The Miami Student Oldest university newspaper in the United States, established 1826
VOLUME 138 NO. 34
Friday, January 28, 2011
MIAMI UNIVERSITY OXFORD, OHIO
In 1966, The Miami Student reported more than 25 Miami University male students received reclassification from a 2-S student deferment to a 1-A immediate draft status.
ASG to create new executive position By Amanda Seitz Campus Editor
With $40 million in budget cuts looming ahead, Miami University could use a helping hand in financial support. Associated Student Government (ASG) is hoping it will be Miami alumni who will extend that hand. Student Body President Heath Ingram believes he has a plan to garner more alumni support by establishing a new ASG cabinet position. Tuesday, Jan. 25, ASG met to hear Ingram’s proposed legislation. In his proposal, Ingram suggested that ASG establish a secretary of alumni affairs. The position would help ASG itself as well as other student organizations to “foster a relationship with their alumni,” according to the proposed bill. “Currently, we don’t have any mechanism or vehicle in which student organizations can use to think about getting alumni
The Department of Student Affairs and involved,” Ingram said. “Ninety percent of the Department of University Advancement the time, those alumni are always willing.” are both behind the bill with full support, acIngram said the current method used to cording to Ingram. reach alumni is not the most effective. The addition to “This would help us the executive cabinet expand that touch,” In“Currently, we don’t would be the first ingram said. “When a student reaches out to an have any mechanism or stallation of Ingram’s platform and what he alum, that pokes them a vehicle in which student is calling the Miami lot more than TeleHawks organizations can use Legacy Initiative. calling asking for $20.” to think about getting Ingram said he beMiami University lieves initiatives like his Student Foundation alumni involved.” proposed bill will help (MUSF) has a symbiotic “enhance the value of relationship with alumni, HEATH INGRAM the Miami degree.” according to ChairperSTUDENT BODY PRESIDENT No opposition was son Will Longhini. “I know the interacraised from the student tion we have in MUSF senate about the bill. with alumni, that’s something we get to brag One senator expressed concern about about,” Longhini said. “It’s great for us to the time constraints on whoever takes see their original ideas, and it’s also great the position. for alumni to interact with current students. Ingram responded to the concern with an It goes both ways.” understanding tone.
Language tutoring program offers walk-in service By Matt Levy
Staff Writer
Meet SPOT, the new free walk-in tutoring program hosted by various professors in Miami University’s Department of Spanish and Portuguese. SPOT, which is an acronym for Spanish and Portuguese Opening Tutoring, made its debut Jan. 24. Students in the introductory levels of the two languages can come to a small center in Irvin Hall to receive quick, efficient tutoring from professors and faculty. Marylene Lux, a visiting instructor in the Spanish and Portuguese department, has been instrumental in getting the new tutoring program off the ground. “The tutoring program is basically something that we’re doing to help out students who can’t make it to office hours,” Lux said. “Pretty much every semester we’ve had students who either happen to have classes during their professors’ office hours or come to them asking where they can go for tutoring.” Both Lux and Department Chair Robert DiDonato emphasized the walk-in nature of the program to distinguish it from Spanish and Portuguese tutoring available at the Rinella Learning Center. “A student might have a minor issue, so rather than having to spend a full hour with the tutor, you can come in, get your question taken care of and go on your way,” Lux said. She said it will also help with crowding at the learning center. “Another problem we’ve come across is that a lot of tutors from the Rinella Center get taken up during the first
couple weeks,” Lux said. “When it gets later in the semester, none of the tutors might be available because they’re already taken, so when you need the help immediately, there might not be anyone available.” According to DiDonato, one of the best things about SPOT is it lets students interact with different faculty, perhaps leading to better understanding of the material. “Often students will get help from a different instructor than their own,” DiDonato said. “Sometimes getting things explained by someone else is a good thing, and people have different ways of explaining and coming across.” David Motta, a lecturer involved in SPOT, said the tutoring program started by offering walk-in tutoring sessions 13 hours a week and may eventually offer continuous help all day, every day. Professors participate in SPOT by donating one of their office hours per week to spend time in the center. Sophomore Aaren Henry, a Spanish education major, said the program is a good service to offer to entry-level students. “I think it’s great,” Henry said. “I think any help that people in this school can get from such a small department is nice.” Henry also said there is a need in entrylevel classes for this type of program. “It’s helpful for (students), especially if they haven’t been exposed to the language for a while or at all,” Henry said. “With the added factor of needing it as a graduation requirement, it’ll help a lot of people.”
“I think the (secretary of alumni affairs) is going to have to pick and choose who they’re actually going to help,” Ingram said. Longhini believes the position will be a beneficial one for all organizations, but he did have one suggestion. “Every year if they could collect the roster of who’s on an organization, I think that would really help trying to connect with the alumni,” Longhini said. “When the Alumni Association calls for Alumni Weekend and wants to set up reunion groups, it can be hard to find these connections if there’s not really a central database.” Although the proposed bill has not yet been voted on by ASG, Ingram hopes the secretary of alumni affairs position will start next year. The position will have a petition process and be elected from the student senate body. Like other executive cabinet members, the secretary would be paid an annual salary of $2,634. Ingram said ASG re-evaluated its budget to make room for the new position.
Downing dogs
ANDREW BRAY The Miami Student
Participants in the Wood’s Food and Spirits hot dog eating contest scarf down the tasty gourmet treats Thursday night. The winning team received $300 for a charity of the members’ choice.
MIAMI SENIOR DIES Miami University senior Amy Schenkel, 21, was found unresponsive Thursday morning in Oxford. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Oxford Police Department reports indicate that no foul play was involved. The coroner is currently investigating the case.
MIAMI UNIVERSITY FIRST ANNUAL SPIRIT WEEK | 2011 Monday, Jan. 31: Bill Nye the Science Guy will present “Consider the following: Let’s Get Cool with Science!” at 8 p.m. in Hall Auditorium.
Tuesday, Feb. 1: Miami vs. Ball State University Men’s basketball game at 7 p.m. in Millett Hall Come at 5 p.m. for food and entertainment in the Millett lobby. Shirts, hats and other prizes will be given away!
Wednesday, Feb. 2: Miami vs. Central Michigan University Women’s basketball game at 7 p.m. in Millett Hall For a second day, food and entertainment will start at 5 p.m. in the lobby and prizes will be given away!
Tuesday & Wednesday, Feb. 1 & 2: Greek chapters and residence halls can compete for the highest percentage of attendance at both the men’s and women’s basketball games. Whichever organization has the highest attendance will receive $500 for its philanthropy or community council and another $500 for the organization. Greek organizations with enough attendance can use this event as a non-alcoholic party.
Thursday, Feb. 3: Ben Bailey, comedian and host of Discovery Channel’s Cash Cab, will perform at 8 p.m. in Hall Auditorium.
Friday, Feb. 4: Miami will kick off its series against the University of Michigan at 7:35 p.m. at Goggin Ice Center. Entertainment by WMSR will start at 5 p.m.