News – Page 53 – The Transcript

Wil Haygood to speak at graduation

Wil Haygood. Photo courtesy of ohiodominican.edu.

The American journalist and author Wil Haygood is set to speak at Ohio Wesleyan’s commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 10.

Haygood was chosen by Ohio Wesleyan president, Rock Jones and senior class president, Elizabeth Fisher.

Haygood is known for his Washington Post article, “A Butler Well Served By This Election.” This article was about Eugene Allen and serves as the basis for the movie The Butler, which came out in 2013.

Haygood has covered many monumental events in history such as Hurricane Katrina, which hit Louisiana in 2005. He has also covered the presidential campaign of Barack Obama in 2008.

Since the release of the movie, Haygood has written a book about Allen, entitled The Butler: A Witness to History. His work is based on butlers that have served in the White House during different presidencies.

“He’s had a very exciting life so far, so I’m sure he will have an interesting speech and advice,” senior Sarah Dailey said.

Haygood was taken hostage by Somali rebels in 1990. He was rescued by troops from Pakistan and in that same year, he was outside the South African prison, which was housing Nelson Mandela. At that same time, Mandela was released.

“I am very excited to hear what he has to say,” senior Alex Thrasher said. “It seems as though he has had very interesting life experiences, and has made the most of them in a very positive way.”

As part of the ceremony, Haygood will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from OWU. The university saw this fit through his many personal and scholarly achievements.

“Wil Haygood is an amazing author and I am so glad that Ohio Wesleyan has chosen him to speak at graduation,” senior Ali Smith said. “I am looking forward to all that he has to say and the advice that he will share with us.”

It’s all fun and games until something gets stolen

Fraternity composites are a timeless tradition that cannot be broken – unless they’re stolen from the houses they belong to.

Sigma Chi, Phi Kappa Psi (Phi Psi) and Phi Delta Theta (Phi Delt) all had composites stolen from their houses, and no one really knows who did it, or how they did it. But pieces are being put together.

A grace period was set if the composites were returned. After two months of no action, a report was filed with Public Safety and the Delaware Police.

Brad Dotson, a junior and member of Phi Psi spoke about the confusion of the whole situation.

“All we hear are a bunch of rumors of what may have happened,” Dotson said. “No one really knows what’s going on, I just hear stuff from other people who don’t really know either.”

Another member of Phi Psi, junior Nate Goodhart, is confused why anyone would do such a thing.

“While I understand fraternities can sometimes play small pranks and jokes on each other in good fun, they took it way too far by stealing so many composites and keeping them with no intent to return them,” Goodhart said.

At this point in the development, there are plans to repay the fraternities in which the composites were stolen. Phi Delt received a check from Alpha Sigma Phi last week to replace the missing property.

“All we are asking for is reimbursement and an apology, which we still haven’t gotten,” Goodhart said. “Composites are pieces of history that are important to fraternities.”

Senior Connor Perkkio, former president of Phi Delt, was also pretty upset with how the situation played out.

“Composites go missing in the Greek community from time to time but it is usually a joke and they are returned within a few days or weeks,” Perkkio said. “I do believe there are further plans to reimburse the other two fraternities.”

Reporting error goes unnoticed for years

Ohio Wesleyan faculty and staff were alerted to an error in compensation that caused the university to reevaluate proposed changes to employee healthcare contributions.

As of the spring 2015 semester, Ohio Wesleyan is facing a $4.5 million deficit in budget. The Committee on University Governance suggested one reduction in budget could be to freeze salaries and increase employee healthcare contributions from 18.9 percent to 23.8 percent. However, this strategy was created based on the belief that OWU was above the Great Lakes College Association (GLCA) median in total compensation across ranks.

With the finding of reporting errors, Ohio Wesleyan is now below the GCLA median in compensation, according to Chris Wolverton, professor of botany-microbiology and spokesperson for the Committee of University Governance.

“It has come to my attention within the past week that for nearly a decade, there has been a discrepancy between the value of healthcare insurance benefits received by each OWU employee and the value of benefits as reported on individual benefit sheets provided to faculty and reported in compensation surveys including the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) annual survey,” said President Rock Jones in an email to employees on Monday morning.

