Mar. 16, 2010 | The Miami Student

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

VOLUME 137 NO. 44

MIAMI UNIVERSITY OXFORD, OHIO

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

In 1962, The Miami Student reported that if passed, a new bill would have the president and vice president elected directly by the student body rather than by senate. Senators said it was important for students to have direct involvement in choosing their leaders and hoped this would spur interest on the student body’s behalf.

CAMPUS

SPORTS

Christopher Hitchens to discuss controversial book on religion

By Dylan Tussel Senior Staff Writer

“Faith is the most overrated of the virtues –– there is a serious danger now to civilization from religious fundamentalists of all kinds.”

Christopher Hitchens, author of the No.1 New York Times Bestseller, “God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything,” spoke these empirically proven words, and he is coming Wednesday to share his perspective on religion at Miami University.

Hitchens Hitchens grew up in England where religion is compulsory in schools. His mother came from a Jewish family, and his father from a Baptist family, but neither of his parents actively practiced their religions.

Hitchens described how a childhood experience in his nature class opened his eyes to religion’s inherent nonsense.

“I had a teacher when I was about 10,” Hitchens said. “One day she said, ‘Look boys, notice the trees and the grass and the vegetation and everything are lovely shades of green, which is a wonderful thing because it’s the color that’s the most restful to our eyes. Imagine if God had made the grass orange or purple or something that was clashing, how horrible that would be. But you can see how God is so good because he made everything green.’”

Hitchens said his common sense led him in a different direction from his teacher.

“I thought to myself that’s complete nonsense; it must be the other way around,” Hitchens said. “Our eyes have gotten used to the green, rather than the trees adapting to our eyes. I just knew by sort of

wSee HITCHENS, page 14

MICHAEL GRIGGS The Miami Student

Senior forward Jared Palmer evades Ohio State University defensemen in Sunday’s contest.

’Hawks head to CCHA

By Erika Hadley Senior Staff Writer

Over the course of the past five seasons, the Miami University men’s ice hockey team has compiled the best winning record of any team in the country.

During that time span, the RedHawks have won two CCHA regular season titles, played in two conference finals in Detroit, qualified for the NCAA tournament every year and come within inches and seconds of clinching the national championship. Despite all of this success, however, the Brotherhood has never triumphed in the CCHA post-season tournament … until now.

In 2005-06, after winning the regular season title, the Red and White cruised past Western Michigan University in the CCHA tournament quarterfinals and

dominated Northern Michigan University in the semifinals before meeting its match in Michigan State University during the title game. The Spartans downed Miami 2-1 and freshman goaltender Jeff Lerg emerged as the tournament’s MVP and a household name.

In 2007-08, the ’Hawks bested Notre Dame University in overtime in the semis only to come up short against the University of Michigan in the championship contest.

With last Sunday’s 2-1 victory over rival Ohio State University (OSU), Miami punched its ticket to Detroit.

The RedHawks will take on Michigan in the semifinal game March 19 at the Joe Louis Arena with aspirations of advancing to the title game and winning what they hope will be the second of three championships this season.

wSee HOCKEY, page 10

CAMPUS

Difficulties addressed in use of trademarked university logos

By Catherine Couretas Editor in Chief

The RedHawk was established in 1997, at which point there were five or six different varieties of the logo, according to Allen. Fenton said this logo today is typically held for just ICA use and identifying ICA teams ICA wanted a consistent mark, which is the logo we see today.

Student organizations now have the option of using the word RedHawk in various designs, with approval, after a debate earlier in the semester over the Residence Hall Association’s (RHA) desire to use the word for their annual RedHawk Hunt.

Liz Kirkham, programming director of RHA, intended to begin campaigning for the campus-wide scavenger hunt, now in its third year, in mid-January.

The group was stalled when Paul Allen, director of business services, did not approve the use of their logo, which included the words “red” and “hunt” with a generic “redhawk” image between the words. That logo was created because the group knew the official RedHawk logo was reserved solely for the athletic department.

This is the primary non-athletic logo, according to Allen. It has been around since 1997 and is used primarily in print or on the Web rather than as a commercial mark.

“It’s kind of the identity mark of the university,” Allen said.

This logo is the most widely used across the whole spectrum, including athletics, students, departments, alumni and more, according to Allen.

Fenton said the logo is used much more widely across campus as it was previously only used for athletics. It is now considered more of a “spirit mark” used to promote across campus, Fenton said.

wSee LOGOS, page 10

INSIDESCOOP

THE

ONLY

FACE THE MUSIC

Cleveland rapper Kid Cudi will spit some jams March 30 at Millett Hall.

u

WWW.MIAMISTUDENT.NET TENNESSEE TUNES

SON OF A GUN

There has been a significant rise in

The band Love and Theft will perform at Brickstreet Bar Thursday.

PLAYING WITH FIRE

HOCKEY HELPER

CAMPUS, page 2 concealed carry permits applications.

COMMUNITY, page 14

Middletown’s Fire Department received a grant to increase health and wellness awareness.

COMMUNITY, page 7

A look into the life of Kerri Wright, the No. 1 fan of Miami’s ice hockey team.

FEATURES, page 6

COMMUNITY, page 12

VOLATILE VIOLATORS Part two of the sexual assault series highlights an increase in rapes.

Wed

59 q 35

Check out Episode 6 of Miami Television News.

FLICK LOVIN’ CHICK News Editor Hannah Poturalski reviews Brooklyn’s Finest, Remember Me and Precious.

THE ICE HEATS UP

CAMPUS, page 3 p

NEWS INSTALLMENT

Thu

60 q 38 p

Fri

61 q 44 p

Take a quick look back through the action of this week’s hockey tournament with a slideshow!

2

Campus

Tuesday

March 16, 2010

News BRIEFS

Editors Courtney Day dayce2@muohio.edu Hope Holmberg holmbehh@muohio.edu Amanda Seitz seitzam2@muohio.edu

award FSB ranks high in national publication ratings Miami University’s Farmer School of Business (FSB) moved up in rank for 2010 ratings. The FSB undergraduate program was ranked 16th nationally in BusinessWeek. The school also ranked sixth nationally among public university and college business programs.

The program was ranked first among schools in the state and was the only Ohio business program to be ranked in the top 25 in BusinessWeek.

The rankings determined by BusinessWeek are obtained by gathering information from students, employers and recruiters. FSB jumped two spots from last year’s ranking which was 18th among undergraduate business programs nationally. Recently, the FSB 14-month MBA program was recognized as third in the United States and ninth in the world by The Wall Street Journal.

events Local vocalists host annual concert Spring Sing, an intergenerational community dinner and performance, will feature choral groups from Miami University, Talawanda High School and Oxford Seniors. Spring Sing takes places at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 25 at the Oxford Community Arts Center.

Groups appearing at the event include Fermata Nowhere, a Talawanda High School a cappella group; the Cheezies, a Miami male a cappella ensemble and Oxford Seniors’ Show Choir.

Miami senior Michaela Mondro is directing the Oxford Seniors Show Choir as they perform a Rogers and Hammerstein medley.

The community dinner is part of a series to encourage interaction among generations and foster goodwill. Other intergenerational activities initiated include classes led

by Miami students to be held at the senior center. The courses include Spanish, Chinese, watercolor, swing dancing, excersice and singing.

Tickets for the performance include the concert and a buffet dinner provided by Miami’s Carillon Catering. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available at Oxford Seniors, 922 Tollgate Drive for $15. Call (513) 523-8100 for more information.

Community to honor women with read-in The Fourth Annual Women’s Read-In will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 25 at King Library in the Instructional Materials Center. The Read-In is co-sponsored by the Women’s Center and the University Libraries and will include featured readings from members of Spectrum and WiSDEM. The readings by Spectrum members will take place from 12 to 1 p.m. and the readings from WiSDEM members will take place from 1 to 2 p.m.

Held in honor of Women’s History Month, the event will feature various writings about women. A portion of the event will be comprised of themed hours including one on women in science and another on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender literature.

All members of the university and Oxford communities are encouraged to attend and participate by sharing a short passage. Prose, poetry, letters, novel passages and original works are welcome. Refreshments will be served. Reservations for reading times can be made at https://survey.muohio. edu/Checkbox/readin.aspx. Contact Jenny Presnell at presnejl@muohio. edu or by calling (513) 529-3937 or Jane Goettsch at goettsjm@muohio. edu or by calling (513) 529-1510 for more information.

KATHRYN ANDERSON The Miami Student

First-year Gina Snavely works on homework Monday afternoon in her university-owned residence, Stanton Hall.

Dorms present legal issues Public classification of residence halls is challenged in court cases

By Noëlle Bernard Staff Writer

A revision in Ohio Case Laws offers a new perspective to students living in residence halls.

Currently in question is whether the best way to combat the issue is to reclassify residence halls legally from public to private living spaces.

The revised case law 4301.69 states, “No underage person shall knowingly be under the influence of any beer or intoxicating liquor in any public place.”

According to attorney Dennis P. Deters, of Haughey & Deters LLC, the intent is to find creative ways to help get their clients’ charges dismissed and that means in certain cases making a point that residence halls should be considered private residences.

“I think the problem is sophomores living on campus,”

sophomore Ryan Boyer said. “It’s reclassify residence halls) because not natural for 19 and 20-year- a residence hall is the university’s olds to be still living in dorms property, it’s technically their residence,” juand having nior Stephen roommates. The “Living in residence Young, resiuniversity forchalls is an awkward dent assistant ing sophomores in Scott Hall, to live on camsituation. You said. “They pus for a second technically own it are leasing year causes more but you are under the out the space, problems than university’s rules and which is why it’s worth.” students don’t Residence protection.” have full halls are currights to live rently classified STEPHEN YOUNG in the hall as public living RESIDENCE HALL ASSISTANT and do what spaces because they want. the university leBy making it gally owns each, and students are in a sense leas- private would be redundant.” ing the space. Some suggest Legally, changing residence since students have use their halls from public to private swipe cards to enter a residence can potentially alter the atmohall it could be consitituted as a sphere of living in the residence private residence. halls because it can place more “I don’t think it’s possible (to restrictions on students and

Grammy-nominated KiD CuDi to perform

visitors, while allowing students to have more rights in refusing to cooperate with officials.

“This might get rid of RA’s positions and give police and pubic officials to deal with affairs,” Young said. “It wouldn’t be a good way to run a residence hall if visitors are getting written up for trespassing. It wouldn’t be fair. Living in residence halls is an awkward situation. It’s not a your house or apartment. You technically own it but you are under the university’s rules and protection.”

Miami does not have plans to reclassify residence halls. Attorneys are finding that by challenging the public classification of residence halls, there are ways to get certain charges dismissed.

“The goal is to avoid any long term damage to our clients,” Deters said. “However, the judge

wSee DORMS, page 13

Line it up

By Clint Reinbolt For The Miami Student

Cleveland hip-hop star KiD CuDi will be entertaining a Miami University audience Tuesday, March 30.

The concert, organized by Miami’s Campus Activities Council (CAC) and the Miami University Performing Arts Series, will take place in Millett Hall.

Tom Hoffman, concert board co-chair of the CAC, said CuDi is one of the biggest names to come to Miami in recent years.

Hoffman said the Concert Board’s decision to attempt to bring the star to Miami was made after consulting a number of surveys, and doing research on what artists students wanted to see.

Interest in a KiD CuDi performance, he said, was consistently strong.

“There was even a Facebook group called “Would you attend a Kid Cudi concert at Miami University,” he said. “It had more than 1,000 members.”

Hoffman said bringing a performer as popular as KiD CuDi to Miami was not easy, and even took a little luck to work out.

“Basically, I knew a guy who knew a guy who got us in touch with CuDi,” he said. “Luckily for us, having a performance worked out for his routing, so they could do it here.”

The reaction among the Miami student body, according to Hoffman, has been overwhelmingly positive. “I think we’ve done a good job advertising the fact that KiD CuDi is coming here,” he said. “I’ve definitely gotten some pats on the back now that people know.”

Junior Vince Mandes said he was “shocked” the CAC was able to convince such a famous performer to come to Miami.

“I’m really excited he’s coming,” Mandes said. “It should be a really good concert.”

Hoffman said once the contract for the performance was

wSee CUDI, page 13

SCOTT ALLISON The Miami Student

Students line out the door to watch Miami beat Ohio State University Sunday afternoon.

Campus

THE MIAMI STUDENT

TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2010 ♦ 3

On-campus sexual assault reports on the rise since 2006

By Amanda Seitz

In 2006, Miami had a total of four camCampus Editor pus reported sex offenses. In 2008, the university had seven.

Reported campus sexual assaults have Non-campus sexual offenses include arbeen on the rise at Miami University, eas such as fraternity houses or other buildaccording to documents published yearly. ings leased by the university for educaThe Campus Security Report retion purposes, according to Lori leased by the university reveals Minges, assistant to Miami seven campus, three non-camUniversity Police Departpus and one public property ment (MUPD) Chief John sex offenses were filed to the McCandless. Miami had university in 2008. three in 2008.

