The Lantern

Today's Top Campus Stories

Top Story

Students campaign for President Obama’s birth control decision

The central mandate of President Barack Obama's decision to require most employers to cover birth control and insurers to offer it at no cost has been a controversial issue affecting many. Three different Ohio State organizations, Voices for Planned Parenthood, Women and Allies Rising in Resistance and Ohio Feminists for Representation, took the issue into their own hands by campaigning on the Oval Thursday. Full story

Morris sentenced to 24 years in prison for abduction attempts

A man charged in attempting to abduct two women at knifepoint near the Ohio State Medical Center in August was sentenced Friday to 24 years in prison. David Phillip Morris, 45, pleaded guilty in December to charges of kidnapping and aggravated robbery and said the attacks were sexually motivated. Full story

US to be most ‘vibrant economy in the world,’ Joe Biden says

In the year 2030, America will still have the most "vibrant economy in the world." Vice President Joe Biden assured journalists attending the Ohio Newspaper Association Convention 2012 that jobs will come back to the nation. "With or without (President) Barack Obama and Joe Biden, I am absolutely convinced that America is better positioned than any other country in the world to be the leading economy in the world at providing Americans with decent jobs," Biden said. Full story

Big Bar moves on up, bar to feature a rooftop patio this Spring

The Big Bar & Grill, located near the corner of High Street and 12th Avenue, announced plans to add a rooftop patio to their current three floors of party space. Plans have been drawn and rendered for the patio to be built over top of the existing roof of the building. Full story

Students driving force behind CABS service

When rain begins to fall or snow starts piling up, some students hop on a Campus Area Bus Service (CABS) bus, many of which are driven by students themselves. Sarah Blouch, executive director of transportation and parking services, said students are an integral part of their staff. Full story

Vice President of Public Policy resigns after controversy with Planned Parenthood

Karen Handel, senior vice president of public policy for Susan G. Komen for the Cure since April 2011, announced Tuesday she would be stepping down after the recent controversy about cutting off funding for breast cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood centers. Full story

Gee’s signature item ties Buckeyes, charity

Some might know him for his off-color comments, others for his appearances at parties, but everyone knows him for his signature fashion statement: the bow tie. President E. Gordon Gee has donated a signed bow tie to a silent auction event Wednesday evening, which is expected to be one of the more popular items up for auction. Full story

Joe Biden, Jack Hanna among several to speak at ONA convention

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and wildlife expert Jack Hanna and Pittsburgh Pirates owner and president and CEO of Ogden Newspapers Bob Nutting are the headline speakers at the Ohio Newspaper Association's annual convention. Full story

Gee reflects on semesters, Urban Meyer, Jim Tressel, ‘colonoscopy’

The last time Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee sat down with The Lantern editorial staff, he was in the middle of what he now refers to as his "yearlong colonoscopy" – an NCAA investigation surrounding OSU football. Gee told The Lantern editorial board Monday night he feels good about where the university stands. Full story

Facebook affects happiness, study says

For some students, Facebook provides a much-needed study break during midterm week, but a recent study suggests that Facebook can actually make people feel worse about their own lives. The study, conducted at Utah Valley University and published in January in the journal, "Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking," is based on previous research that people use computer-mediated communication like Facebook to optimize their self-presentation, or present themselves in a positive way they want others to see. Full story

Agriculture school rejuvenated with new name, major

The College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences will undergo a full makeover to better describe the department, beginning in Fall Semester 2012. Within CFAES, the Department of Human and Community Resource Development has undergone significant a change, including a new name. Full story

Ohio State's hidden treasures: Collections of artifacts on campus

In different lecture halls and libraries on Ohio State's campus exist hidden treasure troves of ancient artifacts and special collections. Among these collections are cartoons, costumes and clothing, university memories, fossils and more. Orton Hall Geological Museum was completed in 1893 and named after the first university president Full story

OSU home provides safe haven for many

The large brick house on the corner of North Fourth Street and 12th Avenue looks like a typical off-campus house. A big-screen TV and video game controllers take up most of the large front room, Guitar Hero is set up in the dining room and a pile of drying dishes and pans sits next to the sink in the kitchen. Full story

Komen reverses Planned Parenthood decision

Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the nation's leading breast cancer advocacy group, withdrew their Jan. 31 decision to cut funding for female cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood nationwide. The announcement that the foundation would in fact continue giving grants to Planned Parenthood came on February 3rd after four days of heated controversy. Full story

