ESTABLISHED 1826 — OLDEST COLLEGE NEWSPAPER WEST OF THE ALLEGHENIES
Volume 149 No. 2
Miami University — Oxford, Ohio
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020
Crawford signs PCLC Climate Commitment HANNAH HORSINGTON STAFF WRITER
Miami University President Greg Crawford signed the Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitment (PCLC) in a virtual ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 22. The Climate Commitment is the most comprehensive of the PCLC commitments, combining the Resilience Commitment (which commits to “adapt to the impacts of climate change through campus/community engagement”) and the Carbon Commitment (which commits to “reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality as soon as possible”) according to Miami’s website. “This is going to signify our dedication to carbon neutrality and climate resilience for the sake of our planet, our community, our people and our future,” Crawford said. Before signing the commitment, Crawford introduced members of Miami’s Climate Action Task Force, including co-chairs Jonathan Levy, director of the institute for environment and sustainability, and Adam Sizemore, director of sustainability. Also in attendance were Tim Carter, president of Second Nature, a company that works with universities on climate change efforts and encourages them to sign the PCLC, and Mike Smith, mayor of Oxford. “This moment gives direction to our future and also advances our long-standing history of sustainability excellence at Miami and our efforts to reduce carbon-based energy emissions,” Crawford said. Miami has cut its carbon emissions in half since 2008, and coal has not been burned on campus since 2017, Crawford said. Crawford also said the university has reduced its annual fuel usage by approximately 20,000 gallons. Crawford listed some of the university’s goals with the signing of the
Black Lives Matter protest takes to Oxford sidewalks
AT LAST WEEK'S BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTEST IN OXFORD, STUDENTS MARCHED FOR CHANGE AT MIAMI. PHOTO EDITOR BO BRUECK
CAROLINE HAUBENSTRICKER STAFF WRITER
More than 100 students marched through Oxford for a Black Lives Matter protest on Friday, Sept. 25. “Miami is not interested in critical change,” said Tenudi Genana, a Black sophomore and organizer of the protest. “They should actually care about their Black students. And if they are not going to listen to us, then we are going to have to do it the hard way, to protest.” The protest was originally planned for Aug. 17 but was postponed until students were back on campus for the fall semester.
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Genana organized the protest for many reasons, the most important being that she feels Miami has no intention of dismantling white supremacy. “Miami’s real problem is that the school is built off white supremacy, and uplifting white supremacy does clearly benefit [the university] and [administrators] clearly understand what to do to dismantle this,” Genana said. “Like there’s so many things that [Miami] can do to dismantle this, but [university officials] are choosing not to because most of their donors are white men.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Socially distant and socially awkward:
Inside student living spaces
THIS YEAR'S RESIDENCE HALL EXPERIENCE LOOKS DIFFERNT FROM PREVIOUS ONES. THE MIAMI STUDENT JAKE RUFFER
LYNDSEY CARTER ABIGAIL KEMPER
THE MIAMI STUDENT First-years drag their carts of pillows and bedding up to their new twin XL beds. They never thought this day would come. The dorm is quiet, and the fear of making friends is already setting in. As the days go by, the halls remain quiet as more people trickle in. In the hallways, they pass each other in their masks. They try to smile, to make a friend, but are unable to tell who they are passing. The girl from 204? Someone down the hall? They ask themselves one question: Can I make friends and stay safe?
First-year Grace Klebe, a marketing and journalism double major, is a resident in Emerson Hall. Before moving to campus, she worried about making friends in her dorm during a pandemic. After moving in, she realized these worries were valid. “It’s more difficult to make friends during COVID, especially since there’s less people in general,” Klebe said. “We have a lot of empty dorms on our floor and a lot of people are in singles. It is just less social than I expected.” An important part of the freshman year residence life experience is having hall-wide activities that are scheduled by residence staff. These activities help to promote community building with-
in the halls and are being tailored to COVID-19 regulations. Vicka Bell-Robinson, director of residence life, said it’s important for students to have the on-campus option. Some students are challenged with balancing school and home life at the same time. Other students need Miami’s campus because home is not a suitable place to learn. “More than ever before in my career, it’s become very obvious that where you live matters,” Bell-Robinson said. “Students are feeling like they have feet in both worlds.” Bell-Robinson encouraged students to engage when they can to make connections. She said that huge campus-wide events are not
typically where you meet friends. “You make your closest friends through your courses, your residence hall, through those individual opportunities,” Bell-Robinson said. “That’s still all very possible.” Between fluctuating COVID-19 case numbers and guidelines always changing, residence life is trying to stay flexible and accessible for students. “We’re all learning in this experience,” Bell-Robinson said. “No one has been in a pandemic and tried to do what we’re doing here. We all need to have some grace and compassion for one another as we navigate this.” First-year Eli Tivin, a social studies education major and resident of Brandon Hall, said his hallmates are trying to create a sense of community in the dorm while still following COVID-19 guidelines. “We had a dinner night that was masked and socially distanced and we sometimes watch football games and stuff together,” Tivin said. “We are still getting a sense of community, just six feet apart.” As students adjust to being back, Bell-Robinson said residence hall meetings have been virtual. To keep students comfortable, they are easing into in-person programming. Emerson Hall, hosted an event about identity spaces and Havighurst Hall baked cookies. These events are properly distanced and masked. Each quad, except for academic quad, is supplied with tents for outdoor programming as an extension of community spaces.
“We are not used to being a society that needs masks, but it’s still an important thing to do to keep each other safe,” Bell-Robinson said. “We want to be here.” Resident Assistants (RAs) are also trying to create an inclusive environment for freshmen. Senior Tre King, a media and culture major with an arts management co-major, is in his third year of being an RA. This year, he is an RA in Hawks Landing, an off-campus apartment complex. The university moved students into the apartments to allow for social distancing in residence halls. “A difference here from a traditional residence hall is a lot of these residents are more independent,” King said. “It’s been a little bit of a transition, shifting my leadership style and the ways I approach things.” A challenge for King as an RA during the pandemic is creating a strong connection with his residents. “Another challenge is being able to have that authentic, genuine connection,” King said. “But I do think it offers a different type of experience where you have to be more intentional about the relationship you’re making.” No matter where freshmen are living, there are opportunities for community. Wear your mask, wash your hands and keep putting yourself out there. There are still four great years to come. carterlg@miamioh.edu kempera2@miamioh.edu
This Issue NEWS
CULTURE
Protests of Miami's past: a history
A look inside sociallydistanced dining halls
page 4
page 7
SPORTS
OPINION
Coming soon: #MACtion
page 9
Why wearing a mask is a modern-day victory garden page 10
This Week
2 FYI
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020
Named the Best College Newspaper (Non-daily) in Ohio by the Society of Professional Journalists.
CORRECTION: Last week, we incorrectly published the name of the chairman of the Miami University College Republicans as Nick Fellaris in “Oxford preparing for unprecedented election.” Taylor Armstrong is the current chairman of the CRs.
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Crawford signs PCLC Climate Commitment carbon emissions). The university originally planned to sign the PCLC in April, on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. “Since then, a lot has happened,” Levy said. “Our country has been shaken not only by the pandemic, but by continuing examples of systematic racism [and] racial injustice, sparking worldwide peaceful protests. It would be fair to ask if focusing on climate change at this time in our history still makes sense, and to that question, I answer with a resounding yes.” Sizemore then spoke, saying the signing of the PCLC was not achieved just by one person, but by many groups throughout the university working together. “This is a collaborative effort amongst everybody, it’s not just about operational things,” he said. “It’s about engagement across campus.” Sizemore then introduced the executive steering committee, composed of 13 members including various university faculty and staff members that will lead different areas of the climate action task force. Each lead member will be developing subcommittees based on “detailed targeted areas” that emerge over the course of the process. “This is a collaborative effort The executive amongst everybody, it’s steering committee is also looking for a not just about operational student represenbudgets.” tative through an application pro- Adam Sizemore cess. This student representative will lead a subcommiturgency, and that higher education tee to relay, communicate and presplays a key role in driving that ur- ent updates to the student body. It gency. He encouraged the univer- will also appoint one student to sit sity to not only “serve as an actor” on each of the other committees. when it comes to climate change, These students will then meet regularly to discuss how to communibut to also enable action by others. Levy explained the timeline Mi- cate the task force progress with the ami will follow after the signing of student body and make recommendations to the task force, Levy said. the PCLC. The application to serve as a stuMiami has two years from the signing to write its campus commu- dent representative will be opening nity resilience assessment and three soon. years from the signing to complete @hannahorsington its carbon neutrality plan (how and horsinhp@miamioh.edu when Miami plans to reach zero net FROM FRONT PCLC, including expanding reduction efforts in energy and fuel usage, integrating resilience into climate action planning and developing a deeper understanding of the university’s impact on air travel and commuting. In addition, Crawford said the university hopes to “unite” the campus and local community to collaborate on achieving carbon neutrality. Climate action planning will also be more integrated into Miami’s curriculum, research and “overall student experience.” “We will do all this from a position of strength, and together, leveraging our past investments and advancing into the future,” Crawford said. Miami joins a network of more than 450 institutions who have signed PCLC commitments, 100 of which have signed the Climate Commitment. “It goes way beyond the individual campus and is really about, ‘How can you mobilize higher education as a sector, and your role within that, to drive the change that we need to see?’” Carter said. Carter also stressed that climate change needs to be approached with
Weds
Aim Media Midwest Printer
Alessandra Manukian
Derek Stamberger
Things to do
Fri 10/2
Fri 10/2
Crucial Conversations #4 – The Challenge of Anti-Blackness
Virtual Event
Join Dr. Denise Taliaferro Baszile and other scholar-activists on topics related to the struggle against systemic racism.
7 p.m. 8:30 p.m.
Impressions Series, CCA: Virtual Theatre Panel 4:25 p.m. Virtual Event 5:45 p.m. Come hear from four Miami alumni about their careers and acting experiences!
MAP Movie Night Virtual Event Grab some popcorn and a snack and join Map for a virtual movie night!
9:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m.
Fall Friday Make Alongs Virtual Event 1:00 p.m. Join Miami Universities Libraries for their weekly make along. This week’s 4:00 p.m. craft: paper chain wall hangings!
Black Lives Matter protest takes to Oxford sidewalks
MORE THAN 100 PROTESTORS MARCHED THROUGH OXFORD DEMANDING ACTIONABLE CHANGE FROM MIAMI’S ADMINISTRATION REGARDING THE BLACK EXPERIENCE ON CAMPUS. PHOTO EDITOR BO BRUECK
FROM FRONT Protesters wore black and came to the demonstration with homemade signs. Those who attended were required to wear masks and were asked to social distance. Organizers offered free masks to those without one. The protest began outside the Armstrong Student Center, with students like Cameron Bracely, a Black junior at Miami, encouraging students to register to vote. Bracely said in addition to getting students registered to vote, he also attended the protest to help bring awareness to the needed change at Miami. Shortly after 4 p.m., Genana and Nicole Newsome, co-leader of BLM Oxford and a Black senior at Miami, gathered protestors for opening remarks. Before marching, Newsome spoke about acknowledging the disproportionate number of Black people and people of color that experience police brutality and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Protestors then marched up Spring Street from Armstrong. The march turned at Main Street toward High Street, and then marchers turned down High, ending at Lewis Place, the residence of President Crawford As students marched along the sidewalks, different chants echoed through the crowd: “Black Lives Matter,” “Say her name, Breonna Taylor” and “No justice, no peace,” were just a few.. Those who passed by in cars honked to show their support for the cause or screamed phrases like “Trump 2020” against the protest.
