ESTABLISHED 1826 — OLDEST COLLEGE NEWSPAPER WEST OF THE ALLEGHENIES
Volume 171 No. 5
Miami University — Oxford, Ohio
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026
More than basketball: The practice squad at the heart of Miami women’s basketball
The face behind the food MOLLY ALLISON
THE MIAMI STUDENT
TAMAR SINGER LOOKS TO PASS THE BALL TO AMBER TRETTER IN GAME TWO OF THE MAC TOURAMENT AGAINST OHIO UNIVERSITY. PHOTO BY SARAH FROSCH
EVERETT RATHE
THE MIAMI STUDENT Impact, purpose and community are three things Miami students spend their college years chasing. For junior Connor Cole, those three motivations came early in his freshman year, in an unexpected form. Cole played basketball throughout high school and attempted to walk on to the men’s basketball team. Although Cole fell short in that pursuit, he found his purpose elsewhere: as a practice player for the Miami University women’s basketball team. The RedHawks are coming off an excellent season that featured 28 wins, a Mid-American Conference
(MAC) Championship and an appearance in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament. While games showcase the finished product, it’s in practice where teams hone their skills and build chemistry. The Miami practice squad plays a key part in helping the team prepare for the season and its opponents. “We’re looking for guys that have played in high school, guys with certain athletic traits that come in and give us a really good look from an opponent standpoint,” associate head coach JR Shumate said. “It gives us the size, the athleticism, the skill that we need to get better.”
During the preseason, practice players help the team improve its general skills and conditioning ahead of the season. During the season, the practice players help the team prepare for specific matchups by replicating the tendencies of upcoming opponents. “If you’re number 10 on Ohio and she only does spin moves when she drives, that’s the only thing you’ll be doing all practice,” Cole said. Senior guard Núria Jurjo saw that preparation from a player’s perspective. “If the player they are scouting is a shooter, he’s gonna shoot, even if he misses,” Jurjo said. “He has to shoot.”
Four Mile Creek restoration project begins this October SARAH KENNEL
In this issue
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
A RAMP ON FOUR MILE CREEK, NEAR THE MIAMI UNIVERSITY EQUESTRIAN CENTER, HAS IMPEDED STREAM FLOW AND WILL BE THE FOCUS OF AN UPCOMING RESTORATION PROJECT. PHOTO BY SARAH KENNEL
will be planted for erosion control. While the ramp downstream cannot be removed, to maintain safety of the sewer line, several other methods will be employed to improve the stream ecosystem. “Even though it’s not a dam, it does still [block flow] kind of as a fish passage barrier there,” said Ashlee Mulrooney, a Butler County Soil and Water Conservation resource specialist. “It’s especially dangerous for paddlecraft and anybody that’s out in that area, especially during high flows.” The goal is to make the slope cover a longer area and create a gradual flow that prevents intense water drop-off at the end of the ramp. Strategies for doing this include slightly altering gravel bars and raising the pool area. Any excess material, such as removed trees and their roots, will be buried and native seedlings will be planted to prevent erosion while creating roughness and healthy ripples. To ensure that all work is being done safely, the project team is maintaining contact with the City of Ox-
CAMPUS & COMMUNITY
Honors College to Change Priority Registration for Next Spring - page 4
ford. Wastewater Collections Manager Len Wagner is serving as the primary point of contact between the city and project management. He said that although major projects nearby important infrastructure always call for caution, he is confident in the engineering team’s methods. He also plans to carry out daily site visits to keep up to date on how things are progressing. “It’s scary,” he said. “This is a line that [services about] half the city. It’s a major infrastructure for us and it would be very costly if [there] was any damage … [but] I think Butler County has done a wonderful job. The contractors and the engineers, the environmental engineers have a good plan, and I am confident.” SWCA hopes to complete the project in eight to 12 weeks, however, it is possible that wetter weather could push this date back further. Follow-up vegetation assessments and stream quality monitoring will take place after the project is complete.
ZOE FLEISCHER
Like many Miami students, the Goggin Ice Center will be celebrating its 21st birthday this school year. Over the years, Goggin has gone through name changes, renovations and makeovers, but none quite like in 2006. On July 15, 2006 the arena we know today officially opened and brought the Miami community together. The original arena was built in 1976, named the Miami Ice Arena until 1984. The arena was renamed to the Goggin Ice Center in honor of Miami’s former Vice President Lloyd Goggin. Goggin was instrumental in developing the original arena. The Miami Ice Arena featured one NHL-sized sheet of ice, 2,850 seats and another half sheet of ice. Assistant Director of Goggin Equipment Services Andy Geshan has worked at Goggin for 32 seasons. He recalls the original arena quite well. The stands surrounding the NHL size sheet were only on one side. Underneath that was a long hallway with six locker rooms. Geshan said hockey teams and synchronized skating teams used the hallway for training, workouts and more; multiple times a day. Geshan said he remembers setting up and taking down the workout bike machines and stick taping stations constantly. He would set up in the morning for practice then take everything down so skating teams could use the space. On game days, he would set everything up again for the second time that day. Additionally, the original arena had a singular washer and dryer set. While these machines were industri-
SPORTS
The problem isn’t what women wear at the gym - page 11
al sized, only having access to one of each made it hard for Geshan to be efficient. After 2006, the economy around ice-based sports changed for the better. The new arena offered around 3,500 seats, strength facilities, taping stations, three washers and three dryers and more storage. The days of Geshan setting up and taking down in the old hallway are long behind him. “It’s hard to imagine it’s been 20 years,” Geshan said. The new arena brought more efficiency and space. Currently, Goggin is home to the Division I men’s hockey team, two varsity synchronized skating teams, four club hockey teams, a club synchronized skating team, three high school teams, multiple sports leadership and management classes and intramural teams. In the summer, Goggin hosts eight summer camps, bringing about 240 kids to campus a week. The kids come from all over the midwest to participate. Additionally, Goggin hosts USA hockey development camps. Senior Director of Goggin Ice Center Jon Elliott has worked here since opening day in 2006. He is responsible for everything that goes on in the building. He said scheduling is like a big puzzle. As for the Miami community events, Elliott said his favorite event is when Miami Activities and Programming (MAP) hosts its community skate and movie. MAP puts a movie on the screens while students are free to skate around. Elliott said he wished more people would know about this event because it’s such a unique opportunity. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
kennelse@miamioh.edu
OPINION
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
Two decades of the Goggin Ice Center THE MIAMI STUDENT
GREENHAWKS EDITOR A major restoration project on Oxford’s Four Mile Creek will break ground on Monday, Oct. 19. The Butler County Soil and Water Conservation district has identified two target areas where changes can be made to improve stream flow and ecosystem health. The project will remove a dam near Ruder Preserve and modify another area downstream, where a protective sewer line ramp has negatively affected the flow of the stream. Funds were granted through H2Ohio after Environmental Protection Agency stream assessments identified low habitat quality for sensitive fish and bugs. The Miami University Natural Areas Committee has been engaged in the process, as the creek passes through Miami’s Natural Areas. Steve Sullivan, vice chair of the Natural Areas Committee, said blockages in stream flow harm stream health and biodiversity. He also said he looks forward to the potential of an increase in ecosystem diversity and better conditions for endangered mussel groups native to Ohio. “It should increase the number and diversity of species of fish, which should also increase the number and diversity of species of birds and plants,” Sullivan said. “We also hope it will impact insects, and we hope that it will impact stream quality.” The plans are being done in collaboration with engineers at Steven W. Carothers and Associates (SWCA) Environmental Consultants. At Ruder Preserve, five feet of dam will be removed to restore the flow of the stream. A mix of native seeds
More than their basketball ability, it’s the personal qualities of the practice players that Shumate values most. “[We want] somebody who comes in here and just thinks in terms of volunteerism and service,” Shumate said. “That’s what these guys provide, not coming in here and feeling like we got to compete 100% all the time, but giving us what we want.” The program considers the practice players a part of the program. So much so, they received MAC Championship rings.
Executive Chef Scott Rouse is mostly known for his work at Miami University creating meal plans for students. However, others may know him from the hearse that’s parked outside of Maplestreet Commons. Or from scuba diving courses. Or even from his involvement in Bikers Against Child Abuse. As executive chef, Rouse develops the menu and manages culinary operations. “Chef Scott loves to teach his craft and help other culinarians be successful. Although he is very serious when it comes to all things food safety, he has also taught many people that cooking can be fun,” Amy Allen, director of residential dining, wrote in an email statement. In addition to teaching culinary skills, he helps direct scuba diving courses at Miami. While he’s been an experienced diver for 16 years (and counting), he’s been assisting at the Aquatic Center for 10. “It’s great helping the students get certified and teaching scuba, because now the students are going to see a lot of the cool stuff that I’ve been able to see and have cool adventures all on their own,” Rouse said. Rouse normally assists with a larger scuba class and is well regarded for his experience and his teaching methods. “I really like his teaching style in the pool. He doesn’t drag out the class if the class is getting [long], but at the same time, if there’s a student or a group [of] students that aren’t getting it, he takes the extra time to spend with them to make sure that they know how to do it right and safely,” said John Mihevic, director of the Aquatic Center and programs.
Miami soccer looks to make late season charge ahead of MAC playoffs - page 6
CULTURE
Five cute couples’ costumes for you and your boo - page 8
FYI
2
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026
Our Awards
THE MIAMI STUDENT STAFF SHANNON MAHONEY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ELISA ROSENTHAL
KISER YOUNG
MANAGING EDITOR
SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
EVELYN DUGAN
CAITLIN WONG
OWEN MARTIN
ASST. DESIGN EDITOR
PARKER GREEN
AYLA PEDEN
CAMPUS &
REN CHAFFEE
COMMUNITY EDITORS
ASST. CULTURE EDITORS
GRAHAM YOUNG
COOPER MENEGHETTI
SPORTS EDITOR
2025 Ohio Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Award for First Place in the Best College Newspaper category
ASST. SPORTS EDITORS
OPINION EDITOR
ABE HAGOOD
STELLA POWERS
ASST. OPINION EDITOR
CULTURE EDITOR
IVY KLEINMAN
CARLEY RAPP
PHOTO EDITOR
HUMOR EDITOR
AUSTIN SMITH
SARAH KENNEL GREENHAWKS EDITOR SYDNEY MULFORD
2025 Greater Cincinnati Pro Chapter Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Excellence in Journalism Award in the College Student Publication category
BUSINESS MANAGER JOE SAMPSON FACULTY ADVISER
DESIGN EDITOR
SACHA BELLMAN
ELISE HANNA DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR
PHOTO EDITOR
2024 and 2025 Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper in the large school category
VINCENT JOLLIFF
TAYLOR POWERS
EMILY CLARK
2025 Ohio News Media Association Award for First Place in Best Website
BUSINESS ADVISER AIM MEDIA MIDWEST
2025 Ohio News Media Association Award for First Place in Best Website
PRINTER
Advertising information: Smith646@miamioh.edu Send us a letter: eic.miamistudent@gmail.com The Miami Student is published biweekly during the school year by the students of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. The content of The Miami Student is the sole responsibility of The Miami Student staff. Opinions expressed in The Miami Student are not necessarily those of Miami University, its students or staff.
CORRECTIONS POLICY
The Miami Student is committed to providing the Miami University community with the most accurate information possible. Corrections may be submitted up to seven calendar days after publication.
Oxford police respond to several thefts over Miami’s fall break
2025 Mark of Excellence Award (SPJ) for First Place in Best Affiliated Website
ASG discusses student health insurance, campus safety
SPEAKER QUIN AHLER ADDRESSES THE SENATE. PHOTO BY SHANNON MAHONEY
ELISA ROSENTHAL GRAPHIC BY MACY CHAMBERLIN
AUSTIN SMITH
BUSINESS MANAGER Between Oct. 5 and Oct. 12, police officers responded to seven incidents, according to the Oxford Police Department report. On Oct. 5, at 7:47 a.m., at Walmart, officers received a report of shoplifting that occurred Oct. 4. Officers took a report and identified a suspect. On Oct. 8, at 11:51 a.m., in the 3700 block of Southpointe Parkway, officers responded to a report of theft. An apartment complex reported that an unknown person had stolen items from its clubhouse. On Oct. 9, at 2:03 a.m., in the 100 block of E. High St., officers arrested a male for open container, underage consumption, prohibitions and obstruction of official business.
That same day at 3:04 a.m., in the 0 block of W. Withrow St., officers charged a male with disorderly conduct, underage consumption and prohibitions. On Oct. 11, at 6:03 p.m., in the 0 block of E. High St., officers received a report of theft. A male reported that he lost his wallet at a bar and that someone made unauthorized charges on his credit cards an hour later. That same day at 6:24 p.m., in the 100 block of W. Collins St., officers received a report of a package theft. The victim saw on her Blink doorbell camera that an unknown male took the package from her front porch. The suspect had not been identified at the time. smith854@miamioh.edu
MANAGING EDITOR
Miami University’s Associated Student Government (ASG) passed a resolution involving student health insurance and discussed campus safety concerns at its meeting on Oct. 13. Parliamentarian Nick McClure presented his “Resolution to Encourage Miami University to Update Student Health Insurance,” which would eliminate the need for students to resubmit proof of insurance to waive their student health insurance at the beginning of each school year. McClure said the policy would require students to submit their insurance for their first year at Miami, but it wouldn’t require students to submit it again every year if their insurance stays the same. He also said that this legislation follows the
necessary state and federal laws and does not oppose any university policy or rule. Several senators said they also had issues with the process in the past. “I have the same insurance I had last year, and this year it got rejected because United Healthcare somehow did not qualify for insurance,” Senator Stepan Teluk said. “I got student insurance charged to my account and it’s also through United Healthcare Insurance.” The senators voted unanimously to pass the resolution. ASG also addressed student concerns. A student asked if the Miami University Police Department or the Oxford Police Department could patrol some of the bus stops due to safety concerns. The concern was committed to the Safety and Transportation Committee.
A student said they were concerned about a missing crosswalk segment on the northwest corner of North Patterson Avenue and West Withrow Street. The student said they felt unsafe crossing the road sometimes without a proper crosswalk being there. The concern was committed to the Safety and Transportation Committee. Senator Liam McKernan said he was concerned about paper towel dispensers being empty in the Recreation Center men’s bathroom. Secretary of Sustainability Lynn Setter said the women’s bathroom had the same issue. The concern was committed to the Campus Affairs Committee. ASG will meet again at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20 in the Joslin Senate Chambers. rosente2@miamioh.edu
GAMES
3 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026
The Miami Student Games Crossword
Sudoku
Anagram
E N L C I S E
How to play: Unscramble the letters to reveal possible word combinations! The number of possible answers may be greater than the number of answer spots provided, so pick your favorite words to use.
Across 3. Hitting the wrong letter 5. What Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin might do 6. A famous Richard or Tom 7. ____ Speedwagon; initials of a famous motor company
Down 1. Former Capital of Japan 2. Stark or Soprano 3. A large plant with a wooden trunk; can be either deciduous or coniferous 4. Winnings in a poker game, informally 5. Lifesaving initials
10 POSSIBLITIES
2 POSSIBLITIES
5 POSSIBLITIES
1 POSSIBLITIES
4 POSSIBLITIES
University Senate recommends AI center, weighs faculty evaluations and diploma changes
UNIVERSITY SENATORS DISCUSS AI. PHOTO BY KYLIE BUNN.
