September 2, 2021

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021

OU mandates masks, vaccines amid pandemic

Name tags spark conversation about pronouns PG 8-9 Memories from Court Street’s beloved Wendy’s PG 14 Ohio’s offensive line holds its play accountable PG 17

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

This semester is weird. Help us share it.

ABBY MILLER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

As a senior in college, I’ve had more than my fair share of the “First Day of School” song and dance. But, all things considered, no first day — or even week — could measure up to 2021’s.

At Ohio University, students are back in full force for classes, which are taking place across different modalities. Some courses remain online, either synchronously or asynchronously, while other courses are being taught either in person or in a hybrid format.

Most students have a blend of those modalities, meaning everyone is walking on campus at one point or another.

Living off campus last year allowed me to see firsthand how empty campus was during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. Now, seeing campus full of energy and students again is both exciting and unfamiliar. The lines at coffee shops are longer, the Baker Center elevators are crowded and the dining hall waits have extended. Despite some of the pains that come with everyone returning, it’s also great to see some signs of life before the pandemic returning, such as students hugging friends they see in passing or hammocks strung up around the many campus trees.

But it’s also weird. Very weird. Most of the senior class has not attended an in-person class in over a year. For everyone else, the sensation of being a freshman lost on campus is all too real. Juniors and sophomores alike are both yet to experience a full year of living on campus. Meanwhile, freshmen are juggling not just the college transition but what it means to be in college during a pandemic.

It’s the second week of classes, but some things still feel foreign. We’re all accidentally going through doors with stickers saying “exit only,” trying to get involved in more social activities and, overall, struggling to settle into an in-person college routine. Despite a “return to normalcy,” very few things feel normal.

That exact feeling is what The Post is here to report upon. As a newspaper that first and foremost serves to be the voice of all students on campus, we’re diligently listening to those around us and scanning social media to see what news has occurred within the first two weeks of classes. We’re looking into news tips, brainstorming ideas for projects and chasing the breaking news. You can count on us for reliable reporting and information through-

out the year.

However, some of that reporting doesn’t happen without news tips and conversations with individuals in our community. We are always accepting news tips. Anonymous tips can be left on our Google form, and any other tips can be sent to news@thepostathens.com.

You can also give us a call at 740-566-8717.

Additionally, letters to the editor can be sent to letters@thepostathens.com. Tell us about campus or Athens happenings that you care about or are impacted by in 1,000 words or fewer. There is so much happening on campus as we all continue to navigate the pandemic, and hearing from a variety of students helps us chronicalize this crazy, unfamiliar experience. Let’s write these stories together.

Abby Miller is a senior studying journalism and political science at Ohio University and the editor-in-chief of The Post. Have questions?

Email Abby at am166317@ohio.edu or tweet her @abblawrence.

COVER ILLUSTRATION BY ALEXANDER GRAHAM

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Abby Miller MANAGING EDITOR Bre Offenberger DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR Matthew Geiger EDITORIAL NEWS EDITORS Emma Skidmore, Ryan Maxin ASST. NEWS EDITOR Molly Wilson PROJECTS EDITOR Taylor Burnette SPORTS EDITOR Jack Gleckler ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Eli Feazell CULTURE EDITOR Riley Runnells ASST. CULTURE EDITOR Kayla Bennett OPINION EDITOR Mikayla Rochelle ASST. OPINION EDITOR Hannah Campbell THE BEAT EDITOR Madyson Lewellyn ASST. THE BEAT EDITOR Emma Dollenmayer COPY CHIEF Anna Garnai SLOT EDITORS Anastasia Carter, Ashley Beach, Bekah Bostick, Isabel Nissley ART ART DIRECTOR Mary Berger ASST. ART DIRECTOR Olivia Juenger DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Nate Swanson PHOTO EDITOR Jesse Jarrold-Grapes DIGITAL WEB DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Brianna Lender AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT EDITOR Jack Hiltner DIRECTOR OF MULTIMEDIA Noah DeSantis BUSINESS STUDENT MEDIA SALES INTERNSHIP MANAGER Andrea Lewis MEDIA SALES Grace Vannan 2 / SEPT 2, 2021

THE

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OU, Athens community members react to vaccine mandate MOLLY WILSON ASST. NEWS EDITOR CLAIRE SCHIOPOTA FOR THE POST

Ohio University announced Tuesday that students, faculty and staff are now required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by November, a decision supported by university and Athens community members.

James Gaskell, health commissioner and medical director at the Athens City-County Health Department, said the university has given students, faculty and staff an adequate amount of time to get vaccinated. In order to participate in Spring Semester activities, live on campus and receive face-to-face instruction, students must be vaccinated or have their exemption approved.

On Aug. 23, Pfizer was granted full approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Numerous public universities in Ohio have since announced vaccination mandates, including Ohio State University, which announced its vaccine mandate Aug. 24. According to a previous Post report, OU officials met with public health experts to determine how to update its university health protocols.

Jennifer Fredette, professor in the Center for Law, Justice and Culture, was active on Twitter following Pfizer’s approval, advocating for a COVID-19 vaccination mandate at OU. “Good afternoon, @OHIO_President and @covid_ohio! A lot of Bobcats are wondering: Now the FDA has fully approved the Pfizer vaccine, will @ohiou enjoy an even more robust return to campus via a vaccine mandate, like @ OhioState recently did?” Fredette said in a tweet.

Following OU’s decision to mandate the vaccine, Fredette said she was glad the university joined other colleges who had already instated vaccine mandates.

Carrie Love, a sophomore studying women’s gender and sexuality studies, said she was excited OU decided to mandate the vaccine.

“I’ve been vaccinated since April, which was I think the earliest I could get it,” Love said. “I had heard about OSU, and I was surprised that ours

Ohio University students are required to be vaccinated unless they have special religious and moral exemptions as stated by the Office of President Sherman. (NATE SWANSON | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

hadn’t gone in place sooner. When I had seen it, I think my first reaction was “Finally.” Like, obviously, this should be happening.”

Beck “Eliza” Ivan, a fifth-year student studying political science and the president of OU’s Student Senate, said Senate’s executive team is supportive of the mandate.

“It’s great to see that even our alumni are in support of our University doing what’s best for the health and safety of our community,” Ivan said in an email.

In a university news release, OU said Athens and many regional campuses will participate in hosting vaccination clinics for their students.

Gaskell said the health department will also hold mass vaccination clinics

every Friday until everyone who wants to receive the vaccine has had the opportunity to do so. Additionally, he said the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine will be holding vaccine clinics for OU students.

“Ohio University is not alone in this.

There are a large number of universities now following suit and vaccinating all of their students,” Gaskell said. “It also helps society at large … because it’ll provide herd immunity and less chance of having infection in the general population.”

Ivan said she encourages students who are not supportive of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate or have concerns related to the mandate to reach out to Senate and Gillian Ice, special assistant

to the president for public health operations. In addition, Ivan said a portion of Senate’s weekly meetings are dedicated to students who can speak directly to administrators.

Students will be permitted to apply for a vaccine exemption due to religious, ethical, moral or medical reasons. @MOLLYWMARIE MW542219@OHIO.EDU @CSCHIOPOTA CS123719@OHIO.EDU

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 3

NEWS BRIEFS

OU requires COVID-19 vaccines; ACSD extends temporary closure EMMA SKIDMORE ASST. NEWS EDITOR OU TO REQUIRE COVID-19 VACCINE

Ohio University announced Tuesday it will require the COVID-19 vaccine by Nov. 15 for all students, faculty and staff.

Both doses of two-dose vaccines must be received by that date, according to a university news release. Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson or any vaccine currently approved under the World Health Organization will be accepted.

Both Ohio State University and Miami University have also announced vaccine requirements, along with numerous other public and private universities. OU will offer medical, religious, moral and ethical exemptions for the vaccine.

Vaccination clinics are being held on OU’s Athens campus as well as many regional campuses.

Individuals will register their proof of vaccine through the Testing Pathway Program. If vaccinated individuals have already registered, they do not need to take further action.

Unvaccinated individuals will be required to complete testing until they upload proof of vaccination.

All students must be vaccinated in order to live in residence halls and participate in in-person classes and activities during Spring Semester.

OU RENEWS PARTNERSHIP WITH CVS TO PROVIDE ASYMPTOMATIC TESTING

Ohio University entered into a new contract with CVS to provide asymptomatic testing to students Aug. 27.

OU previously used CVS for asymptomatic tests but replaced it with Vault Health testing after the 2020 spring semester. Carly Leatherwood, a university spokesperson, said

the university decided to renew the partnership to accommodate individuals who have difficulty producing saliva for Vault tests.

However, Vault testing will remain OU’s main asymptomatic testing program. CVS tests will be free of charge to students and faculty, with results available 30 minutes after the test is completed.

Gillian Ice, special assistant to the president for public health operations, said CVS tests will be used for wide-net testing or testing for specific group of individuals who are exposed to COVID-19

ACSD EXTENDS TEMPORARY CLOSURE

Athens City School District, or ACSD, announced Monday it would extend its closure until Sept. 7 due to lack of transportation for students.

Initially, ACSD planned to close from Aug. 26 through Aug. 31. The extended closure comes as a result of six ACSD transportation employees in quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure or positive results. A seventh employee is out due to an unrelated injury.

Teachers within the ACSD met Tuesday to discuss plans for the closure as well as plans for future outbreaks.

ATHENS BUSINESS OWNERS REFLECT ON SUMMER AMID PANDEMIC

Numerous Athens tourist leaders hoped for a return to normalcy this summer due to vaccine rollouts.

Tanya Hire, manager of the Athens Farmers Market, 1002 E. State St., said she was not sure of what to expect. Hire said she sees Ohio University students and parents as well as customers from Hocking Hills. By the end of the summer, she said, fewer visitors were coming to the farmers market, and she expected the season to be more robust.

Conversely, the Dairy Barn Arts Center, 8000 Dairy Lane,

experienced a greater number of visitors than expected.

Leah Magyary, director of the Dairy Barn, said she expected only about 33% of what the center normally estimates for Quilt National, a contemporary quilt exhibit.

While Magyary said they are not yet up to what they would usually expect, there is a good amount of local interest. Athens Mayor Steve Patterson said he believes there has been an increase in tourism since 2020 and is glad to see it making a return.

Patterson also said he anticipates additions to the community, such as the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, will attract visitors. Magyary said her focus is making the experience for tourists as meaningful as she can and providing a quality experience for visitors.

