BALL BEARINGS volume 5 // issue 1 // fall 2013
fresh debut
bon appétit page 5
honors courses under fire page 23
men’s basketball coaching exclusive page 12
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Dear Reader of “Ball Bearings�, We at Colonial Crest Apartments, the premier and largest apartment community in the area, appreciate what Ball State University means to this community. The growth and development of the university is wonderful as it strives to achieve its mission. Colonial Crest’s target market of residents include professors, graduate students, staff, teachers, medical students, nurses, undergraduate students, and so many others who desire a serene, arborist planned community for their residence. We compare favorably with any beautiful garden apartment complex anywhere, yet with affordable prices (2 bedroom apartments from $600 with a majority of utilities included) in a great area near the university. Living cost-effectively with low or no debt, half of our residents seek future homes in this area, while the other half take their knowledge and career around the nation or world. We are proud to have a part in the substance of this bigger picture. Sincerely, Michael DeSloover, Manager of Colonial Crest
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inside front
BALL BEARINGS // FALL ISSUE
TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURES
THE GUIDE food
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french twist New local restaurant, barn brasserie, expands our farmto-table palates. ENTERTAINMENT
8 16 10 12
eat. drink. read. listen Your guide to what’s hot now. Bridging scenes muncie civic theatre unites students and community members.
course reassessment honors courses are reevaluated while academic freedom is debated.
29
state of emergency how the war in syria could affect us abroad.
34
#responsible make your online presence clean; your future employer is watching.
technology
controlling the console uncovering ways to prevent gaming addiction SPORTS
brand new kicks go one-on-one with bsu’s 19th basketball coach.
insights
20
23
leader of the pack find out what’s keeping you from the top and how to rise up.
ENRICH
38
a guide to volunteering How you make a positive impact beyond ball state
IN EVERY ISSUE
4 14 18 42
editor’s note describe your style Q&A: a lesson on worker’s rights activism with md Ouamral Hasan In Focus
1
contributors //
Highlighting a few of our staff
Michele Whitehair
Ricardo Lopez
Michele Whitehair is a freshman, journalism news track major. She has been playing the guitar since she was 10 years old. After college, she would like to be a sports reporter for either a newspaper or magazine.
Ricardo Lopez is a senior, journalism graphics major, who says the only thing he loves more then design is music. His dream job is to travel the world while telling stories on a multitude of platforms.
Lauren Hughes
Hannah Dominiak
Lauren Hughes is a junior, journalism major, fashion minor and die-hard Tennessee Volunteers Women’s Basketball fan (she actually met the coach, Pat Summit, at an Indiana Fever playoff game three years ago.) One day, she dreams of owning a magazine that combines her love for fashion and sports.
2 // BALL BEARINGS
Hannah Dominiak is a sophomore, journalism graphics major. Her favorite movie of all-time is Nora Ephron’s ”You’ve Got Mail.” After graduation, she would like to be an Art Director for Entertainment Weekly and manage a small custom design business.
BALL BEARINGS volume 4 // issue 4 // sUMMER 2013
print staff // editor-in-chief
assistant editor
emma kate fittes
lauren hardy
leeann wood
managing editor
photo editor
advertising director
joseph ruley
lauren dalhauser
chris haygood
assistant editor
design editor
pr director
aiste manfredini
jennifer prandato
taylor peterson
assistant editor
assistant design editor
advisor
victoria davis
david sumner
ball state university // muncie, inD. 47306 printed by // ball state university printing services
online staff // managing editor of content
producer
design editor
holly demaree
aubrey smith
hayli goode
producer
video editor
mallory jordan
neil hausey
producer
advisor
lacey bursik
mary spillman
managing editor of presentation karina lozano
Contributors amy cavenaile jen prandato lauren hardy hannah dominiak william aaron kelly hayli goode gina portolese kaleigh sheahan emily theis amirah king mallory jordan corey bauters ashley lentz krystal byers leeann wood aiste manfredini briee eikenberry lauren dahlhauser victoria davis emma kate fittes jordan huffer joe ruley camille germain ellen collier holly demaree ricardo lopez taylor peterson
3
s
editor’s note //
elfish, self-entitled and disconnected are three words I’ve heard used to describe our generation. And sometimes, when I survey 20 somethings and under, I wonder if we’ve accepted the stereotype—few seem affected by its truth or implications. We’re too plugged in, yet not informed, too ambitious, yet full of unrealistic expectations and extremely tech-savvy, yet verbally challenged. As a member of Generation Y, these claims— while I know they are not true for everyone—are a bit frightening. In two internships, I’ve interacted with enough business professionals to know that the latter is what a lot of people are saying about our generation. It’s time for a wake-up call; now is our chance to show the world that we are better and capable of accomplishing more than what’s expected of us. We didn’t plan a theme for this issue, but while in full-production mode, I realized that’s what these stories are all about: members of Generation Y who are rising up to face challenges, defy stereotypes and make valuable relationships with their surrounding communities. Instead of spending hours in front of smartphone screens, some students are tackling leadership positions (p. 20), working to change worker’s rights policies (p. 18) or finding a balance between work, life and pleasure (p. 10). They aren’t satisfied with giving or obtaining less than the best; and their efforts are proving our generation can be informed, ambitious, realistic and relational. My hope is that reading these stories inspires you to step out of the virtual world that so often consumes us, to find a way to connect with and impact whatever community you find yourself in. We aren’t entitled to be absent; the world needs and wants us to be present.
4 // BALL BEARINGS
lauren hardy EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
contact us comments can be directed to ballbearingsmag@mail.com.
advertise with us for more information, contact us at ballbearings@mail.com.
flawlessly
FRESH
there’s a new kind of restaurant in town story // Lauren Hardy PHOTOS // Gracie feeks & Lauren Dahlhauser
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THE GUIDE // FOOD
Matt burns and jessica wilburn
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ith menu items like shredded duck confit, curried lamb, herb quinoa, rutabaga, Gouda grits and crostini, you might expect the Barn Brasserie restaurant to be in a city like Lyon or Paris, France. But less than two miles from campus is where you’ll find this new establishment, housed in the old White River Landing building off of Charles St. in downtown. Walking into the restaurant, cozy brick walls lined with artwork from Yorktown’s “The Art Murmurs” club greet customers under the warm Ball Jar lights. These glass fixtures, surrounded by rustic farm wheels, are only one expression of the restaurant’s sense of community. “A lot of our staff grew up together here. It’s our connectedness and passion that make working here a joy,” says hostess and Ball State freshman, Katie Wilburn. “We will do anything for our customers and each other because we believe in this place and want it to succeed.” The master chefs behind the Barn’s red door, owners Matt Burns and Jessica Wilburn, are
6 // BALL BEARINGS
pursued their passion by opening the Barn brasserie in june 2013.
the reason for this welcoming and relaxed, upscale experience. The couple met several years ago, a few blocks down the road at The Fickle Peach. After working long shifts cooking for Vera Mae’s and Taste of Texas in Muncie, Jessica and Matt enjoyed a beer and talked about one day owning their own place. Plans for this dream weren’t realized until they worked together at Oakwood Retreat Center in Selma, Ind. The kitchen’s philosophy for honest cooking taught them the benefits of sustainability. And when the opportunity came around, they didn’t hesitate to bring that wholesome, seasonal style to Delaware County on June 24, 2013. Of course, there are plenty of restaurants on McGalliard to eat an affordable meal with friends, but none quite like the Barn Brasserie—Muncie’s first of its kind. “There’s no other restaurant in Muncie that uses as much local and organic produce as we do. And we don’t serve something if it’s not top
THE BARN bURGER is a signature menu item and crowd favorite featuring new ingredients every day.
