ESTABLISHED 1826 — OLDEST COLLEGE NEWSPAPER WEST OF THE ALLEGHENIES
Volume 150 No. 2
Miami university — Oxford, Ohio
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
Ohio’s critical race theory bills:
What they are, and how they could affect Miami in school classrooms, as well as what concepts like critical race theory actually mean. Bill 322, for instance, prohibits the teaching that “one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex,” which its supporters have linked to the teaching of CRT. Rodney Coates, a professor of global and intercultural studies and an expert in critical race theory, said the theory has nothing to do with the superiority of one race over another, as the bills’ writers claim. “Critical race theory recognizes the positionality that who you listen to gives you a particular vantage point in viewing reality,” Coates said. “Having these different places
“Colleges and universities dont run away from ideas, we engage them,” - Rodney Coates
DESIGN EDITOR OWEN BERG
REAGAN RUDE THE MIAMI STUDENT Miami University faculty fear two bills being considered by The Ohio House of Representatives would alter the way they can teach race and current events in the classroom. House Bill 327 applies to state school districts and public colleges. The bill prohibits the teaching of
“divisive concepts,” a term which includes a list of topics related to race, sex, nationality, color and ethnicity. House Bill 322 also applies to state school districts but doesn’t specify whether universities are included. The bill puts in place a host of regulations surrounding what can and cannot be included in state schools’ curriculum. Some of these include prohibiting the discussion of current events and teaching that
“fault, blame or bias should be assigned to a race or sex.” The bills come with severe penalties for those who violate them, including the withholding of funding and effects on employment and hiring decisions. Opponents of the bill take issue with the vagueness of its description, such as its use of ill-defined terms like “divisive concepts.” Cathy Wagner, an English professor at Miami, said this vague lan-
The skater bois of Miami
guage may have been intentional, with the hope of creating a censoring effect. “I think the purpose of the legislation is to create an atmosphere in which people are not sure whether it’s okay to speak about X or Y,” Wagner said. “If they’re not sure, they might think ‘Well, it’s pretty risky, I better not do it.’” Opponents also believe the bill misrepresents what is being taught
to interrogate what we call reality means that we can start seeing different facets of that reality.” In other words, viewing history from the point of view of a Black woman would be a lot different from the point of view of a Jewish man, or a transgender person, and so on. “The more [viewpoints] we’re able to put on the table, the richer that history is going to be,” Coates said. Writers of the bill believe instructors are indoctrinating students and promoting their personal beliefs and ideologies. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Miami University enters new contract with Butler County Health Department
MIAMI IS ONCE AGAIN ABLE TO CONTACT TRACE ON BEHALF OF THE BUTLER COUNTY GENERAL HEALTH DISTRICT. ASST. PHOTO EDITOR JAKE RUFFER DESIGNER SADIE VAN WIE
ALICE MOMANY CLAIRE LORDAN ASST. MAGAZINE EDITOR If there is a skater culture at Miami, sophomore computer science major Erik Johnson doesn’t consider himself a part of it. Sure, he rides his electric skateboard to class everyday, but that doesn’t make him a “skater.”
This Issue
CAMPUS & COMMUNITY The long lines at the dining halls can be attributed to the national supply chain breakdown. - page 5 ENTERTAINMENT He told us long ago on the road, he's got what we're waiting for. Lil Nas X's debut album is here! - page 12
“I’d say having an electric skateboard makes me a bit of a fake, in terms of skating,” Johnson said. “I don’t know how to skate on a regular board. I’ve wanted to learn but just never really gotten around to it.” Despite this label, Johnson can tell you about all the best skating spots around campus. His personal favorite is the hill behind Peabody Hall. “You want to find roads that are relatively crack-free
and steep if you’re trying to go fast,” Johnson said. “When you can get really moving down a hill, that’s the most fun.” Johnson is no stranger to wipeouts, though. One particularly nasty fall even landed him in the emergency room. “I had to get 13 stitches in my chin once,” Johnson said. “I was going
SPORTS Is the Victory Bell rivalry dead? Michael Vestey weighs in on how money has affected the longstanding feud on the field. - page 18 FOOD Is Syline Chili as bad as Food Editor Madeline Phaby thinks? Multimedia Editor Maggie Peña disagrees. - page 11
OPINION What makes a ritual? In the latest edition of College Commandments, Opinion Editor Rebecca Wolff ponders that exact question. - page 20 STYLE See how Miami students are dressing for cooler fall weather! - page 14
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
STAFF WRITER Miami University and the Butler County General Health District (BCGHD) have re-entered a sixmonth contract to let Miami contact trace on behalf of the BCGHD. Kendall Leser, the public health program director at Miami, said the university will be responsible for contact tracing anyone living in the 45056 zip code and children ages 3-18 in Butler County. The contract
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Honoring our former advisor, Jim Tobin, as he steps away from The Miami Student to write his next book. - page 2 HUMOR See the news that didn't make the news ... because it didn't happen. - page 17
began Sept. 20, and will end Feb. 28, 2022. Miami and BCGHD’s previous contract was in use from July 2020 to June 30, 2021 and allowed Miami to contact trace all of Butler County on BCGHD’s behalf, but the contract ended when the Ohio Department of Health partnered with the Public Consulting Group (PCG), which took over contact tracing for the entire state. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
This Month
2 FYI
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
Most awarded college newspaper in Ohio at the 2020 Regional Mark of Excellence Awards by the Society of Professional Journalists.
TIM CARLIN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Briah Lumpkins Managing Editor Owen Berg Design Editor David Kwiatkowski Senior Campus & Community Editor Abby Bammerlin Jenna Calderón Madeline Phaby Campus & Community Editors Lukas Nelson Sports Editor Jack Schmelzinger Asst. Sports Editor Rebecca Wolff Opinion Editor Ames Radwan Asst. Opinion Editor Zach Reichman Photo Editor Jake Ruffer Asst.Photo Editor Cosette Gunter
Sarah Grace Hays Maggie Peña Multimedia Editors Sam Cioffi Magazine Editor Emil Barr Business Manager
Fred Reeder Jr. Faculty Adviser Sacha Bellman Business Adviser Aim Media Midwest Printer
Sean Scott
Jessica Robinson Humor Editor
Taj Simmons Lexi Whitehead Asst. Campus & Community Editors
Macey Chamberlin Sarah Soryal
David Kwiatkowski Entertainment Editor Maggie Peña Sean Scott Asst. Entertainment Editors Megan McConnell Social Media Editor
Erin McGovern Soren Melbye Sadie Van Wie
Advertising information: Send us a letter?
9/30
barrea@miamioh.edu eic@miamistudent.net
Life as a Student Editor Panel Joslin Senate Chamber
Uptown Family Fest
10/2
Bring your family for food trucks, a ferris wheel and an outdoor concert.
10/4
Tues
The Miami Student is published monthly during the school year by the students of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.
Tues
The content of The Miami Student is the sole responsibility of The Miami Student staff. Opinions expressed in The Miami Student are not necessarily those of Miami University, its students or staff.
10/12
5:30 p.m.
Meet leaders of student media and learn how to get involved.
Sat
10/5
Madeline Phaby Food Editor
Designers
Thurs
Mon
Owen Berg Style Editor
Shr-Hua Moore
Things to do
Uptown Park
7:30 p.m.
Anti-Asian Racism in America Hall Auditorium Join broadcast journalist JuJu Chang for the first lecture in this year’s Lecture Series.
Stargazing
7:30 p.m.
7:45 p.m. 9:45 p.m.
West entrance of Peabody Hall Stargaze using high-powered telescopes with the Western Center.
Gandhi, Race and the Problem of Prejudice Virtual Event Learn about Mahatma Gandhi’s life and his impact on history.
6:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
CORRECTIONS POLICY
The Miami Student is committed to providing the Miami University community with the most accurate information possible. Corrections may be submitted up to seven calendar days after publication.
Sat
Stage Left’s Fall Cabaret
10/16
Come to a night of performances by Stage Left members
Ernst Nature Theatre
4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m.
From the Editor’s Desk:
As we move into the future, let’s honor our past TIM CARLIN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Much of an editor’s job is to look ahead. To steer a publication through uncharted waters and, more recently, unprecedented pandemics. But it’s also important to stop and take stock. Take stock of where we have been and who has helped us on our journey. And there has been no one person more influential to the continued success of The Miami Student than our former advisor, Jim Tobin. Now that Tobin has stepped down as The Student’s faculty advisor to focus on writing his next book, it’s more important than ever to honor his contributions. For the better part of the last decade, Tobin advised iteration after iteration of The Student’s staff through both calm and crisis. Offering sage-like wisdom and level-headed guidance even when it felt like the walls were crumbling around us. In the past, I have tried to quantify the impact of a man whose legacy is beyond words. And while words will always fall short, that will never stop a group of young reporters from trying. So, Tobin, this letter is for you. An amalgamation of personal stories, memories and kind words that paint the picture of The Student’s collective mentor, professor, and all around grandfather-like figure. “I just always appreciate how much time he spends caring about my writing,” one editor said. “Not just talking about it, reading it or grading it, but genuinely caring about making it the best it can be.” Genuinely caring – a through-
line among the many stories told about Tobin’s impact on our newsroom. “He talked me down from thinking I would never succeed in the field,” another editor recalled. “He didn’t know this, but on the other end of the phone I was crying in the hallway of Williams because his words and thoughtfulness were just what I needed right then. He cares about his students as people first, and I’ll always be grateful to know him.” Gratitude was – and is – a paramount feeling among staff members who have had the honor of working with Tobin. I would not be the reporter I am today without Tobin’s guidance his way of making me, and every other student in this newsroom feel seen and heard. “Tobin has always made me feel seen and truly appreciated my work,” an editor said. “My experience at Miami would not be the same without him.” I couldn’t agree more. Above all else, Tobin believed in me. Even when I struggled to believe in myself. He applauded my accomplishments and lifted me from my failures. Hell, he was the one of the first people I called after my dad’s heart attack. As cliché as it may sound, he gave me – and so many others – the skills and the confidence to thrive at The Student. There are not enough thank yous in the world to give to the mentor who encouraged so many. So while I struggle to find words to describe my gratitude, I know one thing is certain. I am a better person for knowing Jim Tobin. eic@miamistudent.net
Thurs 10/21
Pumpkin Painting with MAP Fritz Pavillion Celebrate Halloween with a free pumpkin to paint.
7:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m.
Ohio’s critical race theory bills:
What they are, and how they could affect Miami
CONTINUED FROM FRONT Miami professors argue that not only are students not required to take specific courses, but that a professor’s job is to inform, not persuade. Ann Fuehrer, a retired professor of global and intercultural studies, is teaching Introduction to Gender Studies this year to fill in for a professor on leave. “I’m not necessarily recruiting people to be feminists,” Fuehrer said. “But I do want people to better understand their own beliefs and how they can act on those beliefs, whatever those beliefs are.” The gravest concern over the bills is that they violate the academic freedom of educational institutions. “Colleges and universities don’t run away from ideas; we engage them,” Coates said. “The reason you have these institutions, and academic freedom, is to allow people to pursue knowledge without being constrained by politics and so forth.” Fuehrer said states should play a limited role in what a university should teach, but only to help with things like transferring course credits to different colleges. “When it comes to the actual content of a course, it’s up to the people who are professionally credentialed in particular areas to determine what’s appropriate,” Fuehrer said. If the bills are passed, Miami’s status as a state university means they would have several ramifications for professors and their courses. Wagner said in addition to restricting the type of content that professors are allowed to teach, the bills would likely impact Miami’s hiring decisions, diversity training and first-year orientation
programs. Wagner said the bills may also have a racialized impact, as professors who teach subjects like Black world studies and Latin American studies often belong in those categories. Students and faculty have shared concerns about how these bills might impact the quality of education and their experience at Miami. Ash Aoibheil, a senior theater major, said that as someone with multiple marginalized identities, being able to speak about these topics in the classroom makes them feel safer. “Even if we don’t share the same views, the fact that these conversations are happening and knowing that your professors and peers are open to hearing about your experiences is really important to feeling a sense of belonging,” Aoibheil said. Caroline Funk, a senior English literature and creative writing major, said discussions about difficult topics like race have helped her grow both as a student and as a person. “[The classes] helped me see the world in new ways and think critically for myself,” Funk said. “An academic setting with your peers fosters more critical thinking than if I were just reading something on my own.” Fuehrer said the bills pose a threat to the foundation of upper education. “Education is about broadening perspectives and gaining new insight,” Fuehrer said. “If [academic freedom] is taken away from faculty, we lose our roles as professors.” If students and faculty wish to take action on these bills, they can write to their Ohio legislators here. rudere@miamioh.edu
3
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
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The skater bois of Miami CONTINUED FROM FRONT
about 25 miles per hour, and a car came at me. I swerved out of the way, but I still went flying into the curb.” Fellow skating sophomore mechanical engineering major Marshall Sadowski has seen the inside of McCullough-Hyde more than once from a bad fall. “Once [during] my freshman year, I was going pretty fast through the middle of campus, and the wheels of my board hit something,” Sadowski said. “And I just completely wiped out. I hit my head pretty hard, and just had to wait for someone to help me.” Unlike Johnson, Sadowski has been riding traditional skateboards his entire life. He would agree that electric skateboarders don’t fit into skater culture. “It’s just not real skating,” Sadowski said. “I’ve been doing this since I was a kid. It takes a lot of practice and skill. The electric boards just do the work for you.” He agrees that the wipeouts don’t discour-
“I’ve been doing this since I was a kid. It takes a lot of practice and skill,” - Marshall Sadowski
age skating. If anything, they make the ride that much more exhilarating. “I mean, I’ve broken some bones from bad falls over the years,” Sadowski said. “But it’s never deterred me from skating. I’ve had to go months without skating from injuries, and it only makes me miss it more.” While not quite the seasoned veteran as Sadowski, first-year biochemistry major Lee Beardslee bought a penny board right before move-in and is determined to learn how to use it. “I think anybody who sees me try to skate will agree that I’m not very good,” Beardslee said. “I’ve just always wanted to try skating, and college seemed like a good time to try a new thing.” Though they haven’t had an extreme wipeout yet, Beardslee still has a fall from time to time. But the exhilaration makes it all worth it. “When you really get moving, and your balance is just right,” Beardslee said. “That’s like, the coolest feeling.” lordance@miamioh.edu
Miami University enters new contract with Butler County Health Department CONTINUED FROM FRONT
“The reason that we had to end our contract with Miami University for contact tracing was because the Ohio Department of Health in April said that funding would no longer be paid for contract tracing because they were entering a contract with PCG,” said Erin Smiley, health promotion director at BCGHD. PCG will still be responsible for contacting anyone in Butler County who does not live within the 45056 zip code. The state’s health department gave localities the option to contact trace internally, but because BCGHD is a smaller health department, it couldn’t keep up with the cases. “It was either don’t partner with the Ohio Department of Health and try to do contact tracing internally by ourselves or go with the Ohio Department of Health contact tracing,” Smiley said. Due to the recent surge in cases across the state, however, the Ohio Department of Health is again allowing health departments to get the
help they need. “With the surge that we are seeing, the Ohio Department of Health made a decision recently to allow health departments to contract out,” Smiley said. “And because of that, we’re able to go back to Miami University because it was a great partnership.” Leser hopes the new partnership will simplify the contact tracing process because students who test positive will only be getting one call from the university. Previously, students were getting two: one from the university and one from PCG. “From a Miami perspective, it might be a more straightforward process for students because they’re going to get one call,” Leser said. “They’re going to talk to our contact tracers, and they’re going to get their official isolation move-in dates over the phone.” Because Miami couldn’t quarantine and isolate students who tested positive on behalf of Butler County, Miami could only give out estimated dates of when students who tested
positive for COVID-19 would move into isolation. It was PCG’s job to call students with their official date of move-in. Now, Miami will be able to give official isolation dates. The contract also granted Miami $196,000 to hire tracers to call positive COVID-19 patients and anyone they might have been in contact with next steps. Since the start of the initial partnership in July 2020, Miami has received over $800,000 from BCGHD to help with contact tracing. Since Miami is in charge of a larger population, they are seeking people to help with contract tracing. Last year the contact tracing team included about 140 employees to cover the entire county. Currently, they are operating with less than 40. Undergraduate students who are interested in applying can fill out the application here. @alicemomany momanyaj@miamioh.eduv
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4 CAMPUS & COMMUNITY
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
Honors College discontinues tuition waivers, reintroduces research grants
PEABODY HALL HOUSES MIAMI UNIVERSITY’S HONOR COLLEGE. ON SEPT. 1, THE HONORS COLLEGE ANNOUCED IT WOULD DISCONTINUE TUITION WAIVERS FOR ITS STUDENTS TO STUDY ABROAD. PHOTOGRAPHER CAROLINE BARTOSZEK
LEXI WHITEHEAD ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR Miami University’s Honors College is discontinuing tuition waivers for its students to study abroad and reintroducing grants for undergraduate research, according to an email sent to honors students on Sept. 1. Zeb Baker, director of the Honors College, said the tuition waivers have existed for almost two decades and were created when Miami was pushing for students to participate in study
abroad programs. The Honors College issued waivers to students competitively for spring and winter term programs. “We were very fortunate in the Honors College ... that we have had that kind of support, but priorities change,” Baker said. Although the tuition waivers were issued through the Honors College, the funding was included in the university’s central budget. This year, the university decided to set aside that money for other programs, such as helping send other students abroad, not just honors students.
Miami economics professor receives research grant from Gates Foundation
ECONOMICS PROFESSOR RILEY ACTON RECEIVED A $79,000 RESEARCH GRANT THIS MONTH. PHOTO BY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
SHR-HUA MOORE ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR Miami University’s research grant application process can be incredibly competitive and thought-intensive, and small errors can mean a difference of thousands of dollars. So when Riley Acton, an assistant professor of economics, won $79,000 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to say she was pleased is an understatement. Acton is grateful for how helpful other faculty and staff at Miami were in helping her apply for the grant, especially since it’s only her second year at the university. “I would just like to thank the various folks of Miami who helped make this happen and who continue to answer my emails when I don’t know how to do things,” Acton said. “I’m lucky that we have a strong support for seeking external funding here, and I think that’s something that universities should try to ramp up and do more of.” Acton said she will use the grant to help assist her research on rural school funding programs. Her research involves looking at how the sparsity aid program in Wisconsin affects the education and outcomes of students in rural school districts. “Ultimately we want to be able to make that link between exposure to increase funding while you’re in school, and whether or not that is able to foster educational attainment down the road,” Acton said. Acton first learned about the grant through Twitter. “Lots of professors and lots of academics within my field are on Twitter, and so I saw that somebody shared, ‘Hey, the Gates Foundation is trying to invest more in research about school funding,’” Acton said. “I sent it to my co-authors and said, ‘Hey, this looks like it would be a good fit for our work. They’re only requesting a couple page application, and a basic budget outline — let’s get something together and see what happens.’” Cody Orr and Salem Rogers are the co-authors of Acton’s research paper, “Returns to School Spending in Rural America: Evidence from Wisconsin’s Sparsity Aid Program,” according to Acton’s website. Acton is now able to use the money from the Gates foundation to fund the project and processes
related to it. “There’s money in the grant for hopeful travel to conferences to present some of this work,” Acton said. “We’re also using some money for software and materials as needed. The other big expense [in the grant] is a reduction in my teaching load for the spring — rather than teaching two classes in the spring, I will teach just one class … there is also a summer salary for me next year.” The biggest part of the grant, however, isn’t going directly to Acton. Erica Edwards is a first-year graduate student studying economics. Much of the grant money will go toward funding her research with Acton, as she is one of the primary research assistants for the project. Edwards got the funding in a similar way that Acton got the grant. “The economics department reached out to me and was like, ‘Here’s this opportunity, this professor is looking for a research position and has a grant,’” Edwards said. “It helps me a lot to defray the cost of [my degree] and gives me the opportunity to do research that I wouldn’t have had at all.” Edwards spends a lot of time looking in libraries and newspapers to create a historical background for the research being done. She said she was grateful for the opportunity. “It’s absolutely fantastic,’’ Edwards said. “I really enjoy working with Dr. Acton and her co-authors, and it’s a great opportunity for me to meet other people doing research in the field,” “I really enjoy the project. Outside of being a grant recipient, it’s the kind of thing I would be interested in reading.” The grant is meant to fund the project for a year, but Acton estimates it will last for longer than that. “The funding of the grant is for 12 months, but publishing in economics takes a long time,” Acton said. “I’m sure we’ll probably be continuing to work on it in some fashion, even after the next 12 months are up.” Jenny Darroch, dean of the Farmer School of Business, wrote in an email to The Student that she had nothing but praise for Acton and the research. “I am pleased that the value of Dr. Acton’s important and timely research has been recognized by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,” Darroch wrote. “Not just because of the critical nature of the topic, and the positive impact it can have on the educational experience for future generations of children, but because the grant will make it possible for [Edwards] to gain invaluable research experience and also strengthens our ties to researchers outside our own university.” @hua_shr moorese6@miamioh.edu
“That’s a decision that I support,” Baker said. “Because … I think that in the time in which we have a limited set of resources that we make sure that all students have the opportunity, particularly if they have significant financial need, to be able to go study abroad.” Enrico Torres, a sophomore integrated language arts education major, said he was hoping to apply for a tuition waiver to study abroad. “I personally am disappointed, because I really wanted to take advantage of the study abroad opportunities presented through Miami,” Torres said. “I
feel like my membership in the honors waivers, the funding comes from withcollege has been lessened or just doesn’t in the Honors College. Research grants feel as valuable.” weren’t available to students last acaTorres, however, recognizes the im- demic year because the COVID-19 panportance of extending the funding to all demic prevented in-person research students. opportunities. “That is quite nice that they exThis year, students are once again tended it to the broader student body encouraged to apply for research … but it does affect my plans,” he said. Micaela Anders, a junior political science and history “So now that [the double major, said she was counting on the tuition waivers tuition waivers are] to be able to study abroad. not there, I can’t study “It was really discouraging abroad. I can’t afford it. how they took it away because that was going to be my only I think that was one of opportunity to study abroad,” the main perks of the Anders said.” So now that it’s honors program when I not there, I can’t study abroad. I can’t afford it. I think that was applied to it.” one of the main perks of the honors program when I ap- Micaela Anders plied to it.” The Honors College was new last academic year, developing from what used to be the Honors Program. The discontinuation of study abroad tuition grants. Baker said the Honors College waivers aligns with a change of values has about $200,000 in grants to give between the two, Baker said. out. “The Honors Program was much “That really is now the focus of honmore about co-curricular experiences ors education at Miami – trying to get and co-curricular learning, so trying students involved in meaningful underto help facilitate students to go study graduate research,” Baker said. “So we abroad would have been something feel good about it in that sense, and we central to what we were trying to do as also feel good about it because it’s monan honors program,” Baker said. “As an ey that we control. They’re from donors Honors College, we’re really working who have set up endowed research hard to build a culture of undergradu- funds through the years.” ate research.” @nwlexi The research grants are also issued whitehan@miamioh.edu competitively, but unlike the tuition
Miami hosts naturalization ceremony at Hamilton campus
MIAMI UNIVERSITY MEN’S GLEE CLUB SAND FOR 70 IMMIGRANTS WHO TOOK THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE AT A NATURALIZATION CEREMONY ON SEPT. 17, OUTSIDE HARRY T. WILKS CENTER AT MIAMI UNIVERSITY’S HAMILTON CAMPUS. STAFF WRITER HENRI ROBBINS
HENRI ROBBINS STAFF WRITER Cesar Alejandro Roman Gonzalez traveled over two thousand miles, found an entirely new career, and worked for over six years once he came to America. Now, he’s finally a U.S. citizen. On Sept. 17, the university hosted a special session for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio at Miami’s Hamilton Regional Campus. During the session, hosted outside of the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center, almost 70 immigrants took the Oath of Allegiance to become naturalized U.S. citizens. Before taking the oath, the new citizens heard from various speakers, including President Greg Crawford and Magistrate Judge Stephanie K.
