The Miami Student | February 23, 2021

ESTABLISHED 1826 — OLDEST COLLEGE NEWSPAPER WEST OF THE ALLEGHENIES

Volume

o

Miami university — Oxford, Ohio

From “rich daddy” to Pell Grant recipients: a look at Miami’s class division ECONOMICS COMMENCEMENT

ABBY BAMMERLIN ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR

LEXI WHITEHEAD ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR

Miami University’s preppy reputacial and anecdotal evidence shows that sentiment has contributed to a lasting impact on the university’s socioeconomic diversity.

While federal privacy laws pro-

Miami University President Greg son-Jenkins will be this year’s spring commencement speaker. The an-

many low-income students are admitted to a university, one indication is through the percentage of students receiving a Pell Grant.

This federal grant is available for students who display a high need for

life to social justice.

“While teaching was my vocation, my calling was always communi-

during a Board of Trustees meeting.

Rights Movement. There was never a time I was not active or not calling for

Pell Grant statistics for colleges across the country.

She began her career as a public

school year received Pell Grants – the lowest among four-year public universities in Ohio.

For comparison, the average percentage of students receiving Pell Grants from four-year public universi-

Women Voters and served two terms. elected to the position, and she also served as the chair of the League of Women Voters Education Fund.

With the League of Women Vot-

Beth Johnson, the director of stu-

that closed loopholes in campaign creasing the amount of voters in local elections.

She also helped with the “Get Out

wrote in an email to The Miami Student that admission decisions are not cumstances.

“Admission decisions are based on a review of the student’s admission materials and are NOT [sic] based on DESIGN EDITOR OWEN BERG

First-year Lexi Fields, an integrated social studies education major, received a Pell Grant after being admitted to Miami. She said she notices some members of the student body

said. “It’s kind of the same with tuition, maybe we were talking about getting our books or how many courses are taking. For some people, they just don’t even really recognize or realize that funding is a struggle for some

some indication of Miami’s socioeconomic diversity.

According to the study, the median income of families of students at

Despite the limitations placed on

parison, the median income of households in Ohio at the same time was

just doesn’t really cross their mind the

to U.S. census data.

First-year business economics major Evan Gates, who posted The Times study to his Instagram, said the date of the study’s publication does not necessarily change its relevance.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

online resources for nonpartisan election information.

“Throughout her illustrious ca-

our graduates will be inspired to use their Miami education to serve, lead

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Let’s talk about (pandemic) sex, baby STUDENT LIFE HANNAH HORSINGTON ASST. MAGAZINE EDITOR Tinder. Bumble. Hinge.

Meet up. Hook up. Maybe talk again, maybe not.

For many college students, this was the pre-pandemic reality. For some, it still is. For others, the pandemic has caused them to stay away from those random strangers at the bar or Whether searching for the love of their life or simply looking for a quick hookup, one thing seems to be true for many college students’ sex lives during the pandemic — they’re more cautious, reevaluating who they’re having sex with and what their values are.

Junior Maddie Rennie has found herself ing hookups online in the past months. Instead, inner circle.

“I’ve hooked up with other people in my friend group and got to know them better, which has kind of eliminated me trying to meet new people and go places where I haven’t gone before or environments I haven’t really been exposed She’s hooked up with friends from high school and friends-of-a-friend. While she may have hooked up with one or two of them anyway, others she may not have if not for the pandemic.

“A lot of times, before the pandemic, I would meet people at the bar or in class or things like that, which made it a little bit easier to meet people outside of my circle, which sometimes is nice … but for right now, it’s easier and safer to stay DESIGNER SADIE VAN WIE

This Issue

on me personally is getting my feelings involved when it comes to people in my inner circle, because that makes things a little more complicated A sophomore kinesiology major, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, also found himself turning to a person that he already knew, and someone who he knew takes the pandemic seriously, to lose his virginity with.

He hooked up with a friend from high school, and while he isn’t sure if this would have still been the case in a non-pandemic world, he does know that his friends’ views on the pandemic were a contributing factor.

“I’m more inclined to just go with someone who I’ve already known who obviously takes the He also felt more motivated to go with someone more than a stranger, building a connection our generation has become more accustomed to.

Like Rennie, he feels the constant isolation many people have experienced over the past year has caused them to crave human contact even more — and not just for sex.

“People are more looking for someone to be with, [and] they don’t basically just have to have ly during this time, and all I’ve wanted was to just, like, have someone, obviously that I know, just in my bed with me, watching TV, cuddling, A junior strategic communications major, who also spoke under the condition of anonymity, has found herself CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

CAMPUS & COMMUNITY

STYLE

Mad about your 8:30?

Imagine taking all your classes at night.

Why is everybody knitting right now?

page 5

Rennie is also grateful that she has company — something that the pandemic has often pre-

vented in the past year. She said it’s nice not to feel alone and hooking up with someone is a good way to relieve that feeling of isolation.

The one downside to staying within her circle of friends? Feelings sometimes get caught in the middle.

OPINION

page 9

Baseball is back

The special thing about strangers page 10

page 12

This Week

2 FYI

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021

Named the Best College Newspaper (Non-daily) in Ohio by the Society of Professional Journalists.

Things to do

CHRIS VINEL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Julia Arwine Emily Dattilo Managing Editors

Sarah Grace Hays Maggie Peña Multimedia Editors

Owen Berg Design Editor

Chloe Murdock Magazine Editor

Tim Carlin Briah Lumpkins Duard Headley David Kwiatkowski Campus & Community Editors

Dan Wozniak Business Manager

Lukas Nelson Sports Editor

Fred Reeder Business Adviser

Opinion Editor Bo Brueck Photo Editor

Macey Chamberlin Alessandra Manukian Soren Melbye Sadie Van Wie Designers Madeline Phaby Abby Bammerlin Sean Scott Taj Simmons Lexi Whitehead Cosette Gunter Asst. Campus & Community Editors

James Tobin Faculty Adviser

Aim Media Midwest Printer Kelly Marsella Sydney Stewart Distributors

Cocoa & Conversations w/ Seth Seward

Tues

Armstrong Pavilion Join MAP for cocoa and conversations about Miami’s Black history with Seth Seward.

2/23

Georges Rouault in the Context of Art and War

Weds

Virtual Event

2/24

Owen Berg Style Editor

1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

Enjoy a lecture about a Parisian artist by Edna Southard.

Jessica Robinson Humor Editor David Kwiatkowski Entertainment Editor Somnia Keesey Social Media Editor

2/25

Sydney Hill Brianna Porter Copy Editors

Advertising information: miamistudent.net/advertise Send us a letter? eic@miamistudent.net The Miami Student is published on Tuesdays during the school year by the students of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

The content of The Miami Student is the sole responsibility of The Miami

CORRECTIONS POLICY

Thurs

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

Fri 2/26

Capris & Canvases

1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.

Join MAP for a night of canvas painting and Capri Sun drinking.

Pedal With Professors Campus Avenue Garage Join some of Miami’s faculty for this casual weekly bike ride.

4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.

From “rich daddy” to Pell Grant recipients:

a look at Miami’s class division

“We don’t have more recent numbers that you points to the reality that [today’s demographics are] probably pretty similar to what we saw [in The study, based on millions of anonymous tax records, “shows that some colleges are even more economically segregated than previously understood, while others are associated with pares with its peer schools in both economic diversity and student outcomes.

Miami ranked third out of 377 “selective pubcoming from the top 1% of the income distribution. According to the study, about 7% of Miami students’ families make $630,000 or more annually.

Miami senior and Student Body President Jannie Kamara said she was disappointed to see the number of students from the bottom 20% of the study’s income distribution.

Just less than 5% of students came from these families, who make $20,000 or less per year.

“I think as an institution we focus a lot on so many other areas of diversity and inclusion, that that’s a very big issue here on campus that we do Jonika Moore, senior associate director of admissions, oversees diversity initiatives and recruitment at Miami. She said the data presented eryone at Miami.

“Even though I would have been considered in the bottom 20% back in my day, I wouldn’t have been in this data because my mom did not mation because federal privacy law prevents the sharing of students’ income data.

While she’s unclear on how accurate The Times’ data is, Moore acknowledged that it shows there is still room for improvement when it comes to Miami’s socioeconomic diversity.

“I do believe Miami has work to do in this area because I think that — not because we don’t recruit students — but we also have the issue of

Kamara said students might not just be deterred by Miami’s reputation — they may be more concerned with Miami’s price tag.

“Many people look at Miami’s tuition and are

ipants then spend the night in Miami’s residence halls before leaving the next morning.

“We’re able to encourage students to at least participate in the program to make an informed

Kamara said. “A lot of students come here who are at lower income because of scholarships, and I think that shouldn’t be a student’s main propo-

Miami’s not for you, but at least you’re making it from an informed perspective, as opposed to

Gates said this was something he experienced been paying more than $51,000 annually to attend Miami.

According to College Tuition Compare, Miami has the highest out-of-state tuition of all public universities in Ohio. Its in-state tuition is the sixth highest of public universities in the state.

“That’s a sad thing to say, money is a big thing “We should really look at, as an institution, how we reduce tuition ... because at the end of the day, we’re also looking at how we ensure that students are having low student loans as they’re leaving today than it was when she was a student at Miami. The state and federal government give less aid to students than they have in the past, leaving it up to universities to fund the majority of scholarships. money has to be raised. So we can only give you what we have. So at some point, it’s kind of like

Moore said 97% of students who attend Bridges and apply to Miami are admitted, and almost half attend.

Sophomore mechanical engineering major Alex Hauptman participated in the Bridges Program in high school. Now, as a student at Miami, Hauptman helps with the program when needed.

“I think that one of the very strong messages is that no matter who you are and what background you come from, everyone has a very unique stoJunior speech pathology major Sunita Dhar also did Bridges in high school. She said she doesn’t think the program is representative of Miami’s diversity on campus, but she expected that.

“I don’t feel like that it’s bad in any way beit’s a program for students that are of color or are diverse. It’s just kind of all of those people in one Dhar said in her hometown of Toledo, Ohio, Miami had a reputation for being a school for wealthy white families. is, because in college pamphlets, I feel like they

periencing homelessness with temporary housing, students with food insecurity with the swipe donation program and students in technological need with the F5 laptop program for a refurbished laptop.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Miami created the Emergency Needs Fund to help students in need. As of Feb. 5, the fund raised more than a million dollars from more than 2,000 donors. The fund is still open today.

“I think our alums and corporations are really While Miami’s number of Pell Grant recipients is lower than other schools in the area, Johnson said students who come to Miami are more likely to succeed.

“Pell Grant recipients graduate from Miami at a higher rate than most Ohio public universigraduates from the Oxford campus who received or were continuing their education by the end of Moore said as a low-income Miami graduate herself, her story isn’t unique. She said she believes other low-income students can succeed at Miami.

“If you come to Miami, you study at Miami, you engage … there will be increases in outKamara said she is looking forward to having a more complex conversation about socioeco-

we can support. If you’re in the bottom 20 [percent], that means Miami has to cover the whole But even with limitations on the amount of full-rides that can be given out, Moore said Mi“We don’t make our students have to jump through a bunch of hoops to give them the mon-

“I think as an institution we focus a lot on so many other areas of diversity and

plication, we give you all the scholarship money

- Jannie Kamara

Fields said her experience with One Stop, Mi“The university and other people that are

Moore said before potential students even apply to Miami, they may be hesitant to give the university a chance.

“Sometimes, the perception of Miami hinders

always try to sneak in some color somewhere, so cial means to get through college and pursue our

they’ll assume, ‘Well, everybody is rich there, so Fields said she knew of Miami’s reputation when she applied to the university.

