The Daily Mississippian | November 30, 2023

SPECIAL REPORT INSIDE

THE

Daily

MISSISSIPPIAN theDMonline.com

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Volume 112, No. 14

JULIA ROSS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Chris Beard, Ole Miss and questionable ethics

CAMERON LARKIN

thedmsports@gmail.com

Ole Miss hired former University of Texas at Austin basketball Head Coach Chris Beard on March 8, very shortly after his domestic violence charges — the reason he was fired from UT — were dropped.

The coach has a rich history of reviving basketball programs, but does that promise of success justify overlooking some glaring red flags? For Ole Miss Athletics, it does.

After firing former Ole Miss Men’s Basketball Head Coach Kermit Davis in February, Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter and the athletic department sought someone who could right the ship.

They landed on Beard.

On Dec. 12, 2022, Beard was arrested and charged with assault by strangu-

lation/suffocation-family violence, a third degree felony. The same day, UT Athletics suspended him indefinitely without pay.

On Jan. 5, the University of Texas fired Beard.

The charges were dropped on Feb. 15, which opened the door for Beard to seek his next coaching gig.

Ole Miss has been an afterthought in the men’s basketball world for the better part of a decade, so the school jumped at the opportunity to hire a coach who has taken multiple teams to the NCAA tournament.

But at what moral cost?

Nancy Armour, a USA Today columnist who writes frequently about HAILEY AUSTIN / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN the intersection of sports Chris Beard walks down the sideline during a game and social issues, said, “I against Eastern Washington on Nov. 10 in the Pavillion. think the thing that you learn really quickly is that winning, or a winning record, forgives a lot of sins, SEE BEARD PAGE 17

An Ole Miss Football player’s unconventional path to recovery CAMERON LARKIN

thedmsports@gmail.com

Amid Ole Miss Football’s 10-win regular season, 21-year-old quarterback Braden Waterman received the news of a lifetime, which he shared on social media on Oct. 20. After two bouts with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, he was declared cancer free.

Waterman, a native of Bakersfield, Calif., was first diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2020 at the age of 17 after playing the entire 2019 football season with the

illness — a season which Waterman described as weird because he did not know why he felt bad.

He was diagnosed after a game in which he had a fever and trouble focusing.

For his first bout with cancer, the young man went through four months of chemotherapy. He eventually battled back in time to play his senior season at Bakersfield Christian, in which he threw for 4,000 yards and 41 touchdowns, which

SEE WATERMAN PAGE 16

RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS Religious organizations on campus allow students to connect.

SEE PAGE 5

LEBBY TO STATE Mississippi State hires from the Lane Kiffin coaching tree.

SEE PAGE 8

A day in the life of Juice Kiffin: the dog, the myth, the legend JULIA ROSS

thedmfeatures@gmail.com

Whether it’s playing fetch with the kickoff tee from the sidelines at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium or trolling on social media, Juice Kiffin is the (unofficial) mascot Ole Miss didn’t know it needed.

Juice, a yellow labrador owned by Ole Miss Football Head Coach Lane Kiffin, was purchased from Wildrose Kennels for Kiffin’s daughter, Landry, to have as a pet. Over time, how-

ever, Juice became a celebrity in his own right, recognized and loved by Ole Miss Football fans and college football enthusiasts across the nation.

What does Juice’s day look like when he is not parading down the Walk of Champions with the team on game day or snuggling up next to his family at home?

While Juice lives with the Kiffins, he is trained daily at

SEE JUICE PAGE 6

Lafayette County Courthouse is getting a makeover

CLAY HALE

thedmfeatures@gmail.com

Located in the heart of the Square in Oxford, the Lafayette County Courthouse has been standing tall since 1872.

Just one year after the courthouse’s 150th anniversary, the building has massive cosmetic renovations underway.

Cobwebbed in a metal skeleton, the courthouse’s renovations have been in progress since July 17. J.P. Corp General Contractors is the construction company completing the renovations. Their budget is $2.28 million, which

was granted to them after the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors voted to make the renovations this summer.

“The project itself is a restoration of the entire courthouse with the addition of a newly installed sprinkler system,” J.P. Corp General Contractors President Josh Parker said. “We have been tasked to remove and restore all exterior windows, install new storm windows, replace any damaged fascia material (and) paint the entire interior and exterior of the building. In addition, we are re-

SEE COURTHOUSE PAGE 5

PAGE 2 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 30 NOVEMBER 2023

Protestors pack the Square for Palestine

HAL FOX ANTONELLA RESCIGNO

thedmnews@gmail.com

Approximately 125 people gathered on the Square Sunday, Nov. 26 to protest the siege of Gaza as well as the occupation of lands that historically belonged to Palestinians. The demonstration, organized by the Muslim Student Association, began at 1:30 p.m. and lasted for an hour and a half.

Senior pharmacy major and president of the MSA Khalil Abualya explained the impetus for the protest.

“We came out on Sunday with the intention to raise awareness of the ongoing humanitarian crisis that has cost the lives of more than 18,000 civilians, 67% of which are women and children,” Abualya said.

“We believe that we must use our first amendment (rights) to the greatest of our abilities.”

Abualya spent part of his childhood growing up in the West Bank, and he has lost family members in the siege of Gaza following the Hamas attack on Oct. 7. He explained that many

Palestinians in the Oxford-University community want their suffering to be recognized.

“The goal of the protest was to show people here that there are Palestinians here in this community that are hurting, and we have to come together as one to ease this pain,” Abualya said. “I believe the impact made by this march was that it highlighted the Palestinian struggle here in Oxford, where most people either aren’t educated well-enough on the subject or choose to ignore it altogether.”

Abulaya emphasized that it does not take much commitment to support Palestinians.

“You don’t have to donate, you don’t have to sign a petition, you could just share a story showing a hospital getting bombed, or an ice cream truck being used as a morgue,” Abualya said. “It’s very simple, there are many ways that you can help, it’s just a matter of if you want to help at the end of the day.”

He further urged those concerned about the situation in Palestine to demand a permanent ceasefire from their politicians.

“Look at legislation, demand

a permanent ceasefire from your politicians, not just a pause, and for them to hold the people accountable for the crimes against humanity being committed (against Palestinians),” Abualya said.

Zynub Al-Sherri is an Oxford local and senior Arabic major at Ole Miss. She is Palestinian, and she voiced her concerns about the response of the U.S. government to mass pro-Palestine demonstrations that have sprung up across the country on college campuses and in major cities.

“It worries me that a lot of Israel’s methods of suppressing freedom of speech are seeping into the American government,” Al-Sherri said.

She mentioned that 37 states have passed legislation restricting the rights of people to boycott Israeli products.

“We’re already seeing restrictions on our purchases, and while they may not be heavily enforced now, they have the ability to be because they are laws,” Al-Sherri said. “That is concerning to me, because right now politicians are having conversations about whether Palestinians deserve to even be in the United States, and whether

ANTONELLA RESCIGNO / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Protesters gather in the Square for the March For Gaza on Nov. 26. college students should face severe repercussions in the job market, or even be imprisoned, for speaking out against the genocide.”

Al-Sherri expressed that she felt a duty to use her constitutional right to speech to advocate for her family back in Palestine.

“I think living in the United

States, I am very privileged to have the right to protest what is happening in Palestine, and call it out for what it really is: a genocide,” Al-Sherri said. “I want to use this privilege to uplift the voices of my family back home that can’t do this without severe repercussions.”

TikTok for me, not thee:

University-affiliated accounts posting despite ban ISABELLE FROST

thedmnews@gmail.com

While the University of Mississippi has banned students from using TikTok on university Wi-Fi networks, university-affiliated accounts continue to share content on the app.

Senate Bill 2140, also known as the National Security on State Devices and Networks Act, took effect on July 1. The ban states that TikTok and any app owned by its parent company, ByteDance, are banned from state-issued devices and state-operated networks.

The ban is in response to privacy concerns arising nationwide.

Gov. Tate Reeves has openly expressed distrust for the app, claiming that the Chinese government is using it for espionage.

“It’s no secret that the Chinese Communist Party is actively trying to steal U.S. intellectual property and Americans’ personal information,” Reeves said in a January post on X. “It’s a major threat to our national security and critical infrastructure, costs the U.S. economy hundreds of billions annually and jeopardizes American jobs.”

While UM asserts that it complies with the ban, TikTok pages such as @olemiss and @ olemissfootball post videos and photos on the app almost daily.

“University-owned accounts are not exempt and continue to comply with the state law. The only exception that affects the university is if UPD needs to access the platform in the course of an investigation,” the university’s Director of News and Media Relations Jacob Batte said.

The Daily Mississippian asked Batte how the university could be in compliance with the law while simultaneously posting on TikTok. Batte reiterated that the university

Clay Pounds from UM’s IT Helpdesk explained the ban and how it affects UM. “With the passage of Senate Bill 2140 (SB2140), the Mississippi state legislature appointed the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services to create and maintain a list of prohibited technologies,” Pounds said. “The University of Mississippi’s network falls under the ‘state-operated networks’ definition in SB2140, which is why we must block the applications and vendors on the ITS-prohibited technologies list on our network.”

Pounds reiterated that the ban comes from a desire for greater national security.

“The legislature’s concern seems to be with the parent company ByteDance sharing collected user data and information with the Chinese government,” Pounds said.

A message issued to the university community on Aug. 29 lists all 18 prohibited technologies and companies, all but two of which are Chinese-owned.

Many students still utilize TikTok as part of their daily routine despite the ban on school Wi-Fi. “I use TikTok every day,” junior journalism major Campbell Holmes said. “My friends tell me I’m very much obsessed with the app, because I get on it at least 10 times a day.”

Students simply disconnect from school Wi-Fi to use the app.

“The ban hasn’t affected me that much, because I will just turn the Wi-Fioff on my phone when I want to use it, but when I first heard about the ban, I was not happy,” Holmes said.

Although some students feel unaffected by the ban, the Ole Miss Esports team has reported experiencing tangible consequences. The ban limited the play of popular competitive games such

a s t m u m m W

GRAPHIC: ASHLYNN PAYNE / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

as Valorant and League of Legends, both owned by the banned Chinese company Tencent.

“I understand that Ole Miss is the flagship university of the state of Mississippi, but programs like ours shouldn’t have to suffer while other schools’ programs don’t have to deal with the ban like we do,” Head of Public Relations for UM Esports Noah Omer said.

John McDermott, director of the Esports program at UM, did not respond to a request for comment. In an interview with The Reflector, Mississippi State University’s student newspaper, he detailed the UM team’s plans to compete in compliance with state law.

“It’s very disappointing that our students, who have demonstrated remarkable success on a national stage, have had their seasons interrupted by factors beyond their control,” McDermott said.

“We will continue to compete in these games and are actively exploring options that allow us to do so that comply with state law.”

i H o t t s A D K P t

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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 30 NOVEMBER 2023 | PAGE 3

International students find home away from home JORDAN ISBELL

thedmnews@gmail.com

Ever-increasing enrollment is a sign that education at the University of Mississippi has become a coveted experience across the country. The desire to join the Rebel community has even reached across the globe, attracting students from all over the world. These international students traverse oceans in hopes of finding a new home in Oxford.

Many students have found major success during their enrollment in Ole Miss. Fifthyear student Gauree Wathodkar, a mathematics major, is from India and was pleasantly surprised by how welcoming the community has been.

“I found that the people are very accepting here. In these five years, being a woman of color, I thought that I might face some discrimination, but I never did,” Wathodkar said.

“Everyone treated me with so much respect, and everyone was so accepting of me and so welcoming. Many professors in my department made me realize that I don’t have to do anything extra to fit here, and it was a very nice feeling.”

This warm welcome inspired her to start an association for women in mathematics this semester, which the math department wholeheartedly supported.

“Our department makes us feel so respected, and I am very happy about that,” Wathodkar said.“Everyone was so helpful in that, and that makes you feel that you belong here and your voices count. You feel that everyone is supporting you and that is a very nice feeling.”

Although the university helps international students thrive and find a career meant for them, many struggle with anxiety over the transition. On top of academic pursuits, social activity can be a bit intimidating for some students who fear they will not be included or culturally identified by their peers.

Junior English major Kseniia Kataeva is from Russia and was worried her nationality would create problems for making new friends.

“I was kind of worried about fitting in. I know English on a good level, but we’re from different backgrounds, and I wasn’t sure that people would accept me here,” Kataeva said.

“I know that people in the U.S.

are friendly, but I was like, ‘Maybe they will accept me just as a student but not as a friend or as a part of their community.’”

Sophomore Jackelyn Facio, an international studies major, although not an international student, spent a large part of her childhood in Mexico and emphasized how some international students believe their inherent identities can be an obstacle.

“Having that identity can sometimes, for a lot of people, make them think that it holds them back, especially when there’s not a lot of us here on campus. A lot of people don’t like sticking out, and that’s one of the main things that sticks you out from the rest of the people on campus,” Facio said.

To help students combat that fear and feel more welcomed, several organizations and associations emerged on campus to create a more inclusive environment for international students who may feel homesick or detached from their cultural identities.

