December 4, 2012 | The Miami Student

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

tuesday, DECEMBER 4, 2012

VOLUME 140 NO. 27

MIAMI UNIVERSITY OXFORD, OHIO

TODAY IN MIAMI HISTORY In 1980, The Miami Student reported a story titled “Use of fake IDs difficult, may be costly.” It mentioned U.S. Press, a frequent advertiser in university newspapers that claimed to produce “absolutely the ultimate ID card.” However, The Student warned, use of false IDs is risky and can be expensive. One U Shop employee estimated seeing at least one false ID a night.

LGBTQ group Spectrum hosts first ‘Queer Prom’

By Megan Thobe Staff Writer

Nov. 29, a small group of students gathered at the Goggin Ice Center Lounge to attend an event that was the first of its kind on Miami University’s Campus. Queer Prom, hosted by Spectrum, is a semi-formal event for LGBTQ students and allies at Miami University.

Spectrum is Miami’s undergraduate LGBTQ-straight alliance and is known for sponsoring events that promote activism, awareness and acceptance according to Co-President senior Billy Price.

Spectrum often hosts drag shows as its primary fundraiser and social event. The Queer Prom event is part of a push to refocus Spectrum’s efforts to host more social events on campus, according to Spectrum CoPresident junior Matt Metzler.

“This event was small this year, in part because we spent such a short time planning for it,” Metzler said. “For the first time ever putting it on, I think we had a great turnout and it has set us up for many more great events in the future.”

Sophomore Jacob Turnbow, the social chair of Spectrum and the

main planner for Queer Prom, said the event was tough to pull off on such short notice.

“A lot of Spectrum members have been asking for an event like this one for a long time and I’m glad we were able to get it together,” Turnbow said. “I am very proud that Miami is accepting enough to host a potentially provocative event like this one.”

Couple Connor Wilkinson and Kendal Keiser met in their smalltown high school and said the event was particularly special for them.

“I have never been around this many gay people in one place before,” Wilkson said. “[Queer Prom] has been fun and a great experience.”

“It is great to see people out and being themselves,” Keiser said.

“One of my favorite parts of being [at Queer Prom] is that every type of couple and every person is welcome.”

First-year Lilly Barger compared Queer Prom to her high school’s prom. Barger said she would have loved to be out in high school

prom,

SEE PAGE 8

MIAMI STUDENT ANDY SUPRONAS DIES Miami University student Andy Supronas, 21, has died. Supronas was a software engineering major and a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Oxford Police Department (OPD) Sgt. Jon Varley said the death appears to be unintentional. Supronas’ parents, who live in Mason, Ohio, have been notified of his death.

OPD was called Monday morning and asked to do a welfare check on Supronas, as he had not been heard from in several days, according to Varley. Police performing the welfare check found Supranos to be deceased, according to Varley. Supronas’ body is with the Butler County coroner who will release a report determining cause of

death, according to Varley.

Phi Delta Theta President junior Cameron Radis offered condolences on behalf of the fraternity.

“The brothers of the Ohio Alpha chapter of Phi Delta Theta, are deeply saddened by the loss of our brother, Andy Supronas,” Radis said. “In April 2010, Andy became an initiated member of the chapter and he served on the executive board.

Upon hearing of this tragic event, the brothers of Phi Delta Theta would like to extend our condolences to his family and those close to him.”

Student Body President John Stefanski offered his condolences as well.

“Not only the Greek community but the whole Miami community, we should come together

and support those people who are affected by his untimely passing and realize that at the end of the day that we are all Miamians,” Stefanski said.

Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Susan Mosley-Howard wrote the following to the Miami community: “It is with deep sadness that I share with the Miami community the news of the recent death of Miami student Ainis (Andy) Supronas. Andy, from Mason, began his Miami experience in fall 2009 as a software engineering major. The entire Supronas family has received our heartfelt condolence.

Anyone at Miami who feels a need for support should call the office of the dean of students at 529-1877.”

Miami University Parking Services gets ‘Smart’ with new meters

By Ellen Quigley

For the Miami Student

Miami University Parking Services installed new credit and debit card accepting “Smart” Meters on campus near the Shriver Center, King Library, and Goggin Ice Center for a 90-day trial.

The solar-powered meters became active Thursday, Nov. 29.

Parking Services will collaborate with IPS group, the company that provided the meters, to determine whether or not “Smart” Meters will become a permanent aspect of Miami’s campus.

The new meters charge $0.25 per 15-minute period, which can be paid by coin, credit card or debit card.

Each “Smart” Meter contains an internal battery and radio,

which allows Miami Parking Services staff to monitor how much change is in each meter and how frequently each unit is used.

Ideally these new meters will make parking on campus easier and more accessible.”

GEORGE MACDONALD

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKING SERVICES

Having this knowledge will allow Miami to increase efficiency by only emptying the meters that are full.

Additionally, having data that

allows staff to know which meters are used most often creates the possibility of using infrequently used parking spaces for a different purpose.

Assistant Director of Parking Services George MacDonald said he thinks the meters will make parking on campus more manageable.

“Ideally these new meters will make parking on campus easier and more accessible for students, faculty, and visitors,” MacDonald said.

During the 90-day trial, a parking permit will not be required for cars at the “Smart” Meters.

This will allow visitors and students without permits to easily park on campus.

Sophomore off-campus student Andrew Henry said he was

excited for the new meters.

“With the new PNC bank in Shriver, it’s really inconvenient to have to take a shuttle from my apartment in Level 27 because I can’t park anywhere nearby without a permit,” Henry said.

MacDonald said that one of the reasons the new meters were brought to Miami was to help people like Henry and other offcampus students in his position.

Miami University Police Lt. Ben Spilman said he hopes the “Smart” Meters are well received, which would allow Parking Services to expand the parking program further.

The department will evaluate the feedback that it acquires from students, faculty and visitors next semester in order to determine whether the meters

will become permanent after the 90-day trial period which will end Feb. 26, 2013.

If the decision is made to bring the new meters to Miami’s campus permanently, Lt. Spilman said he would like to eventually connect the Miami ID card to the “Smart” Meters, making it possible to use MUULA to pay the meter.

Cbord, the company that makes the Miami ID card, and IPS Group, the company providing the meters, have had experience working together in the past.

Lt. Spilman said there is great potential to improve parking when it comes to the new “Smart” Meters.

“I look forward to seeing how people respond to the new parking meters and how they can impact parking on campus,” Spilman said.

Fraternities lose recognition after Aug. fireworks incident

By Jenn Smola Campus Editor

Sanctions were issued to Miami University’s Phi Kappa Tau and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternities Monday regarding events surrounding a fireworks incident in August.

Phi Kappa Tau is suspended with its recognition revoked through August 2013, according to Associate Director of University Communications Claire Wagner. Sigma Alpha Epsilon is suspended with its recognition revoked for an extra year, through August 2014, Wagner said.

The chapters were found responsible for violating various sections of Miami’s Code of Student Conduct, including drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of fireworks and disorderly conduct.

A summary suspension was issued to the two chapters in the interim, and the sanctions come following a complete investigation Wagner said.

“Once we go through the whole judicial process, part of the process after the investigation involves time for appeal,” Wagner said. “We always wait until after that period is up [to uphold sanctions] and that’s what happened.”

Wagner did not confirm whether the fraternities appealed the punishments.

In addition to the chapters’ suspensions, additional sanctions also apply to both fraternities.

For the first two years after reinstatement, at least half of fraternity members living in the chapter house must have at least junior class standing.

The chapters must also provide a live-in adviser for at least two years following their return, as well as receiving fire safety education before moving back into the fraternity house.

Additionally, both chapters must present a plan for compliance with the Community Advancement program before officially returning to campus.

LAUREN HUTCHISON THE MIAMI STUDENT

SPREADING THE HOLIDAY CHEER One of Miami University’s a capella group, the Mergers, sings loud for all to hear at its Holiday Concert held Saturday at the Sesquicentennial Chapel.

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CAMPUS

Editors JENN SMOLA ALLISON MCGILLIVRAY

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

campus@miamistudent.net

MU, police advise theft prevention over break

Students ‘beak out’ about classes with HawkSquawk

By Katie Sallach

FOR THE MIAMI STUDENT

For The Miami Student

In response to burglaries over Thanksgiving break, Associated Student Government (ASG) has sent a list of ways to protect students’ houses to all students living off campus.

Over Thanksgiving break several burglaries were reported in off-campus student residences.

Coordinator of Off-Campus Affairs Bobbe Burke said she thinks

For a lot of students living off campus this is the first time they are in charge of their own place...”

BobbE Burke COORDINATOR OF OFFCAMPUS AFFAIRS

burglaries occur off campus over breaks because student houses are easy targets, with people living in Oxford and surrounding areas aware that students will most likely be going home.

Burglaries also occur over breaks because students do not take safety precautions when leaving their residences unattended for several days, according to Burke.

“For a lot of students living off campus this is the first time they

are in charge of their own place and taking the preventative measures necessary when they leave it, so I don’t think many of them give much thought to taking safety precautions when they go away,” Burke said.

