The News Record 2.12.15

Healthy Relationships Week

THE NEWS RECORD

UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI

NEWSRECORD.ORG

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015

Racial awareness program talks sex, gender, identity with students MATT NICHOLS | STAFF REPORTER

Sitting in a unified circle, about 40 University of Cincinnati students connected with the university’s recently hired Title IX coordinator Jyl Shaffer as she led a discussion on Title IX Wednesday.

As a part of Healthy Relationships Week, a weeklong celebration promoting healthy relationships and a culture of consent, Shaffer led the discussion in collaboration with UC’s Racial Awareness Program to educate students about Title IX and how it has affected change in this generation.

“You should be able to sit at a bus stop and wait for a ride without being harassed,” Shaffer said. “We are not going to be a culture that says, ‘You’re just going to have to accept that.’ ” Shaffer explained many of the types of

harassments that can occur with students as well as methods describing how the university can offer aid. In general, under Title IX, any type of discrimination is a violation of civil rights and deserves justice, but circumstances often go beyond simple discrimination.

One increasingly common trend Shaffer noted was people holding another person’s nude photographs ransom with the threat of sending the photos to the victim’s family members, teachers or friends. This type of harassment is an extreme violation of Title IX, Shaffer said.

Title IX, a piece of legislation made law in 1972, is a document legally recognizing a need for equality in the nation by making it illegal to discriminate against any person in any program that receives federal funding.

The legislation is widely known for ending wrestling programs, but it reaches far wider than that, Shaffer said. Men in cheerleading or women in SEE RAPP PG 3

DANIEL SULLIVAN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Jyl Shaffer, UC Title IX coordinator, speaks to RAPP on the social responsibility to be aware of sexuality and gender identification.

TITLE IX COORDINATOR DISCUSSES HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

ASK CONSENT OR WALK AWAY

OPINION: Friendships in college take work, two-way relationship ARIEL MCMORRIS | CONTRIBUTOR

BAILEY DOWLIN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Title IX Coordinator, Jyl Shaffer, addresses how the conversation of consent with sex must be elevated to include discussions on healthy and unhealthy relationships during an event Wednesday.

JOHNNA JACKSON | CONTRIBUTOR

Although not one of the University of Cincinnati’s over 40,000 students attended a discussion on consent and healthy relationships Wednesday, the host, recently hired Title IX Coordinator Jyl Shaffer, does not see this as a bad sign.

“Starting a new office, it’s like everything is happening at once,” Shaffer said.“We’re trying to build awareness, get more people out, get to know people. And a lot of that is getting people to meet me, so that they have a face that they can connect.”

Shaffer, who began working as the university’s Title IX coordinator in October of 2014, chalks the poor attendance up to her recent arrival at UC. The event was scheduled as part of UC’s Healthy

Relationship Week.

“When you’re new and trying to get out there, you don’t always get the chance to connect with everybody the way you want to,” Shaffer said.“I’m not upset. For me a lot of it when you’re just starting out is doing the programming and putting it out there so people go, ‘Oh. There was a thing.’

Even if they didn’t go, they get that there is somebody talking about it.”

Outside of campus-wide events, Shaffer has spent most of her time facilitating discussions surrounding sex and consent with fraternities, sororities and first-year students living in the dorms.

These conversations intend to get students to think critically about their own sexual relationships, especially when alcohol is involved.

“Yes, in a perfect world you are always asking explicitly. In a perfect world you’re always sober, you’re never under the influence,” Shaffer said.“I understand that in reality that may look different. So, where is the moment where somebody can maybe

have a beer and give consent, but maybe they can’t. How do you judge that, and how do you think about that?”

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in the university’s programs and activities.

In her position, Shaffer works to inform students of university policies and create campus awareness of issues like sexual harassment, street harassment and sexual assault.

“This is the first time UC has had a dedicated Title IX coordinator,” Shaffer said.“I think it really speaks to UC. A lot of schools, even this size, are still saying, ‘Nope.

We’re going to keep it a part of other duties.’

I think it really speaks to UC’s commitment that they were like, ‘We really need somebody who can just focus on this work.’ ” Shaffer believes the most important way for students to address sexual assault and violence is to learn how to be comfortable SEE CONSENT PG 3

I consider myself to be quite the professional when it comes to friendships. Why you ask? Because I have mastered the task of keeping my friendships healthy.

No, I do not mean serving my friends Cheerios for their cholesterol or frying them up some tofu at a barbecue (no offense to those who enjoy a good ole tofu barbecue.) I do not have time to monitor your caloric intake either; that’s what apps are for. Having and maintaining healthy relationships is important, but friendships too often get overlooked.

Now, let’s break this down. First off, what makes a friendship ‘healthy?’The MerriamWebster Dictionary defines health as the condition of being sound in body, mind or spirit, or to be in a flourishing condition.

In other words, friendships should contribute to soundness of self and encourage you to succeed and thrive. Any friendship that does the opposite of that should be considered unhealthy.

That does not mean that you need to run off with your sharpest pair of scissors to cut ties with anyone who doesn’t meet these standards. It just gives you a platform on which to evaluate your friendships from here on out.

“Friends are extremely important because they help you through the good times and are there for you in the bad times,” said Nick Richards, a third-year student at the University of Cincinnati.

For those of you now gloomily scrolling through your contact list deleting everyone except family and those random groupproject classmates, don’t lose hope; there are some signs that you can look for in your friends that may help you decide whether he or she is the Regina George to your Cady Heron or the Tina Fey to your Amy Poehler — with the latter being preferred.

The first thing to look for is anything he or she does that may compromise your own concept of morality. Meaning that should your friend be heavily invested in and/or influencing you to partake in activities that you swore to yourself you’d never involve yourself in, it may be time to cut him or her loose.

Lizzie Wright, a second-year student, said that she made the choice to end a relationship after realizing one of her friendships was unhealthy.

SEE FRIENDSHIPS PG 3

Student Government, UC It’s On Us inform university on student code of conduct CASSIE LIPP | CHIEF REPORTER

MADISON SCHMIDT | PHOTO EDITOR

Title IX Coordinator, Jyl Shaffer (left), and Denine Rocco, assistant vice president and dean of students, discuss the need for an updated student code of conduct that includes Title IX requirements.

In an effort to remain in compliance with federal legislation and create a more transparent due process of law, the Student Code of Conduct Revision Committee has unveiled a revised code of conduct for University of Cincinnati students and student organizations.

An open forum to discuss these changes was held Tuesday evening in Tangeman University Center’s MainStreet Cinema.

“Our code of conduct, like any other code of conduct on a college campus, provides for rights and responsibilities for members of our community,” said Denine Rocco, associate vice president of student affairs. “From time to time, that code needs to be updated for a variety of reasons, certainly to make sure we are in compliance with changes to legislation.”

