TNR 1.6.11 by The News Record

131 years in print Vol. CXXXI Issue xXViIi

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWS ORGANIZATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI | WWW.NEWSRECORD.ORG

THE NEWS RECORD THURSDAY | JAN. 6 | 2011

SHOWDOWN

playing with

fire Ohio ups minimum wage 10 cents UC preps to take on Muskies at Fifth Third

spotlight | 5

sports | 7

JAMES SPRAGUE | NEWS EDITOR

eamon queeney | photo editor

GETTING A RAISE Minimum wage workers in Ohio, such as those that work at McDonald’s on Martin Luther King Drive, are receiving a 10-cent pay increase.

Employees earning minimum wage in Ohio received a pay raise Jan. 1 as the state’s minimum wage increased 10 cents. The increase makes Ohio’s minimum wage $7.40 per hour for 2011, compared to $7.30 per hour in 2010. Tipped employees also got a jump from $3.65 to $3.70 per hour. Ohio is one of seven states — Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Vermont and Washington are the others — that increased minimum wage Jan. 1. Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment in November 2006 that increases the minimum wage on Jan. 1 of each year by the rate of inflation. The wage hike will affect the incomes of approximately 647,000 workers living in participating states, according to the National Employment Law Project in New York. “Regular increases in the minimum wage that help workers keep up with rising living costs are critical during tough economic

times and directly benefit workers and state economies,” said Christine Owens, executive director of the NELP. The wage increase also might assist in economic recovery throughout the nation, Owens said. “In addition to helping working families in the states make ends meet, raising wages for the lowest-paid workers will help sustain consumer spending and spur economic recovery,” Owens said. “Minimum wage increases go directly to workers who spend them immediately — because they have to — on basic necessities like food, gas, rent and clothing.” Labor statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor show that approximately 72.5 million Americans older than 16 were paid hourly wages, as opposed to salary-based payments. Of the 72.5 million, approximately 980,000 earned 2009’s federal minimum wage — and more than 2.5 million people were paid less than federal minimum wage.

IN BRIEF

Study targets sores

CALLING ALL PACIFISTS

UC student robbed near Holy Grail Bar in Corryville A female University of Cincinnati student was the latest victim of a robbery in Corryville. The student was leaving a bar in the Short Vine area of Corryville Monday night when the incident occurred. The student was going to her vehicle parked on West Charlton Street near the Holy Grail bar, said Gene Ferrara, chief of the UC Police Division, when a black male entered the female’s vehicle, instructed her to take him to an ATM machine and get him money. No weapon was brandished by the suspect, but the student still drove the suspect to an ATM. The student retrieved money for the suspect, who then had the student drop him off, according to UCPD. The suspect was described as a black male in his 40s, approximately 5’10” to 6’ tall with missing teeth, Ferrara said. The Cincinnati Police Department is investigating the incident.

jason hoffman | staff reporter

GSGA Grant Opportunity The deadline is closing regarding application for the University of Cincinnati’s 2011 Graduate Student Governance Association (GSGA) Awards. Two awards are available: A GSGA Research Award offering $11,575 for research and a GSGA Group Grant Award offering $6,757. Application deadline for the research award is Jan. 28 and Jan. 14 for groups. For more information contact Alex Ignatiou at president.ucgsga@gmail.com or Key Beck at vicepres.ucgsga@gmail.com.

Mick and Mack’s Wine Tasting The monthly wine tasting at Mick and Mack’s Contemporary Cafe in Tangeman University Center will offer both hors d’oeuvres and a variety of wines from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Prices vary depending on the menu and types of wines that are available for the event. For more information contact Brenda Rollins at 513-556-3653.

INSIDE

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coulter loeb | chief photographer

Entertainment Opinion Spotlight Classifieds Sports

POignant anti-war statement The “Triceracopter” is the newest addition to UC’s Langsam Library. Artist Patricia Renick, who died in 2007 after a lengthy career teaching in the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, created the sculpture, which debuted in 1977, with the subtitle “Hope for the Obsolescence of War.”

THURSDAY

JAMES SPRAGUE | NEWS EDITOR

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The University of Cincinnati College of Nursing is engaged in a year-long research project to aid in better prevention methods of pressure ulcers, commonly referred to as bedsores, through the unlikeliest of ways — music. The study pairs the College of Nursing with Signature Health Care of Florida and examines long-term care patients residing at 10 long-term health care facilities in Kentucky. Dr. Tracey Yap, assistant professor and deputy director of occupational health nursing at the College of Nursing, leads the research team examining the effects of music on nursing home staff and patients. “The basic concept is to have a musical prompt every two hours to remind the staff at nursing homes to get patients moving,” Yap said. The prompt also reminds patients who are aware of their conditions to get up and move around on their own,Yap said. Yap’s team competed with more than 100 other applicants in a competitive process and received a $300,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as part of the Interdisciplinary Nursing Quality Research Initiative. The research is an interdisciplinary study which “incorporates everyone in the nursing homes from nurses to maintenance workers,” Yap said. In one instance, a maintenance worker at one of the facilities is followed around by two male residents once the music starts to play, Yap said. One of the facilities participating in the study is the Bracken County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Augusta, Ky. The staff at the center has “bought into the program for the

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Dancing benefits patients

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University of Cincinnati students will be putting on their dancing shoes for patients at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in February. The third annual Cincinnati Dance Marathon, benefitting patients at Children’s Hospital, will take place Feb. 26 and Feb. 27. The 24-hour long event will be held at UC’s Campus Recreation Center and features a variety of activities ranging from dodgeball to salsa dancing. Among the goals of the marathon are uniting the

Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas in the fight against pediatric cancer and to spur philanthropy among the UC student population. “In the coming months, members of Cincinnati Dance Marathon will be going around campus, lending a helping hand wherever its needed,” wrote Phil Dinovo, a third-year informations student and technology director for Cincinnati Dance Marathon. It’s also a good way for UC to support the patients at Children’s Hospital, wrote Brittany Gunther, a marketing student and

communications director for the marathon. “Cincinnati Dance Marathon is a great way for the UC community to support the children being treated at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and it’s a tremendous opportunity for UC students to bond with their fellow Bearcats for a remarkable cause,” Gunther wrote. Organizers suggest a minimum $25 donation to the marathon, which is eamon queeney | photo editor tax-deductible. Proceeds go to Children’s HELPING THE KIDS Proceeds from UC’s Hospital’s Children’s Miracle Cincinnati Dance Marathon will go to pediatric Network program. patients at Cincinnati’s Children’s Hospital.

