March 29, 2018

Page 1

She walks

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

by faith P12

Carriage Hill one year later P9

Donkey’s most regular regular P19

From junior college to Ohio P20


EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ELIZABETH BACKO MANAGING EDITOR Kaitlin Coward DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR Hayley Harding SENIOR EDITOR Marisa Fernandez

EDITORIAL

NEWS EDITORS Maddie Capron, Bailey Gallion SPORTS EDITOR Andrew Gillis CULTURE EDITORS Georgia Davis, Mae Yen Yap OPINION EDITOR Chuck Greenlee COPY CHIEF Alex McCann

ART

ART DIRECTORS Abby Gordon, Sarah Olivieri PHOTO EDITORS Carl Fonticella, Meagan Hall, McKinley Law, Blake Nissen, Hannah Schroeder SPECIAL PROJECTS DESIGNER Abby Day

DIGITAL

DIGITAL PRODUCTION EDITOR Taylor Johnston SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Kate Ansel BLOGS EDITOR Alex Darus MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Andy Hamilton INTERIM BUSINESS MANAGER Lily Perdomo Demorejon

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FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

‘Post’ staff trains new editors for next year As The Post staff continues working hard to put out our paper each week for the rest of Spring Semester, we are also working hard to plan for next year. With many people on our staff transitioning into new roles, we have a chance to ref lect on this year and determine how next year can be even better. We also do our best to make the next few weeks a learning experience. Some staff members will edit the print edition of The Post for the first time, while others will learn out how we use social media or code landing pages. We will have conversations about what has worked well, what has not worked at all and what we wish we could have achieved in our roles. We would love to get feedback from Post readers about what they liked and disliked. Is there coverage you want to see more consistently? Is there a topic that deserves more recognition? Maybe you just know a really ELIZABETH BACKO / neat person in Athens that we should feature, or maybe you just hope to EDITOR-IN-CHIEF see more podcasts next year. Please reach out and let us know. Even though the staff changes every year, we try to create the best content that we possibly can so our readers are entertained and well-informed. Next year’s editors will kick off the year with the annual Orientation Guide, which is published at the end of May and given to all incoming Ohio University students. Because we’re all learning, planning and preparing together, right now is a great time to join The Post. As I mentioned before, next year’s editor-in-chief, Lauren Fisher, has some great ideas that she is looking forward to implementing — but first she has to hire a new staff. In past years, we’ve had people join The Post staff near the end of Spring Semester, and those people always bring in new and interesting ideas that the staff can plan for in the coming year. Though I, along with about 20 other seniors, am graduating, we all want to see The Post succeed next year in every way possible. Let us know what The Post can do better, and, if you can, join The Post and help the staff do some incredible things next year. Elizabeth Backo is a senior studying journalism and the editor-in-chief of The Post. Want to talk to her? Email her at eb823313@ohio.edu or send her a tweet @liz_backo.

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Cover illustration by Rilee Lockhart


ILLUSTRATION BY NATHAN SZOCH

Grilled cheese sales aren’t quite legal SHELBY CAMPBELL FOR THE POST Students selling grilled cheese late at night on Court Street might not realize they are violating a city ordinance and could be fined $150. Street vending in Athens requires a license from the Athens City-County Health Department. Patrick McGarry, director of environmental health at the Athens City-County Health Department, said the health department regulates facilities that charge for food. If an unlicensed vendor charges for a food product — including grilled cheese sandwiches — the health department can require the group to stop operating.

If the group is not charging, however, it is exempt from codes that licensed vendors have to follow. “If we get phone calls from groups, which we often do, we explain the licensing (food safety) requirements and fees for a temporary food service if they are intending on charging for grilled cheese sandwiches,” McGarry said in an email. “During these conversations, we stress food safety and the importance of handwashing and best practices while operating Uptown.” The City of Athens has vending and peddling licenses. A peddler moves about the city selling goods, while a vendor sells goods from a stand, cart or vehicle. Peddling licenses cost $25 per month, while vending licenses can cost up to

$1,500 per year. License applications can be found on the city website or at the Code Department’s office. Any group vending without a license can be charged with a minor misdemeanor, Rick Sirois, director of the Department of Development, Enforcement and Facilities, said. A minor misdemeanor comes with a fine of up to $150. If a charitable or nonprofit organization is fundraising by street vending, though, it is exempt from Athens vending codes. The organization must get permission from the landowner whose land it would vend on, as well as the mayor’s office. People who are selling grilled cheese or other food items are not allowed to vend on Court Street, Sirois said. Vending

is only allowed on East Union Street between College and Court streets. Athens City Councilman Kent Butler, D-1st Ward, said he has received complaints about grilled cheese vendors from business owners in Athens. Butler said vendors have been disrespectful to storefronts by leaving trash from the fundraiser at the site. “I’m all for creative attempts and fundraising, and (I) applaud the ingenuity and efforts by organizations and students,” Butler said. “But a better dialogue and protocol is probably necessary and beneficial to all parties.”

@BLOODBUZZOHIOAN SC568816@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 3


BETWEEN THE LINES

‘Post’ blogs editor reflects on Pickle Fest preparation, competition and aftermath To preface this, I’m really good at eating. I often get asked how I’m able to eat the staggering amount of food I regularly stomach. ALEX This trait made me DARUS feel I could easily take is a senior on Bagel Street Deli’s studying annual Pickle Fest comjournalism petition. But I was provat Ohio en wrong, and my body University. is still suffering from it. The premise of Pickle Fest is simple: Competitors get put in a heat and have 10 minutes to eat as many jumbo pickles they possibly can. If a person throws up — or as the Bagel Street employees call it, “makes relish” — that person is disqualified. The winner chooses a charity that the money raised from the event benefits and also creates a sandwich to be permanently

added to the menu at 27 S. Court St. Frankly, the stakes are high, and I needed to win more than anything. I was put in the second heat and watched the winner of the first heat down eight pickles. I thought I could easily beat that, and I had been training my body for the event. I knew I was going to use the tried and true corn-on-the-cob technique in which I would eat the outside of the pickle like a corn cob and down the center part. I drank water all day to stretch my stomach and downed an antacid before it was my turn to save my stomach from dissolving from all of the vinegar I was ingesting. Each competitor chooses a name, and, being the Jersey Shore superfan I am, I obviously went with Snooki. I sat down next to my two friends with a basket of four pickles in front of me. The competition started, and I knew I was in too deep. I took my first few bites,

and I was covered with pickle juice. I seemed to be the only person who was literally drenched, which confused me and stifled my competitive edge. My friends were cheering my name, but I knew they were going to be disappointed with my performance. After the first three minutes, my new goal became not to need to use the bucket at my feet in case I needed to make relish. If I were to participate again, I would take smaller bites. I made the mistake of taking huge bites and not realizing how long it would take me to chew all of the cucumber bits in my mouth. When I was only on my third pickle and the frontrunners were hitting their sixth, I knew it was over. I ended up eating four, which wasn’t bad but definitely wasn’t good. I got over being sad about not winning, but I felt like I brought shame to Snooki’s name. The aftermath was even worse. My stomach felt like a rock all weekend. My

teeth hurt from all the vinegar, and I wasn’t been able to chew anything or brush my teeth without being in horrible pain. The worst part is that I’m now completely turned off by pickles, which were previously one of my favorite foods. It will probably be a short-term problem — because I really don’t hate any food — but it’s still sad. If you’re thinking about participating next year, I would suggest doing some serious training now so you can crush the competition. Also, be ready to hate yourself for at least three days. The experience taught me I’m really not as good at eating as I thought, but long live Pickle Fest. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to tell Alex how she should’ve eaten those pickles? Let her know by tweeting at her @_alexdarus.

