March 30 2016

thelantern

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016 THELANTERN.COM

CAMPUS

The university has said they won’t be signing with the Real Food Challenge because they are setting sustainability goals independently.

ON PAGE 2

THE STUDENT VOICE OF THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

ARTS&LIFE

YEAR 136, ISSUE NO. 28 @THELANTERN

SPORTS

Columbus band Nick D’ & the Believers are set to release their most experimental EP yet this year.

ON PAGE 4

The men’s lacrosse team has a defense that treasures unity above all else.

ON PAGE 8

Renovations set to make ‘Shoe shine MICHAEL HUSON Campus Editor huson.4@osu.edu Time and change has surely shown within the walls of one of the most iconic stadiums in college sports.

The Ohio State University announced on March 29 plans to undergo a $42-million renovation project to Ohio Stadium in an effort to preserve and upgrade the 94-year-old facility.

The four-year project, which is part of a long-term renovation plan for the stadium, will include concrete restoration, expansion to suites and seating alterations.

Renovations are set to occur in phases, beginning in 2017 and ending in 2020.

Vice President and Director of Athletics Gene Smith said during a press conference at the Ohio Stadium Recruit Room that the multiple-phase project is an investment in the maintenance and modernization of the ‘Shoe, adding that some of the renovations will be “significant to the long-term health” of the stadium.

“We’re committed to providing our fans, players and coaches with the best facilities in the nation,” he said. “We knew we had to get some of this done in order to avoid

MICHAEL HUSON | CAMPUS EDITOR

Top: Ohio State plans a four-year $42-million renovation project for Ohio Stadium.

Bottom: Vice President and Director of Athletics Gene Smith announces a $42-million renovation project to Ohio Stadium on March 29. future degradation of the cement on C-deck ... At the same time, we have fans requesting upgraded seating options. We see this as a great opportunity to accomplish both projects. It’s an important invest-

ment in the stadium that is beloved by so many.”

The project will be funded by the Department of Athletics through auxiliary funds, debt and private donations, according to a universi-

ty release.

The concrete restoration portion of the project will restore and recoat concrete on C-deck, which lines the top tier of the east side of the stadium and wraps around to the west.

The project also calls for improvements to B-deck, in which view can currently be obstructed.

These upgrades include improved lighting, the installment of larger televisions, an improved sound system and new scoreboards.

This renovation will result in the removal of some seating on B-deck, with overall seating capacity still exceeding that of 2014.

That year, 2,600 seats were added near the south end zone in anticipation of this plan, Smith said.

Seats expected to be removed due to renovation are set to be available for single-game purchase this upcoming season. The removal of 2,600 seats is expected to begin in 2018 .

Total seating capacity by the beginning of 2018 is expected to be 102,854, Smith said.

Although the stadium’s present capacity is 104,944, Smith said he is comfortable with the loss of seating, which will raise capacity about 500 seats from the pre-2014 level.

“This is right. We’re very careSTADIUM CONTINUES ON 2

CNN commentators to discuss election at OSU

COURTESY OF JONATHAN TUNICK

Political strategists Donna Brazile and Alex Castellanos will be visiting Ohio State.

JAY PANANDIKER Engagement Editor panandiker.1@osu.edu

Political strategists Donna Brazile and Alex Castellanos will be visiting Ohio State on Thursday to discuss the political landscape, especially in the run up to the 2016 election. In addition to managing their own political consulting firms, Brazile, a Democrat, and Castellanos, a Republican, regularly appear as political commentators on CNN. Castellanos said he sees the event, which will occur in the Ohio Union at 7:30 p.m., as an opportunity to listen to people who are

the future, which he finds “nourishing.” He said he hopes he’s able to discuss what type of government students envision. Brazile, who has lectured at hundreds of college campuses, said she plans on an adult-like conversation. Brazile said she also hopes to discuss the role Ohio plays in electing presidents and how young people can get into the room and be involved in the political landscape.

“We talk about politics a lot, but I think it is important to engage young people in their political future and why they should be involved now,” she said.

Castellanos first entered politics in the 1980s and has been involved in several presidential campaigns since. Being inside of a campaign changes the way he sees politics, he said, and very few people can say precisely what political strategy is.

“A lot of people say it’s a goal or it’s a vision,” he said. “No. It’s none of that. The best definition of strategy that I’ve seen is from a PUNDITS CONTINUES ON 2

COURTESY OF OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION AND PLANNING

Ohio State was presented with the StormReady designation at the Severe Weather Symposium at the Ohio Union.

Ohio State is ‘StormReady’ for the upcoming severe weather season STEPHANIE WISE Lantern reporter wise.1075@osu.edu As severe weather season approaches, Ohio State is taking a preventive approach and received StormReady certification this month from the National Weather Service.

The service’s website states that the certification “helps arm America’s communities with the communication and safety skills needed to help save lives and property — before, during and after the event.”

Julia Dian-Reed, a service hydrologist and meteorologist at the National Weather Service, said that the application process to be certified as StormReady is strenuous.

“The program was designed in mind to have communities and, in this case, universities keep weather awareness in mind … it means being able to monitor for different types of weather for which the university is vulnerable,” Dian-Reed said.

To receive certification, organizations must, among other requireSTORMS CONTINUES ON 2

SAMANTHA HOLLINGSHEAD | PHOTO EDITOR

OSU freshman forward Mickey Mitchell (00) during a game against Penn State in the Big Ten tournament on March 10 in Indianapolis.

Two more Buckeyes seek transfers Mickey Mitchell, A.J. Harris granted release from basketball team RYAN COOPER Sports Editor cooper.487@osu.edu Just a day after freshman Daniel Giddens requested his release from the Ohio State men’s basketball program, two of his classmates are following him out the door.

After Giddens said goodbye on Monday, forward Mickey Mitchell and point guard A.J. Harris have also been granted their releases, OSU coach Thad Matta announced in a press release.

