THE INdependent student newspaper at the university of cincinnati
Vol. CXXX Issue 83
monday , may 24, 2010 tosh.0 First-year of Comedy Central show leaves television forever changed. page 3
uc fashionistas DAAP seniors prepare for careers in the fashion industry. page 5
we are the champions
Cincinnati Cyclones win second Kelly Cup in three seasons. page 6
UC Clermont embroiled in racism suit Nearly two years later, branch campus continues to defend decision in coach choice gin a. ando the news record
Allegations of racism at the University of Cincinnati Clermont branch are stretching a civil rights lawsuit close to two years. The lawsuit, which involves individuals from both the Clermont branch campus and UC’s Main Campus, revolves around the ability of athletes — particularly black athletes on Clermont’s basketball team — to access student services. Jason Moberly, an assistant basketball coach for the men’s team at Clermont, filed the suit. Moberly, who is white, claims black athletes at Clermont are being treated unfairly, which
is adversely affecting their academic standings and potentials, according to the documents. UC Clermont’s athletic director Brian Sullivan admitted there were certain problems the branch campus’s athletes faced in his deposition, which was filed Aug. 22, 2008. Court depositions are recorded outside of litigation proceedings and are used as official case documents. Student-athletes were not given access to classes that would allow them to participate in their respective sports without missing instructional time, opportunities to see advisers and one-onone help with tutors and mentors at Clermont’s Learning Center, the documents allege. Clermont administration have “all since worked on” the problems, Sullivan said.
events
Moberly claims he brought instances of “institutionalized racism” to Clermont administrators and did not receive a definitive answer. He then attempted to contact Ann Appleton, then-vice provost for academic personnel on Main Campus. “[Moberly] felt that some of the athletes, African-American athletes, were treated different and he wanted to be their voice,” Sullivan said in his deposition. “He was not getting heard at Clermont, so he was going to the Main Campus.” By alleging a racism problem at the Clermont, Moberly claims he was rehired as the assistant men’s basketball coach. The university initially hired Moberly through a temporary employment agency,
“[Moberly] was not getting heard at Clermont so he was going to the Main Campus.” —brian sullivan UC clermont athletic director
according to court documents. In order for Moberly to be been hired by the university, paperwork and a background check would have to be performed. Moberly claims the university might have see clermont | page 2
uc board of trustees set to convene this week
WHERE DID OUR VOCALIST GO?
belgian fest when:
5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, May 25 Thursday, May 26
where:
Catskeller
The University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees will convene this week to discuss a variety of issues concerning campus. Among the items on the agenda for the meeting Tuesday, May 25, will be a presentation on the UC Proudly Pennies campaign, specifically the College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning’s Penny Campaign event. The Board of Trustees will also discuss the subject of sustainability at the university. There will also be an executive session of the Board of Trustees after its regular schedule of business is completed. The executive session will regard section 121.22 (G)(1) of the Ohio Revised Code concerning public meetings. The section of the code pertains to “the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, or compensation of a public employee or official.”
Catskeller will host a two-day festival commemorating Belgian beer. The festival will feature eight different Belgian beers on tap from Belgium, Canada and the United States. Must be 21 years old with valid ID to participate. For more information call 513-556-0943.
“angels in the dust” when:
7:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday, May 24
where:
Catskeller
“Angels in the Dust” is a documentary examining orphans in South Africa that have been left behind by parents who have died of AIDS. It details the story of an orphanage that was instituted to care for the children, some who are infected with the disease themselves.
see trustees | page 2
index
cpd releases surveillance tape of suspect in gilyard robbery
1 News 3 Entertainment 5 Spotlight 6 Sports 7 Classifieds weather forecast
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anna bentley | the news record
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NAME THAT TUNE Street musicians playing for tips add some music to the atmosphere of patrons frequenting the weekly farmers market hosted at Over-the-Rhine’s Findlay Market Saturday, May 22. The market was opened for business in 1855 and, after receiving a makeover, expanded to its current size.
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The Cincinnati Police Department has released surveillance tape of a suspect in the May 17 robbery of former University of Cincinnati football player Mardy Gilyard and his bodyguard. The surveillance tape was obtained from the BP gas station at 2606 Jefferson Ave. The tape shows a man believed to be a suspect in the robbery of Gilyard entering the gas station. Two men outside the gas station robbed mardy Gilyard and gilyard his bodyguard, Terry Hobbs, at gunpoint at approximately 9:30 p.m. Monday evening. The pair see gilyard | page 2
Vote looms on legality of driving while texting german lopez the news record
eamon queeney | the news record
ONLINE www.newsrecord.org
WATCH THE ROAD A motorist texts on her cell phone at the intersection of Clifton Avenue and Straight Street Sunday, May 23. The UC chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is urging students to sign a pledge to not use cell phones while driving.
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A bill prohibiting texting while driving passed the Ohio House of Representatives and is soon to be voted upon by the Ohio Senate. Rep. Michael DeBose and Rep. Nancy Garland introduced HB 415 to the House in the later part of March. The bill’s sponsors hope it will increase safety on the roads, according to recent statements. Texting-while-driving bans have already been enacted in other states and in some Ohio cities. In Columbus, University of Cincinnati student Erin Heiny was fined more than $100 for texting while driving. Distracted driving fines were enacted in Columbus Wednesday, May 5. Heiny could not be reached for comment. On campus, the “Turn UC Red” movement, started by fourth-year journalism student Jathan Fink, has been trying to get students and faculty to sign pledges, promising to not use a phone while driving. If the bill passes, anyone caught texting while driving will be charged with a minor misdemeanor. After a six-month warning period, anyone caught texting while driving will receive a $150 fine.
TNR POLL
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Will you still text while driving even if the state passes a law prohibiting it?
During the warning period, police will still stop drivers who are texting, but will only issue a written warning telling drivers about the new law. The bill’s entire text can be found on the Ohio legislature website. Distracted driving led to 5,870 deaths and 515,000 injuries last year, according to a report by the Associated Press. The new laws and bills are part of a national movement started by Oprah Winfrey’s No Phone Zone, which seeks to prohibit phone use while driving. Oprah has released statements labeling texting while driving “absolutely stupid” and asked drivers to pull over to a safe place before using the phone. The U.S. Department of Transportation is also taking measures to lower phone usage in cars and declared distracted driving an “epidemic.” On Wednesday, May 19, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood joined United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice and Russian Ambassador to the U.N. Vitaly Churkin in a global call to action to end distracted driving. In addition to national agencies, cell phone companies are on-board with the measures. Joe Farren, a spokesman of CTIA — The Wireless see text | page 2
this week in photos Check out a slideshow of photos highlighting this week’s top stories.