The New Record 10.24.13

Page 1

VOL. CXXXIII ISSUE I • FREE-ADDITIONAL COPIES $1

THE NEWS RECORD THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI’S INDEPENDENT, STUDENT-RUN NEWS ORGANIZATION / THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2013

CROSSTOWN KEVIN DEVINE LET DOWN

WALKERS REMEMBER SUICIDE VICTIMS, RAISE AWARENESS

OUT OF DARKNESS

SUGAR-FREE ‘BUBBLEGUM’ TRENCHANT OBSERVATIONS

PAGE 6

PAGE 3

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY

PAGE 4

PAGE 2

New UC, Cincy State partnership strengthens relationship Agreement provides advisers to Cincy State students seeking UC education, establishes scholarship BRYAN SHUPE STAFF REPORTER

PHIL DIDION PHOTO EDITOR UC President Santa Ono and Cincy State President O’dell Owens sign an agreement making CSTC eligible for UC student IDs, among other benefits.

Kasich taps former OSU president to review Ohio’s public universities

The presidents of the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati State Technical and Community College signed an agreement Wednesday to strengthen the bond between the two institutions. UC President Santa Ono and CSTC President O’dell Owens convened outside Cincinnati State’s Advanced Technology and Learning Center to enter into an Institutional Articulation Agreement that will help CSTC students transfer to UC more easily. “This is really driven by serving the Cincinnati community and the kids that are growing up here,” Ono said. “The more we can make this a real pathway, the more we can be partners, the better it is for students.”

UC is the number one destination for CSTC students who wish to further their education at a four-year university. About one-third of CSTC students transfer, Owens said. Out of the agreement, the two institutions created a Cincinnati Pathways Scholars program that will provide eligible Cincinnati State students with a special UC ID, giving them access to UC libraries, sporting events and the campus recreation center.Cincinnati Pathways scholars who graduate from CSTC with a 3.4 GPA and transfer to UC will be eligible for a $2,100 annual scholarship. “Cincinnati State and UC have a longstanding relationship,” Ono said. “O’dell Owens has a personal involvement with the University of Cincinnati as a former member of the board of trustees. I think it is a win-winwin for UC, Cincinnati State and the city of Cincinnati itself.” SEE AGREEMENT PG 2

BREAKING THE SILENCE

RYAN HOFFMAN NEWS EDITOR

In an effort to curb rising tuition in Ohio, Gov. John Kasich announced Monday that former Ohio State University President Gordon Gee will lead a year-long review of all state universities and community colleges. “I am honored to accept Gov. Kasich’s request to explore higher education value and quality in Ohio,” Gee said in a statement. “As a society, we simply must ensure that a college education is both high quality and affordable for students and their families.” Gee will spend the year consulting with university leaders and members of the business community around the state to address deficiencies in education and labor. Gee will then deliver a list of recommendations addressing college costs and quality, while ensuring universities are teaching students skills necessary to get a job. The plan was announced at a meeting of trustees from Ohio’s public universities, in which the governor stressed technology and innovation as the key to not only keeping tuition affordable for Ohioans, but also increasing the quality of education, said Tom Cassady, University of Cincinnati trustee. “We need to find innovative ways to lower the cost of an education while making sure the education experience continues to get better,” Cassady said. “We must be investing in innovation.” Details of how exactly Gee will conduct the review and what the review might look like are not yet known, but Cassady is confident of two things: the recommendations will not be one-size-fitsall and UC is sure to be an early stop. “I know he is smart enough to know there’s not one solution for every university,” Cassady said. “He’s going to go to every university around the state to find SEE GEE PG 2

MADISON SCHMIDT CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Tim Wise, a renowned anti-racism writer and speaker, tells students in a packed auditorium-style classroom in Old Chemistry that ignoring racism will not make it go away.

