Nov. 05, 2010 | The Miami Student

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

VOLUME 138 NO. 20

Friday, November 5, 2010

MIAMI UNIVERSITY OXFORD, OHIO

In 1914, The Miami Student reported every Miami man found a copy of The Tobacco Habit in his mailbox. The book by professor Bruce Fink highlighted the health effects of tobacco use.

ASG investigates Greek advisers

By Taylor Dolven Senior Staff Writer

In addition to suspending chapters and creating new laws, the Greek community may have one more hurdle to jump.

Scott Walter, assistant vice president of student affairs, said anyone working in student affairs was asked to step down from their position as a Greek adviser, including Director of Ethics and Student Conflict Resolution Susan Vaughn, who formerly advised Delta Zeta.

In a recent Associated Student Government (ASG) meeting, the potential conflict of interest issue surrounding police officers serving as advisers of fraternities was also brought to the table.

Student Body President Heath Ingram said being an officer does not

preclude them from having the job of an adviser.

“It does, however, put them in a challenging position,” Ingram said.

Ingram also said as long as officers are doing both jobs separately, he sees no conflict of interest.

Oxford Police Department Sgt. Jim Squance has been an adviser for the Kappa Sigma fraternity for more than 10 years. He said he has never faced a conflict of interest issue.

“It has not affected how I do business,” he said.

Squance said his main job as an adviser is to be a role model to his fraternity’s members.

When Kappa Sigma was suspended a few years ago, Squance said he had no influence.

wSee ADVISERS, page 9

SPORTS

RedHawks soar above competition academically

By Lee Jones Staff Writer

At Miami University, there’s no such thing as a ‘dumb jock.’

In a 2009 study, the National Collegiate Athletic Association gave Miami student-athletes an 86 percent graduation success rate (GSR) among four-year students over a six-year period, a score 7 percent higher than average within the MidAmerican Conference.

The GSR rated nine different Miami teams, including football, women’s tennis and men’s golf. Some RedHawk teams, like women’s volleyball, graduated 100 percent of their players.

Mike Pearson, assistant athletic director for communications, said this was an impressive figure.

“I think these are exceptional individuals, not only great athletically, but they also have the initiative to take that excellence into the classroom,” Pearson said, adding Miami recruits athletes it thinks will be successful not just in their sport, but in the classroom. “Miami is famous for its students of renown and it’s in our favor that we have student athletes that reach up to that measure.”

He credits Miami’s academic services, like the Rinella Learning Center, for helping students boost their grades. He said several student-athletes go to the learning center.

Junior Taylor Stephens was not impressed by the statistic because of his views on Miami athletics.

“We’re not terribly successful in terms of athletics, and if we were,

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Miami University’s first wind turbine generates power for the Ecology Research Center and funds for the university.

CAMPUS

Turbine contributes to Miami’s green effort

By Natalie McKerjee

Prytherch said MURGF provides funding to projects that promote sustainability, assist in reducing Miami’s carbon footprint and generate a colWhile high winds in Oxford have recently be- laborative environment between students, faculty come newsworthy, another type of wind is hav- and staff. ing a much more beneficial impact on the Miami “There was an application from a group of engiUniversity community. neering students in Dr. Alquist’s polLocated at the Ecology Research prevention course who were The turbine cost lution Center (ERC), adjacent to the uniinterested in doing a project on a between $14,000 wind turbine,” Prytherch said. “Siversity on Sommerville Road, stands Miami’s first wind turbine, which is multaneously, the ERC was interand $19,000. capable of producing power with ested in building a wind turbine. The winds as low as 5 mph. students collaborated with the ERC According to David Prytherch, associate professor to develop the proposal.” of geography and Miami’s sustainability coordinator, While there are many requests to promote sustainthe 37-foot wind turbine is a direct result of the Mi- ability and alternative energy on campus, Prytherch ami University Revolving Green Fund (MURGF). said some suggestions are difficult to justify on a The fund originally had $50,000 and the turbine cost-saving basis. was the first application received by the MURGF, According to Prytherch, the wind turbine is the first according to Prytherch. The turbine cost between $14,000 and $19,000.

See TURBINE, page 3 Senior Staff Writer

MICHAEL GRIGGS The Miami Student

Freshman midfielder Emily Gruesser dribbles down the field Oct. 29 against Ball State University. our graduation rate wouldn’t be as high,” Stephens said. “We have a good hockey program, but everything else is mediocre.”

Stephens said as long as a team has a winning season, that’s a term of success.

“You can’t be a perfectionist,” he said.

Nationally, Miami scores high in this area, according to Pearson.

“There are many other institutions that are not as successful as Miami,” Pearson said. “We’re in the top 20 with some very successful

wSee ATHLETICS, page 3

w

Female student reports assault A female Miami University student reported being sexually assaulted at around 2:30 a.m.

Sunday. The female was reportedly unsure of where the assault occurred.

THE

INSIDESCOOP

A DELAYED RETURN

The Delta Beta chapter of Tri Delta will not return to Miami in January.

CAMPUS, page 2

SEEIN’ MORE GREEN

Miami’s environmental rating rose to a B-.

REPORT CARD

B-

CAMPUS, page 2

PEPE LE PEW IN OXFORD Students smell skunks near offcampus residences.

COMMUNITY, page 4

ISSUE 15 PASSES

A tax to fund fire and EMS services will eliminate the city spending deficit.

COMMUNITY, page 4

KISS ME AT MIDNIGHT

The Upham Arch is surrounded by love, tradition and history.

FEATURES, page 5

TAKING ON THE BULLDOGS

RedHawk hockey prepares to face Ferris State University.

SPORTS, page 10

ONLY

u

WWW.MIAMISTUDENT.NET BLOG: ONE CHICK’S TAKE ON FLICKS Check out reviews of Paranormal Activity 2 and The Hurt Locker.

CAMPUS: TV STAR MEETS KIDS Man v. Food star Adam Richman visits children with cancer.

POLL: WEEZY’S BACK Are you celebrating Lil’ Wayne’s release from prison?

2

Campus

Friday November 5, 2010

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

NEWS Sexual assaults rise BRIEFS

By Jenn Smola

For The Miami Student

FYI MU yearbook to appear in national publication The 2008-09 Recensio, the yearbook for Miami University, was selected by Walsworth Publishing Company to be included in a prestigious publication called Possibilities.

The publication is an annual book produced by Walsworth that displays the best work of yearbooks across the nation. The volume features 187 yearbooks and 623 different examples.

Miami’s yearbook is featured twice in the book.

Recensio, a 288-page yearbook, will serve as an example for other yearbook groups across the country.

The yearbook was produced by Editor in Chief Maren Monitello and Assistant Editor in Chief Brianna Mulligan.

To order a copy of the yearbook, visit www.orgs.muohio.edu/recensio/ order.htm or visit 18 MacMillan Hall for more information.

Students get chance to help Darfur The Save Darfur Club at Miami University will celebrate its annual Save Darfur Week Nov. 8 to11.

Fundraising events will include a letter writing campaign, bake sale and benefit concert featuring a capella groups The Cheezies, Remants, Misfits, Mergers and Treble Makers.

All proceeds will benefit the Global Hope Network International’s efforts at the Otash IDP Camp in Nyala, South Darfur. Proceeds will go to a women’s training center and a community health education program.

While the women’s training center provides income-generating and vocational training for women at the camp, the community health education program provides a variety of classes that address topics related to health and hygiene.

For a full list of events, visit http:// www.muohiosavedarfur.com/index. html.

Firefox add-on allows identity theft A new add-on for an everyday Internet browser could cost students personal information on popular websites.

The add-on, called Firesheep, is for Mozilla’s Firefox. Firesheep users have the ability to steal personal information from websites and pose as any user.

Firesheep targets 26 online services, including Amazon, Facebook, Google, The New York Times, Twitter and Yahoo.

Miami University students connected to MU-Wireless are safe from Firesheep, but other network connections like MU-Guest could allow Firesheep users to steal personal information for a particular website.

When navigating the website, the password is constantly being confirmed by the cookie file. With Firesheep, users are able to steal the cookie and make Facebook think they are the user. They would be able to post photos, write on walls, send messages and chat through Facebook as the user.

