April 17, 2019 - The News Record at University of Cincinnati

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pg. 4 | 200 years of pg. 8 | Get to know Bearcat women - Part 5 Cronin’s replacement Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Bearcats baseball gets revenge on RedHawks MATT HUFFMON | SPORTS EDITOR

Between 2014 and 2017, UC notified students of roughly 20 percent of rapes reported on campus. JACOB FISHER | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF (MAP PROVIDED BY GOOGLE EARTH PRO)

Leaving students in the dark: UC fails to notify students about most reported rapes on campus GRETA BACH | CONTRIBUTOR MAGGY MCDONEL | OPINION EDITOR SARAH ENGEL | CONTRIBUTOR On July 9, 2016, a 19-year-old female student at the University of Cincinnati was visiting a friend at University Park Apartments. According to a UC Police Department report, the student became sick and was led to the bathroom by 19-year-old Geonte West, who then anally raped her. That same day, a friend of the student reported the assault to UC police.

However, UC officials failed to issue a timely alert to notify students, staff, parents and other UPA residents of the reported rape. By federal law under the Clery Act, universities are required to issue a timely warning

regarding any ongoing threat to campus.

Failure to issue crime alerts for sexual assaults reported on campus is not uncommon for UC. Between 2014 and 2017, 33 on-campus rapes were reported to UC officials, federal records show. Of those, UC officials issued crime alerts for just seven.

In other words, officials failed to issue crime alerts for nearly 80 percent of rapes reported on campus.

James Whalen, UC’s director of public safety since 2015, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Kelly Cantwell, the associate public information officer who answered on Whalen’s behalf, encouraged The News Record to seek another source who is more informed on matters related to crime alerts.

Unreported Rape Continued on Page 2

The University of Cincinnati baseball team is suddenly on a roll with three straight wins.

The Bearcats improved to 17-19 Tuesday evening with an overwhelming 15-5 win over the Miami (OH) University RedHawks at Marge Schott Stadium.

The win carried a little extra weight, as Miami beat UC 12-8 in 11 innings Wednesday in the championship game of the Joe Nuxhall Classic, which was hosted by UC. UC trailed 5-1 heading into the fifth inning Tuesday before the offense exploded for 14 runs in the final four innings.

“Our guys didn’t panic,” UC head coach Scott Googins said. “That was the big thing.

Our guys kept plugging away and giving good at-bats and good things happened … Our guys were ready to go.”

After providing an 11th inning walk-off homerun in the second game of Sunday’s double-header with the University of Central Florida (UCF), UC sophomore left fielder Joey Wiemer crushed a no-doubt dinger onto Sheakley Lawn in the bottom of the seventh inning to round out UC’s scoring. He added a double and single to finish 3-of-4.

UC reliever Andrew Noelker was awarded the win after giving up three hits in three innings and striking out four.

Typical starter A.J. Kullman pitched a scoreless seventh inning, recording one strikeout. “[Googins] asked if I wanted to throw bullpen or an inning in the game,” Kullman said. “I feel like the game experience is always a little better.”

The Bearcats hit the road this weekend for a three-game series at the University of Houston.

University of Cincinnati’s Joey Wiemer went 3-for-4 in Tuesday evening’s win over the Miami (OH) RedHawks. ABBY SHOYAT | PHOTO EDITOR

April 17, 2019

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UC doesn’t issue alerts for most rapes Unreported Rape Continued from Cover Nicole Smith, Clery compliance coordinator, said the university is not always obligated to issue timely crime alerts. “[If] there is an ongoing threat, we’re obligated to send out a timely warning,” Smith said. “We may not send out a timely warning if there’s not an eminent threat.”

Smith cited a hypothetical example where a sexual assault suspect is arrested and booked, which would likely negate any immediate threat to campus. In cases like these, the university “would not send out a timely warning,” Smith said, “because we don’t need to notify the students that there is a suspect on the loose, because he or she has been captured.”

The Clery Act is named for Jeanne Clery, a first-year student who was raped and murdered in her dormitory at Lehigh University in 1986. In the three years preceding her enrollment, 38 violent crimes were committed on campus, but officials did not notify

students about them.

Her parents, Howard and Connie Clery, later said they would not have allowed their daughter to attend Lehigh had they known about its violent crime rate. They launched a campaign to convince the government to require colleges to disclose campus crime statistics, and in 1990, Congress approved the Clery Act, which requires universities to publish annual crime reports, maintain detailed daily crime logs and issue timely warnings about any ongoing threats on campus.

UC officials have insisted the university strives for transparency in reporting sexual assaults. Yet the university’s response to reported rapes in residence halls tells a different story.

Twenty-three rapes were reported in UC residence halls between 2014 and 2017, yet officials issued just five crime alerts notifying students about them, according to federal and UC records. In 2016, seven rapes were reported in residence halls, yet UC officials issued crime alerts for just two of them.

Only one alert identified the building where the rape reportedly occurred, records show.

Smith said officials include the location of each reported rape — including the names of residence halls — in crime alerts.

“As for the location, we will put a block or a building number, or building name, on campus,” she said. “We will use a building name, Morgens Hall, Turner Hall, or we’ll say the 2300 block of Ohio Avenue.”

However, UC officials did not disclose a location in an Oct. 13, 2016, crime alert, which said that a sexual assault had been reported that day “in a residence hall.”

In an Oct. 24, 2016, crime alert, UC officials identified University Park Apartments (UPA) as the residence hall where a sexual assault reportedly took place.

