Feb 11, 2011 | The Miami Student

The Miami Student VOLUME 138 NO. 38

Oldest university newspaper in the United States, established 1826

Friday, February 11, 2011

MIAMI UNIVERSITY OXFORD, OHIO

In 1986, The Miami Student reported Miami University undergraduate applications rose 22 percent from the rates of the year before. The increase was due to Miami’s new label as a “public Ivy” in Richard Moll’s book The Public Ivys.

Miami applicant pool increases

By Ashley Laughlin For The Miami Student

Miami University’s campus may be a little more crowded in the fall, and the number of applicants continues to rise.

As of Feb. 7, the number of applications Miami received for the 2011-12 academic year increased by 9.98 percent, according to Jennifer Herman, senior associate director of admission operations and communication.

Herman said statistics might even increase because the official number of applications will not be recorded until late spring or early summer.

At the same time in 2010, Miami had 16,477 first-year student applications, according to Herman, and this year, 18,122 students have applied so far.

First-year Jenn Solomon is pleased with the recent surge of applicants.

“I think it’s a good thing that the number of Miami applicants is increasing,” she said. “I think it shows that Miami has a lot to offer to a lot of different types of people.”

Miami recently launched a television and radio campaign aimed at current high school students. Herman said the campaign was one of many factors that encouraged prospective students to apply.

“There are many, many things that play into getting students to apply,” Herman said. “On-campus visits and events … mailings … name buys, media campaigns, these are just a few examples of things the university does to build an applicant pool.”

In fall 2010, 3,595 students were admitted to Miami, Herman said, but it is still unknown how many students will be accepted in fall 2011. Herman said Miami is working to yield these students.

“Yielding students takes place in many different forms, including our Make It Miami accepted student programs that take places on campus in February, March and

April,” Herman said.

Tanner Pontius, a first-year transfer student, said Miami’s academic

BY THE NUMBERS Current number of students who have applied to Miami:

18,122

reputation and relaxed environment drew him to the university.

“I feel that Miami is a place with a growing reputation, and it makes me proud to be at a place where

more and more people want to be,” he said. “Being a transfer student, Miami really grabbed my attention … A top-20 nationally-ranked business school, a fun and relaxed atmosphere and the faculty’s willingness to help students succeed, those are the things I want in a school.”

Herman said she is excited about the increase in applicants and what it means for Miami.

There will be a campus-wide postcard writing campaign in Shriver Center from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16 and Tuesday, April 5. At the event, current students can write notes to prospective students to encourage them to choose Miami.

City applies for more smoke detectors

By Lauren Ceronie

Detherage said.

Detherage said he hopes the photoelectronic detectors will The City Of Oxford Fire soon be required by law. If the Department is applying for a city provides some of the smoke $70,400 grant, which would en- detectors before the law reable new smoke detectors to be quires them, it will ease the burinstalled in rental homes. den on homeowners, according The money will come from to Detherage. the fire prevention and safety The fire department plans on grant administered by the feder- partnering with Miami’s Greek al government, according to Fire community to install the smoke Chief John Dedetectors therage. The around the city, “Hopefully the new D e t h e r a g e grant will alsmoke detectors will said. low the city to install 4,400 The Office prevent situations new photoelecof Fraternity like the fire that killed and tronic smoke Sororthree people.” detectors in ity Life and rental units Leadership is RACHEL PETRI throughout very interested JUNIOR the city. in the project, If Oxford rebut the plans ceives the grant, the city must also to install the smoke decontribute 10 percent, or $7,040, tectors are still tentative, to the smoke detectors, accord- Detherage said. ing to Oxford City Manager Miami junior Rachel Petri Doug Elliott. said she thinks the smoke detec“We hope to find some local tors are a good investment, essources to help us match the pecially since money for the degrant, but first we need to get the tectors will be coming from the grant,” Elliott said. federal government.

Rental homes around the city “Hopefully the new smoke currently have ionization detec- detectors will prevent situations tors, Detherage said. The ion- like the fire that killed three peoization detectors detect rapid- ple,” Petri said. burning fires very well but do Senior Stephanie Walters not detect slow-building fires, agreed the new detectors would according to Detherage. be beneficial and said she The photoelectronic detec- was excited the Greek comtors are able to recognize slow- munity would be involved in building fires, such as a fire from the project. a cigarette, Detherage said.

“I think it’s a great idea for “They’re the best thing on the Greek community to get inthe market for this kind of fire,” volved,” Walters said. “We have Detherage said. a bad reputation, but we actually The push to have photoelec- do a lot of good.” tronic detectors installed was The federal government will spurred by the house fire that let the City of Oxford know if killed three Miami University it has received the grant after students in 2005, Detherage a board has reviewed it, a prosaid. The fire was slow-building cess that usually takes several and the smoke alarms in the months, according to Detherhouse did not detect it. age.

“If we had these smoke deDetherage said if the city does tectors then, the fire could not receive the money, it will have had a different outcome,” keep reapplying for the grant.

Staff Writer

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO COURTESY OF KELLEY ENGELBRECHT

ASG passed a bill supporting the lease renewal of the Château de Differdange, which currently houses MUDEC.

ASG bill supports château lease renewal

By Matt Levy

Senior Staff Writer

The renewal of Miami University’s lease on its château in Luxembourg has the vocal support of the Associated Student Government (ASG).

ASG passed a bill Tuesday night to support the renewal of the lease on the château that houses the Miami University Dolibois European Center (MUDEC).

With the current lease expiring in 2012, Miami is seeking to keep the Château de Differdange in its possession longer.

“We want to encourage the university to move forward with the lease,” senator Narmar Doyle, author of the bill, said. “The château in Luxembourg is what that campus is known for.”

Miami has occupied the Château de Differdange since 1997,

and many senators are very aware of the importance of the château to the MUDEC program.

“This isn’t just some study abroad program, this is our flagship program,” senator Tom Kirkham said. “This is the one that is always talked about. I talked to some guys in my fraternity, and they said it wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t in the château.”

Kirkham’s views were shared by other senators who knew how important the château is to MUDEC alumni.

Miami typically sends approximately 130 students to Luxembourg each semester, and they take classes exclusively on the grounds of the château. According to the bill, MUDEC would remain flexible enough to benefit from the use of the château and offer collaboration with the local student population.

“We want our students to collaborate if the University of Luxembourg is formed so Miami students can interact with other students from Luxembourg and Belgium,” Doyle said.

Many options are being considered for the future of MUDEC, but a proposed solution would be to continue operations in the château while also having students attend some classes at the University of Luxembourg once it is constructed nearby.

Kirkham said the château at the present moment offers a comfort zone to students not used to being abroad.

“It’s a good program for people who aren’t comfortable just jumping into another culture,” Kirkham said. “I’m fully in support of it.”

wSee LEASE, page 11

Bylaw restricts student organization funds

By Alaine Perconti For The Miami Student

Miami University Associated Student Government (ASG) added new funding restrictions to its bylaws that deny funding to student organizations’ activities associated with academic credit.

Student senate approved the restrictions Jan. 25, which applied to cycle two funding released Feb. 9 by ASG. As a result of the new precedent, several organizations

that had previously received funding were granted no money during the fall cycle and many did not apply again during the most recent spring cycle. Among the organizations directly affected by the bylaw amendment are musical groups like collegiate chorale, choraliers and men’s glee club.

Corbin Mathias, vice president of glee club, said coping with the loss of funding has been frustrating. The glee club has made cutbacks of its own in order to adjust to its new budget, which now

is mainly supported by $4,500 in base funding from the music organizations budget. Mathias said glee club has not been able to purchase any new sheet music and scaled back this year’s winter tour to compensate.

“It’s like it’s not all about the music anymore,” Miami sophomore member Brendan Monte said.

ASG received almost $800,000 to distribute to various student organizations in order to fund activities throughout the semes-

ter. The money comes from the student organization budget, which is made up of the $886 in student fees from each student per semester.

In addition to ASG funding, the $1.6 million student organization budget is allocated for uses like student affairs, the newspaper readership program and music organizations.

Each activity receives its own funding on an individual basis. The money ASG distributes is to be used to fund activities that benefit the student body in their co-curricular activities, not to support the completion of

academic requirements.

In order to receive any funding from ASG, a representative from a student organization needs to attend an information session and apply for funding. The ASG funding committee then holds a hearing to approve any funding that meets the criteria based on its interpretation of the by-laws.

Tom Foster, vice president of student organizations and funding committee chair, said all committee decisions are made through sound logical reasoning, but if for any reason an

wSee FUNDING, page 7

2

Campus

Friday, February 11, 2011

Editors Stephen Bell Amelia Carpenter Amanda Seitz campus@miamistudent.net

NEWS MU students evacuate Egypt BRIEFS

By Amanda Seitz Campus Editor

FYI

but lived closer to the protesting.

Edwards said rumors started swirling about planned protests for Jan. 25, a national holiday known as Police Day in Egypt.

Edwards, who described the Egyptians as somewhat apathetic toward politics, said few expected the magnitude. Eventually, the Hosni Mubarak regime decided to take action.

“They periodically cut social networking,” Edwards said. “Thursday, they cut the Internet completely and phones.”

Despite the violent portrayal of Egyptian protests Americans have seen on television and read about in the news, Hawk said Egyptians are welcoming.

“The Egyptian people are very generous and hospitable,” Hawk said via e-mail. “I never felt in any danger whatsoever during my stay in Egypt, even when the protests were underway.”

Edwards said it was too dangerous for administration and faculty to come to his university, so the university closed.

Miami University students continue to soar above national graduation rates among public institutions. Miami’s four-year graduation rate of 67 percent ranks 10th among other public institutions in the country, according to data from IPEDS, a U.S. Department of Education database system. In 2009, the national average was 37 percent, according to the same data. Ohio University ranks 26 on the list, with 48 percent graduating in four years, and Ohio State University ties for the number 34 spot with 40 percent.

According to U.S. News and World Report data from 2009, Miami’s fouryear graduation rate was 71 percent, Ohio University’s was 48 percent and Ohio State University’s was 46 percent.

Graduation rates for 2010 will be available from universities in April.

