Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Flocks of scooters migrate to campus
AARON DORSTEN | PHOTO EDITOR
pg. 4 | Greek life to expand this fall
pg. 8 | Feature: Art museum’s rich history
pg. 12 | Opinion: Communication is king
September 5, 2018 | newsrecord.org
Page 2
CLASSROOMS ARE FOR LEARNING
NOT HIDING FROM GUNFIRE
TIME AND TIME AGAIN, STUDENTS HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT WE WILL SHOW UP TO END GUN VIOLENCE. WE CAN HELP CHANGE GUN LAWS AND THE LAWMAKERS WHO DECIDE THEM.
IT’S TIME TO BE A
GUN SENSE VOTER REGISTER TO VOTE AT
EVERYTOWN.ORG/REGISTER PAID FOR BY EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY ACTION FUND.
NEWS
Page 3
September 5, 2018 | newsrecord.org
New CCM dean pushes for student-centric programming MITCHELL PARTON | NEWS EDITOR
Former president and CEO of Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Stanley Romanstein, is the new dean of CCM. PROVIDED BY CCM
Stanley E. Romanstein, former president and CEO of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, has been named dean of University of Cincinnati’s CollegeConservatory of Music (CCM). Romanstein, a CCM alumnus, highlighted the value of the conservatory’s education in shaping the nation’s future arts workforce. “We use this phrase a lot, but it’s absolutely right – [CCM is] a nationally ranked and internationally renowned school of the arts,” Romanstein said in an interview with The News Record. “Even though our name is Conservatory of Music, almost half of our school is not music. It’s dance, it’s theatre, it’s theatre production — we do all types of electronic media.” Though CCM functions as both a regional arts organization and as a college, Romanstein said
that the college wants every student that comes through CCM to succeed. “One of the things that we’ve talked about a lot since my arrival is being unfailingly student-centric in everything we do,” said Romanstein. If a student is struggling to be on time for rehearsals, for instance, an advisor or faculty member will intervene and work with the student right away, Romanstein said. He wants faculty and staff to have conversations with students about how their course selections coincide with their individual career goals. “We understand that we’re not preparing everybody to sing at the Metropolitan Opera or to stand on stage with the Cincinnati Symphony,” said Romanstein. “Part of it is understanding what our students want to do and starting to prepare them to do that. We’re starting those conversations now.” “We’re not trying to be
nosy,” he said. “But we do have an obligation to our clients to make sure everything is okay in their lives.” The new dean acknowledged cost concerns for some prospective CCM students that may be unable to afford schooling without financial aid. Increasing available aid is one of Romanstein’s primary goals. “We’re very sensitive to the idea that college is an investment,” he said. “For a lot of people, cost can be a barrier. So, we want to increase scholarship dollars as much as we can.” CCM made headlines earlier this year after Bradley Garner, a longtime flute professor with the college, left the college after facing allegations of sexual harassment. The professor is no longer employed as an educator, The News Record reported in February. Pertaining to Garner’s departure, Romanstein said students’ voices were heard
and that the administration acted properly to ensure the safety of its students. “Our systems actually worked,” Romanstein said. “We provided channels in which people could say, ‘You know what? There’s something here that seems not right to me, and I want to do something about it.’” Romanstein’s short-term goals include expanding CCM’s worldwide network to get more students and faculty involved in international programs. Not many CCM students choose to study abroad, he said, because the programs are prohibitively intensive and requirement-heavy. “It’s really important that our students see themselves as part of a global network of alumni and artists,” said Romanstein. “We want our students to experience other cultures, other languages and other ways of looking at and dealing with art.”
How Inho Cha lives and breathes drunken cuisine
ELIZABETH SCHMITT | NEWS EDITOR NOELLE ZIELINSKI | MANAGING EDITOR
Hang around West McMillan Street late at night, and you’ll likely see crowds of UC students and Clifton natives funneling into Drunken Tacos, where they will sip margaritas made in-house or munch on some chips and queso. But it was not long ago that this busy nighttime cafe was a vacant storefront that struggled to any business for long. Before now, Sushi Lounge and a handful of other failed restaurants have cycled through the corner of 200 W. McMillan, most leaving the building vacant soon after. That didn’t change until the summer of 2017. Inho Cha is the owner of Drunken Bento, a sushi staple in Clifton. In 2017, Cha decided to take a swing at a new restaurant concept after members of his kitchen staff let Cha sample their homemade tacos. Through the exchange of his employees’ Latino heritage and his own Korean roots, Cha decided to establish Drunken Tacos.
“I love Spanish food,” Cha said. “It’s very, very similar to Korean food. The concept is very similar, so why don’t I form a Mexican restaurant in Clifton?” Traditional menu items like pollo tacos can be found among Asian-inspired cuisine options, allowing Drunken Tacos to stand out amongst traditional Mexican restaurants. Along with his knack for fulfilling unmet needs in the Clifton area, Cha manages to maintain a personal connection with staff and customers in each of his businesses. “I love working with my families, my employees,” he said. “I don’t have any family in the United States, so they’re all my family … It’s really, really fun to work with them. And they’re all young, so they keep me young.” Food quality is also of high importance. Cha, whose businesses have ample storage space, said he places multiple orders per week to ensure fresh ingredients and high-quality food. “It’s more work, but it’s more fresh.” Cha said.
Another secret, Cha said, is his liquor license. Being licensed to serve alcoholic beverages is among the reasons that Drunken Bento rose to success in such a short time, he said. In opening Drunken Tacos, Cha hoped that alcohol sales would account for 15 percent of its total sales — an ambitious goal that is between 5 and 8 percent higher than other restaurants. Now, he says that 35 percent of Drunken Tacos’ sales come from alcoholic beverages — a substantial accomplishment. To capitalize on its success, Drunken Tacos sells margaritas, which are normally $6 each, for half-price every Monday. The business also frequently offers lunch specials. But what truly gives Cha’s businesses longevity is his ability to think long term. Cha hopes to retire early and travel the world, but in the meantime, he remains optimistic for whatever the future might hold. “So far, so good,” he said. “But I’m still hungry. It’s never enough.”
Drunken Bento is one of Inho Cha’s drunken cuisine locations. TNR FILE
NEWS
September 5, 2018 | newsrecord.org
Page 4
CPD upgrades 911 system KAYLA GROSS | CONTRIBUTOR
Zeta Tau Alpha is the latest sorority in the Panhellenic community. PROVIDED BY ZTA
UC welcomes newest sorority, begins recruitment this fall ELIZABETH SCHMITT | NEWS EDITOR Greek life is bracing for expansion at the University of Cincinnati as the school prepares to welcome its 11th sorority. Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) will become the newest sorority on campus. The all-female collegiate society will join Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Phi Mu, Phi Sigma Rho, Pi Beta Phi and Theta Phi Alpha in spring 2019. The addition of ZTA was formally announced by the UC Panhellenic community last spring. ZTA previously had an active chapter at UC, which was founded in 1921. Chapter alumnae endowed a scholarship that is still given to UC students studying education, criminal justice, human services and information technology. In 1991, ZTA’s UC chapter closed due to declining membership — an ongoing trend in Greek life across the country at that time, ZTA extension manager Monica Caja said. “We were absolutely ecstatic when we found out UC Panhellenic had selected ZTA to extend,” Caja said. “Based on UC Panhellenic’s sustained growth in recent years, ZTA is confident we can support a successful chapter at UC once again.” The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), an organization that oversees 26 sororities throughout the U.S. and Canada, selected ZTA through a process called “extension.”Through the extension process, the NPC invites sororities to establish chapters on college campuses where they have no prior presence, or where their presence has not been recognized for 10 or more years. NPC-member chapters are subject to rules
and regulations enforced by the NPC and the university. At UC, the extension process to recruit a new chapter starts when the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life forms a committee to review enrollment, recruitment, and membership statistics for active chapters from the past five years. The committee also provides housing statistics and a growth analysis to the Panhellenic community. After discussing the possibility for extension, Panhellenic delegates from each sorority must vote on the extension. After the vote passed, UC began accepting applications from prospective NPC sororities. After finalists presented before the Panhellenic Council, the extension committee selected ZTA as UC’s newest Greek chapter. More information about the extension process can be found here. ZTA’s extension team is currently on campus, Caja said. The team is meeting with sorority chapter presidents, council leaders and other student organizations to learn what makes UC’s Greek community unique. “Our organization empowers female leaders to develop their potential through innovative programming, leadership development, service to others, academic achievement and continued personal growth, with a commitment to friendship and the future based on sisterhood, values and tradition,” Caja said. ZTA will begin its recruitment process and welcome its first pledge class in the fall. The sorority will not have a house this upcoming school year, but Caja said that ZTA is working with the university to secure housing for the 2019-20 academic year.