CINEMA AND SYNTAX

‘Love, Simon’ will make you laugh, cringe and cry The teenage coming-of-age story isn’t new to cinema. 10 Things I Hate About You, Grease, Mean Girls and many more CARL have graced the silver FONTICELLA screen over the years, is a fifth-year senior studying but they’ve all had photojournalism, one thing in common: Spanish and The characters who Latin American fall in love with each studies at Ohio other are straight. University. Enter Love, Simon. Love, Simon, which was released in the U.S. on March 16, is based on Becky Albertalli’s novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and is the first major studio film to be centered on a gay teenage romance. In the film, closeted high school senior Simon Spier (Nick Robinson) begins an online correspondence with another classmate who shares his secret. They choose

4 / MARCH 29, 2018

pen names, with Simon choosing Jacques and the classmate choosing Blue. Last time I wrote “Cinema and Syntax,” I talked about the power that Coco has because of the representation of Mexican culture in it, plus how it hit me on a personal level because of my race. Love, Simon, however, resonated more with me because I saw someone on screen struggle with the same struggles I went through in high school. For as long as I remember, I never once dealt with any personal demons with being Mexican, despite living in a predominantly white town. In high school, however, I remember having such a hard time with coming to terms that I was gay. I, unlike Simon, remained closeted until coming to Ohio University in 2013. We have seen a rise in the representation of minorities and those who have always been seen as “others” in recent years, both in cinema and on TV. This movie is so important for LGBT youth; when I watched it, it made me realize how much I missed out

by not having a movie like this to turn to when I was younger. Love, Simon definitely plays into the tropes of prior high school and comingof-age movies, but I see no issue with that. There’s the tight-knit friend group, the awkward kids, the teachers who try too hard to relate to their students, a big party because the parents are out of town and the big football game. This time around, though, there’s a kid in the halls and in the bleachers dealing with coming out to his school, his family, his friends and, most important, himself. Despite living in a decade in which we saw gay marriage legalized nationwide and a rise in acceptance of LGBT people, this movie is still a landmark. And it’s still one that should be celebrated. There’s a point in the movie when we hear Simon lament, “No matter what, announcing who you are to the world is pretty terrifying, because what if the world doesn’t like you?” His mother (Jennifer Garner) steals the spotlight in a heartwarming

scene that is sure to not leave a dry eye in the room — it even made Robinson and the crew cry during filming. To quote the movie, everybody deserves a great love story; yes, that includes even us gay kids. I’m so thankful that this movie was made and that a major film company picked it up. Love, Simon will make you laugh. It will make you cringe as awkward high schoolers attempt to go through life. And it will make you cry. It’s impactful on all levels, and it’s a movie that anyone can enjoy, whether gay or not — and that’s what makes this movie so special. I’m proud of this movie, and I’m proud to be gay. Love, Carl Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Have you seen Love, Simon and cried too? Tell Carl by tweeting him at @fonticellaphoto.


EDITORIAL

Bridge Ohio has solid ideas, but the lack of opposing tickets signals bigger issues in senate Just a couple weeks ago, the name of the first Student Senate ticket running for election, Bridge Ohio, dropped on social media. We didn’t know it then, but it would also end up being the only ticket in this year’s race. The Post’s executive editors typically endorse a ticket for the executive Student Senate positions. But given that Bridge Ohio is running unopposed, we think it’s important to address why a shortage of tickets can be discouraging from a perspective outside the organization. In recent years, the number of tickets running for positions during elections has varied, but at least two have run each of the past three years. So when we found out only one group of people was running to lead the largest student government organization on campus, we were disappointed. Student Senate aims to represent the

entire student body of Ohio University, but that’s hard to do when the elected officials are selected from the same group of students each year. It is vital to the organization that more and more students who have never been a part of senate become active in the organization and seek out those upper-level positions. Just a three years ago, we saw the Phoenix ticket — comprised partly of members not involved in Student Senate — push for those executive positions. Though that ticket didn’t win, the group did bring fresh ideas to the table. In addition to the absence of at least two tickets and of members outside senate running this year, only one ticket running at all makes it seem as if there is a dearth of varying ideas within the organization itself. When too many like minds and too few

outside ideas are brought into the equation, an organization can easily suffer from groupthink. That creates a depletion of innovative ideas, doesn’t address all needs of the student body and makes senate appear as a more exclusive organization — even though it’s not. That isn’t to say that Bridge Ohio is short on good ideas. We commend the executive candidates for their desire to improve campus safety, reduce waste and increase collaboration between many student organizations, among other ideas. The group is also comprised of a solid foundation of leaders who have already generated change on campus, including presidential candidate Maddie Sloat, the creator of the Period Project. But we are concerned that a lack of tickets reflects a lack of diverse viewpoints. We strongly suggest students not in

Student Senate who want their voices heard reach out to current or future executive members about how to get involved. We also would push for senate to continue emphasizing recruitment of those not involved in the group and making a continued effort to talk to students outside of regular meetings, as that can also help students get involved. Finally, we encourage Student Senate to continue to push for those outside voices — or just more voices period — in future election cycles. Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Post’s executive editors: editor-in-chief Elizabeth Backo, managing editor Kaitlin Coward, digital managing editor Hayley Harding and senior editor Marisa Fernandez. Post editorials are independent of the publication’s news coverage.

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POLICE BLOTTER

Woman complains about TV; shed door shot ASHTON NICHOLS STAFF WRITER

They told the woman to call the company during normal business hours.

When the cable TV goes out, that can be a major problem for some. The Athens County Sheriff’s Office spoke with a caller about a civil issue on March 21. The woman called in to report that her cable was out and that the cable company was not answering any of the after-hours phone numbers she was calling, according to the sheriff’s report. The woman requested that sheriff’s deputies go to the home of the owner of the cable company to determine the cause of her cable service issue and remedy the situation. Deputies told the woman that her “cable woes” were not a criminal issue and law enforcement would not handle customer service calls for the cable company.

TRASHY BEHAVIOR

The sheriff’s office took a report of illegal dumping on March 24. The caller said he had seen someone dumping trash in a dumpster on a rental property without permission, according to the sheriff’s report. The suspect ended up calling in to the Sheriff’s Office and said he was taking trash to the dumpster for two of the tenants that live on the property. UP IN FLAMES

A sheriff’s deputy was patrolling the area of East First Street in The Plains on March 24 when he came across a ditch fire with burning leaves. The area was still smoking and smoldering, which posed a fire hazard to the surrounding area, ac-

cording to a sheriff’s report. Police told the resident about the Ohio burn laws. The person put the fire out. TREE HUGGER

The sheriff’s office responded to Coal Run Road on March 24 for a report of an injured, intoxicated man talking incoherently. Once on scene, the responding deputies determined that the man had crashed his daughter’s vehicle into a tree and then drove the vehicle the rest of the way home, according to a sheriff’s report. The man had a significant head and leg injury, and EMS transported him to OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital.

because it is unknown if the door was open or shut when the bullet was fired, according to the sheriff’s report. Other than the hole in the door, there was no other damage. MOWER THEFT

The sheriff’s office responded to State Route 685 for a theft report on March 22. The caller said earlier in the evening, a neighbor witnessed a suspect in a red pick-up truck load a lawn mower into the bed of the truck, according to the sheriff’s report. The neighbor then contacted the property owner and told them about the situation.

SOMEONE SHOT THE SHED

The sheriff’s office responded to Red Dog Road on March 25 because a bullet hole was found on a shed door. It is unclear where the shot came from

@ASHTONNICHOLS_ AN614816@OHIO.EDU

NEWS BRIEFS

Athens mainstay Burrito Buggy purchased; House bill would ban all abortions in Ohio TAYLOR JOHNSTON DIGITAL PRODUCTION EDITOR It is week 11, and Ohio University students have four full weeks of class left, plus finals week. Catch up on what news you may have missed during the week: BURRITO BUGGY WILL RETURN TO UNION STREET UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

The Burrito Buggy will be back on the streets in just a few weeks. Jim Stricklin said he signed the papers this week and will partner with his brother Scott and friend Eli Flournoy to run the food truck. Stricklin came across the Burrito Buggy when he said his wife brought up that the old owners were selling it one night at dinner.

6 / MARCH 29, 2018

“The only thing that is going to change is the ownership,” Stricklin said. “We are going to keep the same menu, but we think we’re going to go with some local distributors on some of the products.” Stricklin said since the Burrito Buggy has been a favorite in Athens since 1984, he hopes to not only continue with the tradition but also keep it a local business. “We’re all local kids,” Stricklin said.

The couple first started their business through Appalachian Center for Economic Networks, or ACEnet, in October, Nathan said. ACEnet is a community-based economic development organization that serves businesses in the 32 counties of Appalachia, according to its website. The couple decided to make and sell Thai food to create more diversity within the area, May said.

NEW FOOD TRUCK ARRIVES IN ATHENS

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE PROPOSED BAN ON ABORTION IN OHIO

A new option is now available to students and Athens residents when it comes to selecting food on Union Street. Nathan and May Rath, owners of Dr. May’s Thai Kitchen, recently expanded their business by joining the list of food trucks in Athens at the beginning of the year.

A bill that would ban all abortions in Ohio — even in cases of rape, incest or danger to the mother — was introduced last week. House Bill 565 would make an “unborn human” a person under Ohio’s criminal code regarding murder, manslaughter and homi-

cide, and allows wrongful death lawsuits, according to Cleveland.com. Additionally, a pregnant woman seeking an abortion could be charged with a crime. Two Ohio House Republicans introduced the bill, and 18 others co-sponsored the bill. “I believe life begins at conception, so the goal of this bill is to first of all continue to get the word out that life does begin at conception and move the debate in that direction, and to protect unborn Ohioans from being aborted,” Rep. Ron Hood, R-Ashville and a bill sponsor, told Cleveland.com.

