THE INdependent student newspaper at the university of cincinnati
Vol. CXXX Issue 76
thursday , may 6, 2010 double-duty Kevin Johnson takes the field as both a pitcher and first baseman. page 6
no no knots
staff ed Apathy is pervading the student body regarding campus issues. page 4
Newcomers grace local music scene with unclassifiable dance-pop. page 3
events
“[CAT] not only got me prepared for college but for the rest of my life.” —TASJANEA BIVENS
SECOND-YEAR CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDENT
CAT’S FUTURE
genderf*ck drag show when:
9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, May 7
where:
Catskeller
Students from the campus group GenderBloc will perform in the quarterly drag show in Catskeller. This year’s show is the keynote event of UC’s LGBTQ Pride week. For more information contact Emma Southard at southea@mail.uc.edu.
“cornhole: the movie” when:
7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 7
where:
Madison Theatre 730 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky
The Madison Theatre hosts the premiere of “Cornhole: The Movie,” which was filmed in Cincinnati and follows four area teams in the degenerate world of competitive cornhole. The teams advance to battle a diverse cast of characters for the National Cornhole Championship. Tickets are $10 at the door. For more information call the Madison Theatre at 859-491-2444.
file art | the news record
Wires were crossed UCPD couldn’t specify where the 9-1-1 call originated from.
Phones caused turmoil
comedian patrice o’neal
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, May 10
where:
Great Hall, TUC
Comedian Patrice O’Neal, veteran of comedy specials such as “Def Comedy Jam,” “Comedy Central Presents,” “Opie and Anthony” and “The Office” will bring his act to campus. For more information call Nicole Lepone at 513-556-0896 or email leponenk@ucmail.uc.edu.
JAMES SPRAGUE the news record
The confusion regarding the location of the prank shooting call at the University of Cincinnati Tuesday, May 4, was due to a systems glitch with the telephone system and was no fault of police. The false 9-1-1 telephone call, which was made from a Cincinnati Bell payphone at the Shoemaker Center, reported a shooting on UC’s campus, said Gene Ferrara, director of UC Public Safety. The normal procedure for 9-1-1 calls received by Cincinnati Bell from UC’s campus is to transfer the call to the Cincinnati Police Department, which in turn transfers the call to the UC Police Division for emergency response, Ferrara said. Then UCPD can retrieve the needed information from the caller, such as the individual’s location on campus. In this occurrence, however, the call was so short — the caller hung up after stating there were shots fired — that Cincinnati Bell operators transferred the call to the Cincinnati police with the only information they had: 2634 Clifton Ave., the billing address for the university. “We’ve never gotten a phone call like this before,” Ferrara said. “We didn’t know what was going on.” The only phones with a direct line to the UCPD when used are the help phones located throughout campus, Ferrara said. The general address given by Cincinnati Bell with the call forced authorities to search various buildings on campus —such as Dyer and Dabney Halls — and off-campus at Hughes STEM Center High School. Cincinnati Bell later traced the call to a payphone in the Shoemaker Center. UCPD is working with Cincinnati
when:
shutter island
eamon queeney | the news record
when:
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 11
where:
Mainstreet Cinema
Shutting the gates The CAT reading room in French Hall is just one part of the dissolving Center for Access and Transition program, which will close its doors June 30.
Leonardo DiCaprio stars in the thriller directed by Martin Scorcese based on the Dennis Lehane novel.
Students attribute success to center
index
JAMES SPRAGUE the news record
The closing of the Center for Access and Transition will affect a variety of members of the University of Cincinnati community, but the group that could be the hardest hit is the students. The program will close its doors in June after six years of existence, due in part to directives from the University System of Ohio’s “Strategic Plan for Higher Education 2008-2017,” which calls for developmental education to be assigned to regional campuses and community colleges. Subsidies granted to universities from the state for access education were also ceased in 2009. “A lot of students would not be [at UC] if it wasn’t for CAT,” said a source wishing to remain anonymous due to fear of recrimination. Since its inception, 3,595 students have started their academic careers at CAT, with approximately 72 percent of those students remaining enrolled at UC. An additional 5,632 students in other colleges on campus have utilized CAT resources, according to the newsletter UC Achieves.
“Some kids are collegial and want to participate in a four-year program,” the anonymous source said. “They have a right to do so.” Five CAT students were also honored in May 2009 for winning awards in UC’s 12th annual student writing contest. CAT helped many students that would have not gone to college without it, said Tasjanea Bivens, a second-year criminal CAT Tales justice student. The final installment Bivens is a of news editor James former CAT student Sprague’s multi-story and is still involved series examining CAT’s with the center as a disintegration. student worker in the CAT reading room. “I don’t know why it’s closing,” Bivens said. “It’s going to leave a lot of people who have worked at UC for years without jobs.” CAT faculty is among the best in the entire university, Bivens said. “They really make an effort to help students,” Bivens said. The majority of students who
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SG examines its own spending gin a. ando the news record
O NLINE www.newsrecord.org
Student Government President-elect Drew Smith and Vice President Mark Rooney are looking to get to know the University of Cincinnati’s student body. Rooney, who was sworn in at SG’s weekly meeting Wednesday, recapitulated his idea of town-hall style meetings to the senate. “It’s one way we can get information students don’t hear about,” Rooney said. At the town hall style meetings, Smith and Rooney plan on speaking with approximately 80 students — with Subway as a lure. The idea was accepted unanimously among the present senators. Another idea, however, did not pass so smoothly. Several senators were questioning an annual UC student leader summit dinner in which heads of student
groups at the university can mingle over a meal and listen to guest speakers. At-large Sen. Andrew Koesterman questioned whether SG should foot the bill, which exceeded $1,000. SG as a whole, however, has thousands of dollars in unused funds that will not roll over to the 2010-11 year. Regardless of the surplus of funding, SG should not be buying dinner for the guests, which range anywhere from $31 to $41 per person, according to Sen. Alex Huron’s initial estimates. “I’m sure we have a lot of creative people in this room and we can find a better way to spend this money,” Koesterman said. “If we can’t, we don’t deserve to have the Student Government funding money.” The deadline for the event’s funding budget is during the weekend of May 8. “This is a very expensive budget, but keep in mind, it can be see money | page 2
TNR ALL THE TIME Now flip through the full issue online. Subscribe to The News Record Web site and RSS. If that’s not enough, follow us on Twitter @NewsRecord_UC.