Once protestors arrived at Lewis Place, Genana, Newsome and Sinait Sarfino, junior at Miami, each gave speeches about the lives of Black people in America. “Ideally, if we want to see change, we go to the person who can actually administer that change, and the person that you want to see being a part of that change.” Sarfino said. “Crawford is the highest authority we can get to, and that’s why we are [at Lewis Place].” Newsome spoke about racism at Miami and in the United States. “Change cannot happen without unity,” Newsome said through a megaphone. “People are still dying every single day. We are going to continue to be out here and do something until systemic oppression across the United States, at Miami University, comes to an end.” After almost every sentence, protesters cheered at Newsome’s words. “The verdict of Breonna Taylor was unacceptable,” Newsome said. “It was bullshit. Because none of it had to do with her murder. We are in pain. The world continues to be in shambles. This genocide of Black folks, of marginalized communities, is accepted and praised in the United States.” Sarfino spoke next and told the story of the oppression she has faced as a South Sudanese immigrant. “I cannot tell you a time when I have been in the United States and not felt any kind of discrimination,” Sarfino said. “I cannot tell you a time when I had not felt the pressure of oppression on my shoulders. We [need to] fight for justice [and] for equality.” Then, Genana spoke. She thanked protestors for coming and discussed dismantling systems of oppression in
America. Newsome then opened the floor for comments and concerns. One student, Stephanie, spoke about how she was tired of the injustice throughout the country. “How many of you are tired of waking up and checking Twitter to see how many people are sitting there arguing about how we deserve to be murdered?” Stephanie asked the crowd. “We can’t let it happen anymore.” Newsome led a moment of silence for the lives lost due to police brutality to close out the protest. Sarfino said she was happy with the large turnout for the protest, and that the event made her emotional. “I want a lot of different changes [at Miami],” Sarfino said. “I’m talking about diversity and inclusion being initiated and taken charge of, and I would like to see people doing things that show that Black people matter here; that all students matter no matter sexuality, mind and race.” Newsome is hopeful there will be more protests in Oxford and that changes will come from these protests. “There were a lot of people today, and you know what’s great is that the Oxford community is so supportive of us in ways I never would imagine,” Newsome said. “What we’re trying to do is make sure that not only is the [DEI taskforce] held accountable for enacting these changes, but that they don’t take 20 years to do so. We are watching, and we are going to call them out.” @haubenstrickerc haubence@miamioh.edu
NEWS 3
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020
LUMPKIBM@MIAMIOH.EDU
“Policing isn’t just simply a cure-all”: BLM Oxford proposes police reform ABBY BAMMERLIN
implementing social services. She said that an individual-based model — having a social worker make connections with the commuAfter Black Lives Matter (BLM) nity then abruptly leave — wouldn’t Oxford proposed police reforms in a be as sustainable as an organizaprevious City Council meeting, those tion-based model. She said if OPD reforms have been discussed by the shared access to social services, then Police Community Relations & Reit wouldn’t be as big of an impact if view Commision (PCRRC) and will one officer leaves. be brought back before city council “Our officers do a lot of diversifor implementation. ty training,” said Amber Franklin, a Council sent the proposals to the member of the PCRRC. “I truly bePCRRC to review them before maklieve that when they do this training, ing a recommendation to city counit’s not just to check a box for certificil. cation, but that they desire to apply The PCRRC made recommenwhat they’ve learned at these traindations to Oxford City Council that ings to the community.” data be collected on all Oxford Police Fening explained Matt Wagers, Department (OPD) field contacts, as an OPD officer, is working once a well as pedestrian and bicycle stops, week to connect social services to at its meeting on Sept. 1. those that may need them. She said a “I think that would clear up a lot social worker has accompanied him of distrust in the community,” Pat for two of his three shifts and plans Meade, a member of PCRRC, said. “I to continue to do so while Wagers is think transparency is good.” doing this work or work with another The data would be publicly availofficer if Wagers is called somewhere able and could be used to determine else. if an officer is racially discriminating “This has not cost the city any against those they are stopping. money,” Fening said. “He’s laying a “This is something we’ve been strong foundation for our connections, and I think that has been very good.” Greene proposed a possible timeline to ex“Similar programs have existed sometimes pand county-wide profor years in other cities, and even small towns grams. The proposed like Alexandria in Kentucky are hiring social program would have a plan in place by Januworkers to respond to emergency calls, so this ary 2022. type of proposal isn’t some radical idea.” Brandon Humphrey, a member of - Brandon Humphrey BLM Oxford, said he and others in the organization imagine a CAHOOTS-type system. This system would allow unarmed medical professionals to respond to calls asking for since 2017,” Meade said. PCRRC. The third proposal was a discus- where force may not be necessary. “And hopefully we’re making progsion about alternatives to policing, Humphrey listed examples like menress on that.” The committee believes this could such as implementing more social tal health crises, homelessness and workers instead of police officers. substance abuse incidents. be implemented within six months. “These responders stabilize the “I think six months is just too Discussion was suspended until the immediate situation and provide long to wait,” Chandler said. “When commission’s Sept. 17 meeting. At the PCRRC meeting on Sept. information about and referrals to PCRRC first started pedestrian stop data, as Pat Meade stated, was some- 17, OPD lieutenant Lara Fening existing services so that people can thing that several Oxford citizens spoke about alternatives involving get the help they need,” Humphrey had requested, and years later, that social workers and social services. wrote in an email to The Miami StuShe mentioned the turnover in social dent. data is still yet to be seen.” services, as well as the challenges in Humphrey wrote that he enviASST. NEWS EDITOR
Another member of PCRRC, Egon Kraan, said collecting the data, implementing the system and reporting the data takes a lot of time. He said taking six months to fully implement a system to collect the data is aggressive. The second proposal the committee considered was removing barriers to reporting police misconduct. Initially, Meade said the PCRRC chose not to vote on a recommendation based on the actions of Jessica Greene, assistant city manager, and John Jones, OPD police chief, to improve the complaint process. “We thought there’s already an effort from the OPD to respond to this recommendation,” Meade said. “We didn’t need to make a formal push.” But during PCRRC’s Sept. 17 meeting, the commission amended its recommendation to City Council. Commissioners voted to recommend City Council work with OPD to require police officers to give civilians their name, badge number, reason for the stop and a card with instructions on how to give feedback to the
“I don’t want to feel outcasted by wearing my mask”:
Crawford tells students to mask up
WHILE NOT DIRECTLY INVOLVED WITH LAST WEEK’S PROTEST, BLM OXFORD HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN THE CITY, PROPOSING POLICE REFORMS TO CITY OFFICIALS. PHOTO EDITOR BO BRUECK
sions a small team of medics and mental health experts who are independent from OPD, but who may work alongside them as needed. “Similar programs have existed sometimes for years in other cities,” Humphrey said, “and even small towns like Alexandria in Kentucky are hiring social workers to respond to emergency calls, so this type of proposal isn’t some radical idea.” Humphrey and BLM Oxford asked for a task force to be created to research alternatives to policing, knowing their ideas couldn’t go into effect right away. “We recognize that the Oxford Police Department is doing what it can and is stepping up to address these issues,” Humphrey said. “But policing isn’t just simply a cure-all
ASST. NEWS EDITOR
ABBY BAMMERLIN ASST. NEWS EDITOR
Miami University President Greg Crawford issued a ‘Presidential Request’ regarding face masks via email to Miami students and faculty. The email went out just before 3 p.m., an hour before a Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest. “Effective immediately,” Crawford wrote, “I am partnering with the Student Body President and the Vice President for Student Life to issue a Presidential Request that all people on campus wear a mask covering their nose and mouth at all times indoors when outside your residence hall room or office as well as outdoors when interacting with others that do not share housing with you.” Sophomore Alexis Bebout, psychology and sociology major, said she doesn’t believe students will follow Crawford’s request. “It’s kind of confusing walking around campus,” Bebout said. “Sometimes you see people fully wearing masks and obviously following the rules. But then there’s a crowd of people right behind them not wearing their masks.”
The same day, the BLM protest organizers asked students to wear masks and socially distance. Crawford acknowledged the protestors in his email. “Peaceful protest is an important part of the democratic process,” Crawford wrote. “We urge you to protect your health and the health of our community by wearing a mask or face covering and by maintaining physical distancing whenever possible.” Bebout said she appreciated that Crawford mentioned the protest and supported it. “I really liked that because at least he acknowledged it,” Bebout said. Crawford went on to write that masks should be worn during in-person classes, public spaces and residence halls or office suites. He asked that masks be worn outdoors when with people other than those you live with. “Wearing a facial covering is one of the easiest and most effective strategies we can employ to keep each other healthy,” Crawford wrote. According to Miami’s COVID dashboard, Miami has 263 active COVID-19 cases and 1,437 cumulative cases as of Sept. 25. Carole Johnson, interim director of university communication and news,
wrote in an email to The Miami Student that failure to follow the Healthy Together Pledge is treated as a violation of the Code of Student Conduct and could result in disciplinary action. “Over the past few weeks, we have been happy to see a decline in the number of new cases of COVID-19 among our students,” Johnson wrote, “however, we do not want that to give our campus community a sense of false security. COVID-19 continues to circulate and we must continue to take precautions to limit its spread on our campus.” Bebout said she thinks the coronavirus has become politicized around the country and especially in Ohio. “People want to do what they feel they should be doing,” Bebout said. “I’m sure we’re surrounded by people who don’t even believe COVID is as serious as it is.” Bebout said she sometimes still feels hesitant about wearing her mask on campus. “I always feel like I never know what I should be doing,” Bebout said. “I don’t want to feel outcasted [sic] by wearing my mask.” bammeraj@miamioh.edu @abby_bammerlin
@abby_bammerlin bammeraj@miamioh.edu
ASG approves internal operating budget, elects student life council members MADELINE PHABY
PRESIDENT CRAWFORD ISSUED A PRESIDENTIAL REQUEST LAST WEEK ASKING STUDENTS TO WEAR MASKS AT ALL TIMES. THE MIAMI STUDENT ZACH REICHMAN
for all the social issues that Oxford faces.” The task force would be made up of community members, officers, budgeting experts, experts in social work and others. “There is interest in the community to be part of this decision making,” said Shana Rosenberg, a member of BLM Oxford. After more than an hour of discussion, the PCRRC moved to recommend City Council create a task force to research alternatives to policing in Oxford. The vote got two nos and five yeas. The next PCRRC meeting will take place on Nov. 19.
Miami University’s Associated Student Government (ASG) approved its internal operating budget for the fall semester and elected two senators to the student life council at its Sept. 22 meeting. The internal operating budget allocates ASG funds to executive cabinet members so they can carry out initiatives related to their positions. This semester, a total of $3,550 was granted to four different cabinet members. Off-campus senator Jake Kravitz raised concerns about Secretary for On-Campus Affairs Trey Petrella’s allocation being too high. Petrella requested $360 for 24 gift cards to be given as prizes at a Miami trivia event. Kravitz’s main concern was that Petrella’s funds would be taken from ASG’s agency funds, which are generated through fundraising rather than from student fees. “As it stands right now, we’re not getting any more agency funds,” Kravitz said, “So that means we need to be really careful about what we’re spending them on.” Several senators came to Petrella’s defense after Kravitz’s comments, and Secretary of Finance Ben Waugh mentioned that agency funds hadn’t been used since 2016.
