March 30, 2016

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Social media at work

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Social Media Week looks at online society and safety

Reds season preview New lineup for Reds has lack of expectations

THE NEWS RECORD / UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI THURSDAY, MAR. 31, 2016

Studying abroad’s hidden safety concerns SAMANTHA HALL | COLLEGE LIFE EDITOR

For a student, studying abroad can be one of the more exciting parts of college, but it could also turn out to be a very dangerous experience, according to Sheryl Hill, the founder of ClearCause Foundation.

Hill began her journey with ClearCause after the tragic loss of her son, Tyler Hill, a Minnesota college student.

Tyler studied abroad in Tokyo in 2007 with the Ambassadors Group Inc. program before losing his life overseas. He died from altitude sickness after climbing Mt. Fuji and begging for medical help, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

The death of Hill’s son could have been prevented if he had received proper medical attention, according to Hill, who later filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Ambassadors Group Inc., with husband Allen Hill. The suit was later settled out of court.

Tyler Hill’s death has spurred his mother into making sure colleges nationwide have safety in mind while sending students abroad.

The University of Cincinnati study abroad program offers trips to countries considered to have “red flags,” meaning there are travel warnings against these countries, leaving students at high risk for endangerment.

Kenya, Turkey, Guatemala and Nicaragua are among countries with “red flags” that UC students visit, despite U.S. Department of State (USDOS) warnings of trends in terrorist attacks that prevent even members of the U.S. Embassy from inhabiting the regions.

Students and families are often not

given the correct safety information necessary for an extensive study abroad trip.

Universities, including UC, are not required to post notice of USDOS travel warnings, keeping students and families in the dark about the dangers a country may face.

Information on which countries have travel cautions, alerts or warnings, is available through the USDOS website.

In countries like Turkey, travel warnings have been placed as recently as last

week.

Study abroad programs at universities are a self-regulated industry, leaving students unprotected by the federal government from incidences such as theft and death.

Due to this lack of federal protection, scam businesses will often come to universities to give students new opportunities for studying overseas, according to Hill.

Established in 2010, the ClearCause Foundation is an organization that

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Tyler Hill died in Japan while studying abroad due to lack of medical help. Hill traveled to Japan with the Ambassadors Group Inc. program.

focuses on studying abroad safety for college students, in hopes to protect students from “very preventable deaths,” said Hill.

The foundation offers online tools and resources for students to create a new level of safety while preparing to study abroad, including the Safe Journey Academy, which provides help for safer traveling abroad.

When using resources to prepare for your study abroad, it is important to store all credit card information and personal information electronically as a back-up plan.

Hill also suggests families to have petty ransom insurance in case a student being kidnapped or trafficked.

“Nothing is safe or protected anywhere,” said Hill.

Tracking technology has been developed in recent years, which Hill urges parents to use in order to keep an eye on their student, as well as giving students access to an international student ID card.

Since the start of Hill’s online service, Minnesota moved two laws and Vermont one, in regards to study abroad trips, honoring the passing of her son.

With enough funds and awareness among campuses and students, the safety and protection of study abroad programs could be changed forever, according to Hill.

“We must engage students actively with peers,” said Hill.

To test your own knowledge on safety in countries abroad, take the online test for guidance at the Safe Journey Academy website.

UC baseball rides 10-game long win streak DAVID WYSONG | SPORTS EDITOR

SHAE COMBS | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Emma Hundley, first-year student, works on her nail and string art during a Pinterest Party in TUC Tuesday, March 29. Crafts will be available from 10-3 p.m. in TUC until Thursday as part of

Pinterest party for safety, fun EMILY HETTERSCHEIDT | STAFF REPORTER

The first day back from spring break kicked off with Pinterest Party Monday in the TUC Atrium, where University of Cincinnati students and faculty got to play and Pinterest together.

The event included a social media hub where students could learn more about the upcoming events of the week, get free professional headshots and participate in several games and activities.

One game was an Emoji challenge, where participants guessed a phrase or word based on a set of Emoji.

Students could also color adult coloring pages and make bearcat masks, both of which were provided by Paper Acorn.

This was Social Media Week’s first event of the year and second year at UC. The team worked to make it bigger and better this year, according to Jeremy Martin, director of Digital SEE PINTEREST PG 3

with a defense like that, you are always going to be in a position to win a baseball game.”

The Bearcats next game is 6 p.m. Friday against the University of South Florida at Marge Schott Stadium. They will continue a three-game series against them on Saturday and Sunday.

The University of Cincinnati baseball team began spring break as the winners of five games in a row. The Bearcats stretched that streak to 10 games until they fell to Xavier University Saturday, after beating them the prior two games.

Cincinnati began the season with a 1-11 record, but their 10game winning streak over spring break improved it to 11-11, and it is currently 12-12 after beating Indiana University Tuesday.

In addition to their two wins against Xavier, their streak included four games against Canisius College, three against Northwestern University and a 7-2 win against in-state rival Miami University.

“They’re rolling a little bit,” said head coach Ty Neal after their 10-3 win against Northwestern March 21. “There’s some type of magic going on in the dugout, I’m just trying to not get in their way, but they’re bonding really well, they’re pulling for each other and we’re playing good team baseball and it’s fun.”

Sophomore Manny Rodriguez spoke on how the team still has more work to do, despite the recent success.

“We are really excited,” Rodriguez said. “Right now all the hard work is paying off but there’s still more to come and there’s still more to conquer.”

Redshirt sophomore Connor McVey, who is on a 20-game hit streak, and sophomore Ryan Noda who went 5-for-7 during the team’s double header against Xavier, hitting two home runs, were vital to the team’s streak.

“I am just doing what I am doing every day, just going through routine,” Noda said. “Been hitting the ball hard lately and finally today it was starting to fall somewhere over the fence, which is good.”

Tuesday they defeated Indiana in Bloomington by a score of 5-0.

The Bearcats jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the fifth inning, as all three were scored on errors committed by Indiana.

After claiming the early lead, Cincinnati did not look back as sophomore pitchers A.J. Olasz and Jarod Yoakam, as well as redshirt junior Colton Cleary, combined to pitch a shutout on nine strikeouts and one walk.

“Golly A.J. was lights out,” Neal said. “He’s good… I thought our bullpen was great, Yoakam was great again, Colton Cleary was good in the ninth, great team win.”

In addition to the pitching, Neal spoke highly about Cincinnati’s defense.

“I think this is the best defense in the country,” Neal said. “When DAN SULLIVAN | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER you compete with good stuff on the mound and throw strikes, File art from the UC vs Xavier April 14, 2015 at the Marge Schott Stadium.

SG seeks to strengthen Senate and Cabinet positions, organization LAUREN MORETTO | CHIEF REPORTER

Strengthened committees and more clarified responsibilities of the student senate and cabinet members is on the table after the University of Cincinnati Student Government meeting Wednesday.

The current bylaws create issues that persist year after year, according to Speaker of Senate Tobi Akomolede, who raised concerns that current bylaws do not clearly convey expectations or guidelines to SG. Without these expectations in writing it can be difficult to hold members accountable.

