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THE NEWS RECORD
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015
Students partner with police to create smarter future for youth JOSH BECKELHIMER | CONTRIBUTOR
University of Cincinnati students are partnering with the Cincinnati Police Department to increase community policing by teaching third grade students in local Cincinnati schools how to read. The Right to Read program, created and led by Officer Donald Jordan of the Cincinnati Police Department, was launched in 2014. As defined by Jordan, community policing is the involvement of members of the justice system positively interacting with the public. Jordan said he created the program as an important initiative in the departments’ community policing to specifically target the city’s youth. “Community policing is such a huge thing,” said Kevin Falkler, a fourth-year criminal justice student.“Kids see that someone actually cares when they might not get that at home.” Jordan contacted Susan Bourke, an associate professor and director of undergraduate studies in UC’s school of criminal justice, to promote the program and
involve UC’s criminal justice students. The program currently partners with five public schools around the city to tutor third graders in reading comprehension. In order to advance to the fourth grade, the students must achieve a minimum score on the state reading test as required by the Ohio Department of Education. The program’s intent is to help third grade students improve their reading skills so that they are adequately prepared to meet these standards. “The state of Ohio third grade guarantee is directly related to the criminal justice system,” Jordan said. The program provides UC criminal justice students the opportunity to prepare the third grade students for a smarter future, not only in respect to their reading abilities, but also their decision-making skills, Jordan said. “What better way to do this than to help children with their third grade reading comprehension, so their test scores don’t become a projection of a future in jail,” Jordan said. SEE RIGHT TO READ PG 3
PROVIDED
In collaboration with the Cincinnati Police Department, UC students in the criminal justice program tutor third grade students in reading comprehension from five of the city’s public schools.
STUDENTS COMMEMORATE CHAPEL HILL SHOOTING VICTIMS
UC UNITES, PRAYS FOR CHANGE
IN BRIEF Cincinnati-area universities rank among nation’s ‘Public Ivies’
Two Cincinnati-area universities rank among the nation’s top 150 public colleges. Miami University was No. 41 and University of Cincinnati was No. 138 on the recently released list of “Public Ivies” created by American City Business Journals. UC received 4 stars for selectivity, 3 for advancement, prestige, diversity and community, and 2 stars for costs. Ohio State University and Ohio University also made the list at No. 15 and No. 128 respectively.
UC Health names first ever chief medical officer
William Hurford, MD, was named the first chief medical officer of University of Cincinnati Health Hurford has been the chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at UC’s College of Medicine since 2003, and he has served on multiple boards at UC Health and the College of Medicine. The new position is responsible for the overall performance of UC Health clinical services in terms of quality, safety, service, efficiency and clinical outcomes.
Feb. 8 Armed robbery
DANIEL SULLIVAN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
University of Cincinnati students gathered at the corner of campus Friday to remember the students killed Tuesday in a shooting near the University of North Carolina. Many of the students cried during moments of prayer.
for the potential of a hate crime. The shooting has deeply saddened the Islamic community, and it has affected individuals on an international spectrum. At UNC, thousands came out to show solidarity and remember the lives of their fellow students Wednesday evening, according to The New York Times, and an estimated 5,000 people came to the burial service Thursday. UC’s vigil included a conversation led by Shakir, during which he discussed each fallen individual and their contributions to society. “We are here today to honor the legacy of those who were killed in the Chapel Hill shooting,” Shakir said.“It wasn’t a political action or to produce a rally cry, but just to really talk about who they were as individuals and to let people know what we have lost.” Among the individuals that came out for the vigil, three were first-year Cincinnati State students: Deema Jallaq, Najat Jallaq and Majd Emran.
ELYSSE WINGET & COURTNEY STANLEY | THE NEWS RECORD
University of Cincinnati students held a vigil on the corner of campus Friday afternoon in remembrance of the victims of a shooting in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, that took the lives of three young Muslims. Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23,Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, 21, and Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19 , were shot and killed Tuesday near the University of North Carolina where Barakat was a student. Craig Stephen Hicks, the 46-year-old suspect, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder. “This is not a protest,” said Isa Shakir, a sixth-year student at UC who led the vigil. “This is an event to honor those that passed.” An initial statement released by the Chapel Hill Police said the crime was motivated by an ongoing parking dispute, but many have interpreted the event as a hate crime against Muslims. Chapel Hill Police Chief Christopher Blue promised to thoroughly investigate the case
These young women learned of the vigil through social media and came to support their families and religion. “Islam is a beautiful religion,” Deema said, saddened by a comment she saw on Facebook and Twitter that said,“Finally, Muslims get a taste of their own medicine.” “People look at us like we’re terrorists,” Emran said. The Jallaq sisters only recently converted to Islam within the past couple of years. “Our mom was Christian, and our dad was Muslim,” Najat said, adding that they had been raised Christian. The majority of the 30 to 40 individuals who came out for the vigil cried during the moments of prayer. President Barack Obama announced Friday that the FBI has opened an investigation on the case. The shooting has launched an international debate about the treatment of Muslim Americans in the United States. “The biggest thing that we can do as Americans, as citizens,” Shakir said,“Is to change the narrative.”
Cincinnati police are investigating a robbery that occurred near CINCO Credit Union on William Howard Taft Road Sunday evening. Three men allegedly pushed a female victim to the ground and took $200. The victim was not a UC student. Police said Monday that they are working to obtain descriptions of the suspects.
Feb. 11 Arrest
University of Cincinnati police arrested a suspect Wednesday in connection to an early morning robbery near Jefferson and Brookline avenues. The victim, who is not a UC student, was walking alone around 2 a.m. Wednesday when a suspect demanded property at gunpoint. UC police arrived at the scene and were able to detain the suspect. Cincinnati police are now working to close the investigation.
Feb. 13 Armed robbery
An armed robbery occurred near Burnet Woods on Whitfield Avenue late Friday night, according to police. Two suspects, descried as white males in black hooded sweatshirts and grey sweatpants, robbed a victim at gunpoint. The victim was not a UC student. The suspects stole a wallet and laptop, police said. Anyone with information about any of the above incidents can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 513-352-3040.
Medical students complete online pilot course after proposing its creation HUY NGUYEN | CONTRIBUTOR
As they prepare to graduate from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine, medical students now have the opportunity to reinforce doctor-patient relationships through the college’s first online class. Senior medical students have a lot on their plate as they prepare to enter the medical workforce. Most of their time is spent in research, clinical rotations at hospitals and preparing for their internships after graduation. “That travel time for them is quite extensive,” said Dr. Amy Thompson, associate professor and chair of UC’s medical student education, and one of the instructors in charge of the pilot course. “Many of them take two months off to do all of that - at least a month off. So they’re not getting credit for any work.” Many of these students are not present for most of their final year of schooling due to required clinical rotations, which can make it difficult to complete a medical
school curriculum. Student push for an online course came about as a result of students wanting college credit that was both a rigorous, educational elective and a course that was light and flexible enough to fit into their busy schedules of studying and working. “In the fourth year of medical school, our medical students are traveling to do their residency interviews to figure out where they’re going to go to do their graduate medical education,”Thompson said. In the new elective course, called Refining Communications Techniques for Future Physicians, seniors take part in a Blackboard-based discussion board where they explore different ways to demonstrate doctor-patient and doctorfamily communication skills. The course was provided at the College of Medicine beginning in November as a part-time elective and only spanned a 3-month period that ended on Jan. 30. Much of the coursework involves SEE MEDICAL ONLINE PG 3
The University of Cincinnati medical students can participate in online discussions, utilizing Blackboard to explore doctor-patient and doctor-family communication skills.