“Senator Kravitz made the point that they aren’t being regenerated, but how long are we going to let them sit there and not use them?” Waugh said. The budget was approved with 30 yeas, zero nays and three abstentions. ASG also held elections for the student life council, which meets once each month and discusses non-academic aspects of student life, such as the code of conduct. Senators Wes Payne, Sidra Capriolo and Lauren Doepke accepted nominations to run for the two open spots on the council. Payne, a first-year student, highlighted his experience planning events as a member of student council in high school. He also said his perspective as a first-year during COVID-19 would be particularly valuable to the council. Capriolo discussed her experiences in service-related leadership positions and her membership on the safe return to campus committee and the student community relations commission. Doepke said her work on sexual and interpersonal violence prevention, alcohol awareness and civic engagement initiatives qualified her for the position. ASG elected Payne and Capriolo to the council. phabymr@miamioh.edu
4 NEWS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020
Miami designates dorms for students in quarantine and isolation
FIRST-YEAR HANNAH SULLIVAN SAID DEALING WITH HER MENTAL HEALTH HAS BEEN THE HARDEST PART OF HER EXPERIENCE IN ONE OF MIAMI’S ISOLATION DORMS. PHOTO EDITOR BO BRUECK
HANNAH HORSINGTON STAFF WRITER
Some students spend months acquiring different items for their dorm room, with everything from throw pillows to string lights making the cut. Other students slap a couple posters on the wall and call it a day. But however they chose to decorate it, after move-in week some Miami University students didn’t get to spend much time in their dorm room at all. After working with Butler County, Miami designated certain residence halls as quarantine and isolation dorms, reserved solely for those who have tested positive for COVID-19 or may have been exposed. “We worked with [Butler County Health] on understanding what the requirements were for quarantine and isolation,” said Dean of Students Kimberly Moore. These requirements include all quarantined or isolated students having their own bedroom. Another suggestion is that students have their own bathroom, although this is not required, Moore said. She also said the university’s approach to quarantining and isolating students is constantly evolving with new guidance from Butler County Health. “All of this is sort of an iterative process,” Moore said. “You know, quarantine and isolation is not a traditional function of a university. This
is all very new.” The university would not publicly confirm which dorms are currently being used for quarantine and isolation, though several students report being isolated at the Miami Inn. Moore also said different dorms will be used for quarantining and isolating students. Separate floors in one building could be used for both, but right now, Miami does not plan to mix quarantining and isolating students within the same building. Quarantine and isolation have different time requirements, with students staying in isolation for 10 days and quarantine for 14, said Vicka Bell-Robinson, director of residence life. Students who have tested positive will go to isolation, while students who have had contact with someone who has tested positive will go to quarantine. A 14-day quarantine gives the virus enough time to manifest, while a 10-day isolation will give the virus enough time to run its course as long as the student is symptom-free, Bell-Robinson said. Once it is determined that a student has tested positive or has a presumptive positive based on diagnoses from a doctor, they are notified by both Butler County Health and the Office of the Dean of Students, Moore said. The student is notified by both a phone call and a detailed email. Recently, students have been given the opportunity to quarantine or isolate at home if they live within driving distance, Moore said. If not,
students are assigned a location on campus to report to. There is no check-in process once the student arrives at the dorm. They are given ID access for the building and the room and are expected to report directly there. Once the student has arrived in the assigned room, they are given information on how to order food and are checked on by university staff. “We try to make sure that every student, the first day that they go in quarantine or isolation, that they’re getting a call that day,” Bell-Robinson said. “And then typically that [staff member] is assigned to [the student] for the time that they’re in quarantine and isolation.” The student will discuss with the staff member how often they would like to be checked on and through what method (text, email, phone call, etc.). Robinson said they want to listen to the students’ preferences and will respect their desire to be checked in as frequently as they would like, whether it be daily or every few days. Students are given the opportunity to receive three meals a day and can place orders until noon the day before and select which meals, if not all three, they wish to receive. Students have also been given the option to use contactless delivery services, such as DoorDash, and can leave their rooms to pick up food. The quarantine/isolation dorms do not have resident assistants but will have various staff members available to help students. “Regularly, in the building, you’re going to find dining staff that are delivering the meals, you’re going to find housekeeping that is hitting the high-touch areas, particularly in the quarantine area, a little less frequently in the isolation area,” Bell-Robinson said, “and then you are going to periodically have residence life staff going through.” First-year Hannah Sullivan has experienced an isolation dorm first-hand after testing positive less than a week after arriving on campus. Sullivan moved into her residence hall on Monday, Sept. 14, and on Wednesday, learned that she had been around a friend who tested positive. She went to an urgent care facility off-campus and got tested on Thursday as some symptoms, including a runny nose and a sore throat, started to appear. Once she got her results, she immediately used the self-reporting form to notify the university. “They gave me an email right away and talked to me about my case, saying, ‘This is your room in the isolation dorm at the Miami Inn. You should report here immediately,’” Sullivan said. Sullivan grabbed her go-bag and walked to
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the Miami Inn on Saturday, Sept. 19, six days after arriving on campus. “The day after I got in here, I got a call from Butler County, and we talked about my case, talked about when my symptoms started, when my start and end release date would be, and so we figured that out,” Sullivan said. “That was nice to have communication with the county about my case and, you know, what the plan is for me.” Student Health Services has called her almost every day to check in, and the residence director of her regular dorm has also called to check on her. “It does feel like, you know, they’re concerned and they care for us,” Sullivan said. Sullivan said the dorms and bathrooms are clean, even pointing out the showers are nicer than in her regular dorm. She said meal delivery times are fairly consistent, although food can be a little cold. The thing she’s struggled with the most, though, has been her mental health. “At a time where you feel really under the weather and you just want your mom to comfort you or something, you’re alone,” she said. “And you just kind of have to get through it by yourself.” She has found a few bright spots, however, making friends with those who are isolating around her. “I’ve heard people, and I’ve kinda stuck my head out the door and been like, ‘Hi, how are you?’ and we’re maintaining six feet,” Sullivan said. “So I’ve made a couple friends that way, and we just talk, and it’s nice to have some new friends through this.” While Sullivan has had one experience in a quarantine dorm, Moore stressed that the process is continuously changing. “It’s important to know that guidance from Butler County Health has changed very frequently and very quickly,” Moore said. “And so a student’s experience in quarantine and isolation on Sept. 1, looks very different than an experience that a student going into quarantine or isolation would have now.” Sullivan said, overall, her experience has been good, and that she’s willing to go through 1o days of isolation if it’s for the greater good of the campus. She thinks many other students in her isolation dorm feel the same way. “All of us in here are so grateful that we would sacrifice 10 days to save the public health of Miami students as a whole,” she said. “The conditions in here are really not bad. It seems bad at first because you don’t know what to expect, but I’ve been in here for about six/seven days, and I’m doing just fine. It’s really not as bad as people think.” @hannahorsington horsinhp@miamioh.edu
Snowballs, a flush-in and unmet demands:
A history of dissent at Miami
MADELINE PHABY
ASST. NEWS EDITOR History has shown that, at a university, tension between students and administration is inevitable. On Sept. 9, Miami University made the controversial decision to bring students back for in-person classes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Naturally, some students questioned this decision. And just this past Friday, Black Lives Matter protesters took to the streets. Though this is the most recent subject of disagreement between students and administration, it’s far from the first. In fact, Miami students have a long history of clashing with the higher-ups. The snowball rebellion: 1848 Student dissent was relatively unheard of in the 19th century. But Miami lays claim to an amusing exception to this rule: the snowball rebellion of 1848. In 1833, a chapter of the fraternity Alpha Delta Phi, which was founded at Hamilton College a year earlier, was established at Miami. Later, in 1839, Beta Theta Pi was founded at Miami, the first of several Greek organizations founded here. At the time, the president of the university was Robert Hamilton Bishop, who played a major role in increasing the presence of fraternities on campus. But Bishop’s pro-fraternity perspective was highly controversial, since fraternities were widely considered to be cult-like, and he was dismissed from his position in 1840, largely due to this perspective. Bishop’s successor, George Junkin — a supporter of slavery who former university president Phillip Shriver described as “dictatorial” — urged the Board of Trustees (BoT) to ban “secret societies,” such as fraternities, from campus. The BoT decided to let them stay, but the hostility toward Greek life remained — even when Erasmus McMaster replaced Junkin as president in 1845. On Jan. 12, 1848, fraternity members rolled a massive snowball and used it to block the door of Old Main, the primary classroom and administrative building on campus, in protest of this anti-fraternity sentiment. A janitor discovered the snowball the following morning, and he notified McMaster. Later that day, McMaster announced that the men responsible for the prank would be expelled. Figuring the president couldn’t expel the entire Greek population, all the members of Alpha Delta Phi and Beta Theta Pi got together to expand upon the initial prank. This time, they packed the entire first floor of Old Main with snow. As it turned out, McMaster was indeed willing to expel the entire Greek population, and Miami’s population dropped from over 200 to just 68 in just a few days. This action backfired against McMaster, though, as he was fired for expelling so many students and replaced by a more pro-fraternity president.
Rowan Hall: 1970 During the 1960s, college students across the country became more politically active than ever, and Miami students were no exception. Most of the protests that came to define the decade were against the Vietnam War, which began in 1955 and didn’t end until 1973. As the war dragged on, it became increasingly unpopular. By 1970, more than half of Americans believed sending troops into Vietnam was a mistake, according to data from the Pew Research Center. That year, Miami students decided it was time to make their displeasure toward the war known. On April 15, hundreds of students marched from Roudebush Hall to Rowan Hall, which is now part of the Armstrong Student Center. At the time, Rowan housed Miami’s ROTC program, which the students viewed as a symbol of the war. Ted Soares, a former Miami student, led the occupation. He, along with the other protesters, released a list of demands to the administration: stop giving academic credit for ROTC, get ROTC off campus within a year, don’t punish the students participating in the occupation and improve conditions for Black students on campus. Several members of Miami’s administration — and even the student body president — urged the protestors to leave the building and move their dialogue to a “less disruptive” location, but the students refused. Shortly after, multiple police forces arrived at Rowan and began dragging students out of the building, shooting off tear gas and mace and letting police dogs loose on the protesters. One hundred and eighty-four students were arrested for trespassing, and hundreds more were injured by the tear gas. Then-president Phillip Shriver defended the police’s actions as “standard operating procedure,” but the student protesters were outraged by the display of force. Many of them called for a strike in the days following the Rowan incident and urged their peers and faculty to skip classes. In a final act of defiance, the student organizers staged a “flush-in,” in which they flushed toilets repeatedly and turned on all the sinks and showers in their residence halls to drain Oxford’s water supply. Following the flush-in, the protesters agreed to enter negotiations with administration and return to class. Despite the injuries and arrests that resulted from the protests, things could have been far worse for Miami’s student demonstrators. On May 4 of the same year, the Ohio National Guard killed four students and injured nine others at Kent State University during an anti-war protest. It was the first time in United States history that a student was killed during an anti-war demonstration. Thousands of Miami students marched in
DESIGN EDITOR OWEN BERG
honor of the murdered students in the days following the Kent State Massacre, and Shriver decided to close the campus to avoid a similar act of violence occurring in Oxford. Black student activism: 1970-present Though the Rowan Hall occupation is generally remembered as an anti-war demonstration, racial justice was also a major goal of the organizers. Though the Black Student Action Association (BSAA) didn’t formally endorse the protests, several of its members participated, and it released its own list of demands to the administration. This set of demands — which included increasing the percentage of Black students to 10% by 1974, setting aside graduate assistantships for Black graduate students and recruiting more Black faculty — was the first of several that have been made to the administration by students of color over the years. The second came in 1997, when a Black firstyear student received death threats from a white student via voicemail. In response, a group of Black students formed the Black Action Movement (BAM) and made demands to Miami’s administration. Some of BAM’s demands were exactly the same as BSAA’s from nearly 30 years earlier, including hiring more Black faculty and increasing the Black student population to 10%. Others included establishing a multicultural center on campus and creating a minority studies program. The administration agreed to four demands outright: establishing a President’s Council on Multicultural Affairs, completing an institution-
al plan for diversity, evaluating student support services for underrepresented students and establishing a multicultural center. The two demands that were repeated from BSAA were not among those that were met. In 2017, 20 years after the original BAM was disappointed by Miami’s administration, a Miami sophomore used a racial slur in a GroupMe message and later joked about it on Tinder. This incident prompted the formation of a new movement: BAM 2.0. Like its predecessors, BAM 2.0 demanded Miami increase its proportions of racially diverse students and faculty. Many of its other demands involved increased transparency from the university, such as demanding a report from the associate vice president of institutional diversity, monthly reports on the university’s progress on diversity-related initiatives and a meeting with a group of administrators. On April 20, 2018, members of BAM 2.0 met with administrators and reported favorably on the statuses on many of the demands. However, in a letter to The Miami Student, the group wrote that the transparency-related demands had not been sufficiently met. Today, 50 years after BSAA made its initial demands to Miami’s administration, tensions between students of color and the administration are still alive and well. From the Dear Miami Instagram page to 15 students resigning from the President’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion task force, students have made it clear that, until the administration steps up its response to their demands, the culture of dissent at Miami will live on. phabymr@miamioh.edu
