Jan 21, 2011 | The Miami Student

The Miami Student Oldest university newspaper in the United States, established 1826

VOLUME 138 NO. 32

Friday, January 21, 2011

MIAMI UNIVERSITY OXFORD, OHIO

In 1972, The Miami Student reported Miami University students could register to vote in Butler County. To vote in the May primary, however, students had to register in Hamilton.

University to correct RedHawk logo

By Stephen Bell and Kathleen Sullivan For The Miami Student

SAMANTHA LUDINGTON The Miami Student

All right-facing RedHawk logos will be replaced with left-facing logos.

CAMPUS

Health center cuts free HIV testing

Students in Goggin Ice Center may soon notice Miami University’s famed RedHawk looking the other way.

Miami will soon begin work to replace RedHawks trademarks facing the wrong direction, according to Jason Lener, deputy athletic director.

Lener said the official Miami trademark, a left-facing RedHawk with “Miami RedHawks” printed underneath it, needs to be consistent throughout the university.

“Ultimately, if you are looking at the hawk head, you should be looking at the same hawk head,” Lener said.

“There are so many (RedHawks) all over campus, and we are trying to get them all right.”

According to Lener, the project began after he and a small group of administrators met and decided to streamline use of the RedHawk trademark.

“A couple of years ago, we looked at all the different marks being used,” he said. “You had hawk heads facing

left, hawk heads facing right, there dilute your identity.” were just too many marks.”

Senior Melissa Gillen never noLener said the proposal to alter the ticed the RedHawk faced in a parexisting trademarks was eventually ticular direction. passed on to other faculty members, “I’ve been to Goggin before and including Director of Business Ser- never noticed it was backwards,” vices Paul Allen, who is in charge of Gillen said. the trademark and Gillen queslicensing program tioned the need to “There are so many fix the logo given at Miami.

He said when RedHawks all over the university’s the RedHawk was economic campus, and we are current created the universituation. trying to get them sity had multiple “If (Miami) is in all right.” trademark images, a budget crisis and some facing left, laying people off, others right. why is money beJASON LENER DEPUTY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Approximately ing spent to fix lothree years ago, gos?” Gillen asked. the Department of Steve Cady, seIntercollegiate Athletics decided to nior athletic director for Miami, said use only the left-facing trademark the university was given the task of for merchandising, which con- determining a timeline and budget flicted with the various other trade- for the project. marks printed across the university, “Inventory has been done in the Allen said. ice arena, rec center, Millet (Hall), “For consistency we wanted a Yager (Stadium) and other facilities,” single identifiable mark, something Cady said. someone looks at and knows ‘we According to Cady, there are a are the Miami RedHawks,’” he said.

“The more marks you have, you See LOGO, page 7

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Love and honor

By Stephen Bell Campus Editor

Students recently visiting Miami University’s student health center were greeted with a sign announcing the center will no longer be offering free and anonymous HIV testing.

According to Gail Walenga, assistant vice president of Student Health Services at Miami, testing for HIV will now cost $25 and mirror other medical tests when it comes to billing and patient protocol.

“Part of this is to lose less money, but also to make the act of HIV testing less off-putting,” she said. “By having them go through the flow of health services like any other patient, it doesn’t have the same connotation as the anonymous patients.”

Walenga said the anonymous testing process often proved awkward for some.

“Because we were doing the anonymous testing, it was a bit of an awkward situation for students,” she said.

“You were told to go directly to door B and someone would come and get you.”

Today, students still have the option of anonymous testing at the health center, according to Walenga, but not for free.

Walenga said students can report HIV testing through their insurance company, where the insurance statement would only disclose that lab work was done. She also said students can pay the university directly for the tests.

“If a student is very concerned that they don’t want any information going to their insurance company or their parents, they can opt to pay for it with a credit card,” she said.

Miami junior Ashley Smith said she is sad to see anonymous testing go by the wayside, but she understands the need for budget cuts.

“I think anonymous testing for something like HIV is important for students who want to avoid any stigma or embarrassment, but I understand the need to cut costs,” Smith said.

Free HIV testing still exists at Miami, according to Walenga, but only through the Mobile Health Unit,

wSee TESTING, page 7

SCOTT ALLISON The Miami Student

The Miami University ROTC colorguard supports Miami basketball before the Miami vs. University of Akron game Jan. 19 at Millett Hall.

CAMPUS

2011 Greek recruitment draws big numbers Sororities get larger pledge classes Fraternities try to adjust under new rules

By Amanda Seitz Campus Editor

The line never seemed to end when pledges walked into their respective chapter’s house to accept bids Sunday, Jan. 16.

This year’s classes were larger in size, giving each chapter a little something extra to brag about.

Not only were more women registered to participate in formal sorority recruitment than 2010, Miami University’s campus was missing three sororities that were once expected to be on campus during rush, Director of Greek Life Jenny Levering said.

Both Pi Beta Phi and Alpha Xi Delta, which are currently suspended from the campus, were unable to participate in the process. Delta

Delta Delta, a chapter eligible to return to campus for 2011 formal recruitment, chose to keep its doors closed for the semester.

Although negative attention was focused on Miami’s Greek community in spring 2010, Levering said potential new members saw Greeks in a positive light during the recruitment process.

“I don’t know if they (potential new members) paid attention to what happened last summer,” Levering said. “I think the fraternity and sorority community is well known across the nation and it’s just a part of what some students look at when they’re coming here.”

First-year Alpha Chi Omega pledge Madeline Lonergan

wSee SORORITIES, page 7

By Amanda Seitz Campus Editor

Miami University fraternities had a boost in recruitment numbers, but that wasn’t the only change in the rush process.

Per the new rules handed down to Greeks at the beginning of the 2010-11 academic year, fraternities also had to change the recruitment process.

Director of Greek Life Jenny Levering said the new changes were an attempt to formalize the process.

“I know it was totally informal last year, and they tried to formalize it this year,” Levering said. “They did some informal rounds, and the guys had to be invited back.”

Men rushing fraternities were required to go to a certain number of houses in order to participate in recruitment, according to Interfraternity Council (IFC) Vice President of Recruitment Evan Heiser.

“Each potential member had to go to a round, visit four different houses, and after that they were invited back to whatever houses they visited,” Heiser said.

According to Heiser, fraternities were also not allowed to hand out bids until formal recruitment Thursday, Jan. 13.

Chi Psi President Nicholas Huber said some rules had a positive impact on the community, while

wSee FRATERNITIES, page 7

2

Campus

Friday

January 21, 2011

Editors Stephen Bell Amelia Carpenter Amanda Seitz campus@miamistudent.net

NEWS MU athletic fees rank high BRIEFS

By Chelsea Naughton

Senior Staff Writer

FYI Miami continues to be a ‘best value’ Getting a Miami University education is still a good deal. According to Kiplinger’s Top 100 Best Value Colleges for 2010–11, Miami ranks 77th best college value for in-state and 80th for out-of-state students.

Kiplinger’s compiles the rankings based on a combination of academic and affordability factors from more than 500 public four-year institutions, then does additional reporting on the data.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has held the No. 1 spot for 10 years running due to low admission rates, competitive students and a total cost of $17,000 a year.

According to Kiplinger’s, the average price for all public universities is $16,140. Miami tuition and fees for Ohio residents is $24,464 for 2010-11.

Performance, dinner celebrate Asian culture Fusion 2011 will celebrate Asian and Asian-American culture Saturday, Jan. 29. The event will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. in Hall Auditorium.

Fusion will utilize traditional and contemporary Asian and AsianAmerican culture in a performance for the audience.

Dinner will immediately follow the performance in the Shriver MPR. Tickets are available to the public for $5 for just the show and $10 for both the show and dinner. Tickets can be purchased at the Shriver Center Box Office beginning Jan. 17.

Fusion is presented by the Asian American Association of Miami University.