“I knew coming in that Miami stereotypically was kind of a party school, rich daddy, coming

Moore said she works to make sure potential students are aware of opportunities for them if they apply. One of the ways she does that is through the Bridges Program.

The program website invites students of underrepresented populations to apply. Students who are accepted into the program will be

that rich background that the stereotype kind of including one centered around diversity. Partic-

“I mean, I knew that it was a pretty rich, white school. I didn’t think it was as rich and white as it Currently, Bridges hosts four sessions with 150 students per session. Moore said she would like to do more sessions to accommodate the many more students who are applying to the program, but there isn’t enough room in the budget.

Once students are admitted to Miami, Moore said the Student Success Center (SSC) can also provide low-income students with resources they may need.

Craig Bennett, senior director of SSC, said

nomic diversity on Miami’s campus. how we can better break down ideas of class to help push a better class consciousness, because Fields said she hopes the student body will begin having a conversation of their own.

“I think we just need to acknowledge and reabout it more openly instead of it just kind of be@abby_bammerlin bammeraj@miamioh.edu

CAMPUS & COMMUNITY 3

LUMPKIBM@MIAMIOH.EDU

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021

Let’s talk about (pandemic) sex, baby CONTINUED FROM FRONT wanting that special connection with another person, whether physical or emotional.

While she was never really interested in hookups and one-night stands, the reopening world caused her to want a deeper connection even more.

“When things have opened up a little

more and you’ve been able to see a few more people … I feel like you don’t take those things for granted as much anymore,” she said. “And I’ve been more focused on actually trying to find that [connection].”

While she was careful to remain isolated at home, she has branched out a little more since returning to campus.

“It’s not that I was taking it less seri-

“It’s a judge of character, almost. If you’re talking to someone and they have no regard for the pandemic, they don’t care about it as much or take it seriously ... then I probably wouldn’t want to hook up with them.”

ously, but it just seemed like things became a little more normal and a little less scary,” she said.

Still, with the rise in COVID numbers Miami saw in the fall, she knew she wanted to be extremely careful about who she associated with. One of her go-to conversation topics became a good way to assess how cautious her prospective partners were.

“In this day and age, getting to know people [means] talking about the pandemic and how they view it,” she said. “I usually like to associate myself with people who do take it seriously and are at least a little concerned.”

If they don’t take the pandemic seriously, that’s her cue that she wouldn’t want to pursue any type of relationship with them anyway. “[It’s] a judge of character, almost,” she said. “If you’re talking to someone and they have no regard for the pandemic, they don’t care about it as much or take it seriously ... then I probably wouldn’t want to hook up with them, because that is a thing about their character.” @hannahorsington horsinhp@miamioh.edu

Chapel Hill School of Education as an assistant adjunct professor while remaining involved in many community-based organizations.

Summer of ‘64 Award from Miami last year, becoming the third recipient. The award recognizes leaders who work to advance civil rights and social justice.

“What I hope to convey to the new Miami alumni is that they were made for a moment eration has a transformational time, and this is it for them. And while we don’t know what the future holds, we know that this class is made for this moment – their passion, their perseverance, their adaptability. We know they will make the world better, and their Miami education and experience has prepared them for that.”

It has yet to be decided whether the spring commencement ceremony, which is scheduled for May 15, will be held in person or virtually. @nwlexi whitehan@miamioh.edu

ASG allocates $3,900 for menstrual hygiene products STUDENT GOVERNMENT MADELINE PHABY ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR Miami University’s Associated Student Government (ASG) approved its internal operating budget (IOB) at its Feb. 16 meeting, which included an allocation of just less than $4,000 for menstrual hygiene products.

The IOB was initially sent to senators for them to review at the Feb. 2 meeting, but it did not originally include the funding for the menstrual products. Academic senator Makenna Linkey presented an amendment at that meeting to include the funding in the IOB. Most of the funding will be used to install 12 menstrual hygiene dispensers in the Armstrong Student Center. The rest will be spent on menOn-campus senator Sidra Capriolo spoke in favor of the amendment and recognized that this initiative has been in the works for years.

I thought of when I was in ASG was ‘We need better period everything — we need receptacles, we need to provide them for students,’” Caprio-

so excited to see it.”

Both the amendment and the entire IOB were approved unanimously.

Later, ASG passed four pieces of legislation: two bills and two resolutions. retary for governmental relations, was authored by academic senator Vada Stephens, on-campus senators Matan Bar and Sidra Capriolo and speaker pro tempore Victoria Villanueva.

The bill added a clause to ASG’s bylaws stating that the secretary for governmental relations will “serve as the lead of civic engagement within ASG,” a duty that will entail running voter registration drives and other voting initiatives.

The second bill, authored by parliamentarian Evan Gates, will allow ASG to pass “sense of senate” resolutions. Unlike typical resolutions, these will not require actionable steps but will instead serve to express ASG’s collective opinion on a particular issue.

According to the bill, Gates was inspired by student government bodies at other universities, which already pass these types of resolutions. pus senator Connor Manley, endorsed the creation of a College Pads site for Miami.

College Pads is a website that helps stu-

Oxford tows 39 cars on Presidents’ Day

with several universities, such as the University of Minnesota and the University of Pittsburgh, which allows students to view additional This resolution will be presented to Miami’s proval.

Finally, ASG passed a second resolution, authored by academic senators Molly Kodman and Megan Sparks. This resolution endorses the creation of designated parking spaces for electric scooters.

Currently, electric scooters are supposed to be parked at bike racks. But, they are often in-

CITY OF OXFORD JAKE RUFFER ASST. MAGAZINE EDITOR At Oxford City Council’s Feb. 16 meeting, Chief of Police John Jones reported that 39 cars were towed from snow routes during the previous day’s snow emergency.

Snow emergencies are declared when snowfall accumulates past three inches, and Oxford saw around six on Presidents’ Day. One of the 39 cars towed belonged to a South Main Street resident who said she and her boyfriend received no communication before their vehicle went missing in the middle of the afternoon.

“His car was just gone with every other car on the street,” said Stacey Whitlock, a recent Miami graduate.

Whitlock said her boyfriend had to call the Oxford Police Department (OPD) to locate the the Chestnut Street parking lot. He was charged $275.

“I see a lot of complaints on social media, and I understand that, because nobody likes to get their car towed, but it is not a money-making adventure. It is not a revenue source for us,” Jones said at the council meeting. “What it does is it makes it much safer for the snow plows to

be out and reduces our accidents.”

Jones said employees were brought in on holiday pay to clear the roads due to Monday being Presidents’ Day. He noted the 39 towings were an improvement from the last winter storm, when OPD ticketed 216 cars for snow route violations.

To help clear the roads before tow trucks become necessary during snow emergencies, Miami allows anyone to park in multiple lots on campus.

“We open up our remote parking lots at Ditmer, Chestnut Fields and Millett Hall West to any vehicles, not just student vehicles,” said Ben Spilman, Miami University police captain.

Spilman said these lots are kept open and safe for all vehicles for 24 hours after a snow emergency is lifted.

“During those times, we’ll continue to patrol those lots, but we’re not taking any kind of enforcement action,” Spilman said. “We’re just interested in making sure that people have a they can be clear until the snow emergency passes.”

Communication about snow emergencies can be received through Nixle, and information about Oxford’s winter weather policies can be found on the city’s website.

@madphabes phabymr@miamioh.edu

City Council addresses Oxford’s response to recent weather emergency CITY OF OXFORD SEAN SCOTT ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR In response to the recent snow emergency, Oxford City Council proposed an ordinance to allocate an additional $75,000 to the street fund during its Feb. 16 meeting.

The money would go toward additional weather-related costs such as purchasing more director, said costs the city $74 per ton.

“As you can tell from the past few days, we need this purchase,” Newlin said. “The street crew has done a great job plowing the streets.

Last night, when I was out shoveling my driveway, they drove past, and they gave me a beep.

So I want to thank them for their service.”

During the Feb. 15 snow emergency, 39 phasized the importance of complying with city guidance when there is heavy snowfall.

In response to the recent freezing temperatures, community member Barbara Caruso asked council on behalf of Oxford Citizens for Peace and Justice (OCPJ) to extend funding for the city’s cold shelter. Council allocated $74,000 last fall to pilot the program, which provides shelter to homeless people in Oxford during extreme cold.

When council initially approved the cold shelter, it was to rent six hotel rooms from November through January. As of Tuesday, Feb. 16, the rooms were over capacity. No additional action was taken at the most recent meeting.

“With administration through the Family Resource Center, [OCPJ is] collecting funds which ends now on the last day of February,” Caruso said. “We want to extend that through

OXFORD HAD TO TOW DOZENS OF CARS FOR SNOW PLOWS TO GET THROUGH DURING THE SNOW EMERGENCY. CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OXFORD

correctly parked, and the Miami University Police Department is then forced to retrieve them and put them in the proper location. The resolution would make parking spaces more widely available on campus in hopes of reducing the number of scooters that are improperly parked.

The resolution will be presented to physical facilities and the campus planning committee, and ASG will assist these groups with the initiative if they decide to go forward with it.

ASG’s next meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m.

the month of March. If we can, we also want to add more capacity, which is sorely needed, for this month.”

Council also passed a resolution to allocate $350,000 to convert the city’s street lighting to LED bulbs during the meeting.

The resolution, introduced by Oxford’s Service Director Mike Dreisbach, would save the ing bulb brightness. The switch aims to reduce the city’s carbon footprint and has a payback Councilor David Prytherch said the resolution took special consideration to limit Oxdirect light downward. Council also discussed shield lights from shining into residents’ apartments.

“I’m glad we’re making this investment, and I do appreciate the additional consideration of Additionally, council agreed to pursue a $500,000 grant from the Clean Ohio Trails Fund to extend the Oxford Area Trails.

Jessica Greene, assistant city manager, said the funds would go toward phases three and four of the trails, which will be constructed concurrently in 2022. The city has collected $1.9 million in grants so far, almost half the total budget of $4.2 million for the project.

In addition to grants, Greene said the trails the cost for Oxford residents by matching the money raised through the levy with donations and grants.

The next City Council meeting will be streamed on YouTube at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 2. scottsr2@miamioh.edu

4 CAMPUS & COMMUNITY

CARLINTM@MIAMIOH.EDU

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021

Black History Month:

the Miami experience as a student of color

BLACK STUDENT LEADERS REFLECT ON A YEAR OF CIVIL UNREST AND A NEW PRESIDENCY. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR BRIAH LUMPKINS

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION RACHEL DIMEFF THE MIAMI STUDENT After the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and countless other Black Americans and the historic election of Kamala Harris to the vice presidency, Black Miami University students are optimistic for the future while acknowledging that In honor of Black History Month, The Miami Student sat down with several Black student leaders to discuss the impacts of last summer’s civil unrest, the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and the future that lies ahead.

Student Body President Jannie Kamara remembered the impact of Floyd’s death last May. “It was hard to see the George Floyd murder,” Kamara said. “I felt desensitized to [Black Americans being killed by police] because of events that happened in 2014. I have completely disassociated myself from seeing Black death.”

Athena Williams, president of the Black Student Action Association (BSAA), said the social media movement that followed last spring’s police killings had both highs and lows.

One of the biggest social media trends, #BlackoutTuesday, was intended to quickly spread awareness, but information got lost due to many people misusing the hashtag.

“The social media movement that followed said. “The unfortunate part of things going mainstream is the actual ideas behind the post gets watered down.”

Kamara agreed that activism should go beyond just posting a picture. She noted that because of her identity, she cannot leave her activism on social media.

“Many people have the choice to be able to take not have that privilege,” Kamara said.

The inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris has brought a sense of hope to Miami’s Black community, but students are still cautious of what lies ahead.

