TNR - 10.22.09

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THE INdependent student newspaper at the university of cincinnati

Vol. CXXVIV Issue 14

thursday , oct . 22, 2009 metal madness

ufos and reality woes

Totally brutal Dethklok shreds metal in Columbus. page 3

keg of nails Cincinnati plays Louisville Saturday at Nippert Stadium. page 8

Balloon Boy and his destiny. What should the legal actions be? page 5

LAdy in red

COULTER LOEB | the news record

THE AIRLINE’S FARES are to remain at the current low prices so that the airline can keep a foothold in the competition among local hubs.

Fares not to spike with Delta Carly Tamborski the news record

The airline industry was hit hard by the recession, including the Delta hub at the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), which is now trying to regain consumer confidence as the busiest hub in the country. “I flew with Delta out of CVG and had an enjoyable experience because they had nice service,” said Kasy Kusanke, a second-year fashion design and product development student. “But the prices of tickets are ridiculous; they keep people who can’t afford them from seeing their family or traveling for business.” In February, Delta reported reductions to the U.S. Department of Transportation ranging between 5 and 60 percent on most CVG fares. A 20 percent reduction across the board has the potential to save local passengers more than $80 million, according to CVG. In recent years, CVG instituted a hiring freeze and reduced late-night flights to save money and offset charges to passengers and airline partners. Currently, airfares are lower due to decreased demand. Delta reported that system traffic in September decreased 5.2 percent since September 2008. It also stated there has been a 3.3 percent decrease in domestic travel and 7.8 percent decrease in international travel. Delta is facing a 4 percent passenger decrease in comparison to this time last year, but CVG is seeing a 30 percent increase in local passengers, said Barb Schempf, CVG government affairs manager. “There is no indication that Delta will increase its fares at CVG,” Schempf said. “Unfortunately, we cannot support that statement with any real statistics except if you look online for future travel, the fares are still low and competitive with surrounding airports.” Delta and Northwest Airlines launched a new frequent flier program for passengers Thursday, Oct. 1. NWA’s WorldPerks program has been discontinued and is now part of Delta’s SkyMiles program. Unused WorldPerks miles were converted to SkyMiles; any traveler see CVG | page 6

weather

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index

1 News 3 Entertainment 5 Opinion 7 Classifieds 8 Sports brief

College of Business Fair

Streetcar debate heats up Carly Tamborski the news record

The Coalition Opposed to Spending and Taxes (COAST) debated Cincinnatians for Progress (CFP) on Issue 9 in MainStreet Cinema at the University of Cincinnati, Wednesday, Oct. 21. Voting “no” on Issue 9 means city officials, not citizen majority, will make the decision regarding the fate of the streetcar. Voting “yes” on the issue means citizens are privileged to vote on any future rail issue. COAST Treasurer Mark Miller began the debate, which was moderated by Terry

10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27

Tangeman University Center Great Hall 465, 400B, 400C For students looking to meet with company recruiters, pin down their next co-op or first job in their career, a number of representatives will be available to provide details and information. For more information, contact the College of Business Tribunal at cob.tribunal@gmail.com.

Grundy, an administration associate professor at UC’s College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning. “Issue 9 simply asks the question: Do you want to be able to vote on your passenger rail transportation or do you want to leave the decision to the mayor?” Miller said. Cincinnatians for Progress opposed Issue 9, citing their support of the preservation of modern transportation options. Current city council member and former mayor Roxanne Qualls represented CFP. “I urge you to vote no for three reasons,” Qualls said. “It restricts Cincinnati’s ability to compete in a global economy with a modern

TERRY GRUNDY, adjunct associate professor of DAAP, moderated the debate on Issue 9 in an event organzied by the Student Government Association and intended for students.