EVENTS Art museum hosts film screening The Miami University Art Museum will screen The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari at 7 p.m. Jan. 27 as part of the Weimar Film Series. It is presented by the art museum and Pepper Stetler, an assistant professor of art at Miami.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, which was made in 1919, features dark imagery and elements of German expressionism. The film will be introduced by Vitaly Chernetsky, associate professor of Russian and director of Miami’s film studies program.

The museum will extend its gallery hours until 8 p.m. the night the film is shown.

The event is free and open to the public.

Miami University’s athletic department continues to receive a large portion of the general student fee.

In fact, the university ranks among the highest schools to pay for athletic department expenses through student fees.

As of 2009, the general student fee was $1,722, half of which has gone to athletics over the past 10 years, according to a Sept. 25, 2009 article in The Miami Student.

According to an article featured in a May issue of USA Today, which analyzed several Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) budgets, 10 of the 21 highest expense-paying schools were part of the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

MAC schools generally generate less revenue than schools in other conferences, according to Brad Bates, director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Miami, which requires more student fees.

“Big 10 schools, for example, received a check around $20 million last year just for being in the Big

10,” Bates said. “On front end they are generating revenue just by being in the conference. Because we aren’t generating that, it puts extra strain on us.”

“One of the challenges is that when we compare ourselves to other MAC schools our enrollment is smaller, so the percentage of our student fee is much higher.”

JASON LENER

DEPUTY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Bates said Miami does not have the TV distribution capabilities of automatic qualifying bowl championship series (BCS) conferences like the Big 10 or the Atlantic Coast Conference, which are guaranteed to play in BCS bowl games that have a large payout.

Bates said MAC schools have smaller sports venues than other

Performing Arts Series supports community Noëlle Bernard Senior Staff Writer

Miami University’s Performing Arts Series (PAS) events aren’t just another art show.

PAS links directly to the community through event sponsorships that attract local businesses, university departments, individuals, grants and foundations as sponsors, Assistant Director David Sheldrick said.

Saturday, Jan. 22, PAS will host the black tie optional 21st Annual Wine Tasting Gala and Auction.

According to Sheldrick, all proceeds from the wine tasting go to fund the community outreach activities PAS supports by bringing renowned artists to the area.

“We do 12 to 15 events a year and we work really hard getting the artists out to Miami classrooms, Talawanda schools (and) our community both in Oxford,” Sheldrick said. “We don’t charge the schools or the folks of Oxford to participate in those things.”

The interactions between

renowned artists and the community are crucial because it forges gaps PAS seeks to challenge.

“We have to put on entertaining shows, but we also need to be bringing in people that can enrich the community, be it through culture and learning,” Sheldrick said.

PAS receives sponsorship from several local businesses in Oxford, such as Baymont Inn & Suites, The Knolls of Oxford and Kona Bistro.

Kona Bistro Owner and Operator Tom Elliott said the restaurant and PAS have a symbiotic relationship that has lasted for years.

“We do a lot of support of the arts in general,” Elliott said.

“We have a lot of opportunity in this town to support different organizations. It’s one that has reached out to us early on and we’ve reached back over the years. I feel like we share our clientele and certainly it’s a passion of ours.”

PAS will be sponsoring two upcoming events in February,

wSee ARTS, page 3

schools and are thus unable to generate the ticket revenues of larger athletic programs, which puts pressure on the university to fund ICA expenses.

Some students at Miami feel paying for athletic expenses with student fees is a fair way to support the department.

Junior Kerry Toumey said athletics are very important to a university.

“Our teams are a good way to get the Miami name out there and maintain successful athletic programs,” Tourney said. “It’s important that our athletes have the facilities and resources they need.”

However, others feel Miami would be better served to use student fee money elsewhere.

“I don’t like the idea that such a large part of our tuition goes toward something unrelated to academia,” senior David Keys said.

Jason Lener, deputy athletic director at Miami, said the amount of money Miami’s athletic department receives from student fees is very proportional to other MAC schools, but because Miami is the

smallest school in the conference, the fee from each individual student is higher.

“One of the challenges is that when we compare ourselves to other MAC schools our enrollment is smaller, so the percentage of our student fee is much higher,” Lener said. “We don’t get dramatically any more or less than other schools.”

Additionally,theamountofmoney allocated to the ICA expenses from the general student fee is expected to decrease in upcoming years after the department was instructed to decrease its dependence on student fees by three percent over the next five years, according to the final report from the Strategic Priorities Task Force.

According to Lener, Miami’s athletic department is looking for new ways to generate revenue to offset lower university funding.

“We are not trying to make any more ‘cuts’ so to speak, we’ve had to make cuts like anyone else on campus,” Lener said. “Instead, we’re reviewing different revenue streams like ticket sales, donations and sponsorships.”

Flipping Out

EMILY ESPOSITO The Miami Student

First-year adviser Matt Lewis flips pancakes in Emerson Hall Wednesday evening for a Community Council Pancake Night.

Revamped 1809 Room remains popular eatery

By Shannon Pesek For the Miami Student

The One Eight 09 Room has been open for more than a year, and there have been more changes since its opening.

The dining experience in the One Eight 09 Room, previously the 1809 Room, located on the second floor of the Shriver Center, offers upscale dining during lunch and dinner hours, and a Sunday brunch during which students can use their meal plans.

Students can use their meal plans every Tuesday night at dinner, one of the more recent changes made to the One Eight 09 Room, according

SAMANTHA LUDINGTON The Miami Student

It is tradition for some students to eat Sunday brunch in the One Eight 09 Room.

to Molly Lindsay, executive director of Carillon Catering and the One Eight 09 Room.

“In addition to adding the Tuesday night dinner for students and their meal plans, several enhancements were made to the menu,” she said.

“We now serve the frittata at lunch as well as brunch, along with new muffin flavors every week.”

Other items such as cob salads, entrée salads and the chicken bacon wrap were added to the menu as well, Lindsay said.

The One Eight 09 room continues to be a popular Sunday brunch destination, with an average of 400 customers each week, Lindsay said.

“The weekend of Jan. 15 was a record-breaking weekend for us, with well over 500 students, staff and visitors coming in (for Sunday brunch),” Lindsay said.

The One Eight 09 Room is open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner, but student meal plans are not accepted during those times.

Lindsay said the most popular time for non-student customers is lunch, when faculty, staff and visitors often gather.

Lindsay said the One Eight 09 Room could be adding another dinner night for students in the future.

Despite the changes, the number of diners and profits continue to increase, Lindsay said.

“Visitors enjoy coming here to have an upscale meal, sit by our fireplace and taste our new food options,” she said. “It’s a great atmosphere.”

First-year Katherine Holt raved about her experience as a first-time visitor.

“I did not even know this place was here, but now I plan on coming back every Sunday,” Holt said.

Sophomore Shelby Miller agreed.

“I love Sunday brunch, and I’m excited to try the new food options at dinner too, and it’s great that I can use my meal plan,” Miller said.

Campus

THE MIAMI STUDENT

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2011 ♦ 3

Students able to submit events for MU online calendar Listserv e-mails, multiple Facebook messages about an upcoming event, flyers littered through hallways.

Do any of those things sound like something to avoid?

Students can submit events for student organizations online to the Miami University Event Calendar. Anyone with a Miami UniqueID is able to post events so long as they have a Miami sponsor and are open to at least a segment of the public.

Public Information Officer and Staff Writer Susan Meikle said there was an evident decline in student submissions since the event calendar was removed from Blackboard.

“Students used to use it more often when they could actually see it on the

homepage,” Meikle said. “I think that there was a direct correlation to the drop off.”

Meikle worked with IT Services to design the calendar and met with student groups to ask what they wanted and needed. Six years ago, the calendar was finalized.

Events must be on campus, but if they are student groups holding an event at Uptown Park, the event will be permitted. Events are posted typically within one or two days of submission. Calendars for Oxford, Middletown and Hamilton are also available.

To submit an event or for more information, visit http://events.muohio.edu.

Reporting by Amelia Carpenter, Campus Editor

Fight, fight, fight!

ARTS

continued from page 2 according to Elliott.

