Mar. 19, 2010

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

VOLUME 137 NO. 45

Friday, March 19, 2010

Notable excerpts from Christopher Hitchens’ lecture March 17.

“What do you get when you cross a Unitarian with a Jehovah’s Witness?

Someone who bangs on your door for no particular reason.”

“The concept that we can’t make moral decisions without divine permission is insulting.”

“Extraordinary claims need extraordinary evidence ... at least ordinary evidence.”

MIAMI UNIVERSITY OXFORD, OHIO

In 1941, The Miami Student reported on the Southwestern Ohio Music Festival being held in Oxford. The festival would include 3,400 students from 88 schools.

Performances included vocal, brass, percussion and drum solos.

Graduation speaker chosen

By Amelia Carpenter Features Editor

Each class of Miami University graduates await final lectures for their classes. Miami graduates may also look forward to an influential speech at commencement.

Kenneth Merten, United States Ambassador to the Republic of Haiti and Miami alumnus was selected to speak at spring commencement May 8 at Yager Stadium.

“We can’t wait to hear his message,” Steve Snyder, executive assistant to the president and chair of the commencement speaker advisory committee, said.

Merten, as ambassador, is the U.S. liaison to the Haitian government, according to Donna Boen, editor of The Miamian alumni magazine, who spoke with Merten a month after Merten theearthquake hit. Merten communicates with the Haitian government about rebuilding the country while overseeing the U.S. citizens in Haiti.

Snyder said to give Miami President David Hodge the credit

for selecting Merten.

“The president called him in Haiti,” Snyder said. “It was very neat. He was very, very honored by the request, a real gentleman. (Merten is) very eager to do this.”

Merten graduated from Miami in 1983 with a degree in international relations.

On January 12, Merten struggled to stay afoot as he watched his residence in Haiti tremble with his wife, two daughters, and beagle puppy still inside when the earthquake hit, according to Boen. At that point Merten put together a committee response team that decided all of the children,

“What can be asserted without proof can be dismissed without proof.”

OPD now issuing more lenient civil citations

“College is for taking the appalling risk of being wrong.”

Explaining why God would appear in the Middle East during ancient times, “The Chinese can read and they’d never fall for that.”

“Religion hates the mind, sex life, literature, etc. It attacks everything worth having.”

“Everything you think you know about Mother Theresa is false. She wasn’t a friend to the poor at all but a friend to poverty. Millions of people died because of her teachings. She’s a bat from hell and a creature of ignorance and stupidity.”

“Scientology may be the most degrading (of religions) because it was a practical joke.” compiled by Hannah Poturalski

By Hannah Poturalski News Editor

CAMPUS

MU arranges sexual assaults under Code One violations

By Amanda Seitz Campus Editor

Besides violating state law, students who commit a sexual assault crime at Miami University may also be found in violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

Section 02.103.A of the Student Code of Conduct states sexual misconduct Part or assault is considered to be a code one violation.

The process at Miami is much different from the legal court system.

With sexual assault offenses and other Code One Offenses, Miami uses the term “preponderance” of evidence to determine whether the victim is guilty or not, according to Susan Vaughn, director of ethics and student conflict resolution.

“Preponderance of evidence is a morelikely-than-not standard,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn said it would not be unlikely for a student to be found not-guilty in a

THE

INSIDESCOOP

STAND AND DELIVER

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A new huge immersive virtual reality, known as HIVE, is located in Phillips Hall.

CAMPUS, page 14

COMMUNITY, page 5

VIXENS ON WHEELS

The ’Hawks head to Detroit for the CCHA semifinals.

Skype continues its rise in popularity.

Illegal U-turns uptown Pedestrian violations Expired license plates Bicycle violations Animal violations, such as barking Littering Outdoor furniture restriction Possession of fireworks Wearing earphones while driving

EX

PIR

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COLLEEN YATES The Miami Student

ONLY

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WWW.MIAMISTUDENT.NET LIVE HOCKEY UPDATES Check online for live updates from the CCHA semifinals in Detroit this weekend.

A week worth of pictures on Oxford living.

FREE FILMS!

FEATURES, page 6

Sun

Examples of civil citations

SPORTS, page 16

HOLD THE PHONE

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wSee CITATIONS, page 13

PRECIOUS PICS

HOCKEY HOPES

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For the first time ever in Oxford, police officers and public safety assistants can issue civil citations instead of the harsher traffic and criminal offenses.

Usually traffic and criminal offenses come with a $60 fine plus an additional $105 for court costs, as well as a mark on your traffic or criminal record. Now, offenders will receive a civil citation, which consists of only a $60 fine and no record.

Police Chief Stephan Schwein has been

wSee ASSAULT, page 13

Did you know you can buy cases of beer from bars for a late night?

CAMPUS, page 2

COMMUNITY, page 4

legal court system but still be presented with a sanction at Miami because they use two different methods in proving innocence or guilt.

Although Code 1 violations dealing with academic dishonest and alcohol require a minimum penalty, the violation of sexual misconduct or assault does not bear such a consequence.

3 of 4 “If you look at the range of what is there, because of the variance, and possibly the severity I’m not sure how you would apply that (a minimum penalty),” Vaughn said. “Alcohol and dishonesty are pretty straightforward and I’m not sure in all sexual assault cases, there that straightforward.”

Vaughn said in alcohol related cases were students are found guilty a minimum penalty of education is required, for cases in which a student is under 21

NO BEE STINGS HERE

BEER ON THE RUN

Actor and activist Edward James Olmos speaks March 22 as part of the Lecture Series.

Cincinnati Rollergirls kick off their fifth season March 27.

wSee SPEAKER, page 13

COMMUNITY

“Religion robs us of autonomy, independence and responsibility.”

“Religion is taught to kids who can’t defend themselves.”

embassy workers’ children and everyone else not vital to the mission would evacuate the island.

While his wife and daughters evacuated, Merten shared an cot with Sophie the beagle, seven or eight months old at the time.

Boen said Merten had about 50 percent of employees at the Embassy had their homes destroyed or couldn’t get back into them, but were still working 20 hours a day to evacuate U.S. citizens.

Merten has helped evacuate over 15,000 people since the time of the earthquake.

“Talk about being in the middle

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SnagFilms supplies The Miami Student with new documentaries.

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Campus

Friday

March 19, 2010

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

Diverse publication launches News BRIEFS

By Dylan Tussel

event Museum hosts Chinese export lecture Robert S. Wicks, director of Miami University Art Museum, will talk about “Treasures from the Dragon Kiln: Chinese Export Ceramics and American Consumer Culture in the Early Republic,” at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 25 at the Miami University Art Museum.

His lecture is related to the exhibition, “Consuming Clay: Porcelain Wares from the 18th and 19th Centuries.”

Wicks will examines the first five decades of Chinese ceramic production.

Wicks will also discuss how the first American ship to enter Chinese waters, the Empress of China, influenced early American taste and consumer culture. Its 1794 voyage marked the beginnings of American demand for Chinese products including tea, textiles, spices, silks and porcelain.

This presentation will feature designs commissioned by American buyers from 1785 to 1835. This event is free and open to the public.

fyi EDUN Live sells 25,000th shirt EDUN Live on Campus has manufactured its 25,000th shirt after being on campus for three years.

The group, founded at Miami University, has created more than 100 jobs in sub-Sahara Africa because of the shirt business they launched.

The shirts, which arrive blank to the United States, are 100 percent made in Africa.

After partnering with Miami’s athletic department, EDUN Live recently decided to enter into a partnership with Miami’s Office of Admission to make more than 3,000 shirts. Over a dozen EDUN Live chapters have started at universities around the country; most recent chapters include the University of Cincinnati, the University of California Berkley and Oregon State University.

Senior Staff Writer

About 15,000 undergraduates enrolled at Miami University’s Oxford campus in fall 2009, and a vast majority of these students had one characteristic in common: they were white.

Miami’s student body is 84 percent white.

Ethnic minorities constitute only 9.6 percent of the student body, and the remainder is classified as unknown or non-resident alien. A little over one-third of the minority students are African American, according to Miami’s Web site.

As a result of the campus’ disproportionate representation of diverse ethnicities, Miami’s existing student-run publications tend to focus on news in the white community, sidelining multicultural students, according to

junior Joy Davis.

To address the lack of minority voices on campus, Davis decided to start Miami’s first and only multicultural publication, The Crucible.

“There are many publications on campus, but a lot is missing, especially in the multicultural world,” Davis said. “And we have a lot to say about different issues.”

Davis said she found inspiration for The Crucible during her political science class.

“Last fall, I was in a lecture in my political science class, and we were talking about free speech and how it’s important to voice your opinion,” Davis said. “You can’t talk about the problem unless you’re about to find a solution.”

Davis decided to name her publication, The Crucible, after the play.

“I loved the play in high school and I loved the idea that we could be a melting pot of different cultures,” Davis said.

Currently, The Crucible staff, consists of 17 editors and four staff writers who meet weekly to go through their agenda and what they would like discuss in next year’s issues. Davis serves as the editor in chief.

The staff does not yet have a private room for meetings, and until recently it lacked the funding necessary to operate. The Crucible became an official organization Feb. 17, so it missed the regular funding cycle and had to request emergency funding from Associated Student Government (ASG). Davis appealed to ASG for emergency funding to cover The Crucible this

wSee CRUCIBLE, page 14

Actor to speak on social activism in education

By Justine Palivoda For The Miami Student

Emmy Award-winning actor and social activist Edward James Olmos will be the final speaker of the 2009-10 Miami University Lecture Series.

Olmos, best known for his roles in “Battlestar Galactica,” “Miami Vice” and the film Stand and Deliver, has received wide acclaim as an actor, director and producer. However, Jeremy Bragg, assistant director of student activities and leadership, believes Olmos’ merit as a speaker extends far beyond his celebrity.

“He’s an amazing actor and he’s taken his talents and used them to make a positive impact,” Bragg said.

The topic of Olmos’ lecture, “Social Activism and Education: How We Become One Gang,” will draw on Olmos’ own life experiences growing up in Los Angeles surrounded by the gang life.

Bragg believes the lecture’s message of activism is one that is emphasized by Olmos’ own example and can be especially poignant for students.

“He talks about how he’s seen education and social activism bring people together, how it allows people to overcome negative stereotypes and have a positive impact on society,” Bragg said.

Lana Kay Rosenberg, chair of the Lecture Series committee, believes this message is even more relevant given the status of our education system.

“Money is being cut across education … and we are seeing that students can’t just be spoon fed,” Rosenberg said. “I hope his talk on campus will generate discussion because that’s how we learn and how we grow.”

Each year the Lecture Series committee works to bring in a series of speakers that represent a diverse set of topics and ideas. Bragg

said activism and education was a topic the committee wanted to address and that Olmos was high on their list for many reasons.

“He spoke at Miami several years ago, so we already knew he was an excellent speaker,” Bragg said. “At the same time his message is revised and the different topics he’s speaking about are even more pressing now.”

Rosenberg said Olmos is one of the best speakers Miami’s ever had.

“He is a passionate man, working to create a world where all people are treated like human beings,” Rosenberg said. “Not only is he kind Olmos and caring but he takes those qualities and uses them to be pro-active.”

Ultimately, Bragg hopes students at the lecture will take away a sense of their own potential as activists and a desire to enact change.

“It’s my hope that students will leave with the idea that one passionate individual can make an impact on other peoples’ lives,” Bragg said. “Mr. Olmos’ story shows how he has used his own talents to make a positive impact.”

Sophomore Genna Schwartz has already been inspired by Olmos’ message after seeing Stand and Deliver in her high school calculus class. She agrees the film’s message plays an important role in education.

“As a teacher the more passionate you are about something the more important it is to students and the more they’ll want to participate in it too,” Schwartz said.

Olmos will speak at 8 p.m. March 22 in Hall Auditorium. Tickets for the lecture are free and can be obtained through the Shriver Center Box Office.

MU hosts national men’s choir event for first time in decades

By Hannah Poturalski

that are coming to the conference this year.

Parr hopes to eventually host an IMC conference at DU. For the first time since the 1950s, Miami UniversiSperry said the reaction from Miami glee club ty is host to the 2010 Intercollegiate Men’s Choruses members at past IMC seminars has been positive.

(IMC) National Seminar.

“They love the whole thing and get to see so many Glee Club Director Ethan Sperry said 19 choruses groups,” Sperry said. “Each group has its own twist. are taking part in the seminar, including college, high They are supportive but still a little competitive.” school and adult clubs. The seminar is held every Senior Nick Huebner, vice president of Miami’s two years at a different location in the United States. glee club, attended the 2008 national seminar in Miami’s glee club has attended the past three semi- Washington, D.C. nars. This year’s seminar started Thursday and goes “It was cool to see the city and hear some of the until Saturday. best glee clubs in the country,” Huebner said. “It’s “It’s a major chance for male choruses to hear each cool to meet people from other glee clubs that are other,” Sperry said. “There are not a lot of us left.” very similar to you.”