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‘Chapatti’ centers on love’s complexities PATRICK MURPHY | NEWS EDITOR
Once the fires of passion are sparked and spent, warmth’s revival is often forsaken for ashes, but playwright Christian O’Reilly is willing to throw a bit of firewood for everyone’s sake in his rustic, Irish play, “Chapatti,” directed by Anne Marie Cammarato and now showing at Playhouse in the Park. The action inciting the play is necessary to remember — the lights open up on an intricately designed pub, adorned heavily with pictures and bottles, while a barman, portrayed by Jay Hobson, fans a fireplace in the center of the stage. This flame metaphorically rekindles the lives of one unlikely couple of elders in their retirement. Dan, played by Jonathan Gillard Daly, is a dog-loving ex-construction worker who is coping with the recent death of his lover, while Betty, played by Sarah Day, is a catobsessive provider for her much older and helpless mother. Dan, lamenting the loss of his lover, has given up on life without her and plans to find his dog, Chapatti, a new home before he leaves. Meanwhile, Betty, caretaker for her decrepit and often vile mother, was unsuccessful in marriage before and has contented herself with the lives of nine cats. Their lives then unexpectedly intertwine when Dan discovers the dead cat belonging to Betty’s mother. Centering around the pains and releases of death, the story is set in a rather beautiful poetic tension: Whereas Dan wishes to hang himself from his rafters, Betty wishes to start her life anew with the potential love of Dan. The language of the play is described by O’Reilly as a “hybrid of interweaving monologue and traditional dialoguebased scenes.” Originally set to be a radio play, the adaptation to the stage is visualized as Dan and Betty subtly act out the movements they are describing. The opening action — Dan lamenting his lover’s death by playing the piano to Chapatti — is told in dialogue form, with Dan both speaking his inner thoughts in the action as well as the action itself. However, the lively and controlled acting of Daly and Day overcame the slight dissonance the play’s storytelling format created. Beyond the debatable distancing of language, a lot of connection is already established by the set-designer, Scott Bradley, before the play begins. The stage is intrinsic to the understanding of the play; the physical stage is pushed into the audience, allowing three different vantage points for the play’s action. The back wall of the stage, made with brick, wooden shelves and two vertical windows framing the fireplace, disseminates into the audience via decorations surrounding the seats. This immerses viewers into the personal lives of Dan and Betty. The roof of the acting space is sheltered with an aggressive wooden beam — a constant reminder of Dan’s struggle with suicide — and offset by the warm soft-set lights that surround it. It is here that a beautiful relationship between the stage and the lighting design by Mary Louise Geiger meet. The scenes of Dan visiting the tomb of his lover or contemplating suicide in his room — keeping in mind that all the action happens in the pub setting — are effectively created with melancholy lighting. Likewise, the dialogue between Dan and Betty often takes place in warmly lit scenes, showing a rekindling or warmth that is created through human interaction. The story, if you can get behind the monologue presentation, unfolds nicely with its plots twists and unexpected happenings, but some effects are essentially lost, namely Betty’s story. Noted as not essentially a part of O’Reilly’s original piece, which involved the story of a man and his dog, it’s evident that Betty’s use as a character is to revive Dan. While given much of her own story in the piece, there are portions that seem to send Betty to the wayside to Dan’s central struggle. While given some of the play’s wisest words regarding death, her central focus to finally be made love to contradicts her central idea that a relationship of trust needs foremost respect. The play does a good job to illuminate its point that humans need connection. O’Reilly also speaks to a broader concern that many may find toward the end of their lives — what am I leaving behind when I die? But is this really the concern? O’Reilly argues that it is not what we leave for others, but how we leave it; that the importance is to love others and be remembered for the warmth of one’s fire than the size of the flame, along with the everlasting importance of keeping the fire of human compassion burning. Both actors, who were superb in their emotional intensity, were given a standing ovation by the opening performance on Feb. 7 at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park on the Thompson Shelterhouse Theatre. The play will continue to run until March 8.
PROVIDED
Jonathan Daly and Sarah Day star in ‘Chapatti,’ which revolves around love in the face of death.
MARK LYONS
Sarah Davenport plays Heidi in ‘The Heidi Chronicles,’ which explores feminism and complicated relationships with emotional and political resonance.
Onstage: CCM’s ‘The Heidi Chronicles’ MainStage Performance features superb performances by students MACKENZIE BOWER | STAFF REPORTER
The 1989 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning drama “The Heidi Chronicles” by Wendy Wasserstein opened last Wednesday as part of CollegeConservatory of Music’s Mainstage series. The drama, directed by Richard Hess, takes a look at life from the ’60s to the ’90s through the eyes of a female playwright who lived through the women’s rights movements. Audiences follow Heidi, played by senior Sarah Davenport, as she grows from an innocent young woman to an idealistic, feminist art historian, and then finally becomes a lonely woman reflecting on her life with mixed feelings of superiority and regret. As Heidi ages, so do the other characters on stage. Heidi’s childhood best friend Susan, played by sophomore Clare Combest, also goes through pronounced phases throughout the play, surprising the audience with a new persona in each scene. Sarah is a reminder of that best friend that you indulge only because of your history together, transitioning from schoolgirl to activist to superficial businesswoman. Much of the play focuses on the complex relationship between Heidi and Scoop,
an arrogant, chauvinistic businessman played by Connor Lawrence. Lawrence is able to make his selfish character seem just charming enough that the audience can sympathize with Heidi, who just can’t convince herself to let him go. The chemistry between the two on stage was undeniable and left the audience sharing in the frustration of the main character. Peter, played by Colin Edgar, was the other man in Heidi’s life. Edgar’s role as Heidi’s long-time, gay best friend with a “violent narcissistic personality disorder” brought much-needed comic relief to the emotional show. In some scenes, he cracked the audience up with lines like “Are you having a sentimental spasm?” but in others, he addressed more serious topics, including gay rights and what constitutes a family when you aren’t married and don’t have children. During a scene in act two, Davenport immersed herself in her role as Heidi gave a speech in which she questioned what the women of her generation had been working for. She had thought that the point of feminism was that no woman felt stranded, but there she was, constantly comparing herself to, feeling judged by and resenting other women. Davenport’s performance of the emotional monologue left no question about her talent and ability to affect an audience as her character admitted to her unhappiness and accepted that there is no clearly defined path to fulfillment. The show would not have been quite as
complete without the many characters that made a memorable impression during their short time on stage. Among them were Fran, played by senior AC Horton, who made the audience laugh out loud with her portrayal of a pushy, lesbian feminist in an army outfit, and April, played by Katie Langham, who played a convincingly conceited news host. The difference in the way the actors dressed as their characters aged was an integral component in making the performance believable. Characters donned multiple retro outfits by costume designer Jillian Coratti, and wigs by wig and make-up designer Taylor Malott. The set of the show was minimal but effective, rightfully allowing the dialogue to take center stage. With every scene change, parts of the stage would move to reveal nostalgic furnishings while music from the era and projections of icons and headlines set the scene for the time period that the audience would be traveling to next. While the drama is set in a time before many undergraduate students were born, the questions that it poses about equality and happiness are no less relevant today, and the characters are no less relatable. As the audience filed out of the Patricia Corbett Theater after the show, an audience member mirrored the sentiments of many others and said, “That was so sad I might cry” — a testament to the moving performance.
