With turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, biscuits, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, family, friends and pie just around the corner, how could anyone not be jumping for joy at the prospects of the upcoming holiday season?
The excitement could be put on hold for those planning to fly home.
It’s not news that the days before and after Thanksgiving are the most travelled days of the year.
But according to Airlines for America, 150,000 more people are expected to travel by air this Thanksgiving than did in 2011.
So you can say goodbye to the possibility of having an empty seat next to you. And good luck finding room in the overhead compartments for your carry-on.
With nearly 24 million passengers, A4A projects flights will be 90 percent full on top travel days (Wednesday, Nov. 21, Sunday, Nov. 25 and Monday, Nov. 26.)
Sophomore Ashkan Ekhtera said he lamented the news that his flight back to Chicago is likely be full.
“I’m 6’2” and I already feel cramped on planes,” he said.
“If my flight is full and I can’t spread out and get comfortable, I’ll be very grumpy when I get off the plane.”
Space isn’t the only thing there will be less of. Ticket prices have also increased due to rising jet fuel prices.
Ekhtera said his flight was $420 – more than he’s ever paid for a flight home before.
A4A stated that despite the 5.6 percent increase in traveler revenue, fuel prices have risen 6.2 percent.
This leads to only a 0.2 percent profit margin (approximately 50 cents per passenger), hence the increased prices.
Sophomore Mike Serbanoiu, a native of New York, said he won’t be flying home this Thanksgiving break.
“I’m really lucky that I live close enough to drive home because a round trip ticket to JFK costs about $500 right now,” Serbanoiu said.
Although today’s prices appear high to consumers, A4A said, with inflation, airfare is actually 16 percent cheaper this year than it was in 2000.
Ekhtera said he hates dealing with all the airline hastle when trying to go home for holidays.
“I kind of wish I could just teleport home,” Ekhtera said. “That way I could avoid the lack of space and the cost.”
Though Ohio Wesleyan did not experience severe effects from Hurricane Sandy, the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) met to make preparations in case of the worst.
According to the introduction of the CIRP, the plan “provides a framework to guide coverage, response and notification procedures for any crisis our campus may encounter.
“The plan addresses topics such as: types and levels of critical incidents, composition and responsibilities of the (CIRP), recommended responses to various critical incidents, notification and reporting procedures (and) evacuation and relocation procedures.”
It also outlines the types of critical incidents that may occur, including fire, bomb threats, biological hazards, severe weather and medical emergencies.
According to Craig Ullom, vice president for student affairs, the CIRP gives thought to how the university would come together and respond if an incident occurs.
The CIRT has 12 primary members, and 14 additional members.
“(These members) are called depending on the nature of the critical incident,” Ullom said.
These members include OWU offices and personnel, such as Rock Jones, Public Safety, Residential Life, the Chaplain’s Office, Counseling Services, the Student Health Center and Buildings and Grounds and organizations in Delaware, such as the Delaware Fire and Police Departments and the Delaware County Emergency Management Team (EMA).
Bob Wood, director of Public Safety, said there is a strong working relationship between the university and the Delaware community, which is what will help make the plan useful in the case that a real tragedy should strike.
“We know resources, we know who to call,” Wood said. “We all work together.”
The CIRP was developed in 2006 when Wood came to OWU.
Wood created his first CIRP nearly 25 years before he came to OWU, while working at the Ohio State University, and played a large role in the creation of the CIRP.
He said the dean at the time left the development of the CIRP to Public Safety and Residential Life.
So Wood and Wendy Piper, assistant dean of Student Affairs and director of Residential Life, were the early developers and co-authors of the plan.
“We looked at a number of plans and developed our (CIRP) based on the models we found,” Wood said.
Wood said the CIRP has been changed and modified over the years but the main purpose of the plan is bringing together members of the CIRT to address incidents.
“Things happen so fast that we don’t always have time to convene,” Wood said. “So we talk on the phone and (delegate) people to where they need to go.”
Wood said it is important to note the plan doesn’t give the option to flip to a page and read exactly what to do.
Rather, it provides an exampl, and the protocol should be adjusted to the situation at hand.
He said one of the more serious concerns in this area is severe weather storms, especially in the winter.
