The Miami Student | March 3, 2020

ESTABLISHED 1826 — OLDEST COLLEGE NEWSPAPER WEST OF THE ALLEGHENIES

Volume 148 No. 17

Miami University — Oxford, Ohio

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020

Coronavirus restricts Miami study abroad programs JULIA ARWINE ERIN GLYNN NEWS EDITORS

Miami University students studying abroad in South Korea and Italy have been urged by the university to return to the U.S. as soon as possible, following an announcement by the Trump administration on Saturday that all non-essential travel to South Korea and Italy has been restricted.

The CDC classifies the warning level in both countries as Level 3 (red), the highest risk level. Iran and China are also Level 3 due to their own severe outbreaks of the virus.

Miami announced on Saturday that students currently in South Korea and Italy should come back to the U.S. and that the university is prepared to support the students as they transition their studies from abroad. Miami had already canceled its study abroad programs in China “for the foreseeable future.”

Ryan Dye, director of education abroad, said students studying abroad in Level 3 countries will need to return to the U.S., regardless of whether their program is sponsored by Miami or a third party.

In South Korea, so far there have been over 4,300 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 28 deaths. Junior Meagan Holloway-Ragland is one of four Miami students in a third party program to South Korea who was made to return to the U.S. after the program was canceled. Though she said the study abroad office tried to find a way for her to continue her classes back stateside, due to the uniqueness of the situation she will have to take the rest of the semester off, likely pushing back her graduation date.

“It’s just a really sucky situation,” she said.

Dye said there are currently about 25 students studying abroad in China, Italy, South Korea and Japan and that the university will have to “get creative” in transitioning their studies.

Dye said the students will need to work with their academic advisors to devise an CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR WELLS

JULIA ARWINE NEWS EDITOR

Tyler Perino stood between his parents, Randy and Laura, while facing the judge in the Oxford Courthouse. A few rows behind him sat several former members of the Delta Tau Delta (Delts) fraternity, and just a few feet to his right stood another: Joshua Plaster, who had just pled guilty to hazing him.

Last March, Tyler was rushed to the hospital after returning home from the Delts Big/ Little reveal, after telling his girlfriend to, “call 9-1-1, I feel like I’m going to die.” Tyler reported to Miami University’s Community Standards that he was slapped, kicked, spat on and forced to drink alcohol and smoke weed ex-

cessively. He was also beaten on the buttocks with a paddle until he bled internally.

After investigating, the university suspended Delts for 15 years, and the Butler County district attorney criminally charged 18 fraternity brothers with various counts of misdemeanor assault and hazing.

Tyler addressed the court and Plaster directly, recalling how he had first pledged Delts in the hopes of finding a supportive group of friends. Instead, he found himself abused.

He remembered one particular instance when another pledge told him that Plaster said he already hated his “little [brother]” — who would turn out to be Tyler.

“Josh, I want you to know,” Tyler said, “that I hate you, too.”

They appeared not to look at each other throughout the hearing.

Ten of the 18 former Delts charged in October pled guilty to hazing and received their sentences, which consisted mostly of fines, in court on Tuesday, Feb. 25 and Friday, Feb. 28.

The Perinos expressed with audible emotion how Plaster and the other Delts harmed them.

Tyler called Plaster an “asshole” and explained how the way his former big brother and fellow brothers treated him was “horrible and absolute barbaric behavior,” that caused Tyler physical, emotional and spiritual damage.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

PAGEANTRY IN A NEW ERA: REDEFINING LIBERATION MAYA FENTER

MAGAZINE EDITOR-AT-LARGE There was a small gap between the floor and the edge of the back curtain on the stage of Leonard Theatre in Peabody Hall. Just a few minutes before 7 p.m., a line of heels paraded from one side of the stage to the other, stiletto clicks ringing clearly through the theatre.

The six members of the judging panel took their seats in the front row marked with “Reserved” signs.

The audience rose and Caroline Grace Williams, Miss Ohio 2019 and emcee for the night, sang the National Anthem in a light orange gown and her Miss Ohio sash, with a crown pinned to her head.

“Confident” by Demi Lovato blared over the speakers, and the 11 contestants walked out on stage in rows and performed a short choreographed dance, wearing cocktail dresses, jumpsuits and wide smiles.

The contestants passed around a microphone and took turns introducing themselves with their name, major and school.

“The dreams of becoming Miss America start right here at the local level,” Caroline said behind the podium on stage.

Miss Oxford Tallawanda is one of 12 local Ohio pageants in the Miss America Organization. Local title winners qualify to compete at the state level, and state winners go on to compete nationally.

Out of 11 contestants, four will be crowned.

Nine are competing for Miss Oxford and Miss Tallawanda titles and two are competing for Miss Oxford’s Outstanding Teen and Miss Tallawanda’s Outstanding Teen. The Miss winners each get $1,000 in scholarship money and the Teen winners get $500.

The Outstanding Teen competition is Miss America’s sister organization. Titles are open to high school students ages 13 to 17, and the com-

CONTESTANTS FOCUSED ON ACTIVISM AND COMMUNITY AWARENESS. THE MIAMI STUDENT OLIVIA HENNESSEY

petition is structured differently than the Miss competition.

The Miss Tallawanda title is open to women ages 18 to 25 who live, work or attend college full-time in Ohio. The Miss Oxford title is typically not open to residents and students

in Butler County, but because there were only two contestants from Miami University, both crowns became open to anyone.

Emily Legenza, a senior at Ohio University, drove three hours from Athens, Ohio to compete in Miss Oxford Tallawanda.

NEWS

CULTURE

SPORTS

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Black feminist theory, Islamophobia, globalization and drag?!

This Issue

page 5

page 6

After three years of competing in Miss Northwestern Ohio and losing each time, she finally won the title last year and went on to compete in the Miss Ohio state competition.

This year, she has participated in almost every local Ohio pageant, hoping to compete in Miss Ohio again.

For Olivia Kentner, a sophomore at University of Cincinnati, Miss Oxford Tallawanda is the first pageant she’s ever competed in.

She’s performed in some capacity for most of her life through choir and musicals and has always thought that the Miss America women are strong and empowering.

Last summer, she forced her mom to drive to Mansfield to watch the final night of the Miss Ohio competition. At the end of the night, her mom turned to her and said, “Olivia, I think you can do this.”

“I think I can,” Olivia agreed. *** The first portion of the competition is the on-stage question, where each contestant has 25 seconds to answer one question from a judge.

The questions are based on current events and social issues and the contestants don’t know what they’ll be asked beforehand.

It’s designed for contestants to show that they can speak clearly and thoughtfully about topical issues and then form their own opinions.

One by one, contestants walk out to center stage in front of a microphone stand, smiling and making eye contact with the judge who would ask her a question.

“How can we excite young voters about the upcoming election?”

“What can we do to reduce Ohio’s infant mortality rate?”

“What are some solutions for the school-toprison pipeline?” ***

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

OPINION

Sam Sloman Best kicker in college football AND the NFL Draft? page 10

A year later, we've all failed. page 12

This Week

2 FYI

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020 Named the Best College Newspaper (Non-daily) in Ohio by the Society of Professional Journalists.

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Miami restricts study abroad programs due to novel coronavirus CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

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alternative plan that will likely include online, sprint and possible summer classes.

“It’s going to have to be handled on a caseby-case basis,” Dye said. “There’s the challenge for students from affected countries about the possibility of having to self-isolate for two weeks.”

Sarah Berg, a Miami alumna and Fulbright scholar who is teaching in South Korea, said that the Fulbright program is offering voluntary departure to its program members there, but since Berg has graduated from Miami, she is not being forced to return and is choosing to stay, despite many in the program deciding to leave.

“While I am considerably worried about my health and the health of my community, I do feel that staying is the best decision right now for a few reasons,” Berg said. “I am pleased with the way that Korea is handling the situation, and I believe that if I were to become sick I would be in the care of a competent and reasonable public health system that has quickly risen to the challenge of this crisis.”

Berg also considers it a bigger risk to travel through airports and believes the situation could very well worsen in the United States as well. There has been one confirmed case in the city of Yeosu, where she currently lives, and while many people in her community are worried, she said overall that there is no panic and the area is mostly calm. Her program ends in July, and she intends to stay even past that.

“I plan to stay even if the outbreak continues to grow,” she said. “I will likely only leave if my program requires it or if other dangerous conditions present themselves.”

Italy has more than 2,000 confirmed cases of the virus and 52 deaths.

Junior Elyse Legeay is currently studying abroad with a third party program in Tunisia, a country in North Africa, where there is one confirmed case of novel coronavirus. Her program originally included a trip to Sicily, in Italy, that she said may be canceled.

“I have not considered returning to the U.S., as the threat is not major in Tunisia, but I am upset that my planned excursion to Italy may be canceled,” Legeay said. “If my pro-

gram decides to continue with the excursion, I will go with them as planned, but obviously if that part of my experience is cancelled I will not be traveling there on my own.”

Dye said that Miami’s only spring break trip abroad, a classics course in Naples, Italy, titled Roman Cities and Sanctuaries in Southern Italy, has been canceled as well.

A Miami-sponsored summer program in Florence, Italy was also canceled, though the cancellation may not have been related to novel coronavirus, said Assistant Professor of Journalism Rosemary Pennington.

Miami said in their Saturday announcement that decisions will be made about summer study abroad programs on a case-bycase basis.

Additional reporting by staff writers Gabbi Bright and Madeline Phaby. arwinejk@miamioh.edu glynnee@miamioh.edu

“I plan to stay even if the outbreak continues to grow.

I will likely only leave if my program requires it or if other dangerous conditions present themselves.”

- Sarah Berg

ARWINEJK@MIAMIOH.EDU

NEWS 3

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020

Hazing survivor wants to be voice for others: FROM FRONT

“I was drunk more often than not; my grades suffered,” he said. “I often felt very tired, sick and broken down.”

“It was an abusive relationship between my son and your fraternity,” Laura said. “He got out of it, but many do not.”

Tyler emphasized his desire for hazing to end at Miami and nationally through the implementation of harsher punishment.

“I don’t want anyone to feel bad for me, but for this to never happen again,” he said. “I am a voice for kids that did not survive [hazing] similar to what happened to me.”

Along with Plaster, Hugh Webster, Michael Keen, Liam Newcomer, James MacKeigan, Scott Sidner, Nicholas Griswold, Jason Londa and Jonathan Rauch — all of whom were previously charged with one or more counts each of assault and hazing — each pled guilty

10 former Delts sentenced, but most avoid jail time

to one count of hazing, and all other charges were dismissed.

Keen, Newcomer, Plaster, Sidner, Griswold and Londa each received a $250 fine and were sentenced to 30 days in jail. But the court suspended $150 for each former Delt and all 30 days of each sentence, meaning they will serve no jail time and will each only pay $100 in addition to court fees.

Rauch received the same sentence, but without suspension. This means he will serve jail time and pay the full $250. Rauch has a court date on March 10 to review his sentence, so there is still the possibility of suspension.

Rauch’s attorney, Charles M. Rittgers, could not be reached for comment.

MacKeigan received the same sentence — $250 fine with $150 suspended and 30 days in jail suspended — like most of his former

brothers, but MacKeigan was also placed on probation for one year. His lawyer, John Bernans, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Former Delts president Andrew Brinkman pleaded guilty to one count of hazing and received a sentence of 30 days in jail and a $250 dollar fine during his trial on Feb. 28, although the jail sentence was suspended Hugh Webster was Delts’ new member educator throughout the new member initiation process, meaning he was one of several people in charge of helping new members get to know their brothers. He acknowledged he had a greater responsibility than most of his former brothers and he received a slightly steeper sentence: a $200 total fine plus court fees instead of the $100 the other brothers received.

