The Miami Student Oldest university newspaper in the United States, established 1826
VOLUME 138 NO. 40
MIAMI UNIVERSITY OXFORD, OHIO
Friday, February 18, 2011
In 1969, The Miami Student reported Alpha Phi Omega’s Ugly Man On Campus contest would be under review due to the “grossness” of the skits presented earlier in the month. The organization was unaware of the any negativity in association with the skits.
Study alleges admissions bias By Stephen Bell Campus Editor
A new study conducted by the Center for Equal Opportunity (CEO) claims Miami University discriminates based on race and ethnicity in the admissions process. Released Monday, Feb. 7, the study claims Miami preferences African-American, Hispanic and Asian students over white students. CEO Chairman Linda Chavez said Miami and The Ohio State University lower academic standards to admit students from diverse racial backgrounds. “The study shows that many, many students are rejected in favor of students with lower test scores and grades, and the reason is that they have the wrong skin color or their ancestors came from the wrong countries,” she said. The study found Miami admits African-American students 10-to-1 over white students compared to 8-to-1 at Ohio State.
Female reports off-campus assault At 2 a.m. Monday, a Miami University senior was reportedly assaulted by two males she did not know. The female reportedly told police she was walking home from uptown near the intersection of Poplar Street and Homestead Avenue when she noticed two college-aged males, one black and one white, appeared to be following her. According to police reports, the males made inappropriate comments to the female and told her to stop walking. She reportedly began walking faster, but the males ran after her. When they caught up, the males reportedly tackled her, and one of them reportedly struck her in the face several times while continuing to make inappropriate comments. The males reportedly fled on foot toward South Poplar Street. According to police, the female had bruising on her face when she reported the incident Tuesday evening.
Daring deeds
The study found at Miami median SAT scores differ between back and white students by between 110 to 166 points in what it calls the “black-white gap.” Gaps in ACT scores between black and white students at Miami were estimated at four points. Chavez said in addition to accepting students with lower test scores, Miami accepts students with lower high school grades to amplify its racial diversity. Claire Wagner, director of news and public information at Miami, said while Miami is dedicated to promoting diversity, both racial and otherwise, the university evaluates each student individually. “(The study) is skewed because Miami has a very holistic and comprehensive review process,” Wagner said. “We use a set of 25 criteria that can be found on the admissions website, and of course racial and socioeconomic diversity falls into that.” According to Wagner, the
wSee ADMISSIONS, page 9
SAMANTHA LUDINGTON The Miami Student
The Cirque Shanghai Bai Xi dazzles the audience with acrobatics, martial arts and dance Tuesday in Millett Hall.
Administration warns faculty about Green Beer Day By Adam Giffi Senior Staff Writer
As Green Beer Day approaches, some Miami University students believe exams are being deliberately scheduled to curb their drinking behavior. Junior Cassandra Detten is among those who sense a correlation between the often talked about pre-spring break festivities and her exam schedule. “I usually have two exams on Green Beer Day itself, and I feel this might be deliberate,” Detten
said. “One time I had a turn-in exam and the professor actually told us we were not allowed to turn in the test drunk or we would fail.” First-year William Darsey already feels deliberate university influence. “I have a big assignment on Thursday and an exam on Friday,” Darsey said. “I feel like this is done purposefully, but I do not feel like this will keep students from drinking. Kids are just going to do worse in their classes.” For students who feel this way,
there may be only some validity to their opinions. A memorandum dated February 2011 sent to all faculty by Interim Provost John Skillings and Vice President for Student Affairs Barbara Jones confirms Miami does specifically remind faculty of the March 3 student holiday. The memo reads “faculty members are expected to hold students responsible for class attendance and active participation (on Green Beer Day),” but does not explicitly encourage faculty to give tests or assignments the Thursday
before spring break. Jones said this memo has been sent out for several years to remind faculty of the date. “I don’t know of any faculty member that would cancel class just because it is Green Beer Day, but we encourage them not to think about canceling class that day,” Jones said. Jones said this point is stressed largely to promote high academic standards. “Students missing class,
wSee GBD, page 9
University sets guidelines for RedHawk trademark By Dan Basar
For The Miami Student
PHOTO COURTESY OF LIZ KIRKHAM
Miami University students gather for a RedHawk Hunt team meeting.
After concern the annual RedHawk Hunt would have to change its name due to trademark violations, Miami University officials have decided it can stay. The campus-wide scavenger hunt, which is run by the Residence Hall Association (RHA), has been deemed an appropriate use of the trademarked word RedHawk. Miami administrators met Wednesday to clarify the university’s policy on trademark use. Assistant Athletic Director Josh Fenton said the purpose of the meeting was to agree upon a rule that was best for everyone.
“On-campus sponsored events will have the opportunity to use the word RedHawk when naming their specific event,” Fenton said. This means events like the RedHawk Hunt will still be able to use the trademark provided they go through the proper trademark licensing process. Andrew Kelleher, campus-wide programming director for RHA, planned to start advertising for RedHawk Hunt at the beginning of the year. He sent the RedHawk Hunt logo to Paul Allen, director of business services, for approval. The logo contained the words RedHawk Hunt without any trademarked Miami images.
wSee REDHAWK, page 9
Survey reports increase in wealthy first-year student families By Chelsea Naughton Senior Staff Writer
Vera Bradley, Patagonia and Greek letters could be considered a physical manifestation of the 2011 Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) survey in which more than onefifth of Miami University firstyear students reported their parents made $250,000 a year or more. The CIRP survey is a nationally
administered survey for first-year college students that reports on students’ best estimates of their parents’ annual income among other characteristics, according to Assistant Director of Institutional Research Andrea Bakker. According to the survey, 11 percent of students at other universities in Miami’s highly selective public universities category reported an annual parental income more than $250,000. Miami’s family income, as
reported by the CIRP, has been historically higher than other highly selective public universities, but the gap has widened in recent years. The 2011 results represent a 2 percent increase from 2010 and an approximately 12 percent increase from 1995. The study also indicated most Miami students do not have trouble funding their education. The CIRP survey found more than 45 percent of Miami first-
years had no concern about their ability to fund a college education, which is 10 percent higher than other highly selective public institutions. Miami junior Meghen Matta said the higher average income at Miami is made apparent by the university’s social atmosphere. “I think it’s indicative of the environment at Miami to have a Vera Bradley and Clinique section of the new bookstore,” Matta
said. “That would really only happen at Miami or a school of this demographic.” Sophomore Olivia Kern said before coming to Miami she knew students were wealthy but was actually surprised to see how diverse the campus is. She said having a wealthier student body allows for a wider range of opportunities for
wSee WEALTH, page 9
2
Campus
Friday
February 18, 2011
Editors Stephen Bell Amelia Carpenter Amanda Seitz campus@miamistudent.net
Pepsi CEO to address graduates NEWS BRIEFS By Amelia Carpenter
Campus Editor
FYI SyFy Channel seeks haunted MU stories Miami University folklore and mystery stories could wind up on the SyFy Channel. The Jarrett Creative Group (JCG) contacted the News and Public Information Office to pitch the Ronald Tammen mystery for the show. Tammen was a Miami sophomore when he went missing April 19, 1953. The cold case is open and remains unsolved. JCG wants to hear from high school and college students, faculty, parents and alumni who have experienced paranormal activity on their school campuses. Students should contact Wendy Shanker at (917) 603-9922 or schoolspirits2011@gmail.com with contact information and a summary of their experiences.
AWARDS Miami yearbook becomes Pacemaker Finalist Miami University’s yearbook, Recensio, was named a 2010 Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Finalist. The yearbook is one of 11 finalists chosen from 54 entries. Books chosen as finalists had unique and year-specific themes, consistent and sophisticated design, thought-provoking and wellresearched copy, balanced and thorough coverage, beautiful photography and effective reader services. The winner of the award will be announced at the Fall ACP/CMA National College Media Convention in Orlando, Fla. Oct. 26-3.
EVENTS Fair offers academic guidance to students Unsure of what your major, double major or minor at Miami University should be? The Exploring Majors Fair will help students decide what educational path they should take at Miami. Students are welcome to attend and ask questions at the event from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22 in the Shriver Center. The fair will enable students to learn more about the educational and career opportunities majors at Miami provide.
WORKSHOPS MU to host national student conference Miami University’s Oxford campus will host the 2011 Citizens’ Toolbox Conference March 16 to 19. Now in its second year, the conference includes a series of workshops and discussions meant to encourage community skill building and problem solving. The conference costs $150 to attend and includes meals and a trip to Cincinnati’s National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Registration for the conference ends Wednesday, March 9. For more information, visit http://thecitizenstoolbox.org/.
Miami University will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of outdoor commencement with Chairman of the Board and CEO of PepsiCo Indra Nooyi Saturday, May 7 at Yager Stadium. PepsiCo, the leading food NOOYI and beverage company in its industry, employs 285,000 worldwide and earns $60 billion in annualized revenues, according to Forbes magazine. Nooyi’s salary in 2009 was $15.8 million, according to the 2010 proxy statement. She began working at PepsiCo in 2001, assumed the role of president and
CEO in 2006 and chairman of the board in 2007. Nooyi is the chief architect of Performance with Purpose, a longterm sustainable growth strategy. She has been recognized as one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2007 and 2008 and ranked first in Fortune magazine’s “Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Business.” Miami’s Commencement Committee Director Steve Snyder said Nooyi’s name was suggested last year, but Nooyi was unavailable and asked if she could come in 2011. “All kinds of names come up in those discussions and she has been recognized as one of the most 100 influential people in the world in Time … and it was kind of natural that her name came up,” Snyder said. Nooyi received her Bachelor of Artz from Madras Christian College
seems like she’s a big deal, (so) it’ll be cool.” Nooyi is also the commencement speaker for Wake Forest University in May, according to a release from the school. Nooyi spoke at Pennsylvania State University’s commencement Aug. 14, 2010, where she urged students not to fall into the “life plan” dead end street but instead keep their options open for opportunity, according to the speech. She said there were three important F’s to take away after graduation, family, friends and faith. Snyder said the committee does not know what Nooyi plans to say at Miami’s commencement. “A female in a multi-billion dollar international corporation, she ought to have a story to tell,” Snyder said. “I’m sure it’ll be things that she’ll try and put it out there that students can relate to and aspire to.”