COHEN MEDIA GROUP
Issan and Toya (respectively played by Mehdi A.G. Mohamed and Layla Waylet Mohamed) discuss their fathers on the barren outskirts of their town.
In ‘Timbuktu,’ pain lingers through imagery French-Mauritanian film glimpses at those left in wake of jihad turmoil ZACK HATFIELD | ARTS EDITOR
A blurry tracking shot of a gazelle being chased by a truck full of jihadists in the sprawling country of Mali in West Africa opens the 2014 film “Timbuktu.” “Don’t kill it! Tire it!” the characters repeat in shouts. The impression of this opening metaphor lingers throughout the film —directed by Abderrahmane Sissako — as the jihadists, armed with AK-47s, occupy the town of Timbuktu to enforce their laws in the name of Islam. Their presence creates a sense of exhaustion, and a swelling tension emerges in each scene as the Timbuktu residents feel the threat of being stoned or lashed (making music or refusing to cover your hands with gloves are a couple of things that would actualize that threat). Much of the film, which has been Oscar-nominated for best foreign language picture, centers around a cattle herdsman, Kidane, and his wife and daughter, who all live on the outskirts of Timbuktu. When a fisherman throws his spear into one of Kidane’s cows that had gotten caught in his nets, Kidane, who is played with aching compassion by Ibrahim Ahmed, gets into a fight with
him, and his pistol accidentally goes off. Kidane leaves the man in the water to die but is later picked up by jihadists, who ultimately decide his fate. The imagery of the film brims with startling beauty due to Sofian El Fani’s cinematography, which poetically frames the never-ending dunes and barren horizons that make up Timbuktu’s topography (the film was actually shot in nearby Mauritania) and also the haunted movements of the characters in the village. Throughout “Timbuktu,” the camera stays on expressions and desert panoramas for considerable amounts of time, letting the emotion properly sink in. In this way, the visual language carries the film just as much as the script (written by Sissako and Kessen Tall), which itself devastates with its stark clarity. An acoustic soundtrack from Amine Bouhafa sighs and smolders with Fani’s camerawork, a tangle of guitars, wooden flutes and other African instruments providing rhythm amidst chaos. The film divides its attention between the villagers and the extremists evenly, often focusing on the contradictions rampant in the jihadists. Although they are quick to commit horrific acts of violence for those accused of adultery or music, they lust after women and smoke cigarettes.
But there are many glimpses of hope in “Timbuktu.” When soccer is restricted, a group of teenagers play a game with an imaginary ball. The soulful and forbidden music made by some of the town’s residents captures the unbreakable spirit of those who oppose the jihad’s oppression, despite the outcomes that might happen. “Warriors die young,” says Kidane’s 12-year-old daughter, played by Layla Walet Mohamed, wizened by the hard life she has always known. Extremist violence has been everywhere in the news lately, and the relevance of “Timbuktu” is unfortunately amplified by Boko Harem’s destruction, the Charlie Hebdo shootings and, even more recently, the attacks in Copenhagen. The film approaches this crisis not with an overemphasized message, but with subtle glimpses into the lives of all involved that slowly reveal underlying problems. One of the film’s most poignant moments is when a couple of jihadists visit the local imam, the man who leads prayer in the mosque. “Where is God in all this?” the imam desperately asks the jihadists, but the scene cuts before we hear their response. “Timbuktu” is left to answer his question by portraying all of its anguish, but also its hope.
NEWS / 3
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 / NEWSRECORD.ORG
Student data needs better privacy safeguards, experts tell Congress MARISSA HORN (TNS)
WASHINGTON — Legal and educational policy experts urged lawmakers on Thursday to improve security safeguards in student privacy laws and update them to better reflect the rapid leaps in technology. “Unless Congress . . . clarifies what information can be collected, how that information can be used and if that information can be shared, student privacy will not be properly protected,” said Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Ind., who led the hearing before a House Education and the Workforce subcommittee. The law, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act — known as FERPA — was written in 1974 to protect student records. It only covers schools receiving federal money. An update of the regulations in 2012 permitted greater
disclosure of the data. But with the increasing ability of hackers and others to pierce firewalls that shield personal, corporate and government material, federal and state officials are looking for ways to protect student privacy. Legislators in 32 states have introduced more than 100 student privacy bills. California legislators last fall passed the Student Online Personal Information Protection Act, becoming the first state to prohibit the education technology industry from selling student information and using it to target students with advertisements. Last month, President Barack Obama offered a similar legislative fix. Under FERPA, parents have the right to inspect the records, but schools have the right to disclose them under certain circumstances.
Schools can also make them available as “directory” information but must inform parents or age-eligible students and allow them time to object. But the emergence of digital record-keeping has placed students and administrators in a precarious position, according to Joel Reidenberg, an expert on privacy and the Internet at the Fordham University School of Law. He testified that information is exposed to hackers and to data collections used for non-educational purposes. Most of the information is stored in a cloud and usually not deleted even after students graduate, several witnesses said. “The approach of FERPA is outdated,” Reidenberg said. “It is focused on privacy and parental access, but it does not cover the use of the information collected.” Greater transparency on where the information goes, what it is being used for
and why it is used would create more trust between teachers, parents and school administrators, said Shannon Sevier, a parent of five and a representative from the National PTA, which opposes the collection of student data. Most of the student data is collected through contracted third-party companies, which are not covered under current FERPA regulations, Allyson Knox, director of education policy and programs for Microsoft, told the hearing. Microsoft, Apple and Google are among a host of companies that provide cloud storage space to schools for student information. They are also among more than 100 companies, Knox said, which have signed a pledge to safeguard student data from targeted advertising and noneducational purposes.
