MULTIMEDIA

AAUW Fellowship Application Workshop to be Held at Women’s Center

Close to one year ago, Rashmi Sharma attended a Women’s Center Brown Bag Lunch and Learn conducted by Director of Grant Development and Projects in the Graduate College at Ohio University, Roxanne Male-Brune.The second-year doctorate student did not believe Male-Brune’s session about the American Association of University Women Fellowship would be of benefit to her, but budding curiosity about the organization drove her to find out more.Sharma now stands as a recipient of AAUW’s International Fellowship for the 2014-2015 year.On Thursday, the Women’s Center will collaborate with the Graduate College in hosting their second brown bag discussion entitled “How to Write a Competitive AAUW Fellowship Application,” guided by Male-Brune. AAUW is a non-profit organization that awards grants and fellowships to women pursuing graduate studies that advocate women or are involved in activities that promote women.Male-Brune will introduce the women to “Pivot”: an online search engine that allows students to discover worldwide funding opportunities to conduct their research.She also plans to discuss the requirements and guidelines for AAUW applications, as well as how to interpret the questions and prompts to write compelling responses worthy of selection. The application process was initially overwhelming, Sharma said. Along with writing numerous essays and a proposal, applicants need documents from the university, different departments and academic advisors all in a timely fashion.“You need somebody who is persistent with you, who is following up with you the whole time,” said Sharma.For Sharma, Male-Brune acted as her mentor and motivator to complete the tedious application.Male-Brune hopes that Sharma’s success will inspire other women to realize that winning the award is possible.“Not only will (potential applicants) see the opportunities and success, but they’ll see that they’re not alone and that there (are) resources that we provide that make the process easier,” said Male-Brune.Students interested in any kind of funding are encouraged to attend, including undergrads that might be applying to study or intern abroad.“Even if you don't end up writing the application for these fellowships, I'm sure Roxanne is going to have some great tips and tricks to make your application stand out, and that's something that's going to hold someone in stead for many years to come,” said Sarah Jenkins, program coordinator for the Women’s Center and LGBT Center.@katekevvvkk940213@ohio.edu

Marzec: OUPD to search bags at senate meeting tonight

Ohio University Police Department will be searching all bags before tonight’s senate meeting at 7:15 p.m., according to Student Senate President Megan Marzec.

OU to build $5.5 million 'academic center' at Peden

Ohio Athletics announces academic center fundraising campaign.

In The Know With Meg O: Libraries not on the outs in the States

A Pew Research study published this week reports that libraries are not, in fact, dying.The study finds that Millennials are just as likely to have visited a library in the past year as their older counterparts and, additionally, are more likely to have visited a library’s website.The study also reports that how Americans use libraries is just one part of a broader social view. According to the report, “As a rule, people who have extensive economic, social, technological and cultural resources are also more likely to use and value libraries as part of those networks. Many of those who are less engaged with public libraries tend to have lower levels of technology use, fewer ties to their neighbors, lower feelings of personal efficacy and less engagement with other cultural activities.”In short, those who go to the library may be more engaged and involved citizens.While I am happy to read these findings, I’m pretty shocked.When I was younger, I went to the library every week to check out books and movies (and to sneak a peek at People Magazine … I was such a rebel), but I rarely have gone since I got a Kindle for my 17th birthday.I am an independent bookstore’s least favorite person. While I used to be an avid bookstore-goer (though it wasn’t independent, I cried actual tears in high school when the Borders by my house announced they were going out of business), when I got a Kindle, I just didn’t go anymore.However, my mom goes to the library almost once a week and just picks up a book that looks interesting to her. I haven’t done that in years. I figure that I should be up to date on bestsellers if I want to talk to any of my peers about a book we read for pleasure.I love being recommended a book, reaching into my backpack, typing it in and clicking pay. I could start reading a book days earlier than I used to, but I totally bought into the instant gratification that Amazon and other e-reader services provided, even though I was aware that it was being criticized as consumer censorship.So here is a shameless plug: visit your local library if you go home this weekend, and if not, stop by the Athens Community Library and pick out a book that looks interesting, not just the current number one book on Amazon. Apparently, that will make us a whole lot more engaged with the world around us.

