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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2015
#ThrowbackThursday with The Kent Stater
Liberty and justice for all (at a price)
Kent State volleyball hosts Golden Flashes Classic this weekend
Each Thursday, The Kent Stater will be participating in #ThrowbackThursday by publishing clips from old issues of the newspaper.
As the 2016 presidental election approaches, questions surrounding immigration, the economy and social issues will arise.
The Kent State women’s volleyball team hosts the Golden Flashes Classic — a four-team, sixgame tournament — beginning Friday versus Indiana State University at the M.A.C. Center.
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THE LIFE AND DEATH OF THE 16-HOUR CREDIT CAP
Credit-hour cap change elicits positive student and faculty reaction Bruce Walton Senior Reporter
Illustration by Samantha Nold
Jimmy Miller Senior Editor President Beverly Warren and the university’s Board of Trustees officially eliminated the 16-hour fee in June, but the process didn't come painlessly. In her freshman campaign as head of the university, Warren embarked on what she called the “Listening Tour,” meeting with students, faculty, staff and alumni to try to decide what’s best for Kent State moving forward. What she found was a nearly unanimous call for adjusting the credit hour plateau, which, up until June’s Board of Trustees meeting, was set at 16 credit hours. The board voted to push that cap to 18 credit hours at that meeting, which turned out to be a highly popular decision amongst students. “Many of the deans, and of course, many of the students said this is counter-productive to really pushing the student experience and graduating on time,” Warren said. “That was my stance, is [that] I don’t want anything to interfere with your ability to take the classes you need and you want to take.” But eliminating the 16-hour credit fee wasn’t really a simple process. Instead, it was one that cost the university a large chunk of time, effort and money, leaving Warren and her administration with a deficit of $3.1 million. The birth and golden age of the 16-credit hour cap The original policy was introduced in 2012 under now-retired president, Lester Lefton, who held the lofty goal of financing big changes to update the university and connecting it with downtown Kent. A university press release attributes the establishment of the 16-hour policy to capital improvements, something Lefton seemingly knew well. Since the credit cap was established, the university splurged on $250 million worth of new buildings and facilities, some of which are still being constructed on campus. Although the credit cap was established
to help finance some of these capital improvements, the university conducted extensive private and public fundraising. This was also done in part to improve downtown and its connection to campus. The policy seemed to be paying off on the outside, but as Warren’s research found upon her arrival, there were unintended consequences the university needed to resolve. Credit cap discussions arise Externally, the university was reaping the benefits of the policy; however, internally, officials started to acknowledge a growing student call for the elimination of the fee. From her inception as president, Warren and Provost Todd Diacon went on record to say they didn't like the cap, but it took her about 11 months to push for its elimination. "Almost no one in America has that credit plateau," Diacon said in an interview in February. "(However), that overload fee was implemented for a very good reason and that was to help us pay for these construction projects. Until we figure out an alternative to pay for that, we'll stick to the credit cap." Diacon said at that time he wasn't sure when they would be able to make a decision. It could have been months, or even another year, before everybody was convinced the university could cover lost ground. “A part of that was collecting data that at least demonstrated that, with the implementation of the credit hour plateau, students were taking fewer hours,” Warren said. “As I said, many times over [the] last year, if I could have just said, ‘I’m eliminating it,’ I would have, but we had a three-million-dollar dependency on the dollars raised through that [credit] cap. So then you have to find ways...
so that the university isn’t disadvantaged.” The problem lay within the steps to eliminate the fee. Warren said the process was, in simple terms, a two-step one: demonstrating why it was counterproductive to student success, and then finding a way to cover the financial gap caused by removing the policy. In February, Warren announced her primary goals for the future at the Listening Tour’s finale, the “Sharing the Heart of Kent State” speech. Eliminating the 16-hour credit cap was one of those goals. The death — sort of — of the credit cap It was officially no longer a matter of if, but when, the 16-hour policy would be changed. Warren said the discussions went all the way to May, when the administration prepared to finalize its plans at the June board meeting with an official vote. It's also important to note the cap isn't totally dead either. The full-time student credit plateau now sits between 12 and 18 credit hours, and any additional credit hour past 18 induced a $456 fee. The other question remained how, and it’s a question Warren thinks they’ve found a good soluBEVERLY WARREN tion to. Rather than putting more PRESIDENT, KSU pressure on students to pay for the gap, she said the administration absorbed the cost within their own efforts. “From a financial point of view, the stance was, ‘Well, students are gaining. Student tuition should pay a part of that.’ Well, I disagreed,” Warren said. “I could have increased your tuition, I could’ve added another fee, to try and offset that [cost]. I could have added some sort of facility fee that would’ve been less than the credit hour cap costing you, but it’s still a cost, so I said let’s try to absorb it, and we did, not without some pain. We’re going to be making some decisions about what we do.”
