March 8, 2016 | The Miami Student

ESTABLISHED 1826 – OLDEST COLLEGE NEWSPAPER WEST OF THE ALLEGHENIES

The Miami Student TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2016 Volume 144 №39

Miami University — Oxford, Ohio

MIAMISTUDENT.NET

Fall 2016 semester to see increase in Friday classes

Clashes in Thomson Hall RACE

ACADEMICS

LAURA FITZGERALD SENIOR STAFF WRITER

The fall 2016 course list, released Feb. 29, contains more classes offered on Friday than past years, part of a longer trend of increasing Friday classes.

According to University Registrar Dave Sauter, the percent of classes that meet on Friday has been steadily increasing in the past few years, from 8.4 percent in fall 2012 to 10.7 percent in fall 2014. In fall 2015, that number jumped to 13.7 percent. While the course list is viewable, minor changes may still happen before the first scheduling date on April 4 for fall 2016, so no data is available yet for fall 2016, but there will be a greater percent of classes meeting on Friday.

Sauter says part of the reason there has been a greater emphasis on Friday classes is to spread them out so students can fit in all the classes they need.

“How are we spreading classes out? How can we maximize your success for choosing classes?” Sauter said. “If all your classes were Tuesday and Thursday from

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., that would be a problem.”

Sauter said there are also less registrar-scheduled classrooms than a few years ago due to building renovations. Since there is less classroom space available, more classes are using less space, and more time is needed to fit in all the classes.

A registrar-scheduled classroom is a room that can be used by any class, not just one department.

There are about 200 registrar classrooms out of the approximately 500 class spaces on campus.

Enrollment for Friday classes and non-Friday classes are comparable. In fall 2014, the average Friday class had 25.8 students enrolled, whereas classes that did not meet on Friday had an average of 24.9 students per class.

In a policy that was approved by the provost and enacted in 2013, an equal number of classes need to be scheduled on Monday and Friday. Also, 50 percent of classes need to meet in the Monday-Wednesday-Friday time block.

The prevalence of Friday classes is also linked to student alcohol consumption on

Thursday nights.

An alcohol task force that was formed in 2006 recommended offering more classes on Friday, among other recommendations. Rose Marie Ward, professor of kinesiology and health, served on the 2014-2015 Alcohol Task Force and is currently the co-chair for the Academic Support work group for the Alcohol Coordinating Committee. The ACC as formed by the Alcohol Task Force.

Ward says there are three groups of students: students who never go out on a Thursday, students who go out occasionally and students who go out almost every Thursday. It is those students who drink to excess that might want to curb their Thursday night drinking, as heavy drinking is associated with lower grade point average.

“There is an inverse relationship between drinking and academic performance,” Ward said.

The level of difficulty and timing of the class affects student performance and attendance, Ward said. If students have earlier or more difficult classes on Friday, they would be less inclined to

Allegations of gender- and race-based harassment in Thomson Hall culminated last Thursday evening in an open dialogue between girls in the RedHawk Traditions and Social Justice LLCs. Jane, who requested her real name remain anonymous for fear of retaliation from girls in her corridor, is a trans student living in the Social Justice LLC in Thomson Hall. She said the harassment began with vandalization of whiteboards in the LLCs’ shared corridor.

Students in the Social Justice LLC would write phrases like #BlackLivesMatter and #GayLivesMatter on the whiteboards outside their rooms only to return and find the phrases erased or sticky notes with passive aggressive comments stuck to their doors.

“It’s not like the act of erasing stuff is the issue, because that’s relatively inconsequential,” Jane said. “The issue is that the people who are erasing stuff have been targeting the boards belonging to black students or queer students.”

FRIDAY »PAGE 3

THOMSON »PAGE 3

Beta Theta Pi fraternity buys former Evans Scholars house

JAMES STEINBAUER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

STUDENT LIFE

STAFF WRITERS (SEE ENDNOTE)

Armstrong Student Center — Kelly

“4:15! Anybody need a break?” one of the workers at Mein Street calls out. No one does. Instead, they mimic the other Armstrong employees and stand in a circle, talking with each other.

There are no lines for food.

Empty chairs surround empty tables and the few students who are here sit alone, eating or working quietly on their laptops.

Families occupy a few tables, poring over maps and handouts from Make it Miami.

The quiet is interrupted by the occasional Mein Street employee calling out order numbers or a snippet of conversation from a nearby table .

A girl with a pink notebook gets up and walks to the table behind me.

“Hi, I’m with the Miami Student. Would you mind if I ask you a few questions for an article?” she asks.

The girl doesn’t mind and they sit together, talking quietly for a minute before they go their separate ways and it grows silent again.

The only constant sound is the radio, which is often overpowered by the sound of students conversing. Today, it sounds prominently over the relatively silent people who sit in the normally boisterous room.

SLICE OF LIFE »PAGE 4

International Student Spotlight: Darshini Parthasarathy PEOPLE

ANGELA HATCHER SENIOR STAFF WRITER

JALEN WALKER THE MIAMI STUDENT

Beta Theta Pi purchased the former Evans Scholars house on East Church Street last month.

GREEK

EMILY TATE

MANAGING EDITOR

Last month, Beta Theta Pi (Beta) fraternity purchased the former Evans Scholars house on East Church Street for $1 million.

This new property will allow Beta, whose national headquarters are located in Oxford, to further influence the culture of the block, according to Martin Cobb, director of communications for the Beta Theta Pi Foundation and Administrative Office.

Cobb said Beta intends to lease its new property on East Church Street to a

“high-performing fraternity in good standing with Miami University.” Beta is already negotiating with a potential tenant, Cobb said, but he would not reveal the name of that organization for confidentiality reasons.

“By owning and, thus, establishing the guidelines by which the former Evans Scholars house operates, we can ensure a safer and more student-centered culture in that area of Oxford that has long been central to our fraternity’s existence at Miami University,” Cobb said.

The general fraternity also owns two properties adjacent to the recently vacated Ev-

ans Scholars house, and its alumni own nearby facilities on High Street.

While the housing in that location is student-dominated, Miami employees, private landlords and Beta staff members occupy several of the surrounding properties.

“Our goal is for that block to be a model of how Miami students and Oxford community members can co-exist and enjoy living in close proximity to one another.”

Miami’s chapter of Beta Theta Pi, which is the Alpha (founding) chapter of the national organization, is not BETA »PAGE 9

First-year Darshini Parthasarathy’s footsteps are loud and bold and you can hear her ID card swinging with a jingle from the lanyard around her neck as she walks around Peabody Hall.

She usually comes in with a bang —strutting into a room laughing or waving at one of her friends and running to them while squealing excitedly.

Her large black-and-yellow prescription glasses always sit on top of her wavy, black hair. She can typically be found wearing her favorite pair of leggings, a hoodie and her cherished Batman scarf.

While she should be studying, she is more often watching anime or “Sherlock,” instead.

She is always the first person to introduce herself to a stranger.

“Hey I’m Darsh! Nice to meet you,” she’ll say, even though the other person clearly has their nose buried in a book. “What’s your name?”

Strangers almost always greet her with a smile as she passes by.

Although she is far from

ANGELA HATCHER SENIOR STAFF WRITER

home, she rarely lets sadness and the longing to see her family ruin her cheery outlook on life.

And she is very far from home.

The flight from Ohio to Abu Dhabi is 24 hours, including layovers. It’s a tedious trip, and not one she gets to make often during the school year.

But her smile never fades.

She surrounds herself with people, making friends everywhere she goes.

Encounters with Darsh often lead to the question, “Where are you from?” Her slight accent often marking her as ‘foreign.’

“Abu Dhabi,” she’ll say.

The follow up questions is almost always, “What part of India is that in?”

In response, Darsh simply

tries not to roll her eyes.

“No one knows where Abu Dhabi is,” Darsh chuckles. “Like does that sound like a place in India? Not so much. Basic geography!”

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

It’s roughly 70 miles from Dubai and over 1,500 miles away from India.

Darsh is always a little nervous when people ask her where she is from. Abu Dhabi is her home. But the question is easily answered with ‘Dubai’ or ‘India’ —places that people will recognize by name and won’t be confused about.

But the confusion is understandable and Darsh recognizes that. Although she was born and raised in Abu DARSH »PAGE 9

NEWS p. 2

NEWS p. 3

CULTURE p. 4

OPINION p. 6

SPORTS p. 10

JANUS FORUM BRINGS POLITICAL ANALYSTS TO MU

ON-CAMPUS HOUSING TO MIX CLASSES

EDITORIAL BOARD APPLAUDS ‘SPOTLIGHT’

DULUTH BEATS MU, CLINCHES FINAL PLAY-OFF SPOT

Speakers include James Carville, Ann Compton, Alex Castallanos

Residence halls formerly reserved for first-years will now house all grade levels

‘SLICE OF LIFE’ OFFERS A GLIMPSE OF EVERYDAY MIAMI

Board celebrates Best Picture win as an accomplishment for journalism

Miami hockey team loses last available seat in post-season play-offs

Writers observe spots around campus on a Friday afternoon

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2016

NEWS@MIAMISTUDENT.NET

Off campus, pass-down houses dominate market HOUSING

ABIGAIL KELLY

THE MIAMI STUDENT

Every spring, underclassmen scramble to find off-campus housing. For some, the process is made a little easier when older members of fraternities, sororities and other student organizations get them into a pass down house. “Passing down” houses to younger members allows students to sign leases before realtors are able to advertise.

The idea of pass-down houses is cherished by many Miami students.

However, in Oxford’s competitive real estate market, where students regularly sign leases for housing two years in advance, these “passdown” houses are often stolen.

Junior Caroline Grace Williams signed a lease with a group of friends in February of her freshman year.

“Living with 10 girls would be a fun experience,” she said. “When else could you really get that other than college?”

They signed a lease on a house called “The Great Fratsby,” a known pass-down house among Pi Kappa Phi fraternity brothers on South Main Street. She remembered going to parties at the house, so she never felt the need to take a tour of it before signing.

Now, when she attends the fraternity’s events with her boyfriend,

the “house-stealing” has become a running joke.

“I started saying ‘514 South Main’ instead of ‘Great Fratsby’ so I didn’t have to hear people say ‘What? You’re the one who stole it?’” said Williams.

Despite the frequent teasing, Williams does not think there were any hard feelings about her moving into the house.

“It’s not hard to sign a lease like we did,” Williams said. “We just walked into Red Brick Property and they told us it was free.”

However, not every pass-down house is treated the same way, and some students wish the tradition could be taken more seriously.

Seniors Greta Hallberg and Ariana Speridakos have lived in “Krazy Eights” for two years. Before they came to Miami, their older sorority sisters in Kappa Kappa Gamma also lived there.

“After we got our bids [freshman year], a couple groups of juniors said that their houses would be open for us to sign for our junior year,” Hallberg said. “My group of friends expressed interest and they gave us a tour of the house. A few days later we signed with the landlord.”

Hallberg and Speridakos remember receiving house decorations from the older girls and having dinner with the graduating seniors before they “passed the

TYLER PISTOR THE MIAMI STUDENT

The White House, on East Walnut, sits directly behind the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity house. Every year, it is rented exclusively to Alpha Delta Phi members and is their most consistent “annex” house. Many fraternities have similar houses. house down.”

