Category: News

International students talk turkey

By Shamayeta Rahman, Transcript Reporter

To most Ohio Wesleyan students, Thanksgiving is a time for turkey and time together with the family.

However, those who are thousands of miles away from home are often left to spend this American tradition on an empty campus.

Most international students and some domestic students who live far away choose to stay on campus during Thanksgiving break, finding the long journey too unfeasible for such a short trip.

Although there are programs that set up these students with local families who welcome them into their homes for Thanksgiving Day dinner, most are left to celebrate on their own or with fellow peers who are staying behind.

Residential Life charges $27 per night for anyone choosing to stay behind over break.

Despite the extra cost, there are no on-campus food options available during the break, so these students often have to eat outside or cook for themselves during this time, making it even more expensive to stay behind over break even if they have no other options.

“It is OK for the most part, except on Thanksgiving Day when everything is closed,” said senior Urvija Rishi, an Indian international student who stayed behind for break.

Senior Kyul-El-Lee, a Korean international student, agreed to having the same problem, but spoke about how
he went to a Korean Church nearby on Thanksgiving Day.

The church usually hosts meals open for everyone, and Lee said he really appreciated the combination of traditional American and Korean food they served there.

“It is really nice that they host these events for the community; it really helps us to feel a lot more at home when [nobody is] around,” Lee said. Hamburger Inn also serves a free Thanksgiving meal for the community along with a few other churches in the city.

Unlike Lee, Rishi spent her Thanksgiving cooking cuisines from her own culture using the time and opportunity that the break provides to make it a more personalized holiday experience.

“Even though we don’t celebrate it back in India, Thanksgiving makes me homesick seeing everyone back with their families,” Rishi said.

“I cooked butter chicken and biriyani to recreate that feeling of home even though I was in my residence hall.”

Attack occurs at OSU campus

By Areena Arora, Managing Editor

On Monday, Nov. 28, an Ohio State student carried out a knife attack, injuring 11 people before being taken down by the police.

Before the attack, Abdul Razak Ali Artan rammed into a group of people in a car. The injured include at least one faculty member, one staff member and seven students, according to OSU’s student newspaper The Lantern.

Artan was an 18-year-old Somali refugee, a third-year Logistics Management student. OSU police officer Alan Horujko tackled and shot him.

According to The Columbus Dispatch and The Lantern, the Islamic State (ISIS) claimed Tuesday, Nov. 29 that the attacker Artan was inspired by the organization.

ISIS said, according to a tweet posted by Jenan Moussa, a reporter at Arabic Al Aan TV, “ISIS takes credit for Ohio University attack. Says attacker was soldier of the Islamic State.”

Investigators are still looking into the motive of the attack to determine if the attack was related to terrorism. According to a CNN article published on the day of the incident, the attacker Artan had posted on his Facebook acccount that he was “sick and tired of seeing fellow Muslims killed and tortured,” according to federal law enforcement officials.

According to OSU’s Department of Public Safety, the initial emergency alert notification was sent out to students, faculty and staff at 9:54 a.m. The next alert, sent out just two minutes later, said “Buckeye Alert: Active shooter on campus. Run Hide Fight. Watts Hall. 19th and College.”

At 12:21 p.m., another alert was sent out saying that a suspect had been shot and reported dead.

In a campus-wide email sent out by OSU president Michael Drake, he said, “Days such as these test our spirit as Buckeyes — but together we remain unified in the face of adversity.”

At a press conference later that evening, Ohio’s Gov. John Kasich said, “When you think about the students, the parents, many of whom were texting and Snapchatting their kids — it’s remarkable what these first responders did … There would be a lesson for all across America and all the campuses across America about what you do when things like this happen.”

In a story published in The Lantern on Aug. 25, Artan is quoted to have said that after he recently transferred from Columbus State Community College, he was scared of his identity as a Muslim on OSU’s campus.

Artan said, “We had prayer rooms, like actual rooms where we could go to pray because we Muslims have to pray five times a day … [OSU’s campus] is huge and I don’t even know where to pray … I wanted to pray in the open, but I was kind of scared with everything going on in the media … If people look at a Muslim praying, I don’t know what they’re going to think.”

A vigil was held Tuesday evening at St. John’s Arena, according to The Lantern. “Members of the OSU marching band and the OSU music group CELLOHIO performed at the event,” according to The Lantern.

Interfaith House celebrates early Thanksgiving

By Liz Hardaway, Arts & Entertainment Editor

On Nov. 16, the Interfaith House (IF) hosted an open-table discussion about what people are thankful for.

Sophomore Anna Davies facilitated this discussion for her house project to encourage people to join together before the break and spread her house message, which is to spread interfaith, cooperation, love and tolerance.

