September 22, 2015 | The Miami Student

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The Miami Student TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015 WWW.MIAMISTUDENT.NET

VOLUME 144 NO. 8

MIAMI UNIVERSITY OXFORD, OHIO

Oxford in the a.m.: What goes down as the sun comes up Visit us online to see the full photo story associated with this story. miamistudent.net UPTOWN

JAMES STEINBAUER OPINION EDITOR

In Oxford, the break of day is trumpeted not by a rooster’s crow, but by the roar of a half dozen Rumpke garbage and recycling trucks rumbling down the red bricks, washing away the evidence of what was yet another night of citywide partying.

It’s 6 a.m. on a Friday and at no other time does Oxford sound and smell more like a crowded metropolitan area than it does now. The stench of garbage — a mixture of stale beer, stinking Skyline chili and bodily fluids — permeates the air surrounding Oxford’s now quiet bars and restaurants.

Running amid the scurry of garbage trucks, a seemingly endless conveyor belt of workers transport foodstuffs from semi trucks parked up and down High Street. If a finance professor wanted to demonstrate input/output economics at work, then Oxford in the a.m. would be a good place to start.

Less than four hours after last call, the bars and restaurants are in an arms race, stockpiling food and alcohol for the night ahead. a 7:30 a.m., Ohio Eagle Distribution employee Jeff Rice has transported nearly two-dozen trolley loads of beer into Brick Street and still hasn’t touched the kegs.

“This is my biggest stop,” Rice says, his eyes widening in near-admiration. “By the time I leave, the fridge is full from floor to ceiling.

[Kegs] are stacked three high!”

On any given week, Rice will transport 175 to 225 cases and more than 65 kegs of beer. And that’s only counting Anheuser-Busch brand.

Among the bustle of garbage trucks and food distributors, several silent runaways flee the scene. Whether shame is behind it or not, some of the earliest risers are girls stealing away from their boyfriends, hook-ups or onenight-stands. Against the backdrop of a brightening horizon, the fleeting silhouettes of their stilettos and tousled hair move away from apartment buildings toward dorm rooms and houses.

At 8 a.m., the sun now in the sky, some opt for a more covert means of transportation.

“I’ve been doing this for a year and a half now, and it’s the same every morning,” says James Brooks, Oxford Taxi driver. “I get about eight or 10 girls who stay out late and need to get home and take a shower before classes start. Of course they all claim they were staying with their brother or girlfriends.”

At 8:30 a.m., the stench is gone, carried away by garbage trucks and the wind, but the debris and shrapnel

left from Thursday night’s assault on the bars is still present. Oxford municipal workers are walking up and down the sidewalks sweeping cigarette butts, uneaten bagels and used cups and napkins into waste bags.

Gail Paveza, the manager at Follett’s Bookstore, is sweeping the storefront herself.

“You have to keep your business good-looking and welcoming for customers,” she says.

Paveza said that the dirtiest day used to be Friday and weekend mornings, but with the advent of ’90s and country night at Brick Street, Wednesday and Thursday mornings are just as bad.

“A lot of [wristbands] this morning,” she says. “I guess there just aren’t enough trash cans. But I’ll even see [wristbands] on the ground next to trash cans. Maybe they just aren’t big enough.”

At around 9 a.m., a rusting, navy blue pickup truck delivers the first bass blare, marking the transition from a small town morning to a college town day. The students are coming.

Among Oxford’s coffee shops, Oxford Taxi driver James Brooks (lower left) and Starbucks “Coffee Master” Dale Plank (middle right).

Less than four hours after last call, the bars and restaurants are in an arms race, stockpiling food and alcohol for the night ahead.

Counseling services sees spike in visits Studies show college students more anxious, depressed

Four weeks into the semester, Miami University Student Counseling Services (SCS) has received a record-breaking number of students, with 13 percent more students receiving counseling this year than last year.

That is up from 9.3 percent in 2013, and aligns with an annual increase in the national percentage of college students using counseling services for anxiety or depression, according to Director of SCS Kip Alishio.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, more than 1 percent of college students were diagnosed or treated for anxiety within the past year, and more than 10 percent reported being diagnosed or treated for depression. These numbers have been increasing each year for the past decade.

Since 2007, Miami has participated in a national study called The Healthy Mind Survey. Since then, students who reported they were doing well psychologically and emotionally have decreased from 62 percent to 47 percent.

The percentage of the student

body who have screened positive for depression has gone from 18 percent to 20 percent in the past decade. Those who have scored positive for anxiety problems reported increasing 10 percent to 20 percent.

In tandem with the growing trends, students are on a wait list to use counseling services at Miami, Alishio said. The number of new patients to seek treatment has increased by 63 percent this year.

“There is no unified research that proves why students are feeling this way more frequently,” Alishio said. “Some research supports that it is because this generation of students were raised by helicopter parenting.”

Alishio described helicopter parenting as parents who have done everything for their kids, over-protected them and didn’t allow them to work through frustration, loss and disappointment on their own.

“They never developed their internal rough skin,” he said.

As more students begin to feel anxious and depressed, they seek help at the counseling services.

Many have mixed feelings about their experience.

Sophomore Olivia Williams visited the counseling services during the spring semester.

“I went to the individual counseling and I didn’t feel like it really helped,” she said.

Williams said she would recommend students to go for depression, but not for anxiety.

“I think the only issue was that it was done by grad students not by doctors,” Williams said. “I do think they have useful things, like their workshops and stuff.”

The graduate students who work at the counseling services are intraining to become psychologists, Alishio said. All of the clinical services are provided by licensed therapists or by staff who are supervised by licensed therapists.

Other students feel the counseling services benefitted them, and said would go again if they ever felt the pressures of anxiety and depression.

Sophomore Hailey Barr said she recommends the services to anyone, even if they aren’t sure what they are feeling or whether they should seek counseling.

“My experience was great,” Barr said. “I had a counselor who helped me through a lot. I had a lot to deal with but she made it so much easier.”

CULTURE p. 4

OPINION p. 6

SPORTS p. 10

MENTAL HEALTH

EMILY O’CONNOR SENIOR STAFF WRITER

the arms preparation ended long ago — the local coffee clutches began before the delivery trucks even left the breweries.

“From about 5:30 to 6, it’s just a handful of regulars, but by 10, it’s out the door with students,” says Dale Plank, Starbucks’ “Coffee Master.”

Plank, a retired Talawanda teacher, was always among the first Starbucks customers in the morning. He has since been the first face many Miami University students see every morning.

Across the street at Kofenya, university retirees Chuck Schuler, Charlie Watson and Mike McVey are having their morning coffee with a side of peace and quiet and crossword puzzles in pen.

“We’ve only been having coffee together for about 30 years,” Schuler says.

“We wouldn’t come up here in the afternoon,” Watson added. “There are people who are better in the afternoon and better in the morning.

Us … well, we don’t see any use in wasting good daylight.”

CONNOR MORIARTY PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

COUNSELING »PAGE 9

NEWS p. 2

NEWS p. 3

OXFORD HOME TO 12 NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES

OXFORD PARENTS RAISE KIDS IN A COLLEGE TOWN

TRAVEL: STUDENT FINDS CLARITY IN IRELAND

MENTAL HEALTH STIGMAS NEED IMPROVEMENT

REDHAWKS THROW GAME AGAINST BEARCATS

From McGuffey Museum to Langstroth Cottage, Oxford boasts a dozen historic sites

Oxford residents reflect on benefits of raising a family in a town surrounded by students

Columnist reflects on study abroad, visit to Cliffs of Moher last semester

Editorial board calls for an attitude change regarding mental health on campus

After a close game Saturday, Cincinnati Bearcats come out on top with 37-33 win

TODAY IN MIAMI HISTORY

In 1970, The Miami Student reported that Oxford’s eight-man police force was threatened by increasing crime rates, inflation and legislative changes. The department was understaffed, underpaid, overworked and misunderstood, according to then-Police Chief Joseph Statum, who had been requesting better equipment and higher wages for over two years.

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

NEWS@MIAMISTUDENT.NET

Historical sites show character

Students underutilize MUBucks in Uptown shops MONEY

JANE OETGEN

THE MIAMI STUDENT

AMANDA WANG THE MIAMI STUDENT

Oxford United Methodist Church is one of many historic buildings around Uptown Oxford.

HISTORY

ELISE VASKO

THE MIAMI STUDENT

Walking down East High Street, it is easy to pass by several historic homes without even realizing it. Yet, on this one street alone there many of these houses, each with its own unique history.

Despite its small size, Oxford has 12 historical sites recognized on the national register.

These incude Elliott and Stoddard Halls, Hunting Lodge Farm, Langstroth Cottage and the William H. McGuffey House. A complete list of these sites can be found on the City of Oxford website.

“I don’t think many students know about Oxford’s history,” said first-year Sarah Martin.

“All history is important because it contributes to the town and the community and what Oxford stands for and how Miami came to be.”

One particularly significant historical site is the McGuffey Museum. The museum is located on eastern campus at the site of William Holmes McGuffey’s former residence. McGuffey was a Miami professor in the 1860s who compiled the widely used “McGuffey Eclectic Reader.” The reader

taught students lessons in reading, spelling and moral conduct.

“The McGuffey Museum is fascinating because the person that lived there invented basically an elementary school textbook that was used nationwide,” said Sam Perry, a city planner. “He invented it and he didn’t make a penny off of it, hardly, but he was from here and he was an administrator here, so that’s a really strong educational tie to the local culture with national history.”

Langstroth Cottage, located near Bachelor Hall, has national landmark status. The cottage was home to Lorenzo L. Langstroth, who invented the moveable beehive and became known as the “Father of Modern Beekeeping.”

“If you think about that in context with international agriculture, that is pretty staggering,” Perry said. “That beehive is used across the world now.

It’s pretty amazing.”

Oxford residents not only value the town’s many historical sites, but also the older, historical homes around Oxford.

Michael Kohus, local resident and chair of the Historical Architectural Preservation Commission, volunteers his time to maintain some of the older homes in the community.

“Our goal is to try to keep some continuity with the historical elements of the city of Oxford as best we can,” Kohus said. “What we’re trying to do is keep that small town feel. We’re just trying to preserve the character of Oxford.”

Valerie Elliott, author of “Images of America: Oxford,” and manager at Smith Library of Regional History, agreed about the importance of Oxford history, its character and traditions.

