Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2018
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UC instructional spending drops 30%
The furry faces of UC in honor of National Pet Day
News
UC professors, fellows research robots at work
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Apr. 11, 2018 | newsrecord.org
GABRIELLA MULISANO | STAFF REPORTER
The future is coming to the workplace. Professors and fellows at the University of Cincinnati have been conducting research into the potential for robots to work alongside humans in select industrial work environments. Catherine McGhan, an assistant professor of aerospace engineering and engineering mechanics at UC, is studying ways to improve the safety of workplace interactions between humans and robots. McGhan previously conducted a 2014 study at the University of Michigan with professor Ella M. Atkins. The duo concluded that human-robot interaction could potentially reduce hazards and increase productivity for dangerous jobs. This concept of the future cannot be visualized without human cooperation. McGhan and Atkins touch on the likelihood that humans will need to interact with robot co-workers to keep the workplace safe and balanced. They stress the need for physical actions to be coordinated through sensing and decision making — ideally by both human and robotic agents in a common operating environment. Maurice Lamb, a UC postdoctoral fellow, has for three years been studying methods which could teach robots to engage with people using societally-understood norms of human interaction. “I work on problems related to how robots interact with people, with a focus on designing algorithms that drive robot behaviors in ways that are similar to human behaviors,” Lamb said. “This involves studying how humans interact and coordinate.”
Psychologically, human relationships with robots depends on how seamlessly robots can be integrated into human life, Lamb said. “Regarding robots,” he said, “we look at issues related to how people perceive and act with robots, and how robots perceive and act with people.” However, many questions remain before robots become a natural aspect of the workplace. “Robots can displace workers and they can be unsafe,” Lamb said. “If someone ends up working with robots all day, that could be lonely or dehumanizing.” Despite obstacles, Lamb says there exist many benefits of robotic assistance. “There are robotic arms that can be attached to wheelchairs or countertops to increase an individual’s mobility,” Lamb said. “Having robots in the workplace can bring a number of positive benefits, [like] reducing fatigue and the need for
humans to do repetitive work.” The integration of robots into the workplace still depends on numerous variables. For some jobs, robots are not necessary. If safety and efficiency cannot be improved upon or maintained, there isn’t any reason to introduce a robot. Ryan Kelly and Leon Watts, computer science professors from the University of Bath, published a research paper concerning robots as coworkers. In their findings, the team concluded that certain core dynamics are still lacking. “Team spirit, emotional support, trust and reputation are all the outcome of such investments; they reinforce the capabilities of a team for particular joint activities and contribute to its resilience over time,” Kelly and Watts wrote. This begs the question: If robots cannot provide the type of team stability that humans rely on, does their efficiency promote progress or hinder human interaction?
FOR RELEASE APRIL 1, 2018
THE TV CROSSWORD by Jacqueline E. Mathews
ACROSS 1 “__ in the Family” 4 Ray’s mom on “Everybody Loves Raymond” 9 Nourished 12 “__ to Me”; Tim Roth series 13 Bring together 14 __ Ikwuakor of “Inhumans” 15 Montgomery’s state: abbr. 16 Narrow candle 17 Abigail F. Cowen’s role on “Wisdom of the Crowd” 18 One of the Obamas 20 “Love __ you need”; line from a Beatles song 22 Role on “Hawaii Five-0” 26 Gaze 27 “__, Dear” 28 “__ Girl Watcher”; 1960s song 29 Actor Barrett 32 Nails 35 Actor on “MacGyver” 39 Folk singer Mitchell and others 40 “The __ Shore Show” 42 “Joan of __”; Ingrid Bergman movie Solution to Last Week’s Puzzle
43 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 19 21 23 24 25 29 30 31 33 34 36 37 38 39 41 44
TERRENCE ANTONIO JAMES | CHICAGO TRIBUNE | TNS
Pamela Deitz works in the Amazon fulfillment center in Monee, Ill, on Wednesday, March 28, 2018.
(c) 2018 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.
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Prize “People __ Funny” ...FDR, HST, __, JFK, LBJ... Actress Zellweger “__ 54, Where Are You?” Beast of burden Mexican mister “__ Good Doctor” DOWN “Woe is me!” Shade of purple Fido’s restraint “Teenage __ Ninja Turtles” Actress Ortiz Napper __ Van Winkle Ending for favor or meteor Spine-chilling Girl or woman Post and Procter “Let’s Make a __” “A Boy and __ Dog”; Don Johnson movie Stallone, to friends Neighbor of the Dominican Republic “The Suze __ Show” Actor Stacy Narrow Norwegian inlets Small weights “__ walked out in the streets of Laredo...” Actress Margot __ Lanka Former Russian rulers __ legislation; make laws __ Jessica Parker Actress __ Pinkett Smith “__ Comes Honey Boo Boo”; former TLC series “__ Willie Winkie”; Shirley Temple movie Sothern or Jillian Classic Oldsmobile
News
KEYS initiative to end Cincy youth homelessness DARIUS DUDLEY | STAFF REPORTER
TNR FILE
Approximately 25 percent of Cincinnati’s homeless population is under the age of 18, and roughly 37 percent are under the age of 25, according to the Hamilton County Continuum of Care (CoC). Youth homelessness in Cincinnati is currently at the forefront of problems being addressed by Strategies to End Homelessness — a Cincinnati-based nonprofit organization. Last Saturday, the organization was invited by the Cincinnati Public Library to speak about their new initiatives to end youth homelessness throughout the city by 2020. Strategies to End Homelessness works with multiple nonprofit organizations including Talbert House, Lighthouse Youth Services and the YWCA to help coordinate and assist with homelessness relief efforts. “Everything that we do falls into about three buckets,” said Kevin Finn, CEO of Strategies to End Homelessness. “We try to prevent as many people from becoming homeless as much as we can, we provide a high level of assistance for people who are homeless, and … we try to provide solutions to homelessness through housing.”
