Kent Stater
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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2017
Downtown gets over summer slump Page 8
2 ‘Survivor’: The 4 freshman edition Fired coach lacked certification; 5 job application says otherwise Trump administration announces
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Waka Flocka Flame to open fall concert
What you need to know: Trump administration announces end to DACA Lydia Taylor Editor
Waka Flocka Flame at the Firefly Music Festival in Dover, Delaware, on June 18, 2017. Amy Harris / REX / Shutterstock
Quaylyn Hairston Entertainment Reporter Waka Flocka Flame will be the opening act for the Lil Uzi Vert concert this fall, Kent State's Undergraduate Student Government (USG) announced on Twitter Wednesday. The announcement for the Oct. 8 show came after 300 students retweeted USG’s opening act teaser. Waka Flocka Flame hit platinum with his 2010 song “No Hands,” featuring Roscoe Dash and Wale. He is also known for popular songs such as “Hard in Da Paint,” “Grove St. Party” and his new single “Big Dawg." He was featured on Cleveland-based rapper Machine Gun Kelly's platinum single "Wild Boy" in 2011. Tickets go on sale Monday, which students will be able to purchase online or at the M.A.C. Center. Contact Quaylyn Hairston at qhairsto@kent.edu.
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The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that began in June 2012 under former President Barack Obama, is coming to an end, the Trump administration announced Tuesday in Washington. The program allows undocumented immigrants who are minors — otherwise known as “Dreamers” — into the U.S. with a two-year work permit and two years of deferred action from deportation. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the dismantling of the program, and said the program is an “open-ended circumvention of immigration law through unconstitutional authority by the executive branch.” The Department of Homeland Security announced those who currently have work permits can remain in the U.S. until it expires, but it will no longer accept new applications for the program. If a permit expires before March 5, 2018, Dreamers will be able to renew the permit up until Oct. 5, which will allow them to remain in the U.S. for an additional two years, according to the DHS website. The DHS also stated the applications it has already received prior to the announcement will be reviewed in an appropriate manner and considered for the program. Eric Mansfield, Kent State's executive director of University Media Relations, released a statement Tuesday in response to the Trump administration’s announcement: “Kent State University will explore every option to support DACA students who call our campuses home. We are committed to all students who seek to complete their education
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lydia Taylor ltaylo49@kent.edu
DESIGN DIRECTOR Ray Padilla rpadill2@kent.edu
OPINION EDITOR Lucas Misera lmisera@kent.edu
DIGITAL DIRECTOR Ray Padilla rpadill2@kent.edu
SPORTS EDITOR Henry Palattella hpalatte@kent.edu
MANAGING EDITOR Jenna Kuczkowski jkuczkow@kent.edu
PHOTO DIRECTOR Austin Mariasy amariasy@kent.edu
GENERAL ASSIGNMENT EDITOR Jack Kopanski jkopansk@kent.edu
ENTERPRISE EDITOR Andrew Keiper akeiper@kent.edu
FEATURES EDITOR Rachel Duthie rduthie@kent.edu
ILLUSTRATOR Michaela Courtney mcourtn4@kent.edu CARTOONIST Joseph McGrellis jmcgrell@kent.edu
ASSIGNING EDITORS Nicholas Hunter nhunter6@kent.edu McKenna Corson mcorson2@kent.edu SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Rachel Stevenson rsteve15@kent.edu INNOVATIONS DIRECTOR Emma Keating ekeatin2@kent.edu
on their way to making a positive impact on the world.” ‘Dreamers’ per Year Kent State allows Dreamers to enroll as international students, but they can also 500000 apply for the cost of in-state tuition along with over 400 scholarship programs. 400000 Dreamers in the program who wish to achieve an education at any university in 300000 the U.S. must have graduated from a public, private or secondary high school. If they 200000 haven’t graduated, they must be currently enrolled, according to the DHS website. 100000 Since 2012, there are nearly 800,000 dreamers in the U.S., according to data from the 0 U.S. Citizenship and Immi2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 gration Services. Year In previous years, Congress tried to turn DACA into Data courtesy of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services a law rather than a program. utors here in the United States. The fact that An example of this was the DREAM we value their opportunity to value an eduAct. The bill first came to the Senate floor in cation leads to many of the those students August 2001. It was denied and has since been remaining and being productive citizens in reintroduced several times, but never passed. the United States,” Warren said in the interSince the Trump administration's decision view. to wait six months to end DACA, Congress “Our rule has been (the same as that) of has time to decide to act on it. Trump called the inter-university council presidents, and on Congress in a series of tweets, encouraging went on record and wrote a letter to our repthem to review the program. resentatives of Congress, and say that we are In an interview with President Beverly in support of DACA students and continuing Warren in January 2017, she said the uni- to permit DACA students to engage in our versity will continue to protect all students, learning environments and higher education.” including those in the DACA program, to the Contact Lydia Taylor at ltaylo49@kent.edu. best of its ability. “These students are great, great contribNumber of Accepted Applicants
2 The Kent Stater
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FOR KENT STATE STUDENTS ONLY BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL TANDEM SKYDIVE ONLY $159.00 EXPIRES 09/30/17
Canton Airsports 14008 Union Avenue Alliance, Ohio 44601 330.823.0370 skydivecanton.com
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KentWired.com 3
4 The Kent Stater
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Valerie Royzman Copy Desk Chief
‘Survivor’
The freshman edition
‘Tis the season for freshmen beginning their school experience all over again — this time, the college campus version. It means kissing mom’s cooking goodbye and parting ways with beloved high school friends, only to trade it in to live with a possible stranger and a new normal to navigate. Most freshmen are probably feeling the pressure to reinvent their social lives, handing out phone numbers left and right, and breaking the dreaded curfew which no longer looms over their heads. Kent State’s wide-eyed, bushy-tailed newcomers are experiencing a transitional time in their lives. Campus is buzzing with interactive events, like BlastOff and Real Late Reels. Clubs and organizations are scouting out new members. Students are learning the ins and outs of adulthood as they begin living on their own and feeling comfortable with roommates. The freshmen class of 2021 had mixed feelings about their first week on campus. Here’s what some of them said:
Iyanna Cooper, a business management major Best part of week one: “Going around campus and seeing everyone, and meeting new people.” Worst part of week one: “The far walk between classes in a short amount of time.” Describe it in three words: “Excited, anxious, overwhelmed.”