Senior send-offs
coulter loeb | the news record
oath of office New Student Government Vice President Mark Rooney stands for his inauguration Wednesday, May 5.
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weekly headlines Go online and check out a video of the week’s top headlines0.
Want to congratulate that special senior who is graduating this year? Give them a Senior send-off! For $4 you can have a letter and picture placed in a special online section of The News Record to say good luck. Email extra.newsrecord@gmail.com.
“It helpe.” —JAMES PLUMMER, VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE
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from CAT | page 1
dropped out of the CAT program have done so due to monetary issues, the anonymous source said. The dissolution of the center, however, has some individuals wondering about what effects it might have on students. “I thought it was a good program,” said Tracey Williams, a school counselor at Cincinnati’s Withrow University High School. “[Students] were part of the full culture on Main Campus.” Withrow University High School is just one Cincinnati Public School — Walnut Hills High School and Hughes STEM Center High School are among the others — sending graduates to the CAT program. Cincinnati Public Schools, however, is not the only district sending students into the CAT program. Students from various area schools, such as Lakota West High School and Fairfield High School, have also enrolled in the center. Williams said she wonders about how the
closing of the center will affect the students’ choice of colleges. “It’s an issue,” said Williams, referring to students having to attend either UC’s Raymond Walters or Clermont branch campuses. “A lot of them are wondering ‘How do I get there?’ ” UC is supposed to be an urban university, and a lot of students from the city will feel out of their element in the Cincinnati suburb of Blue Ash where Raymond Walters College is located, the anonymous source said. A college success program is already in place at UC’s Clermont branch, said Victoria Hammer, associate dean of academic affairs at Clermont. “We have faculty that teach English, math and reading to access students,” Hammer said. “In addition, each access student is assigned an achievement coach.” Bivens said she wouldn’t be in the position she
is in now, academically and personally, if it wasn’t for CAT. “[CAT] not only got me prepared for college, but for the rest of my life,” she said. Bivens is not alone in her view toward CAT. “It put me on a successful path for my next few college years,” said Jonathan Jennings, a third-year German studies student and former CAT student. Faculty at CAT is very different from other university faculty, Jennings said. “They’re really concerned,” Jennings said. “They really do well in going the extra mile to make somebody successful and better in their field.” Students being admitted into the program on Main Campus allowed them to receive the full UC experience and have more of a social life, Jennings said. “UC is so big,” Jennings said. “It is a life change and makes you feel like an actual college student.” CAT also helped Jennings realize a goal of his.
from money | page 1
trimmed down,” Huron said. Those opposing funding the event said SG does not have the authority to use funds, as it is an event restricted to student leaders on campus. The event will ultimately affect all students, though, as the people being invited are student leaders, said External-Holdover Sen. Jason Ritter. In the end, the funding was passed by a 13-10-1 vote after shrimp, spring rolls and cheese were taken off the menu.
“It helped me fulfill my dream of being a German studies major. It paved the way for me to have an opportunity.” —Jonathan jennings, Third-year german studies student
from Commandos | page 6
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BLAKE HAWK SAYS:
“Check out our multimedia coverage online” Or I will “shoot” you.
“It helped me fulfill my dream of being a German studies major,” Jennings said. “It paved the way for me to have an opportunity.” UC has a commitment to help students such as Jennings, the anonymous source said. “The university has a moral obligation to serve those students,” the anonymous source said.
180 yards and five Cincinnati touchdowns last week in Chicago in the Commandos’ 62-22 victory against the Cardinals. Mauk was nearly perfect as well, completing 24 of 30 passes for a CIFL season-high 238 yards and seven touchdowns. Mauk should play a key role Saturday, not only as quarterback, but also as hometown hero. Back expects for the Kenton, Ohio, native to draw a crowd. from phones | page 1
Bell to rectify the issue, Ferrara said. “We’re working with Cincinnati Bell to have a specific identifier for phone calls made from campus,” Ferrara said. The confusion created by the call will also prepare UCPD in the event of future similar situations, Ferrara said. “It was not an intended drill, but it worked out to be a drill to expose the issues,” Ferrara said. Officers from the Cincinnati Police Department tactical unit were also spotted at UC Wednesday, May 5.
“We’re going to be playing in the barn up in Marion, but I can almost guarantee we’ll have more Commandos fans up there because it’s only about 30 minutes from Kenton and Ben Mauk’s family,” Back said. “The Kentonites, as we like to call them, have already requested for a couple thousand tickets. If you’re a bank robber, the good place to go would be Kenton, Ohio, Saturday night. I don’t think anybody’s going to be in the town.” UCPD personnel escorted the officers throughout campus. The CPD officers were not on campus regarding Tuesday’s incident, but to plan for Special Services Demonstration Day, Wednesday, May 12, Ferrara said. The demonstration, which will take place on McMicken Commons, involves both departments and will showcase special units, such as the CPD SWAT, mounted police and canine units.
