The News Record 02.17.14

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THE NEWS RECORD Budget surplus SCHOOL’S OUT projected in THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI’S INDEPENDENT, STUDENT-RUN NEWS ORGANIZATION / MONDAY, FEB. 17, 2014

medicine college KATIE COBURN CONTRIBUTOR

Despite decreasing levels of federal funding, the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine is on track to finish the fiscal year with a budget surplus for the first time in eight years.

“We’re quite proud of ourselves,” said Lori Mackey, senior associate dean of operations and finance. “We are breaking even this year without liquidating endowments.”

The college is anticipating a $200,000 surplus for the fiscal year, said Thomas Boat, dean of the College of Medicine.

While a surplus is definitely better than a deficit, the amount is not considerably high for a college with an annual budget around $250 million, he said.

Mackey said the financial success could be attributed to the support from the UC Health system, whose contributions have grown from $23.2 million in 2009, to $40.6 million in 2014. Along with that, the college is projecting $4.8 million in private gifts.

The news comes at a time when federal research dollars continue to decrease.

The college has not been immune to decreasing levels of federal research funding from the National Institute of Health, said Melanie Cushion, senior associate dean of research. NIH only funds about 10 percent of the grants that UC proposes, which has resulted in decreased faculty productivity.

With less money brought into the college because of unfunded grants, the scientists can no longer conduct cutting edge research, Cushion said, which results in a reduction in scientific infrastructure and less competitive grants.

“I think this research crunch impacts our next generation of scientists who face a daunting future,” Cushion said.

“Without a new, robust cadre of scientists, the United States will eventually lose its dominance in the scientific world and without new discoveries in the medical field a detrimental effect on health care will be the downstream effect.”

The College of Medicine is working on improving its downward trajectory of direct research expenditures, Mackey said, which decreased to $77 million from $118 million in 2011.

Over the next five years, the College of Medicine is committing $35.6 million to research, which Mackey said came from UC Health’s Practice Plan. In addition to adding 33 new researchers to the faculty, the money will be distributed to different departments within the college to support research.

SEE MEDICINE PG 2

University searching for solution to numerous closures NATALIE COLEMAN STAFF REPORTER

As the unrelenting winter weather poses an ongoing threat, questions remain on how the University of Cincinnati can overcome the growing number of canceled classes during the Spring semester.

“The decision to close campus is not made lightly or without considerable input from all sectors of the campus,” said Provost Beverly Davenport. “The overarching concern is for the safety of our students, staff and faculty.”

Davenport released an email to the UC community explaining the best ways to make up class time.

“Due to the odd circumstances of this winter weather, we need to be both creative and flexible in finding solutions to lost class periods,” the email stated.

Some recommended solutions in the email included extending regular class time, rescheduling additional classes, adding reading days, assigning work for outside of class and utilizing online strategies for covering missed notes.

A heavy emphasis was given to finding online solutions for class work.

“There are a variety of ways to ensure that the learning outcomes for classes are achieved in one semester,” Davenport said. “Many classes are already hybrid and many already access online tools throughout the semester. There is no one solution that works with every class, and not all classes have been equally affected.”

The email recognized the difficulty of scheduling supplemental class time for professors and students to meet on campus and recommended that faculty contact classroom scheduling to find openings.

“Trying to schedule an outside meeting time would be really hard for students,” said Joe Blizzard, student body president.

“With work, other classes and figuring out travel, it would lead to a lot of conflicts.”

The email also stated that if class times are extended or rescheduled, students have an obligation to attend, though faculty cannot penalize students who cannot attend for legitimate reasons, such as work or conflicting classes.

Greg Loving, president of the American Association of University Professors UC chapter, said he has heard displeasure from faculty members on the challenges presented by canceled classes.

And it’s not just academics that the closures affect.

Aaron Zani, a third-year marketing and international business student who works in the orientation office and MainStreet Express Mart in Tangeman University Center, has missed a day of work each time UC canceled classes.

“After the first couple [closures], I was scrounging for money but I was still able to make it through by the skin of my teeth,”

Zani said.

Davenport recommended staff and students remain flexible and try to pursue alternatives to meeting in person.

“Professors have been asked to work with their students to come up with solutions that work best for their areas of studies,” Davenport said. “One need only imagine the differences between laboratory, music, field studies and traditional classrooms to understand the wide variety of ways in which faculty are re-imagining learning options.”

In developing the best solutions, Blizzard talked with students directly to see what impact the cancellations had on them and what they thought were good options for catching up.

Some students used the cancelled time to meet up in online Google hangouts to study and do work together, while others said an extra out-of-class assignment would help them stay on track.

This semester alone, classes have been canceled 10 times, including the first two days of the Spring semester. Five of these cancellations were for part of the day.

Classes were closed early once in the Fall semester.

There is no penalty to the university for

missing a certain number of class days, though UC is required to schedule an appropriate number of days per credit hours awarded, said Caroline Miller, associate provost for Enrollment Management.

Jeff Corcoran, acting police chief and director of Public Safety, along with Robert Ambach, vice president for Financial Affairs and Administration, advise President Santa Ono, who makes the final decision on potential closures.

“This year, the city has been hit with unusually cold temperatures and the most snow fall since the late 1970s,” Ambach said. “We evaluate each day and occurrence individually with an eye toward the safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors.”

The group evaluates the situation and consults with university personnel and other organizations to make the best decision possible in deciding whether to delay classes, or to close the campus completely and the best ways to unblock campus.

“I am extremely impressed with how well UC’s Physical Facilities have cleared campus roads and sidewalks,” Davenport said. “There were many days in which SEE CLOSED PG 2

Mayor reverses position on meter increases AAUP, UC reach agreement in contract talks

Cranley opposes parking meter operation hour increase near UC RYAN HOFFMAN NEWS EDITOR

Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley is changing his stance on increased operation hours for the city’s parking meters near the University of Cincinnati after a flurry of reactions led President Santa Ono to request that the mayor abandon the change.

“There was quite a lot of communication to my office expressing displeasure, and a large number of students financially impacted by this,” Ono said.

