An immigrant family: from Syria to the States
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@kentwired KentWired.com WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2017
‘Bye bye birdie’
Bill could change weapon policies on college campuses
Millennials fear they will be worse off post-Trump
Lydia Taylor Assigning Editor The Ohio Legislature announced last month that all universities and colleges in Ohio will be allowed to make their own policies concerning concealed weapon carry on campus beginning March 21. Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed Senate Bill 199 last month. The new legislation will allow concealed weapon carry to be permitted on campuses — providing a school allows it — and will allow concealed carry on the grounds of select government buildings, daycare centers and airport terminals, according to cleveland.com. SB 199 will also permit current military members to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.
Jonathan Lemire and Emily Swanson Associated Press
(Left) Kent State senior Josée Doyon and (right) junior Maddy Mullins practice at the Kent State Golf Course on Feb. 3, 2016. Clint Datchuk / The Kent Stater
Kent State opts to close financially failing golf course Information provided by the Ohio Attorney Generals Office. 2016 Concealed Carry License Statistics. (Quarter four has not been released). Lydia Taylor / The Kent Stater
SEE GUN CONTROL / PAGE 2
Kent State kicks off new food series Madeline Zupko General Assignment Reporter Aramark Food Facilities started off the first day of a three-day series in search for a new Kent State food vendor Tuesday. “We strive to nourish the mind,” Aramark representative Jeff Bohn said. Bohn led the presentation and informed all who attended on his company’s hopes for the future of Kent State dining. The presentation featured the addition of a fully licensed Starbucks on the Esplanade, as well as one to replace the “Bean Scene” in the University Library. In the current Starbucks, located in the Center for Undergraduate Excellence, Aramark has plans to install a
B
... they are on board with the idea of reducing costs to students ...”
efore Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed Executive Order 2015-01K in February 2015, the average cost of tuition for one of the state’s 14 public four-year institutions was approximately $10,100 per year — 14 percent – Jeff Robinson higher than the national average, according to a summary published by the Ohio Department of Higher Education. But because of the act, which established the Ohio Task Force on Affordability and Efficiency in Higher Education, any college or university receiving state funds is encouraged to devise and implement a yearly strategy to reduce the student cost of earning a degree for in-state students by 5 percent. For Kent State, this meant ceasing operation of its financially failing 18-hole golf course in an effort to reduce the cost of attendance for students. Kent State announced the decision Dec. 2 in a press release, writing that the university “could not reverse a five-year trend of declining revenues and mounting operating losses” for the golf course, which was purchased by Kent State in 1966. Additionally, as part of stipulations attached to the Task Force on Affordability and Efficiency, and per House Bill 64, which states each institution receiving state funds must “conduct an assessment of its non-core assets to determine their market value if sold, leased, or otherwise repurposed,” it was concluded that it was not financially viable to continue operating the golf course at a deficit. “I think the fact that schools like Kent State are taking action … shows that they are on board with this idea of reducing costs to students and they are aware that the cost of higher education is to the point
Total Financial Loss 2011 2012
$50,328.73 $137,856.99 $163,443.42
2013 2014
$134,787.87
2015
$160,052.37
2016
$182,226.60
Numbers according to financial records retrieved from Kent State’s Office of General Counsel
fully licensed Panera Bread and follow the health centered trend into the HUB, where there would be a GRAZERS and a Fresco Mexican Grill and Salsa Bar. In the upstairs of the Student Center, the current Kent Market Two would become “The Esplanade Market Center,” an open-kitchen themed dining area. The open kitchen would allow students and staff to come learn how to prepare food while having their food prepared in front of them. Rosie’s would stay as a 24/7 dining hall, but be altered to feature more healthy options and table-side ordering. Lastly, Bohn said Aramark envisions Prentice Hall becoming “Nourish’d,” an allergy-friendly cafe that would be safe for people with any food allergy. The healthy initiative would also carry over to the Prentice Munchies Market, which would become “Sprout’d,” and feature healthy “grab ’n go” products, along with more allergy-free options. mzupko1@kent.edu
KENT
RAVENNA
Powdermill Rd
“The more guns that are out there, the more problems seem to occur,” Gregory Stone, a political science professor, said. “I’ll argue both sides because I know what the other side is, but personally, I don’t think guns should be on campus.” Stone said he believes the increased amount of publicity in recent years surrounding the topic of guns formed paranoia among lawmakers, which resulted in the passing of SB 199. “When it comes to letting colleges decide what they want to do with this bill, I would much rather concealed carry not be allowed anywhere,” Stone said. “It makes me uncomfortable that some colleges may decide otherwise, but again, it’s going to be up to them. It depends on the college.” As of right now, Kent State’s deadly weapon policy establishes “The possession, storage, or use of a deadly weapon by students, staff, faculty, third parties doing business with the university, and visitors is prohibited inside any university building, facility, or vehicle, that is owned, operated or leased by the university.” The policy was revised and approved in September 2016 in a Board of Trustees meeting. “The university policy on deadly weapons as approved in September represents the board’s position on this issue and we have no plans for further action,” Board Chair Lawrence Pollock said. Junior zoology major Marvin Owens said law enforcement should be the only exception for allowing guns on campus. “My opinion would be to stay with the current policy,” Owens said. “There really is no need for weapons, even if there are no harmful intentions made.” Zachary Aichele, a sophomore exploratory major, said he does not understand why the bill was signed because he said he believes there is no need for guns on college campuses.