“I would not have wanted another four years of Trump,” Kamara said. “I am excited to see a reversing of Trump policies and to see how this country builds back its trust amongst each other.”

Though Kamara disagrees with some of Harris’ past actions, she is optimistic about the impact of the new vice president’s position.

“Though Harris’s track record isn’t my favorite, her being in her position shows how far Black couraging to see tens and hundreds.”

Williams noted the Biden presidency will not be a cure-all for racism in America.

“The whole system is the problem, but Trump said.

While there is still work to be done at the national level, many Black students pointed out the work that still needs to be right here on campus.

“The school should not be trying to convince more diverse students to attend by only throwing said Brandon Small, secretary of diversity and inclusion for Miami’s Associated Student Government.

Williams recognized the increase in events focused on diversity and inclusion but also pointed out that only people who already care about those topics show up.

“The school can put on as many lectures as they want, but that does not change the fact that most of the people who attend are minorities that want to learn more about their own history or students who are already interested in solving race issues,” Williams said.

Williams noted similar issues with programs like Black world studies.

“The experts in the Black world studies department do an amazing job at teaching Black history, but only the students who are not the problem are the ones who take those classes,” Williams said.

Kamara said the university needs to honestly confront its past.

“Miami should be more open to their dark history rather than highlighting the good they did during the Freedom Summer,” Kamara said.

“Why does the university not discuss what the campus was like in 1809, so we can learn and apply that knowledge to make the school a better place?”

Kamara believes this Black History Month is unique. She witnessed the celebration of Black liberation but wishes to see more action at Miami.

“Particularly in the Miami community, we talk about and highlight Black voices, but what are we doing to actually change the social consciousness of students?” Kamara asked. “Ultimately, it comes down to how is the school challenging the thoughts and beliefs of students who come from privileged backgrounds and who don’t have to question their experience in the world they are living in.”

What Miami’s COVID-19 dashboard gets right and wrong SEAN SCOTT ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR Miami University’s COVID-19 dashboard gets a B+ grade according to independent research group “We Rate Covid Dashboards” (WRCD).

Rankings are based on a 14-point scale, with grades ranging from A+++ for all 14 points to F for no dashboard. Miami’s grade means our dashboard earned eight points – just more than half the total possible.

Carole Johnson, Miami’s associate director for university news and communications, wrote in an email to The Miami Student that the dashboard is maintained by a collaboraments. Student Health Services, Butler County TriHealth and residence life provide the data, while University Marketing and Communications compiles and presents it.

“We believe that an informed community can help lead to a healthy community where its members can make knowledgeable decisions about their health and safety based on data,” Johnson wrote.

Cary Gross, a professor of medicine and public health at Yale University, started WRCD with his friend and fellow faculty member Howard Forman. The pair began working with students last spring to develop standards for how colleges should share COVID-19 data accurately and transparently. toward the end of last spring semester, quite a few colleges reached out to us to ask [questions],” Gross said. “Colleges were hungry not only for feedback, but for some explicit expectations about what should be in their dashboards.”

Nearly a year later, the team has grown to include students and faculty from Ohio State University, Amherst College, Harvard University and Baylor College of Medicine.

Dashboards are ranked on how frequently data is updated, whether city and county data is made available, if they list students in quarantine and isolation and other factors.

Gross said 10 of the 11 current ranking criteria are objective measures. Only one, whether the dashboard is easy to read, leaves room for subjective judgement.

Miami’s eight points come from seven categories. According to WRCD, the dashboard is easy to read, is updated daily and presents both the number of positive cases and the number of tests given. Additionally, the dashboard earned a mark for distinguishing between student and The university lacks points in two newly added categories: accessibility and a vaccina-

tion plan.

Before these two standards were added, Miami’s dashboard had an A rating with 10 out of 14 points. When WRCD reevaluated the dashboard with these new categories in mind on Feb. 16, Miami dropped to its current B+ grade.

“One of the comments that we’ve received repeatedly through this process is that [we] really need to be evaluating the accessibility of college dashboards,” Gross said. “We were contacted by experts from Amherst in digital accessibility. They went through and worked with us to create a new criteria of accessibility that we’re just starting to roll out moving forward.”

WRCD judges accessibility against the second iteration of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1). Each dashboard should have keyboard navigation for interactive elements, alt-text for graphics and color contrast, and users should be able to zoom in to 200% without losing functionality.

Even though Miami didn’t get a positive mark for accessibility, Johnson said the dashboard meets accessibility requirements.

“The Dashboard has been built to meet WCAG 2.0 AA requirements established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),” Johnson wrote.

WCAG 2.0 was established in 2008 and updated 10 years later to WCAG 2.1.

Miami’s dashboard doesn’t fully address how frequently students are tested, either. It provides information on how many total tests are conducted each day and week, but no information on how often students can expect to be tested.

Currently, Miami uses both wide-net and surveillance testing to detect student cases.

While this results in frequent testing overall, nearly 3,000 in the past week alone, students don’t know whether they will be tested once a week, once a month or once a semester. board that fails to display city or county data.

Miami’s dashboard has a link to Butler County’s COVID-19 dashboard but does not embed it directly into the website.

Gross said in keeping with WRCD’s mission to promote transparency, its website provides resources for schools to add county data directly to their own dashboards and make them more accessible.

“We can’t remake everyone’s dashboard for them,” Gross said, “but we’re providing resources where colleges can see how to make their dashboards accessible.”

Eric Mayberry, director of data analytics at Ohio State University, joined the WRCD team as a data expert. He said data transparency is important to help the public make informed decisions during the pandemic.

“I’ve got high schoolers myself who are soon to be college-aged,” Mayberry said. “I would want to know that the university we decided to go to, that they were forthcoming with what was going on in the pandemic.” universities being transparent with COVID-19 data, though. Mayberry said it helps university leadership as well.

“Internally, [COVID-19] data is even more important,” Mayberry said. “Internally, being able to have that data accessible to the leadership team [allows them to] make informed decisions. I’ve always been a proponent of, ‘If you have bad data, you’re going to make bad decisions.’”

Despite the shortcomings of Miami’s COVID-19 dashboard, sophomore public health major Grace Connors said it helps her feel safe on campus.

“If [the university isn’t] being transparent, then you have no idea what’s going on,” Connors said. “That’s really misleading and unfair.

In COVID times, you have to know what the cases are like around you and what your environment is so that you can make the best decisions for your health and safety but also for the safety of those around you.”

Connors uses the dashboard’s color-coded residence hall system to decide whether it’s of campus. If her friend’s hall is red or purple, the two highest levels, she reschedules plans with them.

Gross said WRCD doesn’t take residence hall information into account when ranking dashboards due to the wide range of living schools Miami’s size, though, he said it’s good data to include.

“One thing that I noticed that [Miami] does not in our rating system, but I think it’s a great example of a school going above and beyond on its own.”

Still, Miami has room to improve based on WRCD’s rating. Of the 18 colleges currently rated in Ohio, Miami’s dashboard comes in sixth. That puts it above Kent State’s dashboard, which earned a C with four out of 14, but trails behind Ohio State University’s rating of A+, earning 12 out of 14.

“While we are pleased with our national ranking,” Johnson wrote, “we rely on our community and our health partners for feedback.”

For Gross, however, even a 10 out of 14 doesn’t cut it.

“We’re dealing with a life and death situation here,” Gross said. “I think we should not be striving for a B. I think we should be striving for an A+.” scottsr2@miamioh.edu

Students question media coverage of antiAsian racism RACE SHR-HUA MOORE STAFF WRITER This February, as both Asian and Asian-American Miami University students enjoyed the Lunar New Year, a nationwide spike in hate crimes against the Asian community dampened the celebration.

Both the Oxford Police Department (OPD) and Miami University Police Department of hate crimes against Asian or Asian-American people over the past year. However, Miami’s Asian and Asian American students are disheartened by the anti-Asian racism in the United States, as well as the media’s lack of coverage of these events.

Adam Vuth is a junior mechanical engineering major and the president of the Asian American Association (AAA), a student organization that gives Asian Americans a space to talk to each other, build connections and make new friends.

He described his frustrations after hearing about the spike in hate crimes against the Asian community.

“It’s been heartbreaking to hear about,” he said. “There are all of these elder people being attacked in public seemingly out of nowhere. It’s simply tragic.”

Vuth expressed some discontent with the media’s handling of this topic.

“While on one hand, I’m glad they’re bringing larger attention to the issue, I don’t think they’ve been doing as great a job as they can,” Vuth said.

“While we’ve seen these stories surface up, they usually get quickly covered up by something else.

While there are other things happening, it’s important to recognize racism against Asian Americans.”

Kayla Lynskey, a sophomore studio art major, agrees that the mainstream media has not done enough to cover the topic of anti-Asian racism that has persisted well before COVID-19.

“It seems more often that not, especially with Asian Americans, that racial issues are not addressed,” she said. “I still don’t see any major news panels or information discussing the verbal or physical abuse of Asians and Asian Americans. Oftentimes, I can only get this news from local Asian news sources or from looking at other people posting on Instagram stories about this prejudice.”

Lynskey felt strongly enough about this issue at the beginning of the pandemic to create a piece of art addressing the misconceptions about the

KAYLA LYNSKEY, A STUDIO ART MAJOR, MADE A PIECE OF ART IN REACTION TO THE UPTICK IN ANTI-ASIAN RACISM. CONTRIBUTED BY KAYLA LYNSKEY

virus and the lack of media coverage around the anti-Asian racism that came with it.

“At the time, I saw images of people protesting this anti-Asian racism, and I didn’t see it in the mainstream media,” Lynskey said. “On my piece, I put some phrases that were on some signs of protest, and I tried to depict how the hate felt.”

Current Miami students aren’t the only ones ti-Asian racism.

Olivia Snyder is a 2020 Miami graduate who works as a co-editor for The Second Stylus, a media review blog. She expressed skepticism about the supposed sudden increase in hate crimes around the Lunar New Year.

“I think the media was on top of things when

the hate crimes initially started, but when coverage died down, that didn’t mean everything to believe that these crimes just started happening out of nowhere — it’s hard to believe that these people who hated Asians decided that they would take a break and start to do it again.”

As the pandemic continues on, Asian and Asian-American students hope more attention will be brought to the lack of coverage concerning anti-Asian racism.

“We’re kind of like a punching bag,” Lynskey said, “because no one ever really pays attention to this racism.” @hua_shr moorese6@miamioh.edu

CAMPUS & COMMUNITY 5

LUMPKIBM@MIAMIOH.EDU

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021

Nocturnal learning:

Some international students take classes in the night

of the night, and she simply shrugged and said she would take the classes at night and sleep during the day.”

Other than working things out with a professor, Olausen said there was not much the university could do to change schedules for students, especially now.

“At this point in the semester, options are limited. I would try to work with them to change as many classes as possible, but it would be exhour schedule,“ Olausen said. “I applaud these students who step up to take these classes in inconvenient situations.”

Sung-Won Kim, a premedical studies and biochemistry double major, is a native of Vandard Time zone, three hours behind EST. “I have a bio class at seven in the morning, which means I have to get up at around six to get ready,” Kim said. “I have an [organic chemistry]

DESIGNER SOREN MELBYE

STUDENT LIFE TAJ SIMMONS ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR Weimiao Sun doesn’t sleep at night.

“I really don’t see the sun a whole lot,” the senior emerging technology in business + design major said.

While many on-campus students at Miami University get up at 8:30 a.m. to attend class, international students from the other side of the globe like Sun are taking classes way earlier.

Sun said his Monday and Wednesday class schedule consists of three synchronous classes that start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 6 p.m. — or at least they would if he was in Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Instead, Sun stays up from 9:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. to attend classes from Shanghai, China, in a time zone 13 hours ahead of EST. Sun said the only way for him to graduate after this semester was to take classes that required him to wake up early.

