The Northerner | Ed. 63 Issue 13 by thenortherner.com

BRANNEN OUT Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up next after NKU head coach leaves for the UC Bearcats? story page 7

Disconnected: Student gives up social media for a year story page 4 & 5

Edition 63, Issue 13 Wednesday, April 17, 2019

thenortherner.com @northernermedia

PRIDE AT NKU Open Mic Night: Pride, poetry and prose page 3

Annual Pride March draws SU crowds page 6

PHOTO BY BILLY KEENEY

02 Happenings

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

NORTHERNER STAFF

WWW.THENORTHERNER.COM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sam Rosenstiel [rosensties1@mymail.nku.edu] MANAGING EDITOR Nicole Browning [browningn30@gmail.com] NEWS EDITOR Natalie Hamren [hamrenn1@mymail.nku.edu] ASST. NEWS EDITOR Josh Goad [goadj2@mymail.nku.edu] ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Josh Kelly [kellyjoshual17@gmail.com] ASST. ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Kane Mitten [mittenm1@mymail.nku.edu] SPORTS EDITOR Sierra Newton [newtons3@mymail.nku.edu] PHOTO EDITOR Colin Johnson [johnsonphotography6626@gmail.com]

WHAT TO DO Check out the hottest campus happenings and can’t-miss events in Greater Cincinnati.

NICK OFFERMAN: ALL RISE TOUR | TAFT THEATRE | 8 P.M. | $40+ Comedian Nick Offerman, best known for his role as Ron Swanson in hit NBC sitcom “Parks & Recreation,” is making a stop in Cincinnati on his latest tour. Offerman will bring his unique brand of sarcastic humor to the Taft Theatre stage. Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com now.

FC CINCINNATI VS. REAL SALT LAKE | NIPPERT STADIUM | 7:30 P.M. | $25+ FC Cincinnati is fighting for a playoff spot, as they sit at the lowest seat before the post-season, and one win ahead of the Chicago Fire. Head to Nippert Stadium to watch FC Cincinnati fight to keep their season alive as they clash with Utah-based team Real Salt Lake.

ALEXANDRIA BREWING COMPANY ANNIVERSARY | 7926 ALEXANDRIA PIKE | 11 A.M. | FREE For the first time since its opening, the veteran-owned Alexandria Brewing Company (A.B.C) will have bottles of their special brews for sale, as part of their first year anniversary celebration. Food trucks from local restaurants will be scattered about and special variants of beer will be in effect all day.

APR

u n i v e r s i t y

ASST. PHOTO EDITOR Emerson Swoger [emeswagg16@gmail.com]

POLICE BEAT

ASST. VIDEO EDITOR Abby Behrens [behrensm1@mymail.nku.edu]

April 9 - Subject reports stolen or missing wallet in Student Union.

DESIGN EDITOR Bridgette Gootee [gooteeb1@mymail.nku.edu] DESIGN EDITOR Ian Lape-Gerwe [lapegerwei1@mymail.nku.edu]

April 15 - Subject’s car became stuck in mud after attempting to leave Kenton Garage without paying.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Maria Dossett [dossettm1@mymail.nku.edu] SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Kate Fulmer [fulmerk1@mymail.nku.edu]

COPY EDITOR Billy Keeney [keeneyw1@mymail.nku.edu] BUSINESS TEAM Joseph Clark [northerneradvertising@gmail.com] ADVISOR Michele Day [daymi@nku.edu]

From University Police logs, here’s the week in crime at NKU.

April 12 - Two subjects involved in an altercation in Lot Q, reported as a domestic incident.

WEB EDITOR Laine Harrett [harrettn1@mymail.nku.edu]

ENGAGEMENT EDITOR Isabel Winkleski [northerneradvertising@gmail.com] COPY EDITOR Noelle Horn [hornn3@mymail.nku.edu]

North Poll

Take our survey so we can improve The Northerner:

bit.ly/NorthPoll

Men’s basketball Head Coach John Brannen left for the Cincinnati Bearcats (pg. 7). How do you feel about his departure?