“We appreciate what A.J., Daniel and Mickey did for our program as freshmen, and we wish them well,” Matta said in the release.

Harris appeared in all 35 games for the 2015-16 Buckeyes, starting four times. The Dayton native struggled offensively through much of the season, averaging 2.8 points per game on 32.3 percent shooting.

He added a rebound and 1.7 assists per contest.

Mitchell, a native of Plano, Texas, saw his college career get off to a rocky start when he was ruled ineligible by the NCAA and was unable to suit up for the Buckeyes for the first month of the season.

After making his debut in OSU’s 12th game, Mitchell went on to average 2.0 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

The departure of the two like-

TRANSFERS CONTINUES ON 7

PAGE 2 | THE LANTERN | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016

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THE LANTERN Go to The Lantern’s website for more stories about campus-related events.

Ohio State declines Real Food Commitment DANIEL HERBENER Lantern reporter herbener.4@osu.edu Ohio State has said no to the Real Food Campus Commitment, according to a letter sent from the university to Real Food OSU leadership on March 22. The letter was written by Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Bruce A. McPheron and Vice President for Student Life Javaune Adams-Gaston.

The commitment called for 20 percent of the university’s food purchases to be “real food,” meaning food that is local or community-based, fair, ecologically sound or humane, according to the Real Food Challenge’s website.

“Over the past several months, the university has reviewed the elements of the Real Food Campus Commitment,” the letter stated.

“While we support the initiative in spirit, we will continue to independently design goals and strategies that can be customized to the needs, challenges and opportunities of our institution and our local community.”

Rachel Metzler, president of Real Food OSU, said the group has

been asking for the commitment for two years.

“Since the beginning of our campaign and interactions with administration, we have always been asking for the commitment,” she said. “They have just been vague about a clear yes or no before and have always reiterated that we have ‘shared goals,’ similar to as it states in the letter.”

The OSU petition also called for maintained transparency by the university and the opening of space for “student voice in the campus food system.”

The university’s decision comes on the heels of the Undergraduate Student Government’s Resolution 48-R-41, which made official the student body’s support of the Real Food Commitment. While the letter from OSU made it clear that the university will continue to look to increase local and sustainable food purchases, Metzler, a fourth-year in environment, economy development and sustainability, said she sees this as a silencing of student opinion.

“Actually engaging with students on this is not in their plans,” Metzler said. “This is the process that students want, and they are saying

COURTESY OF SOPHIE CHANG

Ohio State has decided against the Real Food Campus Commitment. no to that, which is ludicrous. We see this letter as a true ‘no’ to student engagement.”

The university letter cites the sustainability goals laid out by OSU’s President and Provost’s Council on Sustainability, highlighting a goal to “increase production and purchase of locally and sustainably sourced food to 40

STADIUM FROM 1

ful in making sure whatever we do aesthetically fits what we have in place,” he said. “We’re committed to completing this project in the most fan-friendly manner as possible. We’ll be careful as we manage this renovation throughout the seasons.”

Planned renovations to the “premium seating” area includes the addition of 35 loge boxes and 12 luxury seats, as well as merging the existing university suites into one University Suite. The expansion plan is expected to conclude in August of 2017, while the loge seats and suites are expected to be completed in 2019.

Smith said this space is expected to better accommodate non-

“We’re committed to completing this project in the most fan-friendly manner as possible.”

Gene Smith Vice president and director of athletics

football-related events, such as weddings, banquets and business meetings.

The project also calls for upgrades to power distribution systems for the east, west and south stands. With this improvement, three transformers will be added to increase power.

Despite the stated needs for significant renovations, Smith said

Ohio Stadium is not at risk of a full reshoeing and will remain as the home of the Buckeyes. He noted that the 2001 facility renovations are expected to have added an additional 75 years to its lifespan.

“This total plan, in my view, will significantly enhance our opportunity as we move forward to the future schedules that we have in football to make sure our fans have a fan-friendly environment that will allow us to continue to provide remarkable experiences for our fans,” he said.

The renovation plan is subject to OSU Board of Trustees approval.

@Mike_Huson

STORMS FROM 1

ments, monitor severe weather and flooding conditions and maintain a “24-hour warning point and emergency operations center.”

“The idea is that you’re ready 24/7,” she said.

OSU has plans in place to alert the university of severe weather, including weather radios, local media and phone apps, Bob Armstrong, the director of the Office of Emergency Management and Fire Prevention, said in an email.

“We also utilize a private forecasting meteorology service called DTN. This private service, combined with the National Weather Service radar, provides near real-time weather monitoring, including lightning detection,” he said.

The university also provides a Buckeye Alert system, which sends a text message to the campus community when action needs to be

taken to remain safe, according to the Department of Public Safety’s website.

“Over the next few months, we will be modifying our auto-messaging,” Armstrong said, adding that a Severe Thunderstorm Warning email or Tornado Warning text is sent if any area in Franklin County is subject to a warning. “We will be modifying this so that the email and/or text will only be sent if the Columbus campus is in the direct path of the storm.”

Armstrong said the more selective messaging will tell the community when they immediately need to take cover. Additionally, Armstrong said Emergency Management and Fire Prevention plans to partner with the communications team to increase the use of social media to better communicate with the OSU community.

Dian-Reed said OSU has other

plans in place for the safety of the campus during special events.

“The (Office) of Student Life said that the criteria is 300 students or more; if there is any type of gathering whatsoever, the organizers of that gathering have to have an emergency plan, and that includes what to do when it comes to severe weather. It covers the bases in multiple ways,” she said.

Dian-Reed said that OSU has had many of these safety precautions in place before its StormReady application, and that students and faculty alike can be involved.