“It’s the history of the communities that makes them distinct and different from others. Otherwise, if everything was the same there would be no interest,” Elliott said. “It’s the character of the communities and what they preserve of their histories that makes them different from others.

Preserving some of those things enriches everyone’s lives.”

Oxford’s history is tied to Miami, as one would not exist without the other.

“The most unique thing about Oxford’s history is that somebody had the foresight to start a college basically in the middle of nowhere,” Perry said. “There was nothing here and somebody said, ‘Let’s put a college here.’

If it weren’t for that foresight, none of us would be here. It was at the frontier.”

Students can make purchases at over 50 establishments in Oxford with MUBucks.

Despite the convenience of an off-campus account, few students actually use the monetary alternative.

First-year Madeline O’Toole said she doesn’t completely understand what MUBucks is used for.

“I don’t think [Miami] gave a very good explanation of what MUBucks are and how they’re different from MULaa and our meal plan,” she said.

O’Toole said upon enrollment, there is a lack of clarification about the distinction between the different forms of currency that Miami offers.

“I knew about [MUBucks] because I asked some of my upperclassmen friends that go here,” O’Toole said. “One said not to get them because no one really uses them.”

MUBucks accounts are controlled and facilitated by a separate company, Uptown Bucks LLC. “[MUBucks] goes onto the students’ ID card, and it’s just the convenience of having them on the ID card,” said Josh Staton, employee of Uptown Bucks.

Staton said that several thousand students at Miami have MUBucks accounts.

First-year Hannah Scally is a student at Miami who uses MUBucks.

“I did find MUBucks helpful once when I needed to buy textbooks Uptown and I didn’t have any money on me,” Scally said. “My mom put money on the account and I was able to buy my books there.”

According to the company’s website, MUBucks can be used for food, textbooks and school supplies at many merchants Uptown, such as Bagel & Deli, CVS and the Oxford Copy Shop.

“We’re glad we have taken [MUBucks] up here,” said Gary Franks, manager and co-owner of Bagel & Deli Uptown. He added

that MUBucks make up a small part of the shop’s revenue.

Although Franks is glad they have decided to accept MUBucks, he suggested that maybe if Miami clarified its function, the currency might have a larger presence.

According to first-year Nate Bissinger, Bagel & Deli is one of Uptown’s most popular spots among students.

“I go to Bagel & Deli almost twice a week,” Bissinger said. “I don’t have an MUBucks account and always use cash.”

Like other students, Bissinger said that he hadn’t heard much of MUBucks and didn’t have an understanding of how it works.

I don’t think [Miami] gave a very good explanation of what MUBucks are and how they’re different from MULaa and our meal plan.

MADELINE O’TOOLE

FIRST-YEAR

While some students don’t use MUBucks because of lack of clarity, others don’t use it because they feel it is unnecessary for their personal situation.

“I personally do not use MUBucks,” said senior Jake Rosebrock. “I feel that MUBucks are mainly used by students whose parents pay for their expenses.”

According to MUBucks’s company website, MUBucks is a good way for parents to keep track of what students are spending their money on. Money can be added to the account and be accessed within five minutes.

“I think MUBucks would serve really well for first-year students whose parents want to keep track of what they’re buying Uptown,” Bissinger said. “My family would have probably looked into it if we had a better understanding of what [MUBucks] were.”

University to welcome former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates EVENT

MORGAN NGUYEN THE MIAMI STUDENT

Robert Gates, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, will speak on duty at 7 p.m. tomorrow night in Millett Hall. The event is free to students and the public and is sponsored by the Anderson Distinguished Lecture Series through the Farmer School of Business (FSB). “[Gates’] sense of duty demonstrates the qualities of a strong leader,” said Matthew Myers, dean of FSB. “It is our hope that the students will listen to his message and reflect on their own beliefs and translate them into responsible actions.”

Students have expressed their excitement for the event. Sophomore Kosta Morris said he is excited for the lecture.

“He’s a big name. We have the opportunity to listen to a talk that, if you weren’t on college campus, you wouldn’t have the chance to

go,” Morris said.

Myers said the excitement from the students made the time and planning spent coordinating the event worth it.

“It is energizing to see the campus rise to the opportunity of hosting such a significant event for the Miami

serving as Secretary of Defense for six presidents.

Myers said the committee that selects the Anderson Distinguished Lecture Series makes a nomination to the dean for final determination of who the speaker will be. It was Gates’ prominence and success in his field that

from students, faculty, staff and community members,” he said.

Many students know of Gates’ successes and challenges in office.

“I think it was harder for him [as Secretary of Defense] than Rumsfeld [his predecessor] because the goal was obvious and immediate,” said senior Nathan Holaday. “The

It is our hope that the students will listen to his message and reflect on their own beliefs and translate them into responsible actions.

MATTHEW MYERS

DEAN OF FARMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

community,” Myers said.

Gates is currently the president of the Boy Scouts of America and the chancellor of his alma mater, the College of William and Mary.

He is the author of “Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War,” which describes his experiences serving Presidents Bush and Obama after

prompted a nomination for him to speak, Myers said. “[We take] into consideration the scholarly or professional achievements of the candidate, their outstanding service to society and unique contributions to business and the economy… along with suggested candidate names

tone had changed. Gates had to be more of a leader, and remind America about why we need to defend ourselves.”

Holaday said he hopes Gates will offer general advice, address his experience and inspirational stories from his time in office and touch on the issue of

IN OTHER NEWS …

LOCAL

STATE

Butler County deadliest in state for train accidents

Ohio obesity rates rising, against national trends

Scott Walker drops out of 2016 Presidential Run

Pope Francis delivers speech to Cubans

In the past decade, the county has seen 20 deaths involving trains hitting pedestrians or drivers.

There are over 120 miles of tracks in the area.

— Journal-News

According to an annual repor t, Ohio was one of five states with rising obesity rates and one of eight with rising diabetes.

Yesterday, Scott Walker announced he will no longer run for president in order to unite against Donald Trump.

Yesterday, Pope Francis addressed the citizens of Holguin, Cuba and motivated Cubans to be willing to change.

— Columbus Dispatch

— New York Times

— Associated Press

NATIONAL

INTERNATIONAL

cybersecurity. He said his main reason for attending the event is to learn from Gates.

“I have a general interest in politics,” Holaday said.

“If you want to be an expert in your field, you have to know the experts in your field, and Gates is one of them.”

Morris said college is often a time when most students start to form their personal sense of duty and responsibility. It can be thought of as trial ground where applications of those ideas can be tested with minimal consequence.

“When I think of duty, I think of commitment,” Morris said.

“In my own life, duty means I’m going to commit to something even if something else comes up or if it gets hard.”

Holaday echoed this sentiment.

“I believe we have two duties: to selves and other people,” Holaday said. “We need to better ourselves and make the world a better place.

For each other: be respectful, care about one another.”

TMS

ONLINE MIAMISTUDENT.NET

NEWS@MIAMISTUDENT.NET

NEWS 3

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

Parents enjoy benefits of raising kids in a college town COMMUNITY

MACKENZIE ROSSERO THE MIAMI STUDENT

While Miami University is the epicenter of Oxford, students share the quaint little town with residents who have raised their families on the brick-laden streets.

According to U.S. census data, Miami students make up nearly half of Oxford’s 22,000 population. The other half are the Oxford residents and their children who live and work here year round. And, according to some of these residents, it’s the tightknit community atmosphere that makes them stay put. “[Oxford] is a great town for raising kids,” Miami professor Jonathan Bradshaw said.

“There is a whole community of things for kids and adults outside the university.”

On weekends, Uptown Park is full of Oxford residents.

While much of the town’s stu-

dent population sleeps in late, Oxford residents emerge in the mornings with their toddlers in strollers and dogs on leashes.

On Saturdays during the fall, many of these families frequent the Sprouts activity tables at the weekly Farmer’s Market, one of many activities in Oxford geared toward families with children.

Last Friday, many families visited the UniDiversity Latin American and Caribbean Festival in Uptown Park and the Miami Homecoming festivities on Slantwalk.

“It’s a really fun atmosphere,” said Joy Becker, mother of two.

“We love having kids here. There is a big community for particularly young families. It has a smalltown feel yet there is a lot to do.”

Justin Beckner, a 13-yearold eighth grader at Talawanda Middle School, has lived in Oxford all his life.

“I like the closeness of the town and how everybody contributes and helps out if you need

something,” Beckner said.

Nancy Hawthorne, head of the McGuffey Montessori School and Miami alumna, agreed that

[Oxford] is a great town for raising kids. There is a whole community of things for kids and adults outside the university.

JONATHAN BRADSHAW MIAMI PROFESSOR

the wealth of activities available for families makes Oxford a good place to raise children.

“There are a lot of ongoing programs and annual events for families to get involved in,” Hawthorne said. “There are so many activities that Miami sponsors that our students and families participate in.”

Originally named McGuffey Foundation School, the Mc-

Guffey Montessori School was founded in 1983 by Miami staff and parents after the closing of the Miami University Lab School.

It is a private school currently educating students from preschool to eighth grade, many of which are children of Miami faculty. The school aims to focus on hands-on experiences, interactions with the community and extensive field trips.

Raising a family in the barheavy college town can be difficult at times, Oxford residents say, but most still speak positively of their experiences. “[The college nightlife] does make some things challenging. It provokes some conversation about responsible behavior, but we use it for good,” Hawthorne said. “The benefits of living in Oxford far outweigh the downsides.”

Oxford resident Christine Kelly said that noisy nights Uptown did not come as a surprise to her.

“You know what to expect,” Kelly said, who has two daughters: Lauren, 9, and Elizabeth, 12. “It comes with the territory.” “[The students] bring the town to life,” Beckner said.

With many residents living in close proximity to Uptown, young teenagers have the opportunity to have a taste of the college lifestyle.

“This year is her first year where she can walk Uptown with her friends and it is lovely to give her that independence,” Hawthorne said of her 13-year-old daughter.

Hawthorne is unsure if her daughter will consider attending Miami in the future, since she would be among the 2.7 percent of Miami students who are permanent Oxford residents, but she is hopeful.

“I went to Miami and my dream was to move back to Oxford to raise a family,” Hawthorne said. “I love it.”

BETH PFOHL THE MIAMI STUDENT

HORSING AROUND Two-year-old Max Rolfes takes advantage of the UniDiversity Festival’s petting zoo, which took place Uptown Friday, Sept. 18.