@TF_JOHNSTON TJ369915@OHIO.EDU


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THE SIXTH

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Frontiers in Science LECTURE SERIES

Tuesday 7:30 PM, April 3, 2018 at Ohio University’s Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium Admission to this lecture is free. Seating is limited, doors open at 6:30 PM THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 7


Athens schools present timeline for facilities plan

MAGGIE CAMPBELL FOR THE POST

The Athens City School District Board of Education has approved the facilities master plan, but the process had negotiations and changes to come to the final decision. Here’s what has changed and what is next: RENOVATION VERSUS REBUILD Over the past few months, the board debated where to build new buildings and where to renovate existing buildings. Board member Roger Brown said the board had been trying to communicate that some of the buildings are beyond repair, according to a previous Post report. Over the past month, though, the board decided whether to complete those repairs through renovations or repairs at select locations. The final decision included building two new pre-K to third-grade buildings at the sites of East and Morrison-Gordon elementary schools, renovating The Plains Elementary for the fourth- to sixth-grade location, renovating Athens Middle School and building a new Athens High School. SIXTH-GRADE LOCATION The renovation versus rebuild discussions faced a road block while the board discussed whether to renovate The Plains Elementary or Athens Middle School to accommodate the sixth grade. When the board held a special meeting March 8, board member Rusty Rittenhouse said it was a safety decision. “One of these proposals is safe,” Rittenhouse said in a previous Post report. “The other is dangerous.” During its special meeting, the board compromised on the location of the sixth grade after not making a decision during its regular board meeting in February. THE COST The total co-funded cost was about $90 million when the board received its possible price tag for “option four” from Schorr Architects on Jan. 31. The total co-funded cost was reduced to about $77 million, though, after the board made its 8 / MARCH 29, 2018

decision March 8 on the placement of the sixth grade. The co-funded cost is calculated by adding up the costs of construction and the mandatory, locally funded initiatives. Those initiatives are required projects within the schools that the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission will not provide funding for. The district is considering additional locally funded initiatives that will be specified at future meetings. Superintendent Thomas Gibbs estimated that the total costs, including both mandatory and optional locally funded initiatives, would be $80 million to $90 million, with the district providing $60 million. The board discussed segmenting the projects but then voted against it, so it will work on the plan all at once. The board will discuss over the next few months the details of the bond issue that will be possibly placed on the November ballot.

WHAT’S NEXT Gibbs sent this timeline to parents via email March 23: April: The board will discuss locally funded initiatives to include in the project. May: The board will make final decisions about locally funded initiatives. June: The board will discuss and, if necessary, approve a resolution of necessity to place a a bond issue on the November ballot. July: The board will have final discussions and would need to approve a resolution to proceed with placing a bond issue on the ballot. Early August: The administration would file all documents with the Board of Elections to place a bond issue on the ballot. Nov. 6: Election Day, during which voters would vote on the bond issue. Note: The noted time periods are final deadlines. The board could proceed with the steps before those points.

@MAGGIESBYLINE MC987015@OHIO.EDU

The Drugstore at OU is conveniently located on campus inside the lobby of the Hudson Health Center. We offer lower copays, automatic refills with text alerts, and the option to apply purchases to your Ohio University student account. We accept most insurances including CVS Caremark and TRICARE, and accept prescriptions from all physician offices. As Athens’ only locally owned pharmacy, we pride ourselves on offering our OU Bobcats with the hometown care and compassion they deserve. Our pharmacists are here to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding your medications. Your health is our priority. We also provide a wide variety of health and personal care convenience items including hair care products, cosmetics, vitamins, cough, cold, and flu medication, Tylenol, Motrin, snacks, beverages, and so much more. We make transferring your prescriptions easy! Simply call us directly at (740) 593-4738 and we will take care of the rest. For more information, visit us at www.TheDrugstoreatOU.com.


Buildings at Carriage Hill Apartments on March 18, just over a year after the fire. (EMILEE CHINN / FOR THE POST)

How Carriage Hill Apartments have changed since the fire ASHTON NICHOLS STAFF WRITER One year after the fire at Carriage Hill Apartments, the complex will soon receive an upgrade. Feb. 26 marked the one-year anniversary of the fire that burned down Building 12 of Carriage Hill Apartments. Asset Campus Housing now owns the complex. Melissa Shavce, general manager of Carriage Hill Apartments, said the complex will soon rebrand itself as Campus Heights. The company will build a new clubhouse, laundry facility, fitness center, lounge and computer lab, which will cost $2 million. Construction is scheduled to finish in 2019. The remains of Building 12 were torn down after the fire and turned into a grassy lot. Asset Campus Housing plans build a clubhouse on that lot. Carson Kay was taking a nap nearby

in her apartment in Building 2 when she woke up to the smell of smoke. She said she initially thought it was something she left on the stove, but soon she realized she had not cooked anything. When Kay opened the door, she said she saw billows of black smoke pouring from around the corner. She went outside to see other residents of Carriage Hill Apartments standing outside, watching Building 12 burn. The laundry room for the apartment complex burned with Building 12. The building had just received new washers and dryers. Kay, a doctoral student in communication studies, said she still lives in Carriage Hill Apartments but will move at the end of June. She said she's moving partly due to the lack of a laundry facility. She said residents can't hook washers and dryers up in individual apartments. “Unfortunately, (a laundry facility)

hasn’t happened yet,” Kay said. “Not having access to laundry is a bit of a struggle. You can make it work, but it is not the easiest situation.” Kay said she has been able to budget money to take her loads to a laundromat that does a wash and fold service. “I am a graduate teaching associate, and I am essentially on campus from 8 a.m. to 10:30 at night,” Kay said. “There isn’t a lot of time to do laundry during the week. I’ve been taking it to a facility to get it washed and then take it back. I definitely want to be able to take care of it myself.” Savannah Sanburg, a doctoral student studying communication studies, lived directly across from Building 12 at the time of the fire. Sanburg said she received smoke damage to her furniture and had to throw it away. A few months after the fire, Sanburg said she decided to not re-sign her lease.

One of the reasons she decided to move was because of the lack of laundry facilities. “They still don’t have laundry, which is disgusting,” Sanburg said. “It’s part of the reason I moved (somewhere else), and that was because of the lack of communication and support.” Kay said if she had known about the new updates to Carriage Hill Apartments, she may have not made as quick of a decision to move. “It doesn’t change my decision personally because I’ve already made arrangements to live somewhere else; however, I think that is an incredibly smart business move," Kay said. "I think that will not only help maintain the tenants that are here but also draw in an especially more student body. Having access to a student lab would be incredible."

@ASHTONNICHOLS_ AN614816@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 9


Protesters hold banners during the open forum on the interim “Freedom of Expression” policy in Baker Ballroom on March 21. (KELSEY BOEING / FILE)

‘Freedom of Expression’ policy group finalizes list of recommendations SARAH PENIX FOR THE POST After an open forum last week, the Campus Free Speech Policy Advisory Group met to revise its considerations discussing and voting on each item. The advisory group is finalizing a list of 26 recommendations about Ohio University’s interim “Freedom of Expression” policy after an open forum about the policy. To send the recommendations to the Executive Staff Policy Committee, the advisory group is compiling a report to send to OU President Duane Nellis and interim Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Sayrs. The advisory group will not yet disclose any of its specific recommendations. “We heard a lot of diverse voices last night (at the forum), and … many of the statements we heard last night were very resounding of things we read in public comments that were originally submitted to the interim policy,” Scripps College of Communication Dean Scott Titsworth 10 / MARCH 29, 2018

said in a conference call March 22. “What was so important (about the forum) was that we were really able to hear the emotion behind those words.” During the open forum March 21, faculty and students said the advisory group did not do enough research or consult widely enough on the topic. “When I was listening to introductory remarks about all the resources used, what I did not hear was that you referred to any type of case law,” Eddith Dashiell, an associate professor of journalism, said. The group read and discussed Free Speech on Campus by Erwin Chemerinsky and Howard Gillman during its time reviewing the policy. “I’m sure that the Executive Staff Policy Committee, if there are court cases that somehow were not covered in that book that are pertinent to the situation at Ohio University, of course they would want to hear about that,” Titsworth said. At Thursday’s meeting, the group voted on the original 28 considerations. Its

report will include dissenting opinions on items about which members disagreed. “We went through each of those to talk about them with relation to things we heard last night, but also the public comments we synthesized and to have additional deliberation,” Titsworth said. Titsworth said some of the considerations were merged together in compiling the final document, and the group ended up with 26 recommendations. In written comments and at the open forum, people have said the policy has a chilling effect on free speech. “I think there is something bigger that when we begin to not only restrict the level of free speech, we have to think of also the need of fearless speech, and that is key … (for me) as being a marginalized person, an underrepresented body within this university,” Jay Hooper, a doctoral student studying interdisciplinary arts, said. The advisory group discussed whether the university should allow protests and similar expression inside Baker Center

and Cutler Hall. “(The considerations about Baker Center and Cutler Hall) were certainly ones that we debated upon tonight and took votes on, but I'm not going to comment on any of the specific recommendations until we have the chance to do final edits on the report and present that to the president and provost,” Titsworth said. Some people at the open forum said the policy is unconstitutional. Titsworth said the constitutionality of the policy is outside of the group’s scope. “I know our motivation was to do what’s best for all of us because we’re all a member of this community,” Titsworth. “Those motivations and attributions that were commented on last night were not something that I feel like was a part of our group.”