Miami students should use MU-Wireless only to avoid Firesheep users.

CORRECTIONS It is the policy of The Miami Student to publish corrections for factual errors found in the newspaper. ➤ In the Nov. 2 issue, the swimmer in

the photograph on the front page was misidentified as senior Jason Haas. The swimmer in the photo is freshman Max Cain.

➤ In the Nov. 2 issue, the second

paragraph of “Premature resignation for dean of largest college at MU” incorrectly states Miami University President David Hodge called Karen Schilling, dean of the College of Arts and Science, “unprofessional” and “unethical.” Instead, these words were used in an e-mail from Schilling recounting a description of the dinner at Hodge’s house by one of her colleagues. The corresponding editorial said Schilling sent an e-mail to graduate students, but it was only sent to faculty.

Recent alerts have brought attention to increasing campus crime at Miami University.

According to the Oxford campus crime report available to all students online as part of Miami’s Right to Know program, the number of on-campus sexual assaults reported increased from six in 2007, to seven in 2008 and 10 in 2009.

On average, 87 percent of the reported assaults occurred in residence halls.

Miami University Police Department (MUPD) Chief John McCandless said the number of sexual assaults vary from year to year.

“Some years they trend up and some years they trend down,” he said. “There’s really no acceptable number.”

McCandless said there are benefits to the crime reports being available for everyone to see.

“One of the good things about having them reported is that people are comfortable reporting them,” McCandless said.

According to RAINN.com, a national anti-sexual assault organization website, sexual assault is one of the most underreported crimes, with an estimated 60 percent of sexual assault crimes that go unreported.

McCandless said alcohol is an underlying issue in most campus crimes.

“Overwhelmingly … alcohol is a factor,” McCandless said.

He said if alcohol use could be curbed, it would lead to a dramatic decrease in campus crimes.

Crimes are generally reported in various ways, McCandless said. Most often, victims themselves or residence hall staff members call in. Occasionally, victims’ friends will call to report an incident

wSee ASSAULT, page 9

Sorority postpones return to campus

By Amelia Carpenter Campus Editor

One less sorority will be joining the bunch for formal recruitment in January 2011.

Although the Delta Beta chapter of Tri Delta is eligible to be recognized again at Miami University in January, the chapter will not be submitting a proposal to return, citing university administration transitions and additional time needed to recruit alumnae advisors. The chapter was suspended in 2009 due to an incident involving hazing.

“Conversation all along was that we were preparing for the Delta Beta chapter to return,” said Tillie Good, assistant director of Greek affairs.

There is no timeline for the chapter’s return, according to Jason Gomez, director of chapter services at the national office.

The Delta Beta chapter would be

celebrating 200 years soon after Miami if it returned.

Sophomore Mallory Kaufman said she was accustomed to disappointment since Tri Delta’s suspension when she was a member. Kaufman chose to initiate as a new member in 2009 and was immediately promoted to alumna status. After the return of her chapter, Kaufman was planning to run for treasurer during her two remaining years at Miami. During the 2009-10 school year, Tri Delta Nationals informed the students who were Tri Delta alumni they would have no priority for leadership positions when the chapter returned.

“I was sad when we were kicked off, I was sad at the whole rush thing (from nationals),” Kaufman said. “At this point if we came back senior year — the way (nationals) were telling us how things had to be, we had to

tread so softly.”

Miami will have three fewer sororities for 2011 formal recruitment with the suspension of Pi Beta Phi and Alpha Xi Delta last spring. fifteen sororities will participate in formal recruitment. As a result, new member class sizes could be larger by approximately four women if recruitment numbers remain the same, according to Good. If registration numbers do grow, those pledge classes could be larger.

When the three chapters return, the Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and Leadership will be working closely with Housing, Dining and Guest Services to accommodate 18 sorority suites. Currently, there is space for 17. Good said renovations for sorority housing are in the works.

Additional reporting by Anna Hartman

ASG changes student body election rules

By Kristen Grace Senior Staff Writer

Student body election periods will beextendedbyaweekfollowinga41-3 majority senate vote Nov. 2 by Miami University Associated Student Government (ASG).

According to Student Body Vice President Tim Hogan, this extra time for “soft campaigning” will allow candidates more time to meet with studentorganizations to get their name in the public eye.

With the new structure, organizations that receive funding from ASG will be able to meet with candidates before the open campaigning period.

The change was prompted by the way the student body elections calendar currently lines up with spring break. Hogan said candidates were not given enough time to meet with student organizations during the allotted campaign time. “(It was) plenty of time to get signs out and plenty of time to get exposure, but not a lot of time to talk to student organizations,” Hogan said.

Senator Nick Miller said there were many issues with the most recent election cycle.

“There were some complaints last year,” Miller said. “Some issues (were) brought up about how it was run.”

Soft campaigning will begin two weeks before spring break and end when students return to campus. During this time, candidates will be allowed to meet with student organizations only.

All use of materials, signs, e-mail or social networking is prohibited

wSee ASG, page 9

Heavenly strokes

ALLISON BACKOVSKI The Miami Student

Sophomores Jennifer Davisson and Elizabeth Aronhalt paint a sign to promote Campus Crusade for Christ Wednesday afternoon in Ogden Hall.

Miami University employees to pay more health care costs

By Stephen Bell Campus Editor

Employees on the traditional plan at Miami University will shell out more money for health care next year, according to Dawn Fahner, director of benefit services.

John Bowblis, assistant professor of economics, said for employees on the traditional health plan, co-insurance rates will increase.

Miami will pay 80 percent of costs, while employees will pay 20 percent in 2011, compared to the 90-10 percent rate that is currently in place.

“The only thing they changed was the coinsurance rate,” he said. “Previously it was 9010, which means when you are hospitalized, 90 percent was covered by insurance. Now it is 80 percent.”

However, Bowblis said the increase is only for

employees on the traditional plan, not the high deductible option.

Bowblis said in the traditional health option, employees pay a premium based on a percentage of salary, and those premiums vary if the plan covers an individual, couple or family.

“You have a co-payment or co-insurance depending on what you are purchasing,” Bowblis said. “If you have a procedure, you pay a portion of that procedure. If you go to a doctor to get drugs, you pay a fixed amount, or co-pay, and that depends on what type of doctor you are seeing.”

For a high deductible health plan, however, Bowblis said employees pay the full amount up to $2,000. With both plans employees are reimbursed 100 percent after they reach that amount.

“Once they hit $250, they would be responsible for 20 percent of the amount

BY THE NUMBERS Percent of costs Miami employees will pay beginning January 2011

20%

until they reach their out-of-pocket maximum,” Fahner said.

Additionally, both plans have what Bowblis describes as an “out-of-pocket max.” For the traditional plan, that amount is $1,250. For the high deductible plan it is $1,000.

He said while the high deductible plan will only save employees $250 more than the

wSee HEALTH, page 9

THE MIAMI STUDENT

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2010 ♦ 3

aTHLETICS continued from page 1

institutions. Miami is right there.”

According to GSR data, other Ohio schools lag behind Miami, but not by much. Ohio and Wright State universities hold GSR rankings of 83 and 82 respectively.

Claire Wagner, associate director of university communications, said there are definite challenges with competing in sports while in college, such as late night study sessions.

“Miami wants to educate students and this is important for intercollegiate offices as well,” Wagner said.

She gives credit to the Walter

TURBINE continued from page 1

project funded by the MURGF and is ideal for Miami because it generates a significant portion of the energy used by the ERC and has the potential to make a profit.

“When the turbine generates more electricity than the ERC uses, it goes back on the grid,” he said. “The ERC has a meter that measures how much energy they consumed and how much is generated by the turbine. Once the turbine generates more energy than is needed by the ERC, they can

 

  

L. Gross Family Student-Athlete Development Center. The space, located between Millett Hall and Yager Stadium, has a 10,000-foot fitness center complete with weights and exercise equipment as well as a computer lab and study space.

Spaces like these play an important role in fostering academic excellence as well as keeping student-athletes in shape to hit the field, according to Wagner.

Senior Carter Camper, the captain of the RedHawks hockey team, said the center was very helpful during his first year.

“I lived in McFarland and took advantage of the Gross center because it was close by and the dorms are crazy loud,” Camper said.