Sophomore Melanie O’Neil said she agrees that she does not usually think about safety precautions beyond locking doors and windows.

“When we leave our house for breaks we make sure all of the doors and windows are locked as well as leaving the blinds down and half open,” O’Neil said.

However, the recent break-ins have caused her to reconsider the safety precautions she takes when she prepares to leave on future breaks, she said.

“The break-ins have me really concerned and they are making my housemates and I more conscious of our surroundings,” O’Neil said.

In response to the break-ins over Thanksgiving break, ASG’s Secretary for Off-Campus Affairs junior Ari Frum sent out a message Tuesday morning to all students who live off campus via the ASG Off-Campus listserv. According to Frum, the message includes a list of several important tips to remember when students leave their residences over breaks.

The list includes tips for parking over breaks, as well as making a house or apartment look as lived in as possible.

“It is important for students to follow these suggestions, which if not followed could result in vandalism, damage of property or fines and repair costs,” Frum said.

Both Burke and Frum emphasized the importance of considering the suggestion from the list that encourages all off campus students to fill out a Vacant House Card which will let the Oxford Police and the Miami University Police know that a house will be unoccupied.

Frum suggests students designate a last person to leave to make sure all doors and windows are locked and window curtains and shades are closed.

Frum also stressed the importance of protecting valuables.

“Secure all valuables,” he said.

“If it is possible, take them home. If not, move them into a room where they are not visible and then lock that door if possible.”

Burke and Frum both said another important tip to remember from the list is keeping the heat turned on in order to keep the pipes from freezing and bursting.

The list also includes instructions for parking over breaks including where to park and how to obtain a temporary parking pass.

The list reminds students that they should not leave their cars parked on any Oxford street, and that all vehicles with a valid Miami University parking pass can park at Ditmer Lot.

ALLIE ENGLEHART THE MIAMI STUDENT

SHOW US YOUR TATS

Miami students Meagan Schipper, Nicole Smith, Elizabeth Cochran, Caren Kay and Kim Parent show off their henna tattoos at AfterDark’s Night at the Rec Saturday.

By Samantha Wargolet

In an effort to receive more student feedback on course evaluations, Miami University has created and implemented a new marketing and advertising campaign for the online course evaluation system. While online evaluations began last year, HawkSquawk is Miami’s newest program designed to increase student participation on the surveys. The evaluations have been implemented throughout the entire campus as Miami continues to become a more digital campus.

Senior Charlie Catino, a member of the Pi Sigma Epsilon business fraternity, took on the lead role of project manager of the HawkSquawk project. According to Catino, last year was the first time Miami transitioned to online surveys with a participation rate of 60 percent. Catino and a team of six PSE members rebranded and remarketed the surveys to create HawkSquawk.

“Last year they hired a strategic communications team on campus, and they failed to get sufficient participation,” Catino said.

They used promotion videos with President David Hodge and the Miami ice hockey team, but “they didn’t really take off,” Catino said.

This year Catino and his team have been working with Mike Curme, associate dean of the Farmer School of Business and committee chair member of the course evaluations committee, and as of Dec. 1, the participation rate was at 20 percent. This number is expected to increase as the final promotions are implemented, Catino said.

The name “HawkSquawk” was chosen because it symbolizes the students’ voices, according to Catino. The Cheezies, a Miami men’s a cappella group, is featured in a promotional video on Facebook using the slogan, “it’s your voice.”

“We’ve been working with Mike Curme and a lot of other departments within the school to bring forth a market and advertising campaign to promote the online course evaluations,” Catino said. The student prizes and raffles were the main incentive and focus of the campaign.

This is the first year students have to opportunity to win prizes, both on-campus and in uptown Oxford, for completing a course evaluation.

The sooner students fill out the survey, the more raffles they will be entered into, according to Catino.

Prizes include a personal study

room for all of finals week and access to the Dean’s Box at a Miami hockey game. In addition, students can present their course evaluation completion e-mail for discounts at uptown shops.

Unfortunately, not all students were aware of these prizes and promotions.

“I had no idea about the prizes,” first-year Rachel Rodrigue said.

She said she thought the survey was “long and time consuming.”

The original idea behind putting the evaluations online, was that more students would be able to access the survey at their own leisure, and Miami would be saving paper and processing time.

“I thought it was really easy, and it was kind of fun,” first-year Amira Hummer said.

According to senior PSE business fraternity member Colten Kidwell, professors are supposed to be encouraging their students to fill out the surveys.

Hummer said she has experienced this.

“Multiple times in class, two of my teachers suggested that we do them in our spare time,” Hummer said.

I thought it was really easy, and it was kind of fun.”

Amira Hummer MIAMI UNIVERSITY FIRST-YEAR

Rodrigue said doing the evaluation outside class was inconvenient.

“I would have rather done the survey in class than on paper,” Rodrigue said.

Hummer had a different perspective.

“It might be easier to do them on paper because everyone would have to do them, but it would be a waste of class time,” Hummer said.

Kidwell has been involved in the promotion of the surveys on social networking sites, and sees them as an important tool.

“The feedback is actually very relevant and it’s an easy way to improve the institution of Miami students,” Kidwell said.

Catino said the university and teachers improve from the feedback provided from course evaluations.

“Teachers actually do read these and make changes,” Catino said.

The evaluations will be open until Dec. 9, and all students are encouraged to have their voice heard.

The evaluations can be accessed via MyMiami under MyCourses. A link is provided for each class that is participating.

Equestrian Center updates Cook Field continues to improve facilities trot towards finish line

By Catherine Monceaux

By Cynthia Marcinek FOR THE MIAMI STUDENT

As many Miami University students park their cars in the Ditmer parking lot, they’re sure to notice the large amount of construction going on across the street at the new site for the Equestrian Center. The construction is causing a lot of excitement, especially for students on Miami’s equestrian team or those taking kinesiology and health (KNH) classes.

Senior Kelly Herdman is a member of the equestrian team.

“Overall I’m really excited about the changes,” Herdman said. “It was always hard when we traveled to other places and everyone had a nicer facility than us.”

According to Vinny Cirrito, project manager for the construction, $2 million in changes are phase one of the project.

The changes that are expected to finish in the spring of 2013 include different arena footing, which will allow the area to drain

properly and enhance the riding experience for both the horse and the student and an expanded barn that will include all of the stalls under one roof compared to the previous setup which had separate stalls.

Members of the equestrian team currently practice at two different barns, one in Indiana and the other down the street of state Route 73 at a barn called Sherman.

There are various equestrian teams, including a western team, hunt, dressage and English team.

Sophomore Melissa Petrick is on the Western team, but rides with the hunt and dressage teams as well.

“I am very excited about [the changes],” Petrick said. “Right now the teams are at two different barns so it will be great to have the team at one barn again.”

The new setup of the center will have a barn and space that some

EQUESTRIAN, SEE PAGE 10

For The Miami Student

Miami University’s recent construction near Cook Field will soon be coming to a close. There have been numerous updates and changes to the widely used field, the most recent being the small building at the southern edge of the space.

According to John Seibert, project manager of the construction, the building will contain restrooms, a shelter to protect against bad weather and a storage space for intramural sports equipment, which was previously being transported from Withrow Court by the intramural officials.

Seibert said the buildings would be finished up and available for use within the next few weeks.

“We really worked closely with Rec sports and they, in turn, worked with students for field design ideas and needs,” Seibert said.

Due to Cook Field’s predominant use as a sports field for campus, especially for intramural

sports, it was updated because of a demand for a better play surface for these activities. The field has been known to flood often and, due to the high level of foot traffic that it sees in addition to the many athletic needs it fulfills, it’s bumpy and uneven.

In order to resolve those issues with the field, two phases of construction were created, the first of

We really worked closely with Rec sports and they, in turn, worked with students for field design ideas and needs.”

John Seibert

PROJECT MANAGER

which began this past summer.

Within this phase of construction a new under-field drainage system was implemented.

The system feeds over to Western Campus, where rainwater from the field drains into ponds and in turn, is used to supply water to fountains that will be constructed.

In addition to the drainage system feeding to Western Campus, it will also be used to irrigate the south side of Cook Field, where new grass seed was planted. According to Seibert, the field’s new drainage system is part of a new campus rainwater initiative. The final features of the first phase of construction are a newly installed synthetic field on the north half of the field, a running track around the field, which measures a half of a mile, and new backstops for the softball fields at each corner.

In September, the second phase of construction began, which included seeding the south half of the field. In addition, the construction of the building at the south end of the field began.

Among these updates, other changes are also being put into place. These include power being supplied to the softball backstops in order for the intramural officials to plug scoreboards in, wireless internet being supplied to the field, enhancements to crosswalks and paved bike

COOK FIELD, SEE PAGE 10

Editors OLIVIA HNAT HANNAH STEIN

COMMUNITY

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

COMMUNITY@miamistudent.net

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POLICE Ohio Senate stops ‘heartbeat bill’

BEAT

By Emily C. Tate

For The Miami Student

After more than a year of hearings, revisions and disputes, Ohio’s “heartbeat bill” – a nickname for House Bill 125 – was dropped Tuesday, Nov. 27, following a decision made by Republican Senate President Tom Niehaus.