When Miami University juniors Matt Edwards and Danny Hawk decided to spend their spring semester in Egypt, they had no idea that just days after arriving they’d be forced to leave.

Edwards, who is now back at Miami attempting to register for classes, tried to recall the details of his short trip. He had to backtrack using a calendar to explain what he experienced from Jan. 20 to Feb. 1.

Edwards and Hawk had little to share in the way of stories about pyramids or ancient hieroglyphics because most of their time was spent inside a university campus “We couldn’t go anywhere, we didn’t know if the university would open again,” Edwards said of his short stint in Egypt.

Edwards attended the American University of Cairo approximately 30 miles outside of where the protests were held. Hawk also attended the American University of Cairo,

Hydrogeology program ranks nationally

Writing center shifts attention to helping teachers

Miami surpasses average graduation rates

It is the policy of The Miami Student to publish corrections for factual errors found in the newspaper. ➤In the Feb. 8 issue, of The Miami

Student, the essay “Technology threatens private data” quoted a Chinese newspaper about the availability of 12 Internet destinations in the country. This information appeared in The Onion, a satirical media source.

TMS

www.miamistudent.net

ONLINE

“It felt kind of like a prison,” Edwards said. “They started initiating curfews.”

By Sunday, Jan. 30, Edwards and Hawk were told by the U.S. Embassy that they should leave.

“I was made aware that evacuations were being recommended for all American citizens in Egypt,” Hawk said. “The next few days were filled with chaos and confusion. No one knew how severe or serious this evacuation

For The Miami Student

Letter campaign reaches prospective students

CORRECTIONS

Miami junior Matt Edwards studied at the American University of Cairo in Egypt.

By Sarah Sidlow

The hydrogeology program in Miami University’s Department of Geology has been named one of the top programs of its kind in North America, according to a list compiled by the National Ground Water Association (NGWA).

The NGWA based the list on factors that included faculty and the length and stretch of hydrogeology programs. The list is intended to give prospective college students interested in the study of groundwater a jump-off point when conducting their college search.

While the list is not ranked, more than 400 programs across North America were considered, and only the top 100 earned a spot on the list.

Anyone who would like to encourage the accepted students for the class of 2015 to attend Miami University can write postcards along with the Office of Admission.

This will be the third-annual postcard writing campaign.

Those interested can write letters from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16 in 241 Shriver.

Faculty, staff and students are invited to write a handwritten, personalized note.

The postcards will be sent to applicants who have been accepted but have yet to confirm their attendance at Miami next fall.

There is no need to bring any materials. Miami will provide postcards and a lists of names.

Those interested will be permitted to write as many letters as they would like.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY MATT EDWARDS

Thomas Caldwell The Miami Student

Shayla Oats (left) and Megan Dichner (right) have a writing session at King Library’s Howe Writing Center.

Miami University faculty have a new resource to help them reinvent the writing assignments they give to students.

Paul Anderson, director of the Howe Writing Center, is a member of the research team that conducted a national study to improve student writing. The Same = More Initiative presents strategies for faculty to help students get more learning out of their writing assignments, according to a page on the center’s website.

Anderson said he will meet with interested faculty members and provide a workshop where they can look at examples of effective writing assignments and spend time adjusting their own.

He has not yet held any workshops, but the information for interested faculty members is

recommendation was, nor did we know the procedure for being evacuated.”

Both students decided to leave.

“It’s hard to say no to the State Department,” said Edwards, who was unsure if American University would re-open. With his only Egyptian purchase in a hand, a scarf he bartered from a market, Edwards left to wait at the

wSee EGYPT, page 3

available on the Howe Writing Center website.

“It’s a pretty big move,” Howe Writing Center Manager Kate Francis said. “(The initiative) is all about the faculty working to get the most out of their writing assignments.”

Francis said she too has trouble writing assignments, and others like her could benefit from Same = More.

“In my mind, I have an idea of what I want my assignments to do … but if the students don’t do what you thought you were asking for, it’s not their fault, it’s yours,” Francis said.

Francis said the goal of the Same = More Initiative is all about faculty reinventing their assignments so students can meet course learning goals.

Students are welcome to come to the Howe Writing Center to look over assignments their professors may be

wSee WRITING, page 3

Mental Health Services reaches out to stressed students Noëlle Bernard Senior Staff Writer

Ever feel stressed? There are places on campus for help.

Miami University provides counseling programs through Student Health Services, which concentrate on helping students learn how to work through issues that hinder daily life.

At the Student Counseling Service (SCS), the first five counseling sessions per year are free and funded by general student fees. Six or more sessions and psychiatric services cost $20 each.

According to Dr. Pamela Wilkins, associate director of SCS, the service is available to all full-time students who need counseling to work through difficult emotional issues.

“We see just about any issue you would see in a small town of 15,000,” Wilkins said. “There’s a wide range of issues that brings students in. We’re equipped to help with just about everything.”

For some, making an appointment with a counselor is difficult and the assistance of resident assistants (RAs), friends and family members can be the encouragement needed to get help, Wilkins said.

Wilkins said SCS reaches out to first-year students upon their arrival to campus.

“One of the ways that we start is that every first-year student and every new transfer or new graduate student receives a mailing when they first start school,” Wilkins said. “They have a copy of our brochure, a letter of welcome and other

information about counseling on students can meet with a counselor campus ... Every student should three to eight times per week. Group know who we are.” sessions are also offered.

SCS also works with RAs and “We really encourage students first-year advisers (FYAs) to teach to be in groups because it’s considthem how to properly approach ered to be the best way of managing students who need help dealing a lot of issues that students have,” with psychological issues. A stu- Wilkins said. dent has to schedule his or her own Group sessions usually meet for 90 appointment, however. minutes once a week for a semester.

“Everyone The group sessions are free, in the (residence) life “It was pretty intimidating a c c o r d i n g when I first went, but they to Wilkins. system knows SCS is about our seemed to be very staffed with services and understanding and professional how to refer concerned.

It’s a very psychiatrists because they calming environment.” and peer are often the first folks who educators preANONYMOUS JUNIOR will notice a pared to meet MIAMI UNIVERSITY student that’s with men and struggling,” women sufferWilkins said. ing with variThe center works to create a safe ous issues from learning disabilities, environment for students. Individual relationship issues, healing from trauand group sessions are offered to pro- matic situations, body image issues vide students with options that best fit and family problems. The SCS also their needs. ensures confidentiality.

“Sometimes students ask an RA, One Miami student, who asked to FYA, a best friend, a partner or any- remain anonymous, said he thought one to come into the session, espe- the SCS should work more on makcially for the first time if they are ner- ing itself more visible and accessible vous,” Wilkins said. “We don’t mind to students. if they want to do that.”

“They need to make themselves One Miami student, who asked to more known,” he said. “I’ve heard remain anonymous, recently started they’re understaffed and they’re alusing SCS. ways booked.”

“So far, it’s been helpful,” she said.

According to Leslie Haxby Mc“It was pretty intimidating when Neill, assistant director of health I first went, but they seemed to be education, Miami students can bevery understanding and concerned. come involved in assisting students It’s a very calming environment.” who need counseling services. StuAccording to Wilkins, each indi- dents can become HAWKS peer vidual session lasts 50 minutes and health educators who engage with

the Miami community to sponsor awareness campaigns and campus programs that teach students about healthy living.

“Some of what we do is tied to physical health, but really we’re a more broad spectrum of students who want to help other students,” McNeill said. “The subjects we talk about are not limited to just physical health or diet and exercise. We do anything that would be an issue or concern for a college student.”

According to Wilkins, Miami provides students with several resources on campus to combat issues of mental illness. For example, the Psychology Clinic located in the Psychology Building is available and offers different practicum for students’ benefit.

According to Janie Schuppie, senior program assistant, the Psychology Clinic offers short-term and long-term therapy for children and adults. Highly selected students from the advanced Ph. D. program, under the supervision of licensed psychiatrists, lead the sessions. The clinic differs from SCS because it serves Miami and the surrounding community.

“We serve both students and community members,” Schuppie said.

“Students here at Miami can pick either or. The only difference is they have psychiatrists over there.”

Schuppie said psychiatrists are able to write prescriptions, while the clinic can only write reports for prescriptions.

The typical wait for appointments at SCS range from two to 10 weeks.

Emergency services are available for urgent cases.

Campus

THE MIAMI STUDENT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2011 ♦ 3

Jersey auction to benefit Burke scholarship Miami Tribe publishes stories

By Natalie McKerjee

By Stephen Bell

Senior Staff Writer

Campus Editor

The victories for Miami University’s hockey team against the University of Michigan Friday and Saturday were undeniably a success, but a deeper issue was celebrated by the team as it commemorated the late Brendan Burke, the team’s former student manager.

Burke’s fatal car accident occurred Feb. 5, 2010, and the team honored him Saturday with a pre-game recognition and jerseys with a shamrock logo with the initials “BB” on the front and “BURKE” on the back.

According to Josh Fenton, associate athletic director for the hockey team, the jerseys worn by each player are being auctioned off on the Miami athletics website, with all proceeds going to the Brendan Burke Memorial Scholarship.

“His family has not designated how the scholarship funds should be used yet,” Fenton said. “It was important that his family made this decision, and they are working with the advancement office to determine who will qualify for the scholarship.”

While any win against Michigan is celebrated by the players, winning while representing Burke and his achievements was especially important to the team.

“We felt pressure to win and wanted to so badly for him and his family,” senior Pat Cannone said. “It was so special to have his name on our jersey. It was like he was in the rink with us.”

SCOTT ALLISON The Miami Student

Miami University men’s hockey players sport special jersey’s in memory of the late Brendan Burke at Saturday’s game against Michigan.

With remembrance of Burke came a remembrance of the values and knowledge he instilled in the players, especially for those who had worked with him for years.

According to senior Justin Vaive, the players who knew him constantly reiterate Burke’s morals to the other players.

“The older guys are responsible for passing the knowledge they got from being with Burke on to the younger guys,” Vaive said.

While remembering Burke was the focal point of Saturday’s game, the contributions made from the auction will ensure Burke’s legacy will

continue to thrive at Miami, Fenton said.

“What he did will never be forgotten,” Cannone said. “He taught us to be yourself and be a good person, and that will stick with me for the rest of my life.”

