The Daily Mississippian September 7, 2023

MISSISSIPPIAN THE Daily

New year, new variant: COVID makes a comeback

TANISSA RINGO thedmnews@gmail.com

The start of the fall semester has brought an influx of new students, new experiences and a dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases. Students across campus are suffering from the sniffles, and, in some cases, the more severe symptoms that have been known to accompany COVID-19.

Director of University Health Services Alex Langhart explained that a rise in COVID-19 cases at this time of year is not out of the ordinary.

“As we have experienced the past two years, the increased incidence of COVID-19 cases in late summer and early fall is expected,” Langhart said. “At University Health Services, we prepare for this as we do for flu season in late September and early October.”

New Authenticator app frustrates UM community

ELYSE LITTLETON thedmnews@gmail.com

On the first day of school, Ole Miss’ technical support office, the IT Helpdesk, found itself swarmed with inquiries from confused students. Thanks to a recent university-wide switch from Google to Microsoft applications, students found

themselves unable to log into Blackboard, the learning tool that is crucial for classwork.

The source of these difficulties was Microsoft’s Authenticator, a free app that stores account credentials and provides a secure way to verify your identity when logging onto a given program.

As ransomware attacks against universities have risen in frequency, implementing se-

TACKLING OXFORD

Local businesses scramble to prepare for the football crowds and share insight on their own game-day rituals.

SEE PAGE 4

THROWBACK GAME

Vice Chancellor Carter and coach Beard are looking to bring the history of the Tad Pad back to the limelight of Ole Miss Men’s Basketball.

Though University Health Services has not seen an alarming increase in cases, urgent care centers, where students experiencing illness are more likely to go, are seeing a surge.

“There is definitely a rise in COVID positive patients,” Stephanie Barrett, nurse practitioner and Oxford Urgent Care co-owner, said Wednesday.

Barret noted that patients were not just college students, but people of all ages from all walks of life. She also noted a lingering reluctance among the public to get tested.

“The general public does not want to get tested because they do not want to quarantine for five days and be forced to withdraw from work and activities,” she said. Students, faculty and staff members who test positive for COVID should report

SEE COVID PAGE 3

curity measures like Microsoft’s Authenticator is meant to prevent such a scenario happening at the University of Mississippi. Nishanth Rodrigues, chief information officer for the Technology Information Department, explained that the department and UM officials de-

SEE AUTHENTICATOR PAGE 2

Senate votes to keep GPA requirement for elections

JORDAN ISBELL thedmnews@gmail.com

Members of the Associated Student Body held the first formal senate of the 2023-24 school year on Tuesday, Sept. 5 in Auditorium Room 124 located in the student union. Senators debated and voted on three bills that involved internal incentives for senators, modifications for free food and giveaway regulations and removing GPA requirements for ASB senate, homecoming court

and campus favorite elections.

After calling roll, issuing reports and inducting new senators into the organization, the first bill titled SB 23-6 was brought to the floor. The bill proposed modifications to the constituency engagement point system, an internal system in ASB meant to hold senators accountable for maintaining healthy relationships with the constituents they represent. The constituency engagement point system has recently been difficult to enforce, the issue coming to a head with SB 23-6 i.

According to Madison

Waldrup, author of the bill and a sophomore integrated marketing communications major, this modification will make senatorial duties more manageable.

“The code changes will decrease the number of points a senator needs from five to four, and there will also be a checkpoint in the middle of this semester, eight weeks into the semester, where senators will need to have completed their first two points. This will create accountability and make sure that

GRAPHIC: SEDLEY NORMAND / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

GRAPHIC: SEDLEY NORMAND / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

COVID

continued from page 1

their case to the University Health Center and follow Centers for Disease Control and Preventions guidelines . Those displaying symptoms should quarantine for five days until symptoms improve or until they are fever free for 24 hours.

Those that have been exposed do not have to quarantine.

“Those who are exposed are not required to quarantine but are recommended to mask and monitor for symptoms,” Langhart said.

Sophomore biology major Destiny Kirkey tested positive for COVID the second week of classes. Kirkey said her experience has made her more cautious.

“I’ve always been aware (of the virus) and cautious even before I tested positive, but now I’m going to be hyper cautious around campus,” Kirkey said.

In a Yale Medicine article, Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Scott Roberts explained how EG.5 seems to be the most prevalent of the COVID strains.

“EG.5 was responsible for 20.6% of cases of COVID-19 in the United States at the end of the third week of August,

which was more than any other single circulating SARSCoV-2 strain,” Roberts said. With health experts watching the spike of cases rise in various parts of the

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country, Gov. Tate Reeves released a statement addressing COVID concerns.

“The simple answer to the question being posed by ‘experts’ is: no. We will

not return to widespread masking or COVID rules,” Reeves said. “Mississippians will not and should not submit to fear again.”