The bill would have banned any abortions after the first fetal heartbeat is recognized, which generally occurs around six to eight weeks into the pregnancy.

Had it cleared the Ohio Senate, the “heartbeat bill” would have made Ohio the most restrictive state in the U.S. regarding the issue of abortion, according to Sen. Nina Turner (D), Minority Whip for the state of Ohio.

“It would have essentially made abortions illegal in the state of Ohio,” Turner said.

The so-called “heartbeat bill”

passed the House in June 2011 and has since been under consideration in the Senate, according to Turner. Niehaus chose not to allow the bill to be raised for a vote on the floor of the Ohio State Senate. As Senate President, he has full jurisdiction over the continuation or demise of a bill.

“Questions arose regarding the wording of the bill,” Republican Senator Bill Coley said. “It just wasn’t ready yet.”

Coley represents District 4, which encompasses Miami University and surrounding Butler County.

Ohio Right to Life, an antiabortion organization, had reservations regarding the bill.

“We spent the better half of a year trying to iron out differences and make sure the bill did no harm if passed,” Mike Gonidakis, President of Ohio Right to Life, said. “We were the organization that raised concerns in 2011. It

caused a great deal of consternation for those that supported the bill, but our job is to tell the truth, at all times, no matter what.”

This recent stir in the state of Ohio has not escaped the notice of some of Miami’s politically active students.

“The Republican senators who dropped the bill were aware that, if passed, it could be deemed unconstitutional,” Baylor Myers, senior and co-chair of College Republicans, said. “Therefore, judicial activism could have reduced regulations on abortions…

Many anti-abortion advocates also shared this concern that the bill could have indirectly been counterproductive. Ending the bill was strategic on behalf of the legislators.”

“I’m happy that the bill is ended because we have so many more issues that we need to focus on instead,” Laura Kretz, senior and President of College

Democrats, said. “Like Niehaus stated, we have issues of jobs.

There are more prevalent issues on the table . . . and we have to have our priorities in order.”

According to Senator Turner, the ideas behind House Bill 125 will likely be revisited in the next General Assembly. “It really isn’t over; it’s just over right now,” Turner said. “It’s a victory for those of us who are pro-choice, but only a temporary victory.”

Senator Coley not only anticipates the resurfacing of this bill, but said he hopes for it as well.

“House Bill 125 may not have passed this General Assembly, but I look forward to the new one coming in this January,” Coley said.

Coley said that the Senate has passed and signed seven antiabortion bills into law this session, making it what he believed to be one of the most anti- abortion sessions Ohio has ever seen.

Local hospital considers new health care affiliation

By Hannah Stein Community Editor

McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital is currently independent but is considering an affiliation with a larger health care system.

According to Bryan Hehemann, president and chief executive officer of the hospital, McCulloughHyde began to consider this affiliation in August 2010.

“We’ve been talking about it for two years now,” he said. “[It’s gone from] less formal to more formal.

That’s what we just started doing this week.”

Hehemann said it is going to take eight to 12 months before a decision is made, but by next fall he hopes to have a definite decision to move forward one way or another.

Multiple reasons play into why the hospital would consider joining a larger health care system, Hehemann said.

“[There are] environmental forces that we feel would make it a challenge for us to remain independent,” he said. “There are major insurance changes occurring in the market places, there are expectations of additional technology that might be more than we can afford to spend.”

According to Hehemann, what hospital officials are currently trying to decide is how to integrate scale and size to adjust to changing outside forces.

The hospital could benefit a lot from joining a larger health care system, Hehemann said, and it would allow the hospital to remain a community asset.

“We’re hoping to improve our services and remain a high quality provider,” he said. “We want to have everything that we feel is important to the community and be able to really well.”

McCullough-Hyde is currently

the second largest employer in Oxford, after Miami University, Alan Kyger, Oxford economic and development director, said.

Although the hospital is a staple in the Oxford community, Kyger said that if it chooses to no longer be independent it should not have an impact on the Oxford business community.

“They’re still going to have employees,” Kyger said. “And you can speculate who they affiliate with [and] the check might be written from another location but they’re still getting paid in Oxford and still providing service in Oxford, so from a local standpoint that wouldn’t change.”

Senior Ashley Kinsey said she thinks that even though joining with a larger health care system might be beneficial to the hospital now, it should still stay independent.

“I’m for independent companies, so I would say I wouldn’t want

them to join another thing,” she said. “Even though it may benefit it in the short term I doubt it would benefit them in the long term.”

However, first-year Anna Radtke said she thinks that the hospital should use the opportunity to improve.

“I just think why not,” she said. “Why would you not want more resources.”

Joining a larger health care system could allow the hospital to bring new services to the hospital and help the community more, Hehemann said.

According to Hehemann, the hospital has made a few cost-saving initiatives in the past few years, however, joining a larger health care system to save money is not their primary focus.

“The more we grow, the better we can provide high quality services to the community,” Hehemann said.

‘Pubs of Oxford’ adds local spirit to pubster collection

JENN SMOLA THE MIAMI STUDENT

Artist Brian McKelvery created Pubs of Your Town and visited Oxford to create a poster of Uptown earlier this semester. Pubs of Oxford is being sold in local restuarants and bars.

By Sarah Ross

For the Miami Student

Michigan State University graduate and artist Brian McKelvery started a collection called Pubs of Your Town.

They are 18’’ by 24’’ posters that he calls “pubsters.” McKelvery traveled to Miami University earlier in the semester to make his pubster for Oxford.

McKelvery travels to various cities–some of which are college campuses–to capture the popular hangout spots, restuarants, bars and stores.

“I walked campus quite a bit and got a feel for it,” McKelvery said. “This kind of lead to the way that I did the picture.”

McKelvery started the ‘Pubs of’ posters at Michigan State.

After the success of his first poster he decided to make posters of other locations and college towns.

“I thought that I should just do all of the bars,” McKelvery said.

“I should just throw them all together. I did the Michigan State one and it took off.”

McKelvery came to Miami University after many requests for the creation of a Pubs of Oxford poster.

“I had a lot of requests from people in Chicago,” McKelvery said. “They were angry that I did not have Miami. I said yes and I promised them and I am really glad I came because

your town is awesome.”

Miami University senior Anne Strychalski is working with McKelvery with PR Visions, a student-run public relations firm at Miami University. Strychalski said she thinks the Pubs of Oxford posters will be a hit.

“We think that the posters will be popular at this time of year for either graduation presents of Christmas presents,” Strychalski said. “They are a really unique way of representing Uptown in a creative manner.”

45 East Bar & Grill’s service and bar manager Heather Martin said she is thrilled to be selling McKelvery’s Pubs of Oxford poster.

45 East Bar & Grill currently

has the posters in stock.

“As an artist myself; I love them,” Martin said. “We were shown samples and I was looking forward to the finished product.”

Sophomore Shae Burgess saw the Pubs of Oxford poster online after hearing about it from a friend.

Burgess said she thinks the poster will appeal to residents of Oxford and Miami students alike.

“I think the poster is cute,” Burgess said. “I think that if you did not know what Oxford was it would make you want to visit.”

For more information on McKelvery’s pubsters and to view his other work visit www.pubsof.com.

The posters are $25.00 each.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Editor BILLY RAFAEL

ARTS@miamistudent.net

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Wish lists stay practical

By Eric Moenich

For the Miami Student

After so much talk surrounding new products such as iPad Minis, the Wii U or the iPhone 5, it seemed probable that students at Miami University would mainly be asking for electronics this holiday season.

However, an informal survey of the student body showed quite a diverse range of gift ideas, from clothing irons to puppies. In fact, students seemed to ask for practical and fun gifts in equal measure for the holidays.

The most popular items on students’ wish lists this year seem to be fashion-related. Clothes were the most sought-after item this season, with brands such as Sperry, Lululemon and Patagonia ranking at the top of the list.

“To be honest, I hadn’t even heard of these brands before I came here,” first-year Kate Sherrer said.

“But once I saw them and how many people had them, I really grew to like them too.”

However, not all of these in-demand clothes were fashion statements; many people asked for winter boots, vests, dress clothes and other items of necessity.

In fact, a great deal of students

are asking for more practical items this season.

“I asked for a new Mac charger since mine died and I need it for school,” junior Dallas Ray said. “I also asked for bathroom rugs because my bathroom is boring.”

Money and gift cards are timeless and versatile, so they were also frequently mentioned...along with... an A in chemistry or surviving the end of the Mayan Calendar.

One student even managed to blend practicality with fashion.

“I’m asking for a big suitcase for my time studying abroad,” sophomore Hannah Matgouranis said. “I also asked for a matching hat and scarf because they’re cute!

In addition to practicality, many motivated students asked for items relating to their careers or majors.