Mom accused of killing babies Facebook users hire heirs to manage account after death LAUREN RAAB (TNS)
BRITTNY MEJIA (TNS)
LOS ANGELES — Megan Huntsman, a Utah woman accused of killing six of her newborn babies and storing their bodies in her garage, pleaded guilty to six counts of murder Thursday, the Utah County attorney confirmed. In April, Huntsman’s estranged husband found one body while cleaning the garage of the Pleasant Grove home. Police soon found six others. Prosecutors said that one had been stillborn but that Huntsman had killed the others. According to court documents, the babies’ bodies had been wrapped in towels or sweaters and packed with plastic wrap in storage boxes, some of which had been sealed shut with electrical tape. The boxes rested against a garage wall. Huntsman told police she had strangled or suffocated the infants and lost count of how many, court documents said. She is to be sentenced April 20. Each count carries a sentence of five years to life in prison, Utah County Attorney Jeff Buhman told the Los Angeles Times. “Obviously this was a very heinous crime, something that we haven’t seen in Utah or Utah County before,” Buhman said. As to Huntsman’s motive, he said, “We know there was some drug use, probably a significant amount,” but “there really isn’t a good explanation.”
LOS ANGELES — Facebook is making it easier for your account to live on even after you die. The social networking site Thursday introduced a feature in the U.S. that allows people to essentially will their accounts to a family member or friend who can manage their account when they die. Once an account is memorialized, the “legacy contact” can write a post on behalf of the deceased, respond to new friend requests and update the profile picture and cover photo. If a user chooses, they can also give the legacy contact permission to archive Facebook posts and photos. The legacy contact will not be able to log in as the person who died or see that person’s private messages. Users also have the option to let Facebook know if they’d prefer to have their account permanently deleted after they die. “By talking to people who have experienced loss, we realized there is more we can do to support those who are grieving and those who want a say in what happens to their account after death,” said a Thursday post from Facebook’s product team. Facebook users can access the feature by going to “settings,” choosing “security” and selecting “legacy contact” at the bottom of the page. Once a person is picked, users have the option to send a message to let
that person know they’ve been chosen, but they aren’t required to do that. Facebook even provides users with a suggested message to send to friends, explaining why they were chosen: “Since you know me well and I trust you, I chose you. Please let me know if you want to talk about this.” There have been ways for people to access Facebook accounts of users who die, but it’s usually a difficult legal process. “We want to keep Facebook secure so we don’t allow people to share their password or let anyone else access their account,” said Jodi Seth, a spokeswoman for Facebook. “With the legacy contact, the user is giving permission in advance to a trusted friend or family member to manage specific aspects of the account.” If a person doesn’t name a legacy contact, but names a digital heir in a legal will, Facebook would allow that person to become the legacy contact. However, if a person were to name a digital heir in a legal will and that person wasn’t the same person named as a legacy contact, Facebook would give the legacy contact control. Google introduced a similar feature in 2013, allowing people to manage their digital afterlife. The “Inactive Account Manager” allows users to decide what to do with data after they die or the account becomes inactive for some time.
FROM RIGHT TO READ PG 1
CLASSIFIEDS AFTER SCHOOL TEACHING ASSISTANT The Kinder Garden School AFTER SCHOOL TEACHING ASSISTANT The Kinder Garden School (Reed Hartman Hwy) in Blue Ash is hiring an after school assistant to work with our school aged children ages 5-8 years of age. The hours are MondayFriday from 2-6p. Please send a resume to tamilanham@gmail.com Thank you!!!
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The Right to Read program also gives the opportunity for future judges and future lawyers to connect with kids, Jordan explained. He said that the criminal justice students involved gain invaluable experience in understanding that it’s not always an 8-year-old’s fault that he or she can’t read. Jordan hopes the program can eventually be implemented in universities and schools throughout the country. Falkler, who plans to enter law enforcement upon graduation, said though he was skeptical at first when he learned his internship involved tutoring third graders instead of something seemingly more exciting, he was grateful for the opportunity to impact younger students’ learning. “You get a sense of fulfillment, and it really does feel awesome,” Falkler said. Falkler said Jordan shows great leadership throughout the program and is someone who really cares about everyone involved. Rico Cajigal, a second-year education student, said the Right to Read program helps to create a necessary relationship in light of the negative controversy surrounding law enforcement in recent media coverage. “It seems like a great way for the justice system to connect with kids from an early age and have a positive influence,” Cajigal said. “Reading is one of the most important bases of a child’s education, and the more tutoring programs we can get, the better.” Jordan said Cincinnati law enforcement is working to be ahead of the game and be creative in its community policing efforts. “Cincinnati is known to be behind in a lot of things,” Jordan said. “But we’re running a program that’s engaging and trying to make a difference.”
PROVIDED
FROM MEDICAL ONLINE PG 1
participating in an online forum with both students and instructors, creating a personal journal for self-improvement and creating short films demonstrating the communications skills learned within the course. The students were also required to watch movies involving interactions with medical patients and respond to the required films in peer discussions. Some of the films include the critically acclaimed “Philadelphia” and “Contagion.” In addition, the students were
responsible for taking part in a series of simulated patient encounters and participating in peer-to-peer critique of each other’s techniques, an assignment that accounts for nearly 50 percent of their grade. “I have to give credit to the students,”Thompson said.“They asked, at one of the committee meetings that I sit on, for something like this — something they could do online.” Thompson said the college is waiting on feedback from students who took the pilot class. The online course is expected to be offered again in October.
4 / COLLEGE LIFE
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 / NEWSRECORD.ORG
UC Feminists analyzes, discusses equality for all identities MICHELLE FLANAGAN | STAFF REPORTER
As part of UC Feminists, a group that meets weekly on campus, students at the University of Cincinnati are fighting for equality and exploring the idea that identities intermingle and influence each other. Open to all students, members discuss issues like gender equality, reproductive rights, rape culture, racism, and LGBTQ issues, among other topics. In order to address these issues, UC Feminists collaborates with other student groups on campus. “Feminism is about being aware and educated, and raising awareness about equity for all identities from race, gender, religion and raising everyone up from existing systems of oppression and ... addressing issues that bring us together and tear us apart,” said Ellen Rielag, president of UC Feminists and a fourthyear health promotion and education student. UC Feminists meets 7 p.m. every Tuesday in 608 Swift Hall. The group was started several years ago through the UC Women’s Center. Meetings were previously held on the fifth floor of Steger Student Life Center, but moved to Swift at the beginning of this year. Meetings begin with each person in attendance writing his or her name on a nametag, including the pronoun or pronouns they identify with, including she, her, he, his, they, them and theirs. Attendees then answer an icebreaker question; Tuesday’s task was stating the trait each individual most admired in others and in themselves. The meeting incorporated a “TED Talks” installment on racism, presented by Verna Myers, an expert on diversity and inclusion within law departments, law schools and law firms. In the video, Myers
said being colorblind is neither a true option nor a helpful one. To start eliminating racism, Myers said people need to acknowledge race, but also embrace others on a deeper level. To change the way race is viewed in all generations, real relationships have to be formed. Myers suggested that when a prejudice is made apparent in your own life (such as realizing you feel nervous when a certain type of person approaches you), you “walk toward your discomfort.” Facing the problem head on, and becoming even more uncomfortable for a moment, will eventually lead to the understanding that stereotypes do not define a person. After the video, the group gathered in a circle to discuss the talk as well as their own experiences with racism. Standing up to racist family members was something multiple people had experienced, and how to do this effectively was debated. While discussing the concept of “intersectionality” — the connections between social categories such as race, class and gender — the group addressed why so many different societal aspects are tangled together, and what that means for an individual. “You don’t walk down the street with one identity at a time,” said Jason Hettesheimer, a first-year exploratory student. This makes a person harder to define, the group said, because an individual does not fit into a single box. “Once you get involved with feminism, you learn that a lot of feminism also deals with racial issues, LGBTQIP issues, class issues, and even things you would never expect like environmental issues,” said Maggie Murray, a fourth-year international affairs student. “So there’s something in feminism for everyone.”