“Being a senior, there’s not much of an op-

tion for me right now regarding class scheduling,” Sun said. “I have to do this because I need to graduate. I don’t want to waste my time, you know.”

Instead of meeting with an advisor or asking for help from a professor, Sun said he simply didn’t see a reason to change his current schedule.

“I don’t care about that, I really don’t care,” Sun said. “In every situation, I try to work harder. I feel like I have a heart for that.”

To make the classes go by faster, Sun formed a group chat with other international students to talk to during the late-night classes.

“I have a couple friends who I can chat with during the classes,” Sun said. “It really helps me because it feels like we’re all staying up together.”

Kurt Olausen, an academic advisor for the College of Arts and Sciences, said many international students that are told they might have

“I have to do this because I need to graduate. I don’t want to waste my time, you know.”

- Weimiao Sun

‘You can only connect with someone so much over Zoom’: what an entirely virtual college life looks like COSETTE GUNTER ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR Imagine every aspect of your college experience thus far taking place within a screen.

For upperclassmen, this is an especially hard year students, like Cameron Tiefenthaler, that is reality.

Cameron, a double major in political science and human capital management, decided last fall semester that pandemic residence hall life wasn’t for her, considering all the freedoms she had at home.

“It was a hard decision,” Cameron said. stairs and make a pan of brownies, go play with my dog and take a walk outside and not have to wear a mask.” students to attend college in a completely virtual setting, a challenge completely unique to their class. students to choose a remote option for this spring semester. the decision for their daughter to stay home just made sense for their family at the time.

Their son, a sophomore at Indiana University, is also a fully remote college student this year.

“We looked at the big-picture things,” Heather said. “Like how would they reunite at Thanksgiving break, how would they come home for Christmas, would they have to test each other for a couple weeks…” their part, but they weren’t ready to kick the kids out.

“The discussion was, all their classes were online, so if they’re going to be online, what Cameron said things would be a lot different for her this year if she wasn’t as extroverted, noting her involvement in Associated Student Government, Amicus Curiae, the Scholars Program and College Democrats.

Cameron also participated in virtual rush for sororities.

“I’m really trying to meet people and make connections, so that when I go to campus in the fall, [I don’t feel] like I’m a transfer student,” Cameron said. “That’s like my greatest fear at this point.”

-

to take an early class are willing to rise to the challenge.

“There is a range of reactions from across the

asynchronous and I can watch recorded lectures whenever I want.”

Kim said that unlike Sun, he would have tried to talk to his professor to make accommodations instead of taking the class early.

“I couldn’t imagine doing that. Especially for a class like O-chem, it would just be too much, I feel like,” Kim said.

As for his 7 a.m. class, Kim said he doesn’t see a problem with it and is doing the best he can.

“I really don’t see any reason to have it changed or anything. I just think of it as a 8:30 class, just a little worse,” Kim said. “It’s just what I have to do.”

board,” Olausen said. “Some students just want to do what they can do to get it done. I was apologizing to this one student I was helping whose only options were to take classes in the middle

@simmons_taj simmontp@miamioh.edu

Café closure creates inconvenience for students

bility of getting involved relies heavily on the student joining student organization video “If I’m home and I can have a meeting at seven and eight, I might as well,” Cameron said. “So ultimately, if I were to go make the decision again for the circumstances, I would totally do the same thing because I can pretty much do whatever I want here.”

Cameron’s parents said they try to stay retired and Heather is currently not working. said. “We make sure they have three meals a day, and the food’s pretty darn good.”

Heather said their kids put their class schedule on the doors of their rooms so the parents know when not to interrupt, though they admitted they don’t always abide.

“We do have boundaries, but they should be able to just do their homework and get fed and know they’re loved,” Heather said.

Cameron said she feels as though she has missed out on some smaller aspects of a college social life and has overcompensated for that lack with extracurriculars.

“You can only connect with someone so much over Zoom,” Cameron said. “There’s a physical connection that’s missing, but hopefully, if I start all these interactions online or through Instagram, it will be easier to continue that in person later on.”

Cameron’s parents shared the same worry.

“I do worry there will be groups that will collect at school,” Heather said. “Although she’s done a great job with establishing friendships and trying to nurture friendships, I do think she could be behind the eight ball when she gets on campus next year.” will look like, but Cameron is excited, albeit nervous, to come to campus. “[Coming to campus] will hopefully be better,” Cameron said. “It’s going to be like a new year, a new, fresh page. I am still worried about that transition, but I’m hopeful that I won’t feel like [I] dropped in from nowhere.”

-

CAFE LUX HAS CLOSED FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER AND WILL REOPEN THIS FALL. PHOTO EDITOR BO BRUECK

DINING ALICE MOMANY THE MIAMI STUDENT Due to necessary COVID-19 precautions, Miami closed many facilities for the fall and spring semesters. Among these closures was Café Lux, the European-style café located in Armstrong Student Center. While Café Lux will remain closed the rest of this semester, students can look forward to it’s reopening and updated menu next fall.

Junior Madison Thompson, an early and middle childhood double major, was surprised to see the café closed this semester. She frequently went to grab a bite to eat between classes or to study.

“I would say it was one of my favorite places to study on campus,” Thompson said.

She now goes to the Starbucks at Shriver long line.

“I think they tried to do a good job of shiftsaid. ta, a studio art major, never got the opportunity to go to Café Lux last semester. “[With the shortened hours last semester] I wanted to, but every time me and my friends would go, it was closed by the time we got there,” Velotta said.

Velotta also goes to the Starbucks at Shriver

for her.

“I am dedicated to being sure I have the

had never been to Café Lux, Velotta would have liked to see the store come back, if only because

said. “I will get to experience college life when it’s safe to do so.”

“Sometimes when I get to the central part of Armstrong it’s, full,” Velotta said. “I’d like to see Café Lux [return].”

Brent Mason, senior director of food and beverage at Miami, wrote in an email to The Mi-

@cosettegunter guntercr@miamioh.edu

ami Student that the closure of Café Lux was “a business decision that we made recognizing that Starbucks is right across the street for those that wanted a specialty drink.” Mason also said Armstrong has opened Spring Street Market, a new often went to Café Lux last semester, views the closure as untimely because she now goes to strong, as she has not noticed a sudden decrease in students, but she would still like to see the café reopen.

“I don’t think it was that crucial to the Miami environment,” Yates-Miller said. “I just think it’s a slight inconvenience that I have to now pay a Students who remember the café pre-pandemic note the convenience of its location. Emily Klein, a sophomore interactive media studies major, said she visited the café about once or twice a week depending on her classes. “[Starbucks] is always, like, a really long time,” Klein said. “It’s always a pain to go there.

You have to like cut out a section of your day to stand in line.”

Klein said King Café is out of the way for her, dents face a similar issue.

“If people have classes in Farmer or Laws or the computer-science building, it was just a good, like, middle-point.”

Although students are frustrated with the temporary closure, it was a necessary safety precaution in slowing the spread of COVID-19.

Mason assures students that Café Lux will reopen next semester with an updated menu and social distancing regulations. In the meantime, students can check out Spring Street Market for @alicemomany momanyaj@miamioh.edu

6 CAMPUS & COMMUNITY

CARLINTM@MIAMIOH.EDU

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021

Bob Woodward discusses Trump, journalism and the future of politics

Farmer School of Business soon to add real estate major

phone or email, Woodward found his address

EVENT

Woodward conducted a series of interviews with Trump that amounted to more than nine hours of recording. During those interviews, Woodward said Trump was rather charming and surprisingly compliant.

ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR

ACADEMICS

spanned 50 years, nine presidencies and hundreds of hours of interviews with some of the

SEAN SCOTT ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR

Nixon and George W. Bush,’” Woodward said.

-

The Farmer School of Business’ (FSB) class of 2025 may have a new concentration to choose from next fall with the introduction of a real estate major.

Following a donation from Miami University alumni Richard and Carol Puzzitiello veloping curriculum for a major in real estate. state approval from Ohio’s department of higher education.

Joel Harper, chair of the department of courses developed for the current real estate minor. port students who enter the major directly.

prised, frankly.”

of people he’s had conversations with.

Here: The State of the American Presidency,” Woodward shared stories and insights from his

he’d also used during his Watergate investigation. tive, he also underscored the necessity of respecting sources and avoiding smugness.

-

views with Trump and his private personality,

take themselves,” Woodward said. “Let me give you some advice: Beware the demon pomposity.”

To wrap up his lecture, Woodward left the students in attendance with some advice: Do parents think.

discipline and shared some of his unconventionwith him.

he, along with fellow Washington Post reporter -

aggressive journalist, Woodward told a story

the President’s Men,” detailed the scandal and

W. Bush. When a particular four-star general repeatedly refused interview requests over the

ing to work as a newspaper reporter at a weekly paper in Maryland instead of going to law school,

@madphabes phabymr@miamioh.edu

which focus on presidents and their administrations. the nine presidential administrations he’d reported on, which, he said, were all rife with varying degrees of chaos and dishonesty. venture for the American people,” Woodward truth and understand the truth.” gan answering questions from the audience. The

changed in an email to The Miami Student. is a course that was created in support of the -

of American politics in the post-Trump era. country needs to mend its divisions if it expects

Harper said Miami students have shown a in Farmer. Students in various degree programs often take principles of real estate as an elective, and hundreds of students attend Farmer’s real estate forum each spring.

“We found that we had a lot of alumni who were working in the commercial real estate space,” Harper said. “As we started lookhad a lot of alumni support. We had a lot of alumni looking or interested in helping develop it, and we had a lot of student interest.”

The major wasn’t created for students who Harper said the curriculum will prepare stuopment and investment, not showing houses.

and the Capitol insurrection.

“One of the lessons of the American political voted for Trump.”

Though he criticized Trump for his handling of the pandemic and for playing a role in the country’s divided state, Woodward has seen a side of the former president that most Americans are unfamiliar with.

From online student to online teacher:

education majors in a pandemic

think of a real estate agent that sells houses.

This is really focused more on the commercial real estate market.”

ACADEMICS

estate outside the classroom, as well. Miami’s

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Anna Lehr, a junior marketing major and reers in commercial real estate. She hopes the new major will create additional networking opportunities for students. people ... start their networking process and now, there isn’t an area where people felt conat Miami that teach you what real estate is.” vice president of external relations for the highlight the importance of making connections for students.

“Real estate is heavily relationship- and good thing in my opinion,” Husslein said.

Going to school in a pandemic is challenging. Any student on Miami University’s campus could tell you that.

But what happens when, as you prepare to face-to-face, your entire college career is forced online?

Education majors normally rely on in-person student interaction to get the full teaching experience. As sophomores and juniors at Miperiences,” which are essentially smaller doses of student teaching. During their senior year, classes to spend every day working alongside a host teacher, an experience that counts for 15 credit hours. demic, though, many students have had to rearrange their practice-teaching plans.

teaching experiences through partners such as Ohio Connections Academy, Ohio’s tuition-free, Nicholas Detzel, a sophomore primary ed-

placements in the OST, said as hard as faculty

major with a minor in special education, said student teachers. he’s still not sure where he’ll end up. each student had a placement and completed it’s still very uncertain,” Detzel said.

full in-person teaching experience, he said he’s -

educational career and there are such limited opportunities for teaching.

Although the OST had to carefully calculate their student placements, every senior stayed on -

do limited virtual teaching, with no in-person teaching.