Director of News and Media Relations Jacob Batte said in an Aug. 29 Clarion Ledger article that UM is monitoring the situation before taking action.

“We will continue to monitor those cases and encourage our campus community to be mindful of their health and to get tested as soon as possible if they believe they have any symptoms,” Batte said.

Violet Jira contributed reporting.

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“There is definitely a rise in COVID positive patients.”

Stephanie Barrett

Nurse practitioner and Oxford Urgent Care co-owner

“SKOOOOOOO REBS!” sportscaster David Kellum roared.

The Vaught-Hemingway Stadium erupts into chants, cheers and cries as the last seconds of the football game disintegrate into 00:00. As the clock runs out, Oxford’s workers and business owners cherish their final minutes of peace before their own game day starts.

Whether they are running the plays or calling the shots, local laborers agree that navigating the busy football season in a small town overflowing with potential customers for their establishments is not a task for the faint of heart.

When asked to describe her game weekends, Snackbar cook Eve Flaschka offered three words:

“Hectic. Long-winded. Sleepless,” Flaschka said.

Lulu’s Shoes and Accessories owner Corrine Jackson shared similar sentiments.

“Busy, exhausting and exciting,” Jackson said.

For Ole Miss fans, game day starts on Saturday in the Grove, but for local laborers, it begins on Thursdays when cars packed with excitement and tailgating equipment roll into town. With the influx of football fans comes a weekend spent managing difficult crowds for hours on end.

Kaitlin Horne, who is a Chili’s cook and a junior exercise science major, shared that game weekends are all about kitchen logistics and gearing up for the hubbub.

“When I was serving, (football season) meant a lot of alcohol sales and a lot of tips. Now, I am a cook. Football season now is about figuring out how many guests are about to order, making sure I stock up and hoping the other cooks, and myself, are ready for a rush,” Horne said.

The time spent at work during game days is even

&Culture

Tackling Oxford game days

longer than regular shifts.

“I’m a little bit of an introvert, and these weekends wear me out because I’m communicating constantly all day with people I don’t know and then with my staff,” Jackson said. “So it is kind of exhausting.”

Flaschka shared that working extended hours is part and parcel to the football season.

“You come in 30 minutes to an hour earlier to work and leave an hour or two later than what you usually do,” Flaschka said.

“I wish every game started at the same time, every time,” Horne said. “That way, you know when to expect people, and you don’t have to worry about being kept past your out time or closing (late) because the game went later than expected.”

Despite the blitz and sacks from game day rush, local laborers prevail through these tumultuous times by reflecting on the beautiful moments that outshine the chaos of game days.

“After we’ve cleared all the tables and we’ve got word to shut down the kitchen, we have a mini celebration. We play our music loud while cleaning and get some pats on the backs from one another. It’s this nice moment of togetherness we always have at the end of the shift,” Flaschka said.

Local food establishments also serve as a place of community for customers to gather and watch the game together.

“I have a very distinct memory of two families supporting both teams playing, and they were talking to each other and messing around. I was serving them both, and they both tipped me a large amount for four to five people, at each respective table. I ended up talking to them for a while and had a great shift for the rest of the day,” Horne said.

Although local workers are not able to cheer on the Rebels at the field, they are able to contribute meaningful

spaces for the fans to enjoy their celebrations afterwards.

“It’s really fun to be an ambassador for the community. I think a lot of the people who

don’t know Oxford as a town just associate it with the university. They don’t understand the ins and outs of what it’s like to live here,” Jackson said. “It’s

nice to be able to show people that this is a nice Mississippi town with some of the same problems everybody else has.”

LuLu’s customers check out on Saturday, Sept. 2.

LuLu’s is packed with shoppers on Sept. 2.

ALIZA WARNER thedmfeatures@gmail.com

As the fall season arrives, so do the many releases of new books offering new stories to share. Here are several anticipated releases that will be available throughout the autumn months:

“The Vaster Wilds” by Lauren Groff

Described as a “thrilling adventure story,” a young servant girl escapes from a colonial settlement, her getaway leading her into the woods. On this journey, the girl discovers a new way to live while reconsidering everything colonial civilization had taught her. “Vaster Wilds” will be released on Sept. 12.

“Blood (A Memoir by the Jonas Brothers)” by the Jonas Brothers and Neil Strauss

Another celebrity memoir is here and this time it is all about one of today’s most famous bands. In their memoir, the Jonas Brothers share their journey as three brothers, discussing topics like the pressures of childhood fame, their break-up and reunion and the power of brotherhood. “Blood (A Memoir by the Jonas Brothers)” will be on shelves Sept. 15.

“The Museum of Failures” by Thrity Umrigar

In this story, Remy Wadia returns to India after many years of keeping a distance from his mother who is described as “cold and inscrutable.” Upon his return, Remy plans on adopting a baby and to see his mother again but soon discovers that she is in the hospital. As Remy commits to helping his mother get better, he one day discovers a photograph that leads to revealed secrets, having him reevaluate his life and parental relationships.