Kane Mitten ASSISTANT ARTS & LIFE EDITOR

JOIN US 5 p.m. Mondays in Griffin Hall 204 Visit us in our newsroom GH 125

ABOUT THE NORTHERNER Entire content is copyright ofThe Northerner and may not be reprinted without prior consent. Views expressed do not represent those of the administration, faculty or student body.The Northerner is considered a designated public forum. Student editors have authority to make all contentdecisionswithoutcensorshiporadvanceapproval.TheNortherner staff respects the right to a free and open dialogue as allowed under the First Amendment.

CONTACT US The Northerner Griffin Hall Rm. 125 Highland Heights, KY 41099 Editor in Chief: (859) 572-6128 Designers Desk: (859) 572-6677 Advertising: (859) 572-5232

“Part of me always knew this would happen. I definitely don’t see it as a slap in the face, he did a lot for us.”

Zachary Kohlman, sophomore, business management

“I think NKU is definitely going to take a hit.”

“It’s unfortunate that the talent in the coaching ranks is pulled from up-andMalik Washington, senior, psychology and coming mid-majors and they don’t let public relations double major them finish our their legacy.”

COVER PHOTO OF JOHN BRANNEN BY COLIN JOHNSON. PHOTO FOR SOCIAL MEDIA BY EMERSON SWOGER.

Chandler Caudill, senior, sports business

Ed 63, Issue 13

Arts & Life 03

Open Mic Night brings Dada, poetry to SU for Pride Week

Bluford win SGA presidential election

Kane Mitten

ASSISTANT ARTS & LIFE EDITOR

Students, friends and significant others gathered to hear NKU students share their stories at the sixth annual Open Mic Night in the Student Union multipurpose room, as part of the annual Pride Week. Writers including Emma Sanning, who shared her piece “Elephant Toes,” and Meredith Read, who shared what she called “a poem I wrote myself for myself,” were among the students who shared a variety of poems, freestyles, spoken word pieces and songs at the event. Isabel Sleczkowski, leader of the campus queer women’s alliance the Lavender Society, was the emcee for the event and also shared her own poem. Sophomore computer science student Nathaniel Marcum, who got on stage and gave what he described as going on an “improv tangent,” had the crowd equally confused and laughing. “I hope you have the gayest of days,” Marcum said at the event. “If you’re ever down in the dumps, just summon Exodia and just send that [expletive] to the shadow realm.” Marcum said he really enjoyed the musical selections performed at this year’s event, and that this year’s performers were different. “I remember a lot of the poems and artists from last year,” Marcum said. “Last year was like, half gay, LGBTQ poems and half, like, racial and feminism kind of

poems. This year, it seemed more skewed over to the LGBTQ side, which was, of course, awesome. I love every bit of it.” LGBTQ+ Programs and Services, in partnership with campus organizations Lavender Society and Poetic Justice, brought in queer poet Katie Kramer as the event’s special guest. Kramer, who is a nationally famous poet and has toured over 400 college campuses to share her work, delivered a performance that was equal parts hilarious, thought-provoking and emotionally touching. A rapt audience looked on as Kramer shared her life story with topics like her father’s struggle with cancer, her grandmother’s reluctance to accept her sexuality and the conflict she experienced in the LGBTQ+ community when she married a trans man. She amused the crowd with anecdotes like, “Y’all ever get FOMO? It’s like YOLO, but with way more anxiety,” and “The thing about grief is that it never sleeps; it is an all night party, and all of your bones are invited.” Kramer has performed at NKU twice before, and said NKU’s audiences always bring really great energy. “All three times that I’ve been here, I’ve just gotten to be in this room surrounded by a bunch of really rad queer folks,” Kramer said. “I really loved that there was an open mic beforehand, because I like getting to share the space with other