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We e k e n d E d i t i o n May 6, 2010 www.newsrecord.org
entertainment covering campus and beyond
ROBERT’S
RANTS robert kirchgassner
Jamaican cuisine on Vine Street chip reeves the news record
Governator to opt against offshore drilling California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger withdrew his plans for offshore drilling off Santa Barbara County this past Monday. He cited the April 20 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, which led to the BP oil spill into the Gulf of Mexico, as the reason for this change in his agenda. Schwarzenegger stated at a news conference that he didn’t want similar ecological damage occurring in California. This decision was championed by environmental groups, while others have accused Schwarzenegger of hypocrisy. Before Monday, he permitted offshore drilling, which would have been the first time since 1969 that such drilling was permitted in the Santa Barbara area, amid California’s current need for jobs and revenue in order to help close the state’s $20 billion deficit. On a side note, the recent oil spill could potentially see a change in President Obama’s call for expanding oil drilling from Delaware to Florida, as well as the north coast of Alaska on March 31. There are senators, such as Democratic Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, who have cited the oil spill as a reason to not go forward with the drilling. This isn’t the first political decision that Schwarzenegger, a registered Republican, has made that has alienated conservatives. When he became governor in 2003, he appointed noted Democrat Susan Kennedy as his chief of staff, against the advice of his fellow party members. Schwarzenegger has also become known for being more active on environmental issues than others in his party. He signed a bill that prohibited California corporations from doing business with others who do not meet the state’s greenhouse gas emission standards. Acts such as these have prompted liberals, such as my father and one of my great-uncles, to joke that Arnold has basically defected to the Democrats. Schwarzenegger, however, has also made decisions that angered liberals as well. Perhaps the most noteworthy of these is his stance on education. When he presented his budget proposal on the issue in January, it was met with criticism from the California State Parent Teachers Association. His proposal, according to Democratic California Senate President Darrell Steinberg, would cut education by more than $2 billion. One of my cousins has lived in San Francisco most of his life and he voiced his displeasure of the governor’s handling of this issue while he was finishing up college. Sandra Jackson, a spokeswoman for the association, called Schwarzenegger’s plan an attack on teachers and education. The same day he aborted his plans for offshore drilling, Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill that would have banned smoking at California’s parks and beaches. Those who support the bill say it would have kept toxic cigarette butts from littering public places. This political dichotomy is both intriguing and is possibly a reason why Schwarzenegger, despite sagging poll numbers, was able to win another term as governor in 2006. There is also the fact that he’s been married to Maria Shriver, John F. Kennedy’s niece, for 24 years. He still champions the Republicans, but perhaps his marital ties to a Democratic family have (directly or indirectly) influenced some of his decisions as governor. During the 2004 presidential election, Michael Moore said liberals need their own Arnold Schwarzenegger to instantly draw in voters’ attention. Schwarzenegger’s apparent dichotomy in recent years seems to have leaned (just leaned) to the interesting possibility that Arnold himself might be that liberal symbol. Rumor has it that Schwarzenegger will be running for the Senate later this year. If he wins the seat, it’ll be interesting to see how he pleases and displeases both sides of the political fence while in that office. In any event, Schwarzenegger seems to have, in just a few years, become as noteworthy as a politician as he was as an actor. Will Schwarzenegger ever be able to say “I’ll be back” without being funny?
Coulter loeb | the news record
yummy, juicy oxtail Don’t let the name freak you out, oxtail is a common delicacy in places that don’t primarily eat McDonalds.
Over on Vine Street, amid the old spots like Bogart’s and Martino’s, there is a little slice of Jamaican paradise in the form of the new Jamaican restaurant Island Frydays. Not sure what Jamaican cuisine means? Neither did I, but I can tell you I am glad I decided to investigate after a friend told me about the new eatery. If you like good, fairly priced food that is different from the sub shops and fast greasy stuff we are surrounded by on campus every day, you have to check out Island Frydays. The first time I walked into the brightly adorned building, painted in yellow, black and green with Jamaican decorations covering the walls, I was apprehensive as to what I would find on the menu. I ordered the most popular dish, the jerk chicken with white rice and beans, steamed vegetables and plantains. It was delicious. The sweet and spicy tang of the jerk chicken went perfectly with the rice and beans. It wasn’t overly spicy, but still got the attention of my mouth. The chicken wasn’t dry either; perfectly moist, oozing over with jerk sauce. While the steamed vegetables were nothing extraordinary, they still added a simple element to the dish. Once I was done reveling over the taste of the main course and rice, I moved on to the plantains. I had never eaten a plantain before, so I tentatively bit into the first one. The texture is exactly as you think a cooked banana would
be, but the taste is something else all together — slightly sweet, slightly earthy, with just enough of something special until they disappear down your gullet. Among the other main courses available at Island Frydays, the curry goat and oxtail are among some of my favorites, although I would bet a Bob Marley LP that most main courses will leave you satisfied and salivating for more. The curry goat has just the right amount of spice, while the curry doesn’t overpower the meat, which practically melts in your mouth. The oxtail is similar to the goat in texture, but isn’t as spicy and reminded me more of a homemade beef stew. While we are on the subject of homemade, all of the food at Island Frydays is made in house, which makes the fair prices even more impressive. Frydays also has an à la carte menu featuring a jerk chicken sandwich, a jerk wrap, a beef, chicken or veggie pattie or a pattie on bread, as well as steamed vegetables and plantains. The patties are cheap, just $2, and are great for a snack. They are basically Hot Pockets that don’t suck, which is every college student’s dream. A few tips for your first trip to Island Frydays, as I strongly urge you to try it. First, order a small portion; the large is huge, fit for two people. Second, get gravy on your rice, whether you choose the steamed rice or the rice and beans, as it enhances the flavor tenfold. And finally, let the ska and reggae music playing through the speakers inside Island Frydays loosen you up. Get ready to enjoy a meal unlike one you’ve had in a while.