“The Museum of Failures” will be released on Sept. 26.

“Black Friend: Essays” by Ziwe

Comedian and writer Ziwerekoru “Ziwe” Fumudoh uses

pop culture commentary and personal anecdotes to create a collection of essays about the understandings and misunderstandings of her identity as well as perspectives of culture and herself. “Black Friend: Essays” will be released on Oct. 17.

“Let Us Descend” by Jesmyn Ward

The seventh novel from Mississippi-born author Jesmyn Ward follows the journey of Annis, an enslaved girl, leading up to the American Civil War. After Annis was sold by a white enslaver who fathered her, she turns to stories about her African-warrior grandmother and memories of her mother for internal comfort, opening Annis to another world as the story takes place throughout the American South. “Let Us Descend” will be released on Oct. 24, and Square Books will host an event with the author on Nov. 1.

“What the River Knows”

by Isabel Ibañez

Described as “The Mummy” meets “Death on the Nile,” this story follows Inez Olivera, who after receiving the news of her parents’ death, inherits a large fortune and goes to Cairo, Egypt, with her archaeologist guardian and his brother-inlaw. But as Inez embarks on this adventure, she discovers a new mystery, leading her to find out what happened to her parents. “What the River Knows” will be out this Halloween.

“Iron Flame” by Rebecca Yarros

In the sequel to her extremely popular fantasy novel “Fourth Wing,” Violet Sorrengail begins her second year at Basigath War College with training showing to be brutal as ever with the new vice commandant. Additionally, Violet is also aware of a secret that the school has been keeping for years that threatens everything. Expect “Iron Flame” on Nov. 7.

Grove getups: Students dress to the nines for UM football

LILY GISCLAIR thedmfeatures@gmail.com

Last Saturday morning, Ole Miss students filled the Grove dressed head to toe in white to commemorate the first football game of the season.

Students and fans attend games in color-coordinated outfits as a display of school spirit, demonstrating UM’s affinity for football and fashion alike. All games are themed with a school color like powder blue, navy blue or red. For the first game of the year, the Rebel faithful donned white.

In the Grove, numerous fashion trends stood out including cowboy boots, summer dresses and American flag-colored polos.

“My favorite game-day trend is all the different cowboy boot colors, because they can match with any outfit and bring an outfit together,” public health major Morgan Daun said.

Metallic red, white and blue cowboy boots contrast with the green grass of the Grove and brighten the landscape. Students embraced the vibrant colors and certainly did not shy away from the glitter and glam. Student Serena Faraj is just one of the fashion gurus who partook in the glitzy trend.

“My favorite game- day trend is boots and bows,” Faraj said.

Daun, however, said students do not have to be overly decorative to dress for the occasion and sometimes simplicity is best.

“When in doubt, wear white or black and then accessorize with the game-day colors. It will never look bad when you add any game-day color to a plain outfit,” Daun said.

While there are plenty of fashion-forward game-day trends, several students relayed that the most important aspect of a game-day outfit is comfort.

“Just wear what makes you

feel comfortable and what you feel beautiful in … or what you can find in your closet the day before,” psychology

major Darion Hunter said. Other students echoed Hunter’s words.

“Just wear something that

you feel great in. That’s the only thing that matters,” Daun said.

Fall semester’s fresh and familiar faces

JULIA ROSS AARON BARROW thedmfeatures@gmail.com

It is that time of the year again — schools across the nation are beginning another academic year. For months, high school graduates and junior college transfer students have gone through the arduous process of deciding where they will take their next steps. This process can be overwhelming for some, but others have always had a clear idea of which school they will attend.

For Hailey Beard, a transfer student from Northeast Community College in Booneville, Miss., continuing her education at the University of Mississippi was an easy choice.

“There was no better option for my education as an integrated marketing communications major on the pre-law track than Ole Miss,” Beard said. “My family has always come to Ole Miss events, so I have always been very comfortable with the campus. When I visited the School of Journalism and New Media, the decision just felt so right and easy.”

Beard explained that the SJNM’s caring faculty and successful alumni were instrumental in her decision to attend Ole Miss.

“The faculty is always willing to help the students get involved with internships or clubs. They have such an amazing reputation for helping their students after college and where they end up working that this seemed to be the obvious choice for me,” Beard said.

Freshman student and Southaven, Miss., native Samuel Quon shared sentiments similar to Beard’s.

“The faculty here is very encouraging, exciting and helpful. The staff and students at visit days and orientation felt genuinely excited to be there and help, and my professors want to teach and make an impact on us,” Quon said.

Quon added that feeling comfortable after leaving home for the first time was another huge factor in his choice to attend UM.

As with most students, tuition and scholarships also played a role in Quon’s college decision.

“The tuition is not outrageous,

especially being in-state, and the scholarships that I was awarded allowed me to not consider financials hardly at all,” Quon said.