Aside from the safety hazards they cause, storms have the ability to knock out the power and restrict travel—leaving students without heat and unable to leave or receive emergency help.
Ullom said the power poses several problems; such as how to get into buildings without swipe access and how to maintain fire safety without alarms.
The campus has five emergency generators located in the R..W. Corns Builiding, the Hamilton Williams Campus Center, the Powerhouse, the Schimmel/Conrades Science Center and Smith Hall.
The university is also high on the priority list for power restoration, behind Grady Memorial Hospital, the Delaware police and fire departments and local nursing homes.
Ullom said after each incident the CIRT meets to debrief and decide if the response to the incident was appropriate.
The CIRT then uses these past incidents as starting points when incidents occur in the future and to help educate the campus about how to react in the future.
“The little things are easy to forget,” he said.
An example of the CIRT coming together to respond to an incident is the fire that occurred in the Delta Tau Delta (Delt) house last month.
Team members came from Residential Life, Greek Life, the Delaware Fire Department, the fraternity housing corporation and Buildings and Grounds to make sure that everything was being handled properly.
The groups worked to make sure students were safe and able to be relocated.
According to Ullom, Residential Life, the Delaware Fire Department, and the members of Delta Taut Delta and Sigma Chi, are creating a fire safety awareness brochure to help students stay aware and cautious.
The campus offers several other ways for students to stay prepared for crises, such as the Rape Aggressive Defense program (RAD), Active Shooter Training and the Staying on the Right Side of the Law program, which is mandatory for incoming freshman.
“(The CIRT) works towards the best option in things (they) wish (they) never have to deal with,” Ullom said.
President Rock Jones, who attended the election night watch party, takes a look at the map the students have been updating.By Ellin Youse
Transcript Reporter
Whether it was Michelle Obama’s voice interrupting a Pandora Internet Radio station to talk about her husband, or Paul Ryan promoting his running mate on Twitter, students had no option in following this year’s presidential election.
With the campaigns hitting social media, when President Barack Obama won a second term as president last Tuesday night, Ohio Wesleyan students, like junior Jacob Beach, had a lot to say about it.
“I was ecstatic when I heard the news Mr. Obama was re-elected as president, but being in a battleground state, I can speak for many when I say, I am glad the election is over,” Beach said.
“Not because of the outcome, but because those political ads will finally stop appearing on the T.V., radio and before every YouTube video I watch.”
Battleground states were especially important this election, as the presidential race was continually close throughout the election season.
The New York Times predicted a 49.8 percent chance Ohio, a battleground stae with 18 Electoral College votes, would decide the election on Nov. 6, greater than any other state’s potential to influence the election.
The Times’ prediction held true after CNN announced Tuesday at midnight Obama would remain president, only moments after reporting Ohio turned blue.
This marked the second time Ohio’s Electoral College votes had gone blue for Obama.
Ohio wasn’t the only state that might have changed the tide of the election. Mixed rumors were coming in about which way Florida, a notorious battleground state, would go.
Even after Obama had earned the required 270 Electoral College votes to win the presidency for a second term, Florida was still counting votes to determine which way it would swing.
In the end, Florida went blue for Obama, as it did in the 2008 presidential election.
By the time California’s 55 Electoral College votes went to Obama, it was official that he had been re-elected.
Obama won both the popular and electoral vote, raking in 313 Electoral College votes and 50.8 percent of the popular vote.
Romney received 225 Electoral votes, and 48.3 percent of the popular vote.
After the announcement of Obama’s re-election, cheers and boos alike reverberated through the various hallways of OWU’s dormitories as students celebrated or mourned the fate of their favored candidate.
“For election day I had two computer monitors on different electoral maps and CBS blaring on my T.V. screen,” Beach said.
“I told myself I wasn’t going to watch it because I was so nervous, but I did anyways and did not regret it.
“Once Ohio went blue I heard all sorts of cheers and car horns from outside my window.
“I stayed up way too late watching the speech afterwards, both Romney’s and Obama’s.
“I must say though, as something that happens once every four years and has a large impact on my life, it was worth going to class a little tired the next day.”
Senior Carly Hallal said although she didn’t have much of a great feeling for either candidate in the election, she was relieved when Obama was reelected.