THE NEWS RECORD IS THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI’S INDEPENDENT, STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER

The key changes in the code complement Title IX, a federal law that protects people from sexual discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal financial assistance.

Some of the biggest recent changes includes the implementation of a Title IX office to handle issues related to the law and a full-time Title IX coordinator.

Historically, similar cases were handled by the Office of University Judicial Affairs.

“Title IX really is a living, breathing law, so thinking critically about it as something that is always developing is important as we look to the code,” said Title IX Coordinator Jyl Shaffer.

The revisions make clear where the Title IX office should be involved in cases, where the Office of Judicial Affairs should be involved and what rights and responsibilities each party has in investigations, Shaffer said.

Shaffer said the revisions make the SEE CODE OF CONDUCT PG 3

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2 / ARTS with

CRAIG BAILEY COURTNEY STANLEY | ONLINE EDITOR

The College-Conservatory of Music will bring Ray Charles to life on Sunday in the Corbett Auditorium.

Music directors Craig Bailey and Scott Belck will join guest vocalist Billy Osborne, who worked as Ray Charles’ staff music writer, for their performance of “Jazz+Genius+Soul = The Music of Ray Charles.”

Bailey, a Cincinnati native, grew up immersed in the world of music. At 8 years old, he learned how to play the recorder, and he quickly progressed to the clarinet, saxophone and flute.

Bailey moved to New York City at 25 years old after obtaining his undergraduate degree from the University of Miami in Florida, and he started working with artists like Panama Francis and his Savoy Sultans and Charli Persip’s Superband, eventually landing the role of Ray Charles’ lead alto sax where he played for nearly 20 years.

After a career touring with musical geniuses, Bailey settled back into his roots as an assistant professor of music at the University of Cincinnati in August of 2014.

TNR spoke with Bailey about his experiences touring with Ray Charles and becoming a professor at UC. TNR: You started playing music at a very early age. What was it that drew you to music as a child?

CRAIG BAILEY: My sisters were all playing musical instruments, either singing or playing musical instruments, so I just kind of followed their footsteps as a kid, and it was something that I liked to do as well. I always liked music, all types of music.

TNR: Did growing up in Cincinnati influence your music at all?

CB: I left Cincinnati when I was 18 years old, so as far as getting inspiration from playing music here — I mean, this is where I got my foundation. I moved and went to school in Florida and up to New York for 30 years of living. So really I guess I get my inspiration just from being around great musicians, not necessarily just being in Cincinnati.

TNR: How did you break into the music scene in NYC? CB: For me, it was so exciting to be in New York City, coming from Cincinnati to the bigger city, and I really didn’t even feel the struggle. It was just part of what you had to do to become a musician. It was just expected, so I didn’t really feel like it was a struggle for me, it was just the challenge of survival. I never felt so overwhelmed that I wanted to come back home.

TNR: You worked with many prolific musicians. Who was most influential?

CB: Panama Francis is a drummer, an older gentleman that took me under his wing as well as saxophonist Bobby Watson who’s a good friend to this day.

He took me under his wing, and kind of showed me the way.

TNR: When did you start composing your own music? Do you feel a difference in performing your own songs versus ones you’ve learned?

CB: I became much more serious about it as I started to learn more about music, and

IGN DES LEA D

For fans of “Breaking Bad” suffering through withdraw, “Better Call Saul” is an exquisite remedy.

The series is the brain child of “Breaking Bad” creator Vince Gilligan and co-executive producer Peter Gould. It is a spin-off from “Breaking Bad” revolving around the much-loved character Saul Goodman, played by Bob Odenkirk.

Season one aired the two-night television premiere event with episode one (“Uno”) and episode two (“Mijo”) on Monday.

According to TV by the Numbers, the debut episode set a record for best series premiere in cable history with 4.4 million viewers.

The first episode starts with Saul Goodman in a bleak setting, filmed in black and white as he prepares gooey treats at Cinnabon.

Here he is, a standard employee dressed in full uniform, bored and unamused as he awaits the first chance to clock out and pour himself a Dewar’s on the rocks.

While sipping on his Scotch in what is arguably a lavish home for a Cinnabon employee, he sits morbidly in front of his television.

Nothing is on that catches his interest, so he walks over to a loose floorboard and reaches for a box containing objects from his past life. He takes out a VHS tape and reviews his old lawyer commercials, where we hear the catchphrase: “Better call Saul!”

It is here that the viewer is transported to Goodman’s life six years before he appeared on “Breaking Bad” during 2001, when he was formerly known as Jimmy McGill, a public defender in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

McGill is not yet the sleazy Saul Goodman that “Breaking Bad” fans have grown to love. The fresh-faced McGill is making humble wages and providing legal service to almost anyone with a checkbook.

The first taste we have of McGill as a smalltime lawyer is during a trial where he is defending three minors for breaking into a mortuary and performing sexual acts on a chopped-off head — a great segue into the quirky and dark undertones of this show.

Odenkirk is the perfect man to play such a dark and complex character while simultaneously channeling wacky and comical energy into every scene.

Odenkirk’s powerful performance, paired with brilliant writing, is what has made “Better Call Saul” a hit so far.

An illustration of this pairing is during a scene where McGill is driving his beat-down, yellow car when he hits a skateboarder. Panicked, McGill rushes out of the car to check on the young man who hit his windshield.

The man lays on the ground, putting up quite a performance while his friend asks for $500 from McGill to atone for the accident. Realizing he is being played by the men, McGill responds, “The only way this car is worth $500 is if there was a $300 hooker in the back seat.”The men run away once they realize their cover has been blown, but it is not the last time these three will meet.

Prepare to be rewarded for attention to detail: Fans of “Breaking Bad” who pick up on specific hints will notice the subtle descriptions correlating back to the original show.

However, the spinoff can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of whether or not they have watched “Breaking Bad.” The first season will consist of 10 episodes, and the series has already been renewed for a second season of 13 episodes.

If you crave the same twisted taste of delight and horror that “Breaking Bad” left in your mouth after each episode, give “Better Call Saul” a chance.

The show airs Monday nights at 10 p.m. on AMC.

Q&A

AI |

KYLEY FREDRICK | STAFF REPORTER

CCM’s new jazz professor talks about a life of music, playing with Ray Charles

LISA C

Recap: Better watch ‘Better Call Saul’

ER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015 / NEWSRECORD.ORG

it’s just become a part of my well-being.

You always have a personal interest when it’s something that you’ve written.

TNR: Your upcoming show is about the music of Ray Charles. What’s your favorite memory of working with Charles?

CB: Just the travel in general. One of the greatest moments for me was when we played here in Cincinnati, Ohio, when we played at the outdoor concert in Blue Ash, and my parents were able to come and see me perform live. My entire family was able to come and see me perform live with Ray, and they were able to meet him afterwards.