Sperry, who is also vice president of IMC, said During this year’s IMC seminar there will be five conferences like this one have been around since large performances and a headliner concert Friday 1914 and used to be and Saturday all at more competitive.

Millett Hall. There For more information “Now it’s a more will also be panel collegial thing,” discussions and • A small number of tickets may still be Sperry said. “But reading sessions. available at the Shriver Center Box Office. everyone still deThe process • For more information and a schedule of cides in their mind for hosting the events, visit http://www.mugleeclub.org/imc. who’s best.” seminar includes a Sperry did say it’s 15-member board still a competitive proreviewing the subcess to be a part of the seminar. A panel of conductors mitted proposals. Sperry said Morehouse College from the previous seminar decides which clubs are (MC) is at the top of the list for the 2012 seminar. included in the next seminar.

Sperry said the Miami club is most excited to perSperry said a unique group participating this year form with the MC glee club and said they are “cool is the Hamilton Police Male Chorus from Canada. but intimidating.”

They are celebrating their 50th anniversary and still Huebner said he and other executive members have an original member singing. have been helping to finalize details for the conferClayton Parr, director of choral activities at DePaul ence such parking, catering and social events.

University (DU), said he’s eager to hear the HamilHuebner said Miami’s glee club has been preparton Police Male Chorus sing. Parr brought a small ing for this conference since the beginning of the fall group of 12 singers to the IMC seminar. Before be- 2009 semester. coming the director at DU 11 years ago, Parr directed “When guys are competing they are more likely to Miami’s own glee club for nine years. sing better,” Sperry said.

“It feels like coming home,” Parr said, “because I Sperry said seeing all the different groups of lived here for nine years.” men come together offers different perspectives Parr said the group of singers was arranged solely and ideas. for this conference and he hopes they’ll want to con“We’re going to sound great,” Huebner said. “It’s tinue singing after the conference ends. an honor (to host the conference). A lot of credit goes Parr said he’s heard almost all the clubs sing before to Ethan Sperry, he worked hard.

News Editor

SCOTT ALLISON The Miami Student

Jefferson Johnson conducts the University of Kentucky Men’s Chorus Thursday, March 18 in Hall Auditorium.

Campus

THE MIAMI STUDENT

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010 ♦ 3

Israeli sergeant reflects on war experiences

By Patrick Wolande

to go to a place “where a Jew is based solely upon his merits.”

Anthony held the audience captive Sgt. Benjamin Anthony of the Israel as he put what young Israeli soldiers Defense Forces (IDF) spoke at Miami live with into perspective.

University Thursday night in Shriver’s “(The soldiers) made the decision Heritage Room not about the politics between life and death the same time of the Palestinian and Israeli conflict, you were deciding which college to but instead about the realities of war. attend,” Anthony said.

“There is no glory in war, Anthony described how the soland anyone who thinks so diers he has served with feel about is mistaken,” Anthony said. their choice.

The audience sat in chilled silence “I have never been with a soldier “Every single day in my mind’s eye when Anthony talked about the harsh who wantonly killed,” Anthony said. … I can still clearly see the image of realities of war.

Anthony had his own answer for the dead Israeli soldiers that were ly“Raise your hands, really, this is anyone who sees a soldier as being ing there by the sides of those roads. not a rhetorical request … if you someone who looks for blood.

And someone said to me, ‘How many “If I could put did you see?’ I can assure you, one redown my gun to- ally is enough.”

Someone who is born in Israel has to morrow if I thought He continued his description, saying, there would be “And don’t believe what people tell serve in the IDF for about a month peace, I would,” you about the dead. The dead do wear every year until they are 45.

Anthony said. an expression. It’s the expression of Part of Antho- innocence lost.” ny’s speech was This can leave someone wondering would enjoy having to raise up the about a time he was called into a con- what he or she can do to help. limb of a comrade, carry it in your flict. He talked about how he and his “I ask you to take 10 minutes to rewrap sack until such time as a med- comrades were told that in 10 min- search and educate yourself and find ic you would feverishly try and utes, they would have to cross into the truth … To speak up when you reattach it,” Anthony said. enemy territory. hear something that is not the truth,” Utter silence echoed in the room.

“There was no “Raise your hand if you would en- passport required, “If I could put down my gun joy having to bring the news of some- just a hole in the tomorrow if I thought there would body’s passing to their parents,” An- fence and a mine be peace, I would.” thony said. field (he and his Again, silence filled the room. comrades) must Anthony, an Orthodox Jew who negotiate with,” SGT. BENJAMIN ANTHONY ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES grew up in the United Kingdom volun- Anthony said. teered for service in the IDF. Anthony also Someone who is born in Israel has to called the Israeli serve in the IDF for about a month ev- soldiers he served with the Anthony said. ery year until they are 45. Even though “real heroes.”

Sophomore Tasha Likens, an Air Anthony wasn’t born in Israel, he re“They really are just boys … charged Force ROTC student, attended the fers to it as his “home.” And because with this incredible responsibility they speech. he has signed up to serve in the IDF, he never asked for,” Anthony said.

“From a military perspective, it was too is to serve until he is 45.

Later on, Anthony talked about his so real … to hear his story, describing He talked about the anti-Semitism response to people who ask him about the soldiers as people, not statistics,” he faced in Europe and how he wanted the death he sees.

Likens said.

Senior Staff Writer

Scholars to debate Hugo Chavez presidency

By Lee Jones For The Miami Student

Since being elected President of Venezuela in 1999, Hugo Chávez has been a controversial figure in world politics.

His country is covered heavily by the international media and is the subject of discussion among foreign policy analysts.

On Thursday, Chávez’ March 25, two scholars, Brian Nelson and Gregory Wilpert are going to debate Chávez’ presidency in the Taylor Auditorium of the Farmer School of Business.

Brian Nelson is a Miami University alumnus and this debate coincides with the release of his new book about Venezuela, The Silence and The Scorpion, in which he takes a critical look at the Chávez administration. According to his Web site, he has 17 years of experience in Latin America. He currently teaches at Johns Hopkins University and his work has been published in

The Virginia Quarterly Review and the Christian Science Monitor Gregory Wilpert, Nelson’s opponent, has written a book entitled Changing Venezuela By Taking Power: The Policies of the Chávez Presidency. It is his first book and Wilpert said on an online interview that the book, “first explains why Chávez came into office and why his political program increasingly radicalized over the course of the first six extremely contentious years of his presidency.”

This debate is part of the Grayson Kirk lecture series which was endowed by the Tinker foundation in 1924. The foundation is dedicated to the discussion of Latin American governance, environmental and economic policies.

Melanie Ziegler, acting director of the department of international studies, said she is excited about this dialogue.

“We want students to hear both sides,” Ziegler said, “and also give them some pause and time to think.”

Ziegler said she recognized that since Nelson is critical toward Chávez, it would be good to balance his perspective with Wilpert’s more pro-Chávez stance. She said since Wilpert is

married to a member of the Venezuelan government, he gets a unique perspective on Chávez’ rule.

First-year Stephen Caruso-Taylor, an English education major, said he is not easily persuaded by debates and does not think of them as effective.

“As far as I’m concerned they don’t really do anything,” CarusoTaylor said. “It’s just people attempting to make their views known and persuade people.”

Caruso-Taylor said he probably will not attend the debate.

Sophomore Kenton Comstock, political science major, was excited to hear Latin America is the subject of an on-campus debate.

“I think countries like Iran and Afghanistan get a lot of attention while South America is being ignored,” Comstock said.

Comstock thinks problems like South American drug trafficking and energy issues should be addressed and are especially important to the United States. Comstock said he plans to attend the debate to find out more about Chávez’s presidency. At this point he sees Chávez as an agitator, trying “to get a response out of the U.S.”

Study abroad program begins in Spain

By Christina Lundin For the Miami Student

The announcement of a new study abroad program has spawned a great deal excitement within Miami University’s department of Spanish and Portuguese.

In partnership with The Universidad de Oviedo, and with help from fellow colleagues, José Manuel Dominguez-Búrdalo, professor of Spanish and Portuguese, has organized a once in a lifetime trip catering to Spanish students seeking a unique academic, cultural and business experience.

“The first reason for this program is to provide what students were demanding: to study abroad,” Dominguez-Búrdalo said.

Starting spring 2011, 15-18 students will be among the first to take part in the new program. During this semester-long program students will attend classes at the Universidad de Oviedo in Spain. According to the Universidad de Oviedo’s guide to Spanish language courses, the university was founded in 1575 and has been linked to several renowned figures of Spanish and European culture.

According to a brochure from the Universidad de Oviedo, it is one of the top universities in Spain in terms of teaching and research quality and boasts a student body of over 28,000 students.

“Oviedo is large enough to have a lot happening, but small enough to be manageable,” said Robert DiDonato, interim chair of the department of Spanish and Portuguese.

Laurie Jacob, a first-year student and prospective participant, is excited about the study abroad program.

“One of the big benefits of this program over other ones is the ease of credit transfers,” Jacob said.

Three days a week, students will attend classes taught by both Miami faculty as well as faculty from the Universidad de Oviedo. Casa de las Lenguas, a new division of the department of Spanish at Oviedo, offers a number of classes, including introduction to Hispanic literature, business Spanish and cultural history of Spain. For business majors, there are business classes taught in English.

Possible topics include external trade, management of innovation and human resource management. All of the classes are equivalents to classes offered at Miami.

“The great thing about La Casa de las Lenguas is it is designed specifically for foreign students, which means they will be surrounded by students from all over the world,” Dominguez-Búrdalo said.

According to DiDonato, they are also looking to add engineering classes to the curriculum.

In addition to classes, students majoring in Spanish, Spanish education and business will have the opportunity to work as an intern.

Free time can be spent exploring Spain, or even flying to places in Europe and Latin America. According to DominguezBúrdalo, students will have access to direct flights to London, Paris, Barcelona, Sevilla and Madrid.

Furthermore, students will spend Holy Week exploring Spain during the spring session, and hiking along the coast and through mountains for 10 days on the Camino de Santiago during the Summer session.

“I can only really speak for myself, but I think that anyone interested in studying in Spain should definitely look into this program,” Jacob said.

Students volunteer, network in Atlanta as alternative spring break trip

By Kelsey Bishop Community Editor

Four Miami University sophomores got a jumpstart to networking with professionals from a Big Four auditor, Deloitte LLP, while volunteering at childcare centers and providing guidance to high school students in low-income areas during spring break (March 6 to 12) in Atlanta, Ga. Deloitte partnered with United Way three years ago to form the alternative spring break program called Maximum Impact. The program allows college students to work sideby-side with Deloitte professionals, share their time and skills with communities in need, and introduce themselves as potential employees, said Diane Borhani, director of U.S. Campus Recruiting for Deloitte LLP. “We wanted to find a way to really show students what we’re all about,” Borhani said. “Through this program, we can give students an introduction to our organization to see if this is a place that might be of interest to them.”

Borhani said 54 students from nearly 30 colleges and universities participated in Maximum Impact in Atlanta.

The students were split into smaller groups and sent to various sites to help out with education-related community service activities.

Sophomore Chad Snider said his group of students went to

an early childhood development center where they worked with children who were six months to six years old.

“We also painted tricycle trails and worked at the Big Brothers Big Sisters group,” Snider said.

Snider’s group also interacted with high school students and answered any questions they had about college.

“I learned that early childhood education and literacy skills when the kids are that young are so important because it will pretty much measure their success for the rest of their lives,” Snider said.

Snider found out about the program through the Accountancy Department at Miami. He said he saw the program as an opportunity to do community service and to start networking.

Borhani said all of the projects for the program were focused on education-related activities. Groups of students helped to improve childcare centers, renovate playgrounds for low-income youth and direct high school students on college exploration.

Sophomore Rebekah Linton’s group of students worked at a daycare center where they read to children and helped to paint murals.

“One of the biggest things for me was that we were doing community service but we were still working with business people,” Linton said.

Borhani said another group of Maximum Impact students helped some high school seniors with their senior class project and worked with underclassmen at after-school programs.

“From all the students that have participated to date, I have seen that they get a tremendous sense of accomplishment that they use their time giving back to the community,” Borhani said. “Their eyes are opened, and they become very energized and motivated to help others who are less fortunate.”

According to Borhani, Deloitte wants to see if the participants have what it takes to be a future employee.

“It (the program) gives them (the students) a chance to introduce themselves as a potential employee while they’re doing work to benefit these communities in need,” Borhani said.

Borhani actively recruits students at many universities to participate in Deloitte’s programs. When considering applicants, Deloitte looks at the student’s leadership experience, credentials and past community service experience.

“With the job market the way it is, as early as you can start getting in contact with employers and getting your foot in the door is extremely helpful,” Snider said. “I think I’m ahead in a lot of ways in terms of being recruited.”

Borhani said Deloitte is planning to continue the alternative spring break program next year.