Professors cite more organized, focused teaching when using own textbooks in class

Graduating early is rare, but yields many rewards ACADEMICS

HAILEY MALLENDICK THE MIAMI STUDENT

CONNOR MORIARTY PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

Richard Campbell’s textbook “Media & Culture” is used by hundreds of Miami students each semester for MAC 143.

TEXTBOOKS

PARIS FRANZ

THE MIAMI STUDENT

At the beginning of each semester, students at Miami spend hundreds of dollars on expensive textbooks. Some of these textbook dollars go straight into the pockets of Miami faculty members.

Richard Campbell, chair of the Department of Media, Journalism and Film, uses his textbook, “Media & Culture” to teach Media and Culture (MAC) 143.

He said he uses a self-written textbook out of necessity.

“I wrote this book because I couldn’t find a good textbook,” Campbell said. “I felt like there needed to be a better textbook for the course.”

Campbell’s textbook sells new for roughly $100 on Amazon. This fall, over 300 students at Miami’s Oxford campus are enrolled in MAC 143.

Other professors choose to write and use their own textbooks because it provides better content for their specific course.

Darrel Davis, associate professor of educational psychology, said he agrees with Campbell that the disconnect between textbooks and courses can be frustrating.

“I’ve thought tons of times, ‘I should write my own book,’” said Davis. “Basically, what I want, how I want, organized how I want it organized.”

Campbell said the process of writing a textbook also gives professors a better understanding of the course material.

“It forces me to keep up with the field, to continue to do research,” Campbell said. “Writing the textbook causes me to be involved, engages me in the material in a way that for me is much richer than if I hadn’t written the textbook.”

Campbell believes that teaching his own textbook does not limit the

course material.

“I certainly teach the book maybe more than other professors do because I wrote the book,” Campbell said. “But I do bring in a lot of material that’s not in the book.”

Campbell and Davis said the course’s textbook, regardless of the author, should be supplemented with additional materials. Davis explained any textbook is only limiting if it is not adequately supplemented.

“I don’t think that the process of writing the book becomes limiting. It’s when you organize your course [that] you can limit yourself if you don’t look for separate things,” Davis said.

Some students have found that courses are more engaging when the professor has written the textbook.

Senior Patrick Proctor has taken two courses in which the professor assigned a self-written textbook.

TEXTBOOKS » PAGE 9

With the cost of tuition at Miami estimated at $30,000 for Ohio residents and $45,000 for non-residents, some students are graduating early to save thousands of dollars.

Emily Linn, a Miami alumna (’14), was able to earn her Bachelor’s degree in only three years.

“I was going further into debt with every semester, so when I realized I could finish early, it just made sense,” Linn said.

However, students choose to graduate early for more reasons than incurring less debt.

Rebecca Little, a 2015 alumna, graduated with a double major in only three years so she could travel.

“I wanted to spend more time living and being active and less time sitting in King or a classroom,” Little said.

Junior Annie Rudy is hoping to finish a five-year degree in only four years. Rudy chose to graduate early because she realized she could earn both a bachelor’s degree and Master of Accountancy in only four years.

“I do not think that I would have wanted to stay an extra year,” Rudy said. “I discovered I could squeeze [my degree] into four years, so I went for it.”

Linn, Little and Rudy had to pack their schedules to make early graduations possible. They said taking roughly six classes a semester — or about 18 credit hours — and earning AP credits in high school helped them achieve their goals of finishing their degrees early.

“Coming in with a lot AP credits did help, but I also think a lot of it had

to do with taking [January] Term and summer session classes,” Rudy said.

The credits from class sessions outside of the normal academic year gave Rudy about 15 extra credits for her major.

Linn said it can be stress-

It definitely takes a lot of planning. I spent a lot of time working the system and planning which classes to take which semester.

REBECCA LITTLE ALUMNA, CLASS OF 2015

ful to take on the extra workload, but it is still possible to enjoy the college experience.

“I found I usually still had plenty of time left over for my social life,” Linn said, “perhaps just not quite enough for sleeping.”

While some students are able to complete their degrees early, it is also common for students to stay an extra year or two to complete a bachelor’s degree.

According to the Miami University Office of Institutional Research, 78 percent of students graduate in five years or less, while only 1.6 percent of students graduate in three years. This data was last available for the class of 2011.

However, the few who complete their degrees early find that the extra EARLY GRADS » PAGE 9

4 CULTURE

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

PERELMBK@MIAMIOH.EDU

What we all carry: Beauty and tragedy Ireland and my moment of clarity at the Cliffs of Moher TRAVEL

JENNY HENDERSON THE MIAMI STUDENT

The Tuesday travel column features a different writer each week, reflecting on their experiences abroad.

This week, senior Jenny Henderson takes us inside one of the moments that changed her while studying abroad and travelling around Europe.

So, you’re shivering at the train station, waiting for your next adventure or to go back to your tiny room in the house of the old Italian couple you’ve been living with for the past few months. When you get home, some six hours later, you’ll promptly devour takeout falafel, take a shower and sleep.

But for now, you’re just waiting.

You’re waiting in varying degrees of dirty, broke, hungover and exhausted. This feeling has become your standard and yet, strangely, you’re the most complete you’ve ever been.

Last spring, I studied abroad through Miami’s Luxembourg program. Looking back, I am so lucky.

It’s unbelievable to see all I’ve seen.

Sixteen countries. Beautiful sights from a Mykonos sunset to Monet’s

“Nypmheas” in Paris, his water lilies.

And of course, horrifying sights, too.

From the Dachau work camp to the unrelenting harassment from men in the streets.

Even though I was constantly shelling out Euros (and Czech Ko-

Even at my worst, I felt real. The reality of life — the hard parts that don’t go away — are a condition of humanity.

But, I would argue, so is sanctuary. So are those heart-expanding, Cliff -of-Moher moments.

runas, Danish Krones, Swiss Francs and English Pounds), travel made me richer, as the saying goes.

You start to be critical of everything, but not judgmental. Each city forces you to reconceive your idea of self and how you move through your community. I’m a big believer in the

idea that we carry pieces of everywhere we’ve been with us. I use the term “where we’ve been” loosely.

These little talismans — cities and houses and states of mind and people — are irrevocably part of us. I may have only stayed in most cities for two days, but I can pinpoint exactly how I felt in each one. It’s an insane gift to keep on experiencing ­— to go on living and mapping out your experiences onto your life and to connect the constellations of “where you’ve been.”

As a culture, we glamorize travel as freedom, as not caring, as a magical universe where “anything can happen.” And I do have some unbelievable memories and wild stories, but my journeys were also plagued by expense, indecision, logistics and exhaustion.

Our experiences and our points of reference are never easily defined.

How free are you really when you’re counting out 10 cent Euro coins, trying desperately to figure out if you can afford a cup of coffee?

How wild is your night when the entire city and its trains have a midnight curfew? Freedom and wildness are always loaded, and after awhile, I couldn’t help but wonder if I could

Student actors and directors find comfort in Stage Left One-Acts THEATRE

EMMA SHIBLEY

THE MIAMI STUDENT

Enter Stage Left, Miami University’s student-run theatre organization, currently preparing for an upcoming combined evening of one-act plays and talents showcase.

“I acted in high school, and once I got [to Miami] I completely missed it,” said junior Maggie Campbell.

“Theatre is my whole life.”

According to Campbell, the official One-Acts Coordinator, the event is an opportunity for talented, enthusiastic students to express their artistic urges, even if they weren’t cast in — or didn’t audition for — Miami’s or Stage Left’s other productions.

“One-Acts are a great opportunity for students who don’t have the time to commit to a full-length show,” said Sarah Emery, Stage Left’s public relations director.

With just a handful of rehearsals over the course of two to three weeks, almost anyone can find time to participate.

But how can a show come together so quickly?

Emery said that one-acts are shorter and less intense than a typical play, and that such shows have

minimal costumes, props and set pieces as well. As an actor in previous one-acts, Campbell often wore clothing she already owned.

“I don’t think it’s even close to 30 minutes,” said student director Brandon Fogel of his show.

Because of the short time frame and minimal technical design, Fogel says his focus will be on the sincerity of his character’s relationships.

“One-Acts let us gain acting and directing experience,” Campbell said.

Such opportunities can be limited when many skilled theatre majors audition for Miami’s productions.

While Fogel acted in, directed and stage-managed a number of plays and one-acts in high school, this project will be his first involvement with Stage Left. He hopes that it doesn’t end up a train wreck.

“I loved casting a vision and then seeing how it evolved and changed when you got people into roles,” the sophomore business and political science student said of his prior experience directing.

“I liked having a big picture idea, but allowing others to create the details within that picture … I’m not a professor with years of experience, I’m just somebody around [the ac-

tors’] same age who has different things to contribute.”

During auditions, hopeful actors leaned forward to absorb the show descriptions, eyes focused, game faces on. When sides — sections of the script to be read by all combinations of people at auditions — were passed out, the previously chatty room went silent as the actors immediately began analyzing the text in search of places to make creative choices.

But these auditions were overall casual and informal, nothing like those through Miami’s theatre department. Students wore whatever they were comfortable in, not what they thought directors wanted to see. Everyone snapped or clapped between readings.

The student directors, Fogel and Ebere Okoro, spoke openly about the plays they would be directing. Okoro’s is a self-written piece inspired by mythological figures, Fogel’s an intimate look into the building of a relationship that he describes as ebbing and flowing. It was beyond acceptable that Okoro’s excitement bubbled over when she heard lines she had written be performed.

STAGE LEFT »PAGE 5

‘Big Lebowski’ is trippy, fun crime drama NETFLIX

KIRBY DAVIS

THE MIAMI STUDENT

“The Big Lebowski” is a trippy, fantastical crime drama whose events can all be traced back to an unfortunate case of mistaken identity — and a rug.

The film, first released in 1998 and written and directed by the Coen brothers, begins with two men breaking into Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski’s dingy Los Angelesarea house. They assault him and demand to know where “the money” is, only to find out that they’ve found the wrong Jeffrey Lebowski.

One of the thugs urinates on his rug, and they leave.

M

“The Dude” (Jeff Bridges) is understandably upset by this, and tracks down the Lebowski he was confused for. A dour, decrepit millionaire, this Lebowski (David Huddleston) is The Dude’s polar opposite. The Dude, a disheveled, self-proclaimed pacifist who scoffs in response to the question, “Are you employed,” simply wants restitution for his soiled rug.