From a financial point of view, the stance was, ‘Well, students are gaining. Student tuition should pay a part of that.’
SEE CREDIT CAP / PAGE 2
Students beat the heat during CCI water balloon toss Alexis Wohler CCI Reporter Residence hall director, Marianne Warzinski, was sitting at her desk on Wednesday wondering what she could do to help her residents beat the heat. She then came up with the idea to host a water balloon toss in the back of the Quad between Olson, Lake, Johnson and Stopher halls. About 30 students attended. “It’s been so hot lately," Warzinski said. "I was trying to think of a way to get everyone to cool off and I thought, 'I have balloons that haven’t been used,' so I filled those up and had people who were interested in the water balloon toss meet me on the Quad. It was all spontaneous and wasn’t even close to being planned.” Nate Manley / The Kent Stater Warzinski said she had 300 balloons but only Freshman journalism major Alexander Wadley celebrates his team’s filled up close to 100 so the event wouldn’t get victory during a water balloon contest on Wednesday Sept. 2, 2015.
out of hand. She told the students that it wasn’t a water balloon fight, and no one could just grab the water balloons and start throwing them at random. Her system was to have everyone grab a partner, line up across from one another and toss the balloon back and forth. One partner then took a step back each time the two people tossed the balloon back and forth. The two partners left standing were the winners. Junior journalism major Pearline Young acted as a spectator to the event. “It was fun to watch and was a hot competition that cooled everyone down," Young said. Warzinski told the students that she didn’t want to get her hair wet, but she got drenched with balloons anyway.
SEE BALLOON TOSS / PAGE 2
After the Board of Trustees voted to extend the credit-hour cap from 16-credit hours to 18 at its June meeting, many students and faculty have reacted positively to the change. Courtney O’Donnell, a senior integrated science major, said she feels relieved because the credit-hour cap was forcing her to pay extra to graduate on time. O’Donnell’s program takes five years to finish, but with credits added from her postsecondary classes before enrolling at Kent State, she said she hoped to finish in four years to save money. O’Donnell was given no other choice but to pay more than $1,400 because of the credit-hour cap. “For me, it made more sense to pay the extra fee,” she said. “It sucks, but it is what it is. Because otherwise, I figure I’m going to be paying it if I’m staying an extra semester, because if I’m staying an extra semester, I’m staying an extra year pretty much.” Many students, like O’Donnell, find themselves in unique programs or double majors requiring more time and, in some cases, more money. In the past, these students had to decide if paying for extra credit hours each semester would be less than enrolling in another semester. Since the cap’s inception, the campus has had a very low opinion of the fee, as there were protests and petitions to remove it from Kent State, including protests from the Ohio Student Association. Daniel Kreap, a recent Kent State graduate and Kent Chapter OSA co-founder and former chair, said he disliked the credithour cap from its inception. “When I first heard about the credit cap, I thought it was harmful to students because it kind of discourages learning, and the more and more I learned about the credit cap, the more and more disheartening it became,” he said. With his leadership, the OSA began protesting and petitioning to stop the credit-hour cap. Working with many organizations, primarily the Kent Socialist Collective and United Students Against Sweatshops, Kreap said the students kept the pressure on the administration to change the cap, something he said contributed to real change. “I do think there was a lot of public outrage, but I also think that if there wasn’t consistent pressure to change it, I don’t think they would have changed it,” Kreap said. In addition to the OSA and other organizations who helped, an unlikely partnership came among political organizations. This included the Kent State College Republicans and College Democrats. Christian Pancake, a junior political science major and former president of the College Republicans, said he was glad the cap was lifted. “I think it helps kids graduate on time, which is very important,” Pancake said. “You see a lot of fifth-year seniors that’s costing them a lot of money, and I think that there’s not a solution yet, but it’s a step in the right direction.” Hana Barkowitz, a freshman public relations major and president of the College Democrats, had a similar reaction toward the credit cap’s change. Though the College Republicans and College Democrats don’t agree on a lot, Barkowitz said, lifting the credit hour cap has been something they have not only agreed on but worked together on in different meetings and dialogues in the past year.
