VOL. CXXXIII ISSUE I • FREE-ADDITIONAL COPIES $1
THE NEWS RECORD THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI’S INDEPENDENT, STUDENT-RUN NEWS ORGANIZATION / THURSDAY, SEPT. 5, 2013
BEARCAT VICTORY
OBAMA BACKS RED LINE WITH UPRISE IN SYRIA
CONFLICT ENSUES PAGE 2
FILMS TO SEE
CATS ON THE RUN
PREVIEWING THE MOST ANTICIPATED MOVIES
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students and employees. The first is the UC Metro Card. It costs $53 for students and $160 for employees upon registration and covers every ride that one takes each semester within Cincinnati city limits. The second is the EZ Ride Card. It is free to register for but requires each rider to pay $1 per ride within all Metro zones. With the EZ Ride Card, transfers cost the usual 50 cents. “Understanding that the bus isn’t for everyone, we want to make sure people at least have the knowledge to make that choice, if this is something that fits with their lifestyle and the way they want to commute,” Lahman said. She works with companies and universities to figure out how metro could better serve different communities and reach riders on a personal level. Student body vice president Jaclyn Hyde suggested that Metro utilizes visual marketing to attract students on campus.
Other SG members said it could be beneficial to inform student riders how to use the metro system and to make fare cards available at freshmen orientation programs. “The numbers show that we have about 1,500 students that have signed up for cards,” Lahman said. “So out of 41,000 students, we’ve got a ways to go.” Metro hopes its new enhancements will gain students’ attention. The bus system began construction on a new uptown district that will include four transitboarding areas in May. The boarding areas will provide increased access to the area surrounding UC and direct access to popular destination locations like the Kenwood Towne Center. Metro will also launch a new smartphone tracking app in early 2014. “We’re almost there. We have all this fancy
Metro calls on SG to increase student ridership Cincinnati Metro wants to increase in student awareness of discounted public transportation prices, improved stops around campus ALEXIS O’BRIEN CHIEF REPORTER
MADISON SCHMIDT CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Student body president Joe Blizzard listens to a presentation at the student senate meeting Wednesday.
Cincinnati Metro sought University of Cincinnati student government suggestions to make more students aware of university fare cards Wednesday. “We want to be visible so that there aren’t any students on campus walking around saying ‘I don’t know about this program,’” said Kim Lahman, Metro ridership development manager. Through the current university-funded program, Metro offers two fare card options to
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Concern builds after fatal fires
EVACUATION RYAN HOFFMAN NEWS EDITOR
Volatile fumes caused a brief evacuation but no injuries at the University of Cincinnati’s Rieveschl Hall Wednesday. The building was evacuated shortly after noon due to a strange odor on the seventh floor, said Casey Rabong, a UC facilities management employee. Crosley Tower was also evacuated. The odor was caused by construction on the west end of the building. Construction crews were working on the exterior of the building when chemicals started seeping into an air duct. Theresa Culley, assistant professor of biology, said people could smell the odor. Culley described it as the scent of nail polish on the sixth, seventh and eighth floors. Heather Wischer, program coordinator in the biology lab, said it smelled like spray paint. Culley and several other people in the seventh floor lab began to feel dizzy shortly after noticing the smell. Some people started exiting the building before the alarm was pulled, Culley said. Responders quickly cleared the building and determined the odor was not toxic. Nobody was injured, said Greg Hand, UC spokesperson. An announcement that the building was safe to enter was made through the emergency system around 1 p.m. While the worst of the odor has been removed construction will continue during the next several days. Crews have taken all possible steps to minimize the disturbance caused by the odor, Hand said.
TOP UNIVERSITY
Safe housing program created after city officials, students push for action BEN GOLDSCHMIDT NEWS EDITOR
MONROE TROMBLY CONTRIBUTOR
The University of Cincinnati was recently recognized by The Washington Center for its outstanding work in experimental learning. UC will be known as “Public University of the Year” when the award is accepted Oct. 7. “This award recognizes UC’s dedication to experiential learning, specifically the institutional support for various forms of experiential learning at UC and the emphasis placed on it at all levels,” said Zach Osborne, program director of the Division of Professional Practice and Experiential Learning at UC. Osborne will accept the award on behalf of the university. He cited UC’s co-op program, academic internship program, service learning and undergraduate research as examples of the university’s commitment to experimental learning. The award, which is given out annually, is one in a group of awards given by The Washington Center — also known as the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. The center is an independent, nonprofit organization that gives selected students the chance to receive academic credit while working and learning in Washington D.C. “I think the most innovative things that UC is doing when it comes to experiential learning is working to make it a part of every student’s UC experience, which makes us quite unique,” Osborne said.
FILE ART
Maurice Vassar, a Cincinnati Fire Department captain, and Fire Specialist Edwina Lyttle point out improperly stored paint cans as a potential fire hazard.