Ono met with Cranley Friday to discuss a range of topics including public safety and the future of Burnet Woods. Much of the discussion centered on the parking proposal.

After the discussion, Cranley publicly announced he was no longer supporting meter operation increases near UC. His office did not return several phone calls seeking comment on the issue. “[The mayor] takes the university’s concerns very seriously and we had a very frank conversation,” Ono said.

The plan, which Cranley announced Wednesday at City Hall, would have

RYAN HOFFMAN NEWS EDITOR

FILE ART Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley reversed his position on increasing operation hours for parking meters on the streets surrounding UC after a lengthy conversation with UC President Santa Ono Friday.

extended the operating hours for meters downtown, around UC and on Short Vine from the current 6 p.m. shutoff to 9 p.m.

It also would increase meter rates around UC from 50 cents to 75 cents.

Cranley did not mention if the rates would still increase.

Cranley said the new proposal would help generate revenue for vital city services, as well as allow the city to upgrade its parking infrastructure. Still, many members of the UC community

were not pleased with possible increased operation hours, Ono said.

“I understand the goal [of the plan], but I would be lying if I said I won’t be walking more often,” said Christa Iwu, a thirdyear electronic media student. “Parking is already a bit of a nightmare around campus.”

The plan was announced in response to a 2013 proposal that would have leased the city’s parking assets to the Port Authority, SEE PARKING PG 2

Uptown grocery store moving to Clifton Clifton Natural Foods relocating to Ludlow; complex coming to current site RYAN HOFFMAN NEWS EDITOR

LAUREN KREMER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Clifton Natural Foods is moving from its current location on McMilllan Street to Ludlow Avenue. A six-story complex is being built at the store’s current location.

After nearly 32 years of business on McMillan Street, Clifton Natural Foods is moving to Ludlow Avenue south of the University of Cincinnati.

“We really love the gaslight district,” said Bob Craig, Clifton Natural Foods co-owner.

“It’s a great thriving community and we’re hoping to add something that’s been missing since the old IGA closed.”

The business, which has been operating at 169 W. McMillan St. for the past 18 years and previously operated in the area currently operated by Mac’s Pizza, is in the process of finalizing its move to 336 Ludlow Ave. Craig said he hopes to have the new location up and running by May 1, but there are numerous factors that could change the opening date. Although the

new location is slightly smaller than the current one, Craig said the store would continue to offer much of its current selection.

“It’s going to be a full-range grocery store, not just high quality foods but things like bread, juices, eggs, toiletries,” Craig said. “We’re not Kroger’s, but we’ll be able to add something to the area.”

The store would be the only one of its kind in the gaslight district, which hasn’t had a grocery store since Keller’s IGA closed because of unpaid taxes in January 2011.

“I think it’s great that Clifton Natural Foods is moving to Clifton,” said Jeff McIntosh, a Clifton resident. “Now I have organic and local products within walking distance.”

Steve Goessling, who owns and operates several IGAs in the region, spent the past three years trying to rehabilitate the building and open a new and improved IGA. However, Goessling struggled to SEE FOODS PG 2

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After nearly one year of negotiations, the University of Cincinnati and its largest faulty union have reached a contractual agreement “in principal.”

The American Association of University Professors UC chapter met with officials from the university for nearly five hours Sunday after several rounds of mediation during the previous week.

There are some details that still need to be worked out before the agreement heads to the AAUP chapter for ratification, said Jeff Cramerding, AAUP representative.

Once ratified by AAUP, the contract will go to the UC Board of Trustees for approval.

Cramerding said there is no timetable for when the agreement would head to AAUP for ratification. The Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet Tuesday in the Russell C. Myers Alumni Center.

Prior to Sunday’s agreement, AAUP members were planning a massive demonstration at the meeting, said Greg Loving, president of UC AAUP chapter.

Roughly 100 AAUP members packed the alumni center in December during a trustee meeting. Faculty members held signs with messages such as “Put students’ education first.”

But the protest will likely be avoided due to Sunday’s agreement, which followed Saturday’s round of mediation. AAUP officials can’t comment on the specific details of the negotiations due to legal reasons, Loving said.

The news comes less than five months before the current contract expires.

“Our faculty are our greatest asset and are at the very core of our primary mission as a great research university,” said UC President Santa Ono. “It is an honor and privilege for me to serve on the UC faculty.

I began my academic career as a faculty member and I look forward to one day returning to the faculty. I shall continue to advocate for them for as long as the university will have me as president.”

Ono also declined to comment on specifics of the agreement for legal purposes.

Talks between the two groups stalled when the discussion shifted to monetary issues including faculty health care, investments in faculty development and SEE AAUP PG 2

2 / NEWS

MONDAY, FEB. 17, 2014 / NEWSRECORD.ORG

Obama considers applying more pressure on Syria

MADISON SCHMIDT CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Joe Blizzard (right) and Jaclyn Hyde (center) listen to arguments for and against Ohio House Bill 405 Wednesday.

President Obama discussed the current situation in Syria, where the civil war has dragged on for nearly three years, during a trip to California.

President weighs options for possible end to Syrian civil war, expresses frustration with lack of progress MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — President Barack Obama is weighing a “wide range of policy tools and options” for stepping up pressure on Syrian President Bashar Assad to end his government’s attacks on civilians and rebel forces, a senior White House official said Saturday.

Obama is also looking at ways to counter the rising threat of Islamist extremists in Syria, according to the senior adviser, who asked not to be identified while discussing internal deliberations.

In his last planned public remarks of the weekend, Obama told reporters Friday that he was looking at options other than military ones.

“There will be some intermediate steps that we can take to apply more pressure to the Assad regime,” Obama said, without offering specific examples, “and we’re going to be continuing to work with all the parties concerned to try to move forward on a diplomatic solution.” After a late FROM CLOSED PG 1

campus roads and sidewalks were the best maintained roads I traveled.”

Blizzard agreed with Davenport, though he has expressed a worry that the sidewalks and streets in neighborhoods off campus may not be responding as well as UC’s team has.

“A lot of times, I see students in those neighborhoods walking on the streets because the sidewalks aren’t clear,” Blizzard said.

