4 takeaways from Miami’s loss to Cincinnati
KETHAN BABU SPORTS EDITOR
The University of Cincinnati BearRedHawks their second loss of the for the Victory Bell. A prior loss to the Northwestern University Wildcats set the RedHawks up for arguably their toughest game of the season against the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish this weekend.
to get ready for the Fighting Irish. Miami needs all-around improvement from their rush game
Quarterback Brett Gabbert can pass for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns each game, but thely from the lack of a decent run game. Northwestern kept the RedHawks game of the season. Even after a bye 24 rushing yards.
back Rashad Amos from last season, but running backs Jordan Brunson,
Freshman year sucks
SASHA KAPINOS THE MIAMI STUDENT
Three weeks into the semester of college. You may be thinking, “What’s the hype?” Sickness, missing home, trying to piles up with homework and exams.
KISER YOUNG SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
The question scribbled into every teenager’s diary and the driving force behind every young adult’s currently full online shopping cart can be linked back to the age-old question: “How do I look cool?!”
Well, the simple answer to that question is if you want to look cool you have to dress cool, but then there's the other question… “How in the world am I supposed to know if my clothes are cool?”
The easy answer is stay far, far, far away from panda Dunks. In all actuality, style is something that, for better or worse, needs to be worked on one piece at a time. It’s the reason why the kid in your biol-craft hoodie, a pair of JNCOs and the most worn pair of Converses. It’s the reason the girl you’re taking Spanish with looks a little out of place, decked
It feels like you’re alone. No one else is visiting the health clinic as often as you. Everyone is on top of their classes. You look around and see
year, I’m here to tell you you’re not alone. At this point in the year, you may be jumping to the conclusion that college isn’t what it was made out to be and that you want to drop out already. However, dropping out will not solve your issues.
college is unavoidably horrible. You are meant to learn how to live inde-ing your own clinic appointments or doing your laundry. You're meant to between all your clubs, sports, classes and friends. to realize how and when to put your-
Last year, I also thought “What's the hype?” Don’t worry, I didn’t drop out … I found ways to help myself. Joining clubs that relate to your major or what you’re passionate about will help you meet new people, learn more and build connections for your future. With that being said, less is more. You don’t need a giant group of friends to accompany you to the dining hall or spend late nights Uptown with you. And just a tip … eating at the dining hall alone is completely normal. As you progress through your
time in your life that prepared you for building block for the rest of college. So right now, live through the sickness, live through the awkward friend groups and live through the piles of homework. Your sophomore, junior and senior year-self will always thank you for the lessons you kapinoav@miamioh.edu
out in the latest matching sweatsuit, a forced attempt at a necklace stack of mixed metals, colorful eye makeup and an odd placement for a “dainty/ vintage” looking bow. In terms of fashion, style is something you have to earn stripes for, and where better to build your own personal style than a college campus?
STELLA POWERS ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR AND ASST. CULTURE EDITOR
ISABELLA OLIVAS THE MIAMI STUDENT
The new semester brings busy dining halls, crowded sidewalks and large groups of traveling students. This year, however, the groups may linger longer than usual.
ple Dining Hall or squeezing in the back of a lecture hall could be a long-term issue. Bethany Perkins, assistant vice president and director of admission, said that at the start of
students. This has caused complications that concern campus comfort and practicality.
apply, with this year’s acceptance
year students. Perkins said it is wonderful for it does when many other schools are not meeting their goals.
“It’s not something that we should take for granted each year,” Perkins said. “It takes a lot of hard faculty to make the prospective students and families feel welcome at the entire university community understands the importance of showing people how wonderful Oxford is and treating people well.”
Despite the increase in the number of students on campus, Perkins lower than it has been, having de-
Is it bad to hop on “trending” waves of clothing? No, it’s actually smart to copy or mimic things that have been deemed eye-catching by the public, but when every piece is bought for the sole purpose of making a statement, it becomes posed or even tacky.
said. The parking truck, with cameras on top, processes each license plate it passes, and then the plate is automatically run through the system to verify that it’s linked to a permit. This is why the license plate facing outward is vital in permit parking lots.
ami, said he recognizes that tickets are expensive.
TAYLOR STUMBAUGH SENIOR CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR
CHLOE MCKINNEY
CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR
KETHAN BABU SPORTS EDITOR
SAM NORTON
OPINION EDITOR
CHLOE SOUTHARD CULTURE EDITOR
TEDDY JOHNSON HUMOR EDITOR
SAM NORTON GREENHAWKS EDITOR
OLIVIA MICHELSEN DESIGN EDITOR
KISER YOUNG SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
STELLA POWERS ANNA REIER
AUSTIN SMITH
ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITORS
STELLA POWERS
ASST. CULTURE EDITOR
JEFFREY MIDDLETON
ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
TAYLOR POWERS
ASST. OPINION EDITOR
ADAM SMITH
BUSINESS MANAGER
FRED REEDER JR. FACULTY ADVISER
SACHA BELLMAN
BUSINESS ADVISER
AIM MEDIA MIDWEST PRINTER
“I didn’t set that price,” Rosenberger said. “But if you look at other universities their permits are usually more expensive, so ours are less exJunior arts entrepreneurship and management major Anna Carine, who has received multiple parking citations in the Millett lot, said she
“Getting to the parking lot and seeing so many student’s cars with $75 tickets left a really bad taste in my mouth,” Carine said.
Each year Miami also collects approximately $1.2 million from parking permits sales to faculty, students and visitors.
Rosenberger said Miami sells approximately 3,000 student parking passes per year out of the 3,500 student parking spaces available. The three main parking lots for students include Millett, Ditmer and Chestnut. Semester parking passes for these yellow lots cost $100.
Rosenberger said most of the $1.9 million is used for restriping parking spaces, resurfacing, maintaining the garage gates, paying for parking software, paying for parking meters, paying hourly wage and paying the
service phone calls. The university
First years living more than 200 miles away are allowed to bring cars to campus. Those students, and many sophomores, buy most of the parking permits.
“I think that $200 per year and $100 per semester is crazy when the parking isn’t even that great,” Harmon said. “It just feels like a way for people to make more money.” One semester parking permit costs $25 more than a parking citation.
“That’s alarming. I feel like it shouldn’t almost match the price of the permit,” Carine said.
In the three years since Rosenberger has overseen parking, he has made multiple policy changes after hearing feedback. A parking advisory board with parking personnel, students and professors meet two to three times per year to discuss parking related issues.
“We kind of juggle this struggle of trying to keep people happy,” Rosenberger said, “so I like to get as much input as I can and then adjust.”
The available parking lots are all on the outskirts of campus with metered parking being the main option
near The Shriver Center and Armstrong Student Center.
Harmon said the lack of parking
“There should be more parking because you can only park in certain lots and in certain places at certain times, and if you’re paying $200 for that there should be more parking,” Harmon said.
Rosenberger also agrees that more parking in the center of campus would be helpful.
“There’s not a good centralized parking lot, but I wish there was,” Rosenberger said. “I wish we had a giant parking garage in the center of campus, that would be amazing, it would make my job easier and make everyone happier.”
school year, Miami issues warnings instead of citations, unless a car is safety risk.
“I think we’re getting there,” Rosenberger said, “but it’s not perfect obviously if we’re bringing that kind of money in from citations.”
mathurs3@miamioh.edu
Awards
2023 and 2024 Corbin Gwaltney Award Best AllAround Student Newspaper in the large school category
2023 Ohio Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Best Journalism Contest — First Place in the Best College Newspaper category
2024 Ohio Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Best Journalism Contest — Second Place in the Best College Newspaper category
2024 Ohio News Media Association Awards – First Place in Collegiate Opinion Writing
2024 Ohio News Media Association Awards – First Place in Collegiate Sports Coverage in the large school category
University should be the place through shrunken down closets and into the random corners of a dorm or apartment and really sort out the pieces that make you feel like you. For some, that may require getor, for the small few, placing the new set of pashminas in the donation bin after realizing you can’t easily incorporate an eclectic headscarf into your everyday attire.
Clothes
OPD responds to numerous reports of unconscious individuals
ADAM SMITH BUSINESS MANAGER
Between Sept. 9 and Sept. 16, Oxford police responded to 20 incidents, according to the Oxford Police Department’s reports.
On Sept. 10 at 2:00 p.m., in the 100 block of E. High St., an individual reported that he delivers grocerday before when picking up an order from one of the businesses, he discovered that someone was using his name for an order. There are no suspects at this time.
At 2:35 p.m. on Sept. 11, in the were called for a report that two females were passed out near a vehicle
in a parking lot. Drugs and paraphernalia were found in the vehicle.