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March 19, 2010

Community

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

FBI files charges for alumnus

By Jillian Dickman

First-year fights with officers, goes to jail At 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to Woody’s One Up Bar for an unwanted female patron, Miami first-year Eleanor Birch, refusing to leave.

Upon arrival, Birch was identified as the problem female yelling obscenities at the bar owner, according to police.

Birch refused to leave the four or five times the bar owner asked her to previously and then she hit him prior to leaving, according to police.

Police found Birch in front of Skyline and asked for identification, where she claimed she had none, but was 18 years old. Police said Birch was obviously intoxicated and attempted to place her under arrest, but she resisted putting her hands behind her back. Police had to forcibly handcuff Birch. Birch urinated while being handcuffed, which got on the officer’s pant leg.

Birch slipped her hands out of the handcuffs while in the car, according to police. When the officer noticed Birch had done so, he tried to handcuff her again, and Birch refused.

The officer moved Birch to the trunk area of the vehicle for leverage, but Birch refused to bring her hands behind her back, police said.

During the struggle, the officer took Birch to the ground and handcuffed her and superficially injured his knee. While in the jail, Birch was handcuffed to take care of personal hygiene issues. While washing her hands, she threw water at another officer and ran for a door to escape. Birch was subdued and placed into a cell before transport to Butler County Jail.

Marijuana odor leads to charges for senior At 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, police were investigating a litter violation at 7 E. Spring St. when the officer recognized the odor of burnt marijuana. The residents refused the officer consent to search the residence, so police completed a search warrant and had it signed.

During the search, with the company of a canine, drug-related items including a glass pipe, digital scale and baggies all with residue from marijuana were found, according to police. Senior Gabriella Banno was charged with possessing drug paraphernalia.

Male punches, shatters door at Brick Street At 2:34 a.m. Thursday, a male subject was asked to leave Brick Street bar after causing a disturbance. When asked, the subject pushed the female staff member, and then was escorted outside by two bartenders. As he was being escorted, the subject punched the front door, breaking the glass, according to police. When the male was identified, he gave the bar employees an Ohio driver’s license belonging to someone else to represent his own. Police said he then gave the staff his real identification, which found him under the age of 21. Police chose not to comment on the identification of the suspect and were unable to disclose any charges against him.

Staff Writer

Former Butler County Commissioner and Miami University alumnus Michael Fox currently faces federal charges despite his efforts to improve the county, and in particular, Miami.

On Oct. 7, 2009, Fox was charged with six counts, including four counts of mail fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of not properly filing income tax returns, according to his legal documentation.

Fox said the allegations date back to 2001 and continued through 2004. During this time, Fox became involved with NORMAP Telecommunication, an Ohio-based liability company looking to design, develop and construct a fiber optic communication system throughout the county.

“I knew there would be tremendous benefits in this project and I was attempting to save it while I could,” Fox said. “This project was the reason I got myself into trouble to begin with.”

According to Fox, the fiber network the county owns has the capacity to create a competitive environment rarely found anywhere in the world.

“Offering this system to Butler County would put it ahead of other counties and

cities in the nation, offering robust broadband access, improving our ability to attract businesses and jobs,” Fox said. “I really wanted to improve the county as well as Miami University.”

Fox said he found himself in dire financial straights during this process and sought assistance from Robert Schuler, a business owner in Butler County, to resolve his personal financial difficulties. At this point, Fox was found guilty of mail fraud because he did not properly file his disclosure statements and was therefore guilty of using his official position for private gain.

Fox’s legal troubles have since caused him to step down from his position as director of the Butler County Child Welfare Agency.

“If it had not been for this issue, I would have liked to stay as director for at least two more years,” Fox said. “There were changes I wanted to make in how the agency worked.

Dealing with the pressure of the investigation and finally knowing it was inevitable that allegations would be made against me, I felt it would be too much of a distraction while forcing me to become ineffective.”

Fox has also withdrawn his candidacy for a seat on the county’s Republican Party Central Committee.

Jack E. Cohen, a close friend of Fox, said he would run as well and was one of the reasons that made Fox step down.

“Mike Fox has done a lot of good things for Butler County,” Cohen said. “I can only wish him the best of luck.”

Fox’s trial has been postponed indefinitely because three cases are currently pending before the U.S. Supreme Courts that will determine whether some of the charges will be dropped.

Fox is challenging the law because he says the foundation the allegations are based upon is too vague and lack definition.

“If anyone knew this law existed, they would be too scared to ever use the mail again,” Fox said. “It is estimated that each person breaks this law three times a day. It is too wide in scope.”

Even though Fox knew he was putting himself at risk, he said it was all worth it.

“I knew when taking on this project I would be exposing myself to a legal nightmare, but it was in the interest of the people that this project be saved,” Fox said. “Citizens, especially Miami University students, are still benefiting from this project.”

Though students at Miami may not be familiar with the system, those who are express gratitude that Fox has made an attempt to bring benefits to the university.

“I appreciate what he has done,” Miami sophomore Lindsay Forconi said.

“Unfortunately, the legal issues are a problem.”

Cincinnati Rollergirls kick off fifth season Jenni Wiener Staff Writer

The Cincinnati Rollergirls, an all-female roller derby team, is hoping to rank in the top 10, as they will kick off their fifth season March 27.

In early 2005, a small group of girls, ages 18 to mid 30s, started the team at a local roller rink, said president and league representative Mercedes Stafford, nicknamed Sadistic Sadie.

Since then, the league has grown in success and is currently owned and operated by an executive board made up of skaters on the team, Stafford said. Since 2007, all of the Rollergirls’ home games have been played at the Cincinnati Gardens.

Roller derby games, called bouts, consist of two teams of five skaters facing off on a flat track.

Each bout is 30 minutes and the players are allowed to have full contact with each other.

To earn points, players called jammers have to fight their way through the pack and pass members of the opposing team. The team with the most points in the end wins.

According to Greg Waddell, director of public relations and media relations at the Cincinnati Gardens, the Cin-

cinnati Rollergirls are ranked fourth in their league and 15th in the nation.

“This season the girls are playing a lot of new leagues and teams outside their region,” said Andrea Hogan, nicknamed Karma Krash.

“I’m super excited!”

Their first game is against the Wildfires, a team from San Diego, Stafford said.

“They are a fun team to play because they play a very physical fast game, but know how to leave everything on the track and not take things too personal,” Stafford said.

The Rollergirls will also play against teams from St. Louis, Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee and many others around the country.

“Our motto is ‘Anyone, anywhere, anytime,’” Stafford said.

To prepare for the upcoming season, the Rollergirls practice four times a week for two hours each.

According to Lee Laney, public relations manager with the nickname Captain Gorgeous, the practices are comprised of situational drills, endurance training, learning the rules and scrimmaging.

wSee ROLLER, page 9

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The all-female roller derby team has outlasted all of the tri-state’s arena football teams. The team is completely funded by its players. They will play the San Diego Wildfires March 27.

Hospital hires inpatient doctors to improve care

By Bethany Bruner Staff Writer

Staying in the hospital can seem like a ride on a Ferris wheel of nurses — one to take your blood, one to check your temperature and vitals and another to give you medication.

A new program at McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital (MHMH) is hoping to give patients more interaction with their physicians and not just nurses.

Recently, MHMH’s board of trustees approved the implementation of a hospitalist program.

Dr. Madhu Chalasani is one of the three doctors classified as a hospitalist.

“Most hospitals have hospitalists,” he said. “We take care of patients while they are in

the hospital.”

Bryan Hehemann, president and chief executive officer of MHMH, said the hospital felt primary care physicians would benefit from this service because they could focus on their practices more and not be at the hospital.

He said patients would benefit as well because they get more contact with the doctor treating them at the hospital.

“Hospitalists are nice to have because they don’t do outpatient care and help hospitals customize approaches to certain disease categories,” Hehemann said.

“Having them here helps reduce drug usage and patients’ length of stay.”

Chalasani said the hospitalists are dedicated to doing work at the hospital.

“We do in-house rounding and

take calls from home at night,” Chalasani said.

Chalasani said he and the other two hospitalists, Dr. Ranjit Katneni and Dr. Lotfi Mamlouk, admit patients for acute medical conditions and they also admit people who do not have family doctors.

Hehemann said some family doctors have opted to use the hospitalist service to focus on their external practices, but not all specialties feel the same way.

“Primary care physicians work here voluntarily,” Hehemann said. “Some are choosing to use hospitalists, but not all of them. Internal medicine does not like to use hospitalists, for example, because they like the patient interaction and the work they do here.”

With some doctors opting to not retain their primary care

physician privileges at MHMH, Hehemann said the hospital has opened their doors to nearby physicians who are not staff.

“We’re handing over some of the care to hospitalists now,” Hehemann said.

What does this mean for students looking to break into the medical profession if doctors are working in external practices or the hospital rather than in both?

Sophomore Will Poindexter, a microbiology major with a premedicine focus, doesn’t think having more hospitalists will affect the job market.

“The only thing is that people might be more comfortable with their own doctor,” Poindexter said. “Or they might be more comfortable with the people that refer them to the hospital so they’ll (MHMH) have to give way to that.”

Community

THE MIAMI STUDENT

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010 ♦ 5

Uptown bars sell carryout cases after liquor stores close

By Kelsey Bishop Community Editor

It’s about 2 a.m. and you and your friends aren’t quite ready to stop partying for the night, but liquor stories stop selling alcohol after 1 a.m. Not to worry, though, because you can still get carryout alcohol at a bar near you until 2:30 a.m.

John Lee, a manager at Uptown Underground, said they have a liquor license, which allows the sale of alcohol, inhouse or carryout, until 2:30 a.m.

“It could be 12 o’clock and people here are having fun and they say, ‘Hey, let’s get some beer to go,’” Lee said.

Lee said Uptown Underground sells about five cases of carryout beer a week and carryout sales are random. “(Carryout beer) isn’t a huge draw for us,” Lee said.

“People don’t come here because we sell carryout.”

According to Lee, the three most popular domestic beers they sell for carryout are Natural Light, Bud Light and Miller Light.

“I wish bars would advertise that they sell carryout,” Miami University junior Dustin Amrine said. “If I had known about that, I would’ve wanted to purchase carryout from the bar on certain nights.”

Cory Hefner, a manager at Brick Street Bar and Restaurant, said they also sell carryout beer until 2:30 a.m., but the alcohol has to be out of the building by that time.

No one is allowed to drink the carryout beer in the building, and he said IDs are checked to make sure the buyer is of age.

“We sell most of our carryout beer after 2 a.m.,” Hefner said. “People will add a case of beer or a 12-pack at the end of the night so they can go back and have a late night party.”

Hefner said carryout beer is only supplementary for business because most sales are done in-house.

Brick Street doesn’t normally have a problem with running out of beer as a result of carryout sales because carryout beer is separate from in-house beer, according to Hefner.

“Busy weekends like homecoming weekend and

graduation weekend are when we normally run out of carryout beer,” Hefner said. “People are celebrating more and they often want to continue drinking after the bars close.”

Hefner said carryout sales increase with the warmer weather, and summer months are popular times for selling carryout, despite fewer students on campus. “(Carryout beer) is a little more expensive from here, but most of it is a convenience factor because you can get it after 1 a.m.,” he said.

Mike Rose, owner of The Den, said the state of Ohio prohibits liquor stores to sell alcohol after 1 a.m.

“It would be nice if we could sell carryout until 2:30, but I don’t think we lose business because it’s a state law,” Rose said.

Rose said 30-packs of Natural Light are the most popular carryout sale among students.

“I think it’s really convenient bars sell carryout because places like The Den have to stop selling so early,” junior Ellie McMahon said.

Spring has sprung

SAMANTHA LUDINGTON The Miami Student

Students and Oxford residents spend time outdoors watching the sun set at dusk Thursday (left). Senior Jonas Dominique, first-year Megan Smith and senior Dave Polson enojy the warm weather Thursday in Uptown Park (right).

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Friday

6

March 19. 2010

Amusement

Editor Anna Turner turnera6@muohio.edu Assistant Editor Liz Caskey caskeyem@muohio.edu

ANNA TURNER The Miami Student

feature

The Oscars: The good, bad and ugly

By Curtis Waugh For the Miami Student

While Oscar night is rumored to be Hollywood’s highlight, the 82nd Annual Academy Awards were a complete nightmare.

Sunday, March 7, the nation was able to see Hollywood rear its ugly head. Most of us realize the reality of the Hollywood factory is not what we are spoon-fed by tabloid papers and shows.

There is, however, a general understanding that Oscar night is the designated time to, in a way, make fun of that ridiculous public image.

I generally like the Oscars — between them and the awful Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s Golden Globes, it’s no contest. There are politics involved no matter the awards ceremony, but the Academy seems to just get it right more often than the others. I do not like a lot of their decisions (Shakespeare In Love, I hate you), but there are times when I genuinely respect the Academy (Christoph Waltz, for example). This year was not one of those times. In fact, it makes me wonder what the future of American Hollywood cinema might bring.