Currently, some of the jerseys being auctioned have bids ranging from $270 to $610. The jerseys with the highest bids were worn by Cannone, Vavie, Andy Miele and Carter Camper. The minimum bids range from $15 to $35.

The auction will continue until Saturday, Feb. 12 and can be accessed at www.muredhawks.com.

Lost during relocation and forced assimilation, many aspects of Native American culture remain a mystery, but members of the Myaamia Tribe are actively reclaiming traditions of their ancestors by publishing a collection of the tribe’s stories.

“Myaamia and Peoria: Narratives and Winter Stories” is a collection of stories recovered and translated from the Myaamia language into English.

The book contains the 45 Myaamia stories recovered to date and is printed with the Myaamia language on the left page and an English translation on the right.

Daryl Baldwin is the director of the Myaamia Project at Miami University.

Daryl learned the Myaamia language decades ago, and since then has become an integral part in recovering the tribe’s stories.

“These stories were published through the Myaamia Project, so I was involved in the design of the book because I wanted it to be useful to community members,” Daryl said.

While Daryl began working with the stories 17 years ago, the entire process started more than 22 years ago when the book’s author, David Costa, began to recover and translate the stories.

Costa, who is a contract employee of the Myaamia Project, used his knowledge of linguistics to translate the stories, which were recovered at various points throughout the tribe’s history, according to Daryl.

Because many of the stories were in partial format, Costa and Daryl had to dissect them and piece together a language that hadn’t been learned orally since the 1960s.

Daryl studied linguistics at the University of Montana, which aided in the process.

“In order for me to utilize David’s linguistics work, I needed a background in linguistics,” Daryl said. “David would e-mail me and ask ‘What do you think of that sentence?’ We are a very small group of

writing

continued from page 2

                                                              

    

revising, Francis said.

The writing center is also planning to utilize social media to reach students in the digital age.

Miami junior Sarah Schultz is spearheading a new initiative to put Howe Writing Center on the social networking map. She said the center will make it so that students can easily receive information through media they access every day, like Facebook and Twitter.

“It was common to have people call in to the writing center last semester asking how they can make an appointment or what our hours

EGYPT

continued from page 2 airport along with several thousand other Americans.

“Once the State Department evacuates you, you’re on your own,” Edwards said. “They told us on the flight, basically, that we were going to Istanbul.”

Without seeing a single pyramid until he flew over them on his Istanbul flight, he was gone.

Arriving home Feb. 1, Edwards was without a house at Miami and without classes for the semester.

Miami has been working hard to register him for classes, Edwards said.

“The university has been great about this process,” Edwards said.

people who can even have that conversation about the language.”

According to Daryl, the stories are translated but not interpreted. He said readers or listeners are meant to individually interpret the stories and take lessons from them.

“There are lessons that you can take from these stories that mean different things to different people,” Baldwin said. “Those who don’t understand the culture don’t understand that point.”

Miami senior Jessie Baldwin is Daryl’s daughter. She said hearing the stories was a unique experience.

“I really enjoy hearing the stories read aloud and even more so having a book to follow along with,” she said. “Having this book of stories is exciting because we will always have them.”

Daryl said the collection is not set in stone. Over time, he hopes future generations will add to the pre-existing Myaamia stories.

“One of the things our ancestors did was they started to create new stories,” he said. “Some stories are from the 1800s and include stories about settlers.”

The book, which also contains stories from the Peoria, an Illinois tribe that spoke the Myaamia language, was printed and distributed by the Miami Tribe in Oklahoma without help from the university, Daryl said.

Currently, approximately 200 people actively speak the Myaamia language and families pass it along to their children, Daryl said.

He hopes the stories will help educate future generations about the Myaamia culture and correct any preconceived notions about the tribe.

“Reviving our language and culture is a process of historical mending, it is not glorified work … and it is very important work to secure our future,” Daryl said. “When you have access to that ancestral thought world … you can perceive things in a way that reflect one’s culture and that is a very different experience.”

The books are available for purchase at the Myaamia Project’s website, www.myaamiaproject.org. were,” Schultz said. “With Twitter, that kind of information finds the students rather than having the students find the information. I just thought this would be easier.”

The center tweets once or twice a week to give information about where to make an appointment and how many slots are left. It also announces upcoming events at the center.

“When our system was down a couple days ago, we tweeted, letting the students know that it was down and apologizing,” Schultz said.

The center currently has less than 50 followers on Twitter and approximately 30 fans on Facebook, but Schultz predicts those numbers will rise dramatically as midterm papers and final projects become a priority for students.

“They’ve done so much.”

Hawk elected to stay abroad and arranged to attend classes at the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.

Edwards said he would like to return to Egypt sometime soon.

“I wanted to do something different,” Edwards said. ”I really would love to go back, but my parents would die.” Edwards and Hawk said their parents may need some time to recover from the cost of their evacuation flights. They are waiting for the government to decipher the cost.

“We signed a promissory note stating we would pay the U.S. government for the price of the flight,” Hawk said. “So, to give you some perspective, we were at the airport with a vague evacuation recommendation, little idea of where we were headed or how much the flight would cost.”

    

                  

4

Friday February 11, 2011

Community

Editor Bethany Bruner community@miamistudent.net

House moves to illegalize K2

By Melissa Tacchi Senior Staff Writer

Male attempts to buy condoms with fake bill At around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, a male reportedly attempted to purchase condoms at Speedway with an “obviously counterfeit” $20 bill.

When the clerk questioned him, the male reportedly grabbed the bill back from her and ran out the door.

Oxford Police Department officers stopped his vehicle a short time later. The male, later identified as Miami University student Jonathan Ashdown, 20, reportedly told officers he did not have his wallet. He reportedly said he had attempted to pay with an extra $20 bill he keeps in his center console for emergencies.

A female passenger of the car reportedly told officers she did not witness the male take money out of the console.

Officers reportedly searched the car and found a prescription bottle without a label in the vehicle. The bottle reportedly contained what was suspected to be a marijuana stem.

Ashdown reportedly gave officers consent to search his residence at 803 S. Locust St. According to police reports, officers found a pipe in the living room of the residence.

In Ashdown’s bedroom officers reportedly found a plastic container with suspected marijuana residue along with drug paraphernalia and a jar of marijuana in a drawer. Officers also reportedly found two digital scales, a water bong and a second pipe. Ashdown was charged with attempted theft, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Resident finds flaming bag of feces on porch At around 1:55 p.m. Sunday, an Oxford Police Department officer responded to 116 E. Church St. in response to a fire on the porch. Upon arrival, the fire was reportedly out, but the officer noted there was a paper bag filled with dog feces on the porch.

One resident of the house reportedly told officers he witnessed two white, college-aged males on the porch knock on the door before running away.

No damage was caused to the porch.

The Ohio House of Representatives has officially proposed legislation to formally make synthetic marijuana chemicals illegal. The legislation would also add the chemicals to the banned substance list.

Although synthetic marijuana, such as K2, is composed of dried herbs, sprayed with synthetic cannabinoids and authentically sold as an incense, many have suffered ill effects from smoking the substance, according to one of the bill’s primary sponsors, Margaret Ruhl.

“It came to my attention that this was a problem last year when three students in the Mt. Vernon High School passed out during class after smoking this spice,” Ruhl said. “The effects of this dangerous drug are worse than plain marijuana.”

Since May 2010, Ruhl said she has received calls regarding similar instances at The Ohio State University, Ohio University and in the Cincinnati area.

“This is when I realized that this was a state-wide issue that needed to be addressed,” Ruhl said.

Although House Bill 64 will have to go through a number of hearings before reaching Gov. John Kasich for a signature of approval, Ruhl is confident the bill will be ready for enforcement in

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

K2, a synthetic drug similar to marijuana, may be made illegal with House Bill 64. two months.

“When I proposed the bill at the end of May last year, our House speaker, Arnold Budish, told me it will pass in 2011,” Ruhl said. “I am pretty confident in his word, especially since these substances have already been banned in 11

“Producers will probably just synthesize new compounds that are legal that cause the same risky effects.”

Oxford Police Department (OPD) has also acknowledged

wSee K2, page 7

Bill would make all day kindergarten optional

By Jenni Wiener Senior Staff Writer

Children may be facing a threat to their education in the future if the Ohio General Assembly passes House Bill 30.

There is discussion within the new legislature to eliminate mandates costing money, Talawanda School District Superintendent Phil Cagwin said.

This includes some cuts to public education, including the mandate for all-day kindergarten.

“The pro would be that it is financially easier for districts to offer half-day (kindergarten) programs,” Cagwin said. “It would be a financial win for the schools

and the taxpayers.”

Ohio government officials are looking at tough times with budget issues, said Patrick Gallaway, spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Education. Beginning two years ago, all-day kindergarten was required, but schools can have waivers for half-day programs.

“Eliminating full-day kindergarten would be a cost-saving measure,” Gallaway said. “We want to give children the best opportunities for education in Ohio, but we have to follow the legislature. Creative alternatives to full-day kindergarten could be developed to keep children on track. We want to offer the

  

                                                                                                                                                                                

states and 12 countries.”

While Ruhl is certain the bill will pass, Miami University junior Joseph Fondriest is not so sure.

“Even if the House succeeds in passing this bill, it is not likely that it will help,” Fondriest said.

          

maximum opportunities by spending the least amount of money.”

BY THE NUMBERS Percent of parents in the Talawanda district who prefer all-day kindergarten

75%

If the bill is passed, schools will determine staff levels based upon the number of students, according to Gallaway. There will also be resource allocation and schools will have to determine the new structure for the academic year.

“The costs and anticipated savings that this bill will bring are still unknown at this time,” Gallaway said. “The legislative service commission is still in the process of developing budget analysis.”

Cagwin said he believes allday kindergarten is the right thing to do for children.

“Kids would get a half-year more of contact time in the classroom and learn at a quicker pace,” Cagwin said. “If they don’t have all-day kindergarten, they risk being behind other children.”

According to Cagwin, 75 percent of parents in the Talawanda district prefer all-day kindergarten.

Because of this statistic, if the bill passes, Talawanda will not change its current program.