@SARAHMPENIX SP936115@OHIO.EDU


From left to right, vice presidential candidate Hannah Burke, presidential candidate Maddie Sloat and treasurer candidate Lydia Ramlo pose for a portrait before a debate in Stocker Center on March 27. The three comprise the executive candidates of the Bridge Ohio ticket, the sole ticket in this year’s Student Senate race. (ALEXANDRIA SKOWRONSKI / FOR THE POST)

Meet Bridge Ohio, the only Student Senate ticket MADDIE CAPRON NEWS EDITOR When the Bridge Ohio members submitted their candidacy for Ohio University’s 2018-19 Student Senate, they wanted to win, but they weren’t expecting to do so automatically. The ticket’s presidential candidate, Maddie Sloat, said she was disappointed more students weren’t running for Student Senate because she felt that would have allowed for more ideas to be heard and the candidates to become stronger. “We were looking forward to having challengers, and we are all better when our ideas are being challenged,” Sloat, the current East Green senator, said. “We are having to debate and have those difficult dialogues and exchange ideas.” The lack of competition doesn’t mean the ticket has stopped trying to gain the votes of students, though. Sloat said Bridge Ohio wants to bring change to students and has a different platform than tickets in the past.

The ticket is running with the major goal of “bridging the gap” between students and university officials. Sloat, a junior studying political communication, said she thinks student needs aren’t always effectively communicated to administrators. She said the interim “Freedom of Expression” policy, mental health resources and sexual assault are all things students care deeply about. “I think there are two separate dialogues that are happening, and that is frustrating for a student because we are all here for students and student engagement,” Sloat said. “We are trying to invest in students here.” Sloat stressed that about half the ticket’s candidates have not served on Student Senate before, which she believes gives the ticket a fresh perspective because all members helped create the ticket’s platform points. “I think there are a ton of ideas that are being brought that are not institutional either,” she said. “They are ones that are from students and from all dif-

ferent backgrounds all different political ideology that are bringing up conversations that aren’t necessarily being had in senate.” Bridge Ohio has several specific platform points from sustainability to sexual misconduct prevention to shared governance. Hannah Burke, Bridge Ohio’s vice presidential candidate who is a junior studying political science, said she hopes to divide and conquer when it comes to accomplishing the ticket’s platform points. “Senate is comprised of 13 commissions, and that’s really where a lot of that work gets done,” Burke, a member of The Post Publishing Board, said. “Separating out our platform by who is tasked with that responsibility and who is going to make it happen, and start helping them figure that out.” Burke is also the current women’s affairs commissioner. Lydia Ramlo, the treasurer candidate who is a junior studying civil engineering and environmental studies, said one of her favorite platform points is increasing visi-

bility and transparency with other student organizations. Student Senate should be a resource for all students, she said. “That is basically the basis of our platform as of right now, and seeing how that can change and be approachable,” Ramlo, the current environmental affairs commissioner, said. “We should be more approachable.” Despite the lack of competition, the three executive candidates hope all students cast a vote April 3. Voting takes place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. “When more students are voting it gives us and senate a little more validity,” Burke said. “It definitely helps us when we are trying to represent the students.” ­— Zoe Stitzer contributed to this report.

@MADDIECAPRON MC055914@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 11


Peace through belief ALEXIS EICHELBERGER STAFF WRITER

In the eyes of many, organized religion has a woman problem. The majority of the world’s major religious institutions are rooted deeply in patriarchal tradition, and women are no longer willing to sit idly by. From Christianity to Buddhism to Islam, women are increasingly calling for more leadership roles on par with those of their male peers. While some women stand on the front lines of the fight for equality in religious leadership, others are choosing to leave their faiths. According to the Pew Research Center, the number of women who attend weekly religious services has declined in recent years. Although both men and women seem to be practicing religion less, past data has shown the number of women who attend regularly was significantly greater than men. Now, that gap is shrinking as more women turn away from their faith, possibly for reasons such as increased education and participation in the labor force. 12 / MARCH 29, 2018


S

imilarly, young people are significantly less religious than the generations before them. Pew reports only 27 percent of millennials attend religious services weekly. That’s just over half of the 51 percent of the silent generation, or those born between 1925 and 1945, attending weekly. Although the numbers, the history and the generalized attitudes of others seem to be against it, many collegeaged women remain dedicated to their faiths. Twenty-five religious student organizations convene on campus at Ohio University, providing interactive experiences for Christian, Jewish and Muslim students, among others. One mosque, two synagogues and nearly 20 churches exist in Athens, providing nearby houses of worship to students of each faith. And female students additionally find individualized ways to practice and find a sense of belonging and pride through religious involvement.

OVERCOMING EXTERNALITIES Recent publicized rhetoric on women’s oppression in religious institutions has revolved around multiple faiths and denominations, Brian Collins, a professor of classics and world religions at OU, said. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, plenty of discourse arose on the treatment of women in Islam. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has also drawn criticism for excommunicating women who advocate for the priesthood, and Hasidic Judaism has come under fire for upholding a patriarchal culture within its closed communities. The critiques of those faiths have arisen both internally and externally. But criticizing a culture or faith that is different from one’s own is anything but simple, Collins said. Despite what others may think, women remain dedicated members of faith for very personal, individualized reasons. Some may see they have a responsibility to make changes for women from within the faith; others may be comfortable with the role they hold. “The largest … traditions tend to be patriarchal in nature,” Collins said. “Yet within them, there are a lot of women who have … found their own identities.”

A CREED OF HER OWN Bree Becker, the director of Jewish life at Hillel at OU, said because most Americans are fairly religiously illiterate, there is a desire to paint all religion with a very broad brush. The idea that all religion is oppressive to women stems from that desire to generalize. “I think you can make that claim about specific communities, but, even then, there’s this sort of question of what it means to speak for people,” she said. “If you don’t feel oppressed, are you? I think sometimes yes, sometimes no. And sometimes people are choosing a life which you wouldn’t choose, but that isn’t necessarily oppressive.” In Judaism, for example, attitudes regarding women’s involvement vary widely among different denominations. From leadership roles to public behavior, different traditions consider women very differently, Becker said. Some women choose to embrace more liberal traditions, while others prefer traditional roles. In either case, the kind of involvement a woman chooses is interpreted individually and speaks to her in a distinctive way that others may not always understand. “Religion, I think, is incredibly personal, as much as it is also political and social,” Becker said. “I think the way we enact religion individually is super personal and often plays out things that are so deep within us, we don’t even know why we’re doing it. It just somehow speaks to something.” As a female religious leader in Athens, Becker serves as an important point of visibility for the potential religious leadership by women. Additionally, she may also have a special opportunity to connect with female students in a way a male leader might not be able to. That can be important at a time of radical change for an individual, such as the years spent in college. “I think college students are in a time where religion is becoming either a lot more salient or a lot less salient in their lives, depending on what path they’re traveling,” Becker said. “This is sometimes a time of great religious exploration and sometimes a time of pulling away from religion.”

