The Miami Student Oldest university newspaper in the United States, established 1826
VOLUME 137 NO. 53
Friday, April 16, 2010
In 1954, The Miami Student reported on the attempt to form a Senior Week. Five hundred votes were needed to pass program but only 244 students approved of the plan. One respondent said, “Since when does Miami U. have the spirit to do things together?”
CAMPUS
Miami announces detailed BSC plans
By Dylan Tussel and Jessica Sink Senior Staff Writers
Until now, many of the proposed ideas about the design of Miami University’s Bicentennial Student Center (BSC) have been tentative, but this week a more defined plan and conceptualization of the facility was presented to university senate and Associated Student Government (ASG). At the university senate meeting Monday, Robert Keller, university architect and campus planner, and David Creamer, vice president for finance and business services, discussed how the BSC will accommodate students in a way the Shriver Center fails to. Keller said in the competitive marketplace of higher education, there is a visible need for a larger, more modern student center. Keller said the average student center on college campuses has 12 square feet per student. Shriver has 6.5 square feet per student. The BSC will be about 200,000 square feet — almost twice as large as Shriver, Keller said. This would increase the amount of square feet per student to slightly above the national average. In addition to providing more space for the student body, the BSC will provide more space exclusively reserved for student use. Barbara Jones, vice president for student affairs, said at Tuesday’s ASG meeting there will be more space allocated for student organizations in the BSC and an application process will determine which groups are granted office space there. “The application process will be through the student activities office, and there will be some spaces that are assigned more permanently than others,” Jones said, noting certain spaces will be reassigned annually. Jones said more than 100 student organizations will be provided meeting space in the BSC. The application process has not been finalized. The BSC will also provide students vastly more study space than Shriver. “We minimized administrative offices (in the BSC) so most of the space could be utilized by students,” Keller said. Jonathan McNabb, outgoing student body president, said lessening administrative offices in the BSC is practical for a university like Miami, as students at comparable public schools in Ohio have
wSee BSC, page 13
Cuts loom for King Library By Samuel Baird For The Miami Student
Due to the budget cutbacks that have plagued Miami University, the school’s library system will reduce available services and hours of operation fall 2010. Lisa Santucci, information services librarian, said the libraries will no longer offer e-reserves, poster printing or 24/7 access to the King Library facility as of the fall 2010 semester. According to Santucci, these steps are necessary for maintaining the libraries’ essential functions. “In these times, we have to examine what is really core to our mission,” Santucci said. “The library is here to support the curriculum.” In regard to eliminating e-reserves, Belinda Barr, assistant dean for information service, said most professors now use their Blackboard sites to post readings electronically. The library will explain the basic process of uploading readings to Blackboard for faculty and administrators with no prior experience, but from that point the
wSee LIBRARY, page 14
Kofenya opens second shop to Hamilton community By Abbie Harper Senior Staff Writer
The Kofenya coffee shop expanded its success last week when a second store officially opened its doors April 8 at 221 High Street in Hamilton. The new store uses the same name and menu and embraces the same atmosphere, but owner Liz Snyder said it definitely
Enrico Blasi, men’s ice hockey coach, signs a contract that lasts until 2017.
attracts a different audience. “It’s different because Hamilton’s different,” Snyder said. “At the Hamilton store, we’re not expecting our main customers to be college students. We’re going to get much more of the business professional type people that live down there.” Molly Williams, an Oxford Kofenya employee who has also begun working at the Hamilton location, said because there is not
SAMANTHA LUDINGTON The Miami Student
Kelsey Moon, Talawanda High School senior and Laura Foley, Miami junior, relax at the Oxford Kofenya. Kofenya opened its second branch in Hamilton April 8.
THE
BANKING BLASI
SCOTT ALLISON The Miami Student
COMMUNITY
INSIDESCOOP
PAY IT FORWARD
Butler County Parks considering a levy to increase funds.
COMMUNITY, page 5
BOOZING ON THE FAIRWAY
Two Hamilton golf course are attempting
CAMPUS, page 2 to obtain liquor permits. COMMUNITY, page 4
SILVER FOXES
An in-depth look at Silver Alert, a system for finding missing adults.
FEATURES, page 6
BOXING UP MEMORIES
Campus Cardboard now offers delivery service to Chicago and Connecticut.
3D-FAIL
CAMPUS, page 3
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as much of a student population in Hamilton, the store doesn’t stay as consistently busy as the Oxford Kofenya. “People aren’t necessarily stopping in to sit as much as they do here,” Williams said. “It’s more they’re coming in taking lunch breaks or stopping in after work.” Williams said she thinks the Hamilton store is a great opportunity for expansion, especially since the owner has been looking to expand for so long. Snyder agreed the new store has been in the works for a while. “I’ve been kind of looking for different places over the past two years and Hamilton is nice because it’s close and there’s that built-in relationship with the Miami Hamilton campus,” Snyder said. She said the Hamilton store was an easy way to branch out and expand Kofenya’s achievements. “It’s been successful in Oxford, so I figured, ‘Why not?’” Snyder said. Although the building and location of the Hamilton Kofenya may be new, the workers aren’t. “Right now, we’re sharing staff,” Snyder said. However, she said they would eventually be hiring new workers for the Hamilton location. Currently, these are the only two existing
wSee KOFENYA, page 14
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WWW.MIAMISTUDENT.NET NEWSPAPER ON BLACKBOARD You can get The Miami Student headlines on BlackBoard. Go to our Web site for instructions.
SLIDESHOW
Movies increase the use of 3D images in their films, sometimes to the chagrin of movie-goers.
Check out pictures from King of the Wing, Shanty Town and a tax protest
AMUSEMENT, page 8
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SPORTS STORIES Read up on the latest news from the golf team.
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Campus
Friday
April 16, 2010
Editors Courtney Day dayce2@muohio.edu Hope Holmberg holmbehh@muohio.edu Amanda Seitz seitzam2@muohio.edu
News MU renews Blasi’s contract BRIEFS By Catherine Jones For The Miami Student
fyi ASG bill supports use of chalk advertising Miami University student senate unanimously passed a bill Tuesday in support of allowing student organizations to utilize chalk advertising. The bill, coauthored by Matthew Forrest, off-campus senator, and Meghan Wadsworth, Anderson Hall senator, acknowledged the aid sidewalk chalk is to student organizations as an inexpensive, creative form of expression and publicity, and it proposes that chalking be permissible as a moderated, supervised act. The bill stated a need for a balance between unregulated chalk use and an altogether ban on chalk, and it suggested a trial period be implemented during which chalking would be allowed on certain sidewalks, i.e., Slantwalk, in front of King Library, in front of the Tri Delta Sundial and on the patio behind Shriver Center, and during which it would be regulated by the Office of Student Activities and Leadership. The bill calls for a process, similar to reserving showcases in Shriver Center, where student organizations would be required to reserve sections of sidewalk on which to chalk. Forrest will consult Katie Wilson, senior director of student engagement, sponsor of the bill, about the next step toward their ultimate goal of having Miami’s Student Handbook amended to allow chalking with the specified stipulations. The bill will now be sent to the Campus Planning Council and Student Affairs Council before going back to student senate with revisions made by the two administrative groups. University senate will then debate and vote on the bill, and if it passes, the student handbook will be amended accordingly. Forrest predicts no action will be taken until next semester.
Students may migrate e-mail accounts to Google Miami undergraduate students can now activate their new Miami e-mail and calendar account, muConnect powered by Google. Some advantages of the new e-mail/calendar system include a lifetime e-mail account through the university, greater storage capacity and ability to collaborate with the Miami student community through Google services such as a chat feature and document sharing. Students can self-migrate voluntarily until January 4, 2011, at which point students will be required to switch to the new system. Students who activate the new account before April 23 will be entered in a drawing for a Google backpack and Google T-shirts. IT Services will be available to help students activate the new account and migrate messages from the old account from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 15 in the Bystrom-Reid Room of the Shriver Center and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 16 in the Benjamin Harrison Room of the Shriver Center. Students should bring their own laptop to the sessions. Instructions for activating the new e-mail account on one’s own can be found at http:// www.muohio.edu/ithelp/solution041009909140949. IT Help also has instructions for migrating mail at http://ithelp.muohio. edu. For help or to ask questions, students can call the support desk at (513)529-7900.
Enrico Blasi has had his fair share of wins since becoming Head Coach of Miami University’s hockey team 11 years ago. With the eleventh season ending with yet another trip to the Frozen Four, the second in two years, the Miami athletic department released that Blasi’s contract would be reworked. “The primary reason for the reworking was to try to keep Enrico at Miami as long as possible,” Brad Bates, athletic director, said. “His leadership has been fantastic and we’ve seen a tremendous success both in and outside of the classroom for the hockey team since he has been coaching here.” The reworked contract will raise Blasi’s annual salary more than 50 percent, from
$140,000 to $300,000. The increase in pay is being made possibly by private gifts from alumni and will not come from university funds whatsoever, according to Bates. His new contract will extend Blasi’s stay at Miami for an additional 7 years, keeping him at Miami until the 2016-17 season. Bates hopes this will be a stepping stone to an indefinite stay for Blasi as head coach for the hockey team at Miami. “Our hope is at the point in time when his contract is up we will have already renegotiated a new contract,” Bates said. “He is someone we would love to have until he inevitably retires.” Students have also been giving positive feedback to the idea of Blasi being SAMANTHA LUDINGTON The Miami Student
Wing kings
a consistent part of Miami’s ice hockey department. Junior, Emily Mernick said Blasi is a fundamental part of the team. “Enrico seems to have really brought life to our hockey team,” Mernick said. “He’s given Miami students so much excitement in the seasons he’s been coaching by taking the team to such high places such as the Frozen Four twice now I hope he’ll be around for quite some time.” Although the athletic department has placed emphasis on Blasi’s stay, but he says it is the players that truly make the team. “We are only as good as our players and they’re tremendous players,” Blasi said. “The evolution of the program and growth of our players and staff are what have led us to where we are now. I’m very proud of all the players we’ve coached and all the young men who have received their degrees and moved on whether to become players in the NHL or going into other jobs. It’s very special here at Miami and we’d like to keep it that way.” Blasi placed emphasis on the team effort he enjoys. “Our philosophy is to just continue to build and develop young men on and off the ice,” Blasi said. “Hopefully we can win the big one someday. It’s a process, educating young men not only in hockey but as students who will become leaders.”
OSU living requirement may change By Mary Kate Linehan Senior Staff Writer
SAMANTHA LUDINGTON The Miami Student
Members of the Greek community compete in a wing eating contest Wednesday afternoon for Beta Theta Pi, Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi and Phi Kappa Tau’s King of the Wing philanthropy.
Glee club director to leave for new job By Mandi Cardosi Staff Wrier
Miami University’s Men’s Glee Club director Ethan Sperry is stepping down from his position after the end of this year after 10 years in the position. Sperry will move to Portland, Ore. to be closer to his family and will take a position at Portland State University. Sperry said he wants to raise his children around his family. “All of my family lives on the west coast so I’m looking to raise my own family around all of them,” Sperry said. Sperry said there were at least 187 people who applied for the position, so it was an absolute shock when he was told it was going to be his. “We didn’t think there was a great chance I would get the position, but when I was told, which was actually only three weeks ago, my family and I were very excited,” Sperry said. Sperry said he would miss the students who he has had the opportunity teach throughout his 10 years at Miami. He appreciates the fact that they’re so willing to work hard and make music a priority. Sperry has impacted the lives of many of the students whom he has taught. One of those students, senior Matthew Stephan, had nothing but great things to say about his director. “He is an inspiring person to sing for, and hang out with as well,” Stephan said. “He has had everybody over to his house a couple times for dinner, and enjoys getting to know all of the members of the group.” Stephan is currently president of the glee club and has had Sperry as a director for the four years he has been a part of it. Stephan said he is amazed
at the interest Sperry has had in his students. “He knows everyone’s name and where we’re from,” Stephan said. Stephan said, personally, Sperry has been a great friend and mentor. Stephan feels comfortable talking about just about everything going on in his life with him. “We can talk about anything; he helps out with issues at home, school and even career choices,” Stephan said. Stephan said Sperry has offered a lot to the glee club as a whole. According to Stephan, Sperry has been able to add a different kind of flair to the group. “He has expanded our horizons,” Stephan said. “We no longer sing only traditional show tunes.” Senior Miles Horton feels the same way toward Sperry. Horton said glee club is the most life-changing experience he has ever had. It has not only provided him with the opportunity to study music, but also offered him brotherhood and friendships. “There are some connections that can never be broken,” Horton said. “Ethan has been an integral part of showing glee club the power each one of us already had, by helping us to harness that power.” Horton said Sperry has also been a model of that behavior for all of the members. According to Stephan, they are currently conducting interviews for a new director of both Collegiate Chorale and the Men’s Glee Club. Those candidates are applying for a one-year position. Stephan said the university will probably announce who will fill the position the week before finals. In September, a nation-wide interview search for a director to fill a tenure track position will be conducted.