DANIEL SULLIVAN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Event director Sophie Shemas talks about upcoming functions including ‘The Vagina Monologues.’
The group also acknowledged that, over time, feminism has developed a negative connotation with many people. Hettesheimer said many people think feminism is bad simply because they don’t understand it. He believes holding discussions will create a safer environment, and that men would realize they could benefit from feminism too, specifically when it comes to custody battle proceedings. Sophie Shemas, a third-year environmental studies student and the UC Feminists events chair, agreed, explaining that many people think of feminism as sour women who complain about a pay gap. In reality, she said, it is much more than that. “I don’t think people have a great understanding of what this generation of feminists is about, and what we strive for as far as inclusivity and fighting for all people who have been discriminated against because of their gender,” Shemas
said. Madison Landkrohn, a first-year psychology student, said she has been educated by feminism, and has learned about her own privileges and biases. The club has given her the opportunity to learn about things she wasn’t introduced to in her hometown, such as the LBGTQ community, she said. The group is hosting V-Day, a campuswide campaign that is part of a global movement to end violence against women and girls. The campaign will present “The Vagina Monologues,” a performance that addresses topics including sex, love, masturbation, rape and violence against women. The performances will take place at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 20 and 21 in Zimmer Auditorium and are free to UC students. The cost for non-UC students is $10, and all proceeds benefit the UC Women’s Center and V-Day efforts.
Mountaineering Club helps students reach new heights CHRIS STROHOFER | CONTRIBUTOR
From seasoned 30-year alumni to experienced students about to graduate, and tomorrow’s wide-eyed trip leaders Wednesday’s Mountaineering Club meetings are diverse. The group connects through a common appreciation for nature and bonds over trips and offcampus adventures. Originally founded in 1971, the Mountaineering Club is one of UC’s longest-running institutions. According to its website, it all started when two students who liked to take hiking trips together asked themselves if there were any other students on campus interested in joining them on their journeys. At the club’s open house last Wednesday, students got a first-hand opportunity to learn just how fondly past trips are remembered by meeting Bob Kessler and Rob Even, two members for over 30 years. “I joined in 1976 and was a member from ‘76 to ‘80,” Kessler said. “I’ve been coming to meetings pretty regularly ever since. It’s like a Wednesday night social hour.” Over the years, Kessler and Even have been on hundreds of trips through the Mountaineering Club, including summer trips to destinations like Mt. McKinley in Alaska, and many other weekly trips to local landmarks. “My favorite trips have been to Red River Gorge,” said Jacob Schutt, a fourthyear mechanical engineering student and group member. “The accessibility of the Red being two hours away from Cincinnati, it’s so cool that you can do some world-class climbing with your friends on a day trip.” The Red River Gorge is just one of numerous locations that members often find themselves traversing after a week of navigating assignments and exams in the classroom. The group’s calendar of events for the next few weeks includes hiking, rock wall climbing and subterranean cycling. These weekend trips are easily accessible to the novice outdoorsman, thanks to the experienced trip leaders and the stockpile of available equipment known as “The Gear Cave.”There, members who’ve paid their membership fee of $20 can rent supplies like tents, canoes and backpacks that would otherwise cost thousands of dollars. Having this depository of available gear makes all kinds of adventures possible to students on a budget. “What we do is try to take young people and turn them into trip leaders, which teaches them how to organize a group and what to do in difficult situations,” said Kayla McKinney, Mountaineering Club president and fourth-year environmental studies and biology student. Those are the skills that give students the confidence they need to tackle the most intimidating challenges, be it a 14,000-foot peak to summit or the interview for your dream job, McKinney said. Though conquering mountain peaks may seem like the biggest draw for adventurous students, all members seemed to agree that the real prize was the journey to the top. It’s the friends you make, the sights you see and the lessons you learn that make the trip worthwhile, group members said. The Mountaineering Club offers a unique opportunity to any student interested in exploring the outdoors, whether desperate for a breath of fresh air in one of Cincinnati’s local forests or an eagerness to scale thousand-foot cliffs.
ELIZABETH FRYLING | CONTRIBUTOR
Students took turns answering questions during four rounds of “Jeopardy!” Thursday night, showing off their knowledge of topics relating to Black History Month. The event was held in correlation with Black Love Week, organized through the United Black Student Association.
‘Jeopardy!’ rounds play out at AACRC
Students mimic popular game show, focus on Black History Month trivia MATT NICHOLS | STAFF REPORTER
The African American Cultural & Resource Center was full of energy as students gathered to play an inspired version of “Jeopardy!”Thursday night. Participants took turns answering questions about black culture as part of AACRC’s Black History Month celebration. The event, organized by the United Black Student Association in correlation with Black Love Week, featured roughly 15 students gathered in the AACRC lounge. Black Love Week, a weeklong string of events leading up to Valentine’s Day, is a project created in 2014 and organized through the United Black Student Association. The group was divided into three teams, and each team sent a representative to the front of the lounge for every question, ensuring that everyone had a chance to play.
The game, which was played off of a PowerPoint slideshow, consisted of four rounds, each rooted in black history. The first round was celebrity themed, with categories that included famous breakups and black couples. Questions ranged from naming the current president to comedian Chris Rock’s ex-wife. The second round was based on movies and asked students to name popular films in black culture. These included comedies, old classics and sports movies. In the third round, students were asked to name characters from famous TV shows. Black superheroes, cartoon characters and comedy shows were all highlighted. The final round showcased music, with genres like hip hop, gospel and R&B. “I’m glad UC can host events like this,” said Nanaajowa Afrifah, a first-year prepharmacy student. “This can help students of any culture know about black history and our culture.” While the main focus of the event was to highlight black history, students could also enjoy competing for the grand prize: a large bag of chocolates.