The Good

I cannot be all negative with this show, though. There were some genuinely entertaining and promising moments that showed the Academy is capable of true, non-superficial change.

Steve Martin did his best to elevate the odd, and sometimes offensive writing (Alec Baldwin is not mentioned in this section). As for awards given out, my favorite of the night had to be Christoph Waltz’s win for Inglourious Basterds. I make no bones about the fact that Tarantino’s newest effort is one of my favorite films from him and this performance was the best part of that film (apparently it’s “cool” to hate Tarantino these days — grow up).

I’m not a fan of the material presented in Precious or its black/white approach to theme, but I was moved by Gabourey Sadibe’s story and Mo’Nique’s win. I enjoyed her acceptance

speech line about receiving the award, “based on performance and not politics.” Ironically, this received thunderous applause from the audience. Riiiight.

Along the geekier side of things, I really enjoyed the montage about sound editing that showed the viewer just how that process is done. The Academy should focus on more of these kinds of things than how many times they can annoy George Clooney.

Last but not least is Kathryn Bigelow’s win for Best Director (The Hurt Locker). She is the first female to win this award.

Now, one can question these motives as well, but I’d like to think she really deserved it. The Hurt Locker was a great film.

It wasn’t my favorite, but Bigelow deserved the award after a great career of filmmaking.

The Bad

There were some things that only mildly upset me, which are the normal products of any Academy Awards. Unlike his counterpart, Alec Baldwin fell flat due to the poor writing. I wished Clooney would have jumped on stage and beat him. District 9 came away empty handed. There were too-long montages for nominees.

And did we really need that huge block dedicated to John Hughes? The montage was partly brilliant, but the actors onstage after were overkill.

The Hurt Locker winning Best Original Screenplay over Up In The Air. The awful, horrible, terrible inclusion of Twilight in the horror film montage. It was bad enough the actors from Twilight presented this mediocre (at best) clip-fest.

The Ugly

For weeks we have been hearing of the steady “decline” of movies like Up In The Air and even the juggernaut Avatar. The entire concept that a film can “trend” up or down in a period of weeks based on the parties it throws is ridiculous to begin with.

The aspect of this that I have never publicly seen was Hollywood’s finest true hatred toward each other. During the awards, there were countless moments when winners would get on stage and openly disrespect Avatar because of its technology Don’t get me wrong, I love the look and concept of Avatar but I hated (actually loathed) its story, and James Cameron’s “I’m king of the world” attitude throughout the campaign. That does not mean I do not respect the years upon years of hard work, research and genuine care that went into the creation of this movie. I just hoped fellow filmmakers would have been able to acknowledge that fact as well.

Also, I believe it was the winning director of the Best Foreign Language Film The Secret In Their Eyes who looked directly at Cameron and boasted that he did not need millions of dollars in effects to win this award.

Now What?

Maybe I have too much confidence in the Hollywood factory.

I know how corrupt and money-grubbing it can be, but I never thought it would openly ridicule one of its top creators. As for the reasoning behind this, I cannot be sure there even is any.

I do know this: Twelve years ago, the Academy gave its top honors to the highest-grossing film in motion picture history in Titanic. Last week, they not only did not give a non-technical award to the new highest-grossing film of all time by the very same director, but they gave the top award to the film with the lowest box office gross to ever win the award.

Any problem with this?

Not if just seen on the surface level. On the surface the Academy portrays that this selection brings about some change in the way awards are given out. Deep, deep down in the darkened, sour heart of the Academy they are actually smiling and saying, “Take that.”

But will we see any repercussions for this attitude? No, we won’t.

Good job, Academy, you just put yourselves in a whole world of hurt that no one will do anything about.

roma julie

The last minute Florence adventure

By Julianna Roche For The Miami Student

So it turns out my wild plans of canyon jumping in the Alps and engulfing my face in a gigantic, decadent Swiss chocolate fondue fountain were hopelessly crushed last weekend.

My original plan was to spend a few days in Interlaken, Switzerland, with my roommate Claire and about 40 other students through a travel service for college students called Bus2Alps. My seat on the 10.5-hour bus ride was reserved, my mind to be a canyon jumping

7 the

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daredevil was made up, and I was just about stoked on life to go.

A couple days before our scheduled departure time, I received an e-mail saying the trip was cancelled. I remember contemplating whether or not I should just scream and wake up the entire apartment complex, but instead I opted to put my negative energy to good use and clean our disturbingly dirty kitchen (thank you Nutella and spaghetti-loving housemates that don’t clean up after themselves and leave the community sponge sopping wet in food goop at the bottom of the sink).

It was during my overly-aggressive dish

scrubbing I realized I had two options.

Either I could spend the day moping that my Swiss Alps plans had fallen through, or I could look at this as another chance for an awesome trip. And that was how I wound up making last-minute plans to spend the weekend in Florence.

This is probably when you’re expecting me to tell you that the trip turned out to be incredibly more relaxing and easy than Interlaken could have ever been. Well, unfortunately it definitely did not start out that way.

wSee FLORENCE, page 7

Adult Oscar nominees ...

7. Coralube 6. District 69 5. The Lovely Boner 4. Avatanked 3. Get it Up In The Air

2. The Young Dicktoria 1. The Hurt Cockblocker

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010 ♦ 7

Amusement

THE MIAMI STUDENT

other amusing shiz

Seniorphobia: A real disease

By Liz Caskey

Amusement Assistant Editor

Spring break is officially over. Our sunburns are fading.

Our skin is peeling. The scent of the ocean no longer fills our freckled noses.

As these remnants of a week that we may or may not remember begin to fade, a much more frightening and serious phase is beginning to hit: We are seniors. We are graduating. We only have six weeks left.

Five if you don’t count exam week – and who actually counts exam week?

For your first three college years, these five weeks can’t go quickly enough. For you seniors, the next five weeks need to consist of everything you’ve meant to do this year but haven’t done yet.

This includes hanging out with every friend you’ve ever made acquaintances with over the past four years, finishing your capstone, ordering your cap and gown, finding a job, finding insurance, finding a place to live ... clearly it’s not enough time. This is exactly why an entirely new mentality is settling in you. And no, it’s not senioritis.

Senioritis is what you’ve had at this exact time over the past three years. Your first year, senioritis was delaying finishing that English 112 paper. Senioritis was when, as a sophomore, you waited until the night before to study for your economics exam. Or when you were a junior and didn’t pay your second semester apartment rent until April. Those times you were feeling senioritis. What you’re feeling now is seniorphobia.

FLORENCE continued from page 6

I don’t remember much about the morning we left except Claire and I overslept, waking up slightly hungover with bags left to pack, a whopping 30 minutes before our scheduled train departure. Due to time constraints I gave our cab driver a huge tip and I nearly knocked an elderly woman with my huge tote bag.

Seniorphobia is an entirely different baby. Let’s break down some differences. While senioritis entails a student doing as little as humanly possible in a given amount of time, us seniorphobiacs (questionable word there) are trying to squeeze in as much as possible into the time we have left. The chill mentality is totally lost on us. We can hardly enjoy day drinking on our back porch in this nice weather … and that’s, like, a crime.

As the senioritis-ers are wandering around in a daze, wondering if their professors will notice if they turn in the same final thesis paper for all five classes, we seniorphobia-ers are running around like fools in suits from one interview to class and again to another interview – that is if we are getting interviews.

The moral of the story here is, thinking about being a senior – before we actually are one – is awesome. However, being an actual senior sucks! We are thrown into the big girl and boy world WAY before we are ready to. We were expecting to park ourselves on a Skipper’s outANNA TURNER I The Miami Student door bench and instead we are revising our lackluster resume for the fourth time.

What we really need to do right now is pump the breaks.

We’ll all be fine, job or not, so let’s just try and enjoy the little time we have left. Start procrastinating again – it’ll make you feel great. Maybe skip a class if the sun is shining.

What all of us seniors need to do is turn our –phobia in to an –itis and then, once again, all will be right with the world.

Enjoy this time … before it’s gone. And if you really can’t bear the thought of leaving in five weeks, then just remember these wise words of a very good friend of mine: “College is just a state of mind.”

Oh, did I mention that I had completely forgotten to wash off my visibly white face cream that morning?

After arriving in Florence, we finally made our way up the stairs to our hostel and got our room keys. With a huge sigh of relief, I opened the door to our room.

Then, I almost pooped my pants in fear.

The room looked like a medieval dungeon.

The windows were locked and boarded up, the beds were a really disturbingly awful color of baby’s vomit with stains to complement them and the shower stood in the middle of the

ANNA TURNER

I The Miami Student

By Anna Turner Amusement Editor

Spring is here, and that means one thing: Love is in the air!

There’s something about April showers and May Flowers that brings out the romance in every Miamian.

It could be that Fratlinburg season is coming up. An abundance of wildflowers makes those rustic wooden cabins seem like romantic getaways.

It could be that guys tend to get more creative with their date plans when the weather is nice. No longer are the ladies only subjected to dinner and a movie — we now have the choice of dinner and a movie OUTSIDE. Look out!

It could be that prom is just around the corner. This only applies to the losers that didn’t break up with their lame high school sweethearts. Whatever.

It could be that the promise of a summer romance is looming, and the anticipation is making it impossible to wait until May for a Nicholas Sparks-inspired love story.

Spoiler Alert: The old people at the beginning of The Notebook are actually Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. You never see it coming. Oh, and they die at the end.

It could be that day drinking can now be done outside, and the outdoor pong table that has been neglected all winter will finally be put to good use.

I mean, let’s be honest: Nothing is more romantic than pong.

Whatever it is, spring is the season for love.

bedroom in a see-through box like contraption, and next to it was the almighty piss pot. You know, like they used in the Middle Ages.

After we got half our money back and left the hostel dungeon, it started to rain. Claire and I found some cover and sat on top of our bags on the side of the street like a couple of bums, just laughing our heads off — simply, because there was nothing else we could do. The trip so far had been a disaster and we both knew it.

We were exhausted, dirty and basically homeless, but we knew it couldn’t get any worse. So, we made a choice to laugh at it all.

And good thing we did. Eventually, we found an Internet café, booked another hostel (one with a toilet, water pressure and an escape window) and spent the next day on a wine tasting tour throughout the Italian countryside.

The day was gorgeously sunny, perfect and completely relaxing. I could not have asked for a better vacation.

So like the Italian proverb goes, “Dal merde del cavallo, i fiori crescono” which translates literally as “from horse sh!t, flowers grow.”

And it’s true that even from a piss pot comes a beautiful adventure.

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8

Friday

March 19, 2010

Features

Editor Amelia Carpenter carpenab@muohio.edu

By Erin Kenney For The Miami Student

Talking to your computer screen can now be considered “normal” thanks to the creators of Skype.

Skype, a free software download, allows any two people owning computers with cameras to be able to see and communicate with each other.

Back in the “olden days” before even cell phones were introduced, who would have ever thought you would be able to sit at a computer and see your friend or family member and actually communicate? Many people use Skype to communicate with a person located in a different country, state or even the house next door. People have stayed more connected, while having several miles separate them.

Skype is used for many different purposes, including both social and business related.

“Per week, I Skype probably everyday with different people,” sophomore Beth Radis said.

Radis is currently studying abroad in Europe and is an avid Skype user. With phone calls being extremely expensive and e-mails taking forever and provide no emotional or persona aspect, Radis uses Skype with her family and friends to share some of her experiences across the country.

“Skype makes me feel that much closer to them,” Radis said.

Whether it is across the ocean or in the same country, Skype has been extremely popular with college students according to several Miami University students. Students often feel that they have not skipped a beat with their friends from home due to the advantages of Skype.

“It is as if you are sitting in your living room with the person chit-chatting away, as you always would,” first-year Julia Schnieder said. “Skype continues to make the relationships on a real level, instead of just hearing the person’s voice.”

Recently, Skype has become very popular with job interviews according to their Web site. Knowing how to use Skype can give you an edge, according to the site. Companies have found Skype to be more effective in interview prospective candidates because it saves times and cuts down on travel costs.

Not only are college students using Skype, but also many adults are finally becoming technologically savvy.

President David Hodge said Miami alumnus Gerard Lopez had great impact on the evolution of Skype. Lopez graduated Miami with a bachelor’s degree in management information systems and operational management. He later co-founded a firm called Mangrove Capital Partners in which they became key investors in the production of Skype.

“I love the concept and think it is a terrific way to keep in touch with people,” Hodge said.

His concern remains that our society is so fast paced, it is a challenge to even have two people talk on the phone, let alone both be by a computer.

Education has also seen great advantages in using Skype as well. Classrooms are using Skype to participate in projects with other students around the world, ask questions to authors of novels, listen to speakers and learn different cultures and languages.

Recently, there have been many applications of Skype in the media. Oprah shares with people on her Web site that she uses Skype regularly to talk to fellow celebrities.

Once she used it for the first time, Oprah said on her daily talk show she had to share this with the world.

Skype is also being increasingly used in the world of sports, especially in the recent 2010 Winter Olympics.