feeling to be able to share on that day with them.” For Cesar Alejandro Roman Gonzalez, the ceremony represented a large step in his life. Originally a lawyer and entrepreneur, he chose to leave Venezuela in 2015 due to social and political turmoil. Since coming to the U.S., Gonzalez has found work at U.S. Bank, first as a teller and now as a branch manager. “When you watch a movie and you hear the typical story of, ‘Oh, I got to this country with two bags and 40 bucks in my pocket,’ that’s a reality,” Gonzalez said. “That was our story. [My wife] came first. She got a job, she got a really tiny small apartment in order to come, and then I followed her six months later after I got everything in place in Venezuela.” Reflecting on the time between
“It was a long journey for us, and it’s not an easy process. You have to take really good pride in your accomplishment,” - Francielli Kunce
Bowman, who officiated the ceremony. This was Bowman’s sixth time overseeing the ceremony on Miami’s campus. The ceremony, she said, is one of the few happy moments that happens in courts. “To look out and to the new citizens, some of them are visibly moved by the ceremony and by the process,” Bowman said. “To see how much it means to them to become a United States citizen, it’s a pretty special
then and now, Gonzalez said he believes they’ve achieved the American Dream after the hardships they’ve faced. “I want to believe that it makes you a better person to have to go through so many different changes in your life,” Gonzalez said. “You think about grabbing two bags and putting your whole life into them and moving completely to another country, not because you want to but because you’re forced to by your politicians, basically. But it gets better. It gets
good.” For Francielli Kunce, the ceremony represented the end of a long journey. She came to the U.S. from Brazil after meeting her husband — a U.S. citizen — through her work. The two both work in aviation, where they convert airplanes for clients. “I was pretty emotional. I mean, I couldn’t stop crying like a baby,” Kunce said. “It’s like, ‘Wow, I did it. We did it.’ It was a long journey for us, and it’s not an easy process. You have to take really good pride in your accomplishment.” Finally becoming a citizen also represented a large amount of growth to Kunce, who said she had to adapt to life in America since moving here. “When I first got here, I kind of had a cultural shock,” Kunce said. “In Brazil, we have a completely different culture versus here as far as driving, food, how to go from one place to another, and I was alone here because my husband was in Israel doing conversions for us. I was all by myself right after I got here and I’m like, ‘Oh my god I’m freaking out.’” Mason Snyder, a sophomore music education major and member of Miami University Men’s Glee Club, performed with the rest of the Glee Club during the ceremony. Singing various songs like the National Anthem, Snyder said he was glad to be part of a positive event like this. “It means pretty much everything to us,” Snyder said. “Especially because not only COVID that’s been happening recently but with everything going on in the world, it’s nice to know that we’re breaking down those walls and creating more of one community.” @henrixrobbins robbinha@miamioh.edu
5
PHABYMR@MIAMIOH.EDU THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
New vice president position brings Miami’s Executive Cabinet to 15
SEAN SCOTT
ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR When Ande Durojaiye was promoted to Miami University’s inaugural Vice President for Miami Regionals just two months after his first day as Miami’s Regional Dean, it was just the latest in a string of new positions on the President’s Executive Cabinet (PEC). PEC members are well-paid. As the highest administrative staff on campus, they oversee the university’s major operations and implement far-reaching decisions. And over the past five years, the number of high-paying cabinet positions has grown. Since 2017, the PEC has seen the addition of VPs for research and innovation (currently vacant), marketing and communications, institutional diversity and inclusion, and ASPIRE, an economic and institutional relations position, in addition to Durojaiye’s position. The cabinet now sits at 15 members excluding the vacancy — President Greg Crawford, Provost and Executive VP Jason Osborne, two senior VPs, seven VPs and four additional positions. But this expansion isn’t as expensive as it may seem. In an email to The Miami Student, Crawford wrote that decisions regarding new positions in the PEC are decided collaboratively. “Our work on the cabinet is far-ranging and far-reaching but always centered on Miami’s commitment to student success,” Crawford wrote. “When positions open for members of PEC, we typically have search committees composed of faculty, staff and students to help make decisions about which candidates are the best fit for Miami.” In Durojaiye’s case, Crawford wrote that the new VP position was added to better integrate Miami’s regional campuses at an administrative level. “The makeup of the PEC itself reflects university priorities and our
overarching organizational structure,” Crawford wrote. “ … [The VP of Miami Regionals] will help Miami better integrate all of our campuses and provide opportunities to better serve our students and those communities in which our campuses reside.” Durojaiye himself said his new position as a VP ensures that Miami’s regional campuses are considered in administrative decisions. “We have these regional campuses that provide a lot — they’re part of our overall larger One Miami framework,” Durojaiye said. “So how do we make sure that the voices of our faculty, our staff, our students at the regional [are] also adequately heard? I think that was the conversation or the impetus for why we decided to move in this direction.” Despite the PEC’s intentions, a recent post by the Miami chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Advocacy Chapter criticized the growth of the “high-paid executive tree” at Miami. “Overgrowth at the top while the roots are cut bare — who’s served by this?” the AAUP post read, referring to full-time faculty laid off in 2020. “Not Miami students.” Durojaiye argued that his position is a step in the right direction for the university. “This opportunity gives us a chance to make sure that our regional voice is heard and make sure that our regional voice is at the decision making table,” Durojaiye said. “ … I definitely understand the concerns, and I definitely understand where [the AAUP is] coming from with that, I think this [position] is unique to say that anybody who’s committed to One Miami would recognize there is value in making sure that our regional campuses are represented.” The AAUP post said the expense of a growing PEC could better serve students by going toward job security and benefits for professors, but David Creamer, treasurer and senior vice president for finance and
DESIGN EDITOR OWEN BERG
business services, said the cabinet doesn’t have a monopoly on highpaid positions. “It’s not uncommon for deans or even some faculty positions to earn more than some members of the President’s Cabinet, because they’re not always the highest paid individuals at the institution,” Creamer said. According to data compiled by The Buckeye Institute, which publishes salary data for Ohio’s public universities, 15 Miami employees made over $300,000 in 2019. Of those, four were professors, four were deans, four were PEC members (including Crawford) and three were coaches. The four professors had the lowest combined take-home of just less than $1.32 million, $6,000 less than the deans and $42,000 less than the coaches. The PEC members, by comparison, had a combined salary of $1.67 million, which accounted for just less than 30% of the total. Overall, the four highest-paid professors took home 80% of what the four highest paid PEC members made. Head Football Coach Chuck Martin took home the highest salary, nearly $45,000 more than President Crawford, a trend Creamer said
is common at other universities. Creamer added that despite the growing number of VPs at Miami, the PEC is still in line with what’s expected for administrations in higher education. “I’ve worked for five presidents in this role in other institutions,” Creamer said. “There’s always some slight administrative differences, but the roles tend to be carried out similarly.” Jayne Brownell, VP for Student Affairs, agreed. “I came from another school seven-and-a-half years ago, [and] all of these positions were on cabinet,” Brownell said. “In fact, there are still positions at that other school that we don’t have, or are divided up in different ways. [The positions at Miami] are pretty standard to have on a president’s cabinet.” At Ohio University, a similarly sized institution, the President’s Council sits at 13 members, in line with Miami’s 14. Meanwhile, Bowling Green State University counts 19 cabinet members with additional positions including health and wellness and faculty affairs. “Our work, it’s not just a formality,” Brownell said. “When we get together, we are a working team.” During the height of the pan-
demic, the PEC met twice weekly. After catching up with other members on business and personal matters, Brownell said the meetings follow an agenda sent out in advance and made up of items sent to Crawford in advance by the members. For certain projects, Brownell said unofficial subcommittees may form. For example, the COVID Response Team is made up of a flexible group of PEC members and other university and community officials who come on as needed to make big decisions, while Brownell helps with a separate COVID planning team focused on the university’s day-to-day operations regarding the pandemic. More than decision-making and planning, though, Brownell said the PEC provides a support system for herself and her colleagues in administrative positions. “It wouldn’t be fair for me to come and vent or share that I had a hard day with people who report to me,” Brownell said. “That’s not fair to them. As colleagues on [the PEC], we’re the people who we can lean on because we all are in similar roles and understand the pressures and the rewards.” scottsr2@miamioh.edu
“Things are really kind of crazy right now”
supply chain issues affect Oxford
STUDENTS WAIT IN LONG LINES OUTSIDE MAPLESTREET DINING COMMONS AS A RESULT OF NATIONAL BREAKADOWNS IN SUPPLY CHAINS. ASST. PHOTO EDITOR JAKE RUFFER
MEGAN MCCONNELL SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR The COVID-19 pandemic continues to plague aspects of everyday life, including the U.S. supply chain, posing a new set of challenges to reopening businesses and restaurants and in Miami’s case – many dining locations across cam-
ami has experienced several issues with its vendors. “The supply chain has been very challenging the last year,” Sampson wrote. “The entire food service industry is experiencing issues with getting food and supplies, unfortunately this does include Miami.” Most of Miami’s supplies are provided by U.S. Foods, who could
son wrote. “Flexibility has been key.” Svec wrote the quality of product has not decreased, and there are no concerns that dining halls will run out of food. Sampson agreed and said issues caused by the supply chain are often remedied internally. “The issues we have had, while
“The entire food service industry is experiencing issues with getting food and supplies, unfortunately this does include Miami.” - Laurie Sampson
pus. According to The White House’s blog, product shortages and supply-chain disruptions are widespread. Product procurement issues and inconsistencies have affected a range of services, including institutional food-services in schools and universities. Miami is no exception to this trend. In an email to The Miami Student, Laurie Sampson, manager of strategic procurement, wrote Mi-
not be reached for comment. In an email to The Student, Geno Svec, executive director of Campus Services, wrote there have been disruptions getting products such as produce, dairy, beef, chicken, pork and pizza crust. The dining hall menus have been adjusted according to product availability. “We are working with manufacturers to look at the products they are producing to see if they will work within our program,” Samp-
annoying, have not prevented us from having food,” Sampson wrote. “We look at the anticipated shortages and adjust the menu as needed.” According to Business Insider, food suppliers are in desperate need for truck drivers to transport goods. At Miami, no vendors have missed their regular delivery schedules, but dining halls may not receive everything they ordered. Between erratic deliveries and limited product availability, pric-
es of certain goods have also increased. Sampson wrote that prices are high “across all commodities,” and Miami is working with vendors to buy products before prices increase. “Our prices fluctuate according to the market, just like you would see in a grocery store,” Svec wrote. Some students have noticed empty shelves in on-campus stores like Emporium and MacCracken Street Market. Junior accountancy major Abigail Froehlich said that Emporium was out of several snacks a few days after she saw employees restocking. “I went [to Emporium] yesterday and I wanted to just get something for breakfast and I could not find anything that wasn’t Pop Tarts,” Froehlich said. “Everything was empty.” Uptown businesses have also suffered in the wake of these supply challenges. Andrew Amarantos, co-owner of Skipper’s Pub and Top Deck, said he’s faced difficulties with labor and product availability, causing some of Skipper’s menu items to potentially not be available to customers. “Things are really kind of crazy right now,” Amarantos said. “I don’t think our customers or the students or the general population
have any idea what’s really going on with restaurants now.” In addition to food products, other shortages have caused issues for businesses and restaurants. Recent resin shortages have made plastic expensive and hard to acquire, leaving business owners like Amarantos concerned. Sampson believes the problem is a combination of manufacturer issues and a lack of labor. According to The Wall Street Journal, the lack of available workers has been the largest pressure on the food service sector, impacting multiple levels of the supply chain from production to distribution. “[Manufacturers] don’t have the labor needed to keep up with the demand,” Sampson wrote. “Once the product is produced, they don’t have the drivers to deliver it.” Sampson doesn’t believe there will be a resolution anytime soon. “People are key to fixing the supply chain,” Sampson wrote. “Manufacturers need to fill their open positions, [but] that doesn’t guarantee a fix.” Additional reporting was contributed by Assistant Campus & Community Editor Shr-Hua Moore. @meggy_nicole mcconnmn@miamioh.edu
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KWIATKDM@MIAMIOH.EDU
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
Oxford Area Trails development paused following resident backlash HANAH BLOOM
THE MIAMI STUDENT The City of Oxford announced in an email to residents that planning for the northwest segment of the Oxford Area Trail System (OATS) will be put on pause for two years. The announcement follows backlash from several Oxford residents, who opposed the path’s plans to be built on private property, unlike other segments which have been on publicly-owned land and natural areas. “We have used the public planning process to solicit citizen feedback and have heard loud and clear that we got it wrong this time,” the email read. Tensions about the trails date back to early this month after a Sept. 7 City Council meeting featured over an hour-and-a-half of public comments about the next phase of OATS. All but a few were criticisms of the northwest trail path. Douglas Brooks, a retired Miami professor, has been a vocal leader against the trail, organizing with other Oxford area residents. Brooks is a key figure in Team Trail, a local group that has received more than 250 signatures from Oxford residents against the trail’s proposed path. “It’s one thing to craft a trail through a university preserve
The cluster of trailer park communities resides on one side of the tracks while the wealthy area near the Oxford Country Club resides on the other. The proposed trail would have connected the trailer park community to the Oxford Community Park and cut through neighborhoods along the way. At the Sept. 21 City Council meeting, Brooks was first to speak during public comments and touched on legal recourse. Because the recommendation and voting process seemed “hurried,” Brooks said a lawyer had contacted City Manager Doug Elliot’s office. “Team Trail estimates that the preferred trails will be opposed by at least 18 of these landowners, most of whom are long-standing and affluent members of the Oxford community,” Brooks said. “These people have considerable resources. Terry Hughes has already hired one lawyer to protect his 80 acres.” At the same meeting, resident Raymond J. Richards said he lives near the Church of God and has had several problems with “homeless people building camps” near the area. Richards expressed concern about homeless people on the potential trail. “I don’t want [my grandkids] down in the woods, playing, and all of a sudden having homeless
PHOTO FROM CITY OF OXFORD
Gary A. Speck, director of bands at Miami University, also spoke against the trail, which would go through Prevalent Drive, his neighborhood’s road. Like others, Speck focused on safety and emphasized that many young children live on the road. “The plan, as prescribed, is going to ruin that neighborhood – ruin that street,” Speck said. Mike Pearson, who lives just off Prevalent Drive, also expressed
“The plan, as prescribed, is going to ruin that neighborhood – ruin that street.” - Gary A. Speck
where the only homes are DeWitt Cabin,” Brooks said. “It’s another thing to ruin property values in five neighborhoods.” Property value remains a recurring concern among private property owners against the trail. The northwest portion of the trail, if successfully built, would connect two areas of different economic statuses in Oxford currently divided by the train tracks.
people, people riding bikes, people jogging,” Richards said. “We do have plenty of money. We do have lawyers. We’re going to do what we’re going to do to keep this off our property.” Property value and lower-income residents weren’t the only concerns. Many residents at the Sept. 7 meeting noted traffic or safety concerns from the narrowing of their private roads.
concern about safety. “It will be a skateboard that comes racing down without any notice. It will be a bicyclist. It will be a child. Something will happen,” Pearson said. “And now, that will be on our conscience. Do not allow this to happen.” David Prytherch, city councilor and professor of geography, has been involved in the OATS plan for the past eight years. To him,
heightened tension is part of the process. As an academic in urban planning and sustainable development, Prytherch said planning infrastructure is always a challenge. “That’s exactly why the city invested in hiring a consultant to help run a planning process which involves technical analysis, engineering, but also a public engagement process,” Prytherch. “It’s not just about engineering, we have to have a conversation to find where the best route is because there’s no simple solution.” Jessica Greene, assistant city manager, said the city hired Bayer Becker and KZF Design, engineering and planning firms with expertise in the technical analysis Prytherch mentioned. Greene said the city has invested $50,000 in this segment of the route. According to the city’s email, it is currently working with Bayer Becker to revise their contract, so tax dollars can be appropriately reallocated. Greene explained the thinking behind the trail’s proposed path through neighborhoods. “It was meant to show citizens how we could do it within the city limits, and we thought there would be some cost savings there,” Greene said. “This would be a way we could do it.” “What I’ve learned from public comments is that residents want a more recreational trail that’s scenic,” Greene said. “We’re listening.”
She said the benefit of the perimeter path is still worth the planning challenges. “It is our goal to provide connectivity to community amenities,” Greene said. “This is part of a broader vision of connectivity.” However, she and other city officials are still concerned with the timeline. The goal was to have the Oxford loop completed by 2028. Phases 1 and 2 are currently complete while Phases 3 and 4 are projected to finish in 2022 and 2024, respectively. Even though the northwest segment is being put on pause, the city is still planning to complete Phases 3 and 4, which will attempt to connect Talawanda High School to the middle school. But even after deciding alignments, it may take many years to actually acquire the land. “If we cannot get private property owners to cooperate with land acquisition,” Greene said, “then the project risks being stalled.” Even with the delay, Prytherch still sees a path forward. “We have to trust the process; we have to affirm the public purpose, what are our goals,” Prytherch said. “We have to dispassionately assess the pros and cons of all the alternatives and make the best decision for the greater good.” Additional reporting was contributed by Asst. Campus & Community editor Lexi Whitehead. bloomhm2@miamioh.edu
“This is the language of unity”:
Unidiversity Festival returns, embraces community MAGGIE PEÑA
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Miami University’s 18th annual Latin American and Caribbean Unidiversity Festival made its 2021 debut on Friday, Sept. 17 in Uptown Park. Children zipped, balloon animals in hand, between chatting adults, while Miami students pet llamas and alpacas – animals known for being native to South and Central American countries. Fearless groups and couples danced salsa in the grass like nobody was watching. The sweet yet spicy scent of Caribbean jerk chicken permeated Uptown. Nobody seemed to mind the glaring sun and 86 degree heat. The festival marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month — which runs from Sept. 15 - Oct. 15 — in the Miami and Oxford communities. Last year, festivities were held online due to COVID-19 restrictions, but Jacqueline Rioja Velarde, associate director of the Center for American and World Cultures, said the festival came back this year in full swing. “We wanted to provide an outlet for the community because people didn’t have any space to come to-
has about nine months to plan for the festival. This year, she had nine weeks. Between food vendors dropping out due to low staffing and concerns about the safety of the community, Rioja Velarde said the design of the celebration was challenging. Barring the challenges, though, she said the concept was simple. “Festival means celebration,” Rioja Velarde said. “In Latin America, you have plenty of festivals because it’s your opportunity to come together as a community, and as Jaime Morales-Matto, who is the director of Son Del Caribe, was telling me that night, ‘This is the language of unity.’ There’s no better language than music or arts or performing arts or food that really unite people.” Kip Alishio, retired director of Student Counseling Services, said he’s been coming to the festival since it began in the mid-2000s, and he is always humbled to see people come together. “Historically, there’s not been that much diversity in Oxford, or at the university,” Alishio said. “So you can go weeks and weeks and weeks and think that there’s very little diversity and then this happens. And you see you’re wrong. There’s a lot of diverse individuals
“The goal of this festival is actually [to] try to create a space to be a sense of belonging,” - Jacqueline Rioja Velarde gether,” Rioja Velarde said. “And it seems like that worked because they came, and they enjoyed, and they participated.” In a normal year, Rioja Velarde
and diverse communities in Oxford. That’s exciting.” Rioja Velarde boasts a collaborative platform, working with several sponsors and dozens of other groups to put on a successful pro-
THE 18TH ANNUAL UNIDIVERSITY FESTIVAL, WHICH CELEBRATES LATINX CULTURE, MADE ITS RETURN TO UPTOWN PARK LAST WEEK. PHOTO BY AZUL COOK
gram. One such group is Unidos, the Latinx student organization on campus. Marianna Gay, senior speech pathology major and president of Unidos, co-hosted the event and said she appreciates the chance to share her heritage with others. “I always look for any opportunity to showcase my culture to other people, and this is such a good, huge opportunity to have that avenue to do that,” Gay said. “And I think people really enjoyed it.” Salma Kalim, an Oxford resident and mother of Kramer Elementary students, said her son brought her to the festival. Kalim said it’s great for the school to be encouraging students to learn more about other cultures, especially in a town like Oxford. “That was a smart idea to talk
about that in schools, because the kids really brought the parents here,” Kalim said. “So I think it’s a smart move and the kids are happy … it’s very boring [in Oxford], especially after COVID-19, so we need much more activities like this.” The other host of the festival, junior computer science major and co-social chair of Unidos, Efraín Pérez, said it was a unique opportunity to bring together all walks of life in Oxford and the Miami community. “Being able to showcase Latin culture and sort of welcome everybody into that and just showcase the culture also tends to bond those communities together and sort of create one overarching unity in our community,” Pérez said. The two hosts agreed with Rioja Velarde’s sentiment that the fes-
tival succeeded in this post-2020 world. “The goal of this festival is actually [to] try to create a space to be a sense of belonging, a sense of community and also to build a community responsibility from each other,” Rioja Velarde said. “In this case [it] is celebratory through Latinx/Hispanic communities, but really [it] affects every single [person].” The Unidiversity Festival merely marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. Unidos and other organizations will be collaborating on various events throughout the 30 days, including university Instagram takeovers, a library game night, and a talk by LGBTQ+ and Latinx author and activist, Gabby Rivera. penaml@miamioh.edu
CALDERJM@MIAMIOH.EDU
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
Business fraternities hold first in-person recruitment since pandemic
The parents are coming:
Family Weekend 2021
DAD
DESIGNER ERIN MCGOVERN
JAKE RUFFER ASST. MAGAZINE EDITOR
BUSINESS FRATERNITIES HELD THEIR FIRST IN-PERSON RECRUITMENT SINCE THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC. PHOTO BY OPHELIA ROSALES
ALICE MOMANY STAFF WRITER Last semester, Alexa Bolena, senior vice president of Delta Sigma Pi, was stressfully organizing online recruitment for the future brothers of the business fraternity. She frantically learned everything she possibly could about Zoom, yet experienced a week filled with technical issues, unnatural conversations and fewer students rushing. This semester, Bolena is organizing her second recruitment for Delta Sigma Pi, along with four other business fraternities, making it one of the largest in-person events since the pandemic began. “COVID showed us that we’re all on the same team,” Bolena said. “We want to get as many people as we can, and I’m very happy to be doing [recruitment].” This year’s recruitment process kicked off on Aug. 31 with the annual Meet the B-Orgs event. Michelle Thomas, director of student organizations and diversity in the Farmer School of Business, said the event had a good turnout despite the pandemic. “At Meet the Business Orgs, we had over 400 students come to that event, so to me that
signals that students want to get involved,” Thomas said. “Students want to hit the ground running with relationships and building those networks.” This year, Delta Sigma Pi had the most recruits they’ve ever had. “We have 120% more recruits compared to the spring semester,” Bolena said. “I think because of the pandemic, people lost their sense of connection at Miami, and the business fraternities and even all the B-Orgs are a great way to build that connection.” Taylor Hellmann, vice president of recruitment for Alpha Kappa Psi, has also seen an increase in the number of recruits and said in-person recruitment has helped with that. “This semester it’s been easier to spread the word about info nights and stuff like that,” Hellmann said. “We’ve had tabling events in Farmer. We’ve had people go into freshman classrooms and talk about AKPsi, so it’s been way easier.” The Farmer School of Business decided it was safe to hold recruitment in-person since Mega Fair was successful and most classes are held in-person. To follow social distancing guidelines, the tables at Meet the B-Orgs were six feet apart and spread across Farmer’s first floor and lower level.
In addition to distancing, hand sanitizer was placed on each table, and only a few papers were passed out. QR codes were primarily used so students could sign up on their own phones for organizations. Everyone at the event had to wear a mask as well. There was also a virtual option for rushing a business fraternity for students in quarantine. “We had our first round interviews yesterday, and there is a group of people who have COVID, so we offered them a virtual option,” Hellmann said. “Students aren’t cut just because they are sick.” Recruitment wrapped up Sept. 26 with Bid Day, when students heard about their decision. In-person recruitment poses the potential that other clubs and organizations will also return to in-person events. “I think other organizations are hesitant and still figuring things out, but with Meet the B-Orgs, it was a huge game-changer because so many people were together,” Bolena said. “I think it’s really encouraging to show that even though we’re not fully back to normal, we can still do big stuff like this and be successful doing it.” @alicemomany momanyaj@miamioh.edu
Miami’s hidden gem:
the Makerspace
THE MAKERSPACE, LOCATED ON THE THIRD FLOOR, IS A HUB FOR ALL THINGS CRAFTY. ASST. OPINION EDITOR AMES RADWAN
AMES RADWAN ASST. OPINION EDITOR Tucked away in a corner on the third floor of King Library, a large room filled to the brim with creative stations sits, waiting to be used. The dulcet chattering of shiny sewing machines and the electronic whirring of 3D printers stretch out into the otherwise silent hallway. Vinyl cutters and a brand new laser cutter dream of their next project, and a virtual reality (VR) studio waits patiently to bring others’ dreams to life. This is the Makerspace. A haven for all who are crafty and creative, the Makerspace opened in 2019 and quickly established itself as Miami’s premier center for step-by-step student craftsmanship. Visitors to this open space in King Library don’t need to know how to use anything offered there — after all, staff members are always on hand to help with any and all of the many machines. The Makerspace boasts 3D printers, sewing and embroidery machines, a sublimation printer, button makers, vinyl cutters, laptops, 360 cameras, a heat press, a laser cutter and engraving machine, a VR studio and an audiovisual (AV) studio, just to name a few. All of these are free for students after signing a waiver at the Makerspace front desk. Students then make an appointment online to book a piece of equipment. First-year university studies major William Agostinelli booked the laser cutter to create a
project for his UNV 101 class — a wooden image of Swoop the RedHawk’s head, complete with adjectives describing himself on the back. He found out about the Makerspace through a class. “My teacher told me about it and then we came to visit,” said Agostinelli. “Honestly, it’s pretty cool because you can come whenever you want and make whatever you want.” And all for completely free. The word “free” usually brings in college students by the flock, but the COVID-19 pandemic put a bit of a dent in the Makerspace’s clientele. Despite this, the Makerspace staff are beginning to build business back up. Creation and Innovation Services Librarian Sarah Nagle is the Makerspace’s outreach librarian, the class and faculty liaison for the Makerspace and the person who aids students in trying something new. “I love the students that come in here and I love seeing them get excited about the machinery,” she said. “I think it can be this awesome space where students can get away from things, have fun, get creative and meet other people.” The Makerspace also holds multiple events each year for creative students to meet one another and enjoy crafting. During these events, attendees have the opportunity to make buttons and stickers, use any Makerspace machinery, craft blackout poetry and even create optical illusions called “thaumatropes” in which two images are spun together to appear to be the same picture.