Yet when Bunny (Tara Reid), the “Big” Lebowski’s gold-digging younger wife is supposedly kidnapped, the Dude is recruited to deliver her ransom money (no less than $1 million) and identify the perpetrators.

This seems easy enough, but nothing ever goes right for the Dude

and his friends — hostile Vietnam veteran, Walter (John Goodman), and naive, frequently confused, Donny (Steve Buscemi.). None of the hapless, money-hungry trio’s schemes quite work out. Although, once a second gang of bandits, a porn industry scandal, and the “Big” Lebowski’s brazen feminist daughter Maude (Julianne Moore) are introduced, it’s entertaining to see them try.

“The Big Lebowski” is abstract, but not hard to follow. The film has a gritty, intimate feel to it, interspersed with drug-fueled fantasy sequences. It opens with a tumbleweed on a solitary tour of Los LEBOWSKI »PAGE 5

EVENTS TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Astronaut Lecture

Anderson Lecture Series: Robert Gates

Yes And...

Improv Workshop

7:30 p.m.

7 to 8 p.m.

9 to 11 p.m.

Hall Auditorium

Millett Hall

Shade Family Room

CARRIE HELLDOERFER THE MIAMI STUDENT

Jenny Henderson sits overlooking the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Ireland, during a weekend visit while studying abroad in Luxembourg. have those things without the messy intricacies.

And then, I went to Ireland.

The Cliffs of Moher were the most naturally beautiful thing I’ve seen. In Europe — and everywhere — there’s a sort of beauty tinged with gruesomeness. So many gorgeous sights have a secret current of ugliness, a dark history or complicated implications.

The Colosseum, for example,

is undoubtedly awe-inspiring, but twisted. People battled to the death there for sport. In all my traveling, I became fearful that there couldn’t be depth without some layer of tragedy.

There is catastrophe at Moher –— people have fallen off those cliffs and died at the shore, between the green isle and the big blue sea. And I reIRELAND»PAGE 9

The business of finding a post-grad job at Career Fair

CATHERINE DENNISON THE MIAMI STUDENT

Miami students search through the hundreds of potential employers who sent recruiters to Career Fair on Sept 16.

STUDENT LIFE

OLIVIA LEWIS

THE MIAMI STUDENT

In a sea of black and white corporate finery, Career Fair is a lot like stumbling onto Wall Street, that is, if Wall Street was made up of impassioned, high-powered youth rather than 50-something big wigs.

The click clack of patent leather heels and wing-tipped oxfords emanates throughout Millett Hall as students flood inside, their expressions ranging from unflappable to apprehensive. They pass by a variety of kiosks, settling by the ones that seem to fit them most. Firm handshakes are exchanged and the daunting process of nabbing a job after college begins.

Miami University seniors David Perkins, Zach LeCompte and Luke Jones are but three attendees at the event. Together, they brave the masses, doing their best to strike favor from recruiters with each of their distinctly different skills.

For Perkins, the journey of obtaining a job position for after graduation began long before the date of this year’s Career Fair. As a double major in marketing and interactive media studies, he prepped himself by running his resume by the people around him and engaging in workshops offered by the Career Services. The result was a student who felt ultra prepared.

“I’d say that the most successful part of Career Fair was the fact that I already researched where the companies I wanted to visit were, so I just bee-lined my way by,” Per-

kins says.

On the other hand, Jones, who’s majoring in history, did all of his preparation in a class during summer term. Known as Miami Professional Institute for Management Education (PRIME), the four-week program was designed to acquaint non-business majors like himself to the meat-and-potatoes of the business world.

“Oh god, yeah, it was helpful,” Jones says. “I thought I was just going to stay in school until somebody told me, ‘Luke, it’s time to come out,’ but now I think I’m going to go into business because it’s very interesting stuff. It showed us how to make the non-Farmer kid look like a Farmer kid.”

But, as valuable as PRIME was for showing Jones a different side of himself, he describes feeling anxious about securing a job position with a history degree.

“There’s always that stigma that if you’re not getting a business degree, then you’re not going anywhere,” Jones says. “You’re always told to either get a business degree or an engineering degree. I’m sure it’s pretty true in reality, I just hope that they have some scraps to throw.”

LeCompte, who is majoring in sports management, experienced similar worries. This was his second time attending Career Fair, so he wasn’t surprised when there weren’t many companies geared toward his exact field of study.

“I guess I was little nervous about going around, especially since it’s now senior year and the CAREER FAIR »PAGE 9

WWW.MIAMISTUDENT.NET

FROM LEBOWSKY »PAGE 4

Angeles, and twangy narration by “The Stranger” (Sam Elliott). This establishes a classic, old western feel to the narrative, despite being set in the early ’90s.

The film also offers a glimpse into all kinds of life in the greater Los Angeles area. Several scenes take place in the bowling alley where The Dude, Walter and Donny spend most of their time, highlighting the beer bellies and rough competition, narrated by angsty folk songs.

This contrasts sharply with scenes that feature the millionaire Lebowski and his home, which are well lit, extravagant and accompanied by lofty opera music.

‘Lebowski’ also features an indistinct good guy vs. bad guy narrative, as is common for writer-directorproducers Joel and Ethan Coen.

While two groups ­— a pack of German nihilists and pawns of a porn

5

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 2015

industry tycoon — are clearly villains, the “heroes” of the story aren’t exactly commendable citizens either.

Walter is furiously combative, and it’s his unabashed greed that botches The Dude’s only job.

The Dude himself means well but is extraordinarily lazy, and his only form of identification is a Ralph’s Value Club card. There’s a particularly interesting scene in which he visits the “Big” Lebowski’s office for the first time, and catches a glimpse of himself in a mirror, designed to look like a copy of Time magazine.

The reflection appears to be the cover, and the headline reads “Man of the Year.” The Dude sees, in this moment and in the rest of the time he spends with the “Big” Lebowski, how insignificant his life seems in comparison. Yet he remains content with repeatedly being called a “deadbeat” and leads an unapologetically lazy lifestyle. He wears loose hoodies and inside-out pajamas with

purpose, lounging his way through life.

Still, it’s impossible not to root for Walter, The Dude and Donny, even considering their attempted thievery and general incompetence. Competing against two gangs of thugs and a merciless millionaire, they inevitably take on the role of the underdogs, and one has to admire their resilience.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It’s introspective but not boring, fastpaced but not confusing, and darkly hilarious. It evolves from what initially seems to be a buddy comedy to an elaborate, clever crime story.

“The Big Lebowski” is eccentric, to put it mildly, and utterly original. I doubt any future film will be capable of imitating it.

“The Big Lebowski” is currently available to stream on Netflix.

Apollo Astronaut AL WORDEN Lands At: One of only 24 people to have flown to the Moon, Worden shares his experience as the Command Module Pilot for the Apollo 15 lunar mission. Join us for a FREE PUBLIC TALK about his time with NASA, followed by a presentation of the $10,000 Astronaut Scholarship to Miami student Maeva Metz.

FROM STAGE LEFT »PAGE 4

In the laid-back audition atmosphere, actors could even joke with their prospective cast mates and directors, and vice versa.

“I feel like Apollo would hit on Muses, like, all the time,” sophomore history major Remy Willocks said upon hearing the character list in Okoro’s original play.

When another student asked about how to interpret a finer poinst in Okoro’s piece, she laughed and admitted the truth. “I’ve actually only done research on the Muses…” she said. “So, hm, I’ll leave that up to you!”

Once the casts have been determined — which is made more difficult by casting two plays at once, Okoro’s cast of nearly a dozen with Fogel’s cast of two — the same kind of creative process will continue into rehearsals. According to Fogel, directing fellow students is akin to trying all the different ways

a piece might fit into a giant puzzle.

“It’s not about finding one single way that fits your image,” he said.

“It’s about finding all the different ways your play could go.”

Campbell also said the more simplistic nature of one-act plays gives the audience a chance to get to know Stage Left in a smaller setting than that of the full-length productions.

“Stage Left is such a unique opportunity for students all across the university to come together,” Emery said. “At the end of the day we all have a passion for theatre.”

Campbell feels the same.

“I’ve met several friends,” Campbell said of her growing involvement with the organization.

“I thought I was going to hate [attending Miami], but it ended up being one of the best decisions of my life.”

Stage Left’s “One-Acts” will be performed at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, in Wilks Theater.

TMS ONLINE MIAMISTUDENT.NET

WHEN YOU’RE FINISHED READING

September 22, Tuesday 7:30 - 8:30pm Hall Auditorium Tickets not required For more information

513.529.3399 Sponsored by: University Honors Program

PLEASE RECYCLE

6 OPINION

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

EDITORIAL@MIAMISTUDENT.NET

Counseling service changes are a good step, but our attitudes must follow EDITORIAL

Last Friday, The Miami Student published a letter to the editor from Jack Yungblut, a Miami student who shared his struggle with depression and his inability to seek help.

In contrast to Yungblut’s experience, today’s issue reports on the increased use of counseling services on campus. Dr. Kip Alishio, director of Student Counseling Service, says this spike is due not only to an increase in need, but also an increase in students’ willingness to reach out.

According to Alishio, Miami participates in a national survey called the Healthy Minds Study. He summarized one finding, saying that in 2007, 73 percent of students said they would be accepting of someone who has received mental health treatment.

In 2015, that number was 86 percent.

The stigma has decreased by 14 percent in the past eight years.

In addition, the Student Counseling Service (SCS) has been working on making itself more effective. To

The following piece, written by the editorial editors, reflects the majority opinion of the editorial board. use the SCS, students must schedule an initial consultation to identify problems and explore options. This session has been cut down from 50 minutes to 20 to 30, a change that works to serve a higher number of students per day. The first three individual sessions are free, and each additional session costs $25; however, that fee is waived if a student proves a need for financial assistance.

This August, the SCS staff welcomed two new members for a total of 20 employees. While waitlists had become “too long for comfort” in the past, Alishio says that now when a student calls to make an appointment, they can usually be seen within one to two days. There are more options for group therapy and workshops than ever before, as well as online training resources.

With all of these improvements, there has been a 13 percent increase in the number of students seen in the first month of school this year as

Obama’s legacy shows a contradicting metamorphosis POLITICS

stealing vehiclesand16,070fordrunk or drugged driving.

