The Miami Student | January 30, 2018

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ESTABLISHED 1826 — OLDEST COLLEGE NEWSPAPER WEST OF THE ALLEGHENIES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

Volume 146 No. 14

Miami University — Oxford, Ohio

Miami Student hosting public safety forum FORUM

EMILY WILLIAMS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma hosted its annual Winter Gathering and Stomp Dance this weekend. A group of Miami students, faculty and staff made the trip down to Miami, OK, to experience the event. Jack Evans Managing Editor

Greek life formal recruitment registration down GREEK LIFE

CAROLINE CREEK THE MIAMI STUDENT

The number of students registered for both formal Panhellenic and Interfraternity recruitment dropped between 10 and 15 percent this year, according to Miami’s Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. This drop was anticipated, said Colleen Blevins, associate director of student ac-

tivities and the Cliff Alexander Office. “We’ve seen schools across the nation have a slight decrease in [registration] numbers as well,” said Blevins. Emily Wolfzorn, president of Panhellenic, agreed that Miami’s Greek registration numbers are consistent with those of universities across the country. “This slight drop in numbers is not specific to Miami, as the average number of men and women joining fraternities and sororities across the nation this year is slightly lower,” said Wolfzorn.

Following several student deaths last semester in hazing incidents, several universities suspended Greek life in response. Despite the recent national negative attention on Greek life, Blevins does not believe it has adversely affected sorority and fraternity life on Miami’s campus. “If anything, it has directed conversations to be centered around overall well-being and focusing on care and concern for [Greek] members and fellow Mi-

The Miami Student will host a public forum, “City Matters,” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21 in Wilks Theater to discuss issues and possible solutions for the city’s health and safety challenges. The panel will be filled by a mix of health, safety and government officials from Miami University and the city of Oxford: Oxford City Manager Doug Elliot, city council member Mike Smith, Oxford Fire Department Chief John Detherage, Oxford Police Department Chief John Jones, Captain Ben Spilman of the Miami University Police Department, Miami University Dean of Students Mike Curme and Vice President for McCullough-Hyde Hospital Pamela Collins. The event will be free and open to all. Miami students, faculty and staff and Oxford residents and employees are all encouraged to attend. Staffers first discussed hosting a community-wide discussion about safety concerns in Oxford after The Miami Student published an article about strain on the Oxford Fire Department’s resources. The article, “Burnt out: OFD staff stretched thin,” published on Oct. 24, 2017 and written by Asst. News Editor Céilí Doyle, discusses students’ use of emergency services, often for alcohol-related incidents. During an average weekend, Ox-

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COMMUNITY FORUMS WILL DISCUSS HEROIN PROBLEMS, SOLUTIONS

Former coach sues for firing over paternity leave

STAFF REPORT

MANAGING EDITOR

Local news outlets in southwest Ohio, as part of the Your Voice Ohio project, will hold five community meetings to discuss what people know and need regarding the opioid crisis. The meetings are open to the public. Because of limited seating, people are asked to sign up through the event’s Eventbrite website. The Dayton community meeting is full, but all other locations still had space available at the time of publication. The sessions are: — Dayton: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, at the Dayton Public Library, 215 E 3rd St., Dayton. — Middletown: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12 at the Midpointe Library, 125 S. Broad St., Middletown. — Madisonville-Milford area of east Cincinnati: 6:30 to 8:30 Tuesday, Feb. 13 at the Madisonville Recreation Center, 5320 Stewart Ave., Cincinnati. — Wilmington/Clinton County: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18 at the Wilmington Municipal Building, 69 N. South St., Wilmington. — Washington Court House/ Fayette County: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19 in the LaFayette Room, 133 S. Fayette St., Washington Court House. More than 30 Ohio news organizations are sharing data and stories as part of the initiative. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

LAWSUIT

JACK EVANS

THE WATER DAMAGED SECTIONS OF DRYWALL AND WOOD IN THE JOSLIN SENATE CHAMBER. CEILI DOYLE THE MIAMI STUDENT

Sprinkler head defect causes water damage in Armstrong FACILITIES

CÉILÍ DOYLE

ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Over 1,000 gallons of water burst through one of the sprinkler heads in the Joslin Senate Chamber in Miami’s Armstrong Student Center (ASC) in a roughly 30-minute span on Wednesday, Jan. 3. The sudden burst of water pressure set off the fire alarm, forcing everyone in Armstrong to evacuate until the Oxford Fire Department (OFD) arrived to shut off the water. A pool of water reached the third row of seating, but the damage was mainly concentrated on the eastern side of the chamber, including part of the ceiling, sections of drywall and wooden panels along the wall.

NEWS P.3

MIAMI TRIBE’S WINTER GATHERING News from the annual gathering and stomp dance in Miami, OK.

“The problem is not that the pipes themselves burst,” ASC’s building service coordinator, Jim Rhodes said. “It’s that a hole the size of the pencil, where normally this green, cylindrical glass bulb is located in the sprinkler, was missing.” The estimate of how much it will cost to fix the damage as well as whose insurance will have to foot the bill — either Miami University’s or Messer Construction’s — is still being determined, as is the cause of the defect in the sprinkler head. “The insurance hasn’t been determined yet, because the cause will drive which insurance company will need to pay the cost of remediation,” said director of ASC Katie Wilson. There was an extremely quick clean-up

A strength and conditioning coach formerly employed by Miami is taking the university to court, alleging he was wrongfully fired after taking paternity leave protected under federal law. Head Miami football coach Chuck Martin, athletic director David Sayler and associate athletic director Steve Brockelbank are all named as defendants in the lawsuit. The plaintiff in the case is Paul Harker, whose most recent title at Miami was Director of Strength and Conditioning for the Athletic Performance Center. He worked in Miami’s athletic department alongside the RedHawks football team from February 2011 until Miami terminated his contract in June 2017. After Harker’s wife gave birth to twins on Jan. 20, 2017, he took just over three weeks of paternity leave, which was pre-approved by the university, according to court documents. The leave taken by Harker is protected under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which protects working parents’ jobs while they take time off to care for their newborn children. “Within a few days after returning from FMLA leave, Mr. Harker was told to quickly find a job elsewhere because it had been decided that his contract would

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CULTURE P.4

OPINION P. 9

LILLY GOES TO COLLEGE

COLUMN: LET’S RAISE OUR STANDARDS

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL BEATS RIVALS

We can set the bar higher than, “At least he didn’t rape me.”

The ’Hawks secured a much-needed win at home against OU.

The trials and joys of a first-time dog owner in Oxford.

SPORTS P.10


2 NEWS

NEWS@MIAMISTUDENT.NET

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

Miami names Marc Rubin dean of Farmer School FACULTY

JACK EVANS EMILY WILLIAMS

THE MIAMI STUDENT

Accountancy professor Marc Rubin has been named dean of Miami University’s Farmer School of Business. Rubin has served as interim dean of the Farmer School since July of last year. He was appointed interim dean after former dean Matthew Myers left Miami to serve as dean of the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. A Miami graduate himself, Rubin received his bachelor of science in accounting in 1975. During his time at the university, Rubin met his wife, served as a resident assistant in Symmes Hall and studied under the late accountancy department chair Harry Lyle. In 1990, Rubin left a faculty position at the University of North Carolina to teach accounting at Miami. He stayed until 1993 and then returned again to teach at Miami in 1997. When he took over Lyle’s old role as accountancy department chair in 2003, a colleague of Rubin’s told him that Lyle would have been proud. “Who gets to sit in the chair of their mentor? How many people get to do that in their life?” asked Rubin. “Not many people get to have that opportunity. To me, it’s

such a privilege to be able to do that.” As dean of FSB, he hopes to build on the extracurricular business opportunities available to students in the form of case competitions and clubs, like the recently-formed Miami University Blockchain Club, which he cited as an example. Rubin also plans on aiming the Farmer School towards the future, preparing students for a rapidly shifting business landscape. “Business models are changing and technology is changing,” said Rubin. “It’s important to me to know that we are preparing our students not just for the best jobs today, but the best jobs five years from now, 10 years from now.” As dean, Rubin is set to receive an annual salary of $308,987, as well as administrative and supplemental stipends totaling $57,500. If Miami’s Board of Trustees approves the appointment and salary at their Feb. 16 meeting, Rubin will serve a two-year term in the position. Currently, he is president-elect of the American Accounting Association, a large community of accountants in academia. “He brings many years of experience in the classroom and as former accountancy chair and interim dean to his role as dean,” said Miami spokesperson Claire Wagner, commenting by email. “Rubin will promote the interdisciplinary programs and entrepreneurial

RESEARCH

JULIA ARWINE

THE MIAMI STUDENT

MARC RUBIN HAS BEEN NAMED DEAN OF THE FARMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS. CONTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

mindset that support the positive momentum at Farmer School of Business.”

evansjm4@miamioh.edu willi501@miamioh.edu

Sentencing trial for Cristescu next week CRIME

CEILI DOYLE

ASST. NEWS EDITOR

After two and a half months of court proceedings, former Miami sophomore and Cleveland native Nicholas Cristescu will be sentenced for gross sexual imposition. As a result of a plea bargain with the State of Ohio, Cristescu pleaded guilty to gross sexual imposition, a third degree felony. Charges for sexual battery and voyeurism were dismissed on Dec. 21, 2017.

The gross sexual imposition charge is an amended version of the original charge for rape, a first degree felony, Cristescu’s attorney, Steve Kilburn of Rittger’s & Rittger’s, said. On Jan. 8, Kilburn filed a motion to modify bond in Butler County Court that “respectfully requests [Cristescu] be permitted to leave the state to attend a ski trip with his friends” at Peekn’ Peak Ski Resort in Clymer, NY. Cristescu’s request was denied, said Kelly Heile, Butler County assistant prosecutor. As of Jan. 29, Cristescu is no longer

enrolled at Miami University, according to university spokesperson Claire Wagner. Cristescu’s sentencing hearing will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 5 at the General Division Court in Hamilton. Updates on the case will be available at miamistudent.net. doyleca3@miamioh.edu @cadoyle_18

Dutton’s admirers tout his legacy FACULTY

CEILI DOYLE

ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Kenton Card was never a student of Tom Dutton’s. He admired Dutton’s work from afar and only met the esteemed architecture professor and founder/director of the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) a handful of times. They spoke over the phone, and Dutton even wrote Card a letter of recommendation for his PhD studies in the Department of Urban Planning at UCLA. “The [recommendation] letter is another testament to how good of a person Tom was,” Card said. Last November, Card and over 60 other scholars, architects, planners, and activists in a variety of fields through the country and across the world wrote and signed a Letter to the Editor published by The Student. The letter called on President Greg Crawford and Miami University to honor Dutton’s legacy as both a professor in Miami’s architecture department and the director of the CCE. The letter highlighted Dutton’s commitment to teaching in the classroom and creating an inclusive environment outside the Miami community through the Over-the-Rhine residency program.