Through all of the restrictions, Sawyer said she is amazed at her students’ resilience.

education major, misses the in-person opportuSawyer said. “We’ve all learned to live with the -

Teaching (OST) to come up with alternatives to around the Oxford area. The solution: remote

getting advice in how that has all looked.”

a chance that the world still looks like this when

phone calls, accept phone calls, even just out

just would have caused me to meltdown in years past, you know, with presentations not going sons not going the way you think they’re going on from it.”

ness-heavy interest, Harper said it will actu-

professors.

opportunity to view education in a

more stressful going through the process is just -

required coursework outside Farmer. Majors graphic information systems. serve students interested in careers in real

“Real estate is heavily relationship- and and that’s very much a good thing in my opinion.”

- Molly Sawyer Despite all the changes and restrictions, Sawyer said there is a silver lining in learning to teach during a pandemic.

“Our student teachers, and our future teachers, are walking into educational spaces that don’t look like the spaces they lived in for their K-12 education, which is a huge shift,” Sawyer cation has really looked the same for hundreds of years. And all of a sudden, it doesn’t. And there’s great opportunity there.”

For Stephenson, her positive outlook comes from the changes she expects to see in school communities.

- Brett Husslein for having in-person connections and things like that.”

And though his sophomore year hasn’t gone

estate. estate major,” Darroch wrote, “as this directly meets the needs of our students and opens up tunities.” scottsr2@miamioh.edu

education on education. pared.” penaml@miamioh.edu

CAMPUS & COMMUNITY 7

LUMPKIBM@MIAMIOH.EDU

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021

Middle Eastern Student Association furthers representation at Miami on campus,” Elghazawi wrote. “It’s helped

CONTRIBUTED BY MIDDLE EASTERN STUDENT ASSOCIATION

LAURA GIAQUINTO THE MIAMI STUDENT On Miami’s campus, there exists an Indian Students Association, an Asian-American Student Association, an African Students’ Union and many others. But until recently, there wasn’t an organization solely representing Miami’s Middle Eastern student population.

This semester, the Middle Eastern Student an organization at Miami. Junior political science and strategic communications double major Omar Elghazawi noticed there was no Middle Eastern organization on campus and started the process of establishing the one last semester. there was no Middle Eastern culture org, I had always thought about starting my own,” Elghazawi wrote in an email to the Miami Student. “It’s very hard and timely when starting a new student organization. It’s important to be sure that you’re starting an organization you truly want to succeed.”

One of the goals of the organization is to create both a community and representation for Middle Eastern and Arab students at Miami.

“I just want a place where Middle Eastern and Arab students can feel welcome and have a space for themselves, and where we as an organization can be a voice for those students and represent them,” Elghazawi wrote. “In the future, we are doing a lot of events centered around Arab culture, and I’d just like to see more people learn about who we are as a culture.”

The members of the organization are not all Middle Eastern; some just want to learn about the Middle East. For Elghazawi, one of the most enjoyable aspects of MESA, from just within the organization.

“We’ve had a good mix of Arab and non-Arab students curious about Arab culture,” Elghazawi wrote. “It feels relaxed during our meetings, you have a huge sense of camaraderie.” ern and attending Miami and how it motivated him to organize MESA. “[Being Middle Eastern] helped me see things a lot more clearly for what they are in terms of things people say or do in regards to multiculturalism and diversity and inclusion

that people often don’t talk about, and I hope that MESA is able to talk about those things and what we can do to help others feel more comfortable on this campus.”

Junior political science major Shams Al Khafaji, who joined MESA’s executive board as secretary, looks forward to creating representation for Middle Eastern students at Miami.

“I probably know a total of 10 Arab students at Miami,” Al Khafaji said. “When I saw that MESA was coming to campus, I was so excited because we need that representation of our ... small group at Miami.”

Although they are currently only able to meet on Zoom, the executive board has many plans for the organization.

“After COVID, it would be interesting to have a food day with other organizations and everyone brings food from their own nation,” Al Khafaji said. “In the Middle East, there’s a lot of dances for each country that are popular so having that or, like, music would be really interesting to do.”

She hopes MESA will empower students with knowledge about the Middle East to help erase the stigma surrounding the region.

“There’s a stigma around the Middle East and how it’s so dangerous and, like, you can’t go there,” Al Khafaji said. “The Middle East is a beautiful, beautiful place.”

Al Khafaji lived in Libya until she was 10, and then Turkey, before moving to the US when she was 12.

“I had a friend that gave me a 9/11 shirt and I took it as a joke, just because I didn’t want to make it a big deal,” Al Khafaji said. “It was these little tiny jokes that people think, ‘Oh it’s just a joke.’”

Al Khafaji hopes MESA will help Middle at Miami.

“As a student of color in general and as an Arabic student at Miami, it’s pretty tough because you don’t see people that look like you very much,” Al Khafaji said. “When we had our meeting, like, I didn’t even know we had that many Arab students.”

The organization’s members are a combination of Middle Eastern and non-Middle Eastern students.

“The student that asked me how to say ‘Hi my name is’ wasn’t even Middle Eastern. He was just interested and he was talking about how he wanted to learn about Arabic food and he wants to cook it,” Al Khafaji said. “It’s just really exciting because obviously Middle Eastern students want to be in this, but seeing non-Middle Eastern students just interested in the region and wanting to learn about it excites me.”

Al Khafaji and Elghazawi look forward to

A squeamish woman’s experience with donating her plasma NARRATIVE MADELINE PHABY ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR Something everyone should know about me is that I’d do just about anything for a free t-shirt.

So, when I received an email saying I could donate my plasma in exchange for a $25 Kroger gift card and a t-shirt, I signed up immediately.

The Community Blood Center, headquartered in Dayton, is holding a series of convalescent plasma donation drives in the Shriver Center during February and March. Donors must have recovered from COVID-19 and been symptom-free for at least two weeks.

I had COVID back in early November, and I still feel guilty about it. I know for a fact I infected one of my friends, and the thought that I may have unknowingly given it to someone else keeps me up at night.

So, in addition to the t-shirt incentive, the opportunity to use my previous infection for good appealed to me.

When I signed up for a timeslot, I renation center was in the Caroline Scott Harrison Room in the Shriver Center, but a room number wasn’t listed. So, I simply wandered around the building until I found the room naire (no, I haven’t had sex with any homoquick physical. The nurse who took my blood pressure expressed concern over how low it was, but I was deemed healthy enough to participate anyway.

I was eventually led to the blood drawing area: a row of chairs attached to carts holding tubes and blood bags. I started to feel make me squeamish.

Nevertheless, my desire for a free shirt carried me through, and I sat down and prepared to be harvested.

I was introduced to DeJuan, who would be facilitating my donation. He started feeling my inner elbows in search of a good vein

and was in the middle of asking me if I’d ever done this before when all the other employees in the room started freaking out.

The girl in the chair next to me, who was a ghost and sweating profusely. As someone who passes out at least a couple times a year, I knew exactly how she felt.

Needless to say, watching the girl next to me on the verge of passing out didn’t make me feel too great about my own donation. But before I had too much time to think about it, DeJuan was pricking me and sticking a tube in my arm.

I glanced to my right and watched my own blood shoot up the tube. My stomach turned – I needed a distraction.

I picked up my phone and called my mom, and we talked about everything but my blood. Thanks to her, the 28 minutes I had over and prepared to take it out before I even knew it.

DeJuan was telling me about how the 600 milliliters of plasma I’d donated would be used to save three COVID patients – 200 mL per patient – when, once again, the other employees began freaking out.

A woman had brought the guy three chairs down from me a bucket, and he was dry heaving into it – tube still in arm.

DeJuan stopped what he was doing,

“Is it just me,” DeJuan whispered to me once he’d continued wrapping my gauze, “or can you smell that kid’s throw-up right now?”

I told him my sense of smell had never been the same since I had COVID. He told me I was lucky.

After sitting for a few minutes and regaining my balance, I got up, waved goodbye to my new friend DeJuan and claimed my rewards for donating.

I may have lost a pint of blood, but I got a gift card, a cookie and not one, but two t-shirts. That’s a pretty good deal, if you ask me. @madphabes phabymr@miamioh.edu

inclusion at Miami.

“I’m excited to see more organizations like this on campus to [help] people feel more included,” Al Khafaji said.

The club meets biweekly on Wednesdays.

Their next meeting will be on March 3 at 5 p.m. on Zoom.

DESIGN EDITOR OWEN BERG

giaquiln@miamioh.edu

“It’s a bird that instills awe”:

bald eagles in Hueston Woods NATURE HENRI ROBBINS STAFF WRITER For almost a decade, Hueston Woods State Park has been home to a notable pair of birds: bald eagles.

Seven years ago, the pair of bald eagles began nesting at the 3,000 acre park. Currently, their nest is at the north end of Acton Lake, where they Shawn Conner, a naturalist at Hueston Woods, said that in providing for the eagles, they mostly have to be left alone. The woods’ naturalists often direct visitors away from their nests or alter paths so the birds aren’t disturbed.

“In the original place they built a nest, we tried out of the area during nesting season,” Conner said. “They’ve since moved their nest and it’s now in an area where we don’t have to do as much. It’s not in a place that they’re going to be bothered very much.”

Along with providing directly for the eagles, Conner said Miami biology professor David Russell has helped the ecosystem of the park with his work. Just recently, he and the Miami Bird Club constructed a platform for an osprey nest in the woods.

“We know we’ve had osprey in the park for several years, but we haven’t seen them nest yet,” Russell said. “And this hopefully gives them an opportunity to do that. This might actually end

AT HUESTON WOODS, THE BALD EAGLE IS A SYMBOL OF HOPE AND AWE. THE MIAMI STUDENT HENRI ROBBINS

food thieves, so they might come down and try to steal from the osprey.”

Russell works with Hueston to monitor and assist the local bird population. Primarily, he bands birds, which means attaching small, numbered tags to the legs of birds to monitor their populations and return rates. He has banded more than 25,000 birds in the past 18 years. As a haven for migratory and resident birds, the woods are greatly important for multiple species of birds.

“Hueston Woods is basically an island of habitat in the middle of an ocean of agriculture,” Rus-

sell said. “If you were to look at Hueston Woods from Google Earth, it would be a giant green patch in the middle of soybean and corn, and particularly to migrating birds, this is absolutely critical as a stopover site to refuel, and for resident birds, this is the trees and water and things that they need to survive.”

The importance of the eagles, Russell said, is not just in the ecosystem. The eagles also serve as a symbol of wonder and hope.

“It’s a bird that people recognize, it’s a bird that instills awe,” Russell said. “You just go, ‘Wow, that’s huge,’ and it has a certain appeal where people go, ‘Oh, yeah, I saw an eagle,’ and you can talk to 15 people along the boat ramp at Hueston Woods, and they probably can’t agree on any one particular topic, but every one of them would say, ‘Yes, eagles are cool.’”

Eagles also represent a recent change — once on the endangered species list, the bald eagle was “least concern” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“The fact that you can go see eagles and that’s a positive sign kind of gives you this feeling that bad them,” Russell said. “But at the same time, I’m hoping it builds an appreciation for some of the and we can take steps and we can solve the problem if we have both the willingness to do it and the public understand that there is a problem.”

As the bald eagle continues to prosper, Russell appreciation for nature. This appreciation, he said, can protect places like Hueston Woods and their wildlife.

“Getting people outdoors is like pulling teeth, but once they’ve been out a couple of times, it’s relaxing,” Russell said. “There are a lot of campuses in this country that don’t have the natural areas around them that Miami has to get out and relax. hard.” robbinha@miamioh.edu

style

8

BERGOE@MIAMIOH.EDU

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021

Handmade earrings are my emotionally charged purchase of 2021 language around certain topics. “Her” turns into “them,” and no one notices the change. I call my close-cut bob — which elicited compliments from strangers in person but looked horrible in my grandparents’ wedding photos — from a few years ago an impulse, not a calculated bisexual haircut.