The Campus Security Act These non-campus sexis required to be published ual offenses are typically Part 2 of 4 yearly on Oct. 1 by order reported via the Oxford of the Department of EducaPolice Department (OPD). tion under the Jeanne Clery Act The numbers from 2009 have not yet been released but have been of 1990 at any institution of higher learning that receives federal funding. If reported to MUPD, according to Hall. Howthe university does not accurately disclose ever, incident reports filed with MUPD state information to the public they could be four sexual offenses were reported in 2009. fined up to $27,500 for each inaccuracy. These numbers do not include sexual offensThe Campus Security Report at Miami is a es that were reported to other outlets, includcompilation of reports filed to the police and ing the OPD and sexual assault prevention reports filed to various offices at the univer- and education.

Hall said the steady climb in numbers sity, according to Nicole Hall, coordinator of could be attributed to the presence of her sexual assault prevention. sexual assault education and prevention On-campus sex offense reports have program August 2007. nearly doubled since 2006, according to the “I come on campus and am doing a lot Campus Security Act reports.

more events, awareness and presentations out in the college,” Hall said. “As my name gets out there more and as my program becomes more and more identifiable people become more comfortable with coming to talk to me and share what happened to them. You can look at those numbers and say ‘oh my goodness it’s getting worse’ or you can say now the victims are coming forward because they have a place to come forward to.”

The Campus Security Act is a compilation of reports filed to the police and reports filed to various offices at the university, Hall said. She encourages victims to allow her to report crimes to the police.

“Everything I report to the police is anonymous,” Hall said. “If they come to me and say they were raped last fall, I would encourage that person to report that to the police and give them benefits but it’s still her or his choice to the report.”

Hall then turns over reports, with the victim’s permission to the police. She turned in 2009 reports this January.

“At the end of the year, I write up and give the police department a narrative of what happened, maybe date, place and a narrative,” Hall said. “Those are the statistics Miami is required to produce.”

In 2008, only four on-campus sex

offenses were filed through the MUPD police incident report but a total of seven oncampus sex offenses occurred, leaving three that were reported through other methods, like Hall’s.

So far, in 2009 three on-campus sexual assaults were filed through the MUPD incident reporting. Numbers could change when the Campus Security Act is published October 2010.

Minges said there are many outlets a student may report sexual assaults other than the police. All of these factor into the Campus Security Act findings.

“On-campus our agency itself (has a number of) individuals that we recognize as the campus security authorities,” Minges said. “Ethics and students conflict resolution, any of the residence staff, dean of students, advisers to student organizations, VP of student affairs, head athletic coaches and director of the women’s center.”

Minges said she believes reporting has increased with the rise of sexual assault education on campus.

“Since Nicole came on board, individuals are more comfortable in talking and knowing she’s there in that position,” Minges said. “It’s a way for them to get the statistics counted.”

Chile study abroad students to finish the year despite earthquake

By Felicia Jordan For The Miami Student

As the dust begins to settle after yet another major earthquake, several Miami University students are finding their trip abroad to be much more interesting than they expected.

According to study abroad adviser Sarah McNitt, there were four students studying in Santiago, Chile when the magnitude 8.8 earthquake hit. The students, safe and accounted for, are living with host families and attending a university in Chile through a program called the Institute for Study Abroad, Butler University (IFSA-Butler).

“The program providers contacted us very quickly once they had identified where all the students were,” McNitt said.

The students are still in Chile, and are planning to finish out the semester despite the disaster.

Miami junior Maxwell Lenowitz was in Viña del Mar, a town north of Santiago on the coast of Chile, when the earthquake occurred.

“I was on the 11th floor when the earthquake started,” Lenowitz said via E-mail. “We immediately lost power.”

He said once his host family regained utilities and telecommunication, there wasn’t much that changed for him.

“It hasn’t greatly disrupted my daily life but it has changed the dialogue of daily life here, because some services and people were greatly affected by the quake,” Lenowitz said.

“Many people are still trying to contact relatives in other towns, there are buildings that are roped off and the talk of the day everyday has been about the effects of the quake, and rebuilding efforts.”

In the aftermath of the earthquake, Chile has struggled to contain its crime rate. Lenowitz said the hardest part about being in Chile after the earthquake is knowing the impact the

earthquake has had on Chilean people.

“Looting and rioting has turned very dangerous in some places, and the government has had to institute a curfew in a couple towns,” he said.

Two other Miami students are studying in the city of Valpariso. Classes at the University of Valpariso didn’t begin until March 10, so these students were not in Chile when the earthquake occurred. However, the natural disaster didn’t hinder their plans to travel to Chile at all. McNitt said the study abroad programs were not keeping students from traveling to Chile at the moment.

David Keitges, director of International Education, said students will still go as long as it’s been deemed safe.

“To see how a country survives and rebuilds after a natural disaster is a good learning process,” Keitges said.

He said natural disasters always have some sort of affect on study abroad, but they certainly aren’t a regular occurrence.

Wal-Mart stop may become part of Miami Metro bus route

By Dylan Tussel Senior Staff Writer

The Miami University Metro provides a safe, convenient way for students to travel throughout campus, uptown and offcampus residential areas, but one service it has failed to provide is transportation to Wal-Mart.

Associated Student Government (ASG) has been working closely with parking and transportation services to address the issues students face with accessing Wal-Mart.

Perry Gordon, director of parking and transportation services, predicts a Wal-Mart bus route will be added fall 2010.

Una Hrnjak, secretary for diversity affairs, said her experience facilitating summer orientation for international students brought to her attention the necessity of having a means by which international students could travel to Wal-Mart.

Many international students do not bring everyday objects, such as bed sheets and pillows, so they need a way to purchase them here, Hrnjak said.

“There is a lot of food they would like to access at Wal-Mart, so being able to grocery shop there is also in their interest,” Hrnjak said. “We are trying to recruit so many international students and we need to address their fundamental needs.”

Kellie Huebner, senator of Hamilton and Minnich halls, and Ryan Horvath, senator of Flower Hall, spearheaded ASG’s push for an additional bus route to Wal-Mart.

They surveyed students fall 2009 to gauge student support for the bus route, and Horvath said more than 90 percent of the respondents expressed support, including graduate students.

Gordon mentioned two scenarios for providing transportation to Wal-Mart — adding a Wal-Mart stop to the Miami Metro Blue or Red Route, and adding a Miami Metro bus specifically for Wal-Mart trips.

He said adding the stop to the Blue or Red Route would add 20 to 29 minutes to either route, decreasing hourly service. Gordon said adding an extra bus would cost a considerable amount of money.

“Neither is really acceptable, reducing the service or tacking on the cost,” Gordon said, expressing his dissatisfaction with both scenarios.

There is a possibility in the long run of Miami collaborating with the Butler

The Miami Metro green bus makes rounds through the Oxford campus County Regional Transit Authority to have a fees currently totaling $120 per student per government-funded bus which would stop year, the projected increase in Miami Metro at Wal-Mart and serve both Miami students fees would be well below 1 percent of the as well as Oxford residents. current fees.

Similar systems are implemented at other First-year Paige Hake supports increasuniversities, such as Ohio ing Miami Metro fees to State University and Kent add a bus route to WalState University. HowMart, specifically for “We are trying to ever, adding a bus route Miami students. recruit so many to Walmart would likely “I like knowing the peoincrease Miami Metro international students ple on the bus are students, fees, Gordon said. and $1 wouldn’t be that and we need to Huebner and Horvath big of a deal,” Hake said. address their are finalizing another “There are a lot of people fundamental needs ” who need to go to Walsurvey to gauge both student support for a slight Mart. You can’t get everyUNA HRNJAK increase in Miami Metro thing from Ace Hardware, fees to cover the cost of SECRETARY FOR DIVERSITY AFFAIRS Kroger or CVS.” a new bus route, as well ASSOCIATED STUDENT GOVERNMENT Sophomore Patrick as which days and times Vernon agreed. people would most fre“When I was a first-year, quently want to access it was always hard getting the bus service. to Wal-Mart because it’s so If a bus to Wal-Mart were to run 10 hours far away,” Vernon said. “There are so many per week, Miami Metro fees would in- things you can’t get on campus, but that are crease by less than $1 per student per year, available at Wal-Mart. I’d be willing to pay according to Gordon. With Miami Metro more than $1 for a service like that.”

FILE PHOTO

Gordon said a considerable amount of weight will be placed on student feedback on the upcoming survey, and that strong student support will be necessary to convince administration that adding a route to Wal-Mart is worth increasing Miami Metro fees.

“If the survey says 75 percent of the students who responded are interested and willing to see an increase in Metro fees, you know, 75 percent sounds pretty significant to me,” Gordon said. “If it said it’s 55 to 45 in favor of creating the Wal-Mart shuttle that seems a lot less persuasive.”

Gordon said he considers what students post on IdeasForMiami.com, but that the most useful student input comes in the form of specific suggestions about what needs to be done and how it can be done.

Hrnjak urged students in need of the WalMart bus route to e-mail or talk to their senators. She also said IdeasForMiami. com is a great way to promote discourse on the topic.

“The more backing we have from the students, the easier this is going to be implemented,” Hrnjak said.

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Tuesday

March 16, 2010

Community

Editors Kelsey Bishop bishopka@muohio.edu Erin Fischesser fischeee@muohio.edu

Alumna runs for Senate seat

By Abbie Harper Senior Staff Writer

Student reports assault on High Street At 9 p.m. Tuesday, officers reportedly met with a Miami University senior who said he had been assaulted in front of Jimmy John’s.

The male reportedly told police he and his girlfriend were walking on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant when a short, possibly tan male bumped into him for no reason. As he continued walking, a tall, black male in a blue shirt reportedly punched him in the throat.

The student told police he began to run away but was struck in the back.

When he continued to run, the taller male reportedly chased him for some time but eventually stopped.

The victim reportedly told police the taller male had yelled the shorter male’s name but he didn’t remember what it was.

There are currently no suspects in the case.

Juniors return to burglarized home At 9:10 p.m. Sunday, officers met with residents of 116 E. Vine St. regarding a reported burglary that occurred sometime between March 11 and 12.

One of the residents, a Miami University junior, reportedly told police she returned home Friday and found mail scattered in the yard. When she entered the home, she reportedly found things thrown about the house and food and alcohol missing.

According to police reports, all of the doors and windows in the home were locked.

Another junior reportedly returned to the home later and found that her bathing suit was missing.

The landlord reportedly told police he had found a door open in the basement that would allow access to some of the house, but the person who entered the house would have had to have access to a key to get to the rest.

Both of the residents of the home reportedly told police they have had unfriendly interactions with a former student who may have had access to a key for the residence.

Police are continuing to investigate the case.

Restaurant employee discovers break-in At 7 a.m. Tuesday, officers reportedly met with an employee of DiPaolo’s restaurant regarding a case of breaking and entering.

The employee reportedly told police they had entered the office at 6 a.m. and found the safe tampered with and the door ajar.

Officers reportedly found the office in disarray and heavy damage done to the safe.

An undetermined amount of money totaling more than $500 was taken from the vault.

Police are continuing to investigate the case.

Suspicious male talks to children in park At 4:10 p.m. Thursday, officers were dispatched to the Oxford Community Park regarding a suspicious incident.

Officers met with a mother who said while her two kids were swinging a male approached her son and asked if he could hold his little sister.

The boy reportedly told the man no and he walked away.

According to police reports, the boy described the subject as an 18-year-old male with dark hair wearing jeans, a gray T-shirt and a black jacket.

Officers were reportedly unable to locate a suspect matching the description in the area.

When Ohio residents go to the polls May 4, they will have the option of choosing Jennifer Brunner, a Miami University alumna and Ohio’s first ever female Secretary of State, to be the Democratic nominee for Ohio’s one available Senate seat.

If Brunner wins the primary, it will mark the first time in history a woman has ever been a nominee for an Ohio Senate seat.

“I can’t believe it’s 2010 and Ohio has never had a woman governor or a woman senator,” Sandy Theis, public relations representative for Brunner, said.

Ohio is in the majority, as 23 states have had a female senator, and none of those has had more than three women serve in the U.S. Senate in their entire history.

Ohio will or will not become a part of that progressive minority,

pending the May election.

Brunner’s closest competition in May’s democratic primary will be Lee Fisher, Ohio’s Lieutenant Governor. Governor Ted Strickland has officially endorsed Fisher. Theis said despite the fact that Fisher has the advantage in this election, Brunner’s campaign is still going well.

“The fact that (Fisher) has all that money and support and Jennifer’s still in the race is very impressive,” Theis said.

John Collins, campaign spokesman for Fisher, said Fisher’s campaign is focused on “rebuilding Ohio’s middle class.”

He said Fisher’s main goal is to create better paying jobs for Ohioans. Collins said Fisher is not focusing on whom he’s running against, but rather what he wants to change if elected.

“Regardless of who’s in the race, Lee’s going to be focused on saving jobs, creating jobs and attracting jobs to Ohio,”

Collins said.

While Fisher is banking on grassroots support, Brunner is hoping to appeal to Ohio’s female voters.