“Have it in your mind, ‘If I got word of a tornado warning, where would I go?’ Having that in the back of your mind is always helpful,” she said. “Not only in university setting, but beyond and throughout your life.”

percent by 2025.” Metzler said that Real Food OSU would have no issue with signing the commitment at 40 percent.

The letter stated that the university’s goal is double that of the minimum percentage for the Real Food Campus Commitment and applies to all food purchased by OSU, going beyond dining halls.

However, Metzler expressed concern because Real Food OSU was not able to understand where the university got its numbers, citing denials of several requests to see OSU’s dining records.

“We do feel that the sustainability goal, especially in light of the letter we received, is hollow,” Metzler said. “The outline of the goals includes statements on how com-

munity and student engagement should be a primary mechanism for achieving the goals, however, clearly if they are not willing to commit to Real Food, as has been demonstrated to be the community and undergraduates’ want for the goal, they are not actually working with the OSU community.”

According to the Real Food Challenge website, three schools have already signed off on a 40 percent goal. These schools are Oberlin College, Warren Wilson College and University of California, Santa Cruz.

The letter from the university also stated that it plans on keeping the student body informed and engaged as it moves forward in the process to become more sustainable.

“As we seek to achieve this aspiration, we will continue to engage students in a variety of ways, including on work groups and research teams. Likewise, as is always a critically important component of efforts at the university, we will create an assessment plan to track and monitor progress toward our goals,” the letter stated.

Despite this assurance from the university, Metzler made it clear that Real Food OSU will continue to fight for its voice to be heard.

“We will be continuing to demonstrate that this is something the Buckeye community wants,” Metzler said. “If the university is going to deny students a voice, then we are going to have to make one for ourselves. We pay the tuition to go here, and we want the university to be the best it can be.”

PUNDITS FROM 1

book of chess. Strategy is creating a series of imbalances that compel a desired outcome. That’s what I’ve learned over the years.”

Brazile, who managed Al Gore’s presidential campaign, said her background in politics has focused on strategies involved in winning the nomination and election as well as outreach to voters. She said voter turnout among key demographics and involvement in the political process is informative, and it helps explain what is happening in the political process.

For this election, Castellanos said he believes that Americans feel that they are losing something, and they no longer feel the optimism about better days being ahead, but instead feel stuck. He said people are so frustrated with government that they want to throw it out and start over, but that he has reservations about Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump because he fears “the autocrat.”

“The fact is that Donald Trump didn’t create Donald Trump,” he said. “Democrats and Republicans did. Democrats did by producing nothing but more expensive (government) failure … Republicans can only say, ‘No,’ at increasingly high decibels. We haven’t offered a better way.”

Brazile said she thinks it is im-

portant that the next president and the next Congress reflect the country’s values. She said too many Americans don’t vote, and Americans with the power to create change should find ways to allow more people to do so.

“People should be able to be involved in their government and take a leading role in our democracy,” she said.

Brazile said she she remains optimistic because she believes in forward-looking policies to help people. She said she believes that the election will ultimately not be about what people look like or attacks but about the future of the country.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,” Brazile said. “Eleanor Roosevelt said that in the 1940s, and I still think we can say that today in the 21st century.”

Castellanos also said he remains hopeful.

“Sometimes when you see all this ugliness and division, it’s actually a sign that things are changing,” he said. “It’s because people are dissatisfied with what they have now, and they are reaching for something better.”

@JayPanandiker

PAGE 3 | THE LANTERN | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Holding USG accountable FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

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Lantern Classifieds HELP WANTED GENERAL

LANTERN FILE PHOTO

Members of USG listen during a meeting on Dec. 2.

On the evening of March 23, amidst a contentious and emotionally charged debate over Resolution 48-R-43 at Ohio State Undergraduate Student Government’s General Assembly meeting, a senator gave testimony in which she stressed the incivility of both sides and argued that the resolution was bringing about a culture of divisiveness. As part of this testimony, she made the following claim: “Yet today, I saw offensive, anti-Semitic and charged comments toward Jewish students on our campus from members of OSU Divest.”

The senator’s comments concerned me, as I am a Jewish supporter of OSU Divest.

I emailed her asking for more information, with the intention of starting a dialogue within OSU Divest to make our campus a safer place for Jewish students. The senator’s response shocked and disappointed me. She refused to name the students who allegedly made anti-Semitic comments, citing concern for their personal safety and an unwillingness to “single anyone out.”

Although confused about why she would be so reluctant to “single out” anti-Semites, I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt, asking instead for a general description of the content and context of the comments. Not only was I denied this information, she completely refused to respond to me, instead having another member of USG email me back. The member repeated that it would be “inappropriate” to answer my questions and claimed that USG was in touch with the organizers of OSU Divest directly regarding this issue. After consulting with those organizers, I found that this was not true — while USG members had been in contact with them, they had not given them any information about anti-Semitism from members of OSU Divest.

thelantern THE STUDENT VOICE OF THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY The Lantern is a student publication which is part of the School of Communication at The Ohio State University. It publishes issues Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and online editions every day. The Lantern’s daily operations are funded through advertising and its academic pursuits are supported by the School of Communication. Advertising in the paper is sold largely by student account executives. Students also service the classified department and handle front office duties. The School of Communication is committed to the highest professional standards for the newspaper in order to guarantee the fullest educational benefits from The Lantern experience.

The bizarre evasiveness of the USG members involved in this exchange led me to suspect that the senator had fabricated the claim. Of course, because she refused to give me any information, I have no way of confirming my suspicion. Regardless, her refusal to be accountable to the students affected could mean only one of two things: 1) She made it up. The incidents she referenced are entirely invented either to serve her own rhetorical agenda, or because she made a racist assumption that anti-Semitic comments MUST have transpired, and therefore didn’t think it was necessary to find specific examples to substantiate her claim. I don’t know whether she consciously made this up to further legitimize her attempts to stay neutral, or whether she unconsciously assumed it to be true because of her latent racism.