Lydia Sherman, a biology major
Best part of week one: “Getting to experience the college life for the first time, and also making new friends.” Worst part of week one: “Waking up early and having to figure out where my classes were in relation to each other.” Hardest part of the college experience: “Having to use a community bathroom is one of the worst things, and not having as much privacy.” Describe it in three words: “Different, nerve-wracking and rushed.”
Lacey Charles, a fashion merchandising major Best part of week one: “Probably going out with my friends parties.” Worst part of week : “I got lost a couple of times.” Describe it in three words: “Exciting, fun and nervewracking.”
Martin Collyer, an engineering technology major Best part of week one: “The hypnotist (at Welcome Weekend). It was hilarious.” Worst part of week one: “Probably it was my legs. Got cramps because I was biking and walking literally everywhere I went.” Describe it in three words: “Stress, work and fun.”
Donald Kusky, a biology major
Best part of week one: “Well, that’s a very hard thing to talk about. I met like 15 new people this week, and I guess I got better at playing pool. And I had a movie night (in my dorm). Only like three people showed up, but still.” Worst part of week one: “Flashcash — they kept denying it. I’m still waiting on pre-orders to come in.” Also: “For the game, I’m gonna be all decked out. I’m going to wear a wig and paint my face and everything.”
Taminique Blackwell, a psychology major Best part of week one: “Welcome weekend — I really liked BlastOff. Seeing all the clubs and meeting everybody.” Worst part of week one: “Nothing so far.” Describe it in three words: “Easy, fun and different.” Also: “It was my first time going to Insomnia Cookies. We went at 2 (a.m.). It was good, but overpriced.”
Lucy Antalek, an integrated language arts major
Best part of week one: “Finding out that some change is acceptable, while some change you need to stand your ground against.” Worst part of week one: “Dragging the past into the future.” Describe it in three words: “Invigorating, satisfying and hopeful.” Also: “It was my first day of public school. I nearly missed the bus on my first day. I ran up waving like a mad woman. It was terrifying, but I got on.”
Briana Turner, a psychology major
Best part of week one: “I guess just meeting all the people in my dorm. Just sitting and talking.” Worst part of week one: “Knowing that not everyone knows where I come from. Nobody can relate.” Describe it in three words: “Very confusing emotions.” Also: “Overall, I like it here. I feel at home. The transition is just complicated.”
Ozee Freeman, a criminology major
Best part of week one: “Rosie’s chicken sandwiches. I had like eight or nine of them.” Worst part of week one: “Finding my roommate’s diss letter.” Describe it in three words: “What the hell.” Also: “Dunbar has no A/C. I’m out all day. Sometimes I just want to come back and get under my blankets with some A/C. I can’t do that.” Contact Valerie Royzman at vroyzman@kent.edu.
‘‘
Overall, I like it here. I feel at home. The transition is just complicated.” – Briana Turner Freshman psychology major
Thursday, September 7, 2017
KentWired.com 5
Sports SPORTS EDITOR: HENRY PALATTELLA (HPALATTE@KENT.EDU)
Fired coach lacked certification; job application says otherwise Henry Palattella Sports Editor Ross Bowsher, the former Kent State football strength and conditioning coach supervising the June 13 practice where football player Tyler Heintz died, said on his job application in 2015 he was nationally certified. Kent State released a statement Aug.14 announcing Bowsher's dismissal after an internal review found he provided false information about his certification. The statement also said the university’s review found the workout was conducted “in accordance with national protocols for student-athlete health and safety, and the session was supervised appropriately by qualified personnel.” KentWired obtained a copy of the form and Bowsher’s resume through a public records request. A question on the 15-page document Bowsher submitted when he applied for the strength coach position asked, “Are you certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association?” Bowsher checked the “yes” box. Heintz, a freshman offensive lineman, collapsed on the second day of summer workouts. The preliminary cause of death was hyperthermia, according to the Portage County coroner’s office. A final cause of death and autopsy report are pending. In a statement on Aug. 17, Bowsher said he was disappointed the university said the workout was conducted professionally at the same time it said he was dismissed for not being certified. Five certified personnel were also present at the workout, according to the university's statement. “This statement has led some to suggest that my involvement in the June 13 workout somehow contributed to Tyler Heintz’s death, which is absolutely untrue,” Bowsher said. He also said, “The university has always been fully aware of my credentials. I’ve always been transparent with officials at Kent State University regarding my extensive education and experience that have allowed me to successfully coach collegiate athletes for the last 11 years.” Bowsher declined to comment through his spokesperson about which officials at the uni-
See documents on Tyler Heintz, right, died after a morning workout with the Kent State football team June 13. Heat was likely a factor in the death, according to the Portage County coroner.