On Sept. 12 at 2:18 a.m., in the 10
passed out in the grass outside of a Uptown business. She was found to be intoxicated, underage and in possession of a fake driver’s license. She was taken to the hospital and
At 10:12 a.m. on Sept. 14, at the intersection of E. Church St. and pedestrian for an open container violation. The subject was found to be underage and was charged for both
Later that same day at 8:40 p.m., in the 300 drive of S. Locust St., two
juveniles confronted another group of juveniles while at a local park. One of the juveniles left the scene and as the other was leaving one of the other individuals assaulted him.
On Sept. 15 at 2:54 a.m., in the were called for a man who was sleeping in his car outside of an uptown residence. He was found to be intoxicated in the driver’s seat and was arrested.
At 4:50 a.m. on Sept. 15, in the 500 block of S. Poplar St., an individual reported an unconscious male in front of a residence. He was found cited him for disorderly conduct. smith646@miamioh.edu
Perkins said colleges and univerwith declining high school graduation rates and international student enrollment. However, Miami’s enrollment has remained high.
Jill Mignery, a geology professor at Miami, said she hasn’t noticed a 100-level geology class is almost always at capacity. The course is part of the Miami Plan, which contributes to the demand.
However, Mignery said she has heard many students discussing the Miami. Some of the students had tried taking 100-level courses in the couldn’t until their sophomore or junior year due to high demand.
Though she doesn’t have experience with these issues personally, Mignery said she thinks it has the potential to become a problem.
lematic when looking at less frequent-
er semester or once a year, and if it’s that might cause some issues when
you have a high student demand for those courses.”
Mignery said that in her experience, students pay better attention in the smaller classes. Because of this, a potential increase in class could cause larger attendance issues.
Miami Plan classes are not the only courses witnessing increased class density. Molly Love, a sophomore diplomacy and global politics major, said one of her classes is more packed than she expected.
“My disability studies class (DSC 375) probably has close to every seat
Love’s program typically does not witness high numbers of declared students. With concentrated classes experiencing higher student enrollment, the reactions can sway from positive to negative.
Love expressed her content for Miami, but remained cautiously optimistic in her response.
“I feel like it could be a problem soon,” Love said,“but I’m glad that it’s not a problem currently.” powers40@miamioh.edu olivasid@miamioh.edu
Associated Student Government elects new members to the Senate Restructuring Committee
to the university senate and are in search of a student trustee to represent Miami University. Applicants must be Ohio residents, and the appointment is for two years. Governorpointment.rocki and Rivas to the Steering Committee in the uncontested election.
“I’m very passionate about making sure that student government is serving students, but also that everyone in student government is taking
will appoint one senator
care of themselves,” Rivas said. Alford said special elections for senator openings are coming up. Packets open on Sept. 23 and can be found on ASG’s website or Instagram page. ASG’s next meeting is at 6 p.m. on Sept. 24 in the Joslin Senate Chamber.
grovergc@miamioh.edu
CAMPUS & COMMUNITY
Transporting children to and from school can be one of the biggest challenges parents face. While school buses can help parents with this problem, some Talawanda students don’t have this option.
The Talawanda School Board’s decision to pass ‘one-tier’ busing in March 2023 eliminated busing for high school students and children within two miles of the school they attend. The decision left some children without rides, forcing some to walk to school or even consider homeschooling. Due to the high demand for student transportation, Talawanda alumnus Brian Urell decided he wanted to do something about it. Urell, owner of Fedora Transporta-
tion, initially created his company to generally aid those in need of transportation in Oxford, but he has since expanded its services to include Talawanda students.
“There are a lot of people in Oxford that need access to transportation for any number of reasons,ent things,” Urell said. Before Talawanda’s busing cuts, Urell’s clientele mainly consisted of Miami University students.
“When I was coming up with the concept for the business, it was going to be primarily student-oriented, but not exclusive to students,” Urell said. “If I prevent them from driving drunk, and give them another alternative where they can plan ahead with that, then that takes it from putting other people at risk, to knowing
that you can go out and come home safe.”
Now, Fedora Transportation offers rides to Talawanda students for $10 per trip. Although the demand for transportation increased after the decision, Urell said he has enough vehicles to help those students who need transportation.
“If I can put those vans to work during the day and also use them at resource,” Urell said. “It also presents an opportunity for me to provide access for people, again, who don’t necessarily have it or have time constraints, to be able to provide service, to take kids to school.”
Urell said he understands that many parents may have safety concerns with the service. He said all vehicles go through inspections twice a year and are equipped with dual cam-
‘Voting matters’: US embassy in Luxembourg educates students on how to vote while abroad
ANNA NEWLIN THE MIAMI STUDENT
Despite some Miami University students’ decision to study abroad for the fall 2024 semester, they will still have the opportunity to vote in the upcoming United States presidential election in November.
The U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg briefed students studying at the Miami in Luxembourg program at the John E. Dolibois European Center (MUDEC) on the overseas voting process at an assembly on Aug. 30.
The embassy shared information about requesting an absentee ballot,lines and requirements, bringing blank voter registration and absentee request forms.
With the upcoming election having presidential candidates on the ballot, many voters want their vote to count, even from abroad.
Kylie Brosey, a senior organizational leadership major, voted fortial election. She said it’s important to vote no matter where you are, and
absentee ballot and locating deadlines is an overseas voter’s responsibility.
“I am still a part of democravoting,” Brosey said. “I am coming back to the U.S. in December, and I want my vote to count for when I get back.”
The voting process for overseas states as voters have to be prepared to independently educate themselves on the voting process.
Consul for the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg Kendra Arbaiza-Sundal shared information on requesting an absentee ballot, how to returnments. Arbaiza-Sundal said students need to be prepared to vote early due states and because mail can take several weeks to reach its destination.
Elle Seller, a junior developmental psychology major, said she willcoming presidential election.
“The consul from the embassy was able to tell me what I needed to do and how I needed to do it,” Sell-
er said. “So they laid out the whole process for me. I knew I needed an absentee ballot request form, I just didn’t know how to get it so they showed me that and brought some
If a student forgets to request an absentee ballot and is eligible to vote, absentee ballot. This form allows for their federal vote to count, but it’s up to the individual to educate themselves on who the candidates are. These forms can be used in some states for local elections as well, but state.
The U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg told MUDEC students they are always available to assist with voting questions and left materials and forms for additional resources at MUDEC.
“Voting matters – it doesn’t matter if you are in the U.S. or overseas,” Arbaiza-Sundal said. “We want to make sure that whether people are serving in the military, studying abroad or working overseas they are able to vote and participate in democracy.”
getting to and from school,” Urell said. “We’ll pull into the driveway at houses and watch to make sure that the kid gets in through the door and walks inside instead of just dropping
ing sure that the kids are safe.”
Fedora also has policies in place for student conduct. Students must agree to not partake in any drugs, violence, harassment or bring any weapons into the vehicle. Failure to comply will lead to suspension from the service.
Urell said he is frustrated with the board’s decision and sympathizes the change.
“I know the struggles that we had,” Urell said. “We went through pay to play, [and] we had limited options in
school district. I would like to see, at some point in the future, the school
Although the cost may be high for families, Urell said he is looking for other ways to make the price of his rides less burdensome.
eras to ensure his clients’ safety as well as to make sure policies and regulations in place are being followed. .
“If there’s an accident or something like that, then we can determine who’s at fault based on the video footage,” Urell said. “It also looks backwards into the vehicle itself and will be mounted enough to show the driver at all times, so that the parents kid, the driver is never going to get out of the driver’s seat.”
In addition to vehicle safety, Fedora Transportation requires that all drivers go through a criminal background check and must be approved by the Oxford Police Department and the City of Oxford. Drivers are also checked in the National Sexual Predator database.
“I want all the children to be safe and to have a consistent way of
“I know that parents have their “Asking for someone to pay $100 a week for me to drive their kid to and grant money for that, then I’ll use the grant money towards that and be ableden on them and still be able to provide service.”
Fedora Transportation is expecthigh school students during the winter. While the business is still in the building phase, it aims to continue chasing down leads to meet the community’s needs.
Urell said he is open to community support and is inspired by the business’s potential to support the community.
cwiakag@miamioh.edu
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County struggles to recruit volunteers after pandemic
ter-school program three years ago.
MCHENR THE MIAMI STUDENT
Every Monday during the school year, Gavin Boling, a nine-year-old student at Kramer Elementary, stays after school for an extra couple hours.
Gavin is a “Little Brother” in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America that pairs mentors with kids under 18. These mentors are called “Big Sisters” or “Big Brothers” and are assigned a “Little” based on mutual interests and backgrounds.
Molly Reinhart, a senior kinesiology major at Miami University and Big Sister to Gavin, heard about the at Mega Fair. Reinhart said when she saw how much the organization needed volunteers, she felt compelled to help.