Like Ohio University, Miami University implemented a sophomore on-campus living requirement this year and Ohio State University (OSU) may be soon to follow. At the university senate meeting March 29, the Pathways Committee made a recommendation the university remove the two-year on-campus sophomore living requirement. Andrew Beckett, associate dean of students, said Miami was a cutting edge leader in the sophomore residency requirement. “A number of institutions, I believe even Ohio State University, is following suit,” Beckett said. According to Beckett, when Miami was discussing the residency requirement change he remembers OSU President E. Gordon Gee having some conversations about OSU changing their residency requirements as well. Currently, OSU only has a oneyear on-campus requirement. However, according to Fred Fotis, assistant vice president for student life at OSU, OSU is currently discussing whether or not they will be establishing a sophomore requirement similar to Miami’s. “Its just in the discussion stage right now and nothing really has been determined, but we are in the process of kind of looking at our housing plan long term to see how we might accomplish that,” Fotis said. Fotis said OSU is looking at a long-term housing plan to see how they could accomplish the sophomore on-campus living requirement. With this suggestion of a new residency requirement, OSU is looking to build new residence halls for the supplementary students that would have to live on campus. “How we fill them and who we give those spaces, that’s going to be a part of the discussion of whether or not we do move on to sophomore residential commitment,” Fotis said. According to Fortis, Miami did not influence OSU, even though their plans are similar. Fortis said
wSee OSU, page 7
THE MIAMI STUDENT
Campus
FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 ♦ 3
Campus Cardboard ships belongings to Connecticut, Chicago By Sarah Joslyn For The Miami Student
As the semester winds down, students who have a hard time deciding what to do with all of their accumulated belongings can now ship out their belongings from Oxford . Campus Cardboard, a private delivery and storage company designed for college students, now offers a delivery service designed specifically for Miami University students who’s home base is Chicago or Connecticut. According to Matt Pope, general manager of Campus Cardboard, students expressed an interest in wanting a delivery service, which is the reason the organization now offers it. “People contacted us to ask if we had anything like that, which is why we began offering it,” Pope said. “We’ll pick (items) up in Oxford and we’ll deliver it to the Chicagoland area and take it right to your house.”
Pope said if demands get high, the company may start shipping to New York. The shipping service will start their pick-ups during finals week. Pick-ups are done by appointment and at the customer’s convenience. Prices vary depending on what is being shipped and how much space the items will take up while shipping. “People usually contact us to ask for rates,” Pope said. While Miami’s Housing, Dining and Guest Services (HDGS) does not have a similar plan, they will keep Campus Cardboard idea in mind for future reference. “We’ll certainly look into it,” said Brian Woodruff, assistant director of housing contracts and meal plans. “We’ve done it as more of an ‘as needed’ basis, like if a student decides to withdraw, but we don’t publicize that we do it.” If a student needs their stored items shipped home, Miami will send them directly to the person’s home and will charge
them the basic cost of shipping. Although Miami does not offer a shipping service, they do offer summer storage options. Boxes are delivered to residences hall along with packaging tape and HDGS will pick the items up and store them. “We’re trying to make use of the storage in the buildings,” Woodruff said, referring to the residence halls on campus. Rates are determined on an item-by-item basis. According to Woodruff, about 230 students utilized the storage service in 2009. Students will now have storage and a delivery option to meet their needs. First-year student Jessica Vasquez said she would consider using the Campus Cardboard program. “I probably would (use the service) depending on how expensive it would be,” Vaquez said. “I have a lot of junk, I’m not sure it will all fit in the car.”
Tanzanian water crisis impacts region, study abroad program By Kelsey Gross For The Miami Student
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Lalahe Mollel, 22, collects the last few drops of water from the only source near his village.
The dry, cracked ground in the Lake Manyara region of Northern Tanzania speaks for itself. The rainy season has entirely neglected the area, plaguing it with hosts of dust storms, decimated crops and thirsty people. Meanwhile in Arusha, a short 45-minute drive east of Lake Manyara, the rain has thoroughly saturated the land. It is a contradiction of fatal proportions for millions of Tanzanians and one of a simple nod of the head for millions of Americans. A small group of 13 American students have increased their awareness of the world water crisis by studying abroad with Arcadia University’s Human Rights and East African Culture program in Arusha, Tanzania. The murky reality of unsafe drinking water was revealed to the students when they turned on the tap water for the first time in Tanzania and a brown liquid sprang from the faucet. Of the one billion people worldwide who do not have access to safe drinking
water, millions reside in Tanzania, turning a typical study abroad program into a lesson in survival. Lalahe Mollel, 22, a Maasai warrior from Lake Manyara, is no longer a statistic to the students. In order for Mollel and his family to access fresh water, they have to trek through the bush for four hours. Even warriors cannot rival East Africa’s seemingly merciless climate. Karla Lund, a fellow American student studying abroad in Tanzania, accompanied Mollel on the trek one day and discovered the one watering hole that nourishes an entire village was filled with mud. “It was an extremely exhausting journey that left us thirsty and empty-handed,” Lund said. Water is not only necessary for drinking in Tanzania. Agriculture accounts for more than 40 percent of the gross domestic product and entire villages rely on small-scale subsistence farming to survive. Therefore, almost every Tanzanian is highly dependent on the annual rainy seasons to bring water,
wSee WATER, page 7
Student describes Luxembourg experience, provides insight By Matt Levy For The Miami Student
Having been accepted into Miami University’s Luxembourg program (MUDEC), and after having spent the better part of a year revolving my life around my upcoming trip there, I found myself suddenly living in the middle of Europe for a semester. Everyone in the program was informed from an array of sources what it would be like to live in Europe. However, as I discovered, there is so much we never would have expected until we actually got there. Europe has held many surprises for us, most of them wonderful, and some rather unpleasant. For example: • It will take between a couple of weeks and a month for you to feel completely settled in and comfortable with the life and the rhythms of Europe. • Stores close early in Europe. Most clothing and non-food stores close at 6 or 6:30 p.m., so if you need something, you will have to plan your day accordingly. • Along those same lines, your life will always be dictated by the bus and train schedules. • The trains in Northern and Western Europe are almost always on time. Anticipate darting through cities and large crowds of Europeans when you find yourself with 20 minutes to spare before your train leaves and 19 minutes to get to it. • Luxembourg is expensive, even for Europe. Food tends to cost more here, but cheaper food is easy to come by. A simple kebab (the best friend to your appetite and the worst enemy to your body) will run you around five Euros, which is the equivalent of $7-8. • Soft drinks are served in small bottles and free refills are nonexistent. You soon learn just how long you can make one glass of Coca-Cola last. • Staying on top of American television programs is an arduous task. Many Web sites that host TV shows (network sites, www.hulu.com, etc.) have laws forbidding them from making their shows viable overseas. In other words, say goodbye to “House” and “The Office” for four months and say hello to actually getting out and seeing Europe. • A good amount of host families do not have Internet access in their homes. This severely limits productivity during your time here, requiring you to either stay at the chateau for hours after your classes are over for the day, search around for an Internet cafe, or just go home and worry about it later. • You can never have enough electrical plug adapters or deodorant. • If you enter into a car with a Luxembourgish driver, make peace with the fact you could be enjoying your last moments on Earth. A New York taxi driver in a hurry has nothing on a Luxembourger making a quick errand to the store. • Whereas in Oxford you might hear conversations on Mondays involving someone recounting what bars they went to Saturday night and what movies they stayed in and watched on Sunday, on Monday mornings at MUDEC you’ll hear what countries one visited over the
weekend, what tourist sights were seen, what museums were visited, what disasters befell the travelers and how cool and amazing these places were otherwise. • It is always important to know how to say “please,” “thank you” and “do you speak English” in whatever country you happen to be in. It is very rude to walk up to a stranger and just start speaking English with them. • Europeans love American movies and music just like we do, so do not worry about not being able to get your fix of Lady Gaga. • Always, always, always give yourself at least one or two backup plans for any situation involves traveling. Things happen that are out of your control, and the more prepared and better informed you are, the less frustrating it will be when they happen to you. • Be flexible and keep a positive attitude no matter what happens. There is always a solution, and you simply cannot let travel frustrations get the best of your semester in Europe.
I know there seems to be many hints of vaguely negative experiences I have had, and while this is true, you just have to always pay attention and be aware of the situation. I find it is best when traveling to follow a generic “what is happening right now, and what needs to be happening, and how is this supposed to be accomplished?” line of thought. That way you won’t get overwhelmed. If nothing else, what I have learned is Europe is a living, functioning continent and not a much larger version of Epcot Theme Park. Always be prepared but even more importantly, stay flexible. The experiences I have had here, both good and bad, are the sort I would not trade for any in the world. I never thought, in the span of a couple hours, I would be overcharged by a Paris taxi driver, almost miss a very important shuttle bus, be charged an outrageous excess luggage fee (100 Euros!) at a popular discount airline’s airport there, have a glass of beer spilled on my lap from the strangers sitting next to me on the airplane and then arrive with a fresh
start in Barcelona, ready to conquer the city. It is times like that, when you are tired and frustrated and slightly upset, that traveling becomes both arduous and a form of therapy. In my case, all of my anxieties melted away the minute we landed in
ERIN KILLINGER The Miami Student
Barcelona and I was able to appreciate on an even better scale what the city had to offer. My even grander point is that when you are here you have to take the good with the bad. Yes, things will happen, and yes, it will ruin your mood, but you also have to try to learn from it and bounce back. It is so easy to get swallowed up in the momentum of a large European city, but if you put in a little effort into having a good time, you will be rewarded in ways you never expected. Europe is not the United States, and once you get past that, you are free to open up. Just accept being out of your comfort zone and you will have the time of your life. It is always worth it.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Students lounge at Miami University’s campus in Luxembourg.
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Community
Editors Kelsey Bishop bishopka@muohio.edu Erin Fischesser fischeee@muohio.edu
Golf courses may sell liquor Potters Park and Twin Run apply for alcohol permits Sophomore passes out in McDonald’s drive thru
By Molly Shanks
At 3 a.m. Wednesday, sophomore Matthew Helmuth was arrested at McDonald’s after employees discovered him passed out behind the wheel of his Chevy SUV in the drive thru. Upon arrival, officers put the vehicle in “park” and took the keys out to turn the car off. Officers noticed several wristbands from bars uptown on Helmuth’s wrist. After several attempts to wake Helmuth, officers asked if he had been drinking. Helmuth replied, “yes.” Helmuth smelled strongly of alcohol and his speech was slow and slurred, according to police. Helmuth reportedly performed porly on field subriety tests. Helmuth was arrested and transported to the Oxford Police Department (OPD). At OPD, Helmuth refused to take a breath test. Helmuth was cited for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and taken back to his residence hall.
Golfers may now be able to enjoy a few drinks while playing at Potters Park and Twin Run golf courses in Hamilton. The golf courses applied for liquor licenses March 29 and are still waiting for state approval. Matt Mullins, public relations director for the Commerce Division of Liquor Control, said Potters Park Golf Course is on a waitlist for the license. “We can’t process the application because there aren’t any openings for this permit type in Hamilton right now,” Mullins said. Hamilton can only issue 32 permits similar to the one Potters Park applied for. Because the maximum number of permits has already been issued, the golf course was placed on a waiting list with only one other application ahead of it. Twin Run’s application is currently pending, and the process to get it approved typically takes 10-12 weeks, Mullins said. Obtaining the
Life squad finds junior unresponsive At 1 a.m. Tuesday, officers were dispatched to the rear of 31 W. Spring St. where a life squad was called for junior Taylor Furlong who passed out and became unresponsive in the parking lot. Furlong was still breathing, according to police. Furlong’s roommate was present, and said she was trying to bring Furlong home from Poplar Street. Furlong fell in the parking lot, where her roommate and another friend tried to help her. Furlong wouldn’t wake up. Furlong was allegedly covered in dirt and had blood and scratches on her legs and knees. When Furlong woke, police asked if she had had too much to drink. Furlong said yes and was transported to McCullough Hyde Hospital and cited for underage intoxication.
Senior reports midnight robbery At 1 p.m. Wednesday, a Miami senior reported two unknown males had robbed him earlier that morning. Between midnight and 1 a.m. Wednesday, the victim was walking alone on the 200 block of Sycamore Street when two or more white males came up and grabbed him. He remembers one of the males was wearing a white shirt. The victim fell face first on the sidewalk and dropped his cell phone. He then felt someone searching around his pant pocket, take his wallet and leave the victim, according to police.
Female alleges telephone harrassment At 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, a Miami senior reported she had been receiving phone calls from an unlisted phone number since March 30. The victim said she suspects her ex-boyfriend is harassing her. She said the calls are sometimes pertaining to a man saying sexually explicit things. Other phone calls, someone just hangs up after she answers. Police are looking into the harassment.