“I’m asking for a book called Purple Cow by Seth Godin,” junior

DANCING THROUGH LIFE

Josh Schiets said. “It’s really influential to me because I’m a Marketing major. The author talks about leadership and managing organizations which also really appeals to me since I’m in a fraternity.”

Electronics encompassed the greatest variety of wish list items, from video games to headphones.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II and Assassin’s Creed III topped the gamers’ lists, while movie fanatics tended ask for The Dark Knight Rises and other popular DVD releases. Beats headphones by Dr. Dre were another top pick, along with laptops, the Kindle Fire and the iPhone 5.

The second most popular item in demand came as a surprise. Many students asked for a pet, most commonly a puppy. There may be an influx of new furry visitors to Oxford after winter break.

Money and gift cards are timeless and versatile, so they were also frequently mentioned on students’ lists along with other items such as an A in chemistry or surviving the end of the Mayan Calendar.

The top gift items this holiday season are as diverse as the students and their interests. Here’s to a happy holiday season, regardless of what you asked for!

VALERIE WESTIN THE MIAMI STUDENT

First-year Nicole Berezo and junior Gwendy Miranda perform as part of Dance Theater’s winter concert Saturday in Hall Auditorium.

Brick draws a full crowd for up-and-coming artist

BY Claire Krieger Senior Staff Writer

Thursday night, the Oxford community added another name to the growing list of upcoming stars to play shows at Brick Street Bar and Grill. The genre featured on this occasion was hip-hop, the artist was Long Island-native Hoodie Allen. Influenced by artists like No Doubt and Blink-182, along with underground hip hop acts like Little Brother and Outkast in his youth, Allen has found a blend among all of these genres in his music.

Allen said he is a Woody Allen fan. However, the reason he chose his stage name is because of its play on words, and the irony he finds in being a Jewish kid from New York putting out hip-hop music. The 23 year-old Allen has been writing music since the age of 13 and has been playing shows since 2010. Around the age of 15 he began writing lyrical, underground hip-hop, but quickly realized this music was not as accessible as he wanted it to be, evoking a change in his style.

“I’m more focused on making things that are catchy, that are big,” Allen said. “Things that people can really get a great vibe from.”

Thursday night, the artist played a 14-song set for Oxford fans that included many songs from his debut EP, All American, along with some mash-ups of popular favorites like Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry,” Outkast’s “Roses,” and the surprising inclusion of Miley Cyrus’s “Party In the USA.” Allen is a veteran of playing shows in college towns and, although this was his first time in Oxford, he had high expectations for the Miami University crowd.

“The crowds [in college towns] are a little more loose since people are drinking and having fun,” Allen said. “In some ways there is a lot more interaction because they will be wild and rowdy, and I’ll get rowdy back with them. It also kind of allows us to do a couple more fun things with our set because you

know that not everyone who comes is going to be someone who’s heard 20 songs and is a diehard fan.”

Allen furthered this sentiment during his set in saying that the reason he loves Miami is because of its reputation for bringing in up-andcoming artists and loving music.

Despite a less-than-successful attempt at initiating a dance off, Allen produced a crowd-pleasing set. In a unique turn of events, he explained to the Oxford crowd that he respected them too much to put them through the motions of begging for an encore and instead thanked the crowd for an awesome show and told them this would be his last song. Not surprisingly, Allen saved his hit “No Interruption” for last, to the delight of the audience.

I’m more focused on making things that are catchy, that are big.”

HOODIE ALLEn

MUSICIAN

“[It was] a great show,” sophomore Evan Caprile said. “Hoodie Allen really knows how to connect to his audience, and knows how to make his show entertaining.”

As of late, Allen has been working on multiple projects while on the road. He will release a new project around January of next year that listeners will be able to download for free from his website.

The release of his first full-length album will come later in the year assuming, as Allen stated, “the world doesn’t end.”

Fans can find more information about Hoodie Allen on Facebook and Twitter and at his website www.hoodieallen.com/.

Brick Street is done hosting concerts for the semester, but will offer the Oxford community a full lineup of acts next semester. Shows that have already been announced include Jerrod Niemann Jan. 23 and Florida Georgia Line Feb. 20.

Unique seasonal playlists can help keep 7 essential movies to get your music exciting over winter break you into the holiday spirit MOVIE REVIEW

By Claire Krieger

By Joe Gieringer Staff Writer

Love it or hate it, it’s that time of year: the time when people can finally watch holiday movies again, most likely gaining five pounds stuffing our faces while doing so from the couch. New features may come out every holiday season, but these are seven of the enduring classics that I re-watch each year as the big day draws near.

7. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) How can you not cheer for the little guy? Good ol’ Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang remind us what the true meaning of the season is in this heartwarming classic that we all grew up with.

6. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) I still insist that this multiple Oscar-winner is slightly overrated, but Edmund Gwenn’s portrayal of Kris Kringle is so good that I can’t resist watching it every year. The courtroom scene is a classic, as is the ending. Though it was re-released in color, stick to the black and white version, as it captures the essence of this Christmas classic much more completely.

5. Elf (2003) A surprise by now-renowned director Jon Favreau that stars Will Ferrell as a 6-foot-tall elf, this modern favorite was a hit with critics and audiences alike, grossing a total of $220 million while at the same time attaining an 84 percent “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes. If you don’t quote Elf at least once during December, you need to re-evaluate your priorities.

4. Die Hard 1 & 2 (1988, 1990)

Are they technically Christmas movies? Not really. But I’m putting them on the list regardless, because nothing breaks up the typical fluff of the holiday season quite like sporadic gunfire and John McClain’s witty one-liners. “Now I’ve got a machine gun. Ho Ho Ho.” 3. A Christmas Carol (1984) The 1951 version of A Christmas Carol starring Alastair Sim might get all the publicity, but this made-forTV adaptation is more powerful in narrative and visuals. With George C. Scott as the old miser Ebenezer Scrooge and a frighteningly dark Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, this take on the classic Charles Dickens tale is easily my favorite.

2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) Thurl Ravenscroft and Boris Karloff, enough said. I could listen to these two describe paint dry and I would still be entertained. There’s a time and a place for the Jim Carrey version, but this original film depiction of the beloved Dr. Seuss story is far superior in all aspects.

1. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) Accused by many of being “Capra-corny,” this film found new life in the 70s and 80s to become one of the most beloved holiday movies of all time, and a personal favorite of mine.

It warms my heart each time George Bailey does the right thing to help others at his own expense, and It’s a Wonderful Life is, in fact, frequently regarded as the most inspirational film ever made; one which has not lost its sentimental value with age.

Whether you are avoiding studying for finals or enjoying a nice night in with the family, pop one of these classics in and enjoy.

Senior Staff Writer

The holiday season is in full swing. All of our food is somehow infused with peppermint, the only colors anywhere to be found are red and green, and people are super excited to slap decorations up around their family rooms.

Another inevitable aspect of the season is the music. Every other store you enter and radio station you flip to will be playing a constant loop of the same 50 songs redone by no less than 78 other artists.

Some people love the traditional holiday music, and who can blame them? These are the songs that we have all grown up with and come to associate with the warmth and happiness that only the holidays can bring. This playlist is for the holiday purists.

You could call it your mom’s playlist, but we will just refer to it as classic.

1. The Christmas Song Nat King Cole 2. I’ll Be Home For Christmas Frank Sinatra 3. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree Brenda Lee 4. White Christmas Bing Crosby 5. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) John Lennon 6. Last Christmas Wham!

7. Let It Snow Harry Connick, Jr. 8. Little Saint Nick

The Beach Boys 9. Santa Claus Is Comin’ to

Town Bruce Springsteen 10. This Christmas

Donny Hathaway 11. Wonderful Christmastime

Paul McCartney 12. Do They Know It’s Christ mas?

Band Aid While the classics are great, they can get a bit tired for some people. That’s where these songs come into play. Some of them are remakes of those classics and others are originals. The main thing they have in common that they are done by contemporary, popular artists. So even though the song may be old, this version should give you a whole new perspective on it.

1. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow Michael Bublé 2. All I Want for Christmas Is You Mariah Carey 3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Coldplay 4. Santa Baby Taylor Swift 5. Merry Christmas Darling

Glee Cast 6. Sleigh Ride Fun. 7. Won’t Be Home For Christmas Blink-182 8. Mistletoe

Colbie Collait 9. What Christmas Means to Me

Hanson 10. Christmas (Baby Please

Come Home)

Death Cab for Cutie 11. The Chanukah Song Adam Sandler 12. Christmas Is All Around (from “Love Actually”)

Billy Mack For those of you wanting to really expand your holiday music collection this year, look no further. This list includes many original songs about the season and many variations on those that aren’t originals, all done by some lesser-known artists. Give these songs a try to keep you in the holiday spirit, but give you a taste of something new and different.