“I love the events because we’ll have, like, sixty students in here,” Nagle said. “We have a variety of different activities for them, and the atmosphere is really fun, collaborative, laidback and creative.” Lori Chapin, innovation spaces manager, has been with the Makerspace since before it opened, and has worked with the university library system since 2008. Her favorite part of the Makerspace is the new laser cutter and engraver, but she also enjoys the vinyl cutters. “I love making stickers, t-shirts and tote bags,” Chapin said. “People get so excited when they see their stuff come out on a t-shirt, and it’s really rewarding to see people so happy.” Chapin also enjoys the AV studio, which she calls “underutilized;” it can be used to record podcasts, film videos and more. Students who book the room have full access to cameras, backdrops, teleprompters and lighting options, but a quick look at the reservations website only shows a few 2-hour slots reserved for the coming week. The other studio that the Makerspace has to offer is the VR studio. Though online reservations are currently unavailable, Chapin hopes to generate campus outreach and help students experience VR for the first time. “There’s something here for everyone,” Chapin said. “It is wonderful for classwork,
“It can be this awesome space where students can get away from things, have fun, get creative and meet other people.” - Sarah Nagle there’s options to do just about anything and the experiential learning is so rewarding. We want you here. We want you to try it.” The next Makerspace event is coming up soon. On Oct. 22, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., spooky season will take over during “Creepy Crawly Crafts,” which is returning from its popular 2019 debut. There is no better place to try thinking creatively than the Makerspace! radwanat@miamioh.edu
It’s finally that time of year again — Miami University will host an in-person Family Weekend for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The weekend’s expansive slate of events begins 711 days after Family Weekend was last held in person, with a volleyball match against Akron on Thursday, Sept. 30. The weekend runs through Sunday, Oct. 3 and features a range of sports, dining events, open houses, info sessions and more. Mark Pontious, Miami’s director of parent and family programs in the Division of Student Life, is happy to be working with departments across Miami to once again plan for the weekend after more than a year off. “It’s such a fun weekend to put together,” Pontious said. “It’s been two years, and it’s a busy weekend, but it’s a really fun weekend, particularly for our students.” Pontious said a main goal of Family Weekend is to engage parents and create an environment for them to check up with their students. COVID-19 added an extra challenge to that. Most events will take place outside due to the lingering presence of COVID-19, a planning detail Pontious said is part of a central effort to help families feel comfortable during their visits. “Any time you bring families and anyone to campus, it’s not without risk,” Pontious said. “But
“It’s been two years, and it’s a busy weekend, but it’s a really fun weekend, particularly for our students.” - Mark Pontious we’ve done, I think, what we can to minimize that risk … to where folks feel comfortable engaging.” All Family Weekend events will have the same COVID-related rules as normal Miami operations: masks indoors and encouraged outside; vaccination is not mandated. Pontious lamented the inability to schedule a headline entertainer for an event in Millett Hall like past years have had. Nina Emlemdi, Miami Activities and Programming (MAP) president, said she’ll miss having a headliner, but it hasn’t deterred her from getting excited about the big weekend. “Every time it comes around, it’s probably the busiest weekend in the year for MAP,” Emlemdi said. “We always want to beat what we did last year.” MAP shoulders much of the responsibility for running events throughout the weekend. This year MAP is hosting the first Uptown Family Fest, featuring activities like a ferris wheel, an obstacle course and an outdoor concert. “This year for Family Fest, we’re bringing in a ferris wheel Uptown, which will be exciting to see,” Emlemdi said. “We always do the farmers market every year, so that’s a classic that I love because it really engages the community.” All the behind-the-scenes work by Pontious, Emlemdi and many others will be experienced by thousands of families, like sophomore Brayden Beck’s parents from Youngstown, Ohio. Beck, a mechanical engineering major, expects his parents to arrive in Oxford on Friday, and he’s looking forward to showing them around. “I haven’t seen them in a while, it should be a good time,” Beck said. “They really haven’t been here a whole lot other than moving me in, moving me out, so they really haven’t had the full Miami experience.” Though in-state, Youngstown is a four-and-ahalf hour drive from Oxford, not exactly a day trip for his parents, Caroline and George. Last year, Caroline never met Brayden’s roommate. “You can’t just hop in a car and go very often,” she said. “The last couple times on campus, when we went up to move him in, we couldn’t do too much.” She said she’s glad that Family Weekend programming gives them options for activities on their visit. Meeting friends — and a roommate — will be squeezed into the schedule too. “I just want to see my baby,” Caroline said. “You know how parents are — any opportunity to see your kid, we’re really looking forward to that.” @jakeruffer rufferjm@miamioh.edu
8 CAMPUS & COMMUNITY
CALDERJM@MIAMIOH.EDU
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
Miami University celebrates 40th anniversary of the Bridges Program
PRESIDENT GREG CRAWFORD HAS LUNCH WITH A GROUP OF BRIDGES SCHOLARS BACK IN 2017. PHOTO BY SCOTT KISSELL.
ALICE MOMANY STAFF WRITER Wayne L. Dancie, a student at Miami University, was walking across a bridge on Western Campus when he decided “Bridges” would be the perfect name for his new program that would increase diversity at Miami. This November, Miami University’s Bridges Program is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The program gives high school seniors from underrepresented populations the opportunity to learn more about Miami, partake in social activities, sit in on a class and stay the weekend in a dorm with a host student. According to a document obtained from Monica Adkins, the senior assistant director
of the Student Success Center, the original proposal of the program outlined three objectives; the first was to acquaint minority high school students with Miami and provide them with admissions and financial aid information. The second was to increase minority student enrollment, and the third was focused on creating an opportunity for Miami students, faculty and staff to interact with minority communities. According to Adkins, Alumni Relations will host a webinar to cover the history of the program, and a current student will speak about their experience in the program to celebrate 40 years. Although a date hasn’t been finalized yet, the webinar will be live on the Miami Univer-
‘Respecting a shared space’:
Litter takes center stage at campus hotspots and along High Street
sity Black Alumni Instagram page. I also made friends that will probably be my In 2016, an extension of the Bridges Pro- friends for the rest of my life,” Neff said. gram emerged called the Bridges Scholars. In addition to celebrating its 40th anniverUpon completion of the high school program, sary this year, the Bridges Program was also students admitted to Miami University are recently awarded the INSIGHT Into Diversity automatically considered Bridges Scholars. Inspiring Programs in STEM Award. Monica Adkins, the senior assistant diHolly Mendelson, publisher of the INrector of the Student Success Center, started SIGHT Into Diversity magazine, wrote in an Bridges Scholars after many students ex- email to The Miami Student that the Bridges pressed interest in continuing the program in Program was chosen as a recipient because college. it met criteria including introducing diverse “Students were going through Bridges in individuals to academic, extracurricular and high school, and many of them were deciding professional opportunities in STEM. to attend Miami because of the experience they had, but there wasn’t any official kind of community,” Adkins said. Eli Davies, a junior political “Not only did I get that college science and urban and regional planning double major, particiexperience and get to see what it pated in Bridges in 2019. Davies was like at Miami, but I also made enjoyed the Bridges Program friends ... for the rest of my life.” because it allowed him to get a more individualized experience - Taylor Neff at Miami while meeting other people with similar interests. “At my high school, I feel like I got lucky and found a group of people easily. Whereas here, I think it’s just so big that you have to actively According to INSIGHT, just less than 40% seek out things a bit more if you’re a minori- of the Bridges Scholars enroll in Miami’s Colty student,” Davies said. “So it makes it easy lege of Engineering and Computing. for students who come here to see they have a Although the Bridges Program continplace to go to when they feel like they might be ues to build a safe environment for students out of place in an institution that is predomi- of diverse backgrounds, Adkins hopes that nately white and straight.” 40 years from now, there won’t need to be a Taylor Neff, a sophomore psychology ma- Bridges Program. jor, participated in the Bridges Program her “To be honest, it would be great if we didn’t senior year of high school in November 2019. need it anymore,” Adkins said. “The purpose She is still active in the program and is excited of the program is to diversify Miami, and if to host a Bridges participant within the next we’re doing our job, and improving in areas of few months. diversity, equity and inclusion, then it should Neff encourages high school students to eventually be a part of the culture, and there participate in the program because she got a wouldn’t be a need to have a program like more personalized tour of Miami while meet- this.” ing some of her best friends. “Not only did I get that college experience @alicemomany and get to see what it was like at Miami, but momanyaj@miamioh.edu
Childcare in a college town
ANNA LINDSTROM: COLLEGE STUDENT BY DAY,FULL-TIME NANNY ON THE WEEKENDS. PROVIDED BY ANNA LINDSTROM
MADI JEROME THE MIAMI STUDENT
AFTER A BUSY WEEKEND UPTOWN, LITTER LINES HIGH STREET AND CAMPUS HOTSPOTS PHOTO EDITOR ZACH REICHMAN
MEGAN MCCONNELL SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR At the break of dawn, the sun paints streaks of lavender and fluorescent orange along the night sky, illuminating the dark campus sidewalks. Speckled among the dew-covered grass are remnants of the night before: torn bar wristbands, empty Truly cans, Skyline Chili sauce packets, foam food containers and ripped disposable masks. Desirae Jordan, a grounds crew member at Miami, drives up and down the sidewalks of Academic Quad, starting and stopping her bright orange buggy whenever she spots a stranded piece of garbage. She pulls over, reaches for her green trash picker and jumps into the frigid early morning air. At each trash can and recycling bin, she lifts the lid and checks the contents. If the can is halfway full, or close to it, Jordan ties it up, throws it in the back and fetches a new liner. Black for trash. Clear for recycling. Every morning begins the same: a constant start and stop to empty trash cans and pick up litter scattered around the quad. Some cans don’t need to be changed everyday. After six years in grounds operations, Jordan knows the hotspots on campus. Jeremy Davis, senior director of physical operations, said receptacles closer to uptown tend to get hit hardest by pedestrians. Extra trash cans and recycling bins are placed in these high traffic areas in order to accommodate for the larger trash loads. However, trash doesn’t always make it into a nearby bin. “We try to make it as easy as possible for [students] to put it into the appropriate receptacle,” Davis said. “Sometimes that just doesn’t happen.” Pizza boxes, wrappers, and food and drink containers are commonly abandoned along Slant Walk and High Street or inside nearby campus buildings, like King Library. With the Miami and Oxford mask mandates, disposable masks are often seen among
the scattered garbage near sidewalks. “Those are the worst right now because of, obviously, COVID,” Jordan said. Every weekday, all 35 grounds crew members begin their days collecting trash during the early morning. For Jordan, picking up the scattered litter among the grass and flower beds is critical before she starts her other work, like mowing. “It’s awful when I see litter and I’m on a mower,” Jordan said. Although only two to three employees are responsible for litter patrol on the weekend, the grounds department monitors the trash more frequently, especially near Uptown. “Over the weekend, we patrol that area more often than we normally would,” Davis said. “We bring people in just for that.” Every year, Davis said the department prepares and puts extra effort into its trash collection in these high traffic areas, like Slant Walk and High Street. “It’s a gateway to the campus, [and] … we want the first impression to be nice and respectful,” Davis said. “So, we put some extra effort into cleaning things up in an appropriate time frame.” Dean of Students Kimberly Moore doesn’t believe that there is a litter or trash problem on campus. However, she has witnessed scattered garbage following the weekend, especially Uptown around the mile square. “It’s just disheartening to see the litter and the trash and just the disregard for cleaning up after yourself and respecting a shared space,” Moore said. As students and visitors return to Uptown businesses, Moore hopes to remind them that they’re living with other members of the Miami and Oxford communities. “Just throwing trash on the ground is really a sign of disrespect for yourself, others and the community, so do the right thing,” Moore said. “Take care of your trash and clean up after yourself, and remember that you’re not the only one living here.” @meggy_nicole mcconnmn@miamioh.edu
In a small college town like Oxford, many parents in need of childcare find their options are limited to Miami University students and childcare centers. On the Oxford Talk and Oxford Childcare Facebook pages, Oxford residents and Miami students frequently post about nannying opportunities. Tori Shriver, a senior mechanical engineering major at Miami, offered her availability to nanny in an Oxford Talk post recently. Shriver said nannying in Oxford is a lot different because of the hours families want her to work. “I find it interesting what hours people need,” Shriver said. “Not everyone in a college town works a 9-5 … One of the families I babysit for manages a bar and restaurant, so the hours are very different.” Not only do some college students nanny during abnormal hours, but they also have to manage their classes and extracurricular activities. Shriver has only been nannying for two weeks and has already experienced some stress trying to balance everything. “You kind of realize you can only commit to so much time,” Shriver said. “I already had to miss a meeting for a babysitting shift I had to pick up.” Anna Lindstrom, a sophomore psychology, pre-medical studies and kinesiology major, has a part-time nanny job on the weekends. Lindstrom said her social life has been more difficult to manage than her school work. “It’s honestly harder to balance my social life with it because that takes out chunks of my Friday night or Saturday night, which is when I’d normally hang out with people,” Lindstrom said. “Schoolwise it’s not too bad because they go to sleep early ... In terms of hanging out with people, I’m not able to as much.” Lindstrom also nannied in her hometown, but she said nannying in a college town is a different experience. “I have other things going on in my life, like a lot of school and some sorority
events … so I’ve got a lot of other fun social things that I wouldn’t be doing in my hometown,” Lindstrom said. “It’s interesting to try to balance that out, so that’s something that I’ve never had to juggle previously while nannying.” Jeff Rundle, the father of the children Lindstrom nannies for, said he and his wife look for a few things when they are in need of a nanny. “We collectively always look for somebody that is going to set a good example for the kids, that shares the same value system that we do,” Rundle said. “We’re looking for people, at least through their demonstrated student activities, their demonstrated engagement, their leadership on campus, that you can tell what kind of person they are.” In regards to COVID-19, Rundle said their family didn’t have a nanny for most of the pandemic. “We went an extended period of time throughout the pandemic without any additional babysitting or nanny assistance,” Rundle said. “I think we certainly valued the health of our family. I would say now vaccination status is very important to us and understanding what that is, and I think we want to be mindful of the environments we are creating.” Rundle said Lindstrom had a connection with his kids almost immediately and knew she would be a great fit. “The kids had an immediately positive reaction to her, and they were very interested in talking with her,” Rundle said. “She has been great so far. They had a very good initial reaction. She seemed willing to play, as well as make sure that there was some structure that they were consistent with as well.” Another option for childcare in Oxford is Mini University, a child development center located on Miami’s Western Campus. Lauren Kolks, director of Mini University, said the center is focused mainly on educating children. “It’s different from a nanny because you have the education component with it …We have an infant, toddler and pre-k program,” Kolks said. “Each program is similar, and we use something called a creative curriculum.” Kolks said Mini University has priority families, professors and other people affiliated with Miami. A full-time or part-time schedule is available for children, and they currently have 97 children, with only 10 in the part-time schedule. Anyone can apply to Mini University, including Miami students. “We currently have seven students working at Mini University,” Kolks said. “Us being on a college campus is so beneficial for people. Anyone’s Miami ID gives them access inside.” Kolks enjoys the relationships created between the teachers, children and parents. “My favorite part is getting to know the children and to watch them grow,” Kolks said. “I was attracted to the relationships we create with families. Parents are really involved on campus.” @Madijeromee jeromemt@miamioh.edu
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PHABYMR@MIAMIOH.EDU THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
Lecture Series returns to Hall Auditorium LEXI WHITEHEAD
ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR The Miami University Lecture Series plans to return to a fully in-person season for the 20212022 school year after holding virtual lectures last year due to COVID-19. This year, lectures will once again be held in Hall Auditorium. Lana Kay Rosenberg, chair of the Lecture Series committee and associate professor of sports leadership and management, said the committee is also planning on hosting other events, such as a seminar and a dinner with the speakers, like it has in previous years. The series, however, may still look a little different than normal. “We’re trying to go back to what had been a more normal way we had done things before COVID,” Rosenberg said. “We’re trying so hard to do that, and yet, COVID hovers over us in many different ways.” Rosenberg said seating may be spaced out in the auditorium, so people can distance themselves from each other, among other non-finalized changes. She also hopes to block out the last two rows of seats for camera equipment to livestream the event. “[It’s] not as much for students, although that could be true, but last year, we had so many alumni that were able to participate that could not participate otherwise,” she said. “They loved it.” John Tchernev, assistant professor of strategic communication and member of the Lecture Series committee, said it has been difficult to plan because COVID is so unpredictable. “Even now, things are a little bit up in the air in terms of the exact details of what might happen,” Tchernev said. “Things might change any minute basically, and you never know what’s going to happen.” The series is planned by the Lecture Series committee, made up of three faculty members, two staff members and six students. They work together to decide what speakers to bring and also to plan and promote the events. Tchernev said the series aims to bring in diverse speakers to discuss different topics that students might be interested in. “This year we have four different speakers who are doing completely different topics,” Tchernev said. “And I think they’re all going to be pretty exciting.” In October, broadcast journalist JuJu Chang will speak about racism against Asian Americans, and Jeopardy’s Ken Jennings is scheduled to talk about knowledge and learning in November.
JUJU CHANG AND KEN JENNINGS ARE AMONG THIS YEAR’S LECTURE SERIES GUESTS WHO WILL SPEAK AT MIAMI UNIVERSITY. PHOTO BY SCOTT KISSELL.
Next semester’s speakers include Gregory Maguire, author of the book that inspired the musical “Wicked,” and actor Sean Astin, who will talk about the importance of mental health. Astin was originally scheduled to come to Miami in the spring of 2020, but the lecture was canceled after Miami went online. “We have known for a few years at Miami University, and other places as well, that students’ mental health is going downhill for a lot of different reasons, and we know for a fact that it hasn’t gotten a lot better – it’s certainly gotten a lot worse,” Rosenberg said. “So we knew that for sure we wanted to invite Sean Astin back to talk on mental health topics.” Tchernev said when choosing speakers, the committee tries to find people who will be both appealing to students and also have something
Miami students form a community of anonymity on Yik Yak
informative to say. After the controversy surrounding the Dan Harmon lecture scheduled for last semester, he said the committee has been more careful with its selections. “We’ve been extra careful in terms of trying to screen people for their background and making sure they’re not someone people are going to be offended by,” Tchernev said. The Lecture Series is free for all students to attend, as long as they reserve a ticket. According to the Lecture Series website, tickets will become available the Wednesday before each lecture. Rosenberg encourages all students to attend. “Take advantage of all the free things that are open to you,” Rosenberg said. “Don’t wait for something to be required or extra credit. See that something’s coming where there might be a little bit of interest.”
Rosenberg said she is most excited for the return of the seminars, where a group of students get to meet the speaker and ask them questions. “I have found that the most exciting part of everything for me is the seminar,” Rosenberg said. “The students that come to the seminars that we’ve had over the years are bright and articulate and knowledgeable and just dynamos.” Tchernev said he is mainly looking forward to being back in person. “I’m excited to see hopefully everything happen back in person … I’m looking forward to seeing the students get to meet some of the speakers, and I think it’s going to be a pretty successful season.” @nwlexi whitehan@miamioh.edu
Talawanda High School to students rewrite dress code
TALAWANDA STUDENTS PROTESTED THE DRESS CODE BY STICKING POST-IT NOTES AROUND THE SCHOOL. PHOTO BY HAILEY WRIGHT DESIGNER MACEY CHAMBERLIN
CLAIRE LORDAN ASST. MAGAZINE EDITOR Miami in 2013 looked a lot different than it does now; you’d see a lot more chevron, and hear a lot more of Lorde’s “Royals.” Another cultural footnote from the year of the Harlem Shake – the launch of Yik Yak, a social media platform designed to connect people anonymously with other nearby users. Users can post messages anonymously on the app and are voted on by other users based on its content. Despite gaining internet cult status in 2013 and 2014, the app came under fire for its lack of response to discriminatory speech posted on the platform. In 2014, Miami students used Yik Yak to criticize the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, calling the space an “anti-white room,” as well targeting students of color on campus. “Been in there once and everyone stared me out. Such a waste for the 6% that go here,” One anonymous user wrote of the CSDI. Both university and Yik Yak administrators failed to trace the messages back to a specific user. To date, no one has been tied to the comment. By 2017, Yik Yak had faded into social irrelevancy, and the app closed its doors for good. It seemed that we had all yikked our last yak. Until now. On Aug. 15, Yik Yak announced via their website that the app would be returning for iOS and Android download. “The yak is finally back,” the website post reads. But the new Yik Yak is not the free-for-all platform that it used to be. Users can now report posts that violate the site’s community guidelines and cannot name individuals outside of public figures. Some users, however, are already finding ways around this rule. Sam Warnecke, a sophomore political science major, was scrolling through Yik Yak when he found a post calling him out – by name. “Fuck Sam from Phi Delt,” the anonymous post read.
After reaching out to mutual friends, Warnecke was able to confirm the post had been aimed at him. Though not alarmed by the post, Warnecke said the ability to target people specifically poses major safety concerns. “I know who wrote it, and I know that they’re just trying to get under my skin,” Warnecke said. “So in that sense, I was able to laugh about it with my friends. But the fact that they were able to mention me so specifically isn’t good.” Though he reported the post, it has yet to be taken down. Currently, the post has 34 upvotes. “34 people saw someone telling me to fuck off and thought, ‘Yeah, I support that,’” Warnecke said. “That’s probably the worst part.” Some students respect the app’s ability to connect strangers within the Miami community. Karsen Davidson, a sophomore strategic communication major, thinks Yik Yak provides a safe platform for students to express themselves. “I think it’s really cool that there’s such a sense of community [on Yik Yak],” Davidson said. “To see complete strangers get to share inside jokes with each other is a unique opportunity.” While Davidson doesn’t post to the site frequently, he does appreciate the safety the site provides to posters, with the anonymous format giving many the courage to speak up about things that might otherwise go unnoticed. “To have a platform that includes essentially the entire student body, and the ability to say whatever you want anonymously – that’s a pretty powerful tool,” Davidson said. “When used the right way, I think a lot of good can be done with that.” So far, Yik Yak has managed to return to its place of internet stardom, currently sitting at #12 on the top chart for social networking apps on the iOS App Store. Whether or not the app will stay relevant in the long term, however, remains to be seen. Katie Szekely, a sophomore journalism major, doesn’t have much hope for the platform. “I think Yik Yak had its moment for two weeks or so,” Szeleky said. “But people are already kind of over it. I just deleted the app yesterday.” lordance@miamioh.edu
MOLLY MONSON THE MIAMI STUDENT After feeling fed up with dress code inconsistencies and punishments allotted according to body type, a group of girls at Talawanda High School decided it was time for things to change. The young women put up posters in the hallways and stuck post-it notes on paper towel dispensers, mirrors and lockers bearing messages like “We go to a school where the length of our shorts and the thickness of our straps is more important than our education?” and “Instead of shaming people for their bod-
these students’ original plans, the permanent marker got the attention of administrators. Holli Morrish, Talawanda’s director of communication and public relations, wrote in an email to The Miami Student that she supported the students’ movement. “Empowering people is a strong theme in our school district, and I think conversations/ communication around student needs and concerns is very important,” Morrish wrote. “It’s critical that students have opportunities to use their voices and be understood and heard.” To solve the issue, the school district is giving students the opportunity to sit down with administration and collaboratively rewrite the outdated dress code. “I think the opportunity for students to weigh in on the dress code is a great learning opportunity for everyone involved, and as young people that will be emerging into an adult world soon, this is a great practice for the future,” Morrish wrote. “I think this will be an exercise in respectful dialogue, negotiation, and how to communicate effectively regarding issues that are close to our students’ hearts.” Wright said her priority is making female students feel as though their education is the school’s main concern, not the clothes on their back. “We also suggested maybe [revisiting the dress code] every few years because of how generations change, and having those students decide, like they did with us,” Wright said. For Morrish, Talawanda’s collaboration with students is a step in the right direction. “This is a great example of how we can connect with one another, learn about each other and with each other, and resolve important issues in our schools that impact students and staff,” Morrish said.
