pg. 8 | Cincinnati’s own shines during last season
pg. 6 | Art exhibit breaks gender boundaries Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Coronavirus concern at UC KEELY BROWN | MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR
Flavia Bastos has led the University of Cincinnati’s Latino Faculty Association since 2017. PROVIDED | FLAVIA BASTOS.
Professor spreads Latino visibility DAVID REES | FEATURES EDITOR As a first-generation college graduate and a woman of color, Flavia Bastos wears her identity proudly and advocates for inclusivity in a traditionally white male dominated culture. An immigrant from southern Brazil, Bastos began her career at the University of Cincinnati immediately after graduate school. Nearly 20 years later, she is a professor in the College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning’s (DAAP) art education program. “I have had a great career at [UC] that has allowed me to engage in research and outstanding teaching,” Bastos said. “I’m really quite grateful to this institution for having provided a home for me.” In an effort to create visibility for Latino issues on campus, Bastos worked with four other UC professors — Maria Espinola, Mauricio Espinoza, Farrah Jacquez and Michael Odio — to examine the demographics of Latino faculty. Looking at the success of UC’s Black Faculty Association, which had a significant history of empowering black faculty, the team proposed a university
grant to create an association for Latino faculty. In its second year, Bastos and the association have been able to provide strategic planning to promote events to congregate Latino faculty on campus. “Latinos are the fastest growing demographic in the United States,” Bastos said. “They are sort of invisible in our region and they are not very prevalent in our campus.” When the Latino community started coming together through these new social events, Bastos described it as a “love fest” — finally being able to meet people with similar backgrounds and experiences. The association stands as a way for members of the Latino community to recognize each other, said Bastos. In addition, it provides the means to engage in conversation that can lead to strategic policy across campus. The group recruits Latino faculty, staff and students — thus, supporting them to succeed and make a contribution toward a more diverse and equitable campus. The association also has a budget that allows for small grants toward different research and community-based projects. faculty to advance Continued on Page 4
Following recent social media speculation, University of Cincinnati officials confirmed there are no known cases of the coronavirus on campus, according to M.B. Reilly, university spokesperson. The campus community initially became concerned after an unidentified professor, who took a recent trip to Asia, emailed students Jan. 28 at 12:30 p.m. and alerted them to the possibility of infection from the new virus. However, around four hours later at 4:47 p.m., the same instructor sent out a second email confirming they are not a carrier of the coronavirus. According to the message, the professor said they spoke with Dr. Kim L. Miller — the executive director of University Health Services — who asked a series of questions and determined the instructor’s respiratory situation was not the coronavirus.
The coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan, China. Other parts of the country have also reported cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats and bats, said the CDC. Recent travelers from Wuhan — or those who have had close contact with some suspected of having the virus — should watch for flu-like symptoms, according to University Health Services. If experiencing symptoms, use a face mask and seek immediate medical care. As of Jan. 27, there are five confirmed cases of the virus in the U.S. — one in Washington, Arizona and Illinois, and two in California, said the CDC. There have been no positive cases confirmed in Ohio.
The symptoms of the coronavirus. WIKIPEDIA.ORG