ALDEN LIBRARY REOPENS TO COMMUNITY, EXTENDS HOURS

Alden Library has extended its hours and opened to all students, faculty, staff and community members.

The library is now open from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. Students and staff with valid Ohio University IDs will be able to swipe into the library after 10 p.m. and have access to only the second and fourth floors.

Masks are required to be worn in the library in accordance with OU’s COVID-19 policies. Additionally, no-contact and hybrid services include touchless printing and self-pickup of library materials.

In honor of Juneteenth celebrations, the library has added the Black Studies Center, the Black Abolitionist papers and Black Drama 3rd Edition.

@E_SKIDMOREGS ES320518@OHIO.EDU

POLICE BLOTTER

Woman reports neighbor intimidation; woman’s car broken into ANNA MILLAR FOR THE POST

No crime was found to be committed.

BUSTED WINDOW

The sheriff’s office received a call saying a gate chain had been cut and locked again. The caller also said a tree on their property had been cut down.

When deputies arrived, the caller said they had discovered it was a utility company who had entered their property, and they no longer needed assistance.

The Athens County Sheriff’s responded to Roy Avenue in The Plains, regarding a woman’s car being broken into.

When deputies arrived on the scene, the woman said her car window was broken and a few items were stolen.

Deputies filed a report and gathered evidence. This case is still under investigation.

WIRE THIEVES

Deputies responded to New England Road regarding a report of individuals possibly stealing wires from an abandoned house, according to the sheriff’s office. When deputies contacted the individual at the house, they discovered the individual was a family member of the property owner.

4 / SEPT. 2, 2021

MISSING TREE

LOUD MUSIC

The sheriff’s office responded to The Plains regarding a neighbor complaint. The caller said her neighbor was consistently playing loud music as well as revving his car’s engine. She said she asked him to stop multiple times, but he refused and further attempted to intimidate her when she passed by.

Deputies talked to the neighbor about the noise and intimidation complaints. He said he had not made any loud noises or made contact with the woman.

Both parties were told to avoid interaction with each other, and both agreed.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON

The sheriff’s office responded to Radford Road in The Plains, regarding a suspicious persons report. When deputies arrived, they were unable to locate the reported person.

@ANNAMILLAR16 AM157219@OHIO.EDU

OU community reacts to petition calling for right to choose following COVID-19 protocols SOPHIA YOUNG STAFF WRITER A petition recently started by an Ohio University student opposing the university’s universal masking requirement is causing mixed feelings among members of the OU community.

The petition, published by Tyce Patt, is titled “Ohio University: Allow Students The Right To Choose What’s Best For Their Health,” and it argues students should be allowed to decide whether they follow COVID-19 guidelines, such as masking, social distancing and mandatory testing.

“College-Aged students should be respected and trusted to make their own health decisions,” Patt wrote in the petition’s description.

The petition ultimately asks for OU to allow students to choose whether they get a COVID-19 vaccine, wear a mask and get tested as well as whether they report their vaccination status. In addition, it asks for assurance the university will not cancel in-person classes and will allow students the option to attend class online.

The description argues universal masking has greater drawbacks than benefits for students, including inhibited social learning, distorted verbal speech and visual cues and inadvertent dehydration.

Another complaint of the petition is that the university has backtracked on its announcement of more freedoms to vaccinated students, citing a July post on the university’s COVID Operations Instagram page. The Instagram post states vaccinated students will not have to wear masks, physically distance outside of classrooms, participate in asymptomatic testing or quarantine when exposed to an individual who’s infected with COVID-19.

Ohio University College Republicans, or OUCRs, expressed similar concerns in an Aug. 24 release about the disincentivization of vaccines now that all individuals are required to wear masks.

“The vaccine was supposed to ‘end’ the pandemic. While masked, cases still rose and, since the vaccine has come out, cases have still gone up. Reinstating the mask mandates minimizes the original incentives of the vaccine,” OUCRs said in the release.

University spokesperson Carly Leatherwood explained the university’s decision to implement more health protocols for both vaccinated and unvaccinated students and faculty.

“We are implementing a necessary, lay-

ered approach to public health measures that are informed by our experiences last year during the peak of the pandemic,” Leatherwood said in an email. “These safety protocols align with local, state, and national guidance and are consistent with measures at every other public university in the state of Ohio. We all want to return to some semblance of normalcy, and the measures we have implemented for the fall will help us achieve that goal.”

In addition to frustration about increased health measures, the petition asserts that requiring unvaccinated individuals to test weekly is discriminatory and that incentives, such as the prize drawing for vaccinated students, coerce students into getting vaccinated.

Responses from community members have criticized the petition’s stance on coronavirus protocols as well as its language. The

description argues that requiring students to wear masks eliminates their voluntary consent, claiming violation of the Nuremberg Code of Ethics, which was created in response to Holocaust medical atrocities.

OU Student Senate leadership discussed the petition and its language usage at their Aug. 25 meeting and released a public statement days later.

“We have seen students using unacceptable rhetoric to escalate the already difficult situation the world is facing in the midst of a continuing pandemic,” Senate said in the statement. “Restrictions put in place for student health and safety are in no way comparable to the religious persecution and unspeakable treatment faced by those of the Jewish faith during the holocaust.”

The release emphasized Senate’s willingness to address concerns and hear multiple perspectives, but it encouraged students to

express their thoughts respectfully.

Some individuals who signed the petition commented frustration with continuing restrictions as their reason for signing.

“I’m done feeling as if we don’t have any control on how we want to live our college experience,” one comment read. “As someone who wasn’t allowed to come to campus last fall, myself and many freshmen were ripped away so many opportunities. I personally believe we should have the right to choose whether or not we want to be on campus, wear masks and attend either online or in person classes.”

So far, the petition has received 372 signatures. Patt did not respond to a request for comment.

@SOPHIELISEY SY951319@OHIO.EDU

ILLUSTRATION BY KATIE BANECK

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 5

The Price of Online Classes

Students disagree with cost of online classes, still believe degree is important ANNA MILLAR FOR THE POST

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have brought forth increased concerns — especially for students — about whether their degree is worth the price they are paying for online courses.

Courtney Rodet, an economics professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, said although there has been debate regarding the importance of college, data from before the pandemic shows those with a college degree have an advantage when it comes to lifetime earnings.

Some students report concern that if online classes persist, they will not be receiving the quality of education they are paying for.

Natasha Leiter, a sophomore studying fashion retail, said she wishes she was two years younger so she could attend her classes in person rather than online.

Last year, Leiter changed her major to avoid long courses in an online format, she said.

“I joined this (fashion retail) major, and all of my fashion classes are online, and it’s just not exactly what I wanted,” Leiter said. “I definitely think the university should have lightened the costs a little bit.

The fact that we’re still paying full tuition for half the experience is kind of garbage.”

Julia Miller, a sophomore studying communication, said her adviser suggested she take courses through one of OU’s branch campuses — significantly lowering the cost of classes — and recommends other students do the same depending on their financial means.

“Second semester … I had to take all my classes through OU’s main campus because I didn’t have all the classes I needed at the branch campuses,” Miller said. “I thought I was paying a little bit too much for what I was receiving.”

Underclassmen are not the only students concerned about cost and quality.

Emme Vair, a senior studying integrated language arts, said the price bothers her because she felt she was gaining more of a social experience for the price of college prior to the pandemic when she took in-person courses.

Conversely, Vair differs from other students in her feelings regarding quality of education. She believes her professors have done well with the transition on6 / SEPT. 2, 2021

ILLUSTRATION BY OLIVIA JUENGER

line, although she is disappointed to have missed out on an entire year of being in the classroom.

Despite feeling optimistic about her own experiences, Vair has a different recommendation for incoming freshmen.

“If I was my sister, she’s a freshman and she is going to Cincinnati … I would consider taking a gap year because, to me, I feel like I could find a job, a higher-paying job or something, instead of paying thousands of dollars to go to school right now just because it is such unprecedented times,” Vair said. “I think my options would be very different if I wasn’t a senior.”

If universities choose to stay online

going into the future, they may have to consider reducing costs, Rodet said. Academics are not the only thing students gain from attending college. Therefore, if experiences such as living on campus, meeting people and gaining hands-on education are removed, tuition prices may need to be reconsidered, he said.

Although many concerns have been voiced about the value of a degree currently, Miller still believes earning a diploma is an important piece of joining the job market.

“I think the value of a degree has become very important in a job world. I think everyone’s just jokes around like, ‘I’m just getting a piece of paper,’ but in order to

put you up in the income and how much you want to make out of college, it’s important to have a degree,” Miller said.

Additionally, Rodet believes the “baptism by fire” into online classes will push other professors to change their teaching style.

“I’m optimistic it will open the eyes of educators,” Rodet said. “Lecture is a thing of the past. It persisted for thousands of years, but now, higher-ed has to change.

We’re going to do more learning by doing, I think, even in fields where they’re not traditionally thought of as majors where you learn a skill.” @ANNAMILLAR16 AM157219@OHIO.EDU

GAMES

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 7

Pronoun Policy Prevalence Student employee policy sparks university discussion about pronouns MAYA MORITA FOR THE POST Over the summer, student employees at West 82 were told to remove their pronouns from their name tags, bringing attention to outdated policies in Culinary Services and sparking a conversation.

What happened

Reagan Bramlish, a junior studying theater and a student worker at West 82, who uses they/them pronouns, said their coworkers at West 82 were contacted by management July 14 about the written pronouns.

Bramlish said they were upset about the situation.

“This is 2021, we’re literally supposed to be getting more progressive,” Bramlish said. “OU, I thought, was known for being diverse and inclusive. And then hearing that someone’s like, ‘take those off’ as if it’s a gross thing or a bad thing, was awkward and embarrassing.”

Charli Lucas, a senior studying media who works as an office coordinator at West 82, said West 82’s management put the student leaders in charge of relaying the information to the other employees.

“One day I came into work and my coworker told me that the one man who worked in the building … had told her that we needed to tell everyone that they were to only have their names on their name tags,” Lucas said in an email.

After hearing of the circumstances surrounding the name tags, Bramlish posted to Twitter to express their concerns, drawing attention from OU. “Student employees had been writing and drawing things on their name tags that weren’t approved in the past,” Carly Leatherwood, a university spokesperson,said.

“Unfortunately nobody came to leadership and asked about the pronouns, and so basically, since that social media posts went up, leadership reacted pretty quickly.”

The misunderstanding led to instant action from the workers who were there that day.