AN INDIVIDUALIZED EMBRACE Jackie Levine, a junior studying communication, grew up practicing Judaism. From the time she was a child, carrying on her family’s tradition of practicing Judaism was important, in part because of her grandparents’ presence during the Holocaust. When she moved to college, Levine became even more dedicated to her faith, getting involved in the Jewish student organization Chabad and eventually becoming president of the group. “I feel like I’ve gotten more religious in college, just because I can make my own decisions now,” she said. “It’s not my parents making the decision of when I’m going to our synagogue or not. I would say that it has made me more religious.” Levine, who practices Reform Judaism, believes any interpretations that might see organized religion as oppressive to women are outdated. To her, religion is a source of socialization and enjoyment through the carrying on of a tradition. “Just meeting people that have the same values and morals as me has helped me make connections and friends,” she said. Hams Kashoob, a sophomore studying biological sciences, has been a practicing Sunni Muslim all her life. She has found that interacting with other Muslim students through her involvement in the Omani Student Association and other groups to be a comfort, especially through some of the particular challenges Muslims at OU may face. Because Muslims pray five times daily and Muslim women are typically not permitted to pray in front of men, finding a space to pray was a bit of a challenge for Kashoob when she first came to college. The opening of the meditation room in Alden Library has helped, but the difficulty somewhat remains. “You get used to it,” Kashoob said. Despite any inconveniences, Kashoob considers her faith an important part of who she is. She wears her hijab as a symbol of her pride in being a Muslim woman and has found comfort through prayer in times of difficulty. “Sometimes, I will have some low times where I’m depressed and sad,” she said. “So when I do pray, I feel relaxed and like my stress is released.”

FAITHFUL THROUGH THE FRAY Megan Sindeldecker, a senior studying music therapy, grew up attending a Methodist church with her family, but it was only after a discussion with another female college student during her freshman year at OU that she felt she became a true believer. After attending a social event hosted by Christian student organization Cru, a member shared the Gospel with her over coffee and opened her eyes to a new way of viewing the world. “It was just a way that I’d never really heard it or understood it before,” Sindeldecker, now the president of Cru, said. “Everyone always hears Jesus died for our sins, but I don’t think I ever understood why Jesus died for our sins until that day.” Sindeldecker said she feels she has a special opportunity to add a Christian voice to discourse on women’s issues. In a women’s, gender and sexuality studies class she took, Sindeldecker felt she made a helpful contribution to the conversation by offering her experiences of feeling empowered by her faith. “No, I don’t feel constantly oppressed, even though some other women might think I feel that way,” she said. “A lot of people outwardly just believe women are innately oppressed within Christianity and religion. And I think it was a really special opportunity to be in that class in particular and have a Christian voice be giving a more diverse representation of women in college.” Opposition and criticism from others may arise; despite them, Sindeldecker, like others, finds comfort through both her personal interpretation of and her relationship with her faith. A bad grade or a missed job opportunity may be disappointing, but it does not define her — she finds her identity rooted most deeply in her faith. “I think that really last year was where I went through a lot of life challenges and, through all of it, I could always come back to my faith,” she said. “I think it’s the core of who I am, and, if everything else in my life is taken, I can always rely on God alone.” @ADEICHELBERGER AE595714@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 13


Picketers, Park Place renovations highlight March board meetings LAUREN FISHER ASST. NEWS EDITOR Despite the group of graduate students waiting outside the doors of Walter Hall with picket signs and a bone to pick with university administration, the Ohio University Board of Trustees met last week to discuss campus renovations and the new “career services” fee. With board Chair Janetta King reaching the end of her allotted term, Vice Chair Dave Scholl was promoted to chair. Trustee Janelle Coleman was voted in as vice chair. Here are some of the highlights from the March board meeting: GRADUATE STUDENTS PICKET FOR BETTER HEALTH CARE SUBSIDIES Graduate students picketed the board meeting in protest of below-average health care subsidies. The university covers 4 percent of the cost of graduate employee health insurance per year — about a $40 subsidy each semester. With OU’s peer institutions covering an average of 89 percent of graduate student health insurance, members of the Graduate Employee Organization, or GEO, are asking the university to “be average” and match subsidies of comparable universities. “A concern that has come up over and over again is the high costs of the student health insurance plan,” GEO Co-President Elliot Long said. “The plan costs almost $2,000 a year for a student to insure her or himself.” THE FUTURE OF PARK PLACE The Park Place corridor, which refers to the stretch dividing Alden Library and Baker Center, is set to undergo major renovations in the coming years. Trustees approved two significant projects, including a $2.3 million renovation of 29 Park Place, which served as the residence of OU’s presidents from 1952 to 2015. The residence, as well as its neighboring carriage house, will be turned into space for student activities. University Planner Shawna Bolin said the first floor of the residence will be open to the public for “community activity,” and the driveway will be removed to create a green 14 / MARCH 29, 2018

space. The terrace behind the residence will also undergo updates and could be turned into a community garden, OU President Duane Nellis said. Trustees also approved $1.5 million in design and construction costs for the renovation of Konneker Alumni Center, which houses the OU Alumni Association. Bidding will begin this summer for the 29 Park Place and Konneker Center projects, Bolin said, and construction will likely begin in summer 2019, following the design phase. NEW LIFE FOR OLD RESIDENCE HALLS With 50 percent of residence halls at the university set to turn 50 years or older in the next four years, trustees discussed the future of OU’s aging campus. South Green is the largest residential green on campus with 18 buildings and a collective backlog of more than $80 million in deferred maintenance. The Resources Committee proposed a new room design, “pod style,” which would house about 16 people per pod and include a shared bathroom and lounge area. Although six more South Green buildings are slated to be torn down — after the demolition of six back South buildings in 2016-17 — Wray, Hoover and Ewing houses will be kept empty for “future swing space.” A recreational area will be constructed in place of the demolished residence halls. The committee also discussed potential construction of a new 400-bed residence hall behind Mackinnon and Crawford halls. NEW DETAILS ABOUT THE ‘CAREER SERVICES’ FEE Approved by the board in January, the “career services” fee will cost students an estimated $576 over the course of four years. The university will assess a fee of $6 per credit hour to each incoming cohort of Athens and regional campus undergraduate students beginning this fall, according to the March board agenda. During its first year, the fee will generate incremental revenue of about $845,000, about $1.5 million in the second year, $2.1 million in the third and $2.75 million in the fourth.

@LAUREN_FISHER LF966614@OHIO.EDU

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‘Lifestyle brand’ 24-7 Dreams to open on West Union Street ASHTON NICHOLS STAFF WRITER Mose Denton is pursuing his dreams. 24-7 Dreams, West Union Street’s newest store, will open at 13 W. Union St. in the first few weeks of April. Denton said he graduated with a health services degree from Ohio University in 2013. That same year, he started his "lifestyle brand," 24-7 Dreams. “I came back to Athens and got a UPS job then quit that after a year,” Denton said. “Then I really started getting into 24-7 Dreams. I bought screen printing equipment. … I was printing for about a year and doing online sales. I taught myself photography and videography and started doing that around the States.” He then began renting a space on Palmer Street and Stimson Avenue that hosted events under the name The Venue of Drxvms, Denton said. “I did that about a year and a half, but then the city came and shut me down because I was doing parties and events in the back,” Denton said. “The city shut me down because I needed sprinkler systems and more restrooms. I ended up leaving that space, and then I got this space.” Denton is from Los Angeles and said he has wanted to have a brand his entire life. He said his brand is a “lifestyle

brand" that focuses on helping people to pursue their dreams in life. “I decided to go after my second dream, which was building a culture founded on philosophy and manifested one’s dreams to reality,” Denton said. He said he wanted to open his first store in Athens because of a lack of men’s clothing stores. Denton said he also saw an opportunity to someday provide internships to students through his brand. “Every year, there’s a new group of kids that come here,” Denton said. “In 10 years, I expect this place to be a top place here in town for students to work for and intern with. I see this expanding to other major colleges like this in the States.” Tristan Klinebriel, a junior studying Russian language entrepreneurship, is an employee of Denton's. “He invited me over to the store and showed me the store, and we stayed in touch and I ended up helping him open this,” Klinebriel said. “For me, I helped him do it because I’m doing entrepreneurial stuff in my degree, and it's a good experience thing. I really like doing tobacco stuff, too. That was a big part of it.” Trentyn Lewis, a freshman studying political science, said he would be interested in shopping from the store’s

The storefront of 24/7 Dreams, 13 W. Union St. (BLAKE NISSEN / PHOTO EDITOR)

website but probably wouldn’t go to the store itself. “I feel like everybody shops online,” Lewis said. Denton said the hours of the store are not concrete yet, but he thinks it will be open from noon to 10 p.m. Denton said he wanted to make the prices affordable for college students. Hats range from $20 to $35 and hoodies from $40 to $60. He said he also sells

sweatpants, backpacks and more. The store also has a walk-up window, where Denton said he will be selling tobacco products until 3 a.m. The walk-up window opened March 23.