Camper admitted there are definite time constraints in being

a student-athlete.

“It’s hard to get used to the routine, not having much time, so when you have the time you get your work done,” he said.

Wagner also credited much of the academic success of Miami student-athletes to the Culture of Champions philosophy. According to the Culture of Champions page on www.muredhawks. com, this philosophy is “A belief that part-time excellence is unacceptable, that excellence is a lifestyle.”

Camper agreed with Wagner about the importance of this philosophy.

“We realize whether we’re in class or the rink, we have to hold each other accountable for actions and schoolwork as well,” he said. “We’re students just like the rest of the people here.”

sell the electricity to Duke or other energy companies.”

According to Prytherch, the turbine will eventually pay for itself, and is currently producing enough electricity to power a domestic household.

Prytherch said another beneficial aspect of the turbine is the learning curve it establishes at the university, because it is the first turbine ever at Miami.

Miami sophomore Amanda Brigham said the wind turbine is not only a great learning experience, but also a remedy for Miami’s past green ratings.

“I think it’s great that we have a turbine because Miami has never scored particularly high on

cleanliness or ‘green’ ratings,” Brigham said. “Hopefully the winds are adequate for it to work well and the location is not in the path of birds.”

According to Prytherch, there is significant research that can be conducted in relation to the turbine and its capabilities.

“Miami will learn a lot from the wind turbine through its operation, maintenance and technology,” he said. “Data will be generated online and publicly accessible.”

Prytherch said the turbine reduces Miami’s carbon footprint and is a perfect example of what projects funded by the MURGF can achieve.

    

                  

4

Friday

November 5, 2010

Community

Editor Bethany Bruner community@miamistudent.net

City deals with smelly situation

By Kevin Jacobson For The Miami Student

Males attempt to damage front door At around 2:45 a.m. Thursday, Oxford Police Department (OPD) officers were dispatched to 33 W. Walnut St. regarding two males attempting to damage the front door. One male was reportedly described as wearing a dark shirt and jeans, while the other was described as wearing jeans and a white hat.

Officers responding to the call reportedly heard a loud noise from an alley off of South College Avenue and noticed two males matching the description standing next to a broken railing.

When the males saw the officers, one reportedly said to the other, “We have to get out of here.”

The males then reportedly fled from the officers on foot.

While pursuing the men, officers reportedly found one male, later identified as Miami University student Nathan West, 22, hiding underneath a vehicle.

The second male, identified as Miami first-year Richard Thieken, 21, reportedly returned while officers were talking to West.

West and Thieken were cited for criminal damaging, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.

First-year refuses to leave bar At around 12:30 a.m. Saturday, Oxford Police Department (OPD) officers were dispatched to Skipper’s Pub regarding an unwanted male.

When officers arrived, they reportedly noticed the owner of Skipper’s Pub removing a young looking male.

Upon noticing the officers, the owner reportedy asked for assistance in removing the male from the bar.

The male, later identified as Miami University first-year Benjamin Cowley, reportedly attempted to gain access to the bar using someone else’s ID. The bouncer reportedly told Cowley he would be keeping the ID, and Cowley refused to leave until it was returned to him.

Cowley also reportedly knocked a microwave off the counter while being removed from the bar.

Cowley reportedly had slurred speech, red eyes and smelled strongly of an alcoholic beverage.

Cowley was cited for misrepresentation, underage intoxication and criminal trespass.

Sophomore passes out in road At around 1 a.m. Sunday, an Oxford Police Department (OPD) officer was dispatched to 5252 Brown Rd. in response to an unconscious male lying in the grass.

The officer reportedly found the life squad assisting the male with becoming oriented.

The male, later identified as Miami University sophomore Joshua Schermerhorn, reportedly smelled of an alcoholic beverage and could not speak coherently.

Schermerhorn reportedly admitted to drinking 10 alcoholic drinks.

Schermerhorn was cited for underage intoxication and disorderly conduct.

TMS ONLINE

www.miamistudent.net

If you find yourself walking in one of Oxford’s uptown alleys, you might catch wind of an unfamiliar smell.

Miami University students have reported intense skunk smells in the alleys south of High Street.

Matt Ciccone, Associated Student Government secretary for off-campus affairs, said he has received complaints about the odor. Ciccone is also an uptown resident and has experienced this

first hand.

The city directs students who are bothered by a “All the alleys smell like skunk,” Ciccone said. nuisance animal to raise the issue with their land“I’ve lived off campus for three years, and I’ve lords. The landlord can then notify Oxford Aninever seen this before.” mal Control about the problem Ciccone raised this issue or hire a third party nuisance “It’s not comforting at the Oxford City Council trapper. These trappers are lito take out the trash meeting Nov. 2. The council censed by the state to remove or walk to my car and nuisance animals. took note of the issue, but did know that I could not express any plan of action.

According to state law, nuiCiccone plans to keep voicing sance animals are to be euthaget sprayed.” the issue, but recommends stunized if found within a county dents contact their landlords where rabies or distemper (a ELIZABETH BURCH about the problem. viral disease found in canines MIAMI UNIVERSITY JUNIOR Miami junior Elizabeth and other animals) has existed Burch was one of the first stuin any animal within the past dents to complain about the problem.

12 months.

“I’ve seen a lot of skunks and raccoons in the Oxford has had multiple cases of distemper in alley,” Burch said. “It’s not comforting to take out the last 12 months and is thus required to euthathe trash or walk to my car and know that I could nize nuisance animals, Phillips said. get sprayed.”

Skunks seek shelter during the coldest part of Oxford Animal Control Officer Wayne Phil- the winter and when raising young, according to lips said the state classifies skunks in a group the Humane Society of the United States’ website. called “nuisance animals.” This group also The site also said skunks only spray as a defense includes raccoons, opossums when they or their young are threatened. and cats that have never The Humane Society site suggests some ways been domesticated. to prevent skunks from taking refuge near or in your home. They include not leaving garbage sitting out, feeding pets indoors and covering spaces in which skunks could den, like crawlspaces under houses or porches.

To combat skunk smell on clothes, most pet and veterinary stores have remedies to relieve the persistent odor.

Oxford Animal Control can be reached at (513) 524-5270. The State of Ohio Wildlife officer for Butler County can be reached at (937) 372-5639 ext. 5207.

County updates siren system

By Leslie Scott Senior Staff Writer

The Butler County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is in the process of implementing a universal emergency alarm system for the entire county.

Currently, each town within Butler County relies on a different system to set off the emergency alarms, said Jeff Galloway, director of the EMA. “With each town having a different policy in which they choose to set off their alarms, things tend to get very confusing,” Galloway said. “One set of sirens may go off in one neighborhood, but not another.

It is a very difficult system.”

EMA has been drafting a new countywide policy for the past seven months, Galloway said.

The new policy requires a set of alarms to be triggered throughout the entire county simultaneously rather than at each town’s discretion. However, switching to the new system is entirely voluntary.

“We started presenting the new policy to individual towns last Monday (Oct. 25),” Galloway said. “Fairfield was the first to agree to the new system. We have received all positive reactions so far. The general consensus is that this switch was long overdue.”

Galloway said the plan is to present the new policy to each town within the county by the end of the year.

“We hope to start the countywide alarm system at the beginning of 2011,” Galloway said.

“This timeline allows us to prepare for the spring, which is the most intense storm season in Butler (County).”

The intense storm Butler County saw at the end of October moved one mile every minute, which is considered extremely fast, Galloway said. With the old system, not every town set off warning sirens to seek shelter due to separate policies.

“This was very dangerous,”

Galloway said. “The fast pace of the storm didn’t give enough time for each individual town to alert sirens. It takes up a lot of time to set off all of the alarms individually, which is why the universal policy will work so well. The new system is a lot easier.”

Miami University junior Erica Norman did not realize how fast the storm was moving.

“I knew it was a bad storm, but I was in Hamilton during it,” Norman said. “I was in a middle school for my field study and we didn’t have any sirens or warnings go off at all. I was surprised to hear that students in Miami buildings were forced into the basement during the storm because the school I was in didn’t take any of the actions and it is only a town or two away.”

Junior Dan Heffernan was surprised to hear the sirens didn’t go off in every town.