The City of Cincinnati recently launched Smart911, a new communications tool that provides dispatchers with additional information in critical situations, throughout Hamilton County. Over 44 million people are signed up for Smart911 services in cities nationwide. The new addition to the Cincinnati dispatch allows people to enter and store their emergency information in the system. During emergency situations, 911 dispatchers will be able to access the caller’s identifying information in seconds. Family information, medical records and visual descriptors are among the information that can be stores in the system. “Giving responders visual details on an emergency location helps facilitate faster response, as does information on access points like hidden driveways or gate codes,” reads the Smart911 website. The department also allows persons to communicate with dispatchers by texting 911. Hamilton County adapted this ability in 2014. The city’s new 911 technology was adapted in Hamilton County this summer after 16-year-old Kyle Plush suffocated in the backseat of his Honda Odyssey. Plush was putting his tennis bag in the back of the vehicle when one of the folding seats pinned him down and he was unable to breathe. He attempted to call 911 twice, but they were unable to reach his location in time. His body was found hours later in the parking lot, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. “It’s really to prevent anything like a Kyle Plush incident,” councilwoman Amy Murray told WCPO in June. “We had other incidents, too, where it should not be happening.” In addition to adopting Smart911, the city has added several new staff
The Smart911 system allows emergency dispatchers to access callers’ identifying information quickly. PATRICK MURPHY | MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR
members to its 911 service, the Enquirer reported in April. Smart911 has received substantial attention from television and local news networks, including Good Morning America, CNN and the Cincinnati Enquirer. Some UC students have reservations about the tangible impact of Smart911 systems on the Cincinnati community. “An idea can be great, but if no one utilizes it, it won’t help,” said Isabel Gheytanchi, a second-year classics student. UCPD has yet to adapt this program for the university community, as the city still governs UC students who live outside of university lines. Ethan Stiles, a secondyear communications student, said he thinks the university should advocate
for the program. “I’ve heard a little bit about [Smart911] – not too much though,” Stiles said. “From what I know, I think it could help anyone ¬– not specifically just students – because it speeds up the process for any party in an emergency involving 911.” UC provides students with an abundance of ways to stay safe on and off campus, including Bearcat Guardian, a safety app that also provides alerts to users and information to the Office of Public Safety. The department also uses NightRide, safety ambassadors and blue help phones, but does not hold any of the emergency contact information that Smart911 would provide.
September 5, 2018 | newsrecord.org
Page 5
UC'S STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER
The News Record is always looking for contributors in both writing and photography for News, Sports and Life/Arts
ABOUT THE NEWSPAPER
READY TO GET CONNECTED? CONTACT Or stop by the newsroom at 509 Swift Hall
Papers are available for free on Wednesdays
newsrecord.org
/TheNewsRecord
@NewsRecord_UC
September 5, 2018 | newsrecord.org
NEWS
Volunteers offer tutoring to local schools
Bearcat Buddies is a program designed to provide volunteer students to local schools. TNR FILE
GABRIELLA MULISANO | STAFF REPORTER Bearcat Buddies, a serviceoriented tutoring program presented by the Center for Community Engagement (CCE), is seeking student volunteers for the new school year. The program partners UC students with local K-12 students. Students spend an hour each week being tutored by UC student volunteers. Timeslots available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., which makes the program convenient for college students that hope to fit volunteering into their schedules. Currently, the Bearcat Buddies program contains 250 UC students and services six Cincinnati schools each week. Being a “Bearcat Buddy” is not just a volunteer opportunity to include on a resume. It is also a way for students to give back to the Greater
Cincinnati community by helping children and teens academically succeed. Fran Larkin, director of the Bearcat Buddies program, said UC students have much to offer local students. “The UC student is almost like a mentor to look up to,” said Larkin. “We do strongly believe that there is an increase in the students’ social and emotional abilities additional to the increase in test scores in reading and math.” Over his eight years as the program’s director, Larkin has noticed that students participate for many reasons aside from fulfilling service hours requirements. “A lot of students find their way into Bearcat Buddies because of required hours, but once they build a relationship with a child, they become far more involved with that intrinsic meaning,” Larkin said. “I’ve seen that flip-switch
happen. The relationship is what’s at the core of the program, and as soon as those UC students are able to build that, I think they are hooked.” There are many leadership opportunities available for UC students, Larkin said. “We’re always working to expand the program in many ways,” said Larkin. “First, we’re launching a leader program. We have groups of core UC students who will be servicing as lead tutors.” Bearcat Buddies continues to expand, and committed tutors work overtime to ensure that the program will survive and thrive. “We have a couple dozen teams of tutors offering 35 tutoring sessions throughout the week,” Larkin said. “It’s an expansion in the depth of the program and leadership for the students in the program.” To fund the program, CCE received support from GRAD Cincinnati, The Literacy Network of Greater Cincinnati and Cincinnati Public Schools. Additionally, Larkin said funding from undergraduate student government (SG) last year made the program’s ongoing expansion possible. “Student Government graciously awarded us the funding at the end of last school year,” said Larkin. “We’re excited to have an additional van in order to expand programming this year.” Caroline Toney, who works at Hays Porter Elementary and with GRAD Cincinnati, finds inspiration in the student volunteers. “There’s three areas that I notice an impact: academically, socially and emotionally,” said Toney. “Sometimes they’re motivated to improve their grades because the buddies will ask how they are doing in a certain subject … Socially, they may not be getting as much attention from the parents, so that one-on-one time gives them that attention and it’s like a partner.”
Page 6
State bar issues ratings for Ohio judicial candidates DAVID REES | CONTRIBUTOR The Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) recently released its ratings for four judicial candidates seeking election to the Supreme Court of Ohio, deeming all four “Highly Recommended.” The OSBA, which is comprised of 24 bipartisan members, ranks candidates based on six criteria: “Legal Knowledge and Ability,” “Professional Competence,” “Judicial Temperament,” “Integrity and Diligence,” “Personal Responsibility” and “Public and Community Service.” Candidates are rated between one and five in each category, and the maximum possible composite score is 30. Scores of 25 or higher constitute a “Highly Recommended” rating by the OSBA. Judge Melody Stewart of the Cuyahoga County Court of Appeals received the highest rating with a score of 29. If elected, Stewart would become the first AfricanAmerican woman ever elected to the state’s supreme court. She is an
alumnus of the University of Cincinnati and holds a bachelor’s in music from the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Incumbent Judge Mary DeGenaro received a score of 27. DeGenaro was appointed to the Supreme Court of Ohio by Governor John Kasich in January. She previously served 17 years at the Youngstown Court of Appeals. Judge Michael Donnelly of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court was given a score of 26. Donnelly has been on the court since 2005 and ran unopposed during his reelection bids in 2010 and 2016. Judge Craig Baldwin of the Ohio Fifth District Court of Appeals received a score of 25. Baldwon was appointed to the court in 2013 after spending eight years on the bench in the Licking County Court of Common Pleas. He worked previously as director of the Licking County Child Support Enforcement Agency. To determine each candidate’s score, OSBA members received a
written questionnaire and resume, overviews of the candidates’ decisions, writings, publications, letters of reference, docket reports, financial disclosure statements and other public records. Each candidate was subsequently interviewed by the OSBA. Two seats are up for grabs on Ohio’s all-Republican supreme court. Yet Martin Mohler, OSBA chairman, said voters are relatively uninformed about judicial candidates. “When it comes to judicial elections, though judges make decisions that affect our everyday lives in countless ways, voters consistently report that they do not know enough about the candidates to make an informed decision,” Mohler said in a news release. “I am pretty informed, yet I have voted for judges I did not know that much about,” said first-year political science student Abigail Gaba. “It is pretty unfortunate that [these] rankings are not publicized as much.”