“You think about a community this size and the opportunities they have with what the Performance Arts Series brings, it’s pretty neat really,” Elliott said. “Our goal is to help them continue on that path and help their success.”

According to junior Bradley Walker, PAS provides entertainment that is challenging and thought provoking for both participants and viewers.

“The last time I was in a play was my freshman year for the PAS, and it was a pretty sweet opportunity,” Walker said.

“Because it’s not just performance entertainment, it brings up issues of society and things that are important, and it brings light to these things.”

SAMANTHA LUDINGTON The Miami Student

Maimi cheerleaders show their school spirit at the men’s basketball game Wednesday night at Millett Hall.

Tribute to Tyler Sinclair

You want to like this.

Blood Drive

Blood drive competition vs Ohio University Make your donation count!

Support fellow Redhawk Tyler Sinclair with a blood donation

When: Wednesday, January 26 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. where: Shriver Center, Multi Purpose room Free army green T and BW3 wings coupon when you register to donate blood!

Co-sponsors:Red Alert, Evans Scholars, ASG Make an appointment at: www.DonorTime.com Enter sponsor Code 963 or call 1-800-388-GIVE

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Community

Friday

January 21, 2011

Editor Bethany Bruner community@miamistudent.net

City Council approves sirens Oxford will now be part of county-wide tornado siren program OPD breaks up party, makes multiple arrests

By Lauren Ceronie

At around 11:30 p.m. Monday, Oxford Police Department (OPD) officers were dispatched to the apartments above BikeWise in response to disorderly behavior.

The caller reportedly told dispatchers multiple males were urinating in the alley behind the store.

When officers arrived, they reportedly witnessed the owner of BikeWise telling a group of males why it is not OK to urinate in the alley or the elevator shaft behind the store.

Officers also reportedly noticed a male with a Natural Light beer can in a rear jean pocket and asked him his age.

The male, later identified as Miami University first-year Austin Guaccio, reportedly told officers he was 18 years old and was taken into custody.

The BikeWise owner then reportedly directed the officers to the freight elevator and told officers people had been urinating down the shaft from the second floor. Officers reportedly noted there was “quite a bit” of urine in the elevator, and while they were examining the area they heard the sound of “running liquid.”

According to police reports, officers noticed someone urinating down the elevator shaft from above them.

The officers proceeded upstairs to 5 N. Beech St. Unit A, where they could reportedly hear loud music.

As the officers approached the door, they reportedly saw a young looking male with two cans of Natural Light beer, one of which was opened.

The male, later identified as Miami junior Alexander Bauer, 20, reportedly tried to turn away upon noticing the officers.

Bauer was reportedly arrested while another officer arrested Miami sophomore Kevin Blaushild, 20.

At this point, a “mass exodus” reportedly occurred out the rear door of the apartment. According to police reports, people were “literally lining up single file to exit.”

Officers estimated more than 100 people were present, and the apartment was reportedly trashed with beer cans and spilled beer. The hallway was also reportedly messy.

Officers also reportedly observed a female with a blank stare on her face being helped out of the apartment.

The female reportedly told officers she was 21 years old, but her ID showed her to be Miami sophomore Jabri Stein, 18.

Stein had a strong odor of alcohol on her breath and was arrested.

Officers then reportedly attempted to determine who was responsible for the party.

Residents from an adjacent apartment reportedly told officers the residents of the apartment were not home but allowed their apartment to be used as a common party area.

After being contacted by telephone, the residents of the apartment, all of whom were at least 21 years old, reportedly came to OPD to discuss the party.

None of the residents were reportedly intoxicated, and none were determined to be present at the party.

The residents reportedly told officers they allowed their living room to be used as a party space.

One resident reportedly told officers it was not uncommon for him to return home to find unknown persons partying in his apartment.

According to police reports, Bauer was found to be in possession of a fake Connecticut driver’s license and a flask of vodka. Blaushild was reportedly found to be in possession of two fake IDs. Guaccio was cited for underage possession of alcohol.

Bauer was cited for underage possession of alcohol and possession of a fake ID. Blaushild was cited for underage possession of alcohol and possession of a fake ID. Stein was cited for underage intoxication.

Citizens of Oxford may hear tornado sirens more often in the future, due to Oxford City Council’s approval of a new tornado siren activation policy Jan. 18.

Under the new policy, tornado sirens will be activated if the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning, if Doppler radar detects a tornado anywhere in Butler County or if a credible source, such as a local public safety official, reports a tornado.

Under the old policy, the sirens could only be activated if a tornado was spotted by a credible source, according to Mayor Richard Keebler. Spotting a tornado cell on Doppler radar was not enough to warrant the activation of the sirens, Keebler said.

The council debated the new policy at length, with several members expressing concern about it.

Keebler began the debate by expressing his mixed feelings over the policy.

“I believe very much that the county needs a comprehensive plan, but I still have concern over the policy because it can cause potential problems with schools and the university if there is no tornado,” Keebler said.

Council members also expressed worries about overzealous siren activation.

With the new policy, tornado sirens could be

Staff Writer

activated even without an imminent threat, ac- age maximum is 35, according to Schwein. cording to council member Greig Rutherford. However, this age maximum can be changed “This is a poorly thought out plan,” Ru- by an ordinance passed by the City Council, therford said. “I do not believe this is a good Schwein said.

All council members agreed the age maxipolicy, I believe this is the avoidance of mum should be lifted, good policy.” but did not agree on an Tornado sirens will not appropriate maximum be activated excessively, “I believe very much age.

Council members according to Jeff Galloway, that the county needs a expressed concern over director of the Butler Councomprehensive plan, but the amount of service an ty Emergency Management I still have concern over older officer could provide Agency. If the policy had been in place in 2009, the the policy because it can to the city.

The City of Oxford pays tornado sirens would have cause potential problems to train new officers, with only been activated four with schools and the costs up to $30,000 per times throughout the year, university if there is officer, according to SchGalloway said.

Oxford Vice Mayor Ken wein.

An officer joining the no tornado.”

Bogard suggested the city Oxford Police Department implement the policy and at the age of 60 may not RICHARD KEEBLER make changes as needed. stay long enough and proMAYOR “We need to examine this vide enough service to the policy during tornado seacity to reimburse this cost, son and see what changes we need to make,” Keebler said.

Despite council concern over the ordinance, Bogard said.

The tornado siren activation policy passed Schwein defended the age maximum.

“My son had a member in his police class 5-1, with Rutherford opposing.

The council also discussed an ordinance who was 61 years old and graduated second presented by Police Chief Steve Schwein in the class,” Schwein said. “You can’t rule to establish 60 as the maximum age for an people out just because they’re older.”

City Council will discuss the ordinance original appointment to the Oxford Police Department. The current state-mandated further at the next meeting Feb. 2.

Keep on trucking

SAMANTHA LUDINGTON The Miami Student

A snow plow clears Campus Avenue in uptown Oxford Thursday afternoon. Snow blanketed the area, causing school closings and bad road conditions.

Be a better winter weather driver Winter weather may look pretty, but it can cause a pretty big mess on the roads. Sgt. Jim Squance of the Oxford Police Department said the local dispatch sees an increase in calls on snowy days because people want to know about road conditions and school closings. Squance offered these tips to drivers to stay safe on the roads.

If you don’t have to go out, don’t.

Even if you are able to drive well on snowy roads, other drivers may not. If you don’t absolutely need to

be out on the roads, stay home.

Accelerate and decelerate slowly.

This is the best method for avoiding skids, according to Squance.

He also suggests taking more time to slow down because road conditions make stopping more difficult.

Know your brakes.

Know if your brakes are anti-lock or not. Squance said the best method for braking is threshold braking, which involves keeping your heel on the floor of the vehicle

and using the ball of the foot to apply slow and steady pressure to the brake.

Don’t stop if you can avoid it.

Stopping and getting started again can be one of the trickiest parts of driving on snowy or icy roads.

Squance suggested drivers, if possible, slow down enough to keep rolling until a light changes or traffic clears at a stop sign.