“Because of the sirens, my class was stopped in the middle of an exam in order for us to move to a safe spot in the building,” Heffernan said.

“Miami made the storm seem so serious. I’m shocked a surrounding town like Hamilton didn’t react at all.”

Galloway said even though the sirens may cause students to react with urgency, the purpose is to inform and protect them.

“When students hear the sirens going off, they shouldn’t panic, but take cover indoors,” Galloway said. “They aren’t meant to scare anyone. It is just a way to tell people to seek safe shelter.”

In terms of Oxford adopting this new policy, it is still up in the air.

According to Kim Newton, assistant to Oxford’s city manager, the city has not formally adopted the new policy, but has been following its progress.“It still needs to go to council before an official decision has been made,” Newton said. “It will probably be discussed within the next month or two.

But as of right now, no decisions have been made.”

Making their voices heard

CAROLINE BUCK The Miami Student

Miami University students cast their ballots in Tuesday’s election at the Oxford Community Arts Center.

Issue 15 passes, relieves deficit Issue 15, a tax to fund fire and emergency medical services (EMS), was passed by Oxford residents Nov. 2.

Issue 15 will increase the City of Oxford earned income tax by 0.25 percent, an increase that will generate approximately $950,000 of revenue annually, according to Oxford City Manager Doug Elliott. This money will go toward paying the salaries and benefits of three part-time firefighters and EMS personnel, Elliott said.

Oxford has already made the transition from an all-volunteer fire and EMS staff to a 24-hour on-duty staff, Elliott said. The City of Oxford is currently operating on a $447,389 spending deficit, caused in part by the 24-hour fire and EMS staff, according to Elliott.

“The passage of Issue 15 will eliminate the deficit and ensure we can maintain our current staff,” Elliott said.

The city projected an operating deficit for 2010 and 2011 before Issue 15 passed. With the additional revenue Issue 15 will generate, the spending deficit will be eliminated, Elliott said. Even with the additional revenue, the city projects it will cut its budget by $500,000 in the coming year, according to Elliott.

Issue 15 will tax earnings of Oxford residents, including Miami University students, Elliott said. The issue will not tax social security or retirement pensions, Elliott said.

“We are very happy Issue 15 passed,” Elliott said. “I want to thank all the voters who supported it and all the volunteers who promoted it.”

Reporting by Lauren Ceronie

Features

Editor Hunter Stenback features@miamistudent.net

Friday

November 5, 2010

5

By Nicole Thieman For The Miami Student

Two hundred years of history and legend have bound together scores of Miami University students on “the quintessential college campus.” A popular tradition that has arisen alongside one of Miami’s hallmark brick

buildings is the magic surrounding the famed Upham Arch.

Tradition mandates that if two Miami students kiss under the legendary lamp suspended over the archway of Academic Quad’s Upham Hall, they are destined to be married and ultimately become one of the many “Miami Mergers.”

A legend lost in time As is the case with many traditions, the origin of the legend surrounding Upham Arch is uncertain. Ray Mock, assistant vice president of alumni relations and executive director of the Miami University Alumni Association, a Miami Merger himself, said there is no known origin for the tradition.

“The best historian on campus, Phillip Shriver, can’t even say when the legend began,” Mock said. “It went back to at least the 1970s, but there was no intention to start it.”

Miami Archivist Bob Schmidt said the Miami history books mention the arch being a student gathering place, but include no reference to the fabled merger tradition.

“Glee clubs would sing under (the arch) and there seemed to have been some complaints of students smoking under the arch in 1960,” Schmidt said. “Other than that, there isn’t too much there.”

Despite uncertain beginnings, Schmidt said the tradition has remained strong because the Miami community has accepted it.

“It’s not about what is true, it’s about what people believe is true,” Schmidt said.

A statistical oddity As with most Miami Merger tales, the story of soon-to-be mergers Christina Karam and Brian Painter is a testament to both love and Miami loyalty.

Painter and Karam have been dating for four years and were recently engaged under the Upham Arch.

Painter, who will earn his masters degree from Miami in May 2011, said he got the idea to propose under the arch after walking the campus with Karam when she first came to Miami three years ago.

“Christina told me about (the tradition) when I came to visit her, so I took a mental note of that,” Painter said. “I knew I wanted to do something having to do with Miami because I came to Miami for grad school.”

With more than 14 percent of living Miami alumni holding the title of Miami Merger, nearly double the national average for college mergers, many wonder what makes Miami different from other schools. Painter and Karam believe they can give a

Jake and Jill Boerger pose under the Upham Arch for the first time after 20 years of marriage.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

reason for the statistic.

“A university is about bringing people together that have common interests,” Painter said. “The fact that (the merger rate) is higher at Miami just shows why people come here and that they are serious about it.”

Karam agrees with her fiancé.

“Our traditions have been strong, stronger than most universities,” Karam said. “People take them to heart.”

The quintessential college campus Miami Mergers Jake and Jill Boerger of Texas also took the tradition to heart when they first started dating at Miami. The active alumni graduated in 1977.

The Boergers said they were aware of the Upham Arch tradition when they arrived at Miami. The couple did not kiss under the arch, however, until nearly 20 years after their graduation.

“When we came back to Miami 18 years later, one of the things we did was we went and got pictures under the arch and finally kissed underneath it,” Jill said.

Jake claims he remembers students congregating under the Upham Arch.

“It was where you went to kiss your sweetheart,” Jake said. “You would see students on dates on Friday or Saturday nights laughing under the arch and going under it to kiss.”

According to Jill, it is not surprising that students from Miami tend to marry one another. She attributes it to similar student values and the unique college experience Miami provides.

“First of all, it’s the quintessential college campus,” Jill said. “It is a conservative school and it is not a big school, so you have more people with similar backgrounds. There are a lot of those midwest virtues and values. The town is here because of Miami and not the other way around.”

Schmidt believes Miami’s merger rate is so high because of the proximity of the students and their similar backgrounds.

“It’s partly where we are located,” Schmidt said. “Everything is centered around Oxford and everyone is in close proximity. It would seem natural in a small town that students would be more likely to go on dates with one another.”

A kiss to remember Kevin and Sarah Good, Miami Mergers from Cleveland, are another example of the power of the Miami bond. Kevin and Sarah graduated in 1988 and 1989 respectively.

The Goods met at Miami through a mutual friend and were engaged by the end of Sarah’s junior year and Kevin’s senior year, just months after kissing under the arch.

“We kissed under the arch the summer before we left my junior year and his senior year,” Sarah said. “I remember thinking, ‘Whoa, I’m kissing under the Upham Arch’ and thinking that was a big thing.”

Kevin remembers students always knowing the tradition of the arch.

“I think people took it pretty seriously,” Kevin said. “It was special. You didn’t just go and meet someone uptown and then go kiss them under the arch.”

Part of the Miami magic Even though the Upham tradition is a fairly recent phenomenon, it has grown to a point that it seems to have always been a fundamental part of the Miami experience.

Mock said traditions are important, especially the Upham Arch at Miami.

“Like any tradition, it is part of what binds you to a place,” Mock said. “It’s about the Miami magic. There is a certain element and it’s indescribable ... rather than diminishing over the years, it seems to have grown stronger.”

Christina Karam shows off her engagement ring under the Upham Arch with fiancé, Brian Painter.

HANNAH MILLER The Miami Student

6

Friday November 5, 2010

Opinion

Editors John Luckoski Jessica Sink editorial@miamistudent.net

➤ EDITORIAL

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

Chapter takes responsibility T

he Delta Beta chapter of Tri continue to remain consistent and Delta will not fair when addressbe participating in ing sorority and It shows the Miami University’s fraternity concerns. chapter is formal recruitment In addition to the in January 2011 recent reexamination assessing its even though it is elicurrent position of sorority and fragible to return from a ternity models, the and working to 2009 suspension.

Greek community’s create a strong The chapter said use of advisers may the decision is based also be examined, image for upon the belief that specifically the use the future. more time is needof advisers who work ed to recruit alumwithin the university nae advisors and adjust to current and Oxford community. university transitions.

The board values university efThe editorial board of The Miami forts to create a fair environment for Student supports the sorority’s deci- sororities and fraternities and hopes sion and believes it shows the chap- these efforts will continue.