According to USA Today, Women’s U.S.A. hockey player Jenny Potter, who is the only mother on the team,

said Skype has become her best friend in keeping her connected with family back home.

According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Germany’s Magdalena Neuner, silver medalist in the biathlon on Feb. 14, communicates with her psychologist via Skype back in Germany throughout the Olympics.

Miami Athletic Director Brad Bates said the athletic department has used a program very similar to Skype for different purposes. He explained they have periodically used it, however there are many NCAA rules and regulations they must be aware of. For example, Miami coaches may only contact a potential player via Skype on a one-call-per-week basis.

“I see the benefits in Skype in the sporting industry, however it is not the first means of communication when contacting players and coaches,” Bates said.

Although it seems as if Skype is a wonderful source of communication, there are some downfalls. First, a good communication starts with a good Internet source. Without a solid network, communication becomes choppy and often time freezes.

“Skype often times freezes and it is very annoying,” Radis said.

HANNAH MILLER The Miami Student

THE MIAMI STUDENT

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010 ♦ 9

MUM to develop new major in health care field with grant money

By Jenna Yates

For The Miami Student

The Miami University Middletown (MUM) computer and information technology department is in the process of creating a new major that plans to draw in students who are interested working in the health care field.

On Monday, March 1, Miami University Middletown received $185,000 grant. According to Cathy Bishop-Clark, dean of the department of computer and information technology, the grant is from Health Careers Collaborative (HCC), an organization that MUM is a part of.

Bishop-Clark said HCC was offered a $4.9 million grant in federal stimulus funds and awarded $185,000 to MUM. With that $185,000 grant, the information technology department is creating a plus-two degree in health information technology A plus-two degree is a degree that requires students to complete two additional years of education after completing their

Bishop-Clark said. associate’s degree in order to earn a bachelor’s degree.

The department speculates a successful outcome.

Bishop-Clark said this is an area where there is a demand.

“Everything we read says there is going to be This new degree would be for people quite a demand for this because of all the hospiwho have an associate’s degree in the “If you look at tals who are moving toward electronic record,” medical field or technology and want the needs of the Clark said. to earn a bachelor’s degree in health state, this is an area Jordan Purcell, a student at MUM, feels information technology. where there are According to Liz Howard, vice president similarly about the importance of technologiof academic affairs and professor of comcal smarts in the work force. Jordan attends going to be a lot puter and information technology at MUM, all three Miami campuses and says each Miof jobs.” the grant will give the department a chance to ami campus has a different way of going about things. move into a new area and work with healthCathy Bishop-Clark “I’m a marketing major with a minor in comcare professionals in that area to develop DEAN munications so we try to use technology to the that curriculum.

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER best of our abilities,” Jordan said.

Bishop-Clark is hoping the new deAND INFORMATION Jordan said in his work and classroom experigree will be popular with students at the TECHNOLOGY ences, he worked frequently with technology. regional campuses.

“Our hope is to begin offering courses in fall of “If you look at the needs of the state, 2011,” Bishop-Clark said. this is an area where there are going to be a lot of jobs,”

Rockin’ out

SCOTT ALLISON The Miami Student

The Lonesome Strangers, a local band, serenades uptown patrons and students Wednesday in Uptown Park.

Miami University Campus Activities Council planned the event, “CAC Can Make Your Sham Rock,” as a community St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

roller

continued from page 4 “I like having the opportunity to be athletic in my mid-20s,” Hogan said. “There are not many opportunities for adults to play contact

sports at a national level. It is very unique.”

With the time commitment, the sport may seem like a second job to many of the players. However, the sport is voluntary.

“No one gets paid to play,” Stafford said.

“In fact, skaters pay to play. Every skater pays monthly dues to cover practice space, production costs, travel and equipment.”

Stafford said the team also gives back

by volunteering at local festivals and charity events, which include skating in parades and donating more than $5,000 to local charities.

“By being involved in the community, they gain a higher profile, which is good for recruiting,” Waddell said. “Anyone can tryout, but they have to go through boot camp and the process is very selective. The team has to cut

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people to keep their success and grow more.”

The Rollergirls’ first home game is March 27 against the San Diego Wildfires. Tickets are $10 with free parking. There is also a tailgate before the game.

For more information, visit their Web site at http://www.cincinnatirollergirls.com.

9,000 ... The number of Miami Student readers who will see

YOU R AD HERE! To advertise in The Miami Student , please contact Katie Neltner at neltnkj@muohio.edu.

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Friday, March 19, 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.

Miami must increase sexual assault punishments

S

tudents who commit a sex- dent or allow him or her to continual assault crime at Miami ue attending school at Miami and University not only break living on campus. state law, but also they may vioThe board suggests students late the Student Code of Conduct. found guilty of sexual assaults According to the Student Code of should not be given second chancConduct, sexual misconduct or as- es. Although Miami takes these sault is considered to be a code one crimes seriously, the board beviolation. The judicial process at lieves sexual assaults should be in Miami differs greatly from the le- their own category. Perpetrators gal court system. must realize that The editothere are harsh rial board of The The editorial board consequences to Miami Student of The Miami Student their crime, and encourages Mineed to encourages Miami to victims ami to take on be reassured they the challenge of take on the challenge will not come becoming one into contact with of becoming one of the toughest their attacker. of the toughest schools nationAlthough schools nationally ally on sexual Miami will alon sexual assault. assault. With this low students to goal in mind, the move rooms or board suggests switch classes Miami take added measures in fa- in order to feel safer, the board vor of the victim. supports harsher punishments for Although sexual assault cases perpetrators. Many sexual assaults are classified as Code One viola- are never reported and the impletions, putting them in the same mentation of these harsher punishcategory as academic dishonesty ments, along with education, may and alcohol abuse, the board rec- encourage victims to report sexual ognizes each reported sexual as- assaults more frequently. After sault must be dealt with case by several examples of failed sexual case. Depending on the circum- assault dealings, Miami needs to stances of each case, the court may regain and solidify a tough stance decided to either suspend the stu- on sexual assault.

Civil citations provide fair, efficient alternative

A

new policy will allow Oxford police to treat some criminal offenses as civil citations. Offenses such as illegal U-turns, littering and outdoor furniture violations will no longer necessitate a trip to court, criminal record and the hefty $105 court fee.

Instead, a civil citation will include a $60 fine, no court appearance or fee, and no criminal record.

The editorial board of The Miami Student believes this policy is fairer and more efficient. We agree with Police Chief Stephan Schwein that the fine, not court costs, is meant to be the penalty for violations. Moreover, the courts will no longer have to devote vast amounts of time and energy dealing with relatively minor offenses.

Although taking minor infractions off the books was also an option, this board feels it is important to continue enforcing the infractions, and agrees with city council’s choice to continue to use the law as a tool to keep neighborhoods cleaner and safer.

A reduction in the severity of penalties should not be a signal to students that it is okay to be disruptive in the community. Over the past several years and decades, families have been moving out of the Mile-square as more students move in. Although the consequences for infractions may now

be less severe, students should take the responsibility to be good neighbors and good community members. By reducing the penalties for many party-related infractions, city council is making a gesture of good faith to students. We should respond in kind.

The non-student residents still remaining in the Mile-square have daily routines that don’t necessarily match ours. Students are obviously the key ingredients in a college town, but we sometimes cause other residents undue stress.

We should not subtract in vomit and beer cans what we contribute in energy and youth.

This is an opportunity to build greater trust with the community, which will only make Oxford a nicer place for us to live. The more littering and outdoor furniture infractions students commit, the more resistance there will be from residents at the next city council or planning commission meeting when a proposal for a bar, dance club, student apartments or hookah bar comes up.

The new policy will make the job of the police easier, unclog the courts and improve student-community relations. This board looks forward to similarly enlightened actions from city council in the future, and urges students not to squander this act of good faith.

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

HANNAH MILLER The Miami Student

➤ LETTERS

Residents should preserve library, a vital resource The Lane Library in Oxford is a greatly valued resource. Owing to repeated cuts to funding by the state, patrons from each of the three libraries in the Lane system have had to endure sharply reduced hours of operation, staff cuts, discontinuation of deliveries to nursing homes and senior centers and deep cuts to the budget for materials.

The Lane system received approximately $1.1 million less in 2009 than in 2008. We expect our libraries will suffer further funding cuts from the state.

In order to maintain the current level of service, the Lane Libraries will place a 0.75 mill levy on the ballot for all voters in Lane’s service district. The tax per year for a homeowner of a $100,000 home will be $22.97 per year, the equivalent of one hardbound book.

The levy lasts five years. Should it pass, the libraries will begin to receive funds in 2011.

It may be that, passage of the levy, in addition to maintaining current services, will permit the libraries to add back some hours, expand Internet access and purchase more new materials. No one can predict that these steps can be taken, because we do not know what future cuts will be. We do know that, if the levy passes, current services will continue.

Libraries are among the most democratic institutions that exist. We must arrest the deterioration of service that has been forced upon us.

All of us should say, “Yes” for our libraries.

Be sure to vote on Primary Day, May 4.

Prue and Steve Dana

sdana@woh.rr.com Co-Chairs, Oxford “Yes for our Libraries” Campaign

Hitchens’ message promotes intolerance, derides faith Let me first say I was excited when I heard about a secularist coming to campus because I thought it could be a good learning experience for people of faith as well as secular students.

It represented something different, a break from tired executives telling students their five steps to success. It represented a chance to give a voice to those often unheard. Then I read the article in The Miami Student about Hitchens in addition to the take on the event by those who planned it and felt a bit confused and deceived.

In one paragraph the student who helped plan the event refers to it as a learning experience that is not meant to attack religious people. A few paragraphs later Hitchens himself claimed people of faith as the enemy and said they need to be resisted. To me, that language insinuates an attack.

I decided to hope for the best and attend the talk Wednesday night hoping to find a man giving his point of view, educating the audience on how he comes to believe in what he believes and why it is important. I walked away as if I had just sat in on a junior high lunch

conversation filled with insults and crude jokes about the opposition, except they were hidden by colorful intelligent language. To claim the event was not intended to attack religion is a mere façade in attempt to justify an event based in hate. To know that various academic departments and student organizations were able to fund this event, therefore representing Miami University baffles me. My problem has nothing to do with Hitchens. I believe he has the right to believe whatever it is he wishes, he has the mind and heart to do so and lives in a “free” country. My problem has to do with the fact this speech was funded by our university.

I have worked in various arenas of the university on the student affairs side and have consistently been preached a message of acceptance and celebration of other’s differences, a message I find value in. We have student groups for different creeds all over campus and the university tries to create a community predicated on learning and respecting each other for who we are. I don’t understand how entities of the university paid a speaker to call people of faith fools, believers of myth and the enemy when we claim to value respect. When I give tours on campus, should I mention that numerous academic departments backed a speaker that called people of faith the enemy?

If I were to walk into a residence hall bathroom and find quotes from Hitchens’ speech written on the bathroom mirror it would be filed as a hate crime by the university. They would offer the student counseling and attempt to find the one who wrote about how stupid it is to be a Christian, Jew or Hindu and punish them. In this instance no one was punished spare the students of faith who were attacked as stupid silly and the enemy. So I will not tell Hitchens that he cannot understand morality without faith; I will simply say that Miami has neglected their ability to act according to their morality.

Daniel MacKenzie

mackends@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 We reserve the right to edit for length, content and clarity.

OpEd Page

THE MIAMI STUDENT

➤ SPILLING THE BEANS

End of college, end of an era “College is the best four years of your life.”

I cannot bear to define this statement as a true one.

Doing so would mean admitting I am roughly 52 days away from ending the greatest chapter of my life.

Any adult past Abby the age of 23 deHaglage fends the validity of the statement with the only card that can’t be trumped: age. “Well, enjoy it while you can son, I’ve lived quite a few more years than you so I know; it truly doesn’t get any better than this.” It’s as if it makes adults feel better to reveal this hideous truth to wide-eyed college students. Their action is akin to bullies exposing Santa’s true identity on the playground. And like the naïve and unfortunate children whose eyes fill with tears as they are exposed to the bleak reality of what was once a beautiful fantasy, I am inconsolable. Nothing gold can stay, and college is no exception.

The most terrible part about the phrase is that any college student in America can recognize its legitimacy. College, in a word, is paradise.

The only punishment for heading to Chipotle instead of geography class is one less chance to do the same thing. The only downfall to treating Tuesdays like the weekend is a rough Wednesday morning.

The only really annoying job that must be accomplished is laundry.

So maybe it’s true, these four (for some, five) years may be the final chocolate in a box of freedom we’ve been enjoying since childhood.

The good news is there is no way to know. Things may not get better, but maybe they will. To console myself about the utter loss of freedom that is about to take place in my life, I pretend I will look back at these years and scoff, that I will find the foolish significance I placed on them feigned, trivial and meaningless. Comforting, but I doubt it.

