Tnr 9.10.2015

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Student Government

SG discusses NightRide app communication issues, Sustainability Summit funding

Baseball tryouts

Baseball head coach looks for hidden campus talent

THE NEWS RECORD / UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI THURSDAY, SEPT. 10, 2015

Student group talks marijuana petition, drug policy reform JUSTIN REUTTER | CONTRIBUTOR

With a focus on issues like drug prohibition, racial and social justice in drug law enforcement, the war on drugs and the prison industrial complex, a University of Cincinnati organization looks to make change.

Students for Sensible Drug Policy’s (SSDP) last Tuesday meeting discussed current issues in drug culture, including the legalization of marijuana and tentative plans to hold a public forum on the ResponsibleOhio petition and Issue 3, which holds potential to legalize Marijuana in Ohio in November.

SSDP is in the process of contacting the ResponsibleOhio committee to speak and contribute at the public forum.

The group argues prohibition of marijuana is empowering cartels, gangsters and terrorist organizations to make money from black market trade, said Zefrem Vesel, a fourth-year public health and human rights students and president of SSDP. Regulating and taxing cannabis would weaken the power of

these organizations, he said.

“What we do to people in our society doesn’t make any sense,”Vesel said. “We’re locking people up instead of trying to help them.”

During the meeting, representatives played a video of retired police officer Peter Christ, who leads a group in favor of Issue 3.

“While America has the biggest and most efficient prison system in the world, we do not have one drug-free prison,” Christ said in the video. “We will never win a war against drugs.”

Many SSDP members agreed with Christ’s statement and some offered to build an argument off his remarks.

“Marijuana has endless medical uses, including cancer treatment,”Vesel said.

“Prohibition creates pharmaceutical addicts and keeps people away from treatment of other substances.”

SSDP also discussed a recent initiative in Gloucester, Massachusetts, where drug addicts can voluntarily turn themselves in and hand over all paraphernalia in

exchange for amnesty and help.

To help emphasize the importance of the issue, the organization showed a clip of Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello at the beginning of the meeting.

“We realized the complete helplessness

of the addict and that there was no point in arresting, as it was better to help treat them,” Campanello said in the video.

The prison industrial complex was also mentioned as a specific SEE SSDP PG 3

ALEXANDRA TAYLOR | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Students for Sensible Drug Policy President Zefrem Vesel, a fourth-year public health and human rights student, discusses positive and negative aspects of drug culture and ResponsibleOhio.

STUDENT SECTION PACKED DESPITE RAIN DELAY

BEARCATS WIN IN HOME OPENER

Alex Stone’s new album charts journey outside Cincinnati MUHAMMAD PATEL | CONTRIBUTOR

In his debut album “Hello,” Alex Stone, an up-and-coming comedian who started his career in Cincinnati, takes listeners on a comedic journey through his life after leaving his hometown.

The album was released on iTunes Aug. 25 and serves as an introduction to Stone’s sense of humor.

His storytelling ability, teamed with his gift to effortlessly weave jokes into his monologues, keeps listeners interested.

“Hello” takes its audience on an adventure through some of Stone’s personal experiences, such as meeting new animals, a superhuman mouse and a very close encounter with John Stamos.

Stone’s relatability works with his honest approach to comedy, as he puts the listener into his shoes and makes them understand the world from his point of view.

Stone grew up and lived in Cincinnati before moving to Chicago and New York City.

His comedy appeals to his Midwestern upbringing.

The comedian discusses driving long distances and the bewilderment that one might experience during their first time on a New York City subway.

But Stone’s album does a lot more than pander to Midwestern crowds, appealing to a much wider audience.

NICK BROWN | CONTRIBUTOR

Students braved the storm and rain delay Saturday, when the Bearcats returned to Nippert Stadium and slashed the Alabama A&M University Bulldogs 52-10.

Texas Tech University, he also had his athletes eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiched during a rain delay and After a two-hour rain delay Saturday, the University of came off with a win.

Cincinnati football team kicked off the new Once the rain held off for the Bearcats, season with full stomachs and a win.

UC’s quarterback Gunner Kiel played his We can play The Bearcats played the Alabama A&M first game in Nippert Stadium.

Bulldogs and started off slow with a score anywhere While Kiel only played in the first half, of 7-7 at the end of the first quarter. he still passed for 233 yards and two as long as we win UC scored 28 points in the second quarter touchdowns. football games, to stretch the lead 35-7 at half time.

“To get the win is huge,” Kiel said.

Ultimately, the team beat the Bulldogs but to be back at “We can play anywhere as long as we 52-10. win football games, but to be back at home and to see The Bearcats did not seem to let the rain home and to see our student section just our student section delay bother them with the 42-point win, staying here and not leave, that is huge. partly because of a plan made by head just staying here I love this university and it was coach Tommy Tuberville. awesome.” and not leave, that “I have had a good success with eating Once Kiel was taken out of the is huge. peanut butter and jelly sandwiches during game, first-year quarterback Hayden the breaks,”Tuberville said. “There is Moore came in to stand Kiel’s ground nothing else to do, we sit around and try to in the second half. keep them loosened up and we let them watch a little bit Moore passed for 107 yards and a touchdown. of television, but there is not a whole lot that you can do.”

SEE ALABAMA PG 4 Tuberville said that, during his time as head coach at

SEE HELLO PG 5

DAVID WYSONG | SPORTS EDITOR

PROVIDED

Cincinnati native Alex Stone takes listeners on a comedic journey through new debut album “Hello.”

