‘GONE GIRL’ THRILLS
‘MOBY DICK’ MAKES WAVES
David Fincher takes acclaimed bestseller to silver screen
>>
Know Theatre’s adaptation strips story to basics
>>
PG 4
PG 2
THE NEWS RECORD
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
NEWSRECORD.ORG
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014
Community honors UC student’s life with Warrior Run Members of UC, Mariemont community organized annual suicide prevention run ELYSSE WINGET | STAFF REPORTER
ELYSSE WINGET | STAFF REPORTER
Nancy Miller, founder of the Warrior Run, says there was a greater turnout due to the university’s involvement.
A sea of yellow shirts flooded the Mariemont Dogwood Park Saturday for the sixth annual Warrior Run for suicide prevention, which was held this year in memory of Brogan Dulle, a University of Cincinnati student who committed suicide in May. With the help of friends, Nancy Miller founded the Warrior Run in 2008 to honor her husband Jim Miller, a resident of the Mariemont community who committed suicide in July of 2008. Jim attended Mariemont High School, which is located in a suburb 20 minutes east of UC. He was inducted into the high school’s hall of fame in 1980 and served as a recreational soccer and track coach in the district, according to Warrior Run’s website. Jim’s suicide was unexpected and
affected the community, motivating organizers to dedicate this run to honor his life and support suicide prevention. University President Santa Ono said the event’s organizers contacted him about student and faculty involvement. Ono said he thought honoring Dulle would be mean a lot to the university. “I am running for Brogan,” Ono said. “To remember him and raise money for suicide prevention.” Ono estimated that 800 people from UC attended the event, including Christina Beer, UC’s student body president. This year there were about 70 percent more people due to the college and high school challenge, Miller said. The challenge encourages schools in Cincinnati to compete in raising support and donations for the Warrior Run. According to the Warrior Run website, the winning high school and university will each receive a traveling trophy, a $1,500 scholarship, a Skyline Chili SEE WARRIOR PG 3
UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC SPENDING RAPIDLY INCREASING
CRIME BLOTTER
MAKEOVER IN MIND FOR ARENA
Cincinnati police arrest eight from “2 Guns Gang” The Cincinnati Police Department arrested eight individuals found to be in connection with at least seven recent robberies of UC students. The gang consists of mostly younger people, aged 15 to 19. “This was one of the best pieces of investigative enforcement I have seen in 29 years,” said Capt. Dan Gerard of the CPD during a press conference. According to UCPD, the suspects admitted to targeting student robberies in the area because they perceived students to likely have cash and personal electronics on their persons, and were often out walking late at night intoxicated, which UCPD believes made them easy targets for the robbers. 10/12 Robbery in West Clifton Shortly before 8 p.m. on Oct. 12, a University of Cincinnati student was approached from behind and knocked to the ground by a suspect. The suspect took her purse and fled the scene in an older model, purple Chevrolet Impala, driven by a second suspect. The car had no passenger side hubcaps. The first suspect was described as a black male, age 20 to 25, with a stocky build. He was wearing dark jeans, a black longsleeved shirt, and had plaid underwear hanging out of the top of his pants.
HEATHER KING | CONTRIBUTOR
The construction on Nippert Stadium has continued for months. The Bearcat football team now holds their games downtown in Paul Brown Stadium.
Students, sports administration scrutinize affordability of renovations
10/12 Student robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight The Cincinnati Police Department is investigating a robbery that occurred on Stratford Avenue shortly after 11 a.m. on Oct. 12. A UC student was confronted at gunpoint by two suspects who took his laptop bag. After the robbery, the suspects left the scene in a small black car with a license plate number of A010078. The plate had red lettering and was possibly from out of state. The suspects are described as two black males, age 18 to 30. One suspect was thin and armed with the handgun. The other suspect was 200 to 220 pounds, with a dark complexion and a short beard.
HEATHER KING & CHANDLER BONN | THE NEWS RECORD
The University of Cincinnati’s athletic facilities rank among the top in the nation, and the university’s soon-to-becutting-edge football stadium will rival other Division I university facilities, but the boom in athletic construction is not finished. UC director of athletics Mike Bohn said he plans to present a plan to the UC Board of Trustees to renovate the Fifth Third Arena at an estimated cost of $60 to $65 million. It is also under consideration to make the US Bank Arena in downtown Cincinnati home to UC’s basketball teams. But with the dramatic rise in athletic spending, UC and its students might not be able to afford the ambitious new project. According to a resolution revised in January 2003 from the Ohio Board of Regents, an agency that oversees higher education across the state, UC pledged
If anyone has information about these crimes, call Crime Stoppers at 513-3523040. Crime Stoppers offers rewards for information leading to the arrest of suspects in crimes, and you can remain anonymous.
student fees as collateral for the $119 million borrowed for the Varsity Village project in a 20-year debt schedule. The Nippert Stadium renovations added a hefty $86 million to this debt. Athletic spending at UC soared from $28.8 million in 2006 to $59.5 million in 2013, according to data from studies conducted by the NCAA and compiled by USA Today. Subsidies for the UC Athletic Department grew from $5.72 million in 2006 to $21.7 million in 2013, or 36 percent of the total athletic expenditures, according to databases created by the newspaper. According to the Student Advisory Committee on the University Budget, $168.80 of student fees is allocated specifically for athletics every semester. “I don’t really do too much on campus, but knowing that the money we pay isn’t going toward bettering the student life like making sure the streets and campus are safe after dark [bothers me],” said Mathea Harbaugh, a fourth-year English student. “It just seems UC cares more about the look and show of the school
than making it safe.” In the first eight months of 2014, Part I crimes —including homicide, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft and forcible rape— have decreased 42.9 percent in the areas surrounding campus due to increased efforts by the UC police department. Bohn believes that the renovation of Fifth Third Arena is a sound financial decision and investment. “[The renovation] is probably closer to $60, $65 [million], but we’ll see,” Bohn said. “We would fund that in part by how we did Nippert — up-front donations and commitments and premium seat sales coupled with potentially a small bond.” The Fifth Third renovation project would reduce seating by 3,176, widen the concourses of the stadium, make improvements to access for the restrooms and concessions, and make better use of empty spaces while creating a more intimate setting for fans. “We believe we run an efficient operation and will continue to do so, but SEE ATHLETICS PG 3
UC hires sexual assault counselor to serve as resource for students Psychologist will provide counseling, focus on helping assault survivors ELYSSE WINGET | STAFF REPORTER
The University of Cincinnati expanded its sexual assault support and advocacy with the recent hiring of a staff psychologist who works specifically with sexual assault survivors. Anusha Zechella joined the university’s Counseling and Psychological Services Center in August to provide general counseling services and serve as a 24/7 resource for students dealing with sexual harassment, misconduct or assault, according to a university press release. Zechella said that she saw a posting for the position and thought the job was right up her alley. “I became more and more excited when I read the job description as it felt like the best fit for me,” Zechella said. As a staff psychologist working at CAPS, Zechella said she primarily serves
the mental health needs of students who identify as sexual assault survivors. “In that capacity I provide [sexual assault survivors] with emotional and psychological support through confidential individual therapy and help them get connected to appropriate resources such as the Women’s Center or a Title IX official for the university,” Zechella said. Amy Howton, the interim director of the Women’s Center, said she was excited to have Zechella on board at the center. “Anusha and the Women’s Center will work together in providing comprehensive support to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence by sharing resources, participating together in a coordinated response team and by communicating regularly to enhance referral protocols,” Howton said. Zechella said that she looks forward to giving students a “safe and confidential space.” SEE COUNSELOR PG 3
PROVIDED
Zechella looks forward to giving UC students a safe environment through confidential counseling.