KYLIE BUNN
STAFF WRITER The Miami University Senate recommended the creation of the Miami Center for Artificial Intelligence, discussed a new faculty evaluation process and a potential diploma redesign in its meeting on Oct. 12. Jayne Brownell, senior vice president of student life, provided updates from the Student Life Council Committee. The council reviewed proposed changes to the student code of conduct, residence hall regulations, Associated Student Government (ASG) legislation and other student policies. There are 28 members who serve on the committee, including students and faculty. Brownell discussed changes from the 2025-26 year. One change allows students suspended from the university for lower-level misconduct to earn transfer credit while away
from Miami. She also announced the creation of Student Transitions and Family Engagement and the relocation of Title IX responsibilities within the administration. “We pulled Title IX out of HR, and since 96% of cases involve students, it makes sense for that to sit in the Division of Student Life, even though it is a university function,” Brownell said. “We want to protect us and students and all the other things and do this as right as possible. These are also incredibly messy, painful, confusing hearings, and I am so grateful that we have faculty and staff who are willing to sit on these boards.” Associate professor Sarah Watt provided special reports from the University Senate task force on faculty evaluations. The proposed model would incorporate peer review, faculty reflection, evidence of student learning and student perspectives on teaching effectiveness. Watt said this new system would be integrated into the current
system, rather than an entirely new process. Senators raised concerns about the weight of student evaluations, and said students may use course difficulty and personal performance as a measure for evaluation. Watt said this is already a consideration in conversation, and the task force will decide how to weigh the various components of evaluation. The committee plans to refine the model and seek formal senate approval during the spring semester. The anticipated timeline to have the new model integrated in fall 2028. The senate made a final recommendation to approve Miami University Center for Artificial Intelligence (MCAI). MCAI plans to provide resources and guidance for incorporating AI into majors, expand funding and communicate AI initiatives effectively. The recommendation also requested that the center’s director, Dennis Cheatham, return in the spring to
provide an update. Charlie Merrill, student body president, and Quin Ahler, ASG speaker, discussed a proposal to change the university’s diploma. The ASG representatives advocated for changes to the diploma’s design to better reflect Miami’s history and traditions by going back to its original font. Ahler said conversations with ASG members and the student body promoted the initiative. “I ended up engaging in conversations with students about the diploma, and the result was the same all across,” Ahler said. “Every single student and our entire student senate voted in support of the original [diploma], specifically from 1979.” Ahler said students expressed a preference for an older design, describing the current version as too modern and minimalistic compared to the traditional diploma. Senators questioned whether the proposal included graduate and regional campus students. Ahler clari-
fied that ASG has a separate body for graduate students and that this initiative was primarily focused on undergraduate Oxford campus students. A vote for recommendation is scheduled for a future meeting. ASG has also made resolutions to facilitate allergy shots at the student health clinic. “As it exists now, many students drive all the way to Columbus for their allergy shots,” Merrill said. “There was a spot in Oxford, but that business closed about two years back.” Merrill also announced an upcoming podcast, “Slant Talk,” which will feature students, faculty and administrators to talk about campus issues. The University Senate’s next meeting will be at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26, in the Joslin Senate Chamber. bunnkm@miamioh.edu
CAMPUS & COMMUNITY
4
‘Leave me alone’: How political advertisements are affecting voters KATE MCDONOUGH THE MIAMI STUDENT
In the midterm general and special elections on Nov. 3, Ohio voters will cast their ballots for a new governor and the second senator seat. The toss-up race will feature Democrat Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy competing for governor, and incumbent Republican Jon Husted and Democrat Sherrod Brown competing for senator. In the technological age, the methods these candidates use to reach constituents has shifted to the realm of digital political advertisements. While in the “political arms race” this form of paid media is cost-effective for candidates, constituents have another perspective. Rooted in methods like geotargeting and geofencing, political ads, particularly “attack-ads” have drastically increased in recent years both in financial investment and prevalence. “Pre-2016, that’s when things really started fundamentally changing.” said Philip Arceneaux, an assistant professor in the strategic communication department. “[Candidates would] try to run a positive campaign as much as possible, and you only go negative either when you really absolutely have to or when the other side does it first. If they go negative, then all gloves are off. It was a last-ditch effort to do something drastic, and that was the unspoken rule.” So why the change? “If [the ads] can get you to feel
something, [they are] more likely to get you to do something,” Arceneaux. “Fear appeals — it’s not the basis of attack ads, but it’s very prominent. [The ads] want to make you mad enough, scared enough or sad enough, that you are going to vote for me.” The pertinence of political ads, especially in streaming services and social media platforms has substantially escalated voter fatigue and irritation surrounding both local and national politics. Because of the accessibility of campaign ads and wide-ranging application of free speech, broader discussions have emerged about the factuality of political ads and voter data privacy. “I just wish there was some line of review before being pumped out to the public,” said Molly Love, a political science major. 22 Miami University students out of 24 interviewed by The Miami Student received the majority of their knowledge about the current political landscape from social media, followed by family, friends and digital or physical news sources. Additionally, 18 of 24 reported that this year’s ads were more aggressive and pointed. “The majority of ads I have seen have been on Instagram, and it is every other post,” said Kali Barcroft, a junior political science and philosophy double major. “I feel like this election cycle especially has been very aggressive, not just in the volume in which they are posting advertisements, but also in the language and picture and media they are using.”
Alex Lopez, a first-year political science major, agreed, and wished candidates would start focusing on what they could do for constituents. “It’s contributing towards polarization, especially when we need to start talking about what the candidates are going to do for the people, not just attacking the other candidate,” Lopez said. When asked what political ad came most easily to mind, the interviewed students were more likely to describe vicious, directed ads than positive, endorsing ones. In addition, when asked if political ads or memes would influence their vote, the majority reported that they would not. “I went into this election with research and personal experience. [Ads] have not changed the way I am going to vote, but more so solidified [my stance]” Barcroft said. As political advertisements swarm the election season and consume the lives of constituents, Arceneux said people need to consider now more than ever to encourage change. His solution to this includes discussion of lowering political ads exposure by allowing constituents to “opt out” of many harassing avenues, like text messages, phone calls and emails. “We need to regulate this and protect the right to opt out. Everyone is tired of the ads and wants to get away from them,” Arceneaux said. Contributed reporting by Parker Green. mcdonokd@miamioh.edu
JANUS Forum sparks open conversations about politics PARKER GREEN
CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY EDITOR
MOLLY FAHY
SENIOR STAFF WRITER On paper, the only things former Ambassador to the Netherlands Shefali Razdan Duggal and former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan shared on Oct. 13 were an alma mater and a stage. Graduating from Miami University in ‘93 and ‘92 respectively, the pair ended up on opposite ends of the political spectrum: Razdan Duggal was a Biden appointee and Ryan a lifelong conservative and vice presidential nominee on the 2012 Republican ticket. Both were invited back to Miami on behalf of the JANUS Forum, an organization that serves as “a place for members of the community to come together and discuss opposing views freely and passionately, and where students can explore the multitude of views that exist, and then arrive at their own opinions,” according to its website. It’s that spirit of collaboration that both Ryan and Razdan Duggal talked about — especially due to their own, personal friendship. “People need to find the commonalities,” Razdan Duggal said. “Then you can actually get things done. That’s the reason why I think it’s important we’re here, because I think the [political] atmosphere has changed a bit, and I don’t know if that [change] is sustainable for our country.” Ryan agreed. “[Razdan Duggal] is a Democrat. I’m a Republican. We were always still friends irrespective of that,” Ryan said. “That’s the way things ought to be in this country. It’s just that simple. You can maintain good friendships without having to agree with everybody and everything.” He said that the country was built on pluralism, which means respecting people’’s views and operating on “a basis of common humanity.” The JANUS Forum helps facilitate that basis. President of the JANUS Forum and junior political science and business leadership co-major Nate No-
CONTINUED FROM FRONT Rouse dives at various locations, from the coasts of the Carolinas to Gilboa Quarry, a premier dive area in Findlay, Ohio. It’s about a two hour drive from Miami, and while it may seem like a long way to travel, it goes by a lot quicker when you drive a haunted hearse. “It’s actually the fourth [hearse] I’ve owned,” Rouse said. “I love the lines, they ride great,” A spirit named Roger accompanies Rouse on his drives. Rouse said Roger is quite a friendly ghost, who really only messes with the radio. Everyday he gets into the driver’s seat
vak said these debates are a staple for the political science department and offer a space for diverse viewpoints within Miami. “In this day and age, it’s very difficult to have conversations with people we disagree with,” Novak said. “The JANUS Forum gives us an outlet to showcase people who disagree, probably on a lot of different issues, but they can come together and debate in a friendly, respectful way.” It helps that Razdan Duggal and Ryan are good friends and alumni, which Novak said helped them secure the two for the event. Normally, they have to “go on the hunt” for speakers. Past debates featured former press secretaries, presidential nominees and chiefs of staff, with topics ranging from Roe v. Wade to cryptocurrency. The event features two types of questions: some the JANUS Forum executive board comes up with and the rest supplied directly from the live audience, which the moderator can read on stage via a tablet. As for their personal reactions to talking politics in college, both Ryan and Razdan Duggal said politics weren’t as open in friendships and everyday conversations when they attended Miami, but they agreed openness isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as long as discussions are in good faith. “Don’t be a polarizer. Don’t try to think of other people as your enemies,” Ryan said. “If you’re going to make an argument, don’t base it in emotion, base it in principles, facts. Know your policies, and be willing to understand a different perspective.” That mentality was put to practice when a sold-out crowd filled Wilks Theater to hear their debate. After talking about their time at Miami and how it prepared them for a life in public service, Ryan and Razdan Duggal tackled current public issues, including factors that will matter in the upcoming midterm elections, current U.S. foreign policy and the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (also called the SAVE Act). Throughout the night, Ryan and Razdan Duggal rarely disagreed.
They both elaborated and expanded on each other’’s points, and seemed to agree on their dislike of President Donald Trump’s policies, specifically, economic and foreign policy But when Ryan said that Democrats were highly mobilized and should pick up House and Senate seats during the November elections, Razdan Duggal offered a different view. While she agreed Democrats would gain seats, she warned Ryan not to discount Republican and Independent voter motivation. Several times during the debate, Ryan and Razdan Duggal mentioned a spirit of bipartisanship that they felt was missing in current politics and expressed a desire to return to it. This also resonated with the audience. Mackenzie Donoher, a senior political science major, attended the forum and wanted to hear Ryan and Razdan Duggal’s positions on the SAVE Act, a federal proposal that would change how American citizens register to vote and require photo ID when requesting a ballot. Ryan and Razdan Duggal’s agreement on certain aspects of the bill surprised her most. “This [forum] was unique because they were friends and had such a great relationship,” Donoher said. “However, they clearly had different views, and it was refreshing to see that they could be friends when they feel that way, but at the same time, it was interesting to hear where they differ and maybe why they differ.” Other audience members thought the JANUS Forum provides a unique opportunity to hear both sides of the political spectrum share their opinions civilly, and without fear. “Bipartisanship is really important in our government, and I think fostering it through discussions with both sides is really important,” said Carter Harrold, a junior political science major. “For people just now getting involved in politics, you know, young politicians, it goes to show both sides of the aisle are real people.” greenpt@miamioh.edu fahymm@miamioh.edu
Departments struggle to hire new faculty: Professors and students face the consequences ZOEE ROBINSON STAFF WRITER
In the past five years, five Miami University journalism professors have left the department or taken leave: three retired, one visiting professor unexpectedly left mid-semester and one professor is currently on medical leave. None of those open positions have been filled. In fact, the last journalism department hire was in 2014. Miami’s hiring process for new professors begins with department chairs requesting a new hire line from the dean of their prospective college. The Office of Equal Employment and Opportunity (OEEO) must also review the request for a new professor. After these approvals, the request is forwarded to Academic Personnel Services, which ensures that the department chairs and deans follow the guidelines and procedures for hiring. If Academic Personnel Services approves the request, the Office of the Provost has final authorization in granting the requesting department a new faculty hire. In an email to The Miami Student, Trent Gould, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, said new hire lines depend on current student demand and workforce needs, not where the faculty opening originated. “When faculty retire or move on, their positions are evaluated at that time as part of normal workforce planning, which often means instructional capacity is redirected to where student and program need currently exists rather than remaining tied permanently to a single field,” Gould wrote. Despite hiring trends following student demands, departments across campus are still struggling to fill open positions. Rosemary Pennington, chair of the Department of Media, Journalism and Film (MJF), said when she requests new faculty lines, she knows her colleagues are asking for faculty lines as well. “Anytime you’re asking for a faculty line, you’re also competing with people in English, history or even outside of the humanities,” Pennington said. “Because the final approval comes from the provost, maybe you’re also up against someone in Farmer or the Engineering School.” Current professors are taking on extra responsibilities partially because department chairs are struggling to hire new professors, but also because Miami is working to create equity around teaching loads. Current Miami policy states that teaching, clinical professors and lecturers must maintain 4/4 workloads, meaning they teach four classes in both the fall and spring semesters. For professors in departments that are down faculty members, such as journalism, these professors must also pick up extra service responsibilities. Service within their departments includes advising students and overseeing student organizations. Fred Reeder Jr., associate clinical professor of journalism, said the added workloads have affected the quality of his teaching and his mental health. “It’s certainly a problem for the faculty being able to find ways to teach students to the level that they want to teach them and to help students, while not sacrificing not only the quality of their teaching, but the mental health of the faculty as well.” This semester, Reeder is teaching four written journalism courses, giv-
The face behind the food
and greets the spirit, or risks facing the ghost’s antics. “One morning I was a little out of sorts, I didn’t wish Roger a good morning,” Rouse said. “Twenty minutes into my commute on a rainy day, and all of a sudden my radio quit working and my windshield wiper stopped, and I had to apologize [to Roger], and within five seconds the radio came back on and the windshield wipers started working.” When he doesn’t feel like taking the haunted hearse, Rouse drives a motorcycle that he uses for an honorable cause. Rouse is a member of Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA), which
aims to shield children from child abuse and empower them. If there is a report of a child in danger, a member will jump on their bike and go pick the child up, no questions asked. Rouse has been involved in the organization for around four years and serves as a chapter secretary and agency liaison. Rouse acts as a primary contact for two children and their siblings. BACA isn’t just there for a ride. They’re also there to support a child emotionally. They even have a ceremony for the kids, where they give them a biker jacket and a teddy bear that’s “filled up with love.” “[A child] will go around, and they
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026
get introduced to everyone, and everybody gives this bear a hug,” Rouse said. “It’s pretty cool to see these kids go from being scared to running around, and it’s really cool to see them just be kids again.” BACA primaries will also escort a child to court. To go on the stand and talk about trauma to a room full of strangers is an extremely daunting task for anyone, especially for a kid. Primary contacts attend to encourage their bravery. “Heroes don’t wear capes; they wear small sneakers,” Rouse said. While BACA kids age out at 18, the organization will still be there for support, regardless of age. Rouse