However, three other rapes at UPA were reported to UC police in 2016, according to UC’s 2016 Campus Crime Report, and crime alerts were not issued for any of them.

Bethany White was a resident adviser in 2016 at UPA. She told The News Record she only learned about sexual assaults at UPA if they were reported to resident advisers.

White said UC officials have not fully recognized the magnitude of sexual assaults in campus housing.

“I believe the knowledge is there,” she said.

“But resources, response training and general university culture has not caught up to the reality of sexual assaults or harassment.”

The first reported sexual assault in 2016 at UPA occurred

April 8. According to a UC police report, a female UC student said a male student forced her to perform oral sex.

UC officials did not issue a crime alert.

Three months later, a second rape was reported at UPA: the one where a UC student said Geonte West anally raped her July 9, according to a UC police report.

Once again, UC officials did not issue a crime alert.

On July 28 — almost three weeks later — officials issued a UC Aware email that said a student had reported being sexually assaulted July 9 in a residence hall. The email did not identify which residence hall the assault was reported in.

On Aug. 25, a Hamilton County grand jury indicted West on charges of rape and sexual battery, according to court records, which identify the survivor as “C.W.” According to the indictment, West “knew C.W. was intoxicated when he led her into the bathroom, closed the door and sexually assaulted C.W.” West entered a plea of not guilty to each count.

Eighteen months later, West and Hamilton County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Lipps agreed to a plea bargain.

On March 19, 2018, West pleaded guilty to felonious assault, and the prosecutor dropped all other charges, court records show.

Lipps was unable to be reached. West refused to comment.

In May 2018, Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Melba Marsh sentenced West to five years’ probation, court records show.

Avanti Patel moved into UPA in August 2016 — one month after C.W. reported that West had raped her in the same complex. Patel said UC officials never notified her about the reported rape. Had they done so, she said, “that would definitely have played into my decision of living there.”

Patel, who still lives in UPA, said better alerting students about reported rapes would raise

University Park Apartments was the location of the Geonte West rape.

ABBY SHOYAT | PHOTO EDITOR

awareness about many safety issues. For example, Patel said UPA residents often stand near the entrance and open the door to anyone who approaches.

Patel said she hopes UC officials would be more transparent when it comes to alerting students about reports of sexual assault.

“It’s concerning that they’re not saying anything about it or [issuing] any follow-up about it,” she said.

Sexual assault on college campuses is a national problem. In a web-based survey commissioned by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2007, roughly 19 percent of female respondents reported experiencing “completed or attempted sexual assault” since entering college.

The university’s response to reports of sexual assault at UC has been a flashpoint of controversy for years.

In 2016, a student-led movement known as Students for Survivors demanded officials address what the group called UC’s “sexually hostile environment.”

In February 2017, officials with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights informed

the university that it had launched an investigation to determine whether the university was mishandling Title IX sexual assault reports after a UC student filed a complaint, alleging “the University failed to appropriately respond” when she reported being sexually assaulted.

The investigation is ongoing, records show.

In March, Andrea Goldblum unexpectedly left her position as Title IX coordinator after just 10 months on the job. The university spent more than two years without a fulltime Title IX coordinator before hiring Goldblum.

UC’s annual fire and safety report, which outlines the number of rapes reported both on and off campus in 2018, will not be released until October 2019.

The News Record recently requested daily crime logs from the police for 2018.

According to those records, nine sexual assaults were reported on campus that year — seven of which were in residence halls.

However, records show that UC officials did not issue a single crime alert regarding an on-campus sexual assault in 2018.

April 17, 2019

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All other major student political organizations signed the YDSA petition in opposition to the University of Cincinnati’s tuition increase. PROVIDED BY VINAY TEMBURNIKAR

Several UC student groups oppose tuition increase KEELY BROWN | NEWS EDITOR Seven of the University of Cincinnati’s on-campus political organizations have signed a petition to reject a proposed 6 percent tuition hike for the 2019-20 academic school year.

The petition, created by the UC chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA), aims to spread awareness to students about the tuition increase and illustrate the unpopularity of a tuition hike for incoming students.

Five of UC’s largest politically-affiliated student organizations — UC College Republicans, UC College Democrats, UC Young Americans for Liberty, UC Young Americans for Freedom and YSDA — have signed the petition.

Other campus organizations that have pledged their support include the UC Roosevelt Institute, Fossil Free UC and UC Feminists.

These eight organizations contacted UC President Neville Pinto and Vice

President of Student Affairs Debra Merchant in an April 15 email, in which they asked administrators to “vote no” on the proposed increase.

UC’s Undergraduate Student Government (SG) will discuss the petition and proposed tuition increase at its weekly student senate meeting Wednesday, April 17. During the meeting, Bob Ambach, senior vice president for administration and finance, plans to give a presentation on UC’s annual operating budget and the proposed tuition guarantee program.

The program would increase tuition and fees by 6 percent for incoming firstyear and transfer students.

It will also guarantee the same tuition rate for all students for the duration of their college careers.

Chandler Rankin, student body president, said students have a right to be heard regarding this matter at UC — especially as it relates to the larger conversation surrounding the accessibility and

affordability of higher education in the U.S. Rankin said incoming students were notified “a while ago” that their rate would most likely be higher than the current rate as it stands. He maintained that UC typically takes input from students and the community into consideration.

“These matters disproportionately affect low income and underrepresented students, which I think we should critically think about,” said Rankin. “While this increase will only directly impact incoming students and their parents, we still have a role in advocacy at a university, state and federal level to shape the environment around making higher education accessible and affordable to all students.”