SEE REACTION / PAGE 2
Page 2 | Thursday, September 3, 2015
The Kent Stater
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Stater 240 FRANKLIN HALL KENT STATE UNIVERSITY KENT, OHIO 44242 Newsroom 330-672-2584 EDITOR
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Articles courtesy of Kent State University Library’s Special Collections and Archives
#THROWBACKTHURSDAY WITH THE KENT STATER From Page 1
Alex Ledet aledet@kent.edu
Each Thursday, The Kent Stater will be participating in #ThrowbackThursday by publishing clips from old issues of the newspaper. This week's throwback features clips from the Friday, Sept. 24, 1942, issue and includes a message from then-President K.C. Leebrick and "Rules for Freshmen." emills11@kent.edu
From Page 1
BALLOON TOSS ing did Warzinski declare a "free-for-all" water balloon contest. “I think it was just what we needed to cool off on a hot September day,” she said. awohler@kent.edu
City council discusses sidewalk expansions, plans for old courthouse
The life and death of the 16-hour credit cap That decision-making process may fall on Warren's new committee, the Efficiency and Effectiveness Committee. Chaired by Edward Mahon, the university’s vice president for information services and chief information officer, the group will continue to consider Gov. John Kasich and the Ohio legislature’s push for reducing student debt. Even still, they're tasked with coming up with ways to cut spending and "become leaner," Warren said. “This committee will be charged with, in addition to that $3.1 [million], can you find that same amount in other efficiencies within the university," Warren said. "I think we’ve got the $3.1 [million] covered, and covered over time…but I’m asking this committee to find about that same amount of money.” jmill231@kent.edu From Page 1
REACTION
J. Tyler Singleton City Reporter Kent City Council spent three and a half hours Wednesday night discussing sidewalks and plans for the old courthouse. Sidewalks on S.R. 43 City engineer Jim Bowling addressed the council regarding plans for the sidewalks along S.R. 43. The city of Kent plans to install fiber optic cables to interconnect street signals on one side of S.R. 43 to S.R. 261. This work gives the opportunity for Kent to improve the sidewalks rather than replacing the sidewalks without improvement. Bowling said the city of Kent could perform the installation of the fiber optic cable, and replace the sidewalks, without any additional funds. Bowling however, proposed utilizing a grant from the Association of Mediation and Transport Services (AMATS) to city council. This proposal for grant money would help the city of Kent reach the goals set forth in the bicentennial plan. The language in the plans calls for Kent to “create a walkable community, improve pedestrian orientation and create a great walking environment in Kent.” In order to receive up to $500,000 from an AMATS grant, the city of Kent would need to increase the size of the sidewalks along S.R. 43 from a three-foot offset and four-foot sidewalk to a five-foot offset and six-foot sidewalk. These requirements from AMATS assume the improved sidewalks will accommodate bicycle pedestrians in ways the current sidewalks do not. Bowling said an improvement to the sidewalks on the west side of S.R. 43 would require $250,000 in local funds and an improvement to the sidewalks on the east side would require $700,000 in local funds. The cost of both of these proposals would decrease contingent on a grant from AMATS. Bowling’s presentation covered the conse-
quences of widening the sidewalks along S.R. 43. He said the biggest effect on the cost of the project, comes from the need to adjust retaining walls along residential properties on the east side S.R. 43 from School St. to Summit St. Additionally, Mr. Hero and Burger King would lose a parking spot each. Ward 5 Councilwoman Heidi Shaffer said she would like Bowling to speak to the owners of the businesses and residential properties effected by the sidewalk proposals before any type of motion or vote by city council. Other city council members agreed, and Bowling’s presentation was labeled informational without any type of vote or motion. Old courthouse City manager Dave Ruller said two different development groups have provided plans for the old courthouse. Ruller said businesses on Franklin St. have expressed concern as the area around the old courthouse is looking more and more blighted and have pressured the city of Kent to make a decision for the old courthouse building. Both development groups’ plans include changing the old courthouse to a grocery store, while converting the space above the courthouse to apartments. Ruller said Kent State is in agreement with with this plan. One of the groups will bring in Lucky Grocery while the other does not have a grocer selected for the space. As a medium-sized store, Lucky Grocery would require additional parking and 20-25,000 square feet of space. The other development group’s proposal would bring in a grocer that requires 8-10,000 square feet of space. Ruller said both development groups have stopped any type of continued studies or work before city council expresses an interest in one group or the other. Mayor Jerry Fiala said the primary concern for any plans for the old courthouse continue to come back to parking, and how to accommodate for a new business in addition to potential new residents of the apartments. jsingle8@kent.edu
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Credit-hour cap change elicits positive student and faculty reaction
Tyler Singleton / The Kent Stater Ward 3 councilman Wayne A. Wilson voices his opinion about snow removal on Kent’s sidewalks during the Kent City Council meeting Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015.
