March 2014
miami quarterly
Geena Davis! Geena Davis! Geena Davis! “Beetlejuice” Star Visits Miami
Miami Mergers: A Dying Tradition?
BOLD:
BOEHNER’S CHALLENGER
The Logic For Legal Weed Engineers Take On Heavy Metal One Track Athlete’s True Habitat
2 March
06 14 16 31 36 scene 4 Geena Davis 6 The Princess 8 LinkedIn features 9 Smashfact 10 The Philippines 12 Miami BOLD 14 Lewis Place Photo Essay 16 Miami Mergers arts & entertainment 20 Peter Pan 22 Heavy Metal 24 In vs. Out 25 Spring Break Playlist
sports & fitness 27 Superlatives 28 Matt Gambill 31 Sailing Club 32 Traveling with Miami Hockey opinion 34 Panhellinic Double-Standard 35 GBD Letter from an Officer 36 Marijuana Legalization 39 The Gap Year 40 Top 10 43 Where do you MQ?
the miami quarterly March 2014
Cover Photo by Rianne VanDervoort: Miami mergers, Rachel and Tristan Clark, kiss under the Upham Arch.
March
1
Editor-in-Chief
Dear Readers,
Abigail Walters
By the time you see this, I hope that your spring break plans are set, and you are anxiously counting down the days until you can trade in tired, dull sweaters for bright, new swimsuits. I know I will anxiously be awaiting my flight to Punta Cana with a rumored 300 other Miami students (if the trip I signed up for is not, in fact, a scam). I must say, while the tropical temperatures and ocean-side location won’t hurt, I’m most excited for the uninterrupted time I will have to socialize with friends and strangers alike.
Business Manager Akane Shiba
Art Director Alexandra Bishoff
Managing Editors Shannon Pesek Amanda Schumaker
Section Editors Megan Conley Ali Czarnecki Thea Dellas Drew Doggett Katie Mark
Photo Editor Rianne VanDervoort
Writers Maranda Bailo Jane Blazer Justine Daley Carrie Ellington Nicole George Hailey Gilman Erica Griffith Katie Harris Meredith Hughes Emma Kete Megan McTighe Carsyn Rodriguez Megan Walsh Ellie Conley Justine Daley Aaron Hurd Haley Keyser Mariel Padilla Emmy Silverman
Photographers Raegan Renner Ricardo Trevino
You see, I’ve learned from past spring breaks that the best part of this vacation week in March is the time it provides to nurture relationships. If you’re traveling somewhere, it’s likely you’ll be forced to spend every waking hour of the day with the same, few people. Yes, I said every waking hour of the day. It’s intense, but it’s also the best time to make memories that can only result from a shared car ride, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom… you get the picture. Even if you’re not traveling some place exotic, and instead are headed home, spring break still provides the respite from midterms and meetings you need to reconnect with the parents, siblings and high school friends you’ve probably neglected for most of, if not all of, this semester. As a person notorious for never calling, answering, replying to texts (again, you get the picture) spring breaks spent at home have provided me the opportunity to prove that really I do still love my parents. Take this break to make time for the people in your life who miss you the most when you’re gone. As a classmate in my management course recently reminded me, “What matters more than your relationships?” This issue of MQ also helped remind me that relationships are what matter most. Take the “Miami Mergers: A Dying Tradition,” story on p. 18, for instance. It suggests Miami students are too busy to prioritize real relationships over more convenient “hookups”. If this is true, are we spending our time on the right things? Reading about Miami freshman, Myhgail Justiniano’s, experience on p.12 may also remind you to reflect on your priorities. When Justiniano received news that a typhoon hit her hometown in the Philippines, her first thoughts were of her family’s safety. Again, it boils down to relationships. So, first and foremost, take some time to read through this issue of MQ. Learn about some upcoming events on campus, look into the lives of some of Miami’s most interesting students and join us on a tour P. Hodge’s home, Lewis Place (p. 16). Then, travel to your spring break destination of choice, and tell someone you love them. Safe travels, Abigail Walters Editor-in-chief
Designers Kayle Antony
Faculty Adviser Patricia Gallagher Newberry
Miami Quarterly is a student-run magazine at Miami University in Oxford, OH. Our mission is to entertain while being informative. MQ is released twice per semester. It can be picked up at various locations on campus and Uptown. If you have any ideas or suggestions for the magazine or are interested in becoming a staff member, please contact us at MQMagazine@gmail.com
2 March
l a v o r p p a X I R T A M high culture
Turmoil in Ukraine Justin Bieber being Justin Bieber
BuzzFeed quizzes “House of Cards” season 2 Facebook’s purchase of “What’s App”
Arizona “religious freedom” law
MU’s faulty wireless connection
#turnup
Parodies of “Let It Go” from Disney’s “Frozen”
MU’s new fashion minor
New treadmills at the rec center
Brick Street’s early opening for the Olympic games
Bell Tower’s pb&j bar
Slow service at the ASC
Excessively long Snapchat stories
Michael Sam’s coming out
brilliant
Pharrell’s Arby’s style hat
idiotic
Jimmy Fallon’s Late-Night takeover
Taco Bell breakfast
low culture
*The Approval Matrix reflects the views of the MQ editorial staff.
March
3
GEENA DAVIS! GEENA DAVIS! GEENA DAVIS!
“BEETLEJUICE” STAR VISITS MIAMI
4 March
BY MEGAN CONLEY
scene “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!” shouts Barbara Maitland. Suddenly, a creepy greenhaired ghost appears, head spinning atop his zebra-striped suit. Barbara, dressed in her 1980s floral dress, stands in awe. We all remember the scene from our favorite spooky childhood comedy. A couple new to the ghost scene calls on the aid of Beetlejuice—an eccentric bio-exorcist and their only hope for ridding their home of the new (and alive) homeowners. But who played the young Barbara with her memorable dark brown perm? Geena Davis, Academy Award and Golden Globe winning actress, is known far beyond her starring role in Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice.” Since her film debut in the 1982 film “Tootise,” Davis’ roles have ranged from the first female Commander-in-Chief to a spunky baseball player. But perhaps even more diverse than her characters are Davis’ personal interests. Aside from acting, Davis is the founder of the non-profit Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. And this semester, Davis will be in Oxford as the keynote speaker of the Miami University Women in Leadership Symposium. The Women in Leadership Symposium is new to campus this year. Sponsored by the Division of University Advancement, the Office of Career Services and the Women’s Center, the symposium will be held on April 3 and 4. The symposium begins with Davis’ speech in the Pavilion of the Armstrong Student Center on Thursday, April 3 at 5 p.m. Maggie Patrick, associate director of development in the Division of University Advancement office, has been a key organizer of the event. Although Davis was unable for an interview herself, Patrick anticipates the subject of her speech. “Geena’s speech will be about areas where women have not achieved the success that we would like them to and why that is important for us to care about,” Patrick says. “When women succeed in leadership, it really benefits everybody.” Davis’ desire to promote women in leadership coincides perfectly with the purpose of the event, according to Patrick. However, the excitement spans further than the symposium. The event is a kick-off for a broader initiative called M.I.A.M.I Women, otherwise known as the Miami Initiative for Advancing, Mentoring and Investing in Women. Backed by President David Hodge, the M.I.A.M.I Initiative will benefit current students, faculty and alumni alike. Patrick has high hopes for the initiative that all begins with Davis’ visit. Pictured left: Geena Davis.
“This initiative will encompass multiple things including this annual symposium on campus,” Patrick says. “We are also exploring possibilities in the fall for a smaller mentoring luncheon. And then we’ll have regional events in cities where we have strong concentrations of alumni.” Following Davis’ speech on Thursday night, the symposium will continue on Friday with a breakfast, messages from additional speakers and an alumni panel. Among the other speakers will be Shefali Duggal, a top fundraiser for the Obama presidential campaign who now serves on the White House Counsel for Women and Girls. In finding the speakers, Patrick explains that diversity was key. In fact, the entire symposium will feature women across the fields of education, politics, business and health. And by inviting a wide range of people, Patrick hopes a commitment to diversity will shine. This sort of commitment to diversity is evident in the keynote speaker’s own life. Davis is known for her 2006 Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series Drama in ABC’s “Commander in Chief ” and her Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in “The Accidental Tourist.” According to their web page, the institute is “the only research-based organization working behind-the scenes in the entertainment industry to engage, educate and influence the need for gender balance, reducing stereotyping and creating a wide variety of female portrayals for children’s entertainment.” In other words, Davis is all about one mission: dramatically altering how women and girls are reflected in the media. Recognizing the significance of this unique mission, Patrick is excited to witness how Davis’ work will empower the audience. “I think a lot of people are unaware of the work that Geena has done,” Patrick says. “They think that she is a great actress and that she has played a lot of great strong women in her acting. But a lot of people around campus don’t know about the other work that she has done.” Speaking of Davis’ diverse resume, this spring will not be her first time to Oxford. Back in 1999, Davis participated in the Olympic trials for archery here in Oxford. Although Davis did not make it to Sydney, she succeeded in becoming an Olympic Team semi-finalist after around two years in the sport. Later, Davis served as a trustee of the Women’s Sport’s Foundation. Amidst all of these accomplishments, Patrick says it is no surprise Davis was at the top of the list when picking a keynote speaker for the symposium.
“Geena has such a diverse background,” Patrick says. “That’s why she is such a great person to bring to campus. She is an incredible role model.” Lisa McLaughlin, professor in both the Media, Journalism and Film Department and the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department, agrees that Davis is qualified to kick-off the symposium. “What Geena Davis has is the public profile, the concern, and the effort to do something for a real problem in our society, which is how women and girls are represented in the media,” McLaughlin says. “And I think that’s exceptional.” As explained by McLauglin, the issues of female representation in the media are diverse, but often come back to a lack of diversity and an over-sexualized representation of women that is amplified by repetition. The root of these issues can be found in misrepresentation both onscreen and behind the scenes. But McLaughlin believes it is people like Davis who are working to make a change. “If women didn’t have that glass ceiling and actually were able to get into positions where they would be able to create representation, make decisions and produce what we see in the media, more women would have the potential to be supportive of one another,” McLaughlin says. This sort of mutual support that will form the core of the symposium. By maintaining an open invitation to students, faculty, alumni and community members, the organizers hope that the event will be a time for new connections to be made. For Grace Toale, intern in the Division of University Advancement office, the possibility of alumni connections has been the most exciting part of planning the symposium. “Personally, I love hearing Miami alumni stories,” Toale says. “And whenever they come back to campus, it’s so cool to hear how they took their piece of Miami and went out into the world.” “It’s going to be very uplifting and empowering, especially hearing all of these stories from Geena Davis,” Toale says. “I really hope people will leave the conference feeling encouraged to change the world.” Davis’ lecture will be held Thursday, April 3 at 5 p.m. in the Pavilion of the Armstrong Student Center. The lecture is free, but tickets must be picked up in advance at the Miami Box Office. The full symposium is also free, but registration is required and can be found at www.MiamiOH.edu/MIAMIWomen.