Food prices at MU, Oxford stores differ By Amelia Carpenter and Shannon Pesek For the Miami Student
At Miami University, with one swipe of an ID card, a student can order a meal, grab a snack or pick up an energy drink to get them through a long night of studying. Ninety percent of Miami students choose the diplomat meal plan, according to Director of Housing and Meal Plans Lucinda Coveney. Prices are set higher at on-campus markets in Market Street at MacCracken, Shriver Center and Scoreboard Market, among other dining locations on campus, when compared to the Oxford Wal-Mart prices. The diplomat meal plan adds an additional $10 bonus for every additional $100 spent toward the meal plan, according to the meal
plan website. This bonus is added as an extra to the students who are using their meal plan the most, Coveney said. A student paying $2,771 a semester for the diplomat discount receives a $20 bonus. This amount translates to $1,571 toward purchases with the leftover money accounting for the meal plan fee. The cost of a half-gallon of milk at Market Street at MacCracken is $3.35, and at Wal-Mart the price is $2.68. The university pays more for its products than a supermarket like Wal-Mart because of the supermarket’s ability to purchase its items in high quantities, Coveney said. “Miami has a reputation for buying and making quality products as well as finding these products at a fair price,” Coveney said.
SAMANTHA LUDINGTON The Miami Student
The Cheez-It box on the left is from Market Street at MacCracken, priced at $3.95 and the other box, from a local supermarket, is $2.50. Students, faculty and staff who pay with alternative methods like cash or credit cards pay the full amount with no discount. The Miami Student tested out the diplomat discount at The Greystone
in Alexander Dining Hall. A student purchasing bag of Lay’s classic chips for 99 cents, a $2.39 20-ounce Mountain Dew and $2.45
wSee DIPLOMAT, page 3
Crepe cart makes spring semester return By Carly Reis For The Miami Student
Crepe a La Carte has proven to be a popular food choice among Miami University students, with sales consistently increasing since its opening in spring 2010. During fall semester, the crepe cart was most frequently seen outside Bell Tower, the Farmer School of Business and on Western Campus. Most recently, Crepe a La Carte attracted Goggin Ice Center’s hockey fans during the University of Michigan series Feb. 4 and 5. “Our big push is that we wanted to be where the students are,” said Chris Fields, executive manager of commissary operations. On average, the cart brings approximately 400 customers during its four hours of operation in one night. “Our highest count was 684 in October outside of King Library,” Fields said. Although the cart hasn’t been
“I was super excited (about the around much with the exception of special events due to cold weather cart) because I could buy a crepe conditions, students can expect it to with the swipe of my card just outbe around campus more frequently side my door,” first-year Raeann Harry said. in mid-March, according to Fields. Harry said she thought the locaMiami’s Housing, Dining, Rection of the cart was generally good, reation and Business Services has but the cart’s promoted Crepe a hours of operation, La Carte through “I was super which are currently Facebook and text excited because I 8 p.m. to midnight, messaging. Advertising has also been could buy a crepe should be earlier in done with posters with the swipe of the day. “I usually don’t and napkin dispensmy card just like to eat too late, ers at dining hall looutside my door.” and I would like cations, Fields said. for it to be open “Texting is the RAEANN HARRY around 5 or 6 p.m. biggest one because FIRST-YEAR and have it earit is a mobile unit lier in the night,” and more of an impulse purchase,” Harry said. said Mark Andrea, manager of comFirst-year Kylie Smith agreed. puter systems and marketing. “We “It would be cool to have it are always looking for new ways to open coming back from classes,” reach the students.” Smith said. Many students were happy to The cart’s menu has remained see the crepe cart so close to their consistent, with a variety of choices residence halls. amongst savory and sweet styles.
Buses offer test run to Wal-Mart Miami University is considering adding a bus service to Wal-Mart. Students have the opportunity to be part of the testing process Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 19 and 20, when Miami will carry out trial runs using an Access Miami van. All students may ride free of charge, but valid IDs will be required. Lidija Gnjatic, secretary for
in India and her Master of Business Administration from the Indian Institute of Management in Calcutta. Nooyi received a Master of Public and Private Management degree from Yale University, according to her online PepsiCo biography. She is married with two daughters and currently lives in Connecticut. Nooyi has no Miami connection, according to Snyder. Speakers are typically paid between $30,000 and $40,000, but Nooyi had not asked for compensation for her visit at publication time. The committee’s funds come from graduating students’fees, which will pay for the speaker, rental equipment, staffing for the event and other graduation expenses. Senior John Shae said he recognized Nooyi’s name from Fortune magazine’s “50 Most Powerful Women In Business” ranking. “She seems really diverse from what I’ve heard,” Shae said. “She
diversity affairs for Associated Student Government, has been instrumental in the effort for regular service to Wal-Mart. She said she felt there was a broad need across campus for a bus route to the megastore. “There is a demand from international students who do not have cars on campus,” Gnjatic said. “There are also a lot of students who do not have cars because this
is a walking campus.” According to Gnjatic, a service to Wal-Mart is ideal because it offers many products in one place that other stores do not. The van will make three trips in the afternoon Saturday and one run Sunday, stopping at the Shriver Center, the Wells Mill bus stop near Kroger and Wal-Mart. Reporting by Matt Levy
Popular choices include the Partisan, made with Nutella, and the Turkey Club. Prices have also remained the same since the cart’s debut, with crepes ranging from $4.50 to $6.75. The cart also offers a variety of beverages, including Starbucks coffee, Tazo tea, soda and bottled water. “This is our pilot program,” said Associate Director of the Dining and Culinary Support Center Karen Recker. Recker said she hopes, due to the success of Crepe a La Carte, dining services will be able to bring more culturally diverse mobile concepts in the future. Fields agreed. “With the popularity of Crepe a La Carte, we certainly are looking into purchasing a more versatile mobile food service vehicle to open up more opportunities for mobile food services,” Fields said. To receive text alerts about campus dining, text “DINING” to 313131.
Pick up times and locations: (times are approximatons) Saturday, February 19 Shriver (Maple)
1:35pm
2:35pm
3:35pm
Wells Mills Bus Stop
1:40pm
2:40pm
3:40pm
Wal-Mart
2:50pm
3:50pm
4:50pm
Sunday, February 20 Shriver (Maple)
2:00pm
Wells Mills Bus Stop
2:05pm
Wal-Mart
4:00pm GRAPHIC COURTESY OF LIDYA GNJATIC
Campus
THE MIAMI STUDENT
‘Oxford Girls’ rapper releases new beats on digital mixtape By Sylvie Turner For The Miami Student
Until now, Symmes Hall was thought of solely as a first-year residence hall on East quad, but thanks to Miami University first-year Ryan Wheeler, the unsuspecting red brick building has been turned into a makeshift recording studio. As Wheeler celebrates his 19th birthday Feb. 25, the digital release of his mixtape, The American Dream, will be available online at www.datpiff.com. Miami’s campus first heard Wheeler’s name when word got around about his song “Oxford Girls,” a catchy and witty tune that name dropped everything from bars and dining halls to even some of Oxford’s most infamous spring formals. Wheeler said he focused the album on his first year of college and the emotions and experiences that come along with being the new kid on the block. His favorite song on the album has to do with just that. “My favorite song is ‘Where I’m From,’” he said. “It specifically focuses on things people in Oxford can relate to.”
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2011 ♦ 3
Here she comes, Miss Miami
The title of his mixtape is more reaction of my peers,” he said. than just a catch phrase, it embodies Wheeler is taking a route simihow the American dream is under- lar to singer and songwriter Mike stood by those trying to accomplish Posner by offering a free digital it, Wheeler said. download of his album. “I’m living my own perception of “Right now my goal is to get my the American dream through making name out there, not to make money,” music and living the college life,” Wheeler said. Wheeler said. “Making an album Wheeler created a Facebook event has always been a dream of mine, to promote the release, writing “This so in a sense the album itself is me is my biggest music accomplishachieving my own ment to date. I am American dream.” extremely proud of Sophomore Carly completing some“I’m living my Triester is looking thing full size and own perception forward to having how this mixtape of the American someone at Miturned out. I have dream through ami accomplish been working resuch a feat. ally hard all first making music “When I first semester and the and living the heard ‘Oxford Girls,’ first part of this secollege life.” I had no idea it was a mester to make this student singing,” Trimixtape as good as Ryan Wheeler ester said. “I’m interpossible and I have FIRST-YEAR RESIDENT ested to see what else heavily put my he has to offer.” heart into this projOxford may ect. I can really use have something to be proud of, but all the support I can get …” Wheeler truly only wants the stuFor more information about the dents of Miami to hear his music. album, visit the Facebook event “The most rewarding part of this “The Official Digital Release of The entire process will be seeing the American Dream.”