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“Tom’s work politicized architecture,” Card said. “He got others to ask: How can architecture students create change through the profession by supporting local communities?” Card believes that most architects, especially the noteworthy or “star architects,” as they are referred to in the field, are mostly concerned with aesthetics or designing the biggest, sexiest buildings. Dutton was one of few architects, Card said, who raised questions in the classroom that addressed systemic inequality, particularly in urban environments. Dutton practiced critical pedagogy — a teaching method that aims to confront oppressive societal norms. “Most architects don’t think about if their projects are complicit with urban concentration and modern capitalism,” Card said. “Tom took students into Over-The-Rhine and created an immersion process that emphasized building new cultures rather than erasing old cultures.” Crawford responded to Card’s letter on Dec. 18, expressing his own desire to maintain Dutton’s legacy at Miami. “He taught us to live, work and lead with higher purpose,” Crawford wrote of Dutton in the letter. “Tom’s imprint on the CCE, Overthe-Rhine and our entire Miami family will be lasting.” The university will conduct a search to fill Dutton’s faculty position this year, Crawford

E V E N T S

T H I S

wrote. The individual who fills his faculty position, however, will not serve as the director of the CCE as Dutton did. Crawford appointed John Blake as director of the CCE, a decision that was also supported by Provost Phyllis Callahan and Dean of the College of Creative Arts Elizabeth Reitz Mullenix, Crawford wrote. Blake worked with Dutton for nearly a decade and was previously the community projects coordinator for the CCE. “John [Blake] is a phenomenal person to take over Tom’s shoes,” Card said. “But there is an ongoing concern for myself and everyone who signed the letter: Will the Center for Community Engagement only become a service arm of the university if it’s detached from critical pedagogy that Tom developed?” Card and his colleagues agree that Dutton was able to fuse scholarship and social change in a radical way by being able to teach at Miami and act as the director of the CCE. “We understand that institutions are complex,” Card said. “But what will be lacking if [Miami] hires someone for the faculty position who will not be able to to enrich the dialogue of the Center like Tom?” doyleca3@miamioh.edu @cadoyle_18

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Events to catch this week on Miami’s campus and in Oxford Free Week

World Hijab Day

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR $100K GRANT FUND

Winter Book Sale

Autograph Night

Miami University Rec Center Monday to Sunday, various times

Armstrong, Slant Walk & Shideler Hall Room 32 Thursday, 7 p.m.

Oxford Lane Library Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Steve Cady Arena Saturday, Puck drop at 7:05 p.m.

Get a head start on your spring semester resolution to get in shape by sampling some group fitness classes. From vinyasa yoga to kickboxing to kettlebell, all sessions are free from Monday through Sunday. Go to miamioh.edu/ fitness for a full schedule of classes.

Throughout the day, the American and Muslim Women’s Collaboration will table on Slant Walk and in Armstrong to help students try on hijabs and share information about Muslim traditions. In the evening, a diverse panel will gather in Shideler to discuss the freedom to cover.

Fill your bookshelves with fiction, nonfiction, DVDs, games, maps and other items for sale at the Oxford Lane Library. The sale will be held in the library’s upstairs meeting room. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Oxford Lane Library’s collections and programming.

Following the ’Hawks matchup against Western Michigan, fans can have jerseys, shirts, posters, hockey sticks and other Miami gear signed by their favorite hockey players. Players will be seated at a long row of tables at Goggin Ice Center following the game.

Nearly $100,000 will be distributed this year through M.I.A.M.I. WOMEN (Miami Initiative for Advancing, Mentoring and Investing in Women) for projects that support the advancement of women. Although the initiative, which aims to support women in leadership roles, has existed for years, this is the inaugural year for the grant fund. The fund is now accepting applications for grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000. Grants of at least $5,000 are preferred, but a limited number of $2,500 grants may be awarded. Applications are due Feb. 9. The purpose of the initiative and the grant fund is to support research involved with the advancement of women. It is open to projects in any field, including but not limited to athletics, health, research, community support and not-for-profit social entrepreneurship. Faculty, staff and students are all eligible to apply, and eligibility is not gender-specific. “The mission of the grant is to benefit and advance women,” said Renate Crawford, co-chair of the fund’s steering committee. “But men can certainly apply as well.” Part of the application requires a two-minute video “mini-pitch” in which applicants describe their project. This video does not need to be of professional quality. “We just want to hear from the applicants about their ideas and what their project is really about,” Crawford said. Ten to 15 chosen finalists will participate in a “Hawk Tank” event, styled after the fastpaced TV show “Shark Tank.” Finalists will have five minutes or less to present their ideas before a panel of M.I.A.M.I. WOMEN staff, who will vote to determine the winners. Finalists will be given training through the Farmer School of Business’ Entrepreneurship program to prepare for this event, which will take place in Hall Auditorium on April 11. The idea for the initiative and the grant was inspired by and based on similar women’s advancement programs at universities such as Xavier University and Indiana University, Bortel said. However, neither of the other universities do an event like Hawk Tank, she said. The money for the grant was contributed by members of the M.I.A.M.I WOMEN Giving Circle. Over 90 alumni and friends of the university donated to make the nearly $100,000 grant possible. The Giving Circle “supports worthwhile causes and programs at Miami — ranging from social entrepreneurship and experiential learning to student organizations and service learning opportunities,” according to the M.I.A.M.I. WOMEN page of Miami’s website. “I’ve been impressed with how successful it’s been,” Miami director of development for women’s initiatives Heidi Bortel said of the Giving Circle. Members of the Giving Circle will all be participating in the selection of finalists. The grant fund is an ideal opportunity for projects that may be too small for a national grant, Crawford said. “I’m really excited,” she said. “We want to make sure we get all the information out there and get people to apply.” The application can be found at www.givetomiamioh.org, under the M.I.A.M.I. WOMEN section of the “Where to Give” tab. Further questions about the grant and/or the application can be directed to Heidi Bortel at heidi.bortel@miamioh.edu or (513)-529-4635. arwinejk@miamioh.edu


NEWS@MIAMISTUDENT.NET

myaamia

3 NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

University and tribe experience neepwaantiinki: learning from each other

SHIRTS CELEBRATING THE PARTNERSHIP WERE GIVEN TO MIAMI TRIBE CITIZENS. ARTHUR NEWBERRY

CÉILÍ DOYLE

ASST. NEWS EDITOR

MIAMI, Oklahoma — For over a year and a half, Alyse Capaccio and Julie Olds worked to establish the Myaamia Heritage Logo — a joint symbol of respect and partnership between the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and Miami University. The two women spent hours upon hours reworking designs, sketching out various diamond shapes (inspired by patterns of the traditional Myaamia art form of ribbon-

work) and discussing the symbolic implications of the design. Every decision was made either via email or over a phone call. Capaccio and Olds finally met, last weekend, in Miami, Oklahoma nearly a year after they initially finished the logo and over two and half years since they began designing in the summer of 2015. “Our faces are next to each other on the website, so it seems like we should’ve met before,” Capaccio, web design specialist for the university said. “But it was so cool to meet the person I’d been working with.

[Olds] is a real artist.” Olds is the cultural resources officer for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. The logo itself is comprised of two geometric diamonds. The black diamond represents respect that will last for the “depth of time.” The red diamond represents responsibility and sacrifice. A white diamond connects the red and black sides. Inside the diamond, a single red dot — symbolizing fire — stands as the critical metaphor for the relationship between the tribe and the university. It is a bond that needs tending to, a spark that needs to be supported to stay alive. “Throughout the design process one thing Daryl Baldwin [director of the Myaamia Center] said that struck me was, ‘We don’t want to be honored, we want to be respected,” Capaccio said. Laura Driscoll, manager of trademarks and licensing for Miami, spearheaded the initial design process on the university’s end when the Miami Tribe Relations department was developing a plan to raise awareness about the tribe in 2015. The logo itself is a jointly owned trademark between the tribe and the university and legally stamped with a MOA (memorandum of agreement) that ensures the Myaamia Heritage Logo cannot be utilized without the support of both parties. All royalties made by selling merchandise bearing the logo go toward the Myaamia Heritage Award Program student scholarships, Driscoll said.

From revamping the Miami Tribe relations website, filming publicity videos, creating the Heritage Collection and passing out an infographic about the tribe during the football game when Chief Douglas Lankford did the coin toss, the university is making a more concerted effort to give the Miami community exposure to Myaamia culture. “This [symbol] means nothing if you don’t have the education behind it to back it up,” Capaccio said. Community was one the largest components both Capaccio and Olds hoped to stress in both creating the logo and establishing a symbol that could carry on the legacy of the Myaamia language and cultural revitalization. Capaccio said that making the visit to Oklahoma gave her a new understanding of and appreciation for what community means for Myaamia people. In addition to meeting Olds in person, Capaccio was also able to participate in the tribe’s stomp dance. “You hear everyone talk about the community and I thought, ‘Oh, yeah, that’s a cool concept,” Capaccio said. “But then I was in the stomp dance, and it felt like a kinesthetic lesson in community, because you need everyone and whatever you do affects everyone else.” doyleca3@miamioh.edu @cadoyle_18

Miami Tribe steps forward in stomp dance MYAAMIA

EMILY WILLIAMS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MIAMI, Oklahoma — At the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma’s Winter Gathering on Saturday, Jan. 27, Jarrid Baldwin and George Ironstrack — both Miami Tribe members, Miami University alums and Myaamia Center staff — led its annual stomp dance. This was the 22nd year the tribe hosted its Winter Gathering but the first year Miami Tribe members led the stomp dance. For Myaamia people, the stomp dance is a social, not a sacred, dance, so all guests — not just tribe members — are welcomed and encouraged to participate. Each dance proceeds in the same way: A male “caller” leads the dance followed by female “shakers.” The women set the rhythm of the dance by stomping and shaking shells strapped around their ankles. Traditionally, the shakers were made from turtle shells but are now typically made from cans filled with small stones or beans. The dancers, alternating male and female, continue to form a spiral as more people join the dance. During warm weather, Myaamia stomp dances are held outdoors behind the Council House. They are danced around a fire on a circular patch of grass surrounded on all sides by Oklahoma’s characteristically flat stretches of land, interrupted only by the tribe’s cluster of buildings, a handful of houses and some errant cattle. Summer stomps

have been known to last through dawn. During the Winter Gathering, the stomp is held inside the Council House. Callers dance around a chair or mock-fire as a standin for an actual flame, and shakers and other dancers fill the center of the room, which is framed by rows of benches and camp chairs. The stomp starts after a community dinner of chili, stew and fry bread and lasts until the last caller has finished his song, typically well after midnight. Most recently, Ben Barnes, second chief of the Shawnee Tribe, has led the Miami Tribe’s stomp dances. For the last several years, Barnes has also held a “Stomp Dance 101” session during the Winter Gathering in order to prepare newcomers for what to expect and how to participate in the dance. Barnes encouraged Miami Tribe citizens to learn how to lead the stomp and, with his guidance, Baldwin and Ironstrack started to learn and practice and, eventually, lead on their own. Baldwin and Ironstrack first led a small social dance last summer and another small stomp dance in the fall, but last weekend’s Winter Gathering stomp was the largest they have led. “It was nerve-wracking,” Ironstrack said of the experience. “Being a passive participant and being responsible for its care are two very different things.” For years, the Miami Tribe has relied on surrounding tribes to lead their stomp dances, and, though those tribes were more than

THE GROUNDS BEHIND THE MIAMI TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA’S COUNCIL HOUSE. EMILY WILLIAMS EDITOR

willing to help, Ironstrack said, it’s important that the Miami Tribe be able to reciprocate that service. The Miami Tribe is still very new to these roles in the stomp, Ironstrack said, and recognizes that these are only small steps forward. They are like children in this, he said — still learning and developing, but also able to help. In the stomp dance songs that callers sing, there are places where the caller can use his own language to insert a story or narrative. Eventually, Myaamia callers could integrate the Miami language, or myaamiaataweenki, into their songs, Ironstrack said. Quite a few Myaamia students have expressed interest in becoming callers, Ironstrack said. A growing number of women have started to train to be shakers or have

shown interest in learning. With Baldwin and Ironstrack now able to lead, that knowledge, Ironstrack said, can create a feedback loop which accelerates the spread of that knowledge throughout the tribe. “In our own community, it means that, internally, we become capable of doing things for our own community,” Ironstrack said. Whereas Baldwin and Ironstrack had to travel to Oklahoma to learn and practice leading the stomp, Ironstrack hopes to hold practices in Oxford to spread the knowledge and responsibility of being leaders, callers and shakers throughout the tribe. willi501@miamioh.edu @emilye_williams