“I don’t want anyone to feel bad for me, but for this to never happen again. I am a voice for kids that did not survive [hazing] similar to what happened to me.”

- Tyler Perino

“When you take on that power, you take on that responsibility,” visiting Judge Thomas Hanna said during Webster’s court hearing.

Under Hanna’s questioning, Plaster, Tyler Perino’s former big, admitted his behavior was not how a big brother should treat his “family.”

Webster and Griswold also took their opportunity to address the court to say that they took full responsibility for their own actions.

Tyler Glowaski, another former Delt who was sentenced in December 2019, was given 30 days in jail and a $250 fine, although the jail sentence and $100 of the fine were suspended.

There are still seven former Delts who will be sentenced throughout the next three months: Grady McMichen, Samay Pahouja, Benjamin Grossheim, Bennett Faloni, Alex Niezyniecki, Connor Meek and Nicholas Carmichael.

McMichen’s next court date is yet to be determined, Meek will next appear in court sometime in May, Pahouja’s will be on June 1 and the remaining four will appear in court on March 10.

Additional reporting by news editor Erin Glynn and assistant news editors Tim Carlin and Briah Lumpkins.

This article has been updated to include information about Andrew Brinkman’s court hearing, which took place on Friday, Feb. 28. @ArwineJulia arwinejk@miamioh.edu

FSB to select new dean ALEX COX BIKEN DAWADI MEGHNA SANTRA TAJ SIMMONS

With Farmer School of Business (FSB) dean Marc Rubin stepping down this semester, the search process for a new dean is underway.

The search committee, chaired by College of Creative Arts Dean Liz Mullinix, is composed of 11 other members. These members include professors from a variety of FSB departments, a graduate student, an undergraduate student and a member of the FSB Business Advisory Council, which is a group made up of Miami alumni who currently work in various business-related fields.

Mullinix could not be reached for comment.

But senior Collin O’Sullivan, the only undergraduate student on the committee, said he hopes to see a dean with “growth [and] great representation.”

Although the committee has not released a timeframe on when they expect to choose a dean, O’Sullivan said they are hoping to come to a decision between all four candidates before this semester ends.

The four candidates are Jenny Darroch, Barnali Gupta, Norean Sharpe and David Urban.

Her first priority, if appointed to the position, is making FSB a “destination undergrad institute.”

She also wants to focus on building “niche graduate programs” that are “tailored to the interest of specific majors.” Gupta said she understood that although FSB will always be more undergrad-focused, building programs for graduate students would be high on her itinerary.

She said another priority is building an inclusive environment for everyone.

“Not only is it important to build an inclusive environment, but an environment in which every member is empowered,” Gupta said.

She wants to ensure that everyone in FSB has the resources to succeed as a team. Gupta mentioned utilizing technology such as virtual reality, augmented reality and virtual classrooms.

Although Gupta is the only candidate without prior dean experience, she expressed confidence in her knowledge of Miami.

“I know the culture, the education, and I am excited to build upon existing knowledge,” she said.

Gupta added it’s necessary to not let her experience at Miami go to her head.

“My biggest challenge, however, is [my] assumption I know more than I actually do,” she said.

Jenny Darroch

Norean Sharpe

Jenny Darroch describes herself as energized in front of students. She holds herself to a philosophy of working toward the best outcome for each student.

Darroch has a doctorate in marketing from the University of Otago, New Zealand and currently serves as dean of the Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management, part of Claremont Graduate University in California. She has worked at Claremont in various positions since immigrating to the United States from New Zealand, where she used to lecture at several universities.

She said she was drawn to the “greatness” of Miami University, but feels that FSB needs to be more prominent or “pop up” in the market.

“For an incoming dean who loves a bit of a challenge … I think it’s a really great opportunity,” Darroch said.

In order to “pop up” in the market, Darroch believes FSB needs to start with alumni engagement.

Darroch also plans to listen to students and continue to work on increasing diversity.

As an immigrant woman (who was once told by a colleague that they wished she came with subtitles), she feels strongly about equal opportunity.

“I just don’t like injustice,” she said. Although she admitted that Claremont doesn’t struggle with diversity issues as much as Miami does, she believes she still has experience that will help address the problems within FSB. Darroch is currently serving as chair of Women Administrators in Management Education (WAME). She also plans to use mentorships to bridge diversity gaps.

Ultimately, Darroch wants to work with students and faculty to best serve the school.

Miami, she believes, is a great school. However, FSB needs to continue to stay ahead of the curve and cannot become lazy in its success.

The key to this, she said, is to watch and listen to the problems.

Entrepreneurship drew professor, administrator, and dean Norean Sharpe to FSB. “You always look for pillars of strength when you look at business schools, and it’s so exciting for me to be back at an institution where one of the pillars is entrepreneurship,” Sharpe said.

Sharpe, an alumna of Mount Holyoke College, earned her doctorate in systems engineering from the University of Virginia. Her first position out of school was as an assistant professor of mathematics at Bowdoin College in 1989.

She went on to teach statistics and operations at Babson College until 2009, when she became the senior associate dean at the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University.

Sharpe then came to St. John’s University, where she currently serves as the dean at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business and manages all financial, strategic and academic duties.

She is also the author of the “Business Statistics” textbook commonly used by many Miami students.

If chosen as dean, Sharpe expressed her strong interest in expanding and intensifying the digital marketing of FSB to attract more students from around the country, particularly from areas where Miami wouldn’t be as familiar as other colleges.

“There’s a lot of online tactics that we can use for marketing, and I would look to millenials and the younger generation to help us — and one way to do that is by setting focus groups,” Sharpe said.

Sharpe additionally hopes to strengthen the sales and analytics programs at FSB and add an intensive cybersecurity program.

Sharpe stressed her support for a broader kind of diversity within FSB. “All students should be well-represented, and faculty should be well-represented,” she said. “It takes a diverse search committee to appreciate and recruit diverse faculty. Students deserve a diverse faculty, and corporations expect a diverse workforce.”

Ultimately, Sharpe was clear as to why she believed that she could make a difference at Miami: “I understand methodologies; I’m a data-driven person ... I’m here to say, ‘Look, Miami is a fantastic school. Let’s make sure you’re recognized for what you’re already delivering.’”

THE MIAMI STUDENT

Barnali Gupta Barnali Gupta is the only candidate currently employed at Miami. Barnali has spent 26 years at the university as an assistant professor and professor of economics. She currently serves as assistant dean of curriculum in FSB.

David Urban David Urban pointed out that his candidacy for the dean of FSB coincides with interesting times at Miami due to the recent change in the upper-level administration.

“The president has been around for four years, the provost less than one. There is a need for a strong foundation for administration,” Urban said.

Urban received his doctorate in business administration from the University of Michigan in 1985. He has spent over six years as the dean of Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).

Urban expressed his belief in student-focused leadership to sustain student groups. He spoke on his weekly interactions with business students from MTSU’s football team in which they reviewed their academic progress. He said that he was able to better understand the needs of student athletes afterwards.

Urban said that the school needs to add value to its strengths.

“We need to increase the internship and job placements while also providing more certifications so that students can prove their strength,” he said. He also said that he intends

to utilize the “alumni hot-pockets” to draw funds as well as strengthen networking to increase job opportunities.

Urban stressed that students should be equipped with the skills to face real life after college.

“In the end, knowledge and experience are important,” he said. “The school needs to impart those soft skills through engaging classrooms, internship opportunities and study abroad programs.”

He said that the 60 percent student involvement in study abroad programs needs to be improved.

Urban said the “public ivy” label of Miami made the university an attractive venture for him and that the opportunity at Miami, though similar in many aspects to his current job at MTSU, is a level up for him. He claims that he would be the dean to convert the FSB into a transformative experience for students. coxaj4@miamioh.edu dawadibk@miamioh.edu santram@miamioh.edu simmontp@miamioh.edu

Senior Collin O’Sullivan, the only undergraduate student on the committee, said he hopes to see a dean with “growth [and] great representation.”

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TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020

“I WANT YOUR QUILTERS’ CLUB, I WANT YOUR KNITTING CIRLES, I WANT YOUR LOCAL CONGREGATIONS ...” THE ACLU DEMANDS MIAMI TAKE ACTION. THE MIAMI STUDENT DAKOTA SKINNER

Ohio ACLU visits Oxford during 100th anniversary tour MADELINE PHABY STAFF WRITER

Around 20 people of all ages congregate in a small room in Cru Gastro Lounge. They sip drinks from the bar, feast on hors d’oeuvres and chat. A small screen in the corner of the room cycles through advertisements for American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) initiatives.

Most of the conversations around the room revolve around politics — the upcoming election being, undoubtedly, the most common topic. The atmosphere is overall merry, but this merriment gives way to frustration when particular subjects — namely the 2016 election — come up.

Despite their various differences on that topic and others, the people in the room all have one thing

in common: their passion for social justice.

The ACLU celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, and so does its Ohio chapter. To celebrate both anniversaries, the Ohio ACLU staff is visiting 20 cities throughout Ohio on its “Twenty in ‘20” immersion tour. The group visited Cru Gastro Lounge in Oxford on Feb. 27.

The formation of the ACLU began when communism overtook Russia toward the end of World War I, and paranoia ran rampant throughout the United States. The fear that a similar coup would occur in the U.S. caused the government to take action against many innocent people it identified as “radicals.” The most famous of these actions were the “Palmer Raids” of November 1919 and January 1920 in which U.S. Attorney General

Mitchell Palmer arrested and deported thousands of leftists without warrants.

The government’s harsh treatment of these arrestees and Palmer’s lack of regard for the constitution inspired a group of people to take action. This group, which formed in 1920, became the ACLU. The ACLU maintains chapters in all 50 states, and the Ohio chapter, which was founded in Youngstown in 1920, is one of the 15 original ACLU affiliates.

Ben Guess, executive director of ACLU Ohio, said that Ohio’s chapter has members in all 88 counties of the state. He also said that, of the 88 counties, Butler County has had one of the highest membership growth rates since 2016.

“Nationally, ACLU membership has more than quadrupled since

2016, and that’s true in Ohio, too,” Guess said. “I’ll let you fill in the blanks as to the reason for this.”

Guess said that, since the ACLU’s foundation, its main missions have been to safeguard civil liberties, advance civil rights and promote fundamental fairness for all people in the United States.

The national organization frequently litigates against organizations and individuals who violate these principles and, since Donald Trump’s election in 2016, the ACLU has taken more than 250 legal actions against his administration — far higher than the number taken against Barack Obama’s administration, according to Business Insider.

Guess said that, though the number of actions taken against the current administration has been greater than usual, the ACLU has litigated against every administration since its foundation.

ACLU Ohio’s latest major project involves protecting and expanding voting rights. Ohio has the lowest voter participation rate in the Midwest — the rate in the 2018 election

was barely 50 percent — and it also has one of the lowest participation rates among young people in the U.S. — just 22 percent in 2018. “[These statistics] are very concerning, but you have to ask, ‘Why is that? Are Ohioans more apathetic and cynical than others in the Midwest?’” Guess said. “That’s just not the case. The reality is that Ohio has the most restrictive registration processes of any state.”

Guess said that the cutoff for voter registration in Ohio — 30 days before the election — is the earliest possible cutoff allowed by federal law. He also said that Ohio lacks mechanisms other states use to make registration easier, such as automatic registration at the DMV and same-day registration.

To correct these statistics, the ACLU has begun collecting signatures for the Ohioans for Fair and Secure Elections amendment, which includes reforms such as ensuring all elections are audited, providing overseas military personnel ample time to file absentee ballots and ensuring that all polling places are accessible.

If the amendment garners 443,000 signatures, it will appear on all ballots in Ohio during this year’s election. Guess said that, though this number seems daunting, it’s reachable if everyone pitches in.