Lucas said she refused to tell employees they could not have their pronouns on their name tags, and others went that day to raise awareness and advocate for the situation in collaboration with the LGBT Center.

Micah McCarey, director of the LGBT Center, said several students came to the LGBT Center with the concern and said someone also emailed the Division of Diversity and Inclusion, so he knew something needed to be done. McCarey said he wasn’t extremely concerned by this specific occurrence because previous, similar issues had been resolved quickly.

8 / SEPT. 2, 2021

In addition to reaching out to the LGBT Center for assistance, Lucas said West 82 student workers created a petition for those who wanted to keep their pronouns on their name tags.

“The employees were fired up and were eager to sign the petition we created,” Lucas said in an email. “Anyone who didn’t have their pronouns on their name tag did by the end of the day. We were preparing to fight.”

However, the fight was thankfully a short one.

Following West 82’s student workers’ efforts, the issue was resolved within the day, and Gwyn Scott, the associate vice president of auxiliaries, announced to the culinary staff that name tags can consist of student’s first name and pronouns.

“We have completely re-evaluated the name tags in Culinary Services now,” Leatherwood said.

“And so the university will be printing approved name tags with both the first name and the pronouns.”

Coming to a better understanding One’s pronouns typically correspond to their gender identity, which may not match their sex. A person’s gender is defined socially and mentally, while sex is determined by one’s biological reproductive system according to the American Medical Women’s Association.

For example, someone who identifies as cisgender means their gender identity matches their sex.

People can also identify non-binary, meaning regardless of sex, they do not identify with the typical male or female binaries, or transgender, meaning their sex does not correlate with their gender.

The conversation about

pronouns and gender identities have become more prevalent at universities around the country as issues like this arise, and as more institutions try to work toward more inclusive policies.

“I would not be surprised if we … continue to see stories like this, and activism for people advocating for that,” McCarey said. “It’s like a micro-aggression ... each time someone makes an assumption about what pronouns you use based on your appearance, your gender expression, and they get it wrong. So if we can remove that barrier to guessing someone’s pronouns by just openly putting them on a name tag, that it’s going to probably decrease the number of times that misgendering happens.”

Additionally, along with a lack of acknowledgment individuals who are not cisgender often deal with, transgender and gender nonconforming people also face violence and fatalities due to intolerance within society.

According to an article from The Human Rights Campaign, so far in 2021, more than 30 transgender and gender nonconforming people have been killed. In 2020, more than 40 were killed.

In response to the need for changes in visibility, OU created a preferred names and pronouns policy in 2015 and allows students to enter their pronouns, alongside the name they prefer being called, into the university’s student portal so that it shows up on class rosters and other university records. For faculty and staff on the other end, definitions and examples are provided for when

Neo-pronouns are pronouns that can be used to avoid gendered language around an individual, according to The New York Times, and can, for example, include “ze/zir” and a range of others.

“I know that there have been students who use those who have had issues with those, which I think is really frustrating because it conveys the message that we’re accepting, to an extent, and that’s not the way it should be,” Cooley said.

Carmen Szukaitis, an undecided sophomore who is a transgender woman, said although she has felt comfortable, she knows a lot of other students haven’t.

“My experience has been pretty positive here, like, I’ve never really felt different, or made to feel different,” Szukaitis said. “People have been super receptive of my pronouns, but I know that isn’t always the case if a person who identifies as non-binary or trans doesn’t pass. Which is sad to say, and that’s the society that we live in.”

Szukaitis said she would like to see pronouns listed on every employee name tag, to avoid the confusion and awkwardness that often comes with having to explain oneself to someone who used the wrong pronouns. Additionally, a standardized procedure for sharing pronouns in class could also be beneficial, she said.

What does OU do?

to use a student’s preferred name, according to OU’s Administrative Policy Handbook and the Prefered Names FAQ page, which requires staff, faculty and students to use correct identification in every situation where a legal name is not required for documentation purposes.

The policy change allows for students, including those who identify differently than the name and gender they were assigned, to list the way they should be referred to in a standardized record, so they can be addressed correctly by the faculty and staff at OU. Lucas believes the updated policies that came to Culinary Services name tags after what happened at West 82 will better correlate with OU’s Preferred Pronouns Policy, which provides groundwork for the university’s goals to make sure every person at OU is respected for who they are.

“Even if the majority of the students identify with the pronouns they were assigned at birth, it still gives an opportunity for those who don’t identify that way to feel comfortable and included,” Lucas said in an email.

Student Experiences With University Policies

Ethan Levingston, a junior studying integrated media who uses they/them pronouns, said professors have generally been inclusive and respectful when using their pronouns.

“With some professors I’ve had, they’ve been really good when doing introductions. They include pronouns. Some professors end emails with pronouns,” Levingston said. “I had a professor write a recommendation letter for me and they used gender neutral they/ them pronouns.”

Luvina Cooley, a junior studying anthropology who is a transgender woman, said her experience has been positive in her time at OU, although she knows of people who haven’t had the same experiences.

“There have been some issues of professors not accepting pronouns, especially if they’re neo-pronouns, or like even just a singular they/them,” Cooley said.

To help minimize situations like the name tags at West 82, OU has resources that aim to facilitate respect and understanding for faculty and students.

For example, the LGBT Center offers SafeZone workshops that teach about the range of gender identity and expression and help teach terms to create an understanding that may not otherwise exist for students, faculty and staff. The program is always evolving, McCarey said, to account for new terminology.

Additionally, McCarey said that the LGBT Center has programming year-round for awareness of the importance of acknowledging transgender and non-binary individuals and the struggles that they face, like Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day remembering the lives of people killed by anti-transgender violence.

However, if individual issues come up and when the systems set in place do not do what they are supposed to, there are also a number of resources to deal with discrimination, confusion and an array of other issues that may arise within the university.

McCarey encourages students who face any of these issues to go to the university department that correlates closely to the issue, like issues of pronoun usage to the LGBT Center.

He said the center works with other departments throughout the university to make sure that people are able to use their chosen names in as many situations as possible – for example, working with the financial office to make sure somebody’s correct name appears on paychecks, and so on, depending on the issue at hand.

Student advocacy surrounding issues like this is also a big help, raising visibilities to the struggles people who are transgender and non-binary can face.

Additionally, if an issue involves somebody in the position of power over a student, OU’s ombudsperson, who takes complaints, including anonymous ones, and can act as a liaison for parties throughout the university, making sure students, staff, faculty and everyone else are all receiving fair treatment.

Apart from the university’s direct efforts, Student Senate is also beginning initiatives going into the new semester, including an intersectional approach to programming, said Cooley, who is also the Senate’s

LGBT senator.

The Importance of Acceptance

Levingston said it took a lot of learning about different gender expressions to find comfort with a gender nonconforming identity.

“It took a long time to even understand the concept of transgender people, and then a gender binary, because these are things that are very ingrained into us,” Levingston said. “It’s really all about identity … Once I learned that, it got a lot easier. It didn’t feel like I was solving a math problem, it really just felt like, ‘who do I think I am?’.”

Misgendering can happen to and can be equally as harmful to all genders as well.

“I think that a lot of people would be offended if I used the wrong pronouns on them, even if they are cis,” Levingston said. “I think if you were to go up to somebody who is a cis male, who is prides themself on being a male and day after day, and called them a woman, they would get very not happy with you.”

Although many who are new to the concept of people identifying outside of the gender binary may struggle, McCarey said that working to learn others’ pronouns and respect their gender identities can greatly affect their mental health.

And Levingston said it’s not as hard as people think.

“When you apply it (pronouns) to a mystery third gender, or a someone who transitions genders, then it’s different somehow in people’s minds,” Levingston said.

“But it’s just like remembering somebody’s name when you first meet them or if you maybe misremembered their name and you have to learn it another way.”

Taylor Burnette contributed to this report.

@MAYACATEMORITA MM294318@OHIO.EDU

ILLUSTRATION BY MARY BERGER THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 9

Here’s what you need to know about OU’s 2020 commencement ceremony MOLLY WILSON ASST. NEWS EDITOR Around 800 Ohio University 2020 graduates are expected to return to Athens for their in-person commencement ceremony at 2p.m. Sept. 5 on College Green — where many commencement ceremonies took place prior to the construction of The Convo in the late ‘60s.

In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the majority of the country into lockdown, OU announced the graduation ceremonies of that year would be postponed due to public health recommendations regulating gathering sizes.

At the time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised that gatherings over 50 people should not take place, according to a previous Post report.

The ceremonies were originally scheduled to take place May 1-2 2020.

The university said it would celebrate graduates before the end of the 2020 Spring Semester, according to the report.

However, the spring graduates opted to have an in-person commencement ceremony whenever it was safe to do so, according to a previous Post report.

While OU encourages visitors to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it will not require masks to be worn during the graduation ceremony, as it is taking place outside, Liz Pahl, associate director of event management, said. Currently, the university requires all individuals — regardless of vaccination status — to wear masks indoors.

Additionally, Gillian Ice, special assistant to the president for public health operations, said the university strongly encourages guests and graduates returning to Athens to get a COVID-19 test prior to the ceremony. However, the university is not requiring such measures, as its resources are being allocated to active case management and outbreak mitigation across Athens and regional campuses, Ice said.

OU held a hybrid commencement ceremony in May 2021 graduates. Students were required to wear masks and social distance and were not permitted to walk across the stage and be recognized. Instead, students stood at their seats and waved when their name was read aloud.

The 2020 ceremony will honor both graduate and undergraduate students. In addition to these graduates, Francis Papay, an expert in plastic surgery and facial reconstruction, and Richard Vincent, an os-

10 / SEPT. 2, 2021

teopathic administrator, will receive honorary degrees.

Pahl said the university is currently planning for graduates to walk toward the stage and be recognized.

The ceremony will feature Keith Hawkins, OU alumnus and professor of astronomy at the University of Texas at Austin, as the commencement speaker. Hawkins is known for research focused on exploring formation, evolution and structure of the Milky Way Galaxy, according to the release. Hawkins graduated from OU in 2013.

“Ohio University is extremely pleased to host the Class of 2020 for this meaningful and memorable Commencement Ceremony,” OU President Hugh Sherman said in a university release. “We can’t wait to see these proud Bobcats once again and finally fully honor them for their achievements.”

