Established 1826 — Oldest College Newspaper West of the Alleghenies

Culture


While skipping class is usually frowned upon, some professors are giving students the okay to miss class in order to vote. Graphic by Owen Berg.
CULTURE

Excusing class for Election Day can ease stress for students

  For some students, the upcoming election is the first opportunity they will have to vote, but busy class schedules can make performing this civic duty difficult.  Some professors are willing to rearrange their class schedules in order to benefit students. Whether that’s a movie day with an excused absence or canceling class altogether, some professors are willing to provide options for students so they can exercise their right to vote. 


Although some chose to spend the holiday at home, many Miamians still took to Oxford's streets to celebrate Halloween. Photo by Shr-Hua Moore.
CULTURE

Oxford celebrates Halloween: a narrative

  Halloween is many things — tricks, treats, parties and costumes — but music is also an essential part of the holiday. As I experienced Halloween in Oxford this year, Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D minor” is one example that was on my mind. It’s a famous 18th century piece that has been used prominently in early horror films and shows how music can sound dark and foreboding even when it was composed hundreds of years ago. It’s composed of three movements: a toccata, a fugue and a coda.  In the spirit of Halloween and in keeping with Bach’s spooky season staple, here’s the story of a 2020 Halloween in Oxford, as told in three parts.


While the way Oxford celebrates Halloween has evolved over time, the spooky spirit has endured. Photo by Madeline Phaby.
CULTURE

From masquerades to parades: The history of Halloween in Oxford

  This year, due to COVID-19, Oxford residents will be forced to forego some of their Halloween traditions. These traditions mainly include costume parties for adults and trick-or-treating for kids — which will still happen, just in a socially-distanced fashion. But Oxford has celebrated Halloween in a variety of different ways over the years — some spookier than others.


CULTURE

Carving out a slice of normalcy

Throughout the streets of Oxford, pumpkins still adorn the porches of house after house, just like they have every year in October. From intricately-carved masterpieces to the tried and true Jack-o’-lantern face, their designs evoke a feeling of fall festivity and spooky splendor. 


After seven months in quarantine, Miami students are finding their way back into the dating game.
CULTURE

Swiping right during COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, online dating sites such as Tinder and Bumble have surged in popularity. According to The Observer, days after the initial stay-at-home orders were implemented in the United States, Tinder had its highest day of activity with more than three billion swipes on March 29. d


Students looking for an unorthodox snack need look no further than the packed shelves of the Asia Market.
FOOD

Hidden gems of Oxford: the Asia Market

What exactly does the Asia Market have to offer that sets it apart from Kroger or Wal-mart? To find out, I ventured past the boundaries of the university’s campus and took a look around the market. 


CULTURE

Stories in seconds: taking it to the streets

Some stories delve deeply into the lives of their subjects. Others seek to capture the human condition in just a few words. Modeled after journalist Brady Dennis’ 300 word stories that explore the unfiltered intimacy of the everyday, these pieces offer a glimpse into the untold experiences of Oxford life. 


CULTURE

Rational fear: Miami’s sexual assault issue

Still, some first-year women drew the conclusion that the administration could always do more. Women on campus offered suggestions including taking accountability for students’ actions, hammering home the definition of consent in the modules more and punishing perpetrators more harshly.


In spite of COVID restrictions, many families are finding fall fun at pumpkin patches and autumn farms this year. Photo by Grace Killian.
CULTURE

Fall fun at the Niederman Family Farm

 In the midst of midterms, students long for a break from Zoom calls, exams and endless assignments. Niederman Family Farm is the perfect place for students to get away and enjoy some fall fun as temperatures begin to drop. 


CULTURE

A beginner's guide to WitchTok

  Over the summer, The Cut wrote a story about amateur witches hexing the moon, an article that not only spiked the interest of many people, but introduced another side of the entertainment app TikTok.  “WitchTok,” a separate section of the app, is an expanding cohort of experienced and baby witches, another name for the beginners who practice the craft.


Photo by Bo Brueck. Taken Fall 2017 at Hispanic Heritage Festival in Uptown Park
CULTURE

Students celebrate Latinx culture during Hispanic Heritage Month

 Last year, students celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month in Oxford Memorial Park with the UniDiversity Festival. Food trucks with options from various Latin American countries lined the streets and live bands performed throughout the day.  This year, they're approaching the celebration a little differently. 


Even in the face of an unusual senior year, Davis Byrd prefers to live in the moment and make the best of each situation.
CULTURE

Rolling with the punches: the life of a high school senior

What’s 18-year-old Davis Byrd’s idea of a perfect day? He wakes up, grabs some cereal (he claims it’s the best food), plays the video game Overwatch on his Nintendo Switch and hangs out with two of his friends, Aaron and Nathan. Maybe they even play a little bit of soccer. 


Miami's trail systems have lots of different hikes for any skill level.
CULTURE

Annual Hike-A-Thon calls people to unplug and enjoy nature

  On a crisp October weekend in years past, the Oxford community gathered together to hike. Families and students perused the booths that lined the entrance to the trails near the stables. Some people socialized while picking up pamphlets; others would grab a map and hit the trails.  Instead of gathering for one day of hiking, this year's Hike-A-Thon experience has been expanded to the whole month of October.