January 24, 2012 | The Miami Student

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

VOLUME 139 NO. 34

TUESDAY, January 24, 2012

MIAMI UNIVERSITY OXFORD, OHIO

TODAY IN MIAMI HISTORY In 1990, The Miami Student reported that Miami University would withdraw recognition of Sigma Nu fraternity until the fall. The withdrawal followed

three separate incidents that involved the fraternity, including offensive behavior at a “Viking” themed party in September and a fight with the Theta Chi fraternity in December. A fire at the fraternity’s house in December prompted Oxford officials to investigate fire code violations at the house.

ASG to vote on election process changes

By Allison McGillivray

Senior Staff Writer

Associated Student Government (ASG) will consider making changes to the process for the upcoming student body election at Tuesday’s meeting.

Changes would include eliminating a contest from the general student body election if a candidate in the primary student body election receives more than 50 percent of the vote.

Candidates would also have to run as part of a party, although they would be able to name the party whatever

the wish and would be free to choose whether to run in conjunction with candidates for other offices.

These changes would affect the campaigns for the positions of student body president and student body vice president (elected as a slate), vice president of student organizations and vice president of campus activities.

The student senate will vote on these changes today.

Student Body Vice President Matt Frazier said the changes have seen positive support in the ASG cabinet. Frazier said the idea to

FUSING WITH OTHER CULTURES

shorten the election process is based on experience from past elections.

“Looking in the past, the data that I have, at least in the past 10 years, whenever we’ve had three or more candidates running and one candidate gets more than 50 percent during that first primary election, they have always won the general election,” Frazier said.

The Nick Huber/Matt Frazier slate for student body president and student body vice president received over 50 percent of the primary votes.

Frazier said the general election often gets

fewer voters than the primary election.

“We don’t have a lot of great polling data, but [in] the data I’ve had access to, you see a lot of people come out for the first primary but the second election doesn’t seem to have as many people voting,” Frazier said.

Frazier said he suspects this is because students are getting tired of the election process by the time of the second election.

Student Body President Nick Huber said he thinks this change is likely to benefit the candidates more than voters but he does not think that the voters will

COLLEEN YATES THE MIAMI STUDENT

Participants in Fusion: The Quest for Love perform a traditional Korean dance during Saturday afternoon’s soldout show at Hall Auditorium. Saturday afternoon was the second sold-out show for Fusion. The Asian American Association of Miami University puts on Fusion every year.

Award-winning author reads book to students

By Lorraine Boissoneault

senior staff writer

Seeing Jaimy Gordon now, it’s hard to believe she was ever the type of person who didn’t smile for photos.

“After I won the National Book Award, I looked back at some of the pictures and I was smiling in all of them. I couldn’t get the smile to go away. I thought, damn, I’m going to smile from now on,” Gordon said.

She came to perform a reading of her novel Lord of Misrule Thursday.

Despite the cold, a number of Miami University students turned out to attend the reading, filling about half of the 225 available seats in Leonard Theater at Peabody Hall.

Lord of Misrule describes the magnetic power of a run-down racetrack and the diverse characters who pin their hopes on the speed of their horses. Much like the character Little Spinoza, an unruly and occasionally violent horse, Lord of Misrule was hardly a guaranteed winner for the National Book Award.

In fact, the novel was published only upon encouragement from one of

Gordon’s previous publishers, the small McPherson Press. The manuscript had stayed hidden away in a drawer for years after Gordon unsuccessfully attempted to sell it to larger publishing houses in New York and elsewhere.

Gordon was so sure of not winning the award that she failed to prepare any type of speech. After hearing her name called, she found

powerful effect on the captivated listeners as Gordon wound her way through different passages in the book.

At one point, students grimaced as she read the description of Little Spinoza’s castration. They were later rewarded with the satisfaction of this same horse winning a race in which he had been labeled the underdog.

“I like to give credit to my characters for having visual

After I won the National Book Award, I looked back at some of the pictures and I was smiling in all of them. I couldn’t get the smile to go away.”

JAIMY GORDON

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNING AUTHOR

herself mouthing the word “wow” over and over again as she made her way to the podium to accept the award.

According to Eric Goodman, director of the Creative Writing program at Miami and personal friend of Gordon, Lord of Misrule “was the feel good literary story of 2010 and 2011.”

“It’s distinctive because of its extraordinary use of voice,” Goodman said.

The distinct voices had a

imaginations,” Gordon said at the end of the reading.

For this particular novel, she drew upon her own experiences working at a racetrack, where she daily heard the melodic jargon of trainers and jockeys.

“This language, I just wanted to be inside of it,” Gordon said.

A number of students formed a queue at the end of the reading, clutching their copies of Lord of Misrule,

eager to share in a conversation with the charismatic and forthright author.

Although most visiting authors are sponsored solely by the English department, such a prestigious figure as Jaimy Gordon was also funded by the Humanities Center, Goodman said.

“They like readers that have interdisciplinary appeal,” Goodman said.

And when it came to choosing Gordon as a reader, the decision was a no-brainer.

“The goal is for students to be exposed to a range of authors,” Goodman said.

“We usually either select someone who is a friend of one of the members of our committee or we bring back graduate students who have published their first book.”

“She’s the first National Book Award Winner to come to Miami, which is exciting,” said senior creative writing major Madison Peterson.

Peterson added that although she’d never read any of Gordon’s work, she enjoys listening to readings because they allow her the chance to learn about new books and new authors.

GORDON, SEE PAGE 10

lose much.

“Yes, there will be about a week that is lost that the candidates would have had to spend going to other student organizations and reaching out to those students,” Huber said. “Some students, who typically if we did the whole process, would be getting some of those candidates that hadn’t gotten exposure to them prior to the primaries. I don’t think that is that huge of a hindrance.”

Frazier also said it will be beneficial to all of the candidates who choose to run in the election because it saves them time and money.

ASG Secretary to the Executive Cabinet Nick Miller agrees.

“No candidate has ever come back from that 50 percent deficit from the primary election so what is the point of putting those candidates through all that stress and having them waste that much more money on something that’s already over?” Miller said.

Ending the campaign early will allow winning candidates to transition into their positions sooner, according to Frazier.

Huber a longer transition process would be beneficial for winners.

“They’ll have more time to work with their predecessor and really hit their stride before summer starts so that they can really have everything going and have all of their plans set and the action steps ready to go before they leave for summer break,” Huber said.

Huber also supports the potential to have a shorter campaign period.

“From first-hand experience, campaigning is one of the most exhausting things I’ve ever had to do,” Huber said. “It’s physically taxing, it’s financially taxing and it’s also draining from an emotional standpoint because you are constantly going and trying to sell yourself.”

Huber said he does not

foresee any issues of fairness as a result of the 50 percent rule.

“I don’t think there will be any issues with fairness,” Huber said. “This process will keep things pretty fair for all the candidates involved. I don’t think that any candidate will be disadvantaged by having a shorter campaign time.”

Frazier said he is open to opposing opinions about changing the election process though he has seen a lot of support for this proposal.

“I have had the opportunity to talk to past student body presidents and vice presidents, as well as some people who have expressed interest in possibly running this coming year and they’ve all been positive and frankly, I was expecting some negativity but thus far I haven’t found it yet,” Frazier said.

Junior Tammy Atha said she thinks this change is troublesome because it puts more emphasis on the primary election rather than the general election.

Atha said she thinks students are less likely to vote in the primary election and this might reflect in the votes.

“Not everyone who wants to vote will vote in the primary,” Atha said.

Atha said she would prefer it if ASG either kept their election policy the same by using a primary to only narrow down the number of candidates running for one position or if they would hold only one election where the winning candidate would not necessarily need to have more than half of the vote.

“Putting pressure on one date may make it stick in people’s heads to vote as opposed two dates, and I’ll bet any amount of money that people will vote on just one date instead of both,” Atha said.

ASG, SEE PAGE 10

Alumnus donates another $3 million, names ASC theater

By Lauren Ceronie Campus Editor

Harry T. Wilks, a trustee of Miami University, has donated $3 million to the university. In light of his donation, a recommendation has been made to the Board of Trustees that the theatre in the Armstrong Student Center be named after Wilks once it is built.

This most recent donation brings the amount of financial support Wilks has given the University to $9 million.

Wilks, a 1948 alumnus, is a retired attorney.

In 2002, he donated $5 million to the university to create the Harry T.

Wilks Leadership Institute. He also created the Harry T. Wilks Lecture Series and donated the Harry T. Wilks conference center on the Miami Hamilton campus.

Wilks’ generosity goes beyond the university as well. He created the Pyramid Hill sculpture park in Hamilton, Ohio that features more than 60 outdoor sculptures and a 10,000 square foot ancient sculpture museum.