The ceremony will also be live streamed on OU’s commencement website for those unable to attend in person. @MOLLYWMARIE MW542219@OHIO.EDU

ILLUSTRATION BY KATIE BANECK

2021-2022

PARENTS WEEKEND

DADS WEEKEND

SEPTEMBER 10-12

NOVEMBER 5-7

SIBS WEEKEND

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FEBRUARY 4-6

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APRIL 8-10

Virtual Bandits book club enriches learning for individuals with developmental disabilities LAUREN SERGE STAFF WRITER The Athens County Public Library, or ACPL, is hosting an event series called “Virtual Bandits,” a book club inclusive of developmentally disabled adults.

The series is a virtual version of the Next Chapter Book Club, which began in Columbus, Ohio, to facilitate community-based literacy for adults with intellectual disabilities.

The club meets virtually on a weekly basis to collaboratively read and discuss books.

Deborah Parsons, a library associate at ACPL described that the book club was created as a way to encourage reading for developmentally disabled adults – a skill that has often been overlooked as they have entered adult age.

“When I first came to the library about five years ago, I think they had just heard about the Next Chapter Book Club that began in Columbus,” Parsons said. “And we were told at that time that once developmentally disabled adults leave school, their participation and reading just plummets. They’re not encouraged to read. They don’t talk about books with each other.”

Kelli Lowery is the property manager at Sech Kar, a company that provides community residential services for people who have disabilities in Southeast Ohio, in the Elm Rock group. Individuals at Sech Kar attend the Virtual Bandits book club.

Lowery said the Virtual Bandits operate similarly to a traditional book club, where members can engage through reading and dedicate each week to discussions of a particular book.

“We were going to the library to do book reading and then COVID hit,” Lowery said. “So then we started doing it via Zoom meetings. And we would take turns. We would pick a book, take turns reading the book.

And then once we finish, there’s a little party about the book.”

While the event is currently over Zoom, Parsons said the group still aims to foster the same energy it once had when in person.

12 / SEPT. 2, 2021

While many participants may struggle with reading and comprehension, Parsons said there’s been a noticeable difference in their reading skills since the group started. “(Sometimes) they can’t hit most of the words, but they can repeat after someone,” Parsons said. “And that has increased some reading skills. And then we stop in between to talk about the feelings of the characters, where they (discuss) the events, just like you would in a book club. It’s even more fun when we do it in person, but this is doable.”

Despite the virtual component, Lowery said the social and educational aspects of the group are still very beneficial to its members.

“It’s important because they’re able to continue to read and be around others,” Lowery said. “Even though it’s Zoom, we

do a class type thing. It keeps them able to read the stories and learn new things.”

Jason Hanning, a member of Virtual Bandits, said he enjoys reading the different stories and learning different lessons that come from each book. The club is currently reading The Summer of Riley, which Hanning said he has enjoyed. “(I liked reading The Summer of Riley) because Riley causes trouble,” Hanning said.

Aside from the traditional book club structure, Parsons said the club is significant to the participants in that it allows them to connect with both the characters in the books and the other members present.

“And beyond a reading club is more than just the physical act of reading, we do discuss the book, where that brings in the comprehension skills,” Parsons said.

“And that’s a valuable reading skill, you really don’t think about it much, because you know, we think about phonics. And some of our members will never read one word. But when they feel they can get meaning from a story, that’s partial literacy. And that’s fantastic. That’s what I’ve seen more than anything else, that people will enjoy a story. And that’s the most important part of reading is to connect to other human beings, whether on the page or with each other.”

@LAURENSERGE LS351117@OHIO.EDU

OU Olympic Sport Fencing Team invites beginners, experienced to join

Sam Winkler instructs the fencing club at Ping Recreation Center. (CLAY STARK / FOR THE POST)

TRE SPENCER FOR THE POST There are numerous sports and clubs at OU, offering students multiple opportunities to meet new people and involve themselves on campus. The OU Olympic Sport Fencing Team offers members educational prospects and the ability to practice the sport of fencing. Alongside an immersive experience, the club educates new members and supplies all the equipment and gear to compete.

The club allows members the opportunity to travel across the state to compete against other schools in fencing matches and competitions. Through these events, students with prior fencing experience have the ability to challenge themselves.

Helen Stec, president of the club, said fencing is more complex than it seems. For new members looking to develop a new 12 / SEPT. 2, 2021

passion, the club uses educational tools and safety measures to keep people from getting hurt.

“With fencing, there are three styles we do; they’re called épée, sabre and foil,” Stec said. “Basically what you’re doing is trying to avoid being stabbed, and stabbing someone is the very basis, but there’s a lot more that goes into it. You have to factor in distance, it’s a lot like a physical game of chess. It comes from historical swords and swordsmanship.They’ve adapted it so you can’t actually be hurt.”

Historically, fencing has been known to be quite violent and has its roots in medieval times, but modern fencing elevates the ideas of personal injury. Using techniques and safety equipment -- like jackets, masks, helmets and chest protectors, reassurance is offered.

At a recent meeting, Becca Lefler, an undecided sophomore, said she had fun learning about the sport and offered her insight

on campus involvement.

“The first thing we learned was how to hold a sword, and then we learned certain stances like how to advance and have a motion as an attack,” Lefler said.

“We also just learned how to block and deflect open attacks.”

Lefler said involving oneself on campus is a great way to narrow down people by discovering common interests.

“I feel like there’s not a lot of opportunities to meet people with similar interests, but with clubs you’ll meet like-minded people and everything, which I think it’s very helpful,” Lefler said.

In terms of experience, the club offers training from the very basics to actual practice matches, depending on your previous education and training. It blends groups of students having little insight of the sport with those who’ve been practicing for years on end.

Max Sauber, a junior studying engi-

neering, practices a different style of fencing but found comfort in the structure of the club and how it teaches newcomers the basics.

“It’s a great bunch of people,” Sauber said. “It’s a great way to meet new people, a great way to learn an interesting skill not many have.”

The Olympic Sport Fencing Club is currently seeking new members, and they encourage those interested to pick up a new pastime and learn a few things about fencing.

@TRERSPENCER1 TS582119@OHIO.EDU

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 13

The death of a staple: Wendy’s on Court Street

LIZ PARTSCH FOR THE POST Walking along the sidewalk of Court Street, all of Ohio University and Athens can see the noticeable green overhang that once used to read the name “Wendy’s.”

Now when one passes by, all they see is construction equipment, worn-out chairs and the ghostly air of what used to be the popular fast food location.

After being away for roughly a year, many students are just now seeing the local Wendy’s on Court Street closed, which served as an utter shock to avid customers. Other students who returned last fall may have seen its slow demise, but it didn’t make the death any less of a shock.

“For a while, it was annoying that Wendy’s was gone,” Maya Djalali, a sophomore studying nutrition, said, “Especially because it was not really closed. You could see the lights on, and everything was still in there, but no one was standing in there.”

Wendy’s used to hit its self-proclaimed “rush hour” between midnight and 2 a.m., when the late night crowd would head in to slam Baconators and large chocolate Frosties.

Oftentimes, there would be a line out the door, students waiting 20 minutes or more before they could even order their food. Many workers would find students slumped in booths half asleep, using the tables as their personal pillows.

For students, Wendy’s was more than just a place to eat. It was a place to feel at home. It was a place where one could guzzle down as much food as they please and practically walk around in their underwear.

Nathan Eyerman, a junior studying communication, reflected on the latenight crowds disappointment, remarking how it “sucks.”

“Especially after people go out, it’s a big place people are always at. It’s always packed,” Eyerman said. “It sucks that a place where everyone likes to go and eat and that’s affordable is gone.”

Despite the food and reasonable prices, other students will miss the memories associated with the beloved staple.

“It’s very disappointing because I’ve had a lot of memories there,” Makenzie 14 / SEPT. 2, 2021

Harrison, a senior studying political science, said.

“I’ve cried there plenty of times. Halloween was also a big memory. I switched outfits with my friend in line waiting for our 4 for $4s.”

As of now, the future of the space on Court Street is uncertain. Many are left wondering what will replace the cherished franchise.

Although a large number of students are disappointed, some think the restaurant closure will make way for better things.

Nicole Grant, a junior studying finance and analytics, points out how there are other locations of Wendy’s students can still enjoy in Athens.

“It’s still available,” Grant said. “And I feel in Athens, two locations of a franchise might be overkill,

especially with other local businesses on Court that I might rather go to.” @LIZZY_PART LP274518@OHIO.EDU

The former Wendy’s at 40 S. Court St. stands gutted during construction Sunday, Aug. 29, waiting to become something new. Its proximity to Ohio University made it a popular stop for hungry college students and faculty at nearly all hours of the day.

(VANESSA ABBITT / FOR THE POST)

ADD club bonds, supports neurodivergent students RILEY RUNNELLS CULTURE EDITOR

With all of the buzz surrounding Greek life formal rush this fall, there’s one Greek organization that might look a bit different – Alpha Delta Delta.

That’s because it’s not affiliated with Greek Life at all; Alpha Delta Delta, or ADD club, is play on words for attention deficit disorder, or ADD, and is an organization built for neurodivergent students and supporters to bond over shared experiences.

“The club is about finding connections with other neurodivergent students and receiving the resources in a format that is easily digestible for us,” Via Matulich, a senior studying linguistics and the president of the ADD club, said. “I have noticed problems with the accommodations and resources that we already have at this school. It’s hard for us to take the executive function, take the first step, in getting into those. I’ve had a lot of people struggle with Student Accessibility Services, and I just wanted to create something that would help with those things that should be easy, but it’s not.”

Matulich came up with the idea for the club her freshman year, but she ran into some roadblocks between the COVID-19 pandemic and other Ohio University obligations. Her passion burst forward this year, with officially creating the club and encouraging students to join through recruitment efforts.

Additionally, though the organization is currently open to members, they aren’t yet on Bobcat Connect or associated with any university resources.

“We are having communications with Student Accessibility Services to get better insight on how it actually works for them on their side, but we’re not affiliated with the university Student Accessibility Services,” Matulich said.

For ADD club, Matulich serves as president; Jax Scally, a senior studying music production, serves as vice president; and Rachel Miller, a senior studying history, serves as treasurer.

“We’re intending on instating a secretary, but we don’t have one at the moment,” Matulich said. “And depending on how large the group is, we’re open to creating certain committees, more leadership roles.”

Matulich, Scally and Miller are all roommates, so when Matulich presented

Rachel Miller, left, Jax Scalley, middle, and Via Matulich, right, stand outside of Alden Library at Ohio University on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. The three housemates recently painted the Greek letters of Alpha Delta Delta on their house to give visitors a better idea of where they are located. (JESSE JARROLD-GRAPES | PHOTO EDITOR)

them with the idea for the club, they were thrilled to be a part of it.