“There was such a big need for Bigs to match with Littles because there were so many kids on the waitlist,” Reinhart said.
According to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County website, the county has 64 kids, like Gavin, who are still waiting to match with a mentor. Scott Stephens, the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler Countough but it’s even harder since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We always struggle to get adult volunteerism has dropped since COVID,” Stephens said. “So there’s out, doing things in their community and giving of themselves.”
Gavin started attending the af-
His mother, Valerie Potts, said she put Gavin in the program because she wanted him to have someone other than herself that he could talk to.
Since being matched with Reinhart, she has noticed a positive change in her son.
grown into himself a little bit.”
When Gavin sees Reinhart, they work on homework, play outside and do activities together. Gavin said some of his favorite things to do with Reinhart are building with Legos and playing checkers on the board she got him for his birthday.
“I build a helicopter, airplane, McDonald’s … And we also play checkers,” Gavin said.
Reinhart said she loves being a Big Sister because she enjoys watching Gavin as he learns and grows. She defriendship rather than a brother-sister dynamic.
“I like to think that I’m a friend to him,” Reinhart said, “and [I like] that he’s comfortable telling me things about his family and things that are bothering him at school.”
Stephens said that the rewards for college students in the program are immense. He said he believes volunteering for the program can change people’s lives, even if they don’t real-
as a person,” Stephens said, “as you learn how to negotiate things, as you make a child a priority, as you try to you grow as a person as well.”
mckinn15@miamioh.edu mchenrvg@miamioh.edu
ANYA CWIAK
THE MIAMI STUDENT
CAMPUS & COMMUNITY
A cause worth a ‘paws’
Zorro, a three-month-old black lab, wagged his tail as he walked with his sitter, Laurel Logemann, toward Miami University’s Armstrong Student Center. Logemann would be spending the next few hours preparing him for his future service as a guide dog.
Logemann, a sophomore majoring in elementary education, looks after Zorro part-time as a member of Paws for a Cause, a student organization that allows members to care for service dogs in training. According to their website, their foremost goals include supporting the organization
through fundraising, raising awareness for their cause and ensuring the health of the dogs while reinforcing their training.
Logemann trained Zorro with that allow him to assist people with morning by practicing commands and guidework, walking with Zorro in small laps and using phrases such as “Sit!” or “Down!” This extended to more complex training such as handling and leg lifts, which helped Zorro get used to occasions like going to the vet.
However, Zorro’s work isn’t done yet.
Logemann said that outside of
Faculty Alliance of Miami progresses toward a new contract
FAM believes academic freedom is one of the most important issues on its docket and that a policy in regards to it should be in their contract.
ASSISTANT CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY
The Faculty Alliance of Miami (FAM) has continued negotiating with upper university management toward a contract ensuring fair raises and more academic freedom.
FAM, unionized in 2022, works on various important issues in the prospective contract including pay raises and back pay. Cathy Wagner, English professor and contract action team co-chair for FAM said the union’s main priority is to protect the rights and integrity of the faculty and soon,” Wagner said. “I am nervous about making predictions, but we have been at this for over a year. Given the things we have left to decide, there is no reason for us not to wrap up this fall. It all depends on management.” Over the summer, FAM came to an agreement with management onin higher education and follows nine negotiated by FAM, including issues regarding fair compensation, job security and information on using new technology.
“[The alliance] has also reached an agreement on a memo of under-
in the country, in higher education, Kulbaga, communications and social media chair for FAM, said.
“[Academic freedom] prevents us teach or because of what we publish,”
Kulbaga said. “And it’s something that should be crucial to management too.”
FAM continues to push for raises
rate, which contrasts with the management’s annual 1.25% increase. Although FAM has made major strides
Kulbaga said there is still a long way to go.
Wagner said the union members believe that their work is central to the educational mission of the university, and they should be recognized as such through compensation.
The upper administrators at Miami’s salaries have increased by 30% or more since 2016, [while the faculty] has not seen that kind of increase at all,” Kulbaga said.
Members of the union continue to feel frustrated as they have not received any raises since 2022, Wagner said.
“There is something really sad about the university not accepting the raise proposal,” Wagner said. “One of pay, especially the faculty that retired last year. If we win back pay the retirees will win back pay. It’s egregious if [the university] doesn’t do it.”
mereneak@miamioh.edu reieram@miamioh.edu
Stevenson, a senior majoring in software engineering, joined year on campus. Initially drawn in by the opportunity to interact with dogs, Stevenson said their mission statement encouraged her to commit.
“I heard that they use dogs to help people from various disability communities, and I was very interested in that cause, and how dogs can be used to help people,” Stevenson said.
After serving as the organization’s treasurer during her sophomore and junior years, Stevenson started her senior year as president of Paws for a Cause.
As Logemann sat with Zorro in Armstrong, a student asked if he was a service animal and if she could pet him. With permission, the student gave Zorro a few pats on the head and went on their way.
Members said raising awareness is a large part of training service dogs, and they take every opportunity to educate people about service animals through open events or even interactions in public.
regular training sessions, one of the most important parts of a service dog’s time with Paws for a Cause is their exposure to public settings. Caregivers take their dogs wherever they can in order to get them familiar with being around larger groups of people, whether it be in a classroom, walking around campus or even in the middle of Armstrong. The organization also has social outings for all members (including the dogs) to attend, having already held more than 20 events during the summer.
tion, and I think we go to the aquarPresident Emily Stevenson said.
Members like Stevenson and Logemann also emphasize the importance of courtesy and respect when talking about awareness. While they are willing to let other people ask questions about their dogs or even pet them at times, the professional boundaries of service dogs are crossed on occasion.
“There will be people who will just walk up to you and pet your dog and not ask or forget the handler is there,” Logemann said, “and that’s kind of harmful to our training.”
This kind of activity can distract the dogs from their responsibilities, which isn’t something that they can handler’s health could be at risk.
“We don’t always say ‘yes’ when people ask us to pet, and I think that
kind of helps because then we can have a conversation with that person,” Stevenson said.
Moreover, Stevenson remarked on the organization’s success with fundraising endeavors, having raised enough money to buy a park for their service dogs. According to an article by The Miami Student, Paws for a Cause had raised more than $60,000 in 2021 to fund the park. The Paws for a Cause Service Dog Park was completed in 2023 and can be foundicated space for service dogs and service dogs-in-training to play. It is also open to anyone who handles them, including students, Oxford citizens and even visitors. For members like Lauren Devney, the relationships built between members breathes life into Paws for a Cause. The love they share for these dogs and their passion for their futures drives the progress that they make.
“It’s ‘Doing whatev-fur it takes,’ which is really true across campus about the community that we build to support each other with these dogs because you’re in college, you have on, and then while also taking care of a living, breathing creature,” Devney said.
Devney, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, joined Paws for taken care of service dogs in training both as a sitter and full-time as well as served as the organization’s awareness chair during her sophomore and junior years. She even adopted Colprogram.
“I really found a community of people who both support me, my dogs that I’ve raised, and I met some lifelong friends, like my current roommate,” Devney said.
bowsers2@miamioh.edu
Dining halls transition to new management, issues rise across campus
ANNA REIER
ASST. CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY EDITOR
This past spring, Miami University transitioned from Aramark to Chartwell Higher Ed for on-campus dining. As the fall semester got underway, complaints arose across campus regarding the food.
Reports have swirled around Miami parent Facebook pages, with complaints ranging from limited options to undercooked pizza. In one instance, a student reportedly found a worm in a dish from Bell Tower Commons.
Geno Svec, senior director of dining services, sent out a statement to parents through email addressing the concerns with food quality and selection on campus.
“We did experience a broccoli worm that made it through the wash and prep process that is in place,” Svec wrote. “I addressed the concern
with the student directly. We have prep process.”
In the same email, Svec addressed the undercooked pizza that was reportedly being served to students, citing “an equipment probbe retrained to “know what to look for moving forward.”
ing major, said her meals have been satisfactory, contrary to complaints received by dining services.
“I think the dining halls have been pretty good so far,” Adam said. “But I wish they changed it up more: It’s the exact same thing every time I go and I wish there were a few more healthy options. The quality isn’t what I’m used to at home, but it’s not all bad.”
Svec also addressed the selection available to students in his email.
“Food items not available during a busy lunch or dinner service have
been a missed opportunity at times,” Svec said. “At times it may appear that we are out of certain food items. Be assured that the dining team is producing more during this time.”
atory studies major, also struggles with the selection of food at the dining hall.
there,” Lovett said. “I wish they had more protein options for the salads. Also, the ice cream isn’t that good.” Both Lovett and Adam had heard about the insect found at Bell Tower,hand.
In fact, Lovett noted that it’s her favorite on-campus dining location.
