March 4, 2020 - The News Record at University of Cincinnati

Learn about senator-at-large platforms | pg. 2

Q&A: CCM actor discusses newest production | pg. 7 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2020

UC Crime Log: Feb. 23-29 KEELY BROWN | MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Monday, Feb. 24 A theft from the African American Cultural Resource Center (AACRC) was reported to UCPD. The disposition is “active.”

A theft in Daniels Hall was reported to UCPD. The disposition is “active.”

Wednesday, Feb. 26

Karl Dierking, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student, and Logan Linday, a fourth-year computer engineering student, are running unopposed to become the next vice president and president of the University of Cincinnati student body.

INSTAGRAM | LINDSAYDIERKING2020

Meet candidates for SG presidency

KEELY BROWN | MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR For the second consecutive year, two candidates are running unopposed to become student body president and vice president within the University of Cincinnati’s Undergraduate Student Government (SG).

Logan Lindsay, a fourth-year computer engineering student, and Karl Dierking, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student, announced their campaign Feb. 21 to become the next president and vice president of the UC student body.

The two students have six years of combined experience in SG. Currently, Lindsay serves as the College of

Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) Tribunal’s president and is also chief of staff to SG’s current vice president, Abbie Smith; whereas Dierking is SG’s external holdover senator.

“We believe that we have a ton of good experience throughout our respective roles and we definitely didn’t want that to go to waste,” said Lindsay. “We are running for this position because we do want to pass on that experience, and we do want to continue to ensure that we have a successful future as an organization and university.”

Both Lindsay and Dierking have worked on numerous Continued on Page 3

A burglary on the 2500 block of Ravine St. was reported to UCPD. The disposition was handed off to the Cincinnati Police Department (CPD.) A theft from the Corbett Center for the Performing Arts was reported to UCPD. The disposition is “active.”

Thursday, Feb. 27 Criminal mischief in Corry Blvd. Garage was reported to UCPD. The disposition is “active.”

Public indecency at the Corbett Center was reported to UCPD. The disposition is “active.”

A sexual assault off campus at an unknown location was reported to UCPD. The disposition was handed off to CPD. Trespassing at Edwards One was reported to UCPD.

The disposition was closed with a UCPD arrest.

Three drug law violations in Dabney Hall were reported to UCPD. All dispositions were handed off to the Office of Student Conduct.

Friday, Feb. 28 A liquor law violation in Marian Spencer Hall was reported to UCPD. The disposition was handed off to the Office of Student Conduct.

An assault on the 2300 block of Wheeler St. was reported to UCPD. The disposition was handed off to CPD. A fictious drivers license in Daniels Hall was reported to UCPD. The disposition was handed off to the Office of Student Conduct.

Two drug law violations in Stratford Heights building 11 were reported to UCPD. The disposition was handed off to the Office of Student Conduct.

Trespassing at Edwards Three was reported to UCPD. The disposition was closed with a UCPD arrest.

Saturday, Feb. 29 A false alarm at Edwards One was reported to UCPD. The disposition is “active.”

NEWS

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Explore platforms of senator-at-large candidates

SHANNON SMITH | NEWS EDITOR Nine University of Cincinnati students have announced their campaigns for senator-at-large positions within the University of Cincinnati’s Undergraduate Student Government (SG) for the 2020-2021 school year.

Students will be able to submit their votes on Blackboard. Elections will open at 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 4, and close Friday, March 6, at noon. Election results are expected to be announced after 6 p.m.

Friday.

Here are this year’s candidates and their platforms: Joe Kroger Joe Kroger is a first-year student double majoring in political science and secondary education and recent graduate of the SG Mentorship Program (SGMP). He serves on a student-lead panel to discuss the hiring of UC’s next Title IX Coordinator, a College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services (CECH) Tribunal trainee and executive board member. He is also president of Siddall Residence Hall.

Kroger’s platform goals: •Sustainability: Work with UC Sustainability and Hughes STEM High School to establish a community garden to teach the importance of sustainable growing in urban settings •Academic success: Work with The Office of The Provost to create a program to increase the per semester credit hour maximum from 18 to 21 for students who want a larger course load •Community involvement: Work with the Center for Community Engagement and Parking Services to create an initiative called ‘Time For Tickets’ to allow students the option to volunteer in their community to help offset the costs of their parking ticket •Sexual assault prevention: Promote Bystander Training Implementation by the Student Wellness and LGBTQ+ Centers into Residence Halls to encourage Sexual Assault Prevention Neha Chawla Neha Chawla is a second-year student majoring in computer science with a minor in women’s, gender and sexuality studies. She currently serves in the student government cabinet as the director of student technology.

Chawla’s platform goals: •Innovation through technology: laptop refurbishment, Bearcat Pantry stocking tracker, online map of gender-neutral

bathrooms •Give back to Cincy: Outreach programs for Cincinnati Public Schools’ students, implement SG services days for various community service projects •Connect UC: Continue growth of a world fair to spread awareness of campus resources for marginalize identities, develop a student life resource pamphlet, establish a Women’s Day conference Taylor Allgood Taylor Allgood is a first-year international affairs student with a double minor in French and women’s, gender and sexuality studies. She is a recent graduate of the SG Mentorship Program and currently serves as secretary of senate. Allgood is basing her platform on the acronym STAND – sustainability, transform, adulting 101, networking and diversity and inclusion.

Allgood’s platform goals: •Sustainability: Expand UC’s current composting system to include all dining halls •Transform: Create a “Before I Graduate…” mural on campus to beautify campus and speak goals into existence.

•Adulting 101: Implement monthly workshops that cover a range of topics from taxes and budgeting to mental and sexual health.

•Network: Create a website for UC students and alumni to market their business and services.

•Diversity and inclusion: Ensure every UC syllabi clearly defends the right to make up work in the case of missing school for religious purposes.

Makayla Stover Makayla Stover is a second-year student studying communications with a minor in sociology and certificates in public relations and digital engagement. She serves as the SG press secretary under the current administration.

Stover’s platform points: •Expanding Bearcat Promise: Establish on-campus job fairs, provide centralized source for students in less-common majors to connect with employers •Prioritizing mental health: Expand upon the recent Mental Health Campions initiative, provide excuses mental health absences without a doctor’s note •Campus safety: Add more lighting across campus, reintroduce Campus Watch with patrol volunteers, work with UCPD to increase security in parking garages •Campus Services: Implement an airport shuttle program, put printers in residence halls around campus •Diversity and inclusion: Implement a

university-wide diversity and inclusion course requirement Erek Hansen Erek Hansen, a second-year student studying chemical engineering, is the founder of Go Green Ohio, a nonprofit recycling project. Hansen has no prior experience in UC’s student government but was involved in high school.