“We think there will definitely be a gender gap for Jennifer,” Theis said. “That will really help because there are more women than men and there are more women who are democratic primary voters.”

Theis said supporters of Brunner’s campaign are doing a lot of phone banking and going door to door at democratic households to rally further support.

Collins said Fisher’s campaign is focusing on personal conversations with Ohioans and they have a lot of supporters at Miami University.

“We’re out talking to voters every day about Lee’s ideas,” Collins said. “And we actually have a lot of Miami students working a grassroots campaign for us, too.”

Aaron Bly, president of Miami

College Democrats, said they are currently supporting both Democratic candidates.

“We’re staying pretty neutral right now,” Bly said. “We’re certainly not endorsing either candidate. We had Fisher come out in Oxford in May, and Brunner came out in August.”

Bly said their goal is simply for a democrat to win, so they aren’t favoring one democratic candidate over the other.

The winner of the democratic primary will face Republican Rob Portman in the main election Nov. 2.

The most recent poll conducted by Ramussen Reports placed Fisher and Brunner neck and neck, both led by Portman. The poll featured two main surveys, one with Portman facing Fisher, the other with Portman facing Brunner. In the first, Portman led Fisher 44 percent to 39 percent. In the second, Portman led Brunner 43 percent to 37 percent.

Mental illness course educates county families

By Amelia Carpenter Features Editor

A free 12-week course called Family-toFamily, sponsored by the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) in Butler County, began March 8 in Fairfield, Ohio.

Family-to-Family is designed to help family members understand and cope with a relative who has a major mental health disorder.

Teachers are family members who have completed the course previously and have been trained by NAMI. All attendees receive a free resource handbook.

Sally Fiehrer, executive director of NAMI Butler County, said for more than 20 years Family-to-Family has helped family members with friends or relatives struggling with a major mental health disorder to understand and cope.

“It’s kind of a self-care program for families to learn how to take care of themselves,” Fiehrer said. “(It creates) empathy toward the person that has the illness so they understand what’s going on.”

Throughout the 12 weeks, self-care, medication, medications management, coping skills and communication skills are addressed.

Then specific illnesses are discussed, according to Fiehrer. Some illnesses include schizophrenia, bipolar illness, depression and anxiety disorders.

Fiehrer explained the level of misunderstanding for some families that are not educated about mental disorders.

“These are brain disorders by chemical or neurological disorders of the brain,” Fiehrer said.

Feihrer said sometimes families feel very much alone because of the stigma of these illnesses.

“They might not talk about it,” Fiehrer said. “(And they might) not have a group of friends discussing it. In NAMI and Family-to-Family, (people) feel comfortable discussing these disorders. It’s that instant message that they’re not alone. These illnesses can happen to any family.”

Jim Jones, a Butler County resident, heard about NAMI’s Family-to-Family five or six years ago, and has since been giving back to NAMI by teaching the course. Jones and his wife have a son that suffers from bipolar disorder. “(The class) helped me understand the situation that people suffer from mental disorders and the things they go through, (and you) get a new understanding of what your loved one is experiencing,” Jones said.

Jones said the course was extremely helpful to him and his family and he sees that for others.

“The program overall just gives families overall suffering with a loved one with mental illness tools and coping skills to make them feel better, how they’re doing and how their loved one is,” Jones said.

Because the course is in a group setting, Jones was able to bond with the others in his course that were going through the same thing.

Jones said it was difficult to talk about mental illness with a neighbor who perhaps didn’t understand what he and his wife were going through with their son.

“I think there’s comfort in togetherness,” Jones said. “There’s a certain bonding with the families suffering from the same thing. It helps a lot of people when they go through the course.”

NAMI also has a follow-up support group for graduates of Family-to-Family.

“(The follow-up is) to keep that bonding growing,” Fiehrer said. “It would be too bad if they just dropped it there.”

Although membership is not required, NAMI teachers encourage attendees to join NAMI and the follow-up support groups.

NAMI also offers a program called Hand-toHand for families who have children under age 18 with one of the major mental illnesses.

Fiehrer said by late March or early May, NAMI would offer a Peer-to-Peer program for individuals with the illnesses. The Peer-toPeer program is meant for those with mental illnesses who are steadily recovering; they also teach others with mental illnesses. Location and transportation logistics are in the works for the Peer-to-Peer sessions, according to Fiehrer.

Fiehrer said NAMI Butler County is available by phone for compassionate listening as well.

“We are available to families when they need us,” Fiehrer said.

Fiehrer said NAMI Butler County feels the work Family-to-Family is doing is positive for the families taking part.

“It makes a difference in their lives,” Fiehrer said. “They are armed with information maybe for the first time in their lives. That it really has helped thousands of people and thousands of families.”

Registration limit is 20 people and at least nine spots remain. Classes are held once a week on Mondays from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the NAMI Butler County Office in Fairfield starting March 8. Membership is not required, but encouraged. NAMI membership costs for $35 can be paid online. See http://www.nami.org for more information and other session dates and locations.

Call center to provide human services information

By Leslie Scott Staff Writer

Butler County residents will no longer have to worry about finding resource centers as United Way plans to create a 24/7 phone service, which will allow access to an informational referral line.

By dialing 211, the phone service will connect anyone to various human services.

“A person can call the number and say ‘My elderly mom is new to town and needs someone to help her during the day with meals,’” Maureen Noe, president of Butler County United Way, said. “211 would then find resources that provide in-home care for elderly people and transfer the caller over.”

The group got the idea to create the call service in 2003. Before that time, Butler County United Way operated referral systems.

Another organization called the Community Crisis Hotline Center also provided a phone service to the people of Butler County. In 2003, the call center gained federal funding which allowed United Way to adopt the phone service.

Though United Way began working on the new phone service, 211 was not able to run the way they wanted. When people call 211 now, they are directed to a recording. The pre-recorded message redirects the patrons toward three other numbers: Cincinnati United Way, Butler County United Way and the Oxford Crisis Center.

In an attempt to offer people 24-hour access, United Way provides a Web site (http://www.connectyou.org) which has similar features.

“The site is good because it is another form of access,” Noe said.

“People don’t have to call and it is more private.”

However, Noe said United Way feels a 24-hour phone service would be more beneficial overall. In order to get 211 back to some of its old habits, United Way has decided to pull together resources and make 211 a tri-county-run organization, which will involve Butler, Warren and Clinton counties.

“We want to raise money to provide this 24-hour care,” Noe said.

“It is all in the planning stages right now. It will hopefully be worked out in the next few months. We just received a grant from Ohio United Way towards the marketing plan. Therefore, we expect to launch our marketing campaign this summer.”

The three county’s United Ways are not merging together, but the three separate organizations are pooling resources toward creating the call center.

“The tri-county idea is very beneficial because it allows us to pull our money together which makes it very cost effective,” Noe said.

“It also works because it doesn’t matter where the person is who answers the phone, as long as it is being answered. This process cuts down on service duplication.”

Noe said the call center provides a great opportunity for the counties to work together. It allows call volume to be increased which means the call center will be helping more people overall.

The Community Crisis Hotline Center used to receive about 500 calls a week. The 211 call center is currently receiving about 350 calls a week. Due to the new funds United Way received from the state for marketing, 211 plans to reach numbers that far exceed 500.

THE MIAMI STUDENT

TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2010 ♦ 5

6

Tuesday March 16, 2010

Features

Editor Amelia Carpenter carpenab@muohio.edu

By Mellissa G. Brown For The Miami Student

Kerri Wright doesn’t like the cold.

Yet she stands by the entrance to the Goggin Ice Center where the doors are constantly opening and letting gusts of frigid February air into the concourse. Getting to the rink an hour before the game starts, Wright waits patiently by the doors for the players of the varsity hockey team to run their pre-game lap around the arena.

Around 30 minutes later, the players run their lap around the rink. Wright positions herself at the end of the concourse and sticks out her hand. As the boys skate past, they give her high fives.

“I like to get here early and watch them run and get high fives and they like to hit my hand hard until it turns my hand red,” Wright said.

Wright wears her Miami University hockey jersey to every game. The jersey is oversized, extending beyond her hands and waist. The jersey belonged to Nino Musitelli, No. 22, who graduated in 2008. Her sister won it for her at an auction for $250. The jersey is covered with faded signatures from various players from the past few years.

Wright, 28, has been a Miami hockey fan for eight years. She is more than a fan; she might as well be part of the team. Wright is everywhere the team is.

She goes to all the home games and some of the closer away games. She also attends almost every single practice.

Wright has faced many trials throughout her lifetime, especially in school.

Children would tease her because of her attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

“School was hard for me because of ADHD,” Wright said. “I didn’t concentrate well in high school because everyone was bugging me and teasing me.”

According to Wright, her proudest achievement was graduating from Talawanda High School in 2002. She tried some classes at Miami Middletown but they were very difficult with her ADHD. “The doctors said she wouldn’t be able to do a lot, but she can,” Lisa Wright, her older sister, said. “She took a Spanish class in school, and they told her she couldn’t do it, but she can and she has conversations with the Spanish families at church.”

Wright gets to the rink for practice around 11 a.m. every weekday. She always sits in the same spot to watch practice. While almost 4,000 fans fill Goggin for games, the stands at practice are empty except for Wright sitting

in section one, row one. Wright sits and waits for the players to arrive for their 3 p.m. practice.

“They start getting here about 1:30 or 2:00,” Wright said. “Sometimes they run late.”

On this particular day, the first players to arrive are sophomore Cody Reichard and senior Dane Hetland. Reichard gives Wright a hug and Hetland gives her a fist bump.

Junior Andy Miele, while on the phone, gives her a one-arm hug. Next, junior Justin Vaive and junior Tommy Wingels walk in and chat with Wright.

“If I don’t get here early the boys get mad at me and ask me questions to why I didn’t come,” Wright said. “My favorite part about practice is watching the boys come in and giving them hugs and high fives.”

At practice, senior Brandon Smith and sophomore Chris Wideman walk in next. Even though they are busy talking, they still say a quick hello.

The parade of players continues and Wright greets each and every one with enthusiasm.

Finally, her favorite player, sophomore Alden Hirschfeld, walks into the arena. Wright jumps to her feet and screams out his name. She half runs, half skips over to give him a hug. Even the players who end up being late for practice still take a second to give her a wave, a smile and a quick hello.

At practice, the boys work hard and create a cacophony of sound with the pucks hitting the walls, goals and sticks. Senior Jarod Palmer bangs up against the glass where Wright is sitting and gives her a little wink and a smile while pretending to hit her through the glass. She smiles and giggles.

First-year Steve Mason hits the puck at the wall where Wright is sitting and he is smiling and laughing while Wright glares at him, sticking her

tongue out.

“She’s committed to the team,” Hirschfeld said. “She’s here every day and she enjoys being our number one fan; she really puts a lot of time into being a part of the Miami hockey team.”

When asked about his favorite memory of Wright, Hirschfeld laughed.

“I see her every day,” he said. “She’s always up waiting for us for the run around before the games. She’s always standing there to give everyone a high five.”

When Wright isn’t watching the Brotherhood, she spends most of her time talking about the team.

“They are like brothers to me and they pick on me just like a brother,” Wright said.

While she loves hockey, it’s the relationship with the boys she truly cherishes.

“She has an upbeat attitude,” Vaive said. “No matter how well or bad we are doing she’s always happy to see everyone on the team and see us play.”

Lisa Wright said her sister talks about hockey all the time.

“She gets depressed when there isn’t hockey in the summer,” Lisa Wright said.

The sisters spend a lot of time together because they both are involved with Miami hockey. The Wright sisters have side-by-side season tickets and are members of the Blue Line Club.

“I think we talk a lot more and we have more in common now than in the past because of hockey,” Lisa Wright said.

Wright knows all the biographical information about the boys including their hometowns, numbers and full names. She has only nice things to say about all the players. She has little anecdotes and fun facts about the players and their families.

“Alden Hirschfeld is my favorite player,” Wright said. “He smiles a lot when he’s practicing. He’s a great player and he acts like a brother to me. All the players act like brothers to me.”

At practice, she watches all the players, yet she follows her favorites, especially Hirschfeld. Hirschfeld shoots his shot and he skates around the corner where she is sitting.

“Look! He has a smile on his face,” Wright said.

She continues on with nothing but kind commentary about all the players on the team.

“Jarod Palmer is a good guy too,” Wright said. “He’s my buddy.”

Every time a player skates by, she has another nice comment.

“Garrett Kennedy is a good person; he plays hard,” Wright said.

After games, Wright waits on the concourse level above the locker room for the players to leave so she can tell them good game. After the Feb. 6 game, Vaive climbed up the stairs and saw Wright standing there.

He automatically walked up the stairs and gave her a hug.

“It would be lonely,” Vaive said, when asked what it would be like without Wright as a fan. “We see her every day. It would be different because we are used to having her around.”

Hirschfeld was also very supportive of Wright as a diehard fan.

“I’d like to thank her for her continuous support,” Hirschfeld said.

Seated at Goggin watching practice are Lisa Wright (left) and Kerri Wright (right).