The vote to increase tuition will take place at the upcoming UC board of trustees meeting at 8:30 a.m.

Tuesday, April 23.

The vote accompanies a push for the university to

adopt a tuition guarantee UC’s recent history where this negatively impacts program — one that 11 of students, who have different their ability to learn and Ohio’s 13 public universities political beliefs or are even achieve,” wrote Robert have already implemented. apolitical, have supported Haug, associate professor “I think that us being the a campaign so strongly. of history, on YDSA’s only institution in the state In ignoring our voice, the online petition. “Make UC to freeze tuition for the last administration will have affordable.” five years was a part of the only widened the gap In addition, several UC strategy to eventually move between towards this program — essentially giving our current students an unofficial ‘tuition guarantee,’” Rankin said.

Hannah Naberhaus, communications director for UC Democrats, said the organization hopes that UC’s board of trustees will reconsider the increase.

“If they do respond to our wishes, it could set a positive precedent going forward that will bring more accountability and expand the student alumni have voiced their the ability for the board to and the support for the cause. best serve the university,” university.”

“As an alum and a faculty said Naberhaus. “We would The student body and member, it is important to encourage the board of political organizations are me that public education trustees to think about not the only members of UC remain accessible to all of the impact that a tuition that oppose the tuition hike. our students,” wrote Eira increase would have on Faculty have spoken out Tansey, digital archivist and incoming students.” against the increase as well. records manager for UC, on Vinay Temburnikar, “I understand the the petition. president of YDSA, said struggles our students go his organization believes through trying to afford that a public university an education and how should function in a democratic fashion and take student opinion into consideration.

Temburnikar said UC officials should listen to the outcry from the student body.

If they don’t, it will be a sign that UC functions more like a corporation that treats students like profit centers, Temburnikar said.

“The board of trustees is not an elected body, and for it to decide that it will charge incoming freshmen more money to fund non-academic initiatives is abuse of power,” said Temburnikar.

“I believe this is An email sent by YDSA to the UC Board of Trustees. PROVIDED the first time in

April 17, 2019

Page 4 Suzanne Farrell (1945-present)

Suzanne Farrell, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, was one of the most influential and celebrated ballet dancers in the 20th century.

WIKIPEDIA

200 years of Boldly Bearcat women

ELIZABETH SCHMITT | FEATURES EDITOR This is the fifth installment of an ongoing series that pays homage to women who have influenced the University of Cincinnati and its surrounding community.

Clarice Reid (1931-present)

Growing up in the segregated education system of Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Clarice Reid experienced much adversity as she navigated a system that was fundamentally designed against her. As a young African-American woman, Reid felt enormous pressure from her parents to excel.

“Knowledge was power that no one can take away,” Reid said in an interview with UC Magazine.

Still, she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology from Talladega College, a historically black school, in 1952.

Then, in 1959, she became the third African-American woman to graduate from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine. She went on to complete her pediatric residency at Jewish Hospital with pediatric training at the children’s hospital. From 1962 to 1968, Reid was the only African-American pediatrician with a private practice in Cincinnati.

Reid left Cincinnati when her husband landed a job in D.C. “When I left Cincinnati to follow my husband to Washington, I had no idea what I would be doing professionally,” Reid said. “All I could do was talk about how I didn’t want to leave my job at Jewish Hospital as director of pediatrics and lose my identity. But as I moved on, I found identity in challenging new jobs that I never imagined.”

Reid started a career in federal service as a medical consultant at the National Center for Family Planning, Health Services and Mental Health Administration. In 1973, she joined the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in the national sickle cell disease program, where she made important breakthroughs in sickle cell disease research, which she regards as her greatest accomplishment. “[It] totally transformed the management and care of patients and impacted directly on the quality of lives of patients with sickle cell disease,” she said.

From Mount Healthy to dancing under George Balanchine in New York City to choreographing for performances at the Kennedy Center, Suzanne Farrell has made a clear impression on the world of dance.

Born as Roberta Sur Fiker, Farrell later changed her name after picking a name at random out of a phone book, according to her autobiography, “Holding on to the Air: An Autobiography.” Farrell began to dance when she was eight, attended Ursuline Academy and studied ballet at the College-Conservatory of Music.

After receiving a scholarship at age 15, Farrell moved to New York City to dance at the School of American Ballet. At 19, she became the youngest principal dancer to perform a solo within the corps.

Farrell and George Balanchine formed an intimate relationship, and Farrell was often referred to as one of Balanchine’s greatest muses. The New York Times described Farrell’s dancing as “grand, impulsive, remote, rapturous.” Her stage career was long, full of trials and full of unprecedented fearlessness.

In 1987, she made her natural transition from dancing to choreography. Now, at 74, Farrell teaches dance at Florida State University, imparting the Balanchine technique onto the next generation of dancers.

Sally Jane Priesand (1946-present)

Leaders of faith are often thought to be male figures, but Sally Jane Priesand challenged that notion. A Cleveland native, Priesand attended reform congregation at Beth Israel-West Temple and showed commitment to her Jewish faith at an early age, according to a biography by the Jewish Women’s Archive.

In high school, Priesand decided she wanted to become a rabbi, and in 1964, she began taking classes at UC, which held a joint undergraduate program with Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (JIR). After graduating UC, Priesand was admitted to JIR’s rabbinic school.

In 1972, Priesand became the first woman ordained as a rabbi by a Jewish seminary, which set the precedent for many female leaders of faith after her. After becoming ordained, Priesand found it challenging to find a congregation that would hire her due to her gender. She moved from congregation to congregation, often making choices that were best for the women who would come after her.