“I want your quilters’ club, I want your knitting circles, I want your local congregations and I want the student government at Miami University [to endorse the amendment],” Guess said.

Guess said that ACLU Ohio will be reaching out to members soon to educate them on how to collect signatures for this potential amendment.

Phyllis Mendenhall, who has lived in Oxford since 1984 and has been an ACLU member since college, said that the ACLU’s work is especially important in Oxford because of its high student population.

“It’s easy for students to have their rights violated because they often don’t know what their rights are,” Mendenhall said. “Sooner or later, everyone needs the ACLU.” phabymr@miamioh.edu

‘I’m not surprised’:

Reports reveal Miami enrolls fewer low-income students than peer institutions

CAROLINE HAUBENSTRICKER STAFF WRITER

Miami University may not be prioritizing enrolling low-income students who receive federal aid, according to two reports released this year.

National think tank Education Reform Now (ERN) singled out seven Ohio schools for enrolling the fewest low and middle-income students with Pell Grants statewide, according to its report released on Jan. 22. Miami has the lowest percentage in the state of Ohio and the second lowest of all public schools in the country, second only to the College of William and Mary.

The ERN report states that from 2015 to 2017, an average of 11 percent of Miami first-years received a Pell Grant, while Ohio’s average was 29 percent. A study done by College Board showed during that same period the national average was 33 percent.

Pell Grants are loans from the government that do not require repayment, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Grant amounts are dependent on a family’s yearly income, the cost of college tuition, whether a student is a full-time or a part-time student and whether a student is able to attend university for a full academic year. To apply for a Pell Grant, a student needs to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Stephen Burd, a writer and editor with New America, a Washington D.C.-based think tank, examined the money spent toward students who are not permitted by the federal government to receive financial aid in a report, “How Enrollment Management and the Merit-Aid Arms Race Are Derailing Public Higher Education.” The report, which was released on Feb. 13, lists 10 universities that increased their merit based aid tenfold over 16 years.

“I’m not surprised [by these reports]. I don’t think Miami represents financially-challenged individuals very well,” said Mary Boehm, a first-year Pell Grant-receiving Miami student.

“Miami likes to talk about its diverse culture, [but] when you look around, everyone looks the same. They look expensive, they look privileged, and it’s hard to relate to people who say they struggle when they have the ability to pay to go to school.”

Burd’s report concludes Miami increased its merit based aid by $41 million from 2001 to 2017, a number taken from the “Common Data Set” published by Miami’s Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness.

This same data set shows that Miami has increased its merit aid by 59 percent from the 2014-2015 academic year to the 2018-2019 academic year — the most current data available.

Need-based aid has only increased by 54 percent over the same period.

But Brent Shock, interim associate vice president for enrollment management and student success, believes that Burd and ERN did not contextualize all of the variables universities calculate in giving aid to students.

“The falling birth rates after the Great Recession ... [along with] the declining numbers of high school graduate students [is the reasoning for the spike in aid],” Brent said. “One of the top factors influencing college selection is the cost of attendance.”

“There are less students but the same amount of universities, influencing all universities to give incentives to students in the form of scholarships to attract them to come,” Brent added.

Miami has the highest in-state tuition cost out of all Ohio public universities, with a cost of $30,033 for Fall 2019 for first-time students, according to OneStop, the university enrollment and financial aid office. The $30,033 includes the cost of tuition, instructional fees and general fees at $15,909, and the cost of housing and meals averaging at $14,124.

Claire Wagner, director of university news and communications at Miami, told The Miami Student the university’s Pell numbers have improved since the 2015-2017 data used in the ERN report.

“Over the previous three years, Miami has increased the number of Pell Grant-receiving students by [nearly] seven percent,” Wagner said.

Assuming that is the case, Miami would still fall far below the Ohio state average.

Wagner believes that the ERN report did not fully represent the support that Miami provides to low and middle-class students.

Just last year, only about nine percent of all undergraduates enrolled at Miami used Pell Grants to fund their education in some capacity during the 2018-2019 school year. @haubenstrickerc haubence@miamioh.edu

THE UNIVERSITY IS CONSIDERING FILLING IN THE BACHELOR HALL COURTYARD, TO THE DISMAY OF MANY. CONTRIBUTED BY LEAH GAUS

Students start petition to ‘save the humanities’ RACHEL BERRY NEWS EDITOR

From the outside, Bachelor Hall looks the same as any other brick building on Miami University’s campus. In the middle, though unseen from the exterior, sits a courtyard.

When it’s warmer outside, students congregate here to study or read.

Some clubs have meetings in the courtyard, and sometimes students hold poetry readings there. In the fall, it comes to life as the home of the English department’s Mega Fair.

This is the only real place to congregate in Bachelor, but a proposed renovation plan would fill in the courtyard and turn Bachelor into a “transdisciplinary humanities hub.”

When senior Leah Gaus, a creative and professional writing double major, first heard about the proposed changes, she immediately texted in the groupchat for her English fraternity, Sigma Tau Delta, saying she couldn’t believe they were thinking about filling in the courtyard. The chat blew up, with many other members of the club expressing similar concerns about both the loss of the courtyard and the changes as a whole.

One member said “when you make a petition, let me know.” It was that comment that first inspired Gaus to do something about this. Gaus, along with creative writing and media and culture major Hailey Ardell, started drafting a petition on Change. org. They posted it around 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 29. By Monday night, it had garnered 369 signatures.

“I felt like an afterthought as a humanities student here,” Gaus said.

“We don’t get enough resources and attention as it is. Miami is a liberal arts school, but the focus is on business primarily and other STEM majors. We go here, too. We’re just as valuable. We’re getting the same education, and we matter, too.”

Gaus’ main problem with the proposed changes is the feeling that humanities students are being pushed to the side and aren’t given as much consideration as other majors. She pointed to the fact that Miami is spending $96 million on a new Clinical Health Sciences and Wellness Building and millions more on a digital innovation building.

She’s also mad, though, about the destruction of the courtyard, a place she describes as “magical” and “Shakespearean.”

“The courtyard is amazing, and I feel truly at home there, and it’s one of very few places on this campus that I feel at home,” Gaus said. “I feel at home in the courtyard and Bachelor Hall and the Women’s Center, and that’s about it.”

Gaus and Ardell both aim to make the student voice heard through their petition.

“I felt like the people who made this plan weren’t necessarily considering what the specific needs for each program are,” Ardell said. “They were more considering how they can make blending resources more economically advantageous … I think one of our main goals in making it was to show the student perspective.”

The petition received comments from current students, alumni and parents, with people giving various reasons for supporting Gaus’ opinions. “[The proposed changes] further weaken the educational system that only gravitates towards majors it can get money from,” said Talon Wolter, a sophomore history major.

Provost Jason Osborne said he will consider student voices but that he feels the petition is premature, as they are still only having preliminary discussions about the proposed Bachelor renovations.

“The goal, of course, is to have a prominent home for the humanities as a clear statement of Miami’s values, certainly not to diminish them,” Osborne wrote in an email to The Miami Student. “Once we begin discussion with departments, we will absolutely listen to concerns and address them where possible … We look forward to hearing everyone’s perspective.”

Osborne also clarified that the goal is to move departments that are likely to collaborate into Bachelor, but this would not include all of the humanities.

Gaus said she hasn’t yet approached any faculty or administrators about the petition. Once it receives about 1,000 signatures, though, she plans to reach out to the university. @racheldberry berryrd@miamioh.edu

GLYNNEE@MIAMIOH.EDU

NEWS 5

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020

After-hours counseling provides students with 24/7 access to support

Miami strategic communication and journalism ranked nationally COSETTE GUNTER

THE MIAMI STUDENT

MIAMI STUDENTS NOW HAVE 24/7 ACCESS TO COUNSELING THROUGH THE H.O.P.E. LINE, A SERVICE PROVIDED BY PROTOCALL. THE MIAMI STUDENT COLLEEN GRIMM

HANNAH HORSINGTON STAFF WRITER

Miami University students now have access to counseling 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The university Student Counseling Services (SCS) have expanded to include a 24-hour H.O.P.E. line available to students.

The H.O.P.E. line, which stands for Help Over The Phone Everywhere, is available for “immediate support, crisis intervention and stabilization from a licensed mental health counselor,” according to the Student Life website.

All students on Miami’s campus have access to the line at all times.

The line is not funded by Miami but was created after the Joseph and Laura Klunk Family Foundation made a large donation to SCS. The Joseph and Laura Klunk Family Foundation is a charitable organization based in Cincinnati. The Klunks, a Miami merger couple, are dedicated to issues involving substance abuse and mental illness in children and families.

“Generous donors wanted to support Miami students and look for a way that they can try and increase access to students,” said John Ward, SCS director.

Ward declined to comment on how much was donated or how much it takes to run the counseling line.

Ward explained the after-hours line can be used in “an instance when, say, someone is having a panic attack, and they want to talk to someone right away,” as opposed to walking to SCS. The after-hours line, ProtoCall, a national provider of on-call mental health services, has been used on Miami’s campus since October 2015. Previously, the number for the 24/7 phone line was only provided to counseling center staff, Miami police and select residence life staff in case of emergencies. SCS did not previously have the funds required to cover the expenses of an all-access, 24/7 phone line.

“The service, on this scale, was cost prohibitive before,” Ward said.

Junior Megan Jurell used the after-hours line at the suggestion of her RA when she needed to talk to someone at 1 a.m. on a Saturday.

RAs are given a protocol to follow regarding mental health and are able to encourage students to call the after-hours phone line.

“I got techniques to use until I could actually call [SCS],” Jurell said. “The Student Counseling Service is closed during the weekends, and

so I got some tips before I could call on Monday.”

Counselors are not employed by Miami but are from an outside service. The H.O.P.E. line service is provided by ProtoCall.

Ward emphasized the after-hours line is a supplement, not a replacement, for traditional counseling. The line is primarily used “in between appointments with SCS or while on the waitlist (in non-life-threatening situations),” according to the Student Life website.

“It really represents a huge leap forward in our ability to open up services to students,” Ward said.

Jurell said that she would recommend the line to other students who need immediate help. She stressed how helpful the line was in getting her in contact with counselors.

“I’m part of the coping workshop now on Thursdays. So, so far, it’s been helpful,” Jurell said.

The H.O.P.E. Line phone number is 855249-5649. For an immediate and life-threatening psychological crisis, students should call 9-1-1, Miami Police (513-529-2222) or present themselves to the nearest emergency room. @h_horsington12 horsinhp@miamioh.edu

IFC PLACES ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY ON ‘CEASE AND DESIST’ CAROLINE HAUBENSTRICKER STAFF WRITER

All pledging activities at Miami University’s Alpha Sigma Phi (Alpha Sig) fraternity have been suspended.

The chapter was placed under cease and desist by the Interfraternity Council (IFC) on Friday, Feb. 28 while the council investigates Alpha Sig for hazing.

Under cease and desist, Alpha Sig can no longer hold events, parties or membership activities.

There is no known specific incident that caused IFC to place the fraternity under investigation at this time.

An official from Miami interviewed Alpha Sig’s potential new members about the cease and desist on Friday. The potential new members were called in without notice to speak with the university and answer questions about pledging, two members of the fraternity confirmed.

IFC president MacKenton Johnson, Alpha Sig president Mohammed Shaheen and a representative from Alpha Sig’s national headquarters did not respond to repeated requests for comment. @haubenstrickerc haubence@miamioh.edu

Miami University’s strategic communication and journalism programs ranked highly in the GradReports 2020 Best Colleges report, making Miami the only Ohio university to appear on the lists.

GradReports uses in-depth student reviews and salary data from the U.S. Department of Education to generate its college rankings.

According to its website, GradReports aims to make college data more “accessible, transparent and easily comparable” to help people make better decisions about their education.

