The Transcript

The absence of the Bishop Bikes program in the fall of 2011 raised many questions and affected those students who utilized the bikes as a form of transportation.
The Bishop Bikes program began in the fall of 2009 as a bike-share program created by senior Christina Fesz. Students paid five dollars each semester for a universal key which would unlock any of the program bikes on campus.
While the same bike a student rode to class could be taken by someone else, it was believed that the bikes would circulate so the bikes would be available all around campus at any time.
Fesz said she simply enjoys the experience of biking.
“I just love biking, and how it is not only useful in getting from one place to another, but how a simple ride can instantly improve your day and brings you closer to your body and the environment.”
The program began to experience problems when three of the bikes went missing in the 2009-2010 school year. In the 2010-2011 school year, many of the bikes were mistreated and others would not be locked up, which resulted in people from outside the program taking the bikes.
“People from outside the school were gaining access to the bikes, and in fact, one man spray-painted a bike white, and tried to sell it back to Breakaway Cycling,” Fesz said. “I was also told that some students were stashing the bikes in their rooms, or hiding the bikes to make sure that they were the only ones using that bike.”
Fesz issued a survey to the student body in the spring of 2011 about the program and found that most students didn’t like the uncertainty of having a bike available at any given time or location. Other concerns included the mistreatment and hoarding of the bikes and the lack of advertising of the program.
“Although I liked the premise of the first-generation program, with its purely community-based foundation and its reliance and focus on sharing and trust between students, the people in the program have to buy into the system 100 percent, and this was not happening.” Fesz said.
Following the survey, Fesz created a revised plan for the bike program which will include only one checkout location at the Hobson Science library. Students who sign up for the program can check-out a bike at the library desk during its normal hours. They will then be issued a key, which unlocks a specific bike that will be stored in a rack outside of the library. The student then has the bike for 24-48 hours and returns it to the library. A small fee will be issued for returning the bike late.
Fesz plans to add more bikes to the program, and members of the program are helping to fix up some of the current bikes. The program will be launched in early March and anyone who is interested in helping with the program, or has any questions or suggestions, can contact Christina Fesz at ccfesz@owu.edu.
“It’s so easy to get enthralled in a ride, and I would love all students to have the resources to experience the convenience and enjoyment of riding a bike,” Fesz said. “Get ready to ride, OWU!”

The OWU ID is a student’s life condensed into plastic: it is used for food, library books, and building access all over campus. But if broke, it can be the bane of a student’s very existence.
The cheap, 50-cent cards have design flaws, however. Director of Public Safety, Robert Wood, said that the school has postponed replacing the system for years, using the funds for other projects.
“I think it’s a top priority…by this point, we’re already two generations behind in technology,” Wood said.
According to Wood, Ohio Wesleyan has had the swipe-card system for the last 20 years. However, technology has evolved rapidly since the equipment was installed–the IDenticard parts are no longer manufactured.
“We’ve been considering changing systems for the last few years, but what really pushed us was the fact that the parts stopped being manufactured over the summer,” Wood said.
To deal with the wear-and-tear, Ohio Wesleyan has considered phasing in smart-cards. Smart-cards would be a substantial upgrade from the current system as they hold their own information.
“The current swipe cards need to talk to the computer system: if it’s down, students can’t get food,” Wood said. “Smart cards contain their own data, so each purchase is tracked inside of the card. The total system upkeep would be lower.”
The school has not yet switched systems because of high transitional costs. Wood said that it would cost the school between 75,000 – 200,000 dollars to replace all of the current mechanisms.
In addition, the new cards would cost up to 2.50 dollars more than the current ID cards. Wood said the school plans to create smart-swipe hybrids so the transition process moves smoother. Hybrid cards would allow the school to slowly switch systems and mitigate costs.
Wood estimated the hybrid cards would be introduced within the next few years to incoming freshmen because the lagging technology has affected current students.
Junior Alison Evans said that she has had to replace three cards so far. “They always break in the same spot, right down the middle,” Evans said.
However, students have proven to be resourceful, finding ways to fix their cards.
Sophomore Madeline Lank said she has seen a variety of ways to keep cards working in her two years as a student.
“I’ve seen people using tape over the magnetic strips so they can scan,” Lank said. “Or holding it together so they don’t have to throw down cash for another one.”