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from ART | 3

from Muskies | 7 and he’s a tremendous free throw shooter. His biggest strength is he plays with intelligence. He has a purpose to everything he’s doing. He’s able to play fast while having a purpose to it.” The Bearcats are no strangers to Holloway’s play. The junior scored a thencareer-high 26 points in Xavier’s 83-79 double-overtime win against Cincinnati last season, including 11 free throws. “I like his game personally,” said UC guard Cashmere Wright. “You can tell he’s been doing things and his game has improved since he’s gotten to college.” Jamel McLean is the team’s fourthleading scorer with 10.1 points per game and a double-double threat as the team’s top rebounder, averaging 9.5 per contest. Junior center Kenny Frease adds 11.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. “I’m really impressed with the development of Holloway, McLean and Kenny Frease,” Cronin said. “All three of those guys are decidedly better players than they were a year ago — and they were good players a year ago.” Entering the high-profile game on the

hardwood, Xavier head coach Chris Mack is cool and composed despite facing his first Shootout on the road as head coach. “Every day in practice we demand intensity,” Mack said. “Our kids never hung their heads [against UC] last year. In a way this year as well, our kids don’t have any quit in them.” Mack won his Shootout debut at the helm against Cincinnati at the Cintas Center last season. “Well, it wasn’t my first Shootout win,” Mack said. The Cincinnati native and Xavier alum played in two Crosstown Shootouts as a player and was an assistant coach with the Musketeers for five meetings. Mack said practice this week was business as usual for his squad and his team will not be intimidated by the undefeated and No. 24/25 Bearcats. “There’s no heightened sense like, ‘Wow we’re playing Cincinnati,’ ” Mack said.“They are a really good team, but I don’t think you change your practice. I don’t think Mick changes his practice just because it’s Shootout week.”

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“We obviously have a deeper team — that goes without saying,” Cronin said. “The key for us is to make that an advantage, but it’s not like this is foreign territory to Xavier.” The Bearcats enter the game ranked third in the nation in points against, limiting opponents to fewer than 55 points per game. “When you look at how we play defense right now, it should help with all the switching and all the defensive pressure that we bring in the press,” said point guard Cashmere Wright. “It should tire them out sooner or later. They don’t have a deep bench like we do.” In order for the Bearcats to press the Muskies, Cronin said his team will need to

overcome Xavier’s strong defense. “Our biggest challenge is going to be getting the ball in the basket. If we can score, then we can press,” Cronin said. “Then our bench comes into play and our style of play comes into play. We’ve got to make sure we play the game at our pace and the key to that is scoring the basketball.” The 78th Crosstown Shootout tips at 7 p.m. Thursday in front of a sold-out crowd at Fifth Third Arena and will be televised nationally on ESPN2. “I don’t think I’ve ever played in Fifth Third when we were sold out,”Wright said. “I think this should be a fun atmosphere for me. I’ve never been a part of this.”

from KEN | 3 Surprisingly, Holscher revealed that he was never asked to read from a script. The participants were not even permitted to discuss the show while the cameras weren’t rolling, in order to avoid any dialogue that couldn’t be recreated organically on footage. The most difficult part of being on the show, Holscher admitted, was the limited communication with family and friends. Contestants were only permitted one 10-minute phone call each day after a certain period of time at the loft and were cut off from news, computers and mobile phones. The Cincinnati native felt such an intense homesickness that he was permitted to call his mother and his cheerleading coach, Tim Murphy, earlier than the other contestants were permitted. After both insisted it would be a valuable experience doing the show, he decided to stay. “I’m emotional, big on loving people,” Holscher said. This is probably why he was

from Antics | 7 “Last year was really a tough loss for us,” Cronin said. “We had the game salted away and we had a bad turnover. [Tu] Holloway got to shoot four free throws that I didn’t agree with at the end of the first overtime. That’s the closest one in my memory. I thought we should have won last year’s game.” This season’s Muskies have beaten reigning national runner-up Butler, but losses to Old Dominion and Miami University on top of depth and injury issues have kept Xavier off most of the nation’s radar. Needless to say, the Musketeers again have something to prove. They’ve won three-straight games in the series, but enter Thursday’s battle in Fifth Third Arena an underdog.

labeled “Compassionate Ken” out of the bunch. Each contestant earned their own “Ken” name based on their personalities. He also admitted that, while the contestants were close, they experienced unavoidable pressure during the weekly elimination rounds. “[The judges] are critical. They’re breaking you down, but trying to help you out,” Holscher said. Although he is grateful for the invaluable information and experience he gained in relationship skills, Holscher’s most memorable lesson that he wanted to share was a personal one. “With this show, I was afraid at first. Never be afraid to try something new.” The first episode of “Genuine Ken: The Search for the Great American Boyfriend,” will air on hulu.com and genuineken.com Jan. 18.

who are trying to steal Pokémon? There’s some kind of Pokémon liberation group in the new upcoming game, who are trying to set the Pokémon free from slavery … because, if you really think about it, Pokémon is real fucked up. It’s like, “Hey, I’ll encounter you in the wild. I am your master now! I’m going to stuff you into a small compartment for days and days, then I’m going to bring you out in order to fight other enslaved beings. If Pokémon were real, I’d probably be part of that Pokémon liberation front. Then again, I can’t even eat animal by products, so what do you expect from me? TNR: Any closing words? ALX: Ehhhhh… More spirit Pokémon comics can be viewed at wwww.fuckyeahpokememe.tumblr.com. To see a color copy of ALX’s spirit Pokémon comic, be sure to visit www. newsrecord.org, along with Micallef’s tumblr at www.secretcat. tumblr.com.