Among public universities, Miami’s strategic communication major came out on top in the public relations category among public universities. Against public and private universities, Miami’s strategic communication program ranked among the top 10 as number seven. Journalism was ranked 13th among public schools and overall ranked as 25th.

The rankings are based on median alumni salaries one year after their graduation. One year out of college, strategic communication majors from Miami make a median salary of $42,100, and journalism majors make a median of $34,400.

Chair of the Department of Media, Journalism & Film (MJF) Bruce Drushel said it has been exciting to watch the strategic communication program grow. Drushel has worked in Miami’s MJF department for 33 years and has been chair since 2018. “[The strategic communication program] has grown the most out of any of our programs, and the faculty are truly outstanding,” Drushel said. “[The ranking] demonstrates that our students come out of Miami equipped to compete successfully for very high-profile positions in the media industry. We’re a really good program because we’ve been growing and investing in the quality of the educational experience of the students.”

Justin Klatsky, a junior strategic communication major, said he has experienced a lot of diverse classes in the program.

“I think the teachers prepare you well,” he said. “They’re tough graders, but they do that because they want us to be the best we can be in the workforce. The program prepares you well.”

The journalism program has graduated several students who have acquired jobs at high-profile outlets, like The Washington Post, The New York Times, Fox News and more in recent years.

“These rankings are about employability,” said Christe McKittrick, chief advisor and assistant clinical lecturer of the strategic communication program. “We’ve made our program writing-centric, media-centric, and we’ve pursued a career-focused program. We are putting students face-to-face with real professionals doing real work that they’re going to have to do as soon as they graduate.”

Patricia Newberry, area coordinator and associate lecturer of journalism, said the program has experienced “lots of changes in terms of structure” over the years.

“We have the right combination of classes, out-of-class experiences and good student involvement in student media,” Newberry said.

“We are happy to be in the company of other successful programs and are happy that our students are landing prestigious positions.”

Miami’s journalism program has long had to compete with Ohio University’s Scripps Howard program in order to recruit Ohio students interested in journalism. But with these rankings, it seems that Miami may be upending that relationship.

“Reputations are long to build,” Drushel added. “We’re finally getting recognized for programs that have been serving students well for a very long time.” @cosettegunter guntercr@miamioh.edu

ALPHA SIG WILL NOT BE HOLDING EVENTS OR PARTIES DURING THEIR SUSPENSION. NEWS EDITOR RACHEL BERRY

‘Mental health is a journey:’

Miami holds annual mental health forum

OKATOMO ADVOCATES FOR COMMUNITY LAST WEEK. PHOTO EDITOR JUGAL JAIN

EMILY SCOTT

THE MIAMI STUDENT Harvard student activist Nadya Okatomo has done a lot for a 22-year-old. She started two organizations — PERIOD, which focuses on destigmatizing and promoting menstrual hygiene, and JUV Consulting, a marketing agency helping companies target Generation Z

audiences. Through it all, Okatomo was struggling with her own mental health.

Okatomo spoke at Miami University’s fourth annual Mental Health Forum on Feb. 26 in Wilks Theater, describing her background and struggles with mental health.

Associated Student Government (ASG) sponsored the event, and ASG Student Body Vice President (VP) Dante Rossi organized it.

Steve Large, assistant vice president for student health and wellness; John Ward, director of student counseling services; Jaylen Perkins, student body president; and Annika Fowler, chief of staff, were also involved with planning the event.

“Mental health is a journey,” Okatomo said at the forum. “It’s something that you’re never going to be over. You just have to find your community and keep going with it. I want to be here to be part of your community, too.”

She wrapped up with a responsive Q&A session where she offered herself as someone students could reach out to if they were ever struggling with something, mental health related or otherwise.

The event also promoted mental health services the university offers, including Campus Care, a drop-in counseling service that began

last semester, and the H.O.P.E Line, a 24/7 phone number students can call with problems and questions they have about mental health.

“I think this generation is a special generation,” Large said. “It’s a group of folks that are more willing to put words to what they’re experiencing and more willing to seek services and care.”

Around 100 students and faculty attended the forum, which Rossi said ASG spent around $11,500 on. This money came from ASG’s finances leftover after funding student organizations. Okatomo cost less than past speakers, so organizers gave laptop stickers, wristbands and t-shirts that read “mental health matters” to attendees.

In the past, the forum has drawn 200 to 500 people, and Rossi said organizers were disappointed with the turnout this year. He could not pinpoint a reason for the drop in attendance.

Rossi still felt the forum was an important initiative in helping destigmatize mental health and aiding students with feeling confident to talk about it more.

“We never really get to hear stories like this, so hearing she’s had success gave me hope,”

ASG Secretary for On-Campus Affairs Effie Fraley said.

VPs usually choose one initiative to focus on, and Rossi chose mental health. Both Ward and Large, who have worked in college student counseling for 18 and 13 years respectively, have both seen the need for mental health services rise since the beginning of their careers.

Large said professionals nationwide attribute this to a decreased stigma, greater understanding from professionals on the problems young people face and the impact of technology.

Ward and Large agreed that mental health forums should not be the only action Miami students and staff take, but a first step.

“It’s a good starting point. I see things like these forums as launching points to get folks talking, but what I would not want us to do as a university community is gather for the forum and go, ‘We’re all done. We don’t need to talk about mental health anymore for the year,’” Ward said. “We all have work to do to finish the conversation.” scottea3@miamioh.edu

6 CULTURE

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020

HEADLEDD@MIAMIOH.EDU

Pageantry in a new era: Redefining liberation CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Next year, the Miss America Organization will celebrate its 100th anniversary. The competition has evolved over the past century, but some of the most major changes have happened in the past few years.

The Miss America 2014 competition began with pre-filmed video footage of the contestants doing a choreographed dance at different landmarks in Atlantic City and introducing themselves by saying their name and something quippy about their state.

“I’m from the Lone Star State, but I hope to be the shining star in your eyes tonight,” Miss Texas said, for example.

They then announced the 15 semi finalists who would go on to compete in the swimsuit portion of the competition.

“The judges are looking for each woman’s commitment to health, fitness and confidence,” one of the hosts said on stage. “You at home, well I know what you’re looking at, and I know what you’re judging, so let’s do this!”

Five years later, all 51 candidates for Miss America 2019 introduce themselves live on stage.

They say what they have their degree in, what they are studying if they’re still in school, or their profession. Miss Michigan says that she’s from the state with the most fresh water in the country, but not for its residents to drink.

The 2019 Miss America Competition marked the beginning of “Miss America 2.0.” Most notably, the organization eliminated the swimsuit portion of the competition and said that it will no longer judge contestants based on appearance.

Replacing the swimsuit portion is an interactive session with the judges, where each contestant will speak about her achievements and life goals and how she will carry out the job of Miss America.

“I think making that change is redefining how we look at women in general,” Caroline said. “If you go back to 1921, and you look at what women were doing in 1921, to be in a swimsuit then in public was very liberating … Flash forward 100 years now, it’s very liberating for a woman to say, ‘You’re not going to judge me on how I look or what I’m wearing, but instead on my intellect and what I’m doing.’”

At first, Emily didn’t like the change — the swimsuit portion was her favorite. She liked putting on a swimsuit and strutting on stage to upbeat music while people cheered. But she’s grown to understand it.

“I understand why they got rid of it, because it hindered a lot of people who were not confident in their bodies,” Emily said. “A lot more women are trying [competitions] out now because that was such a hindrance before.”

Olivia doesn’t think she would have entered the competition if the swimsuit portion was still a part of it.

However, this shift away from emphasizing physical appearance hasn’t quite reached the

THE MISS AMERICA AND LOCAL PAGEANTS ARE BREAKING PRECEDENT. THE MIAMI STUDENT OLIVIA HENNESSEY

Outstanding Teen competition, which includes a Lifestyle and Fitness portion. Contestants are judged on their overall first impression, physique, commitment to a healthy lifestyle and confidence.

The two 15-year-old Miss Oxford and Miss Tallawanda Outstanding Teen contestants jogged onto the stage wearing black shorts and white t-shirts. “High Hopes” by Panic! At the Disco played over the speakers as both girls did a choreographed dance consisting of different exercise moves, like jogging in place, jumping jacks and push-ups, all while smiling at the judges. *** The talent portion of the competition counts the most toward the overall score. Contestants have 90 seconds to perform their talent, which can be anything as long as it doesn’t involve fire, explosives or stripping.

Two girls performed tap routines, two danced, two performed monologues, one did a baton twirling routine, one played the piano and Emily and Olivia were two of the three girls who sang.

Emily performed a song from the musical “Newsies,” which she learned two days prior, and Olivia sang “Light in the Piazza,” which she had been working on in her voice lessons.

One mom filmed her daughter’s routine on her phone. She had a big circular pin with her daughter’s headshot on it attached to her jacket.

There were about 50 people in the audience, mostly contestant parents and friends. Also in attendance were three other local Ohio title holders — Miss Portsmouth, Miss Maple City Teen and Miss Northern Ohio — who came to the show wearing their sashes and crowns to support the contestants.

“It’s a family,” Jacky Johnson, Executive Director of Miss Oxford Tallawanda, said. “Yes, it’s a network, but it’s also my family.”

Jacky has worked for Miss Oxford Tallawanda since the first competition in 2006. Her position is volunteer-based, so she doesn’t get paid, but she doesn’t even think about how many hours she works because she loves it so much.

Emily already knew two of the other girls competing in Miss Oxford Tallawanda. She’s in a group chat with other girls who have competed in Ohio pageants.

“These girls have become my best friends,” Emily said. “It’s like a weird sorority.”

Olivia bonded with the two other girls who also had never competed in a pageant before. Before the show, Caroline gave a crown pin to the girls she hadn’t met or who hadn’t competed before. *** The final portion of the Miss competition is evening gown and social impact statement, which is an initiative that the contestant will do work for to make a difference.

“This is about educating people in your community and making sure that a crown isn’t just glittering on your head, because that’s not the most important thing,” Jacky said. “[The important thing is] making sure that you bring something to the community and leave something there that’s going to be lasting for the people.”

Contestants came out on stage one-by-one in floor-length gowns, and slowly walked around the stage, stopping in the middle to pose and smile.

Then they stood in front of the microphone and had 25 seconds to present their social impact statement.

The contestants’ initiatives were about everything from support for veterans to promoting community service to fighting hunger.

Emily’s initiative, Teaching Gratitude, focuses on giving back to teachers.

Olivia’s Ready, Set, Graduate is a program designed to help high school students prepare for life after high school by choosing a path that they’re passionate about.

After each contestant presented, they all lined up in a row on stage, still in their evening gowns, for the final part of the night: crowning.

Miss Tallawanda 2019, Riley Post, came out wearing her sash and crown and handed each contestant a small bouquet of roses wrapped in pink tissue paper.

“Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder played in the background while Caroline announced the winners.

There were only two teens competing for the two teen titles, so both girls were crowned.

Emily won first runner-up, which got her another bouquet of flowers, but not a chance to compete at the state level.

Breeonna Springer, a dancer for the Cleveland Cavaliers, was crowned Miss Tallawanda. She also won the On-Stage Interview and Talent awards, which both have a $100 scholarship prize. She said thank you to the judges after being handed a bouquet of flowers for each award.

Miss Oxford was the last title to be announced.

Olivia almost couldn’t believe it when Caroline called her name. Her face stretched into a wide grin as she walked to the front of the stage. She bent her knees as Miss Tallawanda 2019 pinned a crown to her head and draped a sash across her shoulder. The spotlights made it look as though Olivia’s gown was sparkling.

The girls took turns hugging one another, then posed for all of the family members eager to take photos.

