THE DAILY
MISSISSIPPIAN
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Volume 104, No. 9
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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Anti-assault group forms on campus
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sports
Don’t forget your Grove musts
Fresh impact: Kizer makes a place on the team Page 8
Students speak out at chancellor roundtable discussion HARTLEE GABBERT
hkgabber@go.olemiss.edu
As a part of Kick-off week, Institutions of Higher Learning commissioner Glenn Boyce and Associated Student Body president Rod Bridges hosted a listening session Wednesday in Bishop Hall to hear students’ concerns and wishes pertaining to the search for the next chancellor. Bridges opened up the discussion by referring to the session as one of the most important events in which students will take part. “We want the opinions of many different groups here on campus and students of all backgrounds,” Bridges said. About 120 students, from freshmen to graduate levels of study, attended the meeting. In their ranks were representatives from the Black Student Union, Student Activities Association, the UM Pride Network and many other campus organizations. Cole Putman, junior social work major and executive director of Freshman Council for ASB, said he came to help ensure the selection of a quality replacement for former Chancellor Dan Jones. “It was one of those things where you don’t know what you have until it’s gone,” Putman said.
“I really want to be a part of the selection process for our new chancellor.” Boyce introduced the meeting with the promise that students’ comments would be passed down to the board. He also opened the floor for discussion, asking the students about the importance of a chancellor having some sort of attachment to the University of Mississippi, or Mississippi in general. However, it seemed students’ main concerns were not with Boyce’s opening question, but rather with the tension between change and tradition on campus. John Brahan, a junior public policy and theatre arts major, commented on this conflict, acknowledging the presence of both progressive and traditional views on campus. “I think our next chancellor needs to come in knowing and understanding that when we go towards progressing and creating a more equal, accepting campus, that we must do so with poise and dignity rather than trying to change it an a very drastic way,” Brahan said. Logan Wilson, a representative from the Black Student Union, said he wanted a chancellor who would not shy away from an un-
popular task. “Though I believe the next chancellor should be calm and poised in these situations, I want a chancellor who isn’t afraid of the media and not afraid of what the biggest donors think,” Wilson said. “If progression is needed, I want to see progression. I don’t want him to be timid but rather speak his mind and propel us to change.” Another tension brought up in the session was that between IHL and the student body. Alexis Smith, a sophomore international studies and sociology major, said the chosen chancellor will be burdened by the circumstances under which he or she is hired. “It will take a lot of work for the new chancellor to gain our trust,” Smith said. “We need a chancellor that will work hard to let students know he loves us.” In an interview after the meeting, Boyce said he was pleased with the willingness of students to give their opinions and appreciated hearing from a diverse crowd. “We’re very committed to their feelings and passionate about the skill sets they believe the next chancellor should have,” Boyce said. “I’m also excited about their deep love for Ole Miss as an institution.”
PHOTOS BY: ARIEL COBBERT
Left: Glenn Boyce speaks to student at Chancellor’s Listening Session Wednesday. Center: Alexis Smith speaks out at listening session
Campus construction costs more than just money
Construction continues at the Honors College.
MORGAN WALKER
mlwalke4@go.olemiss.edu
Campus construction has become a daily institution in the lives of students and faculty on campus, but to those in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors
PHOTOS BY: ARIEL COBBERT
College and the Croft Institute of International Studies, it has become quite the distraction. The Honors College is in the process of doubling its square footage through additions and renovations in order to accom-
modate its 1,250 students. The addition will provide space for the building to expand from six classrooms to 10. It will also open up additional space for more study rooms, a larger student common area, and an area to hold parties or receptions. John Samonds, associate dean of the honors college, said their main goal is to add more public space and classrooms to provide students with the best atmosphere possible. “We try to bring in 10 percent of the freshman class each year,” Samonds said. “So, the great thing is, there are so many sharp students wanting to be a part of the honors college.” According to Samonds, the estimated completion date for the project is June 2016, and it will cost up to $6.5 million. Students are patiently dealing with the construction woes in order to reap the benefits of a newly renovated building. Erin Hoevelmann, junior pharmacy major, has mixed feelings
about the renovations. “It’s dark, depressing and can be loud, but it’s an exciting time and can make a difference in the number of students in the honors college,” Hoevelmann said. The Croft Institute has another purpose for their building renovations. Built in 1851, the Croft building is in desperate need of improvements and is focusing on preservation rather than expansion. Some classes in the Croft building have been moved to alternate, less ideal locations. The noise has also become a factor affecting students’ learning processes. In the coming months, windows will be boarded in order to replace the outside wall, creating a dark and gloomy atmosphere in the building. The $1.5 million project has the potential to create disruptions until its estimated completion date of spring 2016. According to Kees Gispen, executive director of the Croft Institute, these renovations are nec-
essary, and well worth the many inconveniences. “Because it is a historic building and it’s one of the treasures on campus, we don’t want it to fall down,” Gispen said. “We just have to put up with the inconvenience, but we’re happy to do that if we know we preserved the building.” Although noise and overall disruption are a result of the construction process, one of the most pressing issues among students and faculty has become the absence of the Croft porch. “We can’t use our porch. That porch is the main attraction, and right now it’s covered up or off limits,” Gispen said. Lizzy Leary, senior international studies major, is willing to tolerate these disruptions. “The construction is important to maintaining the building because it is the second oldest building on campus and we have to make sure that it is safe for future students. I do miss the porch, but in the long run, it’s definitely worth it.”