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CREDIT CAP
Students cool off at CCI Water bolloon toss "I took into account the outfit I was wearing, and I expected to get hit with balloons, especially since I was the coordinator of the event," Warzinski said. Only after there were two people left stand-
PHOTO EDITOR
Emily Mills Managing Editor
“No one likes student debt,” she said. “No matter what political party you are (in), and we shouldn’t have as much as we do.” The 16-credit hour cap also affected Kent State faculty as well. Programs such as those in the School of Music saw enrollment drop as soon as the cap was lowered two years ago. Scott MacPherson, a music professor and director of choral activities, has been directing college choirs since 1985 and has been working at Kent State for 8 years. MacPherson said he is excited about the change in the credit-hour cap’s policy. “We are delighted in the School of Music, and particularly the ensemble directors, that the credit cap of 16 credits (has) been moved back to 18,” he said. When the cap moved to 16, MacPherson said the number of students in the ensemble program fell significantly. This was mostly because of the lack of involvement from non-music students who couldn’t afford to take extra credit hours outside of their graduation requirements. Because of that, MacPherson said Kent State’s choral programs have not had many non-music students join, until this semester came around. Even now, he said he has seen a big improvement in the number of non-music major students auditioning for ensembles. It remains unclear how the university will make up the $3.1 million it is losing by eliminating the cap, but many, like Kreap, hope this elimination is the start of something better for students and the financial stress they face in paying for college. “I definitely think it’s an important first step and a huge victory for now,” he said. “But it’s just the beginning to what we have to do to make college more affordable and accessible to students.” bwalton4@kent.edu
Kent State partners with Vietnamese university
Emily Mills Managing Editor
Kent State is partnering with Hanoi University in Vietnam in a student exchange program. The partnership will also allow a collaboration with Kent State’s campus in Florence, Italy. The presidents of both universities will sign an agreement Tuesday in the University Library. Leaders from Hanoi University will also take a tour of the May 4 Visitors Center in Taylor Hall. emills11@kent.edu
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ads@ksustudentmedia.com CORRECTION
A story Wednesday on a judge’s dismissal of a federal case against Kent State incorrectly said the Ohio Civil Rights Commission had accused the university of discrimination. In the case, the OCRC investigated but ultimately recommended against pursuing Dr. Victoria Sheppard’s complaint that she was denied a sociology teaching job because of her race. The story also should have given Department Chair Richard Serpe a chance to respond. After asking for a comment from Serpe, he said through university spokesman Eric Mansfield Wednesday that he “does not feel comfortable granting an interview” with the Stater.
Because of Labor Day, The Kent Stater will print on Tuesday, Sept. 8 instead of Monday, Sept. 7.
Thursday, September 3, 2015 | Page 3
The Kent Stater
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EDITORIAL BOARD Editor: Hannah Armenta Managing Editor: Emily Mills Senior Editor: Jimmy Miller Opinion Editor: Neville Hardman Sports Editor: Ian Flickinger
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 harmenta@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.
DREW SHENEMAN’S VIEW
On Q&A with Golden Flashes volleyball player
Kent State volleyball player Bridget Wilhelm’s season is off to a hot start. The senior middle blocker won her fourth MAC East Division’s Offensive Player of the Week award for her performance during the Flashes’ opening four games of the Maryland Invite. Wilhelm is a two-time letterwinner, 2014 Academic All-MAC and MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete. She is speaking to senior editor Jimmy Miller about her life, on and off the court.
Cheers&Jeers Cheers to ... McDonald’s announcing they will serve all-day breakfast starting in October
Liberty and justice for all (at a price) Lucas Misera Columnist As the 2016 presidential election approaches, questions surrounding immigration, the economy and social issues will arise. However, one nagging topic within American culture is carefully avoided: This is not the same America that it once was. The American Dream is dying, and it needs to be revived quickly. The American Dream suggests that citizens of the United States can succeed both financially and socially through hard work. Unfortunately, achieving success through persistence is a rarity in today’s United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty rate reached a staggering 14.5 percent in 2013. Nearly 45 million Americans are struggling to make ends meet — a number that should invoke drastic reform. Many will counter this statistic by arguing that the welfare system is broken, reasoning that this may skew the numbers on poverty. Perhaps this is true, but one fact remains evident: The middle class is fading away. One of the most hotly debated topics in politics, yet one that legislators seem eager to avoid, is income inequality. It’s vaguely similar to the aphorism “the rich get richer and the poor get poorer,” but this is more than just a saying in today’s economy. In fact, it’s unnervingly realistic. In terms of income, the poor and lower-middle class are facing hardship. Wages are stagnant, as is income growth. Of course, the financial crisis of 2008 crippled America’s economy — except for the pockets of the top earners in the country. In fact, the trend in recent years has been that when viewing wage growth from the bottom earners to the top one percent, income growth rises exponentially. Essentially, as America’s lowincome households see minimal growth, America’s highest earners find their wages rising rapidly. What repercussions may be lurking behind such imbalanced conditions? First and foremost, income inequality is creating an economic barrier between social classes. As wealth is continually being distributed on opposite ends of the spectrum, the socio economic border between the wealthy and poor is becoming evident. There may not be a “class war” as some argue, but the unequal distribution of wealth and income is certainly a threat to one of the American Dream’s most fundamental principles: opportunity. Researchers are finding that numerous conditions will ultimately dictate whether or not somebody will be able to rise into a more prestigious, wealthier socio economic class. For example, being born into an impoverished community instantly lowers one’s chances of working their way out of such conditions. Race and ethnicity play a factor, as several cohorts of minorities experience a median household income nearly ten times less than that of the median white family. The melting pot of the world might not be mixing quite as well as we imagine, and America must bring itself to this realization soon. A melting pot, a land of opportunity and a haven for freedom. Through democracy we are free, and America has been an escape for immigrants facing persecution and hardship for more than a century. Nonetheless, this nation’s most intrinsic values are threatened by a powerful underlying threat — income inequality. This nation is nothing without its motivated, incentivized middle class, so re-imagining the American Dream will be critical in 2016. Lucas Misera is a sophomore economics major and a columnist for The Kent Stater. Contact him at lmisera@kent.edu.