Nathaniel Marcum, a sophomore computer science student, takes the stage at the sixth annual Open Mic Night in the Student Union multipurpose room. PHOTO BY KANE MITTEN

folks also reading poems and performing, so that was really awesome.” She said that she’s met people at NKU that she’s kept in touch with over time, like LGBTQ Programs and Services Director Bonnie Meyer, her partner and other audience members, which “doesn’t always happen on the road.” Meyer praised NKU for always supporting the LGBTQ+ community on campus, saying that in her six years as director, she has received an outpouring of support from the administration, regents, faculty, staff and students. She said they see more people coming out every year to events like the Pride March Katie Kramer, a nationally-renowned queer poet, performed in front of dozens of NKU students at LGBTQ Programs and Services’ Open Mic Night event. PHOTO BY ALYSSA WEBER

CHECK OUT OUR PRIDE PLAYLIST HERE:

or LGBTQ+ History Month events in October. “I think that’s one of the beautiful things about NKU is that we support each other,” Meyer said. “NKU celebrates the diversity that we have on campus and they certainly support the celebration of [LGBTQ+] students as well.” Meyer said that events like Pride Week are crucial because representation for LGBTQ+ students is important. “It’s why we had the march on campus today. It’s why we have the rainbow flags, the bi flags, the pan flags and the trans flags all around campus,” Meyer said. “It’s about being visible.”

News 05

04 News

DISCONNECTED Nicole Browning MANAGING EDITOR

After grappling for years with her relationship between social media and her own self worth, Carley Lampke decided that in 2018, she was going to disconnect. For many young adults, identity in the real world and online persona are not simply cohabitants, but are interwoven. While social media has powerful abilities to connect, it can also leave users placing their self-worth on the approval of others through these online communities. Lampke, a junior public relations major, made a New Year’s resolution to take a step back from social media—specifically Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. A string of revelations Giving up social media came to Lampke as a series of “ah-ha” moments— revelations about herself and what she would describe as an unhealthy relationship with social media. In November 2017, her first “ah-ha” moment came when she realized she was experiencing a decline in her mental health and spending much time fixating

on her online image. She then talked with her mom about taking a step back. “I just was like, ‘Who am I? What am I doing? Why am I trying to impress people who I will not see?’” Lampke said. Lampke’s high school best friend Jessica Broering was shocked when she heard the news because Lampke highly values connection with others. Still, Broering believed in her ability to accomplish the goal. “I had no doubt in my mind. When she sets her mind to something, there’s no stopping her. She’s going to get the job done no matter what she wants to do,” Broering said. “...She can do anything, pretty much.” Lampke also had the support of her boyfriend, Hayden Haas, who gave up social media alongside her. “I would say it’s just grown us closer because she’s not really on her phone as much,” Haas said. “Neither of us are really on our phones.” From force of habit, Lampke found herself getting on the app and quickly getting off during the first few months. Not only did she feel withdrawal from the platforms, but she suddenly had extra free

Carley Lampke, NKU junior public relations major, gave up all social media except Snapchat for all of 2018. PHOTOS BY EMERSON SWOGER

time she could start utilizing. “I’ve always felt like I wasn’t living life … but now that I’ve subtracted something that was so big out of my life, I’ve been able to redirect my time and attention to things that I’ve wanted to do,” Lampke said. Redirecting her time included doing things like walking her boyfriend’s dog more, talking to her mom and researching topics she had always been interested in. Further, she began making genuine efforts to reach out to her friends, as they were no longer readily available. This was also one reason why Lampke originally decided to keep Snapchat, as so many of her friends directly communicated on it. “[It] made our relationships stronger themselves,” Lampke said. “I wasn’t just commenting on their picture along with 20 other followers, ‘You look cute.’ I would text them and say, ‘Hi, I’m thinking about you today.’ “And it strengthens relationships, it makes them more personal.” Her second “ah-ha” moment came when she realized she had separated who she was as a person from her online entity. “It was hard because I was constantly feeling like people were going to forget who I am,” Lampke said. But when she replaced her value in the “support” she was receiving from others with the genuine support of her friends, family and boyfriend, the need for attention from social media seemed “arbitrary.” “By the seventh month, I just had no desire to get on it. I just had completely become comfortable with the attention I was getting from my loved ones,” Lampke said. Along with her detachment from the platforms came a further realization— her final “a-ha” moment—when Lampke discovered her presence online was not as