International student enrollment flourishes, increases UC’s global profile JEFF O’REAR | STAFF REPORTER

Srinivasa “Sid”Thatham, a chemical engineering graduate student from Chennai, India, could have ended up in Illinois, New York or even California.

Yet, he said attending the University of Cincinnati was the best decision he could have ever made.

“I have had an amazing time at UC,” Thatham said. “I am a different person from what I was when I came here, thanks to all of the experiences at UC and off campus.”

Thatham is one of 3,339 international students enrolled at UC for the 2015-16 school year.

This is a record number of international students for the university— almost 200 students more than the previous school year.

For Raj Mehta, vice provost of International Affairs, the record number of international students is just confirmation of UC’s growing worldwide profile.

“I think it’s exciting that we are a huge destination for students from all parts of the world,” Mehta said. “When you recognize that many of them come from 8,000, 9,000 or 10,000 miles away from home to put faith in our institution, that’s exciting for us.”

While the university is still tabulating statistics for the current academic year, Mehta said nearly two-thirds of

international students enrolled this year come from China and India, with over 1,000 students from each country.

The third most popular home country of international students is South Korea, with 169 students.

Engineering is the most popular program among students from India, whereas business is the most popular program

among students from China, according to Mehta.

It is not only the university, but also the whole Cincinnati area that brings students from around the world to UC, Mehta said.

“There are 2,000-plus universities in the U.S.,” Mehta said. “For [students] to pick UC, it obviously makes getting the word out easier that we are a great institution

PROVIDED

Group selfie with the new international students at the International Student Conference Aug. 18.

THE STUDENT VOICE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI

and we are a great city, and we try to provide services for our international student population.”

Mehta said he would like to see the international student body become 10 to 15 percent of the overall school population in the future.

International students currently represent almost 8 percent of UC students, according to university data.

Thatham said being a part of the largest international student body in UC’s history is a great experience for everyone.

“I am thrilled to say the least,”Thatham said.

In an effort to expand the international student population, UC International Services works with the Office of Enrollment Management to recruit students from around the world.

Enrollment Management sends recruiters to different countries and informs prospective students about the university and city.

UC has also established a presence in China and India, contracting with an outside company to keep an office in cities like Beijing, Delhi and Mumbai.

“I first heard about UC and Cincinnati from my neighbor about a year before I even decided to pursue my master’s,” Thatham said. “I didn’t pay much attention back then. Around the time I took my SEE INTERNATIONAL PG 2

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2 / NEWS THURSDAY, SEPT. 10, 2015

Office of Diversity, Inclusion showcases activities, workshops PATRICK MURPHY | NEWS EDITOR

Chief Diversity Officer Bleuzette Marshall is working towards maintaining a presence of inclusion and diversity on campus through work within the University of Cincinnati’s colleges and student organizations.

Marshall stated the mission was to sustain practices of diversity and inclusion in line with six goals the Office of Diversity and Inclusion have orchestrated.

These six goals are the recruitment, retention and advancement of UC’s students, faculty and staff, generating a climate of inclusion while providing opportunities for learning inclusive practices, looking to create connections within the community through alumni and enhancing spending with minority women business owners as well as looking at the progress and tracking it through metrics.

“We’re not going to be inclusive by just thinking about it,” Marshall said. “If we want people to feel welcome and included, we have to make them feel like they can bring themselves.”

All UC colleges were represented at the event Wednesday, including the Division of Student Affairs, UC Leadership Empowerment and Advancement for STEM women faculty, UCIT, Athletics, Campus services, UC foundation, Academic Health Center and Racial Accelerated Programs (RAPP).

DAAP Alliance illustrated its work to increase diversity in design career fields by exposing high school youth at Cincinnati Arts and Technology Center, School for Creative and Performing Arts, Purcell Marian Catholic Parochial School, Walnut Hills Magnet High School and Princeton High School.

“We have five area locations that we have targeted based on a diverse population in the school, high academic standards and a strong arts and technology program in that high school,” said Laurie Wilson,

FROM INTERNATIONAL PG 1

GRE and TOEFL tests, a friend of mine joined UC for an MS in Chemical Engineering. Through her is how I really got to know about this university and the department in detail.”

Aside from recruiting, International Services helps the students once they arrive in Cincinnati, providing assistance for the immigration procedures, visas and government documentation every international student has to complete.

International Services also gets foreign students acquainted with American culture by teaching them about holidays not celebrated elsewhere.

“We try to make sure we have activities that are connected to those types of events so that our students get a feel for why we celebrate Halloween and Thanksgiving,” Mehta said.

Thatham said involvement in activities on and off campus has been key to his enjoyment of Cincinnati. He was president of the Indian Students Association during the 2013-14 school year.

“There is so much diversity on campus, so many new people to meet and so many stories to listen to,”Thatham said. “From

adjunct instructor at DAAP. “Their counselors have told me that they wouldn’t have known what DAAP was, was it not for the program.”

DAAP students apply to be mentors and go into the schools to conduct hands-on design activities with selected mentees. The mentees are then brought to DAAP three times throughout the academic year to attend DAAPworks, a show that features student work.

“It’s a win-win, exposing [high school students] to [DAAP] while providing leadership opportunities to our students in the process,” Wilson said.

UC Black Women on the Move, a new organization focused on empowering black students, represented its platform to provide support, guidance and education by linking freshman with women already pursuing professional careers.