In late 2016, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $3.8 million to the organization to promote and advance their cause. “People still to tend to think — when they picture a homeless person in their brain — a man in [his] 40s or 50s,” Finn said. “But more than half are under the age of 37, and a quarter are under the age of 18.” Keys to a Future Without Youth Homelessness (KEYS) — a new initiative funded by the 2016 HUD allotment — was created with the intention of ending the problem by 2020. The main goals of KEYS include preventing homelessness before it happens, providing shelter to homeless youth, reducing the length of homeless episodes and ensuring that previously homeless youth have the skills and support to remain housed. Under the KEYS initiative, a team of care professionals — the Youth Dedicated Service Team (YDST) — will play an integral role. Not only will YDST provide a point of contact for homeless youth transitioning into housing, but will also be available at all hours for assistance, helping youth remain in housing for at least two years after entering it. The team also intends to include
several housing navigators to help youth connect with potential landlords. Expanding access to temporary housing options for homeless youth is only part of the solution. Other programs include services for youth populations at high risks for homelessness, including LGBTQ members, pregnant or parenting youth and victims of human trafficking. Jen Best, the director of CoC, highlighted the main purpose of KEYS. “The design of the plan is the flexibility to be able to respond to these youth-driven goals,” she said. “After we help someone transition into housing, we want to stay connected to that person and remain as a safety net to help before they have the chance to return to homelessness. That’s the big picture.” Finn agrees that addressing youth homelessness is the best way to prevent housing insecurity later in life. “If we can address the issue while they’re young,” said Finn, “then hopefully we can keep them out of not only the homeless system, but many other systems, which will [be] a broader impact on the community. We don’t want young homeless people to become old homeless people.”
Pinto discusses what’s ‘Next’ at UC in state of the university address MITCHELL PARTON | CONTRIBUTOR
“Our strategic direction asks us to scale up, maximize our impact and cross-pollinate among disciplines for fresh new thinking on the world’s complex problems,” said Pinto. As part of the direction, Pinto said the university will also reshape education to give students more opportunities for experiential learning opportunities. Following Pinto’s speech, Provost Kristi Nelson described “Co-op 2.0” — a new initiative that will redesign the student worker experience, give students more work opportunities on campus and support students financially through co-op. President Pinto stressed that the strategic direction depends on the university’s culture and the action of individuals across the university.
“If you take just a few moments to think about our vision and think from your perspective how you
can own that vision every day, we will be a great university,” Pinto said.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREW HIGLEY | UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
University of Cincinnati President Neville Pinto.
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the surrounding urban community. “Our role is becoming more and more urbanized with the challenge and opportunities of urban life abundant,” said Pinto. The university not only has responsibility in solving local issues, but greater issues as well. Pinto explained how “Next Lives Here” will play a role in the opioid crisis and how a task force within UC Health has already begun working to solve this crisis. “The opioid crisis is arguably the greatest public health problem in our nation right now,” he said. “The University of Cincinnati has a vital role to play in helping our community become a healthier place to live.” President Pinto said anything is possible if the university community combines its collective ingenuity and creativity.
Apr. 11, 2018 | newsrecord.org
University of Cincinnati President Neville Pinto delivered his first State of the University address Thursday, focusing primarily on the university’s “Next Lives Here” strategic direction. Pinto gave the speech as part of an all-university faculty meeting in the Tangeman University Center Great Hall. Though Pinto mainly explained the importance of the new direction, which was announced in late 2017, he also discussed the reach of its impact on UC’s history. “This is a time like none other,” Pinto said. “We have the opportunity to be a part of the University of Cincinnati at an important crossroads of two major milestones.” The milestones in question include the implementation of the new strategic
direction in tandem with the upcoming bicentennial of the university in 2019. “Called ‘Next Lives Here,’ it [the strategic direction] provides a flexible and adaptable framework to lead our way into UC’s second century,” Pinto said. Pinto reviewed the three platforms of the new direction — Academic Excellence, Urban Impact and Innovation Agenda. These arenas are split into nine total pathways, each of which work to achieve their respective platform’s goals. The new strategic direction was created as a collaboration with students, faculty and staff across the university. “Through that work, we define our vision of leading public universities into a new era of innovation and impact,” said Pinto. Pinto emphasized the university’s role in issues which impact
News
The man behind the curtain: How Matt Bourgeois makes Cincy cool
LEYLA SHOKOOHE | CONTRIBUTOR
AARON DORSTEN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER.
UC Parking services are offering to forgive student tickets on campus if they donate food.
UC parking services office to forgive violations
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Apr. 11, 2018 | newsrecord.org
ELIZABETH SCHMITT | NEWS EDITOR
University of Cincinnati Parking Services is willing to forgive parking violations in exchange for donations to the UC Bearcats Pantry. The “Food for Fines” program, valid between April 4 and April 20, enables students to give back to the community in lieu of paying their parking tickets. UC Parking Services requests donations in the form of food, hygiene items and cleaning supplies. The Bearcats Pantry is a need-based resource for enrolled UC students experiencing food insecurity. As a supplementary support system, the pantry aids students by offering free food and other home essentials. The pantry also connects students with other resources available on campus to reduce costs and promote success, including offering meal vouchers for UC dining halls. The Bearcats Pantry was founded in 2016 by Assistant Dean of Student Services Daniel S. Cummins, to combat food insecurity — a problem defined as a “lack of reliable access to sufficient quantities of affordable, nutritious food,” in a 2016
Hunger on Campus report. All UC undergraduate or graduate students are eligible for pantry support. Between March and May of 2016, 48 percent of respondents from 26 universities said they experienced food insecurity, according to the report. Rates were even higher among students of color and first-generation students at 57 and 56 percent, respectively. The Bearcats Pantry is also a member of the College and University Food Bank Alliance (CUFBA) — an organization which fights the prevalence of food insecurity on college and university campuses throughout the United States. “I like that fact that it’s helping the community,” said Evan Saunders, a fifthyear electrical engineering and technology student. “Getting a parking ticket is a punishment, but at least the money is going to help other students.” For students to have their tickets dismissed, they must visit the UC Parking Services office located at 4 Edwards Center. Students must bring their donation and a receipt equal to or greater than the total cost of the parking ticket.