ELIZABETH FRYLING | CONTRIBUTOR
Participants competed to win a large bag of chocolates, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
“The main goal is to get everybody together just to do something fun before Valentine’s Day for Black Love Week,” said Kenyatta Webster, a second-year communications science and disorders major and co-coordinator of the event. Black Love Week is designed to bring black students together by combining the love of Valentine’s Day with Black History Month. “Events like this let us celebrate black history then and now,” said Benita Munnerlyn, a first-year international business student. “And I can do that while spending some time with friends.” The event was initially listed online as Family Feud, Black History Edition, but changed to “Jeopardy!” later to save on time and simplify the event. “I think the turnout was good, we had a lot of people that were very active,” said Kaitlyn Barnett, a pre-business administration student and co-coordinator of the event. “It’s a great way for students to relax in a comfortable environment and meet new people.” Black Love Week’s other events drew in similar crowds. On Feb. 9, the UBSA hosted a talk called “Can you pay my bills?” where students gathered to talk about the responsibility of paying for bills in a relationship and how to balance finances with a significant other. On Tuesday there was a speed-dating event at the AACRC in preparation for Valentine’s Day. The AACRC Choir Love Concert was on Wednesday, which was a free student event. The week ended with a bake sale on Friday to raise money for the program. After a successful first year, Black Love Week is set to bring students together for years to come. “I think it’s important for students these days to become more diverse in their thinking and in their ideology, if they can, because it really sets them up for the future,” Afrifah said.
SPORTS / 5
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 / NEWSRECORD.ORG
Men’s basketball drops conference play against Tulane JAELYNNE JOHNSON | SPORTS EDITOR
Bearcats fail to make three-point shots for first time since 2010; forward suspended for rest of season
MADISON SCHMIDT | PHOTO EDITOR
Forward Octavius Ellis reaches for the tip off during a game against Tulane Saturday at Fifth Third Arena.
Cincinnati played host to the Tulane University Green Wave (14-10 overall, 5-7 American Athletic Conference) over the weekend in Fifth Third Arena in front of more than 12,000 fans. The Bearcats were shocked by a 30-foot shot buzzer-beater by Tulane’s Jonathan Stark that gave them a 50-49 victory. This win ended a five-game losing streak for Tulane. The Bearcats were coming off a 75-59 conference setback at Temple University on Tuesday. UC leads the all-time series between Tulane 21-14, though the two teams have not played against each other since March of 2005. “We’ve got to play with more desperation,” said senior forward Jermaine Sanders.“We’re playing too relaxed right now, like we’re good. But we’re really not. We won’t be in the NCAA Tournament if we keep playing the way we’ve been playing these last few games.” UC played its worst first half of the season by scoring a season-low of 13 points. The Bearcats showed improvement in the second half by scoring 36 points while shooting 61.5 percent. Tulane led at the half 19-13. Into the second half, Cincinnati (17-8 overall, 8-4 in the American Athletic Conference) had taken a 49-47 lead from a layup by Gary Clark that was passed from sophomore Troy Caupain with 4 seconds remaining. Tulane then got the ball to Stark, who released a three-point shot over UC’s Farad Cobb that went through the net as time expired. Both teams stood on the floor while officials checked the replay and determined if Stark’s shot had been launched before the time expired. A setback came for the Bearcats, who failed to make a single three-point shot from 11 attempts. They were outrebounded by Tulane 39-27, gave up 14 offensive rebounds and were only five of 13 from the free-throw line. Junior forward Octavius Ellis led the Bearcats in scoring with 15 points and three blocks. Cobb had managed to grab
seven rebounds despite being out-rebounded by Tulane. This was the first time since Feb. 24, 2010, that the Bearcats failed to make a three-pointer. Cincinnati had gone 138 games with at least one three-point shot made. “I can’t be more disappointed,” associate head coach Larry Davis said.“Like I told our team, we’ve got a decision to make about who we want to be. We’re going to have to make an unbelievable effort down the stretch here in these last five or six games starting next week against Xavier.” Following another conference loss, head coach Mick Cronin announced that freshman forward Quadri Moore has been suspended from the team. “We have standards both athletically and academically in our program that Quadri is not meeting,” Cronin said in a statement released prior to UC’s home game against Tulane.“It is my hope that Quadri will take this time to make the adjustments he needs to make in order to be a Bearcat again.” Moore has played in 21 of 24 games this season. He has averaged playing 9.4 minutes a game with 2.4 points and 1.2 rebounds. A highlight from the Linden, New Jersey, native came when he scored a season-high of 10 points against Wagner University on Dec. 23. Up next, Cincinnati will host Xavier University in the Crosstown Shootout on Wednesday with a tip off time of 7 p.m. in Fifth Third Arena. The game will broadcast on ESPN2 and 700 WLW.
ELLIS’GAME STATS 2014-15
TOTAL
POINTS
15
15
FIELD GOALS MADE
7-12 6
6
3 0
3 0
SEASON
REBOUNDS BLOCKS STEALS
7
Track and field prepares for AAC JAELYNNE JOHNSON | SPORTS EDITOR
MICHELLE BLAUMAN | CONTRIBUTOR
Defense Kyara Byner attempts to cut off a Notre Dame player during a game Friday afternoon at Gettler Stadium. The Bearcats lost to the Fighting Irish 14-5.
UC lacrosse loses season opener JAELYNNE JOHNSON | SPORTS EDITOR
The Bearcats lacrosse team suffered another season-opener loss against No. 11 Notre Dame 14-5 in Gettler Stadium Friday. The University of Cincinnati lacrosse program is 3-5 all-time in season openers. The most recent match resulted in a setback at Notre Dame to open the 2014 season. UC’s last win in a season opener came in 2013, when the Bearcats defeated Coastal Carolina University 13-8 in Gina Oliver’s first game as head coach. Oliver is entering her third year as the head of the Bearcats. She looks to continue building the program after the best consecutive seasons in UC history—she set a program record with five consecutive victories in the 2014 season. UC received three goals, six shots and one draw control from junior and Cincinnati native Courtney Curtis. Curtis scored at the 24:51 mark of the first half, within the first five minutes, giving UC an early lead over the Irish. “I pride myself on our defense. We have a lot of good young kids who came in and really stepped up,” Oliver said. “I’m glad [Curtis] was able to get after it physically. She went out there and did that today. That’s huge for her confidence.” The Bearcats were able to hold on to the lead for eight minutes until Rachel Sexton of Notre Dame scored her first of three goals at the 15:18 mark in the first half. The Irish were led by Courtney Fortunato, who scored four goals, had two assists, six shot attempts, picked up four ground balls
and one caused turnover. Another Cincinnati goal came from freshman Bridget Cleary. She notched her first collegiate goal and put a stop to an 8-0 Notre Dame scoring run. Cleary’s unassisted goal was set up when teammate Brianna Miller forced an Irish turnover. The Bearcats were able to get down the field and quickly score at the 2:43 mark of the first half. Senior Megan Bell returned this season after suffering a knee injury in the seventh game last season. Her first goal of her senior season came with just 21 seconds remaining in the contest and provided the final score. Bell finished with one goal, one assist, four shots, three draw controls and one ground ball. Overall, UC was able to finish the game with 10 saves from the net and shot 38.5 percent on the turf. Cincinnati played another ranked team for the second consecutive game on Sunday, Feb. 15, as they traveled to No. 13 Louisville University were they lost 17-8. The Cardinals are currently ranked 13th in the IWLCA Poll and 15th in the Inside Lacrosse poll, while they were picked to finish seventh in their inaugural Atlantic Coast Conference season. Cincinnati and Louisville met for the eighth time, with Louisville having won each of the first seven meetings. Every previous meeting came when both teams were members of the Big East Conference. Last season, the Cardinals won at Gettler Stadium 23-2.