@ASHTONNICHOLS_ AN614816@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 15


SHEDDING LIGHT JESS UMBARGER FOR THE POST

T

he Southeast Ohio History Center hopes to reduce stigmas regarding mental health while showing off items from the Athens Asylum. The center is showcasing unknown stories of the Athens Asylum’s past through its exhibit The Athens Asylum: 150 Years of a Healing Landscape. The exhibit features photographs and objects from the asylum when it was still open, ranging from the admission of its first patient in 1874 to its closing in 1993. Among the objects are nurses’ uniforms and a orbitoclast, which was used to perform transorbital lobotomies. A lobotomy is a surgical severance of nerve fibers in the brain connecting the frontal lobes to the thalamus, which was said to treat mental illness. “There is challenging history with it, and we didn’t want to shy away from that,” Jessica Cyders, a curator at the Southeast Ohio History Center, said. The overall goal of the exhibit is to shed light on the history of the asylum as well as have people recognize the stigma around mental illness. The curators wanted people to feel empathy toward people and families struggling with mental illness, Cyders said. They also want people to be inspired by the personal stories told at the exhibit. “There is a lot of good insights into the history that people don’t know,” Cyders said. One fact about the Athens Asylum many people do not know is that at one point in the 1940s, two alligators lived in the fountain at the front of the main building. One of the alligators died, and 16 / MARCH 29, 2018

the other was donated to the Columbus Zoo when it became too large to keep. The asylum also never technically shut down, Cyders said — it just moved across the river and is now The Southeast Ohio History Center displays artifacts for the 150th anniversary of the Athens Asylum. called the Appalachian Be- (BLAKE NISSEN / PHOTO EDITOR) havioral Hospital. ucts to the asylum. An original painting by calming atmosphere with light, art and “As a community, we need to start individual rooms that could provide a Billy Milligan is also featured in the exto heal around the idea that, ‘Yes level of healing,” Cyders said. hibit. Milligan was a patient at the Aththis place had a challenging histoens Asylum and was the first person to Cyders hopes that the exhibit will ry, but it is an asset to our communi- help reduce the stigma around mental use multiple personality disorder in an ty and we want to see it preserved,’ ” illness and have visitors see the asylum insanity defense. Cyders said. “I’ve seen a lot of his paintings, so as a vital part of Athens. The history of the patient treatit was cool to see an original Milligan “A lot of unfortunate things happened ments was not all bad, despite rumors there, but a lot of good things happened piece,” Eli Jablonski, the administrato the contrary. The entire layout of there, too,” Jablonski said. tive assistant at the Southeast Ohio the grounds was designed for patient’s History Center, said. welfare and healing in mind. Even the With every new exhibit, Jablonsarchitecture of the building has healing ki has a new favorite, but the Athaspects to it. ens Asylum exhibit is by far his @JESS_UMBARGER “If you surrounded the patients with a overall favorite. JU992415@OHIO.EDU “They did a really good job of getting photographs as well as objects to tell the story,” Jablonski said. The exhibit is to showcase the 150 years since the cornerstone of the main building was laid. “The community really celebrated the asylum coming here because Ohio University was tiny, and (the asylum) was seen as a huge economic driver,” Cyders said. Athens residents fought to have Please call University Rentals at our office the asylum built within their territory because of the potential job opportunities and increase of local business support, Cyders said. Local farmers and business owners sold their prod-

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BAYLEE DEMUTH FOR THE POST Some writers and producers take years to come up with ideas for short films, but some Ohio University students are only given a few days. “Nothing creates progress like knowing you’ve got almost no time left,” Sam McCoy, a senior studying integrated media said. There are some competitions at OU that require students to create short production. Those competitions encourage students to develop their skills and innovate creative ideas. McCoy is one of the many media arts and studies students who has participated in the annual 48-hour Shootout competition. It’s a two-day practice full of stress that everyone who has a passion for media should go through, McCoy said. “(A 48-hour Shootout) shows you what you’re really capable of,” McCoy said. “It drives you to do something you wouldn’t normally do and creates a sort of camaraderie along the way.” Media students are only given an item, a genre and a phrase that must appear in the film. In the short amount of time that teams have, they must write, shoot and edit the film. “The two days are a complete rush of adrenaline, and it’s awesome,” McCoy said. “It can really come down to the wire, so when you finally finish something like

that, it’s so satisfying.” Coming up with ideas on how to create something from only three things can be difficult, but McCoy believes everyone is creative and capable enough to generate something cool. “When you throw people into the deep end of the pool, you really get to see what kind of things they have up their sleeves,” McCoy said. Kristin Yates, a senior studying theater performance, has never performed in a 48-hour Shootout. But she has experienced performing in Midnight Madness, a weekly production by students earning their master’s degree in fine arts . Madness is a graduate student class that’s designed so that students learning playwriting are constantly writing plays. Yates has been an actor in a number of Madness productions. “It’s a super casual show in which the actors are allowed to have the actual script in hand,” Yates said. “The show is mainly about the playwrights and getting their words out there to be heard.” From acting in Madness, Yates has discovered a lot about herself as an actor. It’s a fun process that’s about putting yourself out there and having a good time. “Madness has helped me out a lot regarding my anxiety,” Yates said. “Not everything on the stage has to be perfect, and the more I did it, I realized I didn’t need to take it so seriously because it wasn’t about my vision but the

Constance Leeson acts out a scene as part of the weekly graduate student playwriting series Madness. (PROVIDED via Kristen Yates)

When you throw people into the deep end of the pool, you really get to see what kind of things they have up their sleeves.

Students learn to create on tight timeline

- Sam McCoy, a senior studying integrated media

student directing.” The process at times could be stressful, but most of the time it was amazing and rewarding, Yates said. “It’s a huge community-building production that can lead to connections and friendships,” Yates said. “At the end of the day, it’s about having fun and doing the playwrights justice as best you can.” Yates regrets not getting involved as a freshman and missing out on the opportunities outside of being in the College of Fine Arts productions. Unlike Yates, Taylor Rohrig, a senior studying games and animation, jumped at the chance to participate in acting opportunities as a freshman and hasn’t looked

back since. Rohrig has participated in 48-hour Shootout throughout the past four years. “Every year is always such an adventure,” Rohrig said. “(A 48-hour Shootout) is incredibly stressful, and you don’t get much sleep, but you really find out how hard you can work in such a short amount of time.” Every hour counts, and students have to plan for error, Rohrig said. As soon as students get behind schedule, things can take a turn for the worst. “All you can do is try your best and not think of it as if you’re making the next cinematic masterpiece,” Rohrig said. “Having fun with it is the main point of the entire competition.” During Rohrig’s sophomore year, her group shot for 15 hours straight and skipped lunch and dinner, which created conflict between members. “If anything went slightly wrong, we would snap at each other,” Rohrig said. “Everyone was just tired and stressed, and all we could snack on were our pancake props.” Despite those complications, Rohrig would do 48-hour Shootout again in a heartbeat. “Once you make a film, you don’t really want to stop making them,” Rohrig said.

@BAYLEEDEMUTH BD575016@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 17


Hyunjung Jeon, a senior studying global studies — war and peace, is a participant in the global conversation partners program (BHARBI HAZARIKA / SENIOR WRITER)

Students share personal conversations with global partners BHARBI HAZARIKA SENIOR WRITER Hyunjung Jeon started out as a graphic design student. But as she traveled across Cambodia and Australia, she developed a fascination for the diversity of culture within her nook of the world. So when she transferred from Seokyeong University in South Korea to Ohio University, she decided that the change in location warranted the pursuit of her actual interest: international relations. As soon as Jeon, a senior studying global studies — war and peace, found out about the global conversation partners program, she was immediately attracted to the prospect of expanding her friend group in Athens. She hurriedly typed out her name and interests on the website, stating her love for the crafts and optimistically clicked “enter” on the keyboard. The Ohio Program of Intensive English, or OPIE, under the department of linguistics is responsible for the global conversation partners program. The program has 18 / MARCH 29, 2018

been in place for more than 40 years and has been crucial in OPIE instruction. Andrea Johannes, an associate lecturer and assistant director of student services for OPIE, said the program began as a way for international students to practice English with American students. But she believes it has grown to be more than just an exchange of pleasantries. The motivations behind the program are rooted in the exchange of ideas among local and international students. “You can travel to another country without getting on an airplane,” Johannes said. “Just going to the conversation hour will transport you to all these different countries.” The international conversation hour, which is an offshoot of the partners program, is the meeting ground for the students. Usually Tuesdays at 6 p.m., the participants set foot in a room in Jefferson Hall. The coordinators assign incoming students to the different tables. With white plates decked with chocolate chip cookies from the snacks table, the students take their places, and the hour of