“Items especially in need include can openers, instant oatmeal, laundry packets, toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, healthy granola bars, Lysol wipes, assorted nuts, kosher items, instant meals, popcorn, chips, and more,” the UC Parking Services website reads. The website also identifies donation guidelines, specifying a preference for single-serving sizes, pull top cans and non-glass items. Expired items will not be accepted. Students wishing to donate should consider the recipients of their items, UC Parking Services says. Students utilizing the Bearcats Pantry may not have access to can openers, a full kitchen or laundry and shower facilities. This is not the first time UC Parking Services has teamed up to help the community. In November and December 2017, the department teamed up with Toys for Tots for the sixth time, helping Cincinnati children with financial need experience the joy of the gift-giving season. For students without any outstanding tickets, UC Parking Services still encourages pantry donations.
Housing around UC has become a hot topic for longtime residents, the university and students. Tensions occasionally arise among the involved parties, and it takes a lot of hard work to navigate the urban development of Clifton Heights. That is where Matt Bourgeois comes in. Becoming the executive director of the Clifton Heights Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (CHCURC) is something Bourgeois was fated to do. His passion for the community began on his summer breaks from high school, when he would join his father at work at Old St. George on Calhoun Street. He spent his days exploring the neighborhood, “wandering around” and growing enamored with the area. Originally an education student at Miami University, Bourgeois drew upon his youthful explorations of Clifton when a professor convinced him to switch his field of study to urban planning. “He explained to me [that the major was about] how do cities and communities work, and how do you design to accommodate the residents and businesses and all the things that go into making a city cool,” Bourgeois said. “I was like, ‘There’s a major for that?’ It was hook, line and sinker at that point.” While studying at Miami, Bourgeois coldcalled CHCURC, asking if they might be interested in hiring an intern. They were. Upon graduation, he was hired. Within three years, he was the executive director.
As such, Bourgeois wears many hats. He manages the business operations of CHCURC, which involves investigating and acquiring properties in the best interest of the organization and heading the sixperson board. Projects include University Park, the recently-redeveloped University Square and the upcoming project at the corner of Vine and Calhoun. He is also responsible for navigating the relationship between the organization and the community’s residents — both longterm occupants and short-term students. Tensions are bound to arise among CHCURC stakeholders. The impending construction at the former Deaconess Hospital poses one such example. Trinitas Ventures is building a thousand-bed student housing facility on the site, and many long-term residents worry about its impact on the neighborhood both visually and economically. Bourgeois must balance what he calls both the “concern and opportunity” of development and community interests. It’s not an easy job, said Bill Fischer, the director of community development at the University of Cincinnati. Fischer has known Bourgeois for 15 years, dating back to his days as a city of Cincinnati economic development manager, and sits on the CHCURC board as the university’s liaison. “He’s very pragmatic when it comes to getting things done,” Fischer said. “He’s a doer. He lives in the neighborhood [and] people respect that. There’s all these pieces that make him a really, really good director for CHCURC and partner for the university.”
AARON DORSTEN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Apartment complex in Clifton Heights on January 9th, 2018.
News
Declining dollars for education: UC instructional spending drops 30 percent NOELLE ZIELINSKI | LIFE & ARTS EDITOR ABBY SHOYAT | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER OLIVIA TAYLOR | CONTRIBUTOR
OLIVIA TAYLOR | CONTRIBUTOR
Dean of Arts and Sciences Ken Petren.
“The fact that academic spending has declined is really unfair...Where did my money go? I want my money to go to my future and my academics since I am supporting myself through college.”
- Caleb Smiley “In my personal opinion, students are best served when they are able to take a wide range of courses while they are students here,” Hardcastle said. “What PBB does is that it incentivizes all the colleges to keep all their students in their college, so if you are a business student, you only take business classes – and I think that does our students a disservice.” Other UC officials, however, stand behind the PBB model. “In my opinion, the PBB model is working great,” said Susana Luzuriaga, director of institutional research at the provost office. “There is never a perfect model for these types of things. Every university is continually striving to improve that model so that it … creates an incentive for better performance.” Strempel said engineering students tend to more easily meet PBB goals than students in the College of Arts and Sciences because the admissions process for engineering is more demanding. Dean Petren says the PBB model has serious flaws that constrain Arts and Sciences students. “Almost all university budgeting models that I’m aware of require revision and intervention after a while — especially when circumstances change,” Petren said. “We have required revision for several years and there have not been adequate revisions.” Due to imbalances between student enrollment and the university budget, Petren says the PBB model is not a longterm solution. “With enrollment going up and budget going down, [PBB] is simply not sustainable,” Petren said. “That’s the easiest way to put it. It’s just not sustainable.” Currently-enrolled UC students do not enjoy the same resources students did a decade ago — especially those in Arts and Sciences. Larger class sizes and less full-time faculty directly correlated with budget cuts. However, the administration has yet to change its budgeting model to accommodate egregious funding imbalances. Instead, they have provided colleges with unattainable financial goals, leaving students and staff to bear the consequences. “What are we sacrificing to maintain this investment?” Spanja said. “The pot of gold is at the end of the rainbow here, but there is never the end of the rainbow.”
This is the second part of our series titled Misplaced Priorities. To read our first part visit newsrecord.org.
