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95th year • Issue 23

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INSIDE

Law Center gas leak solved free of charge

Students were evacuated from UT’s Law Center Feb. 12 after au-thorities discovered a gas leak.

NEWS / 3 »

Refer Head Xxxyyxy xxy yxx

YYYYY / X »

Black Student Union

presents annual

FASHION SHOW

Wednesday, February 18, 2014

COMMUNITY / 7 »

UNIVERSITY FACILITIES

REPAIRS IN PROGRESSRepairscontinue on East and West parking ramps

Damage to UT’s buildings still being assessed

““In the end, it’s basically the same work load that your regular classes dump on you — the differ-ence usually ends up being that you get asked to do more thought-provoking work about things you actually enjoy learning.”

DANIELLE GAMBLEEditor-in-Chief

“College appealed to me because it provided avenues of learning outside of the classroom — avenues that I would find very difficult to explore if I was stuck in the classroom in order to jump through more hoops than necessary.”

SAMUEL DERKINNews Editor

Should students care about the

honors college? OPINION / 4 »

SPORTS / 5 »

Zach Garber and Jonathan Williams make a mark on Rocket basketball

Honors college changes raise excitement, concern

STUDENT RECRUITMENT

By Amanda PitrofAssociate News Editor

Making students more aware of their op-tions and expanding recruitment are among the changes being made in the Jesup Scott Honors College.

“What concerns me is that we’re attracting these bigger numbers of well-prepared, aca-demic, band-one students, and yet a very large percentage … are choosing not to be a part of the honors program even though they are eligible to be a part,” Provost Scott Scarborough said at the Feb. 11 Faculty Senate meeting.

What is worse, according to Scarborough, is that half of those who do choose to take part in the honors program drop out before they get to the end.

“So what it says to me … there’s something wrong about the program,” Scarborough said. “How do you alter the honors college experi-ence so that 100 percent of these students who are capable and willing and able to benefit

from experience like this would choose to be a part of this experience?”

Only 40 percent of students who start out as honors students end up graduating with honors, according to Lakeesha Ransom, dean of the honors college. Based on conversa-tions she has had with students, she feels this is partly because many students don’t realize they have options other than writing a thesis.

“When they got to the thesis, they didn’t necessarily see how it related to what they wanted to do long-term, and it seemed like it was incongruent with their longer-term vision for what they’d like to do,” Ransom said in a recent interview.

While there has always been the option to write a thesis or to conduct a project, she thinks that “what most students have inter-preted is ‘You have to write a thesis.’”

To remedy this, Ransom said, the honors college is trying to make students more aware of the types of projects they can do instead of writing a thesis.

The projects are tailored to the students’ individual needs while maintaining the stan-dards of the honors college. Some examples Ransom gave of what students may do for their projects are:

• Engaging in core research, which usually leads to students publishing an article about their findings.

• Studying in another country and writing a report about research they conducted there.

• Starting an entrepreneurial venture.• Putting together a gallery exhibition of

their work.In addition to creating and paying attention

to new pathways for honors students,

See Honors college / 3 »

“I think we’ll really be able to see the impact this fall when we start analyzing the numbers...”

DEAN LAKEESHA RANSOM

By Samantha RhodesFeatures Editor

The University of Toledo has filed two claims so far after 24 buildings on the University of Toledo’s Main Campus and Health Science Cam-pus suffered water damage when pipes burst in January.

Repairs are expected to be completed by the end of March.

Chris Levicki, manager of structural maintenance, said the total costs and coverage for all damages have not been deter-mined at this time, but that UT’s Office of Risk Management said UT is responsible for the first $100,000 worth of cost per claim because of their deductible.

The deductible refers to the amount the policy holder has to pay before the insurance com-pany begins covering costs.

Levicki went on to say that many of the buildings sustained damage to the interior finishes (walls, flooring and ceilings) as well as office equipment.

“There are a number of office type equipment such as comput-ers and printers that were dam-aged,” Levicki said.

The labs in Sullivan Hall are still closed for repairs.

Though many of the damages are already repaired, Levicki said the “worse cases” are still in progress.

“The damage in Scott Hall, Tucker Hall, Bowman-Oddy, Sul-livan Hall and Wolfe Hall was sub-stantial,” Levicki said. “Only classes in Bowman-Oddy and Sullivan Hall were affected though. Some of the labs had to be held at other locations within the building.”

According to Associate Vice

President of Facilities and Con-struction Jason Toth, the extreme cold temperatures and wind chill caused a number of situations resulting in frozen pipes and equip-ment on campus such as fire sup-pression lines and plumbing lines.

NICOLE GREEN / ICThe East parking garage, located by McMaster Hall, has been under construction since emergency repair work began in September. Acording to Dan Klett, university architect, the university committed $900,000 to associated repair costs.

COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDOAfter a pipe burst at Sullivan Hall on Jan. 30, areas of the building suffered water damage. Final repairs are expected to be completed by the end of March.

See Sullivan pipes / 3 »

By Samantha RhodesFeatures Editor

After discovering the need for emergency repairs in both the East and West Ramp parking garages in September, the University of Toledo has completed portions of repairs, but is still working to finalize construction.

According to Dan Klett, university architect, UT has worked on portions of both the East and West Ramp parking garages beginning on Sept. 20, 2013, when contractors conduct-ing inspections as part of sched-uled maintenance discovered the need for emergency repairs.

Temporary emergency mea-sures were implemented im-mediately and resulted in partial closures for the remainder of the fall 2013 semester.

Phil Whaley, a structural engi-neer at Poggemeyer Design Group and a regional expert in the repair of concrete structures, coordinated the repair work on the East Ramp, according to UT News.

The West Parking Ramp and the lower three levels of the East Parking Ramp opened Jan. 6 while the top level remained closed for needed repairs.

See Parking repairs / 3 »

2 | The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, February 19, 2014

CAMPUS DIGEST

Facebook.com/ICollegian www.IndependentCollegian.com

This week in UT history35 years ago: When it rains it pours, and this

seems to be the case with the buildings of the University of Toledo. Leaking roofs are a problem with practically every building on campus, Fred Peltier, project coordi-nator for the physical plant, said Friday.

75 years ago: Faculty members have received more University traffic tickets than have students, but they have refused to appear in the University traffic court or pay fines, Melvin Wienman, student head of the Traffic Bureau, revealed this week.

80 years ago: ”Smoking in the halls must cease” is the decree handed down by Student Council, president Jacob Folger announced. “Smoking rooms for men are provided on the 500 and the 200 floors,” Mr. Folger said, “and smoking should be confined to these places.” A smoking room for women is located in the west wing of the 200 floor.