Professors work toward safe classroom environment SEAN SCOTT
THE MIAMI STUDENT With a majority of students now living in Oxford, students and professors alike have had to adapt to a new classroom environment. Even though the university’s active case number has seen a steady decline in the past two weeks, the partial return to classrooms has people worried that trend may be reversed. According to Miami’s Healthy Together website, “Face coverings are required during all class meetings to promote the health and safety of all university members.” For senior software engineering major Micki Smolenski, this rule hasn’t caused problems in her two in-person classes, but she feels students have a different attitude around campus. “In my classes, the students are doing a good job of being safe and courteous,” Smolenski said. Outside of the classroom is a different story. “Walking around campus, you do see a lot of people outside who aren’t wearing masks, which is kind of concerning,” Smolenski said. “Personally, I’d prefer if people wore masks a little bit more when they’re walking around.” Pascal Massie, associate professor of philosophy, has noticed a similar mindset among his students. “As far as class is concerned, [students] are going to be safer than if you go buy something at the grocery store,” Massie said. “The problem is that a student’s life is not limited to inside the classroom. This weekend’s parties, Friday and Saturday, that’s where the danger is going to be.” Despite this, Massie says he still feels safe in his classroom. The de-
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ILLUSTRATION BY ALESSANDRA MANUKIAN
away from each other, so I don’t think there was any danger.” Anne Whitesell, assistant professor of political science, is teaching two in-person classes in Harrison Hall, where professors were told to leave windows closed. “They upgraded their air filters so they filter out finer particles,” she said. “At first, it seems counterintuitive, but they advised us not to open
the windows because that just makes the air conditioning system work harder.” Other professors across campus are dealing with air circulation by moving class outside. Smolenski, for example, met her professor and classmates for THE210 Jazz on the steps outside the Center for Performing Arts before moving to a stage inside. David Prytherch has a unique insight as both a professor of geography at Miami and the father of a current Miami student. For him, bringing students back to the classroom was a necessary risk. “For many students, I’m the only in-person class they have, so they’re happy to comply with the protocols,” Prytherch said. “I feel like, given the way things are going now on campus, Miami has a good chance of keeping
the numbers lower. That’s why I feel safe to teach in the classroom. If I thought this were an out-of-control situation, I would be 100% online.” Prytherch, like Massie and Whitesell, acknowledges that the situation outside the classroom is beyond his control. “We saw COVID spread like wildfire off campus, and we were in the international news for it,” Prytherch said. “When they made the decision to bring students back, cases were on the rise and widespread. They gave professors the choice to do what they felt comfortable with.” Professors were given the choice in late August to change the mode of delivery for their classes when Miami was averaging hundreds of new cases a day. If the university’s cases begin spiking again, Prytherch says he has no problem switching back to remote teaching. “We’ll do as much in person as is safe,” Prytherch said. “We started the semester online. A significant portion of my students stayed online. So it’s not hard to switch back to Zoom at all. I told the students it will depend on how they conduct themselves in the classroom but also just what happens in Oxford.” For Massie, if a student doesn’t conduct themselves properly in class, he says they’re welcome to switch back to remote learning before it’s a mandate. “This is not something to make jokes about. If a student shows up not wearing a mask, I’ll send him out,” Massie said. “He’s welcome to get a Zoom link, or maybe I’ll record the class and send him the link later, but yes, this is an unexcused absence. This is not negotiable.” scottsr2@miamioh.edu
Political signs stolen as presidential election approaches
AS THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS DRAWS NEARER, RESIDENTS ARE REPORTING MISSING POLITICAL SIGNS. PHOTO EDITOR BO BRUECK
HENRI ROBBINS
THE MIAMI STUDENT As the 2020 presidential election approaches, political signs are both appearing and, in some cases, disappearing. In and around the Oxford area, there has been a recent influx of reports of yard signs being stolen. Often, these signs are stolen in the middle of the night, and residents are unable to see where they have gone. Mark Mortine, an Oxford resident and former Talawanda High School teacher, said many of the Joe Biden signs on his street have been taken. He noted that none of the Donald Trump signs have been touched. “I let the dog out ... kinda late, a lit-
Sacrificing community for safety: residence hall move-in
AFTER A WEEK-LONG MOVE-IN TO RESIDENCE HALLS, STUDENTS ARE HAVING A HARD TIME FORMING DORM COMMUNITIES. THE MIAMI STUDENT ZACH REICHMAN
“We saw COVID spread like wildfire off campus, and we were in the international news for it.” - David Prytherch
partment of philosophy worked to standardize their approach to student safety this semester through an eightpart coronavirus protocol. Among the issues addressed by the protocol are the need for face masks, social distancing guidelines and an option for students to attend class virtually if they feel unwell. Massie says he has not experienced any problems with students following these rules so far. He did, however, point out that his classroom in Pearson Hall prevents him from maintaining airflow like his department protocol suggests. “I’m really disappointed I couldn’t do anything about airflow,” Massie said. “When I walked into the classroom I realized, ‘Oh shoot, no windows.’ And the door closes automatically. But we were sufficiently far
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tle bit before midnight probably, and I noticed that I didn’t see the Biden sign out in the yard,” Mortine said. “I thought maybe it fell down, so I didn’t really pay much attention. I said I’d look in the morning, and sure enough, in the morning, it wasn’t there, so I walked the dog, and there were three other neighbors that had Biden signs out, and theirs were gone, too.” Along with Mortine, Glenn Platt, a Miami University professor who lives in Milford Township, about a mile from Oxford, had both a Biden and a Black Lives Matter sign taken from his yard. “It was about three in the morning,” Platt said. “A pick up truck pulled up in our yard and revved the engine and yelled some things. But we
couldn’t understand what they were saying. They took the Black Lives Matter sign, and they took the Biden sign. And then they dumped our garbage — because it was garbage night — in the yard and threw our garbage cans toward the creek. Not quite in the creek — I think it was an attempt — and then they drove off.” Mortine filed a police report, but Platt decided against it. Platt said there was not much evidence, and “it seemed like it would be a pointless task.” Following the theft, Mortine, his neighbors and Platt have all replaced their signs, and Platt has begun working on solutions. “In the days that follow, you’re just sort of thinking, ‘What can I do to prevent this from happening again?’” Platt said. “We discussed everything from, ‘Can we electrify the sign?’ to now just taking our sign in every night. We go out around dusk and bring the sign in and put it back out again in the morning, thinking that people would only do this in the cover of darkness.” According to Lieutenant Lara Fening of the Oxford Police Department, the same kind of thefts happen every four years, and in past election years, the perpetrators have often been teenagers. Mortine, a former teacher, said some of his students had admitted to stealing political signs. “While I was teaching, I had a student tell me that she and her friend
After Miami University President Greg Crawford decided to move forward with the university’s phased-in return, students began filling up residence halls across campus. Students had an assigned time slot to arrive on campus, where they were required to visit Millett Hall to be tested for COVID-19. Red wristbands were given to students after being tested, and any accompanying guests were screened to receive wristbands as well. Leading up to the residence hall move-in, students were offered the opportunity to change their fall semester preference to remote or another delayed move-in. More than 3,000 students chose not to return to residence halls, which allowed the Office of Residence Life space to move some of the 4,401 on-campus students to single rooms for social distancing purposes. Two hundred and thirteen students chose the other delayed move-in option and will return in October. Megan Sparks, a first-year finance major, was not only split from her roommate but was also moved to a different hall than the one she was expecting to live in a little more than a week before move-in. Sparks said she called to see if the relocation decision was final after receiving the email notification, and the university confirmed she had been moved from McBride Hall to Withrow Hall. “Initially, I was really sad about it,” Sparks said. “It [was] disappointing to hear that I got split up from my roommate.” But Sparks said she understands the decision on Miami’s part because it limited the exposure she had to her roommate. “I feel like [splitting roommates] is a good way to utilize all the extra space,” Sparks said. Rob Abowitz, associate director of the office of residence life, said he thinks move-in went smoothly, describing the process as a marathon, not a sprint. “I think it turned out as good as we could have asked,” Abowitz said. “It was really all about balancing between directly interacting with students and families and keeping everybody safe.” Abowitz said he wouldn’t go back and change anything about the planning of the move-in process. He also noted that move-out in November will look similar to September’s move-in. Now with residence halls being emptier than usual and tight safety restrictions on gatherings, hall communities are feeling the effects of stratified neighbors. “What we gained in safety we also lost in community building,”
went out and took political signs — this was probably about 12 years ago — and I said, ‘You can’t do that, taking people’s signs,’ and she said, ‘Well, my mom was driving us,’ and I said, ‘Well, she can get in trouble, too, even more so probably,’ and I left it there.” While teaching, Mortine said the actions of his students were similar to the actions happening now. “I remember when Trump got the nomination, then when he won, some of the students were going around going ‘Trump! Trump! Trump! Trump!’ like that,” Mortine said. “And I said, ‘Hey, none of the political talk in here.’ I think they enjoyed shoving it in the face of their classmates they knew were not for Trump.” While both of these cases are of Democratic candidates’ signs being stolen, Fening said there have been a mostly equal amount of reports of both sides having missing signs. To prevent the theft of signs, Fening recommended a few different strategies. “I would not put it so close to the roadway,” Fening said. “I would probably either put it strategically closer to
Abowitz said, “and we’re going to have to make up for that.” Sidra Capriolo, a sophomore Spanish and psychology double major, moved into Elliott Hall Sept. 14th, a dorm for the Scholar Leader program, but said despite the Living Learning Community purpose of the hall, there is not much community yet. “There was kind of this expected community, and I really haven’t been getting any of that,” Capriolo said. “I know they’ve been trying really hard to get that to happen.” Sparks said her hall has been persistent in trying to encourage the community to get to know one another. “They really want us to focus on hanging out with people in our hall,” Sparks said. “I think it’s a really nice effort because a lot of people are having trouble meeting people this year.” Twenty-four hours after students arrived on campus, their coronavirus test results started coming back. Of the 3,601 students tested before move-in, 29 tested positive for COVID-19. Abowitz said Miami didn’t approve the move-in COVID testing or acquire the materials for it until a week before move-in began on Sept. 14, but a testing committee quickly set up the entire drive-through testing site for the following week. Capriolo arrived on campus the first day Miami was conducting move-in testing and said she waited around 40 minutes to get tested. Sparks said the test was a lot less scary than she thought it would be, and it was easier because the tests were self-administered. “It was different not knowing if people had [coronavirus] or not,” Sparks said about the first 24 hours after move-in. “It was a little bit nerve-wracking, but I wasn’t too nervous because I knew that if I [tested positive], I would be in my own space to make sure I didn’t spread it more.” Sparks said she knew her movein experience would be stressful despite concerns about the coronavirus because it’s her first-year moving away from home. “It was exciting to set up my room, but I don’t know how typically it goes, which is where I feel like a lot of first-years are sad about,” Sparks said. Capriolo noted that as a sophomore, move-in was easier this year with less crowds, but it was less exciting than last year. “There definitely wasn’t that same excitement [this year] because a lot of people are remote,” Capriolo said. “It’s an entirely different ball game, and it just was not as exciting as moving in usually is.” @cosettegunter guntercr@miamioh.edu
my house ... or make it a little more difficult: Put it in landscaping where it could be seen but may be a little bit more difficult to get to.” Fening also suggested residents report any suspicious activity. “If you live in a neighborhood, you know the habits and traffic of that neighborhood and what is normal, the pattern of that neighborhood,” Fening said. “When something is different, you take notice, and you should take notice. It should catch your eye. Once it catches your eye, that’s when you should take a look and say, ‘What are they doing?’” After the theft, Platt said he is confused more than anything. “It’s striking just for the senselessness of it,” Platt said. “In an election cycle where most people have probably already made up their minds, adding or removing signs is unlikely to make a difference. It’s clearly an act of aggression, as opposed to even politically motivated, which is disappointing.” robbinha@miamioh.edu
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020
MARCHING ON:
The Miami University Marching Band goes virtual
DESPITE THE TRANSITION TO BEING ONLINE, THE MARHCING BAND HASN’T LOST THE PEP IN THEIR STEP THE MIAMI STUDENT
JENNA CALDERÓN
ASSISTANT CULTURE EDITOR The week before classes start each fall, around 250 students dot the football field at Yager Stadium, each on a specific mark. Practicing morning to night, they create a wall of sound that fills campus. Once school starts, they are the life of football games and beacons of school spirit. This year, the stadium is silent. Along with most other on-campus activities, the Miami University Marching Band’s (MUMB) season came to a halt due to COVID-19. Over the summer, the band was
waiting to see what would happen with the football season. Once it was postponed, a lot of decisions had to be made in terms of what this year held for the MUMB. Dr. Brooke Johnson, director of athletic bands and assistant professor of music, says the first step was canceling band camp — the week before classes when they learn their pregame and halftime shows and have that formative social experience. With the new challenge of creating a virtual curriculum for a class of more than 200, Johnson consulted with the band’s leadership team to figure out where their priorities would lie this semester.
