ESTABLISHED 1826 — OLDEST COLLEGE NEWSPAPER WEST OF THE ALLEGHENIES
Volume 148 No. 3
Miami University — Oxford, Ohio
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
Faculty sends proposed policy back to University Senate
‘I NEVER WALK BACK ALONE’
Students react to sexual assaults on campus
SARA BEY
STAFF WRITER Faculty members unanimously voted to send the controversial proposed reporting arrests policy back to University Senate for further discussion at the Sept. 10 faculty assembly. “It just seems like it’s another long line of things that makes Miami feel more hostile,” said Mary Henry, associate professor of geography. “It seems just unnecessary.” In her 17 years at Miami, this was her first faculty assembly. Professors from Oxford and regional campuses packed the 300-seat Shriver Center admissions auditorium to voice their opinions on the proposed policy that would require them to “report any formal police report, arrest, charge or indictment for alleged criminal conduct ... to the Office of General Counsel within three working days.” Provost Jason Osborne stressed the importance of co-workers holding each other accountable during the assembly. “There is nothing new here except for the expectation of reporting,” he said. When the floor opened for discussion, many faculty members voiced their negative opinions about the proposed policy. Gaile Pohlhaus, a University Senate member and associate professor of philosophy, said she thanked the audience and AAUP for bringing the policy details to their attention. She referenced “crisis fatigue” as to why the policy was not debated over more. “Expecting a [sexual assault survivor] to report within three days, or to report at all, is a lot to ask,” said Deborah Lyons, associate professor of classics. After more discussion, Crawford introduced the vote. At least 25 percent of all Miami’s continued faculty members had to be present at the assembly, and of that 25 percent, 60 percent had to vote yes in order for the proposed policy to be sent back to University Senate. When Crawford asked who was in favor, many faculty members voted “aye.” When he asked who was against, the room remained silent. @sara_bey beysc@miamioh.edu
SEXUAL ASSAULTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN FIVE LOCATIONS ON CAMPUS. THREE MORE WERE REPORTED ON CAMPUS WITHOUT EXACT LOCATIONS ILLUSTRATED BY CONNOR WELLS
RACHEL BERRY ERIN GLYNN NEWS EDITORS
When first-year Heather Yenchesky walks around campus at night, the sexual assault bulletins that have been filling her inbox plague her thoughts. She knew this happened at urban campuses but didn’t expect them as much at Miami University. This is her new home, but she doesn’t feel safe walking to her dorm at night. Her friends have a system, an app called
Life 360, that allows them to track each other. They also text when they leave, so someone will know if they don’t make it home. These are precautions Yenchesky feels are necessary to remain safe in light of the number of sexual assaults that have happened in her short time at Miami. Eight sexual assaults have been reported in Oxford in the past three weeks. At this time last year, there were three sexual assaults reported. Two of this year’s reports described a woman being assaulted outdoors by someone she didn’t know, one in Central Quad and one on
Cook Field. “[The Cook Field report] did make me uncomfortable because it’s right there, and I walk past it every day,” said first-year Tori Rammelsberg, who lives on East Quad. “I usually walk back with other people — it makes me feel more comfortable, and if I’m alone, I usually call someone.” First-year Liv Mullenix also plans her night with safety in mind. “I never walk back alone,” she said CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
‘Turn that fear into action’
Former EPA administrator talks climate change
GABBI BRIGHT
THE MIAMI STUDENT Facing a full house of Miami University students from Miami’s Institute for Environment & Sustainability (IES), Gina McCarthy stepped up to the stage in the Harry T. Wilks Theater on Friday night. The former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator under President Barack Obama’s administration had one overarching message for the crowd gathered to celebrate IES’ 50th anniversary. “Climate change needs to be personalized, not vilified,” she said, reacting to what she called the disaffected attitude of some Americans toward climate change. “We need an edginess to our discussion now.” McCarthy — best known for her EPA tenure — championed initiatives to reduce air pollution, protect water safety and reduce carbon byproducts from power plant production. She also sponsored American engagement in the Paris Climate Agreement as a part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Now, she’s the director of the Center for Climate Health and the Global Environment and a professor at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health. McCarthy commended Miami students’ pursuit of a better future. “You epitomize everything I love about the USEPA,” she said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
This Issue First-years recount first-day jitters
page 6
FORMER EPA ADMINISTRATOR GINA MCCARTHY ENCOURAGED STUDENTS TO CHANGE THE CLIMATE CHANGE DISCOURSE. ASST. PHOTO EDITOR BO BRUECK
Tinker siblings speak
Gotta catch ‘em all
The activists behind the landmark First Amendment case enouraged students to speak up
Lucky Larry finds Pokémon, exercise and community on campus
News » page 4
Culture » page 7
12 years in the making
Since when?
Brett Gabbert quarterbacks the RedHawks 12 years after his first visit.
From now on, Miami should take ownership for the culture on campus.
Sports » page 8
Opinion » page 12