EMILY ESPOSITO The Miami Student
Senior Caroline Faile performs during the talent portion of Delta Tau Delta’s Miss Miami pageant Tuesday, Feb. 15.
DIPLOMAT continued from page 2
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Campbell’s Soup at Hand would spend $5.14 total without the diplomat discount. With the discount, the charge would be $3.39. The diplomat discount makes individual purchases less expensive. The same purchase at Wal-Mart would cost approximately $4.29 after tax and $4.75 at Kroger. The passport meal plan, which will no longer be offered after spring 2011 due to unpopularity, differs from diplomat because the student is paying for three specific meals at three specific times with no discount. “Having the passport meal plan was the worst decision,” first-year Audrey Inniger said. “Every time I want to get a snack from the market, I have to pay with my own money or I have to use one of my meals. I wish I had chosen diplomat.” Attaché, or “snack,” is popular among Heritage Commons residents and off-campus students who receive a declining balance and a 15 percent discount at buffets. Sophomore Libby Martin, who spends the majority of her diplomat meal plan at Market Street at MacCracken loves this convenience. “I love the fact that I can use my meal plan here,” Martin said. “It’s great for grabbing something to eat if I’m really busy and can’t go to the dining hall.” Some items, such as CheezIt, Triscuit and Red Bull products, are all higher prices in the market. A
four-pack of Red Bull costs $6.68 at Wal-Mart and $10.99 at Market Street at MacCracken. Markup varies by product and some have no markup. Some products will have a significant markup where others will not as long as the numbers even out in the end, Coveney said. “Students spend their meal plan dollars at markets and other dining locations on campus, and this continuously improves our operations,” Coveney said. “We are able to provide dietary services, a wide range of options and exciting new concepts because of the students.” Students also receive an increasing discount based upon where they swipe. “Students receive a 60 percent discount at buffet locations and a 30 percent discount at a la carte locations, such as the markets,” Coveney said. “All purchases are proportionally discounted according to operational costs. The more a student has used their meal plan, the more discount they receive, so they receive the best value.” This discount evens out the substantially higher cost in the end overall, Coveney said. “We cannot compete with the wholesale companies such as WalMart and Kroger, they buy much larger quantities and receive a higher discount,” Coveney said. “After the diplomat discount is applied, the difference is usually only a few cents and some products may be at cost.” Coveney said money made from the markups goes to basic costs that Housing, Dining, Recreation and Business Services incur, like employee benefits, facilities and labor.
www.oxre.com
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Friday February 18, 2011
Community
Editor Bethany Bruner community@miamistudent.net
Patrons tip less at bars By Lauren Hetzel
someone pays for each drink in cash then they’re only spending a few dollars at a time,” she said. “While it obviously seems A single bartender may serve more than 100 weird to tip a dollar for a beer, that’s $2.50. drinks on a weekend night, but that doesn’t Those add up.” always translate into dollar signs. While bartenders do get paid more than Some bartenders have servers, they still reported seeing little earn below minipayoff for a shift due mum wage, makto the tipping habits of ing approximately many bar-goers. $3.50 an hour. “People need to learn “Our entire inhow to tip,” Tim Hogan, come is based off bartender at The Wood’s tips,” Hogan said. Food and Spirits and “So, if I’m workWoody’s One Up Bar, ing and no one said. “The problem isn’t comes in or somethe tipping so much as thing, I would it is knowing how much have been there to. Almost everyone tips for hours and only made $12 or $13.” something, but someWorking on times people will have the weekends $50 tabs and will only tip a compared to durfew dollars.” ing the week can Blair Donahue, make a difference who works the beer also in the amount tub at The Wood’s, of money a said she thinks nt de u t bartender gets. part of the probiS iam “I would say it’s differlem with tipping eM h T N ent during the week and on is people are buying TO ING D the weekends,” Lindy Demdrinks individually LU HA T N marest, a server and bartender with cash. A AM S at Mac and Joe’s, said. “I think part of it is if For The Miami Student
Resident admits to giving beer to male At 1:25 a.m. Thursday, Oxford police were dispatched to the back entrance of 13 W. High St. regarding two males acting suspiciously. When police arrived, they reportedly found Rodney Chalk, 43, sitting on the back stairs with three unopened Budweiser cans held together by a plastic holder. There were also reportedly two empty cans sitting next to him. Police also reportedly identified Damian Whitt, 19. When Whitt stepped away from the door, police reportedly heard the sound of cans clinking. When Whitt moved, officers reportedly found a can of Budweiser upside down and foaming on the ground. The officers reportedly asked Whitt if Chalk had given him the beer, but Whitt said it was his. Chalk reportedly admitted he had given Whitt the beer. Chalk was cited for furnishing alcohol to an underage person and open container. Whitt was cited for underage intoxication and open container.
Heartbeat Bill brings new life to abortion debate By Jenni Wiener
Heartbeat Bill
Senior Staff Writer
The controversy over abortion has once again become a prominent topic in Ohio. A new bill in the process of being introduced would prevent abortions from being legal after a fetal heartbeat is detected. Kathryn Steveline, legislative aide for Republican Rep. Lynn Wachtmann, said the bill, nicknamed the Heartbeat Bill, does not have a number yet, but she hopes it will soon. “To get a number, the bill has to be introduced by the Rules and Reference Committee,” Steveline said. “Hopefully this will happen by Wednesday, Feb. 23. Then, it will need to receive support from the Health and Aging Committee, which Rep. Wachtmann is the chair of.” Wachtmann has been working on the bill to protect unborn babies for a long time, Steveline said. “Certainly the Heartbeat Bill is very protective of unborn children and ensures that as soon as there’s a heartbeat they will be protected,” Steveline said. “Rep. Wachtmann
The “Heartbeat Bill” would outlaw abortions after a fetal heartbeat is able to be detected, possibly as soon as five weeks after conception. Opponents have said the bill is unconstitutional and would violate Roe v. Wade. The bill is exepected to be introduced in the Ohio legistlature before Feb. 23. does not believe there are any cons to this bill. He thinks it is great.” Steveline said she thinks it’s strange that Ohio Right to Life, an organization which supports protecting life, has not yet endorsed the bill. “The Heartbeat Bill was supposed to be introduced Feb. 14, but we are still waiting for it,” said Becki Brenner, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region. “There is a rumor going around that it will not be introduced because it could be unconstitutional. If that is the case, the only way to introduce it would be a case with the Supreme Court, which would cost millions for Ohio.” Kellie Copeland, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, said the Heartbeat Bill is really a
bill banning abortion in the first trimester of a pregnancy, when many women don’t even know they are pregnant yet. “This bill is blatantly unconstitutional,” Copeland said. “It violates the Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade and interferes with 38 years of legal precedence.” In Roe v. Wade, the United States Supreme Court ruled a woman could choose to have an abortion in earlier months of pregnancy without restriction and with restrictions in later months based on her right to privacy. This decision invalidated all state laws limiting women’s access to abortions during the first trimester of pregnancy. “This case will probably go to the courts for years of litigation, which will cost the state of Ohio a lot of money
in a time of budget crisis,” Copeland said. “These officials were elected to fix the budget crisis in Ohio, and instead they have created seven bills against abortion that could potentially cost hundreds of thousands of dollars for the state.” Copeland said this fight against abortion goes far beyond the Heartbeat Bill. According to Copeland, there are six other bills, including one that refuses health insurance for women who want abortions. “These bills will create bad health implications for women,” Copeland said. “They are assaults on reproductive health care.” Outlawing abortion won’t make it go away, Copeland said. She said even if the bill passes, women would still have illegal and unsafe abortions, which could maim or kill them. In the meantime, criticism won’t stop Wachtmann from proceeding with the bill. “Rep. Wachtmann is very excited about this bill and has received lots of positive feedback and support from Ohioans and from around the country,” Steveline said.
Council approves construction, votes to oppose estate tax bill By Lauren Ceronie
Staff Writer
Oxford City Council unanimously voted to oppose the proposed repeal of Ohio’s estate tax and to approve the final phases of construction for 14 new apartments in the Campus Commons subdivision during its meeting Tuesday. Council also heard a presentation about the collaboration of St. Aloysius Orphanage (St. Al’s) and the Oxford Community Counseling and Crisis Center (CCCC). St. Aloysius Orphanage and the CCCC announced they are collaborating to better serve the residents of Oxford and Butler County. The CCCC has been working with St. Al’s unofficially for nine years and now the two organizations are making the relationship official, according to CCCC board of trustees member Alan Oak. Oak’s new partner, St. Al’s Executive Director Pank Goulet, is also excited about the collaboration. “This is a proud day for St. Al’s that we
can finally announce this collaboration,” Goulet said. St. Al’s, located in Cincinnati, is a secular organization that provides counseling and therapy for troubled families and children. The 175-year-old orphanage has the same mission and values as the CCCC, Goulet said. The CCCC, located on South College Avenue, provides health and counseling to Miami University students and Oxford residents. Its services include a rape crisis program, a 24-hour hotline, an outpatient therapy program and a drug and alcohol treatment program. This collaboration will allow St. Al’s and the CCCC to expand their services to adults and children so anyone can be helped at either center, Goulet said. “We would like to provide cradle to grave services to anyone in the community,” Goulet said. “No one will be turned away.” Vice mayor and former CCCC board of trustees member Ken Bogard was also in favor of the collaboration. “They provide excellent service in
mental health,” Bogard said. “I look forward to their participation in the greater Oxford area.” The council voted unanimously to oppose House Bill 3, a bill that would do away with Ohio’s estate tax. City Manager Doug Elliott, who was absent from the meeting, testified before the Ohio House Ways and Means Committee to oppose the bill. Council voted to officially support Elliott in his opposition to the bill. Council member Greig Rutherford voiced strong opposition to the bill. “It’s important for all citizens of Oxford to give this serious consideration and let your representative know if this passes it benefits few and hurts many,” Rutherford said. City Council also unanimously approved the Campus Commons application to complete construction of 14 new apartments. City Council said the developers had met all of the requirements and suggestions made at the previous meeting. The next City Council meeting will be held March 1 at the Oxford Area I Courthouse.