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Nick Buzzelli Sports Reporter
59
KENT STATE GOLF COURSE
261 KENT STATE UNIVERSITY
DIX STADIUM Graphic by Madeline Zupko
— nationwide — where students begin to ask themselves, ‘Is it worth it for me to get a college degree?’” said Jeff Robinson, director of communications for the Ohio Department of Higher Education, the organization responsible for reviewing the financial plans and policies conceived by state schools every summer. “We certainly think (receiving a college degree) is (worth the price) and our colleges are echoing that and showing that, ‘Yes, we know that a college education is valuable.’ We also know it can be a high cost to students, so we’re trying to find ways that we can reduce that,’” he added. According to financial records retrieved from Kent State’s Office of General Counsel, the golf course lost $831,695.98 during a six-year period from July 2010 to June 2016. Although the public par-70 course lost $50,328.73 six years ago, that amount more than doubled by 2013 and hit a new low during the July 2015 to June 2016 fiscal year, in which the course suffered a $182,226.60 hit. The loss ultimately forced Kent State’s Board of Trustees to look at other options for the 40-acre site, including either selling it or repurposing the land. A decision, however, has not yet been made public. An open records request pertaining to the budget for Bowling Green State University’s Forrest Creason — one of the three remaining university-sponsored golf courses in the state — for comparative purposes shows that the course broke even on its expenses/ revenues over the previous six years. BGSU claims the course made $2,347,420 since 2011, but lost just as much during that span.
SEE GOLF COURSE / PAGE 2
Jeff Bohn of Aramark Food Facilities gives a presentation on his company’s plan for Kent State Dining Services if chosen as the university’s new food vendor at the Kiva on Tuesday. Madeline Zupko / The Kent Stater
As Donald Trump approaches his inauguration, young Americans have a deeply pessimistic view about his incoming administration, with young blacks, Latinos and Asian Americans particularly concerned about what’s to come in the next four years. That’s according to a new GenForward poll of Americans aged 18 to 30, which found that the country’s young adults are more likely to expect they’ll be worse off at the end of Trump’s first term than better off. Such young Americans are also far more likely to think Trump will divide the country than unite it, by a 60 percent to 19 percent margin. Fifty-two percent of young whites, 72 percent of Latinos, 66 percent of Asian-Americans and 70 percent of blacks think Trump’s presidency will lead to a more divided nation. “Minority people are very afraid of all the rhetoric that he ran upon (in) his campaign,” said Jada Selma, a 28-year-old African-American graduate school student living in Atlanta. “Anytime he mentioned black people, he would talk about poor people or inner city. He would think that all of us live in the inner city and that we’re all poor.” “If you’re not a straight white male, then I don’t think he’s looking out for you as an American,” she said. GenForward is a survey of adults age 18 to 30 by the Black Youth Project at the University of Chicago with the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The first-of-itskind poll pays special attention to the voices of young adults of color, highlighting how race and ethnicity shape the opinions of a new generation. The poll found that 54 percent of young people overall say life for people of color will be worse with Trump as president. About two-thirds of young blacks, Asian-Americans and Latinos think things will get worse for people of color, and whites are also more likely to expect things to get worse than better for minorities, 46 percent to 21 percent.