NICOLE BADIK / IC

Getting your game onFrom Feb. 14 to 16, gamers took over the Student Union for the 29th BASHCon. Students and community members from near and far came to participate in the convention. Games like Pathfinder (shown above) were played. Look for more pictures of the event on the IC’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ICollegian.

STUDENT GROUP OF THE WEEK

Hillel

Purpose: Our mission is enriching the lives of Jewish students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world. Hillel welcomes students of all backgrounds and fosters an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning and Israel.

Leaders: President: Drew Saltzstein; religious vice president: Jacob Rashbaum; social vice president: Taylor Zanville; outreach coordinator: Sara Federman; first year student Hillel: Jessica Moses; secretary: Devin Billstein

Upcoming events: Nice Jewish Girl Shabbat Feb. 21 at 5:30 p.m., Jewish House of Pancakes (JHOP) Feb. 26 at noon, Game Night Shabbat Feb. 28 at 5:30 p.m., Women of the Wall Program March 12, Give Kids the World Shabbat March 14 at 5:30 p.m., and Jewish Jeopardy April 8 at noon

Learn more: Call Hillel at 419-724-0377, find them online at www.toledohillel.org, Facebook by searching University of Toledo Hillel, on Twitter @hillelUT, on Ins-tagram at toledohillel and Toledo Hillel on Pintrest.

Would your group like to be featured as the IC’s Student Group of the Week? Email Morgan Rinckey at mrinckey@independentcollegian.com.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

How are you preparing for

midterms?

“Studying and not sleeping.”

Crista Constantine Second-year

Film

“Just doing home-work.”

Andrew English First-year

Mechanical engineering

“I study extremely hard two to three days before exams.”

Ricky Wilson Third-year

Exercise science

“I don’t have a ‘mid-term exam’ because I am an English major. We just have normal exams.”

Miranda Kuyoth Fourth-year

English

The Independent Collegian staffVisit us at Carlson Library, Suite 1057Write to us at 2801 W. Bancroft St., Mail Stop 530

Toledo, OH 43606Contact the editor at

editor@independentcollegian.comAdvertise by emailing

sales@independentcollegian.comPhone: 419-530-7788 Fax: 419-530-7770

heroBe your own

At the Learning Enhancement Center/Writing Center, we can help with the following subjects:• Math • Accounting• Writing • Foreign languages• Science • E-tutoring

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

We’re located in the Edith Rathbun Cove (lower level) of the Carlson Library.

EDITORIALEditor-in-ChiefDanielle GambleNewsSamuel Derkin, editorAmanda Pitrof, assoc.

editorFeaturesSamantha Rhodes, editorSportsBlake Bacho, editorCommunityAmanda Eggert, editorAlexandria Saba, assoc.

editorOpinionMorgan Rinckey, editorPhotographyNicole Badik, directorCopy deskLauren Gilbert, copy editor

BUSINESSAdvertisingZachary Hartenburg,

account executiveHaley Musser, graphic

designerDistributionMandi Jung, managerOperationsMichael Gonyea, managerCOLLEGIAN MEDIA FOUNDATIONAdviserErik GableThe Independent Collegian is published by the Collegian Media Foundation, a private, not-for-profit corporation. © 2014

“The extremely cold tem-peratures, wind chills and significantly higher-than-normal snow accumulation have been the cause of most of the issues on campus,” Toth said. “Sustained tem-peratures at negative 20 to negative 40 degrees create conditions that systems de-signed in this region are not able to withstand.”

Toth said the water damage was due to a “trickle-down ef-fect” with several systems fail-ing, starting with air intakes, which backed up to the build-ings’ heating systems, which are primarily steam-powered.

“Failure of multiple sys-tems including outside air dampers failing to close, the freeze stats on air handling units tripping out causing AHU’s to shut down, etc.

caused many of the problems experienced on campus,” Toth said.

Levicki said damaged buildings on Main Campus included Bowman-Oddy, Wolfe Hall, Scott and Tucker Halls, the Student Union, the Glass Bowl, the Student Recreation Center, Ot-tawa East, Stranahan North, Parks Tower, Savage Arena, Memorial Field House, North Engineering, and Nitschke Hall. Damaged buildings on the Health Science cam-pus included the Veterans Administration Building and the Block Health Science Building.

Sullivan Hall also flooded Jan. 30, forcing communica-tion classes to relocate. This damage occurred after a pipe cracked in a fire suppres-sion unit and was reported by janitorial staff around 11 p.m., according to College

of Communications and the Arts Dean Debra Davis.

Paulette Kilmer, a profes-sor of communication, said that due to the construction, her classes have been moved from Sullivan Hall to Rocket Hall, Room 1562.

“With all the construction going on, I don’t really think it’s smart to have students come in there because there’s a lot of dust and hammering and the smells from paint, the fiberglass in the hall — it’s just not a place right now for students,” Kilmer said. “I hope the repairs are done very fast.”

Levicki said companies such as Cousino Harris, Simplex Grinnell, Spieker Company, Bayes, Inc., Mid-west Environmental Con-trol, Schindler and Dunbar Mechanical are performing repairs as well as UT facilities and construction personnel.

Toth feels that his depart-ment has worked effectively and tried to restore damaged areas in a “timely fashion.”

“UT has reacted to each situation as quickly as pos-sible,” Toth said. “Facilities & Environmental Services have worked to provide cleanup services following floods and

coordinated repair efforts using either in-house trades or outside contractors. We feel that we have worked closely with users and others to restore damaged areas in a timely fashion.”

Toth said UT is “pushing to have all repairs complete by the end of March.”

the honors college has also increased recruitment.

Ransom said there was “a big marketing push” within the college when she ar-rived last year, and “tens of

thousands of letters” were sent to the high school juniors who would be part of the incoming class in fall 2014.

More recent recruitment pushes have included the Scholarship Day UT hosted Feb. 9.

“We had 700 students and their families spend the day with us,” Ransom said.

But more students means fewer available resources. At a Faculty Senate meeting Feb. 11, members expressed concern about the univer-sity’s ability to disperse

enough funds to the honors department.

“The question is … where do you devote these limited resources we have?” asked one senator.

Ransom was enthusiastic about the changes, and said in an interview that she feels

the honors college is “gaining momentum.”

“I think we’ll really be able to see the impact this fall when we start analyz-ing the numbers of stu-dents that are admitted into the honors portal,” Ransom said.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 | The Independent Collegian | 3

NEWSFollow us on Twitter @TheICToledo Like us at Facebook.com/ICollegian www.IndependentCollegian.com

IN BRIEF

Social injustices film screening and discussion to be held Feb. 20

The University of Toledo will screen a film by former Secre-tary of Labor Robert Reich titled, “Inequal-ity for All,” on Thurs-day, Feb. 20, at 5 p.m.

Following the event will be a live webcast with Reich where at-tendees can ask him questions.