Donahue said she knows bartenders who work during the week have a harder time making tips. “The weeknights can be pretty rough,” Donahue said. “I don’t usually work earlier in the week, but I know it can get really slow. The only reason I even got $35 the last time I worked was because I got one or two larger tips.” Demmarest agreed tips are better on the weekends. “When I bartended on a Thursday, I made, like, $50,” she said. “On the weekends, it’s obviously a lot more.” Bartenders usually rely on the weekends to make up for slow weeknight shifts. While weekend tips will vary from bar to bar, Demmarest said she would consider the average to be $100 or more a night.
Bus route hits the brakes By Sarah Sidlow For The Miami Student
Butler County Regional Transit Authority (RTA) may try to partner with Miami University to allow residents to travel between Oxford and Hamilton, RTA Executive Director Carla Lakatos said. This new idea was hatched after RTA’s own project to provide a shuttle between the two cities was put on hold due to a lack of funding. Funding was granted to the Butler County RTA by former Gov. Ted Strickland, but was rescinded by Gov. John Kasich’s administration, said Alan Kyger, Oxford’s economic development director. Early in January, RTA was notified it would receive $198,900 for a new weekday shuttle that would run between Oxford and Hamilton for a $2 one-way fee. The grant included funding for one fiscal year and a pledge from the Ohio Department of Transportation for the next two fiscal years, Lakatos said. Since the funding cuts, planning of the program has stopped. “When we were sending letters in support of funding (this project), I tried to make it clear that the route is important for students because of the Miami branch campuses in Hamilton, but also that it was important for the residents of Oxford to be able to get to the county seat in Hamilton when they may not have a car or the money for gas to get there,” Kyger said. The Kasich administration rescinded funding for nine different transportation projects in total. RTA’s shuttle would have had a 14-person capacity and made four round trips per day, two in the morning and two in the afternoon. The estimated cost was approximately $200,000 a year to run, Lakatos said. RTA is not currently eligible to receive state money due to a technicality of the state transit grant program. Because RTA did not receive funding in 2005, it is not on the list of state-funded transportation organizations. Because of this, RTA may soon turn to the university. “We’re keeping an open outlook,” RTA Operations Manager Matt Dutkevicz said. “We’ve had some conversations with the administration at the university about opening (the university shuttle) route to the public.” The Miami shuttle service between the Oxford and Hamilton campuses is available only to students and faculty with university IDs, Lakatos said. She said she hopes RTA will be able to bring something to the table in terms of supporting the shuttle route and then possibly be able to open it to the public. RTA’s proposal to the university would not include a proposed price for a one-way ticket. “It’s not a conversation we’ve had yet, but we’ve been trying to open that discussion for a time,” Lakatos said. Lakatos hopes RTA can develop a partnership with the university. “This is a route we want to do,” she said. “In these tough times, people really need to look at alternatives and creative ways of sharing a resource.” Miami junior Andy Halcomb said he is unsure about the viability of a partnership with RTA. “I’m just concerned that students wouldn’t be able to get to class on time if everyone is fighting for space on the shuttle,” he said.
Editor Hunter Stenback features@miamistudent.net
Features
By Gretchen Wesche For The Miami Student
Miami University senior Alison Smith* remembers her mother’s involvement in her life during her first year at Miami. While they would talk on the phone every Sunday, bridging the seven-hour separation from home, Smith’s mother was also hoping she would spend those Sundays going to church. Even though Alison was actively engaged in campus Bible study, her mother decided to take matters into her own hands by researching area churches online, talking to other Miami students and making specific recommendations. “I probably needed to take that journey (of finding a church in Oxford) on my own,” Smith admitted. Smith remembers teasing her mom about being a “hover parent” when she was still in high school. The phenomenon has been called many other names — helicopter parenting, micromanaging, smothering mothering, some may even be inclined to call it good parenting — but parents today seem to be more involved than ever in their children’s lives even after they leave home.
Constant contact Many Miami administrators can remember a time or two when they had to deal with a “helicopter parent.” Former department chair Sharon Jones* said these situations could range from the somewhat humorous to the more challenging. Jones recalled one instance in which the mother of an out-of-state student attended advising meetings with her daughter from the time she declared her major sophomore year until graduation. While Jones understood the parents’ motives — they paid tuition and hoped to help their daughter graduate in less than four years — she called the event a “legitimate concern.” While this parent was “always congenial” and the three of them sometimes even joked about the situation, many other cases have been less agreeable. More commonly, administrators said they received calls about grades, students having difficulties being added to a course or problems with professors. Sometimes these would be in accusatory or demanding tones. Sometimes, administrators said, the student should have handled the concerns. Kris Stewart, assistant to the vice president of student affairs, said technology can play a role as well, allowing students to keep in contact with their parents 24/7, as much as or more often than in high school. “Sometimes the student isn’t as enthusiastic about (the contact) continuing, but there is still a lot of contact,” Stewart said. “It’s just so easy.” Today, it’s not uncommon for parents to be on Facebook. E-mail remains a popular communication standby and it is often taken for granted that most parents need only reach into their pockets to talk to their son or daughter seconds later. With all of these outlets, communication can happen not just every so often, but every day. Technology has opened new avenues to keep parents and their children almost constantly and instantly in communication even when they are away from home. For some, this can be a problem, but Stewart asserts it may be exaggerated. “Anybody who works with parents can tell those kinds of stories,” Stewart said. “In reality, it tends to be sensationalized.” While Stewart has had experience with overbearing parents, the majority of her experiences have been positive. “The majority of parents who get in touch with us are not in that category (of helicopter parent),” Stewart said. “If the very existence of the Parents Office is any indicator, however, many parents are certainly involved in their students’ lives, if not always to the degree that makes headlines.”
Friday
February 18, 2011
5
As many people working with parents at Miami can attest, however, the definitions of a good parent and of proper parent-student relationships have been anything but a constant. According to Steuart Watson, professor and former educational psychology chair, parents today are “much, much, much more involved” in their children’s lives than parents in generations before them. “Generationally, what we see is parents who’ve been conditioned that over-involvement’s good,” Watson said. “So, then when their kids go to college, they still try to remain over-involved.” Parents also often pay for part or all of their children’s education and many feel this entitles them to a certain level of involvement. Jones could recall several incidents in which this was a factor, from parents who were major donors to the university to those who simply pay for tuition and demand their child be added to a class. While shootings, violence and other traumatic events do not occur every time a parent takes an eye off of his or her child, they certainly may be cause for increased anxiety and unease. Stewart said parents today may have different concerns for their sons and daughters about safety in schools. The very role of parental involvement is changing, too. Compared to past generations, it’s not uncommon today to hear parents say their children are their best friends, or vice versa, blurring the lines of those relationships, Stewart said. Still, other lines remain that cannot be blurred. Watson and Stewart both reported many parents call university offices asking for information the university simply cannot supply. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act has changed the access parents can have to their children’s records, such as grades, without student permission. In the Parents Office, Stewart reports staff members tend to get more calls at times of transition, both in the first couple years of school as well as in the last semester before graduation.
A balancing act While Watson recognizes the hyper-involvement and excessive handholding characteristic of helicopter parents can be unhealthy for both parent and student, he also insists all involvement is not bad involvement, especially when students are moving from late adolescence into young adulthood. “(Adolescents) want to have that independence, but they also want that safety net of their parents, and parents acting as a safety net is OK,” Watson said. “In fact, kids who know that their parents are their safety net tend to turn out a little more well adjusted.” Employees in the Office of New Student Programs and the Parents Office recognize parents are going to play a role in many students’ lives. Senior Morgan Kiamy, who has worked as a student coordinator in the Office of New Student Progams and as a student orientation undergraduate leader, said family support is helpful to new students. “Family support is really crucial to success in that first year,” Kiamy said. Stewart added while she and others in the Parents Office work with parents as a resource, “the mission of the office is really student centered.” Ultimately, Kiamy believes managing the student-parent relationship can be delicate. “It is a transition for both the students and the families,” she said. “We recognize that as much as the students change, the families change as well.” *Some names have been changed to protect anonymous sources
Pushing boundaries So many parents do make the headlines, sparking debates about what parental lines should or should not be crossed and what defines a good parent. At a time when kids at the mall can be seen attached to mom or dad by leash harnesses, “Tiger Mother” memoirs are bestsellers and everyone has an opinion, good and bad parenting is all but far from public consciousness.
HANNAH MILLER The Miami Student
6
Friday February 18, 2011
Opinion
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.
