August 23, 2011 | The Miami Student

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

VOLUME 139 NO. 1

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2011

TODAY IN MIAMI HISTORY

MIAMI UNIVERSITY OXFORD, OHIO

In 2002, The Miami Student reported the city of Oxford passed an ordinance making the use of couches on porches a minor misdemeanor. It was also reported that trash on lawns would be cited more frequently. The price of a ticket for civil trash citation was $86.

Miami students intervene as man assaults officer By Amelia Carpenter Online Staff

Right place. Right time. Wrongdoing. That was the recipe for three Miami University students to step in when an officer was being assaulted at midnight Friday. Sophomores Ryan Hoffner, Tyler Lindroth and Charlie Nuck, all members of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, watched an Oxford Police Department (OPD) officer pull his car aside to stop a male carrying an open beer down the sidewalk. The three students saw 18-year-old Jacob D. Griffin try to run away from the officer and then suddenly punch him multiple times in the face. The three bolted across the street to help the officer. “It was split-second,” Nuck said. “I mean [I thought] obviously he needs help … I just ran

over there.” Police reports say one of the students yelled while he was running after Griffin, “You don’t do that to a cop! We’ll get him for you, sir.” Hoffner tackled an intoxicated, struggling and pantsless Griffin to the ground — Griffin had wiggled out of his shorts during the struggle with the officer. Lindroth and Nuck held Griffin

You don’t do that to a cop. We’ll get him for you, sir.” MIAMI STUDENT down while officers put him in handcuffs. Hoffner suffered a concussion from the tackle, and the officer had injuries to his head, hands and legs. Griffin refused treatment for injuries on his knees and arms. The three Miami students

were flooded with media inquiries Monday, and missed some of their first day of classes for interviews with local news outlets. Hoffner, Lindroth and Nuck say they knew helping the officer was the right thing to do. OPD has thanked the three multiple times for their assistance. “I’m not glad this happened, but hopefully this kid does learn his lesson,” Hoffner said. Griffin was arrested on charges of assaulting an officer, obstructing official business, resisting arrest, underage drinking and having an open container, police reports said. OPD Patrol Sergeant Jim Squance said struggles with suspects are not uncommon, but this particular fight went on longer than normal. “It is unusual for three young men like this to step up and aid our police officer when he really needed the help,” Squance said.

Date set for Armstrong Student Center groundbreaking

JULIA ENGLEBRECHT THE MIAMI STUDENT

Rowan and Gaskill Halls being gutted as construction of the Armstrong Student Center continues. Offices were moved out of the halls last semester.

By Lauren Ceronie

Campus Editor

Years of planning, advocacy and design are taking shape as progress is made on the Armstrong Student Center (ASC). Progress on the ASC occurred in construction and fundraising, according to Susie Sadler, senior director of development for the ASC. All offices were moved from Rowan Hall and Gaskill Hall and crews began construction on the inside of the buildings. Donations to the ASC are approximately $4 million shy of the $30 million fundraising goal, according to Sadler. Over 8,000 people have given to the ASC, including a $350,000 donation by Sue Henry and Carter

Phillips last month and the donations from the 2011 senior class gift. “We’re really excited at where we are at this point with fundraising and construction,” Sadler said. The groundbreaking ceremony for the ASC is scheduled for 3 p.m. October 6 at the Hub, according to Sadler. A public reception will be held after the ceremony in the Shriver Center. “Students will be the focus of the ceremony,” Sadler said. “We want all student organizations involved and the entire student body present. We’re hoping for a gorgeous day and for everybody to come out.” Student fees will begin going to the ASC in 2014 when the building is planned to open, according to Sadler. While students have not been

required to give money to the ASC, over the past three years, students have chosen to make the senior gift a donation to the building. “Over the last few years, seniors have overwhelmingly wanted to give to ASC,” Sadler said. A decision has not been made yet if the class of 2012 will also choose to donate to the ASC, according to Andrew Bixel, assistant director of annual giving. “We are currently forming the committee for the 2012 senior class gift,” Bixel said. “We leave the gift up to the committee so we have no definitive answer of where the gift will go.” If seniors are interested in becoming part of the senior class gift committee, they can contact Katie Stango at stangokl@muohio.edu.

JULIA ENGELBRECHT THE MIAMI STUDENT

BOOK BUYING BLITZ

Sophomore Libby Peters buys her books for the semester Monday afternoon.

University weighs shortening semesters, adding January term By Samantha Callender Staff Writer

Miami University is considering shortening semester lengths and adding a January session. This January session, referred to by many as a “J-Term” or “J-mester,” is thought to have the same advantages for students that summer sessions offer, like taking a short study abroad trip or taking advantage of internship opportunities. These decisions are optional, not required. Participation in this January semester is optional. According to Pete Miller, associate vice president for auxiliaries with Housing, Dining, Recreation and Business Services, the changes being considered consist of staying with the semester system but moving spring semester a month later. “In my role (with Housing & Dining), we are prepared to adjust our schedules and our planning to accommodate and support this change if the university should decide to move in that direction,” Miller said. “Financial aspects, including costs and

financial aid, will need to be worked through.” The Ad Hoc Calendar subcommittee, a special committee, will be carefully reviewing all aspects of the university calendar rearrangement for the 2012-13 academic year, according to Maria Cronley, professor of Marketing in the Farmer School of Business and member of the subcommittee. “This committee is a subcommittee of the Academic Policy Committee of the University Senate and is a temporary committee formed by the Executive Committee of University Senate to look at Miami’s academic calendar,” Cronley said. The calendar change would affect not only the main Oxford campus, but the Hamilton and Middletown regional branches as well. This change would also affect the lengths of the semesters as well as holidays and breaks. While there is no set plan as to what the calendar changes are, Cronley said it may involve adding a two to four week winter term to the academic calendar, beginning shortly

after the Christmas holiday and ending before the spring semester. Miami’s semesters are currently 15 weeks. Summer sessions last between 10 and 12 weeks. If Miami opts to makes the proposed calendar changes, the fall semester would begin one week later and be shortened to a 14-week instructional calendar. Housing and dining services wouldn’t need much adjusting if Miami does decide to go forth with these changes, according to Miller. Sophomore Brooke Widerschien said she would be likely to take advantage of what J-term has to offer. “I kind of like the idea of being able to take advantage of summer opportunities in the middle of the year,” Widerschien said. “Having winter and summer options would allow me to maximize my time being a student here at the university, and wanting to intern/student abroad.” While Cronley emphasizes that no plans are yet set in stone or finalized, the committee will continue to meet throughout the fall to work on ideas in detail.

TWO MIAMI STUDENTS WHO WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN The Miami University family lost two of its own this summer. Gregory Shrader, 20, died May 30 in Toledo, Ohio. Shrader is survived by his brother Jonathan, his parents, Jeff and Elsa and many other family members and friends. Shrader was active in Miami University Student Foundation (MUSF) as well as being active in his church youth group. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Youth for Christ, 10111 West US Route 224, Findlay, Ohio 45840 or FindlayHancock County Community Foundation Swim Scholarship, 101 West Sandusky Street, Suite 207, Findlay, Ohio 45840. Eric Shick, 22, died August 5 in a motorcycle accident. Shick was a resident of Belle Center, Ohio. He is survived by sister, Amanda, stepbrother, Anthony, stepsister, Tara, and his parents Kim D. Shick and Cynthia and Larry Wright Traficant. Shick played club baseball at Miami and was involved in various intramural sports. Memorial contributions can be made to the Eric Shick Memorial Scholarship Fund.


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