quality,” Burns says. “We also want our food to have energy, so we try to get it as fresh as possible. Food starts dying as soon as you pick it. We buy fresh so the ingredients have the best taste and the most nutrients and benefits for our customers.” Burns describes his menu as a combination between upscale comfort and French soul food. Staying true to the Barn’s commitment to fresh ingredients, the menu changes each month to reflect what foods are in season. Some menus, like Sunday brunch, are different each week. Then there is the restaurant’s signature menu item: the Barn Burger, which features new ingredients every day. The burger used to be served only after 9 p.m., but after customers begged to make it available all day, the owners obliged. Creating the Barn Burger each day is like a fun equation for Burns. “I try to think of food that people like and turn it into a burger,” he says. Take the Chinese Buffet Barn Burger: a sweet and sour chicken burger with egg roll stuffing, crab Rangoon cheese and fried wontons. Mouth watering? Watch for the Barn Brasserie to post its Barn Burger special of the day on its Facebook page. But you’ll have to hurry in. These burgers are in limited supply. (On it’s debut, the Chinese Buffet burger ran out before 6 p.m.!) It seems the biggest obstacle Barn Brasserie will face will not be not providing excellent quality and service, but simply getting people downtown. With stores like the Downtown Farmstand and the Farmers Market becoming more popular,
Jessica hopes that the local movement is turning into more than just a bandwagon idea. “It’s one thing for people to say ‘Yeah, I’ll support local; that makes sense.’ But for people to really do it…we will see if we can stay open,” she says. Though some menu items seem foreign to customers, the general consensus is the same: Those who give the Barn Brasserie a try keep coming back for more. “I live in Fishers, but I have come here several times just to eat. The food always tastes great, even if you’re unsure of the ingredients at first.” says customer, Ginny Cleland. She adds, “It’s nice to have a local restaurant that’s not a chain. These are genuinely nice people.” On my visit, I tried lamb for the first time—a curry double lamb Barn Burger with apple chutney and goat cheese—and was glad I took the risk. The meat was perfectly tender with a tangy touch of curry. Accompanied by a smooth, goat cheese and apple chutney topping combination, it was an ideal blend of sweet and savory. “I don’t know how Matt puts tastes together, but I’ve never had anything new that I didn’t like,” my server, Alex Spangler said. “The food is one-of-a-kind in this town.” And that includes the food presentation, something Matt takes pride in—creating a beautiful, finished product. True to its name (“Brasserie” is French for brewery), in addition to appetizers, homemade sodas and sauces, soups and salads, burgers, entrees and desserts, the Barn also carries strictly local beer, with new specials all day, every day. It goes without saying that this is not your traditional American restaurant, but for the customers who make it there, the Barn Brasserie is becoming a new, celebrated dining tradition that’s as educating, enriching and satisfying as its food.
MENU MATTERS Get to know Barn Brasserie’s menu
DUCK CONFIT
A French dish made from duck leg. The meat is cured, refrigerated for up to 36 hours and cooked in its own fat, which makes it insanely tender.
GOUDA GRITS
Gouda cheese is mixed with grits, butter and milk to form this delicious, whipped dish. Typically, food is served on top of Gouda grits.
CROSTINI
Small pieces of toasted or fried bread usually served with a topping as an appetizer, or as a side.
QUINOA
A nutty, earthy tasting whole grain that is native to the Andes region.
TZATZIKI
This traditionally Greek sauce is made from yogurt, garlic, cucumbers and dill.
KIMCHI
A Korean dish of spicy pickled cabbage that is used as a condiment.
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THE GUIDE // READ. EAT. DRink. Listen.
Read. EAT. Drink. Listen. fall must-haves
read // The Harry Potter series finale wasn’t the start of J.K Rowling’s retirement. Under the pseudonym “Robert Galbraith,” Rowling released a murder mystery novel, The Cuckoo’s Calling, earlier this summer. The novel revolves around a private detective who investigates the death of a famous supermodel, Lula Landry. After losing a leg, his long-time girlfriend and his home, Cormoran Strike avoids creditors calls by scraping by as a private investigator. During this low point, the deceased supermodel’s brother walks into Strike’s office seeking help. Known to her friends as “the Cuckoo,” Landry fell to her death. The police ruled it as a suicide, but Strike doesn’t buy it. Much like Rowling’s quick rise to fame after Harry Potter, the case launches Strike into a world of celebrities, famous designers and wannabe stars and is an exciting read. Available at Amazon.com or at the BSU Bookstore Hayli Goode
8 // BALL BEARINGS
drink // After managing midterms, class projects, and life in general, it’s always good to settle down and enjoy fall’s charm. Though there are plenty of drinks to choose from, one stands out. Flat 12 Bierwerks’ Flat Jack Pumpkin Ale sets the benchmark for fall’s seasonal beers. Flat Jack has a wonderful mix of Indian spices and pumpkin shine, which give it a distinct pumpkin flavor. Don’t worry – the pumpkin taste doesn’t drown out the fact this is a beer. The initial swig of this golden-amber ale is mildly bitter but flows smoothly down your throat leaving a hint of pumpkin aftertaste. Brewed in Indianapolis, Flat Jack adds a local flavor that is a must try for those looking for a seasonal ale. Available at Friendly Package Liquors or at 414 N. Dorman St., Indianapolis, Ind. Joe Ruley
eat // Whether you’re a first-time Indian eater or tandoori expert, Sitara’s $9.99 lunch buffet can satisfy any exotic taste. From tender, creamy Chicken Tikka Masala and hearty, garlic naan to lumps of basmati rice and rich dessert puddings, make sure to allot plenty of time to work your way around the serving tables. Another perk of this affordable buffet is it’s allyou-can-eat, so you don’t have to worry about taking a risk to try something new. Fun fact: Aromatic Indian spices, like cardamom, turmeric and coriander, are antioxidants and offer many health benefits, acting as an anti-inflammatory and digestive aid. 1606 W. McGalliard Road; Muncie; 765.288.8688; sitaramuncie.com Lauren hardy
listen // “But every song’s like gold teeth, grey goose, trippin’ in the bathroom…” It’s hard not to sing along to Lorde’s “Royals,” which has been #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 list three weeks straight, making her the youngest solo artist to top the chart since 1988. Her first album, Pure Heroine, released on Sept. 27, 2013, instantly caused people to take notice and she has since been called the next queen of pop. Check out the 16-year-olds other great songs; you won’t be disappointed. If you don’t normally listen to electronic music, now’s the time to start. Chvrches, a Scottish band, released their first album, “The Bones of What You Believe,” on Sept. 20, 2013. The band’s lead vocalist, Lauren Mayberry, has led the band to the top of charts and people playlists all over the globe. Want to hear more? Chvrches will tour in the US starting in November. They will be in Nashville, Tenn. on Dec. 1, 2013. Get your tickets before they sell out! LEEANN WOOD
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THE GUIDE // technology
in the
zone
G
gamers have a difficulty pulling themselves away from their consoles story // Holly demaree PHOTOS // rick purtha illustrations // ashlee hayes
rand Theft Auto V” was released on Sept. 17, 2013. Fourty-eight hours later Josh Law, a freshman, architecture major at Ball State, beat the game. Standing in line for the midnight release, his excitement overshadowed the thought of an 8:00 a.m. class, and he played until 6:00 a.m. After classes he continued playing and the next day, Law repeated the process late into the night. “Grand Theft Auto V”’s release beat several Guinness World Records. GTA V made $800 million dollars within 24 hours. It was expected to make $1 billion in the first month, but it surpassed that in the first three days making more than $3 billion. Due to the games popularity, crimes were committed in attempts to get the game for free or before other players.
10 // BALL BEARINGS
Matt burns and jessica wilburn pursued their passion by opening the Barn brasserie in june 2013.
Law was one of those dedicated fans excited about its release. “The first time you get a game you just want to get it into your console so you can play it and feel the adrenaline rush,” Law says. “You don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s like watching a movie you’ve never seen before. You’re playing and there is a plot twist like a gun battle you didn’t see or a car chase, so there are definitely emotions that come with gaming.” No matter how fun and entertaining video games are, there is still the chance of addiction. According to The American Medical Association 90 percent of young Americans play video games and approximately 15 percent may be addicted. Video games such as World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XI have put warning labels or reminders to not over use games and to not forget about friends, families, academics and work. These warnings are to be taken seriously by its users to balance both gaming reality and actual reality. Law tries to be consciously aware of how much time he is gaming. Law wasn’t always as responsible with his gaming. A few summers ago he struggled with gaming addiction. “I got Modern Warfare 2, my first addictive game that I had ever played and that summer I did absolutely nothing but play video games,” Law says. “I didn’t have a job at the time…so I played that game from the time I got up to the time I went to bed and nothing else. There is definitely an addicting part to a game and if you don’t have responsibilities you can fall into it.” Shumaila Yousafzai, Zaheer Hussain and Mark D. Griffiths state in their academic article, “Social responsibility in online videogaming: What should the videogame industry do?” that it can be difficult to determine whether
desperate for games In London, a man was stabbed and robbed for his copy of GTA V. In the U.S., three gamers impersonated police to cut in line. A mentally challenged man was attacked and robbed of the game on his way home. someone is addicted to gaming and describes some of the symptoms. They say addiction disrupts the gamer’s social and academic life and their health. For example, the gamer may have trouble with friends, family or romantic relationship as well as feeling a craving or need to play the game. “I try not to get overwhelmed…video games are meant to be fast-paced and keep you engaged. So you have to have willpower to stop and go do the other things,” Law says. It’s important to Law to take breaks and enjoy other parts of life. Some video games are encouraging their user to do the same. “As much gaming as I do, I also try to be active by going out and playing wallyball, volleyball or football with friends and spend time away from it,” Law says. He plays club volleyball and has learned that there is a need for balance and control in life. He sometimes finds himself in situations where he has 30 minutes to play before heading to volleyball practice. He finishes one game and notices he still has 15 minutes until he needs to leave. So why not play one more…
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THE GUIDE // SPORTS
A New Face for a New Era Ball State Men’s Basketball Coach Driven for Success story // lauren hughes photos // shae gist
“I FOUND MY PURPOSE AND PASSION IN LIFE, AND I FOUND SOMETHING I LOVE DOING.” - JAMES WHITFORD
I
n a continued effort to improve its programs and overall game attendance rates, Ball State Athletics brought another new head coach into the mix this year. With recording-low attendance numbers in years past, the men’s basketball program has long been in need of a jumpstart. As the 19th head basketball coach in program history, James Whitford lit that fuse on April 10, 2013 when he pledged to bring fan excitement back to Worthen Arena. Whitford’s passion for basketball and generating excitement has been brewing for decades. Growing up, he loved the game, playing hoops until he graduated from high school in 1989. Thoughts of playing at the collegiate level crossed his mind, but he worried that if he pursued his dream, he would have to attend a small school. Whitford decided to leave the dream behind and followed in his family’s footsteps by attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in political science. But while attending Wisconsin, Whitford found himself missing the game he loved so much. In a move to put the sport
12 // BALL BEARINGS
back in his life, he sought help from his high school principal, who reached out to a staff member at Wisconsin. Shortly after, Whitford obtained a student manager position on the men’s basketball team. “I found my purpose and passion in life, and I found something I love doing,” he says. “[And] from that moment on I wanted to coach.” Whitford moved to Miami (Ohio) University after graduating form Wisconsin. As a Graduate Assistant for the program, he received a master’s in Sport Performance and Behavior and was hired as an assistant coach for the men’s basketball program. Whitford spent 11 season with Miami before making his way to Xavier University where he spent four seasons. He spent his past four seasons at The University of Arizona-Tucson and after two season there, was promoted to associate head coach. Out of all the schools he could have gone to, the question posed is, why Ball State? Whitford explains that in looking
whitford’s work
Developed former player during his time at The University of Arizona-Tucson, Derrick Williams, who became a No. 2 overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft and currently with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Helped Xavier University program to an impressive run: Musketeers posted an overall record of 103-35, won three Atlantic 10 Conference championships and played in the NCAA tournament all four years. During time at Miami (Ohio) University, was a part of three NCAA tournament appearances, won four MAC regular season championships, and posted an overall record 201-130. helped Arizona to an average of 27 wins per season over his final three years in Tucson, including a 30-win campaign in 2010-2011 that featured a Conference championship and an appearance in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament.