Judge Melody Steward of the Cuyahoga County Court of Appeals could be the first African-American woman elected to Ohio’s Supreme Court. WIKIMEDIA
NEWS
Page 7
September 5, 2018 | newsrecord.org
Controversial electric scooters on campus may be here to stay MITCHELL PARTON | NEWS EDITOR Bird Rides Inc., a San Diego-based startup company, unexpectedly launched their appcontrolled scooters in Cincinnati this summer. With students back on campus, scooter-sharing services are quickly taking over the Clifton community. When companies want to make a splash in a new urban area, they are usually expected to meet with city officials before expanding their products or services. That didn’t happen with Bird — a “last mile” electric scooter rental service. The company placed their e-scooters, called “Birds,” in areas throughout the city without any preliminary notice to the city. Bird unexpectedly (but not quietly) showed up on Cincinnati streets July 26, CityBeat reported. The company utilizes similar launch tactics in cities across the country, puzzling many city officials. How do they work? Unlike bike rental services operated by the city, Birds are dockless — they can be left and picked up anywhere. Aspiring riders can download the app, which tracks Birds throughout the city via GPS, and see every nearby scooter. To ride, users simply tap on the scooter in the app and are charged by the minute for their ride. When finished, users can end the ride and leave the scooter anywhere. The scooter then locks itself until another rider shows up. Are Birds safe to ride on campus? Electric scooters are allowed on campus for outdoor transportation, according to James Whalen, director of public safety. “Current scooters are not much different in composition and capability than other permitted devices, such as Segways, hoverboards and electric skateboards,” said Whalen. Electric scooters are regulated on campus by the
same rules that govern other permitted transportation devices, Whalen said. Students should refrain from leaving scooters in any walkway or roadway, creating a tripping hazard or blocking the ingresses or egresses of buildings. When riding, students are warned to be cautious. “The same safety tips apply to scooter operation — respect pedestrians, signal turns, stop for appropriate signs and lights, travel with the flow of traffic and wear protective equipment — as apply to all similar transportation devices,” said Whalen. Students living on campus may not be able to store such devices in on-campus housing, Whalen said. UC’s housing website only references hoverboards on its “what not to bring” list, but these rules may apply to similar devices as well. How is UC’s administration [potentially] getting involved? Students are already hopping on board, and campus leadership has taken note. Umaize Savani, the student body vice president, said in a meeting last week that he met with the company about establishing a partnership with the university. Under the agreement, Savani said, UC would receive $1 for every Bird left on campus. Regardless of whether the deal succeeds, Savani said the company still plans to leave Birds on campus. Are there alternatives to Bird? Bird is not the only company looking to capitalize from the newfound hype surrounding
electric scooters. Lime, another California startup, is bringing dockless bicycles to Xavier University and hopes to soon expand its e-scooter service, the Cincinnati Business Courier reported. Borrowing scooters through an app is not the only option for students looking for a quick ride. Sales representatives from Razor, a company that designs and manufactures both kick scooters and electric scooters, promoted its products were present in front of TUC Thursday, Aug. 30, to promote electric scooters that students can purchase themselves. “We’re promoting a different sort of electric scooters than the ones you’ve been finding around the city,” a Razor representative told The News Record. Razor began demonstrating their scooters to students at colleges and universities across the nation Aug. 20, when the company visited The Ohio State University. Students were offered a 20 percent discount on electric scooters, and the company ran an Instagram sweepstakes for Razor products. How have cities managed Birds? Cities across the country are creating their own unique solutions to deal with the scooters’ unforeseen impact. San Francisco and Denver temporarily banned companies like Bird this summer. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency announced Thursday that two electricscooter companies – Scoot and Skip – would be participating in a “one-year, powered scooter share pilot program.” Cincinnati City Councilman David Mann issued a motion Wednesday that would hold Bird Rides responsible for damages caused by the misuse of its motorized scooters. “Bird is a profit making activity which has landed
A student on the UC campus rides around on a Bird Scooter on Sept. 4, 2018. AARON DORSTEN | PHOTO EDITOR
here for one purpose, to make money for someone,” Mann said in a statement. “Profit is fine but the damage inflicted by any enterprise must be assumed by the business, not an innocent public.” Despite facing criticism for not engaging with communities, the company unveiled a tool last week to help local governments manage Bird scooters as part of their own infrastructure. The four initial parts of this operation will include a dashboard with vehicle data, geofences to alert riders of no-park zones, a community mode with the ability for users to flag violations and notifications for riders
about local rules. “The cities we serve are Bird’s number-one customer,” said CEO Travis VanderZanden in a news release. “Partnering with them to deliver the data, insights, and products they need to advance their mobility programs and reduce congestion in their communities is essential.” What is Bird’s plan for invading colleges and universities? With the start of the new semester, Bird immediately began targeting its service to students. The company announced Aug. 16 that it would launch a “University Pop-Up Tour” to introduce campuses to its products.
Bird hopes that its service will solve the issue of poor public transit on campuses nationwide. “This year, as the summer comes to a close and students return to campus, they might be able to leave their cars behind by Birding,” said Travis VanderZanden, founder and CEO of Bird in a news release. “Whether it’s making it to a class on time, clocking in for work, or simply getting to campus from the nearest public transit stop, Bird will help eliminate transportation gaps so students and faculty can focus on what really matters: education.”
September 5, 2018 | newsrecord.org
LIFE & ARTS
Page 8
Stay fit, have fun at UC rec center
MAGGY MCDONEL | CONTRIBUTOR
Exercise can quickly become meticulous. Thankfully, the University of Cincinnati has many organizations that make it exciting to be active. From new equipment at the rec center to group fitness classes and rock climbing, UC has plenty of opportunities to help you stay fit throughout the semester. Chaarg offers fitness and friendship for women on campus Chaarg, a student-run organization for women, is a health and fitness group on campus. Founded in 2013, Chaarg recruits local fitness experts to lead classes from CrossFit to hula dancing. Its mission statement, according to ambassador Shannon Fastnacht, is to “liberate girls from the elliptical and show college-aged women that fitness can and should be fun.” Being part of an all-female community is her favorite part of Chaarg, Fastnacht said. Not only is Chaarg a great way to stay fit it, it’s also a great way to meet new people. “It’s too easy to get involved,” Fastnacht Students can climb the rock wall in the UC recreation said. center. AARON DORSTEN | PHOTO EDITOR To learn more or get involved, visit the said he saw the wall during his first visit to Chaarg website or join the group for its UC’s rec center, and he knew he enjoyed tailgate on Sept. 15 to eat great food and climbing from the moment he tried it. meet new people. Barcale now works at the rock wall and Rock climbing isn’t just for experienced encourages everyone to try this beginnermountaineers friendly activity and meet some new people. Looking for another unique and fun way to There are no fees to use the wall, and all stay fit at UC? Visit the rock wall at the rec equipment is provided. Workers are present center. Avid rock climber Christian Barcale to assist beginners. Many UC students, Barcale included, travel to Red River Gorge to climb outdoors. However, Barcale recommends indoor practice before attempting more dangerous climbs. For students who feel inclined to try it out, the Mountaineering Club could be a great fit. Participate in a group class Last, but not least: the dreaded elliptical. Alone, using one of these machines isn’t a particularly thrilling endeavor. But by taking one of the many group fitness classes offered at the rec center, one can easily avoid the monotony of a treadmill. Some of the most popular classes include spinning, yoga and boxing, according to student and rec center employee Taylor Fausey. The center offers many classes for free. Those that cost money are usually only $5, and “all you have to do is show up,” Fausey said. There are so many other ways to get active at the rec center. Busybodies worry not — the center is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. It features a lap pool, suspended track and many new machines, so there is a time and place for everyone to get moving. The University of Cincinnati is a big place. But with so many options, it’s easy for any student to get involved, meet new people and stay fit.