Blizzard himself has been affected by the closings, though his classes have been able to keep up by extending classes or doing extra assignments.

“For me, it hasn’t been too bad,” Blizzard said. “But I understand that my schedule is very different from the vast majority of students on campus and what I’m experiencing is a lot different from what most students are experiencing.”

Blizzard feels the students who have been hit hardest are those with a onceper-week class on Tuesdays.

“The first few weeks, they missed class, and that can be really tough. Especially at the beginning of the semester,” Blizzard said. “It’s tough to get into the material when you miss your one class for the week.”

Some members of the UC community feel that students are not well dressed to brave the negative-degree temperatures Cincinnati has been facing.

“I have seen students in shorts, without hats, gloves or scarves and with outerwear that looks like a hoodie,”

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Friday dinner with Jordanian King Abdullah II, one of the country’s closest Mideast allies, Obama planned to spend the long holiday weekend in seclusion at Sunnylands, a desert retreat.

He planned to play rounds of golf with close friends and discuss the nearly 3-year-old civil war in Syria with top aides, including national security adviser Susan Rice.

Aides said Rice had prepared for a weekend of private conversations after several days in which the administration’s angst over Syria was clearly evident.

As he stood next to French President Francois Hollande at the White House on Tuesday, Obama said he wouldn’t deny “enormous frustration” over the failure of their shared strategy to end the troubles, but said he was still skeptical that military intervention would bring about the desired change.

He and Hollande offered no new plan, promising continued support for moderate rebel factions.

At the same time, Obama criticized Russian leaders for threatening to veto a United Nations Security Council resolution calling on Assad to open humanitarian corridors to allow food and medicine to be delivered. In Geneva on Saturday, the chief United Nations official at

Davenport said. “I think the record snowfall has caught most of us off guard.”

FROM FOODS PG 1

secure funding and the project experienced numerous setbacks.

Goessling couldn’t be reached for comment.

While Craig said many of his customers have told him they are overwhelmingly excited about the move, it wasn’t made voluntarily.

The current building is going to be razed to make room for a new, six-story complex that will include apartments and retail space on the ground floor. A date for demolition has yet to be set.

Craig said he and his wife started looking around for a new location about one year ago, but the demolition of the historic Goetz House in January brought some urgency to the move.

The community is still holding out hope that a grocery store will open at the former IGA, said Ben Pantoja, Clifton Town Meeting president.

“People still desire a full service store at the IGA location,” Pantoja said. “In the meantime, we’re very happy to have Clifton Natural Foods and will continue to be even when another grocery store opens.”

FROM AAUP PG 1

salary increases. Union officials argued the university’s proposals would drastically increase the amount faculty

Phone 558-5900 Fax 556-5922

members’ pay for health care and that stagnant wages would make it hard for members to keep up with the cost of living.

The university said throughout the process that both sides have to make tough choices and that both sides want what’s best for the university.

The agreement also will likely prevent any possibility of a strike, which was a topic of conversation during a chapter meeting in Tangeman University Center Thursday.

UC hasn’t had a faculty strike since 1993 when faculty members went on strike to protest negotiations while they were happening.

FROM MEDICINE PG 1

“Bringing in new researchers will energize our research portfolio and get our direct funding back up to where it used to be,” Mackey said.

Major investments will be made in cancer, biomedical informatics, cardiovascular and health sciences research.

Room for the introduction of new technology was made after conducting an analysis of existing core faculties that support investigators and closing those deemed obsolete, Cushion said.

In order to support existing programs, as well as target new ideas and directions, various programs that support pilot programs have and will continue to be conducted.

The most crucial initiatives to the

college’s future, aside from research funding, deal with the undergraduate program and international affiliations, Mackey said, because the undergraduate program will strengthen the medical student program and international affiliations will afford the college more education and research opportunities.

FROM PARKING PG 1

with operation responsibilities controlled

by Xerox Corp., a private contracting company that operates 30 parking systems across the country.

Cranley campaigned on a platform strongly opposed to the lease and killed the deal shortly after winning the November election.

The plan is scheduled to go before council’s Neighborhoods Committee for public debate Feb. 24. Vice Mayor David Mann, who has expressed support for the plan, chairs the committee. Mann could not be reached for comment.

Along with parking plan, Ono and Cranley also discussed possibilities for Burnet Woods, which is located south of main campus.

The talks are preliminary, but both expressed interest in making the park safer and possibly making it like Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine, Ono said.

“I expressed to him that he has a direct line to me and he said the same to me,” Ono said. “It’s an outstanding start to a strong partnership between the university and the city.”

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the Syrian peace talks apologized to the people of the beleaguered nation after a second round of negotiations between representatives of the Assad government and the U.S.-backed opposition bloc ended without any progress toward resolving the conflict.

“I am very, very sorry,” Lakhdar Brahimi, U.N. mediator in the talks, told reporters in a downbeat closing note after the session adjourned. “I apologize (to) the Syrian people.... In these two rounds we haven’t helped them very much.”

Many Syrians’ hopes were “very high” that the talks could have represented “the beginning of the coming out of this horrible crisis,” said a somber Brahimi.

Few observers, though, had expected any kind of breakthrough in Geneva to end the fighting, which has left more than 100,000 people dead and created a humanitarian catastrophe.

Brahimi seemed frustrated that the two sides could not even agree on an agenda or a sequencing of items to be discussed. Still, he seemed to signal the likelihood that a third session of talks would be convened, asking each side to reflect on its positions. No date was set.

Brahimi was planning to brief the U.N. secretarygeneral, Ban Ki-moon, in New York, and was also expected to meet with the top U.S. and Russian diplomats, Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Washington and Moscow, a Syria ally, initiated the talks, and both nations insist that a political solution is the only way to resolve the crisis.

Obama had made plain late Friday while with Abdullah that conditions in Syria were on his mind.

Obama’s approach is a “dead-end strategy,” said James Phillips, senior research fellow for Middle Eastern affairs at the Heritage Foundation. “The administration puts diplomacy as the first tool but, unless there’s pressure on Assad to accept an agreement, he’s not going to do it,” Phillips said. “The whole move to a diplomatic conference is premature and wishful thinking. I think Secretary Kerry realizes that and is advocating for more military support, but he’s getting resistance from the White House.”