FROM WAGE | 1 wage increased every year except 2010 — which did not show inflation during the periods measured. The wage increase also might assist in economic recovery throughout the nation, Owens said. “In addition to helping working families in the states make ends meet, raising wages for the lowestpaid workers will help sustain consumer spending and spur economic recovery,” Owens said. “Minimum wage increases go directly to workers who spend them immediately — because they have to — on basic necessities like food, gas, rent and clothing.” Ohio is now one of 17 states that have a minimum wage higher that the federal level of $7.25 per hour. FROM nursing | 1 “bought into the program for the most part,” said Amy Blevins, the facility’s nursing director. The center also might be interested in continuing the program after the UC study is complete later this year, Blevins said. The College of Nursing would be willing to do just that. “We would leave the necessary equipment and documentation in place for them if they want to continue with the program,” Yap said. The study is scheduled to end April 30, but Yap and her team are currently working on grant proposals to extend the study.

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It’s not a role Xavier’s backed down from in the past. The Muskies upset No. 1 Cincinnati 71-69 in 1996 after Lenny Brown’s buzzer beater. Three years later, UC was ranked No. 1 in the country again, but Kevin Frey’s four points in the final 30 seconds helped XU win 66-64. In the 2003-04 season, 15-2 Cincinnati couldn’t hold off 10-9 Xavier, with Lionel Chalmers giving the Muskies a 71-69 edge in the final minute. Thursday, they’ll try to play spoiler again and ruin UC’s perfect season, while the Bearcats aim to reestablish themselves in one of the nation’s best basketball rivalries.

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Weekend Edition Jan. 6 | 2011 NEWSRECORD.ORG

ENTERTAINMENT

Winter promises musical delights Jessica McCafferty | staff reporter Winter quarter in Cincinnati can often seem like an endless abyss of gray skies and long assignments. Luckily, this year promises to be filled with some great musical distractions from the weather. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra resumes its season with a number of revered favorites as it counts down the remaining concerts with Paavo Järvi before he departs for his new post in Paris. The Jan. 21-23 program features Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9. February begins with the Maestro conducting Mahler’s Symphony No. 7 on the third and fifth of the month, followed by Beethoven’s legendary Fifth Symphony from18th through the 20th and an all-Tchaikovsky the 24th and 26th. Finally, they usher in spring with the triumphant Brahms Symphony No. 1.

photo by Eamon queeney | photo editor

BACK TO SCHOOL The beginning of winter quarter means plenty of musical and theatrical events at CCM. Student tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door, both extremely affordable options that have a range of seating choices. Closer to home, students have access to performances at the College-

Conservatory of Music, whose ensembles also have exciting works scheduled for the quarter. The quarter begins with two beloved operas. First, the Philharmonia joins forces with The CCM Brass Choir, Chamber Choir, Chorale and Cincinnati Children’s Choir to perform “Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot” on Jan. 28. Feb. 10-13, the Mainstage opera, featuring the CCM Concert Orchestra will present The “Marriage of Figaro,” Mozart’s spunky comic romance. Outside of the opera repertory, the Concert Orhcestra’s Feb. 25 concert features Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite and the Philharmonia will perform Mahler’s 6th Symphony to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the composer’s death on March 11. The Wind and Jazz departments will be featured in the annual Prism concert. “Prism XIV: from CCM with Love-A

Valentine’s Day Present,” promises to live up to the excitement of past years. The Wind Symphony will also sample the music of contemporary Europe on Feb. 5, led by Rodney Winter in his final year with CCM. Wind Symphony will join the Wind Ensemble March 8 for the annual concerto concert. The concert will feature the winner of the bassoon competition as soloist for the Webern Andante and Hungarian Rondo as well as faculty member Timothy Northcut as tuba soloist on Putz’s Chapters of Life – Concerto for Tuba. Students should also not neglect the daily student recitals given by the outstanding students. They are posted online CCM calendar, which can be found at ccm.uc.edu. With nearly all performances at zero cost to UC students, one would be amiss to pass up entertainment opportunities. photo courtesy of genuineken.com

REPRESENTING CINCINNATI FELLAS UC student Chris Holscher, third from left, poses with Port and fellow “Genuine Ken” contestants.

UC STUDENT GETS ALL DOLLED UP KELLY TUCKER | ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Looking for the perfect boyfriend? He might just be wandering the University of Cincinnati campus at this very moment. Chris Holscher, a 23-year-old physical therapy graduate student at UC, was nominated to participate on the new reality show, “Genuine Ken: The Search for the Great American Boyfriend,” through the recommendation of his cousin’s friend. “Genuine Ken” is a Hulu.com-exclusive web series presented by The Barbie brand and Hudsun Media to find a modern American male comparable to the Barbie doll’s idealized plastic hubby. More than 1,000 males ages 21-30 years

competed for eight spots on the show through online voting. Without any selfpromotion, Holscher made the cut. “I don’t consider myself a lady’s man,” Holscher said. “I just like talking to people.” After the 2010 release “Toy Story 3” reintroduced the face of Ken to the media, Mattel, Inc. decided to combine the publicity with the celebration of the male doll’s 50th birthday approaching March 11. The result? An HOLSCHER elimination-challenge reality show targeted toward women ages 10 to 50 — Barbie lovers of all ages.