Hansen’s platform goals: •Sustainability and recycling: Work with SG to provide accessible denim recycling to UC •Improving voter accessibility: Work with SG to increase voter accessibility and education such as busing to polling stations and helping students register •Giving activists a platform: Represent the interests of the UC Activist Coalition and students including anti-corruption and pro-environmental stances Adit Kulkarni Adit Kulkarni is a first-year chemical engineering student with a minor in materials sciences. As a graduate of SGMP, his recent campus involvement includes Model U.N., CEAS Tribunal and the American Institute of Chemical Engineering.

Kulkarni’s platform goals: •Umbrella initiative: Be able to pick up and drop off an umbrella at designated locations around campus •Free laundry: Work with UC housing to adjust its third-party contracts and push for free laundry in all dorms and apartments •Expand Bearcat card uses: Be able to use debit on your Bearcat card on Uber, Grubhub, Bird and more •Improving shuttle services: Work with transportation facilities to expand the locations and extend the shuttle schedule Raphael Hicks Raphael Hicks, a second-year chemical engineering student, is also a graduate of the SG Mentorship Program. He has been previously involved on campus as the equity and inclusion chair for CEAS Tribunal, vice president of collegiate affairs and executive director of equity and inclusion for the current administration.

Hicks’ platform goals: •Accessibility and student amenities: Create a map of accessible travel routes on campus, increase the amount of printing stations on campus, implement air fresheners and increase restroom cleanliness

•Bearcat inclusiveness: Develop career development workshops geared toward international students, provide free selfdefense training workshops and increase collaboration between SG and identitybased organizations •Community outreach: Create “SG on Main” event, SG social media philanthropy and in person projects to give back to Cincinnati and a “Bearcat Spirit Highlights” video showcasing student experiences April Gable April Gable is a second-year student studying political science and communications with a certificate in organizational leadership. She is currently an ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S), a student representative on the A&S Board of Academic Misconduct and a resident adviser at Daniels Hall.

Gable is hoping to SOAR into office on a platform of sustainability, operations, art and references.

Gable’s platform goals: •Sustainability: Create and distribute informative labels for recycling runs and centers around campus •Operations: Maximize the use of McMicken lawn for student services, improve signage for shuttle stops around campus to emphasize locations and clarify schedules •Art: Decorate campus with student-led creative spaces as a means to celebrate Bearcat Pride •Reference: Inform students on how to maximize campus services through an online resources guide Nuha Syed Nuha Syed is a first-year student studying health sciences. Her previous involvement on campus includes SG committee of governmental relations, Muslim Student Association and Minority Association for Pre-med students.

Syed’s platform points: •Work the Women’s Center to put on an event discussing women’s experiences on campus to raise awareness on being conscious of biases and letting women speak about sexism in the classroom, at parties and more •Work with UC dining halls to incorporate food to accommodate holidays like Passover, Lent and Ramadan •Encourage and provide information for students about sexual assault and harassment •Put content warnings on readings/films to protect victims of sexual attacks

NEWS

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Students run unopposed for second consecutive year Continued from Page 1 initiatives throughout their time in SG. During his time with the current administration, Lindsay helped provide menstrual products to UC students which he hopes to continue and expand if elected.

Dierking most notably partnered with UC administrators and multiple SG members to petition to make the university’s fight song more inclusive to the student body — and succeeded.

The duo met through CEAS Ambassadors — a service organization that advances relationships between students and faculty in the engineering college — where they gave tours to prospective engineering students. After volunteering and taking classes together throughout the year, they realized how well they worked together as a team.

“We both complement each other very well — I have experience that he doesn’t, and he has that experience that I don’t,” said Lindsay.

Lindsay and Dierking were inspired by their shared experience at UC and subsequently decided to run as a slate to become the 2020-21 student body president and vice president, respectively.

The campaign season did not begin without controversy, however. Two opposing candidates intending to run for the presidency — Kish Richardson and Gerald Crosby, both currently at-large senators — were rejected by SG’s Election Facilitation Committee (EFC) after failing to turn in their petitions on time.

When asked about the slates that were denied from running in the SG presidential race, the now unopposed candidates declined to comment.

Lindsay and Dierking began planning to run for office in early September and are excited to show students everything they’ve worked on for the upcoming election, they said.

“We planned this a long time ago,” said Dierking. “We’ve done all the work. We’ve completed research and have PDF’s for every platform point explaining why we want to do it, how we’re going to do it and when we expect it to be done.”

Lindsay and Dierking are running on four main platform points: Accessibility, Inclusion, Sustainability, and Next.

In order to identify these goals, Lindsay and Dierking held focus groups — hearing directly from students, faculty and staff about the problems they have encountered during their time at UC and what they want to see changed at the university drastically influenced their campaign, they said.

The duo hopes to remove barriers prohibiting students from reaching their end goals through their accessibility platform, ensure students feel included in the classroom and in the community through their inclusion platform and make UC more environmentally responsible

through their sustainability platform.

The slate’s “next” platform point draws inspiration from UC President Neville Pinto’s “Next Lives Here” strategic direction, said Dierking.

“Next really ties in with the forward thinking of our platform of getting you to the next chapter of your life,” added Lindsay.

“If you’re set out to achieve a dream or initiative, we want to make sure that you have the resources and opportunities needed to make that come to fruition.”

According to their campaign website, Lindsay and Dierking’s campaign platform includes the following goals: Advising training enhancements Lindsay and Dierking want to ensure advisors at UC are well-prepared to assist students by working with pathways advising, as well as advising heads in each department, to create an action plan and later establish a training program for advisors.

Embedded CAPS counselors The slate hopes to make counselors more accessible to students by creating an embedded CAPS counselor program that houses counselors in colleges and centers, drawing inspiration from peer institutions such as the University of Michigan and the University of Texas at Austin.

Bearcats Pantry enhancements The duo plans to create a delivery program and extend operating hours of the Bearcat Pantry and utilize volunteers to deliver

food across UC using university vehicles.

They hope to provide volunteer hours for members of Greek life, which in turn will also extend the hours and days of the pantry.

Student homelessness fund Lindsay and Dierking hope to create a fund that the housing office can pull expenses from, rather than charge these atrisk students. They plan to allocate money from the annual SG budget and will accept donations through the UC Foundation in order to increase the number of students the fund may benefit.

Increased identity/minority-based center collaboration They also hope to collaborate with identity and minority-based centers on campus to help expand the organizations’ impact campus-wide. They plan to work with directors to provide financial resources for this initiative.