Akomolede noted that while some members may thrive under the old bylaws, others may need more direction.

Comparing it to a rubric provided by a professor, Akomolede said that just as lack of direction can be problematic when writing a paper, it could also be problematic to their members.

“People continually say they’re not happy with the way things are,” said Akomolede.

The bill proposes several changes for members, including in-depth expectations for each position as well as a written emphasis and more direct expectations for outreach.

Outreach has been a yearly expectation for SG that at times has been left with room for improvement, according to Akomolede.

“With outreach it’s something that I feel like you’ll never

accomplish,” said Senator Jackie Mulay, citing UC’s large student body.

Despite this, Mulay and other members remain optimistic about the bill.

“I think some of these changes are needed,” said Vice President-elect Brooke Duncan. “I do wish we could’ve worked together on this.”

“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” said Mulay.

“Whenever you’re aware of something, it always gets better.”

Other SG members reacted to the broader scope of the bill.

“I think the bill that Tobi wrote definitely adds to not only like the outreach and accountability of our organization but just also the collaboration,” said At-Large Senator Jacob Harnist. “In my personal opinion, I think it will do wonders.”

Some individuals met the bill with mixed feelings and questioned if the proposal exceeded the nature of bylaws.

“I think it is important that we do realize that everyone has different management and leadership styles,” said Harnist. “While that is true I don’t think this bill necessarily hinders on that.”

Mulay said that while she hasn’t made up her mind about the bill it helps whenever the steps are outlined.

“I think there are like a couple different philosophies when you look at the way that you restructure your bylaws,” said Mulay.

Members motioned to table the bill.

SG voted unanimously to fund a basketball tournament hosted by the Asian-American Association, Global Public Health Brigades and Free the Slaves to help raise funds for each respective organization.

The tournament will consist of 32 teams and will be on April 17 at the Campus Recreation Center.

The approved bill allocates $600 to pay for court rental fees, although the event is only projected to raise half of that amount.

Mulay voiced the need to support up-and-coming organizations on campus.

“We’re very comfortable supporting the ideas behind this,” said Mulay. “You have to spend money to make money.”

ALEXANDRA TAYLOR | PHOTO EDITOR

Student Government reconvenes Wednesday March 30, 2016 in TUC to discuss bylaws.

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Sitting too much means pain

NEWS BITES

LAUREN MORETTO | CHIEF REPORTER

AMIR SAMARGHANDI | NEWS EDITOR

Primary updates Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) has picked up momentum in the Democratic primary, winning three consecutive states and five out the last six primaries over the delegate leader and long-term front-runner, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Sanders won in Utah and Idaho during the March 22 primaries, while Clinton scored a controversial victory mired by allegations of voter fraud and underprepared electoral facilities.

Arizona’s Secretary of State, Michelle Reagan, confirmed Wednesday that there was nefarious activity, including thousands of voters being given provisional ballots that do not count.

Sanders swept the three states that voted on March 26 — Washington, Hawaii and Alaska — bringing the 74-year-old up to 1,011 delegates, which still trails Clinton’s tally of 1,712.

On the Republican side, business tycoon Donald Trump still remains at the top with 732 delegates, while Texas Sen. Ted Cruz lags behind at 463 delegates. Trump and Cruz split the March 22 primaries, with Cruz winning evangelical Utah and Trump sashayed to victory in border state Arizona on the heels of his immigration policy.

Ohio’s Gov. John Kasich remains in the race — despite mounting pressure to concede — with 143 delegates.

UC alum, ‘Waltons’ creator dies Creator of “The Waltons” and University of Cincinnati alumnus Earl Hamner, who graduated in UC’s first broadcasting class in 1948 and received an honorary doctorate in 2008, died March 24 in his Los Angeles home at 92.

In 1961, Hamner had published a novel about his own family, “Spencer’s Mountain.”Two years after that, the book was made into a movie starring Henry Fonda and Maureen O’Hara.

His next book “The Homecoming,” again about his own family, became a madefor-TV movie, which led to “The Waltons” series.

“The Waltons” was in the Nielson Top 30 in seven of its nine seasons, with TV Guide ranked it the No. 34 best television show of all-time.

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Walton’s creator and UC alumnus, Earl Hamner.

Weather Thursday will be stormy, with a high of 67 and a low of 52.

Friday will see afternoon showers and a chilly evening, with a high of 62 and a low of 37.

Saturday will be sunny and clear but colder, with a high of 55 and a low of 31.

An interactive presentation by Airrosti Rehab Centers in TUC on Monday may help individuals suffering from Tech Neck.

Tech Neck, also known as upper cross syndrome (UCS), is caused by chronic bad posture and can lead to pain, discomfort or tightness.

The presentation provided demonstrations of exercises like wall angels, neck stretches and foam-rolling techniques — all designed to cope with and treat pain.

While UCS is common among the elderly, it also affects office workers and even athletes.

According to Dr. Michael Turjanica, a chiropractor at Airrosti, “desk jockies” are office workers who sit up to ten hours a day.

“We as humans aren’t supposed to sit,” said Turjanica. “When you sit it’s impossible to have perfect posture.”

Symptoms of UCS include mid back pain, headaches and thoracic outlet and carpal tunnel syndromes.

“Very common people are dealing with at least one thing throughout the year,” said Turjanica.

For many, their personal experience with pain was the reason for their attendance to the presentation.

“Pain just comes, you know, out of the blue,” said Sharon Boyle, the executive assistant in the UC Office of the Provost According to Turjanica, treatment for UCS focuses on targeting imbalances between tight and weak muscles that lead to pain.

Turjanica says one area of muscle weakness is in the neck flexors. “When you sit a lot they get turned off,” said Turjanica.

Office patients in particular lack strength in their neck flexors.

“The majority of the people we see in office — it’s not the athlete, it’s not the runner that runs a lot — it’s the person that sits six, seven, eight hours a day,” said Turjanica.

Though the source of the pain may be a patient’s initial concern, Turjanica says the root of the problem may lie elsewhere.

“Fixing the criminal will eventually take care of that victim so he’s not screaming out and yelling, Hey, fix me,’” said Turjanica.

The “criminal,” as Turjanica calls it, is the origin of the problem that travels through the body and surfaces as pain elsewhere.

The connective tissue fascia is the culprit that contributes to a lot of the pain the Airrosti office sees on a daily basis, according to Turjanica.

This is due in part to fascia’s avascular nature, or low blood supply, which slows down the healing process.

Alla Lobkis, an information tech analyst at UC public safety, came to the event because she was experiencing pain and numbness. “I knew that I should do some exercises,” said Lobkis.

While exercises can help, Turjanica also encouraged investing in a stand-up desk.

“It keeps you from sitting a lot throughout the day, which puts you in those provoking positions,” said Turjanica.

Airrosti suggests keeping your computer monitor anywhere up to 40 inches away, and making sure your chair height is adjusted so your knees are level to your hips.

Those suffering from UCS can rest easy knowing that lasting relief is something they can achieve.