“We already provide both fullday and half-day kindergarten,” Cagwin said. “Some districts are concerned about having to hire more teachers and have more classrooms, but Talawanda already has adequate staffing and space. If the bill is passed, we would run exactly as we are now.

Parents should have the right of both options.”

Ohio Education Association (OEA) Media Relations Representative Michele Prater disagrees with eliminating full-day kindergarten.

“OEA strongly supports universal all-day kindergarten,” she

wSee BILL, page 7

Federal holiday gives citizens extra days to file taxes Citizens have three more days to sweat out taxes.

The observance of Emancipation Day Friday, April 15 is causing a three-day extension of the federal tax filing deadline, pushing it back to Monday, April 18.

IRS Media Relations Specialist for Ohio, Jennifer Jenkins, said in an e-mail interview the IRS does not anticipate any problems happening as a result of the new deadline.

“A non-April 15 filing deadline occurs every few years or so,” Jenkins said.

While Emancipation Day falls on Saturday this year, its observance is taking place the Friday before, which interferes with the customary tax deadline.

Although the holiday is only observed in Washington, D.C., Jenkins said it is still considered a legal federal holiday, which means all government offices will be closed.

As always, the IRS suggests starting the tax filing process sooner rather than later to avoid stress, but current IRS data says 720,000 taxpayers have already e-filed, which is down from this time in 2010.

For those who make less than $58,000 a year, e-filing combined with direct deposit can allow for a tax refund in as few as 10 days, Jenkins said.

Reporting by JD Prewitt

PICTURE YOURSELF

WITH US The Miami Student is hiring!

We are looking for dedicated individuals to join our team and fill the following positions: Editorial Staff

Writers

Production Staff

News Editor Online Editor Campus Editors Community Editors Editorial Editors Features Editor Arts & Entertainment Editor Sports Editor

Senior Staff Writers Staff Writers Beat Reporters Contributing Writers Columnists Essayists Bloggers

Page Designers Photographers Cartoonists Crossword Makers

Business Staff Advertising Representatives

Fill out an application online or stop by our office in 17 MacMillan Hall.

?

6

Friday

February 11, 2011

Features

Editor Hunter Stenback features@miamistudent.net

By Amelia Carpenter Campus Editor

College women at Miami University have multiple sources for information on sexuality and sexual health. Cosmopolitan magazine, gynecologists, physicians, websites and friends are among these resources, but perhaps a more unlikely source incorporates fun and friends into the mix … Pure Romance.

Think Tupperware parties, but substitute spatulas for personal lubricants and cookie trays for vibrators.

Pure what?

Pure Romance sells an array of bedroom accessories ranging from lingerie to sex toys. CEO Patty Brisben has grown the company to a multi-million-dollar corporation in 17 years. The company has more than 40,000 female consultants in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands who essentially run individual in-home party sales businesses. Pure Romance is a privately-owned company that started out of Brisben’s basement in the suburbs of Cincinnati.

Erin Hoschouer, Pure Romance director of training and certified sexuality educator, likened Pure Romance to indoor parties in the industry of direct sales.

Women choose to be a part of the Pure Romance sales and operate their own businesses. She said some women have parties for their own group of friends to start and every consultant has to market for themselves. “(Consultants) contact friends or however they decide to get started,” Hoschouer said. “(Then, they) book parties off their parties.”

Pure Romance parties are for women only, no men are allowed.

Pure Romance targets female customers of all ages.

“Our target market is (women ages) 18 to 80,” Hoschouer said, adding that women older than 80 are also potential customers. “Our parties, regardless of where you are in your sexual development … if you’re 50 and just figuring it out, what’s going on in that part of your life … (it’s) set up for all different phases as a woman.”

Pure Romance gets leads for interested hostesses via its website, www.pureromance.com, and contacts consultants in that area.

“For the most part, consultants find their own business,” Hoschouer said.

The hostess gets the most-est The hostess of the Pure Romance party pays nothing, but receives free gifts and 10 percent of the products sold at the end of the party to go towards their purchase.

Hoschouer said the average hostess gets between $20 and $150 toward her purchase. Prior to the party, the consultant contacts the hostess to get a feel for the group of women who will attend.

“That’s part of what we call hostess coaching,” Hoschouer said. “(They) kind of gauge who the attendees are and what they’re interested in and tailor to them.”

The consultant mails the hostess a catalogue prior to the party so the women have an idea of what they might like to buy or learn more about.

The naked truth Hoschouer has ties to Miami within her sorority network and last year came to visit the chapter to talk about Pure Romance and educate the women. She recognizes the sometimes negative sterotype the company has, but said she remembered feeling uncomfortable talking about sex and masturbation in college after visiting.

“Everyone’s like ‘I can’t believe we’re talking about this,’ (and I remember) I was so like that at college,” Hoschouer said. “It was a good reminder for me and what college women really are looking for and from a business perspective, (look) in that population and give them that information they’re needing.”

Pure Romance has a program called The Naked Truth in which representatives visit colleges or universities to give exposure to sexual health on campus for both men and women. Seminars were open to anyone interested. Hoschouer said The Ohio State University has participated in the college outreach program in the past. “(It was) what students were really asking for,” Hoschouer said. “It was really popular and they really enjoyed the event. It’s always an interesting topic for anyone, but especially in that age group.”

Party time Pure Romance consultant Kim Webb works full-time as a consultant, carrying more than $7,000 worth of merchandise to parties all over southwest Ohio. Webb went to her first Pure Romance party nine years ago and was intrigued.

The single mother has been a Pure Romance consultant since. One group of Miami seniors had a Pure Romance party at their house in December. Webb arrived a half-hour early, set up a demonstration table with perfume, beauty and topical products and a private room for ordering merchandise before the party began. Hoschouer said the process is similar across parties.

“Consultants demo the products,” she said. “(The women can) actually taste or smell it. The fun of the part is that it’s really hands-on.”

After the liquid line, the consultant transitions to bedroom accessories, according to Hoschouer. “(This is an) opportunity for the consultant to explain how the toys actually work and what parts of the body they’re meant for and why,” she said. “(The women) pass around and hold them and get to explore versus looking on a website where you probably a little hesitant to what it all means.”

Hoschouer said Pure Romance urges consultants to carry a large amount of inventory.

“A lot of girls joke that ‘you pay today, you play today,’” she said, laughing.

One Miami senior at the party, who asked to remain anonymous, said the party came about because the girls thought it would be funny to throw a Pure Romance holiday party. She said the hostess made $660 in Pure Romance merchandise from the party’s sales.

“It’s just funny and we had appetizers and people who were 21 were drinking … it was just a great time and there’s no men or boys allowed,” she said.

There were about 40 girls at that particular party, and about 15 girls made purchases.

“With girls our age, things are obviously very sexual,” she said. “There’s toys out there for a reason at this point. You don’t have to buy anything.”

When the girls were ready to buy, Webb took customers one by one in a private ordering room. Hoschouer said the purpose is to provide a private consultation for women to ask their questions and go through products they’re interested in.

“Patty’s really prided herself on providing a safe environment for women,” she said. “(They can) ask those questions they don’t feel comfortable asking in front of the group.”

Webb, who has done many parties for Miami students, said college students tend to spend ten to 15 minutes longer in the ordering room asking questions.

One student recently called Webb to ask if she had experienced a g-spot orgasm. Webb asked her to explain, so the student did, and Webb was able to tell her that she had.

“Especially on college campuses, women are asking more challenging questions than (they would) their health provider,” Hoschouer said. “We work really hard to make sure consultants are trained really well and answer questions or point them in the right direction.”

Parties last about three hours, Webb said, but the best part of her job is she becomes friends with many of her customers.

“She’s just super goofy,” the anonymous senior said of Webb admiringly.

“She friended all of us on Facebook.”

Webb said the money she makes from her job is more “fun money” than anything else.

“We have fun and make jokes,” she said, adding that sex itself is so taboo and when you add masturbation people “freak out.” Webb said she doesn’t want to make people feel uncomfortable because she herself wouldn’t want to feel uncomfortable at a party.

“Pure Romance is … empowering women in and out of the bedroom,” Webb said. “It gives them an area where they meet with friends, have drinks and get information — and the correct information — and have fun with it.”

For more information or to host a Pure Romance party, contact Kim Webb at (513) 509-9104.

HANNAH MILLER The Miami Student

THE MIAMI STUDENT

k2

continued from page 4 the potential effects of synthetic marijuana chemicals and supports the passage of the bill.

“We absolutely believe these substances should be banned,” OPD Sgt. Jim Squance said. “Large doses of this legal blend of herbs can cause vomiting, extreme agitation and even paranoia.”

According to Ruhl, the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has issued an emergency notice of intent to ban some of the chemical components of K2, especially KWH-018, which is designed to mock the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol, which occurs in the cannabis plant.

“The DEA hasn’t issued an emergency notice of intent since

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2011 ♦ 7 2003,” Ruhl said. “This is obviously not something that should be taken lightly.”

In addition to her concern for those who are attempting to achieve a high from smoking synthetic marijuana, Ruhl has voiced her fear for those who are producing the drug.

“I think it is important not to forget that as long as this drug is legal, factory lines will continue to produce it,” Ruhl said. “This could mean major health concerns for adults who are working to make it as well.”

Although OPD does not encourage the continuation of sale of the drug, the currently legal K2 drug can be purchased locally. An employee at Wild Berry confirmed the substance is available for sale there.

“The drug is being promoted as a mixture of synthetic herbs with nothing illegal about it,” Squance said. “Hopefully this won’t be the case for long.”

BILL

FUNDING

said. “Research shows its importance particularly on overcoming adverse affects of poverty, language and cultural differences and disabilities on children’s opportunity to learn.”

Prater said OEA believes Ohio should help school districts fulfill obligations and maintain local flexibility for districts looking to address challenges of implementation.

“In times of limited resources, all-day kindergarten is a strategic investment that should be prioritized because of its long-term impact on students’ success,” Prater said.

organization feels the committee has made an improper decision, it can appeal the committee ruling to the student senate.

“That’s why we debate,” Foster said. “People like to think funding is black and white, but it really isn’t.”