“They overwhelmingly said we have to have social experiences and get to know our peers, and we have to create an experience for our new members to welcome them into this band family,” Johnson said. And of course, the band would still need a musical component. The MUMB still meets three days a week but with a twist. “I knew that meeting three days a week, six hours total … on Zoom for marching band was not going to be the best move,” Johnson said. Each class day has its own purpose. Mondays are discovery sessions, where students can dive into something like show design, drill writing, music arranging and more.
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Wednesdays are dedicated to actual rehearsal time. Getting every member to play their instrument together on a Zoom call is unrealistic, so they have sectionals instead: meetings where individuals of the same instrument meet in breakout rooms. One person unmutes and plays, and the others play along with them. They even go through their normal stretch routine like they would if they were in person. Lastly, Fridays are optional and primarily social. Whether it’s getting together and playing Jackbox Games online, having a talent show or doing a pet show-and-tell, the band is doing it all. “We just keep coming up with new ideas … [to] try to continue giving these students a social outlet that I know they come to marching band for,” Johnson said. When the rest of the university returned to campus, Johnson wrestled with her choices. She wanted to be back on the field, but ultimately decided it was too dangerous. “Especially with wind instruments and the risks that are involved with the way that aerosols are spreading as they play … we decided to keep all the winds virtual,” she said. While only members of the color guard and percussion sections are able to meet in-person, wind players are still working toward a few virtual recording projects. This includes their halftime songs, “Danger Zone” and “Don’t Stop Me Now,” as well as a project to honor the seniors. Libbie Milks, a senior music, biology and premedical studies triple major, is heavily involved in the MUMB. As a flute player, drum major and the president of the band board, Milks is
used to being stretched thin. Now, her jobs are limited. She spends most of her time popping into Zoom sectionals to give feedback, and finding activities and fundraisers for the band. “I definitely do miss being at rehearsal and having the traditional, on-the-field, nit-picky atmosphere,” Milks said. “I miss being able to go through music and teach stuff and make things better.” Milks is still grateful for the community they’ve been able to create over video calls and says that staying remote is the band’s best option. Morgan Loveday, a first-year integrated science education major, is an alto saxophone player in the MUMB. While being a new member during a virtual semester may seem intimidating, Loveday says that everyone has been welcoming and there is always something to keep them engaged. “I do plan to do [marching band again] next year, definitely,” she said. “This situation has not affected that decision.” Now that Miami’s football team is set to resume its season, Johnson isn’t sure what she’ll do yet in terms of having the marching band play. “It’s something I would consider,” she said. “There would be a lot of protocols we’d have to put in place.” Most of all, Johnson wants to keep her students safe, and for them to be able to enjoy marching band from wherever they might be. “Equity is important to me,” she said. “And I don’t want anyone to feel punished for choosing an online option.” calderjm@miamioh.edu
Digging deeper into “Plant Your Roots” MAKENZIE KNORE
THE MIAMI STUDENT Online classes to online activities to online events. With this being the life of a college student for the past six months, many were excited to branch out and do something outside of a computer screen. On Sept. 24, Miami Activities & Programming (MAP) hosted its first face-to-face event of the semester, “Plant Your Roots,” where free succulent plants were available for students to pick up near the Armstrong Student Center. The name “Plant Your Roots” actually has a double meaning. Of course, it refers to planting the succulent itself, but it also represents planting one’s roots at Miami, which was perfect timing for the first and second-year students who recently moved to campus. The event that was originally planned to last two hours lasted only about 15 minutes before all the plants were gone. People were waiting in line prior to the initial starting time. Members of MAP were not expecting this outcome and it really surprised them to see lots of people take interest. “We were not expecting this at all,” said Morgan Moritz, MAP’s series director and a public health major. “Everyone on the event team was amazed.” Prior to the event, MAP ordered 200 succulent plants from The Succulent Source, a company in California, and within a short amount of time, all of them were gone. Olivia Casey, a middle childhood education major and a member of MAP, classified “Plant Your Roots” as a successful event. “It was our first in-person event that was on campus and not virtual,” Casey said. “We had a great turnout. We gave away over 200 different succulents to 200 different students.” Typically, people love succulent plants for their ability to purify the air and because they’re easy to maintain. So it makes sense that so many people would want to come to this event, but Moritz explains that those were not the only reasons students wanted to come. “I think it showed everyone on MAP how desperate students are to get out of their dorms and see people face to face,” Moritz said. “I definitely learned that we need more in-person events on campus.” Still, a lot of regulations had to be followed and permission had to be granted due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. Casey explains that MAP had to get this event authorized by both the Armstrong Student Center and President Crawford. MAP laid arrows on the ground from start to finish in order to maintain social distancing, as well as keeping both tables (one with the plants and the other with the pots) six feet apart. Masks also had to be worn at all times, just like any other part of campus. They were handed out at the event in order to promote this practice. The students were respectful of these regulations and understood it was necessary in order to make this in-person event successful. “They [the students] did respect the event being in person,” Casey said.“Everyone was cooperative and waited for their turn.” Moritz stressed the importance of continuing in-person events as much as possible during these times. “I think, in these hard times, having something for students to look forward to is very important,” Moritz said. Jessica von Zastrow, the student body vice president of Miami and a business economics and political science double major, had the chance to go and receive a succulent herself. She explained how she has loved coming to the “Plant Your Roots” event since her freshman year because it’s an opportunity to get to know the people who attend. “I think MAP did a good job adapting to the fact that we had to do things in a socially-distant manner,” von Zastrow said. “It was really easy to just come up and pick up a succulent.” People were encouraged to leave as soon as they got what they needed in order to promote social distancing. This might have made an impact on how quickly the event ended. “In previous years, it definitely took a little bit longer to go through the event because people would stick around to decorate pots,” von Zastrow said. Even though decorating pots at the event wasn’t allowed, students around campus still took the time to decorate their pots with friends. While most of Miami’s events remain digital, the success of this initial in-person activity could shape how other events unfold as the semester continues. knoreme@miamioh.edu
STUDENTS SNATCHED UP SUCCULENTS IN RECORD TIME AT MAP’S FIRST IN-PERSON EVENT THE MIAMI STUDENT MAKENZIE KNORE
CULTURE 7
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020
KWIATKDM@MIAMIOH.EDU
Empty rooms, full to-go boxes:
Miami’s dining halls in 2020
Pulling together for performance
DUARD HEADLEY CULTURE EDITOR
LEXI WHITEHEAD
From the outside, Maple Street Commons looks just like it has in previous years. Students dine at the tables that dot the building’s red-brick exterior and groups of hungry patrons stream in and out of the dining hall in twos and threes. Aside from the fact that these food-seekers are wearing masks, one could imagine that nothing unusual was going on inside the building. One step inside the front door however, and that notion is quickly dispelled. In order to comply with COVID-19 protocols and ensure students stay safe when getting their grub, Miami’s dining halls look drastically different than they have in previous years. Starting at the entrance, diners are greeted by an employee wearing a thick, plastic face shield and gloves. After swiping their card and entering the dining area, they can get food from five different stations, similar to how the dining hall has operated in the past. However, instead of populating their plates buffet-style, students are required to tell employees which dishes they want and receive their food in disposable take-out boxes. This means that if a student wants food from each of the five stations, they could conceivably end up with a sizable stack of takeout containers to haul back to their table or dorm. On top of this change, diners are also required to ask for a disposable paper cup each time they wish to get a refill at one of the hall’s drink fountains. “Sometimes on my way out, I end up throwing away three or four boxes and two or three cups,” first-year Lauren Stezler said. “If I’m coming in here five times a week, that level of trash really adds up.” While this system of takeout boxes and disposable cups makes it easier for diners to get their food to go, the dining halls across campus are still accommodating those who want to eat in, albeit at reduced numbers. In Maple Street, tables are spaced at least six feet apart from one another, resulting in open, nearly-empty dining areas. The booths couldn’t be moved as easily as the tables, so instead, each booth has half of its seating area taped off so that only two diners can sit in a single booth. Despite the fact that dining halls have had to significantly reduce their capacity for in-house eating, Geno Svec, Miami’s executive director of campus services, said it hasn’t been too much of an issue.
STAFF WRITER
AT MAPLE STREET COMMONS, STUDENTS HAVE FIVE FOOD STATIONS TO CHOOSE FROM. THE MIAMI STUDENT JAKE RUFFER
“No one is turned away at the [dining] locations,” Svec said. “If the dining tables are full, then we provide the option to take your food to go. Currently, we have not reached capacity at any location even with the limited amount of seating.” Svec said dining services has focused mainly on making takeout a more accessible and appealing option to encourage less congregation of students and more social distancing. Some Miamians are less than thrilled about the changes to their eatery options, however. Sophomore Kasey Dalton said he’s upset about the loss of a place to gather with his friends. “I get that we can’t gather in large groups and be safe about it, but it’s a bummer that eating [at dining halls] is so ... rigid now,” Dalton said. “Instead of something enjoyable, eating here is just something I do out of habit at this point.” Svec addressed those issues, stating that concerns over student safety had to take priority over making dining a social experience this year.