2) She is unconcerned with the safety of Jewish students. If her claim is true, why is she protecting the identities of anti-Semites so fervently? Her refusal to compromise at all, provide any information, or even continue a dialogue shows that she is not concerned for my safety as a Jewish student within the accused group. If she were truly concerned about anti-Semitism on campus, why would she refuse to give Jewish students the tools to combat it? I can only conclude that the safety of Jewish students means so little to her that she would rather take her avoidance to extreme lengths than have a slightly uncomfortable conversation.

I write this not to single this senator out, as I witnessed similar behavior from many people in the OSU community on that night. I chose to center her comments because they provide a clear example of how the divestment conflict is co-opted by third parties in a way that harms both Jewish

Editor in Chief Amanda Etchison Managing Editor for Content Alex Drummer Managing Editor for Design Denny Check Copy Chief Robert Scarpinito Campus Editor Michael Huson Asst. Campus Editor Danika Stahl Sports Editor Ryan Cooper Asst. Sports Editor Kevin Stankiewicz Arts Editor Sallee Ann Ruibal Asst. Arts Editor Hannah Herner Photo Editor Samantha Hollingshead Asst. Photo Editor Muyao Shen Design Editor Kyle Powell Assistant Design Editor Jose Lacar Multimedia Editor Jenna Leinasars Asst. Multimedia Editor Ashley Nelson Engagement Editor Jay Panandiker Oller Reporter Sarah Mikati

and Palestinian students by deepening divides and preventing meaningful dialogue.

Furthermore, if the senator fabricated the claims, she is placing the safety of every Jewish student at risk by providing ammunition to those who would deny our experiences of discrimination. Whether she knew it or not, when she took the risk of her lies being exposed, she took the risk of giving those who deny the existence of anti-Semitism an air of credibility. She took the risk of providing a socially acceptable, readymade excuse for the OSU community to take the easy road of denial that bigotry exists, rather than the difficult path of identifying, combating and healing from it. If she was telling the truth, her willingness to allow anti-Semitism to go unchecked makes her complicit in the maintenance of a culture where anti-Semitism is acceptable.

Either way, she has jeopardized the safety of Jewish students, and for that she should be held accountable. With our votes, we hired you to advocate for us, and we have the right to know if you’re doing your job.

Elaine Cleary Third-year in economics and political science Active member of Jewish and LGBTQ on-campus communities

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BASEBALL TRAINER FOR TEEN Baseball experience a must! Looking for a college athlete with baseball experience to work with our 12 yr old son on baseball fundamentals to improve his skills and build his confidence level. Hours would be after school 2-4 days/week 2 hours a night. Pay would be negotiable based on experience. Would like to start as soon as possible through June with opportunity throughout the summer. Please contact George if interested at (614) 329-5132.

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​ROBERT MASON The Robert Mason Company opened a new location in the Short North selling office supply items and other accessories. ONLINE

BELIEVE COLUMBUS’ OWN

ZAK KOLESAR Lantern reporter kolesar.25@osu.edu

This past Monday night, Columbus indie-pop act Nick D’ & the Believers practiced at Musicologie, a local music-instruction studio partly owned by guitarist and keyboardist for the band, Joseph Barker. The back-alley studio that the band is practicing in has a garage door that served as a massive seethrough window into the band’s late-night session.

The practice came one day before the band performed at The Woodward Theater in Cincinnati and dropped the first single off its forthcoming EP. The song, “Crown,” is just as dynamic as any of the previous three projects the group has released, but it is layered much differently.

With a trio of three-song projects annually released by the band since 2013, this year’s yet-to-be-titled EP encapsulates the most experimental phase that Nick D’ & the Believers has gone through.

“We expect to kind of go on that journey every time we write something, create something; to just explore and see where the song takes us,” said Barker, a 2006 Ohio State graduate in strategic communications.

The band has already adapted to the most recent challenge when it added members Seth Bain on bass

“I think when you write with different people it’s like cooking with different spices.”

Nick D’Andrea Lead vocalist of Nick D’ & the Believers

and drummer Corey Webb a week ago. During the aforementioned practice session, guitarist Kerry Henderson met Bain for the first time, there was synergy in the room as the band ran through “Crown” hours before it became available to the world.

As for Webb’s connection with lead vocalist Nick D’Andrea, Henderson and Barker, it stems from live shows the trio previously performed with the drummer’s elastic backing. For purposes of enhancing the live experience, Nick D’ & the Believers recently decided to recruit Bain and the bandmate-named “dangerous” Webb.

“We really wanted to start getting the sound of our records live, and playing as a three-piece, which we did at first for the sake of convenience, we weren’t able to get the same sonic experience of the CDs,” said D’Andrea, a 2009 OSU graduate in English.

After the lead singer explained the reason for extra onstage help,

Nick D’ & the Believers can make it big

One year later, Weinland Park reflects on murals NICK ROLL For The Lantern roll.66@osu.edu

The Weinland Park that Brandyn McElroy moved into in 2012 is not the Weinland Park of today.

Back then, and when he served on the safety committee of the Weinland Park Community Civic Association in 2013, crime was the No. 1 concern reported by people living in the neighborhood.

The racially and socioeconomically diverse neighborhood sits in the southeast corner of the University District — bound by North High Street to the west, Chittenden Avenue to the north, East Fifth Avenue to the south and railroad tracks on the east boundary. The area includes student housing, family housing and a middle school.

A billboard displaying alcohol advertisements on the lot of a beer barn seemed to overshadow and speak for the community, McElroy said.

The billboard was located on the busy intersection of North Fourth Street and Fifth Avenue for thouZAK KOLESAR | LANTERN REPORTER sands to see every day as they drove Lead vocalist Nick D’Andrea and guitarist Kerry Henderson by. rehearse “Crown,” the first single off the group’s “We said, ‘We can take this back, forthcoming EP. we can make this ours,’” McElroy said.