March
5
scene
ROYAL RENOVATIONS UPTOWN
BY ELLIE CONLEY
PHOTO BY RICARDO TREVINO The Princess Theater closed in November 2012, but reopened one year later with new owners and the promise of a renovation that would have movie-goer’s feeling like royals. Renovations will include a new box office, more comfortable seats and a digital projection system. The exterior of the theater will also be cleaned up and transformed to match Oxford’s traditional red brick style. Kayleigh Yoder is a junior at Miami University who lives just one block away from the theater. While walking up to see “American Hustle,” she encounters the glow of the small, yellow bulbs under its entryway and a sign that reads “Princess.” It’s charming, yet she is excited for the upcoming changes. “I’m really excited for the renovations that they’re about to do on the Princess,” Yoder says. “It’s just going to be a lot more modern. I think it’s going to make going to the movies a lot more enjoyable.” The Princess’s makeover has yet to begin though, and rumors linger throughout campus. The previous owners sold the theater because they wanted to get out of the movie business. Lindsey Meyers along with Matt Rodbro, owner of Red Brick Property Management, Ted Woods, owner of The Woods and several other bars Uptown, and Chris Rodbro, purchased it.
projectors the current theatre has, so we’re working on getting that taken care of as soon as possible,” Meyers says. His hope is that the renovations will create a more enjoyable experience for all at the university and in the local community. One rumor flying around has been that the theater will soon begin to sell alcohol, but Meyers says that selling alcohol at the theater has not even crossed the owners’ minds yet. They are going to first work on upgrading it, then worry later about the details and what direction they want to take the theater in. Though many businesses on the curb of High Street thrive from the sale of alcohol, the Princess Theater draws in those looking for a night of fun and excitement from a good old-fashioned movie. According to the manager, Maria Lockwood, the theater contains entertainment for all ages, but students are its main customers The theater has been open for just a little over three months with movie tickets costing five dollars and a large soda the equivalent. Lockwood said the feedback for the reopening has been good, but often business is slow on weekdays. “As long as the students are here [we’re busy],” Lockwood says. “When you guys are gone, it’s dead.”
“We are currently in the process of getting pricing and estimates for renovations at the theatre, as well as for engineering and architecture being done to it,” Meyers says.
Oxford has an average resident age of 21.4 years old. The Princess Theater is the only movie theater near the Miami campus. The next closest is approximately ten miles away.
An actual date has not been set for renovations to begin, but Meyers says the first thing to undergo renovation will be the projection systems.
It’s still uncertain when Princess Theater visitors will be waving goodbye to the old, and crowning the new. But when they do, it will be with the crunching sound of golden popcorn in front of a new and improved digital movie screen.
“All theatres are soon to be required to have digital projectors as opposed to the film
6 March
scene
March
7
scene
LinkedIn to Opportunities BY CARRIE ELLINGTON
PHOTO BY RIANNE VANDERVOORT Social media is always changing, with people constantly flocking to the newest and coolest sites. LinkedIn, founded in 2003, has continued to grow in leaps and bounds. Professors and employers alike recommend that students be connected using LinkedIn. But what’s the best way to make use of the site? According to Mary Barnes, assistant director of career services, the best place to start with networking is the Miami University’s alumni group, “The alumni board is a great place to network with alums from the area with interests and jobs that you share,” Barnes says. “It’s a great place to make connections for advice, internships, and jobs.” Sharon Attaway, director of professional development in career services at the Farmer School of Business, agrees. “There are over 28,886 members and it’s growing everyday. I’ve watched it explode from 12,000 members,” Attaway says. “It’s a perfect tool to find out where Miamians are and conduct informational searches.” The alumni page connects students, professors and alumni alike. It is a sharing ground where students can ask questions about the job market
8 March
and get advice from both recent graduates and experienced alumni.
“It’s all about being genuine,” Attaway says. “Don’t get on if you’re not going to use the tool.”
“If you have a Twitter or Facebook that is public and does not reflect the professional you, you should change your privacy settings now,” Attaway says. “It’s important that you keep professional you and personal you separate. You can’t find me on Facebook because I don’t want you too, and that’s important for that separation.”
According to Barnes, staying engaged is the best ways to get people to notice your profile. One way to stay engaged is to consistently update with new skills.
While it can be hard to separate personal from professional on the Internet, it is important to still let yourself shine through on your LinkedIn profile.
“Don’t just let your profile sit there,” Barnes says. “That will not look good to prospective employers. Keep active with it as much as possible.”
“Definitely populate your skills so that others can endorse them, but also endorse other’s skill’s as well,” Barnes says. “It’s all about having that online presence.”
But for those looking for jobs, LinkedIn may not be enough. Having a professional online presence throughout the rest of your online identity is key.
In the LinkedIn world, personal branding is key.
But don’t connect to LinkedIn just because it’s available.
“Student often don’t realize how high their LinkedIn pops up on Google searches, and believe me, they will Google you,” Barnes says. “It’s important to control your online brand.” Students may forget about sites like Facebook and Twitter, but Attaway encourages students not to count them out.
“You want to have a consistent brand to showcase your professional self,” Attaway says. “You’ve got to be paying attention to your social brand.” Still want more tips to make the most of your LinkedIn profile? Check out the Career Service workshop LinkedIn 101 for more help, held every Friday from 3:30 to 4 p.m. in Room 202 in Hoyt Hall.
features Is QuizUp for school your dream? If so, it may have come true. Miami University’s own Kelly Babcock co-created an app named Smash Fact that was unveiled on Jan. 8 and has already generated some serious buzz on campus. Her app is targeted towards college students and is designed to work as a fun and interactive study tool. The app allows you to play games against your fellow classmates using test material that professors provide. Students can purchase the app for only $4.99, a price that Babcock says could drop if there is enough student feedback asking for a lower price. Already being used by 150 teachers and 43 institutions, Smash Fact differs from other similar apps due to the fact that the teachers create the information and questions. This helps ensure that students know exactly what to study for every exam. “If I could change one thing about the app it would be the ability to share. Right now that’s top of our list for the next version,” Babcock explains. “Being able to share from the teachers’ side, with each other, and also the students being able to share their Smash Fact activities with their classmates.” So far, 3,000 students are using the app, a number that will likely continue to grow. The members of Smash Fact are working hard to
make the experience even better. Babcock defends Smash Fact against other similar apps and websites “The unique part of Smash Fact is that it’s created by your teacher,” Babcock says. “We think one of the biggest differentiators is that the teacher is actually picking and choosing the most important concepts they feel that their students should study, and the students get to see that and use that to study, rather than having to figure it out themselves.” Shannon LaGassa, a student at Miami University, shares her views on the new app. “It would be really valuable to know exactly what I need to study because I over study a lot of the time,” LaGassa says. LaGassa also had her doubts about the app, commenting that she probably would not use the app if her peers weren’t using it as well. She also expressed her worries about the app being so expensive. LaGassa considered the fact that students have to pay for the app and thought that it would be reasonable if it was slightly less expensive. “It is kind of expensive, but it sounds like they have the whole process figured out, so it does sound superior, obviously that’s probably why you pay for it,” LaGassa says.
Miami’s teacher of Digital Writing and Rhetoric, Ryan Ireland, expresses that he likes the overall idea of learning in a non-traditional way, but gave a lot of critiques as well. Ireland states that he thought five dollars was way too much money to pay for an app, and he did not ethically agree with the concept of students paying instead of the educators. Ireland also voices his opinions on the gaming part of the app. “I would like to see more of a game structure for this, not digital flashcards or a digital pop quiz,” he says. Ireland proposes a new structure to the games on the app. “I’m a fan personally of more organic game design…If their able to make the actual game interface more complex as students progress, I think that would keep them more interested,” Ireland suggests. Ireland applauds the creators of the app on the idea of mobile learning and creating a space beyond the classroom that is also still associated with the classroom. Smash Fact is still trying to get itself established in this already highly technological world using social media outlets such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. They are also trying to get onto as many college campuses as possible.
Smashing New Technology BY EMMA KETE
PHOTO BY RAEGAN RENNER
March
9
philippine typhoon hits close to home BY ALI CZARNECKI
PHOTO BY RAEGAN RENNER
10 March
features When a tragedy strikes, it’s common to ask the question, “Where were you when you heard the news?” In American society, this question is often attributed to events such as 9/11, Pearl Harbor or the JFK assassination. For freshman Myhgail Justiniano, this question is most closely linked with the devastating typhoon that took place in the Philippines this past November. Justiniano was born in Tacloban City, one of the areas that the November typhoon greatly impacted. She lived in the Philippines until she moved to the United States in 2006 when she was 11years old. The news not only came as a shock because of the impact on her hometown, but because many of her family members still live there, including her father, half-sister, cousin, extended family and friends. “I was actually out with friends when I found out. I found out via Facebook through people whose families and friends were also affected,” Justiniano shares. “I was just shocked and didn’t know how to react. The typhoon was worse than they had predicted and people weren’t ready at all.” Although Justiniano was able to receive news of the typhoon, there was no way for her to communicate with her family in Tacloban as a result of the destruction. Hours seemed like an eternity as she waited to hear from her loved ones. Her family living in different parts of the United States worked endlessly together to try and get as much information about their relatives overseas. The difficult process of getting in touch with her family contributed to the severity of the situation. “My cousin here in the US had told me that family members in another Philippine province, Cebu, had gotten ahold of my dad and that him, along with the people boarding at our house in Tacloban, all survived,” Justiniano explains. “However, news was very limited for a long time. Telephone lines were down and there was no electricity.” Justiniano and her family ultimately had to rely on the brief amount of communication in order to hold onto the hope that her father and other relatives were safe. When she was finally able to speak to her father, the news she received was unfathomable. “When I did get to talk to my dad, he just told me how traumatizing it was,” Justiniano Pictured left: Myhgail Justiniano
shares. “He mentioned that a few neighbors were washed away by storm surge. The floods reached second-floor levels and the wind reached over 200 mph. All the houses around ours were destroyed as most of our neighbors were very poor.” Justiniano also talks of her house. “The roof was ripped off in various areas,” she says. “Our car went through one of our rooms on the first floor. Mud up to 1 feet filled the rooms, and everything got damaged because of the water.” Justiniano’s 23-year-old half-sister, Guendolyn Selga, was in their home in Tacloban when the typhoon began approaching. “I was at home. Our home is located 500 meters from the sea. Around 6 a.m. of Nov. 8, I woke up because of the strong wind. You can’t even see the view outside because it was zero visibility already,” Guendolyn shares. “Suddenly our front door opened. As my uncle was closing the door, he saw a huge wave taller than our gate coming towards us. It was really black. He shouted ‘Everybody! Run to the second floor! There’s a huge wave coming!’” Guendolyn will never forget the moments after the wave hit. In only a matter of seconds, the second floor was covered with the black water, forcing them to retreat up to their last level. “We were all crying, praying and begging to our Lord,” Guendolyn explains. “We were hugging each other and thinking it might be the end of the world.” Around 9 AM, Guendolyn heard her mother saying that the water was finally subsiding. “You could see outside was like an ocean,” she says. “I heard ‘it’s subsiding’ but the wind was still strong. Time goes by and the wind was not that strong anymore. We first thanked our Lord that all of us were safe.” Despite the destruction and trauma, Justiniano’s family says they were quite fortunate compared to other surrounding houses and neighbors as many people lost everything they owned. An important factor that Justiniano discusses actually occurred in the days, weeks, and months after the typhoon struck. Because of the devastation and the massive amounts that people loss, looting arose. “Most people looted food and water, however I heard that people of other cities came in to steal things like electronics,” Justiano says. “Deaths also resulted from people fighting over food and water. It was awful hearing about how the typhoon turned some people into monsters. Rapes were even reported.” Almost four months later, there is still massive amounts of progress that needs to be done in
A bedroom in Justiano’s home still covered in inches of mud.
