Modern foreign language department contemplates new course for next year

By Amanda Hays, Transcript Correspondent

The modern foreign languages department is considering offering Arabic to students in the future.

The department at Ohio Wesleyan University already offers six languages, including Chinese, French, Spanish, German, Japanese, and Italian. Now, they want to add Arabic.

Including Arabic in the department has already been discussed among members of the department. Last semester, the faculty approved a Middle Eastern studies major. “Classes in Arabic would t nicely with our new program,” said Andrea Colvin, interim chair and associate professor of Spanish.

There is no guarantee, yet, that it will be included.

David Counselman, interim chair for the fall semester, said that they are looking to hire a professor from Cairo, Egypt, for a year. Counselman said he hopes the trial hire will result in something more permanent.

The professor the department hopes to hire is currently working at the University of Cairo. She plans to take a one year sabbatical. If she comes, she will be here for two semesters to teach 110 and 111-level courses, Colvin said.

“We are con dent that we will have enough interest for the course,” Colvin said, “However, due to visas and other travel necessities, we cannot make promises.”

If Arabic is approved, the board contacts the provost for funding. The provost requires a minimum of seven students to be enrolled before it is of officially added, Colvin said.

Even though the board periodically adds languages, they have removed some languages, too. In the past, Ohio Wesleyan offered Russian.

“Russian has been gone for a while because of low enrollment, however, there are some one-on-one sessions done on a case-by-case basis,” Colvin said.

If a group of students want to add a language to the department, they can send in a proposal. The department then discusses whether the language is practical, and if they will be able to support it financially.

“We would love to add more languages, but we must first focus on the ones we already have, and make sure their program is healthy,” Colvin said.

Jun Kawabe, a Japanese lecturer, teaches a language that does not have a major or a minor. She teaches three levels of Japanese. However, she is not concerned about the status of her class.

“We have a healthy enrollment,” Kawabe said, “I have been pretty lucky with that.”

Kawabe is not concerned that there isn’t a Japanese major or minor, but she said it bothers some of her students.

“I understand that they want to have a major to put on their resume,” Kawabe said, “But ultimately, people want to see that you have the skill, not that you have the title.”

No Chinese minor will be offered next semester due to a decline in enrollment. Chinese courses will continue, however, Colvin said.

“We started the Chinese minor a few years ago hoping that interest would increase, but unfortunately, that has not been the case.”

Faculty approve Bachelor of Science degrees for microbiology and geology

By Sara Hollabaugh, Online Editor

Faculty approved microbiology and geology for a Bachelor of Science degree during the faculty meeting held on April 17.

These additions come a month after the approval of physics and astronomy.

“The Bachelor of Science degree was approved by our accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission,” President Rock Jones said.

Jones added that the planning of the degrees was spearheaded by Dale Swartzentruber, associate provost for institutional research and academic budget management; Barbara Andereck, assistant provost for assessment and accreditation; and Craig Jackson, who chairs the Academic Policy Committee.

Jones said Swartzentruber worked on the administrative elements, Andereck arranged the application for accreditation and Jackson and his committee reviewed the proposals for the entire faculty to discuss.

Andereck said she, aside from compiling the proposals, was part of conversations in the departments.

“[The discussions] last fall … led to the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in physics and astrophysics,” Andereck said.

Andereck said the idea to apply for Bachelor of Science in the speci c majors stemmed from alumni, prospective students and families.

“Some organizations (employers, the government, graduate schools) view B.S. and B.A. degrees differently,” Andereck said.

Andereck added that offering both degrees gives students an advantage.

“The number of science and math courses required for the B.S. is higher than for the B.A.,” Andereck said. “So people familiar with that scenario sometimes assume that a B.A. from a liberal arts institution is not as rigorous [or] science focused as a B.S. from another institution.”

But Andereck said the assumption is not correct.

“We cannot have conversations with all people who hold this view,” Andereck said. “So to benefit our students and perhaps be more attractive to prospective students, we decided we should offer a B.S. option.”

For the physics and astrophysics majors specifically, Andereck said the B.S, degree “allows us to distinguish paths that lead to graduate school or professional work in the field versus paths that will rely less heavily on the content in the major.”

Budget Committee approves fall budgets

By Gopika Nair, Editor-in-Chief

Ohio Wesleyan’s clubs and organizations requested $200,668 for the upcoming fall semester and the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs’ (WCSA) Budget Committee funded $110,470.