OUR VIEW It’s Denali, not McKinley The renaming of Mount McKinley to its traditional Alaskan Native name, Denali, has sparked controversy across the nation. President Obama announced Sunday that the mountain would be renamed as a part of restoring the relationship with the Alaskan Native tribes. The state’s Native population has referred to the site as Denali for generations. The mountain was renamed Mount McKinley after a gold prospector heard William McKinley, the 25th U.S. president, had received the Republican presidential nomination. The prospector believed it would be a good gesture to rename the site in show of support. We believe President Obama made the
right decision in renaming the mountain. Donald Trump said renaming the mountain was an insult to Ohio because McKinley was from Ohio. Trump said that if he is elected president, he will rename the mountain Mount McKinley. However, we don’t see the name change as an insult to Ohio. McKinley never visited Alaska and never had a real connection with the area. The mountain was renamed because an uninvolved person thought it should be renamed. We view it as officially recognizing the Alaskan Native’s right to name important aspects of their culture and livelihood. The above editorial is the consensus opinion of the The Kent Stater editorial board.
Climate rules: Bad news for low-income families Nicolas Loris The Heritage Foundation Guest Columnist “We know that low-income, minority communities would be hardest hit.” That’s Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy speaking about the higher energy prices that would result from the Obama administration’s recently announced climate regulations on power plants. The Clean Power Plan, which will require drastic cuts in 47 states’ carbon dioxide emissions — consequently shifting America’s energy economy away from affordable, reliable coal — will adversely impact poor, minority families the most. McCarthy downplayed that fact by saying any minimal higher prices would be offset by implementing energy efficiency measures that would save consumers money in the long run. In fact, as part of the regulation, the EPA “prioritizes early investment in energy efficiency projects in low-income communities by the federal government, awarding these projects double the number of credits in 2020 and 2021.” But energy efficiency programs won’t save low and fixed-income families. While the median family spends about five cents out of every dollar on energy costs, low-income families spend about 20 cents of every dollar. The economic pain from the regulations won’t simply be the direct cost of higher energy prices. It will be the higher prices for all the goods we purchase. Energy, after all, is a necessary component to manufacturing those goods. Besides, federal and state programs already exist to promote energy savings for low-income families. Through the Department of Energy’s annual budget, taxpayers fund a weatherization assistance program to make efficiency upgrades in homes, and many state programs exist doing the same. However, many of these programs overpromise and underdeliver on energy savings.
It is not necessarily a win for low-income families if states choose to implement more stringent energy efficiency mandates to comply with the Clean Power Plan. In fact, it could be a big loss. Poorer families tend to have very low savings, if any at all. For many, their priorities are putting food on the table and making sure the bills are paid from month to month. They may prefer cheaper appliances and light bulbs as opposed to mandated pricier ones (studies show that they do.) Forcing low-income families to pay higher upfront costs for a washing machine for dubious savings, isn’t desirable if the government is taking money and choices away from more pressing needs that are in the families’ selfinterest. Driving up the price of these products for questionable long-term energy savings is doing even more harm to these families than helping them. Arguing that increasing energy prices with regulations will save money by forcing energy-efficient product purchases, is equivalent to cutting employees’ salaries and telling them that they will save money by shopping at Target. Just as the option to save money at Target existed before the pay cut, families and businesses already have an incentive to purchase energy-efficient products. When the government mandates efficiency, it removes that choice and makes consumers worse off. The point is, no matter what states choose to do, the economic pain will be felt, which is why Congress and state officials need to reject the regulation entirely. But this plan will hurt minority and lowincome families the most, as McCarthy has admitted. And energy efficiency handouts and mandates are certainly not going to be a panacea for the federal government’s energyraising, job-crushing climate regulations.