“When reporting the value of employee healthcare benefits for compensation surveys, we have mistakenly been using the higher COBRA rate instead of the lower more realistic expected plan cost estimate. Our COBRA rate is 25 percent higher than the expected plan cost.”

Jones claimed that this error began when the university switched from “purchasing a health insurance policy with set annual expenses to a self-insurance program with expenses dependent upon actual claim costs,” about nine years ago.

However, Bart Martin, professor of geology, corrected Jones at the meeting, saying that this type of self-insurance program has been happening since the mid-1990s.

Concerns were raised as to how this mistake had been going on for so long, but Jones said he did not know why they didn’t catch the mistake but he believed it was not meant to deceive any parties involved.

In light of these findings, the administration asked the Board of Trustees Executive Committee to reduce the increase in employee contribution to 20.9 percent, instead of the proposed 23.8 percent.

“This action shifted $130,000 of expenses from the employees to the institution,” according to the email from Jones.

Other actions:

The proposed changes to the academic calendar for 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 were approved by the faculty with a vote of 51-7. Some of the main changes include shortening each semester to 70 days, beginning each semester on Wednesday instead of Monday and moving commencement to the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend.
The faculty unanimously approved for graduation those seniors whom the Registrar certified as having met degree requirements.

WCSA continues to make change

When two prospective students asked the vice president of the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA) about baked goods, she knew something was wrong.

Emma Drongowski, a junior, began her April 20 full senate report by saying, “let’s talk about bagels.”

Her culinary focus came in response to social media postings, a Transcript article and numerous student comments about WCSA’s plan to decrease the size of bagels for sale on campus.

Drongowski said that while she was “happy WCSA could make a change in the everyday life of students,” the change “took only five minutes out of [sophomore representative] Jess Choate’s day, only took one quick email.”

WCSA accomplishes many things in a semester, Drongowski emphasized, things like a university-wide email that circulated Monday evening with important information for students.

Keeping to the theme of progress, Areena Arora, a freshman and chair of the academic affairs committee, announced the library agreed to extend their hours for the week before finals.

Arora also mentioned that the faculty committee student positions had been approved by her delegation and were ready to be voted on. The full senate passed the slate before them unanimously.

Choate, chair of the residential affairs committee, said that a budget was submitted to purchase sports equipment for student rental. The equipment includes volleyballs, footballs, soccer balls and Frisbees, and will be available in the coming semester (pending approval).

Finally, sophomore treasurer Graham Littlehale introduced a resolution to approve the Fall 2015 budget. After questions were answered, junior Jerry Lherisson, president of WCSA said, “Next week we’ll come and vote on it.”

Family relationships affect personal health

Where you live, where you work and even your family relationships all affect personal health.

Emily Ahonen spoke to Ohio Wesleyan students about the social determinants of public health.

Ahonen is a researcher and assistant professor of environmental health science at Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University.

What a person’s public health means, Ahonen explained, encompasses everything from where they live, their education and even their family relationships.

A good relationship with your spouse or parents can play a role in how healthy you are, Ahonen said.

“Whether or not you have a job, where you work, and if it is dangerous, or if you’re exposed to certain chemicals all influence and affect your health and wellbeing,” Ahonen said.

Ahonen also added that whether or not you are in the country legally can affect your health. In addition, a person’s literacy skills also play a role in their personal health.

Ahonen referenced two case studies which show how public policy can be changed to improve public health.

The main case study was a three year study in which she looked at the differences between different government funded housing in Chicago. One group of study subjects lived in newly renovated “green” housing – which means the houses were made with far fewer harmful chemicals. The other study group was still living in the older government funded housing, buildings made with more chemicals.

What Ahonen and the other researchers found was the people living in the “green” houses were in better general health. One glaring statistic they found was 61 percent better asthma control from subjects living in the “green” houses versus those living in the older housing units.

Ahonen and her team’s research helped to pave the way for more equal housing for all income ranges in Chicago.

“If we better understand the ways in which housing impacts health, we can recommend building housing with characteristics which better support the health and well-being of the people who live there,” Ahonen said.

Junior Valentina Marginean was one of the 20 students at the lecture.

“I think the main point that [Ahonen] was trying to make was that environmental factors in both developed and under-developed societies are significant contributors to one’s health,” Marginean said.