Starbucks adds beer, wine to select coffee shops

"I'd like a venti Merlot with a plate of focaccia flatbread please." If this sounds like a strange order, think again. Maybe, the next time you step into your favorite Starbucks coffee shop, this type of order might not be so uncommon. As if another excuse is needed to spend more time at Starbucks, the coffee chain announced that it is changing its atmosphere to one that could rival that of one's favorite local bar. Full story

3 industrial design students innovate household objects, win honorable mention

A door knob, a step ladder and an extension cord. Three commonplace products matched with three Ohio State industrial design students who found award-winning design solutions to solve user problems that most people overlook. Jenny Clark, Michael Maclean and Evan Trickey are planning to attend the 2012 International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago, Ill. Full story

Ohio State inks $125M deal with Huntington Bank

Ohio State and Huntington Bank have agreed on a $125 million deal that gives the Columbus-based bank exclusive rights to campus in exchange for a $25 million lump sum payment and future investment in the surrounding area. Representatives from Huntington and the university will formally announce the 15-year partnership at noon Thursday, which could open up to four Huntington Bank branches on campus. Full story

Cuzzins frozen yogurt shop to become part of High Street family

The frozen yogurt void left on High Street when Red Mango closed in the fall will soon be filled when Cuzzins Yogurt opens their newest store on campus this spring. The small family-owned business is expanding beyond their Lane Avenue and Hilliard locations and opening two new stores on High Street and in Lewis Center. Full story

Urban Meyer’s mastery on the recruiting trail

New Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer has rebuilt Buckeyes football, at least in part, on a foundation of air mattresses. Returning players await Meyer's instruction, but the coach's focus on recruiting has mostly left time for pursuing the best young, football talent from across the nation. Full story

Chinese New Year celebrations spark off

Blowing an air horn and ringing cowbells outside of Drackett Tower was how Monica Qian, a first-year in business administration, brought in the Chinese New Year. "We didn't have firecrackers or fireworks, so we just made a little noise," Qian said. Fireworks are traditionally used to ward off spirits of the year before and begin the 15-day celebration of the Chinese New Year. Full story

Panel stresses society’s role in bridging discipline gap

A panel discussion concluded that the solution to keeping students out of the juvenile criminal system is to change the way schools handle punishment. The main focus of the five-member panel of education-community members Tuesday at the School to Prison Pipeline discussion at the Moritz College of Law was to find a way to prevent students from becoming "problem students. Full story

Winter blues contribute to Ohio’s high depression levels

Gray skies, cold weather and fallen snow have all contributed to a bleak feeling during the winter in Ohio, and recent increases in Ohio depression levels could be connected to the weather. While a recent string of warmer days in central Ohio is out of the ordinary for this time of year, Ohio is consistently at the top of lists of people suffering from seasonal affective disorder. Full story

Intramurals to kick off online registration

The days of standing in the cold with your friends at 5 a.m. on the first day of the quarter to sign up for an intramural team are almost over. Intramural sports registration will be done online starting in September, said Don Stenta, director of Recreational Sports. Full story

Foodborne illnesses in US carry $77.7B price tag

Foodborne illnesses in the United States have a price tag of $77.7 billion a year in terms of economic burden, according to an analysis by Ohio State professor Robert Scharff. The release of new data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2011 estimated that in the U. Full story

Red Robin brings quick service restaurant to Ohio State campus

Red Robin is taking its gourmet burgers to High Street in late March, but the location will not house a traditional Red Robin experience. Red Robin's Burger Works, at 1706 North High St., will feature a fast, casual concept behind the beef. Cassie LaBonte, associate marketing manager for Red Robin, said Red Robin's Burger Works was designed as a smaller and faster alternative to the original Red Robin. Full story

Sex scandals on college campuses: Could it happen at Ohio State?