President’s Club planned to bring Malcolm Gladwell, staff writer for The New Yorker, to kick off OWU’s 175th anniversary celebration. Because of lack of available funds, the Budget Committee funded the club $33,000 for a speaker, said treasurer Kristen Nooney at WCSA’s full senate meeting on April 17.

“We could only fund a certain amount and we figured alumni and other departments could help contribute to this if they [want to bring Gladwell],” Nooney said.

Overall, President’s Club requested $112,425 and was funded $55,168 to cover the costs of events such as the annual President’s Ball.

Additionally, the Campus Programming Board received $40,000 and Small Living Units were granted $7,000 for the fall semester. The total student activity fee remaining for next semester is $208,000 and the amount available for allocation to clubs and organizations is $119,400.

WCSA also pays for the subscription of The New York Times and USA Today, both of which can be picked up for free from the Atrium in Ham-Will, Nooney said. Currently, 35 copies of each are available. But because not enough people pick up copies, WCSA is reducing the amount to 18 next fall.

“I would vouch for a few more [copies],” WCSA member Michael Barr, junior, said. “I know enough people who do grab The New York Times every single day and I would consider myself one of those people. I think it’s important to have a source of news at this point in time that can be accessible to anyone.”

Dwayne Todd, vice president for student engagement and success, added that WCSA doesn’t pay for newspaper copies that go unread.

WCSA President Chris Dobeck and Vice President Michael Sheetz also drafted an initiative to reduce the cost of break housing for international students and students from the West Coast. The letter, addressed to President Rock Jones, suggests that the administration consider granting all students free housing for breaks that last less than 10 days.

In addition, the senate voted to sign a proposal for the Ohio Wesleyan Sustainability Plan, which is currently supported by Tree House and the Environmental and Wildlife Club.

The next WCSA meeting will take place at noon on April 24 in the Crider Lounge at Ham-Will.

Petition about the House of Black Culture’s future presented to faculty

By Liz Hardaway, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Right before the faculty meeting started on April 17, an unexpected guest voiced his thoughts on the future of the House of Black Culture (HBC).

Senior Jemil Ahmed shared his petition, which included 124 signatures from students, stating his and other students’ concerns for the fate of the cultural hub and the rich history of HBC.

“We ask for guarantee that the house be renovated and the house and land will be preserved for [HBC],” the petition stated. Students wanted assurance of this request by Wednesday, April 19.

President Rock Jones acknowledged the petition in an email sent Tuesday evening to multiple students who signed the petition.

Jones recognized the disrepair the building fell into, and has appointed an advisory group to explore all options for the community.

The advisory group includes three alumni, three faculty, three administrators and six students.

“[The] committee has heard how important this is to students,” said Nancy Comorau, associate professor of English and a member of the advisory group.

Jones wrote that it would be inappropriate to make any decision about HBC prior to receiving the advisory group’s input.

“The Advisory Group is undertaking its work in a thoughtful, comprehensive manner,” Jones said in the email. “No one is being ‘evicted’ from the dwelling.”

The petition stated that if renovations were not guaranteed for HBC by Wednesday, the group will meet with other advocacy groups to further its request.

Once the meeting officially commenced, faculty voted to approve three new majors. Faculty approved the film studies program and an environment and sustainability program, which will include a major and minor. A resolution also passed allowing students to receive a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in microbiology and geology.

Tom Wolber, associate professor of modern foreign languages, also gave a statement expressing his concerns for the lack of funding for pedagogical conference grants since the 2015-16 academic year, citing this as a reason for the dramatic decline of applications for this academic year. “Given OWU’s nature as a teaching institution, it is critical to encourage faculty to participate in pedagogical workshops and conferences and make the necessary resources available,” Wolber said in his statement.

Wolber said he was troubled by the discontinuation of the Performing Arts Series because of financial restrictions found in the year-end report conducted by Ohio Wesleyan’s Committee on Teaching, Learning, and Cross-Cultural Programming (TLCCP).

A committee is still working on getting the academic calendar for 2018-19 because of some contention that arose during the meeting.

Memorial resolutions were also approved for Jed Burtt, a zoology professor, and Kim Lance, a chemistry professor. Their memorials were written by Professor Ramon Carreno and Professor Dan Vogt respectively.

On April 20, the HBC Advisory Group will hold a live, online chat to discuss the house’s future and role in the community.

Coaches Corner: Kris Boey

By Aleksei Pavloff, Sports Editor

It’s now the spring season and the track and field team is ready to take the momentum from the winter into the new season.

Q: What is the attitude heading into this spring season?