valued as she previously thought. Lampke made a post on Snapchat in celebration of her year off Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. She said she received many responses claiming they had no idea she had left. “I was like, ‘Jesus Christ. Nobody cares about me as much as I think they do,’” Lampke said. In addition to the false sense of importance she received, Lampke noticed a reduced accountability on social media due to the screen in between two individuals. “You don’t have to basically live up to the consequences if somebody comes back at you. You can literally just ignore it,” Lampke said. “But you can say whatever damaging things you want to say to somebody.” Social media takes away empathy, she thinks, which inhibits the ability to have a genuine connection. “Your feelings become numb to other people because you aren’t directly seeing their pain through your words or actions,” Lampke said. “So that human connection of emotion is just not transmitted.” From 13 to 20 Because she had been on social media since the beginning of her adolescence, Lampke worried about how her life would change when she ended that relationship. “I gained a ton of friends on Facebook and that gave me a false sense of popularity and friendship at a very young age,” Lampke said. “So, I was already set up in valuing social media followers and likes and statistics in an unhealthy way.” Lampke found a shift in the way people utilize social media, particularly Instagram. “[Instagram] started as such an innocent

How one NKU student gave up social media and found herself picture-sharing platform for me, and then it turned into a way of unhealthily looking at myself.” Lampke said as she noticed the platform—and more specifically the explore page—becoming more centered around models, makeup and physical appearance in general, she felt pushed to follow suit. Because of her own susceptibility to comparing herself to others, she worries about younger people on these platforms. “I cannot imagine what it’s like to be an 11 or 10-year-old girl and get on Instagram and see those fitness models or the Kardashians,” Lampke said, “…and have the skewed views of how you should be looking at such a young age. “...That, I feel like, is one of the worst mental parameters you can put on a developing human.” How social media affects young adults There has been a significant increase in the young Americans experiencing certain mental health disorders in the last decade, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. This increase, however, is not congruent in older demographics. “Cultural trends in the last 10 years may have had a larger effect on mood disorders and suicide-related outcomes among younger generations compared with older generations,” said lead author of the study, Dr. Jean Twenge. Twege, professor of psychology at San Diego State University, believes the increased use of digital media and technological communication may have a role in the increased mental health issues among young people in America. She also indicated that young people don’t sleep as much, which could also be a contributing factor. On a smaller scale, NKU graduate students Olivia Johnston and Sarah Lowe have both spent the last year studying how social media affects the mental health of NKU students as a part of obtaining their master’s in social work. Lowe, whose group surveyed 110 total NKU students, asked students to rate their social media use on a scale of 0-6 hours per day. Lowe said those who reported over three hours of social media use a day reported more often that social media impacted their mental health. The majority of those who reported using social media under three hours per day reported that it didn’t negatively impact their mental health.