The chapters would benefit from ter is assessing its current position having advisers who have miniand working to create a strong immal conflicts of interest and can be age for the future. fully involved in the activities of Taking time to consider all options the group. will help the chapter rebuild with a Advisers should monitor that rules new, fresh perspective.

The board also commends Mi- are being followed and hold the ami for its proactive role in enforc- group accountable for acting safely ing Greek standards. Miami must and responsibly.

A windfall for the future of green Miami

T

he editorial board of The Mi- at a new frontier for education. ami Student feels that as a part The turbine will provide a lastof the effort to foster green initia- ing opportunity for student research tives on campus, Miami Univer- for the study of maintenance, effisity’s first wind ciency and output turbine stands as a for wind energy Such an great success story systems. Although accomplishment is for the university as these benefits a whole. from the turbine indicative of the Its construcmay not be reallasting impression tion represents a ized immediately, students can have step in the right and the possion the university. direction in many bility of a wind ways for Mifarm powering ami ecologicalthe entire univerly, economically, educationally sity isn’t likely, the board hopes and publicly. the turbine signifies only the first of As the turbine alone provides multiple initiatives toward the cremore than enough energy to power ation of a green infrastructure for the Ecological Research Center, the the university. extra electricity can then be sold to The board believes such an acthe power company, which helps to complishment is indicative of the doubly justify its cost. lasting impression students can At the same time, the turbine have on the university, as well as benefits Miami’s public image as further evidence that supporting a green institution since the school student collaboration is a strong has recently dropped on the Sierra step toward fostering a more benClub’s list of America’s greenest eficial educational experience campuses and gained some ac- for everyone. creditation from the Sustainable The board not only hopes this Endowments Institute. success encourages efforts to make Because the data from the tur- Miami a more green-oriented instibine will be recorded online, the tution, but also that it signals a new promise of public accessibility and trend in student initiatives improving possibility for future research hints the university.

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CHAD STEBBINS The Miami Student

➤ LETTER

‘Redskin dilemma’ is one of ethnic privilege In response to the front page story in The Miami Student Tuesday, Nov. 2, titled “Old mascot, new dilemma” and the editorial about the Miami University identity and ties to Native American history, my personal response follows.

“Time has little to do with infinity and jelly doughnuts,” which is to say there is, in the case of the old mascot, which in addition to its offensiveness is actually nothing more than an antiquated symbol, no new dilemma. There are perhaps old attitudes and vestiges from a time and place that is or certainly should be the past, but this is not a new problem. It is as old as the deferred dream, as in “What happens to a dream deferred?” which has festered and fed poison into the souls of even decent people of good will. It harks back to the warning about the 20th century having to continue to deal with the “problem of color,” perhaps because the people of color themselves have been ignored. In the end, no matter the pronouncements of values like inclusion, respect, honor, understanding, compassion, equality and justice, our actions have spoken a different note and we sing, dance and play a tune that wounds us all and speaks to a darker character we see only in others.

This is about a new insensitivity that masks itself in past attitudes and beliefs and claims a right to go unchallenged as it claims to know what is or is not offensive to others, while intentionally avoiding holding the mirror to itself. It is a patriarchal arrogance to want to debate what it does and what it should. In this moment in time and history know is fundamentally wrong. There is no new dilemma in using a term that was in fact about bounty, the presentation of the scalps of children, women and men as proof of their deliberate execution, extermination and murder.

Would there be a dilemma if the signs, symbols and traditions of a favorite sorority or fraternity, or any organization with a long tradition and history, was used as a chant at football, basketball and ice hockey games by fans who misrepresented all of the principles of the organizations but claimed it was harmless and meant with respect? Do we really wish to suggest that in this century at this moment in time that slurs shouted at undergraduates on their way to an event, or members of one community or another marching and being heckled and shouted at, assaults on individuals who are different or burning crosses and hanging ropes are all just expressions of respect or done out of ignorance or artistic license? To be sure, there are first amendment issues that frankly are not even at stake — you can always shout fire in the proverbial theatre, but you also have to suffer consequences of the actions. When did we move from stupid and foolish behavior that offends and is insensitive to it becoming a sign of praise and honor instead of behavior that should cease?

No matter what the headlines of any medium might suggest, this is not new, as in new dilemma, it is old and it is in fact tiresome.

Intelligence demands that we not repeat the same mistakes. Knowledge demands that we not be stagnant, but progress. New understanding means that what may have seemed to be one thing at a past moment in time and history can be seen in a new light and changed or abandoned with new understanding in contemporary times — the history of movements, especially civil rights movements in this country, demonstrate this principle of moving from the old exclusions and demeaning behaviors to some degree of respect and inclusion.

The struggle of African-Americans, Latino/as, Asian-Americans, First Nation/Native

Peoples and of women in this nation (not to mention those who are different in terms of sexual orientation and physical and mental ability) has been to move from once accepted negative and exclusive practice to recognizing, then changing and correcting policies, practices and harmful perceptions and becoming more inclusive. We have understood and struggled to move away from what was once habit, practice or tradition and did great harm, not to mention in many cases being unconstitutional, and from a humane perspective, inconsistent with humanity and all of the values we claim sacred.

We are at this institution to learn. One of the things we should come to learn and understand is that time moves on, visions are altered, beliefs are modified and traditions stand, or they should be able to survive the test of time or die out. The Upham Arch, the turtles and the Miami seal are time-honored, and thus they endure and survive. They bring all of us together by allowing us to share a special part of Miami. These, and other traditions, do no harm, speak to all and do all of us proud.

On the other hand, mimicking Hollywood stereotypes (yelps, hollers, drum beats and chops) and claiming to be caught up in the musical soundtracks designed to suggest here “they” come and they’re not collecting for UNICEF, they’re attacking and mean to kill us, does not praise or honor — it demeans.

Saying there is no intent to harm does not mean that those who have been characterized and negatively stereotyped throughout history feel honor, included or respected. In this case silence is not acceptance — asking the offended to tell us what we ought to know and understand as human beings is ethnic privilege at its worst.

We should be able to recognize that now is the time to move past old notions of an offensive tradition (racism, homophobia and sexism, et cetera) that does wound — IT DOES NOT HONOR — and change for no other reason than because it is right.

The sounds, music and behaviors associated with a people who never existed beyond a Hollywood movie or pieces of celluloid, in films that many have never seen yet accepted as testaments of some symbolic truth, must be replaced by an honest investigation into a real people and culture that is part of the very legacy and history of this university. To do less cheapens our motto, love and honor.

Ronald Scott Associate Vice President of Institutional Diversity scottrb@muohio.edu

To read more of this week’s letters to the editor, visit www.miamistudent.net.

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Opinion

THE MIAMI STUDENT

➤ GUEST ESSAY

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2010 ♦ 7

➤ ESSAY

Sanity Rally brings truth Oct. 30, I found myself surrounded by an estimated 215,000 other comedic enthusiasts at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert’s Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear. This very unlikely gathering was, in its nascent machinations, proposed as a sort of snarky response to Glenn Beck’s Tea Party rally to Restore Honor. Despite its entertainment, however, we must address Stewart’s aptly articulated question of: “What was this?”

After two and a half hours of parody and nonsense, we came to understand the rather poignant message of the day’s events. Here was Colbert with his series of hysterical accusations of quotidian terror and seemingly endless video montages of fear and hate-spewing media pundits. This was served in conjunction with flamboyant comedy with ridiculousness that made us quite, well, aware of the fascination that nonsense holds for its own sake, whether it comes from a comedy hour that mocks the news or the actual news itself. For us, the news has become just as disturbingly addicting as Stewart and Colbert’s nightly comedic routine — both, in the end, make grand characterizations of reality that are equally overblown, exaggerated and sensationalized. Perhaps best described in Stewart’s own words, our media has become too amplified. To further paraphrase this increasingly serious man in his grave serenity as the rally approached its closure: “The intention of this rally was not to ridicule, condescend or suggest that we have nothing to fear, because we do,” Stewart said (the audience as unnervingly silent as at the recent Dalai Lama visit). “We live in hard times, not end times … But 24-hour media pundits make solving our problems that much harder.”

Why does the media have this effect?