App aims at college life

By: Charlie Kottler, Transcript correspondent

A new social media live streaming app is shaking up college campuses by allowing viewers to interact with live campus events like never before.

Twitter’s new live streaming companion app was launched this week. Twitter bought Periscope in January, but just released information about the new acquisition on March 26.

Periscope is going to be in direct competition with Meerkat, another popular live streaming app. Meerkat has only been on the iPhone App store since Feb. 27.

There are several colleges considering using Periscope to stream different types of campus events. Duke University has announced that it will be streaming its 2015 commencement via the app, in addition to its normal online stream.

“The addition of livestreaming video apps just adds another element to how we coordinate and coach students in the community here,” said Cara Rousseau, manager of digital and social media strategy at Duke University.

Unlike previous live audio and video broadcasting apps, Periscope has a very strong social media component. The app allows participants to share comments regarding the broadcast and chat others who are viewing the same stream.

Periscope has one particular advantage that makes it better than Meerkat, said sophomore Shashank Sharma, director of public relations for both Delta Tau Delta fraternity and Horizons International. This advantage is that Periscope saves broadcasts on the app for 24 hours, while Meerkat only allows broadcasts to be seen until they are over. Therefore, those that were unavailable to watch the live stream live still have the opportunity to watch.

“Campus events, meetings, and athletic competitions could be shown on this free app. This would allow others to experience OWU in a whole new way,” Sharma said.

Brian Rellinger, chief information officer at Ohio Wesleyan, shares a similar sentiment.

Rellinger said OWU currently utilizes StreamOWU to share video of selected events. He said that although StreamOWU covers almost all athletic events, they provide streams for only a small percentage of lectures and campus activities. He said using Periscope would increase viewership, as people outside the OWU community would become more likely to watch events via Periscope.

In addition, Rellinger thinks Periscope could enhance study-abroad programs for those who are participating and those students who are still on campus.

“I think it would be neat to have students on travel learning programs use the app to allow students on the OWU campus to have a glimpse into their experience,” Rellinger said.

Trattoria chef has hidden talent

By: Houston Smith, Transcript correspondent

Jeff Eden. Photo courtesy of LinkedIn.com.

He is a self-employed tattoo artist who can make a standard, no topping pizza in less than two minutes, and he hasn’t seen his chin in 10 years.

Jeff Eden, Ohio Wesleyan class of 2011, was born and raised in Rhode Island, and moved to Ohio in 2006. He attended OWU for five years, and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in drawing.

He’s grown a beard for about 10 years, and few people at Ohio Wesleyan have seen him without one. Sometimes it is long enough to braid, but he often trims to keep it neat.

Eden is a food service supervisor at Ohio Wesleyan, and has worked in the kitchen for almost nine years. He works in Smith Dining Hall most days, and is an important part of Trattoria Pizza, located in the kitchen of Smith.

Trattoria is the only kitchen open from 8:00 p.m. to midnight every day of the week. The phone rings constantly with students’ orders. Eden and his team work non-stop to complete orders sometimes with three or four items. They feed hundreds of students.

“On Sundays we usually make between 70-100 orders,” said senior Noelle Davis, an employee at Trattoria.

Eden wanted to become a tattoo artist since high school, and he used to practice drawing on friends. He completed an apprenticeship under his mentor Tony Kuntz to get his tattooing and piercing certification for Ohio.

“Tony was pretty much like a big brother, an all-around cool guy, and very personable,” Eden said.

After his apprenticeship, Eden was employed as a tattoo artist. He created original designs and applied tattoos under the supervision of Kuntz. Now he is self-employed, and maintains a safe practice.

“I’ve been tattooing professionally for about four years,” Eden said.

Eden recently covered up a tattoo on his aunt done by Steve Tefft, the season two winner of a popular TV show called Ink Masters.

“She wasn’t happy about the tattoo, and it was around 20 years old, so I covered it up with a piece of my own,” Eden said.

His ultimate goal is to move to New York City and pursue his passion for art.

WCSA passes bagel reform

WCSA crest. Photo courtesy of the owu website.

While students enjoyed beautiful spring sunshine on the Jay, the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA) met indoors for their April 13 full senate meeting – and for ice cream.

Several official matters were discussed before the frozen dessert arrived.