Senate to aim for greater student involvement

In the midst of political unrest, Ohio University Student Senate will continue its work as a functioning body, revisiting last week’s tabled resolutions and voting on two new resolutions to staff the Accountability and Student Worker committees. 

A conversation with the mayor: from Marzec to bananas

Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl speaks with The Post in an open-ended interview.

Post Streeview

Nowstalgia: “Pokemon” encompasses everything a young child could ask for

Last week, I mentioned some of the most popular voices in the 90’s cartoon world. This week, I am selecting certain shows done by each voice actor (or actress) to reminisce upon.

Proposed student code of conduct changes are minor

New code will be easier for students to understand, OU -officials say 

Marzec did not ask for police presence

Though some speculated that Student Senate President Megan Marzec asked for police presence at last weeks senate meeting, which led to four arrests, OUPD said they arrived on their own accord

County to raise health care premiums for employees

Athens County will see a 10 percent hike in its health care premiums, affecting 292 county employees

Red, Blue & You: America needs to counter ISIS terror group

“Mission Accomplished,” were the words hanging behind President George W. Bush on the USS Abraham Lincoln when he gave his infamous speech in 2003 announcing that, “major combat operations in Iraq have ended.”What seemed to be the end of conflict in Iraq turned out to be nothing more than a 10-year pause when a new terror group started to gain power in the country.The new threat to peace in Iraq is known as ISIS (The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) or ISIL (The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant).ISIS is an extremist terror group that aims to turn Iraq and the Levant (a region consisting of Lebanon, Syria and Palestine) into an Islamic state. The group was formed by Abu Ayyub al-Masri who had ties to Al-Qaeda. al-Masri was killed in 2010 and was replaced by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who leads ISIS today.The group started gaining attention in June, when they gained control of Mosul, Nineveh, an Iraqi province and Tikrit, another city in Iraq. Since then, ISIS has declared an Islamic State in both Iraq and Syria.Although the group’s acts in June did earn some national attention, nothing earned more of a response than the Aug. 19 video released by ISIS showing the execution of American journalist James Foley.The man who executes Foley in the video says that American journalist Steven Sotloff is also being held captive and will be decapitated if U.S. airstrikes continue. ISIS followed through with their promise Sept. 2 when they posted the video. Afterward, ISIS made another threat to British aid worker David Haines.On Sept. 10, President Obama gave a speech regarding what America’s plans were in handling ISIS. He said, “Our objective is clear: We will degrade, and ultimately destroy, ISIL through a comprehensive and sustained counter-terrorism strategy.”This had no impact on the terror group, who just three days after Obama’s comments, released a video showing the decapitation of Haines.Everyone can agree that something needs to be done to destroy ISIS and provide payback for the vicious acts they have done over the past several months. The only problem is that not many Americans think President Obama can get the job done.According to an NBC News poll, “70 percent of Americans say they lack confidence that the U.S. will achieve its goals in fighting the terrorist group ISIS.”There’s good reason to be skeptical about America’s ability to handle conflict in the Middle East — America has a less than stellar track record in dealing with the problems in the Middle East.We already know how things went in Iraq, and the war in Afghanistan seems to be heading in the same direction with a fear that the country will fall back into extremist control once the U.S. removes all troops in the coming years.The list goes on and on with examples of American intervention in the Middle East with what seems to be no real results or solutions to the problem. Acting as the world police in the Middle East is like playing a cruel game of whack-a-mole — just when it seems one problem is solved, another one pops up.It’s important to realize that the U.S. as a whole, not just President Obama, has had trouble dealing with conflict in the Middle East in the past.These failures should not scare us away from acting on a threat that would affect the safety of Americans and others across the world. The possibility of yet another terrorist attack on American soil may seem premature to worry about, but there is no telling what ISIS is willing to do in order to get their point across.But one thing is for certain. Whatever President Obama and the U.S. government decides to do regarding this new terror threat, the country, as a whole needs to understand that any form of action is a step in the right direction.