For The Miami Student
licenses requires a $100 filing fee and an annual fee of $376. Miami University junior Robert Woodhull said although he has not golfed at these locations yet, he may consider it once alcohol is sold. “It’d be more likely for me to get a foursome or something together just knowing they serve liquor, especially when it’s nice out and you want to get outside,” Woodhull said. Sophomore Terry O’Brien grew up on a golf course and said drinking while golfing is simply part of the experience. “Alcohol is a lot bigger than you’d think,” O’Brien said. “You just talk to someone in the golf cart and you talk over a beer.” Woodhull said he also expects the liquor licenses to change things, predicting the sale of alcohol will attract many others students similar to himself. “It will definitely attract more students,” Woodhull said. “There are events where it’s dad’s weekend or something and they’re looking to go golfing. I know if the courses had beer they’d be more likely to rent out a room and drink before or after play.”
Ohio implements new college savings plan By Jillian Dickman Staff Writer
With the passage of a new Senate bill, Ohioans will now be able to reach their college savings goal. Senate Bill 155 was passed March 31 to allow Ohioans to deposit their State of Ohio tax refund into a direct account when they file tax returns through an electronic process, according to Rob Evans, press secretary for the Ohio Board of Regents. “This bill will help those folks looking to go to college to be more financially prepared with getting an education,” Evans said. Senators John Carey (R-OH) and Dale Miller (D-OH) introduced the bill. Ohio’s 529 Plan will play a major role in offering benefits for making college easy and affordable. According to the 529 Savings Web site, http://www.collegeadvantage.com/, “CollegeAdvantage is Ohio’s direct 529 college savings program featuring tax-free savings, low fees and a wide range of investment options.” The funds can be used at any college in the county to pay for tuition fees, room and board, books and other qualified
college expenses. “We have a very strong 529 plan here in Ohio,” Evans said. “The savings plan is a big goal of ours. It is progress on making college more affordable for people who are thinking ahead.” This option will provide many advantages for those in need. “Although the 529 plan has been around for 20 years, this new bill is an easy and convenient way for families to save for their children if they have that extra cash,” said Maureen O’Brien, marketing director at Ohio Tuition Trust Authority. “It will automatically be put away for college savings.” Some Miami University students think this option will be very beneficial to up and coming students. “With the increasing costs of college, it will be valuable to prospective students,” first-year Emily Mossler said. “Families will be able to make ends meet more easily this way.” Other students question just how helpful this plan will be. “This bill can’t hurt people,” senior Elyse Rowe said. “This is a great option for many, but it will depend on the amount of money filed from tax returns to prove whether or not it will be beneficial to everyone.”
Uptown activism
SAMANTHA LUDINGTON The Miami Student
Graduate student Mark Mendoza and senior Susan Dirr promote financial and job legislation Thursday in Uptown Park.
Talawanda Middle teacher spends break in Haiti By Sam Kay Editorial Editor
Talawanda Middle School (TMS) teacher Teresa Abrams made a big difference for some students over spring break – in Haiti. Abrams and her parents, Kay and Gary Walla, delivered eight suitcases of supplies and more than $800 to the Three Sisters Orphanage in Port Au Prince and the Haitian Academy, approximately 20 miles north of the city.
Abrams’ parents have been making aid trips to Haiti for more than 10 years through World Missions and the Hearts of Hope for Haiti organization. Kay and Gary Walla were in Haiti when the earthquake struck in January and were unable to make contact with Teresa or the outside world for more than three days. Abrams said people are struggling to get by months after the deadly earthquake. When Abrams and her parents delivered medical supplies, hygiene products, baby
Male calls police regarding home break-in At 5:45 a.m. Thursday, a Miami student reported that his house was broken into between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Police met the victim at his home where a Macbook laptop and Blackberry Tour were missing. The victim’s roommate was missing a Wii console. The residents said they thought they heard the door alarm go off around 2:40 a.m. That was a time where no other housemates would have been entering or exiting the house, according to police.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Talawanda Middle School teacher Teresa Abrams spent Spring Break in Haiti with her parents providing monetary support and supplies for local children and their families near Port-au-Prince.
formula and shoes to the orphanage, they felt very welcome. “The children were so loving and caring,” Abrams said. “They were glad to see us and we were glad to see them.” Abrams also delivered money and supplies to the Haitian Academy, a boarding school near the coast. Many students’ parents have been living on the grounds of the school since the earthquake for lack of anywhere else to go. While generators provide electricity for some basic needs, food and shelter are scarce. A bread manufacturing facility and chicken house on the school grounds were destroyed by the earthquake. Salvaged chickens were frozen and have been sustaining the students and their families for months. “They have to rebuild everything from scratch,” Abrams said. “There is no water, no sewage system, no toilets.” Abrams said Marie Rene, founder and operator of the Haitian Academy, hopes to use the money donated by TMS students to rebuild but may be forced to meet shortterm needs first. “What was most devastating was the conditions under which all those kids were living,” Abrams said. “They are holding school outdoors, in tents, under trees – they have so few possessions. They don’t know where
wSee TEACHER, page 5
THE MIAMI STUDENT
FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 ♦ 5
Administrators discuss value of public parks system, possibility of levy proposal By Jenni Wiener Staff Writer
County parks in Ohio are worth more to the residents than meets the eye. Hamilton County Park revenues were $34 million in 2009, while Montgomery County Parks received around $21 million. Even the smaller municipality of Oxford has a budget of approximately $1 million, said Gail Brahier, director of Oxford Parks and Recreation. “This money goes to maintaining facilities, providing programs and social events, personnel and operating the pool,” Brahier said. Not all parks, however, have the budget they need to stay open. Butler County Parks had a total revenue of $1.5 million, according to Butler County’s park system. Both Hamilton County and Montgomery County Parks have levies that generate 50 to 75 percent of their revenues. Butler County, on the other hand, does not have a levy. “We would like to have a levy for operating expenses,” said Susan Steretch, marketing director of the MetroParks Administrative Offices. “In order to get
COHEN
continued from page 15 record books like Palmer, but each carved out a special role on the team. Smith, one of the hardest workers on the ice, cracked the lineup last season and never looked back. In 60 career games, Smith netted eight goals and nine assists, but most importantly, provided a spark each time his touched the ice. Steffes played in 136 games, registering 48 points and playing a
a levy, the board has to write one up and vote on it.” Park officials, however, have made efforts in the past to pass a park levy. Since 1992, three park levies have been rejected by voters in Butler County, Steretch said. “The problem with the past levies is there wasn’t a budget and no focused effort was put forth,” Steretch said. Park commissioners have been considering drawing up plans for another levy. “There is not a levy yet,” Steretch said. “But, there has been talk about drawing one up. However, they won’t make one unless they think it has a good chance of passing.” With this potential levy, basic restrooms and playgrounds could be installed in the Butler County parks. “New safety improvements and facilities would make the parks more pleasant and enjoyable,” Steretch said. “Parks are beneficial because they give recreational opportunities for a healthy lifestyle and activities. They also provide better air and water and cause property values to rise.” According to Steretch, if there is not a park levy to provide a budget, the parks in the county would not be financially stable and, with the current economy, could
vital role in the tournament last season. Hetland appeared in 32 career games amassing six assists and was a presence in the locker room. Each one of these seniors left their mark on the RedHawk program. Finally, Chris Bergeron departs Miami after a decade as the assistant coach for the RedHawks. While he’ll be coaching for Bowling Green State University, Bergeron has been a giant part of Miami’s success in this decade, and his exit will leave big shoes to fill. He leaves as the most successful assistant coach of Miami hockey. That means the rest of the team, in
eventually be closed. “Closing parks because of a lack of funding would be a real loss to the county,” first-year Dett Meyers said. “The residents of the Butler County need their parks to get away from the hustle and bustle of their everyday lives. It would be a huge bummer to lose those get-away areas.” Not only are the parks in danger of being lost, but so are the jobs of the employees of Butler County’s MetroParks. Of the 10 full-time employees in the administrative office, four have lost their jobs in order to save money, Steretch said. “There are only six of us left in the office,” she said. “Everyone is very busy.” Even without a park levy, the Butler County MetroParks have continued to operate and grow because of land and money donations, Steretch said. “I have been to a few of the county’s MetroParks,” Meyers said. “It is always nice to walk through the park and enjoy the scenery. I really hope they remain open so the public can appreciate them.” Brahier agrees. “The benefits of parks and recreation are endless,” Brahier said.
addition to Blasi and assistant coach Brent Brekke, will be back in Oxford vying for a second straight CCHA title and a third consecutive Frozen Four. Add a talented recruiting class, and the ’Hawks are poised to return to the apex of the college hockey world. So when we remember this season, let’s think of the successes — the domination of the CCHA, the double-overtime victory against Michigan and the Frozen Four appearance. And hopefully the celebration of the season that was will provide the excitement and dreams of what the 2010-11 season could be.
TEACHER continued from page 4
their next meal will come from.” TMS teacher Suzette Shahin led the fundraising effort in the weeks leading up to the trip. “When I heard Teresa was going it motivated me to keep on going … mainly the kids gave, pennies, dimes, whatever they could,” Shahin said. Sandy Greenberg, adviser for the student council at TMS, said the organization donated $100 in addition to the individual donations of the students. “We set aside a portion of our funds for community service,” Greenberg said. “One of our goals is to reach out to others.” Once students learned of Abrams’ trip, additional donations started coming in. “The students gave all kinds of coins, a dollar here, a dollar there,” Greenberg said. “Students gave freely of their money in order to help out.” Upon her return to school, Abrams will share stories and pictures with her students, showing them who they have helped. Abrams said she spent time teaching her class about Haiti in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, while her parents were still missing, as well as in the time leading up to her trip. “They know the background,” Abrams said. “Now to see the reality of it will be meaningful for them.”
BASEBALL continued from page 15
Ander Burkett forced Edgington to ground out to the shortstop and the RedHawk rally wrecked. “We’ve played good teams in the MAC (Mid-American Conference) and it’s going to come down to how well Miami plays,” Simonds said. “That’s what it comes down to. If we can swing the bats like I know we are able
to, and certainly with our pitching and our strong bullpen, we are going to be right in the thick of it when it’s all said and done.” Kaup and first baseman Kyle Weldon each went 2-4 for the Red and White. The RedHawks return to MAC play at 3 p.m. Friday April 16 in Kalamazoo, Mich. against Western Michigan University. The Red and White battle the Broncos three times before returning to Oxford Tuesday, April 20 to take on the Indiana University Hoosiers.
6
Friday
April 16, 2010
Features
Editor Amelia Carpenter carpenab@muohio.edu
Miami Researchers examine the Silver and Amber alerts, findings published By Brittany Chojnowski For The Miami Student
In 2002, television, Internet and radio were overrun with news on the abduction of Elizabeth Smart. It was nearly impossible to tune into a television program without being reminded this young girl was missing. After Smart was found, the AMBER alert, which rouses the media in the event of abduction, became a nationwide program to facilitate the recovery of missing children. In 2006, a similar program, Silver Alert, was created to assist in the search for elderly people with cognitive disabilities, who wander and are unable to return home. In the April issue of The Gerontologist, a Miami University research team, consisting of professors, graduate students and doctoral students, published their research on national Silver Alert programs. The team of researchers, dedicated to thoroughly understanding Silver Alert programs, divided into two groups. One group was focused on studying the characteristics of Silver Alert programs in different states. The second group concentrated on the constructionist aspect of Silver Alerts, as well as understanding the general problem of wandering that inspired Silver Alerts. “What we’re trying to figure out is what’s going on in different states and what kind of success they’ve had,” said Jennifer Kinney, professor of sociology and gerontology on the research team. A Silver Alert has the same infrastructure as an AMBER alert, according to Dawn Carr, Miami professor and gerontologist, who led the research team. The purpose of the AMBER and Silver alerts is to stimulate local transportation, police forces, media and community members to begin the search for this missing child or, in this case, the missing elder. “Silver Alert programs were created because there was an expectation that another vulnerable group that needed a quick response when they went missing was people with dementia,” Carr said. In a two-year period, 17 states employed a Silver Alert program. This hasty application of a Silver Alert program sparked the research team’s interest. “Even minor changes to the system occur over a pretty substantial period of time,” Carr said. In such a short period of time, it would be difficult for officials to weigh the pros and cons of this program, and decide if the program was truly necessary. “People really haven’t questioned (the program),” Carr said. “They hear about it and say ‘absolutely.’ We want to keep these people safe. They are a population we believe deserves to be protected.” The Silver Alert is not a uniform program. Silver Alert is a national grant program for each state to begin an individual wandering elder return procedure. Each state that implemented a type of Silver Alert program has different courses of action and requirements. For example, the studies
done by the Miami research team shows Louisiana, Colorado and Florida require a person to be 60 years of age or above to qualify for Silver Alert assistance, whereas Illinois, North Carolina and Oklahoma merely require a person to be 18 years of age. The study also shows the state of Texas not only requires a person to be over or of the age of 65, but they must also have been diagnosed with a cognitive disability by their physician. “All this program really needs is a caretaker to say is ‘hey this person has dementia and they’re not where they are supposed to be,’” Carr said. Other programs of this nature, such as Safe Return, are stricter and require elders to be registered beforehand. The benefit of registration is it would allow the elder to give their permission to be found using a Silver Alert. “Very few people take the initiative and register themselves,” Carr said. Gina Petonito, professor of sociology and gerontology, worked on the research on the constructionist aspect of Silver Alert programs. “To study constructionism is to study how people define, or give meaning to, a particular idea in the world,” Petonito said. Petonito studied the discourse associated with Silver Alert programs and wandering in newspapers, and found society tended to place its focus on the caregiver. “Elderly people are not a part of it,” Petonito said. “They weren’t interviewed or talked to. They were just physically present.” The potential wanderers in question are those elders in the early and middle stages of Alzheimers and other cognitive disabilities, according to Petonito. “These people are capable of speaking for themselves,” Petonito said, whose father suffers from middle stage Alzheimers. “They can say what they want, what they think and what works for them. Those in the last stages of Alzheimers, who can’t really speak for themselves, are bedridden and won’t be wandering at all.” Silver Alerts are meant to protect elders with cognitive disabilities but they also help give caregivers peace of mind. “Taking care of a person with a cognitive disability can be stressful,” Kinney said. Although Silver Alerts seek to protect elders with cognitive disabilities, Silver Alerts may in fact provide an opportunity for those same elders to be exploited, Carr explained. Much like an AMBER alert, a Silver Alert grants the public access to a person’s personal information in order to locate them. The broadcasting of a child’s personal information is deemed acceptable because a child is in the care of someone else. But is it acceptable to give out an adult’s private information, even though they are technically under someone else’s care? Silver Alerts use information like a person’s medical history, address and license plate number in order to find them. “This puts them in a position to be taken advantage of,” Carr said. “Let’s face it. Some people get found and it’s very possible they wouldn’t have been found without the Silver Alert. But that’s where you say, ‘Is the benefit worthy of the cost of sharing that information?’” Lydia Manning, a graduate student on the research team, is supportive of Miami’s research team on the topic. “The Silver Alert project has good intentions, but needs to be examined at the scholarly level to ensure we are truly respecting the rights of older adults,” Manning said. “Good social policy is smart social policy, policy that is informed by research.” Whether Silver Alert programs are more effective than typical search and rescue procedures is unknown. Petonito provided the example of two elderly women who went missing in Lebanon, Ohio. They were missing for more than six months when their car and bodies were found in an embankment off the highway. “Would a Silver Alert have helped find these women?” Petonito asked. The answer is … we don’t know. “The next big step we’re hoping to accomplish is a collection of data about the nature of the problem of wandering itself,” Carr said. “At this point there is no national data on the problem of wandering for the adult population.”