Webb jokingly struck a note on his like it’s been a quintet for years.

A year ago, they did just that. drum pad that proclaimed, “MuIn addition to the recent lineup The Weinland Park Collaborasic!” The room ensued in laughter change, the sound of the band has from the band members, and the also gone through an evolution this tive, which includes the Commubrand new collective already seems WEINLAND CONTINUES ON 6 BELIEVE CONTINUES ON 5

WHAT’S UP THIS WEEKEND Wednesday, March 30

Thursday, March 31

Creative Writing + Arts Contest Showcase 3-6 p.m. in Scott Laboratory. Students, faculty and staff involved in the Department of Engineering Education present art in various mediums. Admission is free and open to the public.

Hello Luna, Betsy Ross and SHVS doors open at 8 p.m. at Big Room Bar, 1036 S. Front St. Three Columbus bands, including previous Columbus’ Own feature Betsy Ross, take the stage.

Tickets are $5 for 21+ and $7 for under 21, all ages welcome.

Poetry Open Mic Night 8 p.m. at Kafe Kerouac, 2250 N. High St. A weekly event presented by Writer’s Block. Admission is $5 and open to the public.

COTA’s Line #2 runs on High St. until midnight* * Mon-Sat, until 10pm on Sundays

39th Annual Jazz Festival 8 p.m. in Weigel Auditorium.

The first day of the four-day festival presented by the OSU School of Music features a performance by the Ohio State Jazz Ensemble.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Friday, April 1 Nick D’ & the Believers doors at 9 p.m. at Rumba Café 2507 Summit St. The local band releases its new single with supporting acts Nonaphoenix and Harbours. Admission is $10 for 21+ and $12 for under 21.

April Fool’s comedy show doors at 7:30 p.m. Campbell Hall, Room 200. An event sponsored by the OSU Comedy Network featuring 8th Floor Improv, Buckeye Standup Comedy, Fishbowl Improv, The Sundial Humor Magazine and Backburner Sketch Comedy. Admission is free.

Saturday, April 2 Dog Show noon-3 p.m. on the Oval. Dogs on campus compete in skills, an obstacle course and a costume contest on campus, which aims to raise funds for Operation Smile, an organization that funds surgeries for children with cleft lip and cleft palate. Admission is free, donations accepted.

Scarlet Showcase 7 p.m. in Hitchcock Hall. Various musical and dance acts take the stage for the Scarlet Script a capella group’s fourth annual event. Admission is free and food is offered, donations accepted.

Swipe your Buck ID for unlimited rides throughout Columbus

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016 | A&L | 5

Operation Smile pageant aimed at doing good MARIA SWICK Lantern reporter swick.52@osu.edu When people think of pageants, they may have a negative opinion, given the judgment of beauty and awards of crowns and sashes. But the Ohio State Operation Smile Club wants to use its Mr. University pageant competition as a platform for fundraising and change.

The Operation Smile Club is sponsoring the pageant with the goal to raise the money for their organization, which raises funds for cleft palate and cleft lip surgeries in disadvantaged countries. The winner Mr. University will be determined by who raises the most money.

Dena Pierog, director of collaboration for the Operation Smile Club and a third-year in marketing, said that normally the club sells doughnuts, but they wanted to try a different fundraising approach.

She stressed the importance of the event in raising money for the life-changing surgeries.

“I think it is very important to give to others less fortunate than you are when the opportunity arises, and this event lets participants do that and have an awesome time,” Pierog said. “Our goal is to raise $720, which would provide three surgeries for children born with cleft lip and cleft palate because some people in poverty-stricken countries could not afford to pay for this surgery out of pocket.”

Pierog said that usually when people think about pageants, they think of traditionally female contestants only. She said that having the Mr. University pageant open to both genders “flips the tables on

COURTESY OF DENA PIEROG

A group photo of Operation Smile OSU. The student organization is putting on a male pageant to raise funds for their cause. the gender stereotype.”

Connor Wagner, vice president of operations for the club and a firstyear in neuroscience, said the audience of the Mr. University competition will determine who moves on in the competition by voting with money. Each contestant will take part in an on-stage challenge such as a question or lip-synching competition. The audience will then donate money to their favorite contestant, and the contestant with the

“Our goal is to raise $720, which would provide three surgeries for children born with cleft lip and cleft palate...”

Dena Pierog Director of collaboration, Operation Smile Club

least money will not proceed to the next round.

“The Mr. University contest blends having fun with supporting a great cause, which is Operation Smile,” Wagner said.

The Mr. University pageant competition will take place at 8 p.m. on April 8 at the U.S. Bank Conference Theater at the Ohio Union, and they are accepting applications for participants until Wednesday.

D’Andrea described the new set of songs as “more organic,” sentiments which Barker echoed.

“We actually didn’t use nearly as many synths as we have in the past,” Barker said. “It’s more of a rock-band sound; guitar-based rather than synth-based.”

At its core, Nick D’ & the Believers sounds like an upbeat poprock group destined for radio, but the band members’ personalities remain humble despite possessing a marketable sound.

“I think when you write with different people it’s like cooking with different spices,” D’Andrea said.

“When (Barker, Henderson and I) make a meal together, it’s usually upbeat and a good time.”

Columbus has embraced the group.

“People are warmer here, man,” Henderson said, “so it tends to help for a live show.”