However, the pass-down tradition of Krazy Eights will soon end, as it was signed by another group of girls — one not affiliated with Kappa Kappa Gamma — for the 2017-2018 school year.

Speridakos said she is sad the tradition will not continue.

“It is definitely upsetting that we’re losing the house after next year,” Speridakos said. “Since we aren’t allowed to have actual

sorority houses, this is the closest we can get … younger members of Kappa won’t get to have the same experience I did.”

Hallberg agreed, adding that she thinks sororities should make an effort to keep their pass-down traditions going.

“I think it’s really fun to have traditions in sororities like that,” Hallberg said. “I just wish girls in other chapters all respected that and respected each other’s

traditions.”

Hallberg said that, although her landlord reached out to them about finding other girls in their sorority to fill the house, another group of girls signed the lease before the group of potential Kappa Kappa Gamma residents.

“I really love the tradition and wish that the landlords and realtors would work with us and keep those traditions alive,” Hallberg said.

Janus Forum brings Shideler encourages interactive learning presidential race to Oxford with improved geology museum EVENT

DMITRIY KIZHIKIN THE MIAMI STUDENT

On Wednesday, Miami University will host another Janus Forum in which students can ask the guest speakers James Carville, Ann Compton and Alex Castellanos questions about the 2016 presidential race.

Since February 2013, the Department of Political Science and Office of Diversity Affairs have hosted Janus Forums on relevant topics biannually.

When looking for possible speakers, the executive board looks for more than just anyone who is available.

“We don’t just want a prewritten speech,” said Patrick Haney, chair of the Department of Political Science. “We want to find people who are open to speaking, people who embrace the spirit of the event.”

When picking a theme, timeliness is one of the most important factors. The presidential race is especially timely this year, and speakers from both parties can give insight into the race and the election process.

Before and during the event, students can submit questions on Twitter or via a Google Doc. Senior Greta Hallberg, student moderator of this particular Janus Forum, will introduce the speakers and ask the questions.

Hallberg has attended every Janus Forum in the past and feels prepared to host this year.

“Each of the speakers has five minutes to talk, which isn’t that long of a time, and then I’ll start with some premade questions from the board,” said Hallberg. “Then I’ll look through the Google Doc, where the board helps sort everything and ask the

students’ questions.”

The forum’s main goal is to increase political discourse on campus. The hope, according to Haney, is that the students will be more informed and inclined to get involved in the political system, even through simply voting.

“Political talk and involvement is a key part of a healthy and lively college campus,” said Haney.

The speakers themselves are members of the three main

We don’t just want a prewritten speech. We want to find people who are open to speaking, people who embrace the spirit of the event.

PATRICK HANEY CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

branches of the election process — James Carville of the Democratic Party, Ann Compton representing the media from ABC News and Alex Castellanos of the Republican Party.

With informed speakers and direct involvement from the students, Haney and Hallberg hope to spark interest in politics on campus.

“For a lot of people, it’s the first time they are able to vote,” said Hallberg.

“And it is important to be an educated voter.”

For students both informed and uninformed on the presidential race, the Janus Forum is an opportunity to become involved with the political scene.

Renovation process for Limper Geology Museum coming to a close, promoting learning opportunities for students and the general public CONSTRUCTION

VIVIAN DRURY

THE MIAMI STUDENT

The Limper Geology Museum in Shideler Hall, the newly renovated building for the Department of Geology and Environmental Science, is almost complete.

This facility will house a variety of minerals, rocks and other scientific materials intended to promote student learning, as well as be an attraction for the public.

Kendall Hauer, the museum director, played a key role in laying out the displays.

“We will have a display on rocks, plate tectonics and meteorites,” said Hauer. “The heart and soul of our collection is our local fossils and minerals that are from all over the world, all of which have a story.”

The museum does not have a set opening date yet, but Hauer hopes to have some of the major displays finished by the fall 2016 semester.

The renovation for the museum has been delayed because designing the layout took longer than expected and some displays required approval from the university. During the renovation, the pieces were stored in Boyd Hall on Western Campus.

One of the biggest displays still pending approval is a four-foot OmniGlobe that will show the Earth’s structure in a 3D view, allowing students to visualize what they are learning in the classroom.

“The OmniGlobe would really allow professors to show what they are teaching their students in a different and more interactive way,” Hauer said. “They would actually get to fully see many geological aspects of the Earth in a way that is more effective than just a 2D image on a screen.”

The museum was located in the basement of Shideler Hall before renovations, making it a little-known

JING LONG THE MIAMI STUDENT

The Limper Geology Museum was formerly housed in the basement of Shideler Hall. Now, it resides on the main floor as a focal point for the building. facility to most of the public, with the exception of a few professors, according to John Rakovan, a professor of mineralogy and geochemistry.

The renovated museum is now a focal point of the building as it is located on the first floor.

Rakovan believes the new modern design of the museum will attract visitors and promote undergraduate learning.

“It used to be in the basement in the corner, and the lighting and cabinetry were old and it wasn’t really ideal,” Rakovan said. “Now this is really a modern facility and it’s kind of a highlight of the building, so it will set a great impression on the building and hopefully that will draw people in and get them thinking about geology.”

About half of the museum will display new specimens, rocks and minerals, and the other half will showcase pieces from the original museum.

After winning a competition, senior Elizabeth Zilch and a few other graphic design students at Miami were selected to design the displays and layout of the materials for the museum.

TMS ONLINE MIAMISTUDENT.NET

The designers chose to go with a sleek and modern look to complement the style of the new building, but the displays still looks natural, which they thought would embody the earth science field of study.

“We really took from the materials that are talked about in the geology classes like minerals and earth specimens,” Zilch said. “We didn’t want to do anything too crazy and [wanted to] keep the theme revolved around the field so students could have a connection of what they’re learning in class to what they see in the displays.”

The museum is intended for the use of professors and students, but it also serves as a university attraction.

It will be open to the public during normal business hours, according to Hauer. The wide range of minerals, fossils, rocks, specimens and other earth science materials will promote scientific learning in a new way.

“There will certainly be afterhours things, too, like outreach school groups, but the intended audience is Miami undergraduate students to help them round out what they learn in their classes and advance their learning,” Hauer said.

NEWS@MIAMISTUDENT.NET

NEWS 3

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2016

Mixed housing option to replace first-year dorms HOUSING

SARAH KNEPP

THE MIAMI STUDENT

Next fall, the Office of Residence Life (ORL) will introduce a new general housing option for first-year students as an alternative to the living-learning community (LLC) system, which traditionally placed first-years with other, like-minded students.

The switch means that some first-years could end up living in residence halls with second-year students.

“There will probably be some [with both first-years and sophomores], but not every hall,” said Tresa Barlage, associate director of ORL. In fact, the coexistence of first and second-year students in residence halls is not new. For example, the Honors LLC has included both first and second-year students for years.

Sophomore Rosie McCormick lives in Wells Hall, which currently houses first and second year students. She said she doesn’t know all that many first year students in her building.

“The CLT (community leadership team) in our building still

tries really hard to put on events almost every week to get freshmen involved and give them a way to meet people,” she said.

“But honestly, I never go. My roommate and I know very few people in the dorm because most people don’t really talk in the bathroom or hallway or anything.”

While McCormick said she doesn’t mind having a deep bond with her hallmates, she can see how mixed halls might make it difficult for first year students to get adjusted to college life.

“I can see how this would be a strange freshman experience if you are expecting to meet best friends in your dorm,” she said.

“It might not happen in a mixed dorm like Wells.”

Next fall, the ORL will continue to renovate certain residence halls as part of the multi-year plan to renovate all residence halls for students living on campus.

In the past few years, the renovations have been for an entire quad, thus eliminating around four residence halls from the lineup each year. Next year, however, instead of displacing an entire quad, the university will renovate four separate buildings.

Hamilton and Clawson Halls, on Central Quad and Western campus, respectively, will undergo renovations and will not be available for students to live in.

Mary Lyon and Wilson Halls, on Western campus and East Quad, respectively, will also be out of commission for this fall, said Matthew Frericks, senior director of auxiliary planning and facilities in the H.O.M.E. Office.

Frericks also said the enrollment projections show all on-campus students will be accommodated as a result of the four North Quad halls opening again this summer.

The re-opening of North Quad will accommodate approximately 1,000 additional students.

Based on this and the enrollment predictions, it is not likely that any second-year students will have to live in off-campus facilities, such as Hawk’s Landing, Miami Preserve or Level 27 apartments, Frericks said. Some students live in these facilities now to accommodate the renovations and higher enrollment numbers.

The North Quad re-opening also contributes to the larger influx of resident assistants (RAs) that will be working in residence halls next

A.J. NEWBERRY THE MIAMI STUDENT

Gone are the days of first-year only residence halls and Living Learning Communities (LLCs). Instead, some new students will be mixed in with upperclassmen in various dorms. year.

“We’re going to have 261 RAs in the fall, which is eight or 10 more than we had this year,” said Barlage.

Barlage said that if/when first and second year students live in

residence halls together, ORL will be strategic in the grouping of students they put together.

“We’re always trying to accommodate and make sure students have the resources to the things they need,” she said.

AAUP gets faculty-only lunch at La Mia, but some feel location is isolated DINING

EMILY SIMANSKIS THE MIAMI STUDENT

La Mia Cucina, known for its flatbreads, pizzas and pasta, is opening its doors to faculty members Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of an initiative by Miami University’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP).

This faculty-only lunch option comes as a result of efforts by Miami’s AAUP chapter to find a replacement for 1809, which closed two years ago.

“They’re putting a lot of money into the student experience and some of that has come at the expense of the faculty experience,” said Karen Dawisha, co-president of Miami’s AAUP chapter.

La Mia serves as a place to take candidates for job interviews or guest artists and lecturers who are visiting campus. But its other valuable purpose comes as a result of the community the space creates for the two-and-a-half hours La Mia’s doors are open.

“We are really pretty isolated day-to-day in terms of our hectic, busy schedules and we will

be stuck in our particular building or our particular side of campus,” said Ann Elizabeth Armstrong, chair of the Department of Theatre and a representative on the Advisory Board for Miami’s chapter of AAUP. “It’s really important to come and bump into each other.”

In a community such as Miami’s that fosters collaboration and getting to know people, this lunch option for faculty is a way for faculty from different departments to come up with new research ideas or interdisciplinary projects and gives faculty the opportunity to talk to with others outside their department.

“Sometimes you feel really isolated and it contributes to morale and people will go off and complain by themselves,” Armstrong said. “It’s better to come here and see some of our administrators and find out what’s it like in your department or how you all are dealing with this problem.”

Dining Services was approached by members of the AAUP to offer some kind of faculty dining program and, because La Mia had not been operating during lunch due to low customer counts, Dining Services and the faculty both benefit from the new

program.

“The style of service (restaurant/made to order) allows us to easily control our costs and minimize waste,” said Mary Barrera, manager of culinary services. “It has a great atmosphere that we feel faculty and staff will appreciate.”