‘Ask for Lexi’ campaign The “Ask for Lexi” campaign installs posters in bar and restaurant bathrooms that give patrons the ability to leave an uncomfortable or potentially threatening situation. The candidates hope to bring this “secret code” campaign to campus by working with Women Helping Women, a local sexual assault and domestic violence advocacy group, as well as nearby bar and restaurant owners to discuss implementation of sexual assault and domestic violence training.

Meatless Mondays In order to help reduce UC’s carbon footprint, the candidates hope to provide environmentally conscious meal alternatives once a week in one dining hall on campus. Meat dishes would still be available; however, a majority of the meals in the dining hall would be meat-free.

Reducing plastic waste Lindsay and Dierking hope to reduce plastic waste by focusing on alternatives to straws and plastic containers from “grab ‘n go” stations across campus. The candidates plan to work with Food Services to implement other box and straw options to help make campus more sustainable.

Food awareness campaign The slate plans to eliminate these issues by working with Food and Campus Services to create affordable reusable containers and allow students to purchase them in each of the dining halls. In addition, the slate plans to use dining hall displays to provide students with ways to help reduce food waste.

UC food services mobile ordering app Lindsay and Dierking hope to allow students to order from some of the university’s food locations through the UC mobile app. Students would be able to skip long wait lines and pick up their food at the restaurant’s counter.

Assisting with first job expenses The candidates hope to financially assist students who accumulate expenses during their professional development experiences, such as internships or co-ops. They plan to work with local non-profit organizations to provide supplies for students.

Self-served professional headshot booth Lindsay and Dierking hope to provide free, professional headshots to students through a self-served professional headshot booth that would operate 40 hours a week.

They plan to collaborate with the Division of Experience-Based Learning and Career Education, as well as the Bearcat Promise, to raise the necessary funds needed to pay for the booth.

Undergraduate SG elections open for voting Wednesday, March 4, and will close Friday, March 6.

PROVIDED | LOGAN LINDSAY

Voting for Undergraduate SG elections opens Wednesday, March 4, and will close Friday, March 6. Election results are expected to be announced Friday between 6-6:30 p.m., according to Dierking.

Students have the opportunity to vote for presidential candidates and future at-large senators through Blackboard.

MARCH 4, 2020 September 2019 January 29, 4, 2020

Student-founded group to beautify local park

FEATURES

approximately 60 UC students attend, as well as a total of 20 students and staff A University of Cincinnati student is from Hughes High School, according to organizing his second event aimed at Sakthivel. The event also received a positive beautifying a local park and helping more reception from the community.

UC students to engage with the surrounding “Last year, it was really successful — community. everyone involved head great things to say The Coy Field Care Day initiative was about it,” Hess said. “The park looked really started last year by Karthik Sakthivel, good after the event and people said that a third-year medical student at UC, as a they would like to do it again this year.” way to make Coy Field more appealing While he thinks Coy Field Care Day is a to the surrounding communities through great initiative, Sakthivel also wants to find beautifying the landscape and facilities. a way to keep the park clean long-term.

Located just north of UC’s main campus, “We’re trying to find the best way to Coy Field is a three-level park surrounded make sure that we’re maintaining this area by greenspace complete with a playground, throughout the year,” he said. football field, baseball field and a basketball This year’s event has already partnered court. with the CCE, Cincinnati Public Schools, This year’s event aims to expand on the the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, the group’s previous Club Sports work by including Board, UC a kickball Undergraduate tournament Student as well as Government, additional service the UC Faculty opportunities Senate and for UC students Student and community Activities and members to get Leadership involved with, Development. said Sakthivel.

The kickball “We’re really tournament will trying to promote feature teams the event overall from both UC as a community and Hughes event this time,” High School. he said.

Given Coy The park is Field’s status as mostly used by a “community families and as a hub,” Sakthivel practices field for believes it’s the local Hughes important that High School’s UC students sports teams, — as members said Nathan of the larger Hess, president Uptown of the CUF community — Neighborhood do their part to Association. take care of the However, the park. park has suffered “I think it’s from a number of important that problems such as we take the Members of the Coy Field Care Day initiative grab snacks plant overgrowth, time to really care and coffee. graffiti, litter and PROVIDED | KARTHIK SAKTHIVEL about the different disrepair of some locations and of the facilities, he said. things that are in the community,” Sakthivel While searching for a “community said. “Coy Field being one of those things project” to get involved with, Sakthivel that’s kind of been forgotten about.” initially heard about Coy Field through UC’s “It provides more of a bond to the Center for Community Engagement (CCE). community if you put something into it “[I] thought that’d be something that I yourself,” he added. could make an impact on,” Sakthivel said.

This year’s Coy Field Care Day will “The project’s just kind of grown ever since.” be held April 4 at 10 a.m., with kickball Funded through grants from the beginning at 1:30 p.m. university, last year’s event saw QUINLAN BENTLEY | CHIEF REPORTER

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Living Openly: Uncovering queer indigenous history that enormous identity,” Raslich said.

Even though it has faults, Two-spirit is As an eighth grader, Jack Raslich’s first at the center of current queer indigenous developed a liking for history when they studies and continues to serve the purpose got into an argument with a history teacher of indigenous reclamation of their own over the cause of the civil war. The debate identities. lasted 45 minutes, and Raslich’s passion In addition, Raslich is studying the only grew from history of there. contemporary Their love of queer indigeneity history traveled from 1968 to 1990 with them to and is applying Wright State a new critical University where queer lens to they earned further uncover a Bachelor of indigenous Arts in history history. from Wright Being queer State University. and indigenous Now, Raslich is themselves, a second-year Raslich feels student working close to the toward a Master subject and wants of Arts in history to deep dive at the University into different of Cincinnati, perspectives and where they are stories. researching the “I really care evolution of about both parts queer indigeneity of my identity and social and kind of activism. how they play Since queer off each other,” indigenous Raslich said. “It’s studies as a a big thing for discipline is fairly me because it’s young, Raslich’s a whole lot of focus begins in internal dialogue.”

1990 when the Growing up, Native American Raslich never First Nations learned about Gay and Lesbian indigenous or Conference queer history. called for the Raslich recalled creation of a new when they were umbrella term – in Advanced “Two-spirit” – as Placement United a response to States History derogatory terms and the class was aimed at the Jack Raslich, a second-year UC student, is working towards learning about a Master of Arts in history by researching the evolution of the surrender of community. queer indigeneity and social activism.

“Up to that Chief Pocatello PROVIDED | JACK RASLICH point, they were in 1863, in which using a word called ‘burdash,’ which is the tribe gave up two-thirds of their derogatory,” Raslich said. “They really hunting grounds to the U.S. government. wanted to challenge that, because it’s a Raslich was disappointed to find that the French understanding of a word for a perspective of the indigenous people was male prostitute that gets applied to queer completely shut out from history. indigenous people.”