Nick D’ & the Believers will ZAK KOLESAR | LANTERN REPORTER be performing at Rumba Café this Bassist Seth Bain, guitarist and keyboardist Joseph Barker and guitarist Kerry Henderson Friday with Nonaphoenix and Harfocus on directions for the setup of an upcoming performance. bours as part of the band’s release BELIEVE FROM 4 of “Crown.” Tickets are $10, with year. Instead of relying solely on almost bare. sounds in the past three years, but an additional $2 door charge for guitar, synth, percussion and vocals “It’s kind of like Mr. Potato “Crown” has, by far, the most mov- those under 21, and doors will open to guide listeners along a wave of Head: you got all these different ing parts and exuberant dynamic at 9 p.m. positive-sounding vibes, the group pieces, and you could give him a out of the band’s entire collection. is experimenting with an eclectic moustache and a top hat,” D’An- The track debuted on Tuesday, variety of instruments and sounds. drea said. along with start of the band’s eightThe usual process behind Nick Henderson finished, “But that’s date Ohio and East Coast tour. The D’ & the Believers creating a song gratuitous.” multi-song project has no set reMORE ON OUR WEBSITE is to start out with as many parts Nick D’ & the Believers has pri- lease date, but will appear somewww.thelantern.com as possible, and then strip the track marily dabbled with synthesizer time this fall.

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WEINLAND FROM 4

nity Civic Association of which McElroy is now president, Fortune 500 companies, the city of Columbus and Ohio State University, pooled $50,600 to rent out the billboard for a year and commission a series of four murals that rotated every three months for the duration of the lease.

OSU’s Wexner Center for the Arts and Campus Partners were involved in the project, and the university donated $7,500. Campus Partners, OSU’s nonprofit development arm, has a history of working in the neighborhood.

Campus Partners “primarily (focuses) on the stabilization of real estate and the neighborhood’s physical environment,” Erin Prosser, director of community development for Campus Partners, said in an email. She added that the billboard project was “directly in line with (its) mission to support the revitalization of the surrounding community.”

While others were supportive of the project financially, McElroy said that the artistic process came from the community, which was important.

“We have a lot of organizations coming into Weinland Park,” McElroy said, from Ohio State to national and local nongovernmental organizations. “And as a community, you can feel as though you are losing yourself.”

The billboard was a way for the community to say exactly who they were. “(The mural project) was (the

“It was a message of that’s who you thought we were, but this is who we really are.”

Brandyn McElroy President, Community Civic Association

NICK ROLL | FOR THE LANTERN

The Weinland Park billboard sits at the corner of North Fourth Street and East Fifth Avenue. community) stating our identity, that we aren’t about the alcohol ads, we’re about something positive,” McElroy said. “And it got people talking about those positives.”

John Grosvenor, a Weinland Park resident and freelance illustrator, was one of the artists who worked with local youths on the project. “(They) were integral in the design, obviously, but without them the project would have had a whole lot less impact,” Grosvenor said.

“They are what this neighborhood will be in 15-20 years.”

The lease is set to run out in April, and like the neighborhood itself, the future of the project is uncertain.

Both McElroy and Grosvenor had heard rumblings of continuing the project for another year but said nothing solid had been decided.

Prosser, of Campus Partners, also said she had “no information on plans to continue (the project)

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after April.”

The one thing everyone is certain of is that Weinland Park is changing.

“That billboard is a symbol of change,” McElroy said, “It was a message of that’s who you thought we were, but this is who we really are.”

Change has brought new problems to the neighborhood, however. Instead of fighting crime, now the Community Civic Association is focusing on ways to keep residents in the neighborhood, among other concerns.

“We are an area of families, including single parents — a full array of families and communities,” McElroy said, adding that students live in the area as well. “Housing has really come to a forefront. We want to make sure all of our residents can stay as they transition out of supportive housing, and can move into affordable housing and not have to move outside of the neighborhood.”

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MEYER FROM 8

ber and freshman offensive guard Michael Jordan as other players who caught his eye in the scrimmage.

Concern at offensive line Among the Buckeyes’ mass exodus of players from last year’s team were three of the team’s five starting offensive linemen, with only redshirt junior guard Billy Price and redshirt senior center Pat Elflein remaining.

Replacing 60 percent of the offensive line has been one of the major concerns for Meyer and his staff this spring.

“We’re still trying to find that starting five,” Meyer said.

One player who has caught the attention of his coach is Jordan, who has earned first-team practice time with the offensive line.

“He just loves it,” Meyer said.

“He doesn’t know if it’s right or left sometimes, but at this point, we don’t care. You come in for extra work, enjoy the game, enjoy your practice, and be a tough guy.

He’s done all that. We’re really impressed with him.”

Sophomore left tackle Isaiah Prince and junior right tackle Jamarco Jones — regarded as the favorites to win the starting jobs at their respective positions — are also “doing better,” Meyer said.

“Whoever plays that position, we can’t drop off (from last year),” Meyer said.

Tight running back competition With 2015 Big Ten offensive player of the year Ezekiel Elliott gone to the NFL draft, the Buckeyes are trying to determine who will fill the sizeable void and take over the starting running back role in 2016.

As was widely expected, the former four-star recruit Weber is among those at the top of the depth chart after redshirting his freshman year due to a meniscus tear.

However, Meyer said redshirt senior Bri’onte Dunn — who hasn’t seen the field much through his first three years of eligibility at OSU — is “neck and neck” with Weber right now.

“I’m so impressed with him,” Meyer said. “You all know a couple years ago, there wasn’t a whole lot of conversation about him.”

Whether he wins the starting job or is the backup to Weber, Dunn should get his first real opportunity for playing time in his final year donning scarlet and gray. He has only 48 career carries for 287 yards and three touchdowns through his first three seasons in Columbus.

Meyer also said freshman Antonio Williams, a four-star recruit out of New London, North Carolina, has stuck out in spring practice and could be the first freshman to lose his black stripe.

Meyer and the Buckeyes will continue their march toward the spring game, which is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. on April 16 at Ohio Stadium.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016 | SPORTS | 7

TRANSFERS FROM 1

ly puts an end to the unexpected mass exodus of talent from the program. While OSU came into the year with zero rotation players expected to leave due to graduation or to enter the NBA draft, it has turned out to be quite the opposite.