Myaamionki project maps Kansas allotments MYAAMIA

JACK EVANS

MANAGING EDITOR

MIAMI, Oklahoma — In 1846, many of the Myaamia people were forcibly removed from their homelands in Indiana to territory that would later become Kansas. Just over two decades later, in 1867, many were displaced again, this time to Indian Territory, in what would eventually become Oklahoma. Today, the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma is pursuing research that aims to fill in the historical gaps of that 21 year period. “We have had a researcher, a tribal historian, write about that period in Kansas, but there was still just a ton that we didn’t really understand well from a tribal perspective,” said Meghan Dorey, the manager of the Myaamia Heritage Museum and Archive and one of the researchers on the Myaamionki project. “It just felt kind of natural to know that we were missing something and go looking for it.” Dorey, along with Myaamia historian Doug Peconge, presented some of their find-

ings at the tribe’s 2018 Winter Gathering Launched in 2014, the Myaamionki project aims to build a database of tribal allotments given to the Myaamia, allowing today’s members of the Miami Tribe to follow their family’s journey through records of arrival dates and land titles. In 2015, the project published its first wave of research about the tribe’s 66 allotments in Oklahoma. Since then, with backing from the National Historic Preservation Fund (NHPF), the Tribe’s researchers have pored over treaties, congressional actions and newspapers, as well archives from the Kansas State Historical Society and the National Archives in Washington, D.C. “It was the first time I had done that, and it was a really fast and furious intake of documents without having a lot of time to digest it while you’re there because you’re only there for a limited time,” Dorey said. Compared to the Oklahoma allotments, the mapping of the Kansas allotments was a more complicated undertaking. For one, the sheer number of allotments presented a new challenge — 300 land patents were given to

individual Myaamia in Kansas, compared to 66 in Oklahoma. Digging further into the past also complicated the Kansas allotment research. More time passed means more opportunities for the physical landscape to change, making historical maps less accurate. It also means that researchers can’t rely as much on the community’s historical memory. “A lot of people might not know exactly how they are related to a Kansas allottee or if they do, they don’t know the specifics,” Dorey said. “It’s just because it’s more than two generations back people have kind of lost that community memory.” After mapping the allotments, the researchers worked to sort the Kansas allottees into 29 family groups. The largest has 49 members and the 15 smallest consist of just

one person. Now, after this research, families are able to better understand how and where their relatives lived when the tribe was based in Kansas. The Kansas stage of the project was submitted to the NHPF in August-September of 2017, and Dorey said the full results will be published within the year. Once the Kansas stage is complete, researchers hope to continue the project and secure funding to pursue information on tribal lands in Indiana “There’s more to learn yet, that’s for sure,” Dorey said. To look through the project’s published research, visit myaamionki.org evansjm4@miamioh.edu

myaamia mihši-nipwaantiikaani ‘MIAMI UNIVERSITY’


4 CULTURE

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

Stressing the benefits of study away STUDY ABROAD

MADELINE MITCHELL THE MIAMI STUDENT

This past weekend, the university saw a blur of students and professors rushing back into the Oxford city limits, thus ending their winter vacations and settling back in for a new semester, as is the late January custom at Miami. But for members of the Miami community that traveled for a J-term study away program, this transition was particularly stressful. Daniele Fioretti, an Italian professor who spent J-term traveling to her home country of Italy with students, said that she usually tries to prepare her syllabi for spring semester ahead of time, but to no avail. “The days before the semester starts are always very hectic,” she admitted. But Fioretti believes that the student benefits are worth it. “Traveling abroad is a very important experience for a student,” Fioretti said. “We are living in a world that is more and more global and interconnected, so having first-hand experience of a different culture helps to view one’s own culture in a different way.” Theatre professor Lewis Magruder feels the same way. Magruder took a group of theatre majors and non-majors to London for an immersive program in which they studied various aspects of the theatre world. “For me, the benefits are being part of creating and leading something that enlarges students’ understanding of theatre, the world and, ultimately, themselves,” said Magruder. “Each time I have run the program, I have seen how students engage so fully and passionately with theatre that is so very well produced and performed for a supportive, theater-going public. Watching students engage in this way, I can see their horizons expand quite a bit over just three short weeks.” According to Fioretti, Miami University began offering study abroad J-term programs in the winter of 2014. “I was already working in the summer study abroad program, so I thought this was an opportunity to give students the chance to study abroad in Florence in winter as well,” said Fioretti, a Florence native. “The idea of having students study and appreciate my hometown makes me very proud and I am happy to share with students

what I know about living in Italy. I am proud of my culture and my heritage, and I am happy to help students to know more about Italian culture in a non-touristy way.” The amount of work and immersion that these various J-term experiences provide for students is quite impressive. For Magruder’s London Theatre Program, students watched and analyzed seven performances within their three weeks abroad, on top of other coursework. David Shrider, a professor for the Farmer School of Business, got back from New York the Friday night before classes after his second year of the Wall Street Walk program. The program started off as a simple one-week field trip to New York City, but in the last two years has transformed into an intense course geared toward the best and brightest business students. “We had an existing Wall Street program before that was not a class,” Shrider said. “They just went to New York for one week, did the field trip, weren’t responsible for anything and didn’t have any assignments. So we kinda saw that over time students were not necessarily engaged and there was no way to hold them accountable. And so we decided to make it part of a class, a longer class where we had time in Oxford and then the culminating week was this Wall Street week experience in New York.” The class now entails forming teams, picking a stock, performing an analysis and then creating a pitch that the students present for a multitude of audiences, including Citibank and Bank of America on Wall Street. Marketing major Will Hoff spent his J-term under similar pressures while in Disney World, where he learned that the life of a marketer is not at all what he expected. The program at Disney provides intensive training on leadership, customer experience, management and marketing strategies. “Running a service audit is nothing like I expected to be,” he said. “There are lots of aspects of service marketing that you take for granted.” Debbie Coleman, the leader behind the Disney World program, said that this is exactly what the experience is aiming to prove. “Students see Disney Parks and Resorts from a new perspective,” she said. “Rather than personally

enjoying the outcomes of surprise and delight, students study how that magic is created: They observe and audit things like optimization, capacity, queuing, compatibility management, etc. It should be clear by now — this is no Mickey Mouse course.” The topics covered in Coleman’s Disney program can be applied to a multitude of majors. Megan Neiheisel, a sports leadership and management major, participated in the Disney World study away program to see how their marketing techniques can be applied to services in the sports industry. “While I am not interested in applying to the Disney College Program, I am interested in working in sports marketing and brand marketing,” Neiheisel said. “Disney does a phenomenal job of selling its brand to its customers. Disney is a leader in its industry and there were many things that I learned while on the program that I can apply to whatever career I may have in the future.” The benefits and success of the J-term study away programs can be seen by how comfortable students can get in a new environment in such a short amount of time. “What I like the most is to see students adjust to Florence and to Italian culture,” Fioretti says. “I am very proud when they say that they consider Florence as their second home.” Like Fioretti, Shrider also finds that the moments of pride in his students are what keeps him coming back to teach during these winter weeks. “It’s the final pitches, the final presentation that they do,” he said. “Seeing the idea come from something that maybe wasn’t so perfect at the beginning, and now you watch the winning team present and they go flawlessly through their entire presentation, answering questions that you know two weeks ago they did not know the answers to and now they’ve got it down cold. It’s really fun to see that transformation.” As for the stress of coming back, Magruder admits that tensions might be high among students, but for a different reason than one might think. “Coming back to the spring semester is a challenge, no doubt; there’s little time to adjust,” he says. “But, perhaps the hardest aspect in coming back is the let-down of not being in London anymore!” mitche49@miamioh.edu

Music and the comedic beast ENTERTAINMENT

KATE RIGAZIO

ASSIST. CULTURE EDITOR

“It’s still going to be good,” I heard a familiar voice say from behind me. I turned and saw the teal curtains rippling where the voice’s source had just passed through. The students to my left had wide eyes and nervous smiles as if they had just seen a ghost — or a God. An older gentleman peered over the silver rims of his glasses and gestured toward the opposite end of the stage. I followed his gaze over to where the band was set up. “Mr. O’Brien is in the building.” Conan O’Brien stood with his back to us. His foot rested on the stair to help balance the electric guitar in his hands. He began plucking out a song, the notes echoing out of speakers onto the mostly empty stage. “Music tames the savage beast,” Conan’s stage manager, Steve Hollander, explained to the group of us watching in awe. Our group moved into the audience and I sat myself in a corner seat with the best view of him. He wore black slacks, a polka-dot tie, sneakers and a brown dress-shirt underneath a leather jacket. The only hint of color came from the messy crop of red hair that flopped over his forehead. He was effortlessly cool. Watching him in that moment felt almost invasive. Like I was peeking through the windows of a trailer, spying on a rockstar. He wandered away from the band for just a moment to come

and talk to Rick Ludwin, a Miami alum who helped get Conan on NBC back in 1993. While they chatted, Conan absentmindedly played his guitar, only stopping briefly in between songs. Before the show began, a highlight reel of Conan’s best work played to a buzzing audience. It demonstrated that, over the course of his 25 years in late night television, Conan has carved out a brand of late night comedy all his own. While other late night hosts build their shows off of biting political satire or gimmicky bits, Conan provides witty sketches reminiscent of his days as a writer on “Saturday Night Live.” He’s known for segments where he spends the day in the American Girl Dolls store, or tries his hand at old-fashioned baseball. In each, he serves as a catalyst to help bring out the most delightfully odd elements of the scenario. He is able to playfully pull the silliness out of anything, to the delight of his audience. Conan isn’t shy with jokes about himself, either. His self-deprecating sense of humor helps make him more relatable, and he downplays his intelligence to make himself appear as some guy who somehow ended up behind a late night desk. His true genius cannot be seen while he’s delivering his monologue, or interviewing a celebrity guest. It’s the moments in-between sketches when his talkshow host persona falls away that his wit and comedic talent are most prevalent. Before the show, Conan was watching sketches and making

edits on the fly. Looking for any and all ways to improve a piece. During the show, he watched all the pre-recorded sketches with a critical eye. He was taking mental notes of what ran long, what could have had a bigger laugh and what he would have done differently. When the taping was paused to set up for the first interview, Conan did not interact with his audience as some hosts do. He instead stood with the band, but this time he did not have a guitar. He immersed himself in the music, tapping his foot to the beat. With his eyes closed, he let the music wash over him. The stress of the monologue rolled off his shoulders with every note. When the taping resumed, Conan returned to his chipper demeanor, engaging in playful banter with the guests of the night, DJ Khalid and Natasha Leggero. The interviews were funny and light-hearted, like a conversation you might hear between two friends at a dinner party. When it was time for the musical guest to perform, Conan’s sidekick, Andy Richter, stayed on the couch chatting with Natasha. Conan came out from behind his desk and stood just behind the cameras. He swayed ever so slightly to the folk music, his figure silhouetted by the stage lights. It was in that moment, watching a brilliant comedic giant seek comfort and refuge from the pressures of his own craft, that I understood what his stage manager said earlier. Music tames the savage beast. rigazikm@miamioh.edu