“Correcting those dysfunctions fixes you not just short term, but long term,” said Turjanica.

NICK BROWN |CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

A volunteer demonstrates neck pain caused from technological use at the Tech Neck event on Monday March 28, 2016 in TUC.

Movie displays edible bugs JAMES DOLLARD | STAFF REPORTER

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UC makes big jumps in rankings ELIZABETH SCHMIDT — STAFF REPORTER

Numerous programs at the University of Cincinnati have jumped up in the 2017 U.S. News and World Report ranking.

The College of Law moved up 22 spots to No. 60, the graduate physical therapy program moved up 35 spots to No. 62, and the nursing master’s program jumped 26 spots to No. 28.

Both UC’s pediatrics program, ranked No. 3, and UC’s College of Medicine, ranked No. 40, held their previous rankings.

The complete list of each individual UC programs and their rankings can be found on UC’s website.

Each of these programs made a significant movement, and compares UC to other academic institutions. The rankings are done by The U.S. News and World Report, an organization known for its top tier comparisons, opinions and news coverage.

However, the U.S. News and World Report is most known for its rankings and advice. The most notable element is how well regarded their rankings are by universities and the prestige associated to being included on their list of best universities and best university programs.

“The rankings are a reflection of the outstanding factuality, students and curriculum we have at our

college and the acknowledgement of the quality of our program,” said Greer Glazer, the dean of the UC College of Nursing.

Glazer also detailed the importance of innovation at UC in the teaching the material, not just the technology.

The UC master’s nursing program is also ranked No. 7 in best online nursing program for veterans, and No. 10 most media friendly nursing schools.

“There are 770 baccalaureate and higher nursing programs in the American Association of College Nursing and we were ranked No. 28, that’s a huge deal,” said Glazer.

“I think the people who have been running the law school have been putting a lot of effort into the program. I think it’s great we are being rated this well,” said Jonathan Hilton, a third-year law student.

Hilton pointed out the College of Law has involvement in the Ohio Innocence Project, which helps falsely convicted people, and the Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights, which sends law students abroad and work in courts all over the world.

The involvement in programs like these help UC students not only receive real world experience, but also make connections that will help them later in life.

In order to accommodate the growing world population, as well as offset the carbon footprint of agribusiness, UC Sustainability (UCS) looked to insects in their latest film showing Monday, which encouraged the moneysaving element of using insects as a source of nutrition.

Each month, UCS views a film covering a specific topic in regards to the environment and educating viewers, with all events taking place at the MainStreet Cinema in Tangeman University Center. The semester kicked off with the documentary “Objectified,” which looks at the process of materials and products being made.

“Education is huge when it comes to sustainability, and I think the reason why most people don’t care is because they don’t know what’s going on,” said Erin LeFever, third-year environmental studies student and assistant sustainability coordinator.

February focused on the power of community, looking at a community in Cuba that came together to fight the oil crisis.

Shifting gears from community to food, March’s film showing focused on insects. Due to needing little to no water and food relative to their warmblooded mammalian counterparts, insects are a viable protein source option.

The film, a 2009 BBC documentary titled “Can Eating Insects Save The World?,” showed impoverished nations such as Thailand and Cambodia that, due to lack of stable economy and resources, look to insects as a one of their primary sources of protein.

Tantalizing images of fried tarantulas and egg-filled water bugs were some of the delicacies displayed in the film, which were happily consumed by the local population of Thailand.

Members of the International Livestock Research Institute in Kenya, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization in Australia and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria developed a study on the livestock industry.

The study compared developed nations and their factory farms to developing countries with cattle-only grazes, or grazes with minimal mechanical equipment, finding that of the 1.3 billion tons of grain consumed by livestock each year, the world only made 95 million tons of beef in 2000 — a rather inefficient ratio.

Some students attended the event originally as a class requirement, but became a bit more inclined to the idea of eating bugs.

“First it looked really gross. The more he dived into it, the more I did. I think if it became a culture thing, if it was a bigger thing here, it would be easier to get past,” said Megan Corso, a second-year environmental studies student.

However, not all students share the same open arms toward welcoming insects into their diets.

“They’re gross. I mean, if the world depended on it, but they’re gross,” said Morgan Merrit, a second-year communications student.

The next film showing is April 11, which has a focus on urban gardening in Los Angeles, which also aligns with UC’s Earth Week.

“Everyone is welcome, including the Cincinnati community,” said LeFever “Films are a fast and interesting way to get information so I think they’re very important.”

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Growing dangers for online communication sites JUSTIN REUTTER | SENIOR REPORTER

Exploitation within social media is a growing issue in today’s society, giving those online an easy access to cruelty online.

Social Media Week has taken the problematic use of social media into its own hands, giving a talk on further prevention by Jeff Blevins, head of the Department of Journalism.

Blevins discussed the pros and cons of social media — while it allows connection with anyone, anywhere, at any time, it can also negatively affect careers. It can also be used to humiliate and hurt others.

One case of social media being used in a very negative way was the case of Vester Lee Flanagan II, who shared a video of him killing journalist Allison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward on Twitter and Facebook.

“I found it disturbing how many times it was shared and even liked,” said Blevins.

Other problems with social media include online harassment and even revenge porn, a practice of disseminating intimate, nude or partially nude photos without consent and often in retaliation.

“This renders it toothless,” said Blevins. “On the internet there is no way to determine a reasonable expectation of privacy.”

Social media can be an instrument of self-sabotage in business.

Approximately 55 percent of employers reconsider applicants based on what they considered inappropriate social media profiles, and 77 percent of employers do not provide any kind of social media training, according to a survey by recruiting platform Jobvite.

“There seems like there are so many new ways to shoot yourself in the foot,” said Leslie Wigger, the College of Engineering, Arts and Science social media lead.

Social Media can also get students into trouble with law enforcement because of lack of judgement or even missing context. In 2012, Alyssa Douglas, a Clarksville, Ohio high school student, was investigated by the Secret Service after tweeting that “someone needs to assassinate Obama…like ASAP.” While it is hard to imagine that Douglas was a credible threat, social media is a public forum, and therefore threats can be taken extremely seriously even if they are meant in a joking manner.

More social media education is needed. A survey reported 83 percent of United States teens between the age of 14 and 18 are on social media and more than 90 percent of them use real names and images of themselves, according to Blevins.

Furthermore, another survey showed that over 40 percent of teens had either sent or received a sexually explicit image of themselves or a classmate.

While more social media education is needed,

technology is always evolving, making it difficult for education to be effective.

“In teaching social media, it is really hard for teachers and parents to even stay up to date with social media anymore,” said UC Marketing Program Director Ashley Bleggi.

While social media can be used to tell a story and allow stronger connection in society than ever before, it must be used with a great deal of discretion.

“The moral of the story is to think before you click,” said Blevins.

GRAPHIC BY ALEXANDRA TAYLOR AND GABRIELLE STICHWEH

Social media as a tool for work, school ISABELLA JANSEN | STAFF REPORTER

NICK BROWN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Professors discuss the importance of using social media properly to interact with an audience, rather than broadcasting personal information, TUC 415 Monday March 28, 2016.