The film came out in September, but was not released to local theaters. It discusses the widening gap be-tween the rich and the poor. Some policies discussed in the film include unions, mini-mum wage and Right to Work laws. The film also addresses tuition and student loans, so students are encour-aged to attend and ask questions.

The event is presented by the UT Social Work Pro-gram with help from Student Government, Owens Community College, Toledo Move to Amend and Toledo Area Jobs with Jus-tice. It will take place at the Scott Park Audi-torium and is free and open to the public.

Questions for the webcast may be submitted by emailing ifaqa@sfsu.edu, tweet-ing @InequalityFilm or commenting on the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com/In-equalityForAll.

Hearing for fate of Toledo abortion clinic postponed

The hearing at the Ohio Health Depart-ment to decide the outcome of the last abortion clinic in Toledo has been post-poned, according to a report in The Blade.

Rather than being held Feb. 18, the Capital Care Network of Toledo hearing be-fore an appeals court is being continued, according to a health department spokes-person.

Capital Care’s transfer agreement with the University of Toledo expired July 31, 2013, and it can-not renew its transfer agreement with UT Medical Center due to provisions in Ohio’s most recent budget. These provisions don’t allow pub-licly funded hospitals, such as UTMC, to create transfer agree-ments with abortion clinics.

Toledo will become the largest city in the state of Ohio without an abortion provider if the clinic is forced to close.

In last week’s story “Student Government passes five pieces of legislation,” we miss-quoted SG Senator Joey Kupicki, who said “Old-Town” instead of the printed “O-Town.”

Also, in our Feb. 5 issue’s story “Dean of Students takes on new responsi-bilities,” we reported that Dean of Student Experience Tamika Mitchell reports to assistant provost Sammy Spann. Mitch-ell works closely with Spann but reports to Senior Vice President for the Student Expe-rience, Kaye Patten Wallace.

We regret these errors.

GAS LEAK

Law Center gas line fixedBy Amanda Pitrof and Samantha RhodesAssociate News Editor and Features Editor

After a gas leak affecting the University of Toledo’s Law Center last week, Columbia Gas repaired the damaged gas line at no cost to UT.

Students were evacuated from UT’s Law Center the afternoon of Feb. 12 after authorities were notified of a gas leak.

The leak occurred in pipes outside the building, but some of the gas was “pulled inside through the air-handling equipment,” according to the dean of the College of Law, Daniel Steinbock.

According to Steinbock, when students smelled gas, someone “called in the alarm” and everyone was safely evacuated. The fire department, UT police and Columbia Gas of Ohio were all notified of the situation and arrived to help.

Jason Toth, associate vice president of facilities and construction, said

that within 15 minutes of the evacu-ation, it was determined that the gas leak was outside of the building on the service line that feeds the emer-gency generator in the basement of the Law Center.

“The outside air intakes for the air handling units were pulling the gas and odors into the facility,” Toth said. “UT facilities staff turned off the gas

service immediately after identify the problem.”

According to Toth, the College of Law cancelled some afternoon classes as a pre-emptive measure while the situation was being addressed.

Classes prior to 6 p.m. in the Law Center were canceled on that day, but evening classes took place as scheduled.

Toth said Columbia Gas and

Toledo Fire cleared the building shortly after advising that it was safe to resume classes. The entire incident was of no cost to the university.

“The damaged gas line was noted to be on the Columbia Gas side of the meter meaning that it was their responsibility to make the repairs at no cost to the University,” Toth said. “The repairs took place on Friday of last week and all systems are back online as usual.”

According to Steinbock, the Law Center staff responded “excellently” to the situation.

“They evacuated when requested,” Steinbock said. “We needed to cancel some afternoon classes and for a time were uncertain about the evening classes, but the faculty and students remained flexible, and fortunately the evening classes were able to be held.”

Steinbock also said the law students reacted very well to the evacuation, adapted easily to the class meeting changes and remained calm.

CORRECTIONS

AMANDA PITROF / ICA gas leak was reported at the UT Law Center Feb. 12. Students and staff were evacuated, and it was determined the leak was outside the building on the Columbia Gas service line.

Honors college from page 1

Sullivan pipes from page 1

According to Klett, addi-tional testing of the struc-tural members (columns and beams) of the parking ramps was also conducted due to safety requirements.

These tests, conducted by Toledo Testing Laborato-ries, examined the chemical composition of the concrete and the structural integ-rity of the reinforcing steel inside the concrete.

The top level of the East Parking Ramp was reopened

Feb. 3 with ongoing main-tenance and repair work continuing on lower levels.

Klett said the repair process has taken so long because “structural analysis and repair planning” were required prior to any per-manent repairs being made on the garages as well as the recent cold temperatures.

“The extreme winter con-ditions and low temperatures slowed the repair process considerably,” Klett said.

Acording to Klett, UT committed $900,000 to “cover all costs for emer-gency temporary sharing,

temporary stone parking lots, structural analysis, repair design and actual repairs.” He said both the East and West parking garages have been deemed safe for use by the engi-neering consultants hired by the university.

Though he does not know when the construction will be fully completed, he said those using the parking garages should be careful when walking or driving near areas where repair work is taking place and to never cross the barricades around construction zones.

Parking repairs from page 1

4 | The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, February 19, 2014

OPINIONFollow us on Twitter @TheICToledo www.IndependentCollegian.comLike us at Facebook.com/ICollegian

COMMENTARY

POINT/COUNTERPOINT

Last semester the Young Americans for Liberty and I stood up for smoker’s freedom. We had a great ta-bling session with awesome turn-out. I personally believe it played a part in the narrow victory in Student Government. The legislation for the tobacco ban was defeated by one vote.

We thought we won, but the ad-ministration at the university has brought the tobacco debate back to life.

In order to fight this massive invasion of our rights, the Young Americans for Liberty and I will be collecting signatures for a

petition to repeal the ban this Monday, Feb. 24, from 10

a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Union by the Free Speech board. We will also be handing out free “cigarettes,” or rather notes rolled and taped to look

like the tobacco product.

This issue is im-portant whether or not you’re a smoker. The administra-tion’s argument that the ban is for

your safety is just a façade so the school and government can tell you what to do. However, we all have a God given right to our bodies and therefore we have property rights over it. With this being established, we all have the

right to put whatever legal sub-stances we want in it. Smoking is an unpopular topic. However, doing the right thing is often times unpopular.

The university may contend they aren’t outlawing students from smoking in general, but only on their campus. But as one smoker told me, “They must not know what it’s like to be ad-dicted to something.” The point he is making is clear — when he wants to smoke, he feels he has to smoke. It is almost an involuntary need.