As I drink my final beer at Brick Street Bar and eat my last Bagel and Deli, I have no doubt the thought of something greater will be difficult to grasp. College inevitably will end, life will continue, but if this change is inescapable, why approach it with such dread? Better to dream of greater things to come than fear a life of monotony and boredom.

Perhaps the next Jimmy Fallon is sitting in Upham Hall daydreaming through botany, or the next Jennifer Hudson trudging her way through pre-calculus. Miami University is a powerhouse of brilliant, ambitious and charismatic individuals.

We have the tools to achieve things much greater than 14 days of drinking at CJ’s. If we’re lucky we will reach a place where college is a brilliant memory, but nothing more.

There are people that have achieved this feat before us and I suggest we follow in their footsteps. It’s doubtful that Ben Roethlisberger longed for his days in Oxford as he stepped onto the field at Raymond James Stadium on February 1, 2009. The Superbowl might be a stretch but if you’re not going big, go home.

The grass is always greener on the other side. It’s easier for adults to look back nostalgically at a time that was, admittedly, easier. I can still remember complaining about the difficulty of learning cursive in second grade and longing for the coloring books of kindergarten. Our parents are simply doing the same thing: dreaming of a time when they could drink copious amounts and still attend four hours of class the next day, a time when they could stay out until 5 a.m. and sleep until 2 p.m. It’s natural to look back, but counterproductive to do it mournfully. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, “Look not mournfully into the past, it comes not back again … Go forth to meet the shadowy future without fear.” Here’s to wishing for great years, not just four of them.

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010 ♦ 11

A look at liberal education: Part 2

Education must remain open Eloiza Domingo-Snyder Director, office of diversity affairs dominge@muohio.edu

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.

When asked to offer my insights about the role of a liberally educated person in the world, as well as what a liberal education should do to appropriately prepare a person for this role, I honestly came up blank. Even as I sit here typing this essay, I find a number of thoughts skipping through my brain, yet none of them sticking long enough to offer cohesive arguments or ideas readily transferable to a document.

Then it hits me: quite possibly I am having this difficulty because the formal and informal education I’ve received these past 30-some years has been liberal; therefore the dissonance I’m experiencing is an internal conversation or even discord, which seemingly personifies a liberal education.

Dictionary.com defines the word liberal as, “favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible” and “favoring or permitting freedom of action, (especially) with respect to matters of personal belief or expression.”

Intersecting this definition with the explanation of a liberal education as offered by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU), “a philosophy of education that empowers individuals with broad knowledge and transferable skills, and a stronger sense of values, ethics, and civic engagement ... characterized by challenging encounters with important issues, and more a way of studying than a specific course or field of study.” I realize quickly I am a proud product of a liberal education.

I feel most people would agree that we are part of an ever-changing world — one that is becoming flatter as globalization is considered an ever more natural part of our society. With change in populations comes change in thought, which is necessary to fully accept, maneuver within, and be successful inside of transformation. A liberally educated person would ideally be open to change and comfortable with alterations in what may be considered normative. My expectation of a person schooled within liberal thought is that they would advocate freedom of thought and being, challenge complacency, and initiate revolutionary ideas.

In most, if not all societies, difference inherently lives in the shadows, emerging only when enough people have moved to say that the difference is fine, acceptable, cool or tolerable. In many circles, we’ve adopted a prettier term — diversity — as the catch-all for that which is not “normal,” dominant or customary. Standing up for diversity of thought and being, while oftentimes not easy

or outwardly favored, certainly falls within the necessary strengths of a liberally educated person. Being open to any and all suggestions, being able to look through numerous lenses, being inspired by variance — these are all trademarks of a person educated inside of liberal instruction, and should then be exercised regularly within our evolving world.

Having and exercising the “maximum individual freedom possible” has been the expressed vision for the United States of America, which arguably places our nation itself in the school of liberal thought. Notions of greatness were once just considerations. This idea can easily be extended to any aspiration for progress, prominence, or merit. It seems each bout of needing more, desiring more, dreaming of more, involves a liberally educated brain challenging the “its fine just as it is” notion. Continued movement toward greatness, then, is reliant upon the liberally educated among us.

And while advocating for others and being open to new thinking is crucial for the liberally educated, these ideas alone will not create the necessary waves toward tangible change. One must strike on this vision and additionally take the initiative to implement revolutionary ideas.

The strength of a liberal education is the action: vision sees substantial transformations emerge.

All of this necessitates internalized strength, selfconfidence, assurance, and, most importantly, a starting line. This is where educators, I feel, can implement on us.

Given these expectations, a liberal education should reflect these values of openness to all thought and being, and, not only encourage, but teach students how to appropriately develop and extend challenge to places of complacency. Regardless of major or interest, the process by which educators encourage our students to study should create an analytical, critical mind. Educators should teach the discipline, while also imparting the confidence to challenge the discipline. This can be difficult, because many educators are protective of their field and defensive towards those critical of the ideas held sacred within their subject. But as a commercial about online education states, “It’s time we held Higher Education to a higher standard.” Only then can we move past any semblance of arrogance or protectiveness around that which we know or think we know, thereby creating a much more liberal approach to education and educating others.

➤ THINKING OUTSIDE THE (b)OX

Academics must remain strong

Frisbees sailed through the quads as on-campus residents migrated outside of their cramped residence halls. Soon, however, these residence halls may become remodeled to feel more Jensen like home.

Henry Back in January, the finance and audit committee of the board of trustees announced a plan to renovate nearly 50 buildings, all residence or dining halls, by 2028. The costs for the plan were not finalized in the meeting minutes, but the estimate for just Swing Hall was $3.2 million. The board of trustees mentioned many valid factors contributing to the decision: Miami University’s current buildings are characteristically older (averaging roughly 61 years), the national average square footage per college attendee is on the rise and students and their families are noticing discrepancies between classroom quality and residence hall quality.

The plan is undoubtedly admirable. I am no stranger to cramped living at Miami; my sophomore roommate and I dubbed our room the “closet clunker” because of its miniscule size and proximity to the

building’s obnoxiously loud pipe system. However, moving forward with such expensive plans now (do not forget that we are already funding the $62 million student center) would be an ignorant step in this post-bicentennial idealism.

If Miami is willing to allot such large sums to university advancement, the funding should first go to academic departments, specifically for bringing in more faculty. The hiring freeze instigated after the national fiscal collapse of 2008 limits departments to hire only for the “essential” positions. Although this was a cost-effective and sensible decision, as professors leave the university (for retirement or otherwise), gaps remain. As a bright-eyed firstyear naïvely paging through the Miami Bulletin, I vowed to myself I would take ZOO403, Biology of Dinosaurs, before I graduated. Yet after the professor teaching the course retired, the class fell to the wayside.

And considering that lectures about Stegosaurus are not as indispensable as the introductory BMZ courses, it appears my goal will never be attained.

Although I can only speak for my major, I would not be surprised to discover that equally interesting and innovative opportunities in the other departments are not being fulfilled.

There are more important implications than my

Jurassic quest. Miami has declared it wants to provide “the best undergraduate experience in the nation.” If we want to set ourselves apart from other institutions, our richness and diversity of undergraduate curriculum will help us to do so. Having a larger and more specialized faculty allows for greater chances of studentprofessor interaction, whether it is through smaller class sizes, more research opportunities or more personalized academic advising. Hiring professors with unique experiences gives the university a chance to offer courses other schools cannot.

All of these factors contribute to a stronger undergraduate education, which equates to more Miami graduates getting prized spots in graduate schools and in the workforce. I would gladly spend another year in the closet clunker if it meant I had a chance to surround myself with knowledgeable and passionate professors.

Obviously, this is more than a one-or-the-other issue, and my knowledge of university finances is limited to what is provided for public access. The university professors are a key component in the success of our undergraduate program.

Faculty are the reason why the majority of us groggily crawled from our beds this morning.

The least we can do is give them the support they deserve.

➤ THE WORLD ACCORDING TO WILL

Belize has potential to grow As the cruise ship reggae band performed “Hot Hot Hot” for the sixth time, I figured it was time for a change. I’m all about lounging, but only to an extent. I had planned only one excursion on my spring break trip, a trip to the Mayan ruins in Belize. I knew litWill tle about the counHoyt try heading in, but soon discovered how unique the country really is, especially when considering the history of its neighboring countries.

For a country the size of Massachusetts, Belize has quite a story.

Nestled between Mexico and Guatemala, Belize was home to several Mayan settlements before Spain and Britain began to dispute the region.

It formerly became a British colony in 1854, and didn’t gain full independence until as late as 1981. Today, they still have disputes with the Spanish settled Guatemala, who claim Belize belongs to them.

Because of its youth, Belize still has ties to Britain but governs itself through a parliamentary democracy. The Queen has only visited the country once and the locals attribute her dissatisfaction with a native dish made with rodent as the reason. Although one could point out post colonial reliance, Britain’s backing has provided them with relative stability in a historically unstable region. Contributing to the stability is the impressive claim that it is one of the only countries in the region never to have a civil war. Remaining neutral in regional conflicts, providing asylum to those in conflict and having a relatively non-authoritarian government must have helped.

As pointed out by Taz, my tour guide, the prime minister lives in his own house on the island amongst neighbors. This is a far cry from their Central American neighbors who have experienced problems with caudillo rulers who attempt to hold their lavish presidential palaces.

Another difference from their neighbors is the impact illicit drugs have on the country. While they surely have small scale issues, it is nowhere near that of Mexico who lives next door. Not sharing a direct border with the lucrative U.S. drug market helps, but frequent roadside checkpoints and a strict laws have helped to deter traffickers as well.

I couldn’t help but be impressed with Belize. While it is surely developing into a tourist destination for cruise ships, it still remains relatively under developed. A large portion of its land is unused, and their low population of 300,000 is in stark comparison to geographically — similar El Salvador’s over seven million.

This, in combination with an extremely young population, with about 40 percent under 14 years of age, suggests they are ready to grow. It is only a matter of time before investors and retirees pick up on Belize’s benefits, like a tax free first year to those who take up residence. The countless brightly uniformed school children I passed while touring the country will eventually grow to join the workers.

Can Belize keep up its growth and maintain relative harmony? They will need to supply the growing younger generation with jobs, both to stimulate the economy and avoid increased crime rates. If Belize is successful, l it will have the potential of any Central American country. As Taz would say, “Belize it or not.”

CORRECTIONS ➤In the March 16th issue, the Liberal Education series stated incorrectly that the original LibEd forum in 1986 was held without any student consultation or representation. Although students’ voices weren’t included among the published views, they were consulted on and involved with the construction of the Miami Plan.

FYI Page

Friday

12

March 19, 2010

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1) Misbehave 6) Fool 9) Radio tuner 13) Reconsider 16) Moolah of Madrid 17) Big name in crossword puzzles, ironically 18) After school hangout spot 19) Tel ____ 20) Lake north of Cleveland 21) Mimic 22) The Crying Game (1992) actor Stephen 23) He made a guest appearance in Wordplay (2006) with 17-Across 26) Charged particle 27) Goodies, to some 29) Actress who costarred in Big Daddy (1999) with 23-Across 35) Bordeaux wine words, “premier ___” 36) Piece of protective clothing 37) Lennon’s wife 38) Vehicle shopper’s option 40) Pressure meas.

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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.

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CITATIONS continued from page 1

on the force 20 years and said court costs used to be as low as $30.

“Overtime everything gets more expensive,” Schwein said. “Court costs shouldn’t be more than the fine, the penalty is supposed to be the fine. It’s out of whack.”

Schwein said police officers are reluctant to give tickets because they are so costly.

“This is a win-win for the police and public,” Schwein said. “It’s a kinder way of doing things. It’s a more palatable way to say, ‘you still need to follow rules but we’re not going to take you to the bank.’”

Sgt. Jim Squance agreed the benefits include lower costs and no record following

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010 ♦ 13 you around.

Senior Zach Radley thinks the concept of civil citations is a good thing.

“There are more important issues than focusing on what college students do,” Radley said. “It’s waste of time and money and it’s good they (OPD) understand and are not just trying to be our fathers.”

Something unique about civil citations, also known as administrative tickets, are violators can accumulate an endless amount of citations with the only consequence being the $60 fine each time.

Police started writing the civil citations March 15. Schwein said they usually issue 15 to 20 civil citations per day.

The ordinance was passed Dec. 15, 2009 by city council with a vote of 6-1. Schwein said city council members thought this was a good idea because they are ones who receive complaining phone calls from violators.

SPEAKER

ASSAULT

of a tragic international disaster,” Snyder said. “We have a Miamian there helping people and helping a nation and a culture get through a horrible situation. He’s a great role model for graduating students.”

Snyder hopes Merten will stay the weekend in Oxford and that his wife and two daughters will accompany him May 8. Boen said Merten did not know when his family would join him again in Haiti.

Outdoor commencement in Yager Stadium began in 2002 when Charles Gibson was selected as the speaker. Since then, Andy Rooney, Jehan Sadat, William Safire, Peggy Noonan, Robin Roberts, and three U.S. representatives have spoken at commencement. Merten will be the ninth of the outdoor series.

parents are notified of the underage consumption violation.