Wilks is a recipient of the Ambassador Award for the Arts from The Fitton Center for Creative Arts and is a member of the board of directors for the Cincinnati Opera.

2

CAMPUS

Editors Lauren Ceronie Jenn SMOLA

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2012

campus@miamistudent.net

ASC construction aided by cold weather

By Kaler Hazen

For The Miami Student

Everything seems to be running on schedule as the Armstrong Student Center continues to progress through its initial stages of construction.

Selective demolition has begun between Gaskill and Rowan halls, making way for the new student center and the various upgrades the site will need in order to accommodate the new project.

According to John Seibert, senior project architect and manager, a portion of the roof from Gaskill Hall had to be removed in order to install two new elevators and other mechanical equipment, in addition to structural reinforcements that will bring the buildings up to acceptable building code standards.

Seibert said the freezing winter conditions are actually a boon to the initial construction efforts due to the ease of excavating large quantities of relatively solid dirt, as opposed to wet mud.

Seibert addressed the issue of “float,” which is an architectural term for flexibility in

a construction schedule.

“We’re at or ahead of all of our major milestones right now … all of the float is positive,” Seibert said.

David Creamer, vice president of financial and business services, said the project was still within the budget approved by the board of trustees last September.

Creamer also said fundraising efforts for the ASC had actually surpassed expectations at this point in time.

According to Seibert, the loading dock near Gaskill Hall isn’t scheduled to be demolished until the summer, in the interest of both student safety and the construction plan, which doesn’t require the dock to be worked on until a later phase of construction.

Students may have noticed several large trees missing near Gaskill Hall before the winter break. The trees were sent by the contractor to a lumberyard in order to recuperate some of the cost.

There is a 500-person theatre being installed on the ground floor of the student center, the construction of which will benefit from the cold temperatures.

The digging necessary to begin building the theatre will go more quickly should the ground remain relatively solid, and could run into issues should warm weather and rain continue. The project still has a ways to go, and is still in the first phase of its construction.

“It’s about a two year

We’re at or ahead of all our major milestones right now.”

JOHN SEIBERT

SENIOR PROJECT ARCHITECT AND MANAGER

project, and we’re in the first three months,” Seibert said.

Miami University sophomore Heather Taylor expressed excitement regarding the project’s progress.

“The new student center is going to be great because I think it’s going to be a cool place for us to do our work together and give us better access to other services for students,” Taylor said.

ANDY WAUGH THE MIAMI STUDENT

Construction of the Armstrong Student Center progresses despite the cold weather. Above is the inside of Rowan Hall, one of the gutted buildings where the student center will be located.

Howe Writing Center adds new locations, walk-up service

By Emily Glaser

For The Miami Student

The Howe Center for Writing Excellence is making some changes to better serve Miami University students.

The changes include added locations, more programs and even the addition of comfortable furniture in the Peabody Hall location.

“We want to do what we can and be where we can to be most accessible to students,” said Paul Anderson, director of the Howe Center for Writing Excellence.

The center now offers consulting Mondays 6 to 9 p.m. in

the Gross Center, Tuesdays 7 to 9 p.m. in Benton Hall and is in the process of acquiring a location in the new Business, Engineering, Science and Technology library.

In addition to the new locations, new writing workshops will be offered for International students at 5 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays. In collaboration with the Confucius Institute, the Howe Center will also sponsor a writing studio for Chinese students every Monday at 5:30 p.m. beginning Monday. Both programs take place in McGuffey Hall 118.

In addition, student

consultants worked with the Center’s staff to develop a new service called Quick Questions. This walk-up service is meant for students who have a writing question, but do not need to make a full 45-minute appointment.

“I will definitely use Quick Questions because I am taking a new business class and we have to cite business articles, which I’ll need help with,” said first-year Tasha Blankenship.

Blankenship, who usually uses the Peabody Hall location, said she is excited for its renovation, which includes comfortable chairs and new

tables, rather than Peabody’s current wooden furniture.

Student consultants and staff of the Howe Center collaborated to develop the new

where students are on campus, and what the need is,” said Josh Kiger, student manager of the Howe Center.

Junior Leslie Gair said she

We want to do what we can and be where we can be most accessible to students.”

PAUL ANDERSON

DIRECTOR OF THE HOWE CENTER FOR WRITING EXCELLENCE

services and locations by offering surveys to students.

“We are students too, not just consultants. We know

appreciates the new locations.

“As a zoology major, I find myself taking a lot of classes near and around Benton,”

Gair said. “The new location will allow me to use this resource more frequently.”

According to Anderson, the Center had a 20 percent increase in the number of consultations from the previous fall. Kiger said they had to hire 14 new consultants this semester to keep up with the demand and new locations.

Kiger and Anderson said they are pleased with the changes to the Center.

“I think [students] will find it beneficial simply because there are more locations, more services and most of all more students are using them,” Kiger said.

Senate votes to revise Miami Plan

Charter Day Ball planning in final stages

By Jenn Smola

As a school, Miami University is known for having many traditions that make it unique. One such tradition is the Charter Day Ball, held once every three years to celebrate Miami’s charter in 1809.

“The Charter Day Ball is a really special event that highlights the importance of tradition here at Miami. I always talk about the Charter Day Ball on my tours and people are amazed at how long this event has been around,” sophomore tour guide Ethan Vargo said.

Just over 1,000 tickets have been sold so far this year, with the capacity for the event being 5,000, according to Miami’s Box Office.

Junior Matt Turk, executive co-chair of the Charter Day Ball committee, is happy with how ticket sales are going so far.

“We know all the procrastinators will wait until the last month to buy their tickets,” he said.

Turk and the rest of the Charter Day Ball committee have several tricks up their sleeves to promote ticket sales in this last crucial month.

In addition to decorations such as the newly hung

Campus Editor

The University Senate meeting Monday included suggested revisions of the Miami Plan, new combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program guidelines and a new type degree program for future Miami University students.

The Senate voted to accept the need to revise the Miami Plan and voted to modify and revisit the proposed process for revision.

The proposal suggested faculty members generate teams to develop pre-proposals, with possible revisions and adjustments to the Miami Plan. The proposals of two to three finalist teams’, amidst a universitywide dialogue, would then be synthesized into one plan.

“We want this to be a very public and collaborative process,” Miami Director of Liberal Education John Tassoni said.

While the Senate agreed that the Miami Plan needs to be revisited, it voted against the proposed process in which the revisions would be made.

The Senate voted that its comments be taken into account to develop a new process for revision.

“It’s time again to look at the Miami Plan and how

it works,” history professor Mary Cayton said.

The Senate also passed a proposal that would change the combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program.

The proposed changes would offer more flexibility for students by allowing them more time before becoming a graduate student. Students would be able to receive their undergraduate financial aid for a longer period of time, James Oris, interim associate provost and dean for the Office of Advancement of Research and Scholarship said.

Formerly, students in combined bachelor’s and master’s degree programs became graduate students after they had reached 128 hours of credit.

The University Senate also passed a proposal to create a new degree program at Miami. The proposed program would be a collaboration between Miami and Wright State universities, and would involve sharing resources across the two institutions.

Gary Peterson, chair of family studies and social work, said the proposed program will be able to take in more students and would lead to increased revenues. There has been unanimous support from family studies faculty, Peterson said.

By Marisa Giglio

For The Miami Student

I can’t wait to tear that first ticket and see the look of awe on their faces as they take in everything around them. Being able to see them in wonder at how beautiful the event really is will let me know that all of our hard work has finally paid off. ” Matt Turk

CHARTER DAY BALL EXECUTIVE CO-CHAIR

balloons in Shriver Center, Alexander Dining Hall and the Farmer School of Business, the committee has also planned several special events to promote the ball.

For students looking to buy formal attire for the ball, the committee has sponsored a bus trip leaving the Shriver stop at 1 p.m. Saturday and returning at 6 p.m. that will take students to the Kenwood Mall in Cincinnati.

For students interested in brushing up on their dancing skills, the committee has been offering dance lessons in Shriver Multipurpose Room A that will continue at 8 p.m. Tuesday and Feb. 7.

Much preparation has gone into organizing the ball, and the committee has certainly encountered their fair share of challenges.

One such problem surrounds the fact that the RedHawk men’s basketball team has a game the day

after the ball, so the raised court will not be able to be removed.

An effort was made to purchase ramping to surround the entire court, but due to expenses, ramping is only available for two sides.

However, the other two sides will be well lighted with rope lighting screwed into the ground around the court to keep everyone safe, according to Turk.

Creative solutions such as this have been a big part of planning for the ball this year.

The last Charter Day Ball was the Bicentennial Ball, and was subsequently very well funded by the president’s office.

While this year’s ball has received less funding, the committee has worked very hard and creatively to make sure that this year’s ball, the largest student-run event on campus, will be just as spectacular, Turk said.