Harris is the fourth player to seek a transfer since the season began, with the three this week joining guard Austin Grandstaff, who left in December. Interestingly, all four of those players were part of the 2015 recruiting class. Freshman guard JaQuan Lyle, in fact, is the only one of the five-man recruiting class still remaining.

However, Matta can likely feel safe that the recruiting class won’t be lost completely, as Lyle, the top recruit of the group, has been vocal in his desires to remain at

OSU since the season ended. Lyle has even taken it upon himself to criticize his former teammates, tweeting “Grass ain’t always greener on the other side” on Tuesday, in reference to Giddens and Mitchell.

Another player, redshirt sophomore center Trevor Thompson, has temporarily left the team to enter the NBA draft. But due to rules in place beginning this year, a player is allowed to keep all of his NCAA eligibility as long as he doesn’t hire an agent. Therefore, it is probable that Thompson will be wearing scarlet and gray again for the 2016-17 season.

@RyanCooperOSU

SAMANTHA HOLLINGSHEAD | PHOTO EDITOR

OSU freshman forward Mickey Mitchell (00) during a game against Penn State in the Big Ten tournament on March 10 in Indianapolis.

LACROSSE FROM 8

Those first-year guys, like freshmen midfielders Logan Maccani and Noah Best, have had a great mentor in Kapinos, Haus said.

“I know we’re trying to develop some young faces at the defensive midfield, and he’s done a really good job bringing them in and building chemistry with them,” Haus said.

Communication has been essential in the OSU defense’s success this year. Lacrosse is a sport that involves a lot of switching, commonly referred to as sliding.

If an on-ball defender lets his man get past him, the defender has to be ready to slide in order to double team the ball-carrier. Then the whole defense has to slide in order to cover the now-open man.

It’s a complicated process, one that would result in allowing a goal without constant communication, Kapinos said.

“It’s just keeping everybody on the same page so that we’re all organized and making sure that we’re all doing the same thing,” Kapinos said. “You can’t have one guy doing one thing and five guys doing the other.”

A lot of what the defense does is communicated by the goalie, and Kapinos said Carey is excellent at his job.

“It helps with Tommy in the goal,” Kapinos said. “Tommy gives us a lot of communication and kind of quarterbacks the defense.”

The Buckeyes are set to com-

mence Big Ten play on Sunday.

They’re scheduled to face a No. 18 Penn State team that ranks 12th in the nation with 12.67 goals per game.

The team will be trying to sever its four-game losing streak, including a 15-6 loss to No. 1 Denver in which OSU gave up eight fourth-quarter goals after only being down 7-5 heading into the final period.

Carey said he blames himself for the fourth quarter meltdown but said the defense as a unit cannot be making so many mistakes.

“I think a lot of that falls back on me, and at the same time we play as a unit,” Carey said. “So, I’ve got to be a lot better, but we have to be better as a whole unit in stopping shots, getting the ball up and out in transition and … getting back to the basics and getting better every single day.”

With the chances of an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament dwindling, the Scarlet and Gray will need to turn things around quickly in order to be invited to the Big Ten tournament. A Big Ten championship would give the Buckeyes an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

However, it will take the whole defense, and, really, the whole team, in order to make this happen.

“You’re only as strong as your weakest link,” Haus said.

GABRIELLA DIGIOVANNI | LANTERN PHOTOGRAPHER

OSU freshman pitcher Morgan Ray (6) throws a pitch during a game against Maryland.

SOFTBALL FROM 8

Jenkins is hitting .410, while junior Chloe Miller has racked up 32 RBIs. Last season, Jenkins started every game and led the team in home runs, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Miller added two team highs of her own in RBIs and doubles.

Following in Jenkins’ footsteps is catcher Melanie Cross, who is having her own stellar freshman year. Cross was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Monday after batting .500 in the Badgers’ past five games, including a 3-for4, two-RBI performance in their loss to the Spartans on Saturday.

From the circle, Wisconsin falls near the middle of the Big Ten in overall ERA, but the duo of junior Kirsten Stevens and senior Taylor-Paige Stewart have combined for 117 strikeouts. Like last weekend against Maryland, the Buckeyes will face another left-hander when batting against Stevens, who was named the Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year last season at Mercer prior to transferring.

Before facing OSU on Friday, the Badgers are scheduled to go head-to-head against South Dakota on Wednesday in their home opener. This game will give Schoenly and the Buckeyes one last chance to scout the Badgers before heading to Madison, Wisconsin, to take them on for themselves.

“What’s nice is that we don’t have any midweek games this

week, so we can fully focus on what they’re going to do,” Schoenly said.

Top of the conference Four Big Ten teams pulled off sweeps of their opponents last weekend, but OSU’s strong tournament showings and domination of Maryland have sent it to the top of the conference for the first time this season. Schoenly said she was impressed not only by the run her team is on but also by who stepped up against Maryland, especially the players who generated more than just singles.

“We’re showing a ton of power, and I hope we can continue with a lot more of these doubles, triples and home runs,” she said.

This commanding offense might be the key to staying atop the conference. The Buckeyes have finished the past two seasons in sixth place in the Big Ten, but Schoenly said she sees promise in her players to remain on top as the season progresses.

“I’d rather be No. 1 than not,” she said. “We’re feeling good, and the girls have a lot of confidence, which I think breeds winning.”

Up next After their trip to Wisconsin, the Buckeyes are scheduled to return to Buckeye Field on April 6 for a doubleheader against Penn State in another Big Ten contest, which is set to begin at 4 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016 | THE LANTERN | PAGE 8

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STRENGTH IN UNITY

Buckeyes finding their identity through defense ZACHARY KONNO Lantern reporter konno.8@osu.edu

If there’s a word to describe what a lacrosse defense needs, it is unity.