University of Cincinnati students had the opportunity to attend various lectures surrounding social media in our society during the university’s Social Media Week.

The topic of going “social” in the academic and professional realms was brought up Monday, allowing students and professors to learn the best way to use social media in the classroom and the work force.

Autumn Miller, director of UCommunicate and communications professor spoke on behalf of social media in a professional setting.

When using social media within the work force, users must make sure that their strategy fits with their goals and properly brands themselves, according to Miller.

“You should be thinking, ‘What am I as an organization really trying to accomplish and what are your short term and long-term goals,’” she said.

It is also essential to know what your target audience is, as well as what is the best social media outlet to grab their attention. For example baby boomers are more likely to go Facebook, where millennials are more in tune with Instagram and Twitter, said Miller.

Miller stressed the importance of interacting with your audience, instead of just broadcasting your information.

The audience needs to feel heard and like a real person

to you so make sure you acknowledge them, and thank them, said Miller.

“Most importantly make the commitment, if you are going to do Twitter do Twitter, don’t only post on Twitter once a week, you need to post five to seven times a day, don’t get on a platform if you are not going to engage on it,” said Miller.

Bianca Riesdorf, an adjunct assistant professor, spoke on behalf of social media within the classroom and how to be successful with it.

It has been proven that higher evaluations and GPAs are associated to classes where professors incorporate interactive social media within the course, said Riesdorf.

“The important thing is to be useful, it has to be target specific, it has to be task specific and it has to be connected to the learning outcomes,” said Riesdorf.

For instructors it is crucial that they are working with students and being flexible with them through this process, as well as providing alternatives in the class that are not social media based for students who do not feel comfortable with these outlets, according Riesdorf.

Instructors must also be able to realize when a particular social media platform is not working for a course and be able to change the curriculum to be most beneficial for the students.

Finding fun after your spring break has ended SAMANTHA HALL | COLLEGE LIFE EDITOR

The bummed-out feelings after spring break and the reopening of textbooks can bring any college student back down from their sunshine paradise.

Keeping the fun around after break ends and the last month of school is still in view might just be the biggest struggle of second semester, but its possible.

Get outside The warm weather is near, leaving plenty of time to sit out and study on the grass or hang out with friends in between classes.

Take advantage of the good weather because when you come back in the fall, you’ll most likely be missing the good sunshine.

Go to a game If you have yet to make it out to any sports games yet this year, baseball season is in full swing. Even if sports don’t seem like your thing, you may have more fun than expected in the athletic atmosphere.

Find the fun The end of the semester doesn’t only mean its time to study; it also means that campus will be full of end-of-the-year activities.

Look around campus for concert flyers and group events.

Chances are you’ll find something fun to do for the weekend.

Try a new restaurant.

If Cincinnati isn’t where you’re from, then it’s a good idea to try a food you’ve never experienced.

Most areas don’t offer an urban, cultured cuisine like the restaurants surrounding Clifton, so snatching up the meals before heading home for the year isn’t a bad idea. Grab a group of friends and find a new favorite place to eat.

Be friendly Even if it’s the end of the year, there is always new opportunity to make friends.

Don’t let this stress give you a grumpy personality. Keep the smile on and the friends around to finish out another great semester.

Relax and unwind Nothing is more fun than letting yourself sleep in on a

Saturday and remembering that stress only makes things worse. Watching Netflix from bed, eating a snack or even just lay around for a few hours isn’t the worst thing to do, but you should still make it a habit to be healthy.

Unless its finals week, letting the stress take over will only make things worse. De-stressing is just as important as having good grades. And it’s much more fun than freaking out over homework.

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Communications.

The goal of the social media hub, Pinterest party and the rest of the events included in Social Media Week is to reach out to as many students as possible and help them learn the best ways to use social media.

They will achieve these goals by hosting presentations by professors.

“We want to reach out to our student body with those presentations, talk about how to use social media, what’s the appropriate use, how to use it to help you, how not to do it, what can hurt you, those kinds of things,” said Martin.

Students were also involved with the planning of Social Media Week, including Emma Gresser, a thirdyear communications student who was a part of planning the Pinterest party and other events.

“Just working kind of side by side with Jeremy and being able to learn the skills of digital marketing with

UC has been a really cool experience as a student worker,” said Gresser.

The enthusiasm about social media education was not limited to the students involved in planning the week, but also those attending the events.

“Social media and integrating it with UC’s campus is very important,” said Howard Lee, a fourth-year marketing and information systems student, who took advantage of the opportunity to get professional headshots.

Lee appreciated that social media week was reaching out to students and inviting them to participate in learning about social media.

“We really want to make it educational for our students so that they have an understanding of how to use social media the right way, what kind of education it takes to use social media to your benefit instead of to your detriment,” said Martin.

SHAE COMBS | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Exploratory student Genevieve Hughes shows off her art work in TUC on March 29, 2016. Students were able to make crafts as part of Social Media Week.

4 / SPORTS THURSDAY, MAR. 31, 2016

Oklahoma, North Carolina on top JASON SZELEST | STAFF REPORTER OPINION

LUIS SINCO | LOS ANGELES TIMES | TNS

Oklahoma’;s Ryan Spangler (00) throws down a dunk against Orgeon’s Chris Boucher during the first half in the finals of the NCAA Tournament’s West region at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, March 26, 2016. Oklahoma

I still remember an April morning in 2006 when I opened the mail to discover I had won tickets to the Final Four in Indianapolis.

Unfortunately, I was a naive 11-year-old and forgot to check the exact date in April.

It was April 1, known to some as April Fools’ Day, and after my father revealed his trick I certainly felt like a fool.

I spent the rest of the day crying and refused to play in my baseball game later that evening.

When it comes to the beginning of April, the Final Four is the only thing that matters.

After a year of an unrivaled degree of parity in college basketball, where a record number of top-five teams lost during the regular season, it was almost a given that a Cinderella would find its way into the final weekend.

Syracuse University — a No. 10 seed whom did not even belong in the tournament after finishing with a 19-13 record and ninth in the Atlantic Coast Conference — managed to be the team that made it.

They matchup against the University of North Carolina, who earned a No. 1 seed after winning their conference tournament and finishing first in the regular season in the same conference as Syracuse.

The two teams have played each other twice this season, with North Carolina winning both games.

These are not the same Orange the Tar Heels defeated though.

Syracuse has been on fire in the tournament, dismantling the University of Dayton and Middle Tennessee State University, while staging comebacks against Gonzaga University and the topseeded University of Virginia.

However, Syracuse has one big weakness: the lack of a point guard.

Head coach Jim Boeheim often relies on his senior forward Michael Gbinije — a wing player — to bring the ball up the court and distribute to his teammates.

Look for North Carolina, who loves to play a fast tempo, to pressure Syracuse full-court and force their players to handle the ball.

Despite how hot Syracuse has been, North Carolina has momentum on their side.