The committee has a

wide variety of entertainment lined up for the evening, with performances ranging from a four-string quartet, to three different Miami a capella groups, to a DJ. There will also be food, featuring Miami traditions such as Tuffy’s toasted rolls.

“We were a lot more creative this year, so the ball will be completely different from anything anyone’s ever seen” Turk said. “It’s a once in a lifetime experience, something I guarantee you will remember for the rest of your life.”

Personally, Turk is most excited about watching the first guests arrive at the ball.

“I can’t wait to tear that first ticket and see the look of awe on their faces as they take in everything around them,” he said. “Being able to see them in wonder at how beautiful the event really is will let me know that all of our hard work has finally paid off.”

This year’s ball will be held at 8 p.m. Feb. 18 in Millett Hall.

Tickets are $40 for students and $50 for adults, faculty, and staff.

Tickets are available for purchase online at www. tickets.muohio.edu and can also be bought in person at the Shriver Center box office.

www.miamistudent.net

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2011

3

4

JUSTIN REASH LISA REYMANN

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY@miamistudent.net

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2012

POLICE

BEAT Thieves steal from THS building site Multiple sexual assaults reported over weekend

Over the weekend, one rape and one sexual assault were reported to Oxford police. Around 4 a.m. Friday, a McCullough Hyde Memorial Hospital nurse called police to report a sexual assault victim had come to the emergency room.

Around 6 a.m. Sunday, a female reported to Oxford police that she may have been sexually assaulted.

Male assaults woman, but no charges pending Around 11 p.m. Sunday, a female Miami University student went to McCullough Hyde Memorial Hospital because of injuries from an assault. The female was in her residence with a male, who was a friend. They were joking around and when the female said something that upset the male, the male approached her and hit in her face. He then pushed her into the fridge and the female struck him in the face. After she struck him, the male struck her under the neck, picked her up and threw her on the floor causing her to break her foot.

While talking to police at the hospital, the victim told officers she did not want to press charges.

Plaid-wearing passenger steals cab’s headrest Around 3:30 a.m. Friday, an Oxford Taxi driver dropped a group of students off at the Sigma Chi fraternity house. The driver realized that a couple within the group had gotten rides with him before and had previous issues. As the group started walking away, he noticed one of the students carrying something. When he looked to back out of the driveway, he noticed one of the headrests was missing and believed it is what one of the passengers was carrying. An officer spoke with the president of the fraternity and the president advised the driver that he would attempt to find out who was responsible for stealing the headrest. The driver described the possible suspect as being 6’0”, thin with dark kinky hair and wearing a plaid shirt.

The driver made it clear he would recognize the subject if he ever rode with him again.

Police cite man for trespassing, sleeping in garage Around 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oxford police were notified about a male who was residing in a detached garage on an Oxford property. An extension cord was running from an outlet on College Corner Pike to the garage and the male was running a space heater to keep himself warm.

The victim was wondering why his electricity and water bill were higher than normal.

The male was already warned by the victim and police a week prior to being cited. The man living in the garage was identified as Troy Huntsberry, 30. Huntsberry was transported to the Oxford Police Department and questioned for other offenses. Huntsberry was cited for theft and criminal trespass.

By Jessica Barga Staff Writer

On Jan. 16, a generator and several other pieces of equipment, valued at about $5,435, were found to be missing at the construction site of the new Talawanda High School (THS), according to police reports.

“The generator had been sitting outside the building area and was taken off the premises,” Kelly Spivey, superintendent of the Talawanda school district, said. “This is now the third time a piece of equipment has been stolen from contractors.”

According to police reports, the generator was first suspected to be stolen Jan. 11. However, Jan. 16, several other pieces of equipment were also discovered to be missing.

The construction site was also the target of copper theft on Dec. 6, when copper wiring estimated to be worth about $16,000 was stolen from the THS construction site, according to Holli Morrish, director of public relations for the district.

“They were able to take a significant amount of copper wire off the construction site,” Morrish said.

The wiring was being stored on-site on large rolls, off which the desired amount could be removed,

Community Editor

A new Mexican restaurant is currently being built at 35 E. Church St, according to Economic Development Director Alan Kyger.

Piñata, a Cincinnati based restaurant, is having its interior plans reviewed by the City of Oxford and a liquor license is being processed through the state. Since the interior plans have not been approved by the city yet, there is no complete

By Morgan Schaffer Staff Writer

Morrish said.

“One of the unfortunate things about it was that we were in the process of installing our security package,” Morrish said. “The motion sensors were supposed to be activated on the evening of Dec. 5, but there was a delay.”

Morrish said the

the two incidents is still being investigated.”

Other construction companies in the area have escaped the recent problems of stolen supplies.

“Luckily, we have not experienced any recent thefts in Oxford, copper or otherwise,” Pam Lindley of Hotel Development Services, the

One of the unfortunate things about it was that we were in the process of installing our security package.” holli morrish

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS TALAWANDA SCHOOL DISTRICT

theft prompted some quick thinking.

“The district worked with the construction team to really get working on getting the security package in place [after the theft occurred],” Morrish said.

However, the theft did not have any significant impact on the construction progress of the school, according to Morrish.

Sgt. Jon Varley from the Oxford Police Department said no arrests have been made in the case.

In reference to the copper theft over winter break from Miami University, Varley said, “Any connection between

parent company of Oxford’s CKC Construction, said via email.

However, Lindley did note the company has dealt with the issue in the past, now taking “precautionary measures for theft” by using an alarm system on construction sites.

“For a developer, not only is there a cost of whatever gets stolen, but also the labor to replace [materials] and the time delays involved,” Lindley said. “Theft is a problem that hurts the entire community. Hopefully the rash of recent theft will disappear so Oxford can keep thriving.”

City council talks term limits

By Justin Reash

Local retailers fight to survive in recession

timetable set for the restaurant to open its doors. With its construction, Piñata will be the third Mexican restaurant in Oxford, along with El Burrito Loco and Fiesta Charra.

At the Jan. 17 City Council meeting, Mayor Richard Keebler announced the council’s plans to study and review the term limits of the city’s boards and commissions. Currently, there are no term limits for members of the boards and commissions, according to Kyger. However,

the council has experienced issues with members being on these boards for more than a decade.

“The council wants to see if it is detrimental to the community if there are no term limits for the boards and commissions,” Kyger said.

There are term limits for members of the City Council, however. A member can serve two consecutive fouryear terms, then must sit out a term before returning to the council.

The Federal Commerce Department reported Jan. 12 that retail sales in 2011 were the highest they have been in a decade. The department found that full year sales in 2011 grew 7.7 percent from 2010 statistics. This could mean good things for local communities, including Oxford.

Restaurants are more often suggested than retail shops for new businesses in Oxford, according to Director of Economic Development Alan Kyger.

“People can wait for a new pair of shoes,” Kyger said. “Food service is something that is immediate and needed on a daily basis.

Retail shopping tends to be more sporadic.”

Current Mayor and longtime resident of Oxford Richard Keebler spoke on behalf of what it takes to get businesses here.

“People think nothing of jumping in their cars and driving miles to their favorite shopping malls but it is tough to get retail businesses in a town this size,” Keebler said.

“Restaurants are the most commonly recommended.”

Oxford has seen retail stores close and open during the recession. Keebler said Magnolia, a retail store, recently opened.

However, Hibbett Sports, the only sports equipment store of its kind in Oxford, recently closed. Is the future looking bright? Keebler said it is still too early to tell.

“We’re certainly seeing some new interests in Oxford, but it is mostly with restaurants,” Keebler said. “When people come to Oxford, from March on, for Mom’s weekend, Dad’s weekend and other reasons, they will always need to eat, which helps explain the dearth of restaurants in the city.”

Jim Everslage, owner of Karisma, a clothing store uptown, and Miami Beach, a tanning salon, has been in the area for 26 years. Everslage said his

business has been very successful until very recently.

He also mentions that most people who attend the university do not understand the severity of the e conomic situation.

“It is worse than students think. Business was good, but it has dramatically changed,” Everslage said.

Everslage mentions that aside from the economy, the Internet may also be related to the problems facing local businesses.

Other retailers said they have had healthy sales.

“Business has been good,” said Karen Vaught, manager of Wild Berry.

Another local retail shop, Bill’s Art Store, has been around for several years.

After the owner’s passing, his sister Barb Berry, the current store manager, decided to reopen the store.

“The store was closed for six months, and I reopened the store the last week of August,” Berry said. “Since then, we have been doing really well. Thanks to the Miami fine arts and architecture programs, we are doing really well.”

Berry also said that prior to Bill’s death, the business was still doing very well.

From 2009 until the present time, Oxford has seen more businesses opening than closing with 2011 being the most positive year, according to Kyger. This falls in accordance with the Federal Commerce Department’s report.