I feel it is because the “serious” media functions on the same basis as “fake” news in its utilization of hyperbole to command attention. Again using Stewart’s words, “If we amplify everything, we hear nothing,” for when every bit of news is emphasized at the same level of fear-mongering paranoia, we are rendered impotent in our ability to discriminate between what authentically merits our concern and what is fictitious drivel that dissembles its intentions.

It is not simply that the media has an obsession for exhibiting what we should fear/buy insurance against/ defend ourselves in the apocalypse from, but it foremost promotes the idea that Americans truly are fearful of these said ideas. “The image of Americans by the media is false,” Stewart stated. The media lends a sense of confidence to the rest of Americans that it is quite all right to be afraid of everything because everyone else is as well.

Returning to the original instigator of this gathering, Stewart and Colbert craftily utilized the same sense of communal bandwagon that Glenn Beck invoked at his own rally. Perhaps the ultimate message of what we can do was simply this: put down the remote. Stewart brandished to the public the television remote from his hotel as he referenced this possibility. Knowing that we will be interminably assaulted by the news (or at least what passes as news), even as such fabrication obviously exists to fill up those lagging 21 hours in between old school prime time hours, we do still have the shocking choice to (unpretentiously) turn off the TV (and perhaps read instead).

One terminating observation concerning the rally crowd itself: I have never encountered a more genuinely polite and gracious gathering. There were no vision-obstructing signs during the speeches, no pushing, no shoving during the exit and no yelling. The mien of the assembly manifested more sanity than I had ever imagined possible by such a hoard. And yet, Stewart and Colbert demonstrated that they could, literally, affect a miracle of sanity on the spot.

In short, any rally-goer at Saturday’s proceeding could, with an honest heart, claim they were nothing short of moved.

Perhaps that emotional movement still remains a bit vague, but even so, in a surprising turnabout, Stewart and Colbert managed to instill their audience with a sense of hope that was, for once, credible because that hope was inspired by the fact that someone told the truth.

Zoë Hesp

HESPZC@MUOHIO.EDU

Chivalry remains rare on college campuses Chivalry, a term most of us learned in high school from the numerous Shakespearean plays we were forced to read. In case you forgot (which most of us have), chivalry is defined as the “ideals and practice of knightly virtues, honor and courtly love.”

Take Romeo and Juliet for example: a love story that was said to last through the ages — but let’s face it — chivalry probably died when Romeo and Juliet each took their last breath.

Today, especially with younger people, we define chivalry as a text message after 1 a.m., a “poke” on Facebook or a sloppy dance to Taylor Swift at the bar. As Nelly Furtado once sang, “Chivalry is dead … but you’re still kinda cute.”

Has this mentality — settling for what’s in front of us, not going beyond to please anyone — taken over our lifestyles? Better yet, which sex is to blame?

Last week, I was conversing with a male friend about college relationships. He told me it is impossible to date girls in college because “All college girls are inherently crazy.”

Well then, friend, if you are so bold to make that generalization for every single girl on this campus, do you also assume all girls believe all guys are the same? Some girls strive to see the better parts of guys, those rare chivalrous moments that make us smile.

Otherwise, if we as females could make a generalization about the opposite sex, one word comes to mind: assholes.

Young society has become more self-absorbed and self-centered, especially when it comes to pleasing and courting the opposite sex. First dates have turned into the drive thru for breakfast at

McDonald’s and shopping for groceries together at Kroger.

Wow, real romantic.

The manners have been lost on both sides of the male and female spectrum. So, what’s it all about these days? What are the rules of attraction now?

Men objectify women, or maybe it’s because they’re more open with objectifying women in daily conversation. A recent Princeton University study found “Men were also more likely to associate images of sexualized women with first-person action verbs such as ‘I push, I grasp, I handle.” I’m shocked.

It’s not like women don’t objectify men either. My friends always say, “I’m so into that guy, he has great biceps.” Um, that’s it?

His biceps? Do those biceps talk to you? Do they make you laugh and smile? Are they somehow intelligent biceps?

I’m not sure if we will ever get out of this slump where common courtesy has been overshadowed by cynical and less acceptable behavior. Maybe we’re all just confused. Maybe technology has killed it. Or maybe somewhere out there, the fairy tale lives.

Once you do find that perfect guy or girl, your whole world does a 180. Maybe it happens after college, or maybe it could happen in these four less-than-graceful years. Maybe if we work on it, as men and women we can maybe argue that chivalry’s not dead … just hanging on by life support.

Oriana Pawlyk

pawlykok@muohio.edu

Rule of thumb Thrifty clothes sale Cute salesman certainly makes thrifty nifty!

Wind turbine Miami won’t get “blown away” by high energy costs.

Skunks Off-campus invasion of critters stinks. Literally.

On campus assaults Safety first, remember the buddy system.

End of political advertisements Wash the mud off of our TV screens ... at least until next election.

The weekend TGIF always!

Potential snowfall There’s a chill in the air, winter’s on its way.

Temperamental Miami e-mail Moody technology causes turmoil for students.

➤ GUEST ESSAY

What constitutes tradition?

There are apparently some people on this campus and others off of it who wish to remain anonymous on message boards who do not understand the definition of tradition.

The dictionary defines it as “the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, et cetera from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice; a story that has come down to us by popular tradition.”

The former mascot and nickname for Miami University was the Redskins, a name previously endorsed whole-heartedly by the students, the alumni and the Miami Tribe (now of Oklahoma) as something that was a proud legacy of athletic excellence and academic achievement.

Enter 1996, when at the request of the Miami Tribe (whom the Redskin nickname honors…) Miami (not the athletic department) voted to change the nickname of the university to the RedHawks, something less offensive and demeaning to a proud nation.

This was not the first time the university has switched nicknames, there are many that were used prior to the adoption of the Redskin nickname. (But few people, including alumni, are aware of that. Talk about knowing your traditions, right?) So, what were those nicknames you ask?

They include Miami Boys, the Big Reds and the Reds and Whites. None have stuck around or been recognized by the university in some time.

Now, by the dictionary definition, handing down of customs, information and statements would cause me to ask, how are we erasing our Redskin tradition when it is the only prior mascot and nickname that is still emblazoned on Miami athletic fields? I don’t see a Miami Big Red logo anywhere on campus.

The Redskin tradition is one still very much alive. There is still plenty of merchandise available for alumni and those who are a part of the Redskin tradition, even for those that have no clue what it was like to come

to school as a Redskin and dare to critique those who did participate in Redskin athletics and showed and do show their Redskin pride in a respectable way.

Great fans come to hockey games geared up in Redskin apparel because they are representing the logo they came to know as a student and are doing so in a respectful manner toward the tribe.

The Miami Tribe sought to have the nickname removed and no longer used.

Whether you agree with the political correctness of the name or not, how can you seek to invoke “love an honor” to a group that has maintained there is no love and honor in what you are saying and trying to represent?

I ask you that knowing that many will claim there is a duty to the alumni and fans of the old nickname to keep the tradition, to which I reply, we have. That is why the logo is still present on Miami merchandise, present on stadiums that were built and held Redskin athletic events and still acknowledged on the athletic department website under traditions.

The incident in question is an unfortunate one — that someone would be asked to remove a symbol of their fandom, especially in a time when there are so few diehard fans that attend Miami athletic events. However, it is also unfortunate to see the ignorance and one-sidedness of the discussion that the person who was supposedly removed (although I watched him leave out of protest, never once being asked anything other than to remove the headdress by a true Redskin who graduated as a Redskin not once, but twice, compared to a non-alumni senior supposedly representing alumni).

While I support their voice, I respectfully disagree with their argument or lack thereof and where it is directed.

Why attack the people in charge of enforcing rules and not look at those creating the rules, the administration and the board of trustees who not too many years

ago determined to answer the tribe’s calling to remove the nickname. Why not ask your friendly Miami tribesperson, oh wait, you can’t, we shipped them off to Oklahoma (Guess we shouldn’t let that tradition die either).

But seriously, why not ask your board of trustees why the headdress is offensive? After all, they are the ones making the policy.

Using the usher or the athletic department as a scapegoat and saying they are not educated is absurd, considering every usher and event staff worker is educated as to why such ornaments are offensive.