“I didn’t have all of the resources that I needed early in college, and I didn’t necessarily have a big group of like-minded friends to fall back on, but with this club, I’m hoping that I can give that to freshmen coming in who don’t know anybody or just anybody who needs a group of friends and the resources to help them succeed,” Scally said.

From the recruitment efforts at the OU Student Involvement Fair, Matulich had over 100 people sign up, including Ella Johnson, a sophomore studying statistics, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. “I’ve noticed that it is a big help when I’m actually in a group and I’m able to discuss with people or even just being around people and doing work is a huge help,” Johnson said. “So then, once they were telling me about it, I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, that sounds like something I can totally join and would help me be more successful.’”

So far, the organization isn’t receiving any Senate Appropriations Commission or SAC, funds, and there are no member dues, but that might change depending on university legitimacy and programming needs in the future.

As of now, some of the meetings will focus on structured discussion topics, such as the process of getting a diagnosis or OU resources, and other meetings will be a group bonding activity with an emphasis on a creative or physical outlet. The goal is to be educational and also create a fun space to make friends.

Though the group is named after ADD, it is very much open to anyone who feels marginalized mental health-wise: people with a diagnosis or who are undiagnosed or people who are medicated or unmedicated. The group is also very welcoming of people who want to learn more and support neurodivergent students.

“I, personally, also have autism spectrum disorder, so that’s a really big deal in my life and something that I can give more insight on,” Matulich said. “I have

very close friends with bipolar and anxiety and depression and OCD, so I’m going to gather as much information as I can. But neurodivergent students generally have a very similar experience, no matter what they have, because the world views us all the same.”

The meetings will take place Mondays at 7:30 p.m., but the group hasn’t yet decided a location. To get involved, reach out to Matulich at om273517@ohio.edu, and check out the organization’s Instagram @ ohioADD for updates to come.

“It helps me a lot to know that there’s other people out there who have gone through the same things that I have,” Miller said. “Connecting with people and helping people means a lot to me. I used to ask myself, ‘Am I joining this because I am neurodivergent?’ But I’m like, ‘Even if I was neurotypical, I would still help because I think regardless, it’s really important to me that people have someone or a group to fall back on.’”

@RILEYR44 RR855317@ohio.edu

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 15

FOOTBALL

Ohio University redshirt freshman Jett Elad (No. 6) attempts a tackle during the home game against Akron University on Nov. 10, 2020. (KELSEY BOEING | FOR THE POST)

Ohio’s safeties use past knowledge to improve JACK GLECKLER SPORTS EDITOR

Ron Collins treats his film sessions like a classroom. As Ohio’s defensive coordinator and safeties coach, he expects his players to be studying often and taking copious notes. Occasionally, he’ll peer into notebooks and see who’s been writing the most.

Collins provides the Bobcats with the materials necessary to be successful, but he wants them to be proactive in furthering themselves as players. The Bobcats can’t learn if they don’t study.

“They all have expectations of what we want from them coming in,” Collins said. “Those guys dive into the notebook and study the playbook with the corresponding film that we provide for them. It’s like a classroom in there a lot.”

16 / SEPT. 2, 2021

The Bobcats, especially the safeties, have pored over their notes. This season, the work might pay off.

Of the 10 safeties on Ohio’s roster, only two are true freshmen. All of Ohio’s returning safeties have been given playtime before. That means a vast majority have past material to improve from.

Collins is excited to see the safeties grow this season. A unit with a majority of upperclassmen who have all seen playtime gives Collins an opportunity to pull material from farther back in his notebook. Some of the older safeties have even memorized the playbook almost as well as Collins.

“It’s really let us really open up the defensive notebook, and we’ve been able to not only run what we’ve done in the past, but we’ve been able to add things because of their experience,” Collins said. “That’s the biggest thing about

these older guys, is they’ve got all our base calls down as well as I do. I mean, they can get out there and teach it.”

It’s experience Ohio needs.

The Bobcats will be lining up against one of the top receivers in the Atlantic Coast Conference on Saturday. Taj Harris has been one of Syracuse’s premier receivers in his first three seasons. He recorded 733 receiving yards last season, the eighth-most in the ACC and 35th overall in the NCAA. Harris is a threat Ohio needs to clamp down on, and it has kept a close eye on him.

“We’ll have to do our best to contain him,“ coach Tim Albin said during his Monday press conference. “There’s no way we’re going to shut him out. That’s not going to happen. But we’re gonna have to do a good job of mixing it up with them.”

Containing Syracuse’s passing game

is a must. Ohio may not lock it down completely, but it may be able to force an interception or two to get Syracuse’s offense off the field.

The Bobcats have been focused on generating more interceptions for the past two seasons. In 2019, the Bobcats were ranked 10th in the Mid-American Conference with only five interceptions. They only generated five last season as well, but those interceptions occurred in just three games.

Even after only playing half of its six-game schedule last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio showed a glimpse of how many turnovers it can produce. It ranked fourth in the MAC in interceptions, a vast improvement in just one season.

Ohio might be able to further its success with interceptions this weekend. Last season’s leader in interceptions, Jett Elad, is predicted to only improve in 2021.

Elad experienced his breakout year last season and showcased his utility on the field. He’s found his role as a dependable nickelback with innate knowledge of the field.

“He fits the mold skill set-wise,” Collins said. “He’s tough, good hands. He makes a lot of plays. So, we’re expecting a lot of things out of him. And you know his biggest thing is in his progression is just really getting his details down, his technique and his fundamentals, and he’s working on that.”

The Bobcats can only improve by learning what worked last season and what didn’t before. Success springs from learning from the past and knowing what needs to be improved. Collins wants the Bobcats to have the playbook memorized so that they can springboard off last season. If the Bobcats have the material memorized, a promising season is sure to follow.

@THEJACKGLECKLER JG011517@OHIO.EDU

FOOTBALL

Ohio’s offensive line has grown through experience ELI FEAZELL ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Allen Rudolph has been coaching for 24 years. He’s been hired by 11 football programs, including Ohio, and he’s worked with numerous offensive linemen during his career.

Whenever Rudolph accepts a new coaching position, he always looks to see if there is anything he might need to tweak.

When Rudolph was hired as Ohio’s offensive line coach in 2019, he didn’t see a program in need of overhaul. Instead, he saw a culture of positivity and accountability that he wanted to help develop.

“Part of groups that I’ve been around in the past,” Rudolph said. “They were positive, they lifted each other up, but I also think it’s very important for the culture of the room that if a guy’s not living up to his end of the bargain, he’s not being accountable, that other guys hold them accountable. I think we have that in this group, which is super positive.”

The culture has been steadily building itself up over the course of several seasons. Rudolph credits the linemen who came before his hiring — former Bobcats like Joe Lowery and Joe Anderson — for forming the program’s foundation that’s carried into Rudolph’s time with the Bobcats.

In the past, Ohio’s offensive line has protected stars such as former quarterback Nathan Rourke and former running back A.J. Ouellette, which helped them become some of Ohio’s best offensive players in recent memory.

Now, Ohio’s line is in charge of protecting the current generation. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke will need a strong offensive line in front of him for Ohio’s upcoming game against Syracuse. Luckily for Rourke, he’s playing with potentially one of the strongest offensive line units in the Mid-American Conference.

The Bobcats lost only one full-time starter on the offensive line from last season, center Brett Kitrell. Six offensive linemen have started before this season. Returning veterans such as Hagen Meservy, Brody Rodgers and Nick Sink all bring experience that will only benefit the Bobcats this season. Even younger players like Parker Titsworth feel confident this season due to the unit’s collective experience.

“The chemistry is all there,” Titsworth

Ohio University’s redshirt freshman Jett Elad (6) attempts a tackle during the home game against Akron University on Nov. 10, 2020. (KELSEY BOEING / FOR THE POST)

said. “Everyone’s used to playing with each other. The comradery and the brotherhood’s always there with us. I’d say we’re the closest unit on the team, and we try to expand our comradery within other position groups on the team.”

Aside from returning talent, redshirt fifth year T.J. Jackson has been a welcome addition to Ohio’s offensive line. Jackson, a transfer from Virginia Tech, towers over the rest of the unit at 6 feet, 7 inches tall and 375 pounds.

Although he only recorded two starts during his time with the Hokies, Jackson is agile and will provide Ohio with much needed size.

Rudolph was reluctant to praise any specific player in the unit. He believes the entire position group is improving each other. The Bobcats are improving themselves by not being afraid to criticize one another.

“I have been very pleased with the individuals that make up the entire group,” Rudolph said.

Ohio’s first game of the season against Syracuse is just a few days away. It’ll be the first in what can be considered the first normal season for Ohio since 2019. It only played three games of an already shortened six-game schedule

last season. This season is a semi-return to normalcy, but the few games played last season might be a detriment to the Bobcats this season.

However, Titsworth is confident. The unit has been preparing for the season since early summer, and Rudolph has been drilling them every day. All that comes next is game day.

“We’re very loose,” Titsworth said. “We’re ready to go.”

@ELIFEAZ EF195418@OHIO.EDU

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 17

VOLLEYBALL

Ohio loses 2 matches at Sports Imports Classic ASHLEY BEACH SLOT EDITOR Ohio opened its season on the road when it played in the Sports Imports Classic at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. It faced No. 4 Washington and Northern Kentucky but struggled to find success and left Columbus without a win.

Ohio swept by No. 4 Washington The rust seemed to have not been completely shaken off in Ohio’s first match of the season against Washington.

The Huskies made quick work of the Bobcats in three sets (25-21, 25-20, 25-14) and dominated on offense.

Caitlin O’Farrell led the Bobcats with 11 kills. The Bobcats as a whole totaled 37. Olivia Margolies and Caroline Clippard, who both contributed nine kills, also shouldered much of the Bobcats’ offensive output.

Service errors cost Ohio several chances to score.

It committed 12 service errors and handed Washington many of its points on a silver platter.

Ohio loses to Northern Kentucky 3-2 The Bobcats came out on fire against the Norse and took the first set 25-15 and held the lead for the duration of the set. However, their strong first set was offset by

18 service errors throughout the match, and the Bobcats were defeated by the Norse 3-2 (25-15, 21-25, 25-23, 25-27, 8-15).