“It’s important to know who the other black professional women are on campus, because they’re not that many of us,” said Carol Tonge Mack, assistant Dean for undergraduate recruitment and retention initiates.

“When we know who we are, we can [collaborate].”

UC Black Women on the Move’s first official “Kick-Off Meet and Greet” is tentatively set for the third week in October.

Tristen Hall, a third-year psychology student, ran the booth for RAPP, which held a “Privilege Walk” activity.

“Everyone starts off in the same place, and we read off statements and ask the participates to either move forward or backwards to fit the way that they grew up, or fit their current life circumstances,” Hall said.

“At the end, you see how everyone ends up in different places depending how they hold privilege, or don’t hold privilege.”

The group then breaks up depending on their position in the back or the front and discusses what they went through in the activity.

“We had a really good discussion,” Hall said. “I ended

listening to stories about how different the exam halls are in Sweden, to stories about myths in Senegal, interacting with these students has been an enriching experience.”

Making sure he enjoys his time at UC and sharing his experience with new international students are some of Thatham’s top priorities. He said he volunteers in as many UC International events as he can to ensure he experiences diversity and makes friends with foreign students.

“I make sure to pay it forward by helping the new international students so they can experience this awesomeness as well,” Thatham said. “Being a part of UC history has been an amazing experience.”

Mehta said having the students from different cultures interact with each other and with students from U.S. is a huge benefit for everyone.

“We try to make sure they meet more people from other countries,” he said. “They get, as I like to say, a ‘United Nations’ type of experience while they are here, and hopefully that benefits our domestic students as well because they get to experience a global experience.”

PROVIDED

UC International reports that the international class of 2015 is the biggest in university history, with over 3,000 international students enrolled at UC.

up talking to the participants in the back and they were really receptive.”

Hall said that one of those conversations involved a woman who learned about her privilege in relationships. She is in a relationship with a man of a different skin color, but recognized the discrimination she faces does not compare to that of an individual who prefers same-sex partners.

Monica Wilkins, assistant academic director at the College of Allied Health Sciences, sought to open empathy and conversation through exercises that simulated conditions of disability.

“We take ourselves for granted when we are totally able-bodied,” Wilkins said. “We don’t think about the loss of using a hand or a leg. We just sort of do what we do and assume it will always be that way.”

The booth held three separate activities in which participates performed different tasks under a visual, a breathing and a communication impairment.

“Hopefully people will be more thoughtful and patient around people who have low vision or who may need a bit of assistance,” Wilkins said. “Awareness, to a level where you have a different appreciation for your own personal abilities and others.”

The booth was broadly representing the Academic Health Center, a collaboration of all the medical colleges on campus, to promote unified diversity initiatives and awareness.

“Diversity is really represented on so many levels, with a huge collection of pieces,” Wilkins said. “Beyond age, sex, race or culture, there are so many levels.”

According to Marshall, the event received a satisfactory level of participates and guests to consider holding a second event like this. “[Inclusion] is not a sprint,” Marshall said. “It’s a journey.”

TEDx to encourage first-year students in discovering passions ABBEY DYE | CONTRIBUTOR

After the success of TEDxUCincinnati, the University of Cincinnati has created a leadership program that will continue the organization’s mission of inspiration and education.

TEDxUCincinnati is a student organization ran under a free license grant by TED, a nonprofit which hosts conferences worldwide committed to the slogan “ideas worth spreading.”

Participants of TEDx are generally proactive organizations that are given the opportunity to imitate a TED conference in a local situation, according to TED’s official website.

TEDx is a branch of TED designed to give local communities like UC a “TED like experience” by bringing people together, sharing philosophies, learning and connecting through a smaller and more personable setting.

The Ted Leadership Program (TLP) is designed to encourage and support firstyear students in finding and manifesting their passions.

TLP is looking for enthusiastic, proactive and driven students to join the program, according to Jack FitzGerald, a thirdyear communications student and TLP coordinator.

FitzGerald said about 10 applicants will be selected to form a diverse group of students for the program.

TLP will help the students realize their passion through looking at their hobbies, involvement and strong points, FitzGerald said.

Once the students realize their passions, they will be steered by their mentors into the next steps of harvesting their capabilities and creating an impact.

TEDxUCincinnati’s diverse student executive board members will serve as the mentors. While the students will work on projects, they will also be given the opportunity to attend large events together.

Leadership is the main skill set students

will acquire through TLP, FitzGerald said.

The program is not looking to compete with other schools, he said. In the first year, the program aims to be another resource for students looking to get ahead in college and further their careers.

FitzGerald said the program will develop students as leaders with the help of their upperclassman mentor, but most of all participants will have fun.

TLP also strives to give students an environment that fosters creative thinking and helps them better themselves, Fitzgerald said.

First-year students of any major are eligible to apply for the program. After applying online, selected students will be contacted for interviews.

The TLP students will be required to attend biweekly meetings, which will be held Monday evenings from September through April.

The program plans to take the participants to the Student Activities and Leadership Development (SALD) conference on Oct. 3 as the program’s kick off.

Applications for the program can be found at their official website. Applications are due Sept. 20.

FILE ART

Vikas Mehta speaks at TedxUCincinnati in March.

Student Government mediates NightRide app issues, allocates money HUY NGUYEN | CHIEF REPORTER

Student Government intervened when a new NightRide App nearly crashed after a communication breakdown between University of Cincinnati Public Safety and UC Information Technologies.