TNR: Why did you decide to start teaching at UC? CB: Well, I’ve always been teaching, giving lessons, sharing music with other musicians, but the job was offered to me, and I thought it was an opportunity to be around my family because I’ve been living in New York for the past 30 years, and to rekindle old friendships, and to get a different perspective on the music business.

TNR: What else would you like to tell students about your Ray Charles tribute Sunday?

CB: It’s going to bring back old memories to both he [Osbourne] and myself, and hopefully, people will feel the spirit of Ray in our performance this Sunday. Ray Charles’ music is highly missed all over the world, and this will be an opportunity for people to experience that music all over again on a very high level.

‘Mommy’ examines heavy themes with grace TONY JOHNSON | STAFF REPORTER

Love is a concept most usually explored in cinema as a romance between two characters that “fall in love.”

But “Mommy,” the fifth feature from 25-year-old Quebec filmmaker Xavier Dolan — and winner of the Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival — wrestles instead with maternal love in a barebones, brutally believable and refreshingly original way that Hollywood directors should most definitely examine.

Dolan brings us into the story with Diane “Die” Despres — grittily played

by Anne Dorval — getting t-boned in a Canadian intersection. It is never again referenced, and serves as a lingering metaphor throughout the rest of the film.

The plot of the movie revolves around Die and her emotionally troubled, well intentioned but ultimately dangerous son Steve.

The emotional highs and lows are explosive as we hold on for dear life through the mother and son’s hardships readjusting to life together after Die retrieves Steve from a treatment-based therapy center where parents send their children during difficult times.

When Die releases Steve, the working attendant informs her that Steve has been accused of lighting a fire and permanently damaging the face of another inhabitant, but Die does not address the problem as she lacks funds to pay a lawyer in court of law.

Upon their reunion, we immediately recognize the discomforting swings of emotions that can turn in a matter of seconds with Steve.

Early in his time back, Steve brings Die gifts from the grocery store.

Not having given Steve any money, she tells him that the items should be returned to the store – she maintains that Steve has stolen the items. Steve becomes frighteningly upset, and eventually the argument comes to domestic violence jarring enough to freeze us as we hold popcorn in front of our faces.

Later, they meet and befriend their new across-the-street neighbor, Kyla.

Kyla, played by Suzanne Clement, assists in homeschooling Steve when Die finds work as a maid with a local house cleaning service.

She is the “yin” of calm discipline to the “yang” of Die’s frenetic, emotional mothering methods.

The trio of Die, Steve and Kyla become a close group of friends, and form what functions as a seemingly healthy substitute of a family for Steve.

But things are never that simple with Steve. Just how it isn’t as simple as going at a green light —even if everything seems to be part of a perfect plan, sometimes you get t-boned anyways.

Dolan’s effort to reflect the true nature of close relationships — with which fits of rage and fits of laughter are only separated by as much as a matter of seconds — is fairly comparable to the

style of “ “The Fighter” director David O. Russell.

I like to think of “Mommy” as if it were a movie examining the relationship between Dickey (Christian Bale) and his mother, Alice (Melissa Leo).

But what separates Dolan from Russell (other than budget) in terms of style is Dolan’s Linklater-esque, “vignette” approach to telling his story. While “The Fighter” maintains a prominent goal for which the protagonist must endure the difficulties of familial relationships, “Mommy” is a much stricter, more focused (and — although not at the expense of the quality of the motion picture — less fun) examination of these strange, hilarious, painful and important bonds that make us who we are.

“Mommy” also has the undeniable distinction of presentation. Rather than project the film in typical widescreen format, the left and right portions of the screen are visually chopped off, creating a “tower” effect for the image, which is taller than it is wide.

Complete with great acting, a triumphantly unpretentious soundtrack, visual beauty galore and a simple, thoroughly fleshed out script, “Mommy” is a treat, an emotional rollercoaster of a love story that defies genre and never ceases to keep our hearts caring for the characters Xavier Dolan brings to life.

Today (Thursday, Feb. 11) is your last opportunity to catch “Mommy” at the Esquire. Don’t miss it.

CAM exhibit creates dialogue between modern Japanese art forms

PROVIDED

ABOVE: Some examples of the diverse Japanese print and ceramic works on display. From left to right: “Tower Blue” (1957) by Sato Hiromu, “Kaze (Wind)” (2009) and “Kokuto toban” (1991) by Yamada Hikaru.

ZACK HATFIELD | ARTS EDITOR

Japanese printmaking has long been an artistic technique in Japan, but few know of works other than Hokusai’s wave. Likewise, pottery in Japan is an ancient tradition whose modern forms are not greatly exposed to Western audiences. The Cincinnati Art Museum is trying to change that.

A new exhibit from CAM titled “Modern Voices in Japanese Ceramics and Prints” displays around 35 works from contemporary Japan. The exhibit centers on contemporary pottery and printmaking in postwar Japan, and features a vast range of media and imagery.

The curation of the exhibit makes it almost impossible to not compare and contrast the moods and textures between the pottery and the prints, but this juxtaposition is necessary in understanding the topography of Japan’s art world in the mid-20th to early 21st century, as a confluence between Eastern and

Western culture reflected on all aspects of Japanese art and culture.

Nature plays a conscious role in the exhibited works. Three prints by Ikegami Isao from the late ’80s — circles of “Wind,” “Fire,” and “Water” — construct a trilogy in black, white and crimson that focuses on nature’s centrifuge and sense of wholeness.

Isao conjures with these prints a minimalist beauty, speckled with what resembles black stardust.

Many of the ceramic pieces in the work are referred to as “vessels” and often serve as vases for flowers. Emerged from the mingei custom of Japanese folk art (the word translates to “art of the people”), the pottery exemplifies a simple beauty. Often the ceramics play with dimension, as with Wada Morihiro’s “Flower-doll” (1992), a vase with a form that seems to change shape as you walk around it.

Not all of the pottery is from the mingei tradition, however. Floral pieces like Sugiura

Ya-suyoshi’s “Sunflower Seeds” (2011) use glazed stoneware to present intricate and earthy forms that seem to belong inherently to nature.

A fascinating aspect of the exhibit is how each artwork seems to echo one another.

Iwami Reika’s “Sea, Evening Calm” (1964) and “Eclipse of the Sea” (1982) are two woodcut prints made nearly two decades apart, but they still summon the artist’s subtle and dark aesthetic, the abundance of black ink that seems to glitter on the canvas used perfectly to elicit a ghostly ether. Reika’s impressions linger in other pieces too, such as Hagiwara Hideo’s “Kahren no. 3 (Mask)” (1968), a color woodcut with subdued tones and a honeycombed geometry.

There is a disjunction among the pieces as the years grow nearer to the present, but it is a gradual change that is not afraid to visually quote artworks from the past.