Jeers to ... hackers gaining access to more than 225,000 Apple accounts from jailbroken products
The problem with the VMAs Matthew Poe Columnist Vote Kanye West in 2020, folks. The 2015 MTV Video Music Awards produced an assortment of drama and crazy moments including Nicki Minaj with some less-than kind words for host Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber crying on stage and the aforementioned West declaring he will bid for the White House four years from now. In recent years, the MTV Video Music Awards have become one of the most talkedabout events of the year. From Kanye West sabotaging Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech in 2009, to Cyrus and Robin Thicke grinding like a pair of adolescents at a high school dance, the annual awards show has become notorious for outlandish moments that have millennials tweeting by the second. The onstage behavior has gotten so outrageous that the music and award winners have become second tier. And MTV, so it seems, wouldn’t have it any other way. The reason? Audiences and viewers can’t get enough of it. Entertainment Weekly reported that Sunday’s telecast produced 9.8 million viewers. Although this number was down almost five percent from the previous year, the VMAs were the most-tweeted program of the year aside from the Super Bowl: A whopping 21.4 million tweets, according to MTV, a trend that in all likelihood will rise as the show’s WTF moments continue to increase. The VMAs is less about honoring the best music and music videos of the year and more about, “Did I just see that?” MTV is choosing to produce a show to get the masses talking about these outrageous moments rather than the actual music performed by the artists. I understand the VMAs should not be taken completely seriously, nor should any awards show for that matter. The goal of the VMAs is meant to entertain audiences, and MTV appears to be succeeding in that area. However, the problem is the show isn’t about celebrating artists who have a tremendous influence, good and bad, on the millennial generation. Instead, the message MTV is sending is that it is better for an artist to hop on stage and cause a scene (here’s looking at you, Mr. West,) or Cyrus’ more-than-likely-staged nip slip, as opposed to letting the art and music speak for itself. Not only do the VMAs speak volumes about the current stage of MTV and its transition from music television to primarily realitybased series, it speaks about us as an audience in 2015. Many viewers tuned into the VMAs not to see which who would take home the awards, but to see who could one-up each other in the wackiness department and get the most movement on social media. It also says a lot about the current state of mainstream music in that some of these artists will do just about anything to keep us talking, clicking, posting and tweeting about their onstage behavior. We may see a time when the VMAs return to being about the music and music videos these artists create, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. For now, let’s just ponder what a 2020 presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kanye West would look like. Now that would be fun, not to mention quite scary. Matthew Poe is a junior journalism major and a columnist at the The Kent Stater. Contact him at mpoe3@kent.edu.
Page 4 | Thursday, September 3, 2015
The Kent Stater
CCI Balloon Toss
MaKayla Brown / The Kent Stater (From left) Junior communication studies major Alicia Johnson, sophomore public relations major Ian Gillan, and freshman photojournalism major Carrie George attempt to catch water balloons during a water balloon contest behind Olson Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015. Cameron Croston / Kent Stater Marianne Warzinski, the director of CCI Commons, hands out water balloons to eager students during a water balloon contest behind Olson Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015.
MaKayla Brown / The Kent Stater Senior journalism major Blythe Alspaugh attempts to catch a water balloon thrown to her during a water balloon contest behind Olson Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015.
Thursday, September 3, 2015 | Page 5
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Responsible, caring, dependable babysitter for 10 year old. Fall semester on Fridays 8am-3pm. Close to KSU. Serious inquiries only. 330-673-8402.
Sign/graphic company seeks part-time, multipurpose person. Apply in person at Advanced Display Systems 606 Mogadore Road Kent, OH 44240. Servers, bartender, and catering servers needed at Hudson’s Restaurant, an award-winning casual dining restaurant. Email resume to apply@3foodies. com, 80 N. Main St. Hudson, 330-650-1955. Looking for conscientious people for early evening office cleaning positions available. Call 330-212-4506 Do you want to make money and have fun doing it? Come sell with us, no experience necessary, part time job with great pay! Call 330-298-9280 (extension 216), or send resume to Larinda @weknowdish.com BELLACINO’S PIZZA AND GRINDERS Looking for kitchen help, must be available on weekends, close to campus, free break food. Apply at Bellacino’s 3657 Fishcreek Rd. Stow, OH 44224. 330-678-3000 Riverside Wine hiring part-time/fulltime. 19 and older, nonsmoker, own car, experience not necessary, can learn all positions. Apply in person with class schedule Tues-Fri 1-4 pm 911 N. Mantua St. Kent The Campus of Anna Maria of Aurora, an extended senior care community, is hiring dietary aides and servers. FT & PT, day and afternoon shifts are available. Starting wage is $8.20 an hour, more with experience. Apply in person @ 889 N. Aurora Rd. Aurora Ohio 44202 or by email to aberry@ annamariaofaurora.com. Located less than 15 miles from KSU campus across from Wild Water Kingdom. Come join our team! For more information call Albert Berry @ 330 562-6171 ext 204. Family owned and operated over 50 years. We are participants of the drug free workplace program.