HANNAH MILLER The Miami Student
THE MIAMI STUDENT
OSU
continued from page 2 the plan was actually the idea of President Gee. “This is something President Gee feels strongly about,” Fotis said. “There are a lot of us in student life who are supportive on that. I think in our perfect world what we would like to do though is not to have to disenfranchise any particular class in order to provide housing for another class.” A decision has yet to be made but what OSU is hoping to do is to be able to offer as much inventory and housing not only to sophomores but also juniors and seniors who wish to remain on campus. With OSU looking to up their residency standards, it looks as though Miami will be keeping the secondyear living requirement as well, according to Provost Jeffery Herbst. “That’s not true,” Herbst said. “There is no discussion of a sophomore living requirement change.” Surrounding the recommendation for the sophomore residency requirement stemmed the belief that admission to Miami would
WATER
continued from page 3 crops and income. Unfortunately for Mollel and millions of other Tanzanians, the recent erratic climate changes have caused severe droughts in some areas and uncontrollable flooding in others. “Climate change is affecting Africa right now,” said Daniel Pallangyo, an environmental law professor at Makumira University of Tanzania. “Africa stands
FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 ♦ 7 increase or decrease with applicants, according to the university senate proposal. According to Ann Bader, senior admission counselor in the Office of Admission, the second year residency requirement has never been an issue with the applicant pool at Miami. “We’ve never had someone say it is a pro or con that that’s something that has effected their decision to come to Miami,” Bader said. Beckett said Miami was a cutting edge leader in the sophomore residency requirement idea and it is actually an attractive policy to students as well as their parents when applying to colleges. “Overwhelmingly this is seen, particularly by parents, as an incentive to go to Miami,” Beckett said. “The requirement is seen as a positive way to engage students on campus in activities far more than students who do not live on campus.” Beckett concluded the reason Miami decided upon the policy in the first place, as well as why Miami is keeping the policy, is that it’s the university’s wish to help students transition and engage in their college campus experience to ultimately receive their degree.
to be one of the most vulnerable environmental regions because a majority of African countries are too poor to adapt to the changed environment.” So what does this mean for Miami University students thousands of miles away from the problem? According to Jenny Krzmarzick, co-organizer of Miami’s Running Water 5K, “Spreading awareness about such an issue, such as the need for clean drinking water, is important so that students are inspired to act and advocate for such a cause and so they may become more aware of the global challenges that others face.”
Box it up
SAMANTHA LUDINGTON The Miami Student
Jennifer Harris, Kara Francis and Phil Hanwright build Shanty Town to raise money for Habitat for Humanity.
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Amusement
Friday
8
April 16, 2010
Editor Anna Turner turnera6@muohio.edu Assistant Editor Liz Caskey caskeyem@muohio.edu
ANNA TURNER
feature
I
The Miami Student
Arabian Nights: Story, spectacle, sex By Anna Turner Amusement Editor
All right, friends, let’s go timetravelling. WHOOOOAAA! 1704 CE: French scholar Antoine Galland translates an ancient collection of Middle Eastern tales into a western language (French) for the first time. More time traveling. WHOOOOAAA! 2010 CE: Miami University theatre students perform Arabian Nights, a theatrical production of these tales, only with less mention of baguettes and berets. In the three centuries between these two events, the western world has grown obsessed with Galland’s found tales, popularly known as The Thousand and One Nights, especially the heroine of the story, Scheherazade — so much so her name is included in Microsoft Word’s spell and grammar check. Win. Director Lewis Magruder describes the play in terms of storytelling Scheherazade. “The voyage of this play is about Scheherazade, a young woman, working very hard to distract this mad murderous king, Shahryar, and entertain him and help him open his heart, to feel, to enter the human race, and learn how to forgive,” Magruder said. What does he have to forgive, you may be asking. Well, Shahyrar is a little crazy when it comes to women. Played by English education major Jeff Sams, Shahyrar’s first wife decided to cheat on him. Sha-sha caught her, got angry and killed her because, as well know, that’s the best way to deal with a cheater. “He’s been betrayed, and has this vengeance for women,” Sams said. “So, since he killed his wife, he marries a new virgin every night, sleeps with her, then kills her.” After 3,000 of these crazy-fun shindigs, Scheherazade enters and saves the day. “She saves her own life by telling the king stories every night to distract him from killing her, while at the same time using the stories
to teach him morals and change his heart,” Sams said. “And slowly but surely, after 1,001 nights, she does that.” Then, at the very end, there’s a twist in their love story that will make you scream, “OH, SNAP!” I don’t want to spoil the ending … but damn. Framed by Scheherazade’s narration, the show is a series of stories being brought to life by an ensemble of 15 actors playing more than 50 characters. This level of theatricality is unique, allowing the audience to witness things that usually occur only behind the curtain. For instance, costume changes take place onstage. Unfortunately no one gets completely naked — you can’t win ’em all … “The costume changes occurring onstage allow the audience to be involved and engaged in the transformation of character,” Magruder said, speaking of the role-doubling (or in some cases role-quintupling) of all actors in the show. “It’s a visual metaphor for the human capacity to change and transform, which I think is a common thread throughout the show.” Along with costume changes and character transformation onstage, Arabian Nights incorporates music, movement and an extreme amount of physicality and athleticism. Chelsea Skalski, a sophomore theatre major and cast member of Arabian Nights, said the show is heavily laden with spectacle. “I don’t think people are expecting it to be the huge spectacle show that is, what with the comedy and the movement — I’m just excited to see people react to it because it is such a huge show,” Skalski said. “I know a lot of people are afraid of theatre or think it’s boring, but this isn’t regular theatre. It’s fun and enjoyable and you don’t have to worry about finding a higher meaning.” Gion DeFrancesco, scenic designer for Arabian Nights, tried to adapt his set to the high level of spectacle Skalski speaks of. By making the
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set “flexible,” so to speak, DeFrancesco has created a blank canvas for the actors to fill with storytelling, dance, song, movement, etc. “The challenge was figuring out how all of the stories can be part of set,” DeFrancesco said. “There are times of real beauty in the story, and I am hoping there will be something in the set that creates real beauty in the environment, as well.” This scenic beauty shouldn’t be too difficult, as the magnificent set is gorgeous even without stories. With a desert-influenced color scheme of sandy beiges to rusty reds, the scenery creates a feeling of being in the Middle East. The backdrop is a nature scene, influenced by Turkish miniature paintings, bringing the outdoors in. “It’s a pretty fictitious looking location in that it doesn’t have any characteristics of a real architectural space,” DeFrancesco said. “There are no clearly defined walls, just folding screens, and beyond that is a painted backdrop, which is 2D and therefore not very realistic, and it really goes along with the theatricality of the text and helps to maintain that fairy tale element.”
But Arabian Nights is nothing like the children’s fairy tales we know and love. “Over the years, we’ve turned fairy tales into something sweet and light. Mary Zimmerman, the playwright, doesn’t do that,” Magruder said. “The stories in the show are still fairy tales, but there’s a darkness to them as well as a light. There’s a poignancy, but still a lot of laughter along the way.” Oh, the laughter. There’s so much of it. Comedy is a central element to Arabian Nights, and with the myriad funny moments, I would suggest wearing an adult diaper to see this show. If you’re a sucker for sex jokes or songs about farts, definitely invest in some Depends before going to see the show. Arabian Nights has more to offer than comedy (though what else do you need besides good sexual innuendo?), and its stories carry themes of romance, family, morality and wealth. Ancient in origin, the tales of Arabian Nights can still be enjoyed by a contemporary audience if only because their messages are still extremely applicable
and relatable. “There’s a lot of passion to the stories, and anyone who comes to see it will connect with that passion on a personal level,” DeFrancesco said. “The audience becomes engaged in the stories in a very active way, and I think they will find a way to relate to the messages of the show.” Magruder agreed, adding, “The material is very accessible — it’s not like Shakespeare where you need footnotes to understand a joke. The fact that the material is so easy to understand and relate to is one of the things that makes it such a fun show.” Arabian Nights is currently showing at Gates-Abegglen Theatre in the Center for Performing Arts. Tickets are $6 for students/youth, $8 for seniors and $9 for adults. They are available at the Miami Box Office in Shriver Center (513) 529-3200 or online at http://www.tickets.muohio.edu. The show runs at 8 p.m. April 15-17 and April 22-24 and at 2 p.m. April 25. Additional reporting by Jenna Yates and Ana Zawacki.