Another standout is Shinoda Tōkō’s print “Saga” (1982), a triptych of subtle,

calligraphic shapes that resemble the movements of water in monochrome. The exhibit shows many pieces like this — pieces whose depth depends on the amount of time spent with them.

This small exhibit will complement a much more expansive upcoming exhibit from the museum titled “Masterpieces of Japanese Art,” which will be on view from Feb. 14 to Aug. 30.

While the modern pieces might not be as recognizable or substantial in the art world as its forthcoming counterpart, it should by no means be viewed as an unimportant appendage. The “Modern Voices in Japanese Ceramics and Prints” is a visual experience that, although requiring your undivided attention, will likely leave a lasting impression.

“Modern Voices in Japanese Ceramics in Prints” is located in galleries 221 and 223 at the Cincinnati Art Museum, and will be on view through Apr. 26.

NEWS / 3 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015 / NEWSRECORD.ORG

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Night Ride to install lights on vans with SG funds CASSIE LIPP | CHIEF REPORTER

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In an effort to improve the safety of University of Cincinnati’s Night Ride program, Student Government agreed Wednesday to fund the implementation of light beacons to sit on top of each van.

The bright lights placed on each of Night Ride’s 10 vans will make it easier for students to see when the vans arrive to pick them up, allowing students to wait indoors if the weather is bad or if they feel unsafe, for example.

SG members passed a bill that will appropriate $3,618.89 from the SG budget to install the lights. SG’s Student Safety Board also contributed $1,000 toward the cause.

“One of the reasons I thought this would be a good idea to bring to Student Government is that [Night Ride] originated here as Night Walk,” said Student Body President Christina Beer.

“So, I thought it would be pretty cool to kind of pitch in and help maintain the quality of the program and of the service that it has.”

Beer said Night Ride served over 15,000 students last month alone.

“I think this is a really great way to support a service that Student Government initially started,” Beer said.

“It’s also a great way to impact a ton of students and also make the Night Ride service a little easier and more convenient for all of our students on campus.”

Internal Holdover Senator Trevor Smith said the lights are a good way to support public safety, rather than other initiatives for which funds are not available.

“The light is an obnoxious yellow almost, so it’s placed right on top of Night Ride and it blasts late at night,”

DANIEL SULLIVAN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Student Government met Wednesday night to vote on five bills, ranging from NightRide improvements to programs of new technologies for students.

Smith said. “It’s going to be able to shine outside through windows to show students that they’re here, meaning that they would cut back on the response times, being able to deliver students faster and be able to respond to the increasing calls.”

College-Conservatory of Music Senator Michael Dudley said the Cincinnati Police Department installed similar light beacons on their police cars.

The red and blue lights shine brightly when the police cars’ lights or sirens are not on. The extra light is intended to make people think there are more police cars around in an effort to discourage crime.

FROM CODE OF CONDUCT PG 1

code more transparent for sexual assault and harassment victims who already face a lot of barriers in reporting crimes.

“The more information we can provide people the better about what that process is going to look like for them so they are more in control of it,” Shaffer said. “There’s no surprises —it’s a transparency piece, which I think is really important for all parties involved.”

Shaffer said having a transparent code is important for both students and student organizations to see how processes work.

At other institutions she has worked with, problems were discovered within some student organization that presented challenges during Title IX investigations. For example, some repercussions put in place by organizations contradicted those of the student code, presenting an entirely different issue that took focus away from Title IX investigations.

Rocco said the revisions also make the process of Title IX investigations more equitable.

“It is very important that there is equity throughout the process,” Rocco said. “If we give to one party, we need to give to another.”

The committee also made minor changes to the language of the code so that it reflected a campus community rather than a court of law, Rocco said.

The current set of revisions, or Phase I, will be sent to the UC Board of Trustees for approval at the Feb. 24 board meeting.

Additional revisions, or Phase II, will be sent to the board June 23.

Daniel Cummins, assistant dean of students in the Division of Student Affairs, said the division must publicize and notify the UC community of the changes.

While only two faculty members and no students attended the forum Tuesday, a second forum will be held by the Student Code of Conduct Review Committee noon to 1 p.m. Friday in Tangeman University Center’s MainStreet Cinema. The event is open to the entire UC community.

Students can also view the current code and revisions on the Office of University Judicial Affairs web page. Omitted words are in red, and added words are in blue.

The code was last revised in 2012. Cummins said the code has been revised three other times in the 14 years he has been at UC. Cummins added that the current revisions are about “providing some better language that allows an everyday student to understand what their level of responsibility is and what to expect if an allegation of misconduct is brought against them.”

Before he came to UC, the code had been revised only once in 20 years.

“What we felt to be very important was that the reader would understand [the code] as comfortably as we did so that a student who came into my office was as familiar with what the expectations are as I was,” Cummins said.

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DANIEL SULLIVAN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Title IX is a higher education act which states that no institution receiving federal funds may discriminate based on sex.

FROM CONSENT PG 1

confronting the topics through open dialogue.

“We talk about everybody else’s sex life, but we don’t talk about sex,” Shaffer said.“We don’t talk about relationships.

We don’t talk about healthy relationships. So, getting people used to that conversation — that it’s not weird and you’re not a joy-kill because you’re doing it — we have to get to that point.You have to be able to talk about sex if we’re going to talk about sexual violence.”

While Shaffer has cited the Wellness Center, the Women’s Center, the LGBTQ Center and the Racial Awareness Program as campus allies, many students are not familiar with Shaffer’s position.

Brennan White, a fourth-year health promotion education student, is familiar with Title IX, but was not aware that UC had hired a coordinator. She agrees with Shaffer that conversations around consent are important among social groups.

“It’s all around us everywhere,”White said.“I’m in a sorority

FROM FRIENDSHIPS PG 1

“I had a friend that tried to influence me into to being something that I wasn’t,”Wright said. “It is important to have healthy relationships. Find friends that support the real you.”

This brings me to my next tip.

Friends should be a group of supportive individuals that have each other’s best interests at heart. Should you take a closer look into your friendship and notice that he or she regularly criticizes or embarrasses you for his or her own amusement, it may be time to burn that bridge.

“It is important to seek support if you feel as though you are in an unhealthy relationship,” said Paisley Scarberry, an adviser at UC’s Women’s Center. “It may be unsafe to confront an individual who is creating an unhealthy environment”.

If there are more put-downs and insults being aimed at you by them, no matter how small, it is definitely time to end that relationship and

Dudley said the Night Ride lights are a great idea to keep students safe. The lights will also clear up some confusion, as some students have entered wrong vans when they were waiting for their Night Ride van.

“It’s really important for people to know, literally, what they’re getting into with this service, so I support [the bill],” Dudley said.