“That is really what sticks with me — it’s Two-spirit refers to the idea that a creator history that is either ignored or misused has both a male and a female spirit, making by people who are not a part of the history it different. Like the word “queer” in western they are writing about,” Raslich said. “There identity, Two-spirit is an umbrella term. needs to be control given back to people “The problem umbrella terms have is that who are queer and indigenous, and their they can’t possibly be perfect for the sake of own histories. Because, who better to including as many people as possible under represent themselves than themselves?”

DAVID REES | FEATURES EDITOR

MARCH 4, 2020 September 2019 January 29, 4, 2020

CEAS and UC Pharmacy partner for dual-degree

FEATURES

in the cosmetics and personal care industries,”Thiel said.

The University of Cincinnati College of Students will follow the chemical Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) engineering track, with additional is partnering with the James L. Winkle cosmetic science courses. These additional College of Pharmacy to launch a new dual courses could be integrated as early as degree program that is the first of its kind in their third year. Students will also have the nation. the opportunity to take some of cosmetic Now, students can earn a Bachelor of science coursework online during co-op Science in Chemical semesters.

Engineering and a “This Master of Science combination of in Cosmetic Science getting an early in five years — a start on graduate “4+1 program” — work and being including co-op able to take internships. the graduate “To the best of my courses during knowledge, this is co-op semesters the only program makes it much in the U.S. — and easier to earn the possibly in the world cosmetic science — that allows a degree in parallel student to complete with [chemical both programs in engineering],”Thiel the time it would said. normally take to Graduates of get a B.S. degree,” the program have said Stephen a wide range of Thiel, a professor possibilities once in the department they enter the of Chemical and workforce, said Environmental Thiel. Students Engineering and will be qualified the undergraduate to work in the program director development, for Chemical manufacturing Engineering. and marketing of Thiel aided in products related to ensuring that the cosmetic science.

Cosmetic Science There’s a lot more and Chemical to cosmetic science Engineering than makeup, said programs were Thiel. well-aligned so that “If you apply a students have a clear CEAS and UC Pharmacy will host an informative product to you skin and feasible path to program launch event March 5 at 2 p.m. in the or hair, I think it’s Kowalewski Hall Auditorium. their objectives. related to cosmetic TWITTER | @RXDEANMAC UC Pharmacy science,” he said. first reached out to On March 5, the CEAS when the college began developing a colleges will host a program launch event master’s program in cosmetic science. UC at 2 p.m. in Kowalewski Hall Auditorium Pharmacy was interested in a “5+1-degree for any faculty, staff or students who path,” and so the two began discussing are interested. Students will be able to the possibility of a dual degree program a learn more about cosmetic science, how couple of years ago. However, they realized the program works and how committed the cosmetic science track was better suited both colleges are to the success of the for CEAS’s Accelerated Engineering Degree collaboration, said Thiel.

(ACCEND) program. This allowed for the “For me, one of the big drivers was that program to be completed by the student in we had [chemical engineering] students five years, instead of six. who were interested in the MS cosmetic “[Chemical engineering] students already science,”Thiel said. “Making this an take the chemistry needed to begin the ACCEND program makes it easier for these Cosmetic Science coursework, and many of students to pursue their dreams.” our students already co-op with employers DAVID REES | FEATURES EDITOR

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URGE UC to host various events on sex education KATHLEEN HORNSTRA | DIGITAL PRODUCER With the middle of the semester quickly approaching, the University of Cincinnati chapter of Unit for Reproductive and Gender Equity (URGE) has planned various events that focus on comprehensive sexual education.

URGE has been active for three semesters and is driven by young leaders. The organization builds infrastructure through campus chapters where individuals are invited to discover their own power and transform it into action. URGE members educate the community and advocate for local, state and national policies in solidarity with other justice focused groups.

They hope to build strong communities where sexual health is valued, reproductive rights are upheld, and all are celebrated and supported to be well, happy and thrive.

For the 2020 spring semester, URGE has organized multiple events aimed towards comprehensive sexual education.

A safe and consensual BDSM panel from local dominatrix Anne Shirley will be held March 5 in Tangeman University Center (TUC) in room 417. Carolyn Peterson, undergraduate director and professor the department of Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS), will host a consent talk March 25 in the same room.

On April 1, the URGE chapter will attend Ohio’s Advocacy Day where they will partner with other social justice organizations from all over the state to lobby against a “reproductive rights ban bill” at the Ohio State Capital Building.

This summer, URGE plans to lobby against the bill again, but at the national level in Washington D.C. “URGE stands out from other organizations through our focus on being action based,” said third-year psychology major and vice president of URGE, Anthony Lombardi. “Most of our efforts are delegated toward events like these or attending other events in the greater Cincinnati area.”

Lombardi works hand in hand with the president, third-year psychology major Mia Slone. The duo oversees all of the organization’s communication, as well as URGE’s events and meetings.

Although only being active for three semesters, URGE’s current long-term focus is continuing to build their member base so they have a solid executive board to “hand the torch off to” when the bulk of their board members graduate, said to Lombardi.

URGE will continue to host events similar to the ones mentioned earlier, while and will also weekly chapter meetings on Thursdays at 6 p.m. in the Steger Student Life Center at the Women’s Center room 571.

The University of Cincinnati’s chapter of Unit for Reproductive and Gender Equality (URGE) have planned various events that focus on sexual education.

PROVIDED | ANTHONY LOMBARDI

LIFE&ARTS

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Get out and do something: March 6 to March 8

the various places the game will take you throughout the entirety of the day. 10 a.m.10 p.m., Central Riverfront Garage, 171 Joe Nuxhall Way.

EMMA BALCOM | STAFF REPORTER It’s the first full weekend of March, meaning warm weather is right around the corner. Get out and get in the spring spirit with these exciting activities.

SUNDAY, MAR. 8

FRIDAY, MARCH 6 THE PRINCE EXPERIENCE: Gabriel Sanchez has portrayed the musical prodigy of Prince since the early 2000s, and his inspired shows have moved from smallscale productions to stunning performances.

Take advantage of this chance to experience an authentic take on a real-life Prince show, complete with choreographed dances, flashy costumes, and the psychedelic music unique to the complete persona of the “purple one.” 9 p.m., Bogart’s, 2621 Vine St. ‘THE SECRET GARDEN’: CCM is telling the childhood story of “The Secret Garden,” recreated through an enticing musical performance. Enjoy the tale of young Mary Lennox and her adventures in her reclusive uncle’s magic garden, emphasizing elements of “forgiveness and renewal” with the added musical flare and alluring characters. 7:30 p.m., Corbett Auditorium, 290 CCM Blvd.