Now hiring delivery drivers, hosts, and kitchen help. Please inquire within at 5843 Darrow Rd. in Hudson or fill out an application at www.zeppes.com Drivers: No-Touch! Get Home, Get Paid! Excellent Pay Per\Wk! Strong Benefits Package Including Bonuses! CDL-A 1yr exp. 877-704-3773 Penske is Hiring Diesel Mechanics in Youngstown, OH - All Experience Levels! Competitive Pay, Comprehensive Health Benefits, Retirement & More! Experience in repairing and troubleshooting Engines, Electrical, Brake, Transmissions, and Cooling Systems is a plus. Apply: www.gopenske.com/careers. Call: Penske Truck Leasing: 855-582-2032 City of Hudson is seeking applicants for short term seasonal ground maintenance employment at Ellsworth Meadows GC. Applications may be obtained at www.hudson.oh.us or call Ellsworth Meadows 330-655-2267 8-3pm EOE Buckeye Sports Center in Cuyahoga Falls is seeking part-time help for this winter’s snow sports season. We’re looking for passionate energetic skiers and snowboarders to sell skis, snowboards, clothes, and accessories. Need to be available a minimum of 3 time slots per week, mid September through mid March. For more info, visit www.buckeyesportscenter.com [store info, join our team]. Call us at 330-929-3366 or stop by and fill out an application at 4610 State Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264. Taking applications now through September 9th. Mantua, OH-Transportation Company seeks experienced computer programmer/web developer/systems analyst. Web development strengths and critical thinking skills required. Proven ability to develop strong relationships and rapport with coworkers and customers. Transportation and logistics experience a plus. Ruby on Rails experience preferred. Please send resume with cover letter to jobs@truckwss.com Build your resume! Young Explorers Aurora and Twinsburg are looking for part-time teachers and care-givers (mostly afternoons). 330-562-5588 Send resume to lissette@youngexplorerschildcare.com
Lifetime 54” basketball backboard, rim and hoop. Excellent used condition, used only 6 months. Powercoated steel frame backboard. Rust resistant, shatter-proof. All-weather net. Steel-base rim with double-compression springs. $200 OBO. Email t b o n g i o r @ k e n t . e d u
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.
www.KentWired.com
HOROSCOPE By Nancy Black Today’s Birthday Dreams come true this year. Stay optimistic. Choose a spiritual path. After 9/13, personal growth flowers, leading to new opportunities for family finances after 9/27. Your relationship blossoms after 3/8. Focus on income growth strategies after 3/23. Work together for love.
To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.
Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is a 5. Harmony requires effort. Don’t show a loved one unfinished work yet, or risk an upset. Go for peaceful productivity rather than group gatherings. Beware tricks and deception. Advance slowly, and control passionate outbursts (unless desired). Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 7. Preview your act. You’re strong, and yet face a challenge. A female calms a controversy. Don’t say everything you’re thinking! Wait for what develops. Stifle irritation and rude remarks. Avoid splurging impulsively on stuff you don’t need.
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.
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.
Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is a 6. Frustrations and annoying situations could confront you. If so, breathe deeply and avoid comments and actions that you’d regret later. Work could interfere with fun. Don’t gamble with the rent. Romance could sneak up on you.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is a 7. Get out with your partner. Don’t discuss money yet. A disagreement about priorities lies beneath the surface. Wait for the final figures. Stick to your principles. Stay objective in a tense situation. Take passion behind closed doors.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is a 7. Heed recommendations and warnings. Avoid impulsive actions and reactions. Don’t get seduced by empty flattery. Do what you promised, even though costs may be higher than anticipated. Defer gratification. Pack a sack lunch rather than eating out.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 7. The action is backstage. Your partner offers emotional support. Take a walk. Allow time to assimilate new information. Don’t throw money at a problem. Guard against overindulging. Keep complaints to yourself and avoid an upset. Keep confidences.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 7. Postpone travel and fun until your homework’s done. Keep things practical, especially around finances. Changes disrupt the status quo. Make plans without getting stuck on them. Stay flexible. Avoid stupid arguments and things could get lovely.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 7. Keep cool and calm to save time and money. Misunderstandings could get expensive. Consider options carefully, and have a backup plan. Get into a writing or recording project, and forget the world outside. Move gently.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is an 8. Passions are high. Look before leaping. Avoid setting off someone with a short fuse. Nobody in the group is as frugal as you. Plug financial leaks, and persuade others to keep it simple. Restore missing balance. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is a 7. Get in sync with your partner. Stay close to home, and avoid traffic and expense. Watch for misunderstandings or accidents. Balance feelings with facts. Get into household projects. Clean, sort and organize. Simplify and add colorful touches.
Professional Editor. Documents, websites, papers, projects, dissertations. $2.00/page. Projects & dissertations priced separately. Inquiries to: victoriouswords@gmail. com
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 7. Bring a creative vision into reality together. In a clash between love and money, hold your temper. Keep your cool or lose profits. Don’t get stopped by past failures. Walk the walk, one step at a time. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is an 8. You can improve your home without spending a fortune. Realize a dream. Have a work party, and feed everyone who shows up. Dig in the garden. Make use of the attending expertise. Share your appreciation passionately.