A loose comparison would be if the university outlawed going to the bathroom, and in turn removed all the universities’ restrooms. People would still have to go, but they just couldn’t on campus. The university could pro-test that they’re not outlawing our students from voiding their blad-

ders; they are just not allowing it on campus. Most everyone would agree that’s absurd, just reopen the bathrooms and let people do their thing. I mean the university paid a lot to install the bathrooms, and chances are they aren’t going to use them for much else. Also people going to the bathroom there wasn’t harming anyone.

Moving away from the bathroom humor; there is a very real reason I brought that example up. Like bathrooms, we at the University of Toledo have established areas for people to do their business; smok-ing business, that is. The funda-mental point of the comparison is that the overwhelming burden being placed on smokers just to puff on a cig is beyond ridiculous, especially when we have designated areas for them to smoke already set up.

All these reason point to the

tobacco ban not only being an encroachment of our freedoms, but a bad idea in general.

Since last semester our student body president and the adminis-tration have pushed to make this tobacco ban a real thing in a bad way. SG said no to the smoking ban, and no one in charge listened. One can only wonder why they put it up for a vote if the SG president wasn’t going to respect the deci-sion. The anti-choice tobacco ban group took their legislation to the faculty senate to have it rubber stamped through, but it’s up to us as students to veto the bill, because our student body president is not willing to do what is right. So make your voice heard; please come to our protest next Monday, grab a “cigarette” and sign the petition!

Ron Johns is a fourth-year double majoring in marketing and entrepre-neurship.

RON JOHNSIC COLUMNIST

Is joining the honors college worth it? Yes: the honors college has better classes

and helps students think criticallyNo: the honors college causes hoops to jump through,

and participation in groups is a better experience

Prepare to protest against the smoking ban

When someone asks if you want to be in the honors college, you know what answer you’re supposed to give. “Of course,” you should say. That’s what your parents probably want, and it’s definitely what your professors and univer-sity administrators want.

Why? Well, because it’s the key to success, of course. You’ll be around the best and brightest that UT has to offer, you’ll get a better job, you’ll have a better college experience and you’ll never have to worry about a receding hairline.

And if you chuckled at that last one, hopefully you recognize that it’s just as empty a promise as almost all of those other statements. And I say this because before I can tell you what the honors program does well, I have to explain what it doesn’t do.

Being in the honors program myself, I can tell you that many of the best and brightest are, in fact, outside of the honors program be-cause they want to devote their time to school activities or jobs instead of school work. And some of the “brightest” honors students are a few filaments short of a light bulb.

Yes, I know a light bulb only needs one filament.

And don’t even get me started on the idea that being in the honors college guarantees you a better job when you get out. To any student who strives for empty accolades be-cause they think A’s are mini tickets you can pay out at the end of your school career to the

employer of your choice: you’re going to have to fight for a job with everyone else.

But what about the honors program mak-ing your college experience better? That’s the claim that’s a little harder to unravel — partly because it’s a little vague, and partly because it’s kind of true.

You see, there’s no guarantee that you’ll have more fun in college if you’re in honors, because that depends entirely on what kind of person you are. The guy who’s here just for a piece of paper with no real love of learning is going to hate the advanced curriculum, and the chick who’s already got more internships and leadership roles than she can juggle could get frustrated by some of the extra classes she’d have to take.

Like I said, I’m in the honors college and I have been since I was a freshman. However, I’m built along the lines of the second ex-ample. I don’t plan on graduating with honors because I haven’t finished all of the require-ments and doing so would tack on more time than I can afford at this school.

But does that mean I hate the honors col-lege? Do I regret joining?

Absolutely not. I’ve had a great experience

in honors, even before it became the Jesup Scott Honors College. If anything, I regret

not taking time to get all my requirements squared away for that little honors ink blot on my diploma.

But the cool thing is that even though I won’t be finishing with honors, I still enjoyed the heck out of my time there, and I’ve gotten to

experience the real, tangible benefits of the program — the ones that last after graduation.

The best and most honest endorsement of the honors program I can give is that the classes are almost all phenom-enal. If you like to learn, to be in classes that ask you to think critically about topics instead

of just handing you busywork, then you would love honors classes.

Like all honors students, I took a class called Honors Reading Conference in place of English Composition. Instead of hashing out ham-fisted persuasive essays on beaten-to-death topics, I read several great works of classical literature, then discussed them with a dozen people who actually read the books, too (or were at least very good at faking it). I read a lot, but instead of just regurgitat-ing Wiki-analysis of these books in a useless paper, I was actively discussing their merits in an engaged class and occasionally writing brief synopsis of these thoughts in succinct responses.

But even more exciting than reading conference was my honors seminar. Part of my requirement as an honors student was to take a few seminars, which are smaller classes devoted to interesting topics. I was very fortunate to take a class about J.R.R. Tolkien and other works associated with Lord of the Rings, led by Dan Compora.

Let me repeat: I took a class on Lord of the Rings. And yes, it was as amazing as it sounds.

The beautiful thing about this class, like many honors classes, was that the profes-sor was not afraid to integrate the real world into the classroom. I play the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons, so I gave a presentation on gaming and how the game took inspiration from Middle Earth. For one of our papers, I used my knowledge as a music major to explore the music in the Lord of the Rings and talk about why Howard Shore scored the films the way he did.

To this date, my favorite classes have all been honors classes. In the end, it’s basi-cally the same work load that your regular classes dump on you — the difference usually ends up being that you get asked to do more thought-provoking work about things you actually enjoy learning.

There are some other perks, too. Honors students get to register for classes first, no matter their grade level. Even though the honors requirements are kind of strict, the honors faculty and staff have always been surprisingly flexible. And whether it’s fair or not, faculty often trust you a little more as an honors student.

But the person who’s going to get the most out of the honors college is going to be the person who’s doing it for the love of knowl-edge. Apply to the honors college and give yourself the chance to be surprised at how much you enjoy learning.

Danielle Gamble is a fifth-year double ma-joring in communication and music, and the editor-in-chief of The Independent Collegian.

DANIELLEGAMBLE

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The best and most honest endorsement of the honors program I can give is that the classes are almost all phenomenal. If you like to learn, to be in classes that ask you to think critically about topics instead of just handing you busywork, then you would love honors classes.

When I first came to the University of Toledo three years ago, I met with an advisor to play “sorting hat” with my next few years in college. I remember her trying to sell me on the idea of entering into the honors college. She told me that by taking harder courses and by putting extra work into regular classes, I would emerge from college leaps and bounds ahead of my peers.

And even though she assured me that the harder classes would pay off in the end, and explained all of the benefits of being an honors student, I remained unconvinced and declined her offer.

If I am completely honest, I declined for one simple reason. I did not want to be trapped in the honors program. College appealed to me because it provided avenues of learning outside of the classroom — avenues that I would find very difficult to explore if I was stuck in the classrooms in order to jump through more hoops than necessary.