A survey measuring student preference for off-campus meal point restaurants was announced. It will be circulated tomorrow.

The academic policy committee is still working on extending library hours.

The administrative policy committee is set to review WCSA’s governing documents later this week in an attempt to make the meeting process more efficient.

Finally, a plan to reduce the size of bagels in the Hamilton Williams Campus Center Bakery is underway. Some bagels are too large for the slicers, according to senators; the slicers are also too dull.

Dean of Students Kimberlie Goldsberry entered the room just in time for her advisor’s report, with ice cream in tow.

WCSA recessed for five minutes to distribute the surprise treat, though junior Emma Drongowski, vice president of WCSA, asked senators to fill out comments cards during the break.

“There you go, efficiency,” she said.

Housing regulations change, reflect other campuses

By: Ashley Day, Transcript correspondent

With the desire to attract and recruit more students from local areas, Ohio Wesleyan University recently made a change to its residency requirement, which will take effect in fall 2015, director of residential life Wendy Piper said.

The original policy, put in place for the fall semester of 2011, stated students could commute if they resided with their parents or guardians as long as their permanent home address was within Delaware County, Piper said.

According to the new residential requirement, now full-time enrolled students who want to commute must reside with their parents or legal guardians at their primary place of residence, which must be within 30-mile range of campus, assistant director of residential life Meredith Dixon said.

Students wanting to live off-campus but not with their parents or guardians must qualify for an exemption under the other parts of the residency requirement—23 or older, fifth year senior, married, caring for a dependent child or for medical reasons. Students who meet the other requirements can choose to be released off-campus and live wherever they choose, Piper said.

Although the new residential requirement will allow more students to commute, the Residential Life (ResLife) staff members believe students should choose to live in campus housing in order to be more involved with the university, Piper said.

“The ResLife staff wants to reiterate what the nature of our residential community and the importance of students being fully involved in what Ohio Wesleyan University has to offer by residing on-campus,” Piper said.

The residential requirement allows a greater range of students who can commute, but it is not expected to affect number of admissions into OWU, Director of Admissions Alisha Couch said.

“I don’t expect large changes from the revision of this policy,” Couch said. “This year we have six to eight prospective freshman that live outside of Delaware County, yet are within the 30-mile radius that are interested in possibly commuting.”

The change in policy allows OWU to be more competitive with other colleges in the area, as most already have the 30-mile radius rule in place, which give them the opportunity to bring in more local students, Couch said.

“In the past, a student may have ruled out OWU simply because they couldn’t live at home,” Couch said. “This change makes OWU an option for more students.”

The Vagina Monologues grapples with tough issues

A past Vagina Monologues logo. Photo courtesy of owu.edu.

A performance of The Vagina Monologues introduced students to topics on women and sex, gender identity, violence and relationships in a crowded Bishop Café on April 4.

The text was written by Even Ensler in the 1990s. “She went around and interviewed self-identifying women about what it meant to have a vagina, and compiled the numerous interviews of women from all walks of life into a book, into a script, into a show,” junior Margot Reed said. Reed was a director for the performance. She has participated in the event for the past two years.

“The purpose is not to choke feminist views or radical beliefs down anyone’s throats,” junior Alanna Spalsbury said. “It is relatable. It is meant for women who have gone through some of the things covered in the play to be able to speak out like ‘hey, I’ve been through the same,’ and not feel ashamed of it.”

This was Spalsbury’s first year participating in the The Vagina Monologues. She had a “monologue called ‘Reclaiming Cunt,’ which was a piece about using the word cunt not in the derogatory way, but instead to describe the vagina and all of its beautiful and unique features. It was my favorite piece for a long time, so being able to perform it was amazing.”

“Too much about women’s sexuality or abuse or identity in any way is oppressed because of today’s society, and I think this play sheds light on some of those tougher issues,” Spalsbury said.

Sophomore Emma Nuiry said the play “challenges the way we talk about our bodies involving the rhetoric and attitudes as well as societies expectations for our vaginas.” Nuiry was a director and a performer in the event.

According to Spalsbury, about 40-50 people attended the event.

“I think it went well. The crowd was lively which made it very easy to perform. It was a beautiful day and there was a great turnout,” Spalsbury said.