for a school, he didn’t need to come to a perfect team— what he needed was good fundamentals to be in place. If that were the case and he did his job, he knew that team could win. He also investigated Ball State’s academics and quickly realized its areas if study reflected its excellent and beautiful campus: all things that will attract talented prospective students to come here. One thing that stood out to him was that, although small, “we have a passionate fan base,” which he says is a key factor for a good program. Now, we just have to build that fan base, he says. To do this, Whitford says it’s important to reach out to the community. He wants to make sure that everyone can get to know and connect with the entire team. Like the Indiana Pacers coaching staff and players do in Indianapolis, he too, wants bridge the gap between Ball State and Muncie. He plans to go to dorms and fraternities and talk to students to get them motivated. He also believes that if the team puts a great product on the floor, they will see a great rise in attendance. A crucial elements of the game is that players provide an exciting
performance each time. Whitford’s familiarity with the Mid-American Conference also helps make things easier to prepare for the upcoming season. He has recruited in this area for a long time, and believes it will help strengthen the program. An added bonus for Ball State is it’s centrally located to cities like Indianapolis, Ft. Wayne, and not far from the Gary-Chicago area, which is beneficial for recruiting. Whitford emphasizes that Indiana high school basketball is among the best in the country, and he feels we can recruit a lot players from what other coaches call the “breadbasket.” Whitford plans to reform the Cardinal basketball program by using the concepts and principles he developed from his work in previous programs. He describes this process as a molding experience, which looks to shape and enhance the players’ already developed skils. Through appropriate recruiting, team presentation and practicing, Whitford hopes a successful season will follow.
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THE GUIDE // FASHION
Meet: alex sollman
Year: junior major: fashion merchandising and apprael design my style in three words Unusual, weird and fun
who or what influences your style?
If I think something is cool or unique, I just have to buy it. I try to find things that not everyone would own.
What is your favorite store?
It’s a tie between Urban Outfitters and othree thrift stores. I can always find something “out there” and they are good mediums to fix old and new pieces together.
where did you get that?
Denim vest, Flannel Shirt and Dress: Goodwill, Boots: onlineshoes.com, Necklace: thrift store in Alabama
what is one piece that you would never throw away?
I found a knee-length dress from a Goodwill store in Boston. It has lion and tiger heads print with black fur running down the sleeves. It was made in France for $780, and I found it for a couple of bucks.
What piece do you always find yourself wearing?
I never leave the house without a gold necklace. They finish off my outfit, which I’m all about being over the top.
fall must-have acessory
Beanies help out a bad hair day and make an outfit look better.
dream clothing item I want an over-the-top couture piece. I might not ever wear it out, but I would definitely rock it.
why do you dress the way you do?
I love to just have fun with fashion. Without the fun, there’s no point. I don’t like to look like everyone else and I love to stand out. Mixing and matching prints and styles creates interest. Everyday I can start over and be a new person with my clothes.
Meet: kris hardin Year: senior major: hospitality my style in three words
Free, vintage and expressive
who or what influences your style?
I tend to go old school with my style, so I get my inspiration from the ‘70s, ‘80s and early ‘90s.
What is your favorite store?
Goodwill. It’s random and has items that are old and worn and there’s not a lot of name brands. It’s also cheap!
where did you get that?
Sweater: Goodwill, Jeans: JC Penney’s, Boots: Macy’s
what is one piece that you would never throw away?
I love to wear cowboy boots, especially in the fall. I love the colors that I can choose from and they are easy to match with my outfits.they are easy to match with my outfits.
What piece do you always find yourself wearing?
Sweaters are my main attraction. They all have different and random designs, and they are one of a kind.
fall must-have acessory?
Scarfs are comfortable and stylish. They all have different patterns and colors, and they make a great statement piece.
dream clothing item
I would love to own an expensive pair of boots. Something with color would allow the outfit to be built from the ground up.
why do you dress the way you do?
I love to express myself and show off my personality while being comfortable. I love being outgoing, vivid and full of life.
story // Aubrey Smith PHOTOS // Lauren Dahlhauser
THE GUIDE // Entertainment
creating
community
through art
A
story // Victoria davis PHOTOS // jesse etsler
performing opportunities at muncie civic theatre join together ball state students and muncie residents s Muncie Civic Theatre’s executive director, Todd Sandman strolls through the historic building’s upstairs hallway; he pauses in front of the main rehearsal room, where Ball State students and Muncie community members bring scripts to life. The space is decorated wall-to-wall with mirrors and racks of stage clothing. Piles of “Annie” script books are stacked in neat rows and chairs are scattered across the dark wooden floors. You can almost picture the production in the making. People of all backgrounds, ages, shapes and sizes put in countless hours preparing for shows, which sometimes include pulling 12-hour workdays. For
Linda Sherfick, a junior theatre directing major at Ball State, it’s time well spent. Acting at Muncie Civic has shown her that getting to know the world around you is a valuable experience. “Community theatre is such an interesting place because there is a balance between creating art and building a community,” Sherfick says. “We are not doing it for the money but to create community. Some of the closest people in my life came from Civic.” Sherfick, who has been in the theatre for 11 years, recently directed her first show at “The Cave” theatre on Ball State’s campus. She was also offered to direct an upcoming show titled “The Eight: Reindeer Monologues,” which will run at Muncie Civic in December. Not all who perform at Muncie Civic are as experienced as Sherfick, but all experience levels are welcome to participate. Zach Tabor, who is now a junior acting major, began his freshman year of college as an advertising major and ex-football player. “One of my friends on the football team, his mother dragged me to audition for ‘The Odd Couple.’ They put me on stage and said ‘read this script,’” Tabor says. “I had always been the funny guy but I never thought acting could be a career for me.” Shortly after his initial reading, Tabor auditioned for entrance into the theatre department at Ball State. And in the spring of 2012, he performed in Muncie Civic’s “Chicago.” After switching majors he is now preparing for his role as Daddy Warbucks in “Annie.” He appreAlexandra Kocoshis, the pianist for Muncie Civic Theatre’s production of Annie leads the Oct. 14 rehearsal in downtown Muncie, Ind.
16 // BALL BEARINGS
DID YOU KNOW?
A cast member, David Merten looks over his lines during an Oct. 14 rehearsal of Annie, on the second floor of the historic Muncie Civic Theatre in downtown Muncie, Ind.