These sub-budgets within the student organization budget create a gray area for groups like men’s glee club, which are recognized by the university as student organizations but also participate in activities that award academic credit to the participants.

These organizations can potentially receive two sums of money, ASG funding and

continued from page 4

continued from page 1

base funding.

“I saw this problem coming,” Foster said, “I just didn’t see which groups it would affect.”

Foster recognized this potentially alarming trend in the fall semester during a hearing with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Foster said the group requested money for a competition that turned out to be a part of the students’ capstone project.

Foster immediately recognized the possible repercussions in this area and considered how many other organizations that could apply for funding to use for similar academic projects.

Foster said he was concerned that some organizations could use the loophole to offset cutbacks in the academic departments.

If a decision was not made promptly, then academic activities would continue to take money from student activities that benefit students’ co-curricular experiences.

“More organizations need more funding and are still struggling,” Meghan Wadsworth, ASG treasurer and funding committee officer, said.

The precedent could not be enforced without treating all other organizations’ requests the same.

“You can’t distinguish between different types of academic credit,” Foster said. “We need to be fair and equitable.”

ASG’s solution came with The Funding Clarification Act, the most recent amendment to the by-laws. The restrictions prevent organizations that fall under these criteria from “double-dipping” in multiple sources of funding.

“Believe me, it was a tough decision to make,” Foster said.

“All I care about is doing the right thing and doing it fairly.”

Foster said the academic credit regulations were announced Sept. 12, 2010 and reiterated during funding training sessions to student organization representatives.

P H O T O G R A P H E R S PUT YOUR SKILLS TO USE AT THE MIAMI STUDENT! E-mail Sam at

photo@miamistudent.net

for more information.

8

Friday February 11, 2011

Opinion

Editors Sam Kay Jessica Sink editorial@miamistudent.net

➤ EDITORIAL

The following piece, written by the editorial editors, reflects the majority opinion of the editorial board.

Smoke detectors create safer residential environment T

he City of Oxford Fire De- must be proactive about safety partment will be applying for precautions, landlords and propa federal grant that would provide erty owners must also respond to $70,400 to install 4,400 new pho- safety concerns. toelectronic smoke detectors in city Homes must be adequately inrental homes. If approved, Oxford spected, construction must be sewould have to contribute 10 per- cure and occupancy restrictions cent of the cost should be ento the project. forced. These The editorial dangers can be as The consequences of board of The Mimuch of a hazard home fire hazards are as anything. ami Student supports the pursuit While taking immense and by not to install better care of student keeping smoke safety measures homes may detectors prepared, for residents sometimes be a students are of Oxford. challenge, ownIn light of endangering not only ers are investpast fire tragthemselves, but other ing in the future edies in the of the buildings residents as well. area, this proacand bettering tive measure the community. is an excellent step for Home safety is vitally important the community. to all residents in Oxford. StuA large portion of rental home dents and community members residents are Miami University stu- alike must make fire precautions dents, and while fire safety strate- a priority. gies are largely understood, the reThose who have died in fire tragality is that many aren’t practiced. edies should be a constant reminder The consequences of home fire for everyone to be proactive in sehazards are immense and by not curing their homes and safety. keeping smoke detectors prepared, The installation of new smoke students are endangering not only detectors is a great step, but it is themselves, but other residents ultimately up to residents to stay as well. safe. Remember, only you can While students in rental homes prevent home fires.

ASHLEY CEROLI The Miami Student

➤ LETTER

50th anniversary Peace Corps potluck to be held Former Peace Corps volunteers in and around the Oxford area are invited to a 50th anniversary Peace Corps potluck at the home of Prue and Steve Dana at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27. Bring a dish to share. Beverage and dinnerware will be provided.

Please R.S.V.P. to pdana@woh.rr.com if you are able to come. Thank you for spreading the word.

Rule of thumb Spring break coming soon The semester has caught up with us. We are ready for a breather.

Hosini Mumbarak Putting the “desperate”in “despotism.”

Miami synchronized skating Hockey players aren’t the only ones who can slice up the ice.

Prue Dana

pdana@woh.rr.com

NSSE survey deserving of student time This month, first-year students and seniors at Miami University received invitations to participate in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). We know that students receive multiple survey invitations each year and that the invitations are easily overlooked in the busy life of a Miami student. We want to encourage students to take a few minutes to respond to this and other survey invitations.

Miami University conducts surveys such as the NSSE because we are truly interested in hearing about student experiences at Miami so that we can improve your college experience.

Many offices use the information from these

surveys to change their practices and improve their service to students. Several of these surveys also tell us how our students are doing in comparison with students at other schools across the U.S. For example, did you know that 68 percent of Miami seniors participated in a practicum, internship or co-op compared with only 52 percent of seniors at other institutions (NSSE, 2009)?

If you receive a survey invitation, please take the time to review the invitation and consider sharing feedback that can improve your and other students’ Miami experiences.

Denise A. Krallman Andrea I. Bakker

institutionalresearch@muohio.edu

➤ WRITE US

All letters must be signed in order to be printed.

Please send letters via e-mail to: editorial@miamistudent.net We reserve the right to edit for length, content and clarity.

Cold and flu season Everyone seems to be sniffling and sneezing their way around campus. Hurry up, spring! We miss our allergies!

Brendan Burke commemorative jerseys The auction honoring Burke is helping to ensure his legacy.

Midterms Having half a dozen tests in one week is no fun.

Christina Aguilera failing at the National Anthem Oh, say, can’t she sing?

The Miami Student Oldest university newspaper in the United States, established 1826

EDITORIAL BOARD Erin Fischesser Editor in Chief Thomasina Johnson News Editor Erin Maher Managing Editor Scott Allison Online Editor Sam Kay Editorial Editor Jessica Sink Editorial Editor Stephen Bell Campus Editor

Amelia Carpenter Campus Editor Amanda Seitz Campus Editor Bethany Bruner Community Editor Michael Solomon Sports Editor Hunter Stenback Features Editor Samantha Ludington Photo Editor Hannah Miller Art Director

➤ ESSAY

Social networks aid in quest for liberty Originally developed as a way for Harvard Univer- message of your discontent out there becomes a sity students to find out who was dating whom, Fa- challenge, as we have seen in Egypt over the past cebook has advanced across collegiate networks and three weeks. President Hosni Mubarak’s government across oceans. When we thought Facebook was the partially lifted the ban on Internet service, but social ultimate social networking site, Twitter came along. media sites like Twitter and Facebook are still inacThe site has 175 million users as of September 2010. cessible. The initial ban, though, showed just how The world sent, according to the U.N. International afraid Egypt’s administration was of information Telecommunications Union, 1.6 trillion text messag- leaking outside its borders, and it seems like a lastes in 2010, that’s 200,000 texts per second. ditch effort to save itself from having to step down.

While Facebook, Twitter and While the argument can be made texting are widely used as prothat Mubarak’s 30-year reign was crastination methods in the United an authoritarian one, he did not poI am glad that States, they are vectors of police Internet access the way China’s social media litical change in other areas of government has. In fact, China has services can be the world. blocked the word “Egypt” from manipulated for In 2001, a protest in the Philipshowing up on the country’s own pines to bring down corrupt Presiversion of Twitter called Sina, acproductive purdent Joseph Estrada was coordinatposes, like aiding cording to Al-Jazeera. Of all of the ed partially by a mass text message foes governments face day to day, I in the pursuit of sent that read “Go 2 EDSA. Wear never imagined social media outlets democracy. blk,” according to Foreign Affairs would be one of them. magazine. E.D.S.A. stands for EpiThe government just can’t seem fianio de los Santos Avenue, a major to keep a tight enough grip on the road in the capital of Manila. Three constantly advancing technologidays later, the president was out of office. cal world. Speak2tweet, a service made available by Five years later, in 2006, Filipinos received anoth- Google and SayNow, now allows people to call or er mass text, this time protesting the inaction of Ar- text a number, and that message is then automatically royo’s administration on a chain of unsolved murders converted to a tweet. and abductions, and the texts read “WEAR RED. As much as I am disappointed by the amount I BRING BANNERS,” according to The Washing- distract myself with social media, I am glad that the ton Post. Approximately 1,000 students converged services can be manipulated for productive purposes, on an area near the presidential palace at the same like aiding in the pursuit of democracy. Honestly, I time, catching police off guard. Their rally made the wouldn’t be surprised if Twitter’s new tagline benightly news. comes “Please consider us when organizing your These protests were made possible by the instan- next protest.” taneous nature of sending electronic messages, but what happens when the government you’re protestMary Halling ing against cuts off all Internet outlets? Getting the hallinml@muohio.edu

Opinion

THE MIAMI STUDENT

➤ PERCEIVING REALITY

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2011 ♦ 9

➤ PERSPECTIVE

A changing culture creates new narrative

Can’t buy me love

Culture is a concept that is difficult to describe. Its definition is as abstract as its outcomes are concrete. People often base their actions, beliefs and goals upon cultural lines. It is something many will die for because it represents, to a certain degree, an identity.

Humanities classes Karli frequently bring up Kloss the similar concept of narrative. That is, to the extent by which a people are influenced to act based upon their views of their group. A shared history, a common objective, a sense of unity, these are the pillars of a group’s narrative.

Our grandparents’ generation, for those of us whose families were naturalized citizens some 60 or 70 years ago, defined themselves through their actions in World War II. They will declare the United States as the greatest country in the entire world and the U.S. government works only toward protecting those who cannot protect themselves. We benefit from rights that others only dream of. This land of the free, home of the brave rhetoric is an unshakeable cornerstone of their narrative of themselves as a generation and of our society as Americans.

We live in a globalizing world.

For us, Europe is not a place where wars are frequently fought and where the no-good French live, just ask my grandfather. It is where a good percentage of this campus will study abroad, many will vacation and even some will work. Part of a cultural narrative is a certain degree of seclusion from outside perspectives. We are Americans, this is true, but the barriers that once held us apart are not quite as insurmountable as they once were. I can identify with a Luxembourg resident’s stance on what constitutes national security, which is rather different from an American stance because I’m friends with a few of them. I can Facebook chat with any of them as long as we’re both online.

A country and its people some 6,000 miles away are now as reachable as my roommates when they’re in class and on their laptops.