“It’s critical that students have opportunities to use their voices and be understood and heard.” - Holli Morrish
ies at school, teach people that others are NOT sexual objects.” Hailey Wright, a senior at Talawanda, has been the main student organizer opposing the district’s dress code. She said the situation escalated after other students started removing their messages. “We kept putting them back up and they kept taking them down, so eventually it got out of hand, and they began to write on the walls with Sharpie, which is not at all what we intended or wanted,” Wright said. “The school hadn’t really said much about it except for readdressing the [existing] dress code.” While vandalism may not have been in
monsonma@miamioh.edu
Food
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PHABYMR@MIAMIOH.EDU
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
Miami’s dining halls, ranked
two stations increases the likelihood that you’ll struggle to find food you like. Overall: 4/10
OUR FOOD EDITOR SHARES HER HOT TAKES ON MIAMI’S DINING HALLS. PHOTO BY MADELINE PHABY
MADELINE PHABY CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR As a general rule, I don’t eat at the dining halls. I’m a senior who has lived on campus all four years at Miami (I’ve been an RA for the past two years). I got tired of the dining halls after my sophomore year. Since then, I’ve gotten most of my meals at either Armstrong or off-campus restaurants. It pains me a bit, though, to think about all the meal swipes I’m wasting by not eating at the dining halls. Sure, I’m getting better food elsewhere, but at what cost? This past week, I decided to make a grand return to the dining hall lifestyle by eating one meal at each of them. To ensure I fully experienced each dining hall, I also required myself to get at least one food item from each station. This list features the dining halls in the order in which I ate at them – the actual ranking is at the very end. Western Dining Commons I’ve lived in Stonebridge Hall on Western Campus for three years now, so Western is the dining hall I’m most familiar with. I remembered it being pretty good, so I was excited to see if my memory held up. From Grill and Roast: A slice of cheese pizza, spaghetti with marinara sauce and cauliflower They were out of the main Grill and Roast entree when I was getting my food, so I settled for the ever-present pizza and pasta. Cauliflower is my favorite vegetable, so I was very excited to see it was an offering at this station. Overall, both the pasta sauce and the cauliflower was pretty bland, but there was nothing inherently wrong with it. I know the dining halls sometimes offer other pasta sauces that are less boring, so it was just bad luck that I came on a day they only had marinara. This may be a hot take, but I actually like the dining hall pizza. Is it the most authentic, delicious pizza in the world? Of course not. Does it still kinda slap? In my opinion, yeah. From International Station: Sausage and chicken jambalaya and New Orleans style rice and beans I absolutely love jambalaya, so I was simultaneously excited and ner-
vous to see it in the dining hall. Honestly, though? I was pleasantly surprised. It was by far the least bland item I ate at Western, and the sausage in particular was actually really good. The rice and beans, unfortunately, were pretty bland. But oh well – one outta two ain’t bad! From Allergen Station: Artichoke and potato casserole This just didn’t work for me. It looked delicious and well-seasoned, but it was not. It kind of tasted like dirt. The person who served me at the station was very nice, though! From Deli and Salad: Fruit (cantaloupe and pineapple) This may sound like a dumb thing to include, but anyone who has ever eaten dining hall fruit knows it can be a little suspect sometimes. The fruit at Western, though, was the best part of my meal. It at least had an illusion of freshness, and it didn’t have that weird aftertaste that dining hall fruit occasionally has. Overall, my meal at Western was OK. “Good” may be too strong of a descriptor, so I’ll call it “adequate.” Rating: 6.5/10 Maplestreet Commons Maplestreet always scared me as an underclassman because it was so massive and crowded. I refused to go there without friends because I felt awkward eating there myself. Now that I’m a senior, though, that awkwardness is gone. Knowing you’re likely the only one in there who can legally drink gives you a sense of powerfulness. From Maple Grill: Hot ham & cheese sandwich and cauliflower It’s hard to mess up a sandwich that’s basically a grilled cheese with ham in it, but you never know with the dining halls. The sandwich I had at Maple, though, was solid. I mean, it was just wheat bread with American cheese and ham, but it was good. It made me happy. No complaints. As I mentioned in my review of Western, cauliflower is my favorite vegetable, and I am thrilled to report that the cauliflower at Maple was delicious. It was well-seasoned and just really tasty. Overall, I could’ve made a whole meal out of just these two items if I’d gotten larger servings of them. That’s saying a lot for dining hall food, so
mad props to Maple on this one. From Stir Fry: Fried rice and sweet chili black bean and vegetable stir fry Both of these dishes were … adequate. They weren’t particularly delicious and were a little bland, but there was nothing wrong with them. That’s about all I can say about them. From Allergen Station: Grilled chicken and vegan mac & cheese The grilled chicken was delicious. It was juicy and flavorful, especially when paired with some barbecue sauce. The mac & cheese, though, was a
at a major disadvantage. That said, I still had no choice but to give it a shot for the sake of this article. From Winning Seasonings: Sausage and chicken jambalaya, grilled chicken breast and mac & cheese bites I know what you’re thinking – am I getting deja vu? Didn’t this girl just talk about jambalaya? Yes, Martin’s main dinner offering was exactly the same as Western’s a few days ago. I could have just bypassed it, but it was Winning Seasonings’ main entree, so I figured I had to grab it. Plus, it’s actually pretty tasty.
Garden Commons When I walked into Garden, I was instantly transported back to my freshman year. Given that I ate pretty much every meal at Garden that year, I’ve eaten there more often than any other dining hall by a pretty wide margin. Heck, I even wrote my very first TMS article in Garden over multiple plates of steaming hot spaghetti. Nostalgia can cloud judgment, though, so I committed myself to holding Garden to the same standards as every other dining hall despite my fond memories. From Comfort Thyme: Pork tikka masala, grilled chicken Caesar wrap, and mac & cheese bites I’m not a huge fan of pork, so I don’t know why I even bothered grabbing a serving of the tikka masala. I guess I felt like I had to since it was the station’s main entree. Unsurprisingly, I wasn’t a fan. The sauce was pretty good, but the pork was tough and chewy. Again, this could just be my personal preference. The chicken Caesar wrap was tasty and refreshing – the servings offered at the station were tiny, but I would order a larger version of it as a meal. Once again, the mac & cheese bites slapped. From Zen Garden: Chicken szechuan stir fry over brown rice, topped with steamed broccoli This was amazing. The rice and broccoli may have been bland on their own, but when mixed with the tangy szechuan sauce, the meal was satisfying and delicious. I actually grabbed a second helping to-go – that’s how good it was. I’m pretty sure that was my first time ever getting dining hall food to-go. I also grabbed a fortune cookie at this station. Apparently I’ll be receiv-
“It pains me a bit, though, to think about all the meal swipes I’m wasting by not eating at the dining halls. Sure, I’m getting better food elsewhere, but at what cost?” - Madeline Phaby
very different story. As a lactose intolerant woman, I really wanted to like it because it didn’t contain real cheese. Sadly, it had no distinct flavor aside from straight-up noodles (which were also pretty mushy), so I have to give this one a hard pass. From Pizza Station: 2 slices of cheese pizza The only offerings at this station were pizza and the same spaghetti and marinara sauce I had at Western, so I don’t have anything new to report for this one. I still firmly believe that the dining hall pizza slaps, though. Rating: 7.5/10 Martin Dining Commons The only residence hall I’ve lived in other than Stonebridge is Marcum (formerly known as Presidents) Hall on North Quad. Even when I lived on North Quad for an entire year, I ate at Martin maybe twice. Martin is very small and has significantly fewer stations than all the other dining halls, which places it
The chicken breast is also a repeat, but the one I had at Martin was nowhere near as juicy and well-seasoned as the one at Maple. The mac & cheese bites, unsurprisingly, slapped. From Ciao: Cheese tortellini and a slice of cheese pizza Ciao is the only other station at Martin, besides the salad bar and bakery area that are the same at all the dining halls, and I don’t really count those. The cheese tortellini was pretty solid, if a bit bland (clearly a common criticism of all this dining hall food). Per usual, the cheese pizza stole the show and was the best part of my meal. Overall, the food at Martin isn’t any worse than at other dining halls, but there are just so few options. If you aren’t a fan of either of the entrees they’re offering on a given day, you’re basically stuck with the pizza and pasta. Though this is true at every dining hall, the fact that there are only
ing good news soon – nice! From Ciao: Herb and garlic tilapia and a slice of cheese pizza Now, I know what you’re thinking – dining hall fish is a recipe for disaster. You’re probably right. Tilapia is far from my favorite fish to eat as well. That said, this tilapia was actually pretty good – it was flavorful and completely different than everything else I’ve eaten recently. You already know the cheese pizza was amazing, so I won’t dwell on it any longer. Overall: 8/10 Final Rankings: 5. Martin Dining Commons (4/10) 4. Western Dining Commons (6.5/10) 3. Maplestreet Commons (7.5/10) 2. Garden Commons (8/10) 1. Bell Tower Commons (10/10 we miss you, legend) @madphabes phabymr@miamioh.edu
New Raising Cane’s restaurant opens in Hamilton TAJ SIMMONS ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR Located on 1479 Main St. in Hamilton, a new Raising Cane’s opened over the summer to the delight and the curiosity of Miami University students. In an email written to The Miami Student, General Manager Bryan Connolly, the chicken finger restaurant officially opened its doors on June 29, and has already seen waves of Miami students come to eat at the restaurant. “We’ve seen a fair number of RedHawks make their way through the doors,” Connolly wrote. “It has been great to see the students enjoying our chicken finger meals.” The Hamilton Cane’s marks the 13th restaurant to open in the southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky area – none, however, are within 10 miles of Oxford. The Hamilton location is about a 20 minute drive from campus, 10 minutes less than Cane’s next closest location in Colerain. Senior accountancy major Vathsa Yarramsetty said he loved to eat at Cane’s in his Columbus-area hometown and was excited to see one open up closer to Oxford.
“I saw the restaurant in Hamilton on my drive back to Miami from home,” Yarramsetty said. “It’s a bit of a drive, about 20 minutes or so, but I’ll probably end up going sometime soon – it’s too good not to.” Other students, such as junior biology and pre-medical studies double major Zach Dyer, felt the location was too far away from Oxford and wondered why a closer location to Miami University’s campus wasn’t chosen instead. “I love Cane’s, but it’s a 40-minute drive roundtrip, not really ideal,” Dyer said. “I still can’t believe that we don’t have one up here in Oxford, I feel like they would really make a killing because there’s really not any sort of fried-chicken place up here. There’s not any Popeyes, any KFC, any Chick-fil-A, nothing.” Sophomore marketing and strategic communication double major Gibson Pope shared similar sentiments. “I don’t mind going to make a trip with some friends on a weekend or something, but I think you’d obviously rather have one in Oxford that you could walk to,” Pope said. “It’s just annoying to have to make the hike to go get it.” When asked if Connolly had heard any plans to open a store in Oxford, he wrote
MANY STUDENTS WISH THE NEW RAISING CANE’S WAS CLOSER TO CAMPUS. PHOTO BY HERSCHEL ALBERT
that he hoped the 20-minute drive would not be too big of a hurdle for Miami students to drive to. “We’re always looking for communities to grow our brand in,” Connolly wrote. “In the meantime, we hope that the Miami students
and Oxford community will make the trip down to dine with us.” @simmons_taj simmontp@miamioh.edu
PHABYMR@MIAMIOH.EDU
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
‘Happy tastes good’:
Oxford Dairy Queen holds grand opening
OXFORD’S NEW DAIRY QUEEN IS ALREADY A HIT WITH THE COMMUNITY. PHOTO EDITOR ZACH REICHMAN
MADELINE PHABY CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR At long last, Blizzards and GrillBurgers have made their way back to Oxford. A new Dairy Queen Grill & Chill (DQ) opened its doors on Friday, Sept. 10. The restaurant, located at 5046 College Corner Pike, was formerly a KFC. Brad Huelsman, the owner of both the new DQ in Oxford and the Liberty Town-
ship location, said it was initially scheduled to open on Tuesday, Sept. 7, but low staffing and training complications pushed the grand opening back. Of the 12 new employees who were supposed to begin training on Sept. 3, Huelsman said eight called off. “It’s a beautiful Friday evening, so of course their grandmas are sick, they hit a deer, they aren’t feeling well,” Huelsman said. “At least they called.” But the delay didn’t worry Huelsman –
he knew whenever the DQ ended up opening, it would be flooded with customers. In fact, he had to block the entrance to the parking lot with cones so people would know the restaurant wasn’t open yet. “Everybody’s just chomping at the bit,” Huelsman said. “Especially when we’re training and there’s cars in the parking lot, people are circling like sharks.” Huelsman’s prediction for the grand opening’s success was correct – the line for the drive thru wrapped around the building, and the inside was filled to the brim with customers. Oxford residents Dee and Jim Teed were among the many customers at the grand opening. The two are both avid “fans” (DQ refers to their patrons as fans rather than customers) and were thrilled to hear the new DQ was opening so close to their home. “We’ve done a lot of traveling, and when I see a Dairy Queen on the road, I stop – whether I’m hungry or not,” Jim said. “[I’m excited] this is so close, it’s just two blocks up.” Also in attendance for the grand opening was Ashley Johnson, a senior clinical lecturer in educational psychology at Miami University. She brought her daughters Izzy and Lucy and their friend Elizabeth. Johnson said her kids had been eagerly looking forward to DQ opening, especially because they passed the building every morning on their way to school. “They’ve been looking at the sign every time we drive by, holding their breath, hoping it would be open,” Johnson said. “Finally, today was the day.” Johnson’s kids were thrilled that the
“When I see a Dairy Queen on the road, I stop – whether I’m hungry or not.” - Jim Teed
long-anticipated DQ was finally opening, which is representative of the reason Huelsman says DQ continues to be so popular – it simply makes people happy. “Happy tastes good,” Huelsman said. “Everyone just loves it – it’s just a great product.” Additional reporting by Asst. Campus & Community Editor Cosette Gunter and Multimedia Editor Maggie Peña. @madphabes phabymr@miamioh.edu
To my food editor: MAGGIE PEÑA
Cincinnati chili doesn’t like you either
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR & ASST. ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR The food editor of The Miami Student, Madeline Phaby, is a dear friend of mine. We laugh together, we cry together, we eat together. We enjoy each other’s company. But boy, do I have a bone to pick with her. Or rather, I have a ‘fork wrapped with spaghetti, chili and cheese’ to pick with her. Nearly a month ago, Madeline wrote a story detailing her first experience trying Cincinnati chili as a Chicago-native. Her experience was less than pleasant, as she described the texture of the signature dish (a three-way) as “wet” and said the spaghetti had a “weird energy.” These are fighting words. I grew up in small-town Lebanon, Ohio, about 45 minutes from Cincinnati. Seasons are questionable in Ohio, but I’ve always been excited about the fall, especially the smells that came with it — cinnamon candles, hot chocolate, bonfires. But nothing compared to opening my screen door after school to be blessed with the sweet scent of Cincinnati chili wafting through my house. Even made with Kroger-brand ground beef, Kroger-brand Cincinnati chili seasoning and Kroger-brand cheddar cheese, I would be scarfing down the meal in my living room. The second I joined the clean-plate club, I would either be paralyzed in a food-coma or eager for seconds. Not everyone’s favorite food is Cincinnati chili, and I get that. I understand that it is a strange, acquired taste, but it should still be given a fair chance; Something I don’t think Madeline did (partly through no fault of her own). First of all — and this is a controversial opinion — I would have taken Madeline to Gold Star Chili. Be mad at me all you want, Cincinnati-natives, Gold Star is better than Skyline. Their chili is less chunky and there’s always a pool of liquid at the bottom to submerge the dry oyster crackers into so they can soak in the delicious flavor. Gold Star’s chili is also more chocolatey/cinnamon-ey, which adds a layer of sweetness necessary for such a bizarre cre-
LAST ISSUE, OUR FOOD EDITOR WROTE A CRITIQUE OF SKYLINE CHILI. OUR MULTIMEDIA EDITOR HAD A SCATHING RESPONSE. PHOTO BY CAROLINE BARTOSZEK
ation. Maybe that means Madeline would have liked it less since it’s arguably more “wet,” but at least bringing her to the superior restaurant would have given it a fighting chance. I also have a problem with the way our mutual friend, Campus & Community Editor Abby Bammerlin and accompanier to Madeline’s taste test, told her to eat the pasta. You don’t just cut up the three ingredients as they are, you mix them together to create a blended experience of pasta, chili and cheese. It was also a little unfair to not give a coney a try. Yeah sure, Chicagoans are partial to hot dogs, but coneys are a whole different experience of soggy bread (it’s better than it sounds) and questionably pink hot dogs (I can’t vouch for why they’re pink, but they’re safe to eat … probably). The real issue though, Madeline says, is the concept of even pouring chili over spaghetti in the first place. She asks:
“What makes Skyline chili different from spaghetti with meat sauce?” “Why is a three-way considered a chili dish rather than a pasta dish?” “Honestly, is it still chili if it’s nothing more than ground beef and broth?” Well one, spaghetti with meat sauce is an entirely separate entity. No doubt you picture pasta with red sauce when you say those words, and when you order it, you are likely at an Olive Garden or Paesano’s. Second, the argument that a “three-way [is] considered a chili dish rather than a pasta dish” is fundamentally flawed. A three-way is a pasta dish. It’s a pasta dish in the same way chicken alfredo is a pasta dish; Both have pasta, sauce and cheese on top. Finally, the last question is just wholly unfair. Reducing Cincinnati chili to “ground beef and broth” takes away all the special spices that go into the seasoning. Namely chili powder, allspice, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and salt,
as listed in the original recipe from the Greek restaurant that first served the meal, the Empress. My home in Lebanon is right off the infamous “fast food lane,” where we have over a dozen restaurants, including a skyline and a Gold Star right next to each other. I have fond childhood memories of gathering in my living room with my family, watching TV and eating the chili on paper plates. When asked my favorite food, I always answer the same — Cincinnati chili. Of course I’m partial to this niche food that defies the definition of chili, but that doesn’t mean my food editor’s arguments against it are correct. To Madeline: I still love you even though I have completely obliterated your article. Let me make it up to you … Gold Star date this weekend? penaml@miamioh.edu
Food trucks are a hot topic in Oxford MADI JEROME
THE MIAMI STUDENT Food trucks provide people with a unique dining experience, but the idea of them in Oxford has been met with mixed reviews from residents. An Oxford Talk post by Chantel Raghu, an Oxford City Councilor, showed a video of food trucks lined up on High Street a few weeks ago that sparked controversy in the comments. Raghu wrote in the post, “It looks like Oxford LOVES food trucks. What are your thoughts on having more food trucks in town?” Nick Felter, a sixth year graduate student in the kinesiology department at Miami University, said he really enjoys food trucks. “I think food trucks are great … I think it brings a lot of different [food] that we wouldn’t normally have access to in uptown,” Felter said. “The one that used to park out in Kroger had really good food too and I feel like a lot of times anytime I’ve had a food truck, the food is always really good.” Felter said food trucks would be a great incorporation to uptown and would attract more students. “There are quite a few eateries in uptown, but they do get jam-packed and it’s super busy,” Felter
said. “I think food trucks could be a great option to add in another place and add something different that we might not already have where kids can stop and get food.” Joel Parks, a co-owner of Bodega, said he doesn’t like the idea of food trucks because of their potential impact to the flow uptown. “I don’t think they should be allowed, just alone for trafficwise you’re mixing in the cars, buses, it’s hard to find a place to park anyways in uptown,” Parks said. “I think that would take away from a business. I think if they’re pushing for new businesses and new business opportunities, there are plenty of open spaces in town and in uptown.” Red Brick Fridays: Streets and Eats was an event on August 27 in uptown, in which the city of Oxford closed High Street, so the community could welcome Miami students back. The event had food trucks, carnival games and live entertainment. Parks said Bodega and other local businesses struggled the day of this event. “We did business, but it wasn’t as strong as we could have because the food trucks kind of drove people to go [to them instead],” Parks said. “It’s not fair to the businesses up here that have been here for a long time or are trying to start up. A lot of the town has hard working employees in bars,
restaurants and these other industries around here that put a lot of time in.” Parks said he didn’t like that the food trucks were placed in front of local businesses, especially at the start of the semester. “This is at the beginning of the year when we want people, and all the new [first-years] are walking around to try our food because they’re going to be here for the next four years,” Parks said. “Oxford’s always a weird bubble, and obviously it’s huge when the students are here. When they’re gone, it’s a pretty small community.” Kimberly Clarke, the general manager at Wildberry, said she thinks food trucks are fine as long as they don’t harm local restaurants. “It’s very expensive to run a business on High Street,” Clarke said. “When they put a food truck in front of your business that is serving the same dish as your business, it isn’t fair.” Clarke also said she would love a food truck that is different from the current businesses in Oxford, such as a falafel or vegan truck. “As long as the food truck is unique, it isn’t a problem,” Clarke said. “No Chinese food, no burgers. Make sure that it is something that doesn’t directly affect the local companies around here.” Raghu said she likes the idea of food trucks because they give customers a unique experience.
“That’s the beauty of food trucks: they provide that variety,” Raghu said. “I think we should allow that competition … We should allow free enterprise. It’s not our job to restrict small businesses like food trucks.” Food trucks have to pay rent when it comes to licenses and permits, but some people have concerns about food trucks because they don’t have to pay taxes like the brick and mortar businesses do. Raghu said the high rent in Oxford is a different issue, so we shouldn’t disclude new businesses. “I think high rent should be a completely different issue,” Raghu said. “Rent is insane for a small town, and the brick and mortar businesses struggle from the high rent. Businesses will go under because of the rent, so we need to be an inclusive economy.” Raghu said she sees food trucks as a valuable addition to the community. “[I want us to do] whatever we can do to make our town lively and vibrant,” Raghu said. “I want whatever it takes for Oxford to be a bustling, vibrant town.” @Madijeromee jeromemt@miamioh.edu
Entertainment!
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KWIATKDM@MIAMIOH.EDU
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
Lil Nas X’s debut album called me by my name DAVID KWIATKOWSKI
give. Lil Nas X and Meg have given us all an anthem to remind us that we are hot girls to our core. It has been on repeat. “AM I DREAMING” with Miley Cyrus is the best collaboration of the album and the perfect closer. Lil Nas X said on Twit-
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Everyone that dismissed Lil Nas X as a one-hit wonder has officially been silenced with the release of his debut album “MONTERO.” I dread hearing “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus as much as everyone else. But after he came out publicly in 2019, I grew an immense respect for him. For me, his prominence within both the Black and LGBTQ+ communities outweighed that his music didn’t seem serious at first. Until recently. Between the singles “INDUSTRY BABY,” “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” and “SUN GOES DOWN,” this album had the best promotion and rollout that I can remember. Lil Nas X literally had a baby bump, a baby shower and gave birth to the album on a livestream. The 22-year-old has found his voice and solidified his sound. His live performances are more engaging, and he is discovering himself as not just an artist, but an entertainer. “MONTERO” finally sees his largerthan-life persona carry over into his art. Lil Nas X’s music videos have never missed. The man is committed to the art of the music video, and his recent win for Video of the Year for “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” at the 2021 VMAs is only further proof. The album is titled after his legal first name and creates a world to embrace his identity; the absolute perfect formula for a debut album. The “planet” concept album has been a recent trend in pop music. Between Lady Gaga’s “Chromatica” and Doja Cat’s “Planet Her,” everyone just wants to be off this planet. Lil Nas X has executed the concept the best. I will be buying a boarding pass to Montero at the closest opportunity. The album is introspective and hon-
“The 22-year-old has found his voice and solidified his sound. His live performances are more engaging, and he is discovering himself as not just an artist, but as an entertainer.” LIL NAS X’S DEBUT ALBUM HAS SOLIDIFIED HIS PLACE IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. PHOTOS FROM @LILNASX ON INSTAGRAM
est. There are influences of grunge rock and Kanye West (who has a writing credit on “INDUSTRY BABY”) and surprisingly shows even more of his true self than on social media. Songs like “DEAD RIGHT NOW” and “TALES OF DOMINICA” reveal his inner thoughts about coming out to his family and being in the public eye. These are songs that I needed to hear when I was 15 years old and coming out. While I loved the album, parts of it still felt surface-level.
“Malignant” was my favorite comedy since “Booksmart.” That’s not a good thing. whole minute to compose myself, not out of fear, but because I needed to control my laughter. Shocking plot twists aside, I flipped back and forth between confusion and laughter for the rest of the film. At one point, a nameless character is introduced while giving tours of underground Seattle. Despite being played by actress Jean Louisa Kelly, I just assumed this new character was Madison at her day job and spent the next half hour thoroughly confused by how she kept teleporting. Eventually I realized they were two different people, but only after I realized the plot made no sense otherwise. That one’s on me. Multiple times throughout the movie, the character who was supposed JAMES WAN’S FILM “MALIGNANT” FAILED TO LIVE UP TO THE STANDARD OF to pose the biggest threat HIS PREVIOUS FILMS. PHOTOS FROM @CREEPYPUPPET ON INSTAGRAM showed up. I could take them seriously for a minSEAN SCOTT ute or two, but then they would start moving ASST. ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR and I had to laugh again. Why were their arms backwards? Is there I watched James Wan’s 2021 film “Manot a more efficient way to murder people? lignant” on a whim with no expectations. I vaguely knew what the movie was Is there really no faster way to run? Thankfully, these questions are answered about: A woman dreams of murders, but the by the end of the film, but that doesn’t nemurders are real. Boom, horror movie. I wasn’t sold on the concept, but I was gate how they took me out of the movie. Worse than amusing character design, sold on Wan. He directed “The Conjuring” and “The Conjuring 2,” two of my favor- though, “Malignant” had no point. Wan tries to take a stab at how mental ite horror movies, and launched the “Saw” franchise. He knows how to make critical health impacts individuals and their loved and commercial successes, so I had faith in ones before eventually landing on a weak message about chosen versus blood relahim. tives. The first may have been a cliche in I was wrong. “Malignant” is a film with no subtlety. horror from “The Shining” to “Midsommar,” Protagonist Madison, played by Annabelle but at least it made sense in the context of Wallis, is pregnant and in a relationship the story Wan was telling. The second theme makes sense, too, but with boyfriend Derek, played by Jake Abel. In case it isn’t clear that Derek is abusive only after clunky lines about how Madison when he blames Madison for her previous wants a child so she knows what it feels like miscarriages and views her as a vessel for his to have biological relatives. I’m still at a loss children, he shoves her into a wall after five for how the horror tropes of the film served that message. minutes on screen. When “The Conjuring” was released in When psychologist Dr. Weaveris introduced, her home office overflows with books 2013, it led to one of the most consistently about the brain and patient files and tro- successful cinematic universes outside of Marvel, at least at the box office if not with phies in psychology. I didn’t know psychology was a tro- critics. Wan was a big part of that, and I’m phy-giving field, but anything goes in expo- grateful. If I get stuck in the “Malignant” universe sition, I guess. Once the plot gets going, the movie feels for the next decade, though, it won’t be a like a cross between “American Horror Sto- positive experience. Like the name suggests, ry” and “Bones,” complete with the side plot this movie was a tumor that’s best removed of a forensic investigator with a crush on FBI and forgotten. agent Kekoa Shaw, who is — shocker — unRating: 3/10 aware of her affection. Toward the end, the film nosedives into scottsr2@miamioh.edu “Harry Potter” territory in the most genuinely unexpected plot twist I’ve ever watched. When the final twist was revealed, my jaw fully dropped. I paused the movie for a
“SCOOP” is definitely a song to play while in the car with your friends, but I expected more from this collaboration than a 23-second verse from Doja Cat. “ONE OF ME” is a beautiful song where Lil Nas X is candid about the pressures of being forgotten and dismissed as a one-hit wonder. Elton John plays the piano beautifully on the outro of the song, and while he doesn’t sing on the track, there aren’t many artists who can say they had Elton John on their debut album. “DOLLA SIGN SLIME” with Megan Thee Stallion gave everything it needed to
ter he is trying to collect all the “Cyrus stones” and I am now anxiously awaiting a collaboration with Noah Cyrus. The album is a standout debut album from Lil Nas X and shows that he will not be going anywhere anytime soon. Rating: 9/10 @kwiatkdm kwiatkdm@miamioh.edu
Black people are more than our oppression, we need Hollywood to realize that BRIAH LUMPKINS MANAGING EDITOR A few weeks ago, I went to the drive-in movie with my boyfriend for a date night to see the newest remake of the 1992 horror classic, “Candyman.” For the record, I hate scary movies, but this film had a certain buzz around it that interested me. The cast was mostly Black, and the director was the first Black female to have a film debut No. 1 in the U.S. box office. To quote the great Issa Rae: “I’m rooting for everybody Black.” So, I agreed to go and prepared myself for a night of hiding behind my hands from the inevitable jumpscares. But as we sat in the car and watched the movie, the true message of the film began to unfold. The 2021 iteration of “Candyman” was less of a remade horror classic than it was a dialogue on the experience of the Black man in America. Candyman, a Black man wrongly ac-
educate audiences on the Black experience, which I acknowledge and think is important. But as a Black viewer, this focus in the cinema and television has become exhausting. When I come to the movies or turn on the TV, most of the time I’m looking for an escape from reality. I’m drawn to Marvel films and trashy reality TV because they’re the complete opposite of my current life. (Although having the ability to fly or get paid to fight with my co-stars would be nice.) But when all I’m watching is focused on the mistreatment of Black people in society, it’s hard for me to willingly support this Black creativity. As a Black viewer, this continued cycle can be traumatic. When I turn on the TV, I don’t want to be constantly reminded of the unfair treatment I can — and do — experience every day. It seems as though Hollywood is sending a message that Black creativity can only be accepted if it is focused on our struggle and oppression. Just in the last year, two Black actors won Oscars for best actor and actress in a supporting role. Both films (“Judas and the Black Messiah” and “If Beale Street Could Talk”) are stories of frustrating and unjust periods of the Black experience. It’s important to be aware and stay educated on our history, especially at a time when people are fighting to not teach it in school. But this trend was prominent even before the most recent racial reckoning of last year. The Black experience is diverse and beautiful. Although it is important to educate others on our history, we are not just our oppression. We are people who want to see ourselves portrayed in films with the same standing as any white person. We can be superheroes, spies, doctors, lawyers, the president, a princess. We can be anything. But when Hollywood puts us in a shallow box, viewers come to accept and expect only to see our art in that way. Sure, we have made some leaps and bounds. Captain America, played by Anthony Mackie, is a Black man (and, a phenomenal actor.) The 2020 psychological thriller “Tenet” starring a new young, upand-coming Black actor, John David Washington, was a hit during the pandemic. But both of these men are surrounded and supported by a mostly white cast. Entertainment impacts our view of the world. Including majority-Black casts in films that allow us to be seen as more than just slaves, prisoners or victims of oppression is just as important as educating nonBlack people on our history and daily existence.