The Tar Heels have not lost since February and have won each tournament game by at least 14 points.

Ultimately, North Carolina’s talent and depth will be too much for Syracuse, and the Tar Heels will win this one convincingly as the clock will strike midnight on the Cinderella run of the Orange.

The other Final Four game features two of the nation’s best shooting teams, Villanova University and the University Oklahoma.

If you are a fan of offense, this one will be fun to watch.

Led by Buddy Hield, a John Wooden player-of-the-year candidate, Oklahoma shoots 42.6 percent from three-point range, good for second in the nation.

Hield, a senior guard who averages 25.4 points per game, has stepped up his game in the tournament, averaging just under 30 points during Oklahoma’s run.

Meanwhile, Villanova has shot 55 percent in the tournament — the best of any team.

Both teams have stellar perimeter play and rely heavily upon the three-point shot.

The biggest and perhaps only difference between the two squads is in style of play.

Villanova prefers to attack their opponents through a half-court style of offense.

While Oklahoma is also effective in the half-court, they also like to get out and run, scoring buckets in transition.

Dictating the tempo could prove to be key, and the team that is able to do it will most likely come out with the win.

Ultimately, I do not think you could find two more evenly matched teams in this tournament, but in the end I think Hield will lead his team to a narrow victory.

Hield and his Sooners will take on North Carolina in the championship April 4.

Low expectations for Reds CLAUDE THOMPSON | STAFF REPORTER OPINION

The Cincinnati Reds finished the 2015 season with their worst record since 1982 and the second-worst record in the National League, ahead of only the Philadelphia Phillies.

Since the middle of last year, the team has managed to trade away three star players, including ace pitcher Johnny Cueto, making this season’s Opening Day roster look quite different than last year’s.

The All-Star Game, one of the few highlights for the Reds last season, showcased third baseman Todd Frazier as he went on to be the first hosting team player to win the Home Run Derby since 1990 and only the second player to win it in his home stadium.

The Cincinnati Reds traded Frazier in December to the Chicago White Sox in a three-team deal that gained the Reds three prospects from the Los Angeles Dodgers, two of whom are currently on the final 25-man roster.

The only other Reds player to make the 2015 All-Star Game was closing pitcher Aroldis Chapman.

Chapman holds the record for the fastest recorded pitch at 105 miles per hour, has a career earned run average of 2.17 and became the quickest pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) history to record 500 strikeouts.

Chapman was also traded. The New York Yankees surrendered four prospects to acquire his services, which expire at the end of the season if they are not extended.

One of those four prospects, pitcher Caleb Cotham, currently resides on the 25-man roster heading into the final days of spring training.

Despite trading some of their most talented players, the Reds kept three-time all-star Brandon Phillips, who remains under contract until 2018, and four-time

all-star Joey Votto, who signed a 10-year contract in 2012 and will be expected to continue as a leader moving forward.

Phillips has been tied to trade rumors since last year and those talks may continue to get louder as this current season progresses ― especially if the Reds struggle and keep pace with their current Pitcher Empirical Comparison and Optimization Test Algorithm projected record of 73-89, good for last place in the National League Central.

The Reds can easily outperform those projections if the team improves at the plate.

Phillips and Votto finished with batting averages of 0.294 and 0.314 in 2015. Those averages are both above their career averages, but their numbers wouldn’t necessarily need to be the ones to get better.

Their teammates certainly need to get more consistent swinging the bat as the team finished with a batting average of 0.268 last season ― No. 13 in the MLB. In addition to needing to improve at the plate, the Reds also have a lot of youth in their pitching staff.

If the young pitchers on the roster can contribute, pitch into the defense and limit the offenses of the opposition, the Reds could save a few years in their current rebuilding process, but it will be difficult to see this team performing better than the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates or St. Louis Cardinals — all division rivals that qualified for the playoffs last season.

Even if the NL Central sends three teams to the playoffs again, one of those teams certainly can’t be the Reds based on how last year went and the team now being two all-star players fewer.

That being said, expectations for the team couldn’t get any lower, so the team can only go up from here — that’s a good direction to be going in.

NICK BROWN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

The Cincinnati Reds begin their 2016 season Monday. Fan’s expectations are low after management has traded three of their star players within the past year

NICK BROWN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

File art from the UC vs UConn quarterfinal game of the American Athletic Conference Championship Friday March 11, 2016 at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. Nick Brown | Chief Photographer

Disappointing basketball season DAVID WYSONG | SPORTS EDITOR OPINION

When I interviewed University of Cincinnati Bearcats’ junior guard Troy Caupain prior to the 2015-16 basketball season, he talked about the team’s high expectations. Looking back, one could say this season for UC was a major disappointment.

“We should make a big time run in the tournament — Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four and a chance for the National Championship,” Caupain said in our September interview.

The Bearcats didn’t make a run to the National Championship; they didn’t even make a run to the Round of 32.

Cincinnati began the season on fire, with a 7-0 record and many blowout wins; a 106-44 win against Robert Morris University is just one example.

They lost their first game Dec. 2 on a buzzer beater by Butler University’s junior forward Roosevelt Jones, and that’s when the team’s lategame woes began.

UC went on to lose five games by one possession throughout the rest of the season ― not including a 104-97 four-overtime loss to the University of Connecticut in the American Athletic Conference tournament.

“It’s kind of been our fate,” said junior guard Gary Clark after a two-point loss in the team’s final game against Saint Joseph’s University. “We’re always on the opposite end of that last shot or that last play hasn’t gone our way.”

Close, heartbreaking losses were the definition of the Bearcats’ season, which left fans confused about why the team could not close games.

Mental toughness was one problem that caused many of their close losses.

The Bearcats ranked No. 30 in the country for turnover ratio, tying Farleigh Dickinson University ― who lost by 31 points in the First Four of the tournament to a 16-seeded Florida Gulf Coast University ― and a 14-19 Canisius College team,

according to the NCAA’s official site.

In addition, the Bearcats had more turnovers than their opponent in four of their five one-possession losses.

“We made too many mistakes in the end,” said UC head coach Mick Cronin after a two-point loss to Iowa State University. “It’s a game of mistakes right now, and in my opinion, we make too many mistakes that we shouldn’t make.”

Another problem was a lack of an offensive identity.

The team’s offense was ranked No. 168 in the country, scoring 73.3 points per game, ranking behind a 15-17 Arizona State University team.

To put this in perspective, three of the Final Four teams rank in the top-65 for offense ― the University of North Carolina ranking at No. 10 and the University of Oklahoma at No. 21.

The difference between these teams and Cincinnati is that they know who their go-to guys are.

North Carolina knows their man is senior forward Brice Johnson and Oklahoma knows their man is player-of-the-year candidate Buddy Hield ― while the Bearcats typically ran their offense through someone different each game.

The lack of any one player stepping up restricted Cincinnati’s offensive, which in turn caused the late-game turnovers.

So how can the Bearcats make sure a season like this doesn’t happen next year? They must make Caupain their go-to man.