The university’s accounting school is ranked as one of the best programs in the country for its classes and for job placement after graduation. This greatly influenced Quon when he was choosing where to attend school.

“As an accounting major, the strength of the Patterson School of Accounting heavily influenced my decision to come to Ole Miss. They heavily advertise themselves as one of the best accounting programs in the nation, and at my orientation, my advisers and teachers I met there proved that by being very well-spoken and eager to help us,” Quon said.

Sophomore hospitality management major Lauren Bachmann said that both her freshman and sophomore years at UM offered her new experiences and personal growth.

While Bachmann has enjoyed her time as a student and has already visited the Lyric for a

concert, she initially found some aspects of campus life puzzling..

“I thought the meal plan was a bit confusing,” Bachmann said. “And there should probably be a Blackboard crash course.”

Meanwhile, Northwest Community College transfer student Kaleb Parish offered his perspective on adjusting to Ole Miss.

“It’s definitely been a change of pace and scenery from what I was used to,” Parish said.

As a finance major, Parish has been successful in finding organizations that suit his

needs and area of expertise.

“I’ve definitely found a few organizations that I’ve been interested in, such as the financier’s club,” Parish said. “It’s honestly a little intimidating because you hear all these people say how hard a university is, but so far I’ve enjoyed my experience.”

While not without their fair share of criticism, students seem overwhelmingly positive about the past few weeks on campus as well as optimistic for what the future holds. This fall semester looks to be a promising one.

Ole Miss fans walk around the Grove before the Rebels compete against Mercer on Sept. 2.

ANNABELLE ROWLAND / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

“It’s definitely been a change of pace and scenery from what I was used to.”

- Kaleb Parish transfer student

Ole Miss Football seeks second win in New Orleans

to fill the big offensive hole left by Spears’ departure

This weekend showcases one of the most intriguing and underrated non-conference matchups of the season: Ole Miss at Tulane.

The rivalry between these two teams dates back to 1893, with Ole Miss leading the series 42-29. The last time the Rebels faced Tulane was 2021, when the Green Wave was outscored by 40 points.

In that game, Ole Miss’ running was almost impossible for Tulane to stop, a weakness that Head Coach Lane Kiffin took advantage of.

This year, however, the matchup is not looking like another blowout.

In 2022, Tulane had an incredible season. The team went 11-2 and beat the University of Southern California in the Cotton Bowl, giving them the ninth spot in the final AP poll. The Green Wave offensive roster was loaded and no longer the laughing stock of the American Athletic Conference.

Star player Tyjae Spears rushed for 1,581 yards last season and received 256, making him a game-determining player. Tulane is still trying

The transfer portal restocked Tulane’s roster with some terrific players, but the Rebels also picked up some impact players.

Tre Harris, the star receiver from Louisiana Tech, has already made his mark. In the Rebels’ game against Mercer on Sept. 2, Harris scored four touchdowns, setting the new single-game record at Ole Miss. Three of the four were made in the first three minutes and 15 seconds of the game.

The Rebel defense held up against Tulane in 2021, but can they do the same now? With the Tulane offense being run-heavy this year, the Ole Miss defense must be air-tight.

Under new defensive coordinator Pete Golding, it looks as if the defense is taking a step in the right direction. Last weekend, the Rebels did not allow Mercer into the red zone for the entire game.

Four different players on the defensive line recorded a sack, along with 11.5 tackles for a loss. Suntarine Perkins, freshman linebacker, led the team with eight tackles in his debut. The rest of the experienced defensive line, and its newcomers, might prove to be a challenge for the Green Wave.

Ole Miss will face a passing game that is much stronger than the last time they played Tulane. With four returning linemen from the Green Wave’s 2022 season, the opposing offensive line is extremely strong and has allowed more time for returning starting QB Michael Pratt to make plays.

Pratt threw for 294 yards in Tulane’s season-opening win against the University of South Alabama, two yards less than what Ole Miss starting quarterback Jaxson Dart accounted for against Mercer. The Rebels should not underestimate the skill of Pratt; he is an elite

quarterback who will look to pull an upset this weekend.

Even though the Rebels are favored to win, Lane Kiffin wants everyone to know that Tulane is real competition. Kiffin knows it is important for his team to come mentally prepared for anything Tulane can throw at them.

Ole Miss Men’s Basketball returns to the Tad Pad: What

The Ole Miss Men’s Basketball team will return to the historic Tad Smith Coliseum for a mid-November matchup against Sam Houston State. This idea came up shortly after new Head Coach Chris Beard arrived on campus, and it will finally come to fruition at 8 p.m. Nov. 17.

There has not been an Ole Miss basketball game held in the “Tad Pad” since December 2015 when the Rebels topped Troy University 83-80.