In almost any team-oriented sport, it is difficult to win if the team is not playing with unity on the defensive side of the ball.

While one player might be able to carry the load offensively at times, an out-of-sync defense usually spells disaster.

Unity is one thing that the Ohio State men’s lacrosse defense has prided itself on this year.

After losing two of the top three goal scorers from last year in Jesse King and David Planning, OSU coach Nick Myers said the players on defense knew they would have to rely on each other in order to help an offense with a lot a fresh faces.

“I think it’s big … anytime that you have relationships that you can lean on, that you have confidence in each other,” Myers said. “A lot of defense, and a lot of high-level defense, is trust and communication.”

OSU’s scoring defense currently ranks in the top 20 in the nation, only allowing nine goals per game.

Senior defensive midfielder and co-captain Kacy Kapinos said he and his teammates have a special relationship that allows them to find their best stuff.

“We have that comfort level with each other where we play together, and we can also push each other,” Kapinos said.

The starters that make up the defensive side of the ball — seniors Robby Haus and Chris Mahoney, sophomore Erik Evans and redshirt junior goalie Tom Carey —

SAMANTHA HOLLINGSHEAD | PHOTO EDITOR

OSU players and coach Urban Meyer address the media on Dec. 30 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

FOOTBALL

3 points from Meyer’s spring press conference MATT WILKES Senior Lantern reporter wilkes.22@osu.edu

of softball,” she said. “They do a lot of base stealing, a lot of hit-andruns, a lot of squeezes, so we have to be on our toes nonstop.”

Nine Badgers on the roster bat left-handed, giving the lineup the opportunity to take advantage of bunting, slap hitting and its overall speed. For OSU’s pitching staff, this week’s practices will be dedicated to preparing to stop its opponents’ agility.

“We’re going to have to take their speed away with strikeouts. We’ve got to get to work,” Schoenly said.

Wisconsin sophomore Kelsey

With its annual spring game looming on April 16, the Ohio State football team held its sixth spring practice on Tuesday morning in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

Following the morning of drills and conditioning, OSU coach Urban Meyer met with the media to discuss the previous Saturday’s intra-squad scrimmage and how spring drills have been progressing.

Here are three of the takeaways from the press conference.

Scrimmage standouts Despite redshirt junior Tyquan Lewis — OSU’s lone returning starter on the defensive line — being out for the spring with a shoulder injury, Meyer said he was impressed with the play of the unit during the scrimmage.

Specifically, he commended the performances of redshirt sophomore defensive end Sam Hubbard, junior defensive end Jalyn Holmes and redshirt freshman defensive tackle Davon Hamilton.

“D-line is the area of most concern in our program,” Meyer said.

“I think that’s shifted a little bit to the O-line now.”

After amassing 28 tackles and 6.5 sacks as the primary backup defensive end last season, Hubbard is set to take over as the starter at defensive end for Joey Bosa, who is expected to be a top-five pick in the upcoming NFL draft. Holmes is currently getting first-team repetitions due to the absence of Lewis.

Hamilton, meanwhile, appears to be making headway at a defensive tackle position filled with question marks after the graduation of Adolphus Washington.

“He’s coming out of his shell a little bit,” Meyer said of Hamilton.

The coach also mentioned freshman receiver Austin Mack, redshirt freshman running back Mike We-

SOFTBALL CONTINUES ON 7

MEYER CONTINUES ON 7

CAMERON CARR | LANTERN PHOTOGRAPHER

(Top) OSU sophomore defender Brendan Barger (45) during a game against Notre Dame on March 26 at Ohio Stadium.

(Bottom) OSU senior defender Chris Mahoney (21). have had the opportunity to play together for more than a year now, helping to create that unity every defense needs. ”It’s really beneficial for us. I think me and Chris have been there for the longest amount of time, so we have a really good relationship.

Then Tommy came in and we hit it

off immediately,” Haus said. “Erik is a young guy, but he acts a lot older than he is, and I think being around some of these seniors and redshirt juniors has helped him a lot.

“Our chemistry is awesome.”

Carey continued, elaborating on what experience playing with each

other means as opposed to playing with freshmen on the team.

“I think the relationships we have with one another — (Robby) and I, and Chris and Evans, too — (they) just allow us to hold each other to a little bit different standard than the first-year guys,” Carey said.

LACROSSE CONTINUES ON 7

SOFTBALL

After opening sweep, OSU looks to keep winning ANGELIA HEIMSOTH Lantern reporter heimsoth.1@osu.edu The Ohio State softball team might be only one weekend into its Big Ten schedule, but the Buckeyes (18-7, 3-0) are currently sitting atop the conference after sweeping Maryland in their home debut.

This first-place standing could give OSU the upper hand as it looks to continue its win streak in its three-game matchup against Wisconsin (16-12, 2-1), which is set to start Friday at 5 p.m.

The Buckeyes have not faced the Badgers since the 2013 season, so the matchup will be a change of pace. Still, OSU coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly said she is aware of the momentum and energy Wisconsin will likely bring this weekend.

“We will play a tough team this weekend in Wisconsin,” she said.

“We’re feeling good, and the girls have a lot of confidence, which I think breeds winning.”

Kelly Kovach Schoenly OSU softball coach

GABRIELLA DIGIOVANNI | LANTERN PHOTOGRAPHER

Members of the OSU softball team huddle outside the dugout during a game against Maryland.

“We know what to expect, but we still need to focus on what they are going to generate against us.”

Scouting Wisconsin The Badgers are coming off a winning weekend against Michigan State, headlined by a 10-1 win in

which they scored all of their runs in one inning.

Schoenly mentioned Wisconsin’s heavy use of small ball, as well as wearing down pitchers by strategically putting the ball in play.

“They have a very unique brand