THE NEWS RECORD IS THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI’S INDEPENDENT, STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER
FREE • ADDITIONAL COPIES $1
2 / ARTS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014 / NEWSRECORD.ORG
‘Moby Dick’ makes splash as Know’s season-opener Local Over-the-Rhine theater opens season 17 with compelling adaptation ZACK HATFIELD | ARTS EDITOR
Andrew Hungerford and Michael Burnham’s production of “Moby Dick,” now playing at the Know Theatre, isn’t satisfied with the predictable. Instead of an easy conversion, Julian Rad’s masterful adaptation makes the production unique while still adhering to Herman Melville’s original text. The classic tale of “Moby Dick” concerns a revengeful whaling crew as they travel the oceans searching endlessly for Moby Dick, an enormous white whale that amputated the mysterious captain Ahab’s leg. The crew is driven to insanity and reduced to its most primal elements. The minimal set design by Hungerford was extraordinarily clever and consisted of only a few items: tapestries, wooden crates, rope and matte metal sheets that served as sound effects for waves and thunder. Instead of techies setting up props and set pieces in between scenes, the actors were constantly working on the ship, so the rigging they did with ropes, boxes and sheets added an authentic element to their roles as members of a whaling crew, but also helped create a new setting to match the story. The eight actors add perceptible depth to the story’s heavy themes with their
portrayals as members of the Pequod’s whaling ship crew. Each actors’ dialects are accurate and understandable, which is a relief and makes the plot easy to follow. Rico Reid gave a compelling performance as Ahab, the ship’s obsessive captain. Reid recites his monologues with a poignant magnitude. Although some stutters were heard on opening night, his character is already anxious and in crisis with himself, so it almost lent more credibility to the role. Sam Ray as Ishmael proves outstanding as the story’s narrator and the adventure’s lone survivor, providing a wondrous magnetism to his narrations that contribute to the spellbinding emotions and actions happening during the production. Chris Wesselman as Stub skillfully lends the predominantly grim atmosphere of the play a comic relief. Justin McCombs as Starbuck delivers complicated soliloquies with ease, but at times his acting can verge on the sentimental. The costumes, designed by Noelle Wedig, seem authentic and help bring the character’s circumstances to life. Hungerford’s lighting design is mostly subtle but vital to the mood and tone of the play; blue light creates nuances in the setting, and warm light evokes an eerie feeling toward the tragic end. One feature of the play that helps the audience experience rather than merely watch is the inclusion of traditional sea shanties, sung beautifully by the cast
members. Ranging from merry and careless to hauntingly somber, the songs help add a shimmering texture of both mournfulness and humor to the show. The songs frequently feel like nautical hymns, creating an instant chemistry between the characters. Other musical elements include a sparse and suspenseful accordion
PROVIDED/KNOW THEATRE
Starbuck (Justin McCombs) commands the crew of the Pequod, the whaling ship hunting Moby Dick.
Recapping ‘American Horror Story: Freak Show’ JACKIE MULAY | STAFF REPORTER
Along with 10 million others, I tuned in last Wednesday at 10 p.m. to see what Ryan Murphy, the creator of “American Horror Story,” had cooked up this time with the show’s fourth incarnation, “Freak Show.” With nearly double the amount of viewers than last season’s “Coven,” this season’s premiere was the most-watched telecast in FX history. This record-breaking premiere scored “American Horror Story” another season almost immediately. The episode started off suspenseful, perhaps the most horror movie-like opening yet. I found myself on the edge of my seat, tensed up as I prepared for a gruesome scene to pop up on screen. I wasn’t disappointed. The premiere’s biggest success was perhaps the strength of the character development introduced so early. AHS once again displays the immense talent of its actors with the early introduction of Sarah Paulson’s characters Bette and Dot Tattler. The sheer amount of work put into the development of two completely different characters who share one body so early into the season was impressive. Initially, the contrast between Bette and Dot seemed too black and white and oversimplified. However, through interaction with the other members of the “freak show,” particularly Evan Peters’ deformed character Jimmy Darling, a gray area developed. This depth not only showcased Paulson’s talent as an actress, but also made Bette and Dot human and relatable. Instead of freaks, they became real people with real emotions. Instead of a Siamese
twin, they spliced into two distinct people. But the impressive amount of character depth didn’t end with Paulson. Twisty the Clown, perhaps the most anticipated character this season, could be a tired trope—killer clowns are not new to the horror scene. But in just three short scenes, Twisty has already displayed enough development to set him apart from the others. This development could set him well on his way into the books as the scariest clown of all time. In his final scene of the episode, which is set with two of his victims in a run-down trailer, Twisty’s demeanor changes from playful, though off-putting, to terrifying with the pop of a balloon. This small yet intense change added an element of depth and curiosity to the clown. It is this depth that, if explored, will make Twisty the clown that will haunt you forever. My biggest problem with the premiere could be the factor that ensures the season’s ultimate success. The premiere wasn’t any longer in length than any other episode of “American Horror Story,” but it sure felt like it. The episode felt like it was coming to a reasonable and expected close shortly after the scene inside the trailer. However, the episode continued on for much longer. Usually, seasons of AHS start strong and stay strong right up until the middle of the season. At this point, the show resolves most of the major questions and have one exceptionally strong episode that consists mostly of what feels like falling action and closure. This single episode felt much like the late half of most seasons, which is what gives me hope that this season will be the
best one yet. If this episode introduced the majority of the recurring characters and conflict at the start, then it could mean this season will focus mainly on the expansion of these early introduced plot devices instead of peppering in new elements that feel undeveloped and end unresolved later into season. Although long, the episode ended on a strong note. Continuing in the vein of exceptional character development, Jessica Lange’s character Elsa is no exception. The revelation in the final scene that Elsa, the seemingly only conventional character, could herself be considered one of the “monsters” she protects, was riveting. If this season continues to surprise, shock and develop as much as it has in the premiere, it could end up being the series’ best.