• “Annie” is playing from Dec. 6-Dec. 22. • “God of Carnage” is playing from Oct. 25 through Nov. 9th • Muncie Civic Theatre was started in 1931 by a secondgeneration member of the Ball family, William Ball.
ciates the freedom and diversity that comes with a community theatre like Muncie Civic, which is not something that you can always get in the classroom at Ball State. Sandman has been with Muncie Civic for the past five years, and despite working in Los Angeles, he felt Muncie – his hometown – was where he should be. “I said, ‘No, I’m never coming back; I’m in L.A. now…and I’m not moving back to Indiana,’” he says. “Never say never.” Since moving back, Sandman says he has enjoyed watching hundreds of community members and Ball State students come together for one common purpose: to entertain. Another rewarding part of the job, he says, is watching new relationships form. “A lot of the college students become some-
what adopted by other members of the cast because they get to work with people of all ages,” he says. Within the past four years, Muncie Civic has doubled its attendance rates, allowing actors to take an even greater impact. With six main stage shows, four studio shows, and three to four youth programs per year, Sandman believes the sky is the limit. He plans to expand the education program and maintain the quality of shows while allowing more people to experience the power of the stage lights. “We want to change expectations on what it means to be a community theatre,” Sandman says. “Seeing the improvement in our shows and seeing the audience’s reaction is like no other. Theatre changes people. It inspires and moves them to feel.”
• The theatre used to be at the current location of the Cornerstone Center for the Arts building but moved to its current location in 1965. • The upstairs of the theater used to be apartments. • During World War II, the theater temporarily closed. Formal performances resumed in 1946. • In addition to Muncie Civic, past Muncie theaters include the Wysor Theatre, Indiana Rivoli Theatre, Hoosier Theatre, Star Theatre, Strand Theatre and Refineo Vaudeville Theater. Muncie Civic is the only historic theater still standing.
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insights
What’s the significance of the group’s name? Nribiggani means anthropologist in Bengali, and Nischintapure is the name of the place where the fire incident happened. What’s the purpose of the group? The group was created to make sure victims received compensation and the owner of the factory received punishment. We want to be an educated voice for the poor people who don’t have one. There are other factories in the area with similar working conditions. We are working to change that. Are you working on changing worker’s rights? Bangladesh is the cheapest place where clothes can be made, so there’s a lot of worker exploitation. Companies are not here for charity; they are here to make a big profit. We are working to make sure that all factories have safety standards, fire exits and insurance. Who can join? This is an open group; anybody can join. We haven’t set any rules or regulations. If you have the same kind of feelings for social justice and want to become involved, you are welcome. 18 // BALL BEARINGS
MD QUAMRUI HASSAN activist for bangladesh worker’s rights STORY // Cali burchett
After a fire incident killed 112 people at Tazreen Fashions factory in Bangladesh on Nov. 24, 2012, three anthropologists, Nazneen Shifa, Mahmudul Sumon, and Saydia Gulrukh formed Nischintapure Nribiggani, a non-profit activist group aiming to help the injured workers and families of deceased workers. The fire occurred as a result of unsafe working conditions (there were no fire exits and the factory owner had locked the gate to the building). Ball State student Md Quamrul Hasan, who is from the affected area, joined the cause to bring justice to Bangladeshis.
What is your role in nribiggani? When I am in Bangladesh, I work to prevent future disasters of the same nature. If a fire takes place, we document it and turn it into officials for further investigation. I was actually in town during the Tazreen fire, and this is what we did. We saw that the lock to the door was still sealed and we took the picture of the lock for evidence. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve come across? The Bangladesh government has not been cooperating. If the government were on our side, this case would have been over a long time ago. Our major challenge is getting the government onboard, because these unsafe working conditions are hurting the whole country. Have you had any accomplishments so far? Because the government didn’t seek any action against the owner, we lobbied to get them to confiscate his passport on the charges of criminal activity. Now, he cannot go abroad. We also presented the government with a list of the 20-24 victims who still have not received compensation.
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SUCCESSFUL LEADERS inspire others getting ahead with leadership, humility and zeal
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story // Aiste Manfredini Photos // the climate reality project / Ricardo Lopez / aiste manfredini
s I sat amid 1,200 climate activists in a noisy conference room, patiently waiting for former Vice President Al Gore to speak at the 23rd Climate Leader training, I felt nervous, but relieved knowing that I wasn’t sitting alone as a young leader. This being my first leadership conference, I didn’t know what to expect but was excited to be part of the global cultural movement that is trying to take action during our climate crisis. During the three-day training I was surrounded by hundreds of people from places as close as Chicago and as far as Dhaka, Bangladesh. A variety of inspirational speakers at the conference included the Climate Reality Project’s Maggie Fox and Mario Molina, the National Wildlife Federation’s Larry Schweiger, Jonah Sachs, storytelling specialist and co-creator of The Meatrix; and outstanding Kim Wasserman, who helped lead the successful campaign to close down Chicago’s two killer coal plants. One week later I found myself in San Francisco attending the Global Brigades Student Leadership conference at the University of California at
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Berkeley. There I learned how to empower members in my Global Brigades chapter at Ball State, an organization that is devoted to global health and sustainable development. I was immediately moved by Orion Haas, former director of mobilization at Global Brigades, when he spoke about leading through the art of inspiration. Haas urges students to practice passion, clarity and direction throughout their journey as a leader. Taking the extra steps to attend both conferences wasn’t easy¬–mentally or financially¬–but those steps encouraged me to take advantage of my collegiate leadership opportunities, which shape decisions that I make today and will make in the future during my career. It’s crucial for us to lead and take advantage of as many opportunities as possible while they’re available. Because come graduation, we’ll be at the bottom again. If that disappoints you, don’t let it, because there’s a powerful and valuable life skill that employers look for during the interview process but often struggle to find: which is the ability to lead.
“Leadership is defined by how you present yourself on an everyday basis,” says Lauren Berger, assistant director of student life at Ball State University. “It’s not about having a specific title or a specific position, it’s really about you as a person and your character and the vision that you have.” Berger works with Ball State’s student leadership programs, the Excellence in Leadership speaker series and oversees the leadership minor. She believes that anyone can be a leader and that it’s about the things you do and the opportunities that you take that make students stand out as leaders. “When leadership is done well and when students learn what leadership is and make an impact in their community, I think that is really how students can take those skills and develop them into their future work as a professional and student leader,” Berger says. The moment you begin your journey at Ball State, make sure to get involved on campus and look for opportunities outside of the classroom whether it’s a student organization, internship or job.
“The one piece of advice that I would give to any student is to find something that you’re passionate about,” says Berger. “Find something that you get really excited about that’s outside of the classroom that’s going to challenge you to do something different.” Berger believes that anyone can lead and that it’s all about combining the skills, experiences and passions that students have while simultaneously figuring out how to make good decisions and an impact on a community, college or organization. It seems like college students today are more involved and well-rounded than ever before and involved in more than just one activity. That’s why it’s important to find that one thing that you’re really good at and passionate about and put your full focus on it. “It’s better to be good at one thing than seven different things. But it’s also good for students to have a variety of different experiences. It’s about loving to do all those things,” says Berger. Adam Kuban, director of the Louis E. Ingelhart Scholars program at Ball State,
LEADERSHIP TIPS Leader benefits Student Leaders
28.2
71.8 Non-student Leaders
39.1 60.9 graduation percentage www.csus.edu
LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIPTIPS TIPS 1. You are not superhuman Know your limits put importance of quality of work versus quantity.
Top Left
Orion haas, co-founder of Global brigades Ghana, speaks to chapter president’s during the global brigades student leadership coneference at UC Berkeley.
top right
more than 1,500 registered activists from all 50 states and 77 countries met al gore in chicago to participate in the 23rd training of the climate relaity leaderrshp corps.
2. Get over yourself It’s about the organization as a whole not about you. Credibility is the foundation of leadership 3. Believe in yourself If people don’t believe in you, they won’t follow you. 4. trust rules Trust is the social glue that holds indviduals and groups together. 5. Leadership is an affair of the heart Leaders show authentic appreciation for others.