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for inauguration coverage this weekend Overall, 40 percent of young adults think they personally will be worse off four years from now, while just 23 percent expect to be better off. Young people of color are significantly more likely to think they will be worse off than better off, while young whites are more split in their personal expectations. Kuinta Hayle, a 21-year-old African-American from Charlotte, said she is worried that Trump’s selection for attorney general, Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, could roll back civil rights. She said Trump’s foray into “birtherism,” during which he propagated the lie that President Barack Obama was not born in the United States, still bothered her.
SEE TRUMP / PAGE 2
Page 2 | Wednesday, January 18, 2017
The Kent Stater From Page 1
From Page 1
TRUMP
GUN CONTROL
Millennials fear they will ...
Bill could change weapon ...
“He doesn’t know anything about my life or the lives of people who aren’t like him. I feel Donald Trump is only for rich people,” Hayle said. “Obama was for people who didn’t have much.” Although he had a decisive win in the Electoral College, Trump lost the overall popular vote to opponent Hillary Clinton and has done little to reach out to those who didn’t support him in November’s election. As for Obama’s presidency, young Americans are split on whether he has done more to unite or divide Americans, 38 percent to 35 percent, with 26 percent saying it did neither. Young blacks (57 percent to 16 percent), Latinos (57 percent to 19 percent) and Asian Americans (46 percent to 27 percent) are far more likely to say Obama united than divided Americans. But young whites are more likely to say, by a 46 percent to 26 percent margin, that Obama’s presidency was a dividing force. Indeed, not all young Americans are pessimistic about the incoming president. “He’ll be good for the economy. He’s a businessman and he’ll bring more jobs back,” said Francisco Barrera, 26, of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, who voted for Trump. A majority of young adults think Trump will go down in history as not a very good president or a poor one. Young people of color are particularly likely to think Trump’s presidency will be not good or poor, but even young whites are more likely to expect that than to think it will be good or great, 48 percent to 27 percent. Young Americans are divided as to whether Trump will accomplish his campaign promises. While most think he’ll probably cut taxes for the rich and more than half of young people (59 percent) think Trump will deport millions of immigrants living in the country illegally, just 39 percent expect that he will be successful in building a wall along the Mexican border. However, about half of young Hispanics think that Trump is likely to build a border wall. And more than 7 in 10 young people believe he will definitely or probably succeed at repealing the Affordable Care Act. “He’s not even been inaugurated yet and he’s already alienating people,” said Greg Davis, a white 28-year-old graduate student living in Columbus, Ohio. “He’s still parroting the alt-right’s messages. His policy ideas I think would be awful. His nominees for Cabinet positions are disastrous. He’s nominating people who have the exactly the wrong ideas.” The poll of 1,823 adults age 18-30 was conducted Dec. 9-12, 2016 using a sample drawn from the probability-based GenForward panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. young adult population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4 percentage points. The survey was paid for by the Black Youth Project at the University of Chicago, using grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation. Respondents were first selected randomly using address-based sampling methods, and later interviewed online or by phone.