“Unfortunately, a lot has changed this year,” Svec said. “We aren’t seeing the large groups of students coming in to gather … We simply would not be able to accommodate [it].” Around dinner time last Friday, the changes to Maple Street and their effects on students’ dining experience were on full display. Students eating alone or in small groups lightly populated the dining room. The relatively small number of students roaming the sparse, spaced-out rooms made the building feel emptier than it ever has in years past. Students toted bags full of cardboard-takeout boxes back to their dorms in greater numbers than those who elected to sit down and eat in-house. In every area of the eatery, the sounds of student conversation and socialization were muted and in some rooms, missing altogether. “[That’s] just the way it has to be,” Stezler said. “Everything is different this year, so of course dining halls are going to feel different too.” headledd@miamioh.edu
PROFESSORS ARE TURNING TO THEIR STUDENTS WHEN MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT RETURNING TO IN-PERSON LEARNING COURTESY OF MIAMI UNIVERSITY
In person, from people:
Thoughts on the return to in-person learning
SHR-HUA MOORE
THE MIAMI STUDENT The verdant grounds and broad walkways of Miami are no longer desolate when the clock reads 11:40 a.m. or 1:15 p.m. However, the ever-present issue of COVID-19 and the fact that some students opted to stay remote for the semester have led to some interesting changes in how professors are conducting classes this fall. Karen Meyers is a professor teaching business law and an introductory business course this semester. She decided to teach her business law class using a hybrid model of one day in person and one day on Zoom each week. Because the university has given all professors the choice of allowing in-person learning or continuing online, she had to make a decision. “I chose to be able to offer the class in-person because I love the classroom,” she said. “Second of all, there were some students that had approached me and wanted to take it in person if they could. They felt a desire to continue in-person learning, so it felt like an appropriate thing to try.” Her classroom consists of rows of masked and socially-distanced students with a twist: Both in-person and online students are required to engage in a Zoom call and offer up answers or discussion through the chat. Meyers elaborated on the reasoning behind this method of in-person learning. “My students felt like they could be more interactive with me on the Socratic method — for instance, a student hung out after class, and he asked more questions,” Meyers said. “The advantage of going back means that you are somewhere within the Oxford community, and because we have restrictive rules, you still have more opportunities to see classmates, even if it’s at a distance.” Gaile Pohlhaus, an associate professor in philosophy at Miami, ended up going in the opposite direction of in-person learning and retaining an online curriculum. This devel-
opment was largely done in response to her students voicing their thoughts on returning in-person. “To be honest, I was really torn,” Pohlhaus said. “I really enjoy teaching in-person, but at least in two of my classes, students were actually concerned enough that they approached me and asked me if I would consider staying online. I just didn’t want to add a whole new layer of anxiety to the lives of those students.” Her classroom consists of a computer screen lit up by the faces of students and filled with the sound of spirited debate and discussion about various philosophical concepts. She pointed out that while it isn’t ideal, online learning does have its advantages. “There are some things that the technology affords me that would not be possible in the classroom,” she said. “For example, on Zoom, I literally can type people’s names into groups, and boom — you’re in a group.” Both professors emphasized that safety is their number one priority. “Miami has done everything possible that I can think of to empower faculty to deliver quality education,” Meyers said. “There were spray bottles with appropriate cleansing, there were paper towels and we were given instructions to clean off the mic before using it. The students all showed up with their masks in place, they all kept social distancing and the students were wonderful in their compliance with regulations.” While professors have had to make decisions based on their own concerns and the input from their students, some students have gone ahead with in-person learning and have entered a classroom of masked faces, chairs marked off for social distancing and a computer that houses the rest of the class. Bailey Cook is a junior media and culture and creative writing double major taking a hybrid film production class this semester. She described the benefits of in-person learning in her class, specifically when students in the class were able to set up a lighting
scene. “Zoom is all about talking and seeing examples,” Cook said. “This time, we actually got to do it ourselves which is exciting.” While she sees the benefits of conducting in-person class in situations where tasks need to be done in person, Cook also explained that she had almost no problem with her other classes being online. “All of the classes I’m taking are fairly simple to do online because they’re very heavily discussion based,” she said. Zachary Ellia is a first-year geology major. He described how different the classroom felt when he walked into his introductory seminar for geology and environmental science at Shideler Hall. “There were only 10 to 12 students but double the amount of seats at least,” he said. “Everyone was separated by a desk or two, everyone had masks and you could tell that the desks were wiped when you got there.” Both students said they felt safe while attending their respective classes. In-person learning is undoubtedly very different than it was last fall. Gone are the days of sitting next to other students, being able to hear everyone in the classroom clearly and being indoors without some sort of facial covering. However, the return to in-person learning has helped give students a better educational experience for certain classes while still maintaining a high quality of safety within the classroom. Ultimately, it is up to Miami’s professors to resume or halt in-person learning for their classes. Each professor is approaching the decision seriously and juggling many factors that include both the safety of their students and the quality of the educational experience offered to them both on and off campus. @hua_shr moorese6@miamioh.edu
Last March, musical theatre group Stage Left and improv comedy group Sketched Out accidentally scheduled their performances in the same room at the same time. The groups were able to work it out, but the incident showed how different performing arts groups were disconnected from one another. Another problem would soon arise for performing groups on campus: COVID-19. Groups had to cancel most of their spring semester shows, including the ones Stage Left and Sketched Out scheduled for the same time. JS Bragg, assistant director for student organizations, had a solution for the issues that performing groups were facing: an umbrella organization that would increase communication and collaboration between performing groups on campus. “[Umbrella organizations] really serve to help organizations … plan better together and really advocate for what they need better,” Bragg said. There are already several umbrella organizations on campusi including the Interfraternity Council, Business Student Advisory Council and League of Geeks. These organizations bring together members of similar groups so they can work together. Bragg says the Office of Student Life is talking about forming several umbrella organizations in the coming years, but he saw a pressing need for a performing arts one due to regulations about performing for an audience. “[Stage Left has] a program that they’re working with that’s going to let them put on musicals this semester … so that will be fantastic for some of the other groups,” he said, “It’s about getting those groups to share resources and talk about how they can help.” Grace Carlos, president of Miami Misfitz, an all-female a cappella group, is excited about forming an umbrella organization and agrees that now is a great time to start one. “I think having this umbrella organization would be really helpful in keeping us in contact with each other and talking about what other groups are doing because we’re all in the same boat … and we all have similar goals which is to perform, which is not super practical right now,” Carlos said. She also thinks the organization will be beneficial in helping make connections with other groups. “We work pretty closely with other a cappella groups, but I don’t know much, if anything, about other performing groups,” Carlos said. Although communication between performing groups is important during COVID, the umbrella would still be helpful in other ways, like creating one voice to represent all performing groups. Deirdre Sperry, co-president of Sketched Out, would like to work together more with other organizations, especially other comedy groups. “Maybe we can do workshops together, because at the end of the day, while we do different types of comedy, I think that there’s ways for us to learn from each other,” Sperry said. She also likes the idea of having a common calendar of performances. About 15 performing groups attended an initial meeting on Sept. 25 to discuss what they wanted the umbrella organization to look like. “It’ll be put up to the students what they want to do and where they want to go,” Bragg said. “I’m just going to enable them to do whatever they want and need to be best for them.” In his previous experience working to form umbrella orgs, Bragg said it sometimes took several months to get the groups unified and the organization together. He said they were able to get work started quickly, but establishing a clear vision took a long time. At the Sept. 25 meeting, representatives from each group discussed ideas for the organization. Bragg left the meeting with a page full of ideas. The representatives decided to start by working from the ground up. They are starting by forming a group chat of representatives in order to communicate within groups. There will also be group chats for different types of performance, like singing, dance and comedy. “They want to start by learning from each other,” Bragg said. “And then whatever grows naturally from there.” @nwlexi whitehan@miamioh.edu
“It’s about getting those groups to share resources and talk about how they can help.”
- JS Bragg
8 SPECIAL
A study space study guide
MIAMI’S CAMPUS OFFERS MUCH IN THE WAY OF PLACES TO STUDY. CONTRIBUTED BY AMANDA WANG
Welcome Back!
DATTILEC@MIAMIOH.EDU
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020
What We Wish We Knew As Freshmen The first few weeks of college can be absolutely awesome and incredibly intimidating. Sometimes both. One of the most important things I learned as a freshman was how important a routine was. If I was ever having a bad day, it always helped to know that I could grab my daily sushi from Emporium and hike to my favorite study spot on East Quad. Just those little bits of normalcy made me feel like I had some control over my life, even when things were going less than great. — Duard Headley, ‘21, Culture Editor
I wish I knew about campus solutions! To all my out-of-state brothers and sisters: they will come to your dorm, pack up your things and store them for the summer for pretty cheap. I spent so much unnecessary cash shipping stuff home when I had no need. Definitely hit them up if you’re looking for cheap and easy storage. — Rebecca Wolff, ‘22, Opinion Editor
Don’t let FOMO get the best of you! It’s easier said than done not to compare yourself to other people, but I promise you, no one is sitting around judging you for what you are or aren’t doing. You are going to have so many adventures — so many amazing days and fun nights — and what matters isn’t whether those adventures are the same as other people’s, but whether or not you enjoy them to the fullest. So enjoy them. Live in the moment. Love yourself and the people you’re with; you’ll be so much happier for it. — Julia Arwine, ‘21, Managing Editor
Honestly, I don’t have too much advice to give. I still feel like I’m figuring everything out, but the one thing that has helped me the most is my Google calendar. Add your Canvas calendar, study dates, meetings, holidays, everything. It will be a life saver. — Sarah Grace Hays, ‘23, Multimedia Editor
JULIA ARWINE
MANAGING EDITOR Sometimes the comfort of your own room just doesn’t cut it as a study space. Whether that’s because your roommate is being too loud, your bed is too tempting or you’re too easily distracted without the constant threat of someone possibly looking over your shoulder and seeing you wasting time — never fear, there are other options. What is a college campus if not a large collection of potential study spots? But maybe you’re new to campus, or maybe you haven’t been back in a while, or maybe you need a change of scenery. If that’s the case, I’ve saved you the struggle of trying out many different spots in search of the perfect atmosphere. Here are my five favorite places to study on campus: 5. Shade Family Room. This is the room in Armstrong with all the couches and the chandeliers, and it’s perfect for getting a little bit of work done in between classes. In the winter, they sometimes light the fireplace, which makes for a very cozy atmosphere. During peak times, it can be hard to find a spot, but as long as you don’t mind setting up shop opposite a stranger, there’s usually a couple of chairs free. Foot traffic is high through this room, given its central location, so you might find that distracting, but chances are also pretty high you’ll see a friend passing through if you stay there long enough. 4. Western Campus Woods. Just across Patterson Avenue from the Center for the Performing Arts is a shady patch of woods near a small brook that is prime real estate for hammockers. It’s secluded and peaceful and gives a much-needed little dose of nature. Out of all the locations on this list, this place has the best ambiance: warm sun, a cool breeze and the sound of running water. There’s no outlets out there, of course, and if it’s particularly sunny, you’ll have a hard time seeing your screen, so save the paper-writing for another time — this is the place for studying handwritten notes and catching up on your reading. And maybe taking a power nap, too. Obviously, all this is weather permitting, so get out there while you still can!
Say yes to spontaneous adventures. One of my favorite memories from freshman year was taking a trip to Target with a few friends, music blaring as we drove. We wandered around the aisles for a while and even ended up trying on some Halloween costumes just for fun. Sometimes a little break and change of scenery is just what you need to shake up your routine. — Emily Dattilo, ‘21, Managing Editor
You don’t need to scramble to make as many friends as possible. No matter what, your social circle will shrink every year, but the real ones will stick around. — Owen Berg, ‘22, Design Editor
I wish I’d known that it’s OK to let yourself take a breather. It’s OK to say no to going out one night. It’s OK to take time for yourself and relax. These are your last few years before going out into the “real world”... Don’t burn yourself out. It’s all about balance. — Jenna Calderón, ‘22, Culture Editor
Everyone has an opinion on your future right now, but remember that no one else is going to live your life, so figure out what you want from it. Change your major sooner rather than later if you feel like it’s not a good fit for you or if you’re worried about graduating on time. At the same time, in any major, you will have to take courses that test your perseverance and patience, and you just have to work through them. Also, wearing a bike helmet on the way to class makes your head sweat, sure, but having to tell everyone you got a concussion from falling off your bike is way more embarrassing. — Chloe Murdock, ‘21, Magazine Editor
College looks different for everyone. Don’t let other people dictate what you should or shouldn’t do when it comes to classes, student organizations, jobs and everything else. Decide what you want to get out of college and pursue that to the best of your abilities. There isn’t a set script you have to follow. — Chris Vinel, ‘21, Editor in Chief
When I was a freshman, I wish I knew how quickly the next four years were going to go by. Being this close to the end already is a strange feeling. I vividly remember meeting my best friends in their tiny rooms at Tappan Hall, and now that I live with them in a house off campus, it feels like freshman year all over again but with less time to spare. So appreciate every moment you have here and make memories that will last longer than these four short years. — Bo Brueck, ‘21, Photo Editor
My advice to you is to say yes to as many opportunities as you can. If someone invites you to lunch, say yes. Go to as many club meetings as interest you. College is a time to explore, and the best way to make connections is by being open to them. — Abby Bammerlin, ‘23, Asst. News Editor
College can be hard. Coming in from high school, I was one of the students who excelled at everything, and I was really hard on myself when my performance back then didn’t meet my performance freshman year. But it’s OK! Give yourself time to adjust and understand that your mental health and happiness is not worth giving up for a perfect GPA. — Briah Lumpkins, ‘22, News Editor
3. Pearson Hall. I’ve been told this is one of the bio majors’ best-kept secrets. Located in what used to be the building’s courtyard, there is now a spacious and sun-lit atrium. Topped with a Louvre-esque glass pyramid (not quite that impressive, but you get the picture), the space gets lots of natural light, which is preferable to fluorescents any day. It’s one of the smaller places on this list, but it’s not usually difficult to snag a table. Bonus: There are whiteboards for you to use, if you need to draw out molecular models or somesuch. Bio majors, I do not envy you.