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“I get that sports is a moneymaker,” he said. “But they seem to put more focus on running a ball from one end of a field to the other, and less on making future doctors and engineers.” However, reports have shown that the UC Athletic Department is a money sink. Over the past four years, the UC athletic department’s deficit totaled almost $102 million, according to the university’s NCAA Revenue and Expense reports. Layla Pickett, a second-year communications student, says the university should focus more energy investing into students. “Making money is not supposed to be our main focus as a university,” Pickett said. “We’re the biggest college on campus, and it’s really unfair that we have had our funding cut so
drastically … if we have 40 to 50 people in a tiny room in McMicken, it’s too much for one class.” The University of Cincinnati is currently following a performance-based-budget model (PBB) to allocate funds to each college. If a college makes more money than its budget the previous year, funds increase. If it makes less, funds decrease. One way colleges at UC make money is to increase and retain their full-time student enrollment. “According to the model, if you grow, you keep half the revenue,” Petren said. “But when you go down, according to the model, you owe all the revenue.” Valerie Hardcastle, a former UC Arts and Sciences dean, said PBB does not serve students well, claiming that the current budget model prevents students from taking classes in other colleges.
Apr. 11, 2018 | newsrecord.org
Caleb Smiley came to the University of Cincinnati for its nationally-renowned engineering program, among other unique opportunities offered by the university. Smiley — a double major in electrical engineering and digital media collaborative in the honors program — is the type of student every university hopes to attract. Over the past 11 years, however, UC has begun spending less on students — Smiley included. Between 2005 and 2015, UC officials slashed instructional spending for full-time undergraduate students by 30 percent adjusted for inflation, according to the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics — a national organization of current and former college presidents. However, the university’s enrollment of students has steadily climbed over the past 11 years. The decline in instructional spending means larger class sizes, fewer full-time faculty members and fewer resources for students. Though students have become accustomed to larger classes and more adjunct professors, few realize how the reduction of instructional spending impacts the availability of higher-education resources. “The fact that academic spending has declined is really unfair,” Smiley said of the cuts. “Where did my money go? I want my money to go to my future and my academics since I am supporting myself through college.” Eileen Strempel, senior vice provost for academic affairs, called the Knight Commission’s report “grossly inaccurate,” saying the university declines participation in the report “because it uses such flawed, faulty, inaccurate data. It’s not a good source of data.” According to the commission, however, the report was based on data provided by the university directly. In a written statement to The News Record, the commission said its findings are based on a federal database of statistics reported by colleges and universities. “[Our] database uses financial data reported by institutions,” the statement reads. “The database was created to show trends in academic spending and athletic spending.” Historically, the Knight Commission analyzes athletic spending. In 2009, the commission conducted a survey of academic spending at universities competing in the Football Bowl Subdivision. “More than 80 percent of [universities] participated,” the statement reads. “80 percent of these [university] presidents agreed that there needed to be greater transparency for spending, and the database was produced to respond to that consensus.” Two UC faculty members confirmed that the commission’s findings are consistent with the university’s recorded spending. Stephanie Spanja, director of research at the UC chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP UC) and Ken Petren, dean of the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences, said the report accurately reflects UC’s spending practices. John McNay, a history professor at UC Blue Ash since 2000 and an outspoken critic of UC’s spending practices, said he is mystified by the drop in instructional spending. “Our instructional funding should have been increased with our increased enrollment,” McNay said. “Instead, it has gone the other direction.” Instructional spending has not kept pace with student population growth at UC while other sectors, like the president’s office, the finance office, admissions and athletics have exploded, says Spanja. Most other Ohio universities — such as the University of Toledo, the University of Akron and Miami University — have increased their instructional spending per student by as much as 39 percent, according to the Knight Commission. Just three other public Ohio universities have decreased instructional spending — at most by 3 percent per student.
The median instructional spending for 130 universities across the U.S. in the Football Bowl Subdivision increased by 17 percent between 2005 and 2015, the commission reported. The McMicken College of Arts and Sciences is the largest college on UC’s campus in terms of student enrollment. It houses some of the most popular majors at the university, including biology, communications, chemistry and psychology. Yet, in the past seven years, funding for college declined by 22 percent adjusted for inflation, according to a UC general funds permanent budget report. Christina Drobney, a fourth-year political science and journalism student, says one of her research classes did not have the software the course needed. “Some days, the entire computer lab was not working,” Drobney said. The College of Law, the College of Pharmacy and the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) also had their funding slashed over the past seven years adjusted for inflation, according to the budget report. Coby Stump is a first-year cell and molecular biology student with big plans for his future — he wants to become a doctor. Through UC, Stump expects access to the resources he needs for acceptance into medical school. However, he may hit some roadblocks before reaching graduation. In recent years, senior biology students have occasionally been forced out of lab classes needed for graduation requirements, one UC biology professor said. “We have to say, ‘Sorry, we can’t offer enough sections — we don’t have enough resources or rooms,’” biology professor Brian Kinkle said. “So, students can’t get into lab classes, and this has happened over the last two years.” Stump said he is perplexed by the university’s spending priorities. “It just seems counterintuitive to me,” he said. “Why haven’t they been spending money on students? They need to upgrade classrooms and labs, and spend less money on sports.” Despite acknowledging the financial importance of sports, Stump says the university should more heavily prioritize academics.