Penn State, Syracuse, Wisconsin. These three institutions, synonymous with academic and athletic excellence, have been tarnished by sexual abuse scandals. Lives were changed forever, innocence robbed, reputations turned upside down. Could this happen at Ohio State and what is the university doing to prevent it? Legislation concerning mandatory sexual abuse reporting is pending in 25 states, but Ohio is not one of them. Full story

Jaamal Berry breaks away from Ohio State

Suspended Ohio State running back Jaamal Berry will no longer play for OSU and might be transferring away for good. Robert Tobias, the assistant city prosecutor assigned to the case, told The Lantern on the phone Wednesday that Berry's defense attorney expressed Berry's wish to transfer to another school. Full story

Ohio ranked No. 9 job creator, Kasich says

With what Gov. John Kasich calls one of the best job-creating states in the U.S., Ohio State students might have better chances finding a job in Ohio now compared to last year. Kasich delivered his State of the State address Tuesday in Steubenville at Wells Academy, a top-performing elementary school in Ohio. Full story

War-torn Syria still struggles, under fire

"My uncle, he was shot at in his house through his window by a sniper, it barely missed his head," Yousef Alghothani said. Alghothani, a third-year in biology and a Syrian-American, said in his father's and uncle's home town of Inkhil in the Daraa province in Syria, the village is surrounded by Syrian forces army tanks. Full story

Blackburn, Norton residence halls face off in Recyclemania challenge to raise green awareness

In an effort to help promote Ohio State as a zero-waste campus, a Recyclemania competition between North Campus residence halls Blackburn House and Norton House has begun. From Feb. 5 through Feb. 25, both halls will have their respective recycling bins measured to determine their weight in recyclable items. Full story

Some students cram GECs into last quarter

With Spring Quarter planning under way, some students are scheduling for their last term at Ohio State before the $12.6 million semester conversion. The semester conversion, set to be implemented for the 2012 Summer Semester, was a state-mandated change affecting OSU and all other public universities, such as Ohio University, Cincinnati University and Wright State University. Full story

Columbus Marathon set to run through Ohio Stadium

With Buckeye pride running through many Ohio marathon runners, the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon will now route through the Ohio Stadium. Runners will enter along the same ramp Ohio State football players use and run along the edge of the stadium before exiting via the ramp that OSU opponents use. Full story

Rivals mostly silent on OSU banking deal

Ohio State's new $125 million partnership with Huntington Bank will improve campus structures, but ultimately shut out every other banking opportunity on campus. OSU and Huntington announced the partnership Thursday afternoon in the RPAC Amphitheater. Full story

Google policy changes spark strong reaction

Google's new privacy policies have caused some uproar among its users, including several Democrats and Republicans in Congress. But as far as Ohio State students are concerned, there isn't much to worry about. The Internet giant announced Jan. 24, it will replace all 60 of its privacy settings, from various Google products and features, with a single, "easy to read" privacy policy beginning March 1. Full story

Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee celebrates 68th birthday with students

President E. Gordon Gee was surrounded by about 100 Ohio State students dancing "The Cupid Shuffle" in a group fitness room of the RPAC Thursday to celebrate Gee's 68th birthday. The Office of Student Life hosted a surprise birthday party for Gee inviting several students from a variety of student organizations and groups. Full story

'Time and Change' clothing wears OSU on its sleeve

"Time and change will surely show how firm thy friendship Ohio." Those are the last lines of the first verse of "Carmen Ohio," Ohio State's alma mater and the inspiration behind one alumnus' apparel line. Time and Change Clothiers introduced its 2012 winter collection Thursday morning; seven months after the company and website were launched by co-founders Billy Brewster, who graduated from OSU in 2009, and Eric Hanscel, an OSU fanatic. Full story

Urban Meyer assembles ‘dream’ team

During his introductory press conference on Nov. 29, new Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer said football teams in the Southeastern Conference were "hot," both on the field and the recruiting trail. Meyer has yet to coach a single game for the Buckeyes, but as far as recruiting is concerned, Meyer is white hot. Full story

Rec Sports changes could cut some fees

Ohio State's Council on Student Affairs came to an agreement Tuesday with university officials that could lead to personnel changes on two different committees. Pending legislative approval, the members on the Undergraduate Recreational Sports Committee and the Ohio Union Council could be changed to reflect a student majority. Full story

Congress receives strong decrease in approval, 13 percent of Americans approve

A record 84 percent of Americans disapprove of the job Congress is doing, with almost two-thirds saying they "disapprove strongly," according to a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll. Only 13 percent of Americans approve of the 112th Congress's first year. Full story

Many websites ease students’ troubles of selling tickets for OSU sporting events

The resale of student tickets has been a mainstay at Ohio State for years, and it's not going away any time soon. "The secondary ticket market is growing every year," said Brett Scarbrough, senior director of ticketing at OSU. Websites like StubHub.com and OSU's TicketExchange allow students to resell tickets from the comfort of their home. Full story