Caupain averaged 13 points per game this season but finished strong, averaging 20.6 in the team’s last five games.

If the Bearcats can use Caupain like North Carolina uses Johnson and Oklahoma uses Hield, it will give them their offensive identity, cut back on their turnovers and will then equal more wins.

With Caupain having one more season of eligibility remaining, no time is better than the present. He must be the focal point for the Bearcats next season.

Cincinnati football names Mike Gillhammer as new secondary coach DAVID WYSONG | SPORTS EDITOR

University of Cincinnati head football coach Tommy Tuberville announced Wednesday that Mike Gillhammer will be named the team’s new secondary coach.

Gillhammer has nearly 40 years of coaching experience, including 15 years in the NFL, and spent the last four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

“Mike brings a lot to our staff with his extensive experience at the college and pro levels,”Tuberville said. “His beliefs about coaching and teaching fundamentals and technique are right in line with my own. He will be a great addition to our coaching staff and we are excited he’s on board with the

Bearcats.”

Prior to working with the Colts, Gillhammer coached for the University of Illinois in 2011, helping lead the school to a No. 4 national ranking in pass defense that year.

He also coached running backs for the New York Giants in 2000. The team reached the Super Bowl and was ranked third in the National Football Conference in rushing.

Gillhamer played defensive back at Carroll College in 1972, Wenatchee Junior College in 1973 and Humboldt State University from 1974-75, where he was named the team’s most valuable defensive back NICK BROWN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER as a senior. He also played baseball and ran track Blue, white and red fireworks soar above Nippert Stadium in honor of the victims for Humboldt. of the Paris terror attacks before Saturday night’s game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes.

OPINION / 5 THURSDAY, MAR. 31, 2016

THURSDAY, MAR. 31, 2016

Bernie does not stop in 2016 JORDAN OPST | CONTRIBUTOR

By this point, we are all aware that Vermont Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has been calling for a “political revolution.”

He has described this revolution as consisting of millions standing up and saying loudly and clearly to the political, economic and social establishment of this country that “enough is enough.”

Despite his identity as a Democratic Socialist and his history of anti-establishment work, Sanders’ campaign has come a long way from the beginning.

On March 23, 2015, the national polling averages had Sanders at approximately 6.1 percent favor for the Democratic presidential nomination to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s 61.2 percent.

Now, he is at 42.5 percent to her 50.8 percent.

If you watch CNN and Fox News or read The New York Times, you may be familiar with the sentiment that Clinton’s delegate lead over Sanders is insurmountable. However, these media sources are including superdelegates in their counts.

Superdelegates are not voted upon like the delegates awarded by state primaries; they are establishment party figures who can change their support at any time.

In short, the Democratic primary is far from over.

If Sanders can continue to chip away at Clinton’s delegate lead over the next few months, he will enter the Democratic National Convention in a good position to win over some of her superdelegates and win the nomination.

However, let’s imagine that Sanders does not win the Democratic nomination. What happens to the “political revolution” he has ignited? Do the masses of supporters simply hang their heads and concede to the prevailing doctrine of lesser-evilism?

I argue exactly the opposite. Until recently, I have never been involved in the political process in any meaningful way.

Sanders’ message empowered me and several other University of Cincinnati students to take action at the grassroots level. Our work culminated in a march of hundreds in Downtown Cincinnati and a wave of hundreds of volunteers knocking on doors and making phone calls in the days preceding Ohio’s primary.

With hard work and determination, a team of five college students succeeded in bringing supporters together from all across the Tri-State area, with some even driving from Louisville and Indianapolis. The unity and drive at the grassroots level is something that cannot be replicated otherwise.

We have specific goals in mind, and we know now that we are not alone. Individuals influenced by Sanders will continue fighting for progressive change regardless of his success or failure this election cycle.

We understand that it is our duty as citizens to fight for what we believe, with or without representation at the federal level.

Revolutions are successful only with perseverance in high water, when circumstances seem impossible to overcome. The political revolution is not on a 2016 timeline — if we can keep our arms linked, the people united will never be defeated.

DAVID T. FOSTER III | CHARLOTTE OBSERVER | TNS

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks to supporters at PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, March 14, 2016.

OLIVIER DOULIERY | ABACA PRESS | TNS

U.S. President Barack Obama delivers remarks to the people of Cuba at the El Gran Teatro de Havana on Tuesday, March 22, 2016, in Havana, Cuba.

Cuban crimes overlooked RYAN HOLBROOK | STAFF REPORTER

In a historic visit to Cuba this past week, President Barack Obama spoke to the people of the communist state with longtime dictators Raul and Fidel Castro to try to heal the divisions that have kept the two nations at odds for more than half a century.

The failed Bay of Pigs invasion authorized by John F. Kennedy and the Cuban missile crisis in the early 1960’s completely shut down relations between the two.

For over 50 years, there has been an embargo on Cuba, preventing trade and travel there.

Obama’s intentions may be good, but his attempt to mend fences only legitimizes the human rights and political atrocities of the Castro brothers.

People in Cuba are brutally beaten or jailed for speaking out against the dictatorial rule of the Castros.

Armando Valledares was jailed and sentenced to decades in prison because he refused to put a sign on his desk that read “I’m with Fidel.” He is not alone.

Countless other Cubans have been gunned down in firing squads since Fidel Castro took power in 1959.

While the Cold War is long over and the spotlight is no longer on communist threats to the United States, it is important to not forget or overlook the atrocities happening in Cuba by the communist regime that have caused thousands of Cubans to make the escape to Miami.

I welcome a deal between the United States and Cuba that benefits not only us, but also the people of Cuba. I welcome a Cuba

that decides to hold free and fair elections so the people can choose their leaders. I welcome a Cuba where the people can protest the government without fear of being thrown in jail.

To be fair, the president does, too. He said so in his address to the Cuban people.

But simply giving a speech to add to your legacy isn’t going to create change. Cuba will not change its ways because an American president comes and says democracy is good or that economic opportunity is worthwhile.

On Monday, Fidel Castro himself slammed Obama for his visit, saying, “We don’t need the empire to give us anything.”

He went on to list all of the horrors that he perceived the United States had committed towards Cuba. It is clear to me that the Castros do not welcome change and only see this as an opportunity to line their pockets.

There was a reason the U.S. shut down relations with Cuba. In a world that was growing scared of nuclear war, Fidel Castro aided the Soviets in pointing nuclear weapons at Florida.

Castro shut down churches and religious schools. He imposed a communist dictatorial regime on his people that forced them either flee to Miami or risk being killed.

Those conditions have not changed. Our policy should not change until Cuba changes.

With travel restrictions being lifted and Americans traveling to Cuba to enjoy mojitos and watch baseball games, maybe they can also see the totalitarian torture and human rights crimes that still go on today in Cuba.

FOR RELEASE MARCH 28, 2016

PUZZLE

geles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

Mar. 13 puzzle’s answer:

By Nancy Salomon Across 1 5th Dimension vocalist Marilyn 6 Degrees for mgrs.