Dining Services also emphasized that this option has no direct effect on students. La Mia had not been open during lunch hours to begin with, though students who work in dining have been added to the lunch shift to accommodate the change.

Though this option presents new opportunities, its location may actually prevent faculty from making an effort to interact with their peers.

“It’s not convenient. That’s our concern. We want to support it, but something that’s at the end of all student dorms is not the most convenient place for faculty,” Dawisha says. “But we’re supporting it. We’re hoping others will soon.”

The location has access to parking and is also located along bus routes, but the location may be a drawback for something intended to build community

JENNIFER MILLS THE MIAMI STUDENT

Before La Mia’s faculty-only lunch option, 1809 used to host faculty members for meals. When that facility closed two years ago, no replacement was added until now. among different departments and divisions.

“It’s a student venue, it’s positioned right in the middle of student living areas and it’s obviously beautiful and wonderful, but that is definitely a challenge,” Armstrong said.

Miami’s AAUP chapter, though its members are fond of the vegan cookies and fruit platters served at La Mia, are still hoping to move the location.

“We were told in the future they might be able to construct

a place for us at the current Bell Tower, but that won’t probably happen for a few years,” said Deborah Lyons, the secretary for Miami’s AAUP chapter.

Dining Services reports that La Mia has been averaging 25 people per day for lunch and hopes to see more as word spreads and enthusiasm increases.

Though this faculty-only dining option had existed before, Miami’s chapter of AAUP and the faculty remain hopeful and positive about this new option.

Halfway through their first year, four students reflect on Miami experience SERIES

ELISE VASKO STAFF WRITER

The following is the third installment in a series following four first-year students through their freshman year.

They’ve been to Brick Street, grabbed late night snacks at MacCracken and taken their first college exams. But, for first-years Joe Anderson, Samantha Bosse, Rylan Hixslon and Becca Miller, the start of spring semester at Miami has presented new experiences and challenges.

Anderson, Bosse, Hixslon and Miller graduated from the same high school, Oak Hills, and all ended up at Miami. Yet, their paths have already begun to diverge.

Bosse said one challenge of starting the new semester was beginning an entirely new schedule of classes.

“I was kind of nervous to start

all of my classes,” said Bosse. “It’s basically like starting the year all over again, but I was surprised how many people I actually know here already.”

She said the most stressful part of the semester so far has been balancing her courses with her demanding dance team schedule. Bosse practices with the dance team five hours a week, and usually performs at one athletic game per week.

“All of my exams landed on last week so my whole schedule has been thrown off,” said Bosse.

“The time commitment to dance team is really picking up because we go to nationals in April.”

Because of her busy schedule, Bosse decided not to go through formal recruitment for a sorority.

Miller also decided against joining a Greek organization because of the time commitment.

Miller stays busy with marching band in the fall and currently plays in pep band. She’s also the vice president of her Community Lead-

ership Team (CLT) in Symmes Hall.

“It’s nice because you meet a lot of people and a lot of people in your dorm know you, but it’s really hard to get people to go to your events,” said Miller.

The CLT-coordinated event Miller said she was most proud of last semester was a “puppies, pizza and cookies” event her CLT put on to help relieve stress during finals week.

“We had the therapy dogs come in and hang out with people and we ordered pizza,” said Miller. “There were so many people there, it was ridiculous.”

A change for Miller this semester has been her switch from a major in biology to one in middle childhood education.

“I wasn’t as interested in biology as I thought I was,” said Miller. “I was constantly flip-flopping in biology. I went from marine biology to forensic science to regular biology, and I just couldn’t decide.”

Miller said last semester she struggled to keep herself interested in biology. She said she felt her lack of interest kept her from succeeding, which led her to reconsider her major.

“One of the major challenges I’ve had is learning to deal with stress,” said Miller. “Handling stress has been kind of rough.”

On the other hand, Anderson said this semester has been comparatively less stressful for him, and he hasn’t felt overwhelmed at any point. Anderson also did not choose to go through Greek recruitment, and is enjoying more free time this semester.

“In college you just have a lot more time to do your own thing,” said Anderson. “In college you’re definitely a lot more independent. It almost feels familiar now.”

Anderson said he improved his study habits during his first semester at college.

“First semester, I didn’t study as much as I should’ve and it really

visit us online at miamistudent.net

showed, so it was kind of a learning experience,” said Anderson. “I’m definitely a lot more structured with my studying now. I have a calendar and I’ve been pretty good with marking due dates and studying before it’s too late. I’ve been a lot more organized.”

Hixslon, by comparison, has devoted much of his time to the theatre department at Miami. He recently performed as Charles Bingley in Studio 88 Theatre’s production of Pride and Prejudice.

Hixslon said one of the challenges of his role was talking in a British accent. He said he enjoys acting because he sees it as an interactive form of education.

“You perform in a show, you’re putting yourself in the shoes of someone that you’re not, someone that could live a completely different life from you,” said Hixslon.

“You’re understanding that person’s brain and who they are … you get to understand their feelings.”

4 CULTURE

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2016

SLICE OF LIFE »PAGE 1

The corner of Poplar and High — Britton

The Ed Sheeran song playing

Tappan Hall lobby — Alison from Brick Street ends and is re-

Someone usually occupies the couch or one of the chairs in Tappan lobby — working on homework or talking on the phone. But right now it’s empty, even the quad outside seems still.

Then a guy in a plaid shirt walks briskly across the lobby from one closed hallway to the next.

A minute or so later and someone else, wearing only a light jacket, stomps down the steps and heads out the back door, untangling his earphones and putting them in.

It’s silent for the next few minutes before Emily Williams, an RA, walks across the lobby, the heels of her boots clicking on the tiled floor.

The guy wearing the plaid shirt returns, but this time from outside and with a full basket of laundry. At the same time, another guy emerges from upstairs with an empty basket and keeps going to the third floor.

Another guy wearing a slightly puffy silver coat comes in with a bag of food — it looks like snacks from McCracken Market.

Doors can be heard squeaking and clicking and slamming shut from everywhere else in the building.

A girl in a red jacket and ponytail walks in carrying two packages and heads upstairs.

And then the lobby falls silent again, save for the hum of air conditioning and buzzing of the florescent lights.

placed with something a little more upbeat. An Adele remix I think.

Six friends sit around a circular table on the patio, a pitcher full of beer and a handful of cups in front of them. But a few minutes later, they laugh and desert their table.

It finally got cold enough for them to move inside.

It’s 36 degrees outside and the wind bites a little. The sky is an ominous gray, like the clouds might burst with rain soon.

Cars of all shapes and sizes rumble along on the red brick.

Students hurry by, clad in black coats and frowns.

A group of three girls lead their parents across the street, heading somewhere warm for an early dinner — probably 45 or Mac n’ Joe’s.

Voices and laughter bubble up from the patio outside Brick, but they don’t last long.

A couple walks up Poplar, Jimmy John’s sandwiches in hand, and split up in the alley before SideBar. An employee at the Woods, wearing only a thin T-shirt, carries a case of bottles inside, stocking up for the night ahead.

People come and go, just passing through on their way to somewhere warmer, someplace better.

PERELMBK@MIAMIOH.EDU

A girl waits outside one of the cubicles, her eyes fixated on her phone.

A man with olive skin and a long navy scarf stares silently at the sleek blue bus, but does not get on.

A few stragglers climb on to the Level 27 bus from the sidewalk, their timing finely tuned to the schedule of the bus stop. They too are unphased by their surroundings, and soon after boarding they are whisked away to their homes for the weekend.

The man with the scarf moves inside the bubble. It’s not raining, but perhaps his new position will summon another bus.

Four minutes have passed since the man entered the bubble. Still no bus. With a sigh, he flips his scarf and leaves his post. He looks both ways before crossing Maple Street.

U2 pulls up, immediately followed by U3. A girl in tangerine slips out the back of the first bus as a short line begins to form up front.

The girl on her phone breaks contact to survey the new arrivals. She hesitates, unsure which bus she was waiting for. With a nod, she flip flops over to U3 and swipes her card.

U2 seizes the moment and turns right down Spring before any pedestrians can intercede.

A girl in a snowball white jacket scurries up to U3’s door. It is closed and far from the sidewalk, but the driver understands. She looks elated as she takes her seat, spared from having to walk across campus.

Seconds later U3 takes off to its next destination, leaving Shriver’s

Shriver bus stop — Kevin

The wheels on the bus crash to a halt. The Level 27 doors swing open, but no one emerges from inside. The engine chortles as it waits for no one.

Finding new families at big/little reveal RELATIONSHIPS

MACKENZIE ROSSERO THE MIAMI STUDENT

Leah and Olive had matching socks.

Fuzzy, purple, owl-shaped slippers — a testament to the fierce love Chi Omegas have for their winged mascot. They each wore a single sock — Leah had the right and Olive the left.

These matching socks only further confirmed what Olive and Leah had already known — they were twins.

As the 72 new “littles” filed into the Chi Omega suite in MacCracken Hall and found a snaking wall of white sheets around the perimeter, each held up by their new “bigs.” They couldn’t see anyone’s faces — just their socks — and the pledges raced around to find the pair that matched their own.

It was Big/Little Reveal. Leah

and Olive had already experienced four days of gifts, both knew who they wanted their “big” to be and were pretty sure she was waiting for them behind one of the white sheets.

“I was pretty sure who my ‘big’ was because of the way she worded things [in her text messages].

When I asked if I was a twin, she said ‘You’re the only apple of my eye’ and the way she talked really reminded me of someone,” said Leah.

The “bigs” communicated with their “littles” throughout the week using a texting app that masked their phone number.

“Leah and I were anxiously waiting all week to get Gillian as our ‘big,’” said Olive. “People kept trying to trick us and say she wasn’t who we thought it was!”

This year, there were 16 sets of twins — an unprecedented number.

Though she didn’t think she

wanted a twin, Olive has since changed her mind.

“My twin is super cool and has a super high energy. We mesh really well and I don’t think I would have gotten to know her if we weren’t twins,” Olive said.

“I love having twins,” said Gillian. “I, myself, am a triplet in my sorority family, so I’m used to having a big family.”

The matching of the “big” and “little” pairs is a long, painstaking process. Katie, the Chi Omega New Member Educator, along with Kathryn, the Chi Omega President, took the entire weekend before Big/ Little Week to properly evaluate everyone’s personalities and questionnaires before choosing the pairs.

“You want to put people into the best possible family. I rely a lot on the suggestions of other people,” Katie explained. “You have to know REVEAL »PAGE 5

bus stop empty once more. Another girl in a cranberry jacket and neon green backpack takes up the post of the girl on her phone. The cycle continues.

Kofenya — Audrey

A young guy gets out of his car and puts change into the parking meter in front of Kofenya before heading inside.

He walks to the front counter where he is greeted by two baristas.

Two friends are seated in green arm chairs right next to the front entrance.

“In Cruz’s speech, they took out everything besides the words Jesus, Trump, Texas and something else, and it was still over two minutes long!” one friend explained to the other.

Snowflake stickers still cover the window of the front door and a small cardboard person wears a Santa suit.

Random artwork hangs on the walls.

The whole place smells strongly of coffee.