Throughout my life, I have known bril-liant people that practically live in honors classes. Whether it be in high school or college, they were convinced that their edge lay in more time in the classroom and in the lengthy Latin words after their degree.

I knew one friend from high school who had always done honors classes and qualified in spades for UT’s honors courses. He became a recluse; he figuratively killed himself his freshman year. I barely saw my friend for two years, and on the rare occasions I did see him, he lamented that his classes were doing nothing — nothing except preventing him from having the social experiences he was hoping to get out of college.

Now I know that not everyone is like my friend, but he was a man who loved classes and then felt trapped inside of one.

Over the past several years, I have watched UT’s goals to improve and bolster the honors college. They have created honors college housing and honor students receive early registration, select classes and, often, the best professors. And I understand why the university is doing it. Honors programs give col-leges prestige and everything that stuffy academics use to say that their university is better than yours, as they shake their academic jowls and smoke oversized calabash pipes.

But still, even with all of the resources that UT has poured into the honors col-lege to improve their standing, it seems like most who start off in the program are

reluctant to finish in it.Now, don’t get me wrong. I will be the

first to say that there is noth-ing wrong with academics. I love college, and boy, do I love learning. And I want my uni-versity to be a place of true learning.

But I have learned more in one semester in a student or-ganization than my academic

classes have taught me in three years. And I now know that true learning happens best at an institution where student organizations are given the same attention as honors classes.

The biggest theme that I see in my classes is professors

pushing students to be “critical thinkers.” Almost every assignment in my first two years of general classes had something to do with thinking critically. My English composition classes, humanities classes and communication classes all told me that they were teaching me critical thinking, and I would learn the secrets to indepen-dent thought if I only listened to them.

At the start of my second week on The Independent Collegian staff, Editor-in-Chief Danielle Gamble sat me down and told me that I had some of the worst critical think-ing skills she had seen in someone my age.

I was shocked to hear that. My professors had taught me, trained me.

Hadn’t they? In weeks of working in a student-run

organization, I learned that real critical thinking doesn’t come with a grade. You won’t find it in a research paper or in a PowerPoint slide. You learn by going out there, screwing up and then learn-ing from it. And that is what I love about student groups. They are able to provide a safe environment in which to learn what life really is by learning from your mistakes.

If I had gone into the honors college, if I’d felt tied to my grades, I wouldn’t be half as learned as I am now. Maybe if I had actually taken those honors classes, I’d be singing a different tune. But I highly doubt it — because every day, I run into honors students who haven’t had the experiences I’ve had, and who I have outstripped in key areas of both knowledge and wisdom. That’s not to say I’m the biggest genius in the world. It’s to say that I’ve found a way to stretch my academic legs, and other students have had their growth stunted against their will.

Instead of allocating resources for the “top” students and locking them into one “honored” college, why can’t we instead divvy these resources out to departments, or to the student groups that are provid-ing the kind of real-world experiences that students need? I know that making this choice may take a little wind out of our sails in the academic world, but in the end, we came to college because we wanted to learn.

I turned down the honors college be-cause I wanted to learn more than book smarts. That’s why the majority of qualified students are turning down the opportunity to be in the honors program — because we’re looking for something more than extra hoops to jump through. We’re look-ing for something real.

Samuel Derkin is a third-year double ma-joring in English and communication, and is the news editor at The Independent Collegian.

SAMUEL DERKIN

NEWS EDITOR

I have learned more in one semester in a student organization than my academic classes have taught me in three years. And I now know that true learning happens best at an institution where student organizations are given the same attention as honors classes.

Editorials appearing on this page represent the consensus view of the editorial staff. Columns and letters to the editor reflect the opinions of their authors, not those of The Independent Collegian.

It’s not easy being greenColumnist Benjamin Lynn says it can be hard to be environmentally green, but

the Green Fund is meant to help sustainability on campus. Look for his column at www.independentcollegian.com/opinion.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 | The Independent Collegian | 5

SPORTSFollow us on Twitter @ IC_Sports www.IndependentCollegian.comLike us at Facebook.com/ICollegian

IN BRIEF

UT women look to continue three-game winning streak

The University of Toledo women’s bas-ketball team heads into the home stretch of the team’s Mid-American Conference slate this week with a pivotal matchup at Eastern Michigan on Wednes-day, Feb. 19. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. in the Convocation Center.

The Rockets are cur-rently in second place in the West Division standings behind Cen-tral Michigan, while the Eagles are tied for fifth place in the division.

Toledo will look to continue momentum from a season-high three-game win streak against Miami, Kent State, and, most re-cently, Ohio.

UT enters Wednes-day’s divisional match-up on the heels of a back-and-forth, four-point victory over the Bobcats on Saturday before a season-high 4,692 fans in Savage Arena. The Rockets scored seven of the game’s final ten points to record their 22nd consecutive triumph against Ohio at home, dating back to Jan. 7, 1987.

Toledo holds a 19-14 edge in contests played in Ypsilanti, Mich. UT has split the last six games in the Convocation center.

Toledo men’s regular-season finale to be televised

The Mid-American Conference announced on Tuesday that the University of Toledo men’s basketball reg-ular-season finale on Saturday, March 8, will be televised on Time Warner Cable’s Sports Channel. The Rockets will face off against Eastern Michigan, and tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

This will be the sixth home game that Toledo has had televised by Time Warner Cable this season.

The Rockets have a 21-4 record so far this season (9-3 in MAC play), and are currently tied for the best overall record in the Mid-American Conference with Akron and Western Michigan.

Toledo will visit archrival Bowling Green on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 9 p.m. before hosting Ball State on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m. as part of a basketball double header at Sav-age.

Rockets to host ‘Ultimate Tailgate’ party between games of Sunday’s basketball double header

Fans attending this Sunday’s basket-ball doubleheader at Savage Arena can experience the “Ulti-mate Rocket Tailgate” between the women and men’s games.

The UT women host Western Michigan at 2 p.m. and the men will face Ball State at 6 p.m.

For $10 ($9 in ad-vance) fans can enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet in the Fetterman Gymnasium in Savage Arena from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The buffet will feature a complete hot dog bar and a nachos bar, as well as bever-ages and cookies.

For Pre-Sale Res-ervations, call 419-530-4040 or visit www.utrockets.com.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

A FRESH IMPACTZach Garber and Jonathan Williams are leaving their marks on a record-setting Rocket squadBy Blake BachoSports Editor

When freshman center Zach Garber first met freshman guard Jonathan Williams at a University of Toledo football game in 2012, Garber thought “Jon Jon” was a pretty quiet guy.

That opinion of his new teammate changed quickly once the two joined the men’s basketball team.