WE’LL TELL YOUR PARENTS NO, SERIOUSLY
The Cincinnati Art Museum sits atop Mount Adams. WIKIMEDIA
Art Museum offers a timeless experience GABRIELLA MULISANO | STAFF REPORTER There is a special sound to the silence that one can find in a museum. As you unconsciously listen to the satisfying clicks of your shoes upon the stone floor, history whispers to you from the canvases and sculptures that adorn the spacious interior. The Cincinnati Art Museum will speak to you if you let it. Room after room bursts with meticulously painted portraits and flourishing forests grown from oil paint and brush strokes. Within each frame is a story, each told by a different artist. Many grew up right here in the Queen City. Public art museums were still a new concept in 1876. But after seeing the success of the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, the Women’s Art Museum Association organized in Cincinnati to bring a museum to the community. In 1881, the Cincinnati Museum Association was born. Five years later, a permanent art institute dubbed “The Art Palace of the West” was built in Eden Park. The museum is now home to roughly 67,000 works spanning more than six thousand years, and it regularly holds events to showcase its greatest collections. Art after Dark is one such event that allows art enthusiasts to enjoy the museum after business hours. The themes vary, and live entertainment provides a unique soundtrack for the experience.
Jill Dunne, director of marketing and communications, oversees the event. With her hand in so many aspects of the museum, Dunne is wellversed in its history and has a deep love for the art it holds. “For me, the museum is almost like a spiritual experience,” Dunne said. “It brings out feelings and emotions and helps me feel connected to history and more present in the ‘now.’” A time-honored piece by Vincent Van Gogh, “Undergrowth with Two Figures,” just returned to the museum following a world tour. It’s one of Dunne’s favorites, along with “A Mother (Une Mère)” by artist Elizabeth Nourse. Nourse, a French artist, studied at the McMicken School of Design in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Wing showcases a broad range of local talent. Next year, the museum will showcase the “Art Academy of Cincinnati at 150: A Celebration in Drawings and Prints” exhibit from Feb. 1 to
April 28. It will feature a variety pieces by prominent Cincinnati artists. A cultural meeting point, the museum is a gift to the city. Entry is free, and with it comes wonder, history, aesthetic variety and artistic honesty. There is something beneficial for everyone at the Cincinnati Museum Center, and the interactive Rosenthal Education Center provides a place for families to explore the complex world of art together. The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) recently awarded the museum a $500,000 grant revamp the “Near East” collection and reimagine how the museum displays its art. A true treasure, the Cincinnati Art Museum welcomes all to encounter something priceless: the artistic experience. Art unifies people without saying a word or imposing an opinion. Visit the museum at 953 Eden Park Dr. to experience the echoes of history and the narrative of creativity.
The museum acts as a cultural hub. WIKIMEDIA
LIFE & ARTS
Page 9
September 5, 2018 | newsrecord.org
Sensational streams: what to watch this month Summer is over, and with new class schedules comes an increasing desire to stream your troubles away. Each month, Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime add loads of movies to their sites. It may be difficult to sift through them all as classes pick up, but don’t stress – the work has already been done. Here are the titles worth watching.
Netflix:
“The Emperor’s New Groove” (2000) Finally joining “Kronk’s New Groove” is the original groove itself. Stream it now and let Yzma remind you how to serve some timeless evil villainy. “Sierra Burgess is a Loser” (2017) A modern-day adaptation of the Cyrano de Bergerac play, this Netflix original movie tells the story of high school senior Sierra Burgess, a smart and outspoken teenager. When she gets a wrong-number text, Sierra does what any sensible teenager would do: pretends to be someone she’s not. Watch and enjoy as Shannon Purser (“Stranger Things,” “Riverdale”) navigates through the weird world
of high school dating and online romance. “Black Panther” (2018) “Black Panther” is the 18th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Follow T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) as he takes on Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) to defend Wakanda and secure his rightful place as king. “Private Life” (2018) Rachel (Kathryn Hahn) and Richard (Paul Giamatti) have just about exhausted their efforts to get pregnant, and it’s weighing on their marriage. With a beloved and quirky cast, this dramatic comedy will have you laugh-crying the whole time. “The Witch” (2015) Robert Eggers’ haunting debut film “The Witch” follows a Puritan family living in exile on their family farm. Themes of witchcraft and black magic have existed in film for years, but not like this. Critics call it “a beautiful, bleak brainworm that will haunt you for days.”
Hulu:
“Searching for Sugar Man” (2012) The Oscar-winning documentary film “Searching for Sugar Man” follows two South African
Black Panther can be streamed on Netflix. WIKIMEDIA
filmmakers on their search to find their musical hero: a man named Rodriguez. Although he struck a record deal in the ‘70s, Rodriguez hadn’t seen much success — that is, until his album found its way to South Africa almost 20 years later. “The Surface” (2015) When Mitch (Sean Astin) takes his boat out for a solitary ride on Lake Michigan, he finds Kelly (Chris Mulkey) clinging to the wing of what used to be a small plane. The two men must lean on one another for survival in this dramatic thriller. “B.B. King: On the Road” (2018) In honor of the late great blues artist B.B. King, this documentary illustrates an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at King’s 65 years on the road. Featuring Morgan Freeman, “On the Road” will strike appreciation and inspiration in the hearts of old fans and those yet to come.
“For Colored Girls” (2010) This movie is based on “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf,” a collection of poetry by Ntozake Shange. Each character in the film represents a woman from the original poems, including Whoopi Goldberg, Kerry Washington and Janet Jackson.
“Jigsaw” (2017) The eighth installment of the “SAW” franchise, “Jigsaw” details the discovery of several bodies seemingly linked to the original Jigsaw Killer. Is he back from the dead, or is this another classic case of a copycat killer?
PRE-OWNED CARS, TRUCKS and SUVs Large selection. See former student Joe Mendelson. mikealbertcars.com 513-354-2731 Cell: 513-532-9649
PRINT RATES First 15 words and under: $7.50 Each additional word: 50 cents Boldface: $1 Logo/Picture: $3 Rates are full-run, per issue. Deadline: two days before publication
Amazon Prime:
“Hustle & Flow” (2005) This classic drama details Memphis hustler Djay (Terrence Howard) as he struggles to make it as a rapper. The film’s original song “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” won an Academy Award in 2006, and it’s been rumored that the hit show “Empire” might be a sequel for what could have been. “Strangers Prey at Night” (2018) Directed by Johannes Roberts (“47 Meters Down”), this film is a gory sequel to the cult-favorite from 2008, “The Strangers.” Things get tense when a family visits a relative at a mobile home park, only to find the area mysteriously deserted. The family of four is then stalked and hunted by a group of masked individuals determined to make them suffer. “Baby Mama” (2008) This film will never get old. Amy Poehler and Tina Fey are a match made in heaven. This comedy is sure to make you laugh until you cry, and it is perfect for a girl’s night.