Jon Alterman, Middle East director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, agreed that it’s “hard to argue our policy is producing the desired outcomes,” but said “that’s not to say any other policy would produce better outcomes.”“The administration remains concerned about being sucked into an escalating conflict, and it’s conscious that the public isn’t supportive of direct U.S. engagement,” he said. “A broad sense in the Middle East that there are no circumstances that would provoke deeper U.S. engagement has diminished U.S. leverage at a time that Assad is growing stronger and ‘jihadis’ are becoming a larger part of the opposition forces.

Neither are in the U.S. interest.”The president is expected to stay in Rancho Mirage until Presidents Day, while first lady Michelle Obama and his daughters are on a ski vacation in Aspen, Colo.

On Saturday, Obama signed a bill to raise the limit on the nation’s debt for another year and another to reverse pension cuts for some veterans, part of last year’s budget accord that both parties came to regret.

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MONDAY, FEB. 17, 2014 / NEWSRECORD.ORG

Black Love Week event becomes indepth discussion

Dance marathon makes philanthropic strides

PALOMA IANES CONTRIBUTOR

A thought-provoking topic introduced as part of Black History Month expanded into an in-depth exploration of issues across all races and genders Thursday, as a group of more than 40 University of Cincinnati students examined monogamy in the black community.

Situationships, an installment of UC’s Black Love Week, was an allinclusive discussion-based event centered around monogamy, the act of having only one partner at a time.

The relationship between love, sex, lust and monogamy were repeatedly brought to attention. “[Monogamy] is an issue that a lot of African-Americans face and that needs to be talked about,” said Alfred Burney-Allen, a fourth-year chemistry student who directed discussions during the event. “It’s a topic that really affects all of us.”

Burney-Allen presented stimulating questions to students, who in turn responded with their own strong opinions.

Attendees were seated in a large circle in the African American Cultural & Resource Center, giving the group a feeling of intimacy that left no one excluded.

Students opened up and shared personal life experiences, which made the room a space of acceptance and understanding through conversation.

“People aren’t perfect, and monogamy isn’t human nature,” said Taeleigha Greene, a firstyear communications student. “It’s something that has to be worked on by both partners.”

The effects of being raised in a broken home on monogamous relationships were a well-voiced topic throughout the event.

“We are all affected about what happened in our past, but it also comes down to your strength as a person and whether or not you are going to let your past define your future,” said Taylor Bensonhaver, a first-year communications student.

With such an emotionally involved subject, students naturally began to digress from the topic of monogamy.

Additional issues discussed included male and female roles in society, sex, teenage pregnancy, chivalry and the hyper-sexualization of media.

The variety of subjects all highlighted inter-gender communication.

Mass media and its effect on today’s relationships was brought up among students with a specific emphasis on television shows like MTV’s “Teen Mom.” “Some people don’t realize these shows are just for entertainment, not to show people how to lead their life,” said Earnest Veasley, a first-year chemistry student.

The event opened the door for student peers to hear each other’s opinions on topics that usually don’t find a place in everyday conversation.

Controversy didn’t stop students from respectfully speaking out.

Monogamy in the black community may have been a starting point during the event, but Situationships fearlessly expanded into a powerful, all-inclusive social gathering that accepted issues spanning all races and genders.

PHIL DIDION PHOTO EDITOR

The CDM Morale Team teaches participants a portion of the Morale Dance, which was performed at the end of the event to celebrate the completion of the marathon.

Hundreds participate in student-led event benefitting Children’s Miracle Network A.J. KMETZ STAFF REPORTER

Energetic music and conversation ceased at the University of Cincinnati Recreation Center Saturday as hundreds of eyes turned toward a young girl who took the stage, her family at her side.

Balloons floated above as she expressed her excitement, registering the sight of hundreds of dancers participating in the Cincinnati Dance Marathon, a studentrun fundraiser for the local chapter of the Children’s Miracle Network, which supports Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

The girl was one of seven children being

treated at Cincinnati Children’s who appeared at the event with their families to speak and show everyone what they were dancing for.

For a full 24 hours beginning at noon Saturday, more than 700 students clumped together on the Rec Center’s basketball courts, dancing and participating in Zumba, a swing dance lesson taught by HepCats and a Red Bull sponsored rave.

The event — ranked third in the nation for three years in a row out of more than 150 programs like it — is intended to raise awareness among UC students for children battling illness.

“It’s just craziness all night,” said Stephanie Kenning, president of CDM’s executive board.

After giving a $25 donation and receiving what the program called a dancer survival

PHIL DIDION PHOTO EDITOR

The marathon raised more than $34,000 in donations, benefitting the Children’s Miracle Network and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

bag, students headed down to the basketball court to dance to today’s hits and other music from the past and present.

An event the size of CDM requires months of planning, and preparations for this year’s marathon began in July. Throughout the year, the executive board took part in events to raise awareness for CDM, including Cincinnati Walks for Kids, which took place at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens and also supported Cincinnati Children’s.

During the event, every few hours the CDM Morale Team would appear onstage, donning bright green shirts to teach a part of the Morale Dance, which was performed at the end of the marathon to celebrate the completion of the event.

The event was brimming with excitement and the crowd’s contagious enthusiasm permeated the air.

“The atmosphere is really energetic, caring, and there’s no discrimination,” said Luke Armbruster, a second-year real estate student and participant.

No matter their dancing skills, everyone was thrilled to dance. The crowd represented several different groups on campus and the spirit of UC. Kaylee Price and Brianna Beougher, CDM volunteers, noted the marathon’s cause is what made it so successful.

Dancers could stay as long as they liked throughout the evening.

To help keep them on their feet, local restaurants provided meals every few hours, including Skyline and Keystone.

The marathon had the support of several businesses as well as prominent individuals around the city, said Filip Jotevski, offcampus funding director.

President Santa Ono appeared at the opening ceremony alongside former Bearcats linebacker and current Bengals player J.K. Schaffer; each contributed $500 out of pocket.