ing him about 20 more students. He said grading 20 extra assignments has amounted to seven more hours of grading. “It’s pretty daunting to face this extra work, and so you end up trying to figure out how you can survive the semester,” he said. Not only are professors facing difficulties this semester, but students are seeing the drawbacks of faculty deficits as well. The English department had six professors leave at the end of the last school year and have not hired replacements. Emily Blanford, a junior English literature major, said she’s noticed that these openings led to fewer English elective courses being offered. “We haven’t had a lot of Shakespeare because currently we only have one person who teaches Shakespeare,” Blanford said. “My only experience of taking Shakespeare was when I studied abroad, so I haven’t actually had a course at Miami on Shakespeare, which is odd for an English major.” Blanford said she’s also worried if required classes will be taught in time for her to graduate due to faculty openings. “I can understand the student stress of, ‘Oh my god am I gonna graduate on time?’ because I have those thoughts also,” Blanford said. “But then we have to think this is also a university issue.” The solution here is a joint effort between university administrators and teaching faculty. The remodeling of Bachelor Hall brought new spaces for the humanities, including film screening rooms, a broadcast television studio, audio recording studios and events spaces for community engagement. Reeder said he recognizes Miami’s efforts to revamp their humanities programs, but more needs to be done. “So the messages from Miami I get [are] that we do indeed care about the humanities, but the next step needs to be heavy recruiting of the students who are going to study the humanities,” Reeder said. Recruiting more students and increasing numbers within the humanities would help these departments gain new hire lines from the Office of the Provost. Along with recruiting more students, Miami needs to recognize where faculty deficits are placing the most strain on their respective departments. “I do think the deans and the provost have to figure out where the most urgent need [is] and try to address it,” Pennington said. Pennington recently received approval from the Office of the Provost to hire a new journalism professor. She said she intends to hire a professional that can teach students about artificial intelligence in journalism and new media technologies in general. MJF hopes to have their new professor hired by the end of this semester and teaching by fall of 2027. For the time being, Reeder said he recognizes that professors must continue managing increased workloads to the best of their ability. “If the reality is going to be that we teach as much as we now have to teach, then at some point you have to do your best to also find ways to solve the problem,” Reeder said. “Certainly it would be nice if the university fully understood what a burden teaching four writing classes is, as opposed to four broomball classes.” robinsza@miamioh.edu
even said one member, who goes by the road name “Rhythm,” was a former BACA child. “Once a BACA child, always a BACA child,” Rouse said. For Allen, Rouse’s character shines well beyond his professional skills. “It says a lot when a former student remembers, years later, the kindness and care that was shown to them. That is something that I think really speaks to the kind of chef and person Scott is,” Allen wrote. allisomk@miamioh.edu
CAMPUS & COMMUNITY
5 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026
Miami’s next top models
ERIN WADZINSKI
THE MIAMI STUDENT A sea of 300 black-clad students lined up outside Armstrong 3056 to answer Miami University Fashion and Design’s (MUF&D) 21st annual model casting call. The turnout surpassed last year’s numbers. “It’s definitely going to be the biggest show yet,” said Taylor Fletcher, modeling co-director and senior psychology major with a minor in fashion. Modeling co-director Bella O’Bryan, a senior marketing major with a co-major in fashion and corporate business and a minor in finance, said MUF&D prioritizes presence over portfolios. “You don’t need experience in every part,” O’Bryan said. “You just need that attitude and that willingness to try and put yourself out there.” For modeling hopefuls, all students were eligible to try out — regardless of experience level. The organization hosted two bootcamps the week before casting to prepare newcomers, where modeling directors and past models explained audition expectations and taught runway fundamentals. But attracting new talent didn’t stop there. Recruitment efforts went beyond Mega Fair and social media posts. Fletcher said she recruited students off the street. She handed them model casting cards with information about workshops and casting. The outreach intrigued a variety of experienced and first-time hope-
fuls, including first-year exploratory studies majors Heather Lucas and Anna Spivak. “I wanted to do modeling since I was a little girl, so I thought this would be a fun thing to do,” Lucas said. While Lucas had never modeled before, Spivak brought child modeling experience. Spivak said her interest in fashion drove her to get involved again in college. Both said their tryouts went smoothly. Upon arrival at the audition, attendees underwent a multi-step, 30-minute process. Candidates got measurements and headshots taken before they moved to the practice room. Inside, coaches offered feedback on their practice walks. In the final room, prospective models took to the stage. They walked and posed twice. The MUF&D president, vice president and modeling directors scored each walk. The panel evaluated five main characteristics. Technical criteria included posture, speed and upper body movement. However, the directors said confidence and a good attitude mattered most. Beyond individual scoring, club leadership said diverse representation remains a top priority. “Something we look for in casting that’s really important is that the fashion show and models represent not just what you stereotypically see on a runway … but that it represents Miami’s student body and all the different cultures that make up the student body,” O’Bryan said.
Honors College to change priority registration for spring
STUDENTS POSE AT MUF&D TRYOUT. PHOTO PROVIDED BY MUF&D
MUF&D’s president, vice president and modeling directors met on Oct. 5. They reviewed their scores and comments from the casting. The executives trimmed the initial 300 candidates down to approximately 200 models. Final placement decisions now fall to the show’s designers. This year, MUF&D selected a record 21 student designers. Because each designer typically creates between five and 10 looks, O’Bryan said she expects they will feature over 100 different outfits and models. Designers will handpick their models based on their visions for
their collections. Models will receive decision emails three to four weeks after tryouts. The club will celebrate the casting with a November reveal party. There, models discover which designers chose them for their collections. The group will end the semester with one practice in early December. During the spring semester, weekly practices begin. MUF&D also offers other opportunities for students not interested in modeling. “I just immediately gravitated towards it because it’s not just modeling,” said Naomi Galas, past MUF&D
model and junior marketing major with a studio art minor. “There’s so many other different meetings or groups inside this big organization. I’ve gone to marketing and PR meetings before, because that’s my major. I’ve gone to business meetings before and worked on my LinkedIn. That’s what made it special.” The organization plans to reveal the fashion show’s theme in February. The final runway is scheduled for April 24, 2027. wadzinej@miamioh.edu
Bachelor Hall opens with complications
STUDENTS WALK THROUGH WESTERN CAMPUS. PHOTO BY IVY KLEINMAN
OWEN MARTIN
CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY EDITOR Less than a month before students begin building their spring schedules, Miami University’s Honors College is preparing to roll out a new priority registration system. The new system will keep the “priority” label, but reshape how, and when, Honors students actually register. The change stems from the university’s transition to Workday Student, the new registration platform that will replace BannerWeb in 2027, according to a memo from Zeb Baker, the dean of the Honors College. The shift will alter the structure of priority registration beginning in spring 2027. “Honors priority registration is not going away,” Baker wrote in the message. “You still have priority registration as an Honors College student.” What is going away is the old system in which Honors students registered on a separate, early day — often well ahead of their non-Honors peers. Under the new model, Honors students will register at 7:00 a.m. on the day assigned to their class standing, meaning students of different years will no longer register together. Instead, each group will receive the earliest available time slot within its designated day. The change is meant to make registration more consistent and reduce the number of override requests students submit when courses fill too quickly. Baker wrote the new system is designed to give Honors students first access to seats that open at the start of each registration group. “While a course may look closed during a student’s registration period, more seats may open in later registration groups and/or when open
registration begins,” Baker wrote. “This system is in place to ensure an even distribution of course availability across the entire registration period for all Miami students.” While this change represents a noticeable change in registration, for some students the changes barely register. “I’m not too worried about changes,” said John Reed, a first-year student in the Honors College. “I have backups for all my classes.” He pointed out that the change might matter more for students with fewer credits, especially first years in the last registration group, but said that conversations among his peers regarding the changes haven’t been focused on the changes in the policy itself. “Any discussions have been very minimal,” Reed said. “It’s more so been specific to each person in regards to what classes they would have to take next semester.” For students outside the Honors College, preemptive registration can often be viewed as potentially unfair, especially when there is lots of anxiety about registration in general. “I personally don’t really think it’s fair that Honors students get to register early,” said Vince Sharpe, a sophomore data science and statistics major and member of the Naval ROTC. “We get priority registration for ROTC, but it’s only for specific naval courses we need to graduate.” The Honors College advising team will be available throughout each registration day, according to Baker’s memo, and students are encouraged to meet with both Honors and college-specific advisors before their time ticket opens. The spring 2027 course list became available Oct. 5, and registration time tickets will be visible in BannerWeb on Oct. 19. martino9@miamioh.edu
A MAINTANCE WORKER FIXES OUT OF ORDER ELEVATOR IN BACHLEOR HALL. PHOTO BYCAR
PARKER GREEN
CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY EDITOR As a center for the humanities, the newly renovated Bachelor Hall is no stranger to a dialectic. In this case, it’s the tension between the excitement of a new building and the issues that have come along with it. The $72 million renovation project transformed the nearly 50-yearold building, including the addition of a four-story atrium, a basement and professional-grade media suites. However, Bachelor Hall has also been plagued by mice sightings, frequent elevator issues and flooding that resulted in water being cut. The flooding occurred on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Senior media and communications major Isabella Olivas was working as a student associate at the equipment center when she saw water. “I opened the door and I looked out in the corner where all the editing suites are and where the studio is, and there’s a puddle right next to the men’s bathroom,” she said. “Everyone said it smelled terrible.” That was around 11 a.m. Later, at 11:23 a.m., an email was sent out to students announcing that the water to Bachelor Hall was cut off, meaning no access to drinking fountains or restrooms. If students needed to use the restroom, the email urged readers to “use Shriver or Armstrong bathrooms, or any other location convenient.” Shriver and Armstrong are both across the street from Bachelor Hall. The issue was the result of a manhole blockage, which has since been resolved, according to an email statement from Cody Powell, vice president of Facility Planning and
Operations. Olivas said the water was out the entire time she was in Bachelor, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. She said wasn’t shocked about the events. “I was not that surprised because I am aware of some other facility mishaps,” Olivas said. “The elevator over by the studio has been shut down for at least over a week. Some of the projectors and speakers in the classrooms are not fully operating. So when I heard that the bathrooms were closed, I was like, ‘Well, yep, sounds about right.’” For Jody Bates, an associate professor of English and creative writing, the lack of consistent elevators has been a particular issue, especially considering those who can’t take the stairs. “The [elevator] issue has been particularly felt for students and faculty who, when they arrive and the elevator is out, that changes the complexion of their day,” he said. “The number of times the elevators have gone out has been something I’m surprised about.” He said he gets email notices when the elevators are down and that he receives them frequently. He even remembers the elevators getting stuck during Bachelor Hall’s grand opening. “These feel a little bit bigger than growing pains,” Bates said. “It’s taken folks by surprise that these particular issues have been coming up, and they’ve been persistent ones. Hopefully in the not-too-distant future, the response will be, in addition to quick attention to the problems ... it will be long term solutions so we don’t run into those problems again.” As for the mice sightings, Andrew Peck, an associate professor in the strategic communication department, said he found teeth marks and
mouse droppings in his office after an initial warning about mice from his department. “There were definitely some mice in here chewing on things, which is not a problem I had in our previous building.” Peck said. “Yeah, Williams had a lot of pests. My office was infested with bees in Williams, but no mice.” At the time of the interview, there was a new mouse dropping in his office. He said the presence of mice makes him reconsider where he spends his time while he’s on campus. Powell said in his email statement there have been no issues since the initial report was filed. “I believe we have two work orders that were written regarding concern for mice in August. We have set traps and monitor them weekly,” he wrote. “I believe only one mouse has been caught in the two month time period.” In an interview, he said the issue might be due to construction, and that he doesn’t see it as an infestation. “My guess is with Bachelor, you know, with it being under construction, it’s not uncommon for doors to be left open or things like that during that period of time,” Powell said, “so it wouldn’t surprise me if there was a mouse in there.” Despite the initial issues, the mood in and about Bachelor seems to be high. “It’s a beautiful building, and I think it will have a crucial function and excellent future on Miami’s campus,” Bates said. “It’s a beautiful building with a bright future.” Contributed reporting by Sarah Kennel. greenpt@miamioh.edu
SPORTS
6
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026
Miami soccer looks to make late season charge ahead of MAC playoffs
MIAMI SOCCER PLAYER DEFENDS WESTERN MICHIGAN PLAYER DURING GAME. PHOTO BY ALYSSA DEGAN
COOPER MENEGHETTI ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
A thick fog emanates from Four Mile Creek through the oak trees that line Bonham Road. The sound of crickets and birds accompany early-morning joggers who take advantage of the many trails that parallel the waterway. Nestled in the trees sits Bobby Kramig Field where one sound pierces the air: the thud of the soccer ball against rocketing cleats. Miami University soccer (6-5-3, 2-1-3) is on the hunt. It is fighting for a trip to the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship in Columbus, Ohio. The top six teams in the conference qualify for the postseason, and the RedHawks currently sit fifth in the MAC. Miami still has five conference games before the postseason to solidify their position. The RedHawks are undefeated in their last four contests, including a 3-1 victory over league-leading Eastern Michigan University. The RedHawks surrendered just
two goals during that stretch, mainly due to phenomenal play in goal from senior goalkeeper Dominique Popa. She has spent most of her four seasons in the net for Miami, setting several program records in that span. Popa anchors a defense that has surrendered a goal or fewer in 10 games this season and forced five shutouts. While Miami brings a staunch defense to every game it plays, goal scoring has been the weakness of the 2026 squad. In the first five MAC games, the RedHawks scored just three goals. Prior to their trip to Eastern Michigan, senior attacking midfielder Katie O’Malley spoke about the team’s mentality. “We are kind of in a slump here,” O’Malley said. “We want to score as much as possible. We want to try to get our wins that way.” Although Miami was in a goal drought, O’Malley’s leadership and role as an attacking focal point continued to push the ball forward. As one of the leaders in assists (3) and goals (3) for the RedHawks this season, O’Malley has contributed to
three of Miami’s last four goals. “I mean they are so excited every time they come out here, which can be hard as you are not getting the results that you want, but they haven’’t dipped down into a funk mentally,” ninth-year head coach Courtney Sirmans said. “I’m really impressed with that.” It is under the leadership of the veteran-ladened team that Sirmans has seen an infectious energy around the practice field. Sirmans said the team is playing with the right mindset regardless of the results on the field. The RedHawks have reached the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, and they believe that if they stick with their training and consistency, the goals will come. “The upperclassmen are doing a good job of making sure that morale is in a good place,” Sirmans said. “They know that anything can change based on MAC standings.” Currently, the RedHawks sit at nine points in conference play, tied with Bowling Green State University. In the final home game of the regular
season, Miami will battle the Falcons in what will be a critical game to determine conference standings. Sitting just below Miami at eight points is the University of Akron. The RedHawks own the tie breaker against the Zips after their 2-1 victory at the start of MAC play. Holding this tiebreaker is a significant advantage for Miami in the postseason chase. Tied with Akron is the Ball State University Cardinals. The RedHawks and Cardinals drew in a come-frombehind thriller. O’Malley and freshman Averie Bierker combined for a game-tying goal to earn a point, which was critical for Miami’s playoff push. “I give them a ton of credit,” Sirmans said. “When they get scored on, they don’t get down on themselves. They just find a way to make sure that they don’t get frustrated and they keep pushing through.” This mentality will be integral to Miami’s success this season during the most grueling part of its conference schedule. The RedHawks play the top four ranked teams in the MAC
in five games. After vanquishing the conference front-running Eagles, Miami will come home to face cellar dwellers Ohio University. Then the team will take the longest road trip between two teams in the conference, third place University of Massachusetts, Amherst and second place Western Michigan University. Miami welcomes Bowling Green before traveling to the University of Toledo. These matchups should be pivotal for playoff qualification and potential seeding. Miami needs to win these games to solidify a high seed in the playoffs. As Miami continues to march toward the MAC playoffs, the team will need to continue to play well defensively. If the RedHawks can maintain their positive mentality, they hope the goals will come. The season is far from over — Sirmans and her team believe that there is still time to make plenty of big moves. meneghcj@miamioh.edu
Miami’s motivator: How a freshman standout has kept the locker room alive
SCOOP SMITH PERFORMS A TRICK PLAY DURING THE GAME AGAINST UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI. PHOTO BY ELISE HANNA
DEVIN MCCARTIN STAFF WRITER
The Miami University RedHawks football team brought in 20 freshmen in this year’s recruiting cycle. The new freshman class looks to help replace the 14 starters they lost from the 2025 season. One of these new additions is return specialist and wide receiver Scoop Smith. Smith comes from Pittsburgh, where he played at Woodland Hills High School. While in high
school, Smith dominated his competition. Smith earned All-State honors as a junior and senior, and was named Pennsylvania player of the year during those seasons, leading to Smith becoming a three-star recruit. Smith received 18 offers throughout his time in high school, including from a variety of Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) schools, Mid-American Conference (MAC) schools and the University of Nebraska. Smith ultimately signed with the