Also at Wednesday’s meeting, SG approved $1,237.50 for new technologies to be available for rent from Langsam Library. New equipment will include a virtual keyboard, a selfie stick and a drone.

and we talk about it a lot. I think it’s something that’s necessary. It’s to get us informed and to be able to go back to our friends and say, ‘Hey. I learned this,’ and spread it that way.”

Harrison Fowler, a third-year Spanish-language student, thinks it is especially important for these conversations to happen on college campuses.

“I think they’re important,” Fowler said.“In high school we kind of did the same thing. It’s just starting to educate people to be wise and healthy, so they aren’t destructive or damaging down the road. These are the formative years.”

Shaffer is committed to encouraging these conversations in order to maintain a safe and informed campus.

“A big part of it is just trying to get people to come together as a community and just talk about this,” Shaffer said.“If you really want to start solving the problem, we have to own it, we have to name it. People have to be aware that there is a problem.”

If you feel you have experienced discrimination on the basis of sex, including instances of sexual harassment or sexual violence you can contact Shaffer at 513-556-3349.

seek out more supportive individuals to call friends. Friends should be there to support you, not bash you.

They should be the voice of reason and encouragement, not a shadow of disparagement.

Dan Voight, a third-year student, offered advice to students who may find themselves in an unhealthy friendship.

“Evaluate the relationship to decide if the friendship is worth saving,” Voight said. “Make new friends that are more like you and share your interests.”

Showing your friends that you care is the most important thing you can do as a friend. One of the main reasons I consider myself to be a professional friend is because I am extremely invested in my friends’ lives.

If they have a test on Monday, you can be sure that they’ll receive a series of text from me telling them how that test is going to eat dirt and cry gigantic alligator tears after he or

she is done with it.

If they want to find out if their romantic interest is seeing anyone, you can bet that I will bring the coffee and snacks while we stalk their social networks until dawn.

Whatever the situation may be, my friends always know that I have their backs, and vice-versa.

At the end of the day, following the Golden Rule is the best option: Treat your friends the way you would like them to treat you. The friends I have now are definitely the best I have ever had because I follow that rule.

They support my craziest schemes and I can always count on them to hold my hair after a crazy night out.

They may not be perfect, but they are perfect for me.

All in all, you want to be happy.

Surround yourself with people that encourage your happiness and in turn encourage theirs, and don’t be scared to sharpen those scissors in case one of them decides to be the Tom to your Jerry.

Title IX has brought.

Shaffer also explained how Title IX is in effect at the university.

For people who do not want to go through the criminal justice system, there is the Title IX office at the university that can also investigate the problem.

Students who have any kind of gender, sexuality or identity harassment issues can contact the office and they will help bring the issue to justice, Shaffer said.

“I didn’t even know that this school had a haven for people with sexual problems or gender problems,” said Maria Murillo, a second-year pre-med student involved in RAPP. “I think it is very cool that UC is so inclusive.”

The Title IX office is designed to provide students an alternative outlet for reporting more personal matters.

“I’m really happy to know the police don’t have to get involved and someone else can get involved for different issues,” said Molly Bernfield, a second-year communication student in RAPP. In addition to Title IX policies, Shaffer addressed a social responsibility to be more aware of sexuality and gender identification.

“If you get it wrong, it’s not about what your intentions are. Own it,” Shaffer said.

Students in RAPP were very enthusiastic for the opportunity to learn about Title IX. “I learned how the actual legislation is changing and how it is different here on campus,” said Justin Cova, a fourth-year secondary education and English student. “Human rights are important, and if we want to preserve human integrity, we will preserve programs such as these.”

4 / COLLEGE LIFE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015 / NEWSRECORD.ORG

UC Bike Kitchen encourages sustainability among students TIFFANY WALKER | CONTRIBUTOR

UC Sustainability is striving to make UC the “Greenest College in America” through its clubs and events meant to inspire students at the University of Cincinnati to become more environmentally friendly.

According to UC Sustainability’s website, sustainability is building the economical, environmental and social aspects of the world we want to live in, and the one we want future generations to inherit.

UC offers several environmental programs on campus to help students lead sustainable lives. One of these is the UC Bike Kitchen.

Attached to the Myers Alumni Center, the Bike Kitchen is a bit of a hidden gem that offers many amenities to students.

“The Bike Kitchen is a place where UC students can come and learn how to work on their own bikes for free,” said Carl Bennett, a fifth-year communications student and worker at the Bike Kitchen.

The Bike Kitchen also offers the Bearcat Bike Share, which enables students to borrow bikes for free with their UC ID from the Campus Recreation Center for three days at a time.

“Coming to the Bike Kitchen is a great opportunity for students to get a sense of the cycling culture,” said Riley Krutza, a first-year business economics and entrepreneurship student.

Transportation accounts for about 18 percent of UC’s carbon footprint, according to UC Sustainability.

The Bearcat Bike Share was introduced to help reduce carbon emissions, pollution, traffic and parking

shortages while increasing health, fitness, community engagement and a sense of place.

The UC Sustainability Program, which is known as the umbrella to other major environmental organizations on campus, runs the Bike Kitchen, Bennett said.

Other environmental groups on campus include Leaders for Environmental Awareness and Protection, the UC Mountaineering Club, Students for Ecological Design, Engineers Without Borders and Yoga for the Soul, said Elizabeth Ferguson, a fourth-year environmental studies student.

“We are going for the title ‘Greenest College in America’ instead of ‘Hottest College in America,’ so I feel as though it is important to protect the future generations of the university and the world,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson, who is also co-president of LEAP, said he believes that it is important for UC to go green.

In October of 2013, UC Sustainability and LEAP’s initiative was to create water bottle refill centers around campus, Ferguson said.

By spring of 2014, the initiative was made a reality.

Water bottle refill stations are now located in the Campus Recreational Center, Tangeman University Center, Rhodes Hall, and Langsam Library.

Every fall UC Sustainability hosts a summit where all of the environmental organizations join together and come up with ideas or motions to promote sustainability on campus.

“This year at the sustainability summit LEAP is doing a Net Zero Waste Campaign,” Ferguson said. “At this point, we are trying to get 1:1 recycling bins on campus

so every time you see a trash can, there will be a recycling bin right beside it.”

The end goal is to eventually have a compost facility on campus and to divert as much waste from landfills as possible by the year 2020, Ferguson said.

UC Sustainability also takes part in a program called Bearcat Recycling, and according to UC Sustainability it started in the fall of 2007 as Tailgate Recycling.

“After all sporting events like basketball and football we go in and collect all recyclables, and we also work with vendors too to get recyclables,” Ferguson said.

For more information about UC’s plan to be more environmentally friendly and to get involved visit uc.edu/sustainability.

MADISON SCHMIDT | PHOTO EDITOR

The UC Bike Kitchen strives to encourage sustainability in Cincinnati by informing students on different topics.