CDM’s fundraising goal was $40,000; donations collected throughout the evening totaled more than $34,000.

Over the years, CDM has grown in size, diversity and ambition. The aid it has given Cincinnati Children’s Hospital can’t be measured entirely in dollars.

It is reflected in the children given hope and help by enthusiastic students who make the event successful.

Downtown sushi eatery fuses fresh ingredients, fast-casual feel

SARAH MULLINS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Fusian’s seaweed wrap with roasted tofu, roasted red peppers, cucumber and avacado is topped with spicy mayo and tempura flakes. Salted edamame is served on the side.

Contemporary restaurant Fusian serves up extensive choices at affordable prices SARAH MULLINS STAFF REPORTER

Contemporary décor and a casual atmosphere beckon sushi lovers through Fusian’s glass doors — a restaurant that offers students a quick, affordable and satisfying lunch made of fresh ingredients and nearly limitless

opportunities.

A box of menus and a list of dietary restriction accommodations are available for customers as soon as they stand in line. To the left are built-in shelves showcasing Fusian T-shirts and other eclectic items.

The restaurant, located at 600 Vine St., is set up like a Chipotle; customers order each ingredient as they move down the line. The sushi menu consists of a

wide variety of vegetables, including jalapenos, red peppers and asparagus along with a selection of proteins. There are also recommended roll choices on the menu along with choices of soup, salad and edamame.

Once customers arrive at the first ordering station, they choose either a soy wrap or traditional seaweed wrap along with protein and vegetables. After rolling sushi on a traditional bamboo mat, a sushi cutting apparatus slices each roll into 10 pieces.

The next step is choosing sauces for drizzling and other toppings such as sesame seeds.

Drinks are lined up in a case by the pay station, including organic green tea, fountain drinks and sparkling and cucumber-infused water with eco-friendly plastic cups. The soda station also houses ramekins for soy sauce and chopsticks.

The restaurant is spacious, featuring multiple tables to choose from and a bar along the window for a downtown street view.

I ordered the seaweed wrap with roasted tofu, roasted red peppers, cucumber and avocado topped with spicy mayo and tempura flakes ($6.75) with a side of salted edamame ($1.75).

The roasted tofu was seasoned perfectly and almost tasted like chicken; it jived well with the vegetable mixture and the fresh crisp of the cucumber, the smoothness of the avocado and the sweetness of the red pepper.

The tempura flakes added a crunchy texture that pulled all of the ingredients together. I usually dip my sushi in soy sauce, but the spicy mayo was perfect to seal each roll with a spicy kick.

The freshness of the ingredients and

extensive menu choices make Fusian stand out from other fast-casual restaurants, offering ample choices for vegans, vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.

SARAH MULLINS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Patrons can choose to sit at Fusian’s bar, which offers an intriguing view of downtown Cincinnati.

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MONDAY, FEB. 17, 2014 / NEWSRECORD.ORG

5 / ARTS Phantogram Comet hosts operatic cello performer MONDAY, FEB. 17, 2014 / NEWSRECORD.ORG

fans hearing ‘Voices’ HEATHER KING STAFF REPORTER

Writing and recording their unique sound in a remote barn in upstate New York aptly named Harmony Lodge, Phantogram unleashed “Voices,” a matured, dream-like album that will captivate and awe listeners.

The opening track, “Nothing But Trouble,” features grungy synths and indie rock infused instruments. Sarah Barthel’s vocals are fluid and ethereal, which is her signature throughout the album. Having a mature but still entertaining sound, this song is a great start to “Voices.”

Then “Black Out Days” breaks in with a powerful buildup in the opening. The album begins to feel like one big dream in which several voices speak to listeners.

The collection of songs stays true to the name as Barthel’s echoing vocals glide over high and low synths. “Black out days, don’t recognize you anymore,” the dream begins.

Low bass synths and beautiful lyrics introduce “Fall In Love.” It’s difficult not to fall in love with Barthel’s soft vocals in this song, she definitely has great vocal range and this is proven on every track of the album.

This song is proof that the duo can produce a masterful electronic album without being chaotic and Phantogram focuses more on instrumental movement than hectic electronic sounds.

“Never Going Home” features vocals by Josh Carter who is talented in his own right.

Tribal drums begin the song, and as the track progresses there are several different, eclectic percussion elements that are weaved perfectly.

Carter proclaims, “If this is love, I’m never going home,” and the listeners become lost in the dream that is “Voices.” The album begins to climb higher and build up more sound and energy as the next track begins.

What sets Phantogram apart from other electronic groups is that the production on the album is not overdone and the electronics do not dominate the other instrumental elements in the songs.

“Howling At The Moon” is a brilliant mixture of percussions and synths, and features a sound similar to drumming on glass bottles and snapping fingers. Barthel sings hauntingly, “At night I cry and howl at the moon,” the lyrics fit seamlessly with the mood of her voice and the evocative instruments.

The climax of the album, “I Don’t Blame You,” begins with choppy samples of a buzzing vinyl recording and soft vocals from Carter. Then he sings loudly, “I don’t blame you,” over driving beats and the same grungy synths.

The album relaxes with “Celebrating Nothing,” a more electronic song with a bouncing beat and a darker and somber tone. Brethel’s signature fluid vocals rise and fall, sadly singing, “How many times will I blow it all? How many times will I burn it down? Give me a reason to stay alive.”

Phantogram delivers a mature sound with “Voices,” and delivers listeners’ senses out in the ether of space.

DAN SULLIVAN STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Opera vocals rocked local bar; all-girl band perfect closing act JAKE SCOTT STAFF REPORTER

As punk and indie fans gathered together in The Comet Thursday, the warm atmosphere really came to life.

The diverse crowd and lineup added to the excitement of the show and while inside was surprisingly quaint, music erupted the place.

Kate Wakefield, a classically trained opera singer, started the show by blending vocal melodies and dark cello beats. It was impossible to look away from the fascinating act that Wakefield put on.

She sung individual parts of the song one at a time and then looped them together, so by the end of the song this one-woman show sounded like a string orchestra.