RedHawks in December of 2025. Smith came into Miami listed at 5 feet, 5 inches, making him the shortest player in Division I college football. Smith, however, uses his height to his advantage and doesn’t let it affect his game. “There’s pros and cons of being small,” Smith said. “There’s times people can’t see me because I’m small. There’s times I’m moving faster, people try to break down and I’m smaller to hit, so there’s so many different advantages to it.” Smith plays receiver for the RedHawks, along with being the primary return man for kickoffs. He has had great success in returning balls for the RedHawks. This season, Smith returned seven kicks for 258 yards and a touchdown, including a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown on the first play of the Battle for the Victory Bell against the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. Special teams coach Johnny Aylward has worked closely with Smith since his arrival in Oxford. “He had a really really impressive high school highlight tape, so he was a guy we were excited about,” Aylward said. “They come in all shapes and sizes, but if you can play, you can play.” Smith has also been used as a slot
receiver and a utility man for the offense this season, which has faced many injuries, especially at quarterback. Smith has hauled in 15 catches for 165 yards and a touchdown, and has carried the ball three times for 35 yards and another score. “I think he’s going to learn from every new experience, whether that’s on the offensive side of the ball [or] on special teams,” Aylward said. “I think he’s going to keep improving in that area, he’s got the right mindset.” Smith has received high praises from many of his teammates for the energy and passion he brings to the RedHawk faithful. Whether that is on the field with constant energy and a smile, or in the locker room with the whole team, Smith has been a light on a RedHawk team that has been bugged by injuries. “He’s a great teammate, a great person all around, you know, and he’s like he’s a little brother to me,” junior receiver Damarion Witten said. “He’s always trying to keep a positive side of things. Like without Scoop, I think there would be a lack of energy and lack of confidence, but I feel like Scoop brings that to the table for all of us.” Smith is close with many of his teammates. The team is very much
connected through him, and his energy in practice and games has a big effect on the rest of the team. This played a role in why Smith chose to attend Miami. “It’s a very big brotherhood,” Smith said. “I care about my guys in the room; people protect me from somebody just tackling me on the field, and my teammates are right there with me, making sure I’m okay.” Although Smith is only a freshman, he has his sights set on goals not only for the team to accomplish, but himself as well. “I want to go win the MAC Championship, that’s the main goal,” Smith said. “But just for myself, I want to get better and better every day, every week, every year.” The shortest player to ever play in the NFL was Deuce Vaughn, a running back from Kansas State University. Vaughn stands at 5 feet, 5 inches. He is the same height as Smith, who hopes to join the league someday and join the group of men who defied the odds of their height and made it to the league. “I love the game of football, and why I chose it was honestly for my future, where I want to go in life,” Smith said. “I want to go to the NFL.” mccartd6@miamioh.edu
More than basketball: The practice squad at the heart of Miami women’s basketball CONTINUED FROM FRONT
With that comes an expectation and standard that applies not only to the athletes who play in games, but also to the practice players. “Coach Box, the head coach, holds us to the same standard,” Cole said. “He’s gonna get the best out of you, no matter whether it’s a player on scholarship or whether it’s one of us just volunteering. The standard is the standard.” Jurjo said that accountability extends to the practice players, too. If a practice player isn’t doing what is
expected of them, they’re sometimes told to “get off” the court. That level of accountability is a testament to the culture Box, Shumate and the rest of the coaching staff have built at Miami. The coaching staff demands effort and excellence from every person who contributes to the program. “If the person at the top isn’t consistent in how they come in and run a practice and their expectation for each person in it, then it’s not gonna develop and cultivate into something that is a consistent winner,” Shumate said.
Shumate said Cole’s best quality is authenticity. Cole shows up every day committed to however he can help out, whether it’s running drills or cleaning up equipment. Even after practices, Cole stays after to help rebound for the players. This extends beyond basketball for Cole. Through his efforts as a practice player, he’s been able to build new friendships and find community in the women’s basketball team. “It’s crazy to think back and be like, wow, I’ve met so many people through this, so many talented people, smart people, funny people that
are now my good friends,” Cole said. Jurjo feels that connection, too. “We’ve been working together for two, three years straight, every day basically, so that definitely builds a good relationship with the practice squad,” Jurjo said. Basketball is what initially drew Cole in, but the community he found through the program became the most fulfilling. Shumate has seen that camaraderie extend well beyond the practice court. “I’ve seen our girls and our practice players and our managers playing cards when we’re on the road at night
in the hotel,” Shumate said. “That doesn’t just come showing up every day for two hours. That is a relationship that’s built off the court too. That all contributes to the success, 100%.” Cole attends practice every day at 8:30 a.m. and gives his full effort to help propel the team to win. What he didn’t expect is to find fulfilling and exciting experiences through the women’s basketball team: an impact, purpose and community. ratheei@miamioh.edu
SPORTS
7 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026
Cooper’s Hockey captain helps Corner: Do we Miami hockey rebuild actually know after loss-ridden past who is good in college football?
GRAPHIC BY COOPER MENEGHETTI
COOPER MENEGHETTI ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
This Saturday, I found myself sitting on the couch talking to my brother about college football. We were watching the University of Texas vs. Oklahoma University game, and he asked me why Texas was losing if it was the No. 1-ranked team. Oklahoma had lost to Michigan, the team he follows the closest, and he was confused why Oklahoma was playing well against the No. 1 team in the nation. I kept asking myself the question, “What teams in college football are definitively good?” Failing to draw much of a conclusion besides one or two teams, I flatly told him, “I have no idea.” In the most recent Associated Press Top 25 rankings, the undefeated University of Georgia Bulldogs are No. 1. They have what is arguably the best win of the season. I believe that this is a true championship contender. The University of Notre Dame and the University of Miami (FL) are both undefeated and ranked No. 2 and 3 respectively. The issue with both of these teams is the lackluster schedule they have played. It is hard to lump them in as championship contenders when they have not beaten one such team. Notre Dame plays Brigham Young University on Oct. 17 and plays Miami (FL) on Nov. 7. These games will help to quell concerns about the schedule. Ohio State University has shown flashes of being a strong contender, but its loss to Texas is puzzling. The Buckeyes play the Indiana University Hoosiers this week, ranked No. 6 and are unconvincingly undefeated after barely pulling off a win against the University of Nebraska last weekend. In the days of the four team College Football Playoff (CFP) and prename, image and likeness (NIL), answering the question: “who is good?”, was fairly straightforward. Take for example the 2019-20 CFP; undefeated Louisiana State University (LSU) beat one-loss Oklahoma, while undefeated Clemson University beat undefeated Ohio State. LSU would beat Clemson in the final, but it was pretty clear that all four teams were championship contenders. This year, we are unlikely to have more than one undefeated team at the end of the regular season. What is the reason for such a parody? Why have there not been several dominant teams like in years prior? These are the questions that pundits are searching for when they look at the overall scope of college football. In Miami University football head coach Chuck Martin’s midweek press conference, Martin is one of the first voices I have heard to hypothesize about the inconsistency of week-to-week performance across the sport. “In 2023, I had 27 seniors [on my roster],” Martin said. “They knew what to expect. Our kids are going through it for the first time, it’s completely different [from] week to week.” In previous seasons, roster continuity was much higher than it is in the NIL age. Players would play the same teams year in and out, with each team retaining a similar identity across multiple years. A quarter-
back would understand the opponents’ scheme after one or two years of exposure to it, and by the time they were upperclassmen, attack it with confidence. As Martin thinks, the lack of roster continuity and year-to-year identity shifts greatly impacts players’ proficiency with their opponents. This is one of the reasons why we see such fluctuation in team performance. “Its just why no one is playing consistent football,” Martin said. “We don’t have consistent rosters. We are [all] still trying to figure it out.” In a similar situation, the lack of returning players impacts familiarity with one’s own playbook. If players transfer schemes every year, their fluency in their new teams assignments is significantly diminished compared to a player who has studied the same plays for multiple seasons. “You don’t have all these guys that have been around and know your system,” Martin said. “You got 11-month teams, that’s how you organize them and how we are trying to do things.” In previous years, coaches like Nick Saban, Kirby Smart and Urban Meyer could stockpile talent, teach players their systems and retain high-level players. In the modern landscape, players sitting on the bench are more likely to transfer out for more playing time, rather than obtaining it through seniority after years on a team. The talent stockpiles have been diminished by the prospect of earning more money or screen time at other schools. These coffers of talent are more evenly distributed thanks to the ability to offer players money in exchange for their services. It does not solely rely on a coach’s recruiting ability, physical facilities or living conditions. This means that the playing field is more level than ever before among the Power Four conferences. To summarize Martin’s point of view, the majority of players are what we saw with the freshmen of this bygone era. They must develop, learn the playbook and be ready to compete at a starting level quicker than ever. The inconsistencies we expected from freshmen should be projected to this new transfer talent. Teams live in an 11-month window to compete for a national title. We can no longer project year-to-year success. The takeaway for college football fans is to enjoy the moments your team is good. Just like the NFL, the puzzling losses are not going away. As talent continues to disperse, we will see teams trying to get their footing up until playoff time arrives. Magical championship moments will still occur, however, the number of champions who dominate from wire to wire will be greatly diminished. Football fans will be presented with a choice in the near future: to celebrate the upset or grumble about the results that did not go their way. Wherever the uncertain future of the sport resides, it is clear that fans will need to adjust their mindset to reflect the times. meneghcj@miamioh.edu
DOUG GRIMES APPROACHES GOAL IN GAME AGAINST ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY. PHOTO BY LULU RUSTUM
ADELAIDE CHRISTENSEN THE MIAMI STUDENT
For many people, the love for sports starts at a young age. For Miami University men’s hockey senior captain Doug Grimes, that’s exactly where his journey began. He started skating at 3 years old when his dad brought him and his siblings to a rink for lessons. They were scared to go out on the ice, so their dad left them with the instructor and no other choice but to try. “We’re put in a position where we had to go out on the ice, and I brought a little crate out, and the second I stepped on the ice, [it was] just something I fell in love with right away,” Grimes said. The Massachusetts native recalled the excitement around getting to play games with his friends and teammates and said the sport brings out his most competitive side. Around the age of 8, Grimes knew that hockey was what he wanted to pursue. After the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his junior year of high school, Grimes decided to make the step up to the junior hockey level a year earlier than he had planned. In his first season, Grimes played 22 games with the Sioux City Musketeers in the United States Hockey League (USHL). Despite his early entry into the juniors, Grimes said it was beneficial and allowed him to better adjust to the more intense style of play. Grimes played three seasons in the USHL before turning to National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) hockey in 2023. He played his freshman and sophomore seasons with Boston University where he was a part of the team’s last two Frozen Four appearances. After his sophomore season, Grimes decided that he wanted to find a team where he could play a bigger role. “[When] we saw him in the [transfer] portal, it was a great opportunity for us to get a player that we really believed in, and we thought that there was a lot more untapped potential,” associate head coach Troy Thibodeau said. The team needed over 20 new players ahead of the 2025-26 season, allowing Grimes plenty of ice time at Miami. The RedHawks finished the 2024-25 season with a record of 3-28-3 overall. While the team looked to improve, Grimes saw it as an opportunity to help build the program back up once he joined the team. “He will do whatever it possibly takes to help our team accomplish its mission at all times,” head coach Anthony Noreen said. In his first season with Miami, he scored 18 points (10-8-18) in 34 games and was one of the top goal scorers for the RedHawks. But it isn’t just numbers that he contributes to the team. Because of his proven ability to be a leader on and off the ice, he was named team captain ahead of this season. “This year was kind of a no-brainer from our coaching staff that he was a leader,” Thibodeau said. There was no official captain for the team last season because of significant roster turnover, but Grimes
showed leadership immediately. He has an outgoing personality that helps the new players on the team feel comfortable, and he didn’t change his leadership style after putting the ‘C’ on his jersey. On the ice, he pushes his teammates to be their best while also giving it his all. He isn’t afraid to assert himself in a game. Grimes is not just a presence on the ice. Off the ice he offers his teammates support in any way he can. Just like any athlete, Grimes wants the best for his team. He is committed to making Miami hockey one of the most competitive NCAA hockey teams in the nation. Despite the team’s opening loss to the Northern Michigan University Wildcats, they bounced back to beat them 4-1 the next day. While Grimes doesn’t think the team played at 100% percent, he remains optimistic for the season ahead. Although the RedHawks have their full schedule ahead of them, Grimes is looking forward to the team’s games versus Stonehill College on Nov. 27-28. Not only are the games on a rink he played youth hockey on, but he gets to spend the weekend after Thanksgiving close to where he grew up. After this season, Grimes will not have any eligibility remaining in the NCAA but plans to continue playing hockey for as long as he can. “As long as I get the opportunity, I’ll probably be lacing the skates up,” Grimes said. chris216@miamioh.edu
Two decades of the Goggin Ice Center CONTINUED FROM FRONT “The building has generated its own popularity,” Geshan said. The Goggin Ice Center is some of the only ice in the area. This aspect in itself draws people to the building. Geshan says the success of the team and the success of the building go hand in hand. “The early years set a precedent of what Miami hockey is like,” Elliott said. The success of the team early on in the arena’s life kickstarted the reputation of the Miami RedHawks hockey team. Elliott said the first eight years were the best way to break in the new arena. Elliott’s favorite memory of Goggin was the two years the team made it to the Frozen Four, 2009 and 2010. The skating teams were doing really well around this time too, making the atmosphere of the whole building electric. During this time, Geshan said he recalls students camping outside the arena on Thursday nights in order to get the best seats in the student section before Friday games. They would line up down the whole sidewalk, toward the modern day Cleveland Clinic Health Sciences and Wellness building. Eventually, it got so cold the students were allowed to camp inside. They would fill the hallway in between the two sheets of ice. In the morning, the coach would bring cof-
MIAMI HOCKEY TEAM PRACTICES IN GOGGIN ICE CENTER. PHOTO BY ALEX AREHART
fee, hot chocolate and donuts for the students. When it comes to the synchronized skating programs, Elliott said the athletes get to feel like they are a part of something bigger. Goggin and its facilities allow them to be treated like Division I athletes. They get access to first-class facilities that not many skating programs can offer, along with academic support and the support of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. This has contributed to the success of the skating program. Hockey head coach Anthony Noreen said Goggin has a competitive advantage when it comes to recruiting. He said everyone that walks in the building walks out thinking it’s a special place. “I think we have everything you
need at this level to be competitive,” Noreen said. “There is a certain feel or aura that I think is unique to here.” Coach Noreen first came to Goggin in 2016. The next time he visited was for his interview for head coach in 2024. He said his impressions of the building were the same each time. “I think it encapsulates the campus, with the brick,” Noreen said. “It’s just the perfect size, perfect feel, perfect buildout for college hockey.” Looking forward to the next 20 years of Goggin, Elliott plans to keep it up to date, clean and a continued powerhouse for a variety of great programs. There isn’t one sole aspect that makes Goggin the way it is. The staff, the teams, the fans and the community all contribute to its success. fleisczm@miamioh.edu
CULTURE
8
The intrigue of schadenfreude: Shortform distraction COMMENTARY
CAITLIN HALEY
THE MIAMI STUDENT As I’ve been procrastinating midterms via doomscrolling, I keep happening upon this trend on TikTok in which creators will disclose their top five niche drama events to occur on the app. Now, one example of this makes sense, two sure, but one day I was scrolling and got 10 different videos of the same genre within an hour and a half. Why do we as a community on TikTok care so much about drama that has quite literally nothing to do with us? The German language has a word for this phenomenon of deriving joy from others’ misfortune or misery: Schadenfreude. In my very extensive research (a brief search on Google and Google Scholar), I can give several explanations, but I am going to focus on two. The first explanation is more natural: People love to feel important. Since the beginning of this century, reality television has been one of the most lucrative forms of entertainment and a seemingly easy way to rise to fame. Plenty of reality stars have since become celebrities independent from their initial point of recognition, such as Kelly Clarkson (“American Idol,” season one), Jojo Siwa (“Dance Moms,” season five) and Emma Stone (“In Search of the New Partridge Family”). These shows demonstrate every aspect of a highly competitive or stressful situation in a very personal manner, leading viewers to form highly parasocial relationships with the contestants, going so far as to refer to these figures with their first names on some shows such as “Love Island” or “Dancing with the Stars.” The tone and location of these TikTok dramas provide a similar effect, as the platform as a whole is thought of as a location of our peers. Ordinary people make up most of our feeds, not Hollywood celebrities. Between that and the actual physical location where these videos are recorded, such as the interiors of people’s houses, the interiors of their cars or while they are on their daily commute, it tricks the brain into believing that it is engaging in a one-on-one conversation rather than watching a post with hundreds of thousands of views.