Holscher predicts that men will enjoy watching “Genuine Ken” as well — if not for entertainment, to learn a little about how to treat the ladies. Instead of joining his classmates for Fall quarter in 2010, Holscher joined seven fellow contestants, selected from cities across the United States, to shoot the series in downtown Hollywood at Barbie’s loft. “The other dudes were awesome,” Holscher said. While the spirit of the show is steeply competitive, he said, “I have seven guys I shared an experience with. We’re going to be friends forever now that we’ve built that bond.” Whitney Port, “The Hills” former star, hosts the televised competition as the men participate in weekly challenges to prove

their worthiness as a boyfriend. Each week, Port, Mattel spokesperson Lauren Bruksch and rotating celebrity judges narrowed down the options by eliminating one of the “Kens.” The challenges encouraged participants to show their romantic, creative, designing and athletic skills, presumably the factors that compose the ideal American boyfriend. “I was very skeptical at first, but saw how much time, effort and money was put into the show,” Holscher said. He was particularly surprised to get to “roll in a Cadallac Escalade,” and deal with his own makeup and wardrobe assistants. see KEN | 2

Artist creates Internet Pokémon meme SEAN PETERS | CHIEF REPORTER

PHOTO PROVIDED BY MCT CAMPUS

I CHOOSE YOU Comic artist Alexandra M. Micallef artfully revives the childhood fad we all remember.

Alexandra M. Micallef, a comic artist living in Ann Arbor, Mich., is responsible for a new Internet sensation known as “Spirit Pokémon.” Dozens of artists responded to her debut comic by identifying their own spirit Pokémon and the misadventures for which their pocket monsters are responsible. I interviewed Micallef (who I will refer to as ALX) in her kitchen in Ann Arbor, while she made a vegan garlic and mushroom pizza. TNR: When did you first start drawing comics? ALX: About two years ago, but half the time they would just stay in my sketchbook, and I wouldn’t allow anyone to look at them, because they’re constant works in progress. TNR: Do you remember the first comic you were comfortable enough to share with the Internet? ALX: Seriously, that Porygon thing is the first. TNR: You’ve done a lot of work designing posters …

ALX: Yeah, I primarily do that. TNR: So how would you describe yourself as an artist? Comics? Posters? How do you identify? ALX: I’m just a person who draws things. TNR: Do you have a favorite thing to draw? Any particular theme? ALX: Animals that look like they’re melting. TNR: You’ve done promotional posters for concerts and assorted bands. Who have you worked for? ALX: I’ve done album art for a Detroit band called I, Crime, and presently I’m working on something for this band, Secret Twins. Also, some posters for Hair Police, Awesome Color and Rangda. TNR: What are your favorite utensils to work with? ALX: Markers and mechanical pencils. TNR: Your “Spirit Pokémon” comic has created a meme that a lot of people have responded to. How many spirit Pokémon comics are you aware of? ALX: Thirty-something, within a month. TNR: How soon after posting your

“Spirit Pokémon” comic did you see a response comic from someone else? ALX: Almost instantly. My friend, Michael Litven, a friend from Olympia, Wa. — he posted one just a few hours after mine. TNR: How did you decide Porygon was your spirit Pokémon? ALX: Porygon, first off, it was in that episode [of the animated Pokémon series] that was banned in Japan because it gave kids seizures, just flashing around … I like really bright, garishly horrible colors. [Porygon] looks like cotton candy. It is a Pokémon that was created primarily for space travel and it basically lives on the Internet. TNR: How do you explain the Pokémon storage system? In the Pokémon universe, you upload Pokémon onto a computer whenever you don’t have them with you … how do you transfer animals on the computer? ALX: Well, how the hell do they wind up inside of a ball via a beam of energy? TNR: Do you think Pokémon can get see ART | 2

Avenue Lounge livens up weeknights for house, hip hop fans Adam coble | staff REPORTER Soothing, laid back beats wash through The Avenue Lounge during Melodic Tuesdays, a little-known weekly gem of an event set to perk up students’ Tuesday nights. The weekly event offers superb Chicagostyle deep house mixed with down tempo hip hop. Event hosts DJ Rick Always and Urban Pioneers provide an especially rare, relaxing and engaging atmosphere. The Avenue Lounge in Covington, Ky., presents “Melodic Tuesdays,” every Tuesday night. The weekly event for ages 21 and older has no cover charge, and the party

typically begins at approximately 9:30 p.m. The Avenue Lounge has a surprisingly unassuming presence. From the outside, it appears to be another one of Cincinnati’s typical, small bars. The atmosphere changes, however, as soon as patrons step inside. The interior is comparable to a hip downtown Chicago club or lounge. Exposed brick paired with dim lighting easily presents an easy-going, low-key vibe that provides an atmosphere for both fun and relaxation. The venue is spacious enough to hold even the most eccentric of Cincinnati’s night owls. The couches near the back

The venue is spacious enough to hold even the most eccentric of Cincinnati’s night owls. of the venue add additional comfort in comparison to bar stools and trash-covered tables that often frequent bars. Melodic Tuesdays’ sparse audience, however, suggests that the event is still unknown in Cincinnati social circles. This event offers something everyone can enjoy, though. The drinks are affordable and well-

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mixed (courtesy of their expert bartender, Aubrey), and the music is top notch. Urban Pioneer is giving the people of Cincinnati a chance to break away from the painfully routine night life and to get out and experience the local music scene during the week. The vibe is great, the music is beyond amazing and the staff is pleasant and welcoming. I will repeat, the best part of Melodic Tuesdays is that there is no cover. Students looking for somewhere fresh but low-key to go after weekday classes can kick back and enjoy the sweet drinks and tunes at The Avenue Lounge.