1. I Wish It Was Christmas Today

Julian Casablancas 2. Joy To The World

Sufjan Stevens 3. Father Christmas

The Kinks 4. Please Come Home for Christmas Grace Potter and the Nocturnals 5. 12 Days of Christmas

Taking Back Sunday 6. Winter Wonderland

Phantom Planet 7. Maybe This Christmas Ron Sexsmith 8. Baby It’s Cold Outside

She & Him 9. It’s Christmas So We’ll Stop

Frightened Rabbit 10. The Christmas Song

Weezer 11. Holly Jolly Christmas The Format 12. It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas Fruit Bats

www.miamistudent.net

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

5

6

OPINION

Editors RACHEL SACKS SARAH SHEW

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

EDITORIAL

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

Saving The Princess requires collaboration of community Miami students and the Oxford Community are up in arms about the historic Princess movie theater closing. The theater was once a place that offered family bonding, first dates and something to do in the small town atmosphere of Oxford.

The saying, “you don’t know what you have until it’s gone” is ringing true with the Princess, and students and families in Oxford are wondering what the next steps for the theater are.

A surprising number of students and families in Oxford have put up Facebook statuses and started groups saying “Save The Princess,” marking an occasion where students and Oxford residents have come together on an issue involving the Oxford landscape.

The Miami Student editorial board feels that students and community members need to work together and put words into action to find a solution that will get the Princess back on its feet and figure out what it will take to make it more profitable.

Even though posting a Facebook status saying “Save the princess” alerts your friends that you care about this issue, we must go farther than social media.

Community members are urging those who want to find a solution to attend the city council meeting 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Oxford Courthouse.

By going to the meeting, we can help indicate what would

make students go to the theater, and how needed renovations like digital projectors and heat can go a long way.

Though old and in desperate need of rennovation, we take pride in the theater, as do countless families in Oxford.

Alumni can recall their first dates there and sometimes it is the only building recognizable to them among the new construction at Miami.

It carries memories for people who live here and it creates shared and relatable experiences for students who want other options on weekends besides going to bars.

We have to think of this as a second chance for not only saving The Princess, but having the power to update it and make it better for the future.

It is clear that this theater means so much to so many people, even if they just noticed it because of its closing.

To truly save The Princess theater, the solution doesn’t just involve renovating the theater or changing the owner, it is also keeping up with the theater, attending it more than once a year and speaking up about issues before something like this happens again.

We encourage students and Oxford citizens to attend the city council meeting tonight.

We need to work together to save and maintain this historic, beloved landmark.

Rule of Thumb Warm weather The warm temperatures are nice-until you remember it’s December.

Synchronized skating Congratulations to the open collegiate and varsity teams at their first competition this season!

‘Pubs of Oxford’ Pubster Check out the new illustrated posters of Uptown Oxford! 3

Holiday robberies Learn how to prevent robberies over break by consulting the ASG guide. 2

Queer Prom Congratulations to Spectrum for hosting the first LGBTQ semiformal! 1

New parking meters Thanks for the new off-campus parking but do you still have to nickel and dime us? 1

Computer breakdowns Technology issues and finals week do not mix.

editorial@miamistudent.net

LETTER TO the editor

Global Studies Center would benefit Miami Why do Ohio University, the University of Cincinnati, Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University, Kent State University, the University of Dayton, the University of Akron, Cleveland State University and our peer institutions William and Mary and the University of Virginia, all have global studies centers but Miami University does not?

These centers present one of the best models for an interdisciplinary twenty-first century university education with the frugality mandated by economic realities of higher education.

Global, regional and international studies are inherently interdisciplinary; giving students the best education campuses have to offer.

A simple Google search using the keywords “global international studies centers” results in about 254,000,000 hits. I cannot admit to having checked every one of these links but the majority of results in the first ten pages were links to university or college-based centers representing interdisciplinary and interdepartmental institutionalization of forward-looking curricula, faculty development and extracurricular initiatives.

These centers have been charged with a diverse set of goals but all generally serve to support research, campus events and innovative interdisciplinary teaching meant to prepare students and inform faculty on the global challenges neither well-understood nor well-taught by deeply entrenched nineteenth century academic categories and divisions of labor.

That is to say, none of these global studies centers involve single disciplinary or preferred academic foci; they are not housed in single departments nor associated with parochial interests.

They are, by their nature, interdisciplinary and present students with possibilities for curriculum and career development not found

in the standard departmental and academic categories with which we are all familiar.

Moreover, these programs tend to house both academic and non-academic institutions; departments or programs of international studies as well as centers for American and world cultures, women’s centers, centers for Russian and Post-Soviet studies and offices of international education, to use existing Miami institutions as examples of units included in such centers.

Simultaneously, the government’s share of bearing the costs of maintaining an educated citizenry has declined in real dollars from 38.3 percent in 1991-1992 to 24.4 percent in 2008-2009 (according to the March 2012 research by the non-partisan Demos).

According to the National Commission on the Costs of Higher Education, between 1987 and 1996, the instructional costs per student increased by 57 percent while the total costs of attendance, the tuition and fees institutions charge students, has increased in the same period by 132 percent.

In response, enrollment rates in many states have dropped, most notably in California where enrollment rates have dropped by one-fifth in five years. Universities have responded, as they must, with efforts to recruit and retain students, decrease institutional costs, develop innovative curricula and teaching (“doing more with less”) and cater to the current generation of students.

Catering to the “client” students in this competitive environment means bond sales for new facilities, recreation centers, and new dorms, and student centers with movie theaters, bowling alleys and dining halls that ensure the availability of food options from sushi to stir-fry.

The administrative infrastructure essential for managing the complexity of America’s preferred

fledgling experiences necessarily increases as well. As a result, instructional costs, on average, account for 19 percent of university expenditures, while institutional and student service costs together constitute 78 percent of university expenditures (National Center for Education Statistics 2010).

So, how are these two apparently separate issues in higher education, costs and interdisciplinary education, related?

Well, part of “catering to the current generation of students” involves, in my view, presenting creative new degree alternatives for students without significantly increasing the university’s instructional costs.

Global and international studies centers can do just that as well as furthering Miami’s efforts to have students study abroad and attract students from abroad to study at Miami.

Indeed, they have largely been constructed for exactly those purposes without adding significant costs to the universities that house them: the faculty resources for such a center are largely already in place.

Miami University already benefits from some talented faculty members whose scholarship and teaching focuses on international and global topics.

Isn’t it time that our university create an institution, housed in a single location that facilitates academic partnerships, and promotes interdisciplinary international education?

Let’s develop a center where our faculty can build creative curricular alternatives, the university can continue to offer interesting speakers, activities and educational opportunities and our students can be better prepared to creatively engage a dynamic world.

CHARLES STEVENS

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES LECTURER

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012 OP ED

7

ESSAY

ESSAY

Holiday celebrations lose true Democrats, Republicans need to come togethmeaning to commercialization er in mutual understanding to resolve fiscal cliff It was only a few weeks before Thanksgiving and the weather outside was positively beautiful: the sun shining, the birds singing, the temperature perfectly appropriate for a fall stroll.

Naturally, Americans took to stringing their outdoor Christmas lights, which is truly a wise endeavor, yet the sudden influx of the lights being lit suddenly lessens Thanksgiving’s sheen.

The Thanksgiving holiday is shoved aside, making way for the tidal wave of Christmas cheer. Thanksgiving is reduced to simply another excuse to overeat.

Of course, aren’t many of our other holidays following the same path?

It seems as though many of our celebrations either lose their meaning or gain a new, modernized theme.

The Fourth of July has become less of a celebration of our independence and rights and more of a sloppy explosion-fest.

We ignore the over 25,000 American soldiers lost in the Revolutionary War battle, and instead focus on the $600 million spent on fireworks.

According to a poll from the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, only 58 percent of Americans know that 1776 is the year the United States declared independence from Great Britain, while 25 percent of Americans didn’t even know we declared independence!

Naturally, such a fantastic holiday wouldn’t be complete without America’s favorite celebration pastime: drinking.

The Fourth of July ranks number one in beer sale occasions; the Huffington Post reports the sale of 68.3 million cases of beer each Independence Day. Perhaps this is why the Fourth of July is the deadliest holiday of the year due to fatal alcohol-related crashes.

Meanwhile, for Saint Patrick’s Day we barely even attempt to remember our reason for celebrating. Many only know to wear green and drink.

True Irish traditions are entirely ignored.

In fact, Christina Mahony, acting director of Catholic University’s Center for Irish Studies in Washington, D.C. claims that Saint Patrick’s Day in Ireland was traditionally a Catholic feast day and a holy day of obligation.

Most had the day off from work, went to mass and prepared a family meal. Mahony even remembers Irish pubs remaning closed on Saint Patrick’s Day! Yet Americans pursue Saint Patrick’s Day rejoicing through their estimated 13 million pints of Guinness beer.

Of course, Christmas remains the most obvious example of a holiday undergoing a connotation change.

Gone are the days of the simplistic families giving children three or four presents and expressing sincere gratitude.

We’ve adopted a “Dudley Dursley” mindset, counting our gifts, comparing our number to previous years.

And the worst part? We are shocked, disgusted and even enraged when we don’t get what we asked for.