The Esquire Theater will host the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Sunday, March 7, at 11:55 p.m.

TNR FILE ART

SATURDAY, MARCH 7 ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW: The renowned cult classic, the Rocky Horror Picture Show, comes to life this Friday night. The Esquire Theatre is playing one of the most popular films in cinema and is encouraging its audience to actively participate in the antics. Prepare for a unique viewing experience, as the theater asks its viewers to dress up for the occasion, bringing along flashlights and noisemakers

for added effect to bring together a community of movie-buffs and enthusiastic fans.11:55 p.m., Esquire Theatre, 320 Ludlow Ave. PUZZLING ADVENTURES: Grab a friend and get your competitive spirit ready for a scavenger hunt across the city. Puzzling Adventures uses your phone to guide you from location to location, offering questions and puzzles to usher you from one clue to the next. The game is carefully crafted to cater to players of any age and are completely self-guided. Race against your competitors to win first place or take your time enjoying each step of the journey and

WOMENFOLK MARKET: Celebrate International Women’s Day this Sunday with a flea market by women, for women. City Flea presents its first annual Womenfolk Market as an event “to celebrate, support, and embolden women” with various products available for purchase, sold by some of Cincinnati’s most talented female business owners from across the reaches of the city. Experience the power of women around you at this one-of-a-kind market.11 a.m.-4 p.m., The Transept, 1205 Elm St. OSCAR-NOMINATED SHORT FILMS: Many tuned in to the Oscars this year and witnessed the success of the short film “Hair Love.”The Cincinnati World Cinema is hosting its 19th short film viewing for film enthusiasts across Cincinnati, encouraging a communal, emotional viewing of all the Oscar Nominated shorts of 2020, including “Hair Love” among countless others. 4 p.m., Cincinnati World Cinema, 719 Race St.

Check out Broadway in Cincinnati’s 2020-21 lineup ANNE SIMENDINGER | LIFE AND ARTS EDITOR

Broadway Across America recently announced its 2020-21 “Broadway in Cincinnati” season with a bang Thursday, Feb. 27. Before announcing the complete line-up, patrons were already aware of the return of the smash hit musical, “Hamilton,” but the season ranges much wider than that.

There is truly something for everyone, so check out when to mark your calendar and save up for below.

Pretty Woman Nov. 10-22, 2020 This is going to be big. HUGE. This stage adaptation of the beloved ‘90s romantic comedy starring Julia Roberts still has all the same plot points and lines you love, but with a pop-rock score by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance. A sex worker, Vivian Ward, meets a largely successful businessman, Edward Lewis. After Edward makes her an offer she can’t refuse, Vivian learns the ways of the upper class, possibly falling in love in the process.

My Fair Lady Dec. 1-13, 2020 It’s like Pretty Woman but take it back to 1913 London. This golden-age classic features “The Rain in Spain,”“I Could Have

Danced All Night,”“Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and so many more hit tunes. Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower seller stumbles onto Henry Higgins’ — a linguistics professor — study on transforming someone like her into a proper lady. As the plot progresses, the question that begs to be asked is: who is really doing the transforming?

Disney’s Frozen Jan. 6-24, 2021 Let the storm rage on. In case you don’t have this movie in your “Watch Again” list on Disney+, here’s a refresher. When a young princess, Elsa, realizes she has powers beyond her control which have already caused harm to her little sister, Princess Anna, she decides the best thing for herself is isolation. This becomes slightly more difficult when Princess Elsa is thrust into the crown following her parents’ early death. The night of her coronation, she sets off an eternal winter and flees to her super incredible ice palace. (Cue “Let It Go” and the incredible costume change that will definitely be featured in the stage production, don’t worry.) Anna makes it her mission to save her sister and bring her home. After all, they are better together.

This delightful, family friendly musical of sisterly love and embracing yourself and your abilities features 12 new songs for your

favorite princesses, reindeer and snowman.

The cold certainly won’t be bothering audiences next January.

The Band’s Visit Feb. 9-14, 2021 The first of two Tony Award-winning best musicals to grace the Aronoff this upcoming season, “The Band’s Visit” transports audiences to Bet Havitka, Israel. At the beginning of the musical, it is said that nothing ever really happens there, it’s not that special. When an Egyptian ceremonial police orchestra is dropped in Bet Havitka as a result of miscommunication, they spend 24 hours in the almost desolate city, getting to know the citizens there. While nothing may happen in the city, there’s this remarkable, simply complex air that hangs throughout the entire musical. The play is sure to make your brain spin and your heart stir.

Hamilton March 2-28, 2021 Are you “satisfied” with this choice? If you’ve been willing to wait to be in the room where it happens, don’t throw away your shot when it’s in Cincy all of March. (Okay, okay. I’ll end the musical references now.)

The world turned upside down (last one, I promise) when this Lin Manuel Miranda

musical premiered on Broadway in 2015 and has been playing to sold-out audiences all over the world since then. Hamilton blends R&B, hip-hop, pop and traditional musical theatre together to tell the story of founding father and first secretary of treasury, Alexander Hamilton. Audiences see Hamilton right after he graduates Kings College all the way to his death and beyond to see who made sure his legacy was upheld and told. You don’t want to be saying “What Did I Miss?” so buy your tickets now. There will also be “Ham4Ham” digital lotteries daily while the show is in Cincinnati.

To Kill A Mockingbird April 6-18, 2021 #allrise for this groundbreaking play. The New York Times calls this stage adaptation “the most successful American play in Broadway history.”To Kill A Mockingbird tells the same story as Harper Lee’s novel of the same name, only this time with an Aaron Sorkin script. The play takes place in 1935, Maycomb, Alabama as an innocent African American man is put on trial for rape. His lawyer is one of the narrators, Scout Finch’s father, Atticus Finch. Will racist mindsets win over the truth? To Kill A Mockingbird gives way to an important Visit newsrecord.org for full article

MARCH 4, 2020 4, 2019 September

LIFE&ARTS

Q&A: CCM actor talks upcoming show ANNE SIMENDINGER | LIFE AND ARTS EDITOR Mikayla Renfrow, a third-year musical theater major, is preparing to waltz and float all over the Corbett Auditorium stage as Rose in the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music’s production of the lush musical, “The Secret Garden,” running March 5-8.

I talked to Renfrow about the rehearsal process, how this role differs from previous credits, what it’s been like working with guest director and choreographer, Broadway’s Connor Gallagher, a CCM alumni, and much more in the interview below.

The News Record: Tell me a bit about your character, Rose, and what it’s been like creating her.