Asian celebration rings in New Year, brings traditional performances CAMRI NELSON | CONTRIBUTOR

A long line formed outside the doors of Tangeman University Center’s Great Hall Wednesday, when the University of Cincinnati’s Asian Luna New Year Gala invited students and faculty to celebrate the year of the sheep with traditional performances and Asian food.

As guests entered, they received red raffle tickets and were invited to enjoy a buffet of orange chicken, vegetables and egg rolls.

Members from the Chinese Mutual Aid Association hosted the event. Many faculty members and staff also came out to enjoy the festivities, including UC President Santa Ono and Dr. P. Eric Abercrumbie, AACRC director from 1991 to July 2013 and current director of diversity and community relations for student affairs.

The gala started with a drum performance. The drummers, dressed in red traditional Asian outfits, powerfully beat the base instruments while the audience remained silent. At the end of their performance, the performers were applauded and praised for their act.

Many other talents performed at the gala.Young girls from the Bing Yang Chinese Performing Arts Center presented a traditional Asian dance that incorporated acrobatic moves, red outfits and objects that signified protection.

The Vietnamese Student Association’s Breakdance

Club also danced to a collection of hip-hop beats.

In his speech given during the event, Ono talked about the importance of the Lunar Year Gala to UC and its students. He explained that, back in 1995, there were barely any Asian students who attended the university and that since then the population has definitely increased.

“You can see that, in this year of the ram, that there are a lot of Asian students,” Ono said.

Robert Ross, a chemistry graduate student who attended the event with his wife said there was a huge difference between the Lunar New Year and the American-celebrated New Year.

“It’s like their Christmas all into one,” Ross said.

A drawing was held toward the end of the gala, sponsored by the CAM Asia supermarket.Third place received a $10 prize, second place a $60 prize and the first place a $100 prize.

Xiayo Ross, a chemistry graduate student, was very excited when she won the $100 first-place prize.

Xiayo heard about the event through email and decided to come because she said there weren’t too many social events where Asian students could come and celebrate.

Ross explained that, during the Lunar New Year in China, individuals usually take off work and spend time with their families. They also have local shows where

Chinese artists have the opportunity to perform.

Yue Zhao, president of the Chinese Mutual-Aid Association and a fifth-year engineering student, explained that the gala has been around on campus for over 30 years and that there are five programs during the Lunar New Year.

“It’s important for international students to get together, but especially the Chinese and Asians,” Zhao said.

He said the Lunar New Year in China lasts 15 days and that the Lunar New Year starts according to where it falls on the Chinese calendar.

Ruomeng Wu, a Ph.D. marketing student, said she decided to attend the event because the Chinese Lunar New Year is very special to her.

“The American New Year is a worldwide event, whereas the Lunar New Year is an Asian-specific celebration,”Wu said.

Meng Liu, a second-year mental health counseling student, said that he celebrates both the calendar New Year and the lunar New Year.

He said the Lunar New Year was like Thanksgiving, but much longer.

“New Year’s is just one day and not that special because there’s not a specific way to celebrate,”Wu said.

“The lunar year is a 15-day period where family gets together.”

SPORTS / 5

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015 / NEWSRECORD.ORG

UC baseball Temple breaks Bearcats’ winning streak prepares for spring season JAELYNNE JOHNSON | SPORTS EDITOR

New recruits, familiar faces plan to drive team to conference championship EMILY WITT | CONTRIBUTOR

Most locker rooms have signs hanging up that read something like, “expect to win” or “prepare to win.”

The University of Cincinnati is no exception, though the outlook for the 2015 Cincinnati Bearcats baseball team isn’t quite as optimistic.

“They picked us to finish last,” said head coach Ty Neal. “That’s our sign in the locker room — just a general reminder to every guy as they walk through the locker room each day that our conference coaches picked us to finish last. It’s a reminder to the guys as they walk in each day that if you want to take a day off, we probably are going to finish last.”

The drive to succeed isn’t new territory for Neal.

A former pitching coach at Indiana University, Neal helped take IU to the College World Series in 2013. He was brought in as Cincinnati’s head coach in 2014.

Neal immediately pushed to instill a “culture of champions,” and during his first year of coaching, he produced a record of 22-31, with a 6-18 record in conference play.

“Our offseason discussions are daily discussions about championship behavior,” Neal said. “I think if we do what we’re capable of doing, we’re going to win our share of games this spring. I don’t p ut pressure that we have to finish in the top three.

“I tell our guys all the time that it would be awesome if that championship happened this year, but it might take us a few years.

But if we prepare for it every single day, I think we have a chance of obtaining that goal.”

The team is generally very young — out of the entire roster, only 13 players are upperclassmen. Neal believes firmly in the power of recruiting, and his first recruiting class at UC is proof of that.

“We definitely had voids last year on the roster,” Neal said. “We only had one left-handed pitcher; we didn’t have any left handed hitters. So that was a big focus for us — a lot of freshmen left-handed hitters and pitchers. Infield, we didn’t have any depth last year. We definitely addressed some positional needs, but we still lack depth everywhere.”

Specifically, Neal spoke on the hopeful impact freshmen Dalton Lehnen (LHP) and Jarod Yoakam (RHP) will have on the mound. He also has hopes for position player Ryan Noda, who has shown ability to play the outfield corner positions.00 Despite the sheer number of freshmen, Neal has hope in the ability of sophomore inside fielder Connor McVey to step up as a leader for the team.

“He established himself as our everyday short stop last year which is a very important position,” Neal said. “He’s a guy that you could build a program around.

He’s not only going to perform on the field, but hold himself accountable, but also those around him.”

Most noticeably, junior outfielder Ian Happ has led the team in offseason accolades, named First Team All-America

by Perfect Game and Baseball America, Third Team All-America by Louisville Slugger, First Team Preseason All-American

by D1Baseball.com and Third Team Preseason All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

He was also chosen as the American Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year and named the No. 16 prospect for the 2015 Major League Baseball draft by MLB.com.

“It’s kind of an expectation that [Happ] is going to perform well, because he’s a good baseball player,” Neal said. “What I’m excited to see is how he helps our young freshmen outfielders. He knows how to go about it, and he knows the things he’s doing to taste the success. I’m anxious to see how he shares with the younger guys.”

Despite his numerous accolades, Happ remains humble and focused in his playing ability.

“The offseason accolades are nice, and they’re definitely appreciated,” Happ said.

“But they’re only pre-season things. I’m excited to move forward this season and try to win some baseball games.”

Neal and the team participated in a military-style leadership training program this offseason called Pinnacle Leadership.

Lt. Col. Mike Ogden, someone Neal worked with during his time at IU, ran the training program.