Weekend Edition Jan. 6 | 2011 NEWSRECORD.ORG

OPINION

the greene

city sam greene

Campus area needs some love In college we learn about how to fulfill the requirements of a specific job. We gain knowledge and experience through reading and practice and, at the University of Cincinnati, we’re pushed into the professional world to learn how to present ourselves through our various co-op and internships programs. Appearance means a lot, and presenting yourself in a professional manner while surrounding yourself with people of similar standards is of great importance to one’s own advancement through the professional gauntlet. If there’s one thing I’ve learned here at UC, it’s that you always need to look the part, and the campus itself reflects that ideal. UC is the second-largest college in Ohio and Main Campus is ranked as one of the most beautiful campuses in the world. The city of Cincinnati is the center of the largest metropolitan population in the state and is the home to nine Fortune 500 companies as well as 15 Fortune 1000 companies. However, despite the growing number of students on Main Campus, tuition increases and plans put in motion to bring a casino and a streetcar system to the city, the immediate area surrounding UC is disregarded and dangerous. As the university has taken steps to improve campus life for more than 40,000 students, just across the street students are robbed and assaulted. While investors spend millions of dollars reviving the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, UC students hesitate to walk home alone after dark. In just 10 years, OTR has been resurrected from a scene chosen as the backdrop for the 2000 sex and drug drama “Traffic” to an up-and-coming hot spot for businesses and expensive apartments. But the campus area remains neglected. Just a few short miles up Vine Street from all of the new restaurants and loft apartments, former Bearcats star and now NFL wide receiver Mardy Gilyard found himself the victim of an armed robbery in spring 2010 as a gun was pointed in his face at a gas station only a few hundred feet away from UC’s new multimillion dollar sports facility. An area that should be not only treasured and protected, but also supported and even touted as the pride of Cincinnati continues to be overlooked. Potential students even hesitate or pass completely on an opportunity to attend UC, choosing instead to enroll at other large, state schools like The Ohio State University or Kent State because they are perceived to be in nicer, safer locations. Short Vine, a stretch of road that has the potential to serve as the Cincinnati version of OSU’s High Street, sees only a fraction of the foot traffic and commerce its counterpart does. Of course, it doesn’t help that Short Vine dead ends into a local grocery store that many UC students affectionately refer to as “Kroghetto” or that just this past October, 25-year-old James Barnes was senselessly shot in the back of the neck while walking home from that same shopping plaza with his wife at 9:30 p.m. The campus, which has an economic impact of more than $3 billion per year and remains the largest single employer in the Cincinnati area, still maintains a certain modesty as a small oasis in the center of one of the city’s not-so-nice areas. Campus life at UC might seem a far cry from that which Miami of Ohio students are used to and the sidewalks of Clifton or Jefferson Avenue might more closely resemble the streets of Detroit than Lane Avenue in Columbus, but it’s that same grunge and grit that uniquely defines the Cincinnati college experience. With the university currently in a midst of a massive push to raise alumni donations to the levels of other Ohio colleges like OSU, Miami and the University of Dayton, UC and the city of Cincinnati need to make moves to not only act the part of a major, 41,357-student university, but improve the safety and quality of life around campus look the part, too.

SG e-mail plea misguided Upon receiving an e-mail from the University of Cincinnati’s Student Government on Dec. 6, 2010, titled “Important: Cutting College: Kasich’s Plan” and presumably sent to the entire student body, I was a little put off by its content. The e-mail asked students to sign a petition against LETTER TO Gov.-elect John Kasich’s to reduce spending on THE EDITOR plan higher education. In reply to the questions asked by student body president Drew Smith: Yes, I certainly can imagine a football game without the marching band. Frankly, in my humble opinion, they are not that great — and further, who watches the half-time show? The stands empty out as spectators refill their Budweiser and use the restroom facilities. I can’t remember a half-time show being televised during a regular season game. I am not knowledgeable enough on UC funding to determine what the band costs, but, according to the e-mail, it will be gone if Kasich has his way. No spring concert hosted by the Programs and Activities Council? Not a big deal. Instead of bringing in a questionably popular artist,

As a publicly financed institution, we must roll with the tides of increasing and decreasing funding. there are many other activities that can be done on a tighter budget. This will also save money in grounds keeping, as the lawn at Sigma Sigma Commons will not be destroyed by concert audiences (chance of rain at a PAC concert: always 80 percent). Full computer lab? According to the e-mail, the existing labs would be flooded by students if Kasich reduces funding. I am baffled as to how lab usage would increase. The percentage of students with their own computing resources probably would stay the same. I can see reducing the quantity of computer labs around campus. Some colleges operate their own labs independent of UCIT. Alternatively, keeping workstations in service under an extended life cycle, halting purchases and leases of new equipment

until the existing hardware is near obsolescence would certainly save some cash. Instead of sending out a blast e-mail trying to convince students that following the same course with spending is sustainable and feasible, why not ask students what areas of the university could use a reduction in spending so that we can be fiscally sustainable? As a publicly financed institution, we must roll with the tides of increasing and decreasing funding. In addition, I feel that Drew Smith misused his access to the student body to send what seems like a personal plea asking for us all to sign a petition. I certainly do not agree with some of Gov.-elect Kasich’s plans, but he is inheriting a money-broke state and needs to reduce spending in many areas, not just higher education. I thank the Ohio taxpayers for subsidizing my college costs as much as they have been; I cannot complain about a reduction when the whole state is hurting. Andrew Knowles Second-year environmental studies student