Next weekend, Emily will go to Mansfield, Ohio to compete in Miss Ohio Sweeps, this season’s last local competition. In June, Olivia will be in Mansfield to compete in the Miss Ohio competition — her second pageant ever. @maya_with_a_y fentermc@miamioh.edu

Lessons in Drag:

An Evening with LaWhore Vagistan

DAVID KWIATKOWSKI ASST. CULTURE EDITOR

Imagine a silent, patient audience, partially comprised of students required to attend an event for a class and partially of eager LGBTQ+ community members ready to “get their life.” Now imagine that silence interrupted by three powerful words sung

by Teyana Taylor.

“Work this pussy.”

In the nearly-packed Leonard Theater, the audience was greeted by none other than Dr. Kareem Khubchandani, otherwise known as LaWhore Vagistan.

Khubchandani is an assistant professor in the department of theatre, dance and performance studies at Tufts University.

In the lecture that also doubled as a drag show, the self-proclaimed “drag queen with a clicker” discussed topics that spanned from globalization, black feminist theory to islamophobia.

Khubchandani performed in the show in drag as Vagistan and referred to themselves with feminine pronouns.

As a South Asian, Vagistan focused on how upsetting it is that so many Indians overseas who work at call centers are trained to lose their accents in order to speak like their American customers.

By studying episodes of the sitc o m

“Friends” and songs by Billy Joel, Indians are assimilated into American culture and even adopt “American” names like Sandra and Peter.

During the performance, Vagistan lipsynced to real Indian women sharing their stories.

This portion of the show really struck a chord with senior integrated English/language arts education major Andrea Deleon.

“I know all about call centers,” Deleon said. “Being of Phillipine descent, I know how big of a place it is for that [industry]. It’s really sad to think that people can only make money if they sound American.”

Vagistan argued society can learn from black women and their experiences.

“We have to listen to more black women and what they’re telling us,” Vagistan said.

After citing her own work, “Voguing in Bangalore,” she segued into a medley of one of her favorite South Asian black feminists of our time: Nicki Minaj.

Not only did she lip-sync some of Minaj’s classic songs like “Super Bass” and “Beez in the Trap,” she also dramatically mouthed along to the infamous interview in which Minaj clearly defines the double standard women are held to in the entertainment industry, compared to their male competitors.

“When a man is assertive,” Minaj said. “He is a boss. When a woman is assertive, she is a bitch.”

She ended the lecture portion of the show by addressing the islamophobia in today’s society bylip-syncing powerful epithets spoken

by Muslim activists like Linda Sasour.

The show was also littered with audience participation. Vagistan quickly chose a girl out of the audience to be her assistant near the beginning of the show to help her change outfits between topics. She even gave her a drag name.

The Tufts professor actually gave the whole audience a way to create their own drag name: your pet’s name and the place you were born. (Mine is Baboo Parma, if you were wondering.)

At the end of each topic she covered, she opened the floor and gave everyone the opportunity to ask questions related to the topic, the art of drag or their feelings about the show.

Vagistan also hosted her own version of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” by pulling participants out of the audience to do their best runway walks and even challenged two of the participants to a lip sync battle of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe.”

The winner of the competition, Milo Miami, otherwise known as sophomore theatre major Charlotte Snee, highlighted the importance of programs like this coming to Miami.

“Especially being a broadly-white campus,” Snee said, “it’s very important to not only see representation from people of color, but women of color address topics like gender identity and to begin having the conversation people too often shy away from.”

Vagistan definitively ended the show with a highly sexually suggestive performance of Aladdin’s “A Whole New World” and a powerful, show-stopping rendition of Celine Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.” Sophomore English major Max Dallinga was impressed by the fact that Vagistan was able to transition between topics as smoothly as she did.

“She was able to mix the culture of drag with black culture and South Asian culture and make it all educational,” Dallinga said.

LaWhore Vagistan definitely left her mark on Miami’s campus, and as Snee said: “Go see a lecture by a drag queen. Why wouldn’t you?” kwiatkdm@miamioh.edu

“It’s very important to not only see representation from people of color, but women of color address topics like gender identity and to begin having the conversation people too often shy away from.”

- Charlotte Snee

MIXING LIP-SYNCHING AND LECTURING, VAGISTAN EDUCATED AND ENTERTAINED. PHOTO EDITOR JUGAL JAIN.

DATTILEC@MIAMIOH.EDU

NOTES OF NOSTALGIA:

Wandering into the major I now call home EMILY DATTILO

CULTURE EDITOR Some memories are so poignant that you’re able to recall specific details of the situation long after the event has passed. This series highlights the truly memorable moments of our writers’ lives, those that have stuck with them for days, months and years and now take shape as stories on the page.

Around three years ago, I committed to Miami University as an education major.

I had attended Make It Miami, surrounded by lines of chattering high school students — red lanyards with name-tags hung about their necks, accompanied by anxious parents asking countless questions.

It didn’t occur to me at the time that I would want to change my major before I had even gone

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TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020

to my first class. My first jobs — babysitter, swim instructor and camp counselor — all involved kids, and I liked the school environment. It seemed a perfect fit.

Yet after some deliberation and remembering how much I’d enjoyed my AP class in high school, I decided to switch to psychology. Everyone I spoke with at Miami reassured me that changing my major was completely fine; some kids switched five or six times. (I also loved to write, but figured I would add an English minor later).

A few weeks before my first year, I emailed an honors director. I had been selected as an Education, Health and Society Scholar but was interested in finding a scholars cohort that better suited my new major. By chance, I asked if being a Writing Scholar was a possibility, and a few emails and a phone call later, I was invited into the program.

All Writing Scholars (housed in the department of Media, Journalism and Film) are required

to take JRN 120, a specialized introductory journalism course. I remember walking into that class terrified to speak. I loved to write more than anything, but was completely overwhelmed. I hadn’t taken a journalism class since my freshman year of high school and found myself surrounded by classmates who were probably all studying journalism to varying degrees.

But from the first day, I knew this class was going to be different than anything I’d experienced.

James Tobin, the professor of the course, made journalism feel abstract, yet tangible at the same time. He focused on narrative structure and style, sorting the class into small groups with an assigned undergraduate assistant (UA). At the time, Tobin didn’t use Canvas much. Instead, we got a booklet of stories and articles — our reading assignments.

I absolutely loved that class.

My confidence and interest in writing grew as I met kids who shared the same interest in telling stories as I did. Our poignant class discussions prompted me to think more critically about what I read, and it finally occurred to me that writing could be more than something I did for fun.

I declared a second major in journalism partway through my first year and eventually added a minor in creative writing. And as it turned out, psychology and journalism make an excellent combination.

‘WANDS AT THE READY’:

THE TRIWIZARD TOURNAMENT COMMENCES JENNA CALDERÓN STAFF WRITER

Long, black capes, pointy hats and wands dashed every which way in a hurry to emerge victorious. The whistle of a flute filled the air and magic filled the room.

The third-annual Triwizard Tournament was in session, and Miami University’s muggles ran around Armstrong Student Center in celebration.

Hosted by the Department of Magical Appreciation (DMA), Miami’s premier “Harry Potter” appreciation student organization, the tournament provided would-be wizards with an opportunity to connect with fellow fans and demonstrate their enthusiasm for the fantastical franchise.

Teams rushed around the building, competing in three challenges. They began by defeating a dragon through solving a riddle.

Then, they rescued friends like Ron Weasley with a scavenger hunt. Finally, they had

to find their way through a maze; chocolate frogs covered the floor and colorful streamers hung in their way, making the task all the more difficult.

Their motivation? A silver trophy, the Triwizard Cup, at the end.

Some participants were not wearing their Hogwarts house shirts or wielding a wand and trailed far behind the rest of their teammates who sprinted to the next challenge.

Maybe they’d never read the books, or maybe they’d never even seen the movies. Either way, they’d been dragged along by their friends.

But not first-year political science major Emma Knipp. She may have only had one “Harry Potter” book under her belt at the time of the tournament, but that didn’t stop her from eyeing that Cup. “If you think for one second I’m going to be happy if we don’t win, you’re incorrect,” Knipp said to one of her teammates.

For “Harry Potter” fans who wanted to hit the books like Hermione, four classes were held in Pavilion C while a timer just behind them counted down to the end of the tournament.

The classes in session included History of Magic, Transfiguration, Herbology and Divination. Tea leaves scattered the table in Divination, attempting to predict the future. Origami and yarn were strewn across the Transfiguration table, and trivia answers were being yelled in History of Magic.

DMA member and sophomore biology major Audrey Cahill, repping a Gryffindor shirt, stopped running just long enough to catch her breath and inspect the little green succulents in Herbology.

“I’m like, really obsessed,” Cahill said.

For her and many of the others present, there’s no such thing as too much “Harry Potter.” calderjm@miamioh.edu

ALTHOUGH DMA MEMBERS SPEND PLENTY OF TIME IN CLASS, THEY WERE EAGER TO DELVE INTO THE MAGICAL LESSONS AT THE EVENT. THE MIAMI STUDENT SAKSHAM SHRESTHA

‘You don’t know squat’:

Freedom Summer documentary premieres, panelists urge students to study Black history

SARAH GRACE HAYS MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

In the summer of 1964, hundreds of students gathered on what is now Miami University’s Western Campus to learn how to register African American voters in the South, specifically Mississippi. Among them was retired Miami philosophy professor Rick Momeyer.

Arrested three times, indicted by a grand jury and assaulted with various weapons in the South, Momeyer is an expert on Freedom Summer and its significance.

“If you don’t know black history, you don’t know American history,” Momeyer said. “It’s not a separate history.”

For two hours on Wednesday, Feb. 26, Momeyer and other Miami faculty explored this idea in front of the crowd gathered for the premiere of “Training for Freedom: How Ordinary People in An Unusual Time and Unlikely Place Made Extraordinary History.”

The 40-minute documentary was spearheaded by Miami’s Media, Journalism and Film (MJF) department and told the story of Freedom Summer in 1964.

The film was shown in Peabody Hall’s Leonard Theater because many of the training sessions for Freedom Summer, originally known as the Mississippi Summer Project, took place there.

After the documentary, area coordinator and associate lecturer of journalism Patricia Newberry led a panel on how to translate the lessons of 1964 into action today with Momeyer and Nis-

hani Frazier, the director of graduate studies for Miami’s department of history. Tammy Kernodle, a professor from the department of music, was scheduled to be on the panel but could not speak due to a scheduling conflict.

While the documentary played on the big screen above the stage, the panel took place on the floor in front of the stage. Momeyer told the audience that Bob Moses, the main organizer of Freedom Summer, always led training sessions for Freedom Summer at the same level as the volunteers to promote the idea that they were all equal.

“Bob Moses never stood on that stage,” Momeyer said. “In the movement, we were all at the same level.”

Frazier and Momeyer spent about an hour discussing how Freedom Summer is a vital part of Miami’s history. The Mississippi Summer Project originally took place at the Western College for Women, they explained, and Miami, a traditionally conservative college in a conservative Midwestern state, wanted nothing to do with the training at that time.

The discussion transitioned into highlighting the many ways both the documentary and history of Freedom Summer should matter for Miami students today.

“The very way we understand the rights, freedoms and democracies as they exist in the United States is embedded in the fight for black freedom,” Frazier said.

From initial conflict between staff and volunteers during the first week of training to news of James Cheney, Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman’s deaths, the summer was a roller

coaster of moments fraught with tension and emotion that many of the panelists and audience members believe should be incorporated into Miami’s curriculum.

According to the panelists, Freedom Summer was about people getting a chance to know each other on a human level.

Junior media and culture and neuroscience double major Amanda Huang said while she only came to this event for her journalism class, she learned a lot.

“It’s really interesting to hear these perspectives and how we need to think differently to be able to overcome these barriers that we have to have change,” Huang said.

Momeyer and Frazier spent the latter portion of the panel calling students to action. They discussed how Miami students should challenge themselves to study black history and foster relationships with people that aren’t necessarily like them.