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GRAPHIC: SEDLEY NORMAND / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Doors of Hope: UM sororities open houses for charity

BRYNN BATES

thedmnews@gmail.com

Sorority Row and Rebel Drive are home to some of the largest sorority chapters in the country, and they have the houses to match. These massive structures, usually only accessible to sorority members, invoke wide eyes, open mouths and curious thoughts.

What do they look like inside?

Doors of Hope Transition Ministries is hosting its annual Holiday House Tours fundraiser in support of homeless families by answering this question for those intrigued by the houses. On Sunday, Dec. 10, nine sorority houses — Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Phi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Phi Mu and Pi Beta Phi — will open their doors to the public from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“Doors of Hope is a nonprofit organization that guides homeless families and at-risk homeless families in the Oxford community toward self-reliance and stability,” Carrie Rakestraw, Doors of Hope’s

public relations intern and a senior integrated marketing communications major said. “We approach this by life-skills training, mentoring and supportive housing.”

Tickets are available on Doors of Hope’s website for $30 and at the event for $35. The money raised will go directly to Doors of Hope’s mission, supporting families struggling to stay in Lafayette County.

According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, 28% of Mississippi’s children live in poverty, and 19% of those children are likely to soon face eviction from their homes.

Doors of Hope Committee Chair Susan Bartlett explained how ticket sales and the organization’s work benefit those dealing with poverty.

“While the dollars we raise during the Holiday House Tour go directly to these families through financial assistance with rent and utilities, the heart of our work is helping families learn life skills, navigate education and employment and plan for financial stability,” Bartlett said.

Many of the sororities are ex-

cited at the opportunity to share their homes with the community.

“Opening our house to this worthy cause is a wonderful way to give back to Oxford,” Phi Mu’s House Corporation President Ann Devoe said.

Tri Delta’s House Corporation President Elizabeth Fisher echoed this sentiment.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone into our beautifully decorated home, supporting this vital community ministry during this festive season of giving,” Fisher said.

Chi Omega’s new house will be featured for the first time on the tour this winter. Chi Omega House Treasurer Beth Doty expressed how members of Chi Omega are excited to participate.

“Chi Omega is very happy and honored to be participating in the sorority house tour for Doors of Hope,” Doty said. “The Doors of Hope home tours are such a worthwhile and meaningful fundraiser to help families in need of housing.”

Ole Miss students are also anticipating the event.

THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN EDITORIAL staff VIOLET JIRA editor-in-chief

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HAL FOX enterprise news editor thedmnews@gmail.com

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JUSTICE ROSE opinion editor

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CAMERON LARKIN WILL ROMANO sports editors

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The Pi Beta Phi sorority showcases their festive spirit with decorations on the night of Nov. 27.

“I am excited to go,” Anna Carrigan, a sophomore integrated marketing communications major, said. “It is such a fun way to start off the holidays before we all leave for break.”

Oxford native and sophomore elementary education major Helen Rousseau explained how she is looking forward to touring the houses with her family.

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“People from all over come to visit Oxford because of how beautiful our town is during the holidays, and allowing people to tour the sorority house gives another gift of holiday spirit,” Rousseau said.

Those unable to attend the Holiday House Tours can make a donation of essential household items to Doors of Hope.

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PAGE 4 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 30 NOVEMBER 2023

ASB votes for public price lists for UM Health Center JORDAN ISBELL

thedmnews@gmail.com

The Associated Student Body wrapped up its final resolutions and bills in the last formal senate meeting of the semester on Nov. 28 in the student union. Two resolutions and one bill were passed.

Although the resolutions brought about disagreements between the senators, both were ultimately passed in an effort to increase transparency.

Resolution 23-11 proposed the addition of itemized prices of medical services to the University Health Center website. Taking into consideration that there are students at UM without health insurance, the resolution aims to give students more information in order to better prepare them for a visit to the UHC. The resolution passed with a vote of 34-1, with junior public policy major Camryn Rios being the sole voice of dissent. Rios asserted that the resolution was unnecessary, as she claimed that most students at UM already have private health insurance.

“The majority of students who go here are very privileged and have health insurance, and if you don’t have that privilege, the university offers it,” Rios said. “Most of the students who go here have insurance or have the oppor-

tunity to get that insurance, so this list of prices will not be the same for any students alike. It just doesn’t make sense to me.”

Student health insurance is offered by the university to all students enrolled in at least six credit hours. The plan costs $2,114 dollars annually: $884 for an individual fall semester and $1,230 for the spring semester and summer intersession.

Rios later added that listing itemized prices for health services could potentially confuse students.

“A lot of students don’t know about their health insurance plan, what covers it and what doesn’t,” Rios said. “I think listing those prices is going to confuse students who don’t know about their health insurance plan, and when they have to do something such as pay a copay and all that other stuff, it’s just going to get more confusing.”

Yasmine Ware, a sophomore international studies major, was a proponent of the resolution.

“I think it’s absolutely incredible, especially because it increases transparency. Not all students have (insurance), and I think it’s important that we increase transparency so students can look and say beforehand, ‘This is how much it might cost to get XYZ done,’” Ware said.

Senators also voted on Resolution 23-10, authored by the Ad Hoc Committee on Housing, which proposed that

“Not all students have (insurance), and I think it’s important that we increase transparency so students can look and say beforehand, ‘This is how much it might cost to get XYZ done.’”

- Yasmine Ware Sophomore international studies major their ongoing work in identifying and tackling the student housing crisis should be acknowledged and formally commended by ASB. Hayden Pierce, a senior international studies major, is the at-large chair of the committee and believes the resolution ensures that the student body’s housing concerns are recognized and recorded.

“Students aren’t necessarily aware that the committee exists or what we’ve been up to. It’s really important that our senators, people internal to ASB, know what the housing committee is doing because they are liaisons and representatives,” Pierce said.

So far, the committee has conducted a public survey where students shared their concerns and issues with housing.

“Students don’t even realize that they have to be looking for housing because they’re acclimating to the university,

so they don’t have the time or know how to do those things.

The survey said students have had to stay in cars, shelters and other people’s homes, and that’s definitely something we need to fix,” Pierce said. “There’s a huge structural issue created by the leasing season and lack of affordability, so there are definitely conversations we need to engage with to solve those broader issues of housing insecurity.”

Some senators were skeptical about the resolution, believing it does nothing to change the housing crisis and only glorifies the committee’s efforts.

Jackson Mitchell, a junior international studies major, believes the resolution was inconsequential, as it did not call for any tangible action to address the crisis.

“This might just be a resolution that celebrates achievements,” Mitchell said. “I think that a resolution should rec-

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Rooster’s owner awaits trial for sexual battery charge

DENTON JENKINS

thedmnews@gmail.com

John Scott Michael, owner of the popular bar Rooster’s Blues House in downtown Oxford, is set to stand trial after being arrested for sexual battery and kidnapping on April 24. According to court documents obtained

by The Daily Mississippian, prosecutors are seeking a sentence of 30 years in prison.

While a preliminary hearing was scheduled for May

Since 1970 Since 1970

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2023 2023

ommend a call to action, and this is more celebrating action that’s already been done.”

However, a majority of the senators expressed support for the resolution, as many see the housing crisis as a top priority that affects everyone on campus.

Kaitlyn Skeen, a senior biological science major, called the resolution vital for the committee and the student body.

“This housing instability and all of the issues that come with having to literally pick up your life and move for college are extremely difficult, and they impact literally every single aspect of people’s lives,” Skeen said. “I support this because we’re saying, ‘This needs to be done, this is how we get the word out and this is going to be published.’ If it passes, this will be published, and it will be open for anyone to view.”

Mitchell eventually voted in support of the resolution, and it passed unanimously.

Bill 23-13, the final vote of the evening, proposed to rearrange existing advisory opinion laws to provide better clarity on the election process for students. An advisory opinion is a formal but non-binding interpretation of policy passed by a legislative body. With a unanimous vote, the bill passed.

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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 30 NOVEMBER 2023 | PAGE 5

Religious organizations amplify spirituality

LYDIA WATERS

-thedmfeatures@gmail.com The University of Missis-

-sippi community is home to a multitude of organizations -for students interested in en-riching their spiritual lives, including Jewish, Christian -and Muslim organizations.

Community is a core element for the Muslim Student Association, which is a home yfor UM students that practice the Islamic faith. MSA is a space for Muslims on campus eto come together and share their beliefs. It gives students -a chance to find community with other Muslims and give -voice to their faith publicly.

“The core beliefs that guide the MSA are the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah honor him and grant him peace),” MSA President Khalil Abualya said of the beliefs and values the association holds.

“With these guidelines we confduct ourselves in accordance -to Islamic law and principles.

Some of these principles include donating charity to the -less fortunate, making group aprayer for those affected by ca-lamities and raising awareness of current events happening.”

- MSA sponsors activities and events throughout the semester, but they are currently directing their focus toward the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Throughout the semester, the Muslim organization has been holding fundraising events for the

COURTHOUSE

continued from page 1

pairing any damaged gutters and - replacing any damaged cast stone . at the entry columns. The balco- nies will receive new tile work and . there is a little HVAC work re- quired, along with the addition of t some copper curbs on the roof to a facilitate the added HVAC work.”

Erin Davis has been an Ox, e ford resident for almost 38 years. l She moved around frequently t growing up, but she says Oxe ford is where she was raised . and where she calls home. The Lafayette County Courthouse was a landmark for her growing

Palestinian American Medical Association, educational movie nights and solidarity stands.

“My faith has strengthened since joining MSA,” Nuna Maryam, a sophomore biological science and Spanish major, said. “In the South, it’s really hard to find people like me, but after joining MSA, I became closer with a lot of the Muslims around campus. I believe that being surrounded by faithful people has encouraged me to be a better Muslim, and I’m so grateful to be a part of an organization that promotes joy and growth within the Oxford community.”

MSA aims to obtain a designated room on campus in which Muslim students can pray, break their fasts or study in an accessible environment in addition to growing their presence across the student body.

“Another long-term goal of ours is to increase our involvement on campus so more people know about our group. If people have questions we can answer them, bridging the gap between Muslims and non-Muslims here on campus,” Abualya said.

Hillel International is a Jewish student organization on campus connected to a larger counterpart, the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. Hillels connect students within the Jewish faith across the world.

Isabella Gadberry, a senior allied health studies major, is president of the UM Hillel.

“We just want to get all the Jewish people on campus in-

volved with everything,” Gadberry said. “We are trying to enjoy college life and have the aspects of being Jewish, too.”

Hillel hosts events once or twice a month, including general body meetings, dinners and events with speakers.

Gatherings featuring speakers intend to highlight important topics, such as antisemitism in contemporary society.

Gadberry explained how the long-term goals of the club include making students feel embraced by the Jewish community.

“We’re just trying to get more and more Jewish people involved and know that they always have a place with us and that we are excited and welcoming to anyone that comes,” Gadberry said.

In early October, UM Hillel held a candlelight vigil for those killed in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Campus Outreach stands as one of over 30 Christian student organizations at the university connecting students of faith on campus.

In partnership with Grace Bible Church in Oxford, Campus Outreach is a non-denominational Christian ministry that aims to help students establish their relationship with Jesus Christ while in a college setting and to empower Christian leaders.

Campus Outreach holds an array of events such as monthly evangelist meetings at fraternity and sorority houses, along with discipleship studies,

up, as it has been for many. She has always found it stunning.

Davis shared that she used to work in the court system and thus has seen many courthouses in her day. She says that Lafayette County’s is the most gorgeous.

“I have always loved it,” Davis said. “I worked in the courts for 10 years in different states; I think it’s the most beautiful courthouse I’ve ever seen.”

Cautiously optimistic, Davis is aware of the courthouse’s renovations. She is looking forward to seeing the final product, but she hopes that the history of the courthouse is not lost in the makeover.

“I’m excited to see what it looks like. I’m hoping that they try and replicate the history and not

lose it in the process,” Davis said.

Davis adds that she is fully aware of the problems the courthouse currently faces, however, and thinks they need to be remedied in this revival.

“Having served jury duty in there, I know how stinking cold that building gets,” Davis said.

“They need new windows – things like that. It also gets ridiculously hot in the summer, so some of the renovations that they’re making, I’m hoping, are going to be more energy efficient for jurors and othEMILY HOLLOWELL / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN er individuals that work there.”

Parker revealed that ren- The Lafayette County Courthouse with scaffolding scaled across the front ovations had a year to be of the building on November 17. completed once they started, meaning that they are set to be finished in July 2024.

PHOTO COURTESY: ISABELLA GADBERRY / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Members of Hillel come together for a candlelight vigil at Paris-Yates Chapel on Oct. 12. small group Bible studies and community groups monthly.

“Campus outreach has challenged me in my faith so much,” senior integrated marketing communications major Liza Jackson said. “From oneon-one discipleship to group Bible studies, I am constantly learning more and more about God daily and how to grow towards holiness. Church on Sundays is something I look forward to, and reading my Bible brings me so much joy.

I owe my entire faith journey to Campus Outreach.”