The youth of the Arab world are standing up against governmental tyranny in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen and other places. They believe that their lives should not be controlled by a select few, a glorified group of dictators. Their narrative is now one of rebellion and resistance, not the compliance of their parents’ generation. They’ve been arranging massive protests via Facebook and Twitter the same way we on campus arrange our weekly parties and social events.

Technology and globalization are topics I’ve pretty much written to death, but my point here is more specific than those two.

My point today is that we do fit into this new world where we are not kept separate from other cultures, ideas, opinions and actions.

There are students who disagree with U.S. policy in ways not a single member of our grandparents’ generation would have even considered doing. We now rely more on what we are able to see and understand from observation in order to form our views of the world. Our generation does not look to the government for cultural cues as much as it used to. Agreeing or disagreeing with the Bush and Obama administrations’ agendas has become part of our new narrative as Americans. We’ve always been allowed to participate in government, but true opposition is more legitimized than ever in the eyes of society for better or worse.

Geography has little to do with social interaction anymore, so I have to wonder, will we, the children of the technology age, begin to reshape and realign ourselves not just as Americans but as part of the youth of a globalizing world? There is a chance that we can take on a new narrative, one that matches the culture we’ve been raised by with the culture we are creating as an online generation, to produce an international narrative capable of interacting in ways no one ever dreamed possible.

Valentine’s Day as we know it is a worthless holiday. OK, I might be saying this in part because I’m single and hate being made aware of how single I am for an entire month, but hear me out anyway.

If you are in a relationship, congratulations. You now have to find a present with significant romantic quality for your significant other.

If you are single, congratulations, and I welcome you to the club. However, membership of the club requires being subjected to almost an entire month of commercials featuring cute couples buying thoughtful presents for one another.

If I have a voiceover artist tell me what every kiss begins with one more time, I might choke on the chocolates I’m scarfing. Those chocolates I ate were a drop in the bucket compared to the millions of pounds of chocolates bought and sold at this time in 2009. According to the National Confectioners Association, eight billion candy hearts were made in 2009.

That’s not even counting the 190 million Valentine cards exchanged annually or the large amounts of money spent on jewelry, flowers and stuffed animals. On average, Americans spend $102 on Valentine’s Day gifts, according to the National Retail Foundation. Ninety-two percent of married couples spend more than $60 on gifts for their spouse.

Really? Why is it that one day out of the year has more significance when it comes to love than any other? Why can’t a woman get red roses from her husband or boyfriend or significant other on a

BETHANY BRUNER Wednesday just because that person was thinking about her and wanted to show they cared? Why do we need a special holiday complete with cards, candies, flowers and gifts to show we love someone?

Why does expressing love require gifts at all? The answer is we don’t and it doesn’t.

Loving someone shouldn’t turn into obligatory gift giving Feb. 14 of every year. I know I wouldn’t want a gift because someone felt they had to give it to me because that’s what society told them to do. I would want the gift because someone cared about me enough to spend the time to pick something out and give it to me.

While many of the Valentine-related commercials are about jewelry deals or reminders to buy flowers before the “big day,” some people are using Valentine’s Day for a greater purpose. One major television network put out a commercial to remind men to get tested for cancer in order to protect the “family jewels.” Their words, not mine.

Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about love and the expression of it. It’s not supposed to be about making single people aware of their lack of a companion and forcing exorbitant gift giving down the throat of couples in the throes of fickle young love.

In the words of a legendary musician, “love is a many splendored thing.” Why spoil it with a box of chocolates?

BRUNER is community editor for The Miami Student

➤ THIS AND THAT

High-speed rail too expensive Vice President Joe Biden has proposed the government should step up and build a $53 billion high-speed railway that connects major cities in the United States.

The proposal follows examples of high-speed Chris rails in France DeNicola and Japan that allow travelers a different and efficient mode of transportation. With a budget deficit that has reached more than $14.1 billion, the novelty of the railway does not really fit in with all of the talks of budget cuts and ways to reduce the debt.

Some may look at this plan and ask why America wasn’t on this train years ago. Currently, AmTrak is the railroad that connects cities across the country.

As someone who has used this mode of transportation, I can say it is not efficient or quick. My trip from Cincinnati to New York City took more than 24 hours.

The train system took me through cities that did not seem to be on the way. Could the United States use something that connects major cities and can travel at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour? Sure, but where on earth is the money going to come from?

Right now the country is not in a position to spend any money because the bottom line is that we have none. Sure, the rail would create some jobs and provide a new mode of transportation, but there is no way to stop its cost from continuing to run our country further and further into the hole it is already in.

We are not in a position to gamble that this would pan out. With the recent trend of countries nearing bankruptcy and asking for money, the United States cannot afford a bailout.

We have come out of the recession, but we are still not in the clear. Yes, job creation is part of the economic recovery, but it is not worth the risk we face if we do not start reducing our deficit.

Also, there is no sure way to

know that the cost of operating the rail could outweigh the income generated by travelers. It would be a shame if it turns out the project doesn’t produce the money that it would need to.

Right now there is no real problem with transportation in this country. We have highways and air travel that all work, and millions of our citizens use them every single day.

If a new railway is introduced, are enough people going to choose it over their normal modes of travel? Again, it isn’t worth the risk to find out in six years.

It would be great to travel across the country at incredibly fast speeds, seeing parts of our nation that we haven’t seen yet.

However, while the proposal may seem great, it is coming at the wrong time. Our focus as a country needs to be on reducing our spending, not throwing money into the pit.

If we don’t get control of our budget, our country is going to fail. We can’t afford to do that. We can’t afford this speed rail.

➤ ESSAY

We need to appreciate the little things One of the most astute observations of the human condition that I’ve ever come across is a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that says “We’re always getting ready to live, but never living.”

Every once in a while, we all can benefit from a little reminder to live in the moment to make every day an important occasion.

In an attempt to do just that, a Brazilian artist named Néle Azevedo created the Minimum Monument project in 2001.

Minimum Monument is an art project that aims to celebrate the common man and to remind the world to recognize the anonymous instances of greatness in everyday life.

Azevedo creates tiny sculptures of ice shaped into the human form and transports them to highly populated cities, inviting passersby to help place the people of ice on display around the city and take part in the “antimonument” experience as they begin to collectively melt. While the number of sculptures in each exhibit was initially few, Azevedo’s most recent exhibition contained 1,300 “small sculptures of small men,” as she refers to them

on the project’s website. The sculptures are eight inches tall.

In stark opposition to traditional sculptures usually made from materials more enduring than ice, Azevedo’s statues call to question the merit of the typical monument. While it is certainly important to pay tribute to heroes of the past, it is arguably just as important to honor the present and to appreciate the more transitory events and forces that shape each of our lives. After all, it isn’t only famous figures of the past and present who give meaning to our lives. Just as often, if not more often, our lives are made better by small acts of “small men” and women.

I think any person who would consider him or herself happy must at that particular time have an awareness and an appreciation for small acts of kindness, for life’s small gifts. So often, all it takes to make my day a little bit brighter is a stranger holding a door for me or an acquaintance saying hello as we pass each other on the sidewalk.

I know I’ve been guilty of withholding these small, effortless acts of kindness. Nearly

every day, I walk past one or another of my classmates and neither of us take the initiative to greet the other or just simply smile and wave.

There’s no particular reason to withhold such an easy gesture, but it seems as though we all do at certain times and you can never know when one extra smile could be that last little boost someone needs in order to feel happy about themselves or their day.

Azevedo’s Minimum Monument project is a great illustration of the fleeting nature of life, opportunity and beauty. If we don’t make the effort to “stop and smell the roses,” we’ll miss out on a multitude of tiny opportunities that could improve our own lives as well as the lives of others, whether these others are friends, family or complete strangers.

To return to Emerson’s piece of wisdom, it’s time to stop getting ready to live and start living because if you’re not living in the moment, you’re not entirely alive. matthew metzler

metzlemr@muohio.edu

➤ ORIANA’S OBSERVATION

Saving cash not worth the heartache When you were younger, your parents would tell you the story of how they met, maybe by luck, coincidence or fairytale ending. Then they add, “We got married at age 20 (or so), but that wasn’t young at the time.” I look at that age now and can only think how stressful that is, Oriana committing yourself Pawlyk to someone when you aren’t even out of college yet? How can you do it?

I’m sure the trend hasn’t completely worn itself out because I’ve met a handful of students in my classes who are actually engaged now. The other day, I turned to see yet another half-carat rock shimmering on a female student’s ring finger in my English class. I automatically felt a little uneasy, not for her, but for young fiancées everywhere. Hopefully these students I’ve met are ready for the institution of marriage for better or for worse because on the other side the nation, students are getting married to lower their tuition costs.

The other day, I looked at Twitter to see a tweet that said “Students marry for in-state tuition” from HuffPostCollege. Students who attend the University of California, Berkley out of state pay an additional $22,000 a year more than in-state students. According to The New York Times, nine couples were found who actually got married to lower their residency costs. Berkley requires students to meet three prerequisites before they can establish their residency: to actually inhabit in the residency, intent to stay and to be financially independent from their parents, which happens to be a two year long application process.

If students decide to marry instead, they can claim financial independence much faster. Their parents must also go along with it and not claim their kids are dependent on their taxes. How are these spouses finding one another? Well, Facebook is one way.

A Berkeley student applying from the Midwest posted that she needed a husband and got a response. The “couple” married in 2007 and divorced in 2009 when they graduated. The marriage had saved her $50,000 in tuition costs.

I can only guess she didn’t file for irreconcilable differences.

The university reported Berkley had 416 undergraduates who were married out of the 16,000 who were a part of the financial aid program.

Berkley isn’t the only one spreading the “love.” Other universities can now participate courtesy of whypaytuition.com. Students who sign up for the registered site can gain independence through this matchmaking process and save money on tuition once they are married. However, the site is not exactly blooming with users considering only 56 students have registered for the service. Now people get married for green cards and tuition.

Can we simply assume convenience trumps romance?

In light of Valentine’s Day, the holiday that allows for singles to be cynics, for Hallmark to make major profit and for couples to fret over what they’re going to exchange, think of a tradition older than the love of saving money, the Upham Arch.