The event brought together people of both faith based and non-faith based backgrounds to express to each other how thankful they are.

“I really wanted it to be a time to pause with how busy it is this time of year and just reflect on things that make us happy to be alive,” Davies said.

Coming from a religious background and a small-town setting, Davies aimed to make the event simple and easy for people to discuss how thankful they are without angling the discussion towards religious aspects.

One attendee, senior Olivia Lease, said her favorite part of the event was interacting with new people. The local Mormon Missionaries attended, as well, adding more viewpoints to the discussion.

The discussion started out with the basic question of what people were thankful for. People also discussed a specific moment in their life that solidified that thankfulness and also the importance of community in their lives.

Attendees also considered the various ways people express gratitude, whether it being through letters or hugs. Each one is a unique moment of sincerity in it’s own form, said Lease.

“We get caught up in things that frustrate us and things that are momentarily stressful, but in the long term there are so many things we are thankful for,” Lease said.

Economic Outlook conference held

By Tung Nguyen, Transcript Correspondent

International economies were dull and dry in the last decade and will be prolonged by Donald Trump in the next few years.

Ian Sheldon, a visiting professor from the Ohio State University, presented his thoughts to Ohio Wesleyan University students and faculty in the Benes room in Hamilton-Williams Campus Center Nov. 15.

“Things are getting better at a slow pace,” Sheldon said.

 

The U.S., along with Japan and the United Kingdom, will face minimal growths of less than 2 percent in 2017, predicted by the Sputnik News.

On the other hand, Sheldon showed that the economic growths among developing countries are positively forecasted. Both China and India, with the corresponding 6.2 percent and 7.5 percent economic growths, are the new world’s potential challengers.

“Besides, Brazil and Russia will bounce back from the long-term economic recession,” Sheldon said.

Mark Schweitzer, a speaker from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, agreed with Sheldon that on a large scale, the world economies will slightly improve.

However, both Sheldon and Schweitzer emphasized the downfall on the microeconomics scale. They predicted that the unemployment rates will be higher than the pre-crisis levels.

“The United Kingdom, especially after Brexit, will suffer signi cantly from the currency depreciation,” Sheldon said.

Along with the domestic struggles, the international trade system will also be affected by political changes.

“Trump will end the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and, as a result, pull down the economy’s growths of not only the United States, but also the other 10 members,” Schweitzer said.

Bob Gitter, an economics professor from OWU, said that by killing TPP, Trump will increase the unemployment rate and market prices.

Furthermore, Sheldon said that president-elect Trump will put a 35 percent tariff on Mexico and 45 percent tariff on China.

“No more cheap labors and no more cheap products,” Sheldon said. “With the economy’s recession, the United States’ citizens will be slightly in troubles.”

Bill Lafayette, another speaker from Regionomics Inc., showed that the central area of Ohio’s economy still remain stable in spite of the recession.

“The area’s population is gradually increasing and luckily, so is the employment rate,” he said.

Gitter said, “The world economies is facing significant changes but it is better than staying stagnate.”

Hindu festival of lights celebrated

By Reilly Wright, Transcript Correspondant

Laughter, dancing and savory Indian food were common themes in the Benes Rooms on Nov. 13 as Ohio Wesleyan University celebrated Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.

Diwali is one of the largest ancient annual Hindu traditions covering South Asia, celebrating the victory of light over darkness by decorating homes with lights, candles and reworks.

The annual celebration was hosted by Sangam, a student organization that represents and celebrates South Asian culture through cultural events and activities at OWU.

This year’s Diwali had a turnout of about 80 people and has been celebrated for over six years by the OWU community.

“We were told by some people, that have been coming for some time, that this year was better than it had been in the past,” said sophomore Anna Pakrasi, the president of Sangam. “I think the way that we changed it up and made it shorter really helped us.”

Prabh Virk, an OWU alumna that was involved in Diwali, said “Diwali is one of those events that really brings the whole campus together. It’s a chance for the OWU community to experience a new culture. Every year Diwali grows as each group of Sangam leaders add their own are to the event.”

The night began with the history and signi cance of Diwali by Pakrasi and Sangam treasurer Areena Arora. Chaplain Jon Powers also spoke about nding one’s peace and OWU with other cultures.

“I thought it was a really fun night and also really meaningful,” said freshman Sarah Gielink. “They talked about the whole meaning of the holiday and I think that’s really important to make everyone aware of traditions.”

Sangam members led guests to a communal prayer termed puja around a table with Hindu decorations and lift a plate of burning incenses. Traditional Hindu sweets were given to enjoy while people watched and participated.