“It seems as though Hollywood is sending a message that Black creativity can only be accepted if it is focused on our struggle and oppression.”
cused of lacing children’s candy with poison, became a martyr for all Black men who had been wrongly accused by the police or their white counterparts for crimes they did not commit. What I thought would be a film full of supernatural scares turned out to include pieces of my own reality as a Black person in America. To reiterate: I love supporting Black artistry. Clothes, designer bags, food, content. You name it. If a Black person made it, I go out of my way to support and uplift it. But after watching this film, a realization came upon me. Other than “Candyman,” the most recent Black-centered films and TV shows I’ve seen over the past few years have been hyper focused on the Black struggle. They are stories of Black oppression, unfair police encounters and our long journey to equality. The goal of the films is to
@briah_lumpkins lumpkibm@miamioh.edu
KWIATKDM@MIAMIOH.EDU
Britney Spears: Freed or still fighting? DAVID KWIATKOWSKI ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR The day has finally come. On Sept. 7, NBC News broke the story that Britney Spears’ father, Jamie Spears, has petitioned the court to end her 13-year conservatorship. Until this point, I was wary of the possibility that her conservatorship would ever come to an end. Since 2008, Britney Spears, now 39, has been under a probate conservatorship that doesn’t allow her to make any decisions about her finances, vote, drive a car, get married or much else. It was put in place by Spears’ father after the public breakdown that Spears went through in 2007. Even after her explosive testimony in court on June 23 that outlined the abuse she had gone through by her conservators, including being forced to have an IUD, making artists sign NDAs before they work with her and being forced to continue performing at her Las Vegas residency, the judge still chose to keep her father on as conservator. Doctors forced her to take lithium. She wasn’t even allowed to change her clothes by herself. I’ve been following this story for a while. I wrote my first #FreeBritney column for The Miami Student back in November 2019 when the movement was first forming. Back then, I felt like I was shouting from the rooftops to get people to pay attention to this gross abuse of power over someone who was paying for mistakes she made in her 20s. Then, the New York Times released its documentary “Framing Britney Spears” in February of this year (which I did a podcast about), and it became mainstream news. The Times also obtained court documents showing that Britney had been silently pushing for the conservatorship to end for years. While Spears was singing for us to dance until the world ends, her world as she knew it was in upheaval. How could something like this happen? Why is she being punished? This is a situation that would never happen to a man. It is pure and blatant sexism that is protected
MAGGIE PEÑA
BRITNEY SPEARS’ LONG BATTLE OVER HER ESTATE COMES TO A HEAD IN COURT. ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR WELLS
by the law. Once Britney got to hire her own lawyer for the first time in 13 years, I was even more excited. Under a conservatorship, Spears is deemed mentally incapable to hire her own counsel, so this was the biggest stride in the #FreeBritney campaign thus far. But I was also trying to contain my excitement. Judge Brenda Penny has been very uneven in her rulings. She allowed Britney’s court-appointed advocate, Sam Ingham, to step down in early 2020. After Britney’s testimony on June 23, Penny allowed the Bessemer Trust, the firm tasked with handling Britney’s finances, to step down as well. But, Judge Penny hasn’t ruled definitively on whether to remove Jamie Spears as his daughter’s conservator. At the end of the day, this is a human rights issue. Someone’s entire existence has been signed
“Edward Scissorhands” (1990): A boy with a heart of gold and scissors for hands moves into the suburbs. “Jennifer’s Body” (2009): Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried. What more do you need? “Heathers” (1988): Your ’80s teen movie gets flipped on its head when Veronica accidentally murders her best friend and enemy, which according to her, is the “same difference.” “Beetlejuice” (1988): A disgraced ghost helps a newly deceased couple and a goth teen haunt their house.
HALLOWEEN IS A TIME FOR CANDY AND CINEMATIC MASTERPIECESPHOTO FROM @HOCUSPOCUSMOVIE ON INSTAGRAM
ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR It’s September, which means I’m officially in the Halloween spirit. What better way to embrace that spirit than to watch Halloween movies? I have an extensive fall movie watchlist. Here are the highlights. Disclaimer: I’m not a fan of horror movies, so this list is lacking in that genre. Cult classics/Winona Ryder Hour “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975): In this musical, newly engaged Brad and Janet stumble upon an eerie mansion when their car breaks down, and they meet an array of interesting characters, including a mad scientist and his creation. “The Craft” (1996): What could go wrong when four high school girls try their hand at witchcraft?
Concerts are back, baby. Here’s where to find them ASST. ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
away. Jamie Spears petitioning to end this conservatorship has nothing to do with his daughter’s well-being and everything to do with the fact that he does not want to testify about the absolutely horrid behavior he subjected his daughter to. Netflix’s new documentary “Britney vs. Spears”, was released on Sept. 28. I’m hoping there’s new information and not just a rehash of what’s already been circulating the internet for more than two years. Still, one glimmer of good news came out amongst the chaos. Britney recently announced her engagement to her longtime boyfriend, Sam Ashgari, and hopefully this will be the beginning of the next chapter of her life. One that she will control. @kwiatkdm kwiatkdm@miamioh.edu
Halloween and fall movie essentials
LEXI WHITEHEAD
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
Cozy fall vibes “Fantastic Mr. Fox” (2009): Against his wife’s wishes, Mr. Fox returns to his wild animal nature and plans a heist to steal from the meanest farmers in town. Perfect orange and yellow fall color scheme. “Twilight” (2008): The baseball scene is a cinematic masterpiece. “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (1966): Charlie Brown has an unsuccessful Halloween, Linus sets out to meet the Great Pumpkin and Snoopy battles the Red Baron. “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” (2004): Arguably the best movie in the Harry Potter series. Freeform’s “31 nights of Halloween”-core “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993): The generally dark aesthetic makes it a Halloween, not a Christmas, movie. “The Addams Family” (1991): Who wants to be the Gomez to my Morticia?
“Corpse Bride” (2005): Guy is supposed to marry girl. He accidentally proposes to another (dead) girl. She wants to get married. He wants to get back to his love before she marries another. “Hocus Pocus” (1993): I’m sure you already knew this. “Frankenweenie” (2012): Tim Burton’s oft overlooked movie about a boy who tries to bring his dog back to life. Horror “The Orphanage” (2007): A Spanish movie about a woman who believes spirits in her house can help her find her missing son. “Coraline” (2009): Coraline, who resents her parents, discovers an alternate universe where everything is perfect, until it’s not. “Scream” (1996): This reinvention of the slasher film traumatized me as a child. “Monster House” (2006):What if your house wasn’t just haunted, but alive and tortured the whole neighborhood? Nostalgic comedy/mysteries “Scooby-Doo” (2002): The gang reunites to solve the mystery of Spooky Island. Best live-action casting. “Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed” (2004): Even better than the first movie, in my opinion. All of the monsters the gang has unmasked come back to life, and they have to defeat them again. Featuring Alicia Silverstone. “My Babysitter’s a Vampire” (2010): The only thing worse than having a babysitter in high school is having a babysitter who also happens to be a vampire. The show is also worth a watch. @nwlexi whitehan@miamioh.edu
Who knew that a year of social distancing would make me miss concerts so much? I missed the weird parts, like smelling the body odor and sweat of strangers. I missed the fun part, like jumping and dancing in a mosh pit. I missed the parts that reminded me I was human on this strange planet, like crying with 300 strangers to the music of someone who doesn’t even know we exist. COVID-19 restrictions canceled concerts for the majority of 2020. Music lovers could share their thoughts through technology, but the effect wasn’t the same. Apps like TikTok have changed the way we listen to and experience music. We no longer have to travel hours to a concert or go to a record store to find music lovers who share our same tastes. But there’s something to be said for live, in-person events. The connection between artist and audience can’t be found online. Even a live streamed concert doesn’t produce the same energy as a concert in a dimly-lit stadium with flashing neon lights and bass notes you can feel through the floor. Lucky for us, the widespread administering of COVID-19 vaccines has meant a surge in concerts around the country. Miami students can catch up with their favorite artists at these upcoming events in Cincinnati and Columbus venues: Riverbend Music Center (Cincinnati) • Dierks Bentley “Beers on Me” - Friday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. • Lynyrd Skynyrd “Big Wheels Keep On Turnin’” - Saturday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. • Chris Stapleton “All-American Roadshow” - Thursday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. Bogart’s (Cincinnati) • WALK THE MOON “Dream Plane” Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 2-3 at 7 p.m. • Emo Nite presented by Emo Nite LA Friday, Nov. 19 at 9 p.m. • Lawrence “The Hotel TV” - Saturday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. • Jesse McCartney “The ‘New Stage’” Saturday, Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. • Motherfolk “A Very Motherfolk Christmas” - Friday, December 17 at 7 p.m. The Andrew J. Brady ICON Music Center (Cincinnati) • Earth, Wind & Fire - Friday, Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. • Daughtry “The Dearly Beloved” Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. EXPRESS LIVE! (Columbus) • Porter Robinson “Nurture Live” Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. • $uicideboy$ “Greyday” - Wednesday, Oct 13 at 6 p.m. • LANY “gg bb xx” - Thursday, Oct 14 at 6:30 p.m. • Jesse McCartney “The ‘New Stage’” Saturday, Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m. • CHVRCHES - Saturday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. Nationwide Arena (Columbus) • Twenty One Pilots “Takeover” Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27, 29 and 30 at 8 p.m. • Trans-Siberian Orchestra “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” - Sunday, December 26 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. penaml@miamioh.edu
Editor picks - September STAFF REPORT
Every month, our editors contribute to a Spotify playlist where they each put in their five favorite songs of the month. Read about our favorite picks from the playlist, and listen along with us by clicking the link or scanning the QR code. “HONESTLY?” – American Football Fall tends to be a time of nostalgia and melancholy for me, and as a former angsty teen, no music screams fall to me more than midwest emo. This song checks off all those boxes. The lyrics reflect feelings of growing up and looking back on youthful memories from a more mature standpoint. With a four-minute instrumental outro of layered guitars, it offers you time for introspection or to just be sad. – Lexi Whitehead, Asst. Campus & Community Editor “MAPLE” – Jome As my favorite season, I always wish fall would last longer than it does. The chorus of this song wills time to stop moving, as if reading my mind when I’m relaxed on a chilly, rainy day in October, “I’d give anything to stay here.” The lilting, soft instrumental underneath the lyrics is perfect for playing in those moments you find a bit of peace in the midst of whatever chaos life is bringing. – Cosette Gunter, Asst. Campus & Community Editor “DEAR SUMMER” – Jay-Z Jay-Z and summer are like peanut butter and
jelly. “Dear Summer” is all about saying goodbye to the hottest season. Hova is reminiscing on the summer: Literally, the season when most of his early hits got hot, but figuratively, the early peak of his career. When this song was released back in ‘05, Iceberg Slim was just coming back from retirement. Look what he’s done since. Let’s all make like Jazzy and leave the summer behind us; big things are coming. – Jack Schmelzinger, Asst. Sports Editor
“TRY AGAIN” – Aaliyah feat. Timbaland For the first time ever, Aaliyah’s music is available on streaming platforms. This song, from the “Romeo Must Die” soundtrack, was her only number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 back in 2000. However, the song still sounds like it came out yesterday. Between the iconic music video co-starring Jet Li and the hypnotizing beat by Timbaland, this song remains a classic. I’m just so happy that I don’t have to go to YouTube to listen to it anymore. – David Kwiatkowski, Sr. Campus & Community Editor/Entertainment Editor “CLEOPATRA” – The Lumineers I have been listening to this song on repeat for the last two months, but that doesn’t mean it’s a summer song. The soft strumming of an electric guitar and the upbeat drums that kick in during the first chorus perfectly pair to create a dance-around-your-room sort of song, despite the melancholy lyrics. The lyrics describe a lot of what it feels like to leave the summer behind for the grey skies of an Oxford fall … nervous and mournful, for sure, but also excited for
new things to come. – Ames Radwan, Asst. Opinion Editor
“PEACE” – Taylor Swift Taylor Swift released “folklore” in the summer, but nearly all of its songs are perfect for fall, and none more so than “peace.” The song is simple and understated, but powerful. Maybe I’m just a sucker for songs that make me feel like I’m floating, but I can live with that when it sounds this good. SCAN THIS QR CODE WITH YOUR PHONE CAMERA TO BE TAKEN TO THE FULL PLAYLIST! – Sean Scott, Asst. Campus & Community “THE RUN AND GO” – Twenty One Pilots Editor / Asst. EntertainListen. I am unabashedly a fan of Twenty ment Editor One Pilots (except their new album), and I will always have a special place in my heart for their “JUNGLE” – Tash Sultana This is the sexy fall song of your dreams. It’s third studio album, “Vessel.” “The Run and Go” the perfect tune to turn on and cuddle up with has a strong, upbeat melody juxtaposed with that person — or maybe just a book — whatev- lyrics about killing a man and being “on the run er you can get access to. This song sounds like a and go” for it. As with most of Twenty One PiSeptember sunset. It’s been pouring through my lots’ songs, the last 30 seconds of this song feaears as I’ve been pouring cups of coffee, and now tures lead singer Tyler Joseph shouting over the that it’s cold, I can fully recommend that for an final notes. It’s perfect to scream-sing in the car amazing chilly morning experience. – Rebecca with the windows down. – Maggie Peña, Multimedia Editor & Asst. Entertainment Editor Wolff, Opinion Editor
style
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
BERGOE@MIAMIOH.EDU
What Miami is wearing: fall edition
ABBY SHOWALTER THE MIAMI STUDENT As the temperatures dip slightly on Miami University’s campus, students are showing their excitement for fall weather with their attire. For many, style is a manner of expression that can be stifled by extreme heat, sacrificing an interesting sweater for the comfort of running shorts and a t-shirt. But last week, flannels, jeans, layering and earth-tones came back into regular wear as students moved away from common summer outfits. As students, it can be hard to wear interesting outfits when working up a sweat on your trek from the Farmer School of Business to McGuffey Hall in the bright sun. When the weather gets colder, outfits grow in depth from added layering, interesting silhouettes and bold colors that aren’t often seen in the extreme heat of southern Ohio. Style doesn’t just sit in the clothing and accessories that one wears, it also involves hair and makeup that go into an outfit. Also influenced by decreasing temperatures, hopefully we will be seeing some more out-of-the-box makeup and hair looks for this fall. From going between classes, to grabbing a bite to eat at Armstrong, here’s what Miami is wearing as the weather begins to turn. showalar@miamioh.edu
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MEREDITH PERKINS, DIEU MINH MAI, JACK SAMPSON, RILEY REYNOLDS. PHOTOS BY ABBY SHOWALTER
Princess Di’s timeless style MOLLY MONSON
THE MIAMI STUDENT Princess Diana, the “People’s Princess,” has always been one of the most tragic, beautiful and impactful fashion icons of the 20th century. Known for her humanitarian work and impeccable style, she remains one of the public’s most favorite royals. It’s been over two decades since she passed away, yet her signature style still can be spotted in spirit everywhere from New York streets to the sidewalks of college campuses. Diana Spencer was known for simple, chic dresses paired with extravagant jewelry at red carpets and royal functions, and practically invented dress-down athleisure. With a recent revival of ‘90s fashion, it’s no surprise that images of Diana have been resurfacing all over Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok. One of Diana’s most iconic signature looks was the biker short and oversized sweatshirt combo. The lazy-day uniform is back with a vengeance amongst fashion lovers of all ages as we sit at our desks and attend Zoom meetings from the comfort of our own homes.
DESIGN EDITOR OWEN BERG
The volume of a well-loved crew neck paired with skin-tight shorts and dainty white tennis
shoes come together to make the perfect grocery-store-outing, walking-to-class, casually-classy outfit.
But not all of her outfits were characterized by simplicity and elegance – she was also known for adding some whimsy to her ward-
robe. The sheep-print sweater that Harry Styles was spotted wearing in NYC a few years ago is reminiscent of a pullover that Diana wore to a polo match in 1983. Diana was also a fan of playing with texture and making statements with what she wore. In the beginning of her royalty status, she was photographed wearing frilly, girlish, almost gaudy dresses that were royally predictable. As she matured into her duchess position, she opted for feminine, slimming silhouettes and clingy, thin dresses that tested the boundaries of royal modesty, as well as the queen’s patience. If there is one trick to steal from Lady Di, it’s this: dress for yourself. All of her looks may appear to be “of the time” on the surface, but if you examine her fashion choices more closely, you’ll notice that everything she wears suits her. Instead of being concerned with trends, Diana’s wardrobe reflects dressing for what fits your body type, personal style and aesthetic. This element is exactly what makes Di’s fashion so timeless, classic and unforgettable. monsonma@miamioh.edu
BERGOE@MIAMIOH.EDU
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
Heaven and Hell: the rise of Marc Jacobs
MIHAELA MANOVA THE MIAMI STUDENT From Nirvana-obsessed teenagers to pop icons like Olivia Rodrigo, the 90s fashion dream still reigns supreme. But what some may not know is that the original 90s grunge aesthetic has one big thing in common with today’s internet-driven fashion landscape – Marc Jacobs. In our current digital age, style is constantly changing. Today’s trends capture influences from
previous decades, with the 90s being the most notorious. Sweater vests, baby tees, and platform boots were once seen as plain “grunge,” named after the once-popular musical genre. Now, remixes of these popular pieces have surged on platforms like Tik Tok and Instagram, with Jacobs’s new label, Heaven, being in the spotlight. But before Heaven, there was hell. This designer rose to fame from an event that many would consider an end to their careers. In 1993, a 29-year-old Marc Jacobs was the vice president of women’s design at Perry Ellis. The brand at the time had a preppy but relaxed design aesthetic. Taking creative control, Jacobs designed a collection that was out of the typical all-American, Perry Ellis fashion. The show began with a line up of supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, and Christy Turlington. L7’s “Pretend We’re Dead” blasted through speakers. The models’ hair was disheveled, patterns on the clothing were mismatched. Critics were outraged as the models strutted in layered flannels, cargo pants, and beanies in contrast to their high-class expectations. “Marc Jacobs’s final show for Perry Ellis last November was a mess,” said The New York Times in 1993. Behind Jacobs’s inspiration was what young people were wearing outside, the influence coming from the 90s grunge rock bands like Sonic Youth and Nirvana. “I wanted them to look the way they do when
they walk down the street, which is not dolled up,” Jacobs explained to The New York Times. “I didn’t want them to look like drag queens, and I didn’t want them to look like creatures . . That’s the way beautiful girls look today: they look a little bit unconcerned about fashion.” As the models finished walking the runway in their Doc Martens and Converse sneakers, the show ended in Jacobs immediately being terminated from his job. Looking back, he recalls this show as his favorite. “I’d never had any idea I’d be fired,” he told ADULT magazine editor-in-chief Sarah Nicole Prickett. “But it’s still my favorite collection, because it marked a time when I went with my instincts against instructions, and I turned out to be right. It came out of a genuine feeling for what I saw on the streets and all around me.” Twenty-seven years later, Heaven was released on September 9, 2020 with its Fall lookbook. According to Vogue, the collection featured “Teen Dream Fashion” with pleated skirts, rib cardigans and chunky shoes, all priced between $45- $395. Now, Heaven continues to experiment with the style mix of 90s and futurism, curating hard-to-find vintage books and magazines. And there is also another element of nostalgia: plushies. For the second time in Heaven’s line, Chinese artist Nhozagri is featured with her line called “Mollusk Citizens.” The website describes them having “special powers” with each plush having
a hidden pocket or animated eyes. In the end, the show that almost destroyed Jacobs has become a part of a new gen Z pop culture. Now, as Heaven gains momentum in our age of reminiscent 90s grunge, a part of Jacobs’s success will always be there. manovamd@miamioh.edu
MARC JACOBS’ NEW BRAND, HEAVEN, REINTERPRETS 90S AESTHETICS FOR A MODERN AUDIENCE. PHOTOS BY @HEAVN ON INSTAGRAM
We don’t need gender-neutral clothes, we need non-gendered clothes LEXI WHITEHEAD ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR In the past few years, gender-neutral clothes have been on the rise, as many luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci have added gender-neutral collections to their catalog. Gender-neutral clothes for kids are also popular, and some parents have vowed to only dress their children in gender-neutral clothing. A quick Google search for gender-neutral clothes finds mostly oversized, boxy clothes that lack color and look suspiciously like men’s fashion under a different label. And a search for gender-neutral clothes for babies leads you to an endless supply of neutral colored onesies – grays, whites, browns, muted greens and blues. How did this become what “gender-neutral” means? And why do we feel the need to assign the labels of mens, womens or gender-neutral to clothes? When Zara launched its unisex line in 2016, some people viewed it as a victory against gender norms. Others questioned Zara’s definition of “gender-neutral,” as most of the clothes looked
like they could be found in a men’s store. The “Ungendered” collection can no longer be found on their website. Far too often, gender-neutral lines tend to lean on the side of masculinity because it’s viewed as more “neutral” than femininity. It’s also more generally acceptable for a woman to wear “men’s clothes” than for a man to wear “women’s clothes.” Everyone has a unique sense of style, regardless of, and not reliant on, their gender. Some women feel empowered by wearing men’s clothes. Some men feel empowered by wearing women’s clothes. Some nonbinary people feel empowered by wearing a combination of both; others have a preference. Making a third arbitrarily gendered category for fashion defeats the purpose of gender neutrality. Instead of making gender-neutral its own category, we should get rid of meaningless labels and acknowledge that all clothes are gender-neutral. We don’t need gender-neutral clothes if we don’t have men’s or women’s or girl’s or boy’s clothes. Creating supposedly gender-neutral clothes also feels like a fake-woke way to acknowledge the breadth of gender identities that more and more
DESIGNER SADIE VAN WIE
people are identifying with. It seems like a commodification of identity over anything else, turning “gender-neutral” into a buzzword that will make your company seem progressive and inclusive.
Gender is a spectrum, not a binary or even a trinary. The same idea can be applied to fashion. @nwlexi whitehan@miamioh.edu
The stars at the 2021 Met Gala who embodied American Independence
GUESTS AT THE GALA TOOK THE THEME OF “AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE IN A MULTITUDE OF WAYS. PHOTOS BY @METMUSEUM ON INSTAGRAM
KAYA YOUNG THE MIAMI STUDENT Every year, some of the world’s biggest stars walk the grand steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the heart of New York City. The annual Met Gala is a fundraiser for The Costume Institute, one of the museum’s most distinguished collections. This year’s Met Gala coincided with the opening of a two-part exhibit – In America: A Lexicon of Fashion. The dress code for the event was “American Independence,” to be interpreted in collaboration between the invitees and the fashion designers who invited them. The looks that the invitees and their designers brought to the event stirred up a lot of controversy and discourse. Many critics called the looks boring and accused the stars of ignoring the theme, while others took issue with certain political statements that were made. Despite these claims, this year’s Met Gala brought an especially diverse myriad of interpretations, in a wide range of categories such as classic Americana, daring political statements, and contemporary reflections on what it means to be American. Some of the invitees were bold and fearless with their garments, while others took a more subtle approach to the “American Independence” theme. One of the more forward examples was worn by New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Both her presence at the event and her choice of dress were met with passionate criticisms on both sides of the aisle.
