INFORMING THE BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY AND BEREA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1913
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NOVEMBER 8, 2023
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"The first stop for everybody is 'don't impact students.'" "You want to have the least impact on our people." "It's important that the student experience remains... an extraordinary student experience." -President Bob Helmer & Assistant VP and Director of University Relations Dan Karp
DEFICIT PROMPTS PROGRAM CUTS
By HANNAH WETMORE Executive Web Editor
In response to the budget cuts for the academic year 2023-24, the administration is forced to reevaluate which courses, majors, minors and programs will continue to be offered next spring — a move which may place the courses students already registered for in the upcoming semester on the chopping block. Although final decisions are pending, there are some ideas of what will no longer be offered in the future — mainly majors and minors that previously could be offered despite low enrollment numbers. However, now that there is less wiggle room in the budget, these programs may be cut. Provost Stephen Stahl said Spanish, German, piano performance, sustainability, religion, philosophy and some business programs are examples of majors and minors that have low student enrollment numbers at this
moment. “There are a number of these programs... So the faculty are going to have to talk through what’s important to them to set up priorities,” Stahl said. Nevertheless, students could find alternative pathways to completing the course requirements. “One of the issues with the major [sustainability] already is that it is, perhaps, more complicated than a regular pathway... So unfortunately, students might have to get degree substitutions, but it’s nothing unusual to have to do that,” Stahl said. St a h l a ls o ment ione d reevaluating the way in which majors, like sustainability, are offered on campus. “It is hard to define what a mastery of the subject of sustainability is at the undergraduate level... Is it something better served as something students take within the context of a major? [Or]as a series of courses that form a certificate?” Stahl said. In the long term, there will be some conversations about
ways to increase enrollment across different programs, s u c h a s re du c i n g c ore requirements and required credit hours per major to allow students’ schedules to be more flexible. This will provide room for a more comprehensive liberal arts education where students are taking courses by choice because they have an intellectual hunger for learning rather than checking boxes on the core, Stahl said. Meanwhile, some courses were already cut on campus. For example, Chinese 102, the sequential spring class to Chinese 101, was canceled next semester due to low enrollment. When deciding on which classes will be offered, the administ rat ion us e d to consider a class of six to be sufficient; now, the threshold is 10. “For courses that are too low [in enrollment], they are going to have to be canceled,” Stahl said. Elanna Su, founder and pre s i d e nt of t he As i an Student Alliance, said that
one of the driving forces of her matriculation at BW was the opportunity to learn the Chinese language as well as to connect with her Asian heritage through multicultural classes offered within the Asian Studies minor. BW will offer an online section of Chinese 102 through the consortium they are part of, allowing students to take this particular class online at a different university with an accredited instructor. Su said she appreciated BW offering alternative options for her and her peers to continue learning Chinese; yet, this is an “insufficient response” to the situation. Su found that the “irreplaceable” part of the Chinese language courses was not just the educational content but the “personal experiences and culture” her professor brought to the classroom, one of the many things she loves about BW’s small and personal classes. “There are so many different backgrounds and walks of life, and the more you can expose yourself to those, the better
you’ll understand other people and learn about other cultures and how people do things,” Su said. The University initially planned to cut Arabic 102 in spring 2024, too. However, after getting 12 peers interested in taking the Arabic language course, interested students were eventually able to register for the class, Alissa Hasrouni, sophomore marketing student, told The Exponent. Hasrouni said she collected signatures of student support and presented them to Provost Stahl, asking him to consider continuing to offer Arabic 102. “E s p e c i a l l y w it h BW holding diversity really high, it’s saddening that they [the administration] are trying to get rid of a program that has so much power, beauty and culture... By scratching it [the Arabic language course] away, it prevents us from promoting diversity in our community,” Hasrouni said. Hasrouni said that at first, they simply sent emails to advocate, but the effort was in vain.
“It felt like they [students interested in taking Arabic] are all getting fed back the same answer and it stops at that email,” Hasrouni said. “No one is taking that step forward to speak to somebody that has a fresh set of eyes.” Hasrouni said not enough movement was able to be made at the departmental level and hence she had to escalate her action to show the Provost what she and her classmates wanted. Su said: “Even just this little fight [for Chinese 102] for the last few weeks... It feels draining. It feels we are constantly fighting to be recognized.” In an interview with The Exponent, Stahl recommended student advocacy. “Students need to speak up about their interest in programs... It’s been a long time since I was a college student. I understand the needs of students, but I don’t have a handle on what the wants are,” Stahl said.
A MESSAGE TO BW FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS We know there's more to this story...
INSIDE
Have you been impacted by the budget situation? We would love to learn more about your thoughts and experiences. In an effort to bring clarity to the budget issue, The Exponent wants to amplify your voices. We will publish letters regarding your concerns about the budget deficit anonymously. Letters should be typed and submitted via email to: exponent@bw.edu by Nov. 16 to be published in the next issue.
Show(case)ing off
Faculty members, including The Exponent's own advisor Huixin Deng (not pictured here), present their research.
INKredible exhibit
The 2023 Northeast Ohio Print Invitational comes to Fawick Gallery for the season. PAGE 4
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NEWS
1-3 Enrollment
THE EXPRESSION 4-5 'Five Nights at Freddy's'
LIFE & STYLES 6-7 Campus financial history
SPORTS 8 Bowling and racquetball
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THE EXPONENT | WEDNESDAY, November 8, 2023 | BWEXPONENT.COM
THE BEREA COMMUNIT Y’S PA P E R O F R E C O R D
STUDENT EDITORIAL STAFF
Executive Print Editor Simon Skoutas exponent@bw.edu Executive Web Editor Hannah Wetmore Exec. Business Coordinator Sunaina Kabadkar Executive Art Director Alexis Watkins Managing Editors Cole Graham Benjamin Michael Hall Tommy Maroon Meredith McCord Kayla Muro Ursula Saadeh Ella York Staff Writers Ryan Acevedo Cadence Downey Caitlin Bowshier Bailey Croft Bryanna Feagler Hailey Gandias Israel Gole Maria Vurbic Saraphina Groh Nick Irelan Niko Gemelas Emma Lambert Kathryn Raubolt Isabel Rivera Sophia Rossero Jason Tafoya Justin Verhosek Mae Werstler Ryan Acevedo Layout Editors Elise Coble Hailey Noszek Cartoonist Halle Vargo
FACULTY ADVISOR
Huixin Deng, Ph.D. hdeng@bw.edu
NEWSPAPER POLICIES T h e E x p on e nt i s t h e student-run newspaper of Baldwin Wallace University, which is intended for the entire college community. The Exponent is funded by the Department of Communication Arts & Sciences as well as advertisements. The Exponent is produced by the student staff on a biweekly basis during the academic year. Questions or concerns about the content of articles or other material published herein should be directed to student staff of The Exponent or the faculty advisor. The office of The Exponent is located in Loomis Room 185. It is the right of The Exponent to print all material deemed newsworthy and gathered in a fair and unconditional manner. No advance copies of stories will be shown, and reporters' notes are considered confidential. No "off the record" information will be accepted. ADVERTISING POLICY Anyone wishing to advertise in The Exponent should email the advertising director at exponentads@bw.edu. Ads must be submitted by the Monday before publication date and not conflict with the university mission. Articles and photographs in The Exponent, letters from readers, columns, cartoons and other elements within these pages do not necessarily reflect the position of B aldw in Wa l l a c e University.