“I didn’t like Romney’s foreign policies or women’s rights policies either, (and), quite frankly, they were almost scary,” Hallal said.
“What I think is more important, though, is for America to try to become less polarized.
“Part of the complaint with Obama was that he did not do anything the past four years — well I’m sure it’s hard to get a lot done when the other party is constantly opposing you.
“I can’t stress enough how much I disagree with bipartisan politics and how much we need to do away with this to move forward.”
Hallal and Beach were two of nine students selected to drive in President Obama’s motorcade from Rickenbacker airport to the Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus for President Obama’s last campaign rally with Bruce Springsteen and Jay Z.
The students each drove a van filled with Obama staffers, campaign coordinators and photographers in the motorcade.
“We had the entire highway closed off to us and were driving 80 plus mph to get to the Nationwide Arena where the president was to give a speech and Bruce and Jay Z were performing,” Hallal said.
“Once we got there, Obama was rushed to a press line.”
Students mark which states have gone to Romney or Obama with red and blue as the results come in on election night in Benes A on Nov. 6. Hallal said she was suprised at Obama’s demeanor.
“We got to meet him shortly after and take a picture with him,” she said.
“He was so genuinely nice and relaxed.
“I have no idea how he would be able to be so relaxed considering the fate of the country and lets face it, the world, partially relies on his shoulders and he was about to give a huge speech and the election was happening the next day.”
Unlike Beach and Hallal, sophomore Karli Sturgil said she was “really anxious” when Obama was re-elected.
Sturgil said while she is greatly concerned with the economy under Obama, she is staying positive about the future of America over the next four years.
“I was pretty freaked out and stressed when I heard Obama was re-elected,” Strugil said. “But at the end of the day, I’m an American first.
“While I worry about some of the people I know back home being affected by Obama’s healthcare and economic plans, I’ve been comfortable in my life this past four years and I’m pretty confident that will continue.”
In his concession speech election night, Mitt Romney thanked supporters like Sturgil while wishing the best for Obama.
“Like so many of you, Paul and I have left everything on the field,” Romney said.
“We have given our all to this campaign. I so wish — I so wish that I had been able to fulfill your hopes to lead the country in a different direction.
But the nation chose another leader. And so Ann and I join with you to earnestly pray for him and for this great nation,” he said.
The health and diet of American citizens and the progress, or lack thereof, made so far was the topic of discussion last week.
Walter Willett, the chair of the department of nutrition at Harvard Medical School, spoke on Tuesday, Nov. 6, on the issues of the food pyramid and the connection between food consumption and disease.
“Nutritionists agree that the food pyramid from the 1970’s was really off,” Willett said. “We need oils and fats. Eating fish and nuts is better than eating red meat.”
Christopher Fink, assistant professor of physical education and director of the Sagan National Colloquium, also agreed that the 1970’s food pyramid had good intentions but was wrong in its message.
“I agree with Dr. Willett entirely on the food pyramid,” Fink said.
“I think it intended to do good things, but that it was misguided and resulted in some confusion relative to healthy eating behaviors, because of the emphasis on carbohydrates and the lack of specificity about what kinds of carbohydrates were most nutrient dense.”
Willett said that the food pyramid from the 1970’s is one of the causes to the unbalanced and unhealthy diet in Americans.
The 70’s food pyramid tells us large amounts of carbohydrates are good and small portions of oils and fats are bad, but Willett said this is not true.
“The 2005 food pyramid is useless as well,” he said.
“It doesn’t tell you what to avoid and the 2010 new food plate diagram is not much better.
“It says you need a glass of milk at every meal but really water is the beverage of choice.”
Fink said he agrees with Willett that the intent of the 2010 food plate has made improvement but is still not accurate on what to eat.
“Still, it lacks specificity about the various kinds of grains and protein foods that are most nutrient dense and associated with lower risk of chronic disease, and I think it’s still too friendly to specific lobbies, such as the dairy industry,” Fink said.
Willett said he has done research on different diseases such as breast cancer, heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
He said he has tested to see if there is any correlation between animal fat and breast cancer mortality.
“We look at how diet affects heart disease or cancer over time,” Willett said.