She wore a white gown designed by Aurora James with the words “TAX THE RICH” splattered across the back. The dress was smeared for being “performative activism” with people pointing out the irony in her wearing that statement at an event displaying overwhelming wealth. Others sanctimoniously labelled Ocasio-Cortez a hypocrite, citing that someone who espouses economic justice would never attend an event as lavish and ostentatious as the Met Gala. While the dress itself was a performance, it’s hardly fair to call an active congresswoman performative, especially Ocasio-Cortez who has spent her time in congress fighting tooth and nail for tangible change. Moreover, criticizing her attendance based on the luxury of the event ignores the fact that as an elected official, she has an expectation to attend fundraising events for museums and other cultural institutions. It’s also quite reductive to the arts to water the Met Gala down to just a gluttonous display of wealth, when there is so much more to be understood about its purpose, as well as the hard work and creativity that goes into both the event and its fashion. While Ocasio-Cortez stole the show with her dress, other invitees made more subtle statements on American politics and social issues, including several looks channeling the Statue of Liberty. Poet laureate Amanda Gorman’s look was far and away one of the most meaningful and intricate. She wore a magical blue beaded gown by Vera Wang and a crystal hairpiece, resembling Lady Liberty’s iconic crown, but altered to symbolize the
history of her title as poet laureate. She also held a blue clutch with the words “give us your tired” on it, a line from the poem etched on the Statue of Liberty itself. The words are a poignant reminder of what America should be but often fails to live up to, a place of opportunity and refuge. In a similar sentiment, Timothée Chalamet reminded people of some of the more negative contrasts in America today. When interviewed on the carpet he reminded viewers that it’s important “not to get lost in the glamour of it because a lot of people are suffering,” Chalamet wore a luxurious white tuxedo jacket by Haider Ackerman and vintage Cartier brooches, paired with white sweatpants and classic white converse. Some people criticized his look for being overly simple, but the inspiration had a lot of depth to it. In an interview, Ackerman told Vogue “Whenever I visit America, I am always struck by the wonderful clash of uptown and downtown cultures, of music and sports, and all of this energy just mixing together … I wanted to create something inspired by this energy.” While there were numerous political statements made, some used the event to appreciate the most nostalgic and beloved parts of Americana. Barbie was an unmistakable inspiration for many of the invitees as pops of pink were seen everywhere on the red carpet. Barbie and the color pink are beautiful examples of what “American Independence” can mean for young women. So many girls are shamed out of their feminine interests at a young age as they are belittled and deemed inferior to more masculine interests. For many women, reaching adulthood means feeling free to regain ownership of the things they loved as girls. Kate Hudson wore a pink Michael Kors two piece with a pink fur coat, Lily-Rose Depp wore a vintage-looking pink Chanel set, Nicola Peltz looked like royalty in a hot pink Valentino ball gown with lighter pink gloves and Lili Reinhart wore a fantastic pink Christian Siriano gown adorned with the state flower from each of the fifty states. Youtube star Jackie Aina dazzled in a pink gown by designer Fe Noel, who explained that “Jackie’s dress is the perfect mashup of glamour meets girl next door.” Billie Eilish, who partnered with Oscar De La Renta under the condition that they halt the use of fur in all of their work, wore a stunning ball gown inspired by Holiday Barbie. Eilish usually opts for less lavish styles, so seeing her in a luxurious dress was surprising for many. She has stated in the past that she wears more baggy clothes to hide her figure after growing up seeing female pop stars hypersexualized
and shamed in the media. Eilish used this event to reimagine her own fashion as she steps into adulthood in the limelight. Many attendees’ looks gave nods to old Hollywood, or Hollywood’s “Golden Age,” which built the foundations for many of their careers. Some deemed the looks in the category boring and overdone, but old Hollywood is quintessential to understanding key parts of “American Independence.” In the early 1900s, we saw the shift to the five day work week, and many Americans now had the affordances of leisure time. Hollywood arose out of this as Americans could use their time to go to the movies on the weekends. As time went on, the movies became a way of escapism during tumultuous times like the Great Depression and the World Wars. This Golden Age of Hollywood allowed Americans to take ownership over their time and imagine a new and more exciting world. This also paved the way for American fashion as we understand it today, as people now had Hollywood starlets to model their fashion sense after. So many of these looks were simple, yet beautifully captured the glitz and glam of this era. Gigi Hadid in Prada, Barbie Ferriera in Johnathan Simkhai, Anok Yai and Kaia Gerber both in Oscar De La Renta, Yara Shahidi in Dior, and Megan Thee Stallion in Coach, all gave beautifully done takes on Golden Age Hollywood glamour. Kendall Jenner, however, was the night’s stand out in this category. She looked captivating and elegant in an enchanting sheer gown embroidered with crystals by Matthew Williams for Givenchy. The look was a modern take on Aubrey Hepburn’s iconic look in “My Fair Lady” (1964). Often referred to as the Super Bowl of fashion, the Met Gala is an important and highly anticipated event each year, playing a huge role in shaping the direction of fashion in coming years and sparking dialogue on the topics each year’s theme brings up. This year’s invitees and their designers did a fabulous job at thoughtfully responding to what it means to be American through the lens of costume. The looks are a culmination of thousands of hours in ateliers and offices, planning, conceptualizing, designing and constructing every intricate detail of these looks. This year’s Gala was filled with dazzling displays of fashion and creativity, igniting conversation and controversy over competing ideas of how the theme should have been represented. The hundreds of invitees went in many directions, but each one was meaningful to the theme in a unique way as they all represented different aspects of what American Independence means. youngkr5@miamioh.edu
Humor
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ROBIN199@MIAMIOH.EDU
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
Better Advice for Freshman RYAN C. HOCKING THE MIAMI STUDENT Being a third of the way through your first semester is scary and can be overwhelming. Just as you think you are all settled in you are hit with a curve ball. My freshman year curveball came by way of being in the passenger seat during the O.J. Simpson chase. I thought me and Juice
dollars go straight into lining the pockets of congressmen and do nothing else. Just don’t pay your taxes, they can’t get us all in trouble! You hear everyone complaining about the government. Why don’t we all just stop paying taxes and try again? To make it through any class at Miami, professors and the “liberals” will try to tell you taxes are good and helpful that fund the
they know more than you. You got a 3 in AP U.S. History? Why is anyone trying to tell you what to think? Do not let them control your thoughts. All that will lead to is a high paying job and generally fulfilling lifestyle. Burn it all and train yourself, 12 years of school was enough. Animal bones will be currency soon, stockpile them
“You got a 3 in AP U.S. History? Why is anyone trying to tell you what to think? Do not let them control your thoughts. All that will lead to is a high paying job and a generally fufilling lifestyle,”
(that’s what all of us in Dorsey called him) were just going for our weekly glove shopping adventure and then suddenly, the cops came for no reason. But, I digress. To help you avoid stress from the rest of your way through Miami, here is a complete list of everything you need to know to make sure you graduate. Taxation is Theft The government has no right to your money, and taxation is just a legal way for them to steal it. Tax
Mickey Mouse the Rapper PATRICK SULLIVAN THE MIAMI STUDENT Mickey Mouse had never done something like this before. He’s used to the usual gimmicks. Talk in a high pitched voice. Meet with kids. Live in a house that was the same shape as his head. That was his comfort zone. He could do that in his sleep. But here, today, he faces a challenge unlike anything he’s ever experienced. He has spent weeks – months even – preparing for what could be the end, or a magnificent new beginning. His career and life as he knows it hangs in the balance. 7:30 a.m. read the alarm clock, buzzing into his skull. Mickey turns it off, eyes wide open. He’s been awake since 4 a.m., lying in anticipation. He throws back his Pluto covers and gets up. He takes a longing look at Minny, sleeping peacefully in ignorance. He watches a piece of drool drip onto the pillowcase, wishing that he could just go back to bed and pretend he’s just having a bad dream. But he can’t. So instead he walks away, closing the door slowly behind him so as to not disturb her. Pluto begrudgingly gets out of his dog bed as Mickey opens the door to let him pee. Pluto’s never been a morning dog. Hands shaking, Mickey makes himself a cup of coffee. Knowing he cannot stomach a real breakfast he walks outside with his coffee to say hello to Donald Duck. Donald, who has already been up since 6 with PTSD from his days in the Navy, waves at Mickey solemnly. He, alone, knows what Mickey is up against today. The day drags on in a blur of faces and meaningless tasks. He signs some autographs, takes a couple pictures, shares a silent lunch with Goofy. Goofy can usually be counted on to have a fun conversation over lunch, but today Mickey was just not returning the energy. The rest of the afternoon was just as meaningless as the beginning. At 5:01pm Mickey drives away from work, but not towards his Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He heads into town. He walks into a local bar. The bartender already knows his drink. Extra spicy bloody mary on the rocks. That first drink turns into two. Two turns into three. He is drunk enough for the courage to do what must be done. Mickey leaves the bar and walks into the night club down the street. Time is moving slowly now. He nods to The General on his way in. The General has become a regular ever since his insurance company was seized for fraud and tax evasion. Mickey heads downstairs to the VIP room to get readied. Before he knows it, he is handed a mic and told, “It’s time.” He slowly walks up the stairs. Each footstep echoes like every beat of his cold, dead heart. He makes it to the stage and the roaring applause doesn’t phase him. He has eyes for only one person. Mr. Worldwide, himself, stands looking expectantly at Mickey. The time is now. The only thing that matters now is the Mickey vs Pitbull rap battle, and everything is on the line. sulli293@miamioh.edu
university. Do not believe them. Miami will be fine if they have your tuition money. All media is brainwashing Do not become socialized into anything. All of society is just civilized brainwashing. Miami wants you to think for yourself and be free. To do this, burn every book you see, and destroy all technology. This will help you in your classes – you can decide for yourself what calculus is, not some stuffy Ph.D who thinks
If you follow my previous advice, we will be without a government, and the education system will collapse. After that, the U.S. dollar will be useless, meaning we can decide what is next. I have a buddy in Farmer who is a fourth-year finance student who thinks animal bones are the next big thing. He says in the next three years, declining balance will be changed to animal bones. Start that process now of getting your animal bones because we all know about inflation.
Have a hard time sleeping? Try meth I don’t know about you, but I am not a big fan of melatonin. After you use it for a month or so, it barely works. Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Ryan, isn’t heroin a better way to sleep?” and I will tell you that stuff can’t be trusted. That’s why I switched to meth; the cool minty burn knocks me out after only a few hits. Even if you are on a budget crunch, that’s okay. You can literally make it at home. I am a big fan of do-it-yourself projects that are useful, and homemade meth really hits the spot. Reach out to others I know it may feel that you have your group already and that you have found your niche. But there are so many people here that you have not met yet and they are all so cool. Keep reaching out to people, and you may meet more awesome people. I think so many people try to find a few friends and stop searching for people. Join a new club next semester or try a new activity, put yourself out there and the results will be magical.
Mornings at Miami MEREDITH PERKINS THE MIAMI STUDENT I begin each blissful Miami morning by staring at the Kill Bill Vol. 1 poster above my bed wondering whether having Uma Therman stab me with her samurai sword would be preferable to walking fifteen minutes uphill to Irvin Hall at 8 a.m. I then partake in my daily ritual of cursing fresh-out-of-highschool Meredith for signing up for an 8:30 a.m. class that meets four days a week. Once I am done self-loathing, I do a fun little game called, “Will I Sprain My Ankle While Jumping Out Of Bed Today?” The adrenaline rush and sheer terror of hopping off my absurdly-tall bed gives me just enough energy to maintain small talk with whatever NPC the Miami University server generated for me to meet in the Hillcrest bathroom. After getting adequately splashed by a sink that has more water pressure than my shower, I pop in my contact lenses, stare at my reflection, wonder what I’m ever going to do with a creative writing degree, decide to not think about that problem right now, walk back to my silly little dorm and put on my silly little outfit. As I depart my room, I make sure to forget my umbrella, AirPods case, pencil pouch, textbook, or anything else that would be incredibly useful as I go about my day. I fill up my water bottle (my third one of the semester, as I chronically forget my water bottle in classes) and prepare myself to listen to an hour-long lecture in a language
I haven’t studied since I was 16. On the elevator, I perfectly curate my Spotify queue so that I can pretend I’m the main character of a mid-2000s rom-com opening montage on my way to class, despite the fact that I have done absolutely nothing of significance since going to college.
hockinrc@miamioh.edu
ery time a Super Cool Electric Scooter Guy skirts past me, I finally arrive at my first class. How will I spend the rest of my morning? Usually, I sit at Cafe Lux and pretend to be a cool writer girl despite having exactly zero thoughts in my head while staring
“... I pop in my contact lenses, stare at my reflection, wonder what I’m ever going to do with a creative writing degree, decide to not think about that problem right now, walk back to my silly little dorm and put on my silly little outfit,”
Mornings at Miami remind me why Miami is one of the top 10 most beautiful colleges in the nation. I always take a moment to appreciate the biodiversity of Miami’s campus: the 500 girls wearing Bagel & Deli hoodies, the squirrels that are a little too comfortable around humans, the sprinklers that work hard every day to keep our sidewalks moist, the extravagant fountain in the Hillcrest pond that makes me wonder just how much of our tuition dollars go to making Western Campus look like a luxury resort. After getting blasted with whatever unholy air is emitted from the sidewalk vents and having the fear of God put into me ev-
at my blank Google Doc. Some days, if I’m feeling particularly adventurous, I will wait in the 30 minute Shriver Starbucks line for a tall pumpkin spice latte I know I will only drink half of. I spend the rest of my day doing various things (as one does) and then stay up past midnight because I deny the reality of my 8:30 a.m. class. I wake up the next morning at 7 a.m., stare at the blurry outline of Uma Therman on my wall, and the cycle repeats. perkin16@miamioh.edu
I headbutted a man who tried to kiss me
JESSICA ROBINSON HUMOR EDITOR
Alright ladies and gentlemen, by now, you should know that I don’t have the best luck with relationships. If you are unaware, just look at my previous humor articles. My love life is way more comedic than it is romantic. Ha ha ha, pain. Anyway, as if I haven’t embarrassed myself enough with the terrifying tales of my past re-
out.” You’d think that by the time I reached my junior year, I’d know that “hang out” has a certain connotation, much akin to the statement “get freaky.” But what can I say, I’ve always been naive. So, when he suggested a late time for us to meet, I figured a game of checkers would ensue. A game of checkers did not ensue. As we sat on the couch in his apartment, I told him all about my most recently acquired
“But, like I said, I thought the boy was cute. So, I decided to let nature take its course. His mouth got closer, mere inches from my face, and at the last moment, right before he kissed me, I panicked, ”
lationships, I remembered today a particularly gnarly encounter I had with a man last year. One that I had blocked from my memory, but is now drudged up, for better, or more likely, for worse. He was cute, in his own way. I appreciated his smile. I really like good smiles, and this dude had some perfect pearly-whites. So, I naturally agreed when he shyly requested that we “hang
knowledge centering around yersinia pestis, or, for you common folk, the Bubonic Plague. He leaned in closer as I spoke, so I leaned in closer too, excited as I assumed he wanted to hear more. I was just getting to the large boils that arise on victims’ necks. And then, he said, “Hey Jess, you’re really pretty. And I want to kiss you.” Shocked, I tilted my head in confusion. The bubonic plague is disgusting and includes talk of
pustules and body stenches. This was an unexpected turn of events. But, like I said, I thought the boy was cute. So, I decided to let nature take its course. His mouth got closer, mere inches from my face, and at the last moment, right before he kissed me, I panicked. I reared back my head, but then decided that rearing my head backwards would be rude, so I moved it quickly forward with the intention to simply turn my head away from his mouth, but my depth perception is a little off. It always has been. I once gave myself a concussion because I hit myself with a tennis racket, and I’ll blame that on depth perception until the day I die. And because my depth perception was off, I smacked my forehead into his. Embarrassment took over me as confusion painted his face. I knew I should say something, explain myself, but instead of creating a decent and kind statement, I said, “Your head is hard” and cleared the phlegm from my throat. Oh Jessica, how you struggle. And then, the worst part of the evening began. This poor man clearly felt rejected, but also embarrassed. I apologized quickly, decided to leave, and did finger guns as I backed through the door. Finger guns. I texted him the next day saying I had fun, and asking if he wanted ice cream, but I never got a response. robin119@miamioh.edu
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
ROBIN199@MIAMIOH.EDU
How to Survive Family Weekend EMMA TODYS THE MIAMI STUDENT As you probably know, Miami University’s family weekend is quickly approaching. This means we are all about to be surrounded by the parents of our peers. If you thought hanging out with your own parents was rough, just wait until you have to make conversation with your roommates’. Family weekend can be scary, but with some of these tips, hopefully you can survive with minimal trauma. Here are some things to keep in mind when meeting someone’s parents for the first time: Get to know them on a first name ba-
“Talk about politics: There’s nothing better to talk about with a 50-year-old than the way they think America should run,”
sis: It’ll be difficult to connect right away if you’re calling them “Brian’s mom” or “Mr. Smith.” Instead, ask to call them by their first name, or even better, ask them if they had any fun college nicknames. What better way for Dad to relive the
college experience than by hearing someone call him “Horrible Hangover Harry” again? This also opens the door to all of their crazy college stories they’re dying to tell (and their child is likely dying to hear and has never heard before). Talk about politics: There’s nothing better to talk about with a 50-year-old than the way they think America should run. They can tell you all about the way things used to be, and how great the country was when they were a kid. New perspectives are always great to hear, and no one is more open to sharing their political opinions than parents. Tell them about how their child is REALLY doing: Sometimes it’s hard for kids to open up to their parents about what’s actually going on in their lives, but parents want to be involved! Tell them about the crazy nights their kid has had, the close encounters, times they skipped class or spent the night somewhere. Tell them all the juicy details so they can have a stronger relationship with their child. I hope these tips help you this weekend, whether you’re stuck with your friends’ parents in your dorm for two hours, or you somehow find yourself trapped in a conversation with a couple dads on the Brick patio. And if you somehow find yourself in a situation where nothing seems to work, King Library is open until 1 a.m. todysea@miamioh.edu
Freshmen are built different
JESSICA ROBINSON HUMOR EDITOR
I’m five weeks into my senior year. If I don’t get eight hours of sleep at night, I cry during my 8:30 class. I’ve started to think high waisted pants pulled just below my breasts are a good thing. By next week, I could see myself enjoying “Days of Our Lives.” I have sciatica. When I see people going out to the bars, I find myself wondering if they’re warm enough, and last weekend, I audibly said, “Sheesh, my back could not take those heels, I need more support!” to an unassuming freshman clearly just trying to enjoy her night in some killer 5-inch stilettos. She just looked at me like I was nuts and walked around me. And by that point, it was nearly 9 p.m., so I couldn’t dilly-dally to clarify my comments, I needed to put on my long, cotton nightgown and go to sleep! I think Boris Johnson is more attractive than Justin Bieber. I drink one glass of wine, loudly announce that I’m “under the table” and promptly fall asleep on the couch watching yet another period piece about aristocratic England. I’m aging. But freshmen, they don’t seem to have this same issue. There’s nothing scarier than one of those lanky, skinny blonde girls wearing Air Force Ones, a Whiteclaw in one hand and a fake ID in the other. She doesn’t sleep, runs exclusively on caffeine, and though she switches her major from pre-med to psychology, she claims it was a choice and not a necessity. While I learn to knit on a Friday evening, she boogies at Brick, dreaming of the day she
will rush a sorority, go to a social, and meet a DU boy to marry. For now, she settles for free drinks from a few single guys around, and tries to ignore their many red flags and absent, but existing girlfriends.
“There’s nothing scarier than one of those lanky, skinny blonde girls wearing Air Force Ones, a Whiteclaw in one hand and a fake ID in the other,”
A freshman boy is almost worse than his female counterpart. He rushes a frat, thinks he’s all that, and attempts to pick up older girls by showing them his fake ID, which surprisingly only lets him into the 18+ line, because he got to college at 17 after skipping first grade. Clearly, his superior intelligence doesn’t include a ton of foresight. While I sleep he falls into a bush outside McFarland at 3 a.m. after losing his ID at New but convincing himself it wouldn’t matter because he’d “find a lady, no problem.” Oh freshmen, I hope you never lose your unbridled optimism and your inhuman ability to run on caffeine and no sleep. Because it’s all downhill from here. robin119@miamioh.edu
Just your run-of-the-mill headlines at Miami JESSICA ROBINSON HUMOR EDITOR
RYAN HOCKING THE MIAMI STUDENT
Miami man catcalls woman, she responds gratefully, “I finally feel seen.” Miami College Republicans say Oxford mask mandate is due to hatred of freedom, small business and Miami students, not science (Oh wait,this is real) 12-year-old binge drinking prodigy given offers to Miami, Dayton and Ohio University
Fraternity bakesale raises $15,000 for pledge they put in a coma Nicki Minaj enlists 50,000 fans in double blind study for her own vaccine research Woman puts off going to doctor until it is bad enough for him to believe her
Recently dumped man announces it “might take a day or two to recover”
RA fired after forcing residents to listen to his improv jokes all night before their first chem exam
“Sexism strikes again!” shouts woman who lost her job due to prolific drug use First-year presses “snooze” one too many times, pummeled by generally calm roommate
Woman sings “Somebody to Love” at Brick on a Monday, finds no one to love
More successful marriages come from hookups at New than relationships on “The Bachelor”, study finds Man panics about upcoming Halloween costume: Should he be Jesus or a lumberjack?