Pay attention in your Miami Plan classes. People say they aren’t important, but if you’re on the fence about your major, they can help you decide what topics you like and what’s important to you. Also, Bell Tower is the best dining hall on campus, so make sure you eat there at least once a week. — Lukas Nelson, ‘22, Sports Editor
Don’t panic if it takes you a while to find your “niche” on campus. I spent my entire first year feeling like I didn’t fit in and would never find those lifelong friends people always promised I would make in college, but eventually, I found my place and have never been happier. Just give it time. — Madeline Phaby, ‘22, Asst. News Editor
2. King Library. Tried and true. There’s a reason it’s the biggest and best-known library on campus. The lower and first levels are ideal for group study (not to mention all the study rooms), but my personal favorite spot is on the second floor, in one of the personal study cubicles behind the stacks. It might be hard to snag a spot during finals week, but at all other times, you can find a quiet space to get some serious work done. Plus, it’s the only spot on this list that is available 24/7; I’ve gotten many projects done over the years by making myself a travel mug of coffee, trekking to King, plugging my headphones into some lofi music and holing up on the second floor until the early hours of the morning. I’ve been told this is not a healthy habit, but it sure is an effective one. 1. Amos Music Library. I really do have to gush about this library because I’ve always been so charmed by it. With high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows (it all comes back to the natural light, people) and a spiral staircase leading up to a second floor, Amos is a warm and welcoming space. But what really makes it special is the eclectic collection of album covers, furniture and plants that are artfully placed about the library. It’s definitely got the most personality of any study space on campus. Since it’s located inside the Center for the Performing Arts, groups of music and performing arts majors tend to gather in the lobby space just outside the library entrance, but no worries: it’s always quiet inside. Don’t try to pull an all-nighter here, though; most days, this library closes at 9 p.m. arwinejk@miamioh.edu
Be confident in the aspects that make you who you are. I came to Miami very nervous my freshman year because I was scared that people were not going to be accepting of me being gay or my platinum blonde hair at the time. However, as I began to settle into my community of friends, I realized that your true community will find you if you stay true to yourself. People have the tendency to try and change themselves totally when they come to college. You don’t have to. — David Kwiatkowski, ’22, Culture & Entertainment Editor
Seize all the opportunities that come to you, even if they don’t seem like they’ll lead you toward your intended career path. Plans change, and you never know what you’re truly passionate about unless you try everything. — Brianna Porter, ‘21, Copy Editor
Don’t go home. Stay on campus through the weekends, even if it’s hard at first. You need to meet people. Stop worrying about making good impressions or seeming popular and cool. This is a fresh start. Change your nickname and introduce yourself with confidence. Find out who you are and share it with others. — Jessica Robinson, ‘21, Humor Editor
If you’re required to take STA 261 for your major, take that awful class as soon as possible. A wise professor once told freshman year Tim, “You’re as good at math now as you’re ever gonna get. Take advantage of that.” P.S., eat at Bell Tower as much as possible. The chicken chunks don’t last forever. — Tim Carlin, ’22, News Editor
You hate participating in classes? Great, me too. Do it anyways. I still despise professors cold-calling on me, but I’ve come to understand that participating in class discussions has really improved my ability to learn the material. Pro tip: Answer the easy questions early to avoid the deep-thought questions later. — Maggie Peña, ‘23, Multimedia Editor
To all freshmen, please go out and meet new people. Go do clubs, attend your in hall events, make some friends. There’s so much more out there than just staying locked in your rooms, and this is coming from someone whose comfort zone is his room. Trust me on this one; you’re missing out on so much. — Varno Harris II, ‘22, Social Media Editor
Sports
NELSO156@MIAMIOH.EDU
MACtion is back
Mid-American Conference football will return in November
THE MIAMI REDHAWKS CELEBRATE THEIR MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY DEC. 7 AT FORD FIELD. THE MIAMI STUDENT BRADY PFISTER
LUKAS NELSON SPORTS EDITOR
The Mid-American Conference (MAC) has announced its plans to play football this fall. The conference’s Council of Presidents voted unanimously to resume play this fall after other conferences, like the Big Ten and Pac-12, voted to return to play after previously postponing until the spring. The MAC will play a six-game season, starting Wednesday, Nov. 4. The
9
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020
conference championship game will be played on Dec. 18 or 19. All other fall sports are still scheduled to be played in the spring. There will be stricter protocols, including four antigen tests per week. Because of the increased risk of myocarditis with COVID-19, anyone with a positive test will also undergo a cardiac screening protocol. Access to rapid testing played a key role in the decision to return to play. “Our decisions, in August and again today, have been guided by an
overriding concern for the well-being of the student athletes, institutions, and the community at large,” MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said. The football season was originally postponed Aug. 8. The conference is still putting together additional protocols, including cancellation protocols and guidelines for marching bands, dance, cheer and spirit squads. Public attendance and tailgating will not be allowed. A full schedule for Miami will be released at a later date. The RedHawks are set to defend their conference championship, returning most of their starters. A few key contributors from last year’s team declared for the 2021 NFL Draft last month after the original decision to postpone the season, including Emmanuel Rugamba, Danny Godlevske and Tommy Doyle. All three have since announced that they will be returning to play their final season in a RedHawk uniform. After the announcement, the MAC’s twitter account released a statement. “MACtion is Back.” @LukasTheDream nelso156@miamioh.edu
Missing Miami football? Here’s what to
watch in the meantime
JACK SCHMELZINGER THE MIAMI STUDENT
Disappointment ran high in the Miami community when the Mid-American Conference (MAC) postponed its fall sports season early last month. The MAC was the first conference to postpone its fall season. Soon after, the Big Ten, Pac-12 and Mountain West Conference did the same. The NCAA then decided to cancel all fall sports championships. Luckily for college football fans, its postseason isn’t governed by the NCAA. Because of this, the remaining Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conferences decided to play college football in the fall. Although there have already been multiple game cancellations so far, the original four conferences who decided to postpone their season have been hastily making plans to resume play in the fall. This includes the MAC, who recently agreed to hold a six-game, conference-only schedule starting Nov. 4. Here’s a look at each conference’s outlook in 2020. CONFERENCES ALREADY PLAYING The Southeastern Conference (SEC): The SEC is arguably college football’s most competitive conference. With teams like defending national champion LSU and perpetual juggernaut Alabama leading the way, and always competitive (though not quite as dominant) teams like Georgia, Auburn, and Texas A&M filling in behind them, there will be some great football coming out of the SEC this fall. The conference’s 10-game season started Saturday. If you’re into comedy, I’d recommend watching LSU’s Oct. 3rd matchup against perennial punching bag Vanderbilt. The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC):
WITHOUT MAC FOOTBALL, CHUCK MARTIN HAS BEEN WATCHING HIS FORMER PLAYERS, LIKE SAM SLOMAN (PICTURED, NO. 79), IN THE NFL. THE MIAMI STUDENT ZACH REICHMAN
Miami football is back. Here’s why: CHRIS VINEL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chuck Martin seemed almost shocked by the question. On a Zoom press conference Saturday, Miami’s head football coach was asked what his team will look like on the field this season. “Hey!” Martin said softly with a smile. “I’ve been waiting for that question for I don’t know — since March. So that’s awesome! We actually have a football question.” In early August, the Mid-American Conference (MAC) postponed all fall sports to the spring to protect the well-being of student-athletes from COVID-19. Martin didn’t think he’d get to talk much football this fall until the league reversed its decision Friday. The presidents of all the MAC schools voted unanimously to play football starting in November. So what changed? Miami athletic director David Sayler said conversations about football returning commenced in early September. He talked with Miami President Greg Crawford. Martin said he did not interact directly with Crawford. “Well, I know just for us here at Miami, we started thinking about how things could be different when the NCAA started talking about a basketball start date around Thanksgiving,” Sayler. “If you just play that out and
do the math backwards … you take six weeks before the start of basketball, we were going to have kids running full-contact practices in basketball in October. So how does that mesh with the debate that we couldn’t have football happening?” Two weeks ago, the NCAA determined college basketball will start Nov. 25. Sayler also said Miami acquired a rapid antigen COVID-19 test machine. “Once we knew we could have that, that really started to change the mentality around that we can execute this,” Sayler said. Miami will test football players four times a week, which is more than every other conference but the Big Ten and PAC-12. After an initial COVID-19 outbreak on campus, cases have calmed down in recent weeks. On the university’s COVID dashboard, Miami reported only 22 new cases Sunday. Sayler said the continuing decline in active cases helped him feel comfortable resuming football. The MAC also put together a group of medical advisors, which OK’ed the league’s comeback. Like Miami’s decision to return to campus and some in-person classes earlier this month, reputation was taken into account. The MAC didn’t want to be the only holdout. “The difference the Big Ten made is that, in our geographic footprint,
with them coming back, basically everybody was playing high school, college and (professional football) besides us,” Sayler said. “And that’s what probably started the tilt, like ‘We need to try to do this.’” Now, they will try it. Martin said his team is currently running NFL-style organized team activities to build up its conditioning. Full-padded practices won’t kick off for at least another week. Beginning Nov. 4, MAC schools will play six regular season games against league opponents, leading to a conference championship game Dec. 18 or 19 in Detroit. “This timing for our league is not bad,” Martin said. “You can always find the negatives, like we’re starting later than everyone else, blah blah blah. You know, there are some programs that started down one direction, that I know coaches on, and failed. Like, their plan failed, and they scrapped their plan already, and they’re on a new plan, and their new plan is working much better. We’re taking it as being a little bit late to the party is giving us and our league an opportunity to learn from other schools.” And if the MAC’s plan works, Martin will be happy. He’ll get to keep talking about football. @ChrisAVinel vinelca@miamioh.edu
The ACC is weird. Clemson is arguably the best program in the nation; the Tigers have made the College Football Playoff (a tournament of the nation’s top four teams) five years out of six since the tournament’s inaugural season and have won two national championships in that timeframe. After Clemson, however, the quality of teams in the conference falls steeply. In 2019, only one team in the ACC (North Carolina) managed to lose to Clemson by fewer than 30 points. The conference is having an 11game season, with each team playing ten games against conference foes plus one non-conference opponent. Notre Dame, usually stubbornly independent, has given up its freedom to play football this year, joining the ACC. If you like blowouts, watch Clemson play, well, anyone. Otherwise, you should be entertained watching the rest of the conference fight between themselves for a very distant second place. The Big 12: Known for its flashy pass-first (defense-last) style of football, the Big 12 is exceptionally fun to watch (but seriously, if you like defense: I’d steer clear). Former powerhouse Texas looks to return to the throne as conference champion this fall, and recently dominant Oklahoma will be its biggest obstacle in doing so. The Big 12 is playing a 10-game season with only one non-conference game. The American Athletic Conference (AAC): The AAC is almost universally hailed as the best of the Group of Five conferences. It had more teams (three) in last year’s postseason top 25 poll than the similarly named ACC, which is part of the Power Five.