Desi music, a broad form of South Asian music, pounded through the room as many guests and Sangam members danced together to the upbeat songs and movements.

“I think it’s great that [cultures] are celebrated here,” Gielink said. “I just appreciate that it’s something that is so alive on campus.”

The festival had free Indian food for attendees to eat and enjoy, while Sangam urged guests to take home leftovers afterward. The night ended with the JAYwalk lit up not only by the moon, but the Diwali crowd playing with sparklers.

“Diwali celebrations were a huge part of my OWU experience and I’m glad that current students are able to continue the tradition and community,” Virk said.

 

WCSA Today: Revote

By Gopika Nair, Chief Copy Editor and Liz Hardaway, Arts & Entertainment Editor

The Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA) is holding a rerun of its senator election due to lack of voter turnout Friday, Dec. 2.

WCSA is also funding a “Final Lap” for seniors, inviting the entire Ohio Wesleyan community to Fraternity Hill one last time before graduation.

The council suggested food trucks and drinks alongside the local professor band “Stolen Fire” to play live music. A DJ could also be in attendance and President Rock Jones will give a speech to pass this new- found tradition from one class to the next.

“We need to foster this sense of community … come together [and] celebrate one nal time before we say our goodbyes,” said senior Shashank Sharma.

Members were concerned that after funding around $18,000 for the event that students wouldn’t show up.

“I don’t believe good traditions come from great funding,” said senior and former Class of 2017 representative Andrew Stock.

Elections were held Nov. 11 for executive positions. Voter turnout increased from 7.4 percent to 29.6 percent from last year.

SLUs have also gained access to the student activity fund.

Legal marijuana is growing in business

The fifth annual Marijuana Business Conference and Expo kicked off Nov. 16 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Over 7,500 cannabis industry leaders gathered together to network and learn from one another.

This conference allows for the entire marijuana business ecosystem to be under one roof for a span of three days. Even though the conference is currently sold out, one Ohio Wesleyan University professor was able to snag an open spot.

Since 2015, Justin Breidenbach, assistant professor of accounting, has traveled to leading marijuana growers, producers and retailers across the country in hopes to develop an understanding of the industry from seed to sale.

“My hope is that I can provide information mation from a non-biased and academic approach to better understand the industry and how it is serving stakeholders from an accounting and business view.” Breidenbach said.

Similar to a traditional business, the marijuana industry requires detailed records of products from seed to sale. According to Northwest Cannabis Solutions, the largest recreational marijuana producer/processor in Washington, every seed is barcoded throughout the production process.

As of Nov 8. in the U.S., eight states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana, 21 states have legalized the medical use of marijuana and 15 states have legalized limited medical use of marijuana.

As popular as this industry has become, many hindrances still stand in the way of interested parties that want to join the market.

One major issue people have when trying to join the legal marijuana industry is start up capital. Breidenbach pointed out that cash is king in this business due to the fact that banks do not accept money from the marijuana industry because it is federally illegal. This makes it very difficult for interested parties to get loans as well as insurance.

Another issue is that startup costs for a business in the marijuana industry is around four times higher than a traditional business. Breidenbach explained how high startup costs lead to the higher costs of the product in order for the producers to make a profit.

Although pricing is based on market value like a traditional product, the cost of these products are in ated from the very start as a result of high startup costs.

“The market has a lot of room to grow,” Breidenbach said. As the industry continues to expand, producers and lawmakers alike will find that balance in which the government can control and tax the product while still allowing the producers to be pro table.

Breidenbach is one of the leading academics doing research on this topic in the hopes to gain an understanding of the industry.

“Research on this industry is very hard to nd,” Breidenbach said. This is solely due to the fact that the legal marijuana industry itself is so new.

WCSA 2017-18 leaders appointed

By Anna Davies, Transcript Reporter

Junior Christopher Dobeck and sophomore Michael Sheetz will be the 2017 Wesleyan Council of Student Affairs (WCSA) president and vice president respectively.

Dobeck said his main concern is wisely spending the WCSA budget in ways that will improve student life and happiness. He also said improving transparency between students and administration is crucial.

Sheetz and Dobeck said they want to make WCSA more accessible to the OWU community. “I would like to have a monthly letter in The Transcript from WCSA to the students. I’d also like to do ‘reside chats’ on the Facebook page,” Dobeck said.

Dobeck also said he wants to create an archive of current and past WCSA records. “Any self-respecting institution should have a record system for itself and to keep its heritage alive,” he said.

He also mentioned wanting to create a student film festival sponsored by WCSA. “We’d show student-made films as a celebration of OWU artistry,” he said.

