News – The Buchtelite

Humor, Law Interact in Several Ways: Parodies, Funny Laws, Unnecessary Censorship
September 18, 2018
By Megan Parker, Copy Editor
Professor Laura Little explained various ways humor and the law interact with one another based on the three main sections of her new book, “Guilty Pleasures: Comedy and Law in America.” The lecture “Humor and the Law” took place on Thursday, Sept. 13, from 12:15-1:15 p.m. in the McDowell Law Center Brennan Courtroom 180 and was free to the public. Matthew Wilson, Professor of Law and former President of The University of Akron, began the lecture by introducing Little and explaining their common history in the education of law. After introductions, Little spoke on the background of her interest in the subject and how her book is a result of several years in researching the various ways comedy and the law interact within the U.S. legal system. The lecture had been broken down into three main portions, each a different angle on the interactions between comedy and the law; similar to how Little’s book is written. Throughout the lecture, Little used several...
Analysis: Digging Deeper into the Report Behind the Cuts
September 17, 2018
By Megan Parker, Copy Editor
Since The University of Akron stated plans to phase out 80 programs based on the results of a year-long Academic Program Review, several questions have been raised regarding the results of the APR and their correlation with the programs cut. In attempts to answer those questions and bring attention to the true nature of how the APR Report was used in deciding which programs were to be cut, The Buchtelite conducted an objective analysis of both. While the results of this student-led analysis are intended for informing the community of the actions taken by UA, it is important to note that confusion and questions remained present throughout the duration of the analysis. Results of the Analysis of the APR Report and Programs Cut According to a Fact Sheet Released by UA, the total number of programs offered before the cuts equaled 414. This number is different than the number of programs listed on the Academic Program Review Results page. However, due to the extent...
John Green Talks Program Review, Interim Presidency
September 17, 2018
By Jake Herron, Online Editor
Amid mixed reactions regarding a recent restructuring of UA’s academic programs from the University community and beyond, Interim President John Green spoke out. Reflecting on the “painful” decisions leading to the loss of 19 percent of degree programs at The University of Akron and sharing hope for new areas of focus, Green described the process of the Academic Program Review and explained why it was done in the first place. Typically, institutions of higher education perform program reviews on a smaller scale every few years as required by their accrediting bodies, Green said. UA happened to be in the midst of completing a five-year review cycle when the Higher Learning Commision aired concerns that prompted the University to perform a full-scale review, analyzing every program offered at UA. According to Green, the multi-level review process started in 2017 as individual departments wrote a “self-study” of their degree programs. Deans were then tasked with evaluating...
UA History Department Shows Disapproval of Academic Eliminations
September 17, 2018
By Brooklyn Dennison, Editor-in-Chief
Students and faculty members from The University of Akron’s History department, which was subject to recent program cuts, show disapproval of the Board of Trustees’ decision. Using recommendations from an academic program review, UA plans to phase out 80 underperforming degrees after the board of trustees meeting on Aug. 15. Along with History, some other departments that faced cuts were Physics, Math and Sociology. Deniz Demir, a graduate student in the History Department, said the humanities and social sciences have been greatly affected by the cuts and eliminating parts of those programs is anti-intellectual. “They are sacrificing humanities and social sciences like it’s a side thing and not the foundation for a good education,” Demir said. The History doctoral program is one of the degrees being phased out, which affects students like Demir; who said he is now unsure of things like his graduate funding. “They did not include the faculty or graduate students...
Goodyear Welcomes Wingfoot Three, Celebrates History
September 12, 2018
By Jake Herron, Online Editor
During an already historic moment for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, which recently celebrated its 120th anniversary, the Akron-based Fortune 500 corporation welcomed Wingfoot Three to the company’s fleet of airships on Aug. 30, 2018. The new blimp was christened by record-breaking pilot Shaesta Waiz, exactly 89 years after aviation legend Amelia Earhart did the honors for one of Goodyear’s first commercial blimps, Defender, in 1929, Goodyear CEO Richard Kramer pointed out as he made opening remarks. The christening took place during a private ceremony within the historic Wingfoot Lake hangar, which celebrated its 100th anniversary this year; along with the designation as a state landmark and recognition as the oldest operating airship base in the world, according to Kramer. In attendance were several honorary guests welcomed by Goodyear, including Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan, U.S. Representative Tim Ryan, National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM Middle School students...
Professor of Law to Speak on Relationship Between Humor, the Law
September 11, 2018
By Megan Parker, Copy Editor
Professor of Law Laura Little from Temple University will be holding a lecture called “Humor and the Law” on Thursday, Sept. 13, from 12:15-1:15 p.m. in the McDowell Law Center Brennan Courtroom 180. The subject of how humor should influence and interact with the law has been a challenge in United States courts for several years, including the way presidents have been criticized for their sense of humor. Through the use of cartoons, pictures and video clips, Little will provide examples of humor regarding the law and how humor works within the law, according to a UA press release. “Providing an easily understood overview of four areas of law… Little shows how the law seeks to muzzle some types of humor while protecting and encouraging other types,” the press release said. Little will also be presenting material from her upcoming book, “Guilty Pleasures: Comedy and Law in America,” which will be published on Nov. 12, by Oxford University Press. “Her...