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Lilly & Me

MIAMI’S TRAIL SYSTEM OFFERS PLENTY FOR A NEW DOG TO EXPLORE DEVON SHUMAN

COLUMN

DEVON SHUMAN MANAGING EDITOR

If one of my neighbors were to have looked out their bedroom window last Saturday morning around 7:15, here’s what they would have seen: Me, dressed in sweatpants, a gray fleece and moccasin slippers, sprinting across my lawn and around the block, an empty leash in hand. And thus, I learned my first lesson about owning a dog at school: Just because she was okay off the leash at home doesn’t mean she won’t take off on you once you let her loose in your Oxford backyard. Lilly is a three-and-a-halfyear-old shepherd mix whom I adopted over winter break. I’ve known her for just under a month now, though it took all of 20 minutes — when she took a break from looking frantically out the car window as we drove away from the kennel to nestle her head on my lap — for me to fall for her, absolutely and hopelessly. She’s small for a shepherd, about 45 pounds, though she makes up for it in boundless energy, which she uses to tow me through the woods on our daily walks before settling down once we’re back inside. Her coat is jet-black and smooth, with flecks of brown on her chest and legs, and two golden-brown eyebrows that give her a constantly expressive face. She’s quiet and unlikely to voice her concerns out loud — like me, she prefers to express her discontent through low grumbles and passive-aggressive sighs. In a word, she’s perfect. Of course, I’m biased. Not only is Lilly my dog; she’s the first dog I’ve ever owned. Now, some of you might not agree with my decision to take on the responsibility of owning a dog — let alone my first dog — while balancing a college course load and the duties of a newspaper editor. It’s a valid concern. It’s one I struggled with myself while poring over the adoption application. But, what I ultimately decided is that I’ve never been in a better situation to take care of her. As a graduating senior, I’m taking a minimal number of credit hours, and as the semester progresses, my extra-curricular responsibilities will slowly wind down. I’ve got a steady income, which I can earn remotely (i.e. on my couch, with Lilly cuddled up next to me). I have three responsible house-mates who

can keep an eye on her when I’m in class, not to mention endless offers from friends and co-workers interested in dog-sitting and walking pro bono. And, perhaps most importantly, after quitting drinking and taking steps toward addressing my mental health concerns over the past couple years, I’ve never been in a more levelheaded state of mind. This isn’t to say, of course, that what I’m facing is easy. In addition to the wisdom gained from the aforementioned escape-from-the-backyard incident, here are a few other lessons I’ve picked up over the last couple of weeks: 1. Walking along Slant Walk means walking past a lot of squirrels. Lilly will see them before you do, and she will test your ability to hold on to that leash. 2. If you take her to the dog park, she will have the time of her life. She will also get muddier than a pig at the county fair. 3. When she gets that muddy, she will require a bath. She doesn’t like baths. And, despite her usually gentle demeanor, she will make sure you know she doesn’t like baths. 4. Always be cautious when opening the front door. This includes when the delivery guy arrives with your food. 5. She loves Greenies, those post-breakfast treats that help with dental hygiene — that is, until you buy them in bulk off Chewy.com. Then she’ll suddenly lose interest, and you’ll be out 40 bucks. 6. She’s going to want to sleep on the bed with you. If you let her, she’ll make it her bed and proceed to stretch out and gradually push you off. 7. When you bring a dog to school, everyone and their mother is going to want to come meet her. Be careful. This is your home, but it’s still very new for her. She’s going to be overwhelmed, so always be there to comfort her when it gets to be too much. I could list 50 more, but even then it’d only be a start. I have a lot to learn over the next few months, and I hope to take you along for the ride that is dog parenthood as a college student. I have no idea what the semester has in store, what new lessons I’ll learn and how our relationship will evolve. What I do know, however, is that when I take her out to go to the bathroom tomorrow morning, I’m going to keep her on the leash. shumandb@miamioh.edu

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THE UPPER (LEFT) AND LOWER TOWNS OF QUÉBEC CITY PROVIDE A MAGICAL WINTER EXPERIENCE COME CHRISTMASTIME DEVON SHUMAN MANAGING EDITOR

A Magical Christmas in Québec DEVON SHUMAN MANAGING EDITOR

I’ve been thinking a lot about magic lately. No, not the supernatural type of magic with which Harry Potter and friends levitate objects and cloak themselves in invisibility. That sort of sorcery is reserved for fantasy novels and adventure films, stories filled with pointy-hatted wizards and mysterious glowing orbs. It’s spectacular, of course, but it doesn’t exist outside those pages and off those screens. Even the diehards who lined up outside their local bookstore at midnight to get their hands on a hardcover copy of “Deathly Hallows” knew, deep down, that they’d never actually see a hippogriff soar across the Great Lake, never actually unlock a door with an Alohomora charm. The magic that I’m talking about is real. Let me back up for a second. Since my sister and I were in elementary school, my parents have planned a surprise Christmas outing for our family every year. At some point during the month of December, they whisk us off to an unknown location for a celebration of the season, the details of which we never know until we get there. It’s a tradition that, paradoxically, changes every year. In past years, we’ve seen the Boston Pops Orchestra in concert, toured the elaborately decorated man-

sions of Newport, Rhode Island, marveled at the Rockettes of Radio City Music Hall, and even explored the illuminated lawns of our nation’s capital. This year’s Christmas surprise brought us to Québec City, Québec. Though probably not the first city that comes to mind when one thinks of Yuletide cheer, for me, Québec soon became one of the most memorable and awe-inspiring settings of all our annual holiday journeys. Vieux-Québec, or the Old Town, where we were situated, is an historic neighborhood, which, with its quaint cobblestoned streets and winding alleyways, feels more likely to be nestled in central Europe than an eastern Canadian harbor. And, come Christmastime, the city’s charm is accented by the spirit of the season. Lively holiday markets fill every square with activity. Holly and ivy festoon the sides of the buildings and are draped high above the streets. Wreaths and ornaments are hung from every little shop’s door, inviting patrons inside and away from the biting chill and windswept alleys. It feels like something out of the final scene in “A Christmas Carol,” the very sort of cozy street that Ebenezer Scrooge would skip down in search of the biggest holiday turkey to buy for the Cratchit family, the trill of carolers and jingling bells audible around every corner.

And lucky for us, we arrived right in the throes of a Northeast snowstorm. Every street was carpeted in fresh powder, and sparkling flakes fell silently around us while we explored. During the day, we made our way through the city’s Lower Town (or Basse-Ville), dipping in and out of shops to warm up with a mug of cocoa or browse their selection of handmade ornaments and knit tuques. Before night fell, however, we boarded the funicular back up to the Upper Town (Haute-Ville), where the majority of the markets and festivities were centralized. It was here, as the sun dimmed low and the thousands of glittering holiday lights around the city illuminated the winding streets, that I started thinking about magic. Magic, in this sense, is rooted in imagination. As we grow older, our imaginative abilities deteriorate. Sure, if we’re in a creative situation (drawing a picture, for instance, or writing a story), some of us might still be able to dream up more detailed worlds and scenarios — but I’m talking about a different imaginative muscle. The one that, in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, simply believed that Santa was really out there. The one that, as you walked home in the dark, imagined various monsters lurking behind every corner. The one that, inspired by the fantastical stories we’d heard or read,

saw in every old closet or wardrobe a potential window to another world. We tend to remember childhood as a more exciting time because we saw the world through this wondrous filter, through which everything was possible and all disbelief was suspended. But as the years go on, we gradually learn how to combat our imaginative tendencies, how to overcome them with logic. To live as adults in society, we have to. But, every once in awhile, something comes along that slips that filter over our eyes once more, if only for a brief moment. Sometimes it’s a movie that does the trick, or a song — something that looks or sounds so spectacular that it allows you to believe again. For me, it was wandering the silent, snow-covered streets of Old Québec at night with the stone buildings looming above, silhouetted against the night sky, and the only light coming from the warm street lamps and the candlelit windows. It was quiet. Everything was still. And in that moment, I felt again like there was no limit to the world around me, that I might turn the next corner and stumble upon an adventure, just like the characters in all the stories I so love. It was wonderful. It was transcendent. It was… Magic.

New Orleans: The Great Intoxication JACK EVANS

THE MIAMI STUDENT

I spent the flight home from New Orleans cradling my head on a paperback-size excuse for a tray table, feeling vaguely like I should be hospitalized but not knowing for what ailment or for how long. “How were the hurricanes?” someone asked me, once we were back in Ohio. It is the question posed — nearly without fail — by middle-aged adults after they find out you’re 21 and recently returned from New Orleans. It’s usually accompanied by half a smile and one raised eyebrow. The subtext: “Aww, the little undergrad couldn’t handle his booze.” I wasn’t offended by the question. For one, the hurricanes were tasty. But beyond that, I admittedly looked like someone battling the worst hangover of their life. My eyes were bloodshot and my clothes wrinkled. As I shambled my way through airport security that morning, the TSA stopped me for a drug screening. The agent swabbing my hands assured me it was random. While the beverages consumed the night before did no favors for my health, the root cause of my corpse-like state was a weekend worth of blunt-force sensory trauma inflicted by the city itself. The first thing that hits you is the smell. Step onto the worn bricks of the French Quarter and your nose twitches. Damp earth, flooded river, musty trash and fried seafood vie for olfactory dominance. Notes of vomit and piss punctuate the air with a frequency relative to your distance from Bourbon Street. Off-kilter from this opening salvo, the next 72 hours crash down on you simultaneously. Neon signs advertise fried chicken and peep shows and Hand Grenades, which are bright green drinks served in plastic replicas of their namesake. Avoid the Hand Grenades, but buy some chicken while you observe Honkytonks leak country music and overweight Midwesterners onto Bourbon Street. Stare into the window of a white tablecloth restaurant nearby. The bartenders are wearing white tuxedos and the dining room has more gold leaf on the walls than Versailles. You think about walking in but stop. Farther down the street, turn into Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub. The tan stone walls are lit by string lights. Standing room only. Close your eyes and identify three pianos hammering out an up-tempo standard. Open your eyes, squint and then realize it’s just house pianist Richard Scott playing by himself.