I never had an emo phase. I was a cheerleader with a gifted older sister complex.

I was a captain on a cross country team that prayed before every

ami’s Rainbow Reception. It’s an event from the before time, when gays and allies showed up for free catered food at the start of every fall semester.

A cis gay man, the kind that oozed queer in

Murdock granddaughter in 50 years and my parents’ eldest child.

Teachers would stop at my younger brother’s name while taking

to potential new LGBTQ+ friends.

Then I started dating a straight man who has more gay friends than me.

I was frustrated that suddenly I didn’t want to shave my head. That I fell for a man, and my parents approve of him.

This is not a heterosexual relationship, because I am in it, though it does have straight-passing privilege. My partner’s gender is a coincidence, and he’s coming with me to Pride on that moving goalpost of someday — whenever it becomes safe again. And the fact that I don’t care about gender roles (Fellas, is it gay to have good hygiene?) lets him relax on the whole toxic masculinity act.

He has better fashion sense than me, but he also doesn’t care what I wear. He just wants me to feel comfortable, because my brain tries very hard to not let me do that.

I’ve settled into a subtle bi look, but some gays outside of my closest friends seem to conveniently forget that because I’m dating a man. It feels weird and embarrassing to correct someone in a conversation. I still need some vi-

day and bring up what a pleasure it was to have “THE VENN DIAGRAM OF GAYS AND HANDMADE EARRINGS IS A CIRCLE.” CONTRIBUTED BY JAMIE CLARKSON me in class two years before. mates.

CHLOE MURDOCK I was driven by my The Venn diagram of gays and handmade fear of disappointing someone.

MAGAZINE EDITOR-AT-LARGE earrings is a circle. Queer kids took Ms. Frizzle’s But one of my earliest memories is looking They frame the face. They come from a small earrings and ran with them. This also means at a Cinderella coloring book for a long time and - realizing that I liked Cinderella much, much online business. They also inform the girls and mophobic straights, because who could hate more than her nameless Prince Charming. Who the gays that I am one of them.

I’ve spent $60 on clay polymer earrings Ms. Frizzle? would want to be a boy? I like girls better. Girls Sometimes, like when my cousin used “les- are way prettier than boys. I dressed up as Cinfrom Pink Athena Co. in the last two months.

Not only are creator Jamie Clarkson’s earrings bian” as a slur at a family event and no one cor- derella, and I forgot about it. Except for every adorable, but they also loosen a knot I stupidly rected her, it feels good and safe to hide. I have believe I can undo by buying artful clay and dan- become very good at making my face go blank When a friend told me she was bisexual in gling it from my ears: I am bisexual, and I hate to pretend I simply do not see or hear anything high school, the damage was already done. I until the subject changes. that I pass as straight in most spaces. supported her, but I had convinced myself that Sometimes I do this for my safety. More it didn’t matter if I myself came out to anyone.

Jamie is a recent Ohio University grad and a former coworker of mine who started Pink Ath- often, it’s to keep the peace. “I can’t embarrass College was a chance to remake myself. my parents in front of extended family,” or “I I didn’t yet understand how much I had to I bought a dangling pair of peaches. I was also can’t out myself to coworkers I barely know,” or undo until fall 2017. I never planned to join a “These are my future in-laws as long as I keep sorority, but I was still an under-the-radar chabought a set of cloud-covered rainbows set onto playing my cards right.” meleon. I had a pale lavender Lululemon jackBut playing, talking and dressing straight et because of what I had heard about Miami’s a blue sky. I own four pairs total and gave two more as Galentine’s gifts to my straight room- is a set of lies. It’s a barely noticeable shift in sorority style. I wore it on the same day of Mi-

way out.

“So … are you an ally?”

That’s what I hear in my head when I impulse-buy earrings, or rainbow merch, or thrifted Hawaiian shirts. Or the time I cut my own hair into a bob. And debated shaving it for years.

It’s buying my way into my sexuality when it feels like some people in the community want to keep me out.

I fell exclusively for people who were into me but not enough to date me. I had been racing to perfect my look as a soft butch or soft femme or would disappoint my mother, attract a woman

jeans. Flannels outside of fall. T-shirts that make my mom worry about my mental health at the sight of cartoon skeletons.

And of course, the earrings. murdocc3@miamioh.edu

“An eclectic experience”: SnaZZy Boutique brings vintage fashion to Oxford MADELINE PHABY ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR Tucked away next to the Oxford Fire Department is a tiny boutique, jam-packed with clothes of various vintage styles, handmade jewelry and other unique trinkets.

In the middle of the shop are three rolling racks of clothing, which feature everything from silk kimonos to leather jackets. Shoes, which vary in style just as much as the clothes, sit on top of the racks.

Non-clothing items line the walls of the room – colorful jewelry, handmade pottery and watercolor paintings are all displayed and sold.

In the corner of the shop is a refreshment table, free for the shop’s guests.

SnaZZy Boutique, located at 211 S. Elm St., is owned and operated by Gini Maddocks, who lives in an apartment behind the shop. Maddocks also owns a massage clinic in the same building, and because she works full-time as a massage therapist, the boutique is only open on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Maddocks collected most of the clothing sold in the boutique herself during her travels products from more than 15 countries in Europe, Asia and South America.

For years, Maddocks simply kept the clothing she bought for herself, but her closet eventu“Seven years ago, my grown daughter was looking through my closet, and she said, ‘Mom,

do you think you might be a hoarder?’” Maddocks said. “So I took that to heart, and I started thinking about it.”

She decided she might be able to sell some of the clothing, and SnaZZy Threads was born.

On the third Wednesday of every month, Maddocks began hosting parties for her friends and acquaintances where she would sell her and bigger with each passing year, and eventually SnaZZy Threads had taken over the entire apartment.

When another massage therapist in the building retired, Maddocks saw an opportunity to expand her business into its own space. In for business.

In addition to her clothing, Maddocks sells a variety of artwork – including jewelry, cards, origami, ceramics and more – created by local artists. She also holds open house events where the artists themselves are able to come and give talks about their work, which allows them to gain more recognition from the community.

“I try to get people to know the artists [by holding these open house events],” Maddocks said. “We also have free food and drinks, and we all sit around and get to know each other.”

Maddocks said opening a business during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge, and business has been relatively slow since the boutique opened. She said this is partially bedoes not have a sign yet.

Despite this, Maddocks loves the building – called the Junction House – because of its rich history.

Check yourself

MADDOCKS’ SHOP SELLS CLOTHES AND OTHER TRINKETS FROM HER MANY TRAVELS ABROAD. ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITOR MADELINE PHABY

The Junction House was built during the 1860s, and it served as a boarding house for the men who constructed the railroad that cuts through Spring Street. Later, the section of the building that houses SnaZZy Boutique was converted into a men’s whisky room until prohibition started, when it was changed back into a boarding house.

“There used to be a train depot just across the street [from the Junction House], so this is where students would come in and disembark,” Maddocks said. “This building would have had when Miami was really young.”

MOLLY MONSON THE MIAMI STUDENT Remember that pair of checkered Vans you bought sophomore year of high school that now collect dust at the bottom of your shoe pile? Yeah, me too. They were red (and don’t even pretend you’ve never had a shoe pile).

But good news — if you’re a trendwatcher or looking to be a trendsetter, checkered patterns are about to be everywhere this spring.

And the best part about this trend is that you thrift store.

At the average Goodwill or thrift shop, ton-downs in the men’s section, checkered blazers, and if you’re lucky, somebody’s grandma’s gingham pants. Check out a consignment shop’s curated selection of vintage reminiscent of a party scene in a John Hughes Checkered patterns have been slowly popping up on the runways since the fall/winter 2020 season and have only gained momentum on the spring/summer 2021 runways. All sorts of brands — from high-fashion designers like Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, and Chrisonline shops — have been pushing checkered patterns lately. If you’re looking to invest in a statement piece rather than scour your local in abundance in your favorite stores or online.

DESIGN EDITOR OWEN BERG

In the future, Maddocks hopes to increase ford Community Arts Center. She said she may even consider hiring an employee if business picks up, but for now, she’ll continue running the shop on her own.

“The drama department has found me, so I see them sometimes – and the fashion department, too,” Maddocks said. “But I need more people to know about it.” @madphabes phabymr@miamioh.edu

If you’re anything like me, you might be a little wary of checks for fear of looking like a go for. But if you start viewing your patterns as complementary to your solid colored basics, you’ll be able to mix patterns with ease.

Checkers, like stripes, are essentially the neutrals of the pattern world, and pair nicely with any single-colored clothing item. But more intricate pattern and let it shine. Add a plaid jacket over your checkered shirt before you head out the door for some texture play, or throw on some tartan pants and your favorite sneakers for an easy streetwear-inspired look.

If you’re scared of pattern mixing and looking like a 6-year-old whose mother let Following a monochrome color palette can nailing another trend that has taken the fashion industry by storm.

If you’re not sold on checkered patterns yet, or think that this is just another fast-fashion fad, consider the versatility: For decades, checks have been adored by skaters and preppies alike, the two aesthetics that fashion designers have historically loved to reimagine and remarket as revolutionary. If fashion has to repeat itself every couple of decades or so, let it keep on repeating the iconic looks of the ’80s. monsonma@miamioh.edu

BERGOE@MIAMIOH.EDU

STYLE 9

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021

Anime x high fashion MUF&D’s annual fashion brands: a love story show goes digital CAROLINE HAUBENSTRICKER

Before COVID-19, there were weekly mod-

STAFF WRITER

MIHAELA MANOVA

Rather than having an in-person fashion show this year, the Miami University Fashion and Design (MUF&D) club is releasing a fea-

seems that fashion is looking to these char-

“Luxury brands are quick to incorporate cultural icons into their product lines or marketing campaigns because it does wonders for publicity and sales, like Coach x Disney,” said Miami University Fashion &

Before COVID-19, the annual fashion show

personalities, both manga and anime have

“I personally believe anime is one of those interests that a lot of people have but Prada, using marketing tactics like that, are just speaking to an audience they already

MUF&D will release its theme for the show

These collaborations could also be a re-

executive board selects the most appropriate

THE MIAMI STUDENT

favorites like “Hello Kitty” and “Dragon Ball Z” are ever-popular, while older viewers tune into animes such as “Tokyo Ghoul” and Manga originated in the 12th century It has since become a billion-dollar business that has expanded into video games, anime -

Conglomerates like LVMH, which owns luxury brands such as Dior, Louis Vuitton and Hermès, could be turning to Asian cultural icons, like anime characters, to appeal

Brands like Gucci are appealing to the interest and nostalgia of anime lovers through

A recent report by Vogue states that major brands are shifting their marketing strategy away from Europe by opening new stores in Asia to meet the demand of

-

Fall/Winter 2020 collection, Moschino gathered inspiration from “Rose of Versailles,” which fashion designer Jeremy “I feel like, by adding characters and symbols to this streetwear that are familiar to people, the brands are giving themself a more welcoming and friendly outward ap-

Cinema, an alumni-owned video production company based in Cincinnati and Nashville,