Fire prevention is at the forefront of safety initiatives coming from the City of Cincinnati and the University of Cincinnati since the deaths of four local students in the past decade. UC and Cincinnati officials worked together and launched the Cincinnati Safe Student Housing program Aug. 7 to increase fire safety for off-campus rental properties. Since the university has no control over how landlords manage their properties, UC and the city created the program in hopes of
giving an incentive to landlords to be more mindful of fire safety. The program includes a list of properties that have passed a fire inspection. Students and parents can and are encouraged to access this list when deciding which property to rent, said Cincinnati City Councilwoman Laure Quinlivan. Fire inspections are reactive in nature, which means the fire department needs a request to do an inspection. This program allows anyone to request an inspection free of charge. UC is urging students and parents to call — anonymously or not — and have their rental unit inspected. Once inspected the property will stay on the list for two years. “If [the property] passes, if there are no violations, that landlord gets their property added to the
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list,” Quinlivan said at UC President Santa Ono’s Campus Safety Committee meeting Aug. 28.“We hope eventually to grow this list, so it includes properties all over the city.” Quinlivan has a special interest in safety for UC students, as her daughter recently started at UC. UC student body president Joe Blizzard plans to have his rental property inspected in the Fall semester and student government has made a push to bring fire safety to the minds of students. Blizzard passed out free smoke detectors to students and has worked with the UC Parents Association to advocate for safer housing. Uptown Rental Properties is the first major stu-
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UC bridging gap between free online courses, earning credit Massive Open Online Course, free for everyone, to begin early October with possibility for credit BEN GOLDSCHMIDT NEWS EDITOR
MADISON SCHMIDT CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Engineering professor Jim Tappel talks about the Massive Open Online Course he’s teaching with marketing professor Drew Boyd, which will focus on bringing innovative ideas to life without losing practicality.
Students in several countries will have access to a small portion of the education available to University of Cincinnati students. UC is offering a free Massive Open Online Course, called Innovation and Design Thinking, beginning Oct. 7. Anyone with Internet access can enroll in the graduate-level class free of charge. While more and more MOOCs are becoming available worldwide, UC is making huge advances bridging the gap between simply offering the course and offering the course for college credit, said Jim Tappel, an engineering professor who is teaching the course. The course is free for anyone, but credit will only be given to those who are either enrolled or plan on enrolling, which requires the student pay tuition. Graduate students in the Linder College of Business and the CHIEF.NEWSRECORD@GMAIL.COM / 513.556.5908
College of Engineering and Applied Sciences must pay the normal tuition rate to receive credit for the course. UC and non-UC students will have to pass the course and enroll in a master’s program in LCOB or CAES by Jan. 1, 2015. Once enrolled, students who passed the class, which requires a score of 75 percent or higher, will receive two graduate credits free of charge. The course lasts seven weeks and will operate like any normal online class. There are assignments and tests, but they are only required if the student who is taking the course wants to receive credit. The class is aimed at bridging the gap between creating ideas and bringing them to life — much like the actual MOOC at UC is doing, Tappel said. “We’re kind of practicing what we preach in the class,”Tappel said. “That’s really the methodology that we’re teaching. You create the ideas, you prototype the ideas and then you go out there and somewhat test those ideas.” UC’s MOOC is as experimental as it is practical, Tappel said. There are no other MOOCs scheduled, but that may change SEE MOOC PG 2
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THURSDAY, SEPT. 5, 2013 / NEWSRECORD.ORG
RECOGNITION CASSANDRA MERINO CONTRIBUTOR
A recent distinction will bring more opportunities to the University of Cincinnati Cancer Institute’s Comprehensive Brest Cancer Center. The center was recognized a “Certified Quality Brest Center of Excellence” by the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers — the highest honor given by NQMBC. “This honor truly speaks to the medical excellence present at the UC Cancer Institute and the quality care delivered by breast cancer specialists within our institution,” said Elyse Lower, director of the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center, in a statement. The certification will bring more opportunities, including grants and clinical studies, Lower said. UC Cancer Institute’s Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center serves more than 600,000 patients annually in a 650-bed academic health center. There are plans to build a new center and designate a new floor just for breast cancer, Lower said. The center will be hiring more personnel to keep up with the increased number of patients. Lower believes that the center’s strongest attribute is the dedicated faculty and staff. The recognition makes UC’s center one of only two sites in the Cincinnati area and one of 40 centers nationally. NQMBC provides immediate access to information and allows breast centers to compare progress with other centers across the nation. To earn the recognition of excellence the applicant must submit data that spans two consecutive data collection periods.
ENROLLMENT RYAN HOFFMAN NEWS EDITOR
Maintaining enrollment levels is a growing concern among leaders at higher education institutions, according to a new survey by KPMG LLP. Of the 103 university officials polled, 37 percent reported they are “very concerned” about maintaining current enrollment levels. In 2012 that number was 23 percent. A majority of those polled, 62, were from private universities. Officials from KPMG — an audit, tax and advisory firm — said in a press release that most higher educations leaders’ fears stem from an increased inability for students to secure loans. The fear of decreased enrollment, according to the survey, is leading colleges and universities to find innovative ways to make college more affordable. At the University of Cincinnati, enrollment levels have steadily increased nine out of the past 10 years, according to data from the UC office of Enrollment Management. Current enrollment projections for Fall semester are at 42,800 students, a two percent increase from the 2012 Fall semester and the largest in UC’s history.
Obama: red line wasn’t mine
FILE ART
Speaking in Stockholm Wednesday, President Barack Obama said the red line he spoke of in 2012 was not his personal red line but an international one and demanded action.