Sheetz, who has worked with Dobeck on bills for WCSA, said, “(Chris) has an amazing ability to keep a group going and keep a group cohesive, where my skill set lies more in getting specific projects done.”

“I am most excited about having a voice at the highest portion of our school’s administration,” Sheetz said about his new position. “I firmly believe that every student has a right to know what the administration’s thoughts and feelings are on any part of the school that they so wish.”

Sheetz said he wants to work with the Provost to make an easier system for student feedback. “The most important thing in my eyes is open communication and students being able to voice their complaints in a safe environment,” he said.

Sheetz said he also wants to include Greek Life and Small Living Unit (SLU) communities in the WCSA budget, improve campus sustainability and continue campus inclusivity.

Dobeck previously served a year as a senator for WCSA’s Administration Policy Committee (APC). Sheetz first met current WCSA vice president Sam Schurer through the men’s ultimate frisbee team and joined the Student Life Committee after learning more about WCSA from Schurer.

Dobeck said he started thinking about running two months before the elections. Sheetz reached out to him and said he wanted to join the campaign. The two will hold their positions for a year.

Dobeck said he values Sheetz’s professional attitude. “He had experience other people didn’t,” he said.

Other candidates that ran include Robert Gossett for president and Brad Marcotte for vice president and Armando Polizzi for president and Adriana Rodriguez for vice president.

Outgoing President Jess Choate and Vice President Sam Schurer spent much of their term working to increase representation of minorities on campus. Out of that came the Student Inclusion Advocacy Committee (SIAC). WCSA of officers that sit in on the SIAC Committee are elected directly onto WCSA to be on this committee. The students elected to this committee include: Ryan Bishop, Jason Perry, Cindy Huynh, Ahmed Hamed, Cara Harris, Spencer Zhang and Marisa Grillo.

Elections were held on Nov. 11. The new of officers will begin their terms at the start of the spring semester.

A spooktacular weekend event

By Shamayeta Rahman, Transcript Reporter

The prospect of Halloween on a Monday did not discourage Halloween festivities at Ohio Wesleyan University; instead, they simply took on a head start on Friday, Oct. 28.

Leaflets and Facebook shares for the events led them to skyrocket and words like “Zombie Bash” and “Ghoulish Gala” spread.

Zombie Bash was held in the Schimmel-Conrades Science Center Atrium from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It was organized by the student board of the botany-microbiology (BOMI) and zoology department.

“Most other departments have picnics and receptions; we decided to change things up,” said senior Jemil Seid, a member of the BOMI student board.

Seid said he did not expect it to garner this much attention, but was pleased that he had done his job well.

“It was a unique event that really captured the essence of the departments, and Halloween is always fun,” said senior Connor Payne, a microbiology major.

Stations and props lined the atrium. The fan favorites were the carnivorous plants and the crawling critters. They had also set up a showing of “Hocus Pocus” and Halloween-themed snacks were also in place.

Later that night, at 7 p.m., the atrium was redecorated, this time for the Ghoulish Gala.

The event lasted three hours and included Halloween-themed cupcakes and drinks. The organizers also arranged costume contests and both students and faculty alike took home the coveted ‘golden skeleton’ trophies.

“It was really fun, but I wish that it didn’t look so empty for the first hour or so,” said senior Urvija Rishi, a student who attended the gala.

Annual Fall Festival celebrated

By Evan Walsh, Transcript Reporter

Ohio Wesleyan added a new chapter to its haunted history by hosting the second annual Fall Festival on Fraternity Hill.

Nearly 200 members of the OWU and Delaware communities were present Oct. 28, building on the success of last year’s Fall Festival.

Most families came dressed for the occasion even though it wasn’t held on Halloween night. Children were encouraged to go to the fraternities, where affiliated men handed out candy.

Other Halloween related activities were of- fered, including pumpkin carving, themed face paint, cornhole and a bouncy house.

Organized by OWU’s Faith and Justice Club, planning began earlier this semester and funding was approved by the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs shortly after.

Lisa Ho, assistant chaplain and faculty supervisor of Faith and Justice, thanked Luke Waters’16 for coming up with the idea last year.

Ho recognized the importance of the event as a way to continue to develop the relationship between OWU and the Delaware community. She applauded the efforts of members of Faith and Justice as well as OWU’s Greek life.

“[Fall Festival] has done a good job building a bridge between the Delaware community and our school and its students,” Ho said.

Several OWU faculty members and their families showed up. Dana Behum, assistant director of student involvement for fraternity and sorority life, brought her children.

Behum said she was impressed with the level of engagement the students passing out candy showed.

“Everyone was super respectful and I really enjoyed seeing my children interact with the [affiliated men],” Behum said.

The students who participated shared a similar sentiment.