Anti-racism author, writer encourages students to talk about race issues WILL KENDRICK STAFF REPORTER

University of Cincinnati students — particularly white students — were challenged Wednesday to give an honest appraisal of history when it comes to race issues in America. Noted anti-racism activist and writer Tim Wise delivered a nearly two-hour speech focused on racism, white privilege and other issues. He strongly argued against the idea that ignoring racism will make it go away. “No other problem is solved that way,” Wise said. “If we stopped talking about world hunger, do you think food is going to suddenly appear?” Wise has written six books, numerous essays and has spoken in all 50 states on the issue of racism. The forum was moved from its original location — Tangeman University Center Cinema — to a larger

room, 525 Old Chemistry, due to public interest in the speech. The auditoriumstyle lecture hall was filled to full capacity. Students waited in the hall outside of the lecture room, hoping to hear bits of Wise’s speech. Wise spoke out against the nation’s purposeful ignorance about the issue of racism. “When you are the dominant group, the main reason you don’t know about the experience and inequality of other groups is because you don’t have to,” Wise said, referring to white people as well as other ethnicities. Wise also spoke about educational, medical and economic inequalities. He reminisced about his upbringing in Nashville and his college experiences in New Orleans. One particularly powerful moment he recalled was when he was protesting Apartheid in South Africa and a student asked him what he had done to help the race issue in New Orleans, to which he had no reply. “[I hadn’t done] much, honestly, and I

knew I had to do something about it,”Wise said. He made a distinct difference between personal racism and institutionalized SEE WISE PG 2

PHIL DIDION PHOTO EDITOR A protestor expresses disdain for the Wise event.

UC Board of Trustees approves contract renewal with Marriott Contract good for five years, provides financial incentives for operator ALEXIS O’BRIEN CHIEF REPORTER

The University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees voted to renew the university’s hotel-operating contract with Marriott International, Inc. Tuesday. “We hired Marriott and continue to work with Marriott because they bring an national, obviously recognized brand to campus,” said Steven Sayers, vice president of campus services. “They offer a variety of services that help not only facilitate the

guests needs, but also help the financial performance of the hotel.” This is UC’s third contract with Marriott after the university initially hired the company following the construction of the Kingsgate Hotel in 1999. According to this newest contract, which will take effect in June 2014, Marriott’s total compensation will be capped at $600,000 annually. This amount includes a new payment to encourage performance by Marriott, and is an increase from Marriott’s current compensation of $480,000 per year. “The incentive fee, which is based on the sales volume of the hotel, gives [Marriott] some incentive to increase the financial

growth of the hotel,” Sayers said. “It can account for up to 20 percent of their total compensation, hence the $600,000 maximum they could make.” The new contract includes clarifications of purchase allowances, property insurance and definitions of building repairs and alterations. “Continuing with Marriott means a seamless transition to the new contract without impacting the financial side of the current term,” said Bob Ambach, vice president of administration and finance. “It also allows for the continuity of the existing management team and provides security to customers.”

MADISON SCHMIDT CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Bob Ambach presents UC’s proposed contract.

University Heights business owner pleads guilty to one count of aggravated arson Owner, son change plead to guilty for involvement in restaurant explosion RYAN HOFFMAN NEWS EDITOR

MADISON SCHMIDT CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Aiman Arabeiat, owner of Jerusalem Cafe, formerly at 235 W. McMillan St., pleaded guilty to aggravated arson.

Two men pleaded guilty Monday for their roles in an explosion at a University Heights business in 2011. Aiman Arabeiat, owner of the former Jerusalem Café, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated arson, while his son, Amijud, pleaded guilty to obstructing official business. Both men originally pleaded not guilty. The prosecution said Aiman attempted to “cause harm” to his business previously located at 235 W. McMillan St. through “means of fire or explosion.” Damage was estimated to be around $60,000. The building, which consists of retail space on the first floor and multiple residences on the second floor, is owned

CHIEF.NEWSRECORD@GMAIL.COM / 513.556.5908

by Ohio-McMillan Apartments LLC., according to the Hamilton County Auditor and is now home to Cilantro Vietnamese Bistro. Records show that the building was last appraised exactly two months before the first floor explosion. It was valued at $133,190. Jerusalem Café was closed prior to the explosion for alleged renovations. Bystanders who witnessed the explosion Nov. 13, 2011, said they saw a “bald guy” exit the building after the explosion. That description matches Aiman Arabeiat, who was injured and taken to the hospital after the explosion. After taking his father to the hospital, the prosecution said, Amijud Arabeiat took his father’s clothes, which smelled of gasoline and disposed of them. Video footage from the hospital showed Amijud exiting with his father’s clothes. Because Amijud’s actions only impacted SEE ARSON PG 2


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.