Obama clarifies Syrian red line, makes case for congressional authorization MCCLATCHEY NEWSPAPERS
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — President Barack Obama said Wednesday that he didn’t set the “red line” against Syria for the use of chemical weapons. Speaking at a press conference in Stockholm ahead of an economic summit in Russia, where he will seek support for a U.S. military strike against Syria, Obama said the “red line” he talked about a year ago against Syria’s use of chemical weapons wasn’t his but an international standard. “I didn’t set a red line, the world set a red line,” Obama said. “My credibility is not on the line. The international community’s credibility is on the line. And America and Congress’ credibility is on the line because we give lip service to the notion that these international norms are important.” At an August 2012 White House press conference, Obama warned that “we have been very clear to the Assad regime, but also to other players on the ground, that a red line for us is we start seeing a whole bunch of chemical weapons
moving around or being utilized. That would change my calculus. That would change my equation.” Obama is seeking approval from Congress to launch airstrikes against the Syrian government for a chemical attack that did cross the so-called red line. A major argument for granting the authorization is that Obama and the United States would look weak if they did not act. Obama said Wednesday that he didn’t pluck the idea of a red line “out of thin air,” but was referring to a global treaty banning the use of chemical weapons, “which the overwhelming consensus of humanity says is wrong.” Yet the difficulty Obama faces in achieving a global consensus was illustrated at the press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, who decried the use of chemical weapons and said he understood Obama’s predicament but said Sweden wants United Nations involvement and a political resolution to the carnage in Syria. “I understand the problem of not having a reaction to abuse of chemical weapons and what kind of signal that sends to the world,” Reinfeldt said. “But this small country will always say, ‘Let’s put our hope into the United Nations, let us push on some more to get a better situation.’” Obama, who was asked how he could square
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his Nobel Peace Prize with a military attack, staunchly defended his push for a strike, evoking the exposure of children to chemical weapons. The Nobel Foundation is based in Stockholm. “The moral thing to do is not to stand by and do nothing,” Obama said. He later added, “I do have to ask people if in fact you’re outraged by the slaughter of innocent people, what are you doing about it?” Obama said he expects Congress to give him the authorization he seeks to launch a military strike. But he left the door open to acting unilaterally: “As commander in chief, I always preserve the right and the responsibility to act on behalf of America’s national security.” He added that he doesn’t believe he was required to ask Congress, but said, “I did not take this to Congress just because it’s an empty exercise. I think it’s important to have Congress’ support on it.”Though Obama has chosen to act before a U.N. investigation is completed, he said U.S. intelligence shows there’s no doubt that chemical weapons were used by the regime. “Keep in mind I’m somebody who opposed the war in Iraq and am not interested in repeating mistakes of us basing decisions on faulty intelligence,” Obama said.
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depending on the outcome of this course. The content of the course is appropriate for its delivery, Tappel said. He and Drew Boyd, a marketing professor in the Linder College of Business, will teach the course together. “Most people don’t realize that you can learn how to create an idea,” Boyd said. “Then once you have an idea, how do you put life in it? Once you have the bones, how do you put meat on the bones?” The course will be handled much like a normal class, but it’s been adapted to be massively accessible. For example, the class will include five videos featuring professionals in the field, like a chief marketing officer for a medical startup
company, a new product development consultant and a veterinary surgeon who is involved in engineering medical devices, Boyd said. “We’ll teach the theory, and these speakers will fill in the gaps between theory practicality,” Boyd said. The course’s accessibility won’t hurt its ability to deliver high quality education, as one might expect. The class will introduce a new theory called Systematic Inventive Thinking, which is being taught at prestigious colleges across the country. “Lot’s of companies are using this theory now. P&G uses it, Kraft, Nestle … but it’s only been available in limited quantities,” Boyd said. “We’re very excited about making in available on such a widespread basis.”
technology, and then our team will have to figure out how to make an interface, and that’s been somewhat of a challenge,” Lahman said. UC shuttles offer students and faculty frequent rides and quick turn around times, but Metro wants to show the UC community what its system can offer. “Some of your shuttles we can’t compete with, but we need to think out what we can offer that will turn people to our buses,” Lahman said. For more information on student government and other organizations on campus, visit newsrecord.org. The News Record will have continued coverage of campus events throughout the academic year.
Man who held Cleveland women captive found dead in prison Ariel Castro commits suicide nearly one month after receiving life sentence MCCLATCHEY NEWSPAPERS
Ariel Castro, the Cleveland man who was serving a life sentence for holding three women captive in his home for nearly a decade, committed suicide Tuesday night at a state prison facility, Ohio corrections officials said. Spokeswoman JoEllen Smith said the 53-yearold Castro was found hanging in his cell around 9:20 p.m. at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient. Prison medical staff performed CPR before Castro was transported to the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University, where he was pronounced
dead at 10:52 p.m. Castro had been transferred to the Orient facility in early August from the Lorain Correctional Institution. He was housed in protective custody at Orient, which means he was in a cell by himself and was checked on every 30 minutes at staggered intervals, Smith said. “A thorough review of this incident is underway,” Smith said in a statement last night. The three women Castro kidnapped disappeared separately between 2002 and 2004, when they were 14, 16 and 20 years old. They escaped on May 6 when one of the women broke part of a door and yelled to neighbors for help. Castro was arrested that evening. Castro was sentenced on Aug. 1 to life in prison plus 1,000 years on his guilty plea to 937 counts including kidnapping and rape. The three women kidnapped, Amanda Berry,
Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight, each said they had accepted a ride from Castro before they were taken. He was accused of repeatedly raping, beating and restraining the women, sometimes chaining them to a pole in a basement, to a bedroom heater or inside a van. The women’s escape from Castro’s home two months ago at first brought joy to the city where they had become household names after years of searches, publicity and vigils, then despair at revelations of their treatment. Their rescue brought shocking allegations that Castro fathered a child with one of the women, induced five miscarriages in another by starving and punching her, and assaulted one with a vacuum cord around her neck when she tried to escape. At his sentencing, Castro told the judge he was addicted to pornography, had a “sexual problem”
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dent housing company around UC to participate in the program. Its properties on Jefferson Avenue, Vine and Euclid streets have been added to the list, which account for 123 apartment units. Of the 81,000 rental units in Cincinnati, only 245 have currently been inspected, said Cincinnati Fire Chief Fredrick Prather. “We’re hoping that the partnership we have with the University of Cincinnati will enable us to get in the doors so we can inspect these homes,” Prather said.“We want the students to be very safe and the basic way of doing that is by doing a home inspection.” Landlords generally have 30 days to fix any violations, but Prather said inspectors on site could fix most violations. Only six properties are currently on the safe housing list, but 20 properties have been inspected around UC’s campus as of Aug. 28, Prather said. Of those 20 properties, 16 had fire code violations. “Some have been very significant, some are minor in nature,” Prather said. City council already passed a law requiring rental properties to have photoelectric smoke detectors, which are more efficient and effective than the traditional ionization detectors. The probability of failure in the case of a smoldering fire for a photoelectric detector is about 4.06 percent, while the failure rate for an ionization detector is about 55.8 percent. The fire safety initiatives began in response to the deaths of four Cincinnati students over the past decade, most recently the deaths of Ellen Garner, 20, and Chad Kohls, 21. Firefighters brought the two out of a house on Digby Avenue after a fire on New Year’s Day, but
both later died of smoke inhalation. The two were trapped in a third-floor bedroom, and there was only one stairwell and one escape window blocked by an air conditioning unit. Kohl’s and Garner’s parents worked with city council to pass legislation that will help ensure more students are safe. “Demand more from landlords,” said Ann Garner, Ellen Garner’s mother, at an August press conference. Garner hopes this program “marks the beginning of a cornerstone” of fire safety for students, she said. The other two students featured on the program’s website are Matthew Simpson, 20, and Andrea Dennis, 20. Simpson, a Madeira native, was killed in a fire April 2007 after a sofa next to his third-floor bedroom caught fire. He later died from smoke inhalation. Dennis, also a Cincinnati native, was at a party at Ohio University in April 2003, when a sofa caught fire on the front porch. She was asleep at the time, and most of the ionization fire alarms were disabled due to the high frequency of false alarms. She later died of smoke inhalation. Since 2000, about 162 students have died in fires on or near college campuses in America, according to Campus Firewatch, a nonprofit publication dedicated to educating people about campus-related fires. About 86 percent of all campus-related fires occur in off-campus housing. UC is hosting a fire safety awareness event Monday on McMicken Commons, where students can examine a fire truck and navigate through a portable house filled with smoke.
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and had been a sex-abuse victim himself long ago. The sentence imposed by Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Michael Russo followed a rambling 16-minute statement in which Castro blamed his actions on a sexual and pornography addiction that led to compulsive behavior. “I do want to let you know there was harmony in that home,“ the former school-bus driver told a courtroom packed with media members as well as Knight.“I was a good person.” But Knight, as well as family members of the other victims, gave a strikingly different account of their years of captivity. “I spent 11 years in hell,” Knight said.“ Now your hell is just beginning. I will overcome all that happened, but you will face hell for eternity.” Prosecutors had agreed to take a possible death-penalty charge off the table in exchange for Castro’s plea.
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THURSDAY, SEPT. 5, 2013 / NEWSRECORD.ORG
TNR’s must-see films of Fall semester Preview of potential contenders for upcoming Oscar season MATTHEW ADAMS CONTRIBUTOR
“12 YEARS A SLAVE” OCT. 18
Based on the autobiography of the same name, “12 Years a Slave” tells the story of Solomon Northup, a born-free black American who in 1841 was kidnapped and sold into slavery. Chiwetel Ejiofor, who’s proven himself as a formidable supporting man in films such as “Children of Men” and “American Gangster,” stars as Northup in a role that is sure to attract Oscar attention. This will be the third film for artist-turned-filmaker Steve McQueen. McQueen has built his young career on visceral depictions of the second IRA hunger strike in his debut feature, “Hunger,” and crippling sex addiction in “Shame,” so it’s unlikely this film will be holding any punches. The dense supporting cast includes frequent McQueen collaborator Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch of BBC’s acclaimed series “Sherlock” and Brad Pitt. Though initially set for a December release, “12 Years a Slave” was pushed up to mid-October after positive test screenings in hopes of generating early Oscar buzz.
“INTERSTELLAR” NOV. 7
Coming off of his hugely successful “Dark Knight” trilogy, director Christopher Nolan is returning to the science fiction that was found in his earlier films such as “The Prestige” and “Inception” with the ambitious project “Interstellar.” Nolan and his brother, Jonathon, wrote the original screenplay, which is grounded in the work of distinguished astrophysicist Kip Thorne. Though many of the films details are being well guarded, the plot has been described as a team of explorer’s voyage through a newly discovered wormhole. The team will be made up of what will probably be this year’s deepest cast, led by the increasingly dedicated Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway. Also casted are Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine, Matt Damon and many other renowned names. Consistent with his effective filming format, Nolan will be shooting the picture on both film and IMAX film. However,
with his usual and immensely talented cinematographer, Wally Pfister, unavailable “Interstellar” filming will be handled by Hoyte van Hoytema. Hoytema’s credits include the Swedish film “Let the Right One In” and more recently “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” and Academy Award nominated “The Fighter.”
the French comedic actor who in 2011 won an Academy Award for his starring role in the silent film “The Artist.” Depicting the corruption of Wall Street and American corporate banking, “Wolf of Wall Street” will definitely be both biting and resonant.
“Chiwetel Ejiofor, who’s proven himself as a formidable supporting man in films such as ‘Children of Men’ and ‘American Gangster,’ stars as Northup in a role that is sure to attract Oscar attention.”
“INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS” DEC. 6
“WOLF OF WALL STREET” NOV. 15
“Wolf of Wall Street” will be the first 2D movie directed by Martin Scorsese to be shot digitally. Although a disappointing sign of the times, this change is certainly incapable of stifling Scorsese’s long forged mastery of filmmaking. Sopranos writer/producer Terrence Winter penned the film’s screenplay based on the autobiography of fraudulent stockbroker Jordan Belfort for what appears to be Scorsese’s most comedic work since 1983’s “King of Comedy.”This film marks the director’s fifth collaboration with Leonardo Di Caprio, who stars as Belfort. Interestingly, the supporting cast is laced with more comedic sensibilities. The bill includes Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey and Jean Dujardin,
In the 1960s, performers and songwriters traveled across the country to New York’s Greenwich Village to create the music scene now considered the Folk Music Revival. Among these musicians were Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, but one of the most important figures, Dave Van Ronk, was born near Brooklyn. His memoir, “The Mayor of MacDougal Street,” is the basis of the Coen Brothers’ newest film, “Inside Llewyn Davis.” The film follows the titular fictional performer, played by lesser-known Oscar Isaac as he makes his way through the New York folk scene. Filling out the rest of the cast is Carrie Mulligan, John Goodman and Justin Timberlake. The film’s obviously crucial soundtrack will largely consist of folk standards performed by the actors themselves, but additional recordings will be handled by famed musician-producer T-Bone Burnett and Marcus Mumford of band Mumford and Sons. Burnett has worked on previous soundtracks for the Coen Brothers, including “The Big Lebowski” and “O’ Brother, Where Art Thou?”
“AMERICAN HUSTLE” DEC. 25
“American Hustle” is based on the FBI’s Abdul Scam operation in the late 1970s. “Abscam” was a sting operation that by its end targeted 31 government officials for political corruption. At the helm of this project is David O. Russell, whose directorial resume includes “The Fighter” and last year’s popular “Silver Linings Playbook.” Heavy on 1970s aesthetic, “American Hustle” features Bradley Cooper and Christian Bale in large sunglasses and plenty of plaids. The impressive cast also includes Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, who won an Oscar for her last collaboration will Russell, Robert De Niro and comedian Louis C.K. This period piece promises a strong story with the humor of Russell’s trademark wit along with infallible performances from actors who have already built a relationship with the director. “American Hustle” will be released Christmas Day.
“HER” DEC. 18
Director-screenwriter Spike Jonze has established a signature cinematic voice with a body of work that includes some of the greatest music videos and a consistent run of feature films. Jonze is returning in 2013 with “Her,” a film about a lonely man who develops feelings for his female-voiced computer operating system. Joaquin Phoenix, who gave arguably the best performance of last year with his role in “The Master,” plays the lead role. Scarlet Johansson will voice Phoenix’s electronic love-interest as an autonomous computer operating system unique to its user. Arcade Fire will score the film, though Yeah Yeah Yeahs vocalist Karen O has also contributed to the soundtrack with her delicate track, “The Moon Song.” As part of its award season campaign, “Her” has been pushed back and will now see a limited release on Dec. 18 and a wider release in early January. PROVIDED
‘Love in the Future’ for past and present generations Legend puts listeners in loving mood CHRISTIAN WARNER STAFF REPORTER
Making music and serenading the ladies go hand-in-hand for soul music sensation John Legend. No matter what he is doing he always keeps it classy, his fourth studio album, “Love in the Future” is no exception. He uses his old-fashioned soulful sensuality to sell his image rather than using raunchy and highly sexual tactics like his counterparts. This
time around, Legend, with help in production from Dave Tozer and Kanye West, returns to his classical R&B style with the Sept. 3 release of “Love In The Future.” The album is full of love and romance from the beginning to PROVIDED the end and is sure to put loving couples in the mood. The lead single “Who Do We Think We Are”
featuring Rick Ross includes Legend’s powerful vocals and a concert performance sound. Also, the verse from Rick Ross is solid enough to appeal to the younger demographics that may be more interested in his contribution than Legend’s. The accompanying music video finds Legend at an elegant dinner attended by a flourish of beautiful women who surround him and fight for his attention, but Legend only has eyes for one woman who just so happens to be in to him too. The song that exudes the persona that is truly Legend-esque has to be “All Of Me.” Legend sings while playing the piano and professing his undying love for his fiancé Christine Teigen.
It’s easy to drift into the far distance while listening to “Love In The Future.” It will put the listener in a paradise that is unlike any other. Legend’s songs will display the meaning of true love and giving beloved singles the hope of finding that special someone. Filled with fashionably soulful vocals from Legend and featured artists Rick Ross, Stacy Barthe and Seal, “Love In The Future” will have fans of R&B, from the baby boomers to the millennial generation loving the powerful stories that Legend tells. No matter the generation, no matter how close or how far, there will always be “Love In The Future.”