Lack of communication, decreased freedom leave students upset over three-year living requirement
By KATHRYN RAUBOLT Staff Writer
Most first-year students are now required to live on campus for three years instead of two, but the decreased lack of freedom and feelings of miscommunication about the policy have left some students unhappy. Kristin Brewer, assistant director of residence life and housing, said the new requirement is to help foster t he c om mu n it y at BW, while also helping students “transition to that next stage and phase of adulthood.” First-year students have the option to live in Heritage and Constitution Halls, along with North Hall for STEM students, Carmel Hall for honors students or 21 Beech for Conservatory students. Vincent Pleva, a firstyear finance student, lives in Constitution East residence
hall. While his parents only live five minutes away, he chose to live on campus because he is unable to drive due to epilepsy and wanted to be more engaged in the BW community. “If you're commuting, you're not meeting as many people because you're only talking to the people that are in your classes,” Pleva said. “Whereas on campus you get to talk to people in a variety of different majors.” However, Pleva said he may choose to go back home or apply to become a Resident Assistant next year to help offset the cost of continuing to live at BW. Some students have exemptions from the oncampus living requirement, including those who choose to live at home with their parents if they fall within a 30-mile radius of BW. Isabella Borges, a firstyear AYA education and
English student, said that as a commuter she feels more disconnected as she does not have the opportunity to meet as many people during the semester. However, due to the added expense of living oncampus, she said she prefers to live at home with her parents. Despite the policy change, not all first-year students were aware of the ne w requirement. Mia Strizak, a first-year accounting student, said she only learned about the requirement from an upperclassman, but does not remember being directly told about the policy. “Personally, I would prefer a two year [requirement], with living off-campus because I think it's a big step in life,” Strizak said. “But I think having to wait until you're a senior to do so almost seems pointless.” Statements about the new three-year living requirement can be found on the Housing
page on BW’s website, bw.edu, as well as on the Residence Hall and Apartment Contract for Housing. Emma Trost, a junior psycholog y student, has lived on campus for three years. Trost said her original plan was to move off campus because she was tired of the tight spaces and not being fully independent but had to be oncampus due to circumstances outside of her control. “I thought two years was good because if you enjoy it, then you'll stay for another year, but if you don't enjoy it, you can look at other options,” Trost said. Brewer said that the new policy added a year because there are a lot of benefits including additional support to general living needs such as cleaning and cooking to help students focus more on their studies. “The idea is that each year you're working towards more
of that independent living and softening part of that transition to be off-campus, eventually,” Brewer said. Brewer said that they intentionally place most firstyear students in double rooms with a communal bathroom to help reduce conflicts of living in a shared space, as well as having professional staff close-by in their satellite office. Resident Assistants in first-year areas also engage in special social programming to help residents meet each other. While students may not live off campus or outside of their parent’s permanent residence during the three-year period, students are able to live in university apartments or suite style dorms starting in their second year. If you have any questions regarding living on-campus or the three-year requirement, contact Residence Life and Housing by email reslife@ bw.edu.
associate professor of education who teaches courses on finance in higher education, said that for institutions such as BW, there is a financial risk involved in cutting services, potentially leading to declining enrollment. “There’s a risk with any direction you take,” Walkuski said. “I mean obviously there’s going to be cuts. There’s going to be mergers and consolidations to build efficiencies, but if you start to do that at the cost of the student experience, your payoff is not going to be great.” Wa l kusk i s aid BW is considered a tuition-driven institution, citing evidence from the National Center for Education Statistics, which reported in 2021 that 41 percent of BW’s revenue was tuition-based. Scott Schulz, the vice president for enrollment management, said there are a few factors contributing to the expected decline in college enrollment. Schulz said that predominantly, the 2008 financial crisis resulted in a plunging birth rate, with institutions of higher education soon to feel the effect. “Now we’re going to be at about 18 years after those kids were never born, so that’s a
huge factor,” Shulz said. “And if you go to a lot of different school districts and look at their high schools, their freshman classes, or their middle schools, you see the big drop off, so we know it’s coming.” S chu lz a ls o s aid t hat following COVID-19, as wages have grown, people began reconsidering the financial gain of a college education. “Pay rates have skyrocketed, and s o cer t ain ly, it’s a consideration that many students make which is, ‘hey, I can go and make $20 an hour doing something that doesn’t require an additional investment of education,” Schulz said. Schulz said that, similarly to every year, amidst the budget deficit, there is pressure on the Office of Admissions to grow enrollment, but that, as of now, there is not much room for growth. “The reality is we’ve been outperforming our market. We’re number one, you can’t be a lot more than number one or higher than that,” Shulz said. “Realistically, you’re not going to grow your way out of a budget situation.” Shulz compiled data and found that in the previous enrollment dip found in colleges and universities
during the COVID-19 pandemic, BW outperformed most surrounding institutions since 2020, recently reporting a record-breaking class size since 2015 for the Class of 2027. Schulz said that to counteract the enrollment cliff, the university should focus on increasing recruitment efforts through community outreach with surrounding institutions. “You’ve got to make sure that it’s a all on hands-on deck approach to recruitment,” Schulz said. “I mean, this can’t just be the admission counselors. It’s why we have a number of faculty who are incredibly engaged are out there spreading the good word.” Walkuski said that through increasing accessibility for adult learners and figuring out the ways that BW will balance the demand for jobtraining certificates compared to a liberal arts education, BW could take steps to maneuver around the decline in admissions. “We don’t say we’re this direct pipeline into jobs; we’re also saying we’re going to develop you as a whole person and a well-rounded individual,” Walkuski said. “We can’t be everything to everyone, but we’ve really got
to figure out what value is and what we’re providing for the students that come here.” In terms of increasing funding through other means than admissions, such as increasing grants, Walkuski said that this is also a balancing act amidst budget cuts. “It’s kind of this chicken and egg,” Walkuski said. “It’s like, we’re going to cut, cut, cut and people are going to feel like they’ve got more on their plate, and is that going to impact their ability to go out and be innovative and go out and get research grants? Or get grants for programs? Or things that create partnerships that are so important?”