versity were aware of his certification status. NCAA bylaw 11.5 states a strength coach “must maintain current certification through a nationally accredited strength and conditioning certification program.” When asked who was in charge of hiring Bowsher, university spokesperson Eric Mansfield said, “Kent State does not comment on personnel matters.” Bowsher, who applied for the position in January 2015, also said on his application and resume he was a professional member of the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa) and that he completed the 18-Credit Hour National Strength and Condi-
tioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning program. Both Bowsher’s application and his resume say he sat for the “Master Strength Coach Exam” in May 2016, calling it the highest honor in the profession and that it requires 12 years of college strength and conditioning experience. The resume does not say if he passed the test or not. Chuck Stiggins, executive director of the CSCCa, verified Bowsher is not certified through his agency. Bowsher also lacks NSCA qualifications. In response to an enquiry from Kent State’s Bob Lemieux, the assistant athletic director for sports performance, Scott Caulfield of the NSCA wrote in an email he
couldn’t “find anything on Ross Bowsher so it looks like he has never been certified with us.” Caulfield encouraged Lemieux to officially request Bowsher’s standing with the association. Bowsher previously worked at Butler University, Purdue University and Arkansas Tech University. When contacted to comment about the contents of his job application and resume, Bowsher’s spokesperson directed KentWired to his original statement.
Contact Henry Palattella at hpalatte@kent.edu.
6 The Kent Stater
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Key players of downtown Kent Cameron Gorman Features Reporter On most days, the streets of downtown Kent are a hub for the community. Students mill about the entrances to bars and coffee shops, chatting with their friends. The occasional skateboarder or cyclist whizzes by, while families duck in and out of the small businesses that line the light-strung corridors of Acorn Alley. It’s a place buzzing with life and though it may all look like the product of unconnected business owners on the surface, some of your favorite bars, eateries and areas may be the work of a few people looking to invest in Kent’s future and cement the city’s foundation.
Mike Beder
Part of: Tree City Coffee, Franklin Hotel Bar, Taproot Catering Owns: Water Street Tavern, Venice Cafe When he was attending Kent State for a general studies degree, Mike Beder was working at the nowdefunct Robin Hood, where he’d been from 1999 to 2000. Successful at promoting the bar, and always the self-described “kid with the lemonade stand,” Beder felt he could try the business for himself. After graduating from Kent, Beder felt the market downtown, and opened his first Kent business — Water Street Tavern — in 2001. After this, Beder would go on to open a string of other businesses,
including one which was lost in a fire. “I’d say a year or two into it, I started getting more involved in the community. I’m on the board of directors for the Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Kent too,” Beder said. “I think when I started I was pretty solely student-focused, and then as I changed from a student who is an employee to someone who is making their living in the downtown, I got to understand the community a little more, and what needs were there.” As his entrepreneurial life took off, Beder saw the community changing with the types of businesses it welcomed, like the local Tree City Coffee and Pastry. “I think there’s the opportunity for more destination-type places for the city, I think that would benefit the community as a whole to see more destination places,” Beder said. Beder, who is now one of the entrepreneurs in residence for the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation program, is also a part of the new Franklin Hotel Bar. “The city itself is very supportive of small business, and I also think the small business owners for the most part are pretty friendly with each other and helpful. I think there’s probably more a sense of community than competition for the most part.” Through his time as an owner, Beder also picked up on some important lessons in the business -- namely that though ownership allows for freedom, it is still a job, with a goal of serving others. Still, elements of Kent have helped him stay around the area to build his influence, including that his businesses are all in a convenient “two-
Ronald Burbick Part of: Treno, Franklin Hotel Bar Owner: The Burbick Companies, Acorn Alley I, Acorn Alley II, Acorn Corner, master lease on shops under PARTA President: The Burbick Foundation When Ronald Burbick was living and working in Kent, he was “overseas probably 70 percent of the time.” “I really wasn’t here that much. I did get involved a little bit with the Chamber of Commerce, but other than that I was pretty uninvolved,” Burbick said. “It wasn’t until I got involved in the leadership of Portage County and then ultimately Main Street Kent that the interest really grew in doing something. And it also helped that I just sold my major interest in my former company, so I had a lot of capital to work with.” Burbick began to envision a new identity for downtown Kent when he became interested in Main Street Kent, planning to turn a one-story building into a two-story “as an example of what could be done,” as part of the concept was to keep the ground level of buildings retail-only. “The idea was I was going to do one building and show what could be done,” Burbick said. “Well before I even had, before that one building even got off the drawing boards, there was so much interest that I ended up buying the three buildings next to it, and made it a larger involvement that became Acorn Alley I.”
Before the changes, Kent was a place where residence and visitors could get a beer or a tattoo, but not much else, Burbick said. This led to the main concept behind Main Street Kent turning the city into a destination. “Yeah, the vision grew as I got more involved in it, but yeah, it started out that way, and then I ended up with a lot of vacant land behind the buildings on Main Street, so I built those new buildings there and that became Acorn Alley II,” Burbick said. “And then the corner of the old hotel became available. That’s where the Franklin Hotel Bar and the Buffalo Wild Wings is. Plus there’s apartments in the top two floors, and there’s also businesses on the third floor.” Burbick estimates the development of Kent has brought about 500 jobs and a lot of revenue to the city. These changes are echoed on campus by the improvement of Kent’s Esplanade and other areas such as the Wick Poetry Center, which Burbick contributed to through his foundation. “I see Kent developing even further. I see a lot more — there’s still a lot more development (that) can go on downtown. But to do that, we’ve got to get more industry into Kent, and there’s an effort ongoing to do that,” Burbick said. “So I see Kent as becoming kind of like the Ann Arbor of Ohio.” Burbick, who tries to “nurture” new business owners in Kent, added computer-based industries like programming could be the next step for the city. “I see it as just continuing to grow, as long as the university continues to support the downtown, and the city continues to ... provide the help that they have, and there are developers around like me that are crazy enough to do this stuff, I think. We can be successful long-term,” Burbick said. Contact Cameron Gorman at cgorman2@kent.edu.