multi-modal transportation system that includes rail. It will have an immediate negative economic impact by causing Cincinnati to lose out on projects already underway. Last, it’s bad governance.” Since the economy worsened, the issue has attracted more attention. Audience members asked COAST why Cincinnati would spend more than $100 million on something that seems like a luxury at this point. Another concern was the rail’s limitations – it connects certain locations on a specific schedule, unlike roads, which connect everything at all times. Cincinnati made previous attempts to build rail systems, but was unsuccessful. In 1916, a subway project on what is now Central Parkway began and ended unsuccessfully. It took the city until 1966 to pay off those bonds used to finance the project, according to COAST. “What we find appalling is that after all this time and money we still have no rail systems,” Miller said. “The city tends to get projects underway without really getting citizens involved. Issue 9 requires that the city goes to the people to make sure the project will be embraced before any investments are made.” The U.S. has fallen behind in rail transportation and that to catch up to Europe, more multi-modal systems need to be built, the Urban Land Institute reported. “If this involved a tax increase, I’d say take it to the voters,” Qualls said. “But people need to learn the difference between capital budgeting and regular budgeting. Our investment comes out of our capital budget and not our general funds, which is where the current deficit problem comes from.” Voting does not restrict the power of officials, but simply says that before spending they need to check with voters, according to COAST. see DEBATE | page 6

UC showcases sustainability efforts rutvij kotecha the news record

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when

photos by michael p. mcKEOWN | the news record

ROXANNE QUALLS presented one side of Issue 9, Wednesday, Oct. 21, representing Cincinnatians for Progress (CFP). While CFP is officially anti-Issue 9, Mark Miller represented the Coalition Opposed to Spending and Taxes (COAST), a proponent of the streetcar issue.

A large crowd gathered at Tangeman University Center’s MainStreet Cinema to hear presentations regarding university sustainability Wednesday, Oct. 21. Mary Beth McGrew, associate vice president of the University of Cincinnati’s finance, planning, design and construction program started the event outlining the amount of energy is required to power UC’s campus. “The carbon footprint per square foot and per student was as high as 34.9 tons and 12.1 tons, respectively,” McGrew said. In order to work toward the President’s Climate Commitment, she outlined a hierarchical organization to systematically highlight the roles that each member might play. She said when it comes to taking actions, students and faculty should work together toward keeping energy consumption down. “Sixty percent of waste

generated at the university was recycled,” said Rick Wiggins, vice president of UC facilities. The total waste being sent to landfills fell from approximately 6,500 tons to 3,000 tons. As for energy consumption on West Campus, the Engineering Research Center and Baldwin Hall were among those ranked highest. Old Chemistry and Corbett Center for Performing Arts were among the lowest. Buildings like Zimmer Hall and Langsam Library were ranked moderate in terms of energy consumption. Joe Harrell, director of central utilities, spoke of projects and activities on campus working toward minimizing energy consumption and waste. Things such as reducing steam generation, chilled water, electricity use and water consumption were mentioned as measures that save energy. A pilot plant to produce biodiesel in an effort to reuse waste cooking oil from campus dining facilities designed by Ming-Ming Lu, a professor in the College of

Engineering and Applied Sciences was also showcased. The plant operates in the basement of UC’s central utilities and is being used to generate electricity. Approximately 99 percent of incandescent bulbs have been replaced with compact fluorescent bulbs, temperature controls and lights that turn off automatically have been installed at various locations. “Ninety percent of our electricity is produced from coal,” said Michael Zaertsky, an assistant professor in the School of Architecture and Interior design. Ohio ranks first in [sulfur dioxide] and [nitrous oxide] emissions and second in CO2 emissions.” Currently, Environmental studies, geography, engineering offer several courses in sustainability. The department of civil and environmental engineering also operates a program in which students can earn a minor in sustainable urban environments. Russell Best of the Graduate Student Government Association

PAT STRANG | the news record

Rick wiggins speaks about the details of UC’s actions in honor of Sustainability Day. and Alan Hagerty of the Student Government Association talked of various student initiatives which promote sustainability like Trees for Tomorrow, Tailgate Recycling, Operation Move-In Recycle, see SUSTAINABILITY | page 6

online @ www.newsrecord.org

where

PHOTO SLIDESHOW

Enlou

Go online and take a look at TNR photographer Michael P. McKeown’s slideshow of the Dethklok show in Columbus Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Videographer Blake Hawk interviews Enlou, a local band made up of UC students who play indie-pop music.

newsrecordnews@gmail.com | 513.556.5908


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