Nine Inch Nails makes imperfect music perfectly Reznor’s ‘Pretty Hate Machine’ whirring a little softer KYLE POPE CONTRIBUTOR
Rather than blistering anthems of evil and despair backed by metal grooves mixed with synthesizer pop, Nine Inch Nails mastermind and frontman, Trent Reznor, digs into a gloomy and intensified form of trip-hop on the bands latest album “Hesitation Marks.” While it might not be the usual “Wish” quality of self-loathing Reznor is known for, the album doesn’t sound unfamiliar. But listeners should note, the album’s single “Came Back Haunted” is in no way any indication of what the rest of the tracks have to offer. “Hesitation Marks” is actually a more chronicled album in which Reznor combines all of his strengths in a steady 14-song sequence. The soundscape of songs, including “Disappointed,” are comparable to some of his works like “The Social Network” soundtrack and the instrumental NIN record “Ghosts I-IV,” with Reznor’s signature howl providing the narrative of a slightly less angry and more dramatically mellow human being. Nearly every demographic of the NIN persona spread across its almost 25-year life is represented. From the doom and gloom to the symphonic “Find My Way” and the awkward, yet intense sexuality in the form of songs like “All Time Low” and “Satellite.” Even the angry NIN is represented briefly in the previously mentioned single that shows Reznor’s hesitation and frustration with himself, as he can’t stay away from the beast he created. The album does suffer minor recording style issues. Some of the cheap sounding electric drums and low-fi synths and keys make the album sound like it was recorded on a laptop with GarageBand. The biggest offender is the introductory track,
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“Copy Of A.” The sloppy beats and the horrendous vocal echoing gives the listener a false sense of doubt and hints that maybe its been a little too long since Reznor really tried to make a NIN record. In addition, the album as a whole is very quiet compared to much of Reznor’s work, making louder tracks like “Came Back Haunted” not only welcome, but all too necessary. While the song “Everything” picks up the pace a little, its pop-infused post punk sounds uninspired and classless. So the album isn’t perfect, but why should we expect perfection from a guy so wonderfully imperfect as Reznor. With its flaws, “Hesitation Marks” still showcases some spot-on song writing. There are eccentric grooves that only NIN can create and though maybe not as dominant, that deep misery that made us so fascinated with the man and the “Pretty Hate Machine” he’s operating in the first place.
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4 / COLLEGE LIFE Bearcats race through zoo to save big cats THURSDAY, SEPT. 5, 2013 / NEWSRECORD.ORG
UC community members tackled Cincinnati Zoo course to benefit cheetah conservation
MALLORY MASONI
AMONA REFAEI CONTRIBUTOR
Bearcats leaped bounds toward cheetah conservation Sunday at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. University of Cincinnati students took their places among more than 1,400 runners and walkers at the 34th annual Cheetah Run 5K race. Faculty and staff also participated in the run. Members of UC’s Department of Geology found their way through the event’s 3.1-mile course, admiring the zoo’s beautiful greenery and exotic exhibits along the way. “It only makes sense for our department to participate in [the race] with respect to raising funds to help protect large cats,” said Carmen McCane, UC Department of Geography Ph.D. candidate. When the zoo first hosted the event, the course was much shorter. “As it grew in popularity, the zoo decided to make it an official 5K,” said Tiffany Barnes, public relations manager of the zoo. “I think the motivation behind hosting a run at the zoo came from the fact that the zoo makes a beautiful backdrop, and who wouldn’t want to run past a Maasai giraffe or an African lion?” Teri Jacobs, UC Department of Geography Ph.D. candidate, also represented the UC community at the race. “I do what I can to support organizations such as the Cincinnati Zoo and the Cheetah Conservation Fund in their efforts to save the cheetah,” Jacobs said. “Without our help, the world’s fastest land mammal may too quickly disappear forever.” McCane has recently participated in four other races and is planning to take part in six more in the fall. She was particularly excited for the Cheetah Run because of its challenging course made difficult by the zoo’s hilly terrain. McCane worked to advertise the event to other individuals in her department. “It definitely worked since I am not running in the race alone,” McCane said.
MADISON SCHMIDT CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Members of the UC community participated in the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden’s 34th annual Cheetah Run 5K Race to raise money for cheetah conservation. Runners and walkers completed a sprawling 3.1 mile course that allowed them to enjoy the zoo’s unique scenery, including diverse plant life and hundreds of exotic animals.
Participants were able to watch an actual cheetah run during a special demonstration following the event. There are weekly demonstrations 11 a.m. and noon Fridays through Tuesdays at the Cheetah Encounter Exhibit. “I think the Cincinnati Zoo, through its exhibits, activities, and conservation programs, does an amazing job at promoting and encouraging
biodiversity,” McCane said. The zoo and the Council for Responsible Sport worked together to make the Cheetah Run a certified green event. “As the greenest zoo in America, we are always looking for ways to make even our events here at the zoo as green as possible,” Barnes said. Although the zoo’s cheetah clocked the fastest
time of the day, each runner and walker took a significant step toward saving the big cats as they crossed the finish line. “As a leader in cheetah conservation, the Cincinnati Zoo hosts the Cheetah 5K run annually,” Jacobs said. “Next year I hope more Bearcats will run or walk for another cool cat.”
Campus tours ROARing success with potential Bearcats having the opportunity to sell others on UC by showing them one of the world’s most beautiful campuses,” Buechner said. ROAR’s Open House tours are among their most popular, drawing in thousands of prospective students during several scheduled dates throughout the year. Although ROAR focuses its efforts on potential Bearcats, tours are not limited to prospective students. Guides give special tours for middle and high school students as well as transfer and international students. Welcome Weekend also incorporated two unique ROAR tours open to anyone interested in participating. The UC Myths and Legends tour debunks or confirms spooky, unusual facts about campus — like whether or not a ghost may accompany students when studying in the Rare Books Library. A tour called Dude, Where’s my Class? helps students master class locations before their first official day as Bearcats. ROAR is in the midst of its recruitment season and current guides are excited to welcome new members to the team. “We have guides with different backgrounds, majors and involvement and each have their own unique UC experience,” Buechner said.
MADISON SCHMIDT CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
New and returning students explored the stranger sides of campus as part of the UC Myths and Legends tour during Welcome Weekend. ROAR Guides specializes in giving tours to prospective students in an effort to help them make informed decisions about college. The organization also gives a variety of different tours throughout the year.