order to help the people of Tacloban City and their surrounding communities. Electricity is just now slowly beginning to come back, and telephone lines and towers are back up, making communication much easier. “Some establishments set up free Wi-Fi that the public can use and some even let people charge their phones to enable them to communicate with loved ones. Flights and bus rides were available for those who wanted to leave the city,” Justiniano explains. Justiniano states that other countries have offered the Philippines a lot of help, but it seems as if the Filipino government has not done as much to help its people as it should. In Guendolyn’s view, tons of relief goods and financial aid were “raining down” in Tacloban, but there were issues and complications in handling them. “As of now, we’re still rising and soon will rise because of the help of NGO’s from other countries,” Guendolyn shares. Justiniano’s mother, Rizza Durbin, set up a donation page around the holidays in the hopes that people would reach out and help the survivors in Tacloban. The page is open and is accepting donations. You can find it at the following web address: http://www.donationto.com/Aid-for-Tacloban.
March
11
features
BOLD MIAMI
Boehner’s Most Likely Challenger: Miami’s Own Tom Poetter BY AMANDA SCHUMAKER 12 March
Look out, John Boehner! You’ve got a challenger for the next congressional election! This November, Miami University Director of Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership and education professor Tom Poetter will challenge the current speaker of the house in Ohio’s 8th Congressional District on the Democratic ticket. We had a chance to sit down with Poetter to ask about his family, campaign and more. Q: Where did you go to school? A: I grew up in St. Marys, Ohio. And then I went to Heidelberg College in Tiffin. It was a legacy choice for me because my dad and my brother older brother went there. Lots of Poetters and other families across our family tree went there as well. When I graduated, I didn’t know what I wanted to do but I decided to go to Princeton Theological Seminary. I tried everything on for size and I decided that teaching would be for me. Q: Did you play sports in high school? A: St Marys is a football town but I decided to focus on basketball and baseball. I still hold the career assists record in basketball for boys, 431… Not that I remember! I got lucky because one of my best friends in high school turned out to be six-foot six, and an All-American college player at Dayton so we played several years together in high school and he scored quite a lot of points off of my assists. We were quite the pair. Q: Tell us a little bit about your family history. A: My mom graduated from the University of Kansas in 1950 with a degree in occupational therapy and my dad was a pastor. My mom didn’t use her degree. My older sister Annie was born in 1954 in Kansas with Down Syndrome. They kept Annie at home and they moved to Ohio two years later after my brother was born, partly because Ohio had a progressive education system for citizens with developmental disabilities. And so it’s one of the first lessons about how government works. My dad died in 1976 when he had a heart attack. I was 13. So my dad passed early, and left four kids and mom. But she had kept her occupational therapy license valid for 30 years and went to work for the first time almost right away, which really saved the family. Q: How has this experience influenced your life today? A: Back then the government had a death benefit for surviving children that went until you were 22 if you were still in college. I learned government isn’t bad. A lot of things can happen to people when they need opportunity. The government shouldn’t do everything for people, but it can do something. So the whole idea about government is bad, we can afford to shut it down, we should cut everything back to the Pictured left: Tom Poetter
bare bones, everyone should be on their own… It just isn’t what America is about. Leaving people behind is not what we’re about. Q: How did you get to Miami? A: My wife Chris and I were in Texas at the time. I had a job at Trinity University in San Antonio in teacher education. Miami advertised for my current position. My wife, Chris graduated from Miami. Texas was great and exotic but we both missed the Midwest and we both agreed it was worth going for. Q: Do you have any kids? A: I have two sons. Mitch is a sophomore here at Miami and Sammy is a senior, he’s finishing up at Talawanda but he’s coming here next year so we’ll have two on campus. Mitch is studying sports leadership and management and Sam will be in the Farmer School of Business next year. Q: Why did you decide to run? A: I’m a shutdown baby. A shutdown baby is someone who was birthed during the government shutdown in October. My political career was birthed in October. As a citizen, someone who had closely aligned with Democratic politics my whole life, as someone who really loves this country and what is possible to do in it and with it… I found the shutdown to be absolutely appalling. I’d like to be the kind of candidate, like other across the country who would unseat and incumbent and restore a certain level of legitimacy and good will to government. And I think I can do that. People don’t feel like the current seat hold has done anything for them over the last 24 years. They just don’t feel that sense of connection to the person who is representing them. I plan to be a presence in the community if I’m elected. Q: How does your wife feel about all of this? A: I always joke that I’m in a purple marriage. My wife is an Eisenhower Republican. She wasn’t born in the ‘50s but she is a moderate Republican who is very supportive of our race. I’ve had to learn over the years how to get along and compromise on issues that are of concern so it’s good to have someone close to home who sometimes takes an alternative point of view, although we agree on a lot of things.
Q: Do you have any pets? A: We just got two new Golden Retriever rescue dogs. A boy and a girl, named Champ and Casey. They are awesome. I’m sure there will be pictures of them on the Internet soon! Q: What do you do on the weekends? A: My wife Chris and I always try to do something on the weekends, a sports event or a cultural event. We decided to live in Oxford because we wanted to be close to the action, there’s always something going on and we really love that. Q: Where is your favorite place to eat Uptown? A: I’m going to give a nod to Skipper’s and my friends Terry and Andy there. I love it. Their chicken salad sandwich is the best. You have to try it on toast with Swiss cheese. It is SO good. And splurge on the fries! And of course Skyline. Q: Do you have a favorite movie? A: Oh that’s easy. It has to be “Hoosiers.” Gene Hackman… Just the whole premise of it. It’s wonderful. Q: What advice do you have for students who are interested in politics? A: I think that wanting to get involved is a pretty big step itself. I would say they should get involved with one of the political organizations on campus because there’s a lot of education and camaraderie and fun that goes on there. And then wherever they land, they should vote in every primary election they can because it matters. And they should get involved with community organizations, become a part of the scene. I think that’s how you can do it. And if you ever feel like you want to run, you have a little backing and a little know-how for your campaign. We have a pretty steep learning curve for my campaign. We’ve never run a campaign, let alone a congressional one. But because of that we’re not afraid to take risks and try as hard as we can.
Q: Just to switch things up a bit… What do you do with your free time? A: Sports. Definitely sports. My favorite team has to be the Cincinnati Reds. I grew up watching them. They were such a draw in the 70s and my family took us to a lot of games. The World Championship and the great players and the excitement around the team… I’m a diehard Reds fan because of that. I also grew up a Cleveland Browns fan and that’s held up, but I cross over to the Bengals too. I’ve also coached youth baseball and they boys were always involved in youth hockey. And, of course, I read all the time.
March
13
features
LEWIS PLACE
MIAMI’S WHITE HOUSE PHOTOS BY RIANNE VANDERVOORT Contrasted against Miami’s iconic red brick buildings, the white southern-style residence at 310 E. High Street may remain a mystery to the students who walk past it every day. Miami’s White House, Lewis Place, built in 1839, has been the residence of university presidents since 1903. Ten Miami University presidents have called it their home. In 2006, the year President David Hodge and Mrs. Valerie Hodge were set to move into the historical white home, Lewis Place underwent extensive renovations to the exterior and interior. Mrs. Hodge worked extensively with Elaine Brandner, senior, interior designer at Miami, to select the artwork for their home. Contrary to the salacious rumors, the Hodge family lives in the house year round, so P. Hodge can walk to work every morning, greeting his students along the way. This year, President and Mrs. Hodge are celebrating the 175th Anniversary of their home. The MQ editors were lucky enough to have a private tour.
(Pictured right): The Hodges entertain smaller parties in this formal dining room. Mrs. Hodge sits at the foot of the table, opposite P. Hodge.
(Pictured above): Mrs. Hodge refers to the room to the right of the entryway as simply, “the blue room.” The picture behind the piano depicts the room’s original 1898 set up.
(Pictured above): The room to the left of the entryway showcase artwork on loan from the Miami Art Museum. A roaring fireplace often greets guests upon arrival.
INSIGHT INTO THE HODGES: “My Heart Will Go On,” their daughter’s favorite song to play, is open on the piano.
INSIGHT INTO THE HODGES: All of the Hodges’ artwork, with the exception of two portraits, depicts landscapes.
14 March
(Pictured above): Mrs. Hodge’s office adjoins with President Hodge’s. Its most prominent feature is a stained-glass window saved from Old Main, Miami’s first and only classroom at the time.
(Pictured above): This room fills with natural light, and is used as a space to entertain guests. Over 3,000 people visit Lewis Place every year at around 80 annual events.
INSIGHT INTO THE HODGES: On the day we visited roses sat on Mrs. Hodge’s desk. They were given to her by President Hodge for Valentine’s Day. So romantic.
INSIGHT INTO THE HODGES: Nala, the Beyonce of the cat world , loves to lounge in this atrium. Make sure to look for her poised elegantly on the armrest.
President Hodge’s home office is lined with books (and according to our editors, smells faintly of mahogany). It’s a truly personal space filled with mementos from past experiences and gifts from loved ones.
These original keys showcase Lewis Place’s dedication to the past. Fun fact: If the Hodges ever lose their keys, these can still be used to open the front door.