If you keep your car in a garage, don’t start the car to warm it up in a closed garage.

Starting a car releases carbon monoxide. Make sure the doors are open, so the air can be ventilated.

Don’t use cruise control on snowy or icy roads.

Look and steer where you want to go.

Make sure your tires are properly inflated for snowy and icy road conditions.

Always wear your seatbelt.

Reporting by Bethany Bruner, Community Editor

Editor Hunter Stenback features@miamistudent.net

Features

Friday

January 21, 2011

5

By Michelle Ludwin For The Miami Student

The noise of a windbreaker causes heads around the Miami University Women’s Center to look up. Confused, a young college student walks in the doorway and asks at the reception desk if anyone has found something she lost. While the student helper looks around the desk, shuffling papers and opening desk drawers, a conversation strikes up between two individuals. It is not between the student helper and the student who came in, but between the student and a man sitting on the beige sofa with a white Apple computer on his lap.

The man is dressed in crisp tan slacks, an argyle sweater and thick black glasses. While the student is talking to him, little does she know that he sits in the same spot on the beige couch almost every day. He is also one of two men who work in the Women’s Center.

Mathew Hall is a senior political science and history major at Miami. Upon graduating in the spring, Hall plans on continuing his education with a Ph.D. in history. He eventually wants to teach in higher education and write a history book.

For now, he is just finishing up classes, working at the Women’s Center, the Culinary Support Center and Spectrum.

Hall is one of the newest additions to the family at the Women’s Center. Had a student walked into the center six years ago, he or she would have seen a staff completely made up of women.

However, five years ago, Directors Rhonda Jackson and Jane Geottsch made a decision. They were going to hire their first male employee in an all-female environment.

Who was the lucky man? Josh Kurz, a graduate student who began working in 2006.

Jackson admitted she and Geottsch were nervous about this transition in the center.

“We started thinking, ‘Will women be less likely to open up to a man about things like sexuality, body image and sexual assault?’” Jackson said.

Geottsch and Jackson’s worries were quickly put at ease. Kurz brought a new dynamic to the staff and to people who walked into the center.

Jackson said Kurz was raised in a household of same-sex parents and brought the ideals of Jackson Katz, a leading anti-sexist male advocate, to the center. Jackson said when Kurz brought ideas from Katz and things he had personally learned, it brought a change to the center.

“Men had positive experiences when they came to the center,” Jackson said. “The men on our staff could outreach to other men about things women couldn’t, (such as) masculinity, articulating their feelings and issues to others and working with women.”

Kurz stayed on the staff for two years and is currently completing a master’s degree. Geottsch and Jackson have since hired Tommy Marzella and Mathew Hall.

Before Hall joined the staff at the Women’s Center, he was a first-year almost ready to transfer to another school after his first semester at Miami.

“Before I grew comfortable with Spectrum and saw it was a family, I was ready to leave,” Hall said. “I had not found my pocket of friends, I felt trapped and I had not realized the diversity programs on campus and how to get involved.”

According to Hall, Spectrum is an organization for students of any sexual orientation to be a part of, and the organization promotes diversity programs on campus.

PHOTOS: SAMANTHA LUDINGTON

After joining Spectrum, Hall’s process of becoming a leader began. He took on more and more responsibilities in the student organization. Jackson, the adviser to Spectrum at the time, took notice.

“Mat took on leadership positions quietly,” Jackson said. “When something needed to be done, he would do it. He always had the time even though his academic schedule was hectic and he had another job. He was also always willing to give back to the members of Spectrum.”

Hall first became secretary of Spectrum, and currently serves as co-president of the organization. Hall admitted he probably would not have stayed at Miami if Spectrum did not exist. Being a part of Spectrum led to Hall joining the staff at the Women’s Center. Jackson saw something in Hall and encouraged him to apply to be a student ambassador his senior year.

“Sometimes there are those students when you meet them you sort of know they come to the table with a lot of skills,” Jackson said. “Mat has those skills. He has those professional and social skills of a leader.”

Hall was also not a stranger to the center. He said he spent a lot of time in and out because the GLTBQ Services Office is within the Women’s Center, and he wanted to be part of a change.

“At my other job I basically sit in a room with no windows and no one to talk to, and as a senior I wanted a job with more interactions and more to do,” Hall said.

Once Hall got the job as a student ambassador at the center, he chose the Femellectual as his area of leadership. According to the Women’s Center’s website, the Femellectual is a publication printed once a semester by students. It includes main programming points of the semester for the center, as well as personal articles and information about resources. Hall puts a lot of effort into the publication.

“To work on something like the Femellectual that is lasting is personally and intellectually rewarding,” Hall said. “To make friends and do projects that are long term and are tangible are more gratifying.”

Between classes, work with Spectrum and work with the Women’s Center, Hall’s co-workers have taken notice.

Marlen Perez, a student ambassador in the Women’s Center, said Hall pushes agendas forward at meetings and works to get things accomplished. She also said Hall embodies the fact that the center is open to anyone, not just women.

Carolina Renfro, a student ambassador in the Women’s Center, said Hall knows how to do work and play at the same time. Renfro said Hall is engaging with students who walk into the center and makes it a welcoming environment for everyone.

Hall’s presence has led to a changing dynamic at the center. Jackson said since there have been males in the center more men have come to use its resources.

“The Women’s Center is a resource available to everyone regardless of gender that not enough know about and not enough people take advantage of,” Hall said. “People are here to bring a welcoming, safe environment, especially if you are new to campus and need that environment.”

HANNAH MILLER The Miami Student

THE MIAMI STUDENT

6 ♦ FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2011

An employee puts clear packaging around the incense.

An employee dips the punks of incense in paint before giving the incense its scent.

Wild Berry President Marc Biales stands in his warehouse.

Wild Berry celebrates 40 years in Oxford

By Castle Arnold

record store.

Two years later, with growing popularity, Biales moved again and for the first time Wild Berry was Wild Berry, a popular store uptown that sells at its current location. many handmade and unique items, is celebrating “We always wanted to make sure that (the items its 40th anniversary this year. sold) were all handcrafted and kind of unique, and Marc Biales, the president of Wild Berry, said the for a long time it was handcrafted things from store’s concept is dependent upon each customer. around the world,” Biales said.

“It depends on the person’s preconceived ideas, Wild Berry is also known for its incense. people coming in for jewelry will see it as a jewThe store has always handcrafted its own inelry store, smokers will see it as a smoking shop cense, but at one time Biales tried to find a disand of course we have the incense,” Biales said. tributor because incense is challenging to make, he “It has a certain kind of appeal that you don’t find said. According to Biales, Wild Berry is one of the in a big box.” best makers of incense out there, and when he realIn 1971, Biales, a recent graduate of Miami Uni- ized retailers were interested in buying and selling versity, started a business makincense, Wild Berry decided to ing leather goods. Even though distributing.

“It depends on the person’s start he graduated, Biales continued “We made up a program that preconceived ideas, people a retailer really likes and startto take courses part-time for his enjoyment and education. coming in for jewelry will ed selling it in (19)92, we did Eventually he opened his our first trade show in (19)93 see it as a jewelry store, leather business part-time and that’s really taken off, it’s smokers will see it as a and used another store to sell way bigger than the retail store his goods, which was located smoking shop and of course now,” Biales said. where Buffalo Wild Wings Instead of making the inwe have the incense.” currently operates. He also did cense in the back of the store, craft shows part-time. From the Wild Berry now has its own MARC BIALES beginning, his shop was called factory. The factory ships diPRESIDENT OF WILD BERRY Wild Berry. rectly to approximately 2,000 “I was hiking around one stores in the United States day when I had to come up with the name and I and countries all over the world, including Jacame on these wild berries and I just thought it fit,” pan, England, Australia, South America, Iceland Biales said. and Guam.

Wild Berry began carrying more than just leathOver the past 40 years, Wild Berry has grown er goods, including pottery and other items Biales from a one-man band to having 20 workers at didn’t necessarily make himself. After a year, the the factory, six workers in the retail store and an location moved again and shared a shop with a online business.