A Public Safety and UCIT misunderstanding of responsibilities almost forced Public Safety to look into hiring an alternative source for the new application, despite a UCIT version already available, Student Government President Andrew Naab said at Wednesday’s SG meeting.

The NightRide App would enable students to notify NightRide services of their location and schedule pickups when needed, as well as provide transportation and safety tips.

SG had a separate meeting with Public Safety and UCIT to make sure the provided application was still a priority.

“Let’s make sure that we’re using an in-house, an in-made solution, and that way we have our own support team,” Naab said. “We have people we can call that can provide solutions for this and can help with the reintegration if there needs to be upgrades to it.”

SG also voted on a proposal to allocate $3,522.18 towards the UC Sustainability Summit scheduled for Oct. 2-4.

The proposed funds will be used for free transportation to and from the Summit at Shawnee State Park, about a two-hour drive away from UC, as well as T-shirts and fresh produce from Findlay Market for UC students.

“We want this Summit to be very feasible for students of all socioeconomic backgrounds,” said Kelsey Reichenbach, co-director of sustainability. “We want everyone who wants to come to be able to come eventually and so for that to be possible we need transportation to the event.”

SG passed the Summit proposal in a 28-0 vote.

SG is preparing to launch its off-campus housing website Oct. 1, and is continuing to get in contact with local landlords and housing organizations like Uptown to coordinate information for the new website launch.

The UC Food Truck Festival is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday along the Tangeman University Center steps.

Six food trucks are currently scheduled to attend the SG-initiated event, including Waffo, Dojo Gelato, Bistro de Mohr and others.

PROVIDED

Andrew Griggs, student body vice president, discusses solutions for complications with the NightRide application.

COLLEGE LIFE / 3 THURSDAY, SEPT. 10, 2015

Latinos en Acción celebrates culture, hispanic influence MATT NICHOLS | COLLEGE LIFE EDITOR

Games and a free taco stand created a lively atmosphere for cultural celebration on the sixth floor of Steger Student Life Center.

With over 30 students in attendance, the Latinos en Acción (LEA) welcomed everyone Sept. 3 with hard shell tacos and a trip Downtown to Salsa on the Square, a free salsa-dancing event in Fountain Square.

“We are all about promoting the Latino culture on campus,” said Kevin Chavez, a fourth-year biology student and LEA’s director of external affairs. “Here we try to create a familia, as we call it, for Latino students on campus.”

The social event marked the beginning of the year for LEA, a service-oriented social group for Latinos and anyone interested in the culture.

“I was really involved last year and I fell in love with it,” said Laura Mendez Ortiz, a second-year environmental studies and international affairs student and vice president of LEA. “We’ve become more of a family than a group. I’ve made some of my best friends here.”

To help students mingle and get acquainted, LEA officers led students in a variety of interactive group games like “over the mountain.”

Students began the game by sitting in a circle, leaving no gaps, while one player stood in the middle. To start the game, the person in the middle must state something they might have in common with the group, such as “I have a younger sibling” or

ALEXANDRA TAYLOR | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Adam Winget, president of Latinos En Acción, opens the LEA social in Steger Student Life Center.

“I love Pokémon.”

If the statement is true for anyone sitting in the circle, they must all stand up and find a new spot in the circle. The last person to find a seat is stuck in the middle and the game starts over.

The group also played a game of “human knot”, where players grab the hands of students opposite them in a circle and must find a way to unwind the knot without breaking contact.

For this game, students paired into three different groups, so teams could compete for the fastest unwound human knot.

“It’s really fun,” said Gary Bouajram, a second-year international affairs student and LEA member. “We have a big turnout and there’s a lot of cool people. It’s just a great social event overall.”

Bouajram, an active student on campus, made some extra time Thursday evening to learn about LEA’s campus opportunities.

“I’m really interested in the Latin culture, and I like the Latin dancing,” Bouajram said. “Everything about it is really appealing to me.”

Following the meeting at Steger, students could join LEA for Salsa on the Square in

Downtown Cincinnati.

“A lot of us are really involved with dancing,” Chavez said. “I perform Peruvian music, and I like salsa and more cultural music as well.”

While the event is all about having fun, LEA leaders stressed that this group is more than just a social club.

“I know being on campus sometimes feels a little bit big for you, but then you find other people that may have the same background or the same passions, and it means a lot,” Mendez Ortiz said. “It helps you through the day and gets you more involved with the community.”

The club also wants to be more inclusive of Latinos to provide a support system on campus, Mendez Ortiz said.

“We hope to recruit more Hispanic students on campus, because we’re only two percent here,” Mendez Ortiz said. “So that’s something we’d like to spread more awareness on.”

While the club name may indicate a specific culture, Chavez say that all can join no matter their ethnicity.

“We bond over our love for our community and our Hispanic culture, but we don’t discriminate,” Chavez said. “We try to get as many people as possible that just want to know about our culture a bit more.”

With many more events to come, Chavez hopes that more people will join and learn what it means to become a Latino en Acción.

“It’s more than just a club for us. It’s like a home away from home, if that doesn’t sound too cheesy,” Chavez said.

Catskeller reopens along Nippert, offers new meal plan, craft beer tastings, events MATT NICHOLS | COLLEGE LIFE EDITOR

Below the traffic-ridden halls of Tangeman University Center’s food court lies University of Cincinnati’s campus pub, Catskeller, which has reopened for fall semester Sept. 3 after Nipper Stadium’s renovation.

The infamous local bar implemented several new features for its reopening, including the Meal Exchange program, which was previously implemented at Quick Mick’s Café, according to Catskeller’s official website.