Next time you walk under the Upham Arch, think of the rumored tradition that couples who kiss under the arch’s lantern at the stroke of midnight are destined to marry. Girlfriend or boyfriend or not, that still sounds more appealing than “Wanna get married to save some money?”

Yes, most of us will experience The Break-Up sort of ending instead of A Cinderella Story. That’s just life. It isn’t a fairytale or an episode of The Bachelor. Saving cash may have its perks, but not when you have to put your status as divorcée once you’re done with college tuition.

Excuse me for the sarcasm on this one. Feb. 14 just happens to be my birthday. Guess we can’t win them all, can we?

FYI Page

Friday

10

February 11, 2011

The Miami Student Oldest university paper in the United States, established in 1826

Erin Fischesser Editor in Chief

Thomasina Johnson News Editor

Katie Neltner Business Manager

Erin Maher Managing Editor Colleen Yates Asst. Managing Editor

Joe Gioffre Asst. Business Manager Advertising Layout Director

Scott Allison Online Editor

Carly Huang Finance Director

Stephen Bell, Amelia Carpenter, Amanda Seitz Campus Editors

Kendall Flynn National Advertising Director Classified Advertising Director

Bethany Bruner Community Editor

Marisa Grindle Advertising Representative

Sam Kay, Jessica Sink Editorial Editors

Baylor Myers Advertising Representative

Michael Solomon Sports Editor

Nina Polson Advertising Representative

Hunter Stenback Features Editor Samantha Ludington Photo Editor

Anna Romano Advertising Representative

Hannah Miller Art Director

Cox Ohio Publishing Printer WDJ Inc. - Bill Dedden Distributor Sacha DeVroomen Bellman Adviser

Senior Staff Writers

Staff Writers

Editorial Columnists

Sports Staff Writers

Noëlle Bernard Adam Giffi Chelsea Naughton Leslie Scott

Mandi Cardosi Matt Levy Natalie McKerjee

Chris DeNicola Chloe Esposito Ty Gilligan Karli Kloss Oriana Pawlyk

Alex Butler Melissa Maykut Drew McDonell Hannah R. Miller

Designers

Photography Staff

Bloggers

Cartoonists

Nicole Crandall Julia Engelbrecht Erin Killinger Michelle Ludwin Abigail Offenbaker

Scott Allison Allison Backovski Caroline Buck Thomas Caldwell Emily Esposito Michael Griggs

Brittany Dove McKenzie Graham Hannah Poturalski Emily Sheriff David Small Garrett Smith Jessica Stringfield

Ashley Ceroli Emily Kirkpatrick Megan Kuntz

Website: www.miamistudent.net For advertising information: miamistudent@gmail.com

The Miami Student (Tuesday/Friday) is published during the school year by the students of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

The content of The Miami Student is the sole responsibility of The Miami Student staff. Opinions expressed in The Miami Student are not necessarily those of Miami University, its students or staff.

CORRECTIONS POLICY

The Miami Student is committed to providing the Miami University community with the most accurate information possible. Corrections may be submitted up to seven calendar days after publication.

News 513-529-2257 Editorial 513-529-2259 Advertising 513-529-2210 Fax 513-529-1893

Notice

for rent

Apartments

For rent: Singles available and roommates needed for next year. Contact Red Brick at 524.9340 or www.redbrickoxford.com for more info.

HOUSE FOR RENT 3 Bedroom House, 2 full Baths, 2 car garage, washer/dryer, full kitchen, cable and hi speed internet in every room, large closets, all electric utilities, landlord pays water, sewer, and trash. Less than 5 years old. Call Lou @ (513) 658-2590

Roberts Apartments 2011/12. One-Bedroom Apartments. Great Location! Close to Campus. 2 Blocks from Uptown.

Laundry Facilities. Off-Street Parking.

Spacious and Well-Maintained. www.roberts-apts.com 513-839-1426

GREAT 4 BDRM HOUSE2011/12.

49 Indian Cove Circle, across from Hawks Landing. 4 bdrm/2 bath, garage, all appliances including washer and dryer. $2200/semester. Call Barry at 864-680-7913 or email barrykeith1@ gmail.com.

THE COURTYARDS OF MIAMI Located on CENTRAL and MAIN, at the bus stop, only students live at the COURTYARDS, and enjoy a 2 minute walk to the REC. There is plenty parking, laundry and yard space. HEAT PAID in most locations, some pet friendly still open, one bedrooms, $3300. two bedrooms $2300. flexible financing and owner operated. www.thecourtyardsofmiami.com. Call Carolyn 513-659-5671

House FOR RENT New, Spacious 4 bedroom/ 2 full bath house available for 11-12 school year. $2050 pp/per sem.

Contact Red Brick at 524.9340.

Help Wanted Summer Camp Counselors Needed!

The City of Dublin - Parks and Recreations premier summer camp is looking for camp counselors available to start training on June 2. Camp runs June 6 - Aug 5. Apply online www.dublin. oh.us/jobs or at the link below (web only).

Spots are filling quickly so dont delay. For questions, contact Abbey Brooks ‘00 or Tracey Gee ‘91. 614-410-4550

For Rent House for Rent 2011/12 4 Bedrooms, 1 bath. Permit for 4. Laundry room includes W/D. Next to Ace Hardware. $10,000 per semester. 513-255-4100, www.odcproperties.com Condo for Rent 2011/12 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath, furnished Condo. Includes W&D. Permit for 4. Water, waste & trash included. $4,500 per semester.

513-255-4100, www.odcproperties.com 1 Bedroom condo 2011/12 1 Bed, 1 Bath. Furnished Condo, includes W&D, Water, Waste & Trash Permit for 2, $3,000 per sem. 513-255-4100, www.odcproperties.com SINGLES available in the Mile Square for 11-12 school year.

Contact Red Brick at 524.9340 or www.redbrickoxford.com

For Rent 2011-2012, Great Properties available for the 2011-2012 school year. Contact OXRE at 513-523-4532 www.OXRE.com For Rent 4 Bedroom, 2 full bath, kitchen, laundry, washer/dryer, $1000.00 per semester. Call 513-821-0937 or 513-529-1374 AFFORDABLE CONDO!!! 4 BR Fully Furnished Flat for 4 people or less Special discount for 11-12 school year.

ONLY $1,125/pp/sem (based on 4 people). Summer rentals also available.

Call 614-746-2582 or watros@aol.com TODAY! Nice Condo for 2011-12! Lrg. 2BR, 2BA condo near metro and north side of campus. 2200.per tenant per sem. or $750.mo. 513-255-0433 For rent 4 bedroom duplex available in Northridge in a quiet residential area beginning in May. Perfect for graduate students and professors. Call 513.257.7237 for more info.

For rent: New, Spacious 4 bedroom/ 2 full bath house available for 11-12 school year. $2050 pp/per sem. Contact Red Brick at 524.9340.

For Rent 4 Bedroom, 2 full bath, kitchen, laundry, washer/dryer, $1000.00 per semester. Call 513-821-0937 or 513-529-1374

For Rent: Studio, 1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom, & 4 Bedroom Apartments.

Flexible lease terms.Check Us Out www. foxandhounds-apartments.com www. oxfordrents.com Call 523-2440 Text 335-7044

Houses NEWER CONDO TRENDY 4 BEDRM~2 FULL BATH~EQUIPPED KITCHEN~LAUNDRY~OFF STREET PARKING GARAGE~CAN HELP WITH FURNISHING! Mike 513 266-1685 m2deuce21@hotmail.com HOUSE FOR RENT 4 Bedroom House, 2 full Baths, 2 car garage, washer/dryer, full kitchen, cable and hi speed internet in every room, large closets, all electric utilities, landlord pays water, sewer, and trash. Less than 4 years old. Call Lou @ (513) 658-2590 House FOR RENT Available for 11-12: Large 2 bedroom house located 1 Block from Uptown and Slant Walk. Includes parking for 2 and 2011 summer at no extra cost. $2450 pp/ per sem. Call 524.9340 For rent: Available for 11-12: Large 2 bedroom house located 1 Block from Uptown and Slant Walk. Includes parking for 2 and 2011 summer at no extra cost. $2450 pp/ per sem. Call 524.9340

Housing Needed 4 bedroom duplex available in Northridge in a quiet residential area beginning in May. Perfect for graduate students and professors. Call 513.257.7237 for more info

TMS

www.miamistudent.net

ONLINE

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

Get the answers online at www.miamistudent.net.

THE MIAMI STUDENT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2011 ♦ 11

www.miamistudent.net www.miamistudent.net www.miamistudent.net B o w l i n g

g R e e n

S t a t e

U n i v e R S i t y

Get Ahead of the Game education BGSU’s Summer Session w o r th c e le BR at !ng

LEASE

continued from page 1 If MUDEC were to move, it remains unknown as to where it would relocate and how the costs of moving into a new location would compare to keeping the lease on the Château de Differdange, Doyle said.

Senator Matt Frazier also felt the château is an important symbol of the university. “(Being at the château) is not only a great experience for

HOCKEY

continued from page 12

> Short. Six- and eight-week sessions > Focused. Small class sizes > convenient. On campus. Online. Abroad. On the beach. > Undergraduate and graduate courses available > More than 1,000 classes including 300+ online First 6-week session 8-week session Second 6-week session

May 16-June 24 June 13-august 5 June 27-august 5

Registration begins February 14, 2011

http://summer.bgsu.edu

make our team successful.”

One of the keys to success the ’Hawks relied on against Michigan is blocked shots, which the team knows will be just as important in the WMU series.

The RedHawks registered 42 blocked shots in two games against the Wolverines, and they will need to do the same against the Broncos, a team that averages more than 30 shots per game.

“It starts at practice,” LoVerde said. “It’s not so much a skill, it’s more of a mindset to get in front of pucks and get them out of the way.”

Senior Andy Miele, with his fourth-straight five-point weekend against Michigan, remained atop the national scoring leader board.

Captain Carter Camper, with one

students, but it’s also a great advertising and marketing tool for the university, and we don’t want to lose that,” Frazier said.