“Sexual assault and physical assault are serious,” Vaughn said. “I certainly don’t want to be bound by certain sanctions.”

Sanctions issued by the university in sexual assault cases may vary. According to the Student Code of Conduct, students who are convicted of two Code One offenses are usually suspended. However, the Code of Conduct also states the university reserves the right to suspend or dismiss a student for a single violation.

One of the most well known cases of sexual offense suspension stems from student Jason

continued from page 1

continued from page 1

“When it first came forward I was against it, I feared that making the outdoor furniture violation and litter violation a civil offense rather than a criminal offense might result in more violations,” Kate Currie, councilor, said via e-mail.

Currie said in 2007 outdoor furniture, litter and noise offenses were added as criminal offenses as a way to reaffirm the importance of good student and community relations.

“In the end I decided to trust the strong feelings of the police chief on this issue as the police are the ones out there most directly interacting with the community on this issue and the change allowed them more discretion on their choice of enforcement measures,” Currie said via e-mail. “I am hopeful the police chief is correct and this change can help achieve that sense of community.”

The city council requested an assessment of the new system be made in one year to check

its effectiveness.

“We’ll look back and see if it’s working as planned or has any problems,” Schwein said.

“We should always take a second look (at things). This is not changing the law but how violations are addressed under the law.”

Squance said violators can still contest their citation in front of an independent hearing examiner.

“We’ve made it user friendly,” Squance said. “You can pay the fine by mail or in person; there is no court time.”

Schwein said a good consequence to come from this change is the courthouse no longer being clogged with minor things.

“It frees the court up for more serious things,” Schwein said.

Squance agreed.

Schwein said in the future minor moving violations such as speeding or running a right light may be considered for a similar system.

“

Miami University also has developed a sexual offense protocol that explains how incidents of sexual assault are handled. Miami University will make changes in the victim’s academic and living conditions upon request. Both the accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunity to have others present during the disciplinary proceeding.

”

-Miami University Student Code of Conduct Landis in October 2003. After entering a student’s room in Scott Hall and fondling her, he was suspended from the university for the rest of the academic year. Landis re-enrolled August 2004 and reportedly raped a fellow student only a month after his return on September 28, 2004. The 22-year-old victim required two surgeries and a blood transfusion following the

alleged rape.

This incident did not change student code of conduct policy regarding sexual assault because according to Vaughn, sex offenses drastically differ from case to case.

“We look at each one individually and take it very seriously,” Vaughn said. “It’s really hard to compare any case. I think our policy is pretty clear on what

suspension would mean.”

However, certain parts of each investigation at the university remain the same no matter what.

Students who are reported as to have violating the sexual misconduct and sexual assault section of the Student Code of Conduct must undergo disciplinary proceedings through the Office of Ethics and Student Confliction Resolution.

According to Vaughn during disciplinary hearings evidence may be presented and victims may testify.

“It’s really a student stating their case,” Vaughn said. “(Students) can bring witnesses if they choose too. That would be the evidence we use, reports, other records.”

Vaughn said the university allows the victim to use a Web cam, if he or she does not feel comfortable being in the same room as her alleged attacker.

“Once a victim has come forward they generally are more than willing to participate in the process,” Vaughn said.

“They may opt to go to the webcam. They can have an advocate in the room, parents and a lawyer.”

After the hearings and proceedings are over, Vaughn said the university must notify the victim of the outcome or sanctioning in the case.

In 2005 Miami was fined $27,500 by the Department of Education for failure to give the written outcomes of university hearings to sexual assault victims. After reviewing cases from 1999-2004, the university failed to give written notice in six out of nine sexual assault cases.

Vaughn said despite the university’s attempt to make victims comfortable, the crime is still not reported very often.

“It’s a very underreported offense,” Vaughn said. “We do very few (sexual misconduct and sexual assault hearings). It varies from year to year.”

Check out the crossword

? on page 12.

THE MIAMI STUDENT

14 ♌ FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010

Tibetan culture week to prepare campus for Dalai Lama visit

By Natalie McKerjee

Tibetan culture week schedule

Staff Writer

In preparation for the Dalai Lama’s visit to Miami University fall 2010, a Tibetan culture program has been scheduled for March 22-26.

Among the many scheduled events, Tibetan monk Geshe Kalsang Damdul will conduct a prayer flag ceremony, give lectures and hold meditation sessions.

Miami junior Renate Seiwert is president of the Tibetan Culture Program’s sponsor, The Association of Women Students, and became involved with the Tibetan culture. “We studied abroad in India which is the home of the Tibetan government,�

Seiwert said.

Seiwert said she hopes to bring more attention to the political battle she witnessed last semester occurring in Tibet and help establish interest in Miami students to take a stance on the controversial issue.

Damdul, who is part of the Dalai Lama administration, will hold a prayer flag ceremony (which consists of burning incense and

Monday, March 22 • Damdul will present “An Introduction to Tibetan Meditationâ€? from 9 to 10 a.m. • The prayer flag ceremony will take place at noon at the hub. • A lecture entitled “Toward a Compassionate World in the 21st Centuryâ€? from 3 to 4 p.m. in 212 MacMillan Hall.

Wednesday, March 24 • “Global Women’s Day: Tibetan Womenâ€? from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shriver Center Thursday, March 25 • A showing of the film Kundun from 7 p.m. in 101 Bachelor Hall praying), give lectures, conduct meditation sessions for faculty and students, discuss Buddhist philosophy and meet with students to discuss the issues between China and Tibet.

Deborah Akers, assistant professor in department of anthropology and a primary coordinator of the Tibetan culture program, said the event would include forums of discussion on topics pertaining to Tibetan culture, as well as

film viewings. “We are hoping to promote a dialogue and understanding about the Tibetan culture,�

Seiwert said.

According to Akers, the motivation to have the event was also to give students information regarding the study abroad opportunity. “The purpose for the Tibetan culture program next week is to serve as a prelude for

the Dalai Lama’s visit to campus in October,�

Akers said. “It is also intended to make Miami students aware of the Tibetan studies semester abroad program which we offer each fall. Our focus on cultural activities is a perfect means to introduce the Miami community to Tibetan history and tradition.�

Akers hopes students will gain insight on the cultural components of Tibet, as the Tibetan monk Damdul, assistant director of the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics, is coming from Dharamsala, India especially for the event and will be available to meet with students.

As for how these special arrangements were established with Tibet, Akers said plans began more than a year ago. “The arrangements were made in conjunction with the department of Anthropology at Miami and the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in Dharamsala, India,� Akers said.

The event’s sponsors include Center for American and World Cultures, Office of International Education, department of comparative religion, Association of Women Students and the Office of Lifelong Learning.

Grants provide funds for virtual environment

By Adam Giffi For The Miami Student

Miami University is home to the largest Huge Immersive Virtual Environment (HIVE) facility in the world.

The 1,000-square meter, fullbody tracking, research environment is located in Phillips Hall gymnasium on Miami’s Oxford campus.

The facility is set to become even more advanced, as the National Science Foundation (NSF) has presented David Waller and Eric Bachmann, the directors and founders of HIVE, with two new research grants to further their study of human spatial cognition.

Although only one grant has been officially announced, Bachman, who is an associate professor of computer science and software engineering, and Eric Hodgson, manager and director of the Smale Interactive Visualization Center of HIVE operations, said the other is on its way and plans for using both are already being implemented. “The idea is to make a portable

HIVE,� Bachman said. “Right accessible for class curriculum. “One of the big things the (first) now, if you really want to expegrant does is it will allow us to get rience virtual reality, you need to five additional backpacks,� Hodgtravel to a special facility. We’re trying to make a portable, low- son said. “We could have a professor and six students, for example, cost, virtual environment.� so up to seven Portable HIVE users, experienctechnology, according the same ening to Bachmann, “We’re trying to And will allow for conmake a portable, vironment. that’s something ceivably infinite low-cost, virtual we could nevtypes and sizes of er do without environments, elimienvironment.� this grant.� nating the limitaHodgson said tions of the current ERIC BACHMANN the type of techresearch field.

DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER HIVE nology that is “The gymnasibeing developed um is big, but still, with the money you can only walk so far until you run into a wall,� from this grant will allow HIVE Bachmann said. equipment to be used portably. “Instead of having a camera Some of the work to make these technological upgrades a reality system that is permanently mounthas already begun. Bachmann said ed to the walls, we are developing the HIVE position tracking system these foot trackers that you can just wear out in a large space, like was upgraded over spring break.

Hodgson said these updates will Cook Field,� Hodgson said.

The significance of this groundexpand the fleet of HIVE equipment, which currently consists breaking technology expands of two sets of HIVE backpacks, beyond Miami. HIVE has very and in turn make the gear more useful, real world, applications

that integrate the study of spatial cognition into numerous fields, Hodgson said. “A military application, for example, is that they could go out into the desert in Iraq and train on the actual layout of a city before entering it for real,�

Hodgson said.

Senior Grace Hamelberg, a psychology major, finds the HIVE technology fascinating even though over the course of her Miami career she had heard little about it. “I think it is really special we have technology to that extent here on campus,� Hamelberg said. “What would make this even better (for Miami) is if more people knew about it.�

Hodgson said it is probable that few students know about HIVE, but anticipates that this will change with the help of these grants. “We’re hoping that as we expand the technology, we can get into the curriculum more and get into the community more,�

Hodgson said.

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CRUCIBLE continued from page 2

semester and fall 2010. ASG granted the publication $7,660 of the $8,738.99 it requested. “We got money from ASG and were excited about that,�

Davis said. “It’s like a dream come true. We didn’t know we were going to become a real publication this soon.�

Davis encouraged students to get involved by contributing work to The Crucible. “Just because you’re not a journalism or communications major doesn’t mean you don’t have anything to say,�

Davis said.

Davis anticipates the first issue of The Crucible will be published mid-April, and that starting next year they will publish two issues per semester. “There will be themes for each issue,â€? Davis said. “The first issue is ‘I am‌’ challenging students to define themselves on campus and in the world.â€?

Each issue will include photography, short stories, poems, art pieces and more. “We want to make sure people can express themselves however they like,� Davis said.

Davis said The Crucible will have fashion, creative writing, news articles and a student spotlight. Each issue will also give a professor the opportunity to compose a written work in English and then translate it into another language.

Gerald Yearwood, senior administrative director for the office of diversity affairs, said he plays a minimal role as the faculty adviser for The Crucible, as it is a student-run endeavor. “Students are putting this publication together and want to reach out more to students of color and students from diverse backgrounds,� Yearwood said.

Senior Marissa Sims is involved in various diversity affairs on campus. She thinks it is necessary for minorities to have their voices heard on campus, and that mainstream publications like The Miami Student and Miami Quarterly should help facilitate it. “Sometimes when you are a minority, the issues you care about are glossed over, because the media focuses on what the majority is interested in,� Sims said. “But there are a lot of events happening in multicultural communities.�

THE MIAMI STUDENT

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010 ♦ 15

Sports

softball

MU falls in first home series

By JM Rieger Staff Writer

After going 2-3 at the Huskie Softball Classic in Seattle, Wash., the RedHawks returned to Oxford Tuesday, dropping two games in a double-header against the Fighting Leathernecks of Western Illinois University (WIU).

The two teams played 21 total innings as WIU took the first game in extra innings 5-1, followed by a 5-3 victory in the nightcap.

Sophomore pitcher Jessica Simpson had another phenomenal performance, throwing 13.1 innings and not allowing a single run for the first 11 innings in game one. Although she gave up 16 hits, she was able to get out of a lot of jams throughout the game and only allowed one earned run. In addition, Simpson has added

a new pitch to her arsenal, which has helped her improve this season. “(Simpson) is tough as nails when runners are on and her defense plays hard behind her,” Head Coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly said. “Jessica is the type of player that isn’t satisfied.

I feel like her conditioning is further along this year and she wants to come through for her team.”

After failing to score in the bottom of the 11th with a runner on third and one out, Miami University responded to WIU’s run in the top of the 12th with a Sarah Billstrom homerun in the bottom of the 12th, her third homer of the season. However, the RedHawks were not able to overcome a four run 14th inning by WIU, dropping the first game 5-1.

Both teams traded runs to start the second game, until Miami took a 3-1 lead in the fourth inning thanks to

two doubles from senior outfielder Alicia Hogl and freshman first baseman Shannon Tillett. But, the Fighting Leathernecks were able to retake the lead in the top of the fifth and never looked back, going on to win the second game 5-3.

“We left the field with a sick feeling in our guts,” Schoenly said.

“Western Illinois is a quality team and we knew we would have to play well to beat them. But that is something we are definitely capable of doing.”

Up next for the RedHawks will be the Miami Invitational this weekend.

The Red and White face off Friday against Robert Morris University (RMU) and will finish up against University of Toledo Sunday.