“Most cancers have already started growing before they were even tested for.”
Willett said he discovered higher rates of fat and weight gain after age 18 leads to high rates of breast cancer in women.
He said this has to do with estrogen levels as well.
“You want to maintain your body weight and try and keep your weight as close to as what you weighed at age 18,” Willett said.
“Women in Asia actually decrease in weight after they turn 18, making their risk for breast cancer decrease even more.”
Willett discussed how everything became fat-free in the 90’s because there was a scare that fat was the cause for many diseases and cancers.
Women and men were eating fat-free everything.
Willett did a research project on trans fat and what it does to the body. Trans fat is correlated to coronary disease.
Willett said he discovered a correlation between men with coronary heart disease and Omega 3.
He said he discovered there is a decrease in deaths of men who have high rates of Omega 3.
Willett said in modern food productions, the food industry hydrogenates Omega 3’s to be able to sit on shelves for a long time.
But by hydrogenating the Omega 3’s out of the food, Willet said the nutrition in the food is also diminished.
“Nuts are high in Omega 3 and people who consume nuts most days of the week have a 30 percent less chance of coronary heart disease,” Willett said.
Willett discussed the common idea that fruits and vegetables will help keep all diseases away, but said this is not true.
“There is no correlation between increase of produce and decrease in cancer,” Willett said.
“However there has been a 30 percent decrease in cardiovascular disease with produce intake.
“So keep eating your fruit and vegetables.”
Willett discussed the rapid increase of obesity in America.
He said high levels of glycemic loads increases Type 2 diabetes.
Willett said doctors were telling women to increase their glycemic loads before they understood the correlation between high levels of glycemic intake and Type 2 Diabetes.
High levels of glycemic intake are even worse if a person is overweight or obese.
Willett also discussed the connection between milk and prostate cancer. He said there is evidence that milk is related to the cause of prostate cancer.
He also said there is no evidence that milk supports bones.
“We really don’t need that much milk and we really don’t need that much calcium either,” Willett said.
However the higher levels of Vitamin D the lower risk of colon cancer.
Willett said the lifestyle for lowering the risk of heart disease is the same lifestyle for lowering the risk for Type 2 Diabetes.
These low risk factors include not smoking, exercising for at least a half hour every day and having a good, balanced diet, which includes low trans fat, low glycemic load, high cereal fiber, high fish and low alcohol consumption.
Fink said he would like students to understand that there are “good scientists,” like Willett, working to help the public understand health and diet are always evolving.
“I think that Dr. Willett brought the discussion about the mutually transformative relationship with food into the arena of medicine and health,” Fink said.
“Certainly, with all of the focus on health care, medical costs, and the rise in various chronic diseases associated with our diet, we shouldn’t have a series focused on our relationship with food without speaking about the health impact.”
Ohio Wesleyan’s Latin American culture group, VIVA Latinoamericana, wrapped up its celebratory Hispanic Heritage Month with an important Mexican tradition.
On Nov. 1, members of VIVA created their second annual Día de los Muertos, (“Day of the Dead” in English), display in the HamWill atrium.
Día de los Muertos honors, through the creation of altars, friends and family who have passed away.
Junior Hazel Barrera, president of VIVA, said the altar included flowers, pictures from some of OWU students’ relatives, decorations, candles and skulls.
There was also a path made out of rice and beans which was meant to lead the dead to the altar.
Barrera said Día de los Muertos is important because it is the only time members of the Mexican or Latin American culture can revisit and spend time with their deceased relatives.
“They come and eat the food and drink the water,” she said.
“This is an important day to honor them and remember them.”
Junior Jenna Ortega, a member of VIVA, said Día de los Muertos is a unique holiday because it is a holiday dedicated to death.
“I think that Americans avoid the topic of death and don’t always recognize the lives of their deceased loved ones,” she said.
“It is important to recognize death and to honor our loved ones with prayer and celebration.”
Ortega said Día de los Muertos highlights what makes Latin American culture special and unique.
“The thing that makes Latin American culture different from American culture is that Latin Americans recognize and accept death where Americans tend to look past it and avoid it,” she said.