Out-of-context lines from Arabian Nights ... 7. “Carry this back to that pimp’s bastard” 6. “He told me to consummate a marriage with my cousin” 5. “My fart has become a date on the calendar” 4. “Give an exact account of copulation” 3. “You cannot possibly be married to a tortoise” 2. “I was only halfway in” 1. “I would like to set fire to some of the neighbors’ houses”
FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 ♦ 9
Amusement
THE MIAMI STUDENT
film
3D is too much for one person
Roma Julie
A tourist in mafia city
By Curtis Waugh For The Miami Student
The 1960s and 70s introduced the world to 3D movies, a cinematic attempt to gouge our eyes out with gimmicks and a disorienting red/blue picture. Has anyone seen Jaws 3D? It’s pretty bad. You waited 75 minutes for some in-your-face shark snacking and they give you one scene of Jaws coming through glass in slow-motion. Laaaame. Not surprisingly, the fad quickly died out as people did not want to sit with cardboard glasses on their faces and have the color of the film be distorted out of recognition. Fast-forward 25 years and the craze had returned. 3D started re-assaulting our eyeballs in the early and mid2000s with notable segments in films such as Superman Returns — although the return of Superman was F-ing pointless because he was still a total pansy. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago the technology advanced enough to do away with gimmicks. Can the effect stick around this time or will it go the way of its predecessor, the 3D of old? The idea of 3D being used as an enhancement and not a special effect for us to gawk at was a revelation to the film industry. Sure, there were some gimmick films like My Bloody Valentine 3D but those films never pretended to be anything other than a fun trick. Most notably, computer animated films have used the technology to great effect. Up, Coraline and Monsters vs. Aliens, to name a few, used 3D to help the viewer feel more involved in the action. Up and Monsters worked well because the films and 3D were done completely with the computer, and camera angles and shot lengths can be manipulated to fit the effect. Live action 3D films, on the other hand, have been hit-or-miss. One cannot talk about the idea without mentioning Avatar. Regardless of your views on the film, it is without a doubt the best example of 3D that has ever been done. The film is always lush and vibrant, without ever seeming out of focus or confusing. Audiences loved it. Oh, and it made a bajillion dollars. But Avatar raking in the dough may have been the worst thing to happen to this technology. Studios look at that film’s success and say, “3D sells. Let’s make everything 3D.” As a result, studios do not care about all the hard work and attention that went in to making Avatar the spectacle it was. Avatar’s technology took more than 10 years to perfect and the idea of 3D was to be included from the very get-go. New cameras and power systems were created for the sole purpose of that film. James Cameron studied what made 3D work and work very well. The entire film was shot with 3D-specific cameras and it was edited to make sure the effect worked to its fullest extent. Most other film projects do not have the budget, time or patience to do this — which brings studios to the newest and biggest evil in filmmaking today: post-converting into 3D. Alice in Wonderland and Clash of the Titans, Hollywood’snewest3Dadventures,werenotfilmedin3D,andthe
By Julie Roche Staff Writer
ANNA TURNER
I
The Miami Student
difference is glaring. With Alice, a good portion of the film is computer generated which makes the 3D more bearable. But when viewing that film, did you notice that small headache you were developing? How about feeling the need to focus on a small portion of the screen because you knew you were not seeing it right? And why did Crispin Glover look like a misshapen catfish? When you were not seeing something that was created by the computer, the 3D faltered and mistakes and discomfort took the forefront. Alice was largely postconverted into 3D and it shows. As for Clash of the Titans, Louis Leterrier did not make that film for 3D. He went to the ends of the Earth to find the most beautiful locations to film and edited it specifically thinking of 2D. The studio then decided they would make more money by completely post-converting the entire film. I have heard nothing but complaints from reviewers. Some even watched it without the glasses because the blurred screen was better than the 3D one. Does this post converting really make a difference to casual filmgoers? It should. Shots that are shorter than two seconds cannot fully be taken in by the eye when viewing in 3D, resulting in that need to turn away and coax the vomit back down your esophagus. Added to the technical difficulties, studios are fast-tracking these conversions, which makes the work sloppy. Oh and I almost neglected to mention the conversion process costs an estimated $30,000 per minute. That adds about $30 to $40 million to the film’s budget. The studios are betting that they will make that money back and then some because of the premium that is on 3D right now. Judging from Clash and Alice’s box office receipts, maybe they are right. Maybe the American public is willing to accept shoddy, lazy work. Film studios will keep shoving 3D hacka down our throats as long as we keep paying for them. All we have to do is hit the studios where it hurts most: their wallets, because bad 3D hurts ours enough as it is.
Getting out of Rome this past weekend was like a pubescent teen’s wet dream.In the days leading up to Easter Sunday, the city turned into a total madhouse and a complete turn-off. Everywhere I looked, I saw reminders that the great, eternal city was under siege by wide-eyed, middle-aged tourists, dressed neatly in their sunhats, mid-ankle white socks and Wal-Mart Keds. Sounds more like an overpriced souvenir shop’s wet dream to me, if only buildings could have wet dreams … Black cameras draped around their necks, the enemies stood lurking like preying wolves upon church rooftops, blocking the middle of every road, alleyway and entrances into Rome’s most prized pizzerias. Each time I walked the cobblestone streets, I was in the midst of a battlefield and, call me crazy, but the last thing I wanted to do was spend the weekend bitterly dodging these foreign foes, who weren’t just marching on foot, but on Segways and tricycles, too. They had armor on wheels and tour guides directing their every move. I was outnumbered. So instead, I forfeited and took my chances venturing to the land of Sicily, better known as the birthplace of the Italian mafia. I took an evening flight into Palermo, and
good thing I did because if I had been able to see the city on the bus ride there, I may have just tried to turn around. Palermo was exactly what you’d expect for a city that runs on crime, murder and rape. Run down apartment buildings with broken windows and boarded up doors stand between the dusty streets, which are lined from corner to corner with tremendous piles of trash, and everywhere you look, you see groups of shady looking men huddled together in circles, leering at you with Old Greg eyes. At some point while exploring the city, it occurred to me I was being looked at like some kind of intruder. That’s when I realized an intruder was exactly what I was. I had crossed into Sicilian mob territory uninvited. This time, I was the tourist. The enemy … and I didn’t even have my own Segway to protect me. Luckily, I made some German and Australian allies at the hostel. With our forces combined, we were able to make it safely through the mob city unharmed. More importantly, though, I know I took a very valuable lesson with me back to Rome and that is as follows: I will no longer treat tourists as the enemy, but as fellow explorers, and will also remember to put myself in their shoes, sans the mid-ankle socks and Wal-Mart Keds. But I’ll keep the segway.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
other amusing shiz
The six parents of the world’s greatest superhero By Anna Turner
Protocol violators.
Amusement Editor
For years the world has looked to a select few for protection, comfort and semi-entertaining B-list movies. These few proudly wear emblems and capes, boldly going into burning buildings to save crying children, who really shouldn’t be hanging out in burning buildings because, I mean, they’re children and fire is dangerous, but … whatever. These few are impeccably trained in the ways of martial arts, firearms and open-mouth kissing the people they save — but not the children I just mentioned. That’s illegal. These few have won a permanent spot in our hearts, minds and Saturday morning television programming. These few are the superheroes. And never have we needed superheroes more than right now, when things like terrorism, low-fat ice cream, natural disasters and a myriad of other dangers threaten our livelihoods on a day-to-day basis. Yes, we are in troubling times. And it is during troubling times when we need our superheroes most. But right now we don’t need “superheroes,” we need the hybrid superhero — a lovechild of the world’s greatest avengers that can take on even the most vindictive of perils. The hybrid superhero has six parents, all of which contribute his or her own super qualities in child rearing. With six powerful parent figures, the parenting system of the hybrid superhero is complex. Let me see if I can break it down … Captain Planet: Eco-friendly and totally ripped, Captain Planet (CP) is the dad every kid wishes they had. This blue-skinned, green-haired Papa knows how to reduce, reuse and recycle and he’s pretty handy when it comes to taking pollution down to zero. Good ole CP is sure to help his super child with any going green problems, from aerosol containers to legalization of … harsher punishments for Kyoto
The Pink Power Ranger: More than just “the hot one,” the Pink Power Ranger (PPR) proves you can be sexy and ward off evil — at the same time! The PPR is referred to as the MILF of the Hybrid Superhero, and is always the first one asked to chaperone high school dances or church group field trips. Her dazzling smile and alluring eyes are unparalleled in the world of Moms, and that pink spandex suit doesn’t hurt either. Chuck Norris: Two words … Denim jumpsuit. Another two words: Boo yeah. Daddy Chuck is the hybrid superhero’s go-to when confronted with a particularly tricky bully, like AIDS or shoelaces. If anything in the hybrid superhero’s life needs a good roundhouse kick to the head (take that, algebra!), Chuck is the chosen partner in crime. Kim Possible: Call her, beep her if you need a ride home from soccer. With her naked mole rat in tow, Kim Possible is the minivan-driving, suburbia-loving, Easter egg hunt-hosting mother we all need. Leave it to Kim to organize a successful baby shower or kegger, all while making cargo pants look good. Really good. This midriff-bearing matriarch is the Hybrid Superhero’s favorite confidant, as she is always a good
listener … until her beeper goes off in that Kim Possible-esque do do de do, and then she’s off to fight that weird monkey feet guy or the Scottish villain or one of the other weird bad guys that she fights … But hey, no family is perfect, right? Willow: He’s short. He has a mullet. And he’s named after a tree. This adorable dwarf and his Toys R Us bow and arrow is good for more than just rescuing babies. Since he can pass for one of the hybrid superhero’s adolescent peers, Willow often accompanies his super child in sporting events or schoolyard fights. More than just a dad, Willow is a righthand man (well, dwarf), posing as a spiteful youth whenever his child needs him. Sarah Palin: Because one of the Hybrid Superhero’s parents has to be a buzz kill, Sarah Palin is there to enforce curfew, although that doesn’t seem to prevent any pregnancies, which is usually the intent of curfews. So … way to be a failure in that respect, mama Palin. Though frumpy and usually in shoulder pads, Palin is the cool parent that turns the other cheek when the hybrid superhero is playing around with guns, and is always down for a rager with her superkid’s hockey team. So, as you can see, the merging of these six super parents creates the hybrid superhero, something the world needs right now. That’s right, Burt Bacharach, what the world needs now isn’t love, sweet love — it’s the hybrid superhero.
10
Opinion
Friday, April 16, 2010
➤ EDITORIALS
The following pieces, written by the editorial editors, reflect the majority opinion of the editorial board.
Editors Thomasina Johnson johnsota@muohio.edu Sam Kay kaysj@muohio.edu
A year in the life of Santa Claus
New library hours a tough pill to swallow Due to recent cutbacks, King libraries on campus offer similar Library will reduce its hours of services to students who may wish operation beginning fall 2010 to utilize options not available and will discontinue poster print- at King. ing services and certain e-reserve Reduced hours may encourage services as well. The facility will students to finish work during the close at 10 p.m. Fridays and Satur- week and plan ahead more accudays and open at 11 a.m. Sundays. rately and responsibly to avoid According to library officials, last minute headaches. Students these changes will still have are made to prefull access to Reducing hours serve core lithe library durbrary resources. ing the week. could negatively The editorial The library impact students and board of The cuts reflect their ability to access the financial Miami Student specific resources ... situation of the accepts these changes with but is preferable to university and apprehension. cutting key services. the need to reWhile the board duce costs. The understands the board acknowlneed to reduce costs, reduced edges this need and feels the rehours could negatively impact duced hours and services are fair. students and their ability to access Officials have taken measures to specific resources. ensure that the hours changed are No matter how small a change, the least detrimental to students reducing library hours could by researching the times of highincrease demand during prime est demand for library services. study hours and make King more However, monitoring these crowded than it is currently. changes and the impact on stuReduced hours could also af- dents is essential. The board fect student employment posi- hopes the university will chose tions and the amount of work to implement policies conscious time available. of student needs and miniDespite these concerns, the mize cuts as much as possible. board believes these changes Libraries are an essential aspect are preferable to cutting key ser- of Miami’s education and should vices and can be managed. Other remain a priority.
JINGHANG HUANG The Miami Student
BIZZY YOUNG The Miami Student
➤ GUEST ESSAY
Documentation of social media a milestone The Library of Congress an- page that clearly communicates nounced it will start to digitally the Library of Congress will cataarchive every tweet since Twit- logue each tweet for research purter was created in 2006. Focus- poses. Users must understand that ing especially on tweets from Twitter, like all forms of social influential sources, the Library media, is a type of public forum. of Congress wants to collect People who send out tweets must millions of tweets for future realize the possible consequences sociological of composstudy. ing and sendThe documentation The editoriing 140-word of tweets is an al board of The thoughts into important milestone c y b e r s p a c e . Miami Student supports the Profiles may for social media cataloging of be set on prinetworks ... and tweets with vate, but they could create a reservations. may also be launch pad for The board open for the recognizes world to see. documentation of the value of other electronic media. The board documenting believes social media the docufor future scholars, but the board mentation of tweets is an imconsiders adding tweets to the Li- portant milestone for social brary of Congress may be a waste media networks. of Federal funds. The board beAlthough the Library of Conlieves the value archiving every gress has been documenting Web tweet will only be seen in the fu- sites for 11 years, this is the first ture. Because the Library of Con- time information from a social gress has no way to know which media site will be considered tweets will prove to be important material important enough to be to researchers in the future, the housed in the same entity that Library of Congress will be docu- contains historic newspapers and menting even the most trivial and rare books. The Library of Conunimportant tweets, wasting time gress is taking Twitter very seriand money. ously, which could create a launch The board recommends Twit- pad for documentation of other ter add a reminder to every user’s electronic media.
The Miami Student Oldest university newspaper in the United States, established 1826
EDITORIAL BOARD Catherine Couretas Editor in Chief Hannah Poturalski News Editor Erin Maher Managing Editor Scott Allison Online Editor Thomasina Johnson Editorial Editor Sam Kay Editorial Editor Courtney Day Campus Editor Hope Holmberg Campus Editor
Amanda Seitz Campus Editor Kelsey Bishop Community Editor Erin Fischesser Community Editor Katie Giovinale Sports Editor Amelia Carpenter Features Editor Anna Turner Amusement Editor Samantha Ludington Photo Editor Hannah Miller Art Director
Big Ben must keep game on field Ben Roethlisburger should be fined and suspended by the NFL following the second accusation of sexual assault in the past two years. This recent accusation comes from a 21-year-old college female who said she was lead into a bathroom by his security guard where Roethlisburger followed and proceeded to assault her. As of today (I’m writing this on April 14), she has decided not to press charges because she doesn’t want the attention of the media circus. That’s understandable. However, the fact Roethlisburger has put himself in two separate situations to be accused of sexually assaulting girls is absolutely unacceptable behavior. It is a disgrace to the NFL, the Steelers and to the students of Miami University. The fact that he gets praised for his two Super Bowl wins and the best football season Miami has had in a long time infuriates me. Sexual assault is a terrible crime that statistically affects one in six women and one in 33 men throughout their lifetimes. Nearly 60 percent of sexual assaults go unreported. He’s had two that have been reported but charges were then dropped. Sure, maybe Big Ben is a big target. Who knows what really happened behind the closed door of that bathroom. But for him to stand up and say in a press conference that he was glad the charges were dropped and he just wanted to get back to his teammates completely takes away from the fact that he put himself in a position to be accused of such a terrible crime. He should not be allowed back on the field until he is punished for his behavior. I am outraged one of our university’s most recognizable and successful alumnus would be involved in such acts. It all stems from his idea that apparently he can do whatever he pleases. When he comes back to Miami people treat him like he walks on water. One of the last times Roethlisburger was here, he verbally abused a bouncer at an uptown bar
(a friend of mine who still works there) when he was asked to show identification and pay cover like everyone else. I am embarrassed to say he graduated from Miami and disrespects our school by acting the way he does. He shouldn’t be praised or invited to the university until he realizes he cannot act that way. Again, I believe he should be fined and suspended this upcoming season for his actions off the field. Regardless of whether or not there was any trial or conviction he has already tarnished his reputation and betrayed the trust of all of his fans. Usually where there’s smoke there’s fire — Roethlisburger’s fire needs to be put out before another girl becomes a victim.