“I realized I was not going to be able to have a career and a family,” Priesand said in an interview with The Washington Post. “My career always came first. And you know what? I’m not really sorry about that. Because I know all the people whose lives I’ve touched are part of my extended family.”

In 2006, Priesand retired as a rabbi, but she continues to inspire women by providing support and guidance.

Pamela Bridgewater (1947-present)

For many, becoming a diplomat seems like a pipe dream, but for Pamela Bridgewater, that dream became a reality.

Bridgewater is originally from Virginia and earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Virginia State University in 1968. She then earned her master’s in political science from UC, according to a biography by Black Past.

After teaching political science at universities across the nation — including Bowie State University, Morgan State University and Voorhees College — Bridgewater joined the Foreign Service in 1980. There, she served as an analyst and diplomate in the Bureau of European Affairs, the Bureau of Oceans and Environmental Affairs and the Bureau of Intelligence and Research.

Then, in 1990, Bridgewater served as a political officer in South Africa, where she worked closely with

Nelson Mandela as apartheid drew to an end, according to UC Magazine. She went on to become the first AfricanAmerican woman to be appointed to serve on the Consul General in South Africa.

In 1996, she became a deputy chief in the Bahamas and served as the U.S. ambassador to Benin, West Africa, in 2000. She became integral in shaping the region’s foreign affairs, serving as the state department’s special coordinator for peace in Liberia. She became the ambassador to Ghana from 2005 to 2008 and U.S. ambassador to Jamaica from 2010 to 2013.

April 17, 2019

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April 17, 2019

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Aspiring student organization to rebrand DAAP’s 840 Gallery SENJA TOIVONEN | CONTRIBUTOR Two first-year fine arts students at the University of Cincinnati have launched a student organization that they say aims to solve ongoing problems within the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP).

The new organization, the Community of Art Students (CAS), was founded by Quincy Collins and Sadie Yost. It will function as a liaison between students, faculty and administration, working to maintain the student gallery and increase representation of art students within DAAP. CAS began after a faculty member approached the students and asked them to form the organization. At the time, both Collins and Yost were already tasked with leading DAAP’s 840 Gallery — an on-campus space that enables fine

arts students to publicly showcase their work.

“We were given the responsibility to be the middleman between the students and the administration in picking what goes on with the 840 Gallery and what we’re going to do with it in the future,” said Collins.

CAS representatives are currently working to rebrand the gallery. The rebrand includes a name change, possibly to “Tabula Rasa” — or “blank slate” in Latin, according to Yost. The gallery will also undergo installation and lighting updates.

CAS also hopes to amplify student voices by interfacing with faculty and administration to better address students’ problems and concerns.

The organization is working to address several “issues” within the college, said Collins. One of

these issues concerns the location of studios for fine arts freshmen, which are currently located in trailers instead of the main building.

“It’s kind of hard to show [prospective students] the space,” Collins said.

“Honestly, it’s a little embarrassing with how poor quality it seems the space is.”

The trailer space is meant to be temporary, but CAS is seeking immediate action.

“We can’t just keep saying ‘Oh, this is only temporary,’” said Collins. “This change needs to happen sooner than later, because I think that DAAP is definitely losing its good reputation among the fine arts students because of these issues that haven’t been addressed.”

CAS founders also plan to host activities and implement greater outreach to bridge the gap between fine arts students and students of other disciplines.

“The essence that we really want to promote is a sense of community and family within the school of art and [we’ll] try to spread that to the rest of DAAP as well,” said Collins.

“I feel like there’s a divide between fine arts and the other departments … We really want to encourage cooperativeness between the majors, because we’re all here for art-related reasons, and I think we can do some really cool stuff.”

Applications for new student organizations are closed until the fall semester, but CAS is still working to enact change now. Collins and Yost have already established CAS-branded social media accounts, and the aspiring organization has already grown to 12 members, all of whom are freshmen.

CAS hopes to expand its reach to upperclassmen as well.

to spread this togetherness and to keep the Community of Art Students going even after we’ve left,” said Collins. “We want to really create a strong and longlasting foundation … We’re really passionate about what’s going on here, and I don’t think we’ll ever stop being passionate about it.”

Group photo from the Community of Art Students last meeting.

PROVIDED BY QUINCY COLLINS

‘La Clemenza Di Tito’: Plot falls flat, despite technical excellence ANNE SIMENDINGER | LIFE & ARTS EDITOR

Top: The company of “La Clemenza Di Tito” at CCM. PROVIDED BY MARK LYONS Bottom: The opera is set in 1959 Cuba, where Emperor Tito Vespasian is looking for an empress.

PROVIDED BY MARK LYONS

“Even if they’re seniors and they’re about ready to graduate, they can still come down and say, ‘This is what I’ve learned. This is what I want to say before I leave, and this is the main thing I would like to change,’” said Yost.

“We’re hoping that even after we leave DAAP … that people will continue

Operas are an interesting breed of art. Some people adore them, while others don’t quite understand the appeal. The CollegeConservatory of Music’s opera department continues its 2018-19 MainStage season with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “La Clemenza Di Tito,” running now through April 14.

The opera is set in 1959 Cuba, where Emperor Tito Vespasian is looking for an empress. Vitellia, daughter of the late Emperor Vitellio, is seeking revenge against Tito for the death of her father. She expected Tito to choose her as empress, but he had two other women in mind.