For The Miami Student

Punks of chinese bamboo incense lay in the Wild Berry warehouse after being covered in sawdust, a crucial, but inexpensive, part of the incense making process.

SAMANTHA LUDINGTON The Miami Student

                     

           

     

  

          

THE MIAMI STUDENT

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2011 ♦ 7

SORORITIES continued from page 1

said she had heard some news about the events but it did not impact her decision in rushing.

“Rush was very exciting, overwhelming, but in a good way,” Lonergan said.

First-year Zeta Tau Alpha pledge Kate Schumacher said her parents were apprehensive about her decision to rush.

“I did hear a lot of things because I’m from Cincinnati,” Schumacher said.

“My parents were not very pleased with my decision to rush.”

Schumacher said going through the recruitment process was a positive experience.

“It’s definitely a good experience, even for people who are against it,” Schumacher said.

Levering also attributed the success to a number of students whose families have a Greek life history.

“A lot of people come to Miami to be Greek,” Levering said.

With approximately 1,055 registered women and 935 women participating in open house, Levering said all chapters made quota this year. She said a majority of women who did not participate in open house were ineligible because of grade requirements.

When rush came to an end, 753 women were matched to a sorority chapter, according to Levering.

According to statistics available on The Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life website, most 2010 pledge classes fell somewhere between 42 and 47 new pledges.

This year, according to Levering, chapters handed out between 52 and 56 bid cards.

The success, according to Levering, has a positive impact on all chapters at Miami.

FRATERNITIES continued from page 1

others did not.

“I think that a more formal process was really good for some fraternities and not really good for other fraternities,” Huber said.

“It was good because having the four house rule exposed a lot of guys to different houses, which meant the people weren’t going in blindly, so they had a more educated decision.”

Huber said some potential new members found loopholes in the rule.

“The downside of that is a lot of people kind of just came and signed their names and just walked out because they weren’t interested in that house,” Huber said.

Huber has also heard some

fraternities did not wait until the designated day to give out bids.

“I have heard from very legitimate sources that fraternities broke that rule,” Huber said.

Huber said his fraternity followed the new rules but found it troublesome that other houses did not.

“I don’t understand why we waited that long to give out bids,” Huber said. “We followed the rule anyways but then saw everyone around us breaking it.”

Heiser said his office has heard there were issues with the new rules.

“We are still going through some complaints about (handing out bids early),” Heiser said.

Heiser said IFC was diligent in explaining the new rules to potential members and fraternities.

“We were more persistent on e-mails and making sure that this year’s students knew what was going on with recruitment and we

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had meetings beforehand so that they were more educated on the recruitment process,” Heiser said.

Despite the rules, rush numbers were substantially higher for men’s recruitment.

Heiser said more than 900 men participated in the process, compared to 830 in 2010. He attributed the high numbers to the Greek community’s reaction to bad press in the spring.

“We came back from a rough spring and you could tell there was a change in attitude and refocus on what it’s about to be Greek that attracted a lot of people,” Huber said.

LOGO

continued from page 1 large number of faulty logos and the university is still determining a cost estimate. He said Miami’s athletic department will share the project’s costs with facilities like Goggin.

While Lener could not give any price estimates, he said the university will initially take on small projects to delay large-scale costs.

“With the financial situation the university is in and the financial situation we are in as a department, we wouldn’t spend millions of dollars,” he said. “We are looking at what can we do immediately and what can be pushed off for later.”

In its entirety, the project is not expected to reach the million dollar mark, according to Lener.

He said while no logos have yet been altered, work will begin after a plan for implementation is in place.

TESTING

continued from page 1

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© 2011 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. In this document, “PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (a Delaware limited liability partnership), which is a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each member firm of which is a separate legal entity. We are proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.

which is funded by grants.

While Miami students are required to have health insurance, some insurance companies do not cover HIV testing, Walenga said.

Erica Zornes, program associate for health services, said students can purchase comprehensive insurance through the university for $1,107 per year or basic insurance for $774 per year, but only the comprehensive plan covers HIV testing.

While Walenga admitted the change was motivated by financial concerns, she said HIV testing is still being offered at a discounted price to students. She said the material and labor to do each HIV test is $35.46, and of the 380 HIV tests the center performs each year, more than half were done anonymously.

“We now charge $25, while most insurance companies will reimburse $15,” she said. “We aren’t making money on this, but we are losing less money.”

Walenga said the university started billing insurance companies for all health services well before her arrival in 2008, with the exception of HIV testing.

She said the practice was started to help students avoid the stigma attached to HIV and AIDS. “The HIV testing was held out because there was some thought people might not come in because people didn’t want to be identified,” she said. “In the early days of HIV infection there were a lot of discriminatory practices … there was a lot of concern that if people were identified as HIV positive, their insurance would get terminated and people would shun them.”

Walenga said cutting free HIV testing will save the university between $4,900 and $12,000 per year in expenses, but she also wants to change the current views on HIV testing.

With HIV testing included as a standard procedure, Walenga hopes to reduce the stigma associated with it and make it a normal part of medical examinations.

“I hope to see the amount of students getting tested increase,” she said. “HIV testing should be part of normal medical care for all sexually active adults.”

8

Opinion

Friday January 21, 2011

Editors Sam Kay Jessica Sink editorial@miamistudent.net

➤ EDITORIAL

The following pieces, written by the editorial editors, reflect the majority opinion of the editorial board.

Replacing right-facing ’Hawks, wrong fiscal priority T

he Miami University Athletic How many students have even Department will soon begin to noticed or cared? replace certain right-facing RedDid the turned heads, forgive us, Hawk logos inconsistent with the actually turn any heads? official RedHawk, which faces to In addition, this logo discrepthe left. ancy is an issue that should have The logos currently in question been considered when the logo was are facing to the right, and athletic first introduced. officials want all Before plasterlogos throughout ing the RedHawk the university to on every possible At a time when be consistent. free space, the unifaculty and staff The editorial versity should have are losing their board of The Miami made sure it was the Student feels replac- jobs and academics correct version. ing the logos at this As a large perare suffering, time is completely centage of student spending any elective, and therefees go toward sum on logo fore any expenditure athletics, students replacement is is unwarranted. have to pay for According to offia mistake that unjustifiable. cials, when the logo easily could have was created there been avoided. were several differWith such a tight ent versions produced, some facing budget at the university, this is not left, some facing right. the best way to spend money.

The cost of replacing the inAt a time when faculty and correct logos will be shared be- staff are losing their jobs and tween the athletic department academics are suffering, spendand the facilities where the lo- ing any sum on logo replacement gos are, including the Goggin is unjustifiable.

Ice Center.

Perhaps a left-facing-RedHawkThe board is discouraged by the shaped donation box should be set lack of consideration shown by up outside of athletic facilities so those making decisions involving any alumni or students who actuthe RedHawk logo. ally care about fixing the logos can Especially during a time when the help fund the project themselves. university is facing financial strain, We doubt the boxes would fill up using funds to replace logos that are very quickly. facing the wrong way seems to be Perhaps it is not the RedHawk an irresponsible action. that needs to face the right direction, Are student experiences negative- but the university. ly affected because the logos are not Focus on what really matters, all uniform? student education.

Change to HIV testing policy will decrease stigma I

n a move to save money and reduce stigma associated with the tests, Miami University Student Health Services has discontinued the practice of free, anonymous HIV testing.

HIV will now be tested in the same manner as any other sexually transmitted disease (STD).

The editorial board of The Miami Student believes reducing stigma associated with HIV testing will encourage more students to get tested.

This board feels it was a mistake for HIV testing to carry more stigma than other STD testing with potentially lethal complications, such as human papilloma virus (HPV).

We are slightly concerned the cost of the test could turn some students away. The $25 fee is far from prohibitive and below the actual $35 cost of the test, but an impediment nonetheless.