PROVIDED/FX
ALEX TAYLOR | CONTRIBUTOR
Maier, an early pioneer of the “selfie,” often photographed self-portraits through mirrors and other surfaces. Maier was also known for her street scenes.
Exhibit unearths long-lost photos by Vivian Maier
ALEX TAYLOR | CONTRIBUTOR
“A Quiet Pursuit” is an appropriate title for the new exhibit displaying almost 100,000 negatives from an American photographer’s work, which spanned over 50 years and waited silently in storage facilities for years until they were discovered and developed. As a part of the FotoFocus 2014 Biennial event, Vivian Maier’s long-lost photography is being displayed at 1400 Elm Street at Washington Park from Sept. 26 to Nov. 1. In 2007, historian John Maloof brought Maier’s photos out from the files and into galleries. Maier, who died in 2009 at the age of 83, was an American photographer of French and Austrian descent. She lived in New York City then Chicago and worked as a nanny in both cities, but also briefly traveled around the world. Her first camera was a Kodak Brownie box camera that had only one shutter speed and no focus control or aperture dial. Maier eventually graduated to a Rolleiflex camera, in square-medium format, then to a Leica IIIc and various German SLR cameras. For most of her adult life, Maier did not have a dark room or even money to expose her pictures. She would shoot photos that captured herself in reflections, but also captured the people who passed by her. Most of Maier’s’s work is directed to street scenes and portraits of people she never
met. Later in her career, Vivian switched to color film and also changed her subject matter. The street people were replaced with objects, newspapers and graffiti — her photos became more abstract. In the early ’90s, due to financial stress, Maier was not able to keep up with her hobby of photography. She was homeless for a short period of time and then moved into a small studio apartment, paid for by the grown-adult children she cared for as a nanny. This caused her to store all of her images and equipment away from the world. Since the majority of Maier’s photographs were still negatives when discovered, curators have had to guess how Maier would have exposed her images. The process of printing her images consists of learning the styles she favored in her work based off the prints that Maier herself had already printed early in her career. The photography in “A Quiet Pursuit” is extremely thought provoking. The majority of the photos displayed are self-portraits. Maier is known for her mirrored selfportraits, like “Self-Portrait, 1954” where she takes a darkly lit photo of herself reflected in a window. In the outline of her coat two women inside the building are seen clear as day. Maier’s reflection self -portraits feel trippy and spontaneous, yet exact. She uses anything from hubcaps and mirrors, to windows to construction workers
occasionally played by the actors, as well as a flute. Each word is uttered with depth up to the last heartbreaking sentence, spoken right before a dramatic blackout. Overall, the play’s musicality and physicality make it a production not to miss.
moving a mirror into a building, which is the case in “Self-Portrait, New York, February 3, 1955.” Maier is also acclaimed for her ability to capture such powerful photographs of the street scenes in the cities of New York City and Chicago. The photographer captured all realms of the streets, like actor Kirk Douglas in the “Kirk Douglas at the premiere of the movie Spartacus in Chicago, IL. October 13, 1960” and also a homeless man eating a sandwich in “September 24, 1959. New York, NY.” Since Maier used a medium-format Rolleiflex, she captured more detail in her street scene photographs and portraits. The detail is what made her photos unique and all her own. Maier’s work has been compared to other well-known photographers such as Helen Levitt, Robert Frank, Lisette Model, and Diane Arbus. The exhibit as a whole can be seen as one big selfie. The quantity and quality of the self-portraits of Maier in this exhibit gives you a slight look into her mind on how she perceives herself — the only physical evidence we have of who she might have been. There should have been more prints of her street images and color images in the exhibit. Maier took a lot of photos of historical value in the ’50s and ’60s, and it’s a shame we only had a couple to view in the exhibit. Overall, visitors will leave with inspiration and in wonder of what kind of photographer and person Maier really was.
Flying Lotus’ new album explores death, finds rhythm within musical chaos RUSSELL HAUSFELD | STAFF REPORTER
On Flying Lotus’ latest album, “You’re Dead!,” the soundscapes of death and the afterlife are explored with the help of artists like Herbie Hancock, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Angel Deradoorian and Thundercat Flying Lotus, the alias of Steven Ellison, is a native of Los Angeles who is known for his experimental, genre-spanning, electronic music. His new album was released on Oct. 7. The album’s first track, “Theme,” takes listeners on a confused journey of raucous noise that spirals into the next 19 tracks. From the beginning, it can be expected that the rest of the album will be less focused on harmony and more about feeling and expression. While the songs individually do not have a steady flow, the album as a whole certainly does. The songs — most lasting between a minute and three minutes — work and sound fine, but they are a mixture of chaotic, non-traditional beats. The album, made up of short and unique beats, is one long, subject-specific stream of consciousness. Many songs end with the beat that starts the next song, which creates spotless transitions. The entire album has a consistently dark yet playful undertone that ties it all together. There is a flip-side to the fact that the beats flow really well when put together as a whole — only a few of the tracks feel like they could actually stand on their own. Most of the material is only about two minutes long and is a mash-up of several different styles and rhythms. When you have 40 minutes worth of ever-changing beats, you get used to it and appreciate the audio adventure. However, listening to a track out of context may just sound like a two-minute song with an identity crisis. “Turkey Dog Coma,” changes its pace and beat more than five times before the 1:30 mark and by two minutes, it is basically a completely different song. This works as the seventh song on an album of experimental beats, but it would not hold up as well without the six songs leading up to it. The track that sums up the sound of the album the best is “Moment of Hesitation.” With fast paced snares, muffled jazz instrumentals and twinkling piano notes, Flying Lotus navigates the landscape of a dream. Everything is vibrant and complex, yet also removed and celestial. The voices of the dead bid listeners farewell in the final track, “The Protest.” Distant ghosts whisper that they will “live on forever and ever” to a slow and steady hip-hop beat. Flying Lotus ends the album with a protest against the idea that once you die, you are dead. Instead, the message he hopes listeners leave with is that you live on through what you have done in life. “You’re Dead!” is a chaotic exploration of death through jazz, electronica and hiphop. Flying Lotus has found order within disarray through his mixture of beats and sounds — making something that could seem very disorganized in the wrong hands, instead seem solid and deliberate.