Ellie Krug, senior and president of MUF&D, says the plans for the fashion show have been canceled because of COVID-19, so the executive board was determined to produce something “We wanted to create something that had a positive impact on students, an inspiring storyline, and evoke emotions and feelings within that and gives designers and models a platform

pan and the rest of Asia combined, will reach 54 percent of the global market by

-

“Europe and the Americas will both decline from around 30 percent to 22 to 24 per-

tured along with some additional scenes, Krug

As tourist rates have decreased because of COVID-19 regulations, brands are ex-

Brainstorming for the details of the show started about nine months ago, but executive

yond the runway shows of the past few

tually by individuals themselves for their icon el measurements were taken in October with outside and wore masks, and designers were encouraged to wear gloves while taking meaIn order to become a designer in the show, individuals had to create a portfolio to show their skill set and create a simple garment with basic design features including sleeves, at least one closure (zippers or buttons) and clean, even ent their work in front of the design directors, ments at the MUF&D studio located in Boyd The number of garments produced by each designer varies, and COVID-19 has not limited In previous shows, designers would create creating three to four garments, some three to six, and one senior designer, Thomas Gillotti, is The design process begins for designers afThen, designers go through the sketch process; designers are asked to create sketches for double the amount of garments they are creating,

-

ate practice garments while sampling textiles -

and 50 icons this year, all of which were chosen

-

not need to be a part of the organization, but the

-

have shifted, in general, consumers in the -

there are time slots on Zoom to see icons walk back and forth to critique their walk, which

their luxury purchases abroad as reported Japanese culture, brands are expanding to

“Nana” inspired a generation of teens with

@ManovaMihaela manovamd@miamioh.edu

Today, however, characters are placed di-

der COVID-19 precautions, so icons and deDesigners and icons are excited for this new show the dedication designers put into their work,” said Kathryn Dillard, senior and de-

tain students and present the garments made, thing to take with me after I graduate,” said Jordyn Thompson, senior and co-modeling diorganization that will be a blueprint of fashion walked in one show during her time at Miami and says she loves modeling and what it means

Process of becoming an icon and a designer In past years, model casting was a two-day event in Armstrong; models would show their runway walk, take headshots and get their COVID-19 precautions, auditions were held virtually on YouTube, where individuals had to INSTAGRAM @MOSCHINO

create their designs, so many, like Thompson,

amount of people who can access the studio, so many designers prefer to work at home and “This year, it is harder to get model measurements as models took their own measurement creation, we had to be more creative with MUF&D adapts to a virtual world bers with value in everything we did, but membership and attendance has been up,” Krug Everyone at the university has been welcoming As president, Krug has a holistic view of MUF&D tries to embody an organization that survives and adapts to change; executive ery backup plan possible to ensure things run All events hosted by MUF&D for members and non-members, around 40 events a semester ranging from workshops, to career preparations, to member meetings, and to panels, have @haubenstrickerc haubence@miamioh.edu

The rise of yarn crafts during the pandemic ALESSANDRA MANUKIAN THE MIAMI STUDENT This dreary and dreaded pandemic has inspired many to pick up new hobbies and intercrafting, like knitting and crocheting, have shot The accessibility of this long-winded, low-energy, yet productive activity has made it the perfect way to pass time for people who want to All you need is yarn, needles (or a crochet ing are simple enough to pick up after watching and practice, anyone can be capable of producSophomore Livi Mullenix has recently picked it up after her brother encouraged her to,

rotonin and reduces corThe motion allows you to focus on the action of your hands and distract it also seems to produce lowing people to think through their stresses and have their own personal Throughout history, knitting pieces for yourself has been a way to show resilience and resisthe Great Depression out of necessity as it was less expensive to knit their own things rather than

Knitting, crocheting and other textile crafts

Today, not only is it less expensive to knit your own garments and accessories, but it is more environmentally friendly than buying knit products -

the hang of reading patterns and understanding the construction of the piece, you can develop

refrain from contributing to the ecological damage that corporate industrial

got her friends to pick it up along with her as she wants to just chill with her friends, converse and “My tolerance for high-energy activities is

DESIGNER ALESSANDRA MANUKIAN

Free patterns can be found on websites like Ravelry, Lovecrafts, Yarnspirations, Vogue Knitting and even on mainstream social media where people share and sell their unique de-

Textile arts also played a large role in second wave feminism in craft and demanded recognition of it as an art

Eventually, they applied the same knitting technique to wearable threads, allowing them to knit

The therapeutic aspect of yarn crafting comes from the repetitive movement, as it releases se-

Yarnwork was feminized, barring men from participating in the craft without threatening

gender stigma associated with knitting is dissolving, making it more acceptable for anyone

is that men used to dominate this craft, knittime and wishing you had some sort of fun hobby, consider yarnwork, as you might enjoy the

manukia2@miamioh.edu

Sports

10

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021

Miami baseball is looking abrupt ending last year

NELSO156@MIAMIOH.EDU

Miami goes 1-1 against top-seeded Broncos termined to secure the win, and kills

by Taylor and junior outside hitter Sophie Riemersma put them ahead 26-24.

Senior libero Abigail Huser tied a career high with two service aces jick and junior outside hitter Gaby Harper both had 10 kills. Senior setter Morgan Seamen also had 10 kills game.

After the game, head coach Carolyn Condit praised her team, but she knew they would have to maintain their energy for the next match.

Condit said.

Indeed it was. tacks on Thursday were overshadowed on Friday by Western Michi-

GRADUATE STUDENT SECOND BASEMAN WILL VOGELGESANG (PICTURED, AT BAT) HIT .340 IN LAST YEAR’S SHORTENED SEASON. THE MIAMI STUDENT MACY WHITAKER

LILY FREIBERG THE MIAMI STUDENT Miami played only 15 baseball games last year.

COVID-19 may have cut the season two months short, but the RedHawks are ready to kick the 2021 season into full gear.

“While our schedule has changed several times over the past couple weeks, I remain very excited about the competition our team coach Danny Hayden said.

Last year, Miami was ranked No. 33 in the Preseason National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association poll. This year, the RedHawks are not on the list.

But that does not mean there is no potential to be found in Miami baseball. The team State in the Mid-American Conference preseason poll. The RedHawks had 96 votes with Due to COVID-19 protocols, some early home games were canceled. Therefore, the majority of Miami’ s games will be on the road until March 19. This is challenging and exciting at the same time.

“That will not be an excuse for anyone ining the 2020 season taken away so abruptly, these guys couldn’t care less about a bus ride if A couple of exciting events have surroundLandon Stephens signed with the Atlanta Braves last summer, and junior pitcher Sam Bachman is gaining national attention. MLB Pipeline named Bachman the 29th overall 2021 draft prospect.

Game 1

Miami RedHawks vs. Central Michigan Chippewas

“He was blessed with tremendous talent, but what makes him special is his work ethic. There has not been a time where he has shown up at the park acting as he has arrived.

Instead, every day he shows up ready and willPitching coach Matt Passauer praised Bachman’s work ethic as well. He mentioned how Bachman has been improving on controlling his fastball, change-up and slider. mendous job adding to the ways he can attack Bachman had a 3.42 earned run average through 23.2 innings pitched. He had the third-best ERA in the shortened 2020 season and pitched eight innings against Milwaukee last March.

Both Michael Spinozzi, who had a 1.17 ERA with 7.2 innings pitched, and Jonathan Brand, who had a 1.32 ERA with 13.2 innings pitched, are returning this season.

Cristan Tejada will also be returning. Vogelgesang had the second-best batting average on the team last season, with a .340 average in 53 at-bats.

Tejada had a .291 average and a team-leading 55 at-bats.

The RedHawks started their season at Jacksonville University. The three-game series started last Saturday, and Miami won all win, the second game on Saturday was an 8-4 win and Sunday’s game was a 5-2 win. @lilyfreiberg freibell@miamioh.edu

alternated the lead until Western Michigan took advantage of an attack error by Miami, making it 9-8.

SENIOR LIBERO ABIGAIL HUSER (PICTURED, IN RED) RECORDED A TEAMFrom there, the Broncos were unHIGH 38 DIGS IN MIAMI’S WEEKEND SERIES. stoppable, going on an 8-3 run to THE MIAMI STUDENT ZACH REICHMAN make the score 17-11. Although the RedJ’NAI KNOX THE MIAMI STUDENT est they got, falling 25-16.

The second set was much more balanced. SimIn a tense matchup on Thursday night, the Miami RedHawks defeated the top-seeded Western battling to maintain the lead, but an attack error Michigan Broncos in volleyball.

by Western Michigan put Miami up 9-8. The Redteam took an early 9-5 lead, and after the Broncos scored two points to catch up, Miami went on a 9-0 run.

From its fourth point in the set, Miami maintained the lead for the whole frame. A kill by senior right-side hitter Avarie Powell closed out the set, with the RedHawks winning it 25-14.

The Broncos quickly took a 6-3 lead in the second set. Blocks by freshman middle hitter Abby Stratford and Powell allowed the ’Hawks to close Sarah Wojick tied the game at 7 with a block.

From there, both teams went back and forth taking the lead until a kill by sophomore outside hitter Lindsay Taylor put the RedHawks up 18-17.

Miami didn’t look back, going on a 5-2 run to win the second set 25-19.

Early in the third, Western Michigan was up 9-8. Despite countless attempts by the RedHawks to take the lead, the Broncos led for the rest of the set, winning it 25-15.

Freshman middle hitter Maggie McCrary and sophomore outside hitter Allyson Severance helped Miami take an early lead in the fourth set.

Both teams alternated on top until a kill from Severance put her team up 17-14.

On the game point, Western Michigan scored to tie the game 24-24. The RedHawks were de-

Hawks stayed on top for a while until the Broncos went on an assertive 12-9 run.

Miami was persistent and quickly regained the lead due to three back-to-back kills by Wojick, all assisted by Seamen. This sequence was not enough, as Western Michigan went on a 4-0 run to win the second set 25-23. two. The RedHawks maintained their persistence, and both teams fought to stay ahead. A kill by the Broncos put them up 11-10, and the RedHawks never saw the lead again. Late in the game, a kill

by Riemersma put Miami within two, but it was 25-23.

Despite getting swept 3-0 on senior day, it was the seniors who showed up for Miami. Wojick had 10 kills, Seamen had another team-leading 19 assists and Huser had 15 digs.

“We did not play smart as we did last night Condit said.

This loss drops the ’Hawks to 4-4 in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play.

Miami’s next series is against Northern Illinois.

The games are scheduled for 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 25, and 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26. knoxj@miamioh.edu

Men’s basketball looks to jump in standings during busy week JACK SCHMELZINGER

Miami RedHawks

THE MIAMI STUDENT

Projected Lineup

The Miami men’s basketball team will look to improve its position in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) standings this week.

After a narrow victory over Northern Illinois on Saturday, the RedHawks come into the week seventh in the MAC with a 6-7 conference record. With wins this week, the team could jump

Player (position, height, key stat)

Central Michigan Chippewas

Projected Lineup

Bowling Green by fewer than two games each.

On Tuesday, the RedHawks travel to Mount Pleasant, Mich. to play their only game of the season against the Central Michigan Chippewas.

Central Michigan enters as one of the weakest teams in the MAC. The Chippewas are 2-9 in conference play and allow a conference-worst 77.7 points per game (ppg).

Thursday, Miami stays in Michigan, this the Western Michigan Broncos. The Broncos

Game 2

Miami RedHawks vs. Western Michigan Broncos house

Miami RedHawks

standings as well, with a record of 3-9 in conference play. When the two teams played late last month, the RedHawks came away with a 65-56 victory at Millett Hall.

With two games and a realistic chance to move up in the conference standings, this week, Miami will look to show that it is truly a championship contender in the MAC. Players To Watch through senior guard Travon Broadway Jr. Broadway Jr. has averaged nearly 18 ppg this year, shooting almost 40% from beyond the arc.

Central Michigan also leans on junior guards

Projected Lineup

Player (position, height, key stat)

Western Michigan Broncos

Projected Lineup Jason Whitens (guard, 6’ 4’, 5.7 ppg)

Central Michigan relies on a very small, guard-heavy lineup. The Chippewas don’t have The RedHawks will look to feed senior forward Dalonte Brown and take advantage of the lack of size down low for their opponent.