One of them is Servilia — the sister of Tito’s best friend, Sesto. The problem? Servilia and her love, Annio, are trying to get married. Meanwhile, Vitellia seduces Sesto and uses him to kill Tito.

Now, put the entire show in Italian with a handful of

subtitles, and you understand my confusion. While there were English subtitles above the stage, they were inconsistent.

Sometimes, they stopped midsong. Other times, they didn’t appear at all. Overall, it made the plot incredibly difficult to follow.

This said, the talent of the cast is next level — as is expected with CCM. Each voice in the company was stronger than the next, and there were several performances that showcased stellar acting talent.

Grace Kiver (Annio) was a highlight of the show. Kiver’s stage presence is unmatched: she boasts honest, impassioned acting skills with a gorgeous voice to match. She appeared to connect with every performer onstage, and she never let the singing do the work for her.

Still, the stars of this production were the technical elements. The beautiful lighting and intricate period costumes made for a captivating spectacle, even when the plot

lost me.

During the overture, Teresa Perrotta (Vitellia) strolls across the dimly lit stage, turning on various lamps that leave the mansion-esque set in a gorgeous golden glow to set the mood. The entire first act is played on the same set, but in the second act, the set becomes the lead. Desks and podiums come from below the stage, and giant wall decor comes from above. Each element left me stunned and pulled me right back in.

The late 50s is such an exciting time period for fashion and costume design, and Rachel C. Boylan doesn’t disappoint. The show featured pill box hats, bomber jackets and plenty of fit and flare dresses — all my favorite things.

Despite the talented crew and advanced technical elements, I can’t say I understood the appeal of this opera. I have mad respect for the performers, but I don’t plan on seeing this one again.

April 17, 2019

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Harley Davidson of Cincinnati in Avondale is hosting an adult Easter egg hunt Saturday, April 20 at 4 p.m. WIKIMEDIA

Get out and do something: April 19 to April 21 ERIN COUCH | SENIOR REPORTER

Friday, April 19

Nick Offerman at the Taft Theatre: Despite what we may want to believe, Ron Swanson — our favorite mustachioed Libertarian from “Parks and Recreation” — isn’t actually a real person. But if you’re into the hilarious giggle and raunchy stand-up of the man behind the mustache, you’re in luck: Nick Offerman is making a stop in Cincinnati on his comedy

tour this weekend. You can buy tickets online.

8 p.m. Friday. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Central Business District. $37-$57.

‘Mercury’ Opening Weekend at Know Theatre: The underground Overthe-Rhine playhouse is in its 21st season, and this weekend, the theater is opening its latest play — Steve Yockey’s “Mercury.”

A black comedy with three storylines taking place in Portland, Oregon, “this mashup of myth,

“Parks and Recreation” star Nick Offerman will be at Taft Theatre on Friday, April 19 at 8 p.m. WIKIMEDIA

missing empathy and ‘good neighbors’ explores what happens when the mercury rises,” according to Know Theatre’s website. For mature audiences.

8 p.m. Friday, 8 p.m.

Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday.

Know Theatre of Cincinnati, 1120 Jackson St., Over-theRhine. $25-$35.

Saturday, April 20

Urban Artifact Fourth Birthday Celebration: Urban Artifact is ready to go to pre-K. This Saturday, you can come and celebrate the Northside brewery’s fourth birthday with a music- and food-filled bonanza commemorating four full years of its signature sour beers. Come grab a Finn or a Postcard — and be sure to stay for a while, because admission is free.

Noon-midnight. Saturday.

Urban Artifact, 1660 Blue Rock St., Northside. Free.

Adult Easter Egg Hunt: Hunting for those little plastic eggs full of candy isn’t just for kids anymore.

Come to Harley Davidson this Saturday for an evening of egg-hunting and adult activities. There will be live music, food from Belle’s Smokin’ BBQ and beer from Bad Tom Smith Brewing. Tickets are $10 at the door, but participants are required to register beforehand online. Must be

21 to enter.

4 p.m. Saturday. Harley Davidson of Cincinnati, 1799 Tennessee Ave., Avondale. $10.

Sunday, April 21

‘Miss Saigon’ at the Aronoff: “Miss Saigon,”

a 1989 Broadway classic from the creators of “Les Misérables,” is currently at the Aronoff for its final weekend. The musical tells the story of an unlikely romance between a Vietnamese woman and an American G.I. during the Vietnam War. Torn apart during the fall of Saigon, the two find their way back to each other — with a few surprises along the way.

Buy tickets online.

1 p.m. Sunday. The Aronoff, 650 Walnut St., Over-theRhine. $31-$104.

Easter Brunch at Metropole: Those of us who celebrate Easter may be a little too old for the Easter bunny to visit, but you can still get some goodies Sunday in the form of a scrumptious brunch at Metropole. Enjoy a twocourse meal full of farmfresh ingredients, featuring mouthwatering options like breakfast burritos, Greek yogurt parfaits with hazelnut praline or juicy brunch burgers. Wash it all down with a complimentary coffee, tea or soda. Be sure to save room to scavenge

from your little brother or sister’s Easter baskets, though, because those Cadbury eggs won’t be around for much longer.

9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Metropole, 609 Walnut St., Downtown. $32.

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April 17, 2019

Wilt bringing contagious energy to UC football MATT HUFFMON | SPORTS EDITOR University of Cincinnati head football coach Luke Fickell added defensive line coach Chad Wilt to his staff in February, and he has already made his presence felt throughout spring practices. “[Wilt] brings all kinds of energy and really gets all of us going,” freshman defensive end Blake Bacevich said. “He brings a lot of different knowledge from a lot of different places, so it’s great both being able to learn technique and take in the energy he brings every day.