My second explanation is exactly the reason I stumbled upon this topic at all: People inherently want to distract themselves from their own stressful lives. The majority of users on TikTok are between the ages of 18 and 34, which also happens to be the most notoriously stressed age demographic. Distractions like the outrageous claims by Kendra about her therapist or the not-so-mysterious disappearance of Chanty Beluga provide comfort to those with stressors much more realistic, like rent or what the future may hold. I myself went down the niche TikTok rabbit hole in a mission to distract myself from the impending doom that my midterm grade may or may not have on my GPA. Despite the more depressing side of why we put our attention towards the microcosms of community formed by online dramas, there is still purpose behind it. People can not live their lives in a state of constant stress and, despite its addictive traits, it truly does bring joy into people’s lives. Either way, the root of why we engage with these senseless stories shared by people who, consciously or unconsciously, crave a little bit of attention should not discourage you from doing so. But if it does, I implore you to go for a walk, read a book or watch your favorite rom-com to get that drama fix. haleyca2@miamioh.edu
About Caitlin Haley
Caitlin Haley is a first-year double majoring in political science and journalism with a minor in French. While part of the Miami Student, she is also active in both Women in Law and the Miami University Model United Nations as well as a flute player in the Miami University Marching Band.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026
The young adult novel you’ll never forget
GRAPHIC BY STELLA POWERS
COMMENTARY
AUGUST HUMPHREY THE MIAMI STUDENT
If you were born before the year 2000 or after the COVID-19 pandemic, the “orphaned girl who singlehandedly brings down a corrupt government” era of young adult novels probably passed you by without even bothering to introduce itself to you. If that’s the case, I’m honored to introduce to you (probably) one of the best series to come out of that era: “The Hunger Games.” I first read the books in the fifth grade, and I remember feeling so “cool” and “old” because I was allowed to read books that were “mature for my age.” Like almost any fifth-grade girl on the planet, I always imagined myself as Katniss and that I possessed the skills to do the same things that Katniss could… even when I should’ve been focusing on my actual academics. Charlotte Murphy, a junior anthropology major, said that she loved the prequel “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” so much that she went to see it in theaters roughly five separate times so that she could continue to experience the film with several friends. But Murphy isn’t the only one with a strong connection to the franchise. “Some of my favorite memories with my mom have come from that series,” said junior economics major Aiden Albanese. He said he first fell
Books that make you shiver COMMENTARY
REN CHAFFEE
ASST. CULTURE EDITOR Everyone has a different definition of what is deemed scary or unsettling, but for me, these books undeniably left me on edge. Contrary to popular belief, I find that words can be just as impactful as visual horror. This list of books is meant to lean into the scary side of fall. ‘Carrie’ — Stephen King While most people know “Carrie,” I think more people have seen the movie and television adaptations than have read the book. While I do enjoy these versions, the book is definitely worth the read. It was first published in 1974, and it really hones in on the subgenre and is a blueprint for a “supernatural outcast.” To me, the horror isn’t in the blood. It’s the experiences that push Carrie to her breaking point over the years. Throughout reading “Carrie,” I felt like I was living these experiences alongside her. Every insult and nag from another teen or her mom flew right off the page and aimed directly at my heart. ‘Bird Box’ — Josh Malerman Continuing this list is another book well-known for its movie adaptation. “Bird Box” is an extremely engrossing read. What makes the book stand out from the movie is that you can’t experience the movie without sight like the characters had to do to survive. The book puts you in a first-person perspective, giving you the full sensory experience of navigating the situation blindly. The book contains a multitude of scenes where you can’t imagine putting it down without reading what happens next. It is very fast-paced, which makes it easy to read in a short period of time. Personally, I liked it better than the movie, and I found that the writing kept me engaged the whole time. ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ — Charlotte Perkins Gilman If you are looking for a low-commitment read, this one is for you.
“The Yellow Wallpaper” is a short story considered a psychological horror narrative with a feminist critique. The story follows an internal descent into madness when a woman experiencing postpartum depression is locked in a room with yellow wallpaper by her husband, who is a doctor. In an excerpt, Gilman speaks about how “The Yellow Wallpaper” was semi-autobiographical and was written after a doctor gave her the same treatment as her protagonist: isolation. ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ — Shirley Jackson “The Haunting of Hill House” is a gothic horror novel from 1959. It is regarded as one of the best haunted house stories ever told and now has a Netflix adaptation. The story follows Eleanor, a girl with a deep desire for belonging, as she and three other “seekers” stay at a house known for being haunted and alive. The book draws on ambiguity between Eleanor’s own deteriorating mental illness and the paranormal and sentient actions in the house. What I find so interesting about this story is that the house itself is treated as a source of sentient evil. The ending of the story is vague, leaving the readers to theorize about the ending, which may put some off this book. Despite the unclear ending, I found the concepts of the book as a whole to stick with me for a long time, and I consider it a worthwhile read. ‘Come Closer’ — Sara Gran To end this list, a book that truly creeped me out. As a note, it’s been a while since I’ve read this book, so maybe I’ve matured beyond being scared by this kind of content. However, I can still vividly remember the unsettling feeling I had throughout reading this novel. This is a decently short read, with the original edition being 168 pages. Within this short span of pages, Gran tells a compelling story of a woman’s gradual descent into a demonic possession. Throughout her possession, Amanda, the main char-
acter, loses her bodily autonomy. It starts with small things: newfound kleptomaniac tendencies, urges of violence and horrendous emails she doesn’t remember sending to her boss. From there, it just gets worse. The execution Gran gives the readers of the bewilderment Amanda feels at the early signs of possession is unmatched. She takes you through every stage of fear, anxiety and hopelessness. If you are looking for a reason to sleep with the lights on this fall, hopefully one of these books fulfills that. chaffele@miamioh.edu
About Ren Chaffee
Ren Chaffee is a sophomore strategic communication major with a minor in rhetoric/writing and has a passion for writing and music. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, spending time in nature and hanging out with her dog.
in love with the series as a kid during a sleepover. This series is complex and thought out, but if you’ve never seen it, the most basic way I would describe it is this: children are forcibly chosen to be on a televised death show, where one winner will be gifted the riches they’ve only been able to dream of. Now truthfully, I was introduced to this series way earlier than I should have — like 12 years too early — but trust me when I say I could talk about all of the symbolism and hidden meanings scattered throughout for hours. However, I’m not the only one who feels that way. “The message is authentic but also surreal. I’ve even seen people take the song [‘The Hanging Tree’] and put a modern politics spin on it. And considering the dystopian fiction that it is, I was surprised at the connection with our society,” firstyear nutrition major Sophie Hudak said. And that’s true. I don’t remember the exact title of the text, but in an English class I took, I remember reading something about how there is no story that’s completely original. Every story that exists is created through a multitude of experiences and feelings (such as hopes, dreams, fears, current events and past ones) combined into one. Using made-up worlds and characters can better help us understand the reality we’re living in. Similarly, Olivia Frampton, a sophomore media and communication major, said she loves the se-
ries but worries that “The Hunger Games” is becoming niche. “I feel like not a lot of my friends know about ‘The Hunger Games,’ and that makes me sad because I feel like it is a really entertaining and important series — especially in the times that we are living now,” Frampton said. Literature has an undeniable effect on how we view and understand the world. How will you connect the pieces you’ve read to the things you’ve yet to experience? humphrdk@miamioh.edu
About August Humphrey
August Humphrey is a firstyear undecided student at Miami, minoring in German. When she’s not studying, you’ll most likely find her at home in bed with her cat.
Five cute couples’ costumes for you and your boo COMMENTARY
ELISE HANNA
DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR As we get older, the scariest part about Halloween becomes not having an original costume. Imagine spending all that time and money just to match with everyone else at the party. This is only made worse when you have two people to dress up. That’s double the shopping, double the planning, and admittedly, double the cute couples photos. Luckily for you, dear reader, I have compiled some of my favorite couple’s costumes that I haven’t seen everywhere. WALL-E and Eve — ‘WALL-E’ I’ve seen this done before, and every time, it’s been adorable. For Eve, just wear white, add a string of Christmas lights (you’re going to have to drag the box of decorations out soon anyway), and some fun futuristic glasses. WALL-E’s outfit is easily thriftable as well, with corduroy overalls and a striped or grey long-sleeve. Add some accessories, including the iconic flower, and rub some dirt-colored makeup on your WALL-E. Mavis and Jonathan — ‘Hotel Transylvania’ Picking costumes for gingers is always a challenge, so you might as well lean into it (I say this with love, shoutout to my own ginger boyfriend). Mavis and Jonathan from “Hotel Transylvania” are one of my personal favorite couples’ costumes I’ve seen. Once again, this ensemble can be assembled with a quick thrift trip. For Mavis, get a cute black dress or skirt, and apply a dramatic black lipstick. For Jonathan, get the iconic khaki shorts and a bright yellow shirt. Kermit and Miss Piggy — ‘The Muppets’ While they are perhaps the least toxic couple on the list, they certainly are the most stylish. Simply get your Kermit in a green sweater, and let Miss Piggy go ham (pun intended) with their outfit. The more glam, the better.
To really drive home the costume, DIY headbands with pig ears and the iconic Kermit eyes, and you’re all set. Gomez and Morticia — ‘The Addams Family’ The timeless “Addams Family” lovers have been a couples’ costume since its release. The most important requirement for this one is that you have to pick your partner carefully. If you’re not head over heels for this person, the costume just comes off as performative. Get a pinstripe suit for Gomez and an extravagant gown for Morticia. Sprinkle in genuine adoration for your lover, and you’ve got the costume. Carl and Ellie — ‘Up’ This is another one that works best if you love the person you’re dressing up with. Carl and Ellie from the Pixar movie “Up” can be done with clothes from your closet: jeans and a sweater vest. For some extra cute touches, get some paint on your hands and wear aviator hats. Glue a grape soda bottle cap to a safety pin to really drive the point home. Adventure is out there, and have a happy Halloween. hannaer@miamioh.ed
About Elise Hanna
Elise Hanna is the Digital Media editor and a sophomore strategic communication major. Alongside writing, she is involved in Kappa Alpha Pi, a resident assistant and enjoys the Detroit Lions, the Muppets and learning about the Watergate scandal.
CULTURE
9 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026
Mike Flanagan’s ‘Carrie’ puts a twist on the classic story COMMENTARY
STELLA POWERS CULTURE EDITOR
If I had to pick my favorite horror story of all time, it’d probably be Stephen King’s “Carrie.” I love how the real horror in the story isn’t the gore. Instead, it’s how genuinely cruel people can be, pushing a young girl to her breaking point and causing mass destruction. When I first heard about Mike Flanagan’s TV adaptation of “Carrie,” I was excited, but a bit hesitant. The teasers showed that the series would take a more modern approach to the original story, which made me nervous, but Flanagan was able to tell this story through a modern lens without compromising its integrity. This adaptation stars Summer H. Howell as the titular character Carrie White, Samantha Sloyan as Margaret White and even features Matthew Lillard as the school principal.