“That’s not him at all,” Garber explained with a smile. “He doesn’t ever stop talking; he is just always doing something. [Rian] Pearson says he is irritat-ing him the whole time.”

Pearson’s irritation aside, the entire Rockets squad — including the team’s head coach, Tod Kowalczyk — seems to be happy with what UT has seen from all three freshmen players.

And while freshman guard Jordan Lauf has been the one to establish himself as a fan favorite with his physi-cal style of play, Garber and Williams have each proven to be integral components of a Rocket squad set to post a record for wins this season.

“More times than not in recruiting you’re not quite sure until you get them,” Kowalczyk said. “These three, we knew from the moment they committed to us that we had three really good players that would make impacts as freshman, and all three have.

“[They] have played a very good amount of minutes as

freshman on a really good team. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Williams and Garber say that they, just like their coach, knew they could find their places on Toledo’s squad, one that Jon Jon said functions more like a family than a basketball team.

“Everybody knows everybody’s role,” Williams said. “In the locker room, we are all just brothers. We are a family. It is just good chemistry.”

That chemistry is evident on the court, especially dur-ing the two games this season that Williams started in.

In the most recent of those games — Toledo’s revenge victory at home against Ohio — Jon Jon finished in double digits in the scoring column.

“We are 2-0 with him in a starting role,” Kowalczyk said. “He has done a great job both times. He is a guy that will certainly be a great starter in the future.”

Kowalczyk sees perma-nent starting roles in sight for both of these fresh-men, but he also sees good things ahead for Garber and Williams off of Bob Nichols court as well.

“Zach is a guy that could hang with anybody, any walk of life,” Kowalczyk said. “Everybody loves Zach. Jon Jon has a great personality. He is fun, he is funny, and both of them in my opinion have very bright futures outside of basketball.”

For now, however, both Gar-ber and Williams are focused on the game both of them say they have always loved.

“I played basketball, base-ball, football, and track [in high school],” Garber said. “I like playing the other sports, but basketball has always been my love. Even during baseball and track seasons I was playing [basketball], and during football season I had to miss [games] because I had

to go on visits for basketball.”Garber, who was a four-

year letter winner in all four of his high school sports, pointed to the recruiting abil-ities of the Toledo coaches, as well as the chance to play in front of his family, as his main reasons for choosing to become a Rocket.

And the freshman center points to the team’s current 21-4 record — as well as Toledo’s enthusiastic fan base — as proof that he made the right choice.

“This season has just been phenomenal,” Garber said.

“Our whole team has been clicking, everyone around campus is like, ‘Oh, they are basketball players; when is your next game, your next home game, we are going to try to make it.’ It has been such a great experience to have such a following.”

For Williams, the fan base has certainly lived up to the promises Kowalczyk made him during recruitment.

“It is amazing. When Coach K was recruiting me, he asked if I liked playing in front of a lot people. I said yes, and he said come here if you like play-

ing in front of a lot of people. “That wasn’t a lie. Every

game there is a lot of people.”And Jon Jon, Garber, as

well as their head coach, look forward to giving Rocket fans plenty to cheer about for many more years to come.

“Both guys are going to be tremendous players,” Kowalc-zyk said. “You look at what they are doing as freshmen — they’re fulfilling a very important role on a very good basketball team.

“In the future it is going to be their team, [and] they will be ready for it when the time comes.”

JACKIE KELLETT / ICFreshman guard Jonathan Williams (left) and freshman center Zach Garber are two thirds of one the most effective freshman classes in recent Rocket history. Toledo head coach Tod Kowalczyk says he couldn’t be more proud of the newest generation of Rockets.

Toledo baseball kicks off season with 1-2 showing at First Pitch Invitational

BASEBALL

“[They] have played a very good amount of min-utes as freshmen on a really good team. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

TOD KOWALCZYKUT men’s basketball coach

By Marcus DodsonSports Reporter

The University of Toledo baseball team kicked off their spring season with a 1-2 record at the First Pitch Invi-tational in Greenville, S.C.

The Rockets fell to Xavier 6-4 on Saturday, and on Sun-day defeated Norfolk State 11-3 before losing to Furman 13-5.

“We really hit the ball well down there,” said Toledo head coach Cory Mee. “That was nice to see. We also had some good pitching. As a whole we threw the ball pretty well.”

In Toledo’s opening game against Xavier, senior left-handed pitcher Ryan

Wilkinson gave up only four hits, two walks, and one earned run over six full frames before being pulled, a performance his coach called a “solid showing.”

“We figured [he] would throw well,” Mee said.

The two teams entered the seventh tied at one, but Xavier put four runs in at the top of the frame to give themselves a lead they would never relin-quish.

“When you give teams more outs in an inning, it makes things harder,” Mee explained. “We will need to play a little better on that end, but it is still early [in the season].”

The Rockets pounded out 13 hits during their Sunday morning victory over Norfolk State. Five Toledo batters led the at-tack with two hits each.

Senior right-handed pitcher Cameron Palmer allowed only one fun on four hits, while posting four strikeouts during over five innings on the mound.

“When you hit the ball like that, plus good pitch-ing and solid defensive [efforts], you would like

to see results like that,” Mee said. “That was a good team win that you can be happy with.”

Toledo closed out their weekend against Furman, where the Rockets fell to the host team after com-mitting four errors and giving up eight walks.

UT jumped out to an early lead in the first inning, but they watched their cushion disap-pear after Furman tied things up in the bottom of the third. The Paladins went on to score 12 runs over the next four innings.

“When you make errors, you extend the inning,” Mee said. “When you extend the inning, you make it harder to win ball games.”

Toledo continues their spring season next weekend in the Louisiana State Uni-versity Tournament in Baton Rouge, La. The Rockets will face Texas Southern on Fri-day at 1 p.m., the host Tigers on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Virginia Tech on Sunday at 11 a.m. at Alex Box Stadium.

“It is a great way to play some really good teams,” Mee said. “LSU has one of the best atmospheres in the country for college baseball. This will be a fun experience for the boys, and a chance to get some good wins.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF UT ATHLETICSSophomore CF John Martillotta (above) went 1-for-3 with one run scored and one RBI against Xavier last Saturday during Toledo’s first game of the First Pitch Invitational.

“When you give teams more outs in an inning, it makes things harder. We will need to play a little better on that end, but it is still early [in the season].”

CORY MEEUT baseball head coach

UT softball goes 1-4 at Easton Desert ClassicThe University of Toledo softball team opened the 2014 spring season last weekend at the Easton Desert Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. Sports reporter Austin Henry recaps the action.