Life & Arts
Faculty Files: Marke fighting for the future of feminism
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Apr. 11, 2018 | newsrecord.org
SAMANTHA STEWART | CONTRIBUTOR
In the back corner of the University of Cincinnati Women’s Center, tucked away with posters and props donned with Venus symbols and vaginas, coordinator Deb Marke works hard planning campus events and advocating for underrepresented students on campus; namely, gender minorities. Through the organization of events and programs like the Feminist Snack Break, the Femme Chronicles and the Vagina Monologues — which raised nearly $700 for Women Helping Women — Marke is giving women’s issues a platform for dialogue in the UC community. As far as social issues are concerned, however, Marke believes that actions speak louder than words. Gender-based violence is among the most pressing issues which Marke hopes to see eliminated. “I believe that all people should be free to navigate this world free of physical, sexual and psychological violence,” Marke said. Approximately 35 percent of women have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lives, according to UN Women. With proper education and equitable integration of all genders, Marke believes a feminist future is possible. To reach its potential, however, Marke believes both sexes must recognize the validity of feminist beliefs. “Feminism isn’t about hating men,” she said. “It’s about equipping them to be better allies.” Recognizing that men have an influential position in society is important; however, asking why societal imbalances between men and women exist is perhaps the crux of the argument. Having male allies is integral to the success and prosperity of feminism, but first, there must be a common understanding between men and women everywhere. Understanding the incremental and slow-moving nature of change is among the most difficult realities to digest. Marke highlighted that she “probably won’t see change in [her] lifetime,” but her hope for generations to come remains strong. “I’m not working on that change just for me,” she said. “I’m working on that change for the future.” Marke and her colleagues work tirelessly to ensure that the student body has access to proper safe spaces, education, resources and allies at the women’s center. Co-President of UC Feminists Hayley Fite said changes in the functionality and efficacy of the women’s center have been drastic since her first year. “Deb [Marke] is a superstar,” Fite said. “I can’t say [it] enough, because she works so hard and it has benefited the students more than anything.” Through the work she does at the Women’s Center, Marke is fleshing out her feminist dream, making resources available to students via education and inclusion to advance the future of feminism. Marke says she believes it’s possible for our country to reach a state of gender equality devoid of violence, prejudice and stigma — but it won’t come without people willing to put their beliefs into action. “I’d love for us to get there, but we’re not there yet,” she said. “Not by any means.”
PHOTO PROVIDED BY UC.EDU
Faculty member Deb Marke.
TNR FILE
Life & Arts
Cincinnati poets slam competition at Findlay Market MARLENA TOEBBEN | STAFF REPORTER
ABBY SHOYAT | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Findlay Market customers recently played host to an Art and Poetry event.
poetry is a more recent development. “I always told myself I would never slam, because I don’t like the competition of it,” said Swanagan, who has been participating in slam poetry competitions for two years. “But I had my first slam, and I’ve been doing it ever since.” A poet who goes by the name Quiet Storm traveled from Dayton, Ohio, to perform in the competition. She has been writing poetry for three years, but not all of it has been slam poetry. Quiet Storm began writing poetry as part of an exercise with a counselor. She says her counselor gave her topics to write about, but told her to write in any medium of her choosing. “It started as a hobby and turned into a passion,” she said. Quiet Storm said she works in the medical field, occasionally working home
care jobs while compiling a book of her poetry. “Sometimes it’s three jobs at once,” she said. Events like the Findlay Market poetry slam competition, she says, feel more easygoing. She knows most of the other poets and can cheer on her friends. Alicia, a poet and audience member from Pleasant Ridge, said she felt inspired and emotionally moved by the poetry slam competition. She was surprised, however, that there were not more people in attendance. “You know, this [event] is great,” she said. “You would think there would be more people here for this.” Swanagan won second place in the overall competition, receiving a $125 cash prize.
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Apr. 11, 2018 | newsrecord.org
Beyond the usual scene of bustling vendors at Cincinnati’s downtown Findlay Market exists a crowd of roughly 50 people surrounding a stage. From the stage, emotion flows. Anger, sadness, nostalgia, love — cries against hate, cries against oppression. On the stage, a poet stands. In honor of National Poetry Month, Findlay Market hosted a poetry slam competition Sunday to celebrate with poets traveling from Dayton, Ohio, to Louisville, Kentucky. The top three competitors took home cash prizes. Jasmine Swanagan, who performs under the pseudonym “Cocoa Flo,” was among the many poets who performed at the event. Her poetry spoke to her unique narrative as a black woman in corporate America, explaining how she navigates both body shaming and racism in her life. Originally from Owensboro, Kentucky, Swanagan moved to Cincinnati to obtain a master’s degree in health informatics. She now balances her life as an interface analyst for Mercy Health — a local health care system — with her identity as a poet. Swanagan claims she was drawn to poetry to express her life story and share her experiences with others. “If I left somebody with the opportunity to act, think or heal, then I’ve done my job,” she said of her performances. “So, that’s what I want whenever I get on that stage.” Swanagan says she has always been a writer, but her interest in slam
Dayton | Eaton | Englewood | Huber Heights | Mason | Online
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Life & Arts
Happy National Pet Day NOELLE ZIELINSKI | LIFE & ARTS EDITOR
Today is National Pet Day. While many of us already have pets we love and adore, several animals do not have the luxury of a loving home to call their own. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) runs one of many local shelters offering animals available for adoption. “National Pet Day was founded by Colleen Paige — an Animal Welfare Advocate and Pet Lifestyle Expert — in 2006 to celebrate pets and the joy they bring into our homes,” the National Pet Day website reads. “She also created the day to shine a spotlight on the plight of the many types of animals which are in shelters all over the planet.”
SHAE COMBS | PHOTO EDITOR
Link wants everyone to share their snacks with him and fully intends on staring at you until you relent.
Apr. 11, 2018 | newsrecord.org
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“If you do have a pet, make sure to show them a little extra love today. Buy them a new toy, give them some extra treats or simply take loads of cute pictures of them. And, if you do snap a few pictures, be sure to share them on Twitter with the hashtag #TNRNationalPetDay” SPCA was founded in 1873 as the Ohio Humane Society, and it was the first of its kind in Ohio. They continually strive to strengthen the human-animal bond and improve the welfare of animals by advocating humane care and treatment methods. SPCA’s services are expansive to say the least. The organization offers an array of programs and services to benefit animals and humanity. “In addition to being the official agency that oversees stray dog control in the community, SPCA Cincinnati offers many programs and services, including animal adoptions, animal cruelty investigations, spaying and neutering shelter animals, companion animal and wildlife rescue, dog licensing, foster care program, obedience training, and
SHAE COMBS | PHOTO EDITOR
Zelda loves treats and is a very good doggo.
the area’s most extensive humane education program.” the SPCA website reads. Another Cincinnati-based animal shelter — the Save the Animals Foundation (STAF) — is funded entirely by donations and operated solely by volunteers. They also shelter over 600 dogs and cats, many of whom have been abused, abandoned or left alone. “Teams of volunteers work with the animals two shifts a day, 365 days a year, providing them with a safe and caring environment until we can place them in permanent, loving homes,” the STAF website reads. “Over the years we have matched thousands of lucky animals with equally lucky families.”