Senator Max Goodman agreed, citing a Miami alumni donation of $5,000 made specifically to MUDEC. With the bill’s passage, extensions of Miami’s lease will be explored that would keep the program in the château for the foreseeable future.

“Moving (MUDEC) away from the château would be like moving Miami (Oxford campus) to a K-Mart,” Doyle said. “You’d lose all the atmosphere.” goal against the Wolverines, held his place right behind Miele for second in the country in points.

Miele has 54 points (16 goals, 38 assists) on the season, while Camper has notched 47 points (15 goals, 32 assists). Both seniors are in the race for the Hobey Baker Award, given each year to college hockey’s top player.

Miami also had players recognized within the CCHA following the series against Michigan. Miele was named the CCHA Offensive Player of the Week, and Cody Reichard received CCHA Goaltender of the Week honors.

The Brotherhood is ready for the weekend, not focusing on what comes next.

“We’re not looking too far ahead,” Vaive said. “We have to go game-by-game, step-by-step, play our game and worry about things as they come.”

The puck drops at 7:35 p.m.

Friday and 7:05 p.m. Saturday at the Goggin Ice Center.

‘Look ma, no hands’

SCOTT ALLISON The Miami Student

Miami cheerleaders preform during a timeout at the men’s basketball game Feb. 9.

BASKETBALL continued from page 12

Historic Oxford Home -Built 1895-

Unique Loft-Style Bedrooms Add’l Loft Overlooking Living Room Just Steps from Millett Hall Pet Friendly

$1,895-

Person/Semester

(2 People/$900.00 due at Lease singing)

119 E. Sycamore Two-Bedroom House

513.523.4532 www.oxre.com

the coaches tell us every day, get better. I think that just comes with playing hard. I’ve learned that from listening to everyone around me who is more experienced than me. If you work hard and try to get better, things will come. Just let the game flow.”

Senior Nick Winbush hit a three pointer, junior Julian Mavunga connected on a trio of points and sophomore Orlando Williams increased the lead to 58-40 right at the 15-minute mark.

Mavunga finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Winbush netted 14 points. Williams had 13 points and junior guard Chris McHenry scored 12 points for the ’Hawks.

Blanketing Silas was the assignment for Williams, Roberts and the rest of the nest.

“When I recruited Orlando and Allen, I recruited them based on their physical ability,” Coles said.

“Orlando did a great job, with the

help of his teammates, of guarding Xavier Silas, who I think is a great ball player, and Allen is just playing good basketball.”

That good basketball is coming at the right time because the Red and White haven’t missed many bounces in the absence of fallen star Antonio Ballard. The ’Hawks (12-12, 7-3 MAC) are now 4-1 since losing him to injury.

“Ever since Antonio went down, everyone saw and realized that ‘Hey, we lost someone really big for this team,’ I feel like Allen, maybe more than anybody, has really increased his energy ever since Antonio went down because I think he realizes that was a guy who was a soldier for us and he’s trying as best he can to fulfill that role,” Mavunga said.

“Allen has started playing with more energy and realized that if we’re going to be a successful team, he’s going to be a big key for us.”

The ’Hawks shot 52.6 percent on the home floor and the 44 first half points were a season high.

Up next for the Red and White is a trip north for a contest against the University of Toledo Feb. 12.

12

Sports

Friday, February 11 2011

Halftime show overshadows big game

Editor Michael Solomon sports@miamistudent.net

Matt Fitzgerald

My Short Athletic Shorts

A

s a Cleveland Browns fan, I couldn’t be happier seeing the mighty Pittsburgh Steelers epically fail on their final drive of Sunday’s Super Bowl XLV when a certain Miami University alumnus quarterback’s heroics seemed inevitable. However, the Green Bay Packers emerged victorious thanks to an outstanding performance by Aaron Rodgers.

I love Mr. Rodgers. I would live in his neighborhood mainly because he won me my fantasy league throwing for more than 400 yards against the secondranked pass defense in the NFL at the time coming off of his second concussion of the season. Is he not a man’s man? I think so.

The point is, I was more excited than usual for the Super Bowl champions along with Steeler and Brett Favre haters all across the country. Unfortunately, as jovial as I was, something horrible happened in the dead, exact middle of Super Bowl XLV, and it had nothing to do with any of the players involved in the game.

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, the halftime show.

Other than the grandeur of the gigantic Cowboys Stadium, I’m not sure what production designers were thinking to allow this disgraceful performance to occur. Chris Kluwe, a Minnesota Vikings punter, had a plausible hypothesis.

“How much coke was consumed at the planning meeting to green light this monument to decadence?” he tweeted.

I’m assuming he meant the carbonated beverage we are all so familiar with, resulting in an uncontrollable caffeine buzz, thus allowing first-twitch instincts and potentially bad ideas to be approved without much foresight pertaining to future consequences.

Either way, the performance by the Black Eyed Peas was nothing short of a nightmare.

After Fergie’s nails on a chalkboard yelping and apl.de.ap’s maladaptive upswept hair flap, I gazed in amazement at a gentleman known as “Taboo” standing relatively stationary, awkwardly going through the motions of possibly the most unspeakably awful choreography ever witnessed by so many people at one time. Oh, and don’t forget Will.i.am’s auto-tune speak-singing, which wasn’t even on pitch somehow.

Every part of my body ached. I couldn’t look away from the TV or cover my ears from the most rivetingly horrible pop music medley in the history of mankind.

Slash rose up from oblivion atop a platform, playing a nearly inaudible guitar. Usher’s microphone was horrendous … or was he lip-syncing? Despite incorporating actual talented musicians into the act, the show still could not be salvaged.

My personal favorite was the dancers in all white, body tight suits with trash receptacles draped over their heads. It was as if Miami University representatives traveled to Dallas, donated those tiny recycling bins found in the rooms of residence halls, painted them white and dunked them on the heads of a bunch of back-up dancers.

I am still recovering. Unfortunately, the performance is still very much engrained into my poor brain.

Imagine that. The Pittsburgh Steelers finally lost. All balance was restored to the world of sports. Then, we were painfully reminded what the mainstream music industry in America is like in the middle of football’s biggest game.

In the words of the wonderful Quentin Tarantino, “That’s a Bingo!”

This simple line captures the entire scope of this column. Yes, a great game is mentioned within this medium of communicative expression, but it was ruined by terrible additions that overshadowed a great tradition.

Here’s to hoping for football in 2011 and a better Super Bowl halftime show!

MICHAEL GRIGGS The Miami Student

Senior winger Justin Vaive prepares to take a shot at the Univeristy of Michigan net in the Red and White’s shutout win Feb 5.

HOCKEY

’Hawks prepare for Broncos

By Hannah R. Miller Staff Writer

Coming off of a sweep of conference rival University of Michigan, the Miami University hockey team enters another weekend of Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) play at the Goggin Ice Center.

The RedHawks take the ice against the Western Michigan University (WMU) Broncos in their final home series of the regular season.

Saturday, the senior class will be honored, celebrating their contributions to the program throughout the last four years. The seniors have tried to focus on the upcoming games rather

than the emotions of their final home series.

“It’s hard to think about it,” senior Justin Vaive said. “I’ve tried not to. There will definitely be a lot of emotions.”

The Broncos, currently fourth in the CCHA, have not lost in regulation since Dec. 10, building up an unbeaten streak of 13 games (8-0-5).

The ’Hawks will try to slow down the WMU roll, looking to build on the successes they had against Michigan.

“Obviously they’re going to be coming in with a lot of momentum and confidence, so we have to play our game,” Vaive said. “We know we have to work hard and hopefully the bounces will come and we’ll be successful.”

Heading into the series, the Red and White rest at No. 12 in the rankings, while the Broncos sit just behind them at No. 15. Miami (169-5 overall, 13-7-4 CCHA) could clinch a first round bye and home ice during the CCHA tournament with wins over the Broncos (14-68 overall, 8-5-7 CCHA).

The team is not looking to the playoffs yet, though, focusing only on the series at hand.

“We will focus on Friday first, from there move to Saturday,” senior Vincent LoVerde said. “We have to come out playing our game, playing within our system, doing the things that

wSee HOCKEY, page 11

Schedule

men’s basketball women’s basketball

hockey

tennis

SATURDAY

SATURDAY

FRIDAY

SUNDAY

Toledo 7 p.m.

Toledo, Ohio

Western Michigan 2 p.m.

Kalamazoo, Mich.

Western Michigan 7:35 p.m.

Oxford, Ohio

Michigan State 9:30 a.m.

East Lansing, Mich.

BASKETBALL

Coles earns 250th victory at Miami

By Alex Butler Senior Staff Writer

Two things stood between Northern Illinois University Huskies guard Xavier Silas and a No. 1 national ranking in points per game heading into Wednesday night. One was Brigham Young University star Jimmer Fredette and the other was Miami University RedHawks Head Coach Charlie Coles’ half-court defense.

By Thursday morning, Fredette was still on top of the list, with 27.6 points per game, and the RedHawks had shackled Silas and hooped the Huskies 84-72.

A stingy RedHawk defense held Silas to 14 points, 10 points below his 24.0 average, while a balanced offense led five different ’Hawks to reach double figures.

“I thought that was our best overall game as far as five guys contributing,” Coles said. “With five guys in double figures, that’s always good for a coach because I think you can really sell ball movement a little more. I thought we had a good inside-out ball

movement most of the night and I thought our defense was much better the second half than it was the first half.”

The Red and White took over early with an 11-0 run before the Huskies tied it 10 minutes into the contest. With a 37-30 advantage, the ’Hawks allowed the Huskies (7-15, 3-7 Mid-American Conference (MAC)) to get back within one at 39-38 just before halftime.

Sophomore Allen Roberts snatched up the momentum and the home crowd as he doused a three pointer from the top of the key just as the buzzer sounded for a 44-38 lead heading into the break.

Roberts, who scored a careerhigh 23 points, came out of the tunnel with his shorts on fire.

The guard took the rock and the game into his own hands with four straight points, spurring a 14-0 RedHawk run.

“I think that’s just working hard in practice,” Roberts said. “Like

wSee BASKETBALL, page 11

MICHAEL GRIGGS The Miami Student

Allen Roberts puts in two of his career-high 23 points Feb. 9 against Northern Illinois University.