March
15
features
The Miami Merger:
A Dying Tradition? BY ERICA GRIFFITH
PHOTO BY RAEGAN RENNER
Imagine yourself on a date. How did you get there and what does it look like? Are you with a friend you’ve known for a while or are you out with a guy you “hooked up” with last week? Dating can have a cacophony of meanings depending on whom you talk to and how you look at it. Currently, 14% of all Miami alumni are married to each other. That comes out to about 27,000 people. This number is considered to be higher than usual for colleges across the United States. Clearly something is working for Miami students in the romance department.
She’s not the only one who has noticed this trend. Two of her friends, seniors Leila Violette and Anne Gardner, agree with her. All three girls agree that college students seem to be straying from traditional methods of dating. “I think people really utilize the liquid courage thing because they take a few shots, they go out and they’ve liked a person for a while, they hook up, and then they text the next day and you go on a date. That’s the formula,” Violette comments with a laugh.
But is that culture changing?
Miami students’ involvement in both academics and organizations, leaves them with little time for serious relationships. Relationships are viewed as just another thing to tack onto an already busy schedule.
Hannah Herrera, a Miami senior, explains the concept of keeping a relationship casual and non-committal for as long as possible.
Relating to this mindset, Gardner shares, “I mean, that’s how I am. A lot of people are like that. They don’t want to be tied down.”
“It’s almost like in our generation it’s a weakness to want to have a serious relationship because everyone’s supposed to be able to look out for themselves and for their future,” Herrera says.
The three seniors also expressed lighthearted frustration with the “pre-dating” phase of talking and being seen in public with someone they’re interested in. Violette explained how
16 March
Miami’s small campus means everyone knows everyone elses business. The main concern goes back to the idea of weakness. What if something doesn’t work out? “I think people are much more private. This is just such a small school everyone knows what everyone’s doing,” Violette says. However, Miami’s dating culture wasn’t always so complicated. Maria Pidcock, a Miami Merger and 1991 graduate, is celebrating her 19th wedding anniversary this summer. “It does seem there’s more casualness in dating. When we were in college it was still kind of the boys place to make the phone call and ask you out,” Pidcock elaborates. Her love story is a bit different than most people. She met her Mr. Right freshman year through mutual friends when she lived in McBride and he lived in Collins. Their first date was on Valentine’s Day in 1988. They still celebrate that anniversary as when they started officially dating.
features
Miami mergers, Rachel and Tristan Clark, kiss under the Upham Arch.
During that time, the dorms were single-sex. Pidcock described how all the girls went out to meet boys and would come back later to talk to their friends about what happened that day.
before dating aids in creating a healthy relationship. They also mention how this idea of a “friendship first” mentality isn’t a typical way of forming a relationship in college.
“I felt like it was a fun sense of community and we all had a lot of mutual friends,” Picock says.
“The decision to date is already based on the friendship and basic things you know about that person already,” Tristan explains.
Since John was a Delta Kappa Epsilon, they went to a lot of parties and functions together. Pidcock also thinks the strong Greek community at Miami contributes to “grab a date activities” and even the large amount of mergers. “I think that Miami has a lot of diversity but also a lot of similarities between the people that go there. So there are lots of ways you can connect with others and maintain those connections over time,” Pidcock says. Another Miami Merger couple, Rachel and Tristan Clark, met freshman year and started dating sophomore year. The couple got married last August and both are currently in their senior semester. The Clarks explain how they think friendship
The Clarks also mention how high standards in a professional setting can affect relationships. If businesses expect more out of their employees, like working after hours, investing in a relationship can be especially difficult. While marriage at a younger age obviously isn’t for everyone, the Clarks express a common mindset amongst “twentysomethings.” The Clarks don’t share this opinion and are more excited to work towards their careers and futures together. They also recognize the common trends of relationships becoming more of a recreational activity than something with serious consideration involved.
“It seems that dating is based on a hook up culture and sexual compatibility rather than beginning as good friends,” Rachel describes. For them, being best friends before dating added to the richness of their relationship and ultimately led to their engagement. As the tradition dictates, both the Pidcocks and the Clarks kissed under Upham Arch during their engagement time period. Miami’s strong connection with alumni and traditions finds a home in the hearts of its Mergers. The Clarks, along with all Miami students and alumni attending, sang Miami’s fight song at their reception. The Miami University Alumni Association (MUAA) maintains a strong connection with alumni and sends Valentine’s Day cards to mergers every year. Fittingly, at the bottom of each card is the phrase, “When two hearts beat as one and both attended Miami, it’s a Miami Merger.”
March
17
arts & entertainment
EDITORS’ PAGE
The MQ editors reveal their most awkward experience eating at Miami. Don’t feel so alone.
PHOTO BY RICARDO TREVINO (From left to right) MQ editors, Amanda Schumaker, Katie Mark, Rianne VanDervoort, Abigail Walters, Drew Dogett, Shannon Pesek and Megan Conley, enjoy a milkshake together at the Bob and Doris ‘52 Pulley Diner.
Amanda Schumaker
Everyone knows how awful the tray return things are in Erickson, right? Well I was eating there on a Saturday with some of my first-year residents and completely failed at putting my tray away. It fell and crashed all the way down. Everyone, including my residents just stared at me. Needless to say, I got out of there as soon as I could!
NDA SCHUMAKER
Rianne VanDervoort
Once, I went to One Eight 09 Sunday brunch (RIP), and was so excited about fresh hash browns that I lunged towards the table, and sent all of the breakfast foods flying. On top of all of that, I wasn’t the only one who was excited about the now floor-flavored breakfast. As a result, there was a huge line behind me laughing at me. I guess this is more embarrassing than awkward. Such is life...
RIANNE VANDERVOORT
18 March
Katie Mark
Freshman year I had an infatuation with the Boston cream doughnuts served at Harris dining hall on Thursday mornings. Awkwardly carrying two Boston cream doughnuts in napkins every week was going smoothly until one week, as I was leaving, they slipped out of my hand. The clean up was embarrassing. I think it was a blessing in disguise because I finished the year with the freshman minus 15.
KATIE MARK
Drew Doggett
I lived in Dennison Hall freshman year and ate at the prestigious Erickson dining hall where the cafeteria uses a type of pulley system where you set your tray on a descending belt that brings your garbage and tray down below (presumably to the Earth’s core). It seems like a simple task but if you were to “miss” then your tray, and whatever was on it, would fall down. Feeling overwhelmed by the process, I dropped my tray, shattering my plate. Someone yelled at me from below so I ran away. #Freshman
DREW DOGGETT
Abigail Walters
One Saturday morning, I woke up at the crack of dawn determined to get my life together. I packed my bag for the library in a daze, and decided to stop at Shriver for breakfast on my way there. Too tired to even hold my yogurt parfait, I spilled its entire contents all over the floor. Defeated, I hurried back to my dorm room and collapsed into bed. Apparently, the studying could wait.
ABIGAIL WALTERS
Megan Conley
Back in the good ole’ days of Scott Dining Hall, I had gone to get a personal pizza from Cold Scott. After waiting nearly 15 minutes for the pizza to cook, the worker called my name and passed it to me over the counter. Immediately, the box slid out of my hand and hot pizza spilled everywhere. The worker just stared me down and muttered, “Well, that was awkward. I guess I should make you another one.”
Shannon Pesek
Freshmen year, in the orbicular, naturally lit Alexander dining hall (RIP), I suffered the most embarrassing eating experience of my Miami career. After a filling meal of pizza and soft serve, which inevitably led to the freshmen 15, I walked to deposit our trays and trash. In typical fashion, I tripped, spilling all of my excess food, sending my plates and bowls crashing and shattering to the ground. Of course, I received a standing ovation as I swiftly exited Alexander.
SHANNON PESEK
Alex Bishoff (not pictured)
My most awkward experience was my freshman year at Harris dining hall when I dropped my tray in front of everyone! It was mortifying.
ALEX BISHOFF (NOT PICTURED)
Thea Dellas (not pictured)
One day I decided to try a vegetable soup at one of the dining halls, and it was really good until about halfway through I realized that it was made with chicken broth—and I’m a vegetarian. I started to feel really sick after I realized my mistake, and ended up running to the bathroom in front of everyone to throw up.
THEA DELLAS (NOT PICTURED)
Ali Czarnecki (not pictured)
I have an unusual fear of the tray shoots and always get anxiety over placing my tray on the right level at the correct time. One time freshman year I missed and my tray went crashing down. The whole hall went silent. I just walked away slowly. Now, I make other people put my tray away for me.
ALI CZARNECKI (NOT PICTURED)
MEGAN CONLEY
March
19
arts & entertainment
What You Never Knew About Never Land BY MARIEL PADILLA
PHOTO BY RAEGAN RENNER
Everyone knows the classic childhood story of “Peter Pan.” It’s an adventurous tale of young children who fight pirates, fly with fairy dust, converse with mermaids and never grow up. However, the story has more substance than you probably realized. From April 20 to May 3 at 7:30 p.m. and May 3 to 4 at 2:00 p.m., Miami University Theatre will present “Peter Pan” on SecondStage, Studio 88 in the Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available at the Miami Box Office at a rate of $7 for students, $8 for seniors and $10 for adults. Keep in mind that tickets are $5 for students who receive credit for attending.
spoon” (2009), “Happy No-lidays” (2012), and “Brothers on a Hotel Bed” (2013). Due to the nature of her adaptation, she spent many hours in archival research reading Barrie’s notebooks, letters and speeches as well as early manuscripts and unpublished versions of “Peter Pan.” With the help of Miami’s Theatre Department, Feldmeyer was even able to travel to England and Scotland this past summer where she visited Barrie’s birthplace, which housed many rare archival documents, the Duke of York’s Theatre, where “Peter Pan” first premiered, and Kensington Gardens, where Barrie created the story.
Sir James M. Barrie, a prolific Scottish playwright, novelist, and journalist, created Peter Pan in in the late 1890s. He wrote the play in 1903. Barrie did not publish the script of Peter for twenty-four years after it premiered in London. In that time, Barrie’s relationship to the play changed dramatically in response to the many changes in his life – most specifically the loss of two of his adopted sons, George and Michael Llewelyn Davies, with whom he created the story of Peter Pan. In these 24 years, Barrie revised the script almost endlessly.
“Visiting these spots as well as many others was crucial to writing the adaptation and conceiving the production because the adaptation revolves around Barrie’s creation of the script,” Feldmeyer says.
In 1929, Sir Barrie bequeathed the rights of Peter Pan to the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, which continue to benefit the institution to this day.