ONLINE RATES Housing: $40 Employment: $25 All other categories: $15 Ads appear on NewsRecord.org for 15 days. Place your ad at www.newsrecord.org/classifieds
2 BR/1 Bath FOR RENT Spacious 1080 sq ft, 2 bedrooms 1 bathroom 1st floor unit of a duplex house, quiet neighborhood of College Hill! Street parking, minutes from public transportation. Walking distance to College Hill Coffee House. 5.2 miles from UC and close to shopping center and restaurants. Rent covers water, sewage and trash pickup. Tenant pays for gas and electric. Unit has gas stove/central air. Washer and dryer in building. No pets, and no smoking!!! Lease term is one year; after that tenant can switch to month-to-month. Ideal for working professionals! Responsible students also welcome! Email crystalgracehousing@gmail.com
Top: The Emperor’s New Groove is streaming on Netflix. WIKIMEDIA Middle & Bottom: Hustle & Flow can be found on Amazon Prime along with horror movie Jigsaw. WIKIMEDIA
OFFICE ADMINISTRATION Front desk; scheduling, filing. Flexible hours. $10-$12-hour. Send resume to bestvalueliving@yahoo.com or call 513-221-5555.
SPORTS
September 5, 2018 | newsrecord.org
Page 10
Bearcats look to extend streak against Miami SPENCER SCHULTZ | STAFF REPORTER After defeating the University of California, Los Angeles 26-17 at the Rose Bowl, the University of Cincinnati’s football team turns their attention to an impending matchup with rival Miami University. The Bearcats and RedHawks meet in the 123rd Victory Bell game at Paul Brown Stadium at 8 p.m. Saturday. The win spoiled the debut of first-year Bruins head coach Chip Kelly. Before the game, the Bearcats were labeled a 14.5-point underdog. Starting senior quarterback Hayden Moore completed one-of-two passing attempts for 10 yards in the opening drive before being replaced by redshirt freshman Desmond Ridder. The Bearcats were
energized by the move, scoring 17 unanswered points in the second quarter after facing an early 10-point deficit. The second half was much of the same for the Bearcats as the team continued to gain momentum. The Bruins’ defense struggled to contain sophomore running back Michael Warren II, who finished with 161 allpurpose yards and three touchdowns. Miami struggled in their season opener, dropping a home matchup with Marshall University by a final score of 35-28. Senior quarterback Gus Ragland and the RedHawks couldn’t find a rhythm until the fourth quarter, cutting a 21-7 halftime deficit to a one possession. However, they weren’t able to put the pieces together down the stretch. The Bearcats and
RedHawks meet at Paul Brown Stadium for the first time since 2014, when UC defeated Miami 3124. At that time, Nippert Stadium was undergoing renovations. UC aims to continue its Victory Bell dominance, as the school is riding a thirteen-game winning streak against Miami. ESPN currently projects the Bearcats’ odds of defeating the RedHawks at 52 percent. Despite winning last season, Fickell is aware of the team’s lack of effort — not only in last season’s matchup, but in prior matchups as well. “The reality is rivalry weeks are all about respect,” Fickell said in a press conference Tuesday. “[The players] understand. I’ve brought it up to them that we have been outplayed. Last year, we were outplayed. I think in the
last five games, we won, but have been outplayed. So, we are aware of it. Now, it’s what kind of respect do we have.” The RedHawks will be eager to redeem themselves after throwing a pick-six in the final minutes of last year’s matchup that clinched Cincinnati a 21-17 victory. “There’s a lot of guys in this program that maybe don’t know as much about the rivalry, haven’t had the history of the rivalry, maybe they grew up here and there is some that do,” Fickell said. “But it’s our job as a coaching staff to make sure they understand what this is all about.” Tickets to the game can be purchased at the UC Athletics ticket office at 2051 O’Varsity Way Suite 480, or by calling 1-877-CATS-TIX (2287849). Tickets can also be
purchased at stubhub.com Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. at
Paul Brown Stadium and will be televised on ESPN3.
The UC-Miami game is set to air on ESPN3 on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018 at 8 p.m. TNR FILE
Defense will be key for Bengals in season opener ALEX FRANK | STAFF REPORTER
Paul Brown Stadium as seen when the Bengals are not on the field. WIKIMEDIA
After speculation leading up to the NFL draft, training camp and preseason, all the talk about the Cincinnati Bengals from the offseason is about to cease. The NFL season kicks off Thursday, and the Bengals travel to Indianapolis this Sunday at 1 p.m. to take on the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. After starting 0-2 and firing offensive coordinator Ken Zampese, the team showed potential under replacement coordinator Bill Lazor. While they did not win more than two consecutive games at any point last year, the Bengals did break the 30-point threshold three times after week two. One of those came in the season-ending 31-27 win over the Baltimore Ravens, knocking them
out of the playoffs. The Bengals traded for tackle Cordy Glenn and drafted center Billy Price in the first round to enhance the offensive line. Defensively, the Bengals strengthened the line by drafting defensive end Sam Hubbard. The Bengals also drafted safety Jesse Bates III and cut former cornerback Adam Jones and safety George Iloka. Outside linebacker Malik Jefferson was drafted out of the University of Texas. The Bengals also signed free agent linebacker Preston Brown, a Cincinnati native. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin leads a talented defense that looks to create more turnovers than last year — something he emphasized during his introductory news conference in January.
Things to Watch this Sunday: The team’s biggest strength is its defensive line. There is young and old talent that can wreak havoc on a belowaverage Colts offensive line. Hubbard and defensive tackle Andrew Billings had standout preseason, and hopefully that luck will translate to the regular season. Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is returning to the field for the first time since 2016 after missing all of last season due to injury. Although he looked solid in the preseason, it’s up to the Colts’ offensive line to prevent the Bengals’ pass rush from getting to its Pro Bowl QB. It will be interesting to see whether Luck makes a statement in his first game back or shows that he still is a work in progress.
The Bengals’ offensive line showed improvement during the preseason — at least in pass protection. Running back Joe Mixon has potential as a runner and receiver. However, if he’s going to pound opposing defenses, the offensive line must improve runblocking. Sunday’s Key Bengals Players: The Bengals will be able to win the game if the team’s pass rush is strong, especially in the fourth quarter. The pass rush starts with defensive end Carlos Dunlap and tackle Geno Atkins, both of whom recently received contract extensions. If they get to Luck, it could shorten the field, which would be good for the young, up-andcoming offense. In short, this team’s two best defensive players will be key this Sunday.
SPORTS
Page 11
September 5, 2018 | newsrecord.org
Takeaways from UC’s win over UCLA MATT HUFFMON | SPORTS EDITOR It’s time to reflect upon the storylines surrounding the University of Cincinnati football team after upsetting the University of California, Los Angeles 26-17 in week one. Michael Warren II performed like an upperclassman. Sophomore Michael Warren II was the featured running back in the win, as his backfield mate Gerrid Doaks was unable to suit up due to a groin injury. Warren finished the night with 142 yards and three touchdowns on 35 carries. Luke Fickell’s T.E.A.M. approach is alive. Since arriving on campus in December 2016, head coach Luke Fickell has shown off the “Together, Everyone Achieves More” (T.E.A.M.) motto throughout the program. On Saturday evening, there was a strong sense of unity and a desire to play for one another. UC successfully converted 3-of-4 fourth down attempts, including the gameclinching touchdown by Warren from the one-yard line with 1:44 left in the fourth quarter. “There was some mixed emotions [from assistant coaches],” Fickell told GoBearcats. com after the UCLA win. “You look out there and see Michael Warren, Desmond Ridder and the offensive line looking at you like ‘Come on coach, what have you been
preaching to us?’” At the time, the Bearcats were holding a 19-17 advantage and could’ve settled for a field goal attempt. Instead, Fickell turned to Warren and the offensive line to secure a two-possession lead. “I was worried about the guys in our locker room,” Fickell said in his Tuesday news conference. “The things that we preach from the time we started [preseason] camp as we move forward about trust, belief and love. It goes two ways and they have to experience via [the coaches]. Desmond Ridder seemed comfortable in a hostile environment. Starting quarterback Hayden Moore was benched after fumbling while being sacked during the first quarter. The senior finished one-of-two passing for 10 yards. Head coach Luke Fickell turned to Desmond Ridder for the remainder of the night. Taking his first collegiate snaps, the redshirt-freshman threw for 100 yards on 13-of-24 attempts. “We had a plan,” Fickell said. “We were going to go with Hayden [Moore] for the first two series and then put Desmond [Ridder] for the third and fourth series … we wanted to give Desmond an opportunity that he’s earned.” Despite Ridder’s performance, Fickell made it clear that Moore will still see action in the near future. “They both deserve [to get playing time],” Fickell said. “Hayden [Moore] has played a lot of ball for us. That’s the way we’re going into this, still giving an opportunity to both guys.” The strength of the offensive line stems from veterans. Senior offensive linemen Garrett Campbell and Kyle Trout were crucial in the Bearcats rushing for a combined 194 yards against the Bruins. “[The late touchdown] was an opportunity to put it on the shoulders of our senior offensive line,” Fickell said. “We really believe in what they’re doing.” Fickell expressed his desire to allow the team to be guided by the players blocking upfront. “We want to be an offensive line driven program,” Fickell said. “We made a big statement tonight, and that’s where we’re headed.