The seats are all filled with people sipping coffee and sharing stories.

Only one girl sits alone at a bar stool facing the front window and working on homework.

Two friends walk through the front door and head for the counter.

“Yeah, he had a shirt with DTF on it. But it didn’t mean what you’re thinking. It stood for Donald Trump Forever!” they both laugh hysterically.

A mother and son walk in together.

The son gives a quick explanation of the place, pointing to the artwork and then to the chalkboard menu behind

the counter. He orders right away, but she takes a while to decide.

“Have a nice day!” calls one of the baristas as the mother and son head back out the front door, drinks in hand.

Rec Weight Room — Joey

The room is packed — 10 males for every female. The guys take turns using the benches and dumbbells and miscellaneous grunts and groans can be heard throughout.

A middle-aged woman in black sweats shuffles around the room looking for a bench to use. After finding none she retreats out of the room.

Two guys discuss parties for the weekend, popping out one earphone each to hear each other.

“Yeah, that’s gonna be hella dope,” one of them says.

Everywhere guys rub their upper arms and look at themselves in the mirror, two girls try to use the calf lift machine.

“Wow, look how small I am,” one says, adjusting the machine to the shortest setting. “This hurts your back.”

A lot of people stare at me, including a 50-something man who gives me a perplexed glare as he works out on the tricep press.

Two guys stand next to the pull-up bar and watch people play racquetball from behind a glass wall.

“That just seems like a game where no one really knows how to play,” one says, mesmerized.

Reported by Kelly Burns, Audrey Davis, Joey Hart, Alison Perelman, Britton Perelman and Kevin Vestal.

‘Zootopia’ is Disney’s next big franchise FILM

JACK RYAN

SENIOR STAFF WRITER

A young, naïve farm girl who dreams of being a police officer finally gets her chance in the big city, but must validate her status due to workplace prejudice. With nothing but her positive attitude and hustler sidekick, she must weave through gangsters and conspiracies to solve a mystery plaguing her city and earn her spot on the force.

No, I’m not talking about a cheesy buddy cop movie with major Billy Wilder influence. I’m talking about “Zootopia,” the latest release from the creative masterminds at Disney, their third in just nine months.

Instead of a simple farm girl, “Zootopia” follows bunny officer

Judy Hops (Ginnifer Goodwin), who chooses to pursue a life of fighting crime rather than continuing her family’s carrot farm business. The prejudice that reaches her is not toward her gender per se, but rather toward her size, as she pales in comparison to her enormous predatory coworkers — lions, rhinos and a chief buffalo (Idris Elba).

Her sarcastic companion? A fox named Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) who provides a set of sly skills that complement her intelligence, despite his natural status as her predator.

The entire world of “Zootopia” is built on this concept — predators and prey living in harmony — and builds much of its moral backbone by allowing its characters to defy ZOOTOPIA »PAGE 5

Editors’ pop culture picks for this week The things we watched, listened to and streamed this week in between planning our Spring Break trips.

VINYL »PAGE 5

“FULLER HOUSE” SEASON ONE, NETFLIX

The “Full House” spin-off brings back almost all of the original cast members, 20 years later, to show viewers that, even though they’re all grown up, some things never change. The series gets many of its laughs through not-sosubtle references to the original — think cheesy catchphrases like “You got it dude!” and “Have mercy.” The characters’ over-exaggerated attempts to be hip are painful at times, like when Stephanie and Kimmy Gibbler pose to take a “selfie,” and declare their looks are “on fleek.” However, the characters are still the same ones we know and love, and that’s what really matters. There are only 13 epiosdes, so I flew through them in a few days. It’s a great watch for when you want something mindlessly entertaining.

Luckily, rumor has it the show has been renewed for a second season. (Marissa Stipek, opinion editor)

KEVIN SPACEY’S “ACTING MASTERCLASS”

If you’ve already burned through “House of Cards” season four, I say kudos, and you might be interested in dropping some change on Kevin Spacey’s “Acting Masterclass.” Having never taken a formal theater course before and simply just having an interest in movies, this online video class is shaping up to be the best $90 I’ve ever spent. Mr. Spacey works with a group of graduate students on their monologues with exercises that challenge their motivations and noticeably move them from their comfort zones. Fans of his films will appreciate his canor and often cold manner he keeps with his students and come away with a unique take on the methods of 2016’s Emmy lock. (AJ Newberry, cartoonist)

“62ND COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS” BY ALAN ALDA

This is a quick read, but it’s packed with all the nostalgia, sentimental optimism and sincerity that I hope to hear from my graduating class’ commencement speaker. Alda, an actor and writer, gave this speech to Connecticut College’s class of 1980 and addressed it to his daughter, who was in the crowd, clad in cap and gown. The structure works well, allowing Alda to be personal and genuine without coming across cheesy and cliche. The speech’s most affecting quality, though, is Alda’s honesty. At times getting dark and brooding, Alda paints a picture of a deeply imperfect world, but says that ugliness shouldn’t stop his daughter from taking it on.

“There are, of course, hundreds of things you can work on, and they’re all fairly impossible to achieve, so there’s plenty to keep you busy for the rest of your life,” he says. This is for all the seniors who don’t know what they’re doing post-grad, but who want to do something meaningful. Don’t wait until May 14 to be inspired. (Reis Thebault, outgoing editor-in-chief/incoming lost college graduate)

“SONG EXPLODER”

In this podcast from Hrishikesh Hirway, musicians dissect one of their most popular tunes. They explain everything from their creative process behind chord progressions to the unknown anecdotes surrounding song titles.

Hirway has released 66 episodes since he launched the podcast in 2014 with guests ranging from indie pop duo Sylvan Esso to Irish rock band U2. My favorite listen is Ep. 64 on band The New Pornographer’s anthem, “Brill Bruisers” in which songwriter and vocalist Carl Newman discusses how the song was inspired by Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and the art of writing nonsense syllables. (Emily Williams, assistant news editor)

WWW.MIAMISTUDENT.NET

5

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2016

FROM ZOOTOPIA »PAGE 4

their natural statuses (the small rabbit who wants to be a cop, the chubby pop star-loving jaguar secretary). The detailed world is also built out of animals that have peacefully accepted their stereotypes, such as the lion mayor, the carrot-farming rabbits and, of course, the sloths that work at the DMV. The only thing comparable to the unique wit and creativity that Disney engineers —in this case directors Byron Howard, Rich Moore, and Jared Bush —bring to their films is the absolute beauty of their animation.

Vast landscapes in Zootopia — split primarily into four climate-based FROM REVEAL »PAGE 4

know the [older pledge class] really well to match them up. This year, I felt really good about matching everyone.”

Amid giggles and complaints of

boroughs — feel thought out and completely realized, and small details like drops of sprinkler water are individually articulated and lifelike.

The faces of our animated protagonists reflect both human emotion and animal tendencies and blend perfectly with superb voice acting on the parts of the performers, particularly Goodwin and Bateman.

The most breathtaking visual aspect of “Zootopia,” however, lies in its sense of scale. As the animal protagonists run through the eponymous city, they jump through various districts, each catered in size and environment to the animal population that lives there, providing us with visual comedy galore — Judy crashing

through a mouse-sized town being a personal favorite.

Disney is no stranger to discreetly hiding adult humor amongst their child-friendly movies, but “Zootopia” is one of the most adult-watchable Disney film to date. Locked within are references and not-sosubtle nods to “The Godfather,” “48 Hours,” and “Breaking Bad,” as starters. Even the story and tone of the film resembles a detective neonoir à la “The Big Lebowski,” rather than the simple fantasy of “Monsters Inc.” or “Toy Story.”

“Zootopia’s” biggest strength, its repeatedly restated and insisted moral of diversity and possibilities, is also one of its biggest weaknesses. Dis-

ney takes every possible opportunity to lay out the belief that all people are equal and important, but it reaches the point of overstatement rather quickly. However, this is a critical issue in the world at this time, and it’s refreshing to see a major studio aimed at young audiences spreading these ideals of equality and respect.

There is something about “Zootopia” that makes it feel like a Dreamworks project or a release from the budding Imagination Studios, rather than a semi-annual blessing from the Disney animation gods. It could be the relative lack of household names in the cast, the lack of subtlety in its moral or just the animation style in general, but it doesn’t seem like it’s

a sibling of “Tangled” or “Frozen,” for better or worse.

“Zootopia” may not necessarily be this year’s “Inside Out,” but with “Finding Dory” on the way, it’s very encouraging to see that Disney is dedicated to more than just their automatic blockbusters. With all the unexplored areas, characters and possibilities created through “Zootopia’s” debut, there’s no doubt in my mind that there will be a sequel in the near future — and deservedly so.

aching arms, Katie yelled above the noise.

“One, two … three!”

The sheets dropped and screams of joy filled the room as the “Littles” were finally united with their “Bigs.”

“Reveal was all excitement,” said

Gillian. “At that point, you don’t have to worry about avoiding them or giving it away because you don’t see them until the curtain drops.”

For the “Littles,” this reveal meant meeting the women who would make up their family-away-from-home.

For the “Bigs,” it meant meeting the new sisters they would mentor.

Leah and Olive were proud, new members of “The Night Owl Fam.” Their celebrations included taking pictures in McCracken Hall, hanging out at their “Grand-Big’s” house, and

having dinner Uptown at Sushi Nara.

Despite the chaotic week, Gillian is happy with how everything turned out.

“It’s all worth it,” she said. “I love [Leah and Olive] so much.”

M.I.A.M.I. Women in Leadership Symposium KEYNOTE ADDRESS—FREE AND OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS

FEATURING KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Judy Smith

Crisis management expert and inspiration behind the hit TV show “Scandal” Thursday, March 10 • 4 p.m.

Armstrong Student Center • Wilks Theater Doors open at 3:45 p.m. Seating is first come, first serve.

Tickets for the keynote address are FREE, but are required. To reserve tickets, contact the Miami University Box Office either by visiting the H.O.M.E. Office in Campus Avenue Building room 129, calling 513-529-3200 or emailing boxoffice@MiamiOH.edu.

A limited number of tickets are available. Overflow seating will be available for live streaming in Pavilion A&B on the third floor (no ticket required).

M. I. A. M. I. WOMEN

The Miami Initiative for Advancing, Mentoring and Investing in Women (M.I.A.M.I. Women) is a university-wide initiative that works with alumni, campus offices and student groups in its efforts to encourage and support opportunities for women in leadership.

MIAMI INITIATIVE FOR ADVANCING, MENTORING & INVESTING IN WOMEN

M I A M I O H . E D U/ M I A M I WO M E N

improving lives everyday

BEST Value!

First Mortgage

You Pay $499 in Closing Costs(1) and We Pay the Rest We keep your loan!(3)

For mo re info c ontact Immediate Pre Approval Kate By s t r o m at (513)52 3-4699 Best Interest Rates ex or kate. loans@m t. 9507 uccu.or g All Mortgage Types & Terms

Lot Financing with Construction Loans Miami University and Community Federal Credit Union Proudly serving Miami University and the Oxford Community since 1969!