WARP RECORDS
NEWS / 3 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014 / NEWSRECORD.ORG
FROM ATHLETICS PG 1
our goal is to try to generate additional revenue so that we can return that investment back to the institution,” Bohn said. Universities across the country are in an arms race with their athletic programs and facilities because officials believe the bigger and better the athletic program the more attention and recognition the university receives, according to the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, a commission that monitors college athletic spending. UC is not the only university using subsidy funds. Most Division I universities subsidize their athletic programs, according to the Knight Commission. When the plans for renovations on Nippert Stadium were revealed in a press conference in 2012, UC president Santa Ono addressed the financial concerns in his opening remarks. “I want to make certain that our vision will be fiscally sound before construction begins, hopefully sooner rather than later,” Ono said at the press conference. “Additionally, no student fees or operating dollars will be used in this renovation of Nippert Stadium.” Tabetha Cloke, a second-year psychology student, is not happy with the fees she pays for university athletics. “Quite frankly, tuition in general is a huge ‘screw you.’ Don’t get me started on [the cost of] books,” Cloke said. The heavily subsidized athletic program is projected to rise 13.9 percent — about $6 million — from 2014 to 2015. Subsidies come from general student fees and the general fund. While much of the Nippert Stadium project is being funded by $44 million in private donations, the rest of the project is funded by borrowed money and premium ticket sales, according to Bohn. An NCAA database shows that only 16.2 percent of the spending at Division I universities with a football team goes to student aid. The remainder of university athletic spending goes to salaries for coaches and staff, operating expenses, maintenance, and other general administration purposes. “The institutional support is a critical piece for us and that’s very similar to many institutions,” said Bohn said. “I think it’s also important to note that our scholarship bills are approximately 7 million dollars a year which we pay back to the institution and there are other
HEATHER KING | CONTRIBUTOR
Students expressed concern that their tuition and fees may go toward the stadium, and that money should instead go toward safety.
agreements on how resources are invested and how that reinforces support of the institution as well. So, it’s not simply a one-directional investment. It’s truly a team approach to what we are trying to do.” The 2014-15 athletic budget shows that $21.6 million in subsidies is projected to be used, a decrease of 1.64 percent from the previous year.
FROM WARRIOR PG 1
FROM COUNSELOR PG 1
cheese coney party and a broadcast from the school by Cincinnati Local 12 TV. With food, face painting, silent auctions, music and a movie night in the park following the run, the event incorporated a family and kid-friendly environment. There were also multiple booths on display at the park, one of which belonged to the UC Health Department of Psychiatry. The department shared handouts about mental illness, suicide awareness and prevention, and cards containing contact information of clinical psychologists for students in need. Counseling departments from other local universities, such as Xavier University, were also at the run. “We expect to double our money raised from last year,” Nancy Miller said. The money raised at the run goes toward the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center’s suicide prevention program.
“I’m also looking forward to collaborating with different offices and resources on campus,” Zechella said. “I am also available for 24/7 phone support through CAPS’ helpline — 513556-0648 — for survivors who need support outside of business hours.” Howton said that she wants students to be aware of the Women’s Center’s resources. “The Women’s Center advocacy services are provided by a staff survivor advocate and extensively trained RECLAIM peer advocates,” Howton said. Before coming to UC, Zechella gained clinical experience at Ohio’s Miami University and at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in their counseling and psychological services. Zechella said that she decided to take what she learned at UNC and move forward. “I’m excited to be here during so much growth and change at UC,” Zechella said.
Bohn’s goal is to begin renovation of Fifth Third Arena by next season. He said no money would be directly asked of students. “If you didn’t make an investment in your major facilities after 25 years, how successful would you be?” Bohn said. “It’s a business decision and a critical investment.”
SG supports students with disabilities New programs would mentor, provide increased accessibility on campus CASSIE MERINO | CHIEF REPORTER
Student Government is making advances to help University of Cincinnati students with disabilities through new programs and services to help them enjoy the full college experience. Jennifer St. John, SG external holdover senator, is trying to bring more mentors to the Transition and Access Program — a mentor program for students with mild to moderate physical disabilities or learning disabilities who wish to engage in the full college experience. UC’s TAP was spotlighted on the popular television show Glee in November of 2013. In the episode “Movin’ Out,” Becky Jackson, a character with down syndrome, decided that she wanted to become a Bearcat because of UC’s TAP program.
“We have an opportunity to be mentors to these students,” St. John said. “They go to events and they are students just like us.” Other SG members are working to provide programming to support students with disabilities. Molly Hinken, SG director of student services, is working on a program named Cat Car. Cat Car is a transportation service for physically disabled individuals. Hinken is hoping to have the program in full swing by the end of fall semester. UC will also soon offer a new Bearcat card to students, according to Hinken. Six DAAP students sent four designs to the student services office in hopes of being picked to design the new card. In about two months there will be a vote available on Blackboard for students to choose their new Bearcat card. Hinken is hoping the new card will be available by the end of the academic year.
509 Swift Hall University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0185
Quaker? Maybe! Come Find Out!
Phone 556-5000 Fax 556-5922
Public Information Sessions held in our Worship Room: 10/7: “Action with Local Impact” 10/14: “Worship, Straight Up” 10/21: ”Accept and Nurture” Sessions begin at 7:00 p.m. Refreshments served at 6:30.
www.cincinnatifriends.org
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
SPORTS EDITOR
CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Elizabeth DePompei
Ellen Hadley
Lauren Kremer
MANAGING EDITOR
COLLEGE LIFE EDITOR
CHIEF REPORTER
Becky Butts
Emily Begley
Cassie Merino
NEWS EDITOR
ARTS EDITOR
LEAD DESIGNER
Natalie Coleman
Zack Hatfield
Hannah Sellers
NEWS EDITOR
DIGITAL EDITOR
BUSINESS MANAGER
Katie Coburn
Courtney Stanley
Celie Shaffer
PHOTO EDITOR Madison Schmidt
Need Your FLU Shot?
A research study is being conducted to study an approved Flu Vaccine. You may be eligible to take part in this two visit research study if you: * Are healthy and between the ages of 18 and 49 * Have not had a flu shot already this season Qualified participants will receive all study-related medical care at no-charge, including doctor visits, laboratory services, study vaccine, and payment, up to $75, for study related time and travel.