University of Cincinnati track and field teams competed at the Spire Division I invitational this weekend in Geneva, Ohio, another challenging meet according the programs schedule. The Bearcats have eight athletes who are ranked among the top 50 in the nation in their respective events heading into the meet. Erika Hurd is tied for 1st place in the women’s high jump, Adrian Valles is tied for 18th place in the men’s pole vault, Bryan Cain is tied for 22nd place in the men’s 60 meter hurdles, Je’Rica Sanders is tied for 28th place in the women’s 60 meter hurdles, Frida Akerstrom is 35th in the women’s shot put, Macklin Tudor has 44th place in the men’s shot put, Kenya Woodall is tied in 49th place in the women’s 400 meter dash and Rebecka Abrahamsson closes out the Bearcats in the 50th position in the women’s triple jump. Cincinnati is currently ranked in the top three in the conference in 15 events. The program took a small group to the Akron Invitational meet last weekend on Feb. 6 and 7 and brought home 14 top-eight finishes. Abrahamsson garnered a first place finish in the women’s long jump with a personal best jump of 18 feet 7.25 inches. This leap placed her 8th in UC’s all-time history. For the men, Valles finished 2nd in the pole vault competition with a career-best mark of 17 feet 6.5 inches. This moved Valles into a tie for 18th in the nation and 3rd in Bearcats history. Sergio Acera Villaneuva finished second in
the long jump with a career best jump of 23 feet 11.25 inches. On the opening day of the Spire Invitational, Tudor set a career best mark in the weight throw as he threw the weight 57 feet 4.75 inches. This throw gave Tudor a 15th place finish. Teammate Josh Province finished in 12th place with a toss of 59 feet 2.75 inches. For the women, Akerstrom finished eighth in the weight throw with a throw of 57 feet 7 inches. Junior Monica Phillips followed Akerstrom in a 10th-place finish from her throw of 56 feet 5.75 inches. On the track, Woodall was the solo competitor for the women in the 200-meter dash. She finished 19th overall with a time of 25.09 seconds. The final day of the meet started when Abrahamsson set a new school record in the women’s triple jump with a leap of 41 feet 1.5 inches. In the women’s shot put, Akerstrom finished in 2nd place with a throw of 49 feet 1 inch. Her teammates Leah Heckaman and Annette Echikunwoke finished in 6th and 7th. Hurd was able to garner a 1st place finish in the women’s high jump event, clearing 5 feet 11.25 inches. The Spire Division I invitational served as a preview for the team as they prepare to compete for the American Athletic Conference championship in two weeks on Feb. 27 and Feb. 28 at the New Balance Track & Field Center at the Armory in New York City. The Bearcats will also travel to Columbus this weekend to compete in the Ohio State Tune-Up meet.
PROVIDED
LEFT: Michael Nwankwo competes in the men’s triple jump event at the SPIRE D1 Invitational over the weekend in Geneva, Ohio. RIGHT: Men’s track and field compete in the men’s 60 meter dash.
Women’s basketball suffers another conference loss against UCF JAELYNNE JOHNSON | SPORTS EDITOR
The women’s basketball program traveled to Orlando, Florida, over the weekend to face conference foe University of Central Florida. The 66-51 loss dropped the Bearcats to a 6-19 overall record and made them 3-11 in the American Athletic Conference. They are currently on a four-game losing streak. Prior to Saturday’s loss, Cincinnati had owned a 4-0 overall record over the Knights. The Bearcats won all three contests against UCF last season and then picked up a 70-54 victory at home this season on Jan. 10. In Saturday’s contest, UC could not overcome its offensive struggles in the first half. In the first 10 minutes of the game the
two teams’ combined score was just 12 points. The Knights made their first significant run of the contest following the three-point burst with UCF scoring seven straight points that gave them a 21-10 lead at the 7:12 mark of the first half. UCF added a second run to close out the half, using a 7-1 scoring advantage over the Bearcats to take a 30-15 lead at half time. After Cincinnati opened the second half with a shot from Indianapolis native Ana Owens, the Knights scored eight straight points to push their lead by 21 points. Owens was able to finish the game with 10 points, five rebounds and two assists. “We are capable, I think that we are willing, I think we are able. It’s just a matter of making sure that we hone in and do everything that we need to do to
put two halves together,” said head coach Jamelle Elliott. “That second half, I really liked that energy that was on the floor. It’s constantly about building, it’s constantly about growth.” Junior guard Jasmine Whitfield led the team in scoring with 15 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Teammate Chelsea Jamison followed with nine points, five rebounds and two steals. Freshman Mackenzie Cann was able to get three assists and connect a pair of three-pointers for six points. Cincinnati committed 14 turnovers, which UCF converted into 11 points. Cincinnati scored 20 points in the paint and shot for 32.7 percent in comparison to UCF’s 34 points and 42.6 shooting percentage. Sophomore guard Zykira Lewis helped
lead the Knights to their victory with scoring 19 points, grabbing four rebounds and two assists. Freshman and Lewis’ teammate Fifi Ndour followed and finished the game with scoring 12 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. The Bearcats have a week to prepare for another conference match against East Carolina University Saturday in Greenville, North Carolina. Tip off time is set for 1:30 p.m., and the game will broadcast on ESPN3. The Bearcats and the ECU Pirates previously met Feb. 10, when Cincinnati lost 78-53 in Fifth Third Arena. “We’re going to focus on ECU, we’re going to know what they run, we’re going to know what they expect defensively but it is also about our personal growth as individuals and coaches,” Elliot said.
6 / COLLEGE LIFE
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 / NEWSRECORD.ORG
Marathon raises money, keeps students dancing for 24 hours
The Cincinnati Dance Marathon Morale Team teaches students how to dance during one of their hourly segments. CASSIE LIPP | CHIEF REPORTER
University of Cincinnati students put their love interests on the back burner to raise money for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, breaking a sweat in a 24hour dance galore over Valentine’s Day weekend. The proceeds raised during the Cincinnati Dance Marathon will help improve and save the lives of patients. Many student organizations participated in the fundraiser, including RallyCats, Student Government and nearly all of UC’s Greek organizations. Former and current patients of Children’s Hospital, also known as champions, put on their dancing shoes and joined the marathon at the Campus Recreational Center (CRC) to bring a smile to the patients the fundraiser benefits.