No No Knots EP available Catch this up-and-coming, genre-defying band of virtuosos
I
sean peters the news record
’d have a very hard time trying to tell you who No No Knots sounds like. The short answer is nobody. The band has a sound that defies conventional classification, resting somewhere among post-punk, indie rock and elctronic synth-pop. What does that sound like? Now you have the chance to find out. Their first (and hopefully not last) recording is available for sale a their live shows; a five song EP, this is just the cappuccino’s cream, seeing how NNK have quickly amassed a repertoire of solid, dancable songs. I was lucky enough to sit in on a practice session and listen to the band in the place where they hone their highly stylized sound. When I walked in they were jamming on “Once in a Lifetime,” the popular Talking Heads tune, complete with four-part harmonies. Lead singer Molly Sullivan, a thirdyear German studies student at the University of Cincinnati, sings the chorus with a naturalistic gusto that implies she was born talented. “Everybody in the band has a great ear,” drummer Martin Diller said. Diller is a 2009 jazz drum graduate from the College-Conservatory of Music. That great ear also translates to great music, which was made abundantly clear at NNK’s show April 30, at the Northside Tavern. With solid local dance-punk group openers Kry Kids and minimalist space rockers, Chappo (from Brooklyn), NNK played to a packed house. They’re unique in their ability to deftly alter their sonic emissions without sacrificing the song’s atmosphere and tone. “One of the things that’s made this partnership work is that everybody’s coming from different directions,” said lead guitarist Eli Maiman. Maiman is a 2008 jazz guitar studies graduate from CCM. There’s no telling how far NNK will go, but, as a hesitant optimist, I’d like to believe the band will not fade away into obscurity like so many other local gems. If all is well in the world, NNK will be playing music together for a long, long time.
photos by justin tepe | the news record
Ms. Molly Sullivan of No No Knots (above). Below (from left): Brendan Bogosian (Kry Kids), Eddy Kwon (NNK), Alex Chappo
“Beat Hazard” dizzyingly captivating coulter loeb the news record
The News Record doesn’t pay me much. That said, most of the games I’ve purchased in the past 4 years have been in the $0-$20 range. Most lowbudget games are a lot like those in the $40-$60 range; a lot are OK and a few are crap. Every once in a while, though, you get lucky. I got lucky with “Beat Hazard.” It has the potential to be the best $10 I have ever spent. With beautiful graphics and levels mathematically generated from any audio file you have saved on your computer, a difficulty curve which is challenging but not too steep and bosses who actually give you a run for your money, its a great game. The only problem is “Beat Hazard” could give you a seizure. Sure, the ability to blow up massive armadas of spaceships among multi-faceted nebulae with a massive laser is a lot of fun, but at times it is far too easy to lose track of where you are due to the overload of explosions pulsating across the screen. When the game gets it right, the light shows from some of the larger bosses are epic; but when the game gets it wrong you are left not knowing that you’re dead until the dust clears. In short, “Beat Hazard” is a overhead arcade space-shooter. The goal is to earn points by surviving the path that is ridden with countless waves of enemies. The game analyzes a song and sends enemies to the beat. Bosses come at the songs’ crescendos and the integration of the music is immaculate. Even the power of your laser is linked to the music’s intensity. Most songs work great in the game. I’ve destroyed space-plebes to Bob Marley, Tenacious D, A Tribe Called Quest and Ministry of Sound, having a great time all the while. Unfortunately, the game can’t seem to handle any particularly intense tracks. The game took one look at DragonForce and had a seizure of its own — leaving gaps between enemy waves easily reaching 30-40 seconds. You can play one song at a time, or take on the games “survival” mode and attempt to take on an entire album at once. I’ve found Major Lazer’s “Guns Don’t Kill People ... Lazers Do” all too appropriate.
Screenshot courtesy of cold beam games
lazer shooting spree “Beat Hazard,” unlike most other video games, gives players the chance to destroy their favorite songs.
Unfortunately, there is only one kind of laser. In-game pickups allow you to upgrade it until you max out and become a “Beat Hazard,” but its still the same gun. A little variety in weapons would be a nice addition in an update. The game requires a lot of hand-eye coordination — one hand moves your ship and the other aims your laser. At times this left me a little bit disoriented, but as soon as I got my bearings again I was back to blowing up spaceships to David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.” “Beat Hazard” is available on Steam (PC) for $10 and Xbox live for 400 GP, while a demo lets you play normal mode until your 15-minute time limit is up. Take a try if you want some eye candy, but prepare your retinas for post traumatic stress disorder.
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opinion discussion board for all walks of life
WRITER’S
BLOC
JEREMY DAVIS
University’s free speech policy unlawful On campus, free speech is apparently reserved for specific areas. Students or student groups looking to express their basic right to speak freely on campus through protest or a similar event, they are confronted with one major obstacle. They would find there are only a few specific locations on campus where they could invoke their right to protest, thanks in part to the university’s implementation of what’s called “free speech areas.” Free speech areas are most generally defined as a designated location set aside in public places for protesters and activists to exercise their right to free speech. The University of Cincinnati’s Use of Facilities Policy Manual states: “The northwest section of McMicken Commons immediately east of McMicken Hall on the West Campus is designated as the main free speech area. Individuals or groups wanting to use these areas must schedule the activity in the Campus Scheduling Office.” The northwest section of McMicken Commons is a small and somewhat constricted place — not an ideal location for staging an effective demonstration. There are other more prominent areas (basically anywhere else on McMicken Commons) to stage an event or activity without disrupting any classes. Many colleges and universities across the country maintain free speech zones, but what really ups the ante on our campus that those caught in violation of the campus’ free speech area policies — that is, protesting almost anywhere else on campus — are met with threats of criminal charges. The facilities policy manual goes on to say, “anyone violating this policy may be charged with trespassing.” Whether it is a serious threat or simply a scare tactic, it certainly seems like a gross violation of our First Amendment rights. Many student groups might even become discouraged from participating in or carrying out an event due to the poor location and all the hoops necessary to jump through in order to promote a cause, not to mention the penalties for not following the specifics. In fact, just the concept of a free speech zone feels like it was lifted straight from George Orwell’s classic dystopian novel “1984.” “The idea of a free speech zone is Orwellian in nature,” said Ryan Printy, vice president of UC Young Americans for Liberty. Just the mere existence of free speech zones shows just how far we have strayed from our country’s founding constitutional principles. The First Amendment was meant to protect our right to speak freely from government intervention, regardless of your location. Under the Constitution and the First Amendment, the entire country is supposed to be a free speech zone and it is quite clear in expressing that point. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Colleges are typically thought of as dominions of flourishing ideas and an environment for open-minded debates. To close off or severely limit the essence of being able to freely express yourself on campus does a great disservice to us as students. It is very unacademic for an institution to stifle or restrict ones ability to share or express their beliefs and ideas, especially in a college setting meant to promote those very practices. The university’s free speech polices have even drawn the attention of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), which claims the policies are unconstitutional. Maintaining a policy of restricting students’ rights to free speech is both repressive and shameful. In order to truly represent a realm of intellectual, academic and political debate, the university should do away with this policy and offer a more inviting environment for students’ free speech.