(513) 733-8688
4 / ARTS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014 / NEWSRECORD.ORG
David Fincher’s ‘Gone Girl’ enters Oscar territory Film version of Gillian Flynn’s novel owes success to strong casting ALEX TAYLOR | CONTRIBUTOR
It’s impossible to talk about any plot details of director David Fincher’s stellar thriller film “Gone Girl” without giving away any spoilers. If that doesn’t excite you about the new film — which has secured the No. 1 slot in box offices across the country for the past two weekends — you may want to check your pulse. “Gone Girl” is a mystery story, adapted from Gillian Flynn’s best-selling novel of the same name. Flynn also served as the films’ screenwriter — a smart decision from a production standpoint, keeping the fans of the novel satisfied. Underneath all of the “holy-crap” reveals and twisted characters lays a brutal attack on traditional ideas of the institution of marriage — a vicious statement about the way we fake our way to finding the perfect mate, and how we set ourselves up for painful (possibly even lethal) separations from our identities to attempt
to find something that doesn’t exist. “Gone Girl” pulls no punches. Its story is swift, the visuals are striking and the brief scene of violence is breathtakingly shocking. The cast is one of the most eclectic of Fincher’s filmography which includes “The Fight Club” and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” Ben Affleck of “Daredevil” and “Armageddon” infamy and, more recently, “The Town” and “Argo” fame, stars with Rosamund Pike, the former Bond girl (“Die Another Day”) who recently co-starred with Tom Cruise in 2011’s “Jack Reacher.” Affleck and Pike are supported by Neil Patrick Harris — yes, Barney Stinson — and Tyler Perry, who decided to take a break from making critically-ridiculed comedies (the Madea movies) to act in critically-adored Fincher’s latest project. Every actor fits perfectly into the chaotically calculated puzzle of a plot that rapidly comes together onscreen. Anyone still convinced that Affleck is just a talentless hunky goon needs to seriously check themselves; he boldly tackles the two-faced (more like eight-faced) Nick Dunne with precision, constantly convincing us he is not the man we thought he was the last time he was onscreen.
Affleck certainly delivers, but the real star here is Rosamund Pike, who may very well have catapulted herself to the forefront of every aspiring actress’ conscious with her portrayal of Amy Dunne. Pike’s performance brings to mind Heath Ledger’s joker and James Franco in “Spring Breakers.” Her brilliance bursts forth from every frame she dominates, and her disappearance into the role is astoundingly impressive. There’s a long way to go, but it’s hard to imagine Pike not being at least nominated for a Golden Globe and Oscar. Harris is as uncanny as they come as Amy Dunne’s first boyfriend, while Perry is refreshingly sharp and provides a tasteful, occasionally comic role as Nick Dunne’s lawyer. It goes to show that a masterful director like Fincher has a knack for casting, and never fails to get the right performance out of his cast. His visual style may be too demanding for him ever to be recognized as an “actor’s director,” but perhaps we need to reconsider what that phrase really means. Accompanying the stellar acting and virtuoso direction, there is another wonderful layer of the film: the soundtrack. Composed and arranged by Nine Inch
Nails’ Trent Reznor and partner-in-crime Atticus Ross of How to Destroy Angels, the eerie soundtrack pulses and provokes emotions that compliment the film in the most effective ways possible. Fincher has added another film to the list of candidates for “Best Fincher Movie”—an impossible yet fun argument to have amongst friends. “Gone Girl” is a haunted social commentary on the superficiality of searching for a groom or bride, and has enough fun twists and turns — along with flawless acting and cinematography — to make it worthy of all the hype.
20TH CENTURY FOX
‘The Boxtrolls’ can’t escape cliché TONY JOHNSON | STAFF REPORTER
EDUCATION DOESN’T END WITH GRADUATION Discover your next move at the
GRADUATE EDUCATION EXPO
“The Boxtrolls” is a perfect example of what stand-up comedian Demitri Martin refers to as “an ex-girlfriend movie … I enjoyed it at the time, but I don’t plan on seeing it again.” It’s a movie that isn’t bold enough to move stop-motion animated films in any new direction, but it still manages to impress us with beautiful art and a welldeveloped — albeit cliché — protagonist throughout a story laced with a good lesson for the kiddies and enough witty cracks to appease those who can follow —even if it is a story we’ve heard several times already. The film focuses on a community of boxtrolls, or underground trash-collectors. We get to enjoy escaping into a world painstakingly crafted and created by a collaborative effort from Laika Studios, the folks who brought us “Coraline” and “ParaNorman.” We also get our imaginations slighted by not spending as much time as we wish in the boxtrolls’ homes — much of the movie is set above-ground where our hero, boy-adopted-by-boxtrolls Eggs (Issac Hempstead-Wright), does his best to acclimate to the strange societal expectations of the “upper world.” Hilarity ensues when Eggs finds himself in the aristocratic ballroom of his new human friend, the privileged but openminded Winnie (adorably voiced by Elle
Fanning), and does his best to “shake hands” with the other guests. Ben Kingsley voices our villain, the nasty, boxtroll-hating, message-of-fearspreading Archibald Snatcher, who, you guessed it, works as a lowly boxtroll exterminator, snatching up the harmless creatures for his own gain. Kingsley impresses with constantly chuckleinducing comedic rhythm, generously adding some much-needed flavor to an otherwise bland script. I tend to criticize most movies for running too long, but “The Boxtrolls” is one of those rare movies where the script wouldn’t have been hurt with some explorative expansion. The script has a lot to say, just not enough time to really say it. Writers Adam Peva and Irena Brignull take stabs at white privilege, the duality of good and evil, and materialism versus authentic honesty, cultural perspective, and the very timely subject of militarized police forces. But by the end of the movie we are left waiting for the ends of some ideas that Peva and Brignull start to explore, but leave open-ended in order to have an intentionally comic nice-and-neat ending. Rich with color, humor, and emotion, but lacking that extra little bit of magic to make it a classic, “The Boxtrolls” is a nice example of how modern animation can still provide us with an artistically masterful visual product.
• Explore more than 30 graduate programs offered at Xavier. • Meet Xavier faculty, staff and current students. • Learn about admission, course requirements and financing your Xavier education.