Overall, is business looking up?

Senior and local Oxford resident, Alex Baxter said the community is improving, more so with restaurants than retail shops. He notes that the biggest change was when the Super Wal-Mart was opened in Oxford and when more apartments were opened Uptown.

“We have more chain food options as opposed to locally owned places and definitely more restaurants than retail stores,” Baxter said. “If you can stay open in the summer, then business is going to be successful and restaurants can do that.”

Miami students set to launch new clothing brand

By Lisa Reymann Community Editor

Three young undergraduate students are soon to become entrepreneurs as they prepare to launch a brand new company. First-years Tyler Bubin and Cole Desmond and sophomore Tyler Williams are finalizing plans to open up a new clothing brand called “Oxford and Company” tailored to and inspired by Miami University students.

The idea developed from the style and fashion interest of the student population.

Co-founder and chairman of operations in the project Tyler Tubin described it as a company to offer a premium brand of high end clothing to students, similar to brands already widespread around the Oxford campus such as Vineyard Vines and Ralph Lauren.

Inspiration struck when Tubin visited a Miami clothing vendor when he immediately saw an opportunity for unique university apparel.

“Initially, we wanted to make this a store with a presence on campus,” Tubin said.

“But we’ve been leaning

towards Internet sales due to lack in necessary amount of capital needed to rent space.

Right now, we’re developing a webpage and just need to finalize a few more details such as the site coding to get it up and running.”

A beta version of the webpage is currently online.

For the last three months, the students have been working towards the realization of the idea. Williams has been the accountant in charge of funding for the project. According to Williams, an immense amount of effort has gone into

the project including completing all the necessary legal fees, paperwork to achieve business licensing, and collecting all the necessary documentation.

Junior Louis Velasquez was very interested when he heard word about the business.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Velasquez said. “I feel every store uptown that caters towards the style of the students does really well, and it’s an overall smart idea.”

The three co-founders have secured a wholesale Cincinnati business to use for the company logo and have contacted

various potential clothing vendors to use. Even connections have been built in India and Thailand if outsourcing is needed.

“As we progress, we hope to get a store uptown,” Williams said. “And in long run, we hope our name catches on.

We want to be a fundamental value to students, and it’s our goal to make clothes for students similar to us.”

Complete with ambition, business savvy and optimism, the students hope to activate and open the site by the end of February.

Construction underway for new 24-hour fitness center

By Kevin Blank

For The Miami Student

Recently, a new fitness center has moved to Oxford.

Off Locust Street, in the same development that houses Kroger, Anytime Fitness will be settled in and awaiting customers in February.

The 24-hour workout facility is presently

undergoing construction and remodeling.

Due to the fact that Anytime Fitness will have a central location, Alan Kyger, the director of economic development in Oxford, believes the workout facility should be able to run a healthy business.

“There are a good amount of people who don’t want to

go over to the recreational center and compete with 18 to 22 year olds over equipment,” Kyger said. “Anytime Fitness will have a hometown feel that will attract a more local clientele.”

Kyger believes in order for Anytime Fitness to be successful, there will need to be a good amount of participation from the community

of Oxford due to the city’s small size.

The student body doesn’t believe the new fitness center will affect them much.

“It’s good for the community of Oxford but it definitely won’t affect me because the recreational center is free and it’s much closer,” senior Brett Hoffman said.

Anytime Fitness owner

Jeff O’Mara believes the business has good chances of success.

“We are going for a different type of clientele and it’s a 24 hour facility, something the recreational center doesn’t offer,” O’Mara said. “If everyone in Oxford were going to exercise, there wouldn’t be enough room for them in the recreational center.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Editor MEGAN MCGILL

ARTS@miamistudent.net

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2011

5

Musicians of the ’90s: where are they now?

By Claire Krieger

your discman was Hanson’s “MMMBop.” The trio of brothers is touring once again and has shocked fans recently by announcing the release of their own brand of beer, appropriately named “MMMHop.” Some of your favorite ’90s artists are still performing or are in the spotlight for other reasons and others seem to have dropped off the face

For The Miami Student

In the 1990s, we were all playing with our Bop-its, keeping our tamagotchis alive, watching some of the most quality television ever made on Nickelodeon and listening to our favorite music on our discmans. One song that probably spent some time playing from

of the earth. Whether you were a Nirvana die-hard or had created your own Spice Girls name, your favorite ’90s artists may be involved in some surprising activities nowadays. While most people wouldn’t have been able to guess at the time, this is what the ’90s artist yearbook should have looked like.

Most likely to...

Have a solo career, making people forget they were ever in a band: Justin Timberlake, Beyonce Try to comeback after a 10-year hiatus: Backstreet Boys, New Kids on the Block, Britney Spears Break-up and break the bonds of brotherhood: Oasis Have a reality show about home repair: Vanilla Ice Become a country star: Darius Rucker (Hootie and the Blowfish’s former frontman.)

Write a musical: Green Day, U2 Be the baby daddy of Cliff Huxtable’s grandchild: Lenny Kravitz Be nominated for an Oscar: Mark Wahlberg End up hosting a Hollywood news show: Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray’s former frontman) Date a seven-time Tour de France winner: Sheryl Crow Father a hair-whipping daughter: Will Smith Consign their careers to an appearance on the Bachelorette: Barenaked Ladies Play a Special Victims Unit detective: Ice-T

CONTRIBUTED BY LISA ANN

Thanks to Japan, these digital pets are a fond memory of any 90s baby.

Marry a pregnant super model (who’s not pregnant with his baby): Seal Be the father of a Disney Channel star: Billy Ray Cyrus Never be heard from again: Savage Garden Have a baby with a former “All That” star: Mariah Carey Doom their marriage with an MTV reality show: Nick Lachey Have a baby with The Nutty Professor: Mel B (Scary Spice from the Spice Girls) Marry a superstar and screw it up: Marc Anthony End up on food network: Joey Fatone Marry a famous soccer player and forget she was ever a Spice Girl: Victoria Beckham

A cappella groups make intercollegiate WMSR aims to feature friendships through invitational concert lesser-heard musicians

By Lauren Kiggins For The Miami Student

Miami University’s a cappella groups reaffirm that invitationals are not solely for the athletes with their upcoming concert.

The Cheezies, Mergers, Misfitz, Remnants and Treble Makers, Miami’s five a cappella ensembles, are each inviting an a cappella group from another university to perform at Saturday night’s A Cappella Invitational.

Guest ensembles include: Exit 245 from James Madison University, Freshman Fifteen from Northwestern University, Buck That! from

Ohio State University, Just Eve from Wittenberg University and Ten40 from Bowling Green State University.

The concept of a noncompetitive, a cappella invitational formed last

to perform on the home stage of Exit 245.

“The guys in Exit 245 are really similar to us [the Cheezies],” Adam Saxe, a senior member of the Cheezies, said.

“These events have given

on a much smaller scale,” Remnants senior Ryan Cosby said. “It’s fortunate that the university supports it.”

Each visiting ensemble will be performing a set of three to four pieces, while Miami’s groups will be selecting one piece These events have given us friends to perform.

“Seeing the other from across the country that we groups gives me ideas as wouldn’t have had otherwise.” a music director,” Cosby said. “Whether it be new Adam saxe repertoire or arranging MIAMI STUDENT a new song, it sparks my imagination.”

The A Cappella Invitational concert will take year when the Cheezies us friends from across the place at 7:30 p.m. Saturhosted and held a concert country that we wouldn’t day in Hall Auditorium.

Tickets are available at on campus with Exit 245. have had otherwise.”

Since, Miami’s Cheez“Other universities the Shriver Box Office ies traveled to Virginia hold similar events, but and online.

By Phillip Yung

For The Miami Student

Miami University has the privilege of operating a student-run radio station called WMSR. Stationed in Williams Hall, they have been playing music, reporting news and sports and providing students with something to listen to for decades.

What makes WMSR unique is that it is available exclusively online.

WMSR has a much more complex system and hierarchy than meets the eye. An 11-member executive board manages specific areas such as music or news. In addition, there are committees under the management of each individual member of the Executive Board.

In regards to the music, anyone

in a committee has the opportunity to DJ. WMSR has historically played a wide variety of music, but is now working to establish its own style of music.

“We want to develop a college rock sound and get away from being something like a top 40 station,” Emily Seiders, news director of WMSR, said.

WMSR is now gearing itself towards lesser-heard genres like indie.

According to Rieger, WMSR receives a lot of promotional material from indie and alternative bands.

WMSR is a full-functioning radio station with news, variety shows, events and live sports casting of Miami athletic events.

Ghostbear alumnus builds solo career

By Claire Krieger For The Miami Student

Upon graduating in 2010, Miami University alumnus Sam Brewer and his fellow GhostBear bandmates were forced to dissolve the band in order to enter the “real world.”