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Wait in line outside the Preservation Hall Jazz Club and puke 10 minutes before the 8:30 show starts. Plead with the ticketer to let you in. Sit on a flat floor cushion in the cramped room made of unfinished wood. Let the house band’s trumpeter deafen your right ear with the best rendition of “St. James Infirmary” you’ll ever hear. Glance inside a souvenir shop at the shot glasses and Voodoo skulls and shot glasses with Voodoo skulls on them that fill the windows. A t-shirt reads “I’m a nurse / I’m here to save your @$$ / Not kiss it.” Every souvenir shop you see sells this shirt. Return to the hotel at some point. Stay up way too late on the second-story balcony listening to Louis Armstrong cover “Blueberry Hill.” A woman walking by recognizes the song. Bring a couple beers down and talk with her for two hours and sing “Amazing Grace.” She is in her late fifties and homeless. Her name is Angel. Head up a couple blocks toward Frenchman Street. On

the way, Antebellum townhouses with courtyards framed by flickering gaslights impose themselves over pastel apartments. A corner diner with less than a dozen stools promises the best cheeseburger in New Orleans, and a lone woman sitting behind a card table promises spiritual healing through crystals. Walk into the open door of a blues bar and listen to a man wail on a harmonica that he’s playing upside down. He looks like an alternate-history version of Elvis that didn’t get fat on peanut butter and banana sandwiches but instead got skinny on meth. A few doors down, the trombonist at the Spotted Cat leads a crowd of 20-somethings in a song called Scuba Diver. Everyone shouts the chorus. You recognize the trombonist. He was playing at Fritzel’s earlier. Was that last night? Tomorrow? Between sets, he hits on the girls in the audience. You think you see them blush in the dark. Find a nice bar for a change. Order a Sazerac while a traveling classical guitarist plays in a bop trio. His curly hair is pulled back into a ponytail and he’s smiling as he improvises. The Sazerac arrives, garnished with an orange peel arranged like a rose blossom. The cocktail tastes like anise. Head to Jackson Square. Listen to a funk band play in front of the cathedral for tips. Their amplifiers are powered by either a huge car battery or a miniature generator and their bassist is probably 13. Across the square, walk up to a girl sitting at a TV-tray table with a baby blue typewriter. Her glasses are round and have rose lenses. She operates a pop-up poem shop for a living. The sign reads: “Your Topic, Your Poem, Your Price.” Commission a poem about writing poems for a living in the open air in Jackson Square. Eat three beignets at Café du Monde in 10 minutes. Go back to the poem girl and pick up the poem. It’s printed in green ink on an index card and marked by a little wax seal. Walk around the square and gaze in annoyance at the statue of Andrew Jackson on a horse. You’re still covered in powdered sugar from the beignets. It’s sunny. Think about something for a while. Return to the poem girl one last time. Wake up in the hotel. Shower. Throw on wrinkled clothes and look in the mirror. Your eyes are bloodshot. Shamble through airport security. Get your hands swabbed. Try to sleep on the tray table on the flight back to Cincinnati. Someone asks you, “How were the Hurricanes?” evansjm4@miamioh.edu


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GREEK RECRUITMENT FROM PAGE 1

Miamians,” said Blevins. The Cliff Alexander Office has introduced educational programs such as “Greeks Step Up,” which is in its fourth year, and an online course for all potential new members, which is being offered for the second time this year. The goal of these programs is to dispel common myths associated with the new member process, Blevins said. On January 28, Panhellenic and IFC held a “State of the Community” event with guest speaker Dr. Louis Profetta, an emergency physician based in Indianapolis who doubles as a public speaker and writer. At the Panhellenic and IFC-sponsored event, Profetta spoke about alcohol, drugs, sexual assault and other dangers facing college students across the country, Wolfzorn said. This semester, chapters within both Panhellenic and IFC are also hosting their own events to encourage safe and enjoyable transitions for new Greek members. Phi Delta Theta is hosting a recruitment workshop on Feb. 3 for chapters across IFC. John Binder, Phi Delt’s recruitment chair, believes that Miami’s Greek community is taking steps to ensure a positive upcoming recruitment season. “[We are] hosting a recruiting workshop to make sure all

fraternities are on the same page when it comes to a safe, by-the-book, but enjoyable recruiting process,” said Binder. Last year, The Miami Student reported that 21 students were hospitalized for alcohol-related incidents in the weekend following Bid Day. Those numbers prompted concern from parents, students, faculty and staff, and President Greg Crawford called an emergency meeting Greek leaders that week to address the issue. This year, Panhellenic is taking extra precautions, Wolfzorn said. Chapters will host sisterhood events and dinners throughout the week following Bid Day, she said, and will increase the amount of sober events while limiting those with alcohol. “I believe we have actually been able to use this as a learning opportunity for our community and as a starting point for many critical conversations,” said Wolfzorn. Panhellenic formal recruitment begins on Thursday, Feb. 2 and Bid Day will take place on Feb. 11 in Millet Hall. IFC Open Houses will take place from Monday, Jan. 29 through Saturday, Feb. 3, while bids must be accepted by Feb. 5 at 5 p.m.

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SAFETY FORUM

FROM PAGE 1

response between Armstrong, the physical facilities department and Messer Construction given the situation, Rhodes said. The combined clean-up crews worked from 11:43 a.m. (when OFD turned the water off and cut the power to the electronics) until 5 p.m. “At this point, we are still unsure of the status of which electronics work,” Wilson said. “As of right now we’ve tested the outlets, which work and the projector screen goes up and down.” The university has contracted Nor-Com (an AV low voltage building solutions company) through Miami’s network service to test the electronics, which also includes the microphones utilized by senators in Miami’s Associated Student Government (ASG) during Senate meetings throughout the semester. In addition to the damage inside the chamber, there was also an inch of water that saturated the carpeting of some of the ASC administrative offices, but the Miami crew responded quickly to suction out the water before mold had the chance to grow. “Right now ASC is working with student organizations and contacting various individuals who have reservations in the Joslin Senate Chamber for second semester,” Wilson said. “We are doing everything we can to keep everyone informed and up to date as soon as possible.” Repairs will not be made until the exact cause of the damage is determined, Rhodes said. doyleca3@miamioh.edu

YOUR VOICE OHIO FROM PAGE 1

During these meetings, participants will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with journalists to share personal stories, express concerns and offer solutions. The meetings will focus on three primary questions: What does the opioid epidemic look like in our community; what do we see as causes of the epidemic in our community; and what steps might we take to combat the opioid epidemic? Visit miamistudent.net for more information and for links to the event registration websites and Facebook pages.

FROM PAGE 1

ford’s fire department receives 12 to 20 alcohol-related EMS calls, according to the OFD. According to OFD records, from Aug. 1, 2016 through Oct. 1, 2016, the department responded to 361 EMS calls. Last semester, they responded to 426 calls in the same time frame ― an 18 percent increase. That story and the community’s reactions to those figures prompted staffers to reach out to local police, Oxford government and university officials to continue the discussion. Those conversations confirmed that the issues presented in the story are ones that affect not just the fire department but all aspects of health and safety in the city of Oxford. At this forum, panelists and attendees will discuss issues and possible solutions that arise from Oxford’s unique population, geography and safety needs. The discussion will also focus on how individual incidents affect the larger health and safety resources of the city. For example, students can hear directly from police, fire and hospital officials about what happens when a student is transported to the hospital after over-drinking and how that incident affects Oxford’s emergency resources. This event will be moderated by TMS editors and will feature questions written by the editorial staff of The Miami Student as well as questions submitted from the audience via Twitter and Facebook before and throughout the forum. If you have questions about the forum or suggestions for discussion questions, write to the staff at miamistudent. net/submit, email editor-in-chief Emily Williams at eic@miamistudent.net or message us on Facebook or Twitter.

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NEWS@MIAMISTUDENT.NET

7

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

Super Bowl FROM PAGE 10

guess either way on any of those, but, because millions of dollars are wagered on these lines, we do have data for the national anthem singing. The last 12 national anthems have been 1:58.6 in length on average, but four out of the last five have exceeded two minutes. I can’t find video of her singing it previously, but the wisdom of the crowds (reddit comments) speculates that her father being a veteran may pressure her into giving a more traditional rendition. Pick: Go with the better payout and longer term average, be a masochist, take the under and squirm and sweat through every extra second of “the roooockeeeet’s reeeeeeeed glaaaaaaare.” Bet: Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady -125 Nick Foles +325 Rob Gronkowski +850 Dion Lewis +1800 Danny Amendola +1800 Jay Ajayi +1800 Zach Ertz +1800 Alshon Jeffery +2000 Brandin Cooks +2200 James White +4000 Fletcher Cox +4000 I think it’s safe to rule out any Patriot not named Tom Brady. Last year proved that if they win, he is going to get the award. James White tied or broke a number of Super Bowl records last year and scored three touchdowns including the game winner in overtime. If the Eagles win, Nick Foles is no lock, as the narrative will be that the team carried him. Fletcher Cox is one of the most dominant interior players in the league, and a pass rush up the middle is the fastest way to the QB. For a player who gets the ball out as quickly as Brady, that is critical. Pick: Since the Patriots are the favorites, and the winning team gets the MVP, my pick is Brady, even with a low payout. However, I recommend hedging with Fletcher Cox and a juicy 40/1 payout. There are many more lines that you can check out online, and even if you don’t gamble it can be fun to know that someone out there is sweating bullets over whether “Nipplegate” will be said on the broadcast. Enjoy the Super Bowl!

HEAD FOOTBALL COACH CHUCK MARTIN SHOUTS FROM THE SIDELINES. MARTIN IS NAMED AS A DEFENDANT IN A LAWSUIT FILED BY A FORMER MIAMI COACH. ANGELO GELFUSO THE MIAMI STUDENT

Former MU coach alleges unjust firing FROM PAGE 1

not be renewed,” according to the lawsuit, which was filed Dec. 8, 2017 in the Southern District Court of Ohio. At this point, Martin “told Mr. Harker he needed to decide whether he was a ‘football coach’ or a ‘family man,’” according to the lawsuit. “It is a little shocking to hear it put into those terms in 2018 — that men should have to make that choice,” said Christian Jenkins, Harker’s representation in the case and an attorney with Cincinnati-area law firm Minnilo and Jenkins. On Feb. 17, “Coach Martin told Mr. Harker to find another job quickly so his replacement could be hired. Coach Martin said he was being told to ‘make things uncomfortable’ for Mr. Harker so he would just resign rather than finish out his contract,” according to the lawsuit. After this conversation, the lawsuit states that Harker began searching for new employment and shortly placed his home on the market. From February to June 2017, Harker remained in his position, but the lawsuit states that Harker engaged in a series of exchanges with Martin, Brockelbank and others at Miami regarding his future employment status. The lawsuit alleges that Brocklebank and others tried to walk back previous statements about Harker’s impending nonrenewal.

Hockey FROM PAGE 10

slower than the first, but Colorado again earned the period’s first power play. This time, junior forward Mason Bergh found the back of the net and secured another two-goal lead at 6:14 of the second. A 3-on-1 rush and a rebound opportunity beat Miami sophomore goaltender Ryan Larkin with just under four minutes left in the period. Freshman forward Brian Williams made it 4-1 on what would be Colorado’s only even strength goal of the game. Larkin was tested during the middle frame, as the Tigers would throw 13 pucks at the net and the RedHawks only countered with five. The 4-1 score stood for the remainder of the period, as Miami returned to their locker room with a threegoal deficit. Miami started the third with a carryover penalty from the second, and then traded penalties with the Tigers four minutes into the final frame. Good for four-on-four play, the teams traded shots before CC’s penalty expired. The Tigers took advantage of the short man-advantage and another power play goal from Bergh extended the Tigers’ lead to 5-1. The RedHawks had an opportunity to claw back into the game, as Colorado was whistled for a five-minute major only seven minutes into the period. After two minutes of grinding on the power play, junior defenseman Grant Hutton found the back of the net. Hutton’s ninth goal of the season made it 5-2

just before the halfway point of the period. Hutton was assisted by Sherwood and freshman defenseman Alec Mahalak. Two minutes later, the same trio struck again. Sherwood scored his sixth of the season to knock the score down to 5-3. The offensive success was short-lived, however, and the RedHawks were unable to generate another shot for the rest of the period. Larkin was pulled with 1:30 left in the game, but Williams sealed the deal with an empty net goal 20 seconds later. The Colorado 6-3 win was a culmination of the Tigers outshooting the RedHawks 26-18 and going 3-for-3 on the power play. Miami only converted on two of its five power play chances, and Leclerc stopped 15 of the 18 pucks he faced. On Saturday, even with a varied lineup, the ’Hawks fell behind again early. Only 30 seconds into the game sophomore forward Nick Halloran scored his 15th goal of the season. Halloran notched his 16th two and a half minutes later. Down 2-0 three minutes into the game was not the start the RedHawks were looking for, though they fought on. For the ’Hawks efforts and tenacity, they would go on to score three goals in the period. Sophomore forward Carson Meyer scored his fifth of the season off a pass from Sherwood to make it 2-1 with 13 minutes left to play in the period. Two minutes later, a power play afforded Miami offensive play and three shots before