“
When I met you guys, I realized it’s not a punishment. It’s a gift. Why should I be ashamed of something that is different and special? — NOAH KRUGER, CDM Champion
“It’s about the kids,” said Lori Kaufman, a fourth-year communications and public relations student. “It’s about being there to raise money and to come together as a community.” Kaufman participated in the event by choreographing a dance for their morale team to perform and teach the audience. Kaufman admitted it was hard to choreograph an eight-minute dance, but she thought it all came together in the end. “I was very focused on getting this as big as I could,” Kaufman said. Kaufman’s favorite part of the cause is seeing where the money benefits the patients. The fundraiser was broken up into segments each hour, with sections
featuring dance tutorials, bands, disc jockeys and speeches from champions and their families. During a speech by 14-year-old champion Noah Kruger, he told the group of students he owed them his life. “I honestly cannot put any words into how much I’m happy that you guys are doing this,” Kruger said. “Anyone could have saved me, but it was this group that did, so I feel a part of it. So I say, party on!” Kruger discussed his struggle living with epilepsy and arthritis, saying he used to wonder if his life was supposed to be the way it was, or if he was being punished. “When I met you guys, I realized it’s not a punishment,” Kruger said. “It’s a gift. Why should I be ashamed of something that is different and special?” Although Kruger is not much of a dancer himself, he does enjoy ballroom dance scenes in movies. His favorite ballroom dance scene is from “Phantom of the Opera.” Anne Pace, a champion and third-year communication sciences and disorders student, said she couldn’t thank Cincinnati Children’s Hospital enough for saving her life. Pace had a reaction to an antibiotic five years ago that caused her to contract erythema multiforme major, which caused her body to burn itself from the inside out, she said. Her body was covered in painful burns and lesions and she could not eat, drink, talk or walk, resulting in an extended stay at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Pace is now healthy and runs the 5K, 10K and 3000–meter run for the UC Track Team. She is also on the UC Cross Country team and is an active volunteer for the hospital. “I love Cincinnati Dance Marathon because it truly helps any families and their children having a really hard time,” Pace said. “It helps improve their lives and make and change the outcome for them.”
BAILEY DOWLIN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Pace said this is her second year being involved with CDM. “I really do think it’s important for the community to help out for causes like this because it really does change people’s lives,” Pace said. “Cincinnati Children’s is an amazing hospital, and they really do so much for people. They care about each family and patient they work with.” While catching a breath in between breakdancing on the dance floor, Gabriel Puente-Lay, a fourth-year aerospace engineering student, said he loved CDM. “I like the music and the whole atmosphere, you know, just people getting together and dancing for a good cause,” Puente-Lay said. “But as a dancer I just really enjoy any kind of scene where there’s music and dancing and people having fun.” Puente-Lay is a member of the b-boying (a type of breakdancing) group UC Hybercrew.
Midway through the event, at around 3 a.m., the dance marathon kicked into Rave Hour. All the lights in the CRC were turned off and glow sticks hung from the ceiling as students rose to dance to electronic music. “[Rave Hour] is always a good way to revitalize, rejuvenate everyone at the event,” said Trevor Smith, Student Government internal holdover senator. “I like CDM because of the way it impacts our community, the way it impacts our students, the way it joins us together to really make a meaningful change for the world.” After the band Oh Brother played during the marathon, lead guitarist Austin Conn said his favorite part of the event was the cause. “It’s amazing that all these people come out here for this great cause, this 24-hour thing, taking time out of their day and come out,” Conn said. ‘To have a dance like this and DJs is awesome, and they’re all doing it for free.” Oh Brother played covers of familiar songs to get dancers’ energy flowing. The band’s set included Britney Spears’ “Hit Me Baby One More Time” and Smash Mouth’s “All Star.” While taking a break from dancing, students could also make a Valentine’s Day card for a special child at the fraternity Phi Delta Theta’s valentine station. According to Phi Delta Theta Vice President Joey Kappen, Cincinnati Children’s cannot give patients homemade cards, so the valentines would go to children at St. Joseph’s Orphanage. The third-year industrial management and marketing student said the fraternity was also promoting their “Who Do You Love” campaign, for which dancers could write the name of a loved one on a poster and describe why they love them. Kappen said the fraternity plans to put the list on UC’s and St. Joseph’s web pages. “[Who Do You Love] gives you an opportunity to say who are you giving back to and who has made an impact in your life, whether it’s your boyfriend or girlfriend, family members, just people that matter to you,” Kappen said. Kappen said the champions make CDM a great event. “The champions sometimes come out to dance with you,” Kappen said. “It’s really cool being able to interact with the champions and dance with them. I think that’s the coolest part.”
BAILEY DOWLIN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Oh Brother plays during the Cincinnati Dance Marathon on Valentine’s Day weekend.
Awareness initiative accepts jeans for homeless community ALLIE ALU | STAFF REPORTER
As part of a fundraiser focused on raising awareness about Cincinnati’s homeless population, students gathered outside Tangeman University Center plaza Wednesday, holding cardboard signs with facts about the local homeless community. During Delta Omega’s fundraiser, My Homeless Sign Would Say, the University of Cincinnati Gamma Rho chapter set up a table to collect jeans that will be donated to Tender Mercies, a homeless shelter and soup kitchen they work with, said Kristen Carpenter, a second-year public health graduate student and president of Delta Omega. Delta Omega, an organization that advocates public health, generally sticks to fundraisers on the medical campus where they are located. Its main goal is to make sure people have access to basic resources. “We’ve been having meetings since last semester,” Carpenter said. “We’ve also been brainstorming for a while on [what] fundraisers to do.” Jerusha Clark, the social and community outreach chair of Delta Omega, helped Carpenter run the donation table. This is the first time the group has organized an event specifically for the homeless, mainly because it is generally harder to reach the homeless population, Carpenter said. “We want to raise awareness, take a philanthropic approach and let more people know about the master of public health degree program,” Carpenter said. “We also want to start doing more events on Main Campus to let more people at UC know about us.” The fraternity also gave away a $5 gift card to Aéropostale to every student who donated a pair of jeans. Beyond donations and fundraising, Delta Omega focused on informing people about challenges and issues the homeless face on a daily basis. These facts were recreated in cardboard signs that homeless people typically hold when asking for money. In thick black ink, the signs read things like “30-35 percent of homeless in the Tri-County area struggle with substance abuse” and “45 percent of the homeless youth do not attend school regularly.” Other cardboards read: • •
“70 percent of Cincinnati’s homeless population is made up of African Americans.” “1.5 million homeless people around the United
•
States are under the age of 18.” “40 percent of homeless women and 60 percent of homeless men are actually employed.”
Although Carpenter said the most popular assumption is that homeless people want money for drugs, this idea is sometimes far from the reality. Many homeless people either have jobs or are trying to become employed, Carpenter said. “I really found the setup creative,” said Kelli
Cartuyvelles, a first-year chemistry student. “As a commuter, I pass homeless people every day, and some of these facts were just mind blowing to me.” Students can continue to donate jeans to the fraternity until the clothing is taken to Tender Mercies on Feb. 21. Clark will also be at the same spot in front of TUC Monday from noon to 1 p.m. Carpenter said Delta Omega hopes to organize more fundraisers on campus and raise more awareness for the types of charities and people they strive to help.
DANIEL DEITSCH | CONTRIBUTOR
Students held cardboard signs with statistics about Cincinnati’s homeless community as they collected donations of jeans for Tender Mercies, a local homeless shelter and food pantry.