The band GhostBear, as some might remember, was active on and around Miami’s campus in 2009 and 2010 and was comprised of former Miami students Ian Winston, Ben Basara, Dylan Oseas and Sam Brewer.

Since splitting up, the band was able to play a reunion show of sorts in Oxford on Green Beer Day last March. However, this show was not enough to quench Brewer’s thirst for writing and performing music.

Brewer began playing solo gigs during his first year at Miami and was one of a few artists on the Miami student run Miox Records.

The label never progressed as much as originally intended and ended up disbanding, but Brewer says that was where he got his start.

After graduating, Brewer moved out of Oxford and currently resides in the Baltimore area.

Brewer said he began his solo career effort partially out of boredom since GhostBear went their separate ways.

“I had to find something to keep myself busy. The solo thing is the first easy way to go. I’ve been looking for another band since I moved

but I haven’t quite found one,” Brewer said.

Lately, Brewer has been playing a lot of shows around the Baltimore area and has also been busy writing and recording some new songs. For his solo material, Brewer trades out the drums from his GhostBear days for a guitar.

Brewer describes his music as folkrock or folk with more edge to it.

Brewer compares his sound to artists such as Damien Rice and Bright Eyes.

While Brewer is optimistic about his solo career, his expectations are not unrealistic.

“If the opportunity comes along to make a career out of it I would jump at it in a heartbeat,” Brewer said.

In the meantime, Brewer works as a chemist for Proctor & Gamble.

Brewer is happy playing shows in Maryland but said he would definitely love to play shows in Oxford. “[Oxford] is where my heart is,” Brewer said.

“GhostBear was part of my best college years,” former Miami student Vonnie Hill said.

“I know that Sam is going to go far with his solo career. I highly recommend checking out his new project.”

If you are interested in learning more about Brewer and his music, check out his Facebook page by searching for “Sam Brewer” or his Reverb Nation website at http:// www.reverbnation.com/sambrewermusic.

6

OPINION

Editors Noëlle Bernard ORIANA PAWLYK

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2011

editorial@miamistudent.net

OU rivalry: Miami students don’t really care, but should we?

YOUTUBE.COM

By Monday evening, the video had about 6,000 views, but twice as many “dislikes” as “likes.”

PATRICK GEYSER THE MIAMI STUDENT

EDITORIAL The following piece, written by the editorial editors, reflects the majority opinion of the editorial board.

ASG election changes will hinder student participation Changes to election procedure currently being considered by Associated Student Government (ASG) are not geared toward the true representation of the student body.

ASG is considering shortening the election process to just a primary election in the event a candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote in that primary election. The motivation behind this change is clearly pragmatic; the editorial board of The Miami Student worries the change itself is inherently undemocratic.

Practicality should not be the issue here. An election is about more than deciding who will lead; it is also about the process itself. A campaign is a time for students to communicate with one another.

No matter how well they do in the primary, candidates should have to put themselves and their platforms up to the test of a campaign for the general election. The campaign season is one of the few times a large portion of the student body pays any attention to ASG. While this

board feels students should make an effort to be more engaged all year round, shortening the campaign season for some offices is generally a step toward less engagement.

As we are sure many members of ASG agree, ASG should seek to be as open, representative and accessible as possible. These changes could undercut any chance an outsider might have getting elected to high office. Elections take time, effort and planning and this board worries significantly shortening the election season could make it even harder for ASG outsiders to join the debate.

More students should also participate in voting for new ASG members.

ASG controls a significant amount of money and serves as an important mouthpiece to the administration. Who holds what position in ASG should not be taken for granted

by ASG members or the student body in general.

Shortening the election season in this way seems to be mostly a matter of convenience for ASG.

Senators arguing in favor of the change point out it would give newly elected officers more time to settle into their positions. While this may be the case, this board feels the changes would make life slightly easier for candidates while depriving the student body of a true campaign process.

By making these changes, ASG hopes to spare candidates garnering more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary the time and expense of continuing the campaign. But someone who wants to represent 16,000 fellow students should have to invest a significant amount of time and effort to gain office.

The editorial board of The Miami Student feels that even though the general vote may seem redundant, a second vote should still occur whether there are 50 candidates in the primary or two.

This board urges student senators to vote down the changes as currently proposed and consider ways to make the election process more meaningful, open and democratic.

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

EDITORIAL BOARD Sam Kay Editor in Chief

JUSTIN REASH COMMUNITY Editor

Bethany Bruner News Editor

Lauren Ceronie Campus Editor

Noëlle Bernard Editorial Editor

Jenn Smola Campus Editor

ORIANA PAWLYK Editorial Editor

JM RIEGER Sports Editor

MEGAN MCGILL Arts and entertainment

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.

WOUB, Ohio University’s public television station, posted an OU-Miami University rivalry video Jan. 20 presenting “The Bobcat perspective.”

When I first saw the video, I couldn’t help but laugh at how much OU apparently cares about a rivalry that most Miami students brush off. But digging deeper made me wish that I cared a bit more.

The video starts with a bold statement from OU sports announcer Lou Horvath: “I could have gone to Miami, but I went to Vietnam instead. I thought it was the better choice.”

A succession of OU student-athletes and faculty then go on to talk about how much they hate Miami.

“Obviously I learned to hate them,” says a volleyball player.

“I hate everything about it, I hate all my friends that go to Miami,” says a basketball player.

“We hate them, we really do,” adds a football player.

Then OU’s President brags about wanting to beat Miami in any matchup, including checkers.

Checkers? Really?

Do they really mean this?

I had to know, so I placed a call to the video’s creators.

By the time of press, the only person connected to the video who had gotten back to me was Horvath.

Much to my chagrin, he turned out to be a nice, likable guy.

“Any rivalry stems from begrudging respect,” Horvath told me. “I think there will always be that between us.”

Did he really choose fighting in Vietnam over attending Miami? “[That statement] was a bit of stretch,” Horvath said.

Horvath said he made the decision not to go to Miami in 1965 and served in Vietnam from 1967-70.

In between, he attended an engineering school.

Horvath and I traded a few cheerful barbs and half-compliments.

Horvath grudgingly told me he thought Miami has the second most beautiful campus in the Midwest.

He seemed to have genuine admiration, however, for Miami men’s basketball coach Charlie Coles.

“Charlie Coles is one of my favorite people,” Horvath said.

Something else we could agree on?

“Bowling Green looks like a federal penal colony.”

It does seem a little sad (for them) how much the Bobcats care about their rivalry with us, but perhaps we should put a little more effort into the relationship.

My conversation with Horvath convinced me that the Bobcats are “frenemies” worth having.

With the notable exception of hockey, the RedHawk faithful are not so faithful. Caring about the rivalry could stoke some interest in our other teams.

We can also beat OU off the athletic field. While I have to respect their outstanding journalism school, we all know Miami is the best place to come for an undergraduate education.

Besides, we might rescue a few future students from Athens. That is, if they can get into Miami.

Sam Kay

Editor In Chief EIC@miamistudent.net

Student on the street What’s your reaction to OU’s rivalry video?

I didn’t even know we had a rivalry with OU. If they’re making comments and assuming that we’re snobby because of the way we dress, they’re not taking into consideration that we dress well to look presentable.

Tiffany Helmuth

Senior, English Literature

I think it’s wrong for people to assume anything in general. You can’t say that every Miami student is privileged — every student here is not necessarily rich.

They’re stereotyping us when they don’t even know us. Coming from Michigan, I understand what rivalry is in the OSU/Michigan sense. But this “rivalry,” let alone this video, is extremely immature.

Jackie Green

First-year, Psychology I was surprised when I saw this video because here at Miami it’s not that big of a deal. I’ve never heard anyone say anything competitive or bashing about OU from our end, so why are they saying this about us?

Spencier Ciaralli

Sophomore, Women’s Studies

I kind of know the rivalry existed from some of my high school friends who now attend OU, but I was expecting this video to be sarcastic when it first started playing. It only ended up being extremely rude, insensitive and inappropriate.

Becca Armbruster

Sophomore, Life Science Education

www.miamistudent.net

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2011 OP ED

LIBERTY AND JUSTICE

Everywhere around Oxford (and many other American cities), you find people sporting the canvas sneakers with the infamous blue and white “TOMS” tag on the back of the shoe. But is TOMS really a “movement” or just a really good marketing tactic? Unfortunately, I believe it’s the latter.

According to their website, TOMS declares “with every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for one.” TOMS has managed to make large profits by creating a “movement” around their product, organizing the “One Day without Shoes” event every year and having “Campus clubs” at many universities to sell their product.

As a marketing tactic, this is brilliant. Would you pay $60 for a pair of $5 canvas shoes otherwise? Probably not. But having a human story behind the product makes you shell out the extra bucks. TOMS has managed to make it “fashionable” to be charitable. We are a society that likes being able to publically project that we are caring people and TOMS provides this.