Jackson continued, emphasizing the communal element of the ministry.

“My favorite part about Campus Outreach is the community that it has given me. I

am constantly surrounded by people who are pushing me to be the best version of myself and who are pushing me closer to God. I would not be who I am today without the lifelong friendships I have made within Campus Outreach,” Jackson said. “If I ever need anything, I have a community of 30+ people I can call.”

There are numerous ways to get involved in these organizations. Learn more about Hillel on its website or on the ForUM. To learn more about the Muslim Student Association, reach out to Khalil Abualya via email at kmabulay@ go.olemiss.edu to be added to the GroupMe. To connect with Campus Outreach, find the group on Instagram.

PAGE 6 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 30 NOVEMBER 2023

It’s a sign: mystery Grove construction revealed

CLAY HALE

thedmfeatures@gmail.com

University of Mississippi students were gifted with a surprise on Nov. 27 when they received an email from the university’s public relations team. The message informed the UM student body about a partial lane and sidewalk closure on the corner of Grove Loop and University Avenue.

The big surprise for the student population, however, was not the traffic problems, but the fact that there was a Grove sign in production.

Parker Hall, a senior chemistry major from St. Louis, has been familiar with the plot of dirt that is the site of the Grove sign, but he had no idea what project was being created.

“Yeah, I saw it. How long has it been going on? Like two weeks, give or take? I don’t know. I just never realized what it was,” Hall said.

The senior thinks the upcoming landmark could become a big moment for the university and a hotspot for the Grove.

“I think it’s a good touch,” Hall said. “Everyone will take pictures there.”

Freshman biology major Ella Frischhertz also did not know the Grove sign was on its way, even from the comfort of her spot at Coulter Hall, which is across the street. When the new addition to the Grove was revealed to her, she shared that although she thinks it is cool, it will not add much to the Grove’s overall ambiance.

“I mean, it’ll be cool to have,

JUICE

continued from page 1 Wildrose Kennels in Oxford.

Wildrose is part of an international chain of establishments that has been producing and training British and Irish Labradors for decades.

Wildrose Mississippi is owned and operated by Tom Smith, one of the many dog trainers at the establishment. It is here the canines learn obedience training and gun dog skills.

Smith explained that what sets Juice apart from most of the other dogs is his ability to stay focused and calm despite the chaos and noise that have surrounded him from a young age.

“The lucky thing about Juice is that nothing really fazes him,” Smith said.

“He was only six and a half months old when he started doing the Walk of Champions, and that’s a lot of stimuli for a young dog, (along with) being in the stadium with how loud it is. Once he got used to all that, he was easy to train.”

Juice usually performs retrieving and hunting exercises flawlessly during his training time at Wildrose Kennels, Smith said. Juice’s tee-retrieving skill was just one activity he practiced while at the kennels.

“He just got so used to it. A couple of weeks ago, I had to wake him up to go get the tee

but I don’t think it’s gonna change much,” Frischhertz said.

Frischhertz contemplated what the new Grove sign will look like. She would prefer something minimalistic, but then she shared her fear that the sign will get overshadowed by game day festivities.

“I’m thinking elegant and small, just not like a huge distraction,” Frischhertz said. “But we do have all the tailgating in the Grove, so I feel like it would not really stand out because of all the tents everywhere anyway.”

Senior biology major Amani Lyons sometimes works in the traffic box on University Avenue. She has seen the mysterious plot before, but, once again, did not know that the university was putting the sign there.

“I’m an RA, so I saw it last Tuesday on my way home for Thanksgiving break. I was kind of taken aback by it because I didn’t see any signs or anything posted about it beforehand,” Lyons said.

Lyons, like other students, had no idea what the plot was for.

“I honestly don’t know what they’re doing construction for at this very moment, so I can’t really say if it’s a good or bad use of money,” Lyons said. “I haven’t seen any advertisement (of) what it’s supposed to be or display.”

Recently, the university put up a sign that showcases what the Grove sign will look like.

In an attempt to inquire further about the appearance and functionality of the sign, The

’cause he was sleeping on the sideline,” Smith said of Juice’s unique tolerance for noise.

While the university is familiar with Juice’s presence, so is the town of Oxford. Juice often travels to town for charity events to take pictures with and charm the townspeople.

Juice’s calm nature makes him a favorite visitor of elderly people in assisted living homes, as well as hospitalized children. The pup is a regular guest at these facilities and takes all the attention paid to him in stride.

Juice has more than 50,000 followers on X, formerly Twitter, and 29,000 on Instagram.

Smith assured that Juice is not a workaholic. He does have “lazy days” filled with napping and playtime.

Juice certainly has made a difference in the lives of the people of Oxford by training hard, playing hard and sharing his puppy joy with the community. Smith attributes Juice’s strengths to his owners – the Kiffins.

“Coach and Landry (Kiffin) did a fantastic job of socializing him and taking him everywhere, so nothing really bothers him – all the screaming crowd and everything, he just prances like he’s the king of the world,” Smith said.

To watch The Daily Mississippian’s video interview with Juice Kiffin and Wildrose Kennels’ Tom Smith, visit Daily Mississippian Multimedia on YouTube.

Daily Mississippian reached out to Tupelo-based firm McCarty Architects, who are collaborating with the university on the project. They said that they would not answer any questions and directed the DM to the university for any clarity.

When the DM reached out to the Department of Facilities Planning, the DM was again met with silence.

Other than a vague Spring 2024 completion promise from the university-wide public relations email and sign detailing information about the project, the university has been unclear about what this addition to one of the university’s most famous landmarks will be.

Hall thinks the addition is an effort to keep up with what he describes as HAILEY AUSTIN / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN an always-evolving Oxford.

“Oxford has been updat- A preview of the Grove Sign is placed at the contruction sight on Nov. ing, renovating a ton, and I 29. think the university is trying to keep up with it, too,” Hall said.

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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 30 NOVEMBER 2023 | PAGE 7

SPECIAL REPORT

CONFRONTING CLIMATE CHANGE IN MISSISSIPPI

Racial minorities will feel a disproportionate impact of climate change in Mississippi.

If the planet warms by 2 degrees Celsius, Black people in Mississippi are 40% more likely than other groups to live in areas where extreme temperatures will cause more deaths.

Environmental Protection Agency

Mississippi’s weather patterns are becoming increasingly erractic and extreme due to the impact of climate change. The frequency of tornadoes in Mississippi has notably increased over the years, with 2022 setting a record of 181 reported.

Jamie Dyer, professor of meterology and climatology at Mississippi State University

75,000 Mississippians

live in areas vunerable to coastal flooding due to the rising sea levels. That number may increase to 88,000 by 2050.

The Climtae Reality Project and the Environmental Protection Agency

Mississippi is one of the top five most at-risk states

with 4% of its population vulnerable to extreme heat and the potential for dangerously hot days annually.

Climate Change Risk Index

Mississippi faces decreased summer precipitation, potentially impacting water availablity and agriculture.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

ILLUSTRATIONS BY SEDLEY NORMAND

PAGE 8 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 30 NOVEMBER 2023

Climate Change in Mississippi: A Growing Concern For All Alice Ann Hollingsworth Jacqeline Brown can still hear the echoes of her granddaughter’s terror on the night of March 24, 2023, when a tornado ripped through Rolling Fork, Miss.

“My grandbaby, she was screaming and hollering because when the roof came off, it also picked her up and she started screaming, ‘I don’t want to die, oh, Lord,’” Brown said.

Miraculously, everyone in the Brown family survived the event, but their home was destroyed.

The Browns, like many others, found themselves struggling to find a place to call home in the immediate aftermath of the storm.

They now live in a trailer that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided.

However, the trailers are intended to be a shortterm solution until those who were displaced by the tornado can find permanent housing. Brown said that it is not very realistic.

“The trailer was given to us at first, but now what y’all are telling us is that we have to pay for them in the end. How can we pay for a FEMA trailer and build a house, too?” Brown asked.

Even before the EF-4 tornado tore Rolling Fork apart, more than a fifth of its population lived below the poverty level, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. And while Mike Brown, Mississippi’s state climatologist, cannot say for sure that climate change is causing an increase in tornadic activity in the state, he does say it is possible. He also pointed out that some communities generally have a harder time recovering from any type of disaster.

“Obviously, poor communities don’t have the infrastructure that other communities have and so when something does happen or goes wrong, or there’s a strain on that system, it does have a disproportionate impact (on) these marginalized communities,” Brown said.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, racial minorities in Mississippi will feel the impact of climate change more than any other group. If the planet warms by 2 degrees Celsius, EPA analysis found that Black

people in Mississippi would be 40% more likely than other groups to live in areas where extreme temperatures will cause more deaths.

Additionally, American Indians in Mississippi are 48% more likely to live in areas that will be inundated by flooding from sea-level rise, according to the EPA. But journalist and civil rights attorney Anne Sulton says the issue is more nuanced.

“I differ because most people will say, ‘Oh, you know, Black and brown people, they’re gonna have it harder. Oh, no, no, this is gonna get so bad everybody’s gonna feel it,” Sulton said.

Sulton earned her Ph.D. in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Maryland-College Park and her Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Currently, Sulton serves as senior international correspondent for the Jackson Advocate newspaper. In 2021, she published a series of weekly articles centered on educating readers about the multifaceted issue of climate change.

Sulton said that regardless of factors such as race, gender, age or socio-economic status, the effects of climate change are a little like playing the lottery.

“We all have the equal opportunity to experience a natural disaster,” Sulton said.

Yet, this does not negate the disproportionate effects seen in communities with limited resources, especially when it comes to recovery.

“The poor always suffer more because a loss [for those with limited resources] is actually a loss. For those with ample resources, a loss is a temporary inconvenience,” Sulton said.

Those with financial means often have the flexibility to relocate, rebuild or access alternative resources.

In contrast, underprivileged communities may face prolonged displacement, economic hardships and emotional trauma.

“But,” Sulton said, “it doesn’t mean (those with the financial means to recover) won’t be impacted by the loss of life, right? Loss of productivity, the loss of safety and security —

Anne Sulton is a practicing civil rights attorney who is the author of more than 50 articles pertaining to climate change.

Photo courtesy Anne Sulton everybody is at an equal risk.”

In essence, climate change stands as the great equalizer of the 21st century. Rising sea levels, intensifying hurricanes, prolonged droughts and record-breaking heatwaves are universal threats.

Those with the financial means to do so may escape some of the immediate repercussions, but they are not immune to the broader, longterm societal effects of an unstable climate.

“People of all ethnic and racial backgrounds end up standing in line together at the free food and temporary housing centers,” Brown said.

School of Journalism and New Media reporter Celeste Lay contributed to this story.

If the planet warms by

2

American Indians in Mississippi are Racial minorities in Mississippi will feel the impact of climate change more than any other group.

48%

40%

more likely to live in areas that will be inundated by flooding from sea-level rise, according to the EPA.

SOURCE: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

In the aftermath of a catastrophic weather event, a housing crisis often develops. Reporter Celeste Lay explores how some of Rolling Fork’s residents are struggling to find a permanent home more than six months after an EF-4 tornado destroyed much of the town.

EPA analysis found that Black people in Mississippi would be

more likely than other groups to live in areas where extreme temperatures will cause more deaths.

INFOGRAPHIC BY MAGGIE MILLER

SCAN TO WATCH

THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 30 NOVEMBER 2023 | PAGE 9

UM Studies Animals to Evaluate Earth’s Environmental Health Chloe Clement, Leo Frank and Madison Cole What do shorebirds, oysters and frogs have in common? All three are considered indicators of the earth’s environmental health. Three University of Mississippi scientists are studying these organisms to better understand the impact of climate change in the state and beyond.

HABITAT LOSS AND DWINDLING POPULATIONS In a small, shared office in Shoemaker Hall, biology graduate student Emma Counce is researching Mississippi’s migratory shorebird populations, searching for ways to protect their dwindling populations from the effects of climate change.

“Globally, shorebirds are declining. There are probably a lot of interconnected reasons for that, but the one reason of focus is loss of stopover habitat,” Counce said.

During migration, shorebirds need places to stop along the way in order to eat and rest. These destinations are what researchers call stopover habitats. These are predominantly natural wetlands, shorelines or mudflats. Many stopover habitats that would have naturally formed have been lost due to the conversion of wetlands.

Thanks to the rise of temperature occurring earlier in the spring season and lasting longer in the fall season, areas of natural stopover habitat are becoming drier and remaining dry for longer periods of time. This creates a problem for migratory shorebirds.

“With the lack of wetlands, shorebirds will continue to decline and that is what motivates my research. I never want to see a species of shorebirds decline,” Counce said.

Counce said that it is essential to understand the effects of climate change on all aspects of life.

“The big point is that everything has inherent value even if it is not explicitly useful to humans, and that is how I feel about these shorebirds. It is deeply concerning that these birds are declining,” she said.

Climate change is seeping into the daily lives of every individual, whether noticeable or not. It is essential to seek out conservation methods to prevent detrimental outcomes.

CLIMATE CHANGE STRESSES ORGANISMS Deborah Gochfeld grew up loving the outdoors.