Wednesday, Oct. 22 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Cintas Center xavier.edu/gradexpo
FOCUS FEATURES
SPORTS / 5 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014 / NEWSRECORD.ORG
Athletes face obstacles juggling academics, sports GLEN HARVEY | CONTRIBUTOR
Student-athletes face the challenge of balancing academics and athletics, and doing this on the road while traveling adds an even more complicating piece to the puzzle. Athletics poses as a full-time job for athletes, in addition to full-time enrollment as a student. Football, for example, consists of 14-hour days in early August for orientation week, often going 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., according to a report by the National Labor Relations Board. The workload slims down to 50-60 hours a week before dropping to 40-50 hours during the season and school year. Adding travel to the mix, weeks on the road roughly adds an additional 37 hours of travel, practices, game-time and rest in hotels to the student-athlete’s studies. University of Cincinnati football players Shaq Washington, a junior wide receiver, and Munchie Legaux, a senior quarterback, experience the complexity of balancing school and sports. Washington said he feels missing class due to traveling for road games hurts the relationship between athletes and professors in some cases because, although professors are notified about their schedule at the beginning of the semester, they can’t always keep track of it. Fifteen weeks is a long time for a professor to remember exact days that a student will miss class, Washington added. “In my position group, our coach requires a 3.0 or higher, and to not have any Fs,”Washington said.“The coaches do as well of a job as they can with making sure our tutors are up to date with helping us with any assignments we need help
with and making sure we aren’t missing class, along with sitting in the front row of classes.” Finding balance between sports and schoolwork is no easy process with both depending on the success of the other. “I balance academics and football by never putting one in front of the other, and by trying to put the same amount of energy into one another,”Washington said.“No, [it’s] not easy at all, but you have to maintain both to continue to have the opportunity to do both — play football and receive a college education.” Recalling the game against Ohio State University Sept. 27, Washington was so focused on representing the Bearcats that his schoolwork took a backseat because he was so anxious to go out and perform. “I missed a couple assignments that week because my head wasn’t too into school at the time,”Washington said.“I turned the assignments in on time but not as early as I would have liked because my assignments are usually turned in well in advance.” “At times football puts me at a disadvantage when it comes to classes and exams and quizzes,” Legaux said.“I just try my best to stay on top of things, like going to study tables and independent studies when I have down time at my apartment after practice, reviewing the slideshows from the lectures I missed in class.” But using time wisely is his message to other athletes here on campus. “Focus on school just as much as you do football, stay up to date with assignments and get them all finished on time,” Legaux said.“Time management is key. Use your time wisely
and it will make balancing the two much easier.” Legaux received his bachelor’s degree this summer and is now a graduate student at UC. Athletes receive the support of their coaches and an adviser in making sure academics comes first over athletics. Neil Stafford, the head coach of women’s soccer team, allows his players to miss up to two practices per semester for legitimate studies if they let him know well ahead of time. This concern for academics has raised the team core GPA from under 3.0 before he was hired a year and a half ago to 3.4. “We have 18 different majors on our team and each player differs on our team,” Stafford said.“They need to focus on their studies. Before I came to UC there were five girls under a 2.0 and weren’t eligible to play, today that number is zero.” From a coaching perspective, paying attention in the classroom and staying up to date on assignments missed while traveling, translates directly to the playing field. If players are required to pay attention, take notes and perform well in the classroom it will naturally transfer to behavior on the field, being coachable, learning, and wanting to get better, according to Stafford. Stafford gives his players a full day of studying while on the road for them to complete whatever they need to finish so they can then focus on winning the game the rest of the trip. “There is no professor or faculty member that I have ever come across that can say ‘Neil doesn’t care about his players,’ “ Stafford said.“I am preparing them for life after soccer.”
UC loses third straight in quarterback’s ‘worst game’ Bearcats struggle to gain momentum against Hurricanes, coming off of starting quarterback’s recent rib injury DAVID WYSONG | STAFF REPORTER
On Saturday the University of Cincinnati and the University of Miami faced off in the blistering Florida heat. Both teams combined for 89 points but the Bearcats got the short end of the stick losing 55-34.
FILE ART
Starting quarterback Gunner Kiel led the Bearcats to a 34-21 win over Miami, Ohio, Sept. 21.
The biggest surprise of the day was the starting quarterback for the Bearcats. redshirt sophomore quarterback Gunner Kiel suffered a rib injury in the first half of the Bearcats’ previous loss against the University of Memphis. Kiel never returned in the second half of that game and did not practice the following week. Kiel’s teammates all expected that junior Jarred Evans would get the start, but Kiel was the man to get the lastsecond nod. Kiel’s injury could have contributed to the three interceptions he threw during Saturday’s game. Prior to the game, he only had thrown three interceptions throughout the first four season games combined. He played through his injury the entire game and helped the Bearcats put up a fight against the quick Miami team. After an 80-yard run by Hurricane running-back Duke Johnson, Kiel led the offense on a 13 play, 80-yard drive, ending it with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Shaq Washington to tie the game at 7-7 in the first quarter. The UC offense could not get on the same page the rest of the first half and fell behind to the Hurricanes, 24-10 at halftime. The Bearcats did not start out the second half the way they needed to when Kiel threw his second interception of the game. This resulted in a touchdown on the first possession of the half. The Hurricanes expanded their lead 31-10 early in the third quarter. Neither the UC offense nor defense could make the right plays in the third quarter, closing at 41-10. Fans finally saw a silver lining in the Bearcats’ play during the fourth quarter. The offense scored 14 more points and the defense had a 27-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown late in the quarter. Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya and the rest of the Hurricane offense still could not be stopped, scoring 14 more points in the quarter and ending the game at 55-34. Despite playing injured and throwing three interceptions, Kiel threw for 355 yards and three touchdowns. The Bearcat offense is currently No. 11 in the country in passing yards per game.
“That was probably the worst game Gunner played,” said UC head coach Tommy Tuberville.“You could tell he was off, timing the ball, the ball didn’t sail on him … He struggled with not practicing very much.” Tuberville acknowledges that a rib injury can affect a player’s game throughout an entire season. “It’s going to linger a bit probably for the rest of the season,”Tuberville said.“But, Gunner wants to play, he wants to practice and we have to be smart about how we practice him.” Aside from Kiel struggling physically for the first time this season, the Bearcats defense continued to struggle. They gave up an atrocious 55 points against the Hurricanes and are allowing teams to score almost 41 points per game against them this season. “Defensively we just give up too many big plays. There were times that we actually looked like a pretty good defense,”Tuberville said.“We did make some mistakes in the secondary on run support on the outside, run support on the inside and then on a couple of coverage plays. Those are things we need to work on. We have to keep working on it and try to make it better.” The Bearcats are currently 9th in the American Athletic Conference, even though they have only played one conference game — their loss against Memphis. Tuberville believes that his team still has a chance to win their conference. “We’re still in the running for winning the conference, but we’re going to have to win out pretty much to have a say so about that. That’s not farfetched, it’s just one of those things that isn’t looking too confident right now just by the way we’ve played, but again we’ve played some pretty good competition,”Tuberville said. UC looks to start the road to winning their conference on Oct. 18 at 3:30 p.m. against Southern Methodist University in Dallas. The Mustangs are currently winless with a record of 0-5. The game can be watched on the CBS Sports Network.