“He actually took the team at Indiana through the same program, so I knew how valuable it was,” Happ said. “For me, it’s neat to hear someone else talk about leadership. Selfishly, I did it for me also, just to hear him speak and come up with a plan for our guys and recap the mission. But for our guys, I think it forced them to instantly communicate better, communicate more efficiently” Neal and his staff hope the youthfulness of the team, along with the offseason leadership training, will further the championship drive of the baseball program.

He believes there is something in the new class that will help infuse his culture of champions.

“I think this group has an edge to them,” Neal said. “There is some competitive spirit, and there are some winners in the program. I think they do want to win, they do want to hold themselves and each other accountable. … I like this group. These guys are ready to compete. The Bearcats are coming. We are; we’re coming.”

A four-game winning streak for the University of Cincinnati men’s basketball team was broken at Temple University Tuesday evening, where the Owls beat the Bearcats 75-59.

Tuesday’s game was the third in a sixday period for the Bearcats.

Cincinnati started off sloppy, a lack of ball control being one of its biggest problems — as it was during the team’s last three games.

UC committed 17 turnovers, which translated to 27 points for the Owls.

Temple only allowed eight turnovers, which the Bearcats managed to garner four points off of.

Five of those turnovers by the Bearcats happened in the first five minutes of the contest and 11 overall in the first half.

“With 17 turnovers and five offensive rebounds, it is going to be hard to win a game,” said Larry Davis, associate head coach. “We put ourselves in a hole.”

One of the major differences for the Owls this time around was the return of star player Will Cummings, who sat out in the last meeting between Cincinnati and Temple on Jan. 17 due to an injury.

The Bearcats trailed by 11 points going into halftime.

Cincinnati managed to cut its 11-point halftime deficit to five with 13:27 remaining in the game. They had a chance to get even closer when sophomore guard Kevin Johnson came up with a steal from the Owls.

Johnson missed a pull-up jumper, and Cummings was able to score in the other basket to push the Owls’ lead back up to seven.

Cummings finished the game as the team-leading scorer with 21 points, five assists and four steals. “[Temple] was ready to play,” Davis said. “We knew they’d be ready to play. I don’t want to take anything away from Temple, but some of it was us and our poor decisions and us trying to overdo it, and some of it was Temple doing a really good job defensively.”

Temple University has won its last six games since its first loss to UC, and

FILE ART

Troy Caupain finished with 10 points and three assists in the conference contest against Temple University Tuesday night in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

ended the Bearcats’ streak of holding 27 opponents in a row under 70 points.

The loss dropped the Bearcats to a 17-7 overall record and an 8-4 record in the American Athletic Conference.

The Bearcats have the chance to rest for the next few days, but sophomore guard Troy Caupain isn’t using fatigue as an excuse for why the team didn’t perform well.

“It’s basketball; it’s what you do,” Caupain said. “If you want to play at the next level, there’s 85 games, and you’ve got to play every game like it is your last.

That’s one thing we didn’t do tonight, and that’s one thing we’re going to talk about on the plane and when we get home for the rest of the season.”

The next game for UC will be noon

Saturday in Fifth Third Arena against Tulane University as the Bearcats continue into conference play before playing crosstown rival Xavier University Wednesday in Fifth Third Arena.

SCOREBOARD TEMPLE

BEARCATS

75

59

Women’s basketball drops home contest to ECU JAELYNNE JOHNSON | SPORTS EDITOR

The Bearcats suffered a 75-59 loss against the East Carolina University Pirates at Fifth Third Arena Tuesday evening. The contest marked the seventh meeting between the two teams, with the University of Cincinnati maintaining a 4-3 edge in the overall record.

Cincinnati was able to go on a 14-2 run between the 16-minute and 12-minute media timeouts to take a 20-12 lead with 11:07 remaining in the first half.

This put UC up 35-33 in the first half, but Cincinnati was not prepared for the team ECU became during the second half.

The Pirates came out with a fast pace and hot shooting, and Cincinnati fell behind.

ECU opened up the second half by going on a 13-1 run to take a 46-36 lead against the Bearcats by the 16-minute media timeout.

“The first 20 minutes of the game, I was more than impressed by how my team came out and fought hard,” said head coach Jamelle Elliott. “But unfortunately the game is 40 minutes, and in the second half, the shots just didn’t fall for us.”

The Pirates caused another scoring drought for Cincinnati and went on a 12-0 run halfway through the second half to increase their lead 67-39.

Leading for the Bearcats in regard to scoring was freshman Ana Owens with 15 points.

Owens has reached double-digits in scoring for the 15th time this season.

Owens landed a pair of three-point shots, marking the 16th time this season she hit more than one three pointer in the game.

Teammate Marley Hill also finished with double-digit points (10) marking her

FILE ART

Freshman Ana Owens reached double-digits in scoring for the 15th time this season in a conference game against East Carolina University on Tuesday in Fifth Third Arena.

18th time this season and the 21st in her career at UC. She also pulled down five rebounds against ECU. Overall, the Bearcats were outrebounded 42-28 by the Pirates and only shot 26.8 percent from the field in comparison to ECU’s 56.1 percent.

This loss dropped UC to a 6-18 overall record and a 3-10 American Athletic Conference record.

They are currently ninth in the AAC behind University of Central Florida and ahead of University of Houston and Southern Methodist University.

The Bearcats will continue conference play as they travel to Orlando, Florida, for a contest against the UCF Knightros on Saturday. Tip off time is set for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on the American Digital Network.

Word on the Street: UC supports Mitch’s Mission University of Cincinnati Bearcat football student athletes talk about what it means to them to be a part of Mitch’s Mission in getting young children to hang out and play with student athletes, giving every child a chance to see the athletes in a different light while supporting a

MADISON SCHMIDT | PHOTO EDITOR

“This event means a lot. It is such a humbling experience to be around little kids with big hearts and to see how much we mean to them,” said junior running back Tion Green. “They bring a lot of energy and a lot of love and put their hearts into everything, so this event means a lot to me.”

good cause.

In February of 2009, at 11 years old, Mitch Stone was diagnosed with brain cancer. Stone was then “adopted” by the UC football team that began wearing “Mitch’s Mission” bracelets in a show of support.

MADISON SCHMIDT | PHOTO EDITOR

“This is a great opportunity for us to come out and play with the youth and to do something for the community,” said junior quarterback Gunner Kiel.

“I mean honestly, I think we get more enjoyment out of it than [the kids], it’s a very fun event.”

The team was inspired by their “little brother,” ending the 2009-10 season with a 12-0 record and a trip to the Sugar Bowl.

Stone is now a healthy 17-year-old who is cancer free. To read more about Mitch’s Mission, see full coverage of Playdate with the Bearcats on page 6.

MADISON SCHMIDT | PHOTO EDITOR

“It means a lot to me and my teammates and it feels good to be able to give back to the community and to be able to support Mitch’s Mission over the years,” said junior wide receiver Nate Cole. “I enjoy seeing all of the kids happy and enjoying themselves.”