5120 College Corner Pike • Oxford, OH 45056 • (513)523-8888 • www.muccu.org Call for complete details on the above product offering. APY, Rates, Terms, and Conditions are subject to individual credit worthiness, subject to daily change without notice. MUCFCU is not a legal entity of the University.

(1) On qualifying mortgages. (3) Must meet certain qualifications.

6 OPINION

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2016

EDITORIAL@MIAMISTUDENT.NET

A win for journalism: Spotlight illuminates the power of diligent reporting EDITORIAL

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

At this year’s Oscars, the Academy broke its tradition of awarding Best Picture to movies about the entertainment industry — think “The Artist,” “Argo” and “Birdman” — and, instead, recognized “Spotlight” as the best of the year.

For those who don’t know, “Spotlight” tells the story of the investigative team at The Boston Globe who first alerted the public of the slew of sexual abuse cases perpetrated by Catholic priests across the country, and the actions by the Catholic church as a whole to cover up these crimes.

While we are excited the film received this award, we are even happier to see the field of journalism acknowledged as an important fourth estate, necessary for society to function successfully.

The first obligation of journalism is to the truth. Honoring this rule, “Spotlight” stays consistent with real events.

The film doesn’t make the journalists seem like celebrities — there is nothing glamorous about spending the night in a cramped basement office, sorting through cardboard boxes full of documents.

We see the team going from house to house, note-pads in hand, trying to interview community members, only to get door after door slammed in their faces.

We get to see the reporters at home, whether that means alone, in a small empty

apartment, or pacing the kitchen of a middle class house, worrying about their children and the dangers of the world.

We witness the heartbreaking moment when Sacha decides she can’t go to church with her Nana that week because of what she has learned.

These situations are not romanticized.

‘Spotlight’ demonstrates the social change high-quality reporting is capable of.

They are authentic, gritty scenes of real life.

Furthermore, the movie doesn’t rely on soft subplots. There are no love stories between characters. There is no unnecessary violence, no fist fights and no fiery explosions.

“Spotlight” focuses on what actually happened, and sets a great example of what is possible when journalism is done properly. It shows what can be accomplished when journalists are willing to take risks, commit completely to a story and have the

patience to wait until just the right moment to publish.

We identified a few qualities present in the Spotlight reporters that are necessary to be a good journalist.

Fearlessness. Going against a powerful institution like the Catholic Church isn’t easy, especially in a devout city like Boston, where the fight wasn’t just against the church but against popular opinion.

People didn’t want to believe something horrible could happen within an organization they trusted. But journalists cannot base their stories on what people want to hear; they have to be aware of what people need to know.

Perseverance. The Spotlight reporters faced failure numerous times. They challenged noncompliant sources and proved why they needed to share what they knew.

The reporters sifted through records, reached out to victims, made phone calls and set up meetings, all in an effort to discover the truth.

Empathy. During interviews with sexual abuse victims, the reporters had to be patient and compassionate. When Michael Rezendes sits down with Mitchell Garabedian, he opens up about his own feelings to be persuasive and get the lawyer to cooperate. Though reporters must not become too emotionally invested in stories, the

Spotlight team proves that involvement is critical to good reporting. Establishing relationships motivates reporters to write the best story possible, because they owe it to their subjects to tell the story right.

Discipline. Despite uncovering over a dozen abuse cases by multiple priests, the Spotlight reporters held their story until they found out more. They were eventually able to prove that the entire Archdiocease of Boston was involved in the cover-up of over 100 cases. While the team wanted desperately to expose the scandal, they knew it was more important to ensure an infallible story the church could not dispute.

We, as young adults, have trouble remembering what the Catholic church was like before this scandal — when its reputation was untarnished and its teachings were regarded as absolute. For most of our lives, there has always been some knowledge of the church’s past offenses planting seeds of doubt in the minds of millions.

This shift in views is because of the reporters at The Boston Globe.

“Spotlight” demonstrates the social change high-quality reporting is capable of. It shows not only the powerful effects of publishing a hard-hitting story, but also the long and difficult process it takes to get there. It shows not just what journalism can be, but what it always should be.

Examining the U.S. legal system’s unfair Miami alumni propel Bernie expectations of immigrant children Sanders’ campaign forward POLITICS

MILAM’S MUSINGS BRETT MILAM COLUMNIST

I don’t have any strong memories of my time as a toddler.

There are pictures that prove I existed, like one where I’m holding a book bag, ready to go to preschool with my oversized glasses, looking like a ginger version of the kid from “Jerry Maguire.”

I’m sure if a random moment triggered it within me, I could draw out a memory, as our ability to contain memories develops more strongly a little after the three-year mark. But to sit here and think about it, no.

To get a better picture of what I may have been like as a toddler, I called my mom. She said I was “relaxed, quiet and calm.” She furthered added that I read the ageappropriate books fairly well.

However, I wonder if, at that time, I could’ve defended myself in immigration court, having read and understood the necessary immigration laws.

Last week, a federal immigration judge based out of Virginia argued in a deposition that migrant toddlers can defend themselves in court.

“I’ve taught immigration law literally to three-year-olds and fouryear-olds. It takes a lot of time. It takes a lot of patience,” Judge Jack Weil said. “They get it. It’s not the most efficient, but it can be done.”

I find three things immediately appalling about this situation.

First and foremost, we call children fleeing abuse, torture and other violence in their home countries, often crossing the border alone, “migrants” or “immigrants.” They are clearly refugees.

In total, 20,455 unaccompanied youths were caught at the border from October of last year through the end of January 2016. Half of them will go to court without a lawyer and some are as young as two.

Secondly, in immigration court, children charged with violating immigration laws have no rights to an appointed counsel, according to the Washington Post.

Our criminal justice system’s bedrock principle is due process, but it would seem the government, in this particular scenario, stacks the deck in its favor — which isn’t at all surprising.

The most frustrating part is that, if these children had representation, they most likely would qualify for legal immigration status given their circumstances of fleeing violence in their home countries.

But as former Los Angeles Times reporter, Sonia Nazario, said in the New York Times, only around seven percent of those who were placed in federal custody between 2007 and 2009, and who had received a ruling by 2010, were winning cases.

Third, and the most obvious point that should be readily appalling, Judge Jack Weil thinks children can be taught immigration law such that they can make not only informed decisions, but defend themselves in a courtroom adequately.

Keep in mind as well that these children not only likely don’t speak English, they may not even be able to read yet.

Laurence Steinberg, a psychology professor at Temple University, said in the Washington Post that children that young do not yet have logical reasoning abilities.

“It’s preposterous, frankly, to

Imagining my nephew, who can string together some simple sentences and do some basic problemsolving, standing before Justice Department-trained immigration lawyers and pleading his case for legal status in the U.S., is laughable.

And that’s with the understanding that my nephew has grown up in a middle-class family with a safe and secure upbringing. The kids discussed in this article are fleeing near-unimaginable horrors and violence, then being asked to navigate the legal system.

Crossing the border is no small feat, either.

Unlike me, they probably won’t have the advantage of forgetting those traumatic memories.

In a 2014 Justice Department motion, they argued giving the children lawyers would be an enormous expense to taxpayers.

That same year, President Obama asked Congress to fund a $3.7 billion plan to deal with the migrant crisis, of which, $15 million would go to legal representation for unaccompanied children.

(It should also be noted, as some-

The kids discussed in the article are fleeing nearunimaginable horrors and violence, then being asked to navigate the legal system.

think they could be taught enough about immigration law to be able to represent themselves in court,” Steinberg said.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and other Democrats introduced a bill to require the government to provide an attorney to these refugees.

The ACLU, along with a few other organizations, is also suing the Justice Department over the situation, saying it violates the U.S. Constitution.

I’m nearing graduation at Miami University and I’m not sure I could adequately represent myself and navigate the complex web of immigration law, much less if I was transported back to my “Jerry Maguire” kid days.

My three-year-old nephew and I had a conversation the other day.

He’s going through potty-training now and he knows if he uses the potty, he gets a toy. He was asking me if I’d go to Walmart and get him this “humongous dinosaur toy” he wanted. I asked him if Walmart was his favorite place, to which he said, yes.

thing of an aside, that $5 million was requested for a media campaign to tell families in Mexico and Central America to not come to the U.S.) Meanwhile, taxpayers spent $18 billion on immigration enforcement in 2013.

Taxpayers will also end up spending $1.5 trillion — to repeat, trillion — on the Marines’ new F-35 fighter jet. And it doesn’t even work well.

Then there’s the $43 million taxpayers spent on a gas station in Afghanistan.

I, for one, wish the government didn’t use my money to drone children overseas, but rather, tried to help save the ones fleeing violence in their home countries (which we helped cause, but that’s another column) by coming here.

It’s just a matter of our priorities and what we care to get riled up about when it comes to how the government spends our money.

MILAMBC@MIAMIOH.EDU

POLITICS

TO THE EDITOR: In this year’s race for the White House, three Miami University alumni are creating “the most effective TV ads for any presidential campaign” for Bernie Sanders.

Mark Longabaugh (’80), partner at Washington, D.C. media firm Devine Mulvey Longabaugh, is a senior adviser to the Bernie Sanders for President campaign. Scott Turner (’09), oversees all aspects of the agency’s production, from aiding the creative process to running the firm’s filming and post-production. Anne Tully (’12), oversees the firm’s media buying strategy and business development.

Senator Sanders’ ads have played a major role in spreading his message of real change to voters in primary states and increasing his national profile.

This time last year, despite being the Senator most liked by their constituents, Bernie Sanders was relatively unknown outside of his home state of Vermont.

Quartz reported in January that ad scoring firm Ace Metrix determined after testing 152 political ads among 500 national registered voters, commercials produced by the Sanders campaign made up seven of the top 10 most effective ads.

A Bernie 2016 commercial featuring the classic Simon and Garfunkel tune “America,” along with images of Sanders’ supporters, contains no voice-over

except for the candidate’s verbal approval. The spot has received international acclaim.

The ad, America, was the New York Times’ “Ad of the Week,” and was the fifth most viewed ad on YouTube in January. It was also featured on “The Daily Show” with Trevor Noah, “The Late Show” with Stephen Colbert and “Real Time” with Bill Maher.

Bernie Sanders is addressing a profound discontent that exists in America about an economic system that no longer works for the broad majority. His ideas are big — free public college education, a living wage for all workers, universal health care, breaking up Wall Street banks too big to fail and a far reaching plan to address climate change.

Bernie represents the best of the American spirit — offering a positive, idealistic agenda for a better country.

Scott and Anne were both participants in Miami’s Inside Washington program, where they were first introduced to the world of political advertising at Devine Mulvey.

Mark, Scott and Anne thank Miami University and the Oxford community for the education, memories and opportunities.

Love and honor, MARK LONGABAUGH ’80 SCOTT TURNER ’09 ANNE TULLY ’12 SCOTT@DMLMESSAGE. COM

Visit us online at miamistudent.net

EDITORIAL@MIAMISTUDENT.NET

OPINION 7

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2016

Not just for studying: Library renovation lets us imagine alternative activities LIFE

GRAHAM VON CARLOWITZ COLUMNIST

Have you ever entered King Library and thought to yourself, “Now this, this is where I picture a dance party?”