This throwback game has been a legacy move for Beard. He has accomplished similar feats during his previous stops at Texas, Texas Tech and Little Rock. Beard sees this as an opportunity to get fans excited about this season.

Ole Miss Basketball had a long history inside the Tad Pad, playing 700 games while going 490-210 over a 50-year period. The Coliseum functioned as the Rebels’ home arena from 1966-2015.

A throwback game like this does not come without logistical questions: Will this actually excite fans and former players? How much will tickets cost? Will this become a yearly event? Does the Ole

Miss Women’s Basketball program intend on holding a throwback game as well?

This throwback game is a form of fan service for Rebel nation. The Tad Pad holds a special place in the hearts of some fans and many former players.

Zach Graham, a member of the Ole Miss Men’s Basketball team from 2007-2011, said, “What do you mean nostalgia for the arena? The Tad Pad was one of the hardest places in the SEC for teams to play on the road. A lot of big wins in there.

“I walked into the Tad Pad as an 18-year-old kid and walked out as a 22-yearold young man,” he said.

It makes sense for former players to love the idea of a Tad Pad throwback, but it is more unclear how current Ole Miss students, who never got the opportunity to experience a game in the Tad Pad, will perceive a return to the former home arena.

Zoe Barnes, a second-year juris doctorate candidate, said, “I’m super excited about the throwback game in the Tad Pad. I’m a sucker for anything nostalgic, and the throwback game feels like a way for current students to immerse ourselves in the history of the university and the basketball program.”

As for the cost of attendance,

prices will vary based on what kind of ticket is purchased and when said ticket is purchased. Tickets bought before the day of the game will cost $19.97 in honor of former Rebels Coach Rob Evans’ 1997 Coach of the Year awards. General admission for those who buy tickets on the day of the game will be $25; there is also a VIP package available for $200.

There are no immediate plans for the Ole Miss Women’s Basketball team to host a throwback game of their own.

Head Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin said, “(We will) probably not (play a game in the Tad Pad), but I do think it’s great that the men are doing it.”

If the Tad Pad throwback game goes over well among fans and former players, there is a huge possibility it becomes a yearly event, and maybe by that time it will be a men’s and women’s basketball tradition.

Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter said, “Tad Smith Coliseum hosted many great games over its 50-year lifespan, and it will be fun to bring back some nostalgic feelings for our longtime hoops fans plus showcase the history of the building to some of our younger fans.”

Tad Smith Coliseum. RILEY MCCOY / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

GRAPHIC: SEDLEY NORMAND / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

No. 20 Ole Miss @ No. 24

Tulane: Ian Sparks

Final Score Prediction: Ole Miss 42, Tulane 28

With both teams winning their season openers, Ole Miss and Tulane will be looking to keep a zero in the loss column. The Rebels open up as a -7.5 point favorite over the Green Wave, but it will be a challenge.

The reigning Cotton Bowl champs will not go down easy at home, so the Rebels will have to bring their best down to New Orleans. Ole Miss put up 73 points against Mercer in their first game of the season, setting a new single-game passing record with 524 yards against the Bears.

The offense will be more than enough against Tulane, so it will come down to the defense for the Rebels. With that said, I predict that Ole Miss will get it done on the road.

No. 3 Alabama versus No. 11 Texas: Tanner Shapiro

Final Score Prediction: Alabama 28, Texas 24

Both teams took care of business last week playing somewhat weaker opponents. This week’s contest should be an interesting battle between two QBs in Alabama’s Jalen Milroe

Week 2 College Football Pick ‘Em

and Texas’ QB Quinn Ewers. Both defenses have improved since their matchup last season when Alabama came out on top 20-19 in a low scoring matchup between the two. Texas has a very high-powered offense led by their star WR Xavier Worthy.

On the other side of the ball, Alabama has the best player on the field in cornerback KoolAid McKinstry, who is looking to win the Thorpe Award this season. Alabama’s stars will likely get the job done as they sneak by Texas in a close game.

No. 22 Colorado versus Nebraska: Owen Putsell

Final Score Prediction: Colorado 31, Nebraska 24

Despite Colorado’s flashy win on Saturday, Prime Time and his Buffs showed their own set of weaknesses. TCU picked up 6.8 YPP and was able to move the ball effectively against an underperforming defensive front.

Deion will need his front-seven to step up if he wants to pull off another Power 5 win. Nebraska threw three interceptions last week; if Colorado can force the pass, the game favors them.

On the other side of the field is a disgruntled Nebraska team coming off another heartbreaking loss. In order to change their fate this Saturday, Nebraska will need to contain an explosive passing attack that looked almost perfect. Avoid-

ing the blitz, rushing four and dou bling Travis Hunter are the biggest keys to victory for the Big Red.

Mississippi State versus Arizona: Cam Larkin

Final Score Prediction: Mississippi State 31, Arizona 27

game as a nine-point favorite, and that is certainly reasonable for this matchup. Arizona beat Northern Arizona 38-3 last week, a score that Wildcat fans probably wish was higher. On the other hand, Mississippi State made quick work of Southeastern Louisiana, beating them 48-7.

