The Dreaded Helicopter Parents by Caleb and Rebekah

September 18th-20th: Parents’ Weekend at Ohio University.

Greeting signs and festivities were laid out across the campus, as long separated families finally reunited. Joyous smiles were present on the faces of all on the grounds. Cheers filled the air after each Bobcat touchdown against Southeastern Louisiana. However, as little as four weeks prior, OU was brimming with far different emotions.

August 19th-21st: Move-in days at Ohio University.  

Rather than the splendor of Parents’ Weekend, the campus was adorned with dread and sorrow as parents dropped off their children to their new homes. Generally speaking, the day that a parent has to give up his/her child has long been regarded as an overall stressful (to put it lightly) and emotional day.

Why?

“Because...[your]...whole focus just walked out the door,” Amy Karageorge, an OU alum and mother of a current OU freshman, explains. This is true for nearly all parents; after raising a child for nearly two decades, and then having said child basically exit their lives takes an emotional toll. Thus, it becomes difficult for many parents to cope, resulting in calls, multiple texts, and unending Skype requests.

Some students, understandably, are fine with this arrangement, as the weight of this separation is likewise difficult for their well-being. Similar to the parents’ predicament, being raised for nearly two decades by the same people, and then leaving these people also takes an emotional toll. Obviously, some communication is expected, but when does this cross the line between “We miss you!” to completely overbearing?

While the previously stated line may be difficult to find (and in reality, it may be more accurately described as a gray area), the symptoms of the “overbearing” extreme are easily identifiable; when despite hundreds of miles of distance, the parent never ends their role as a parent. Multiple calls a week or month become multiple times a day. The amount of texting could mirror that of a dating couple. In short, the communication never stops.

However, there are far more bizarre instances on record. Some parents have called the president of the college after their child has had a dispute with his/her roommate. In very rare cases, some parents have even moved near campuses just so they can be closer to their child. This separation anxiety seems to be more typical in parents who (for lack of a better explanation) cannot stop being parents; they cannot handle that their jobs have, more or less, ended. They do not recognize their former role has ended, and it is time for their child to become an adult, but on their own terms.

The emergence of these “helicopter parents,” as they have come to be referred, may be the result of multiple factors. For instance, if the student does not have siblings, his/her parents may be more likely to “hover.” This is more or less so a symptom of a larger factor: “[forgetting] what it was like to have an abundance of time,” as stated by Ken Markovitz (who is the father of an Ohio University freshman). “Before,” Ken continues, “we were so busy with everyone’s schedules...I have to retrain my day to be productive.”

But this new-found time alone is not the sole cause of this phenomenon. Obviously the bond between the parents and their child must be considered. However, the real culprit may be something we’ve grown so accustomed to that we forget to factor it in: modern technology, chiefly, the cell phone.

Cell phones have made it so easy to communicate that a simple text message, given some time, may mature into ten texts, three emails, five missed calls, and a Facetime request. Without their child actually being there, parents have been left with enough gadgets to ensure near constant communication; restoring the presence they would have lost.

Although this may seem to be one of the advantages to the “global village” (made famous by Marshall McLuhan) aspect of modern communication (and in other circumstances, it most certainly is), it doesn’t allow for a healthy separation between parent and child. Moreover, it does not allow for their relationship to change as it should naturally. Furthermore, do to their parents’ over-involvement, some students may not be ready to cope with the stress of the workplace on their own, which in turn may also adversely affect their self esteem and self efficacy.

With the risk of damaging their child’s future, parents should to find some sort of medium between overbearing and enough communication. Parents should not “cut the cord,” so to speak, and leave their new students solely to their own devices. Some communication is necessary and generally welcomed.

There is no “one size fits all” solution to this problem. It requires trial and error and learning from what works and what does not. The solution is different for each family; it’s subjective. It would seem that Mrs. Karageorge has found her own happy medium as she “trie[s] to keep in touch with him,” but “ a lot of it as a parent is letting them sink or swim.”

Parents should not worry for their child’s future successes throughout college. Sure, they will fail from time to time, but they should not be helped by their parents as they were just a few years ago. Parents should not be there to pick them up and kiss their wounds; this is the time in their lives when they must learn to patch them themselves. And given the right amount of distance, most will swim. Just as Mrs. Karageorge states, “we tried to prepare him before.”