Acorn Alley before the hustle and bustle of the daily rush on Wednesday. Austin Mariasy / The Kent Stater
block radius,” something he may not have imagined when first starting to expand his enterprises. “I didn’t have a long-term plan,” Beder said. “I think I just got, I don’t know, I think I just saw other
opportunities, and the part of doing all this stuff that excites me is always the creating of the new idea or the new place or concept or whatever, so I always like opportunities like that.”
Michael Awad
Part of: Franklin Hotel Bar, Treno, Rise and Shine Cafe Owner: Main Street Continental Grill, Laziza, Jabbour’s Apparel, Overlook Grill
Treno owner Michael Awad (left) discusses table placement in the main dining area with Jill Pugh on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017. Carter Adams / The Kent Stater
Michael Awad moved from the D.C. area to the city of Kent looking to retire. Instead, around 2005, he opened his first business — the Main Street Continental Grill — when he was drawn to Kent’s air of community. “Well, the university had a lot to do with it, … but really, honestly, it was just the people,” Awad said. “They just opened up their arms to us. It was just — I don’t know, you know. I lived in the D.C.-Virginia area for about 30 years, but this was definitely home when we met our Kent neighbors.” Awad did face challenges in opening his restaurant — getting to know the people of Kent, namely — but he was confident in their offerings. “You know, a lot of these people in Kent were health-conscious, and we offered a fresh, healthy food that we’re making from scratch here,” Awad said. “So it took us a little while to take off, but once we took off, my God, we
haven’t looked back.” The progress Awad has made in Kent was not his original plan. After selling businesses in the D.C. area, he was looking to open “one little place to run.” Then came Ron Burbick, who approached him about a spot downtown. Awad opened Laziza, along with owning and becoming involved in several other businesses in Burbick’s complex. “You know what, with me and Ron you never know. We could be opening something tomorrow, I’ll leave it at that. I love Kent, and whatever I can do in Kent, I would do it,” Awad said. “I mean, I’ve been approached by many mayors, by many people in the surrounding area to expand into their area. This is home for me. This is home, I mean Kent is home. I love the people, the people love us and we’re staying here. We have no plans to go anywhere else.” Now, Awad is working with Burbick to open Treno in the building of the old Pufferbelly restaurant. “I’m very proud to be part of Kent,” Awad said, “I strive for that. I wake up every day, you know, enjoying coming into work, because I know the reward. At the end, these people really appreciate what we’re doing for them, and we appreciate them. We have brought a community together, and ... basically we’ve become a destination.”
Inside of Scribbles Coffee Co. in downtown Kent. Jonathan Sepchinski / The Kent Stater
Art Supplies at All Media in downtown Kent. Jonathan Sepchinski / The Kent Stater
KentWired.com 7
Local businesses adjust to start of fall semester Dylan Reynolds Business and Neighborhoods Reporter As Kent State students adjust to their class schedules this semester, area businesses are adapting and preparing for those students to become their new customers. Brian Smith, manager of All Media Art Supply in Kent, estimated that 80 percent of the shop’s customers are students. “The only reason we’re here is because students are in town,” he said. Smith added during the summer, when most of All Media Art Supply’s customers are out of town, the shop prepares for the arrival of fall. “We’ve (been around) long enough to know that the summertime is slow, so we’ve got other things we do in the summer that we don’t do in the school year,” he said. “We clean. We just do the things we don’t have time for.” Jenn Richards, co-owner of Scribbles Coffee Co., agreed that the presence of students in town is good for business. She pointed to sales data from the beginning of this month, which shows a 36 percent increase in sales from the same period in August. The shop recently hired three new employees to handle the extra customers. During the summer, Scribbles takes advantage of the absence of students to update and renovate the building. “It’s slower, which is kind of good for us, because that’s usually the time when we do a lot of our remodeling,” Richards said, noting that this year’s updates are ongoing. Richards explained the demographic of customers changes during the school year. “It’s usually a little bit louder and crazier in the summer, because we do tend to get more families. When the students come back, it’s generally a little bit more studious,” she said, despite the larger crowds. Lori Wemhoff, executive director of the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce, said many businesses are able to draw that different demographic during the summer because “Kent has become a destination.” “You’re getting people coming here from Hudson and Stow and Ravenna and Aurora ... to shop and eat,” Wemhoff said. “And that’s because, I firmly believe the eclectic, unique opportunities that are here. And you’re finding, when you’re sitting in Panini’s on a Sunday night, that there’s people ... coming from other neighborhoods, other towns.” In 2016, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of Kent at over 30,000, which almost mirrors the number of students at the university. With half of the town being college students, Smith has come to love the unique position of managing a college-town business. “It’s nice having the young people around. They keep us out of trouble,” he joked. “There’s no drawback.” Richards said she enjoys her shop’s ability to develop a relationship with returning students. “We get to know a lot of our customers,” she said, “and that to us is one of our favorite things, because we can build those relationships.” For new students and those unfamiliar with the city, Wemhoff encouraged them to explore the variety of businesses near campus. “I just think the students, staff and faculty need to take advantage of everything that we have here downtown,” she said. “There’s a lot of great places to shop and eat. A lot of things to do.” Contact Dylan Reynolds at dreyno18@kent.edu.