On April 7, internal emails submitted as exhibits to the lawsuit show Brockelbank allegedly wrote to Kristin Henegar, a Miami human resources generalist with notes about Harker’s workplace attendance since he took paternity leave: “I would like to have a conversation with him about the possibility of non-renewal. Please take a look at what is attached and give me your thoughts. He is wearing everyone out with his lack of commitment and communication.” On May 2, Theresa Murphy, Miami’s human resources employment director, emailed Brockelbank asking about the decision regarding Harker’s contract, the lawsuit states. Later that day, Kristin Henegar replied: “Steve [Brockelbank] said they absolutely want to move forward with a termination, if you could please take it to Robin [Parker, general counsel to Miami University] to make sure they choose the right timing, etc.” Brockelbank allegedly met with Harker on June 7 to give him an “Expectations Letter” laying out new requirements for Harker’s position, the lawsuit states. “Mr. Harker expressed surprise because, as Mr. Brockelbank knew, Mr. Harker had been told he would be non-renewed and to find another job,” the lawsuit reads. Miami’s attorney in the case, Deborah

Knies found the back of the net at 10:40 of the first. Knies redirected a shot from Sherwood and Meyer picked up the secondary assist for his first multipoint game of the year. Knocking Colorado off its discipline, Miami earned another power play with eight left to play. A minute into the man-advantage and senior defenseman Louie Belpedio wristed a puck past Leclerc. Belpedio’s ninth goal of the year put Miami up 3-2 -- its first lead all weekend. The RedHawks took the lead into the first intermission. The second started with the ’Hawks forced to kill off a carryover penalty from the first. Blocked shots and Larkin saves marked the opening seven minutes of the period, and Miami killed another penalty before the halfway point. Riding the momentum of a more effective Saturday penalty kill, Miami entered Colorado’s zone and fired several shots at the net. Sophomore forward Karch Bachman fired from the right side and Leclerc wasn’t able to control the rebound. Meyer was waiting on the left side to knock the puck in at 10:29 of the second. Meyer’s goal gave him his first multi-goal game of his career and extended Miami’s lead to 4-2. Miami continued in Colorado’s end and, with less than five minutes left in the period, Belpedio was awarded a penalty shot. His couldn’t grow Miami’s lead and his try went off the post. CC went the other way and capitalized on a cross checking power play. Bergh scored his third of the weekend to make it 4-3 with two minutes left in the period. Larkin and Leclerc

Adams of the large Midwestern firm Frost Brown Todd, declined to comment on the lawsuit. Miami spokesperson Claire Wagner was unable to comment on the suit, though she stated in an email that “Miami University supports the right of employees to take leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.” Among other types of damages, Harker is seeking back pay and benefits, front pay, liquidated damages and compensatory damages for harm to his professional reputation. Harker also entered a demand for a jury trial in the event that Miami University decides to fight the suit in court. Beyond alleging that Miami’s termination of Harker’s employment violated his FMLA protections, the lawsuit alleges that the university’s actions violated portions of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. Harker filed a discrimination complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in relation to those claims. Currently, Harker is employed as an associate athletic director at Wayne State University. For updates to the story, keep an eye on miamistudent.net

traded saves to end the period and send their teams back to the locker rooms with the 4-3 score. It looked as if the RedHawks would escape the weekend with a split, as the first half of the third period ticked by. Miami held onto its slim lead until 8:56 of the period when Gooch’s backhander from the slot beat Larkin and tie the game 4-4. The Tigers would go on to outshoot the ’Hawks 16-3 in the third, but Larkin weathered the storm and forced the game to overtime. The five-minute, 5-on-5 overtime came and went and Miami officially secured a point in NCHC standings. The game was recorded as a tie for the NCAA, but the teams played a 3-on-3 additional overtime period for an extra NCHC point. Freshman forward Christian Versich scored with less than a minute remaining in the 3-on-3 frame. Miami’s power play and penalty kill was more effective on night two, going 2-for-2 on the man-advantage and holding Colorado to 1-for-4. Colorado took five of the six conference points from the weekend. Miami has five weekends and 10 games left on its schedule and, if the RedHawks win one more game they will beat last season’s 9-20-7 record. Past the halfway point of the season, the ’Hawks have already played four of their next five opponents. “There’s not much we don’t know about each other now and a matter of going out and leaving it all on the ice and executing and making sure you stay disciplined,” Blasi said last Monday. “For all intensive purposes now, this is it. You’re gonna see everybody’s best and you’re going to have to be your best.” simansec@miamioh.edu

evansjm4@miamioh.edu

Men’s Basketball FROM PAGE 10

had momentum for a second before a timeout, so we really thought we were going to win the game, but came up short.” At that 1:17 mark, Redshirt junior Elijah Minnie hit a dagger three to push the Eagles’ advantage to six. Eastern Michigan finished on a 5-1 run and clinched a 58-48 win. “[Minnie’s three] was a huge shot,” Owens said. “Give Eastern Michigan credit --they made a big shot to make it a two-possession game.” The Eagles employed an unusual zone defense that utilized their size advantage. They started four players over 6’7” compared to Miami’s two. “That zone is something we’d never seen this year,” Owens said. “I don’t think anyone else in our league can have a zone like that, where they’re so long. But at the end of the day, [their size] is not an excuse to not execute your offense.” The defensive look and its resulting success allowed Eastern Michigan to outpace Miami 20-6 on points in the paint. Brown finished with a team-high 17 points. Nike Sibande -- the only other RedHawks who reached double-digits -- scored 10. Darrian Ringo had six assists and five steals and Jalen Adaway added eight rebounds. Thompson IV posted a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double, but Redshirt junior guard Paul Jackson led the Eagles with 15 points. The Eagles have won the last five meetings with the RedHawks, but Miami still leads the all-time series 49-26. The two teams will meet again on Feb.13 in Ypsilanti. Miami will look to rebound on Tuesday when it welcomes Akron to Millett Hall. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. The game will be available for streaming on ESPN3.


8 OPINION

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

DAVISKN3@MIAMIOH.EDU

Continuing to learn from our Miami Tribe relationship The following reflects the majority opinion of the editorial board. Neepwaantiinki. In the Miami language, myaamiaataweenki, this means, “We learn from each other.” The word has also been adopted as a symbol for the relationship between the two Miamis — Miami University and the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma ― a relationship sparked by an unexpected visit to the university in 1972. Though few were aware of it at the time, Miami University is located in the historic homelands from which the Miami Tribe was first forcibly removed in 1846. After a business trip to Cincinnati, then-Miami Chief Forest Olds made a visit to Oxford where university officials gave him a campus tour. Shortly after, he was invited back for a second visit, this time to meet thenMiami University president, Phillip R. Shriver. Since that first meeting, the relationship has grown to become one unlike any of its kind. Through the work of the Myaamia Center, which is housed in the historic Bonham House on Spring Street, Miami Tribe citizens and other researchers have set a cultural

revitalization for the tribe in motion. As Miami students, we have an incredible opportunity to learn about this culture as it is experiencing this growth and transition. We can speak with people who are reviving a language that lay dormant for a century. We can talk with 31 undergraduate Myaamia students who are learning to speak the language and live out Myaamia traditions. The revitalization of Myaamia language and culture has been championed by the university for years, but never before has the relationship between the tribe and the school been so intricately woven. In 2017, the Myaamia Tribe Relations department and the Miami Nation Headquarters established the Myaamia Heritage Logo. The logo is jointly owned by both the tribe and the university. All proceeds from merchandise that utilizes this trademark will fund scholarships for students of Myaamia heritage. For a language and culture that was virtually unknown to Miami students and faculty 50 years ago, the tribe has made a tremendous impact at Miami University. Just last May, Daryl Baldwin, director of the Myaamia Center and recipient of a 2016

MacArthur Grant for his work in reviving the tribe’s language, addressed Miami’s Class of 2017 at spring commencement. Miami is making strides to increase the tribe’s visibility on campus and in the Miami community, and, as students, we should take advantage of the learning opportunities this relationship offers. Every other year, Miami University and the Myaamia Center hosts the Myaamiaki Conference. This year marks the eighth biennial conference which will be held March 30 at the Marcum Conference Center that students can attend. Students can also take IDS 259, an “Introduction to the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma,” visit the Wiikiaami room on the second floor of Armstrong, stop in at the Myaamia Center or check out a copy of the tribe’s stories that have been rediscovered and transcribed in “Myaamia and Peoria Narratives and Winter Stories.” And to learn more about the language, students can visit myaamiadictionary.org. Not only do we have a chance to experience this cultural revitalization, but we have a responsibility to strengthen it.

Puritancical progress – today’s liberal issue MAX MATSON COLUMNIST

What does it mean to be someone’s equal? For the brave men and women of the Civil Rights era, the answer was simple: the right to one’s own body, freedom from the tyranny of corrupt law officials and racist systems of governance and the right to live free of mistreatment based on something as superficial as race. For the LGBT rights movement that began in and helped characterize 1960s America, and continues today, the goal was the same — the right to be free, to be an American as all other Americans are, unburdened by the institutionalization of hatred. We live in a time and place today in which societal change is happening more rapidly than possibly any other in human history. As we examine our own behavior as well as our role in the larger human collective, the lines become blurred as to what constitutes mistreatment, inequality and injustice. To put in context the complex and contradictory nature of our current predicament as a human race, consider the plight of women around the world. What would constitute gross mistreatment of women in much of the West would be considered the rightful order of gender relations in places like Saudi Arabia or Malaysia. Chief among our American values is the belief that all human beings, regardless of their gender identities, deserve to live free of discrimination based upon said identities. Yet, when the topic of gender violence beyond our borders is brought to the table, the issue quickly spirals into a quandary of Western awkwardness over our his-

torical policing of the third world, and inevitably leads to accusations of ethnocentrism and cultural imperialism. Thus, the rights of women are perpetually stymied in the Earth’s major third world population centers, while Westerners continue to venture deeper into the realm of identity politics, guaranteeing the rights of the gender non-binary and gender nonconforming while women in the third world continue to suffer real, tangible and often physical violence. How is it that, despite the clown of a Republican president in the White House churning out a new scandal every day, the Democrats still struggle to capture the interest and attention of so much of the country? Is the issue simply that those who would call themselves far-righters politically are also far-lefters on the American IQ bell curve? Or are the “good guys” simply failing to convince one of the largest American demographics of their political ideology’s practical merit? With a foil so Darth Vader-esque as Donald Trump, one would imagine that the fiscal conservatives and in-betweeners would have no choice but to align themselves with the American political left, yet somehow the Democrats pioneer new and exciting ways to lose, or almost lose, every single time they’re called upon. Maybe the disconnect lies in that contradiction I talked about earlier. We live in an age of social media, where ISIS decapitation videos flood our brains with a brand of dread and societal outrage pacified only by the input of cat videos and Onion articles, all of which can be found, one after the other and in quick succession on the screens of teenagers and Baby Boomers alike. The world order is fractured into a million tiny pieces, none of us really understanding where we want to

go, but knowing in our hearts that we can’t stay here. How do we explain occurrences like the rise of Trump? Is he a speed bump on the way to a better, more accepting world, or is he the side effect of a general population confused and angered by the uneven pace of social change taking place around them without their consent? One can fault Trump voters for many, many things. We can call them hicks, misguided Bible thumpers and even straight up Nazis, and in many cases, we wouldn’t be wrong, but until we diagnose the condition that drove them to Trumpism, we’ll never stamp out the source. Maybe, just maybe, this is partially our fault. The infighting, pearl-clutching and superiority complex that has come to characterize the Democrats are nothing in comparison to the gloriously incompetent brand of evil championed by the Trumpsters. But it is an ugly reality of our time. What used to be considered a brief lapse in social etiquette is now considered an all-out assault on identity. One off-color joke can land a comedian in hot water for the full 24-hour news cycle before the court of public opinion moves on to some other grandiose act of intolerance perpetrated by a 14-year-old on the internet. The issue with today’s progressives is not that they care about others, it’s that the movements that they champion often seem petty and insignificant in contrast to the real life tragedy we’re bombarded with on a daily basis. Right-wingers don’t respect left-wingers because they view them as snooty, out of touch wingdings who care more about appearing noble than actually getting anything done. Let’s stop proving them right. matsonrm@miamioh.edu