SPORTS / 6 »

6 | The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, February 19, 2014

PUZZLESTHEME: WICKED

WEATHER

ACROSS1. Hesitates6. Cranberry habitat9. ____ Cola13. Tropical vine14. Hole punching tool15. “_____’s Heroes”16. Type of window17. “Young” prefix18. *_____ warning

system for tsunamis19. *Twists around an

eye21. *Polar ______23. To boot24. Long, long time25. Communications

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fingers30. Snake, usually35. Porcine fat37. Hawk’s aerie, e.g.39. Japanese animation40. Popular three-layer

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show52. Dog tags, e.g.53. Solomon-like55. H+, e.g.57. *Tornado visual60. Swell64. Japanese-American65. Victorian time, e.g.67. Mountaineer’s tool68. Mountain ridge69. “Swan Lake” steps70. Fossil fuel rock

deposit71. Chipper72. Café alternative73. Christian virtue, pl.

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people in parts of Canada

29. Boundary line31. *Winter bank matter32. Biblical mount33. Make corrections34. The defense _____36. Small town or hamlet38. Test choice42. Designing Calvin45. Local in a college bar49. Black __ event51. Type of sausage54. Slumbered56. Jack Black’s Libre

57. *Lightning can cause this

58. “Breaking Bad”

victim59. Profit60. Facilitate61. Cut the crop62. *Outburst63. Donald and Ivana,

e.g.64. Siesta66. Repeated at rallies

Last week’s solution

Last Week’s Puzzle Solved

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UT softball goes 1-4 at Easton Desert ClassicBy Austin HenrySports Reporter

The University of To-ledo women’s softball team trudged home after last weekend’s University of Nevada-Las Vegas Easton Desert Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. with a 1-4 record to start the spring season.

The Rockets fell to their first two opponents during the three-day event, and they split the second day’s games before losing their final matchup against Se-attle on Sunday.

“It was a long weekend on the road,” said UT interim head coach Kyle Gross. “We know what we must improve on, and we can’t be more excited to get back to it when we return to Toledo.”

The Rockets opened the tournament on Friday against No. 10 Oregon, fall-ing 11-3 to the Ducks after only five innings of play.

Oregon scored seven runs in the first two in-nings alone, while com-pletely shutting UT’s offen-sive game down for the first three innings of play. The Rockets managed only four hits during the game.

“I thought the team played well,” Gross said. “Looking at who we were facing, it was kind of intimidating, but the girls were not affected by it.

“Oregon is a very well-coached team, and they just hit the ball in the right spots. Now we know what to work on.”

The Rockets took a slim 2-1 lead over Utah into the fourth inning of the second game of the day, but they were unable to maintain the cushion. Toledo eventually fell 8-3 against the Utes.

“We took the lead some-what early and [we] had

the momentum,” interim head coach Lane Leedy said. “But as soon as we have one mishap or error, all of that momentum vanishes.”

Freshman second base-man Chandler Rice led her team with three hits against Utah, and senior third baseman Lani Ernst was able to hit one over the fence for a solo home run in the third inning.

But the Rockets left eight runners stranded over the

course of seven innings of play, and their opponents capitalized on that lack of offense.

Toledo’s second day in Sin City didn’t start off any better than the first, as UT fell 9-8 to Cal State North-ridge at the end of a tightly contested game.

The Rockets led 8-4 head-ing into the seventh inning, but they allowed the Mata-dors to score five runs on four hits and three errors.

Sophomore pitcher Marla Gooding allowed only one walk and two earned runs during her time on the mound for Toledo. Her team, however, committed five errors on their way to their third loss of the weekend.

“We are slowly working our way back up,” Gross said. “We are growing as a

team every game. Now we are beginning to play how I know we can.”

Toledo’s first and only victory of the weekend came in their second game on Saturday, where they managed to defeat Utah Valley 3-1.

Freshman pitcher Emily Anderson allowed just two hits, and she fanned nine batters during the Rockets’ victory over the Wolver-ines. Utah Valley managed only one extra base hit in the game.

Toledo scored all three of their runs during the first inning, forcing Anderson to maintain UT’s lead with her pitching.

Sophomore left fielder Jes-sica Lemieux had a multi-hit game, going 2-for-5 and scor-ing a run while stealing two bases from the leadoff spot. Sophomore first baseman Sammy Emery had two hits as well, and an RBI.

UT finished the tourna-ment in the same way they opened it — with a loss. The Rockets fell 4-2 against Seattle on the final day of competition.

The Redhawks scored quickly in the first inning, and they quenched a late Rocket comeback in the sixth.

“Every team has set backs and room for improve-ment,” Gross said. “This weekend really showed us what we must improve upon. We can’t wait to get back to the fundamentals.

“These were our first games of the season, and it’s a long one. We must improve to be able to do better.”

Toledo will return to action on Friday, Feb. 21, in the first day of the Frost Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn.

“It was a long weekend on the road. We know what we must improve on, and we can’t wait to get back to it when we return to Toledo.”

KYLE GROSSUT interim softball coach

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 | The Independent Collegian | 7

COMMUNITYFollow us on Twitter @IC_Arts www.IndependentCollegian.comLike us at Facebook.com/ICollegian

FASHION SHOW

Strutting down the runwayBy Angela PelusoStaff Reporter

Students will be dressing to impress Friday, Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m. for the 45th annual Black Student Union Scholarship Fashion Show.

“It’s a big fashion affair,” said Isis Darks, a fourth-year marketing major and the IC’s fashion editor. “Everyone dresses up, comes, sits and watches the models walk down the runway to music, while pho-tographers take pictures of all the scenes,” Darks said.

The show is being hosted by YouTube sensation and Wild n’ Out star Em-manuel Hudson, who has more than 175 million views on his YouTube channel. This is set to be the first year the fashion show will have a celebrity host.

“I’m expecting this year to be a huge success with Emmanuel Hudson drawing in a crowd,” said Tiffany Fulford, BSU vice president.

According to Hudson’s bio on the Wild n’ Out page, he’s making a cameo in the ABC network series, “Nashville” and the new Rain Forest Film, “The Ride,” starring Kevin Hart and rapper turned actor, Ice Cube.

“We are counting on our students and faculty to come out and support our 45th annual scholarship fashion show and overall enjoy what talent the students have to offer in fashion and academics,” said Kome Esquere a fourth-year health care administra-tion major and BSU public relations director.

“This show isn’t just a tradi-tion for BSU, but a show for students to get involved in a scholarship fashion show,” she added.

All of the show’s profits will go toward the two BSU scholarships, both worth $1,000. They will be awarded at intermis-sion to one male and one female student of African American decent. The students selected must be in good academic and judicial standing and an undergrad of the 2014-2015 school year.

“It’s one of BSU’s longest stand-ing traditions and we wish to

continue its success in giving students the opportunity to

stay in school,” Fulford said.The remainder of the money

will be used for following year’s scholarships.

Darks won the scholarship her freshman year, and now she’s this year’s director of the show.