AYESH PERERA The Obama administraTHE MIAMI STUDENT tion’s foreign policy, too, is It was March 2006. President worthy of examination.

George W. Bush was yet again atIn August 2012, Obama famoustempting to add to the national debt. ly declared that if Syrian President It was up to Congress to decide Bashar Al Assad used chemical whether to submit to his request or weapons, “that’s a redline for us to refuse to raise the debt ceiling. and there would be enormous conThe Democratic senator from Il- sequences.” linois, Barack Obama, stood up to One year later, when Assad’s use speak. He was concerned about an of chemical weapons to gas more ongoing crisis. than 1400 to death became evident, In his stirring address he said his redline apparently disappeared. that “increasing America’s debt Moreover, Ukraine gave up its weakens us domestically and in- nuclear arms under the Budapest ternationally,” and “it is a sign that Memorandum because we promthe U.S. government can’t pay its ised to protect them. However, own bills.” Finally, he concluded when attacked, we wouldn’t even that “Washington is shifting the give them offensive weapons to deburden of bad choices today onto fend themselves. the backs of our children and grandEven more notable is the nuclear deal with Iran — Iran, in whose jails, there are still Americans languishing, along whose streets there are still rallies calling “death Surely, stirring speeches to America” and whose supreme may win elections. But leader has consistently and clearly beautiful words cannot expressed his intentions to anbalance budgets. nihilate the Middle East’s only free enterprise democracy, and the world’s one and only Jewish nation — Israel. children. America has a debt probFinally, one does not have to be a lem and a failure of leadership. historian to know that America did Americans deserve better.” not invent religious freedom, but When President Obama took rather, that it was the yearning for office, the debt was just over $10 religious freedom that created this trillion, accumulated by numerous nation. The free-exercise clause in presidents over several decades. the first amendment to the constituYet, in the six years under Obama, tion guarantees people the right to who once vowed “... to oppose the practice their faith — not only ineffort to increase America’s debt side the walls of a place of worship, limit,” the national debt is over $18 but also at the work place, at school trillion, almost twice what it was. or in running one’s own business.

Never in the history of The Obama administration’s reAmerica has there been a spect for these constitutional freespender like Obama. doms has been unequivocally exThe metamorphoses of Obama go plained by its litigation of Hobby beyond the national debt problem. Lobby, the Little Sisters of the Poor Obama, now an ardent supporter and the IRS’ demanding to know of corporate welfare, was recently the content of people’s prayers. urging Congress to reauthorize the Obama came into office promisExport-Import Bank. Ironically, ing “hope” and “change” and chantthis was the same person who an- ing “yes we can.” Today, under nounced that “we just need to cut his presidency, we have 16 million back, like the waste of the Economic more people on food stamps and Agency and the Export-Import bank six million more people in povthat’s become little more than a fund erty than we had in 2008. Morefor corporate welfare,” in 2008. over, 35 million Americans still Obama has had his hands on the lack any health insurance. issue of immigration throughout his The youth unemployment rate is years in politics as well. Emphasiz- 17.1 percent. 6.5 million people are ing the importance of the rule of working part time, most of whom law, Obama once said, “our nation, want to work full-time. For the first like all nations, has the right and ob- time in 35 years, more businesses ligation to control its borders and set are dying than beginning. Abroad, laws for residency and citizenship. because of his foreign policy, And no matter how decent they are, our allies cannot trust us and our no matter their reasons, the 11 mil- enemies won’t fear us. lion who broke these laws should be Surely, stirring speeches may held accountable.” win elections. But beautiful words However, in 2013, U.S. Immi- cannot balance budgets. Neigration and Customs Enforcement ther can soaring rhetoric solve released information on 36,007 all our problems. convicted illegal immigrants — Perhaps it is time that we 193 of whom were convicted for judge our candidates for office murder, 426 for sexual assault, not by the words they speak, but 303 for kidnapping, 1,160 for by the work they do.

compared to last year. Unfortunately, Yungblut’s letter demonstrates how despite best efforts, students still slip through the cracks. This discrepancy highlights a tragic paradox: while mental health resources are present and accessible, those in need do not always access them.

One obstacle stands in the way: fear. Fear of admitting to yourself that you need help, fear of sharing those feelings with others and fear of judgment if you talk to a professional.

There are many reasons one might need counseling: anxiety, depression, eating disorders, sexual assault, a death in the family or even just general stress over schoolwork and planning for the future. Dealing with any of these issues doesn’t make you crazy. Needing help does not make you weak.

There has long been a disconnect between society’s views on physical and mental health. If someone is suffering a physical ailment, there is

no shame in going to the doctor for a cure. We rely on medications to treat ailments from headaches to heart disease. Why are we uncomfortable seeking treatment for anxiety or depression? A mental health problem is not a choice. It is a disease.

At the start of the school year, R.A.’s undergo an educational program detailing what types of problems might require counseling and how to breach the sensitive subject.

They are given a formula consisting of three valuable sentences: “I believe you. It’s not your fault. There are resources.”

This is a good step, but we need more education for everyone. What if we were all trained to recognize warning signs in our peers and in ourselves? While the counseling service itself is a wonderful resource, it cannot help those who do not seek help.

And no amount of awareness-raising fliers or refrigerator magnets can cause a cultural shift on their own.

Every now and then, something like Jack Yungblut’s letter catches our attention and initiates a conversation about mental health. But then we get busy, and become distracted or feel we have “more important things” to worry about. Mental health is important.

In today’s paper, we have a letter from Nadia Dawisha, who appeals to the Miami community saying, “I very much hope that [Jack’s] brave piece sparks a larger conversation in our community about mental health.”

We share this same hope. We need to legitimize the idea of mental health problem as just that — health problems. We need to be more willing to talk about this unnecessarily taboo subject, whether that means confiding in a friend or letting them know they can confide in us. We need to talk and we need to listen. The only thing to be embarrassed or ashamed of is our current attitude toward mental health.

America’s fear of Islam neglects the real terror: Us POLITICS

MILAM’S MUSINGS President Obama is a Christian, like most U.S. Presidents, and was born in Honolulu, Hawaii.

That sentence of fact since Obama took office in January 2009 has proved controversial. Today, the belief that Obama is a Muslim and born somewhere outside the United States persists, the former being a bit stronger.

According to a Sept. 13 CNN/ORC poll, only 39 percent of respondents answered correctly that Obama is a Christian.

The next highest was 29 percent of respondents believing him to be a Muslim.

Moreover, 20 percent of respondents think Obama was born outside the United States either with “solid evidence” or “suspicion only” backing up that claim.

Among Republicans and conservatives, 43 and 45 percent of respondents, respectively, think Obama is a Muslim (and, it’s worth noting, even 17 percent of Democrats hold this view).

Furthermore, among Trump supporters specifically, 54 percent believe Obama is a Muslim. At a Trump rally on Sept. 17, Trump called on a supporter who prefaced his question with, “We have a problem in this country; it’s called Muslims. We know our current president is one.”

Find the video online and note the questioner’s disdainful tone when saying Obama is a Muslim. Nevertheless, the point is that Trump didn’t refute him by noting, no, Obama is a Christian.

However, the far more salient point ought to be, even if President Obama were a Muslim — which, again, he is not — so what?

Ought a young Muslim boy — say 14-year-old Ahmed Mohamed from MacArthur High in Irving, Texas, arrested Sept. 14 for bringing a digital clock to his engineering teacher — or a Muslim girl, not try to aspire to be the president because they live in a country where such Islamophobia runs rampant?

To be fair, there is room for some optimism. According to a 2012 Gallup poll, 58 percent of respondents would vote for a Muslim president, which actually ranks higher than an atheist (54 percent), although both lag far behind Catholic, Hispanic, Jewish and Mormon (94, 92, 91 and 80 percent, respectively).

And yet, squaring that with the persistent myth of Obama as a Muslim (and the further implication behind that) engenders

skepticism in me that the American people would actually vote for an unabashed Muslim candidate for president.

On “Meet the Press” Sept.

20, Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson explicitly said, “I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that.”

There is nothing inherently wrong with being a Muslim. There is nothing inherently wrong with Islam. Yet, Muslims are scapegoated for all the ills of the United States.

For a country that seems to pride itself on strength and bravado, we sure are wimps when it comes to security, safety and the nefarious “other,” in this case, the Muslim.

As an example, prominent talk show host and so-called liberal,

about to bolster his strength on the Iran nuclear deal in a speech to the American University Aug. 5.

“As commander-in-chief, I have not shied away from using force when necessary. I’ve ordered military action in seven countries.

There are times when force is necessary,” Obama said.

If I stretched this back to George W. Bush, we have bombed many of those same countries, including the pre-emptive, illegal and disastrous Iraq War invasion. If I stretch back to Clinton, there’s Serbia, Kosovo, the Sudan, Afghanistan and Iraq, again. Then stretch more to W.’s dad, and there’s the first Gulf War. Go back to a few years of the Regan administration and there’s the support of Saddam gassing the Iranians, as well as the bombing of Libya in 1986.

And if Maher wants to go back

Undoubtedly there have been terrorists under the umbrella of Islam ... But if there is on culture that gets to take the dubious honor of blowing shit up ... it’s the West.

Bill Maher, said on “Real Time” that liberals need to drop the political correctness regarding Ahmed.

He added that, sure, Ahmed deserved an apology, but school officials weren’t wrong to profile Ahmed as a Muslim.

“For the last 30 years, it’s been one culture that has been blowing shit up over and over again,” Maher said.

Well, that’s odd. Undoubtedly, there have been terrorists under the umbrella of Islam that have “blown shit up.” But if there is one culture that gets to take the dubious honor of blowing shit up the last 30 years,

Among Trump supporters specifically, 54 percent believe Obama is a Muslim.

it’s the West, and more specifically, the United States.

Just since Obama took office, the United States has bombed seven predominately Muslim countries: Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen, Libya, Somalia and Syria.

That also doesn’t account for potential clandestine bombings in the Philippines or U.S.-backed bombings in Gaza or our backing of the Saudis in their current war efforts.

A fact, of which, it should be noted, Obama himself “bragged”

TMS ONLINE

more than 30 years, there are far deadlier examples, including (especially given the Iran nuclear deal talk) dropping two nuclear bombs on a country; the U.S. being the only country to have ever done so, not Muslims.