The danger of ambition: Principles, not positions, should motivate politicians

ILLUSTRATION: CONNOR WELLS

VARUN RAGHURAM THE MIAMI STUDENT

In 49 B.C., Julius Caesar became the dictator of the Roman Republic. Caesar had a singular ambition: to lead the world’s greatest empire. He had served in many auxiliary roles, then consul, in his ascension to commander of the Gallic forces. Caesar had married and divorced in search of political advantage, with each subsequent marriage slowly building his power and influence. Caesar sought to become the greatest Roman general of his time, taking greater risk to achieve where his predecessors had failed. In suit of his final determination to be seen as the supreme ruler of Rome, Caesar failed to disband his army and instead crossed the Rubicon in search of Pompey, his fellow triumvir. Caesar followed Pompey to Greece, disbanding the army of one of Rome’s greatest generals. What Caesar had sought his entire life had been achieved. He no longer had a political opponent of his standing. But what he failed to recognize is the anger and distrust he had created among the members of the Roman Senate, ultimately leading to his as-

sassination at the hands of his mistress’s son, a man whose career Caesar had promoted. Caesar exemplifies the fleeting nature of ambition. He had sought one position for the greater portion of his life, dedicating his being to its pursuit, only to be slain by those who were protecting their personal interests. Ambition, specifically politically, is not derived from altruism. It requires someone with a deep sense of personal promise and intellectual narcissism to believe that they alone are the bearers of the future prosperity. It requires solace in seeking the affirmation of others to affirm one’s sense that they are correct in their pursuits. In failure, the singular drive that had led these individuals is gone, leaving them without purpose. In many cases, these aspirations come to harm both the ambitious and those they lead. To witness unhealthy levels of ambition, one need not look further than recent elections. Candidates for office do not say what they believe, but what is most suitable. They are not fighting for principles, but for a public affirmation of their existence. If they change their position to suit the mainstream of what is considered electable, individuals are being elected purely because they seek to be elect-

ed, not because they represent any defined moral character. The most public display of malfeasant ambition in recent history is Hillary Clinton. Her positions were not founded from personal beliefs, but from what was convenient. She feared publicly supporting policies she had dedicated previous years to advancing, simply because they were no longer popular. She was not seeking higher office because of her morality, but because of the office she desired. What Caesar and Clinton represent is the danger of ambition to the individual and the public. Ambition requires that one place his or her personal worth in the affirmation of others. It requires the value of one’s life to be placed in title assumed, requiring a constant search for higher influence. Finally, it creates a false sense of morality. It leads individuals to believe they are what the public needs, when they themselves do not believe in anything. They are seeking power for itself, not for their intentions with the power they assume. These individuals present a danger to the society they represent. They are willing to do almost anything in search of personal advancement. They lack a personal belief

system that guides their decision-making, which creates a threat to society as a whole. Ambition in itself in not a negative quality. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mother Teresa were surely ambitious, but they held moral character that guided their actions toward furthering society, not themselves. There are also altruistic figures in the public sphere, but their virtues are undermined by the self-serving nature of political office. Remaining principled in the face of rampant intellectual dishonesty in government forces the honest to change in pursuit of survival. In the future, there will be more aspirant politicians who have charted their course toward higher office, but what must be determined is their true intention. Some are performing a duty to serve, while others are fulfilling their prophecy. It is imperative that we advance those whose intentions are pure, while limiting those who are seeking their personal advancement. While this demarcation in many cases is tenuous, it will further resolve that public affairs are conducted to best suit the interests of the public.

raghurv@miamioh.edu


TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

HATCHEAM@MIAMIOH.EDU

OPINION 9

A.J. NEWBERRY NEWBERAJ@MIAMIOH.EDU @AJNWBRY

RAISING THE BAR FOR MEN’S SEXUAL CONDUCT IS NECESSARY, NOT AN OVERREACTION KIRBY DAVIS

OPINION EDITOR

A story published on babe.net a couple weeks ago, detailing a 22-year-old woman’s troubling date with actor and comedian Aziz Ansari, has gained a reaction unprecedented in scope for the site. This is mostly due to the subject’s celebrity, but also because of the encounter’s ambiguously consensual nature. In the story, the woman (under the pseudonym “Grace”) recalls going home with the actor after a dinner date. At his apartment, a pretty unsettling night ensues of him trying to coerce her into various sexual acts, despite her “verbal and nonverbal cues,” until she ultimately leaves. At least, that’s how I read it. A lot of people disagree. Many have shared a Jan. 18 Atlantic article criticizing the Ansari story. The author questions the integrity of babe.net’s reporting, details how it’s inferior to the New Yorker’s viral “Cat Person” and accuses the site of naming Ansari in the story for the purpose of “attracting extra clicks.” One of the people who shared the Atlantic article was the guy I reported for sexual misconduct. I wouldn’t know this, because I’ve removed him from all my social media, but my friends still like to alert me when he posts things that piss them off. This usually doesn’t phase me, but he shared that article a few days after our OESCR hearing, which found him not guilty. I wrote an op-ed last fall about how frustrated I was with Miami’s mandatory reporting policy. Because of it, something I’d never wanted more than a handful of people to know wound up as a Title IX report. After deliberating for a couple weeks, I decided to report the incident from fall 2016 and request an investigation. This turned into a hearing, a couple weeks ago. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to hold it together there, because I’d spent three months prior so depressed and anxious I didn’t feel like a functioning human being. But that afternoon, as I listened to him deny my accusation, use the excuse that it was just “something [he’d] done before” and point to my own op-ed to imply I’d only reported him because I had to, I remembered that I wasn’t just depressed and anxious. I was livid — at him, at the situation, at college-aged guys in general. After I read my opening statement, I didn’t know why I’d spent the last month agonizing over whether or not I’d done the right thing. I was sure that I had. So, when the panel declared him not

guilty, validating all of his behavior and confirming my worst fear — that I’d been overdramatic and what happened didn’t actually matter — I didn’t understand. Everyone I’d told about the incident had encouraged me to report it. I’d given the panel both physical evidence and testimony from my friends and an advisor. And, above all, I didn’t understand why my word wasn’t enough. He didn’t rape me, and I never accused him of that. I won’t recount exactly what happened, for obvious reasons, but I will say that he physically coerced me into something I didn’t want to do. I brushed it off as weird, then panicked a couple weeks later when I realized it might have been more than that. But I was still, at that point, under the impression that sexual misconduct was rape or nothing. And I was embarrassed; it’s easy to talk to your friends about sexual encounters that are exceptionally good or comically bad, but not about ones that leave you feeling concerned or violated. We hung out a couple more times as friends, then didn’t talk until spring semester, when he seemed to have changed. In the spring, we became genuine friends and he respected me, so he didn’t try to force me into anything. We hooked up a few times and platonically hung out often. Then I found out, around finals week, that he’d been behaving inappropriately with other Miami girls over the past year. I started panicking again about what had happened the previous semester, and eventually let it go. But last fall, I learned about another incident that reminded me of my own experience, and I decided to report him. I’d anticipated feeling relieved and, at the very least, a little better than I had last semester as I drove back to Cleveland the morning after the hearing. It was nice to no longer have that date looming over me, but now I had to come to terms with the fact that all my stress and anxiety and panic attacks had apparently been for nothing. I just felt hollow. I maintained a precarious chill for the next couple days, then broke down again when I found out about him joining the backlash against the babe.net story. People had reassured me that the hearing must have “scared” him, but I didn’t think so, and that seemed to be proof. This situation isn’t black and white, which is also why I empathize with “Grace’s” plight and am particularly unsettled by all the rage against it — a lot of which seems to come from men. She merely recounted

a sexual situation that left her feeling “uneasy” and “uncomfortable.” She did not call for the end of Ansari’s career, or for everyone to turn on him because of what happened; she just expressed her frustration at

If guys can’t recognize that they’ve treated women poorly, ... there’s not going to be any progress. the apparent irony of his wearing a “Time’s Up” pin to the Golden Globes. My theory is that a lot of guys probably realize they’ve behaved this way in the past, and are looking for people with whom they can empathize. But they don’t deserve that. If guys can’t recognize that they’ve treated women poorly, understand why their behavior was problematic and decide not to act that way in the future, there’s not going to be any progress. As Samantha Bee recently said, directly challenging critics of “Grace’s” story, “It doesn’t have to be rape to ruin your life, and it doesn’t have to ruin your life to be worth speaking out about.” “People like me had to wade through a sea of prehensile dicks to build the world we now enjoy, and part of enjoying that world is setting a higher standard for sex than just Not Rape,” Bee continued. “And women get to talk about it if men don’t live up to those standards.” The incident with the guy I reported was the only one I’d define as any kind of “sexual misconduct” I’ve experienced, but like most women, I can think of several more (with him and other guys) that left me uncomfortable and, after I’d left, wondering why I hadn’t done so earlier. Like for instance, the last time we hooked up. I’d told him I would stay over, then changed my mind. He told me he’d make me coffee in the morning. If he wasn’t awake, his roommate would make me coffee in the morning. He would drive me home. I stood and asked him to zip my dress up, and he kissed me instead. When

I told him again that I wanted to leave, he replied, “You realize I’ll have to get myself off then, right?” and pulled me back onto his bed. Like “Grace,” I didn’t leave right away that night, even though I could have, because I felt like I owed it to him to stay. I didn’t realize until he’d pulled me back onto his bed and I’d continued making out with him, feeling absolutely nothing, that just because I’d gone home with him didn’t mean I had to go along with anything he wanted. Again, this wasn’t misconduct. It was irritating, but there’s no clause in the student code of conduct that prohibits guys from being assholes (if there was, OESCR would be a lot busier). But I wish he would have understood that I wasn’t playing hard to get — I just wanted to go home. I would never claim that was assault, just like “Grace” didn’t try to overdramatize her experience with Ansari. They’re different situations, obviously, and she did discuss struggling with whether or not the encounter in the story was assault, or “actually that bad.” I had the same concern before (and after) I filed my Title IX report, because I’d also known so little about the spectrum of misconduct that I remember lying in bed last spring Googling “sexual harassment” vs. “assault” and “coercion,” wondering if I could validate my concerns and discomfort. Stories like these are not trying to undermine more serious ones that have surfaced in the “Me Too” movement — ones that are not subjective and do not require Googling to determine if what happened was “actually” assault. They do serve a purpose, though, to illuminate the “gray areas” the Atlantic article refers to, and to try to hold men accountable for ambiguously consensual as well as downright illegal behavior. In sixth grade, my school had an assembly called “Can I Kiss You?” It was a handful of skits illustrating the importance of consent among tweens, and for weeks afterward, people would ask permission before they did anything — invite you to their bar mitzvah, hand you a worksheet, stand or breathe near you. Guys don’t have to be quite that paranoid now. All they have to do is not coerce or force girls into doing things they don’t want to, and understand that there’s other ways of saying “no” than the word itself, which really isn’t that much to ask. I hope someday (but preferably sooner than later), we can set the bar higher than, “At least he didn’t rape me.” daviskn3@miamioh.edu