Study takes limited view of diversity at Miami A
study released by the Center for will be academically successful Equal Opportunity, a national at Miami. conservative think tank, alleging While the conclusions of this Miami University’s admissions study are clearly flawed, it does policy discriminates against white leave unanswered questions. students is seriously flawed by its The study alleges an imbalance limited scope. in admissions opportunities, but the The study looks at race, stan- more visible imbalance of concern dardized test scores and grades to this board is the lack of diverbut ignores the nearly two doz- sity in the current makeup of the en other criteria Miami uses to student body. select students. Miami’s percentage of black and Miami publicly states that “po- Hispanic students is far below the tential contribution to diversity” is general population and also other a criterion for adpublic universities. mission, but not As such, the unistrictly in the sense versity is clearly doof race. ing something wrong There are plenty Socioeconomic or at least not doing status and life exsomething right. of qualified perience can also Miami’s varimulticultural bring diversity ous stereotypes as a students in Ohio to campus. conservative, upperand throughout By being overly middle class white exclusive in its inthe United States. campus clearly hurt spection of selecMiami needs to do our ability to attion criteria, the a highly-qualmore to get them to tract study clearly comified multicultural want to come here. applicant pool. mits the fallacy of questionable cauSmaller issues sation and by dosuch as the lack of a ing so dangerously place in Oxford for oversimplifies the issue of race black women to get a haircut may at Miami. also play a role. Although the study clearly asks By the time admissions decitoo few questions to arrive at defen- sions are being made, it is much sible findings, the weight given to too late to be trying to get a diverse non-academic factors in the admis- student body. sions process is concerning. There are plenty of qualified While this board understands multicultural students in Ohio and the need to factor in things like throughout the United States. Miextracurricular involvement or ami needs to do more to get them to work commitments, this is an in- want to come here. stitution of learning and the botImproving campus diversity tom line for all applicants must be cannot and should not be the reacademic strength. sponsibility of the Office of We recognize that the admissions Admissions alone. process is subjective for a reason. It should be the on the minds and Each applicant has a unique set of reflected in the actions of all adminfactors which predict whether they istrators, students and faculty.
Green Beer Day should be addressed responsibly G
reen Beer Day is quickly ap- dents on that day nor should faculty proaching, and many Miami go to extremes to make a point. GoUniversity students are attempt- ing out of the way to assign a big ing to clear their schedules for the project or exam just may not be in March 3 holiday. Faculty are being the best interest of any student. made aware as well, with the annuMiami students must understand al memorandum sent to all faculty that they are responsible for their encouraging them education and thereto maintain their fore should make regular schedule. Deciding whether or choices accordingly Student attendance not to participate in knowing the acaand participation consequences Green Beer Day is a demic are also stressed in of missing classes. personal choice and Professors should the memo. those participants The editorial also be fair and adboard of The Miami will have to deal with dress absences in a Student believes way. whatever academic justGreen Miami students are Beer Day consequences result. is a day that is loved adults and should be able to make by some and hated independent deciby others. sions about their health, education The board hopes students are reand general well-being. Decid- sponsible, make good choices and ing whether or not to participate in stay safe. Green Beer Day is a personal choice The board also desires proand those participants will have fessors will be fair when they to deal with whatever academic look upon some empty chairs in consequences result. their classroom. It should not fall to faculty to creAfter all, what if someone is actuate schedules to accommodate stu- ally sick on that day?
The Miami Student 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
NOAH CARL The Miami Student
➤ LETTERS
Tax credits will empower Ohio students Middle-class families are missing out on millions of dollars in tax relief for one of the most important investments they make, a college education for their children. Ohio college students and their families can receive up to an extra $2,500 this year by claiming the American Opportunity Tax Credit. Only 35 percent of qualified families applied for the tax credit last filing year. Ohioans missed out on an estimated $700 million by not filing, but it’s not too late to claim this tax credit. As college costs continue to rise, this extra money can provide additional support to Ohio families struggling to pay for college and empower Ohio students with the resources needed to out-compete and out-educate the world. For more information, visit my website at www.brown.senate.gov. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Malaika_Robinson@brown.senate.gov
We need a participatory democratic government A few weeks ago, Joshua Carpenter wrote two editorials on the perceived dangers Wikileaks poses to our civil liberties and to the security of the government. I responded to these letters, arguing that Wikileaks is a medium for us to learn about and to learn from our government. I argued that the leaks allowed us a clearer but still obscure picture of the people running the country and fighting our wars. If what we have seen is any indication of the larger picture, then I demand more leaks. Indeed, I demand a truly open government. Tuesday, in his latest editorial, he contends that an open government would lead to less privacy for its citizens. Though Carpenter ditches the talk of Wikileaks, his opinion is akin to conspiratorial ramblings of cable news anchors (some of whom have called for the execution of Julian Assange and Bradley Manning), and, like those anchors, he fails to recognize the numerous flaws in his own logic. Let me be clear, I am one of the people in Carpenter’s fairytale who have swallowed a sugarcoated pill of absolute transparency. According to him, I am someone who ignores implicit assumptions and I have a deeper goal than “simply changing corruption to honesty.” He is absolutely correct. I do have a deeper goal, but he is absolutely wrong in what those goals are. First, I want to address a couple of the most glaring inconsistencies in Carpenter’s arguments. He seems obsessed with the idea that the transparency is going to run amok. There will be agency after agency, code word for bureaucracy, formed to oversee transparency, and that will get out of hand. What evidence does he have for such a claim? This position evokes imagery or conservative commentators when there is talk of a national health care system or some other progressive ideal. One has to look no further than the Patriot Act, which, at the time of writing, looks like it will be extended again, to see that the government is already spying on citizens
with the full support of the Congress. But this shouldn’t be the case, for this is a world where, according to Carpenter’s previously published opinions, governmental secrecy actually protects our rights. His mixture of Orwellian and Randian dystopias seems to distract his view of what is going on in the world we live in. Carpenter’s analogy to the civil rights act (equal employment) fails because he tries too hard to find a flaw in a law that has provided very valuable protections for minorities in the workplace, and in the end he actually makes one up. The act is meant to increase fairness, equality and oversight in hiring and firing. Carpenter should note that parts of this law are actually under question right now in the Supreme Court, and it could be stripped of some very important provisions regarding the rights of a worker to an unbiased review in the firing process. He seems to believe that in a world where governmental transparency is real, a person can only be fired because of issues with that transparency. Or, rather, a worker can’t be fired if they aren’t performing well because he seems to believe that every single case of a person (in government, I suppose, it was hard to tell if he was referring to the larger public) being fired can and will be construed as racist, sexist or some another chauvinist bend. Now, here is an alternative goal that I share with many, a government that is both totally open and totally run by the people that are most affected by it. I think Carpenter and I can agree that governmental surveillance of citizens is totally self-serving, but the government that does this (our government) is run by a ruling class whose interests are entirely separated from the interests of the rest. Corruption in government exists, it seems, to ensure that separation remains. An open government would expose that corruption at every level, in every branch and would provide for the formation of something totally different. This is what those of us who have, according to Carpenter, swallowed the pill of absolute transparency want. We don’t just want an open government, we want an open-source government, a participatory democracy. We want a government that we control, not one that controls us. We want a government that serves everyone and doesn’t give preference to a rich few. We want a government that is free of collusion with the capital hoarding enemies of the lower 99 percent of the socio-economic strata, a collusion that Carpenter seems to acknowledge. We want a government that will protect the rights of workers no matter their color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ability or country of origin. We want a government where opacity is nonexistent, where transparency is the natural state. Ben Stockwell
stockwbm@muohio.edu
➤ WRITE US All letters must be signed in order to be printed. Please send letters via e-mail to: editorial@miamistudent.net
Opinion
THE MIAMI STUDENT
➤ PERCEIVING REALITY
Getting back on the horse All of us have been told at least once to get back on the horse even after it bucks you off. While I’ve had to do this in a literal sense once or twice, I’ve had to do this in a metaphorical sense many more times. Every one of us has faced failure. There are different levels of failure, but Karli all of us have felt the Kloss sinking, upsetting, disheartening weight of messing something up or just plain sucking at something. If you haven’t, you should probably be attending a real Ivy League university instead of a public one. We all know where our weaknesses lie. I know I have the mathematical abilities of a first grader in China. Therefore, I’ve been avoiding my Miami Plan formal reasoning requirement like it’s a particularly virulent strain of SARS. Others who perhaps have enjoyed their 400-level calculus classes probably felt the same way about introductory English courses. Figuring out what you are unable to do isn’t all that difficult, and it’s much easier to deal with failing at something if you have long ago accepted that particular inadequacy. Failing at something you know is a strength, though, will hit you right in the solar plexus. Last week, I was stressed, overworked, poorly organized and bone weary. It was just one of those cataclysmic weeks when all of my syllabi decided this was the appropriate time for a deadline alignment. I also had a column due. I was struck with a case of writer’s block I’ve never once experienced in my life. I scraped together 600 words about pretty much nothing, which my editors tactfully refused to print. A little too metatextual and a whole lot of aimless, the piece was, well, a piece of shit. I didn’t blame them for not running it, I blamed myself for failing at something I’ve never once failed at in my life. It blindsided me. My housemates were sympathetic and patient with what they knew would be a temporary problem and tried to console me. Having a flair for the melodramatic, I swore off writing forever and they rolled their eyes and told me it would work itself out. Two days later ,while sitting in French, I was smacked in the face with a topic and shelled the piece out in less than an hour. Like taking Viagra for my brain, I was back in business. The stress associated with failure is compounded when you were in no way anticipating the less-than-satisfactory result you ended up with. The thing that sometimes sucks about life, but what certainly keeps it interesting, is that you can plan all you want, but some expectations just won’t be met. How many of you reading this piece have had to change your major? How many of you had to drop a class because it was too hard or you just couldn’t pull in the grades? Being confronted with the realization that you won’t always succeed where you want to is unpleasant to say the least, but a trick that will help you keep at least some of your dignity is a little evaluation session. If you failed at something you either anticipated not doing well at or are completely indifferent toward, then it’s not really a big deal. No one is good at everything. However, if the task you failed at is something that means something to you, if you were truly bothered by the lackluster outcome, then it’s something you need to get back on that stupid horse for. Not every day is going to be a sterling example of your physical, mental and psychological prowess. We all have bad days. The important thing to remember is that when the inevitable happens, when that dreaded F comes your way, you always have the option of heading right back into the fray and fixing your mistakes. It’s just a matter of how much you want to.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2011 ♦ 7
➤ GREEN EGGS AND SAM
➤ ESSAY
Don’t be afraid to speak up Death to America prides itself on many things that are unique to it, our melting pot of different ethnicities living within the lines of one big border, our rapid development of new technology and especially our First Amendment rights. These rights protect everything we say, write and believe. Our forefathers helped create this document as the first part of the Bill of Rights in 1789, and needless to say, it seems to be an essential founding principle. Many citizens have fought all the way to the Supreme Court in order to defend their First Amendment rights. Cornell University defines Tinker vs. Des Moines and West Virginia School Board vs. Barnett as two of the most important court cases. These cases exemplify the importance of First Amendment rights in our country. While free speech may be a legal concept, how much of it is social? Saying what you think does not mean the government will come after you, but someone else might. While we can say what we want without a federal offense, how many people a day do we offend by saying what we want to say? Speaking up in class or posting your true feelings on a dis-
cussion board are tasks dreaded by some college students. Is it the task itself that’s daunting or the reaction it may evoke from your classmates? Saying what you feel comes with many side effects. Friends who you thought were on your side may lash out at you, or even worse, some may think the comment was inappropriate altogether. In the latter case, we struggle with the question “Should I have just kept my mouth shut?” Having an opinion means you have something to believe in, something that you support or dislike. There are six billion people on the planet. For everyone to agree upon the same thing is an idyllic thought only Walt Disney would include as a fairytale ending. With so many different people, places, cultures, religions and ethnicities, the chances of just two people agreeing on subject matter is a feat in itself. Some people may believe in the sanctity of marriage, while others claim it is merely a piece of paper. Some say meat eaters are animal killers, while others believe humans are born carnivores. These major differences in viewpoints cannot all be agreed upon, and thus variety and diversity is created in the world.