glenn beck cracks the case

don wright | mcclatchy tribune

UC student protests airport security

Fourth Amendment quotation got rise out of officials James sprague | news editor Who knew that the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution could land you a disorderly conduct charge? That’s the impression I get after reading about University of Cincinnati student Aaron Tobey and his protest at the Richmond International Airport Dec. 30, 2010. Tobey was the gentleman all over the news for taking his shirt and pants off while waiting in line to go through the metal detector run by Transportation Security Administration officials. In all honesty, Tobey didn’t perform an earth-shattering act that hasn’t already been done since the TSA instituted its Orwellianesque security standards last Thanksgiving. For example, a 52-year-old woman cleared airport security in November at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City while wearing nothing but her bra and underwear. A California woman, Corinne Theile, cleared security in November 2010 at two separate airports in California — Los Angeles International Airport and Charles Shultz Airport — wearing nothing but a two-piece black bikini. Even a college student in Utah stripped down to a Speedo bathing suit while going through the security checkpoint at Salt

[Tobey] had the fortitude to stand against a government that has become ever-more increasing with its intrusion into American lives. Lake City International Airport. To add to his tacky choice of bathing suits, the student even had “Screw Big Sis” written on his back. The “Screw Big Sis” phrase was directed at Janet Napolitano, the secretary of Homeland Security. Tobey’s actions did not differ in any aspect from the three I’ve listed. In fact, airport video shows Tobey stripping down to a simple pair of running shorts, a bit more tasteful than a Speedo. There is quite the gap between Tobey and the other three, however. They weren’t charged with a crime. Tobey was — disorderly conduct. Was it the creed on his chest about protecting American citizens against “unreasonable searches and seizures”? It seems Tobey and his stand pushed someone’s buttons at TSA. While the agency wasn’t the one to issue the disorderly conduct citation — Richmond International Airport Police were — someone

from the TSA checkpoint had to call them. This coming from an agency that lets women in swimwear and lingerie traipse through checkpoints without a care. An agency that doesn’t seem to mind men in Speedos walking through their lines proclaiming “Screw Big Sis” on their body. But boy, whip out that amendment guaranteeing a civil liberty and you’ll be damned a criminal. Tobey, judging by video and his father’s account, was compliant with officials. He wasn’t rowdy, disruptive or abusive towards TSA agents, police or the federal authorities that questioned him. So where is the disorderly conduct? It might only be a misdemeanor charge that Tobey will appear in court for on Jan. 10, but a bigger issue lies within this case. One that illustrates you will be punished for voicing your stance if it differs from the government. Tobey should be applauded. He might be labeled a miscreant for his actions, but he had the fortitude to stand against a government that has become evermore increasing with its intrusion into American lives. It also seems to be a government that no longer cares for freedom of speech, either.

2011 looking bright for UC students New year ushers in fresh football season, opportunities A new year brings new changes, and, at The News Record, we see a few from academics to athletics that could benefit the University of Cincinnati, its students and its faculty. One highly anticipated change will be the university’s conversion to semesters scheduled to take place in fall 2012. One advantage the conversion brings is a job-market advantage — an edge the staff at The News Record needs, being primarily journalism students. According to UC, most large businesses plan their hiring around the college semester system, so at the moment, students graduating from UC enter the job market much later then students who are graduating from a school that is already on the semester system.

The conversion will also be beneficial academically. Instead of having three regular 10week quarters of school, there will be two extended semester periods. This means no more rushed classes, and even better, fewer finals. Producing a thrice-weakly newspaper takes a lot of work, and it’s always pain when you’re trying to meet deadline knowing you have to cram all night for a midterm or final. Really, who couldn’t benefit from fewer tests? For a newspaper, 2010 was a pretty lousy year to cover the Bearcats in sports. It started off with the football team being nationally embarrassed in the Sugar Bowl and ended with only two school team making the postseason — the men’s

soccer team and the women’s volleyball team. The football team finished the 2010 season with an abysmal 4-8 record, going from the top of the Big East in STAFF 2009 to second last in 2010, EDITORIAL to while the men’s basketball team failed again to garner an NCAA tournament berth. There’s a lot room for improvement in 2011, and it would be nice to report on a winning football team and basketball team, especially if they both made postseason appearances. So far in 2011, UC sports has gotten off to a great start with the 14-0 men’s basketball team. It’s nice to finally see the program show a glimmer of its glory days.

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Even though we’re still in the middle of winter, one thing that needs to change come spring is the annual PAC concert. Last year’s show was a disaster in Fifth Third. It was far too cramped, the assigned seating was incredibly dumb, the audio for Luda was horrendous and his performance was far too short. The concert needs to be hosted outside again and it was also be nice to see a local band play there like The Black Keys. While 2010 wasn’t a bad year per-se, there are a lot of changes to look forward to in 2011 that could better the lives of the editorial staff at TNR and everyone else at UC.

Weekend Edition Jan. 6 | 2011 NEWSRECORD.ORG

SPOTLIGHT

THE BURNING MAN

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID HARTZ

BEFORE AND AFTER Hartz’s fire structure design before it was lit on fire (above) is nothing compared to the final product (center).