Sleeves, a local punk trio, got the crowd standing and banging their heads to loud

vocals, distorted guitar tunes and blast beat drumming.

Sleeves’ sound is old school and fast.

To finish the show Leggy (the band formerly known as Sweet Teeth) took the stage.

The self-described “babewave” and “nu garage indie poptarts” had the crowd packed within inches of the microphone.

The only thing tighter than their sound was their pants.

Leggy lit up The Comet with their likeable personality and was the only act to get everyone out of their seats.

Loud, energetic, all the bands brought their own unique element to the stage.

Wakefield was a soothing solo artist with an unconventional mix of skills that created magic.

The voice of Sleeves lead singer and guitarist, John Hoffman, an electronic media student at UC, was classically punkish. Then there was Leggy, a trio with two blondes fronting on guitar and bass and a bearded drummer.

The Comet was as pleasant as the concert.

A wall divides a bar and a large sitting area where the show took place.

The bartender bustled back and forth behind the bar serving delicious beers as the waitresses delivered overwhelming plates of nachos.

The beer tap handles that cover the walls and the aroma of food solidified what this place is about: good beer and good food.

A short drive from the University of Cincinnati, the Comet boasts a packed schedule of concerts, ranging from bluegrass to reggae, and beer related events through the month of February.

There is always something happening at this local venue. The place is known for its burritos. The Comet is an easy way to catch local acts from around the Cincinnati area or bands touring the nation. Its a melting pot for musicans, and one of the few places one can catch an opera/punk show.

‘Great Beauty’ examines modern Rome Man contemplates whether life is wasted on expendable pleasures MONROE TROMBLY STAFF REPORTER

As the sun set over Rome and its plethora of history and incredible culture, a deep pulsing beat slowly starts to rise in volume and intensity on a terrace high above the streets. A party, resembling more of a nightclub, is filled to the brim with bodies of people dancing. Promiscuity is in the air.

This is the high life, as described by “The Great Beauty’s” protagonist, Jep Gambardella, (Toni Servillo) who has just turned 65. Everyone is drawn to Jep, man or woman. He is the king of the nightlife and his intellect is readily apparent with his quick wit and humor.

The party suddenly slows down, and the camera draws to Jep alone, as he smokes his cigarette with his signature casual air. In a voice-over he explains his dilemma, which

is a nagging feeling that his life has been wasted on the high life.

Once a celebrated novelist 40 years ago, he now spends his days writing as a cultural columnist and basking in nightlife of the cultural elite.

Jep, a man who seemingly has everything, experiences some dissonance when he learns that his former lover died. She haunts his memories and probes his consciousness to explain why he’s lived life this way.

Writer and director Paolo Sorrentino uses Jep and his story to delve into broader questions regarding life and purpose.

Beautifully filmed in some of Rome’s most spectacular and culturally rich locations, “The Great Beauty” explores the cultural divide and gap between old Rome versus modern Rome.

Sorrentino films Jep as he walks along the streets, listening to faint conversations of common citizens contrasted with the frenetic energy of tourists. It appears that nobody really cares to know or delve into the

intricacies of Rome as Jep does.

The tourist guide does a quick once-over of the most important landmarks, while the citizens are so used to the landscape that they’ve forgotten just how rich of a city they live in. As Jep’s companions dance the night away overlooking the Coliseum, Sorrentino asks: Has Rome gone downhill with wealth and extravagance?

To describe “The Great Beauty,” in a few choice words be a nearly impossible feat, but the overlying themes are simply life and death.

There is no narrative to figure out, Sorrentino simply wants viewers to ooze into their seat and take in the splendor of Rome.

The film nears its close as Jep narrates a final voice-over, concluding that his life has perhaps been trivial and deciding that he cannot spend any more of his time mulling over the past. Simply because our time here, no matter where it be, is short and sweet.

HEATHER OBRINGER STAFF DESIGNER

Adults with moderate nasal congestion and cough needed for research study

February 21st 6:45 - 8:00 PM Stratford Pavillion

Do You Currently Have a Cold?

What The purpose of this study is to see the different fferent brain image responses when ff petroleum (petroleum jelly)or Vicks® VapoRub® (VVR) is applied to your skin.

Who Adults 18 to 65 years of age who are currently experiencing at least moderate nasal congestion and cough due to the common cold.

Pay Participants will receive up to $300 for their time and travel.

Details For more information call the Research Center at 513-558-5414, 513-558-0924 or 513-558-5795.

SSHH A BB 0 00 B B AT 1 0 Shabbat 100 is the largest and most epic student Shabbat dinner of the year at UC - and we want you there!

Whether you’re a regular or you've never been to a Shabbat dinner before, now is the perfect chance.

So grab your friends, enjoy incredible Mexican food, and the awesome energy of so many Jewish Bearcats in one room!

AEPI + HILLEL + CHABAD Shabbat 100 is a Chabad on Campus national initiative

(513) 751-2288

SHABBAT 100 AT UC

6 / SPORTS Guyn, Thomas UC shoots past Houston in second half hold keys to March MONDAY, FEB. 17, 2014 / NEWSRECORD.ORG

success for UC JOSHUA MILLER SPORTS EDITOR

Because it’s true, the story of the University of Cincinnati’s 2013-14 basketball team will be told from the standpoint of “Sean Kilpatrick and Justin Jackson carried the old Bearcats this far.”

This being wherever the season may end for SK, Jackson and crew.

Whether it be by vote, or by re-vote after UC head coach Mick Cronin personally visits every single AllAmerican voter’s family home late at night clad in a ski mask and loosely wielding a crowbar (Note: Mick isn’t very amused by the lack of national respect for SK.), Kilpatrick is in the midst of an All-American season. Jackson, for all intents and purposes, is the unquestioned most-improved player in the country this year.

Generally speaking Kilpatrick is going to get his 20 (closer to 30 at the moment) and Jackson — if, God willing, he stays out of foul trouble — is going to do all those life-threatening jumpthree-rows-into-the-band-type things that he does. Titus Rubles, the perpetually undervalued third member of UC’s senior trio, is equally consistent in showing that he will do whatever he can do.