Maggie Nedoma earned 23 kills Saturday to tie her career high, and she also recorded 10 digs to earn her first double-double of the season.

Sophomore Tria McLean recorded a career-high 52 assists Saturday and almost recorded her own double-double with eight digs in five sets.

Things to note Clippard impressed in her first two matches for Ohio.

The freshman tied Margolies for the second-most kills against Washington and recorded the third-most kills in the match against Northern Kentucky. Clippard was a standout at Mercy McAuley High School in Cincinnati and might find similar success at Ohio.

Parker Kwiatkowski played in her first match for Ohio since transferring from Wake Forest. The setter played in both the Friday and Saturday matches where she collected five assists.

Ashton Webb also returned to the court this weekend.

The junior was absent from Ohio’s roster last season but is back in action. She played in four sets against Northern Kentucky.

What’s next Ohio travels to Normal, Illinois, for the Red & White Invitational. It will begin the invitational with a match against Illinois State on Sept. 3, followed by matches against Marquette and University of Illinois-Chicago on Sept. 4.

@ASHLEYBEACHY_ AB026319@OHIO.EDU

FOOTBALL

Athens travels to Marietta in search of first win MARIA MONESI FOR THE POST After its 34-0 loss to Gallia Academy last Friday, Athens’ losing streak has increased to two games. It now sits at the bottom of the standings in the TVCOhio, and both losses have come without so much as a touchdown from Athens.

Despite both of its losses being shutouts, Athens might be able to claim its first win of the season against Marietta.

The Tigers, like the Bulldogs, have lost their first two games of the season. If the Bulldogs can pull out a win Friday, they will have a bit of momentum before it faces Alexander on Sept. 10.

Game information Opponent: Marietta Venue: Don Drumm Stadium Kickoff: 7 p.m.

News and Notes: Athens’ Owen Roark runs the ball after an interception during the Bulldogs’ game versus Meigs on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. Athens won the match 32-14.

(ANTHONY WARNER / FOR THE POST)

18 / SEPT. 2, 2021

-Athens last played Marietta on Sept.

11, 2020, and lost 24-20.

-Marietta is currently ranked third in the East Central Ohio League.

-Junior Luke Brandes leads Athens in total rushing yards with 78 yards on 26 carries. @MARIAMONESII MM017019@OHIO.EDU

EXISTENTIAL BINGE-WATCHING

Takeaways from the ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ trailer JACKSON HORVAT is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University It felt like something that would never happen. But finally, after plenty of patience and a leak on social media, fans got the long-awaited first teaser trailer for Spider-Man: No Way Home. Understandably, it then took the record for the most-viewed trailer of all time within the first 24 hours of its release, a record previously held by Avengers: Endgame. And it certainly continues to deserve every view it gets.

Now that the dust has settled in terms of sheer excitement and the spectacle of fan theories, it feels like a good time to break down the trailer and everything known or vaguely known about the next adventure for our beloved wall-crawler.

While there’s plenty to theorize about, there are some things the trailer confirmed upfront. We now know for sure that the film will pick up right at the end of Far From Home, showcasing the aftermath of Mysterio revealing Spider-Man’s identity to the world. There’s also confirmation that Peter Parker does in fact go to Doctor Strange for help in fixing his identity crisis, which then results in the opening of the MCU’s multiverse.

Of course, the biggest reveal from the trailer is the first official look at the return of Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock from Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2. While this glimpse definitively silences any multiverse deniers, it also gives some

early proof to a whole host of different theories.

For starters, in addition to Molina’s reprisal, some characteristic lightning provides confirmation on Jamie Foxx’s supposed return as Electro as well as an iconic pumpkin bomb paired with a sinister laugh ramping up the return of Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin – maybe they’ll throw a curveball at fans and bring back James Franco as Hobgoblin.

The trailer also adds plenty of fuel to the rumor mill fire that fans will finally be getting a live-action, multiversal rendition of the Sinister Six, with glimpses of Sandman and Lizard making their way into the teaser. The film could very reasonably then throw in the likes of anyone from Vulture or Scorpion to Rhino or perhaps even a return of Mysterio to round out the villainous group.

In addition to plenty of villain appearances, it’s also not outside the realm of possibility that there will be more heroes jumping into the fun other than Doctor Strange, Spider-Man and a brief moment with Wong. For instance, some eagle-eyed viewers have sparked an obsession with one particular scene that seems to resemble Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock. Though he’s since denied his involvement in the movie, it does still offer some hope for the return of beloved Netflix Marvel heroes like Daredevil.

Not to mention, with the multiverse now confirmed, there’s much more reason to believe that Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield will be suiting up once again for a team-up of Spider Men. These rumors have only gained more steam with the recent copyright strikes given out by Sony on supposedly leaked images of Maguire and Garfield both in their respective Spider-Man suits on set. The best guess to roll with for them right now would be a brief cameo or appearance at the end for a final fight so that

the film still remains Tom Holland’s show.

A main takeaway that flies under the radar is simply that this film may take the route of Avengers: Infinity War or Empire Strikes Back, in that there won’t be a happy ending. While Peter might get some resolution, this film certainly looks to connect with the likes of Loki that came before it and the upcoming Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which would entail a less than complete conclusion.

This isn’t a bad thing at all, though. Spider-Man: No Way Home was hyped up and is now shaping up to be the next big event for the MCU since Avengers: Endgame.

While the Disney+ shows have been stellar and the movies that are slated before this next Spider-Man flick look amazing, this really feels like something that Marvel fans have been waiting for, especially when considering the callbacks to the previous iterations of the friendly neighborhood hero.

This film could potentially set the stage for not only the next couple of movies but also the next couple of MCU phases. Only time will tell, however, so it might be worth rewatching the trailer a few dozen more times.

Who knows, these might be the only precious frames we get before gleefully swinging to the theaters Dec. 17.

Jackson Horvat is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. Do you agree? Tell Jackson by tweeting him at @horvatjackson.

THINKING IN PRINT

When television isn’t enough CHARLENE PEPIOT is a senior studying English at Ohio University During the 2020 lockdown, streaming skyrocketed, and people tried escaping reality through television.

Amid the sea of feel-good romance films, action movies and other programs, Bo Burnham’s Inside and South Park’s “Pandemic Special” stand out. Both are comedies, yet each one tears down television’s facade and confronts viewers with the depressing reality of the pandemic — that escaping through television offers little relief.

Inside focuses on life indoors during the pandemic.

Activities like attempting to communicate with parents through technology, creating content, engaging with the internet and more are all hilariously portrayed through various skits and songs. While funny for the audience, they fail to give Burnham’s character relief from the pandemic’s isolation and his waning mental health. His mother’s attempts to speak with him via FaceTime are an embarrassment, and the internet’s ability to distract him with “anything and everything all of the time” is exposed to be morally indifferent and far too chaotic to find

peace through.

Burnham questions how he as a content creator can help during the pandemic in “Content.” After refusing to be useful and give away his money, he decides to “save the world through comedy” and make the special. Yet, he wonders if this will really help people with lyrics like “Should I be joking at a time like this?” asking if comedy is a sufficient way to cope during the lockdown. He gets his answer in “Goodbye,” where the lyrics take an accusatory tone and change to “You’re really joking at a time like this?” in one of the final lines of the special.

Bo’s character attempts to use the distraction of comedy and various sources of technology to keep the spirits of him and his audience up, but he fails beneath the pandemic’s chaos and the mental health issues it breeds.

In typical South Park fashion, the “Pandemic Special” pokes fun at current events – including lockdown. Yet, beneath the satire lies self-awareness about making a joke out of an issue no one is laughing at.

The character Randy decides to use the pandemic as an excuse to have a “special” sale on his marijuana to make a quick buck. While Randy is literally referring to a marijuana special, lines from his wife like “These are very serious times, and no one wants or cares about your stupid special” double as the writers acknowledging that no one wants to joke about an issue as serious and personal

as the pandemic.

South Park further presses on television’s failure to soften the pandemic’s sting, as a reporter advises citizens to “stay indoors and just try and relax and maybe enjoy some of the pandemic special” before cutting to several characters in isolation breaking free and running outside in desperation to return to normalcy.

Both specials recognize their status as comedic escapist programs and their failure to efficiently distract people from the depression, isolation and misery caused by the pandemic. There is a certain kind of hopelessness that comes from turning on the television to escape the pandemic and finding its content calling you out. Both specials remind us that distracting ourselves through entertainment is just that – an unhelpful distraction – whether we want to hear it or not.

Charlene Pepiot is a senior studying English at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Charlene know by emailing her @cp872117@ohio.edu.

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 19

ILLUSTRATION BY MARY BERGER

7 healing herbs you need to start using immediately MADDIE BUSSERT FOR THE POST

Usage of herbal medicines are on the rise, prompting some to turn to the kitchen for a home remedy instead of using conventional medicine.

Integrating herbs into the diet has been an ancient medicinal practice for thousands of years, and many herbs are the main derivative of our pharmaceutical drugs today. Herbs are a simple yet slightly overlooked way to easily maintain overall health and wellness. They’re also a flavorful way to add some extra spice and nutrients to many recipes and teas.

Whether you’re sick, tired, stressed, bloated or just want to feel better all around, adding some herbs into each meal can help us feel our best. Here are a few powerful herbs and their specific beneficial properties: ROSEMARY

If you’re hitting the books this fall or just need an overall boost in mood, memory or anxiety relief, rosemary is the herb for you. With its recognizable fragrance and heavy presence in the use of aromatherapy, there’s much more than just a pleasant aroma when looking at the benefits of rosemary. Studies have shown Rosemary extract has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.

Most recently, a randomized clinical trial uncovered that the oral use of Rosemary can decrease anxiety and depression 20 / SEPT. 2, 2021

while increasing sleep quality in university students. The same study also found rosemary to be a natural memory enhancer.

Basically, it acts as nature’s brain booster.

Rosemary can be bought in the form of a tincture, capsule or dry herb and can be applied topically for skin and hair health.

For use in the diet, try using fresh leaves to make a rosemary tea, sprinkle it on veggies or meat or add fresh rosemary to a salad for added spice.

ECHINACEA

As the weather slowly starts to change and temperatures dip, we turn to echinacea for a natural immunity boost. This sweet and floral herb’s most researched benefit is how it acts as an antibacterial agent to treat respiratory symptoms.

In other words, Echinacea added to the diet can help combat symptoms such as a cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing and much more.