Johnston said after conducting her research with her group, one of her biggest takeaways was that so many people didn’t realize how social media might be affecting their mental health. “I do think that the majority of the population use it in a negative way and I don’t even think they realize it,” Johnston said. “I didn’t realize that I was comparing myself to everybody that I was following on social media until I stopped and then I was like, ‘whoah, I am a happier person and I didn’t even realize that anything was wrong.’” Both Lowe and Johnston were surprised when some students reported social media having a positive impact on them, such as promoting more connection in the community. “I would really like to narrow down the negative impacts of it and the positive impacts and then have a healthy balance of that,” Lowe said. Johnston said she thinks education is key in making social media something positive. “If we educate people on how to use social media positively instead of the negative ways of it,” Johnston said, “then I really think social media can have a beneficial effect on all of us.” ‘Zoom out’ “My favorite phrase is ‘zoom out,’” Lampke said. “Just take a visual of yourself from above and value yourself in a way that’s outside the digital world. I think then you get a clear picture of what you should be basing your value on and spending your time on.” Through watching Lampke’s example, Broering has become more mindful of her social media use. Although Broering hasn’t given up the platforms like her best friend, she said she is more intentional now when she goes to make a post. “Not everyone needs to know everything. And not everyone needs to see what you’re doing,” Broering said. “And some things can be kept for you and whoever you’re sharing those moments with. You don’t always have to post them.” Haas—who didn’t use social media until he started dating Lampke—dislikes the fact that our society looks to social media for not only trends, but where our values lie. “I don’t think social media should set the standards like that, but for some reason it does. Whatever has the most likes is what’s cool,” Haas said. He said he thinks value in society should

Young adults in 2017 reported significantly higher levels of psychological distress compared to 2008. Dr. Jean Twenge believes the trend is partially due to increased digital communication and media, as well as a lack of sleep in young adults. Researchers saw a slight decline in psychological distress in individuals over 65. GRAPH BY SAM ROSENSTIEL, DATA FROM AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

be determined by what each individual “can really provide for humanity,” like their motivation and skills overall. As far as going back to social media, Lampke was forced to return to Facebook due to the responsibilities of her internship, but doesn’t use it much outside of that. While it’s tempting, she doesn’t see herself ever returning to Instagram or Twitter.

“If something big goes down, I want to see people’s funny commentary on it,” Lampke said. “But I weigh that against what the other detrimental effects that it could have on me if I were to get back on it for a long period of time, and I just know that I’m so much happier with who I am now than who I was when I was using social media. “So there’s not really a reason to ever go back.”

News 05

04 News

DISCONNECTED Nicole Browning MANAGING EDITOR

Carley Lampke, NKU junior public relations major, gave up all social media except Snapchat for all of 2018. PHOTOS BY EMERSON SWOGER

06 Arts & Life

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Annual D a d aPride , March draws crowds to campus Bluford win SGA presidential election

Billy Keeney COPY EDITOR

NKU’s sixth Annual Pride March officially kicked off Pride Week this Monday. Attendees took a windy, brisk walk around campus as they advocated for LGBTQ+ rights. Organized by LGBTQ Programs and Services from the Center for Student Inclusiveness, the march started at 11:50 a.m. in the Student Union Plaza and circled around campus back to the SU, where attendees were asked to stay around for a celebration and dessert reception. Students wore Pride attire, carried LGBTQ+ flags, held up handmade posters they made on Friday in the CSI lounge and chanted for rights for the LGBTQ+ community. Faculty and staff marched alongside students during the entirety of the march with some joining along the way. As the gaggle of marchers made their way back to the Student Union, they gathered in the SU Ballroom to hear from LGBTQ Programs and Services director Bonnie Meyer and student ambassadors to Pride Week. Following the ambassadors’ celebrations of Pride, attendees were asked to stay after to hangout and eat desserts.

What to do for Pride Week

Wednesday, April 17 Gold and White Gratitude Awards 5 p.m., SU Ballroom Queer Cinema Meet in the lounge outside Center for Student Inclusiveness for a movie and snacks - 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., SU 309 Thursday, April 18 National Transgender HIV Awareness Day Sexual health program and HIV testing with the NKU Health Department - 1-3:30 p.m., SU 302 Fuel + Flex Collecting donations of menstrual products to raise awareness of FUEL NKU. - 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., SU Plaza Friday, April 19 Lavender Graduation and Awards Celebration Graduates, friends, family and the entire NKU community are invited to attend. - 4:30 p.m., UC Ballroom

Starting at the Student Union, students and faculty carried signs, flags and banners across NKU’s main campus during the annual LGBTQ+ pride march on April 15. PHOTOS BY BILLY KEENEY

