Miami Public Radio Project, 2014
Week of December 8, 2014
Newscast for the Week of December 8, 2014
In this week's edition of the Miami Public Radio Project - Miami University cites higher meal plan costs as a key reason for increased room and board rates for 2015-16. A Miami student loan specialist says the Great Recession of 2008 is a key factor in higher debt rates for college students today. Miami Hamilton's student body president thinks a task force listened to the voices of regional students as it recommended changes to the regional campus system.
Room and Board
Parents can prepare for higher room and meal plan costs if they have a student living on campus at Miami University. Reporter Reis Thebault explains Miami Trustees have approved a room and board rate increase of nearly three percent next school year.
Week of December 1, 2014
Newscast for the Week of December 1, 2014
In this week's edition of the Miami Public Radio Project - Miami University selects one of its own as the top academic officer for the school. Miami's Study Abroad program receives accolades from the annual Open Doors Report. Students at Miami and other universities are being targeted by two separate telephone or computer scams. Oxford United Way moves close to reaching its goal for 2014.
Feature 1
Hamilton attorney and Miami University alumna Harry Wilks had a dream - a sculpture park for the community to enjoy on a hill overlooking the city. Miami Public Radio's Lucy Borchers reports Wilks' legacy lives on through a Christmas tradition that highlights the sculptures in the park he built.
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If you're interested in an unusual career, consider working at a Florida hospital that takes care of injured dolphins. Miami Public Radio's Jenny Cope reports on one Miami University graduate finds great joy on working with injured dolphins.
Week of November 17, 2014
Newscast for the Week of November 17, 2014
In this week's edition of the Miami Public Radio Project - Hamilton's school superintendent plans to retire after 22 years. Miami's new winter term is even more popular than it was in its first year with more than four thousand students planning to take courses. Oxford may soon expand the number of neighborhoods that will not offer housing for groups of college students. Oxford's Community Choice food pantry tries to expand its offerings to families in need for the Thanksgiving holiday season.
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Some Miami University Middletown students are voicing frustration with a task force studying ways to separate the regional campuses from the main Oxford campus. Miami Public Radio Reporter Kaitie Espeleta says one Middletown student thinks the proposed changes amount to a new form of discrimination.
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Childhood obesity is a national concern. Miami Public Radio reporter Megan McTighe says four Miami University faculty members are studying that issue for some Head Start students in Butler County.
Week of November 10, 2014
Newscast for the Week of November 10, 2014
In this week's edition of the Miami Public Radio Project - Miami University plays a role in training medical professionals in the event of an Ebola outbreak. Miami brings in experts to discuss the impact of eating disorders on college campuses. Ohio colleges rank 11th in the nation in loan debt racked up by graduating seniors. Reporter Gabriela Williams tells us The Miami Student has received a flood of letters since publishing an anonymous faculty letter critical of international students. The Oxford Empty Bowls project generates lots of support for fighting hunger locally.
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Miami University's Interactive Media Studies program earns national attention for a project to train nurses and doctors to safely deal with patients who have Ebola symptoms. Miami Public Radio Reporter Reis Thebault talks with a philanthropist who has helped Miami and Johns Hopkins develop the training video.
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The head of the student body at the Miami University Hamilton campus has harsh criticism for a task force considering changes to the relationship between the main Oxford campus and its regionals. Miami Public Radio's Joe Crain has a report.
Week of November 3, 2014
Newscast for the Week of November 3, 2014
In this week's edition of the Miami Public Radio Project - A Miami University professor learns how difficult it is to take on the Speaker of the House. Miami Hamilton remembers a fallen local veteran with a new scholarship. Bicycle enthusiasts soon will have a new trail to ride in the Oxford area. Foster children will have some holiday cheer thanks to a fund raising project at Miami University Oxford. Seven more athletes join Miami's Hall of Fame.
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Middle School and High School students can add analyzing statistics to the list of courses they'll be taking under the new Common Core educational standards. Miami Public Radio's Bethany Miller talks with the educational coordinator of the American Statistical Association and an area high school teacher about the reasons the Internet has made statistics important.
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Miami University has added seven more athletes to its Athletic Hall of Fame. Miami Public Radio's Lauren Campbell talks with some of the new inductees about what Miami has meant to them.
Week of October 27, 2014
Newscast for the Week of October 27, 2014
In this week's edition of the Miami Public Radio Project - Miami University health officials prepare for the rare possibility of an Ebola case in the community. The Scripps Gerontology Program at Miami expands to help seniors with dementia in a Monroe retirement facility. Oxford prepares to help fight hunger locally through its annual Empty Bowls project. The Miami Alumni Association honors the most effective educator as well as 18 top alumni from the past nine years.