DOT GAME
UNPLANNED PREGNANCY? Are you looking for a wonderful home and future for your child? We have been looking to share our love and lives with a child. Perhaps we are looking for each other. Kent State Graduate Please call 1-888-34-ADOPT code: 91704
Very quiet 3 bed 1 bath apt. Washer + dryer hookup, very clean, very nice. $975. 12 month lease. Call 330-7154133 4 bedroom house, $1500 a month. Close to campus and downtown. Available in August. (330)-554-1491 2 bedroom 1 bath, carport, appliances, laundry facility $700 +utilities paid by the first. See website for specials. JLCASTO.COM 330-688-7040 Cuyahoga Falls, 2 bedroom apartment, 1.5 Baths, central air, fireplace, attached garage, no pets, $700 + utilities (330) 414-1817
SUDOKU
Kent 2 bedroom - heat, water, and trash included. $600. 330-472-9671.
Looking for an academic tutor for 6th grader. Preferably someone who is in the education field. 10 hours a week. $12 an hour. Please send resume/interest to knoden@hotmail.com.
BREWSTER ROCKIT CROSSWORD
WONDERMARK
Page 6 | Thursday, September 3, 2015
Sports
The Kent Stater
Kent State football opens season on the road against University of Illinois Friday at 9 p.m.
SPORTS EDITOR: IAN FLICKINGER // IFLICKIN@KENT.EDU
Flashes’ young field hockey team gears up for weekend road trip
Throwback Thursday
Zack Sommer Sports Reporter
These photos appeared inthe Friday, Sept. 25, 1942, edition of the Stater.
MaKayla Brown / The Kent Stater Midfield Helen Harper moves the ball down the field during a game versus Virginia Commonwealth University at Murphy-Mellis Field on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. The Flashes won in double over-time 4-3.
Following a dramatic doubleovertime win over Virginia Commonwealth University last weekend, the Kent State field hockey team heads to Norfolk, Virginia, to face Old Dominion University Saturday before traveling to East Lansing, Michigan, for a showdown with Michigan State University Sunday. After losing 4-3 in overtime to Michigan State last season, the Flashes hope the addition of nine freshman will help give them the edge over the Spartans this year. “We lost seven seniors,” said coach Kathleen Wiler. “We recruited some awesome girls. Just finding where people are fitting in and what spots or roles people are going to play for us. It is a challenge, but we do it every year.” This year the Flashes are leaning on team captain, junior Madison Thompson, to help lead the team and anchor the attacking line. Thompson scored 22 points for the Flashes last season, the third most on the team. “Nine is a large freshman class number,” Thompson said. “We are doing a pretty good job of assimilating them into our structure and style of play. The pace of the game is a lot different and that’s a big jump from high school to college. Your freshman year is your year to get the cobwebs out and understand and learn.” Thompson said this year’s freshman class is doing everything the team asks of them, and they’re working hard to improve each day. “They are coming into practice and working hard, doing everything we ask them to do,” Thompson said. “They are teaching us to show and explain what we are doing so they can learn from us as well, and I think they are a great addition to our team.” zsommer@kent.edu
Kent State volleyball hosts Golden Flashes Classic Jesse Runner Sports Reporter The Kent State women’s volleyball team hosts the Golden Flashes Classic — a four team, six game tournament — beginning Friday versus Indiana State University the M.A.C. Center. The Flashes enter the tournament with a record of 2-2 after splitting games this past weekend at the Maryland Invite. Although the team ended the weekend with a 3-1 loss to the University of Maryland on Saturday, the team’s overall performance left coach Don Gromala pleased with the results. “Overall, I am pleased with how our team performed today and the weekend as a whole,” Gromala said in the athletic
department’s release. “We made some adjustments and mixed our lineup up a little after dropping the first set to Duquesne, and it really seemed to work out. We really like our depth, and it allows us to experiment with different combinations on the floor.” Through the first four games of the season, Kent leads its opponents in digs (198), total blocks (29.5) and attack percentage (.229) and tied in kills (178). However, opponents have managed to land more assists (164), aces (27) and total errors (149.) The game against Indiana State — the team entered the weekend with a 3-1 record — is the Flashes first home game of the season. The team played well at home last season, winning 9 of its last 12 (.750) at the
M.A.C. Center and 16 of 23 (.695) over the past two years. Kent State will also face Albany and Oakland universities in a doubleheader Saturday. The Flashes have had recent success in the tournament and will look to continue the trend this weekend. Kent State has taken home the tournament championship twice over the last two years and has finished with a combined record of 6-0. The Mid-American Conference named senior Bridget Wilhelm MAC East Offensive Player of the Week for the fourth time in her career following her performance in the Maryland Invite. jrunner1@kent.edu
MaKayla Brown / The Kent Stater Kent State volleyball players cheer in a game against Miami in the M.A.C. Center on Friday, Nov. 14, 2014.