6 / SPOTLIGHT

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015 / NEWSRECORD.ORG

Cancer survivor reunites with football team at annual fundraiser

MADISON SCHMIDT | PHOTO EDITOR

Mitch Stone, diagnosed with brain cancer at 11 years old, inspired the creation of Playdate with the Bearcats through Mitch’s Mission.

CHELSEA ROBERTSON | CONTRIBUTOR

When Mitch Stone was 11 years old, he was diagnosed with brain cancer.

His status was touch and go at times, according to his mother Dee. But Mitch and his family received support and inspiration from a group they still share a profound bond with today — the University of Cincinnati football team.

In 2009, the team “adopted” Mitch while he underwent chemotherapy at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. One week later, the 11-year-old was admitted to the ICU. “We were his big brother and Cincinnati [was] his big brother; we adopted him,” said Adrian Witty, a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in health education. Witty was a part of the team when it first started supporting Mitch.

“We took that role for him. Everyone else sees him and they are like, ‘we can do this.’

That inspiration, that courage — you can do anything that you put your mind to.

Just believe. Stay strong. Keep fighting.

He’s a very strong kid. It’s powerful.”

Mitch’s Mission Today, Mitch is a healthy 17-year-old. He runs cross-country and track at Anderson High School and attends every football home game.

Support from UC’s student athletes helped to develop Mitch’s Mission, a foundation that sends a number of children from the Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to Camp NJoyItAll, a summer camp north of Cincinnati that allows them to enjoy a relaxed setting while continuing to receive medical treatment.

The fifth-annual Playdate with the Bearcats, a major fundraising event for Mitch’s Mission, was hosted at the Campus Recreation Center (CRC) Sunday. The admission tickets were $15 per person or $50 for a family of five.

Mitch and his mother were both in attendance.

“At the time that he was adopted, all the students on campus were wearing these bracelets for Mitch’s Mission because he was the inspiration for the team and the team was inspiring him to get better and get through his treatment,” Dee Stone explained. The red, white and blue rubber bracelets reading “Mitch’s Mission” were

created in support of Mitch and the organization.

The primary goal of Playdate with the Bearcats is to raise the funds necessary to send children to Camp NJoyItAll. Although campers themselves attend the camp for free, the cost of sending a single patient is approximately $550. Mitch’s Mission strives to cover that cost for as many patients as possible.

NJoyItAll welcomes 100 children for the duration of two weeks every year while ensuring that doctors and nursing staff are available around the clock to provide medical treatment for the campers.

Mitch said he was allowed to attend camp the summer after he was treated for cancer. His favorite part about Camp NJoyItAll was hanging out with other kids like him.

“So many children are underprivileged because of an illness and don’t get to experience many things in life, or even coming to this play date today,” said Emma Roberson, a third-year communications student and volleyball team member.“So us giving back to them, as a community, fighting for these kids is an amazing opportunity, allowing them to go to summer camp. The smile on their face is going to be so great.”

Ann Pace, a third-year communications, science and disorders for speech pathology student, said she met Mitch through the Patient Advisory Counsel at Children’s Hospital when she was a patient at the hospital.

“It’s really awesome seeing the good things that [Mitch] is doing for kids with pediatric cancer,” Pace said.“It feels really good to give back and help others, especially people who are going through a really hard time.”

Mitch’s Motivation Dee Stone explained that UC’s football team kept her family motivated throughout Mitch’s treatment.

“When the team adopted Mitch, basically they adopted our whole family,” Stone said.“I saw how that turned this awful situation into this incredible situation. It was awful going through what we did with Mitch being in the hospital pretty much that whole year. But the fact that he was adopted by the team gave us something to root for.”

Stone recalled one night in particular

MADISON SCHMIDT | PHOTO EDITOR

TOP: Cameron Boesing, 2, rock climbs during Playdate with the Bearcats, where the CRC opened its doors to children and their families as a way to fundraise for Mitch Stone.

BOTTOM: Barrett Hauer, 4, pretends to be an airplane as the Bearcat carries him around the basketball courts of the CRC.

when she texted the football team asking for support and prayers, to which teammates and their families responded with overwhelming support.

She said Playdate with the Bearcats is “a real chance for all kids to hang out with UC athletes, like Mitch got to do when he was sick.”

Guests had the opportunity to spend the day with student athletes, band members and even the Bearcat mascot.

Cassandra Thorpe, director of student athletic development, worked together with the Student Advisory Committee to involve UC athletes after Stone contacted her about Mitch’s Mission.

“It’s great to see our student athletes giving back,”Thorpe said.“It gives them an opportunity. I always tell them that you wear the city of Cincinnati on your chest.

You have got to give back. Be present and involved and show the community that you care about them. With all the funds that are raised, it helps kids, who were like Mitch, [to] be able to enjoy summer camp.”

A number of organizations helped sponsor the event, including NovaCare

Rehabilitation, UC Student Government, Coldwell Bankers, Stone Brothers Paving and the UC Recreation Center.

“I think one thing that really brings Cincinnati really close together is the athletics,” said Nathan Anderson, a thirdyear industrial management student, swim team member and president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Raffle tickets and food were sold near the basketball courts. Community members and sponsors donated items for the raffle including a silk scarf from Nordstrom, a Losantiville Country Club Golf foursome and a men and woman’s UC polo, two sideline passes at the UC opening home game and two invites to Higherground in addition to lunch with the UC football team.

Attendees participated in activities like basketball, Twister, volleyball, corn-hole, swimming, rock-climbing and various carnival games.

Anthony Sciutto, a third-year computer science student, helped families climb CRC’s rock wall during the event.

“So many of our fondest moments as kids are playing, going outside, being with friends,” Sciutto said.“The fact of the matter is that people like Mitch aren’t able to do that. By supporting Mitch’s Mission, we are giving them the tools they need. We are helping kids that normally wouldn’t go outside and to enjoy the basics of childhood.”

Cincy Dominoes, PennStation and Funky’s Catering all donated refreshments and food in support of Mitch’s Mission.

John Glass of Glass Family Pizza Corporation attends the event every year with his daughter. “[My daughter] and I are big UC Football fans,” Glass said.“Watching the story when this first started was very inspiring for us. And to have the opportunity to be involved in it, we started it the first year.

We think it’s a great way to give back to the community and be involved in people’s lives.”

Witty, the football player on the team when it adopted Mitch, said giving back is a chain reaction. He was inspired by Mitch’s story and uses his own position as a student athlete to encourage kids.

“You have so many different kids, different backgrounds, different areas, brought up with different lifestyles,”Witty said.“Then you get them all to come together for something like this. Not everybody can see things in a different perspective, so to get involved with something like this, you have to have a heart.You have to understand what Mitch has been through and what it’s doing for everybody else, like us athletes.You get people involved and you keep people positive.”