Regular use of echinacea can also be beneficial to help fight inflammation, boost brain health and even reduce levels of anxiety. Although this purple coneflower might not be well-known in western society, there are still plenty of ways to get your hands on it. Echinacea can be found online or in health food stores in a tincture, capsule or tea form. Try taking it every day as a capsule or making some fresh tea, and you might be lucky enough to miss out on the dreaded common cold.

ST. JOHN’S WORT

Vivid and cheery in color, St. John’s Wort is here to brighten up your salads and your mood. This yellow, star-shaped herb has been used for centuries to treat depressive disorders. In the middle ages, St. John’s Wort was used to “ease a troubled mind” and later used for “nervous affections with depression.”

Today, we know the herb has been researched on a broader scale and is now widely used for the treatment of depression, anxiety, insomnia and seasonal depression disorder. Whether or not you suffer from these symptoms, adding St. John’s Wort into your diet is a safe and effective way to either combat symptoms of depression and anxiety or stop them before they start.

Bitter and bold in flavor, St. John’s Wort has a flavor similar to black tea and is best enjoyed in a tea form. To make the herb more palatable, add milk and honey to sweeten it up, or sprinkle it on your favorite salad as an edible garnish.

MACA

Rich in fiber, essential amino acids and other vitamins and minerals, Maca root is a nutrient-dense herb that can improve sexual and reproductive health in both males and females. Maca has grown in popularity in recent years due to some studies concluding its aid in female menopausal symptoms, hormone regulation and even hair follicle growth and protection.

Oh, and did I mention it’s been proven to increase sexual desire?

Maca has also been shown to increase sperm production in males, benefitting their reproductive system as a whole.

Adding maca root into the diet is a nutrient-dense, natural way to give the male or female reproductive system a little boost.

Earthy and nutty in flavor, maca root can be purchased in the form of a powder and added to oatmeal, smoothies, pancake mix, coffee or any other baked goods you want enriched with an earthy flavor. You can also make a maca latte with steamed milk for a coffee alternative that’s sure to get your blood flowing in all the right places.

GINGER

Feeling bloated before a big event or night out? A little nauseous the morning after? Ginger’s got your back in more ways than one. First mentioned in Ayurvedic and Chinese medical literature, this versatile root has a warming, slightly fiery effect on the GI tract and is sometimes described as having a citrusy or soapy flavor.

Ginger has been used to treat or lessen the symptoms of cold, fever, sore throats, infectious diseases, arthritis, rheumatism, sprains, muscular aches, pains, cramps, hypertension, dementia, migraine, nervous diseases, gingivitis, toothaches, indigestion, nausea and vomiting.

A wonderful addition to any healthy

lifestyle, ginger is one of the widest used herbs for general health and wellness.

Many researchers have recognized its potential to be developed into functional foods for prevention and management of chronic diseases.

Luckily, it’s easy to add ginger into meals for almost any time of the day. Get creative with its spicy, unique flavor by pairing it with sweet fruits in oatmeal or on top of pancakes/waffles for a sweet yet spicy breakfast. Add it into cooked vegetables or a salad for lunch, or turn to a homemade ginger tea before bed to reap the full benefits.

TURMERIC

This Indian herb, commonly used as a spice in curry dishes, may be the most powerful anti-inflammatory herb known to man. Yellow in color and belonging to the ginger family, this golden herb works wonders for blocking the very enzyme that creates inflammatory cells in our bodies. It can work to reverse adverse effects of oxidative stress on our bodies that can occur from eating excess processed food. With over 3000 publications completed within the past 25 years dealing with turmeric, it’s clear that modern medicine has begun to recognize its healing power.

Much like ginger, the biggest benefits of turmeric are its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Turmeric has been proven to decrease appetite and increase metabolism for someone trying to lose weight.

Best absorbed when cooked, turmeric has a very earthy and nutty flavor that’s a delicious addition to rice, eggs, tofu, veggies, smoothies, oatmeal or enjoyed alone in a latte paired with cinnamon.

CINNAMON

Unlike many other herbs, this traditional spice is very well-known in western culture and used widely in most households today. Typically paired with butter or sugar to create a sweet treat, cinnamon has benefits that are often overlooked.

Containing manganese, iron, fiber and calcium, cinnamon is another antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer herb. Cinnamon extracts have also been reported to inhibit bacteria by damaging its cell membrane. More research needs to be done to pinpoint the exact benefits of cinnamon extract on the body, but food scientists and researchers alike agree that it’s a beneficial addition to the diet.

Sprinkle cinnamon on top of coffee, on top of breakfast foods or add it to a smoothie for some added sweetness. Cinnamon’s sweet flavor is wonderful when paired with hints of ginger, nutmeg or turmeric. @BUSSERTMADDIE MB901017@OHIO.EDU

ALBUM REVIEW

ADONIS FRYER FOR THE POST

‘Donda’ stands as an imperfect but strong album

The tortured artist is one of the longest standing tropes in popular culture.

Essentially, this character is someone who excels in his or her field but is tortured by inner demons who are as consuming as the character’s art is brilliant. The tortured artist is the person who exemplifies the idea that great art comes from great suffering, or in simpler terms: no pain, no gain.

Among the long list of celebrities today, there are few who fit this character description like Kanye West does. While he’s experienced the fantastical heights of success that most people can only dream of, his career also has valleys, slumps and tribulations that no one would want to experience.

His breakout single, ”Through the Wire,” is built on the tragedy of a horrific car crash in 2002. One of his most influential and divisive albums, 808s & Heartbreak, was emotionally fueled by the death of his mother Donda West and the end of his engagement to fiancée Alexis Phifer. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was a triumphant comeback from his interruption of Taylor Swift at the 2009 VMAs. This pattern is relevant and important because Donda, his latest album, is largely about tragedy in West’s life. After all, this last year has seen West lose a presidential bid, have a public mental health episode and divorced from his longtime wife, Kim Kardashian. Just like previous works too, Donda’s release was frustrating for fans.

CONCEPTION AND RELEASE It would be an understatement to say that Donda has had an untraditional release. The album was first slated for release last year on July 24, 2020, but it never materialized. For much of last year, there was doubt and skepticism if the album would ever be officially released.

Skepticism over the release continued this year, but fans became hopeful as West slated the album for a July 23 release. Again, it did not materialize, but fans were able to attend large listening events where West played drafts of the album. If fans were unable to make the

events in person, it was possible to stream the listening parties over Apple Music.

The listening parties drew record streaming numbers on Apple Music and raked in millions in merchandise purchases.

Each event was different and had different versions of songs as if West was showing off draft after draft of his pending project to a live audience. Just like the pre-release of Yeezus, there were intriguing fashion pieces and performance art up at the listening parties which set the internet ablaze.

Ultimately, the album would be released Aug. 29. West claimed that the album was released without his permission by Universal and publicly demanded to have “Jail Pt. 2,” which controversially features DaBaby and Marilyn Manson, back on the album which has drawn the ire of some listeners.

Donda has features from some of the biggest performers and producers in the world like Jay-Z, Playboi Carti, The Weeknd, Baby Keem, Travis Scott, Jay Electronica, Young Thug, Kid Cudi, Roddy Ricch, Ty Dolla Sign, Don Toliver, Mike Dean, Mia Wallace, Warryn Campbell and many more.

This is one of West’s longest albums to date with 27 songs, which amounts to an hour and 48 minutes of music. Out of the 27 songs, here are six of the most notable.

NOTABLE TRACKS “HURRICANE” FT. THE WEEKND & LIL BABY “Thousand miles from shore, I can float on the water / Father, hold me close, don’t let me drown / I know you won’t” - The Weeknd A calm, mysterious beat and vocals by The Weeknd, Lil Baby and Kanye West tell a tale of redemption and reflect on guilt from prior mistakes.

The Weeknd sings a chorus that describes being left in the dark and finding an inner light in God. The metaphor of walking on water and surviving a storm is a clear story of surviving difficult times with the help of personal strength and God’s salvation.

The first verse with Lil Baby focuses on him reflecting on his life and how far he’s come despite the challenges of his upbringing. Kanye’s verse is focused on the guilt and blame he feels for the end of his marriage with Kim Kardashian.

“Fiendin’ for some true love, ask Kim, ‘What do you love?’ / Hard to find what the truth is but the truth was that truth suck” -

Kanye West “BELIEVE WHAT I SAY” “I ain’t never question what you was askin’ for / I gave you every single thing you was askin’ for” - West This is a track anybody can love. It features a sample from Lauryn Hill’s 1998 classic “Doo Wop (That Thing)” in its introduction. The track’s beat is bouncy and fun as Hill’s voice hums throughout the song.

The lyrics focus on West, again, talking loosely about his divorce with Kardashian and venting his frustrations about the collapse of the relationship. Despite the somber subject matter, it’s a groovy and easy listen.

“24” “God, please make it alright / Make it right, now that feels right / Nothing else ever feels right” - West While Christiainity has played a role in many of West’s songs from “Jesus Walks” to “Ultralight Beam,” many were skeptical when West declared he would no longer make secular music. Some of West’s best and most entertaining lyrics over the years have featured vulgar, cartoonish language that most would say shouldn’t be played in a church under any circumstances.

“24” features the Sunday Service Choir and Kanye West openly asking for God to reassure them and fix their problems. What makes this song replayable is the purity and simplicity of its message.

“DONDA” “And what made the project extra special to me is / I got a chance to share not only what he has meant to me / But what he has meant to a generation” - Donda West Despite being the titular character, West’s mother seems to drift out of focus for parts of the album. The song “Donda” features a moving spoken word by West’s mother about her son.

It’s not quite as affectionate as “Hey Mama” from Late Registration, but it’s still a strong indication of the bond that these two shared. West is joined by Stalone, The World Famous Tony Williams and the Sunday Service Choir for the introduction and outro which features them singing choir-esque praise vocals.

castin’ stones / This might be the return of The Throne (Throne) / Hova and Yeezus, like Moses and Jesus” - Jay-Z “Jail” and “Jail Pt. 2” are noteworthy for features but for vastly different reasons.

In track two, West raps about being metaphorically being locked in jail and again, telling Kardashian that single life isn’t so bad. The second half of the song features a long-awaited feature by Jay-Z who was West’s partner on their song “N***as in Paris,” which went 8x platinum.

For long-time fans, Jay-Z’s feature was a breath of fresh air and possibly a teaser for a sequel to Watch the Throne.

“Jail Pt. 2,” though, features Manson and DaBaby as features instead of Jay-Z. Their inclusion has drawn ire because both have had recent controversies.