The switch is geared to take place later this month, and food options will be similar to the quick food items available at Quick Mick’s Café.

The grab-and-go items will be available from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays.

In addition, the university’s bar will have later hours on game days. The pub will be open until the end of the third quarter for all home UC football games, said Kasey Waaland, a manager at Catskeller.

Another new feature is Friday’s Flight Night, where students can sample four 5-ounce samples of craft beer for $10.

“Compared to a lot of the other bars around here, we’re a bit lower priced, and I think that’s what students like, so we try to keep it affordable,” Waaland said.

The UC bar also offers access to 40 craft brews, cans and bottles, a variety that is unrivaled at many local Cincinnati establishments.

“It gives a lot of variety for people that really like craft beer, which is kind of trending right now,” Waaland said.

“We have some regulars that come in that always like to try the new stuff.”

Beyond the beer, Catskeller offers a wide range of events and social gatherings each week.

The pub hosts a trivia night starting at 7 p.m. Mondays

and Jazz Jams at 7 p.m. every other Tuesday, featuring College-Conservatory of Music students that play a wide variety of classic fusion and jazz.

Rhett Davidson, a fourth-year information technology student, attended some of the 2014 Jazz Jams events and is excited to see more from the CCM groups.

“I had a great time at the events last year,” Davidson said. “I got to grab a few beers, hang with friends and listen to live jazz music. What’s there not to like?”

On Wednesdays, the bar has its pint night and beer tastings, with a different craft beer featured every week and a monthly beer tasting with a food pairing.

“Basically, pint nights are our way to feature a specific brewery,” Waaland said. “Last week we had Breckenridge, this week we have Bell’s. We try to get a lot of variety.”

Thursday nights are reserved for live music with Catskeller’s Unplugged series, which starts at 7 p.m.

The bar’s next guest is Scott Lippitt, a fourth-year environmental engineering student and local musician.

“I play original songs, mostly songs that I’ve written and a few songs by Jack Johnson,” Lippitt said.

With much of Lippitt’s inspiration stemming from Jack Johnson, the local acoustic guitar player and singer brings a very relaxed vibe to his performances.

“It’s really pretty chill,” Lippitt said. “The nature of my music is not that loud, and it’s just me, there’s no drums or anything like that. It’s the perfect venue for my sound.”

Lippitt, who plays at the Catskeller twice a semester, enjoys the casual atmosphere at the pub because it allows his friends come and go at his shows.

“For me, it’s kind of a place where everyone from the community can meet after class,” Lippitt said. “People can stop by while I’m playing, even if they have a late night class. It’s just a good venue to invite a lot of my friends and have them invite their friends.”

ALEXANDRA TAYLOR | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Students sell their souls for cookies at Secular Student Alliance table Friday.

Secular student group sells cookies for souls NICK RIDDICK | CONTRIBUTOR

A student organization invited students to sell their soul in exchange of a home-baked chocolate chip, snicker doodle or macadamia cookie Friday, where a sign advertising the event hung directly between McMicken Commons and Tangeman University Center.

This sign served as a marketing flag to recruit potential members to UC’s Secular Student Alliance (SSA).

The event, which consisted of several SSA students distributing cookies to anyone who agreed to sign a “soul contract” mailing list, began at 10 a.m.

Anna Butcher, a fourth-year biological anthropology student and SSA president, has been with the organization for five years and is enthusiastic for a new semester with SSA. “I’d really love to get people thinking and challenging their own beliefs, to think about us, to think about politics,

The second you start labeling yourself, you’re automatically placed into a box where false assumptions are made.

PROVIDED

Local artist Scott Lippitt performs at a live Unplugged session at Catskeller. The university bar reopened after Nippert renovations.

FROM SSDP PG 1

problem in the U.S., along with the militarization of police.

Daniel Schwendler, a second-year industrial management student, was outraged by the current affairs of our legal system.

“Our founding fathers had an issue with standing armies like the British acting as police,” Schwendler said.

“I don’t know why our police are getting military gear.”

The prison industrial complex is a term used to attribute the rapid expansion of the U.S. inmate population to the political influence of private prison companies and businesses that supply goods and services to government prison agencies.

“One quarter of all the prisoners in the world are incarcerated by the U.S.A.,”Vesel said.

One complaint brought to SSDP’s attention was the legal reaction to felony possession charges, which can

cause people to lose their rights to voting and housing.

Schwendler said the law essentially makes a minor crime punishable by second-class citizenship, along with jail time.

“People who have money are not punished to the same degree as those who do not,” Schwendler said.

The issue of heroin addiction in the region was also raised, especially with northern Kentucky and Downtown Cincinnati in a critical state.

“I work at Findlay market and people O.D. all the time in the neighborhood around there,” said Sophia Madison, a first-year psychology student.

Organization leaders added that the U.S. does not provide large-scale funding for medical amnesty or needle exchange centers, making drugs more dangerous and people less likely to get help when they need it.

SSDP will meet from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to further delve into the issues of the nation’s drug policy.

to think about social issues,” Butcher said. “I’d like to inspire those kinds of conversations around campus.”

Butcher’s personal mission statement within the organization is to create a space for non-religious students to speak their mind and connect with other like-minded individuals — particularly freshman.

An anonymous SSA member helped display the diverse range of acceptance held as a principle of the club.