The Red Cross reports that 26 percent of Americans will spend less on charitable donations this holiday season. Christmas has become less about the need to give and be gracious and has evolved into a more-than-month-long episode of materialism.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and A Christmas Carol sit untouched in the DVD pile, while children watch A Christmas Story.

It’s an adorable movie, yet it reeks of consumerism. After all, isn’t a Red Rider Air Rifle simply the iPad of yesteryear?

The original Christmas story is forgotten; Mary, Joseph and their precious child in a manger tossed aside.

Religious affiliations aside, I don’t believe Christmas was ever meant to appear as it currently does with mile-long wish lists and mile-high piles of wrapping paper.

Perhaps I’m being a bit of a traditionalist, but I miss the simple holidays with family, hearty food, and the wholesomeness they would bring.

I have incredible hope that we may eventually tune down these holiday themes of materialism, gluttony, wastefulness and drunkenness.

But for now, our holidays seem to entail gingerbread mansion, present mountains, ignorant barbecues, and sloppy days celebrating “Irish” luck.

HAILEY GILMAN

GILMAnHE@muohio.edu

The fall of the housing market and the 2008 recession, the 2011 debt ceiling debate and narrow miss of government default, and now the 2013 fiscal cliff, are all chronic problems that are products of our government’s failure to act on the behalf of citizens.

It is the short-sightedness of our congressional members that prevents the real and necessary change that our fiscal plan needs.

The fiscal cliff that will be exceeded in less than a month on the first day of 2013, threatens the stability of our already-struggling nation.

Yet even with this potential crisis dangerously close, our congressional representatives are no more near compromise than they were months ago.

No wonder only 9 percent of Americans have trust in Congress, reported by a CBS News poll from last year.

We still feel the effects today of political gridlock and lack of compromise years past between members of Congress.

According to Huffington Post, last summer’s political crisis over the debt ceiling and the narrow avoidance of a government shutdown and national default (USA Today 30) is costing American taxpayers almost $19 billion over the next ten years.

The cleavages between the two parties caused the drawn-out and near crisis of the 2011 debate over the debt ceiling.

The limit is the maximum the U.S. can borrow, and was finally raised by $2.4 trillion to $16.4 trillion according to The New York Times after the disagreements between the Republicans who support spending cuts, and the Democrats who vouch for lifting spending limits, were ironed out.

One would expect such a political fiasco to spark a wake-up call for Congress to act quickly and put aside their differences.

But by raising the debt ceiling, they barely solved the shortterm problem, and made our chronic lack of fiscal discipline even worse.

The ceiling they set just a year ago will once again be hit, in what The New York Times believes will be by the end of the year.

Along with this problem looms an even bigger one, the 2013 fiscal cliff. It is the expiration of the Bush era tax cuts that will

bring an onset of $600 billion in tax increases and across-theboard spending cuts amounting to $1.2 trillion, according to the Christian Science Monitor.

Yet the Democrats and Republicans are still at each other’s necks.

The number one goal for congressional members regarding action on today’s fiscal cliff is, stated by PolicyMic, the avoidance of it.

But the real question is whether

that the necessary long-term and revolutionary reforms that our country’s fiscal plan truly needs, will most likely not occur.

Our political representatives are forgetting their duties to their nation.

Our government was established as a republic, to serve the people.

Yet I cannot help but notice our congressmen doing the exact opposite by remaining more polarized and stubborn than

According to the Christian Science Monitor, instead of fighting for consensus, President Barack Obama remains more set than ever on ending tax cuts for the wealthy while maintaining cuts for the middle class.

a plan to avoid the cliff can even be decided upon. Right now, these chances are bleak.

All hopes of compromise ended last Thursday when, according to Money Morning, when the president presented a ‘renewed’ fiscal plan…one that had not even changed from the one that failed a month before.

According to the Christian Science Monitor, instead of fighting for consensus, President Barack Obama remains more set than ever on ending tax cuts for the wealthy while maintaining the cuts for the middle class.

His plan involves a whole twitter movement with the hash tag, “my 2k,” that mobilizes citizens in his favor.

Sorry President, but you may be dealing with more on your hands than pushing for your own agenda; we may be dealing with the recurrence of our last recession that we still have not overcome.

To avoid the fiscal cliff is a risky plan; by avoiding it, our country runs into the likelihood that more short-term measures that only delay and worsen our debt problems occur.

And if history repeats itself, as it has done all too well over and over, I believe that if the fiscal cliff is avoided, the likelihood

ever when compromises are so desperately needed.

Congress members have forgotten their duty to their country.

They do not look at many of their fellow members as colleagues united to serve their country, but instead as individuals divided along the lines of ideology.

When will our country’s debt of $16 trillion be enough to open the eyes of our delegates that enough is enough?

According to the U.S. Debt Clock, we are already exceeding our national debt limit by over 100 billion dollars.

The answer is, no real and revolutionary changes will be made until the general population.

Thus our political representatives puts aside their rejection of higher taxes in the short-run in order to revitalize our nation and prevent future crises.

Presently, we are not looking towards the future for our children and grandchildren, or the health of our great nation.

We must bear some pain now before our future falls in the shambles of a failed fiscal plan and debt disaster.

Jessica Ball

balljl3@muohio.edu

IF THE SHEW FITS SARAH SHEW

Teaching responsibility doesn’t always guarantee respectful behavior

As “adults,” (in quotes because seriously, we’re not really adults when it’s still acceptable to take your laundry home to your mom) we’re supposed to be responsible.

We’re supposed to go to class, pay our bills and help our fellow man.

We’re basically supposed to do the right thing, and we expect everyone else to do the same.

But sometimes it seems like the “golden rule” gets lost somewhere in between sharing your crayons and sharing your cubicle.

I held the door for two older women entering Harrison Hall the other day who seemed genuinely shocked that I did so.

They showered me with gratitude as if I was their grandchild who’d just brought them flowers.

Today, I watched someone do the same thing for three Miami University girls who didn’t even stop their conversation to acknowledge him, and I thought: have we lost our responsibility to our fellow man?

Where did that sense of looking out for each other go?

Was that just a nostalgic idea, moral responsibility?

This semester, I had two very different experiences with owners of Oxford businesses that really made me think about this concept.

We have a choice, regardless of age, status or career, to treat people with the respect we expect in return.

In September, I wanted a new hairstyle before my crucially important 21st birthday, but had no time to go to my ever-wonderful stylist back home.

I made an appointment with Luna Blu Salon, because after months marveling at the beauty of the salon itself, I figured a little trip would be a great present to myself.

I could not have been more mistaken.

Let me first explain something about hair salons and women: we

pay for the experience as much as the end result.

We love the smell of the hair color, the chatter of the gossip through hair dryers and snipping scissors.

So when I paid almost one hundred and twenty dollars for three tedious hours in a salon, at the end of which I blow-dried and styled my own hair and missed work here at The Student, I was upset to say the least.

Having never experienced something like this at any previous salon, I decided to call the salon later in the week to convey my unhappiness and hopefully receive some reimbursement.

Instead, I was told that I should have been charged more money for having thicker hair than most people, and that it was my own fault, essentially, that my appointment took so much time.

I was offered no compensation, and am continuously baffled by this irresponsible handling of a customer, and fellow person.

Now I offer a converse example.

A friend hit my car a few weeks ago, and very kindly and promptly offered to pay for the repairs. This in itself is

the kind of responsibility we rarely see in Oxford, where students hit each other’s cars like they’re playing bumper cars with their Mercedes.

With this in mind, I went hunting for the best auto body shop in the area.

Many of the people I talked to were short with me, offering me bottom line numbers with little explanation, assuming I’d be one of those girls who would just hand over daddy’s platinum card and pay whatever price they offered.

There was one shop, Stateline Auto Body, which stood out immediately from these, whose staff was exceedingly kind and thorough. I brought my car there last Monday and picked it up on Friday.

I’m not a car person. Cars don’t excite me.

But when they opened the garage and my little car was shining at me in its exquisite silver flawlessness, I seriously felt like Christmas came early.

The fact that it looked brand new was particularly magical to me, since I’m so un-savvy about cars that I don’t know how to turn off

my oil change reminder.

The staff explained all the repairs to me in language I could understand, helped me with payment options, and even picked me up to get my car when it was finished.

I pulled out in my clean looking and smelling car (they even cleaned the inside, no charge), thinking about the dichotomy between these experiences.

I realized that the moral “responsibility” we have to respect each other shouldn’t really be called a responsibility.

We aren’t always held accountable by society if we’re nice to each other or not.

There are successful people who treat others terribly; there are businesses that will make money even if they treat some customers terribly.

Maybe it isn’t responsibility, but freedom.

We have a choice, regardless of age, status or career, to treat people with the respect we expect in return.

Long after this holiday season, when kindness is no longer advertised, we should remember this choice.

8

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

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TUESDAY, DEcember 4, 2012 SPORTS

WOMEN’S BBALL, FROM PAGE 14

and four rebounds, including hitting all 10 free throws that she attempted.

“I have that confidence that when I go up to the free throw line, that I’m going to make it,” Larson said.