The play is about a playwright, James Barrie, who reminisces about a game he once played with his five younger brothers among the stately gardens and climbing trees of London’s Kensington Gardens. In this adaptation, Barrie travels through his imagination and memory to revisit specific moments of his life that influenced his creation of “Peter Pan’s” most iconic characters, moments and places. Barrie reveals how his relationship to his most long-lived work changed throughout his life as he slips between the timeless worlds of 1870s Scotland, war-torn early 20th century London and Never Land.
Miami’s production of “Peter Pan” is directed and adapted by graduate student Laura Ferdinand Feldmeyer as a part of her creative thesis. The Great Ormond Street Hospital granted Feldmeyer permission to write a brand new adaptation of Barrie’s play. Feldmeyer has been working on this project for approximately 18 months. Her previous directing experience at Miami includes “Miss Wither
20 March
This production delves deeper into the past: before Never Land existed, before Tinker Bell could fly, before the Darlings flew past the second star to the right. It shows what events inspired the creation of the beloved characters and fictitious lands.
SecondStage, Studio 88 Theatre awaits “Peter Pan.”
“My adaptation seeks to reveal the personal relationship between Barrie and his play, illuminating some of the real-life people, places and events behind “Peter Pan” through a unique retelling of this iconic story,” Feldmeyer says. “The adaptation is written in Barrie’s own words – derived from his notebooks, letters, speeches, books, etc. The history of this play is fascinating, and I hope the audience will be touched by Barrie’s story.” The cast includes Jeremiah Plessinger, Adam Joesten, Lauren Kammerling, JP Horton, Kaela Smith, Richard Dent, Kate Hendrickson, Tamara Ljbibratic, Theresa Liebhart and Meryl Juergens. Almost all of the cast members will be playing the part of more than one character during the production. It’s sure to be an intriguing and captivating performance. This production seeks to provide the audience with a completely new perspective on Peter Pan. By looking into the mind and memories of Sir Barrie, the audience may gain a deeper insight into the story of Peter, Wendy and the Lost Boys. Thanks to Feldmeyer’s vision and research, this production seeks to challenge the way we interpret and process the familiar story from our collective childhoods. This adaptation will reveal a deeper underlying message about the constructs of masculinity, a coming-of-age, and the conflation of memory and imagination. “I am most excited to see this story come to life through collaborations with our fantastic production team and cast. This project has consumed me for so long … to see it take shape on stage will be magical,” Feldmeyer says.
March
21
arts & entertainment
Dr. Kirkmeyer goes Dr. Metal for Engineering Course BY DREW DOGGETT
PHOTOS BY RICARDO TREVINO
22 March
arts & entertainment
When registering for classes in a few weeks, many will look for “easy” classes to compliment their Macroeconomics 301, or just a fun class to take with friends. One of the most coveted courses at Miami this fall will be Dr. Brian Kirkmeyer’s course titled EAS 266, Metal on Metal: Engineering and Globalization in Heavy Metal Music.
in driving technology, design, amplification, signal processing … the musicians are always trying to play louder,” Kirkmeyer says.
According to the University’s course description, the class addresses, “the linkages among heavy metal music, global culture and engineering developments.”
“The core of the class is for students to make connections that they ordinarily wouldn’t see,” Kirkmeyer says. “It also breaks down some of the barriers of the stereotypes of the metal head and the engineering geek.”
Kirkmeyer combines his strong background in engineering and love for metal music to create this course. The class has ballooned to enroll about 150 students and counting. “It started out as just a cool idea I was passionate about. And in just a few semesters the course went from about 20 students to its capacity at about 150,” Kirkmeyer says. “ Thanks to a few tweaks by Kirkmeyer, this course qualifies as a Global Perspective. “Now we talk about metal music from as far away as Sweden,” Kirkmeyer remarks. Kirkmeyer received his Bachelors in materials science and engineering at Purdue University before earning his Ph.D. in the same field at the University of Pennsylvania. He currently serves in various administrative positions including chief adviser to the college of engineering and computing, liaison to the office of admissions, assistant dean and instructor. Kirkmeyer says his current role is to shape the best undergraduate experience around. He does so with a passion for his students and the subjects he teaches. Walk into his office in Benton Hall, and you’ll find multiple guitars scattered around, along with posters and memorabilia of his favorite metal artists. Kirkmeyer recently appeared on Sirius XM’s Liquid Metal station. Sirius host, Jose Mangin, contacted him to come on the show. It was serendipitous timing that allowed Kirkmeyer to be in New York with his family and also appear on the radio show. The two discussed what separates metal from other genres of music and how metal naturally lends itself to technological innovation. Consequently, Kirkmeyer’s course briefly discusses the history of metal, grunge, alternative and other rock styles before expanding on more technical, engineering related aspects. “Realistically, heavy metal has been a large part
But Kirkmeyer refuses to label it as a novelty course. He reiterates that the course can teach students lessons applicable outside of the classroom.
On his career path: “Full disclosure … engineering wasn’t my first goal. I wanted to be a stand-up comic (Eddie Murphy was an idol), then an NFL quarterback, then a rock star and then an engineer.”
One student who experienced a change in perspective was freshman student Eric Pascoe. Pascoe took the course last fall simply to fulfill a Miami Plan requirement, but ended up loving it. “I used to think all heavy metal fans dressed the same way and were kind of odd, but after taking the class I’m much more accepting of who can be a fan of metal music,” Pasco says. So what do student see (or hear), when they take the course? The class includes regular Skype sessions with musicians and prominent figures within the industry. For example, last fall the class chatted with guest speaker and famous guitarist Jay Jesse Johnson. Kirkmeyer says he would welcome the chance to bring in more musicians and live demonstrations to help make the course more real for students. He has considered taking the class on a field trip to a legitimate heavy metal concert, but is skeptical that the administration would sign off on him accompanying 150 students into a mosh pit. After connecting with the International Society for Metal Music Studies (ISMMS), Kirkmeyer interviewed with Death Metal Underground, which boast that it is the, “ultimate death metal resource.” During this interview, Kirkmeyer spoke about his class, his passion for engineering and music and some of his favorite bands he listens to.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS
On the course’s global culture: “It literally hits on about everything I can squeeze into the class about exploring beyond students’ comfort zones and knowledge bases.”
A closer look at some of the technology used in class.
According to Pascoe, Kirkmeyer’s passion for students is clear. “Kirkmeyer loves student participation and took massive pride in the kids that wanted to learn more,” he says. Most of us dread taking Miami Plan classes that seem unrelated to our majors and like a waste of time. But having an enthusiastic professor usually makes it worthwhile. When you log onto Bannerweb at 7 a.m. trying to perfect your schedule, you may want to consider EAS 266. Who knows, maybe there’s more of a metal-head-engineering-geek in you than you thought.
On his metal roots: “I got into metal at age 8 due to Def Leppard’s, “On Through the Night,” but didn’t really look the part until I was in eighth grade. I fit the young white male demographic, but I’ve never been blue-collar despite growing up in a union town and becoming an engineer.”
Kirkmeyer rocks out on one of the technologies, a guitar.
March
23
In vs. Out 60%
Instagramming Miami in the spring Instagramming Miami in the snow Broken Clock Beat the Clock
40% 25% t 41%
75%
59% 51% 49% 59% 41% 52% 48% 78% 22% 63% 37% 60% 40% 69% 31% Leather Jacke Denim Jacket
Ending your night at Jimmy Johns Ending your night at O’Pub
Forgetting when Lent begins
Giving up something for Lent
College Basketball College Hockey
Redskin
Trashcan
“House of Cards”
“Scandal”
Kendrick Lamar Macklemore Beyonce
24 March
Miley Cyrus
Arts & Entertainment
Spring Break2014:
A Party of a Playlist BY AARON HURD PHOTO BY RIANNE VANDERVOORT In case you haven’t heard, spring break is coming up. If that means packing your bags and migrating south for a weeklong party, then this playlist is for you. If it most likely means watching Netflix, binge eating and looking at pictures of people with much more exciting lives than you on Facebook, then fix yourself a lemonade with a tiny umbrella and start imagining.
Things We Lost in the Fire- Bastille
Let’s be honest, we’ve all been there. It’s Spring Break, and after partaking in some “festivities” the night before, you wake up sunburnt on the white sand beaches of Cancun, with no sign of your phone, wallet or dignity. This song serves as a memoir for all of those lost items, and a reminder to please invite me next time.
Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)- Big & Rich
Although I’m sure my boys Big & Rich meant well, the day that I realized what this song truly meant was worse than the day I found out that Santa wasn’t real. So, for anyone who’s still stuck in ignorant bliss, you may want to write this one down. This song is not about animal rights.
Migraine- Twenty-One Pilots
Sure, the migraine you’re experiencing is completely your fault and any reputable doctor won’t write you a prescription to remedy it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not real. If you say you have the flu, but don’t have any of the symptoms, a doctor’s note, or the influenza virus, does that mean you don’t really have the flu? I think I may need a new metaphor.
And We Danced- Macklemore (ft. Ziggy Stardust) If you ignore the fact that Ziggy Stardust sounds like the street name of a drug dealer, this song is one that makes you dance your cares away. So, once again it’s time for me to give you more advice that you didn’t ask for and I’m not qualified to give. Never, ever, under any circumstances, make eye contact with someone while eating a banana.
Changing of the Seasons- Two Door Cinema Club If there’s one week that signifies the much-needed transition from winter to spring, it’s spring break. And if there’s one song that captures all the euphoric highs that go along with that transition, it’s this one. Now get out there and celebrate melting snow, blossoming flowers and the fact that you parents haven’t asked about your midterm grades yet.
March
25
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26 March
MQ Superlatives
Four golf players weigh in on which teammate is most likely… Athlete
…to be the next President Hodge
Scott Cahill
Jared Hammons Junior incredibly intelligent Sport Leadership He’s and his incredible and Management personality could bring in a great amount of donor money to the University.
Austin Kelly Senior Exercise Science
Brantley Kushner Junior Marketing
Mark MacDonald Senior Integrated Mathematics Education
…to be on the cover of “Sports Illustrated” Jack Sparling -
To go along with Sportsman of the Year nominations and other awards, Jack is most likely to be the first professional golfer to win every PGA event played in a single year, including events played in the same week.
Daniel Schwarz – Scott Cahill –
He’s really smart, good with He’s really good at golf and people and works hard. he would rep the cover better than anyone else.
Luke Shaughnessy -
He is so invested in his school work he barely has time for golf. He would promote a high standard of academic excellence and honesty for Miami University.
Greg Conrad –
He’s a nice guy, personable and a good ambassador for our team.
Austin Kelly - He
won’t be on the cover for golf. Not many people know this, but Austin is probably one of the best basketball players at Miami with high aspirations of being in the NBA. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on the cover for winning an NBA championship.