“Personally, I have never come across a bug,” Lovett said. “All of the food I have gotten has been really good. If anything, I’m getting sick of it because I eat it so often.”
reieram@miamioh.edu
SOLOMON BOWSER
THE MIAMI STUDENT
THE FACULTY ALLIANCE OF MIAMI WORKS ON ISSUES RANGING FROM PAY RANGE TO ENSURING ACADEMIC FREEDOM. PHOTO PROVIDED BY FAM
Preview: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs the Miami RedHawks
LAUREN SCHULZE THE MIAMI STUDENT
This Saturday, Sept. 21, the Miami against the No. 17 University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish in their iconic stadium for Miami’s third game of the season.
The Fighting Irish currently hold a 2-1 record, winning against Texas A&M University in week one and Purdue in week three. Their one loss came from another Mid-American Conference (MAC) team, the Northern Illinois University Huskies. The Huskies’ victory earned them a national ranking at No. 23. Despite that loss, the Fighting Irish have been a dominant force this season, pummeling Purdue University 66-7 last week.
“They are insanely talented,” head coach Chuck Martin said at a press conference Monday. “They’ve done a great job recruiting, [and] they play really hard. They know what they’re doing.” tough loss to the University of Cincinnati Bearcats last weekend. However, the team is not letting it shake group’s mindset heading into the big game.
“We’re not going to harp on it,” Coldiron said. “We’re not going to focus on it. Yeah, everyone is upset, but we’re going to move on, focus on this week. That’s how you play football.”
Bouncing back after a loss is always a challenge, especially with a powerhouse like Notre Dame up next. Playing in such a legendary stadium
can be intimidating, especially for the underclassmen.
“For some of our younger guys, a sold-out crowd in front of a ranked team,” Coldiron said. “But we just have to focus on football, not the crowd or the noise. Once the game starts, I think we’ll settle in.”
Martin echoed this sentiment while also expressing excitement about playing at Notre Dame, given his lifelong fandom for the team.
“It’s an awesome opportunity for us and a really cool experience to go to any type of venue like that,” Martin said. “We’re going to the best venue on the planet.”
The RedHawks last faced the a 52-17 defeat. Miami lost momentum early in the contest, letting Noquarter.
The two teams have met three times dating back to 1909. The Fighting Irish hold a 2-1 advantage in the series with the RedHawks. Miami won 13-0 against them in 1945.
The RedHawks face a big challenge this Saturday in one of college football’s most iconic venues. However, while Notre Dame has demonstrated its talent and strength this season, the team are determined to bounce back with renewed focus and resilience.
The odds may seem steep, but the RedHawks are ready to seize the opportunity and prove themselves on one of the biggest stages in the sport.
Saturday. The game will be televised on NBC. schulzlc@miamioh.edu
What I’ve learned from my first fantasy football league
SOFIA CENTRELLA THE MIAMI STUDENT
If you couldn’t tell from the unpacked jerseys from last season or in the air, week three of the NFL is here.
Fans will return to their teams irrespective of last season’s outcome and are optimistic about what this year will bring. And if their team can’t bring home the win, they’ll shift their ambitions to their fantasy football teams.
For many, fantasy leagues are no joke. Some rate their league buy-ins highly, with payouts of hundreds of dollars awarded to winners. And I’m sure we all have an idea of what is expected to happen to league losers by the end of the season.
ball, there was a lot I didn’t know about the process, and there is still a lot I have to learn. Luckily, I do not have the pressures of impending public humiliation weighing down on me if I take last place.
Considering I joined both of my leagues an hour before draft time, it probably would have been a good idea to do some preliminary research before committing. I wish I spent more time studying the current landscape of the NFL before my
draft. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy didn’t watch enough of it last year to give me an edge going into this year’s draft. However, if there is something I have picked up on, it’s that fantasy football is incredibly unpredictable.
Some players may be ranked as high-priority picks, but they end up underperforming. San Francisco 49ers running back Christian Mc-
all draft pick to the injured reserve.
If it weren’t for the help of my friends, I would have fallen victimstinct was to select Joe Burrow in round one, but I was sternly advised not to do that. Running backs and wide receivers take priority in the early rounds, and picking up strong players in those positions is deeply I also learned that you don’t want to draft two non-quarterback players from the same team because and generate points each week. Kickers and defenses are better left to the end of the draft to be picked, too. Something I’m still trying to wrap my head around is the waiver wire. This feature allows you to pick
up any unclaimed players at the end of the week, but whoever shows interest in that
ority according to
As the
progresses, I plan to learn how to utilize that to my
vantage. Despite the learning curve, I have had a great time participating in fantasy football so far this
I’m more motivated to
and
ting
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and
Miami basketball looks to 5 returning sophomores for MAC dominance in 2024
KETHAN BABU SPORTS EDITOR
The third season of the Travis Steele era is approaching, and the Miami University RedHawks men’s basketball team is prepared to fully capitalize on its experienced roster. Last year, the RedHawks boasted
one of the nation’s youngest teams in college basketball with the average
Mekhi Cooper and Evan Ipsaro averaging more than 20 minutes a game.
While several players are missing this year, including leading scorer Anderson Mirambeaux, the Red-
Hawks can rely on their rising sophomores, including Cooper and Ipsaro, to lead the six newcomers.
“Those guys had to grow up quickly because they were put into situations and roles where they had to be kind of frontline guys right away,” associate coach Jonathan Holmes said.
“We had an interesting mixture of a team last year, from youth to experience. Those guys that are all returning from last year got a lot of great experience playing early, and I think that’ll serve us well.”
The RedHawks’ 2023-24 campaign concluded with a 15-17 overall weeks of the regular season, Miami held on to the fourth seed, but backto-back losses pulled them to the seventh.
The University of Akron Zips waitMAC tournament, and they handed the RedHawks a 75-63 loss that sent them back to Oxford.
Despite the underwhelming conclusion to the year, the 2024 season saw an improvement from the previous year. Steele arrived as the head
The experience on this year’s ros-
and with transfers such as Kam Craft from Xavier University and Antwone Woolfok from Rutgers University, the team doesn’t need to rely on players who haven’t played college basketball before.
However, the holes left by Mirambeaux, Darweshi Hunter and Bryce Bultman were something that Steele and Holmes needed to address in the
“We’re losing some guys that obviously gave us a scoring punch and were big parts of what we’ve done
“In my experience over the years, guys always emerge. With every new team, it gives other guys an opportunity to have bigger roles than they had the previous year.”
One player that will step up for the RedHawks this year is Eian Elmer, who contributed 223 points, the season. For Elmer, the players joining Mione thing in common: a shared interest in pushing Miami to that next step in the postseason.
“As far as I can tell, everybody here is committed to [getting better],” Elmer said. “We don’t have any people that are half in. We’ve been working a lot on our principles that are going to Incoming transfer Peter Suder established himself at Miami during and the other new players arrived at Miami, the veteran RedHawks ensured that the team’s chemistry was established early.
Suder said. “I think overall, [I’m] super comfortable here. It’s like an athome feeling. All the guys are super great.”
Miami’s schedule features some big names, including the University of Michigan Wolverines and the Indiana University Hoosiers. The non-conference slate excites Elmer, but he believes every game is equally important.
“We’re just looking to make a point [in] every game we play,” Elmer
said. “I would say those two games [Michigan and Indiana] and the non-conference ones I feel have us more excited. Conference-wise, every game matters, it doesn’t matter who it is.”
The Indiana game is notable for Suder, who played previously at Bellarmine University and grew up in Indiana. Suder said the opportunity to play at Assembly Hall is something the Red and White. Conference play begins in early January, and with the way the MAC is set up, the crown is up for grabs. There haven’t been back-to-back conference champions since the Univer2019 tournaments.
Late in January, the RedHawks
Kent State University Golden Flashes by one point for the MAC championship last March. Miami travels to Kent State one week before Akron visits Oxford.
The University of Toledo Rockets will meet Miami at Millett in mid-February. The Rockets were
to the Golden Flashes.
The conference rankings shift each year, and with the roster Miami has, Elmer believes the team has a real chance of winning the MAC in 2025.
“I always think that the MAC is a competitive league,” Elmer said. “As far as I can tell, the MAC is up for grabs, just like it was last year. I think the team we have now has a huge chance to win the MAC regular season and a championship.”
babukc2@miamioh.edu
GRAPHIC BY MADELINE BUECKER
GRAPHIC BY CAITLIN DOMINSKI
Kethan Babu, Sports Editor
Paving the way: Oxford Area Trails connect the community
JOEY SKOLNY
THE MIAMI STUDENT
Oxford boasts many well-known features: brick streets, bagel sandwiches steamed to perfection, higher education opportunities and much more. Oxford Area Trails System (OATS), the city’s winding and intricately paved trail system that connects people, nature and recreation, looks to be the next line on the list.