Standing up for what you believe in is much more complex than believing the First Amendment will back you up. It means putting yourself on the line and trusting what you say is meaningful. What if Martin Luther King or Rosa Parks had just sat quietly to themselves thinking the things they believed in would offend people or wouldn’t make a difference? How different our world would be today. It is important for people to stand up for what they want. As Ghandi once said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” This includes even the simple thing of stating your opinion of someone else’s writing in class to earn participation points. Opinions make people think harder than facts. Facts are not arguable. They are proven by science and can be shown to you logically. An opinion is ever changing and is never answered simply. Someone standing up against you or criticizing you will only make those around you think and strengthen their own opinions. Pride yourself on what you believe in, you can make a difference with a single thought. Sarah Title
titlese@muohio.edu
➤ ESSAY
Egypt: An unsure future lies ahead
After 18 days of angry Egyptian anti-government demonstrations, President Hosni Mubarak finally resigned his 30 year dictatorial position Feb. 11 with the shouts of “Leave, leave, leave” closing a new bloody chapter in the nation’s history. The day before Vice President Omar Suleiman officially announced Mubarak’s resignation, Mubarak strongly refused to step down and stated he was “adamant to continue to shoulder my responsibility to protect the constitution and safeguard the interests of the people.” However, protesters didn’t buy what he said and reorganized a new strength to fight against him. Their eventual victory brought a well-known historical truth to the world. A country does not belong to the dictator, it is the property of the people. This historical insurgency not only proves the power of the masses, but it also proves the strength of social media. It might be a first for such large masses of people to use Twitter to organize and coordinate protests. Social media helped Egyptians spread the news to other countries in the Middle East to get their advice and support. That might be why protesters in other parts of the world began rising up against government corruption and demanding revolution. With protesters shouting out “Egypt is free” and the eventual end to the civil unrest, a new era began to open the curtain of the history stage with a huge amount of questions: Who will take control of the country? What will its democracy be like? How is Egypt going to repair its damaged economy? What is Egypt’s future?
As for politics, after Mubarak left his office, all power went to the Egyptian military to oversee the democratic transition. The armed force has formed a constitutional committee in order to produce constitutional reforms within 10 days. However, there are rumors that the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamic political party, will have the strength to gain power. Besides this, there are other military officials who could also be elected to powerful positions. As for the economy, Egypt’s pillar industry, tourism, has been devastated by the turmoil. According to USA Today, the Egyptian tourism industry draws 14.7 million tourists a year and accounts for 11 percent of the nation’s economic output. Now, many travel agencies have canceled their agendas and stopped travel to Egypt for the past two months, causing an estimated $1 billion loss to Egypt’s economy. In addition, Egypt’s stock market has lost many foreign investors as a result of the continuing stock drop. The general economy is experiencing an extremely down period. The new era of democratic reform Egypt is facing will not be easy. The nation will be dealing with many complex issues surrounding economic recovery, unemployment resolution and social stability. The world will never forget Egypt’s revolution and its important role in remaining peaceful with Israel, but it will also be looking forward to watching its clear and hopefully successful future unfold. Qiao Song
songq@muohio.edu
➤ ESSAY
North Korea finances in trouble The financial condition in North Korea has gotten so bad that the country has started selling its own land to the Chinese for money so its notorious dictators can continue their lavish lives. Chinese officials have started paying North Korea in exchange for land near the Manchurian border. The land sold is a city called Nasun, which is a special economic zone set up by the North Koreans in 1991. The area was created in an effort to increase foreign investment from China to spur development in the region. Initial agreement was fruitless because of the countless North Korean harassment of Chinese businesses in the area. However, things have changed and North Korea is in a very desperate position and looking for any kind of financial support. Therefore, the previous regulations and policies against Chinese businessmen coming into the special economic zone have been lifted. I question the ethics of the Chinese businessmen who have invested in the area. Do they not understand that buying these
lands will only be used to finance the luxurious lives of the top North Korean officials? While China seeks economic interests in a country destitute with hunger and malnourished people, they are only allowing the dictatorship to continue. China’s humanitarian economic support for the North Korean government is an act of greed in exploiting the desperate situation of the North Koreans as they have for a long time allowed China to purchase natural resources such as iron ore at extremely cheap prices. It is like a small economic imperial colony to them. If they truly cared about the peaceful resolution in the Korean peninsula, they wouldn’t be so reluctant to pay the North Koreans. Instead, they should be more inclined to help start peace talks and convince Kim Jong-Il to open up the borders. Where is the dignity in all of this? Even though we may not notice it, land, territory and borders are the most basic forms of social organization. They are the primary sources of national entity. The numerous conflicts in
the past were almost all directly or indirectly related to territorial disputes. Although they may be impudent and irresponsible dictators, the father and son of Kim Jong-Il and Kim Jong-un are still people who think they represent a population, a troubled population indeed. If they keep on going like they are, they will only become puppet regimes under the total influence of China. It seems that the whole country is in dire straights. Even the most well-fed military people are now starting to suffer from starvation. There have been reported incidences where North Korea’s military servicemen have been fed with pig feed imported from China. The people who have recently defected to the South have said situations have never been worse. How far will they go and how long do they think they will last in protecting their selfish individual interests by sacrificing the land and territory, the land that embraces the history and culture of both the North and South? Charles Lee
Leec2@muohio.edu
Shriver pizza Rice and dal. Upon first inspection, the food at the College for Higher Tibetan studies looks like leftovers from Oliver Twist’s bowl. Brown, lumpy, not quite soupy, not quite solid served out of massive pots with a ladle to match, the lentils and rice are the only option at the campus dining hall Sam every evening. Boy, Kay do I miss it. My three months eating Indian food were some of the tastiest and healthiest of my culinary life, and as a vegetarian they were also some of the easiest. Rice, beans, spices, vegetables, fruit. I could eat however much I wanted and still accidentally trimmed an inch or two off my waistline before returning to the United States. Oh, and the total cost of everything I ate every day was rarely more than one $1. The Indian diet may not be for everyone, but it’s cheap, delicious and healthy. Imagine my despair, therefore, when I entered Haines Food Court for the first time this semester to be greeted by a mixture of pizza, pasta, burgers and fries. Getting healthy food as a vegetarian has never been easy on Miami’s campus, but because of my work and class schedule, Haines is my only viable option for six meals a week this semester. Two of those meals, my Tuesday and Thursday lunches, must be purchased and consumed within a 10-minute window, narrowing my options to something easy to eat with a short line, usually pizza. One particularly rushed Tuesday when the lines were particularly long and my last class had let out late, I finally cracked. The line to get to the pizza was particularly long. Once I got to the front, only two pieces of nonmeat pizza remained. I sprinkled some oregano on top to help myself pretend this was food and made a beeline for the exit. When I got to the checkout, the cashier looked at my pizza and squinted at the burnt cheese spots. “Are those mushrooms?” she asked. “No,” I said. I jostled through the crowd, my two slices of greasy cheese pizza sliding around my flimsy paper plate, searching for a table I would never find. The gulps of chewy cheese and dry dough gave me no pleasure as I hurriedly walked back to class. As a string of cheese evaded my mouth and stuck to my chin, I helplessly jockeyed the plate from hand to hand, trying to get a napkin to my face. As I reached out to open a door, the napkin blew out of my hand. I turned to pick it up, cheese still plastered to my chin as I wrestled the door with my elbow, trying to avoid dropping the plate. An attractive woman had beat me to it. She held out the napkin with a manner that exuded pity for my predicament. Hurried, embarrassed and disgusted with myself, I mumbled something about crazy schedules, pitched the plate and remaining half piece of pizza, which was indistinguishable from the plate by taste test, into a nearby garbage can and went back to class, resolved to avoid Haines’ pizza at all costs. Later that day, I sat down to air my grievances to the university. I wrote to ask them to expand the vegetarian options at Haines and elsewhere. A few days later, I received a courteous email from Christopher Fields, manager of commissary operations, inviting me to submit recipes and reminding me of the vegetarian options at Hamilton and Alexander dining halls. “Both (locations) feature vegetarian and vegan options every day, including rice and bean dishes, lentils and soy protein enhanced entrees,” he wrote. When I do have time to sit down to a meal at Hamilton, I am never disappointed by the variety of vegetarian options, but I can only make it to Hamilton a few times a week. I eat most of my meals on a time crunch, and there are just no fast vegetarian options on campus. Simple, cheap and convenient doesn’t have to mean pizza. I’ve solved my Tuesday and Thursday problem by buying a meat substitute from Kroger and packing myself tasty sandwiches with other ingredients available on campus, but I dream of walking into Haines and being greeted by the aroma of rice and dal. Miami, take a leaf out of India’s recipe book.