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

HANNAH MILLER The Miami Student

THE MIAMI STUDENT

Community

Country rock band to play at Brick Street

By Catherine Couretas Editor in Chief

They’re like a country version of The Eagles.

That’s what Stephen Barker Liles, one-third of the country rock trio Love and Theft, said about his band that will be playing Thursday night at Brick Street Bar. Love and Theft, out of Nashville, Tenn., released their debut album, World Wide Open, on Aug. 25, 2009. What makes the band unique, Liles said, is the fact there is no one lead singer.

“We all three sing lead and we rotate on that,” Liles said.

“We share all that evenly.”

They will soon begin touring with Tim McGraw but are making a stop in Oxford beforehand.

“Tim McGraw is one of our biggest influences,” Liles said.

“It’s a pretty big honor. I don’t think it’ll really hit us until we’re out there.”

Liles said Love and Theft has been very fortunate when it comes to touring. They were asked to open for Taylor Swift in 2008, playing for 8,000 to 10,000 people per night, and also played shows with Jason Aldean in 2009.

Though Liles said the band has had fun with the larger

shows, he said shows in college towns could be even better.

“It’s always the best,” Liles said. “The crowds are more energetic, a lot of them have the records.”

Brick Street owner Will Weisman said he has been following the band for over a year.

“We really believed they fit the profile for live country music at Brick Street,” Weisman said. “With their opening spots for Taylor Swift and now Tim McGraw, we felt that the timing was great to add them to the Miami and local scene.”

Weisman said similar bands that have played at Brick Street include Jason Aldean, Billy Currington and Luke Bryan, with the latter of the three returning for a show in April.

Love and Theft will play Thursday, March 18 at 10 p.m. at Brick Street with the Ryan Broshear Band opening. As of Sunday evening, the show was close to selling out and Weisman said he expects a rush of ticket sales leading up to the show.

“I think that students will be amazed at their vocals and would expect big things for these guys down the road,” Weisman said. “It should be a great show.”

Liles added the band would be around after the show to meet fans.

TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2010 ♦ 7

Ready for battle

SCOTT ALLISON The Miami Student

The sisters of Kappa Kappa Gamma practice their puddle pull skills Monday in front of Delta Upsilon fraternity house.

How

CREA TIVE

are you??

The Miami Student is looking for creative-minded individuals to be:

pagneers desig graph desig ic ners

o t o h p hers grap cartoon ists E-mail Erin at maherem@muohio.edu.

8

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Opinion

Editors Thomasina Johnson johnsota@muohio.edu Sam Kay kaysj@muohio.edu

➤ EDITORIALS

The following pieces, written by the editorial editors, reflect the majority opinion of the editorial board.

ICA should not limit RedHawk logo use

M

iami University students and student organizations identify themselves as RedHawks, but until now the use of the word RedHawk has been reserved exclusively for Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA). The Resident Hall Association (RHA) sought earlier in the year to use the words “red” and hunt” in their logo with a generic hawk graphic in between. Their request was denied, but may other organizations have used the RedHawk name and logo in instances that are unsanctioned but go unpunished.

Now, university policy will allow student organizations to apply to use the word RedHawk with approval, but the RedHawk logo will continue to be used exclusively by ICA. The editorial board of The Miami Student is pleased student organizations will be able to use the word RedHawk, but we feel strongly the logo should also be opened up for wider use.

In an atmosphere of flagging school pride and sporadic student attendance of athletic events, it seems strangely elitist and counterproductive to reserve the use of the RedHawk logo for ICA. Although oversight is necessary to preserve the currency of the logo, it is unreasonable for ICA to claim exclusive rights to its use. It is a symbol of university pride, one that student organizations have just as much a claim to as athletic teams. The exclusivity only serves to isolate ICA and dampen school spirit. All students

are RedHawks — not just athletes.

At the very least, club sports teams that are not redundant with a varsity team should be able to use the RedHawk logo. They represent our university at meets and competitions around the country, and it is insulting to the club athletes not to be able to bear the RedHawk logo.

The process for approval of designs for student organizations must also be better publicized. The current system inadvertently rewards organizations that fail to go through the proper approval procedure. Past misuse of the RedHawk logo has not been properly dealt with, and many organizations seem to be unaware of the design approval process. Paul Allen, director of business services, should coordinate with Associated Student Government (ASG) to better publicize logo-use policies. Notification could take the form of email, or could be more prominently included in the information given to the presidents and treasurers of student organizations. Officers of student organizations should also take responsibility for going through the proper channels for licensing graphics. The logo is representative of the identity of all students, faculty, staff and alumni, and therefore should not be misused.

Allowing student organizations to use the word RedHawk is a long overdue improvement. Allowing a wider range of organizations to use the RedHawk logo would be a logical next step.

Rule of Thumb Go RedHawks!

Thumbs up to Miami hockey making it to the CCHA semifinals. Good luck to the Brotherhood!

I owe WHAT?!

Thumbs down to Duke Energy over-charging for energy bills.

Ciao winter Thumbs up to melted snowmen. Spring has sprung!

No more smoothies?

Thumbs down to Hydrations’ reduced hours. Getting motivated to go to the Recreational Sports Center is hard enough already.

Student body elections Thumbs up to Associated Student Government elections. Good luck with the campaigns!

The G Word

Thumbs down the looming graduation date and joining the real world.

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

EDITORIAL BOARD Catherine Couretas Editor in Chief Hannah Poturalski News Editor Erin Maher Managing Editor Scott Allison Online Editor Thomasina Johnson Editorial Editor Sam Kay Editorial Editor Courtney Day Campus Editor Hope Holmberg Campus Editor

Amanda Seitz Campus Editor Kelsey Bishop Community Editor Erin Fischesser Community Editor Katie Giovinale Sports Editor Amelia Carpenter Features Editor Anna Turner Amusement Editor Samantha Ludington Photo Editor Hannah Miller Art Director

BIZZY YOUNG The Miami Student

➤ LETTERS

Objectification of women must end Members of the Faculty Learning Community (FLC) on Inclusion read the Feb. 12 issue of The Miami Student entitled “Valentine’s Day Whoreoscopes.” We found the article to be derogatory towards women and this letter highlights our concerns. A copy of this letter will be sent to the advertisers and sponsors listed adjacent to the article.

In 2008 we contacted The Miami Student about another offensive article that letter is attached here (Attachment A) as well.

Although it would be difficult to highlight all of the offensive aspects of the Feb. 12 article, we have summarized a few. For example, women are frequently referred to as whores (seven times), sluts, and skanks: Because you’re a whore and that’s what whores do, they mingle But, whore-pio, you aren’t one to turn down a skank challenge, so get started, slut Your finely-tuned slut skills can create the illusion that you care about metamorphic and igneous rocks Women are objectified as body parts to be used for pleasure and characterized as unintelligent: No one actually listens when you talk, and if they do, I can guarantee they are no longer anywhere near you. So let your cleavage do the talking, not your mouth But be prepared for a particularly embarrassing stroll this week as the snow, ice, and slush will being you to your knees more than once…as if you’re not used to it Hike up that skirt a little more -- no one is looking at your face … It’s all about the calves, the thighs, and the knees You may think you’re witty and charming, but let’s be honest: No one actually listens to you when you talk…let your cleavage do the talking not your mouth Your first geology exam is coming up and there’s no way you’re going to pass it without a little help from your loved eyes. So whip those babies out and introduce yourself to the professor.

If your satire is when a human vice or folly is attacked through irony, derision, or wit, this article was not satire. Repeating the word “whore” frequently does not denounce the stereotyping of women. Objectifying women does not cause readers to notice that women are objectified in society. Sexist “jokes” amount to covert violence as they “serve to reinforce patriarchy by undermining women’s achievements and making violence against them seem trivial” (Bermiller & Schneider, 2008, p.23).

We recognize and respect the history of oppressed individuals and groups “taking back” the derogatory terms aimed at them. We do not view this author’s article as taking back of the word “whore” nor does

it criticize the objectification of women, rather it is a reproduction of negative stereotypes and social constructions that have been and continue to be harmful to females, males, and society.

Finally, while we recognize that journalists have the right to free speech, they (and their publishers) have a responsibility to their audience. The language in this article is embedded with hatred towards women and condones a climate where females are treated poorly and disrespected. Once again, we are hopeful that will be a teachable moment and that we can address our concerns through a dialogue. Please contact us if you would like to have a conversation about these concerns.

Sincerely, The Faculty Learning Community for Understanding and Developing an Inclusive Campus Climate RICHARD BRETZ

BRETZRL@MUOHIO.EDU

STACY BRINKMAN

BRINKMSN@MUOHIO.EDU

JOSEPH CHEATLE

CHEATLJJ@MUOHIO.EDU

KATHLEEN GERMAN

GERMANKM@MUOHIO.EDU

SUZANNE KLATT

KLATTS@MUOHIO.EDU

KATHY MCMAHON-KLOSTERMAN

MCMAHOK@MUOHIO.EDU

JERRY L. SARQUIS

SARQUIJL@MUOHIO.EDU

CAROLYN SLOTTEN

SLOTTECT@MUOHIO.EDU

ZARA TORLONE

TORLONZM@MUOHIO.EDU

JACQUELINE RIOJA VELARDE RIOJAVJD@MUOHIO.EDU

MYSORE NARAYANAN

NARAYAM@MUOHIO.EDU

KAREN O’HARA

OHARAKM@MUOHIO.EDU

THERESA PERKINS

PERKINTJ@MUOHIO.EDU

RICHELLE RENEE FRABOTTA

RABOTRR@MUOHIO.EDU

RONALD SCOTT

SCOTTRB@MUOHIO.EDU

Write TMS Letters must be signed with first and last names to be printed. Please send letters via e-mail to:

miamistudent@muohio.edu or mail to: 17 MacMillan Hall Oxford, Ohio 45056

OpEd Page

THE MIAMI STUDENT

TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2010 ♦ 9

A look at liberal education: Part I

Student perspectives on the Miami Plan Matt Hoffman

Karli Kloss

hoffmamd@muohio.edu

klosskm@muohio.edu

In October 2009, I took the opportunity to use my essay space to vent out a little frustration with the Miami Plan, thinking I was just providing another harmless article to be read and disregarded as many op-ed pieces sadly are. However, I could never have predicted the deluge of responses I received after the essay was published. From decidedly disgruntled faculty members to amused and grateful students, a lot of people had something to say about the Miami Plan. I got in contact with John Tassoni, the head of Liberal Education here at Miami University, and we discussed various possibilities for getting students involved in the LibEd process.

After some brainstorming with my friend student senator Ryan Horvath, we decided to take the issue to Student Senate and see what they could do. After countless emails, meetings, phone calls and cups of coffee we settled on a LibEd forum to be held by Student Senate, but this time, for the students. When the Liberal Education system was adopted in 1986, no students were consulted to contribute in the consortium, and my personal goal is to see that change.

So now I make my call to arms, fellow Miamians. I have heard more stories complaining about the Miami Plan than I could even count. Between hating the science requirements and complaining about superfluous humanities requirements, every student here at Miami has been annoyed to full-blown enraged by some mandatory class or another.

However, none have stepped forward to seek change. The original LibEd forum held in 1986 was done so without any student consultation or representation. I want to see this change. The forum being held by Student Senate is a chance for those with constructive ideas on improving the liberal education to have their voices heard. I would like to send this message to the staff and faculty of Miami: we do not want to see our liberal education system done away with (if we didn’t want a liberal education, we wouldn’t have chosen this school) but we would like to see the classes restructured back toward the original goals.

Tassoni spoke of the Miami Plan “losing its narrative thread” and that is the most eloquent way to phrase it. The four pillars of the Miami Plan are to think critically, engage with other learners, understand concepts and reflect and act upon new knowledge. These are goals any education system should strive for, but I am attesting to the fact that that is not how

many Miami Plan courses are being taught.

Science classes rarely actively engage in all four of these, and it’s understandable with lectures being the size they are. However, it’s not impossible. The ART 188 class I took fall 2009 had more than 140 students and my professor (Ellen Adams) still managed to draw in all the concepts of the Miami Plan and remind us weekly that we were taking a liberal education class. Likewise, Rodney Coates (BWS 151) reminded us every single class of the four concepts of the Miami Plan and sought to demonstrate them in every lecture.

I’m not going to pretend these classes weren’t more work than I had any interest in doing, but in the long run they were the classes I learned the most from. These are the classes that showcase how much one can benefit from a liberal arts education, when it is applied appropriately.

At the forum to be held at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 6 in Pearson 218 we are looking for specific examples of which classes have properly demonstrated a liberal education class, and which classes or areas have fallen short. NOTE: If you want to show up and complain about that D+ you got in geology because it was a boring lecture class and you stopped showing up half way through the semester, I will personally fly home from Luxembourg to kick you out. We do not want, and certainly do not need, un-researched, careless whining. If we as students want the faculty of Miami to take us seriously, we have to provide a well-informed, educated front that is providing constructive criticism. If we want to see change, we have to be willing to act like adults. Do not show up expecting to submit one story and have the science requirements wiped from the records, because as much as I might personally enjoy that, it’s simply not practical, and it’s just not a mature expectation to have. Our goal with this forum is to have student voices on record. We want our administration to acknowledge that we expect more from our education than we are currently getting and we want to see change occur. This is our chance, Miami, to actually transform a part of our education we aren’t satisfied with, and I hope all of you take advantage of this opportunity. You can sit there and complain all you want, but unless you get off your butt and do something about it, you are just proving the faculty right, that we aren’t mature enough to handle the task of taking charge of our education. And I believe we are.