Chris DeNicola
denicocj@muohio.edu
Write TMS Letters must be signed with first and last names to be printed. Please send letters via e-mail to: miamistudent@muohio.edu or mail to: 17 MacMillan Hall Oxford, Ohio 45056 We reserve the right to edit for length, content and clarity. Letters submitted via e-mail have a greater chance of being published.
➤ WORLD AT A GLANCE Iceland: A volcanic eruption under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in Iceland has grown more intense, spewing large amounts of ash and smoke in the air, disruptiong air traffic. Iceland sits on a volcanic hotspot in the MidAtlantic Ridge and is no stranger to frequent eruptions.
JESSICA SINK The Miami Student Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS
OpEd Page
THE MIAMI STUDENT
➤ PERSPECTIVE
Professors hate on debate AMANDA SEITZ
When I came to Miami University I knew English would be my first major. It had always been the area I excelled in and enjoyed the most in high school and as someone who loved writing and reading, it seemed like an obvious choice for me to continue this curriculum into college. However, my excitement for the major and the path it would hopefully lead me to came to a screeching halt when I discovered it wasn’t simply the English language I was being taught. So many of my classes have been clouted by the personal opinion of the staff teaching the course that this year I decided to add on a journalism major and take a break, for a semester, of English classes all together. This is not to say English is the only department where indoctrination occurs. I have spoken to many other students who feel that often a professor or teacher’s private beliefs are so frequently interjected into the classroom that it is as if the curriculum is simply chucked out the window. More specifically, many students, as well as myself, have experienced professors that seem
to have a complete disregard for a differing opinion from their own, as if it would be absurd to think someone would oppose their radical yet “justifiable” viewpoints. Sometimes professors and educators need to be reminded that although the experience they bring to a classroom is usually unmatched by their younger students, student opinion and thought can be learned from, even if it goes against the grain of the classroom and the teacher. The best professors I’ve had recognize that sometimes they are wrong or a student who does not agree with them may have a good or original point. I have found myself challenged often in a positive way, by the teachers I have challenged. They rebound from disagreement and can offer ways the student may be right instead of just rolling their eyes in disagreement, teaching me to do the same not only in the classroom but in life. To engage in a true liberal education, open mindedness must be an open dialogue and taught from teacher to student as well as student to teacher. It seems that too often students are told to sit in
classes all day, listen and nod their head at what they are told and if they disagree with something, smile and think about the grade dock they may receive if they open their mouth to object or state otherwise. Sadly, I’ve found that sometimes it is much easier to spew back to a professor what he or she wants to hear in order to earn a good grade. This does not promote critical thinking, one of the cores of liberal and Miami’s education and should not be tolerated. I do not want the aforementioned points to overshadow the great professors I personally know from experience Miami and it’s department of English do offer. Yet, I think it is important for professors to reevaluate at what level they hold in regard the raw and true opinion of a student so the actual department, course and classroom is not looked upon as a great silencer of debate but instead a critical, engaging and thought-provoking one.
Seitz is campus editor for The Miami Student
➤ ESSAY
Students should act to stop present-day genocide While those back in Oxford were spending their Friday blowing off We’ve been studying the Holocaust since the fifth grade. Starting with classes to enjoy some sunshine or perhaps day drinking, I was touring a “Number the Stars” and working up to “Night,” the English classes work place where 1.2 million people lost their lives. Hardly your typical vaca- with the history classes to imprint one message into our brains: never tion destination, Auschwitz-Birkenau is nonetheless a place many people again. The walls of one of the buildings in Auschwitz displays the quote need to visit at some point in their lives. While traveling with my history “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” from class — titled the Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler — we spent five days the writings of George Santayana. The legacy of the Holocaust is a stain exploring a few of the many places Hitler and his Nazis left their hei- upon human history that will not fade any time soon. nous mark. Though the Jewish memorials in Prague and We study this tragedy, and keep it in our collective Krakow are moving because of what they represent, memory in order to ensure such an atrocity shall not hapWe keep (the nothing compares to actually walking through a place pen again. But hasn’t it? One need look no further than like Auschwitz. From what we’ve studied in various the present to see genocide. With my Auschwitz visit Holocaust) in classes, I expected the flat, barren landscape, the few restill fresh in my mind, I returned to Luxembourg April our collective maining buildings and of course the crematoria. What I 11 and began searching the New York Times Global ontook away from the trip, however, was something a lot memory in order line to see what updates around the world I had missed to ensure such an while frolicking abroad. By simply clicking on the region more powerful. The gates were as ominous as to be expected, the reatrocity shall not marked “Africa” I was confronted with articles reporting maining buildings stared blankly back at us, unrepentant massacres in remote parts of the Democratic Republic of happen again. of their past and the train tracks leading to nowhere filled Congo and reports of continued violence by the Islamist But hasn’t it? the viewer with a sense of icy cold loss that cannot be militants currently controlling Somalia. Darfur, Rwanda, described, only felt. The weight of history was pressing Bosnia, Cambodia; these places have seen murder on upon us as we saw the various exhibits. Keeping calm a massive scale, for purely ethnic or political reasons, during the tour is quite a challenge, and you try to prepare yourself. You and all of these have occurred well after the Western world promised can look at pictures online and you can read all the required books for your “never again.” history class, but walking past a display case holding more than two tons I realize I’m not exactly bringing up earth-shattering facts right now, of human hair that was to be used for cloth weaving, sheared off the vic- but I think at a certain point, we have become complacent with the fact tims like sacrificial lambs, can break through whatever emotional barriers that mass murder of innocents occurs in our present. And we shouldn’t you put in place in preparation for this visit. be okay with this fact. My trip to Auschwitz gave a good jolt to my soI would be fine, academically and almost clinically reading the display cial conscience, reminding me that if I expect history to not repeat itself, case notes and observing the contents, but then a particularly wrenching I have to be active in preventing it. Not everyone will go my particular picture would catch my eye and I would have to fight back the tears. path (because not that many people care enough to be DFA majors) but The part that really got to me? A room filled with shoes. Just shoes. I believe everyone is capable of showing support to some extent for endMore than 80,000 of them piled high, forever trapped in the fashion of ing global genocides. Be it joining Amnesty International or supporting the mid-20th century, never again to be worn. I don’t know why it was the Red Cross efforts in Africa, every person, and every college student, the shoes that finally brought tears to my eyes, but there was something can do something so that perhaps with our generation, “never again” can so utterly haunting about the display. Heavy subject matter for what was become reality instead of wishful thinking. supposed to part of my fun-loving European spring break, but not an exKarli Kloss klosskm@muohio.edu perience I would necessarily trade away.
➤ SPILLING THE BEANS
Society must decide what really constitutes news
FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 ♦ 11
➤ GUEST ESSAY
Disabled deserve equal access Think about some of your favorite uptown Oxford establishments. Our short list would probably range from Kofenya, and You’re Fired to Steinkeller’s and Mac & Joe’s. Most of us don’t think twice about walking uptown to visit our favorite spots. The walk, the stairs and the heavy doors don’t faze us. Now, imagine using a wheelchair and trying to get to these same locations. You would undoubtedly encounter a few obstacles including the bricked crosswalks, flights of stairs and doors without wheelchair accessible mechanisms. Unfortunately, inaccessibility in uptown Oxford is an issue that receives less than its due amount of attention. The lack of consideration, however, doesn’t make inaccessibility any less of an issue. Places ranging from Phan Shin and Attitudes Uptown to CJ’s and Tonic are sadly problematic (an understatement) for those students and community members that require the assistance of wheelchairs. There are those local favorites that are lucky enough to remain on ground level (think Chipotle and Starbucks). Others have done their part to compensate by use of a ramp (take Kofenya, BTO and the Oxford Lane Library for example). There are also those that have a single stair between accessibility and inaccessibility but have done nothing about it (Phan Shin and the Morning Sun Café). Finally, some of uptown Oxford’s locales are so far from trying that it pains me to mention their names (Uptown Underground, CJs, Tonic, Top Deck, Steinkeller’s, Mac & Joe’s). The argument that people with disabilities decline to participate in uptown social activities and opt for more disability friendly recreation and thus the need for accommodation is eliminated is fallacious. The use of a wheelchair doesn’t take away from the craving for a drink, an appetite for good food or the desire to feel the pulse of late-night rhythms with every other student. Would a wheelchair change that for you? Nope. The economic argument that making uptown Oxford entirely accessible would simply be too expensive is ineffectual. My response: you can’t put a price tag on equal access and equality. At its base, there isn’t any reason why uptown Oxford shouldn’t accommodate persons with disabilities. The time of segregation based on ability or disability has passed. Equality in access is simply a right of every human and should be afforded to every human. Our humble Oxford should be no exception to this. Paula Koch
It is a universally accepted truth that human beings desire knowledge. Plato captured this idea with the words, “Knowledge is the food of the soul.” We not only want to know things, we need know. There is a burning desire in us to stay informed, and so, we try to do this. We pick up magazines and newspapers, log onto blogs and Web sites, explore search engines and read books, all to remain in Abby the know. Haglage The search for knowledge is a noble one, or would be, if the line between information and gossip were not so unimaginably thin. Sometimes the search for “knowledge” is a search for a way to help rebuild Haiti, sometimes it is nothing more than a search for the number of Tiger Woods’ mistresses. There are some people who review things such as CNN or the New York Times exclusively, whose investigation of the news does not include the latest celebrity gossip. This group is an honorable one, however, the inexcusable truth is many of us spent more time reading about Sandra Bullock’s breakup than we did about the death toll in Moscow’s recent terrorists attacks. Humans openly want information but secretly crave gossip. Looking at The Miami Student Web site on any given Tuesday or Friday you are likely to find the most popular story listed as the “Police
Beat.” It is not necessarily a sad reality this is what tops the popularity charts, just a true one. Most of us would rather read about a sophomore stealing an entire Bruno’s cheese pizza than the War on Terror. Why? Because reading about the pizza bandit leaves us feeling amused, somehow better about ourselves, maybe even proud of such an audacious attempt for late night food. Reading about the War on Terror leaves us bewildered, depressed and helpless. Whether we are simply a generation more superficial than the one before, or whether an obsession with gossip has long been ubiquitous is impossible to say. A recent scandal regarding the Pulitzer Prize is shedding light on this very question. The Pulitzer Prize has long been recognized as the most prestigious award in the world of the media. Started by Joseph Pulitzer in 1917, it recognizes excellence in newspaper journalism, literary achievements and musical composition. The award is divided into 21 categories ranging from public service to editorial cartooning. The winners of the prize are generally highly sophisticated writers, musicians and thinkers. Robert Frost received the award four times for his poetry, William Faulkner twice for non-fiction. This year, a year where celebrity gossip and scandal have literally inundated the media, there is a new player in the game. The new contender is the king of gossip and the god of hearsay, The National Enquirer. Journalists and writers
alike were outraged with the coming of the announcement that The National Enquirer had been nominated in two categories for its coverage of John Edward’s scandalous extra-marital affair. Although The National Enquirer did not win in either the investigative reporting award nor the national reporting award, their place in the running alone has left many journalists and editors outraged. The nomination speaks to a change that has slowly been taking place in the media over time, a migration from the desire for writing based on integrity and elegance, to the desire for the naked truth. The majority of the stories in The National Enquirer lack credible sources and many are revealed later as simple rumors. The format is gaudy, with a majority of titles that end in question marks, or contain crude sayings, “Stars With Cellulite,” a recent example. There is nothing sophisticated or elegant about The National Enquirer, but its coverage of John Edward contained one thing every paper lacked: the truth. Our country is based on the promise of this, a truthful and free nation, but when is it okay to trade dignity and respect of one’s privacy for truth? Had The National Enquirer received a Pulitzer Prize this year it would have been the first tabloid to do so. Sustaining the ideal for truth, the award is reserved for journalists that write the facts in a format focused less on cheap gossip and more on honest intellect.
kochpm2@muohio.edu
Kendal Ederer
edererkn@muohio.edu
The Miami Student is looking for essayists.