Humor, Law Interact in Several Ways: Parodies, Funny Laws, Unnecessary Censorship

September 18, 2018

Professor Laura Little explained various ways humor and the law interact with one another based on the three main sections of her new book, “Guilty Pleasures: Comedy and Law in America.” The lecture “Humor and the Law” took place on Thursday, Sept. 13, from 12:15-1:15 p.m. in the McDowell Law Center Brennan Courtroom 180 and was free to the public. Matthew Wilson, Professor of Law and former President of The University of Akron, began the lecture by introducing Little and explaining their common history in the education of law. After introductions, Little spoke on the background of her interest in the subject and how her book is a result of several years in researching the various ways comedy and the law interact within the U.S. legal system. The lecture had been broken down into three main portions, each a different angle on the interactions between comedy and the law; similar to how Little’s book is written. Throughout the lecture, Little used several...

Analysis: Digging Deeper into the Report Behind the Cuts

By Megan Parker, Copy Editor

September 17, 2018

Since The University of Akron stated plans to phase out 80 programs based on the results of a year-long Academic Program Review, several questions have been raised regarding the results of the APR and their correlation with the programs cut. In attempts to answer those questions and bring attention to the true nature of how the APR Report was used in deciding which programs were to be cut, The Buchtelite conducted an objective analysis of both. While the results of this student-led analysis are intended for informing the community of the actions taken by UA, it is important to note that confusion and questions remained present throughout the duration of the analysis. Results of the Analysis of the APR Report and Programs Cut According to a Fact Sheet Released by UA, the total number of programs offered before the cuts equaled 414. This number is different than the number of programs listed on the Academic Program Review Results page. However, due to the extent...

John Green Talks Program Review, Interim Presidency

By Jake Herron, Online Editor

September 17, 2018

Amid mixed reactions regarding a recent restructuring of UA’s academic programs from the University community and beyond, Interim President John Green spoke out. Reflecting on the “painful” decisions leading to the loss of 19 percent of degree programs at The University of Akron and sharing hope for new areas of focus, Green described the process of the Academic Program Review and explained why it was done in the first place. Typically, institutions of higher education perform program reviews on a smaller scale every few years as required by their accrediting bodies, Green said. UA happened to be in the midst of completing a five-year review cycle when the Higher Learning Commision aired concerns that prompted the University to perform a full-scale review, analyzing every program offered at UA. According to Green, the multi-level review process started in 2017 as individual departments wrote a “self-study” of their degree programs. Deans were then tasked with evaluating...