Mikayla Renfrow: I think it’s really funny because Dean, our costumer, said to make sure she was hyper feminine in comparison to what Mary is, and Lily, who is very of the earth or of the garden. Connor Gallagher, our director, has made it very specific in the staging and the choreography specific to Rose that she’s very fabulous, glamorous and party-girl almost. Rose is constantly spinning and turning in the most extra dramatic of ways. With the costuming, I’m twirling and twirling and it’s just gorgeous. She’s Mary’s mother, Lily’s sister and married to Albert. Albert and Rose die of cholera, and at the beginning of the show you see the cholera ballet, a whole first sequence where everyone dies of cholera. Rose didn’t really care for

Mary. Well, I truly believe she loved Mary, but she was just too into herself and her woman of the party personality. It’s made very clear that she brushes Mary off as a child, and Mary definitely has more of a stronger relationship with her father. That’s definitely shown in the scripts, texts and staging as well.

TNR: You just came off playing Janet in “Rocky Horror,” and she’s quite the opposite, so how has it differed from playing her?

MR: Well, I’m fully clothed for this one; from neck down I’m in long sleeves, turtleneck and a hat. I think Rose has it all together a little bit more. I feel like if Rose and Janet were to get in a room, Rose would say, ‘Oh honey, listen. Let me tell you.’ I think I put so much pressure on roles before they’re played. I get so serious about it, and I am serious about Rose. But I have more fun with Rose and I feel like I have had more space to just play with her. Connor has been so incredible and amazing with letting us play. He’ll let me add the extra turn. I do this whole head flip in “Dream Something,” and he’s so supportive. That’s how he wants her. I think, ‘How would that ever be in ‘Secret Garden?’ We thought we would have to be statues, but instead it’s so fluid and gorgeous.

TNR: How has it been working with him as a guest director?

MR: A dream. He’s so open, but also very specific. For me specifically, I like to be told what he wants instead of being told “this is up to your interpretation.” He gives you

the steps. He gives you the vibe, and then you get to play in that. It’s also very cool to have an alumni come and teach because he knows exactly what we go through during the day. We come in and he says, ‘Alright guys, you had jazz today?’Then we’ll sit and have a chat. If he feels like the room is off, we’ll go back and forth on stories about our experiences. It just builds this relationship to know that he gets it and it’s not this awkward “you’re our Broadway director” dynamic. Yeah, he’s so soft spoken, but then he has these one-liners that are incredibly funny and the whole room will erupt.

TNR: What is the thing that you’re most excited for audiences to see?

MR: I think all the pictures that are made and the music. I think people come to “Secret Garden” for the music, and Delaney [Guyer] (Lily) and Madison [Hagler] (Archibald) sing the heck out of it. Oh, and the very end in the “Finale” when the whole company sings “Come to My Garden.” Oh my god. It’s all my musical theatre dreams.

All the harmonies are lush and gorgeous.

I just know people are going to walk away thinking, ‘What a spectacular, stunning production.’ It’s not old and dusted and crusted and busted . It’s not a modern retelling, but it’s not old and boring either.

It’s lush and colorful and fresh.

TNR: Who inspired your art style?

MR: My favorite illustrator is Eda Kabon.

She’s from Turkey but she lives in San Francisco. Her work is largely inspired by Mary Blair, who did a ton of visual concepts for Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland and old Disney films like that. It’s very flat, painterly, graphic kind of style.

TNR: What is something you are hoping audiences to take away?

MR: Family is family, and in the end, Mary does find her place. I won’t say with who. You’ll have to come see it for that.

In general, just hug you loved ones. This is dark, but if you are constantly around family, constantly tell them that you love them. This show is about grief, so I don’t want them to walk away sad, but I just want them to realize that they are surrounded by love. Whether you are receptive of it or not, you are. Even when your loved ones pass, they ae constantly with you. The dreamers are constantly in the house with Mary all the time checking in on all of our people. It could be creepy in a way, but it’s more in a loving way. Know that your loved ones are constantly with you. Even if you have lost someone, they are still here and helping you on your journey. They are quite literally weaving all the good things that are to come.

For tickets and more information, visit https://ccmonstage.universitytickets.com.

Mikayla Renfrow, a third-year musical theater major, will perform in the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music’s production of “The Secret Garden,” running March 5-8.

PROVIDED | MIKAYLA RENFROW

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SPORTS

Page 88 Page

Women’s basketball wraps up regular season SHELBY BESECKER | CONTRIBUTOR Closing the regular season, the University of Cincinnati women’s basketball team finished with a resounding win over Eastern Carolina University Monday evening at Fifth Third Arena with a final score of 76-53.

The Bearcats improved to 20-9, 11-5 American Athletic Conference.

Not only was this the last game of the regular season but it was also senior night, which honored forward Angel Rizor and guards Sam Rodgers, Antoinette Miller and Florence Sifa.

Rizor was welcomed into the 1,000-point club last week against Tulane University.

“It’s an amazing accomplishment to be in the 1,000 point club with a lot of people I’ve played with so it means a lot to make it into that club and it’s great to [accomplish] this at a great university,” Rizor said.

In the first quarter Rodgers, Miller and Rizor came out strong in their last game at home. Miller collected 9 points, Rizor with 6 and a couple three pointers from Rodgers put UC out to a 25-12 lead after the first ten minutes.

The trend continued throughout the first half, as the Bearcats allowed only five points in the second quarter and Rizor converted a layup with one minute left give UC a 38-17 advantage at halftime.

The third quarter saw the seniors team up

once again, as Rodgers sank another threeseniors were honored at the end of the to take the title of conference tournament pointer courtesy of an assist from Miller, game, receiving their jersey in a frame and champions after finishing tied for second while foul trouble plagued ECU. some words of appreciation from secondwith the University of Central Florida in the After a turnover by ECU, Rizor pushed up year head coach Michelle Clark-Heard. regular season. the court to assist Rodgers on a jump shot, “I push them every day and I push them The first round of the American Athletic giving the Bearcats a commanding 33-point to new heights, and it’s been a great ride Conference Championship in Uncasville, lead. with them, but we’re not done yet,” Heard Connecticut, begins Friday against either “We all wanted to finish the year great said.

Southern Methodist University or the and we wanted to finish with a bang,” Rizor The women’s basketball team now looks University of Memphis at 8 p.m. said. “We came in with a bang and wanted to go out with a bang so we all needed to focus and do that.”

Sifa brought physicality and experienced foul trouble after committing a fourth personal foul to allow ECU an opportunity for easy points.

Rodgers converted two free throws to open up the fourth quarter and proceeded to assist miller on a threepointer, allowing the seniors to finish on a The University of Cincinnati women’s basketball team defeated Eastern Carolina University, 76-53, Monday on senior day. high note.