18 MAC begins conference slate this Saturday LUKAS NELSON SPORTS EDITOR As the calendar approaches October, football season is now in full swing. For the first few weeks, most Mid-American Conference (MAC) teams have faced a tough schedule loaded with Power Five teams such as Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Auburn and so on. Miami’s non-conference schedule included its annual showdown versus Cincinnati, a road contest against Minnesota, and an easy win versus Long Island University (LIU). After battling it out in non-conference contests, conference play returns with a full slate of MAC games, including Miami’s conference home opener against Central Michigan. The only MAC teams who don’t play a conference opponent this week are Ball State and Toledo, who squared off against each other on Sept. 25. Central Michigan Chippewas @ Miami RedHawks 3:30 p.m, ESPN+ My pick: Miami Miami’s MAC opener will be a rematch of 2019’s conference championship. The RedHawks beat the Chippewas, 26-21, for Miami’s third MAC Championship Game victory. It’s hard to take much away from 2020’s sixgame season or either team’s non-conference slate (CMU played Southeastern Conference opponents LSU and Missouri). So, this game should be a good first look at how both teams will fare in conference play. Remember, the RedHawks went 1-3 in non-conference play in 2019, so records mean nothing at this stage of the season. Though the teams will be evenly matched, I’m giving Miami the slight edge in this one since the RedHawks will be playing in the friendly confines of Yager Stadium. The team’s two-quarterback look may also be the difference, as both Brett Gabbert and A.J. Mayer should see the field in this contest. Western Michigan Broncos @ Buffalo Bulls Noon, CBS Sports Network My pick: Buffalo The Broncos have fared better in non-conference games to start the season, beating Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opponent Pittsburgh 44-41. Buffalo’s been no slouch either, losing to No. 17 Coastal Carolina by just three points. The two teams come in with different offensive philosophies. Western Michigan likes to air it with quarterback Kaleb Eleby, while the Bulls go for a ground and pound attack with running backs Kevin Marks Jr. and Dylan McDuffie. In the end, I predict Buffalo’s running game will grind out a win at home and show the conference that even without former head coach Lance Leipold, the team is still a contender in the East Division. Toledo Rockets @ Massachusetts Minutemen Noon, FloFootball My pick: Toledo Not a whole lot needs to be said here. UMass (a MAC team from 2012 to 2015) is still one of the worst teams in college football, and even a home contest probably won’t save them from a Toledo beatdown. Still, I’d be remiss not to mention the Rockets’ stellar effort against Notre Dame on Sept. 11, narrowly losing to the Fighting Irish, 32-29. Eastern Michigan Eagles @ Northern Illinois Huskies 2:30 p.m., ESPN+ My pick: Northern Illinois These two teams squared off in the last game of the season last year, and will do so again to open conference play. Eastern Michigan’s 4133 win capped an 0-6 season for the Huskies in 2020, but they’re already on the right track in 2021. The team beat an ACC opponent, Georgia Tech, 22-21 on the road. Eastern Michigan, on the other hand, has had two not-so-convincing wins against lesser teams in St. Francis and UMass, and a blowout loss to Wisconsin. When in doubt, go with the home team. Ohio Bobcats @ Akron Zips 3:30 p.m., ESPN3 Lukas’s pick: Ohio Though the Bobcats have struggled so far this season, it’s nothing compared to the last few years for Akron. After firing head coach Terry Bowden, the team has just two wins in three years. Right now, it’s hard to believe that Akron can beat anyone in the MAC, let alone one of its (historically) top teams. Still, it is a home game for the Zips, so anything can happen, especially against a struggling team. Bowling Green State Falcons @ Kent State Golden Flashes 3:30 p.m., ESPN+ My pick: Kent State This is an easy pick, as the Golden Flashes stomped the Falcons 62-24 last year. Kent State’s star quarterback Dustin Crum threw for 271 and four touchdowns in the contest, and will likely replicate or surpass his performance this year. Army Black Knights @ Ball State Cardinals 5:00 p.m., ESPN+ My pick: Army The Knights have been stellar this season, running through, around and over opponents with their triple option offense. While the Cardinals are the defending MAC Champions, the team has struggled in non-conference play. Ball State narrowly defeated Western Illinois before losing badly to Penn State and Wyoming with nearly identical scores (4413 and 45-12, respectively). The Cardinals will be a big factor in the MAC with sixth-year senior Drew Plitt, but they’re no match for Army. nelso156@miamioh.edu @LukasTheDream
Sports
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THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
The Victory Bell is dead – and the Big East killed it MICHAEL VESTEY STAFF WRITER We have a silly misconception about college athletics – especially college football. We walk into our local college football stadium every week under this delusion. We watch our teams struggle for years or have great success, reaching the heights of New Years’ Six bowls or the lows of winless seasons. All of this operates under our mistaken belief that the game of college football is inherently about, well, football. The Big East wasn’t an especially stable conference after they decided to become a football conference. Thanks to tensions between the primarily basketball schools which formed the foundation of the conference and the newer, primarily football schools – Virginia Tech, Miami (the one in Florida), and Boston College all ended up jumping ship to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 2005. Those departures left the Big East with a hole they needed to fill – as they were under the minimum of 8 schools needed for a Bowl Championship Series (BCS, the college football postseason system at the time) automatic bid – so they began recruiting. In 2005, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats were an alright team in the Conference USA – not quite good enough to challenge the top 25, but good enough to challenge powerhouse TCU for conference championships. They’d just broken a 3-game Ben Roethlisberger-driven RedHawk win streak in the rivalry with a 45-26 win in Cincinnati in 2004, and finished behind only #6 Louisville in the Conference USA standings that season. And then the Big East came knocking. College football isn’t about football. At the end of the day, it’s more about money than anything else. In 2005, the Big East commanded around $15 million per year in media rights revenues from football alone. In the same year, Confer-
SENIOR DEFENSIVE END DOMINIQUE ROBINSON CELEBRATES AFTER A BIG PLAY IN MIAMI’S 49-14 LOSS TO CINCINNATI. PHOTOS EDITORZACH REICHMAN
ence USA signed a five-year media rights deal – for a total of $21.9 million. In comparison, the Mid-American Conference (MAC) of which Miami has been a member since 1947 had a media rights deal worth approximately $600,000 per year. In 2008, a new eight-year deal was signed with ESPN, netting the conference roughly $1 million per year. Assuming the even distribution of media revenues between the schools (general practice, but The Student was unable to find financial records from the time) Cincinnati would be receiving just under $2 million per year, almost 20 times what Miami would receive under the 2008 rights deal. And money brings success. In the years up until 1995, when Cincinnati made its move from being an Independent to the Conference USA, Miami led the Victory Bell series, 53-39-7. In the 10 years Cincinnati was in the Conference USA, the series was tied, 5-5. Since Cincinnati’s move to the Big East in 2005, and the later rebranding of Big East football as the American Athletic Conference (AAC), which it remains as today, Cincinnati has won 15 out of 16 games – the only loss coming in 2005. Out of those 15 games, only four were decided by one score or less. Nine games were decided by three or more scores. The AAC’s media rights deal currently averages $83 million per year – $7 million per school. The MAC receives $8 million per year
– $600,000 per school. It’s not a surprise that Cincinnati keeps winning, making 11 times the revenue from media rights alone. And it’s not getting better for the RedHawks. On Sept. 10, the Big 12 voted unanimously to accept Brigham Young University, Cincinnati, Houston, and University of Central Florida to the conference, beginning in 2024 and in part to replace Oklahoma and Texas, both departing for the Southeastern Conference. The Big 12’s current media deal runs out in 2025, and we still don’t know how valuable the next one is going to be. Though it’s likely to be slightly smaller than the current deal, worth $200 million per year. The move to a power conference is only going to push the Bearcats closer to being a title contender than a small-conference mid-major, and make their gap between the RedHawks ever greater. The Victory Bell is the oldest current non-conference rivalry in the country, having first been played in 1888, and is scheduled to run through 2029. If Cincinnati keeps up its current win streak until then, it might be time to retire this game as a yearly event. Unless, of course, there’s still enough money in it. vesteymj@miamioh.edu @VesteyTMS
“Keep Dreaming:”
Miami Athletics inducts its ‘21 Hall of Fame class
STEVEN PEPPER THE MIAMI STUDENT Seven Miami University Athletics alumni were inducted into the university’s Hall of Fame last Friday for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the school’s athletics. The newest class of inductees features Suzanne D’Addario (‘94), Amanda Jackson (‘08), Bobby Kramig, Clark Mace (‘01), Edwin H. “Ed” Meador, Lori Reinart (‘96), and Nancy Sturgeon (‘52). A video presentation summarizing each inductee’s accomplishments introduced them before they gave individual speeches. At the end of the night, all seven inductees received a special watch and plaque. The class was recognized again the following day during halftime of the Redhawks’ football game against Long Island University. Nancy Sturgeon, a three-sport athlete competing in field hockey, basketball, and tennis, almost thirty years before Title IX was passed, said she was honored when she heard about her induction.
“It was a complete surprise,” Sturgeon said. “It feels great.” Bobby Kramig spent 14 years as the men’s soccer head coach and 20 in the same position for the women’s team before retiring in 2017. He finished his career with a 218-153-32 overall record, four MAC Tournament victories, and three NCAA Tournament wins. Despite being a decorated coach, Kramig said his Hall of Fame legacy represents the hard work and effort of the numerous players who played for him. He recognized those he coached who attended his induction by asking them to stand at one point during his speech. As Hall of Famers, some inductees had advice to pass on to future players in their respective programs. “Be humble,” said Lori Reinart, a volleyball alumna, to the next generation of women’s volleyball players. Reinart was named MAC Player of the Year in 1996. In that same season, she led the Redhawks to a MAC title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. She holds the school’s record for the most blocks in a single match with 14. Amanda Jackson left a mark on the women’s basketball program, graduating as the leading scorer (1,979). Her senior season success played a huge role in the Redhawks appearing in their first NCAA Tournament. The three-time AllMAC honoree ranks in the top 10 in 10 different categories. In her speech, she emphasized the importance of focus. “Develop a work ethic,” Jackson stressed. “Stay committed to the grind.”
Suzanne D’Addario was named to the AllMAC First Team in field hockey each season following her freshman year. The field hockey star ranks sixth in program history in goals (37) and top eight in points (86). She never neglected the books, receiving two academic all-conference selections. All the inductees recognized the people who helped them along the way. For Ed Meador, it was his late wife, Mary Virginia Meador, who joined his journey when she moved to Oxford after they married in 1954. She died on Aug. 31 of this year. Meador photographed countless sporting events from 1952 to the late 1980s. His dedication to his work was evident, having once climbed to the top of a tower in a snowstorm to capture a football practice. Clark Mace, a baseball alumnus, ended his speech with an inspirational note for the audience. Mace had a dominant career at Miami that the MLB could not overlook. The London, Ohio native was selected in the 28th round of the MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001. His career batting average of .350 places him eighth all-time at Miami. The record-setter leads the program in categories such as career hits (316), runs (230), and RBIs (176). “A farm boy like me can make it up to the Hall of Fame,” said Mace. “It’s pretty cool.” Jackson was shocked that she was invited into the exclusive club. Like Mace, Jackson said this does not usually happen to people where she is from. “Who would’ve thought a kid from Springfield, Ohio, would stand in front of you,” Jackson said. “If a kid like me can do it, so can you.” Jackson had one last piece of advice. “To all the dreamers out there, keep dreaming.” pepperse@miamioh.edu Twitter: Stevenpepper38 Instagram: Stevenpepper_
’Hawks Talk “When you’re in the Army and protecting our country, are there rules? There’s rules, but the rule is you protect our country. And that’s how these kids are trained… The problem is, when you play them, that’s how they play football… They play football like they’re storming the hill. The only difference is no one’s shooting at them.” - Football head coach Chuck Martin before Miami’s week three matchup against the Army Black Knights
18 MAC begins conference slate this Saturday LUKAS NELSON SPORTS EDITOR As the calendar approaches October, football season is now in full swing. For the first few weeks, most Mid-American Conference (MAC) teams have faced a tough schedule loaded with Power Five teams such as Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Auburn and so on. Miami’s non-conference schedule included its annual showdown versus Cincinnati, a road contest against Minnesota, and an easy win versus Long Island University (LIU). After battling it out in non-conference contests, conference play returns with a full slate of MAC games, including Miami’s conference home opener against Central Michigan. The only MAC teams who don’t play a conference opponent this week are Ball State and Toledo, who squared off against each other on Sept. 25. Central Michigan Chippewas @ Miami RedHawks 3:30 p.m, ESPN+ My pick: Miami Miami’s MAC opener will be a rematch of 2019’s conference championship. The RedHawks beat the Chippewas, 26-21, for Miami’s third MAC Championship Game victory. It’s hard to take much away from 2020’s sixgame season or either team’s non-conference slate (CMU played Southeastern Conference opponents LSU and Missouri). So, this game should be a good first look at how both teams will fare in conference play. Remember, the RedHawks went 1-3 in non-conference play in 2019, so records mean nothing at this stage of the season. Though the teams will be evenly matched, I’m giving Miami the slight edge in this one since the RedHawks will be playing in the friendly confines of Yager Stadium. The team’s two-quarterback look may also be the difference, as both Brett Gabbert and A.J. Mayer should see the field in this contest. Western Michigan Broncos @ Buffalo Bulls Noon, CBS Sports Network My pick: Buffalo The Broncos have fared better in non-conference games to start the season, beating Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opponent Pittsburgh 44-41. Buffalo’s been no slouch either, losing to No. 17 Coastal Carolina by just three points. The two teams come in with different offensive philosophies. Western Michigan likes to air it with quarterback Kaleb Eleby, while the Bulls go for a ground and pound attack with running backs Kevin Marks Jr. and Dylan McDuffie. In the end, I predict Buffalo’s running game will grind out a win at home and show the conference that even without former head coach Lance Leipold, the team is still a contender in the East Division. Toledo Rockets @ Massachusetts Minutemen Noon, FloFootball My pick: Toledo Not a whole lot needs to be said here. UMass (a MAC team from 2012 to 2015) is still one of the worst teams in college football, and even a home contest probably won’t save them from a Toledo beatdown. Still, I’d be remiss not to mention the Rockets’ stellar effort against Notre Dame on Sept. 11, narrowly losing to the Fighting Irish, 32-29. Eastern Michigan Eagles @ Northern Illinois Huskies 2:30 p.m., ESPN+ My pick: Northern Illinois These two teams squared off in the last game of the season last year, and will do so again to open conference play. Eastern Michigan’s 4133 win capped an 0-6 season for the Huskies in 2020, but they’re already on the right track in 2021. The team beat an ACC opponent, Georgia Tech, 22-21 on the road. Eastern Michigan, on the other hand, has had two not-so-convincing wins against lesser teams in St. Francis and UMass, and a blowout loss to Wisconsin. When in doubt, go with the home team. Ohio Bobcats @ Akron Zips 3:30 p.m., ESPN3 Lukas’s pick: Ohio Though the Bobcats have struggled so far this season, it’s nothing compared to the last few years for Akron. After firing head coach Terry Bowden, the team has just two wins in three years. Right now, it’s hard to believe that Akron can beat anyone in the MAC, let alone one of its (historically) top teams. Still, it is a home game for the Zips, so anything can happen, especially against a struggling team. Bowling Green State Falcons @ Kent State Golden Flashes 3:30 p.m., ESPN+ My pick: Kent State This is an easy pick, as the Golden Flashes stomped the Falcons 62-24 last year. Kent State’s star quarterback Dustin Crum threw for 271 and four touchdowns in the contest, and will likely replicate or surpass his performance this year. Army Black Knights @ Ball State Cardinals 5:00 p.m., ESPN+ My pick: Army The Knights have been stellar this season, running through, around and over opponents with their triple option offense. While the Cardinals are the defending MAC Champions, the team has struggled in non-conference play. Ball State narrowly defeated Western Illinois before losing badly to Penn State and Wyoming with nearly identical scores (4413 and 45-12, respectively). The Cardinals will be a big factor in the MAC with sixth-year senior Drew Plitt, but they’re no match for Army. nelso156@miamioh.edu @LukasTheDream
Sports
NELSO156@MIAMIOH.EDU
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
The Victory Bell is dead – and the Big East killed it MICHAEL VESTEY STAFF WRITER We have a silly misconception about college athletics – especially college football. We walk into our local college football stadium every week under this delusion. We watch our teams struggle for years or have great success, reaching the heights of New Years’ Six bowls or the lows of winless seasons. All of this operates under our mistaken belief that the game of college football is inherently about, well, football. The Big East wasn’t an especially stable conference after they decided to become a football conference. Thanks to tensions between the primarily basketball schools which formed the foundation of the conference and the newer, primarily football schools – Virginia Tech, Miami (the one in Florida), and Boston College all ended up jumping ship to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 2005. Those departures left the Big East with a hole they needed to fill – as they were under the minimum of 8 schools needed for a Bowl Championship Series (BCS, the college football postseason system at the time) automatic bid – so they began recruiting. In 2005, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats were an alright team in the Conference USA – not quite good enough to challenge the top 25, but good enough to challenge powerhouse TCU for conference championships. They’d just broken a 3-game Ben Roethlisberger-driven RedHawk win streak in the rivalry with a 45-26 win in Cincinnati in 2004, and finished behind only #6 Louisville in the Conference USA standings that season. And then the Big East came knocking. College football isn’t about football. At the end of the day, it’s more about money than anything else. In 2005, the Big East commanded around $15 million per year in media rights revenues from football alone. In the same year, Confer-
SENIOR DEFENSIVE END DOMINIQUE ROBINSON CELEBRATES AFTER A BIG PLAY IN MIAMI’S 49-14 LOSS TO CINCINNATI. PHOTOS EDITORZACH REICHMAN
ence USA signed a five-year media rights deal – for a total of $21.9 million. In comparison, the Mid-American Conference (MAC) of which Miami has been a member since 1947 had a media rights deal worth approximately $600,000 per year. In 2008, a new eight-year deal was signed with ESPN, netting the conference roughly $1 million per year. Assuming the even distribution of media revenues between the schools (general practice, but The Student was unable to find financial records from the time) Cincinnati would be receiving just under $2 million per year, almost 20 times what Miami would receive under the 2008 rights deal. And money brings success. In the years up until 1995, when Cincinnati made its move from being an Independent to the Conference USA, Miami led the Victory Bell series, 53-39-7. In the 10 years Cincinnati was in the Conference USA, the series was tied, 5-5. Since Cincinnati’s move to the Big East in 2005, and the later rebranding of Big East football as the American Athletic Conference (AAC), which it remains as today, Cincinnati has won 15 out of 16 games – the only loss coming in 2005. Out of those 15 games, only four were decided by one score or less. Nine games were decided by three or more scores. The AAC’s media rights deal currently averages $83 million per year – $7 million per school. The MAC receives $8 million per year
– $600,000 per school. It’s not a surprise that Cincinnati keeps winning, making 11 times the revenue from media rights alone. And it’s not getting better for the RedHawks. On Sept. 10, the Big 12 voted unanimously to accept Brigham Young University, Cincinnati, Houston, and University of Central Florida to the conference, beginning in 2024 and in part to replace Oklahoma and Texas, both departing for the Southeastern Conference. The Big 12’s current media deal runs out in 2025, and we still don’t know how valuable the next one is going to be. Though it’s likely to be slightly smaller than the current deal, worth $200 million per year. The move to a power conference is only going to push the Bearcats closer to being a title contender than a small-conference mid-major, and make their gap between the RedHawks ever greater. The Victory Bell is the oldest current non-conference rivalry in the country, having first been played in 1888, and is scheduled to run through 2029. If Cincinnati keeps up its current win streak until then, it might be time to retire this game as a yearly event. Unless, of course, there’s still enough money in it. vesteymj@miamioh.edu @VesteyTMS
“Keep Dreaming:”
Miami Athletics inducts its ‘21 Hall of Fame class
STEVEN PEPPER THE MIAMI STUDENT Seven Miami University Athletics alumni were inducted into the university’s Hall of Fame last Friday for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the school’s athletics. The newest class of inductees features Suzanne D’Addario (‘94), Amanda Jackson (‘08), Bobby Kramig, Clark Mace (‘01), Edwin H. “Ed” Meador, Lori Reinart (‘96), and Nancy Sturgeon (‘52). A video presentation summarizing each inductee’s accomplishments introduced them before they gave individual speeches. At the end of the night, all seven inductees received a special watch and plaque. The class was recognized again the following day during halftime of the Redhawks’ football game against Long Island University. Nancy Sturgeon, a three-sport athlete competing in field hockey, basketball, and tennis, almost thirty years before Title IX was passed, said she was honored when she heard about her induction.
“It was a complete surprise,” Sturgeon said. “It feels great.” Bobby Kramig spent 14 years as the men’s soccer head coach and 20 in the same position for the women’s team before retiring in 2017. He finished his career with a 218-153-32 overall record, four MAC Tournament victories, and three NCAA Tournament wins. Despite being a decorated coach, Kramig said his Hall of Fame legacy represents the hard work and effort of the numerous players who played for him. He recognized those he coached who attended his induction by asking them to stand at one point during his speech. As Hall of Famers, some inductees had advice to pass on to future players in their respective programs. “Be humble,” said Lori Reinart, a volleyball alumna, to the next generation of women’s volleyball players. Reinart was named MAC Player of the Year in 1996. In that same season, she led the Redhawks to a MAC title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. She holds the school’s record for the most blocks in a single match with 14. Amanda Jackson left a mark on the women’s basketball program, graduating as the leading scorer (1,979). Her senior season success played a huge role in the Redhawks appearing in their first NCAA Tournament. The three-time AllMAC honoree ranks in the top 10 in 10 different categories. In her speech, she emphasized the importance of focus. “Develop a work ethic,” Jackson stressed. “Stay committed to the grind.”
Suzanne D’Addario was named to the AllMAC First Team in field hockey each season following her freshman year. The field hockey star ranks sixth in program history in goals (37) and top eight in points (86). She never neglected the books, receiving two academic all-conference selections. All the inductees recognized the people who helped them along the way. For Ed Meador, it was his late wife, Mary Virginia Meador, who joined his journey when she moved to Oxford after they married in 1954. She died on Aug. 31 of this year. Meador photographed countless sporting events from 1952 to the late 1980s. His dedication to his work was evident, having once climbed to the top of a tower in a snowstorm to capture a football practice. Clark Mace, a baseball alumnus, ended his speech with an inspirational note for the audience. Mace had a dominant career at Miami that the MLB could not overlook. The London, Ohio native was selected in the 28th round of the MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001. His career batting average of .350 places him eighth all-time at Miami. The record-setter leads the program in categories such as career hits (316), runs (230), and RBIs (176). “A farm boy like me can make it up to the Hall of Fame,” said Mace. “It’s pretty cool.” Jackson was shocked that she was invited into the exclusive club. Like Mace, Jackson said this does not usually happen to people where she is from. “Who would’ve thought a kid from Springfield, Ohio, would stand in front of you,” Jackson said. “If a kid like me can do it, so can you.” Jackson had one last piece of advice. “To all the dreamers out there, keep dreaming.” pepperse@miamioh.edu Twitter: Stevenpepper38 Instagram: Stevenpepper_
’Hawks Talk “When you’re in the Army and protecting our country, are there rules? There’s rules, but the rule is you protect our country. And that’s how these kids are trained… The problem is, when you play them, that’s how they play football… They play football like they’re storming the hill. The only difference is no one’s shooting at them.” - Football head coach Chuck Martin before Miami’s week three matchup against the Army Black Knights
NELSO156@MIAMIOH.EDU
SPORTS 19
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
“Take Me Out to the Ballgame”: a summer spent at the ballpark
Miami Hockey set for exciting season JACK SCHMELZINGER ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
LILY FREIBERG WITH HER BEST FRIEND BEFORE GOING TO GREAT AMERICAN BALLPARK. PROVIDED BY PHOTOGRAPHER
LILY FREIBERG STAFF WRITER I’ve missed Cincinnati Reds baseball. The fresh air, sunshine, the taste of Skyline cheese coneys and the occasional sound of fireworks and “Boos.” Last season, fans weren’t allowed to go to live games because of the COVID-19 pandemic. My dad and I survived by listening to 700-WLW on the radio to follow games. This season, when Great American Ballpark was open to the public again, I didn’t hesitate on going to games. I might’ve went a bit overboard, but I was excited to get a little bit of normalcy back in my life after staying in the house my entire junior year. At least we got free pizza The first game I went to was on June 1. It was a late birthday celebration, and I went with a couple of my friends and my dad. The next day was when the ballpark opened up to full capacity, so there weren’t a lot of people there to begin with. And when it started to rain, it was like we were getting a private game experience. LaRosa’s Pizzeria gives out free small pizzas when Reds pitchers get 11 strikeouts in a game. Since we were getting blown out by the Philadelphia Phillies, that was the only thing keeping us alive during the game. The Reds brought Alex Blandino, an infielder, out to pitch. My dad explained how Blandino is only there to get outs, and not necessarily strikeouts, but that didn’t stop us from chanting “PIZZA” at the top of our lungs. After thirty minutes of screaming for pizza, we got the 11th strikeout. My friends and I appeared on the jumbotron about five times during the game, and we had some really fun people sitting behind us. We turned a blown-out and rainy game into one of the best memories of the summer. A special Fireworks Friday I love it when we beat the Chicago Cubs. I went to a game with my dad a couple of days before the Fourth of July. Flooded with people in red and blue clothing, Great American Ballpark was the most crowded I had ever seen. We were surrounded by Cubs fans, which is probably every Reds fan’s nightmare.
It was quite funny, though. Especially when Reds fans were cheering for the pitcher to get that 11th strikeout, and Cubs fans were cheering for their beloved Kris Bryant to hit a home run (I guess the Cubs fans didn’t get the memo that they could win free pizza.). We beat the Cubs, 2-1, and the night ended with a fantastic post-game fireworks show. A sunburn while Sonny pitches on a sunny Sunday “Sonny’s pitching on a sunny Sunday,” I always say to my dad when the three elements combine. My dad and I went to the game on a whim, and it was memorable to say the least. I walked outside thinking it didn’t feel like it was 96 degrees. That changed when we got to our seats. I ended up getting the worst sunburn of my life — peeling and everything. The Reds lost, too, but it’s not Cincinnati baseball without fighting the blazing sun for hours and losing in the end. At least Sonny Gray’s warm-up music is fun to dance to. (It’s “Throwback” by B.o.B if anyone was wondering.) A game with the bestie Seeing my friend’s face light up when I told her we’d be going to another Reds game before the school year started made me so happy. She’s one of those people who doesn’t understand the game, but is there to have a good time and to cheer on the pitchers to get 11 strikeouts. I stay until the end of the game to see if we can make a late-inning comeback. My friend stays for the potential free pizza. We decided to go all out for this game. We made posters and we vlogged the whole experience for our YouTube channel. One of my main goals this season was to watch Reds second baseman Jonathan India hit a homer. That happened at this game. And my friend and I walked around the ballpark for 10 minutes, going back and forth from Graeters to LaRosa’s, because she couldn’t decide on what she wanted to eat. I didn’t mind, though. It was good exercise. We lost, but it was still fun to take on Great American Ballpark with my best friend. @LLFreiberg freibell@miamioh.edu
Chris Bergeron enters his third year at the helm of the Miami RedHawks still looking for his first winning season. It hasn’t been an easy task for Bergeron, taking over a team that finished seventh or lower (of eight) in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) in the the three seasons preceding his hire. The NCHC is arguably the best conference in Division I hockey. From 2016-2019, four straight NCHC teams won the Division I national championship. Last year, another was the runner-up. Playing perennial powerhouses like North Dakota, Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud, a rebuilding team hardly stands a chance. But with his third full recruiting class in Oxford, and a team full of bright spots and young talent, a turnaround could be on the horizon. “The bottom line is that we’ve gotten our rear end kicked for two years, and we need some guys to say ‘ok, that needs to stop.” Bergeron said in an interview with “The Rink Live.” For many RedHawks, including sophomore goaltender Ludvig Persson, it will be their first time playing in front of fans at Steve “Coach” Cady Arena, since spectators weren’t allowed to attend games in 2020-21 due to Covid-19. “I know that the fans in this league can be crazy, so I’m really looking forward to playing in front of fans, especially at home,” Persson said. The ’Hawks will have to replace some offensive production this season. Forward Casey Gilling, who chipped in for 15 points in 23 games last year, transferred to Minnesota-Duluth, and former captain Phil Knies left for
“We want to be a team where ... people are going to be like, ‘oh shit, we have to play Miami.’”
- Goaltender Ludvig Persson
Bentley University after recording nine points in 25 games in 2020-2021. That said, Miami returns many key contributors. Matt Barry is back after leading the team with 17 points as a junior. Matthew Barbolini had an excellent freshman season with five goals and eight assists. Derek Daschke, a big blueliner and this season’s captain will provide offensive value and help shut down opponents top offensive players. Arguably the most exciting returner for the RedHawks is Persson. In his freshman season, Persson far outpaced expectations, finishing the campaign with a 2.67 goals against average (GAA) and a 92.5% save percentage. He was in net for all five Miami wins in 2020-21. The stellar campaign was good enough to earn him a Hoby Baker (the hockey Heisman) nomination last season and a spot as this year’s first team NCHC preseason all-conference goaltender.