UA History Department Shows Disapproval of Academic Eliminations

By Brooklyn Dennison, Editor-in-Chief

September 17, 2018

Students and faculty members from The University of Akron’s History department, which was subject to recent program cuts, show disapproval of the Board of Trustees’ decision. Using recommendations from an academic program review, UA plans to phase out 80 underperforming degrees after the board of trustees meeting on Aug. 15. Along with History, some other departments that faced cuts were Physics, Math and Sociology. Deniz Demir, a graduate student in the History Department, said the humanities and social sciences have been greatly affected by the cuts and eliminating parts of those programs is anti-intellectual. “They are sacrificing humanities and social sciences like it’s a side thing and not the foundation for a good education,” Demir said. The History doctoral program is one of the degrees being phased out, which affects students like Demir; who said he is now unsure of things like his graduate funding. “They did not include the faculty or graduate students...

Akron News

Goodyear Welcomes Wingfoot Three, Celebrates History

By Jake Herron, Online Editor

September 12, 2018

During an already historic moment for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, which recently celebrated its 120th anniversary, the Akron-based Fortune 500 corporation welcomed Wingfoot Three to the company’s fleet of airships on Aug. 30, 2018. The new blimp was christened by record-breaking pilot Shaesta Waiz, exactly 89 years after aviation legend Amelia Earhart did the honors for one of Goodyear’s first commercial blimps, Defender, in 1929, Goodyear CEO Richard Kramer pointed out as he made opening remarks. The christening took place during a private ceremony within the historic Wingfoot Lake hangar, which celebrated its 100th anniversary this year; along with the designation as a state landmark and recognition as the oldest operating airship base in the world, according to Kramer. In attendance were several honorary guests welcomed by Goodyear, including Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan, U.S. Representative Tim Ryan, National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM Middle School students...

Shya Designs: Helping Rwandan Women While Giving High School Students Experiential Learning

By Brooklyn Dennison, Editor-in-Chief

September 11, 2018

Students from Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy School of Business and Entrepreneurship help women in Rwanda while simultaneously earning real-world experience by running Shya Designs. Shya Designs is a non-profit organization that imports bags and other accessories that were sewn by the widows of victims of the Rwandan Genocide. Their vision is to create a “sustainable employment and caring community for women in Rwanda.” In doing so, the Kigali women are able to earn an income to support their families and send their children to school. Justin Folger, a senior at CVCA and a part of the Shya Designs sales team, said that their team is essentially the American end of the business. This allows the Rwandan women to expand their recognition continentally and gives high school students a chance to apply the skills they learned in class. The Students McKenna Miller, the CEO of Shya Designs, said that along with managing a business it teaches the students to work together...

‘Hands On Exchange’ Project Tests New Bikeway Infrastructure

By Sala Wier, Copy Editor

September 5, 2018

Akron residents volunteered from Aug. 11 to Aug. 15 to help build a new, two-way protected bike lane on Exchange Street The University of Akron's website describes how this "hands-on" project will demonstrate how Exchange Street could transform into a “complete street.” This means it is designed to meet the needs and abilities of pedestrians, bikers and transit users of any age. In a City of Akron press release from July 26, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan said, “As City leaders, our goal is to engage our citizens in making decisions about how to best design and develop our public spaces, including streets and other infrastructure. This project will allow us to gather feedback from residents, students, businesses, pedestrians and partner agencies before permanently redesigning Exchange Street into a more functional, safe, accessible and valuable corridor that meets the needs of all users.” Though City officials believe this to be a good idea for the community, students from...

Akron Zoo Welcomes Two Baby Animals

By Amanda Piekarz, Arts and Entertainment Editor

September 5, 2018

On Aug. 24, 2018, the Akron Zoo introduced and announced the publicly-voted names for their two new babies during a naming ceremony. Akron Children’s Hospital sponsored the “Oh Deer! Waddle We Name Them?” contest in order to give the public a say in naming a baby Humboldt Penguin and a Siberian Musk Deer fawn. Before the contest began, the Akron Zoo’s animal care and education staff made a short list of potential names. Once the list of names was approved, the public was invited to vote from July 24 to Aug. 8 for the name they believed best represented each infant. Through the use of several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, the zoo was able to share the naming contest. After all the votes were counted, the zoo announced that the names chosen by the public were Rico for the Humboldt Penguin (hatched on June 1) and Alina for the Siberian Musk Deer fawn (born on June 13). According to the Akron Zoo’s website, “both babies...