Enrollment cliff inbound amid budget deficit By SIMON SKOUTAS Executive Print Editor
As institutions for higher education are expected to face a drop in enrollment in the coming years, tuition-based institutions such as Baldwin Wallace University could see impactful declines in revenue, adding another hurdle to an already established budget deficit. While BW avoided the enrollment crisis of COVID-19, beating out other local institutions in enrollment numbers, this enrollment cliff is expected to impact the Midwest at higher rates than the rest of the United States. Research conducted by Carleton College reports a 15 percent decline in collegegoing students forecasted from 2012-2029. While BW is currently working with Ernst & Young Parthenon, a hired consulting company, that will provide a plan for the university to dig itself out of the deficit, Dan Karp, assistant vice president and director of University Relations, said that the enrollment cliff is part of their considerations. Karp said that maintaining a top-notch student experience is their goal. Christy Walkuski,
Reporter's Notebook: Student Government By JUSTIN VERHOSEK Staff Writer Student Body President Matt Perry and Student Body Vice President Maree Horne spoke with the Student Senate during their weekly meeting on Oct. 24, addressing plans for future concerts at BW. A survey had previously been dispersed by Student Senators, asking students what they would like to see for future campus-wide concerts.
Now that results have been recorded the concert committee plans to use these results to advise BW on what the student body wants to see for a winter concert and future concerts. The next Student Senate meeting that students can attend will take place at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14.
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Reporter's Notebook: Berea City Council
By KAYLA MURO Managing Editor On Oct. 16, Berea City Council met for their regularly scheduled meeting. Director of Public Works Tony Armagno announced that annual leaf collection would begin Oct. 30 for Berea residents. Tony Ramos, the relationship manager from NOPEC, said that they have brought back 80 percent of Berea participants since last year,
which is about 5,000 residents. According to their website, NOPEC is a “governmental energy aggregator in Ohio that uses the bulk buying power of over 240 member communities to negotiate exclusive electric and natural gas rates and better terms and conditions only available to NOPEC customers.”
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Study abroad programs still offered First community meeting held to improve transportation in Berea in spite of budget deficit By MEREDITH MCCORD Managing Editor
Despite the deficit, The D e p a r t m e nt o f G l o b a l E x pl or at i ons c ont i nu e s offering several study abroad opportunities to students. While some study abroad opportunities are not fulfilled, it is not the deficit leading to cuts; rather, it can depend on the number of students who choose to embark on a trip, the demand for which has increased following its decline since the COVID-19 pandemic. Hallie Vavrus, a leadership and higher education graduate student, said there are different categories of study abroad programs offered at BW, including semesterlong programs, full-year programs, summer programs and faculty-led programs. There is a challenge with an insufficient number of students enrolling in some pro g r a m s . Vav r u s s a i d that for each program that the department of Global Exploration offers, they like to have 20 to 23 students enrolled in that specific program. “We are having a lack of students applying to some programs. So if we have under a certain number of students, [then] the program won’t
go through, so that’s been a problem and then we have to cut off the program altogether,” Vavrus said. Vavrus said that among other reasons, one concern for students is the financial constraints. “That [financial aid] is another thing that students sometimes get hesitant on with studying abroad, and that’s a real problem, especially with inflation going on right now and flights being so pricey,” Vavrus said. Anot her cont r ibut ing factor is the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Christie Shrefler, director of the Center of Global Exploration, said their office reported that before the pandemic, around 40 percent of full-time undergraduate students studied abroad during their time at BW, but currently, only 20 percent of students study abroad. Nonetheless, Shrefler said that since the drop from the pandemic, the percentage of students taking a study abroad opportunity has been steadily on the rise. “To put that in context, typically nationally only 10 percent of students study abroad, so we are minimally double the national average, and we are hoping to be much more than that, but
it’s been a slow process since COVID-19,” Shrefler said. Despite potential financial concerns, there are financial aid opportunities available to students who wish to study abroad. “The good thing about studying abroad too is that all of your BW expenses that you would normally pay for a semester are the same price as if you were to study somewhere else,” Vavrus said. Even though these opportunities exist, there are times when there will be additional expenses that are not covered by a student’s financial aid. “If this is the case, there is sometimes additional financial aid available through our financial aid department, there’s a study abroad grant, we also have some endowed scholarships through our alums who donate funding,” Shrefler said. Vavrus said that with these additional sources of funding, the Center for Global Exploration tries to encourage students to engage in the opportunity. “We try to comfort students the best that we can when it comes to finances because there is just a plethora of opportunities for financial aid,” Vavrus said.
