THE INdependent student news organization at the university of cincinnati
Vol. CXXVIV Issue 3
monday , sept . 28, 2009 it’s good to be hot Students take advantage of an early move-in date page 3
midpoint music fest Cincinnati hears a revival in the local music scene page 7
whiteout win Bearcats hold off Fresno State in Saturday’s game page 8
NightWalk not running to standards Lack of volunteers compromise dependability of program Hannah Hasson the news record
The University of Cincinnati’s doorto-door shuttle system, NightWalk, is struggling to meet student needs and expectations because it lacks volunteers. Last year, NightWalk averaged 35 to 45 pickups per night on the weekends. This year, NightWalk wants to increase these numbers and its effectiveness as a reliable service. NightWalk provides safe means for students to get around, but still has room for improvement, said Douglas Barge, UC police specialist. “When it ran, I think it was very successful,” Barge said of last
year’s NightWalk. As a student-run program, NightWalk is focused on student, faculty and staff safety, providing door-to-door transportation around the university. With one phone call, members of the UC community can be taken to and from destinations surrounding the UC area from 8 p.m. to midnight, Sunday through Wednesday, and 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., Thursday to Saturday. One problem NightWalk experienced last year was a shortage of volunteers, which made it difficult to respond to the incoming calls. With one person serving as a dispatch and two people in a van, NightWalk struggled, Barge said. “Last year was kind of an off year,”
Barge said. “We were lucky to get one van out.” With a lack of volunteers, students taking advantage of the free shuttle service may sometimes experience a much longer wait on busy nights. It was a long wait one night for Laura Bergmann, a third-year early childhood education student, when she called NightWalk for a ride across campus. “By the time they got there, I could have walked to where I was going,” Bergmann said. “But if I was going somewhere far, I would have to use it again.” Of last year’s 350 scheduled NightWalk shifts, 22 were cancelled. Inclement see NIGHTWALK | page 2
Source: NightWalk
Nightwalk’s services, operated by volunteers, encompass more than just the UC area.
Campus Antiwar Word Would you ever volunteer for NightWalk? STREET on the Network joins G20 protestors Gin a. Ando the news record
Members of the University of Cincinnati’s chapter of the Campus Antiwar Network joined protests in Pittsburgh as the Group of 20 summit began last weekend. The latest meeting marked the third G20 gathering in 2009. Although officially scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 24, local law enforcement and businesses began preparing for the marches earlier in the week. Despite various depictions of anarchy throughout the city’s streets, the protests were mostly peaceful, said Sarah Jaine Szekeresh, a recent alumna of UC and member of CAN, who made the trip. “The [news] coverage is making police presence seem valid,” Szekeresh said. “Full riot gear, riding with shotguns on their laps.” Protesters gathered in the streets and claimed the G20 was suppressing developing countries’ ability to grow economically and siphoning money from producers of raw materials. “These are countries brought together to coordinate economic activity,” Erhardt said. “It included the World Bank and [International Monetary Fund].” Law enforcement stood shoulderto-shoulder, creating a wall along the downtown streets. The march took them to a low-income neighborhood and a rally near public housing and the presence of officers changed drastically, Szekeresh said. “There was nothing [in the neighborhood],” said Drew Goebel, a second-year education student at Cincinnati State and member of CAN. “Nothing at all.” The G20 is responsible for approximately 80 percent of international gross domestic product and approximately 80 percent of world trade. At the most recent summit, though, the group verbally agreed to support changes in the makeup of the World Bank and IMF, Erhardt said. In an attempt to stunt any further decline in the world economy, the G20 also agreed to keep bank interest rates low and continue with the usage of stimulus packages. “I remember when I was doing my see G20 | page 2
“No. I don’t like staying out that late for a job.” Tia Moore, second-year elementary education student
Hey! Wait for me!
UC*Metro contract extended
Justin Tepe | the news record
Metro bus passes for UC students are now $40 per quarter and $120 per quarter for faculty.
Economy justifies increased cost Sara Maratta the news record
weather
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index
1 News 3 College Living 5 Entertainment 7 Classifieds 8 Sports brief
Skellarpalooza Mon., Sept. 28 to Fri., Oct. 2. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. where Tangeman University Center
The University of Cincinnati and Metro agreed to a contract extension for the UC*Metro partnership. The contract is set to run through September 2010 and comes with visible changes in prices and services for riders. In negotiating the contract, UC and Metro agreed to increase the amount students pay this year to maintain the service. “UC added $100,000 to the [total] amount UC is contributing; the shared cost means an increase to the user and increase in the subsidy for services,” said Greg Hand, UC spokesman. Beginning this quarter, UC*Metro fare cards are $40 per quarter for students and $120 per quarter for faculty and staff. Replacement cards for students will be $50 and $120 for faculty. Rides are restricted to Zone 1, which is within the city limits. Students and faculty must swipe their UC*Metro fare card
“The economy is at the heart of this change. Metro is having serious financial problems.” Greg Hand, University of Cincinnati official spokesman
and display proof of ridership eligibility, meaning a valid UC ID to bus drivers. “The economy is at the heart of this change,” Hand said. “Metro is having serious financial problems.” Students who used the UC*Metro system in the past are noticing the increased cost. “I utilized the UC*Metro fare card all summer during my internship,” said Erin Davis, a third-year political science student. “Raising the fare card price to $40 seems like a massive increase in light of the money we
are already paying for college and books.” UC and Metro’s relationship began in May 2007 with the university and student government sharing the cost. As a subsidy, it gave Metro $150,000. In return, those carrying a UC ID were given free bus rides without stipulations. In the beginning, UC alerted Metro that alumni and other individuals who were not current students or employees have ID cards. Abuse of the UC*Metro program was a possibility. “Metro wanted more people to ride their buses and that was their goal at the beginning,” Hand said. The first year was a success and increased ridership, said Sallie Hilvers, Metro’s chief administrative officer. In Fall 2008, UC created specialized passes at no charge that would be required in order to take advantage of see METRO | page 2
What to know you need
All payments must be made through the UC*Metro Web site by major credit/debit card Passes are valid the first day of the quarter until the first day of the following quarter (Jan. 3 for Winter) Lost it? You will be charged $50 to replace your pass Without a card it will cost $1.50 one way in Zone 1 *Facts from UC*Metro Web site
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when
Food, entertainment, other activities and prizes. All for free, all for Welcome Week. Contact Lura Miller at 513-503-7977 for more information.
“Yeah, I use it. I work at Dunkin Donuts and have to walk back to the dorms.” Jennifer Benhase, third-year communications student
“I’ve had my share of drunken nights. I would like a safe ride home.” Justin Hinds, first-year civil engineering student
“Yeah. People are there to help us out. Why not return the favor?” Sarah Marsh, firstyear bio-medical engineering student
Photos of the week Go online and click through the slideshow of the TNR photo editor’s favorite pictures of this week.
Slideshow
TNR all the time
Watch the UC vs. Fresno State game through the eyes of a TNR photographer.
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