While the trail is still an ongoing project, some of the most recent developments have worked towards connecting the community with its schools. This past August, the construction and now connects to Talawanda High School, taking change in busing for the high school.
Jessica Greene, Oxford’s assistant city manager, said connecting the trails to Oxford’s neighborhoods has been a huge accomplishment and goal of the project.
“Getting these neighborhoods connected to parks and schools for both transportation important to me,” Greene said.
As the city looks to continue work on the trails into the future, challenges still remain. From route planning to grant writing and community discussions, the process requires many steps. One of the future plans includes connecting each end of the trail to make a complete loop. To do this, the path needs to weave through the neighborhood-dominated northwest corner of the city.
Ann-Eliza Lewis, an Oxford resident of 12 years, said interactions with the community need to be a part of the process.
“I
SARAH KENNEL STAFF WRITER
Every morning since May 2023, three retired Miami University professors have spent their mornings in the woods constructing the newest section of a boardwalk, more than 1,000 feet long. Apart from a fourmonth break in the winter, this routine has been consistent. They expectathon on Sept. 21.
The boardwalk, in Ruder Preserve, just across from Leonard G. Howell Park, is part of a project by the Three Valley Conservation Trust group with more than 24,000 acres of land in Southwest Ohio. The three professors, Mark Boardman, Tom Farmer and Steve Nimis, hope the site will be a more accessible way for people to enjoy nature.
The project focuses on complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The boardwalk is wide enough for multiple wheelchairs, and includes turnaround areas, bumpers and benches every 150 feet.
Boardman, a board member of Three Valley Conservation, said this goal was partially inspired by the newest ADA-friendly OATS trail. Another motivator for Boardman was his father-in-law, who used a walker and was largely housebound because of this.
“If we were going to build it, we
wanted it to be accessible,” Boardman said.
Project volunteer and former professor Nimis also had a personal connection to the project and hopes that his niece, who uses a wheelchair, is able to visit.
The goal of ADA compliancy drew in donors such as Duke Energy, Dayton Disability, Adam’s Legacy and the Wakeman Foundation.
The team aims for the project to promote conservation as well as accessibility.
Project manager and former professor Farmer has placed bird feeders around the boardwalk and the team plans to add signage about habitats. They’ve also made it a goal to get rid of invasive species –such as Amur honeysuckle – so that native species can recolonize.
Boardman said honeysuckle was particularly troublesome for them and had to be removed before construction on the newest side of the boardwalk could begin. He described it as an “invisible work,” spearheaded by Donna McCollum and Steve Gordon, associates of Three Valley Conservation, including 1,156 volunteers and more than 30 groups since the project’s start.
Boardman also described grant invisible work that has gone into the project.
Despite the long path there, the team believes they’re approaching the project’s completion. The main
focus now is the details, such as handrails – including spindles and hand grips.
Nimis said a few regulars come by to check out the progress, and the boardwalk is already being used by a local walking club.
“We enjoy each other’s company, and people come by and compliment us on the work,” Nimis said. “It’s very gratifying.”
According to Boardman, the friendship between the three of them goes back 25 years.
Farmer said he enjoys working with Nimis and Boardman on the boardwalk each day. He likens it to boys “building a treehouse” rather than thinking of it as work.
“We are close friends anyways, so it’s kind of natural for us,” Farmer said. “Before we were working on the boardwalk, we were walking together, and so that just kind of got transformed into working instead of walking.”
Although work will continue on smaller details this week, the path is walkable and will be clear by Sept. 21. The team hopes the boardwalk will
Boardman. “We are really, really glad that it’s a valuable amenity, a valuable addition, to the Oxford community.”
kennelse@miamioh.edu
that residents will have chances to voice opinions about future plans.
“We’ll have some public meetings again to say, ‘OK, we’ve heard you. We have all your public comments from a few years ago,’” Greene said. “At city council, the public will have another opportunity to go up and say, ‘I love this, I hate this,’ etc.”
As of September 2024, around six miles of trails have been set and paved, with 12 miles planned before the completion of the project.
Stretching through parks, wooded areas and publicly owned land, the for users to get outside and enjoy nature in a safe and accessible way. of natural areas at Miami, said students who use the trails often do so when they need a space to decompress or just connect with nature.
“For many students, utilization of the trail can be a real asset to their time here at Miami, especially because of the physical health and mental health, a chance to connect with nature,” Feakes said.
“We’ve got benches on some of them; on others, you can just sit on a log if you need to quiet down.” opportunities for interests of all kinds. Feakes said she enjoys seeing people who maybe wouldn’t get outside much now doing so because of the trails.
“We have several students that are not the outdoorsy type, that will still use these trails,” Feakes said. “We also have people that are bikers or even
skolnyjc@miamioh.edu
Reducing carbon emissions: Oxford buses
SAM NORTON GREENHAWKS AND OPINION EDITOR
As the planet continues to warm, some people look to change parts of their lifestyle to lower their carbon footprint. One way that has been promoted as a green lifestyle change is taking public transportation like buses, as they emit less greenhouse gas emissions than if all riders drove personal vehicles.
Addressing climate change is a top concern among young people,pus full of college students may use public transportation. Shawn Cowan, the director of customer care and public engagement at Butler Country Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA), said the routes in and around Miami University’s campus are designed for students.
Cowan shared that the total ridof the semester increased by almost 6,000 from 2023 to 2024. Abby Doane, a senior history and theater major is one of the thousands of students who utilize the bus system, es-
“It’s the most convenient way to get [to campus], and I also don’t want to pay for parking,” Doane said. Students have expressed frustration with Miami’s parking in the past, and it pairs with ease as a reason for taking a bus when living out of walking range from campus. But while students may choose to ride the bus for a variety of reasons, environmentalism remains a selling point for some. Chi Truong is a junior international studies major who takes the bus every day during the school week and likes that she is avoiding extra emissions.
“I do feel like every little bit helps, you know?” Truong said. “I mean, it’s good [if] we keep [transportation having] not too much pollution.” While those who regularly use
Oxford’s bus system may see the some students stopping them from using public transit. The perceived complications with using a bus for riding.
-
uring out which route to take and alerting the driver to stop are the two biggest barriers. However, she also sees a quick learning curve for new users of the bus system.
“Once they get on once, they’re Cowan said “It’s good, you know? But I think it’s the initial [hesitation stopping them].”
One way the BCRTA has combated confusion about using the bus system is the “BGo” app, which albus routes. Cowan said the app has the highest use on Miami’s campus among all of BCRTA’s routes, and she believes using technology can help students understand the system.
This is true for sophomore primary education major Jordan Hatcher, who uses the app often to plan her bus rides. However, she still notices that students tend to hesitate to take
“I honestly feel like some people are embarrassed to ride the bus,” Hatcher said. “I don’t know if maybe it’s because they don’t understand how the app works, and it’s embar-
Although students who ride the buses on campus have positive reviews, more than 3,000 students still bought a personal parking pass this semester. As a common personal method to reduce carbon emissions, and a campus full of young people, public transport could increase in popularity as it becomes promoted and normalized in the area.
JESSICA MONAHAN
Miami celebrates National Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month with dance
CULTURE
ALLISON LEE CULTURE COLUMNIST
Spoilers for “RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars” below.
After its premiere on Aug. 16, “RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars” has been deemed controversial, with TikTok user @notadmsellie the worst season of Drag Race ever lowkey.”
Those who watch “Drag Race” know it’s a big claim.
The 12 contestants are as follows: Alyssa Edwards (USA), Kitty Scott Claus (UK), Pythia (Canada), Kween Kong (Down Under), Soa De Muse (France), Eva Le Queen (Philippines), Athena Likis (Belgium), Gala Varo (Mexico), Miranda Lebrão (Brazil), Nehellenia (Italy), Tessa Testicle (Germany) and Vanity Vain (Sweden).
The array of global queens stirred up excitement in the “Drag Race” fandom when the cast list was revealed on July 15 — especially when it was revealed that Edwards would be representing the United States. Edwards quickly became a fan favorite because of her eccentric personality, witty one-liners and dancing abilities.
Not to mention, Edwards has
Race” and being eliminated twice in season two of “All Stars.”
However, Edwards is one of the main sources of this season being as controversial as it is. Many users on TikTok believe that this installment of the “Drag Race” franchise is a setup for an Edwards win.
That, and the host, RuPaul
Charles, is being accused of only placing the queens he himself has judged (as Rupaul has only hosted “Drag Race USA,” “UK” and “Down Under”). In a separate TikTok, @notadmsellie asked, “So are we sensing the favoritism already in ‘Global All Stars?’” This was after only three episodes and one elimination.