“We tried our best with that, and the rest was up to him.”

Freshmen reflect on OHIO's party school atmosphere

For years, Ohio University has been given the reputation of one of the top party schools in the nation.

 

Playboy noted Athens’ infamous HallOUween block party, numerous fests and the 18 bars along Court Street as factors. In addition to our nationally ranked party school, we are home to one of the top journalism schools in the nation.

 

However, when a freshman announces their acceptance, the family’s first response is almost always, “Oh, isn’t that the party school?” Bobcats are always on the defense of our wonderful hOUme.

Freshman Emma Kramer, an Information Design Publication student, said that the party school status did not affect her decision in any way when deciding to come to OU.

“The campus is beyond beautiful, which is probably why everyone came here, but the Scripps school really was the main part,” said Kramer. “Scripps is one of the top ten journalism schools in the country, I knew that it was going to be the perfect program for me. Plus no other schools in this area offered my major.”

Ohio University administration has frequently defended the school’s academics in response to the party rankings. After Princeton Review rated OU as the top party school in 2012, President McDavis responded in a letter to students in faculty.

“This ranking is not indicative of the overall experience of OHIO students and does not match the data we have collected,” said McDavis. “We take seriously our responsibility to help our students succeed in all facets of their experience, including addressing high-risk behavior.”

While students and faculty view the school for much more than the reputation as a major rager school, there are still preconceived notions from outsiders about how much OU parties.

“When I first decided to come to school here some of my friends were a little surprised because I was a good student in high school,” said Freshman Engineering student Maggie Riley. “Since I've been here, I've met some of the smartest people I've ever met. It's not OU's fault, and it's definitely not the only school who has to deal with party-savvy students.”

Similarly, Freshman Journalism student Brett Hanebrink is unphased by others’ opinions of the school. “People can think whatever they want about OU,” said Hanebrink. “It does have a party atmosphere but that doesn’t mean we don’t go to class. Wiz Khalifa once said, ‘Work hard, play hard.’”

Ohio University has historically been ranked in several publications as a top party school. However, the school has not been ranked in Playboy since 2008, when it was rated as the eighth best party school in the nation.

Other publications that rate universities as party schools have also noted Ohio University on their lists for 2015, including the Princeton Review, which ranked OU as #13 in the nation.

"I was scared coming here because of the reputation it had. Once here, I realized there is more to do on the weekends than party, which made me fall in love with OU so much more," said freshman Communication Sciences and Disorders student Emily Krause.

Many freshmen primarily considered the academic programs when choosing to come to Ohio University, and have only fallen in love more now that they have attended for a month, even with the party culture.

“Students party here, but what college campus doesn't? Coming to this school was the best decision I ever made,” said Kramer. “I have completely fallen in love with the people and the environment. I never thought I could love one place so much.”

While students may be looking past the parties and more into the culture and academics, students still pride themselves on beating Miami’s status. Playboy acknowledged the rivalry in their article, saying “Sorry, Miami University, but OU’s year-round antics are hard to trump”.

 

 

 

OU Administration Continues Actions Against Sexual Violence

By Weston Mendez in colloboration with Max McDulin

JFresh News

ATHENS — The message from the administration at Ohio University to its students is to put safety first. As emphasized repeatedly and reflexively, this refers to protecting everyone from and preventing sexual violence across campus. Nationwide sexual assault topics reveal that 1 in 6 women and even 1 in every 33 men fall victim to some type of sexual assault in their lives. At OU, the numbers aren’t much better despite the stressed messages that students hear nearly every day, whether they are a freshman at orientation or an upperclassman who is preparing themself for graduation. 

Sexual assault and similar forms of domestic violence is a commonality anymore in modern society. It is heard all over the news like the instances with Ray Rice, WNBA player Brittney Griner, and most notably, the case involving Bill Cosby. Even common, normal people can be perpetrators and/or victims as was seen in the rape case of the football players at Steubenville High School. It all goes to show how close-to-home sexual violence can be as well as the reality that truly anyone can be at risk to unfortunately be somehow involved in incidences like these. 