“I think that this bill is ridiculous,” Aichele said. “For what reason do you need a gun on a college campus? Arming civilians isn’t going to prevent school shootings, and in my opinion, it would make an active shooter even more likely simply because no questions would be raised about why someone had a gun on campus.” Aichele said he hopes Kent State will prohibit concealed weapon carry on campus to maintain campus safety. Scott Rainey, a junior political science major, likes the thought of allowing a college to pick its own
policy for concealed weapon carry. “I do like that instead of saying ‘all colleges are open carry now,’ the college is allowed to make their own rules,” Rainey said. “I like that because a lot of colleges understand college students. They understand the stress that is involved and colleges might air on the side of caution.” Dillon Coventry, a sophomore aeronautics major, said he is in favor of the bill and said he believes the university should consider the opportunity of making its own policy. “I think it’s a good bill to pass, and if Kent State doesn’t like the bill, that’s absolutely fine,” Coventry said. “They have every right to make sure concealed carry is still banned. I know they’re only looking out for you and (me).” ltaylo49@kent.edu
The
Stater 240 FRANKLIN HALL KENT STATE UNIVERSITY KENT, OHIO 44242 Newsroom 330-672-2584 EDITOR
Science intersects with art at the Downtown Gallery’s new exhibit. "Biosynthesis: The Art of Jonah Jacobs and Betsy Cavalier-Casey" opens Thursday, showcasing elaborate sculptures and paintings based on biology. “It’s the type of work that a lot will get excited about,” said Anderson Turner, art galleries director for the School of Art. Both Northeast Ohio artists behind the show contributed different elements, the paintings from Cavalier-Casey and sculptures from Jacobs. The sculptures are made from everyday materials — including cardboard, oatmeal and sand — to create what Turner describes as a “new level of impressive.” "I don't try to mimic nature but instead capture its structural essence," Jacobs said. "I distill it down to its basic shapes, then reconstruct it using a diverse set of materials to create organic-looking pieces." "Biosynthesis" features guest curator Rob Lehr, director
Alex Delaney-Gesing adelane3@kent.edu
Information provided by the Ohio Attorney Generals Office. 2016 Concealed Carry License Statistics. (Quarter four has not been released). Lydia Taylor / The Kent Stater
of marketing and communications at the Canton Museum of Art. Turner, who oversees an average of 40 exhibits each year, said Lehr’s assistance and expertise was appreciated in easing the completion of the project. Organized by Kent State’s School of Art, the Downtown Gallery is located on East Main Street in Kent. The site hosts several shows throughout the year, including one last summer that highlighted tattoo design. A reception for the opening of "Biosynthesis" is scheduled for Thursday between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. where visitors may peruse the gallery and meet the artists. After its debut Thursday, "Biosynthesis" will remain on display until Feb. 25. “It will be relatable and interesting to lots of students,” Turner said. “And it’s colorful, which is much needed in this gray, wintery time of year.” Jacobs said he shared that same sentiment. "There's nothing like a shot of vibrant color to cure the mid-winter doldrums," he said. bvanhoos@kent.edu
Kent State’s new Tri-Towers Recreation Center officially opened Tuesday afternoon. Located on the second floor of the Rotunda in the Tri-Towers complex, the brand new workout and exercise facility was already packed with people and teeming with energy. As upbeat music harmonized with the clang of machines, freshman zoology major Erin Walters was lifting free weights on an inclined bench. “I think it’s really nice,” Walters said. “It’s more convenient than having to walk over to the actual Rec.” Freshman visual communication design major Taylor Donovan said she sees the Tri-Rec as a more convenient option as well. “It’s easier access and this semester, I’m trying to get out to the Rec every day if I can,” she said. Walters also sees the Tri-Rec as a less intimidating option. “I think it being smaller, it won’t be as crowded,” Walters said. According to Recreational Services, the Tri-Rec is exclusive to on-campus students and has over 70 new workout machines, as well as free weights available to use. Area specific and holiday hours for all of the Tri-Rec facilities can be found at http:// www.kent.edu/recservices/ hours. nhunter6@kent.edu Kent State students fill the new recreation center inside Tri-Towers for its opening on Tuesday. Alyssa Keown/ The Kent Stater
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GOLF COURSE Kent State opts to close ... An email initially sent to Colin Miller, Kent State athletic department senior fiscal manager, whose email address is listed under the “Contact Us” tab on the golf course’s website, seeking comment was forwarded to Kristen Anderson — the university’s director of external media relations. Anderson said the university looked at other non-core assets in its internal assessment, including facilities, dining services, IT services, real estate services, residence services, parking, bookstore and buses, but did not provide specifics of what it would do to cut costs in those areas. She also was unable to say whether any university employees have lost their job as a direct result of the course’s closure, citing the inability to comment on “personnel matters.”