Sports

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SIMANSEC@MIAMIOH.EDU

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

OFFENSIVE WOES PLAGUE ’HAWKS IN LOSS TO EAST MICHIGAN MEN’S BASKETBALL

CHRIS VINEL STAFF WRITER

The Miami men’s basketball team fell to Eastern Michigan 5848 in a defensive struggle at Millett Hall on Saturday. Miami’s offense couldn’t buy a basket for large stretches of the contest, including an excruciating 1-for-26 shooting spurt that lasted over sixteen minutes. “I thought we started the game out okay defensively,” MU head coach Jack Owens said. “Offensively, the entire game, we just couldn’t get in the flow. Of the things that we worked on in practice, we didn’t have a lot of carry-over there.” Miami shot a season-low 30.4 percent from the field and scored only 18 points in the second half -- its lowest scoring output in a half this season. Eastern Michigan cracked the scoreboard first, when a midrange jumper by junior center James Thompson IV found twine to make it 2-0. The RedHawks responded on their ensuing possession, as a three-point basket by freshman forward Dalonte Brown gave them an early 3-2 lead. Separation was hard to come by for either team over the next seven minutes, with two Miami four-point leads being the biggest advantages during that time frame. With 4:16 remaining in the half, the Eagles took their first lead in almost ten minutes on a layup by Redshirt freshman forward Ty Groce that made it 26-24. After two free throws by Brown knotted the score, Eastern Michigan took another lead on a triple by Redshirt junior forward Jordan Nobles. Brown added another free throw and junior guard Darrian Ringo made a buzzer-beating three to give Miami a hard-earned 30-29 lead at half. Brown, who had 14 points by halftime, seemed to be the only RedHawk who could find the basket for much of the first half. Other than Brown’s 14 and freshman guard Jalen Adaway’s seven, only three Redhawks scored in the first half, combining for nine points. Thompson IV led the Eagles with 10 first-half points. After over two and a half scoreless minutes, Miami scored first

COLUMN

NICK SCHLETER

THE MIAMI STUDENT

As Miami welcomes the majority of its students back to campus this week, America will be celebrating perhaps her most significant unofficial national holiday: the Super Bowl. The grand spectacle features (usually) great football and (sometimes) the biggest names in entertainment. The commercials alone cause people who never watch football to throw parties, buy cheese trays and invite other people who don’t watch football over to watch a football game. Every last dollar is squeezed out of a 60-minute game stretched to last four hours. And then there’s the gambling. Lots and lots of gambling. Last year, the American Gaming Association estimated $4.7 billion was on the line for the Super Bowl. They also estimated 97% of it would be wagered illegally. This year is likely to be no different, though there is hope for next year. Sports law experts are optimistic about New Jersey’s chances to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 in the Supreme Court. Either way, the show must go on. So, if you plan on flying to Vegas, betting online or calling up your friend’s fraternity brother’s cousin Vinny, I’ve got you covered with picks for the major (and minor) bets:

FRESHMAN GUARD NIKE SIBANDE BEATS EASTERN MICHIGAN TO THE BASKET (TOP). SIBANDE AND MIAMI PREPARING FOR A PLAY (BOTTOM). JUGAL JAIN - PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

in the second half when freshman guard Nike Sibande converted two free throws to push the RedHawks’ lead to 32-29. The ‘Hawks then surrendered a 13-0 run, allowing the Eagles to take a 42-32 lead. Eastern Michigan would hold that lead for the rest of the game. The key run occurred during Mi-

ami’s 1-for-26 shooting drought that wasn’t broken until freshman guard Isaiah Coleman-Lands knocked down a triple to make it 42-35. The Red and White embarked on the comeback trail, pulling within two, 45-43, with 8:26 left in regulation. The ‘Hawks fought to keep

the lead under five until 1:17. “Just like any other game, we tell ourselves -- whether we’re down or up -- that we’re going to win the game,” Brown said about the team’s mindset late in the game. “Being down by three, we actually had momentum for a second CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL BEATS OU FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FIVE YEARS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

BEN PANZECA

THE MIAMI STUDENT

The RedHawks secured a much-needed win in front of a home crowd Saturday, defeating Mid-American Conference rival Ohio University 64-55. It was Miami’s first victory over OU since the 2012-13 season. Led by sophomore guard Lauren Dickerson’s 27 points (11-of22 shooting), five assists, and five steals, Miami held off a late push from the Bobcats. The RedHawks move to 12-8 on the season, and 4-5 in the MAC. “I’m just really proud of our group,” head coach Megan Duffy said, “We kind of hung in there for 40 minutes, we had a confidence about us. For our group to understand that, if we bring a toughness and a mentality coming in, we have a chance to be the underdog and knock off some of the bigger

teams.” It was clear from the outset the rivalry between Miami and Ohio is one of the strongest in the Midwest, as both teams traded baskets early in the first quarter. Dickerson got off to a hot start, hitting all five of her first-quarter shots for 10 points. Bobcats sophomore guard Dominique Doseck went 3-of-3 for eight points in the first quarter, and kept things close. The period finished favoring the RedHawks, 19-15. Doseck finished with 18 points. Ohio increased its defensive pressure in the second quarter, pushing the Miami turnover total into double-digits before the end of the half. Dickerson continued to control the game on both ends of the floor, ending the half with 18 points, four assists and two steals. Heading into the break, the Red & White held a 36-30 lead. The Bobcats came into the sec-

ond half determined to slow down Dickerson, often utilizing a double-team at the top of the key. This forced the RedHawks’ point guard to look to her teammates for offense. Junior forward Kendall McCoy stepped up and proved she is the team’s lethal offensive weapon in the frontcourt. McCoy’s ability to stretch the floor has been invaluable for Miami this season. “Kendall’s been great for us, whether she was coming off the bench earlier in the season or starting for us. She brings that consistent offensive threat,” Duffy said. “Obviously, she can shoot the ball really well, and then to see her get 12 boards was big. She’s kind of filling in that role of second scorer -that has helped [Lauren] so much this year.” McCoy would finish with 17 points and 12 rebounds -- good for a double-double. The RedHawks ended the third

quarter with a 12-2 run, and carried a 56-42 lead into the final period. The Bobcats would not go quietly and used a full-court press that gave Miami fits for most of the fourth quarter. With six minutes left, Ohio had cut the Miami lead to four points, at 58-54. MU scored the next five points to regain momentum, and held off their opponents to secure the victory. Miami dominated the undersized Bobcat frontcourt, winning the rebound battle by a whopping 20 boards. OU has struggled with winning rebounds all season, and averages 10 less rebounds than their opponents per game. “They made us make 27 turnovers, but we got the dub, so it’s okay,” Dickerson said postgame. Miami continues conference play on Wednesday, against the Northern Illinois Huskies (10-10, 2-7 MAC). The RedHawks travel to Dekalb, Illinois and the game will stream on ESPN3.

Hockey ties CC Saturday, ends four game pointless streak ICE HOCKEY

EMILY SIMANSKIS SPORTS EDITOR

After falling to Colorado College 6-3 on Friday night, Miami hockey managed a 4-4 tie on Saturday night to break its four-game pointless streak. The RedHawks were spotty in Colorado Springs, surrendering an early lead on Friday to the Tigers and then losing an early lead on Saturday. That inconsistency has plagued the ’Hawks after they split with No. 4/5 Denver in early January, but lost 11-7 and 4-3 to Omaha the week after. Following a bye week

Place your bets on Super Bowl LII

and several community service events, the RedHawks were looking to utilize their speed through transition and battle on the ice to get back in the win column against Colorado. “At the end of the day, it still comes to a one-on-one battle and winning that battle is the most important,” head coach Enrico Blasi said last Monday in his press conference. “If everybody can do that, then you’re going to have some success.” The RedHawks (9-12-3, 4-8-2 -0 NCHC) opened National Collegiate Hockey Conference play against the Tigers (11-11-4, 5-8-3-2 NCHC) in November and split the

series. Miami is now ninth in the nine-team NCHC, whereas Colorado sits eighth. The Tigers squandered any early momentum the ’Hawks were looking to generate, as junior forward Trevor Gooch scored on the first shot of the game. Gooch put his team up 1-0 only 1:29 into the first period. Shots were 2-2 at the halfway point of the period, as both teams’ shots went wide or were blocked by well-positioned defensemen. Colorado would earn the game’s first power play and junior forward Westin Michaud would score the game’s first power play goal with just over seven minutes left in the

first. Just 38 seconds later, freshman forward Ben Lown found junior forward Kiefer Sherwood streaking on the right side. Sherwood fed freshman forward Phil Knies in front of CC’s net to beat a sprawling sophomore goaltender Alex Leclerc five-hole. Knies’ eighth goal of the season and his fifth goal in five games brought the score to 2-1. Miami would take a turn on the power play, but Leclerc kept his team’s lead. The period ended with the RedHawks outshot 8-4, but only down one. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

Bet: New England Patriots -4.5 vs Philadelphia Eagles To start with the headliner, the New England Patriots are fourand-a half point favorites over the Philadelphia Eagles as of this writing. The Patriots have had the easiest schedule of opposing quarterbacks I can remember to get to this point, but, fortunately for them, that doesn’t appear to be changing, as the Eagles will be led by their backup Nick Foles after losing second-year sensation Carson Wentz to a torn ACL in week 14. However, this has been a weird and injury-filled year for quarterback play, and the NFC Championship game was the epitome. Foles was pitted against journeyman backup Case Keenum, who had actually started for the No. 2 Vikings since week two. Foles, who posted one of the most efficient seasons of all time for a QB in 2013, shredded the vaunted Vikings defense to lead the Eagles to the Super Bowl. The Eagles’ defense, and specifically its front seven, has been playing at an elite level, the offensive line is top flight and their stable of offensive weapons is stocked full. The Patriots are outmatched in the trenches on both sides of the ball, and likely would not have beaten the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Championship Game were it not for a few questionable second half scheme changes. Pick: Straight up, I’d pick the Patriots, but against the spread, I have confidence that the Eagles can lose by four or less. Bet: Coin Toss Heads -105 Tails -105 Certainly only the most serious of wagers are taken by the wise and discerning gambling public, and the opening coin toss is annually the most bet-on coin toss in the world. In 51 Super Bowls, it has come up tails 27 times and heads 24 times. While past performance does not predict future results, I think the numbers are pretty clear here: tails never fails. Pick: Second mortgage on tails Bet: Length of national Anthem sung by Pink Over 2:00 (-140) Under 2:00 Even If you’re unfamiliar with Super Bowl prop bets, yes they are this ridiculous. Other bets involving the national anthem include, but are not limited to, the color of Pink’s hair WHEN SHE BEGINS singing, whether or not she will be airborne at any point and whether or not she will omit a word. I don’t care to CONTINUED ON PAGE 7


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