So why am I criticizing TOMS? Because I feel that TOMS has successfully tricked the public into believing that they are a non-profit “movement,” when they really are a forprofit company, and many consumers don’t realize the NEGATIVE effects TOMS one-for-one shoe distribution model has on local communities.

The biggest problem is that TOMS creates dependence. The old mantra “give a man a fish, he can eat for a day, teach a man to fish, he can fish for life” holds true here. Many organizations in the developed world send massive amounts of clothes

7

strategically speaking

TY GILLIGAN

JESSICA SINK

Your TOMS shoes won’t save the world

Pick role models wisely, they say a lot about you

TOMS has successfully tricked the public into believing that they are a non-profit “movement,” when they really are a forprofit company, and many consumers don’t realize the NEGATIVE effects TOMS one-for-one shoe distribution model has on local communities. and shoes to underdeveloped nations. In 2008, researcher Garth Fraxer studied the effects of clothing donations and apparel production in Africa and found that wealthy countries shipping in tons of used clothing caused a 40 percent decline in domestic clothing production and a 50 percent decline in employment between 1981 and 2000. That means thousands of Africans lost their jobs in clothing factories because free clothes from America and Europe undercut their markets and drove them out of business. According to The Nation, between 1992 and 2006, 543,000 textile workers in Nigeria alone lost their jobs.

How could this be avoided? By buying the shoes locally. You would be hardpressed to find a community in the world where shoes are not available. The problem is that people cannot afford them. These people don’t just need shoes. They need JOBS so they can buy shoes. TOMS should buy its shoes locally in the countries where it’s donating the shoes in order to provide jobs and economic stimulus so the people can improve their quality of life.

Currently, TOMS makes their shoes in China, Argentina and Ethiopia, and then ships the shoes to its recipient countries (according to their own website).

Why ship the shoes in from abroad when they could be

made locally?

Also keep in mind that the average pair of TOMS costs around $50 to $60. If they utilize the one-for-one model, then the pair of shoes they donate to a child costs around $25.

Shoes in a third world country do not cost anywhere near $25 per pair, TOMS has to use a large portion of this money for administrative fees, transportation and wages.

Now I don’t want to make it seem like I’m antiTOMS. I’m not. They are doing much more to help the world’s poor than any other shoe company so they deserve credit for that. TOMS has demonstrated how companies can be socially responsible. However, I feel they are very misleading when they try to sell their company as a non-profit, which it is not. The company does operate a non-profit organization, which coordinates volunteer activities, but the company itself is a for-profit company.

My recommendation; if you truly want to help out a children in a developing country, buy one of the $10 knock-off pairs of TOMS that H&M, Target and Forever 21 make, and use the other $50 and donate it to a non-profit organization that provides LONG-TERM and SUSTAINABLE aid to developing countries. Not just a handout. But I guess that’s not as stylish.

Many of today’s celebrity female role models emphasize the glamour of fame and the importance of image and sex appeal.

Young women increasingly idolize people like Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, who all, to some extent, represent bad morals and shallow ideology.

The real female role models should be those women who rise to meet challenges with integrity, depth and conviction. Penny Chenery may not be considered one of the great figures in women’s history, but her story is important. She had the courage to fight for her dream against all odds while remaining true to her values.

Penny Chenery Tweedy, most often referred to as Penny Chenery, was a housewife and mother who agreed to take over her ailing father’s Virginia based Meadow Stables. Her incredible story begins when she gained ownership of a young chestnut colt in a coin toss, which she lost.

Called “Big Red” by his trainers, this remarkable horse is most known by the name “Secretariat.”

Secretariat, believed by many to be the greatest racehorse who ever lived, and the subject of a recent Walt Disney movie, was born in a meadow in Doswell, Virginia, on March 30, 1970. From the moment Secretariat was born, Penny knew he was special. However, the finances of the horse farm were unstable and the idea of investing and funding the rise of a racehorse, especially one with what many saw as little potential, was not a popular one. Yet, Penny believed in her horse and chose to put everything

Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry are famous for being famous, but what do they really stand for? We can’t all be famous, but we can stand for something and in some way make the world a better place. she had behind him, even though it meant risking financial ruin.

With the help of veteran horse trainer Lucien Laurin, Penny fostered the young colt into a talented racing machine. In 1973, he became the first Triple Crown champion in 25 years, setting not only national records, but world records as well. According to a June 1973 New York Times article, Secretariat was “cheered in the post parade, and cheered as he entered the gate, exultant thunders raising gooseflesh.” He became what jockey Ron Turcotte once called “the people’s horse,” not only winning ribbons, but also winning hearts.

Although his racing record propelled Secretariat to greatness, it is the story behind the legend that is truly inspirational. It is the story of a woman who took a risk, believed in a dream and gave it all she had. The story of Penny Chenery, owner of Secretariat, has meaning because it represents a determination to fully pursue a passion to its fullest, to never give up.

While the success of Secretariat led to a happy ending, there could have just as easily been heartbreak and loss. In many ways, Penny got lucky. She had the right horse at the right time, and everything fell into place.

However, Penny Chenery is also to be admired.

As a woman, she maneuvered the cutthroat, male

dominated world of horse racing, and stood her ground. She faced critics and setbacks at every turn, yet continued to move ahead. She was challenged to manage a demanding business while trying to maintain a normal life as a wife and mother.

She believed in something and gave it her all, never letting anyone hold her back.

What is your definition of a true role model? Who do you respect and admire?

What do you stand for?

We all have people we look up to. It may be a parent, a movie star, a politician, a religious figure or someone who is just famous for being famous.

Living in a world of constant change and challenge, I recommend you pick your role models well. It says a lot about who you are.

Penny Chenery did not cure cancer, run a country or win a Nobel Prize. She is simply a good role model who overcame many obstacles to achieve her goal with character and integrity. The challenge for young women and all people today is to not be afraid to stand up for what you believe and be true to who you are.

Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry are famous for being famous, but what do they really stand for? We can’t all be famous, but we can stand for something and in some way make the world a better place.

Rule of Thumb Howe Writing Center for Excellence improvements

Harry T. Wilks donating $3 million to Armstrong Student Center

Students need to take advantage of the new changes at the center that promise to help writing skills.

A theater will be dedicated in Wilks’ name.

Thanks for the handsome donation.

Sleet and ice Why weren’t the streets salted sooner? There were way too many awkward slips to count.

Charter Day Ball Students: get your tickets for a much classier prom!

Hockey sweeping Western Michigan

Breaking application record before the Feb. 1 deadline

Because of this weekend’s two victories, the RedHawks are moving up to No. 18 in the national rankings.

Hopefully, the high numbers don’t mean a housing shortage. No one wants to live barrack style in the Havighurst Hall basement.

ESSAY MICHELLE LUDWIN LUDWINMA@muohio.edu

Whether we have done it or been a victim of it, cars on the road can drift into lanes. If we are the ones doing it, for the most part it is just a fluke and we were not paying attention.

The driver next to us honks their horn, we jump out of fear and realign ourselves.

Now, if we are the victims of someone drifting into our lane, we still use our horns but most likely scream some choice words of obscenity regarding the idiot driver and why aren’t they paying attention to the road. Either way, a potential car accident

Cars moving towards more technology means less human responsibility may have occurred, which is never good.

About a month ago, Ford Motor Company announced a new technology that would prevent cars from drifting into other lanes and keep cars aligned within their lanes. This new invention called “lanekeeping technology,” will be offered in the Ford Fusion and Ford Explorer models this coming year.

The cars will have a camera placed in the rear-view mirror.

If the system is turned on and the car is moving at more than 40 miles per hour, the camera

will watch the lane markers on the road and detect if the car begins to drift. If the car begins to drift and a turn signal is not turned on, a vibration will be sent to the steering wheel as a warning sign to the driver that the car is veering into another lane. If the driver does not correct its alignment, the car will engage in power steering and move itself back into the lane.

This new technology, similar to ones used by other automakers such as Toyota and Lexus, does have some setbacks. Engineers and developers are working out the

kinks if there is a heavy rain and other weather conditions that inhibit the technology to be used properly.

Another feature of the technology is to connect a driver being drowsy and the car beginning to veer into another lane. If the technology does detect this, a warning will be sent to the driver suggesting rest. This feature, “Driver Alert System,” is included in the package with the lanekeeping technology.

As the technology for cars advances, people will become less responsible for driving.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not given this new technology its blessing and they have a good reason to not. Technology to a certain degree will not beat human instinct with driving.

There are things drivers can detect before technology can.