The next three episodes have proved this theory true so far, with Lebrão’s elimination in episode four, La Queen’s elimination in episode
That being said, I do not think that “Global All Stars” is that bad. Predictable? Yes.
Aside from Likis’s and De Muse’s eliminations (hearing RuPaul tell them to ‘sashay away’ was absolutely devastating to me), I believe that Lebrão’s and La Queen’s eliminations are was the weakest link in episode four’s dance challenge. La Queen also had an unconvincing performance in ep-
“Global All Stars” has displayed some of the most creative takes on runway themes that “Drag Race” has shown in a while. From Nehellenia’s ‘brown town’ runway to Vanity Vain’s ‘international queen of mystery ball’ not come to play this season.
Even some of the more practical ‘Lip Sync For Your Life’ looks have been more than the basic spandex
… talk about a concept look). The silhouettes have been campy and avant-garde, namely Pythia.
Pythia’s ‘color my world’ runway looks transcended beyond both old school drag (akin to queens like La-
KAITLIN MCDOWELL STAFF WRITER
There’s a chill in the air — at least hopefully there will be soon — and with that chill comes Halloween, sweaters and, most importantly, seasonal foods! Arguably the most pumpkin, with an honorable mention for apple.
An iconic staple of this new season is the pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks, but for those looking to stray away from the popular Starbucks beverages, Oxford has a handful of seasonal fall foods and beverages as well.
Fridge & Pantry
JOSIE ZIMMERMAN STAFF WRITER
trice Royale from “Drag Race” season four or the infamous Lady Bunny) and new style drag (queens like Violet Chachki from “Drag Race” season seven or Gottmik from season 13)
— no, Pythia’s style of drag has been more like sculpture work, highlighted in episode one’s ‘garden of eden’ apple core dress and her monster cloakway. The challenges are about the same, with the typical talent show in the two-part series premiere, corny (yet somehow hilarious) acting challenges and of course exhilarating — yet aggravating — design challenges; because really, who knowingly applies to “Drag Race” without learning how to sew?
Despite me being upset with De Muse’s elimination, I at least understand her being in the bottom two, as De Muse glued her fabric to her corset. Even Vanity Vain struggled with this one in an act of self-destruction. And it wouldn’t be a “Drag Race” season without a good old villain edit: This time around it is Nehellenia featuring some shady talking heads from Scott Claus and Pythia, as well as catty comments in person.
Of course, it’s a popular prediction given the controversy, but my best bet for the winner would be between Edwards, Kong, Pythia or Vain. I personally would love to see a Varo or Vain win, as their respective styles of drag appeals to me the most — but with how this season has been playing out and the speculations online, believe me when I say that an Edwards win wouldn’t surprise me.
leeam8@miamioh.edu
Having recently opened its espresso bar last semester, Fridge & Pantry has a few pumpkin additions to its menu. The sandwich and sallattes, served iced or hot, as well as a pumpkin cream cold foam that can be served atop cold-brew or another beverage of choice, perhaps a chai tea. Fridge’s September smoothie ofvored. The smoothie is made with chai, almond milk, pumpkin, banana and pumpkin syrup. Additionally, Fridge has an apple cider beverage as well, if pumpkin is not for you. Graeter’s
I have been listening to Sloan Struble, better known as Dayglow, for less than two years now. I remember the night I was up late talking to a friend, and when “Dear Friend,” came onto my Spotify playlist, every note and lyric resonated with me perfectly. On Sept. 13, indie pop artist Struble released his self-titled album “Dayglow.” His previous albums consisted of “Fuzzybrain” (2019), “Harmony House” (2021), and “People in Motion” (2023). All of these albums are good, but “Fuzzybrain” is my personal favorite. Struble talked about the new record in an interview with Dork Magazine in June.
“When I was 18 years old, I made my mixtape ‘Fuzzybrain.’ Since then, I’ve fully become Dayglow. But I still feel like I haven’t properly introduced myself,” Struble said. “So with this new album, I view it as a debut. Self-titled, big shebang.”
“Dayglow” consists of 10 songs, including “Mindless Creatures” and “Broken Bone.” Let’s talk about it.
According to Genius, “‘Mindless Creatures’ is a remastered/reworked version of an older Dayglow song, which was released with two others as a bonus track on the limited edition ‘Fuzzybrain’ cassette back in 2019.”
The bridge references this connection, saying “Yeah, I was just 18, with a fuzzy brain / What am I doing here? / If only I could just see myself / Thought I’d believe it.”sonal identity — who he thought he’d be versus who he is today.
the album with a steady buildup. It starts out with a mellow opening using symbols, then a kick drum and continues this beat.
“Every Little Thing I Say I Do” is the typical upbeat alt-track Dayglow marks what is to come, adding the guitar to his signature sound.
Lyrically, the song tells of Struble’s self-insecurity and owning the idea of being himself. It’s a simple concept in a fun and engaging way with putting his words into action.
Another upbeat alternative track, “Cocoon” explores the concept of change and moving forward. Struble knows that time doesn’t stop for anyone, and he is no exception.
“’Cause time keeps moving on / It’s moving on without you / And I stayed a little long / A little long in the cocoon / Who knew I could be so caught into it?” he sings.
The bridge takes the beat down through Struble’s realization of the current state: “Nothing will ever be the way that it was again / Nothing will ever be the same.”
Struble’s ongoing theme of nostalgia
and personal growth, particularly in exploring the complex feelings of reconnecting with someone from the past. Lyrically, he acknowledges the bittersweet nature of both him and an old friend changing over time. Musically, the song meshes together his indie pop sound with an underlying introspective, mellow tone. Much like the other songs on this album, the upbeat rhythm con-
“What People Really Do” upholds Dayglow’s pattern of bright melodies to dive into deeper emotional territory. This track talks about the masks people wear compared to how they feel inside.
It also feels like a critique of the “the grass is greener on the other side” mentality, saying “I wait around a little something more / There’s always an upgrade / In my view.”
“Nothing Ever Does!!!” breaks down the idea of dissatisfaction andmation marks in the title may hint at the frustration Struble sings about in this song.
Struble has mentioned in intermusic to pull himself out of negative moods (Atwood Magazine). This rings true for the overall theme of “Dayglow” music — vibrant, upbeat songs with deep and catchy melodies.
“This Feeling” is one of my favorites from the album, with the deep and catchy lyrics and the typical upbeat sound jumping out at me. This song encapsulates enjoying the moments of emotional clarity even though they don’t last forever.
Even so, Struble wonders how someone could get used to “this feeling” when it doesn’t come to him the way it used to.
“Weatherman” is a metaphorical term used to describe the unpredictability of life. Much like the weather, our feelings and situations are always changing, and there isn’t always a way to predict the future. theme of learning to accept the uncertainties of life. Though it may have a relaxed yet steady tempo, it features yet another awesome guitar solo as well.
“Silver Lining” is what it sounds times — and, in Struble’s case, a person brings him this understanding.
“Oh, you make me feel like I’m worth something / Like I’m valuable, silver lining,” he sings.bum with a metaphor for vulnerability and healing. It leaves listeners with a sense of clarity as they hear Struble face emotional pain headon, knowing it takes time and inner strength.
Overall, these are 10 solid, well-written and developed songs, all with no skips.
Rating: 10/10
zimmer82@miamioh.edu
GRAPHIC BY CHLOE SOUTHARD
PHOTO BY REPUBLIC RECORDS
When
PINAULT THE MIAMI STUDENT
OPINION
Top 5 policies this election cycle that would impact college students the most - The Democratic perspective
GUEST COLUMNIST
Students will have lots to consider before casting their vote on Nov. 5. While it is easy to rally around personalities like Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump, there are several issues that more than others.
Reproductive rights
In 2022, the Supreme Court handed down the Dobbs decision, which immediately dismantled nearly 50 years of protection for a woman’s right to make her own medical and reproductive decisions. Despite 63% of Americans supporting the right to choose, laws were implemented across the country, including Ohio, that banned abortions at the state level, criminalized medical procedures and threatened the health of millions of women.
This was made possible by Trump-appointed Supreme Court judges and Republican-held state legislatures. They disregarded the
will of the American people due to systems like the electoral college and gerrymandering, giving them unfair advantages in elections.
Ohioans voted in 2023 to enshrine reproductive rights into the Ohio constitution with nearly 57% of the vote. Despite this overwhelming show of support for the right to choose in Ohio, women are still at risk, with legal challenges being heard in Republican controlled courts, like the Ohio Supreme Court.
I don’t trust a Republican Supreme Court to protect the interests of Ohioans, and especially not to protect women’s reproductive rights. It is important to vote this year in the only to Democratic judges that will keep the government out of your medical decision making.