Simpson and Hogl are coming off great performances throughout the last two weeks, as they were

MICHAEL GRIGGS The Miami Student

Junior catcher Jenna McGivney stays focused on the pitch coming her way. named the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Pitcher of the Week and the MAC East Player of the Week, respectively. In addition, the Red and White will be looking to star junior catcher Jenna McGivney to have another great performance.

McGivney has thrown out 11 of 15 runners this season, and is widely

considered one of the top defensive catchers in the nation.

“We definitely have our work cut out for us this year, but with the strongest returning lineup in the MAC, we have what we need to be successful and to go further than any Miami softball team has gone,” Hogl said.

golf

Red and White earn 10th out of 18 on the links

By Hannah R. Miller Staff Writer

The Miami University golf team returned to action this week, playing in their first tournament since Feb. 15 and 16.

The RedHawks traveled to Orlando to compete in the Rio Pinar Invitational March 15 and 16. After three rounds of play, the RedHawk golfers finished in 10th place overall out of an 18-team field.

Head Coach Casey Lubahn was disappointed with the final placement, but thought his team competed pretty well.

“I don’t know if we expected (these results), we expected a little better,” Lubahn said. “But at the same time, we have to be realistic about where we come out of the offseason break.

We’re just not saving a shot or two, but overall I think we’re pleased.”

Junior golfer Nathan Sutherland had a similar feeling following the conclusion of play.

“We obviously thought we’d finish a few places higher,” Sutherland said. “It was a good field, and at this time of the year you can’t have too high of expectations because otherwise you’ll set yourself up for failure, but it was a good week.”

On Monday after a shaky start the ’Hawks found themselves more than 20 strokes back from the first place team, the University of Central Florida, after the first round. But the RedHawks, led by Sutherland, managed to find their way back, finishing in eighth place after two rounds at the end of day one.

Tuesday’s round brought more success for the RedHawks with solid play from a number of Miami golfers. Sutherland scored a 73 in each of his three rounds, leaving him at three over par and in 14th place individually for the tournament. In addition to Sutherland’s strong performance, senior Craig Voorhees improved by seven places individually from Monday, finishing with a 73 in Tuesday’s round,

bringing him to eight over par overall and tied for 33rd place. Freshman Blake English contributed to the success of the team as well, finishing the tournament only two strokes back from Voorhees and tied for 42nd overall.

At the close of the tournament, Miami’s team score was 895 and 31 over par. Sutherland was proud of his team coming off the tournament, still recognizing areas for improvement.

“We got off to a bad start almost every round, but we hung in there, and I think we’re getting tougher which is definitely something to be proud of,” Sutherland said. “But we still need to work on our par five scoring, and controlling our emotions.”

Coach Lubahn noted the improved play of the younger teammates, while acknowledging the steady leadership of the older players. He, like Sutherland, saw areas for improvement.

“The big thing right now is we’re working hard for a breakthrough moment where we can push through and get some big wins,” Lubahn

said. “We’re really close now.”

Coach Lubahn believes his players can capitalize on this talent as long as his players play well on the easier holes.

“Most importantly, it’s time to start believing in ourselves, and it starts with me,” Lubahn said. “I believe in these guys and I need to make sure they know that. We need to push the envelope a little, and we need to work hard to the play to the best of our abilities and really believe in ourselves.”

In order to prepare for the next tournament, Lubahn is going to work his players hard.

“We’re going to get very intense in practice,” Lubahn said. “We need to ramp up the overall competitiveness of our practices and prepare ourselves a little better for competition. I expect us to have good results the rest of the year.

I really do.”

The golf team will be back on the links April 3 and 4 at the Irish Creek Collegiate Tournament in Charlotte, NC.

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16

Sports

Friday

March 19, 2010

Editor Katie Giovinale giovinkl@muohio.edu

SCOTT ALLISON The Miami Student

Junior infielder Kyle Weldon slams a pitch in Wednesday’s game against Northern Kentucky University.

baseball

’Hawks victorious in home opener

By Alex Butler Senior Staff Writer

A picturesque March afternoon, the aroma of well nurtured hotdogs and hamburgers and a finely groomed McKie Field at Hayden Park meant only one thing Wednesday: baseball is back in Oxford.

After the large crowd dispersed from the concession stand, they overwhelmed the bleachers and piled up on the grassy knoll to watch the new version of the Miami University RedHawk baseball team (7-7) capture their first home victory of the season 3-1 over the Northern Kentucky University Norse (11-5).

“You always approach it that it’s

our building and our field and we want to take care of how we play when we are at home in front of our fans,” Head Coach Dan Simonds said. “It was nice to see us go out and have a solid effort. We’ve played a couple of weeks now and there is always opening day jitters but I think we overcame that and got some timely hitting.”

The first smack was a two bagger by center fielder Ryan Curl but it was the RedHawk arms that pushed the Norse around.

Coach Simonds called on the live limb of freshman Mac Thoreson to lead the charge on the hill andThoreson responded with his first win in the Red threads before the bullpen took over.

Seven other RedHawks tossed against the Norse and held them to one run over seven innings.

“The pitchers did a great job,” Simonds said. “We used the eight guys and it was nice to see they all kind of filled their role today and gave strong innings when they got out there. The bullpen is one of our strengths this year and we’ve felt that all along.”

A single by Adam Eaton sent Curl home and gave the Red and White the lead. It took another junior, Ryan Kaup, to plate the next RedHawk in the fourth inning to give the home team a 2-0 advantage.

Sophomore Jordan Jankowski raked a double to left in the fifth to get the lead to 3-0.

“Throughout the whole game we definitely had solid at bats,” junior catcher Adam Weisenburger said. “At all the times when we needed to play small ball we did. Some guys came up with some key hits to help us push a couple runs across.”

The Norse avoided the goose egg with a seventh inning run before senior Jamaal Hollis and Jankowski got the call to stable the steeds in the eighth and ninth frames with Jankowski securing the save.

“We feed off of the pitchers and they feed off of us,” Weisenburger said. “When they keep throwing up zeros it helps our hitters get more comfortable and it pushed us on to a victory. A lot of people here in Oxford

love the 3 p.m. start and a day game.

They can sit out on a beautiful day and watch some good baseball.”

Skipper Simonds’ RedHawks head to Alabama for a weekend series against Jacksonville State University starting off at 2 p.m. with a doubleheader Saturday against the Gamecocks.

“We are going down and this is going to be like a good MAC team,” Simonds said. “They come from a solid conference and they are going to be a solid ball club. Our expectation is to continue playing the way we’ve been playing.”

The Red and White have lost their last six games in Alabama since 2008.

hockey

RedHawks head north for CCHA semifinals

By Erika Hadley Senior Staff Writer

Playoff season is now well underway and the No. 2 Miami University men’s ice hockey team (26-6-7 overall) will venture to Joe Louis Arena in Detroit this weekend to compete for a chance at the CCHA Tournament title.

The No. 1 seeded Red and White battled to a 6-2 comeback win in last Friday’s second round matchup v. Ohio State University (OSU) before coming up short against the Buckeyes on Saturday. The two game split necessitated a rubber match on Sunday and the Brotherhood, backed by sophomore Connor Knapp’s phenomenal goaltending, emerged victorious to punch its ticket to “the Joe.” “This past weekend was a great example (of how the team has matured),” senior Brandon Smith said. “We came out hot the first night but faced a lot of adversity and it could have been easy in either game to fold it off. We were down 3-0 and Saturday we battled back and Friday was a tough game and we played real tough D. It showed some nights we can score a lot of goals but other nights we have to rely on other things. It kind of shows how our team’s grown — we can win ugly, win from behind.”

Miami has played for the CCHA Tournament title just three times since joining the league in 1981-82 and has yet to skate away with the Mason Cup. “No team’s a lock to get (to the CCHA Tournament),” Miami Head Coach Enrico Blasi said. “Only four teams in a 12 team league get to play for a playoff championship so it’s important to be there. You appreciate the opportunity when you’re not there every year and it’s hard to get there. You’ve got to live in the moment, take it as it comes and enjoy it, too.”

The RedHawks’ first CCHA finals appearance came during the 1992-93 campaign. The Red and White entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed that season and finished runner up.

In 2005-06, the Brotherhood was narrowly defeated by Michigan State University (MSU) in a hard fight. Two seasons later, Michigan held Miami off the scoreboard for 59 minutes, and Mitch Ganzak’s extra attacker goal in the last seconds of regulation was not enough for the ’Hawks to take the title. “(Trying to win the title is) real important

MICHAEL GRIGGS The Miami Student

Freshman forward Reilly Smith nets a puck against the University of Michigan on Nov. 7, 2009. because as much success as my class has had here, it’s only our second trip to the Joe,” Smith said. “We’ve had a lot of disappointments in CCHA playoffs, so to get a chance to play for it (again this year) is huge. Our program’s never won a playoffs championship and any time you get a chance to do that it’s pretty special, so we’re excited for it.”

Friday night the Red and White will face off against the No. 17 Wolverines once again, this time in the semifinal round.

Ever since Miami and the Maize and Blue clashed in a No. 1 v. No. 2 series during the 2007-08 season, a fierce rivalry has developed.

Michigan boasts a sizeable lead in the all time series 68-22-3, though the RedHawks hold a 7-5-1 advantage since 2005-06.

The last time the two teams met, the Brotherhood recorded a historic first sweep of the Wolverines in Ann Arbor on Nov. 6 and 7, 2009.

Senior Jarod Palmer recorded two goals five minutes apart to kick off the RedHawks’ 3-1 Friday triumph over the Maize and Blue and Miami netted five unanswered goals en route to a 5-1 routing of Michigan in the series finale.

Those two defeats marked the beginning of an uncharacteristic five game losing streak for Michigan that included a home and home series sweep by rival MSU. The Wolverines dropped out of the national rankings and fell out of favor in the league that voted them No. 1 as a preseason pick. Thereafter ensued

a rollercoaster season of ups and downs that saw the Maize and Blue finishing seventh in the CCHA regular season rankings.

Since ending the regular season with a loss to Notre Dame University, the Wolverines have put the past behind them and stormed through the first two rounds of the CCHA postseason tournament, scoring no less than five goals in each game. Michigan cruised past Lake Superior State University in the first round before upsetting No. 3 seed MSU in the quarterfinals to advance to the Joe. It’s time for a rematch.

Miami boasts a balanced attack with the nation’s No. 1 defense, No. 8 offense and No. 6 combined special teams. The RedHawks also have two of the nation’s top goaltenders in Knapp (1.96 goals-against average, 0.920 SP) and classmate Cody Reichard (1.64 GAA, 0.930 SP), and the team’s top three scorers — Palmer and juniors Andy Miele and captain Tommy Wingels — have more than 40 points apiece.

Michigan’s offense averages 3.27 and its defense ranks eighth in the NCAA, while combined special teams are No. 14. A trio of talented juniors — Carl Hagelin, Louie Caporusso and Matt Rust — lead the Maize and Blue in scoring with 43, 39 and 35 points, respectively. “(We need to) go up there and play our game, pay attention to detail and be good in all three zones,” Blasi said. “You really have to play

your A-game when you’re playing Michigan.”

The Wolverines boast a long history of being serious postseason contenders — this weekend will mark the team’s 21st consecutive CCHA Tournament Final Four appearance. Michigan has won the title eight times. Additionally, the Maize and Blue has made a record 19 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, but that number won’t hit 20 unless Red Berenson’s squad wins it all this weekend.

The two teams on the other side of the bracket — Northern Michigan University (NMU) and Ferris State University (FSSU) — are slated to each snag one of the 16 spots in the NCAA Tournament as of now. The Bulldogs rank eighth in the national polls and are tied for eighth in the PairWise Rankings (PWR), while the Wildcats are 12th in the polls and tied for 11th in the PWR. The “win and get in” approach can be better than relying on the results of other tournaments, though.

Last weekend, unranked University of Alabama in Huntsville shocked the college hockey world by winning the final College Hockey America (CHA) title, earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament and taking the place of one of the nation’s other top 16 teams in that honor.

With so much to play for, it’s needless to say that the competition at Joe Louis Arena this weekend is sure to be stiff.

“Ferris State fought for first place pretty much all year, Northern Michigan is a team that has been there the last six years and Michigan’s always there and they’re playing some of the best hockey, so it’s going to be a great tournament,” Blasi said. “We’re looking forward to it and anybody can win.”

The puck is slated to drop at 8:05 p.m. on Friday in the matchup between Miami and Michigan. FSSU will face off against NMU in the earlier game, at 4:35 p.m. The championship game will take place at 7:35 p.m. Saturday, with the third place contest occurring earlier in the day at 3:35 p.m.

Television coverage of the semifinal game featuring NMU and FSSU will be provided

by FSN Detroit, while the Miami v. Michigan contest will be shown on the Big Ten Network.

FSN Detroit will also televise the championship game on Saturday. As always, fans may also follow along with WMSR’s live coverage at http://www.redhawkradio.com