The conference is playing a 10-game season. The AAC is home to some of the nation’s most exciting teams. Central Florida and Southern Methodist have two of the most electric offenses in college football, and the Naval Academy is always fun to watch with its stiff discipline and ostensibly gimmicky — but nearly always effective — triple-option offense. Conference USA (CUSA): Conference USA won’t be sending a team to the National Championship game any time soon. Florida Atlantic is undoubtedly the conference’s most exciting team; it led the nation in turnovers per game last year. Rarely do NFL prospects come from CUSA, and its teams hardly ever get national media attention. But hey, football is football. Sun Belt Conference (SBC): The SBC, whose teams are mostly in the southeast part of the U.S., rarely sends players to the NFL or receives much attention from the national media. Appalachian State is the conference’s best team, consistently hovering around top 20 nationally, though many say its ranking is inflated by beating up on the rest of its relatively weak conference. CONFERENCES STARTING PLAY SOON Big Ten Conference: The Big Ten is similar to both the ACC and SEC. Although there are a few consistently good teams like Penn State, Michigan and Wisconsin, the conference has a clear top dog: the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes have made the College Football Playoff three times in six years and won the whole thing in 2015. The Big Ten starts an eightgame season on Oct. 24. Pacific-12 Conference: The Pacific-12 Conference, aka the Pac-12, has hit a rough spot the past few seasons. Generally regarded as the worst Power Five conference, it has failed to send a member to the College Football Playoff each of the last three seasons. Gone are the days of programs like USC and Oregon ruling the college football world. The conference will begin a seven-game season on Nov. 6. Mountain West Conference: The Mountain West is starting an eight-game season on Oct. 24. One of the better Group of Five conferences, the conference’s teams are located on the West Coast and the Rocky Mountains. Its most wellknown program is Boise State, which has won many games against top-tier programs in the last 15 years. Mid-American Conference (MAC): Last, but not least, we have the Mid-American Conference, home of the Miami RedHawks. The MAC isn’t the best conference, but it has its moments. One of its members, the Western Michigan Broncos, had a perfect 12-0 record in 2016. Some teams will even get an occasional win against a Big Ten team. The RedHawks are coming off an 8-6 season, winning the MAC championship for the first time since 2010. The team is bringing back most of its starters from last year, including cornerback Emmanuel Rugamba and offensive linemen Danny Godlevske and Tommy Doyle, after all three had originally intended to skip the season in preparation for the 2021 NFL Draft. No schedule has been announced, but the conference starts a six-game season on Nov. 4. There won’t be any fans in attendance, but MACtion will be in full swing this November. schmelj2@miamioh.edu
‘Hawks Talk “The amazing thing is I was never nervous when he was here kicking ’cause I knew he was going to make it. Now, he’s getting paid, and I know the life of an NFL kicker is you make your kicks or you get cut … It has been pretty nerve-wracking.” Miami head football coach Chuck Martin on watching former RedHawk Sam Sloman kick for the Los Angeles Rams
Opinion
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WOLFFRG@MIAMIOH.EDU
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020
STAFF EDITORIAL
It’s not easy being green, but that’s no excuse The following reflects the majority opinion of the editorial board. Time is of the essence. Sounds simple enough, no? When President Greg Crawford signed the Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitment (PCLC) earlier this week, he included Miami in a list of campuses across the country that will take steps to become more eco-conscious … over time. But the climate is changing faster than we’re changing our habits to combat it — there’s literally plastic containers piling up in every dining hall on campus as we speak. The whole point of the PCLC is to come up with a plan that will take concrete steps to reduce the universities’ negative impact on the environment. While Miami fully intends to come up with a structured course of action, the task forces in charge won’t have their Climate Resilience Assessment and Plan by May of 2022, and the Climate Action Plan won’t be ready until May of 2023. According to the UN, we only have 12 years to act on climate change before we reach a point of critical, even irreparable, damage. A dozen years to fix this won’t be enough if our plan won’t even be ready for another two. If the administration could come up with a solution to navigate COVID-19 and hybrid learning in a matter of
months, a plan to combat climate change shouldn’t take more than a year. It’s also not like this is a totally new thing to the administration either. Crawford has been considering signing the commitment for a year and a half and was supposed to sign on Earth Day last spring. This plan was derailed for obvious viral reasons, but the administration has been considering adding Miami to the cause for nearly a year. The other part that is concerning is the student and community engagement aspect of the plan. One of the main goals of the PCLC is to get people involved in being a part of the solution, both on and off campus. But, if it takes a few years to even get the ball rolling on actually reducing the contribution to climate change, the students who are here now won’t even be around to implement change. When the task force chooses their first student representative, will they appoint an upperclassman who better understands the culture of our community but won’t be here to see their policies go into effect? Or will they look for a freshman who doesn’t have as good of a grasp on how to engage their peers in the fight against climate change, but will be around for a while? We hope the task force and its subcomittees gain a multitude of student voices from dif-
How ‘The Puffy’ has impacted my life: One chocolate chip cookie through the years AMES RADWAN
THE MIAMI STUDENT They’re crunchy on the edges but soft toward the center, peppered throughout with semi-sweet chocolate chips that are just the right size. They are delicious straight out of the freezer when I need a cold, sweet treat, but they are equally amazing warmed up and topped with ice cream. These are not just any chocolate-chip cookies. My family has been using Food Network personality Alton Brown’s “The Puffy” cookie recipe since the day it aired on Brown’s show, “Good Eats” — December 13, 2000. I was two days old. Stuck with a newborn baby in the snowy Ohio winter, my parents watched a lot of Food Network; my dad made the cookies once and was instantly hooked — he even filmed a Good Eats-style video of himself baking this oh-soamazing recipe. Ever since, it has been my family’s one and only recipe for chocolate chip cookies. Every winter, every summer, every family holiday or get-together, we bake these specific cookies. My childhood carries the distinct taste of Nestle Toll House chocolate chips and the slightly salty (but mostly sweet) dough that my father would always let me lick off the spatula when he was done with the mixing bowl. Now, however, these cookies have another meaning for me. It started in May of this year when I was studying for my Spanish class’s final exam. Weary, hungry and thoroughly “studied out,” I decided out of nowhere that I wanted to bake the night before my final. I had baked intermittently through high school, mostly cupcakes and the occasional lopsided cake, but this was the first time I would ever tackle the family cookie recipe by myself. I spent all night sifting flour, cracking eggs, and using our trusty No. 20 ice cream scoop to put perfectly even dollops of chip-filled dough on baking sheets covered in silicon baking mats. The whole time, I was going over the history of the Spanish language in my head, studying with my brain while my hands were occupied. The cookies came out wonderfully, as usual. They were just as good in July when I made them again, and another time last week (I baked them again while studying for my first biology exam of the semester). No longer just the cookie of my childhood, they are now my go-to stress-baking recipe. I never realized how much I loved to bake until it became my favorite stress-relief activity. If I have a big exam coming up, I bake the
night before. If I need a break from writing a huge paper, I bake. Even if I am just generally stressed, it’s time to break out the mixing bowl and order ingredients. Naturally, everyone in my family loves it. My mother likes to joke that when I stressbake chocolate chip cookies, she stress-eats them. I have also shipped some of my extra cookies to my significant other, my friends and, most recently, my aunt for her upcoming birthday. After all, I don’t need 70-something cookies in the house every time I get stressed. This has made me recognize, though, that in my opinion, everyone should have some sort of similar “stress activity.” Some people color when they’re stressed, some people read or binge Netflix shows or hang out with friends — and I bake. To me, there is nothing like the hum of the mixer or the beep of the oven when I’m stressed. And to top it all off, when I’m done, I have dessert. This sort of thing is especially important to have right now. I know that a lot of people are incredibly stressed because this year is unlike any other in so many ways. School is different, our social lives are different and even everyday pastimes like grocery shopping and going for walks are different. In a crazy world like today’s, it is key to hold on to what normalcy we can get — like the ordinary measuring, mixing and scooping of baking cookies. I move back to Oxford this weekend, and I already know it’s going to be difficult for me to not have my home kitchen for the rest of the semester. That doesn’t mean I’m going to give up on stress-baking — in fact, I might occasionally tie up my residence hall oven making these beloved treats. I am, however, going to miss the ease of access, my dad hovering over my shoulder making sure I’m mixing the dough at the correct speed and, of course, my mom helping me taste-test. To think, it all started with my parents watching Food Network. These cookies have certainly been a journey throughout my life — from that first original parody video in early 2001 (with a cameo from none other than my one-month-old self), to the dozens of times my father has baked them over the years, to even the video remake we made in 2018 (with me reprising my 2001 role). Now they are important to my adult life as well, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. In other words, if you have been looking for an excuse to bake, this is it. You never know how helpful a couple of chocolate chip cookies might be.
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ferent years. It’s also a worthy question to ask how this will be different from the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion task force’s student representatives, who separated themselves from their administrative counterparts because their voices weren’t being heard. We need not only to be heard, but for our voices to be amplified. As the younger generations, the stakes of rapid response to climate change feel much higher — we’re the ones who are going to be around when the clock runs out. Yes, we understand the school is already putting focus into other pressing and important issues — but when did it become impossible to face more than one challenge at a time? No, it doesn’t benefit the school’s budget or brand to speed up the process. It had its moment to look good and progressive in front of the press, but we’re asking for more. We’re asking for a sense of urgency. If there are obstacles and reasoning behind this tortoise-paced timeline, be transparent and let us know what they are. We want to do whatever we can to make change happen, and fast. If not, it looks to us like you don’t care and don’t take this seriously. But we’ll be here when there’s no time left.
Uncle Sam wants you to wear a mask CATHLEEN MCLAUGHLIN THE MIAMI STUDENT
More than 200,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus. Two hundred thousand mothers or fathers, daughters or sons, brothers or sisters, friends or coworkers. Two hundred thousand families learning to live without their loved ones. Existing figures can lend perspective to this national tragedy. The U.S. COVID-19 death toll outnumbers the total reported American casualties from World War I and the Vietnam War combined. According to CDC director Robert Redfield, as scientists are testing potential vaccines, the best mechanism for slowing the coronavirus spread is still mask-wearing. Nevertheless, mask-wearing has been a continued cause of fierce debate in the United States. So-called “anti-maskers” have even taken their protests to the streets. The coronavirus pandemic may be the largest public health crisis of our lifetime. So, is it really too much of a burden to wear a mask? To my generation, it may seem like a significant inconvenience. We have never experienced a time when such domestic participation was expected — much less required — from us. But in reality, what we are being asked to do is very simple. When times get tough, I look to my family history for examples of true sacrifice. When he was 17 years old, my Great-Uncle Billy dropped out of high school to join the Navy. Stationed on the USS Oklahoma, he was killed during the Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941. He turned 18 just a month before his death. He made the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life for his country. My grandfather was 12 years old when his father died at the age of 48, leaving his widow and six children behind. There were no survivor benefits. There was no Social Security. No fallbacks for my grandmother. The family lost its breadwinner. So, my grandfather and his older brother, who was all of 14, took on the mantle of the “men of the house.” They gave up their childhoods to help their mother feed the family. Not long after that, my grandfather found himself fighting in Germany during World War II, sacrificing his early adulthood to fight for his country. After being blown into a foxhole, he came back to the United States and his family with a leg that would constantly ache and would never be the same again. His young life was a model of sacrifice. You may not have personal examples of sacrifice to draw strength from. However, there have been many examples in America’s past
when ordinary citizens have left an indelible mark on history by patriotically uniting for a common cause — something that we must do now. During both World Wars, those on the home front cultivated victory gardens to boost morale, show their patriotism and ease the burden on farmers working to feed troops and civilians overseas while the country was rationing supplies. Families would plant fruits and vegetables in their backyards, on rooftops and wherever space was available. Neighbors would share their tools and yields. For Americans, the reason was less about starvation and more about solidarity. They knew what it was like to sacrifice and to live with very little. The Great Depression ravaged the country for a decade before the war, after all. Sure, it is fair to point out that this action was voluntary, not mandatory. The point is, it never had to be required because many citizens understood the victory garden campaign to be an implied civic duty. The U.S Department of Agriculture estimates that Americans planted 20 million gar-
“A piece of cloth over your face may be irritating, but it will save lives.” dens by 1944, producing around eight million tons of food. It is important to note that America’s youth were certainly not exempt from the war effort. Youth groups like the Boy Scouts were highly involved in scrap drives for rubber and tin, supplies which helped America’s military win World War II. It is easy to see how small sacrifices can make a huge difference. The coronavirus pandemic has upended your lives. War upended their lives. Their collective sacrifices made a difference. Yours can, too. So, I urge you to think of those around you as you walk to class, take a trip to the grocery store or grab a coffee from Starbucks. If you have to, think of those people in your life who are not as healthy. A piece of cloth over your face may be irritating, but it will save lives. Be a patriot. Be a lifesaver. Wear a mask. mclaug24@miamioh.edu
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