STAF is a no-kill shelter which offers high-quality care for all animals. The shelter is open daily between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and anyone over the age of 21 is eligible to adopt an animal. If you’re not looking to adopt a pet just yet, there are plenty of other ways to show support for these amazing organizations. You can donate money or supplies, including food, toys and blankets, to help these shelters better care for their animals. Both shelters also offer numerous volunteer opportunities. If you do have a pet, make sure to show them a little extra love today. Buy them a new toy, give them some extra treats or simply take loads of cute pictures of them. And, if you do snap a few pictures, be sure to share them on Twitter with the hashtag #TNRNationalPetDay.
Life & Arts
PnB Rock to highlight UC’s 2018 Uptown West Fest NOELLE ZIELINSKI | LIFE & ARTS EDITOR
The University of Cincinnati’s annual Uptown West Fest is this Saturday at 7 p.m. on Sigma Sigma Commons, and UC’s Programs and Activities Council (PAC) has secured some pretty incredible headliners. “Uptown West Fest is the primary spring concert at the University of Cincinnati,” the event description reads. “This end of semester celebration of music and UC is brought to you by Programs and Activities council, a 45-member student organization that plans, promotes and executes major events on UC’s campus such as comedians and special events.” The concert is sponsored by University Park Apartments (UPA), UC’s Student Safety Board, Lyft and UC Main Street. The first headliner is PnB Rock — a hip-hop recording artist and Philadelphia native who released his debut
mixtape on June 24, 2014, while incarcerated. Two years later, he released his single “Selfish,” which hit No. 51 on U.S. Billboard Hot 100. On Jan. 13, 2017, he released his second retail mixtape album called “GTTM: Going Thru The Motions.” In October 2016, Rolling Stone Magazine included him on his list of “10 Artists You Need To Know.” His songs feature numerous high-profile artists, including Young Thug, 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa, Kodak Black and A Boogie wit da Hoodie. On April 10, PnB Rock released his single “Crazy,” featuring 50 Cent. “With PnB Rock handling the hook with his melodic vocals, 50 Cent delivers a gritty & more introspective record that finds him reflecting on some dark memories in his life.” reads a description of the song from hnhh.com. The other headliner is J.I.D — a Georgia native born as Destin Route. In 2012, Route produced his debut mixtape “Route of All Evil.” His stage name was adapted from a
nickname his grandmother gave him. She called him a jittery child, saying he was inspired by his parents’ funk and soul music when he was younger. Route released his second mixtape in 2014 and later released “Bears Like This Too Much,” featuring artists including J. Cole, Bas, Mac Miller, Ducko Mcfli and Childish Major. His full-length album “The Never Story” was released in 2017. The third performer for this event will be local artist Dayo Gold. Currently, Gold has two songs available for stream on Spotify called “Fly Away” and “Nicotine.” He has also released numerous other songs on Soundcloud. Gold even collaborated with his Lyft driver, Anthony Cloward, to create much of his music. This concert is a great opportunity to discover some the most talented new and upcoming artists in the rap and hiphop industry for free. Grab your friends and enjoy a night of music performed by amazing artists this weekend.
Apr. 11, 2018 | newsrecord.org PROVIDED
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Sports
NHAT V. MEYER | BAY AREA NEWS GROUP | TNS
Phoenix Suns’ Tyler Ulis (8) dribbles against Golden State Warriors’ Quinn Cook (4) in the first quarter on Sunday, April 1, 2018 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.
Warriors looks to defend title as NBA playoffs tip off
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Apr. 11, 2018 | newsrecord.org
JON RICHARDSON | STAFF REPORTER
The NBA playoffs tip off Saturday, and for the first time in four seasons, the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers may find themselves on the outside looking in. As Steph Curry and company continue to battle through injury and LeBron James meshes with a Cavs roster that saw a historic trade deadline overhaul, two teams — both with decidedly different approaches to a sport in flux — have emerged as top seeds. Mike D’Antoni has long been the face of basketball counterculture, pushing the limits of offense and thumbing his nose at NBA convention. Now, as the head coach of the Houston Rockets, his squad has the best record in the league at 64-16 and the top seed in the West. “I think the Houston Rockets are going to win it,” secondyear medical sciences student Jake Perrmann said. “They have been the most solid team year-round. I think the West is better than the East, and they have been the dominant team in the West with Golden State this year. In a sevengame series, they’re going to win.”
The Rockets take a staggering amount of three-point shots with 46.6 percent of all attempts coming from behind the arc, per Cleaning the Glass. The next closest are the Brooklyn Nets at 38.1 percent. Their strategy is simple: put the ball in the hands of either MVP front runner James Harden or nine-time all-star Chris Paul, and isolate the defender one-on-one. The other four players stay on the three-point line, and if a defender drops to help, they kick it out to the open shooter. If not, they usually get a layup or two shots at the freethrow line against a single defender. Their ability to space the floor also creates room for devastating pick and rolls. Conversely, the top seed in the East is represented by the Toronto Raptors who, while shooting a plethora of three pointers themselves, work to limit three-point attempts from their competition. The Raptors allow just 26.8 percent of their opponent’s shots to come from deep — good for second-best in the league and best among playoff teams. Led by perennial all-stars Kyle Lowry and Demar Derozan, the Raptors have long inhabited the fringes of the Eastern Conference, performing strongly in the regular season and
falling short by playoff time. With chip firmly on shoulder, they seek to prove that this year’s squad is different. Despite the success of the Rockets and Raptors, some still see James and the Cavs taking home the title. “I think it’s going to be a matchup between the Rockets and Cavs, and I think the Cavs are going to win,” first-year business marketing student Marty Fanta said. “I believe [James] is the true MVP. … They always have a chance to do it, and people underestimate the Cavs defense come playoff time and they show up.” As the Warriors, Cavs, Rockets and Raptors battle at the top, the remaining 12 teams also have storylines to follow — namely in a trio of young players who can dominate any given night. Players such as Anthony Davis for New Orleans, Damian Lillard for Portland and Giannis Antetokounmpo for Milwaukee can take over on any given night. “My favorite player is Giannis Antetokounmpo,” Fanta said. “I’m really excited to see what he can do.”