E-mail Jessica at sinkjk@muohio.edu.
12
FYI Page
Friday
April 16, 2010
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1) With 55-Down, the theme of this puzzle 5) Well-known constellation, ___ Major 9) Unruly crowd 12) Havarti or Stilton 15) Babe not found on the farm? 16) D.C.’s Pennsylvania ____ 17) Practice your shots? 19) Barbie’s beau 20) Chemistry suffix 21) Tiger tracker? 22) NFL kicker David with the record for most points from 2000-09 24) Organize 26) Chad’s neighbor? 29) Like some opening rounds? 34) Beatle’s hit, “____ Got a Feeling” 35) Navigator’s must-have 36) 45th Vice President of the U.S. 37) Like truly devoted fans 41) Single older man, sometimes 43) Some of So Cal’s finest 44) “No way,” in slang 46) 50 Cent single, “____ Technology” 47) Pattern of shots described by this puzzle’s theme (See 1-Across) 51) Angier than 52) Sound of boredom 55) Some neutral colors 57) Serve (with “to”) 60) French wine phrase, “Grand ____” 61) Canoe propeller 62) Between a rock and a hard place? 66) Word with “mad” or “ad” 67) Aroma detector 68) Drink carrier 69) Some laptops keys 70) Dallas skater 71) Refuse
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House for Rent 2010-11 114 E. Chestnut; 3 bedrooms; washer & dryer; central air; nice yard; great location near Rec.; rent is negotiable 937-548-0249 after 5:00 House for rent Great opportunity for Grad students. Ten minute drive to campus. Peaceful setting. 4bd.2 bth. 1200.mthly. 513-770-1053
for rent 2010-2011 Great Properties available for the 2010-2011 school year. Contact OXRE at 513-523-4532
Great 4-Bedroom Includes all appliances including Washer/Dryer. 2 Full Baths Off Street Parking for 4 vehicles. Priced right! 513-756-0780 www.mustudentrentals.com Furnished Rooms!!! Rooms for rent $675, $750 and $900 for the summer. occ. Groups of 1 to 5. May to Aug 2010, 1027 Arrowhead. Like New, remodeled, 5 bedrooms. 2 baths, Washer/dryer, dish washer, central air, on-site parking. COMPLETELY FURNISHED WITH 40” LCD TV, Free hi speed internet and hi def. cable TV; very low utility cost, wooded yard with access to hiking trails, and lots more. Contact me and I will send pictures. Call 740-862-2043, 740-407-4114 cell, 614-692-0510 work. Email Alan.barone@dla.mil Available Uptown Apartment 2010-2011 School Year, 2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, all utilities payed. 22-A South Beech St., Next to Stella’s, Very Clean. 513-523-3735 2010/2011 - 6 bedroom house with 2 baths, washer/dryer hookup, private yard and off street parking for 8 to 10 cars. Call Corso Realty at 523-3520 or 868-9700. 2010/2011 - 4 bedroom house with 2 baths, basement, washer/dryer and off street parking. Call Corso Realty at 523-3520 or 868-9700. 2 Bed 2 Bath Condo Hester Rd. 1260 sf. Sum, Fall +/or spring. Master BR w/suite. HUGE walk-in closets. Pets OK. $2400/pers/sem, summer cheaper, negotiable. Call Dana 419-308-9195
For Rent 2010/2011 - Uptown apartment with permit for 2 or 4. Call Corso Realty at 523-3520 or 868-9700.
Bacchanalia Campus & Vine New Construction 4 bed 3 bath Furnished Ready for this fall! www.muoh.net Schmates Rentals 847-274-6600
NEW 4 BDRM HOUSE 2010-2011 306 W. Sycamore; 4 bedroom, 2 full baths, washer/dryer, new appliances, large closets, huge basement, wraparound porch, PET friendly! $1600 deposit PAID for, $2,800 per person/semester, call Meghan at 440-309-5491
Apartments apartments available FOR 2010-2011. 108 South Main St. (behind “Pour House”). Permit for 3. $2000/person/semester. Large kitchen & living room. Really close to Uptown & Campus. Off-street Parking. Call Daniel 513-543-4470 www.miamiuniversityrentals.com CAMPUS COMMONS COMING THIS FALL - LOCATED ACROSS FROM THE REC CENTER. EXPERIENCE MODERN LIVING IN SOUTH CAMPUS QUARTER. FOR MORE INFO CALL (513) 523-1647 OR (513) 867-5522.
Roberts Apartments 2010/11. Great Location! Close to Uptown/Campus. Laundry Facilities. Off-Street Parking. Well-Maintained. Pet Friendly Units! www.roberts-apts.com 513-839-1426 or 513-839-0400 Village Green Apartments 2 bedroom Apartments with 2 baths, & dishwasher. Rent includes Heat, water, sewer and trash. 513-523-4532 Apartments and Houses for Rent CJ Management has a great place for you to live! Select units have Flat Screen TV, Off Street Parking, 1 to 8 tenants, Special includes Free Summer Rent! Call 513-523-3633 or 513-255-5222 Today! cjmgt.com
Apartments
THE COURTYARDS OF MIAMI RENOVATED 1bedroom with study $3300. per seme, 2 bedrooms (2 students) $2300. per semester Located on Central Ave, between S. Main and E. Campus Ave., across from the REC Center., group rates, one pet friendly building, off street parking, bus stops, and laundry. Stop by and look around, or Call Carolyn at 513-659-5671. Also thecourtyardsofmiami@yahoo.com
Houses Mile Square Upstairs of Duplex School year ’10-’11. Great location! Bishop and Withrow, 2 large bedrooms, 1 bath, open living and kitchen area, front porch, off street parking, permit for 4, $2995 per person per semester plus deposit and utilities. 812-350-4357 NEWER CONDO TRENDY 4 BEDRM ~2 FULL BATH ~EQUIPPED KITCHEN ~LAUNDRY ~OFF STREET PARKING ~GARAGE ~CAN HELP WITH FURNISHING Mike 513 266-1685 m2deuce21@hotmail.com HOUSING: FALL 2010 GIRLS: Need housing for Fall 2010? Cute 3 bedroom house, 2 nice girls! Utilities included. winchelm@muohio.edu
Roommate Needed AVAILABLE PROPERTIES LOOKING FOR ROOMMATES 2010-2011: You will have your own bedroom... 17 East Spring Street: Looking for 2 Female for 10-11 1 W High; Loft #201: Looking for 1 Female for 10-11 112.5 S Main Street: Looking for 1 or 2 Males for 10-11 109 Ardmore: Looking for 1 Female for Spring Sem 2011 219 N College: Looking for 1 Female to share Brand new house for 10-11 330 W Church: Looking for 1 Female for 10-11 112 S Main- All Bed No Breakfast: Looking for 1 or 2 Females for 10-11 119 N College - Looking for 1 Female for 10-11 We also have SINGLES available. **FOR MORE INFO CALL 513-524-9340**
One bedroom left
Looking for fun, nice, female housemate; individual bedroom. TWO BATHROOM, four bedroom, laundry, recently built, house. SUPER CLOSE to campus, three other females, cheap utilities. 2010-11 school year. Call Katie 616-502-3315.
THE MIAMI STUDENT
BSC
continued from page 1 protested about their student unions not focusing enough on the students. “The school newspaper from (Ohio State University) complained a lot of administrative space was in their student center,” McNabb said. “From day one, we worked to solve that problem and make students the focus of our student center.” The issue of Shriver’s inadequate, outdated food court was also tackled in the planning of what to include in the BSC. The BSC’s two-story food court, which will provide at least twice the variety of food Shriver offers, will address student demand for updated dining options. “They’re talking about a barbeque place, Asian place and Mexican place,” Jones said. “And there’s the possibility of having a sports zone around the barbeque.” Creamer said Haines Food Court in Shriver will shut down when the BSC food court opens. “Haines Food Court would not be operated,” Creamer said. “And the current staff there would be relocated.” Another major focus of the new student center is sustainability. “We went back to the drawing board, and the new plans I think students will find very exciting,” Jones said. “It’s going to be much more sustainable because we’re not deconstructing buildings, we’re using existing buildings.” The BSC also has other sustainable features, such as motion sensor light switches, composting, an increased emphasis on recycling and possibly even a green roof. “We’re actually looking at a sod roof,” Keller said, referring to eco-friendly,
FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 ♦ 13 turf-like material. Keller said having a sod roof would reduce the amount of heat absorbed from sunlight compared to traditional roof materials. The sod roof would also help with water runoff from the roof, Jones said. Jones and Keller said they hope and believe the BSC will meet the standards of sustainability required to win a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. The Farmer School of Business is currently Miami’s only LEED-certified building — however, the emphasis the BSC plans place on environmental sustainability signifies a drive to expand environmentalism throughout the rest of the campus. Also in contrast to Shriver, the BSC will offer more natural lighting through its glass ceilings and walls. Matt Forrest, off-campus senator, described the experience of leading tour groups through the bottom floor of Shriver. “It’s crowded, noisy and dark,” Forrest said. “And with people occasionally rolling garbage cans past us, the prospective students have a stinky experience.” The BSC will be less confined than Shriver, Keller said, so the atmosphere will not be as stuffy. “It’s much more open than Shriver is,” Keller said. Another issue addressed in the presentation was concern about the BSC cost. The new BSC plans included a drastically lower estimated cost than the ones proposed in 2009. “The president challenged those involved with planning to come up with a better model,” Keller said. “The current projected cost is much less than that of the original design.” The current plans call for an increase in student fees of $111 per student per semester. It has not been determined when the fees should commence.
“There was quite a bit of a discussion about that, but the consensus was the fees would not commence until after the building was finished,” Creamer said. “And the fees will last pretty much forever. The costs tend to go toward preserving the building and therefore are permanent. This has to be assumed as well.” The revised BSC plans rectified many costrelated issues that surrounded the initially proposed BSC designs, McNabb said. “They’re actually a vast improvement on the plans from last year,” McNabb said. “They save a lot of money, (so) students don’t have to pay as much, and they also make sure the core
uONLY
INSIDE THE BSC
Get a look at the Bicentennial Student Center floor plans and watch university students and administrators discuss the plans. www.miamistudent.net student priorities of this project are at the heart of where the money is going.” McNabb stressed the importance of having more study space, areas for student organizations and a more diverse food options on campus. Creamer said other universities fund similar projects solely through student fees. Miami is different in that other sources, such as donations, will cover a large portion of its construction expenses. Forrest supports the construction of the BSC despite its partial dependence on student fees. “We as student senators spent a lot of time and risked our reputations to support
something we think is really important,” Forrest said. “We’re really confident and passionate about this, and we find it essential to the success of the university. We hope to get university support on this.” The current timeline lists January 2014 as the expected completion date of the first phase of the BSC, at which time a large portion of the BSC will be operational. The completion of the second and final phase is planned for August 2015. “The renovation of Gaskill Hall and Rowan Hall, as well as about 90 percent of the new construction is in Phase I,” Keller said. “It will mainly be food, seating, lounge, student organization space, meeting rooms and the auditorium.” Most of what is going into Phase II is more meeting rooms, some more food and storage, according to Jones. The BSC will include a multipurpose room, as well as a two-story auditorium, comparable to the Farmer School of Business’ Taylor Auditorium. With the new multipurpose room and auditorium, Jones said the BSC is a prospective venue for future summer orientations. Jones feels the BSC will be an integral part of Miami’s campus and its construction is far overdue. “This project is probably the students’ project more than any other construction that’s happened on campus since the recreational sports center,” Jones said. “ASG has been advocating this for 11 years now, working to make it a reality.” McNabb agreed. “Miami is known for having a strong focus on undergraduate studies, as well as having a focus on co-curricular activities,” McNabb said. “This building is not just a student life building — it incorporates a lot of the aspects of the academic side of our university as well … its focus couldn’t be more spot on for me.”
The Miami Student is looking for:
an advertising layout director.
E-mail Katie at neltnekj@muohio.edu.