BAILEY VIANELLO | CONTRIBUTOR All four of the

Men’s basketball seniors to be honored Saturday

Community College respectively.

McNeal averaged 5.6 points at The University of Cincinnati WKU and 13.3 points at Indian men’s basketball team has one Hills. For his junior season, he game left in the regular season, moved on to the University of as it hosts Temple University New Mexico where he averaged Saturday evening at Fifth Third 9.5 points a game. After sitting Arena. out his senior season at Tennessee The game will also serve as Tech, McNeal transferred to UC senior day for the team, honoring and scored a season-high of 17 graduate transfers and seniors points in November 2019 against including guards Jarron and Bowling Green State University.

Jaevin Cumberland, Chris Meanwhile, forward Trevon McNeal, forward Tre Scott and Scott has spent all four of his walk-on John Koz. Each will career at UC, improving in each. be presented with one of their He saw an increased role in his jersey’s framed during a pregame redshirt junior season by starting ceremony. all 35 games and leading the Jarron Cumberland, who has team with 6.9 rebounds. career averages of 13.3 points This season, Scott is averaging on 41% shooting, 3.1 assists and a double-double with 11.2 points 1.1 steals per game, has perhaps and 10.5 rebounds. The last UC senior guard Jarron Cumberland (34) dribbles the ball up court during the first half of the men’s basketball game against UCF at impacted the program more than Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020.

Bearcat to come close to averaging ALEX MARTIN | ART DIRECTOR any individual since guard Sean a double-double was forward Eric Kilpatrick (2010-14) who now Hicks in the 2005-06 season with a along with 4.4 rebounds. Both were career here at UC, he has averages of 8.9 points in plays professionally for KK Buducnost in 15 point and 9.7 rebound average. highs as a Bearcat.

21 minutes per game.

Montenegro after stints in the NBA. Koz has appeared in 22 games in four Jarron’s cousin, Jaevin, transferred to Chris McNeal was also a new graduate Cumberland has been UC’s No. 1 scoring years for UC. He last scored Jan. 2, 2019 UC last summer from Oakland University transfer for the Bearcats this season, option for the majority of his career against Tulane University. in Michigan to spend their final collegiate following his trend of transferring to new and was named the American Athletic Tip-off Saturday is 8 p.m. season together. At Oakland, Jaevin schools during his career. His freshman and Conference Player of the Year last season averaged 17.2 points and 3.5 assists in his sophomore seasons were spent at Western after averaging 18.8 points per game to go redshirt junior season. In his lone season Kentucky University and Indian Hills LOGAN LUSK | SPORTS EDITOR

MARCH 4, 2020 September 2019 January 29, 4, 2020

SPORTS

Page 99 Page

UC track and field set to begin outdoor season

LOGAN LUSK | SPORTS EDITOR Last weekend, the American Athletic Conference indoor championship was held in Birmingham, Alabama, with the University of Houston taking home first place for both the women’s and men’s categories. The University of Cincinnati women’s team came in second and men’s in third.

The results are indicative of the upward trajectory UC’s track and field program has been on in recent years, as this is the women’s fourth consecutive earning a crown. They took home the conference trophy in 2018 and placed second in both 2017 and 2019.

Meanwhile on the men’s side, it was more of the same. Although they didn’t earn a crown in these past few years, they have inched closer and closer before finally taking one home The University of Cincinnati’s track and field team starts its outdoor season March 19 at the Houston Invitational. this year, placing fifth in both 2017 and PROVIDED | UC ATHLETICS 2018 and earning fourth place in 2019. weekend. After Friday, Berthernet led the Another big contributor on the men’s side The collective triumphs were highlighted competition in overall points and came back was sophomore Chris Borzor, who’s been by some special performances including on Saturday only to break a program record putting together a more than impressive senior international student-athlete Damien by running an 8.31 in the 60-meter hurdles. track season for the Bearcats cracking into Berthernet, who transferred from the Earning 905 points for the men’s team and the No. 10, 7 and 5 times in program history University of Lyon in France in 2016. finishing with a total of 2,547 across events, in sprint times.

Berthernet gave a historic contribution good for the second highest total in UC’s Borzor championed the 200m sprint in for the track and field program over the history.

Birmingham, Alabama, as he broke his

personal best with a time of 20.84, beating his closest competitor by 0.19 seconds. With the performance encapsulating his eye-catching season, Borzor was voted by coaches in the conference as the 2020 AAC Men’s Most Valuable Performer.

For the women, sophomore Caisja Chandler finished runner up in both the 60m and 200m sprints, earning herself an all-conference honor. In her 200m performance, Chandler ran a dazzling 23.22 second time to lower her personal best by 0.30 seconds.

British junior transfer-student Ellie Leather earned herself two allconference honors this weekend, one of which was for a third-place finish in a tightly contested mile run with a 4:51 time.

Senior Irati Mitxelena came just 0.01m short of making an indoor championship three-peat as champion of the triple-jump segment, with a best of 12.81 meters at this year’s meeting.

Several of these athletes have earned themselves a contending shot at earning an invitation to the NCAA Indoor Championships held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from March 13-14. The rack season now begins moving on to the outdoor season, starting with the Houston Invitational March 19.

Warren II, Deguara showcase skills at NFL Combine

LOGAN LUSK | SPORTS EDITOR

Over the past week, the top collegiate football players in the country put their abilities on display at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Among them was former University of Cincinnati tight end Josiah Deguara and running back Michael Warren II. Warren was forced to sit out much of the combine’s drills as a result of a sore hamstring inflicted from training while in

Florida.

In turn, Warren was only able to complete the bench-press segment of the combine where participants try to put together as many reps of with a 225-pound bar as possible. Warren finished with 16. He will also compete in UC’s annual pro day workouts later this spring.

Cincinnati broadcaster Dan Hoard was in Indianapolis to sit down with Warren for the first time since his decision to turn pro.

“I think it will be very important,”Warren

University of Cincinnati tight end Josiah Deguara (83) catches a touchdown pass against the University of Connecticut at Nippert Stadium Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019.

ALEX MARTIN | ART DIRECTOR

said, referring to the inevitable 40-yard dash at the pro day. “But every scout on every team here knows that I’m a football player and they know what type of running back they’re going to get.”

UC has established a knack for producing quality pro players at the tight end position, including former Philadelphia Eagle Brent Celek and current Kansas City Chief Travis Kelce. Each are Super Bowl champions.

Now stepping onto the scene is Josiah Deguara, who finished his UC career with the most receptions at the tight end position (92) and also had over 500 yards receiving in his senior season. He opened some eyes in Indianapolis.