We are, however, pleased the health center will be potentially saving tens of thousands of dollars, which is a great benefit during times of financial strain.

We remind students that free testing for HIV and other STDs is available elsewhere, including the Miami Mobile Health Unit.

There are other options, and in-

dividual health is primarily student responsibility.

Although unrealistic in the current budget climate, this board would like to see all STD testing on campus provided free to students.

STDs are as much an issue of campus safety as fire drills, crosswalks or nighttime lighting.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 45 percent of women age 20 to 24 have HPV. Miami seems to have fewer, or at least less visible, safe sex awareness initiatives than other universities.

Condoms, let alone free ones, are not readily available on campus.

The university seems to be aware of and react to issues of drug and alcohol use.

The board believes administrators may prudishly overlook the amount of sex students are having.

Of course, administrators can only do so much.

With the exception of cases of sexual assault, safe sex is an issue of personal responsibility and choice.

While this board calls upon the university to do more to encourage safe sex, our loudest pleas are direct at students: get tested for STDs, choose your partner wisely and use a condom.

The Miami Student

CHAD STEBBINS The Miami Student

➤ LETTERS

“Rape culture” wrongly places blame on victims I was particularly impressed with Jessie Hall’s letter to the editor published Jan. 18 regarding where the blame of sexual assault should lie. Not only did she hit the nail right on the head, but she also touched on a larger endemic problem within college campuses, the phenomenon which is “rape culture.”

What is so dangerous about messages that even slightly indicate that women, although of course men are victims of sexual assault as well, can prevent sexual assault is that it obviously takes away responsibility from the perpetrator who took advantage. It also provides the non-effected others a sense of false security (“She must have done something to want it.” “She is a slut anyway.”). It’s easier to believe someone did something to deserve this horrible thing in her life than to believe that we live, work, study and party with individuals who could be so malicious. It puts an arbitrary wall between themselves and victims, and hence the thought “That will never happen to me.” Until, of course, it does.

When it does happen, victims feel a sense of self-blame and confusion because what happened to them completely flies in the face of what they had previously thought about themselves. It immediately silences the victim.

If I’m completely honest, if you have ever said to your friend “You were really drunk, are you sure?” or “It’s not a big deal, get over it already” or “He’s such a nice guy, I’m sure he didn’t mean it,” then you are both indirectly and directly contributing to the “rape culture.”

A discussion about what we know about offenders of sexual assault is important. We know that most men are not rapists. Most men, when confronted with a drunk girl who needs to be carried home will carry her home, tuck her in bed, make sure she’s okay and then leave. Research tells us it is a very small percentage of men who, when confronted with a drunk girl who needs to be carried home, will carry her home and then have sex with her regardless of the fact that she is incapacitated, then in the morning contrive the story that she was “totally all over him and wanted it.”

Under Ohio Law, someone cannot give consent for sex when “substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition.”

That’s the law, and “whoever violates that is guilty of rape, a felony of the first degree…” read it yourself. Offenders, you are still responsible for your behaviors regardless of if you are drunk or not. It’s called being an informed citizen and decent human being. For some reason we all understand that a drunk driver is still responsible if damage happened when driving drunk.

I get so fed up with messages that target what women should do to prevent sexual assault. They are ineffective and, as mentioned above, contribute to the “rape culture.”

Rather, a focus needs to be on the perpetrators. They are the ones committing this crime.

Therefore, I propose this list of prevention tips guaranteed to work: Don’t put drugs in people’s drinks in order to control their behavior.

Don’t forget, you can’t have sex with someone unless they are awake.

Remember, you must obtain consent before you can touch anyone.

When you see someone walking by themselves, leave them alone!

Use the buddy system. If you are not able to stop yourself from assaulting people, ask a friend to stay with you.

If you are in an elevator and someone else gets in, don’t assault them.

Always be honest with people. Don’t pretend to be a caring friend in order to gain the trust of someone you want to assault. Consider telling them you plan to assault them.

Carry a whistle. If you are worried you might assault someone, you can hand it to the person you are with, so they can blow it if you do.

As the coordinator of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program on campus, I applaud people like Jessie Hall, just a coincidence on the same last name, who really get it and speak out on this issue. If you would like more information or want to be part of Women Against Violence and Sexual Assault (W.A.V.E.S.) or Men Against Rape and Sexual Assault (M.A.R.S.), please don’t be silent and contact me.

Nicole L. Hall Coordinator of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program hallnl@muohio.edu

➤ WRITE US

All letters must be signed in order to be printed.

Please send letters via e-mail to: editorial@miamistudent.net We reserve the right to edit for length, content and clarity.

Your rule of thumb

Oldest university newspaper in the United States, established 1826

EDITORIAL BOARD Erin Fischesser Editor in Chief Thomasina Johnson News Editor Erin Maher Managing Editor Scott Allison Online Editor Sam Kay Editorial Editor Jessica Sink Editorial Editor Stephen Bell Campus Editor

Amelia Carpenter Campus Editor Amanda Seitz Campus Editor Bethany Bruner Community Editor Michael Solomon Sports Editor Hunter Stenback Features Editor Samantha Ludington Photo Editor Hannah Miller Art Director

Reilly Smith being named CCHA offensive player of the week for the second time this year.

Lots of homework and syllabus week being over!

THE MIAMI STUDENT

Opinion

➤ GREEN EGGS AND SAM

Playing host to mediocrity

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2011 ♦ 9

Rule of thumb Tuffy’s hot chocolate

In 1989, the Dalai Lama won the Nobel “Would you like the government to Peace Prize. In 2009, President Barack change?” I asked him.

Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize. Last “Yes,” he said. “But I am not a political year, Chinese dissident science major and I did not go to People’s Liu Xiaobo won the University, so I cannot get a job in the govprize but was unable ernment, especially not a high-ranking job.” to collect it because He paused. “But you cannot change your he was and remains government either.” a political prisoner in “Yes, I can.” I turned to my friend.

China. This week, his “Hey, if I ran for Congress, would you jailer, Hu Jintao, paid vote for me?” He shrugged and nodded. the U.S. a visit. One “Do you support the Chinese governSam Nobel laureate hosted ment?” I asked Li. Kay a man personally reHe suddenly got uncomfortable. “I sponsible for the suffer- cannot say,” he said. “I think the goving of two other Nobel laureates. As ernment is too powerful, but everyone Michael Green – a former adviser to Pres- knows you can’t say this.” Li told me ident Bush – told The New York Times, he is afraid speaking too openly even “How awkward.” in the U.S. because it could make it difDuring President Hu ficult for him to return Jintao’s visit to Washingto China. ton and Chicago, he was I turned my head slowly lavishly hosted. Hu was I find it terrifying from left to right, scanwelcomed with a 21-gun the dining hall for that the Chinese ning salute, treated to lunch Chinese censors or spies. government is at the State Department “The Chinese governso powerful by the vice president and ment is not here,” I told a full state dinner at the him in Chinese. “Whatthat it can White House hosted by is right, that is what effectively censor ever the president and first you can say.”

Chinese citizens lady. As part of the visit, He told me he could even overseas. $45 billion in trade deals not take the risk. He gave were announced, includthe example of Stanley ing a deal worth $19 bilToops, a Miami Univerlion for Boeing to sell sity geography professor 200 airplanes to China. At first glance, who was blacklisted by Chinese authorithis seems like a windfall for the United ties because of a chapter he contributed States, but the cost is far too high. to a book about the Xinjiang Autonomous Wednesday night, while President Region. The same thing could happen to Obama and President Hu were dining at me, Li warned, if I write such things in the White House, I ate at Hamilton Hall. The Miami Student.

I find it terrifying that the Chinese Happening upon a friend of mine, I sat down at his table across from a Chinese government is so powerful that it can student I had not met before. I will call effectively censor Chinese citizens him Li for his privacy. I happened to be even overseas with the implied threat wearing a Tibetan-style shirt I bought in of legal consequences when they return India, so we soon began talking about Ti- home. I find it abhorrent that we would bet and China. Naturally, we reached an so extravagantly host the head of such impasse on the issue of the political status a government.