Housing and economic uncertainty Growing up, I heard a lot about the American dream and the nuclear family. I am meant to go to college, build a career, get married, buy
a house and have children. During that same time, I watched the hope of attaining the American dream slip away. It is a common feeling among members of Gen Z; we are worried about our ability to survive in the current economic environment. I worry I may never own a home in my lifetime. The last time the federal minimum wage was raised was in 2009 to $7.25 an hour with exceptions for tipped workers, who may be paid less. by 36.41%, average rent has increased by 67.63%, and the cost of purchasing a home has increased by 68.10%. The federal minimum wage hasn’t grown at all in those 15 years, and median household income has only increased by 13.26%.
People deserve a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. Across the country,osity of strangers under the tipping loophole. We as a country need to raise the minimum wage to compensate for increases in the cost of living, predatory lending, prop up programs that allow people to get back on their feet when they fall and, most importantly, treat everyone with the respect and equity they deserve.
Student debt relief
The cost of attending a four year college, like Miami University, has exploded with an increase of 141% in of living and other economic issues on the minds of students, how is anybody supposed to keep up?
At 18 years old, too young to drink a beer or rent a car, you are expected to take on tens of thousands of dollars you are 40 years old – that is, if you get a good job that outstrips the incosts of living. We need solutions to make pub-
constant raising of tuition, housing and junk fees need to be reduced
Voting in Ohio is trickyDon’t get tripped up
KATHIE BRINKMAN
GUEST COLUMNIST
Ohio hasn’t made it easy for college students to vote, but you CAN vote if you meet the eligibility requirements. If you’re from out of state, you can even keep your driver’s license. We’ve made a list of the may face so you can get through the November election without getting tripped up. Even if you’re already registered to vote in Ohio, read the section on how to cast your ballot, as that can be confusing: How to register to vote in Ohio
Whether you came to Miami University from out of state or an Ohio community, you can register to vote in Ohio if you are a U.S. citizen, will be 18 years of age before Election Day (Nov. 5) and will have lived in Ohio for 30 days prior to the election. How you register to vote varies
If you have an Ohio driver’s license or Ohio ID, go to voteohio. gov and register online no later than Oct. 7.
If you don’t have an Ohio driver’s license or Ohio ID, you can keep your out- of- state driver’s license and use the last four digits of your social security number to register. To do so, you will need to complete a paper voter registration form; you can print one from voteohio.gov and mail it in. Your registration form -
tary of State or the county board of your out- of -state driver’s license, you won’t be able to vote in person
–- you will need to vote by mail.
Read further to learn how.
If you’re not sure if you’re registered to vote in Ohio, go to voteohio. gov and click on “look up your voter registration.”
How to cast your ballot if you have an unexpired Ohio driver’s license/Ohio ID, U.S. passport or military/veteran’s ID
If you have one of these forms of assigned polling location on Election Day, or at your county board of elections during early voting (Oct. 8-Nov. 3). You can also vote by mail. Find your assigned polling location and early voting times at voteohio.gov.
If you won’t be at your assigned polling location on Election Day or near your county board of elections during early voting times, you can either change your voter registration to your Oxford address or keep your registration as it is and vote by mail.
To change your voter registration address, go to voteohio.gov and make the change no later than Oct. 7. If you decide to vote by mail, you must complete a paper voteby-mail application and return it to your county board of elections by Oct. 29. Find the form at voteohio. gov. Your vote-by-mail ballot will be sent to you via U.S. Mail. When you return the ballot, make sure the postmark is no later than Nov. 4 (earlier is better).
How to cast your ballot if you
DON’T have an unexpired Ohio driver’s license/Ohio ID, U.S. passport or mili-
through public funding of our education system. The U.S. Federal Government spent $6.29 trillion in 2024, and even 1% of those funds being spent on the education of the Amer-
In an attempt to address the symptoms of the problem and provide much needed relief to graduates, President Joe Biden attempted to forgive a set amount of federal student loans. The measure helped many graduates before being blocked by an activist conservative Supreme Court. It is important to provide support and relief where people need it, and this policy will directly impact every student, and the wellbeing of the American middle class. Gun violence
“‘No way to prevent this,’ says only nation where this regularly happens.”
The originally satirical headline by The Onion hits home. Ohio has 24 of the 300 most recent school shootThere shouldn’t be 300 school shootings for Ohio to compare to; there should be none.
Going through college worried your campus may be next is no way to live. The collective trauma of the drills and knowing friends who have gone through the unthinkable makes you wonder why nothing has changed.
Conservative politicians in Columbus and Washington D.C. have weakened regulations on machines that are built to kill, made them easier to acquire and blocked any reasonable reforms proposed.
structor, it is endlessly important to introduce safety into the system. We need to push for universal background checks, an end to the gun laws, end permitless carry and keep our communities safe from irresponsible gun owners.
Community safety: Oxford Issue 2
The happiness and safety of my
friends here at Miami are top of mind in my daily life. A measure is on the ballot in Oxford that would directly
For a while, Oxford’s Fire and EMS services have been dealing withsues are borne of Miami not pitching in to help fund Oxford’s services even though it was found that 43% of all calls in Oxford are sent to Miami’s campus, with a hefty 53% of those calls being false alarms.
Issue 2 would generate approximately $1.3 million per year for Oxford Fire/EMS for 10 years, and Miami has agreed to match the con-vember. With these funds, the budget can be set straight, Oxford can pay its and overworking issues.
Importantly, it allows Oxford Fire/EMS to keep us safe. Vote yes on Issue 2.
Going to the ballot box
All of these problems burning in the minds of students can be solved at the ballot box. The voter registration deadline is quickly approaching, so make sure to register to vote by Oct. 7 on the Ohio Secretary of State’s Website. Make your voice heard, cast your vote on or before Nov. 5!
houlihpf@miamioh.edu
About Patrick Houlihan
Patrick Houlihan is a senior political science student. He is president of the College Democrats of Ohio and the Miami University College Democrats.
Why retired faculty should care about FAM
tary/veteran’s ID
If you don’t have one of these forms of identiby mail using the last four digits of your social security number.
To vote by mail, you must complete a paper vote-by-mail application and return it to your county bBoard of eElections by Oct. 29. Find the form at voteohio. gov. Your vote-by-mail ballot will be sent to you via U.S. Mail; when you return the ballot, make sure the postmark is no later than Nov. 4 (earlier is better).
Printing and mailing
Some of these steps require you to print forms and mail them, so here are some options to consider.
Don’t have a printer? Use one of the printers at Armstrong Student Center, or stop by the Associated in Armstrong to pick up forms. You can also stop by the Howe Center for Writing Excellence in King Library to pick up forms.
Don’t have envelopes or stamps? The mail and package center in Shriver Center has both.
Questions? Confused about what to do?
Contact the Butler County Board of Elections for assistance at 513887-3700.
Don’t get shut out of this election! Make sure that you can vote.
LWVOxford@gmail.com
About Kathie Brinkman
Kathie Brinkman is Co-President for Organization of League of Women Voters of Oxford. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and through education and advocacy.
KATE ROUSMANIERE GUEST COLUMNIST
I retired from Miami University this past month after 32 years as a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership. It has been a great career. I valued my students and colleagues and in turn felt valued by them.
I felt especially valued in 2016, when the university awarded me the Benjamin Harrison Medallion, which recognizes faculty for exceptional contributions to teaching, research and service throughout their careers.
However, Miami did not seem to value me (or other faculty) as much in the form of compensation (indeed, for all its praise, the Benjamin Harrison Medallion comes with no monetary award). Between 2016 and 2022, pools averaging only 1.8%. During the same period, Miami increased spending on upper administrative salaries by more than 30%.
In my last two years, during a pedecided not to give bargaining uniting my retirement compensation. Retirement payouts are calculated based on a retiree’s highest earning years. Because I received no raises for my last years of teaching, my reteachers’ pension plan are about $5,000 less a year than they would have been.
In my last years working at Miami, I was involved in the Faculty Alliance of Miami (FAM) – our faculty and librarian union – because of achieving salary recognition and democratic representation in university decisions.
FAM is currently bargaining its proposal includes back pay, making up for the raises bargaining unit members lost out on. If Miami management agrees to make bargaining unit members whole with back pay, retiree members can update our com-
pensation records and receive the full retirement checks we are owed.
I encourage all my fellow recent retirees, current bargaining unit members and all Miami students to pressure Miami management to support a fair compensation package. Let to win faculty and librarians a fair contract that makes all of us whole. If management’s proposal wins the day, I will make $5,000 less a year than I should have for the rest of my life, and my fellow recent retirees — no matter how dedicatedly they served Miami — will be in the same boat. If you agree that unnecessarily depriving retirees of deserved income is unfair, you can take action. This Friday at noon, FAM members will be holding a Rally for Raises on the Oxford campus. I hope to see you there!