Engineers and other researchers have commented on this technology not being 100 percent fool proof and we cannot completely rely on it while we are driving. I think the technology could work for some drivers, but what happens when you switch lanes without using

a turn signal? How will the car react to such a motion? Will it have time to send a warning or will it veer your back into its original lane?

There are many things that need to be worked out with this technology before it can be used on a regular basis.

Drivers will have to remember to not completely rely on technology. Technology should not be a driver’s first resort. In driving school we were all taught the tools we need to operate a car safely.

Remember: Instincts first, technology second.

8

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2011

www.miamistudent.net

www.miamistudent.net

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2011

9

10

FYI

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2011

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

Sam Kay

Editor in Chief Joe Gioffre Business Manager

Bethany Bruner News Editor

Baylor Myers Asst. Business Manager

Colleen Yates Managing Editor

Carly Huang Finance Director

Hunter Stenback Online Editor

Kendall Flynn National Advertising Director Classified Advertising Director

Lauren Ceronie, Jenni Wiener Campus Editors

Danny Nicolopoulos Advertising Representative

Justin Reash, Lisa Reymann Community Editor

Nick Strzelecki Advertising Representative

Megan McGill Arts & Entertainment

Pat Godfray Advertising Representative

Noëlle Bernard, Oriana Pawlyk Editorial Editors

Katherine Meilner Advertising Representative

JM Rieger Sports Editor

WDJ Inc. - Bill Dedden Distributor

Sacha DeVroomen Bellman Adviser

notice

Apartments

Order your Mary Kay products! Want to schedule a make-over for yourself and your friends? Looking for the perfect gift for the bride-to-be? Looking for that perfect Valentineís gift?

Ordering is so easy and delivery is right to your door! Order and contact me now at: http://www.marykay.com/ pchisom/default.aspx

APARTMENT FOR RENT UPTOWN! Available for next school year. 2 bedrooms, full kitchen, 1 bathroom, large open living area. All utilities included.

Located uptown, above Mesler AutoBody. Contact Mike Mesler @ 513-523-3735. Great Apartment!!!

Earn $20 for a one hour study. Adults ages 30-60 are needed for a study examining hearing acuity and cardiovascular health. The study requires one 30 minute session of cardiovascular health and fitness tests, and a second 30 minute session of audiology tests. Compensation for your involvement is $20 cash. If you are interested, please e-mail cramerim@muohio.edu.

For Rent

Steve Zins Advertising Representative

Julia Engelbrecht Photo Editor

Senior Staff Writers

Staff Writers

Editorial Columnists

Sports Staff Writers

Adam Giffi Jenn Smola

Samantha Callender Shayn Corcoran Dan Hamlin

Ty Gilligan Karli Kloss Jessica Sink J. Daniel Watkins

JM Reiger

Designers

Photography Staff

Bloggers

Cartoonists

Haley Biel Nicole Crandall Erin Killinger Michelle Ludwin Abigail Offenbaker Raleigh Robertson

Allison Backovski Andrew Bray Thomas Caldwell Lisa Gehring Elizabeth Haenng

Brittany Dove McKenzie Graham Hannah Poturalski Emily Sheriff David Small Garrett Smith Jessica Stringfield

Noah Carl Ashley Ceroli Patrick Geyser Madeline Hrybyk

Morgan Schaffer Allison McGillivary

News 513-529-2257 Editorial 513-529-2259 Advertising 513-529-2210 Fax 513-529-1893

Website: www.miamistudent.net For advertising information: miamistudent@gmail.com

The Miami Student (Tuesday/Friday) is published during the school year by the students of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

The content of The Miami Student is the sole responsibility of The Miami Student staff. Opinions expressed in The Miami Student are not necessarily those of Miami University, its students or staff.

SCHOOL YEAR 2012/13- Large house for 6 or 8 students with two full baths, washer/dryer and offstreet parking.CORSO REALTY 513-520-1111 or 513-523-3520 SCHOOL YEAR 2012/13- Two uptown apts with permits for 2 or 4 students.CORSO REALTY 513-520-1111 or 513-523-3520 4 BDRM, 2 BTH for 12/13 with garage, off street parking, deck, washer/dryer, dishwasher. $2000/p/s plus utilities. Unit in 7 year old duplex. Call Doug 513-382-3005.

Large 1 bedroom apartments Pentagon Properties is now leasing for 2012/13. 1 bedroom apartments at 435.00 per month or 2,550.00 per semester.Location: 610 South MainAvailable May and August tbrandner54@yahoo.com or 513-896-7358 COURTYARDS OF MIAMIToo many roommates? The Courtyards of Miami might be just what you are looking for. Located on East Central Ave., between Campus Ave. and South Main St., the MU bus stops at our front door. We offer neat, clean, and colorful housing at affordable prices..2 bedroom apartments, shared by just 2 students$2500. per person-includes HEAT and water 1 bedroom + study for 1 person, $3500. All residents enjoy free offstreet parking, on site laundry, and yard space, with a shelter. Always upgrading, we are just down the street from the REC, and inside one block from the campus. On site office, flexible hours, and excellent upkeep, make the Courtyards a place worth looking at. Stop by, contact Carolyn at 513-659-5671 or www.thecourtyardsofmiami.com for more info Thank You!

Studio 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom and 4 bedroomapartments available for the 12/13 school year. Check us out today! www.foxandhounds-apts. com www.oxfordrents.com call 513-523-2440 or text 513-335-7044

with the most accurate information possible. Corrections may be submitted up to seven calendar days after publication.

FROM PAGE 1 the potential change to ASG election policy.

“That’s a smart idea because in the long run it saves time and energy,” Masquelier said. “If it’s a landslide like that with over 50 percent for one person then they’re more than likely going to win the next round.”

Senior Bill York said this change doesn’t really affect him.

“I don’t vote. I’ve never voted,” York said. “It seems inconsequential to me if a group that I didn’t really know existed changes their policy.”

York said he doesn’t notice the effects of student government.

Another proposed change to

really prefer parties and the reason that we encourage it is, with those four student-body elected positions, the more those people know each other, are friends, and are willing to work together, the more smoothly student government will work,” Miller said. “That continuity will make student government run more efficiently.”

Atha said she approves of the addition to political parties to the ballot.

“I’ve voted in an ASG election before and sometimes it has been confusing, because you have people that are running together and you know that they are running together, but you’re not quite sure if there are five people in that group are there four people in that group,” Atha said. “It will be nice to cut down on confusion.”

Personals Couple Adopting Baby Parents are professionals in Cleveland area.

Father is Miami Grad. If you know someone placing baby for adoption, please call. 216-849-4346

Tenants Needed Room in apartment Available One bedroom in #404 above Chipotle for Spring Semester ‘12. Three female student roommates. Rent $4475 but very negotiatiable. New building with exercise room & full kitchen. Contact Shieldke@muohio.edu.

FEMALE ROOMMATE WANTED! For this CURRENT semester. Furnished appt, great location uptown.

Call 419.343.4786 *Price HIGHLY negotiable.

TMS

ONLINE

CORRECTIONS POLICY

the ASG election process is the addition of political parties to the ballot.

Frazier said ASG has used political parties in the past to show when candidates are running together but they did not place these parties on the ballot last year.

If the student senate approves this change, then candidates will be required to run under a political party name, though they are not required to run with another candidate.

These political parties are not the same as national political parties; a candidate can name their political party whatever they wish.

Miller said political parties will allow ASG to run more efficiently.

“The reason that we [ASG]

19 E. Collins House for Rent Avail ‘12-’13. Permitted for 4. 2 blocks from campus, 2 blocks from uptwn.

Washer/dryer. Privately owned and managed. UTILITIES INCL! $3200/ per/sem.Call John 513-708-8355

www.miamistudent.net

The Miami Student is committed to providing the Miami University community

ASG,

Houses

GORDON FROM PAGE 1

While students may find a new author or novel at the readings, they can also learn from the experiences of visiting writers.

“Like so many seniors, I dreaded the idea of looking for a job,” Gordon said. “I stayed a month at [the graduate program of] Syracuse and then fled, thank god. Don’t go to grad school right away. Wait two to five years and do things that you don’t have to take as seriously.”

Having followed this advice herself, Gordon said she’s learned to benefit from the experiences of her youth and spent her time in different careers finding her writing voice.

“I’m 67 now and I’m just finishing using material I learned in my twenties,” Gordon said.

Gordon also shared her insight on making a career of writing, noting that “without being a famous writer you can still make a decent living, you get letters, praise, grants and there’s room for a lot of writers at the middle or upper-middle class level.”

Despite her successful career, Gordon did admit that at the point in her life just before winning the National Book Award she did question what would happen to all her papers and all her books. With this recognition, however, such worries have disappeared.

“I’m happy, I got to spend most of my time with books, which I love,” Gordon said. “I also get to help young writers in their career.

Seeing young writers start to make it is almost as good as making it yourself.”

