Nix is also a member of the Steelers.

Men’s basketball: Winter break was a period of highs and lows for the Kent State men’s basketball team. Break started with the Flashes recording a 63-58 win over Texas, which marked the first time that the Flashes beat a power five team since 2012. The Flashes have struggled since, and are coming out of break. Look at sports reporter Nick Buzzelli’s article for a more in-depth look at the men’s team.

Women’s basketball: The Kent State women’s basketball team — much like the men’s team — dealt with some serious highs and lows over break. But what makes the women’s team’s different situation different is that they’ll be going into the semester riding a high as compared to a low.

The Flashes started break off by dropping

games to both Minnesota University and Iowa University, and then starting the conference schedule off with losses to both Central Michigan University and Ball State University. The Flashes very well might have saved their season in the next game, however, as they recorded a big 86-67 win over Eastern Michigan. Not only was this their first conference win, but it was also a small dose of payback for the Flashes, who have had their past two seasons ended by losing to Eastern Michigan in the MAC Tournament.

The Flashes followed that up with a tough 98-97 loss at home to Northern Illinois University that very well may be viewed as another turning point for the Flashes. Both head coach Todd Starkey and star senior Larissa Lurken were visibly displeased after the Flashes loss, so much so that Lurken called the loss “one of the toughest in her time at Kent State.”

The Flashes followed that loss up by traveling to Athens to take on MAC East favorite Ohio University, which very well could have been too much for some teams. That wasn’t the case for the Flashes, who forced the Bobcats to commit 22 turnovers en route to a 68-65 upset, which gives them tons of momentum going into the semester.

Gymnastics: The gymnastics team started their season this past Saturday when they traveled to Columbus to take on Ohio State University, Michigan University and Washington University. The Flashes ended up coming in last, but that didn’t stop junior gymnast Rachel Stypinski from earning her first career all-around title.

Check Kentwired.com for a complete recap from the weekend.

Wrestling: The wrestling team had an eventful winter break as well, as they competed in seven individual meets and one tournament.

The Flashes started the weekend off with back to back home losses to Gardner-Webb and Chattanooga, which was followed by a 43-4 loss to MAC opponent Missouri. The Flashes followed this up in a big way by coming in second in the Lock Haven Classic, a victory that was spearheaded by sophomores Casey Sparkman and Devin Nye, who both went 3-1 in the Classic.

The Flashes weren’t able to get much momentum out of those victories however, as they dropped their next three matches against Lock Haven, Virginia Tech, and Campbell. The Flashes were able to gain one last victory before the end of break however, as they beat The Citadel 26-15 in the Virginia Duals. hpalatte@kent.edu