Conference Expansion in the NCAA: WES PAYNE The NCAA has seen some monumental shifts this year, forever changing the future of college athletics. Name, image, and likeness (NIL), for one, finally passed this summer, allowing athletes to profit and take deals from local and national brands to promote products. Fans of college sports did not have to wait long for the next major shakeup. Texas and Oklahoma, two powerhouses in the Big 12 Conference, announced their intent to join the Southeastern Conference (SEC) not even a month later. While officially this move will not take effect until 2025, rumors persist that the two schools will attempt to join as early as 2022. Other NCAA conferences had to act quickly in order to preserve their own integrity. About a month later, the Big Ten, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), and the Pacific (PAC)-12 announced an “Alliance”, featuring an agreement to schedule inter-conference matchups and give similar responses to new NCAA regulations. The Power 5 has certainly made its mark on the future of college athletics, but what about the other nearly 80-90 teams that also exist within the NCAA’s Division I? These schools, including Miami, are trying to find a way forward that will preserve their athletic departments in the long run. For the Mid-American Conference (MAC), where many of Miami’s athletics are housed, there has to be some worry for the future of the conference. During the pandemic college football season of 20202021, most conferences decided to restrict schedules to games played only against other universities in the conference. This meant that games played against the Power 5, a huge source of revenue for schools like Miami, were canceled, and many were not rescheduled. Millions of dollars were lost for smaller Division 1 schools, and the financial effect will linger for years to come. With conference expansion on the horizon, confer-
ences could decide they want to schedule more contests within themselves, giving less money to the schools that rely on it to keep their programs alive. The MAC could also face poaching from other NCAA conferences looking to stay afloat. Other small conferences such as Conference-USA or the Sun Belt could attempt to convince other MAC schools to jump ship, leaving the other programs in the dust. For Miami, these developments have to be concerning. The RedHawks have rich traditions in many of its programs, but the recent conference expansions threaten these traditions already weakened by financial burdens. Fortunately, the future might not be as bleak as this year’s news would make it seem. Miami will always be a popular opponent for Power 5 schools to schedule, especially in football, due to its tradition and, more importantly for other schools, its wide alumni base that will buy tickets to games. Furthermore, while the MAC is at risk of financial loss and a loss of members, there is time for the conference to create several contingency plans to stay afloat. Whether this involves new, unique marketing strategies or even potential expansion of the conference itself, the MAC has time to find a way to keep itself going. No one knows for sure what the future holds for college athletics or Miami’s athletic department specifically. Time is of the essence now, and a new challenge has arisen for athletic directors around the country to respond to and prosper from. I have faith in the MAC and Miami. I think that there will certainly be bumps in the road, and financial stressors will arise within the next few years. The little guys of college athletics have always found a way forward, however, and no matter what the landscape of the NCAA looks like years from now, they will still be there, ready to compete. @wespayne19 paynetw@miamioh.edu
@jacksmerz schmelj2@miamioh.edu
UP NEXT
Where does Miami go from here?
THE MIAMI STUDENT
Persson has earned high expectations for the 2021-22 season. He tries not to worry about it. “I don’t really know,” said Persson, “… Last year, I had a good season, but I just have to work hard. Start from zero again. I always like to compete.” The RedHawks should also get a boost from one of the most talented recruiting classes in recent history. Red Savage, captain of the 2020-21 United States U18 team and a recent fourth round pick of the Detroit Red Wings joins his brother Ryan in Oxford. The slick two-way center finished last season with 20 points in 22 United States Hockey League (USHL) Games. PJ Fletcher, a big forward, comes to Miami after recording 34 points in 44 games as the captain of the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL last season. Bergeron also brought in an exciting group of transfer players. Michael Regush, a junior center, scored 11 goals and added seven assists in 2019-20 at Cornell. Chase Gresock, a native of Powell, Ohio, finished with 22 points in 28 games in 2019-20 at Merrimack, where he spent his sophomore and junior seasons as the captain. Will Cullen, a senior defenseman, scored at nearly a point per game pace last season with Bowling Green. And Logan Neaton, a goaltender from UMass-Lowell, will look to reclaim what led the Winnipeg Jets to select him in the fifth round of the 2019 NHL draft after two disappointing seasons with the River Hawks. The name of the game for Miami this season will be making Persson’s life easier in net. The RedHawks will have to improve their offensive output after scoring less than two goals per game last season and finishing in the bottom-ten of scoring offense among Division I teams. The defense will also need to be better in front of Persson. Last year, he was facing upwards of 30 shots per night, and once set a Miami record with 55 saves in a loss to Minnesota Duluth. “We’re going to start from our net out,” said Bergeron. “Ludvig Persson was our most consistent player last year, but we put way too much on his plate … that’s not fair to the kid.” Bergeron stresses the importance of internal competition and hard work. For him, winning follows good culture. He believes he’s starting to see signs of that in Oxford. “It’s time for us to be more competitive” “We want to be a team where … people are going to be like ‘oh shit, we have to play Miami. We want to be that team that everyone hates,” Persson said. The RedHawks hit the ice for the first time on October 2 against Ferris State in Big Rapids, Michigan. After another weekend series at Michigan State, Miami finally returns to Cady Arena for its home opener against cross-state rival Bowling Green on October 22.
SEPTEMBER 30
Volleyball Miami vs. Akron 7 p.m. @ Millett Hall
OCTOBER 1
Field Hockey Miami vs. Ball State 1 p.m. @ Miami Field Hockey Complex Volleyball Miami vs. Akron 7 p.m. @ Millett Hall
OCTOBER 2
Football Miami vs. Central Michigan 3:30 p.m. @ Yager Stadium
OCTOBER 3
Field Hockey Miami vs. Wake Forest 1 p.m. @ Miami Field Hockey Complex Soccer Miami vs. Buffalo 1 p.m. @ Bobby Kramig Field
OCTOBER 7
Soccer Miami vs. Toledo 4 p.m. @ Bobby Kramig Field
OCTOBER 8
Field Hockey Miami vs. Central Michigan 1 p.m. @ Miami Field Hockey Complex Volleyball Miami vs. Western Michigan 7 p.m. @ Millett Hall
OCTOBER 9
Swimming and Diving Miami vs. Cleveland State 3:00 p.m. @ Nixon Aquarium? Volleyball Miami vs. Northern Illinois 5:00 p.m. @ Millett Hall
OCTOBER 10
Field Hockey Miami vs. Michigan State 1 p.m. @ Miami Field Hockey Complex
OCTOBER 14
Soccer Miami vs. Kent State 4 p.m. @ Bobby Kramig Field
OCTOBER 16
Football Miami vs. Akron TBD @ Yager Stadium
OCTOBER 20
Volleyball Miami vs. Bowling Green 7 p.m. @ Millett Hall
OCTOBER 22
Volleyball Miami vs. Central Michigan 7 p.m. @ Millett Hall Hockey Miami vs. Bowling Green TBD @ Goggin Ice Center
OCTOBER 23
Synchronized Skating Fall Exhibition 3 p.m. @ Goggin Ice Center Volleyball Miami vs. Central Michigan 5 p.m. @ Millett Hall
OCTOBER 24
Soccer Miami vs. Western Michigan 1 p.m. @ Bobby Kramig Field
OCTOBER 29
Field Hockey Miami vs. Bellarmine 2 p.m. @ Miami Field Hockey Complex
Opinion
20
WOLFFRG@MIAMIOH.EDU
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
Petri dish blues AMES RADWAN ASST. OPINION EDITOR Ah, college illness. It wouldn’t really feel as though we were back at school without the orchestra of sniffles, sneezes and coughs in every lecture hall. It seems like every year, people get sick within the first month of school.
But no one is required to wear masks at off-campus house parties or during outdoor activities. We’ve moved out of our idea of a “bubble” and are now hanging out and catching up with friends we haven’t seen in over a year, just because technically, we can. And because of that, the college petri dish is back with a vengeance.
“I think we were in a pandemic so long that we forgot that other illnesses exist, but the illnesses didn’t forget about us, that’s for sure.” When I was a freshman in September of 2019, I got the flu and bronchitis backto-back and missed a week and a half of classes. It sucks, but it’s normal — the “college petri dish,” as they call it. Well, welcome to a college post-pandemic-peak. We’re masked up in classes, Armstrong and uptown businesses. Hand sanitizer is still a hot commodity and many professors have plexiglass set up between themselves and their students. We social distance when we can, though that’s still not too often.
Of course, COVID-19 is still going around, and so are strep throat, the flu and the common cold. I think we were in a pandemic so long that we forgot that other illnesses exist, but the illnesses didn’t forget about us, that’s for sure. Two weeks ago, I caught that common virus that’s been spreading across campus like a wildfire. I’ve heard many names for it. YikYak seems to be calling it “Crawford-19,” after President Crawford. A fair amount of my fellow marching band members came down with it as well, calling it the “Presser Plague” after
THE COLLEGE COMMANDMENTS:
Rituals of a 21-year-old
REBECCA WOLFF OPINION EDITOR
The College Commandments series has always been about taking the good things I see in different religious practices and relating them to small things in my own life. The other day I was doing my makeup routine, and it got me thinking about rituals, and when I think of a religious ritual, my mind immediately goes to Catholic Mass. I’ve done my makeup in the exact same order and using the exact same products since I was 17-years-old. I’ve always considered this a ritual, which, according to a Google definition box, is “a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order.” If you take the word “religion” out of that, my makeup routine
“I know it might seem like I just shouldn’t call them rituals at all because of the religious implication of that word, and that maybe I should just say “routines.” But that would be doing them a disservice.”
would easily classify as a ritual. But, I went to a Catholic high school and attended Mass a few times a semester. I don’t remember it being anything like a makeup routine, and that’s because it isn’t. What I do remember is the feeling that some of my catholic classmates got after dipping their hands in the holy water font after a hard hitting Mass. So, why do I experience that same calm and blissful feeling the moment after I spritz my face with setting spray? It’s because we both find a way to put meaning into what we’re doing. Mass is a rite in the Catholic Church, meaning it’s a ritual or a ceremony. The order in which it unfolds, along with the prayers and blessings, is delivered in the same way across the world – aside from language differences.
That’s a wonderful thing because it brings so many people together. The community aspect is something I’ve always admired about the Church. But, for some reason, I always seem to have my most grounded moments when I’m by myself, doing something that brings me joy. So, rather than having a choir of people chime in throughout my ritual, a Youtube video plays in the background of my makeup routine to drown out intrusive thoughts. The service feels less meaningful without it, and I feel far less present. It’s not just my makeup either. I have a routine for getting dressed, cooking a weekly pasta dinner with my boyfriend (the recipe varies slightly every week, but then again, doesn’t the homily?), doing my homework and working out. I know it might seem like I just shouldn’t call them rituals at all because of the religious implication of that word, and that maybe I should just say “routines.” But that would be doing them a disservice. The way I feel during my weekly leg day workout, for example, is something deeper than a routine. After it’s over, I feel better about myself, my day and my state of being. I can better tap into a spiritual connection with the world around me after I finish my stretches, set my makeup with setting spray, cook my pasta or complete any of my rituals. I’m looking for the essence within the word ritual itself, and how I – a non-religious, 21-year-old college student – can find the deeper meaning in my life where I feel it fits. There is something to be said about repeating a task the same way over and over. I go on a sort of auto-pilot when it comes to the technicality of whatever I am doing, and I’m able to focus only on the joy of it. That makes me feel in tune with myself. It gives me something more than the word “routine” can express. I’m going to keep doing my rituals, and I’m going to call them what they are, because finding significance in the little things is the most spiritual thing I can think of. I might not be a practicing Catholic, but I can see the value in a ritual – be it Mass or a makeup routine. @rebeccawolff16 wolffrg@miamioh.edu
the music building Presser Hall. And of course there are more. It left me laid up in bed for three days, coughing up a storm, running a low-grade fever and going through three separate boxes of tissues like I was Taylor Swift after a breakup. Two weeks later, I still have the cough, though I’m no longer contagious — I just had bad lungs to begin with, and getting sick didn’t help them breathe any easier. For a while, every time I coughed in class, I would get looks from some of my classmates, and I just wanted to scream: “It’s not COVID! I’m not going to get you sick!” I couldn’t scream if I wanted to, though, because I also lost my voice due to the virus. Whoops. Still, every cough could be COVID and that’s enough to scare anyone. So, I sort of understand. I’ve started getting better, but then last Wednesday, I woke up slammed with yet another health issue: pinkeye. Out of absolutely nowhere. I made a makeshift eye patch out of adhesive moleskin and a clear, sticky bandage, then went to class armed with double the amount of hand sanitizer as usual and a pair of dark sunglasses behind which I could hide. Student Health Services was booked until the weekend, and I live all the way across campus from Urgent Care and have no car. That was about as much as I could do. My friends all made fun of me about it, of course. I was dubbed “the pirate” for a bit until the pinkeye cleared up, and everyone gave me a wide berth (for
good reason). It was annoying for sure, but also pretty funny. There’s also the fact that the autumn allergy season is in full swing, so my allergies hate me right now. So here I am: coughing, sneezing, sniffling and sporting the most stylish eye patch since Ragetti in Pirates of the Caribbean. I feel like everything is three times as worse as normal because we didn’t have as much spreading of everyday illnesses last year, so this year, sickness is making its unfortunate comeback. And for someone like me who gets sick a lot anyway … well, it’s no fun, that’s for sure. I definitely was not prepared for this — to get so sick, so much, so soon. I don’t think anyone was, truly, after a year by ourselves avoiding all of the common colds and coughs. That’s why Student Health Services is so booked up right now, and why all of the daily Urgent Care appointments are gone by 10 a.m. It’s going to take a while for all of us to get used to being sick again. It’s going to take a while for us to realize that not every cough is COVID and not every sore throat is strep. Maybe it won’t take too long, though, since we’re all getting so sick right now anyway. But we should have expected it returning to Miami for a semi-normal fall semester. After all, such is the college petri dish. radwanat@miamioh.edu
Canvas is frustrating. How do we fix it? MEREDITH PERKINS THE MIAMI STUDENT I don’t hate Canvas. Although a small part of me dies every time I see an “Assignment Created” notification on my phone, the ability to use Canvas across multiple devices and receive push notifications when professors post is incredibly helpful. I use Canvas’ dashboard and calendar features every day to keep up with due dates and plan times to work on homework. After unseating Blackboard as the leading educational learning management system in 2018, Canvas has become a paramount component of a college education. But professors make Canvas confusing, frustrating and far less helpful than it’s designed to be. My daily, futile search for my homework opens a can of worms. Depending on the professor, the class and the assignment, my homework could be anywhere in any of Canvas’ several tabs. Sometimes, my homework is hiding in “Discussions,” which, for whatever reason, do not count as assignments. Other times, it’s mentioned in passing under an announcement or tucked inside of a module. Though my dashboard shows due dates for assignments and discussion board posts, I have to dig into my syllabus and/or announcements to figure out due dates for readings. For some classes, my homework and deadlines are on another website entirely. By the end of the day, I have opened so many different tabs of Canvas I lose track of which tab goes along with which class. To complete one discussion board post, I need to: One, log into my class’s Canvas page. Two, create a new tab with the discussion board instructions. Three, create a new tab with the reading I’m supposed to be discussing. Four, create a new tab in Google Docs in which to type my post (because Canvas’ word processor is mediocre at best.) And five, create another tab with my syllabus so I can review how my profes-
sor likes us to format our assignments. When multiple readings or assignments are involved, the five tabs expands into a wildfire of 10, 15 or even 20 tabs – not including my ever-present Gmail and Spotify tabs. There are also little things about Canvas itself that are inconvenient. When videos and external links fail to work; when its word processor won’t let you indent texts; when Canvas emails you that your assignment has been graded but makes you go to the website to figure out what your grade actually is; when you can’t figure out the details of the assignments on your dashboard without going to an entirely different tab. I can live with these little annoyances. No software program is perfect, and it doesn’t ruin my day to work
I don’t blame professors for Canvas’ disorganization problem; though each of my professors have a different way of organizing assignments, all of them clearly communicate where my assignments are and answer my questions if I am unsure. The real problem is that there is no apparent university-wide standard for how Canvas sites should be organized. While little fixes – such as including readings and formatting instructions on discussion board posts so you don’t have to open additional tabs – can make Canvas less of a headache, creating a general, campus-wide standard for how Canvas should be utilized could make students’ lives much easier. For instance, if professors were asked to post an announcement each week
“My daily, futile search for my homework opens a can of worms. Depending on the professor, the class and the assignment, my homework could be anywhere in any of Canvas’ several tabs.”
around these limitations. What frustrates me is how Canvas fails to live up to its selling point as being the software that streamlines your daily task load by putting everything you need on one website. With so many different places to put assignments, different Canvas pages needed to complete an assignment, and different ways of formatting used by different professors, it doesn’t feel like Canvas is one cohesive learning space. So how do we fix this? Making Canvas more organized isn’t a matter of redesigning the software or calling for major interface changes. I mean, I’m a Creative Writing major. Any suggestions I make about software might as well be a joke.
with the week’s homework and readings, post all homework under “Assignments” and post all grades on Canvas, the lethargy of searching four million tabs for daily homework assignments could be avoided, or at the very least mitigated. The transition to an online-centric classroom has not been easy for students and professors, and some consistency and guidance would fix a lot of the confusion and frustration that plagues the classroom. Canvas is the best educational management software system available on the market right now. Let’s start using it more efficiently. perkin16@miamioh.edu
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
WOLFFRG@MIAMIOH.EDU
Let loneliness be a choice DEVIN ANKENEY COLUMNIST It’s only seven weeks left...49 days...three weekends until it’s four weeks left… I calculated that exact formula constantly. Every day slowly dragged me to the day I could go home. I spent last year – my freshman year– living in a double-turned-single because my roommate chose not to come live on campus to attend school through Zoom University and save the money. A decision I was made aware of, by the way, 10 days after arriving on campus. I spent nights by myself, without any in-person classes, knowing just a few people who lived up and down my hall. I did not enjoy myself. I woke up at the same time every day. Started a class at 10:05 every day, Ate lunch immediately after that class from the same dining hall, every day. Spent nights rewatching The West Wing, eating the same meal from Red Zone. Every. Single. Day. The little time I spent with my friends felt forced; like playing a part in a massive simulation of perpetual daze. I liked them fine. I just wasn’t me. The fact that I endured two semi-in-person classes in the Spring where I still couldn’t meet anybody because we socially distanced in the classrooms failed to improve things. I just felt isolated, like I was forced into quarantine housing even though I never got COVID. No olive branch extended, no emails offering the likely hundreds of students in my same situation to have a roommate to make the already lonely life we endured throughout the pandemic just a smidgeon better. They were just glad we were willing to spend the extra few thousand dollars to live isolationist-style; pretending to genuinely exist at college. I almost made a huge mistake this year.
I became so used to that single, I told myself the only option was to get a single dorm again and live the same hyper-routined life to make it through the year A-OK. The day before I received the single dorm offer, a friend planning on living in an apartment with friends called me. A roommate dropped their slot. I bolted. I immediately emailed everyone I could, found out every bit of information I could scrounge up, and got myself assigned to Logan Lodge at Heritage Commons with 3 roommates.
myself? Was I supposed to fend for myself until my roommate *maybe* decided to show up? Why didn’t anyone check-in? I spend a lot of time pondering these questions; pondering just how many freshmen are living this same loneliness I did. I truly worried I would end up being unhappy with my time at Miami because of my living arrangements. Nobody ever asked to see if I wanted to be moved somewhere where I could live with a person for my first moments away from my parents. I had to figure that out for myself.
“I just felt isolated, like I was forced into quarantine housing even though I never got COVID.”
After a year of living by myself, compensating for loneliness through routines and comfort television, I ended up in an apartment with 3 other people. A bit of a shift if you asked me. It’s been three weeks and I can’t imagine anything better for me. Last year I spent days on end thinking about how to get out, ways to get away for an hour. I would take walks for hours, just to have something new happen in my day. I can hardly be dragged out of my new home. Seeing a friend every morning, cooking up dinners together, watching movies, having friends over on weekend nights. I finally feel like me. I simply wonder why I had to endure such a hard year to find this happiness. Why was it my responsibility to know that I would be unhappy by
These past few weeks have instilled in me a simple but significant message; keep yourself near people who make you happy. Have uncomfortable fights with your roommate, go to lunch with a friend, talk to whoever is sitting next to you in your class; especially now that we have in-person classes. If I spent half as much time last year as I do this year simply being in the presence of people who uplift my spirits, I would have experienced a vastly different, better freshman year. After a year of forced isolation, it has become clear to me that it’s up to us to put all our effort into avoiding a painful college experience. Find your people; stick with them. @devin_ankeney ankenedw@miamioh.edu
CARTOON BY SOREN MELBYE
YikYak is back:
why that is concerning to me MEGAN MISKE THE MIAMI STUDENT
YikYak, the anonymous social media app that was shut down four years ago, has recently made a comeback on Miami University’s campus. The Oxford mask mandate, bars and the “freshman flu” are some of the many topics that are discussed by students on the app. With the app, you can write posts known as “Yaks” anonymously, and they can be upvoted or downvoted by the people around you. When people engage with your Yaks by upvoting or downvoting, your ‘Yakarma’ either goes up or down. While the app can be very entertaining and funny, I find some of the things that are posted to be very concerning and I find the history of the app to be even more worrisome. YikYak was shut down in 2017 after a drop in users and controversy over cyberbullying and harassment. During that time, campuses around the country banned the app due to reports of racist messages and hate speech. The app announced its plans to relaunch in August 2021 with new guidelines against bullying. There is now an option to report Yaks and flag posts that contain names, personal information and sexual content.
“Unfortunately, anonymous posting allows for people to post whatever they want with little to no accountability.”
Unfortunately, anonymous posting allows for people to post whatever they want with little to no accountability. The only thing that YikYak can really do is delete the post and ban you from the app, which I don’t think is a harsh enough consequence for cyberbullying. As I scrolled through YikYak the last couple of weeks, I found a good amount of Yaks that I found to be toxic and a lot of the negative comments that I noticed were very degrading and mostly directed towards women. “Why are the women on here such hogs,” one user posted on the app. “Why do all hot chicks have the personality of a brick wall,” another user wrote. Another trend of posts that I have seen was discussion of one’s own mental health in a negative light. “4 weeks here [I] already want to pull a Kurt Cobain,” a user posted. While YikYak has a history with cyberbullying and harassment, not everything that is posted on the app is negative. A lot of the posts that I see on the app are shoutouts to random people on campus or relating to each other’s experiences, which can be very refreshing. Growing up with social media, I feel like I have gotten used to seeing this type of behavior often played out online. Even though some of the things posted on YikYak have offended me, I have mostly felt completely desensitized to everything and I haven’t seen anything that made me so upset that I’ve needed to take a step back. Since YikYak is anonymous, people feel like there are no repercussions for whatever they say. It gives them the opportunity to post anything about other people and it worries me what could come from this. I think that the history with this app is doomed to repeat itself, especially since Oklahoma Christian University has already banned the app from its campus due to reports of cyberbullying. YikYak may not seem as bad now, but I can see it becoming more and more of a negative environment and I think that anonymity is to blame. miskem@miamioh.edu
Reversing reverse culture shock: help? JENNA CALDERÓN CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR Since my return from Spain, I’ve taken great care not to sound like one of those study abroad kids. You know, the ones who have to incorporate something about their “life-changing experience” into literally every sentence that comes
This summer I spent almost two months in Spain taking classes, improving my second-language skills and, let’s be completely honest, having a good time. Emphasis on that last one. Before studying abroad, Miami makes you complete one of those orientation module things where they tell you all about the amazing time you’re going to have, how to call your
“There are countless places I’ve never been, things I haven’t seen and people I haven’t met, and that gives me the most intense anxiety and tremendous excitement at the same time.”
out of their mouths? Well, at the risk of sounding like one of those people, I pose a very serious question: what the hell am I supposed to do now?
parents when you get homesick and what to do if you get offered hard drugs on the streets of Amsterdam. But there’s also a not-so-little section that talks about culture shock which, in all honesty, I
promptly skipped through and did not read any of. I’ve been privileged enough to travel out of the country several times. That culture shock stuff would never apply to me, right? Wrong. Sure, adjusting to a new country was difficult at first, but that was something I expected. I had my ups and downs in the first few weeks and even later in the trip as well. But what I did not expect was to have to readjust so much once I got back to the place I call home. As absolutely cliche as it sounds, I don’t think I came back from Europe as the same version of myself. I mean, I’m still me. Just with a noticeably whimsical new aura of world traveller. Just kidding. I don’t even think any of the changes are outwardly visible to the people around me, aside from my family and friends watching me adjust from the time change and ravenously eat Chipotle because I missed it so much. The truth is that studying abroad really did change my outlook on the world and my own future. It made me think a lot harder about everything I want to get out of life and what my goals actually are.
It made me feel small in the best way possible. I don’t know about your parents, but mine are always telling me there’s more to life than what’s right in front of me. And I’ve always known that. I mean, I’ve grown up in Ohio for god’s sake. But it’s true: you really don’t know what’s out there until you see it for yourself. There are countless places I’ve never been, things I haven’t seen and people I haven’t met, and that gives me the most intense anxiety and tremendous excitement at the same time. There’s a necessary balance between those two emotions, and that’s what I have yet to master since getting back to the U.S. and probably why I’m feeling so unsettled lately. I’m still the same person: introverted until comfortable, adventurous and loyal to the people I love. The key components of myself haven’t changed –– It’s the way that I go about handling the world around me that has. To push through the process of reversing my reverse culture shock, I try to soak up all of the things that I can still love about home. And let me say, starting with Chipotle, it’s going pretty well so far. calderjm@miamioh.edu
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
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