Barrera said the next event hosted by VIVA will be a guest speaker from Colombia on Nov. 12, but the next cultural celebration will be Las Posadas, a Spanish holiday in December.
Altars set up to honor loved ones on Día de los Muertos include photos of the deceased, religious items and crystal skulls.
Altars set up to honor loved ones on Día de los Muertos include photos of the deceased, religious items and crystal skulls.
Altars set up to honor loved ones on Día de los Muertos include photos of the deceased, religious items and crystal skulls.
Two cars became trapped in the flooded streets hit by Hurricane Sandy. The hurricane hit the East Coast Oct. 29 and many people still do not have power or access to gas for transportation. By Julia Stone and
Thomas Boucher
Transcript Correspondents
While blustery side effects from Hurricane Sandy stormed through Delaware, many Ohio Wesleyan students from the East Coast were absorbed by thoughts about their families back home.
Freshman Sarah Shulman said she was scared for all her friends and family in Brooklyn that she was unable to contact during the storm.
“It drove me crazy being so far away and not being with my family,” she said.
Zone A, where most New Yorkers live, was completely evacuated.
However, Shulman’s family did not evacuate because they live in Zone B.
Her apartment building was a safe home for people who were evacuated. To prepare for the storm her family bought water, a small portable stove, flashlights and batteries.
Shulman’s apartment was not damaged but her aunt’s apartment was completely flooded and ruined.
Shulman was thankful that her Aunt had evacuated. Several of her friends’ homes were also flooded. Shulman was in Hurricane Irene last August.
“I thought Sandy was going to be just like Irene, but this was closer to Katrina,” she said.
According to Shulman, almost everything in New York was underwater.
“It’s so scary; you never know what nature has in store,” she said.
Freshman Miranda Dean, from Providence, R.I., was also affected by the storm.
Her family is safe and her house was not damaged. However, her neighborhood suffered damage. There was flooding in other houses and a tree fell on her neighbor’s roof.
There were warnings for Dean’s family to evacuate, but they decided to stay. Dean said her family stocked up on water and batteries to prepare for the storm.
Dean said it was weird being away from her family during the storm. She was a little bit nervous for them, but also jealous because she finds storms exciting.
According to Dean, climate change might be a factor in storms hitting the East Coast.
“Two or three years ago New England didn’t get any of these big storms,” she said.
Freshman Hannah Simpson lives in Lincroft, N.J. A tree fell in her driveway, but her family is fine. She said her family has not had power since Oct. 29; however, she could contact them by cell phone during the storm.
Simpson’s grandparents live in Lavallette, NJ. They were evacuated and also survived the storm.
According to Simpson, Hurricane Irene also affected her and her family in 2011, but Hurricane Sandy caused much more damage.
She knows of several schools in her area that were cancelled—one is cancelled until November 13.
“It was so eerie to watch Asbury Park and Seaside Heights, two beach locations not far from where I live, being torn apart by the hurricane on T.V. while I was here in Ohio,” Simpson said.
Hurricane Sandy’s strength ranged from category one to category three. The diameter of tropical storm winds was more than 900 miles with a nine foot storm surge, which resulted in the highest recorded tide, reaching 13.88 feet.
Senior Erik Pramschufer from Pleasantville, N.Y. said his house didn’t suffer any permanent damage.
“Thankfully my house was still fully intact but my entire town lost power for three days,” Pramschufer said.
Saaty tells her audience the secrets to health are eating local and knowing where your food comes from. Her lecture was a part of the Sagan National Colloquium “Bite!” lecture series.By Carly Shields
Transcript Correspondent
Kurdish Chef Avesta Saaty cooks with a collage of different herbs, spices and cultures, but emphasizes locally grown and eaten food is best.
On Nov. 1 Saaty spoke about her experience growing up with local organic food and cooked Kurdish food for Ohio Wesleyan students.
Kurdistan consists of parts of Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria.
“The closest I have ever been to my land is Lebanon and I will probably never be able to go back so food helps connect me to Kurdistan,” said Saaty.
Saaty grew up in Southeast Ohio with parents who emigrated from Iraq in the 1970’s. She cooked and found her love for delicately homemade food with her mother and her large Kurdish family.
They raised their own chickens, butchered them themselves, grew their own produce and milked their own cows.