Friday
8
February 18, 2011
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BASKETBALL continued from page 10
Williams scored all 14 of his points in the second half and overtime. “Orlando had a miserable first half, but man in the second half, boy was he good,” Coles said. The Flashes turned the ball over, and sophomore Allen Roberts hit two free throws to go up three before Sherman hit the gameknotting three for a 66-66 score and overtime. Coles’ team outscored the Flashes 20-14 in the extra frame to earn the win and first place. Junior Julian Mavunga ripped down a career-high 17 rebounds. The forward was vital on the offensive glass, finishing with five offensive boards. It was Mavunga who distanced the lead to seven
BASeBALL continued from page 10
“The only pressure we are going to have is the pressure we put on ourselves,” Weldon said. “Right now we aren’t really worried about it. We have enough guys that can step up and fill in. It’s not really a concern.” What may be a concern for the eight returning position starters is the warmth of their seats. According to Simonds, some of the new blood is talented enough to find its way into the lineup one
ADMISSIONS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2011 ♦ 9 points after a Roberts bucket made it 74-70 RedHawks in overtime. Still, the 69-year-old Coles knows satisfaction is temporary. “I don’t think the players, coaches and myself are at all satisfied,” Coles said. “We are satisfied with the effort. I think our guys are having fun and I think they believe in themselves. That’s worth a lot. I wouldn’t trade that for anything. They don’t have to believe in me. If they believe in themselves then that’s worth something. That’s the most valuable thing a team can have.” The RedHawks’ win extends a season-long five game streak while snapping the Flashes’ six-game scorching skid. Five ’Hawks hovered to double figures. Mavunga finished with 17 points, Roberts added 16 points and freshman Josh Sewell netted 11 points. Sherman led the Flashes with 25 points, and Carlton Guyton scored 24 points in the loss. way or another. “We’ve had to go with what we had in the last couple years and throwing freshmen into the fire,” Simonds said. “We don’t have to do that. We want to develop these guys, but they are going to get some playing time. They are going to push some of these guys. They are going to be giving guys breaks or pushing guys.” Outfielder Bryce Redeker and left-handed pitcher Shawn Marquardt are juniors who should step into the fire early, while freshmen Dan Walsh, Andrew Willis, Seth Varner, Alex Brown and Jordan Shusteric won’t be shy about finding their way onto a skilled
a higher rate than average majority students in the country.” Wagner said of Miami’s 1,800 multicultural students, 735 are continued from page 1 African-American. Within the context of the univercriteria include life experience, sity as a whole, African-American geographic diversity, GPA and students make up approximately test scores among others factors. 4.3 percent of the student populaWhile Wagner could not give tion. The university population of a ratio for the amount of Afri- Latino students is even lower, at can-American students admitted 2.4 percent, Wagner said. over white students at Miami, Miami junior Ryanaustin Dennis she said the CEO study fails to is an African-American student. account for factors that could He said he encourages students to diminish a student’s grades, read the CEO report and make an test scores or other standard informed judgment. qualifications. “It’s a good thing, in fact, that She said Mithis knowledge ami’s holistic is going out there approach to the The criteria include and I want people admissions proto read the report life experience, cess goes bethemselves and yond grades geographic diversity, figure out what GPA and test scores they believe in,” and testing. “Qualified is a among other factors. Dennis said. relative term,” she Dennis said said. “If somecutting off dione worked 30 versity does hours a week during high school, not always mean cutting for instance, we will take that intellectual integrity. into account.” “You have to look at a person’s The CEO study found African- life, extracurricular work, comAmericans are less likely to grad- munity work,” he said. “If they are uate at Miami. a leader and are self-driven, they “You aren’t doing someone a can do well at college. They may favor if you admit him to a school not have had the means to study and then he doesn’t graduate,” for the SAT as some others do.” Chavez said. Despite the CEO report, WagWagner disagrees. She said ner said the university will conAfrican-American students at tinue to work to enhance all types Miami are graduating on par of diversity at Miami. or more frequently than the “Miami values diversity overnational average. all,” she said. “It enhances the “(African-American students at learning environment, it helps Miami) are not only graduating at break down stereotypes and it a higher rate than all public uni- allows for a richer discussion versities in Ohio, they graduate at in class.”
REDHAWK continued from page 1
However, Allen did not approve use of the trademarked phrase in the advertisement. Fenton said in the past use of the word RedHawk has been restricted to Miami’s athletic teams. Both the RedHawk name and logo are generally controlled by Miami’s Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. “We have some restrictions and things have to be used properly,” Fenton said. He said Miami is more concerned with limiting use of the RedHawk logo, not the name itself. Fenton said some organizations take the RedHawk logo and modify it for their own use, which misrepresents the university. “We’re certainly not trying to diminish any school spirit,” lineup card. “I think the strengths are probably going to be certainly our defense,” Simonds said. “We return one of the best defensive teams in the MAC and one of the best in the Midwest.” A season ago, that defense committed a conference-low 54 errors for a conference-high 0.974 fielding percentage. With nearly the entire infield returning, Simonds sees that strength keeping the team a solid MAC contender. An arsenal of arms chimes in with six potential starters opposed to the norm of four or five in past seasons, Simonds said. Sophomore Mac Thoreson led
Fenton added. RHA President Liz Kirkham said she had the same problem with RedHawk Hunt last year, but had hoped the organization would not have any issues this time. She said RHA was not asking for an exception to be made but thought RedHawk Hunt is a Miami tradition that should be granted use of a Miami trademark. “This is an event that is only benefitting the university,” Kirkham said. “It’s all about Miami.” Other organizations, such as WMSR, which broadcasts online at www.redhawkradio.com, and the Program Board’s RedHawk Romance have used the name without explicit authorization. Under the new policy, these organizations will have to apply for permission to use the word RedHawk. Now that the policy has been clarified, Kirkham said she is glad the team with five wins last season. Senior southpaw Tyler Melling is the returning workhorse, with a team-high 90 innings pitched last season. Senior Sam Dawes returns with a 4.36 earned run average, while sophomore Brooks Fiala and junior Matt Rosinski also offer live arms. The coaches picked the Kent State University Golden Flashes to take the MAC in overwhelming fashion, with the Red and White taking just one first-place vote. In the 2010 season, the 28-28 RedHawks went 2-2 against the Golden Flashes. “It’s one of those things where you have to go out and play every
all Miami organizations have a written rule to follow. “If the decision was not to allow the use of the word RedHawk, we’re fine with that so long as the standards are universal to all organizations,” she said. Junior Christian Trapp agrees. “I think this is a very smart policy … there’s a lot of confusion regarding trademarking,” Trapp said. As an off-campus senator for Associated Student Government, Trapp said he understands the importance of Miami clarifying logo rules for all organizations. Student organizations that wish to use trademarked Miami names or logos must apply for a trademark license. To download the request form, visit http://www.muohio.edu/trademark_licensing. The form can be turned in to 14 Roudebush Hall and must be approved before any printing is done. series,” Weldon said. “One game at a time. Last year, we let a few series slip away from us and this year we just want to play it one at a time.” Game one starts Friday, kicking off the College of Charleston Invitational. The RedHawks play the tournament host Saturday before wrapping up the weekend with the University of Kentucky Wildcats Sunday. “We’ve got a mixture of some good things,” Simonds said. “I’m not saying we’ve got a ton of superstars. We don’t, but we’ve got a bunch of good baseball players that really want to go out and get something done.”
’Hawks in a row
SCOTT ALLISON The Miami Student
Miami senior Andy Miele splits two Western Michigan University skaters Feb. 11 at Steve Cady Arena.