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Many aging veterans never get a chance to visit the war memorials in Washington D.C. Miami Public Radio reporter Lucy Borchers talks with a group of individuals in the Dayton area who are making the Honor Flight program available to many vets.
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Butler County is no different than many other areas of the nation when it comes to crimes against senior citizens. It's on the increase, and Miami Public Radio's Joe Crain reports the county prosecutor's office hopes to curb the problem.
Feature 3
Some Miami University students want to bring a different type of fraternity to the Miami University campus. Miami Public Radio's Jenny Cope says they may reach their goal soon.
Week of October 20, 2014
Newscast for the Week of October 20, 2014
In this week's edition of the Miami Public Radio Project - You'll hear a report from Lucy Borchers on Miami University protests over a speech by columnist George Will and her exclusive interview with Will during his October 22 visit to Oxford. Demands for mental health service are rising in Butler County, placing added importance on a mental health levy on the November ballot. A task force works to lower the high infant mortality rate in Butler County. Miami University steps up recruitment of international students in India and China.
George Will interview with Miami Public Radio
Listen to the entire 12-minute interview with George Will by Miami Public Radio's Lucy Borchers.
Miami protest over George Will's speech and Will's reaction
Miami University protestors criticize newspaper columnist George Will's visit to the Oxford campus because of his commentary on sexual assaults on college campuses. Miami Public Radio's Lucy Borchers story includes views of the protestors and excerpts from her exclusive on-campus interview with George Will.
Miami professor wages battle vs. Speaker Boehner in 8th District
Taking on the Speaker of the House is no easy task, but Miami University professor Tom Poetter is doing just that in the 8th Congressional District election November 4. Miami Public Radio's Reis Thebault reports on democrat Poetter's bid to unseat republican John Boehner.
Week of October 13, 2014
Newscast for the Week of October 13, 2014
In this week's edition of the Miami Public Radio Project – Filmmaker Keith Beauchamp says the struggle for civil rights is ongoing. In a visit to Miami University to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Freedom Summer, Beauchamp tells us about the beating that prompted him to produce films about prominent civil rights cold case murders. The Miami Middletown campus tackles the issue of domestic violence. Miami college republicans and democrats are struggling to get college students to participate in the 2014 election. The Butler County Engineers Office and Miami University officials hope they have plans in place to deal with a projected road salt shortage this winter.
Miami Middletown Campus focuses on domestic violence
Miami University Middletown is reaching out to victims of domestic violence. Miami Public Radio Reporter Kaitie Espeleta says MUM is part of the Clothesline Project – urging people to use art designs on t-shirts to send messages against domestic violence and sexual assault.
Miami joins “Kill the Cup” campaign
If you drink coffee in throwaway cups, you might want to consider switching to reusable cups. Miami Public Radio Reporter Joe Crain tells us Miami University is part of a national contest called “Kill the Cup” urging people to help reduce the stream of paper cups thrown away in landfills.
Filmmaker Keith Beauchamp
The host of the TV series “The Injustice Files” wants people to see civil rights injustices are still occurring today. Filmmaker Keith Beauchamp was one of many guests Miami University welcomed as part of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Summer Project. Miami Public Radio’s Jenny Cope has a report.
Week of October 6, 2014
Newscast for the Week of October 6, 2014
In this week's edition of the Miami Public Radio Project – A new scholarship fund attempts to bridge the financial gap for many Miami University students. Oxford prepares to welcome visitors celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the historic civil rights project Freedom Summer. Neighbors, walkers and bike riders say they’re being impacted by the lengthy expansion project for US 27 on the south end of Oxford. A Miami Political Science professor releases her book scrutinizing the activities of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
US 27 project in Oxford impacts motorists and neighbors
You can expect delays for another 18 months if you use US 27 on the south end of Oxford. Miami Public Radio Reporter Lucy Borchers says the highway construction impacts more than motorists. Neighbors, walkers and bike riders also face challenges.
Miami Tribe Chief seeks relationship with Farmer School of Business
Miami University has a long-standing relationship with the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. Miami Public Radio Reporter Reis Thebault tells us the Tribe’s leader wants to add a new connection to the university’s business school. Photo of Chief Doug Lankford by Andrew J. Strack, Courtesy Myaamia Center Archive.