It’s really contagious.”

Although the team finished 11-2 and won a bowl game, the defensive line has some rebuilding to do after losing starters Cortez Broughton, Marquise Copeland and Kimoni Fitz to graduation.

The trio accounted for 153 tackles and 15 sacks last season.

“Replacing those guys is a process,”Wilt said.

“We’re getting these young guys ready mentally and physically to go step into the roles they need to.” “[Wilt] has really high expectations because we have a lot of guys to replace from last year,” Bacevich said. “We still have a lot of talent in that room, so he’s holding us to the highest standards possible to fill out shoes and exceed expectations.”

Bacevich, who graduated from St. Xavier High School, is on the list of players who will look to make impact on the defensive line this season.

Sophomore Malik Vann (Fairfield High School) is another name expected to have an increased role.

“We’ve just got to take

it day by day and make sure we’re taking steps forward and no steps back,” Bacevich said.

Wilt held the position of defensive line coach and run game coordinator at the United States Military Academy (Army) from 2016-18. The Black Knights finished 11-2 and won the Armed Forces Bowl last season.

“Thrilled we could attract a coach of Wilt’s caliber to our football staff,” UC head coach Luke Fickell said in February. “He’s shown to be an impressive teacher, motivator and coach. We are an offensive and defensive line driven program, so this is a critical role for us.”

Wilt said one of his biggest priorities is making sure the defensive line works through different forms of adversity to cultivate mental toughness leading

Page 8 up to the Aug. 29 season opener against UCLA at Nippert Stadium.

Opponents will be forced to take the team more seriously this coming year, he said, as Fickell has established a devoted culture in his first two years and the players have clear visions of what to expect from the coaching staff.

“Our guys have a culture that’s very healthy,”Wilt said.

“They’re not accepting where they are. If you do the same things over and over, you’re going to get the same results. Last year, they probably didn’t have a target on them. This year, you probably have more of a bullseye or a target on you. Teams will be watching, critiquing, evaluating us differently.”

The Bearcats finish spring practices this week. Wilt replaced Steve Stripling, who has since retired from New University of Cincinnati football defensive line coach Chad Wilt during coaching. his time at Army. PROVIDED BY ARMY ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS

Three things to know about John Brannen, UC’s new basketball coach MATT HUFFMON | SPORTS EDITOR The University of Cincinnati found its 27th head men’s basketball coach in Northern Kentucky University’s John Brannen Sunday afternoon. An introductory

press conference was held Monday morning at Fifth Third Arena.

“This is a dream job for me,” Brannen said. “It is a dream come true.”

Now that the Brannen era is officially underway, it’s time to learn a bit more

John Brannen (middle) was introduced as the new head men’s basketball coach at the University of Cincinnati Monday morning.

ALEX MARTIN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

background about Mick Cronin’s replacement.

who played for the Bearcats from 1994-98.

“Cincinnati through and through”

He was a Rhodes scholarship finalist

Brannen was born just over the Ohio River in Alexandria, Kentucky, and was a standout high school basketball player at Newport Central Catholic High School in Newport, Kentucky. His father is originally from St. Bernard in Cincinnati, while his mother is from Newport.

“You always told me that the cream rises to the top,” Brannen said, motioning to his father in attendance Monday. “You’re St. Bernard born and bred … Cincinnati through and through. I’m certainly not here without the lessons you’ve taught me.”

Longtime UC basketball fans may be familiar with the last name. John is the cousin of Bobby Brannen,

After high school, Brannen played two years of collegiate basketball at Morehead State University before transferring to Marshall University for his final two years.

While earning a bachelor’s degree in business management, he was named a finalist for the Rhodes scholarship as a senior at Marshall. The nomination gave Brannen a chance to study at the prestigious University of Oxford.

“I think I was toward the bottom of the finalist group,” Brannen said, laughing. “At that point, I wanted to play professional basketball and had the opportunity to.”

The same year he was nominated (1996-97), Brannen averaged 20.9

points and five rebounds for the Thundering Herd. He played professionally for two years in Belgium.

He wants to recruit locally

Brannen hinted at a stronger presence in recruiting local talent Monday.

“To the recruits out there in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and beyond — we’re coming, we’re coming,” he said. “To the fans, make no mistake about it, I grew up in this area, and this is Cincinnati’s team. I’ve learned that.”

There are currently three Ohio natives on UC’s roster (Jarron Cumberland, Sam Martin and John Koz) and no players from Kentucky or Indiana.

UC’s top incoming recruit is Samari Curtis from Xenia, Ohio. Mike Bohn, UC’s director of athletics, drove to Xenia to visit

with Curtis following Mick Cronin’s departure last week to discuss the future of the team. It was also reported that Brannen has been in contact with Curtis following his hire.

“I don’t mean to sound rude but once again please don’t ask to interview me about college right now,” Curtis tweeted Sunday after Brannen was hired. “I’m not answering any questions.

Thank you.”

After posting an 81-51 record during his four-year tenure at NKU, Brannen explained what will make his approach translate to UC. “We will divorce ourselves from outcomes and live in the process,” he said. “We’ll do it together. It’ll be fun, it’ll be competitive and it’ll be a group of young men that you will be honored to call ‘Cincinnati’s team.’”