It is true that we have to deal with the of the Dalai Lama.

Meaning to turn the discussion toward Chinese Communist Party until or unless less controversial things, I asked if he its rule is ended by the Chinese people, was proud that President Hu was wel- but I fear we may prolong that rule by afcomed to Washington with such pomp fording President Hu such high diplomatic honors. What message does this send to and circumstance.

“No,” Li told me. I was surprised. the Dalai Lama? What message does this “Whenever high ranking officials come to send to Liu Xiaobo? What message does Washington on a trip, they buy expensive this send to Li, our classmate?

I understand diplomacy is complithings,” he said. He told me it was wrong for the Chinese government to spend so cated. We cannot afford to outrage much money on trips overseas when they such an important trading partner durdon’t have enough money to pay for food ing a weak economic period, but there or health care for all Chinese citizens. The is more than economics at stake here.

2008 Beijing Olympics and 2010 Shang- Firing off a 21-gun salute for a modhai World Expo were also wastes of mon- ern dictator may be realpolitik, but it is still mediocrity. ey, Li said.

The perfect drink for those long walks to class.

Long lines at the package center ‘You’ve got mail’ means you’ve got a long wait.

Arabian Nights and new businesses uptown Uptown is turning into a ‘Whole New World’ for Miami University students.

Absent sundial It is now impossible to tell which month it is. Where have our beloved turtles gone?

NFL postseason It’s time to get your cheesehead in the game and “bear” your true colors!

Construction on High Street Construction is loud, messy and ugly.

Synchronized skating team Skating their way to the top!

➤ ESSAY

Assange poses a threat to government security

With board members unknowingly a part There is no information or proof of his actuof WikiLeaks and key volunteers quitting al credentials or the work he had performed because of Julian Assange’s dictatorial man- prior to the WikiLeaks project. agement approach, the task of painting a picThe best information available is in a biture of the organization proves difficult. ography, which states he is a “prolific pro But removing the noise and shifting the grammer and consultant for many open focus on Assange yields a much clearer source projects and his software is used by portrait, allowing the intent of the organiza- most large organizations and is inside evtion to be critically examery Apple computer.” Still, ined as opposed to getting he has not appeared in any trapped in focusing on its sources open to the public as WikiLeaks has public identity. being a freelance contributor as sketchy and The information availto Apple. able on Assange is limited, The fact that an advocate unknown of a but it is known that he is an for transparency has such a past as the experienced cryptographer blurry past does very little to governments they and hacker. He was taken to support the thought that they seek to change. court for hacking into thouare conspiring with others. sands of systems, including It does, however, point out Pot, meet kettle. a few belonging to the U.S. major discrepancies in AsDepartment of Defense. sange’s credibility by revealAn e-mail exchange posting the possibility of maniped by the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- ulating the public by manufacturing a past nology shows Assange collaborating with that can answer any questions that arise.

NASA scientist Fred Blonder and Los AlamEven though there is a need for the anonymos National Laboratory scientist Michael C. ity of Assange and WikiLeaks’ board memNeuman on a project nearly two years before bers, there is also a need to portray the group as his prosecution. being open and trusted, but that is not the case.

These scientists were in top positions at WikiLeaks has as sketchy and unknown of a prominent national security research insti- past as the governments they seek to change. tutions. This makes Assange connected to a Pot, meet kettle. seemingly tight-knit community of national Of course, there is always the idea that security scientists, and it’s not the only am- Assange and WikiLeaks are funded and biguous trait of his past. controlled by the U.S. government to proAssange has reportedly attended 37 vide reasoning for Internet regulation. Alseparate schools and six universities, many though it is an interesting claim, it is difficult of which have yet to be mentioned by name. to prove.

OK, it may not be a conspiracy, but there are still many questions that need to be answered before I relinquish my foil hat. The simple fact is that Americans are now in a compromising position because of what WikiLeaks has brought to the table.

The possibility of regulating the Internet may be laughable, but the reality is that there were reports that both military and university leaders spoke out against reading the cables online.

It is far from absolute regulation, but it is as close to a knee-jerk reaction that I need to register in my mind that it could very well be a route considered by the government at a later time.

It is clear that WikiLeaks is a threat to government transparency and much of what is happening parallels a perfect storm that could both obligate and justify the government to go to extremes in combating the organization.

Therefore, even though WikiLeaks may be expressing and testing our freedom of speech and press, those rights are contingent upon the extremes to which the government wishes to go in the name of national security.

When looking back at the PATRIOT Act or Ollie North’s Rex 84, it is not so far-fetched to see that because of the threat WikiLeaks poses on our government, it inadvertently poses a similar threat to our civil freedom.

Thumb and Thumber

Joshua Carpenter

carpenj4@muohio.edu

Submit your thumbs online at www.miamistudent.net/thumbs. We’ll print our favorites!

➤ THIS AND THAT

American Idol has lost its edge American Idol is in a very precarious position. If it doesn’t have a great season, the show is in danger of ending.

It was once the show everyone was dying to see. It rocked the ratings and demolished competition.

Musicians from across the country were auditioning for their shot at stardom, Chris even if it was only DeNicola five minutes in the audition episodes.

Now, it features two new judges: Steven Tyler from Aerosmith and Jennifer Lopez. The problem is that people are starting to move on.

People are saying Idol should try to lose the tough judge image and survive without Simon Cowell, a man who at times was hated by viewers. Let’s face it though, he was one of the best parts of the show. He was brutally honest and didn’t care about the singers’ feelings. Many times he gave them the exact motivation that they needed to prove themselves.

The fact is that he was real. He said what was on his mind. The music industry is a vicious business. It’s not a feel-good atmosphere where people who give their best shot get signed to record deals. I’m sorry, that’s not how it works.

We shouldn’t feel bad for contestants who get bad judge comments because this isn’t about how hard they worked, it’s about who is good enough to become an idol.

Now that Idol has less of an edge judge-wise, we might not have the artists pushing their limits as much.

Think about it. If someone says to you “Yeah, it was good, but it’s not quite there,” you’ll probably work a little harder on it, but if someone tells you point blank “That was awful, there was no passion and I didn’t like it,” you’re going to go home furious and come back with an energy to prove yourself like no one knew you could.

The music industry already has a number of people who are good but not great. Don’t get me wrong, I respect anyone who has the courage to write his or her own music and put it out there because that takes an amazing amount of guts. No matter what, they should be applauded. That doesn’t, however, mean the song itself should be praised. I’m sure Christina Aguilera put a ton of work into Bionic, but it was a bad album with bad songs.

We shouldn’t feel bad for contestants who get bad comments from judges, because the show isn’t about how hard they worked, but rather who is good enough to become an “idol.”

The show needs to get another Carrie Underwood. If you think about it, she’s the only contestant who has really been a blowout success. Kelly Clarkson has done great as well, but the difference is when I think of Carrie Underwood I don’t think American Idol.

The show needs to produce another star whose career overshadows anything they ever did on Idol. You can’t sustain a show over years and years if the contestants who win aren’t dynamic enough to hold people’s attention for more than a year or two. Sure, some people can rattle off every winner from each year, but then again, a lot of people probably have to think for a second about a couple of them.

You aren’t an idol if people can’t remember your name off the top of their head.

American Idol is no longer the new show. It no longer has the young audience’s attention. It doesn’t have the one judge who everyone loves to hate but hates to admit is right a lot of the time.

It has lost its edge. If judges don’t push the contestants and it doesn’t showcase an amazing breakout star this season, its days are numbered. Even Jenny from the block can’t help that.

10

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January 21, 2011

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Sports

THE MIAMI STUDENT

HOCKEY

continued from page 12 with either one in front of them.”

After the wins, Miami moved into the third place spot in the CCHA standings. Although the Spartans sit in 10th in the CCHA, the ’Hawks are ready for a tough battle.