The one thing that all of these cases, specifically the accused perpetrators, had in common that is often overlooked is that there was some kind of psychological motive behind their heinous doings. In most cases, the perpetrator can commit violence against their partner, ex-partner, or even a person they tried to involve themselves with previously out of aggravation. Usually, the aggravation is the result of some kind tension that arose between them. The motive could also be lack of control within the perpetrator or possibly a way to try and prove their over their victim. Above all, the most frequently seen motive for sexual violence is when the perpetrator sees an individual who is intoxicated and therefore cannot think clearly about the actions they are taking. In the suspect’s mind, they see a chance to get ahead and find an easy advantage to have sex, whether it is consensual or not. 

It’s clear that it is not the simplest thing to avoid sexual violence. It’s why the message for students at Ohio University is to take as much as caution as possible at all times. Unfortunately, for the victim of any sexual assault situation, once it happens it can never be taken away, no matter how much help may be given after the fact. So the question now becomes “What all can be done to never let it happen?”

For students, the possibilities available to protect themselves are plentiful, and the resources are there to help anyone. The help can come from anyone, whether they are a trained individual from an organizational resource, a close friend, or a quick-thinking stranger in the right place at the right time.

The Ohio University Health Alerts team describes a list of options one can look upon in order to make a preemptive strike before any sexual violence is even thought about. 

A source from the team says “It is important for people to establish and equivalently respect sexual boundaries of others and becoming an ally for others via communication and education can be very helpful as well. When matters turn for the worse, don’t hesitate to call the police.”

Additional pieces of advice go toward those who are outside of a situation that can help the lives of others. Friends of those at potential danger have a chance to prove their friendships in these situations. When their friend becomes noticeably intoxicated, the best thing for them to do is stick close with their friend and divert anyone away that shows signs of trying to make a pass at them. 

Even strangers of those in potential danger can become long-awaited friends. On the OU campus, the anti-sexual violence movement Better Bystanders preaches that anyone who becomes aware of these dangerous situations take some kind of action to be of aid toward those in need. Many tactics can be used to confront or divert potential attackers and steer them away from their next victim that never was. That stranger can change the life of another stranger   by simply just speaking up. 

All of these actions can be the steps to bringing an end to sexual violence college campuses, especially here at Ohio University. The one attitude that is still shared, however, is that many students say they don’t feel safe yet at all times on campus and in town. We can answer to their fears if we can reach out to help them and find the clearest answers to diminish sexual and domestic violence. The student body can make each other feel proud to stand and walk on this campus, but it takes more effort more answers to get it. https://youtu.be/W9R7Ong8bJk

Administration and Ohio University Police Department Optimistic of Their Student Support

By Brian Fogel and In Collaboration with Lauren Fisher

On September 14, Playboy magazine ranked Ohio University as the number one party school in the nation above schools like Miami of Oxford and University of Iowa.

While many students express their pride for attending OU, there is another side to the party scene that is often overlooked and taken for granted. The OU Police Department, which is located at 135 Scott Quad across from the Botanical Research facility, plays a major role in maintaining safety and upholding the law on campus.

With large parties comes alcohol and with alcohol comes dangerous and even illegal behavior, especially for those who are underage. In an email from Chief Andrew Powers sent university-wide, the OUPD cited that there have been nine cases of sexual misconduct or assault since the school year began.

Tuesday September 29, there was the first Campus Conversation about sexual misconduct in the Walter Hall Rotunda. Students, professors and community members were invited to come and discuss the issue of sexual assault and the screening of the film The Hunting Ground at the Athena.

The Post reported that although the Dean of Students Dr. Jenny Hall-Jones and Chief of OUPD Andrew Powers both were involved in a video released by the school talking about sexual assault, members of the Student Union were “outraged” and created a response video which directly addressed the both of them.

PHOTO | BRIAN FOGEL

The Ohio University Police is located in Scott Quad room 135 across from the Botanical Research Facility. 

OUPD was unavailable to comment on any of these issues or the nature of the party scene on campus, but in the video that was put out by the Division of Student Affairs, Hall-Jones and Powers made various statements about what the university and police department stand for.