“I just don’t talk about [atheism]. The second you start labeling yourself, you’re automatically placed into a box where false assumptions are made,” the anonymous source said. “For my purposes, I’m more interested in learning about other people’s positions and since generally that’s what people want to talk about, I’m fine to go along with it as well. That, coupled with the fact that people trust rapists over atheists – I don’t think I need any of that tension.”

Towards the end of the 2014 spring semester, the club elected two vice presidents to the executive board.

Christine Uebel, a first-year graduate student from the environmental health department, is one of SSA’s vice presidents.

“My favorite thing about SSA is our weekly meetings,” Uebel said. “Last week, for example, we had an in-depth conversation about how each of our personal journeys has led us to our individualized belief systems, and we just sort of bonded over mutual experiences, which was really cool.”

The group also engages in a variety of social and academic activities around the Clifton community.

Events range from casual movie nights and board-game hangouts, to some more serious discussions and even collaborative events with the Edge House — an off-campus Christian organization.

Taylor Haynes, a second-year political science student and vice president of SSA, articulated the origins of some terms often tossed around under the umbrella of secularism.

“Politically, [the word secular] has been used to describe anything from religious tolerance to a justification for discriminatory policy,” Haynes said. “True secularism, however, is making sure the state has no business in the church, and vice versa. At least that’s the way I see it.”

SSA meets at 6 p.m. Thursdays in 211 of McMicken Hall.

4 / SPORTS THURSDAY, SEPT. 10, 2015

UC, Under Armour reveal exclusive homecoming uniform CLAUDE THOMPSON | STAFF REPORTER

The University of Cincinnati unveiled new uniforms for the upcoming homecoming men’s football game against the University of Connecticut.

The uniforms were designed in conglomeration with Under Armour, UC’s official athletics brand as of July 1.

Under Armour used its new ArmourGrid technology for the exclusive uniforms, which they claim is the “strongest, lightest and most durable fabric in the game.”

The technology uses reinforced concrete as an engineering inspiration for the design.

This special edition design draws inspiration from the Richard E. Linder Athletic Center and its aggressive triangular architecture, which is seen throughout the jersey, base layer, gloves, pants and helmet.

The helmets feature a hand-painted arrangement, including the Linder Center triangles and the James Gamble Nippert Memorial prominently displayed on the back.

Every helmet is individually painted by hand and numbered for authenticity.

The uniform also includes an anniversary logo, celebrating 100 years of football in Nippert Stadium, which was established

FROM ALABAMA PG 1

UC was also successful at running the ball against the Bulldogs. The Bearcats had 296 yards rushing as a team. Secondyear running back Mike Boone ran for 86 of the 296 yards with two touchdowns.

Multiple running backs got their turn to carry the ball, which was essential to the team’s success.

“In the running back room we just harp on not being selfish,” Boone said. “If we see one running back and he has the hot hand we won’t haul him out, we will let him stay in and then we rotate that way.

We try not to be selfish.”

The Bearcats’ next opponent is the Temple University Owls. The team troubled Penn State University Nittany Lions in their previous game.

“We can go undefeated,” Boone said.

“That is what we strive for, to go undefeated, take it week by week and get better and better.”

The Bearcats play Temple 8 p.m.

Saturday at Nippert Stadium. The game will be aired on ESPNews.

in 1915.

Donald Hester, a fourth-year information technology student, was impressed with the new design.

“I really like them,” Hester said. “I really like how the new helmet and the jersey emphasizes Nippert Stadium and the Linder Center with all of the triangles. The back of the helmet is pretty sweet. I like to see a rotation of jerseys and designs, instead of seeing the same thing every week.”

While some students enjoyed the football team gear for homecoming, others were skeptical.

“It just doesn’t seem like it’s put together very well,” said Matt Gaines, a second-year chemistry student. “[Homecoming] is a pretty big event for the whole school, so it’s fine [to have an exclusive homecoming jersey]. It probably wouldn’t be good for every week though.”

The helmets, which cost $1,250 due to their unique and hand-painted aesthetic, were produced in a limited quantity and will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.

UC men’s football will play its homecoming game against the UConn Huskies Oct. 24 with a homecoming parade scheduled four hours before the kickoff.

PROVIDED

UC Athletics has released the redesigns for the homecoming jerseys and helmets, commemorating a century of football history at Nippert Stadium.

Students voice opinion on Bengals’ release of Still JOEY LAURE | STAFF REPORTER

Devon Still, defensive lineman for the Cincinnati Bengals, was released from the home team Saturday before the regular season kick-off Thursday.

Still made national headlines last year when his daughter, 5-year-old Leah Still, was diagnosed with pediatric cancer.

The Bengals kept Still on the team’s practice squad during the 2014-15 season, as his health insurance covered Leah’s treatment.

As the season progressed, the defensive lineman made the 53man roster and played on Sundays.

Leah’s story led her and her father to win the Jim Valvano Award for Perseverance at the ESPYs Awards in July.

Despite the recent cut, Still will continue to receive health insurance from the Bengals for another five years.

“Last year, Devon Still and his daughter gave us more than football to cheer about,” said Ryan Acus, a third-year sports administration student at the University of Cincinnati. “He will definitely be missed.”

Acus said he has been a Bengals fan for almost his entire life and believes another team will pick up Still. He said the player had the same effect on people as Tim Tebow, former NFL

quarterback.

Cory Kanz, a fifth-year mechanical engineer student, understands the Bengal’s move to release the player.

“I believe the Bengals needed to make a business decision,” Kanz said. “After all, the NFL is a business. I do, however, believe he [Still] will be picked up and have an impact on another team.”