What does it mean to be liberally educated?

Each year I participate in the ritual of selecting a New Year’s resolution and transforming into a self-sacrificing martyr, only to break the resolution about six days later. This year I took a different approach. I promised myself I would be more reflective and begin to question how I think and act in my everyday life.

Simply put, I have become more intentional and purposeful with what I do, what I say and how I think about the world around me.

As I begin to think about my immediate future with graduation fast approaching, this resolution has inspired me to reflect on my time at Miami University. What have I learned? What should I say when employers ask me to speak of my curriculum at Miami?

Do I mention the Miami Plan? How did my Miami degree prepare me for the world after college?

Well, to respond to all of you Miami Plan haters out there: my liberal education at Miami, my “Miami Plan” courses made my education. Moreover, the principles espoused by the plan have made me more articulate, enhanced my ability to collaborate with others and have taught me how to view the world around me with a critical eye (re: the aforementioned resolution). In fact, I can guarantee I would not be the person I am today without these courses and experiences.

Now, before many of you label me as just another lackey for the administration, I beg you to reflect on your own experiences with the Miami Plan, good or bad.

Have you ever left a class that rocked the way in which you conceptualize the world around you? The role of a liberal education is to challenge our long-standing notions and to encourage students to critically analyze what we are learning. I believe this concept is central to our mission as a university — a concept President David Hodge describes as creating engaged students and

“global citizens.” When we leave Miami, we must be prepared to live and lead in an increasingly globalized world.

For me, a liberally educated person is one who can see themselves as members of the global community, integrally intertwined with our neighbors and, at minimum, tolerant of their beliefs. This person should be able to relate concepts across disciplines, thoughtfully question what others see as innate truth and build bridges that benefit all members of society, not just a few. Perhaps these goals are what continually lead to the stigmatization of liberal education as a counterculture to the “rugged individualism” of Americans.

And this is where I wholeheartedly disagree.

This stereotype does, however, demand that we revisualize the role of the individual in society. As trite as it sounds, liberal education encourages students to replace the “me” with “we.”

So, what is the role of a liberally educated person in the world today? Simply put, we are the people who will change the world. We will cross boundaries between disciplines and people. We will find a cure for cancer, while finding and knowing ourselves. We will stop hunger and poverty around the globe, while hungering for truth and justice. And, we will develop socially responsible corporations, responsive to both employees and customers. This is a unique time in the world’s history, and we, the liberally educated, will be the ones who develop and guide the future.

If you are still looking for a New Year’s resolution, it is not too late. You can borrow mine, especially the Class of 2010. I encourage you all to reflect on your experiences at Miami and make connections across all aspects of your college education. While those late-night memories of Mac ‘n Joe’s might last for a lifetime, so will the lessons learned in group projects and from challenging your professors to lively debate.

Liberal education means a lot of things to a lot of people. To some, the Miami Plan is a burden – to others, it is the embodiment of a good education. In an exploration of what liberal education means to those who teach and learn by its precepts, The Miami Student will be printing a series of essays on the subject by students, staff and faculty culminating in an open forum at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 6 in Pearson 218. Liberal Education Council members will be on hand to consider ways the university can improve the substance and implementation of the Miami Plan. We encourage our readers to join in the discourse by sending letters to the editor and attending the forum.

➤ THE MIAMI PLAN

Study abroad enriches education, should be mandatory Study abroad is one of the most meaningful educational experiences many Miami University students undergo during their time as undergraduates. It challenges students to take control of their educational experience and immerse us in cultures that contrast our own. As someone who has studied abroad twice, I wholeheartedly agree with the Global Miami Plan Committee, which concluded October 2007 with a recommendation for a study abroad requirement for graduation.

In some courses of study, a semester abroad is simply necessary. For all languages, a high Brett level of proficiency and cultural understandSchneider ing is not attainable without the experience of living in the culture. Four years of three to six credit hours per semester is insufficient for students to reach fluency in a language. Miami has the opportunity to give its students a comparative advantage in job hiring by pushing for foreign language fluency. Studying abroad is not limited to those with language majors or minors. With almost every major there are opportunities for significant, supplemental knowledge from going abroad; math majors could study famous math theories in

Germany, art history majors could focus on baroque style in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Although acknowledgement of study abroad as beneficial for college students is nearly universal, the more debatable policy proposal is that study abroad should be a requirement for graduation. There are three hurdles that make the potential requirement undesirable: admission, cost and time.

Elizabeth Miller originally advanced the argument of admission Oct. 28, 2007 in an op-ed piece in The Miami Student. She argued there was already a lack of diversity on Miami’s campus and this policy would further limit the variety of students who choose Miami. Generally, a propensity to study abroad lies with white, upper-middle socioeconomic class students, so adding the policy would discourage less wealthy students from attending Miami. I disagree, but unfortunately neither Elizabeth nor I have statistics to back up our arguments.

Secondly, the cost of study abroad is greater than staying in Oxford. However, spending a semester abroad, rather than a summer, alleviates a lot of the opportunity cost, because in the summer another option is working to make money. According to the program’s Web site, studying in India is only about $1,000 more per semester than studying in Oxford. The Luxemburg

program’s Web site suggests an all-inclusive cost 15-25 percent higher than a semester of study at Miami. When one considers the myriad of scholarships and grants available to Miami students, and the necessary creation of new scholarships, cost does not have to be a major caveat. Then, for those students still burdened by the additional cost to attending Miami, a waiver can be created that, if signed by a financial adviser, placates this requirement for graduation.

A liberal waiver system can also be used to address the matter of time. Some majors, like engineering, have enough requirements that, combined with the Miami plan, make studying abroad impossible without additional time beyond four years of study. Allowing academic advisers to waive the requirement would provide students the opportunity to opt out of study abroad programs.

This system would make dodging the requirement simpler, which would limit the impact of the policy but would not prevent any impact. Miami already has high study abroad numbers compared to other universities, but matriculating participation above 80 percent would make Miami stand out. As the university seeks to strategically lure top students, creating a mandatory study abroad policy with no additional cost should be a high priority.

➤ ESSAY

No inner child left behind; adulthood stymies nimble thinking What are you doing right now, if you don’t mind me asking? Sitting in class, the dining hall, the library, something like that? Reading the paper to avoid giving attention to any of your more immediate problems? What are those if you don’t mind my prying? You don’t say … you’re unhappy with your weight?

You’re having trouble focusing on schoolwork? You’re stressed out about finding a job?

The recession? Wow, you sure have a loaded plate. I wish I had an easy solution to any or all of those issues. But wait! Bam! This just came to me! Let’s murder your inner child!

Don’t give me that look. Let’s think about this like adults. You’ve had an inner child for around 20 years. Maybe it started as a necessity, existing as your “self” while you occupied yourself with gumming Ritz crackers into slime and soiling diapers. Maybe it gave

you a quick hand when you were in a creative pinch with a particularly masterful finger painting or freehand Lego spaceship. What do we need creativity or a sense of wonder for nowadays when our only goal should be to become healthy, wealthy adults? Our inner child persists only to foul up our plans. What is its practical use? Whenever we can’t concentrate on a given task, feel poor or bloated, you can bet it has something to do with our inner child mulling over some sort of superfluous creative enterprise. Since we have matured physically, hasn’t our creative counterweight grown obsolete? Yes. Yes it has. And it must die.

Still not with me? Imagine being able to read through an entire chapter of your finance book without getting distracted. Imagine the money you’d save by not having to feed the

child inside you. Lastly, imagine how easy the transition into adulthood will be now that you don’t have a choice! You’ll snag a job in no time. You’ll probably be married with kids by the end of the month.

Alright, now that you are on board, we can get to the meat of the issue: killing your inner child. They only surface for brief moments in times of extreme joy, fascination and other childish expressions that have become mostly derelict in our adult lives. The key, I believe, is in luring it out with tempting stimuli before smashing it into a disembodied pulp. There are a myriad of options, each as equally effective as the last. Be warned, though, should you try to kill it and fail, it may retaliate. I’ve heard horror stories about students being hijacked by their vindictive inner children .

Because of the inherent danger, quick as-

sassination isn’t right for all of us. Many of us need to take it slowly, poisoning our inner child over a number of years. This solution is much simpler and can actually be supported by the government if you play your hand right.

It’s a new system that forces you to limit your academic curiosity to one subject, thus starving your inner child. If there’s one thing inner children hate, it’s specialization, and this program has plenty of it. All it takes is four years of laborious commitment to this specialization station to shed your creative anchor and be ready for adulthood. Brilliant, right? What kind of billionaire celebrity socialite do you have to be to join this system, you ask? You of all people shouldn’t worry: you’re in it.

Bill York

yorkwj@muohio.edu

THE MIAMI STUDENT

10 ♦ TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2010

HOCKEY

continued from page 1

“Not many Miami teams have made it to the Joe,” sophomore net minder Connor Knapp said.

“Even though we’ve had a lot of success the last five years, not many of them have gone to the Joe. Our seniors have only been there once. It’s a big honor to make it there.”

The Brotherhood had to battle hard to get back to “The Joe,” as the Buckeyes’ overtime win Saturday forced a game three. In the end, outstanding goaltending by Knapp backed his team all the way to a gritty 2-1 victory in front of a frenetic Goggin Ice Center crowd.

“It’s what we expected,” Miami Head Coach Enrico Blasi said. “Do or die, game seven, if you will. I thought both teams played their hearts out. I don’t know if you can ask for anything more from either team. We just got one more bounce than they did. They really came after us.”

The Red and White set the tempo in the first frame of Sunday’s rubber match, outshooting the Buckeyes 10-2. Scoring opportunities seemed to be a click off, though, and the scoreboard showed 0-0 going into the first intermission.

At 9:15 of the middle stanza, Miami broke through with a Cameron Schilling blast from the top of the right circle. Junior Vincent LoVerde sent a crossing pass to the sophomore blue liner, and Schilling’s wrister found its way through traffic and into the back of the net.

The Scarlet and Gray played with a desperate intensity that imperiled the RedHawks’ marginal lead, and the Buckeyes outshot the Brotherhood 21-14 in the final two frames. Backed by Knapp, the Red and White weathered the onslaught, and sophomore Alden Hirschfeld’s insurance goal at 10:15 in the third was just what Miami needed to tighten the collar. The forward took a feed from junior captain Tommy Wingels and slid the puck behind OSU junior goalie Dustin Carlson from just outside the crease to make it 2-0.

“We did a really good job (of limiting chances) in the first and second,” Blasi said. “Once we got that first one that was huge for us. You want to be playing from the lead.”

As the clock wound down, the Buckeyes frantically tried to keep their season alive and saw their efforts pay off when junior center C.J. Severyn reduced Miami’s lead to one at 14:20. With sophomore Will Weber in the box for cross-checking, OSU managed to solve the RedHawks’ penalty kill (PK) and a perfectly placed one-timer by Severyn sliced past a sprawling Knapp.

“(OSU’s) season was on the line and we knew Brotherhood, and the final score stood at 6-2. they were going to come out hard,” Knapp said.

On Saturday, the Buckeyes shocked the Red “We knew we had to match their intensity and and White by going up 3-0, the largest deficit Mistay within our game plan and we executed.” ami has faced all season. Sophomore standout Zac With 1:33 remaining in regulation, sophomore Dalpe capitalized on the first penalty of the game defenseman Matt Tomassoni delivered a punish- with a power play goal just 2:21 into the opening ing open ice hit to an OSU icer that garnered a trip stanza. Junior Patrick Schafer pushed the lead to to the sin bin, putting Miami at a dangerous man two when he went top shelf at 17:24. disadvantage against the red hot Buckeyes. The Early in the second, freshman Steven Spinell Red and White caught a fast break when OSU ju- laid Bishop out with a nasty check from behind, nior Kyle Reed was whistled for interference 22 garnering a five minute major penalty and game seconds later, evening the field. OSU Head Coach misconduct. Just minutes after he lay crumpled in John Markell pulled Carlson in an attempt to tilt the corner, Bishop exacted his revenge with a goal the ice at 19:03, but Knapp stood tall all the way at 6:57.

Sophomore Trent Vogelhuber finally broke to the final buzzer. The ecstatic RedHawks converged on the ice in celebration, and Knapp was through for Miami at 14:49 of the middle frame named the game’s first star for his exceptional with a shot past Carlson’s glove side.

Less than four minutes later, junior Pat Cannone efforts in the 2-1 victory.