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shares a different perspective on leadership. He wants students to explore not just what leadership means to them but also what influenced them to that point to help evolve their leadership persona. “Freshman sometimes come in knowing right off the bat where they want to go and what they want to do. What I want them to do is explore not just what leadership is to them but also how exactly they got to the point where they believe what they do about leadership,” Kuban says. “They should be asking questions such as, why was that teacher so influential to you? And what is influence? What does it mean to be influential? What does it look like? What does it sound like? And try to get them to explore that on their own so they have a better idea of that convoluted term that we call leadership,” says Kuban. “It would be useful for students to have had some deeper intellectual conversations about what leadership means so they can talk about that intelligently, and they’re not caught off guard by it,” says Kuban. It’s important that we push ourselves out of the comfort zone because down the road when we’re all working professionals, we may be in a major leadership role. It might be unpleasant and we might have regrets but it’s important to remember that it’s a learning experience that takes effort, patience and commitment. Carson Weingart, president of Ball State’s Student Honors Council, believes that leader-
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student organizations at Ball State
EAch organization Offers multiple opportunities for student leadership ship at its core is about inspiring other people. “I think it’s wrong to assume that being a leader is getting people to think like you do,” says Weingart. “The best leadership experiences that I’ve had is where I’m able to inspire people to do things in their own way and to get them to think of things and then take ownership of those things.” Weingart says he is encouraged by the positive leadership from millennials. During his time at Ball State though, Weingart learned that not everyone is a leader. “There’s a real difference between leaders and managers,” says Weingart. “Managers are really good at being given a plan and then they have to implement it and they have to tell people this is what someone above me says you need to do. And that’s a great thing to have but leaders have to set the vision.” “I’ve always looked up to Walt Disney because he didn’t step out as ‘oh I want to run a multibillion company,’ he just had an idea and he was able to inspire other people
and create that organizational culture that’s made that company what it is today,” says Weingart. After listening and observing leaders from all walks of life at both conferences, made me realize that leadership is not about entitlement or power; it’s about building a passion for something you believe in. A zealous leader isn’t always the president of an organization or the captain of a sports team. It can be anyone who has a vision with a purpose, and someone who leads by example. “The best thing you can do in college is to spend your first year just sitting on the sidelines and observing, and that’s what I did with the Student Honors Council,” says Weingart. “Never join an organization with the intent of running it. It’s just like traveling to a different country…you have to immerse yourself in the culture first and then decide if this is somewhere I can grow or do I need to find somewhere else.” Weingart says that leadership is important because good leaders allow followers to do their best work. “One of the qualities of leaders that people most respect is when they’re amazing without having to say that they are,” says Weingart. Take those extra steps and explore your passions because you never know when the doors will open up for new opportunities that you may never gain back. Acts and visions of leadership will not only help you find your passion in life but can also make a significant difference to your community and the world.
students define leadership
KOURTNEY DILLAVOU Major: ARCHITECTURE “Leadership means more than just taking charge of a situation and overseeing what other people are doing. In order to be a leader, one must want to achieve a goal enough to be able to motivate others to want to achieve that goal so that it actually happens.”
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WIL MITCHELL Major: undecided “Leadership means leading by example and making others inspired to do what you do. You set an example for people and a lot of people come to you for help and trust you.”
Kyle Starns Major: Social Studies Education “When you lead you learn and build characteristics that are qualities for education in life in general. There will be challenges and you may fail in areas of life but it’s just something you need to overcome.”
Christina Dionesotes Major: English and Spanish “I think sometimes it’s a lot of responsibility for students. They do have a lot of stress going with school and things like that. And maybe they don’t realize that they are ready. And I think that sometimes all it takes is for somebody to let you know, ‘I think you would be really good for a leadership position’ or ‘I think you have what it takes to make a great leader.’”
REVIEW IS IN SESSION story by hayli goode // PHOTOS bY Kaytee Lorentzen and Meagan kingery
After the Freedom from Religion Foundation sent a letter and filed a complaint against Ball State University physics and astronomy assistant professor Eric Hedin, all honors courses are being reviewed to ensure the “highest academic standards” according to Ball State President JoAnn Gora.
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In early September 2004, acting Ball State President Beverly Pitts opened a letter from a conservative group of students referring to themselves as Standards for Academic Freedom. The students demanded President Pitts to investigate the university’s Center for Peace and Conflict Studies. According to Senior Fellow and Associate Director at the Discovery Institute and a columnist for Evolution Views and News, John West, the Standards for Academic Freedom argued Professor George Wolfe violated their rights as students by excluding discussion or course material over views contrary to his own. Furthermore, they said Wolfe showed bias by offering extra credit to students who took part in a protest against the
war in Iraq or attended Interfaith Fellowship meetings. They stated he persuaded students to volunteer for an organization with certain ideologies and deemed he graded papers harder if a student disagreed with his views. The university did not gather a review panel or launch an investigation as proposed by the students. Instead, BSU defended Professor Wolfe to the media, to the state legislature and to the Muncie community. In response to the university’s actions, West wrote that the university “circled the wagons around Professor Wolfe” by ultimately failing to investigate the claims. The same cannot be said for our school’s most recent academic violation cases.
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FEATURES
An honors classroom
Déjà Vu Toward the end of last semester, Jerry Coyne, a professor for the department of ecology and evolution at the University of Chicago, criticized Eric Hedin, a Ball State honors physics and astronomy assistant professor, for teaching intelligent design in his classroom. Intelligent Design is a theory that states God or a greater deity created the Earth and its inhabitants for a greater cause, or an intelligent cause. Generally, it opposes the idea of evolution, which, according to the American Heritage Dictionary is an idea of how the Earth came to be and a philosophy that states that humans are a product of their environment and gradually change over time. Coyne received the tip from an “anonymous informant” from Ball State. According to Coyne, a student had complained to the informant that Hedin was “pushing Christianity in his class.” In response, Coyne wrote to Hedin’s chair alerting them Hedin was mixing science and religion. “I received a testy email back from the chair saying this course has been approved by the university…basically telling me to shove off,” Coyne says. The letter from the university to Coyne was confidential. Unsatisfied, Coyne relayed the information to the Freedom from Religion Foundation. “The purpose of the class is to teach scientific facts.
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in the virginia ball honors buildingW.
Hedin’s belief is a religiously motivated view and he also makes unsupportable statements…Intelligent Design is a rejected science,” Coyne says. “If you look at the reading list for the course, it’s not a balanced reading list. I think there’s one book in there that’s straight science and the rest are proselytizing. If it’s not a balanced reading, how could there be a balanced discussion?” While he did not do the investigation, Coyne said he merely reported the information he gathered from the Muncie Star Press and Rate My Professor, an anonymous website that allows students to rate and comment on a professor’s performance. Due to Rate My Professor, senior computer science major Nathan Foss said he knew what he was getting into before he registered for Professor Hedin’s class. In fact, Foss said his views are what made him register for the class. “I could have taken a multitude of other classes to fulfill the requirement, but understanding a little more about Dr. Hedin and the class from what I heard made me want to take it more,” Foss says. Less than a month after Coyne’s blogs about Hedin were published, April 25, the Freedom from Religion Foundation made a case against the assistant professor May 16. The group claimed not only is teaching intelligent design a legal and constitutional matter, it violates the First Amendment. “It’s religion taught as a science in a public universi-
ty and it’s not only wrong, but illegal. This will now go to the lawyers,” Coyne wrote in his blog, titled, “Why Evolution is True.” Ball State has taken more action from when the university “circled the wagons” in 2004 with Wolfe. In June, Ball State Provost Terry King assembled a review panel of other faculty members. Out of the four panel members, three have ties to organizations that are publically against Intelligent Design. According to the Daily News, the panel members are: 1.Astronomy professor at Indiana University, Catherine Pilachowski, is the formal president of the American Astronomical Society. In 2005, the group denounced Intelligent Design and stated it should not be taught in classrooms. 2. Ball State biology professor Dr. Gary Dodson signed an anti-creationism petition that was circulated by the National Center for Science. In 2009, Dodson also appeared as a presenter and discussion leader for Darwin Day, a conference put on by Ball State Freethought Alliance. 3. Richard Fluegeman Jr., a geology professor delivered the opening lecture for the same Darwin Day conference in 2009. 4. Professor of Philosophy, Juli Eflin’s views on intelligent design and the classroom are unclear. The Daily News also reported that Andrew Seidel, attorney for the Freedom From Religion, said the committee is exactly what the foundation was looking for. What is “Academic Freedom?” In an article published by the Ball State Daily News, King emphasized there is a difference between the First Amendment freedom of speech and academic freedom in a course. “In the appropriate teaching of a course, one can bring in controversial concepts if it is appropriate to the nature of the course,” King said to the Daily News. “We are very much in support of faculty members appropriately teaching their courses or appropriately doing their research even if it takes them to unpopular areas.” King did not clarify what is deemed “appropriate.” Foss argues religion itself was never taught in Hedin’s Boundaries of Science class. Like most honors courses, Foss says the class was scheduled around discussion groups. Hedin would provide scientific examples and assignments related to the question of Intelligent Design, Foss says, but allow students to draw their own conclusions. The Ball State Faculty and Professional Handbook states that academic freedom is essential and fundamental for the protection of both the student and teachers’ rights. “The teacher is entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing the appointed subject, but should be careful not to introduce a controversial matter which has no relation to the subject,” (63-64).
Lauren dahlhauser
searches Dr. hedin’s name on Ratemyprofessor. com to get options of other students who have had him as a professor.
user comments and ratings “He is very friendly and passionate about what he teaches. The tests are hard if you don't study very much. Sometimes his lectures are boring but he's just so nice I felt bad if I was drifting off. He offers a lot of extra credit and curves the tests. I think he realizes most people aren't that passionate about astronomy so he tries to make it easy.” “Dr. Hedin is the nicest guy ever...but not the best teacher. I had to learn everything by myself in that class. However, he is super fair with grading! He gives partial credit for multiple choice and homework and is available for help if you need it. He also curved grades at the end of the semester.” “Great teacher, nice guy. Constantly talks religion, as an atheist, I was slightly concerned my science teacher is a devout christian. If you have astronomy at Ball State, get Dr. Hedin. He is willing to help with just about everything in class, and gives out more extra credit. Gave me 20 ec points just for showing up one friday. Great guy.”