“We really fail to understand the ways in which calls for freedom push other groups [and] other people,” Frazier said.

Momeyer and Frazier ended the panel by talking about several ways to incite students on campus and bridge the communication barrier that so often gets in the way of thoughtful discussion in today’s political climate.

“Now this is for most of you, not all of you, but it would’ve been for me,” Momeyer said. “Acknowledge your ignorance about black people and black culture. You don’t know squat.” hayssg@miamioh.edu

If I think back to JRN 120, I remember a lot of shy kids whose names I was just starting to learn.

A UA named Megan suggested I give writing for The Miami Student newspaper and magazine a try. And because of her prompting, I found this sense of community I did not know I was looking for. A group of strangers in the newsroom became dear friends in Oxford and beyond.

Last semester, a journalism professor nominated me to be a College of Arts and Science Ambassador, and I accepted, excited to bring things full circle and be the one at Make It Miami events talking to the shy high school students and the inquisitive parents.

And when a mom whips out a notebook and a pen, trying to jot down my insight on dorm life and academic programs, to the embarrassment of her kid, I just smile because my mom did the same thing.

Yet it’s asking those questions — important or seemingly-trivial — that guide you where you want to go.

Thinking back, if I hadn’t sent that email to that honors director in August 0f 2017, I don’t know where I’d be. For one thing, I wouldn’t be an editor, and writing — which I’ve now decided will be my career — might have remained an afterthought. dattilec@miamioh.edu

Ringing in the New Year at Miami’s own Shinnenkai Festival IZZY OWEN

STAFF WRITER The warm scent of chicken, dumplings and other homemade cuisine hung over the crowd of students packed into the Armstrong Student Center’s Fritz Pavilion. The aroma wound its way through the numerous booths set up throughout the room, wrapping itself around brightly colored paper decorations and ornate ceremonial garb.

On Friday, Feb. 28, the pavilion was transformed into Miami’s Shinnenkai Festival. The festival, hosted by the Japanese Culture and Language Club (JCLC) and Miami Activities and Programming (MAP), was complete with different stations that visitors could explore and learn about different Japanese traditions.

Before entering, guests were given a passport to the 11 stations and three raffle tickets for the raffle prizes. Each station on the passport would give guests a stamp when they completed the activity at the station. After six stamps, guests could get free food and after they completed all 11, they got an extra raffle ticket.

One of the stations was Taiko drumming.

Taiko is a type of traditional Japanese drumming that brings in dancing and martial arts movements to accompany the drumming. Senior chemical engineering major Tori Jones said that participating in the Shinnenkai festival allows for performance opportunities for the group as well as people interested in joining.

“It’s a good way to show off, but also we get a chance to have people play our drums and interact with them. It’s a good way to promote it and it’s just so much fun,” Jones said.

Another station was Omikuji, which are Japanese fortune-telling papers found at shrines and temples across Japan. Guests picked a stick with a number on it out of a box and the number would earn them a corresponding fortune paper. The paper included fortunes for love, school, work and travel, as well as lucky numbers.

During the event, both the Taiko Club and the Fusion dance group put on percussive performances.

“I have a very keen interest in Japanese culture, so I was really interested in coming tonight. I really enjoyed the fortune station,” said first-year computer science major Alex King.

At the food station, students could enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine, which included Japanese fried chicken called karaage, vegetable spring rolls and dumplings.

Miami’s JCLC offers numerous chances throughout the year for students interested in Japanese culture to engage with it. Their next sizable event will be a workshop teaching students about ikebana, or Japanese flower arranging. The workshop will take place on Wednesday, April 15 at 5:30 p.m. in Upham 163. owenip@miamioh.edu

WARM COLORS AND TASTY AROMAS CONNECTED CULTURES. THE MIAMI STUDENT SAKSHAM SHRESTHA

Humor

8

BERTRANT@MIAMIOH.EDU

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2019

Fixing the feng shui: SEAN MULLEE

THE MIAMI STUDENT The old stand-by. The pee-can. God’s loophole.

It goes by many names, but anyone who’s someone in Oxford has taken a fat piss in the men’s bathroom trash can in the Brick Street Bar & Grill TM. But this gray beauty is moving up in the world, leaving its home underneath the hand dryer and taking its rightful place among the stars.

In an effort to “spruce up the place,” the Brick Street staff decided to make some big changes to their iconic men’s bathroom. Most notably they moved the designated pee trash can across the room to sit between the first and second urinals, citing concerns over “pee air.”

“Well, you know, the hand dryer used to blow down right into the thing, and it would just blast all the piss up into the room,” said bartender Hunter Thompson. “Plus, we felt like it deserved a chance at the big leagues. Like Rudy, you know?”

The remodel includes the addition of five locks to each stall so that patrons may break them at their leisure, empty liquor bottles in the urinal, and the long-overdue removal of the soap dispenser, which no one was using anyways, all to give it that classic Brick Street feel that keeps guests coming back.

These changes come just weeks after the controversial installation of a baby pool’s worth of mystery fluids on the restroom floor, which was met with mixed reviews.

“See, I expect the still water around the bar,” explained Brick Street regular and junior George Topor, “but when I get to the bathroom, the only liquid I want to see is that smooth golden current hitting the bottom of the peecan and, sometimes, the sink.”

Whether you’re a regular user of this local legend or a fresh face looking to make a splash, the Brick Street men’s bathroom trash can’s new home is sure to keep giving guests the “best piss of the night.” @seanmullee mulleesp@miamioh.edu

Brick Street moves trash can everyone pees in away from the hand dryer

ILLUSTRATION BY MIN KIM

Miami to install new ‘heated floor panels’ in the Farmer School of Business NOAH BERTRAND HUMOR EDITOR

The Farmer School of Business has confirmed plans to install 400 heated panels under the stone floors of the building, assuring students that the introduction of these heated walkways will both “reduce lame-ness” and “increase general clout.”

The outdoor walking areas on Miami University’s campus are rigged with a complex heating system that ensures ice or snow does not form on sidewalks. This is to prevent falling, isolating those with different mobility needs and general discomfort by the student body.

With the value of this practical and effective solution evident, Miami is looking to again replicate success.

“We pride ourselves with having the most up-to-date technology to make our students lives more contemporary,” said finance professor Connor Lance. “But also because it makes me feel cool, and as an adult that is a rare feeling.”

This sense of “cool” is not foreign to the walls of Farmer. In fact, it is essential. Eighty-five percent of new

students have said that they chose to attend Miami because of how cool it is, according to a survey conducted by The Miami Student’s Humor section.

The administration has thus ensured that there is no way any Farmer student at any time would ever feel uncool.

Miami’s Chief of Aesthetic, Brock Danielle, described his layout.

“Everything around you is cool,” he said. “Looking down after having a rough class? Boom! Marble floors.

Throwing away another term paper? Fear not, the trash cans are gold trimmed. Lost your shoes in a fire?

Soon, your bare feet will be cozy and accommodated.”

When asked about the cost of installing these heating pads under dozens of heavy-stone floor tiles, Brock said simply, “I don’t know. I’m working with a blank check here.”

Miami’s administration declined to comment on how much money they have allocated for this heated floor panel project, instead offering our Humor editor a Starbucks gift card and a Miami University beer koozie that reads “From Now On.” bertrant@miamioh.edu

Brand new, ‘Battle Royale’style registration takes effect Fall 2020 NOAH BERTRAND HUMOR EDITOR

Registration has always been a troubling topic among the Miami University student body.

Nobody wants to wake up early, no one likes seeing their classes are full and no one likes dealing with the complicated forceadd/ROR process. Heeding these complaints, the administration elected to steer registration in a new direction.

The most common and damaging effect of the current registration system, which orders students hierarchically based on academic year and honors requirements, was that it was increasingly difficult to get into classes students wanted and/or needed.

Before the proposed changes the university would deal with complaints like these by sending an email suggesting the student select a new major or minor, (“Gerontology is wide open!” one advisor wrote to sophomore Brief Reagen), or they would encourage students to stick it out and try again.

“I need to take AMS 288 to graduate, but it has been filled up every single semester by the time I get there,” Reagen told The Miami Student. “Isn’t there a better way to do things?”

Miami says, yes … but there are caveats.

What exactly?

Well, if students thought the previous seniority based system was cutthroat wait

until you’re getting your throat cut by a firstyear with 15 AP credits.

“Miami University is, at its core, a liberal arts university,” said head of registration, Mars Lugly. “We believe in providing the most well-rounded and complete education we have for all of our students. And the research shows blinding rage and hand-tohand combat is the best answer.”

Some early testers of the new system, who were granted anonymity for fear of retribution, complained that they “lost a close friend” or “now have permanent damage to my legs” or “can’t stop killing.”

One bemoaned about getting his throat cut by a first-year with 15 AP credits.

These issues will hopefully be ironed out as the new system is rolled out.

“A lot of people want to focus on the negative,” Lugly said. “But what they are missing is the positives. Miami will be as competitive as ever and will never struggle to give each student a dorm room. Tuition will have been paid at this point, so there is no significant financial loss.”

“Plus, the fields of carnage and carrion will be vital in recruiting the Vikings,” Lugly added.

Get your bats and your gats, because Miami is going to be more red than usual next year. bertrant@miamioh.edu

Don’t eat old yogurt.

Just don’t eat old yogurt.

BERTRANT@MIAMIOH.EDU

HUMOR 9

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2019

EASTER BUNNY’S CREMATED REMAINS USED ON ASH WEDNESDAY JESSICA ROBINSON THE MIAMI STUDENT

I’d like to start with a blanket statement, something everyone should know: the ashes put on your forehead every Ash Wednesday are cremated Easter Bunnies from previous years, but the churches are too powerful to stop, and PETA can’t fight them alone.

I noticed it a few years ago, when I was 18. Every year on Easter, my family goes to the mall in order to get a picture with the man of the hour, the Easter Bunny. I saw the Easter Bunny at the mall, and noticed he was a different height from the Easter Bunny the year before.

Now, I’m no idiot. I understand that there are multiple Easter Bunnies, and that as one retires, another replaces him. However, at my mall – “The Mall” as we call it – the bunny from my previous experiences was not near retirement age. His fur was unmatted, his eyes large and optimistic. But now, he seemed replaced, too early and without explanation.

When I went to get a picture taken with my hero, he seemed scared, as though he knew something I was unaware of. This species is not known to be timid. Easter Bunnies are strong, confident and able to reproduce asexually. As I left, his furry paw shook my hand, passing along a small note which I carry with me to this day. On it, Mr. Easter Bunny drew a smeared image in green crayon that looked vaguely like an “H.” I took this to mean he needed help. Fast.

Suddenly, my mind began to tumble. It was like when a nuclear reaction occurs and everything gets really, really bright. I was putting things together, and I decided that there were two options that could explain my recent interactions with the bunny.

Either there was no Easter Bunny, and my entire family as well as

the whole of American society was lying to me, or the Easter bunny species was slowly being decimated by the churches.

I started to suspect Christian churches because of their

open distaste toward Easter Bunnies. Historically, they claim that Easter Bunnies encourage beastiality and satanism, so I started researching.

I pulled out my laptop and

ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR WELLS

was enraged at a holiday celebrated in the Catholic church, and in some Methodist and Lutheran churches: Ash Wednesday.

Every year, a leader of the faith takes ashes and puts them on faithful foreheads, blinding people for small moments as they struggle to contend with the soot falling into their eyes. According to popular belief and the teachings of the church, the ashes are cremated palms from the Palm Sunday of the year prior.

However, my findings at www. savetheeasterbunny.co.uk suggest differently. Here is a quote from the site’s founder, Greg Lipton: “Swiftly as Easter ends, the Popemobile travels from town to town, collecting unlucky Easter Bunnies that didn’t get to their home holes fast enough. These bunnies are then transported to a nearby convent, where nuns incinerate them, package them and label the containers ‘Ashes for next year.’”