10 On a trip 14 Like cheering stadiums 15 Honolulu’s island 16 Give (out) sparingly 17 Not glossy, as a finish 18 Sourpuss 19 Short comic sketch

20 Accepts a grim reality 23 Thickening agent used in ice cream 24 “Way cool!”

25 Rock’s __ Speedwagon 26 Slalom need 28 Cavs-vs.-Mavs event 32 Tax deadline mo.

35 In need of calamine lotion 38 Cobb or Waldorf

3 Terra __: earthenware 4 Many John Wayne flicks 5 Valuable rocks 6 Coffee-andchocolate flavor 7 Uncovered 8 Captain in

dish 39 Hams it up 42 Enjoys an elegant meal 43 Bothered big-time 44 Ballot markings in boxes 45 Train amenity with drinks and food 47 Eeyore’s pal 49 Nonstick spray brand 50 Troop gp.

3/28/16

52 Small notebooks 56 Is raring to go 60 Layered hairdo 61 Japanese rice drink 62 Irritate 63 Stretch out, say 64 Pigmented eye layer 65 Not at all lenient 66 Verses of praise 67 Exec’s benefit 68 American Pharoah, e.g.

Saturday’s Puzzle Solved

Down 1 Deadly African snake 2 Newmark with an online list 3 Terra __: earthenware 4 Many John Wayne flicks 5 Valuable rocks 6 Coffee-andchocolate flavor 7 Uncovered 8 Captain in Ishmael’s tale 9 Many a commuter’s home 10 Lay’s “Betcha can’t eat just one” is one 11 Responded to the alarm

12 Touched down 13 “Still and all ... “ 21 “Foolish Pride” singer Travis 22 Charge for using, as an apartment 27 Smooch shower on a Jumbotron 28 Wall St.’s “Big Board” 29 “Jeopardy!” host Trebek 30 Fully grown filly 31 Nestlé ice cream brand 32 Electrical adapter letters 33 Golfer Mickelson 34 Brand in contact lens care 36 Scorch 37 In a lather, with

“up” 40 Google search successes 41 Gemstone weight 46 Intensifies 48 Not against trying 50 Cake maker 51 T-bone or porterhouse 53 Mammy Yokum’s lad 54 Christian’s dresses?

55 “Gypsy” composer Jule 56 Libya neighbor 57 Thin fog 58 Squirrel away 59 Slinger’s dish 60 __-mo replay

Summer@SINCLAIR Get Ahead. Catch Up. WWW.SINCLAIR.EDU/SUMMER Make the most of your summer: take classes at Sinclair Community College. Check out available courses and ask your advisor how Sinclair courses can transfer back to the University of Cincinnati. Take 8- or 12-week classes at one of our convenient locations or online.

LEARN MORE WWW.SINCLAIR.EDU/SUMMER Summer Full Term: May 16–August 7 • Summer B Term: June 13–August 7

BEST ROAD TO YOUR FUTURE Dayton | Eaton | Englewood | Huber Heights | Mason | Online

ARTS / 7 THURSDAY, MAR. 31, 2016

THURSDAY, MAR. 31, 2016

Brewcats: The

outdoor Double Bag Altbier STEPHANIE L. SMITH | STAFF REPORTER

Vermont brewery Long Trail Brewing Company takes on the Altbier style with their Double Altbier variation: Double Bag. Altbier means ‘old beer’ in German, and this style of beer originated in Dusseldorf, Germany. This is now one of the oldest continuously brewed beer styles, according to the German Beer Institute.

Brewed with a top-fermenting yeast at a moderate temperature which gives it a slight fruity flavor, Altbier is aged at a cooler temperature, which gives it a crispier, cleaner taste usually found in British pale ales. This style is also aggressively hopped, giving it a hop’s bitterness, but suppressing a hoppy aroma or flavor.

Sticke Alt meaning “secret” — or Double Altbier — is a darker and stronger variation with a higher alcohol content.

At the high 7.2 percent ABV, Long Trail Double Bag is definitely interesting.

The deep sunset colored brew pours with a creamy tan head that gives way to a faint puffy cloud of tiny bubbles. Sweet caramel maltiness mixes with a faint bourbon aroma with earthy undertones.

It’s malt-forward, yet feels like a smooth IPA. There’s an almost honey-like sweetness of caramel and brown sugar combined with a dark bread flavor. The hops are apparent at the back with a slight grassy bitterness, ending with a crisp finish.

It’s very well balanced and drinkable with its high alcohol content with none of the mouth warming, sometimes-burning, sensation that’s a characteristic of higher ABV beers.

Don’t let the autumn theme of the label fool you.

Not only would Long Trail’s Double Bag be the perfect beer to enjoy around a campfire, it’s also the ideal beer to enjoy on a summer night while watching fireworks.

Old band learns some new tricks RUSSELL HAUSFELD | ARTS EDITOR

It has been three years since Welsh rockers The Joy Formidable released their second studio album, “Wolf’s Law,” which was a bit of a quiet departure from the huge sound they pioneered their career with on their 2011 album, “The Big Roar.”

With their newest album, “Hitch,” released March 25, The Joy Formidable intricately blends the explosive instrumentals of “The Big Roar” and the polished lyricism of “Wolf’s Law” into twelve tracks that celebrate the incredibly unique vibes of this band.

Since the band’s beginning, The Joy Formidable has created a sound that has a way of completely enveloping you within Rhiannon “Ritzy” Bryan’s vocals and guitar, Rhydian Dafydd’s bass and Matthew James Thomas’ drumming and percussion. It is astonishing to think three people produce the sound that they create.

“Hitch” opens with “A Second in White,” reassuring fans that they can still achieve their iconic wall of melodic noise after their quieter sophomore album. This song boasts the interesting quality that much of The Joy Formidable’s material shares — the adaptability to be listened to in a variety of ways and settings. You could sway to this track, head-bang to it, or just sit back and enjoy the eartickling, sweet vocals.

The second song, “Radio of Lips,” is a fast-paced, catchy track that does get a little flat at times. It isn’t grating on the ears by any means, but

2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

New ‘House of Cards’ reinvigorating RICHA KAVELEKAR | STAFF REPORTER

STEPHANIE L. SMITH | STAFF REPORTER

Long Trail Brewing Company Double Bag Altbier is a deep, heavily carbonated beer, which is smooth like an IPA, but creamy and malt-forward

Know,” the longest track on the album it gets a tad bit boring. That is OK, at over seven minutes and well worth though, because “The Last Thing On a listen in its entirety. This track is a My Mind” follows — the sassy rock culmination of everything good the song that the band released with band has ever created and utilized in its announcement of “Hitch” back in their music, new and old.

January.