But come March, and hopefully the first week of April, the starters not named Kilpatrick, Rubles or Jackson (Ge’Lawn Guyn and Shaq Thomas) have to play their roles to perfection for the Bearcats season to end where they want it.

Saturday, they played it right.

Thomas, whose raw talent and potential have been the topic of too many conversations and even more sleepless nights for Cronin since his arrival at UC, is a deadly weapon at times. But just as often he’s a ghost, too hesitant to make the kind of impact on games he could and should be making.

It’s quite baffling at times, watching Thomas make fly at the rim in transition, spin past two defenders, jump through the roof and casually roll the ball in.

Well, that’s not baffling, I’ve seen him do that plenty of times. It’s baffling, because he can disappear for the next 36 minutes.

Confidence and the lack there of, it’s something Cronin, Kilpatrick and Jackson have battled to correct in Thomas all season.

“If you have the ability to make the moves you make, especially on the break, and you’re 6’9, picture what you can do if you make yourself more assertive,” Kilpatrick said.

“If he gets inside of 15 feet, it’s over,” Jackson interrupted. “There’s really nothing you can do about it. I can’t even do anything about it.”

Saturday was the closest thing we’ve seen to a full game of aggressive play from Thomas. He got to the basket early and often. When he’s on, Thomas is one of few players in the country that posses 6-foot-9-inch height and great ballhandling abilities.

Thomas’ stat line Saturday included 5-for-10 with 11 points. It’s a start, but it’s the least UC can accept from him in the tournament. As Cronin said after the game, 12-to-15 points is what UC needs every night from Thomas down the stretch. It would take a hell of a lot of pressure off of Kilpatrick, not having to go out and pour in 30 points against a good team. But improved scoring from Thomas would also open up defense and allow Kilpatrick to do just that.

Then there’s Guyn, who has battled his way back into a major role for UC after many fans and scribes, myself included, thought it was only a matter of time before he was benched for baby-faced freshman Troy Caupain.

Guyn has been on a consistent uptick for more than a month now. And although he doesn’t score often, his 3-point shooting continues to improve and seemingly every point he scores is in the clutch. In three consecutive games, victories against Louisville, South Florida and UConn, I firmly believe UC loses without baskets from Guyn in high-pressure situations.

He knocked down a pair of deep 3-pointers in both the Louisville and USF games and two highly contested buckets in the lane against UConn.

Saturday, he buried Houston with back-to-back 3-pointers to close out the game, daggers. Perhaps more importantly, he only committed one turnover in 26 minutes at the helm of one of UC’s most efficient offensive performances of the season.

Assuming UC’s defense returns to its usual stifling ways, the added offense output from Guyn and Thomas can completely change the dynamic of UC’s game.

Can Guyn and Thomas combine to contribute at least 20 points, preferably 25? That’s the question that will control how far they go when it matters most.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE Check out newsrecord.org for updates on the University of Cincinnati baseball team’s season-opening series against Elon University.

Sean Kilpatrick’s 28 points lead Bearcats past efficient Houston squad JOSHUA MILLER SPORTS EDITOR

The University of Cincinnati basketball team won Saturday with an atypical advantage on the offensive side instead of a usual life-smothering defensive triumph.

But a not so uncommon force led the charge down the stretch, one that came in the form of Sean Kilpatrick and Justin Jackson.

Clinging to a one-point lead at the half, No. 10 UC (23-3 overall, 12-1 in the American Athletic Conference) shot 60 percent in the second half to pull away late for a comfortable 73-62 victory against the University of Houston (12-13, 4-8 AAC).

It was the kind of game UC will have to be capable of come March.

“I thought it was a great experience for us today, to have to execute the way we had to execute to win this game in the second half,” said UC head coach Mick Cronin.

There were 23 lead changes in the game, but it switched hands for the final time when Jackson, with a perfect assist from Kilpatrick, electrified the sellout crowd of 13,176 fans at Fifth Third Arena. A onehanded dunk from well outside the lane gave UC a 59-57 advantage with 5 minutes and 15 seconds remaining.

Kilpatrick pushed UC’s lead to three, 61-58, with a pair of free throws and, on the ensuing possession, dished to a wide-open Ge’Lawn Guyn, who buried a 3-pointer from the corner to put the Bearcats up 64-58.

Guyn, who has made a habit of making clutch shots during UC’s recent stretch of close wins, buried the dagger for UC on the next possession with a nearly identical shot, again with an assist from Kilpatrick.

“They were huge,” Kilpatrick said. “He’s a shooter, and every time we pass him the ball we yell at him to shoot. He’s a guy that can knock down threes and open the gap for us.”

Jackson and Kilpatrick together scored 22 straight points for UC, over a span of more than 10 minutes, before Guyn’s backto-back 3-pointers put the game away.

Kilpatrick finished with a game-high 28 points, Jackson (13) and Shaq Thomas (11) also finished in double digits for the Bearcats. Playing in his 132nd consecutive game — a UC record — Kilpatrick eclipsed the 500-point plateau for the season, joining UC greats Oscar Robertson and Danny Fortson as the only players to do so in three different seasons.

After the game, Cronin was notably frustrated by the lack of national respect for Kilpatrick.

“I would ask you guys, is he not a firstteam All-American?” Cronin said. “I want to know a guard that’s better than him, please somebody tell me. I’m not talking about some freshman that’s gonna be who he’s gonna be in five years, I’m talking about right now. Who is better than Sean Kilpatrick? I’m asking.”

UC looked very flat coming out of the gates, after a rare seven-day break after having its 15-game win streak snapped

by Southern Methodist University. But Guyn and Titus Rubles gave the Bearcats a spark and their first lead heading into the under-16 break with a pair of transition baskets.

Houston went on to lead for the better part of the first 10 minutes before Thomas

PHIL DIDION PHOTO EDITOR

UC freshman Troy Caupain looks to shoot during UC’s 73-62 victory against Houston Saturday night.

dribbled his way open in the lane and knocked down a 10-footer to give the Bearcats a 17-16 lead. Kilpatrick, who had an uncharacteristically uninvolved start, pushed the advantage to 19-16 with a driving layup that was highly contested in transition.