By ISRAEL GOLE Staff Writer
On Oct. 25, the "Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative for Downtown Berea Multimodal Transportation," a study aimed at improving transportation in the Berea and Baldwin Wallace University area, was presented at its first community meeting at the Berea branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library. The study was conducted over the past year with funding from the Northeast Ohio Coordinating Agency aimed at finding places for improvement in transportation throughout downtown Berea, some parts of the BW campus and roads near Coe Lake and the Metroparks. During the meeting, Matt Madzy, director of planning engineering and development of Berea, led a presentation and summarized the goals of the study. “What [the study] means is to focus on how to improve safety and efficiency of all modes and means of traffic in and out of our study area. That's cars, bicycles, pedestrians or students,” Madzy said. The research revealed transportation and traffic statistics such as pavement
conditions, one-way streets, traffic volume, parking, sidewalks, crosswalks and bike facilities. The report found that a section of Front Street closest to the intersection with Bagley Road was in poor condition along with East Bagley Road having scoring one of the highest in terms of Level of Traffic Stress for bicyclists. Madzy said that they are looking to “increase efficiency and safety, and we're looking for a final, finalized report in March of 2024.” Throughout the meeting, the team stressed the importance o f g a i n i n g c o m mu n i t y feedback. Project manager Chuck Fawcett said: "The study team is combining data from the field with feedback from you guys [the community].” The team also presented statistics from a poll of BW students conducted last year with the help of BW sustainability students that revealed that 64 percent of students said they would ride a bike on campus if they had one available. Only 58 percent of students said they feel safe riding a bike on campus, and 85 percent of students said they would ride a bike more often if local streets were more bike friendly, with 83 students reporting that they
were involved in a bike-related accident. Fawcett said the study aims to encourage other forms of transportation than just cars, and to make all forms safer and more available for everyone. Fawcett said it would be great to hear even more specific feedback and suggestions from BW students. “That's really the point of this study is to kind of get feedback to find out what they think would make them feel safer,” Fawcett said. The Oct. 25 meeting was the first of three, and Fawcett said he wants any students to come to the next meeting held in mid-December to share their concerns and suggestions that will take place. “The next meeting, we will talk about different alternatives that we're thinking about recommending and getting people's feedback on those,” Fawcett said. “And then the final meeting, we'll talk about what we are going to be recommending as a result of the study.”
Communication Association for her sixth scheduled presentation this year. “I simply enjoy learning and studying new things,” Deng said. “I started drafting my first research manuscript in my junior year of college, and I still do it every day.” Matthew Webb, assistant professor and director of musical theatre from the Conservatory, presented his project on continuing the virtual showcase from the COVID-19 pandemic. “We started doing a virtual showcase because we needed to do something and that made sense, but then it had such a drastic impact on the students being able to be showcased across the country... We decided to keep doing even after reinstating the in-person showcase,” Webb said. The vir tua l showcas e had indeed turned into an opportunity for seniors at BW to showcase their talent across the country, which created a new opportunity for students, Webb said.
beginning at 11 p.m. For those who are interested in attending more Allies events, there will be a collaboration with Book Jackets on Nov. 10 at 4:30-6 p.m. about queer literature. For more information about future events and updates, follow @bwallies on social media to learn more.
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Faculty Research Showcase highlights scholarly work, creative projects
By SARAPHINA GROH Staff Writer
The 2023 Faculty Research & Scholarly Activity Showcase took place in Knowlton Center on Oct. 26, enabling professors to share their knowledge and expertise with the BW community in an interactive way. Associate Professor of Neuroscience Clare Mathes said her project put forth the concept of “applying research projects that faculty partake in to the classes that they teach.” “My project is integrating my research in behavioral neuroscience into my behavioral neuroscience class, so I’m incorporating authentic research into it”, Mathes said. This concept of inclusion of relevant data from classrooms was further supported by the Dean of Graduate Studies, Swagata Banik, who discussed the importance of faculty being able to do research studies and include students in them.
Banik said: “[FacultyS t u d e nt c o l l a b o r at i o n ] provides you as a student and us as a community with new knowledge about the topic, so that they [faculty] bring knowledge to the classroom.” Another benefit to students, as suggested by Provost Stephen Stahl, is the idea of seeing teachers in their element and talking about subjects they love. “This gives students a chance to see the faculty talk about their academic passion,” Stahl said. “Teachers being able to continue their education in inclusive aspects allows for students to be encouraged to continue their own education.” Huixin Deng, assistant professor of journalism in the Department of C ommunication Arts & Sciences and faculty advisor to The Exponent, presented her research on social media activism. In her study, Deng sought to examine how Generation Z in the U.S. utilize short-form video platforms, such as TikTok, to advocate for
Professors presenting their projects and answering questions at the Faculty Showcase in Knowlton Center. contentious social issues. “ironic” that the results of her Deng said since 2020, she study revealed an interesting had witnessed a trend of young phenomenon: using TikTok Americans using TikTok will motivate TikTok users to for political expression and advocate for social issues on grassroot activism. Therefore, the platform, but this may keep drawing from prior research them from helping the same in psychology, sociology and cause offline, which indicates communication studies, Deng that the very act of TikTok created an extended theory of activism is often the end — planned behavior model to rather than the beginning — predict Gen Z’s intention and of Gen Z’s engagement with behavior to advocate for social a cause, which undermines justice on TikTok. much of digital activism. Deng said she found it “I look for ward to
conducting more research as such in the future,” Deng said. “As a social science researcher and former journalist, I aim to inform and provide theoretical and practical implications to media prac titioners, policy makers and company shareholders.” In addition to conducting her own scholarly research, Deng also advised students on their Ovation projects. For example, she and her students have researched college media-related topics pertinent to The Exponent in the past few months. Despite her busy schedule, Deng remains active in research. She has published three peer-reviewed journal articles as leading authors and delivered five solo-authored presentations at national communication conferences since she joined BW last fall, while currently having two manuscripts under review at top-tier communications journals. In mid-November, she is heading to the annual conference of the National
coloring activities. Ana Boe, the faculty advisor for Allies and the coordinator for LGBTQ services at BW, said that Pride Prom is the biggest event Allies runs. “Pride Prom is a place for queer people to feel represented in a fun community,” Jena Parks, copresident of Allies, said However, Pride Prom provided a space for all students to feel like they b elong , welcoming any
students who wished to attend. Boe said that when she was a young adult, events like Pride Prom were not available. Despite Pride Prom being an event for students who are queer, Randy Forshey, copresident of the Allies said that for some students, Pride Prom is also a substitute for not attending events like their high school’s prom. Forshey said that he did not go to his high school prom, and that Pride Prom is a way to