6 The Kent Stater
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Key players of downtown Kent Cameron Gorman Features Reporter On most days, the streets of downtown Kent are a hub for the community. Students mill about the entrances to bars and coffee shops, chatting with their friends. The occasional skateboarder or cyclist whizzes by, while families duck in and out of the small businesses that line the light-strung corridors of Acorn Alley. It’s a place buzzing with life and though it may all look like the product of unconnected business owners on the surface, some of your favorite bars, eateries and areas may be the work of a few people looking to invest in Kent’s future and cement the city’s foundation.
Mike Beder
Part of: Tree City Coffee, Franklin Hotel Bar, Taproot Catering Owns: Water Street Tavern, Venice Cafe When he was attending Kent State for a general studies degree, Mike Beder was working at the nowdefunct Robin Hood, where he’d been from 1999 to 2000. Successful at promoting the bar, and always the self-described “kid with the lemonade stand,” Beder felt he could try the business for himself. After graduating from Kent, Beder felt the market downtown, and opened his first Kent business — Water Street Tavern — in 2001. After this, Beder would go on to open a string of other businesses,
including one which was lost in a fire. “I’d say a year or two into it, I started getting more involved in the community. I’m on the board of directors for the Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Kent too,” Beder said. “I think when I started I was pretty solely student-focused, and then as I changed from a student who is an employee to someone who is making their living in the downtown, I got to understand the community a little more, and what needs were there.” As his entrepreneurial life took off, Beder saw the community changing with the types of businesses it welcomed, like the local Tree City Coffee and Pastry. “I think there’s the opportunity for more destination-type places for the city, I think that would benefit the community as a whole to see more destination places,” Beder said. Beder, who is now one of the entrepreneurs in residence for the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation program, is also a part of the new Franklin Hotel Bar. “The city itself is very supportive of small business, and I also think the small business owners for the most part are pretty friendly with each other and helpful. I think there’s probably more a sense of community than competition for the most part.” Through his time as an owner, Beder also picked up on some important lessons in the business -- namely that though ownership allows for freedom, it is still a job, with a goal of serving others. Still, elements of Kent have helped him stay around the area to build his influence, including that his businesses are all in a convenient “two-
Ronald Burbick Part of: Treno, Franklin Hotel Bar Owner: The Burbick Companies, Acorn Alley I, Acorn Alley II, Acorn Corner, master lease on shops under PARTA President: The Burbick Foundation When Ronald Burbick was living and working in Kent, he was “overseas probably 70 percent of the time.” “I really wasn’t here that much. I did get involved a little bit with the Chamber of Commerce, but other than that I was pretty uninvolved,” Burbick said. “It wasn’t until I got involved in the leadership of Portage County and then ultimately Main Street Kent that the interest really grew in doing something. And it also helped that I just sold my major interest in my former company, so I had a lot of capital to work with.” Burbick began to envision a new identity for downtown Kent when he became interested in Main Street Kent, planning to turn a one-story building into a two-story “as an example of what could be done,” as part of the concept was to keep the ground level of buildings retail-only. “The idea was I was going to do one building and show what could be done,” Burbick said. “Well before I even had, before that one building even got off the drawing boards, there was so much interest that I ended up buying the three buildings next to it, and made it a larger involvement that became Acorn Alley I.”
Before the changes, Kent was a place where residence and visitors could get a beer or a tattoo, but not much else, Burbick said. This led to the main concept behind Main Street Kent turning the city into a destination. “Yeah, the vision grew as I got more involved in it, but yeah, it started out that way, and then I ended up with a lot of vacant land behind the buildings on Main Street, so I built those new buildings there and that became Acorn Alley II,” Burbick said. “And then the corner of the old hotel became available. That’s where the Franklin Hotel Bar and the Buffalo Wild Wings is. Plus there’s apartments in the top two floors, and there’s also businesses on the third floor.” Burbick estimates the development of Kent has brought about 500 jobs and a lot of revenue to the city. These changes are echoed on campus by the improvement of Kent’s Esplanade and other areas such as the Wick Poetry Center, which Burbick contributed to through his foundation. “I see Kent developing even further. I see a lot more — there’s still a lot more development (that) can go on downtown. But to do that, we’ve got to get more industry into Kent, and there’s an effort ongoing to do that,” Burbick said. “So I see Kent as becoming kind of like the Ann Arbor of Ohio.” Burbick, who tries to “nurture” new business owners in Kent, added computer-based industries like programming could be the next step for the city. “I see it as just continuing to grow, as long as the university continues to support the downtown, and the city continues to ... provide the help that they have, and there are developers around like me that are crazy enough to do this stuff, I think. We can be successful long-term,” Burbick said. Contact Cameron Gorman at cgorman2@kent.edu.
Acorn Alley before the hustle and bustle of the daily rush on Wednesday. Austin Mariasy / The Kent Stater
block radius,” something he may not have imagined when first starting to expand his enterprises. “I didn’t have a long-term plan,” Beder said. “I think I just got, I don’t know, I think I just saw other
opportunities, and the part of doing all this stuff that excites me is always the creating of the new idea or the new place or concept or whatever, so I always like opportunities like that.”