As an environmental toxicologist at the University of Mississippi, she has plenty of opportunities to explore nature. Gochfeld studies the effects of climate stressors such as heat, drought and violent storms on various aquatic animals and their surrounding ecosystems.

“It’s been really hard to watch,” Gochfeld said,

Catalyst for Change Photo by Jacob Latil

Michel Ohmer holds a narrowmouth toad while doing fieldwork in Louisiana, studying amphibian disease.

Photo by Jeffery Bednark regarding the deterioration of coral reefs over the last few decades.

One of Gochfeld’s recent projects involved the study of oyster larval populations in Mississippi.

Oysters, historically a big source of revenue for the Mississippi Gulf Coast, have been heavily impacted by low salinity levels caused by climate change, threatening both a thriving industry and an essential part of coastal ecosystems.

Gochfield said many environmental factors have recently bombarded oysters, ravaging their ecosystem and harming reproduction patterns.

She said seawater temperatures in Florida recently reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit, unheard of until now.

Gochfeld and other climate scientists at the University of Mississippi know that something major must change, both in the state and in the world. Her research reiterates the conclusion that science has shown time and time again: There is no short-term solution to problems of this nature.

Either humanity will change, or the climate will.

THERE IS NO SHORT-TERM SOLUTION Michel Ohmer, assistant professor of biology at the University of Mississippi, is working with graduate students to assess the health of various species of frogs in hopes of projecting how long they will survive on a warming planet.

Ohmer is researching amphibian diseases and conservation efforts. Frogs are harbingers of the

When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf of Mexico in 2005, Kendall McDonald witnessed it as a 13-yearold living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Experiencing this catastrophic natural disaster sparked her passion for helping to address the impact of climate change.

McDonald, now 31, joined the Office of Sustainability at the University of Mississippi in 2015 and has since become its assistant director. The office is designed to promote student engagement with sustainability issues.

One of the challenges, McDonald said, is student disinterest. Students may be aware of climate change and other environmental problems, but she says they often are hesitant to get involved in ways to help reverse it.

“The day-to-day needs of

planet’s health, pollution levels and diseases in the environment. She always knew she wanted to study herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibians, believing amphibians “are quite an imperiled group of organisms.”

Ohmer said that 40% of all amphibians are threatened, and many of the threats stem from climate change. Frogs have semi-permeable skin and are ectothermic, meaning that their body temperature is dependent on the world around them. With the world heating up, the loss of amphibians would be detrimental to the Earth’s biodiversity and would unbalance many ecosystems. Ohmer said up to 500 species have been affected.

Outside of keeping ecosystems in check, frogs are also important from the perspective of human medicine in the production of antimicrobial peptides. These peptides are produced on their skin and help them ward off predators, parasites and pathogens. These peptides are being studied to help humans. The continued loss of species could be detrimental as new diseases and viruses continue to develop.

According to Counce, Gochfeld and Ohmer, climate change is impacting humankind through its effect on different ecosystems. Only unified action will affect climate change.

School of Journalism and New Media student Ruth Mayo edited this story.

being a student, being involved and having a social life” often prevent students from wanting to take action themselves, according to McDonald.

Programs offered by the Office of Sustainability include the Green Grove Gameday Recycling Program, which is a volunteer-led initiative in which students distribute bags throughout the Grove, to promote recycling among tailgaters, and they collect and sort recycled items.

These practices ultimately lower emissions that would otherwise come from landfills, which can make for hotter temperatures. McDonald’s office also works within the university structure to encourage sustainability.

“We want to address the university’s current operations and encourage research and advocate and consult on ways to make the

university more sustainable as an institution with a very complex network of operational needs,” McDonald said.

Even with the difficulties that come with promoting sustainability and action among the student population, McDonald is hopeful about doing something about climate change.

“If we know that we are not the only people in our community that care about it, then we have the tools that we need to effectively collect and organize action as a campus community with this major issue, because it really is going to take pretty much all of us working together.”

Story by Jacob Latil

PAGE 10 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 30 NOVEMBER 2023

Climate Change is not a Hot Topic for Mississippi Lawmakers Mateos Lozano

As conversations about rising tides and higher temperatures intensify, efforts to enact public policy initiatives to address the effects of climate change in Mississippi do not.

Generally, public policy is any set of laws and guidelines enacted or actions taken by local, state and national governments to deal with problems or concerns facing citizens.

Climate change policy can take many forms, ranging from broad-scale emission reduction regulations and state investment in renewable energy projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions to programs that aim to mitigate damage from natural disasters that are projected to grow more frequent and severe with climate change.

Dominika Parry An example of climate policy is Louisiana’s Climate Initiative Task Force, established by Gov. John Bel Edwards’ executive order in 2021, which set a state-wide goal and plan to balance the amount of carbon put into the environment with the amount removed from the environment by 2050.

The state of Mississippi, however, largely has not aggressively pursued climate policy.

The most prominent state action consists of updating building efficiency standards, funding electric vehicle manufacturing and providing tax exemptions for renewable energy companies.

“Climate change has become not science but politics,” said Dominika Parry, president and CEO of 2C Mississippi. Parry, who received her Ph.D. from Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, established the non-profit 2C Mississippi to promote sciencebased dialogue and action on climate change.

“Talking about it is automatically assumed to be supporting the lefties, and with a state that has a Republican supermajority (in the state legislature) … climate change is not just not a priority, it’s a hostile topic,” Parry said.

“It’s perceived as a goal that is wasting money, solving a problem that doesn’t exist.”

Parry’s perspective is shared by University of Mississippi Associate Professor of Law Antonia Eliason.

“I think there’s still a lot of climate skeptics

in the state of Mississippi. The issue has been turned into a political issue, it’s been turned into a partisan issue … it’s become a very, very politized thing. So I think some of the hostility comes from that.”

Patrick Sullivan, president of the Mississippi Energy Institute, a nonprofit that provides technical expertise about the energy sector to government and private companies, takes a more pragmatic view of the state’s relatively few public policy initiatives, particularly around support for renewable energy.

“Wind and solar are simply not options to generate electricity on a large scale in Mississippi,” Sullivan said. “For the state to invest or aggressively incentivize the addition of more solar would result in costs added to the system, paid by electricity consumers.”

LIMITED LEGISLATIVE ACTION One of the steps Mississippi has taken on climate policy is House Bill 1266, passed by the legislature in 2013, which updated the state’s commercial building energy efficiency codes to the 2010 American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers standards. ASHRAE helps create national code guidelines for governments. Prior to HB 1266, statewide energy efficiency standards had been set 30 years earlier. ASHRAE updates its standards every three years, but Mississippi has not kept pace with those updates.

Another bill passed in 2013, HB 1685, authorized the Mississippi Development Authority, a state agency responsible for managing economic and community development programs, to create the Mississippi Alternative Fuel School Bus and Motor Vehicle Revolving Loan Fund. The fund allowed public schools to apply for loans to purchase buses and vehicles that use alternative fuels such as natural gas or electricity.

On the flipside of climate policy, HB 632, known as the All Fuels Act of 2021, forbids any county or city in Mississippi from banning the use of oil or natural gas in homes. Groups such as the Consumer Energy Alliance argued, “(This legislation) … will protect our families and small businesses from ill-conceived and irresponsible prohibitions on the use of reliable, safe and clean fuels like natural gas in homes or communities.”

It’s worth noting that, as the Consumer Energy Alliance reports, “No energy service bans have been proposed in Mississippi.”

Chairmen of the Mississippi Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Energy, the Senate Committee on Environmental Protection Conservation and Water Resources, the Senate Committee on Finance, the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on Conservation and Water Resources were asked to discuss legislation dealing with the impact of climate change, but none responded to the requests.

Most climate policy action in Mississippi occurs within departments of the state government. For example, the Mississippi Development Authority administers a tax exemption program, the Mississippi Clean Energy Initiative Incentives Program, that allows companies making parts for renewable or nuclear energy manufacturing to qualify for a 10-year exemption from state income and

franchise taxes.

Furthermore, as Joe Donovan, the director of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship at the MDA, explained, “The Nissan plant in Canton and Toyota in Blue Springs, those were significantly supported by the state Legislature. … Those are $100-$200 million projects.

The MDA poured $40 million into Nissan’s EV (electric vehicle) project.”

One of the few state initiatives that incentivizes consumers to buy EVs comes from the Public Service Commission, a state agency responsible for regulating various utilities. A one-time $3,000 cash incentive is available to EV buyers who meet a variety of criteria, such as earning low to moderate income.

However, at the same time, Eliason adds, “(In Mississippi there is) an additional tax for the purchase of EVs. Most other states would give you some sort of tax rebate.”

This “tax” is an annual charge that EV and

Patrick Sullivan hybrid car owners are required to pay — $150 and $75 respectively. While 32 other states also charge EV owners, Mississippi is also one of 17 states that charges a fee while offering little to no incentives for EV owners (excluding incentives offered by private companies). Since 2021, these fees have been tied to inflation, and they go to fund road infrastructure in the state.

Sullivan notes, “There is not any direct financial assistance provided (to renewable energy projects by the state) but there is a regulatory role for that through the state’s Public Service Commission.”

The commission regulates a net metering rule, adopted in 2016, that applies to Entergy and Mississippi Power customers. As summarized by solar energy company Palmetto, net metering “allows you to send extra solar energy that your solar panels generate back into the electric grid. In return, you earn credit that you can use to offset the cost of electricity you pull from the grid in the future.” The extra money allows consumers to partially offset the cost of installing solar panels and in some cases even earn a profit.

Most states offer customers the full retail rate when reimbursing them for self-generated energy, but Mississippi is one of six states

THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 30 NOVEMBER 2023 | PAGE 11

energy, but Mississippi is one of six states that does not. And Entergy and Mississippi Power have successfully pushed back against a recent PSC attempt to expand net metering.

In response, the PSC narrowed the eligibility for households that can receive reimbursements in addition to other changes to the rebates offered.

STATE, FEDERAL PARTNERSHIPS Departments within the Mississippi state government also manage several federal climate policy programs.

Through the federal State Energy Program, the MDA has invested $15,000 to cover the cost of energy audits in order to improve industrial energy efficiency.

Through the federal Weatherization Assistance Program, the Mississippi Department of Human Services has provided grants to increase residential energy efficiency by weatherizing homes, a practice that lessens the usage of air conditioning or heating at an average of 167 homes per year, according to the federal Office of State and Community Programs.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has helped restore the damage caused by natural disasters and invest in infrastructure disaster resiliency.

Biloxi Mayor Andrew Gilich said MEMA oversaw “a huge project that started after Hurricane Katrina (in 2005) … implementing across the city … was about a $350 million investment in water, deep sewer and storm drains systems that primarily was funded through FEMA and managed through MEMA.” With help from MEMA and FEMA funding, Biloxi has been able to implement parts of its 2009 comprehensive plan to increase the city’s level of preparedness against natural disasters.

The city of Waveland, through FEMA grants, is undertaking a $6.9 million construction project to improve flood water drainage through the construction of new ditches and other improvements.

According to the Climate Adaptation Knowledge Exchange, a nonprofit that reports on U.S. climate policy initiatives, the city is also “working to secure funding to develop a raised boardwalk on one of the city’s main streets, Coleman Avenue. The boardwalk will be raised 23 feet off the ground and be able to withstand the high winds associated with extreme storm events.” This project is estimated to cost approximately $20 million.

Conversely, the city of Jackson’s efforts to create a climate mitigation plan have met many challenges. According to a 2020 press release, the city along with several local

partners established a group known as the Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Task Force with the following mission statement: “The task force will simultaneously address the issues of climate justice, economic well being and prosperity of the citizens of Jackson.”

Representing one of the most comprehensive attempts at local climate action in the state, the task force laid out a commitment to “begin developing a comprehensive Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plan, while working on … an Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan, Urban Heat Mapping and Municipal Carbon Accounting.”

However, as Dominka Parry of 2C Mississippi, who was involved in the task force’s creation, explained, “We had a champion at the city administration that was very interested in our work — this is where that concept planning for mitigation and adaptation long-term came up — then our champion left the city, changed jobs.

The entire task force went dormant because we didn’t have anybody to directly work with. I’m hoping it’s just dormant.”

Despite that disappointment, 2C Mississippi continues to pursue positive climate action, such as an urban heat island mapping initiative.

“Just a few weeks ago, we got $1.5 million to actually do it from the Forest Service USDA,” Parry said. “Implementation should start next calendar year.”

As stated on 2C Mississippi’s website, the initiative will comprehensively map the distribution of heat throughout Jackson to help guide future investments that aim to reduce the impact of heat on the community.

GREEN HOUSE GASES The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality is also tapping into federal funds to participate in the Emissions Reduction Program, initiated by the federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The department will develop a plan that will identify all significant greenhouse gas sources and sinks (anything that absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases), establish green house gas emission reduction goals and provide strategies to achieve those goals.

The first draft of these plans will be due on March 1, 2024, and multiple phases of the project are expected to play out over four years.