Bearcats men’s soccer remains winless in conference play DAVID WYSONG | STAFF REPORTER
The University of Cincinnati men’s soccer team played in front of an inspired crowd Wednesday night, and they did not disappoint. The Bearcats remained undefeated for the season by ending in a draw against the University of Connecticut Huskies. Gettler Stadium housed excited fans, including kids from the Cincinnati United soccer league. Many of them watched the game in enjoyment and some walked on the field and met the Bearcats’ starting lineup during the introductions. The Bearcats knew that they would have their hands full against the Huskies — a team that made it to the NCAA Quarterfinals last season — but the first half started off slow for both teams. The Huskies kept possession most of the half but were only able to get one shot on goal which was ultimately saved by Bearcat redshirt sophomore goalkeeper, Alex Gill. On the other side of the ball the Bearcats did not have position very often and ended the first half with only two shots and none of them being on goal. The second half was more exciting for the fans, but the score remained the same. The Huskies still kept possession more than the Bearcats and they increased their shot total from two in the first half to 14 in the second. Six of those shots were on goal and five of them were saved by Gill giving him six saves for the game. Bearcat head coach Hylton Dayes spoke highly of Gill’s performance. “I think Alex played really well,” Dayes said.“He controlled his box well, he came up with big saves when needed. I thought he organized really well, but that is his job, that’s what he needed to do. I think tonight though, he earned the shut out.” The offense for the Bearcats was not able to reward Gill for his performance, only getting one shot in the second half. With the game still scoreless, the Bearcats and Huskies had
to take their intense duel to overtime. With around 7:46 left in the first overtime, the Bearcats thought they had lost the game in a shutout. The Huskies scored a goal right over Gill and began to celebrate when the referee called the goal back because the Huskies were offside. “I was hoping that it wasn’t going to count because it was going to be a difficult way for us to end the game, considering that there were mistakes that we made,” Dayes said.“Take away their record they’re one of the top teams in the country, and that is why. If you give them a chance they can win.” After the first overtime the score remained 0-0 and the two teams went into a second, final overtime and were given one more chance to try and win this conference match up. The Bearcat offense stepped up in the second overtime and placed two shots on goal to force the Huskie goalie, Scott Levine, to make some big saves. The ball could not find its way into the net and the game ended with the score of 0-0. The two shots on goal in the second overtime were the only ones the Bearcats had for the entire game. Dayes spoke about the Bearcat offense, saying, “Sometimes, I don’t think we possessed the ball as well as we could have. I think it is just the matter of getting in the flow, getting guys touches, playing quickly, and moving the ball a little better.” The Bearcats offense seemed to improve slightly on Saturday night against the No. 16 University of South Florida Bulls. The UC offense struck first when senior midfielder Ashani Walker, scored early in the second half, but the team still ended up falling to the Bulls, 3-1 wiping UC’s undefeated streak at Gettler Stadium. The defense could not seem to stop the Bulls’ midfielder, Lindo Mfeka, who scored two goals on the Bearcats in the second half.
Now that the Bearcats have come out of two games in four days with a tie and a loss, their record on the season sits at 3 wins, 6 losses and 3 ties, and they are winless so far in conference play being 0-3-1. Knowing this, Dayes said that the team has to,“rebound and we have to bounce back.” The team is currently in last place in the American Athletic Conference but they have a better overall record than both Temple University and the University of Central Florida. The team’s next game is a non-conference game against Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. in Indianapolis.
FILE ART
Junior forward/midfielder Terence Carter crosses the ball during UC’s 1-0 win over Eastern Illinois Sept. 21 in overtime.
FRI 5:00 p.m. Swimming and Diving vs. Xavier Keating Aquatics Center FRI 5:00 p.m. Women’s Volleyball vs. Southern Florida Fifth Third Arena
3:30 p.m. Football vs. Southern Methodist @ Gerald J. Ford Stadium Dallas, TX 7:00 p.m. Men’s Soccer vs. Temple Gettler Stadium
SUNDAY
THURS 7:00 p.m. Women’s Soccer vs. Southern Methodist Gettler Stadium
SATURDAY
WEEKDAYS
SPORTING EVENTS THIS WEEK
1:00 p.m. Women’s Soccer vs. Houston Gettler Stadium 1:00 p.m. Women’s Volleyball vs. Central Florida Fifth Third Arena
6 / COLLEGE LIFE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014 / NEWSRECORD.ORG
Comedian gives biting stand-up performance on campus Former ‘SNL,’ ‘30 Rock’ writer stops by UC for free show comprised of penis jokes, musical manglings, more CASSIE LIPP | STAFF REPORTER
Comedian Hannibal Buress began his show in Tangeman University Center Monday night by addressing a few concerns about being in Cincinnati. “I’ve been in a lot of uncomfortable situations, and Cincinnati is up there,” he said, adding that students’ parents must worry about them. The comedian, who has been featured on Comedy Central’s “The Awkward Comedy Show” and is a former writer for “SNL” and “30 Rock,” really caught the students’ attention when he made fun of fraternities hazing “in the name of brotherhood.” “We’re gonna do some weird s--- to your balls, but after that it’s just drinking and community service,” Buress said, imitating fraternity brothers. The free event was brought to the University of Cincinnati by the Programs and Activities Council, coinciding with Buress’ Comedy Comisado Tour. Another highlight of the show was Buress’ analysis of different sports. He questioned why baseball players get busted for taking steroids if they make lasting impressions on fans by performing well. Families who come to baseball games have precious family moments when they watch baseball, he said. “Steroids create beautiful family moments,” he explained. “You don’t see PCP doing that s---.” After the show, students remarked that the most memorable part was Buress’ critiques of rap songs. Buress played various songs during the show and remarked that each began with the same message: That the singer woke up with an erection. “I appreciated his understanding of morning wood,” said Ben Sirkin, a UC graduate. Sirkin thought Buress’ jokes were relatable for most males.
“I really felt like we connected, and I understood him better,” Sirkin added. Buress also repeated the same musical cue over and over again. “I liked when he turned the music on repeatedly, because each time I was surprised that I laughed,” Sirkin said. James Wall, a third-year mechanical engineering student, remarked that the rap music cue segment was so funny because Burgess presented it with excellent timing. “[The show] kept getting funnier because his timing was legendary,” Wall said. Dan Browne, a fourth-year industrial design student, said his favorite part of the show was when Buress joked about how scary Cincinnati is. “Hannibal ripped into Cincy about how scary it is, because it’s true,” Browne said. Students who were already familiar with Buress before attending the show were happy to see that the show had a great turnout. “[Buress] is seriously one of my most favorite comedians, so I was psyched that he came out,” said Ken Okoye, a master’s student in biomedical engineering. “PAC does a really great job of marketing their stuff, and I’m glad a lot of people came out. “ Greg Siegesmund, a fifth-year aerospace engineering student, said Buress doesn’t have much name recognition yet, but he is getting there. Siegesmund thought it was funny that Burgess talked about his “D+” celebrity status during the show. “D+” status means that he cannot just walk into a night club, but they will let him in after a brief explanation, Buress said. He also cannot get a reservation at a fivestar restaurant, but he can cut in line at a food truck, he explained. Students also enjoyed the show’s opening act — Ramon Rivas, a comedian from Cleveland. During his
MADISON SCHMIDT | PHOTO EDITOR
Comedian Ramon Rivas opened for Hannibal Buress at Monday’s show, which was hosted by PAC.
act, Rivas read aloud a few thank you letters he received after talking to his girlfriend’s daughter’s middle school class for “Hobby Day.” Rivas joked that the middle school students thought his career was a hobby, and that students might consider going to see one of his shows if he becomes a famous comedian and if they liked his funny stories about chickens. “If you ever need to connect to the youth of America: chickens,” Rivas said. Rivas received much laughter and applause for singing a few jingles for JoAnn Fabrics that he made up, such as, “JoAnn Fabrics! Make sure your daughter stays a virgin by making her prom dress!” Rivas said that he had a great time in Cincinnati as well, but he wished the comedians had received free sandwiches.