Michael Awad
Part of: Franklin Hotel Bar, Treno, Rise and Shine Cafe Owner: Main Street Continental Grill, Laziza, Jabbour’s Apparel, Overlook Grill
Treno owner Michael Awad (left) discusses table placement in the main dining area with Jill Pugh on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017. Carter Adams / The Kent Stater
Michael Awad moved from the D.C. area to the city of Kent looking to retire. Instead, around 2005, he opened his first business — the Main Street Continental Grill — when he was drawn to Kent’s air of community. “Well, the university had a lot to do with it, … but really, honestly, it was just the people,” Awad said. “They just opened up their arms to us. It was just — I don’t know, you know. I lived in the D.C.-Virginia area for about 30 years, but this was definitely home when we met our Kent neighbors.” Awad did face challenges in opening his restaurant — getting to know the people of Kent, namely — but he was confident in their offerings. “You know, a lot of these people in Kent were health-conscious, and we offered a fresh, healthy food that we’re making from scratch here,” Awad said. “So it took us a little while to take off, but once we took off, my God, we
haven’t looked back.” The progress Awad has made in Kent was not his original plan. After selling businesses in the D.C. area, he was looking to open “one little place to run.” Then came Ron Burbick, who approached him about a spot downtown. Awad opened Laziza, along with owning and becoming involved in several other businesses in Burbick’s complex. “You know what, with me and Ron you never know. We could be opening something tomorrow, I’ll leave it at that. I love Kent, and whatever I can do in Kent, I would do it,” Awad said. “I mean, I’ve been approached by many mayors, by many people in the surrounding area to expand into their area. This is home for me. This is home, I mean Kent is home. I love the people, the people love us and we’re staying here. We have no plans to go anywhere else.” Now, Awad is working with Burbick to open Treno in the building of the old Pufferbelly restaurant. “I’m very proud to be part of Kent,” Awad said, “I strive for that. I wake up every day, you know, enjoying coming into work, because I know the reward. At the end, these people really appreciate what we’re doing for them, and we appreciate them. We have brought a community together, and ... basically we’ve become a destination.”
Inside of Scribbles Coffee Co. in downtown Kent. Jonathan Sepchinski / The Kent Stater
Art Supplies at All Media in downtown Kent. Jonathan Sepchinski / The Kent Stater
KentWired.com 7
Local businesses adjust to start of fall semester Dylan Reynolds Business and Neighborhoods Reporter As Kent State students adjust to their class schedules this semester, area businesses are adapting and preparing for those students to become their new customers. Brian Smith, manager of All Media Art Supply in Kent, estimated that 80 percent of the shop’s customers are students. “The only reason we’re here is because students are in town,” he said. Smith added during the summer, when most of All Media Art Supply’s customers are out of town, the shop prepares for the arrival of fall. “We’ve (been around) long enough to know that the summertime is slow, so we’ve got other things we do in the summer that we don’t do in the school year,” he said. “We clean. We just do the things we don’t have time for.” Jenn Richards, co-owner of Scribbles Coffee Co., agreed that the presence of students in town is good for business. She pointed to sales data from the beginning of this month, which shows a 36 percent increase in sales from the same period in August. The shop recently hired three new employees to handle the extra customers. During the summer, Scribbles takes advantage of the absence of students to update and renovate the building. “It’s slower, which is kind of good for us, because that’s usually the time when we do a lot of our remodeling,” Richards said, noting that this year’s updates are ongoing. Richards explained the demographic of customers changes during the school year. “It’s usually a little bit louder and crazier in the summer, because we do tend to get more families. When the students come back, it’s generally a little bit more studious,” she said, despite the larger crowds. Lori Wemhoff, executive director of the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce, said many businesses are able to draw that different demographic during the summer because “Kent has become a destination.” “You’re getting people coming here from Hudson and Stow and Ravenna and Aurora ... to shop and eat,” Wemhoff said. “And that’s because, I firmly believe the eclectic, unique opportunities that are here. And you’re finding, when you’re sitting in Panini’s on a Sunday night, that there’s people ... coming from other neighborhoods, other towns.” In 2016, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of Kent at over 30,000, which almost mirrors the number of students at the university. With half of the town being college students, Smith has come to love the unique position of managing a college-town business. “It’s nice having the young people around. They keep us out of trouble,” he joked. “There’s no drawback.” Richards said she enjoys her shop’s ability to develop a relationship with returning students. “We get to know a lot of our customers,” she said, “and that to us is one of our favorite things, because we can build those relationships.” For new students and those unfamiliar with the city, Wemhoff encouraged them to explore the variety of businesses near campus. “I just think the students, staff and faculty need to take advantage of everything that we have here downtown,” she said. “There’s a lot of great places to shop and eat. A lot of things to do.” Contact Dylan Reynolds at dreyno18@kent.edu.