“It was a fun atmosphere, obviously,” Blasi pulled the Red and White within one with a wrist shot through traffic, said. “Nerve-wracking and the score stood 3-2 for the coaches because going into the second we have no say in it. But I intermission. thought (OSU) threw evSophomore Matt erything at us. We blocked Bartkowski blasted a some shots. They missed shot from the blue line the net.” just four seconds into Every game was a war, an OSU power play and fans that cut their at 14:55 in the third spring breaks short to to put the Buckeyes attend Friday and Saturahead 4-2. day’s contests certainly The RedHawks regot their money’s worth. fused to give up, and Miami was forced to staged an epic rally battle from behind both effort at the 11th hour. nights with mixed results.

MICHAEL GRIGGS The Miami Student LoVerde’s shorthandAfter OSU junior Hunter Bishop dismantled Miami’s early lead on Friday, ed tally at 16:58 got things rolling, and Cannone’s the Red and White dug deep and responded with outstanding individual effort led to a goal at five unanswered goals to go up one in the best- 18:40 that sent the game into a 20-minute sudden of-three series. On Saturday, the Red and White death overtime.

Though the Red and White had all of the morallied from a three goal deficit to send the game into overtime, but ultimately fell 5-4 to the Scarlet mentum going into the fourth frame, OSU junior Sergio Somma put the game away before and Gray, forcing the extra session.

Game one featured paired scoring, with a trio Miami could complete its rally effort, forcing of players netting two goals apiece. Junior Andy Miami to work overtime for its eventual ticket to Miele netted the first lamplighter at 11:32 of the Joe Louis Arena.

The road gets rockier from here as the Brotheropening stanza and added a power play goal at 16:28 of the second that chased Carlson from hood will face its nemesis from the north — the goal. The center also had two assists on the night. Michigan Wolverines — in Friday’s semifinal Bishop was another player who found success game. The Maize and Blue upset rival Michiin pairs. The Fairbanks, Alaska native tallied two gan State to advance to the next round and pose goals 6:10 apart in the first frame to erase Miele’s a definite threat to Miami. Should the RedHawks early lead and turn the tables on the Red and White prevail, the championship game will take place Saturday night in Detroit. with a 2-1 OSU advantage.

“Michigan’s Michigan and they’re going to Junior Carter Camper’s two goals at the start of the second stopped the Buckeyes’ rally effort cold come after you and you better be ready,” Blasi and reinstated the RedHawks in the lead. Senior said. “And they’re at home, if you will. It’s going Jarod Palmer and Hirschfeld also found net for the to be exciting and should be a lot of fun.”

LOGOS

continued from page 1 Confusion arose after the logo was not approved, as RHA had used similar logos and wording the past two years, according to Kirkham. Kirkham had also seen various logos across campus, such as that for Program Board’s RedHawk Romance, which would not have been approved by Allen due to the use of the word RedHawk.

“We were getting penalized for going through the process in the correct way,” Kirkham said. “Other organizations obviously didn’t get things approved or they would not have been allowed to use the word RedHawk.”

After working with Allen, Assistant Athletic Director Josh Fenton and others, RHA was given permission to use word.

“Our policies are evolutionary,” Allen said. “But we try to keep RedHawks, as much as possible, specific to athletics.”

Fenton agreed.

“We decided if we allowed other to use the word, student groups, student organizations, club sports, then we could foster a little more in terms of school spirit,” Fenton said.

“But the actual use of the logo, we’re still restrictive on that. It’s the ICA (Intercollegiate Athletics) mark for the RedHawks.”

To approve a design for a student organization, visit http://www.muohio.edu/ trademark_licensing to download the request form. The form must be turned in to 14 Roudebush Hall before any printing is done. An online submission form will be available soon.

THE MIAMI STUDENT

TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2010 ♦ 11

MU graduate publishes book about college, work experiences

By Gabbriel Madden

could and has amounted to something.

He said much of what he wrote was very controversial and his book talks Have you ever written a paper for about these controversies as well as class that you just knew would get other experiences at Miami. an “A” but in getting that paper back, “Definitely 85 percent of the peofound a big fat “F?” Well, imagine if ple in the book went to Miami,” that were a book you were trying to Markley said. publish and every publisher responded Markley is excited to return to Miami to your book in that way. and share his book.

Miami University graduate Stephen “Miami meant a great deal to me and Markley knows that feeling. still does,” Markley said. “I am happy Markley, who graduated in 2006 to go back and contribute.” as a creative writing major, recently Eric Goodman, director of the creative published his first writing program at work titled Publish Miami, said it is This Book. important to bring “It’s a book about “I got a lot of hate mail college alumni saying ‘you’ll never me trying to publish a back to campus book,” Markley said. amount to anything.” not only to honor He said he came up them and show with the idea simply them we are proud, STEPHEN MARKLEY out of desperation. but for the current AUTHOR ‘PUBLISH THIS BOOK’ Markley said afstudents as well. ter many failed at“Once you tempts at trying to meet someone publish his works who is a pubof fiction, he decided to turn to lishing writer it seems doable,” non-fiction.

Goodman said.

“I wanted to be an NBA player first Sophomore Sean Kennedy, an Engbut that didn’t turn out well so I went lish literature major, finds Markley very with the second goal,” Markley said, inspirational. who always wanted to be a writer.

“I’ve tried to have short stories pubIn college, Markley got his name out lished and it’s hard to get noticed,” there by writing for The Miami Stu- Kennedy said. dent and claims his writings were often Markley will be returning to Miami very controversial. to do a reading from his new book at “I got a lot of hate mail saying ‘you’ll 7:30 p.m. March 29 in Leonard Theater never amount to anything,’” Markley in Peabody Hall. said, which is one reason he’s so excitMarkley plans to continue writed about finally getting published. ing and is already working on Markley said this book proves that he another book.

For The Miami Student

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Community

THE MIAMI STUDENT

Fire department creates wellness plan

By Jen Gault

For The Miami Student

The Middletown Fire Department is putting more time and research into the health of their firefighters by implementing health and wellness programs with funds of $80,000 from the Department of Homeland Security.

According to Middletown Fire Chief Steve Botts, the money will go toward focusing on firefighter health and awareness in each of the five Middletown fire stations. The programs will focus on three primary areas — medical surveillance of all firefighters that includes Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) physicals, creating peer fitness experts and exercise.

“What we have learned is that if you want to get equipment out there, you have to have the training and education first,” Botts said.

Botts said the main cause of death among people each year in the United States is cardiovascular problems. According to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Web site (http://www.iaff.org/), every year more than 50 percent of line of duty deaths in the fire service are related to health and wellness issues.

“This is no surprise to what is killing firefighters,” Botts said.

According to Botts, the first aspect of the program will give firefighters their baseline physicals. These physicals will check their cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure. Each firefighter will use a software program that

monitors his individual goals.

The next step is to create peer fitness experts to run the program.

These fitness trainers will be volunteers who have a background in education and fitness. There will be six trainers, two working each of the three shifts. Botts said the trainers have not been selected as of yet, and the fire department is still in the process of receiving volunteers.

Training for the peer fitness experts consists of a two-week program, which entails 80 hours of instruction. After the training is complete, the trainers must pass a competency test and upon doing so they will administer the program as outlined by the IAFF and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).

Exercise equipment will be distributed throughout the five fire stations, with a total of 10 pieces of equipment. Each station will have two pieces of equipment such as a stepper, treadmill or bike. Two of the five stations will also have a universal piece of equipment.

Miami University senior Chris Overton thinks the grant money for the fire department was well overdue.

“I think firefighters are true heroes and deserve much more (money) than that … the government gives banks billions of dollars in bailouts, yet firefighters are just now getting anything,” Overton said.

Botts said the value of the program is going to be both tangible and intangible. Seeing fewer workmen’s compensation claims will be the tangible aspect of the program, while boosting

the morale of the firefighters will be intangible.

“The research has shown that when you put money on the front end in wellness, you are going to see more people working at a lesser cost able to respond to the emergency,” Botts said.

Brian Gault, Seven Mile volunteer firefighter, thinks the grant money is a great asset to Middletown Fire Department.

“It is important for us (firefighters) to be in good health,” he said. “We have to save people when needed, and it could be at any time.”

According to Botts, the Hamilton Fire Department has been participating in the same program for the last few years. They have been successful, which is partly why Middletown made an application for the program.

Captain Steve Timmer oversees the health and wellness programs at Hamilton Fire Department.

Timmer said the department is in its fifth year of participating in the program and has just gotten back their physicals for this year and has seen great results.

“It has done real well for us,” Timmer said. “It caught a cardiovascular problem in one of our guys in his 30s that would never have been caught, so the program works.”

The program is recognized nationally and the fire chiefs and firefighters have come together to make some positive changes in their daily routines.

“Nothing will devastate an organization more than the death of an employee in the line of duty,” Botts said.

When you’re finished reading

The Miami Student,

TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2010 ♦ 12

Duke Energy overcharges customers

By Bethany Bruner Staff Writer

Some Ohio Duke Energy customers got a bit of a shock two weeks before spring break when they found that their bills were higher than normal due to an error in billing estimates.

Sally Thelen, communications manager for the Ohio and Kentucky regions of Duke Energy, said the high estimate was the result of an error in the formula used to calculate billing estimates.

“Estimated billing is a common practice in the industry,” Thelen said.

“It’s something we do when there’s inclement weather and we don’t feel the drivers and meter readers can safely get out to do their jobs.”

Using this practice with the unusually large snowfall in February resulted in errors on four cycles of bills.

This error affected just under 7 percent of Duke’s Midwest territory, according to Thelen, which is approximately 85,000 customers. Of those 85,000 with high estimates, 60,000 are Ohio residents.

Miami University uses Duke Energy on campus, but Rick Costello, an engineering designer in the physical facilities department, said the university was not affected by the error, only residential customers were.

Miami junior Jackie Shapiro, who uses Duke Energy at her off-campus residence, may have been affected by the error.

Shapiro said she did not even know Duke had made errors and usually just skips over the part of the bill that tells how the amount charged was derived.

“This month (our bill) was $50 to $70 higher than normal,” Shapiro said. “We just assumed it was the cold weather, though.”

Thelen said Duke Energy started hearing Tuesday, Feb. 23 from customers who were concerned their

bill was too high.

After discovering the error, the company began to call affected customers the night of Feb. 23.

“We are lucky we were able to single out who was affected by the billing cycles,” Thelen said. “Now we’re working on communicating the billing error.”

Shapiro said she was not familiar with the procedures for billing for utilities, but estimates make her nervous.

“If they’re just estimating, they could make an error like this,” Shapiro said.

Thelen said she had no knowledge of any incidents like this occurring before.

“It’s a unique situation unfortunately, but we’re hoping it’s an isolated incident,” Thelen said.

An isolated incident is exactly what Shapiro hopes the error was as well and she would be interested in an alternative.

“If I discovered they were making errors, I might look into finding some other company,” Shapiro said. “If there were more options, I would consider looking into other companies, but Duke is so prominent in Oxford that it would take some research.”

According to the City of Oxford Web site, all Oxford residents use Duke Energy. Numbers are still unavailable for the number of Oxford or Butler County residents directly affected by the overestimate.

According to Duke, the billing cycles affected were numbered 9-12.

To see if your bill was included in the cycles, look at the account number in the top left corner. If the last two numbers are 09, 10, 11 or 12, your bill could have been affected.

For more information, visit http:// www.duke-energy.com/kentucky/ billing/billingerror.asp?promo=Ismy-latest-bill-correct?&f=sm or call 1-800-544-6900 with questions.

please recycle!

S R E T I WR WANTED!

The MiamiStudent is looking for beat reporters and staff writers.

E-mail Erin at fischeee@muohio.edu.

THE MIAMI STUDENT

TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2010 ♦ 13

Hydrations to change hours based on need, events

By Mandi Cardosi For The Miami Student

Students may be noticing more options around campus from housing, dining and guest services (HDGS) and also may have been hearing rumors about Hydrations, in the Recreational Sports Center (RSC), closing.

Yet, according to Maureen Case, general food service manager, these accusations are false. Hydrations has made some changes to its hours but the times are simply being placed where there is more demand.

The service bases its hours on what events are going on any given week.

On a weekly basis, the administration decides when they will be open that weekend due to the activities taking place at the RSC. Case said they are proud of the smoothies produced there since they are unique to any other location on campus. Case said they sell about 150 smoothies and use more than 1,600 oranges per day.

“The majority of students who come here are at the Rec Center to work out, so they might get a smoothie when they’re done,” Case said. “We’ve been selling self-branded smoothies for the past three years … you can’t find them anywhere else.”

Case said there are currently 10 smoothies to choose from and there is always a milkshake of the month. Case said Hydrations also offers support to events held by the RSC and sometimes they will even help support events at Goggin Ice Arena.

A lot of fruit, wraps and salads are sold at Hydrations, according to Case. She explained the purpose of these types of foods is the idea

SAMANTHA LUDINGTON The Miami Student

Students wait in line for a hard-earned smoothie after working on their fitness. Hydrations changes its hours based on student activities. of the student being able to “grab it and go.”

First-year Aaren Henry utilizes the convenience of Hydrations at least three times a week.

“I like all of the smoothies, but my favorite is probably berry banana,” Henry said, “I work out about three times a week, and I usually get a smoothie before or after my workouts.”