Too busy or too apathetic? As the Cincinnati humidity rolls in and Spring quarter midterms begin to cause grief around campus, it dawns on us all that we’ve survived another school year at the University of Cincinnati. It’s been quite a year at UC. From the inauguration of Greg Williams as the university president and another tremendous season of Bearcat football to more recent events like Student Government elections and the Programs and Activities Council Spring Concert, there have been plenty of things to talk about around campus and more things for The News Record to cover than we can fit on our pages three times a week. More than ever before it’s becoming cool to rock a C-Paw in places outside of Clifton. People are proud to be a Bearcat as the university has gained increased visibility in front of national audiences, not only on ESPN but even on shows like Project Runway where, DAAP graduate, Althea Harper was not only a contestant but nearly won it all. With all this UC pride floating around the country and Bearcats like Mardy Gilyard and Lance Stephenson becoming household names outside of the 513 area code, you
might not be surprised to learn that names like Greg Hand and Valerie Hardcastle aren’t even as well known right here on campus. Student Government elections this year were considered, by those involved, to be a great success. With more than 8,000 votes cast via Blackboard, the electronic voter turn-out was better than ever. You might be scratching your head though – TNR sure was. With almost 40,000 students enrolled at UC, why are so few undergrads interested in casting their vote? In a pre-election Word on the Street segment of TNR we asked various students on campus, chosen at random, what they would like to see the newly elected SG officials accomplish or address in the upcoming year. The overwhelming response was not the archetypal, “improve diversity,” “introduce new campus activities” or even “no class on Fridays.” The most common response gathered among undergrad students was, “I really don’t know what
Staff Editorial
Student Government does.” If you mention the name Greg Hand around campus most people can tell you that the name is very familiar. Any student who keeps up on their UC e-mail inbox will be more than likely be able to identify him as “that guy who sends you an e-mail every time someone is robbed outside of ‘Kroghetto.’ ” What most, or maybe even closer to all, of those students won’t be able to do, is pick Hand out of a crowd – that’s right, not only is Hand a real person (and that’s also his real name) but he also spends a lot of time among us common folk around campus. To borrow a line from the rap group Three-Six Mafia, Hand might very well be the university’s “most known unknown.” Whether it’s a lack of interest or that UC students are just too busy with our collective nose to the grindstone, it is apparent that the average student cannot usually tell you much more about what’s going around campus beyond sports or their own specific program. Maybe it’s the fault of the university’s public relations department, or our tradition of cooperative real world education keeping our attention off campus, or well, maybe it’s just good ol’ fashioned student apathy.
LOL. WEED.
Capitalism no longer working in US
nate beeler | mcclatchy tribune
Kyle Galindez
It was once said that we don’t know who discovered water, but it probably wasn’t a fish. Likewise, we humans are surrounded by a plethora of unnoticeable environmental influences. Among these are social influences, all of which are based on socially constructed ideas, which are considered “real” simply because we collectively say they are. In turn, our society is dominated by socially constructed structures that govern and dictate our relations, behaviors, worldviews and beyond. It is our duty to remain continuously aware of these structures and vigilant in adapting them to an ever-changing society. One such structure is the dominant economic mode of production, which, in our country, has historically been some form of capitalism. But we forget that a major aspect of capitalism is simply its
set of social relations: owner and worker, consumer and producer, etc. We forget that we can organize society however we want. Nevertheless, when presented with an alternative — such as socialism — many people are quick to dismiss the idea because they’ve heard “it doesn’t work.” Often, such a convenient response is a signal that not much critical thought has been given to the subject. If the fish truly wants to understand and improve her environment, she must first be aware of it and then analyze it. So before dismissing other ideas on the basis that they “don’t work,” we must ask ourselves: is our current system working? Is capitalism working when 1 percent of the U.S. population owns more wealth than the bottom 99 percent of us combined? Does capitalism work when corporations are allowed to hijack our government and drive us to war — at the expense
of millions — because it is profitable? Can we truly say that capitalism is working as its insatiable quest for endless profits is ravaging the planet’s ecosystems to the point of certain destruction? Can we say that capitalism “works” when the decisions of a few, wealthy and unelected men in an unknown mahogany hall on Wall Street can bring the entire world’s population to its knees? Certainly, capitalism does work: it works wonders for the privileged few at the top of society. But when the rest of us are included, it becomes clear that any system that places profit before people and the planet cannot meet criteria for “working.” We must always question assumptions and explore alternatives. But more importantly, we must constantly examine the social structures that govern our lives with a keen eye. The fate of humanity and the planet depend on it.
Who’s got spirit? The News Record is looking for the University of Cincinnati student with the most pride . Know someone who is a UC fanatic? Give them the recognition they deserve. nominate today! Nominations can be made on The News Record’s Facebook page. Search “The News Record” on Facebook.
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F O UN D E D IN 1 8 8 0 The News Record, an independent, student-run news organization of the University of Cincinnati’s Communication Board, is printed during the school year every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, except holidays and examination periods, from its office located in 509 Swift Hall and is distributed to the UC community. The News Record distributes to more than 80 locations and has a weekly circulation of 22,500. One copy per person is free. Additional copies can be picked up at The News Record office for $1.
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Equal Housing Opportunity All apartment rental/sublet advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or familial status, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for apartment rentals or sublets which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.
EFFICIENCIES, 1-BEDROOM, 2-BEDROOM, 3 BEDROOM in HYDE PARK for rent in excellent condition. New appliances including dishwashers, A/C. HEAT and WATER paid. Balcony, pool use, 10 minutes from UC. New kitchens and bathrooms. Laundry, off-street parking/ garage. Starting at $545 per month. Call us at 513-4772920.