With this, Mississippi will set its first official emission reduction goals, although at this early stage, it is unclear how these goals will be shaped and to what extent the state will act on them.

The federal government has been one of the biggest drivers of climate public policy in Mississippi. The Inflation Reduction Act, for

example, establishes a variety of tax credit and rebate programs that allow consumers and businesses to increase their energy efficiency, expand clean energy and EV usage and apply to upgrade the resistance of housing units and transportation projects to natural disasters such as floods.

Through the IRA’s $52 million Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program, low- to moderate-income households can apply and receive tax rebates that cover 50%-100% of the cost of installing new electric appliances that ultimately increase energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the long run.

This is only a snapshot of the total number of climate actions that the IRA and other federal programs seek to implement.

According to a press release from the Biden administration, approximately $800 million in funds relating to climate public policy have been invested in Mississippi through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as of March 2023.

Enacted in November 2021, the BIL has invested $18 million into building EV charging stations around the state, $447.8 million into infrastructure resiliency against flooding and other natural disasters and $57.3 million into improving energy efficiency of residential homes and manufacturing facilities.

Among the law’s investments, the Vicksburg Warren School District has received grant money to purchase 10 clean school buses — vehicles that run on electricity instead of diesel fuel — at a cost of $3.5 million, according to the Vicksburg Post.

Within Mississippi, nine school districts in total have seen this support from the federal government.

FUTURE ACTION IS UNCERTAIN Over the past 20 years, despite the improvements and investment in energy efficiency, climate-resistant infrastructure and EV expansion in Mississippi, the state has yet to join with other states in aggressively pursuing climate public policy. The lack of support from the state makes it more challenging for municipalities and non-profit organizations in Mississippi to pursue projects to abate the impact of climate change.

Actions such as the MDEQ’s initiative to enroll in an EPA program that would establish the state’s first emission reduction goals does demonstrate progress. As the climate continues to change dramatically, however, it remains an open question as to whether Mississippi’s longterm policies will change as well.

State Residential Energy Code Efficiency

While Mississippi has a commercial energy efficiency code, there is no statewide efficiency requirement for new and renovated residences as of Sept. 29, 2023.

SOURCE: PACIFIC NORTHWEST NATIONAL LABORATORY

PAGE 12 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 30 NOVEMBER 2023

Mississippi’s Record Drought Raises Questions Celeste Lay, Julieanna Jackson, Olivia Wright and Hallie Grace Withrow

In the heart of Yazoo County, Clay Adcock has dedicated his life to farming, but this year has been especially difficult.

“I’ve already told everyone, in 37 years of farming, I’ve never had it this hot and this dry,” Adcock said.

“We’ve had either one independent of each other. It’s just that this has been really unusual; we’ve had hot dry years before, of course, but nothing like this.”

Much of Mississippi is in the midst of severe or exceptional drought, according to Mike Brown, the state’s climatologist.

“I have been chest deep working with farmers, producers, the Department of Agriculture, the governor’s office, trying to get our emergency declarations, trying to get the drought monitor where it needs to be and those kinds of things for the folks here in Mississippi so they can get some help through either insurance or through low-interest loans and those kinds of things,” Brown said.

According to Brown, southern and southcentral Mississippi are experiencing one of the worst droughts recorded in close to 30 years. As of November, 44 of Mississippi’s 82 counties have been designated drought disaster areas.

“Some of our ranchers are having to ship off their cattle to other states because hay is not available to them or grasses are not available to them. Some are having to sell things at a loss, using supplemental water, those types of things,” Brown said.

For Adcock, who grows cotton and other crops, things are not quite so bad.

“When you don’t have rain, your production suffers … we are probably off 10 to 15%,” Adcock said.

He is not ready to blame his losses on climate change, however.

“There have been situations just like this in the early 1900s, where it’s just tremendous droughts, and then we’ve had wet seasons … so I think it’s cyclical, and you do the best you can,” Adcock said.

Brown says he and others are trying to understand those cycles and why droughts are changing in Mississippi.

“I’ve noticed that in probably the past decade where droughts have greater impacts all of a sudden, and they come on much more quickly than they used to. It used to be a much more subtle process, and now it’s a much more accelerated process,” he said.

Brown is not sure why.

“Climatically, there have been some small changes, but not enough to really justify what we’re seeing with this drought,” he said.

Brown and others are exploring whether changes in land management practices, such as the types of crops farmers are planting and when they are planting them, might contribute to increases in the frequency and severity of droughts along with some changes in climate.

Whatever is happening, it is affecting more than just farmers and ranchers. Bogia Chelli is the general manager of Silver Creek Gin in Yazoo County. The gin separates cotton fibers from the plant’s seeds, so his business has a good year when local farmers do, too.

“Just north of us, they are picking up a good crop, and further south, they’re picking up a good crop,” Chelli said. “But further south, in Louisiana, it’s pretty rough ... here we’re off maybe 300-400 pounds an acre.”

The drought has also shrunk the size of the cotton seeds and potentially the size of the gin’s profits.

“The seeds are smaller, it doesn’t have much seed weight, and it affects how much we make … so it’s going to be a tough one for everybody,” Chelli said.

The gin is located near Yazoo City, home to about 10,000 people. Local resident Julie Johnston says, so far, most of her neighbors have felt little impact from the drought.

“Just mainly when people cut their grass, it’s just dry everywhere,” she said. But she is aware that others have not been so lucky. “It has not impacted us

The U.S. drought monitor indicates Mississippi is experiencing some of the driest conditions since 2016.

Reporters Celeste Lay and Julieanna Jackson explore the impact of the 2023 drought on farmers and the businesses that support them.

Droughts affect more than agriculture, but as reporters Olivia Wright and Hallie Grace Withrow discovered, some Mississippi communities have yet to feel the impact.

SCAN TO WATCH

SCAN TO WATCH

Farmer Clay Adcock says climate is cyclical and this year’s drought is another example of a natural occurrence.

Photo by Julieanna Jackson like it has the farmers, and we are very fortunate that it has not done that.”

On Nov. 1, the U.S. Small Business Administration began making disaster loans available to Mississippi farmers and small businesses that have lost money due to drought conditions. For now, Yazoo County is not on the list of those eligible counties, but 12 other Mississippi counties are listed. Brown continues to push for additional support for those hurt by this record drought.

THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 30 NOVEMBER 2023 | PAGE 13

Solar, Wind Projects Power Energy Efficiency Reese Anderson

There are sunny days ahead for the renewable energy industry in Mississippi.

In September 2022, energy provider Entergy completed construction on a 100-megawatt, utilityscale solar farm — one of the first and largest in the state. Sunflower Solar Site sits on 1,000 acres of land in the Mississippi Delta, near Ruleville in Sunflower County.

The power station capitalizes on some of the state’s most abundant resources: open land and the sun. It generates enough energy per year to power 16,400 homes, all of which use Entergy’s Sunflower County power grid.

“During peak condition, on the sunniest day, the solar station can produce 100 megawatts,” operations planning manager Landon Eskew said.

“It’s producing 100% renewable, emissions-free energy for the customers of Mississippi, so it’s something we’re real proud of.”

Sunflower Solar Site lays the groundwork for further investment from Entergy in Mississippi renewables. It joins three Entergy-built, privately owned solar farms in the state and 36 more in other states that Entergy covers, including Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. The company plans to have opened four more utility-scale farms in Mississippi by 2026 or 2027.

“Renewables are a big part of our future. Entergy, the whole corporation, has committed to get to net zero carbon emissions, and solar energy is going to be a big part of that,” Eskew said. “We have a couple of interim goals in the middle, but 2050 is the ultimate net-zero goal.”

Though its focus is on solar energy, Eskew did not rule out the possibility of Entergy investing in windharnessing technologies.

“Wind is another renewable energy source that we’re looking at. There’s nothing definitive there, but that’ll be next in line,” Eskew said. “But it’s solar first with its development and where it is with the technology. It’s the front runner right now in renewables.”

Entergy’s prioritization of solar power reflects a nationwide trend. Patrick Sullivan, director of the Mississippi Energy Institute, a nonprofit that researches energy-related economic development, says that solar energy is burgeoning both in Mississippi and across the country. “(Solar energy) is the fastest growing source of electric power generation in the nation,” Sullivan said. “It still makes up a relatively small percentage nationally, but it’s more than it was a few years ago. Now, it is the fastest growing area in terms of investment in construction.”

State Climatologist and Mississippi State University Professor of Climatology Mike Brown favors solar as Mississippi’s best option for renewables. He cited the ease with which solar panels can be put up, arguing for solar panels to be incorporated into urban areas, rather than trees and crops being razed to make room for solar farms.

“Solar is our best source here in Mississippi,” Brown said. “But we’ve got to get smart about where we put these farms. We need to put them in areas where we’re not going to disrupt agriculture. Why we aren’t putting solar panels on top of those garages is beyond me. Or why in our parking lots we don’t have elevated solar panels that you park under.”

While solar panels are yet to be implemented in Mississippi’s urban areas, rural solar farms are on the rise. Sunflower Solar Station joins two other utilityscale solar farms in Mississippi: Silicon Ranch’s Meridian Solar and Origis Energy’s Sumrall Solar Farms, located in Lauderdale County and Sumrall County, respectively. Amazon is also constructing a 175-megawatt solar farm in Scott County, set to begin operations in 2024.

The importance of agriculture to Mississippi also

prevents the state from capitalizing on what could seemingly be a behemoth for renewable energy: rivers.

“I don’t think we’ve harnessed hydroelectric energy because damming those rivers, the Mississippi River and the Pearl River, would be detrimental to our agriculture,” Brown said.

“Those (rivers) provide water to our main aquifer that our farmers pump out of to irrigate their crops. If we did anything to those Construction is underway at Delta Wind in Tunica County on Aug. 30, 2023. rivers, I think it would cost us more than it would Photo courtesy Applied Energy Services benefit us.”

Brown also expressed skepticism at the viability of wind energy production in Mississippi.

“It’s not cost-effective to put up wind turbines here in the state of Mississippi because we don’t have the wind to generate the power,” he said. “As the technology develops, it could be done, but we just don’t see the winds (here) like we do in the Southwest.”

This has not stopped Amazon from funding the construction of Sunflower Solar Farm catches rays on a sunny day.

Mississippi’s first utilityscale wind farm. Delta Photo courtesy Entergy Mississsippi Wind will consist of 41 turbines on 14,000 acres of land in Tunica County. Once completed, the project there is no indication of how many people will will be operated by energy consulting company continue to work there. Likewise, the Sunflower Solar Site has few permanent employees.

Applied Energy Services.

“There aren’t many employees at the solar farm “We chose this specific location because of the landowner’s participation in our partnership with itself,” Eskew said. “Obviously during construction, Tunica County’s zoning and permitting leadership,” there was a significant number of employees, but Applied Energy Services stakeholder relations now we keep maybe three full-time employees at the site.” analyst Chanel Guidry said.

By comparison, the oil and gas industry in According to Guidry, Applied Energy determined that Tunica County is windy enough for the farm to Mississippi creates upward of 97,000 jobs.

This is one reason why Sullivan advocates for the be productive.

“The location is in a regionally high wind resource gradual and practical implementation of renewable area in comparison to other parts of the state,” she energy. Not only does the fossil fuel industry employ said. “(Mississippi) is not as windy as many other tens of thousands of people, countless more renewable projects will be needed to make a dent in states, but it’s enough wind for us to make it work.”

If successful, Delta Wind will provide amounts of natural gas consumption.

“Statewide, about 75% to 80% (of commercial electricity to Mississippians unprecedented by other energy) is derived from natural gas,” Sullivan said. forms of renewable energy.

“It is a 184-megawatt project, and it will generate “Nuclear’s around 14%, coal makes up about 8% enough energy to power more than 80,000 homes in and then there’s a small percentage, about 1%, made up of solar production.”

Mississippi annually,” Guidry said.

Despite its undeniable benefits, renewable energy Wind energy has distinct benefits, namely that it will serve a supplementary role to natural gas energy encourages rather than disrupts agriculture.

“The nice thing about wind turbines is that you until renewables’ production infrastructure is robust can put them on a farm and they don’t have a big enough to account for a significant portion of energy footprint. You can farm around those things, and the consumption.

“The sunshine is free and the wind is free. You’ve farmer doesn’t lose much,” Brown said. “But we gain got to build the stuff to collect the energy, but you a lot of electricity.”

Delta Wind is taking advantage of this fact, don’t have to pay for the result, like paying for the fuel building on agricultural land on which rice, soybeans, with natural gas,” Sullivan said. “But the downside of renewables is that you can’t really control how corn and wheat will continue to be grown.

A downside of both solar and wind energy much it generates and when it generates. So it’s production is that once construction is complete, important for them to be a complementary part of a neither creates permanent jobs. While Delta Wind bigger system. With energy, you want to have enough expects to employ 300 people at peak construction, supply and enough stable supply.”