cultural exchange begins. Though the conversation hour is distinct from the partners program, the students meet their partners at the event. The pairs are introduced to each other and are allotted seats to mingle with other attendees. Johannes said the idea behind the start of the conversation hour was to take the global conversation partners program and make it less obligatory. Students can either join the partners program and have a fixed companion, or they could simply enjoy an hour of conversation each week. Samba Bah, a Gambian graduate student studying international development studies, believes the high turnouts prove the program’s success. In every meeting, the room is usually packed with more than 30 students by 6:15 p.m. The wide array of nationalities cater a variety of accented voices to onlookers as each student introduce themselves and their hobbies to each other. Though acute deliberation goes into the matching process, there are several occasions when the partnership falls apart. Matthew Zendejas, a graduate stu-

dent studying linguistics and coordinator for the global conversation partners program, said it’s usually when one of the partners doesn’t respond to the other or because of time constraints. But the coordinators constantly monitor such situations, and they help the student find another partner. “It’s sometimes difficult for students to maintain (the partnership),” Jeon said. “The timetables are difficult to match.” The incompatibility in her first match did not deter Jeon from her fascination toward different cultures, though. Grasping the customs of another country can be intimidating, Musa Dampha, a Gambian graduate student studying African studies, said. Programs like the global conversation partners gives international students an opportunity to find answers to their curiosity on local culture. “We are not islands,” Dampha said. “If you just restrict yourself to your society, you can’t go on in this 21st century.”

@BHARBI97 BH136715@OHIO.EDU


Donkey Coffee regular recounts years in Athens GEORGIA DAVIS | CULTURE EDITOR

For six years, Chris Innis has traveled 6 miles almost every morning from his home near Coolville Ridge Road to Donkey Coffee and Espresso. When he gets there, he often heads straight for the green, cushioned chair in the corner — one of the most coveted seats in the coffee shop at 17 W. Washington St. If that seat is occupied, he finds another place up front where the light from the window can illuminate his daily copy of The Columbus Dispatch, which he reads while sipping from his personal mug filled with daily roast coffee that he takes black. He just likes to be near the door. “I like to sit up front because I like to watch people come and go,” Innis said. Some of those people are other regulars whom he has come to know and prominent local figures like Athens County commissioners and Mayor Steve Patterson. Innis stays in Donkey Coffee for a few hours each morning — long enough to refill his cup a few times. “Anything past that I think I would be overstaying my welcome,” Innis said. Innis was recently featured on Donkey Coffee’s Instagram and Facebook accounts as one of “The People of Donkey.” Ben Ziff, a barista and social media manager at Donkey Coffee, started the proj-

Chris Innis poses for a portrait in his favorite chair at Donkey Coffee. Innis comes into Donkey Coffee every morning to read the paper and get the daily roast, black — except on Saturdays when he gets a latte. (ALEXANDRIA SKOWRONSKI / FOR THE POST)

ect to highlight some of the familiar faces people might see in the shop. “(Innis) is one of our most regular regulars. … He’s just a really nice guy,” Ziff, who has worked at Donkey Coffee for about five years, said. “It’s interesting to see people who know him outside of Donkey.” Innis first started frequenting Donkey Coffee when it opened 16 years ago. At the time, he was working for the Welfare Department, now called Job and Family Services, in Athens. He dealt a lot with training new people for ever-changing positions and served as the middleman between the state department and Athens’ surrounding counties. Instead of going to the coffee shop in the morning, he often came around lunch time. “I remember when Chris and Angie (Pyle) started the business,” Innis said. “It turned out really well for them.” Innis moved to Athens from Granville, about 70 miles north, in 1978 when East State Street had only a bar, a couple car dealerships and an airport where Kroger now exists. The Athena Grand had yet to be built, and none of the big box stores had taken up shop. “I love the rolling hills,” Innis said. “I’m an old hippie, so there are a lot of people like that.”

(Innis) is one of our most regular regulars. … He’s just a really nice guy. It’s interesting to see people who know him outside of Donkey.

Every day, Chris Innis sits in his favorite chair at Donkey Coffee and kicks back with black coffee and a newspaper

- Ben Ziff, Donkey Coffee barista

Granville was known as a wealthier area, and seeing the poverty in Athens was difficult for Innis, especially working for the Welfare Department. Innis was familiar with Athens before the big move to the area in the ’70s. He graduated from Ohio University with a degree in English in 1978. Some of his time at OU was during the Vietnam War.

He recalled having classes on College Green, where outsiders with megaphones would come to talk about the war. He said someone threw a brick at former OU President Claude Sowle during a speech. The way the young people banded together to incite change in the ’70s is applicable today, Innis said, especially with the steps the teenagers from the Parkland shooting are taking. “Sometimes, the youngsters have to make the old people wake up,” he said. Innis has lived on the same 30-acre farm he bought in 1978 with his wife, Darleen. They own three dogs, two cats and two donkeys named Danny and Sadie. Innis once filled a Donkey Coffee mug with donkey feed and gave it to one of his donkeys, a picture some of the employees talk about. Innis has seen a lot of employees come and go through the years, but he stays connected to some of them via Facebook. “It’s always hard to see people leave, but that’s the nature of a college town,” he said. When it comes down to it, though, the coffee and company is always good. “It’s a good place to drink coffee,” he said.

@GEORGIADEE35 GD497415@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 19


Ohio defensive lineman Cole Baker poses for a portrait in Walter Fieldhouse. (SPENCER HOLBROOK / ASST. SPORTS EDITOR)

Junior college transfers look to aid defensive line SPENCER HOLBROOK ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Cole Baker and Zach Burks are no strangers to high-level college football. Baker spent last season on the roster of the most famous junior college in the country: East Mississippi Community College, the former location of Netflix show Last Chance U. He played in a conference littered with potential Division I athletes, including some that are now going through spring practice with schools like Alabama and LSU. Burks — who verbally committed to Kansas before deciding on Ohio — played at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas. He also played in a conference that featured a stable of Division I talent, including guys who are now at Oklahoma and Georgia, among others. So when Baker and Burks decided their next stop would be on Ohio’s defensive line, coach Frank Solich was thrilled. “They both, I believe, have the ability to help us right away,” Solich said. With nearly Ohio’s entire defensive line graduating after last season, depth along 20 / MARCH 29, 2018

that position was stressed in the recruiting cycle. Nabbing the two junior college transfers was huge for the Bobcats; Baker and Burks, who are roommates, have college experience against some of the best players the junior college level has to offer. They’re part of the incoming freshmen class that enrolled in January after the NCAA’s first early signing period, which allowed players to sign their National Letter of Intent in December. The early signing period deems them eligible to participate in spring practice. Baker has impressed coaches and shown what he’s capable of in his short time in Athens. At 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, he’s navigating through the depth chart and beginning to stand out. Of course, he stands out already as the guy on the team from East Mississippi Community College. He’s thankful for that step in his career. Under coach Buddy Stephens, Baker was a part of East Mississippi Community College’s 2017 National Championship team. “It’s a place where you find out who you are on the inside,” Baker said. “And

you find out who you are as an athlete.” But Baker doesn’t put any pressure on himself as a product of a well-known school with copious national championships. The pressure, rather, came when he was at East Mississippi Community College, facing linemen who now block at schools in the Southeast Conference. Reps against that talent could pay off for Baker. When the Bobcats travel to Virginia, an Atlantic Coast Conference team, facing top-notch linemen will be nothing new to him. He’s probably faced better. Burks, meanwhile, was beginning to show his ability throughout spring camp. Now, you can find him on the sidelines in shorts and his jersey; he’ll likely be there for the remainder of spring practice. He has a nagging injury that sidelined him at times during his time in junior college. When he is able to come back and contribute to practice — and he’s hoping in games — he’s looking forward to the opportunity. Burks is unlike many players in his shoes. He doesn’t talk trash on or off the field, and he doesn’t get very emotional.

His experience has humbled him, and he’s just looking to earn his shot at playing time in the fall. “Everybody’s trying to prove something at JUCO,” said Burks, who wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school or in junior college. “I’m just fortunate to be here. Not a lot of guys get this chance.” As for the time being, both Burks and Baker are in the right place at the right time. The Bobcats need both depth and stability in their defensive unit. The offense remained almost entirely intact after a stellar 2017 campaign. The defensive backfield is loaded with talent and experience. The only thing missing is a proven defensive line, but when given the chance, Baker and Burks will be ready to prove themselves. With the losses up front from a season ago, they just might have to. “I want people to know who I am,” Burks said. “I want to make a name for myself.”