“Welcome to Avvio’s!” A man with short cropped hair and glasses enthusiastically greeted customers at the door. His name is Ray Smith, vice president of marketing at Avvio’s Italian Restaurant and Grille. He has huge plans for this new

business.
Avvio’s is a contemporary Italian American restaurant with a unique design, both in the decorating and the service.
“You order your food up front; we’ll run the food out to you. You pour your own drinks, You bus your own tables,” Smith said. “What people don’t know is when you’ve got a full service restaurant model, 50 percent of your labor is spent on having your wait staff refill drinks.”
He also pointed out the LED monitors used to display the many menu items.
“What you see on the menu is whole wheat pasta, gluten free pasta, made-to-order, five minute fresh. You get to pick your choice of grilled meat, and all the fresh toppings you want,” said Smith.
Junior Tylor Havemann has worked at Avvio’s since it opened in November.
“The most dangerous part (of working here) is the food. It’s so delicious, and you can’t help but eat something every day,” Havemann said.
The pasta bowl is Avvio’s signature dish. “You can’t go wrong with (it),” he said. “It’s made just how you want it. And if people aren’t in the mood for pasta, there are flatbreads and sandwiches, too.”
Students who frequent the spot enjoy the contemporary food and atmosphere. Sophomore Katie Sponseller said she would definitely recommend the restaurant.
“For the most part you were able to create your own dish and choose everything you wanted, making it easier for picky eaters to be picky. It was delicious and the portion sizes were perfect.”
Smith revealed the meaning of the restaurant’s name.

“Avvio is an Italian word that means ‘the start of an event.’ And that theme is replicated throughout the restaurant. The whole concept is to be the best version of yourself. We want you to feel welcome; we want you to be who you are. The whole theme is designed to reflect the love and good food that you would get from mama.”
“The atmosphere is very casual and comfortable,” Sponseller said, “And the service was great as they had very friendly and helpful employees. We did not have to wait an unreasonable amount of time for the food, and the line to order also moved rather quickly.”
Avvio’s management is excited about being part of the Ohio Wesleyan community as an entertainment venue.
“I want to give the two best Wesleyan students the chance to play on the Avvio stage on Friday nights alongside local and national artists,” Smith said.
On Friday nights, Avvio’s hosts artists either in their bar or, in the summer, on the patio they share with Amato’s.

Upcoming performers include Rebecca Loebe, a contestant from “The Voice,” on April 20.
Smith said, “I’m working with the Ohio Machine, the Lacrosse team, to see how we, with our resources here, can promote the events at Ohio Wesleyan. We’re all about lifting Wesleyan up with finding the best talent out there.”

Smith hopes to start a Wesleyan Wednesday, when students can come in and perform on the stage and have “a midweek study break, eating the type of food they should be eating.”
When asked what the strength of Avvio’s is, Smith gestured to a to-go menu. “Smart food,” he said. “It’s just the way people need to eat these days. We’re doing local sourcing. We’re very eco friendly. We’ve got biodegradable to-go containers and recycled napkins.”
The crowd at Avvio’s varies from locals to students, The restaurant has a low-lit, full-service bar and a 24-seat booth in the back for large crowds.
“The way the menu and the whole restaurant is set up, it’s for anyone who wants to come in, no matter what occasion,” Havemann said.
“We are here to serve th6e community,” said Smith. “It’s a positive energy here at Avvio’s.”
Anyone interested in performing may contact Smith at rsmith@avviogrill.com.

Ohio Wesleyan prides itself as being an institution that embraces diversity. It welcomes those from all walks of life and gives them the opportunity to be a part of the OWU family. Unfortunately, striving for diversity does not eliminate instances of harassment on campus.
On Monday, Jan. 23, junior Anthony McGuire, president of the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs, presented the revised student harassment policy on behalf of WCSA to the January faculty meeting. This policy was approved by WCSA in December 2011.
The university revised its harassment policy in April 2011. To remain consistent with the university’s harassment policy, the student harassment policy was revised by a team, including Politics and Government Professor and Coordinator of Judicial Affairs Michael Esler, senior Yavor Danailov, Dean of Students Kimberlie Goldsberry, Human Resources and Assistant Professor of Politics and Government Ashley Biser.
WCSA reviewed and voted on the revisions, McGuire said.
The changes allow for more opportunities for informal resolutions. These resolutions are aimed at ending the harassment without pursuing a disciplinary investigation which may increase confidentiality. Additionally, more categories, such as family configuration, are protected under the revisions Biser said.
The Student Conduct board generally receives two to three complaints of sexual harassment per year, according to Esler.
He is unsure about how this number compares to complaints at other institutions, but he stressed the importance of organizations’ review and revision of harassment policies.
“Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination that violates the principle and law of equality,” Esler said. “It can be insidious because it is often subtle or even unintended, and it can pervade a culture of an organization. That is why organizations need to be vigilant and review and update their policies.”
Biser said that issues of harassment should be talked about, and the revisions to the policy force those conversations to occur.
“These are roots of the liberal arts education,” Biser said. “This is how you create diversity.”
McGuire believes that sexual harassment is a rare occurrence at OWU.
“I have faith in the Bishops,” McGuire said. “But (sexual harassment) is still worth talking about.”
If students witness or are victims of harassment, they may report incidents to the Harassment Advisory Panel.