PAGE 14 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 30 NOVEMBER 2023

Mississippi’s Emerging Leaders Strive for Climate Resilience Kala Nance Dominika Parry is a social justice advocate at 2C Mississippi, a Jackson-based organization with a unique, climate-focused mission. “(2C Mississippi) is a climate organization that works on social justice projects,” Parry said. “I’m making this distinction because these are delicate topics. … We work on social justice projects, and we bring in social justice money to lowincome communities of color. The purpose of the organization (is) to work on climate change and openly talk about climate change in Mississippi.”

Talking openly about climate change is not always easy in a state where, according to the Yale Climate Opinion study, just 44% of people believe global warming will harm them personally.

Parry, who is the founding president of 2C Mississippi and an environmental economist, earned her Ph.D. in forestry and environmental studies from Yale University. There, she worked on a valuation of air pollution damages. She said she speaks out on climate issues because so many others will not.

“What I encountered was this constant fear of saying climate change. There are very many denialists who believe that this is not happening, that it’s all a myth and a joke and a hoax. But those who wanted to talk about it were also afraid that they would be ostracized and that there were going to be consequences from their employers, and so I put myself … in a position that allows me to talk about all the scientific facts and call them the way that they are,” Parry said.

The organization is managing a project funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to reduce Jackson’s exposure to extreme heat. They are developing green infrastructure to promote the cooling of Jackson. Green infrastructure refers to parks, tree lines, vertical gardens, rooftop gardens and other structures where the environmental impact of concrete can be reduced.

Mississippi State University’s architecture program has partnered with the Jackson Community Design Center and 2C Mississippi to give fifth-year students the opportunity to help with the project.

“We step in with student workers and do all of the … up-front analysis of needs to then create the vision for projects so that nonprofits (like 2C Mississippi) can approach … (larger) organizations with their vision and carry the project across the finish line. We fill a very particular need,” said Jassen Callender, a professor at MSU and the director of the JCDC. Students in the program are designing two new parks for Jackson. Alston Brown, an MSU architecture student from Madison, Mississippi,

A family takes pictures at the Art Garden in Jackson, Miss., on Oct. 29, 2023. The director of 2C Mississippi Dominika Parry says that parks like this contribute to the community by allowing space for various events and activities.

Photo by Kala Nance said the work in Jackson is heavily influenced by public opinion.

“For example, the Jackson Community Design Center is helping 2C Mississippi with their grant to begin building some more parks because they found out that’s what the city needs and the community wants. I think that is an important aspect to think about when understanding what we do here as both students and volunteers,” Brown said.

Now, Parry is looking for more allies on state campuses.

“What I’m seeing is a huge interest among academics in social justice issues … and education,” Parry said. “When you come to Jackson, you find issues that are much more complicated, and they don’t follow the rules as nicely as you would want (from) a textbook … You are in a state that actually faces climate justice issues. If (students) and universities are willing to work on educational programs and connect with an outreach in action, I think that’s potentially extremely impactful.”

At the University of Southern Mississippi, educators are hoping to have an impact on some of Mississippi’s biggest climate change challenges by creating new degree programs in its School of Coastal Resilience, located on the university’s

Gulf Campus. Students who enroll can choose from two programs: Sustainability Studies or Sustainability Sciences.

“Students pursuing these majors will learn from research scientists and scholars about the challenges that confront the ecologies, natural systems and communities of coastal zones and develop the understanding and skills necessary to address some of the most important socioenvironmental problems confronting our region and indeed the world at large,” Associate Professor Westley Follett said.

Parry said that while nonprofit organizations, businesses and educational programs are contributing to the growing awareness of climate change in Mississippi, individuals also can have more impact than they may think.

“As an individual person, it is always good to change your behavior around the topic but what’s even better is forming a group with similar initiatives,” Parry said. “The larger the organization, the larger the impact. Get involved with others and think about plans to help move forward sustainable initiatives. Minimize your commutes, carpool, walk, bike, take public transportation, eat more plant-based foods and avoid food waste. Anything you can do helps improve the state of climate crisis in Mississippi.”

ABOUT THE PROJECT: Few topics are as important and as polarizing as the issue of climate change. One reason is that the Earth’s climate has changed many times in its multi-billion-year existence. That fact leads some people to assume that addressing climate change is beyond our control. Others, including many scientists, say we can slow the rate of global warming if we reduce some human activities, such as burning fossil fuels or cutting down too many trees.

As part of a year-long reporting project, students from the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University are exploring what we know and what we don’t about the impact of climate change in our state. We’re documenting the work of activists, public officials, businesses and scientists who are trying to ensure that the state is aware and prepared

for what might happen as the planet gets increasingly warmer. We’re telling the stories of people around the state who are directly affected by climate change.

The project is a collaboration involving the University of Mississippi School of Journalism and New Media, The Daily Mississippian and the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, in cooperation with Mississippi State’s Department of Communication and The Reflector.

“Rising Tides, Rising Temperatures” seeks to bring to light both the opportunities and the challenges surrounding climate change in Mississippi.

As you read through the articles and watch the videos online, we hope you will come away with a better understanding of climate change and its impact on our state and its people, as well as an appreciation

for the hard work of these talented student journalists.

THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS: Alice Ann Hollingsworth Celeste Lay Chloe Clement Hallie Grace Withrow Julieanna Jackson Kala Nance Leo Frank Madison Cole Mateos Lozano Olivia Wright Reese Anderson Ruth Mayo Sedley Normand

THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 30 NOVEMBER 2023 | PAGE 15

Ask A&C: Sleep vs. cram for final exams?

ARTS & CULTURE DESK thedmfeatures@gmail.com

In “Ask A&C,” University of Mississippi students ask questions about university and Oxford life, and members of the arts and culture writing staff answer with their own personal takes. This week, sophomore psychology and exercise science major Katie LeBlanc asks: “Sleep vs. cram for final exams?”

She says she prefers to sleep.

TEAM SLEEP Aliza Warner I have crammed during finals weeks in the past, and I can say with 100% certainty that they were some of the worst and most stressful experiences in my academic career. So, I prefer sleeping at night and getting some rest before any exam. Those hours of sleep may shorten during finals week, but I always feel better on exam day. Before sleeping, I like to include small moments of self-care, like reading a book or watching my favorite comfort show to help me unwind.

However, I wouldn’t say I am against cramming. Only do it when it is absolutely necessary!

ing an essay, I prioritize sleep over everything. Something that I have learned throughout my years of college is that I do not do well when I am tired. I remember freshman year when I crammed for a test the night before, and then I fell asleep while trying to take it. It does not matter how long someone crams information before a test, if the brain does not get rest, then it will not retain all the information it needs. Getting up early and doing work throughout the day so I can get a good night’s rest has helped me do so much better on exams rather than cramming. Sleep is great, and I never want to miss a chance to rest. Plus, it is really hard to take a test with your eyes closed.

Lydia Waters I prefer to sleep throughout exam week so that I feel well rested and prepared for my exams. I personally learn better by studying over time instead of cramming, so I study a little bit every single day for a week leading up to the exam.

That way, I still have free time and lots of time to rest for the night before. Anytime I haven’t gotten a good night’s sleep Sarah McRaney before an exam, I always feel When it comes to getting worse about it afterwards! ready for an exam or even writ-

TEAM CRAM Jeridiane Ray I nap all semester to prepare my body for the work and grind of finals. Each semester, one course that I’ve taken has required me to pull a 24-hour all-nighter in order to review all of the material that I’ve missed and skipped throughout the semester. Last semester, I went out to Code Pink on a Thursday night, and then I came back to my dorm, took a cold shower and opened my notes. I studied up until the time of my Portuguese final at 8 a.m. Needless to say, I made an A on my final, and of course, slept for 12 hours afterward.

Isabelle Frost When it comes to finals week, I am definitely more of a crammer. I’m usually a lot more productive at night, so I like to sleep in and then stay up until 2 or 3 in the morning. When I was a freshman, I would go to the Minor Hall study room until morning and then go straight to class.

The P.O.D Market’s Papa Johns carried me through so many late night study sessions. With that being said, even though this is my routine, I would recommend for others to get a good night’s sleep before tests.

GRAPHIC: SEDLEY NORMAND / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Julia Ross As much as I would like to think I take my time and study during the daytime and rest at night, I find myself always staying up late the week of the test, not prepared. I truly believe these sets of exams will not be much different when it comes to studying. I did study during day hours for the midterms this year, but I think that was just because I was nervous and wanted to do really well.

Mary Evans As much as I believe in a more balanced approach to studying, I really am a major procrastinator. There’s something about the adrenaline rush of a last-minute cram session that brings out my best work. I wouldn’t recommend this strategy to most people because it makes taking the test the next day a nightmare, but it works pretty well for me.

I like to reward myself after the test with a nice long nap.

Claire’s guide to surviving finals week CLAIRE REYNOLDS

thedmfeatures@gmail.com

Tis’ the season: coffee is flowing and the midnight oil is burning. As finals week draws nearer, the University of Mississippi is offering a multitude of resources for students wishing to finish the year strong. Whether you are looking for last-minute tutoring sessions or information on student disability services accommodations, look no further for a guide on everything being offered to help students succeed during the last stretch of the semester.

J.D. Williams Library resources If students need to find a reliable spot to study, the J.D. Williams Library is a great choice. On Saturday, Dec. 2, the library begins its 24hour schedule, meaning someone could work continuously until the

GRAPHIC: SEDLEY NORMAND / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

library resumes its normal hours of operation on Friday, Dec. 8.

One of the benefits of studying at the library is that students can choose the type of environment they want to work in based

on which floor they go to.

The first floor is perfect for group work, whereas the third floor is best for complete silence concentration.

Additionally, many departments and majors offer free tutoring at the library.

The library also offers several printers for students to use. Students can pay using Ole Miss Express or a library printing card and print as much as they would like at a rate of 15 cents per page for black and white and 50 cents per page for color.

The Writing Center Final exams can take many forms. Not everyone needs to know where to get a green scantron the day of — instead their final may be in the form of an essay. If you fall into the this category, look no

further than UM’s student-run Writing Center. Located on the third floor of Lamar Hall in Suite C, it is open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. until noon on Friday. If students cannot make it to the physical location, online sessions are available. Online hours are 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for Monday through Thursday and 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday. The Writing Center is willing to help with any aspect of the writing process, from brainstorming to polishing up and adding proper citations.

To make an appointment at the Oxford campus, go to the website and select the time that works best for you or a staff member with whom you would prefer to meet.

After that, you will be prompted to fill out some general information.

The Writing Center encourages students to share their papers before

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the meeting begins so the staff can get a head start on reading them.

The Speaking Center The Speaking Center, similar to the Writing Center, is perfect for students who have to give presentations for their final projects.

Directed by Lecturer in Speech Professor Elizabeth Moore and staffed by students, the center is located in Lamar Hall in Room 404.

Students can make appointments online or walk in for an appointment between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The center also offers an online meeting format.

Mental health resources Finals week is a notoriously stressful time. There is no shame in seeking outside help to alleviate anxiety, stress or any other feeling that could affect your quality of life and academic performance.

Additionally, most of the services offered are free to students.

The university offers counseling services in the form of one-on-one meetings with professionals as well as support groups.

The Department of Psychology’s website also provides information on what to do if your GPA is below 2.0, the freshP man forgiveness policy and tips 3.7 for how to study effectively.

SDS accommodations Student Disability Services makes it possible for students to do their best academically by providing equitable test-taking accommodations. Located on the third floor of Kinard Hall in Wing F, the SDS testing center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can contact the center by phone at 662-915-2514 or through email at sdstesting@olemiss.edu.

More information on the SDS guidelines can be found on the website.

PAGE 16 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 30 NOVEMBER 2023

WATERMAN

continued from page 1 earned him a walk-on spot with the Ole Miss Football team.

Sadly, this is not where the story ends.

The cancer went away until a couple of months ago when Waterman received word that it had returned. Having had cancer once already, Waterman knew that the same approach probably would not yield the results he wanted.

“I just knew that I didn’t really want to do the conventional chemo again, so I knew that I needed to find something else that was going to be able to help me,” he said. His mindset was, “I just need to make sure that I get this thing gone for good now.”

The second time around, Waterman cut off all of the sugar and gluten in his diet. He rapidly lost weight in hopes of starving the cancer cells, and it worked for a while, but it could never kill all of the cells.

Waterman turned to a sixweek treatment at Invictus Health in Fayetteville, Ark. During this time, he turned to his faith, leaned on his family for support and continued his dietary regimen; this all culminated in his Oct. 20 announcement that he was finally cancer-free once again.

Having to endure cancer one time is one of the hardest

things anyone can go through, let alone two times. Waterman felt weak, sometimes too weak to do anything. For so long he was sidelined from the sport that he loved all his life, but he found his own way to recovery.

One thing that Waterman has always been passionate about is football, and he refused to let cancer get in the way.

Michelle Waterman, Braden’s mom, said, “He put a football on his dresser… and he just stared at it all the time like ‘That’s my reason.’”

Waterman was a highly sought-after three-star recruit out of high school. Before his diagnosis in 2020, Waterman held interest from schools like Georgia, Clemson and Alabama, according to 247Sports. However, after his diagnosis, everyone seemed to lose interest — everyone except Ole Miss and Head Football Coach Lane Kiffin.