At The Student, we are committed to engaging with our audience and listening to feedback. This includes publishing a diverse array of guest editorials. For more information on guidelines and processes, email Sam Norton, The Student’s opinion editor at nortonsm@miamioh.edu. rousmak@miamioh.edu
About Kate Rousmaniere
Kate Rousmaniere was a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership from 1992-2024, where she also served as Department Chair. She also served on the university Senate for many years and as Chair of The University Senate Executive Co. from 2008-2009. She has served in a number of local government positions in Oxford and volunteers in a number of local community organizations.
PATRICK HOULIHAN
GRAPHIC BY TEAGAN FARMER
GRAPHIC BY OLIVIA MICHELSEN
GRAPHIC BY HAYDEN JARVIS
The new fashion trend: Bike helmets
PHOTO BY JAKE RUFFER
few weeks on campus. The novelty of living more or less on my own hasn’t
CONNOR OVIATT, STAFF WRITER
Lovely reader, I have to be honest. I am writing this article at 9 a.m. on Monday before print and that’s very strategic. As my wise (or alcoholic and verbally abusive) Little League baseball coach once said, “pressure makes diamonds.” I’ll be damned, if this won’t be a diamond.
But, how did I end up in this position? Shouldn’t I have written my article earlier? Like, a week ago? Well, yes, but I have some excuses. Here’s what my week leading up to this looked like.
Monday through Friday - Academic weaponing
For those of you who don’t know, I have been putting up incredible numbers (1.3 GPA), in the most difSchool of Business) for years now. So, of course, I can’t write my article during the week. I spend all of mycepts as coloring in the lines, counting to 10 and money laundering.
I also have to manage my Greek god physique (6 foot 5 inches, 245 pounds, single and ready to mingle). So, I HAVE to spend four hours at the gym and another three eating the driest chicken and rice you can imagine. So, no humor articles.
Saturday, 10 a.m. - The text
Like I would imagine every other TMS editor does, Teddy Johnson, the humor editor, reaches out to work. Waking up to such a text is not only inconvenient, but also not a priority for me, so, I ignore it. After all, there’s a football game for me to go to.
Sunday, 10 a.m.
- Gentle reminder
Again, as I’m sure every editor does, Teddy realizes that his dumb -
been lost yet. Everything is perfect — except for one thing. The squirrels here are particularly malicious. Maybe they can sense that I’m not a native Ohioan. Maybe they take umbrage with my hair or the color of my
cles for him to edit. With print day quickly approaching, Teddy asks his work. Unfortunately for him, I am still recovering from a night of intense responsibility, where I completed various chemistry experiments at Brick Street University and studied my behavior “for science.” Teddy, having seen me Uptown the night before, regrets his decision to put his faith in me. He likely understands what’s coming next.
Sunday, 5 p.m.
- Empty promise
Having opened my text messagrealize that I am screwing Teddy over. I tell him I will begin writing the article immediately, despite having zero ideas. But then, I realize it’s time for me to watch Slim-Shady looking Joe Burrow and the Bengals lose again, and decide to kick the can down the road.
Monday, 9 p.m.
- Freak-out mode
In a shocking turn of events, the zero products for print. He sends out a desperate text, and an idea hits. So, I decided to write the least funny article I can imagine: about my terrible writing process. However, as a big fan of self-deprecating humor, I go with it anyway. I grind out an article in 20 minutes and send it over. If you’re disappointed in your reading experience, I don’t know what to tell you. I was honest and upfront. And I’m sure things are starting to make a lot more sense now.
To answer your question, yes, I am never funny because my articles are written last minute. When will you learn to stop reading to this point?
oviattcc@miamioh.edu
backpack. Maybe the world is actually a videogame and the squirrels are my sworn enemies. No matter the reason, the squirrels seem to have it out for me, and I’ve spent a decent portion of my week dodging falling nuts.
I live in constant fear of concussions. Every time I walk to Armstrong to study, I swear I can hear them cackling above me. I’ve compiled a list of solutions so that you too can remain safe from savage squirrel attacks.
One suggestion would be to simply carry umbrellas when you walk under trees. This poses a slight issue for me, since the umbrella I have here on campus could potentially lift me
Also, supposedly it’s bad luck to open an umbrella inside, and frankly I’m not sure how much more bad luck I can take. (I stepped on The Seal the other day—please send help).
The second option requires a bit more planning.
First, go to Amazon and type “vaulting pole.” You’re going to want to click the SECOND link that comes
TEDDY JOHNSON, HUMOR EDITOR
Certain people at this school really grind my gears, so much so that they created new pet peeves for me that I didn’t even know existed! I LOVE when people do THESE things! Prepare yourself for some serious passive aggressiveness.
I love it when … I’m walking around Oxford and people yell something at me from their car.
People who yell something at me from their car are probably the coolest and funniest people on campus. Whatever unintelligible phrase they yell at me instantly boosts their coolness by at least 10%. If they do this to boost their ego or because of how insecure they are. No, no, they will instantly be top of the food chain in Oxford’s social hierarchy, followed by humor editor(s) and opinion/greenhawks editor(s).
Sarcasm aside, I feel bad for these people because they genuinely think I understand what they are saying when they move past me at 30 miles per hour. That Farmer School of BusiI love it when … loud trucks drive down High Street at midnight on a Friday night. These people are on another level. It’s hard to put into words how cool these people are. Their lifted trucks turn and stare! Not because they were trying to have a conversation when it was interrupted by the most annoying sound known to man, but because the louder the truck, the cooler the person. Imagine how cool you have to be to ride down a street in the middle of nowhere to impress every person within sound radius of that mechanical monster you call, “my truck.” They for anything.
I love it when … people at the Rec ask me how many sets I have left. during my workout after being asked this question. Workouts are so much better when other people are concerned for my physical health and making sure that I am doing enough
a nightclub than squirrel deterring), pole. Add that to your (mom’s) Amazon cart. Next, hand over your (parents) Bezos. Then, wait a couple days before walking to the Shriver Center and acquiring your self-defense care package (careful to avoid any falling acorns on the way).
After that, it’s a simple matter of assembling your 19-foot pole and using it to prod the tree branches before you walk underneath them, ensuring that any stray nuts will have already fallen and any malicious squirrels sent scampering.
If you don’t have $50 to blow, or you’re worried about the logistics of carrying a 19-foot pole to and from class every day, the best option would be to simply don a bike helmet and proceed with your day as normal. As far as I’m aware there’s no bad luck associated with wearing a bike helmet indoors. As an added bonus, you’ll
never have to style your hair again, since you’ll have a serious case of helmet-head regardless.
raided my roommate’s craft supplies of glitter at Walmart. Now I can be safe and in style with my bedazzled helmet! If you really want to go the extra mile, try gluing strings of colorful beads, so they hang from the helmet — and don’t worry, I’m sure it won’t annoy your teachers. (Sidenote: I am not responsible for any student-teacher altercations or dips in your GPA). So there you have it. Go forth safe from squirrels, and equipped with the knowledge that no one will look stupid if everyone wears a helmet. If you don’t hear from me after a month, assume the squirrels got me (and if they do get me, I leave everything to my roommate, Sophia).
mahones5@miamioh.edu
workout sets. It really motivates me to go back to the Rec everyday. Sike. Why do you care how many sets I have left? Are you my coach? Oh, you want to use the machine when I’m done? Great. Ask if you can use it when I’m done, then I’ll save it for you. It’s so much fun being stared at I’m genuinely honored.
I love it when … Uptown is trashed after the weekend.
After long weekends, Uptown is NASTY. It smells like a dump and litter is everywhere. As a camp counspaces and cleaned up some pretty disgusting messes. But living Uptown makes me think otherwise. It smells worse than how those stupid lifted trucks riding Uptown sound and it’s kind of embarrassing that 18 to 22 year olds can’t clean up after themselves. So do everyone a favor and pick up yo shiiiii. I love it when … the Oxford or Miami Parking Police ticket me. Finding a parking space in Oxford is already hard enough. But, the parking gods decided to challenge me
even more and my quest for parking strength. In the calendar year of from these bastards. They even got me for not parking close enough to the curb. Shoutout their tape measure and emailing me a pic of how far my tire was from the curb. I hope to reach that level of pettiness some day.
I love it when …
- Chipotle is out of everything.
- I have to scoop vomit out of a urinal at the bar I work at (thanks for knowing your limits everyone!) - UC students come and trash our school.
- Assignments are not due at 11:59 p.m.
- Class isn’t canceled even though it’s raining.
- I can’t get into a class I need during registration.
If you have any pet peeves or think I am missing something, shoot me an email.
john1595@miamioh.edu
SHANNON MAHONEY, THE MIAMI STUDENT