This is Luke Fickell’s second year as University of Cincinnati’s head football coach. WIKIMEDIA
San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) take a knee during the national anthem before a game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Fla.. AL DIAZ | MIAMI HERALD | TNS
Opinion: Nike chose Kaepernick over National Football League MATT HUFFMON | SPORTS EDITOR When I heard that Nike was featuring NFL free agent and activist Colin Kaepernick on its 30th anniversary “Just Do It” advertisement, I was genuinely surprised. I can’t believe Nike is willing to take a political stance. The zoom on Kaepernick’s unwavering face is rigid and gives the ad an intimidating feel. The words “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything” are plastered across Kaepernick’s face. The quote encompasses Kaepernick’s personal journey over the past two years. He began kneeling during the national anthem in the 2016 preseason to protest racial injustices against African-Americans. Those who look down on Kaepernick typically consider him a polarizing and ungrateful athlete. Since igniting the kneeling phenomenon, Kaepernick rarely makes public appearances. He simply used his platform as an athlete to allow his actions to speak for him. Whether you support Kaepernick or not, you have to recognize his
unwillingness to let society define him. He doesn’t let the outside world put words in his mouth. An American brand, Nike thrives off worldwide revenue. It will not take a big economic hit through this campaign. Homemade clips featuring Nike customers burning their products circulated throughout social media Sunday. I understand peoples’ desire to show their displeasure with Nike. However, these disgruntled folks already purchased the product(s) being burned, so what’s the point? If trashing your own shoes makes you feel better about the situation, more power to you. The damage was done as soon as the purchase was made. On May 24, NFL owners unanimously approved a national anthem policy that requires players to stand if they are on the field during the performance. Players who do not wish to stand may choose to remain in the locker room. However, the NFL and its players’ union put a halt to the policy July 20 as the two sides continue to debate the issue. “You have to stand proudly for the national anthem,”
President Donald Trump told Fox News in May 2018. “Or else you shouldn’t be playing [in the NFL]. You shouldn’t be there. Maybe you shouldn’t be in the country. A Twitter rant from Trump geared toward Nike and its decision to team with Kaepernick is inevitable at this point. Vice President Mike Pence also opposes the kneeling incidents. He promptly left an Indianapolis Colts versus San Francisco 49ers game in 2017 after witnessing the protests. The ad will also create turmoil between Nike and the NFL, as Nike is the official supplier of uniforms and apparel for the NFL’s 32 teams. Kaepernick has been a free agent in the NFL since March 2017 and accused the NFL and its team owners of colluding to not hire him in November of that year. By choosing to feature Kaepernick, Nike’s goal isn’t to boost sales. Instead, it allowed the company to choose a side in the “Kaepernick versus NFL” debacle, giving the athlete another platform to voice his views.
September 5, 2018 | newsrecord.org
OPINION
Page 12
Clashes between journalists and advocates remind us why communication is king SAMI STEWART | OPINION EDITOR Finding a fresh perspective in undiscussed territory is breeding grounds for a great story. Last year at the Cincinnati Enquirer, journalists Kate Murphy and Meg Vogel began looking into the convoluted nature of sexual assault on college campuses. A year later, Murphy and Vogel published a 45-minute video series discussing the ins and outs of the subject, showcasing the perspectives of students, faculty, lawyers, moms, the accused — the whole nine yards. But this time, their video series didn’t earn them a Pulitzer. Instead, it got them three anonymous death threats, a handful of mean-spirited, alliterative hashtags and an army of pissed off student protesters. Students For Survivors (SFS), an advocacy group at UC, lambasted the Enquirer for its untimeliness, refusal to take the project down, lack of transparency and willingness to provide a platform for an accused individual.
The project wasn’t published until one year after its initial deadline. SFS members that were interviewed for the piece were frustrated with the lengthy delay. “We honestly thought it wasn’t going to happen,” said Kenna Corey, SFS member. However, investigative journalism is drawn out by nature. Stories like these often take more time than originally thought. The Enquirer was operating on USA Today’s schedule, since they were the company that could code this story into existence. “It was taking so much time because it was complicated technologically,” said Amy Wilson (#ArrogantAmy), editor of “The Sex Talk.” “It had nothing to do with ethics. It had to do with logistics.” The 45-minute end product was trimmed down from 50 hours of original footage. The editing process alone took more than three months. When the project was released last month,
the initial reaction was excitement and gratitude. However, it didn’t last long. “There was a lot of support initially, and then things got a little muddy,” said Murphy (#CorruptKate), one of two reporters who crafted the piece. “[We] spent hundreds and hundreds of hours taking the time to be sensitive and lift their voices. And then to be turned on and attacked … feels disrespectful.” Students For Survivors demanded an impossible request from The Enquirer. They wanted their stories withdrawn from the series after it had been released via USA Today. For perspective, the site had more than 97 million visitors as of April, according to comScore, a company that measures audiences across media platforms. “It’s very difficult to put toothpaste back in the bottle,”Wilson said. “I don’t think that I can undo that now. Plus, we don’t want to undo it. We still believe strongly in the work we did.” Survivors claim that they were unaware that the
Protestors gather at the Ohio Statehouse to voice their opposition to Senate Bill 5, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011, in Columbus, Ohio. KARL KUNTZ | COLUMBUS DISPATCH | MCT
project would be published on USA Today. Had they been given that information beforehand, SFS said its members may have changed their minds about sharing their intimate stories. A letter to the editor, penned by Kenna Corey, poignantly expressed the group’s issues with the series — mainly the Enquirer’s failure to mention that a person accused of sexual assault would be involved in the story. “The survivors thought this was going to be an advocacy-centered piece,” Corey said. “It’s not. It’s an objective journalistic piece.” She was right. The Cincinnati Enquirer, by trade, produces objective journalistic work. Advocacy writing isn’t part of a newspaper’s prerogative. If it was, it couldn’t be considered a credible news source — another discrepancy seeded from misunderstanding and differing goals. “They are an advocacy group and we are journalists,” Murphy said. “We’re not always going to agree on whose voices should be heard.” I can’t determine if the core issue was a lack of explicit communication or a failure to discuss shared and conflicting goals for the piece. The latter, however, does not affect the journalists’ conduct. The only goals that matter belong to those doing the reporting. While discussing transparency, after extensively explaining Title IX regulations to me, Corey said that SFS members did not know “a rapist was going to be a part of the project” ahead of time. It was not clear why Corey would call someone a rapist when the individual in question was never criminally convicted of any sexual misconduct. She expressed deep concern about the possibility that those without a “critical eye … might be lured into this sense of thinking these experiences are parallel.”