However, records indicate that Kent State spent $217,046.79 on salaries and wages for the golf course during the last fiscal year, including an additional $67,307.76 allocated to “staff benefits.” The press release said that the Ferrara & Page Golf Training and Learning Facility — which features a putting surface, indoor practice green and indooroutdoor driving range located adjacent to the golf course on S.R. 59 in Franklin Township — will not be affected by the closure. Nor will Kent State’s men’s and women’s golf programs, since both practice at Windmill Lakes Golf Club in Ravenna, where men’s head coach Herb Page serves as the director of golf. “The golf teams were not using the course, and while their practice facility is at the same location, it is not affected by the closure or connected to the course,” Eric Mansfield, Kent State’s executive director of media relations, confirmed in an email. “The team will continue to play at Windmill Lakes in Ravenna and other area courses.”
Though Robinson said state schools do not face a penalty if they elect not to complete the financial assessment and send it to Chancellor John Carey of the Department of Higher Education by Aug. 1 of each year, he said he believes the Task Force on Affordability and Efficiency is the most appropriate way for institutions to lower the cost of attendance for students — even if it means selling or repurposing some assets. “I think the overall mission of lowering costs per students is extremely important, and if a task force is the best way to focus specifically on that topic and directly create some recommendations that our colleges and universities can look at as a means of lowering costs for their students, then I think that is the way to go,” Robinson said. “Whatever is going to best allow you to reach that goal of creating a lower cost education for students.” nbuzzel1@kent.edu
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ads@ksustudentmedia.com CORRECTION
In Tuesday’s issue of The Kent Stater, a front page story contained an error. The first sentence of “Holley pre-trial set for Wednesday,” misnamed the subject of the story. His correct name should read “Nate Holley.”
Wednesday, January 18, 2017 | Page 3
The Kent Stater
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Opinion Editor: Lucas Misera Senior Editor: Karl Schneider Diversity Editor: McKenzie Jean-Phillipe Sports Editor: Henry Palattella Assigning Editor: Jack Kopanski
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.
THE OPINION PAGE IS AN OUTLET FOR OUR COMMUNITY’S VARIED OPINIONS.
JOSEPH MCGRELLIS’ VIEW
On Cornerback coach Poteat leaving Kent State for same role at Toledo Henry Palattella Sports Editor
Kent State’s football team will head into Spring 2017 looking to fill at least one coaching void, as former cornerbacks coach Hank Poteat has left the university for the exact same job at the University of Toledo, according to the Record-Courier.
hpallatte@kent.edu
Cheers&Jeers Cheers to ... a Virginia man for gifting his wife his kidney for their 20th anniversary. The woman, Cindy Chafian, suffers from polycystic kidney disease. Jeers to ...paying in cash. A Virginia man paid close to $3,000 in taxes to his DMV – strictly using pennies. The payload weighed in over 1,500 pounds and took a full day to count.
To Russia with love Lucas Misera Opinion Editor Valentine’s Day is less than a month away, but the world’s most high-profile – yet simultaneously nerve-wracking – “bromance” is budding in the present. In the meanwhile, I can’t help but wonder: If President-elect Donald Trump moves forward in his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin as a fellow global leader, how will it play out? I imagine Trump tries to open with a letter that reads, “Roses are red, violets are blue. Together in office, our deals will be huge.” Presumably, however, he couldn’t write this himself; he’d certainly fumble around with such tiny pencils in his colossal hands. In that case, Trump has his wife, Melania, pen it. After all, Hallmark must have a plethora of greeting cards to copy in case she suffers from writer’s block. Once Trump is done flattering Putin, what happens when they meet in person for the first time? What do two of the most powerful individuals in the world do when they’re alone? They have a casual discussion about suppressing media and silencing their political adversaries via unquestionably unethical methods. Like normal people, their chat takes place over a board game – the perfect way to pass time and socialize. Trump’s game of choice would be a moneygrabbing escapade that requires as little thought as possible, a game where he can exercise his ability to masterfully negotiate. If this is the case, Monopoly would be the obvious choice. But – given his infatuation with the Russian president – he allows Putin to have his choice. For Putin, the game must involve reckless military tactics that ignore the importance of international boundaries. So, Risk it is. As Trump’s counterpart builds his miniature red army – yes, red is a playable color – stockpiling within Ukraine and infiltrating North America via the Kamchatka-Alaska connection, the U.S. president’s attention turns to Twitter, tweeting, “Vlad let me dominate Australia, the easiest region to defend. Sad mistake from such a great strategist!” Following a disapproving look from the Russian president and the acknowledgement the KGB is capable of releasing mounds of compromising information at one time, the tweet is promptly deleted. Trump’s attention drifts away from the game – which now decisively favors Putin – and the meetup between the two is evidently coming to an end. After a farewell marred by an onslaught of distracting hand motions, Trump outstretches his arms to offer his Russian friend a hug, a move that is rejected by Putin’s single extended hand that implies the expectation of a handshake. And with that handshake, Trump departs. Of course, such a scenario is far-fetched, but one thing is certain: U.S. citizens can only hope that meetings between the two for the next four years are as mundane as the aforementioned imaginative scenario. lmisera@kent.edu.