Deguara finished just outside the top five among tight ends for the fastest 40-yard time, coming in at 4.72 seconds. He also showcased his speed by completing the 20yard shuttle in 4.35 seconds, making him a top performer for tight ends.

Deguara managed to show off his jumping ability in the combine, ranking in the top-10 of all tight ends for both the vertical and broad jump. His vertical came in at 35.5 inches, good for fourth best, while his broad resulted at 9 feet, 7 inches, good enough for ninth best.

He also finished with the best bench press result at the tight end position, as he pumped out 25 reps. The tally resulted in a

tie for fourth best among all skill positions.

Both Deguara and Warren sit at a prospect grade of 5.9, which according to nfl.com puts them in a category labelled “developmental traits-based prospects.”With their hopes of turning their passion into their professions, Deguara and Warren will look to continue to increase their odds in the eyes of NFL scouts at the upcoming pro day on UC’s campus.

UC running back Michael Warren (3) catches a pass against UCF, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019 at Nippert Stadium.

ALEX MARTIN | ART DIRECTOR

OPINION

MARCH 4, 2020 September 2019 January 29, 4, 2020

Page 10 10 Page

Opinion | The ignored suicide crisis Opinion | Students before records SAMUEL SCHELL-OLSEN | OPINION EDITOR EDITOR’S NOTE: This story involves sensiitve material that some readers might find triggering.

Despite living in some of the most prosperous eras in history, suicide rates are rising in America. According to ABC News, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death among Americans, but it is second for college-aged students.

In an era where we made tremendous progress into finding a cure for HIV, the suicide rate in America has grown by 33% since 1999, according to CNN. For every homicide death, there are two suicide deaths. Despite the damage suicide does, it seems crime takes the majority of the headlines.

In a society where we keep telling everyone that sharing our feelings is okay, people rebuke each other for having different beliefs. When 40% of all transgender adults reports they have attempted suicide in the past, discussions of how to address this need to be risen.

When suicide claims more lives than road traffic accidents, there is a crisis we need to address.

Talking about suicide is as unpopular as talking about substance abuse. The stigma needs to go. Sidestepping the conversion to focus on meaningless topics like celebrity fashion trends is a disservice to those who need help. It’s uncomfortable to have a discussion on suicide, but avoiding the topic like we have for decades is hurting everyone.

Suicide leaves an impact on not just the victim, but everyone they leave behind.

People are left with confusion, sadness and guilt. They face questions they should never have to ask themselves like, “Why didn’t

they tell anyone?”“Could I have prevented it if I knew?”

The constant “what ifs” torture the people left behind.

You don’t have to a medical professional to make a difference. Just asking “How can I help” to someone in need can make the biggest change in someone’s life. Telling someone that they are not alone is one of the most comforting sayings, even if it feels cliché.

I know this because I once attempted suicide.

It was my freshman year in high school.

At the time I thought that I was all alone, and that it would be easier if I wasn’t there as a burden. Yet, when I went to a rehabilitation center, I found that I wasn’t the only one suffering from suicidal thoughts. Being together with others who were overcoming these thoughts showed me how precious life was.

I’m glad I didn’t take my own life. The damage it would’ve done to my family and friends would be unforgivable. I tell my story so that it can help show others that there is hope. You do matter.

For us as a society, it’s vital we put more time and energy into researching solutions to stop suicides, and increase mental health research. While the it’s encouraging to see the government increase funding the National Institutes of Health by $3 billion in 2018, it remains to see if it has an impact.

What we do need is to address this crisis.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States.

According to CNN, suicide rates have grown 33% since 1999.

GORANH | PIXABAY

1-800-273-8255

EMILY CHIEN | STAFF REPORTER For the 2019-20 school year, the tally for enrollment came out to 46,388 students at the University of Cincinnati (UC) — the most in its history. Included in that is a record 7,805 first-year students, and the university is looking to keep this trend.

“I applaud the work of our faculty, staff and students in recruiting and retaining record numbers of UC students,” UC President Neville Pinto said last September.

“The University of Cincinnati continues to grow in enrollment, in line with our mission as a public university and with Ohio’s goal to have 65% of Ohio adults hold a degree or other postsecondary credential by 2025.”

To President Pinto, enrollment is a great number to boast about, but there are looming systemic problems with the administrative setup that got us here. As UC continues to push for higher enrollment, we need to ask if our current facilities and spending habits can even support the students we already have.

Reckless spending and a misallocation of funds has starved UC’s academic mission, as three out of four UC faculty claims they receive insufficient resources and two out of three strongly agree that the university’s budgeting model has negatively affected its core academic mission.

Since 2000, the amount of tenured and tenure-track faculty has steadily decreased as their slots have been filled by adjunct professors who are notoriously underpaid and undervalued at UC. According to the UC Adjunct Advocacy Association, adjunct professors in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) have not received a base pay increase since 2003.

How can we ask our educational staff to teach more students when they are already spread too thin?

When it comes to housing these new

students, the university is running out of options. The Clifton area is already at capacity, and the spacious floor plans of new apartment-style dorms like The Deacon and The Verge leave little room for the affordable, livable housing that UC students deserve.

Not everyone can afford nearly $1,200 a month in rent, especially when Clifton’s typical rent prices come out to half of that number, maybe $600 or so.

So, what actual benefits come with record-breaking enrollment?

According to Boldly Bankrupt, a project by the UC Activist Coalition, the administration’s goal is to make as much money in tuition revenue as possible through its “Next Lives Here” strategic initiative. By pouring money into marketing schemes and flashy new buildings, the administration hopes to attract large sums of new students and eventually, their tuition dollars.

Unfortunately, most of this money will not be going to housing, feeding or teaching future students. Instead it will get fed back into these same money-hungry marketing initiatives, leaving little room in the budget for the core educational mission our university is supposed to uphold.

This is why the College of Arts and Sciences, UC’s largest college, had a supply budget of $0 for this past school year, while $1,200 of each full-time student’s yearly tuition went directly to paying off athletic department debt instead.

Instead of facing these spending problems head on, the UC administration has opted to push for greater enrollment to make ends meet, without asking if these new students will have the resources to be successful at UC. Before we max out at capacity once again, we need to start addressing these issues.

The University of Cincinnati’s enrollment for the 2019-20 school year was 46,388 students, a record for the school.

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MARCH 4, 2020 September 2019 January 29, 4, 2020

Page 1111 Page

Sudoku

By The Mepham Group

Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces.

Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the row, column or square.

Does it sound complicated? Each Sudoku grid comes with a few spaces already filled in; the more spaces filled in, the easier the game – the more difficult Sudoku puzzles have very few spaces that are already filled in.

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