The RedHawks started the game on a 14-2 run over the first 6:42, capped by baskets from junior guards Hannah Robertson and Haley Robertson. However, the RedHawks offense stalled for the next eight minutes, as the Minutewomen outscored Miami 12-4 to pull within 18-14 at the 5:36 mark. Jumpers by Olowinski and Hannah Robertson gave the RedHawks a 22-16 lead at the half.

Miami’s starters carried the team in the second half, as

Olowinski, Larson, Hannah Robertson, Haley Robertson, and junior forward Erica Almady played together for most of the remaining 20 minutes.

“For us to do well in the MAC we have to have 5-7 players start to separate themselves,” Head Coach Maria Fantanarosa said.

“When that happens, the substitute minutes are just as important, but not as many. But we’re not going to be able to do it alone with this group.”

The RedHawks went scoreless for the first 7:29 of the second half, but strong defense kept Massachusetts to only seven points during that period leaving the Minutewomen with a 23-22 lead. Almady snapped the scoreless drought with 12:31 left to give Miami a brief 24-23 lead, but Massachusetts responded with a 5-2 run to give them a 28-

A PSYCHOLOGICAL, HORROR-THRILLER

BY MIAMI GRAD RICK LEY In the deepest recesses of everyone’s mind lurks an irrepressible force just biding time, waiting for the opportune moment to unleash the full measure of its fury. Such would happen one sunny day in July 1988, when a young man’s madness—years in the making—boiled over into a blind rage that irrevocably altered the fate of many within the labyrinthine depths of an abandoned Colorado gold mine. So prepare yourself for an emotion-filled, cataclysmic adventure about four Huron College students whose friendship is betrayed by the physical and emotional terror inflicted by one of their own, as 450 years of history is about to resurrect itself along the banks of a picturesque rivulet the settlers aptly named Ghost Creek.

About the author: Rick Ley is an independent environmental consultant who works from his home office in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Rick has a Master of Environmental Science degree from Miami University '90 and an undergraduate degree in geology from Waynesburg College (Waynesburg, PA) '86.

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26 lead, their largest of the game, at the 11:14 mark.

A three-point play by junior center Kelsey Simon gave Miami back the lead at 29-28. The three points from Simon were the only bench points the Red and White had all game. Over the next four minutes, the RedHawks put the game out of reach with an 11-2 run to make the score 40-30 with 4:41 left. Massachusetts went on a 7-0 run to pull within three, but Larson ended any comeback hopes with a jumper to make it a two-possession game late. Miami hit their free throws down the stretch to expand their lead and hold on to the 50-40 win.

Hannah Robertson and Almady both finished with eight points, with Robertson adding five assists and six steals in addition to stifling perimeter defense. Robertson held Massachusetts guard Emily Mital, a 54 percent three point shooter, to 2-13 shooting beyond the arc. The Minutewomen shot 26.3 percent (15 for 57) from the field and had 21 turnovers.

“I was proud of our team,” Fantanarosa said. “Everyone that got good minutes, they just took their game to the next level.”

The RedHawks return to action 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in their fifth annual Class at the Court game, hosting Wright State University.

Wright State has a 2-3 record on the season, including a win over Mid-American Conference member, the University at Buffalo.

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University Senate changes department review process

By Allison McGillivray Campus Editor

Miami University Senate approved changes to the Academic Program Review and heard updates on the Miami 2020 Plan and the Regional Division Implementation Committee.

The Academic Program Review Committee (APRC) selects departments to review on a rotating basis.

Departments will now have to complete a study of things they have done in the past, what plan they would like to do in the future and how they expect to implement that plan. They will present these documents to their review team.

According to Jim Oris dean of the Graduate School and chair of APRC the changes to the Academic Program Review process will cause departments to focus on their future goals as opposed to their past performance.

“You are focused on what you are going to do in the

EQUESTRIAN, FROM PAGE 2

hope will someday hold an indoor arena, and then the outdoor arena.

“I don’t know if there is enough money for an indoor arena,” Petrick said. “But I’m hoping we can get one soon because riding outside in the winter is quite an experience.”

Director of Riding Lori Cramer said she hopes the positive attention around the program will help lead to the addition of an indoor arena.

“We’re so grateful that we’re

COOK FIELD, FROM PAGE 2

paths for safety and a re-leveling of the field.

“We also planted 60 new trees around the field, a lot of them near the running track in order to provide shade,” Seibert said.

For those worrying about a lack of parking due to the construction, the issue was kept in mind during construction, Seibert said.

“We reconfigured the entry to the parking lot, but no parking spaces were lost,” Seibert said.

“A few were moved, but there are still the same number of spots available.”

Junior Luke Custer doesn’t think the updates are a necessity for Miami at this point in time.

“I don’t think the changes – I wouldn’t necessarily call them improvements – to Cook Field are necessary,” Custer said. “It’s like the old saying, ‘If it ain’t

future,” Oris said. “You’re not just focused on past performance. That’s going to change the game a lot.”

Oris is also the co-chair of Regional Division Implementation Committee. He provided Senate with an update on the process of making the regional campuses an academic division.

Oris said the committee is working on developing a name for the division as well as focusing on how to establish curriculum, accreditation, promotion and tenure etc.

The Regional Division Implementation Committee will give their final report in January, according to Oris.

James Kiper, professor of computer science, and Phyllis Callahan, dean of the College of Arts and Science, gave a presentation on the Miami 2020 plan.

Kiper and Callahan discussed the some of the metrics that will be used to measure the success of the target goals determined by the Miami 2020 Coordinating Team. doing this,” Cramer said. “I’d like to keep the momentum of it going so we can move forward so the entire program can be under one roof.”

Students in the spring KNH classes will start with classes inside the Recreational Sports Center and then will be able to make the transition to the actual riding portion of the class. That will be the last semester in which students won’t be able to have the classroom portion of the class at the Equestrian Center. The new additions include a bigger on-site classroom. broke, don’t fix it,’ and I don’t believe anything was wrong, or even needed to be improved, with how Cook Field was before the changes. There are plenty of other areas Miami could focus putting more money into, such as processes and support with career development for students.”

Sophomore Sarah Bores has similar concerns regarding the updates.

“At first, I was pretty excited to hear about the updates at Cook, but as the year has gone on, my opinion has begun to change,” Bores said. “I think redoing the track and adding bathrooms are reasonable changes, but the turf is a little excessive. Personally, I think the money and focus could have gone elsewhere and benefitted all students more so – such as improving campus internet quality, keeping student worker bonuses, etc. A turf field seems great at first, but in the long run, will not help or improve the education of our students.”

www.miamistudent.net

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

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FYI

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

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

Lauren Ceronie Editor in Chief

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PROM,

FROM PAGE 1

especially for prom. Barger said she wore a suit to prom when she would have felt more comfortable in a ball gown.

“Many of us weren’t out in high school or couldn’t be very outgoing about it if we were,” Barger said. “This event can’t replace the high school experience, but it does

remind us that there are places where we can be ourselves.”

Senior Dylan Mosley was an attendee who had been out for his high school proms. He said the biggest difference that he felt between the events was the size. However, according to Mosley and a number of others at the event, the small size was not necessarily a negative point.

“Most of the people here (at Queer Prom) already know each

Roommate Needed ROOMATE NEEDED NEXT SEMESTER 412 B North Beech. One roomate needed for next semester (January 2013-May). $2,800 for semester. Large bedroom with attached private bathroom. Please contact Maxine Gordon 440-4658335 Roommate Needed 2nd Semester fro 217 N Campus. Prestigious home in excellent location. 2 blocks from slant walk. Contact Red Brick at 524.9340. Visit our website at www.redbrickmiami.com other, the event is really small, but I think it is more comfortable for some people,” Mosley said.

Queer Prom was included in the Spectrum sponsored “Out Week” activities and marked the last major event of the semester.

According to Turnbow, Spectrum has already begun planning for its largest and most visible event “Awareness Week” which is scheduled to begin March 19.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

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SPORTS

Editor TOM DOWNEY

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012 JM RIEGER

HOCKEY

Living in a BCS FAntasy World

’Hawks sweep Nanooks

The RIEGER REPORT

Northern Illinois University (NIU) deserves its berth in the Discover Orange Bowl.

However, it is not because of the Huskies’ 12-1 record, their No. 15 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) ranking or the fact they have won 21 of their last 22 games, the best mark in college football over that span. Rather, NIU earned its way to a BCS game.

The BCS selection procedures, written by university presidents from each of the automatic qualifying conferences, clearly outline why the Huskies deserve their spot in South Beach.

NIU finished in the BCS top 16 and finished ahead of Wisconsin and Louisville, who each clinched at least a share of their conference championship. On top of this, due to Alabama’s No. 2 ranking and Florida’s No. 3 ranking, four other Southeastern Conference teams in the top 10 could not be considered for a BCS game.