Austin Kelly – Have you seen those biceps? If those wouldn’t get you on the cover, I don’t know what would.
…to be the next owner of BrickStreet
…to be on “Dancing With the Stars”
Bailey Truesdell & Daniel Schwarz –
Brantley Kushner -
Brantley Kushner & Bailey Truesdell -
Luke Shaughnessy -
In a partnership, they’re two of the brightest minds on campus. Bailey and Daniel could turn BrickStreet into a publicly traded company.
As co-owners, they would run the bar well and get a ton of customers because everyone loves them.
His dance moves are second to none. The way he dances to house music could change the United States forever and may even earn him a seat in Congress.
He’s the only one who would actually be on that show willingly.
Bailey Jared Truesdell & Hammons Daniel Schwarz – He really can break it They know the business of BrickStreet inside and out. With their strong financial background and experience in the college bar industry, Bailey and Daniel could make a lot of money.
down on the dance floor. He is not so much into the hip-hop style of dance, but he is more into classical ballroom dancing. His roommate Greg Conrad and him have been known to practice with one another.
Bailey Truesdell -
Daniel Schwarz –
He’s got a smart business mind and would do great owning any kind of business.
He’s a West Side Cincinnati boy…that should be enough said. When any music comes on, Schwarz is movin’.
March
27
sports & fitness
28 March
sports & fitness
Matt Gambill’s Habitat: SCHOOL, HIGH JUMPING AND BUSINESS BY KATIE MARK
PHOTOS BY RICARDO TREVINO Senior track and field athlete and entrepreneur Matt Gambill lives a double life, a life often visible in his apparel representing his loyalty to the RedHawks, his team, and Habitat, his social media consulting startup business. Gambill wanted a different scene than his home state of New Hampshire when he entered Miami University as a track and field recruit. The high jumper found his entrepreneurial aspirations the summer before senior year when he realized he was uncomfortable with his finance major while talking to his parents about summer jobs. “It was challenging to my parents to see what makes me tick and work,” Gambill says. “I said I’m always on social media even if I’m not communicating with people, I’m still interacting and reading things.” At that moment, Gambill realized social media was a young market with little regulation and little barrier to entry. “It’s very lucrative and doesn’t cost much to get in,” Gambill says. “So I jumped into it.” In May 2013, Gambill started his business, Habitat. He takes small businesses and, via social media, molds the business so the digital and technology world are suitable for that business. He pondered names for his company and one day, a turtle came to mind. “If you think about something in its natural habitat, it’s something that’s sustainable and has longevity and that’s why I used the turtle
because it’s one of the longest living animals on the planet and I want to build a sustainable future for these companies,” Gambill says. Gambill says one of the challenges for contemporary businesses is bridging the gap between people who understand technology because they’ve grown up with it and older generations who didn’t. His goal is to bridge that gap and help companies grow in the social media market. “That’s why I picked ‘Habitat’ and the turtle because I wanted to make a natural and digital habitat for them,” Gambill says. “I was thinking about words signifying sustainability and longevity.” Gambill worked on his computer for 30 to 50 hours a week over the summer. At one point, he was handling 12 accounts. Now, to improve work efficiency, he uses software that allows him to handle various pages at once. “You’re continually reading about social media platforms because it’s constantly changing,” Gambill says. “Twitter and all these sites have different restrictions and algorithms making it hard for businesses to reach everyone, so I need to understand the rules and that’s the bulk of the work.” Gambill’s accounts have included a rock climbing gym, two fitness studios, two nutrition clubs and a school district. In the fall of 2013, Gambill was handling four accounts. “It’s easy for me to relate to exercise companies, especially with my relation to track,” Gambill
says. “It’s a lot easier for me to connect to them and I think that was my first draw. It’s easy to sell that stuff on Instagram and Pinterest. You show somebody who’s fit with their shirt off.” In October 2013, Gambill decided to register his business in Ohio because of the state’s feasibility with starting businesses. Within a month, Gambill received his certificate stating he officially owned a registered business. “I didn’t want to worry about taxes in New Hampshire because of their higher cost of living,” Gambill says. Gambill searched for more lucrative companies during his transition away from businesses that aren’t paying much for his services. “I signed a company in Cincinnati called CE Power Solutions and now they’re the only company I’m working with because if I work with others I wouldn’t have enough time to do the research,” Gambill says. “I have to get the content for them, meet with them, take pictures and videos, make edits, find the posts and schedule the posts, which is time consuming.” Per week, Gambill allocates 20 hours to CE, 40 hours to track and the rest of his time to class and homework. “School work is tough when trying to run a business,” Gambill says. “I wouldn’t say my grades were the best last semester, but that’s got to be understandable.”
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sports & fitness Gambill says selling his service isn’t hard because everybody needs it nowadays. “I can look at a Kofenya or SoHi page and they may look good to the normal eye, but in reality, let’s say they have 1,000 likes in Oxford,” Gambill says. “Well, this is a campus of 16,000 students and why is it they have less than 10% of the market? And being able to leverage that on people makes it very easy to sell them.” The question Gambill faces most is whether companies are willing to spend money on him when companies have young employees familiar with social media. “If they aren’t willing to spend the money then they aren’t fully optimizing the tools out there,” Gambill says. “I’m always willing to consult them and help teach them how to market on social media the right way.” Gambill intends to go full force with Habitat following graduation and will continue with CE and acquire other businesses.
Gambill poses at the high jump.
The stress of balancing school, track and Habitat often leads Gambill to tweet off his own account about needing an accountant or intern. “I don’t want to be wearing too many hats at once,” Gambill says. “Especially when some things aren’t my strong suit, but at the same time, I’m a full time student and athlete so it would be harder to manage a bunch of people and paperwork than actually doing it myself and getting it done.” Yet, Gambill says two of his track teammates, marketing major Wade Coffin and finance and accounting major Dave Wing, are some of his best assets because they understand his goals. “They’re willing to help and play devil’s advocate,” Gambill says. “Wade is a resource in the marketing aspects that I don’t know and Dave is a big asset in that he’s a workhorse and he’ll get me to budge to let him help me out.” Wing says Gambill taught him how to use software that schedules posts.
media and he’ll spend nights in his room doing work for eight hours straight. “He knows we’ve got practices or traveling so he’ll get his stuff done by a certain point,” Wade says. Gambill says Habitat was highly profitable last summer, but he had to cut clients once school began. “Track is no joke and I care about it and my team,” Gambill says. “I want my team to get better and that’s my top priority so I can’t just go out there and acquire all these companies. I won’t graduate and won’t fulfill my obligation to my team.” Despite not getting the eight hours of sleep a night recommended for athletes, his 2:30 a.m. bedtime and 7:00 a.m. wake up time keeps him working.
“It’s time consuming to be a Division I athlete as track takes six hours of my day,” Gambill says. “Balancing that with school work and my “It’s based on times when consumers are looking business can be frustrating, but you gotta do at their social media sites,” Wing says. “It can take what you gotta do.” a lot of time because you have to find the material relevant to that business and in line with their One of the ways he self-learns is utilizing his business model and mission.” 15-hour drives between Oxford and New Hampshire. He listens to podcasts about Wade says Gambill found a niche market where techniques and tricks to enhance social mom-and-pop businesses want to get into social media performance.
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As for advice for Miami students, Gambill believes the value of social media is underestimated and the number one thing now is networking. “Be social and don’t be afraid to reach out to people,” Gambill says. “It’s the same thing in track because I don’t want to show up to my team and just go through the motions and not be social because at the end of the day, if I have the network of everyone on my team by working hard to make sure I knew every one of them then I’m going to be able to use that network in the future. It’s the same thing with fraternities and sororities.” Gambill hopes to give back to Miami in the future, but until then he believes it’s important for Miami students to build connections. “Know people, communicate with people, work with people,” Gambill says. “And you’ll advance yourself in no matter what field you’re in.”
sports & fitness
SAILING AMID THE CORN FIELDS BY JUSTINE DALEY
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MACKENZIE VIZGIRDA Junior Mackenzie Vizgirda wandered around the fall club sports fair without signing up for anything, just taking it all in. When a dorm-mate asked her to attend the Miami University sailing team’s (MUST) inaugural meeting with her, Vizgirda obliged, making one of the most impactful decisions of her life. “I thought the sailing team was a joke,” Vizgirda jokes. Contrary to Vizgirda’s original assumption, the Miami University sailing team is no joke. MUST started as a club sport in 1985, and participates in 20 regattas (a series of boat races) per year. The sailing team is part of the Midwestern Collegiate Sailing Association, with around 40 teams in the conference, including University of Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State. Practices take place at the lake in Hueston Woods State Park. MUST’s season runs from August through November and March through May, suspending practice during the cold winter months. Vizgirda, a Cincinnati native, was unfamiliar with sailing before coming to Miami. The strategic communication major was hooked after attending the first sailing practice. She went from novice to expert through MUST’s Learn to Sail program. A program in
which experienced team members teach beginners, like Vizgirda, until they become more acquainted with the sport. In time, the new members become equipped to participate in regattas and even begin to teach other members. Due to the Learn to Sail program, MUST’s numbers have grown in the past few years. While it is difficult for Midwestern teams like MUST to compete against Eastern powerhouses, the sailing team has continued to up the anti. “It comes down to the leadership of the students, and this leadership team has taken the group to a new level,” Mike Arnos, the director of club sports, says. While it is encouraged to compete at the regattas, team members are not forced to. According to Vizgirda, members can join the club merely for the social aspect. If a member wants to attend a regatta, they must attend practice.
effective, but also the regattas promote camaraderie among rivaling teams. “I literally have friends across the entire country,” Vizgirda says. “The teams all hang out and get to know one another and then compete the next day, fostering friendly competition.” Vizgirda and her other teammates eat, sleep and breathe sailing. “It’s literally my life now,” Vizgirda says. She and some of her other teammates have elected to spend their spring break sailing around the Bahamas. “We’re basically piloting our own cruise,” Vizgirda says. “There will be a few members taking a huge catamaran around all the islands.” Vizgirda and other teammates participated in the trip last year and despite the seasickness on the trip before, they are going on the trip again because of their great experiences and memories.
“Watching them orchestrate a regatta is pretty impressive,” Arnos says. “It is incredible to see a group of students put on the large regatta and watch what seems so organized to them, yet chaotic to bystanders like me.”
In three years, Vizgirda’s spur of the moment decision to attend a meeting about a sport she never heard of turned her toward her passion, and a hobby she looks to continue.
When the sailing team hosts a regatta the visiting teams stay in the sailors’ houses rather than hotels. Not only is this extremely cost
“I absolutely love it,” Vizgirda says. “It’s definitely made a difference in my time here at Miami. I can’t imagine my life here without it.”