“I want to give Coach Kiffin most of the credit, Coach Kiffin and the Ole Miss Football staff, ” Braden Waterman said. “(They) have been super supportive, and obviously, my teammates helped me get through this — obviously, the community donating money, and just the prayers have been super, super good.”

Kiffin raves about Waterman and his contributions to the team and the impact he has had on the culture of the program despite not taking a single in-game snap since arriving on campus.

“His energy, his positivity, he shows back up here after doing chemo,” Kiffin said. “He’s just so cool, and I just love being around him. I talk to our players when they’re down about how they don’t have enough plays or they didn’t carry the ball enough or catch the ball enough. Look at what he’s going through and fighting through and is still here and positive.”

Kiffin has done nothing but praise Waterman, but on a larger scale, his teammates, Ole Miss and the Oxford community have embraced him and supported him throughout his journey.

Michelle Waterman said, “Once (the Oxford community) heard that (Braden) was in some strife, I mean, a lot of people are anonymous on our GoFundMe, but I have to say probably 90% of the people that have contributed are all from Mississippi or surrounding areas.”

Waterman has endured so much throughout the past three years, but his answer to what kept him pushing through was quite simple.

“I look at it as either you can go through life looking at the negative things, or you can go through life looking at the positive things,” he said. “For me, I look at it as God gave me another day on this Earth to live, and he gave me another opportunity, so, obviously, he’s not done with me yet.”

Waterman went through

PHOTO COURTESY: MICHELLE WATERMAN

Ole Miss quarterback Braden Waterman exits the team bus onto the Walk of Champions his last round of treatment in mid-October and received a clear PET scan around the same time, officially making him cancer-free for the second time.

Michelle Waterman described the scene as “total jubilation” when the family heard the news that Braden was cancer-free. She said that the emotions were running rampant within the Waterman family.

Waterman is, sadly, not the only teenager to go through cancer once or even twice, but the important part is that his story can inspire anyone out there who may share similar life experiences “It’s huge that I need to share my story. I think that’s what God put me on this Earth for,” Braden Waterman said. “And that’s what I’m going to do.”

Ole Miss dismantles N.C. State 72-52

LUKE DUNAVANT

thedmsports@gmail.com

Ole Miss MBB vs. N.C. State Ole Miss faced its first real test of the season when the North Carolina State Wolfpack came to town as a part of the ACC/SEC Men’s College Basketball Challenge. N.C. State touts a very fast offense and an aggressive defense, but the Wolfpack could not get things going against a red-hot Rebel team.

Ole Miss hosts a number of incredible scorers such as Jaemyn Brakefield and Allen Flanigan, two Rebels who paved the way for this win. Ole Miss won the game with a score of 72-52, and in this contest, Ole Miss was able to learn a lot about itself as a team.

Here are some of the major takeaways from this game.

The Rebels finally dominated a game of basketball

Fans have been waiting the entire season for this sort of upset, with Ole Miss seemingly squeaking by its opponents game after game. Although the Rebels boasted an undefeated record going into this game, many fans thought that there was a chance for a blowout, but not in favor of Ole Miss.

In the first half, however, Ole Miss broke away, ending the half with 35 points to N.C. State’s 27. Brakefield was the leading scorer for the first half with 13 points, and he finished with a game-high 25 points.

The Rebels were able to score on this supposedly strong N.C. State defense at will, something this offense has struggled to do in this young season.

The defense In the first half, the Rebels had a very good showing on the defensive side of the ball, forcing six turnovers and blocking four shots

in the first 20 minutes of play alone.

The second half was much of the same, with N.C. State trying to rally and the Rebels blocking them.

Ole Miss’ defense came through without having too many fouls — only 14 — for the entire game.

Offensive MVP: Jaemyn Brakefield As stated earlier, Brakefield finished with 25 points, but he also had four steals and two rebounds. It was a dominant performance for him, as he shot 66% from the field, finally flashing his offensive skill set. Brakefield has been off to a slow start this season, so we will see if he can keep up the momentum; if so, the Rebels will be in good shape on the offensive side of the ball.

Best overall performance: Allen Flanagan Flanagan finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds and three

PROUD PARTNER with OLE MISS DINING Carryout Only

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assists. He ended the night with an efficient and impressive double-double, putting on a show in the process. Flanagan has maintained this steady level of production so far this season, and if he can continue to do so, he will have, perhaps, the most impact on the team’s success.

Defensive MVPs: Matthew Murrell and Jamarion Sharp Both Murrell and Sharp had impressive nights on the defensive side of the ball. Murrell led the team in steals with four, and

Sharp led the team in blocks with three. Sharp has been a steady presence on defense all year, and it was a surprising night for Murrell on the defensive side.

With Moussa Cisse waiting in c the wings, a Sharp and Cisse interior is very scary for this team. a Up next: vs. Memphis t Ole Miss faces off againstt Head Coach Penny Hardawayg and the Memphis Tigers Satur-o day, Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. The gamem will stream on ESPN, but it ise

B

also a home game for the Rebels inside the SJB Pavilion.t

THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 30 NOVEMBER 2023 | PAGE 17

Rebels win Battle for Golden Egg, accomplish 10 wins IAN SPARKS

thedmsports@gmail.com

The college football landscape is changing, and it is changing fast. With conference realignment on the threshold, the anxiously anticipated “Rivalry Week” will look very different with the new scheduling format. Fortunately, though, Ole Miss and Mississippi State’s heated rivalry will continue – the annual fight for the Golden Egg survives.

This year’s game, however unexciting on the offensive side of the ball, ended with Ole Miss returning the highly touted trophy back to Oxford by way of a 17-7 four-quarter battle.

Both teams came into this year’s game with a completely different goal: MSU sought bowl eligibility, and Ole Miss yearned for its second 10-win regular season under Lane Kiffin.

For MSU, this season comes on the back of losing beloved e Head Coach Mike Leach at the end of last season, a season which was capped with the Bulldogs n topping Kiffin and the Rebels in y what was Leach’s last game. Leach s. had spent only a few seasons in e Starkville, but he was leading the t Bulldogs to a positive future be” fore his sudden passing. Kiffin d expressed what many in Starkville ” and around the country felt by saying how he missed Leach.

“He was an amazing person and always had such great stories. Always enjoyed being around him,” Kiffin said on his weekly radio show. “I feel like he was brilliant in kind of a differ-

BEARD

continued from page 1

and the programs are willing to overlook pretty much anything if they think a coach is going to help them improve or get them a title or get them money from alums, boosters and that type of thing.”

The timeline of everything that transpired — from Beard’s firing, to his charges being dropped, to Ole Miss firing Davis and hiring Beard — has raised eyebrows.

Beard was fired at the beginning of this year, the charges were dropped a little over a month later, Davis was fired a little over a week after that and Ole Miss hired Beard less than a month later.

“You see very quickly that ethics and values are transactional,” Armour said.

Ole Miss has been glossed over in the grand scheme of men’s college basketball for some time now, which is exactly why it hired someone with the coaching pedigree of Beard.

“I think we hired him because he is a coach with a good resume, and we wanted to win more games, and having this option was one we maybe felt like we had to jump on while we had it,” Kathrine Duke, a junior accounting major, said. “I wasn’t too excited about this hire, though, because of the allegations he had against him.”

ent way than maybe the coachspeak thing. He was really brilliant that he could have a system, run the same system for 20-30 years and it would still work.

I mean, he came into the SEC and threw for 600 yards on LSU that time. Nobody’s done that.”

This year’s showdown was not as wacky as some previous Egg Bowls, but the fierce competitiveness and the simple need to not lose was prevalent, as always. The Rebels came into the matchup as double-digit favorites, which they ended up achieving.

That being said, the Bulldogs gave the Rebels all they could handle. Possessing two of the SEC’s top tacklers in Bookie Watson and Jett Johnson, MSU was in a good spot deep into the second half. The Bulldogs took their first and only lead of the game early in the third quarter with a Will Rogers touchdown run, only for Ole Miss and the ever-present running back Quinshon Judkins to respond shortly thereafter.

The Rebels would expand their lead to 10 with a Caden Prieskorn touchdown that ultimately sealed the deal on this year’s Egg Bowl.

Offensive MVP: Quinshon Judkins After quarterback Jaxson Dart was temporarily knocked out, Judkins gained extra motivation to put the offense on his shoulders, as if he needed any. He ran as if he was angry at the ground, bouncing off of tacklers and dragging them with him, too. He rushed for 128 yards on 28 carries and a touch-

In the eyes of the law, Beard found himself with a clean slate once the charges were dropped — on paper, he became a prime candidate to lead the struggling Ole Miss Men’s Basketball team. Ole Miss Athletics conducted what it called a “thorough review” of Beard.

“People are going to believe what they’re going to believe, and some of the things we have to do now is just move forward,” Carter said, according to reporting from the Clarion Ledger. “For us, we would not be sitting here today if we didn’t feel very confident in what we know happened in that situation.”

Though the rules and laws say Ole Miss could hire Beard, the moral permissibility of hiring the embattled coach remains questionable.

“I think, as an institution, Ole Miss has the right to hire (Beard) because the (charges) were withdrawn,” graduate accounting student Ben Brashear said. “However, I do think there is justification for people being apprehensive about the hire due to the nature of the allegations and how they were handled — specifically the timing and explanation for why they were suddenly dropped.”

Randi Trew, Beard’s ex-fiancé, recanted the statement she originally gave to police and requested that the charges be dropped.

According to WAPT, “Trew called 9-1-1 in December (2022) saying Beard strangled

HAILEY AUSTIN / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Lane Kiffin walks off the field after a game against Texas A&M in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Nov. 4.

down, averaging 4.3 yards a carry.

Defensive MVP: entire defense Giving defensive MVP to the entire defense might seem unrewarding, but the whole unit truly deserves it. Though Daijahn Anthony led the team in tackles, and Deantre Prince had a sack, the defensive contribution as a whole was what won Ole Miss this game. Dart was banged up from a previous injury, and it just was not a good game offensively. The defense stepping up as much as it did was crucial.

quarter to seal win This was selected for multiple reasons, one being that it confirmed the win. Two, it confirmed everything we knew about Jaxson Dart: He is as tough as they come.

He was momentarily knocked out, came out for a play, then played on as if nothing happened. With this run, he initiated contact with a defender to run him over to get the first down. If he decides to come back for one more year, he could be up for some very prestigious awards this time next year.

healthy as possible. It is unclear if O-lineman Micah Pettus will be available for whichever bowl Ole Miss gets, plus it will give Dart and many others time to receive treatments for their various ailments.

Shining moment: Dart’s first down run late in fourth

Needs improvement: getting healthy As Ole Miss awaits a bowl game invitation, the priority is to get as

Up next: a New Years 6 Bowl?

Ole Miss could find itself on the outside looking in, despite conflicting arguments from many sides. The fact is that Ole Miss has beaten some quality teams and has lost just two games at Alabama and at Georgia, unarguably two of the toughest places to play in the country against one of the best and the best college football teams in the nation.

and bit her. Beard was charged with third-degree domestic violence on Dec. 12. The Travis County, Texas, prosecutor said he decided to drop the charges in February after a review of the evidence and Trew’s wish not to press charges.”

She released a long statement that summed up why she decided to drop the charges.

“Chris and I are deeply saddened that we have brought negative attention upon our family, friends and the University of Texas, among others. As Chris’ fiancée and biggest supporter, I apologize for the role I played in this unfortunate event. I realize that my frustration, when breaking his glasses, initiated a physical struggle between Chris and myself,” Trew said. “Chris did not strangle me, and I told that to law enforcement that evening. Chris has stated that he was acting in self-defense, and I do not refute that. I do not believe Chris was trying to intentionally harm me in any way. It was never my intent to have him arrested or prosecuted. We appreciate everyone’s support and prayers during this difficult time.”

Ole Miss is no stranger to taking chances on head coaches. Take Head Football Coach Lane Kiffin, for example, who was essentially a college football outcast after being fired from each of his previous coaching gigs before finding success at Florida Atlantic.

Carter and the athletics department have proven time and time again that winning

is a top priority, and that goal has materialized in the early parts of the 2023-2024 season in which Beard’s Rebels are 6-0 to start the year..

“I think whenever you’re making a decision, you’re trading off goods and bads,” Nathan Oakes, an assistant professor of practice at the Ole Miss Center for Practical Ethics, said. “It’s rare that you ever have a purely good option or a purely bad option, or you wouldn’t consider them options.”

What concerns many is that Beard is tasked with leading, developing and mentoring the college basketball players that choose to attend Ole Miss; should Beard be charged with leading these young men, given his past?

“Obviously, someone who is leading people, especially youths at a really important point in their lives, you want to ensure that they are going to be responsible and a good role model. That’s largely what a coach is,” Oakes said.

College athletics is an ever-changing institution where wins are of utmost importance. Coaches’ jobs depend on wins, but so do those of athletic directors. These people face a lot of internal and external pressure to succeed.