HDGS has been making some minor adjustments doing research to find out what it is students expect of their services.

Mike Mitroi, associate director for dining and culinary support services, said Miami University has been making various additions to their food services for several years, and each food service location on campus has its own accommodations.

“Each location is unique to the specific area on campus,” Mitroi said. “They all contribute to the (student’s) experience here at Miami.”

Mitroi said they try to focus on what is needed, and make the necessary changes. The dining services collaborate with the managers of each location, and constantly make modifications to suit

students’ needs. Sometimes these needs are met by making changes to the menu, or modifying the location or hours, Mitroi said.

General Manager of Alexander Dining Hall Mary Donnell said students on Western campus may have noticed a missing piece of the dining hall. Donnell said there is no need to worry, because Uncle Phil’s Deli will be back.

HDGS administration is simply working on a more convenient way for students to order sandwiches, according to Donnell and Mitroi.

The solution was to offer smoothies at the same location. Shortly, students will be able to order their own

unique sandwiches and wraps where they can also get a smoothie.

Donnell said the changes were simply a way of “enhancing the menu” and adjusting to the students based on what the management observes on a daily basis.

HDGS likes to think of the students, and tries to make their experience as enjoyable as possible, Mitroi said, every dining hall has unique characteristics to it, based on where it is located on campus.

According to Mitroi, the administration is doing their best to keep their eyes and ears open in order to serve each quad and student to their best ability.

CUDI

continued from page 2 finalized, a Facebook.com event titled “KiD CuDi at Miami!!” was created.

Hoffman said the event was created on Friday, Feb. 26, and by the following Monday there were over 4,000 confirmed guests.

“That’s a pretty good sign that the students here are excited,” he said.

According to Senior Kyle Baldwin, news of the KiD CuDi performance has already spread beyond the Miami campus.

“I’ve already had a couple of friends from my hometown who go to OU (Ohio University) talk to me about it, seeing if they can get tickets,” Baldwin said.

As of March 15, the “KiD CuDi at Miami!!” Facebook event has 4,951 confirmed guests.

There are a total of 5,420 seats and not all spots have been filled. Tickets are still available for public sale and can be purchased up until Tuesday, March 30 at the Shriver Box Office.

DORMS

continued from page 2 is the law and it’s up to the judge to interpret the law.”

While this is an idea that will help protect Miami students from issues resulting from illegal intoxication and sexual violence, it is up to students to determine if allowing themselves to get in situations where they may get caught is worth the consequences.

“My advice to students is to never be intoxicated under 21,” Deters said. “Ultimately, it’s up to the police officers to interpret the law. What’s the cost? Know the law, but don’t test it. Think of the long run suffering, it is too much of a price to pay.”

Community

THE MIAMI STUDENT

Ohio grants record number of concealed carry permits

By Tom Segell Senior Staff Writer

Attorney General Richard Cordray recently announced a record number of concealed handgun licenses in the state of Ohio in 2009.

According to the report, entitled 2009 Concealed Carry Annual Report, Butler County ranked 6th on the list while Hamilton County placed 4th. Franklin County led all counties in permits obtained.

The report found that the number of new concealed carry licenses granted was 56,691.

Cordray’s office declines to speculate on why there is a record spike in weapons permits.

Oxford Police Department (OPD) Sergeant Jim Squance believes the increase can be attributed to events occurring in Washington.

“A lot of people went out and did it because of the political climate,” Squance said. “When the new administration came in, the

NRA (National Rifle Association) thought there would be restrictions put on the law, and a lot of people wanted to get their permit before things changed.”

Miami University junior Chris Rubey was not aware of the prevalence of concealed firearms in Ohio.

“That’s scary to wonder who’s getting those weapons and why,” Rubey said. “I think it could deal with more city growth leading to more urban poverty. More urban poverty generally leads to more gangs or drug sales and can then lead to needing concealed weapons.”

Squance has not seen Butler County’s high rank in numbers of concealed weapons reflected in Oxford.

“We haven’t run across people who have permits,” Squance said.

“For us, it’s been a non-issue. I can’t really say what the disadvantages are because we haven’t seen any.”

Should somebody with a concealed weapon permit be stopped

by the police, there is a protocol that is followed.

“We initiate a vehicle stop, run the license plates and we’re aware of that before we approach the car,” Squance said. “By law if they have a weapon on them, they are supposed to keep their hands on the steering wheel and they have to tell the officer.”

Some people, like junior Daniel Robb, find the influx of concealed weapons unnerving.

“I don’t feel comfortable in a place where more people are carrying concealed weapons,” Robb said. “More people might want weapons because they might not feel as safe in public anymore.”

First-year Greg DiRienzo attributed the rise in weapons to turbulent times in America.

“I think more people would carry firearms for security reasons, or maybe it’s a reflection of the tough economic time where the overall American morale is at a low standard,” DiRienzo said.

Do yo’ homework

SCOTT ALLISON The Miami Student

First-years Taylor Seitz (left), Zach Drago (middle) and sophomore Alec Lucke (right) study Monday while enjoying frozen yogurt at the recently opened BTO Yogurt.

TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2010 ♦ 14

HITCHENS continued from page 1

instinct that this was a ridiculous thing for anyone to be teaching me. It was the wrong way of teaching nature and a stupid way of imposing religion.”

Hitchens worried for a while his skepticism might be considered taboo, but he later realized others had come to conclusions similar to his own.

“I kept it to myself for a bit,” Hitchens said. “But as I got older, I met more and more people who had come to the same conclusion independently that religion is foolish, and not in a good way.”

Hitchens said although he and many others are able to recognize the absurdity of religion, plenty of people continue to blindly accept as truth everything their religious leaders say. He described implications of blind faith, the most pressing in his opinion being the actions of the pope and the Roman Catholic Church.

“The new pope is attempting to impose a more awful conservative version of Catholicism on millions of people,” Hitchens said. “The official line of the pope is that condoms are worse than AIDS … they believe people in Africa and elsewhere should not have access to prophylactics, and as a result a lot more people get AIDS.” Hitchens said the danger of religion extends into the U.S. “There are organized right-wing Christian forces in the United States who don’t think scientific conclusions of biologists and physicists should be accepted, and that we should all be taught that we are created instead of evolved,” Hitchens said. “We are not created, we evolved. No serious person can possibly argue about this anymore. We have pretty much wound up that argument, but there are people who just don’t want to admit it, and this is pathetic.”

Alexandra Newman, events coordinator for Secular Students

of Miami (SSM), the group sponsoring Hitchens’ speech, hopes the event will open the minds of Miami students.

“This is an educational event; it’s not attacking people who are religious,” Newman said. “My hope is people will be open to listening to this … people should come with an open mind.”

Newman said one of SSM’s goals is to promote healthy skepticism in everything, including the open, rational and scientific examination of the universe and our place in it. After reading Hitchens’ book, Newman thought a speech by Hitchens would help accomplish this goal as well as some of SSM’s others, such as advocating for the separation of church and state, something explicitly stated in the U.S. Constitution.

After growing up in a nation in which religion is forced on the public, Hitchens doesn’t understand why some Americans reject the notion of separation of church and state.

“It upsets me that in a country like America, which has a secular constitution that separates the church and the state, there are people who want to overturn that and have religion imposed on people,” Hitchens said.

First-year Kendall Christerson, who attends non-denominational Christian services once or twice every couple months, thinks students at Miami can benefit from attending Hitchens’ speech.

“I think people should definitely open their minds to it and see what it is,” Christerson said. “They don’t have to agree with it, but they should listen. Maybe (afterward) they’ll step back and analyze their own beliefs.”

Hitchens’ speech will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 17 in the Taylor Auditorium in the Farmer School of Business. A book signing will immediately follow the speech.

“We’re going to have to call the enemy by its right name now,” Hitchens said. “Faith is the problem here –– people who will believe anything they’re told and think it gives them special rights because they’re believers. This has to be resisted.”

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THE MIAMI STUDENT

TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2010 ♦ 15

Sports

WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD

By Andrew Tonne Staff Writer

SOFTBALL

MICHAEL GRIGGS The Miami Student

Sophomore standout Jessica Simpson pitches a shutout against University of Connecticut March 5.

By Nick Bonaventura Staff Writer

Miami University’s women’s softball team was busy in action over spring break competing in both the Miken Classic and the Husky Softball Classic.

The ’Hawks went 5-6 in the two tournaments, and their record now stands at 8-10 on the season.

Miami began the Miken Classic on a positive note, with shutout victories over the University of Connecticut and Florida A&M University. Sophomore pitcher Jessica Simpson led Miami to a 2-0 victory of the Huskies, while senior pitcher Meredith Linch was just one out away from a no-hitter in a 3-0 win over the Rattlers in the nightcap.

The next day of the Miken Classic saw Miami fall in eight innings to Florida Atlantic University, 4-3. The Red and White would then go on to lose their final two games of the classic, 4-0 to 18th ranked Florida State University

and 8-0 to Michigan State University.

In Miami’s only non-tournament game, they earned a 1-0 win over Seattle University in 10 innings. Junior catcher Jenna McGivney had the game-winning RBI in the top of the 10th. Simpson worked out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the inning to secure the victory.

The ’Hawks began play in the Husky Softball Classic by losing to the top-ranked University of Washington 3-0. The following day, Miami defeated Portland State University 4-1 behind solid pitching from Simpson and two RBIs from senior Alicia Hogl. Miami also lost for the second straight day to Washington, 6-3. The Red and White then concluded play in the Husky Classic, losing to Portland State University 6-3 and defeating Seattle University 2-0. Simpson led the way in the victory with her second complete game shutout of the young season.

The RedHawks return to action March 16 at home against Western Illinois University.

Redshirt sophomore Rachel Patterson was the lone Miami University women’s track and field runner to compete at the indoor Alex Wilson Invitational at Notre Dame University (ND).

Placing seventh in the 5,000 meter run, her time of 16:47.84 is the second-fastest time in Miami indoor history, but she failed to top her own record of 16:40.13, set Feb. 6 at the Meyo Invitational, which ND hosted as well.

Saturday saw two more ’Hawks competing at the Alex Wilson Invitational for spots in the NCAA Indoor Championships. Junior Kelley Miller competed in the mile run, taking ninth with a time of 4:47.12, which is less than a second off of her school record time of 4:46.38 that she set on Jan. 29 at the Indiana Relays. With her time Saturday, Miller now holds the top three fastest times in the event in school history.

Senior Amanda Mirochna was the second RedHawk to compete at the invitational. Her eighth place finish in the 3,000 meter run, with a time of 9:39.80, fell short of her school record of 9:31.98, which she set at the Meyo Invitational.

Despite strong performances from the three runners, they failed to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships, which were held on March 12 and 13. The RedHawk runners begin their outdoor season March 26 to 27 at the Vanderbilt Black and Gold Invitational in Nashville, Tennessee.

FURBEE

continued from page 18 key is to figure out which one will do it this year. Try and study both teams to see if the 12 seed is on a roll or played a tough non-conference schedule you could pick the upset of the tourney.

No. 5 First instinct. Go with your gut, it’s how I’ve taken most of my exams throughout life. Nine times out of 10 it’s right.

No. 6 Flip a coin. If worse comes to worst, grab Mr. Lincoln or Mr. Washington and let him decide for you, because in essence all the tournament is anyway is a big flip of the coin.

If anyone does end up winning big off of these tips, I will be accepting donations for my services through my e-mail. Happy picking.

HPV Fact #8: Guys can’t get screened for HPV. So there’s no way to know if a guy has the virus or is passing it on.

HPV Fact #12: Condoms may not fully protect against HPV—the virus that can cause cervical cancer.

Why risk it Visit your campus health center. hpv.com Copyright © 2010 Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.

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16

March 16, 2010

The Miami Student Oldest university paper in the United States, established in 1826 News 513-529-2257 Editorial 513-529-2259 Business 513-529-2210 Fax 513-529-1893

Catherine Couretas

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For Rent

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ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS on campus. Meetings every Monday 8 9 p.m. at Campus Ministry Center, 16 S. Campus Ave. For more information call 529-4634

HOUSE FOR RENT - 111 BERN ST 3 Bedroom Available June 1, 2010. Located across from campus.

Kitchen, dining room living room and full basement with washer and dryer.

513-867-4747

apartments available FOR 2010-2011. 108 South Main St. (behind “Pour House”). Permit for 3. $2000/person/semester. Large kitchen & living room. Really close to Uptown & Campus. Off-street Parking. Call Daniel 513-543-4470 www.miamiuniversityrentals.com

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Call 1-800-722-4791 survey takers needed: Make $5-$25 per survey.