The QB matchup is interesting

Checking the tape: Noreel White

Height / Weight / Position: 6’0 / 180 / WR

Noreel White is a wide receiver from St. Martin High School in Ocean Springs, Miss. As of Aug. 26, White is ranked by the 247Sports consensus as the No. 352 overall player nationally and the No. 27 overall ATH.

What Ole Miss is getting?

Unlike a lot of the other players at the top of the Rebels’ recruiting class, White is not the most physically imposing recruit nationally. His physical strengths are evident, but for now it is worth mentioning that White is not a limitless prospect.

Primarily, his speed will not be elite, but it is also something that should not be ignored. He does well against his current competition, but the question is, will he be able to do it against the best of the best in college football?

Secondly, White may be somewhat maxed out physically. According to Cooper Petagna of 247Sports, “(White) appears to possess limited growth potential to add additional weight to his frame.”

Should this concern Rebel fans?

Not really. All this means is that White will not turn into the next DK Metcalf or AJ Brown. Overall, his physical profile is good, as his measurables are similar to former Alabama and current Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith.

On the other hand, White is built to be a QB’s best friend. He shows great short-area quickness and does a good job getting extra yards after the catch. “Springy” is the first word that comes to mind when watching White’s tape.

His acceleration is great, he changes direction with efficiency and he has a few clips where he shows off his vertical leap. He is exactly what you would want from a modern slot receiver.

Deebo Samuel comparisons are overused for YAC players, but I think White shares some similarities with another 49er in Brandon Aiyuk. Even though Aiyuk has a little more long distance speed and general athleticism, White can fill a similar role.

White also has experience playing a number of positions at the high school level. He obviously shines as a receiver, but has contributed positively on defense and as a quarterback. I see athleticism and versatility as the two best on-field predictors of success from high school to college football, so White checks a lot of boxes.

College Outlook:

White perfectly compliments current freshman Ayden Williams. Williams is a physically imposing deep threat who stretches out defenses vertically, while White will be more successful in the slot.

White should be able to contribute relatively early in his career. He plays hard and will quickly become a fan favorite in Oxford; he will be a guy who is remembered fondly on campus.

-

sus Mississippi State’s Will Rogers will hopefully provide fireworks offensively. Any Pac-12-SEC faceoff in Week 2 of college football has the potential to be dramatic, and this game will be no exception. These teams have a lot to prove to themselves, their conferences and college football as a whole.

NOTICE OF ENACTMENT OF UNIVERSITY PARKING RULES & REGULATIONS

The University of Mississippi Department of Parking & Transportation (DPT) in Oxford, Mississippi hereby gives notice of enactment of the University’s Traffic and Parking Regulations for the 2023-2024 academic year. These rules and regulations are enacted by the Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning, State of Mississippi, and are effective from and after July 1, 2023. The full text of such rules and regulations are available at www.olemiss.edu/parking the website of DPT.

GRAPHIC: LIBBY FLANAGAN / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Ole Miss commit, Noreel White.

PHOTO COURTESY: ANDREW IVINS / 247 SPORTS

Checking the tape: Trever Jackson

Height / Weight / Position: 6’2.5 / 185 lbs / QB

Trever Jackson is a quarterback from Jones High School in Orlando, Fla. Prior to his senior year, Jackson played at West Orange High School. As of Aug. 27, Jackson is ranked by the 247Sports Composite as the No. 222 overall player nationally and the No. 15 overall quarterback in the class of 2024.

What Ole Miss is getting?

Whatever “it” is, Jackson has it. He is comfortable throwing out of the pocket, hitting out routes, and has the playmaking trait that has become almost required of modern QBs.

One of my favorite traits with Jackson is his throw height on intermediate passes. Though this may seem nitpicky to the average fan, I promise it changes games on the field. Jackson does a great job keeping his mid-level passes low, meaning he gives defenders very little time to react to his attempts. This shows how strong Jackson’s arm can be and how he utilizes it in more ways than just attacking defenses over the top.

Another subtlety that I appreciate about Jackson is how well he throws his receivers open downfield. He understands when and how to throw a back-shoulder go route, when to layer it over the DB and when to move on altogether.

Overall, Jackson clearly has

spent a lot of time working on attacking the deeper parts of the field, and that should translate very well to Ole Miss’ offense.

At the end of the day, he just looks natural playing QB. His release is smooth, his spirals are crisp and he has the aggressive mentality you want from a signal caller.

Finally, Jackson has a major upside as an athlete. He is the perfect fit for a Kiffin-led football team. He is a pass-first, dual-threat QB who is more of a football player than a QB.

He evades pressure while keeping his eyes downfield

but still has enough juice to scramble if left open. He is very similar to current Ole Miss starter Jaxon Dart as a prospect, though Dart was a little more refined headed into USC.