In a September interview with The Daily Mississippian, Ole Miss Women’s Basketball Head Coach Yolette McPhee-McCuin said, “I think a lot of coaches and a lot of administrators are under a lot of pressure from fans. We

live in a society now where, if the football coach doesn’t win, he’s not the only one that gets fired. Sometimes they fire the (athletic director). The athletic director has to figure out how to make fans happy.”

This hire falls into a moral and ethical gray area. Regardless of differing opinions on the situation, the truth of it all is that Beard is, and will continue to be, the Ole Miss Men’s Basketball coach.

In response to Beard’s firing from Texas, the university’s vice president of legal affairs, James E. Davis, responded to Beard’s attorney with a statement that encapsulates exactly why many have issues with Beard’s hiring at Ole Miss.

“Being a head coach at the University of Texas at Austin is about more than winning games. The privilege of coaching comes with a great responsibility that goes beyond just avoiding improper conduct.

A coach is a leader — a leader who develops student athletes’ positive character, supports their education, prepares them for success in lives after graduation, and represents the University of Texas with honor and respect. A coach’s influence is effected through both professional and personal interactions,” Davis wrote.

Many think that the same sentiments should ring true for the head coaching position at Ole Miss; Beard is in charge of leading the next generation of Rebel basketball players, and some have reservations about that because of his past.

PAGE 18 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 30 NOVEMBER 2023

State’s gain is an Ole Miss scare: Jeff Lebby hired as MSU head coach TEDDY KING

thedmsports@gmail.com

This past week, Ole Miss fans have celebrated Thanksgiving and an Egg Bowl win over rival Mississippi State University, beating the Bulldogs 17-7. What really got Rebel fans’ attention, though, was the most recent coaching hire at Mississippi State. Former Ole Miss and most recently Oklahoma Offensive Coordinator Jeff Lebby signed a fiveyear contract to serve as the Bulldogs’ head football coach.

Lebby served under Ole Miss Head Coach Lane Kiffin in both of their first seasons with the Rebels. In Lebby and Kiffin’s second year with the Rebels, Ole Miss earned its first 10-win regular season in the history of the program.

The combination of Kiffin and Lebby’s offensive minds created one of the strongest Rebel offenses in a long time.

Ranking third nationally and first in the SEC, Lebby made an immediate impact on the Rebels’ offense and quarterback development, especially with former quarterback Matt Corral.

Together as a powerful offensive unit, Ole Miss topped the SEC in total offense, averaging 562.4 yards per game.

After two incredible seasons with the Rebels, Lebby went on and started a new tenure with the Oklahoma Sooners as their new offensive coordinator.

Constructing the No. 1 offense in the Big 12 during the 2023 regular season, Lebby was already a difference-maker on the sidelines. The Sooners’ offense was able to move dominantly through the air, with Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel recording his second consecutive 3,000-plus passing yards season with the Sooners. Under the offensive guidance of Lebby, Oklahoma went 6-7 in 2022 and 10-2 in 2023.

Hotty Toddy Holidays brightens UM campus with winter festivities

CAROLINE MCCUTCHEN

thedmfeatures@gmail.com Continuing a beloved tradition that dates back to the 1860s, the Student Activities Association will feature a Christmas Tree lighting at their annual Hotty Toddy Holidays celebration. After choir caroling and a warm welcome from Chancellor Glenn Boyce in the Circle, guests will be given the opportunity to delight in ice skating, a photo booth, arts and crafts, sweet treats and a special appearance from Santa Claus on the Student Union Plaza.

“Our annual Hotty Toddy Holi-

days bring students together from all backgrounds to celebrate the holiday season,” Student Activities Association Director Daneel Konnar said. “From Christmas ornament crafts to Chinese New Year lantern crafts to Kwanzaa bracelets, our event aims to ensure every holiday season is celebrated and represented during the event.”

All members of the university community are invited to take a break from finals preparation and come together to celebrate the end of the semester and the beginning of the holiday season on Nov. 30 at 6 p.m.

CLASSIFIEDS INFORMATION The DEADLINE to place, correct or cancel an ad is 12 p.m. one business day in advance. The Daily Mississippian is published on Thursdays during the academic school year.

Classified ads must be prepaid. All major credit cards accepted. No refunds on classified ads once published.

The DM reserves the right to refuse ads that appear to offer unrealistic or questionable products or services.

To place your ad in The Daily Mississippian Classifieds section, visit: http://www.thedmonline.com/classifieds.

PHOTO COURTESY: JOHN BOWEN / 247SPORTS

Jeff Lebby glances into the crowd before a game in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

It did not take long for Kiffin and Ole Miss fans to make their opinions on Mississippi State’s new hire very clear on X; Kiffin posted a photoshopped picture of Lebby on Kiffin’s shoulders with the caption “Welcome home @coach_ leb #BackInTheOtherSip,” implying a joking father-and-son dynamic between the two, referencing his return to Mississippi after the Bulldogs’ most recent loss in the Egg Bowl.

On the night that the Bulldogs officially welcomed Lebby home as head coach, Ole Miss and Mississippi State’s social media went to war.

Juice Kiffin’s X account posted a picture of Kiffin’s girlfriend with the caption “dad brought her instead of me?” at the Egg Bowl, and Kiffin fired back with the repost and said “We tried son. @HailStateFB said you weren’t allowed in the Stadium. Maybe uncle Jeffrey will change that rule.”

Another tweet was posted from the airport when Lebby was welcomed to Starkville.

A sports reporter and fans awaiting his entrance post-

ed a photo of a poster that said “Go to Hell Ole Miss.”

An X account with the username @everythingolemiss reposted and said, “Let me get this straight: On a night when MSU is announcing a new coach, they have a sign talking about Ole Miss, their rival, who just won the Egg Bowl for the 3rd time in the last 4 years. This is too good.”

Whether it is blunt comments made from Kiffin or other Ole Miss sports accounts calling the shots, it has been made very clear that despite all Lebby did for Ole Miss, Ole Miss fans will always make sure to claim “big brother” status over Mississippi State.

Now that the Bulldogs have a new head coach like Lebby to lead the program, Mississippi State has potential to be a strong contender in the SEC next year and many years to come, while also having the ability to make future Egg Bowls much more competitive since both Kiffin and Lebby both have plenty of offensive expertise.

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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 30 NOVEMBER 2023 | PAGE 19

The case against Chris Beard JUSTICE ROSE

thedmopinion@gmail.com

By the close of the 2022-23 Ole Miss Men’s Basketball season, the team proved ill-equipped to compete in the mighty SEC. The 12-21 overall record was the worst winning percentage in nearly 30 years for the Rebels on the court. Even worse, the team put up a bottom-10 conference record in school history, winning only 16.7% of its interconference duels.

From that season Rebel fans would like to forget, we learned a few things.

We learned that the NIL is not only critical to having a successful football team, but is also necessary to have an even somewhat competitive basketball squad.

We learned that the transfer portal is both the valuable tool Lane Kiffin hangs his hat on and also a form of recruitment that we must pay attention to address off-season turnover and build a competent roster.

In so many words, we learned that we needed a new coach and face of the program. While Kermit Davis helped lead the Rebels to their only March Madness berth in the past eight seasons, he was unable to adapt Ole Miss’ program in order to keep up with the changing landscape of college hoops.

If only an acclaimed free-agent coach who had taken his programs as far as the National Championship in recent years was floating on the market. Enter Chris Beard, an exceptional coach who boasts a 70% winning percentage over the first eight seasons of his career.

One way or another, Ole Miss’ athletic department convinced this accomplished coach that the ‘Sip is the place to be.

If you have any common sense, this story sounds too good to be true. That coach wants to go where?

Why would he do something like that? Let’s broaden the scope a bit to contextualize this process.

Beard was relieved of his duties with the University of Texas in early 2023 following a months-long suspension after a third-degree felony strangulation charge was brought against him in December 2022. A police report from the incident and Beard’s arrest quotes his fiance Randi Trew, the alleged victim in this incident, saying, “(Beard) choked me, bit me, bruises all over my leg, throwing me around.”

Beard would go on to admit a role in a domestic encounter with his fiancée that December evening, arguing that he was acting in self-defense. Trew would recant her earlier claims of violent choking by Beard and painted herself as the aggressor in the conflict.

On Feb. 15, the Travis County District Attorney’s office announced they would not further pursue the case or prosecution. Not even a month later, on March 13, Beard was hired as the Rebel’s 23rd head coach.

That move was more than a questionable look for the athletic department and all of the donors and fans who supported the decision with little to no hesitancy. As a sports fan, I understand wanting your team to win by any means necessary. Usually when fans say that, it’s a figure of speech. I fear Ole Miss took it too literally. Now, we have a winning record to open the season, but at what cost?

With this hiring, Ole Miss has unfortunately become yet another institution that does not take domestic violence allegations seriously, whether the sports administration admits to it or not.

I ask this question: What if a student acted in that manner and received those criminal charges?

Or, a hellish hypothetical for the athletics department to ponder, a student-athlete?

What if it was a professor?

It is critical to understand that a student, professor, sorority girl, fraternity boy, chess club member, Esports star, Rebel Market enthusiast, Einstein Bros. frequenter or faculty member would likely not receive this sort of mercy from the university.

Proponents of Beard’s hiring would likely argue that he is innocent in the eyes of the criminal justice system and that all of this transpired prior to any involvement with the university. True enough. Still, the ambiguity and severity of the events that may have transpired leaves a glaring hole of doubt and concern.

Time and time again we see prominent industry heads like Beard crawl out of similar situations accountability free with only their reputations taking a hit. Despite the concerns this incident raised, Beard successfully found a university desperate enough to welcome him with open arms.

Winning may solve everything, but it doesn’t fix character concerns. In the grand scheme of things, Beard lost nothing this time around considering that his freedom and liberty were at risk. Not even a year later, he’s the figurehead for another D-1, Power-5 basketball program. Ultimately, is Chris Beard, and the baggage he’s brought to Oxford, what you want leading a group of young men?

Justice Rose is the opinion editor. He is a junior journalism major from Madison, Miss.

Opinion Policies: Columns do not represent the views of The University of Mississippi or The Daily Mississippian. The Daily Mississippian welcomes letters to the editor, which should be emailed to thedmopinion@gmail.com. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. They may be edited for clarity, brevity and libel. Third-party letters and those with pseudonyms or no name will not be published. Letters are limited to one per individual per month. Letters should include contact information, including relationship to the university, if applicable.

PAGE 20 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 30 NOVEMBER 2023

Diary of a Black Girl: ‘If I can make it in Mississippi, I can make it anywhere’ BRE’ANNA COLEMAN

thedmopinion@gmail.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: Diary of a Black Girl is a special column focusing on the experiences of Black women at the University of Mississippi.

In this installment, opinion writer Bre’Anna Coleman interviews freshman English major Madison Washington.

I was always the only Black girl — or even person — in my high school classes. Despite this seeming similar to the University of Mississippi’s campus, it was quite different at home.

My neighborhood was diverse, and I had plenty of minority friends outside of class. It surprised me to learn that my old school had a 70% Black student body.

I think of this frequently as I navigate the university campus and the variety of spaces for minority students.

The first thing I did when I got here was explore the dorm room doors in my hall. When a name looked ethnic, I knocked and introduced myself.

This is how I began the creation of my small community of friends on campus.

I am here because of my mother’s drive and my fa-

ther’s perseverance. I watched my mom wake up early in the morning to run her daycare. Toddlers scream and yell before slowly settling down, only to have another energetic outburst soon after.

These kids aimlessly and gleefully wander and play.

They can’t tell a hot stove from a cold one — they couldn’t even tell you what the stove was. They walk first, hurt second, think last.

I’m learning toddlers aren’t the only ones with this approach to life. As a young adult, I know that we try things, and then decide whether or not they are right for us.

When I learned to drive, my mother made me loop around a hospital because if I hit anybody, we would already have help three steps away.

The time came for me to learn to drive on a campus, so she took me to a park and playground. You can’t quite simulate the attention needed to drive by a playground where a ball or child are equally liable to end up in the street.

Because of my parents, I know how to carry myself. It’s hard to rattle me, I’ve seen and heard worse.

In a disagreement, I keep it

ASHTON SUMMERS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Madison Washington. fact-oriented and objective.

Because of my parents, their attitudes, their dedication and their behaviors, I stand here today.

I stand as a person dedicated to making sure everyone is shown kindness and treated equally. This path led me to the University of Mississippi.

If I had landed at my dream school of UCLA, I don’t know how I’d survive when the time

came to move off campus. Los Angeles rent prices? At 19 or 20? As a full time student? Never heard a tale more daunting.

Still, I can see myself as a Bruin when it comes time to pick a law school. My loving, slightly controlling, older brother grinds his teeth at the thought of me making my own decisions as the youngest of four siblings. Once again, I must step first and

think later much like the curious toddler in order to learn.

Besides, if I can make it in Mississippi, I can make it anywhere. Sometimes, I grow anxious at the thought of being far away. Those feelings dissipate when I remind myself how much of the world I’ve yet to see.

Bre’Anna Coleman is a junior political science major from Drew, Miss.