Democratic Moving on from Clinton’s No longer a dying art VIEW loss requires introspection Lydia Taylor Editor’s note: This op-ed represents the views of the Kent State College Democrats. The same opportunity to contribute an op-ed has been extended to the College Republicans.
Let me just make a few points before I delve into my main topic: I volunteered during Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. I met Clinton three times. I cast my first general election vote for Clinton. I have an immense amount of respect for her and what she has accomplished in her career, especially for women in politics. However, with all that being said, I don’t believe Clinton is beyond criticism and critique. There seems to be this phenomenon taking place in politics where acknowledging a candidate’s flaws is tantamount to not supporting them. I saw many Trump supporters who so vehemently disliked Clinton they could not see past this to realize Presidentelect Donald Trump’s many problems. Inversely, I witnessed many Clinton supporters castigate Trump heavily and tell others – be they conservative or progressive – who had a problem with Clinton they were just “buying into propaganda.” I am officially registered as a Democrat and am the president of the College Democrats, so my experiences are primarily with those on the political left. The purpose of this piece is to mainly focus on what cost Clinton the election and how to move forward. Part of moving forward is beginning to place the blame for the continual shellacking Democrats have received since 2010 where it deserves to rest: On ourselves. Sure, factors such as gerrymandering have played a role in the Democrats’ inability to win elections in certain states, but the problem runs deeper than that. The current message of the Democratic Party is not connecting to the constituencies that used to be our bulwark. According to the Washington Post, Clinton received six million fewer votes than President Barack Obama did in 2012, and 10 million fewer than he did in 2008. What does that mean? That means Democrats didn’t show up. That’s not Donald Trump’s fault; that’s the fault of the Democrats. It didn’t help matters that Trump won a constituency that was typically a Democratic hallmark: The working class. “Clinton did not have ties to working-class white voters as strong as those of her husband, who had been governor of Arkansas,” said political historian Mary Frances Berry of the University of Pennsylvania. The Democratic Party is seen by ordinary, working people as “caring about the cultural, managerial and professional elite,” but “not about them.” For some, it may be easy to chalk Trump’s victory up to racism, xenophobia and bigotry – of which there was plenty in his campaign. Yet, it’s not an intellectually honest argument. Many people voted for him simply because they wanted change or because he wasn’t Clinton. Many people – including my father – who voted for Obama twice, supported Trump. They viewed Clinton as a key player in the disastrous free trade policies which have caused many quality jobs to move overseas. While automation is somewhat to blame for the loss of these jobs, there is no doubt that trade agreements like NAFTA, CAFTA and TPP are written by and for large multinational corporations. The only two candidates in the race against these agreements were Trump and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Guess which one made it to the general election? The Democratic Party rose to prominence
Columnist
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks to supporters at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio on Friday, Oct. 21, 2016. Clint Datchuk / The Kent Stater
under the programs of Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. The New Deal, New Frontier and Great Society looked out for organized labor, working class people and those struggling to make it. I’m not saying the Democratic Party still doesn’t or that the Republican Party is somehow preferable, but it makes it harder to make the case to voters when your candidates take huge sums of campaign donations from Wall Street, the pharmaceutical industry and large corporations. I guess my message to progressives is to actually be progressive. I’m immensely proud we have candidates who support a woman’s right to choose, action on climate change and marriage equality. Unfortunately, as I see it, the Democratic Party has embraced neoliberalism when it comes to economic policy. Trying to marry the interests of corporate America with working class citizens has been – and will continue to be – a recipe for disaster. Public opinion polls consistently show that most of the policies we promote, a majority of the public agrees on. Most people don’t think we should cut Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid. Most