It begins in a soft, gentle tone Alone, this track serves as a punchy reminiscent some of the new — and and funky number. But the music enjoyable — sounds introduced on video that the band created from “Wolf’s Law” and polished up on this collected clips of semi-nude men album. Then, it drifts off and builds makes it way more fun. itself back up seamlessly into an The band created this compilation explosive and powerful movement of men to address the exploitation of full of high-energy guitar shredding women in modern media. They claim and layered vocals. to not be into exploitation of any As bands further their careers, kind, but believe that when there is an their styles progress with them for imbalance in the media, it should be better or for worse. And, it is always addressed – hence their music video refreshing when a band can not only of sexualized men. introduce some variety to their sound, “Liana,” the fourth track on the but improve upon and mix those album, starts off with an isolated variations together into something piano, incorporating a thick guitar completely new and unique. sound and drumming as the song progresses. This feels much calmer than The Joy Formidable’s usual material, but Ryan’s enchanting vocals cut through and own the style.

The tenth track, “Underneath the Petal,” extrapolates on this style, beginning atmospheric and beautiful and building up into something interesting and new with bassist Dafydd’s backing vocals, twangy strumming, an echoing piano and some woodwind action.

The next track, “Blowing Fire,” brings us a step closer to the sound we have come to expect from The Joy Formidable, while not quite leaving the tranquil, echo-y world of LENNY GILMORE/REDEYE | CHICAGO TRIBUNE | MCT “Underneath the Petal.”

Fans watch as The Joy Formidable performs at Lollapalooza Sunday, August 7, The album ends with “Don’t Let Me

Critically-acclaimed and awardsweeping Netflix original “House of Cards” has raised the bar for television drama after its fourth season aired in March.

Season three drew a placid reaction from the audience — many were skeptical on whether the political drama had reached its mid-series lull. But season four came, saw and conquered.

Digging deeper into Frank Underwood’s (Kevin Spacey) political expedition, this season is a pageantry of campaigning and elections with a whole lot of deception. Season four might see Frank at his most vulnerable, making it even harder to dislike this villainous protagonist.

Along with directing episodes nine and 10 of this season, Robin Wright is delivering what may be the performance of her career as Claire Underwood. She is possibly the most elegant, yet frightening First Lady television has ever seen.

Season four’s spotlight shines bright on Claire, maneuvering skillfully around her husband’s diabolical climb to the top. Claire’s circumstances humanize her, possibly making her the only relatable character on the show.

From puppeteering vice-president Donald Blythe to a one-on-one negotiation with a terrorist, Claire proves that her stealthy yet effective method may make her just as powerful as Frank Underwood — minus the bloodshed.

This season’s manifestation of powerful women doesn’t end with Claire.

Failing to crack under Frank Underwood’s threats, Leann Harvey (Neve Campbell) is seen as Claire’s new campaign manager and right hand. Heather Dunbar (Elizabeth

Marvel) bruises her reputation in her adamant fight against Frank’s corruption. Jackie Sharp (Molly Parker) realizes her career does not keep her warm at night.

Frank’s new rival is the top runner of the Republican Party, Will Conway (Joel Kinnaman), an all-American war veteran with a picture-perfect wife and kids who is a threatening embodiment of the only thing that the Underwoods lack: time and youth.

On another note, each season so far has referenced Frank’s love for violent video games. This season, Conway shows Frank a game on his phone where you play as a cell and eat other cells to get bigger.

This symbolic scene serves as commentary on the presidential election: “hunt or be hunted.”

Being such a binge-watchable series, it’s hard to remind yourself that “House of Cards” is completely fictional. Sadly, Underwood 2016 is not an actual candidate, no matter how handsome Spacey might look in the Oval Office.

Yet this season brings us remarkable parallels to the present day elections, referencing oil prices, gun violence and even exploitation of data-mining.

It makes what Business Insider reported that Bill Clinton said to Kevin Spacey quite unsettling: “99% of what you do on that show is real.”

The Ku Klux Klan scandal we see this season critique’s real life white supremacist David Duke, who publicly endorsed Donald Trump earlier this year.

Amidst the terrorism turmoil, the season’s ending illustrates the most powerful and politically correct moment on the show where the American-Muslim community leader explains that ICO (the show’s equivalent of ISIS) does not represent Islam.

The season concludes with Tom Hammerschmidt slowly unearthing the Underwood’s buried secrets and Claire assuring the audience that covering up scandals is just child’s play in the Underwoods’ race to the presidential throne.

Kevin Spacey in season 4 of “House of Cards”

PROVIDED

Brazilian artist for indie-game ‘Duelyst’ talks pixels, animation RUSSELL HAUSFELD | ARTS EDITOR

Glauber Kotaki, a pixel artist and animator from Brazil, broke into the video game industry in the early 2000’s.

Since then he has worked on the graphics and characters of indie games like “Stranded,”“Rogue Legacy” and “Deep Dungeons of Doom.”

Kotaki is currently working as the lead animator for the indie game, “Duelyst.”The game — funded by KickStarter — is in its beta phase and has received the green light from Steam and plans to come to mobile devices.

The News Record spoke with Kotaki about his breakthrough into the gaming industry, his work on “Duelyst” and his thoughts on pixel art.

The News Record: Can you tell me a little bit about your background with art and video games?

Glauber Kotaki: I’ve always been the drawing kid since I was a child, lucky to have a few hobbyist artists in the family who influenced me a lot.

Later on, I was privileged enough to be in a family with access to a computer, on which I readily tried my hands at drawing, too. The only tool at the time was MS Paintbrush and by using it extensively, I was able to discover how pixels worked and that they’re completely tied to video games — another of my passions from back then.

It was only natural to mix both things as one true hobby.

TNR: What was your breakthrough job in the video game industry? How did you get it?

GK: In the mid-2000s, about when I got my first job as game artist, the Brazilian games industry was still very raw, with very few professionals in the area.

Anyone with serious intentions of working within the industry had a better chance of getting in, given that the right people found you first or that you found them before competition.

Being a young professional in a small industry let me have all the opportunities I could, at the time. I was able to learn from the start what game development was really about, and that’s crucial knowledge, which sets apart a successful professional from, well, not as successful ones.

TNR: Are you still based in Brazil?

GK: Yeah. I never worked outside Brazil, actually.

TNR: How would you describe the game you are currently working on, “Duelyst?” And how did you get involved with that game?

GK: “Duelyst” is a turn-based strategy multiplayer game with life.

Imagine your regular card game but instead of cards, you actually see characters on the battlefield breathing, running and fighting. This is where I came in, with lots of pixel art animations done for other games, I think I was a good candidate for the role.

Of course that as we grew our cast of characters, I’m now being helped by a lot of other talented animators, too.

TNR: Do you create all the character concept art for “Duelyst,” and then render them into pixels?

GK: No, there’s a very talented concept artist that brings designs to most important characters — such as faction Generals. But mostly Keith Lee, one of the game’s original creators, provides me visual ideas they have for characters and I render my take directly in pixel art.

TNR: What draws you to pixel art?

GK: Besides it being a childhood passion of mine, it’s a practical solution in most cases. It brings a unique beauty to almost anything and can get you all nostalgic while doing so.

It’s also literally a cheap, quick solution for most 2D games, from its conception to its execution, such as animation and polish.

PROVIDED

Duelyst is a turnbased strategy game modeled around tabletop card games, it utilizes pixel art for a retro, yet polished, aesthetic.