“I originally just applied for a role as a scene director, but when I found out that I was show di-rector, I was ecstatic,” Darks said. “I was so

geeked because I kind of had a vision and now it’s coming to life.”

She said the inspiration for this year’s Fashion Show, “Color Me Bad,” came from

the 1978 Musical, “The Wiz.” “I love the scene where

Dorothy, the Lion, the Tin-Man and the Scare-crow reach Emerald City and singers and dancers come out dressed entirely in black, then entirely in green, then red, and then gold. I added pink

to the mix,” Darks said. While directing the entire show, she is also

a scene director for the opening scene. Every scene has a different director.

Scene directors put together outfits for their models, which are then responsible for bringing their own, purchasing or bor-rowing the clothes the scene directors chose for them.

Autumn Baker, a first-year communication major, is co-directing the final scene, “Gold.”

“We have about 20 models to work with, but I’m not worried,” Baker said, “I was con-fident when I applied for the scene director position.”

The scene directors chose their own models at model try-outs which were held last semes-ter with a final try-out held this semester during Martin Luther King Jr. week.

Elise Russell, model and a fourth-year business management major, said she had to walk three times for her audition.

“I’m actually getting my clothing out of my closet. I have tons of different styles that I’ll be bringing to the runway,” Russell said.

In the past the fashion show has brought in a crowd of between 400-500 people.

“Students should come to the fashion show to see how much hard work and dedication myself and the rest of the students here at UT put into this show, including the long nights of practices and balancing out work schedules and home-work,” Russell said, “and because someone every year receives a scholar-ship that will encourage students to do better in classes to apply.”

Tickets are on pre-sale in Ask Rocky for $10 general admission and $15 V.I.P. At the door tickets will cost $15 general admission and $20 V.I.P.

V.I.P. tickets allow attendees to have an up close and personal experience with the show, by placing them right next to the runway.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Union Auditorium.

STUDENT ORGANIZATION

Pi Sigma Epsilon receives national recognition By Sohan MuthaStaff Reporter

After achieving the highest rank, gold status, for the second consecutive year, the Epsilon Delta chapter of the Pi Sigma Epsilon professional business fraternity at the Univer-sity of Toledo is in the running to be one of the best in the nation.

“We focus on building young professionals to be ready for the real world, while also com-peting against 61 other chapters,” said Kelsea Kiene, a fourth-year professional sales and marketing major and the national coordinator of Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE).

Manuel Vazquez Ederra, a second-year professional sales and marketing major and the president of PSE, said that they are a co-ed professional sales, marketing and management fraternity that “helps give students structure to their career paths, helping them to better un-derstand themselves where they want to head professionally and we do it all with a family aspect and a strong sense of unity.”

With 93 active members, Ederra said that their chapter has surpassed the gold status requirement and accumulated 42,000 points that were collected through sales projects, social events and philanthropy events.

“Basically it’s like a business and we’re judged on things that a business would be

successful at,” Kiene said. “So that’s recruit-ment, retention, profitability and statistics if we’re growing and so forth and we reached what they call gold status, which is the highest honor in the organization.”

Kiene, said that given their recent successes, their chapter has been asked to help organize the national convention for PSE to be held in Miami from April 8 to April 13.

“I’m extremely honored. I joined three years ago, and at the time we were building and it’s

really beautiful to see it all come together,” Kiene said. “It’s like everyone is on the same level, same page working together bringing innovative ideas for projects, goals, just the energy in the room is beautiful.”

Ethan Barteck, a second-year finance major and the vice president of finance for PSE, said that he is really excited to showcase what they have ac-complished this year at the national convention.

“It’s awesome, it’s really cool to see UT put up there with top schools from across the country,”

Barteck said. “It also helps us encourage our members here on campus and instill confidence that we really aren’t that different from other schools and we can run with the big dogs.”

There are a number of events that are lined up by PSE for their members as well as the general public.

They are partnering with the Office of Rec-reation to host the second annual “UT Bench-Press Competition,” a fundraising event, on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. at the UT Student Recreation Center.

Ederra said that the participants are cat-egorized according to their weight and they compete against each other to see who can lift the most weight per pound.

Students who register before Thursday, Feb. 20 will pay $20 and for any late registra-tions or the general public, a fee of $25 will be charged. Participants get a shirt and a goodie bag and there will be cash prizes for winners.

Cody Sobczak, a third-year human resources major and the vice president of public relations for PSE, said PSE will host a “Sunshine Homes Service Event” where they will spend time with people with developmental disabilities on March 1 and 2 and also on March 15 and 16.

General member meetings are held Tues-days from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Stranahan South Room 131.

COURTESY OF KELSEA KIENEMembers of Pi Sigma Epsilon pose for a group shot. They are a professional business fraternity that deal with professional sales, marketing and management.

Annual Black Student Union scholarship fashion show to model talented students

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8 | The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, February 19, 2014

MORE ONLINE

What color makes you BAD?Neutrals are nice and an easy go-to, but

I can’t live without color. Bright tones give you an extra boost of confidence whether you’re strutting down the runway or down the sidewalk.

In light of the 45th annual Black Stu-dent Union Scholarship Fashion Show, “Color Me Bad,” here are a few ways to find that color that makes you BAD.

Clothing

Like ‘Neons in November’ your pop of color can be a fun maxi or a bright pair of pants. To keep things simpler, take Michael Jackson as an inspiration and cop a colored leather jacket. With fire hydrant red or electric blue, you’ll make a statement without being too extreme.

Jackets and blazers are the staples you’ll need to rock your ego with your head high. They’re interchangeable, so you’ll get the maximum wear out of

the hue you choose to go with. For a chic day look, sport a color blazer and dark denim with heels or calf/thigh high boots. As it gets later in the day, pull out a jacket to stay warm, while giving off an edgier look for the night life.

You can find an array of colored leather jackets at Aliexpress.com, where you’ll find everything from green to pink. As for blazers, don’t be afraid to frequent the young miss section in department stores. Have your pick from the rainbow, and since the clothing is roomier you’ll prob-ably wear a smaller size.

Finish reading this piece online at www.IndependentCollegian.com

ISIS DARKSFASHION EDITOR

IN BRIEF

‘The Old Maid and the Thief’ to be per-formed“The Old Maid and

the Thief” will be per-formed by the Univer-sity of Toledo Opera Ensemble starting Feb. 21 through Feb. 23. It was originally created as a radio opera. The performance opens in the context of the fic-tionalized “NBC Radio Hour.” An old maid and a young one vie for the attentions of a man suspected of being an escaped convict. Both women go to absurd lengths to win his heart, while keeping gossiping neighbors at bay. The performances on Friday and Saturday are at 7:30 p.m., Sun-day at 3 p.m. at Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall. Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for general admis-sions.