Establish 1826 — Oldest college newspaper west of the alleghenies
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Volume 146 No. 1
Miami University — Oxford, ohio
“Jersey Shore” star to headline mental health forum
MIAMI PI PHI SHUT DOWN After chapter closes, newest pledge class frustrated
MENTAL HEALTH
Jake Gold Asst. News Editor Vinny Guadagnino, a former reality star best known for his role on MTV’s “Jersey Shore,” will be the keynote speaker at Miami’s second annual mental health forum at 6p.m. on Sept. 7 in Hall Auditorium. The event is co-hosted by ASG, Student Counseling Services, the Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Council, MAP and RHA. The total cost for the event hasn’t yet been determined, but Guadagnino’s $20,000 speaking fee will be paid for by a special student affairs fund, according to ASG secretary of finance, Caroline Weimer. The funds will not come from ASG’s discretionary spending budget. The mental health forum will be held in an interactive Q&A format. Students can ask questions via Twitter about Guadagnino’s experience with mental health issues. After his anxiety and depression spiked, Guadagnino left “Jersey Shore,” and became an advocate for several causes — mostly mental health, but also LGBTQ rights, animal rights, and bullying. continued on page 8
greek life
Céilí doyle asst. news editor
President crawford addresses the student body photo by Agnel Gelfuso
WElcome, CLASS OF 2021 Audrey Davis News Editor Filling the shady grass and walkways of the Hub, the 3,864 members of Miami University’s class of 2021 were welcomed by President Greg Crawford during Convocation 2017 last Friday morning. The class of 2021 was chosen from an applicant pool of over 30,255 students with an average ACT score of 28.3. Over half of the students come from Ohio while the rest span 43 states and 18 countries. The current first-year class is the most diverse class in Miami’s 208-year history with 16.9 percent of domestic students of color. Additionally, 8.4 percent of students are international and 15.2 percent on first-generation college students. “Miami’s ability to attract this number of such accomplished and diverse students speaks to the national and global reputation of a Miami degree,” said Susan Schaurer, assistant vice president for enrollment management and student success and director of admission in a press release. To help acclimate the incoming class into college
life, the campus and the Oxford community, the university introduced the First 50 Days program, including more than 350 events. At Convocation 2017, President Crawford highlighted the importance of diversity on campus. “We seek ways to engage diversity in the classroom, in the library, in the laboratory, in the speakers we invite to campus and in the special events we host,” President Crawford said. The keynote speaker of convocation was Stephen T. Williams, mayor of Huntington, West Virginia, named “America’s Best Community.” Williams spoke of his experience revitalizing the community of Huntington through the Huntington Innovation Project which completely transformed the town. He also talked about the struggle of combatting issues similar to those addressed in Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance which was the required summer reading book for incoming first-years. Student body president Maggie Callahan, Renate Crawford and Oxford mayor Kate Rousmaniere were also featured speakers at Convocation.
It was a warm spring day in Oxford and Sophie Maness, then a first-year student, was anxiously awaiting initiation. Following the initial ceremony with the rest of her pledge class, she and a few other girls whose last names started with the letter “m,” sat excitedly in Minnich Hall counting down the minutes until their names were called. On April 8, Maness officially joined Miami University’s Pi Beta Phi chapter, or “Pi Phi,” along with 59 0ther new members of the 2017 pledge class. Four months later, on Aug. 8, the Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women international organization issued a press release announcing that Miami’s chapter was closed, effective immediately. For Maness and her fellow sisters, the decision came as a shock. “Before we were initiated, we had a meeting where we were told our nationals was going to be deciding if we were at risk of losing our charter,” Macontinued on page 8
Student suspended for sexual assault suing Miami Miami temporarily prohibited from disciplining student, court says Emily Williams Editor-in-Chief A student suspended for violating Miami’s Sexual Misconduct Policy has filed a lawsuit against the university, claiming the school violated his right to due process. A hearing in late April found the sophomore guilty of sexual assault for engaging in sexual conduct with a female student “on two occasions...without her knowingly being able to consent.” He was suspended until
May 2019 and banned from campus. But the student, referred to by the alias “John Nokes” in the lawsuit, says the sexual encounter was consensual. In a court decision on Friday, the student was granted a motion for preliminary injunction, which prohibits the university from imposing “disciplinary sanctions” on Nokes. In effect, this decision would allow the defendant to attend the university until a decision is reached. Claire Wagner, spokeswoman
continued on page 8 Student sit on lawn outside Armstrong photo by Jugal Jain
Meet the New ’Hawks The class of 2021 has arrived. A transfusion of fresh faces and optimism to the student body, Miami’s youngest class is another record year in terms of diversity, applications and high grades. However, inside the admission stats and behind the Welcome Week crowds are individuals stepping out of their hometowns and into the unknown. This weekend, The Miami Student struck out to meet
these fledgling Redhawks and collect their stories. Interviews revealed that first-years widely agree that everyone is “really nice” and the campus is “super pretty.” Roommate confidence is at an apparent high and people expressed genuine excitement about going to class. It’s a humble sampling, but here’s some faces from the class of 2021. See more photos on page 2 A.J. Newberry
news p.3
MU DINING MAKES MAJOR CHANGES Maplestreet now has a buffet, and Harris has closed its doors.
nEWS p.3
PACKAGE CENTER MOVES TO SHRIVER The new facility sports updates, but comes with a 24-hour time stamp.
CULTURE p.4
OPINION P. 9
FALL IN OX: CAN’T MISS EVENTS
ADVICE TO THE CLASS OF 2021
From apple butter to Trevor Noah, the best of this season.
What we wish we’d known during our first days on campus.
SPORTS P.12
‘HAWKS PRE-SEASON PREVIEW What to expect from MU football, soccer volleyball and field hockey
pro-tip: bikes go on streets. not sidewalks.