8 The Kent Stater
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Opinion
SUBMISSIONS: 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 lmisera@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 VIEWS
College gadgets worth your investment Kyle Fitch College offers a litany of stressful encounters, and coming in with the right equipment to get the year started is crucial. Professors immediately start assigning work, overdue papers start piling up and the jam-packed schedule of college takes its toll as early as the first week. If not properly armed to fight off the pressures of college, students might find themselves defenseless. First, look for a quality book bag, an incredible product that people might take for granted. Backpacks help distribute the weight of your objects evenly onto your shoulders and back, and they’re perfect for organization, comfort and serving as a source of style. Along the lines of technological requirements, students need to connect to the internet via an ocean of gizmos and gadgets. A laptop is a must in college; while most schools have computer labs and libraries, there is nothing like being able to autofill all of your passwords and emails. The convenience of owning a laptop outweighs potentially steep prices by far. Also consider a tablet. While a laptop is a more powerful, larger version of a tablet, using tablets for something like storing electronic texts can save you money and some space in your backpack. Beyond obvious necessities like a basic computer or tablet, some college students might find the more luxurious side of technology to be a necessity. For instance, consider how accessible such a broad array of music is today. That music can help students relax or keep them occupied while taking a study break, walking to class or waiting for lecture halls to open. Given the importance of music, portable speakers are a nice luxury that most college students will appreciate. Having a reliable room-filling speaker is great for hosting friends, and many high-quality speakers are now luckily quite inexpensive. Since we’ve covered what you do need in college, what
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Our View: An open letter to ‘anti-Dreamers’ Editoral Board Hey “anti-Dreamers,” Your exceptionalism is showing. In your misguided effort to “Make America Great Again,” you’ve decided to jeopardize the future of hardworking Dreamers. The people that your government is removing from this country are the same people keeping the American Dream intact, families who came here with nothing in the hopes of building a better life. The striking irony is that the Dreamers under threat of deportation after President Donald Trump rolled back the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, philosophically speaking, are the most American
of Americans. Just less than a century ago, the United States was a beacon of hope, a place for members of the international community to seek a safe haven from disastrous conditions overseas. When those same immigrants came to America, many came through Ellis Island. Lady Liberty watched from less than a mile away, urging the world to send its “homeless” and “tempest-tossed” while promising a better tomorrow. Today, immigrants continue to come because America can still be that better tomorrow. They come because they want to work with the blue-collar mentality that shaped the
Opinion Editor: Lucas Misera Managing Editor: Jenna Kuczkowski Sports Editor: Henry Palattella Assigning Editor: Nicholas Hunter
about things that might be unnecessary? Unless you’re a gamer, you don’t need a television. With a laptop or tablet, you now have easy access to TV shows, movies and gaming. Printers may also be unnecessary. Very few professors require you to turn in physical copies of papers, and most computer labs have printers that let students print off assignments for a few cents a page. Finally, I’d argue that cookware may not be needed. How so? First: If you live on campus, you have a meal plan. Why cook?
If not properly armed to fight off the pressures of college, students might find themselves defenseless. – Kyle Fitch
EDITORIAL BOARD
attitude of this entire nation that was forged in its colonial roots. When the Trump administration tells people who try to travel here under the guise of the American Dream that we won’t accept their exhaustive pursuit of life, liberty and happiness, Americans need to emphasize that such a policy contradicts our most basic principles. In his effort to “Make American Great Again,” President Donald Trump might just be choosing the most un-American route available. This column is the consensus opinion of The Kent Stater editorial board, whose names are listed below.
Enterprise Editor: Andrew Keiper Features Editor: Rachel Duthie Editor: Lydia Taylor
But for older students, those living off campus shouldn’t buy a huge kitchen collection, either. Realistically, how well can the normal college students cook? Here’s a hint: My cooking consists of a microwave, ramen or mac and cheese and a bowl. Preparation, much like anything else, is key. So as we head into the third week of classes, be aware of everything you might need to get through this semester and avoid the extra stuff that’ll get in the way. Kyle Fitch is a columnist. Contact him at kfitch5@kent.edu.
Cheers&Jeers
Cheers to ... moving on. After Kent State football’s crushing 56-3 defeat at Clemson University Saturday, ESPN’s “Matchup Predictor” gives the Flashes 95.9 percent chance of beating upcoming Football Championship Subdivision opponent Howard University this upcoming weekend.
Jeers to ... nightmares come true. Red balloons similar to those shown in the trailer for the remake of “It” are popping up around Pennsylvania towns near sewage drains. Simultaneously, jeers to clowns being relevant again.
Thursday, September 7, 2017
It’s time to admit I was wrong about Trevor Bauer
SHANNON KOVACH’S VIEW
Jack Kopanski
Bidding our bulletin board goodbye Matthew Olienechak A new school year always brings changes. Whether that’s new food options in the HUB, renovated buildings or a new reception area in the residence halls, returning students are experiencing the changes that have taken place over the summer. And while these are typically met with either mild approval or complete disinterest, there’s one alteration to the Student Center that seems to be drawing a more pronounced reaction, at least from my perspective: What happened to our beloved bulletin cylinder? For as long as I’ve been here (which is not an insubstantial amount of time, I can assure you), those traveling between the HUB and the Student Center have been greeted by our cylindrical friend, colorfully adorned with posters and leaflets.
KentWired.com 9
Groups from all around campus would post advertisements there, hoping to draw in new members. Indeed, such flyers got me to join student organizations my freshman year, where I would go on to meet some of my best friends. So to see something that I once considered a staple of campus life taken away unceremoniously was honestly a little shocking. And it begs a few questions. For one, why was it taken away? It’s not like we’re hurting for space around there, especially with the new book store lounge they’ve set up. Was it because of some poorly thought-out plan to ease the flow of student traffic? Even then, it was never much of an obstacle for those passing by, certainly not to the point where it had to go. And where are organizations supposed to post their flyers now? With the cylinder removed, there’s no real central place where everyone is likely to see them anymore. I suppose you could head to each building on campus separately, as they
usually have some sort of bulletin board near their main entrance. But that is both time and resource intensive, and they lack the gravitas possessed by our former friend at the Student Center. This removal, however insignificant a decision it may have seemed to those in charge, proves itself to be much more important than many would guess. It has taken a central pillar of communication away from the Kent State community, the pieces of which are left to be fought over by the remaining designated posting areas scattered about campus. Perhaps I’m being a bit overdramatic about the whole situation; I’ll admit, I’m prone to overexaggerating. This change reflects a genuine loss to the college experience at Kent State. When I think about all the memories and experiences I wouldn’t have had were it not for some flyers, I’m honestly shocked by how much of my life was shaped by those pinned leaflets of paper. I can only pray that this removal doesn’t mean that our incoming freshmen will miss those same opportunities. Matthew Olienechak is a columnist. Contact him at molienec@kent.edu.