Not to mention, as Glenn Greenwald of The Intercept pointed out, the U.S. uses or facilitates the use of illegal cluster bombs (there’s the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which 117 countries have joined, the U.S. not being one of them).

One example Greenwald notes: just weeks after Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in December 2009, he ordered a cruise missile strike on al-Majala in southern Yemen. The strike, which included cluster bombs, one designed to scatter 166 “bomblets,” killed 35 women and children, according to The Telegraph.

My point is three-fold when unpacking the “Obama is a Muslim” statement. First, he’s not. Second, even if he were, that shouldn’t be problematic. And third, underwriting the entire premise of that statement is the fear of Muslims and of Islam as being inherently violent or, more hyperbolic, an existential threat to our country.

We should look within at the violence done in our name to Muslims by the U.S. government.

We are the “other.”

We are the terror.

BRETT MILAM

MILAMBC@MIAMIOH.EDU

M I A M I S T U D E N T. N E T

EDITORIAL@MIAMISTUDENT.NET

OPINION 7

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

Walking on eggshells: Being an atheist in a religious society SPIRITUALITY

CONNOR MORIARTY PHOTOGRAPHER EDITOR

KYLE HAYDEN HAYDENKA@MIAMIOH.EDU

Letter demands larger conversation COUNSELING

TO THE EDITOR: I am writing to express my immense gratitude and admiration for Jack Yungblut’s letter last week in which he courageously revealed that he had turned to binge drinking as both a camouflage and form of self-medication for his depression. I very much hope that this brave piece sparks a larger conversation in our community about mental health and the many roots of binge drinking.

Jack is not alone — research has shown that a sizable portion of young people who abuse alcohol and drugs are self-medicating in some way.

I work with survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, many of whom are struggling with intense trauma and mental health issues (such as PTSD) in the aftermath of their assaults. People’s responses to trauma vary: some may withdraw, while others may ‘act out’ and engage in various forms of risky behavior. I have seen desperate survivors turn to alcohol, drugs or even unsafe sex as a way to self-medicate and cope. My anecdotal observations are backed up by research: The World Health Organization estimates that victims of sexual assault are 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol, 26 times more likely to abuse drugs and four times more likely to contemplate suicide than people who have not been assaulted.

People often drink to excess because they are hurting, yet, this is not the lens through which our society generally views binge drinking or other forms of excessive behavior. Too many people — including friends and family, medical professionals and police officers — roll their eyes, cast judgment, and dismiss the self-destructive impulses of

these young people as thoughtless hedonism. I remember cringing last year when I read in the Student a story about the arrest of an undergraduate who had passed out on the floor of a bathroom for the second time that week. The piece was written comically and it was clear we were meant to laugh. But I have to ask, do we have any idea what that student was going through? What if she drank herself to a black out state because she was dealing with severe depression? What if alcohol was the only way she could numb the pain and memory of being sexually assaulted? What if one of her family members had just died? Would we have laughed then?

Brett Milam recently wrote a piece urging students to consider how their excessive drinking can divert the precious resources of the Oxford police and hospital from people and circumstances in greater need. While I don’t disagree that those capable of moderation should exercise it, I think Jack’s letter eloquently conveyed that there are many students trapped in the depths of despair who deserve our concern and help. We need to educate incoming students about how to access resources on mental health support. Campus organizations that encourage excessive drinking have to develop some awareness of how their activities impact susceptible peers. Above all, we as a community need to remember the importance of compassion — because you never really know what someone is going through.

Thank you again Jack, for your courage, and for sparking a conversation that needs to be had.

NADIA DAWISHA

DAWISHNK@GMAIL.COM

Almost 14 billion years ago, all mass and energy that constitute the observable universe expanded from a state of tremendously high density, marking the beginning of time. But how did that energy exist in the first place? What was before the beginning? It is a question that has been asked for centuries, and scientists just don’t know.

And that excites the heck out of me.

Mysteries, confusion, questioning, doubt, discovery — all words that label scientists. Living life at the drawing board, the unknown, feeling discontent with finality, hoping to be proved wrong because of a new discovery or theory.

Here is where I find my tranquility, my excitement, my happiness and my spirituality. I am a secular atheist, but I feel uncomfortable admitting it in today’s religious culture.

I was raised Catholic, I went to Sunday school and I attended a Catholic high school. It was there where I learned more about the religion that had been forced upon me since I was young. And it was then when I finally took a step back to actually think about the idea of a superhuman agency. I understood I could never again believe.

I find contentment in proof: theories that lead to undeniable evidence based on research. I believe in what I see, and to do otherwise makes me uncomfortable. The day I stop asking, “Why?” is the day I do not want to participate in society.

I am not writing this to debate the existence of a god, as I respect other’s beliefs and expect the same in return. I, similar to others who put faith in a god, am happy, and whose right is it to take that away from me?

I do believe, though, that there is an uncomfortable stigma that comes along with being atheist in our culture — a confusion that is easier to

The day I stop asking, ‘Why?’ is the day I do not want to participate in society. ignore than address. Like the pronoun fogginess relating to transgender lifestyle or the police brutality against African Americans, there are gaps in the discussion.

Last week, New Mexico courts took Holly Salzman’s children away from her after she skipped courtmandated Christian counseling sessions, even though she complained to the court that the separation of

church and state was being violated.

Last December, pastor Tim Saffeels of Oregon entered a school property, sat down at a table of eighth graders and insisted they talk religion. After two girls stated they identify as atheist, Saffeels insulted their beliefs and intelligence, calling them “stupid” and “evil.”

Last week, senior economics student Sara Sheppard from Katy, Texas felt uncomfortable when her professor lectured about how, “it is human nature to have a spiritual and religious component, therefore making atheists unnatural and against human nature.” In response, Sheppard recorded the professor’s lectures, sent the recordings to the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and started a movement striving to separate church from the classroom.

Cases like these are popping up often lately. They aren’t necessarily crimes, but they represent judgment, mistreatment, confusion and uncomfortable feelings toward people who do not follow a religion.

A Buzzfeed article was published last week telling the stories of many people from around the world who are atheists living in a religious society. Kacem El Ghazzali from Morocco, Mubarak Bala from Nigeria, and Kelly Freeman from South Carolina are the names of just a few that have ATHEIST »PAGE 8

Beyond the mandatory culture of intoxication ALCOHOL

KYLE HAYDEN DESIGN EDITOR

I caught a guy pissing on my house this weekend. Despite my verbal threats to call the police, waving my cellphone at him, he only stared blankly and said nothing: eyes glazed over, barely conscious, cigarette burning close to the filter in his right hand, the pressed-but-disgusting-looking dress shirt matted over his sagging body, piss stream ricocheting off the shingles of my house.

With desperation I try to come to grips with why men and women our age drink so heavily, leading to these disturbing encounters. More shocking than this guy relieving himself on my house wasn’t his shriveled penis, blatantly visible in the daylight, but his gaze.

I felt I wasn’t communicating with a human, but rather a half-living thing that uses its motor skills to move about only to satisfy basic urges with no respect or sense of responsibility to its surroundings.

Our likeness for getting absolutely plastered originates in the wish to avoid reality, indulging in an alternate, numb state for as long and frequently as possible.

Intoxication has become the only means for engaging in what are considered authentic social interactions, bonding and engagement.

Everything else (read: “Late Night Miami” events) is regarded as “boring” or “cheesy.” Recall also our incessant wish to get alcohol sold at football games. “Watching the game,” participating in the culture that regards violence as normal also requires intoxication to avoid

thinking about the absurdity.

Marie-Louise Fry, a researcher from Griffith University in Queensland, Australia wrote an article titled “Countering consumption in a culture of intoxication,” detailing drinking cultures in Australian colleges. She insists drinking is part of the process of creating an identity. She writes, “The pursuit of determined drunkenness enables opportunities for social interaction and the building of a sense of belonging.”

The student informants in Fry’s study note, “a culture has been created where young people who do not get drunk and ‘party hard’ on a regular basis are considered abnormal,” and that “life is a privilege, I recognize that I don’t want to destroy myself.”

Students who drink heavily and indulge in this alternate reality, a state of rejecting the myriad social, emotional and political problems our generation faces, are in conflict with people who do not drink.

Drinking culture is underscored by a popular television and media culture that upholds disengagement and apathy as the preferred characteristics of a citizen. The viewing activity of sitting motionless in a chair is negated in the narratives of the most popular television shows we “binge-watch” (and what a phrase!).

There have been many television and Hollywood films that employ a “zombie” or “post-apocalyptic” narrative to convey more benign stories of survival or adventure.

However, cultural critics like Henry Giroux and film critics alike have noted the themes

in zombie narratives carry messages of “out of control consumerism,” “a pervasive xenophobia” or “a metaphor suggesting what separates us from all other animals is our ability to think.”

Routines of high volume consumption of alcohol lead to these attitudes of mindlessness and apathy despite the ongoing and apparent consequences. Death, dismemberment, car accidents, choking on your own vomit while passed out in bed and passing out on train tracks are all present in our community.

The beer, liquor and bodies move like clockwork Thursday through Sunday, fueling a veritable machine of intoxication and rejection of reality. Tens of thousands of students move in and out of the most popular bars in Oxford on any given weekend during the school year.

Moreover, our drinking culture is only a blip on the screens of a society positioned for the production of violence. Violence toward the self and to others is the dominant theme advertised through determined drunkenness.

When will it stop?

Have the mechanisms that make intoxication mandatory engulfed the social order of college campuses? If we know these unhealthy and dangerous levels of consumption result in violence, death and injury, why do we still do them? What will it take for us to explore other options that ensure our safety or contribute anything back to our communities?

The only recognizable force produced by our culture of intoxication is destruction of the self, destruction of our friends and destruction of our community.

8 FYI

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

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trouble living their lives because of religious diversity. They live oppressed in society every day.

“It made me so uncomfortable to be surrounded by such heavy Christian influence that I told people in high school I was Jewish so I’d be left alone,” Freeman said.

“Once I joined the Secular Student Alliance at the University of South Carolina, things were a lot easier.

It’s amazing how much easier it can be to navigate hostile environments when you have a community of like-minded people.”

Last week men from Gideon International, a Christian group dedicated to spreading the word of their god, stood on every Miami University campus corner passing out Bibles, discussing Christianity to passersby. And I cannot help but feel like there would be a minor uproar if I were to do the same thing with atheism.