Fairfield woman with terminal illness reaches out to others
A Fairfield wife and husband are trying to help others diagnosed with rare and often fatal forms of brain disease. Miami Public Radio Reporter Bethany Miller has the inspiring story of Brenda Reams, who has been told she has three years to live with a rare brain disease called MSA.
Miami Ecologist worries about potential impact of pesticide
Michelle Boone has expressed concern about the potential dangers of the herbicide Atrazine. Miami Public Radio Reporter Joe Crain talked with the Miami University ecologist about the US EPA’s conclusions about the pesticide.
Week of September 29, 2014
Newscast for the Week of September 29, 2014
In this week's edition of the Miami Public Radio Project - Miami University President David Hodge selects a task force to study the changing relationship between the Oxford campus and the regional campuses. Miami Hamilton student leaders voice concern about possible consequences as the regional campus role changes. The leader of the Miami Tribe visits Oxford to look at stronger relationships with the Farmer School of Business. Oxford debates new security cameras in the uptown business and residential district.
Miami student shaves head to raise money for cancer research
A Miami University takes up a challenge from St. Baldrick's Foundation to shave her head. MPRP Reporter Kaitie Espeleta says Liz Bender took that step to raise money for the battle against childhood cancer.
Hike-a-thon Plus helps Oxford area charities
Going for a hike in Miami's Natural Areas translates to donations for three Butler County charities. Miami Public Radio Reporter Jenny Cope says the Hike-a-thon Plus in Oxford more than doubled its goal.
Miami's Confucius Institute holds first community festival
The Confucius Institute has been part of Miami University since 2007, but Miami Public Radio's Megan McTighe says the institute has just completed its first Chinese Festival.
Miami group seeks equity in education
One student organization on the Miami University Oxford campus wants to add new meaning to equal education opportunities in America. Miami Public Radio's Kaitlyn O'Donnell reports Leaders for Educational Equity are seeking more people to join their cause.
Week of September 22, 2014
Newscast for the Week of September 22, 2014
In this week's edition of the Miami Public Radio Project - Oxford's Lane Library branch launches its plan to build a new library a few blocks from the existing facility. Miami and the University of Cincinnati hold the first "food race" as part of the Miami-UC football rivalry. Panera Bread pitches to help fight hunger in Butler and Warren Counties. Miami University brings its disability services and Rinella Learning Center under one umbrella.
Oxford firefighters need more manpower
Many communities the size of Oxford face a serious dilemma when it comes to fire protection and life squad service. The city is too small to have a full time fire crew like those in Hamilton and Middletown. Miami Public Radio Reporter Reis Thebault tells us the volunteer squad is often overworked and would like to expand.
Oxford barber has interesting story
A college town isn't the easiest place to operate a business, since the students are often gone about 4 months out of the year. But Miami Public Radio Project reporter Gabriela Williams tells us about Keith Fairfax, who thinks Oxford is a great place for a small business like his Krispy Kuts barbershop.
Former Miami student launches education effort for women in Kosovo
A former Miami University student never dreamed of starting her own business. But studying in Kosovo was a life exchanging experience for Ashley Van Buskirk. Miami Public Radio's Jenny Cope says Van Buskirk has launched a business that helps educate women in Kosovo.
Week of September 15, 2014
Newscast for the Week of September 15, 2014
In this week's edition of the Miami Public Radio Project - A Butler County social service agency wants to add new residential treatment facilities to deal with the growing heroin epidemic. Two West Chester men are part of an emerging trend of craft beer breweries in Ohio, a growing part of the state's economy. A Miami University Media Regulation Professor talks about the debate over the issue of Net Neutrality, providing fair use for services you receive on the Internet. Miami University's Athletic Department looks for way to bolster attendance at football and basketball games.
Downs Syndrome Fund Raising Effort
The Downs Syndrome Association has rallied financial support to assist families who have children with Downs Syndrome. Miami Public Radio Project reporter Lucy Borchers says more than 11,000 people came out to show their support for people with disabilities.
Millett Hall renovation a plus for basketball
While Miami University has struggled with home attendance for men's and women's basketball games, the Voice of the Redhawks says an upgrade to Millett Hall may make it more attractive this winter. Miami Public Radio Reporter Joe Crain talked to Steve Baker about the improvements.
Miami football attendance also poses concerns
What can Miami University Athletic Department officials do to draw more students to home football games? Winning helps, but Miami Public Radio Reporter Reis Thebault found a number of students like road games, especially at large venues like Michigan.