ONE BEDROOM, two blocks to campus, completely remodeled, eat-in kitchen and off street parking. Cats welcome, A/C and ceiling fans, $350. Call 513-3795300.
September Apartment Rentals. www. ucapartments.com.
Available now and September 1st, newly remodeled, one bedroom apartments. 5 minute walk to DAAP. Heat, water, off-street parking, and high speed internet included. Please call 513-615-6740 or email baumerproperties@ hotmail.com.
3 Bedroom, 1.5 baths. Off street parking. A.C., Security System, laundry, deck, dishwasher. Walk to campus. $850/month. Call 513-9410161. NICE three bedroom apartment. Available Sept 1 513-378-7919 or visit our site www.qcr4rent.com.
2 bedroom, beautiful natural woodwork, stain glass, hardwood floors. New deluxe kitchen. Sunroom, parking, & laundry. $600. Other highend apartments available. 513-604-5159
2 bedroom, equipped kitchen, available September 1st. Egepropertyrental.com. Call 513-307-6510.
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FOR RENT Now renting for September 1st. Go to uc4rent.com for a virtual tour. Call 621-7032. Need an apartment? www. ucapartments.com Historic large upscale rental. Possible 6 bedrooms. Gaslight district. Large chefs kitchen. 3.5 baths. Generous off street parking. Idea for graduate students or professional family looking for that something special. 513-604-5159. Ohio Avenue. One bedroom apartment. Utilities furnished, clean. Call 513621-6446. FREE Heat, Electric & Water! Newly renovated! Large 3 bedroom, 1 bath apartment with free flat screen TV. Available a couple miles from UC! Great kitchens, large bedrooms, A/C, laundry facility, private parking. $350/person. Call Seth 513-383-9435. Clifton houses for rent. 2 and 3 bedrooms, close to UC and hospitals. Appliances, $700$900/month. 1 year lease, one-month deposit. Call 513886-0094. Two bedrooms, BEAUTIFUL HARDWOOD FLOORS, completely remodeled. BALCONY, two blocks to campus, eat-in kitchen with dishwasher, living room with fireplace. Laundry, free off street parking, cats welcome, A/C, ceiling fans. September, $660. Call 513-379-5300. House, 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, equipped kitchen with parking. Available September 1st. Egepropertyrental.com 513-307-6510 THREE BEDROOMS, QUIET, BEST VIEW. Remodeled, two blocks to campus. Kitchen with dishwasher. 13x25 living room. Laundry and parking. Central A/C. Cats welcome. $660. Call 379-5300.
FOR RENT
FOR RENT
Newer 4 bedroom 2 ½ bathroom house. 5 minute walk to campus. A/C, dishwasher, washer and dryer hookup. ADT security, $1400/month. Call 513-6780028. Available September 1st.
On cul-de-sac in quiet neighborhood. Appraised at $170,000+ /asking price $160,000. Immediately available. Contact: Mark Streety at 1-859-421-2662 or angeliathompsonmd@ hotmail.com
Large 1&2 Bedroom apartments; dining rooms & living rooms, new appliances. Classic building, newly relandscaped, located on quiet cul-de-sac. Fiber-Optics, offstreet parking. Heat & water paid. Close to Eden Park, with easy access to Columbia Parkway, Downtown and Uptown. Call 518-1041
Unique, quiet 2 bedroom house. 3326 Bishop. Available 5/1. Must see. Near UC hospitals. 513-569-9433
One bedroom available September 1st. Go to uc4rent. com for a virtual tour. Call 621-7032.
National Exemplar Restaurant in the historic Mariemont Inn is looking for a few great people. Full or part time, day and nigh positions available for cooks and food servers. Must be available on weekends. Professonal image and great personality are required. Apply Monday-Friday 2:304:30PM. 6880 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, OH 45227
Two bedrooms, HEAT PAID, beautiful hardwood floors, completely remodeled. Balcony, three blocks to campus, eat-in kitchen with dishwasher. Living room with fireplace. Free off street parking, cats welcome, laundry, A/C and ceiling fans. September, $640. Call 513379-5300. 3 Bedroom, 1.5 baths. Off street parking. A.C., laundry, deck, dishwasher. Walk to campus. $850/month. Available in June. Call 513941-0161 Two bedrooms, HEAT PAID, completely remodeled. Two blocks to campus, eat-in kitchen with dishwasher. Living room with large bay window and fireplace. BALCONY. Free off street parking, cats welcome, A/C, laundry, ceiling fans. September, $595. Call 513-379-5300. OWN FOR LESS THAN RENT. 2 BR/2 ½ Bath Historic Riverside Area Townhome for Sale. Under 10 minutes to Univ. of Cincinnati Med. Center. 2 min to downtown, 15 min to airport. Walk to restaurants, shopping, Reds and Bengals. Off street parking. Private patio/ completely finished basement.
EMPLOYMENT Play it Again Sports needs part time sales clerks. Flexible schedule, fun job. Call Mary at 310-3933.
Tumbling Director Wanted: Part-time. Teaching/spotting skills required. www.danceetc.com BARTENDING. $250 / DAY POTENTIAL. No experience necessary, training provided. Call 1-800-965-6520 ext 225. HOOTERS NOW ACCEPTING APPS! Hooters of Springdale is now accepting applications for Hooters Girls, Hooters Girls at the Door and Cooks. So if you’re hard working with a great attitude and looking for a chance to make great money, then apply in person at Hooters of Springdale – 12185 Springfield Pike Springdale, Ohio. Check us out on Facebook and www. hootersrmd.com! 513-6712772. Swimsafe Pool management has several positions available for managers, assistant managers and lifeguards at our area pools.
EMPLOYMENT Great summer work and pay. Please contact us at 513-755-7075 or visit www. swimsafepool.com for more information. Attention Grad Students. 321-RIDE: Chauffeurs needed - nights/weekends. Drive clients in their cars locally. Must have clean driving/background record. Shift pay + tips. 513.321.7433 or www.321RIDE.com. We are currently looking for part-time reps for business to business phone sales. The position pays an hourly plus commission. Perfect opportunity for college students who may be looking for a flexible work schedule, or a part time summer job. Call Scott today to arrange an interview. 513-520-5855. Caregiver wanted in Mason for active, physically disabled 51-year-old. No experience, flexible hours. 10+/hour. Call 513-564-6999 Ext. 688990.
