To read about the departure of the men’s soccer coach, see page 4.
DAILY HELMSMAN Friday 1.17.14
The
2
Film Fest
Vol. 81 No. 057
Muck Sticky hypes new album Independent Student Newspaper of the University of Memphis
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Veterans lounge to open By Mandy Hrach
news@dailyhelmsman.com
students re-purchase a meal plan the next semester. Rachel Brandon, an administrative assistant for SGA, believes the small selection from the Tiger Den buffet grows old fast. “My first year, I had a meal plan, but this year I don’t because of the food selections available,” Brandon said. “Why eat at the Tiger Den buffet when I can eat fresh at Subway?” According to Brandon, Flex Bucks are the reason that a lot of students purchase meal plans in the first place, since those who are not on a plan do not receive any.
A poster with the words “Never leave a veteran behind” hangs on a wall in the once-empty office of the Panhellenic Building. Flags from around the world adorn the room. Lists of names of military veterans line the walls, and a white board is filled with ideas of ways to make those who served in the military comfortable on a college campus. It is all part of the preparations for the new Veterans Resource Center, a first for the University of Memphis. The grand opening is Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. in room 110 of the Panhellenic Building. “We are focusing on creating an environment where veterans can get the help they need to graduate,” said Darrion Garrett, secretary for the Veterans Student Center and a 25-year-old communications major. Garret is one of the 660 veteran students enrolled at the University, according to a data collection from the Veteran’s Student Center. The center will provide a place for veterans to study together, exchange ideas and share concerns about returning to college after a military career. The idea developed this past summer when Joy Stout, the director of the Adult and Commuter Student Services, analyzed the results of a student-conducted survey. The survey’s purpose was to see what programs the veteran students were looking for on campus. The results showed many veteran students were looking for a place where they could converse with other veteran students and have a place to hang out. “I wouldn’t want to take credit for the idea,” she said. “We just simply heard their request and the University honored it.” Over summer break, Stout met with campus administration and together developed the idea of the resource center. “I am so excited,” she said with a smile on her face. “We learned from the students what they wanted and, on the 22nd, we will accomplish just that.” The center will offer its facilities
see MEAL on page 3
see VETERAN on page 3
PHOTO BY SAMUEL PRAGER | STAFF
Muck Sticky has released 13 albums in his 10-year career as a funk-fueled comedic pop musician. He recently played from his new album “Fantasterrific” on “Memphis Sounds.”
By Samuel Prager
news@dailyhelmsman.com The pajama-clad Muck Sticky is one of Memphis’ more eclectic natives, equipped with Seuss-like top hats and a singular stretched earlobe. He said his newest release titled “Fantasterrific” has even more posi-
tive energy than any of his other albums. In the past two years, Muck Sticky has put out three albums — “Hullabaloo” in April of 2012, “Schnickelfritz” in March 2013 and now “Fantasteriffic.” According to him, the new album captures his signature alternative positive-pop sounds, while
featuring more guitar riffs and Southern-influences than his older albums had. “The album is a lot more positive and uplifting than some of my previous work has been. It’s good vibes and the songs are about a lot of stuff,” Sticky, a former psychology student at the U of M, said. “I feel all different kinds of emotions in life.”
Muck Sticky, born Justin Osburn, said he stays optimistic on everything from his music to rush hour road-rage and cites this as a major influence in his unique lyrical style. “I think that the most important thing in life is to keep a positive perspective, no matter what you’re doing,” Sticky said. “It’s about having
see ALBUM on page 3
SGA proposes meal plan changes By Karlisha Hayes
news@dailyhelmsman.com When Flex Bucks run out, University of Memphis students with meal plans are restricted to eating in the Tiger Den buffet. The Student Government Association aims to change that. Recently, Ricky Kirby, president of the SGA, sent Aramark food services a proposal that would allow students who purchase a meal plan to use it at all Tiger Dining locations on campus. Students can currently use their meal plan only in the Tiger Den buffet. If Aramark approves the proposal,
students would be able to use their meal plan and receive up to $6 off their purchase. “A few years ago before Dining Dollars took affect, you could use meal plans in the Union of the University Center, and $5.50 would be taken off of each meal,” Kirby said. “However, as of now, there is no equivalency in meal plans — equivalency is what SGA is working towards gaining for students.” Kirby said that, according to Danny Armitage, assistant vice president for Student Affairs and Campus Services, there are only 50 commuter students who have a meal plan. As a commuter, Kirby purchased
The Daily Helmsman is a “designated public forum.” Students have authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval. The Daily Helmsman is pleased to make a maximum of 10 copies of each issue available to a reader for free. Additional copies are $1. Partial printing and distribution costs are provided by an allocation from the Student Activity Fee.
the 50-block plan, which includes 50 meals as well as $500 of Flex Bucks. As for residents, the available meal plans include the 50-block plan, 80-block plan, 160-block plan and the unlimited meal plan. The 80-block plan is $885 a semester. The 160-block plan costs $1,360 a semester. The unlimited plan adds up to $1,475 a semester. Each of these plans includes $275 Flex Bucks. The 50-block resident plan includes $500 Flex Bucks. Flex Bucks, like Dining Dollars, are used to eat on campus. However, Flex Bucks are paid straight to Tiger Dining facilities and only roll over if
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