“Growing up I never experienced going out to eat nor experienced eating packaged food,” said Saaty. “I just assumed everyone made their own food.”
Saaty said the key ingredients to a healthy life are knowing the importance of eating local and knowing where your food comes from. She said eating non-processed food and her mothers homemade Kurdish yogurt is what made her healthy.
“I always knew what I was eating and where it came from,” said Saaty. “People ask how am I turning 40 and I say its because what I grew up eating and what I eat today.”
Saaty’s Kurdish background made her want to have her own restaurant. She was trained in Western Europe and opened “Avesta Eclectic Cuisine,” in Delaware in 2004.
Saaty had Greek, Turkish, Persian, Arabic, Eastern European and Kurdish foods on the menu for OWU students and Delaware residents. The restaurant is now closed.
Senior Maggie Argiro, who introduced Saaty at the lecture, said a restaurant like Saaty’s would be a great addition to the Delaware Community.
“I would love it if Avesta’s Eclectic Cuisine was still in Delaware today,” said Argiro. “After eating the meal she served us, I have no doubt that the restaurant would be successful today.”
Argiro said a restaurant like Saaty’s would be a good addition to the restaurants on the OWU card.
“But I think any restaurant like Avesta’s Eclectic Cuisine would be a welcomed addition to the options we have in Delaware and for the students,” she said.
Saaty said the Kurds eat based off of Kurdistan’s terrain, such as nuts, pomegranates, cheese, yogurt, fruit and salads.
“The Kurds think that if you start with some type of salad you’ll eat less entrée,” said Saaty. “So Kurds start with some sort of salad and end the meal with some sort of fruit. They believe fruit helps digest your food.”
Saaty cooked dishes of Mediterranean stuffed grape leaves, cucumber yogurt with pita bread, basmati rice, beans and baklava.
She also showed a video about Kurdish people and what the Kurdish people have been through in order to have their own culture and land.
OWU alumna Kath Ziminsky also spoke at the lecture.
“I believe that everyone should be a farmer on some scale,” Ziminsky said. “There is an undeniable satisfaction and sense of freedom that comes from being a producer of homegrown and homemade staples.”
Ziminisky also said people’s food choices have an impact on the economy on both a global and local scale.
“In today’s globalized world it is the consumer who has the power to make a difference in the unbalanced often inhumane so called free-market economy.
“It is now more important for citizens of the world to wake up, put their money literally where their mouth is and be conscientious consumers by eating locally and buying (and thus demanding) organic, fair trade products.”
Oct. 29 7:45 p.m. – Public Safety dispatched to Bashford Hall on a report of a missing fire extinguisher. Investigation is ongoing.
Nov. 1 1:32 a.m. – Public Safety and the Delaware City Fire Department dispatched to Smith Hall on a full building fire alarm. Alarm was caused by a discharged fire extinguisher in the fifth floor hallway of Smith West. Investigation is ongoing.
Nov. 2 9:51 p.m. – A resident of 19 Williams Drive was cited by Delaware City Police for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Nov. 4 1 a.m. – a resident of Hayes Hall reported a plastic door decoration was removed from her door by two unknown female subjects.
Nov. 4 2:05 a.m. – Public Safety dispatched to Welch Hall on a student welfare concern.
Nov. 4 8:15 a.m. – damage to the basement windows at 20 Williams Drive was discovered during a routine Public Safety patrol.
Nov. 4 2:55 p.m. – Public Safety dispatched to 9 Williams Drive on a report of damage to a downspout and trash receptacle on the exterior of the building.
The Pet Pals club at Ohio Wesleyan offers animal lovers the opportunity to spend time with animals and to learn how to care for animals in need of help.
According to the OWU website, “Pet Pals is an on-campus organization that volunteers at the Humane Society of Delaware County.” They help train the dogs and socialize the cats to make them more adoptable. They also raise money for various animal welfare organizations and spread awareness on campus about different issues in the animal world.
Senior Caity Buzza, president of Pet Pals, said the organization focuses on teaching their members about all types of animals.
“Pet Pals was started in 2003 and we have about 30 members,” Buzza said. “Its goal is to raise awareness on different animal issues both domestic and exotic.”