Kanz also said that, although he is a New York Giants fan, he recognizes the impact Still and his daughter had in Cincinnati.

“The news is sad,” said Kayleigh Hammond, a fourth-year civil engineer student and Bengals fan. “At the same time, it was awesome that they kept him on the team for health insurance purposes and cared for his daughter last season.”

After being released by the Bengals, Still posted about the cut on his Instagram account.

“Have nothing but love for the Bengals organization and the city of Cincinnati. I am forever grateful. It’s time to move forward and see what’s next,” Still said on Instagram.

The Bengals look to make their fifth-straight playoff appearance this season. The last four seasons have ended in disappointment, as they have lost in the first round each time.

The team will need to find new inspiration without their 2012 second-round draft Devon Still.

Baseball team to hold tryouts, looks for hidden campus talent ZACH EDWARDS | CONTRIBUTOR

Most baseball players only dream of playing collegiately, but students at the University of Cincinnati have the opportunity to fulfill their dream regardless of whether they were recruited by scouts.

Every year, an average of 15 to 30 students on campus tryout for the Bearcat baseball team as walk-ons.

The walk-on tryouts are pro-style, meaning they are set up as the major leagues, testing the five tools of baseball.

These tools include running, defensive ability, arm strength, hitting and hitting for power. It is expected for a student to play above average in the majority of these five tools.

The tryouts consist of, but are not limited to, a 60-yard dash, a test for the player’s preferred defensive position and batting practice.

“If there is a difference maker out there, I hope he is on this campus and I hope he comes to the tryout,” said UC head coach Ty Neal.

No more than 27 players, out of the 35-man roster, can receive a scholarship. This means that eight of the players are technically walk-ons and some are transfer students from other schools.

Scholarships do not influence the decision on who makes the roster for the upcoming game,

Neal said.

“The players make up the lineup,” Neal said.

“The guys that give you the best chance to win that day are the guys that are going to be put on the lineup. It doesn’t matter how old they are, how they got there, what year in school they are, how much money they are on … that’s where baseball is a little different from basketball or football — it doesn’t matter.”

While some students believe scholarships are given to players who will automatically receive playing time, this is not the case for Neal and the Bearcats.

“Sports scholarship money is just an enticement for that student to choose our school,” Neal said.

“Once they get here, it doesn’t matter. There are very good college players who are not on scholarship money, who have huge success stories. There are guys who come un-recruited and eventually go on to play in the Major Leagues.”

Tryouts will be held at 3 p.m. Sept 24 at the Marge Schott Stadium. Any student who is enrolled in a four-year degree program on main campus and is a full-time student at UC is welcome to participate.

The Tryout Clearance Form is available for pick-up at the Lindner Center, but it can also be printed off at the Bearcats official website.

ALEXANDRA TAYLOR | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

UC head baseball coach Ty Neal will evaluate students trying to walk-on to the baseball team.

2015 – 16 STAFF Editor-in-Chief

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‘A Walk in the Woods’ could walk audiences out of theatres ALBERTO C. JONES | CONTRIBUTOR

Rumored to have been in production since 2005, not even the star-studded cast of “A Walk in the Woods” could save the biopic from developing into a series of awkward moments and almost-funny dry humor.

Ken Kwapis, who also directed “He’s Just Not That Into You,” starred Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson and Mary Steenburg in his film adaptation of Bill Bryson’s 1998 best-selling novel.

Expected to be as hilarious and splendid of a tale as the book, the film adaptation turned out to be a horrible mash-up of comedy and drama.

The story follows Bryson, a retired travel writer, as he attempts a trek from Georgia to Maine along the Appalachian Trail.

While Bryson is determined to explore the peace and tranquility of the trail, many of his peers — including his wife — feel that he is too old and out of shape to complete the trajectory.

Disbelief aside, Bryson embarks on his journey with old high school friend Stephen Katz.

Although Katz and Bryson had lost connection over the years, the duo comes together to travel up the Appalachian Trail and keep each other motivated along the way.

Bryson’s determination is what truly brings life and emotion to the film. He experiences doubts and reaches many

crossroads, but no matter how much he wants to stop traveling, he keeps going.

Katz’s smart-aleck wit sometimes brings a comedy factor to the film. The character does not seem to take things too seriously and has ulterior motives for taking the journey with Bryson.

“A Walk in the Woods” lacked direction, especially with the many dynamic relationships in the movie.

It was unclear if Kwapis intended for the movie to be a comedy or a drama, as it sometimes showcased a loving relationship between Bill and his wife only to show him crushing on a different woman later.

Even though the film dodges back and forth between humor and seriousness, it gives the audience a few good laughs.

Whether it be Katz falling asleep with his butt showing or the protagonists trying to escape a man who is chasing them, the movie ushers back in its intended comedic elements.

“A Walk in the Woods” was filled with awkward moments, leaving the audience confused about whether they should laugh or shake their heads in dismay of the lack of clarity in a joke.

To the disappointment of any fans of the original book and anyone hoping for an entertaining look at the Appalachian Trail, Kwapis has put together a less than impressive rendition of Bryson’s original critically acclaimed work.

PROVIDED

Robert Redford and Nick Nolte star in “Walk in the Woods”, based on Bill Bryson’s 1998 book about a journey down the Appalachian Trail.

Local band Go Go Buffalo shakes Cincinnati, Da Vida House with psychedelic hard rock Moore remembers seeing the band, Foxy Shazam, when he was younger and being taken away by their theatrics.