Sports
Sports and beer: Perfect pairs for Cincy teams JASON SZELEST | SPORTS EDITOR
When thinking of Cincinnati, it is inevitable that two of the first things that come to mind are sports and beer. While walking around the city, one is bound to spot natives of the Queen City donning apparel supporting their town’s favorite team or brewery. For those of age, there is nothing better than enjoying a cold one (or two) while going to the game and supporting the team. As such, I am here to pair the perfect beer for each team in the 513.
Cincinnati Reds: MadTree Rounding Third
SHAE COMBS | PHOTO EDITOR
The Reds may have a slight advantage. The team has plenty of options to choose from, as it seems local breweries reach their creative peak during the spring and summer months when their favorite baseball team takes the field. Rhinegeist Hustle, Taft’s Ale House 1882 Opening Day Ale and Braxton 1957 All Star Ale are all baseball-inspired beers that are sure to please any fan making a trip to Great American Ball Park. However, with a 2-7 start this year for a team which lost at least 90 games during each of its past three seasons, there is only one beer that stands out above the rest. MadTree’s Rounding Third comes in at a whopping 6.5 percent alcohol by volume — well above any of the other baseball beers in the city. Down a couple of those, and you just might be able to trick yourself into believing the Reds are playing well.
Morlein Blood Orange IPA is the perfect beer for those hot summer matches.
Cincinnati Bengals: Christian Moerlein Bay of Bengal
While I am tempted to go with a porter or stout — either more fitting for a chilly Cincinnati winter — local-area breweries are not exactly known for their darks. Instead, this choice sticks with Cincinnati’s main beer specialty: the India pale ale (IPA). Christian Moerlein’s Bay of Bengal is the perfect choice here. The name serves as a double entendre, representing both the Indian body of water and Cincinnati’s football mascot. Much like the choice for the Reds beer, this one also has a familiar draw to local fans. At 8.9 percent alcohol by volume, this beer will make you forget all about the fact that the Bengals have not won a playoff game since 1990.
FC Cincinnati: Rhinegeist Bubbles
The obvious choice here is Christian Moerlein’s FC Cincinnati Blood Orange IPA — a beer created specifically for the city’s new soccer team. However, Moerlein already got their shoutout on here, and the Blood Orange IPA is far from their best brew. Instead Rhinegeist’s Bubbles taps into more sophisticated aspects of soccer. As a rosé ale, it offers all the light, sweet and crispy elegance of a rosé wine. Yet the drink still taps into the heritage of Cincinnati that Rhinegeist tries to incorporate. This beer emerges victorious due to its style and flair rather than brute strength, much like the sport of soccer itself. It makes these two a perfect match.
Former Bearcat Isaiah Pead targeting 2020 Paralympics after leg amputation MATT HUFFMON | STAFF REPORTER
regret anything I went through when I had two legs,” Pead told Sporting News. “I came to work every day and put my best foot forward and let things fall where they fell. They just didn’t fall in my favor.” To stay in shape, Pead is currently training for the 2020 Paralympics Games in Tokyo. At age 30, he hopes to compete in track events. “If they let me on the track,” he told TMZ, “I’m going for the gold. Period.” Pead’s mother, Leshawna, looks forward to the challenge presented by unfamiliar events. “Isaiah had already conquered football,” she told Sporting News. “This is something totally new. It’s even more of a challenge … in a good way.” He doesn’t have intentions of slowing down after 2020.
“The next [Paralympics in 2024], I’ll be 34, and the next one I’ll be 38, so I think maybe three gold medals,” Pead said.
“[Get] those three in the Paralympics, God be willing — that sounds like a hell of a career.”
AARON DORSTEN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Former UC football player Isaiah Pead is cheered by fans at a fall 2017 game.
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than seven months later. Pead had been searching for a new opportunity in the NFL in the latter half of the year. But on Nov. 12, 2016, his future was permanently altered. At approximately 2:30 a.m., Pead lost control of his 2011 Cadillac CTS while driving on I-670 in his hometown. His car struck a metal guardrail and went airborne, hitting multiple trees. Pead, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle as it came to rest nearly 100 feet from the highway. During the crash, Pead lost a portion of his left leg, cutting his football career short. Shortly after, it was amputated from the knee down. Since the crash, he has endured eight surgeries. “I don’t think about the ‘what if,’ because I don’t
Apr. 11, 2018 | newsrecord.org
Isaiah Pead knows all about perseverance. The former University of Cincinnati Bearcat and NFL player can no longer play football, but that has not stopped him from developing new aspirations and goals. As a running back for UC, Pead finished his collegiate career with 3,288 rushing years on 545 carries and scored 27 touchdowns. As a senior, he was named the MVP of the 2012 Senior Bowl. The Columbus, Ohio, native was selected by the St. Louis Rams with the No. 50 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. However, once Pead began his professional career, he was forced to bear unanticipated adversity.