Manson’s involves sexual assault, and DaBaby is accused of making homophobic marks at a concert.

Donda is a conflicting amalgamation of ideas, Christianity, rhythm, love, guilt, joy, heartbreak and sin. For its ability to feature a wide range of emotion -- to both take itself extremely seriously and still have a sense of humor at the same time -- Donda stands as West’s best album since The Life of Pablo in 2016.

Donda is a lot like James Joyce’s novel, Ulysses. It’s long, frustrating and sometimes lacking in clarity, but above all is a brilliant and imperfect work of art, a true representation of the maddening artist’s mind who created it even if he says it was released prematurely.

Rating: 4/5

@ADONISFRYER AF414219@OHIO.EDU

“JAIL” AND “JAIL PT. 2” “Told him, ‘Stop all of that red cap, we goin’ home’ / Not me with all of these sins, THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 21

the weekender ‘One In/And Seven’ showcases artwork of 7 OU adjunct faculty, alumni ISABEL NISSLEY FOR THE POST

Seven Ohio University alumni and adjunct faculty — Terry Kolb Davis, April Felipe, Cassidy Brauner Jarrahi, Mateo Galvano, Courtney Kessel, Elisa Smith and Basil Masri Zada — created an art exhibit, “One In/And Seven.”

The show opened Aug. 27 at Majestic Galleries, 20 Public Square, Nelsonville. It is able to be viewed Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“One In/And Seven” features artworks that are diverse in form, ranging from cyanotype prints on fabric to ceramics. Despite the variety of artwork, Felipe, one of the featured

artists who made three-dimensional pieces for the exhibition, felt like the art was cohesive in its display.

“When you’re working in group shows, people are coming from different points of view and marrying all of that together,” Felipe said. “I really loved how well the work(s) spoke to each other. That was kind of a beautiful thing.”

The seven artists, who had not all collaborated artistically before, were united by their education from the OU School of Art and Design and their roles as adjunct faculty at OU. “One of the amazing things about this show is that it is not only all alumni, but we’re all adjuncting,” Felipe said. “Adjuncting is such a wonderful,

Abby Miller, known by her artist name as Liv Abeelya, takes in the art of Courtney Kessel and Erin Pfahler during the opening of One in/and Seven art Exhibit at Majestic Galleries in Nelsonville on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. (CARRIE LEGG | FOR THE POST)

22 / SEPT. 2, 2021

but also oddly ambiguous, thing to be in. I think one of the beautiful things about adjuncting at a place you were a student is that you really understand the full experience, and it’s kind of wonderful that not only are you a professor, but also this show allows us to be seen as the artists that we are.”

In creating a title for the exhibit, the seven creators considered their roles within OU, their artistic endeavors and ways in which they could represent the artwork using few words. “‘One in/and Seven’ can be a little bit of a mouthful, but I think the idea is that collectively, yes, we are all ‘the adjuncts,’ or the additional help, but we are playing roles that really are integral to the school running,” Brauner Jarrahi, a multimodal photographer, said. “But we are individuals as well.

We are collective, and we are individualized, which I think was important for us to be like, ‘We’re a person, and we’re also part of this collective, and look how many of us there are.’”

Majestic Galleries is located just a couple of buildings away from the historic Stuart’s Opera House in Nelsonville’s public square. Connaught Cullen, executive director of Majestic Galleries, said before it housed art, the Majestic was a movie theater and then a pizza place. During the early 2000s, a group of artists remodeled the Majestic’s interior, transforming it into a cooperative artists’ space.

“We are bringing contemporary art to a rural setting in Appalachia,” Cullen said.

“One in/and Seven” found a home at Majestic Galleries because of a threeyear contract that the galleries had established with OU’s School of Art and Design. The final show in the threeyear contract was supposed to occur during 2020 but, due to the pandemic,

IF YOU GO WHAT: One in/and Seven art exhibit WHERE: Majestic Galleries, 20 Public Square, Nelsonville WHEN: Friday, Sept. 3, to Sunday, Sept. 5, 12-5 p.m.

ADMISSION: Free

it had to be postponed until this year.

Attendees must wear masks to the gallery. “One In/And Seven” will remain on display until Sept. 17. @ISABELNISSLEY IN566119@OHIO.EDU

WHAT’S GOING ON?

Enjoy stand-up comedy, relax with community yoga ANASTASIA CARTER SLOT EDITOR

FRIDAY, SEPT. 3 “Perceive with Caution” A Kennedy Museum of Art Merging Concepts Exhibition at 9 a.m., hosted by the Kennedy Museum of Art, 100 Ridges Circle.

Visit the Kennedy Museum to see the student-developed, curated, designed and installed “Perceive with Caution” art exhibit. To schedule a time to see the exhibit, fill out the Kennedy Museum’s visitor approval Google Form.

Admission: Free Ohio University’s Blue Pencil Comedy Club from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., hosted at Donkey Coffee & Espresso, 17 W. Washington St. They will be performing stand-up on the Donkey stage.

Admission: Free

SATURDAY, SEPT. 4 Athens Farmers Market at 9 a.m., hosted by Athens Farmers Market, 1002 E. State St. Shop for locally grown and locally made foods and goods at the farmers’ market. The market accepts SNAP, credit cards and wholesome wave. Masks are recommended, and social distancing protocols are in place.

Admission: Free Community Yoga Class at 10 a.m., put on by the College of Fine Arts in the grassy area behind McCraken and Putnam Halls. Cara Hagan will lead the class in focusing on elements of yoga, healing practices, meditation and social justice. No experience is necessary.

Participants are encouraged to bring a personal water bottle, yoga mat or towel.

Admission: Free The Knights of Labor: Documentary Viewing and Concert of Traditional Music from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., hosted by

the Athens Public Library, 30 Home St. Documentary filmmaker Burr Beard will give a viewing of his new movie, Music of the Knights of Labor. After the talk, the folk duo of Burr Beard and Jack Wright will perform songs traditional to the Knights of Labor, a 19th century workers’ federation that fought for labor rights and was a predecessor to the United Mine Workers and the International Workers of the World.

Admission: Free Velvet Green with Cousin Simple at 7 p.m., hosted by 97.5 FM Hocking College at The Union, 18 W. Union St. Admission: $8 Donkey Movie Night: The Beatles Yellow Submarine from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., hosted at Donkey Coffee. Check out a free showing of The Beatles Yellow Submarine.

The Market on State

ART MARKET

at the Athens Farmer’s Market

Find hand-crafted jewelry, pottery, paintings and prints, yarn, lotions, quilts, eco-printed clothing, silkscreened t-shirts, wooden tables, boxes, bowls and more!

Locally made by members of the Athens Art Guild.

Saturday, Sep. 4th 9 am - 12 pm Masks required

Admission: Free

Admission: $10 general, $8 students and seniors, free for members Fall Customs Around the World from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Chosen Pathways Spiritual Emporium, 400 E. State St. Leesa Kern, a Druid teacher from Columbus, will discuss fall-time customs from around the world. Corn dollies will be made by attendees while supplies last.

Admission: $5

@ACARTER3602 AC732319@OHIO.EDU

TEA TIME

WITH EBONY MINDS

Members will be giving out tips for freshman and sophmores, eating, and playing games, plus we will introduce our Eboard.

Tuesday, Sep. 7th 6:30 pm

College Green - West Portico

OHIO FACULTY JAZZ COMBO Concerts on the Green are presented by the OHIO Performing Arts Series, OHIO College of Fine Arts, OHIO School of Music, and the Division of Student Affairs with support from The Ohio Arts Council and Envisage Wealth.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 5 Quilt National at The Dairy Barn, 8000 Dairy Lane. Local and worldwide artists’ quilts are on display at the biennial Quilt National. There are 84 artists with quilts on display, all with different meanings and patterns. Described as “not your grandmother’s quilts,” the featured artworks transcend the constraints of traditional quilting. Masks are required when viewing the exhibit.

Multicultural Center - Baker University Center Second Floor

THE BEATLES

YELLOW SUBMARINE

FREE SHOWING

Saturday, Sep. 4th 8-9:30 pm donkeycoffee.com

Each week will feature a new ensemble - presented on the beautiful Ohio University College Green.

Wednesday, Sep. 8th 6:30 pm Free & Open to the Public

Organized and sponsored by the Women’s Center, Survivor Advocacy Program, Health Promotion, Ohio University Art Galleries, Ohio University Alumni Association, Department of Geography. With support from Counseling & Psychological Services.

Through Sep. 18

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Tues. & Sat. 12-4 Thurs. 3-7 Free & Open to the Public

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Scripps Ampitheater ACOUSTIC SHOWCASE

CAITLIN KRAUS

Ohio LIVE & the Campus Involvement Center are pleased to present a free outdoor music series Acoustic Showcase, curated

by Bruce Dalzell.

With support from The Ohio Arts Council & Jackie O’s

Thursday Sep. 9th 6:30 pm Free & Open to the Public

Trisolini Gallery Baker University Center

IN THIS SPACE: DISRUPTED

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▸ showtimes change daily ◂ Tue - Fri: 4:00 til 8:00 Sat - Sun: 2:30 til 8:00

check the website for showtimes, to purchase tickets, and for UPCOMING EVENTS & SERIES

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Kennedy Museum of Art

LACUNA

This exhibition is an intermedia collaboration between Mateo Galvano, a multimedia conceptual artist, and C. David Russell, whose practice includes performing objects as well as scenic and costume design for theater.

Through Mar. 6th

FREE ADMISSION check the website for a schedule of virtual opportunities

ohio.edu/museum

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· inPARKING INCLUDED many locations · PET-FRIENDLY UNITS AVAIL.

& MANY MORE EXTRAS *Security deposits are per person, monthly rates are per person/per month

OUrentals.com

160 Mill St.

6 Bedroom . $550*

85 West State Street 6 Bedroom . $537*

199

$

Security Deposit

4 bedrooms • 2 bath FEATURING: off-site parking, balcony, trash included, in prime neighborhood

& TOWNHOMES

4-5 bedrooms • 2 bath FEATURING: separate living area, on-site parking, trash includ9 1/2 South High St. ed, and access to the 5 Bedroom . $640 bikepath.

199

$

99

$

AVAILABLE NOW for 2021 - 2022

Security Deposit

Security Deposit

2 Milliron Apt. A 5 Bedroom $450*

156 Mill St.

5 Bedroom . $625*

740.594.9098 Call TODAY to schedule a viewing