I know, you’re scared and disturbed by my words. When I called PETA, they were so scared that they hung up on me, saying the whole thing was “bullshit.” And they’re right! It’s completely wrong for this specific species of rabbits to be murdered for their egg laying ability and humanoid features.

So, I get that you’re frightened and angered by this information.

But you aren’t nearly as scared as the extremely endangered species that lays eggs once a year behind the big oak tree in your yard. You aren’t in any danger, but others are.

The first step to solving an issue is raising awareness, and therefore I ask everyone to read and circulate my words. An Easter bunny asked me for help, and gosh darn, I will do what I can to protect him, even if I must create an army to fight churches for the rights and lives of the Resurrection Day Rabbits. robin119@miamioh.edu

Democratic nominee candidates in your class

ILLUSTRATION BY ANNA SKALICKI

KIRBY DAVIS COLUMNIST

Disclaimer: I do not know a lot about candidates who are not Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, but I feel confident that these judgements, based mostly on Twitter discourse, are accurate.

Bernie Sanders: Doesn’t take notes, but brings extra notebook paper and pencils for other people to use. Reusable water bottle is covered in social justice-themed stickers. Training a Four Paws dog (Golden Retriever), who joins him in class every day. Doesn’t own a laptop; uses the ones in the library when he really needs to.

Joe Biden: Fifth-year senior. Makes vaguely misogynistic comments during discussions and talks over women in the room (including the professor). Took the class a few years ago but is now re-taking it, because he failed last time.

Amy Klobuchar: Uses expensive stationary. Skips every other class but does the home-

work. Finds a way to work the fact that she is going to law school into every conversation.

Elizabeth Warren: Sometimes late because she UA’s for a political science class right before. Takes meticulous notes on paper, then types them later. Makes study guides for every exam and shares them with the class; always does the reading. You want to work with her on group projects.

Pete Buttiegieg: Doesn’t return borrowed pencils or pens. Gets upset when people disagree with him during discussions and does not respond well to criticism on assignments. You like his boyfriend, who is also in the class, better.

Mike Bloomberg: Has been to class twice; was too hungover to speak both times. Steals your seat five weeks into the semester (in his defense, he has only been to class twice). Uses plastic water bottles. You stay away from him because you know, from friends, that he was the subject of a Title IX investigation recently (results were inconclusive). @kirbdavis daviskn3@miamioh.edu

“He has been to class twice; was too hungover to speak both times.”

Sports

10

VINELCA@MIAMIOH.EDU

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020

Dickerson cements her status as a Miami legend LUKAS NELSON THE MIAMI STUDENT

LAUREN DICKERSON WILL START AGAINST BOWLING GREEN TOMORROW. THE MIAMI STUDENT ZACH REICHMAN

Lauren Dickerson never thought she would be in this position.

With two regular season games remaining, the senior guard is just 14 points away from breaking the Miami women’s basketball all-time scoring record. The current record is held by Courtney Osborn, who scored 2,166 points in a RedHawk uniform from 2009-2013.

However, if someone would’ve told the 5’3” star as a freshman that she would have a chance to eclipse Osborn’s record, she wouldn’t have believed it.

“I would’ve laughed at them, probably,” Dickerson said. “I didn’t really come in thinking I was gonna be breaking records, really. I just came in trying to make a name for myself, and I guess I have.”

That, she has.

Dickerson has never missed a game during her Miami career and was a starter in all but one. She’s been first team All-MAC the past two years and was the MAC Freshman of the Year in 2017. The dynamic point guard has led the team in both scoring and assists all four years in a RedHawk uniform.

Dickerson’s name is everywhere on Miami’s all-time record list. She’s the program’s all-time leader in field goals made, and she broke Osborn’s record for 3-pointers made against Kent State on February 22 with over 300 and counting. The next game, Dickerson broke another one of Osborn’s records with her 49th career 20-point game.

Although it’s Dickerson’s scoring ability that gets her recognition, she’s also been moving up the all-time assist leaderboard at Miami. Dickerson has dished out 577 assists in her career, tied with Osborn for second in RedHawk history. She needs just 20 more to become Miami’s all-time leader.

The point guard takes a lot of pride in her passing ability.

“I feel like if I can make the assist, that’s way cooler than hitting a three,” Dickerson said.

Simply put, Dickerson is one of Miami’s all-time greats. A statistical case could be made that she’s the best women’s player in the school’s history. When asked about her legacy, the shifty guard said she wanted to be remembered as a tough but exciting player to watch.

“And even though she’s little, she can still do it,” Dickerson said.

And there it is. The 5-foot-3 elephant in the room.

Despite her skill level, Dickerson has been doubted due to her height many times over her career.

“They still do [doubt me],” Dickerson said.

Her response?

“You can’t guard me.”

Of course, guarding Dickerson is easier said than done. DeUnna Hendrix found out first-hand last season.

As the head coach of High Point University at the time, Hendrix brought her squad into Oxford and came out on the losing end of a 68-55 game.

Dickerson was Miami’s leading scorer with 16 points.

When Hendrix took the head coaching job last spring, she already knew the type of talent she had in her new star player.

“I got a small dosage of what she was able to do, but watching it every day in practice, I mean, the kid is unreal,” Hendrix said. “I knew in the first, probably, five minutes of a practice when we first got on campus how exciting it was gonna be just to sorta watch her do her thing.”

One thing her coach has discovered about Dickerson is her high basketball IQ. The point guard’s ability to think through situations has led Hendrix to rely on her input during games, as the two frequently have conversations on the sideline.

“She has a better basketball mind than people give her credit for,” Hendrix said.

Dickerson has been described as quiet and introverted off the court.

However, it’s her energy on the court that gives her team a boost.

“You can tell when she’s really engaged, that big ol’ smile, and the energy that she brings just naturally when her teammates are doing well,” Hendrix said. “Moreso on the court, you see all of her personality come out there, and it’s pretty infectious.”

Just because she’s quiet doesn’t mean Dickerson doesn’t have personality off the court, though. Her coach describes her as a goofball and says she’s constantly singing — but stops anytime her coaches walk in the room.

“She has a personality all her own,” Hendrix said. “I’m just waiting for the world to see it.”

They have only a few opportunities left, as Dickerson’s career in Oxford is soon coming to an end.

After graduation, Dickerson hopes to keep playing basketball. If that doesn’t work out, she would like to be involved in the media somehow, maybe working in sports broadcasting. Her degree will be in Interactive Media Studies.

Dickerson’s Miami career isn’t over yet, though. The program legend will don a RedHawk jersey for at least three more games, including this Wednesday’s contest at Millett Hall, with the team hosting Bowling Green for Senior Night. This will be Dickerson’s last game at Millett Hall and the perfect opportunity for her to become the program’s leading scorer.

“It would be an honor,” Dickerson said. “Definitely a way to end my career, and end it at Millett would be a very special feeling, and with all my family coming and all that, it would make me happy.”

Breaking your school’s all-time scoring record in your last home game on senior night?

That sounds like a storybook ending if there ever was one.

For Dickerson, it’s the perfect ending to a legendary career she never could’ve imagined. @LukasTheDream nelso156@miamoh.edu

THE REDHAWKS DROP TWO OF THREE AGAINST UAB LILY FREIBERG THE MIAMI STUDENT It seems that Miami baseball thrives at home but struggles on the road.

The RedHawks dropped two of three in a three-game series this past weekend. The University of Alabama at Birmingham beat Miami, 5-2, on Friday and defeated it again, 8-6, on Saturday. But the RedHawks brought home an 8-6 win in Sunday’s series finale.

UAB’s pitching struggled in the series finale with multiple hit-bypitches, walks and opportunities to load the bases, securing a win for the RedHawks.

Junior outfielder, and rising star player, Cristian Tejada was on a hitting streak with three singles, one

triple and one home run over the weekend.

Senior infielder Will Vogelgesang had two hits in this series, and senior star infielder Landon Stephens hit a single, a double and a triple. These two players lead the team in batting average at .400, but Stephens pulled ahead of Vogelgesang in hits with 14.

The RedHawks bring the hits to the game, but they also bring the errors with them In Friday’s game, UAB scored its five runs in the first, fourth and sixth innings, but the RedHawks brought the heat in the eighth inning to avoid a shutout.

In the eighth inning, freshman third baseman Brian Zapp singled, and junior catcher Nate Stolze doubled shortly after. Then, Tejada singled and brought in Miami’s first run

SENIOR LANDON STEPHENS HOLDS A .400 BATTING AVERAGE THROUGH NINE GAMES. THE MIAMI STUDENT MACY WHITAKER

of the game. Vogelgesang brought in the second run on a bunt single.

But those two runs came late in the game and UAB took advantage of some fielding errors from the RedHawks.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, sophomore starting pitcher Sam Bachman gave up three singles, and UAB scored on the third. Then, the two remaining UAB players on base scored on an error from junior shortstop Tyler Wardwell and another error from Stolze.

The Blazers’ other two runs came from scoring on a wild pitch in the first inning and a homer in the sixth.

Miami and UAB play chase In Saturday’s game, Miami scored a total of five runs in the third and fourth innings, but UAB kept up with the RedHawks throughout the game.

In the top of the third inning, redshirt senior outfielder Kyle Winkler singled and advanced to second base as Tejada reached first on an error

by UAB’s shortstop. Stephens and sophomore designated hitter Cole Andrews drove in Winkler and Tejada on singles.

With two runs on the scoreboard for the RedHawks, UAB fought back.

With a single, a double and two RBIs from groundouts, the Blazers tied the score at the end of the third.

The RedHawks came back with three more runs in the top of the fourth inning. Stolze and Zapp both walked to get the RedHawks on board. After a groundout from Winkler, Stolze and Zapp scored on Tejada’s single. Tejada then stole second base and advanced to third on a passed ball. Vogelgesang drove him in on a single.

UAB scored two more runs with a single, a walk, an RBI single, another single and a score on an error

by Miami’s shortstop in the bottom of the fourth. In the fifth inning, junior pitcher Logan Schmitt gave up five hits while UAB gained four runs, taking the lead.

The RedHawks managed to score one more run in the seventh inning on two doubles from senior first baseman Charlie Harrigan and Stolze.

The RedHawks earned their first win on the road The Blazers led, 6-1, after a grand salami in the first inning and a two-

run dinger in the third. But with some four-pitch walks and hit-bypitches, the RedHawks were able to secure a win in the series finale.

In the third inning, Wardwell walked on four pitches and advanced to second on a balk. Junior left fielder Parker Massman was hit by a pitch and Tejada singled to load the bases. Wardwell scored on Vogelgesang’s sac fly.

In the fourth inning, Harrigan and redshirt freshman Stephen Krause both received four-pitch walks. Zapp also walked and loaded the bases again. Harrigan scored on a fielder’s choice.

In the fifth inning, Tejada started Miami hot with a triple. Vogelgesang was hit by a pitch and later scored on a wild pitch, after Landon Stephens doubled and drove in Tejada. Ste-

phens was driven in by a sac fly from Andrews.

In the sixth inning, Massman was hit by a pitch, Tejada walked on a full count and Vogelgesang was also hit by a pitch to load the bases one more time. Landon Stephens tripled and brought Vogelgesang and Tejada to home plate.

Tejada finished the game off with a one-run homer in the eighth inning.