Letter: Campus is unsafe due to Marzec

To the President of Ohio University, and staff therein:I am the parent of a current sophomore at Ohio University. Until recent events, I was a proud parent with a very happy, involved pre-med daughter who loved her school. Now, I am deeply upset to find she questions her personal safety and no longer feels represented by the Student Senate president in a place she now calls home.I am compelled to speak up as a parent, as a Jewish person and as someone who values the rights of all people -— not just those in places of power.As you have heard repeatedly from parents, lawmakers, students and observers, I too am appalled by the actions of your Student Senate president. Megan Marzec has embarrassed the university on a national, perhaps even international, level. Of this, there is no question. Her abhorrent, inappropriate and vicious video made far more of a statement than perhaps she intended.That she does not understand this is clear; she has made no apology for any portion of her behavior and in fact chooses to continue to use her position to forward her personal beliefs.While the discussions about Israel and Palestine are timely and certainly of interest to many, the issue for Ohio University needs to be immediately refocused back to the REAL problem at hand which is not the misguided and factually incorrect BDS movement and not Israel vs. Palestine. The problem at Ohio University right now is that the elected Student Senate president openly abused her power and position by pushing her personal agenda while clearly identifying as the president, which tacitly suggests support of the students of the university at large. She no longer represents the student body; she represents herself.The students elected her to represent all of them, and with that appointment came great responsibility, responsibility to lead even those with whom she may disagree. Having chosen to state in her repugnant video that she was performing this act in her position as president, in response to a challenge from the university president and later arriving at Student Senate meetings clearly focused on her personal agenda (by wearing personal political buttons in her stead as president) is reason alone for her to be removed from a position she clearly is not capable of holding or understanding.It is further incredibly disturbing to me that Ohio University professors, in whose classrooms my daughter may one day need to sit, attended a student meeting and screamed violent epithets at their very own students. The particular professor from the School of Film without a doubt should receive a reprimand for this unbelievable behavior — I am astounded Ohio University supports its educators behaving in such a manner toward the student body it is supposed to educate, train and nurture.The arrests of the four students at the Student Senate meeting (and only those four students, despite loud, angry and violent behavior from far more than those four) sends a frightening message about who can and who cannot speak freely at Ohio University and that apparently Megan Marzec believes free speech holds for her but not those who disagree with her.Freedom of speech is frequently misquoted, misunderstood and used conveniently by those who insist on being heard but do not wish to be confronted. It is well noted that in Whitney v. California, the court found, “If there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the processes of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence.”Perhaps, Ms. Marzec was aware that if the other side was allowed to speak freely, she would be shown to be racist, narrow-minded and uneducated and without any ability for forethought to her actions. It is a good thing Megan Marzec is in college. She would well benefit from taking a few courses in government, history and public relations, for starters. Then perhaps she can revisit running for an office that represents a variety of people with interests other than her own.She also might want to consider apologizing to all those with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and their charity foundation at large, for such an ugly hijacking of a worthy cause for her own purposes is without excuse. I am sure Dr. McDavis did not intend for his well-intended challenge on behalf of ALS to be abused in such a horrible manner, but because he issued the challenge, it connects her act to the Office of the President as well.I hope Ohio University does the right thing in this matter and removes Megan Marzec as president of the Student Senate. She is not upholding the office to which she was elected and does not understand her responsibilities therein. My daughter and the students at large deserve a president who represents them all, and does so with respect for all.  Elizabeth Gloger is a parent of an Ohio University student.

OU's diversity widens as Urban Scholars program falters

In 2005 President Roderick McDavis welcomed the first class of Urban Scholars, which had 12 students, as a part of his effort to increase diversity on campus. Today there is a total of four Urban Scholars.