The first pause I have on Jackson is his consistency. Though he has shown elite traits on his highlight tape, his in-game production is a little different.

During his unior season, Jackson attempted only 162 passes, and he broke only 20 attempts in a third of his games. His season completion percentage was just .593,

and he threw for 16 touchdowns against 7 interceptions.

Numbers do not tell the full story, but watching his more complete tape reveals that Jackson can struggle to command an offense throughout a game. It seems that for now, Jackson is more focused on making the big play rather than the correct one. That flaw is common in young QBs — Dart flashed that last season — and can lead to needless sacks, stalling drives and inconsistent offense.

I would like to see him become a little more accurate on chain-moving pass-

es as opposed to focusing on chunk plays. Part of this flaw could easily be his current coaching staff, but for now I will mark it with a red pen.

College Outlook:

As I mentioned earlier, Jackson is a perfect Kiffin QB. It is no wonder the staff fell in love with his game. He should transition seamlessly into the offense without having to create any wrinkles to fit his skillset.

That said, I am not sure when he will be able to see the field. Counting Jackson, the Rebels currently have four high-quality QBs on the roster. Dart (junior), Walker Howard (sophomore), Austin Simmons (freshman) and Jackson (high school). With Jackson being the last of the group on campus, he may not see starter reps until his senior year of college. He doesn’t have any longterm red flags, and he could take over as the starter late in his career as a pro-ready player.

Personal Ranking:

Right now, the 247Sports Composite has Jackson as the No. 222 overall prospect nationally. I actually agree with this one. Jackson is not yet college ready, but he has the skills and mindset to be a very successful QB at the next level and beyond.

QB is a ceiling-driven position, and I think Jackson brings enough tools to the table to justify a top-250 ranking. However, if he irons out some wrinkles, I could see him leap closer to the top 100.

Ole Miss commit, Trever Jackson.

PHOTO COURTESY: BLAIR ANGULO / 247 SPORTS

Aubrey Sultemeier spikes the ball against Northwestern State on Sept. 4, 2021.

GRIFFIN RAY thedmsports@gmail.com

Ole Miss Women’s Volleyball has just kicked off its 2023 season, starting with a 2-3 record after their first few contests.

The season started at the Florida Gulf Coast University Homewood Suites Invitational in Fort Myers, Fla., after a week-long training camp. The team scored a disappointing 0-3 in the invitational, averaging a hitting percentage of only .153. Ole Miss started strong in set one against St. John’s University but dropped the next three to lose the match.

In the following days, the Rebels lost to FGCU 2-3 and got swept in the final match of the invitational by Arizona State 0-3. The main struggle for the team during these three matches was their hitting percentage, which is calculated by taking the kills, or points, minus the amount of hitting errors and then

dividing it by the total attempts and errors committed.

At no point did the Rebels get blown out in the sets that they played. It was mostly mistakes that cost them in the long run. Although the team’s offense is promising, the defense needs some figuring out.

Four days after the FGCU Homewood Suites Invitational concluded, the Rebels traveled to Nashville for the Lipscomb University Volleyball Invitational.

Ole Miss went 2-0 on the weekend, improving vastly on their earlier mistakes in Florida.

Sophomore outside hitter

Vivian Miller hit an astounding 19 kills in the Rebels’ win against Lipscomb on Thursday, Aug. 31. The overall hitting percentage was much better for the women as they hit .317 in Thursday’s match. In comparison, the Rebels hit for a measly .106 in their prior match against Arizona State.

Errors were still a bit of an issue, as the Rebels have

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amassed 18 through five matches. However, nearly every player has improved her marks since the start of the season.

The next day, Ole Miss got a sweep of their own against Tennessee State, winning 3-0. Yet again, the hitting percentages were above par at an impressive .360. The star of this match was sophomore setter Aly Borellis, who racked up a whopping 37 assists in Friday’s win.

Overall, there is much to look forward to with this offense, which has some kill machines, but there is a lot to improve on the defensive side — namely the lack of blocks and abundance of errors.

Ole Miss has a full slate of matches again this week in their own invitational as they face off against Alcorn State, South Dakota State and Tennessee Tech. This Ole Miss Invitational starts on Sept. 7 and ends on Sept. 9.

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. Thirdparty 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.

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Ole Miss Volleyball struggles with errors as season starts

Personality tests are more popular than ever before. Here’s why.

LIV BRILEY

Whether it’s a classic like the Myers-Briggs, a modern phenomenon like the Enneagram or a simple Harry Potter house sorting quiz, personality tests offer useful insight into who people are and how they best communicate.

Personality tests have been used in psychology for more than a century, beginning with Woodworth’s Personal Data Sheet, which was used to identify soldiers prone to nervous breakdowns during World War I. Since then, they have been adopted for use in several industries and have gained prominence in popular culture as a way to test compatibility and learn more about yourself.