Go Go Buffalo, a local band out of Amelia, Ohio, has “Music is so accessible now, it is hard to find something been rocking Cincinnati stages with their heavy, highvisceral, where you can tell a band is putting their all energy rock music. into it,” Moore said. “Reality sucks sometimes, so if we The band started when its members met can take people out of their own reality— at Amelia High School and decided to their own troubles—then I know I am combine their various musical tastes into Music is so happy with that.” a self-proclaimed, psychedelic, hard rock Go Go Buffalo does not need to rely accessible now, group. on an eccentric stage presence to draw it is hard to find Go Go Buffalo’s palpable energy could be people to their shows. something visceral, felt pulsing from the basement of the Da Drummer Jason Drennan, in particular, Vida House Aug. 30. is impressive with his skillful drumming where you can tell Vocalist Jeremy Moore appeared at the — stemming from his love for bands like a band is putting Da Vida House in a blue wig, tuxedo shirt Pantera and Metallica. their all into it. and black and white tights.

“The heavier the music the better,” He began tapping his fingers to the Drennan said. “My dad was in a metal beat of the band’s song “Ironclad Lad,” band in the late ’80s and early ’90s. I then exploded into funky guitar riffs, heavy drums and grew up with that, so my parents are very supportive. gravelly vocals.

They are rock ‘n’ roll kind of people.”

The crowd was eager to start dancing and get involved By the end of the performance at the Da Vida House, with the band’s shenanigans. onlookers — some considered close friends of the band Boisterous antics are a signature of any Go Go Buffalo — rushed to have a dialogue about the show. show. The audience witnessed bassist Graham Lang duct Go Go Buffalo is emerging into the local music scene taping his face, a crowd-surfing Austin Powers doll and with adoration and garnering a solid fan base. comical introductions to each song.

The band will perform at Urban Artifact Brewery Friday While their performance may have seemed esoteric to and also booked a spot at OTR’s 10th annual Adjust Your newcomers, it was done with an intended purpose and Eyes Festival Oct. 9-11. inspiration.

KYLEY FREDRICK | STAFF REPORTER

PROVIDED

After almost 20 years in production, Dan Bejar finally releases “Poison Season” featuring heartfelt poetry and religious symbolism.

Destroyer grasps complex lyricism, lush instrumentals CHRIS STROHOFER | CONTRIBUTOR

Dan Bejar adds another excellent record to a year of truly fantastic singer-songwriter album releases with his musical project Destroyer.

Bejar has been working on this musical project since 1996, beginning with lo-fi home recordings and slowly growing his musical vision over the proceeding years.

Destroyer’s newest album, “Poison Season,” is composed of lush instrumentation, ranging from string-driven ballads to Springsteen-esque jams.

Complimenting these impressive musical pieces is Bejar’s ambiguous, yet meaningfully heartfelt poetry.

The lyrical themes throughout the album range from religious symbolism to restlessness and often resist interpretation.

Though difficult meaning of the songs is difficult to understand, Bejar’s vivid imagery and solid delivery create an absorbing environment to this 52-minute album.

While listeners may have a hard time finding a singular interpretation in Destroyer’s lyrics, each track has enough emotion and feeling to inspire listeners to create their own meaning.

One track that almost encourages users to latch on with personal meaning is “The River.”

The song describes disillusionment with a place that is nearly universal, offering perhaps the most explicit of narratives.

A listener need only replace New York or Los Angeles with wherever they would like to get away from before being taken through the song’s swirling bridge.

It would be incorrect to describe this album as solely a challenge in decoding confusing lyrics. More often than not, the lush and occasionally enthralling musical passages convey the most meaning while saying the least.

An excellent example of this would be “Hell is an Open Door.” Initially slow, the song evolves into an exploding climax complete with powerful horns and pounding percussion as Bejar repeatedly shouts out, “It’s hell down here, it’s hell!”

The “hell down here” to which Bejar is referring is entirely left to the listener’s imagination.

Fans of Destroyer will likely find this album habitually rewarding, with new significance to be found on each subsequent listening.

“Poison Season” offers a perpetually compelling and complex experience.

NICOLE MENCHEN | CONTRIBUTOR

Left to Right: Graham Lang, Jeremy Moore, Tyler Moore. Go Go Buffalo, a band that started in Amelia, Ohio performs at Da Vida House.

FROM HELLO PG 1

A whimsical approach to daily life defines Stone’s comedy. He takes listeners along to an Elton John concert, which he describes as a sea of Starbucks cups. He also brings the audience to a wolf-petting zoo, where the only protection the owner provides is her tough lesbian identity.

Stone does not worry about getting too intimate either, going into detail about his previous girlfriend cheating on him with nine other men.

He also discusses his current relationships and experiences with a partner who often talks in her sleep.

Stone’s experiences with his parents come up many times. The comedian goes into detail on his mother’s issue with pornography and how that clashes with his fondness of it.

Stone also observes how his parents have changed since his childhood – his father, who started his career as a construction worker, ends up as a yoga instructor with a love for growing hydroponics plants.

“Hello” is a testament to honesty, intimacy and storytelling. Stone’s personal approach allows listeners to become a part of every story he tells.

With quick humor, he keeps the audience laughing as the stories progress, never letting them lose interest.

Listeners will travel to every imaginable place in Stone’s world, including his parents’ basement and John Stamos’ hotel room.

Stone introduces the world to himself, his comedy and Cincinnati — where he recorded all of the performances on “Hello.”

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