However, I don’t know that the “victim” or his friends were in any state of being able to argue this tradition since they themselves are not aware of it.

To the argument of people dressing up as Native Americans for Halloween, well that is not aimed at representing a group of people against their will.

I am a proud alumnus of Miami University, and will be twice over as soon as I graduate with my masters degree. I came to this school because of its reputation as a great academic place, the natural beauty and the up and coming ice hockey team. I came to support the RedHawks, not the Redskins, just like the student in question from the football game.

I believe in knowing where you came from so that you are prepared to move forward.

I am against removing the Redskin tradition, but I am also against double-crossing a people who have been double-crossed many times prior to this. (Enter being removed

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THE MIAMI STUDENT

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2010 ♦ 9

Miami raises sustainability rating for first time in years

By Sarah Sidlow For The Miami Student

SAMANTHA LUDINGTON The Miami Student

First-year Gabby Trojanowski does her part during Unplugged, Untapped, Game On! by turning off the water while brushing her teeth Wednesday at Emerson Hall.

ASG

continued from page 2 until open campaigning begins at the close of spring break, Hogan said.

“It’s basically the same as closed campaigning, but you can go talk to student organizations,” Hogan said.

According to the student body election rules, closed campaigning is “the legal use of public or private verbal and private electronic media pursuant to university policy” which can occur any time during the academic year in

which the candidate is running.

SenatorBrandonPattersonsaid the addition of soft campaigning will help candidates gain notice more quickly.

“By adding this part in, it’s getting the word out to students earlier,” Patterson said. “More people are going to get the message across of who you are and what you’re running for.”

The bill also included a change to the required documentation of contributions from outside sources to a candidate’s campaign.

According to Hogan, in addition to recording all of their own expenditures, candidates must now

Miami University received its highest mark ever on the 2011 college sustainability report card provided by the Sustainable Endowments Institute. The grade, a B-, is an improvement from the C+ Miami received every year since 2008.

The school earned A’s in food and recycling and investment priorities, and B’s in a handful of other categories, including climate change and energy, green building, student involvement and endowment transparency.

Sustainability Coordinator David Prytherch said the improvement is a big feat for Miami.

“At Miami University, a B- is not a grade many people may get excited about, but this really is very exciting,” Prytherch said.

The sustainability grading is conducted through a multi-part questionnaire the university receives in the summer. Each of the four parts — campus, dining, endowment and students — are completed by people knowledgeable in those areas, according to Prytherch.

While sustainability surveys are conducted by many organizations, including the Sierra Club and the Princeton Review, the survey conducted by the Sustainable Endowments Institute is the gold standard, Prytherch said.

report the total amounts spent by any student organization on a contribution to his or her campaign.

This can be anything from an organization paying for a support signtocreatingaT-shirttosupport the candidate.

The bill also keeps candidates’ political parties from appearing on the ballot during elections.

In the past, political parties helped to consolidate budgets, Hogan said.

As a number of senators pointed out during debate, keeping the political parties off the ballot will help keep students from voting down party lines.

ASSAULT

ADVISERS

or officers will come upon a crime when they’re out on duty.

First-year Samantha Kent said despite these recent increases she still feels very safe on campus.

“Of late we’ve been getting a lot of (crime) notices, and I got a little bit more worried,” she said. She said it’s comforting knowing that MUPD, Oxford police and Butler County police are available to her.

“I feel safer than I would at any other college campus,” she said.

Kent said she thinks students are more comfortable reporting incidents, which has led to the increase in reports.

“People are becoming more and more educated about what (sexual assault) is,” she said. “They’re learning it’s not their fault. I don’t think people are becoming more and more malicious, I think people are becoming more knowledgeable of what’s being done to them and around them.”

According to McCandless, MUPD and the university try their best to offer resources to help students feel safe, including campus safety days and the Women’s Center.

“All I can do is try to lead them down the right path,” he said.

Squance said if he was ever faced a situation where one of his fraternity’s members was in trouble, he would have a fellow officer handle the arrest.

He said his knowledge of the Oxford community’s ins and outs is an asset when it comes to advising a fraternity.

“My job is to help them navigate through life here in Oxford,” he said.

“I am here to be a mentor and get them through college.”

Squance said the police chief encourages officers to get involved in the community.

“When you are in law enforcement, there could be a conflict of interest doing anything,” he said. “We have officers involved with other clubs, and there are no

continued from page 2

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continued from page 1

ENTERTAINMENT VIDEOS & MORE!

Miami received an F rating in the attempts to make the already peshareholder engagement category, destrian-friendly campus better for along with 35 percent of all schools walkers and bikers in the future. included in the study, according to Miami received a B in student data on the Sustainable Endowments involvement for the last few years.

Institute website.

This can be attributed to student This category deals with how uni- participation in Housing, Dining versities use the proxy votes they re- and Guest Services’ Unplugged, ceive in return for their investments Untapped, Game On! competition, in companies. as well as student organizations like When schools use their proxy Green Oxford.

Chase Yeakvotes to encourage ley, vice president green policymak“At Miami of projects for ing or to propose University, a B- is Green Oxford, new green initianot a grade many was pleased with tives, they get the university’s higher scores in people may get improvement. The this category, said excited about, but organization reRebecca Cain, a sethis really is cently successfully nior research fellow very exciting.” for the Sustainable petitioned for outEndowments door recycling bins Institute. around campus and David Prytherch Sustainability Coordinator Many schools, is working on a like Miami, simply project to promote leave their votes in campus compostthe hands of their investment man- ing, Yeakley said. agers, who may or may not make According to Cain, schools also eco-conscious decisions. raise this grade by implementing Cain said the endowment cat- more programs related to sustainegory is the toughest category for ability. She said a remarkable inmost schools. crease in bottled water bans and She said colleges can raise their tray-less dining initiatives have mark in this area by establishing been implemented in schools across shareholder responsibility com- the country.

There is a list on the institute’s mittees that guide the schools’ investment managers to make website of other programs it recommends schools implement. eco-conscious decisions.

Miami’s report card can be found Additionally, Prytherch said details are already beginning to be at http://www.greenreportcard.org/ worked out to improve Miami’s report-card-2011/schools/miamiC rating in transportation through university.

health

continued from page 2 regular plan, it allows funds to be put into a savings account.

“This is good for people who are really young and healthy because they can save it, or people who are really sick,” Bowblis said. “If you are someone who understands how to navigate the health care system, you can keep your health care costs relatively low.”

Fahner said federal health care reform has done little to change health care plans at Miami.

She said while federal regulations now allow parents to cover children until age 26, issues there.”

Walter said the Office of Student Affairs struggles to find local advisers, and every Greek chapter is required to have at least one adviser.

In order to rid the system of any conflict of interest, a training program for Greek advisers would be a good idea, Walter said.

“We want somebody (members) will respect and that will hold the chapter accountable,” he said. “We want someone who is doing it for the right reasons.”

Ingram acknowledged the struggle to find local advisers.

“We are begging people oftentimes to become advisers,” he said.

Ingram said police officers and student affairs employees do not serve in the same realm. While Vaughn is the person responsible for punishments, Squance is an enforcer of the law, he said.

“It is up to the integrity of the adviser to make sure they are not protecting the chapter they advise,” he said.

Susan Mosley-Howard, vice president

such a law already existed in Ohio.

“House Bill 1 was passed well before the federal healthcare reform,” she said. “Parents could actually cover children until age 28, but it had some restrictions.”

Fahner said children covered had to be full-time students, residents of Ohio, unmarried and unemployed in addition to other stipulations, which is not the case with the new federal law.

Despite increases, Bowblis said Miami’s health plan is generous compared to other institutions across the nation.

“Nationally, premiums have been rising at an astronomical rate, and the university has to keep up with that,” he said. “Miami still gives great coverage compared toother places.”

The new health care rates will take effect Jan. 1, 2011. of student affairs, said Greek organizations are independent of the university.

“We do not govern how they select their adviser,” she said.

She said she views this issue as something the police chief should address how he sees fit.

Since Mosely-Howard and Vaughn are in the direct line of making disciplinary decisions, Mosely-Howard asked Vaughn to step down as a sorority adviser.