When I first learned about the Enneagram test in high school, I was immediately curious to see what category all my friends fell into. Slowly but surely, I convinced people around me to take the test and share their results.

What I found was that more

often than not, people did not have the type that I expected, leading me to realize that knowing people’s personality types can help you better understand who they are, how they process information and how best to help them in times of need.

Tests like the Enneagram are becoming more commonplace in therapy, with many therapists using people’s results as a way to start their sessions with a better understanding of who they are. No test is completely reliable, of course, and should not be used as a matter-of-fact marker of who someone is, but the tests can provide a good jumping off point for counseling. On a more communal level, personality tests can help employees and managers establish stronger relationships.

Each year, approximately 100 million workers take some form of psychometric test. More and more managers every year are using test results as a way to better communicate with their teams and identify where employees may require more help or feedback.

Personality testing has

grown into a billion-dollar in dustry, but that does not mean it does not have its critics. Many argue that personality test results are as arbitrary as horoscopes for determining who people are, and there cer tainly are chances that peo ple would answer tests based on who they want to be rath er than who they are. Despite these points, I can’t help but believe that any insight into the people we surround ourselves with everyday is a good thing. There is never going to be a way to fully understand ev ery person we spend time with, but personality testing can at the very least open up conver sations you may not have had otherwise. Understanding how you react when stressed or in conflict in comparison to oth ers makes navigating those situations that much easier when they inevitably arise. Whether you are dealing with a misunderstanding at work, trying to solve a problem with a team, or just being a good friend to someone having a hard time, having a base knowledge of the way other

people are perceiving the situations you are in is for the best.

If you are not one of the millions of people to have already taken a personality test, I would encourage you to take a chance and see for yourself if you think

the results could be meaningful. The answer may surprise you.

Liv Briley is a senior integrated marketing communications major from Lemont, Ill.

GRAPHIC: LIBBY FLANAGAN / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Loneliness, a college boy’s best friend

ically genuine friendships.

For years, depression rates have been rising among college students. In a Mayo Clinic study, nearly half of responding college students reported symptoms of depression. This unfortunate reality can be partially attributed to the decline in religion, the rise in social media and our self-centered, hedonistic, pleasure-at-all-costs culture.

Another sometimes-overlooked reason is that relatively few college students in the United States have true friends anymore. I am not talking about your drinking buddies, your club soccer teammates, your classmates or your coworkers. Yes, those are good people to potentially become true friends, but those relationships are not automat

A true friendship is deeper than a relationship of convenience or a relationship of common interest. In fact, many true friendships are between people who could not care less about the pastimes of the other. True friends confide in each other, do not censor themselves around the other, discuss existential and eternal issues, have a beyond surface level understanding of who the other really is, celebrate each other’s successes and mourn each other’s defeats. In other words, true friends talk about things that actually matter. As Proverbs 18:24 puts it, a true friend “sticks closer than a brother.”

It’s beyond true that many college students fall into the trap of creating counterfeit or surface-level friendships, often without even realizing it. They mistake study part -

ners as friends, when in reality, they do not know much about the other person besides the class they share.

According to a survey, our society is continuously getting lonelier: More people are reporting zero close friends. The problem is especially prevalent among men.

Men are three and a half times more likely to commit suicide than women. Statistically, men are more likely to be lonely than women. In our culture, true friendship is often discouraged in favor of easy, but inadequate, substitutes. More people are seeking mental health treatment than ever before, such as psychotherapy and antidepressants.

This is not surprising in light of our consumeristic mindset that values “quick fixes” over the hard work of genuine, sustainable relationships. Yes, those things can

be useful if used correctly and productively, but your therapists and your antidepressants are not your true friends.

In an effort to fight loneliness, men are often forced to distract themselves from isolation. Whether it is excessive drunkenness, binge-watching TikTok or meaningless sex, men are attempting to fill the void. Further, our society perpetuates the lie that intimacy is exclusive to the bedroom. That notion could not be further from the truth. Platonically, men can and should have men’s-only spaces; men need fellowship with other men because women’s issues are different from men’s issues.

How do we fix this? How do you make a true friend? A true friend must share your values. No one can give you sound advice if they have different goals and a fundamentally different worldview. This makes

churches and campus ministries breeding grounds for close bonds that last a lifetime. Then, put yourself out there; say things that are uncomfortable. Be vulnerable and willing to talk about your failures and inadequacies. James 5:16 prescribes telling other people, not just God, about your shortcomings. And the result of doing so is healing from isolation, shame and loneliness.

Go watch the football game with your friends, but when the game is over, talk about important issues, talk about what bothers you and makes you happy, talk about the girl you are chasing after. Do not be self conscious. Let your guard down and have fun. You are talking with your true friend.

Cass Rutledge is a junior majoring in public policy leadership from Madison, Miss.