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sports & fitness
sports & fitness
FROM RINK TO RINK: Traveling With Miami’s Ice Hockey Team
BY MEREDITH HUGHES PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MIAMI UNIVERSITY
When it comes to making arrangements for traveling to away games for the ice hockey team, logistics trump team superstitions. Junior forward Austin Czarnik, however, admits he is very superstitious. “I’m probably the most superstitious on the team,” Czarnik says. “I do the same thing every single game. During the National Anthem, I count all of the stars and then I count the stripes twice.” Czarnik’s pregame rituals are almost too numerous to count. “I have a lot [of superstitions],” Czarnik says. “I’m weird.”
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While Czarnik may have his superstitions, Director of Hockey Operations Tommy Hill does not make the team’s travel arrangements for those reasons. “If we like a hotel, we’ll go there,” Hill says. “It’s not too much based on superstition, it’s usually whatever works best logistically in terms of if it’s close to the rink.” The players’ feedback is important to Hill’s decisions. “We try to accommodate the team so that they’re comfortable and ready to go to the game, and I kind of work the logistics out from there,” Hill says.
For head coach Enrico Blasi, familiarity while traveling is important, which is why roommates are usually kept consistent. “We try to keep everything pretty normal and routine as much as possible,” Blasi says. Despite the attempts to keep the same roommates, Czarnik recently received a new roommate. “I have [Bryon] Paulazzo now, who’s my roommate at home,” Czarnik says. “I can’t complain, he’s a good guy.” Hill tries to keep roommates the same, but injuries can mean that roommates have to be shuffled around. “Usually [they have] the same roommates,” Hill says. “Obviously with injuries there will be
sports & fitness different guys here or there. But for the most part, the guys have consistent roommates.”
restrictions on those planes to be able to [take a charter flight].”
Arranging itinerary requires a delicate balancing act from Hill, especially if the team travels by plane.
Czarnik’s favorite mode of transportation has changed over the years.
“You have to kind of plan everything ahead, in terms of the flights,” Hill says. “You have to arrange your landing time with your charter bus.” Besides games, items on the itinerary include travel to and from the rink, practice time and meals. To eliminate unnecessary travel, Hill makes sure to have the team stay in hotels with the ability to feed the team, which eliminates the need for the players and staff to be transported anywhere but to and from the rink. “When we are on site, all of the meals are planned for and all they are all team meals at the hotel,” Hill says. Another way that Hill tries to accommodate the players is by allowing them the option of when they would like to arrive at the arena on game day. “Some of our guys like to be at the rink three hours early and some of them like to be there two hours early, so we’ll have a bus that goes three hours before and a bus that goes two hours before the game,” Hill says. The team of 22 players along with seven staff members only travels in one bus. “There are some trips, like Omaha, Nebraska, where our hotel was right across the street from the rink so we’d just have a bus pick us up at the airport and drop us off at the airport, and we really didn’t have a bus in between,” Hill says. Distance is typically the deciding factor in whether or not the team will fly or drive. “When you get over that eight plus hour range, you look into flights versus buses,” Hill says. The number of people traveling also plays a role in which mode of transportation the team takes. “We travel with 29 people, that’s the perfect amount for one bus,” Hill says. “It may be tough with all of our luggage and the weight
“I thought I liked [traveling by] plane more, but I actually like driving more now because it’s a lot shorter travel,” Czarnik says. The plane often gets back too late on Sundays for Czarnik’s liking. “It just really ruins your whole Sunday, and you don’t get any rest,” Czarnik says.
According to Hill, some of the Miami varsity teams like golf and track and field don’t use charter buses, but instead travel in vans. “A lot of it just depends on numbers, how long you’re staying, and things like that [for mode of transportation],” Hill says. Between practice times and games, the players don’t have much time to go out and sightsee. “For us it’s a business trip, and there’s no real sightseeing, but we’ve been to some pretty unique places over the years, like Alaska,” Blasi says.
"It’s a lot of fun, but it takes a lot out of you." When traveling to an away game, whether by plane or by bus, the team leaves on Thursday morning because of the travel time.
For the most part, the players’ professors are very understanding when the players have to miss class because of travel.
The team also practices on Thursday night after a long day of traveling, which requires a balancing act on Hill’s part.
“They are really good with us,” Czarnik says. “You just have to go up to them at the beginning of the semester and talk with them and let them know.”
“For the Thursday night skate, we have to look into the practice times [for the opposing team] which have been scheduled months in advance,” Hill says. Travel for the ice hockey team is different than other Miami varsity teams such as football or basketball because the ice hockey team plays a series of games during a weekend. “We get there Thursday and then don’t come back until Sunday, so it’s like a four day weekend,” Czarnik says. “It’s tough on the body especially if you’re not hydrating right or you’re sick. It’s different.” For other varsity sports it may be easier and cheaper to charter a flight, even if the team has more people than ice hockey, just because they don’t have the bags of heavy equipment.
Despite being in Oxford, Czarnik remains true to his home state of Michigan. “With the new league, I like traveling to North Dakota just because of the atmosphere there,” Czarnik says. “My favorite place ever to travel was Michigan, just because that’s where I’m from.” Czarnik enjoys traveling with the team mainly because of the camaraderie. “It’s a lot of fun, but it takes a lot out of you,” Czarnik says. “It’s a good time with all of the guys, you get to hang out all weekend.”
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sports & fitness
SORORITY GIRLS GONE WILD? The double standard facing Greek women at Miami BY SHANNON PESEK “I guess I’m a modern day feminist. I do believe in equality. Why do you have to choose what type of woman you are? Why do you have to label yourself anything?” –Queen Bey
man gets too drunk, he’s fun, and it’s an excuse to draw on his face with marker. This double standard is only magnified when Greek letters are thrown into the mix.
To put it frankly, the Panhellenic women at Miami University can’t catch a break. Every time an individual member of our community gets too wild, or one chapter suffers from internal standards issues, the entire community is belittled and branded as inappropriate party girls.
Miami Panhellenic has been suffering backlash from the media, other Panhellenic Associations, the university and more since long before this year. Still, more people who don’t go to Miami know about the sorority formal fiasco of 2010 than the mass exodus of fraternity alpha chapters from just last year. Drunken sorority girls will always be more interesting than drunken fraternity boys.
This February, our community faced further backlash when the Panhellenic Association instituted a social probation for every sorority chapter on campus. I’m proud of the leadership who instituted the probation. I believe our community needed the wake-up call, and hopefully it prevented the hospitalization or injuries of any more of our women. But what about the boys? Other than the recent, and highly publicized removal of Beta Theta Pi from campus, the only acknowledgement of bad behavior in Greek organizations is of sorority women. For whatever reason, sorority girls behaving badly will always be more salacious than our male counterparts. Women, in general, behaving badly will always spark more controversy. After the probation was instituted, the fraternities did nothing to help with this problem in the Greek community. They were not asked to stop hosting parties or socials. They carried on their partying as normal. The numbers of fraternity men hospitalized after their bid day festivities were not publicized in the newspaper. It would be ignorant to think it only happened to us. Inevitably this piece needs to touch on the “double standard” that strikes us all as familiar. If a woman gets too drunk, she’s sloppy. If a
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What I see when I look at our community is insurmountably different than the outside perspective. I see almost 3,000 women (not including a record breaking amount of new members this spring) who pride themselves on scholarship, philanthropy, leadership and sisterhood. Panhellenic women on this campus have an average GPA of a 3.30, which is higher than unaffiliated women. Think about that the next time you refer to a sorority girl as “dumb.” In addition, the Greek community dedicated over 20,000 hours of service to their philanthropies and other charities. But, the focus always shifts back to the parties and the alcohol, to the bad press and the accusations of hazing. As sorority women, we allow others to define us. We allow others to label us. Whether you call yourself a feminist or not, you should believe in equality for men and women. Through my experiences in a sorority, I have realized that we are nowhere near this equality. The double standard against women in our community is more prevalent than it has ever been. Women should feel empowered, not belittled, from the letters they wear on their chest.
sports & fitness
“Green Beer Day”
Bob Holzworth, Chief of Police, Weighs In PHOTO BY RICARDO TREVINO The annual Green Beer Day festivities in Oxford are scheduled in close proximity to St. Patrick’s Day and just preceding the mass exodus for Spring Break. It’s the one day during the year that the entire community has the opportunity to observe Oxford nightlifeduring the day, the one short block of time each year that two contrasting lifestyles overlap.
May the luck of the Irish be with you!
From a student’s perspective, it’s a wonderful opportunity to reconnect after a long winter, to celebrate life and the emergent spring with a few brews, to participate in a Miami tradition, and to have a party in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day. We get that and endorse the underlying attitude, the bona fide desire to mark the change of seasons and the coming break. Properly managed, this religious feast for the patron saint of Ireland is a wonderful time to celebrate Irish culture with parades, dancing, special foods and a whole lot of green apparel. However, there is a darker side to this celebration, just like there is every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night in Oxford. If history is a valid predictor of the future, as it so often is, there will be true human costs linked to this celebration, whether it be a citation, an arrest, a trip to the hospital, time in the Butler County Jail or a near death experience. Now that Miami has the dubious distinction of being number sixteen on the list of top party schools in the United States (as evidenced by the volume of illegal or simply excessive drinking officers regularly encounter), our hope is that the St. Patrick’s Day celebration won’t turn out to be a tragedy for some student and his/her family.
Police cruisers wait outside, ready to respond to calls.
If you go back a little further, there were 67 citations on Green Beer Day 2009, which included 11 open containers, 18 littering, and 14 underage possession. The Oxford Police Department will work in partnership with Miami University Police Department, Butler County Sheriff ’s Office and the Oxford Township Police Department to provide a very strong law enforcement presence for the duration of this extended celebration. The normal incarceration rules apply and it’s probable that numerous celebrants will find that their over- celebrating leads directly to the Butler County Jail. In addition to the human cost of this celebration, there is a real cost to the city in terms of Oxford Township. As in the past, substantial overtime will be required to
properly staff this event. While current celebrants won’t remember this, a 20 year old Miami University student was severely injured in a train/car accident that occurred during the 2005 event. Sadly, as many readers should remember, a student was killed by a train earlier this school year. Alcohol consumption (no matter what the occasion) and train crossings can be a deadly combination. The OPD wishes every reader of this article and participant in a Green Beer Day event a safe and rejuvenating Spring Break. If you decide to participate in the drinking portion of Green Beer Day, do so intelligently. Please, be safe.