Volunteer organization helps prospective students make informed decisions about enrolling at UC EMILY BEGLEY COLLEGE LIFE EDITOR
Pinpointing the perfect college can be more than a little daunting for incoming students. Each prospective school presents its own set of unique aspects, giving students a lot to consider before making a decision. But the University of Cincinnati has something that makes the process a little easier: ROAR Guides. Members of ROAR Guides volunteer their time
to help prospective students make informed decisions about college. More than 100 students are involved in the organization and each guide gives one tour a week, showing potential Bearcats around the campus and providing them with important information about UC. For ROAR Guides president Bryan Buechner, the tours are where it all began. “My campus tour was what made me choose UC,” Buechner said. “So I want to be able to have that impact on other prospective students.” ROAR started as a group of 20 paid tour guides employed by the Office of Admissions. But because of issues with reliability, ROAR morphed into a volunteer organization that aimed to recruit dependable and enthusiastic members. In the six years ROAR has existed on campus, UC’s best and brightest students have become
part of the organization’s family of guides. “It quickly picked up speed, and pretty soon the organization was receiving hundreds of applications for membership each year,” Buechner said. Guides are passionate about UC and demonstrate their Bearcat pride both on and off campus. “My favorite thing about being a part of this organization is knowing there are hundreds of students willing to volunteer their time to make UC a better place,” Buechner said. “It’s incredible to see so many talented, inspired and motivated individuals make a huge difference on the university.” The most basic tours given by ROAR guides are those that show prospective students and their families around campus. “My favorite thing about being a tour guide is
“My campus tour was what made me choose UC, so I want to be able to have that impact on other prospective students.” BRYAN BUECHNER
In addition to sharing their enthusiasm about UC, guides have the opportunity to gain an honors experience and to mingle with some of UC’s finest. “In my opinion, the most beneficial part of being a ROAR Guide is knowing that you have the opportunity to help one, two or many students make one of the biggest decisions of their lives,” Buechner said. “That’s pretty powerful.”
Students take flight with discounted Cincinnati Circus lessons Flying trapeze lessons offer special deals on soaring JORDAN ITTEL STAFF REPORTER
Cincinnati Circus’ newest experience is one step short of sprouting wings. Students can experience the thrill of flying during the Cincinnati Circus’ flying trapeze lessons, offered 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays in Burnet Woods on the corner of Martin Luther King Drive and Clifton Avenue. Lessons are normally $45 but students who present a valid college ID can get a pass to fly all night long for $20. “It’s a once in a lifetime experience,” said Adam Case, Cincinnati Circus performer and event coordinator. “We offer the only public trapeze classes in the Midwest.” The discounted rate is the first of many reasons to give the trapeze a try. Besides the “thrill and exhilaration of flying through the air,” Case said there are plenty of other benefits such as over-
coming fears, accomplishing something new and getting an awesome core workout. “Have you ever seen a trapeze performer that was out of shape?” Case said. “With that being said, you don’t have to be super fit to fly. We’ve had kids from the age of 3 up to adults aged 75 that have had a blast flying on the trapeze.” The instructors are always willing to teach participants tricks. Case said the lessons range from knee hangs to back flips and even flying to the hands of another instructor. For those who may be afraid of heights or the security aspect of flying through the air with only a bar to hang onto, Case assured there is nothing to fear. “It’s completely safe,” Case said. “From the moment you start climbing the ladder you are in safety lines, and there’s a net underneath you for the landing.” Case offered a final incentive for students still mustering up the courage to take that initial leap. “You can brag to your friends,” he said. PROVIDED
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What’s going on in Clifton this weekend:
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Orientation Board Meet and Greet | 5 p.m. Head over to 320 University Pavilion to get acquainted with UC’s 2013 Student Orientation Leaders.
Poetry and Fiction Reading | 4 p.m. Join in this reading with literary artist Yona Harvey and fiction writer Jamie Quatro in 646 Langsam Library.
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McMicken Student Ambassadors | 6 p.m. Interested in promoting leadership within McMicken? Attend this information session to learn about becoming an ambassador.
Walk the Moon | 8 p.m. Jam out during this free outdoor concert on Sigma Sigma Commons. Feel free to show up a little early; doors open 7 p.m.