people think the wealthy and large corporations should pay their fair share in taxes. So what are we afraid of? I’m sure some Democrats won’t like what I have published, and I’m used to it. I don’t think pointing out the flaws I see in the party I identify with makes me a bad Democrat in the slightest. After all, I think the ideas you believe in and hold dear are more meaningful than any party label. These are the types of conversations we as a party need to be having in order to grow stronger; I certainly felt discouraged on election night and wished the outcome had been different, but I’m not giving up. President Kennedy once said, “If by a ‘liberal’ they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people – their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights and their civil liberties – someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a ‘liberal,’ then I’m proud to say I’m a ‘liberal.’” I firmly believe the Democratic Party is still the best vehicle to promote these values and will in the future. I will stay with the party until the day they do not, and I will fight every day to make sure that day never comes. This piece was written by the president of the College Democrats, Anthony Erhardt. Contact him at aerhard1@kent.edu
Put bluntly, award-winning musical “La La Land” was a masterpiece. It practically dominated the 74th Golden Globe Awards with seven wins and rave reviews, a bold piece elegantly choreographed with unique cinematography. Beyond the awards, “La La Land” served a much greater purpose, tasked with reviving a dying artform: musicals. Musicals don’t nearly receive as much attention as they should; the combination of genuine dialogue, singing and dancing is an art that can only be created through months ‒ or even years ‒ of dedication and passion. Musicals evoke a sense of adventure, engulfing onlookers in what are typically deeply emotional storylines. Such pieces express the feelings of the characters in a way that can’t be written on paper or formulated in a single sentence. When you’re reading about a character in a book, you can only imagine how the character may feel when faced with challenges. In a musical, you witness how the character develops through the situations they face. You can hear the shaking in their voice when they’re sad, feel their joy in choreography and experience other emotions personified by rhythms, key changes and dynamics. I’ve heard comments from those who believe the main characters ‒ Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling ‒ should have been replaced with those who have had more experience in the field or people who “knew how to sing and dance.” To that, I say there is not enough focus on the key concept of the musical. “La La Land” was created to tell the audience that dreams can be reached if they want something bad enough and to never give up, no matter how bumpy the road may be. You’re going to have bad days, rough patches and, sometimes, things don’t always go your way, no matter how much you plan in advance. It sucks, I know. But the main message of the musical is to never give up on your dream, no matter how unreachable it may seem. You may go down a different path than the one you were on when going after your dream, but in the end, you’ll find your own happiness. Musicals tell that story better than any other medium could. ltaylo49@kent.edu
Page 4 | Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Perspectives
The Kent Stater
Photos and multimedia through the lenses of Kent State students
Mariam Alrefea helps her daughter Baisan navigate the precarious and icy sidewalks as they walk home from the school bus.
Finding their footing Eslah Attar Photographer The Alrefae family is from a town in Syria called Umm Walad about 80 miles south of Damascus. Because of the worsening conditions, they fled from Syria. After leaving everything behind — save for a few suitcases filled with clothes — and finding refuge in Jordan for a few years, they came to America in July 2016. From mid-November to early December, I spent time almost daily with the Alrefae family. Today, they live in the west side of Cleveland. Mariam, the mother of three children, is working toward getting her license and finding her footing in her new surroundings while dealing with all the responsibilities of being a parent.
Mariam visits the Islamic Center of Cleveland for the first time since she arrived in the United States. "I'm really happy to see a mosque like this because in these four to five months, I haven’t seen a mosque this beautiful."
Photos by Eslah Attar
The Alrefae family enjoys a home-cooked meal at the end of a long day.
News on the conflict in Syria is broadcast on the television while Mohamad Alrefae sleeps in his home in Cleveland.