April 17, 2019

Page 9

Takeaways from UC football’s ‘Nipp at night’ MATT HUFFMON | SPORTS EDITOR

The University of Cincinnati football team held its annual spring game Saturday evening at Nippert Stadium, with the offensive team beating the defensive team 40-39.

Although no official team or individual statistics were tracked, there were a few glaring takeaways from the inter-squad scrimmage.

Ridder hasn’t skipped a beat

Although redshirt freshman quarterback Ben Bryant has a cannon of an arm and is more than capable of running the offense effectively, sophomore Desmond Ridder is simply on another level.

The 6-foot-4 dual-threat option showcased why he was named the 2018 American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year after accounting for 3,028 yards last season. He connected on two touchdown passes and broke numerous runs after scrambling out of the pocket Saturday.

“One of the big things during spring was challenging ourselves to find the backup quarterback and give those guys an opportunity to compete,” UC head coach Luke Fickell said. “Not just to find the backup, but also to put some pressure on Des. He’s a kid that loves pressure and loves to compete. The more the [other quarterbacks] do, the more they’ll push him.

It’s really tough to go through a season with just one guy.”

Vann constantly in the backfield

Malik Vann spent the majority of his evening wreaking havoc in the offensive backfield, finishing with four sacks and a handful of solo tackles.

The sophomore defensive end from

Fairfield, Ohio, saw limited snaps last season, appearing in 12 of 13 games and providing eight tackles.

“When he thinks he got a sack [by touching the quarterback] and he didn’t, really what we’re trying to do is challenge him a little bit mentally,” Fickell said. “[The defense] has a lot of respect for [the quarterbacks], so you feel really comfortable letting them go at it in these situations.”

Smith drills everything

After a disappointing freshman year that saw him connect on just 5-of-12 field goal attempts, sophomore kicker Cole Smith was as solid as can be Saturday – knocking through 3-of-3 field goal attempts (42 yards, 42, 37).

Senior Ryan Jones pushed Smith for the position last season. Smith said the competition is still going on throughout the spring practices, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“That competition is something I want,” Smith said. “I don’t want to have nobody behind me. We’re competing right now and it’s really a good time, and we’re both improving really well … It felt good to get under the lights and get a confidence boost.”

Pierce shows off athleticism

Alec Pierce, a 6-foot-3 sophomore wide receiver from the Chicago area, caught multiple deep, contested passes on the night.

With an off-the-charts vertical leap, don’t be surprised to see Ridder take advantage of Pierce down the field this season.

“I think you’re seeing the strength of some of those guys after being in the program for a couple years beginning to show up on the field,” Fickell said.

Gary Clark with the Houston Rockets during the NBA regular season. @BR_NBA | TWITTER

Three former Bearcats earn spots on NBA playoff rosters MATT HUFFMON | SPORTS EDITOR For this final time this school year, it’s time to check in on the status of notable University of Cincinnati basketball alums who are currently pursuing professional careers.

Gary Clark (2014-18), Jacob Evans III (2015-18) and Troy Caupain (2013-17) have each made the final cut to be included on the playoff rosters of their respective NBA teams.

While none of the three have logged minutes yet in the playoffs, they each gain valuable knowledge by experiencing the playoff atmospheres and scenarios firsthand.

Gary “The Problem” Clark – Houston Rockets

University of Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder during Saturday evening’s spring game.

DREW HORTON | UC FOOTBALL

Clark is on the Rockets’ playoff roster after being recalled from the G-League affiliate Rio Grande Valley Vipers April 13.

In 51 regular-season games, Clark averaged 2.9 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.6 minutes. He appeared in seven G-League games, averaging 12 points and seven rebounds in 30.3 minutes.

Clark is expected to stay with the Rockets next season, as he signed a twoway, $3.7 million contract

for three years in October 2018. Not bad for an undrafted 24-year-old power forward.

The two-way contract is designed to help younger players progress, as it allows them to split time between NBA teams and their G-League affiliates.

Jacob Evans – Golden State Warriors

Evans was recalled from the G-Leagues’s Santa Cruz Warriors April 3 and has spent the past few weeks on Golden State’s bench.

Playing a career-high 37 minutes in Golden State’s 112-103 win over the Memphis Grizzlies April 9, he posted 11 points, five rebounds and three steals.

Evans had his hand in history during the win, as he knocked down the Warrior’s 1,078th three-pointer of the regular season — a franchise record.

After being selected in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft, Evans signed a rookie-scale contract and is expected to earn nearly $2 million next season.

The Warriors have a “team option” to resign Evans’ contract for 2020-21 and 2021-22, so his future is yet to be determined.

Troy Caupain – Orlando Magic

Caupain appeared in four games for the Magic this season, averaging 2.5 points per game and one assist.

Bouncing back and forth between Orlando and the Lakeland Magic (G-League), he made a name for himself on the lower level this season.

In 49 starts for Lakeland, Caupain averaged 16.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists.

He last saw the court for the Magic in a 119-98 win over the Philadelphia 76ers March 25. He finished with two points in three minutes of action.

Caupain will likely split time between both leagues next season, as he is still on a two-way contract with the Magic.

Lakers miss the playoffs

The only other UC men’s basketball alum currently signed to an NBA roster is Lance Stephenson (2009-10) of the Los Angeles Lakers, who missed the playoffs after finishing 10th in the Western Conference at 37-45.

Stephenson averaged 7.2 points and 3.2 rebounds off the bench in 68 games this season.

April 17, 2019

Page 10 Noelle Zielinksi: Milk chocolate is superior. Do. Not. Fight. Me.