An unknown perpetrator vandalized the side mirrors of eight cars, at least six of which belong to students, along Oak Hill Avenue on Jan. 20. The crime is the second of two similar crimes to happen to vehicles parked on the street.
According to a Delaware Police Department report filed the next day, the incidents occurred around 9:30 p.m. DPD Captain Bruce Pijanowski said there are no suspects in the case.
“Typically we either catch them in the act or immediately after,” he said, “and the longer it goes, the harder it is to determine who did it because there’s no physical evidence at a crime scene like that.”
Sophomore Annaliese Harvey, one of the victims, said the damage done to her vehicle was not as severe as that done to others.
“My mirror was just flipped around, and luckily I do not have to pay to have it repaired,” she said.
The Transcript reported on 31 similar vandalisms that occurred on Nov. 5, 2011. The affected vehicles also had their side mirrors knocked off or severely damaged. A witness described the only suspect in that case as “a white male, with short blonde hair and a gray blazer.”
Harvey said she thinks the recent incident is a “similar situation, but unrelated” to the November crimes. Pijanowski said it’s doubtful the same person is responsible for both incidents, but doesn’t rule out the possibility.
“If you have one person walking through there that thinks it’s funny and they did it in November, it’s possible they did it again,” he said. “On the other hand, it’s kind of like a turkey shoot. It could be anything at this point.”
According to Pijanowski, vandalism offenses like these are “not unusual” in Delaware, but don’t regularly occur in such great numbers.
“What is unusual is having that large cluster,” he said. “The number involved is somewhat atypical.”
Such acts violate Ohio Revised Code statute 2909.06, which prohibits “creat[ing] a substantial risk of physical harm to any property of another without the other person’s consent.”
The damage done to the vehicles in this case constitutes a second-degree misdemeanor under the statute.
Pijanowski advises any Delaware resident to call DPD at the first sign of any such occurrence. “When someone sees or hears what’s going on and calls us, that’s when those types of crimes are solved,” he said. “It’s very helpful to keep your eyes and ears open.”

SLUs (Small Living Units) only had 10 days to finish interviews and deliberate to meet this year’s Jan. 25 deadline, leaving some SLUs struggling to advertise openings and fill spots.
Sophomore Katasha Ross, a member of the Inter-Faith House, said that the early deadline limited interest.
“The dates and deadlines this year made it more difficult to get out information and advertise the fact that we have open positions,” Ross said.
“And with half the house being a part of formal recruitment for sororities last week, we never had the chance to hold a SLUsh event during the spring semester,” Ross said.
The early due date also put pressure on SLUs.
“It becomes difficult, even in my smaller sized house of 10, to find enough mutually free hours in order to conduct interviews that we can all attend,” Ross said. “Between the half hour interview slots and the large amount of time it takes to deliberate about who will we want to live in our house, who will be put on an alternate list and who is not put on either, we have  had some pretty late nights here at IF this week.”
Sophomore Alex D’Amore-Braver, a House of Thought resident, said that deliberation is hard for other reasons as well.
“It is a stressful and long process, because most SLU members have a favorite candidate. Adding to the fire is the fact that multiple SLUs attract the same candidates.
SLUsh week is the time when SLU members prepare to be at war with each other over (applicants). Although it is crazy, it is very important. We pick people to ensure that our passions are preserved at OWU,” D’Amore-Braver said.
Applicants accepted into one or more SLUs had until Jan. 27 to make their decisions, a mere two days after they were told of their acceptances.
Though some may have had a hard time deciding, sophomore Amy LeFebvre said that she is happy that the Inter-Faith house offered her a spot.
“I wanted to be part of its family,” LeFebvre said.
“When I toured this school, I thought that they were the coolest things ever; a bunch of people with similar interests living in the same area. It was practically part of a friendship algorithm,” LeFebvre said.
Though some SLUs have struggled this year with recruitment, the houses remain as integral parts of the Ohio Wesleyan community, displaying the many interests of the OWU community.