Wednesday, January 18, 2017 | Page 5
The Kent Stater
Sports
SPORTS EDITOR: HENRY PALATTELLA // HPALATTE@KENT.EDU
Kent State drops fourth in a row with midweek loss to Buffalo Nick Buzzelli Sports Reporter In his six years as head basketball coach, Rob Senderoff has never led a team to a .500 mark midseason. The 43-year-old has been a part of teams at Kent State that have finished a season .500, but he has never had the same number of wins and losses this late in a season. However, after a performance Tuesday at the M.A.C. Center, which he said his team didn’t “play hard enough,” resulting in a 82-69 loss to the State University of New York at Buffalo – the reigning MidAmerican Conference champions – Senderoff is faced with the reality of having to strengthen his players, both mentally and physically, despite having 13 regular season games remaining. “We’re not tough enough; that’s it. Got to get tougher. This league is hard. It’s hard to win games,” Senderoff said. “We’ll figure it out, but we’ve got to figure it out. We’ve played better at stretches and we’re certainly better than we’re playing right now. We got to do a better job.” Though Buffalo scored the game’s first 10 points, jumped out to a early 13-4 advantage during the first four minutes and limited Kent State to 2-7 from the floor, the Flashes responded with five consecutive points by junior guard Kevin Zabo, who finished with 10 off the bench. After redshirt senior forward Jimmy Hall corralled his miss and banked in a layup in the low post to tie the score at 14, he got into a scrum with UB’s Willie Conner. Both players were whistled for a technical foul, but Conner received an ejection for throwing a punch. For Hall, though, that play sparked Kent State, which was in the midst of an eventual 17-0 run, to take its first lead of the contest a little less than seven minutes in. “We were just fired up,” said Hall, who finished with 24 points and 16 rebounds. “A little Kent State junior Desmond Ridenour takes the ball down the court while guarded bythe University at Buffalo sophomore Dontay Caruthers on Tuesday, at the Kent State M.A.C. Center. The scuffle. He got kicked out, got a tech. (Then) we Flashes loss, 69-82. Alyssa Keown / The Kent Stater just started playing like we were supposed to.” “We just got to come together as a team and nois, the Flashes coughed up the ball 12 times ond half … ,” Senderoff said. “Just not winning Kent State led for the first 11:40 of the second in the second half which led Buffalo to score 21 games doing that. That’s it. Not playing hard figure out that we got to defend better. We got half, but the Bulls, who scored 17 of the final 22 to get stops. It starts with me because I’m a points off of turnovers throughout the game, 13 of enough, not playing to win hard enough.” points, went ahead for good courtesy of Nikola Following the loss, Hall said he took some senior, so I’ll put it on me that I didn’t get the which came during the final 12 minutes. Rakicevic’s layup with 6:33 remaining. “The way we’re playing, we’re not going to of the blame on himself and said it was his team [in gear],” he said. “We’ve lost four in a Despite limiting their turnovers in the first beat too many teams. Nine assists, nine turn- responsibility to get his team back on track row. It’s simple." half, something Senderoff continually stressed overs, 54 percent field goal defense in the sec- heading forward. after last week’s overtime loss to Northern Illinbuzzel1@kent.edu
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Kent State Student Media is seeking motivated students to join our office staff in spring 2017. Available hours are Tuesday and Thursdays from 11am-5pm. Additional hours could be included. Duties include: answering phones; taking classified orders, supply replenishment; distribution of materials throughout Franklin Hall; greeting customers, students and faculty/staff; data entry; and other duties as assigned. This position also includes a writing component. Staff member will research and write copy as assigned for special sections, sponsored content and other projects as assigned. Interested candidates should email tbongior@ kent.edu for an application.
All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” State and local laws forbid discrimination based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. If you feel you have been wrongfully denied housing or discriminated against, call the FHAA at 330-253-2450 for more information. Now Leasing for 2017 REMODELED houses for rent 2,3,4,5,6,9 and 10 bedrooms Beautiful and close to KSU Starting at $385/mo (330) 552-7032 Luxury 4 Bedroom large rooms and yard Deck, Patio, Fire Pit FREE washer/dryer and parking 330-714-0819
Leasing for fall, newer 5 bedroom 2 bathroom house. Huge private yard, large deck, close to campus $1550/mo. Call or Text Mike 330-554-3976 5/6 Bedroom House for Rent to Students. Call 330-592-1848 for details.
To place advertising, call (330) 672-2586, email ads@ksustudentmedia.com, or visit us in 205 Franklin Hall, Kent State University. Business hours are 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday.
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Page 6 | Wednesday, January 18, 2017
The Kent Stater