For the past five years, I’ve let out an audible groan every time I’ve seen Trevor Bauer listed as the probable starter for the Cleveland Indians. The pitcher with the high socks, the wonky windup and, more often than not, the sky-high ERA, has continually driven me crazy. I’ve been a vehement Bauer hater for quite some time, throwing out words such as “inconsistent,” “bust” and others that are not so nice. Every time he took the hill, it was with anticipation that he would walk eight, give up six runs and last all of three innings, and then be pleasantly surprised when he gave the bullpen a lead to work with. I made the argument near the start of the year that his home should have been in the bullpen. He had success there to start last season, and the fewer innings he pitched, the better. With only about a month left until the postseason, though, his performance has gotten to a point where I am able to say words I never thought I would hear myself say: I was wrong about Trevor Bauer. I’m not ready to give him a plaque in Cooperstown yet — not by a long shot. But you can’t deny the stats that he is putting up this season. He has already set a career-high total in wins with 15, a number good enough to lead the Indians and share the American League lead with Boston’s Cy Young candidate Chris Sale. His 4.39 ERA, while nothing pretty, is hanging right around his career average of 4.41. He’s also done a good job of limiting walks this season and needs just one more strikeout to set a new career-high in K’s. The combination of players on this year’s team is a key to Bauer’s success, though. The offense is providing him with ample, consistent run support to work with, and he’s been able to keep a lead into the sixth and seventh inning, allowing the Tribe’s shutdown bullpen to go to work and do what they do best. He has been the definition of a reliable No. 3 starter. That last sentence got caught in my throat a little bit. Bauer has always had the potential to become a great starter in this league, but during his time in Cleveland, potential is where he stopped. The conversation, whenever he would struggle, would always turn to him being the third overall pick in 2011 and just needing to wait for him to turn into what everyone hoped he would. The way I see it, the wait is over. The serviceable Trevor Bauer we see now is the serviceable Trevor Bauer we’re hopefully going to have for years to come. I will, however, continue to say that Bauer has got to be one of the least likeable players on the team. He’s an excuse-maker with an all-around off-putting personality. The beauty of it is, though, he’s not out to become anybody’s best friend. His outings aren’t always pretty, but I’ll be damned if he hasn’t made a believer out of me this year. Jack Kopanski is the general assignment editor. Contact him at jkopansk@kent.edu.
10 The Kent Stater
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Classifieds RAY'S RAY'S RAY'S
RAY'S = GREAT BEER
5 bedroom 2.5 bath. All appliances and washer/dryer. $400 a month/per person. All utilities and cable/internet included.
For information about placing a Display ad please call our offices at 330-672-2586 or visit us at 205 Franklin Hall, Kent State University. Our office hours are from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
SCRAMBLE
Classified ads can be placed by fax at (330) 672-4880, over the phone at (330) 672-2586 or by e-mail at ads@ksustudentmedia.com. If you fax or e-mail an ad, please be sure to include run dates, payment info and a way for us to contact you.
DOT GAME
2 bedroom 1 bath $750+ See JLCASTO.COM 330-6887040
Happy Moose Streetsboro 9436 State Route 14 now hiring hostesses, servers, bartenders, cooks, dishwashers and food runners. Close to campus, part-time hours and great work environment. Apply online at happymoosebarandgrill.com or stop in to fill out an application.
Cellar 59 in Stow is Hiring Servers! Must be 21. Evenings & Weekends. Apply Online www. cellar59wine.com/jobs/
Special Moments Catering in Streetsboro is now hiring part-time Event Associates for immediate employment. Competitive wages beginning at $11 per hour and up. Uniforms provided. No experience necessary. Requires weekend shifts. Call 330-626-0595 or e-mail resume to Steve@ SpecialMomentsCatering.com to apply.
Half house in Kent, 603 Franklin Ave. 3 bedroom, bath, living room, kitchen, front and back porch. side yard, parking. no pets. $395 per bedroom plus utilities. 330-697-7771.
BRAIN GAMES TIC TAC TOE
Thursday, September 7, 2017
KentWired.com 11
Since 1962
Campus Wine Cellar NOW HIRING
Local & experienced bar tenders
. Huge Craft Beer & Wine Selection . We deliver beer, wine & kegs . Specialty Wine & Tastings . Full Service Bar . Great Drink Prices . We deliver until 2:30AM
Apply in store or online @indeed
1655 East Main Street, Kent | 330.677.BEER | campuswinecellar.com
blacksquirrelradio.com
@BSRKent
Get ready to
talk taboo. KARITH FOSTER SPEAKER, HUMORIST, AUTHOR
Come listen to Karith as she creates a space for dialogue about modern day diversity.
#INVERSITY Wednesday 9.13.17 Franklin Hall, Room 340, 7:30pm All Students, Staff & Faculty are welcome to attend!
@KentWired
Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
12 The Kent Stater
Thursday, September 7, 2017