creating a space where people feel accepted and creating an event that people feel accepted by,” Parks said. Forshey said that he feels Pride Prom has inspired a lot of students to come, not only the members of the LGBTQ+ community. The Allies partnered with the student production of the cult classic, Rocky Horror Picture Show. Once Pride Prom had ended, the pre-show activities began, with the show
Benjamin Michael Hall, The Exponent
Allies hosts annual Pride Prom, provides welcoming space for all
By SOPHIA ROSSERO Staff Writer
Allies, Baldwin Wallace University’s LGBTQ+ student organization, hosted their annual Pride Prom Saturday from 7:30-10p.m. in the Student Activity Center. Pride Prom has been a tradition at BW for several years. This year, the free event provided music, dancing games, snacks and Halloween
relive that missed experience without feeling pressure. While this event is primarily for BW students, people can bring dates from off campus as well. “We encourage all people to attend,” Forshey said. Considering the length of which Pride Prom has been held at BW, students weigh in on what they believe is the largest impact the event has had on campus. “Fostering community,
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THE EXPONENT | WEDNESDAY, November 8, 2023 | BWEXPONENT.COM
The Expression
Arts and Culture Coverage from The Exponent AT THE MOVIES
‘Five Nights At Freddy's’ delivers fun Halloween watch, horror falters ELLA YORK Head Film Critic
The highly anticipated “Five Nights at Freddy’s” film hit the big screen on Oct. 27, delivering a fun and entertaining film for fans of the original game. While the film was very enjoyable to watch, it could have done a lot more with its runtime. The film centers around M i ke S c h m i dt , a m an who takes a job working security for closed down and abandoned restaurant Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza in hopes of improving his chances of keeping custody of his little sister, Abby. He quickly realizes, though, that there is
something very wrong with the 1980s style pizzeria when the animatronics begin to come to life. The film started off strong, with the opening scene setting a violent and eerie tone as the audience watches the animatronics brutally stalk and murder the previous “Freddy’s” security guard. It seemed as if the film was really going to push the limits of its PG-13 rating. However, this was not the case. For most of the film, the animatronics were quite friendly. In fact, the opening scene was the only violence we see from them until the near-end of the film. For a game known for capitalizing on jumpscares and fear of the
unknown, the film adaptation definitely was lacking in the horror department. Despite the subpar fearfactor, the f ilmmaker’s pulled off the execution of the animatronics quite well. Director Emma Tammi opted for the use of practical effects in lieu of computer graphic imagery to create the animatronics — a move that paid off. The animatronics look larger-than-life, making them feel like they jumped right out of the video game onto the big screen. Another essential part of bringing the video game to the movies is adapting the lore, which, when it comes to the FNAF fandom, is quite extensive. While it is clear that
this film was made for both fans and non-fans of the video game, the film could have made the lore more complex. The intricate lore of the video game was dumbed down and simplified seemingly to accommodate those not familiar with the game, but this was not necessary. They had plenty of time in the film to go deeper into the background behind the pizzeria and its psychotic owner, William Afton, but the film wasted most of its time adding unnecessary lore to the main characters that didn’t fit with the games, a decision that was clearly a mistake. Most of the lore was explained with dialogue,
which has proven time and time again to be ineffective. Ad d i n g f l a s h b a c k s o r perspective-shifts to explain the backstory would have made the viewing experience immeasurably more interesting and memorable. Inste ad, t he ot her w is e intriguing backstory became dull, and the simplification of the lore left the antagonist without much motive. In spite of all of this, the film did manage to pull off some major plot twists, even for fans of the game. The reveal of the villain and their connection with some of the newer characters in the film caught me completely off guard and was genuinely a shock. There are also some
surprising YouTuber cameos sprinkled in the film which, for those who recognize them, is a nice touch. Although the film suffered from story-related problems, it was certainly an amusing watch. It’s a fun and exciting adaptation that was perfect for a late-night Halloween watch. This film definitely set the foundation for other films to follow, and with much of the lore unexplored, could lead to the beginning of a brilliant horror film franchise. “Five Nights at Freddy’s” is available to watch in theaters and streaming on Peacock now.
BWMT ‘Pippin’ explores Bob Fosse choreography
Directed by Nathan Henry, BWMT performs “Pippin,” a musical revolving around Pippin, the prince and heir to the throne searching for purpose. The musical will be choreographed in the style of its original director, Bob Fosse, whose style was known for its isolated movements. Greg Daniels, head of the dance program and choreographer for the production, said the style has become a “dying art” since Fosse’s passing, so it is important to keep it alive. Daniels said the audience should expect to go on a “journey” as the show
Fawick Gallery concludes exhibition season with printmaking display By RYAN ACEVEDO Staff Writer The Fawick Art Gallery ends its exhibition season with a unique presentation of print art in the 2023 Northeast Ohio Print Invitational. More than twenty artists from around Northeast Ohio have been brought on to present their pieces of art with the central theme being printmaking. Whether it be woodcuts, etchings, lithographs or others, they are all on presentation for the public to see and purchase until Dec. 1. Darlene Michitsch, an associate professor of art history, said the exhibition was organized by Paul Jacklitch, a professor of studio art. “He invited a selection of professional printmakers from throughout the region,” Michitsch said. All twenty printmakers that were asked agreed to be a part
of the exhibition. Many of these printmakers were BW alumni who, Michitsch said, are “quite successful” in their endeavors. “We have done a lot of outreaches and a lot of interaction with artists in the community that give us the ability to kind of connect with them and pull them in and make them a part of what we’re doing here at BW,” Michitsch said. The exhibit provides a unique look into the printmaking field with a blend of modern and contemporary styles. “This exhibit came about after the exhibit we did last year,” Jacklitch said. “We did a printmaking event in the fall called ‘Big Ink’ where we brought in a giant press and had local artists come in and make these huge wooden block prints, and we displayed them in the gallery.” Taking a walk through the exhibit, one will witness a unique variety of different pieces. There
unfolds. “I am hoping that the musical numbers and the choreography enhance their journey…there is something for everybody,” Daniels said. “Pippin” will be performed in Kleist Center for Art & Drama Nov. 9-11 and 16-18 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. To view the whole story by Bryanna Feagler, visit: www.bwexponent.com/ pippin Photos: Benjamin Michael Hall, The Exponent
are some that are more in the traditional span of art, with designs of landscapes, physical settings and different animals. There are also more modern and abstract pieces, focusing more on the blending of color and design to create a unique presentation. “I didn’t think so much about the style,” Jacklitch said. “I knew that it would be a really good mix, and I was actually hoping it would be a variety of work... based on the printmakers and the artists’ experience that they have in working with this medium.” The exhibit runs from now until Dec. 1 in the Fawick Art Gallery, providing a unique expression in the arts. “Art is all around us,” Michitsch said. “You can’t get away from it, whether you know it or not. I know it’s a bit of a cliché, but there really is something for everyone.”