During his career, he was a member of the Rams (2012-2015), Pittsburgh Steelers (2015) and Miami Dolphins (2016). Pead suffered a torn ACL during a Rams preseason game against the Green Bay Packers in 2014, spending nearly an entire year in rehabilitation preceding the 2015 season. Ultimately, St. Louis released him before the season began. Pead was signed during week nine of the 2015 regular season after Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell tore his MCL. His subsequent release on Nov. 27, 2015, marked the abrupt end of his brief stint in Pittsburgh. The Dolphins signed Pead on March 31, 2016. After appearing in three games and rushing for a total of 22 yards, he was released less
Sports
The NHL Playoffs: The quest for the Holy Grail begins ALEX FRANK | STAFF REPORTER
winning a third consecutive title. Pittsburgh was twice taken to a game seven — and nearly a third time during last year’s Stanley Cup Final — but repeatedly staved off elimination en route to winning their fifth Stanley Cup in franchise history. “I really hope the Penguins don’t win, because that would mean they would beat the Caps in the second round again,” second-year classical civilizations student Casey Barnett said. “But they always show up for playoff time, so I regretfully say that I think they could win a third [Stanley Cup].” The Capitals have only missed the postseason once since the start of the 2007-08 season. They have captured three President’s Trophies along the way, courtesy of tallying the highest point total during the regular season, but have yet to make their first conference finals appearance since 1998 when they won the Eastern Conference. This year’s President’s Trophy winners — the Nashville Predators — hope to build off their Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Final last year by potentially winning their firstever Stanley Cup, bringing the Music City its first-ever major professional sports championship. The full first-round schedule can be viewed on nhl.com.
Apr. 11, 2018 | newsrecord.org
Hockey is perhaps the most physically demanding sport to win a championship in, and that may be why the NHL championship trophy — the Stanley Cup — is known as the Holy Grail. “[The Stanley Cup playoffs] are fun to watch,” third-year marketing student Cory Brewer said. “It’s one of the most physical tournaments to watch. People are fighting for their spots. I just think it’s the most physical finale in any of the sports that I watch.” The 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs begin tonight, April 11, at 7 p.m. on CNBC. As the Minnesota Wild take on the Winnipeg Jets, NBC Sports Network will feature a doubleheader. An interstate battle is poised between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, followed by the Los Angeles Kings hitting the Sin City to toe with the Vegas Golden Knights. While there are postseason perennials — including the Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks and Washington Capitals — participating in this year’s playoffs, these games will also showcase some newcomers, including the Colorado Avalanche, Winnipeg Jets and New Jersey Devils. With nine of 16 playoff teams finishing the regular season
with 100-plus points, the parity in the NHL is recordbreaking, making it even harder for any team to hoist the 35-pound trophy. Legendary Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, also known as “The Great One,” called the Stanley Cup “the greatest trophy in all of sport” in a September 2016 interview with nhl.com. “As you see today, the parity with these 30 teams … it is really difficult [to win it],” Gretzky said. “So, when you get to lift it, it’s really worth it.” Since September 2016, an expansion team — the Vegas Golden Knights — has been added to the league. It didn’t take long before the Knights made their presence known, finishing their inaugural season with 109 points — the most ever for a first-year franchise — earning them the Pacific Division title and home-ice advantage for at least the first two rounds. “I’d actually like to see them go far,” third-year health sciences student Daniel Schibe said. “That’s a pretty unique happening.” While the parity in this year’s playoffs makes it anyone’s cup for the taking, reigning two-time defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins can’t be denied the possibility of
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BRIAN CASSELLA | CHICAGO TRIBUNE | TNS
The Chicago Blackhawks’ Brad Richards kisses the Stanley Cup during the championship celebration on Thursday, June 18, 2015, at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Opinion
The furry faces of UC in honor of National Pet Day
CARSON
BELLATRIX
BENTLEY
HARLEY
PEYTON
MAX
BEAUMONT
MIA
Apr. 11, 2018 | newsrecord.org
ATHENA
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Opinion
The furry faces of UC in honor of National Pet Day
HARRIET
SMAUG
BENELLI
FENNIS
BACARDI
QUINTIN
ZORRA
OSCAR
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Apr. 11, 2018 | newsrecord.org
DUKE
Interactive
TNR staff question of the week:
If you could be one animal what would it be? A cheetah because I would like to actually know what it’s like to run fast. -David Wysong, Editor-in-Chief
Bigfoot. I love the Pacific Northwest. -Jason Szelest, Sports Editor
Editor-In-Chief David Wysong
Online Editor Stephanie Smith
Managing Editor Jacob Fisher
Designer Gabrielle Stichweh
News Editors Zach Perrin Lizzy Schmitt
Photo Editor Shae Combs
Life & Arts Editor Noelle Zielinski
A sloth because then it would at least be acceptable for me to sleep 15-18 hours a day. - Noelle Zielinski, Life & Arts Editor
Sports Editor Jason Szelest
Penguin. Dicing off the ice bergs, swimming around trying to catch fish. . - Zach Perrin, News Editor
Newsroom 509 Swift Hall 513-556-5912 Chief.newsrecord@gmail.com
Chief Photographer Aaron Dorsten Broadcast Reporter Emily Wilhelm Videographer Mallory Elder Advertising 510 Swift Hall 513-556-5912 newsrecordbiz@gmail.com
University of Cincinnati 45221-0135
Things to do this weekend:
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Cincinnati Reds Baseball: The Reds return home to Great American Ballpark this weekend against their rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals. Friday evening’s game begins at 6:40 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday are scheduled for 1:10 p.m. Tickets can be found at https://www.mlb.com/reds/tickets/ Uptown West Fest: UC’s Programs & Activities Council (PAC) will hold their annual concert at Sigma Sigma Commons, beginning at 7 p.m Saturday night. Performing will be hip-hop artists PnB Rock, J.I.D and Cincinnati’s Dayo Gold. FREE ADMISSION.
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Laughs at Taft’s - Presidential Showcase: Taft’s Brewing Co. Brewpourium is hosting their monthly comedy showcase from 7-10 p.m on Saturday night. Ages 18 and up. $5 Todrick Hall: Bogart’s will host Todrick Hall, a singer and dancer, who appeared on season 9 of American Idol. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m Sunday. Tickets are still available at http://www.bogarts.com/
Apr. 11, 2018 | newsrecord.org
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