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THURSDAY, SEPT. 5, 2013 / NEWSRECORD.ORG
FSU transfer completes defensive duo
Jeff Luc’s journey to UC was anything but ideal, but he’s found a home along side Greg Blair in the American Athletic Conference’s best linebacker unit MATT NIEHAUS STAFF REPORTER
For those unfamiliar with UC middle linebacker Jeff Luc (pronounced “luke” not “luck”), he’s the 251 pounds of pure muscle that made the opening tackle in UC’s 42-7 win Saturday. He wears the number 48, but if that’s not a sufficient identifier, simply look for the stoutest player on the field — it will be him more often than not. Luc transferred to Cincinnati prior to the 2012 season, after two frustrating years with the Florida State Seminoles. He sat out the 2012 season due to National College Athletic Association transfer rules. As a senior at Treasure Coast High School in Port St. Lucie, Fla., Luc was rated the No. 1 linebacker prospect in the country and the 42nd best player overall. Undoubtedly one of the best players in Fla., it came as no surprise that Luc chose to attend Florida State. What did come as
a surprise, however, is that Luc struggled to find playing time at FSU. Luc has declined to give specifics on his decision to leave the Seminoles, but it’s quite clear that, after tallying 22 tackles in two years of limited action, he was no longer happy in Tallahassee. “I don’t know how to explain it but I know, someday you get that feeling you’ve had enough and you just know that’s it and you’ve just made up your mind and everything,” Luc said. “And you’re just ready for a change.” Following his decision to transfer becoming public knowledge, Luc listed four schools (South Carolina, Kansas State, UC and Tennessee State) as his possible football destinations. With his mind all but set on KSU, Luc made one final visit, a stop in Clifton to thank his former defensive coordinator John Jancek. “I made a trip over here with the mindset that I’m still going to Kansas State,” Luc said. “I actually came here as a courtesy for one of the coaches (Jancek) to thank him for sticking with me through high school and everything. What got me here was when you go on recruiting trips coaches always tell you how the team is like a family. When I got here it was really like they said it was, like a family. That’s a big part of recruiting to get athletes to your school.” After terrorizing the first-team UC offense
as a scout-team member for the entirety of the 2012 season, Luc — 18 months removed from competitive football — impressed in his debut as a Bearcat. Luc’s stat line of four tackles certainly doesn’t tell the tale of his performance Saturday, as he and fellow inside linebacker Greg Blair (firstteam All-Big East in 2012) spearheaded a relentless UC defense that held Purdue to just 65 yards on the ground. “It went pretty well. A couple people had us as the underdog and I don’t mind that, that’s just part of the game,” Luc said. “But Purdue played pretty well, they’re well coached but it came down to just too many mistakes.” With Bearcats fans enamored by the impressive performances of Luc and his fellow newcomers and of course, thrilled with the change of head coach Tommy Tuberville, the clamors for a 12-0 season have already begun. Like any other competitor, Luc is confident in UC’s ability to fulfill those hopes. “Oh definitely 12-0 that’s what everyone says,” Luc said with a smile. “Here again, you have to play to your potential. Everybody looks good on paper of course, but you actually have to go out there and play to your potential and everything should fall in line from there.” There are no certainties in football. Fourteen weeks and a Dec. 5 clash with Louisville stand
between UC, a 12-0 season and a conference championship. But for now, there is little debate that the best linebackers in the American Athletic Conference — Luc and Blair — wear red and black.
MADISON SCHMIDT CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Bearcats bash Purdue in Tuberville’s debut
PHIL DIDION PHOTO EDITOR
CIncinnati defensive back Devan Drane attempts to tackle Purdue wide receiver B.J. Knauf during UC’s 42-7 victory at Nippert Stadium Saturday.
Unlikely starter Legaux, stout defense leads UC to lopsided victory JOSHUA MILLER SPORTS EDITOR
With a dominant 42-7 defeat of the Purdue Boilermakers, the Tommy Tuberville era began
in triumphant fashion at Nippert Stadium Saturday. “I’m proud of our players, proud of our coaches and I’m really proud of our strength and conditioning coaches,”Tuberville said. “I’m proud of the fans for coming out in this hot weather. Hopefully what they saw, they liked.” Afore 36,007 fans — the largest in Nippert Stadium history — UC controlled every aspect
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of the game, outgaining Purdue 425-226 yards. The Boilermakers mustered only 65 yards on the ground and likely wouldn’t have scored at all, if not for an Anthony McClung muffed punt that gave Purdue possession deep within UC territory. Purdue Quarterback Rob Henry scored from seven yards out following McClung’s botched punt return. The Boilermaker’s never threatened again. Unlikely starter Munchie Legaux connected with tight end Blake Annen on a perfect 15-yard touchdown strike with 17 seconds left before halftime, effectively snatching momentum for the remainder of the game. “I thought the last drive of the first half really set the precedent,”Tuberville said. Legaux also kicked off the scoring for UC, walking in from 10 yards out on a perfectly executed draw play. He finished the game 13-of20 passing for 145 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions, the first of which was the result of a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage. With the exception of the second interception, which could have easily been a touchdown, Legaux’s decision making and poise appeared much improved in comparison to the 2012 season. “The reason we started Munchie was because he’d taken a lot more snaps in the last eight days,”Tuberville said. “We could’ve just as easily gone with Brendon. He made some great decisions. He made one mistake in the end zone. He had the guy open on his second read, but never got off of his first read.” Brendon Kay, the quarterback most UC fans and media members expected to start, finished the game 4-for-5 passing for 59 yards. He led UC’s final two scoring drives.
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“We’re going to continue to have competition between Munchie and Brendon,” Tuberville said. “Brendon is getting a lot healthier now, he was probably about 90 percent today. It’s good to have that competition and have two guys you feel like you can go to. The players have great respect for both of them, which means a lot more than what I think, because they’re the ones that have to get things done.” Tuberville’s running back by committee plan was extremely effective. Ralph David Abernathy carried 15 times for 52 yards and one touchdown, while junior college transfer Hosey Williams showed impressive power, rushing for 70 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries of his own. With 221 yards rushing and 204 in the air, UC’s offense achieved the balance attack that Tuberville has spent all summer trying to instill. Although, UC would like to run the ball more going forward, Tuberville said. Led by the play of linebackers Greg Blair, Nick Temple and Jeff Luc (making his first appearance for UC since transferring from Florida State in 2012), UC’s defense seemed two steps ahead of the Boilermakers all afternoon. Temple’s acrobatic interception on the game’s opening drive set the tone for UC’s entire defense, with Blair and Luc completely shutting down any chance of Purdue’s rushing game finding its legs up the middle. Junior defensive back Adrian Witty added an impressive 41-yard interception return for a touchdown, which effectively put the game out of reach at 28-7 with 6 minutes and 42 seconds remaining in the third quarter. UC travels to Champaign, Ill. to take on another Big Ten Conference opponent, the Illinois fighting Illini.
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