Plus, this year the Orange Bowl selected its “at-large” team last per the BCS bowl rotation — it had to select NIU. No postseason model is more outdated or flawed in collegiate or professional sports than the BCS. The best teams often do not face off, and some of the top teams are often excluded due to BCS rules. Despite this, Northern Illinois deserves this berth, regardless of its resume.

Fans do not mind if a wild card team wins a championship or if the top seed in the playoffs loses in the first round; at the end of the day the champion is the best, regardless of the circumstances.

Louisville is No. 21 and Wisconsin is unranked, yet conference tie-ins mean both schools earn

BCS bowl berths while five of the top 11 teams are left on the outside looking in.

The BCS should not be taken seriously.

It does not match up the best teams and does not give fans the best experience. Rather, it concentrates revenue among the power conferences and programs.

Northern Illinois, much like Boise State in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, is playing for much more than the name on the front of the jersey; the Huskies are playing for the future of college football.

Given the recent conference realignment, “super-conferences” are more prevalent than ever. It is not hard to imagine a future postseason system that relies solely on teams from the “power” conferences.

The legitimacy of mid-major conferences is riding on this game.

The Mid-American Conference has never sent a team to a BCS game. The Huskies have one of the best offenses in college football, and junior quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate Jordan Lynch might be the key to sticking with Florida State’s defense.

A blowout is the last thing Northern Illinois can afford. This would undermine every mid-major school fighting for a seat at the table.

A bad game by the Huskies does not mean they did not deserve a BCS berth. Do college football fans think Cincinnati cannot play in another BCS game following a beatdown by Florida three years ago?

But, if NIU plays the Seminoles close, it could lead to future postseason changes.

Salvaging the future of college football begins Jan. 1. Let’s hope the BCS-busting dogs can find some low-hanging fruit.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

RedHawks grind out win over Massachusetts

By Kennan Belau For The Miami Student

The Miami University women’s basketball team improved to 4-3 on the season with a 50-40 win over the University of Massachusetts Minutewomen Saturday.

The RedHawks were without the services of senior guard Courtney Osborn, who leads the team with 19.2 points and 5.2 assists per game. Saturday’s game was Osborn’s first career missed game with injury, and she is listed as day-to-day with a head injury.

In Osborn’s absence, the rest of the team stepped up with a strong defensive effort, while being led on offense by senior forward Kirsten Olowinski and sophomore guard Courtney Larson, who made her first career

sports@miamistudent.net

start. Olowinski finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds, recording her second double-double of the season and 32nd of her career.

Olowinski is now only 3 double-doubles away from tying the all-time record of 35, currently held by Monica Niemann (199195). With three blocks Saturday, Olowinski is now the all-time blocks leader for the Red and White, passing AuBree Hamilton’s (1996-2000) record of 134.

“Being a senior, I did feel a need to lead a little bit more than normal without my other senior out there,” Olowinksi said. “But at the same time we have great underclassmen and other upperclassmen.”

Larson finished with 12 points

WOMEN’S BBALL,

LAUREN OLSON THE MIAMI STUDENT

Miami University sophomore forward Blake Coleman prepares for a face-off in a recent game against Michigan State University. Coleman has seven points on the season for the Central Collegiate Hockey Association leading RedHawks.

BY Joe Gieringer Staff Writer

The Miami University men’s hockey team returns home with two more wins under its belt, remaining at the top of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) standings after picking up six points with a sweep of the University of Alaska Nanooks.

Despite sloppy play Friday, the RedHawks (9-2-3, 6-2-2-2 CCHA) jumped out to an early lead thanks in large part to a pair of goals by sophomore forward Cody Murphy. Classmate Austin Czarnik added two goals and an assist to the mix, while his linemates, freshman Riley Barber and senior Curtis McKenzie, notched a goal and assist as well.

The third period came to a close with Miami in a comfortable 5-2 lead, as freshman goaltender Jay Williams made 31 saves in the contest which saw Alaska outshoot Miami 33-30.

“We were opportunistic on our chances [Friday],” Head Coach Enrico Blasi said. “I didn’t think we played a complete game, but I thought we played well at times where we made some nice plays and were able to capitalize on those things.”

Miami continued to light up

the scoreboard on Saturday as they cruised to a 4-0 win, though the production came from some unlikely candidates. Senior forward Marc Hagel scored his first two goals as a RedHawk since transferring from Princeton at the beginning of the season.

Sophomore forward Jimmy Mullin, who was third in scoring for Miami last season with 26 points, nabbed a goal and an assist as well.

But the biggest news of the night was the return of freshman goaltender Ryan McKay, who started in his first game since being injured at Michigan Oct. 26, netting his second shutout on the year to boot.

“It was an all-around great team effort, especially defensively,” McKay said of the RedHawks’ Saturday night victory.

“We knew that they were going to come out hard … but we were able to keep on battling.”

Blasi added that with the return of McKay, the goaltending rotation will most likely look like the Cody Reichard/Connor Knapp combination of years past.

“We probably would have been doing this earlier in the season if Ryan hadn’t gotten hurt, but he deserves to go back in there,” Blasi said. “You don’t want to

take out somebody’s spot just because they got hurt, so … it’s going to be one of those things where we have to make decisions every week now.”

McKay has played just 190 minutes this year, the equivalent of just over three games. In that time, the freshman has recorded two shutouts and allowed only a single goal, and he boasts an astounding .989 save percentage and a .32 goals against average.

In his five-week absence, classmate Jay Williams has been solid between the pipes, obtaining a 5-2-2 record that includes two shootout wins and a shutout. His save percentage is .918, good for second among CCHA freshman goaltenders who have played in at least a third of his team’s games.

“It feels great knowing that we’ve got two goalies back there that are going to help us get wins every night,” Czarnik said. “You know, Jay played great the first night and Ryan came back from his injury and just played stellar.

It’s a big thing for us as a team.”

The RedHawks have a full week of practice before facing off against CCHA foe Lake Superior State on Dec. 7 and 8 at the Goggin Ice Arena. The puck drops 7:35 p.m. Friday and 7:05 p.m. Saturday.

MEN’S BASKETBALL IPFW........... 57 Miami............. 56

Miami at Evansville wednesday, 8:05 p.m.

SEE PAGE 9

A last second lay-up sunk the Miami University men’s basketball team (3-3), as it fell to Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) 57-56 Saturday.

The Red and White were led by junior forward Will Felder, who posted a career-high 15 points and a gamehigh eight rebounds.

The RedHawks held a 10 point lead at the half, but IPFW shot 54.2 percent from the field in the second half to complete the comeback.

The ’Hawks now travel to 4-3 University of Evansville.

TRACK & FIELD

Red and White run over competition at Mastodon Opener

By Reis Thebault

For the Miami Student

The Miami University women’s Track and Field team started the indoor season off with a bang, winning 10 events and setting personal records at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) Mastodon Opener on Saturday.

The RedHawk women dominated the competition, which included IPFW, Valparaiso University, Oakland University and several unattached runners, placing first in all but six events.

“We are a much better team than we were a year ago,” Head Coach Kelly Phillips said. “Everyone threw farther, jumped farther

and ran faster than last year.”

A bright spot in Miami’s already blinding performance was redshirt senior Samantha Gable. Gable, who redshirted last year to student teach, did not miss a beat in her year off as she claimed the pole position in weight throw and took third in shot put.

“Last year was really hard,” Gable said. “I put in a lot of work over fall and this summer to maintain where I was.”

It is readily apparent that her diligence paid off, as she tallied a 17.07m toss in the weight throw, setting a personal record and moving her up to third in Miami’s record books.

Alexandra Roberts, a redshirt

senior, rounded out a strong showing for ‘Hawks throwers, recording a 14.69m throw in the shot put.

Miami’s runners also proved to be a force to be reckoned with.

They claimed the top four spots in the 60-meter hurdles, the top seven in the one-mile run and the top four in the 3000 meter run, among other first place finishes.

Junior Ashley Zaper contributed to the record-setting day, as she set or tied her personal best in all three events she competed in; high jump, 60m hurdles and shot put.

“I haven’t jumped that since my freshman year,” Zaper said.

“Everyone came pretty close to, if not set their PR (personal record). Everyone has been working

since August and this showed us what for.”

However, the ’Hawks work is not done yet. The Mastodon Opener serves as a gauge for the RedHawks. It lets the team know what it is doing well and what it needs to work on during winter break.

Phillips is optimistic about her team.

“If they do what they should do over Christmas, it should be a great season,” Phillips said. “We have a couple people that could do really well and qualify for nationals. It could be a great year.”

Miami is one of the few teams that do not meet over the holiday break and their next meet is over a month away. This could become

problematic for the ‘Hawks if they fall behind on training, but the team appears focused and motivated entering the break.

“We have to keep doing what we are doing, training wise,” Gable said. “We all have something specifically that we need to work on.”

Gable also shares in her coach’s optimism for the upcoming season.

“I think we are going to be a really good team this year,” Gable said. “I think it is going to be better than we have been the last few years. It’s going to be a good run.”

The RedHawks have the next month off for finals and winter break and look to build on their success Jan. 18 at the Gladstein Invitational in Bloomington, Indiana.