Thursday’s opponent, Western Michigan, comes into the week with the second-worst ppg, better than only Northern Illinois’ 60.7.

The RedHawks will have to focus on stopping sophomore guard B. Artis White (14.4 ppg) and senior forward Greg Lee (12.7 ppg).

When the Broncos visited Oxford late in January, Lee was arguably the best player on

SENIOR FORWARD DALONTE BROWN (PICTURED, NO. 13) GETS DOWN IN A DEFENSIVE STANCE DURING A LOSS AGAINST AKRON. THE MIAMI STUDENT ZACH REICHMAN

seven rebounds without turning the ball over.

Miami got standout performances from Brown and junior guard Mekhi Lairy in that contest against the Broncos. Brown scored 16

was active in the passing lanes, recording three steals in the game.

As the RedHawks enter the stretch run of their season, they will look for continued contributions from top players like Brown and Lairy.

from three. Lairy tallied 15 points of his own and

schmelj2@miamioh.edu

NELSO156@MIAMIOH.EDU

SPORTS 11

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021

BAILEY ALTHAUSER

The Game

THE MIAMI STUDENT ami RedHawks picked up a victory on the road against the Toledo Rockets, 62-60.

Miami dominated the first half, leading 22-7 at the end of the first quarter and 3619 at halftime. This was the sixth consecutive game the RedHawks have led at the half.

Toledo narrowed the gap to 45-32 in the third quarter. The Rockets got within five points in the last 20 seconds and hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer, but it was not enough to defeat the ’Hawks.

Senior forward Kelly McLaughlin led the team with 25 points, followed closely by freshman guard Katie Davidson with 21.

at Millett Hall

the game averaging 35 points over her past four games but managed to score only sevAkron Zips. The teams last met Jan. 9, which resulted in an 84-77 win for the Zips. The RedHawks have lost the last three matchups against the Zips.

Players to Watch Scott will be looking to return to her high-scoring games this week and high-scoring games last week, Davidson and McLaughlin could also put up big points. @baileyalthauser althaube@miamioh.edu

FRESHMAN GUARD KATIE DAVIDSON SCORED 21 POINTS IN WEDNESDAY’S WIN OVER TOLEDO. THE MIAMI STUDENT ZACH REICHMAN

RedHawks sweep Jacksonville in

SCOREBOARD TUESDAY

would be an easy one-two-three seventh inning for Jacksonville’s defense.

MEN’S BASKETBALL Miami……………………… 75 Toledo………………...…… 87

did not stop the action from happening.

Zapp tripled to bring in one more run for the RedHawks.

In the second game, Zapp tripled to start the The ’Hawks make a comeback In the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader, the Dolphins put four runs on the board through a couple of singles and a double in the ning.

In the eighth and ninth innings, Miami fought back and took the lead. In the eighth ingelgesang was hit by a pitch, bringing in anoth-

JUNIOR PITCHER JACOB WEBB PITCHED TWO SCORELESS INNINGS IN SATURDAY’S WIN OVER JACKSONVILLE. THE MIAMI STUDENT MACY WHITAKER

LILY FREIBERG THE MIAMI STUDENT Jacksonville, Florida seemed like a nice place to be compared to a foot of snow on the ground in Ohio, but then it rained.

It was all sunshine for the Miami RedHawks, though, as they started their season with a threegame sweep of the Jacksonville Dolphins.

“It’s always good when you can get three wins in a weekend,” head coach Danny Hayden said to harp on ‘one at a time,’ and I think our guys executed that really well this weekend, and that’s why we were able to get a sweep.”

Miami won the season opener, 4-1 — big difference from last season’s 17-1 Opening Day loss to Texas A&M. The second game on Saturday was an 8-4 Sunday with a 5-2 win.

Hayden talked about the team’s ability to keep pushing through.

“I think if we’re not as tough a team, we may let that negative momentum snowball on us,” Hayden said. “But instead, we really stuck with it.”

A ‘wild’ second inning The RedHawks scored half their runs during pitches from the Jacksonville starting pitcher. error by the Dolphins’ third baseman and a walk The pitch advanced Krause to third base and Morissette to second base.

After another walk from catcher Nate Stol-

get Stolze out at second.

Morissette scored on the second wild pitch, as Miami took an early 2-0 lead in the season opener.

Zapp triples twice The bat came alive during Saturday’s doubleheader for third baseman Brian Zapp.

with a groundout, and Zapp scored on a wild pitch.

In the ninth inning, the RedHawks had the bases loaded again after a single, a walk and a hit-by-pitch.

Another hit-by-pitch brought in one run, and Mac Hippenhammer, who substituted for Stone, ond.

Miami brings out the brooms The RedHawks and the Dolphins played a bit of a cat-and-mouse game on Sunday’s series closer.

Jacksonville put one run on the scoreboard in second inning. Miami took a one-run lead in the fourth inning, and the Dolphins tied it up in the In the seventh inning, the RedHawks brought Miami plays one game at the University of Kentucky on Feb. 23 at 4 p.m., before heading back down to the sunshine state to play against Florida International University. starts Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. @lilyfreiberg freibell@miamioh.edu

WEDNESDAY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Miami …………...……....... 62 Toledo …...….……..……... 60

THURSDAY VOLLEYBALL Western Michigan….…….. 1 Miami……………………… 3

FRIDAY VOLLEYBALL Western Michigan …...…. 3 Miami …………….…........ 0 TENNIS Miami……………….…….. 2 Xaiver……………………... 5

SATURDAY MEN’S BASKETBALL Miami …...………………. 69 Northern Illinois …...….. 64 BASEBALL Miami………………….… 4 Jacksonville…..……….... 1

’Hawks Talk

BASEBALL Miami…………………..… 8 Jacksonville…..…...…….. 4

SUNDAY BASEBALL Miami……………..….… 0 Jacksonville……...….… 7 SOFTBALL Miami………………..… 3 Tennessee………...….. 7 SOFTBALL Miami……………..…… 2

Opinion

12

WOLFFRG@MIAMIOH.EDU

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021

STAFF EDITORIAL

We do give a damn about our bad reputation -

here.

with less economic privilege need support now more than ever.

the highest percentage of students whose families are in

sorry excuse for not having a solid solution.

There are kids here who go to their ski houses in the

torial Board.

We all know Miami has a reputation — Harvard of the ate with preppy white kids.

Yikes.

in the ass.

money. The Miami stereotype perpetuates itself, so that

A lot of what is wrong with Miami’s economic diversiadmitted to Miami for the 2018-2019 school year, a mere ty, 32% received grants, which is much closer to the national average of 40%. served for students who genuinely need the extra help to pay for school, and other scholarships from the institution they attend are commonly added to it.

So, the fact that only 13% of Miami students received grants means we are not admitting a lot of students who come from low-income families. This also means that not a lot of people from those communities are even applying

ic environment for students.

Take the Bridges program for example: a way to encourage and seek out potential students from underrepresented groups so they’ll want to apply to Miami. Sounds great, right?

Well, this program is pretty exclusive. You actually have

exception.

As students, it’s also on us to recognize this issue and

to campus and attend lectures and activities that present a good environment for them, that’s it. There’s not much follow-up once they get here.

We need follow-through — it’s not enough to show

will strengthen our community. And that means making

We want change. We want representation. We want for underrepresented groups at our school.

Especially now, when we’re in a pandemic that has

AMES RADWAN

skies and dreary weather of the Midwest. But my answer is always the same, and it’s super simple, too: “Snow.”

The last time it snowed in the Tampa Bay area, where I’m from, was in 1977. That was a stunning .2 inches of snow.

So naturally, growing up, I really didn’t see to Miami. I’d seen it on the ground waking up on Christmas morning while visiting relatives In fact, during the polar vortex in 2019, I was the only person I knew who wished they were up north instead of down south. I have always, always loved the snow — and that is

last one is a real killer … I love crunching in the snow.

A friend of mine and I decided to drive to Graeter’s on Saturday night for some ice cream she’d parked was snowy and icy, and the car stalled for a good 30 seconds while we were trying to pull out of the parking spot. That in and of itself was a terrifying experience — I’d

not as cold as usual — and it only snowed a small handful of times, including on my 19th

weeks ago, I came across a patch of iced-over sidewalk and promptly slipped and fell on it. pery surfaces, so that was a shocker. I also can’t crunch through the high, piled-up snow

love the snow. My roommate claims that it’s “not good packing snow,” and I have zero clue less. As I mentioned earlier, I love the sound

time I’d seen snow in almost a year, it was was driving me across campus. I pressed myself to the window and just watched, wideeyed and open-mouthed, as these gigantic, thing I had ever seen.

Did you know that, when it is snowing

stranger and then immediately forgetting their

religion,

family,

that’s why it’s important to actually try to engage when you get the chance. You’re not the only one who needs it, and you might just make somehappen, start with something light. Tell them you like their shoes or hair or anything. Ask them where they got it and see if you can start a little spark.

The real key to a great and strange interac-

cultural

earther couldn’t matter less.

The man making my fa-

“I love strangers. It’s just too damn easy to like people when

me was make my day a little accuse him of killing anythe chicken on the grill.

Why is it that I can have a more pleasant ina relative that doesn’t understand how times have changed?

The thing is, I don’t think it has anything to do with the fact that I don’t know them, and everything to do with the fact that they don’t know me.

they’re falling right toward your front windshield and then veer upward at the very last minute?

I didn’t. Now I do.

I mean, I’ve also forgotten that snow is

-

a good personality try-on. But they need to get as much out of it as you do. So, ask random follow-up questions. Allow them space to do the same thing you are — harmless pleasantry. comed conversations with strangers. Well, I mean sometimes a creepy dude will come along and ask you what kind of underwear you’re wearquestion. was the guy who talked to me as my plane was

don’t like where your life is at right now. Talk to pure joy I felt when I threw that chunk of snow at my friends. That, to me, is

“My roommate claims that it’s ‘not good packing snow,’ and I have zero clue what that means, nonetheless.”

-

I love strangers. It’s just too damn easy to like

however, it’s already snowed more times in it did for all of the time I spent here in winter of last year.

OPINION EDITOR

And I don’t even have to shovel driveways

gel in a very long time just a few weeks ago.

winter. As a sophomore at Miami, this is tech-

REBECCA WOLFF

when I was chatting with the man making my fa-

-

completely deprived of it for 18 years.

place, in every way.

The lost art of talking to strangers

-

Whenever I tell people that I went from my home state of Florida up north to Ohio for college, I always get the same reaction: a shocked face and the question “Why?” After all, few people can understand giving up liv-

We’d like to see administrators going to more high schools in lower-income districts. And we’d also like to see diversity on our campus in multiple forms and not just

diverse community centered around diverse values. There

Brrrr-ing on the snow THE MIAMI STUDENT

logos. But the way we approach “student life” alienates a lot of students.

-

— shoveling, driving, freezing cold temperatures and hands, etc. Texas is a prime example of that right now. But it is also me) a miracle of nature.

that made you happy. They’ll look at you the way you saw yourself at the time of that adventure.

There was the man in the tow truck who wanted

who rely on socializing with strangers to get human contact.

Have you ever wondered why that old man in the pharmacy line won’t shut up?

the aspiring novelist who made my fajita. mine either.

-

radwanat@miamioh.edu

and out of Spanish and English for 45 minutes

are scarce right now.

from Florida who is still caught up in the rapture of the pretty get tired of it all. But I know, deep in my heart, that there’s snow way that’ll ever happen.

younger than me at a school in Oregon. There was

Whether or not we want to admit it, we need ally know will let you rant and just move right

New episode this week!

them for that. So go ask that guy making your