BWEXPONENT.COM | WEDNESDAY, November 8, 2023 | THE EXPONENT
Students inspire audiences to ‘erase hate’ in ‘The Laramie Project’
By URSULA SAADEH Staff Writer
Baldwin Wallace theatre students recount the true story of a town in mourning in the aftermath of a hate crime in “The Laramie Project,” premiering in the Loomis Acting Studio Nov. 15. “The Laramie Project” is a verbatim
theatre piece created by the Tectonic Theater Project that draws on reactions of the true event of 21-yearold Matthew Shepard’s brutal murder in Laramie, Wyoming in 1998. Classified as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime, this murder made national headlines and brought attention to the lack of hate crime laws in various states. Members of the Tectonic Theater
Project interviewed hundreds of Laramie residents over the span of two years to create “The Laramie Project.” They interviewed the residents so that they could, as student director Eric Golovan said, “explore what this town was and the underlying bigotry that allowed such a horrible thing to happen.” Golovan, a B.F.A acting student, said he chose to direct “The Laramie Project” because he believed it is a story that has become important in recent times. “I think that as a society we have not learned our lesson in how we're treating people,” Golovan said. “We see so much horrible legislation now being passed that's anti LGBTQ+ … and I strongly feel that we're not doing enough to stop this from happening in the future.” This production will be performed in the Loomis Acting Studio, headed by production stage manager Kelsey Malone, a senior stage management student. The space will be set up as an alley stage with the audience on either side of the actors, seated in the corners of the room. “It's definitely a lot more intimate between the audience and the actors,” Malone said. “Just hearing the words so closely is going to be really important to the environment that we're trying to make with Loomis.” The actors will all remain on stage throughout each act, portraying multiple Laramie residents. Because the play is
verbatim, all the names used are real names, and all the dialogue comes directly from the interviews. Senior acting and directing student Da’Von McDonald said that it is very important to make sure that all his lines are said perfectly, because every word and stutter must be exact to the person that said it. “I really look at their dialogues and pull what I can about what kind of person they are based on how they talk, what they said or what was mentioned about them,” McDonald said. “Based on all that, I go and do some research … online because, since they are real people, it makes it even easier.” Because “The Laramie Project” involves so many characters, Golovan said he used an ensemble focused rehearsal process, where the students talk about each scene in great detail and share their thoughts on the different themes and ideas being explored. These characters represent a wide range of beliefs and attitudes toward the murder of Matthew Shepard and the circumstances surrounding it, but McDonald said each cast member had to find a way to accurately represent that person, even when the two have completely opposing views on the situation. “Everyone plays people who are so different from each other, so it’s been interesting to tap into and sympathize or empathize with a character that you may strongly disagree with their values and morals,” McDonald said. Golovan said that although many audience members may feel a hatred toward some of the characters in this play, it is important to realize that
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a person’s upbringing has a large impact on their behaviors. “They are products of their society, and it’s not necessarily their fault that they think these things, as is the case today because hate is a learned behavior,” Golovan said. “The only way we can grow from it is if we acknowledge our past and look to our future.” BW The atre and D ance is collaborating with the Matthew Shepard Foundation, a program founded by Shepard’s parents that amplifies their son’s story, working to embrace equality and eliminating hate crimes based on any individual’s personal characteristics. “They have sent in a lot of resources and provided a lot of tools for us to give this story the sensitivity that it requires,” Golovan said. “We're really grateful to them and we hope that people come see it to not only support the Department of Theatre and Dance but also the Matthew Shepard Foundation.” “The Laramie Project” runs Nov. 16-19 in the Loomis Acting Studio, and there will be a prize for the first ten people who arrive at each performance. Tickets are free for the general public. “I really do hope that everybody that comes to the show is moved and compelled to … erase hate, because that's so important,” McDonald said. “It's important that the people that leave [the show] leave with a new mindset and want to better their community and world, so that we can erase hate.”
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THE EXPONENT | WEDNESDAY, November 8, 2023 | BWEXPONENT.COM
Life & Styles THE EXPONENT IS AN AWARD- Students visit LGBTQ+ center as part of on-going For the WINNING PUBLICATION– AGAIN! Culture Series We were just ranked First Place by the
College Media Association, the nation's largest organization dedicated to serving collegiate media. We've competed against all U.S. college newspapers to earn this national recognition. OPINION
Shein is not she-out By EMMA LAMBERT Staff Writer
Fast fashion: quick, cheap and trendy. In 2023, this longstanding issue is only a bigger threat to the planet and the health of its people. But if fast fashion is allegedly so bad, why has it only soared in popularity? With newcomers like Shein and familiar foes like H&M, the clothing landscape has been dominated by companies often deemed ethically and environmentally dubious that have produced on trend items for dollars apiece for decades. Sounds convenient, especially for those looking for cute clothes on a budget. Shops like Shein are beloved on campuses around the country, and it is hard to avoid a flood of hauls, promotions and outfit showcases on social media. Despite its popularity, the retailer and several others like it have been under intense scrutiny, with accusations ranging from using slave labor to paying influencers to post propaganda. Despite this, what keeps the brand in the mainstream? Here, Baldwin Wallace University students share their thoughts on the pros and cons of fast fashion and what makes them shop or stop. Amalee Mohammad, a junior education student said she shops at Shein and said that there are a few specific reasons for doing so. “Just because I buy their clothes doesn’t mean I support their practices directly,” Mohammad said. She s ai d she f i nds a particular aspect of the store appealing through their modest options. “I’m Muslim and finding modest clothes that are stylish and modest can be difficult,” Mohammad said. Nonetheless, Mohammad said that she does try to limit
how often she utilizes fast fashion. “I keep my consumption of fast fashion limited,” Mohammad said. “I don’t shop at other websites. So, although I buy from Shein and Forever 21, I don’t purchase from every company that offers me a deal.” Finding Shein to be an accessible option is the main reasons Mohammad said she chooses to purchase from them, but she finds that the clothing is not always high quality and said that she often has to return her purchases after receiving a different product than was advertised. “I often have to send back half of what I buy because it just isn’t like what I thought I was ordering,” Mohammad said. Other students find different options for shopping, like Emily May, a freshman hospitality student who said that while she believes the companies should do more to help the environment, she avoids fast fashion simply because she prefers other options. "I love to thrift,” May said. “I’ve never bought from Shein, but I don’t avoid it on purpose. I think thrift shopping is much more fun.” Some students refrain from neutrality and choose to oppose the brand and the industry completely, like Nikki Johnson, a sophomore psychology student who said that people need to be more aware of the poor conditions involved in producing the cheap clothing. “I completely avoid fast fashion,” Johnson said. “I think these companies need to be held accountable for their unethical practices.” Johnson, like May, said she finds her style in secondhand shopping. “Thrifting is my favorite. If you really want a piece from one of these brands, try to find it secondhand,” Johnson said. “You can have it without creating demand for more