Buzza said the group uses its meetings to plan activities on campus and to schedule trips for the club. She said they often help out at the Humane Society of Delaware County by playing with the cats and dogs.
“We try to meet weekly and often talk about event that we have coming up and where we want to go,” Buzza said.
“Members have the opportunity to volunteer at the humane society and make a difference for the animals there. They also have the chance to bring awareness to something they feel strongly about.”
According to the Humane Society of Delaware County’s website, the society is “a non-profit organization dedicated to helping abused neglected and homeless pets find their forever homes.”
The Humane Society focuses on protecting animals by conducting investigations of locations in Delaware County and also works toward informing citizens on how to take care of their pets with low-cost options.
Sophomore Mariah Bockbrader said she has considered joining the club because of her love for animals. She said she would like to find time to help out at the Humane Society at some point during this school year.
“I just have a big heart for animals and I want to help them as much as I can,” Bockbrader said. “I haven’t been able to make any of the meetings yet this year but I think that what the club is doing is great since there are so many animals out there that need help that can’t help themselves.”
Sophomore Margaux Erilane agreed with Bockbrader and said as a zoology major, she is always interested in learning more about animals and would like to help local animals in any way possible.
“My major has helped me to further my passion for animals and I would like to have the opportunity to volunteer at the shelter if it means that I would be helping out animals that are in need,” Erilane said.
“I think this club is a great idea to have at OWU because there are a lot of people on this campus who feel strongly for homeless animals and care about protecting them. This club seems like a great opportunity for anyone who needs volunteer hours and as a bonus, you get to spend time with animals.”
Freshman Shannon Hill said she is thinking about becoming a member and thinks other students should consider helping out at the shelter as well.
“I think giving attention to animals who don’t have anyone else is a really good thing,” Hill said. “I think a lot of people on campus would be interested in (Pet Pals), because who doesn’t love playing with animals? I also think the animal shelter is a place that could really always use volunteers so it’s a nice way to help.”
The Ohio Wesleyan Fund hopes to raise the amount of faculty, staff and administrator donations with their new campaign “I Believe.”
The Ohio Wesleyan Fund helps to pay for student’s education, and for essentials within the school like hot water and electricity.
The “I Believe” campaign is designed to be catchy and grab the attention of faculty, staff and administrators.
The faculty, staff and administrators on the posters all explain why they chose to donate, and why they believe in OWU.
Support is absolutely essential.
“Tuition only covers 47 percent of an OWU education,” said Ashley Waltermeyer, Phonethon student and young alumni coordinator.
“The rest is covered by support from alumni, friends, parents, faculty and staff,” Waltermeyer said.
Every year there is a meeting to design the staff campaign. This year, they chose the slogan “I Believe” and decided to not only feature faculty and staff, but to also feature students.
Emily Winnenberg, assistant director of the Ohio Wesleyan Fund said since the students benefit from the fund so much, they should be included in the campaign.
“Students are the primary beneficiaries of the Ohio Wesleyan Fund so we wanted to share their story this year as well,” she said.
Sophomore Livvy Coseriu is also helping with the campaign.
“It’s my role to give students a voice to the campaign and let faculty and staff know how important it is to us that they help out. OWU simply couldn’t function without donations so every little bit counts,” she said.
Winnenberg offered another reason as to why it is so important for faculty, staff and administrators to donate.
“When you participate in the Ohio Wesleyan Fund, you’re indicating that you believe Ohio Wesleyan is an excellent institution worthy of your support,” she said.
“Your enthusiastic participation encourages others to give and increases the likelihood of Ohio Wesleyan receiving recognition from national ranking organizations.”
Last year, only 32 percent of faculty, staff and administrators donated to the Ohio Wesleyan Fund.
“Our peer institutions had much higher participation,” Winnenberg said.
“50 percent of Denison’s faculty and staff donated while 99 percent of Ohio Dominican’s staff participated.”
The goal this year is to increase participation to 45 percent.
“The more people participate in the Ohio Wesleyan Fund, no matter the size of the gift, the more likely it is that Ohio Wesleyan will accomplish its goals, boost its academic reputation, and attract and retain the best students, faculty and staff,” Winnenberg said.