Hogan brings experience, perspective

New coach aims to help the Bobcats make next step toward national title

Athens city residents subject of phone scam

Two Athens residents notified city authorities Monday that they had a shady telephone conversation with someone claiming to be a bill collector.

Editorial: Yik Yak: Don’t use to abuse

As The Post reported yesterday, the newly-popularized Yik Yak mobile application offers Ohio University students — and many others across the nation — the chance to anonymously post whatever they please in an easy-to-use, hyperlocal app.With more than 3,400 users on campus, the idea clearly resonates with OU students.While we take no issue with the idea of students being able to post their thoughts without having to think twice about job prospects or lurking parents, the seemingly harmless app can have a dark side.Being able to post whatever you desire without having to attach your name is a lot of power, and it has led to criminal charges and cyberbullying complaints elsewhere, our reporting uncovered.A quick scroll through the app Tuesday evening led us to derogatory posts about students, in some cases using their full names. Other posts are highly sexualized, racist or just downright mean.Such posts might be written in jest — or with good intentions — but there are some that cross the line. There’s nothing wrong with good, clean fun, but it’s not cool to use anonymity to bully and degrade others.Simply put: There is no need to be attacking our fellow Bobcats. If you feel the need to tear another student or faculty member down, settle the score face-to-face, or at the very least do it on a forum with your name attached.Don’t ruin a good outlet by flooding it with hate. We’re better than that.Yak away, Bobcats. Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Post’s executive editors.

MTV Comedians to bring the laughs at OU

Get ready to laugh, Bobcats. As part of Ohio University’s Performing Arts and Concert Series, comedians from MTV’s hit shows “Girl Code” and “Guy Code” will perform at the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium at 8 p.m. on Wednesday.“Girl Code” and “Guy Code” are successful shows airing on MTV and MTV2 that compare gender differences through humor. The comedians appearing for the show are Carly Aquilino, Jamie Lee and special guest comic Jermaine Fowler.“We thought these comedians would be a good fit because they address topics that college kids know,” said Brian Heilmeier, the assistant director of student activities for the Campus Involvement Center.Heilmeier said it will be a show that students at OU will be able to relate with.“Girl Code/Guy Code is a relatively new show, so we knew people would recognize the name,” Heilmeier said. “I just think that’s the best type of comedy, the stuff you can relate to. Their jokes pertain to students, and based on a few videos I’ve seen of them, it’s guaranteed to be not only funny, but relatable too.”Carly Aquilino is a standup comedian from New York City. She has experienced a meteoric rise in the NY comedy scene, performing at popular clubs such as Gotham Comedy Club and has also been featured on Sirius XM radio.Jaime Lee has also done work on MTV’s “Failosophy” and will appear on the upcoming season of “Money From Strangers.” She has recently performed on “Conan” and gained recognition from the publications Splitsider and The Huffington Post as one of the “Top 18 Women You Should Follow.”Jermaine Fowler is a young comedian with a prodigious résumé, having appeared in The New York Post’s “50 Funniest Jokes” alongside many notable legends. He has done work with Comedy Central, ABC and NBC as well as performing at comedy festivals, having attained numerous accolades including the Rooftop Comedy Silver Nail award from the Aspen Rooftop Comedy Festival.These comics promise to appeal to a youthful demographic by showing the funnier side of everyday life, with topics that range from dating to the differences between how women and men get ready to go out for a night on the town.“I’m excited to go see this,” said Beth Heidemann, an OU student studying nursing. “The TV show is extremely applicable to young adults. Based on their television personalities, I know the standup will be even more hilarious. Honestly, I just expect it to be funny as hell.”sn002310@ohio.edu

Emmy nominated cinematographer and film student develop meaningful friendship

With thousands of miles between them, George Mooradian, the five-time Emmy-nominated cinematographer and 1971 Division of Film alum, and Wenting Deng, a second-year MFA student, formed a bond spanning from Los Angeles to Athens.

Author to discuss “Liberalism and Racial Justice” at Athena Cinema

The subject of race is not going away anytime soon, and writer Charles W. Mills tells us there’s a reason for that.