UC PROFESSOR, ARTIST PLAYS WITH FIRE fire that goes way back to our ancestors,” he says. “It doesn’t happen when you watch fire on TV. It’s nothing like you’ve ever experienced before. Any kind of avid Hartz is enveloped in a cloud documentation doesn’t do it justice.” of smoke. He smells wood and straw Hartz learned about fire art and sculpture after burning. He hears crackling — a result of wood vaporizing and exerting pressure. graduating from the University of Akron and moving to Seattle, where he attended a workshop on fire as a He feels a combination of danger and anticipation celebratory art. as he waits by the fire, watching. Hartz founded the Fremont Arts Council, a Building fires has always enthralled Hartz, who is a community-based celebration arts organization former Boy Scout. He recalls going into the woods and in Seattle. making miniature sculptures out of sticks, twine and As a part of Firedrake, a group consisting of Seattle dried leaves. artists, he created a 28-foot tall dragon puppet fire An associate professor at Raymond Walters sculpture. It actually “breathed” fire, and exhaled puffs College, Hartz teaches animation, photography and media design classes but combined his interest in of CO-2 smoke. Hartz’s experience with fire sculpture will also fire and passion for animation into an ancient form allow him to compete in of art that, until recently, the World Fire Sculpture wasn’t considered an art: Championship Jan. 16 in fire sculpture. Tallinn, Estonia. Hartz, Fire sculptures are along with Chuck Nafziger typically built from and Jonathon Zucker — materials like wood, string fire sculptors from Seattle and thatch. Fire art isn’t — will compete as the about playing with flames United States team. They or burning up a piece of will compete with 11 other art. It’s mean to transform countries from around the a piece of art, not destroy it. world including South —david hartz The artwork should hold its Korea, Switzerland, integrity before, during and associate professor, Norway, Finland, after being lit. raymond walters college Sweden, France, Mexico, But there are Russia, Lithuania, Latvia many conditions and Estonia. that can dangerously affect the fire and The competition is hosted as part of the Tallinn Light materials and how they burn, including wind Festival. All teams will participate in the first round, but and humidity. only six will make it to the final round to compete for “Fire is unpredictable,” Hartz says. “As much as you the winning title and prize Jan. 22. plan, you never know what it’s going to do. You have to Hartz’s dedication to art is represented throughout know what you’re doing. I would not recommend it to his small office in Muntz Hall at RWC. anyone unless they have excessive training.” Furniture surrounds his chair, black as charcoal Hartz received his proper training in the form of a pyrotechnics license, which he earned from a company as if he singed the desk, table, bookcase and filing in Seattle. His license has enabled him to participate in cabinets himself. But Hartz is not a pyromaniac. He’s an artist. many projects involving fire art, including Cirque de He sits quietly in his chair with his glasses perched Flambe — a European one-ring circus of fire. He was also involved with the 1998 Burning Man Art on his nose. His hair is slightly parted over his left eye. His mustache and soul patch are perfectly combed. Festival, an alternative art celebration, where he created a maze in the Nevada desert floor. He ignited it after sundown, and attendees were permitted to walk along the trail. “There is a primeval association we have with

JAYNA BARKER | SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

There is a primeval association we have with fire that goes way back to our ancestors. It’s nothing like you’ve ever experienced before.

MELANIE TITANIC-SCHIFT | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

BEHIND THE SCENES UC professor David Hartz spends most of his time on the Raymond Walters College campus in Blue Ash, Ohio, where he teaches classes on animation, photography and media design. The dark blue sweater he wears over a white, collared shirt is unwrinkled. He wears denim-wash jeans and gym shoes. His bookcase is full of books about animation, illustration, graphic novels and comic books — all indicators of artistic interest. He’s even created a comic book with 11 other Cincinnati-area artists called The Twelve Way With Cheese. Whether he’s painting with fire, dancing with fire, building structures to later be destroyed by fire, teaching animation to his students or learning something entirely new, Hartz credits his capabilities to his curiosity he had as a child. “I knew when I was really young that I was going to be an artist,” he says. “That’s why I had my fingers in so many different things. To survive as an artist, I had to learn new things all the time.”

photos courtesy of david hartz

COUNT OF THREE The fire structure is typically made of wood, string and thatch (left). The structure is filled with straw or hay (center), which will be lit on fire as an independent medium of art. The final product (right) displays what takes most artists an entire work day to create. Hartz has worked on many projects involving fire art.

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Weekend Edition Jan. 6 | 2011 NEWSRECORD.ORG

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SPORTS

Weekend edition Jan. 6 | 2011 NEWSRECORD.ORG

CROSSTOWN >>>> SHOOTOUT SET YEAR SEVENTY EIGHT

Cincinnati (14-0)

Y C L C N Y I R L C

> > H AS

XAVIER (8-4)

UC leads series 47-30

A V I RR

THE SAM

ANTICS sam

SAM WEINBERG | SPORTS EDITOR

he No. 24/25 Cincinnati Bearcats will put their undefeated season on the line again Thursday, this time in their fiercest rivalry of the season — The Crosstown Shootout against the Xavier Musketeers. Mick Cronin — 1-3 in the Shootout as Cincinnati’s head coach — knows the importance of the city’s annual grudge match. “I think if you’re the coach of Ohio State football, you’d be silly to say the Michigan game’s not important,” Cronin said. “If it’s important to your fans, it needs to be important to you.” Cincinnati leads the overall