Miami University Police Department Officer Thomas Lampl served as an adviser to Sigma Chi for one and a half years.

He was contacted about being an adviser because he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity in college.

He said his position was completely voluntary and also saw no conflict of interest in the position. He was no longer able to advise the chapter after it was suspended in spring 2010.

“This is no different than officers who are Cub Scout leaders or coaches,” Lampl said.

www.miamistudent.net

SUDOKU, page 8.

10

Sports

Friday November 5, 2010

Life after the World Series

Editor Michael Solomon sports@miamistudent.net

Brian Gallagher

Gallagher’s Going for Two

T

ime in sports moves quickly, almost too quickly. The World Series just ended, but before you know it there will be spring training talk, and the inevitable question of whether Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants will cut his hair or not. Lincecum offered a performance for the ages in the latest fall classic amidst the catcalls on his flowing locks and the pressure from a team that had not won a title since 1954 against the Cleveland Indians (who can never seem to catch a break).

However, as Will Ferrell so aptly said in Wedding Crashers, “With every death, there is rebirth. It’s the circle of life.” Do not despair, sports fans, for there is plenty to look forward to in the coming months.

There are only three more months until Brett Favre of the Minnesota Vikings retires again. With two heartfelt retirement speeches in the last three years, he’s due for another one, especially with the way his season has been going. The Vikings were one game away from going to the Super Bowl last season, but struggled mightily this season under Favre, who was praised as the man who would lead the Vikes to their first ever title. However, Favre shows how quickly age catches up to you in sports not only through his visibly whitening stubble, but his play, which has been bursting at the seams. By the end of the season I’m sure we will see hours of SportsCenter devoted to Favre’s (hopefully last) retirement.

The countdown has also begun to the inevitable failure of the Miami Heat to win a championship (I can hope, right?). With a team of superstars and turncoats, the Heat has quickly become the most hated team in sports (except for the New York Yankees, of course). Their road to the finals will be lined with boos and much fanfare, but only time will tell whether Lebron James can accomplish what he took his talents to South Beach for or if he will join Sir Charles Barkley in the ranks of superstars who never won a title.

One cannot forget the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). With a plethora of teams vying for the top two rankings, one thing is certain: Boise State University will ultimately be left out of the championship game.

Although they have won 20 straight games are undefeated this year, they are destined to play in a lesser bowl simply because they don’t belong to the first-class club of the BCS. Just like Rodney Dangerfield, they “Can’t get no respect!” Unless there is some act of divine intervention, the Broncos will not have a chance to play for the national championship and compete as the underdog that America has grown to love. They will never have that chance unless a playoff is established (which may be sooner than you think).

Hopefully these things will get you through the post-baseball depression and onto more exciting events. In an age where one team’s season can go down the drain with a twist of the ankle or simply because the stars aren’t aligned, one thing is always certain in sports: expect the unexpected.

Check out www.MURedHawks.com

for schedule and ticket information!

MICHAEL GRIGGS The Miami Student

Junior defenseman Cameron Schilling shoots at the goal against Lake Superior State Univeristy Oct. 30.

HOCKEY

NEXT GAME: 7:05 p.m. Friday at Ferris State University

’Hawks battle at Ferris State

By Hannah R. Miller

Staff Writer

Thirsty for the victory that eluded them against Lake Superior State University Saturday, the Miami University RedHawks will take the ice in Big Rapids, Mich. to face off against the Ferris State University Bulldogs.

Even though the ’Hawks won in the shootout Saturday, it is recorded as a tie, leaving Miami tied for first in the conference with the University of Notre Dame (both teams with 3-0-1 conference records).

“I think it’s disappointing,” senior Captain Carter Camper said. “I mean, when you start the season you want to win every game. We weren’t able to complete the sweep, so we’ll regroup and get better this weekend.”

The Bulldogs, a team that prides itself on defense, will challenge Miami’s offense, requiring continued production from Camper and his linemates Andy Miele and Reilly Smith.

“They’re always a hardworking team,”

SOCCER

Miele said. “You’re always going to get their best, so we expect that from them, and they’re good defensively.”

The ’Hawks’ top line has had no shortage of goals this year, including a nation-leading nine from Camper. Camper has accumulated 22 points in eight games and was recognized as both CCHA Player of the Month and National Player of the Month in October. Miele has been topping the charts in nationwide scoring as well, standing second in the country behind Camper, with 17 points this season.

“We’re just trying to stay even keel, we’re not trying to get ahead of ourselves,” Miele said of his line. “We’ve got a good connection, so we just hope to keep going with that.”

With a combined 50 points from the first line alone, Smith is content.

“It seems like everything is working out perfectly for us right now, so we’re just trying to do anything not to jinx it,” Smith said.

Camper said the ’Hawks are going to have to play “a simple game” against the Bulldogs, drawing on their strengths as a team.

“They clog the front of the net, so we’re going to have to use our points, our defensemen and be ready for rebounds in front of the net and to the sides of the net,” Camper said.

The Red and White retained their national No. 1 ranking for the second week in a row, despite Saturday’s tie. Additionally, with the loss of defenseman Will Weber to injury, Miami has relied on the rest of the defensive core to play at their highest level, which will prove to be critical for the ’Hawks in the upcoming series.

Associate Coach Brent Brekke noted the difficulty of losing Weber, who was last year’s CCHA Defensive Player of the Year.

“He’s a tenacious kid and one of our top defenseman,” Brekke said. “To not have him in the lineup has been a little bit of a change.

Other guys have had to step to the forefront and play some more crucial minutes and play some of the better skilled guys for the other teams.” The RedHawks look to add two more CCHA wins to their record as they take on the Bulldogs at 7:05 p.m. Nov. 5 and 6.

NEXT GAME: 11 a.m. Friday at University of Toledo

RedHawks head to MAC tournament

By Alex Butler Senior Staff Writer

Healthy and hot would be a good way to describe the Miami University soccer team as it heads into a Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament semifinal game against Central Michigan University at 11 a.m. Nov. 5.

“I’m very confident because we are playing well right now,” Head Coach Bobby Kramig said. “We are playing the best soccer that we have played all year. I’m very positive about things and very confident in the team’s ability to step up and perform well when it’s all on the line. We had arguably our best performance of the year in the quarterfinal against Akron. I think we are playing very well right now and I’m excited to see what we do against Central.”

Kramig’s team is seeded as the No. 2 team in the tournament, while the Chippewas (14-4-1, 10-1-0 MAC) hold the No. 3 seed.

“Central is a good team all around,” Kramig said. “They are wellorganized and well coached with some talented players. Central is a good team that brings a lot to the game. They won the MAC last year and were co-champs this year. That’s not by accident.

Nobody’s perfect.”

The Red and White (13-6-1, 5-4-2 MAC) hope to expose the flaws in a team that defeated them 2-0 Oct. 1 in Oxford.

“The last time we played them we played pretty well and had the better of the game for 35 minutes,” Kramig said. “After that, we stopped doing what we needed to be doing and the game opened up.

We just have to do what we are supposed to be doing for the entire time. We have to go into it with a positive mindset and go right at them … get right in their face and give them attitude to take control of the game.”

The Chippewas are hot as well, winning 11 out of their last 12 games. Laura Twidle and Liesel Toth lead Central Michigan offensively. RedHawk Jess Kodiak is tops in the MAC with 24 points, and Twidle has 16, including seven scores. The Red and White, who have four players in the top 10 in that category, want to enforce that offense on a Chippewa defense that only allowed 10 goals this season, with just four of them coming in conference play.

“Right now we are trying to focus on how we want to play the game,” senior Sara Lund said. “We are a dangerous attacking team and that’s what we are going to continue to be. In order to do so, we have been practicing on how to pressure. Central Michigan is a dan-

MICHAEL GRIGGS The Miami Student

Freshman midfielder Katy Dolesh looks for a teammate Oct. 1 against Central Michigan University.

gerous team. They don’t have many flaws. What we are trying to do is find the open seams and penetrate them. We want to make them a little bit nervous.”

Mentality will be vital for success for the ’Hawks against the cream of the MAC crop.

“I think most teams might see us as underdogs,” Lund said. “We have nothing to lose and are very confident. Our form is peaking right now. We are playing really good soccer.”