Great Chocolate Debate BRITTANY FLETCHER | LEAD DESIGNER NOELLE ZIELINSKI | MANAGING EDITOR ANNE SIMENDINGER | LIFE & ARTS EDITOR

Brittany: White chocolate is the best. Fight me.

Everyone assumes white chocolate is inferior to other chocolates, but I’m here to tell you that white chocolate is definitely the best chocolate. Mainly because it’s the underdog.

For a while, and probably still today, many confectioners didn’t even count white chocolate as a real chocolate. You know why?

Because it lacked the cocoa solids found in other chocolates which

give them dark colors. They were hating on white chocolate because of an ingredient.

Semantics aside, white chocolate would still be superior to the other chocolates because it pairs well with a variety of other foods. Tell me a white chocolate-covered strawberry is less appealing than a milk chocolate one. No! It’s better and more aesthetically pleasing.

Also, cookies and cream tastes better in white chocolate because it brings out more of the sweet, creamy flavor.

If you think milk or dark chocolate is better, your taste buds probably need realigned, friend.

Don’t lie to yourself — you know milk chocolate is the superior chocolate.

I’ll occasionally dabble into dark chocolate on strawberries and various candies, but other than that, it’s unacceptable.

Don’t you dare come near me with just a piece of dark chocolate expecting me to enjoy that bitter brick of flavorless “candy.”

There is nothing better than the taste of a fresh milk chocolate Hershey bar. Nothing. You’re telling me you’d rather munch on a bar of oversweet white chocolate that makes your jaws hurt? No. No one would willingly put themselves through

that discomfort for an inferior chocolate (unless you’re Brittany, of course).

Do yourself a favor and admit you prefer the

Goldilocks of chocolates.

Not too bitter and not too sweet, but just right — and always delicious.

Anne: Dark chocolate is the best. Change my mind.

(But really, please don’t).

Yes, it can be bitter. No, it’s not as creamy as milk chocolate.

But for a dairy-intolerant person like myself, I have learned of the charms that dark chocolate can provide.

You can ease into it by going with a lower percentage of cacao — the lower the cacao, the sweeter the taste.

However, if you’re looking for a dairy-free bar, you are going to need a higher quality bar within the 55 to 85 percent cacao range.

I started with a low cacao percentage with raspberry preserves in the middle to disguise the fact that it wasn’t milk chocolate. From then on, I was hooked.

Dark chocolate has such a rich, smoky flavor that has entirely captured my heart. It can have nuts, mint, orange zest, cherry or nothing at all — I’ll devour it regardless.

Trump should release his tax returns SAMUEL SCHELL-OLSEN | SENIOR REPORTER

President Donald Trump won’t release his personal tax records to the public.

WIKIMEDIA

Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.), chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, set a deadline of April 23 for the IRS to deliver President Trump’s tax returns. It’s the latest effort by Democrats to retrieve Trump’s financial records.

The Treasury Department has already missed its April 10 deadline.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said last week that he hasn’t decided if the department will comply with the request.

“The legal implications of this request could affect protections for all Americans against politicallymotivated disclosures of personal tax information, regardless of which party is in power,” Mnuchin wrote, according to Fox. Trump has repeatedly said that he would “love” to hand over his tax returns. Yet he hasn’t done so — allegedly because he’s being audited.

However, since February 2016, the IRS has said that Trump can release his tax returns, regardless of audit.

If Trump would’ve simply declined to release his tax returns, it would be a fair response. But lying about it looks extremely suspicious.

Does Trump have to release his tax

returns?

No. Do we want the government demanding that we disclose our financial records to the public?

Probably not.

Should Trump release his tax returns?

I think so.

U.S. presidents have released their tax returns every year since Nixon was sworn into office. That’s 40 years’ worth of presidents who have released them, in case you’re interested. Why should Trump be an exception?

In March 2017, MSNBC host Rachel Maddow released the first two pages of Trump’s 2005 federal income tax returns, even though the returns weren’t obtained consensually. The returns showed that Trump earned a gross income of $150 million and paid $38 million in federal taxes that year.

Trump paid a higher percentage of income tax than either President Barack Obama or Sen. Bernie Sanders. The leak arguably made Maddow look foolish.

If Trump’s tax returns are similar in subsequent years, why not release them?

Mick Mulvaney, the Acting White

House Chief of Staff, said Trump’s tax returns will “never” be released, and White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders has questioned the intelligence of Democrats attempting to see Trump’s tax returns.

“I don’t think Congress, particularly this group of congressmen and women, are smart enough to look through the thousands of pages that I would assume President Trump’s taxes will be,” Sanders said.

Questioning the intelligence of representatives like Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), Rep. Max Rose (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) is, in my view, disappointing at best and discriminatory at worst.

There are more positives than negatives for Trump to release his tax returns. Trump could possibly hand Democrats another loss by showing that he hasn’t done anything illegal in his taxes. In doing so, he would prove his commitment to transparency.

In 2015, Trump himself said, “If I decide to run for office, I’ll produce my tax returns, absolutely — and I would love to do that.”

So, Mr. President, deliver on your promise. Release your tax returns.

April 17, 2019

Page 11

SUDOKU

By The Mepham Group Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces.

Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the row, column or square.

Does it sound complicated? Each Sudoku grid comes with a few spaces already filled in; the more spaces filled in, the easier the game – the more difficult Sudoku puzzles have very few spaces that are already filled in.

OFFICE HOURS Editor-in-Chief Jacob Fisher

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April 17, 2019

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