elliott

Shootout’s intensity top notch In last season’s Crosstown Shootout, Cashmere Wright fouled Xavier’s Dante Jackson hard in the first half. Then Rashad Bishop and Jordan Crawford got to talking. Their conversation ended with technical fouls after the two had to be separated by officials. Moments later, Jason Love’s intentional foul on Lance Stephenson sparked a spirited get-together near midcourt. The ruckus saw both teams rush the court and put Dave Andrews’ title to the test. Cincinnati’s strength and conditioning coach slammed Bearcats to the ground and restrained multiple players at once in an attempt to return the team to its bench. In the second half, the rookie Stephenson introduced himself to first-year Musketeers head coach Chris Mack using his outside voice from close range. Technical fouls, nearbrawls and double-overtime drama — just another meeting in the ever-intense Crosstown Shootout. “That’s just part of that game,” Bishop said. “I don’t think it’s anything personal. I think it’s just two teams fighting, trying to win bragging right for the city.” Bishop has yet to see those bragging rights come to Clifton during his UC career, but the senior knows from experience the passion and intensity the Shootout requires. “It’s always going to be intense, that game,” Bishop said. “You’ve got to play that game with your heart and you can’t go out there playing any other way. Everybody out there — the Xavier team, the fans — their heart is all in it, so we’ve got to put our heart in it and just come out and fight.” Head coach Mick Cronin knows emotions can run high — especially in one of college basketball’s best rivalries — but keeping them controlled could make all the difference. “We don’t need to get caught up in any type of talk or any type of distraction. I felt there’s no question that cost us the game a year ago,” Cronin said. “We’ve got to make sure we control our emotions. That’s definitely something that’s going to be discussed.” But in the heat of the moment, against a local foe with something to prove, that might be easier said than done. “I don’t think you can really control it sometimes because you get so into the game and emotions just fly and people butt heads,” Bishop said. Key players have come and gone for both schools since last season’s double-overtime epic, but the similarities in circumstances approaching the game are evident. Like this year, last season’s Bearcats entered the Crosstown Shootout riding high. Cincinnati had climbed to No. 19 in the polls following a second-place finish in Maui. This year’s UC ranking is even more recent, with the Bearcats’ 14-0 start finally enough to squeak them into the polls. As for Xavier, the Musketeers entered the 2009-10 season’s Shootout two games better than .500 and still searching for a signature win. Tu Holloway’s 26 points and Jason Love’s 19 rebounds helped them find one. see Antics | 2

SHO

SAM GREENE | ONLINE EDITOR

STARTING OFF STRONG The Bearcats’ 14-0 start is the third best in school history. A win against Xavier would match the 15-0 start of the 1998-99 season.

R MUS T-H KIES A EYE

N 4- DE

PEA T >>

HUNTER TICKEL | SENIOR REPORTER

hen Xavier and Cincinnati take the court at Fifth Third Arena in the 78th annual Crosstown Shootout, the Musketeers

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MCT CAMPUS

SAM GREENE | ONLINE EDITOR

CINCY BIG MAN Queen City native Yancy Gates is second on the team in both rebounds and points per game. series 47-30 but has lost the past three meetings, including a 83-79 double-overtime loss last season at the Cintas Center. But this season, the Bearcats (14-0, 2-0 Big East) enter the Shootout with a key advantage: depth. The Bearcats feature a deep bench, with 10 players averaging more than 10 minutes per game and none averaging more than 30. The Musketeers, who have been plagued by injuries this season, have just six players who average more than 10 minutes per game — four average more than 30. see Bearcats | 2

have a chance to make history. The city rivalry dates back to 1928, but never has Xavier won four straight against the Bearcats — a possibility entering this season’s meeting. The Musketeers have been hit hard by the injury bug this season, limiting the team to just nine healthy scholarship players. “They know that almost every opponent they play, because of their injuries, is deeper than them,” said UC head coach Mick Cronin. “They’ve practiced negating that in games for the last six weeks as they’ve lost players.” Xavier is led by guard Tu Holloway, who is pacing the Muskies with 21.3 points per game. “He beats you in a lot of ways,” Cronin said. “He can hit the three, he’s obviously great going to the see Muskies | 2

LIGHTS-OUT SHOOTER Xavier guard Tu Holloway (above) has made 46 percent of his shots from the field and 84. 2 percent of his free throws, whlie Kenny Frease (left) adds 11.7 points per game.

[Cronin] says that nobody believes in us and that we’ve just got to be a team and believe in ourselves and everything will take care of itself. We’ve got to show the nonbelievers that we’re a real good team and we deserve to be there. —cashmere wright uc sophomore point guard

Bearcats crack latest top-25 polls SAM Elliott | SPORTS EDITOR

After a pair of double-digit wins in as many Big East games to reach an unblemished 14-0, Cincinnati made its first appearance of the season in college basketball’s top-25 polls Monday. Cincinnati’s string of successes debuted the Bearcats at No. 24 in the Associated Press Top 25 and No. 25 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. “We’re still not ranked where we should be,” said head coach Mick Cronin. “We still get no respect and our guys, I think, are pretty aware of that. We’re not going to get any until we prove certain things to certain people.” The Bearcats remain one of seven undefeated teams still standing in men’s Division I basketball, along with

No. 1 Duke, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Kansas, No. 4 Syracuse, No. 6 San Diego State and No. 19 Central Florida. UC was last ranked among the nation’s top teams Dec. 14, 2009. The Bearcats climbed as high as No. 19 last season following a 6-1 start to the year and a second-place finish in the Maui Invitational. Cincinnati fell out of the rankings after a 17-point loss on the road to Alabama Birminghan Dec. 16. The Bearcats became the first team in Big East history to win 14-straight games to begin a season before appearing in the AP poll. Despite a No. 65 rating percentage index entering the week, Cincinnati’s strength of schedule to date ranks No. 324 among 345 teams. “Even though we’re ranked, we’re still not ranked where we probably deserve to be ranked considering the losses some other

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people have had ahead of us,” Cronin said. “I’ll keep playing that [lack of respect] card as long as I can with the team.” Point guard Cashmere Wright can attest to that. “Coach Cronin likes to throw that at us,” the junior said. “He says that nobody believes in us and that we’ve just got to be a team and believe in ourselves and everything will take care of itself. We’ve got to show the nonbelievers that we’re a real good team and we deserve to be there.” Wright agrees with his head coach, believing Cincinnati’s perfect record is deserving of a higher ranking. “We’re 14-0. You see a lot of teams in front of us are like 10-2,” Wright said. “They really feel like we’re not as good as our record says, so basically they’re disrespecting our team and thinking we’re not good enough.”

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