Flexible Hours - National Liftgate Parts is looking to hire full or part time students for the summer or longer. This individual needs to be organized and detail oriented with mathematical and mechanical aptitudes. Positions are available now. The work shift can begin early morning and work hours are flexible. Duties are concentrated in Operations. Training provided. Our Company sells replacement and electrical components for liftgates and snowplow parts, nationwide. Work hours are flexible. E-mail resume to cwiese@ leymanlift.com
COMMUNITY Tender Tots Daycare Opening March 15th. We accept 0 - 5 years, limited spaces available. www.tender-tots. com
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Weekend Edition May 6, 2010 www.newsrecord.org
sports covering all uc sports
SABEL’S
HAUS
GARRETT SABELHAUS
Editor turns in his blue and gold for charity It’s rare when stories can somehow bring about good, but in this case, I saw the opportunity. Last week, I wrote about how I was asked to leave the field at Nippert Stadium by a group of University of Cincinnati football players for wearing a Notre Dame sweatshirt. Now, before I go any further, let me just say I am in no way backing down from my stance about being allowed to wear whatever I want at UC. The column in question can still be read online at newsrecord.org. Between the comments left on the website and the 20-plus e-mails I received, the response from the general public was about 50/50 — exactly what I want as a columnist. One e-mail stuck out in particular from the rest. I always respond to e-mails, no matter how much or how little insight they provide. For the most part, people are respectful even in disagreement, which I appreciate. Others are quick to call me a “jackass,” and guess what? Nothing could bother me less. I’ve been called worse and none of it bothers me. I feed off it, if you will. But I digress. The e-mail came to me Friday, April 30, from a member of UCATS currently in Dallas. The 1992 graduate of UC wrote in the e-mail, “While I believe you are correct in your argument that you should be able to wear what you want, under the current climate of UC football, wearing of Notre Dame apparel is particularly egregious.” He went on to say he would buy me a UC sweatshirt of my choice provided I sent him the Notre Dame shirt I was wearing so he could “burn it in (his) fire pit.” After looking up the word “egregious,” I wrote back and said burning the shirt seems like a little bit of a waste. I’m not a “green freak” or some hippie, but it is a perfectly fine sweatshirt, despite saying Notre Dame. Not to mention, there is this thing in journalism called ethics which prevents me from accepting any sort of gift. Stupid rule, I know. So I proposed an idea. I told him if he would buy me a UC shirt I would donate it along with my Notre Dame sweatshirt to St. Vincent de Paul here in Cincinnati. Luckily, DePaul University doesn’t have a football team, or who knows what Butch Jones would think of me donating to a charity with such a name. Mick Cronin might have my head. St. Vincent de Paul’s website says, “caring people helping their neighbors in need of the most basic necessities — food, shelter, clothing, transportation and emotional comfort. There are heartbreaking circumstances right here in our own community, but practical, compassionate person-to-person caring can make a world of difference.” Wow. I don’t know who you are Mr. de Paul, but you sound like a great guy. So it was settled. The UCATS member bought a UC sweatshirt online from DuBois Book Store and I picked it up amid the imaginary rampant gunfire surrounding the University of Cincinnati Tuesday afternoon. It’s not much, but every little bit helps and I would encourage everyone to do a little spring cleaning and donate to a worthy cause. Often we are caught up in sports and take it all way too seriously. We are lucky to have them and to have a football team at UC with as much success as it has had. When we look back on our college days, we’ll remember how badass our football team was while we were here. It’s obvious the culture has changed a lot around here. Jones and his predecessors have changed how people look at football in Cincinnati and I am proud of being a student at UC. I would be willing to wager that 10 years ago no one (except maybe the players) would have cared one way or the other what anyone wore at Nippert Stadium. You’ve adopted a dedicated and proud fan base, Butch Jones. I’ll clue you in as to how to keep it: Win. Did Garrett finally learned his lesson? Did he do the right thing? Will he wear Notre Dame apparell ever again? E-mail him at sabelgt@mail.uc.edu.
Familiar foe awaits Commandos sam elliott the news record
The Cincinnati Commandos might be playing their inaugural season, but head coach Billy Back isn’t the first head coach the program has employed. Cincinnati’s original coaching staff led the team through preseason camp, but was let go by the Commandos after ownership was unhappy with the staff’s lack of organization. That coaching staff, led by head coach Reggie Jones, currently coaches just three hours north in Marion, Ohio, with the Marion Mayhem, Cincinnati’s opponent this weekend when the team travels to Veterans Memorial Coliseum at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 8, in Marion. Back and the Commandos won the initial contest between the two squads — a 48-19 beat down in Cincinnati March 26 — and Back expects to earn another victory in Saturday’s rematch. “Marion has a lot of veteran players. We played them in the first game of the year at our place and they were out of shape and unorganized,” Back said. “They’re probably still unorganized — that’s why we fired the coaching staff.”
While physically the Commandos can compete with anyone in the Continental Indoor Football League, Back admits the Mayhem might have a mental edge against Cincinnati because of the coaches’ familiarity with the Commandos players and schemes. “They have our playbooks, they have everything we did,” Back said. “They’re going to come in very prepared for the game. They know exactly what we do, they know our tendencies, they’ve got our playbooks — offensively and defensively.” Offensively, it’s no secret what the Commandos like to do. Former University of Cincinnati Bearcat and quarterback Ben Mauk likes to throw touchdowns. He’s thrown a league-high 34 through six games this season; second place checks in with just 14. Catching Mauk’s touchdowns are wide receivers Dominick Goodman, Robert Redd and Brandon Boehm. Goodman leads the league with 13 scores, Redd ranks second with 10 and Boehm stands fifth among CIFL receivers with seven touchdown receptions this season. That trio combined for 17 catches,
pat strang | the news record
Commanding the troops Ben Mauk has thrown a CIFL-high 34 touchdowns this season.
see Commandos | page 2
Down the stretch Bearcats fighting to make conference tourny garrett sabelhaus the news record
sam greene | the news record
on the brink The UC baseball team qualified for the Big East tournament last season, but lost to Louisville and St. John’s in Clearwater, Fla.