While the rest of the first floor is carpeted — even the chairs, one could say — the lobby area and its marble floor offer a suitable venue for slick and sliding dance moves.

I first noticed this “hip” potential for the lobby after returning from winter break. The area previously showcasing the Howe Center for Writing Excellence — or what I affectionately call “Howie” for short — was apparently not up to par, and as such, underwent some spring cleaning during winter term. The renovation is ongoing, a back-order of light fixtures the only obstacle yet to be overcome.

And so, for now, Howie does its business down the hall to the left of the renovated zone. What remains is a void in lobby-area

activity, leaving the marbled marvel alone and subject to change.

One such change is the promotion of loud talkers. While Jerry Seinfeld took issue with low talkers and close talkers, I’m nominating loud talkers as the Boisterous Annoyance of the Year at Miami.

improve the library, King has endorsed activity that contradicts its integrity. Noise-O-Meter has bastardized the notion of “quiet study” and begs visitors to trample about the lobby carefree.

Considering the new dance move I wish to boast — a threesecond handstand — I’d espe-

In its overzealous pursuit to improve the library, King has endorsed activity that contradicts its integrity.

They have found a home, these loud talkers. Not only do they creep about and carpet the lobby floor like talking moss, abusing the speaker-phone function, but they aren’t even the guilty party.

King Library is responsible for the tumultuous talkers, enabling them with a “Noise-O-Meter” that essentially advertises yelping.

In its overzealous pursuit to

cially love to embrace this oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to mock library culture. Fittingly, my motivation has a back story.

Long ago, around age nine, I was an unsuspecting little rascal in grade school who was scolded by the school librarian for turning my mouth into a noisemaker, wagging my tongue in all directions at will.

She clearly misunderstood this as an act of defiance, although my only intention was to make my more studious classmates burst into laughter. They didn’t. I was reprimanded nonetheless, and I’ve held a stigma against libraries ever since.

Today, King Library not only offers a haven for such wild charades — and God knows I’ve abused the haven — but it also represents the liberation from suppression.

Just as the fall of the Berlin Wall ushered in a procession of subdued East Germans, so reveals the library renovations a crack in the wall, an opportunity for ushering freedom.

I understand that, unlike the reunification of East and West Germany, order will be restored to a boisterous King Library in due time. The wall will return, and Noise-O-Meter will come down.

But that day is not yet upon us, so let us make much of that time!

Carpe diem, you know?

A dance party would be a nice way to seize the day and wrap up

Howie’s renovations, sending the Noise-O-Meter off on a memorable note. Entertaining the thought of a dance party to get back at Mrs. Brown, my librarian, is especially satisfying because disturbing the studious is practically a given.

Then again, maybe you’ve never thought about the lobby floor like I have. After all, a Noise-OMeter has never before greeted guests with permission to break long-standing library laws.

But, it’s there right now, a time for inspired thinking, a time to say to yourself, “Maybe not a dance party, but maybe an ice cream party, or a kitten concert (open to interpretation), or a scream-untilyou-faint contest, or…”

The possibilities are abundant.

That’s why King supplies suggestion cards. You can find them right there. In the lobby. Waiting for us, the students of Miami University, to take action while we still can.

VONCARGH@MIAMIOH.EDU

ACC programming promotes education, responsible drinking ALCOHOL

AJ NEWBERRY NEWBERAJ@MIAMIOH.EDU

The importance of storytelling: Finding the emotional truth in fiction MOVIES

BRITTON PERELMAN MANAGING EDITOR

We walk up to the theater and take our place in the short line.

We may already know what we’re here to see, but we look at the other titles and times listed anyway.

“I can help whoever’s next down here,” calls the newly free employee. She’s gesturing to us and we hurriedly step up to her window. We duck down to speak through the glass and tell her which movie we’d like to see.

She smiles and taps a few times on her computer screen. We hand over a plastic credit card in exchange for two hours of our night.

The employee says, “Enjoy the show,” and hands us our tickets.

We grab a small popcorn and drink and head into the theater.

Another employee rips our tickets along the jagged line and points to the left. “Theater 10’s down there and to your right.”

As we walk into the dark theater, we scout out a pair of seats and, since it’s not too crowded, we get the perfect ones — a few rows up, eye-level with the middle of the screen. We settle in just as the previews start. We quietly decide which we’ll be seeing in a few short months and which simply look dumb.

And, finally, the lights dim, everything else fades away and our movie starts.

By the time the title appears on the screen, we’ve forgotten how our friends scoffed at our choice in film before we left. We’ve forgotten about the exams we should be studying for, the fight we had with our significant other last night, the pile of dishes in the sink and the long to-do list of

other things we should be doing.

Film critic Roger Ebert once wrote, “The movies probably inspire more critical nonsense than any other art form, and they are also probably written about with more ignorance.”

It’s so easy to dismiss movies as trivial, just another form of mindless entertainment produced to please the masses. It’s easy to claim there’s nothing significant in watching a work of fiction.

In fact, just the opposite is true.

The entertainment industry is in the business of stories. Like everything else, it’s a business, but it’s one of the biggest and most important businesses in the world.

Movies are successful because they’re important. Because they fill a need. Because they matter to people.

“We all love stories. We’re born for them,” said Pixar filmmaker Andrew Stanton during his TED talk in 2014. “Stories affirm who we are. We all want affirmation that our lives have meaning, and nothing does a greater affirmation than when we connect through stories.”

Truth has a slippery definition.

Most people confuse it with the “facts,” when, in reality, the simple definition of truth is “things that are true.”

For so many, the words “movie” and “story” have come to mean “fiction.” But what we forget is that “fiction” does not mean “false.”

It was Elie Weisel who said, “Some stories are true that never happened.”

The stories we watch on the big screens might be works of fiction themselves, but there’s something at their cores that is universal — emotional truth.

The films that move us do so because something in them is real and human and true.

For me, it’s the joy in the moment when Pat and Tiffany hear how they did in the dance competition in “Silver Linings Playbook.” It’s the bittersweet way Rick says goodbye to Ilsa at the airport in “Casablanca.”

It’s Tim and Mary’s quirky, disastrous wedding in “About Time” and the light bulb that turns on for us when Gil realizes what century he’s meant to live in during “Midnight in Paris.”

And when Walter Mitty finally finds the photographer he’s been searching for in the mountains, yeah, it’s that, too.

It’s that montage of wins in “Moneyball” and that final shot in “Inception” — you know the one I’m talking about.

In “The Way Way Back,” it’s how we cheer when Duncan gets out of the car, and how we laugh during “The Kings of Summer” as the boys figure out how to live in the woods.

It’s the sobs we choke back when the sound fades and the music takes over as Ma and Jack are reunited after their escape in “Room,” and our uncontrollable smiles when Eilis and Tony start dating in “Brooklyn.”

I don’t know which movies — which stories — speak to you, but they’re important.

Storytelling matters. It’s what brings us together, gives our lives meaning and makes us human.

What could possibly be more truthful than that?

PERELMBK@MIAMIOH.EDU

TO THE EDITOR: We write in response to The Miami Student’s Feb. 26 column, headlined “Miami administration’s attempts to combat drinking culture is all ‘smoke and mirrors.’”

The students, staff and faculty who serve on the Alcohol Coordinating Committee (ACC) and its five work groups recognize that high-risk drinking behaviors pose a serious threat to the Miami and Oxford communities.

Specifically, those who choose to engage in high-risk behaviors put themselves and others at risk, and as a caring community, we need to work together to reduce this risk. ​If we choose to consume, we have a responsibility to practice legal, safe and low-risk alcohol use. If not, we have a right to expect such use.

The ACC and work groups are charged to find strategies, propose policy and support studentled initiatives that encourage safe and smart behaviors regarding alcohol use. We are committed to this work.

The behavioral expectations inherent in the Code of Student Conduct and local statutes must be effectively communicated to students, and then consistently and fairly enforced. At the same time, we recognize that student behavior is influenced through a variety of factors — individual disposition and goals; relationships and peer pressure; and broad environmental factors. These factors influence

students’ decisions, which are based on how they perceive the risks and rewards of drinking.

The ACC is reviewing many strategies, including working in partnership with the Oxford community, improving alcohol education, offering support to students in recovery and increasing resources for students who require intervention. We are dedicated to improving the health and safety of all of our students, whether or not they themselves choose to drink alcohol. Alcohol abuse has a detrimental effect on our entire community, so we are working diligently to reduce it.

However, our efforts can be successful only if students themselves recognize the potential dangers of high-risk alcohol use and work together to address this problem. Miami students have demonstrated they want to play an active role in creating a better community through student-led initiatives such as: Safe Spring Break Campaign, Step Up! Bystander Intervention and Late Night Miami.

Nationally, campuses where there has been a shift in student culture have had the most success in decreasing negative consequences from high-risk alcohol abuse.

We invite students to join our work groups to better inform the process and equip students to create student-led change. To join us, email Rebecca Baudry Young at the address below.

BAUDRYM@MIAMIOH.EDU

When you are finished reading, please recycle!

8 FYI

TUESDAY MARCH 8, 2016

The Miami Student James Steinbauer

Reis Thebault

Incoming Editor-in-Chief

Outgoing Editor-in-Chief Emily Tate, Britton Perelman Managing Editors

Thomas Briggs Business Manager

Kyle Hayden Design Editor

Ali Hackman Asst. Business Manager

Carleigh Turner Web Designer

Charles Cucco, Mike Coutre Advertising Representatives

Abbey Gingras, Grace Moody News Editors

James Tobin Adviser

Emily Williams, Justin Maskulinski Assistant News Editors

Drew Davis Business Adviser

Britton Perelman Culture Editor

WDJ Inc. - Bill Dedden Distributor

James Steinbauer, Marissa Stipek Opinion Editors

Connor Moriarty Photo Editor

A.J. Newberry Chris Curme

Crime Beat Writer Brett Milam

Designers

Will Fagan Julie Norehad Katie Hinh

SCHMATES HOME RENTALS

Now renting for 2017/18 The best homes are the first to rent.

Secure your House now. Make you Miami home memories last forever. Visit us: @ www. schmatesrentals.com

HELP WANTED

SUMMER DIVE COACH

Grace Remington Sports Editor

Cartoonists

HOUSES

Opinion Columnists

Sports Columnists

Brett Milam Greta Hallberg Madeleine LaPlante-Dube Graham von Carlowitz

Jack Reyering Ryan McSheffery

Head summer dive coach wanted for Oxford Swim & Dive Team, Oxford, Ohio, May 15July 22, 2016. Email resume to OSDT. Employment@gmail.com

Photography Staff Jalen Walker Angelo Gelfuso Ian Marker Jing Long Amanda Wang Jennifer Mills Tyler Pistor Beth Pfohl Reneé Farrell

Senior Staff Writers Maggie Callaghan Laura Fitzgerald Angela Hatcher Hailey Mallendick Bonnie Meibers Morgan Nguyen Mary Schrott Tess Sohngen Megan Zahneis

Website: www.miamistudent.net For advertising information: miamistudent@gmail.com

The Miami Student (Tuesday/Friday) is published during the school year by the students of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

The content of The Miami Student is the sole responsibility of The Miami Student staff. Opinions expressed in The Miami Student are not necessarily those of Miami University, its students or staff.