A: The team’s attitude and purpose is excel- lent going into the outdoor season. We are building on a successful indoor season and as always we expect to be our best in May as the track and eld season culminates.

Q: What is the goal as a team this season?

A: Our goal is for each individual to improve and perform to the best of their capabilities and contribute to the overarching team goals. It’s a combination of individual achievements that allow the team to reach it’s full potential.

Q: What are the expectations heading into the spring season?

A: The expectations are to continue building the good work we’ve been doing all season and represent OWU in the best possible manner.

Q: Who, from Ohio Wesleyan, should people keep an eye out for?

A; In order to have the kind of team success that we are striving for, every team member will need to play an important role.

Q: Will we see another national championship performance from Robinson?

A:Cirrus has achieved a great deal in her rst season, and I believe she is far from her ceiling. My hope is that she enjoys the process and works towards her goals. If that is her mindset, then she will certainly be in a position to accomplish great things into the future.

Q: What events will Ohio Wesleyan be strong in?

A: We pride ourselves on being a complete, well-rounded team.

The BEAT: Calvin Harris continues new direction

By John Bonus, Transcript Reporter

With yet another single released, Calvin Harris is showing signs of a new production style and artistic direction.

It’s been a little over a month since Harris released his funky single “Slide,” featuring singer Frank Ocean and hip-hop group Migos. And now he’s back at it again with another unique pop collaboration, “Heatstroke”.

This new track features a variety of artists, including Young Thug, Ariana Grande and Pharrell. Young Thug carries the first verse while Grande and Pharrell mainly sing the chorus, creating a melody that hits very high notes.

The single is similar to Harris’ last release in that it incorporates a disco-pop sound that is very danceable.

“Slide” was Frank Ocean’s first appearance since the release of his summer album “Blonde.” The combination of his singing with verses from Quavo and Offset of Migos made for a popular single, hitting No. 34 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in its rst week.

Both tracks are a step in a different direction for Harris. He has been making electronic dance music for years, which has made him the richest DJ in the world, according to Forbes. These new songs are both de nitely pop, and are possibly an indicator for what type of music is to be expected from the producer in the future.

“Slide” came out on Feb. 24 and this most recent one, “Heatstroke,” was released March 31. One would think a new Calvin Harris album is on the way, however there is not.

According to Complex Magazine, Harris doesn’t plan to make an album at all. Instead, he plans to release
10 singles throughout the year, with ‘Slide’ and ‘Heatstroke’ being the rst two. While the reasons for this are not confirmed, Complex looks at this as a marketing strategy for Harris. There may be more money to be earned spreading these types of singles out over time, rather than in one single album release.

Album or not, we can be positive that a new Calvin Harris has arrived, and has a lot more in store for us in the coming months.

Beeghly Library hosts series of blind dates

By Aleksei Pavloff, Sports Editor

Students and faculty at Ohio Wesleyan University were able to participate in the english department’s “Blind Book Date,” an event where participants weren’t allowed to judge a book by it’s cover: literally.

The English department’s Nancy Comorau organized the “date,” which was held last Friday in the Beeghly Library. Here, students had a chance to get familiar with books they did not know existed.

According to Assistant Professor of English Amy Butcher, the event was thought up to celebrate the english department and encourage students to take classes in the department. Some of the books that were included have appeared before in syllabi of the department’s classes.

The blind book date consisted of students and faculty walking from one table of concealed books to the next. On top of each lay a hand written description of the book beneath it. The meaning for this event was to let OWU students pick something unfamiliar when it came to reading stories.

“It was essentially a way to encourage students to perhaps step out of their comfort zone and nd a book that might not be something they would pick up again,” said Butcher.

The books put on display did not favor one genre over the other. Butcher said that each professor in the department was asked to write down a few books they thought were powerful, and that deserved to be shared.

Some books included “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller, which is a Tony Award winning play.

Butcher said that partnership with the library on campus was helpful in making sure that the students know it has many diverse books and stories to choose from.

Tragedy bleeds onto the Main Stage

By Liz Hardaway, Arts & Entertainment Editor

If you listen closely you can hear wedding bells chiming in the Chappelear Drama Center.

Federico García Lorca’s “Blood Wedding,” or “Bodas de sangre,” is being shown on the main stage, using colorful, surrealist design and lighting to display this Spanish tragedy. The play was translated and adapted by Edward Kahn, the director of the play as well as a professor of theater and dance, and Eva Paris-Huesca, an instructor in modern foreign languages.