National Student Day kickstarts service project involvement, donation collections ALLIE ALU | CONTRIBUTOR
To celebrate the fourthannual National Student Day, a commemoration established to promote social responsibility among students, University of Cincinnati students enjoyed massages, games and giveaways across campus Tuesday. In addition to freebies and activities, representatives of community service projects came to campus to encourage students to get involved in local projects. Over 1,500 universities throughout the U.S. celebrate National Student Day, according to Campus Services. Activities took over Tangeman University Center, with a part of the Campus Recreation Center sectioned off for students to relax and take a break from their studies. Greg Beebe, a massage therapist, manned a relaxation station with Ashley Varol, CRC assistant director of fitness. Located outside the CRC’s check-in desk, the station allowed students to receive a free massage. “We have been doing this for the past four years, and we are partnered with Campus Services,”Varol said. “Relaxation is a very important part to being a good, healthy student.” In the throw of midterms and campus events, relaxation is something students tend to forget about. “Relaxation is a key aspect to keeping a well-balanced life,” Beebe said. “This can help your body remove toxins and should be a part of your every-day workout.” Giving students a chance to relax is only part of National Student Day. A heavy focus is placed on helping students give back to the community. Representatives from more than 40 community service projects set up booths in TUC to provide information about their organizations and how to become involved. Members of student government hosted two service projects. Students could donate to the Freestore Foodbank or write a thank you letter to a veteran. Donators received free burrito coupons from Currito Burrito on Calhoun Street. Sarah Carpenter, co-director of SG’s First Year Program and president of Serve Beyond Cincinnati ran the canned-food drive. She also assisted students in writing cards to veterans. “I really love the National Student Day because it’s a time for students to evaluate why they are here and what they can do to help,” Carpenter said. Carpenter also ran an event called the PB&J Marathon, in which students who donated canned goods also had the option of making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to be donated to a local food kitchen. “This is such a low-action event that students can participate in, with a very high impact,” she said. Carpenter added that sending cards to veterans illustrates students’ care for troops overseas. Other organizations included the Families Forward Social Service Agency, represented by Kim Ingram, who gave students information about tutoring children in need. “This is our first year working with UC students, and they can sign up with me and come once or as many times a week to tutor kids who need it,” Ingram said. Many students donated and picked up information throughout the day — including Sammy Sohl, a third-year political sciences student. “In my opinion, canned food drives are such a simple thing to donate to,” Sohl said. “I always have extra food at home, and it is just an easy way to help out.”
ASHELY STUART | CONTRIBUTOR
Mike and Debbie Gardner, founders of the Survive Institute, role play a criminal attack during a self-defense event sponsored by Kappa Alpha Theta Monday night. The goal of the event was to promote confidence among University of Cincinnati students.
Safety instructor promotes confidence Sorority brings previous Cincinnati police officer to demonstrate self-defense FERNANDA CRESCENTE | STAFF REPORTER
Debbie Gardner’s gender was never an excuse to stop her from achieving her ultimate life-goal: helping people in times of need and arresting those who need the motivation to turn their lives around. The sorority sisters of Kappa Alpha Theta, who knew of Gardner through high school and campus experiences, invited the safety instructor and cofounder of the Safety Institute for a presentation at the University of Cincinnati Monday. As the seats of MainStreet Cinema were taken by members of different chapters within sorority life, Gardner explained how the human body reacts in times of danger or panic, and how important it is to keep your loved ones in your thoughts in those moments. She reinforced the importance of breathing, as well as making sure your muscles are receiving enough oxygen and that blood is circulating properly. “We just felt safety was an issue that was concerning the members of our sorority due to the increase of reports we have been receiving in our emails,” said Courtney Ott, scholarship director of Kappa Alpha Theta and a fourth-
year fashion student. “We’ve had a few members who had incidents on a personal level, so we decided to offer this as an option for them to feel more safe on campus.” Gardner encouraged students to be more confident, as it is their right to walk by themselves at night. After dismissing the idea of using complicated self-defense moves, she recommended resorting to actions like backing off and asking for space before performing a movement that hits the perpetrator’s trachea. This tactic can be performed with bare hands or objects such as phones or water bottles. “Personal confrontation, attacks and assaults are just another day in the neighborhood here at UC,” said Annemarie Koch, a third-year marketing student. “Public Safety emails don’t even take precedence in our inboxes anymore, because we know it’s inevitable.” Gardner’s engaging interaction with the crowd is what truly kept the room going. After pulling four students out of the audience and dressing them up as potential perpetrators, such as thieves and assassins, she proceeded to describe what drives them, and things students can do to avoid or get out of dangerous situations. “This presentation was unique because they taught techniques that will
ASHELY STUART | CONTRIBUTOR
Toilet paper and paper towel rolls mimic a perpetrator’s throat, allowing audience members to practice deterring an assailant by hitting him or her in the trachea.
actually work if you are in a dangerous situation, as opposed to techniques that are ‘approved’ to teach to the general population,” said Emily Scandinaro, a second-year psychology student. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Gardner’s first challenge as a child was dealing with an abusive father. Although her father didn’t abuse Gardner, focusing instead on her mother, growing up in such a troublesome environment inspired the 18-year-old to consider working for the police. Not only did she want to protect her family and mother — she wanted to have the opportunity of intimidating her father as well as arresting him if needed. When the prospect of applying to the Hamilton County Police Cadet Program presented itself, Gardner held onto it and hoped it would be the solution that would end her family’s problems with violence. The program gave Gardner the chance to be sponsored by the Hamilton County’s Sheriff Office (HCSO), as well as to graduate on a full scholarship with an associate’s degree in law enforcement technology. “I worked with mostly supportive deputies at HCSO, although there were a few who strongly felt women didn’t belong in certain police positions,” Gardner said. “Women officers patrolling alone was a national experiment, and fear for our safety was the doubter’s concern. I always understood that.” Little did she know that, during that time, she would also meet her future husband, then-cadet Mike Gardner. Sponsored by the Cincinnati Police, he was her biggest motivator and insisted she would keep pursuing the goal of protecting people, despite the sometimes sexist work environment. Years later, after quitting her position as deputy, Debbie Gardner felt the need to share some of the skills she had acquired as deputy. She was disgusted by some of the self-defense tactics civilians were being taught on television. The couple then decided to found the Survive Institute, bringing innovative yet simple concepts to help regular citizens defend themselves and exercise their freedom. “I am determined to help others struggling with fear,” Gardner said. “Which is the base of most problems, to take a deep belly breath and live fully trusting that wisdom needed comes when focused on the healing power of love.”