CORRECTIONS POLICY The Miami Student is committed to providing the Miami University community with the most accurate information possible. Corrections may be submitted up to seven calendar days after publication.

SUMMER CAMP STAFF SUMMER OF YOUR LIFE! CAMP WAYNE FOR GIRLS –Children’s

summer camp, Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania 6/18 - 8/14. If you love children and want a caring, fun environment we need Counselors, Instructors and other staff for our summer camp. Interviews on Miami Campus March 23rd. Select The Camp That Selects The Best Staff! Call 1.215.944.3069 or apply at www.campwaynegirls. com 215-944-3069

WWW.MIAMISTUDENT.NET

FOR RENT

COURTYARDS OF MIAMI

The Courtyards of Miami, located across from Miami’s Rec, on the corner of East Central Ave. and South Main St. offers two bedroom $2500. per person Heat and water included. 1 bedroom $3700. Free summer available, parking included.

Great location, excellent upgrades, make the Courtyards worth looking at. Visit web thecourtyardsofmiami.com or call 513-659-5671 Thank You

AVAILABLE 2016-2017 FOR 4 PEOPLE: 1014 ARROWHEAD: 4

Bed/ 2 Full baths, updated with vaulted ceilings.

Lots of space. Off street parking. $2,500 per person/ per sem. Contact 524-9340 for more info. www.plumtreemiami.com

136 NORTHRIDGE:

4 bed/ 2 full baths. Large bedrooms, living area and kitchen. Includes 1 car Garage. $2,250 pp/ per sem Contact 524-9340 for more info. www.plumtreemiami.com

FOR RENT

FOR 5 PEOPLE: 1016 ARROWHEAD:

5 Bed/ 2 Full baths, updated with vaulted ceilings. Lots of space. Off street parking. $2,000 pp per sem.

Contact 524-9340 for more info. www.plumtreemiami.com

ROBERTS APARTMENTS

Great Location! 200 Block of North Main and Beech Streets.

Laundry/Off-Street Parking. Only a few 2-Bedroom Units available for 2016- 2017. Call for Pricing.

513-839-1426 or 513-461-1165

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

BE YOUR OWN BOSS

Are you interested in owning your own business. with a small investment and are able to 5 to 10 hours per week you could be on your way to a successful career in health and wellness. for more information please visit my website at mydailychoice.com/ PureEssentials. I am available in the evenings after 6pm M -F and anytime on Saturday & Sunday. afternoon. my email address ms.tclark@comcast.net

EVER THOUGHT ABOUT WORKING FOR AN AD/PR AGENCY OR A MARKETING FIRM? The PRISM capstone (STC 459A) allows you to: - work with a real client on a small account team - hire professional actors and voice talent - work with professional graphic designers - build and diversify your resume and online portfolio - execute a real agency presentation to your client Past clients: Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, Butler County Fire Chiefs, Knights of Columbus, Boys Scouts & Talbert House

Leadership positions available: Account Manager & Creative Director

Open to all majors.

Capstone Credit Available .

Submit resume and DARS to 120 Williams Hall by 5 P.M. March 18.

Questions? E-mail Bill Brewer at brewerwe@miamioh.edu

WWW.MIAMISTUDENT.NET FROM HOCKEY»PAGE 10

FROM UFC»PAGE 10

Sherwood hit a one-timer from a sharp angle into the back of the net to tie the game 1-1.

Two and a half minutes into the third period, senior forward Charlie Sampair fired a shot just inside the near post to put UMD back up, 2-1.

The ’Hawks pulled Williams from the net for a sixth skater, but the Bulldogs scored an empty-net goal with 16 seconds remaining.

Both teams totaled 21 shots on goal, and ten of Miami’s shots came in the third period. The RedHawks went 0-for-3 on the power play while killing off both Bulldog man advantages. Williams made 18 saves.

MU and UMD meet in a bestof-three NCHC playoff series next weekend in Duluth.

ficer? Absolutely not.

More often than not, the fighters being signed have a violent history.

Though the sport itself is violent, it’s not okay to ignore the fighters’ violent pasts. The sport only fuels their aggression.

Fighters turn to illegal drugs such as steroids to perform better, but it comes at a cost. Some drugs cause violent outbursts and shorter tempers. When you add those performance enhancers with an already angry man who is capable of killing someone with his bare hands, you have a disaster.

The UFC doesn’t seem to care what their fighters did in their pasts.

Fine, we’ll leave the past in the past.

But, what happens when a fighter is accused of domestic violence while in the spotlight?

When light heavyweight fighter Thiago Silva was arrested after a domestic violence incident and a standoff with a SWAT team in February 2014, it appeared the UFC took a stance. UFC President Dana White said Silva would never fight for the UFC again. However, once the charges against Silva were dropped, he was graciously welcomed back to the UFC family.

When the ex-wife of heavyweight

FROM FRIDAY »PAGE 1

skip class or go out on Thursday.

Some students might not notice a change because they have classes on Friday anyway, Ward says.

Some departments are better than others at offering Friday classes.

Junior Nora Molinero dislikes Friday classes because she says she loses motivation on Friday after a long week of classes.

Many students start their weekend a day early, on Thursday night, and will go out even if they do have Friday classes, she says.

Some students may be more prone to skip their Friday classes or not take their Friday classes as seriously.

“I feel like this whole campus is just saying ‘no’ to Friday,” Molinero said.

Sophomore Liz Dvorkin has three classes on Friday. She says she prefers to have classes on Friday because she feels more productive using the full week, rather than four days.

Dvorkin says she realizes she may miss some events on Thursday nights, like socials with her sorority, but she thinks it’s worth it because her education is more important than going out.

“I feel like it shouldn’t be a problem to have classes on Friday because we’re here for school,” Dvorkin said.

Margaret Luongo, associate professor of English, teaches two classes on Monday and Friday. She says she prefers the Monday-Friday time slot because she is more productive. She can spread work out over three days, as opposed to one for a Monday-Wednesday or Tuesday-Thursday class.

It’s the students’ responsibility to do their classwork and attend Friday classes, Luongo said.

Although she cannot be sure, she says she has not noticed a significant difference in attendance or participation between her Monday and Friday class.

9

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2016 fighter Travis Browne accused him of domestic violence, the UFC temporarily suspended him. But the organization concluded its own investigation was “inconclusive,” and Browne was reinstated.

According to a statement by the UFC, the investigator in the Browne case talked to nearly a dozen individuals about the abuse, and the evidence did not support his ex-wife’s claims. Excuse me, but if a woman is abused by a man she loves she’s not going to run around to family and friends and talk about it. She is most likely scared that talking will lead the man to beat her again, and it may be worse than the previous beating.

We’re not talking about a normal man here. We’re talking about a trained professional fighter putting his hands on a woman. These men are literally paid to beat the living crap out of someone else.

If the UFC doesn’t change their policies, one of these men will seriously hurt someone ­— maybe to the point of death. With little accountability and even fewer regulations barring previous offenders, it becomes too easy for a violent sport to harbor even more violent people.

JULIA RIVERA

RIVERAJL@MIAMIOH.EDU

FROM BETA »PAGE 1

FROM DARSH »PAGE 1

itself in good standing with Miami. Its chapter closed in February 2014 after allegations of alcohol abuse and hazing, according to the Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.

The “recolonization,” or rebuilding, of Beta’s undergraduate Miami chapter begins June 1, Cobb said.

Beta is working with the Cliff Office to set a timeline for new member recruitment in the 2016-2017 academic year.

Cobb said the fraternity is currently overseeing renovations to the former Evans Scholars property, including improvements with the interior design, bathrooms and heating and air conditioning system.

They hope to complete these renovations by May. Meanwhile, the 60-plus Evans Scholars recently upgraded to a new house two blocks down the road, marking the first house change since the Miami chapter of Evans Scholars was founded in 1974.

Blake Ryan, president of Miami’s Evans Scholars, said the new house is a welcome improvement.

“We love it here,” Ryan said.

“The old one was much more difficult to live in than here. We have everything we need. The space of the house is enormous compared to what we used to live in.”

The new house also accommodates Miami’s handful of female Evans Scholars, who had previously lived in an on-campus residence hall. Until the move in January, Miami was the only Evans Scholars chapter (of the 15 nationwide) not to provide coed housing for scholars.

The only catch, Ryan said, is that the new house is on campus, meaning it falls under university jurisdiction.

“In the old house, we had more freedoms than we do in this house,” Ryan said.

Dhabi, she is Indian and remains, for all legal purposes, a citizen of India.

Her family hails from Chennai, the capital of the Tamil Nadu state.

“I identify as an Indian because that is what I am,” Darsh said. “I am Hindu. I am not Muslim. But I grew up surrounded by both Arab and Indian culture, so I understand how those influences influenced me.”

Darsh speaks Tamil, a language native to Chennai. She speaks little Arabic. She has an Indian passport. Abu Dhabi is a culturally rich metropolitan city, dominated by no singular group of people, but rather enriched by the influences of many diverse peoples.

It’s unique, just like its residents. And Darsh speaks flawless English.

“People are always so surprised I speak English so well,” she said.

“America is not the only place where people speak English fluently. Come on, people!”

She is a psychology major with a minor in photography. She loves people — understanding them, being with them and capturing them in their finest moments.

“I see things better through a lens,” Darsh said. “I see more.

I see people for who they are, not just what they look like.”

FROM MARCH»PAGE 10

me in King Library as I write this says he will never forget Trey Burke hitting a 3-pointer in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2013 tournament against the Kansas Jayhawks.

My mom will never forget watching Christian Laettner hit his gamewinning shot against Kentucky in the 1992 finals game to clinch the title for Duke.

Personally, I’m partial to Mario Chalmers’ 2008 finals buzzer beater against Memphis to send the game to overtime. Chalmers and his Kansas squad went on to defeat Memphis in one of the best college basketball games of all time. It’s a shame that the game technically never happened, according to the NCAA and thanks to John Calipari’s recruiting violations.

No other championship has the allure of March Madness. Elementary school classes don’t have bracket pools for college football bowl season. Dads across the nation don’t get together with their buddies to bet on their brackets for the World Series.

There is just something different about March.

The madness isn’t just for us fans either — it creates legacies for players that can alter their basketball careers.

Steve Nash recently retired as one of the greatest point guards of all time, FROM THOMSON »PAGE 1

Colleen Bunn, assistant director of residence life, agreed that while many of the allegations posed against girls in the RedHawk Traditions LLC seem to hold sway, the Office of Residence Life (ORL) has yet to hold someone accountable.

“This has been particularly targeting our students of color, our students who may not fit in the gender binary, our gay students,” Bunn said. “Those are true factors. What we’re having issues with is we don’t know who is exactly doing those things.”

Jane said the harassment climaxed last Wednesday when several girls from the RedHawk Traditions LLC loudly vocalized their feelings in the corridor kitchenette. Jane said the girls said things like, “I hate living with the black girls on this floor” and “I don’t like them throwing their blackness in my face.”