“Personal crimes, especially sexual assault, are our top concern,” Powers said in the video. “If you report a sexual assault to Ohio University Police, our first priority will be your personal safety and well-being.”

In response to this message as well as other similar sentiments from Hall-Jones, the Student Union published a response video shortly after the original was released. One of the students in the video cited that 11 of the 12 cases reported in 2014 were still unresolved asking why that was. Many other students raised similar questions in direct response to Hall-Jones and Powers.

One thing that the response video did commend was the mention of Title IX, the federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity, saying that both The Hunting Ground and the Administration's video mentioned its importance.  

The official OUPD page states that the department has the main responsibility “for enforcement of criminal laws, all investigations occurring on campus, and issuing timely warning of crimes that pose a threat to students and employees.”

Any other information from the police force is yet to be obtained through the oversight of Lieutenant Ryan, who is the technology administrator of OUPD.

Marching 110 Video

Here is the video that goes along with Allison's story, "In the Making of Making It Better Than the Best Ever - The Marching 110." Enjoy!

Alyssa Murtagh
https://youtu.be/vr4wNjLH9f0

Spending Money as a College Freshman (Katie & Hayley)

_{Court Street at Ohio University is notorious for the spot where 10,000 to 30,000 partygoers gather each year for one of the biggest Halloween block parties in the nation.  People from across the country, including celebrities, arrive in uptown Athens to join college students to have the time of their lives.  Although Court Street is infamous for hosting over eighteen bars and wild parties, it is also the reigning king for the fine food of Athens...including all of the expenses that tag along with it.}

                  _{When taking a stroll down Court Street, what does one notice?  The beautiful red brick roads and an atmosphere of energy make Court Street a go to place for OU students and Athens residents alike.  But look up.  What do you see?  The brightly colored and lit signs of restaurants such as Chipotle, Wendy’s Jimmy John’s, Big Mama’s Burritos, various coffee shops, and many more line Court Street as far as the eye can see.  Most of the customers of these eateries are college students, even though the majority of students at OU have spent thousands of dollars for a yearly meal plan at the on campus dining halls, Boyd, Shively, and Nelson.}

                  _{Amounts ranging from $3,618 to $6,176 are spent by students per academic year for the various meal plans offered at Ohio University.  Students must use their Ohio student ID to “swipe in” to the dining hall for daily meals that cost $6.25 each.  At the end of the week, if there are any “swipes” left over, a student can spend that money in a dining hall market, which is similar to a small grocery store.  However, when taking a closer look at the price of food in the markets, maybe dining on Court Street does not seem so expensive at all.  While browsing the aisles of Boyd Market, strawberries cost $6.50, Oreos cost a jaw-dropping $6.89, and a small case of water costs $5.00.  Compared to the standard grocery store price of these items, Ohio University’s markets boast food items that are extremely overpriced for students.}

                  _{So what is a broke college student to do?  Spend almost $15.00 on Oreos with prepaid money or buy that $10.00, mouth-watering burrito from Chipotle with out-of-pocket cash?  The answer to this question ultimately lies within the judgment of the student.  However, students must take caution: Whether they are spending money from a meal plan, a debit card, or personal cash, money, as we sometimes forget to realize, does not grow on trees.}

                  _{One student, who wishes to remain anonymous, says she spent $3,000 within the first three weeks of being a student at OU simply buying food with her own money from various restaurants and food outlets off campus.  This student now has a negative balance in her bank account, and is frantic about what to do with her financial situation.  She says, “I know my case is extreme, but it goes to show how careful you have to be with your money when you come to college.  I literally spent $1,000 a week within the first three weeks of school just because I bought coffee, drinks, and food from restaurants and coffee shops.  Now, I don’t have a choice of where I want to spend my money.  The dining hall is my only option, and my parents are going to kill me.” Although most people would be appalled at the thought of carelessly spending thousands of dollars on food within such a short period of time, this student’s circumstance demonstrates that it is possible to get caught up in a nasty financial situation that is difficult to climb out of.}