WEALTH
continued from page 1 students at Miami compared to universities with fewer financial resources. “I think it allows us to have a nicer school and nicer facilities because we have that support
GBD
continued from page 1 performing poorly on their tests or falling behind in their schoolwork because of drinking matters doesn’t help us be successful,” Jones said “Graduation rate is really important as we look at national rankings, and the students who engage in abusive and excessive alcohol behavior have a lower graduation rate than students who don’t.” Jones said how to encourage attendance is left up to the discretion of each faculty member. “A lot of the faculty will address the issues in class while some will not,” Jones said. “It’s really just their decision. What we are trying to convey is don’t change your schedule because of Green Beer Day. If you would normally schedule your test every three weeks, and that happens to land on Green Beer Day, go ahead and schedule it.” Miami does not offer specific
from the families,” Kern said. Junior Zahra Al-Hawaj, an international student from Bahrain, argued a wealthier student body can create a skewed perception of normalcy for students of different socioeconomic backgrounds. “I feel like it’s put a lot of pressure on people coming from households that make less money though, especially
first years who try to fit in but can’t afford the same items,” Al-Hawaj said. Matta expressed similar views. “I’m not poor, I felt well off when I was in high school, then I got to Miami and found myself wanting things I never needed before,” Matta said. “For example, I still want a MacBook even though I have a perfectly good PC.”
suggestions for how faculty should encourage attendance and participation on Green Beer Day. In a survey of Miami students, “25 percent have missed a class, 27 percent have performed poorly on a test and 32 percent have fallen behind in schoolwork as a result of their drinking behaviors,” according to the memo. Reversing these statistics is not the only issue mentioned in the memo. Jones said student safety is also a major reason for the reminder for faculty to be aware. “There have been incidents in the past that were related to alcohol that have resulted in student deaths here in Oxford,” Jones said. “That is something we actively do not want to happen, and the behavior with alcohol, especially on the days like Green Beer Day, where it’s really excessive use of alcohol, is dangerous and it’s a concern and we want students to keep that their safety is a concern.” Miami University Police Department Lt. Benjamin Spilman said his department has been dispatched to classrooms on Green Beer Day in
the past. Usually, he said, concern for safety of a disruptive student is usually the reason a teacher calls his department on Green Beer Day. “Typically the kind of disruptive behavior a teacher will call us about is someone who is getting sick or someone who has passed out in class,” Spilman said. “It’s absolutely about the safety of that student. We have the access to emergency medical services and are able to provide for whatever the student needs.” Michael Curme, associate dean in the Farmer School of Business, shared the sentiments of several departments regarding the memo. He said there is no coordinated effort to schedule exams in his department, but Green Beer Day is definitely on the minds of all faculty members. “There is institutional concern about alcohol abuse, and as such I think faculty share that concern about alcohol abuse,” Curme said. “Our division and our university has high expectations of our students every day. Green Beer Day is not an exception.”
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10
Friday February 18, 2011
3D TVs threaten attendance Sam Hitchcock
That’s Debatable
P
icture the year 2025. You are comfortably married, have two kids, earn a steady income and can afford a top-notch television system. It is a 3D TV that has the ability to socially interact with a global audience and gives you more viewing options than we can possibly imagine at this moment. All of this is at your disposal while watching your favorite NFL team on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays, and you are able to enjoy this experience with your family for the future inflation price of $30 for food and beverages. The average person’s home viewing experience is changing rapidly, and as technology grows more and more advanced, the future for professional sports events attendance is in jeopardy. Whether it be 3D televisions with social networking or constant sports scores streaming from around the league that also give you all of the plays and highlights, other ways of viewing sports are commanding the attention of today’s youth. It is likely that the Baby Boomers and the generation right after them will continue to pay premium bucks for season tickets because that is the way it has always been in their lifetimes. What will happen when our generation reaches an age when we are the key spectators for professional sports? Here are three ways teams’ attendance revenues can avoid catastrophe. Cheaper Tickets: This needs to happen sooner rather than later, but most likely it will happen later. Teams and leagues will have to come to the realization that while shelling out top dollars to see a favorite team in person is tempting, developments in technology have made the home viewing experience too good to resist. Home viewing eliminates the hassle of traffic, the obnoxious fans disturbing your personal space and the unconscionable hit your wallet takes when buying stadium refreshments. The only way to keep people coming will be to make doing so much more affordable. Improved Fan Experience: Historically, various sports teams, whether college or professional, have been too rigid with seating arrangements. Creativity is needed to architecturally structure stadiums so they feel more compact and fans feel closer to the action. Additionally, the focus of sports owners should be on providing an experience that entices the younger fan base. Using the social network most popular in 2025, streamline it so younger fans can interact with players and coaches at halftime through live online chat. Allow fans the opportunity to have minor impacts on gametime decisions — selecting a bench favorite to get garbage time at the end of a game or online polling as to who should shoot the final shot or be the recipient of the fourth and goal conversion. How about online ordering of refreshments from your phone so a fan never has to leave his or her seat? Fewer Stoppages: While the NHL is far from the perfect paradigm, the league after its lockout eliminated hampering rules such as the two-line pass in order to make the game faster and more offensive. The result now is that commercial breaks are seldom. Because the action is continuous and holds the viewer’s attention, it makes for a great fan experience. In football and baseball, it seems every few minutes a TV break is needed, and that can cause games to go on for an eternity. With the possibility of fewer people going to games in the future, owners will be forced to push for more advertisements between breaks because that is how they will make their revenue, much to the chagrin of the fans in the stands. By witnessing a sports game in person, you are already sacrificing comfort and bodily needs. Speeding the game up will be essential for younger fans to keep their ever-shortening attention spans on the action in front of them.
BASKETBALL
Sports
Editor Michael Solomon sports@miamistudent.net
NEXT GAME: 12 p.m. Saturday at James Madison University
’Hawks prevail in overtime By Alex Butler Senior Staff Writer
The screaming swarm of the student section dropped down to silence as the basketball hit the back iron and went above the backboard on Kent State University’s final possession at Millett Hall Wednesday. After a hard-fought regulation, fans got more than they bargained for when the rock fell into the nylon and sent the battle for MidAmerican Conference (MAC) supremacy into overtime. The Miami University RedHawks claimed first place with an 86-80 victory over the Golden Flashes in a game with six lead changes. “I didn’t know if it was going in,” Head Coach Charlie Coles said. “I was praying that it didn’t. I looked and said ‘Please don’t.’ Give our guys credit, they came to the bench and said ‘Hey, we are in overtime now. Let’s do it.’ I liked that.” The Red and White fought back from 13 points down in the second half, and it looked as if the ’Hawks would win it in regulation. Leading by three points wasn’t enough against a team that shot 43 percent from threepoint range. With just eight seconds left in the game, Rodriquez Sherman hit his dramatic three pointer to send the game to overtime. “We knew going into overtime that it’s five more minutes,” senior Nick Winbush said. “It’s a tough game, so you know it’s going to end tough. We played really well in overtime and came out on top.” Winbush topped the Golden Flashes (17-8, 8-3 MAC) and got the crowd into it when he sank two three pointers to give the RedHawks a 6-2 lead starting out. The Flashes answered with a 16-4 run and quieted the building. The Flashes flew to a 2714 lead with seven minutes left in the first half. Winbush, who scored a career-high 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, answered with a personal 6-0 run to get the ’Hawks (1412, 9-3 MAC) back in flying distance at 29-22. The Flashes and RedHawks traded buckets before the halftime horn for a 33-26 score. “I think we knew what was on the line tonight, and we came with it,” Winbush said. “We got down in the first half. We just stuck with it and we fought.” Kent State Head Coach Geno Ford’s five took a 12-point lead to open the period before Charlie’s Army responded with a 14-0 sprint. Sophomore Orlando Williams capped off the run when he drilled a three in the right corner while getting knocked to the floor. Williams netted the free throw for a four-point play and
MICHAEL GRIGGS The Miami Student
Kent State University defenders surround RedHawk forward Nick Winbush in the paint Feb. 16 in Miami’s 86-80 win over the Golden Flashes. a 47-46 lead. The Flashes were unconscious from range, and after sinking another three, connected on a layup for a two-point lead with 46 seconds left. Williams ran to the other corner and was good for three again to get the ’Hawks a vital
lead late. “It was exciting,” Williams said. “I was as happy as can be. I put a shot in that put us up, but I was hoping it would win it.”
wSee BASKETBALL, page 9
BASEBALL NEXT GAME: 1 p.m. Friday vs. Marshall University at Charleston, S.C.
Talent-laden RedHawks return to diamond By Alex Butler Senior Staff Writer
Hard hits echoed off of the empty bleachers of Yager Stadium Tuesday, but the football team was nowhere to be seen. After an eight-month hiatus, baseball is back in Oxford. Miami University Head Coach Dan Simonds had his boys of summer braving winter winds with the backstop in the north endzone and the baseballs cracking into
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the metal rows of the grandstands. Simonds spent his offseason working talented freshmen into an already solid lineup that was picked to finish second in the MidAmerican Conference (MAC) by the coaches. After endless repetition and offseason training, the 34-man squad is ready to take on the Marshall University Thundering Herd at 1 p.m. Friday in Charleston, S.C. “It’s one game,” Simonds
said. “It’s just one game, but we are ready. I don’t care what the team is at this point right now. We’re ready to play a different color jersey. It’s the early part of the season, but we want to win every game we play. We’re ready for them and I’m sure they are ready for us and we’ll see what happens.” Getting ready has meant replacing a star and incorporating a plethora of young talent into the RedHawk lineup.
In June 2010, the ’Hawks lineup took a blow when junior outfielder Adam Eaton was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Eaton led the RedHawks in 11 offensive categories, including his 0.368 average, 81 hits, 55 RBI and 0.709 slugging percentage. No. 4 also tagged 13 long balls. Senior Kyle Weldon represents one of the RedHawks’ best returning offensive threats.
wSee BASEBALL, page 9