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It Should Not be Taught President Gora made clear it should not be taught in the closing statements of Hedin’s case, given in the form of a letter to faculty and staff. She wrote that teaching intelligent design is a matter of academic integrity because the science community has denounced the theory as scientific. “Intelligent Design is overwhelmingly deemed by the scientific community as a religious belief and not a scientific theory. Therefore, intelligent design is not appropriate content for science courses,” Gora wrote. Less than a month before President Gora publically ruled that Hedin did not have authority to teach Intelligent Design but would continue to teach at Ball State, the Discovery Institute sent a letter asking for an investigation of four other honors classes. Specifically, associate professor Paul Ranieri is under investigation for having an “atheist bias,” according to the Discovery Institute. The other professors are being investigated for, “teaching outside of their areas.” On September 30, a few days after the ninth anniversary of Wolfe’s case, President Gora responded to the group with a letter. “You can be assured that the syllabi and curricula of all the courses you singled out, as well as those of other courses offered by the Honors College and elsewhere are the University, are reviewed and updated on a regular basis… Our intent is to ensure that their content and pedagogy reflect the highest academic standards,” President Gora wrote. Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications Tony Proudfoot provided a statement further explaining what a review would require.
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CLASSES UNDER INVESITGATION
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honors 296 “Old” and “New” Science professor Eric Hedin
honors 297 The SustainABLES: Air, Biodiversit, Land, Engergy and the Seas (Water) professorS
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David A. Call, Michael Karls, Andrea Powell
honors 298 The Biology of Life professor Kemuel S. Badger
honors 390 Dangerous Ideas
“All Honors College course reviews will include the qualifications of the faculty member to teach the course material, the course content, and the appropriateness of the course pedagogy. So at a fundamental level, all courses will receive the same review and treatment, including Honors 201,” Proudfoot said. “Courses scheduled to be offered in spring 2014, as well as those about which concerns have been expressed by the Discovery Institute, are currently under review. It can be expected that Honors 201 will be reviewed in the semester before it is next offered.” Current honors courses are also under review. Daniel Anderson, a sophomore telecommunications major is currently enrolled in Dr. Christina Shea’s Honors 201: Inquiries in the Ancient World course. Dr. Shea requires students to study texts ranging from The Odyssey to Genesis and the Gospel of Mark. Anderson said he enjoyed the course until Dr. Shea began one class meeting asking him, “How is God not good?” Coming from a Christian background, Anderson said he did not know how to respond and just stared back at her, speechless and bug-eyed.
Honors students are required to go through an Honors 201 course to fulfill their Tier 1 Humanities requirement. Dr. Shea’s course description explains the course “enables students accurately observe and reconstruct major ideas, philosophies and modes of thought of the ancient world.” According to the Ball State Faculty and Professional Handbook the purpose of honors courses is to stimulate discussion that require students think critically. “…the biggest impact on the Honors College is that all courses will now be subject to a formalized curricular review process in a manner similar to existing review processes in the academic colleges. In the past, such reviews were largely administered at the dean level in the honors college. Courses offered in the Honors College will not be treated differently from courses offered in the academic colleges,” Proudfoot wrote via email. The reviews of the honors courses will be ongoing. University honors professors, Dr. Christina Shae, Ranieri and Hedin did not comment further on the topic besides the statement the university gave out in July. Provost Terry King, Joan Todd and Associate Dean of the Honors College and Professor of Mathematical Sciences also did not comment.
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An uncertain
Future For the past two years civil war has destroyed Syria and is threatening to explode beyond its borders, involving more than the Middle East. story // Joe Ruley ILLUSTRATIONS // Briee Eikenberry
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A
s gunfire rings in the distance and explosions from mortar volleys rattle the earth, the people of Syria flee to bomb shelters, nervously waiting to discover what their future holds. For about half a century Hafez al-Assad’s and Bashar al-Assad’s regime violently ruled the country. Hafez al-Assad controlled Syria by oppressing his people’s religious and speech freedoms as he saw fit and ruled with an iron fist by detaining and using excessive force to engrain his power. Bashar al-Assad took control after his father’s death in June 2000 and implemented similar ruling styles used by his father. Bashar is more laid back but still oppresses anyone who speaks negatively toward the government and the way he rules the country. Two years ago, Syrians began to rally for change. In March 2011, protesters gathered in the capital city of Damascus and the southern city of Deraa, demanding the release of political prisoners, who were being held for 5+ years for reasons like criticizing the government. According to Katherine Marsh’s article, “Syria’s Political Prisoners: It’s hard to imagine how I got through it, published by The Guardian, Marsh explains the government was detaining political leaders and normal citizens for simply expressing
their views. They would be detained and weren’t allowed to contact their families to let them know that they had been taken. Another portion of Marsh’s article explained well-documented cases were falsely denying torture claims, though many say they were forced to stand for multiple days in a row or were beaten by government agents or military officials. These beatings and injustices caused many Syrians to protest the methods in which al-Assad was running the country. However, what started as a peaceful protest ended in violence when security forces opened fire, killing many protesters. The remainder of 2011 brought heightened violence and eventually erupted to civil war by June 2012. By then, thousands of Syrians had escaped to neighboring countries like Turkey, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon because it was becoming too dangerous to stay in Syria. Pockets of combat zones quickly appeared along the western side of the country, with the most action taking place in the country’s northwestern area around Aleppo and the Mediterranean Sea, some suburbs of Damascus, and Dara’a, just east of the Golan Heights. Sporadic skirmishes were also being fought all over the countryside and within smaller towns and villages.
“THEY’RE TRYING TO SURVIVE. THEY ARE TRYING TO DO WHAT THEY WERE DOING BEFORE THE WAR... THEY’RE TRYING TO DO WHATEVER IS POSSIBLE [SO THEY CAN LIVE] SOME KIND OF NORMAL LIFE.” - Louai Alsaman
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22,457,336 population of Syria
7 MILLION Syrians have been displaced
Damascus
Daraa
this map of syria locates the main cities
HITTING HOME Louai Alsaman, who is currently working on his masters in architecture at Ball State, was accepted to the college on a full-ride scholarship shortly after violence erupted in Syria. Born in Syria, he graduated from Damascus University in 2010 and planned to continue studying architecture in the U.S. But in order to enter the U.S. for school, he had to apply for a full-ride scholarship. Due to the amount of tests and requirements it takes to obtain a scholarship abroad, it took him around three years to be accepted. Meanwhile, violence in his hometown of Damascus had been steadily increasing. Alsaman says he was only two months away from moving to Indiana when the violence became almost unbearable. “At lot of people [are] victims right now. Like from each party. It’s madness over there right now,” Alsaman says. Innocent civilians are being caught in the crossfire between the FSA and the Syrian military. Rocket propelled grenades and stray bullets are striking homes and are injuring thousands of innocent civilians. A New York Times Article, Scattered by War, Syrian Family Struggles to
3/4 of refugees are women and children
Start Over, states that a woman was watering plants on her balcony and after turning to go inside, an RPG struck the balcony wounding both her granddaughters; blowing one’s leg off. Stories like this can be heard all across the country. Alsaman says his family fled Syria for fear of being killed in the crossfire and is staying with his brother who has been living in the U.S. They have been here for nearly four months and are still unsure of when they can go home. “They’re trying to survive. They are trying to do what they were doing before war... they’re trying to do whatever is possible [so they can live] some kind of a normal life,” he says. The same can be said for Alsaman’s friends who are still in Syria. He contacts them daily to receive updates on the war. He says his friends are taking it day by day and just want the war to be over. They feel it’s not going anywhere and that all it’s doing is costing the lives of their family and friends. “No one knows if it will work itself out…People have been dying, friends have been [killed], and surely there’s a relative of some kind who’s a martyr from either side. They have had enough of it,” Alsaman says.
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THE BIG PICTURE The war in Syria may be taking place on another continent, but it has a greater impact on the U.S. than many realize. Its outcome directly effects the U.S.’s relations within the Middle East and whether or not we have to get militarily involved to protect our interests in the Middle East like Israel and Turkey. Either way it’s a lose-lose situation for the U.S. Right now, the war has stagnated. Neither the FSA nor the Syrian government military has a distinct advantage over one another, which raises concerns as to where the direction of the war might go. Assistant English professor Brent Blackwell, who specializes in the Middle Eastern affairs, thinks the U.S. has to step back and allow Syria to sort out the war itself unless al-Assad provokes a war with a neighboring country.