Protestors face off around police as they taunt Westboro Baptist protestors on the second day of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. TIFFANY TOMPKINS-CONDIE | BRADENTON HERALD | TNS
She made a good point: I’m criticizing this situation from a journalistic perspective, picking apart every detail. I watched “The Sex Talk” before reading SFS’s letter to the editor to remain unbiased. I noticed that the survivors’ stories purposefully followed the accused’s to display the stark contrast in their situations. But assuming that the general population lacks critical thinking skills and wouldn’t see the same is a baseless accusation and a slight to the common person’s intelligence. Instead of fixating on what could happen, I would rather see SFS get its facts straight. Corey said that “only 5 percent of cases of sexual assault or rape are ever reported.” However, according to the Rape, Assault & Incent National Network (RAINN), about 310 of every 1,000 such
cases are reported to the police — roughly 31 percent. Therein likes yet another discrepancy between advocacy and journalism: fact-checking. It matters in both cases to some degree, but while spewing smudged numbers might get you some flak from the student newspaper, printing incorrect facts gets you fired. Communication is key in most situations. But in this one, communication is king. It might have saved Amy Wilson from receiving three death threats. It might have saved the SFS members a great deal of anxiety. And it could have helped to avoid a situation where two parties that should be working together ended up butting heads. “Every story, we say, is a lesson for the next story,” Wilson said. Perhaps the lesson of this story is the importance of heeding the king.
OPINION
Page 13
SAMI STEWART | OPINION EDITOR
topping single. But the more relevant bird lady in my life isn’t a lanky pop star. She’s a lanky character on FXX’s classic sitcom, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” I’m so grateful that I have the privilege of watching the gang terrorize Dee about her bird-like stature. This may be the only show where the 13th season is welcome and not dreaded. So many long-running shows overstay their welcome once the plot has been fully explored. Sunny’s secret to success is keeping the overarching plot as simple as possible. The show is about a dysfunctional ensemble of high-functioning alcoholics who do terrible things. With a foundation like that, the possibilities are endless. There was plenty of room in the plot for the gang to
corrupt a priest over several years, try their hand at some terrible marketing ideas for Paddy’s Pub and drink enough beer to kill a fleet of wild horses. Sunny fans come from all walks of life, united in their shared interest of watching a group of buddies do foul, unrelatable things for 12 — going on 13 — seasons. And it never gets old. I could watch Frank groom his toenails with a steak knife every day for the rest of my life. I doubt that I’ll ever get the Dayman song out of my head. And this year, I’m replacing the Thanksgiving turkey with a rum ham. My life can be divided into two categories: before and after I binged Sunny twice in a row. It would be incomplete without this nugget of pop culture, and it remains untouched by T-Swift’s garbage songs.
Taylor Swift is a whiney, unoriginal bird person. Her lyrics blame big mean boys for all her woes, she’s long overdue for a lesson in selfawareness and she looks like Big Bird from Sesame Street. It’s uncanny! She’s not untalented, just unoriginal. She’s got quite the pipes and boasts an impressive range. I can’t speak for the integrity of her live performances, but from what I’ve seen on the internet, she can wail. It’s the lyrics that get me. They’re reminiscent of my junior high school journals, which I have disposed of entirely. They don’t deserve to see the light of day, and neither do Taylor’s lyrics. There are plenty of other bubblegum, “puppy love” pop songs that don’t make a fool of an irrelevant high school exboyfriend. Some of the best songs have lyrics that contribute little content to the actual song other than another layer of sounds. This is how I wish Swift wrote her songs. I would rather be beaten over the head with “sha la la”s than ex-boyfriend beef and lazy AB rhyme schemes. What happened to “Love Story?” It was the perfect irrational tale that made for a great country-pop hybrid banger. From there, the production followed the flow of generic pop beats and sprinkled some jaded, possibly (probably) exaggerated lyrical content that faked emotion. This bird lady sure knows how to craft Taylor Swift is a musician that Opinion Editor Sami Stewart has plenty of hot air into a chartthoughts about. WIKIMEDIA
September 5, 2018 | newsrecord.org
Bird Scooters are a new way for UC students to get around Cincinnati. AARON DORSTEN | PHOTO EDITOR
Scooter-sharing flips safety the bird JACOB FISHER | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF There’s a revolution taking place in our city, and electric scooters are its soldiers. Companies like Bird and Lime seemingly appeared out of nowhere. In the wake of dismal streetcar ridership, Bird Rides Inc. expanded its scooter-sharing service to the Queen City this summer. Almost instantaneously, people began zipping around downtown on the latest and greatest form of public transit. Adios, Metro! And I’ll bite — these things are freaking cool. All the convenience of cruising around the city’s urban core without the shame of operating a motorized shopping cart? Count me in. The problem with electric scooters has little to do with design. The business model is great. But the safety standards? Not so much. Operating a Bird scooter comes with a few caveats: riders are required to wear a helmet, scooters may only be used in designated bike lanes, operators must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license — all that jazz. Yet, an upsettingly large proportion of riders blatantly ignore these rules. Helmetless, underage scooter-fanatics use these things on sidewalks and in city streets. Safety concerns like these are precisely why scooter-sharing services have been temporarily banned in some U.S. cities. Lack of regulation poses a risk to both pedestrians and motor vehicle operators in densely-populated areas — the prime markets for industry leaders like Bird and Lime. If you live or work in the city, you
understand why that might pose an issue. The average person walks at 3.1 mph, and pedestrians are bound to occasionally bump into each other. No big deal — it happens. But if you bump into a hunk of steel and flesh moving 15 mph? That’s going to leave a mark. Last month, Bird formed a safety advisory board to establish safety programs and products for e-scooter operators. The company also pledged to work with cities to create and maintain protected bike lanes for riders. That’s all well and good, but the underlying problem remains: riders aren’t following the rules. Most recently, e-scooter companies marked their next target: college campuses. The North Carolina State University student newspaper reported that a flock of Bird scooters swarmed its campus Sunday. In Clifton, Bird scooters are abundant, and they’re bound to continue their migration to the outermost edges of the city. Councilman David Mann has had enough. He issued a motion last week to hold Bird liable for injuries sustained by vehicle misuse. “The damage inflicted by any enterprise must be assumed by the business, not an innocent public,” Mann said in a statement. “Some people have already sustained injury. Others will follow.” Without an incentive to comply with safety standards, or consequences for neglecting to do so, reckless riders will continue to pose a threat. Rules demand enforcement. Without it, expanding bike lanes won’t make a difference.