Ed 63, Issue 13

Sports 07

Column: Who will replace Brannen? D a d a , 8 people who could fill the spot

Bluford win SGA presidential election

Sam Rosenstiel and Sierra Newton EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, SPORTS EDITOR

On a clear, blue Sunday, news broke that NKU men’s basketball coach John Brannen was leaving for the Cincinnati Bearcats. The veil in BB&T Arena was torn, and the mountains fell on themselves at the word that the leader of NKU’s Division I crusade was hopping across the river. (Editor’s Note: Ok, not really, but it did kind of feel that way.) Now, the nationwide search for the next Norse men’s basketball coach is underway, but it’s the local guys who are generating the most buzz. Here are the candidates we think could fill the gap on the Norse coaching squad. Top picks

Chris Shumate - Shumate has been an NKU assistant coach since 2016, meaning he knows the Brannen Bible of an uber-aggressive offense. He’s also a former assistant to outgoing Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin, and he has Western Kentucky, Tennessee and Southern Mississippi credentials. It would be the most practical pick, if not the most likely one. Darris Nichols - Nichols has an NKU tie; he spent two seasons as an assistant coach for the Norse during their transition from Division II to Division I. Nichols is an SEC assistant coach from the University of Florida. He has helped lead Florida to four straight 20-win seasons and three consecutive NCAA tournament bids, mostly using efficient rebounding strategies and active defensive. Pat Kelsey - In six seasons with the Winthrop Eagles, Kelsey is the winningest coach in Big South conference history, and he’s been to March Madness five times with both Xavier and Wake Forest. Kelsey would also be getting a raise by moving into BB&T Arena. If he’s hired, expect a renewed Norse defense. Less likely picks Dave Bezold - An NKU head coach from 2004 to 2015 and assistant coach for 14 years before that, he had a more than decent record at 194-133 and four trips to the NCAA Division II tournament. He also guided the team’s transition to Division I in 2012, though the Norse wouldn’t be eligible for March Madness

A look back: John Brannen became NKU’s head coach on April 8, 2015. Brannen led the Norse to two Horizon League Championships in 2017 and 2019. Brannen also led the Norse to two NCAA March Madness games and a National Invitation Tournament in the program’s first three years of Division I eligibility.

for three more years. Bezold was ousted in 2015, ushering in the Brannen era, but he eventually landed an assistantship at Xavier. Who knows— it could be time to #BringBackBezold. Luke Murray - The son of “Ghostbusters” funnyman Bill Murray is in his first season assistant coaching at Louisville. It’s also his third season under former Xavier head coach Chris Mack. If Mack’s style is any indication, a Murray coaching era could see similar high-scoring and offense-driven bouts at BB&T. Will Bill be trading his Louisville cap for some Norse spiritwear soon? If so, we got that goin’ for us. “Which is nice.” Way out-there picks Grant Brannen - Brother Brannen coached boy’s basketball locally at Walton-Verona High School up until this year’s record season, and he led Newport Central Catholic before that. Bringing the other Brannen to NKU wouldn’t be such a bad move, as his 116-65 record over six seasons at Walton-Verona speaks for itself. It’s about time NKU had a coaching dynasty. Rick Pitino - Perhaps in jest but also sorta-serious, some fans on the Norse Nation Unofficial Fan Page are pondering bringing the former Louisville and Kentucky coach up north. Pitino would have to take a hefty pay cut (he made almost $8 million a year in the LOU), but it would be one surprising way for the disgraced coach to make his return to college hoops. Victor E. Viking - Nobody watches more NKU men’s basketball than this guy. Does that translate to coaching prowess? Probably not. But ESPN named him one of the scariest mascots in college sports in 2015. If NKU needs a substitute coach, you know where this freak will be.

@northernermedia

PHOTOS BY COLIN JOHNSON AND MATT SEXTON

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