UC continued to struggle in the halfcourt, as Houston went on a 7-0 run to take a 25-21 after back-to-back jumpers from L.J. Rose.

The Cougars led by as many as six points in the first half, before the Bearcats clawed their way back within two, 28-26, with free throws and transition layups. Kilpatrick gave the Bearcats what felt like an unlikely halftime lead with a 3-pointer form the top of the key with less than a minute remaining.

Thomas and Rubles seemed to be the only players in sync for UC in the first half, combing to score 13 points in the paint on 6-of-10 shooting.

For UC to make a legitimate title run in March, the Shaq Thomas that showed up Saturday needs to show up every game.

“Shaq is the guy that can be a consistent 12 to 15 points a game player,” Cronin said.

“That’s what we need and I think that is pretty obvious.”

Joined by Jackson, Thomas and Rubles

continued to carry the Bearcats in the onset of the second half, as UC’s big men scored the first 10 points of the half to keep pace with the equally efficient Cougars.

Houston made six of its first seven shots in the second half, as they led 42-39 before Kilpatrick converted another 3-pointer to level the score with 14 minutes remaining.

Much like the first half, Houston found a way to cling to a minimal lead for extended periods, but again Kilpatrick swiped the lead back for UC. Kilpatrick scored nine of UC’s first 12 points coming out of the under-14 minute media break, putting UC up one (51-50) with a slicing up-and-under layup with 9 minutes and 39 seconds remaining.

As it seemingly has been all year long, UC’s defense clamped down in the closing stages of the game, holding Houston with out a field goal for more than five minutes down the stretch.

“A lot of [UC’s ability to finish off games] is Justin and SK and Titus,” Cronin said.

“But a lot of that is habit, too. Hopefully that’ll serve us well in March, when all the teams are good. If we can get to the last five minutes, we’re in business.”

UC travels to Orlando Wednesday for a 7 p.m. tipoff with the University of Central Florida.

UC women defeat Temple after miraculous second half Alyesha Lovett’s career-high 20 points lead UC to emotional victory CHARLES GROVE STAFF REPORTER

To say the Cincinnati women’s basketball team showed improvement in the second half of the game Saturday against Temple would be a stark understatement.

After netting only 11 points in the first half, scoring only one point in the final 10 minutes, the UC women shot a blistering 72 percent in the second half to earn a dramatic 55-53 victory in Philadelphia.

Junior Alyesha Lovett scored a careerhigh 20 points for the Bearcats with seven of those coming down the stretch in the final two minutes of the game.

Lovett also dished out four assists and swatted four Owl shots.

“I can’t say enough about Alyesha Lovett,” said UC head coach Jamelle Elliott. “She really took our team on her shoulders. Lovett was able to get us into our offense. She was able to score for us and she was just that emotional leader out there.”

Elliott said Lovett was not only a leader on the court but was vocal during timeouts in the midst of her 15-point second-half performance.

After scoring 11 first-half points the Bearcats quadrupled that number in the final 20 minutes shooting 18-of-25 from the floor including 5-of-6 from beyond the arc. All but two of the Bearcats’ 55 points came from the starting lineup.

Temple head coach Tonya Cardoza said she felt like her team didn’t come to play in the second half.

“When you show up to play basketball you’re stepping on the court to compete for 40 minutes and I don’t think we really showed up,” she said.

Cincinnati (11-14, 4-10) outplayed Temple (12-13, 6-8) with just eight players due to a number of injuries, which plagued the Bearcats for much of the season. Seniors Dayeesha Hollins and

Tiffany Turner, along with guards Bianca Quisenberry and Alexis Durley were out for the game.

“We’ve gone through a lot this year with injuries … and for some reason we’ve still been able to play hard and have a good attitude,” Elliott said. “No matter how many players we had on the trip, no matter how many players we have suited up for practice and play, they believe we can win and they went out and showed that today.”

Quisenberry, one of the few point guards the Bearcats currently have, played in the previous contest against Memphis Feb. 12. Elliott said she contemplated bringing her in against Temple but ultimately decided to let her rest.

“I asked her if she wanted to play and she said yes,” Elliott said. “But then just my gut feeling said she probably could use this day of rest and hopefully we get her back healthy so she can be ready to go when we play South Florida.”

“I can’t say enough about Alyesha Lovett. She really took our team on her shoulders.”

- Jamelle Elliot, University of Cincinnati head coach

In addition to Lovett’s 20-point performance, two other Bearcats scored in double figures. Senior Jeanise Randolph scored 14 and pulled down nine rebounds, falling just short of her tenth double-double of the season.

Sophomore Jasmine Whitfield scored 11 points while pulling down five rebounds along with three steals.

The win is the second in a row for the Bearcats after they dropped their previous four games. UC will take aim at the South Florida Bulls (13-10, 8-4) in the next game. The Bulls won the previous meeting 57-48 and have won two games in a row themselves.

Tipoff against USF is set for 7 p.m.

Wednesday. The game can be seen live on ESPN3.

FILE ART

Cronin downplays contract rumors UC head coach happy with Ono’s outreach; hasn’t received new contract THE NEWS RECORD

Numerous rumors circulated this weekend about University head coach Mick Cronin signing a long-term contract extension, including a significant increase in pay. Cronin, however, has denied that any such action is taking place.

“Some people have got all the answers and I think too much time on their hands,” Cronin said following UC’s 73-62 victory against Houston. “Hopefully that happens someday, but like I said, President Ono is my guy. He loves sports. He cares about our arena situation.”

The rumored contract was said to have been for an extension through 2021 and would’ve increased Cronin’s salary to more than $2 million a year. But it was supposedly to have been announced by now, which hasn’t taken place.

But Cronin did make it clear that he had no intention of coaching anywhere else, and that he was confident in the program’s direction with support from Ono. “That alone sent me a message, along with how much we’ve conversed over the last month. I’m lucky to have President Ono,” he said. “I appreciate him, but as far as all that stuff, I don’t have anything to sign. I think I’ve made it pretty clear where I want to be. I don’t think I’ve ever wavered on that one.”