Howell embodies the role of Carrie perfectly. She makes her endearing and showcases her kind heart and curiosity. She’s not the same Carrie we know from before, which makes the story even more interesting. Flanagan portrays Carrie as an inquisitive, kind, open young girl, eager to learn and experience the world. She’s been sheltered for her entire life, so when she gets the opportunity to attend school, she takes full advantage of that, even if her mother doesn’t approve. Carrie also possesses telekinetic abilities that she can’t quite control, often causing something to happen as a result of emotion. The show also introduces a new character, Emaline, as a friend for Carrie, something that’s lacking in many other adaptations. Emaline helps Carrie navigate her powers and learn to use them. In this version, Carrie has been homeschooled her entire life, and her mother, Margaret, was a stayat-home mom. However, during her
sophomore year, her father tragically passes away in an accident. In order to maintain custody of her daughter, Margaret has to go to work, and Carrie is forced to attend school. This world is entirely new to Carrie, who isn’t used to the socialization or way of life. She’s excited about it, though, which adds a new layer to the story. Chris Hargensen and Sue Snell seem to take her under their wing, though Chris’ intentions are far from pure. They start inviting her to things, and Chris makes sure that everyone knows not to mess with “her girl.” In this iteration, Chris is given more of a backstory. While it far from justifies her actions, it helps clue the audience into why she is the way she is. But Flanagan somehow made her even more cruel than in previous adaptations, and the consequences she and others face for these actions are very real. The bullying shown in “Carrie” takes a new form in this version, incorporating social media and a page
made to target Carrie and harass others. It becomes the talk of the school, and this series shows how truly dangerous social media and bullying can really be. My favorite detail about this adaptation is the title card. It’s a small, seemingly meaningless thing; however, the title card starts white and grows increasingly darker until it finally turns blood red for the famous prom night events. Flanagan chose to end his series differently than any other adaptation of the story, too, which left me shocked — but you’ll have to watch to find out. If you’re a fan of any other adaptation of “Carrie,” or just looking for a spooky watch this October, I cannot recommend this show enough. Rating: 9/10 powers40@miamioh.edu
About Stella Powers
Stella Powers is a senior journalism and media and communication major from Wooster, Ohio. Powers is the Culture editor for The Student and former editor-in-chief of The Miami Student Magazine. Outside of TMS, she enjoys film, television and theater.
Takeaways from all the fashion weeks COMMENTARY
KISER YOUNG
SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR You should be wearing more clothes, but we should just see less of them… If you’ve been following the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) calendar, then you’ve likely noticed the busy past couple of weeks. From September through October, there are hundreds of designers debuting presentations and runway shows across the globe, or, more honestly, the traditional fashion capitals of the Western world. In New York, London, Milan and Paris, models gallivant across elaborate sets and streetways, for both upcoming and legacy fashion houses alike. But with so many seasonal collections, it gets hard to sort through all the noise. Fashion does have a history of being inaccessible due to the often exorbitant price of garments, but trends and creative ideas for how to play with clothes emerge and can find their way into your own personal wardrobe. So far, the most eye-catching and coveted spring 2027 ready-to-wear looks have all circled a few recurring vibes and elements. Lightweight and layered sheer Eckhaus Latta was a shining example of this trend, with several of their looks layering featherweight tanks over solid colored tees to create a tangible color mixing that feels simply clever. At Loewe, the beauty of sheer became captivating as models walked down in see-through dresses and skirts made out of candy-striped knitted glass beads. For Dior, Jonathan Anderson reinterpreted structured archival designs into lightweight designs that danced in the breeze. Fringed bags bounced off shoulders and long earrings of fabric drifted behind models in their see-through tops and button-ups. Designers pursuing this airy fanta-
sy have inspired me to look for lightweight garments made out of mesh or, during a lucky thrift trip, silk or chiffon. The biggest takeaway from this runway trend, however, comes from the layering of these sheer clothes to create colors with more dimension, and silhouettes that highlight the body, not just the outfit. Melted/weighed down silhouettes Instead of fixating on what materials made clothes lighter, some designers made collections focused on creating garments that slipped off the body or looked heavy. The most interesting show with their spin on this trend was by far Diesel, and the silhouettes that melted down the bodies of models. Shredded blouses and dresses were barely held together, creating the iconic, cheeky appeal associated with the brand. While not necessarily heavy, garments barely clung to hips and shoulders, revealing sweat-kissed skin and floral cutouts that couldn’t be interpreted as anything less than chic and sexy. For Margiela, the second, older house creatively directed by Glenn Martens, the same director for Diesel. Showcased slouchy collars and other designs with draped necklines. The clothes of the older house were literally heavier. Martens’ attempt at reinvigorating this idea fell flat and became muddled in the codes of the more iconic house. Looks in this collection highlighted draping that exposed chests and slipped off shoulders into classic Margiela silhouettes. While not revolutionary, these designs played with the idea of hard and soft, and emphasized how the gathering of fabric can highlight certain areas of the body. At Courrèges, models pranced down the runway in vibrant colors and undone belts that almost looked as if models weren’t ready yet. But I think it would be an overgeneralization to say that the show focused on the “heavy” trend. Several looks featured thick buttoned jackets and
STUDENTS CELEBRATE THE MOST RECENT EDITION OF UP, MIAMI’S FASHION MAGAZINE. PHOTO PROVIDED BY KISER YOUNG
gumdrop-shaped hats that looked as if they sat in the sun for a little while too long. This runway trend has inspired me to question the value of the things in my wardrobe, and put on the pieces hidden in the corners of my closet with stretched collars and ripped hems. After all, there is something captivating about the worn-in look. Embellishments and pins Some of the most visually stimulating designs this season have been from brands showcasing clothes saturated in embellishments and pendants. It is customary to see jewels and other motifs symbolic of the show house pinned and sewed into looks. Designers such as Julian Klaunser ran with this idea and stole the spot as my favorite show of the season. Klausner elevated the growing trend of sheer layered skirts by sending looks down the runway dripping with charms, pins and ribbons, creating a mosaic of movement. The star of the Dries Van Noten show came in silhouettes cinched at the waist by thick colorful brooches, literally pulling everything together. Prada, a house legendary for
their minimalist designs and often dull palettes, hosted a ready-to-wear show that was anything but that. Tiny tops and bras clung to chests in bright patterns. Leather jackets were either spray-painted or hydro-dipped in loud shades of tacky yellows and pinks. Finally, skirts, the prized garment of Miuccia Prada, were seen sheer and layered over one another, as well as beautifully constructed out of crystal flowers. There was no fabric, no base layer, nothing to cling on to. Just entire skirts structured out of these clusters of flowers that reflected light and ended around the knee. Finally, to conclude my favorite trend of the season, Jean Paul Gaultier adorned light silver bells on many of the looks in its collection. Before they were seen, they were heard. A playful sound chimed down the runway as Duran Lantink’s designs rang and sparkled from the stylish little noise makers. The biggest takeaway from this trend and fashion in general is that the most stylish and eye-catching clothes are the ones that showcase individual flair and uniqueness. Fashion is an art form, and what better way to be an
artist than to play with your clothes. youngk20@miamioh.edu
About Kiser Young
Kiser Young is senior strategic communication and journalism student from Dayton, Ohio. He serves as the social media editor for TMS and one of the fashion directors for UP Magazine. In his free time he enjoys watching music and fashion videos and shows, and hopes to creatively direct in the future.
Pixar’s ‘Cars’ hits its 20th lap
GRAPHIC BY REN CHAFFEE
COMMENTARY
CASEY BERTCH
THE MIAMI STUDENT Twenty years ago, Lightning McQueen first sped onto our screens in Pixar’s hit movie, “Cars.” Two decades later, the film still resonates with audiences while finding fans among a new generation. Despite releasing in 2006, development started in 1998 just after Pixar had finished “A Bug’s Life.” According to independent researcher Anuj Shah, Jørgen Klubien, an artist at Pixar who had worked on “A Bug’s Life,” pitched an idea about an elec-
tric car to “Toy Story” director John Lasseter. Lasseter liked the idea, but because Disney was pushing Pixar to make a theatrical sequel to “Toy Story,” Klubien’s idea was shelved. As the years went by, Pixar released several hit movies including “Monsters’ Inc.,” “Finding Nemo” and “The Incredibles.” But the idea behind “Cars” still lingered in Lasseter’s mind. The Official Route 66 Website says that sometime in 2001, Lasseter took his family on a cross-country road trip and became enamored with the history of Route 66 and what happened to the towns time forgot. From that point on, development
for “Cars” shifted to top gear. Unfortunately, in 2005, a year before the movie was released, Joe Ranft, the co-director of the film, died in a tragic car accident. The film would later be dedicated in his honor. On June 9, 2006, “Cars” was finally released in theaters and was a massive box office success. According to The Numbers, “Cars” made $60 million in its opening weekend and went on to gross $480 million worldwide. “Cars” features hotshot, rookie racecar Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) as he attempts to win the fabled Piston Cup, based on the real-life NASCAR Cup. He races
against Piston Cup legend Strip “The King” Weathers (voiced by “the King” of NASCAR, Richard Petty) and hot-headed Chick Hicks (voiced by Michael Keaton). Fun fact: The King is modeled after the real-world racecar that was effectively banned in NASCAR for being too fast — the 1970 Plymouth Superbird, which Richard Petty famously drove. McQueen slowly learns to appreciate life in the slow lane after being forced to pump the brakes on his racing career. McQueen befriends the residents of a long-forgotten town called Radiator Springs, located on Route 66, the original American highway. He meets several characters, including Tow Mater (voiced by Larry the Cable Guy), Sally (voiced by Bonnie Hunt) and Doc Hudson (voiced by Paul Newman). Paul Newman actually had some racing experience of his own. He raced in the Sports Car Club of America and won several championships. Later on, he would even co-found his own racing team called Newman/ Haas Racing, which received several awards in open-wheel racing. At its core, “Cars” is a feel-good racing movie with a pretty straightforward storyline, which makes it easy for kids to follow along. Along with that, it teaches a heartwarming lesson about taking things slow and not focusing solely on winning. Beyond the original film, “Cars” expanded into two sequels, two spin-offs, four television shows and several short films. The Los Angeles Times reported that “Cars” generated
around $10 billion in merchandise sales only five years after its release. Lightning McQueen has become a household name in the years since its release, with toys bringing Radiator Springs into the homes of millions. The sequels took the franchise down different roads, but the original remains a comfort watch for families around the world. Streaming keeps the franchise fueled up 20 years later for the younger generation. After two decades of success, “Cars” shows it does not need a pit stop anytime soon. One day down the road, I hope to be able to show my kids “Cars” and watch them fall in love with Radiator Springs just like I did. bertscca@miamioh.edu
About Casey Bertch
Casey Bertsch is a first-year public administration major. In his free time, he enjoys reading comics, watching NASCAR, watching movies and playing golf.
OPINION
10
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026
Journalism is important to As a biochemistry democracy: Let’s act like it major, I hate using AI in my classes
FRED REEDER SPEAKS IN JOURNALISM CLASS ABOUT STORY STRUCTURES FOR A FUTURE ASSIGNMENT. PHOTO BY SEAN MCGLYNN
AVA DISALLE
THE MIAMI STUDENT As a first-year journalism student, I selected my major with a passion for understanding the world around me and a goal to learn how I can make a positive impact on the world. Growing up, my parents encouraged early literacy, which influenced my interest in the field. With three siblings, there was always someone learning to read or someone wanting to be read to. I have fond memories of reading books with my siblings, and we often went to the library or bookstore. In high school, I explored careers in writing and fell in love with journalism. I really enjoyed my writing assignments and the novels I was required to read. Something about relating a contemporary trend to a 200-year-old book is absolutely fascinating. Analyzing the layers of these novels spread my interest to everyday articles and media. I consume news on a daily basis. Whether it be about current political conventions or the latest fashion, being up to date with today’s news has made me more interested in the world around me. In my journalism 101 class, we have discussed the importance of journalism within today’s democracy and how it influences people and events around the world. Moreover, we’ve focused specifically on how the industry upholds and protects democracy. U.S. citizens live in a society where positions of power are up to us. We decide how to vote and put officials into their positions. But who keeps those people accountable? Who will call out their flaws? Who will give justice to the citizens who voted for people they
trusted? Journalists do. Before elections take place, voters should enlighten themselves about the candidates. Where do voters get their research and knowledge? According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, 62% of adults say they get most of their political and election news from journalists and news organizations. The general public is responsible for being educated, but journalists give them the resources to become educated. Claire Foley, a first-year political science student, said the news keeps her informed. “The news is important to me because it keeps me aware of my environment and has the ability to change the mood of my day, depending on how ‘intense’ it is,” Foley said. The issues of today’s world are complex. As the next generation of young adults, it is important to be aware of these issues before it’s too late. Being proactive, rather than reactive, allows citizens to properly analyze these issues. The way America responds to modern-day complexities is important. Those who feel strongly have every right to speak up; those who don’t feel strongly have every right to stay quiet or respond in their own way. No matter where you stand, journalists fuel the outreach and publicity these issues get. According to an article by Gallup News, trust in the media is at a new low. Only about 28% of news consumers fully trust reporters. Across all parties, the number has fluctuated significantly within the past five years. Journalism is essential for our democracy to function, and it’s often overlooked. Ideas about the importance of print media are changing,
A duty to vote
A PERSON DRESSED AS A BILL DURING THE 2023 ELECTIONS. PHOTO BY THE MIAMI STUDENT
CHRISTIAN POPPELL THE MIAMI STUDENT
After the Constitutional Convention in 1787, when Benjamin Franklin was asked if we had a republic or a monarchy, he responded: “A republic, if you can keep it.” Franklin and the rest of our Founding Fathers knew something that few did: They could create a government, but not guarantee it. The flag of republican self-governance has been raised through the blood of patriots and the defeat of tyrants. It is now in the hands of the people to keep the flag of democracy aloft; it is once again time for us to carry out our civic duty and vote on Nov. 3. Despite the importance of midterm elections, which decide the balance of power in Congress, they receive much less attention than the presidential election. The branch responsible for passing laws, declaring war and raising or lowering taxes is all too often treated as unimportant by a majority of the public. In the 2024 presidential election, about 64% of eligible voters went to the polls, according to data from the University of Florida. However, in the 2022 midterms, only 46% of eligible voters cast a ballot, according to the
Pew Research Center. Think about what that means: A majority of the public surrendered their right to elect their representatives. Single votes rarely decide an election, but close races are often decided by a handful of people in each community who did or didn’t show up. In 2017, a race for Virginia’s House of Delegates ended in an exact tie. After a recount and legal battle, the winner’s name was picked out of a bowl. In 2020, the election for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina was decided by 401 votes out of nearly 5.4 million total. In Ohio, we have multiple close races: the Senate, the gubernatorial race and Ohio’s 7th, 9th and 1st Congressional Districts. All these races might be decided by a few thousand votes. The most common reason people give for not voting is that their vote “doesn’t matter.” It is an understandable feeling, but it comes from a fundamental misunderstanding of how democracy works. Decisions are made by those who show up, and refusing to show up doesn’t remove the influence of politics on your life; it only removes your voice from politics. Voting is a debt we owe to those who fought, bled and died for the
and careers in journalism are adapting to the adjustments within the industry because of artificial intelligence and other modern technologies. Engaging in the work of journalists will ensure trustworthy news that will educate you as a citizen. News is easy to access because it is all around us. Whether it be a simple TikTok or Instagram reel we scroll past, or a text from your mom, news matters. Absorbing news each day helps us to be aware and gives us the fuel to be proactive today, not reactive tomorrow. Everyone needs to consume news somehow. People always get their information from a source. But what source? Journalists. Let’s keep it that way. disalla2@miamioh.edu
About Ava DiSalle
GRAPHIC BY ELENA COX
MAISY JOHNSON
THE MIAMI STUDENT
Ava DiSalle is a first-year student studying journalism. She writes for Opinion, Humor and hopes to expand to other sections. She is also a staff and blog writer at UP Magazine.
right to enfranchisement. Women marched for decades to win the right to vote. Black Americans fought for centuries through discrimination, lynchings and the Jim Crow era to earn the right to vote. Since the colonies fought for independence, Americans in uniform have given the last full measure of devotion for the most fundamental, yet rare, right: the power to elect our leaders. By willingly forfeiting your right to vote, you do a disservice to everyone who has fought and died for our country. Franklin’s warning was not about foreign enemies: It was about us. A republic rarely falls suddenly; it slowly dies as the people decide to willingly surrender their right to vote. When we decide that the republic is no longer worth keeping, we will lose it. So make a plan. Confirm that you’re registered to vote and verify your polling place with your county board of elections. Look up who is on your ballot, all the way down to the local races. Vote early, if possible, or put Nov. 3 on your calendar and vote in person (Ohio’s polls close at 7:30 p.m.). The founders gave us a republic. Whether we keep it comes down to one thing: whether you vote. poppelcl@miamioh.edu
About Christian Poppell
Christian Poppell is a sophomore majoring in political science with minors in religious studies and international studies. He is a writer for the Opinion section of The Miami Student and a member of the Miami University Debate Team.