Nine of Cincinnati’s 11 remaining games are against conference opponents as the team fights for one of eight spots in the Big East tournament. The Bearcats are tied with the University of Notre Dame for seventh place in the Big East standings at 8-10. Of the 12 baseball schools in the Big East, the top eight are invited to the Big East tournament and the next closest teams to Cincinnati and Notre Dame are 5-13 in the league. With 10 games left, mostly in conference, the three-game lead on the other teams doesn’t mean much. “I certainly don’t think there’s cushion there and there’s three big weekends left to be played,” said UC head coach Brian Cleary. “History shows us the last week in the regular-season play in the Big East conference determines an awful lot in terms of the standings and who gets in and who doesn’t.” Despite having a long way to go the Bearcats will at least be relatively healthy save for a few lingering injuries. Infielder T.J. Jones has battled a calf strain and center fielder Jamel Scott is still nagged by a longrunning wrist injury. Starting pitcher Dan Jensen has also missed his last two starts due to a shoulder injury but Cleary said he should be available to pitch against UConn this weekend even if it’s not in a starting role. Jensen is 4-1 in nine starts this season with a 3.60 ERA and has pitched the most innings of any UC pitcher with 50 innings. Starter Tyler Smith was not as lucky with his injury; the 1-6 pitcher with a 3.47 ERA will still be sidelined for the weekend. “He just pulled a muscle in his back that’s in kind of a weird spot and he’s had a tough time getting better,” Cleary said. But injuries aside, Brian Cleary would like to see his team win at least four more conference games to help lock up a spot in the Big East tournament. “Certainly I think we have to
win 12 (conference games),” Cleary said. “I suppose 11 could get you in and 12 could leave you out.” Cleary just wants to take it one game at a time though and let the rest work itself out. The Bearcats begin the final stretch of conference games this weekend with a three-game series against the Big East leading UConn Huskies. The following two weekends, the Cats stay home to play Pittsburgh and Georgetown before the conference tournament begins Tuesday, May 25.
“History shows us the last week in regular-season play in the Big East conference determines an awful lot.” —BRIAN CLEARY, Cincinnati HEAD coach
remaining SCHEDULE may 8 at uconn
2 p.m.
8 at uconn
TBA
9 AT UCONN
NOON
11 VS MIAMI (OH)
6:30 P.M.
12 AT MIAMI (OH)
6 P.M.
14 VS PITTSBURGH
6:30 P.M.
15 VS PITTSBURGH
4 P.M.
16 VS PITTSBURGH
1 P.M.
20 VS GEORGETOWN 6:30 P.M. 21 VS GEORGETOWN 6:30 P.M. 22 VS GEORGETOWN
1 P.M.
25 BIG EAST TOURNY BEGINS
Q&A: Kevin Johnson tom skeen the news record
Kevin Johnson, University of Cincinnati pitcher and first baseman, spoke with sports writer Tom Skeen about his senior season, former teammates and what it was like being drafted by the Florida Marlins. TS: What was it like being drafted by the Florida Marlins in last year’s Major League Baseball draft? And what made your decision to come back to school for your senior year? KJ: “It was the thrill of a lifetime. It was tough, I had to let the excitement die down and decide what I was going to do. I had a million things going through my head. Financially there is always a situation: If I decide to leave I have to start paying loans, and if I sign as a 38th round pick, I’m not going to make an extremely large amount of money to help pay for it. I’m going to finish my degree this spring and get that under my belt, then I can continue my baseball career if I have the opportunity to.” TS: What players did you emulate or look up to as a child? KJ: “I was always a big [Cleveland] Indians fan. I was a big fan of David Justice when he was there, and Jim Thome.” TS: If you could pick one MLB team to play for, which would it be? KJ: “The Indians. If not for any other reason, my family is from northern Ohio.” TS: What is it like being a pitcher as well as a first basemen and how does it change your mental approach? KJ: “It’s tough. There is time built into the game for pitchers to get their work, I can’t necessarily do that because I have to play first base. I don’t have much natural, built-in time to work on pitching, but it’s like there is nothing I
can do about it so there’s no point of making a fuss about it. Go out there, compete and do what I do.” TS: How is your senior year going so far? KJ: “It’s going well. We’ve done well as of late, so we are making a push toward the post-season. It started off rocky, we’ve been up and down as team, but I think we are really coming together as a group.” TS: What has the process of being a fourth-year senior been like? And with it culminating this season, has it really hit you this is your last season as a Bearcat? KJ: “Yeah, I think about it. Jamel [Scott] and I live together and are in the same situation, and we were talking the other day about how it’s almost over. It’s definitely always on your mind. We have only had a couple of full seasons, we were both hurt last year and know this is our last chance and want to make the most of it.” TS: What is it like playing baseball year round? KJ: “You definitely have to have a love for the game. It’s a lot of work. You are always around good guys and that is pretty much what you love to do is be around the guys and around the team. That’s what keeps you going.” TS: You have played with guys like Mike Spina, Josh Harrison, Dan Osterbrock and Lance Durham. What have you learned from great players like them? KJ: “Being confident, that is the biggest thing. Josh was one of the most confident guys I knew no matter the situation.” TS: What has coach Cleary meant to you? KJ: “He’s been big. He’s really made the game more simple and looked at it from a different approach. Just take in every day, be focused and give it your best effort.”
sports.newsrecord@gmail.com | 513.556.5913
Sam Greene | the news record
Kevin, not Randy Pitcher and first baseman Kevin Johnson is hitting .255 this season with 26 RBIs and six home runs. On the mound, the senior is 1-1 in eight appearances, including four starts. He has pitched 21 innings and has a 4.29 ERA with 15 strikeouts and 11 walks.