                  _{As an incoming freshman at OU myself, I have experienced the difficulties of trying to save, earn, and manage money wisely.  Whether food or material items are the object of spending, one point is clear: If one is careless with his or her spending habits, debt could become inevitable.  The college experience at Ohio University is meant for students to learn, grow, prosper, and make friendships with others that will last a lifetime.  The college experience is not meant to drag students down a dark hole of financial ruin and stress.  So, the choice is up to the student.  Is that Chipotle burrito really worth the cost?} 

                 

                  _{By: Katie Sweitzer}

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEhYQEBNNls&feature=youtu.be

In the making of making it better than the best ever – The Marching 110

 Above and below: The Marching 110 practices one of their tunes on Friday evening before the game against Southeast Louisiana. Above, the students must make sure their steps are the proper height and direction. Below the members dance in place while still ensuring their volume and tone are up to par.

Above Field Commander, Dylan Chase, counts off the band for their marching warm-up.

Photos taken by Allison Cook

Allison Cook and Alyssa Murtagh

JFresh Reporters

     “1!” “2!” “3!” the drums begin their count off in the end zone as the announcer brings the gathering crowd’s attention to the field. It’s only pregame and the crowd is already going nuts.

     The Marching 110 is Ohio University’s own marching band, performing not only at the college’s home games but also at professional football games, a high school game and even at a festival. But how and when did the band begin? And how does roughly 245 students put on a performance so well?

     The Ohio University Marching Band (OUMB) was founded in 1923.

     “In 1923, a Ohio University student by the name of Homer Baird decided that Ohio University needed a marching band of its own,” according to www.ohio.edu/marching110.

     From there Baird organized a meeting and the band began to take shape. Raymond Connet, a local music teacher, became the OUMB’s first director, and the band consisted of about 30 students.

     Curt Jansen became the band’s director in 1927 when he arranged OU’s Alma Mater.

     In 1950 the band became female-only since most of the men were off fighting in the Korean War.

     In 1966 Gene Thrailkill took over.

     According to www.marching110.com, “when Gene Thrailkill came from the University of Michigan, [he] began what was to be the biggest change ever in the Ohio University Marching Band.”

     It was Thrailkill that made the OUMB a men’s only band. He also “introduced the hard-driving, high-energy style you see today” according to www.ohio.edu/marching110.

     It was during the first season of this change that the band became known as the “100 Marching Men of Ohio.”

     The ‘60s brought many other changes and additions including OU’s Fight Song and the introduction of the Alma Mater.

     1975 was another big year of change for the 110 Marching Men of Ohio. It was this year that director Ronald P. Socciarelli readmitted females into the band. Despite this change the band retained the name “Marching 110.”

     Today the band is under the direction of Director Richard Suk, Assistant Director Joshua Boyer, Andrew Trachsel, the Director of Bands, and Graduate Assistants: Jeremy Harman and Justin Kevan.

     Below the directors, the band is well structured and organized. At the top of the students is the Field Commander.

     This year senior, trombone player Dylan Chase holds this top position. He has been playing trombone since 6^th grade and is now a music major. A part from the 110, Chase is part of a Brass Quintet known as Brick City Brass and is a part of a band fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi.

     As Field Commander, Chase had the opportunity to talk to the incoming band members and teach them everything they need to know to be a part of the 110. He also oversees the band and calls the band to attention at the beginning of each rehearsal.

     “I am also […] in charge of morale and pushing the band to be better. I’m in charge of our fundamental marching style and just the success of the band” Chase said.

     Under the Field Commander there are three Dance Coordinators, Ryan Andrews – who is the captain and Chase’s second in command, EmmyRay Watson, and Matt Figeeda. Below the Coordinators are the 2 sets of section leaders for each section: roughly 2 music and 2 marching leaders. These section leaders are in charge of the 2 biggest components of marching band – sound and sight.

     The music leaders are in charge of the sound component of the band. From making sure their section has all the music for the upcoming performance memorized to helping individuals who are struggling to learn the pieces.

      That leaves the marching leaders to be in charge of the visual of the band. They have to make sure their section is marching correctly and that all the uniforms look sharp.

     The student positions mentioned above are a part of the teaching staff. All of these leaders must be at least a third year in the band.

     Under the teaching positions the band is broken down into squads. Each squad consists of four members with one being the leader.

     “We are very supportive of each other” Chase said.