Religious action and commentary is the norm in society — it is written into our Constitution. My friends thank god for their blessings and publicly discuss their anxiousness to be accepted into heaven. Centuries of religious culture has engraved these themes to the point of normality, yet heads turn when I exclaim my disbelief of gods. Should I be afraid to offend people with my lifestyle when theirs are imposed on me every day?

According to the most recent Pew Research Study on religious identifications in the United States, the number of religious people is declining. Between 2007 and 2014 there was an 8 percent drop in people who identify as Christian.

Millennials especially are identifying more and more as atheist or unidentified, proven by a recent Harvard survey that shows more atheist or agnostic students attend

the university than Roman Catholic or Protestant. But then why is the Christian mindset still so dominant in our society?

We live in a time when religiousidentifying people are shrinking and atheist numbers are growing.

This is neither good nor bad, but our culture needs to learn to acclimate to this changing society. Like the post-civil rights movement era or the recent Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage, this is happening and adaptation is crucial.

This change is also not insignificant. Anthropologist Judith Becker popularized the term “habitus,” a way to describe human behavior and the cultural ideologies that inform behavior. We may not realize it, but our social behaviors, emotions and communications are more of a result of our cultural and religious influences than we think.

Religious identification of our culture is an undertone to a lot of what we do, making it an important issue and therefore wrong to ignore.

It may make me uncomfortable to admit to being a secular atheist because of cultural stigmas, but I am proud of it nonetheless. Like Christians, Muslims or any other religious person who finds comfort in their beliefs, I find my happiness and security in science. When I am in astronomy class, I am not much different from a Catholic in church.

Together we need to find tranquility in accepting diversity. In this sense I am a minority, like many others, but we are not different. Discussion needs to spark, normalizing this previously taboo topic. People should not be silenced out of fear to offend or be judged.

Whether you end up in heaven or I end up drifting as dust through the cosmos, today we are coexisting and need to address unnecessary inequality.

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COUNSELING »PAGE 1

9

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22 2015

FROM IRELAND »PAGE 4

geous sights, so many cities lit up in the dark, so many vibrant murals and food markets, so many blue seas — it restored me. I now carry with me the reminder that within great beauty there exists so many other things: coldness, color, loneliness, community, a piece of myself.

Even at my worst, I felt real.

The reality of life — the hard parts that don’t go away — are a condition of humanity. But, I would argue, so is sanctuary. So are those heart-expanding, Cliffof-Moher moments. We have to seek them and we have to let ourselves feel both.

So, you’re shivering at the train station; dirty, broke, hungover, exhausted, and the most alive you’ve ever been. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Barr first went to the counseling services last year in October and November and completed several visits.

“Everyone in the center was really nice and approachable,” she said.

The counseling services keeps information completely confidential by state law. They also offer financial assistance to students who can prove financial need.

“We don’t refuse services to any student because of inability to pay,” Alishio said.

The counseling services provide many free workshops to students with their Feel Better Fast series. Workshops include Stress-Less track, Happiness track, Bouncing Back track and Biofeedback workshop.

The new workshops have been recently added to help students cope with anxiety and depression.

The first three sessions of counseling are free for students, and then each individual session is $25.

member my own state of mind there — I went to the Cliffs of Moher the morning after my roughest night of the semester.

I went there, feeling totally despondent, and stumbled onto sanctuary.

Perched on the rocks, all that Irish folklore made sense. I saw everything as cinematic and in perfect clarity. The cliffs, for me, were free from the ugliness I had accepted as fact. It was a reminder that purity and beauty persists.

In Europe, I was harassed; both literally and sometimes, it felt, by life itself. But there were those reminders.

There were times I felt so incredibly alive I could barely stand it. Seeing so many gor-

FROM EARLY GRADS » PAGE 3

FROM TEXTBOOKS » PAGE 2

FROM FOOTBALL »PAGE 10

year is unnecessary.

“If you can plan ahead and stay on top of things, it should not take five years to finish a bachelor’s degree,” said Linn. “That is where Miami could do better. They need to offer better advising to students who need it.”

Little said she had to strategically plan her class schedule each semester to meet both of her major requirements.

“It definitely takes a lot of planning,” Little said. “I spent a lot of time working the system and planning which classes to take which semester.”

Even though Linn, Little and Rudy were able to finish their degrees early, they would not necessarily recommend it to a student who was getting a basic four-year bachelor’s degree.

“If you can afford to stay a full four years, I would really recommend that,” said Linn. “There are lots of electives I would have liked to have taken but I did not have time for them.”

Little said she believes in having a full college experience.

“I think a lot of Miami students are more invested in having a true college experience,” Little said. “They truly are having the time of their lives, which should never be rushed.”

“If [the class] is on a topic that they’ve bothered to write a textbook on, they tend to be more passionate about it,” said Proctor.

Not all experiences with professors assigning their own textbooks leave students feelings positive, though. Junior Nathan Smith said when writing a book, either the professor teaches passionately on the subject, or they tell you to read the book and it’ll be like going to a lecture.

“If it’s the latter, you feel scammed,” Smith said. “If it’s the former, it’s probably going to be one of the best classes you take.”

still hurt.

“Since I’ve been here, I know how important this game is to Miami faithful, I really do,” he said.

“There’s not a day where I talk to someone and they don’t mention Cincinnati.”

“I don’t know what [UC] thinks.

I don’t care what it means to them.

But it means a lot to Miami, so it means a lot to me. I know we let a lot of people down.”

The loss was especially rough for Kummer, a Cincinnati native.

“It’s tough, honestly, it’s very tough. But you know we gotta watch the film, we gotta get better, we gotta move on.”

A bright spot in the loss is the number of contributors Miami had.

“We definitely had more weapons,” Chuck Martin said.

Sam Martin led receivers with four catches for 124 yards and one touchdown. Redshirt junior Sam Shisso’s only catch was a 21-yard touchdown pass. It was his first career touchdown. Smith also scored his first career touchdown. He scored

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FROM CAREER FAIR »PAGE 4

pressure has turned up to find a job,” LeCompte says. “Everyone, including family, are now asking what I’m doing next year, so I’m trying to at least have something to tell them.”

With a little persistence, he succeeds in finding the Cleveland Indians and Columbus Blue Jackets and plans to meet with both of them again next spring.

“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always been fascinated with baseball and the inner workings of it, like trading players, acquisitions, baseball drafts and international signings,” LeCompte says. “I’ve just always followed it all closely and it’s always been a hobby of mine.”

While LeCompte navigates the chaos for potential employers, endless chatter now greets Perkins’ ears as he saunters past clusters of students. He dons a dark suit, a Christmas gift, he explains, and, though it’s the expected attire, it’s accompanied by an underlying gleam of confidence. twice on two catches for 16 yards.

On the ground, redshirt freshman Kenny Young led with 62 yards on six carries. Redshirt freshman Alonzo Smith notched 13 touches for 57 yards.

All three Miami quarterbacks saw playing time. Kummer led the trio, going 11-for-25 for 176 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.

Freshman Billy Bahl completed 3 of 8 for 52 yards and his first career touchdown pass. Redshirt freshman Gus Ragland had one incompletion and rushed 48 yards on four carries.

On defense, Burris and senior linebacker Kent Kern each totaled 11 tackles, and junior linebacker TJ Williams had 12.

Cincinnati’s Gunner Kiel completed 15 of 26 for 145 yards and a touchdown before leaving early in the third quarter with a head injury.

Moore, his substitute, threw 7-for-14 with two interceptions. Sophomore RB Mike Boone totaled 118 yards and one touchdown on four touches.

Miami closes out non-conference play on the road next Saturday against Western Kentucky University.

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“I’ve been going to these Career Fairs every semester for at least three years, so I feel pretty comfortable with it,” Perkins says. “Once you go in there, there’s always those little pre-show jitters for a little bit, but after the first one or two places that I talk to, my nerves [calm] down and it gets better.”

As the sun sets, the milling crowds at Career Fair begin to dissipate, their suited forms lighter now due to the trail of resumes left in their wake.

Recruiters manning a variety of kiosks scoop up the piles of leftover complimentary stickers and pens, while others hasten to whisk away the vibrant, motivationally worded displays that represented their company all afternoon.

It’s a hectic picture, but one that offers a bounty of benefits for those who put in the time.

“Research the companies that you want to talk to,” Perkins says.

“That way, when you walk up and start talking to them, you know what they’re going to talk about and what they need from you. Then, you can better initiate that conversation.”

FROM COLUMN »PAGE 10

could be the perfect detail — what if there was something symbolic, something meaningful, behind his choice in sock pattern?

I rush out the door and look around for him in the lobby. But he’s already outside, sitting on the golf cart that will take him across campus for dinner.

There are two guys getting a picture with him, and a few more who seem to be lining up to do the same. But I interject as they walk away, stepping up and saying that I have one last question.

“What’s on your socks?”

He looks confused. I point at his feet and clarify, explaining that I was wondering what the pattern was.

“What’s the pattern?” I ask.

Pete Rose leans down, pulls up a pant leg to reveal his sock, and laughs a little.

“I don’t know,” he says in his deep, gravely voice.

I look at his sock. The odd, blue flower-like clusters above his boot. And I still can’t tell what they are.

I back away, stammering an explanation for my ridiculous question, embarrassed and unable to look him in the eye.

Then it occurs to me, I have no reason to be ashamed. Three years ago, I never would have approached Pete Rose with a personal question, let alone a question concerning his choice in a sock pattern.

The journalist in me beams.

I actually asked Pete Rose, the Hit King, what pattern was on his socks.

10 SPORTS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

SPORTS@MIAMISTUDENT.NET

Miami drops 37-33 heartbreaker to Cincinnati FOOTBALL

GRACE REMINGTON SPORTS EDITOR

It’s now been a decade since Miami has won the Battle for the Victory Bell rivalry over University of Cincinnati.

For the third year in a row, Miami (1-2) gave Cincinnati (2-1) the game in the fourth quarter. This time, during MU’s homecoming, it was by a 37-33 score.

The RedHawks led by three points with 4:14 left in the game, but miscues on both sides of the ball allowed UC to seal the victory with an eightplay, 66-yard touchdown drive that left Miami with 1:13 to counter.

“Last drive, we just started doing what bad teams do — start running around like a chicken with your head cut off,” head coach Chuck Martin said. “We’d run all day and we did fine, but when the game’s on the line, championship teams lock in and make the plays, and teams that aren’t championship teams cower under pressure, which we did.”