The U.S. has backed Israel since its formation in 1949 and through its various conflicts and wars. According to the Congressional Research Service, the U.S. has provided Israel $3 billion in funds annually since 1985. The U.S. has provided Israel with fighter jets and other military hardware to help protect the nation. The U.S. is obligated to protect Israel if a war in the Middle East. Another reason why the war has stagnated is that the only common trait the Free Syrian Army has is that they want al-Assad ousted from control. The FSA is comprised of many groups with entirely different agendas and all of who want to take control if al-Assad is ousted. Blackwell stated that all the different groups within the FSA are united now because they want
“NO ONE KNOWS IF IT WILL WORK ITSELF OUT...PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DYING, FRIENDS HAVE BEEN DYING, AND SURLY THERE’S A RELATIVE OF SOME KIND OF FAMILY WHO’S BEEN DEAD WHO’S MARTYR FROM EITHER SIDE. THEY HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF IT” - Louai Alsaman
Due to political concerns, Blackwell says, the U.S. has to step back from its traditional role of being “the world policeman” for human rights violations. Unlike the Israeli Palestinian conflict, which Blackwell teaches a course on, it seems the U.S. has been more passive this time around. The recent gassing that killed 100 Syrians in a suburb of Damascus was more than enough grounds for the U.S. to intervene but the U.S. didn’t. War with a neighboring country is a plausible thought because according to a New York Times article, Turkey shot down a Syrian military helicopter on Sept. 16, which increased tensions between the neighboring countries, too. If al-Assad starts a war with a neighboring country, the U.S. will be forced to police the fight. The U.S.’s political ties to Israel will force ground troops to be sent to help protect Israel first and then help Turkey if Turkey is involved. “Whenever anybody starts [talking] of military action in the Middle East, Israel gets really nervous… that’s going to be our first priority,” says Blackwell.
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to topple al-Assad. The risk of toppling al-Assad is that there could be a potential backlash like what is happening in Egypt. One group might fight argue they have been ostracized by another and lash out to regain control. LOOKING AHEAD The war in Syria is showing no signs of letting up. Alsaman says no one knows where the war is headed, only that people continue to die on a daily basis. Recent political talks have been attempting to restore peace within the area but the FSA and the Syrian government continues to skirmish and attempt to gain an advantage. Looking at U.S. involvement, only time will tell if more than political discussions will be needed. Either way, the war in Syria not only damaging the country itself, but it is damaging relations between surrounding countries and the U.S. The only hope is that Syria can restore order before neighboring countries are forced to engage in combat.
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FEATURES
social media
etiquette Employers are now looking beyond your suit, portfolio and résumés and into your personal profile pages. story // anna ortiz PHOTO // hannah jackson illustrations // william aaron kelly
Employers aren’t looking at dry-cleaned suits and polished résumés for first impressions anymore. They’re looking at what you did last Saturday – visuals included. And, if the posts on your Facebook timeline or Twitter account resemble something Charlie Sheen might write in his autobiography, you may have some rethinking to do.
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“EMPLOYERS WILL LOOK AT SOCIAL MEDIA BEFORE THEY LOOK AT YOUR RÉSUMÉ.” - SHERYL SWINGLEY
According to the 2012 Reppler survey of 300 employers, 91 percent of hiring managers use social media to get to know their potential hires and screen candidates. “I don’t think [looking at social media] is an extra step now,” says Sheryl Swingley, internship coordinator and instructor for the journalism department. “Employers will look at social media before they look at your résumé.” Of the employers who scroll through candidates’ profiles, 76 percent use Facebook while 53 percent turn to Twitter. Last on the list is the professional networking site LinkedIn, with 48 percent of employers checking it to analyze a candidate’s professional online presence. “It’s a part of the application process, it’s mainstream now, it’s a fact they’re going to look at it. They look at the résumé, the cover letter, the portfolio and now social media is the fourth dimension,” Swingley says. About 68 percent of employers have hired candidates based on their social media presence. “I don’t see it as an evil, but at the same time I don’t see it as the only answer,” William Moser, supervisor of the Marketing Internship Program, says. “You never go to a single source to learn about something, you go to multiple sources. That’s exactly what an employer is doing. They research what you’re posting, they go to Twitter to see who you are following and then they check on Facebook to see if you posted about that wild party last weekend.” On the flip side, 69 percent of employers have turned away a candidate based on what they see on their social media stream. Swingley works with employers offering internships to Ball State mass media students. She has received feedback from employers mentioning racy profile pictures to photo albums blatantly stating alcohol was excessively consumed. Employers have come across pictures of applicants doing body shots and tweeting about “getting ready to go out and be hit on by old dudes.” “Your Facebook page needs to be a record of your professional development,” Swingley says. “Show activities you do on campus or projects you’re work-
Employers
are checking facebook to put a face to and lifestyle to potential employee’s résumés.
ing on. You don’t want to show you’ve had too much to drink and wearing too little.” Swingley said an even more common problem is individuals getting fired for social media posts after getting the job. The social media sphere itself, whether Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, presents its own obstacles to remaining professional online. Swingley says the issue with social media is that it’s spontaneous nature and warns students to be careful and take time to think about what they are communicating. “The top skills employers look for across the board is good communicators. That skill ranks high no matter what field you’re in,” Swingley says. Moser suggests self-Googling: the Internet’s path to self-reflection. If undesirable results pop up, Moser suggested students should have a more active presence to bury those inerasable records of bad behavior. To protect applicant’s privacy in the job search, 10 states have enacted laws allowing employers can ask for applicant’s social media usernames and passwords. This legislation has been either introduced or is currently pending in 36 states. “The whole issue is a continuously moving target,” Moser says. “It’s evolving and it will continue to evolve. It’s a learning curve. Is it going away? No. Are we going to have to adapt? Yes.”
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make it work More employers are ditching the newspaper ads, help wanted signs and Craigslist posts. Moser, supervisor of the Marketing Internship Program, said LinkedIn is fundamental in the job search. 41 percent of 2012 college graduates in the market for a job are using social media to help find one. 3.5 percent of job postings make it to the job boards like CareerBuilder and Monster.
IMAGE issues Keep the keg stand for Saturday night, not your Facebook profile. Moser suggests the allpurpose rule, “Don’t put anything on the internet you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see.” These are some reasons employers have turned way candidates:
The good news
• 11 percent had inappropriate photos.
You work hard on having a polished portfolio, so why not do the same for your profile? These employers were so impressed enough with these candidates’ social media presences that they hired them. Here are the reasons:
• 11 percent had negative comments.
39 percent gave a positive impression of personality and organizational fit.
• 11 percent demonstrated poor communication skills.
36 percent had a profile that supported professional qualifications.
• 13 percent lied about qualifications.
36 percent had a profile that showed creativity. 34 percent of the candidates had good references from others. 33 percent demonstrated good communication skills. 33 percent had a profile that showed candidate as being well-rounded.
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• 9 percent had comments about personal drinking. • 10 percent had comments about taking drugs. • 11 percent had negative comments about former employers.
• 10 percent made derogatory comments.
• 7 percent shared confidential information from previous employer
why you need a linkedin
1 2 3
One out of 20 LinkedIn profiles belong to a recruiter, HR, or sourcing professional. Employers are checking refernces online before inviting job seekers to interviews. LinkedIn is the preferred place by employers to find professional information about you.
employers’ reactions The following are excerpts from emails that employers have sent to Sheryl Swingley about potential interns and employees social media sites. We’ve received resumes from 3 students which is great. However, researching two of the ladies showed a not so professional image on their Twitter and Social Media pages. You might want to tell these students to make sure their Social Media pages are professional. Businesses research these students to see what kind of people they are. One applicant showed herself getting a body shot. The other applicant was talking about how she was “getting ready to go out to get hit on by old dudes.” I remember the party days at BSU, but the students need to have a little more common sense on what they post!
checklist create a profile grow your network facilitate introductions be professional be courteous pursue face-to-face networking contacts help others get introduced have realistic expectations don’t do too much fast remember offline networking techniques
social media
faux pas FEBRUARY 2013
Student Government Association candidate Chad Griewank admitted to creating an anonymous Twitter account to post offensive tweets attacking the SGA senator.
September 2013 Former SGA President Malachi Randolph resigns after posting tweets that were derogatory to Chinese people.
september 2013 Twitter account @bsu_makeouts retweeted a photo of two students having oral sex at a party. The Office of Student Rights and Community Standards investigated the posting of the photo because it violates privacy and sexual conduct standards. 37
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get MENTORING: Motivate our Minds Motivate Our Minds (MOMs) encourages a positive learning atmosphere for student’s in first through eighth grade. Their goal is to increase math and reading skills, expose students to culture through field trips, and boost self-confidence. It’s a safe place for students to go after school, where they can do their homework and be mentored. MOMs is no stranger to working with Ball State students. During the 2008-2009 school year alone they had 120 student volunteers. Volunteers could help students with homework in the classroom, plan events and other miscellaneous projects. To get started, contact 765289-1990.
Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity builds and repairs homes for deserving families in the greater Muncie community. The houses are built with no-profit, no-interest mortgage loans or other innovative methods to help the family flourish in their new house. There are many different opportunities available to volunteer with them. Whether you want to grab a hammer, put on a hard hat and head out to a construction site, or stocking shelves and serving meals are more your style, they have a place for you! To volunteer, call (765) 286-5739 or email volunteer@munciehabitat.org
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HOUSING: Boys and Girls Club The Boys and Girls Club of Muncie is dedicated to the success of young people in the community. They focus on three main priorities: academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. According to the clubs director, Micah Maxwell, the club wouldn’t have the impact they do without volunteers. Running on a low budget, volunteers are critical of the success of the children they work with. Volunteers work with students on their homework, and facilitate games and activities. Call 765-282-4461.
Rebuilding Together Rebuilding Together provides free rehabilitation and critical repairs to the homes of low-income families in Muncie, or families unable to do the repairs themselves. With the rising cost of living, they help families maintain the basic necessity of a warm, secure house. Rebuilding together will do repairs such as replacing windows, reroofing, and fixing stairs and porches. Volunteers don’t need to be skilled in carpentry to help out. There welcome hard-work, passionate people who can help with cleaning, measuring boards, office work, fundraising and more. More than 100,000 people volunteer for Rebuilding Together nationally. To join the team, email RebuildingTogetherMuncie@gmail.com.
involved A beginner’s guide to volunteering in Muncie STORY // LEEANN WOOD
ILLUSTRATIONS // STEPHANIE REDDING
ANIMALS: HUNGER: Harvest Soup Kitchen Harvest Soup Kitchen offers nutritious meals to struggling members of the Muncie Community. More than 1 billion people in the world deal with hunger. The kitchen seeks to help reduce that number through donations from food retailers and restaurants, including Ball State Dinning, and volunteers, who help serve the 125-150 people that come each day. They provide a healthy lunch and a sack dinner for later in the day. Since the food is all donated, staff gets to be creative with the meals they provide; it’s always something different. They always welcome volunteers who can help prepare the food and clean. Call the kitchen at 765-287-8439.
Second Harvest Food Bank Second Harvest Food Bank has served East Central Indiana for 30 years. They provide 8 million pounds of donated meals and groceries to more than 100 food pantries and meal services in their area annually. Volunteering with this organization is a way to make a big impact on the community. Second Harvest admits that they could not be as successful without their volunteers. They offer opportunities to volunteer on a weekly basis, or on a one-time basis individually or with a group of friends. To sign up, call Joe Fox, Operations Director, at 765-287-8698 x106.
Action for Animals Action for Animals takes in stray cats and dogs in Delaware County. In an effort to control the cat overpopulation by spaying and neutering stray cats. They provide medical care the animals might need, and find them permanent homes. They work solely with stray animals; they do not take owner surrenders. Action for Animals also has a Spay Day program, which provides spaying and neutering for a discounted price to community members. Volunteers are an important part of this organization. They can help by meeting with potential adopter at PetSmart, working on fundraising events, and working with the foster program. If you want to help animals in need, email actionforanimals.teresa@gmail.com.
Animal Rescue Fund Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) provides shelter, medical care and love to abused, neglected and unwanted animals in Muncie. They work to find permanent homes for the animals and promote awareness to end animal cruelty and eliminate euthanasia used for animal population control. They run the Meow and Mutt Market, where they sell gently used items. All the profits go to support the animals ARF takes care of. To help low-income pet owners, they provide free dog and cat food in an effort to keep the animals in their homes. Volunteers can help with animal care and cleaning. Interested in helping? Stop by the Adoption Center at 1209 W. Riggin Rd., Muncie, Ind.
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ELDERLY: Alpha Center Second Harvest Food Bank has served East Central Indiana for 30 years. They provide 8 million pounds of donated meals and groceries to more than 100 food pantries and meal services in their area annually. Volunteering with this organization is a way to make a big impact on the community. Second Harvest admits that they could not be as successful without their volunteers. They offer opportunities to volunteer on a weekly basis, or on a one-time basis individually or with a group of friends. To sign up, call Joe Fox, Operations Director, at 765-287-8698 x106.
Life Stream Life Stream helps more than 30,000 people per year in East Central Indiana through providing meals, transportation, caregiver support, in-home care and more. Their AngelWorx volunteer program matches students with community needs. Volunteers have help with fundraising, wellness programs, preparing and serving daily meals, and delivering holiday gifts. Volunteers have the flexibility to choose their own hours, how often they volunteer and do tasks they enjoy. To get started, contact Life Stream to get matched where you can serve best. Call 765-759-1121.
40 // BALL BEARINGS
ARTS & CULTURE: Cornerstone Center for the Arts Cornerstone’s goal is to offer a sense of community while providing education in the arts. They offer classes in dance, music, theatre, visual arts, writing, fitness and more. They also do private lessons and workshops. The historic building can be rented out for community events, performances and weddings. There are many opportunities to get involved with Cornerstone. From marketing and fundraising to working in the classroom, there is a place for everyone. The first step is filling out a volunteer form at cornerstonearts.org/support/volunteer_form. Questions? Email cacree@cornerstonearts.org.
Muncie Public Library The Muncie Public Library is more than just a place to get books and read. While that is an important service they offer, there is so much more to know. They have events and classes to help better the Muncie community. They offer computer classes to adults who want to learn new skills, clubs such as the Anime club for teens to bond over shared interests, and book clubs for community members. The opportunities to get involved seem endless. Volunteers have the option to assist with computer classes, book sales, homework help, landscaping, genealogy and public relations, just to name a few. To find out more, or to sign up, visit munciepubliclibrary.org/volunteers/.w
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minnetrista
farmers market Photos // staff
Jeff Fuller
starts to set up half of his stand with a truckload of pumpkins at the Minnetrista Farmer’s Market at the Cultural Center in Muncie, Indiana on October 9th. He also sells an assortment of fruits and vegetables.
Left: Crates of ripe
plums are some of the fruits available at the Muncie Farmers Market.
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Above: Marieta Zapf and her husband
Mike Zapf have a booth of produce at the Farmers market at Minnetrista. they have three acres of gardens outside Hartford City.
Local farmers enjoy participating in the local farmer’s market. Purchasing produce from the Minnetrista Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings is one of many ways to support local farmers in Muncie.
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EVERY LEAF SPEAKS TO ME FLUTTERING FROM THE AUTUMN TREE
BLISS - EMILY BRONTË
illustration // katie jamison
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HUNGRY? Burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and other Mexican fare Chips & salsa bar Custom-made salads Custom-made deli sandwiches Boar’s Head® meats and cheeses Chick-fil-A® favorites Handmade Sbarro® pizza Pasta entrees Freshly made sushi Angus steakburgers Baked potatoes Onion rings 1/4-lb. all-beef hot dogs Fresh fruit
Hubbard & Cravens® coffees Hubbard & Cravens® teas Espresso & other specialty drinks Frozen blended drinks Fresh sandwiches Salads Pastries and cookies Fresh fruit Desserts
Food Mall/Marketplace Salad bar Grill favorites Homestyle entrees Pasta dishes Stir-fry Paninis Custom-made deli sandwiches Fresh fruit Gourmet cheesecake Freshly made sushi Grocery area The Retreat Lunch features a la carte entrées, salads, soups, and desserts (faculty/staff and their guests only). Dinner is an all-you-careto-eat buffet (open to all).
Grab-n-go sandwiches and salads Microwavable entrees Pastries Hubbard & Cravens® Coffees Grocery area
Taco Bell® Starbucks® Salad & fruit bar Specialty lunch entrees Grill favorites Soups Home-style favorites Freshly made sushi Grab-n-go salads, sandwiches, and wraps
Brick-oven pizzas Pasta entrees Mongolian grill Tacos & enchiladas Homestyle entrees Grill favorites Custom-made spinning salads Paninis and wraps Grab-n-go sandwiches and salads Fresh fruit Pastries and breakfast items Starbucks® coffees Grocery area
America’s Buffet All-you-care-to-eat homestyle favorites and salad bar Courtside Hot custom deli subs Soups Custom pastas and pizzas Salad bar Fresh fruit and veggies Milkshakes and ice cream Out of Bounds Custom sandwiches Hot dogs and chili dogs Nachos Grilled chicken Grab-n-go sandwiches and salads Grill appetizers Freshly made sushi Grocery area
All-you-care-to-eat buffet, featuring custom stir-fry, home-style fare, grill, and salad bar
Smoothies made w/real fruit Energy-boosting blend-ins Wheat grass shots Teas Freshly squeezed juices Baked goods and flatbreads Hot oatmeal
Tom John FOOD SHOP
Custom sandwiches and salads Burgers, pizzas, and nachos Soups Ice cream novelties Coffee and fountain drinks
Grocery and grab-n-go areas
Toasted sub sandwiches Salads Wraps and flatbreads Grocery area
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www.bsu.edu/dining
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