ESTABLISH 1826 — OLDEST COLLEGE NEWSPAPER WEST OF THE ALLEGHENIES
Miami University — Oxford, Ohio
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2018
Volume 147 No. 8
MU EMPLOYEE PLEA HEARING POSTPONED AUDREY DAVIS
MANAGING EDITOR
NEAL KATYAL AND ANA NAVARRO LARGELY AGREED ON THE ROLE OF THE SUPREME COURT IN TODAY’S FRACTURED POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT PHOTO EDITOR JUGAL JAIN
Janus Forum discussed, rather than debated, the Supreme Court is required for proving allegations and the appropriate timing for victims to come forward. Those on the left criticized Kavanaugh’s temper, partisanship and public disrespect for a woman he knew in high school. Those on the right argued he was “innocent until proven guilty,” and a last-minute FBI investigation failed to allay concerns about the integrity of the nominee. Katyal and Navarro met in Wilks Theatre on Wednesday, Oct. 21 to debate this semester’s topic, “On the Docket: The Supreme Court and the Future of American Democracy.” Considering the speakers’ proximity to
BEN DEETER STAFF WRITER
The national fight over Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court set a timely stage for this semester’s Janus Forum. The event brought Supreme Court lawyer and self-described “extreme centrist” Neal Katyal and former Republican strategist Ana Navarro to Miami University’s campus for political debate and discussion. The recent battle over a seat on the highest court in the United States highlighted national divides around sexual assault, splitting the country on how much evidence
one another on the political spectrum, the two had little to debate. Navarro even asked the audience, “Did you come here for a debate? Because if you did, we’re about to dance a waltz.” “Sometimes debate is what we need,” forum moderator Emily Tatum, a senior political science and international studies double major, said. “But other times, it’s nice to have a discussion where there’s a lot of agreement. It all depends where the speakers take it.” Navarro attributed the lack of debate to similarities she and Katyal have in their view of the court.
HAMILTON, OH—Brandon Levi Gilbert, 21, appeared at the Butler County Court of Common Pleas for a plea hearing Wednesday, Oct. 18 after being indicted on five counts of sexual assault charges, including a first degree felony for the rape of a female Miami University student. However, Judge Gregory Howard rescheduled the hearing for Nov. 14 to give more time to the prosecution to examine the discovery package. “I would say the discovery is pretty voluminous,” Assistant Butler County Prosecutor Kelly Heile said. “And I’m still waiting on medical records.” Additionally, Gilbert’s lawyer, criminal defense attorney Wayne Staton, requested that Gilbert be allowed to walk him through the route where the alleged incident occurred. Specific conditions listed in Gilbert’s pretrial release state that he is not permitted to go to Oxford without permission and must stay away from both the victim and Miami University. Staton also requested that Gilbert have permission to talk to a witness who is a Miami employee. Heile did not object to the terms, so long as Gilbert stays off Miami’s campus and alerts Heile when they will be walking the route. Howard acknowledged that Gilbert has been following all of the conditions established in his pretrial release and agreed to both of Staton’s requests as long as Gilbert continues to meet those requirements. Gilbert has worked for Miami since April 2017 and is still suspended without pay from the university, Senior VP for Finance and Business Services David Creamer, wrote in a letter to Gilbert obtained from his personnel file. Check back to miamistudent.net for further updates and information regarding this story. davisa10@miamioh.edu
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ARENA
Al Oliver III: Art Imitates Life Imitates Art MEGAN BURTIS THE MIAMI STUDENT
Whether it’s his seventh grade production of “Annie” or playing Sweeney Todd at Miami, Al Oliver III loves theatre. As a theatre major with a musical theatre minor and acting workshop chair of Stage Left, theatre practically consumes his life. “I just wanted to do as much as I could,” Al said of his first theatre experience, the aforementioned production of “Annie.” At first glance, you wouldn’t imagine a colorful character like Al — with his high-waisted shorts and bubble-gum pink, mermaid-shell crop top — would be the mastermind behind Stage Left’s turn to the dark side. The dark side of musical theatre, that is. November 8-10, Stage Left will be putting on a production of “Bare: A Pop Opera,” a show that surrounds a young, gay couple and their classmates at a Catholic high school who face a variety of obstacles. “Bare,” in Al’s words, is “truly tragic.” Al describes the show as a “serious mood shift, especially from last year,” referring to productions like “Cry Baby” and “Bend, Tear, and Spindle” which were grounded in comedy, as many other previous Stage Left pro-
OLIVER IS THE SUNNY SIDE OF STAGE LEFT’S DARK SIDE THE MIAMI STUDENT SEBASTIAN NEUFUSS
ductions have been. To this, Al responded, “It can be good to change things up, and it’s good for audiences who are familiar with the ‘fun stuff’ to see.” Not only does this show portray darkness and tragedy, it is grounded in reality.
“I saw myself in this show,” Al said. “The words, they were singing — those are things I said to myself in high school.” After speaking with friends about coming out and how that fit into his family’s religious beliefs, a friend told him this show was what
he needed. Al had previous interest in directing, but had such a personal connection to this show that he knew he had to direct it. For Al, the importance of this show goes beyond himself. “Having had such a personal connection, I want the actors to find how they fit into this story,” Al said. The show deals with high-stakes issues like reconciling one’s sexuality with religion or teenage pregnancy, as well as more universal struggles, like insecurity in one’s appearance or how to communicate with your parents. “Every character is struggling and these are relatable struggles,” Al said. “Every story is important.” Like many theater-goers, students may be looking for an escape in this show, but they will actually be entering a story much closer to home. Al hopes the show provides “catharsis” for the audience, and that “they can connect to these characters and experience an emotional release.” burtismg@miamioh.edu
This Issue A trail for everyone
The world on a plate
Three Valley Conservation Trust makes nature accessible to all.
Night in India serves up new dishes and cultural experiences .
page 3
page 5
Shoot straight
Twice the heartbreak in 2OT
Tell it like it is, because concise communication is key.
“I’m pretty damn proud to be part of the game.”
page 10
page 8
Fake news Real laughs humor on pages 6 & 7