The game was close throughout.

The Bearcats led 14-7 after one quarter and 24-23 at halftime. After three quarters, it was 30-30.

“We had opportunities,” Martin said. “We’ll vomit when we watch the tape and look at all the stuff we left out on the field.”

Earlier in the second half, junior defensive back Buchi Okafor intercepted redshirt freshman quarterback Hayden Moore, and senior defensive back Bryson Albright recovered two UC fumbles, but the RedHawk offense couldn’t capitalize on the turnovers.

“The defense gave us six drives at the end of the game for us to try to seal the deal, but we didn’t execute,” redshirt senior quarterback Drew Kummer said. “We know we could have won that game.”

Despite the turnovers, redshirt senior defensive back Brison Burris said he saw missed opportunities.

“Making plays is the big thing with any defense,” Burris said. “I feel like if we would have gotten one more turnover, that would have capped off the game. We just gotta fight to the end no matter what.”

“We didn’t see anything that we haven’t seen already. We’ve watched the film, we’ve seen the routes. We just weren’t there to make the play.”

MU redshirt freshman linebacker Brad Earnest intercepted Moore

ANGELO GELFUSO THE MIAMI STUDENT

MU’s Paul Moses and Bryson Albright tackle Cincinnati RB Hosey Williams.

30 seconds into the fourth quarter, giving Miami short field position at the Cincinnati 37. However, the drive ended the way it started — junior safety Zach Edwards intercepted Kummer at the 3-yard line and returned it 29 yards.

UC ran two plays before Albright scooped up Moore’s fumble. Again, the ’Hawks did not take advantage of the turnover: their next two possessions were three-and-outs. “[We] threw that pick when we were in the red zone, and you know,

Martin: Miami football a 1.5 out of 10 FOOTBALL

GRACE REMINGTON SPORTS EDITOR

The RedHawks have improved in every offensive category over the last two seasons: total yardage, points per game, first downs — the list goes on. But according to head coach Chuck Martin, Miami fans shouldn’t get ahead of themselves.

“We’re maybe a 1.5 on a scale of one to 10 as a football team,” Martin said Monday.

His disappointment came after Miami’s 37-33 loss to Cincinnati Saturday, in which the RedHawks blew their three-point lead in the fourth quarter with about four minutes left in the game.

After the game, Martin said he would “vomit” when looking at the game tape.

In the fourth quarter, Miami had three three-and-outs and a turnover.

Miami scored once on a field goal, but that was a less-than-satisfactory result, considering the drive began at

Cincinnati’s 7-yard line.

“Now everybody’s gonna tell [the players] ‘boy, you’re so close,’ ‘boy, you’ve come so far’ which is good … but it’s also bad, because we have to get over the hump at some point.”

Martin’s response to this year’s improvement is no different than his response to last year’s, when MU’s average point differential improved to -9.5 from -25.9 in 2013.

“All our close games got everybody excited a year ago, but we were not a very good outfit,” Martin said after Saturday’s loss.

He said it was “by the grace of God” they were able to stay in those games.

However, Martin said Saturday’s game was the best football the RedHawks have played since his arrival here.

The players were more physical, and there were several contributors on both sides of the ball. Seven players recorded at least one catch, and three running backs carried the ball

at least six times.

The weak areas, Martin said, are execution of plays, understanding game situations and taking care of the ball.

Martin said the team has a long way to go, but he’s excited to see their growth in the next few years.

And that growth will come -— 19 freshmen competed in Saturday’s game, and they put up 308 of Miami’s 448 total offensive yards.

Despite the promise the team shows, Martin’s focus is on the present.

Afterall, University of Wisconsin routed MU 58-0 two weeks ago. The ’Hawks also have the fourth-most yards lost to penalties in the nation, which is usually a product of the overexcited younger players.

“We’re not close,” he said.

“Some people understand how bad we are, but we have to understand how bad we are … If we want to start winning games, we gotta start doing a better job.”

Alexander propels ‘Hawks to 1-0 victory SOCCER

HARRISON SCHWARZ STAFF WRITER

The Miami University women’s soccer team improved to 4-3 on the season after beating Florida Gulf Coast University 1-0 in a marquee win on Friday. FGCU fell to 4-5-1 on the season. The win marked the end of MU’s out of conference schedule.

Head coach Bobby Kramig said he loved the effort his team displayed on the field.

“I was very pleased with how we started the game,” Kramig said. “I thought our first 20 minutes were really good and I was pleased with that. And we did a good job at the end closing them out. I’m very proud of them. We deserved the result.”

The game started slowly, as neither team took until the 11th minute when FGCU sophomore forward Tabby Jindal missed a 20-yard shot.

The Eagles turned up the pressure on the ’Hawks for the next five minutes. They kept the ball pinned in front of Miami’s 18-yard box and

attempted three corner kicks, but did not score.

MU counter-attacked when junior midfielder Stephanie Dillon fed a pass to senior forward and captain Haley Walter on the right side of the box, but Walter missed wide.

Miami scored its first goal in the 20th minute, when sophomore midfielder Katie Alexander received a pass at the top of the box and launched the ball past the goalie’s top shelf on the left side of the net.

It was Alexander’s first collegiate career goal. Senior defender Lauren Kelly and freshman forward Bianca Medancic received assists on the play.

Alexander said she was shocked her shot landed in the net.

“It was by far one of the better shots I’ve had in my life,” Alexander said. “I really surprised myself. I just kicked it as hard as I could and it landed in the back of the net. That was probably my best goal in my soccer career.”

The RedHawks ended the first half leading 3-2 in shots, but FGCU notched all five corner kicks. The Eagles pressed Miami in the second half

and had what seemed to be a golden opportunity in the 56th minute.

FGCU sophomore forward Paulina Speckmaier’s shot deep in the box was blocked, but the rebound bounced directly to senior forward Kaitlin Parker.

Her resulting shot rocketed past MU junior goalie Vic Maniaci, but ricocheted off the crossbar and out of play.

The Eagles outshot the ’Hawks 9-2 in the second half and had four corner kicks to MU’s zero, but could not tally another goal.

The RedHawks’ Sunday game against Wright State University was canceled due to a change in the Raiders’ schedule. The MU-WSU matchup was originally scheduled for Sept. 4, but it was postponed by inclement weather.

After wins against Rice University and FGCU, two of the best teams in Miami’s out-of-conference schedule, the ’Hawks have set themselves up nicely for a showdown with MidAmerican Conference opponents.

MU faces Bowling Green State University Friday in Bowling Green, Ohio and Eastern Michigan University Sunday in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

the ball was on the ground a couple more times,” Kummer said. “But it wasn’t their defense changing it up too much. It was us, the offense. We just gotta execute better.”

Albright’s second fumble recovery set Miami up for a first and goal with 8:44 left in the fourth quarter.

MU didn’t pull through with a touchdown, but senior Kaleb Patterson knocked in a 21-yard field goal to put Miami up 33-30.

Cincinnati took over at their 32yard line and moved their way up the

field. Okafor’s interception gave Miami traction with 5:39 left, but they were forced to punt after three plays.

Again, Cincinnati took over on its own 34 with 4:14 on the clock.

This time, the drive was successful.

After three 14-plus yard passes and a couple runs from junior running back Tion Green, Moore rushed up the middle for a 1-yard TD run. The extra point gave UC a 37-33 lead.

With 1:13 left, Kummer took the field. After two incompletions, he finished a 5-yard pass to sophomore wideout Sam Martin, setting up a fourth and 5 at their own 29.

Kummer opted for a short pass to sophomore tight end Ryan Smith, but UC junior linebacker Eric Wilson deflected it.

Kummer said the only thing going through his mind before the play was getting the first down.

“Then [it was] an incomplete first down,” he said. “We just gotta execute. They called good plays for us.

Just as quarterbacks and receivers, we just gotta execute better.”

Though Chuck Martin said his team played “one thousand percent better” than it did last week, the loss FOOTBALL »PAGE 9

Questioning Rose’s socks COLUMN

BRITTON PERELMAN CULTURE EDITOR

I’m sitting on the very edge in the front row, regretting my choice to wear jeans instead of a skirt or a dress. Everyone else in the room looks much fancier than I do.

When Pete Rose walks in for our small group conference, he picks the chair closest to me. He jokes with Terrence Moore and makes a “Field of Dreams” reference. He’s wearing a white, flat bill Cincinnati Reds hat, a brown striped buttondown shirt and a pair of light tan, worn leather boots.

There is a small number embroidered on his crisp shirtsleeve. 14.

His old baseball number.

As he begins fielding questions, I notice his socks. Every time he shifts in his seat, his pant leg slips above his ankle to reveal a patterned sock.

Pete Rose is in front of me, talking about how he thinks kids should play multiple sports instead of one, the attitude problem plaguing the current Cincinnati Reds team, his views on professional players taking paternity leave, how we should never be satisfied and how the sky is the limit.

Pete Rose is in front of me, cracking jokes about how many times he’s been on the cover of Sports Illustrated, explaining how nervous he was to talk with Babe Ruth’s daughter, and admitting his regrets toward betting on baseball and not earning more than a high

school diploma.

Pete Rose is right in front of me, and I keep wondering about the pattern on his socks.

As people around the room raise their hands and ask thoughtful, well-constructed questions, my mind races to pick something to focus on. I should have prepared more for this.

Should I ask him about “Moneyball” and what he thinks about politics overcoming baseball? Or maybe how he feels about coaches now being able to question umpire calls? Or do I pick a deep question, something about the best moment in his life? Would it even be a moment from his baseball career?

I eventually settle on a question about baseball and why he thinks it, over all other sports, is the American pastime. He talks about the rich history, about 1869, about how a Michael Jordan will never be the same as a Babe Ruth.

His answer makes me smile, even if it wasn’t exactly what I had hoped he would say.

Mine is the last question. The seminar is over — he needs to rush off to the next event on his schedule for the day. He tells a funny story about Willie Mays, we pose for a picture as a group, he makes one last joke about the ideal place to stand in photos, then heads out the door.

I grab my backpack, suddenly convinced that there might be a story behind the pattern on his socks. It PETE ROSE »PAGE 9

STAT OF THE DAY

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The number of games opponents took off Miami women’s volleyball this weekend. The RedHawks swept U WisconsinGreen Bay, Northern Kentucky and IPFW.

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