THE MIAMI STUDENT
14 ♦ FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010
LIBRARY continued from page 1
responsibility will be in the instructors’ hands. Along with the removal of e-reserves, the plotter machine used to print high-quality posters in King’s multimedia center will also be eliminated. “What has happened is our multimedia facility is about multimedia and we offered the plotter as an extra, but the price of maintaining it is getting exorbitant,” Santucci said. Barr said the loss of King’s plotter would be a minor inconvenience to the students. “The service is still going to be available on campus,” Barr said, “IT services will still have their plotter for use.” The final cutback affecting the library system this upcoming fall is the reduction of hours at King Library. According to Santucci, King Library will be
KOFENYA continued from page 1
Kofenya stores, and Snyder said for now, that’s enough for her. “If the right opportunity to further expand presents itself, then I’d definitely do it, but right now, I’m just focusing on these two
closed from 10 p.m. Friday until 9 a.m. Saturday. It will also be closed from 10 p.m. Saturday until 11 a.m. Sunday. King’s weekday times will remain unchanged from the current 24-hour policy. Barr said the hours had to be cut due to a reduction in staff. “We had to eliminate hours,” Barr said. “So we looked at the numbers and those hours we chose were when we didn’t have a lot of people.” After hearing the situation, one frequent libraryvisitor appeared sympathetic. “It’s always nice to have the library option open on the weekend,” sophomore Rose Kaplin, a dietetics major, said. “I understand why they have to change though, and at least they still have 24-hour weekdays.” Several students seemed willing to adapt to the necessary changes. “I use the library a lot, but if they really have to make a change I don’t think it will be the end of the world,” said sophomore Geoff Blackwell, an international studies major.
stores,” Snyder said. “It’s a lot of work right now, and I’m really just trying to survive finals week that’s coming up.” Many students are excited about the expansion but some just want to make sure Kofenya maintains its originality. Miami University sophomore Megan Fett frequents the Oxford Kofenya and said she supports the expansion as long as
Kofenya stays true to its roots. “I hope they stay unique and keep their local feel,” Fett said. “I wouldn’t want it to expand too much and become too commercialized. But I do think it’s good they’re expanding because it’s a great place for college students to hang out. And now the Miami Hamilton students will have that same opportunity there that we have here at the one in Oxford.”
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Sports
THE MIAMI STUDENT
Hockey season is something to be proud of Michael Cohen
Mike’d Up
I
t may not have been the perfect ending to the season, but there is no question the Miami University RedHawks’ 2009-10 hockey season was a success. When last year ended, we all hoped this year would result in the first national championship of Miami’s program. But, when 58 teams are vying for a national championship in a sport where the margin for error is as slim as a goaltender having the night of his life, to finish as a Frozen Four team must be celebrated. Let’s put this in perspective. Miami’s hockey program reached varsity status in 1978-79. After spending much of the 1980s in the cellar of the CCHA, coach George Gwozdecky led the RedHawks to their first NCAA tournament in 1992-93 with a roster featuring captain Chris Bergeron and alternate captain Enrico Blasi. The ’Hawks would make the tournament once more in the 1990s, as the 1996-97 squad would lose in the first round to Cornell. As a result, the first two decades of the program netted two non-consecutive NCAA appearances. Then the alternate captain from the first
RedHawk team to make the tournament returned to coach his alma mater and his captain joined his as an assistant. While the ’Hawks did not make much noise in the first few years of this decade, as they appeared in the tournament in 2003-04, Miami began its rise to national prominence as it has now made the tournament every year since 2005-06. In that span, the Red and White have won more regular season games than any other team in the nation, celebrated two CCHA championships and as a result of facing Boston College (BC) in Detroit last weekend, the first two Frozen Fours in the history of Miami hockey. I am not going to sugar coat the game against BC. The Eagles handed Miami their worst defeat in recent memory, beating Miami for the fourth time in the NCAA tournament, this time by a score of 7-1. The truth is that team is just as loaded going into next year and on paper should be NCAA championship contenders once again. While there is always the risk of players leaving early, those donning the RedHawk jersey have a strong tendency to graduate. As a result, the only definite losses to this Miami team will be four seniors and one long-time assistant coach. First, the seniors. Jarod Palmer is leaving a legacy at Miami. One of the most productive players to wear a RedHawk uniform, he set a record for games played in Red and White jersey with 169 appearances, is ninth in this history of the program with 90 assists, finishes his career with 137 total points and a plus-minus rating of an incredible +56. While he was never as big of a household name as an Andy Greene or a Ryan Jones, Palmer is certainly going to be missed next season. Brandon Smith, Gary Steffes and Dane Hetland may not have lit up the Miami
wSee COHEN, page 5
baseball
’Hawks feel Bearcat claws By Alex Butler Senior Staff Writer
The game-tying run was sitting on second base, but this time it just wasn’t in the cards for the Miami University RedHawks. “It was a rough day and we had a chance at the end,� shortstop Ryan Kaup said. “We just needed a couple more big hits. It (Tuesday) was exciting. It was definitely an incredible comeback but we would have liked to have won it again today to take home the tourney but it wasn’t to be.� A day after the RedHawks (15-17) climbed back into a contest in the ninth inning and managed a win against the Xavier University Musketeers, they were set to take on the University of Cincinnati Bearcats (17-14) for the Joe Nuxhall Classic tournament title. The Red and White went behind early and didn’t make a spark until the late innings once again, but the Bearcats stayed composed and pulled off a 3-2 victory. “There was a lot of emotion and we were really ready and looking forward to today,� Head Coach Dan Simonds said. “We were competing against a pretty solid team. We probably need to do some things better. Even in that first inning with walking the amount of guys we did. I thought we pitched it after that fairly well.� The Queen City foes would have made ‘the old left-hander’ proud. Bearcat pitchers only spotted the RedHawks one run on eight punch-outs and only walked two batters. Simonds’ team went down early on an
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RBI single in the first inning as the Bearcats smelt blood before piling on two more runs in the fourth and fifth innings, until Kaup came to the plate and connected for his first homerun as a RedHawk. Kaup colossal shot darted over the left field fence and made the score 3-1 Bearcats. “It was a full count and I was making sure to protect and put it in play,â€? Kaup said. “It was kind of a surprise I hit it out really. I was just trying to get on base.â€? After Kaup’s solo blast, the Red and White wouldn’t rally until desperation time — the ninth inning. RedHawk relievers would not allow another run over the final four frames and would leave it up to the lumber. With one out, senior Zak Hatfield connected on a pitch to center and the Bearcat’s booted the fly ball, allowing him to stand on second safely. Kaup returned to the batter’s box and added a base knock to his stat line and Hatfield scampered to third base. Center fielder Ryan Curl stepped to the plate and slapped a pitch into the infield and it looked as though the game would end on a double play, but Curl sped to first and collected a fielder’s choice RBI and got the Red and White to within one run of knotting up the game. After an intentional walk and a wild pitch, the Red and White had runners on first and second with two outs and only second baseman Jon Edgington stood in the way. As RedHawk fans rose to the occasion with aspirations of dĂŠjĂ -vu, Bearcat closer
wSee BASEBALL, page 5
16
Sports
Friday
April 16, 2010
baseball, page 15 Editor Katie Giovinale giovinkl@muohio.edu
The 2009-10 season marks Miami’s third regular season championship.
PHOTOS BY MICHAEL GRIGGS The Miami Student
Trent Vogelhuber celebrates after beating Michigan 3-2 in double overtime in the NCAA Regional Final.
hockey
A look back at the 2009-10 Brotherhood By Erika Hadley Senior Staff Writer
Over the course of the last five seasons, the Miami University ice hockey team has compiled the best winning percentage of any program in the country. The team has won two CCHA regular season titles, made five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, competed in four NCAA Regional Finals and earned back-toback trips to the Frozen Four.
team, because nobody gave them a chance a few weeks ago,” Blasi said. “And I’m proud of them and they did a great job. And it doesn’t feel good right now. But the sun will come up tomorrow and the guys will realize what they accomplished.” The sun did come up, and the Brotherhood, despite already having reached what many would consider to be the pinnacle of talent with its National Championship run in 2008-09, continued to get better every day.
MU dominated this year’s CCHA Awards, winning four accolades. A lot has changed since Enrico Blasi assumed leadership of the program in 1999 as the youngest head coach in Division I hockey. A lot has changed since the program said goodbye to the old Goggin Ice Arena, moved into a state of the art new facility and made history by becoming the first ever Miami sports team to be ranked No. 1 in the country. A lot has changed since the Red and White last found itself at the Frozen Four in Washington D.C. in 2009. There were many things Blasi could have said in the national press conference following last season’s heart breaking loss to Boston University (BU). Rather than dwelling on the team’s collapse in the final moments of regulation, Blasi stood as a leader for his devastated players to rally around, already setting the tone for a subsequent season of moving forward. “Right now I just want to make sure we focus and pay tribute to this
The RedHawks tackled a difficult first half schedule, recorded a historic first sweep of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and established an impressive 9-1-4 record going into winter break. In the schedule’s second half, Miami rebounded from a pair of losses to Robert Morris and went undefeated in 11 straight contests. The Red and White finished the regular season with just two total conference losses and the CCHA Regular Season Championship trophy in hand, all the while topping the national polls for 17 of 23 weeks. After some disappointment in the CCHA Tournament, the Red and White rose again and claimed the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament with a 2-1 triumph over Ferris State in the consolation game. Also with that victory, Miami’s senior class of Jarod Palmer, Brandon Smith, Dane Hetland and Gary Steffes became the winningest in school history. At the Midwest Regional, the
Brotherhood bested the University of Alabama-Huntsville in the semifinal matchup, and then played a classic against Michigan to advance to the Frozen Four. By any standard, Miami put together a nearly perfect season, much of which was thanks to the indomitable faith and support that form the backbone of the Brotherhood. The adversity associated with last season’s unforgettable defeat would have been enough of a burden for any team to bear but more hardship was in store for the RedHawks. It began with Blasi’s divorce near the conclusion of the 2008-09 season, continued with the constant pressure to prove something with another run at the national championship this time around and ended with a personal loss – the death of beloved senior student manager Brendan “Burkie” Burke in a car accident Feb. 5. It was at last season’s Frozen Four that Burke told his team he was gay, before spreading his courageous message on a national scale. Burke’s absence felt like a hole at this year’s Frozen Four, but the team’s same faith shone through. “(He’s) here for the ride,” junior captain Tommy Wingels said before the team departed for the Midwest Regional. “He’s going to be up there watching us, helping when he can and keeping an eye on us.” Dealing with that sobering situation highlighted the importance of family ties within the Brotherhood. In the April 8 national semifinal game v. Boston College (BC), however, Miami encountered one last bit of adversity. By the end of 60 minutes, the Red and White had been held to just 18 shots on goal (SOG), used two goaltenders and ultimately succumbed to the Eagles 7-1. After putting together a brilliant and inspiring season, Miami fell to Earth. “I don’t want to say the pressure, but we had to play at a high level all year long,” Blasi said. “We had a lot of questions to answer, sometimes it’s taxing. You don’t want to make excuses, but that did not look like the Miami team we coached the entire season.” BC has more speed than any other team in the country, and Miami had its work cut out for it from the moment the puck dropped. A frenetic tempo was set from the very first faceoff and the two teams matched lines as they raced each other up and down the ice. The RedHawks’ normally textbook game seemed a click off, however, as they took senseless penalties, failed to finish checks and seemed to succumb to Ford Field’s
Steve Spinell contributes a goal to the ’Hawks win over LSSU, 10-4. subpar ice conditions in a way the Eagles did not. By the end of the first frame, Blasi’s boys trailed by one. Miami has proven itself to be a resilient team, capable of coming back from first goal deficits. Entering Thursday’s contest, the Red and White held a nearly even record of 6-7-3 when the opponent scored first. By the numbers, the Brotherhood was far from out of the game. “It’s important to build shifts on top of one another,” Wingels said. “We’d have a good shift here or there and then we disappear for the next three, four minutes after that. That was pretty frustrating. They’re a very skilled team, very offensive.” BC added two more goals in the middle stanza, prompting an offensive onslaught by Miami at the outset of the third that saw freshman Joe Hartman break through with his seventh goal of the year. The RedHawks couldn’t keep up the rally effort, though, and seemed to encounter opposition from the Eagles at every turn with mounting frustration. “The problem is, you’ve got two teams playing,” Blasi said. “When they’re contrasting styles, one or the other is going to dictate the way it’s going to be played. Tonight it was Boston College’s night.” At 10:10, BC turned the contest into a total blowout, netting three goals in a span of 1:35 and adding a fourth at 16:41 to close scoring out 7-1 and end Miami’s season 29-8-7. “We turned pucks over and they put up seven goals,” Wingels said.
“All the credit goes to them for taking it to us and capitalizing on their opportunities.” The feelings that followed this season-ending loss juxtaposed sharply with those experienced after last year’s 4-3 championship defeat v. BU. Last season, the emotions that transpired at the end of the game – a sense of elation from entering the final minute of regulation followed by shock as sophomore Colby Cohen’s shot was tipped over Reichard’s shoulder in overtime – felt like a punch in the gut. This season, after all of the hard work and heartache that the ‘Hawks put into returning to college hockey’s grandest stage, the loss simply felt frustrating. It was a critical moment in the season, a bad time to fall apart, but Blasi and the Brotherhood should be commended, not criticized. “When you sit back and take it all in, we had a great season,” Blasi said. “We’ve had a lot of adversity we’ve had to go through this year…But I’m extremely proud of the way the team has played all year. It doesn’t take away from the relationships we have and the amount of care and love for each other.” Over the past five seasons, Miami’s program has won on a more consistent basis than any other team in the country, national title or none. Using the championship card as a measuring stick for failure does the RedHawks a disservice and devalues all of the hard work this program has put forth. As Blasi said once before, the sun will come up tomorrow, and the Brotherhood will realize what it has accomplished.
The RedHawks sweep the U. of Michigan for the first time in program history.