Miami returns home to face Wright State at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

The RedHawks also host a threegame series against Milwaukee this upcoming weekend. The first game is 5 p.m. on Friday, and they have a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday. @lilyfreiberg freibell@miamioh.edu

JUNIOR PITCHER JACOB WEBB, A FIRST-YEAR REDHAWK, DELIVERS A PITCH DURING MIAMI’S 7-3 WIN OVER PURDUE FORT WAYNE ON FEB. 22 AT HAYDEN PARK. THE MIAMI STUDENT MACY WHITAKER

VINELCA@MIAMIOH.EDU

SPORTS 11

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020

SYNCHRONIZED SKATING PLACES IN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Miami’s synchronized skating team finished its season by placing third and fourth in last weekend’s US Synchronized Skating Championships.

The collegiate team slotted third out of 12 teams by scoring 92.81 points. The senior team ranked fourth out of five teams with a combined tally of 192.39 points.

CONTRIBUTED BY MIAMI ATHLETICS

‘He’s got the leg’: Sam Sloman chases the NFL CHRIS VINEL SPORTS EDITOR The typically-unflappable Sam Sloman had a moment.

After kicking a field goal in front of NFL scouts at Miami’s 2020 Pro Day on Monday, Sloman spun around and saw everyone’s eyes pointed toward him. He realized he’s fighting for a shot at professional football.

“When I turned around after a field goal and all those people were watching me, I was like, ‘That’s really, really sweet,’” Sloman said. “That’s something I never really thought would happen.

“I was like, ‘This is real. This is the real deal right now.’”

He wasn’t nervous, though. He went back to drilling 61-yard field goals that would’ve been good from at least 65.

Nothing out of the ordinary for Sloman, a man who was in the running for the 2019 Lou Groza Award, given annually to the best collegiate kicker in the country.

“I was more nervous for our games this year than I was for this [Pro Day],” Sloman said.

Last season, he converted 26 field goals on 30 attempts and missed only one extra point (34of-35). He booted kicks in big moments all year, including four in the RedHawks’ Mid-American Conference Championship victory over Central Michigan.

But he lists his longest kick — a 53-yarder to give Miami the lead at Ohio University — as his favorite.

“Into the wind, rivalry game, lot on the line,” Sloman said. “I don’t really remember the kick that much. I just remember it going through and thinking, ‘Thank God.’” That’s the kick Sloman has advertised to the NFL teams he’s talked to. Prior to Monday, he had met with the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.

“He can do all the things they [NFL teams] need him to do,” Miami head coach Chuck Martin said. “Some guys are great in college, but they don’t have the leg. He’s got the leg. Some people are great in college, but you’ve got to get it up a lit-

tle quicker than college, because there’s just more length in the NFL and more inside push. Well, he’s done that.”

Martin recognized the rarity of Sloman, a kicker, being his team’s 2019 Most Valuable Player.

Sloman hopes NFL franchises value that, too.

“I’m hoping really good,” Sloman said of his NFL chances. “I’m expecting to hopefully end up

somewhere, at least a rookie minicamp opportunity — hopefully, make a team or sign a contract going into summer.”

All he wants is a moment — one opportunity he can boot through the uprights. @ChrisAVinel vinelca@miamioh.edu

SCOREBOARD TUESDAY

MEN’S BASKETBALL

HOCKEY Omaha.................................. 0

Miami..................................65

Miami................................... 4

Kent State............................ 75

MEN’S BASKETBALL

WEDNESDAY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Miami.................................. 75 Buffalo................................ 80

THURSDAY

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Bowling Green....................65 Miami.................................. 75

SOFTBALL Middle Tennessee................. 7 Miami....................................2

SOFTBALL

Central Michigan...............65

South Alabama.....................2

Miami.................................. 75

Miami....................................3

FRIDAY

BASEBALL Miami....................................2 Alabama-Birmingham........ 5

HOCKEY Omaha.................................. 0 Miami.................................. 3/

SOFTBALL Iowa....................................... 1 Miami....................................2

SOFTBALL Florida Atlantic....................3 Miami................................... 4

SATURDAY

BASEBALL

TENNIS Winthrop.............................. 7 Miami................................... 0 • WOMEN’S BASKETBALL •

SAM SLOMAN PRACTICES KICKS ON MIAMI’S SIDELINE DURING A VICTORY OVER BOWLING GREEN ON NOV. 13.

THE MIAMI STUDENT ZACH REICHMAN

Akron.................................. 75 Miami..................................62

SUNDAY

BASEBALL Miami....................................8 Alabama-Birmingham........6

SOFTBALL Florida Gulf Coast................2 Miami....................................3

TENNIS

Miami....................................6

Miami.................................... 1

Alabama-Birmingham........8

Marshall................................6

’Hawks Talk “He’s just a great guy, and hopefully, we can continue playing the way we’ve been playing and send him out on a high note, because he definitely deserves it.” ⁃⁃ Men’s basketball head coach Jack Owens on the team’s lone senior, Bam Bowman, before this upcoming Friday’s Senior Night.

Opinion

12

RIGAZIKM@MIAMIOH.EDU

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020

STAFF EDITORIAL

The following reflects the majority opinion of the editorial board.

Last week, ten of the 18 former members of Delta Tau Delta (Delts) fraternity charged with hazing received their sentences after pleading guilty. Tyler Perino, a former Miami University student who was hospitalized last spring after he was hazed at a Delts Big/Little reveal, addressed the court before the sentences were read.

“I am a voice for kids that did not survive [hazing] similar to what happened to me,” Tyler said.

Tyler then watched as the court suspended the sentences of ten men responsible for his violent assault. Nine of them won’t face jail time and the one Delt who could serve 30 days in jail has a court date next week to review his sentence. He likely won’t face jail time, either.

Seven of them will only pay $100 — only $25 more than they would pay for a parking ticket on Miami’s campus.

That’s reprehensible.

Our legal system failed to hold these former Delts accountable for physically assaulting a man they called a brother. But what’s worse is that Miami’s administration, specifically University President Greg Crawford, has failed to take the opportunity to implement a system of restorative justice that encourages cultural change within and around fraternities on campus.

There are so many different ways the university could have used what happened to Tyler to incite a meaningful shift in how people relate to Greek life on Miami’s campus.

A year later, we’ve all failed Our staff couldn’t agree as to what kind of legal outcome we would have preferred. Some members of our staff believed the former Delts should have served jail time or paid higher fines.

Others argued that both were forms of retributive justice that would not impact the remorse of the former Delts or truly restore justice in this unjust situation.

The American justice system is flawed, and we understand we aren’t going to fix it (or address all of it) in one editorial.

However, visiting Judge Thomas Hanna could have handed down court-ordered community service, obligating the former Delts to volunteer with an anti-hazing organization or another group that would force them to reckon with the consequences of their actions.

The university administration could have (and could still) require fraternities to have formal recruitment on campus like sororities and have them hold Big/Little reveals and initiation on campus to monitor these processes and reduce the risk of hazing. They could address what happened to Tyler with first-year students before they go through spring recruitment, educating them on how it happened and why it won’t happen again.

Crawford could’ve been more visible — on social media and in person — throughout the past year, from the day the Delts were suspended up until the fraternity’s former members received their sentences.

He could’ve held a press conference after the sentencing hearing, condemned the former members’ actions, expressed his support for Tyler and explained what the university is continuously doing in response to both help him and to make sure nothing like it happens again on Miami’s campus.

Hell, Crawford could have attended the sentencing as a symbol of solidarity. Or, at the very least, someone from the university administration or student life could have.

But none of that happened.

The administration did kick the fraternity off campus for the next 15 years (they have the opportunity to recolonize in 2034), but the toxic masculine culture ingrained in fraternities at Miami certainly hasn’t changed a year later.

Just last Friday, Miami’s chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi was placed under a ‘cease and desist’ by the Interfraternity Council (IFC).

Students on this campus have seen what happens when hazing is at its absolute worst, and they’re still doing it. Students know how dangerous and destructive this all is, and still follow a code of silence because they’re either too cowardly to stand up for what’s right or they’re complicit in the perpetuation of violence against their peers.

There is a pervasive attitude within fraternities that hazing incidents will eventually blow over. That’s because they usually do, and the university allows it to happen.

Solitude: Coming to a dining hall near you LEXI WHITEHEAD

THE MIAMI STUDENT During Welcome Weekend, I asked my roommate and the girls across the hall if they wanted to go to eat together for every meal. I would not consider, even for a second, going to Western Dining Commons by myself.

Once classes started, I quickly realized it would be impractical to meet up with friends for every meal every day, and I certainly didn’t want my diet to be limited to the Ramen and Easy Mac I stocked in my dorm room.

So, I started to venture to the dining halls on my own.

It was scary at first. It takes a bit of courage, especially as a new freshman. It seemed like everyone knew someone and had a group of friends already.

Being by myself felt like I was behind the game.

It felt embarrassing. But I reminded myself that, in reality, every new student had the same anxieties I did and were too busy worrying about themselves to even think about what I was doing.

It didn’t take long for my introversion to overtake my insecurities and now, I genuinely enjoy eating alone. I can eat as fast or as slow as I want and I don’t have to talk or explain myself to anybody.

It’s become my main form of alone time. To the point where, when a friend of mine told me that she had never eaten in a dining hall on campus by herself, I was shocked. Eating alone is something that is now an enjoyable part of my daily routine.

Sometimes I’ll sit and eat and people watch, or I’ll watch a show on my laptop. It’s a nice break from the overwhelming demands of college. Between classes and meetings and having a social life, how often do I get to spend time by myself?

And it’s so much better than staying in my dorm. My room can start to feel so isolating, and heading over to a dining hall to eat and watch Netflix means I can relax without going stir-crazy.

There’s no actual socialization involved, but it prevents me from feeling shut out from the rest of the world. It also stops me from feeling bad for taking time for myself — something I, unfortunately, often feel guilty for.

I like spending time alone. But, sometimes, the pressure of grind-culture gets to me and I feel like I have to always be working on something. Leaving my dorm at least offers me the pretense of productivity without actually having to do anything substantial.

Freshman year is weird. You’re thrown into a new world filled with so many new people, and simultaneously you’re alone for the first time. It’s a strange dynamic, even for someone like myself who has always been fairly independent.

Former Delts still walk around this campus sporting hoodies with their letters proudly emblazoned across their chests. Only two out of the ten Delts who were sentenced last week addressed the court and admitted they were responsible for physically and emotionally scarring Tyler. Seven of the 18 Delts that were charged are still students at Miami.

Meanwhile, Tyler no longer attends Miami.

He was abandoned by his peers and by this institution. We all failed him.

Miami values preserving its image over implementing cultural change. We welcome any attempt to prove us wrong, but our editorial board posits that as the university refuses to stand up and condemn the Delts and publicly commend Tyler’s bravery, they are complicit in hiding this instance of hazing under a veneer of “From Now On” imagery. An email sent to the student body listserv doesn’t cut it.

When the survivor of a hazing incident is ostracized and feels compelled to drop out of Miami while his perpetrators continue walking down Slant Walk to class, it shows the student body that the status quo remains in tact.

Tyler, we want you to know your decision to come back for the sentencing and address the former brothers who hazed you takes incredible bravery.

You are the true embodiment of Love and Honor, and Miami should be proud to call you its former student.

We all have a duty to do the same.

We need to Love and Honor one another, hold each other accountable and stop the culture of hazing on Miami’s campus.

Not to sound cynical, but in the end, we’re alone in this world.

Instead of attempting to make plans with someone else, make them with yourself. Instead of waiting for a chance to get out of your room, just do it.

Being alone seems like the simplest act of rebellion in a generation obsessed with socialization.

The sooner you get comfortable going out and doing things by yourself, the sooner more valuable experiences are available to you.

Once you start doing one thing by yourself, you can do anything.

Over J-term, I planned to stop in at Bob Evans and pick up some soup to go, but when I walked in, for some reason, I decided that I would stay and eat at a table for one.

It did feel a little weird at first, but like anything, I got used to it. And I walked out feeling like a badass. whitehan@miamioh.edu

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