“Everybody in the hall could hear this,” Jane said. “When that kind of discrimination is vocalized and obviously directed at certain people, that is automatically an issue. It’s scary when you are a minority in a dorm and you have people who are very vocally

but he was relatively unknown until the 1993 NCAA tournament. In a first-round game against the secondseeded Arizona Wildcats, Nash made six straight free throws, leading his Santa Clara squad to an upset.

Nash is just one of the many players who made a name for themselves in March. Steph Curry is a household name now, but in 2008 he was a sophomore playing for Davidson University. Showing some of the dazzling skills he is known for now, Curry hit eight 3-pointers and scored 40 points in a first-round upset of Gonzaga.

The next round was more of the same when Curry scored 25 points in the second half when his Wildcats took down No. 2 Georgetown. The bright lights of the NCAA Tournament provided the opportunity Curry needed to display his talent on a national stage.

Sports fans or not, everybody seems to be talking about basketball when March comes around. It’s a time that brings people together to root for their favorite teams or favorite giant-slayers. This year’s action is just starting up, but if the Eagles of Florida Gulf Coast are any indication, the tournament should be as great as expected.

JACK YUNGBLUT

YUNGBLJD@MIAMIOH.EDU

against who you are fundamentally as a person. We have trans students who do not feel safe using the bathroom for fear of getting attacked.”

In response to the kitchenette incident, ORL held an open dialogue for the corridor to discuss how the two LLCs could create a mutually inclusive environment.

While Jane says the talk was helpful, both Jane and Bunn agree the issue remains unresolved.

“It’s not a resolvable issue,” Bunn said. “I think that is really hard for our students to understand. FAor those who are just seeing oppression for the first time and hearing it for the first time and dealing with those consequences and figuring out their white guilt, this is a tough conversation to handle.”

Bunn said that while the things happening in Thomson are isolated to the corridor shared by the RedHawk Traditions and Social Justice LLCs, that doesn’t mean they aren’t happening on other parts of the campus.

“I think that systemic racism and sexism exists everywhere on our campus,” Bunn said. “We have an obligation as a community to address it in whatever ways that we can.”

10 SPORTS

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2016

SPORTS@MIAMISTUDENT.NET

Miami swept by Duluth, loses home-ice playoff spot HOCKEY

HARRISON SCHWARZ STAFF WRITER

Winning this weekend’s series meant home-ice advantage for the Miami University hockey team in the first round of the conference playoffs, but MU dropped both games, claiming the tournament No. 5 seed.

Miami (15-16-3, 9-13-2-2 National Collegiate Hockey Conference) fell to University of Minnesota-Duluth (15-14-5, 11-10-3-1 NCHC) 5-0 Friday night and 3-1 Saturday night in Duluth, Minn. Duluth clinched the fourth and final home-ice tournament spot with the win Friday.

“We didn’t do what we went to Duluth to do,” senior center and team captain Sean Kuraly said. “But the good news is we have another chance. You have to let it go and move on.”

After a slow start to the season, the RedHawks put themselves in NCAA tournament contention with a strong second half, going 10-7-1. But, the only way the team will reach the NCAA tournament now is if it wins

TWO MINUTE DRILL:

JOSH MELNICK

the NCHC playoffs, as all conference champions receive a bid to the national contest.

“This weekend didn’t go well,” head coach Rico Blasi said. “Next weekend is a new season.”

The ‘Hawks face UMD next weekend in Duluth the first round of the NCHC tournament.

“Our only focus right now is being the best we can be this week in practice and preparing,” Kuraly said.

“We are looking forward to the challenge and realize it is do or die.”

UMD controlled the first game on Friday almost completely from the opening faceoff until the final whistle.

Sophomore forward Dominic Toninato scored from the top of the crease after gathering a rebound off a shot from freshman forward Adam Johnson 5:05 into the first period.

Miami’s best scoring opportunity came four minutes later, when freshman right-winger Jack Roslovic forced a turnover and passed to Kuraly, whose shot from between the circles was blocked by UMD sophomore goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo.

UMD scored its next two goals in the second period and two more in the third.

The Bulldogs outshot the RedHawks 20-9 in the last two periods and held an overall 27-20 advantage in shots on goal. Miami did not score on its lone power play, and Duluth went 1-for-4 with the man advantage.

In net, senior goaltender Jay Williams stopped 19 of 22 shots. Freshman goaltender Evan McCarthy subbed in for the final 9:39 and saved three of five shots. It was McCarthy’s first collegiate appearance.

Saturday’s game was a more even matchup.

The Bulldogs got on the board 6:44 into the first period when senior defenseman Willie Corrin scored from the left side of the slot.

Both teams went on a scoring hiatus until 18:13 into the second period.

Kuraly fed a pass to Roslovic, who was streaking down the wing and, in turn, fed freshman left-winger Kiefer Sherwood on the left side of the net.

Until that point, I had never heard of hockey. My family had no affiliation with hockey. Just growing up, having him support me and showing me how to play was awesome.

little ritual I have is that I always put the left equipment piece on first. I’d like to think that I’m not a superstitious person, but if you ask any of the other guys, they will say that I am. I just think that it’s a routine for me and it’s been working, so I try to stick to it.

What’s your favorite or funniest Miami memory?

I don’t know if I can think of one off the top of my head. I have a lot of classes with the guys and we all have fun at the rink. It’s just been great here so far.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, which teammate/coach would you want to have with you?

ANGELO GELFUSO

POSITION: Center YEAR: Freshman HOMETOWN: Annandale, N.J.

How long have you been playing hockey?

I have been skating since I was about 3 or 4 and I played on my first organized team when I was 5. My step-dad got me into hockey at a really young age.

For teammate, I’d have to say Zach LaValle. That guy is just so funny.

Definitely funniest guy in our class.

He’s always making me smile. For coach, I love all of them. It’s hard to pick. I have a great relationship with all of them, but I’d pick Coach Blasi.

Do you have any weird pregame rituals?

Yea I would say so. I just try to stick to a routine that I set for myself. I always keep all of my stuff in the same spot on game day — sticks, water bottles and stuff like that. One

HOCKEY »PAGE 9

If you could spend the day with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?

Patrice Bergeron. He’s my favorite player in the NHL. I have his number so I think it would be cool to spend a day with him.

What superpower would you want?

I think I’d want to be able to control time. Either freeze time or go into the future or past. Maybe correct something that went wrong or just see what’s coming up in the future.

Do you have a non-sports related talent?

I’m pretty good at card tricks. I like to amaze some of the guys in the locker room. I like to have someone pick a card and being able to know which card they picked. I learned from watching YouTube videos, and some older friends have taught me through the years.

ANGELO GELFUSO THE MIAMI STUDENT

Senior forward Chris Bryant takes on Ohio University junior forward Antonio Campbell for a jump ball.The RedHawks fell 67-65 to OU on senior night Friday. Senior guard Eric Washington posted 10 points and 10 assists.

Already-violent UFC harbors domestic abuse COLUMN

JULIA RIVERA UFC star Conor McGregor faced Nate Diaz this past weekend in an epic welterweight fight in Las Vegas.

In the second round, a bloodied Diaz forced McGregor to tap out, claiming his win. In the midst of the excitement of UFC 196, people have lost sight of one of the sport’s biggest problems: domestic violence.

The national domestic violence arrest rate is 360 arrests per 100,000 men. In the NFL, it’s 210 arrests per 100,000. But for the MMA, the rate is 750 arrests per 100,000. You would think a number that is double the national average would raise concern and force the sport to take action.

In 2015, HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” did a segment on domestic violence and MMA fighters. The piece centered on model Christy Mack and her ex-boyfriend, former UFC and Bellator fighter Jon

Koppenhaver. Koppenhaver allegedly brutally beat Mack to the point of convulsions and is now potentially facing life in prison for 34 felony charges, including attempted sexual assault and strangulation. During his first hearing, Koppenhaver laughed during Mack’s retelling of the alleged assault, clearly lacking any remorse.

The TV show explained that Mack isn’t the only woman who fell victim to their MMA fighter boyfriends and revealed that background checks are not a requirement to fight MMA promotions. MMA fighter Jason Miller said he was not required to show a record, even though he had one. Similarly, Koppenhaver signed with Bellator while serving time on a felony assault conviction.

Why are these violent men being thrown into a violent sport without a problem? Would a man with a domestic violence record be allowed to work at a hospital or as a police ofUFC »PAGE 9

Headlines beyond Oxford: Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova announced Monday that she failed a drug test at the Australian Open in January. She had been taking the drug meldonium for 10 years. It became illegal on Jan. 1.

SPORTS BRIEFS ’HAWKS ADVANCE TO CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS

REDHAWK SWIMMING BREAKS THREE SCHOOL RECORDS

Senior guard Eric Washington drained two free throws with 3.2 seconds left on the clock to beat Ball State University 49-47 in the first round of the MidAmerican Conference Tournament. Miami University basketball (13-19) has won four of its last five games.

Washington finished the game with 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and senior forward Chris Bryant added 14 points. Miami plays No. 3 seed University at Buffalo in the quarterfinals Thursday night at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

At the Mid-American Conference swimming and diving championships over the weekend, senior Jacob Prodoehl broke two Miami University records. He finished the 100-yard backstroke in 48.76, breaking Davis Staley’s 48.96 mark set in 2014. He broke the 200-yd backstroke record, swimming a 1:46.34 and passing Staley’s time of 1:46.54 set in 2014. Prodoehl was named to the All-MAC First Team. Junior Lucas Brock set the record in the 200-yard freestyle with his time of 1:37.69. His mark broke the record of 1:37.98 set by Ross Halloran in 1996.

The charm of March Madness returns COLUMN

JACK YUNGBLUT In 2013, the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles basketball team became the first 15-seed in NCAA tournament history to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. This year, they are up to some of the same antics.

The 19-13 Eagles made an im-

probable run to the finals of the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament, where they faced Stetson University.

Miraculously, after a key last-second block in overtime, the FGCU is now set to attend this year’s big dance.

This is the beauty of March. Any team can make a run – whether it’s a powerhouse with future NBA players and maybe a recruiting violation or two or a team of 5-foot-10 white

kids that look like your biology lab partner. All it takes is a few games to change the course of programs forever.

March Madness has something for everybody. Ask any sports fan and they’re sure to have some sort of memory or favorite game.

For example, the kid sitting behind MARCH »PAGE 9

SWIMMING COACH RETIRES Pete Lindsay, the head coach of the Miami University men’s swimming and diving team for the last 31 years, announced his retirement Sunday. Lindsay is a six-time Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year and led the RedHawks to three conference titles and 172 career dual meet victories, the most in school history. “It was a lifetime dream and goal to teach and coach at my alma mater,” Lindsay said.

After Lindsay took over MU’s program in the 1985-86 season, the RedHawks finished as either the runner-up or the conference champion 17 times, including Mid-American Conference titles in 1997, 1999 and 2006. Lindsay’s last day at Miami is May 31.

TODAY IN HISTORY

1930

Babe Ruth signs a two-year deal with the Yankees for $160,000, becoming the highest paid player of all time. When told his salary was more than the president’s, he said, “I had a better year.”

SIDELINE NBA CAVALIERS

103

GRIZZLIES

106