throwaway clothes.” “I think shoppers should be aware of how their clothes are made,” Nikki said. “And what kind of working conditions those who made the clothes endure.” One more student and fashion lover pitches in, Loren Denman, a junior marketing student and said that despite all of that, she loves the affordability and ease involved in shopping with Shein. “I think Shein’s online only approach is helpful for me,” Denman said, “It’s much easier to see all options laid out on a screen rather than searching a rack in a store.” Denman added her opinion on the ethics of stores like Shein. “I think these companies could be doing a lot more for their workers and the environment,” she said. “But there’s the problem, although it’s great for consumers by being cheap and reliable, it still has a negative impact on our planet.” The weight of dealing with the exploitation of workers and climate change isn’t meant to rest on college students. Although there have been calls to boycott Shein specifically and fast fashion all together, it’s clear that these boycotts rarely work— there will always be a group of people that find the brand to be worth purchasing from. Shoppers, specifically students and young adults, will always have their reasons to buy cheap, cute clothes. It’s unlikely that this will ever change. However, what can change is legislation— regulations around the fashion industry and how workers are treated in the Global South. If BW students are looking to change their closets in an ethical way, the first step is limiting consumption and thinking before purchasing. Instead of browsing the mall for clothes, try looking for a new outfit at a local secondhand store, like Common Threads in the nearby Brook Park.
Kathryn Raubolt, The Exponent
Students engage in dialogue to learn about LGBTQ+ history By KATHRYN RAUBOLT Staff Writer On Oct. 22, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion took 21 students off campus to learn about LGBTQ+ history and culture in the second event of the For the Culture series. Courtney Robinson, associate director of cultural programming, inclusion and belonging, created the series to provide students with free opportunities to experience and learn about different cultures in the Greater Cleveland area. “I wanted to create an activity or a space where students could go out and connect with their cultural history where the onus isn't being placed on them to educate others,” Robinson said. For the month of October, the event series focused on LGBTQ+ history month. Robinson took students to Colors+ to learn about the non-profit LGBTQ+ community center before heading to Studio West 17, a walkable neighborhood aimed at inclusivity, to watch and eat at a drag brunch, a meal accompanied with drag performances by various drag queens and kings. Sh an non S c ott - Mi l l e, deputy director of Colors+, said the center provides a safe space for youth to be themselves and provides counseling for all ages in the LGBTQ+ community. “Our job as mental health counselors are not [to be there] because there's something wrong with queer youth,” Scott-Miller said. “We’re here
because there's something wrong with the world that's trying to raise queer youth and we need to help them be fierce against it.” Following the meal, students spoke with Ken Schneck, profe s s or of e du c at i on and editor of the Buckeye Flame, Ohio’s only source for LGBTQ+ news, about LGBTQ+ history and activism in Ohio. Students also spoke to Avery Ware, co-founder of Mx. Junteenth, about the celebration for queer, black individuals in June. Solè Hall-Hamilton, a senior English student, said they have never seen a program like this at Baldwin Wallace University and said she thinks it is especially important to give students the opportunity to experience Cleveland and learn about different cultures to build cultural competency. “Overall, I think it's a really great opportunity to get more people who are queer or questioning to experience something within the community actively outside of BW,” Hall-Hamilton said. “BW is such a pocket, and everything that happens here feels like it's only going to be here, so it’s important to start to learn where we can coexist after we graduate.” After the presentations concluded, students rode to Studio West 17 for drag brunch, where “different drag queens perform by lip synching as we eat delicious food,” Robinson said. The lunch was covered by the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, allowing students to experience the trip at no cost. The event series began celebrating National Hispanic
Heritage Month in September, taking students to the ClarkFulton neighborhood in Cleveland, a historic Hispanic community on the west side of Cleveland. Students were able to wa l k around and le ar n about the history of the area accompanied by Nicholas Mays, assistant professor of history, who grew up in the area before going to lunch at a local restaurant. Then, they went to a local community garden, B arrioB oy, and learned about its founding. The For the Culture series will continue the third Sunday of every month, celebrating different cultures across campus. Robinson said she hopes to keep the event free and provide transportation to allow for as many students as possible to attend. “I hope that students who are a part of these student organizations can come and feel that connectedness to culture without feeling the pressure of having to do the work,” Robinson said. “This is just a space for them to come and connect and almost feel like that sense of home that I think sometimes you're missing when you're on campus.” The next event will be held Nov. 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will focus on National Native American Heritage Month, with more events continuing into the spring 2024 semester. For more infor mation students should v isit @ bwcenter for inclusion on Instagram or follow the Center for Diversity and Inclusion on Jacket Connect.
BWEXPONENT.COM | WEDNESDAY, November 8, 2023 | THE EXPONENT
By KAYLA MURO, SIMON SKOUTAS and HAILEY DEVNEY
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EX BUDGET ISSUES The Great Depression dealt major cuts to B-W • 1929 - 1942
In the face of the Great Depression, then treasurer and vice president for Baldwin-Wallace College, Harold C. Beyer helped the university meet their payroll demands during the financial strain of the Great Depression by reducing spending. With the financial troubles of the 1930s at top of mind, Beyer was able to grow B-W’s investments for the coming years to maintain financial stability heading into the future. Beyer helped the university grow in enrollment following the depression by bringing in the Air Force and Navy V-12 programs during World War II, designed to grow the number of educated officers by subsidizing their education. Beyer retired in 1966 after working nearly 50 years at the college. According to BW Archives, “Serving under nine presidents, since 1920 Beyer served Baldwin-Wallace for more than one-third of the college’s 120 years. His ability in matters of finance and his personal fortitude have helped Baldwin-Wallace survive our most difficult eras.”