Across campus, 13 departments are starting to implement artificial intelligence (AI) into their curricula, ranging from chemistry to electrical and computer engineering, all the way to art, including the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, of which I am a member. Before coming to Miami University, I had little experience with AI. The high school I went to had a strict no-AI policy, so I had little exposure to the innovative technology that was taking the world by storm. When I got to college, I was honestly shocked at how frequently AI was used in classrooms, as some professors encouraged it. After being exposed to AI in multiple different ways over the past few weeks, I’ve come to realize that I do not like it. Don’t get me wrong; in some cases, it can be an amazing tool. In my chemistry class, my professor developed an AI chatbot that can walk students step-by-step through chemistry problems, helping them better understand the processes behind different problems. I find this use of AI to be immensely helpful. I’ve used it multiple times to help me work through difficult homework problems, which has vastly improved my overall understanding. All I have to do is type the question I’m struggling with into the search bar, and it breaks it down into simple steps. I have even used the chatbot to help me study for exams by asking it to generate practice questions. I have found this to be an extremely beneficial use of AI because it has helped me learn and grow rather than doing work for me. So far, it appears as though I’m an avid supporter of AI, but let me shift the attention to the other types of AI in my courses that I actually cannot deal with. One of my biggest grievances with AI is that it takes the learning out of educational assignments. In my biology class, my professor allows us to use AI to complete homework. The homework is typically a single question based on concepts directly discussed in the lecture. If a student uses AI to answer the question, how can the professor tell that their students are actually learning and paying attention during lecture? What is the point of having homework? What’s the point of going to class in the first place if there is nothing keeping students accountable? It seems absurd to me that professors, who have dedicated their whole lives to teaching others, would assign homework and allow students to use AI to do the work for them. It completely contradicts the entire point of homework. My chemistry homework is assigned on a platform called Stemble and consists of a mix of multiple-choice and written response
questions. Here’s the kicker: The written response questions are graded by AI. It’s the most annoying thing ever. In order to get full credit for the questions, the answer has to include every single bit of information the AI is looking for. If you don’t state everything in a specific way, it won’t give you credit. Let’s say it presented an image of three donuts and asked: “Which donuts have sprinkles?” If you answered, “The second donut because it has small and colorful sugar crystals,” it would only give you half credit. What you should have responded with was, “The second donut because it has small and colorful sugar crystals, which are known as sprinkles. The first and third donuts don’t have colorful sugar crystals on them, so they don’t have sprinkles.” Not only is the AI incredibly picky, but it also requires your answers to include information that was never asked for in the first place. Most of the time, if I spend 10 minutes on a problem, two minutes of it are spent actually thinking through the problem, and the other eight minutes are spent trying to alter my answer to fit the AI’s requirements, even though I had the correct answer from the start. It infuriates me that I spend more time altering my explanations to fit the AI’s requirements when I could be spending time doing more practice and actually improving my understanding of the topic. AI, when used right, can be an extremely helpful tool. I’ve had many positive experiences with it and think it’s beneficial to supplement learning. However, it shouldn’t be allowed on homework or to grade students’ work because it takes away from the learning process and can actually cause more harm than good. john2305@miamioh.edu
About Maisy Johnson
Maisy Johnson is a first-year student studying biochemistry. She is a writer for The Miami Student and is involved in the Miami Chemical Society, as well as the clubs Girl Gains and Healthy Celebrations.
OPINION
11 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026
A college education is expensive: The elevators should be more reliable
The problem isn’t what women wear at the gym
GRAPHIC BY CAITLIN WONG
IVY KLEINMAN
WHITNEY WILSON-HARRIS WAITS FOR THE ELEVATOR IN THE ARMSTRONG STUDENT CENTER. PHOTO BY ELISA ROSENTHAL
WHITNEY WILSON-HARRIS
STAFF WRITER As I rounded a corner in Upham Hall, I knew I wasn’t making it to my pre-calculus class. Where the call buttons for the elevator normally were, there was a piece of paper. On that piece of paper were three words: “OUT OF ORDER.” Usually, those three words would have people turning around and heading for the stairs. I turned around and headed back out of the entrance to the building, down the sidewalk and to my dorm. I cannot take the stairs. I use a wheelchair for mobility around the campus, and seeing an “out of order” sign on an elevator means I have no way to get to where I need to be — in this case, my pre-calculus class. The elevator in Upham has been known to be unreliable in the past. This semester, it is the worst it has ever been. There are two elevators in Upham, one on the south end of the building and one on the north end. Usually, it is the south elevator that goes out, but this time, it has been the one on the north end. Because the south elevator is older and less modernized, it cannot handle extra use, and as a result, it goes down anytime it is used more than usual. When I arrived to see a sign on the north elevator, I walked around the building to the south entrance, and sure enough, while it was still functional at that point, that elevator was acting up too. I couldn’t take the chance of being stuck on an upper floor without a way down (aside from having to call the fire department), so I had no choice
but to go back to my dorm. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires facilities to maintain elevators and repair them within a “reasonable” amount of time. While a brief outage for maintenance is permissible, a prolonged outage, or one that happens repeatedly, may be a violation. The next week, I arrived at Upham again. I was pleased to see there was no “out of order” sign on the call button panel this time. That excitement, however, was short-lived. I pressed the button to go up and waited. After a couple of minutes, the elevator still hadn’t arrived. This wasn’t unusual; it can take a while for it to come. However, a few seconds later, the button went out, but the elevator door didn’t open. I pressed the button again, and it immediately went out. Once again, I turned around, exited the building and went back to my dorm. Strike three for missing pre-calculus class. I am not saying that Miami University is violating the ADA. Every time it has been reported that the elevator(s) are out, Physical Facilities has responded promptly. Then the elevator would stay fixed for roughly 24 hours before it would go out again. A college education is expensive enough as it is. Being in college when you’re disabled is no easy feat. I shouldn’t have to miss class repeatedly over a broken elevator, and my family should not have to assist me in paying tuition for the same to take place. So far, the elevator has stayed functional, and I have made it to all of
Let’s be literate: The importance of reading and appreciating poetry
GRAPHIC BY CIANNA FERRANTE
ISABELLA SEGER
THE MIAMI STUDENT Anyone who is close enough to me knows how much I admire words and writing. Whether that be searching through books, writing essays or reading articles about topics that interest me, I am always looking for ways to grow and learn.
One thing I am passionate about is poetry. I love to read, write and share it with those around me. However, through sharing pieces I have written, there is one common theme I have noticed: Most people don’t like poetry. Now, this isn’t to say no one likes poetry. Obviously, somebody has to
the recent sessions of my pre-calculus class. However, I know not to get my hopes up just yet. Strangely, even with all the other problems in that building, the elevator in the now torn-down Williams Hall never let me down once. Unfortunately, when going to close out the tab after drafting this story, I found an email from my professor saying the elevator is out again. wilso724@miamioh.edu
About Whitney Wilson-Harris
Whitney Wilson-Harris is a 4+1 student with a journalism undergraduate major and a public health graduate major with a health behavior concentration. She is also in the Child Life Certificate program. She started on the Design team and moved to Opinion as she began writing more articles.
like it, or it wouldn’t still exist. However, this theme of dislike around poetry ties into the current literary crisis in America. According to a 2024 study by the National Literacy Institute, 21% of adults in America are illiterate. For comparison, in 1979, that number was 0.4%. If this number scares you, then good. It scares me. As a writer of not only articles but also poetry, I write in fear at times. The love of literature is dying, and with it, the art of writing. The literary crisis stems from a lack of interest in reading for fun, leading to people being disinterested in reading poetry and books all together. You might remember falling asleep in English class when your teacher made you read a poem you couldn’t interpret. That may have tainted your view of poetry. Truthfully, the real reasons lie a little deeper. One reason people typically dislike poetry is that it intimidates them. While it may be hard to imagine why people feel this way, the truth is that words should intimidate you. Words are the most powerful weapons a human can use. They can be used for good and for bad. Not only that, but writers have the power to create entire universes with simply a pen and paper — or, in modern times, a laptop. So, yes, it sounds silly to say poetry is intimidating, but it is. I like to view poetry as a puzzle. The words may not always blend cohesively, and it may take a bit longer to piece together. But when that final puzzle piece clicks into place and everything
PHOTO EDITOR I was mid-workout at the Recreation Center with my roommate, locked into my usual back and bicep routine, wearing a matching workout set I picked with the intention of looking good, feeling good and lifting well. Walking to my next exercise, I caught a glimpse of a familiar color on a stranger’s phone screen; it was the color of my set, zoomed in on my butt. A man had taken my picture without me knowing, and I only found out because he wasn’t even trying to hide it. Friends have told me versions of this same story: A phone angled a little too intentionally, a stare held a little too long. According to a Sport England study, 78% of women ages 16 to 34 have experienced nonverbal harassment at the gym: staring that goes on too long, someone lingering nearby, a man who seems to follow from machine to machine without ever saying a word. The same study found that only 45% of women in that age group believe gyms are as safe and welcoming for them as they are for men. What happened to me at the Rec isn’t rare. It’s the norm disguised as an isolated incident. Getting ready for the gym shouldn’t mean strategizing which body parts to cover so no one has an excuse to stare. But that’s exactly what it’s become. When I do preacher curls, my roommate stands in front of me so no one can stare at my chest while I lift. That’s not exactly motivating me to keep showing up. The easy and frequently used response to this issue is to tell women to cover up, dress differently or just go somewhere else. But that’s backward. According to student reporting from the University of Michigan’s Michigan Daily, some campus gyms enforce dress codes almost aimed entirely at regulating women’s bodies. Female students are told to put a shirt on over a sports bra while men work out in cutoff tanks that expose just as much skin, or more. The message underneath both situations is the same: Women’s bodies are treated as the problem to be managed, not men’s behavior.
starts to make sense, that is when the true power of poetry is revealed to readers. People also dislike poetry simply because it doesn’t make sense to them. That is the beauty of poetry. The meaning may not click the first time you read a poem, but the more you practice and train your brain to want to put those puzzle pieces together, the more you will find yourself enjoying and valuing good writing. That lack of understanding can stem from the inability to concentrate on a piece of writing. With technology such as phones, TVs and computers, we are so used to instant gratification at the click of a button. When someone is asked to read something, they lose interest far too quickly if it takes longer than expected. This lack of concentration due to increasing use of technology can also link back to the causes of the literary crisis. The most important reason as to why you should care about writing and poetry is that it can connect us to our deepest emotions. Sometimes these may be suppressed feelings about past experiences, traumas we have left buried and unaddressed or our most vulnerable experiences that we are scared to face. It may be scary to come faceto-face with those insecurities and emotions, but how are we supposed to grow and learn if we do not assess and move past these experiences? So I challenge you: Move past those sleepy memories from your high school English class. Find something that interests you. There are so many options; it doesn’t have to be
Telling me to wear something looser wouldn’t have stopped a stranger from deciding my body was his to zoom in on. The clothes were never the issue. The answer isn’t a women-only hour at the Rec or a strict dress code. I don’t want a reason to second-guess what I wear before I work out. I want to walk into a gym without wondering whose phone or gaze is aimed at me. That shouldn’t be a big ask, but based on how normal this has become, apparently it is. A gym is supposed to be a space to get stronger and work on yourself, not a space where you have to stay alert the entire time. Until men stop treating women’s bodies as something they feel entitled to look at instead of just another person in the room, women will keep doing the quiet math: which machine to skip, whether they have a sweatshirt in case they need to cover up, which set to cut short because someone’s watching a little too closely. I shouldn’t have had to notice my own body on a stranger’s screen to realize how normal those calculations have become. Nobody should. kleinmim@miamioh.edu
About Ivy Kleinman
Ivy Kleinman is a sophomore studying journalism with a minor in creative writing. She is the Photo editor for The Student and a blog writer for UP Magazine.
poetry to start. Find something you care about. Read about it. Think about it. When you’re ready, find a poem about a topic that impacts you, read it once, then again and again. Read it until you have your own unique understanding. Your experience with a poem or story may not be someone else’s. The important part is that you are feeding and nurturing your brain with words rather than pixels on a screen. segerim@miamioh.edu
About Isabella Seger
Isabella Seger is a first-year student studying interactive media and design as well as graphic and experience design with a minor in digital marketing. She currently serves as her residence hall’s Community Leadership Team president and is an active member of Miami’s Residence Hall Association.
