The Daily Mississippian - April 2, 2018

Page 1

A CONVERSATION WITH

KERMIT DAVIS

The new men’s basketball coach sat down with The Daily Mississippian to talk recruiting, his coaching philosophy and NCAA tournament hopes. See page 7 for a Q & A with Coach Davis

THE DAILY

MISSISSIPPIAN

Monday, April 2, 2018

Volume 106, No. 92

T H E S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R O F T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F M I S S I S S I P P I S E R V I N G O L E M I S S A N D OX F O R D S I N C E 1 9 1 1

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Easter Sunday in the Grove Students hold vigil

honoring trans lives RACHEL ISHEE NEWS EDITOR

PHOTOS BY: CHRISTIAN JOHNSON

The Orchard Oxford Church holds their Easter service in the Grove on Sunday. Attendees brought lawn chairs and blankets to sit in front of the stage and listen to the worship team and Pastor Pat Ward’s service. At the end of the service, Ward christened and baptized several people ranging in age from newborns to adults.

SEE THEDMONLINE FOR A GALLERY OF MORE PHOTOS

UM names new police chief

BLAKE ALSUP

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Ole Miss has selected a new chief of police for the University Police Department following the former previous chief’s resignation earlier this year. Ray Hawkins, a 22 year veteran of UPD, started his new position as chief of police Sunday. He previously held the associate director position. “Ole Miss PD is pleased to announce Ray Hawkins as our new Chief of Police!” UPD said in a post on the Ole Miss Police Facebook page. “Chief Hawkins looks forward to the challenges of leading our department. He also looks forward to con-

PHOTO COURTESY: KEVIN BAIN/UM COMMUNICATIONS

tinuing to serve the University community and making Ole Miss a safe campus!” Hawkins joined UPD as patrolman in December 1996. During his tenure, he served as a field training officer, police lieutenant, acting captain of investigation and detective lieutenant, among various other positions.

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Hawkins is also an Ole Miss graduate. He received his bachelor’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in criminal justice in 2001. The university announced via UM Today on Friday that Hawkins was selected after a hiring process lasting just over two months. The Division of Student Affairs held open forum interviews on campus near the beginning of March for the final four candidates to allow public feedback in their search process. Ultimately, the only internal hire option of the group was selected. Former UPD chief, Tim Potts, resigned in January after 2 ½ years of service to move back to his home state of Indiana and be closer to his family.

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A group of students gathered in Barnard Observatory on Thursday night to hold a candlelight vigil in honor of trans individuals who have lost their lives. In 2018 alone, there have been 7 reported murders involving trans people. These peoples’ names were read aloud preceding a moment of silence. The vigil, hosted by UM Pride Network and co-sponsored by Queer People of Color was put on in acknowledgement of Transgender Day of Visibility. “The vigil tonight gives visibility to those who identify within the transgender community, a community that has faced many hardships in this society,” Brenna Paola, vice president of UM Pride said. “We light these candles because trans lives should be cherished.” Malik Pridgeon, Queer People of Color executive director, said he hopes the vigil raised more awareness about the violence being targeted at the trans community. “One of the reasons why they are targeted and murdered is because they don’t have a platform or a level of visibility,” Pridgeon said. “I think it’s important to have things like this so that there is some type of awareness raised around the issue and to let people know that trans lives do matter.” For some individuals, the vigil hit a little closer to home because it acknowledged the violence against individuals in

NOW FO R SU M M

their own communities. Beverly Malouf, who identifies as transgender said she decided to attend the vigil to support her trans brothers and sisters and to help move the community towards a brighter future. She went on to say that she believes the university could be doing a lot more to ensure that the LGBTQ community feels safe and welcomed on campus and in Oxford. “Why isn’t there a support group for transgender individuals, for lesbian individuals, for gay individuals,” Malouf said. “Why isn’t there a group anywhere on campus where you can go and safely meet without fear of harm or anybody finding out?” Malouf said many places lack the community support she is looking for. UM Pride Network President Regan Willis, who also identifies as transgender, said the vigil was important because much still needs to change involving the LGBTQ+ community. “There are many, many strides to be made in trans visibility, but I think that a common ground is definitely being aware of the murders that happen,” Willis said. “There are seven so far (this year), it blows me away.” Willis said starting a conversation is the first step to changing the way society views transgender individuals. “I think that’s definitely a first step that we can realize that it’s not ok and it’s going on and it can further progress the community and build awareness,” Willis said.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION: EMILY HOFFMAN

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