Here are the statistics for the last four Green Beer Day enforcement periods, 2010-2013:
2010 2011 2012 2013 Arrests 12 7 15 13 Citations 46 12 30 23
Miami University Police Department
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36 March
Legalize:
Why Legal Marijuana Makes Sense BY THEA DELLAS
The Meaning of Legalization
Early last semester, I was approached on campus by two men with clipboards and asked if I’d sign a petition for the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in Ohio. As the title of this piece suggests, I’m completely for legalizing weed. But when I was asked to sign that petition, I couldn’t bring myself to say yes. Why not? Because they provided no justification for their support of legalization. They presented themselves to me as two stoners looking to get high with no potential legal trouble—they hadn’t bothered to give even the mere impression that they were responsible people with legitimate backing for their cause. I’ve seen so much of this unsubstantiated promotion of legalization over the past couple of years that I’ve started to think that the vast majority of its supporters might fail the few who possess an understanding of marijuana as something more meaningful than the high it produces. After the “clipboard-guys” incident, I started to worry that I was one of those uninformed supporters of legalization, and decided to educate myself. Medical Marijuana I think it’s pretty obvious to most of us at this point that before nationwide legalization of marijuana for recreational use is even considered, the medical uses of the drug need to be recognized. In his CNN special Weed, Dr. Sanjay Gupta frames his journey into the past, present, and future of marijuana with the story of 5-year-old Charlotte, who began experiencing debilitating seizures as an infant and was soon after diagnosed with a severe form of epilepsy—so severe that by the time she was 3 years old, she was having three hundred seizures a week. After years of ineffective pharmaceuticals that on multiple occasions nearly killed her, Charlotte’s parents discovered that marijuana might be an alternative. They spent months researching its potential and landed on a strain of the plant low in THC (what gets you high) and high in CBD (Cannabidiol, the component of marijuana that doctors believe may regulate the abnormal brain activity that causes seizures). A week after Charlotte began taking the extracted medicine, her seizures slowed from 300 a week to just one or two.
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opinion The five-year-old who just months ago couldn’t walk, talk or feed herself is now riding a bike and learning to speak. Gupta’s documentary also displays other, perhaps less astonishing, known medical uses of marijuana (I say known because research in this field has only just begun): anxiety, depression and PTSD; the pain and nausea that accompany the treatment of cancers; Crohn’s disease. And these represent only some of the myriad applications of marijuana as a medicine. What struck me as the most important thing to remember about these diseases and their relationship to marijuana, and drugs in general, is how dependent upon pharmaceuticals the people suffering from them have become, and just how dangerous those medicines can be. According to Gupta, someone fatally overdoses on a prescription drug, most often accidentally, every 19 minutes. Meanwhile, there isn’t a single recorded instance of a fatal marijuana overdose. If nothing else can convince you of the benefit of marijuana as a medicine, then the sheer danger of the most common prescription drugs in comparison to it certainly should.
Marijuana and the American Economy
The idea of medical marijuana has been around long enough that I’m certain most of you have heard before at least some of what I listed above, but with the recent legislation in Colorado and Washington there’s been a new shift of attention from medical marijuana to the potential econom ic benefits of legal marijuana. Abbas P. Grammy, an economics professor at the California State University in Bakersfield, explains in an article for the school’s business blog that marijuana legalization will certainly impact the supply and demand of the drug. Of course the demand will balloon at the outset of legalization but will then, most likely, fall and plateau in the long term. And obviously, the supply of the drug will increase when marijuana becomes a legal crop. But this increase in the supply of marijuana can be governmentally controlled with the imposition of taxes on its production. This information translates into a direct economic benefit—marijuana will generate millions of dollars in tax revenue. Add to that tax revenue the public savings resulting from legalization—savings at the federal and the state level—and its positive economic implications become too clear to pass unnoticed. Grammy cites research that estimates the money spent at the state and federal levels on marijuana-related
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law enforcement (from police protection to prisons), and the numbers are astounding. This effect of marijuana legalization means billions of dollars in tax revenue and public savings that can be disseminated where it is truly needed. Picture a federal government that doesn’t have to choose between tax increases and budget cuts. Picture impossible state-level reform made possible. It’s not, of course, as simple as I just made it sound. The legalization of marijuana isn’t going to make a Utopia out
thorough study that demonstrates that the emergence of stores selling marijuana will not actually result in increased use by minors. Liquor stores avoid selling to minors because of the risk of being shut down, and marijuana dispensaries will face the same legal consequences. The use of marijuana by minors will remain more or less where it is now. Finally, Anderson and Rees say, the idea that marijuana legalization will result in unsafe driving conditions is made invalid by the
"If you personally hate smoking weed, or hate even the idea of it, then you never have to do it." of the United States. But the arguments for legal marijuana’s benefits to the economy are certainly valid and grounded not just in speculation but in extensive research. Social Implications I can’t conclude without addressing the widespread and totally reasonable concerns of skeptics, concerns about legal access to marijuana resulting in a generation of addicts and a dramatic end to public safety. D. Mark Anderson and Daniel I. Rees respond to drug policy expert Mark Kleiman’s claims that marijuana legalization could result in increases in alcohol consumption and marijuana use by minors and a decline of highway safety. Anderson and Rees cite extensive research into the relationship between alcohol and marijuana that proves the two are not, as Kleiman reasons, complements, but are actually substitutes. In other words, those who decide to take advantage of their access to marijuana will not be compelled to drink more, but will actually drink less. The theory that a rise in marijuana use will result in reckless alcohol consumption is thus called into question and invalidated. Anderson and Rees also respond to the concern that marijuana use by teenagers will increase when the drug becomes legal. This concern is widely shared—I myself worry about young people using marijuana even more than they already do. After all, it is the developing brain that is most susceptible to long-term damage resulting from the use of any drug, weed included. But Anderson and Rees cite yet another
imposition of a “legal limit” on drivers influenced by marijuana, just like the one that says we cannot legally drive if our blood alcohol concentration is above a certain level. Add to this the fact that drivers high on THC will, according to more research and experimentation, cause or be involved in far fewer accidents than the same number of drunk drivers. Just as parents and schools teach children to stay away from alcohol until they are old enough to legally consume it, so can they teach those same children to do the same with marijuana. It’s not a matter of legalization signifying a green light to get high, no matter your age or your situation. It’s a matter of social responsibility—which is best taught, I think, not through the imaginary elimination of weed (imaginary because, face it, it’s been pretty much readily available regardless of prohibition), but through the same care that goes into teaching kids to recognize the dangers of drinking and any other drugs. I wrote this piece not because I think we all need to relax and start smoking a little pot from time to time, but because I look at marijuana legalization in the same way I look at so many other social issues Americans are facing today: If you don’t like it, don’t do it. If you personally hate smoking weed, or hate even the idea of it, then you never have to do it. But why should you let your personal opinion get in the way of a person’s completely logical desire to legally buy and smoke safely? manufactured marijuana?
opinion
Appetizers, Dinner, Dessert BY MARANDA BAILO
Meal at Mac & Joes Photography by Ricardo Trevino When you think of the typical American life, what comes to mind? Working a nine-to-five job all week, Friday night football games, family dinner every Sunday night – the list goes on and on. We have this preconceived notion of the way things should be and how we’re supposed to live our lives. We’re told by our parents and teachers to go to good four-year colleges so we can get good jobs after we graduate. If you ask me, it sounds like a whole lot of going through the motions. And who wants that? If we’re so set on planning our lives out to be a certain way, will we ever actually enjoy ourselves? To me, the ones who don’t follow society’s path are the ones who have stories to tell. They’re the ones who refuse to be ordinary and who make their lives worth living by doing whatever the heck they want with them. My sister Sammy has lived a life anything but normal. In the spring of 2010, she and her friends took a road trip out west in a Volkswagen that was fueled by vegetable oil, asking fast food restaurants along the way for already-used oil from the deep-fryers and using friends-of-friends’ kitchens to filter that oil throughout the trip. They dumpster-dived their way to the Grand Canyon, eating day-old bread from a shop in Arizona known for their daily fresh bread and nightly leftovers. As a newly accepted member of the Peace Corps, Sammy will continue her adventurous travels, spending the next two years in Azerbaijan teaching English to people of all ages. It’s truly amazing, watching her live out
her passions, traveling the world like she’s always dreamed. She’s shown me that no matter the circumstances, dreams can become reality if you let them. Twenty-five-year-old Chris Baugh, has traveled far off of the alleged American path. Pursuing Latin American studies, international studies and Spanish, Baugh has followed his passions to far away places. In Guatemala, he taught English by day and worked at an Irish pub by night, eventually taking a job as volunteer program coordinator. Baugh returned to Oxford for the following semester, and then left again to study abroad in Barcelona, where he lived with an Italian man and two French women, whom he says will be his friends for a lifetime. He stayed the following summer in Barcelona, only returning home to Chicago for two weeks before flying to Buenos Aires, Argentina. How many people can say they’ve lived a life like this at age 25? And yet how many people wish they had? Now nearly fluent in multiple Spanish dialects, Baugh is currently finishing up his last semester here at Miami. After graduation he’ll head back to Buenos Aires to work. He has no regrets and claims that his best friends in the world are from different countries. Baugh says the ultimate challenge is making yourself that foreigner—throwing yourself into an entirely new culture and challenging your preconceived notions of your own identity.
Everything that Chris has done has shown me the importance of dismissing other’s opinions and doing what I want. I love waking up each day knowing that millions of possibilities await me because I won’t let fear or criticism hold me back. The “path” only exists because it’s what the majority of people have done. And conformity is what makes the world boring, so if it’s not for you, make a new path. The other day, my dad said something that really stuck with me: Why is it that when we go out to dinner we feel obligated to order appetizers and dessert just because they’re on the menu? We really only go out to get an entrée, but find ourselves giving into bread and salad, and though we’re completely stuffed, ordering dessert just because that’s what we do when we go out to dinner, right? Wrong—just because they’re on the menu in that order doesn’t mean we need to follow it. The ones who go out to their favorite restaurant just to get a slice of that chocolate cake are the ones with stories. We should all take a step back and realize that conforming to society’s “menu” for a successful life is not necessarily the right way to go. We have to define our own success.
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Top Ten Most Obscure BuzzFeed Quizzes WHICH DECLINING SOCIAL NETWORK ARE YOU?
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2. How Many Justin Biebers Could You Take In A Fight?
3. 4. 5. 6.
What Kind Of Bathroom Guest Are You?
Are You Andy Samberg Or A Sandy Hamburger?
WHAT KIND OF POCKET ARE YOU?
What Kind Of Butt Do You Actually Deserve?
7. What Kind Of Drink Are You Going To Need After Work Tonight?
8. What Girl Scout Cookie Are You? 9. Are You Holy Enough For Communion?
10. What Font Are You? 40 March
Sophomore ASC worker, Kylee Miller, takes a break from her duties to browse through MQ.
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