OPINION
September 5, 2018 | newsrecord.org
Page 14
Passion on a film reel: How one UC grad landed her dream job instantly
SAMI STEWART | OPINION EDITOR Not three months after graduation, a Bearcat alum scored her dream job — all because she reached out first. This spring, Victoria Obermeyer joined her fellow classmates at commencement ceremony and wrapped up her undergraduate degree. She was Seattle-bound and ready to begin her career as a freelancing photojournalist, taking up any work she could find. Although freelancing becomes a reality for most journalism grads, dreams of scoring a cool magazine job or working on groundbreaking, impactful stories often remain in the hopeful, hazy distance for every green journalist. Instead waiting for an opportunity to present itself, she reached out to a production company that was preparing to film its inaugural documentary. “This is going to sound silly and unprofessional, but originally, I first saw them on Instagram,” Obermeyer said. She quickly contacted
the two female directors of Coextinction, an independent documentary team filming the plight of Southern Resident killer whales and Chinook salmon in the Salish Sea. Victoria has an affinity for the ocean and the conservation of marine life. She minored in environmental studies as she worked toward her photojournalism degree. Last summer, she worked for Soundwatch, a boater education program off the coast of Washington, where she collected data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. She saw struggling species from a first-hand perspective while she lived on the San Juan Islands, which only fueled her passion to direct her journalism career toward environmentalism and conservation. Despite graduating just three months prior, Obermeyer took a leap of faith and contacted the directors of Coextinction. “It’s about reaching out and not being afraid to hear
‘no,’” she said. But she didn’t hear no. She heard yes. So, she packed up and joined the film crew on their journey to shed light on the struggling whale population off the West Coast. She was originally hired as part of the audio team, but it wasn’t long before she earned the title of production manager and was entrusted to film full interviews and grab corresponding B-roll. “Some of us have experience making documentaries, some of us have just graduated journalism school; some of us have totally unrelated backgrounds,”Victoria said. All had a common passion for marine conservation and different skills to bring to the table. It made for an extremely passionate and driven team of 20-somethings. Speaking from experience, becoming a documentarian is on the dream-job shortlist of many journalists. Most anyone would stop their life in its tracks to work on a doc team — especially if it
“It’s about reaching out and not being afraid to hear ‘no,’” Obermeyer says. PROVIDED
Three months after graduation Bearcat alum Victoria Obermeyer landed her dream job. PROVIDED
means covering a topic of personal significance. But living and working so close to the problem quickly becomes emotionally draining. Since Victoria’s internship in Washington last summer, two southern resident whales have died, leaving the population at a dismal 76 — nearly 20 less than the total population two decades ago. “And it just keeps going,” Victoria said. “[Whales] are an incredibly social species with such an important family structure, and it’s hard to watch them decline one by one.” Two whales have recently grabbed international attention for the adversities they are facing. A 20-yearold female, Tahlequah, mourned the loss of her calf by carrying its corpse for more than 1,000 miles in 17 days. At the same time, scientists have expressed concern for another female orca whose genetic makeup is integral in the perpetuation of her species. She’s currently being treated for malnourishment with live salmon and dartinjected antibiotics. “If we do nothing, she will die,” said Michael Weiss of the Center for Whale Research, in an interview with a Seattle Fox News affiliate. The doc crew is in the midst of its shooting schedule and hopes to finish the bulk of filming by the first week of September. With the killer
whale population steadily declining, the story is increasingly time sensitive. The whales can’t wait for all the Ts to be crossed on this documentary, but there’s pressure for Coextinction to hit this series out of the park on their first try. Positive reception is bound to help secure funding for more environmental documentaries in the future. Because it is an independent documentary team and runs on the generous support of conservation organizations in British Columbia, the placement of the finished product onto a streaming service is still largely up in the air. The tentative deadline to wrap up loose ends and release the series is between late spring and early summer of next year — just in time for Orca Awareness Month, which takes place in June. While telling this story is imperative to bring awareness and education to the masses, it cuts deep into the hearts of the Coextinction team. Passion moves dreams and meets goals, but it doesn’t come without the price of emotional attachment. But for Obermeyer, that’s a small price to pay to pursue a dream job fresh out of her undergraduate career. What if she had played it safe and stuck with the original plan? She’d probably be doing what she initially intended: freelancing full time,
side hustling part-time and living in Seattle. But because she took a chance, believed in her abilities and chased her passion for the environment, Obermeyer is working the first of many dream gigs. Her ambition is inspirational, and the faith she finds in herself is rare. It landed her a documentary job right out of college, which will pave the way for endless career opportunities in the future, allowing her to channel her passions into action. And it’s all because she was brave enough to reach out first. Thank goodness that the directors of Coextinction recognized the potential of our fellow Bearcat and welcomed her to their team. Obermeyer gives the rest of us hope that our dream jobs could be waiting for us right after graduation. As students, we just have to know our worth, follow our passions, apply our skills and take some chances.
INTERACTIVE
Page 15
September 5, 2018 | newsrecord.org
Across 1 Italian fashion label 6 Invasive Asian vine 11 CSI lab sample 14 “Cosmos” host 15 Symphonic winds 16 + or - particle 17 *Precarious position 19 Zoo opening in Britain 20 Long-lasting needlework? 21 Hero of Uris’“Exodus” 22 Business magnate 23 Lowest in fat 25 “And __ off!” 27 Take it easy 28 Grade-schooler 29 Fido’s poodle amie 32 Classification prefix meaning “arrangement” 34 What candidates “press” a lot of 37 Time division 38 *1979 boxing sequel 40 Wanted poster letters 41 Do an airport maintenance job 43 Eager about, with “on” 44 Foul mood 45 __ Ark 47 “Get outta there!” 49 Bronchial woe 51 Totally puzzled 54 Journalist Paula 55 It has a dozen signs: Abbr. 57 Low clouds 59 “Evil Woman” band, briefly 60 Feeling woozy ... and a
NEWSROOM LEADERSHIP
Editor-in-Chief Jacob Fisher
Managing Editor Noelle Zielinski
News Editor Mitchell Parton
Down 1 Subtle summons 2 1986 Indy 500 champ Bobby 3 Colorful quartz 4 ‘60s TV show whose title means “doctor” in Swahili 5 “Do I have a volunteer?” 6 “MASH” setting: Abbr. 7 WWII sub 8 Gloomy 9 Apex 10 Amer. money 11 *Hall of Fame pitcher with the 1930s Cardinals 12 Lack of musical skill 13 Agassi of tennis 18 Heads for 22 Honeycomb unit 24 Puts into piles 26 LP player 28 Most coquettish 29 Gave grub to 30 Anger 31 *Very small
OFFICE HOURS
Multimedia Director Patrick Murphy
EDITORIAL STAFF
News Editor Elizabeth Schmitt
hint to the first words of the answers to starred clues 62 Knock 63 Former Houston hockey team 64 Tequila plant 65 Citrus suffix 66 __-Roman wrestling 67 Doled (out)
509 Swift Hall ML 0135 Cincinnati, OH 45221 Phone: 513-556-5912 Life & Arts Editor Briana Rice
Monday 10AM-11AM, 2:30PM-4:30PM Tuesday 9AM-10AM, 11AM-4PM Wednesday 9AM-6PM Thursday 12PM-3PM Friday 10AM-1PM, 3:30PM-4:30PM
SEND US YOUR LETTERS Sports Editor Matt Huffmon
Opinion Editor Sami Stewart
MULTIMEDIA STAFF
Lead Designer Brittany Fletcher
Chief Photographer Abby Shoyat
Online Editor Stephanie Smith
Broadcast Reporter Morgan Zumbiel
Photo Editor Aaron Dorsten
Videographer Mallory Elder
Got a suggestion? Opinion? News tip? Share it with us! The News Record prides itself as the student voice of the University of Cincinnati, and your input fuels our content. If there’s anything you think our staff should cover, we want to know about it. Letters to the editor are strongly encouraged and will be published in print or online, subject to review by our staff. Please send all questions, inquiries, or story ideas to editor@newsrecord.org.
chance 33 Jaguar model 35 Hit the slopes 36 Fez, e.g. 38 Scold, with “out” 39 One way to pay 42 “Walking in Memphis” singer Marc 44 Attic function 46 Not as clear 48 Chi. White Sox or Bos. Red Sox 49 Hyundai sedan 50 Tossed __ 51 For a special purpose 52 ‘70s-’80s Egyptian president 53 Actor Carell 56 Folklore brute 58 Carded at a club, briefly 60 Fall behind 61 Chinese menu surname
WEBSITE newsrecord.org FACEBOOK /TheNewsRecord TWITTER @NewsRecord_UC INSTAGRAM @thenewsrecord The News Record is an independent, student-run news organization of the University of Cincinnati. The free tabloid-size newspaper is published on Wednesdays during the school year except on holidays and during final examinations and is distributed to more than 100 locations on and near the UC campus. The News Record’s website, newsrecord.org, is updated continuously and offers e-newsletters, video, audio and interactive features. The Communications Board of the University of Cincinnati is responsible for operating and policymaking activities of The News Record and its affiliated media, including oversight of fiscal operations, sound educational experience for students, protection of press freedoms and adherence to University rules and regulations.
September 5, 2018 | newsrecord.org
Page 16
Laundry? Solved. From Tide to Febreze, save and shop close to campus.
A
C
CE
ER
E
UC Calhoun Target Just south of campus at 235 Calhoun St
PTED
H
% off 20 Entire storewide purchase*
Use the Target App to get this deal & other exclusives.
Step 1: Download the Target app.
EXPIRES 9/16/18
Step 2: Scan the barcode.
Step 3: Find your coupon in wallet.
*Exclusions apply. Limit 1 per guest. Coupon availability limited.