“Blood Wedding” is a contemporary play that exhibits the tragic battle between passion and tradition. Telling the tale of a soon-to-be-bride, played by senior Alexia Minton, the audience learns of her ex-lover Leonarda, played by freshman Rose Jonesco, returning to the bride’s life right as she is preparing to marry her boyfriend, played by sophomore Ares Harper.

“It’s been a great learning experience…the role itself is exhausting to play because there’s such a roller coaster of emotion which is partially, at least from my character’s perspective, part of what makes it so engaging to watch,” said Minton.

The play takes place in 1932 in rural Andalusia where, despite many progressive actions made by the Spanish government, the public remained close minded. Lorca was a gay playwright and poet.

“One can sense the personal struggles of the playwright, who once pondered whether ‘living one’s instinctual life to the full’ was the only possible path to happiness,” said Kahn in the director’s note of the playbill.

The play will be shown at the main stage of the Chappelear Drama Center on April 6-8 at 8 p.m and April 9 at 2 p.m. General admission is $10, and faculty/staff, seniors and non-Ohio Wesleyan student tickets are $5. Student admission is free with an ID.

WCSA Today: Funds allocated for storage

By Liz Hardaway, Arts & Entertainment Editor

The Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA) is allocating $4,150 to subsidize a part of the campus storage for 2017.

WCSA will cover $5 of the cost of each small box up to the purchase of 300 small boxes, as well as $15 of the cost of each large box, up to the purchase of 150 boxes. For bikes and refrigerators, WCSA will cover $8 of each, up to 50 units.

The cost for small and large boxes will be $10 and $20 respectively, and bike/refrigerator storage will cost students $17 per unit. These rates are on a first-come, first-serve basis, and Robert Wood, the director of public safety, recommended students use smaller boxes because they are easier to carry.

The Budget Committee funded $8,816 to the physics club to buy tickets to the March for Science, a non-partisan rally in Washington, D.C., to celebrate science on April 22.

The committee also decided not to fund the Black Men of the Future for supplies, such as marshmallows, for their upcoming bonfire. But the committee funded $27 to the Investment Club to have a public screening of “The Big Short.” VIVA’s Latin Dance Party, which will be held on April 21, was funded 95 percent. This event will teach attendees various Latin dances.

The Student Life Committee met with Aramark to discuss housekeeping issues on campus. If students have issues with housekeeping, they should contact committee chairs Mollie Marshall and David Robinett.  

WCSA funded $1,072 to CLEAR, a group focused on created events on and off-campus not involving alcohol, for free T-shirts to be given away at Rock the Block, which is April 28 from 6-8 on Rowland Ave.

The next full senate meeting will be Monday, April 10, in the Crider Lounge in Ham-Will.

Letter from the Wesleyan Council Student Affairs president

By Chris Dobeck, President of WCSA

The other day a close friend asked what the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA) was doing to make a presence on campus.

In all honesty, I floundered. Make a name for ourselves? We’re the people everyone comes to for funding. The Campus Programming Board (CPB) is the outreach part of our student government.

This friend not only asked an important question, they answered why WCSA has fallen into such a rut.

OWU students don’t care about stu- dent government, because student governments haven’t shown the care deserving of OWU students. Over the years WCSA strayed from initiatives, gave up on the legacy of itself and its students and confounded itself with unnecessary professionalism.

As president, I never sought to push a legislative agenda. Surely all the senators had pet projects. Policy reform, food, sustainability, and budgetary guidelines have gone through the ringer. Now, our well-spring of creativity has begun to trickle.

Over the last month, the Senate has hit gridlock again and again talking about reforms to the treasurer position. It has brought the momentum of progress to a halt. Today, that changes.

This April my administration will push for a New Student Affairs Policy, bringing the cloistered WCSA out of its shell. We’ll push for initiatives students care about, like a water fountain in Sanborn. We’ll begin to build monuments to OWU students of ages past; civil rights activists like Mary King, abolitionists like Fredrick Merrick, and Vice President of the United States Charles Fairbanks. Through our new policy, WCSA will end this brutal isolation, reaching out to students in constructive ways, like offering of office hours to voice complaints and turning the WCSA of office into a quiet study room in the weeks leading up to finals.

Politicians always promise things. It’s kind of the bread and butter of our career. But honestly, you guys deserve better. These policies should be ful lled because we, as a student government, have the op- portunity to help make this school really something. At this point many WCSA members have been here long enough to know what we can and can’t do. The difference between what we can do and what we have done de nes who really was t for the job. So when 2017 comes to a close, I hope WCSA remembered to do all they can.