GREENHAWKS
12
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026
Hefner lecture features American Bird Conservancy president, unveils migratory armadillo
MIKE CARR OPENS UP THE 52ND ANNUAL HEFNER LECTURE IN LAWS HALL. PHOTO BY SARAH KENNEL
SARAH KENNEL
GREENHAWKS EDITOR Each year, migratory birds make their way across the Americas, calling both North and South America home at different times of the year. However, habitat loss threatens their survival in both areas. This year’s Hefner lecture, an annual lecture series that has brought leaders in ecology and natural science to Miami University for 52 years, featured American Bird Conservancy President Mike Carr to share the story of these migratory birds in South America. The American Bird Conservancy (ABC) aims to create a sustainable amount of habitat for at-risk birds. He spoke to a full audience in Laws Hall, filled with students, staff and Oxford residents — many of whom were birdwatchers themselves. Carr used maps of human development and bird habitat to demonstrate how the largest problem areas for endangered birds are those where
human development is the most dense. He said that it is easier for protected areas to be established in more remote spots since there is less political pushback. Carr then explained that ABC tracks species and classifies them by risk levels such as threatened and endangered. The organization has a two-tiered goal of ensuring the most endangered bird species have at least one protected area, with the hope they will eventually have sufficient habitat to sustain the species long term. Carr said that although the extinction of many bird species would not result in immediate catastrophic impact to human life, he believes it is worth it to do something for life on Earth beyond humans alone. “It’s not going to cause the human race to disappear,” said Carr. “... Nothing dreadful is really going to happen to all of us. Solving this crisis is really a truly philanthropic thing for us to do. I feel like humans should do some things that aren’t just about saving us. We should be able to
do some things that go beyond what is in our immediate self interest to actually improve things on the planet as a whole. If we don’t do that, at what point does it stop?” Steve Sullivan, director of the Hefner Museum, said he hopes that people would leave the lecture with an appreciation for the value that bird species could provide humanity. He said these birds connect us with people thousands of miles and that it is important we are good stewards of these birds when they are in our hemisphere so that people on the other side of the world can enjoy them as well. “We … have a mutually beneficial relationship in maintaining these habitats to maintain this bird that [makes] our lives happy for a little bit,” Sullivan said. Carr discussed how appreciation for birds and conservation are working hand in hand in South America through for-profit bird conservancies where people participate in bird tourism. Those who run the conserva-
tions have found creative ways, such as holding bird-attracting flowers, to allow visitors to get close to birds and take memorable photos. “They’re making money out of bird conservation and to do that, they have to protect bird habitat,” he said. “[Non-governmental organizations] got it started but that’s not what’s driving it. It’s bird driven economies, and that’s pretty awesome.” Carr closed out the lecture by showing the crowd the many close-up photos that were taken at these bird conservation areas of colorful, charismatic birds. Several birdwatchers in the crowd expressed enthusiasm and raised their hands to indicate which birds they had seen and which ones they hoped to see one day. Matt Valiga, a sixth-year doctoral student, focuses on bug research but has a personal interest in birds. He saw several of the birds shown in Carr’s lecture during his own time in Ecuador. He has been attending the Hefner Lecture for eight years now, and was a part of the Hefner Lecture
Committee for this year’s programming. “It’s a really special thing because you see how much love and care goes into bringing this kind of opportunity not only to Miami but to the community as well,” he said. “I think that’s my favorite thing because part of my research [focuses] on how to communicate science … so the fact that we have a built-in thing to communicate [science] — it rocks.” The night closed out with a reception at the Hefner Museum where attendees enjoyed food and conversation together. They also had the opportunity to be among the first members of the public to see Ohio’s first migratory armadillo, which was found dead in Oxford. The specimen has been taxidermied and is now on display at the Hefner Museum. kennelse@miamioh.edu
Miami’s sustainability week cultivates community and conversation
A STUDENT WALKS IN FRONT OF THE SUSTAINABILITY WALL IN ARMSTRONG STUDENT CENTER. PHOTO BY MAUREEN WILSON
VENEZIA MCHENRY
SENIOR STAFF WRITER Sustainability week returns to campus Oct. 18-24, bringing the community together around eco-friendly crafts, trail clean ups and environment-centered activities. Lynn Setter, secretary of sustainability for the Associated Student Government (ASG), said these activities are put on by green organizations and are open for all students to attend.
The first event is a trail clean up hosted by ASG on Sunday, Oct. 18. The event will run from 2-4 p.m., and volunteers will meet in Armstrong Student Center (ASC) 2012. “Sustainability is so important for the future,” Setter said. “Everybody making those small choices is going to help all of us live healthier lives, cleaner lives and live longer. I think every student just attending one event can learn about how committing to sustainability isn’t hard and how it can be fun.” The second event is an environ-
mental themed craft and movie night hosted by Miami Environmental Professionals Association (MEPA). The event will take place from 6-8 p.m., Oct. 19 in Shideler 009. The Green Team, a student organization dedicated to improving environmental sustainability, will host a battery taping event on Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 4-6 p.m. in the ASC third-floor lounge. Students will sort through alkaline and lithium batteries and tape the ends of the batteries so they can be recycled. This event can also count for service hours.
Will Sayner, president of the Green Team, said he hopes this event will teach people how much work goes into recycling batteries. “It’s more than just putting it in the recycling bin and sending it off, it’s also just getting people involved in some aspect of sustainability,” Sayner said. Wednesday events will start at noon, with a sustainability week celebration on Joslin Terrace hosted by Student Sustainability Council and the Green Team. There will be a number of crafts and treats for students to enjoy until 2 p.m. Sayner said the Green Team plans to host a house planting event for the celebration where students can reuse metal cans and pot a succulent from the greenhouse. “The fact that we’re reusing cans is what I’d like people to take away from it,” Sayner said. “You can use anything to grow your own little plant. It doesn’t have to be something crazy. It could just be like a little can and add some dirt to plant it, versus having to go out and purchase a new plant from Walmart.” There will also be a 2040 dinner from 5-6:30 p.m. in ASC 1066. This event offers free Chipotle and an opportunity to learn about the 2040 climate action plan, which sets the goal for carbon neutrality on Miami University’s campus by 2040. This dinner will focus on updates and future plans to reach this goal. Alex Miller, sustainability engagement coordinator, is hosting and presenting at the event and said she hopes students will RSVP on Miami Central for events with food, like the 2040 dinner, to reduce the amount of overall food waste. “Food waste is another thing that our office is trying to tackle for the university,” Miller said. “Finding ways to do a better job estimating catering for events is a great way that we
can try to reduce food waste. Since it is in Armstrong, everything that’s left over will be able to compost, which is great.” Thursday’s event features a sustainability trivia night hosted by ASG in the Joslin Senate Chamber. It will take place from 6-8 p.m. and offers gift card prizes and pizza for attendees. Students can compete as individuals or with a team. On Friday, Oct. 23, students can participate in a spooky geothermal and tunnel tour on western campus from noon-1:30 p.m. Students will meet at the geothermal plant and explore the dark tunnels under campus. Sustainability week concludes on Saturday, Oct. 24, with a trip to Butterfield Farms from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The trip hosted by MEPA includes a hayride and pumpkin painting. Setter said she wants to see an increased amount of engagement from students this year to show the university that a large number of students care about sustainability and they should continue to invest in green organizations and solutions around campus. “It’s important to come to these events because just going to one sustainability event can really open your eyes to how many resources we have,” Setter said. “Sustainability looks different for everybody, but everybody can do one thing. Everybody can pick up one piece of trash on your way to class or if you’re at Bell and you see a bag on the ground and you’re about to pass by a trash can anyway.” More information about the events can be found on the Students Sustainability Council Instagram or on Miami Central. mchenrvg@miamioh.edu
HUMOR
13 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026
Halloween candy vs. middle school
Ghoul’s night out: The true Halloween party
GRAPHIC BY SYDNEY MULFORD GRAPHIC BY SYDNEY MULFORD
AVA DISALLE
THE MIAMI STUDENT The prime time to go trick or treating is middle school. You know the routes with the best candy, who to trade with and how to get the most amount of candy in the least amount of time. But what if the roles were switched? What if the candy was the one running around? What type of kid would they be? Let’s start with a classic that ends up in everyone’s treat bag. One of the most recognizable candies: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. The chocolate candy is featured in almost every variety pack, spotted at every holiday and delicious each time. Sometimes it’s a little smushed, but irresistible when in the shape of a pumpkin. Reese’s would be the super friendly kid that is everywhere. The one on your bus, in all your classes and somehow at all the same events as you. The one who always has a smile on their face, saying hello. One of my personal favorites is
Nerds Gummy Clusters. Not introduced until 2020, they’re the new kid, the one that moved from a far away town but clicked with everyone instantly. They have a bright and bold personality, just like the Nerds logo. They have tons of friends, are super popular and just got their braces off. Next up, the thing I always traded: Snickers. In my opinion, Snickers would be the athletic kid that tries to turn everything into a competition, wears neon athletic clothes and plays three sports. He’s the kid all the teachers can’t stand because he is the class clown and distracts everyone, especially the girls, even though he still doesn’t know how to tie his shoes. What would Halloween be without candy corn? Come to think of it, not sure I’ve ever actually gotten it for Halloween, but it’s a classic… Kinda. In human form, they are the unpopular kid whose vibe no one can really read, but everyone knows who they are. Often bullied and made fun of, they don’t really seem to care! They follow the beat of their
own drum. They will probably peak in high school once they figure out their style and get away from the orange-and-yellow color palette. In every middle school classroom there is the nerd. In candy form, it would be Smarties. They would have color-coded folders and raise their hand before the teacher finishes asking the question. Come on, it’s in the name! Outside of the classroom they don’t do much other than studying. Not a whole lot of notes on this one… far from the kid I was in middle school. Just like a Halloween bucket, middle school is quite the mixed bag. I could go on and on about every candy: M&M’s would be the mega friend group, Sour Patch Kids would be the chaotic type-B friend, and Dot’s would be… uh I’m not totally sure what category they would fall under. Whatever your favorite is, I hope you get lots of it this season. Happy Halloween! disalla2@miamioh.edu
ELISE HANNA
DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR Ah, the classic college Halloween party. You pregamed in your friend group’s largest dorm, an oxymoron in itself, and your digital camera is already on half battery. You make the walk to the house, passing by several perfectly fine parties on the way. Of course, your friends insist on the one clear across town. You get there and suddenly your super creative costume feels overused. In fact, three people immediately walk by with the same costume, just more thought out and far more expensive. You stand awkwardly in the corner of the living room/kitchen combo, attempting to sway along to a classic Halloween song, now ruined with an unnecessary beat drop and rapper tagline. Someone bumps into you, causing that all-too familiar conversation you thought you left behind during the first week of classes: “What’s your name, your major, who made you
come to this lame party?” You sip on a lukewarm drink, the Pinterest not-so-perfect attempts at “eyeball ice cubes” dyeing your drink a more unnatural color than you previously thought possible. You swear it’s even started to glow. After surviving an hour of small talk and yelling over the music, the sweet sight of red and blue lights save you. The police show up, mercifully shutting down the party. Walking back to your dorm, you check Canvas, seeing that you have four assignments due at midnight, the first real scare you’ve gotten all night. You wake up the next morning, realizing your cheap makeup stained your sheets, and that you did in fact give that guy your number last night… great. At least that’s how I assume parties go. I’m a newspaper nerd; you really think I get invited to those things? Feel free this October to prove me wrong. Send invites (serious inquiries only) to: hannaer@miamioh.edu
My greatest shame: My love for romantic comedies
GRAPHIC BY CAITLIN WONG
MIA STREBY
THE MIAMI STUDENT I have a dark secret, one I have not shared with many as it threatens my future career and livelihood. Warn-
ing: sensitive readers should not continue. Are you still here? Ok, just remember I warned you. My secret is… I love romantic comedies. Dun… Dun… Dunn… There I said it. Wow, if it feels good to get that off my chest.
You may be wondering why a seemingly benign piece of information is so damning. Well, if you are a film major, like myself, the only movies you are allowed to enjoy are tragic extensionalist films that make your
brain hurt to the point you want to slam your head into a desk. No happy endings, no comedic reliefs, just a whole lot of questioning capitalist ideology. So with that background, I’m sure you can see how shockingly harmful it would be if I got up in class and recited from memory the “10 Things I Hate About You” speech. It should be noted I can, it would just look bad. Even worse, I have nightmares of having to pull out my textbook on German expressionism, and accidentally grabbing my cheesy romance books. I have both seen the movie and read the novel “Crazy Rich Asians” multiple times. But I have decided that I can no longer live a lie, so I am making this proclamation to the world, and by world I mean the back page of this newspaper my professors will never read. I love rom-coms. I love love, witty banter, and a bike riding montage through Central Park. I don’t care what anyone says, there’s nothing better than watching two hot people pretend to hate each other for an hour and a half. Don’t get me started on the outfits. As a child, and to be honest now, my only goal was to have a closet like Elle Woods. And who can forget when Sandra Bullock saved Miss America wearing a statue of liberty costume? That was the first time I realized you could hide a firearm in a bodycon dress. But, my favorite look of all time
is the yellow dress from “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” The first time I saw that dress was a defining moment in my life, I nearly wrote my college essay about it. Despite my admiration, I do have to note how creepy these films would be in real life. The plots mainly center around a guy trying to convince an uninterested girl that he’s “the one.” To any men reading, be warned. If I tell you I’m not interested and you appear outside my window with a boombox, I will turn on the sprinklers. And despite how much I love the biting humor of the enemies to lovers trope, if you appear at my sister’s wedding in Australia, and are not Glen Powell, I will pepper spray you. Tragically my word count for this article is shockingly near, and I must disappear back into the world of desaturated colors and gut-wrenching endings. But to all the people out there who love to dream in glitter, flowers and confusingly expensive apartments for characters that are broke, I see you. Now my carriage is about to turn back into a pumpkin, but like Cameron Diaz in the “Holiday,” I will not let my reality keep me from running back to Jude Law, and in this context Jude Law is me sprinting out of my film classes to my computer where I can watch rom-coms to my heart’s content! strebymk@miamioh.edu
COMIC BY KEEGAN PEREZ
PHOTO
14 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026
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United States’ largest public art festival returns to Cincinnati CARA HALLQUIST
THE MIAMI STUDENT BLINK Cincinnati returned on Oct. 8-11. This year, the largest public art festival in the U.S. featured 92 artists from 40 different countries. Among them were Miami University emerging technology in business and design and games and simula-
tions students enrolled in IMS 440: Emerging Technology Practicum. They presented a video entitled “Madison Theater: Once and Future” on the facade of the Madison Theater in Covington, Kentucky, which told the story of the building. BLINK began in 2017 and has occurred biennially since, barring a pause for COVID-19 in 2021. This
year, BLINK stretched from Findlay Market all the way through Covington, Kentucky. The festival featured projections, light installations, murals and a nightly drone show. hallqucj@miamioh.edu
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GAMES ANSWERS
ANAGRAM ANSWERS Seven letters SILENCE LICENSE Six letters INCENSE Five letters SINCE LINES SLICE NINES
Four letters SEEN ISLE LIES LINE LICE ICES LENS NINE NICE SINE
Three letters SIN ICE LIE SEE NIL
Did we miss anything? Contact mahones5@miamioh.edu
1 CROWDS WATCH THE PERFORMANCE AT MUSIC HALL. PHOTO BY CARA HALLQUIST
4 PEOPLE ADMIRE “ONCE AND FUTURE” BY MIAMI UNIVERSITY STUDENTS. PHOTO BY CARA HALLQUIST
2 WOMEN GETS A “L1GHT GRAFF1T1 MAKE0VER” FROM 0H10M1KE. PHOTO BY CARA HALLQUIST
5 ONLOOKERS AT “IRENE & PLUTO” BY JASON SNELL. PHOTO BY CARA HALLQUIST
3 “ASPECT” BY FILIP ROCA PROJECTED ON A BUILDING. PHOTO BY CARA HALLQUIST
6 “COLLECTIVE MEMORY” BY BRETT BOLTON, JONAS DENZEL, SILENT PARTNERS STUDIO AND STRANGELOOP PROJECTED ON MUSIC HALL. PHOTO BY CARA HALLQUIST