GI Bill created surge in enrollment • 1944 - 1948 On June 21, 1947, then Baldwin-Wallace College president, Louis Wright, announced his retirement to the Board of Trustees in the face of the GI Bill, which began offering covering the cost of education for veterans and their family members.This flooded the college with students, causing a jump from 583 students to nearly 2,000 students between the years of 1934 and 1946. The influx of students attending the college resulted in economic strain with its need for a 50 percent increase in faculty and a struggle to house students. The annual operating budget of the college increased from $223,260 to $1 million, placing a strain on the administrators in dealing with the growing college. In his retirement speech, Wright recommended his successor to have a committee to help deal with these issues. His presidency was applauded on the account of expansion of enrollment and the addition of a multitude of new buildings. THE EXPONENT
QUOTEACROSTIC BY PHY-104 GENERAL PROBLEM SOLVING CL ASS
INSTRUCTIONS: Fill in the answers on the blank spaces with the help of the clues. Then, write those letters in the grid to reveal a quote. Black squares indicate the end of a word, and punctuation has been removed. When you're done, the first letters of the answers to the clues will be the author and subject of the quote. Answers will be posted on bwexponent.com. The author of the quote is a civil servant that is describing a problem he is trying to solve. The first letter of every answer is his job title.
BWEXPONENT.COM | WEDNESDAY, November 8, 2023 | THE EXPONENT
Baldwin Wallace introduces new bowling teams By BAILEY CROFT Staff Writer
Baldwin Wallace University athletics welcomed bowling as a new sport to the department this year. The newly appointed coach, Maria Kreke, is a parttime professional bowler on the Professional Women’s Bowling Association tour and is now building a brand new sports team from the ground up. “To me, the most important piece of the puzzle is having a team that can support you in and off the lanes,” Kreke said. “When you can turn around and your team is cheering for you no matter if you spare or if you struck, it makes you feel better about whatever it is that you did.” Abby Schuerger, a member of the women’s bowling team, said that the team’s bond with each other and with Kreke is very special. “Every Tuesday we have a lesson with her,” Schuerger said. “The first thing we do is a mind, body and heart checkin. We’re there for each other.” Erin Yates, captain of the
women’s bowling team, said that beyond the personal bond, the team also feels supported by the budget provided to the team by the university. “I have more bowling balls than I thought I ever would have in my whole lifetime,” Yates said. “It really does make that difference when you’re D3 and don’t get scholarships for the sports here, but you’re getting ever ything and anything provided.” Kreke said she began bowling at just five years old and has ever since. She said she had to bowl for the men’s team in high school because her school did not have a women’s team. Later, she decided to pursue bowling professionally post-college graduation. “ There’s a lot of my backstory that is a little bit unlike the typical backstory that a lot of people have when they come out into the professional bowling scene. My background is very nontraditional,” Kreke said. “I want to be able to give them what I didn’t have.” BW’s women’s bowling team is NCAA sanctioned
CROSSWORD
Illustration by Halle Vargo
BY MEREDITH MCCORD
ACROSS
SPORTS
and USBC collegiate, while the men’s is solely USBC collegiate. This past weekend, the women’s b ow ling te am had their very first NCAA tournament in Indiana. “Since we’re brand new, we only have about six girls,” Kreke said. “You need five to compete, and we only took five with us. So every single one of them bowled the entire weekend. I think it was maybe one of the first times that they saw within themselves how capable that they can be at this sport. It was really cool to see.” Schuerger said she encourages students to join the bowling team if they would like to learn a new sport. “You really have to put your heart into it,” Schuerger said. “But I think for the experiences alone, if you want to try something new, I’d definitely encourage you to do it.”
THE EXPONENT
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[2] A student's area of [1] The last "F" of "FNAF" study [3] BW's only Division I [5] Going to college in a sport foreign country [4] A new team sport at [7] A musical by Stephen BW Scwartz and Roger O. [6] Eras tour headliner Hirson surname [8] Mark of recognition
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Racquetball team triumphs, earning national title in 2022-23 season
By NICK IRELAN Staff Writer
T h e B a l d w i n Wa l l a c e University’s men's and women's racquetball team has a track record of attaining several national championships, with their latest triumph occurring just last year at the collegiate n at i on a l tou r n am e nt i n Columbus, Ohio. Standout player Julia Stein's performance in high-level racquetball extends back to her early years, as she has been a strong player starting at the age of five. The Baldwin Wallace men's and women's racquetball team has had a prominent status within BW's competitive club roster for quite some time. They stand as the only club sport offered by BW in the Division I conference. “My Dad would take my brothers and me to the gym and I would sit in the back of the court and watch them before I was able to really swing the racquet,” Stein said, “Around five, I got strong enough to be able to hit the ball to the front wall so that’s when I started actually playing.”
At the time, Stein was exploring the sport and seeking her interests as a young athlete. As she got older, her racquetball career took off. “I always just went around to tournaments with my brothers and didn’t really have the motivation to practice and win on my own until 10 or 12,” Stein said. “That was when I started qualifying for the National team and traveling to other countries.” Soon into her career Stein joined the Junior National Team for United States Racquetball “The strongest racquetball community I have b e en involved in is Team USA,” Stein said. “... Every kid there knows what it feels like to win and be on top of the world and to lose and feel like you’re at rock bottom.” The Junior National Team has taken Stein to places such as Colombia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Guatemala. Stein’s most significant moment in her racquetball career occurred at the 2018 World Tournament in San Luís Potosí, Mexico. Stein recalls a pivotal match in which she and her doubles partner faced off
against Mexico during the pool play. Mexico had consistently been a dominant force in the sport, so winning a game against the country gave them a surge of confidence and momentum as they headed into the main draw. Later, they came face-to-face with Mexico in the finals. “In previous years, the farthest [we] made it in the tournament was getting a bronze. The fact that we were in the finals was new, exciting and motivating to us," Stein said. "We came out firing in the first game and won.” The pair was crowned World Champions in San Luís Potosí, Mexico. Her aspirations led her to BW, with the aim of winning national championships and elevating the Division I club team to new heights. “I am trying to get other students at BW involved in racquetball,” Stein said. “A lot of people are turned away by the fact that we are considered D1, but I try to explain that everyone who plays on the team starts as a beginner. I encourage everyone to give it a try.”