GetPaidToThink.com Great Summer Jobs! Oxford Park PARKS AND RECREATION Pool Supervisor $9.00/hr Lifeguard $8.00/hr Water Safety Instructor $8.50/hr Pool and Park Concession Cashier $7.50/hr Summer Camp Leaders $7.50/hr Summer Snooper Day Camp Instructor $8.00-$9.00/hr Field Hockey Instructor $7.50/hr For more information please call 523-6314

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Please mail or fax application to: Human Resources 101 East High Street Oxford, Ohio 45056 Fax# 523-7769 FUN and REWARDING Summer Job OPPORTUNITIES in CINCINNATI! Enjoy the out-doors while leading and teaching children recreational activities as a summer day camp counselor. Weekdays 9:30 AM ñ 3:30 PM. Positions include: archery, arts & crafts, basketball, drama & singing, gymnastics, maintenance, male group counselors, rifle, swimming instructors (current life guarding required, WSI preferred), team sports and other activity leaders. Camp Session: June 21 to July 30. Pre-camp work available in May; staff training held 5/22 & 5/29 & evening 5/28. Cincinnati location near Winton Woods.

Call Camp Wildbrook 513-931-2196 or email Campwildbrook@cinci.rr.com Earn $1000-$3200 a month to drive our brand new cars with ads placed on them. www.YouDriveAds.com

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

OXFORD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH will have a special service at 10:00 a.m. this Sunday, March 21, to celebrate the history of our Reformed Presbyterian heritage. There will be a procession with banners and bag pipes. Worship Leaders: Drs. Barbara and Mark Barnes, CoPastors, and Dr. Joseph Hookey, Dr. Bruce Bueschel, Rev. Diane Ziegler.

All are welcome! 513-523-6364

For Rent 2 BR TOWNHOUSE 2 BR TOWNHOUSE FOR RENT NOW RENTING for fall ’10-’11. Great Location one block from campus: 22 E Central.

Well maintained. Large spacious rooms. Off-street parking. Call First Financial Bank (513) 867-5576.

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.

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SINGLES AVAILABLE FOR RENT NEXT YEAR Contact Red Brick at 513.524.9340 for more information. www.redbrickoxford.com Condos for Rent 2010/11 Two bedroom townhouse permit for 4, $1,125 per stu. per sem. & One bedroom flat permit for 2, $1,500 per stu. per sem. Fully Furnished, includes washer & dryer, Private bus service to Shriver Center. www.odcproperties. com 513-255-4100

FULLY FURNISHED CONDOMINIUMS *Off-street Parking *Washer/Dryer in each unit *Private Bus Service *24-Hour On-Site Mgmt. *Community Clubhouse Excellent Rates for 2010-2011 CALL TODAY! 513-523-7571

LIVE ABOVE CHIPOTLE! The Lofts at 1 W High have a recent opening for next year. 4 person unit.

Be a part of Oxford’s most desirable building. Contact our office today for a tour 513-524-9340. www.redbrickoxford.com Hurry! One Room Left! 1 W High Three female students looking for a fourth. Only one more roommate opening for Fall 2010/Spring 2011 at the new 1 West High Street Apartments. The best location Uptown Call Mary for a tour! 815-274-0059

House for Rent 2010-11 114 E. Chestnut; 3 bedrooms; washer & dryer; central air; nice yard; great location near Rec.; rent is negotiable 937-548-0249 after 5:00

Available 2010-11 Two Northridge condos. Two and 3 bedroom w/2 full baths each. Large living room, fully equipped kitchen, and laundry w/washer/dryer. Clean and nice! $2200. per student per semester or $800. month total. Call Ginny 513-255-0433 or 513-523-1167

REDUCED! GET MORE FOR LESS 2010-2011 SCHOOL YEAR, MIAMI COMMONS - 4 BEDROOM / 2 FULL BATHS, FULLY FURNISHED CONDO, PRIVATE BUS SERVICE, CLUBHOUSE W/FULL AMENDITIES, RECENTLY RENOVATED, 4 STUDENTS @ $1125, 3 @ $1450 or 2 @ $1975 PER PERSON / PER SEMESTER, CALL DAVE 513-827-3165

for rent 2010-2011 Great Properties available for the 2010-2011 school year. Contact OXRE at 513-523-4532

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CAMPUS COMMONS COMING THIS FALL - LOCATED ACROSS FROM THE REC CENTER. EXPERIENCE MODERN LIVING IN SOUTH CAMPUS QUARTER. FOR MORE INFO CALL (513) 523-1647 OR (513) 867-5522

Roberts Apartments 2010/11. Great Location! Close to Uptown/Campus. Laundry Facilities.

Off-Street Parking. Well-Maintained.

Pet Friendly Units! www.roberts-apts. com 513-839-1426 or 513-839-0400 Village Green Apartments 2 bedroom Apartments with 2 baths, & dishwasher. Rent includes Heat, water, sewer and trash. 513-523-4532

Newer Condo For Rent 4 Bedroom 2 Full Bath Extremely clean Laundry~Garage Security Door Vaulted Ceilings Water, Sewer, Trash paid.

Call Mike 513 266-1685

THE COURTYARDS OF MIAMI RENOVATED 1bedroom with study $3300. per sem, 2 bedrooms (2 students) $2300. per semester Located on Central Ave, between S. Main and E. Campus Ave., across from the REC Center., group rates, one pet friendly building, off street parking, bus stops, and laundry. Stop by and look around, or Call Carolyn at 513-659-5671. also thecourtyardsofmiami@yahoo.com

Houses Mile Square Upstairs of Duplex School year ’10-’11. Great location! Bishop and Withrow, 2 large bedrooms, 1 bath, open living and kitchen area, front porch, off street parking, permit for 4, $2995 per person per semester plus deposit and utilities. 812-350-4357

Roommate Needed Roommates Needed: 125 Spring Street; Loft # 119, Stewart Square: Looking For 2 Male Roommates - Entire Year 2010/11. Fully Furnished 4 Bedroom/ 4 Bathroom, Parking Included. Rent: $3750/Semester. Call For Details.

847-507-8201

THE MIAMI STUDENT

TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2010 ♦ 17

Sports

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MICHAEL GRIGGS The Miami Student

Courtney Osborn is the Mid-American Conference’s Freshman of the Year.

BASEBALL

By JM Rieger Staff Writer

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Top: Sophomore JJ Jankowski swings at a pitch.

Bottom: Junior Ryan Kaup slides into safety against the University of Auburn Tigers.

By Alex Butler Senior Staff Writer

While most of the Miami University student body was lounging on the sand during spring break, the men’s baseball team (6-7) was laying the lumber.

After going 3-3 on Alabama and Florida diamonds, Head Coach Dan Simonds’ squad came out swinging and knocked out the Indiana University Hoosiers 19-7 in Gainesville Saturday.

The fences of Gainesville High School’s dirt haven seemed to be a bit too short as the two teams raked 10 homeruns. Junior Adam Weisenburger shined in the sun with four hits while junior Kyle Weldon accounted for five runs batted in (RBI) in the dozen run victory. The Hoosiers were led by left fielder Alex Dickerson’s pair of long balls.

Prior to annihilating the Hoosiers, the RedHawks put up a goose egg in the wins column in Alabama by being swept by the University of Auburn Tigers and extended a losing streak to five games. But as soon as they landed in the sunshine state, things began to look brighter.

The Oxford tourists pulled off three straight victories over the likes of Lehigh University, Yale University and the University of Rhode Island but then had some pine time due to heavy rain on the southern coast. When the dark clouds went away the team clobbered the Hoosiers to advance the streak to four games and averaged nearly 13 runs per game during the stretch.

The black gates of McKie Field at Hayden Park will swing open for the first time this season for the home opener at 3 p.m. Wednesday against Northern Kentucky University.

After fending off a tough Northern Illinois University (NIU) team in the first round of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament, the Miami University women’s basketball team fell in the quarterfinals to Bowling Green State University, the No. 1 seed that would later go on to win the MAC. Miami trailed 61-60 with 2:27 left to play when key plays down the stretch by freshman guard Courtney Osborn, senior guard Ashleigh Brown and freshman forward Kirsten Olowinski allowed the RedHawks to pull out a 67-66 victory over the Huskies. The Red and White were led by solid offense against NIU, as they shot 49 percent as a team from the field.

In their next matchup, the ’Hawks faced off against the top overall seed in Bowling Green, whose offense proved to be too much for Miami as the Falcons had four players score in double figures in a 91-58 victory. Meanwhile, Olowinski and Osborn who had 16 and 10 points, respectively, led the RedHawks while Brown had a game-high 10 rebounds to go with eight points.

It was a disappointing end to what has been an up and down season for this young Miami team. The RedHawks will only lose two seniors off this year’s squad, which will definitely help the Red and White as they look toward next season.

Miami returns standout freshman Courtney Osborn, who was named the MAC Freshman of the Year and was also named to the All-Freshman Team along with Kirsten Olowinski. This was the first time that Miami has had two freshmen on the All-Freshman Team since 1992, and it is the first time that any Miami player has been named the MAC Freshman of the Year.

The Miami Student is looking for sports columnists E-mail Katie at giovinkl@muohio.edu.

18

Sports

Tuesday

March 16, 2010

Editor Katie Giovinale giovinkl@muohio.edu

SPRING BREAK SPECTACULAR While many Miami University students were having fun in the sun last week, these RedHawk teams were hard at work.

SYNCHRONIZED SKATING Miami’s collegiate skating team performs for hockey fans during an intermission at the Goggin Ice Center.

By Hannah R. Miller Staff Writer

The Miami University synchronized skating team was back on the ice March 4 to 6 skating at the U.S. National Championships in Minneapolis, Minn.

The collegiate team won the national championship in their division with a score of 107.60, more than nine points higher than the next best team, the University of Michigan. The junior team finished in fifth in their division, and the senior team took third in their division.

This national championship win for the

Foolproof ways to create brackets for the tournament

dominant collegiate team is their sixth consecutive national title, and the 12th in the program’s history. Miami’s collegiate team was the only team in the division to receive a score of more than 100 points.

In the senior division, the top two finishers, the Haydenettes and the Crystallettes, won a

MICHAEL GRIGGS The Miami Student

bid to the world championships later this year.

Miami’s senior team was one of only three teams to score higher than 200 points in the competition with a score of 202.68.

Following this season, the RedHawks will lose nine seniors, but they look to build all three teams up during the offseason.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Jordan Furbee

Sports blurbs with Furbs

W

hen I got back into the states Thursday night, I turned on my cell phone and laptop for the first time in nearly a week attempting to catch up on all the sports and events I missed in my time in Mexico. While the fun in the sun was great, it made me realize this time of the year is almost better than Christmas.

We have our top-ranked hockey team preparing for their run to the Frozen Four. Playoff races in the National Hockey League are heating up, spring training for baseball is beginning, spring practice for college football, oh and let’s not forget about a little something called March Madness.

The NCAA Basketball Tournament is something many look forward to each year. The brackets, the buzzer beaters, the upsets and the team destined to become this year’s Cinderella. So much can happen in three weeks with 64 (or 65 if you include the play-in game) teams. You pretty much have a better chance of winning the lottery than picking a perfect Tournament bracket. According to Jeffrey Bergen, DePaul University professor of math and NCAA basketball tournament buff, once the play-in game is out of the way there are 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 ways to fill out a bracket.

So while we all will tell our buds we have the perfect bracket, and you picked that five v. 12 matchup. I offer some strange, yet somewhat successful ways to pick your NCAA Tournament bracket.

No. 1 School Colors. With each game find out the school colors of the teams and pick the winner based on which one is your favorite. It’s worked for some in past, so maybe it can work for you.

No. 2 Mascots. Can a Banana Slug really beat a Spartan? Or an Orangeman beat a Wildcat? If you look at who would win a real life match, this is usually a pretty successful way of picking games. If you’re faced with two teams with the same mascot, see No.1 above.

No. 3 Ask your girlfriend or mom. One year I had my mom fill out a bracket for me and she ended up winning me 50 bones. It really shows that mother knows best. Basically, the less someone knows, often the better they do in the bracket.

No. 4 The five v. 12 game. In nearly every single year of the tournament a 12 seed has upset a five seed. The

wSee FURBEE, page 15

MICHAEL GRIGGS The Miami Student

Senior Kenny Hayes dominates against the University at Buffalo at his last regular season game March 4.

By Alex Butler Senior Staff Writer

The hardwood haven of Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena proved to be the setting for the Miami University RedHawk basketball team’s (14-18) final dribble this season on March 12 when they stumbled to rival Ohio University 54-42 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament.

The loss also means another year of sitting on the couch to watch other teams fight the field of 65 for Head Coach Charlie Coles’ men.

Senior Kenny Hayes captained the ship in his last game in Red and White with 12 points for the fourth-seeded RedHawks. Forward Antonio Ballard chipped in with eight points.

The Bobcats (20-14) were relentless in capturing the semifinal skirmish and were led by Armon Bassett’s 28 points.

Poor RedHawk shooting (35 percent) and a first half letdown (12 points) did not help Coles’ cause. The Red and White looked promising prior to their demise when they pulled off a 73-59 victory against the University at Buffalo Bulls in the MAC Quarterfinals. Hayes tallied 27 in that contest but it was Bassett who took the lead role in the tournament. Prior to lighting up the Red and White, the Bobcat amassed 38 points in a win against a top-seeded Kent State University Golden Flash squad.

RedHawk basketball fans will have to watch the NCAA tournament another year without the Red and White in the picture.