“They’re going to be good, they’re always a tough team to play against, especially in

their own rink,” Cannone said. “We know that we’re going to get their best and they have a hot goalie, so we’re going to try to get as many shots as we can, see what happens and try to make his life tough in front of the net.”

The Red and White have been focusing on their special teams play this week to prepare for the weekend series. Miami currently leads the CCHA in special teams, both in power play (21.2 percent) and in penalty kill (91.4 percent).

Historically, the Spartans are 35-15-3

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2011 ♦ 11

all-time when taking on the ’Hawks in East Lansing, but the last two contests between Michigan State and Miami have been splits, both in Oxford. Miami is 4-0 in the last two series between the teams in Munn Arena, but those sweeps came in November 2007 and 2008.

Echoing Cannone, Reichard said Michigan State is going to be ready to play.

“They’re a good team, they have quite a few good players, they’re well coached,” Reichard said. “It should be a good series.”

The ’Hawks are set to start at 7:35 p.m. Friday and 7:05 p.m. Saturday.

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12

Sports

Friday January 21, 2011

NCAA needs to change

Editor Michael Solomon sports@miamistudent.net

Brian Gallagher

Gallagher’s Going for Two

W

hile I was up late watching old Batman reruns, I could have sworn I heard the Riddler say, “Riddle me this, Batman, when is the NCAA no longer a viable institution?

The answer? As long as they continue becoming hypocrites of their own regulations.”

I know, I was just as flabbergasted, but the Riddler’s words ring true, especially after this winter’s bowl season.

It was during this time The Ohio State University played in its bowl game.

The allegations against Ohio State got as much attention on ESPN as Twiggy, the water-skiing squirrel who once made an appearance on SportsCenter for an entire week straight.

Five players were penalized for selling their hard-earned merchandise for cash and tattoos.

The NCAA subsequently laid down a harsh ruling, suspending the players for five regular season games. Seems pretty tough, right?

Five games out of only 13 could seriously affect a player’s draft status, as well as mess up Mel Kiper Jr.’s draft board (but not his hair).

Fortunately, those games would not affect the players’ participation in the Sugar Bowl.

Something about this just doesn’t feel right, just like the sweater I got from my Great Aunt Mabel for Christmas.

By allowing the players to compete, the NCAA kept its payday from the bowl (because who wants to watch a team without its best players), but also seemed to give out a very harsh punishment.

When asked why they would not just leave after this season for the NFL draft and skip out on the punishment, the student-athletes said they had made a promise to their coach. I’m sure that like Cush’s dad in Jerry McGuire, their word is like “oak.”

In attempting to come off as a strict disciplinarian, the NCAA instead appears to be a scared babysitter, afraid to give out too much punishment because it will hurt its paycheck.

The main cause of the problem seemed to be the fact that the players “didn’t know they couldn’t do that.”

I did some in-depth NCAA research by asking a former athlete familiar with the system.

NCAA athletes have to sign a plethora of paperwork before each school year, two forms of which show the hypocrisy of the situation at hand.

The first form that is signed, and athletes have to sign it, basically says student-athletes are not allowed to make money based on their athletic performances.

The next paper they sign gives the NCAA permission to use the athlete’s image, likeness, uniform, et cetera as they please.

I have a friend in law school, and even he doesn’t think it makes sense.

If the players are guilty, and there is no denying that they broke the rules, then they should be punished for their actions.

In this current system, everybody wins but nobody is right.

Ohio State got its bowl game paycheck, the NCAA got great ratings from a good game and the players got to showcase their talents even after doing something wrong.

The NCAA needs to make changes or it will end up like Rodney Dangerfield, getting no respect.

MICHAEL GRIGGS The Miami Student

Sophomore Garrett Kennedy pushes a Bowling Green State University skater against the glass Jan. 14.

HOCKEY

NEXT GAME: 7:35 p.m. Friday at Michigan State University

RedHawks hope for sweep

By Hannah R. Miller Staff Writer

Coming off its first sweep since Nov. 19 and 20, the Miami University ice hockey team (10-6-2 Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), 13-8-3 overall) looks to continue climbing the CCHA standings as they face off against the Michigan State University Spartans (5-9-2 CCHA, 9-114 overall) Jan. 21 and 22. The RedHawks head to East Lansing, Mich. with a few recent adjustments.

Against the Bowling Green State University Falcons, senior Pat Cannone joined Carter Camper in sporting a “C” on his jersey. The new co-captain was chosen by

BASKETBALL

Head Coach Enrico Blasi in order to remove some of the pressure from Camper and assistant captains Andy Miele, Will Weber and Alden Hirschfeld.

“He embodies everything that we ask of any of our players, and he’s been very consistent all year long,” Blasi said of Cannone.

“Sometimes there’s a lot of pressure that goes on with being a captain, and he can alleviate a little bit of the pressure from the rest of the guys so they can just focus on their game.”

Even with the new leadership role, Cannone does not see the coaches’ expectations changing for him.

“They still expect me to go out and do my job, make plays and create some offense,” Cannone said. “They just want me to keep

doing what I’m doing, keep high tempo play up and work hard. I think my role is still the same.”

In addition to their new co-captain, the ’Hawks were backstopped with 49 saves in two games against the Falcons by netminder Cody Reichard. Following the sweep, Blasi said the team will continue to make goaltending decisions as they come.

“I think right now we’re just looking to go weekend to weekend and trying to get two wins every weekend and try to get on a little bit of a roll,” Blasi said. “It could be Cody (Reichard), it could be Connor (Knapp), it just all depends on how the team is looking

wSee HOCKEY, page 11

NEXT GAME: 2 p.m. Sunday at Kent State University

Big three lead ’Hawks in win

By Alex Butler Staff Writer

Big Julian Mavunga topped the stat sheet with a career-high 25 points, but the other two members of what coach Charlie Coles called his big three were just as vital to a RedHawks victory Wednesday night.

Miami University seniors Nick Winbush and Antonio Ballard both had double-doubles in the 84-76 win over the University of Akron at Millett Hall Wednesday night. The ’Hawks were coming off of a 6253 loss Jan. 16 at Bowling Green State University.

“I thought we came out ready to play tonight and we did a really good job of establishing ourselves on the court,” Coles said. “In the past, we’ve been giving up early offensive rebounds, not running the offense with energy and not establishing ourselves. Tonight we got that going, and I really liked it.”

Coles said he also liked Ballard’s 19 points and 10 rebounds and Winbush’s 11 points and a dozen boards. They are the first RedHawks duo to have doubledoubles in the same game since Nathan Peavy and William Hatcher in 2006.

“Coach Coles made mention of it in the locker room,” Mavunga said.

“I feel like we’ve had games where one guy shines or another guy shines, but I just feel like we were in sync more than we have been in any game this whole season.”

The ’Hawks (8-10, 3-1 MidAmerican Conference) scored the games’ first seven points, but the Zips followed that with a 10-0 run.

The Red and White wrestled back the lead 14-12 at 11:49 and didn’t let it slip from their claws. The comeback started with the ’Hawks down 12-11 before they went on a 16-3 run to take command.

“If you watch Akron play at all there would be times where they would be down,” Ballard said. “We knew that Akron was a team that could chip away and come back.

We knew that we couldn’t let them build their momentum.”

The Zips got close, at 17-15, before the three pointers started falling. Sophomore Orlando Williams spurred a 10-0 RedHawks run with several deep treys, and finished four of five from distance in the opening act with 12 points.

“I guess it kind of transferred over from the Bowling Green game,” Williams said. “I’ve just been in the gym working on my shot, and today it showed.”

At the 11:48 mark, the Zips closed the gap to 55-48. The teams traded baskets, and the Red and White were in need of a statement shot. Winbush sat on the left elbow before being found, and put the Red and White up 64-50, bringing the red clad crowd back into the ball game.

The RedHawks did not score during the final five minutes, but did make 12 of 16 free throws to seal an all-important conference win.

SCOTT ALLISON The Miami Student

Junior forward Julian Mavunga slams down two of his career-high 25 points Jan. 19 against the Unitersity of Akron.