When you’re finished reading The Miami Student,

please recycle!

www.miamistudent.net

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2011

11

12

SPORTS

Editor JM RIEGER

sports@miamistudent.net

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2012 jm rieger

the rieger report

osborn is key to miami’s success While Miami University students have been busy worrying about whether the hockey team will make the NCAA Tournament, the women’s basketball team has been racking up victories left and right, thanks in large part to the play of junior guard Courtney Osborn.

After setting the Miami freshman single-season points record and becoming the first Miami sophomore to reach the 1,000 point mark, Osborn has yet again done the unthinkable this season, breaking the Miami and Mid-American Conference (MAC) record for points in a game, pouring in 48 against Akron Jan. 4.

Osborn has led the RedHawks in minutes played, steals, assists and points each of the past three seasons.

During that time, Miami has improved its record each year, and after finishing 13 and eight games under .500 each of the past two seasons, respectively, the ’Hawks are now an astounding 11 games over .500 and only one game out of first place in the MAC. This is due in large part to the play of Osborn.

The junior from Fishers, Ind. has been named the MAC East Division Player of the Week three times already this season and is showing no signs of slowing down following a 34-point performance Sunday afternoon against Western Michigan University.

Osborn is among the top players in the nation this season and is 33rd in scoring among all Division I players, averaging 18.6 points per game.

By comparison, one of the top players in the nation, Baylor University’s Brittney Griner, is averaging 22.7 points per game.

She is also first in the MAC

in assists per game, third in points and steals per game and second in assist-to-turnover ratio. Needless to say, Osborn has dominated the competition so far this season.

The Red and White have relied heavily on the play of Osborn their other guards this season to become one of the top mid-major teams in the country. In addition, strong play from Miami forwards Kirsten Olowinski and Lillian Pitts has solidified the ’Hawks’ post presence this season.

Plus, following a 10-game winning streak, Collegeinsider.com ranked Miami 25th in its weekly top-25 Mid-Major Poll for the first time this season last week.

Now with only a little over a month before the MAC Tournament in March, the RedHawks will once again turn to Osborn to lead this team.

She has dominated the competition thus far, and as the Red and White begin to eye a potential NCAA Tournament bid (yes, you read that correctly) she will be one of the centerpieces of this squad.

Now is the time for Miami fans to show their support for sports other than those played on the ice.

Miamians have shown they are capable of supporting their school, as has been shown in the past with both football and with hockey.

However, it shouldn’t take a Facebook group to get fans to come out to games (i.e. the women’s basketball game against Bowling Green State University last Thursday).

And what better reason to come out than to support one of the star players in the game?

Now is the time for both Osborn and Miami fans to shine.

’Hawks sweep No. 8 Broncos Red and White move into second place in CCHA

BLAKE WILSON THE MIAMI STUDENT

Junior tri-captain Reilly Smith celebrates his hat trick goal Friday night during a 3-1 Miami victory over Western Michigan University.

Smith had four goals in the series as the ’Hawks recorded their first home sweep against the Broncos and their third of the season.

By Tom Downey

For The Miami Student

The Miami University hockey team swept the No. 8 ranked Western Michigan University Broncos over the weekend, moving them into a second place tie with Western Michigan in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) standings.

The ’Hawks won the first game 3-1 behind junior forward Reilly Smith’s hat trick.

The Red and White then won the second game 4-0, scoring three goals in the third period.

Senior goalie Connor Knapp started both games in the series, only allowing one goal, which came on a power play opportunity.

“I think the first thing is solid team playing,” Knapp said. “I’m just trying to make the saves I am supposed to make and mix in a few that maybe I shouldn’t have had.”

His shutout in the second game was his second of the season and the 10th of his career. He has now won six

straight games and has allowed only three goals in his last five starts. He finished with 48 saves for the series.

“Since he won’t brag, he [Connor Knapp] has been on fire lately,” freshman forward Jimmy Mullin said. “It really didn’t matter how many shots they had. When you have a hot goalie, it makes playing up front easier.”

The first game was dominated by the line of Smith, Mullin and freshman forward Austin Czarnik. The group combined for all eight of Miami’s points during the game.

Czarnik assisted on all of Smith’s goals while Mullin assisted on two of them.

Smith’s hat trick was his second this season and the third of his career.

Czarnik tied a career high with three points and set a career high with three assists.

Mullin set a career high with two assists while tying his career high of two points.

Smith also scored his second shorthanded goal of the year and the team’s sixth.

Smith went on to add a goal in the second game to give him 18 on the year, which leads the CCHA. “It’s got to be [Jimmy] Mullin,” Smith said of his line’s recent play. “As soon as we added him to the line, it was instant chemistry.”

The RedHawks outshot the Broncos in the first game 31-27. Despite winning 4-0, the team was outshot 22-19 in the second game. The 19 shots are the third fewest the team has had this year. Miami killed eight of Western Michigan’s nine power play opportunities as well.

The first two periods of the second game saw only one goal, which was scored

by Smith.

However, in the third period the Red and White went on a scoring spree. Knapp made a great save on a breakaway, giving the ’Hawks a chance to start one of their own.

Freshman defender Ben Paulides found a streaking Mullin, who was able to put the puck in the back of the net. Knapp was also credited

with an assist on the play.

Later in the third period, the RedHawks managed to score twice within a 24-second span. Senior forward Alden Hirschfeld scored on another breakaway goal while being assisted by freshmen forwards Cody Murphy and Blake Coleman.

The team would quickly score again when freshman forward Tyler Biggs scored after receiving a pass from senior forward Trent Vogelhuber.

“The game tonight, you could tell there wasn’t a lot to give,” Head Coach Enrico Blasi said of Saturday’s game. “Both teams were being stingy and playing good team defense, not giving you much room to do anything.

All in all, it was probably a lot tighter game than the score indicated. I thought our guys played hard tonight, and it is a huge win for us.”

The RedHawks return to the ice next weekend when they host Northern Michigan University Friday and Saturday.

Miami storms past Western Michigan

By Brian Gallagher

For The Miami Student

Despite suffering their first defeat at Millett Hall against Bowling Green State University Thursday night, the Miami University women’s basketball team did not hit the panic button.

Instead, the RedHawks

returned to their winning ways Sunday with a wellearned 82-67 victory over the Broncos of Western Michigan University.

“We knew this would be a tough game coming off a tough, emotional loss to Bowling Green,” Head Coach Maria Fantanarosa said. “Western gave us some mismatch problems, so we knew we would be in for a 40 minute game.”

With the win, the RedHawks improved their record to 15-4 and 5-1 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and dropped Western Michigan to 5-14 (2-4 MAC).

Miami sprinted out of the gates with a 9-0 run to make the score 9-2 after only three minutes of play.

But following with what would be their theme of the night, the Broncos did not go away quietly.

They chipped away at the lead, eventually tying the game up at 17 with 10:32 to play in the first half.

The RedHawks then flexed their wings and went on a 18-5 run, fueled by 12 points from junior guard Courtney Osborn in a six-minute stretch to push the lead to 35-21 with just under five minutes remaining. The ’Hawks kept

their foot on the gas and took a 46-26 advantage into the break.

“Western Michigan deserves a lot of credit; they never let us get comfortable at any point in the game,” Fantanarosa said.

“They’re one of the scrappiest teams we will play and they made it tough on us.”

An Osborn jumper gave the ’Hawks their largest lead of the night at 53-30 with 16:44 remaining in the game. However, the RedHawks’ shots went as cold as the temperature outside and WMU went on a run of their own, scoring 15 of the next 17 points and bringing the lead down to 55-45 with 12 minutes to play.

A layup by sophomore guard Haley Robertson was able to stop the bleeding and started Miami on a 10-0 push that made the score 65-45 with 7:32 remaining.

Key baskets down the stretch by Osborn and forward Kirsten Olowinski helped Miami close out WMU and pick up their 11th victory at home this season.

“Our defense let down a little bit in the second half, which let them get back into the game,” Osborn said. “Any time you

don’t bring your A-game in the MAC, anyone can beat you.”

Osborn led all scorers with 34 points, 21 of those coming in the first half alone.

She seemed to be in the right place when the ’Hawks needed a score all afternoon.

Senior guard Maggie Boyer also added 14 points, even while playing hurt for most of the second half, and sophomore guard Hannah Robertson continued her strong play, adding 10 points of her own.

The RedHawks next travel to the University of Toledo to face the Rockets at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The defending regular season MAC champion Rockets (11-7, 4-2) are known for their stifling defense and held their last opponent to just 33 points.

Miami will continue to focus on the little things that got them to this point and look to counter with defensive pressure of their own.

“We’re going to work on being more aggressive on defense as opposed to being safe,” Fantanarosa said. “We want to stay focused for 40 minutes and make sure we’re on the same page defensively.”