@SPENCERHOLBROOK SH690914@OHIO.EDU


BASEBALL

Bobcats struggle to hit against Bowling Green, need offense to be more consistent Ohio will need to post steady hitting numbers within series for success CAMERON FIELDS FOR THE POST Ohio played its first Mid-American Conference series of the season last weekend against Bowling Green and lost two of those three games. The Bobcats (12-10, 1-2 MAC) have shown specific strengths, particularly at the plate, this season. But they’ve also shown inconsistencies in hitting within a given series. In some games, Ohio falls into early deficits that it sometimes can’t come back from. Case in point: The Bobcats lost 3-1 against the Falcons on Sunday during the series finale. The Bobcats were down 3-0 through the first five innings and tallied their first run in the top of the sixth. Ohio had seven hits, but it only produced one run out of those hits. Ohio scored 16 runs in the series against Bowling Green. The most runs Ohio has had in a series this season is 25 against Rider, the first series of the season. On the other hand, the Bobcats were held to a season-low 14 runs in a fourgame series against Nebraska-Omaha. Twenty-two games into its season, Ohio is batting .274 as a team. Rudy Rott and Nick Bredeson are the team’s two best hitters — Rott is batting .394, and Bredeson is batting .312. Within series, Ohio sometimes hasn't strung together games in which it posts a decent number of hits. That inconsistency showed in the Bowling Green series over the weekend. And in not posting a consistent

Nick Bredeson makes contact with the ball during Ohio’s game against Ohio State on March 28, 2017. (BLAKE NISSEN / FILE)

number of hits between games, Ohio’s runs have also fluctuated within series. In the series’ first game Friday, the Bobcats had six hits. That’s about three hits fewer than the 9.59 hits Ohio averages per game. On Saturday, though, the Bobcats doubled the number of hits from Friday and had 12 hits. In that game, the Bobcats also had 11 runs, seven more than the four they had Friday. Tanner Piechnick, Tony Giannini and Ryan Sargent all had two hits Saturday, and Rott led the team with three. On Sunday, the Bobcats went below their average of 9.59 hits again, only posting seven. When the Bobcats score six or more

TEAM’S BATTING AVERAGE

.273

RUDY ROTT’S BATTING AVERAGE

.394

NICK BREDESON’S BATTING AVERAGE

.312

TOTAL TEAM HITS

222

runs — something they’ve done 10 times this season — only once have they recorded fewer than nine hits. That game was the series finale against Maine, when Ohio won 6-2. If the Bobcats can produce a bevy of hits, they’re usually in position to win: When the Bobcats tally nine or more hits, they’re 11-4. Ohio will have its home opener this weekend against Northern Illinois.

@CAMERON FIELDS_ CF710614@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 21


the weekender Easter celebrations, egg hunts to take place throughout Athens this weekend MAE YEN YAP CULTURE EDITOR Many Ohio University students may be leaving town for the weekend, but Athens will still host events to celebrate Easter. The celebration of Easter usually takes place on the first Sunday after the spring equinox. In Christianity, the holiday is held to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is also a Jewish celebration that observes Passover, the commemoration of Jewish people’s liberation from Egyptian slavery. Events like egg hunting, brunches and more will take place in Athens. Christ Lutheran Church, 69 Mill St., will be one of the churches that will celebrate the holiday with a brunch gathering. Jenna Faigley, the office manager for Christ Lutheran Church, said the Easter brunch will be held as part of the church’s annual fundraiser for its student group. There will be two services, the first beginning at 8 a.m. and a second at 10 a.m. An Easter breakfast will be served to attendees in between the two sessions. “We would love for students to come,” Faigley said. For people who may not be interested in attending church services, there will also be an Easter egg hunt at Little Fish Brewing

22 / MARCH 29, 2018

Company, 8675 Armitage Road, on Sunday. The third Little Fish Easter Egg Hunt will have eggs hidden across the twoacre property for participants to discover. The Cajun Clucker food truck have food for sale as well. Olivia Jeffrey, a senior at Athens High School, said her family would most likely celebrate two birthdays during the weekend: hers and her brother’s. “My family, we kind of just sit at home and enjoy the holiday together,” Jeffrey said. On Easter weekends, Jeffrey would usually look around town for events to participate in. She said she had fun taking part in Easter egg hunts like the WXTQ Power 105 Annual Easter Egg Hunt. “You have to be really fast if you want to be part of the egg hunt because people are clever, and they can figure out things really fast,” she said. Jeffrey was not aware that Little Fish would be hosting an Easter egg hunt, but she said she would consider going to the event. Some students choose to return home and celebrate the holiday with their families. Alexis Armstrong is one of those students who has opted to return home for Easter weekend to have a family lunch and dinner. Although she will not be

in town, she said it’s great that Easter events will take place around Athens. “I think it’s important to have the option for those who aren’t able to go home, especially … people who live out of state,” Armstrong, a senior studying public health, said. “Because maybe that’s the tradition they grew up with, and I feel bad if they didn’t get to (celebrate).” If she had to stay in Athens, Armstrong said she would probably attend one of those Easter weekend events.

Jeffrey said she might have a bias because she’s from the area, but she likes how Athens and OU host Easter events that are available for people who are still in town. “I definitely would enjoy any activities that will take place on campus,” Jeffrey said.

@SUMMERINMAE MY389715@OHIO.EDU


WHAT’S GOING ON? GEORGIA DAVIS CULTURE EDITOR

MAE YEN YAP CULTURE EDITOR Friday Fifth Annual Queer Studies Conference at 9 a.m. in Baker 231.

The OU LGBT Center will hold Queering Borders: Immigration and Crossing Boundaries for Pride Week. The event is free. God’s Not Dead 3 Youth Movie Night

at 6 p.m. at the Athena Grand, 1008 E. State St. The Refuge Church will host a movie night at the Athena Grand for $5. God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness is the third in the God’s Not Dead series and follows a pastor who has to deal with his church burning down. Blue Moth, Slackluster and Shane Tripp at 9 p.m. at The Union Bar and

Grill, 18 W. Union St. Heavy rock band Blue Moth will return to The Union to perform with Slackluster and Shane Tripp. There is usually a cover change ranging from $3 to $10, but no charge was listed on the event’s page.

Saturday OUGDA Ballathon: Dodgeball Slamapalooza at noon at

Ping Center. The OU Game Developer Association will host a competition in which participants will compete for the title of the “ultimate dodgeball team.” Admission is a donation of $3 per team member. Joe and Tony Adami — Live at the Taproom at 6 p.m. at Jackie O’s Tap-

room, 25 Campbell St. The Adami

Becca Farley, an Athens resident, works behind the bar at Little Fish Brewing Company. (HANNAH RUHOFF / FILE)

brothers will be returning to the taproom for a live show that feels as if it belongs at a New York City dive bar. Admission is free. Amethystone at 6 p.m. at Casa Nueva,

6 W. State St. Experience piano-driven fantasy rock band Amethystone as it celebrates its performance “Emergence,” a music and dance performance about a woman who goes on a journey to happiness. Admission is free. The Awful Kind, BootBandits and Large Mouth Brass Band at 9 p.m. at

Casa Nueva, 6 W. State St. Experience a night filled with a wide range of music from folk blues to southern rock with local bands The Awful Kind, BootBandits and Large Mouth Brass Band. Admission is free. DJ Barticus Y2K Millennium Dance Party at 9 p.m. at The Union Bar and

Grill, 18 W. Union St. Join self-pro-

claimed “most yolo jumpsuit wearing DJ ever” DJ Barticus as he spins tunes from the 2000s. Admission is $5 for ages 18 to 20 and $3 for ages 21 and up.

Sunday April Yoga at 11 a.m. at Little Fish

Brewing Company, 8675 Armitage Road. Start Easter Sunday off with some downward dogs and sun salutations at morning yoga. It’s the first day of Little Fish’s April yoga event. The event is free.

What: Eggstravaganza When: 1 p.m., Saturday Where: OU Aquatic Center Admission: $3 per child What: It’s Easter, No Fooling! When: 8 a.m., Sunday Where: Christ Lutheran Church,

69 Mill St. Admission: Free What: Little Fish Easter Egg Hunt When: 2 p.m., Sunday Where: Little Fish Brewing Company,

8675 Armitage Road EASTER WEEKEND EVENTS

Admission: Free

What: Easter Egg Hunt When: 11 a.m., Saturday Where: New Life Assembly of God,

11640 Upper River Road Admission: Free

@georgiadee35 gd497415@ohio.edu @summerinmae my389715@ohio.edu THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 23


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