     The squad isn’t the only support component of the band.

     Chase said, “In this band, we’re all a family. There’s [roughly] 249 members, about 60 first years and about nine sections, but it all comes down to one band. I just love all the people [in the band].”

     But the support group isn’t the only thing that makes the band so strong. The band’s motto this year has been, according to Chase, “Make it better than the best ever.”

    “It’s not about comparing yourself to other bands or to other members” Chase said. “It’s about making it your personal best.”

Gluten-Allergies: The Struggle

Gluten-free diets have seemingly become a fad in the past few years across the nation. This is a problem for those with real and very serious gluten-free allergies, the most dangerous being Celiac Disease (CD) and still serious but not as life threatening, non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). Celiac Disease affects a little less than 1% of the American population.

As college students transition from home life to campus life there are dozens of situations that they must adjust to and for those with CD or NCGS the transition can be even more difficult. Meals are prepared for them out of sight and they must put their trust in labels that assure them the food they are about to consume is free of any gluten products.

Maddie Capron, a freshman majoring in Journalism at Ohio University, has been experiencing the difficulties of dealing with a gluten allergy for the past year. Since becoming a college student she has experienced several difficulties in dealing with her gluten allergy, some that would not cross many people’s minds.

“Events that say ‘Free Pizza’ no longer appeal to me,” said Capron

Capron points out something that many friends and family of people with CD or NCGS often experience. For someone with a gluten-allergy, events about or surrounding food are always a concern because they have to make sure wherever they are going will serve food that they are able to eat.

However, for the friends, coworkers, teammates, or even family members of the affected person this may be the last thing on their minds when going out to a restaurant or hosting a party. This is what Capron is pointing out when she says that one of the difficulties in dealing with the allergy at college is “being around people and being social about it.”

It can be frustrating and even embarrassing to point out constantly to one’s friends that you can’t order anything from that pizza place or you can’t go to that specific restaurant because they don’t have much, if any, gluten free options.

When asked if there were any foods people would be surprised contained gluten Capron quickly rattled off a few.

“Anything can have gluten in it, you just have to check,” Capron said. “Cheeses, lunch meats, sauces...salad dressings, anything.”

With gluten appearing in what seems like any and all foods, an important question arrises. What is gluten?

According to the website Gluten-Free Survival Guide, “gluten is a protein. It is mostly found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye, however it can also be found in certain hybrids of these grains.”

The site also defines what it means to be gluten-free, “The Food and Drug Administration defines gluten-free as any food that contains gluten in no more than 20 parts per million.This is the lowest amount of gluten in foods that can be found using valid scientific methods, and the majority of people with celiac disease can handle foods with under 20 parts per million.”

When transitioning to dining hall prepared meals it can be nerve-wracking for students with gluten allergies to understand what they can and cannot eat. Thankfully, at Ohio University Culinary Services they have come up with labels for their dishes that notify those with gluten allergies what foods to eat and what foods to avoid.

The symbol on the right labeled gluten indicates that a food item or dish in an OU dining hall does not contain gluten. Similarly a picture of wheat without the line through it would indicate that the food item or dish does contain gluten.

Capron finds these labels very helpful and when asked said that she does have a favorite dining hall on campus.

“Nelson,” Capron said. “All of their foods are really clearly marked with the symbols and its much easier for me to go there than some of the other dining halls, but they’re all pretty good about [gluten-free options].”

In addition to clearly labeling their foods, Culinary Services recently unveiled ‘Margaret’s Kitchen’ in the newly renovated Boyd Dining Hall. Margaret’s Kitchen is able to prepare food for those students with gluten allergies as well as students that may have a peanut or dairy allergy.

When asked if she thought there was a stigma surrounding people that have to eat gluten-free and those who choose to eat gluten-free because of the supposed ‘health benefits,’ Capron believes that there is one, but that it is slowly starting to fade.

“There can be a stigma attached to it,” Capron said. “I think that’s really changing now though because more and more people are being diagnosed with gluten allergies and Celiac Disease.”

Gluten-Free Options at Ohio University

By Hannah Glass and Kate Ansel

A video story about the gluten-free options at Boyd Dining Hall on Ohio University's Athens campus.